Harry trudged into the bright Great Hall, shadows under his eyes and his face slightly paler than usual. He was utterly exhausted from everything that had happened since crossing the threshold into Hogwarts. After his talk with Professor Dumbledore he decided to make a visit to the Hospital Wing as his hands had been cut by smashed glass and were bleeding onto the sleeve of his jumper. On his way through the dark castle he was interrupted by a fuming Davis. He seemed to be infuriated and went on a frantic rant about safety and rules, briefly mentioning stupidity. When they reached the dimly lit library Davis seemed to have talked himself into silence and brought Harry into his office where he continued to patch up Harry's blood red hands, occasionally removing a small fragment of clear glass that had imbedded itself under the skin.
Harry had been surprised to find Professor Sinistra sitting comfortably on the green leather couch in Mr. Davis' compacted office. She seemed quite at ease and if anything she seemed quite amused at Davis' irritated humour. Harry told them what had happened and when Davis was finished he thanked him and returned to an empty Gryffindor Tower. Walking up the spiral staircase he found that the boys in his dormitory were fully awake and that they seemed to be gathered around Ron with envious looks on their faces as he told them the story. They congratulated Harry on his amazing arrival and they didn't get to sleep until midnight when an incensed Percy barged in telling them off for disturbing the peace.
After waking up early he returned to the library where he had an intense training session mainly due to his inability to concentrate. After Davis realised how weary Harry seemed he let him go asking him to return that night as he wanted to commence his magical training. He also advised that he should bring Hermione which baffled Harry slightly. So now Harry sat lethargically at the breakfast table faced by tureens of porridge, towers of bacon and large basins of different cereals. Hermione was already at the table reading another book by Gilderoy Lockhart and Harry sensed that she wasn't in a talkative mood other than raising her head when she saw him, then dropping her gaze back to the page muttering a small hello. He knew she was annoyed at him for what had unfolded yesterday but he wasn't really in the mood to start arguing and decided to leave her in her sulking mood.
Ron was chatting animatedly to a group of second years, including Neville Longbottom, who had the memory of a blind goldfish, and the charming Seamus Finnegan who was frequently found attempting to woo girls from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. He tended to avoid girls from Slytherin saying they were too snobbish for his liking. Lavender was sitting closely beside Ron and every now and again her hysterical girlish laughter would penetrate Harry's ear, making him feel like someone was injecting him with a headache. As Harry ate his toast without relish the post owls swooped down over the students, lightly dropping packages to the waiting students. Neville looked up expectantly and a large brown owl carrying a package that resembled a sack landed beside him. Harry guessed it was from his formidable grandmother, sending on Neville's forgotten possessions.
Professor McGonagall, wearing her usual stern look, was passing out the new years' timetable. Taking his, Harry noticed his first class was Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. Hermione was packing her things away in her schoolbag feverishly and then stood up preparing to leave. Harry grabbed her by the forearm in order to stop her progression down the aisle. "Listen I don't want to fight. I'm sorry for dragging you into that whole situation yesterday, but I can't change what happened." He spoke earnestly and this was what brought Hermione to forgive him. "I'm not that annoyed. And you didn't drag me into it. I agreed to it." The two of them left the Great Hall and made their way across the muddy grounds.
The sky was a steely grey, plains of clouds blocking out the world above. As they neared the greenhouses they met a large crowd of bustling students who seemed to be buzzing with excitement. "We'll be in Greenhouse Three today," said a blonde haired boy to them when they came to a halt. Neville was caught between fear and enthusiasm. Greenhouse Three housed the more exotic and thrilling plants and everybody knew it was Professor Sprout's most favourable greenhouse. When all the class had assembled outside the door, Professor Sprout arrived, supporting bandages on her left arm from trying to attend to the Whomping Willow. "Now class," she said fiddling with the lock on the glass door, "today I want you to be extra careful as there are many dangerous plants sheltered here." The door opened and the class filed in. Just as Harry made it to the door a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Turning he found himself looking at the dazzlingly white smile of Gilderoy Lockhart. "Harry, Harry, Harry," he repeated shaking his head as if in disbelief. "Professor I'm going to borrow Harry for a moment." Before he could stop him, Lockhart had guided him a few feet away from the door.
"Harry, Harry, Harry," he admonished. He was wearing long robes of brilliant turquoise and his golden wavy hair showed from under his turquoise hat which had a gold rim around the edge. It seemed that everything about him matched. He was clean and pristine as if he had just stepped out from a box that was marked `fragile'. "When I heard what you had done, well let's just say I was shocked," he started, his eyes widening to show how he had been feeling. "Flying a car to school, well it's all a bit overdramatic. And I must admit that I take the absolute blame. I gave it to you, didn't I." Harry was still trying to recover from the irony of Lockhart mentioning the word overdramatic in terms of someone other than himself. When he registered what he had said he asked bewildered. "What do you mean gave it to me?" Lockhart sighed and put his hand on Harry's shoulders. "The bug," he whispered dramatically. "You know… your desire for fame. I felt it, you make the headlines one day and you strive to make them again. I gave it to you when you made the front page of the Prophet. A good day Harry, a good day," he nodded his head, savouring the memory. "But you shouldn't go to these measures to achieve fame. No...," he said shaking his head disapprovingly. "Don't go looking too hard. Don't put yourself in danger for fame. I mean…I'm an accomplished wizard but you're just a young boy. Of course you've had the brush with fame with all that business with You-Know-Who and…."
Harry zoned out of what he was saying. He couldn't believe anybody could be this self-involved and the fact that he thought Harry was the same just aggravated him beyond words. When Lockhart was done he ruffled Harry's hair as if he was his uncle and then made his way across the mud-covered grounds careful not to step in any of the waterlogged areas so he wouldn't get his spotless leather boots dirty. Harry slid into the greenhouse where there was a large wooden trestle table that held a number of pots that were filled with soft dark compost.
The class was quite engaging as they learned about Mandrakes. Harry was fascinated by the species. These were very young and so their cry was not harmful but when at an adult stage they were lethal. It was strange to think that something so innocent could have such a dire effect. The lesson was relatively quiet as they were required to wear earmuffs but when they were finished and cleaning up Hermione asked Harry what Lockhart wanted to talk about. "Oh it's nothing," he replied. He didn't like lying to her and he would've preferred that Hermione knew how self-centred Lockhart was but he didn't want to upset her. He knew she would probably be crushed if she found out the truth and he didn't want to be the cause of that. It would be best if she found out for herself. "Oh this class is so filthy," moaned Lavender Brown from behind them. Harry spun around to observe Ron trying to calm her down while she complained childishly about getting dirt under her new nails. Hermione witnessing this shook her head at Lavender's selfishness and immaturity.
As Harry and Hermione cleaned the dirt from their own hands, a boy with curly black hair whose name was Justin Finch Fletchley joined them. He began a friendly account of how he had discovered he was a wizard and also how excited he was to be taught by Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry had to endure Hermione and Justin Finch Fletchley chit chat about him for a few minutes before a resounding bell was heard from the castle. The Gryffindors hurried through the grounds and rushed to Professor McGonagall's classroom to Transfiguration. When they were seated, Harry and Hermione sitting behind Ron and Lavender, Professor McGonagall immediately began warning them that they were now drifting slightly from the basics and should anyone drift from the rules she would punish them severely. The sternness of her expression told them that she would be true to her word.
Their task today was to transfigure a beetle into a button. This was made more difficult by the fact that the beetle scuttled across the desk away from any contact with humans so there was a number of misses. Hermione was the first to succeed at this and playfully poked her tongue out at Harry. After two more tries Harry got it. He raised a triumphant eyebrow at her and poked his tongue out at her only to quickly retract it as McGonagall caught him in the act. Hermione giggled slightly before rapidly feigning interest in her transformed button. "Mr. Potter if you would kindly refrain from acting like an infant while in my class," she cautioned.
Harry's cheeks reddened slightly before he turned to see Hermione heaving from suppressed laughter. "I'm glad you can laugh at my expense," he whispered. "I'm glad you can make me laugh," she replied leaning forward. As she leaned forward a piece of her hair, which today was tied back, fell across her face. Instinctively Harry reached out and returned the strand of hair behind her ear. A very awkward silence fell before them as they gazed into each others eyes. Then they both looked away embarrassed. Harry silently cursed himself. What the hell did you do that for, you idiot? Now she probably thinks you're weird. "Ooh look Harry!" Hermione said excitedly. She had managed to turn her button back into a very disgruntled beetle.
The rest of the class passed by uneventfully without anymore awkwardness or discomfort. Ron was having major problems with his fractured wand. He had used Spellotape so that it was rigid again but it kept sparkling and crackling. Then it started issuing grey smoke that smelled of rotten eggs. Lavender stood up abruptly with a look of disgust on her face and, taking a shocked Neville by the collar dragged him out his seat and took his place beside Parvati. Neville pulled his shirt over his nose to prevent him from breathing the stench. Both Harry and Hermione had their jumpers pulled up just below their eyes while Ron sat looking overwhelmed at his excuse for a wand. Using her wand McGonagall got rid of the reek and advised Ron to get a new wand which was capable of the simplest of spells. Only Harry and Hermione had achieved the day's task and so the remainder of the class left the room dispirited. The Great Hall was already packed with students in the middle of their lunches. Just as they were entering the hall there was a flash of blue light which blinded Harry momentarily.
When he turned he saw a small mousy-haired boy with what looked like a muggle camera hanging around his thin neck. "Hi Harry, can I have a picture?' he asked breathlessly. "I think you just had it," Harry responded. "Can I have one with you? Maybe your girlfriend can take it," he said. Harry cleared his throat uncomfortably. "She's not my girlfriend....er," Harry paused not knowing the boys' name.
"Colin," the boy said eagerly. "Colin Creevy. I've heard all about you. Isn't this place great," he continued with a quick glance around the magnificent Entrance Hall. He started talking rapidly without drawing breath so that he almost became incoherent. Harry caught that his dad was a milkman and guessed the boy was muggle-born. It went on and on until he asked Harry could he have another picture and if he could sign it. Suddenly Harry heard a loud scornful voice from the marble staircase.
"Signing photos of yourself, Potter?" Draco Malfoy came into view, his slick blond hair matted to his head. He was flanked by his cronies, the most noticeable being Crabbe and Goyle. The two of them guffawed stupidly. The crowd fighting their way into the Great Hall stopped to listen. Ron was among them and silently went over to stand beside Harry. "Come on everybody, Potter is giving out signed photos," Malfoy roared to the stationary crowd. The Slytherins sniggered and started pushing their way to the front of the mass of people.
There was now an empty circle in the middle of the throng of people. Malfoy stepped into it a conniving smirk on his pale pointed face. He had grown taller since last term and Harry guessed he was slightly taller than himself. More menacing were Crabbe and Goyle who had pulled themselves up to their full height and were broader than two people standing next to each other. They were each flexing their muscles.
"Shut up Malfoy," Ron warned. "You're just jealous," piped up Colin.
Malfoy gave a derisive snort. "Jealous? Of Potter. The pathetic little orphan boy." Harry had had enough. He took a step into the circle earning some small gasps from the crowd. "I'd really advise you to shut up Malfoy," said Harry barely audible. Crabbe and Goyle narrowed their beady eyes.
"What are you going to do Potter?" he taunted maliciously. "I mean look who's standing up for you. A midget with a camera and a poor freckled Weasley. I warned you and now look at the company you keep. Looks like you've got a soft spot for their sort as well," he said indicating Hermione with a nod of his head. Ron went to run at Malfoy but Seamus grabbed him as Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be relishing the thought of a fight. "My father always advised me against their kind. I guess that is one piece of advice I can thank him for."
Something snapped within Harry. Maybe it was living in fear for the past two months, constantly wondering when and how he would finally die. But at that moment his mind went blank. He couldn't hear Hermione pleading for him to calm down and ignore Malfoy. The crowd became raucous but Harry couldn't hear their yells trying to egg on the fight. When Harry moved forward Crabbe immediately stepped in front of Malfoy, his bulk figure casting a shadow over Harry. With a quick toe kick Crabbe was bent over in pain revealing the horrified look that showed on Malfoy's features. Harry roughly threw Crabbe to the floor, out of the way of his path. Goyle advanced on Harry next but before he could even reach him there was fearful muttering from the on-lookers. "It's Snape," said Ron wide-eyed.
"What is going on here?" came the lazy tone of the slick tongued Potions master appearing from the apprehensive students which were now trying to get back into the Great Hall. "Potter assaulted Crabbe, Sir!" said Malfoy without missing a beat. Snape's eyes took in Crabbe's hunched posture and Harry whose eyes were fixed on Malfoy. Malfoy had quickly dropped the scared look and was now sporting an evil grin. After a moment's tense silence where Harry could almost hear Snape's brain clock up the wrong conclusion, there was a fierce yell from Snape.
"POTTER!" He strode forward and grabbed Harry with a vice like grip around the arm and dragged him off up the marble staircase. Harry glimpsed Hermione's anxious face before they rounded a corner and were out of sight. "No respect for the rules. No respect for anybody or anything, eh Potter?" Snape spat at him. "No not if it's your call. Strutting around the school as if you own the place, beating up people, embarrassing them. You're nothing but an ignorant little brat." He continued talking in this spiteful manner when they reached the second floor. There was a furious anger burning within Harry maybe that was why he did it.
As they entered another empty corridor, he gave a fierce shove forcing Snape to let go of him. Snape looked dumbfounded but hastily recovered, drawing his wand and pointing it at Harry's heart. "Well…continue," he said nastily enjoying Harry's vulnerability. Harry glared vehemently at him wondering what was going to happen next. Still with his wand pointed straight at him, Snape leaned forward and pulled Harry around to face the long corridor. He then stuck his wand into the small of Harry's back. "Walk or regret," he whispered dangerously. They rounded another corridor and Harry found himself outside Dumbledore's office. There was a harsh scraping noise and one of the stone gargoyles, which blocked the spiral staircase, moved aside. Professor Dumbledore, wearing long rich ruby red robes, strolled out from behind the concealed doorway. Seeing the two visitors he paused and his face grew grave at the burning rage which showed in Harry's darkened eyes.
Snape approached him with an icy smile. Beneath his pallid features Dumbledore knew that Snape seemed delighted at something. "Headmaster, I'm afraid that there is no use in trying to ignore Mr. Potter's behaviour now. He has assaulted a pupil from my House and has also shown violence towards me," he spoke in a tone with false solemnity.
"You were hurting me; there is nothing I have done wrong. I was merely defending myself," Harry responded earnestly. Snape seemed taken aback at Harry's allegations. He glowered at him with such ferocity that Harry was contemplating averting his eyes.
"Headmaster, I would never hurt a student," Snape started, looking at Dumbledore with sincerity. Harry gave a bitter laugh that echoed in the corridor. "Now listen hear, Potter. You cannot strut around making false accusations against people, more importantly teachers of this prestigious school," he hissed while rounding on Harry.
"Severus," warned Dumbledore who had watched their encounter and remarks with concern. He feared the loathing which each held for each other and what would come of it. "I do not believe Harry has assaulted any of my students. He seems to be under the belief that it was self-defence and I trust that," he explained turning to give Harry a kind smile. He turned back to Snape's colourless face. "Nor do I believe you would meaningfully cause pain or suffering to any of my students. I think there has been a severe misunderstanding here and I am willing to let the matter go."
Ten minutes later after a lengthy discussion with Snape and Dumbledore about rules and regulations, Harry was on his way to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. The lesson was nearly over and as Harry approached the door he suddenly heard terrified screams coming from within the classroom. He ran to the door but before he could make it, the wooden door flew open and a gang of alarmed and wild students came flooding out from the room. The students looked a mess as if something had grabbed fistfuls of their robes and started swinging them around. Harry noticed that some of them looked like someone had tried to steal their hair; it was sticking up so badly. Lavender Brown was searching frantically for her pocket-sized mirror and when she found it and caught her reflection she gave a hysterical scream of terror. Her hair had come loose from her elegant bun and she resembled someone who had just received an electric shock. Harry pushed through the students and entered the classroom.
He met a scene of total destruction. The windows had been smashed, the tables had been overturned. Pages had been ripped unceremoniously from their covers and were now strew on the floor or still floating high in the air. Ink was forming puddles on the timber floor and the blackboard had been thrown across the room, showering the air with dusty chalk. Harry looked for the source of all the devastation and found them hovering over Lockhart's desk at the front of the class. There was about eight of them, and from the opened desolate cage on the desk he guessed they had only recently been released. About eight inches high, with electric blue skin and voices so high it was like a group of budgies arguing about politics, the creatures were zooming and rocketing around the class. "Pixies," breathed Hermione from behind him. Ron stepped over an upended waste bin with an enraged look. "He sets them loose and bloody asks us to round them up. He's useless." Hermione gave him an angry glare. "He just made a mistake," she retorted.
By the time the other students had alerted the teachers and they had arrived at the classroom they found an unusual silence. Professor McGonagall and Flitwick discovered the three students, weary and drained sitting on the ground. Harry had his eyes closed and his head leaning back against the wall. Perspiration showed on his forehead and his hair looked as if it had been styled in a spiky style. It seemed as if he had repeatedly run his hands through it. Ron's hands were covered in small scratches as he had taken to hitting the pixies with books as his wand was in no condition to battle. Harry and Hermione had frozen most of them and stunned some of the lucky ones. The door to Lockhart's office opened and he stepped out looking as perfect as ever. "Ah," he said pompously rubbing his hands together "Professors. I was just showing them the fundamentals of handling pixies." Harry and Ron groaned and Lockhart's smile faltered under McGonagall's stern stare.
****************************************************************************
Another chapter. Will be getting to darker side of plot in next instalment. Please review and thank you for reading.
Take care,
Radagast.
-->