Let me begin by saying that you will notice some paraphrased portions of the Order of the Phoenix in this chapter. Next, I'm sorry to report that my Beta is currently unavailable for health reasons.. Hopefully she will be back soon. I decided to post this chapter and hope that I did a good enough job by myself. Enjoy!
Bold italics = parseltongue
Chapter 31
Sitting at the desk in his office, Harry smirked as he signed his letter to Fleur.
It explained that he'd been happy to see her the day before, but since it was his first visit to his parents' gravesite it was a little overwhelming and that was why he hadn't wanted to talk. Then he mentioned his boyfriend and a few anecdotes about his cousins and how crazy life had become since finding out about his title. He included a mention of the Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw quidditch match that had opened the season recently and, as a closer, he asked about her plans for the holidays since he'd invited Bill and his family to join him at Hearthstone Manor.
"Who were you writing to?" Draco asked quietly as he plopped onto a chair across from his betrothed.
"Do you remember Fleur Delacour?" Harry asked. At his fiance's nod, Harry continued with a smirk. "Well, she's dating Ron's brother, Bill, and they were at the gravesite yesterday." He went on to tell him about everyone he encountered because they hadn't gotten to talk the night before.
Draco nodded calmly as Harry told his story and when the brunet fell silent he sat up and looked at him intently. "Harry, is there a reason you didn't want me there with you?"
Harry blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Did you, at any point yesterday, want me there?" Draco asked quietly.
"I didn't 'not want you there' but I didn't think you needed to be there and..." Harry frowned. "I kind of wanted it to be me and Sirius and Remus."
"You let Dudley join you." Draco pointed out carefully.
"He's my mum's nephew, Draco." Harry said gently. "He should've gotten to know her but didn't due to her death and his mother's relationship with her. He needed to be there to learn about her and the events of that night. I didn't ask Ron or Hermione either, if you noticed."
Draco took that in and thought about it for a moment. "That's true, but there's a reason Hermione couldn't go with you and Ronald has been fairly distant... I'm asking if you didn't want me there because of my family's support of the man who killed them."
Harry considered this. "I understand why you're asking that and I'm telling you - there is no deeper reason than that I didn't think you'd want to be there."
"Alright..." Draco sighed quietly, moving to sit beside his betrothed. "You're wrong that I wouldn't want to be there ...but... alright."
They sat in silence for another minute before Harry broke it. "Why would you want to be there?"
"I guess it hasn't occurred to you yet, Harry Potter ... but you've become important to me." Draco took his hand, quietly looking down. "You are my future husband... but you're also more than that."
"I am?" Harry asked because he hadn't felt them becoming any closer.
Sighing again, Draco nodded. "Harry, I'm not denying that there were some very non emotional reasons we started on this path, but I think we've gotten past them and become friends, don't you?" At Harry's quizzical expression, he continued with a smirk. "We enjoy a lot of the same activities and - now that we're not at odds - we've been enjoying them together. We also enjoy the same foods as well as each other's company."
Harry ducked his head, smiling sheepishly.
"I may not have made it clear enough to you, Harry, but..." Draco paused so Harry would look at him. "I find you intriguing and amusing and even... somewhat intelligent."
"Ok. I get it." Harry chuckled, bumping his shoulder against Draco's. "Next time I go somewhere that might be 'difficult', I should ask you instead of assuming you don't want to go."
Draco nodded solemnly, but glanced at him with obvious mischief in his eyes. "I also find you attractive... Make of that, what you will..."
Harry outright laughed and pulled the blond into his lap where Draco, surprisingly, made the first move.
He tilted his head and gently touched his lips to Harry's. The young lord deepened the kiss, seemingly oblivious to Draco shifting into a straddle. Draco brought his hands up and raked them through his boyfriend's dark mop of hair as Harry trailed kisses down his neck.
"I wish we had more time." Harry murmured into Draco's ear. "I'm meeting Cedric in a few minutes. He needs to get into the Hufflepuff room to finish measuring that loom he wants to build for his mum."
"Hmmm..." Draco pouted. "I don't know, Potter ...I've only just moved in with you and suddenly you have no time for me!"
"I'm sorry!" Harry smirked. "Am I neglecting my boyfriend duties?"
Draco nodded solemnly.
"I promise to make it up to you." He said softly as he pulled the blond in for another quick kiss.
"How?" Draco shot him a sideways glance.
Harry thought about it. "I know! This weekend is an official Hogsmeade weekend. We can try that restaurant...?"
"Really?" Draco's eyes lit up even though he was disappointed with the current situation. "I'll reserve a table!"
Harry frowned at the frozen portrait. The girl who'd welcomed him with a happy smile and wink last time was now oddly still. His password had done that but he didn't know why and until he could ask someone, he supposed that he'd just knock.
"Harry?" Cedric frowned as he opened the door. "What's going on? Didn't your password work?"
"No." Harry huffed. "I'll go talk to Dumbledore after I get you into the room. Once you're inside, you can leave anytime and I can go do what I need to."
"But don't you need to do something in there, too?" Cedric asked, confused.
"Yes, but I can come back anytime." Harry smirked.
"Oh, right. Of course!" Cedric snickered and scooped some things up from the armchair next to the fireplace. "Well, I'm pretty sure I've got everything I need!"
"Brilliant." Harry opened the door and held it as his new friend came in.
The cozy study felt just as warm and inviting as the first time he'd ventured in. The books from this room had, long since, been copied and Harry had happily passed along anything related to herbology to his professor and the team of experts. He wandered the room while Cedric went directly to where the ancient loom awaited.
Harry had a sudden thought and called his head elf. "Dobby, were there any books here on weaving or knitting with a loom?"
Dobby didn't bother to answer. He just popped off and returned a moment later with the requested books. "Fresh copies from the originals in Master Harry's office."
"Thank you." Harry smiled and patted the elf's head before making his way through the, now empty, plant room. "Cedric?"
"In here, Harry!"
Harry put the three books down next to his kneeling friend. "I thought of something that might be a nice addition to your mother's gift."
"Oh?" Cedric made a note in his sheet of parchment and turned to look. "Are these...?"
"Books about weaving and knitting with a loom." Harry smiled. "It occurred to me she might enjoy the patterns in them."
Cedric flipped through several pages and stood up to give Harry a hug. "My mum will love them but these books are ancient and priceless!"
"Copies." Harry hurried to divulge. "My elf copied them for her."
"Oh, wow. That's so generous of you, Harry!" Cedric gushed. "What can I do to repay you for helping me with this?"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous! You don't owe me anything!" Harry assured him.
Cedric tapped his arm good-naturedly. "C'mon, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't at least try to do something nice for you?"
"Well, I have been meaning to talk to you about something..." Harry trailed off. "No. I couldn't."
"What?" Cedric asked excitedly.
"Well..." Harry sighed softly and came out with his request.
Cedric was relieved that it was an easy task and readily agreed to it. He could picture the response Harry would get when the surprise was revealed and sighed at the romantic gesture.
Harry knocked on the gargoyle and patiently waited to hear the headmaster call for him to enter but was instead met with Madam Umbrage on her way out. "Hello, Madam."
"Mr. Potter." She answered curtly as she swept past him.
Harry stared after her for a moment but was soon distracted by Dumbledore's voice asking if Harry needed something. "Yes, sir. I just came from the Hufflepuff common room and Helga's secret quarters."
"I see." The older man replied with a slight smile. "Was Professor Sprout unable to answer your questions?"
"I have no questions, sir." Harry said softly. "I did, however, have difficulty getting past the portrait."
"Your password wasn't functional?" He asked, seeming confused.
"No, sir." Harry shook his head. "And, when I used my password, the portrait froze."
He blinked slowly. "Is it otherwise functional?"
"Yes. Cedric Diggory was able to let me in and Hufflepuff students were able to enter and leave at will but the girl in the portrait is now frozen." Harry explained.
"I will look into it, Harry, my boy." Dumbledore replied.
"Unfortunately, that will have to wait, Lord Potter." Kingsley Shacklebolt interrupted from the doorway. "Dawlish and I are here with a warrant for the arrest of Albus Dumbledore."
"Don't be ridiculous, Auror Shacklebolt. Who will run the school if I'm not here?" The old man said condescendingly.
"I will be taking on that duty." Madam Umbrage stepped into the room with an official looking scroll which she handed to the auror who hadn't yet spoken.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore..." He said. "By order of the Minister of Magic and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, you are to be escorted to Azkaban to await trial for Abuse of Authority and Child Endangerment - including the illegal use of spells and potions on minor children with malicious intent. Other charges include embezzlement, line theft, kidnapping, tampering with legal documents, and criminal neglect. You are hereby temporarily stripped of the following positions and titles pending trial - Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards."
Harry was exhilarated to see his tormentor be captured and brought to justice, but as he watched the old man's face while the charges were read, Harry got a strange feeling.
"Ah. I thought we might hit this little snag." He said with a smirk. "You seem to be laboring under the impression that I'm going to... what is the phrase...? Come quietly...?"
"Enough of this!" Madam Umbrage stared at Dumbledore with an excited grin.
"Well, I have no intention of going to Azkaban, Delores." He explained as an elf popped out of the space under his desk and grabbed his hand.
"Take him!" She yelled.
The aurors shot off a couple of spells but it was too late. The elf popped away with Dumbledore in tow.
"Lock down the school!" Madam Umbrage shouted. "Gather the students in the great hall! I will contact Madam Bones for reinforcements to search the building and grounds!"
Harry blinked in confusion as the aurors and the odious woman ignored him on their way out of the room.
"I say! Young man!"
Harry looked around for the source of the voice but only saw portraits so he tried to figure out which one was calling him.
"Up here!" The voice called. "It is I, Phineas Nigellus Black!"
Harry found the correct portrait and greeted him. "Hello, sir. Can I help you?"
"It is I who can help you!" The portrait said eagerly. "I know why your password didn't work."
"Oh?" Harry asked. "Why's that?"
The painting smirked at him. "Uh, uh, uh! If I do something for you, will you do something for me?"
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "If it's within my power, I'll gladly help you."
"Very well." Phineas nodded once as he came to a decision. "Dumbledore used his capacity as Headmaster to command the house portraits not to recognize your password. The portraits didn't want to comply so he spelled the frames to freeze upon use of the password, but since his authority as Headmaster has been removed by the ministry, it should be functional again and the portrait that was affected should be able to move within the hour."
"That's brilliant!" Harry chuckled. "Thanks!"
"Now, might you do a little thing for me?" Phineas asked the young lord. "Dumbledore told us that Sirius Black has been tried, acquitted and appropriately compensated by the wizengamot. I saw him here with you the other night but wasn't able to speak to him, so I would like you to contact Lord Black for me. He is my descendant, you see - my great great grandson."
"Well, as he's my godfather, that is certainly within my power." Harry replied respectfully. "What shall I ask of him?"
"Just that he retrieve the portrait at Grimauld place." Phineas replied. "I wish to be more useful! I know things and have access to many places he doesn't. I will speak with him directly to figure out how I can assist."
"Very well. I'll contact him tonight, sir." Harry bowed and left, taking the sorting hat and passing it to Dobby on his way to meet the others in the great hall.
"Thank you ever so much for joining us, Mr. Potter." Madam Umbrage said sarcastically. "If you'd be so kind as to finally take a seat with the rest of your house...?"
"You're welcome." Harry gritted his teeth but took a deep breath before answering her in a pleasant tone. "As an earl, I'm addressed as Lord Potter... if you'd be so kind."
She huffed and rolled her eyes, making a point of ignoring his comment as she took her place behind the podium. "Children! Please quiet down! Now that we are all finally here, I have an announcement directly from the minister's office!" The noise didn't abate until Mcgonagall stood up and glared at them but the toad-like woman continued as if nothing had happened. "Charges have been pressed against Albus Dumbledore and evidence was found. Aurors attempted to arrest him early this afternoon but he has escaped and is now considered a fugitive from justice."
Harry met Draco's gaze across the room with a barely perceptible nod.
"His crimes are considered heinous and the minister has made several decisions in response to the situation." She smiled smugly. "One - the fugitive has been stripped of his Gringotts vaults as one of his crimes was embezzlement. Two - anyone who has attended Hogwarts in the years since Albus Dumbledore took the headmaster position will receive one free visit to St. Mungo's to determine if they were affected by his actions. Three - all students currently attending Hogwarts will be tested here in the hospital wing."
Harry sighed in relief.
"The fourth and final decision regarding this matter is that the fugitive has been stripped of any official positions he once held." She said with a smirk. "I have been given the honor of taking the Headmaster's place."
Harry felt his heart sink. Despite what she'd said to Dumbldore, he'd thought Mcgonagall would become the head since she'd been the deputy head for decades. The board... or perhaps the ministry... had obviously not allowed it. He wondered how this would affect his plans.
"The plan Umbrage laid out was almost certainly invented by Mcgonagall." Harry commented as he considered the intricate details; his family beginning to gather in the suite.
Ron seemed to be deep in thought as he took a seat on a red cushion beside the fire. "I guess it makes sense. Stopping classes for the next few days should be enough to get everyone tested by early next week. But we all know what Hermione's reaction will be to that."
Ginny and the twins grimaced.
"Where is Hermione?" Ginny asked, perching on the arm of the chair Luna occupied. "I knew she wouldn't be coming with us but I didn't see her leave the great hall."
"I think she was pulled aside on the way out." Zack commented casually as he leaned against the wall.
"Well, thanks to Snape we know everybody is going to test positive." Harry said confidently, taking a seat on the couch.
Draco agreed as he slipped his shoes off and lounged across the couch depositing his feet on an amused Harry's lap. "It's really just a matter of proving it to the public and purging the potions from their systems."
"Bill says the goblins are sending someone to help with the testing and treatments." Ron said hesitantly. "He says they're worried about their wizarding workers and those people's families."
"Yeah... Well, you heard Umbrage, the healers from St. Mungo's will be starting with the faculty and then move on to family members of already diagnosed victims." Harry replied, forcing himself to hold back the admission that he'd asked Olgok to assist Sr. Mungo's team. "You guys tick both boxes so you can see either team."
"Logically, they should go backward by year. No private agenda should take priority... but don't worry, Harry." Luna said softly. "None of the Weasleys was touched by anything too harmful. Zack and I also avoided harm and Draco wasn't old enough to get the worst of the potions."
Harry sighed. "That may be true, Luna, but..."
"No buts Harry. We have other things to worry about." She said, standing up decisively.
A chill went down his spine as he watched her closely. "What do you mean?"
"The tables have turned allowing strengths to change hands." Luna shrugged and headed off with Ginny trailing behind.
Harry considered this. His strength during the summer had lain in Dumbledore's ignorance of many things. Harry nodded slowly as it dawned on him what she meant. "We need to use this to our advantage and reverse as many of his plans as we can."
"What did she mean, Harry?" Draco asked, worried.
The brunet frowned at his betrothed. "This summer, I finally broke free of my relatives... but I also broke free of Dumbledore. He had no idea where I'd choose to live or who I would ally with; and he had absolutely no clue what to expect from me."
Draco nodded his understanding. "Now you're stationary and predictable."
"Exactly." Harry said, allowing his gaze to fix on each of the others. "I think the first step is going to be testing Umbrage."
"Testing her?" Zack asked, sounding concerned.
Fred smirked mischievously. "How, Harry?"
"I have some ideas." George offered, matching his twin.
"Good because we're all going to have a hand in testing her." Harry answered with a grin. "I'll go first as the answer will tell us whether or not further tests are necessary."
"What are you going to do?" Zack asked.
"I'll keep it simple." Harry smirked. "I'll try sitting with Draco at the Slytherin table and if she corrects me, we'll know she's going to keep the rivalries going. If that happens, we need to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Ron asked, blinking in confusion.
"Ron, I told you about my dreams and my theories about what they mean." Harry reminded him gently. "The sorting hat's prophecy? The line said 'crumble or unite'...?"
"Oh!" Ron nodded. "Right! Yes...?"
"I have to unite the houses, Ron, and I'll need your help." Harry sighed and glanced at Zack. "I'll need everyone's help. If Umbrage doesn't let me sit with Draco, we'll have to be prepared to work more cooperatively with students from the other houses."
Ron nodded slowly.
"I want you all to make plans. Be seen." Harry told his cousins. "Whether that's in the library or in class; on the grounds or just walking the halls."
Zack's brow furrowed but he nodded as he got up to leave.
"You should also partner up with them in classes." Draco pinned the youngest Weasley brother with a stare. "Voluntarily."
"Would it count that I'm going on a date with Zabini?" Ron asked innocently, his ears turning red.
Harry gasped and Draco's eyes widened.
"Oh bloody hell, Zabini wanted to be the one to tell you, Malfoy." Ron blanched as his brothers cackled gleefully. "Don't let on, eh?"
Draco chuckled. "Of course, Weasley. I do have some discretion, you know."
"Ron, I thought..." Harry hesitated but then barreled through. "I thought you're straight."
"Heh." He shrugged and scratched the back of his neck. "So did I. Turns out I'm bisexual like you."
"But how did the mahogany skinned magician win you over, dear Ronniekins?" George asked with a wink.
"Sounds like you were there." Harry frowned.
"We were there for parts of it." Fred smirked.
"I'm going to find Blaise before I hear too much." Draco smirked as he stood up. "I'll be back in a bit, Harry."
When the blond had gone, Ron sighed; his blush spreading. "He started with partnering in class and then we talked about quidditch. I thought it was weird. Remember, Harry?"
The young lord nodded, remembering very well.
"And then..." Fred prodded, grinning.
"We met in the library for class and he'd brought along some of his quidditch magazines." Ron gritted his teeth, glaring at his brother. "One of them had players in the locker rooms in various stages of getting ready for a game and - now, none of them were indecent... but several of them had no shirts on and this one... Well, he had dark skin, no shirt, and looked bloody fit..."
George chuckled. "He rushed into the dorms after that one and we happened to be in the common room with Lee!"
"So we followed and got it out of him." Fred grinned.
"Alright. I can see that happening." Harry grinned. "But it had to take something specific to push you into a date!"
"Well, it turns out that he dances well but doesn't really like to dance so... at the Halloween Ball we sat together and just talked." The youngest Weasley boy looked earnestly at his friend. "It was really nice and we were getting along really well...when suddenly he says that he'd wanted to go to Hogsmeade this weekend but all his close friends were busy and he really didn't want to go alone."
"So he asked you?" Harry concluded.
Ron shook his head, his hair falling to cover his face. "I asked him."
Harry suppressed a surprised chuckle. "You ...what?"
"I asked him." Ron glared at his friend. "He sounded really sad and I felt bad for the bloke, you know? I mean, Malfoy was probably going with you, Parkinson has a bunch of girls she hangs out with, apparently... So I said 'well, I've had a hankering for some Honeyduke's chocolate... you could come with me if you want.'"
"And he just...agreed?" George asked suggestively.
Ron huffed. "Yes."
"What did he say, Ronniekins?" Fred asked, wide eyed.
"Fine! He said 'I'd love to go to Hogsmeade with you, Ron' as if I'd asked him on a date. Then he asked if he could walk me back to the dorm." Ron sighed and glowered at his brothers. "I was so..."
George guessed. "Shocked?"
"Gobsmacked?" Harry suggested; some of his amusement leaked through in the form of a smirk.
Fred chimed in. "Flabbergasted?"
Ron threw his hands up to hide his face and flopped backward onto his cushion. "Yes."
"Mate, it doesn't have to be a big deal." Harry sighed sympathetically, kneeling beside the redhead. "I think you'll be fine. Go with him. Do what you feel is right. If it works out - great. If not - at least you tried."
Ron nodded, sighing. "I suppose."
"Back to the matter at hand?" Harry asked brightly, holding out a hand to help him sit up and hoping to spare his cousin further embarrassment.
"Yeah." Ron took Harry's hand. "Let's plan this bint's demise!"
Harry took a deep steadying breath as he hauled Ron into a hug realizing he had his best friend back.
Hermione nibbled at her thumbnail as she waited to find out what the new Headmistress wanted with her and the nineteen other students waiting with her. On the way out of the Great Hall, she'd been pulled aside and invited to a smaller meeting with Madam Umbrage. Of course she'd accepted. It seemed quite important.
The group was mostly made up of prefects but not all the prefects were here. It gave Hermione a strange feeling but she didn't have long to think about it.
"Hello, children." Umbrage said, smiling brightly. "Thank you all for joining me! I'm told that you are some of the brightest minds in Hogwarts today and I need your help! Remember the plans I just outlined? Well, I'm going to need a team to help put them in motion."
Hermione pushed her doubts aside as Madam Umbrage outlined the tasks she wanted them to perform. It sounded perfectly reasonable that she'd need help organizing the first through fourth year students into groups and escorting them to the infirmary for their testing and treatments. It sounded perfectly reasonable to confine them to their dorms and common rooms until said treatment. Didn't it?
But then... why was there such a huge imbalance in the houses the students came from? The Ravenclaw students far out numbered the other houses and Slytherins were known to be antagonistic with half the school. What were Dean and Seamus doing here? She suddenly got that bad feeling again, realizing that not a single Hufflepuff student had been included.
This was definitely something to tell Harry, but she had to figure out a safe way to pass it along since, as his friend, she knew she was sure to be watched.
Draco picked at his food as he waited with his friends to see what would happen when Harry arrived. The young lord had insisted that his cousins and Draco be visibly earlier than him to circumvent the new headmistress' possible decision to punish anyone in Harry's entourage.
The owls arrived and began dropping mail which took the attention away from the doors for a fleeting moment, but in that moment, Harry appeared in the doorway and walked over to the Slytherin table.
He greeted Draco's friends and sat down, instantly starting to pile food on the plate in front of him.
"Hem Hem." The distinctive voice of the headmistress came from behind him. "Mr. Potter?"
Harry's eyes met Draco's for a millisecond before he turned to see the new headmistress.
"I beg your pardon, Headmistress. Did you mean me?" He said with a friendly smile.
"Indeed, Mr. Potter." She grinned back with a gleam in her eye.
"I thought you might be talking to someone else. You see, I'm an Earl..." He paused for effect. "And as such I'm to be addressed as Lord Potter."
"Isn't that nice?" She didn't lose the air of glee. "Now, it's so silly of me and I'm sure you simply forgot but the rule is that children must eat their meals in their own houses. You aren't a Slytherin student, Mr. Potter ...are you?"
"Oops. No, Ma'am." Harry's smile hardened and he let his teeth show minutely. "Sorry about that."
"Ten points from... which house, Mr. Potter?" She asked carefully.
"Gryffindor, Ma'am." Harry's expression remained pleasant but it was grating on his nerves that she refused to use his title.
"Oh, yes. I'm so glad you remember which house you belong in." She giggled. "Now please get there... quickly!"
"Right away, Headmistress." Harry glared at her back as she strode to the faculty table but as soon as she faced the room again, he lifted his plate with one hand and blew Draco a kiss before walking over to the Gryffindor table and taking a seat beside Ron just in time for the announcements to be given.
"Seventh year students will report to the hospital wing to be tested and treated for potion damage today. Sixth year students are scheduled for Saturday and fifth year students will report on Sunday. Once you've been tested and treated, you'll receive approval to resume classes as early as Monday." Professor McGonagall called out. "Small groups of the younger year students will be escorted for their tests and treatment beginning on Monday. Anyone who's already been treated and is of appropriate age is approved to visit Hogsmeade this weekend as long as I have your permission slips on file."
Harry itched to hold Draco's hand as they strolled through the forest but wasn't sure the blond would allow it as it didn't seem like a particularly sophisticated thing to do. He ran one hand through his hair and then stuck both in his pockets to keep from attempting it.
Draco smirked in amusement before giving the brunet what he refused to ask for. "My right hand is cold, Potter."
Harry sighed, knowing he was caught. "I'll warm it up for you."
"Thank you." Draco replied as he slipped his hand into Harry's. "That would be nice."
"So..." The young lord stated carefully. "I haven't been on many dates..."
"I suppose I might be able to offer some advice." Draco chuckled. "This is...what - your second date ever?"
"Yes - actually - How'd you know?" Harry asked.
"I recalled the Patil twins attending the Yule Ball with you and Weasley, last year." Draco answered. "Then, you rescued Weasley rather than a romantic partner, so there was only speculation to be had in the papers."
"You didn't believe Skeeter when she assumed Hermione and I...?" Harry smirked.
Draco laughed derisively. "Please! There's no way you've thought of her as anything other than a sister."
"I'm glad you know that." Harry smiled softly.
"So, would you like to know about the restaurant?" Draco smirked. "It's supposedly modeled after the Hanging Gardens of Ancient Babylon."
They chatted about food and Greek Mythology the rest of the way and were immediately shown to a table as soon as they arrived.
"Would you like to order for us both?" Harry asked.
Draco's surprise was visible in his eyes. "You'd trust me with that?" Harry only nodded so Draco smiled and ordered several appetizers along with a kabob platter which included both chicken and lamb. They shared everything and then ordered dessert.
Harry rubbed his stomach as he pushed the last bite toward his betrothed. "That was more filling than I'd thought it would be. All those little plates and tiny servings?"
"And the Baklava?" Draco smirked as he scooped up the last morsel.
"The Baklava was delicious." Harry grinned as he signaled the hovering waiter to bring the check.
"Was everything to your liking, my lord?" The waiter asked as he placed the folder on the table.
Harry nodded, added a tip to match his gratitude that at least someone was capable of using his title, and ignored the man's wide eyed stare as he pulled out his seal.
"Please, come again!" The waiter called as Draco opened the door for Harry.
Harry chuckled and stepped out into the chilly November air. "The decor was lovely and the food was brilliant... were you disappointed there were so few Italian dishes?"
Draco tilted his head. "A little, but I was brought up with a sophisticated palate and I'm able to appreciate foreign cuisine."
"Well, I've never been out of the country and my relatives never raised Dudley to appreciate much of anything." Harry admitted. "But I can appreciate flavorful food because I... well, I was only ever given scraps."
Draco frowned at that thought stopping short as they came to the main shopping area of Hogsmeade. A familiar student sped by him with a wave on his way back to the castle and Harry waved to Luna and Ginny as they emerged from Honeyduke's.
"Malfoy!"
Both young men turned toward the familiar voice.
"Granger." Draco nodded formally to her as she got closer.
"Hi, Malfoy. Hello, Harr- Lord Potter." She nodded to her old friend and subtly signaled behind her.
Harry glanced and saw a Ravenclaw girl pretending to look at a sign. "Hello." He said tersely, falling into a falsely distant attitude.
"I have those class notes you needed, Malfoy." She said, handing over a thick scroll of parchment that seemed to be several scrolls rolled into one. "I hope it helps. Har- Lord Potter, I was hoping we could meet up to talk sometime."
"I don't know..." Harry sighed and appeared to consider it, then he nodded. "Alright, I'll have Percy check my schedule."
"Thank you. I understand your reluctance, but I promise - I just want to talk. I miss you and Ron and everyone. I'll see you later." With that, she turned and went to meet the Ravenclaw.
As they followed the path toward the shops, Draco tucked the scroll into his cloak and took Harry's hand again before murmuring. "That was weird, Harry. I didn't ask for any notes."
Harry nodded but forced his expression to remain pleasant. "We know that but, I'm guessing the Ravenclaw she was with didn't. Which means she needs me to know something and this was the best way she could get me the information as I'd told her we should take the rebuilding of our friendship slowly in public."
Draco bit his lip and lowered his lashes slowly as he turned to face his boyfriend. "I wonder if there's someplace nearby where we can go to..."
"Be alone?" Harry asked lightly as he pulled the blond closer.
Just as Draco felt his back press against the post of a large sign, a familiar voice was heard coming from the other side.
"Did I hear you say something about slipping away?" Fred and George poked their heads out from either side of the sign. "You can't go back without visiting our shop, Harry!"
Harry grinned. "Of course! Capitol idea, boys! Lead the way!"
Draco sighed but followed them. He wanted to know what Granger had thought was so important but not enough to interrupt their date.
George quickly lifted the wards on a building nearby and added Harry to them causing Draco to frown in his direction.
"I'm part owner of a company which invests in Fred and George's joke shop." Harry explained with a smirk. "They're going to call it Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and it'll open up after their graduation."
"I see." Draco hummed softly. "Who else is part owner of said company?"
"Remus and Sirius...in memory of my dad." Harry went on to quickly explain about the Marauders.
"Another one of your summer shenanigans?" He asked; his lips twitching.
Harry chuckled. "Yup."
"So what's up, chaps?" George asked, leaning against the wall.
"Hermione slipped us some information and we needed to be out of sight to view it. You helped us out." Harry said before asking for the scroll.
Draco took it out of his pocket and went over each sheet. "Arithmancy notes... wait. This page is blank."
Fred frowned at his brother. "Could it be?"
"What?" Harry asked, looking back and forth between them.
"A vial of our disappearing ink..." George snorted ruefully. "Disappeared... last night."
"Must've been Hermione." Fred chuckled.
Harry wasn't laughing. "What can we do to see what she's written?" He knew that if she'd gone to such effort, it had to be important.
George summoned something and, shortly after, a small spray bottle flew into his hand. "Just spray the parchment with this solution and in ten seconds the ink will reappear."
Harry followed their instructions and wasn't surprised to see words appear. "It's a list of twenty students including herself. Umbrage put this together?"
"Ministerial Squad...? Brightest minds of our time?" Draco asked, appalled. "I'm among the top students of our year and I'm not included!"
"That's strange... there isn't a single Hufflepuff." Fred leaned closer. "Look here - three Gryffindors, eight Slytherins, and nine Ravenclaws."
"Yeah, and since when is Seamus Finnegan one of the 'brightest minds' anywhere?" George asked in shock. "This is the kid who blew the eyebrows off his face at the dinner table in first year trying to turn water into rum!"
Harry's chuckle was strained. "This imbalance isn't sitting well with me."
"Nor me." Draco frowned. "Father isn't happy either. He mentioned in his letter this morning that she went around the board to get the minister to grant her the headship."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "I had a feeling that was out of order."
George pointed out that these kids were getting privileges along the lines of prefects. "They'll be able to take points and give detentions!"
"Uh, oh." Harry spotted one name that gave him pause. "Davies."
"What?" Draco blinked. "What about him?"
"Roger Davies is on the list." Harry told him, pointing to the spot it appeared.
"Merlin's beard!" Draco sighed heavily. "My blackmail might not hold up against that."
"What is it you have on him?" Harry asked.
"A couple of things, one of which could get him expelled." Draco said, giving in to the urge to tell someone. "To begin with, he cheated on me - which makes him less than desirable as a husband for whomever he eventually marries."
"That sounds like it should've been more widespread news." Harry frowned.
"Only he, myself, and the other person knew until today." Draco commented offhand. "It was a boy from Durmstrang. We got together after the second task and he started cheating just before the maze so it wasn't a very long or well known relationship."
"What else?" Harry asked, burning with curiosity.
"He gambles. On everything!" Draco confided. "He's got a terrible gambling addiction. He was gambling on the tournament. He's been known to gamble on quidditch matches. I hear he even bet on the events of our second year."
"Fred and George had a bit of trouble with that particular vice last year as well." Harry glanced over at the twins.
"We've sworn off gambling, Harry!" Fred said, holding up his right hand.
George nodded gravely, echoing the gesture. "Never again, mate!"
"Good." Harry eyed them but accepted this.
"I think I'll keep the last tidbit to myself." Draco smirked. "It's only important if we need him expelled, after all."
"I won't complain, but..." Harry tilted his head as he looked at the blond. "I thought you said his spot in Umbrage's little club might make your information useless."
"We won't know how his position has changed until after Monday." He shrugged. "Now, come on. No more cloak and dagger for today. Please?"
"Sure." Harry smiled. "Sorry. What would you like to do next?"
Draco shrugged. "I thought we could drop by Honeyduke's and then maybe get a butterbeer before heading back."
"Sounds great." Harry answered and then did his best to live up to Draco's expectations. He bought him some candy before Blaise and Ron joined them for a butterbeer and they all walked back to the castle together. As they parted ways, Harry watched them walk up the stairs. "Isn't it brilliant how open minded Ron is being?"
"Sure." Draco nodded. "As long as he's not feeling railroaded into it. That's not what Blaise wants for him."
"Blaise just opened a door that Ron didn't know was there." Harry explained. "Now that he does, he wants to explore. It's Blaise we need to watch out for. Ron might just want to experiment and not get too serious."
Draco sighed sadly. "That makes sense. I'll talk to him tomorrow."
Just as Harry turned toward the heir's suite, little Jonathan Langford came tearing past them, down the hall.
"DETENTION!" A loud voice was obviously being projected from down the hallway. "TWENTY POINTS FROM SLYTHERIN AND A DETENTION FOR JONATHAN LANGFORD!"
Draco whirled around at the sound of Umbrage's voice. "Twenty points and detention?"
"Wonder what he did." Harry muttered as they hurried toward the suite to get ready for dinner.
The rest of the weekend went quickly and soon enough they were sitting in the potions lab waiting for Professor Slughorn to arrive.
Draco was putting the finishing touches on his assignment while Harry was talking to Ron about his date with Blaise.
"Hello, young people." A female voice spoke from an unexpected place and they all whirled to face the ingredient cupboard where a pale skinned woman with curly brown hair was stepping out. "Professor Slughorn will be joining us in a few minutes but I wanted to introduce myself. I am Laurelle Brooks." Her gold highlights were complimented by hazel-green eyes that quickly scanned the students' faces as she walked confidently toward the front of the room and sat on the professor's desk. "I'm an American witch and adventurer and I work with a number of apothecaries around the world to provide them with the ingredients they need to keep in stock daily. I also take on private commissions to find ingredients that are more difficult to procure. What kinds of things do you think that might be?"
Hands went up across the room.
"You." Laurelle pointed to Hermione.
"Venomous Tentacula?"
"Good. Five points for Gryffindor." Laurelle smiled at her before pointing to Draco. "You."
"Nundu spikes?" Draco smirked.
"Five points to Slytherin." She nodded. "Yes, those are definitely difficult to procure and they usually require a team of almost a hundred people. Anyone else?"
"Acromantula venom?" Blaise answered.
Laurelle nodded and gave him five points.
"Thunderbird feathers?" Pansy asked.
"Good!" Laurelle grinned as Slughorn walked in. "Five more points to Slytherin. I was actually planning to talk about the last two in your Care of Creatures class because with some creature based items it matters whether the items you get from them are freely given or taken without permission or even aggressively stolen. Can anyone tell me the difference for five points each?"
"Oh, my! That's a wonderful question, Ms. Brooks." Slughorn smiled as he took a seat at his desk. "Let's make it the last for today, shall we?"
She nodded and chose a student.
"I suppose 'freely given' means you asked the creature or person for the item and they said 'yes'." Harry said when she called on him. "'Taken without permission' could be like walking through the forest and seeing unicorn hair that's hanging on a branch and 'aggressively stolen' would mean you attacked the animal to get the item."
"Very good, Lord Potter. Fifteen points for Gryffindor, as promised." Laurelle nodded her approval. "Now, I will be answering questions from you beginning next class and I'll be here until you leave for Christmas break. Goodbye for the moment."
Harry led a round of applause as she left.
Herbology class ended with another brilliant appearance by Ms. Brooks, but when Harry tried to hurry out of the greenhouse, he was called back.
"Lord Potter, Professor Sprout said that you might be able to show me the way to Professor Snape's office." Laurelle smirked.
"I'm actually on my way there now." Harry smiled, in on the secret. "Feel free to tag along, Ms. Brooks."
"Wonderful!" She replied as she slung a bag over her shoulder. As soon as they were out of ear-shot, her smirk turned sly. "My favorite missions always involve some intrigue. Care to give me some backstory on our destination?"
Harry blinked. "Professor Snape didn't tell you anything?"
"Nope." She replied cheerfully. "Just that you've got yourself a basilisk you need harvested."
"That probably means he wants to see your reaction when you find out." Harry chuckled. "I'll tell you more when we arrive at his office but let's start with... Hmmm... you know Hogwarts was founded by two witches and two wizards. Right?"
She nodded. "Mmhmm."
"Well those people each had different views on who the school should teach so they created the house system that's in place." Harry smiled kindly as he explained things the way Professor Mcgonagall had at the beginning of his second year. "Gryffindor wanted to only teach the brave and stalwart. Ravenclaw wanted to teach the clever. Hufflepuff wanted everyone to be able to learn. Slytherin only wanted the pureblood wizards."
"Okay. I've got you so far." She nodded slowly as she processed the information.
"We don't know precisely what happened but the story goes that Slytherin left the school at one point and, on his way out, he placed a monstrous beast in a hidden chamber that he called the Chamber of Secrets." Harry grinned at her expression. "It was said that when he left the school he wanted to leave a place where his heir - and only his heir - could find all the knowledge and tools to continue his work."
"And you found it?" She asked in astonishment.
"Not exactly, Ms. Brooks." Harry chuckled as they drew to a stop outside Snape's office and quickly knocked.
Snape examined his old friend's face as she walked past. "She looks surprised. Did you ruin my fun, Potter?"
"Not yet, Professor." Harry smirked and hurried to recap what he'd divulged.
"Ok, already! How'd you find it?" The impatience was obvious in her tone.
"I didn't. The next part of the story happens when my distant cousin Tom Riddle came to Hogwarts." Harry explained. "He found it."
"But you're Slytherin's heir." She frowned at Snape. "Isn't he? From what I read in the papers..."
"Ah - the papers have it partially right but here's where it differs - Tom Riddle is one of Slytherin's heirs, while I am the heir to the combined legacy of all the founders.You see, the world didn't know that Godric Gryffindor had a son with Slytherin's elder daughter while Tom is descended from the younger daughter."
"So all of Slytherin's riches and artifacts went down the wrong bloodline?" She whispered softly.
"Yes." Harry nodded with a smirk. "He and his predecessors actually could've screwed the lordship thing up for me but by a lucky twist of fate each generation of his side of the family was prevented from taking Slytherin's barony title."
"That's crazy!" She laughed.
"Now I didn't find all this out until July." Harry nodded. "So let's go back to the point that Tom turns eleven. He already knows he can speak to snakes. He's already leaning toward the dark. He comes to Hogwarts, gets sorted into his ancestor's house, and finds out about the chamber. He opens it, letting out the beast - a basilisk. Which should've been obvious because - let's be honest, it makes perfect sense considering that it was a parselmouth who put it there. Behind the scenes lots of things are happening but that's not my story to tell. The basilisk starts petrifying people left and right. A girl gets killed and Tom finds out that they're going to close the school if the attacks don't stop so he blames it all on someone else and seals the chamber. Nearly fifty years later, I turn eleven and join the school...and in my second year, history repeats itself ... sort of."
"But you're Gryffindor." Laurelle frowned.
"That's one of the reasons I said 'sort of', Ms. Brooks." Harry grinned and turned toward the door when they heard a knock. "That'll be Draco."
The blond walked in and sat beside his godfather. "What did I miss?"
"Just getting to the good parts." Harry smirked and turned back to their guest. "A few weeks into term, I got roped into a dueling club with our ridiculous excuse of a defense professor pitting me against Draco - who was quite an annoying git at the time. They told us to disarm but we didn't listen. In fact, Draco used Serpensortia; no doubt in an attempt to scare me." Draco blushed when Harry winked at him. "But he didn't count on me being brave enough to confront the snake when it went to strike an innocent bystander."
"You're a parselmouth?" She asked in a breathy tone. "Like... wait."
"Please let me finish?" Harry held up a hand. "So, like Tom, I knew I could talk to snakes but unlike him, I didn't know that, when I did it, I was speaking another language. You see, I hear English when they talk to me and when I hear my own words to them."
"After our duel, the whole school knew it as well and the rumors flew that he was the Heir of Slytherin and he'd returned to kill muggleborn and blood traitors alike." Draco rushed in.
"I didn't tell her what the heir was said to want to accomplish, Draco." Harry glared at his boyfriend. "Besides, that's not what I wanted to accomplish."
The blond huffed. "You're taking too long!"
"Fine, I guess the tiny details don't matter much." Harry huffed back. "Over the next few months, a bunch of seemingly unrelated things turned out to be related."
"Like what?" she asked, fascinated.
"I was hearing a voice, for one. People, ghosts, and animals were ending up petrified. An artifact had possessed a friend who turned out to be another distant cousin of mine and she was controlling the beast this time. Oh, and all manner of spiders were fleeing the castle." Harry smirked. "Speaking of which, there's a colony of acromantula in the forest." He chuckled when his companions all stared at him in shock. "If you really want the whole story, I'll tell you more later."
"Wait!" Laurelle stood up and began to pace as she worked it out in her head. "Tom Riddle is..."
Harry nodded.
"And he killed a girl while in school? And framed another person for his crime?" She muttered, occasionally glancing up for confirmation. "I read Hogwarts: A History in preparation for this speaking stint. There's a ghost of a young Ravenclaw girl..."
"Yes. You see, I knew and trusted the person Riddle framed and we got lots of clues from him before we were stuck. I'm not sure you're aware, but I usually have two very close friends with me. Ron and Hermione. " Harry said wistfully. "Ron Weasley was the one with me most of that year because Hermione was petrified by the basilisk."
"Hell's bells!!" Laurelle held a hand to her throat.
"She'd figured it out and was walking around with a hand mirror to look around corners. She also figured out that it was traveling through the pipes." Harry looked at her.
"And the girl was killed in a bathroom!" She gasped.
Harry grinned at Professor Snape who had a satisfied smirk on his lips. "A teaching position doesn't seem so much like a safe option anymore, does it, Laurelle."
She chuckled, shaking her head.
"By the time we figured it all out without Hermione to help us, Ginny - Ron's sister and incidentally the one who'd been possessed by the artifact - was taken into the chamber. So we went looking for the aforementioned fool of a teacher intending to help him take on the basilisk but he turned on us intending to obliviate us and pretend he saved us from the beast." Harry waited for her to catch up. "His bad luck was he used Ron's broken wand and his obliviate backfired. He's a permanent resident in St. Mungo's now."
"He gives adventurers like me a bad name." She fumed.
"So now that you've got the backstory, let's go see that bathroom." Draco said, standing up with excitement.
Laurelle grinned as she pulled her bag of tools onto her shoulders.
Harry led the way and they were lucky enough that nobody caught sight of them.
Laurelle went in first to see if there were any girls inside but when she didn't return to get them, they followed to find her talking to a closed stall door.
"Myrtle, is that you?" Harry called out.
Laurelle gasped and moved back as the young looking ghost floated up.
"Hello, Harry!" Myrtle smiled excitedly but quickly turned it into a pout. "You ruined my fun."
"I'm sorry, Myrtle." Harry said soothingly. "I wish we had time for a nice visit but Ms. Brooks wants to see the Chamber. You don't mind, do you?"
"I suppose not." She sighed dramatically before floating over to put her transparent arms around his shoulders. "Is it a dangerous mission this time?"
"I'm afraid not." Harry gave an embarrassed chuckle under the prying eyes of his betrothed and his teachers. At least Draco seemed amused. "I promise, next time will be a social visit."
"Go on then..." She waved them on, giving a moaning sigh as she floated towards the ceiling.
"Open." Harry hissed and turned to explain the strange staircase when he saw their obvious trepidation. A glance at Draco showed his hand in the pocket of his trousers and his eyes were shining with fascination as the entrance revealed itself. "There's really nothing to worry about. I mean, the elves have cleaned it all up and cleared the rockslide. Actually the rocks helped because there didn't used to be a staircase. Ron and I had to slide down and we landed in a well of bones." He tried to suppress his amusement but didn't quite manage it when he saw their disgust.
"So, your three elves constructed this? Very interesting. How could...?" He glanced at the suddenly cagey looking teens. "Never mind."
Draco laughed. "You're learning, Uncle Sev."
Harry gave him a relieved smirk and led the way down, closing it after Snape. "This hallway leads to a larger one. The Chamber opens at a hatch with seven small snakes." When they reached the hatch, he heard his guests appreciative sighs. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Snape looked at him with new eyes. "The things you went through that year..."
"You haven't even seen the half of it." Harry snorted and told the hatch to open.
Draco went first with Severus and Laurelle preceding Harry.
"A twelve year old boy took down this amazing specimen of a basilisk?" Laurelle breathed as she walked the length of the corpse.
Draco was watching his godfather though.
"You couldn't have been taller than Severus' shoulders..." She pulled out her wand and cast a succession of spells. "What did you use to kill it?"
Harry would've preferred to show her rather than tell her but it was hanging on the wall of his office and he wasn't sure if Dobby would be able to fetch it. "The sword of Gryffindor is in my office if you wish to see it. It's a goblin made sword with a matching dagger." He went on to describe the fight.
"Well, I'm impressed." Laurelle shook her head. "It's at least sixty feet long and in astonishing condition for being four years old. Lord Potter, eighty-one percent of the beast is good for harvest."
"How much would you charge me to..." Harry trailed off as she glared at him.
"You did the hard part, Lord Potter." She pointed hard at his chest. "You get the bulk of the profit and don't even think of arguing with me. I'll take five percent."
"You're selling yourself short!" Harry protested.
"I don't want to take advantage!" They both yelled.
She sighed heavily. "Alright, I suppose you're right. Eight percent."
"Ten." Harry snapped. "And not a knut lower!"
"I told you." Snape's voice was hoarse. "I told you you wouldn't leave with less than ten percent."
Nodding, Laurelle looked over at him ruefully. "You did."
"Ten percent and I want you to use my name." Harry offered her his hand.
"You drive a hard bargain, Harry." She smiled as they shook. "I'd like you to use mine as well, but, one thing..."
Harry arched a brow and indicated that she should proceed.
"What happened to the other fang?" She asked.
"Did I not mention it?" Harry bared his arm to show the scar. "When I used the sword to stab up through the basilisk's mouth into its brain, the fang stabbed into my arm. It detached from the snake and Fawkes - Dumbledore's phoenix - cried into the wound. I, then, used it to destroy the artifact that was possessing Ginny."
"It seems that you were quite correct...Lord Potter." Snape seemed dazed.
"Sir?" Harry asked gently.
The older man sighed in exhaustion. "I did not give you and your friends enough credit for the things you've done over the years. I'm ashamed that I allowed my old friend's child to face the trials you have."
"Better treasure that memory, Harry." Draco said softly. "He doesn't apologize often."
"Thank you, sir." Nodding, Harry felt vindicated as he met the older man's gaze. "I think I might be alright with your use of my name, now... provided we're amongst friends."
Severus conjured several chairs and sank into one of them while breathing a sigh of relief. He hadn't realized until he heard the words how much it would mean to him. Lily might not be here to forgive him but perhaps her son's forgiveness would suffice. That thought was interrupted by the green eyes that haunted him. He blinked at Harry, then glanced at his godson. "I beg your pardon."
"I asked if you'd like to walk around... explore the chamber?" Harry replied.
Draco smirked at his godfather. "I can show you what we found already, if you like."
He considered this. "No. I would rather see the chamber separately from the recently discovered rooms."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "I can see the logic in that. The chamber is fairly large. If you see something you want to know more about, please get my attention. We can't be sure there aren't any booby-traps and having me or Draco with you will be prudent."
"Draco?" Severus frowned at the young Dragonlord.
"I haven't told my parents or Uncle Tom yet, but..." Draco blushed. "A betrothal gift from Harry has runes that give one the ability to speak and understand parseltongue."
"This makes you blush?" Severus arched a brow and suppressed a chuckle as Draco confessed the story while bringing a gold scepter out of his pocket.
"Speaking of which, I've heard from Korlag, Draco." Harry said in a cautious tone. "He says it can be made smaller and adapted to the form of a pendant or a bracelet."
Seeing his godson's eyes hold the amount of excitement that they currently held, brought joy to Severus' heart.
"A bracelet would keep it close to hand...no pun intended." He smirked. "Bracelets also convey a relationship so... that works even better."
Harry nodded once. "We can have it altered over break, if you like, or I can give the errand to Percy."
"I would prefer that it not leave my possession." Draco confessed.
Harry was delighted to hear this but he only showed this with a smile.
Draco pushed Harry in Laurelle's direction and pulled his godfather off in the other. "This is the door that leads to the secret rooms, Uncle Sev. I haven't explored any further."
"Then I guess it's high time we begin." Severus grinned.
Draco smiled coyly at his betrothed. "I can't believe everything is working out so well. Your plan to deal with Dumbledore's displeasure about our relationship worked perfectly. Ms. Brooks is here and performing amazingly well in both capacities."
Harry laughed. "Snape isn't the hindrance I'd thought he would be, though Umbrage is."
Suddenly they heard a whimper and looked around for the source but only found a closed cupboard.
Harry knocked. "Hello? Are you alright in there?"
The door opened to show a familiar face but the young boy was holding his wrist.
"This bullying is getting intolerable." Harry frowned at his boyfriend.
"Wasn't bullies." Jonathan mumbled, shaking his head. "It was Umbrage."
Harry looked at the first year boy. "What do you mean?"
"Look." Draco said, lifting Jonathan's arm carefully.
"I had detention." Jonathan confessed. "She gave me lines but wouldn't let me use my own quill to write them. She handed me a quill and parchment."
Harry looked closely at the red marks on the boy's hand. "I mustn't perform magic in the halls."
"I'll tell Professor Snape." Draco said angrily. "He'll know what to do. Let's get you to the hospital wing."
Harry sent a patronus to Snape to let him know one of his students was injured and then accompanied them.
By the time they arrived, Snape had also and Madam Pomfrey hurried the boy into a bed.
"A good soak in Murtlap Essence should heal this right up but how on Earth did you get this kind of damage to your poor hand?" The mediwitch shook her head in astonishment.
"We found him like this in a cupboard. We thought it was a bully that hurt him at first but then he told us what happened." Draco turned to his godfather and gave their report. "Umbrage had him write lines with a blood quill."
"Blood quills are only supposed to be used to sign magically binding contracts." Severus growled. "It's illegal for a minor to use one. I will bring this to Minerva. As the Deputy Head, she's the only one with the authority to approach the subject with the Headmistress. I'll come to the suite after I speak with her."
Harry looked up from his homework a short while later as Draco let Snape into their private sitting area. He didn't have a good feeling about the news Snape was about to deliver.
"It appears there is nothing we can do for the moment." Snape snarled. "Keep your heads down and pass the word along your houses that her punishments are unjustly harsh. I will speak with Lucius to see what can be done."
Draco began to protest but a look from Harry stopped him. Harry must have a plan so he would go along with this for now.
"Good night, sir." Harry replied a little too calmly as the older man strode out.
Over the next several weeks Harry's cousins took turns testing their new Headmistress. The twins had loads of fun trying to find ways to dose her with their candies. Most of their attempts had only gotten points taken and the sweets confiscated but no detentions were given and Harry was certain he knew why. It was known that the Weasleys along with Luna and Zack had Harry's protection and she didn't want to poke the sleeping bear that was the Earl of Inverness because she wasn't sure what he'd do.