Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Headmistress, I need to speak with you."
"What is it Professor Elliott? You seemed worried."
"I am ma'am."
"Then follow me. We'll take this up to my office." It was final hours of April 27th when Professor Elliott approached the headmistress during their final tour of the castle before bed, making sure there was no students out after curfew. Something had been plaguing her mind for a couple of months now, and she needed to speak about it.
Upon entry to the office, the Headmistress and the Defence teacher sat, the desk between them. Most of the portraits were asleep in their frames, with a few of them preferring to spend time in their other frames in the Great Hall. "What is it Elizabeth?"
"Minerva, it's about Harry and Draco."
"I might have guessed. What have they done now?"
"That's the thing, they haven't done anything. Ever since they split up in February, they haven't said a word to each other. I was expecting them to go back to being enemies, but nothing. No words, no sly spells, not even any looks. They're just pretending as if the other doesn't exist, and it isn't helping. They need closure."
"Potter and Black have always been enemies, and they went through a faze like this in their sixth year. Mr. Black became withdrawn from everything, including his taunting of Mr. Potter. It eventually came to a point where Mr. Potter began stalking Mr. Black and purposely goading him so as to get a reaction out of him."
"I know, but they're not doing that, either of them. And they're starting to fail their class. Before the Easter holidays, their grades and performances in class were starting on a fast incline, and that has continued since they came back. It's the same in potions. Horace told me that they've been making silly mistakes. However, I've spoken to Filius, and apparently, their grades Charms aren't failing. But they're not paired up in Charms. What about in Transfigurations? How are they doing in your class?"
"They seem to be doing fine. And if it seems as though they're performance is only suffering in lessons they are paired up, then simply pair them up with someone else."
"We cannot Minerva. Harry and Draco are paired up in mine and Horace's lessons because our classes require that partners are of the same, or similar, magical ability. They cannot be paired up with anyone else. Besides, even if they could, I don't think it will help. Something else needs to be done."
"Then intervene." A voice said from behind Minerva. Looking up, Elizabeth found it to be the voice of one ex-Headmaster.
"What do you mean Severus?"
"I mean, Elizabeth, that you are right. Something needs to be done. Apologies for butting in Minerva."
"That's quite alright Severus. Please, elaborate."
"Of course." His black eyes turned back to the young Defence teacher. "Draco and Harry are both very stubborn, something they both from their fathers. They won't sort this out on their own. I have heard from other portraits that both of their sets of friend have been trying to convince them to talk to each other, but they keep refusing. Intervention is needed. Do you have a plan of action?"
"I have an idea."
"Then I suggest you go through with it. But be quick, it has to be done before the anniversary of the Battle. They both have things to say, and if it isn't done by then, I'm afraid their speeches will suffer, and nothing can ruin the day."
"No, no Severus, you're right, nothing can ruin Sunday." Minerva turned back to Elizabeth. "Do what you must to get them to at least speak to each other. Do whatever it takes. You have my permission."
"Thank you Minerva. Goodnight. Goodnight Severus." She got up, nodded her head in respect, and stepped out of the office. Tomorrow, during class, her plan would be put into action…
xxxDHDHxxx
"…well done class! You have all worked really hard today. Ten points to you all. Because you've worked so well, I'm gonna let you go early. Off you go. I'll see you next week." They all left in a group, she noticed, with the Slytherins, specifically Draco, at the front, and the Gryffindors, specifically Harry, at the back. Once they had gone, she stepped into her office and took a letter out of her desk, bound together with a red and silver ribbon.
Looking up, she saw her owl in her favourite hiding place, on top of the high bookcase on the back wall. She whistled it down. "Garnet! Get down here you silly bird. I have a job for you!" The red-feathered, red-eyed Eastern Screech flew down from her perch and landed gracefully on her owner's shoulder. She took the letter in her beak. "Take it to Hermione and Pansy's room and leave it where it can be seen. West Wing Tower, room seven. Go, and make sure neither girl sees you. Come straight back." The bird flew out the window and out of sight. Elizabeth sighed. The ball had been set in motion, she just hoped it would go in the right direction.
xxxDHDHxxx
Pansy and Hermione entered their room together, deciding to change out of their sweaty clothes and freshen up before going down to dinner. Upon entering, Hermione noticed a letter on her bed. She picked it up. "Pansy, look at this. It's addressed to the both of us."
The Slytherin girl came over. "Who's it from?"
"I'm not sure. I've seen the handwriting before, but I can't think where." She carefully unwrapped the detailed red and silver ribbon holding the letter together and unrolled it, reading aloud what was written down. "'Girls, collect Ronald and Blaise and make your way to my room after you have all eaten. I wish to speak with the four of you. Make sure Harry and Draco do not know what you are doing, however. I shall see you later. Professor Elliott.'"
"I wonder what she wants."
"I don't know. But we'll do it. We'll go down to dinner, tell the boys, make up some lie to Harry and Draco, and leave. But how will we know when the other is going to leave?"
"When you see me drag Blaise out of the Hall, you follow. We'll wait for you out of sight of the doors. OK? Shouldn't be too difficult to do it. I'll just pretend to Draco I want some time with my boyfriend. I've always been a flirt, he'll believe it. I can whisper in his ear that we're needed by the Professor, and everybody else will think I'm whispering something to him. What are you gonna do?"
"Well, knowing Ron, he hasn't done his Charms essay yet. Harry has, I've seen it, but Ron probably hasn't. I'll drag him out on the pretence we're going to the library to finish it. Harry can't argue then, and if I say it loud enough, Seamus will drag him into something to keep him occupied. Then, once we're out of the Hall, I'll tell Ron what it's really about."
"Alright. Let's get ready so we don't keep her waiting too long…"
xxxDHDHxxx
At the door to the Great Hall, the girls split off to their tables, but not without a discreet nod to each other, a nod Professor Elliott saw. As they made their way to their tables, they saw the Professor smile at them and get up, disappearing out the teacher's entrance, presumably to her room.
Pansy made her way over to the Slytherin table and sat between Blaise and Draco. She looked up and watched Hermione, waiting for the girl to look at her. When their eyes connected, Pansy gave her a wink and started to grab some food.
"What we talking about?"
Astoria was the one to answer. "My sister is refusing to go out on a date with one of the boys in her year just because he's a Hufflepuff."
"Exactly Tor! He's a Hufflepuff! What exactly is a Hufflepuff?"
"A Hufflepuff, my dear Daphne, is probably one of the most loyal and dedicated students this school has to offer. Which boy is it anyway?"
"Michael Bones. Susan's brother." Astoria told her.
"Oh I know, yes. He's a good looking kid. Really polite as well, from what I hear. What's wrong with him Daph?"
"He's a Hufflepuff!" She whined.
"Yes, we've established that sister, but what else is it?" Daphne turned to her older sister, but didn't say anything, just blushed. "You like him don't you"?
"I think she does." Pansy said in a sing-song voice, grinning.
"I do not like him."
"You so do girl!" Millicent added.
"I don't!" Under the raised eyebrows and knowing looks she blushed again. "OK, maybe I do. A little."
"I don't think it's a little."
"Alright, alright! God Pansy! I like him a lot, OK?"
"So why won't you go out with him?"
"Because Mum and Dad won't agree."
"Oh fuck Mum and Dad." Astoria sighed dramatically. "Michael is from a pureblood family, and a well-respected one at that. He's a good kid. And if you like him, you shouldn't let what they think stop you. Yes?"
Daphne nodded. "OK."
"Good. Next time you see him in class, you say yes to him." Pansy told her, smiling. She then turned to Blaise and leaned into him, whispering in his ear. "Pretend I'm flirting. Professor Elliott wants to see us, Hermione and Ron after dinner. But none of the others can know, including Draco, OK?" She pulled back to see him smirking.
Blaise looked her in the eyes. "You got it." He answered huskily, adding to the pretence.
"Good. Come on." She grabbed his hand and stood up, dragging him with her.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked, the first time he'd spoken all meal.
"To spend some quality time with my boyfriend. I would say you could come with us, but we don't like an audience." Pansy answered.
"Ugh, no thanks. I'll go flying. See you later. Have fun." He winked at them as they disappeared.
Once out the door, Pansy pulled Blaise out of the way of the doors. "Now we wait for Hermione and Ron."
xxxDHDHxxx
Hermione sat herself down next to her boyfriend and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before collecting her food. Harry sat on Ron's other side. She gave a sly look up to see Pansy watching her. The other girl gave her a quick wink before turning to her own meal. Hermione smirked and turned her eyes back down to her plate, making idle conversation with Ginny and Pavarti.
As she finished her meal, she gave another sly look towards the Slytherin table and saw that Pansy was whispering in Blaise's ear. Now was the time. She turned to Ron and spoke to him. "Have you finished your Charms essay yet?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because, Hermione, it isn't due in until next week."
"So? Harry's done his."
"What?" He rounded on his best mate. "I thought you said we'd do it together?"
Harry shrugged and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I was bored, so I thought I'd get it done and out of the way."
"When?"
"The week were set it. You were playing chess all night."
"Serious? Harry! Now she'll make me do it."
"Damn right I will. Hurry up and finish eating. We're going to the library and you will get it done." Hermione interjected. Pansy and Blaise were just getting up and leaving.
"Bad luck mate." Harry laughed.
"Hey Harry, do you wanna hang out with us tonight, if those two lovebirds are going to the library?" Seamus asked.
"Yeah alright. Thank Seamus."
"You done Ron? Good, come one." She grabbed him by his arm and dragged him out of the Hall, where she met Pansy and Blaise.
"Hey guys. What's going on?" Ron asked.
"Professor Elliott wants to see us, but doesn't want Harry and Draco to know." Hermione told him.
"Ah. So we're not doing my essay?" He asked, hopefully.
"No, but we'll do it tomorrow. Come on." She headed to the class, Ron trailing behind her. Pansy and Blaise looked at each other and started to quietly snicker before following. Hermione and Ron were sometimes the best entertainment the school provided.
xxxDHDHxxx
Upon arrival in the class, the four students found Professor Elliott sitting at her desk marking papers. She looked up at the sound of the door and smiled as they walked in. "Hello you four. I'm glad you came. Please, take a seat." They sat on the tables at the front. "I'm sure you've probably worked out that I wish to talk to you about Harry and Draco."
"We thought you might." Pansy said.
Professor Elliott laughed. "Yes. I'm quite concerned actually. When they used to argue or fall out before, they would at least provoke each other into fights. This time around, they just seem to be pretending as if the other doesn't exist. That isn't right. To your knowledge, have they spoken to each other since they split up?" They shook their heads. "Right. Here's what we need to do. The anniversary of the Battle is four days away. Both of the boys have speeches, and if this is still playing on their mind, it will effect what they have to say. I have a plan, but before I tell you, I need you four to agree to do whatever needs to be done to at least get them to speak. Do you agree?"
"Yes of course." Hermione immediately said, Ron nodding beside her.
"Thank you Gryffindors. Slytherins?"
Blaise immediately agreed but Pansy stalled. "You don't plan on using anything illegal do you? I'm already on a warning for saying Harry should be handed over last year. I don't want to get involved in anything that might throw me in jail."
"Trust me Pansy, What I plan in doing is completely legal."
"OK. I'll help."
"Excellent, here's what we're going to do…"
A/N: Ooh, what does she plan on doing? Don't worry, it will all be alright in the end.
I have to thank RandomWriter2011 for Photo shopping an image of an owl for me, and giving it red eyes. If you want to view the owl, it's on her page. :)
xxxxx