A Better Plan
by Roff
Chapter Five
Harry was called into the headmaster's office two days later after dinner where he found Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape present. He politely knocked on the door and was told to enter by the headmaster.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked politely and upbeat.
"Yes, please have a seat, Mr. Potter," he said congenially while gesturing to a chair in front of his desk. "I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry replied while sitting down. "What can I do for you?"
"I was told that you walked out of your first potions class without an explanation as to why. You also have not bothered since then to provide an explanation. In addition, you did not show up to your second Potions class today. Can you explain why?"
"I can, but I'm assuming Professor Snape provided you with that information since it's his class?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then you might want to ask him why all the confusion?" Harry asked as Dumbledore and McGonagall looked at him wondering what he was talking about. "I'd be willing to wager that if you brought any of my classmates in who witnessed what happened in the classroom the other day, they can readily give you an accurate account of it. Or, we could view a memory of it if you have a pensieve. I think either way, what the professor is not telling you would make it perfectly clear," he said with no hesitation.
"Perhaps, but would you mind sharing with us your reasoning anyway?" Dumbledore asked surprised at Harry's response and his ability to express it so easily for an eleven year old.
"Well, you asked for it," he said mumbling quietly, resigning to the fact he was going to have to let it all out. "It's quite simple really," he said speaking back up. "The Professor began insulting me from the time class began until I left. I was perfectly aware of the tension between the professor and my father when they were both children here at Hogwarts. I was even wary of any attitudes he might have towards me since I'm the son of his former nemesis. However, what I witnessed was beyond anything I was prepared for."
"So, what happened?" asked McGonagall.
"This so-called professor," he said gesturing at Snape with a flip of his hand, "was treating me like I was not me but my father and he just picked up where they left off because he was certain I was only here to make his life miserable. Keep in mind that I was only told about the professor. I have never actually met him before I came to Hogwarts and he has never met me before then either. However, he did not bother to get to know me before he started insulting me for no apparent reason, other than the fact that I am the son of James Potter," he said with a little heat.
Snape was barely holding it in as Harry continued.
"I find his childish behavior beyond the pale for a fully grown man and his attitude shows mental instability for someone charged with teaching children," he said evenly. "That is why I left and that is why I won't go to any more of his classes."
"Why you little –"
"Severus! Don't. finish. that sentence," McGonagall warned him then stopped Snape with a hard stare. Snape was ready to burst but instead he swallowed and turned to Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, you can't possibly believe this child's wild accusations!" Snape complained.
Dumbledore put up his hand to indicate Snape needed to calm down and be quiet before he turned back to Harry.
"I see," said Dumbledore. "However, we seem to be at an impasse since Potions is a required class. Perhaps if we can come to an understanding between you and Professor Snape, we can put all this behind us?" he asked with his eyes twinkling.
"I'm afraid not, Headmaster. The so-called professor has crossed so far over the line that there is no returning for him. It would be best if we never have a class together. That way his mental instability toward my father will not have to be revisited if I'm not in his classroom. Rest assured, if he has not been able to put it behind him after all these years, then there is no hope for him to be able to get over it anytime soon."
"But what about potions?" asked McGonagall.
"That's not a problem. Other than, Defense, Charms, and Transfiguration, I'm the furthest ahead in Potions, mainly because my mum is really good at it. I'm ahead in History of Magic too. My weakest subjects are Astronomy and Herbology, only because I have very little interest in those subjects. While I had a cursory review of them before Hogwarts, I spent very little time on them, especially compared to the other classes. However, Neville Longbottom is quite advanced in Herbology and another friend, Susan Bones, is quite good at Astronomy. They help me with those two classes and I help them with the others."
"So, you are studying ahead on your own in Potions just like you are in Transfiguration and Charms?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes, I think I'm somewhere in the middle of fourth year in Potions, maybe a little further."
Snape made a snide noise like he didn't believe it which in Harry's mind just proved his point about the git.
"Where are you able to brew potions when you study on your own?" asked Dumbledore.
"I have an expanded trunk with a potions lab. In fact, all my advanced studying is done in my trunk. If I happen to have disappeared for a while, I'm likely in there. If you need to get in touch with me while I'm in my trunk, just knock on the outside. I'll be able to hear it. Make sure you don't try to enter without me inviting you in though. That would be very unhealthy for you if you happen to succeed. The protections are quite impressive," he warned. "Given the way things have been going with my family I felt it necessary to protect my privacy as best I can. Too many are interested in my private life for the wrong reasons."
"Is that safe for your dorm mates, Mr. Potter?" asked McGonagall worriedly.
"Oh yes! They have been warned but at the same time they are nowhere near advanced enough to successfully break into my trunk. Trying will not hurt you much, you'll just get some warnings, but succeeding will hurt you a lot. I don't recommend it."
"Very well, Mr. Potter," agreed Dumbledore. "We will leave things as is for now and revisit them in the future should it become necessary. Let's do this. At the end of each month during this school year, I will have you brew whatever potion Professor Snape has assigned to that class for that day and also the one for the final semester test. In addition, I will administer the end of semester written exams to you as well. That way we can be assured you are getting properly educated in Potions."
"Yes, sir. That is agreeable. And if you need further confirmation, I'm sure my mother would be more than happy to talk to you. She knows exactly where I stand when it comes to my potion education."
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Potter. I'll be in touch. Now, if you and Minerva will excuse us, I would like to speak with Severus privately."
"Certainly, Albus," replied McGonagall, who gave Severus a hard glare, while Harry just nodded and left the office with his head of house.
"Mr. Potter," McGonagall addressed Harry after they had exited the stairs and were heading toward Gryffindor tower together, "I'm not sure if I should say this, but I'm quite aware of the problems that existed between Severus and your father when they both attended Hogwarts. I know for a fact that both sides gave as good as they got. What I'm not sure about is what possibly could have happened between the two, to cause Severus to hang on to that for so long."
"If it helps, Professor, I can tell you that my father informed me that he put all that behind him after he left school and grew up, so whatever it was it never bothered my father for very long. And I would hate to think that my father would be capable of doing something so horrible to his childhood nemesis that it would cause him to carry that with him even into adulthood and beyond. I think of my father in much fonder terms and would prefer to keep it that way."
"No, you are quite right. James Potter is not the kind of person who would ever do something that horrible, even to his enemy. His group of friends, called the Marauders, could be a bit over the top at times with their pranks, but they were done for enjoyment and not for cruelty. Now, if you want to discuss how he dealt with Death Eaters, along with Sirius Black by his side after they were grown and out of Hogwarts, then you will find that both of those boys were very good at what they did and did not hold back. That, of course, was war."
"I understand, Professor."
"Good night, Mr. Potter," she told them when they reached the tower entrance.
"Good night, Professor."
Almost a month later at breakfast, Katie suddenly sat down next to Harry. Harry turned to her and wondered what she wanted.
"It's time for Quidditch practice and Ollie takes it very seriously. You best get a move on."
"Right! Thanks for the reminder. I wish I had my broom already. It hasn't been delivered yet though."
"What broom do you have?"
"Nimbus 2000."
"Hey, Harry," Neville said loudly. "Isn't that Hedwig carrying a large package?" he said pointing.
Harry looked and sure enough his owl was winging her way to him with a long package. Harry whipped out his wand and cleared a large spot on the table for her. A few students were not done eating yet and wondered where their plate went to, but then Hedwig landed and the long package was taking up all the room in front of them.
"Right on time, Hedwig!" Harry told her.
She hooted thanks as Harry set her free from the package and she flew back to the owlery for a rest. Harry then opened the package and pulled out his broom and his servicing kit, making sure nothing else was left in there that he needed, before vanishing the package with a flick of his wand.
"Wow!" he heard from several of his fellow students.
"I bet you like riding that!" Ron told him excitedly, impressed with the broom.
"Oh, I do, but I have to say riding a gryphon is more fun to me. They really know how to fly!"
"You've ridden a gryphon?" one of the sixth years asked him astonished.
"Sure," he replied. "They live on the property and help protect the place. Their very friendly to our family and let me ride them. In fact, I practically grew up with one of them. He always liked to run beside me when I ran around the property for exercise. He's big enough to ride now."
"Is that you I've seen early in the morning running around the lake?" asked Percy Weasley, the fifth year prefect.
"I imagine. I haven't seen anyone else out there. I sure miss my running buddy though. If anyone wants to join me, they're certainly welcome. I promise I don't bite."
Everyone seemed to find something else to look at all of a sudden, everyone except Neville who was looking thoughtful. He never did all the things his friend did growing up but maybe it was time to step up. If he was going to have Harry's back when he needed it, then perhaps the time to prepare was now.
During his first practice, Harry showed the team just how good a Seeker could be. His fast turns, twists, and daring dives proved his point nicely. Oliver Wood, the captain of the team set the snitch loose three times for Harry to catch it. Each time he caught it far quicker than expected.
When he wasn't chasing and catching the snitch, Harry would practice the Wronski feint and other crazy moves. He would pull up so close to the ground the tips of his shoes would brush the grass. He would also slalom around and between the three goals on each end of the field.
The other players were distracted by his flying. Oliver started to tell Harry to cut it out so the others could concentrate on learning the plays, but changed his mind. Maybe Harry could distract the other teams when they play a game, he was thinking. Instead, while Harry continued his craziness, he got on to the other players for not concentrating on practice. He then explained his strategy to the whole team regarding Harry's behavior on a broom.
Harry always enjoyed his time in his trunk studying ahead. One thing he didn't reveal about his trunk is that it has a private floo connection between it and Potter Castle only. That way his parents could come through on a schedule and continue his training.
They let him get settled in a little at Hogwarts for a few weeks first before they picked back up on his advanced lessons. Normally they only showed up at night or on the weekends. They sometimes even brought Izzy along on the weekends so she could see Harry. On occasion, usually on the weekend, Harry would even miss dinner in the Great Hall because he had dinner with his family in his trunk. Lucy would have an elf prepare all the food and deliver it to the trunk for them.
Sometimes he would get so involved in his advanced studies that a Potter elf had to show up with food and get him to eat since he forgot. That elf's name was Jiggy. Lucy had him become Harry's personal elf so he would know when the young master needed something without being told.
When his parents showed up, his mum taught him Charms and Potions while his dad taught him Transfiguration and Defense. They arranged it so that if one was running late the other could start and give the late one an extra hour to get there. Normally, they only did two lessons a night so they were done in two hours.
His grandmother had a portrait in his trunk home and she taught him History of Magic. It was one of her better subjects and she made it very interesting. She would talk about the history like she was telling a grand story of adventure and daring. She made it easy to remember the facts as she caused you to conjure images in your mind from the details she presented. The images combined with the hearing of the words made it easier to remember the facts.
Yes, even History of Magic was fun for Harry when he was learning from his grandmother.
His great grandfather Henry was teaching him runes once a week while his great grandmother Elizabeth was teaching him Arithmancy once a week. She was lucky to have a portrait as she died young when she gave birth to Harry's grandfather, Fleamont. It was her dying wish to name her son after her maiden name since that family name was going to die out.
Currently, Harry was brewing a potion while his mum looked on. It was a tricky one so he was going slower than he normally does, making sure it was done correctly. Harry glanced over at his mum.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked her.
"You! I'm always amazed at your ability with potions. Your attention to detail is very impressive for someone so young."
"It's because you are a relentless taskmaster, mother dear! I had to learn or face your wrath," he exclaimed.
"I am not a relentless taskmaster! Mother dear, indeed. You take that back! If you weren't in the middle of that potion, I would tickle you mercilessly for that comment."
Harry just laughed at her. After she finished her fake pouting, she laughed too.
"Hey! What's so funny in here?" asked James as he appeared in the doorway.
"I was just picking on Mum."
"He said I was a relentless taskmaster! Can you believe that?"
"Sure I can."
"I can't tickle him right now but I can certainly tickle you!"
"Hang on a second. I have a question for Harry. How much longer are you going to be making that potion? You're late for your Transfiguration lesson."
"Sorry, Dad. I was given a very complicated potion today so it's taking longer. I'm almost done. I'll join you in a little bit."
"Alright, son. Now, what was this about tickling?" he asked turning toward his wife.
"You are going to get it for what you said and what Harry said too. No mercy!"
"You realize that you have to catch me first, right? And, if you do, I can tickle you back."
"I can't leave right now, James. I have to watch Harry and make sure he doesn't have a problem with this potion and blows himself up with it."
"Oh, please. He's practically as good as you with potions. He's not going to blow anything up."
"I might if you guys don't quit distracting me!" Harry warned them.
"Sorry, Harry. We'll be good now," his dad told him.
"Just kidding," he said turning around. "I'm done."
Lily walked back over and took a good look at it.
"Perfect as usual, honey," she told him.
"I'll come back after Transfiguration and bottle it all up. It should be cool enough by then."
"Oh! Look who's not brewing anymore and is free to be tickled!" Lily exclaimed.
"Dad? Help?"
"Meet me in the training room for your Transfiguration lesson, son," he said then turned and left.
"Traitor!" Harry called out as his mum moved in closer with that gleam in her eyes.
Harry did a fake like he was going to go one way but went the other. He thought he had successfully avoided his mum but she caught him before he could reach the door and started tickling him good.
She let him go pretty quick though so he could get to his next lesson. She ruffled her son's hair as he took off to meet with his dad. They both spent about an hour on each lesson. Normally they met twice a week to cover Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense.
That evening it was Potions and Transfiguration. They would come back after two more days and work on Charms and Defense. For any extra time Harry wanted to work on those four subjects, he could use portraits like he does for history with his grandmother.
There was a great uncle who was a potions master. He would help out when Lily couldn't be there. A grandmother with several greats in front was a transfiguration master so she helped when James couldn't be there. His grandmother Euphemia was also very talented with Charms so she sometimes stood in for that lesson if Lily was busy.
Sometimes his grandfather would show up in a portrait and join with his father when he taught Harry's Defense class. If James could not be there then Fleamont taught it for him. However, Fleamont was always there when Harry worked on dueling. They accomplished a lot when Fleamont trained Harry to fight. His grandfather's way of teaching dueling resonated with Harry so he just soaked it all up.
"Tell me again… why I agreed to go running with you… in the mornings?" asked Neville as he huffed and puffed beside Harry.
"You're just a bit out of shape, Nev. You'll get there soon enough after a few more times and it will be a lot easier on you. We'll even be able to run faster."
"We're not running," he had to take a breath, "fast enough now?" he asked incredulously.
"No, I've slowed it down for you, Nev, until you get in better shape," Harry explained.
Neville looked at him like he was crazy.
"You just have to face the fact that you're my best friend but you're embarrassingly slow," Harry told him deadpan.
"And you," Neville paused to breathe, "…have to face the fact," he took another breath "…that you," and another breath, "…are a git," he finished huffing and puffing.
"Oh, I'm very proud of that fact, Nev."
"Figures," he mumbled still breathing hard.
"Why don't you take a rest, Nev, since this is your first day? After a breather you can run some more if you feel like it. I promise it will get easier the more you do it."
"Are you sure?" …takes a breath "…I don't want" …takes a breath "…to be a big" …takes a breath "…embarrassment for you" …takes a breath.
"Just stop and start walking before you fall down. I need to speed up and finish. Only run some more after you catch your breath if you're up for it. You'll be able to run further tomorrow as your body adjusts to this activity."
"Only because" …takes a breath "…you insist," Neville told him as he stopped and started walking to catch his breath.
"Good first run today, Nev!" Harry said over his shoulder. "Great effort!" he finished then doubled the pace as he took off to finish the run.
"Show off," Neville mumbled as he walked and caught his breath. "It's a good thing" …takes a breath "…he's my best friend" …takes a breath. "Otherwise, …I would consider" …takes a breath "…giving up on this nonsense" …takes a big breath.
A few minutes later as Neville plodded along still walking, but was considering running again now that he caught his breath, Harry passed him up. He was still running at the blistering pace he set once he took off alone.
Neville was determined to get to that level so he started running again but a lot slower pace than his friend Harry. It would just take some time as long as he stuck with it.
At breakfast, Neville had his arms folded on the table in front of him with his head resting on them.
"What's wrong with you, Neville?" asked Ron.
"I went running with Harry this morning. Just trying to recover."
Ron looked over at Harry who was full of energy and looked bright eyed and bushy tailed.
"How come Harry doesn't look like you?" he asked.
"That's because I've been running for years and I'm in great shape," replied Harry answering for Neville. "I'm trying to turn my friend Neville into a lean, mean, fighting machine. Currently, he's just an out of shape, fluffy wizard…"
"Hey! Watch it!" Neville complained raising his head up off his arms.
"…who has a long way to go," Harry finished smiling.
"You guys are nuts to get out there and run like a bunch of Muggles. We're wizards. We can use magic," Ron told them.
"And what do you think would happen if we dueled for a long time, Ron?" asked Harry. "Not that it would take me that long, but, you know, just as a for instance. If we dueled for a long time, who do you think would get tired first? You, who refuses to exercise? Or, me, who runs five miles, six days a week? How many minutes would it take for you before you start sucking wind trying to catch your breath? Meanwhile, I'll be fresh as a daisy and running circles around you. Think on that!"
"Why would you be running around during a duel? Ron asked. "You just have to stand there and cast spells."
"Really?" Harry asked incredulously. "What happens when you have to fight a dark wizard who uses the Unforgivables? Are you just going to stand there and get hit? I'm pretty good and even advanced in Transfiguration, but I still can't conjure yet. I wouldn't be able to conjure a solid object to block the curse. I could summon an object, if there was one available, but I'm pretty sure moving out of the way of the curse would be the better, safer option."
"Right …I never thought of it that way."
"Let's not forget either, that if you move instead of block, you can then cast your own spell rather than just be on the defensive. Since they're casting they'll have to be double quick with a shield or movement to counter your return spell. There are many advantages to being in great shape."
"I see," Ron replied.
"You're more than welcome to join us in the mornings, Ron," Neville added.
"Um, let me think on that."
"Sure, just let us know if you want to give it a shot," Harry told him. "And that goes for anyone else," he told the others listening in.
Hermione Granger was sad and worried.
She had always been the smartest student who studied ahead and advanced faster than the other students at school. But ever since she discovered she was a witch and attended Hogwarts to learn about magic, she found that while she was ahead of pretty much everyone, there was one student who constantly stayed ahead of her. No matter how hard she studied to catch up to him, she was never able to do it.
This was something new to her and she felt weird about it. It was like studying hard and being first was her identity. Without it she was lost. She knew she sometimes came across as a bit anti-social but she was working on that by trying to be helpful to those who needed it.
She tried helping some students in her classes but they never seemed to appreciate it. It was similar to her previous school where she was picked on because she was different. She always stood out from the other students and they made fun of her.
It was Halloween and a big feast was planned for dinner, however, she was not there. She was in the girls' loo crying because things were not going well. She never had any real friends at her other school and now she was failing to make friends at her new school.
At least all the students here had something in common. They could all do magic. That did not seem to matter though when trying to make friends. Maybe she was just not cut out to be someone's friend. It was obvious that as smart as she was that she could not figure out how to get a friend. Even her dorm mates ignored her.
She was pondering all this in a stall and wiping away her tears when she heard a deep throated grunt and smelled a horrible pungent odor. She also heard heavy feet thudding with each step on the tile of the loo.
Hermione opened her stall door and walked out wiping the tears from her eyes so she could see who was making all the noise. What she saw made her voice disappear from her throat. She tried to scream but nothing wanted to come out. Luckily the massive, smelly mountain troll had not seen her yet.
She turned and ran back into her stall and that's when her scream made its appearance. She was quite loud. The troll turned and swung its massive club shattering all the stalls in the bathroom.
Hermione dropped to the floor and then crawled out from under the broken stalls until she cleared them. She crawled up under the sinks as the troll was looking for her in the broken stalls. When it turned around and looked her way, it spotted where she was.
The troll came toward her and smashed the sinks with its club, barely missing her as she screamed some more. The busted sinks and water pipes began spraying water all over the place.
She thought she was done for, that this mountain troll who somehow managed to get in the castle, was going to kill her any minute. She knew her troubles would be over but she really wanted to see her parents before she died. She loved her parents dearly and wished she was with them now.
She dropped her line of thought when she saw the large feet of the troll right in front of her. She then looked up to see the massive troll standing over her with its club raised, ready to strike. It was looking her right in the eye as it was ready to end her miserable existence.
She saw it draw back its club to put more power into it, so she closed her eyes and prayed it would be over quickly.