Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
School Safety
The March YUP meeting was held in Lupin's classroom because arts and crafts were involved. The defense classroom was slightly bigger than Flitwick's room. The desks were easier to push aside. And Flitwick really didn't want to spend now until the end of term cleaning up glitter. "Very nice. Excellent use of color", Percy complimented as he made the rounds; going from group to group as he lent his support and offered his feedback. Or so he said. The truth is Percy didn't want to stain in hands in different colored ink.
For our first school-wide activity, we decided to lead the charge in creating a teacher/staff appreciation day. We spent the last week collecting handwritten thanks from students about all of Hogwarts employees and were now putting everything together in colorful collages to be delivered in person. Some were easier to collect for than others. And the different houses definitely had their favorites. But with seventeen members of staff and faculty, it was all hands on deck.
Because he had the best handwriting, Zabini carefully copied the nice things people had to say about Snape onto a neatly bound stack of parchment. The others were getting collages. But we knew Snape wouldn't appreciate receiving a large sheet of parchment decorated with a cartoon snake or a cauldron drawn in glitter. So, the mutual consensus was that Snape would much prefer a less ostentatious present.
Zabini scornfully shook his head as he dotted an I. "This is a waste of time", he stated. "Snape will toss this in the bin as soon as he receives it. If he'll even accept it".
And he wasn't wrong. Snape treating this like a load of rubbish was a likely outcome. Looking up from where I was using a straight edge to draw mini depictions of graphs on the border of Vector's collage, I said. "Oh, Snape is going to despise all of this. Maybe even doc house points when we deliver it to him. But not including him would be worse". After all, YUP didn't need to make any statements that questioned the integrity of our club's mission. Intentionally or otherwise.
In the center of the room, the second-year girls were sitting together as they worked on the collage for Binns; giggling up a storm as they had a grand old time. Another difficult one. Not only because there wasn't a whole lot to say about the dead professor. But also because he wouldn't be able to physically take the thing from us. So… I guess we'll just hang it up in his classroom when the time comes.
Throwing out a few student quotes that were probably too inappropriate to include, Zabini pinned me with a hard stare. "Why would it be worse? If I were Snape, I'd be happy to be excluded".
Since his mum was in cahoots with Flint, along with most of our parents, Zabini knew more about YUP's true purpose than much. Honestly, it was probably only because of his mother's insistence that he was here at all. "Think about it", I said; leaning in a little. There weren't many groups sitting near us. But Montague, who was busy with Pince's collage, wasn't out of listening distance. "What we try to do here will eventually be reflected in what our parents are trying to do. One day, if they decided every Hogwarts teacher needs to be recruited, it'll be an easier task if none of them have been slighted by YUP".
Zabini blinked at my answer; rolling his quill between his thumb and fingers as he thought. "You are more aware than you appear", he commented before returning to work; acting like we were never talking in the first place.
Too used to backhanded compliments from Slytherins by this point, I had no problem returning to my own work. Only momentarily getting distracted as I watched Fred, George, and Lee work from the other side of the room. The three of them had their heads bent together; gluing different student quotes on parchment for the collage they were making for Filch. It was probably a judgment error on our part to allow them to work on the gift meant for the caretaker. Or on Percy's part. Personally, it was sad I wasn't over there with them; contributing.
Zabini and I worked in silence for a couple of minutes until I started to feel a pair of eyes boring into me. "What is it?" I asked after pulling myself away from the formulas I was scribbling in different colors of ink where ever I could find open space.
In response, Zabini started to read aloud with a deadpanned expression. "'Thank you for that time you stopped a deranged plagiarist from hurting me. Thank you for testifying in court about the matter. I appreciated it'".
Oh, look. Zabini found my compliment for Snape. "What's wrong? Did I misspell something? Is it too short?" Zabini didn't respond. Instead, he continued to stare at me. Silently judging, like a cat. "Too soon?"
Too soon was probably correct. It was only a few weeks ago that I was sitting in McGonagall's office with my mum grasping onto my hand for dear life as Kingsley Shacklebolt asked me question after question. "Have you had any contact with Lockhart since he escaped from St. Mungos?" Out of everyone in the room, Kingsley was the most collected. Mum was pale and looked like she was ready to commit manslaughter as she cut off the circulation in my right hand. Dad paced behind our chairs with agitated, rushed movements. Probably making an unseemly pattern in McGonagall's rug in the process. McGonagall was in the room too; sitting tensely behind her desk as she listened. But quite a few times, she had to get up to go to another part of the office. Be it a portrait frame or the door as the different entities of Hogwarts reported to her what they could.
"No". I answered, nearly as calm as Kingsley. Focusing on the gentleness he offered me and finding reassurance in his take-charge stature made that possible. I might have even achieved complete calmness if I wasn't being asked to recall all my past interactions with Lockhart.
However, a simple answer of 'no' wasn't enough for Kingsley. He did not allow me to freely interpret his questions and elaborated on everything. "No owls? What about post without an identified sender? Any messages passed to you through another? Have you come across any inexplicable objects just left out for you to find?"
"No", My answer remained unchanged. "The only mail I get is from Mum and Dad". And then it's usually something addressed to all six of us still in school. "If anyone has something to say to me, they tell me to my face. Um… and I haven't found anything usual". Diadem excluded.
"Have you seen Lockhart since his escape?" Kingsley continued, maintaining his control over the room. "Or maybe there's been times when you thought you've seen him, but were uncertain".
"No", I started to say. But an extra hard squeeze on my hand from Mum had me correcting. Oh, I guess I'm allowed to talk about that now. "Uh… Yes". Closing my eyes, I gave my head a small shake; acting like I was a little too flustered to keep my memories straight. "Over Christmas break, Adrian and I visited a wizarding village. They had set up a skating rink. When Adrian left to get up some drinks. I saw… I saw Lockhart on the other side of the rink. Staring at me".
Letting his arms unfold and hang at his sides in an open posture, Kingsley asked, "What did you do?"
"Found Adrian and we left".
"And you didn't tell anyone? Not your parents?" Kingsley's eyes flickered over to Mum. Mum, who only pressed her lips together and gave him a small head shake. If Kingsley doubted us, he was doing a good job not showing it.
"No", I answered; sounding a bit embarrassed. "Adrian didn't see him and I thought people wouldn't believe me. Or claim that I was just making it up for attention".
"What village was this?" Kingsley continued.
"Tinworth, I think". Out of everything that happened that day, the name of the village wasn't something that stuck in my memory.
"And who knew of your plans to visit this village?" Kingsley was relentless… which is probably good for an auror.
"Just Adrian… and probably his parents. I didn't know where we were going until we got there, but my family knew about our date".
Frowning, Kingsley turned his neck to look over his shoulder at McGonagall. "I'll need to ask Adrian Pucey some questions as well. Please contact his parents for their consent". With a singular, affirmative nod, McGonagall rose to do just that. "How did you travel to and from Tinworth?" Kingsley asked, returning his focus to me as McGonagall grabbed an overly large snuff-box from her mantle before hurrying out of the room. From conversations I've had earlier in the school year, I knew that specific box contained floo powder. I guess McGonagall didn't want to call Adrian's parents from a place where law enforcement was peppering us with questions.
"Um… we flooed. Both ways. Adrian came to our house to pick me up and we flooed together to the flooing station at the village".
Nodding that he was done with me for the moment, Kingsley moved on; talking with my parents about things they should consider as we waited for McGonagall to return. Any post sent to me, my friends, or siblings should be screened for curses or spells moving forward. We wouldn't want something like a portkey to unknowingly fall into anyone's hands. I needed to be encouraged to report everything and anything that felt off. Even if they turned out to be insignificant. Everyone, for that matter, needed to speak up if they saw anything. Clear instructions about what to do needed to be provided to everyone at school. Staff. Students. My siblings especially. Improvements to personal security and home security were a must. Neither Mum nor Dad commented that our house had already been seen to. And I was strongly advised to always keep my wand on my person and to practice defensive spells. "Underage magic will not be held against you if used in self-defense", Kingsley assured me; just about giving me the green light to use magic outside of school.
After Kingsley finished, Mum and Dad only had one question for him…. Well, I suspect they have more but I know there were certain things they did not want to be discussed with me in the room. No matter how old I become, some things never change. "Do you feel we should pull out children from school until this is over?" Dad asked, fidgeting anxiously behind my chair.
Kingsley slowly shook his head. "Of course, the decision is yours and your wife's to make. But my colleagues have scoured the castle and its grounds. There are no signs of Lockhart or any intruder. The enchantments protecting the school remain untouched. Hogwarts is secure. I believe staying will be safer than going home. Here, more eyes will be watching. And, assuming no one lets him in, it should be impossible for Lockhart to enter the grounds".
I nodded along to show my agreement. Even though I technically had no say in this. But going home was the last thing I wanted. There was a diadem to destroy, Lord Flint's new rhetoric to spread, the OWLs were coming up, and… I was tired of having my life interrupted.
Someone cleared their throat from the door. Dad spun around fully while me and Mum twisted in our seats to see who had entered. Kingsley, having been facing the door, didn't need to bother. There was McGonagall, snuff-box in hand. "I've contacted the Pucey's. They will be joining us shortly". She informed Kingsley before her eyes shifted to her left. Standing next to her was one other. "I'm not sure you've been introduced to our defense professor. This is Remus Lupin, and he-" McGonagall paused and pursed her lips as if it displeased her to have to say this.
Her expression gave space for Lupin to continue in her stead. "There is something you should know". Lupin was only looking at Kingsley. His face was lacking its usual color, making his scars stand out more than normal. "I'm afraid there are a few ways a person can get past Hogwarts' wards".
Following that day, a drawing of Lockhart was printed in the next edition of the Daily Prophet; eliciting a manhunt for the man once more. Reporting to all who read it that Lockhart had likely dyed his hair and was seeking revenge. Lord Flint even released a statement on behalf of my parents. He was quoted saying, "Naturally, my clients are horrified this man is at large once more; threatening the welfare of their family. Themselves and I ask the public to keep a weathered eye for Lockhart so he may be brought into custody once more before any more hardship falls on innocent school children. Only when we are standing in support of each other will our children truly be safe".
It was the first time Flint's new UP philosophy made an appearance in the press. A historic moment assuming UP succeeds in the future. But given how Lord Flint went about doing this. Ergo, using my family, it annoyed me so deeply that I spent breakfast glaring across the great hall at Marcus. As if he had control over his father's choices.
Security at Hogwarts increased as well. Not to the level that dementors were brought in. I'm not Harry Potter. The ministry wasn't moved to protect a freckled redheaded girl who attracted the wrong sort of attention. But, following advice from Kingsley, teachers now documented attendance at every lesson. And the heads of the houses took roll every night after curfew to make sure no one was missing. Thanks to Lupin coming forward, the tunnel under the whomping willow leading to the shrieking shack was sealed off and wards added. So were the other six hidden passages in the castle that led outside the school. It was something Fred, George, and I mourned. But quickly got over in light of current happenings. It was better to give up late-night trips to Honeydukes than run into a person no one wanted to encounter. Although, I now felt new and stronger gratitude to the Pucey's for finding and fixing both vanishing cabinets.
However, the change I felt the most was the multiple shadows I gained overnight. For example; if I were to get up right now and walk out of Lupin's classroom, either Fred, George, Percy, Lee, or Adrian would follow me. Sometimes Flint would too. Not that he was concerned a madman would steal me from under their noses. But because he was trying to score points with Percy. These instances were not enjoyable for either of us.
If I told my shadows the place I was going to was the bathroom, they'd find a girl to go with me. Usually, Angelina or Alicia. "I thought girls liked to visit the bathroom together. Girly bonding and all that", Fred and George claimed after I complained about this lack of autonomy to them.
But in truth, I wasn't complaining too loudly. Lockhart popping up so close to our school scared everyone. It was hard not to look over my shoulder when walking in the halls. Or peering out of doorways before fulling exiting. I had even taken to wearing Adrian's tracking necklace again without being asked.
However; with an increase in the amount of notice people placed on every move I make, finding a time to sneak off with Adrian to take care of the diadem was near impossible. It proved to be so much of a challenge that Adrian destroyed it all on his lonesome. From what he told me during a whispered conversation in Binns' class, the diadem turned out to be a less accusatory Horcrux than the locket had been. Meaning that it didn't sprout out verbal abuse as it was destroyed. "Just a lot of screaming", Adrian had reported.
"Did anyone hear?" I asked as Binns floated by the first row of desks; seemingly unaware there were students in the room. Wouldn't it be funny if Binns was aware? Like he was just pretending to be stuck in this endless loop because he didn't want to deal with students and their antics.
Taking notes for the mere sake of blending in, Adrian shook his head. "I warded Sirius' classroom. No one could hear and no one could come it".
Pausing in my own notes (which were legitimate), I leaned back in my seat. "Well, damn. You didn't need me at all". Miffed but not willing to admit it, I returned to the exciting ups and downs of the many goblin rebellions. Was I taking this class more seriously than I had in the past? Yes. Yes, I was... well, kind of. After all, Adrian and I were currently talking during a lecture. But I had done some reflection and realized if I needed to take a certain amount of NEWT classes for whatever career I landed, history of magic was the most easily obtainable. For its OWL, there was on only the written exam, meaning I could rely on memorization. Taking NEWT-level history of magic would be as boring as watching Aunt Muriel recount 'the good old days'. But still better than my newfound fear of not passing enough OWLS and being forced to drop out of Hogwarts.
"I would have preferred you there", Adrian assured me with furrowed eyebrows as Lee let out a practically loud snore. Binns continued blathering on, completely blind to all who used his classes as nap time. ...Or was he? "Whenever we come across one of the... those items, I feel filthy. My magic; soiled". Adrian frowned as his descriptions fell short of what he was trying to describe.
"Like you took a tumble into a pile of rubbish and didn't bother to shower afterward", I took a shot at it; just to tell him I understood what he felt. Handling the diary for so long and destroying the locket had felt similar.
With a rueful shake of his head, Adrian's grip on his quill became a little too tight. "The feeling was worse with this one than the others. I believe it was because I was alone".
The conversation briefly hung in the air as Adrian's words sank in and I used the time to jot down the year 1770. I don't know what was important about the year 1770, since I was talking. But at least I had a year to research if I later felt it to be important. "It's funny", I said more to myself; watching as George folded a piece of parchment into a paper hat and placed it on a sleeping Lee's head. It wasn't my intention to point this out to Adrian, but he stared at me; waiting for me to finish my thought nonetheless. "All of the... the three things we've found have made us feel something. Something bad. But H- the fourth one we can't do anything about-" Otherwise known as Harry Potter. "I don't feel anything around that one". Or at least, not at feelings that Mr. Potter doesn't provoke through his own merit.
"Alright", Percy said; calling everyone to order. "I think everyone is finishing up. The next thing I'd like to sort out is who's delivering which collage". A few hands immediately shot up into the air for those who wanted to claim a favorite teacher. "Wait", Percy ordered; making downward motions with his hands. "I think it's important that students from multiple houses make deliveries. That is to say, I don't want the Hufflepuffs to give Professor Sprout her collage. More than just the Slytherins should give Snape his gift".
One or two hands dropped out of the air. Though one slowly raised. "Yes, Potter?" Percy asked.
Thanks to his name alone, Harry was always noticeable when he entered a room. But as things progressed, he tended to fade in the background (except if quidditch was involved); happy to have others talk unless provoke. So, Harry asking for the floor without being prompted by Hermione quickly drew our attention. "I'd like to give Sirius' his", he requested; looking at Percy and only at Percy.
Percy adjusted his glasses before answering. "I suppose that's fine", he relented. Harry's situation was different from everyone else's. He was the only one whose guardian was also a teacher. Having Harry, who Sirius was connected to as Godfather, teacher, and head of house, deliver the collage kind of went against the point of doing this. A hidden point or otherwise. But it was understandable how this way would be more appreciated by both Harry and Sirius.
Before Percy could turn back to the rest of us, Hermione jumped in. "We'd also like to be the ones to see Hagrid", she said; gesturing to herself, Ron, and Harry. While politely stated there was a gleam in her eyes that dared anyone to refuse her.
Sighing, Percy glanced in my direction and I slowly nodded my assent. While Hagrid's job was saved, Buckbeak was doomed. Recognizing this as a sensitive issue (more for Hagrid's sake than the golden trio's), Hagrid might find comfort if this came from his favorite students over others he didn't know very well. "Alright", Percy caved again. "Would anyone else like to join them?" He asked the group.
"I'll go", Montague said; making me jump. Merlin! I thought as I placed a hand over my beating heart and ignored Zabini's hypercritical stare. I'd forgotten Montague was here. At his unexpectant offer, the sixth-year Slytherin received many puzzled looks. Mostly from members who weren't in his house. In response, Montague stoically stated, "I like Hagrid's dog". The Mysterious Life of Graham Montague, that's a book I'd like to read.
Who would be delivering to who was quickly hashed out. It helped that everyone already had an idea of which member of staff they wanted to see. Since Flitwick was our club advisor, who was not included in this meeting to keep his collage a surprise, it was decided everyone would be there when we gave his gift to him. The Patil sisters leaped at the chance to visit with Trelawney. Every YUP member who also played for one of the house quidditch teams decided to deliver Hooch's collage together. Wouldn't that be an interesting sight? Collin Creevey, our latest new member, asked to have the honor of bringing Pomfrey her gift as he bounced in his seat like a hyperactive squirrel. Taking into account all the time Pomfrey spent caring for Creevey last year, no one had the heart to tell him no.
Percy continued to call out the names of staff members and students would volunteer themselves. Most remembered the diversified-houses statement Percy had made earlier and abided. Neville would be with Diggory when delivering Sprout's collage. The second-year girls decided they'd handle McGonagall and Sinistra. Only one group was refused their first choice.
"Come on, Perce", Fred complained on behalf of his group. "This is our chance to apologize to Filch and show him we're turning over a new leaf".
"We have to tell the man we appreciate all he does for Hogwarts or he'll never know", Lee added.
"And Filch does such a good job entertaining Peeves. That needs to be acknowledged", George made his case. Unlucky for them, no one was dumb enough to believe them. Least of all Percy.
"You know Harry probably wouldn't have minded if you wanted to give your thanks to Sirius too", I said as we walked through the dungeons; ignoring the stares from students who found me more interesting than usual thanks to Lockhart making a reappearance. "He knows who you used to be".
"No", Adrian said; walking with his bookbag slung over one shoulder and looking slightly bored.
Most of our Slytherins hadn't been thrilled with YUP's March activity. 'Useless sentiment', Zabini called it. But they still participated. And only with mild complaint. They were much more enthused about the inter-house quidditch cup celebration party in May. Mostly because they were under the delusion that Slytherin would win. The thought of a bunch of Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs putting on a party for them tickled their egos in a way that couldn't be ignored.
"Someone will need to spare Snape when you undoubtedly say something to put him in a bad mood", Adrian continued. The unspoken rule that I wasn't allowed anywhere alone remained unsaid.
"Snape's always in a bad mood", I countered as we passed a group of first-year Slytherins. They respectfully bobbed their heads at Adrian before continuing on their way. "Have you ever seen him when he wasn't?"
Adrian didn't offer a response. Which was more telling than if he had said anything. Reaching the potions lab, Adrian grabbed the door handle before he paused and glanced down his nose at me. "Just promise you won't try to provoke a response. Not when I can become guilty by association".
My smile was a little forced, as it has been since February, but I managed alright. "And take the fun out of this for both Snape and me? Never".
Mumbling something that was most likely rude under his breath, Adrian pulled open the door and let me enter ahead of him. The student tables were cleared of cauldrons, but Snape had one set up on his table. It was bubbling away as a mild odor of boiling pond scum wafted through the lab. Sitting next to the cauldron with a stack of parchment in front of him was Snape. His quill confidently scrawled out words. But at the sound of our entrance, the quill stilled. "Lab hours begin at seven", Snape informed us as he scowled at our mere presence.
Lab hours were something Adrian and I knew very well. Having frequented them often to practice brewing for the OWLs. Or rather, I practiced and Adrian tutored since he was a lucky git who had already taken the OWLs once before. "We're here for something else", I told the potions master.
At the same time, Adrian said, "We apologize for the intrusion".
Sighing disdainfully, Snape set down his quill on the stack of parchment. As Adrian and I got closer to his table, I could make out that they looked like essays. "Be quick about it", Snape prompted with a bit of bite; probably concluding that letting us complete our business was the fastest way to get us to leave.
Standing up straight, I pulled the handmade book of compliments from my pocket. "In honor of YUP's teacher appreciation day, we'd like to present you with this", I said far more formally than was required. Closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, Adrian pretended to be somewhere else as I held out the book of compliments for Snape to take.
However, Snape didn't move. All he did was scowl at my offering like it contained the vilest, incurable diseases. A moment was wasted with no one moving. If someone were to enter the lad at that time, they'd wonder why we were behaving like statues. Then, Snape blinked and that was the end of that. "If that's all, you may go and bother someone else with your insipid nonsense. I have papers to mark".
Adrian was more than happy to do just that seeing as he was already inching for the door. But I remained unmoved. "What's wrong, Professor Snape? Don't you want to read about all the good things your students have to say about you?"
Snape's lips pulled back into a sneer as he returned his quill to his hand. "Fiction is only for the idle-minded, Weasley. I have no need for such drivel". As if ignoring me would make me go away, Snape started marking again.
"Holly", Adrian whispered from behind me. I didn't heed him.
"Oh, that's a shame", I expressed; retracting my arms to hold the book of compliments closer to my person. "And after Zabini put so much work into copying down everything in his best handwriting. Are you sure you won't take this just to spare his feelings?"
"Hmm. I believe the essay I'm marking is yours, Weasley", Snape said forebodingly. "The Dangers of the Erumpent Potion", he read. Which was indeed what I had titled the last essay Snape assigned. "You cited five sources which were two more than the requirement and the descriptions you provided about concocting the potion are… adequate. However, I'm sure I'll manage to find something to mark down".
"You see, that's why you are everyone's favorite teacher, Professor Snape. You hold all of us to such high standards and force us to become the best potioneers we could possibly be". At this point in the conversation, I think a baby would've been able to understand the amount of snark Snape and me were hurling at each other.
"I see you've used the American spelling of the word 'colour'. As you're prone to doing", Snape said as his eyes scanned my paper. "Normally, I don't dock points for this specific fault of yours. However; today, I'll make an exception".
Interjecting before I could dig myself a deeper grave and ruining today's entertainment, Adrian grabbed a fistful of the back of my robe and started hauling me towards the door. "Thank you for your time, sir", he said properly. Even if his tone was negated by his actions of manhandling another student.
I let it happen, deciding that too much of a good thing was a real concept. But, as we stepped through the door, nothing could stop me from calling back to Snape, "See you at seven, sir".
I was rewarded with a stare that promised death as Adrian closed the door behind us. "Have fun, did you?" Adrian asked; letting go of my robes once he was certain there wasn't any trouble I could cause in the hallway.
Turning to face my exasperated boyfriend, I smiled. This time a genuine one. "I wasn't lying when I said Snape is my favorite teacher". The look Adrian gave me in response spoke of his concern regarding my mental state. "Come on", I said; moving back in the direction of the stairs that would take us to the entrance hall. "Let's go to the owlery".
"Whatever for?" Adrian asked as he fell into step with me. There was no talk about refusing to go. He was probably just happy to get me away from Snape.
Gesturing to the book of compliments I was still holding, I drew Adrian's eyes to it. "If Snape doesn't want to take this from us, we'll just have to owl it".