Harry woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, at least when comparing it to the previous day. He climbed out of bed and took a nice hot shower. Once dressed, he went down to the common room to find Fred and George.
"Harry, sorry about yesterday." Said Fred.
"We really do feel bad about it." Said George.
"Don't worry about it. Did either of you know what would happen?"
"Not really. We've been working on it and thought the 'Eye-poppers' were ready to go." Said Fred.
"We'll keep working on them. We'll get it right." Said George.
"And we promise not to test anything on you without your consent." Said Fred.
"We also promise to completely inform you of whatever product we have and want to test it." Said George.
"You better. Don't expect me to though."
"Of course not." Said the twins.
Fred and George headed out for breakfast as the rest of Gryffindor house filled into the common room. In a short amount of time the common room became crowded. Harry told Ginny, Ron and Hermione that he'd meet them in the dining hall. He then went in search for Neville.
"Hey, Neville I'd like a quick word with you. Let's go up to the dormitory, its pretty crowded down here."
"Okay." Said Neville as he followed Harry back up the stairs.
Once in the dormitory Harry found what was left of the calming potion. He poured it out into a small goblet and handed it to Neville.
"Here, drink this. Trust me it will help, we have Snape today."
Neville paled at the mention of Snape, he took the goblet and drank it all. Once finished he handed the empty goblet back to Harry.
"It was a calming potion. I am confident that it will help you relax in potions class."
"Thanks Harry."
"No problem. We should go eat."
Harry and Neville left Gryffindor tower and went straight to the dining hall. As usual Neville sat by Seamus and Dean. Harry sat down next to Ginny, across from Ron and Hermione.
After breakfast Ron, Hermione and Harry headed down to the dungeons for potions. As they arrived the rest of Gryffindor and all the Slytherin's wee there waiting in the hall in front of the door. Harry made that he stayed as far away from Draco as possible.
"Scared to be near me Potter?"
"You wish. I'd rather not be near…" Harry stopped talking as he saw the door open.
"What are you all waiting for? Quickly take your seats and quiet down." Said Snape.
As they filled into the classroom Harry made sure that he sat at a table with Neville. He was sure that the calming potion would help but he also wanted to be sure that Neville had help nearby incase he needed it.
Harry noticed that Neville was doing quite better. The Shrinking Solution they were working on should have been bright green by this point, Neville's was dark green but at least it wasn't orange.
Snape was roaming around the room checking how everyone was doing. As he passed Harry and Neville he said nothing about Neville's potion being dark green. Harry smiled to himself and started thinking about how he'd be able to get more of the potions for Neville. As the time was winding down Snape walked over to his desk and sat down.
"Everyone come up here and age an empty vile. I want a sample of your Shrinking Solution. I will analyze it, if you have not succeeded in making a Shrinking Solution you will have to try and correct it or start again from the beginning on Tuesday. If you still have not succeeded in making the Shrinking Solution on that day, you will write an essay on what you did wrong and turn it in to me the following Tuesday."
One by one each student quickly got an empty vile, filled it and gave it to Snape before gathering their things and leaving for lunch.
Harry quickly ate his lunch and left the dining hall early. Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked at each other with identical confused expressions.
Harry tried to find Remus before class started. After a while Harry gave up looking for Remus and sprinted to the classroom. He took a seat next to Hermione. Everyone had their books out; Harry only had his wand in hand.
"Please put you books away. You won't need them today, but you will need your wand. Today will be a practical lesson. Now, please follow me."
As Harry knew what was about to happen he was reluctant to leave with the class. The only thing that made him get up out of his chair was to see Snape wearing Neville's Grandmother's clothes. The rest of the class was puzzled but interested so they got up out of their chairs to follow Remus.
As they walked through the school, Harry was only aware of walking, stopping for a moment and walking again. He was only thinking about how he could manage to have a quick word with Remus in private. There was no way he'd be able to make a dementor less frightening, even if it was a boggart dementor. Then he though, what would the dementor turn into? There were quite a few things that would be frightening to him. His thoughts went back to dementors, as that was the most frightening thing to Harry.
They entered the staff room. It was a fairly large, plain room with several old mismatched chairs. And there was Snape sitting in a low armchair. He looked up to see who was entering the room. At seeing Remus with a class he got up to leave.
"Severus, you don't have to leave on our account."
"I'd rather not witness this. I don't know if you are aware that Neville Longbottom is in this class. I suggest you don't entrust him with anything dangerous. He has a history of let me say not performing up to standard. Unless of course someone is helping him along."
"Interesting that you should say that. I was hoping that Mr. Longbottom would assist me. I am sure that he will perform at, if not above standard on his own."
Neville turned, amazingly, redder and looked horrified. Snape scowled and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Remus beckoned the class forward. There was a wardrobe leaning against a wall, Remus was standing next to it. Most of the class was wondering what a wardrobe had to do with a practical lesson. Suddenly the wardrobe gave a wobble, banging off the wall. Several students gasped, some backed away and others did both.
"Nothing to worry about, its just a boggart in there. Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces. They can be found in wardrobes, under beds, in cupboards or even desk drawers. The first question we must ask is, what is a boggart?"
"A boggart is a shape-shifter, it can take the form of whatever it thinks will frighten someone the most." Said Hermione.
"Very well put, Ms. Granger. The boggart in this wardrobe has not yet assumed a form. No one knows what a boggart looks like when it is along. So, when I open this wardrobe it will take the form of what frightens each of us most. We have an advantage here. Does any know why or what that is?"
Hermione's had flew into the air.
"I have no doubt Ms. Granger that you know. Shall we first see if anyone else might know or have a guess?"
"It won't know what form to take, as there are so many of us." Harry said softly in a glum voice.
"Correct Mr. Potter. When dealing with boggart's it is best to be with at least one other person. It will become confused and not know what form to take. Now, we will practice the charm without wands. Repeat after me…riddikulus."
"Riddikulus." Repeated the whole class.
"Unfortunately the charm alone is not enough to finish off a boggart. Neville, please come forward."
Neville stepped forward, shaking.
"So, Neville what frightens you most?"
Neville was so scared and shaking that he only managed a soft gurgling noise.
Remus asked Neville again.
"P-professor Snape."
Everyone laughed, except Harry he chuckled and smirked.
"Professor Snape…I see…You live with your Grandmother correct?'
"I don't want it to turn into her either."
"It won't. What does she wear? Can you describe her clothes?"
Neville, not quite understanding, described his Grandmother's clothes to Remus as well as the whole class.
"Can you clearly see the clothes?"
"Yes."
"Here's what I want you to do, when the boggart Professor Snape appears raise your wand, say the charm and concentrate hard on your Grandmother's clothes. Think of nothing else." Remus then leaned closer to Neville and said in his ear, "We will see the boggart Professor Snape in your Grandmother's clothes."
Neville looked at Remus and sheepishly smiled.
"If all goes well, the boggart will turn its attention on each of us in turn. So, everyone think of what frightens you the most and how to make it comical."
Harry quickly walked up to Remus, "Professor, could I have a word?"
"Yes." Said Remus as he stepped a way from the group. "What is it Harry?"
"Well, as first it seems that the boggart would take the form of Voldemort, returned to power. Then, well, there's no way that one can make a dementor, even if it is a boggart one, look comical. I thought that it could possibly turn into a number of things but I keep coming back to dementors. I won't be able to make it comical. I'd be able to get rid of it with a patronus. I was wondering if there is any way that I could not face the boggart without it being obvious?"
"You do not have to face the boggart, but I am not sure if it can be done without notice. If you would rather to just leave now that would be fine with me. You have my permission to collect your things from the classroom.
"Thank you Professor."
"No need to thank me. Under the circumstances…We don't need a boggart Voldemort or dementor here."
Harry quickly headed straight for the door. Once he reached the door he stopped and turned around in time to see Snape wearing a long, lace-trimmed green dress with a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture and a huge crimson handbag dangling from his arm. Harry smiled and left the staff room.
Time was passing by quickly for Harry. Before he knew it the Quidditch season was on the near horizon. Harry felt as though he had only been back at school for a week.
Harry waked into Transfiguration and took a seat in between Ron and Hermione. The next thing he knew chairs were scraping on the floor, as everyone was getting ready to leave. He couldn't remember what the class had been about. He thought about asking Hermione later what the class had been about.
"Wait a moment. As all of you are in my house, I will need your signed Hogsmead permission forms turned into me before Halloween. No form, no visiting the village, so do not forget."
Neville's hand flew into the air. "Professor…I think…I think I lost my form."
"Not to worry Longbottom. Your Grandmother sent it in directly to me. She seemed to think that you would lose it."
As everyone was filing out of class Harry approached McGonagall.
"What is it Potter?"
"Well…I was wondering if I could get another form, so I could send it to my Aunt to sign and return."
"Sorry Potter there the only forms are the ones that were sent out with the Hogwarts letters before school started. Not to worry, Sirius sent in a letter to Dumbledore giving you permission, also your Aunt seems to have found the one you were sent before school started. She signed it and sent it in with her owl. Do enjoy your visits to the village."
Harry briskly walked out of the classroom and caught up to Ron and Hermione, who were now joined by Ginny.
"Were did you disappear to? You took off during Defense." Asked Hermione.
"Didn't feel like facing what I fear the most."
"It couldn't be worse than spiders." Said Ron,
"Actually my fear is worse than spiders."
"How?"
"Hmmm. Let me see, either Voldemort back in power or dementors that cause one to relive the worst horror of his or her life. For example, when dementors are around I hear Voldemort murdering my parents and hear their voices trying to protect me. Oh and I tend to pass out. At least I used to. I haven't been around dementors any time recently."
Ron, Hermione and Ginny said nothing, as they didn't know what to say or do.
The first Hogsmead trip arrived and everyone allowed to go was in high spirits. Harry was excited about going with permission this time. This time, to Harry was much better. Thought the adrenaline rush of doing what he shouldn't be doing would be a little missed, but the fear of being caught would not be missed. He was looking forward to enjoying this trip with both of his friends. He refused to let thoughts of Ginny bring him down, as she wouldn't be able to go this year. He decided he would bring he back as much as he could. Harry started thinking about going into Hogsmead with Ginny the following year but then remembered that it would be two years before that would happen as the Tri-Wizard-Tournament would going on next year.
Harry bought a lot of sweets at Honeydukes to bring back. After stopping in at the Three Broomsticks and warming up with some butterbeer, Harry made his escape back to Hogwarts. He wanted to give Ginny what he had bought with as little amount of people around as possible.
Harry found Ginny, alone in the common room. He walked over to where she was sitting and sat down next to her. He set the bag of sweets down on the table in front of her.
"Thanks Harry. I do appreciate the thought. Really I do. It's just…well…Fred and George always bring be back sweets and it's kind of…well it will better next year when I go and buy them myself." I also brought you this." Harrys said as he handed Ginny a bottle of butterbeer that he had managed to sneak out of Hogsmead and into Hogwarts.
Ginny's face lit up, she grabbed the bottle, opened it and started drinking it.
"Thank You! WOW! Harry this tastes…I've never…it's …"
"I know. I thought that you would like some."
An hour later Ron and Hermione entered the common room.
"What do you think is going on with Harry?" Asked Ron.
"I think that he just wanted to give someone something."
"What are you talking about?"
"Look around Ron."
Ron looked around the common room and spotted Harry and Ginny sitting at a table. He started to walk in the direction of them when Hermione stopped him.
"What?"
"Ron, don't do it."
"I can't go say 'hi' to my sister?"
"But that's not why you want to go ever there. You've never wanted to go over and say 'hi' to her before. Nothing is going on. They're talking and eating sweets. Leave them alone. You'll just end up fighting with them. Do you really want your sister writing home, complaining about you? She is pretty clever and I am sure she could come up with something to say about you, you know invent something. For should she invent some horrible thing to say about you, would your parents investigate it? Would they ask you? Or would they just take her word for it?"
Ron turned and ran up the stairs to the boy's dormitories.
On the way to the dining hall Harry realized that Ron was nowhere in sight.
"Hermione, where's Ron?"
"Oh…uh…he's in the boy's dormitory. I asked Neville to go let Ron know that it's time for dinner. When Neville came back down, he told me that Ron said he wasn't hungry."
"Ron…not hungry…that doesn't make any sense. He's always hungry. What's wrong with him?"
"He…uh…saw something and went to protective brother mode."
"Oh."
Harry ate what he could at dinner. He grabbed what he could to take to Ron.
Harry entered the dormitories, he spotted Ron at the same time that Ron spotted him. Before Harry could say anything Ron started walking towards him.
"You don't have to say anything. I know you're building a friendship with my sister. I owe Hermione my life. I know you wouldn't anything to my sister. I do trust you with her. I can't help it…I can't control it when I go into protective, big brother mode. Hermione stopped me from making a fool of myself, as well as making a huge mistake."
"Ron. Relax. I'm not here to give hell. I do realize that you chose to hide out up here than what ever you were thinking of doing. I brought you something to eat. There's still enough time to go down to the dining hall to get something better or more."
"What you brought is fine. Was I like this…you know?"
"Not with me, much."
"So, before you and Ginny got together…she…did she…date other people?"
"Yeah."
"Who?"
Harry explained that Ginny was only dating other boy's to get him to take notice of her. He then told Ron who Ginny had dated.
"Well…knowing that helps. They're not good enough for my sister. But you're…"
"Don't even say it Ron. You are her brother and it's a given that you will feel that no one is going to be good enough for your sister."
"I can accept my sister and you together…I can…I'll try harder. I mean she obviously feels that you are good enough for her."
"That was honest. Ron just keep in mind that Ginny and I are only friends."
"Right now, that is."
Harry couldn't help but smile. Ron was trying so hard to not react like a protective brother. This matter to Harry, and meant a lot to him. He knew that once he and Ginny were dating that Ron would be able to deal with it, in time anyway.
Harry was embracing all the Quidditch practices. He had been able to keep up with his schoolwork as well, and with out much help from Hermione. He was looking forward to the first match of the season. His mind was only on the upcoming match as he walked into Defense Against the Dark Arts. It wasn't until he was pulling out his book that he realized that Snape was there. Gradually the rest of the class realized this as well.
"Settle down, settle down. Your teaching is not feeling well at the present time, so I will be filling in. I see that Professor Lupin has not left any note of what you have covered so far…"
Hermione's hand, as usual, flew into the air. And as usual, Snape ignored this. Harry took a chance and raised his hand.
"Yes, Potter."
"We've covered boggarts, Red caps, kappas and grindylows. Professor Lupin was about start us on hinkypunks…"
"I did not ask what…"
"I just thought that you would like to know what we've already covered, sir."
"So Potter, do you have the notion to become a teacher and teach this class as well as everything else you are doing?"
"No. Sir. I just…"
"Silence! You are not teaching this class, I am…be quiet. Now let me see…" Snape said while he flipped through the pages of the book.
Harry knew exactly what Snape was up to. He knew that a small part of Snape's hatred of Lupin had to do with the teaching job, but Harry knew it had to do with when Snape and Lupin had been at school together.
"Here we go. We will cover werewolves."
"But, sir we're not to do werewolves for quite a while. Professor Lupin…" Said Hermione.
"Silence! Turn to page 394. Now! Everyone."
Everyone slowly began to pull out their books and turn to page 394.
"Who can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?"
Everyone sat motionless, even Hermione. Though she knew how to tell the difference between the two, she did not feel like being ignored, again."
"No one. What a pity. Are you telling me that Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic…"
"We've been trying to tell you that we haven't got that far yet." Said Pavarti.
"Silence! The headmaster must be informed of how far all of you are behind. I will ask again, can anyone tell me how to distinguish between…"
"We've told you, we haven't gone that far yet. We haven't been studying anything close to werewolves. How are we supposed to know anything about them?"
"Well, well, Potter you've just earned yourself a detention. I will be in touch with the details."
No one paid much attention to the class until Snape informed that he wanted two rolls of parchment on how to recognize and kill werewolves and that it be turned in on Monday. Everyone then quickly put their things away and left the classroom, Harry turned around and walked back into the classroom.
"Potter, I said I'd be in touch."
"I just wanted to remind you that Lily Evens was my mother. And what do you think her reaction would be if she were alive and knew how you were treating me?" Harry then ran out the classroom.
Severus felt as though he had been slapped across the face and his heart pierced with a red hot metal pole.
"Harry what did you do?" Asked Hermione.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Asked Ron.
Harry did not respond and kept running in the direction of Dumbledore's office.
"Potter! What is your hurry? You know that there is no running in the hallways." Asked McGonagall.
"I need to see Dumbledore. It's very important."
"May I ask what about?"
"The injustices of Sev…Professor Snape. He doesn't listen to anyone outside of his house. He gave me detention all because I tried to explain that we knew nothing about werewolves yet because Professor Lupin hadn't got there yet."
"Come with me." McGonagall said and led Harry the way to Dumbledore's office.
Harry spent a couple of hours trying to explain what happened without screaming or yelling and without tossing Dumbledore's possessions around the office. He even told Dumbledore what the last thing he has said to Snape.
"I will have a word with him."
"He won't admit it, but he's extremely pissed that a werewolf is teaching the class he wants to be teaching. He refuses to believe that my dad could do the right thing. Don't get me wrong, I know Snape has his reasons and I understand. I wish he could realize that I am not my father. I don't show off all over the school, I don't go around making other people's lives hell because of boredom."
"I hear you, Harry. I thank you for telling me and I will be talking to Professor Snape. I don't want you to feel that I am brushing you off, it's just that dinner is about to begin."
"I'm not hungry. I'll just go to bed." Harry then left the office and went straight to bed.
