Professor Snape was working on some papers when a knock on the door sounded. "Enter", said the Professor without leaving his sight from the documents. The one that entered the room was Harry. He closed the door behind him and walked in front of the Potion professor.
"Professor. You called for me", said the student.
Professor Snape kept working for a minute. When he finally stopped, he took the papers in front of him and left them on the desk. He turned to see his student.
"Some professors had the idea that you were misplaced. That you should be in the same house as your birth parents," said Snape while putting his hands together.
"I, on the other hand, wanted to believe that your current guardians were able to raise you properly. Perhaps, they are the reason you were selected in Slytherin."
The Potion professor stopped talking and frowned while looking into Harry's eyes.
"I was starting to believe it myself. But then, you went and started to create problems in your classes. Although only Professor McGonagall has raised her voice, the rumours of you using a very dangerous spell have reached all the staff".
Harry was looking at his Professor, not with fear or anger. His face was relaxed, without making any emotion. The Potion professor stood up.
"Last year, I did not have any problem with your behaviour. I want to believe that your education as a Suzuki made it happen." The Professor then went close to Harry, "do not become a Potter."
They locked sight for a few seconds until Harry only nodded, and Professor Snape broke the contact and turned to his desk. He took a parchment and a pen with ink and started writing something.
"Go to the headmaster's office, and after you are told about your punishment, you will come here," said Professor Snape when he started to write. Harry nodded and walked to the door, but before he left, the Professor said, "Suzuki. Remember 'Sherbet lemon'."
Harry nodded and left the room. Outside was Pansy, leaning against the wall while reading a book. "So? What will be your punishment?"
"Still don't know. I will need to speak with the headmaster", answered Harry.
Both started to walk in silence until Harry spoke again, "what about you? Did they already tell you or the others?"
"Snape asked me to do an essay about the importance of Transfiguration in the magical world economy. I have no information about the other three. But knowing that Granger is a lion-like Professor McGonagall, she may only receive a slap on the wrist".
Harry only nodded and continued walking in silence.
"It is also rather weird that it took them almost three weeks to give us a punishment", blurted Harry. "Any idea why?"
Pansy was looking out the window when Harry asked her. "Only suspicions. They may have let it pass if it was only for one class."
Harry nodded, "that will explain why we have not heard of Bulstrode and Zabini's punishment. As far as I know, they came back to the classes". Harry looked out the window and saw Draco talking with Crabbe and Goyle.
The Suzuki heir and Slytherin's princess walked until they arrived at the courtyard. On one side of it was the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"I will be waiting at the courtyard," said Pansy. She chose a bench and retook her book.
Harry turned his gaze back to the entrance. A Gargoyle was precisely in front of him. He looked at the statue and its details to find a way to pass it.
After not finding anything, he looked at the face of the Gargoyle, thinking, 'I don't think that it's going to work, but….'
"Sherbet lemon," said Harry. The Gargoyle then moved and left a path to a stairway. The Slytherin student shook his head and climbed the stairs. When he finally saw the door, he stopped his breath deeply and whispered [Lesser Mind Protection].
At the end of the stairs was an oaken double door. He knocked on the door once, and a voice from inside said, "come in, Harry".
The Suzuki heir frowned before opening the door, but once inside the room, his face was relaxed.
Harry entered the office and looked around. The walls were covered with portraits of men and women, most sleeping. There were some tables with some books and artefacts on them. The place could be described as a mess of a researcher.
At one side was a desk with some bookshelves behind it and another stair on the side. Between the desk and the stairs was an ill-looking bird standing over a perch.
The bird turned to see Harry, and it started to fly to the top. The Headmaster Dumbledore then appear from the same direction that the bird went.
"Good morning, Harry," said the Headmaster while walking down the stairs.
"Morning, headmaster", answered Harry politely. Professor Dumbledore walked to his desk and sat and waved to Harry so he could also sit.
The Slytherin student did it, and while taking sit, something caught his interest. Dumbledore turned and saw what Harry was looking at.
"Oh, you seem to have found one of our newest music acquisitions. Music is magic beyond all, magic that wizards and muggles can appreciate." Said Dumbledore. The Headmaster nodded, giving permission to Harry to grab the album.
Harry stood up and took the album, "Megadeth? I am more into Metallica myself. Although, they slow down a bit in their last album."
"Either way, it's surprising that you are into thrash meta", said Harry while reading the track list on the back.
"It was a misunderstanding that made the album come to my hands. Perhaps you can recommend me something?"
"Not sure what your preference is, but if you want something similar, but local, maybe 'Helloween'. I believe they sell their records in the wizarding and non-wizarding shops," Harry said while putting the record on the Headmaster's desk.
The Headmaster nodded, "If you are recommending them, I will look for them."
"Please, do not take it with high hopes. My recommendation is based on Megadeth, but they have a kind-of similar style. Still, the whole band is known to be first-generation", said Harry with a smile.
"I will keep that in mind", answered the Headmaster with a smile. "Now", said the Headmaster while putting on a more serious face. "I believe that we need to discuss why you are here".
Harry nodded and sat, resting his arm in the chair.
"You have been missing the Transfiguration classes. Although I was told that you leave the class due to differences in the subject, I believe the classes are important for you to attend." Said Dumbledore, calmy but with the same serious face.
"Two of your friends had returned to the classes. It's been almost a month since you took the classes", finished the Headmaster.
"I understand. But, as it was said in the class. The goal was to modify the physiognomy of an animal. I know that my actions are not the one that was expected of me, but I was raised to always do what is best. And I don't see the benefits of torturing an animal."
Dumbledore nodded with a smile, "I see your point. But maybe it was not explained the process, which I assure you, is harmless to the animals".
Harry sighed a little, "Is it?"
"You don't seem to believe me", said the Headmaster.
"The spell may not damage the animal, but. Let's say that we transform… your phoenix bird into a crystal cup. And then, by accident, the cup fell o the ground, shattering into thousands of pieces all around the floor. What would happen to your phoenix then?"
"I understand your point, and honestly, you are not the first student with these concerns. In fact, I do remember two students doing the same thing about 20 years ago. A girl left the class in the same fashion as you did, alongside her friend. But unlike you, she went directly to my office to talk about the matter," said Dumbledore with a warm smile.
"Then it is kind of worrying that there hadn't been a change since then", said Harry.
"Unfortunately, it can not change as it is part of the material you will need to cover in your O.W.L.'s. I will suggest the same as I did to the last student that talked about it. Study the theory. I will personally speak with Professor McGonagall", Dumbledore said.
"Thank you. Will this also be extended to the other Parkinson and Granger?" asked Harry.
"Yes, it will. But this does not exempt you from punishment from the 'stunt', as it was referred, and your missing classes," Dumbledore put his hand in his beard and caressed it. "Let's say that it will be 5 points from the house of each offender."
The Suzuki heir nodded, and the Headmaster smiled, "good. I will advise you to go to Professor McGonagall's office. She will be waiting for you and will tell you about your punishment. Oh, and take Miss Parkinson with you."
Harry nodded and started to stand up. Dumbledore smiled and laughed lightly, "you really remember me of that student of twenty years ago. She also asked first for her friend. But then again, of course, you will be alike".
"Excuse me?" Harry did not know why the Headmaster wanted to bring that person or why he wanted to compare him.
Dumbledor's eyes twinkled, and he said, "well, that student was Lily Evans, who would later become Lily Potter. Your mother, Harry."
Harry opened his eyes in surprise and turned to Dumbledore. Harry opened his mouth like he was trying to say something but stopped. He opened his mouth again, but again he did not say anything.
"Thank you. For that information", Harry said finally and left the office.
When the Suzuki heir left the office, he looked at the courtyard and found Pansy alone, reading the same book. He went close to her, and she turned to look at him when his shadow covered her book.
"He asked me to go to Professor McGonagall's office with you. It seems she will give us our punishment personally", said the Suzuki heir. She closed her book and saved it in her bag.
The two Slytherins walked together, but Harry noted that Pansy was distracted. The walk to the office was silent, and Harry kept looking at Pansy, who was distracted.
When they arrived at the office, Harry knocked on the door. After a moment, the door was opened by Hermione.
Hermione smiled and said "Hi" when she saw them. The Slytherin pair entered, and Hermione closed the door.
"Where is Professor McGonagall?" asked Harry while looking around. Pansy only stood there looking at Hermione, who went behind a desk. The Gryffindor girl started to separate a bunch of parchments into different parts of the desk.
"She went to Hogsmead because she was the designed chaperon", answered Hermione. The brown-haired girl took a quick look at the parchment in her hands and then proceeded to put it on the left.
"Let me guess. You are helping her while she is not here", Pansy said while crossing her arms. Hermione nodded without looking at her.
"It's part of my punishment. Help her clean the office", said Hermione and then turned to see the Slytherins in front of her while tilting her head to one side. "Although it is not that dirty, many objects are misplaced". Hermione shrugged and continued her task, "I guess that her work is kind of heavy if she had to teach from the first all to the seventh years".
"Did she tell you anything about our punishment?" Harry asked while sitting in front of the desk where Hermione was working.
"No. But she said she would come back before lunch, " answered the Gryffindor girl.
"Well, it's eleven thirty. We should wait for her here", said Harry while looking at one of the parchments on the desk. Pansy sighed and sat next to Harry.
She started to look around and saw a tabby cat sitting over a bookshelf. Pansy only scoffed and looked somewhere else. Harry heard her and looked at the cat. "I thought you liked cats. You are unable to take your arms away from Pandora."
"Pandora is different," answered Pansy without looking at him.
"I am sure Pandora will love to hear that. Tell me, it's the hat, right?" asked Harry with a smirk. Even Hermione gazed at the two while trying to keep working.
Pansy turned to see Harry, "How could you make a cat wear a hat? And how is it that it never falls?"
"Wait, a cat using a hat? Is the yellow cat with a military hat?" asked Hermione, and she forgot her work.
"I guess. It's the only cat wearing a hat", said Harry.
"But Pandora is brown, not yellow", said Pansy. Hermione turned to Harry without acknowledging Pansy, "you didn't use a spell to the cat to ensure the ha did not fall, right?"
"Of course not. But if you want to be in the good grace of Pandora, never touch his hat," said Harry.
Hermione only raised one eyebrow. Suddenly the cat jumped from the bookshelf and left the room.
"It seems that Professor McGonagall will be arriving at any time", said Harry while standing up. It only passed less than ten seconds when the door was opened by the Gryffindor head of house.
"Good day", said Professor McGonagall.
Pansy and Hermione stood up and said with Harry, "Good afternoon, Professor".
Hermione was about to walk out of the desk, but Professor McGonagall smiled and moved her hand to stop her, "you may stay there, Miss Granger." Hermione nodded and sat back.
The Professor turned her gaze to the Slytherins, and her face became stern. "Thank you for coming. I was told about your arrival on really short notice."
Harry knew she was lying, but his face did not betray him, and he said nothing.
"Your punishment will be supervised by a faculty member, and it will be for the next this and the next 4 weekends", said the Professor.
"Mr P…" Professor McGonagall trailed off when they felt the gaze of Harry.
"ahem. Mr Suzuki. You will be cleaning different parts of the castle, and our caretaker, Argus Filch, will supervise you", said the Professor, and Harry only nodded.
"Miss Parkinson. You will be helping our Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart. Any questions?" asked the Gryffindor head of house.
Harry said, "more than a question, it's a petition to change the person in charge of overlooking the punishment".
"There will be no changes. I suggest you get acquaintance with Mr Filch".
"It is not about me but about miss Parkinson. I don't feel comfortable leaving a female student alone with a male professor."
"Mr Suzuki! are you suggesting something against a Hogwarts faculty member?"
"Not at all, but I need to point out the problem this will cause."
The head of the Gryffindor house and the Suzuki heir looked at each other.
Hermione stopped working and looked at them with her mouth open. Not only Harry was going against a professor's orders, but he is insinuating something against Professor Lockhart, a true hero in Hermione's eyes.
Pansy did not like Professor Lockhart and preferred to have detention with somebody else. But she was not expecting Harry to do that. Pansy got closer to Harry and tried to pull his sleeve, but Harry was still looking at the Professor.
"Mr Suzuki, this is a punishment. It is not something negotiable", said the Professor finally.
"It is not a negotiation. It's a valid point that needs to be addressed. A young male professor will stay with a female student on weekends, and it's worst when said Professor is a recognized celebrity. This will only make gossip around in an ill manner against both the Professor and the student".
"I understand your worry for your friend here. But there has not been any problem with a male professor overlooking the punishment of any female student whatsoever."
"Not in recent history. And the problem is not about if something will happen, but about the public opinion on both of them for the time they will need to spend together."
"None sense. Nothing of the like will happen. So, if that is everything, I suggest you go and have lunch, as your first punishment will start at 5 for each of you."
Harry sighed heavily, "come on, Pansy. It seems that we need to talk with somebody else before." Harry proceeded to grab Pansy's wrist and leave the office.
Hermione watched them leave, and she only could smirk when she saw the Slytherin leaving and the red ears of Pansy.
.
Professor Lockhart had a bright smile while walking around the Headmaster's office. "Magnific, although I would have chosen some mirrors here and there to… have a better view around the office. The mirrors really saved me back when I was targeted by vampires", said Lockhart.
Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly, "oh. I have not read all of your collection, but which spell did you use for the mirrors to reflect the vampires".
"None!" said Lockhart with a bright smile. "The novice attacker forgot crucial information. He forgot that vampires do not have a reflection in the mirror, but clothes do have a reflection. He also forgot that he was after me, so I would have also finished him even if he was totally invisible. Details about it are in my book 'Voyages with Vampires'".
The Headmaster smiled and nodded. A knock at the door sounded, and next to that, Harry and Pansy entered the office.
"Hello, Harry. Miss Parkinson. It's a pleasure to have you, but please tell me the reason for your visit. I am currently talking with Mr Lockhart."
"Hello, Professor, Headmaster", said Pansy politely.
"Good day Professor Lockhart, and it's good to see you again, Headmaster", Harry said.
"Oh, two of my best students. What could we help you?" asked Lockhart.
"It's good that both of you are here, as this concerns Professor Lockhart, " Harry said.
Lockhart stepped up "of course, Harry. You can count on the two of the most powerful wizards in Britain."
Harry frowned for a tiny brief moment, a predator gaze appeared at that moment, but it quickly vanished and was replaced by a smile. "I just heard the punishment for me and my house partner here, Pansy, and I wanted to clarify some things that I feel need to be addressed. Although, I would wish for Professor Snape to be also included".
"Professor Snape is currently the afternoon chaperon for the Hogsmeade visit. So, we believe he will be back just before dinner time, or maybe supper", said the Headmaster.
Harry nodded. "I understand".
"Oh, the punishment for standing up for your beliefs. I remember that I did the same when standing for some hags. Yes, I know that they betrayed me, anyone that have read 'Holidays with Hags' will know that much, but it is my belief that we need to give them an opportunity. Until this day, I still stand for that belief", said Lockhart while walking around the office.
"Which is very admirable. But Harry, could you tell me your concern?" asked the Headmaster.
Harry nodded and answered, "Pansy here was told that she will need to spend her punishment with Professor Lockhart-"
Lockhart laughed lightly, "Well, my visit here was about that exactly. But Suzuki, you don't need to worry. I will never steal your girlfriend, my boy. She is still too youn-"
"My concern is another Professor", Harry cut off while Pansy rolled her eyes.
"I want to ask you something, Professor. How many times have you appeared in the gossip section?" asked Harry.
"too many to count", said Gilderoy with a smile. Harry nodded and continued, "We know that, unfortunately, not all of them were true, and those who weren't were creating atrocious information about your personal life. Am I correct?"
The blonde Professor's smile vanished for a moment, "correct."
"Now. You are a celebrity, still young, and have many female fans. Which sometimes lead to those articles," continued Harry.
"Harry, my boy. I would want to ask you for a reason for this", said the Headmaster,
"Simple. A young and famous professor, such as Mr Lockhart, will attract attention when people know that he is 'spending time' on his weekends with a student who is also a minor and part of a pure-blood family. This will lead people to believe wrong things about Pansy here and our professor".
The Headmaster was going to say something, but Lockhart spoke first. "You are right. I am sadly accustomed to them, so there will be no problem for me, but I would hate for a student to be involved in that. Very well thought out, Mr Suzuki. Although, don't think that I didn't see your expression earlier. Your jealousy shows up."
Pansy's eyes fully opened, and she looked at Harry, who only shrugged with a smile. Pansy's ears got red, and Gilderoy smiled at the show in front of him.
Lockhart turned to Headmaster, "well, Headmaster, it seems that I will not be able to supervise Miss Parkinson."
Dumbledore only nodded and said, "I see. Understandable. Nonetheless, she needs to have her punishment."
Lockhart saw the Slytherin girl again. Pansy was wearing a black leather top over a long green dress. Over her shoulders, she wore a black cape with a beautiful silver gem in the centre. This combination made Gilderoy think that she would surely hate to get dirty.
"I do suggest that she help Mrs Sprout. I already gave her some pointers about Herbology. It will be hard work, Miss Parkinson".
Dumbledore nodded. He has no reason to go against that. "Very well. I will talk with Professor Sprout, and she will be the one that will schedule the days for your punishment, Miss Parkinson."
"Thank you", said Pansy and Harry at the same time.
"Well, if that is all. I think we should be all heading to the great hall to have our meals", said the Headmaster, and the three visitors nodded.
.
It was October 31. Harry was finishing cleaning the trophies. Behind him was Filch looking at the trophies.
"First time that student clean this up without complaining and leaving the trophies this clean, without magic", said the caretaker.
"Not my first time with this kind of punishment. One of our maids, Yuri, normally gave me this kind of punishment, and she expected perfection, if not... well."
The caretaker smiled at that. He imagined that this 'Yuri' would be strict. Maybe giving corporal punishment, like in Hogwarts some years ago.
"I just going to say that thanks to her, I am immune to Professor McGonagall's gaze", said Harry while putting a plaque with the name of Tom Riddle back. "I guess these are all. The only one missing is the one for the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
Filch looked at his watch. The Halloween feast had already started, but it did not matter to him. He usually is not at the table when a celebration is happening. He would typically eat earlier or after. So, he just walked in the direction where the Gryffindor trophies were.
/
Pansy was enjoying her meals. After working with Professor Sprout, her appetite grew, but she still looked out for how much she was eating. She did not like working in Herbology, but neither hated it, but as Lockhart said, it was hard work.
The first weekend working with the Herbology professor left her with a sore body. And after realizing how hungry she became after that laborious task, she realized why the Professor had that complexion.
/
Hermione was talking to Parvati about her insights about the transfiguration class. She was still not going, but she was still giving her homework, and she was also expecting to have her test. Her head of house assured her that she would take her test in her office.
Hermione then turned to see the Slytherin table and found Pansy eating alone. Some Slytherins were around her, but none were talking to her. She saw Draco talking with Goyle. Hermione kept searching, but she could not find Harry.
/
Harry was cleaning a plate of a Gryffindor chaser. The name on the plaque was 'James Potter'. Harry did not give importance to it. It could be his birth father or maybe a namesake.
Suddenly a brown cat jumped over Harry's shoulder and sat in front of him.
"Nya Nyaaa. Nya nya nyanyaaa nya nyaaa nyanya nyaaa nyanya nya nya nyaanya nya nya. Nya, nyanya nyaaaa nyanya." (Hello Harry. I came here to let you know that there have been an attack inside this place. Also, you missed the feast.)
Harry nodded and the cat left. Filch was only looking at the strange scene in front of him.
"Mr Filch…" Harry was going to ask him if he could leave, but the caretaker cut him off.
"Why is there so much noise," said the caretaker and started to walk away. "You, come with me", said Filch before turning to the next hall. Harry walked behind him, and after some turns, they were on the second roof.
There were many students in front. Filch had to push them aside to can see what was happening. Harry walked behind Filch, and then he saw it. Mrs Norris, Filch's cat, was stiff. The floor was covered by water. There were some black spiders that looked like they were running from the place. And on the wall was a message painted in red with foot-high letters.
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.
