Chapter 9
Ron was pretty sure that he hated school.
It was exhausting both physically and mentally. Every day he had to climb up and down countless staircases and up and down endless hallways, all very quickly so as not to be late. The homework, while not a lot, was still pretty difficult. It was still hard even if Ron was friends with Blaise Zabini and Hermione Granger, who were the smartest people in the school. He was looking forward to the first weekend; hopefully those would be far more relaxing than the weekdays.
He was pouring sugar onto his porridge when the owls arrived.
Ron was used to this by now; the Weasleys only had one owl for a long time, Errol, and he was a very old and lazy bird. The hundreds of owls flying into the Great Hall via the huge window had been a shock at first, causing both Ron and Harley to flinch. He barely registered it now, especially since he never got mail.
Since he wasn't expecting a letter, Ron didn't even glance away from his breakfast. So he jumped in panic when a letter landed directly in his porridge.
"Errol!" he complained when he saw the gray bird, who had collapsed in front of Hermione. She was staring at him in alarm.
Hermione had only sat with them for a couple of days, but most of the Slytherins ignored it by now, especially since the King had made a point of talking to her and expressing admiration for her knowledge and cleverness.
"That owl's yours?" Blaise asked dryly, as Harley fed Errol a few raisins.
"He belongs to the whole family, technically," Ron sighed, picking the letter out of his bowl. It was covered in porridge and gross-looking.
Draco made a face and disappeared behind the copy of the Daily Prophet. Hermione rolled her eyes and held out her hand for Ron's letter.
"Ronnie."
Fred's voice was quiet and worried, so Ron didn't flinch. He turned around in his seat and said, "Yeah?"
"You got a letter from home?" George said.
"Yeah."
Hermione handed the letter back to him, now clean. Ron unrolled it and began to read.
Ron,
It's not safe to come home right now. Your mother can't disown you or kick you out of the house, but she can make your life miserable. I'm taking her to a Mind Healer so she can learn that you are not evil and won't immediately become a Death Eater, or ever become a Death Eater. It might be best to stay at Hogwarts or a friend's for Christmas.
Just know that I love you for who you are, and you are a good person. I believe in you, and I am proud of you.
-Dad
Ron struggled not to cry. He silently handed the letter to his brothers and went back to his breakfast, desperately begging for a distraction.
Unfortunately, he got it.
Draco gasped.
"What's wrong?" Neville asked worriedly.
"Someone's tried to rob Gringotts!" Draco hissed, spreading the paper out so everyone could read. Ron craned his head around so he could see the article.
GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST
Investigations continue into the break-in at
Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be
the work of Dark Wixen unknown.
Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing
had been taken. The vault that was searched
had in fact been emptied the same day.
"But we're not telling you what was in there,
so keep your noses out if you know what's
good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin
this afternoon.
"Why is it so surprising and shocking that someone broke into a bank?" Harrison asked slowly, scanning the article again.
"The vaults in Gringotts have such tight security that it's almost completely impossible to break in," Blaise answered. "The deeper the vaults go, the tighter the security is, because the oldest, richest, most respected families have those vaults. There are rumors that some have dragons guarding them."
Harley lit up. "Harrison I want-"
"Absolutely not."
Fred and George snickered. "You're not the only one who wants a dragon as a pet," Fred said. "Hagrid, the groundskeeper, has wanted one his whole life. He knows a lot about dangerous, exciting creatures. Apparently he has a pet Cerberus that he keeps at his dad's old house."
Ron didn't notice the swift exchange between Harrison and Harley, but his brothers and Blaise did.
"I want-"
"No."
"What could be so important that someone would try to steal it from Gringotts?" Hermione asked curiously.
"And who would be powerful and clever enough to not get caught?" Neville added.
"We're going to be late for Potions," Draco said, a mixture of nervous and excited. "Severus is known to be really strict, even with his own House."
"We'll see you baby noodles later," Fred grinned, ruffling Ron's hair.
"Gerroff, Fred!"
"Noodles?"
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," Severus said in a very soft whisper. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses.... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death -- as long as you have the patience and instincts to work with such a dangerous craft."
Silence. No one moved. Most people looked anxious.
"This year, I have decided to do something... I have not done in previous years," Severus said slowly. "Previously, I would have you choose your own partners. However, once you have graduated, you will not have the luxury of choosing who you work with, and will be paired with someone who is not of your old House. So. I will be choosing your partners, and with a few exceptions, you will be paired with someone not of your House. You will not ask me why there are exceptions and if I hear of you pestering the exceptions for the reason I will put you in detention. Is this clear?"
"Yes, Professor," the Slytherins said in unison. Most of the Gryffindors seemed a little uncertain, though.
"I said," Severus whispered, "is this clear?"
"Yes, Professor," the rest of the Gryffindors said quickly.
"Good. Stand up, get your things, and head to the back."
Once the students had vacated their seats, Severus said, "I will call you two at a time and you will come and sit where I tell you. I will be watching you throughout class. If I believe you work well with your partner, you will keep them. If not, you will not have the same partner in the next class. Does everyone understand?"
This time everyone answered in the affirmative.
"Good." Severus picked up the roll. "Miss Bem Abubakar, Miss Millicent Bullstrode." He pointed at two desks on the first row all the way to the left. The two girls sat down.
"Miss Lavender Brown, Mr. Vincent Crabbe." Front row.
"Miss Kellah Byrne, Miss Tracey Davis." Back row.
"Miss Fay Dunbar, Mr. Gregory Goyle." Front row.
"Mr. Seamus Finnigan, Miss Daphne Greengrass." Middle row.
"Miss Molly Jones, Miss Pansy Parkinson." Middle Row.
"Mr. Draco Malfoy, Mr. Theodore Nott." Back row.
"Miss Parvati Patil, Miss Serena Rookwood." Middle row.
"Mr. Harlequin Potter-Black, Mr. Harrison Potter-Black." Back row.
"Mr. Dean Thomas, Mr. Ronald Weasley." Front row.
"Mr. Blaise Zabini, Mx. Xinyi Zhang." Back row.
Once everyone had seated, Severus said, "We will be brewing a simple potion to cure boils today. One partner will read aloud the instructions and the other will prepare and add the ingredients to the cauldron. When you have finished, you will put some of the potion into a vial and bring it to my desk. Homework will be to discuss with your partner about the mistakes you both made, why they were mistakes, and what those mistakes led to, then write an essay together about how you will both do better on the next potion. If the potion is perfect -- which I doubt, as this should be your first time brewing -- you will discuss why your potion was made correctly and write an essay together about that."
"We have to write an essay with a Slytherin?" Seamus Finnigan sputtered.
Silence. Finnigan shrank a little.
"Mr. Finnigan," Severus said very quietly. "This is a very dangerous subject. Speaking out of turn may cause damage or injury. I expect all of you to raise your hand and wait for me to call on you before speaking, unless it is an emergency.
"Yes, you will have to write an essay with your partners. As I said, you cannot control who you will be working with in your job. Your employers will see any complaint you make about working with someone you dislike -- a dislike based purely on what House they were sorted in, having never met the person -- as childish and immature. If you have a legitimate issue with your partner, you may come to me."
Silence again.
"Begin," Severus said shortly.
The class went rather well, considering. Severus would never doubt Harrison's suggestions again. There were a few moments when Brown and Dunbar got a bit frustrated with their partners, but in the end, there were no accidents or arguments. None of their potions were perfect, but none of them were deadly, so all of them got their vials to Severus' desk.
"Mr.s Potter-Black, stay behind a moment," Severus said when the bell rang.
"Professor, can I talk to you?" Dunbar said carefully.
"Yes, very well, Miss Dunbar," Severus sighed, waving her over.
The two Slytherins and the Gryffindor girl headed over to his desk. Severus noticed that Byrne and Jones waited for Dunbar, and most of the Slytherin boys waited for the twins.
Severus looked at the girl expectantly.
"Do you know what Dyslexia is, sir?" she asked cautiously.
Severus blinked. "You believe Mr. Goyle has Dyslexia."
"I think Crabbe might have it too?" Dunbar added nervously. "Lavender snapped at him for reading several labels wrong."
"Is that why your frustration disappeared halfway through?" Harrison said blankly.
"You know what Dyslexia is, too?" Dunbar said in surprise. Harrison and Harley nodded. "I thought you grew up in the wixen world."
"Nah, we grew up with our Muggle aunt," Harley shrugged. "I got ADHD, I could probably help Crabby and Boil."
"Harley," Harrison said sharply.
"Sorry, don't insult students and work on my brain-to-mouth filter," Harley muttered.
Dunbar laughed. "I won't tell anyone, but I'm sure any Muggle-raised wixen, or wixen who know about mental disorders, would notice that you have ADHD."
Severus cleared his throat, and Dunbar jumped, blanching. "Thank you for informing me of this, Miss Dunbar," Severus said coolly. "You may leave."
"You're welcome, Professor." Dunbar left, and her friends joined her.
As soon as the door shut, Severus rubbed his forehead in annoyance. "Dumbledore wants to speak to you again. He saw you reading the newspaper, I am sure about the Gringotts article."
Harrison's expression turned shrewd, and Harley grinned maniacally. "Harrikin's got a plaaaaannnnnnn," he cooed.
Severus made a face. "You sound like Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Whatever was in that vault is now at Hogwarts, under that trapdoor in the third-floor corridor," Harrison said quietly.
"How do you know about the trapdoor?" Severus demanded.
"I always have Harley scout anywhere we have to be for any period of time," Harrison said bluntly, but still softly. "He's already gotten past all of the tests."
"I told Albus they were too easy," Severus groaned.
"Hey!" Harley said indignantly.
"I assume you were the one who figured out my riddle, not Harley?" Severus said irritably.
"Yes," Harrison said. "We are going to meet with Dumbledore, as often as he requests it. He's going to hint that the Dark Lord Voldemort-" Severus flinched "-is after whatever was in Gringotts and is now at Hogwarts." Harrison studied him. "Why does his name hurt you?"
Harley looked worried and alarmed.
"Dumbledore assumes it is because the Dark Lord cursed our marks to be in pain if we say his name or anyone else says his name in our presence," Severus said quietly. "But, while I wouldn't put it past the Dark Lord to do that, at least to the Outer Circle and the Lower Death Eaters, he didn't cast it on any of the Inner Circle or Elite, as far as I know."
"You're closer to him than anyone else," Harrison said softly.
"Are you angry about that?" Severus asked.
"You assume I would be, because he killed our parents and tried to kill us," Harrison said calmly. "Harley and I are not attached to our parents' memories, and the only witness of that night is currently a wraith. The only emotions I have towards your master are curiosity, admiration, and caution."
Severus relaxed slightly. "He's one of my mates," he whispered.
Harley's eyes widened.
"And I couldn't tell him. Not... not after all the death and torture."
"He let you in, though," Harrison said slowly. "You're closer to him than anyone else, which means he trusts you more than anyone else. He is capable of emotion. Could you persuade him to be... less psychopathic?"
"I don't know," Severus said honestly. "No one's ever tried to tell him what to do before, or even try to persuade him to change. Although he does grant my requests, if he's capable of it."
He tried not to think about the last request Severus gave Voldemort.
"We need to find him," Harrison said after a long pause. "He is either an enemy or an ally. If he's an enemy, I want to know where he is at all times. If he's an ally, I want his trust and assistance, and I won't get that unless I assist him in his hunt for a body."
"Dumbledore believes he will come for the object he took from Gringotts," Severus said. "It's the Sorcerer's Stone, which can grant eternal life and endless riches. It can supposedly give the Dark Lord a body, according to Dumbledore."
"How do you know the Stone is real?" Harrison asked shrewdly.
"Most likely it isn't," Severus admitted. "The makers of the Stone, Nicolas Flamel and his wife, were once friends with Dumbledore, but now have little trust or care for the man. They've been in hiding for years. I wouldn't put it past the old man to have a fake Stone to lure the Dark Lord into a trap.
"The Dark Lord would know this is a trap, however, and wouldn't fall for it," Severus added. "So, he is still most likely somewhere in Albania."
"That narrows it down so much," Harley said sarcastically.
"He wouldn't be anywhere with people," Harrison pointed out, "otherwise they would have found him by now. He would try to find assistance with wixen he trusts, or at least a wixen he can easily control, and be somewhere that no one would be able to find him."
"Snakes," Severus said slowly. "He can talk to snakes. All magical descendants of Slytherin can. A Serpents' instincts will be to obey any Parselmouth. I believe he might be in a forest."
"Harley, how fast can you get to the Albanian forest and back?"
The viper was minding her own business when a human child appeared out of nowhere. She hissed in alarm and bared her fangs.
"~Hey, it's cool beans, noodle baby!~" the child grinned.
~A speaker!~ she hissed, relaxing instantly. ~What is a noodle baby?~
"~That's just what I call snakes,~" the boy shrugged. "~I'm looking for another speaker, a wraith.~"
~I have not seen the wraith speaker, but I know of whom you speak, hatchling,~ she responded. She slithered off the branch and onto the boy's shoulders. ~I will take you to Nagini.~