Chapter 031
"House elves can be a little weird sometimes," Shiva admitted. "What barrier are
we talking about?"
"The one to Platform Nine and Three Quarters," Harry shrugged. "It was solid when
Ron and I tried to get through. Ron panicked and decided to take his dad's flying car
to follow behind the train. I just went to sit on a bench until someone managed to
get back through from the other side. Tonks and her boss showed up before I got
bored and sent you a letter telling you I was stuck."
Shiva's mouth had dropped open in shock by the end. She turned to Tonks. "A
flying car?"
"Hence why I'm waiting here," Tonks said.
Shiva banged her head on the table and groaned. "Thank you for not going with
him, Harry. I think I would've had a heart attack!" Harry reached over and patted
her shoulder.
Shiva ended up pulling Harry off to the side a few minutes later while Tonks went
to find some food. "Harry, you said your Uncle was…upset after the cake
incident…" Harry stiffened but nodded. "Did he…"
"He stopped before he went too far," Harry said softly while giving Shiva a small
shake of his head. "I didn't get to eat for a few days but he still gave me water so it
wasn't too bad. I got a little worried for Fred when Uncle Vernon saw the flying car
as the twins rescued me but we're all fine."
"That's not – " Shiva sighed and hugged him. "You shouldn't be starved for
something that is not your fault, Harry."
"It happens all the time, Shiva. I'm used to it. It doesn't matter." He was finding it
easier to relax into these hugs. At least when it was just Shiva and Hermione
hugging him.
"It does and you shouldn't have to be used to it." She let him go and held him at
arm's length staring into his eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't come visit over the summer
Harry. I…my hands were tied – "
"How?" Harry asked, cutting her off.
Shiva closed her eyes and sighed. "At the end of the year I brought up the issue of
your guardians with Professor Dumbledore and it turned into a bit of a fight. By the
end of it we were both shouting and he threatened to fire me if I didn't drop the
matter and stay away for the summer. Something about wards being renewed
being critical to your protection. I've never heard of wards that would require that
though. At least not ones that would apply in your situation..."
"He threatened to fire you?" Nearly the entire modicum of respect Harry
grudgingly had for the Headmaster died a fiery death in that moment.
"Yeah. And I figured it'd be better to stay here where I could be around more often.
But I've been trying to look into some things and…" she sighed and pulled him back
into a much shorter hug. "Look, Harry, if I can get you away from those people
would you be up for it?"
Harry froze completely. He pushed back and stared at Shiva. He looked her up and
down, taking in the stiffness of her body, the set of her jaw, and the slight sheen to
her eyes. Slowly, ever so slowly, Harry nodded. "I would do anything short of killing
somebody to get away from the Dursleys for good. I don't believe you can. I've
tried before. But thank you for asking."
"You've…tried before?" Shiva asked carefully schooling her features into a neutral
expression even while her voice dropped into a dangerous monotone.
Harry kept staring at her. For a full minute he stayed completely silent and still.
Eventually, Harry took a deep breath and started talking. "I talked to one of the
teachers at school when I found out I had a name like the other kids. He didn't
believe me when I said I hadn't known it before that day. I asked the school nurse
about why we got to eat so much during lunch and how much most kids get to eat.
She didn't believe me when I said I usually only had one or two means a day with
half portions. I talked to the Principal who said that the Dursleys were upstanding
members of the community. A few months later I talked to a police officer who
never came back after the first visit. I asked some shop owners in the area and they
said they would never believe the words of a 'delinquent' – which was one of the
stories the Dursleys liked to spread about me. I asked the parents of one of the girls
at the school who promised to look into it but did nothing after that. So, yes, I've
tried. And I've given up. Because nothing ever happens and I've learned I can't trust
any adults. So thank you for offering, Shiva, I really do appreciate it. It's the first
time someone else has said something first. But I don't believe that anything will
happen this time either."
"Harry," Shiva's asked, voice still completely flat, "do you trust me?"
Harry shut his eyes and turned away. "Yes," he whispered. "I don't want to because
I'm pretty sure that sooner or later you are going to hurt me just like the others
but…yes."
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Chapter 032
Harry found himself enveloped in another bone-crushing hug. "I swear to you,
Harry," Shiva whispered, "I am going to do my absolute best to make sure I never
hurt you. I am going to figure out a way to get you the hell away from your
relatives and I am going to help you with whatever else you need. You hear me, kid?
I'm here for you, no matter what."
Harry nodded and some of the tension drained out of him. "Thank you."
The school year started off relatively normal despite the fun of the first day. After
Ron had finally shown up – via crashing into a tree which tried to beat him and the
car into paste – Amelia Bones spoke with him but let him off with a stern warning
after it was confirmed that no Muggles had seen anything. Though she did promise
the young Weasley that if he ever did something so stupid again…the
consequences would be far more severe. The Howler from his mother was painful
to listen to. Harry knew it was mostly deserved and he had no love for the redhead
but…berating him in front of the whole school for something done in a panic
seemed a bit harsh.
Tonks had followed through with her promise to let her boss know about the hover
charm incident and by the end of the first week, Harry had received two letters
from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The first was an official – if
somewhat biting – apology and retraction letter from Mafalda Hopkirk which had
Harry smirking. The second was one from Amelia Bones herself personally thanking
Harry for letting her know about the barrier and car before it could become a
problem as well as apologizing for Hopkirk's behavior. Bones had also assured
Harry that Hopkirk had been placed on probation and if he had any further
problems to let her know immediately and if he wasn't comfortable with that then
to inform Tonks who would get in touch instead. Harry wasn't quite sure how to
deal with that. Tonks was one thing as she almost seemed less mature than himself
but Amelia Bones…a reasonable authority figure in an actual position of power
was…something entirely new. He could be generous and say that Professor Flitwick
was nice and seemed perfectly reasonable but the man had no real power. Even
Shiva didn't have any actual say in the school. Amelia Bones however, did. Harry
eventually resolved to wait and see how things played out.
Shiva had stayed quiet on just what she was doing concerning the Dursleys but he
noticed she had started disappearing on weekends for several hours every few
weeks. When asked, she just said that she was 'doing Muggle paperwork and it's
far more involved than I had expected'. It gave him a warm feeling inside to know
that someone besides Hermione and Neville actually seemed to be completely on
his side; that someone besides them actually seemed to care.
Hermione herself had stopped trying to defend Professor Lockhart – or Flophart as
Harry started calling him – after his first lesson. Once the man ran and hid from a
swarm of pixies Hermione lost any potential respect for him. It was actually rather
amusing. Harry and Neville had simply been content to ignore and insult him.
Hermione however had gone a step further.
"Look at these dates!" Hermione said throwing two of Lockhart's books onto the
library's table. Her slamming had Harry and Neville jump. It even started two girls
at the next table. Harry idly noticed that they were the ones from the bookstore
who had been as annoyed with Lockhart as he had been. "See here?" Harry turned
back to his friend and saw her pointing at two sections, one in each book. "He says
he fought the yeti at the end of August in 1989 and in this one he says he wrestled
that river troll during the Algerian flood. The Algerian flood was the last week of
August in 1989! These two events can't possibly have happened at the same time!
He's lied!"
The blonde from the other table twisted slightly and raised her eyebrows at
Hermione. "Does that really surprise you, Granger?"
"Well the man is obviously incompetent but…he's written about these things! To
use inaccurate information is one thing but to outright lie? In a book?! Oh I wish I
could give that man a piece of my mind!"
"Books aren't always all they're cracked up to be," the blonde's friend said hanging
her head.
"Well, yes I realize that but still!"
"Hermione, there's no point in getting worked up about it. You're never going to
get Flophart to admit to it and nobody is going to take our word over his," Harry
said trying to placate his friend.
"Yeah, Hermione, anybody who actually talks to the man knows not to take him
seriously," Neville said with a shrug. "Even Lavender has stopped gushing over his
hair and is starting to grimace in his classes."
"Lavender? Seriously?" Hermione's eyes widened and her mouth fell open.
The blonde also looked intrigued. "Really, Brown isn't infatuated with fool
anymore?"
"No, she isn't, Greengrass." Neville snorted. "His last test, the one that asked about
his favorite color and birthday? Lavender sneered at it and muttered that the class
was utterly useless for teaching any sort of defense and she might as well just go to
Hermione to learn the actual material. Then she muttered how she hoped the
curse got Lockhart so that they could get a competent teacher."
Greengrass blinked while Hermione just stared at Neville in shock. Harry laughed.
"Wow. You just know the guy's an idiot when Lavender hates him. Though I never
would have pegged her as actually wanting to learn."
"She does seem far more interested in gossip most of the time," Hermione
admitted. "Well, anyway, I recommend all of you take everything he says with a
grain of salt. While there are details in these books that lead me to believe at least
some parts are useful, the contradictions are glaring. I'm going to go over each one
and note down every section that proves he's lied. With any luck, I'll be able to get
enough proof from his own works in order to expose the man."
Greengrass' friend sighed and finally turned to the rest of them. "You can do that
Granger, or you could just expose the affairs he's having with the sixth and seventh
years."
Hermione dropped bonelessly into a seat while Neville's mouths dropped open.
Harry just looked confused. "He's doing what?" Hermione squeaked.
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Chapter 033
"We don't have proof but can you really see him not taking advantage of at least
the girls of age that are throwing themselves at him? Granted he's pretty so I can't
really blame them, especially since I doubt any of them expect anything serious,
but it's still pretty scandalous going at it with a teacher."
"Davis, if you and Greengrass know this why haven't you told anyone?" Neville
asked with a hand over his eyes.
Davis shrugged. "Well I said we have no proof. Besides what is Dumbledore going
to do? He can't fire the man. There's no applicants for the job to take his place. And
it's not technically illegal as long as he's careful who and where. It's just icky."
"Tracey's right," the blond girl nodded. "There's really no point in letting the
information out. There's nothing to gain from it. He's a good enough spin doctor
he'd probably end up looking better afterwards. I almost feel like I should be taking
lessons from the man. He may be a horrible wizard but he certainly knows how to
talk."
"Ugh, Daphne, I have a headache again. I'm going to head back," Tracey said
rubbing her forehead.
"I'll walk with you. Good day," Daphne nodded goodbye and grabbed their things
before leaving the library.
"That was Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin, correct?" Hermione
asked.
"Yeah," Neville nodded. "Man, I really don't want that mental picture in my head
anymore!"
"Lockhart's not dating the older girls, right?" Harry asked frowning at his book.
"No, Harry, he's not dating them." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"And you guys were obviously talking about more than just hugging and kissing."
"Yeah…" Neville said squinting over at Harry. A dawning look of understand
appeared in Hermione's eyes.
"So…what's an affair then?" Harry asked trying to work out exactly what Lockhart
was doing with the girls.
Neville's mouth dropped open. Hermione's eyes widened in silent horror. "Harry,"
she said in a careful voice, "do you know what sex is?"
"That's another word for gender," he nodded wondering where she was going with
this.
"Not the noun. The verb."
"Sex isn't a verb, Hermione." Harry said as his frown deepened. Neville made a
strangled sound and Hermione sighed.
"Damn those Dursleys," Hermione muttered before continuing in a normal, if
slightly strained, voice. "Harry, I think you need to go and talk to either Madame
Pomfrey or Shiva."
Harry's expression darkened considerably. Of course the Dursleys had forgotten to
mention important pieces of information. "You can't tell me?"
Neville hurriedly shook his head so fast he probably got whiplash. Hermione
twisted her hands together before replying. "I…would really prefer you ask one of
them first. It's umm…I can do it…I've certainly read enough about it…but it's rather
uncomfortable…especially with you…and…well look just…please?" She turned to
stare at him with wide eyes and her mouth quirked just so and Harry leaned back.
She knew just how to defeat him.
*START OF THE TALK*
"Shiva?" Harry said as he walking into his mentor's office. "Do you have a few
minutes?"
"Sure, Harry. What's up?" Shiva asked as she pushed a few papers to the side and
looked up at him.
"Well, Neville, Hermione two other girls and I were talking in the library a few
minutes ago. The others started talking about Lockhart having 'affairs' with the
girls in sixth and seventh years. After the other two left, I asked Hermione and
Neville what they meant." Harry's brow furrowed. "She started getting really
evasive and nervous and then asked whether I knew what 'sex' meant." He paused
for a second as Shiva coughed and paled. "I told her that it was male vs. female but
apparently that was the wrong answer. She said I should come talk to you or
Madame Pomfrey but she would explain if neither of you would…so…what am I
missing?"
Shiva had covered her face in her hands by this point and was muttering
unintelligibly. Harry could only catch a few words, "Bastards…supposed to have
years to prepare myself…need a basic class on this…" Shiva took a deep breath and
slowly lowered her hands to peer critically at Harry. "Harry, you've never had a sex
ed class before?" He just shook his head still looking utterly confused. "Merlin's
balls. I could kill those damn Muggles…are you sure you want me talking to you
about this? Madame Pomfrey would do a far better job. Hell, McGonagall would
probably do a far better job. Both of them had kids. I don't exactly have
much…um…experience with explaining this."
"I trust you though," Harry said simply. 'What does having kids have to do with
this?' he thought to himself.
"This is likely going to be exceedingly awkward."
"I gathered that. It takes a lot to fluster Hermione about basic facts and
explanations," Harry said raising his eyebrows at the older woman.
"Oh for crying out loud…fine," Shiva held up her hands before walking around the
desk and collapsing into a seat near him. "If I'm going to explain this then you are
going to sit there and listen understand? You are not going to run away before I get
done, yes?" He nodded. "Dammit. Okay. Look, you know boys and girls have
different…parts?"
"Yes, Shiva. I told you, I know about male and female sex." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Ugh. Sex has two meanings, Harry. One is gender like you're saying. The other is a
verb. The act of sex."
"How can sex be an act?"
"Would you just let me explain?" Shiva grumbled. "This isn't exactly peaches and
cream for me either you know. I'm 20. I'm not supposed to be explaining sex for
another few years at least! Arg! Okay, let's try this again. Sex is how babies are
made."
"What?" Harry just stared at her.
"When a boy and girl love each other – well actually they don't have to love each
other but you really should – then they have sex. When they're ready. Generally
late teens or early twenties but of course that's not a rule and there's nothing
wrong with waiting."
"I don't understand. Shiva, you're not making any sense."
"Males have a penis. Females have a vagina. Tab P into Slot V, Harry."
"Tab P into…" Harry trailed off as his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
"Good. Got that. Thank god. Okay so, when a boy and girl love each other
they…join…and if a boy finishes – "
"If they what?!"
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Chapter 034
"Finishes. Climaxes. Umm, have you ever woken up at night after a strange dream
and your sheets were a bit sticky with white stuff instead of pee?"
"I – uh – I – yes?" Harry tried to burrow into the chair.
"That. That's called semen. And girls have eggs. But eggs that are inside of a girl's
bodies. If a boy's semen is left in a girl at the right time and it comes in contact with
an egg then there is chance that the girl could get pregnant with a baby."
"Oh." Harry's voice was rather high and he was trying very hard to stare at
anything besides Shiva.
"Now, sex doesn't just have to be to make a baby. Actually generally it's not. It's
fun and it feels good and it's a natural progression of most relationships and some
people just do it sometimes because they're bored – but you shouldn't do that! You
should only have sex with someone you really care about because it's a sign of
trust and love and…and you shouldn't do it before you're at least a teenager!"
Shiva was flailing but it helped that both Harry and herself were beet red. "Now
I'm not going to tell you what age is appropriate because I'd be a hypocrite and I
know what people get up to in broom closets here – "
"That's what people mean when they say 'find a broom closet'?" Harry squeaked.
"Well it's part of it. Generally people don't go all the way in broom closets. It's not
exactly comfortable or romantic in those. Rather cramped. I don't recommend it."
Shiva slapped a hand to her head. Now she was giving recommendations to a 12
year old? "Arg, forget I said that. There are other things you can do rather than full
on sex. It's called foreplay or fooling around. Touching a girl's breasts or her private
area or her touching your privates. Or even just kissing. Kissing can be extremely
satisfying too for a couple."
"Oh," Harry said trying very hard to sound normal. And failing rather spectacularly.
"Yeah so that's about it. Well actually I suppose that's not totally it because there
are other types of sex. There's oral sex where one of the partners uses their mouth
and then there's anal sex where instead of using the girl's vagina you use her arse
instead and then there's group sex which is when there's more than just two
people involved and you can always use toys or something – but the Muggle stuff
doesn't work here so it cuts out some of the fun – and then there's bondage which
is just tying someone up – but if you do that you want to have safe words so
everyone knows it's too far and to immediately stop – and um…" Shiva trailed off
staring very intently at the wall above Harry's head.
"Anything else?" Harry asked quietly desperately praying this conversation could
be over.
"No, I think that's about it," Shiva said nodding hurriedly. "Oh! Wait! You started
asking about Lockhart having affairs? That wouldn't surprise me but it's sleazy. An
affair is a term for having sex secretly or cheating on your spouse. And you should
never have sex with a teacher. It's an abuse of power on their part and bad. We
can't really punish it because the wizarding world is kind of backwards on some
things but that doesn't mean you should do it!"
Harry just nodded hurriedly. 'Please stop talking,' he silently pleaded.
"Okay I think that's it. If you have any questions come and ask. I'm not going to
teach you the contraceptive charm until you are at least 14 got it? I'd prefer 15 but
your best female friend is almost a year older so I'm going to be at least somewhat
realistic here and – "
"Hermione!?" Harry blurted out as his features twisted in horror desperately trying
not to imagine his best friend doing those things.
"Yes, Hermione. It's a chance at least. Though I suppose she'll probably already
know it by then anyway, but still, the guy should always know it as well! You can't
be too careful and the last thing you need is to become a father as a teenager!"
"Are we done? Can we be done? Please?"
"Yeah, yeah I think we're done. Ask Hermione or Pomfrey for some books. I have
absolutely no idea what is good to read beyond romance novels which are utterly
useless for realistic information…" Shiva finally managed to look down at Harry
who reluctantly met her gaze. "I did tell you this was going to be exceedingly
awkward."
"I'll listen to you next time," Harry muttered as he got up and hurried to the door.
Just before slipping out Harry turned back to glance at her. "Err, thanks, Shiva. That
was…probably better than going to Madame Pomfrey." With that he practically ran
out the door and back to the tower.
Shiva slumped down in her chair and eyed the cabinet with her firewhiskey.
"Merlin. I haven't even officially gotten custody of the kid yet and I'm already
giving him the Talk…"
*END OF THE TALK*
Harry had avoided being alone with Hermione for several days after that and it
didn't pass unnoticed. Eventually on Halloween his friend stopped him while they
were heading down to the feast.
"Harry, this is ridiculous. You have to stop avoiding me sometime!" she said glaring
at him.
"I'm not avoiding you," he muttered.
"You are."
"Technically I'm avoiding most girls…" he said trying to appease her.
Hermione just huffed. "Well that's just stupid. Obviously you talked with Shiva.
Nobody's just going to jump you. Not for another few years at least. I mean –
you're cute and all and – oh Merlin I can't believe I just said that – look, Harry, you
can't avoid talking to girls just because you understand the Birds and the Bees
now!"
'She thinks I'm cute?' Harry's brain caught on that part of the statement and he
turned his head to stare up at her. Neville nearby had his hand over his mouth and
was shaking with muffled laughter. "Thanks for the support, Nev." Harry glared at
his friend. "Fine, Hermione. I apologize for avoiding you. I'll promise to stop doing
that. Now can we please go – I'm starving and the feast is – "
{Hunnngry. Foood. Kiiilllll…}
"Kill?" Harry frowned and stared at the wall where he heard the voice.
"What?" Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Harry?"
{There! Food! Kill! Eat!}
"No! Come on! We have to stop it!"
"Stop what?" Neville shouted after Harry as he tore off down the corridor after the
voice. Harry heard his friends pounding along behind him but he focused on the
voice trying to follow it.
"Harry! What's going on?!" Hermione yelled as Harry rounded the corner. He
stopped dead and his friends plowed into his back. "Harry?" Harry just lifted a
finger to point at the nearby wall and Neville and Hermione both gasped.
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Chapter 035
On the wall written in what looked like blood were the words: THE HEIR OF
SLYTHERIN HAS REOPENED THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. ALL ENEMIES BEWARE.
Below the dripping words, Mrs. Norris lay on the floor next to a small puddle of
water. She was completely frozen solid.
"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore said with soft smile from behind his desk. "I'm sure
you can understand why we are having this meeting."
"I'm not your boy, Professor," Harry said firmly, the rage in his voice audible. He
had sat down in the chair across from Dumbledore after being brought the office
thanks to discovering Mrs. Norris. Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, was perched on
Harry's shoulder softly crooning to the youth. He was a beautiful bird and was at
least somewhat helping Harry's nerves to calm down.
"Why you little – " Snape sneered from behind Dumbledore's shoulder.
"What are you even doing here? Sir?" Harry said glaring at the Potions Master.
"Harry, I trust Professor Snape, I assure you he – "
"I don't see what that has to do with anything, Headmaster." Harry turned his glare
on Dumbledore. "If I'm going to be interrogated shouldn't my Head of House be
here? Or Professor Babbling?"
"Babbling has even less reason to be present than I do!" Snape snarled. Harry met
his gaze and felt his head start to ache. "I can't believe the arrogance you display!"
"Well I trust Professor Babbling. If the Headmaster is allowed to bring in someone
he trusts who has nothing to do with this then I should be allowed to bring in
someone I trust who has nothing to do with it." Harry rubbed his forehead still
glaring at Snape. "And you admit that you have no reason to be here?"
"That's enough, Harry," Dumbledore said firmly. "Now if you would please tell me
what happened…"
"I already told you with everyone else down there. I heard a voice that sounded
like it came from the walls. I ran after it and we found Mrs. Norris. The end. If you
don't believe me ask Hermione and Neville."
"They heard no such voice," Snape said with a look of supreme satisfaction.
"Doesn't change the fact that I did. Are you going to give me detention for hearing
voices now? Or maybe you're going to take points for being not being at the
Feast?"
"Everyone is required to attend the Halloween Feast, Harry. It is a celebration."
Dumbledore smiled down at him but Harry just scowled.
"A celebration. Sure. Everyone seems to forget that I hate this day."
"The Dark Lord was vanquished today you insolent little – " Snape started but
Harry cut him off.
"And my parents died today! Today was the day I was sent to live with my relatives
because my parents were murdered!" Harry yelled. He completely missed the door
opening behind him and a teacher stepping into the office. "Today was the day I
watched Dudley go out year after year in costume after costume while I got locked
back up in my stupid little cupboard! Today was the day Hermione almost died last
year! And now I can say that today was the day I apparently started going insane
and hearing voices no one else can hear!"
"Harry," Dumbledore started but trailed off as Professor McGonagall laid a hand on
Harry's shoulder not occupied by Fawkes. Harry cringed down into the seat
immediately falling quiet though Fawkes nuzzled against his cheek. McGonagall to
her credit immediately lifted her hand as she noticed Harry's reaction.
"I believe that is enough, Albus." The Gryffindor Head of House turned her
withering stare onto first Snape and then Dumbledore. "Mrs. Norris was petrified
with something very strong and likely very dark. No second year could know how
to do this. Harry and his friends have shown a remarkable proclivity to being in the
wrong place at the right time. This is clearly yet another instance of his particular
brand of luck manifesting. If you have no further questions, I will take my lion back
to his dormitory."
"Of course, Minerva. Have a pleasant evening, Harry," Dumbledore nodded to
Harry with that annoying ever present twinkle still present. Harry just scowled at
him and Snape before following McGonagall out.
"Thanks, Professor," Harry muttered as they walked away from the Gargoyle.
"I never did apologize for my actions last year, Mr. Potter. I was wrong to brush off
your concerns," Harry frowned. Since when did adults apologize to him? "I know
you speak with Professor Babbling about things every once in a while. I want you
to know that if you feel the need, my door is open as well. I may be...set in my
ways but I can promise you that I will listen to any issues you have in the future, Mr.
Potter. You are one of my better students. I would hate to think I lost you because
of one foolish mistake."
"I…" Harry cocked his head at her. "Thank you. I'm probably going to keep going to
Professor Babbling, Ma'am, but…if the Headmaster calls me in again I would
appreciate if you would be there to back me up again like earlier."
McGonagall nodded thoughtfully. "I always endeavor to support my lions if they
are in the right, Mr. Potter. As your Head of House I should have been present in
that meeting to begin with. If something similar occurs in the future, know that you
are allowed to refuse to say anything until I arrive."
"Yes, Ma'am." The tension in his shoulders had started to lessen. This change in
Professor McGonagall was interesting. 'Maybe Shiva talked to her?'
The two fell into silence until they approached the portrait into the Gryffindor
tower. "I hope the rest of your evening improves somewhat, Mr. Potter. Have a
pleasant night."
"Excuse me? Professor Babbling?" Hermione asked hesitantly. She poked her head
around the corner of the office door. "May I come in?"
Shiva frowned looking at one of Harry's friends. The girl hadn't ever come to talk to
her before…"Of course, Miss Granger. Please take a seat. How can I help you?"
"Well…it's about Harry…" Hermione wrung her hands clearly uncomfortable with
bringing this up.
"Okay." Shiva sighed. Of course it was about Harry. Judging from the nervousness
of Hermione though it wasn't something small or typical. "Why don't you tell me
what's wrong, Miss Granger."
"I…I'm not…" Hermione took a deep breath, smoothed her robes and stared at
Shiva with a firm expression. "I'm worried about him. I know he speaks with you
but I'm not sure if he's been in the past few days. Has he mentioned at all about
hearing a voice in the walls?"
"It came up yeah," Shiva said nodding.
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Chapter 036
"Neither Neville nor I heard it. However we don't believe Harry is making it up
either. I've been searching for things that might have caused that but I can't find
anything. He's scared and I want to help but I don't know what to do at this point.
Nothing in the library has anything that might indicate why Harry could hear voices
that we couldn't and I need some method to help him."
"I admit, Miss Granger," Shiva said with a small smile, "I'm a little surprised you've
come to talk to me about this. I would've bet you'd go to Professor McGonagall."
"Normally I would have but…well I already feel like I'm going behind his back as it
is just coming to you and I know he has a close relationship of sorts with you."
"Not as close as he does with you and Neville."
"I think you underestimate the amount of influence you have over him, Professor,
but I am not here to talk about that. Harry trusts you. I know he wouldn't want me
to speak of this with anyone really but I also need to help him and I feel like if I
spoke with you he'd understand."
Shiva regarded the younger girl before nodding. "I think you underestimate
yourself as well, Hermione. I assume you've checked most of the sensory reference
books as well as the divination sections?" Hermione nodded. "If it helps I've done a
bit of reading myself over the past few days and come up blank as well. I don't
think there is much either of us can really do at this point except be there if he
needs us."
"He is not going crazy." Hermione said with a harsh glare.
Shiva just held up her hands in response. "I don't believe that is the case anymore
than you do. Just like neither of us believe that stupid rumor about him being the
Heir of Slytherin."
"Yes, that certainly doesn't help matters. Professor…" Hermione trailed off again
looking even more uncomfortable than before. "…Harry has…at times…I am
worried that his relatives are – unhealthy – for him."
Shiva snorted. "Well that's certainly a far tamer word than I would use."
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked up to the Professor. "Has he said anything
specific about them to you? I've been careful not to push too hard but it would
make things easier if I had more details."
Hermione shook her head somewhere between bewilderment and hope. "Nothing
specific, no. Mostly just vague comments every now and then and my own
suspicions. He…does not like being touched. He doesn't seem to shy away from me
anymore which I've taken as a good sign but still…Fred and George have also
informed me that he was locked in his room with bars on the window when they
rescued him. I confronted Harry about that but he simply said 'I'll have a better
plan next time'. I don't want him to go back to those…people."
"You and me both, kid," Shiva sighed. "I was hoping you had more details. Look I'm
working on a way to get him out from under them but it's slow going. I don't have
too much experience in the Muggle world and I can't use magic for this because it
has to be completely above board. I don't want to tell Harry and get his hopes up
for nothing, but I should know for sure in another few weeks if it'll work. After I tell
him, I'll have him tell you okay? If I have anything to say about it that kid is going
nowhere near those relatives of his again."
Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank you, Professor."
"We both want what's best for Harry. If you, Neville or Harry find out anything else
– about anything we talked about – then please don't hesitate to come talk to me,
okay?" Hermione nodded in reply and walked out, her shoulders considerably less
tense.
Harry had actually been looking forward to this duel. Even finding out that the Club
was being run by Snape and Flophart instead of Flitwick hadn't really dampened
his enthusiasm too much. At the very least he could've used the opportunity to
show off the disarming spell that Flitwick had taught him last year and make
Malfoy look like a fool. Maybe he could've gotten even luckier and carefully tossed
one of his Slugvomit runestones at his 'rival', the idiot or the greasy git! He really
had to remember to thank Ron for that idea. His backfiring spell from a few weeks
ago had certainly given Harry a fun idea for a prankstone. Fred and George were
loving it too. Especially since Harry had managed to figure out how to make his
special prankstones disintegrate after use. It was a bit annoying having to etch new
ones each time but it left no evidence behind. And it held promise for using other
materials for the shorter duration prankstones.
Unfortunately, before his duel with Malfoy had even started Snape had apparently
given the blond ponce a fancy conjuration spell. The large snake that Draco formed
was somewhat impressive, Harry gave him that. However it was also completely
useless. Why bother fighting with something that had a brain of its own? When
Harry glared at it, the snake slithered into the crowd. It looked like it was going to
end up attacking one of the Hufflepuffs though, so Harry was forced to yell out to
it.
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---------------------------
Chapter 037
{Hey! Leave him alone.}
{Ssspeaker?} the snake turned to Harry and bobbed it head.
{If you want to attack anyone, then attack the blond idiot up here. He was the one
who summoned you.} Harry said gesturing to Malfoy. Harry didn't notice that the
entire Hall had gone so quiet you could probably hear a quill drop. {However as
much as he is an idiot I'd recommend just heading out into the forest. There's lot of
food out there.}
{Very well, Ssspeaker.} The snake started to slither down the line of people towards
the main doors when Snape finally roused himself and strode forward, vanishing
the serpent.
"Hey!" Harry yelled at his hated potions' teacher, hands clenched. "Why did you
that? It wasn't hurting anyone!"
"It was a dangerous serpent, Potter," Snape said with a sneer.
"It was just – "
"Be quiet, boy!" Harry flinched at that comment then scowled at himself. "15
points from Gryffindor for talking back to Professor!"
Lockhart came forward, his ever present grin perhaps a bit forced. "Yes, well I
believe we've all experienced enough excitement for the evening. I call the session
of the Dueling Club to a close!"
Whispers broke out around the Hall as Harry started to walk back to his friends.
They had barely left the room before Malfoy called out, "Potter! How's it feel to
wield some power for once?" Malfoy laughed at him while Hermione and Neville
stepped up to Harry's side. "Going to set your pet snake on the Mudblood there
next time?"
"How dare you!" Neville yelled striding forward face quickly turning red. Harry was
a bit slower on the uptake but quickly moved to support his friend. He may not
have recognized the slur but he figured it was bad to get Neville that mad that fast.
"Nev?"
"Hermione. He's saying Hermione has dirty blood," Neville hissed through clenched
teeth. His wand's tip was glowing white in his clenched hand. Harry's face froze and
he turned to stare at Malfoy.
"Careful there, Longbottom, Potty," Malfoy said with a mocking grin. "Professor
Snape is just – "
"Catch!" Harry thumbed the activator on the Slugvomit and tossed it at Malfoy's
head. The blond proved his intelligence by reaching up a hand to grab the projectile.
Harry's grin had an evil little fringe to it as the runestone sent a dull yellow glow
into Malfoy's hand. The smirk on the boy's face was wiped away an instant later as
the runestone disintegrated and he doubled over throwing up slugs all over the
hallway. "You might want to wash your mouth out Malfoy." Harry turned and
stalked away with Neville and Hermione following along after a final glance at the
Slytherin.
None in either group noticed Daphne and Tracey watching the confrontation from
the sidelines. "I have to admit, I'm impressed," Daphne said to her friend. "I know
there have been some rumors about Potter but between the snake and how he
handled Malfoy…he has a lot more potential than I had expected. Right, Trace?"
Tracey barely even responded, she just kept staring at the floor in front of them.
"Trace?"
"What?" Tracey looked up, shook her head and focused on her friend. "Oh, right.
Potter. Yeah, that was pretty cool. It's nice to see the ponce taken down a peg even
if it is by a Gryff. We should really be able to police our own."
"Agreed." Daphne nodded and started to walk back to the dungeons with her
friend. "Being a parseltongue isn't going to do the boy any favors though."
"I can't stand this!" Harry snarled as he slammed his book closed causing Neville
and Hermione to jump. "There's nothing on the Chamber. There's nothing on the
lineage of Salazar Slytherin. There's nearly nothing on parseltongue beyond 'a very
rare ability to speak to snakes'. REAL helpful there!"
"Harry, you need to calm down," Hermione said reaching for his arm.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Hermione! You're not the one that half the school is
looking at like an insane Dark wizard! And if I can't prove I'm not then what the hell
am I supposed to do?!"
"Harry, we know this is frustrating," Neville said in an overly calm voice, "but
throwing a temper tantrum isn't going to help at all."
"I know!" Harry flopped down into his seat, crossed his arms and scowled. "I know
– I'm sorry. I'm just tired of them all whispering behind my back and running the
other way when I walk down the corridor."
"Harry…I've been thinking…" Hermione ventured softly. Harry and Neville turned
to her with raised eyebrows. "Well…it's possible the Slytherins know more about
who the Heir is then they let on right? I mean it would stand to reason that the
Heir would be in their house after all. So…what if we snuck in and got them to
talk?"
"What like use the Ninja or my dad's Cloak?" Harry asked leaning in.
"Well we could do that but we couldn't really interact with them or steer the
conversation at all…so I was thinking," Hermione said taking a deep breath. "What
if we used polyjuice?"
Neville whistled. "Merlin. We are a horrible influence on you, Hermione."
"What's polyjuice?" Harry asked looking between the two.
"It's a potion," Hermione explained. "It's a potion that when you drink it it will turn
you into someone else. You need a bit of the target. Either a hair, skin or blood
sample though I imagine hair is the least disgusting. It takes some time to brew and
there are some rather rare materials…"
"Hermione, you know that's supposed to be a NEWT level potion right?" Neville
asked.
Harry on the other hand was trying to decide if there was an easier way. 'An
Illusion, twined with a Physical wrapped in a Alteration and…' He sighed. "Damn. I
think I might be able to make a runestone that could do something similar but I
don't think we'd be able to use too many spells without dissolving it. And it would
have to be keyed to a specific target which couldn't be changed without an entirely
new etching. It's probably easier just to brew the potion."
Hermione nodded while Neville just shook his head. "You guys really are insane. Oh
well, if we're going to do this let me know which ingredients we need to owl
order."
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---------------------------
Chapter 038
"Professor Flitwick?" Harry asked after Charms class.
"Yes, Mr. Potter? Can I help you? I noticed you were having some difficulties with
the Freezing Charm," the diminutive man replied with a smile.
"Oh, no, Sir, Hermione can help me with that. I actually wanted to ask about the
Dueling Club from the other week."
A gleam entered Flitwick's eyes as he sat up straighter and grinned from ear to ear.
"Oh, looking to take up the circuit then, Harry?"
Harry snorted at the immediate enthusiasm of the teacher. He certainly was a
determined fellow. "Not yet, Sir." Flitwick gave a sigh and shook his hand in defeat
but nodded for Harry to continue. "I was actually wondering why you hadn't been
teaching it instead? I feel like we would have actually had more than the one
meeting then…"
"Ah," Flitwick said shifting uncomfortably. "You see, it's just that Professor
Lockhart and I, we have…differing opinions on…teaching methods. I was a little
worried we would not mesh well. I hear Professor Snape didn't end up performing
much better though in my place."
"Yeah, you could say that." Harry shook his head. "Well thanks, Professor. I was just
curious." As he walked out of the classroom two Hufflepuff girls stepping in front
of him and smiled.
"Hello, Harry," the redheaded said.
"Hi…" Harry responded with a frown. He carefully scanned the surrounding area. It
was rare these days for anyone outside of Hermione and Neville to talk to him
without setting him up to be jinxed or hexed.
"It's Susan," the girl continued. "Susan Bones. And this is my friend Hannah. I know
we haven't talked very much what with the different Houses and all but I talked to
my Aunt a few days ago, Harry, and your name came up. You apparently made a bit
of an impression on her. I brought up the…Heir...stuff. She, umm, well she made me
realize I've been a bit of a bitch regarding all this." Harry's frown deepened but he
nodded to her and stopped checking the corners. Susan wrung her hands and
looked at the floor while Hannah nodded along. "It's stupid to blame you for
something you're born with and it's stupid to think that you'd have a problem with
Muggle-borns considering you're best friends with one. So I'm sorry."
"And so am I," Hannah put in with a firm shake of her head.
"Aunt Amy also mentioned that House Potter and House Bones used to have an
alliance back before that night so – " Susan took a deep breath, looked straight at
him and bowed low before continuing. "I, Susan Amelia Bones, Heir to House
Bones, formally apologize for any harmful and inappropriate actions I have taken in
the past against you, Harry James Potter, as well as any insults that I have made
against House Potter. I am prepared to accept whatever sanctions or punishments
you deem appropriate and wish to reestablish a benevolent relationship between
House Bones and House Potter."
Hannah then bowed as well. "And I, Hannah Marie Abbott, Heir to House Abbott,
formally apologize for any harmful and inappropriate actions I have taken in the
past against you, Harry James Potter, as well as any insults that I have made against
House Potter. I am prepared to accept whatever sanctions or punishments you
deem appropriate and wish to reestablish a benevolent relationship between
House Abbott and House Potter."
Harry's mouth dropped open and was only dimly aware of Neville whistling and
moving to his side. Susan remained bowed while Neville leaned over to quietly talk
to him. "Harry, this is a bigger deal than you might think. You have two options
here: one, accept their apology on behalf of House Potter and offer to determine
reparations at a later date or two, refuse their apology and break off the alliance
between your Houses."
"That would be bad right?" Harry whispered back while Hannah started shifting
nervously from foot to foot though Susan remained firmly planted.
"It's up to you, Harry," Neville said. "Susan's really nice though and her Aunt is very
fair. Hannah's very also very nice and her family has good business deals overseas.
If it was me, I'd accept the apology but you're the one who they were calling the
Heir of Slytherin a few weeks ago."
Harry turned to regard the two girls in front of him. After nearly a minute he sighed
and stood up straighter. "I, Harry James Potter, accept the apologies of Susan Bones
and Hannah Abbott and behalf of House Potter. All previous insults are forgiven
though reparations will be determined at a later date." He glanced at Neville in
case he had missed something but the other boy just smiled and gave him a
thumbs up.
Susan and Hannah stood up together and smiled over at him. "Thanks, Harry,"
Susan said. "We really are sorry for what we said."
"We'll try to talk to some people in Hufflepuff to see if we can get them to stop
spreading those rumors," Hannah said nodding. "I don't think many of them really
believe it you know? We're all just a little scared."
"Yeah, I understand," Harry sighed. "Thanks for apologizing girls. We should
probably all head to dinner. I bet Hermione is wondering where we are anyway."
Ronald Weasley looked on from the corner as the four left the hallway. He scowled
to himself and muttered, "Oh of course Potter has gotten those two to listen to him.
He must have used some sort of Dark Parsel magic on them. Everyone knows that
parseltongues are evil. Of course he's the Heir. Well I'm not fooled Potter! I'll watch
you, and when you slip up I'll figure out how you're doing it, and I'll expose you! I'll
stop the Heir of Slytherin – I'll save them all!"
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---------------------------
Chapter 039
The Quidditch match against Slytherin was a joke. Malfoy strutted around like a
prince beforehand showing off his amazing new Nimbus 2001 and bragging to the
entire school how it was hands down leagues beyond Harry's poor old broom.
Of course Harry proved that the talent trumps money by literally snatching the
snitch from beside the git's ear.
That would have made the game fun if only one of the Bludgers hadn't decided it
had a personal vendetta against Harry's head. Oliver Wood had tried to stop the
game once the team had realized the Bludger was ignoring every other player, but
the Slytherins managed to keep distracting Madame Hooch before he could get her
attention. The point was moot once Harry caught the snitch.
Nobody bothered to tell the Bludger the game had ended though. It ended up
breaking his arm before being destroyed by a seething Hermione. Harry would've
laughed at her telling off Hooch if he hadn't been busy trying to run from Flophart.
"What did you do?" Harry moaned as he held his apparently newly deboned arm.
"Ah, yes, well," Lockhart chuckled slightly as he stepped back. "The spell can go a
bit wrong sometimes. Guess we'll just leave the rest to Madame Pomfrey, eh,
Harry?" He flashed a winning smile at Harry. The boy tried to remember whether
or not he had any runes that could let him castrate the 'teacher' and not get caught.
"Now just remember this for your own work later there, Harry! It's important to
always have a healer on standby for delicate work just in case the spell fails."
"I'm going to – " Harry growled.
"Professor Lockhart, I would thank you to refrain from touching my patients again
in the future," an ice cold voice said. Harry cut off and looked with relief to the
school healer. Thank god for Pomfrey. He would never complain about her potions'
tastes or her bedside manners again if she would just keep the lunatic away from
him! "Come along, Mr. Potter. I'm going to have to keep you overnight to fix that."
"Dobby," Harry sighed as he woke up in the middle of the night to see the little
house elf sitting despondently on his hospital bed. Harry's arm felt like he had
thousands of tiny needles thrusting into it but he did his best to keep the pain from
his face. It wasn't as bad as it could have been. "So let me guess, you enchanted
the Bludger?"
Dobby nodded his head and turned shimmering eyes on Harry. "Dobby is sorry
Great Harry Potter Sir but Dobby felt if Harry Potter Sir was hurt badly then he
would be sent home."
Harry shut his eyes and counted to ten before responding to the elf. "Dobby. First
off, I am sorry for getting mad the first time we met. Second, I do appreciate the
concern you're showing as well as the efforts to get around your orders. Third,
please stop trying to save my life!"
"But Harry Potter Sir – "
"No, listen to me, Dobby," Harry said forcefully. Dobby stopped what he was doing
and just stared at Harry. "Good. Now, your attempts at saving my life – while well
meaning – are just putting me in more danger. You understand that that Bludger
could have killed me?"
"Not kill Harry Potter Sir! Never kill! Just grievously injure!"
Harry had to stop to take a few deep breaths again. "And if it had hit my head?"
Dobby's mouth clanged shut. "Or if it had me while I was a hundred feet in the
air?" Dobby started to reach for the nearby potions tray but Harry had been
expecting that. He reached out, caught the house elf's arm and forced him to sit
back down before the little guy could hurt himself. "Like I said, Dobby. You're
efforts to save me are dangerous. I know the danger is whatever monster is in the
Chamber. My friends and I are trying to figure out what it is. Just like you don't
want to let me be hurt by staying I don't want them to be hurt either. So if you
can't give me any information on this can you at least not try to get me to leave
anymore before I can help my friends? Please, Dobby?"
"Dobby…" the house elf wrung his hands glancing longingly at the potions tray.
"Dobby would respectfully request Harry Potter Sir leaves the school with his
friends."
'Well that's some progress,' Harry thought. "We can't leave, Dobby."
"But, Harry Potter Sir, Miss Moany died the last time the Chamber was opened!
Harry Potter Sir must be – " Dobby cut off as the sounds of conversation drifted
into the room. Both human and house elf turned to look at the door to the hospital
wing. Dobby popped away and Harry flopped back into his bed just as the door
opened. Professor's McGonagall and Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore and Madame
Pomfrey all walked in floating an unconscious Colin Creevy ahead of them. Harry
sucked in a breath at the way the younger boy's arms were held in front of his face
clutching his ever present camera.
"It is the same as Mrs. Norris, Poppy," Dumbledore said in a low voice.
"There is nothing I can do without those mandrakes, Headmaster. I can't even tell if
they're conscious or if their minds are as frozen as their bodies."
"Nevertheless, we must wait. I will speak with Pomona about when her crop will
be fully matured."
The teachers moved back out of the room and Harry turned back over thinking.
'You're just going to leave him there? What if he is conscious? Someone could go
crazy trapped in their mind without anything to distract them…What is wrong with
these people?'
"Okay, Ginny, you've got the rotation list?" Harry asked the young redhead in the
Gryffindor Common Room the next afternoon. The girl nodded so fast her hair
started fanned out. When he had asked her that morning about getting together a
list of Colin's friends who would be willing to sit and talk to him for a bit each day
Ginny had barely managed to eke out a quiet "sure" before running off.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 040
"That's great, Ginny," Neville said smiling at her. She shyly returned his grin before
handing over the list of people.
"No, Ginny," Harry said pushing it back to her. "You should tell everyone and
around the times. Just try to make sure it's for at least 3 hours every day okay?"
She nodded again. "Great! Hermione, Nev, we've got to go check that thing right?"
His friends nodded and joined him as they left the Common Room and headed
down to the bathroom they were sharing with Myrtle's ghost. Moaning Myrtle
could be depressing and a little creepy, but she was nice enough to let them use
the room and she kept anyone else away while the trio was gone.
"Harry, do you really think that we're going to be able to keep the rotation going
until the mandrakes are ready?" Hermione asked chewing on her lip.
"Well I've got two ideas for that actually," Harry said. "I've been thinking of trying
to set up a telly for him."
"Harry you know we can't! Electronics don't work here. It says so in Hogwarts, A
History!" Hermione huffed crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"They don't work yet," Harry said smirking. "I've been thinking about it and I figure
if I can work a Suppressor into a Local cluster and figure out a way to stamp it onto
the machine then we just need to deal with the power issue. Anything with
batteries should work fine, meaning if I can't figure out a way to run an electric line
in or convert magic into electricity than at the very least we ought to be able to get
a radio set up…" Harry trailed off as he noticed that Hermione had stopped in the
middle of the corridor and was just staring at him with her mouth wide open. Harry
turned to Neville who just shrugged.
"You – you – you've figured out how to make electronics work at Hogwarts!?"
Hermione squeaked pointing at him.
"I might have figured it out. It's going to take a bit of tinkering you know and I still
probably won't be able to deal with the power issues for a while…I'm mostly just
hoping for the radio I guess…what?"
Hermione's mouth snapped closed and she shook her head. "And they tell me I'm
the genius…" Harry heard her mutter. "Come on, you two, let's check on the
potion," Hermione said over her shoulder.
"You know, Harry," Neville said following their friend, "you could always just set up
a Wizarding Wireless instead of creating an entirely new rune cluster."
"Oh." Harry at least had the decency to blush at the mention of a mundane
solution. "Yeah, I guess that could work too…"
"So why exactly am I going with you three to talk with the Headmaster?" Shiva
asked Harry. He was currently leading Hermione, Neville and Shiva down the halls
towards Dumbledore's office.
"Because I need backup in case this doesn't go well," Harry said with a shrug. "I
figure Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick will probably be on my side.
Snape is likely to shoot it down just because it's me bringing it up. I'm not sure
about Professor Sprout. I wanted to make sure we had a swing vote just in case."
Shiva snorted. "And how are you so sure that I'm going to like this brilliant plan of
yours?"
"Because you and Hermione are always yelling at me to look for mundane
solutions instead of resorting to runes all the time. So I talked with Neville and we
came up with a mundane solution. I'm actually a little surprised none of the adults
brought it up already." He turned to give her puppy dog eyes. "And because you
said you'd back me up on anything."
Shiva gave a deep laugh at that. "Cute and I give you points for the eyes, kid! But
your delivery timing needs some serious work!"
Harry chuckled before turning back. "Well it was worth a shot. I'm not as good as
Hermione," he ignored her shout of protest and continued, "but in all seriousness,
Shiva, I really do believe you'll think this is a good idea."
"Alright, but no promises if it needs work, Harry. Sugar Quill," Shiva said to the
gargoyle and motioned for the trio to head on up as it stepped out of the way.
"Ah, Harry, my boy, come in, come in," Dumbledore said gesturing to the seats in
front of his desk. Harry ground his teeth. This was not the time to remind
Dumbledore that he was certainly not the man's boy.
"Thank you, Professor." Harry, Neville and Hermione took their seats while Shiva
moved to the side with Dumbledore and the other Heads of House.
"And just what are you doing here Babbling?" Snape sneered at the younger
woman.
Inside Harry seethed at the man but he schooled his features before calmly stating,
"I've been consulting with her, Sir."
"Severus," Dumbledore said with a small glance at the Potions Master. The greasy
haired man ground his teeth but fell quiet. "Now, Harry. You mentioned in your
request that you had a solution to our problem with Mrs. Norris and young Mr.
Creevy?"
"Well actually, Sir – "
Snape again cut off Harry. "We will not be using any of your experiments on school
children, Potter."
"Severus, be quiet!" Eight heads turned to goggle at McGonagall who blushed
slightly but returned her harsh stare onto Snape. "We are all worried about the
petrification. Let the boy speak."
"Thanks, Professor," Harry said shocked. He shook his head and turned back to
Dumbledore setting his features again. "As I was saying. It was actually mostly
Neville's idea." The other boy blushed. "We know that the mandrake drought is the
best way to restore Mrs. Norris and Colin but we think it's stupid to wait for the
mandrakes here to mature."
"You arrogant little – "
"Severus!" McGonagall snapped. He cut off and the Deputy Headmistress nodded
for Harry to go on.