[a/n]Thanx to recent review, thought I'd revisit HDD#56. Going back quite a bit.

Harry Does Different CDLXXIIIc

Bad Kitty II

So far, a day at Hogwarts was going about as well as a day at Little Whining Primary School. Potions was slightly more successful than Transfiguration in that no one got hit. The angry glares from his Housemates complimented the scornful sneers of the Slytherins. With the attention Harry had from Professor Snape, he'd mentally crossed off that possibility. He resolved …as soon as possible… to talk to the redhead girl who seemed about the only friendly person in the room.

"You have certainly made quite a stir, Potter!" only the stomping of feet gave advanced warning to the stall's occupant.

A flash of red hair and Harry snapped back "I'm trying to piss, Ron. Can I do it in peace?"

"I am Percival Weasley." Echoed back the voice "Gryffindor prefect! And that will be a point for foul language."

Though he knew the older boy couldn't see, Harry shrugged, then quipped back "Big deal. Your brother told me I lost 50 for slapping that stupid cat."

"Exactly what I am talking about, Potter." The prefect went on, regardless "Hitting a teacher is hardly a path to a good educational career. Now get out here so I do not need to talk through a wall."

Harry deliberately took longer than actually needed, then sighed as he opened the stall door to see the taller redhaired boy. He gave a stony look "If you're offering to help I already zipped my fly. Thanx."

"That's another point for your cheek. Now come along. The Great Hall. Lunchtime." After his curt commands, Percy doubletimed it out the door, assuming the errant underclassman would follow: then before turning a corner he half-turned to check his charge "Potter, this way - - -Oooof! I am a prefect!"

Though smiling, there was a sternness to the reply "And I am Head of Hufflepuff, Mr. Weasley. Why don't you go on to lunch? I will ensure Mr. Potter is fed."

"But I - -" the red-haired boy began, but was cut off.

The rotund professor smiled sternly "Off you go." And she turned to the younger Gryffindor "Shall we, Mr. Potter? My quarters. I'll have an elf see to our bellies."

abcij

"I've never seen a creature like him - her, professor." Said Harry once they were settled in her office and served.

She blinked in surprise "We'll get to that at some point. But first, a proper introduction… Mr. Potter, I am Professor Pomona Sprout. I teach Herbology which is the study of plants, and as you heard, Head of Hufflepuff House. I have multiple reports of your …ahh… interactions with my fellow Heads. In the case of Professor Snape, an eyewitness. While I have no reason to distrust anyone in particular, I would like to hear it from the unicorn's mouth …so to speak."

"I guess. What do you want to know?" asked Harry.

Pomona only gave a soft smile "I am not an Auror …what? You never?... A criminal justice investigator. Drink up. Eat up. This is not an interrogation. While I might ask for clarification at some point, I will mostly just listen. Right! We will help ourselves to finger sandwiches while you tell me about your morning. Don't just tell me WHAT you did, but why."

Abcij

"Seems we are in for a most interesting school year. And I delight in our newest students who will enrich our halls until very near the end of the century." The headmaster was ready to conclude the end-of-day meeting.

The Herbologist sought attention "Actually Albus, this does not need to be a general discussion. Minerva and Severus certainly as they are directly involved. Though I see no reason to exclude Filius if he wishes to remain."

"Well then …everyone else, thank you." Said Dumbledore. And once the other professors, including the part goblin, departed "Pomona? You have the floor."

After a nod she did so "This afternoon I spent the lunch hour with young Mr. Potter."

"You have my condolences Pomona. How did you manage to eat?" the Potions Master sneered.

She rolled her eyes and sneered back "Perhaps Harry looks like James, but I assure you, he displays the quality of a certain other classmate of yours. Female. Red hair."

"If we can return to topic." The Headmaster ordered peevishly.

She nodded "Of course, Albus. I don't condone Mr. Potter's behavior, but there is some context needed. We'll handle this in sequence. Minerva, one could reasonably argue that the boy did not know you were in your animagus form when he struck out. But despite his lack of magical knowledge, he did deduce you were the cat, and slapped you knowing that."

"I see." The Head of Gryffindor showed clear aspects of her form as she stiffened "I will be having a LENGTHY discussion with the boy."

The Head of Hufflepuff did not look impressed "I cannot directly control your actions, Minerva, but consider Mr. Potter's point of view. I do not have many details to offer, but our boy-hero's life is not at all what those fictions we have been bombarded with for the last decade. Perhaps you should look through your memories of those visits. The percentages of blame are debatable, but you knew something and did nothing. In my opinion, a onetime source of comfort is now bitter disappointment."

"I have no intention pandering to the arrogant brat." The Potions Master snarled.

Sprout turned on him, looking less like a colleague and more like a teacher scolding an errant pupil "You forgot so quickly, Mr. Snape? And despite your clearly biased assessment of him, he's more likely to have your old friend's Potions skill. And equally, your favorite's Transfiguration talent …Minerva."

"Now now Pomona, no reason for rambunctiousness." Albus tried to placate her.

She didn't spare her superior a glance, focusing on the black-clad wizard "Were you to ask Mr. Potter aptitude questions, and not knowledge, which is your job is to impart, you would find what I did."

"That is not a way to speak to your peers, Professor Sprout." The Headmaster was getting quite frustrated.

After looking around the small office, she decided "Very well. How is this Professor Dumbledore? I am exercising my option under Section 6 Paragraph 11. A student in our care has long been mistreated. And, as Mr. Potter's Head of House, you Professor McGonagall, have failed to address the matter. For a decade I could reasonably argue. Any discipline or scholastic matters regarding his education will go through me. While House affiliation cannot be changed in an eyeblink, I order Harry Potter moved to my basement…tonight…now."

"I would prefer to find another solution, Pomona." Said Dumbledore in his grandfatherly way. But his plea fell on deaf ears.

Abcij

It wasn't an unheard of event that a Head of House entered another Common Room, but she was instantly greeted by an eager to please prefect "May I help you, Professor Sprout?"

"Indeed Mr. Weasley." She replied in a cheerful tone "Where is Harry Potter?"

He beamed proudly and answered "In his dormitory. I suggested all First Years be required to turn in at least 10 minutes before Lights Out."

"Hmm, interesting." Sprout looked thoughtful for a moment then "As may be. I would appreciate you getting him. I will be taking Mr. Potter out of here tonight."

To that bit, Percy frowned "Beg pardon professor. But it is rather late. Students should not be out after curfew."

"Tell Mr. Potter he need not bring his trunk. An elf will see to it. Off you go." While her voice was still cheery, she didn't need to explain herself. During the short interlude she answered questions and when the boys appeared "Ahh …excellent, thank you Mr. Weasley… Shall we? Good night Gryffindors."

Harry was not at all bothered leaving. He led the way through the door, saying "Yes ma'am."

"In Hufflepuff…we greatly value loyalty, so there is considerable trust." The Head spoke once they were well away from Gryffindor Tower "My students trust me to take their concerns seriously and I trust their observations and they went out on a limb for you, Mr. Potter. I should like to hear your point of view. Please don't disappoint me with falsehoods."

The boy complied during their trek. Of course, his story did not exactly match any of the others. As he concluded his tale, queried "Who came to you?"

"That information is a trifle premature. As is the followup about their identities." She countered flatly, then "You did …knowingly… strike a professor. Ordinarily grounds for expulsion. There are sufficient …official… interpretations and exceptions to forego that. Understand that a second such will NOT be tolerated. As regards to Professor Snape, off the record and you may NOT repeat it; I believe you had a point. ON the record; in his class, bite your tongue and come to me with whatever you see as a problem. I will lean in your direction and deal with the matter. Clear?"

They'd paused outside the Common Room and Harry was aware of her focusing on him. He nodded seriously and answered "Yes ma'am. But I do want to understand more. A lot more. About what happened then."

"Your classmates, in every House, will have stories they heard from their parents. I will reach out to people known to have eyewitness accounts." In this she spoke kindly "Be patient and we will see who is willing to contact you. Now …officially again… we are still trying to figure out which House you're a member of. That said, you will sleep in Huflepuff dormitory, and while there, abide by rules which will be explained."

Harry looked at her seriously and nodded "I understand Professor. Id like to hear about my parents."

"In we go then." She made a shooing gesture at the boy.

3383