Strange Potter

Hermione was up earlier than usual. Since she had come to Hogwarts and befriended Harry and Neville she had learned to relax more. 

She still was the same person when it came to her studies and class participation but was no longer rushing off to be in her classes before everyone else.

Still, she would be annoyed when Harry almost made them late a few times but that was another matter.

With her precious Crookshanks in her arm, she sat down by the fireplace. The three chairs there were practically labeled for her and the boys. She had a book ready to go over before they came down to go to breakfast when she saw Harry coming in from the main doorway.

He was dripping wet from sweat and had on a very tight spandex-like shirt with his shorts. The shirt was so tight she saw the outline of his stomach...a very fit stomach...

"You're up early." He was running a towel over his wet locks.

"What were you doing?" She quickly asked as she tried to not look at his abs.

"Running and then some martial arts. Usually, no one is here though."

"Isn't that technically sneaking out after curfew?"

"You are not a prefect yet." He smirked back.

Hermione beamed at the fact he already believed she would be one. "No, it wouldn't be right to take points from my fellow one."

Harry laughed back. "I'll consider that a vote of confidence. Well, I need a shower."

"Yeah. You have a very strong scent going."

He waved that off and went upstairs.

Hermione went back to her book but some thoughts and images were starting to get caught in her mind. The outline of Harry's abs...

She blushed with embarrassment before forcing that out of her mind. He's a friend stop Granger...still he's in great shape...STOP...

"Hello, class." Sprout said. "Today's lesson is the on the Mandrake. Who can tell me the dangers of working with these plants?"

Nobody was surprised when Hermione's hands shot up.

"Miss. Granger."

"Mandrake, also known as Mandragora, is a magical sentient plant that has a root that looked like a baby human when young. When matured, its cry could be fatal to any person who heard it."

"Textbook Miss. Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor."

"Hermione Encyclopedia Granger," Harry whispered.

"Scarlet Wizard." She smirked back.

Harry glared at that but they both had a small laugh. 

"These are just young ones so their cry won't kill you but will cause you to pass out, so earmuffs tighten!"

All the children made sure that the muffs were right before they followed the instructions to replant the Mandrakes.

The piercing screams from the ugly plants made most of them wince.

"He's not so bad." Ron said as he tickled the 'chin' of his plant before it bit his finger. "Aha!! You bloody..."

"Mr.Weasley." Sprout stopped him.

Harry grabbed and pulled the plant up. It screamed like the others but he quickly shoved it in another pot and covered it.

Neville and Hermione did the same to theirs. 

Sprout was happy that none of the children slipped on their muffs. Usually one did and thus passed out.

"They are ugly," Susan whispered.

"Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Hermione said back. "But I don't disagree."

After the lesson was over the students went out of the greenhouse but one stayed behind.

"Professor. How goes your other plants?" Harry asked before he left.

"My private business in the desert is still doing very well Mr. Potter." Sprout held her head up, but had a glint in her eyes.

"Happy to hear that." He grinned.

With her experience with the flowers, it made sense for Nicholas to seek her expertise.

Sprout and Nicholas became partners in the development of the soon-to-be most powerful healing potion on the planet.

One that only Stark Industry combined with Harry and Wanda had the only source of.

Although Nicholas was hitting the same issues that Snape did he had taken it with a grin. A challenge was something he always enjoyed.

Between Sprout and him it was quite a treat to watch two experts work.

Practice day. Harry loved to fly and was crazy about Quidditch, being raised by Sirius did that, so it was one of his favorite times of the day.

As the team, plus Hermione and Nevile who took to doing some homework in between watching, they were met with the Slytherin team in full gear.

"What are you doing? We booked the field weeks ago." Oliver asked.

The Slytherin captain smirked. "From Professor Snape." He held up a note.

Oliver snatched it and read. "Training a new Seeker?" And stealing their time on the field.

"New Seeker?" One of the Gryffindor players overheard.

Draco walked through the group. His arrogant smirk with the Slytherin seeker gear. "Looks like the trophy is ours this year." 

"And Snape calls me arrogant." Harry scuffed. "Nice brooms."

The whole team had brand new Nimbus 2001s.

"I can't imagine who got those for you all," George said. "Do you my, less than attractive, brother?"

"I have no idea, my evil twin, Truly a mystery," Fred said with heavy sarcasm.

"Shut it, you poor blood traitors." Draco glared at them.

"Fred I think we just found the next test subject for one of our more permanent pranks."

"The perfect candidate." Fred grinned.

Draco was trying to appear brave but that was not a good situation to be in. Those blood traitors had a lot of free time to do Merlin knows what to him...

"At least Harry earned his way onto the team," Hermione said. "His father didn't have to buy his place on it."

Draco glared at her. "Nobody asked for your opinion you filthy mudblood."

The blonde failed to see the look on Harry's face when he said that word. Not that it would have stopped him.

"Very original." Neville moved between them. "Did you take all night thinking of that insult? It's alright Malfoy not everyone can handle complex thoughts."

"When I want the opinion of a squib and a mudbl..ah??!"

Draco screamed as his stomach was filled with pain. Then he fell to his knees as the agony was too much. "Ah!!!"

"What's wrong with him?"

"Dragon-dung back up?" Fred suggested.

"You should probably take him to the healer. He doesn't look like he will be able to play today." Oliver gleefully suggested.

Hermione turned to Harry. Her questioning look was returned with a quick glow of red from his eyes and his almost trademarked grin.

The captain helped Draco up as the boy was groaning and holding himself. The team was shouting that Professor Snape would hear of this.

"Had to fill in for Draco and his daddy." Harry taunted back.

"Harry, did you do that?" Oliver asked.

"How? My wand is still in my leg strap." Harry motioned down to his leg where he kept his wand when flying.

"Hey, that means the field is ours!" Fred shouted.

"Hurry before someone steals it again." George took off.

The rest of the team followed but Harry was slower after Hermione pulled him back. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did. That word is an insult not just to you. It spits on my mother's grave and I will not let it go unpunished."

"You might get caught." She argued.

"Hermione. I never get caught."

"What exactly did you do to him?"

"Gave him a kidney stone."

"Ouch!" Neville groaned. 

"Madam Pompfey should be able to clear it up fast," Harry told them. "But if he keeps saying that word they keep coming back. Slightly larger each time. Not big enough to do damage but he won't be very happy as it moves."

"Bloody hell!"

"Language...that is a little cruel."

"Actions have consequences."

"You know Snape is not going to let that stand," Neville said.

"Yeah, speaking of which can you do me a favor and go get Professor McGonagall? Hopefully, she can be here to make sure Snape doesn't do something stupid."

"Good thinking." Neville took off back to the castle.

It wasn't long into the team training that the Head of the Slytherins marched down to the field.

"Potter!" 

Harry rolled his eyes and flew down. "Yes Professor?"

"Your arrogance has surpassed even your fathers. Casting curses on students!"

"I should have put down money that Malfoy would blame Harry," Fred whispered.

"Well, sir. What proof is there that I cast anything?"

"I know you did it!"

"What is going on down here?" 

Snape straighten up when he found McGonagall staring at him. Her stern eyes were practically looking through him.

"Potter here cursed Mr. Malfoy and then your team stole the field from the Slytherin practice."

"Slytherin? I know that Gryffindor reserved the field today. But what is this about cursing Mr. Malfoy?"

"I'm waiting for that explanation myself Professor," Harry answered. "I asked for proof and to quote him. 'I know you did it!'"

She turned back to Snape. "Care to elaborate on this?"

"The Slytherin team was set to use the field for Malfoys training when they were confronted by your team. Words were exchanged, fortunately, my house was more restrained to lower themselves to use their wands, when Potter curses Malfoy. He is in Poppy care at the moment."

"Other than Mr. Malfoys claim do you have any proof?"

Of course, he doesn't. 

"The entire team vouched for Mr. Malfoy's claim."

"Harry didn't cast anything," Neville said.

"Professor we were all there. None of us even drew a wand. Even Harry." Oliver said next.

"Mr. Potter." McGonagall turned to him. "Hold out your wand." Harry did and she cast a quick spell. "Severus his wand has no such curse cast from it."

Snape glared at him before turning to his friends. "Then one of the others. Or the Weasley troublemakers."

"I will not test all their wands. You and Mr. Malfoy both cast blame on him and he was found without any. Off with you." She told the team.

Harry nodded smiling at Snape since he knew the man would hate that more than anything else he did.

"Another thing." The older professor said. "You can not override the schedule of the field to give your team an advantage."

"Advantage?! I was making sure the new Seeker was well prepared."

"And if I did that with Mr. Potter when he earned his place on the team you would accuse me of pampering. Interesting that the one student who acts most like James, in his youth, is the one you keep catering to. If Mr. Malfoy needs more practice than all the others then he should not have been put on the team."

Snape held in a glare and walked away. He knew Potter had cursed Draco but didn't know how he did it. He would find out and have the brat in detention for the rest of the year.

"Now class." Lockhart stood in front with his bright smile. "I need a volunteer for a demonstration. Mr. Potter."

Harry looked between his friends in confusion. "No thank you, sir." He forced out the last word.

"Come now, Harry. I won't take no for an answer."

You will regret that. 

Hermione was fighting a losing battle with her tongue. She had to listen to this fraud as he took credit for so many people. She wasn't sure how long she could.

Harry reluctantly got up and was forced to endure reenacting some of the fraud's incredible' acts. 

I feel like a trained monkey...Sirius, you had better act fast before I am forced to take desperate actions.

"And with that very spell, I was able to thrash the dangerous vampire and save the village from another dark and terrifying time. I caught the monster mid-strike with it."

Those that didn't know the truth all gave him a clap for his 'heroics.' Harry however saw it as an opportunity.

"Can we see that spell, Professor?" Harry asked.

"I don't think that is the best use of the class time."

"But to see you actually in action! That would be incredible."

The talk around the class said that many of them would indeed like to see Lockhart perform his feats.

"Here." Harry stood over near the chalkboard. . "I'll stand and cast a tickling charm as the attack."

"I don't wish to harm you, Mr. Potter."

"I think you should have more than enough control not to Professor. I mean you handled that vampire with no casualties! I'll duck behind this to be safe." He did and held out his arm. "Ready?"

Lockhart was in a difficult situation here. All these eyes were watching and after that story, he was forced to take the initiative. It was just a second year. There was no way the boy could cast faster than he could move.

"Very well Mr. Potter." He pulled out his wand.

Just as Lockhart was about to cast his footing gave out. Meaning Harry had caused his shoes to be tied together and he took the full force of the spell.

It was a sight, seeing the famed wizards being taken down by a second year. Harry let the charm go for a little longer than was necessary before stopping, but not before the man accidentally lost control over some of the contents of his bladder.

"I can't say I was too impressed Professor." 

The man was always quick to think of an excuse so he had one ready. "Very good work Mr. Potter. If you had been an actual vampire you would have no doubt be getting in a lucky swipe." He tried. "Remember class that sometimes luck can be against you. Had my footing not been compromised due to the uneven stone the situation would have been vastly different."

Many of the room were perplexed by that. The stone was very smooth and even throughout the classroom.

Lockhart told them the class was dismissed and ran to the back to hide his mistake and to change his trousers.

"Uneven floor?" Hermione growled as they walked away. "How did I not see the truth sooner."

"His smile distracted you." 

"Please stop rubbing that in."

"I have maybe two more jokes then I'll be satisfied and stop," Harry replied.

"Prat..."

"You love me and you know..." He teased but when he realized what he said both of them had a slight blush.

"Mr. Potter." A new voice caught the attention of the three.

"Oh hey, Headless Nick." Harry was happy for the distraction.

The ghost bowed and his head slipped off into his hands. "Mr. Potter I have come to personally invite you to my Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington's five-hundredth Deathday Party."

"That...is..a mouthful," Neville said.

"I'm flattered Nick but I don't think a ghost party is really for me," Harry said. At least when I'm not allowed to slip into my astral form.

"Don't force me to beg my boy. You..." Nick stopped when he realized he was about to slip. "You would be doing me a favor."

"I...alright Nick."

"Wonderful! Please bring all your friends as well."

"The food may have been less than desirable but those ghosts do seem to have fun," Susan said as they left the party.

"Less than desirable?" Hermione scuffed. "I understand that ghosts need it to be stronger in taste and smell but it was disgusting! Rotten fish..." She had to stop herself from gaging.

"Good thing someone learned the bubble head charm." Neville joked to her.

"It wasn't that difficult to do." Hermione shrugged. Reading ahead had many uses.

"Saved us from having to grab nose plugs," Harry smirked. 

"Headless Nick was very happy tonight." Luna skipped. 

"I still don't understand how he was able to remove his head," Blaise said.

"Said a friend helped. My guess is he wants to keep who that was quiet." Hermione said with an eye on Harry.

He shrugged back as they continued their walk. But as the six walked they were hit with another faint smell.

"Do you guys smell that?" Blaise asked.

"Smells...like...copper?" Luna was puzzled.

"That's not copper. It's blood." Harry said and took off running towards the sent.

"Harry!" Hermione chased after. Bloody hero...

The other four ran after them. They got to the spot where they stopped and found the source of the smell. They could see the lights were on in the main corridor, the floor was flooded, and the main sconces in the area were out. 

Through the faint light of the other fires, they saw the writing painted on the wall in blood.

The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir; beware!

The group saw the blood dripping and felt a very stilling dread fill them. It was very fresh. The only one with no fear was the one in front. He was too busy taking stock of the scene.

Harry was the first to see the other warning. "Mrs. Norris?"

Hermione and Susan gasped at the sight of the cat hanging in the air.

"Is she dead?"

"I don't know," Harry answered. "I don't think so."

"Why would someone attack Mr. Filch's cat?" Luna asked. "Maybe it was..."

The sounds of dozens of people stampeding through the corridors interrupted her, the feast finally let out and all the students were heading back to their dorms.

"What is going on here?" An angry voice shouted. Harry didn't need to look in the direction to know Filch when he heard him. "What mess have you made now?"

"We didn't..." Hermione began but she was interrupted by the angry man.

"I'll see you all expelled for befouling the castle!" He sneered, before he stepped around Harry, and saw his beloved cat hanging from the sconce. "No..." His face was a mix of rage and pain.

"Enemies of the heir...You'll be next Mudb.." Draco let out another pained scream as the curse he was under took hold.

Bloody idiot. Just stop saying it.

The students parted when the headmaster and the rest of the staff moved to the front of the scene.

"All students return to your dorms," Dumbledore instructed calmly. When no one moved he spoke again. "Now." It was just as calm but carried a lot of force behind it and they did as instructed. "Mr. Potter you and your friends stay behind."

The six waited as the other left. 

"What happened here?" McGonagall asked.

"He killed my cat!" Filch shouted at Harry and charged. "I'll kill you for that you...!"

He didn't get a chance when Harry whipped out his wand. "Inmobulus!"

The man fell to the ground as the spell hit.

"Mr.Potter!"

"He tried to attack me! Sorry, but when someone says they're going to kill me I stop them. I'm funny like that."

"No harm would have come to you, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said.

"He's the third staff member to try to attack me so far." Harry glared in Snape's direction. "I was not going to let him be the second to succeed."

Dumbledore didn't look happy at that statement and freed the man, then carefully lowered the animal down and performed some spells. "She's not dead, Argus. She has been petrified."

"What were you all doing here?" Sprout asked next. She did check with her house every feast and knew Susan wasn't there.

"If I may," Snape spoke. "Perhaps Potter and his friends were just in the wrong place at the wrong time?"

Harry immediately grew concerned. No way Snape would say that unless it was leading to something.

"But then again. I don't recall seeing Potter or his friends at the feast."

"We were at Headless Nicks party," Blaise spoke up. "He invited Harry and us. I was curious so I went."

Snape gave him a slightly less angry glare. "Without supper?"

"Have you seen what they have for their meals Professor?" Harry asked. "Nick gave us a heads up, no pun intended, about it and we all grabbed something to eat in the kitchen before we went. I can call the house elf who served us here if you would like?"

"That will not be necessary Mr. Potter," Dumbledore spoke. "Did you happen to see anything here out of the ordinary, besides the obvious, when you arrived?"

"No. Just that we must have just missed whoever did it. The blood was fresh and still dripping when we got here."

"What about my cat!! Mrs. Norris..."

"Argus, Professor Sprout has a crop of mandrakes growing as we speak. As soon as they have matured, she will harvest them, and I will have a potion made that shall restore Mrs. Norris. You have my word." Dumbledore reassured.

"I'll make it." Lockhart cut in. "I must have done it a hundred times..."

"I believe I'm the Potion Master of the school." Snape shut the man up.

Wow, we both can agree that Lockhart is a moron. Now if only he could admit my father was a better man...no I would settle for him to just stop demeaning him.

"You and your friends are free to go Mr. Potter. If anything else comes to mind please let me know."

"Reasonable request." Harry shrugged. After I tell Doc and Sirius, and mum, and Wanda.

"Very good. Filius would you be kind enough to escort them to their dorms?"

"Of course." The small charms professor said. "With me."

After they were separated between their house the three Gryffindors we're seeing the speculation going on in the tower.

"Why would someone petrify Mrs. Norris?" Hermione spoke out loud when they took their seats by the fire.

"Maybe it was self-defense?" Fred overheard. "It's no secret that she hates everyone but Filch."

"Harry too," George said. "Heard you were a cat whisperer." He teased the boy.

"Animals like me."

"Animals maybe. Mrs. Norris is a demon escaped from the bowels of hell itself."

"I've heard the same about you," Harry argued.

"That's....alright fair point." Both twins considered what had been said about them.

"You two didn't have anything to do with this?" Neville asked.

"No."

"Can't claim this one. I don't think either of us even knows a spell that could do it."

"Not yet at least. But it does sound interesting..."

"No."

Both twins found Percy standing there.

"Always the wet blanket." They said together and left the other three there.

"Did you notice that the place where she was found didn't have any portraits?" Hermione realized.

"Yeah. Someone didn't want to be seen."

"So it was either a well-planned prank or a dark warning."

"Both are disturbing," Neville said.

"I need to contact Doc." Harry decided.

Across the room, a young redhead watched the three, but her eyes were focused mainly on the raven-haired boy. She shook her head and headed up the stairs to her bed. 

She shut the currents behind her before writing in her new journal.

Tom? Something happened. 

What is it? Are you hurt?

No. Just I blacked out and when I woke up there was a crowd and someone attacked Mr. Flich's cat! 

Have you been blacking out a lot?

Not that I can remember.

Hmm. Maybe it would be wise to keep track of these events. If it happens again tell me and we'll document it here. Perhaps we can find a pattern.

Maybe I should tell one of my brothers. Percy is a git but he is smart too.

That might not be wise. He may want to send you home.

I won't let him...okay I'll keep track of any more issues and write them down.

Good. Together we can work this out, Ginny. 

Thank you. It's good having you as a friend.

Of course. How is everything else going? 

It's been...odd being away from home. I'm learning a lot but...

What is it?

Harry won't even look at me. I...freeze up when he's around but he doesn't even seem to notice I exist.

That's not very nice. Have you tried talking to him?

I can't. He's just so much. The twins told me he fought a full-grown mountain troll! It's just like the stories mum told me.

Stories? Can you share a few? I love stories.

Alright...

Stephen was practicing a new spell when he knew he wasn't alone.

"Harry." He didn't turn around.

"How'd you know?" The boys asked.

"I always know." Stephen stopped. "Something happened."

"Yes. It's....odd?'

"I'm listening."

"Someone attacked and petrified a cat."

"A cat?"

"Yeah. It was after the Halloween feast. We found the poor girl hanging in the air with the words 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir Beware.'"

"Heir? Chamber?"

"Not sure on that one."

"Attacking a cat but not killing it doesn't feel like the warning this Dobby said."

"True, but it was something."

"Any chance this is a prank from one of the students?"

"We checked with the twins. They said they didn't do it but I read their minds to be safe. They were telling the truth."

"It's not enough for me to intervene. There's no evidence it isn't a schoolyard child pulling a joke."

"I figured. I'm going to go tell Sirius and mum just so they are in the loop."

"Good. I'll look into seeing if there's something that can be done to fix the cat."

"Mrs. Norris. That would definitely help Filch. He's really upset. I was going to try to fix her but there were too many people around. Now she's locked in the nurse's section. Poppy is like a hawk there so I'm not going try anything there."

"Very well. Go on. I'm sure Nat and Sirius are waiting." While I learn about this Chamber...

"Regulus too. Sometimes I wonder how he gets by without me."

"I could ask the same of you," Stephen smirked back.

Harry grinned and portaled home.

Petrify a cat? Hardly a dangerous situation. Unless...if this was just a tester...unfortunately there is little to do with that.