Chapter 17
Gryffindors, it's always the Gryffindors…
Ron rolled and whipped himself around the poles in a fantastic twist to end up in position facing an imaginary Chaser. He had practiced the move several times and he felt he was almost ready to use it in next weeks' game. They had Ravenclaw with their solid team to beat and he wasn't letting anything slip. Harry had always caught the snitch, but it was just as important not to let the other team over score and have Gryffindor lose the Cup because of sloppy playing. Every point counted.
He barrel-rolled into a spin then nearly knocked himself silly by almost garroting himself with the pole. He grimaced and rubbed his aching neck. That was going to bruise!
Ginny was about thirty feet below him yelling something about the D.A. starting in a few minutes. She was standing with her hands on her hips and it reminded him forcefully of his mother. She had gotten taller this summer, but she was still short compared to all her brothers. You couldn't mistake that red hair for anyone but a Weasley, however. He flipped a couple of more times then swooped around the field. He hoped it was worth his time. Another few hours of training could make all the difference. Ron sighed and drifted closer until he could see Ginny smile and wave him down.
"That was a great roll, Ron. There is no way Cho is going to get through you. I need to work on my speed catching. Maybe later next practice you'll throw for me?" Ginny grinned at the maniacal gleam that erupted in Ron's eye as he considered the best way to plan for their practice. Their current Gryffindor Team Captain was not as `fervent' as Ron thought she should be. He always considered Wood as the pattern of coach to copy ever since he had gone on to work on the Cannons Quidditch Coaching staff. Wood was only the junior speed trainer, but the former Gryffindor had achieved God-like status for by his association with Ron's favourite team. He had never spoken about it for fear of jinxing it, but he desperately hoped he would make Team Captain for his seventh year.
Ginny laughed and pushed Ron forward towards the Stadium showers. He was covered in sweat and they only had thirty minutes to make it to the Room of Requirement. It took almost the whole half hour, but they ended up right on time outside the tapestry and through the door.
The room was unsurprisingly full of Defensive tools and books on spell fighting. They had seen it all before and they barely took notice of the rare tomes of magic or the expensive Auror items. The group was slowly drifting in and several students dropped onto fluffy pillows on the floor to wait for their instructor, Harry. After a quite a few minutes passed a game of exploding snap started between Neville and Seamus while Ginny and Parvati took to charming their hair into braids. Luna merely sat with her wand behind her ear staring up at the ceiling and humming to herself. Then an hour passed. Harry didn't show. Ron was started to get worried. Hermione wasn't here either. Cho started to snigger to herself in the corner and then started whispering something to Luna loud enough that he could hear making his ears turn brilliantly red.
"Cho! I don't think they're off somewhere doing that!!" Neville looked shocked and dismayed and then felt humiliated and his face reddened when he found he spoke so loudly.
Ron grimaced. Hermione was going to hate this. Cho was the worst gossip in the school and she's always had it in for Hermione since she thought she was a boyfriend stealer. There was no truth to the rumor that Hermione did anything of the kind. It had been months since Harry had gone out with Cho, but Cho was never one to worry about the fine letter of truth.
He stood up and motioned everyone to listen. "Alright, something must have come up and I guess we'll have to reschedule for next time. Hermione will charm your galleon to tell you when the next meeting will be."
Cho was still whispering to whoever would listen and Ron was starting to get a little annoyed. Ginny and Parvati unrolled their braids and were kicking the pillows up against the wall and out of the walkway when Ginny whirled around to Cho with the red-haired girl's face aflame.
"Cho! You shut it! Don't go saying such things! You know you and Roger have done much worse…and on the common room sofa, too! I heard you were caught by your whole fourth year Astronomy class last Friday night. So you can just keep your imaginings about Harry and Hermione to yourself!" Ginny threw her last pillow hard at the Ravenclaw who shrieked and was pulling out her wand before Neville put his hand forcefully on her shoulder. Cho's eyes narrowed in sullen anger and she shoved her wand away storming out of the room.
Ron sighed and rolled his eyes after she had left. Just what they needed. More stupid rumors about those two. Whatcha bet it ends up in the Daily Prophet before the day is out? Cho's that kind of vindictive.
Ron drifted off in a grumble. Harry better turn up with a good excuse.
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`Buzzy' led Hermione and Harry to see each of their sleeping quarters then they had been re-directed upon command to the Headmaster's Office. Hermione and Harry were a little nervous to meet a headmaster that wasn't the kind, gentle Dumbledore that they had grown used to. Who knew who he was? This new Headmaster might not take as easily to invasive students from the future. Or maybe he wouldn't believe that they were telling the truth after all. Harry gulped a little and Hermione slipped her hand into his with a gentle squeeze. Her eyes were wide however and she looked a little pale as well.
The door opened slowly and the three students entered the large dimly lit office to face the School's leader. Harry was startled that he actually recognized the man. It was Phineas Nigellus from the picture frame in Dumbledore's office. Harry winced a little remembering how rude he had been that night after the Department of Mysteries debacle. He let loose a small sigh of relief when he realized that had happened much later in the future and Headmaster Nigellus would have no memory of the incident.
The Headmaster was tall, dark and imposing. His beak nose rose high on his face lending his tightened eyes to remind one of an eagle or some other predatory bird. His robes were dark green with sigils of unknown magical meaning floating in silver around the hem and neck of the garment. Hair sharply back in a tight twisted tail, the powerful man looked impassive and dangerous.
Dumbledore walked up to the man and whispered something quietly over the desk that Harry and Hermione couldn't hear. When their discussion was over, Dumbledore left the room giving the couple a slight `it's alright' face before slipping out. The two squeezed each others hands then stepped up closer to the large dark mahogany desk.
Headmaster Nigellus said nothing and merely stared at the two students. Harry shifted his feet nervously but stood his ground and stared back with a raised eyebrow of his own. After a moment the man grunted and reached across the desk for his pipe and began smoking it in large puffs of smoke.
"And who, may I ask, are you spying for?" Nigellus asked quietly stroking his pipe while admiring the color of the wood as it glinted in the low firelight.
Hermione gasped out loud. "Why would you think we are spies? We merely set off a silly time spell and fell out here in this time. We really just want to get home. There is no reason to think we have any other agenda."
Harry groaned inside. You don't just spill everything to a Slytherin such as Headmaster Nigellus. You have to give them some reason to want you around or you're nothing more than a niffler without a nose. If only Harry could remember anything from the past that could help. Harry stepped a little in front of Hermione then spoke up.
"Sir, I realize this situation may seem a little odd, but I understand you have tools to determine truth. We are perfectly willing to submit to whatever means you consider necessary. And who knows, maybe some of our information may be useful to you after you deem us trustworthy. I can imagine the certainty of the future would help you in many ways." Harry stood with his feet apart and ready to shove Hermione out of the way of any blasts of magic the man might throw their way.
The Headmaster tilted his head then slowly smiled. "And you're a Gryffindor. How very interesting. I would have expected such an offer from one of the Slytherin students. Most Gryffindors would have merely played the suffering hero. What an odd situation this is." He tapped out his pipe and magically whished the ashes away with a flick of his fingers.
Hermione tugged at the back of Harry's shirt and hissed into his ear, "We can't tell him anything from the future! What if something important is changed? What if…"
Harry shushed her by squeezing her hand again and she fell silent. He rethreaded his fingers through hers and softly
rubbed her thumb. She leaned against his shoulder and he pulled her closer to his side. He had no idea how this was
going to turn out, but just having Hermione close made everything a little bit better.
Nigellus frowned at their display of affection then steepled his fingers together in reflection.
"Of course, I have instruments that can tell if a student is lying. I am the headmaster. There would never be a truth told in this office if I didn't. I don't know how many students have tried to spin falsehoods here, but they all paid the punishment. If you had lied I would have known instantly. I have shrouded this room with truth detectors from the moment I took this office. The rest of the afternoon would have you making the acquaintance of Filch, who always loves to dole out the detentions. He is particularly fond of the dungeon whip room. He does love those whips."
Harry gulped. Filch from his own time was no contest apparently to his grandfather. The groundskeeper from the future could still give Harry the creeps, and he never really did anything much besides bark a little and give a sullen detention. Apparently even so, times had definitely changed for the better in the future.
The Headmaster stood up and walked around the desk to face the students. He wasn't much taller than Harry, but his imposing presence and crackle of magic made him extremely intimidating. Harry took a step back and Hermione shuffled back with him.
"You really shouldn't offer Time advice to just anyone, Mr. Potter. Such information could be used to make or break whole generations. The power to change the future is beyond measure." Nigellus had a bright gleam in his eye that was starting to worry Harry.
"We won't talk of it now. It isn't the time." The man chuckled softly to himself at the little play on words. He paused then turned back to his large throne-like chair.
I will allow you to be in Gryffindor, but I cannot allow you to mix so freely with the school population. You might let something important slip. I restrict you to classes and to eat in your dormitory. Since the Houses are taught separately that is not a large problem. You will not see much of each other as the sexes are separated as well. What subjects had you been studying?"
Harry and Hermione were surprised by the separation of students, but it was over one hundred and fifty years ago. Some things had to be different.
Well, Sir. Harry and I are both taking Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts…" The Headmaster interrupted her abruptly.
"Miss Granger, I was speaking to Mr. Potter. We will discuss your schooling in a moment." He dismissed Hermione with a wave.
"Um. Yes, Sir." Harry grimaced and looked back at a quickly reddening Hermione. "Sorry, `Mione. It is over a century ago." Harry whispered to her as he gripped her hand tightly feeling her nails biting into his palm.
Well, Sir, we are both in Potions, Transfiguration and Defense against the Dark Arts. I take Divination, Astronomy, Care of Magical Creatures and play seeker on the House Team. Hermione takes Arithmancy, Muggle Studies and Ancient Runes as well."
The man rifled through his desk and pulled out some parchment than wrote something quickly down. "Mr. Potter, since you are both staying her for an indeterminate time I am forced to place you in classes. You are now to take Divination, Transfiguration, Potions, Astronomy, Battle Magics and Design. Miss Granger, you may proceed with Potions, Transfiguration, Healing, Etiquette, Family Magics and Divination. Your schedules are on these parchments. I will have you both meet with the Historian to discuss your research into your travel back to your own time. I find these upsets from silly children playing with magics they do not understand to be trying and tiresome. You would think your Headmaster from your own era would have such things more under control."
With a wave of the man's hand, the door to the office slammed open against the interior wall and he proceeded to ignore the two teens completely. With nothing else to do, they exited together and slowly walked back to the tower.
"Family Magics and Etiquette? What in Merlin's name are they? Harry looked at Hermione questioningly.
"Oh, you know, cleaning spells and the like. I am so glad we don't have to take them in our time. I am a little tiffed I can't take Battle Magics and Design with you. They sound very interesting." She paused and looked around to make sure no one was listening.
"I could have throttled him when he cut me off. He is going to regret putting me in with all those girls. Our forewitches didn't experience the Witch's Revolution for nothing…" Her eyes were gleaming with the thrill of shattering a few misconceptions before Harry turned her around to face him.
"Mione? Are you sure you should do that? What about the repercussions? You said we shouldn't mess with time and everything."
She straightened her shoulders and shook out her hair. "There are some things that should be changed. The harassment of these witches forced to take Etiquette!" She laughed lightly. "I'll try to control myself, Harry. I know what you're thinking. I'll be a good little witch."
Harry internally rolled his eyes. Yeah. Control herself like she did by knitting little hats for all the house-elves last year.
She smirked at his expression then kissed him lightly on the nose. He grinned back at her then with a quick look around, he pulled her into a darkened portico and softly kissed her lips. A quiet, "Ohh!" was all she said before she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. He had pulled his fingers lightly through her brown curls noticing how soft it was. She tasted like lemon drops and strawberry lip gloss. It had only been hours since they had fought, but it seemed like days. He leaned back against the cold stone wall and pulled her closer in as he nuzzled her neck making her sigh happily.
"Did I say I was sorry for hurting your feelings earlier? Because I really was an idiot. I never want to hurt you like that again." He kissed her right under her left ear feeling her pulse quicken in pleasure.
"Thank you, Harry." She whispered into his neck. When she kissed his ear he nearly jumped. She continued kissing down until she found the same spot on his neck that he had found on hers. They were breathing so hard and their hearts were racing so fast that they almost didn't notice the Ravenclaw Prefect walk up behind them and tap his feet to get their attention. They broke apart instantly throwing themselves to the opposite sides of the hallway.
"Gryffindors. It's always the Gryffindors." The Ravenclaw shook his head then covered his eyes and pointed up the stairs as if to say, `I saw nothing just get out of here."
Harry grinned at Hermione then grabbed her hand as they raced up the stairs to the Tower. Dumbledore was waiting outside the Portrait Hole holding it open for a couple of rumpled red-faced seventh years. The Head Boy merely raised one eyebrow at Harry and Hermione before rolling his eyes and waving them inside.
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