I don't own Harry Potter but I appreciate being allowed to play in the world.
It's been a while, I struggle with what I want to write. I know where I'm going but sometimes I struggle with how I will get there
Chapter 25
"Sorry Oliver, I enjoyed that alot more than I thought. But I don't have the spare time to commit to the team."
An angry team captain turned on the younger boy.
"Then why bother to turn up"
"Simple, I'm tired of being told what to do and being compared to my Father. They died to protect me and I'm dam sure that me being happy is more important to them than anything."
With that he walked back to the castle.
Hermione ran to catch up to him, laced her fingers with his and accompanied her boyfriend back to the school.
Susan look at her brother's retreating back, turned to Nev as the realisation of what she had been doing struck her.
"Ive been as bad as everyone else. Let's catch them up and have lunch. I doubt he'll let me apologise, although I could always blame you."
The last part said with a smirk.
The Hogwarts rumour mill was running rampant, Harry Potter had won the Gryphandor seaker spot and turned it down.
Draco had been collecting money from students all over the school.
There had been very little come back for the four, apparently students had been reminded that comparing someone to a man dead for 13 years. A man that had died to save him, could seem a little insensitive.
The next couple of weeks passed will little interest. Oliver would be around most evenings looking for an excuse to speak to Harry. Professor McGonagall had found the need to drag the boy to the trophy room, after pointing out what James had achieved and the fact Harry had always been compared to his farther. The keeper approach Harry during dinner and apologised for his actions. This silenced most of the school. Harry suggested a possibile seeker, wood was skeptical but Harry assured him that his recommendation would blow the others away. Nott was being his usual obnoxious self, nothing new as far as the four were concerned. Ron was spending alot of his spare time with his sister, Luna, Draco and Daphne. The only annoyance was filch and his cat, everywhere Harry went the cat was watching him. October passed with very little to distract anyone from their home work.
Halloween morning the faculty were having an early meeting. The room was full of very flustered teachers all except Lockhart. He was absent.
Mrs. Norris had been found just after midnight petrified and hanging from a torch holder, surrounded by writing that was written possibly in blood.
The headmaster asked professor Snape to report exactly what he discovered.
"There was water on the floor, the cat was stiff as a board. Painted on the wall was the phrase Enemys of the heir beware."
"There was nothing else Severus?"
"is that not enough Headmaster!"
"You miss understand me Severus, this looks like a prank but feels like more. I would ask you all to stay vigilant."
He then looked to the Herbology teacher.
"Permona how are the Mandrakes coming along?"
"Very well, but I have contacts ready to provide fully matured specimens as per your request."
"Good that's all we can achieve at this time, breakfast awaits."
With that they filed out and headed to the great hall.
In his private chambers the defence against the dark arts professor was gently awakened by one of his portraits.
"oh Gilderoy time to get up."
The man smiled and removed his eye mask. Stretching he climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom. After a shower he assessed himself in the mirror. A little makeup around his eyes, a colour changing charm on his hair to hide any grey and then it was time to pick out an outfit. After deciding on trousers, shirt and waistcoat. All was left was shoes and any accessories. Any students he passed in the watched him with stunned silence. He received the same response entering the great hall. A wave of silence passed around the room, The professors at the head table sat with their mouths open. Then the laughter started, the headmaster stood to silence the room.
" Professor you have selected a rather elaborate outfit today."
Lockhart slowly reach towards his face and discovered what felt like a small ball attached to his nose. A gentle squeeze was rewarded with a HONK. The students started to laugh again only to receive a glare from Snape. Lockhart turned and ran from the hall, overly large shoes flapping as he went. The hoop in his trousers bouncing on the elastic braces and his bright red curly hair wobbling as he went. A quick scan of the room highlighted the culprits, four second year Gryphandors trying to hard to look innocent. The headmaster lent towards his deputy and whispered in her ear, she then looked towards the four. When she made eye contact with Neville a slight jurk of her head said all he needed to know, they were busted.
They filed into the headmaster's office to find their parents waiting as well as professor's Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape.
"Before we deal with the professor Lockhart issue I must first speak to you about the cat."
The group of students looked at him with genuine confusion. Looking at Snape he received a tiny shake of the the head. The adults in the room seemed to visably relax.
"Nevermind that seems to to an problem of somebody else's doing. Back to the issue with the defence professor. What made you think embarrassing a member of the faculty is an acceptable action "
Hermione was standing more resolute than the rest.
"Sir with all due respect there is no proof it was us. The man is a clown who is damaging our education. If Harry had not been teaching us we would be struggling."
"Miss Granger, that was quite the mixture of potions, transfiguration and charms. Professor Flitwick constantly questioning the hats choice to place you in Gryffindor. The next clue was how truly angelic you all were trying to look. But the final and most important clue was the fact that Harry and Susan did the same thing to there father on his birthday two years ago"
Hermione turned and glared at her boyfriend and best friend.
"ooops" the two said in unison.
Dan tried hide how impressed he was, the man was still struggling at times if he was happy with his daughter's choice in boy.
"I find myself in a quandary, I know you did it but the only proof I have occurred outside of school at a family gathering. What I will do is provide a teaching assistant for that class who will be able to strengthen professor Lockhart in any areas he seems to be struggling. You can leave but heed my warning, this stops now."
The four left quickly and quietly. After the door closed he turned to the potions professor.
"I know what you are going to say Severus, but I have always strived to keep my familiar relationship with those children separately from my work. Today it worked in their favour."
Snape turned a left the room without a word. The Headmaster turned back to the parents.
" Amelia I have someone in mind if you can spare them."
She smiled a nodded, before the parents left via the floor.