AN: I do not own Harry Potter or the Wizarding World Universe.
Chapter 12
Getting back into the swing of things by going to classes was difficult for the first week. Harry missed being able to do whatever he wanted during the break. He managed to make it to the weekend without any more dangerous incidents, detentions, or losing House points.
Early Saturday morning, he got up to see Merriweather, but she wasn't in the Common Room. The only other place she might be was the Library, if she was even awake at all. He wasn't sure if she had Head Girl duties the night before and was sleeping in.
A little after six, he left the deserted Common Room and went to the third floor. It was eerily quiet as he moved down the silent halls. He heard screaming as he approached the Library. Madam Pince stood at the closed door, poking at the door with her wand and cursing.
Harry stayed well away. An angry Madam Pince was not someone he wanted to be around. She looked up at him.
"Mr. Potter, please return to your dormitory. The Library is closed for the day," she said and turned back to the door. She said something, and a jet of white light hit the door. The entire door and part of the stone frame disappeared into the Library with a hollow boom.
The sound of screaming was increased in volume. Harry started to head back to the Common Room but found Professors McGonagall and Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher, standing at the far end of the corridor.
"Potter, what is going on here?" the Deputy Headmistress demanded.
"I don't know, professor. Madam Pince just went inside."
"Then you'd better get back to your Common Room. What are you doing up so early?" the professor questioned with a severe frown.
"I like to read," he huffed and went past them.
They let him go, but he heard the Arithmancy professor say something to the Deputy Headmistress.
That afternoon, Professor Sprout came to find him in his dormitory. One moment, he was alone with all his books; the next, the privacy curtain was open with a rather bemused Head of House looking around his space.
"Professor?" he asked.
Her eyes went to the open trunk and the stacks of books lined up against the wall for easy access. He hated having to dig for a book he wanted to look through.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise," she said with a smile. "I apologize for having to invade your privacy, but do you have a moment to discuss what happened this morning?"
Harry shrugged and adjusted his glasses from where they'd slipped down his nose. He didn't see how anything he had to say would help. Without prompting, he told her what he was doing up so early, why he headed to the Library, and what he wanted to do there.
"I see," she mused as her eyes flicked over his space again. "Madam Pince did not believe you were responsible for someone breaking into the Restricted Section, however, it is my job to ask. Tomorrow the Library will reopen… although I expect Irma will be quite unlike her usual self. Several books were damaged and one beyond repair."
The Head of House paused and frowned as she peered closer at one of the books. "Weeds of Wonder: Overlooked Plants with Surprising Power," she read aloud. "Excellent choice. Did Filius recommend this to you?"
Harry nodded. "I haven't read it yet," he admitted and pulled out the long bit of parchment Professor Flitwick gave him. "I… went back over the break and reread the list and made notes. I'm not as far as the professor thought I would be," he admitted.
Professor Sprout shook her head. "Mr. Potter… Harry," she said in a gentler tone. "You will move at the speed that is best for you. Just reading material that is not a coursebook is already a wonderful thing. Can I ask… why do you like to read? What drives you? Is it to be the best in your year?"
Harry felt she already knew the answer to that question was no, but he shook his head.
"Is it because you don't want to let Professor Flitwick down?"
Harry shrugged. That wasn't it, not really.
"Whatever your reason, I am not mad or upset by the fact that you want to read or study. This is all fascinating stuff, and to many students raised by Muggles, this is a fantasy land of new and impossible things. Magic itself is amazing and can do incredible things. Believe it or not, even that dark species of plant we were unfortunate enough to encounter is quite magical in its own way.
I want to ensure that you know and understand that you are in the House you were meant to be in. I'm aware some of the others have said you do not belong here or should have been sorted into another House. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Merriweather is a perfect example. She takes her studies very seriously and is even, to some extent, more competitive than the average Hufflepuff.
We spoke about it before in my office, but I just want to make sure you understand that your qualities are in no way unbecoming of a great Hufflepuff student. You are hard-working, loyal to your friends, patient with even those who seek to wrong you, modest in what you know, and treat everyone fairly. Those are strong Hufflepuff qualities that Helga would have jumped at the chance to nurture and build."
Harry nodded. She'd said similar things before. He couldn't help but wonder if she was saying that because she believed it or wanted to believe it. There wasn't anything else to say but, "Thank you, professor."
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. "This is a question I normally ask fourth and fifth years, but do you know what you want to do once you leave Hogwarts?"
Harry knew, with absolute certainty, it was never to visit the Dursleys again. He slowly shook his head. He had no idea what jobs were even out there. Being a professor was one, and a Magizoologists, like Newton Scamander, was another. He'd looked it up after Merriweather told him her goal. There were Aurors that the graduated Hufflepuff Nymphadora wanted to be, but he didn't know what that was. It could be looking at the colors of the rainbow. That had to be magical and worth studying.
"I'll get you a list of a few things to look at that might pique your interest. What you want to be will likely change a lot over the next few years. That is a good thing. The list might give you an idea of where you'd like to start," she smiled.
Harry nodded. "Thank you."
The next day, Harry waited until after breakfast to go to the Library. Madam Pince was not her usual self. While she never smiled and always had a scowl for anyone using her books, she was nice to Harry and a few other students. Today, she snapped at anyone even crinkling a page.
Harry didn't mind her anger. She had every right to be upset that someone had broken into her Restricted Section and caused damage to her belongings. He wondered if she owned the books or if the school did. If it were her personal belongings, that would make even more sense as to why she was upset. He suspected it was a little of both.
Professor Sprout left a letter on his bed that night. Inside was a list of twenty occupations broken up into different categories. The first was under the Ministry of Magic and those included things like Aurors, which were dark wizard catchers, Unspeakables, which dealt in mysterious events, Obliviators that modified Muggles minds, and general workers who helped Department Heads run the government.
Another group was academics, which included being a professor, a magical researcher, and caretakers like Hagrid for Hogwarts, but also for other institutions such as St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Under that heading were healers, potion brewers, and spell reversal specialists.
Magical Creatures and Herbology had its own section. Magizoologists, Dragon Keepers, and Herbologists to make money growing dangerous or delicate plants was an option.
She included working as a journalist or editor for somewhere like the Daily Prophet as well as several Retail and Craftsmanship occupations. Such as a wandmaker, shopkeeper or assistant, broomstick designer and tester, and finally a Potions Master.
Curse Breaking was near the bottom of the list, along with Cursed Object Identifier, Spell Inventor, Poison Taster and Antidote Specialist, Werewolf Trackers, Vampire Slayers, and Ancient Rune Cryptographer or Magic Historian.
There was a lot for him to consider. It was also completely overwhelming.
"Your Auntie is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?" Harry asked the next morning.
Susan's eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. She muttered something and ran her fingers through her dirty-blonde hair. "Yes?" she said carefully.
"Oh… well… what does she do?" he asked.
The Hufflepuffs around him just stared at him. "Well… she oversees several departments and ensures the law is upheld in all things."
Harry nodded. "Does she write the laws then?"
"No, that is the Wizengamot and Minister Fudge who work together to write laws. What brought this about?" she questioned.
"Just wondering," he said as he went back to his eggs, bacon, and beans.
"Really? You didn't, you know… do anything, right? I can't help with that stuff. Auntie is a stickler for the law but is fair," Susan said softly.
"Oh, no, I was just trying to figure out what she did." He didn't want to say having her aunt as his boss would be awkward. Aurors, Hit-wizards, and the magical law enforcement thing wasn't a path for him then.
"If you say so," Susan snorted.
Quidditch became the talk of the school as the end of January drew closer. It would be Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Harry tried to understand why the Slytherins were making things hard for the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team. If Gryffindor beat them, then the Slytherins would be in the lead for wins and would likely win the Inter-House Cup at the end of the term.
Their sabotage included booking the pitch so Hufflepuff couldn't practice, trying to get the players to engage in arguments that might get them detentions or lose points, starting false rumors to cause arguments between one another, and even sending their Beater Pete Jefferies to the Hospital Wing by pushing him down the stairs. Of course, no Slytherin was around during his 'accident'.
Professor Sprout did not tolerate attacks on her students. Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Captain, found himself in detention while he would normally be practicing with his team. The two Slytherins who used a Stinging Hex on Jefferies managed to land themselves in detention for a week for a different incident that would have gotten them detention anyway. She'd just increased the points lost and added more for their attack on her student.
Somehow, the Head of House was everywhere she needed to be to catch rule-breakers. That hadn't just included the Slytherins either. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and her own House got punished within her full capacity as a Professor and Head of House.
Harry managed to keep his head down, even with Malfoy's taunts, but Macmillan, Harper, Finch-Fletchley, Green, and Cauldwell all lost points or got detentions for infractions.
"Scrubbing cauldrons wasn't fun, but making Draco's pants fall in the corridor was worth the laugh," Ernie said with a grin.
Harry shook his head. Malfoy had insulted Professor Sprout for being a mediocre witch. Not only was it not true, it was laughable that anyone would insult a professor. He was lucky it was in History of Magic when he said it. A professor who was actually alive would probably give the git detention if they heard it.
"Oh, look, it's the Duffer-Who-Lived and his little band of dimwits," Malfoy jeered as they entered the Great Hall for dinner.
Harry spotted Professor Snape hovering nearby. It was like the professor worked with his Slytherins to take points from other Houses. Harry stopped, and a vicious gleam appeared in Draco's eyes. "Malfoy, does your father do this to everyone at the Ministry? Like, does he intentionally assault and mock others where everyone can hear him? How exactly does your family make money? I mean, I'm new to all this, but if I were a shopkeeper, I would just deny services to you and your entire line."
The Entrance Hall went quiet. Malfoy's face went red, and he opened and closed his mouth. "Yes," he finally sneered. "A Mudblood of a mother wouldn't," he said before Harry cut him off.
"Would have told me how it is. She's dead, just like my pure-blood father. So, the question still stands."
It was the first time Harry had actually talked to or addressed Malfoy in any way.
"Enough, you're causing a scene, Potter. Get inside," Professor Snape snapped.
Harry shrugged and went inside, leaving Draco and his cronies looking stupid. Over the next few days, Harry realized he should have kept quiet.
"You'll go the way of your parents," Malfoy hissed in Transfiguration the next morning.
"I expect so, we all pass away at some point. So will your mum and dad."
"Are you threatening my family?" Draco shouted.
"No, and please stay on your side of the seat. I asked how your father was doing. Nice try," Harry said just as loudly.
Professor McGonagall told them both to behave, or she would take points.
Valentine's Day came the day before the Quidditch match. All the older boys and girls seemed keen on who was dating who and the couples who went to Hogsmeade. The wizarding village outside the school was only available to those in third year and above.
"Oh, I didn't realize Chambers and Avery were dating. That's so cute," Hannah gushed. She was not focused on their homework at all and was not contributing to the group.
"They've been dating for three months," Diggory said absentmindedly as he read over Ernie's essay. "I like this part, but you could make the bit about mistletoe berries a little clearer. They don't just appear on a bush, and while it might not be important for the Forgetfulness Potion recipe, it is important for the way the berries are stored."
Cedric was done with all his work and he moved between the groups doing homework sometimes. Rarely would he visit the first-year tables. He focused on the second and his own third year groups.
"I did. See down here," Ernie argued.
"Four paragraphs later? If so, then it's like you added it later when you wanted to add more space. It doesn't look good to a professor. All the relevant information needs to be together. You'll use these essays later to reference harder concepts," Cedric admonished.
"Nah, we'll just use Potter's notes."
"No, you won't," Harry quickly interjected. "These are mine and in my words. You might not understand what I am saying, and it certainly won't stick in your head unless you're Granger. I don't think she forgets a single thing she read."
His yearmates groaned. Hermione Granger had somehow gotten worse as the term went on. She had to be first in everything and took every opportunity to show off her superior intellect.
"I've heard of Granger. She needs to lighten up, or she won't have any friends," Diggory sighed. "Not a good thing if she wants to thrive in school. No one can do everything themselves."
"Granger will try," Hannah snorted. "She's got Longbottom, though. Bullies him into working with her."
Harry wasn't sure that was the case. Neville Longbottom looked like he wanted to work with Granger. The other boys in Gryffindor didn't want to work with him on any assignment in Herbology. Harry couldn't figure out why. Neville knew all the answers and rarely messed anything up, unlike the rest.
Weasley and Finnigan were the worst in their year outside of Crabbe and Goyle. Those two couldn't think their way out of an unlocked bathroom stall. Kirke, Porter, Patil, Fleming, and Thomas all got correct answers in class. If he had to guess, Dunbar, Brown, and Ward were average. Of the twelve Gryffindor first years, only Granger, Longbottom, Patil, Thomas, and Dunbar seemed to care about their marks. Instead of talking or gossiping in class, they read and did all the tasks the professors set them.
The match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin was close. The Gryffindor Chasers Bell, Spinnet, and Johnson gave Jones, Chambers, and Carson one bloody good fight. Somehow, the score remained neck and neck for thirty minutes. Morgan blocked fifteen attempts at a goal, but seven went through. Wood blocked ten attempts and only let four through.
Harry felt a chill go down his spine as he watched the Weasley twins dominate the pitch. Jefferies and Rivers did everything they could to keep the Bludgers off the Hufflepuff team and intercept whatever they could. Fred and George Weasley were just that good.
Harry didn't have any real experience with Quidditch, but it seemed like the Gryffindors were the better team across the board. That meant that it came down to the Seekers. McLaggen was the Gryffindor's weakness, and everyone seemed to know it.
"You can find the Snitch, McLaggen; just look under your pillow tomorrow," a fourth-year Hufflepuff taunted when the Seeker got close.
It was clear Diggory wanted to end the game as early as possible.
While Harry wanted to watch the rest of the game, he had a powerful need to use the restroom. Ernie told him to just go against a tree somewhere out of sight but he shook his head. With his luck, someone would see him and that was the last thing he needed. He made his apologies and quickly made his way back to the Castle.
Thankfully, the bathrooms on the ground floor were very close to the Entrance Hall.
Intent on getting back to the match, he almost missed a conversation at the bottom of the staircase.
"… d-didn't do that, S-severus," Professor Quirrell stammered.
Harry did not want to be caught by either professor. He slipped in behind a bulky suit of armor and squeezed his body into the stone wall.
"… little surprise… Halloween… on your trail… ritual you designed," Professor Snape sneered.
"N-never! I…"
"Quiet! You got sloppy, Quirinus," the Potion Master said louder than necessary.
Harry couldn't hear the entire conversation, nor did he want to. It was nice to know the troll incident had been a botched ritual, not someone targeting him. He heard Professor Snape talk at Professor Quirrell for another minute before things went quiet.
Harry waited another few minutes before carefully extracting himself from the tight fit without knocking over the armor. He started to head toward the Entrance Hall when he heard the thunderous cheers. Deciding he might as well wait to see who won, he headed down to the Common Room to wait.
Cedric did it. They won by just ten points. The Slytherins were still up on points, but that didn't matter. Hufflepuff won their match against Gryffindor. Cedric Diggory was the hero of the entire House, and even Professor Sprout came in and gave him a big hug. She usually didn't join in the festivities.
"You missed the end?" Hannah groaned. "Are you serious? It was the best. McLaggen nearly fell off his broom trying to get the Snitch. Then Cedric is there, reaching over his shoulder and snatches the Snitch out of his grasp."
"Oh dear, now she's got a bigger crush," Gordon sighed.
Hannah's face went pink as she spluttered. Harry saw Susan's face go a bit red, not for embarrassment, but because she was holding in her laugh. Ernie didn't bother.
"It sooo has. Look at her," he jeered.
His laughter lasted all of five seconds before a purple hex hit him, and the ghostly hands appeared to tickle him.
"Alright, break it up," an older Hufflepuff said and waved their wand, "finite," he said. The ghostly hands disappeared. Harry blinked. That was a spell he wanted to know and fast.
Hannah was a little too quick to hexing people, especially Ernie, even if he did deserve it.
"I'd say she and Macmillan would be great together, except she's hung up on," Finch-Fletchley said before closing his mouth quickly as Hannah's wand rounded on him.
"Put that away," the older student sighed. "You'll waste a perfectly good hex. Just change his robes pink and he'll stop teasing you quick," he said before walking off.
A dark glint appeared in Hannah's eyes. "That is a good idea. You would look great in mum's pink bathrobe," she said with a big smile that was not friendly at all.
Justin did the smart thing and suddenly found a reason to go up to dinner early. Cauldwell, Green, Longworth, and Gordon all left too.
Harry also considered leaving so he could look up the spell he'd seen. He decided against it. There was plenty of time to look it up later.
Later turned out to be the following week when he finally caught Madam Pince in a good mood. When he asked about the spell, her eyebrows shot up. "Mr. Potter, you've likely run across the spell and not realized what it was," she said with a smile.
He blinked at her. Had he?
"The General Counter-Spell is mentioned in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 and also Grades 2 and 3."
He supposed it had been. Each Charm in the book had a list of counter-spells and counter-charms. He'd just assumed that it meant there was a general… his thought process trailed off, and he snorted. "You're right," he sighed. "I should have realized it."
"No, many confuse the General Counter-Spell. It is simple yet complex. You'll find Unwoven Magic: A Practical Guide to Counter-Spells and Enchantment Reversals in the Defense Against the Dark Arts section. Oh, third shelf about midway down on your left."
Harry nodded and thanked her before going off to find the book. Two hours later, he was packing up his stuff and went to put the book back. A group of older Slytherins sat near one of the back tables, so he went around them and passed the Restricted Section. Movement caught his eye. He looked again, a bit closer this time.
The iron gates very clearly opened and closed again. There had been just wide enough of a gap to let someone slip through. Harry pretended that he hadn't seen anything and put his book back. He debated not saying anything, but what if it was something getting out of the Restricted Section?
"Uh… Madam Pince," he said softly.
She looked up at him with a frown. "Mr. Potter, it's almost curfew. I hope you're heading out," she hinted.
"Uh… yes… uh," he stammered. "I think something got out of the Restricted Section."
She blinked at him and then cocked her head to the side like a raven. With her slightly pronounced nose, he could see the similarities. "Out? Explain," she demanded as she rose.
"Uh…" he stammered again as his eyes flicked over her body. Anger. Rage. "I… I… saw the g-gates open and c-close. W-wide enough-h for s-something to slip out," he managed to get out. He hated the way he sounded like Professor Quirrell.
Madam Pince's mouth drew into a tight line. "Mr. Potter, you will sit in this spot and do not move until I get back. You will not be in trouble for being after curfew. However, if you are lying," she warned.
He shook his head quickly and sat in the vacated chair. It was uncomfortably warm.
Several minutes went by.
"Oh, Madam Pince has a pet firstie?" one of the older Slytherins mocked as he sidled up the counter.
"I do not. Leave, Wentworth. You may not check out any books for the rest of the week," a sharp voice said.
The Slytherin's flat face twisted into a sneer before it became a blank mask. His dark eyes glared at Harry before he walked off, leaving the book on the counter.
"Mr. Potter, you will come with me," Madam Pince ordered.
He got up and followed her through the stacks. She walked with a purpose. When she led him to the Restricted Section, she stopped and turned with a fierce expression. "What do you have to say for yourself?" she demanded as she held up the Unwoven Magic book that he'd been reading.
He blinked at her. "I put that back?"
"This was inside the Restricted Section," the irate Librarian said.
Harry shook his head. "I promise I didn't go in. The doors opened and then closed. I put the book back and went to get you, promise!" he pleaded. Everything about Madam Pince screamed Anger.
"Then you will not mind touching the gates," she said with a tight-lipped smile.
Harry blinked. "Gates? Uh… okay? What does it do?"
Madam Pince's expression softened a little and her posture didn't look as rigid. She pursed her lips and studied his face. Without another word she waved him toward the large iron gates that had a lock in the middle. He hadn't inspected the gate before, but there was a thick metal chain woven through the bars, held together by another massive lock.
"Simply touch the chain and then the gate, Mr. Potter," she instructed.
Harry wasn't sure if it would hurt to do so, but if it proved that he hadn't done anything, he would. He first touched the chain. It felt like iron with little bits of rust. Then he touched the metal bars of the gate. They felt smooth. He let go and looked at her.
Madam Pince's eyebrows were nearly to her hairline. Her spiral brown wand appeared. She first tapped the gate and then the lock. Her eyebrows knitted together, and her shoulders hunched. She took a deep breath and then started to chant something in Latin.
Harry had no idea what it might be. A soft green, black, and silver glow appeared around the locks and gate. The Librarian grunted something. "It seems I owe you an apology, Mr. Potter. Someone has tried to frame you. I do not take my books well when they are thrown into the Restricted Section. Thankfully, this book has not been touched by many recently. My trace will find them when they come back," she grinned.
Harry nodded. It made sense to have some way of tracking who might mishandle your books. It was a great idea. "Could I learn that spell?" he asked hopefully.
A strange look crossed Madam Pince's voice. "You won't find it in any book, Mr. Potter. It is one of my own. You see, I was a Magical Researcher before joining Hogwarts and bringing some of my collection for students to use."
Harry blinked. "Isn't that… dangerous? Is that why you gave it up? Creating new spells and such," he asked carefully.
If possible, Madam Pince's smile grew. "Mr. Potter, I am a Librarian. What makes you think I've stopped creating and experimenting with spells? I have the largest Library in Great Britain at my disposal and all the time in the world on my hands as long as students do not make a mess of my Library," she said before patting him on the shoulder. "Now, let's get you back to your Common Room. I'll write you a slip. If Filch gives you any problem, just tell him that Madam Pince wants a word with him," she said as her smile turned sinister.
Harry never, ever wanted to be on Madam Pince's bad side.