Before they started the next chapter Hermione asked for a stop to use the loo. The rest fixed tea and stretched. Remus and Sirius stayed behind to talk with Harry.
"Harry, I want you to be honest with us. Did they ever hit you?"—Remus said
"No, not like you are imagining. Once or twice it would hurt but nothing too violent."—
Both of them nodded. –"Very well, for now, we will let the matter drop"
Harry was happy about that.
"So a little summary on this year?"—Sirius asked looking at the distressed faces of the Weasleys.
"It's bad. I spent most of my second year a nervous rack."
"McGonagall didn't tell me much about it when I was teaching. They all said it was for the protection of the person involved; whom I now know was Ginny. She also didn't tell me about the creature that was hurting the students only that it was contained."
"Too many secrets"—Sirius said sourly
"Well she has never seen the creature"—Harry stated both men looked at him confused—"No one knows what the creature looks like but me and Ginny. Dumbledore has never asked to go see it."
Remus closed his eyes—"Dumbledore likes to play a dangerous game"
"What? Do you think he did the same trick again? He allowed Harry to go down there himself?"— Sirius just stared at him like he was crazy
"He wasn't even in the castle when I went to save Ginny and If he did I believe…"—Harry said stopping both men from speaking.—"I believe he never assumed it would be too dangerous."
Sirius didn't look convinced but couldn't say anything because everyone started to sit down, Dumbledore cast the charm once again.
Chapter 4- At Flourish and Blotts
Harry got a shock the first time he looked in the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece and it shouted, "Tuck your shirt in, scruffy!"
"Scared the hell out of me."
We've tried a lot of things to get that ghoul out of the attic."
"Exactly what do you do in your room?" –Augusta said looking at the twins. She would never allow such things to come out of Neville's room.
"That is Private Ma'am."
It was in fact, that everybody there seemed to like him.
Every parent had turned around to look at the boy sitting next to Sirius.
"Oh, Harry, why wouldn't we like you?"— Mrs. Weasley said.
"The assumption of a twelve-year-old, don't concern yourself"—Harry said brushing her off.
"Were you able to eat four helpings?"—Andromeda asked concerned his poor stomach could be damaged.
"The first three days I was sick most of the time. But after four days I was able to eat not four helpings, but at least two."
Remus once again paid attention to Harry's body. Perhaps they could start the vitamin process sooner rather than later, they still had Sirius potions, so maybe they could start with those.
The moment she saw Harry, Ginny accidentally knocked her porridge bowl to the floor with a loud clatter. Pretending he hadn't noticed this, Harry sat down.
Her brothers were having a tough time trying not to laugh. –"Thank you for not laughing Harry."
"You are reminding me of someone."— Remus said smiling, Making Sirius chuckle. –"Man, I hope she doesn't get that bad"— he said.
"Who?"—Luna asked.
"Harry's dad, once he started noticing girls specifically after he started noticing one in particular, he would do any embarrassing thing just to get her attention he wrote poems and songs, and he would declare his undying love for her in the Great Hall or while he was flying in the Quidditch game. It drove Lily insane"—Sirius said
Remus laughed—"The bigger his declarations of love were the bigger her refusal was."
—Harry shook his head; he really wanted to hear more about his parents' Hate/Love Relationship.
"So you've always had someone following him?"—Hermione asked Dumbledore.
"No, Arthur informed me that Harry was staying with them.
"And you didn't question it?"—McGonagall asked him.
"Arthur said the twins had been involved. I assumed Harry asked for them to go get him."
"Well you clearly assumed wrong, Dumbledore."—Andromeda said.
Second year students will require. Break with a banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
…. Gilderoy Lockhart
… Gilderoy Lockhart.
…Gilderoy Lockhart.
Remus looked offended he turned to McGonagall —"When you told me that Gilderoy Lockhart had been the teacher before me, I didn't expect this. Why did you allow him to put his entire Book collection in the school booklist?"—
"I didn't allow anything. I didn't want him to be the teacher but unfortunately, he was the only one who applied, we did consider bringing you in for second year, but you were not in the country and Albus said it wasn't time to bring you in"
—Everyone read between the lines, the curse of the DADA teacher was a well-known rumor.
Sirius looking at his friend said— "I'm still missing something. Who is this Lockhart? And why are you taking this so personally?"
"He was four years older than us, he was a Ravenclaw, the man is a fraud and those books are expensive."— Sirius nodded taking notice of Arthur's agreement—"I cannot believe you allowed him to put his entire book collection each book is 5 galleons."-Remus pointed at Dumbledore.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded. Thankfully, they didn't have to buy all of them only Ron's and the twins shared; Ginny had received her copy free from Harry. Percy had bought half of his.
"I'm afraid I couldn't do anything about it. He was the only one to apply. It was him and his books or someone from the ministry."—The teenagers made a face thinking about the Pink toad.
The Weasleys turned red with embarrassment after the Book reminded them of their secondhand things a few of them remembering the conversation from last night.
She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put her elbow in the butter dish.
That broke the tension. Everybody started laughing.
"Merlin, I forgot about that"—Ginny mumbled turning scarlet.
"It's alright Ginny; everyone has a crush that makes us embarrassing"—
"Shut up, Tonks."—Ginny glared making Tonks stick her tongue out.
"Merlin, Hermione did you even enjoy your holiday?"
"I did actually; my mother and I share the same passion for books."
"Is our game still on?"— Charlie reminded them.
"I suppose but we can't go to Potter Manor just yet."—Remus said
"Why not?"—Harry said he had to speak to his uncles. He wanted to know how the house looked where it was and why had no one ever told him he had a house.
"You're not of age yet. You don't have access to your full inheritance until you are 17"—Amelia said.
"But If I'm not wrong"—Sirius said, looking at Bill for confirmation.—"Because he's the last Potter he is entitled to get it a year sooner with proof that he is mature enough to take over"
"I don't know the specifics but yes, I think it's prudent if we wait till we finish the books, we don't know where this is going."
Mad-Eye agreed—"We don't know how much work these books will give us, so postpone your game until I can verify that you're all going to live to play that Quidditch game."—
"Merlin Mad-eye. You really are a bundle of joy."— Nymphadora said.
Sirius's eyes widened in horror when they read Percy had taken 12 Owls, not even Moony had dared.
He's never traveled by floo Powder, said Ron suddenly. Sorry, Harry, I forgot.
"Well, I presume that was an experience."
Harry and Ron started laughing. –"You presume correctly."
Molly chastised Arthur- "If you would have allowed me to fuss more, maybe we wouldn't have lost him."
"You got lost"—Sirius said laughing
Harry lightly punched him in the shoulder. –"Don't laugh. I never knew that existed, so imagine my surprise when you just walk into the fire and disappear into the flames. This is why Muggles think we are crazy."
Sirius kept laughing.
"No wonder you got lost with all those explanations. You only have to take a deep breath, say the name of where you're going, and just relax."— Ted said, laughing.
"No, Harry"—Andy lamented.—"How far did you go?"
"Not far."
He fell face forward onto cold stone and filled the bridge of his glass. (...) Evil looking masks stare down from the walls and assortment of human burns lay up on the counter and rusty spike instruments hanging from the ceiling.
"That hurt"
Sirius who was still smirking stopped immediately.—" Please tell me that you're not where I think you are."
"I'm afraid so."
"Knocturn Alley, get out of there quickly Harry. No one should see you there."
"I'm right here"—He laughed at Remus's comment
One of them was the very last person Harry wanted to meet. Draco Malfoy.
"Great now you're trapped."
Harry Potter got a Nimbus Two Thousand last year. Special permission from Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor. He's not even that good, it's just because he's famous…
"My god he sounds petulant"—Ted said to his wife
Snape held his tongue he wanted to defend his godson, but even he had to admit Draco had his spoiled moments.
"I'm not buying today, Mr. Borgin, but selling," said Mr. Malfoy.
"My, my the Minister's friend selling Dark artifacts. I wonder how much of this Fudge knows"
"All of it"—Sirius said rolling his eyes
It's not my fault," retorted Draco. "The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger —" (…) "I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam," snapped Mr. Malfoy.
"Ha! No one is as brilliant as our Hermione" –Ron said making the Twins, Ginny, and Tonks smirk.
"When we got to the Malfoy Manor everything was gone"—Arthur said angrily.
(…) holding a tray of what looked horribly like whole human fingernails. She leered at him, showing mossy teeth.(…)
"Why does she have fingernails?"
"Dark Magic potions"—Snape said in disgust. He had done too many for the Dark Lord.
"HARRY! What d'yeh think yer doin' down there?"
"Hagrid!"—Sirius said looking at the giant. –"Great timing"
"I was scared for a moment. He looked so vulnerable"
Harry frowned, he could admit he was scared but vulnerable.
"Hagrid you have to work on your strength you could've broken him"—Remus chuckled.
"We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far…" He mopped his glistening bald patch. "Molly's frantic
"She was. She ran into every store trying to find you. Eventually, Dad told her you had to be around and wait by the bank" –Fred said amused.
Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag.
"Oh, Harry you don't have anything to feel embarrassed about. It's just how life is" –Arthur said while his wife blushed.
"This is why you did wrong by allowing Lockhart to put his entire book collection"—Remus said disapprovingly.
Dumbledore nodded, he really didn't want Lockhart to be a teacher but he never had much of an option, the Governors had been impressed by his heroic actions.
"I don't want to sound insensitive but why do you have…"—Sirius started asking.
Molly was going to tell him to mind his business but her husband answered first.—"My great-grandfather owed a lot of money that we are still paying. We once had a big house like this one and good fortune and he lost it in a debt of honor, it's only a few more years."
Sirius nodded starting thinking how to fix it, he knew he could just pay it for Arthur but he also knew the men wouldn't accept that. He caught Remus half smiled, he rolled his eyes remembering all the time he tried to give money to Remus only to be rejected. He really had no use for it.
"I really wanted those robes"—Ron said
"To orange"—Harry said but took notice and decided to give them to his friend this Christmas.
Percy, deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called Prefects Who Gained Power
"How is that going Percy?"—Ron glared at his brother
"Yeah doesn't it feel a little lonely up there"—Fred remarked
Percy made no comment and just stared at the book. Everyone knew it was just a matter of time for the Twins to attack their brother. Bill took a deep breath and smiled at Fleur who held his hand in reassurance.—"He will come through, don't worry"—She whispered.
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
Hermione blushed; she had been really blind that year. –"You were annoyingly cute that year"—Ron said blushing. Harry heard and laughed out loud earning a glare from his best friend.
Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute
This earned a laugh from the Weasley father.
–"I don't know what women saw in him"—McGonagall said over Ginny's gags.
Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front.
"He dared touch you"—Remus said outraged scaring Sirius who was sipping his tea.
–"He did and without my permission"—Harry said eagerly enjoying this side of Remus.
–"Don't encourage him"—Sirius said coughing.
Snape huffed; his morning the day after that picture had been sour seeing Potter with Lockhart he knew his year was going to be awful.
But Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side.
"I take it back why is he touching you"—Sirius said—"Harry you should've punched him"
"Harry isn't violent"—Molly said
"Speak for yourself he has a great right hook"—Sirius said smiling at Harry who looked mortified he had forgotten about punching his godfather.
"Think you for the books, Harry, though I didn't use them"—Ginny said smiling
"No one did"—Fred said. He had been incredibly mad when he realized his parents had lost their money in useless trash.
Snape had to bite his tongue. He was going to have a serious conversation with Draco about his behavior. He was acting like a bully and a pretty pathetic one.
Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy.
"I hate them, all of them"—Ginny said with pure venom. Harry caught her eye and smiled reassuringly at her. She returned the smile and blushed when Draco said about her being Harry's girlfriend. Only this summer she had been able to be in a room with Harry without embarrassing herself. She saw Tonks smirking at her.
Retorted Malfoy. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."
"I can't believe my sister has allowed this type of behavior"—
"No offense but your sister looks as unpleasant as them"—Ron said
Sirius and Ted kept their sight on Snape expecting a reaction from him but were disappointed.
"All those raids… I hope they're paying you overtime?"—He reached into Ginny's cauldron (…)"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," he said. (…)
"What's with the Malfoys being obsessed with us"—George said
"Envy"—Sirius said
"He's like this with everyone, he thinks he shits gold so everyone is beneath him"—Augusta said
"Language"—Minerva said making Augusta roll her eyes.
Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Mr. Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools.
"Good job Arthur"—Ted and Sirius said
He was still holding Ginny's old Transfiguration book. His eyes glittering with malice. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice. "Here, girl — take your book
No one was expecting Ginny's reaction. She slammed her cup at the floor breaking into dozens of pieces. She stood up and marched out of the room leaving a stunned group behind.
"What just happened?"—Amelia said
"The beginning of a very bad year"—Neville said angrily. Ginny had confessed to him that it had been Malfoy who had endangered her.
Mrs. Weasley was crying, and she sent Bill to get her but for some reason, Harry stopped him—"No, I'll go."—He didn't wait for a reaction and walked to the kitchen where Ginny was pacing and Kreacher was handing her a glass of water.
"Ginny"—He said softly hoping he wouldn't get hex. He stood in front of her
"I hate them. Every time I see Draco's face every time he speaks I'm reminded of what his father did to me."—She said and Harry could hear the anger and resentment in her voice.
"I know. He knows what his father is and still, he doesn't change his way. Lucius was at the Graveyard Gin, they don't understand what Voldemort truly is"
"I do. I know what he wants."
"And I'm sorry you do. You were too young but it will only get worse in the book as in the following months and we have to be prepared."
"I hope one day they get what they deserve"—she said her eyes watering.
Harry nodded at her words and awkwardly tried to soothe her making her laugh. "Come on we have to go back." –Harry said
-… Meanwhile in the Ball room
Fleur fixed the tea cup while Arthur apologized to Sirius
"Arthur is a teacup" — brushing him off – "what just happened?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. A.P. hadn't said anything about sharing information, yet they just couldn't say everything it would most likely spoil the book.
"We shouldn't spoil the book but it was Lucius Malfoy who caused Ginny pain." –Hermione said.
"Why didn't you report it"—Tonks asked Arthur.
"We don't have valid proof." –Molly said
"He's a snake. He wasn't in Voldemort's inner circle for nothing"—said Moody angrily. He hated Dark Wizards especially those who harmed Children like it was nothing.
"He's a vile man"—Ginny said walking in. She quickly sat down and told her mother she was fine. –"I'm sorry for my outburst I didn't realize I was still angry"
"You have every right to be angry Ginny"—Luna said kindly.
Snape took a deep breath. He wanted to agree with them, though he was friends with Lucius his true friendship was with Narcissa. The idiot of Lucius didn't even know what the book had truly done. Dumbledore told him to tell him nothing, he would be lucky if the Dark Lord didn't ask for it.
They continued reading, the room was tense. Those who had been confused before were starting to fully understand the severity of the situation.
"Lockhart is too full of himself."—Ted said
CHAPTER FIVE— The Whomping Willow
"We are happy to have you every time Harry"—Mrs. Weasley said
"We are never on time"
They all laughed at Mr. Weasley lying through his teeth about enchanting the car. Even Snape almost smiled
Ginny shrieked that she'd left her diary.
"If only"—she said, Charlie gave her a quick kiss.
Both of them bent low over the handles of their trolleys and walked purposefully toward the barrier, gathering speed. A few feet away from it, they broke into a run and — CRASH. Both trolleys hit the barrier and bounced backward
"Why did it close?"—Ted said, Sirius looking at Harry.
"That must've hurt"—Neville said looking at his friends
"It did, especially in the ribs"— Ron winced
It's gone," said Ron, sounding stunned. "The train's left. What if Mum and Dad can't get back through to us?
"It took us a few minutes to get outside"—Arthur said remembering the Muggle parents panicking about being trapped.
"Wait you didn't notice you were missing two children?"—Augusta asked
"We did but we were late, everyone ran into the train. Percy disappeared almost immediately, the twins ripped Ginny out of my arm and when I looked back Ron and Harry weren't there so I assumed they had gotten on it." –Molly said peeved
"I think we'd better go and wait by the car," said Harry. "We're attracting too much atten —" (…) —"Harry!" said Ron, his eyes gleaming. "The car!"—"What about it?"—"We can fly the car to Hogwarts!"
Sirius laughed, he and James would've gotten to the same conclusion.
"Idiots"—Snape said earning a glare from Remus.
"Poor Harry"—Neville said—"He's trying to think straight and Ron's too excited about flying the car"
Ron laughed though it caused a lot of trouble for him and his parents it was a great memory. He looked at Harry who was also smiling, it had been an adventure with his best friend, perhaps not a brilliant idea but he appreciated the memory now.
"You had in Owl you could've waited five more minutes"—Hermione said knowing both boys were feeling too proud about their adventure
"Hey we owe our lives to that car"—Harry said while everyone looked confused.
"I remember Mom telling me about this"—Charlie said laughing—"She was so angry and I was so proud"
"It was real!"—Remus laughed remembering hearing about this from a first year and thinking it was an exaggeration.
"You actually flew a car to Hogwarts, your dad would be so proud."—Sirius said
"Gentleman you shouldn't encourage this behavior"—Augusta said looking sternly at Neville.
"We are not, It was reckless and irresponsible you could've died, the car could've plumped to the ground or you could've been seen."— said Sirius in a stern voice that had Harry nodding slowly.—"But I'm sure Molly over there reprimanded and McGonagall punished them so for now I will be the proud Marauder Godfather and rejoice in his mischief"
Harry and Ron laughed high fiving him.
Fred's and George's jealous faces when they landed smoothly and spectacularly on the sweeping lawn in front of Hogwarts castle.
"We did feel –
-Betrayed, heartbroken"
"It's a nice memory now, but we really didn't think it through"—Harry said remembering the thirst and hunger.
(…)But the car had begun to shudder and was losing speed. (…) There was a loud clunk, a splutter, and the engine died completely.
"This isn't fun anymore"—Sirius said
"Oh you're not rejoicing now are you"—Molly said
"This was a very stupid idea"—Amelia said, she would be concerned but both boys were in front of her.
"WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!" Harry bellowed, lunging for the steering wheel, but too late — (…) CRUNCH.
"Oh shit"—Sirius said remembering the title. –"From all the trees why that one"
Hedwig was shrieking in terror; a golfball-size lump was throbbing on Harry's head where he had hit the windshield;
Looking at everyone's faces Harry quickly said—"I was alright"
"Oh Harry why are you always getting hurt?"—Remus said knowing the tree was preparing to attack.
Charlie and Bill frown they remember Ron saying something about a new wand when they went to Egypt, had he spent all second year with a broken wand?
"We're done for!" he moaned as the ceiling sagged, but suddenly the floor of the car was vibrating — the engine had restarted. (…) "Reverse!" Harry yelled, and the car shot backward;
"Why is that tree there?"—Andromeda said not remembering it from her years.
"My fault"—Remus said guilty
Augusta, Andromeda, and Fleur looked thoughtful. They had their suspicions of what he could be but kept to themselves not trying to be insensitive.
Where's Snape?" (…)"Or he might have been sacked!" said Ron enthusiastically. "I mean, everyone hates him (…) Or maybe," said a very cold voice right behind them, "he's waiting to hear why you two didn't arrive on the school train."
Moody laughed.—"I presume it was your year to be on the train?"
"Be on the train?"—The students said
"Yes, every year a teacher is on the train for security. Normally is Madam Pince, Hooch, or Sinistra. The third year was Remus because Albus asked him to."
"To your question Alastor no, Sinistra informed me Potter and Weasley were not there and Arthur had already informed Dumbledore, we knew what they had done, I was waiting by the grounds."
"You really enjoy punishing people don't you"—Kingsley said both Marauders nodding.
"You were seen," he hissed, showing them the headline: FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES. He began to read aloud: "Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower
"No wonder you were angry"—Sirius said shaking his head. –"Bad boy"—Sirius said playfully smacking Harry's hand.
"Of course, it's a jock to you"—Snape snapped
"What exactly do you want me to do? It was three years ago, the boy didn't even know I existed."—Sirius said calmly but with enough Venom Snape made no more comments.
"I understand you're angry. I remember seeing the prophet but they almost got killed by that tree. You should've sent them to Poppy"—Amelia shook her head.
"You thought I would curse you!"—Minerva asked.—"Am I really that terrifying?"
—"Yes"—all her ex-students said
"Good"—she smiled pleasantly"
"You're not a true Gryffindor if McGonagall has never made you feel stupid"—Sirius said
There was a long silence. Then Dumbledore said, "Please explain why you did this." (…)—It would have been better if he had shouted. Harry hated the disappointment in his voice. For some reason, he was unable to look Dumbledore in the eyes, and spoke instead to his knees
"I've been there, but trust me pup you don't want him yelling either"—Sirius said remembering his fifth year. Harry frowned he would have to ask later.
"Professor, when we took the car, term hadn't started, so — so Gryffindor shouldn't really have points taken from it — should it?" he finished, watching her anxiously. Professor McGonagall gave him a piercing look, but he was sure she had almost smiled.
"That was very…Slytherin of you Harry"—Andromeda laughed
"I was almost impressed"—McGonagall confirmed.
"Did the Dursleys ask you about it?"—Tonks asked knowing the answer.
"Not that I remember"
"Hermione was not impressed"
"I wasn't I knew it would go to their heads"
"Good for you," said a fifth year Harry had never spoken to; someone was patting him on the back as though he'd just won a marathon; Fred and George pushed their way to the front of the crowd and said together, "Why couldn't we've come in the car, eh?" (…) Ron was scarlet in the face, grinning embarrassedly, but Harry could see one person who didn't look happy at all
"People still talk about it"—Ginny said
Percy huffed—"Of course I wasn't impressed you two have never cared for the repercussion of your actions, poking your nose where it's not wanted"
"Percy shut up"—Harry said going for his wand, only to stop after Bill shook his head at him.
"You shouldn't be proud about it. It was dangerous and reckless"—Augusta said shaking her head.
"We know, But it's a nice memory to have with my friend and that car saved our lives so I'm happy about it"—Harry said defending himself.
CHAPTER SIX—Gilderoy Lockhart
All the teenagers and Remus groaned in pain
"Do we have to listen about this idiot"—Neville said surprising his grandmother.
"Ah yes, sorry about that he was quite obsessed with me so we will hear from him a lot"—Harry said
Neville was a round-faced and accident-prone boy with the worst memory of anyone Harry had ever met
"Sorry Neville"—Harry said embarrassed
"It's alright Harry it's true, somehow it's always me"—Neville said shrugging.
"She's — she's sent me a Howler," said Ron faintly.
"Oh no"—Sirius chuckled.—"Between my own mother and your grandma Potter we had a few of those in our time"
"My grandmother would send you Howlers?"
Remus smiled at the memories—"Yes, sometimes just to James for misbehaving but after the second year she knew we were a full package, and she would add our names to it."
"When did you send him a letter Madam Longbottom?"—Luna asked her
"When he fought with those boys in the first year, at the moment I didn't understand how severely the taunting was and was disappointed at him for fighting"—she said looking at Neville who shrugged not giving it importance.
"—STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D (…) EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU (…) STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE —"
Mrs. Weasley's voice echoed through the walls of the Ballroom that even the book shook a little. Remus and Sirius quickly cast a Silencing charm over their heads. They could just barely hear it but their canine ears appreciated it.
YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, (…) IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT (…)A ringing silence fell
The same silence was found in the Ballroom. Harry waved at both men that it was safe and they took the charm off.
"Wow, I've never heard someone yell like that before"—Luna said—"Your lungs must be very big Mrs. Weasley"—
That had all the Weasley laughing. –"Oh Luna"—Charlie said he had always found Luna nice, he still remembers her from when she was little.
His insides were burning with guilt. Mr. Weasley was facing an inquiry at work. After all Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had done for him over the summer…
"Good, I hope you apologized"—Remus pointed a finger at Harry.
"I did and I even wrote him a letter saying that if he was to be fined I would pay for it"
"I wasn't fined. No one found anything and even if, I never would've accepted."
Snape remembered with anger those events. He had told Dumbledore that both boys needed to be punished. He had been right they clearly hadn't learned from their mistakes.
Professor Sprout's arms were full of bandages, and with another twinge of guilt
"No need to feel guilt she knows very well how to handle the tree"—Neville said sadly, she had promised to teach him this year before Umbridge forbade it.
"Why are you describing his robes?"—Fleur asked curiously
Harry shrugged-"I don't know, that's just what I do. I see everything"
(…) "Oh, hello there!" he called, beaming around at the assembled students. "Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow
Moody liked the idea of Potter joining the Aurors. If they were going to be here a long time he might start training him.
"He dared to give sprout advice?"—Tonks laughed –"Idiot"
Harry! I've been wanting a word
"No absolutely not"—Remus said.
Sirius glared at the book-"Publicity! what kind of shit is this man talking about."
"The way he says your name is creepy"—Ginny said
Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking! 'It's all right for him, he's an internationally famous wizard already!' But when I was twelve, I was just as much of a nobody as you are now.
The mouth of everyone in the room, even Snape opened his in surprise.
"Did he just dare to…"—Neville asked perplexed
"He did"—The twins confirmed. They really hated the men.
All that business with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!" (…) it's not quite as good as winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award— but it's a start, Harry, it's a start."
"The nerve of this man"—Ted said disgusted, he had a few runs with Lockhart and he had left unimpressed
"I was shocked, I don't like it when people remind me why I'm famous"—Harry said and ignored the huff he knew was from Snape.—"But the fact he compared it with the most charming smile award was unexpected."
"Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative," said Hermione, sounding as usual as though she had swallowed the textbook. "It is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state."
"Was it planned?"—Hermione dared to ask. She knew the headmaster had allowed Harry to encounter Voldemort but she didn't want to believe he had planned the events of her second year.
"No, it was pure coincide. Professor Sprout had asked for them for almost four years. Mandrakes are expensive there's a list and schools are chosen at random. We were lucky"—Dumbledore said truthfully. How lucky they had been, he knew the governors wouldn't have given him the Money. Of course, he would've used his own but he didn't want to think about how much more time it would've taken to revive his students
"Sprout is so cool"—Tonks said remembering her head of house fondly
"Ron is forever traumatized from that Howler"
Have you read his books? I'd have died of fear if Id been cornered in a telephone booth by a werewolf, but he stayed cool and — zap — just fantastic.
"Ignorant fraud"
"He said what? He was cornered by a werewolf?"—Sirius said slowly and incredulously.
—"Like I said a fraud"—
"Are you going to be like this every time they mention him"—Tonks asked Remus who nodded aggressively look of distaste on his face.
"Justin is rich"—Ted said and explained.—"Eton is normally for the rich. You must be very smart to be allowed scholarships, things are changing now but when I was going to go it was expensive."
"So you're rich"—the twins asked ignoring their mothers' glare—
"Or awfully smart"—Luna added
Ted Tonks laughed—"You would think that gave me an advantage with my in-laws but yes money-wise. I'm well off"
That made nothing for Remus's confidence. So now was he not only a werewolf and old he was too poor for Dora. That would definitely not give him an advantage with his in-laws, not to add that Andy not prejudice like her family might still have some reservations against his kind. His thoughts were interrupted by a nudge to the Knee.
–"Stop it, no to everything you're thinking"—Sirius whispered angrily. Remus just shook his head.
The Mandrakes didn't like coming out of the earth, but didn't seem to want to go back into it either. They squirmed, kicked, flailed their sharp little fists, and gnashed their teeth;
"We had mandrakes in our seventh year but only for those who were taking Herbology NEWT because they only gave us five. It was a nightmare"—Remus said
Everything Harry had learned last year seemed to have leaked out of his head during the summer.
"And yet you're still in the top ten"—Ron said
Harry laughed and feeling a little cocky said –"If I had a chance to study during the Summer I would be at the top of the year"
Sirius laughed –"That sounded so like your Mother"
"'It's your own fault your wand got snapped — '"
"Ronald, if Mom and Dad couldn't afford a wand I'm sure that's the true reason you didn't ask for one. You have two brothers who can"—Charlie said, he really couldn't believe how deep Ron's insecurities were and why had they let it get that far. Ron only nodded remembering how angry Charlie had been the night before.
"Why," demanded Ron, seizing her schedule, "have you outlined all Lockhart's lessons in little hearts?"
"Really Hermione"—Neville asked laughing
"The man was handsome"—Hermione shrug
"A picture?" Harry repeated blankly. (…) "So I can prove I've met you," said Colin Creevey eagerly, edging further forward. "I know all about you (…)
"He's gotten better, I know he sometimes takes pictures of me from afar but I pay him no attention"
"It still shouldn't be done you're Harry Potter…"—Augusta started
"Harry has no concern for the Boy who lived…"
"No Miss Granger He's Harry Potter the heir to A Noble house. The Potter name is powerful and wealthy even if he wasn't the boy who lived he wouldn't be a normal child."
Hermione frowned she had really never cared to do research in the ancient noble houses. Ron doesn't talk much about those rules.
"I have so much to learn"—Harry said bitterly
"Don't worry we will work hard in the summer"—Sirius said giving him a side hug.
Be careful, Weasley," sneered Malfoy. "You don't want to start any trouble or your Mommy'll have to come
"Oh Ron I didn't mean to embarrass you"—Molly said Ron just shrugged.
"Let me just say that handing out signed pictures at this stage of your career isn't sensible — looks a tad bigheaded, Harry, to be frank
"Does he even hear himself"—Tonks said
"Wouldn't be the first Potter"—Snape said quietly but they still heard him.
You'd better hope Creevey doesn't meet Ginny, or they'll be starting a Harry Potter fan club."
"Great Ronald thank you"—Ginny said giving him a thumbs up, with an annoyed look.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color? (…) 2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition? (…) 54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?
Remus huffed and passed both hands through his face. You could see the wolf was annoyed.
-"The Nargles are messing with your head Professor Lupin"—
Sirius looked at the girl like she was crazy and was about to ask when he heard Remus chuckling—"Yes perhaps you're right Miss Lovegood." That made Remus take a few deep breaths.
Ron was now staring at Lockhart with an expression of disbelief on his face; "… but Miss Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions — good girl!
"So his classes were a joke."—Kingsley said getting annoyed with this man he didn't even know.
"Yes, he just talked about himself and said spells that didn't even exist"
Freshly caught Cornish pixies."
"They are not entirely dangerous but they can cause some damage. They're more like kids in a very aggressive sugar high, with pointy teeth and mile venom. A freezing charm and perhaps a stupefy could help but you could also…"- Remus stopped talking when he saw all the adults looking at him amused
"You were the best teacher we've had"—George said and even Percy had to agree he had learned a lot from Remus. McGonagall looked pensive, if only she could bring him back.
"See it's always me."—Neville said annoyed.
(…)He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand, and bellowed, "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!" (…) It had absolutely no effect; one of the pixies seized his wand and threw it out of the window.
"That's not even a spell"—Remus growled.
"He just wants to give us some hands-on experience," said Hermione, immobilizing two pixies at once with a clever Freezing Charm and stuffing them back into their cage.
"Good job Miss Granger. I remember Susan writing how bad it was I tried taking it to the Board but he was a "Hero" to all of them."—Amelia said and she knew she would have a conversation with Susan about all of this. Hopefully, she would be able to.
"That's the end of the chapter. Perhaps we should have lunch"—Dumbledore said. Everyone agreed and they all went back to the kitchen. Where Mrs. Weasley and Kreacher started cooking.