"Mr. Potter."
"Mr. Flint."
"Mind stepping out so we can have a chat while I do my patrol, just to the end of the train and back."
"Not at all." Harry quickly joined the older boy. He had things he wanted to tell Flint. He waited while Marcus cast a privacy spell.
"It has been established that the Weasley twins weren't responsible for last year's end of year prank. The next suspect is you. You should be prepared for some hostility towards you."
"And this is different from last year how?"
"Fair point."
"Mr. Flint, I have come to the conclusion that Dumbledore has done an equally inept job hiring this year's defense instructor as he did last year's."
"What makes you come to that conclusion?"
"I read all the books. Aside from or perhaps I should say in addition to being three-quarter's or more self-aggrandizement, they don't line up. In several places he's two places at once. I've noticed that wizards aren't big in the logic department, but I don't know of any magic that allows that. Also the man, and I use that phrase loosely, is… off. I recommend that the house be on its guard where he's concerned. As much as I hate to say this I would urge a never be alone with him policy. He accosted me in Diagon Alley atFlourish and Blotts. He was semi-aroused while forcing me to stand next to him. Maybe it was more because of the crowd, but I will do whatever I have to to avoid him like I would the plague."
"I will take note of your concerns. Unfortunately I can't do much about them. I will let the Professor know. Now, next topic: did you get a broom?"
"Yes, a Nimbus 2001."
"Great, I." They were interrupted when Marcus had to break up a fight between Roger Davies and another Ravenclaw chaser and one of the Hufflepuff beaters. Marcus took five points each and recommended they save it for the pitch. After a couple more minutes he and Harry resumed their walk. "How's Sandra?"
"Good. Best thing I ever did, hiring her. She's settling well. I have a communication mirror with her if you ever want to borrow it."
"I might, Mum was sober when she picked me up, and was concerned when Uncle Robert threw his little tantrum last summer. She asked me what I knew, I just said she had been offered a job. I didn't say anything else, because Mum has loose lips when drunk."
"That's good, that you didn't say much I mean. So, am I to take it that the official story of this walk is you're checking your cousin's well-being and reaming me over the end of year prank?"
"Yup."
"Cool. Anything else?"
"No try and keep your nose clean this year."
"I'll do my best, but not everything is under my control. One last thing, what's the password since this is private?" By this point they had returned to the compartment Harry shared with his friends.
"Black Mamba."
"Cool. Thanks Marcus."
"That's Mr. Flint to you."
"Yes, sir. Mr. Seventh Year Prefect, sir."
Marcus dropped the privacy spell. "You just watch yourself, Potter."
Hermione had a relieved look when he came back. "What was that about?"
"Getting chewed out for the end of term prank I pulled."
"That was you!" all three girls nearly shrieked in unison.
"Yes."
"Harry that wasn't very nice at all." Susan said half scolding, half pouting.
"I know but neither was the way I got treated last year. I got treated like a leper by just about everyone for most of the year. I thought a reminder that none of us is perfect would not come amiss."
Hermione checked herself, instead of spouting off as she was tempted to do. Harry had been treated abominably by most everyone last year, even the study group had been fearful of him for no reason at first. She noticed Hannah and Susan seemed to come to the same conclusion. Then she noticed the other two boys weren't surprised by this revelation, "You two knew, didn't you?"
Neville and Aaron shared a look, and Neville spoke up, "Hermione, we were at points last year being treated as badly as Harry, and like him not necessarily just by students. In point of fact Dumbledore strongly suggested I stop being friends with Harry, and yes that is the HEADMASTER Dumbledore."
Aaron spoke next, "And I have been attacked more than once by Gryffindors and since there were no witnesses your head of house has brushed it off at best, and I'm talking about getting beaten up to the point that it took Skele-grow to fix. Do know how much it hurts to regrow bones?"
All three girls got slightly stricken looks on their faces.
"Enough, hopefully this year things will be better. I want to warn all of you though. I don't trust the new Defense teacher."
"But Harry…"
"Don't let his pretty, glossy, exterior fool you. I read his books. They are eighty nine percent information about him, and eleven percent useful information that you could get from other less expensive sources. His timelines have him in two places at once more than once, and frankly the way he accosted me in Flourish and Blotts, I got a serious pervert vibe."
"What do you mean 'he accosted you', Harry?" Susan asked suspiciously.
"He grabbed me and forced me to be in front of the press, not a place I care to be. But if that wasn't enough, he held me close enough that he was-" Harry shuddered. "pressed against me." His voice reeked of disgust.
Aaron, Hermione, Susan, and Neville's eyes widened. Most of them had either gotten "the talk" that year or the year before. Aaron asked the question in all their minds, "Do you mean?"
Harry nodded vigorously.
"Oh my God." Hermione squeaked.
Hannah looked at them "What? I don't get it."
Five sets of horrified eyes whipped to her.
Susan looked appalled, but decided this information was too important not to share. Blushing brightly she said, "I'll explain in the dorm tonight."
Neville lost his appalled look and got a very curious expression on his face. "Is that why you?"
Harry's expression changed to an impish one and he nodded. " You didn't think I did that just because of a few pictures, did you?"
"I wasn't sure."
....
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