Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The Impenetrable Hats
It's Wednesday when Madam Pomfrey deems me fit enough to rejoin the student body. I had no more visits from my family for the rest of my stay at the hospital wing. I wasn't surprised. Percy would have been busy with the start of his OWL year, prefect duties, and chasing after Ms. Clearwater. I figured Ron would be too scared to visit me on his own. After all, it's not common to learn that your big sister used to be dead. In any other circumstance, I would have expected more frequent visits from my fellow triplets. I'd always been to visit them when they landed themselves in the hospital wing, as beaters are prone to doing. But considering that they had charmed me to sleep on Monday night, I imagine they have been avoiding me; not wanting to face my ire. And they were right to keep their distance. Because they are going to pay.
However, I was visited by Angelina and Alicia on Tuesday. They supplied me with a lot of details that I wasn't told about. Angelina said that Quirrell had looked like he was about to piss himself when I was convulsing on the floor of his classroom. I wonder how much of that was an act, or if he was unaware of what you-know-who was doing while he was teaching. Alicia was more interested in telling me about how Pucey had popped out of his seat the moment I had fallen out of mine. It seems, as Alicia described him, he was struck with concern. I guess she hadn't taken Fred's comment about Pucey as an inside joke. But they did tell me something much more useful to me than the reactions of Quirrell and Pucey. According to them, Fred and George had been suspiciously absent from meals since I've been in the hospital wing. Now, one of the meals I know was spent here. When we had turkey sandwiches with Mum. The other missing meals I know nothing about. But I bet it is correlated with why they induced me into a state of slumber.
By the time Madam Pomfrey released me I had already missed DADA and the start of the second period. Not that I minded. Now I wouldn't have to face Quirrell until Friday. I make the trek to the dungeon for my second-period class empty-handed. My book bag had not been brought to the hospital wing. I can only hope that someone, be it one of my brothers or Angelina or Alicia, thought to bring it back to Gryffindor tower.
I entered the potions lab ten minutes late. Though based on the look on Snape's face you'd think I arrived during the last five minutes of class. "How nice of you to grace us with your presence, Ms. Weasley" Snape drawled as he stalked the front of the steam-hazed classroom. Instructions for the wide-eye potion were written out on the board. It seemed that I had interrupted Snape right before he released us to do a practical.
The door creaked shut behind me as a classroom full of heads swiveled around to see the latecomer. Immediately, I spotted Fred and George sharing a cauldron at the back of the Gryffindor side of the room. They show me all their teeth with broad grins. Completely unabashed by what transpired in the hospital wing. In response, I glared at my brothers. These gits. But I can't dawdle, I think as I straighten up to face Snape. Snape can't stand dawdling students. "Sorry sir, I was-"
"I know where you were, silly girl" Snape interrupted pacing to the center of the front of the classroom. Where he stands menacing in front of the entire class. I quirk my tongue in my closed mouth as a reminder to maintain silence. Hard to believe that Snape was Jessie's favorite character. In my first life, I had envisioned him to be snarky, insensitive, and petty but with good intentions that made him endearing. But meeting him in person made it impossible to find any redeeming qualities. In fact, Snape seems much meaner in person than when reading about him. It caused me to have a complex my first year of school. I spent a whole year in potions class being entirely confused. "And as riveting it may seem in your small life" Snape paused himself, taking the time to sneer at me. "Or perhaps not as small of a life as your peers". Oh, he knows. Dumbledore definitively confides in him. "But there is still no reason to disrupt my class". Snape said very slowly. As if talking slowly is the only way I will be able to understand him. "Sit down, Ms. Weasley".
I wait until Snape's back is turned before rolling my eyes. So sorry, I think as I move to take a seat. I didn't realize being attacked would cause problems for the all-mighty Professor Snape.
As I had missed the first potions class of the year thanks to you-know-who, I don't have to worry about the usual scramble to find a lab partner. There's no Fred and George to try to stir me away from who I prefer as a lab partner. There's no Lee to try to get me to partner with him. In fact, I see that he is currently rather content sitting next to one of the no-name girls from my dorm. And there's no Patricia Stimpson to compete with. Not that she's ever proved to be much of a challenge. I walk briskly to the front of the classroom. Snape already talks to me like I am slow. It's better not to give him a reason to actually think that I am slow. I slide into the open seat on the Slytherin side of the classroom. Pucey nods at me in a silent greeting. And I make sure that I return it. It feels nice knowing that Pucey had reserved the position of his lab partner for me in light of my recent absence. That he approved of the two of us working together so much that he refused other potential partners. I know Stimpson would be happy to be sitting where I am right now if given the chance.
"As I was saying," Snape said, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "We will start the practical portion of potions this year by starting with an easier brew. It was mentioned in your summer reading and I went over it during the lecture in Monday's class. As such, there will be no acceptable reason for any mishaps or failings." Snape took his time to stare down as many students as he could. But he seemed to favor the Gryffindor side of the classroom during this action. "You may begin," He said after he had intimidated enough students.
Pucey slid closer to me on our workbench so that our shoulders were touching. A wave of irrational anger directed at you-know-who swept over me all of a sudden. Because of that psycho, I missed the first potions class of the year. "We'll need six snake fangs, 4 measures of standard ingredient, six dried billywig stingers, and two wolfbane sprigs" Pucey listed off as he read from the blackboard. He sounded almost annoyed. Like potions were the last thing he wanted to discuss. And here I thought it was his favorite subject. "We can find standard ingredient and the billywig stingers in our kits. But we'll have to use Snape's stores for the Wolfsbane and snake fangs". Pucey planned out loud. "Do you have your kit with you?" He asked, looking down at me. I look away from the blackboard; my brown eyes connect with his grey ones. I don't think I have ever noticed before how long Pucey's eyelashes are.
"Sorry, no". I said after a slight moment. "I came straight from the hospital wing. I'll fetch the snake fangs and wolfsbane," I announced, moving to stand and do just that.
But before I can push off from the table a hand covers mine. It's warmer than the last time. "No," Pucey said, standing up as I returned to sitting. "As you said. You just came from the hospital wing. I'll go and you can use my kit" Pucey said in a very put-together manner. He removes his hand from on top of mine in favor of sliding his neatly organized potions kit over to my side of the table. "Shan't be long". Well, I would hope not.
After two years of this, Pucey and I have gotten it down to a system. I cut the ingredients and he measures out the correct amounts. He grinds the ingredients using the mortar and I stir the cauldron. He manages the flame and I keep track of the time. We both have our assigned roles. We play them so well that we don't even need to talk. Which means that anything we do say to each other in potions class is done so merely because we want to.
"You were missed at the first arithmancy lesson". Pucey said as he added the snake fangs and standard ingredient to the mortar. He rubs his fingers over the top of it to make sure he gets all the herbal mixture off his fingertips.
I bend close to the cauldron. So close that my nose is practically inside it as I get it set up for brewing. "Oh?" I asked. "Did I miss anything important?"
"Nothing of too much consequence," Pucey said as he paused in grinding the ingredients in the mortar in favor of lighting the flame under the cauldron with a small incendio spell. "Though I can loan you my class notes".
I add water to the cauldron. Not enough for it to add any magical properties of its own, just enough to start the base of the potion. I'll have to wait for it to bubble before I can add the billywig stingers. "I'd appreciate that". I said right as Snape wandered over.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Snape peers into Pucey's mortar and then into our cauldron with his long-hooked nose. His scrutiny is silent. So Pucey and I fall silent too. After a moment, Snape gave us a very reserved "acceptable" before wandering away.
Pucey picks our conversation back up. "Though I fear what your brothers might do to me. I can feel them burning holes in the back of my head as we speak". He said very calmly as he finished grinding the ingredients in the mortar and dropped the six billywig stingers into the bubbling cauldron.
At his words, I look over my shoulder to see that thing one and thing two are indeed glaring menacingly at my potions partner as they haphazardly throw their ingredients into their cauldron. I narrowed my eyes on them. Oh, they are on thin ice. George notices me staring first. He nudges Fred and soon both of them are looking away from my corner of the room. I turn back around. "They won't do anything". I said as Pucey spooned out four measures of the grounded ingredient to the cauldron. "At least not today. They know I'm mad at them and they're smart enough not to make it worse".
Pucey quirks an eyebrow as he adjusts the heat of the flame. "Oh?" He asked as I started to stir our potion in a clockwise motion. "Whatever for?"
I purse my lips. But not out of anger, rather in exasperation. There's just no good way to tell someone that your brothers snuck into the hospital wing to cast a sleeping charm on you without your permission. Without more context, it would make absolutely no sense. "Family matter". I settled for as we both sat back to watch our potion brew. It would need to change into a darker hue before we could add the wolfsbane.
"Well," Pucey said after a while. "I hope you don't forgive them too quickly". Oh? Our eyes meet and Pucey smirks before deciding to let me in on the punchline. "I enjoy talking to you without the fear of retribution". Ohhhh.
Fred and George are waiting for me outside of the classroom at the end of potions. Pucey and I separate at the door. Him with the slight incline of his head and me with a wave. Slytherins and Gryffindors don't share the next class. So, there is no point in traveling the halls together. "Did you have a good time, Jolly Holly?" Fred asked as he appeared on my right side.
"Seemed with Pucey had a lot to say," George said, taking his place on my left side. Walking shoulder to shoulder, the three of us head up the dungeon stairs, setting course for McGonagall's classroom.
"Yes," I said evenly. "I like talking to people who don't cast spells on me without my permission". I finished, sending each of my brothers a pointed look.
"Old news, Holls," George said.
"It was Monday". I retorted.
"But you'll thank us for it soon enough", Fred assured, ignoring my comment.
As we reach the ground level, my curiosity beats out my anger. "So, what did you two do? Why did you need to know the size of my head? And why did I have to be asleep for it?"
We pause at the foot of the staircase that will take us up to McGonagall's classroom. Students of all different years pass by us. Some of them smile in greeting. Fred and George are pretty popular in this school. While others whisper behind their hands at the sight of me. I can imagine what they are saying. 'That's her. The one who had the fit'. An unimaginative lot really. Neither Fred nor George answers my questions. Instead, Fred reaches into his book bag and pulls out a pink monstrosity. He hands it to me and I take it, utterly confused. It's a hat. Round with four flaps. Two of which are tied up at the sides with a neat little bow on top. "It's a hat," I said, after turning it around in my hands a couple of times.
"Yes," Fred agreed.
"Is the hat going to help?"
"Yes" answered George.
Clearly, I am missing something here. "But it's a hat".
"But not just any run of the muck hat" Fred argued as he started to dig in his book bag again.
"This is a hat of our own invention". George said as he copied Fred. "It is an impenetrable hat".
"Resistant to most magic".
Fred pulls out another hat of the exact same style as the one that I am holding, except his hat is red. George does the same with a blue hat. "With these on, you-know-who can't get in our heads" Fred explained as he and George placed the hats on their heads. If I wasn't so out of the loop, I'd laugh at the fashion statement my brothers are currently making.
"If he even tries, he'll experience the same thing that he experienced with you". George said. "Complete nonsense".
"But without the victim having a fit".
I turn the pink hat around once more. So, they needed to know how big my head was to get the right hat size? But that still doesn't really explain… anything. "How does it work?"
Both boys grinned, pleased as punch with themselves. "The hats are linked. Your hat is the connecting point. If you-know-who tries to go into any of our minds, your hat will activate and all he'll see is more images of Jessie. Images but not facts. When the hat is being attacked, it will send more Jessie memories at him, since his mind will be open" George explained. "He should have no clue where they're coming from, and he shouldn't be able to fight back without exposing Quirrell".
"And we made some of the memories a little more… fun using the daydream charm idea we've been throwing around. Also, we made sure that none of the memories we collected had any books or moving pictures in them. What do muggles call them?" Fred asked.
"Movies" I answered, only half present. "So, when I was asleep, you somehow extracted memories of my past life and embedded them into a hat?" If magic wasn't real, I'd call bull on this magic Ex Machina nonsense. Some days, I miss being a muggle.
Fred and George grinned wider. "Pretty much," they said.
"How do you know if it will work?" I asked, although what I really want to know is exactly what the hell they did to me when I was asleep.
"We don't," they said together in their best happy-go-lucky voices.
"It's a leap of faith, Jolly Holly", George said as he snatched the pink hat out of my hands.
"We don't have a way to test them," Fred said as George jammed the monstrosity onto my head, causing me to sputter. I'm glad Pucey isn't here to see this. Pink absolutely clashes with red hair. "Since we skipped DADA this morning".
"But it was worth it in order to get a finished product. We've even been skipping meals to complete these beauties" George said, as he took his time making sure that my new hat was sitting correctly on top of my head.
"So, we'll be going in blind" Fred said, once George stepped back. Both of them smiled. Not grinning as they had been, but genuine smiles as they took in their handy work.
"But that's okay because we'll be going in blind together". Fred and George said in sync.
I sighed forlornly, studying Fred in his red hat and George in his blue hat. "We look like fans of Sherlock Holmes," I said.
Fred adopts a confused expression as George tilts his head to the side. "What's Sherlock Holmes?" George asked.
I shake my head. Muggle references are useless on them. "Never mind".
When we reached Professor McGonagall's classroom, she took one look at our new accessories and said, "Take those atrocious things off at once".
At the prompting of my fellow triplets, I stepped forward. "Sorry Professor. But can I please wear it? Fred and George made it for me. They said it would help protect my head in case I have another seizure and fall". I said in an extremely tired voice. At that moment McGonagall gave me a sympathetic look. We both know the reason why.
"Cushioning charm" Fred piped up in the background.
Ignoring our classmates sniggering at our fashion choices, McGonagall stands up from behind her desk and sweeps to the back of the classroom, so that we may have a more semi-private conversation. "Your concern for your sister is admirable," she said softly, but then a little more sternly. "But I can assure you three that there will be no legilimency in my class, and that Professor Dumbledore has the matter well in hand".
Fred nudges me in the ribs with his elbow. "Please Professor. Can't I wear it? It helps me feel safe". I said in one flat tone, suggesting that I would rather be somewhere else. Fred jabs me in the ribs for a second time. Probably because I wasn't convincing in the role of the terrified victim. But I don't know why he thought we would be able to pull a fast one on McGonagall. To do so would be the equivalent of tricking a goblin out of some gold, bloody impossible.
McGonagall gives me a long look. Her lips keep twitching, signifying that she is more amused than anything else at this point. "That doesn't explain why, Mr. Weasleys, you two are also wearing hats". She said, giving me a reprieve by turning to my brothers. She and I both know they are the true masterminds behind everything. Except for that time last year when Stimpson's boot laces kept disappearing when she was walking. That one was all me.
"Well Ma'am," George said. "We are triplets".
"We prefer to match". Fred finished.
McGonagall presses her lips together as if holding her breath. For a moment she refuses to look at us as she collects herself. It wouldn't do for one of the strictest teachers at Hogwarts to be caught laughing. Her image would be spoiled. Though, sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if Fred and George had been in Ravenclaw. Not that they embody the traits of Ravenclaw, but Flitwick is just so nice and a tad bit laissez-faire about extracurriculars. I think Fred and George could get away with a lot more if Flitwick was their head of house. He'd probably award them house points for their more creative schemes. I think McGonagall is probably doing the school a favor by being their head of house. Not that she had a choice. "Very well," she said, once composed. "You may keep your hats on. But keep to the back of the classroom. I won't have you distracting your classmates". She ordered before heading back to her desk. Yeah, she gave up on us ages ago.