Well hear it is. Chapter 17. I don't know what to say about it. It's best described by the people reading it. I hope all of you like it. Next chapter will have a conversation between Harry and Cho. Yes they finally meet for a good chat. Thanks again to everyone interested.
xHx: Thanks for the review of chapter 16. I really needed the feed back. Oh! And thinks for telling me about the school year in the UK. I can put Cho's birthday earlier than I thought. I hope that someone else reading this story will write a review of that chapter as well. It's the first I've done from Marietta's POV.
Chapter 17: The Hate of the Gryffindors
Harry and his mates were in class for their first Defense against Dark Arts lesson. The three Gryffindors sat in the back of the room to avoid their new teacher. Professor Snape was giving a lecture about ancient creatures. They were sharing the lesson with the Slytherins from their same year. The lesson had been going on for an hour. Harry would look at Pansy Parkinson, who had lost a lot of weight, from time to time, and lose concentration on his lesson. Snape would give Harry a scathing look every so often, when ever he walked bye.
"Now amongst the many ancient creatures in the world, is one particular specimen, known as the vampire. Vampires until recently have been an enemy of Wizarding kind. But with the success of privately owned blood banks in most developed nations such as ours, in the nineteen eighty's, vampire attacks have become rare. And who can tell me the name of the treaty that was signed four years ago between the Ministry of Magic, and the Vampire Royal Prince, Hearth." Snape said. Hermione's hand instantly shot up, and she shook it violently, trying to get Professor Snape's attention. He merely ignored her and walked over to a clearly distracted Harry. "Mr. Potter!" He yelled slamming an open hand on Harry's desk, and startling him. Harry jumped and looked up at Professor Snape. "Mr. Potter, have you been paying attention?" Snape asked. Harry looked at him still stunned.
"Yes Professor." Harry said nervously. Snape smiled a large toothy grin.
"Good, than perhaps you can tell me the answer." He said still grinning. Harry hadn't heard the question. And tried to stammer out an answer.
"I…that is…the answer is…a shield charm?" Harry asked.
"Ten points from Gryffindor Mr. Potter. And ten points from whoever can't get the same question right." Snape chided. Harry gave a sigh of distress. Snape walked over to the table that Malfoy sat at. "Now…fortunately we do have a few students in this class that are of superior intellect. Ones that unlike Mr. Potter, can manage to pay attention, and answer correctly. Mr. Malfoy?" Draco Malfoy Looked up to his favorite teachers eyes, with a worried look on his face. "Mr. Malfoy, please tell the class the name of the treaty signed four years ago, between the Wizarding World, and the Vampire Prince Heath." Snape asked with confidence. Draco, merely put down his head, and sighed.
"I…I don't know sir." He said embarrassed. Snape's face turned beat red.
"Don't know? Don't know? What do you mean you don't know? I've just been talking about it for the last five minutes." Snape asked angry. Draco slumped back down in his desk. Draco had a look of depression on his face.
"I'm sorry Professor; I must have just missed that one part." Snape gave him a look of contempt. And walked back to the front of the room.
"Well who else can tell me?" He asked. Hermione spoke up with out being called on.
"Professor Snape. You forgot to take ten points off of Slytheren." She said anxious. Snape shot her a look that sent a chill up her spine.
"Oh thank you for reminding me Miss Granger. You're very right. Draco that will be ten points." Draco gave Hermione an equally vicious look. "And I think ten points off for you Miss Granger for talking in class without permission." Snape said in a sneering tone. Hermione gasped, but did not say anything. Snape rubbed his chin. "However, you have also caught me in a generous mood. I'll give you a chance to get those ten points back…for the benefit of the class. Tell us, what was the name of the treaty that the vampire's signed with us four years ago?" He asked casually. Hermione stood up and started in a confident voice.
"It was the Blood-Wand Pact." Hermione stated. Snape nodded his head.
"And it provided for…?" Snape challenged.
"A ceasing of all hostilities between vampires, and wizarding people, and a ceasing of all attacks, on Wizarding and Muggle, humans. In return several blood banks in the United Kingdom would be set up exclusively for vampire consumption. It allowed the vampire's of this country to live in peace, and allowed members of the wizarding world, and Muggle world to live without fear of attacks from vampires. It also led to similar treaties with the vampires across the channel in Europe, and All other developed countries." Hermione finished. Snape again begrudgingly nodded his head.
"Fine Miss Granger you get your ten back." Snape walked over to Pansy Parkinson and looked down at her.
"And now Miss Parkinson, can you tell me why vampires continue to attack people on occasion." He asked. Pansy nervously stood up. She stammered for the words, and found them.
"Well…it's because…some vampires are just evil. I mean…they have a blood lust don't they. Like they can't control themselves. So every so often, when they are feeling a bit starved, and don't want to bother with standing in the queue at the blood bank…the more villainous among them, attack people, and drain out all their blood." Pansy finished. Snape gave a weak clap.
"Well done Miss Parkinson. Ten points to Slytheren. And now to Mr. Weasley." Snape continued, moving over to where Ron was sitting. Ron had a concerned look on his face. "Mr. Weasley, can you tell me the two possible results of being bitten by a vampire?" Snape said with an angry expression. Hermione's hand shot up again, but Ron gently grabbed her arm, and lowered it. He gulped and gave Snape the answer.
"The first one is that you become a vampire if you are bitten. Doomed to live forever in darkness. And the second is that…you…die." Ron finished, nervous at the thought. Snape had an expression of surprise on his face.
"Yes very good Mr. Weasley. You become a vampire, doomed never again to see the light of day, or you…die!" Snape said. He walked to the front of the class, and faced the students. "Just like Miss Iris Foxmead. This summer a vampire got a hold of her, and drained her of all her blood. From what I understand it was very messy and as the killer hasn't been caught yet, and for the benefit of all the students here, and especially all those from the Dover area, tomorrow we will be learning how to defend ourselves against vampires. For your home work you will each write a four foot long essay on the history of vampire attacks." Snape said. He then turned to Draco Malfoy. "Mr. Malfoy. You will write one six feet long." Snape stated with a tone of disappointment. Draco nodded, his expression unreadable. Snape again turned to address the students. "Now get out of here the lot of you." Snape said annoyed. Harry and his mates rushed out the door and made their way down the hall. Ron and Hermione gave Harry a quizzical look. Harry felt their eyes bore into him, and wondered what they were looking at.
"What?" Harry asked. Ron looked embarrassed, but spoke up.
"Well…it's just that you seemed to be staring at Pansy Parkinson really hard. What was up with that?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged
"Oh that. I just noticed that she lost a lot of weight over the summer, and…well some other stuff changed about her." Harry said innocently. Ron smiled.
"Yea I noticed she gained weight in a few other more desirable places." Ron finished, in a sly tone. Hermione gagged.
"Yuck! Is that all that you guys think about? About sex?" she said disapprovingly. Harry and Ron looked at each other, and then at Hermione.
"Well yea, lately." Harry said. "That, and Quidditch. I just really haven't been able to stop myself thinking about girls." Harry said genuinely. Ron suddenly slapped his head.
"Oh, Harry! I forgot to tell you that I'll be late to Quidditch practice tomorrow about an hour." Ron stated apologetically.
"Why Ron?" Harry asked. Ron began to blush.
"Well actually that's the day I have Special Effects class with Luna Lovegood." Ron said smiling. Hermione gave him a scalding look.
"Ron! I thought you agreed not to go out with that stupid girl. Why don't you drop that class? We need to work on your Vampire sheet anyway. You'll need my help." Hermione finished, in an authoritive tone. Ron gave a frown.
"Why would you say that about Luna? I thought that the two of you got along fine at the Ministry of Magic last year. And if I were not taking the class I would be playing Quidditch. What makes you instantly assume that I need your help with My Vampire essay? Think I'm stupid do you?" Ron asked offended. Hermione looked a little hurt.
"Well I always have to do a lot of yours and Harry's work for you, and I may have gotten along with Luna at the Ministry, but that was before…" Hermione stopped herself. "…anyway you read the article in the Quibbler, it said that they had captured a Crumple Horned Snorack, and that they were going to lend it to Hogwarts this year. Even had an article with a picture of the Snorack, except that there was no Snorack, just an empty space. And what book were we assigned in Care of Magical Creatures Class? "Walking with Giants", that's what. We weren't assigned any books on Snoracks. So that means Luna is a liar. Do you really want to spend your time with someone like that?" Hermione said in a condemning manner. Ron looked at her shocked at the frustration she was displaying.
"Look Hermione. Luna's a nice girl. I'll be the first to admit that she has an overactive imagination, but so what if that Snorack thing doesn't exist. She's just a little into having imaginary creatures. I think it's kind of cute actually. I think that you're just jealous. And if you fancy me why don't you just say so, instead of using Victor the Crumb to make me jealous. Come on! Come out and say it!" Ron said hostile. Hermione gasped offended.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She said offended.
"Oh really?" Ron said hotly. Hermione turned up her nose, and started to speak.
"Really! I…mmmph!" Ron grabbed her head, and gave her a long kiss. When he finally pulled away. He looked at Hermione. She was frozen, and her jaw fell open.
"Look Hermione. I'm new to this dating thing, and I want to try seeing a few other girls, to see what going out with different ones are like. I don't know if I'm ready for a commitment now, but mum said that sometimes girls will do odd things to show a boy that she is interested in them. Like how you talk about Victor all the time to make me jealous. I don't think that we should hide the fact that our just friends persona is just a façade. I really have feelings for you. Well…like I said, this dating thing is really weird to me, so I want to start slow. Do you want to go to the first Hogsmead weekend with me as my date? Hermione…Hermione…?" Ron waved his hand in front of her face.
"Sure Ron, I understand. Take it slow. Hogsmead would be great. I have to go to…somewhere." She said in a robotic tone, as she stumbled up the stairs, a slight smile on her face. Harry looked at Ron, who then turned to Harry.
"I…I don't know what came over me. I just felt I had to say it. I could never repeat it. I feel really weird Harry." Ron said queasy. Harry patted him on the back. Its okay if your late tomorrow Ron, but are you sure that your not ready for a commitment? I mean Hermione and you blatantly have deep feelings for each other." Harry said in a caring tone.
"That's just what I mean Harry. I do care about her. I'm sure that we'll end up together, but I don't want to go through my entire life without having even been out on a single date with another girl. I really can't explain it to you; I just want the experience of dating casually." Ron finished.
"No problem Ron. But make sure that you get to the pitch some time tomorrow; it's our last one before our actual practice match with Hufflepuff on Friday. I've got some new ideas, for some aggressive plays that will put us ahead in the game. But we'll go easy on them for the practice match.
At lunch Harry, Ron, and Neville were enjoying their lemon pie. Hermione had not been seen since Ron gave her the kiss. Harry found himself looking over at the Ravenclaw table for Cho Chang. She wasn't in there. A couple of Ravenclaw girls with Red, white, and black armbands were passing out pink leaflets. One of them was none other than Marietta Edgencombe. Lori Sanchez, a Gryffindor seventh year, with impossibly dark hair, a pointy nose, olive completed skin, and a notebook with pink leaflets sticking out of it came up to the three of them. She was wearing one of the red armbands with a white circle in the middle, and a black water drop symbol in it, on her arm. She smiled and extended her hand to Ron and Neville. "Hello Weasley, Hello Longbottom, how are you today?" she said with a cheery voice. Harry extended his hand but Lori pulled hers away casually, without looking at him.
"Very good Lori, how are you, and how was your holiday?" Ron asked. Lori's smile became even bigger.
"It was great; I've spent the summer learning about my ancestors from Spain, and reading up on the teachings of my favorite author, Ian Watson. He's a motivational speaker, and a profit of sorts. He has a lot to say about how the near future is going to be. What we can expect and what our part is going to be in it. He talks about our responsibilities to the wizarding world. I've been to several of his seminars, they are sooo inspiring. He's also written several books. He's going to speak in Hogsmead the first weekend were allowed there. It will be free to hear him, but by invitation only. You two should go. I wanted to give you a few leaflets with some important information on them. Including a list of his books, and interviews. Will the two of you read over this material? It may just save the Wizarding world." She said happily, as she handed Neville and Ron each one of the flyers, and a ticket to the seminar. They began to read them.
"That sounds interesting. I'd like one too please." Harry said politely. Lori didn't look at Harry. But continued facing Ron and Neville as she spoke.
"It's for invitation only, and I only have a set amount for a set amount of people." She said her expression unreadable.
"Well if he's claiming to be a profit…I'm really not interested. I've had enough of Divinization with that silly nuttier of a teacher Professor Trelawney." Ron said. Lori laughed.
"Oh, no Weasley. Not that kind of Profit. I mean one that can shape the future through action. We all have a duty to make the wizarding world a more acceptable place for certain people. There is too much Muggle influence in our schools, and the worlds need to continue to be separated, for the good of both worlds. It's about the importance of not mixing the races. Wizarding and Muggle." Lori said proudly. Ron, Neville and Harry gave blank expressions.
"What do you mean not mixing the races Lori?" Ron asked.
"Simple, it's important for the wizarding community to stay true to its heritage. Their was a time when the wizarding world didn't allow mud…err…muggle-borne people in positions at the ministry. And now it seems their taking over. We need to politely explain to them that their presents are not wanted here. Their kind will never produce people who are as good as ours in quantity. Oh there may be a few exceptions to the rule, but not much. Now you two both coming from fine upstanding pureblood families yourselves, I knew that you would be interested in maintaining a world with less muggle interaction in it." Lori finished. Ron gave her a disgusted look.
"Well you thought wrong Lori! I'm not big into maintaining a world with less muggle-borne's in it. I don't care about stuff like that.
"Really, I'm simply asking you to take pride in something that you are and will continue to be long after you leave Hogwarts. Muggle-borne's can never expect to be true citizens of our world, surly you two must know that discrimination is a good thing, I mean look how long our world has been separated from the muggle world. Ron, our mothers know each other, and I've been to your house before. Hasn't your own mum complained about your father's obsession with muggle affairs? Hasn't she referred to muggles in general with an air of distaste before? And that was just over tea." Lori finished.
"Look she was referring to the ways that muggles do some things, that's all. She likes my friend Hermione, and her parents, and she's got no problem with muggle borne attending Hogwarts. She just doesn't like muggles in large groups. My mum doesn't have a problem with Muggles at all. Most people like them." Ron shot back defensively. Lori sighed.
"Ron…we all have different levels of tolerance for Muggle interference. Now I know that you have Muggle friends, and believe me, I'm not so hateful that I haven't associated with them myself. Why…we even had one in our home once. But if you think that most pureblood people agree with you, you're very much mistaken, and if you think that no one in your family shares any of Dr. Ian Watson's and my views, than send an owl asking your mum if she thinks that we should reveal ourselves to the Muggle world. Or ask her if we should start acting like them or giving up our way of life for them, because they are offended by our use of magic." Lori finished. Ron's face was turning beat red by now, and he pointed an accusing finger at Lori.
"Lori, we are not going to have to ever give up our ways of doing things to appease the Muggles, and My mum just doesn't like some of the way that they do things because, they are so foreign to her. And the worlds have to be separated because…because…err, Neville, tell Lori why they are separated?" Ron stammered the last part out. Neville reflected for a moment.
"Well…I think because the Muggles used to burn us alive along time ago." Neville said weakly. Lori gave Neville a pat on the shoulder.
"Very good Neville. You see Ron. Even the Muggles think we should not have anything to do with each other. It's just a matter of keeping ourselves safe from savages, who would kill us. I mean who really knows where the loyalty of the muggle-borne lie. They could be conspiring against people like you and me right now." Lori lectured. Harry sat up and cleared his throat.
"Err excuse me Lori, but look at me for instance. I've been going to this school for six years now, and not to toot my own horn, but I think I've done pretty well here. I defeated You Know Who three times, and haven't caused the purebloods any problems. In fact Ron and Neville here are two of my best friends, and their both pure blood. They don't have a problem with me, so why should you?" Harry asked trying to maintain an aire of politeness. Lori Turned to Harry now and looked him in the eye.
"Of coarse were all grateful that you defeated You-Know-Who on those two occasions Potter, and it's nice that two purebloods have been charitable to befriend you, but as for not causing purebloods any problems, didn't you attack Draco Malfoy, and two other purebloods on the train coming here without provocation, and also in your fourth year as well on the train leaving Hogwarts? Causing the three of them to be rushed to St. Mungoes? Lori asked slyly. Harry looked embarrassed.
"Look I was provoked into attacking them in my fourth year after Malfoy boasted about You-Know-Who coming back, and calling me a mud blood, and saying that Diggory deserved to die for being a half-blood. And as for this last time…well that's a mistake that I regret. I just went off on him because…well I guess I have no excuse. I'm sorry it happened." Harry finished. Lori stuck up her nose.
"Humph! I guess we purebloods are not allowed to express our opinions around you. Oh! I admit that what Draco said about Diggory was wrong, but I hope that we purebloods don't have live in fear of being blasted with a jinx every time we say how we feel about something. And as for you blasting the three of them on the train this year, well I guess that's just more proof that you're a real danger to the rest of us students, like the papers said last year. And by the way. Saying your sorry doesn't make up for the attack. I guess as long as your at this school, all of us purebloods are in danger. Ron was still red in the face. By this time several students were listening in on the conversation.
"Look Lori. I blasted Draco and his mates in our fourth year as well, as did my brothers." Ron interjected. Lori gestured to Ron with an open hand.
"You see Ron! He's being a bad influence on you, getting you to attack your own kind. It's sad what the Muggle-borne are making some of us do to each other." Lori finished.
"Harry did not influence me to zap Draco at all. I did it because he's a stupid son of a Death Eating git, and he had it coming." Ron shouted. Lori for the first time had a look of anger on her face.
"Look Ron Weasley, Luscious Malfoy was under the imperious curse if he was doing You-Know-Who's biding. He has contributed a lot to humanitarian charities over the years, and enough people know that he's innocent. That's why he's in a cell at the ministry of Magic, and not at Azkaban. He's being set up by the mud…gle borne and their supporters for espousing his beliefs. And we don't really know about You-Know-Who returning for sure anyway. I read the interview. You two never actually saw him, and neither did anyone else but Potter, and the Head Master. And with respect to his position, everyone knows that he coddles the muggle-borne. It makes me wonder if Potter doesn't have him under the imperious curse. Harry jumped up on the table, and gave a shout for Lori to shut up. She and a few other students jumped startled.
"What are you going to do Potter…attack me like you did Malfoy and the others?" Lori said backing away, a worried look on her face. Before Harry could speak Professor Sprout, the Hufflepuff head of House, and Herbology teacher, came up and yelled at Harry to get down.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Sanchez, what the bloody hell is going on here?" she said. Harry tried to calm himself. He stammered out the words through gritted teeth, pointing at Lori as he spoke.
"This racist…person… has been agitating the three of us with her hateful opinion. She's been agitating me on, and claims that I have the head master under the imperious curse." Professor Sprout gave Miss Sanchez a suspicious look and raised her eyebrow.
"Really Miss Sanchez, is this true?" she asked. Lori lowered her head, and spoke quietly.
"I was just expressing my opinion about the need for purebloods to keep with our own kind. And the need to keep Muggle-borne and half bloods out of important positions in our society. And I was only suggesting about Harry using the imperious curse on the head master. I mean he seems to be pretty biased in favor of muggle-borne students I simply think that maybe Mr. Potter is possibly shaping his attitude in his way. I didn't accuse. I simply stated a hypothesis. Anyway it looked like Potter was about to attack me. I guess that the papers were right last year." Lori looked around at the students who had gathered to hear the debate, and continued at a slightly higher volume. "I mean…everyone knows about the three Slytherins that he attacked on the train." Lori finished. Professor sprout folded her arms in front of her, and shot Lori an angry look.
"Miss Sanchez! I think it is a horrible thing to even suggest that a student at this school would ever use such a curse. The Head Master is not under the influence of anyone, and I'll remind you that he treats every student as an equal. It doesn't matter to him pure-blood or half-blood, or muggle-borne. Also you need to remember that Mr. Potter saved the entire wizarding world last year, by defeating You-Know-Who, and that's hardly the action of someone who's a danger to other students. And as far as you having a problem with Muggle-borne's having important positions in the wizarding world…well I've been the Herbology teacher here for seventeen years, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job." Professor Sprout finished. Lori's eyes grew wide.
"What? You mean that your not pure-blood? I thought that all the teachers at this school were pureblood. I mean…You have to be pureblood." She said shaken. Professor Sprout was livid at the blatant prejudice coming out Miss Sanchez.
"Miss Sanchez! I think that you need to keep your opinions to yourself. And I think that you need to spend three days detention helping me in the green houses, starting tomorrow.
"What! Oh come on! That's not fair." Lori protested, hating the idea of spending time with Professor Sprout, now that she knew that she was muggle-borne.
"Four days detention!" Professor Sprout shouted. Lori began to tear up, and sat back down. Professor Sprout turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter. Don't let things that people say get to you. Now I know about the situation on the train, but that's already been dealt with. But understand. No more attacks on students, or it will be more than losing points, or detention. Do you understand me?" Harry nodded. "Good. Now I have to finish my lunch, I…" Ron waved his hand.
"Professor, Lori was handing out this to us. I think that you should look into it. It looks like some hate filled material." Ron said handing Professor Sprout the leaflets, and ticket. Professor Sprout began to scan over the material.
"Thank you Mr. Weasley. I'll definitely look it over." She said as she walked back over to the Masters table. Harry, Ron, and Neville resumed conversation, and discussed the events that just unfolded. Several other students were doing the same thing, most in a civil tone, but some were arguing with others about what had happened. Most were arguing in Harry's defense, but a few were pointing to some pink leaflets, and arguing in favor of Lori. Harry was starting to really get aggravated.
"I can't believe it. Why did the hat put her in Gryffindor? Only good students go in our house. No bad student has ever been in this House. She should have been put into Slytheren with the rest of the stuck-up pureblood prudes." Harry finished. Ron looked uncomfortable.
"Actually Harry, Worm-tail was in Gryffindor wasn't he? I mean you told me about what Sirius had said. And we don't know that no other bad wizards came from Gryffindor, or any of the other houses besides Slytheren." Ron said. Harry just shook his head.
"Well I have to think that Worm-Tail and Sanchez are the only exceptions to the rule in Gryffindor." But just then Harry looked at the other end of the table to see Devin Smith, a fourth year Gryffindor boy handing out pink leaflets to a few other students, who were leaving the great hall. He wore a red armband, with the black water drop symbol in it. "Oh great. Look guys, we have to get to Potions." Harry stood up to leave. Ron and Neville stood up to follow just as Harry started off, still looking back at them.
"Look out Harry!" Ron shouted too late. Harry tripped over something and fell forward on the floor of the great hall. He looked back to see he had fallen over Mrs. Norris, who gave him a angry hiss. Harry raised a fist at her.
"Go away you bloody nucences. I'm tired of you. Miss Norris simply growled at him. Harry felt some one rush past him, and saw Filch sweep up his beloved cat.
"There…there poor baby. I won't let the mean boy hurt you. You poor baby to have to go through so much, not being let out of the office in over a week." Filch turned to Harry. "Why don't you watch where you're going Potter?" Harry frowned.
"What do you mean not let out of the office in a week? Mr. Norris was spying on me since I got here." Harry complained. Filch gave him an angry look.
"No she wasn't, she was…well you were probably up to no good. Just leave my cat alone Potter." Harry threw up his hands and left to walk to potions class. Ron caught up with him half way to the class. As they passed the library's open door Harry caught a glimpse of Cho Chang pouring over several large books, and writing on some parchment. She looked deep in her work. Harry stopped and looked at Ron. Hey Ron. I'll catch up with you. Okay. Ron nodded, and headed off toward Potions class, as Harry walked into the library.