Harry potter and the Time of Retirement
Everything related to Harry Potter belongs to JKR
Chapter 12
The usual, certainly charmed, lights shining from the lamps woke Harry up to a new day. Memories from the night before came back to him, making him smile: no soul fragment in his scar 'hopefully', the pleasant vision of his family alive and well inside the mirror of Erised, the smug feeling of having succeeded in his plans... yes, sometime it was nice to wake up in the morning. Opening his eyes, he started his routine with his usual "Good morning, guys" while walking towards the bathroom. Two seconds passed, five, he had already passed the door when he noticed no one had answered even though everyone else was awake. Weird.
A long, hot shower later he came out to the room ready to pick up his books and join the others to breakfast; too bad no one was there waiting for him. 'Ok, what is the problem with – oh' thought Harry, before recollecting how they had all been catched the night before, while going to the tour he had suggested. Detentions, loss of points, they were probably unhappy but more importantly, were they unhappy at him? To say that Harry considered insignificant both the points and a detention was an understatement, but first year kids probably had a different opinion about that.
'Whatever, they will come around eventually' thought Harry. Deep down, he feslt a degree of guilt in exploiting them so shamelessy, but he simply couldn't regret what he did. Nothing harmful really struck them, he didn't force them to follow him, and either with time or a fake apology they would forgive him. Or not. 'Not would have his own perks' decided Harry, comparing the potential isolation with the vast reduction in stress being ignored by his classmates would carry. He didn't sound convincing even to himself.
Eventually, he moved to the Common Room first and the Great Hall next, intent on eating his breakfast. Sitting down next to his peers, he finally received some greetings from his classmates: the female half, of course.
"Harry, finally! What happened yesterday? None of the other boys want to tell us!" said Susan, with the three other girls looking at him expectantly.
"I thought everyone knew already, Susan. We broke the curfew and toured the castle."
"Yeah, we know that. But were you guys those that lost one hundred points for Hufflepuff?" asked Megan, with a tone that was half reproaching and half admiring.
"Really, one hundred? I didn't know about that, I am impressed" said Harry casually. The boys did not like his attitude, though.
"Shut up, Potter" said Ernie in a venomous voice, while everyone else stared at them.
"Relax, MacMillan. It's not like we had any chance of winning the cup anyway" answered Harry.
"We weren't that behind the other hou..." started Hannah, before being interrupted by Justin.
"It's not just that, you... jerk! You abandoned us! After you convinced us to go out!"
"Thanks a lot for that, by the way" said Wayne, an unusually hostile look in his eyes.
"You have a point. Sorry?" asked Harry, still not taking them seriously. This seemed only to make them angrier.
"We got caught by Snape, Potter. He knew we were all out, and he immediately asked where you had run to. We didn't know and said so, but that made him even more mad" said Ernie, evenly. Unlike the others he seemed to have kept his self control, but his anger was still there to see.
"He said we were lying to protect you, and then he mumbled he should have knew you would use your 'lackeys' to cover your tracks. He was quite scary" said Zacharias. "And you know what? I think he understood you perfectly, you selfish jerk."
"Yeah" added Wayne.
"I am really sorry for all that, guys, but it's not my fault Snape has issues with me" said Harry, but they did not answer. With a shrug, he turned to the girls smiling, and they smiled back.
"Losing all those points is bad, but going out at night is so great, Harry! Where did you all go, anyway?" asked Susan, with the other girls adding their own questions. Indifferent to the stares of resentment that the boys kept aiming at him, Harry started recounting their 'adventure' from the night before, adding up a little drama to what was, to be honest, a slow start of the outing. When he reached Peeves' intervention the girls were enthralled by the story and, when it came to him abandoning his classmates, he explained how he knew they were all going to be caught anyway so he had decided to enjoy the last moments of freedom on his own. This earned him quite a lot of rude snorts from the boy's side of the table, and even the girls seemed a bit sterner; they still kept asking for more details, though. So, Harry decided to tell an edited version of his meeting with Dumbledore, and the mirror of Erised. This caught everyone's attention, so much that Wayne even asked him a couple question about it. The girls instead seemed more interested in Dumbledore.
"So, the headmaster wasn't angry? I thought he would be furious" said Sally-Anne in a small voice, after the other girls asked about Dumbledore's actions and words.
"Yeah, he was ok Sally, he was really friendly. That's the way a professor should be, not a frothing madman like Snape" said Harry.
"Or McGonagall" added Megan, with the other girls starting giggling – and even a couple of the boys smiling a little.
"Anyway, he was just... serene about it. We will be punished, he said so, but that's it. I guess he saw so much curfew breaking that he does not take it seriously anymore" continued Harry.
This seemed to mollify everyone, boys included. They kept not talking to Harry, but they did not have their hardened looks on their faces while looking at him either. After breakfast was over, everyone moved to the first class of the day, Transfiguration, which was to be followed by Potions and, after lunch, Herbology.
"Very well" said professor Sprout after examining the last plant potted by the students "that's all for today. For the next lesson, I want a two-foots long essay of what we just learned, included all the signs to look for when taking care of your specimen."
"Finally! Let's get out" said Ernie, with the others in tow. Harry too was eager to rest for the day: Snape had tried to bait him with hints about his father, a self-inflated ego and never being good for anything. At least he supposed that was the core of it, Harry was getting pretty good at ignoring the man – and yet, he was also resentful for having to do so. Maybe just destroying his public image was not enough, especially since Snape seemed unaware of it; maybe he would have to take a more heavy handed approach. Was it worth it? He was getting used to ignoring his insults, while pushing the man too far could have unprevedible consequences. It was something to consider – while relaxing over a couch, maybe. That would have to wait, unfortunately, for professor Sprout decided to address them:
"All the boys from Hufflepuff, stop right there. I need to talk to you."
It didn't a genius to guess what was about to happen, so their female classmates and their matched house for the day, Slytherin, sent them a mix of pitying and amused looks. Malfoy just shook his head, but beside that he did not say anything to Harry. Who knows what he was thinking?
"Professor..." started Zacharias, but he was stopped immediately.
"Not yet, Smith, let the others leave" she said, while waiting for everyone but them to remain inside. When the last kid left, she turned to watch the boys, a stern expression on her face.
"I won't repeat what I said last night, even if you could benefit from it too, Potter. The Headmaster does not fully understand how unprepared you all are, and wandering around in search of adventures is exactly what you should not do! I am sorry, but punishments are in order this time."
"But professor" complained Ernie "we have already been decked 20 points each! Isn't that enough?"
"Obviously not, since I heard you left while everyone was watching! You knew there would have been consequences for the house, and yet you did it. Are you proud of being Hufflepuffs, or is it all a joke to you boys?" said Sprout, with a high-pitched voice. She seemed quite sincere, too.
"Please don't be too hard on them professor. The idea was mine, and I had to pressure them a lot to follow" said Harry, moved to mercy towards the other kids who seemed more and more chastised.
"And yet professor Snape told me they did not help in finding you! That is not the kind of loyalty I want you all to develop."
"They truly didn't know where I was, ma'am, nor did we think it would hurt Hufflepuff so badly. We just wanted to have some fun for Halloween."
"That is still not an excuse" she said, while looking at least a bit more calm. "But I want to believe you had no bad intentions at least, and were just reckless. Luckily for you, what I am planning may give you a chance to earn some of those points back."
This definitely drew the attention of the boys, who started to watch her with hope in their eyes. After a small pause, she restarted:
"I have recently found a small patch of rare herbs right inside the forest; they can't be moved unfortunately so I have to take care of them there. With I, I now mean 'We'. You will help with the basic stuff like watering and weeding nearby plants, under the groundskeeper's supervision."
"Inside the forest, professor?" asked Zacharias unsure.
"During the day, with Hagrid there, you will be completely safe. All five of you will go there after lunch, and do your duties. If you behave well, I will give you back half of the points you lost" answered Sprout, smiling a little.
Harry could understand such a punishment, both creative and instructive. His admiration was only theorical though – this promised to be quite a long, boring chore.
"Can't I just scrub the floors or write an extra essay instead of this, professor?" he asked.
"No, Harry, but I can make you write an essay on how much the plants grew under your care, if you want extra points" she answered. Yes, she was definitely smiling now.
"...no, thanks." was Harry's answer.
"Then it is decided! You may all go now. Tomorrow, one hour after the start of lunch time, I will expect you all at the groundskeeper's hut so I can lead you to the plants and show what I want you all to do. Don't be late" she said, while shooing them with her hands. Slowly, the kids left, not muttering a word until they were far away from the greenhouse.
"Thanks a lot, Potter" said Zacharias, without even looking at him.
"I am as punished as you all are, guys. And as pleased as you, too" was Harry's answer.
"That is a small consolation for us, Harry. It's as you said, this was your idea, and it backfired spectacularly" was Wayne's comment.
"At least you tried to help us, I appreciate that" said Ernie.
"Too bad it didn't work" added Justin immediately, in a sour tone.
"Come on, next year we will only remember sneaking out in front of the whole house" said Harry trying to lift their spirits. It did not work.
"Come back next year then, Potter" said Zacharias, still not looking at him. In fact, everyone started to ignore him again by that point. Recognizing it as a lost cause, Harry decided to leave.
"...ok. Maybe Hagrid knows something of these herbs. Later."
No one answered, but Wayne and Ernie raised their hands in a goodbye. Unconcerned, Harry left their group and headed for Hagrid's hut. 'Might as well visit him again', he thought. It had been too long since his first and last visit anyway.
Once Harry got close to the hut, Fang immediately ran towards him, barking all the way. Giving him a couple pats on his head, Harry progressed towards Hagrid which was towering inside his garden, fully covered in heavy clothes and with a big crossbow in his hands.
"Oh, Harry. Nice to see yeh again!"
"Hi, Hagrid. I wanted to talk but, are you busy with your work?"
"Well, yes, but I can spare ten minutes for a visit, especially you kiddo. Here, sit... somewhere" said Hagrid, while dropping down himself on a big rock right outside the garden. Harry, muttering a simple 'Thanks', placed himself on top of the wooden fence.
"So, what's the news, Harry?"
"Classes, studying, the usual. Ah, and a stupid punishment that is going to last forever, or a little more" said Harry, while trying to make himself more comfortable on his chosen seat.
"For tha' Halloween business, eh? Nice one, Harry. Yehr dad would have been proud of that" said Hagrid, with a big smile on his face.
"Really? No complaints of disappointment, or how I could have gotten hurt?" answered Harry, a bit sarcastically.
"Nah, not him. Your mama, maybe, she was stricter yeh know? …..you know, right? Because in that lighthouse..." said Hagrid, suddenly serious.
"Oh, I am getting bits about them from people, Hagrid. You should tell me yours, one day, but it's not for my parents I came today"
"So you didn't come just to see my face? Nah, just kidding, Harry. Tell me all."
"Well, our punishment, for me and the other kids, is to help professor Sprout in caring for some plants she found in the forest. I thought you may know something about it."
"Plants, plants... there is a place where she has gone often recently, yeah. I don't remember the name, but they are supposed to be valuable in the right hands" said Hagrid.
"Anything more? Like, where are these herbs?"
"Oh, nearby. Not deep inside the forest, if that is what you were thinking; Sprout wouldn't take you all there anyway. A shame, if you ask me." said Hagrid, shaking his head.
"Really? Let me ask, then. Should my next curfew break be there?" asked Harry, smiling.
"No! That woul' be asking fro troubles. Still... sometimes I think yeh're all too cuddled, you know? Protecting students from threats works only until yeh are here at Hogwarts, Harry. Touring the forest with a professor, that would be a start. Builds character."
"Wouldn't we all be eaten by something? There are a lot of rumors about the monsters inside the forest."
"Nah... I mean, it depends on how far yeh go. But near Hogwarts, nothing serious happens. Last months have be' even a little boring, let me tell ya."
"Why don't you talk of your idea with the headmaster, then? Maybe he would listen."
"He would, Dumbledore always understand me. But I tried already, an' he says it's up to the professors to decide that kind of stuff. I am only the caretaker, so..." said Hagrid, with a slightly bitter tone.
"Come on, now; beside, who says that Quirrell won't call you one day to organize a tour or something" said Harry. Hagrid just shook his head.
"Nah, he is too much of a c... it's not his style, Harry. My only chance would be to become professor myself, an' I do hope to get magical creatures one day. A third year's class, Harry. But who knows how long Kettleburn – its professor, Harry – could last."
"You are young, Hagrid, just hang in there. Maybe you'll teach me, one day" said Harry smiling.
"Thanks, kid. But now I should really restart working. Come back anytime, Harry" said Hagrid, stepping up. Harry let himself fall to the ground.
"Bye Hagrid. I'll see you tomorrow at lunch" he said, starting to walk towards the castle.
"Already? Ok, but... oh, the plants. See you soon then" said Hagrid turning towards the forest. Fang ran a little between the two, but eventually followed his owner.
Mid way back Harry was thinking over his old memories. He remembered quite clearly his meeting with that creepy unicorn-hunting shadow, but for the life of his he could not remember when he met it during his original first year. Hagrid seemed not to have noticed it yet, so was it something still to happen, or another change brought by his own actions? Or, maybe, Hagrid just did not want to scare him and kept his mouth shut.
'Whatever' thought Harry, quickening his pace. While the idea of walking around the forest, and maybe crushing some stupid acromantula, attracted him there was no way he could just dump his dorm mates again only to get a walk, especially while they were all working on their punishment. Not unless he wanted to become a real pariah in his dorms, and getting an unneeded reputation for troubles. Yes, being quiet for a while was probably a good idea – but how long would this herbs caring last, anyway? The professor did not say.
Perplexed, Harry entered inside the castle aiming for the Great Hall. Dinner, light reading and sleep was all he wanted for the rest of the day.