Chapter 23: The Lockhart ExperienceNotes:(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text"Seriously," Ron started nearby as both Hufflepuffs and Grffindors waited for their first class to start, which was Herbology this year. "What is with all of these girls? They're already going crazy about Lockhart and we haven't even started school yet. Well… We're about too, but you know what I mean," he complained to Neville.
"I guess?" Neville started unsure. He hadn't really been paying attention. He was nervous the first day back. He constantly worried what would happen his first day that would embarrass him at the start of the year. Something always happened like that to him, even if this was just his second year.
"Lavender's been constantly carrying on about his articles in that Teen Witch magazine she seems to worship. So many of them were all sighing and being dreamy last night in the common room and again this morning," Ron grumbled.
"I hear ya," Seamus started. "Bloody crazy, I tell ya. We know nothing of value about him. He could be a complete fraud for all we know. Damn annoying how so many girls are all starry eyed about him already. It was crazy when he introduced himself," the Irish boy complained. The truth was he was a bit jealous Lockhart got so much attention from all of the girls. That didn't mean what he said wasn't true though.
"Good Morning everyone," Professor Sprout started with a big smile as she placed down a box filled with ear muffs. Ron and Seamus stopped complaining, but gave each other nods showing their agreement that girls were just mental.
"This year we have a long-term project we will be going over along with our usual lessons. I'm most excited to have a batch of mandrakes this year. Be warned though. They are dangerous," she started.
"We will start off by repotting some. Now before we get started, who can tell me something about mandrakes?" she asked the class.
Hermione's hand immediately shot up. "Miss Granger?" Professor Sprout called with a fond smile.
"Mandrakes have powerful restorative properties. They are often used to reverse transfigurations or those who have been cursed. They're also used in many antidotes. They're dangerous because their cries are fatal to all who hear it," Hermione answered easily.
"Excellent! Ten points to Hufflepuff!" Professor Sprout said with a smile.
"The mandrakes we are working with are currently only seedlings, so their cries won't kill you," the professor said.
Several students sighed in relief.
"But it will land you in the Hospital Wing for a couple of days at least," she added.
The students no longer felt relieved.
"Now then everyone, four to a tray and all of you make sure to grab a set of ear muffs. They will protect you from the mandrakes' cries," she finished.
The students quickly got into groups and many of them quickly grabbed a set of ear muffs. They didn't want to end up with the fuzzy pink ones. When it was Hannah's turn pick a pair, she gave a shrug and grabbed the pink fuzzy ones. They reminded her of one Tonks' favorite hair colors.
The students were soon ready to start and Professor Sprout seemed almost a little disappointed she didn't end up with pink fuzzy ear muffs. "When I give you the signal, put on your ear muffs. Pull out the mandrake by the base right above the soil of their current pots. Be careful, they can put up a fuss. Then you will put them in the new pot and bury them with the provided soil," she instructed.
She counted down to three and they all got started.
Even with the ear muffs, everyone could still hear the mandrakes' terrible cries. The mandrake Harry first pulled out looked like the ugliest baby he had ever seen. He involuntarily gave it a grimace. Surprisingly, the mandrake made a face back at him. Harry was intrigued and made another face at it. The mandrake seemed to chuckle like a baby would at someone giving it funny faces. Harry gave it a smile before placing it in the new pot and burying it in new soil.
After that, Harry did the same thing with the other mandrakes he had to repot. Hermione, Hannah, and Susan were very intrigued by this. They tried their luck with their own mandrakes. It seemed to work really well. Soon instead of terrible cries, their mandrakes gave laughs that might be annoying, but much preferred to the alternative. No one else seemed to notice what they were doing though.
Once the class came to an end, they removed their ear muffs and Professor Sprout gave a bright smile. "Well done, you four! What made you think to try that?" she asked them. The class was paying attention now.
The girls looked to Harry. "I made a grimace at my first one and it laughed. I tried it with the others after that. I was thinking of how babies like it when you make silly faces at them. It seemed to work and Hermione, Hannah and Susan tried it as well," Harry explained.
"Excellent thinking, Harry. That is a method I have heard of before, but usually people just quickly repot them to get it over with. It will be interesting to see if this has any effect on the ones you all repotted," Professor Sprout said.
She waved her wand and the pots from their tray were given special markers for further study. "Take ten points for Hufflepuff. For your unique approach," she said.
"Very well class. You are all dismissed for the day. Read the section in your books about Mandrakes and write ten inches about them for your assignment. And Mr. Weasley… I remind you, purposefully writing large does not count," she said.
Ron turned red and left quickly as the other Gryffindors laughed at him. Ron always tried some trick like that thinking it would make his assignments easier. It sometimes worked, but most of the time it didn't. He was barely above the bottom of their year as a result, even if he was still passing.
[-] [-] [-]
As they walked the halls, Harry gave a sigh. "We have Lockhart next," he said with a frown. The man already tried to approach Harry a couple of times that morning, but the girls didn't let him get near the fellow Hufflepuff. None of them were looking forward to his class. Hermione, Hannah, and Susan were probably the only girls not excited about him.
Hermione didn't get the other girls. She could understand crushing on Lockhart, since she realized she probably would have as well, but Harry was so much better. Other guys were as well.
Cedric was very much the charmer and handsome to boot. Some of the Ravenclaws had a very dignified scholar appeal to them and weren't on the bad looking side either. Harry was still the best in her mind and part of her was secretly glad the other girls were foolishly crushing on Lockhart instead. Things really were complicated in her mind.
Hermione was disappointed more girls weren't crushing on her superior choice. At the same time, she was glad not to have the competition. Hermione knew and understood a lot of things. Feelings and crushes weren't a part of those subject though.
When the group entered the DADA classroom, they were all staring in awe. The room was covered from wall to wall in pictures of Lockhart. All of them were giving that cheesy smile of his girls still seemed to fall for and some of them were even winking and waving at different students. Add to that their books all had Lockhart on the cover as well, and he literally was everywhere in the room.
As they sat down, Harry shook his head. "If you looked up narcissism in the dictionary, I bet you would see a picture of Lockhart," Harry said causing Hermione and Hannah to giggle.
Susan was too busy staring in disbelief at their new professor's choice of décor. This wasn't even his office. It was the classroom. This took vanity to a new level. She was shocked when she heard a girl nearby give a dreamy sigh as she smiled at the pictures in return.
The doors soon opened and Lockhart marched inside smiling widely as he stood at the front of the classroom. He gave a goodhearted chuckle and picked up one of Neville's books. "Me," he said with a chuckle as he pointed at his own portrait on the cover.
Susan blinked in disbelief. She couldn't believe she had ever entertained the idea of crushing on him.
The Professor continued. "Gilderoy Lockhart. Order of Merlin, Third Class. Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League. Five time. Five time… winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming Smile Award. But I don't talk about that…" He gave Parvati a wink as he added, "Too much at least."
Parvati giggled and smiled at him brightly.
"I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her. Though I'm pretty sure such a method would work on any Succubus," he said with a chuckle. Most of the girls in the classroom giggled at his poor attempt of a joke.
Susan stared at him with her mouth open in disbelief. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. Hannah shook her head. Harry was surprised he would joke about such a thing in front of second years and he was further surprised every girl wasn't angry at him for such a joke.
"Now then. In all seriousness. The Dark Arts are no laughing matter. In this class, I will prepare you to face against the worst and darkest the wizarding world has to offer. It is for this reason I decided to take this post, despite everything else I could be doing over the course of the year. There is no greater calling for those of us who are so experienced, than to teach our young and prepare them for the future," Professor Lockhart said.
Harry wondered if maybe he was wrong about Lockhart. The guy was definitely vain to a level unheard of and would make even the leader of a Hair Metal band seem humble by comparison. He still might actually be a half way decent DADA Professor after all.
"But first! A little quiz. Nothing to worry about. I just want to see how much you've already learned from my books. I need to get an idea where the class stands," he said.
Once the quizzes appeared facedown on everyone's desk, Lockhart said, "You have thirty minutes startinggggg… Now!"
Harry turned over his quiz and that brief moment of thinking Lockhart might be a halfway decent professor quickly died. It was then raised from dead; burned and killed again before being buried at least 30 feet below the surface. Next, a large imposing tomb was placed on top of it with at least 50 magical locks on the first of twenty gates. Each gate had an increasing numbers locks applied to it, before you even entered the first part of the tomb. The questions were that ridiculous.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?
What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?
What does Gilderoy Lockhart enjoy doing each seventh moon just before sunrise?
The questions continued... There were 54 of them in total. The last one was:
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite introductory phrase to say every third public appearance he makes?
Harry looked up in disbelief. Some girls were scribbling away frantically. Ron banged his head on the desk a fifth time in a row. Neville watched in concern for his fellow lion's health. Seamus was obviously doodling something that was probably very inappropriate on the quiz. Knowing Seamus, it was probably phallic or resembled a girls' boobs.
Harry looked next to him to see a flabbergasted Hermione sitting there. "What is it?" he whispered to her.
Hermione blinked. "I'm not sure which I find more destressing…" she whispered in worry. "Is it the fact I actually know the answers to these questions? Or that I'm seriously considering purposefully throwing a quiz for the first time ever? Maybe it's the fact I'm thinking about leaving it completely blank."
Harry wanted to laugh at her destress, but knew that would be bad. He instead placed a hand on her and gave her a smile. "It is just a quiz that doesn't even count. He said so himself. No one will judge you, or doubt you're the brightest witch of our age, if don't take it seriously. Don't worry about it. I know you aren't about to let ignoring or throwing assignments become a habit," he said to her in comfort.
Hermione felt relieved hearing that and placed her own hand on his and squeezed it to show her thanks.
[-] [-] [-]
"Tut Tut… I'm a little disappointed. Many of you need to brush up on your reading. How could you not know The Flying Shindig Wands are my favorite folk wizard band? I clearly say it in chapter 7 on page 120 of my recent best seller for the tenth week in a row, Magical Me," Lockhart said.
"That's not even an assigned book!" someone shouted from the back of the classroom.
Lockhart promptly ignored that person and gave a friendly chuckle. "We have a lot to learn it seems. Today I have a particularly exciting lesson planned," he said.
Lockhart waved his wand and a covered birdcage appeared on his desk. "As I said before, I will be showing you any number of the worst horrors the wizarding world has to offer. Sometimes… you don't even realize what truly is scary in this world until you face it. Sometimes the most overlooked and insignificant thing can be the hardest to deal with," he said in a manner that easily set the mood.
Lockhart tapped the covered cage with his wand. It started to shake where it was and it sounded like some things were pelting the cover trying to tear through it. "Yes… there are dangers of all sizes in this world," he said.
Some of the people closest to the front looked a little worried and were focusing on what he was saying despite everything. They didn't like whatever it was that was under that cover.
"Behold! The Blue Terrors of Cornwall!" Professor Lockhart said as he dramatically removed the cover to the cage with a wave of his wand.
The creatures inside it were electric blue with large black eyes. They had mischievous looks and grinned showing off their white needle like teeth.
Seamus let out a loud laugh. It was as far from a scream of terror as you could get.
"Yes, Mr. Finnigan?" Lockhart asked with an amused smile.
"Well… They aren't that dangerous, now are they?" he answered.
"Be careful, Mr. Finnigan… These creatures are not to be trifled with. They abducted and drove Dymphna Furmage crazy to the point she went on a campaign of destruction trying to drive them to extinction. She might have even succeeded, if she wasn't mortally afraid of them," Lockhart said.
Seamus looked like he didn't believe Lockhart for a minute.
"It seems we have some doubters in our presence. Let's see what you all make of them!" Lockhart said before tapping the cage again, causing the door to open.
Pure pandemonium followed.
The pixies let out shrill sounds that might have been laughs as they darted around the room. They picked up erasers filled with chalk and threw them at each other before then targeting students. One of them acquired an inkwell and plunked it down on another's head while giving a shrill laugh and tapping the outside with its long tiny fingers. Two of them picked up Neville by his ears and tied him to a ceiling fan with his cloak.
Another let out a terrible laugh and darted under Lavender's robes. When it reappeared, it held a pair of pink and white striped panties. It took what seemed like a deep sniff of them and threw the article of clothing at an unsuspecting Justin. Lavender let out a cry of embarrassment.
A different pixie appeared with a pair of old boxers and gave an evil grin while holding them menacingly. Several students quickly hid under their desks hoping to not be its target.
Justin was staring in dumbfounded awe while holding Lavender's panties. She quickly grabbed them from his hands and the two ducked under his desk just as the boxers flew their way. She was blushing red and put her panties back on while Justin kept watch for errant inkwells, erasers, quills, books, shredded parchment rolls and a surprisingly mature bra for the girls in their year.
Lockhart was sitting at his desk blinking in shock. He then straightened up and said, "Come now. They're just pixies, as Mr. Finnigan told us. You just need a simple spell to round them all up."
Professor Lockhart rolled up his sleeves and dramatically brandished his wand. He gave it four waves and said, "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!" Only Lockhart was surprised when his spell had no effect, most of the class was otherwise too occupied to notice his failure.
Hermione was blushing up a storm from next to Harry. He was too busy keeping an eye on the pests to notice her red cheeks. She shifted uncomfortably where she was next to him. She couldn't believe what just happened. She didn't even notice as a pixie stole her bra and started throwing it around the classroom. She was too embarrassed to say or do anything about it at the moment.
She took some solace in the fact no one seemed to realize it was her bra and the pixies seemed to love stealing undergarments from both guys and girls. There was currently a pair of tighty whiteys sailing through the air. Three pixies were playing keep away with them. Another bra was hanging from Neville's left ear and Ron was desperately trying to get a pair of boxers off his head as two pixies laughed and held them down around him.
When the students saw Lockhart's wand fly out the window, they realized all was lost. The bell then rang and the students scrambled to the exit. Lockhart reached the classroom doors and shut them as he said to Hermione, Harry, Hannah, and Susan, "Well then… I'll let you four handle things from here!"
They were flabbergasted for a moment. Then Hermione's bra hit Harry in the face. Hermione was mortified and now angry. "Immobulus!" she shouted freezing all of the pixies in place.
Harry scrambled to remove the bra from his face. He had no idea who's it was. He was pretty sure they wouldn't want his face trapped inside it though. He looked around and cheered, "Way to go, Hermione!"
Hermione blushed as she quickly grabbed her bra and hid it away. She felt happy Harry was praising her and glad he didn't realize she owned what had just been on his face.
"Can we use a freezing curse on them now? I wouldn't mind if we used Incendio instead…" Hannah said dangerously. She was another victim of the pixies' prank. It was her bra hanging from Neville's ear. Thankfully, it was only her and Susan who knew this.
"Let's just get them back in the cage. Lockhart might force us to pay for damages if we accidentally hit one of his portraits," Harry said.
[-] [-] [-]
It fortunately didn't take them long to round up the pixies thanks to Hermione's spell. They weren't sure what to do about Neville though. He had Hannah's bra on his left ear and a pair of stained undies on the right side of his head. "Can you please get me down?" he begged them.
"We aren't sure how," Harry admitted. Susan used a levitation charm on Hannah's bra and discreetly passed it to her friend. The girls then grimaced at the stained underwear. Harry sighed and levitated them off. It was silly to be so grossed out by them. Disgusting as they were, it wasn't like any of them would actually touch the underwear.
"One of us can use magic to unhook his cloak and the others can use cushioning charms below him," Hermione suggested. Now that she had her own very private article of clothing back and no one seemed any the wiser, she was focused again.
"Can you believe him?" Neville said with a sigh as he got up from the ground. Hermione's solution was the best answer they had and it worked well.
"No. I can't," Harry said. He then grinned and said, "I think I know the answer to question number three on his quiz though."
"What is his greatest achievement to date?" Hermione asked with a puzzled look.
"Yep. It really takes talent of a certain sort to be so soundly defeated by pixies, especially when you're the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. And to think he has all of those titles," Harry said.
"Maybe he should have tried smiling at them," Susan added.
The group gave a much-needed laugh to that as they walked to lunch together.
[-] [-] [-]
Thankfully the rest of the school day was nowhere near as chaotic as Lockhart's first class. The news of the disastrous lesson quickly made the rounds. Most of the girls still defended Professor Lockhart. A few were relieved everything was so crazy no one knew whose underwear was all stolen by the pixies. Justin seemed to have a dazed look the rest of the day and Lavender blushed as she stole glances at him during their shared breaks.
"Are you okay, Justin?" Ernie asked when they were in the hallway outside after supper. He hadn't seen what happened to Justin in the class. He was too busy getting ready to dive out of the way of flying objects if needed.
"I think I got a taste of heaven…" Justin said in a faraway voice.
"Okay…" Ernie said in worry for his friend. He had no idea what his friend was carrying on about. He was wondering if maybe the pixies did something to him and they needed to visit Madam Pomfrey.
Lavender happened to be nearby at that moment and blushed before hurrying back to her dorm. She was both embarrassed and kind of happy to hear Justin say that. She knew he was talking about her. He wasn't too bad looking and seemed dignified from the right angle, once she thought about it. He was friendly and outgoing as well. Lavender's thoughts were of Justin all the way to her room. Her brain shifted gears quickly once Parvati pulled out their favorite fashion magazine though. They had important things to discuss about the latest showing of dress robes for teen witches.
[-] [-] [-]
"They're even more insufferable…" Ron grumbled as he made his way to breakfast the day after DADA.
"I agree," Seamus said.
Neville shook his head. "Even I don't see how so many of the girls can defend him after what happened yesterday," he added.
"It is amazing to what lengths girls will go to defend their crushes sometimes," Harry said.
"I'm a girl and I agree it is ridiculous. That class was an embarrassing mess. He is such a fraud! Peskipiksi Pesternomi? Really… did he just make up words and expect them to work? It takes a lot of study and practice to craft a new spell," Hermione said with a frown as Hannah and Susan both nodded in agreement. It didn't matter that Hermione understood these girls' actions, there probably wasn't much she wouldn't do for Harry, but it was disappointing how they were doing all this for Lockhart of all people.
"Why is it only you three aren't crushing on Lockhart?" Ron complained as they went to their own tables. Hannah wasn't too bad looking, but Hermione's hair was a mess and she was too brainy. Susan's aunt was the Head of DMLE. The three were in Hufflepuff as well. They didn't count, especially because they weren't in Gryffindor. He wished Lavender and/or Parvati weren't impressed with Lockhart like these three.
Harry sighed as he and the girls sat down. "It seems once again DADA will be useless. I hate how the class that should be the most important is always a mess," he said in disappointment.
"I wouldn't mind that so much, but even the books are useless this year. Unless you care about Lockhart's love of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey," Hermione said with a huff. After having realized the truth about Lockhart, she was starting to really hate him.
"This. This is why my aunt complains so much about education at Hogwarts sometimes," Susan said with a shake of her head. "She's actually tried to encourage a few retired Aurors to sign up as DADA professors a few times, but they always see teaching a bunch of children as nothing but a hassle."
Their conversation was then interrupted by the morning Owl Post. All four of them received letters identically sealed in similar envelopes. Hannah opened her letter first and grinned as she saw the writing inside. "They're from Tonks!" she eagerly told the others. They quickly opened their own letters to read them.
My cute and dear Firsties (I guess I can't say that since you are all in your second year now) I'm happy to say I made it through the first round of testing!
I really appreciate all of the support you four gave me and I am sorry I was never able to give any of you proper replies. I still won't be able to do that. For better or worse, my next couple of years will be even tougher than this last summer was. I'm glad I made it and I'm eager to learn all about being an Auror. If nothing else, I will at least finally get proper defense lessons.
Until the middle of next spring, I will be having Auror classes. Classes won't end there, but after that we also have a mentor from either currently active or recently retired Aurors. The winter after that we start shadowing Aurors while they go on missions and working their day at the office. It will be very tough but interesting these next years. I will still write you all when I can.
Yours Truly,
Tonks (Future expert Auror and former best RA Ever)
The Hufflepuffs smiled to that. They were happy their RA was achieving her dreams. "We'll just have to again study DADA on our own. There's bound to be some good books in the library. Maybe I can order some for us through Owl Post," Harry said.
"Are you sure about that?" Hannah asked. She gave a frown and added, "That might get expensive…"
Harry grinned to that and leaned in closer. He motioned for them to do the same. "I actually spoke to the goblin in charge of my family accounts. I can afford it. So long as they aren't over 1000 galleons in one order," he said.
Hannah and Susan both looked to him in surprise.
Hermione sighed. "You might as well tell them rest as well now," she said to him.
Harry looked to them and nodded. Fortunately, they were alone at their end of the table. "I also found out I have to continue not one but two, and possibly three, bloodlines," he said with a sigh at the admission.
"Wow…" the two girls said together in awe.
"I'll tell you more when we're alone tonight," Harry said.
[-] [-] [-]
Hannah and Susan were both sitting on a couch in shock. "You already knew about this?" Susan asked Hermione.
"I met Harry in Diagon Alley the same day he found out about that. I didn't have anything going on that day, so I took the Knight Bus to meet him there," Hermione said.
"You are the heir to both the Potter and Peverell lines?!" Hannah asked. It was her third time asking that since Harry finished explaining it to them.
"And possibly the heir to the Blacks as well. I could ask my aunt to start looking into Sirius' file. If he really was your Godfather and took that ritual… There is no way he could have betrayed your family," Susan said.
Harry shook his head. "Not yet. Goldbite is looking into things the best Gringotts can. Once he has more on information on that, then we can decide if we get your aunt involved. I don't want her to accidentally endanger her position by looking into this. I get a feeling it is important she keeps her position, and not just because she is a department head," Harry said.
"Okay… I still wish there was more we could do… To think, you could have had or even lived with a Godfather this whole time," Susan said.
Harry frowned in thought to that. He had thought about that situation as well. He now had a clear answer to it though. "I don't like the idea of him possibly being innocent and in prison at all. But honestly… I wouldn't want to have been raised any other way. It sounds terrible, but I believe my being a Street Knight is better than anything else that could have been. I've learned a lot and I've been surrounded by people, family, who care about me," he said.
"It is your life. What you think about it matters the most," Hermione said in support of him.
"You might actually have to marry three wives?!" Hannah asked. She was still hung up on that part of it all. She gave a look to Hermione. Hermione wondered what she meant with that look. She would ask Hannah about it another time in private.
"The third is only a possibility. But I will have to have two. I explained this to Hermione, but the wizarding world doesn't want Potter-Peverells. They want Potters and Peverells. I figured you would know this," Harry said.
"I'm just shocked…" Hannah said.
"Aren't we all," Susan said. It was the truth, even if Hermione and Harry already had come to accept it. With those words, the group was mostly quiet the rest of the night before finally going to bed.
Chapter 24: Draco's PlanNotes:(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter TextDraco gave a frown as he looked at the newspaper clipping in front of him. It came with a letter from his father. He was sitting in one of the study halls as he looked both over again. He wanted to believe his father had the right of it, but he couldn't help feel this was a missed opportunity on his father's part. He knew his dad was worried, though he didn't show it, about Mr. Weasley's Muggle Protection Act. However, this seemed a less effective battle to wage here than the one to repeal Mr. Weasley's laws about muggle objects being illegal to enchant.
His dad already supposedly had options setup to circumvent the Muggle Protection Act. There wasn't really a benefit to fighting it either. There was no way anyone would find the 'possibly embarrassing' items in the Malfoy Family private collection. They were too well guarded and his dad had connections who would inform them of any searches for such items on their manor, surprise or otherwise.
Both Draco and his mother agreed this was the best opportunity to repeal or amend the law to allow for magic carpets or other forms of magical family travel. That would have been a boon to their finances. It didn't matter such a boon wasn't needed. A Malfoy should always be looking for an opportunity to prosper further, or so his father had kept telling him while his mother additionally emphasized this lesson.
Draco dared not dwell on it, but he felt his father might be losing his way. He didn't want a Weasley besting them in any way himself, but this seemed pointless. The Muggle Protection Act was already going to be reworded many times, which meant it could be easily fixed in such a manner it was mostly ineffective or benefited them.
Fighting it was something best done in secret. Mr. Weasley would push for it, but no one would bother to really look at the new wording they slipped in for the bill before it was made law. Mr. Weasley would have been too thrilled to even look it over in detail himself. The man was loony about all things muggle and immediately got behind anything that seemed to benefit muggles or safeguard them.
Arguing about this bill publicly was a mistake. It would force people to look at it in detail and pay more attention to it. The incident exposing Mr. Weasley's flying car after it was investigated by third parties, did hurt his character some, but it wouldn't do anything for fighting against his proposed bill. In fact, it would do the opposite. It would make the law more set in stone and devoid of loopholes, even if only for the Ministry to save face from one of their employees' blunders and open abuse of their laws regarding muggles.
Stressing instead how even Mr. Weasley saw the benefits of having a flying family vehicle, would allow for change to the laws banning such items. He wasn't officially the Head of his Department, but he was unofficially in charge of it, even if it was a rather pathetic department. One could also apply just the right amount of pressure on Mr. Weasley to get his endorsement of such an amendment, even if he only did so to get everyone to overlook his embarrassment regarding the flying car.
Such a move would have allowed the Malfoy family to get in early as investors for a new market that could even go beyond just family transportation. There would be a possible market for collecting magical modes of transportation beyond just brooms. People loved collecting specialized items and would pay top dollar for them.
You could even have businesses all about personalizing such modes of transportation. Brooms were amazing, but very limited when it came to customization. That would not be the case with flying carpets or any other manner of vehicles.
"What is father getting at… " Draco thought to himself.
"Well. This is odd. It is rare to see you so focused on something," Harry said half-jokingly as he made his way over to Draco.
"Sometimes there are important matters that do require my full attention. Such matters are most certainly not many of our classes," Draco said with a dry laugh.
"What is it then?" Harry asked.
Draco seemed to debate if to say anything. He decided since it was Harry it would be okay. He just wouldn't say too much. "My father's recent actions," he answered.
"I read about that," Harry admitted.
"It was a wasted effort on his part. It didn't make a difference and never would have," Draco admitted.
"How so?" Harry asked.
"He shouldn't have been so focused on the Muggle Protection Act. That is too much of a stretch given the circumstances, even if it would have been a bigger win. The best action would have been going after the laws about using magic on muggle objects," Draco said.
"Well, he is a Slytherin. Maybe he was going for the bigger victory. Or maybe…" Harry started in an almost leading manner.
"Maybe what?" Draco asked quicker than he wished.
"Maybe he is focusing his ambition too much on getting at Mr. Weasley, personally," Harry said. He took a mental note of Draco's far too quick response. It was as if Draco feared he overlooked something regarding his father.
"I can see him doing that, even if it is disappointing... A Malfoy should never lose to a Weasley, ever… But we should pick the best battles. Not just any battle," Draco said.
Harry nodded in agreement to that. "Ambition is good, but should be tempered. With thinking like that, you could end up becoming a very definitive Lord Malfoy in the future, Draco," Harry said.
Draco smirked to that. Harry was right. Maybe he should pay more attention to his father, but not just to learn from his successes and words, but also his mistakes and failures. Draco decided he needed to start thinking more on the direction he wanted to take the Malfoy family in the future. He still had a lot to learn and plenty time before he was to take Lordship of the family, but having an idea about the path he would choose was a good thing.
Draco looked to Harry and smiled. "By the way. Since you're here, if you want to see my plan come to fruition. Go to the Quidditch Pitch this Saturday after breakfast," he said.
Harry looked Draco over and gave him a questioning look. "Would that be allowed, even though I'm in Hufflepuff?" he asked.
"Trust me. Flint's not about to say 'no' to me. You aren't on the Hufflepuff team and after that day it won't be a secret for long anyways," Draco drawled out. The truth was having Harry witness it first-hand would probably help spread the word even faster, or at least give more credence to what happened.
Harry thought it over and gave a nod. "I did have some plans, but they can be postponed a little. I have a feeling it won't take long for me to see how your plan has succeeded," Harry said. He and the girls were planning to pay Hagrid a visit. They could easily visit him after seeing Draco's plan in action.
"Then it is decided. You can bring along the others if you want as well. Tracey and Pansy will both be there and will appreciate the company," Draco said.
"The girls would like that too," Harry said as he dismissed himself.
[-] [-] [-]
The rest of the first week went by quickly. When it came to their second DADA class, Lockhart had students take turns reading from the books out loud. He would nod in satisfaction and make movements to help emphasize how amazing each of his supposed feats were. Many were starting doubt the truth of what he wrote in the books.
Transfiguration and Charms were as expected. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were probably the most consistent teachers. Professor Sprout was really good too, but she liked to spice the lessons up every now and then. You couldn't know exactly how her classes would go. This was a good thing in the eyes of the students. It kept things from getting too boring or routine.
Professor Snape was Professor Snape. Hufflepuff again had Potions with Ravenclaw this year. No one noticed, as they were busy with the lesson, but Professor Snape was giving Harry a glance every so often during their first class. His expedition to find out more about the boy over the summer had turned up only what Harry already told him. Harry was no longer staying with the Dursleys and from what Snape gathered hadn't been for many years.
Professor Snape did learn the boy spent time out on the street, but not exactly where specifically or what became of him after that. He would be looking into it more when he could. By this point though, Professor Snape hoped he didn't find Harry. That would mean pretty much all who would be after the boy couldn't find him either. A fully revived Voldemort probably could with some work, but Voldemort wasn't anywhere near full power yet. Professor Snape also had a feeling Harry would take it into account and plan accordingly when that eventuality came to pass.
"I wouldn't be surprised after our meeting at the end of last year, if he already had a plan or two in action for such a situation ," Professor Snape thought to himself. One of the things he enjoyed about his Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw class was how he could relax and think about more than who would soon have an exploding cauldron or not.
The Hufflepuffs were never too much trouble in general, but the ones in this year were very exceptional as far as the Hufflepuffs go. The Potions Professor appreciated that. He had more than enough on his plate as it was, especially with this year's Gryffindor/Slytherin class.
Just as the Hufflepuffs this year were exceptional for their house, the Gryffindors were more dunderheaded compare to the other years. Ron and Draco being in the class made for a right mess. As much as Professor Snape wished was the case, he couldn't place all the blame on Weasley, even if Ron was usually the one responsible for their arguments.
Draco did his best to make the class hell for Weasley and his attempts could be less than safe. The worst part was Snape couldn't really call his Godson out in class. They did meet in his office outside class, but even then, Snape had to word things so it seemed he was critiquing the boy's methods than the action itself.
Professor Snape had no qualms about the Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry. He just wished they wouldn't bring it to his class. Such things were best for outside of class and in the hallways, preferably out of sight so you wouldn't get caught.
Fortunately despite how intense things could get, they rarely, if ever, had to worry about sexual interactions of the illegal sort happening at the Hogwarts level. It wasn't because there was some kind of sense of honor or unspoken rule that kept such unpleasantness from happening. It was simply the Slytherins usually detested the Gryffindors to a level they wouldn't engage in such activities. The Gryffindors felt the same way more or less. There were also all of the portraits in the castle. Most didn't actually appreciate being used as the Headmaster's spy network, but in such a case they wouldn't mind seeking out the nearest member of staff to intervene.
One curious fact about such things, was how it was actually the most bigoted who were the least likely to get involved such attacks. People like Theodor Nott, who at times complained how lax the other Slytherins were when it came to muggle-borns. Were less likely to have anything sexually to do with a so called Mudblood. They dared not taint their purity in such a manner.
Professor Snape thought on that a little more. He regretted using that vile term on Lily when she was alive. He had since then avoided such terms, even when interacting with such crowds. What stood out to him, was how while no one stopped Mr. Nott from using such a term, most didn't bother with using it themselves at Hogwarts. That was unusual. There were usually a good few who did use it and others usually laughed at the term's usage. He wondered if that was again Potter's influence seeping into Slytherin. Draco wouldn't even use the term.
He of course, ever being the Slytherin he was, found a way to play that to his advantage. He often said using such a term gave them too much credit. After all, distasteful as it was and how they hated the term, it still was giving them special attention. It showed you were so disgusted by muggle-borns, you used a term outside of the acceptable vernacular when referring to them. Such an action implied more effort on your part when speaking to them. It also gained more reaction from others and thus put muggle-borns in even more spotlight than they deserved.
Privately, Professor Snape learned Draco was at a point, due to his time with Potter, he didn't see the reason for using such words. He was actually more neutral towards muggle-borns than he used to be. He was being a proper Malfoy and starting to look for possible opportunities muggle-borns could offer. Professor Snape wasn't sure if that was a good way of looking at things or not, but he internally preferred it to Lucius' outlook.
[-] [-] [-]
Harry, Hermione, Hannah and Susan made their way to the Quidditch Pitch for Draco's surprise. Draco came to Harry yesterday and clarified they should have an early breakfast. Harry and Hermione had no problems with this. They were usually early risers.
"And you're used to being up and awake this early?" Hannah asked after covering a yawn.
Hermione was the one who answered. "Harry likes to work out in the mornings before taking a shower and going to breakfast," she said.
"Ohhh? And you know this how?" Hannah asked with a teasing lilt in her voice.
"Of course, I do. We share the same bed—room," Hermione replied a little oddly.
If it wasn't so early on a weekend, Hannah might have noticed Hermione's slip. The blonde girl was too busy trying to cover another yawn though. Susan did notice and paused in her steps for a moment. She shook her head and continued. She had to of heard Hermione wrong just then. She was sure she did. Hermione was too strait laced for such things and they were too young. Right?
When they were about half way to the pitch, they heard a voice call out to them. "Hey! Wait up," Tracey said. She and Pansy made their way over to the others.
"Good Morning," Hermione greeted them.
"Morning," the girls replied together.
"So… I guess you two already know what Draco's Plan is," Harry said with an amused chuckle.
"I've known about it since he first came up with it," Pansy said proudly.
"You are his betrothed…" Tracey said with a playful roll of her eyes.
"Still doesn't change the fact I knew about it from the beginning," Pansy teased back. She then added, "It was a resounding success as well."
"I have an idea of what it is, and I look forward to being proven right," Harry said with a grin.
"What do you think it is?" Hannah asked curiously.
"We'll find out soon enough. I won't ruin his moment," Harry said. Hannah gave a cute pout in return. Harry wondered when she learned to give cute pouts as well. Did girls have classes on this kind of thing they all attended?
When they got to the stands, they were all six a bit surprised. They didn't see any green and silver. In fact, all they saw was red and gold. They were quickly noticed by the Weasley twins. Fred or George flew over to greet them.
"Harry! We knew you secretly loved us, since most of the school does. We didn't expect you bring a whole brigade of girls with you though," Fred said with a laugh.
George seemed to suddenly appear next to his twin. "We also didn't know you would come all the way out here just to watch the master beaters of Quidditch at practice," he said.
"Oliver isn't going to be happy about this. I'm pretty sure he didn't sleep at all last night and is extra cranky this morning. Why else would he come up with such an insane practice plan," Fred said.
"Even more so because two of them are Slytherins," George said a little less than jovial as he looked at Pansy, who tossed her hair to the side, and Tracey. Tracey was wondering how this would go down. It could get really bad with Slytherin and Gryffindor meeting like this.
"What's going on here?" a voice said as a burly sixth year boy flew over to them. "What are you doing here? Are you spying on us?" Oliver Wood asked accusingly.
"I don't know about Harry and the Puffs, but the Slytherins don't need to worry about spying on us for their team…" George started.
Oliver looked to him with a raised eyebrow in question.
"The whole team is already on the way," George finished and answered with a tilt of his head where a group in silver and green were walking their way.
"What?! I booked the pitch for today! We'll see about this," Oliver said just as the Slytherin team arrived.
"Well. This is interesting. Draco told me Potter and his friends would be here, but he didn't mention the whole team of Gryffindor losers," Flint said with a scoff at Oliver.
"What are you doing here, Flint? I booked the pitch for the whole day right after the opening feast," Oliver asked icily.
Harry, Hermione, Hannah, and Susan took a few steps back. They weren't about to get in the middle of this. They knew how Oliver was when it came to Quidditch and from what they had heard, Flint was more or less his Slytherin versioned equivalent. Pansy and Tracey took their places alongside the Slytherin team.
"Ah. About that," Flint said with a smirk. He handed Oliver a note.
Oliver took the note with suspicion and read it aloud. "I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need for training their new Seeker. "
Oliver gave a frown and distractedly asked, "You've got a new Seeker? Where?"
Draco took that as his cue and stepped out from behind the older Slytherin boys with a smirk on his face and Pansy by his side. "Right here," he said confidently while causally holding his brand-new broom matching the rest of his teammates.
Harry hid a chuckle. It was just as he thought. He was pretty sure Draco learned about the new brooms in advance and got his father to buy them for the team. Draco was a pretty good flier, but he was a Slytherin. They didn't like relying on just one means of accomplishing their goals. They usually made sure to have a contingency or two. Something to get them over the edge.
"Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?" Fred asked not hiding his dislike of the new Slytherin Seeker.
"Funny you should mention my father," Draco started. All of the other Slytherins grinned and showed off identical brooms. "I'm not all that's new this year," Draco said as he brandished his own brand-new Nimbus 2001.
The broom was easily picked out as a masterpiece. It was highly polished with a silver and black finish and sweeping gold lettering saying the name. It was obvious right away the broom was well made and the whole team had them. This was a huge edge on the competition.
"It's the newest model. I believe it only came out last month," Flint said in a purposefully offhanded manner as he flicked an imaginary speck of dust from his broom. "I've heard it easily outstrips the Cleansweep 7. Let alone the old Fives," Flint said as he first eyed Oliver's broom and then twin's brooms.
Draco gave a chuckle. "They might as well auction those brooms off. I bet an antique collector or museum would bid on the fives," he added. That got the Slytherin team howling with laughter.
The Gryffindor team had no idea what to say to this. They were too shocked to see the whole team had the best broom available. Oliver begrudgingly led the Gryffindor team back to the lockers as the Slytherins howled in a new round laughter at the defeated looks the team had. Gryffindor had enough problems getting a decent Seeker. Having to face against a team full of Nimbus 2001s was pretty much guaranteeing Slytherin the Quidditch Cup this year in their eyes.
Once the lions were gone, Draco turned to Harry and the others. "So… Pretty impressive plan," he said.
Harry nodded. "It is. I had a feeling it might be something like this. I do have to admit it is impressive you seemed to know well in advance about the new brooms," he said. Draco had been teasing this plan of his a long while before the broom was announced.
Draco smirked to that. "A Malfoy knows information can be even more important than money at times," he said.
"I'm a little surprised its allowed," Hermione couldn't help but comment.
Draco somehow smirked more in response. "Students second year and above are allowed to buy their own brooms. I was deeply concerned something might happen to one. Father and I decided seven was the right number to buy and insure I was never forcibly grounded. I was so impressed with the new broom I decided to share the others with people who could appreciate them to an equal degree. It isn't our fault the rules say nothing about the amount of brooms you can own. They just say you have to be in your second year at least to buy any broom," he said to her as the Slytherin team laughed again.
Hannah and Susan were both looking at the brooms as much as they could. They now knew why Harry and them being here wasn't a problem. It wouldn't take long for the whole school to learn about the Slytherins' brooms. They gave it until after lunch for word to spread, at most.
"And how did you handle the situation with Oliver?" Harry asked wondering about that.
Draco gave a chuckle. "I will admit that was a bit of a potential problem. However, there is a bylaw that allows for a Head of House to provide a note to overwrite any bookings of the pitch once a school year for a new member of their house's team," Draco said.
"We have six total," Flint added with a dark laugh. He was the only returning member of the team.
"We probably won't need to worry about it again, but it does make for a good weapon," Draco said.
"Ha. Oliver is always a hopeless idiot when it comes to Quidditch. He gets booking happy, especially at the start of the year. This will teach him, and we can do this five more times, if needed," Flint said with a sneer at the lockers where Oliver was with his team.
"I suppose we best be going now," Harry started.
Draco gave a nod in agreement. "I was more than happy to share this plan's completion with you, Potter. But you are right. Quidditch practice is always held in private. That's why Oliver left. He wouldn't want to give anything away. Not that it matters," Draco said.
"Then I guess I'll wait for the grand reveal at Slytherin's first Quidditch match," Harry said as he and the others left.
[-] [-] [-]
"Hey. Wait up," Tracey called to the group of Hufflepuffs after a moment. She and Pansy made their way over to them again as they paused in their steps.
"They won't even let you watch?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"You heard, Draco. Quidditch practice is private. We aren't like Gryffindor, who allow friends to watch a practice," Pansy said.
"Understandable, I guess. An audience could be distracting," Harry said. "We're actually going to visit Hagrid now. You could come along if you want, but you have been warned... Don't eat any rock cakes he offers you."
Tracey laughed to that and Pansy looked like she almost wanted to laugh as well.
"Seriously," Hannah started. "Don't. Anything else he offers is fine. For some reason, he can't get rock cakes right though."
"Duly noted," Tracey said. She turned to Pansy and asked, "Will you come too? I kind of want to actually meet Hagrid like this."
Pansy was in thought for a moment. She was torn on how to proceed. She wanted to go after hearing so much about him previously, but she wasn't sure if it would be a good idea for her situation.
Harry seemed to pick up on this. "Of the adults I've met in the magical world, I consider Hagrid the most interesting. I even consider him a good friend. I am careful in what I say around him, because he can blab, but I actually trust him the most of the adults at Hogwarts," he said seemingly in thought out loud.
It took the others a moment to realize what he was doing. Susan picked up on it first. "Hagrid knows a lot about all of the previous students while he's been here as Keeper of Keys and Grounds. It is rather surprising what he knows about people. I also think of him as a good friend," she said.
Pansy smiled warmer than she usually smiled for a brief moment. "Well. I suppose I should meet such an unofficially important person," she said. Harry and Susan provided her the perfect reasoning for visiting Hagrid with them. If questions were asked, she had an appropriate answer.
"You should also watch out for his dog, Fang. He can be… overly friendly," Hermione said.
Pansy frowned for a moment and nodded in thanks. She cast a spell on her robes under her breath as they came to the door and she heard the dog's booming barks. She used a spell that should hopefully repel any overly friendly dog slobber.
"Shut it, Fang. I heard ya the first twenty barks," Hagrid growled out. The Hufflepuffs snickered to that.
"Good ta see ya, Harry!" Hagrid started before he even fully opened the door. He was grinning widely as he added, "Good ta see you lot as well!" He then actually blinked for a moment after looking them all over. "I can't say I was expectin' you two," he said in shock. He then grinned after a moment and said, "As they say though. More tha merrier. Come on in everyone. Tea will be a minute. Help yerselves to some rock cakes in the meantime."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said as he led the others to sitting down. It was surprising they all fit honestly, but they managed and weren't too crammed.
Once tea was served and Hagrid offered them something other than just rock cakes, he asked, "So. What brings two Slytherins here? Especially with a group of Hufflepuffs?"
"Is it wrong for Slytherins to come here?" Pansy asked sounding almost offended. She was too occupied with Fang to be full on offended. Fang seemed to decide the Slytherin Princess needed extra doggy affection. She wasn't sure if her spell would hold at this rate. She also wasn't exactly trying to shoo Fang away or anything either.
"Ain't nothing wrong wit that. Just ain't usual. Most usually ignore me best they can, and some snicker behind me back. Just find it strange you would all be here visiting together. Even if you lot are known to visit from time to time," Hagrid answered.
"Oh…" Pansy said. She wasn't really at the top of her game with Fang and everything. He was surprisingly warm and soft to the touch. You just had to watch out for doggy drool.
Tracey was a bit surprised by Pansy's behavior. She decided to elaborate. "We actually all came from the Quidditch Pitch together," Tracey said.
"Oh? Bit early l for them to start practicing," Hagrid said.
"Draco had been telling us all about his plan to get on the team, so we went today to see the results," Harry started.
"He's on the team? Probably bought his way on," Hagrid couldn't help but mumble the last part.
Pansy frowned and did respond to that. "He merely assured his position in the most effective way he could," she said. She almost scoffed, but tried her best not to do so.
"If ye say so," Hagrid said.
"Pansy is right. I've flown with Draco before. He's good and he knows the game. Being in Slytherin he needed a little extra edge because that is how it is," Harry said matter of factly.
"I suppose I was just letting me old rivalries get the best of me. Sorry 'bout that. What was his plan exactly?" Hagrid asked in a manner showing he was trying to make peace and hadn't meant any offense.
Pansy seemed satisfied and because of that she wasn't too abrasive as she said, "He bought himself seven brooms. They just all happen to be Nimbus 2001s and he's lending the extras to the rest of the Slytherin team." She smiled in pride. Draco was her betrothed and it was a clever approach.
Hagrid blinked in disbelief for a moment. He then shook his head and said, "Trust a Slytherin to do something like that. Can't say I like it, especially because that means the season is more or less over before it began… But I guess in a way I have to admit it were a neat little trick that works." He still frowned at the thought of that.
Hagrid loved watching Quidditch games and he only really took sides when Gryffindor, his old house, was playing, but this year he would probably only watch one or two. It would be a race for second between Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Gryffindor would probably lose too. Their seeker wasn't too bad, but their performance was rather lackluster in games.
"There did end up being an issue today though," Hermione started.
"Oh? How So?" Hagrid asked.
"Apparently Oliver Wood booked the pitch for Gryffindor today. Slytherin ended up being allowed to practice instead due to their new Seeker and school bylaws," Hermione said.
"Really?! Oliver already had it booked?" Hagrid asked in surprise. He then hummed in thought. "That would explain why I heard that racket early this morning, but that was before the sun even rose up…"
"They had been out there that long?" Hermione asked in shock.
"It seems so," Hagrid said.
Pansy frowned to that. "Oliver made it seem like they just started practice though…" she said.
"Would Oliver use all of that other time just for a strategy meeting?" Harry asked.
Hagrid and both Slytherin girls were in thought for a moment before nodding together in sync. "I wouldn't put it past him. Even we've heard how he's infamous for his many and often bizarre strategies and love for team meetings," Tracey said.
"Really?" Hermione asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe someone would be that intense about Quidditch, especially at the school level.
"Yep," Tracey said.
Hermione then looked to Tracey and Pansy in question. "How do you all even know that?" she asked.
Pansy giggled. "The rest of the team is just as well known for grumbling about him. They aren't quiet about their complaints on the matter. They can easily be overheard in the halls or at meals," she said.
She then decided to actually move the conversation onward. "Susan said you knew a lot about previous students here. Is that true Hagrid?" she asked while rubbing Fang behind his ears. It was something giant Boar hound fully approved of.
"Aye. To an extent you could say," he answered warily. He wasn't really one to give out people's secrets, at least not intentionally.
Pansy gave a nod and asked, "What were my parents like?"
Hagrid felt more at ease with that. He gave a friendly smile. "Your father wasn't very talkative and rather no nonsense, but seemed to be respected by his house," he started.
"That sounds like father. He's always been strict, but not to the point some parents are. He also has a belief that if you don't open your mouth too much. People can't learn something to use against you," she said.
"I can see that about him. Your mother was different though. She wasn't really the Pure Blood Princess type all the time," Hagrid said.
Pansy actually looked up surprised to hear that. Her mother usually made sure everyone thought she was the perfect pure blood wife and Lady. "Really?" she asked.
"Really," Hagrid started. He then grinned and said, "She knew how to play the role to perfection, but she had plenty of moments where she… as they say… let her hair down. She got away with it because she knew how to get others to do the same. She especially focused her methods on someone if they tried to call her out on her supposedly improper behavior. 'Cept in their cases it weren't always at tha best moments for such behavior. Most learned their lesson quick."
Hagrid spoke a little more about Pansy's mom and dad. Pansy was actually really happy for this trip. She liked getting to see her parents in a different light. She knew they too were students at one time, but she could never really picture them that way. Hagrid was good at painting them in such a light.
Hagrid eventually turned to Tracey and spoke to her. "Your dad was actually one the more interesting Slytherins in his day. He was careful about it, but he actually spent a good amount of time with muggle-borns," he said.
Tracey smiled to that and nodded. "He's always felt we shouldn't shun them. He's always been of the belief we should accept them and teach them about the magical world they were entering. That is actually one of the things my mom has said she always liked and respected about him. He knew how to save face in front of the house as well though," she said.
"Heh heh. Your mom was actually rather besotted with him from her first year at Hogwarts. He didn't really turn her away neither, despite her being three years behind him. Many suspected they already knew they would be married because of family contracts or such," Hagrid said.
"They weren't. Dad just didn't mind her presence for the most part. He figured she was just crushing on him because he was older and would soon move on. Eventually they became more friendly and then when she started growing up. He was the one seemingly besotted with the other. Oddly enough, her feelings had never really changed. She just got better at being more… Slytherin with them… I guess you could say. Keeping things to herself in private and all of that," Tracey said.
"Maybe you ought to be telling me more about your parents' time at Hogwarts," Hagrid said with a chuckle causing her to blush a little. He then discussed more things about her parents and this time they were new to her.
As they were finishing that discussion Hagrid gave a thoughtful hum. "Now that I think about it. Yer mum was also the type to talk ta muggle-borns in her later years. She must have really agreed with your father's choices," he said.
"She actually did. It took her a while to get the courage to talk to them like he did though. That's why it wasn't until her later years. At least that's what she told me," Tracey said.
"I wish more agreed with that approach," Pansy of all people said. She was currently giving Fang belly rubs on the floor.
"I agree, but why do you think that?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.
"I wouldn't have to be as careful when visiting with you all for starters. It just makes sense really. My mom even agrees in private and my dad doesn't disagree with such notions. The simple truth is that while muggle-borns are still the minority in our world, they are growing in number and won't stay that way. My mom complains about how if only people would pay attention and listen, they would realize why it was happening and it is one of the few things magic has made clear. Sometimes I have to remind her not everyone can listen to magic like we can. It comes very naturally to her and she's learned how to understand even the more confusing messages… if you will," Pansy said.
"I may have asked this before, but can anyone learn to listen?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Listening isn't really the problem. Understanding what you hear from magic is. It can drive people mad if they try to listen and aren't careful. Some get lucky and it will only be confusing for them," Pansy said.
"How would it be confusing for them?" Hannah asked as the others listened intently.
Pansy was in thought for a moment. "It isn't like this, but for the sake of example this could work. Let's say I can see flows of energy around me and their different colors. That's how magic chooses to speak with me. I would have to learn how to read what the different color combinations mean and the movements to their flows. That is how I would listen to magic. Needless to say, it can be overwhelming seeing different colors and flows all the time," she said.
Hermione and the others nodded. They could easily see what she was saying.
"I've learned how to filter out all magic says. I can only listen when I concentrate at least a little bit. That is actually why true seers have so many and varied methods they use to try and focus their gift, even if they can't control the message that speaks from them," Pansy said. She started to stroke Fang again. He had just nudged her with his nose. She had accidentally stopped the important duty of petting him.
"If you don't learn to do at least that, it is bad. You could walk around seemingly in trance the whole time. You could even start mumbling to yourself and carrying on about things no one understands. Even if you learn how to listen without being overwhelmed, you still need to learn more. You could still come off similar to those who can't filter things out. Some people are born able to filter things out instinctively but not perfectly. They still have to learn to understand as well," she continued.
"What would it be like for someone in that case?" Harry asked curiously.
"What do you mean?" Pansy asked.
"What would it look like to them?" Harry clarified.
Pansy nodded in thought a little. "Again, it isn't necessarily like this. They could see magic communicating to them, but not understand it. Honestly, they probably have it worst of all people. From the start, they would see or hear things others didn't. Magic's whispers aren't overwhelming to them but not clearly communicated either. The messages could take the form of tiny flying pink elephants with fluffy squirrel tails. It could be anything really. Maybe they just always hear voices whispering to them constantly, or they just see a bunch of colorful tiny lights winking at them. Anything really," she said.
Pansy then frowned a little. "It is really difficult because the symptoms I spoke of are so similar to what people would describe as madness, even in our world. Someone in that situation could also be mistaken for experiencing side effects due to a bad magical accident. My family has been trying to see if there are ways of figuring out the difference. If nothing else, finding out which people are suffering would allow us to help them filter it out and they could at least better function in their lives. Maybe if some were gifted enough, they could learn how to listen and understand from us. Listening to magic has been in my family a long time, but it wasn't and isn't exclusive a gift to us. We just have a better knack for it and know how to teach ourselves to listen and understand without being overwhelmed," she said.
She then answered the question she knew Hermione would ask. "Sadly, our methods aren't guaranteed to work on others and could even make things worse for them, unless circumstances were right. It is very difficult to learn if those correct circumstances are present in someone or not. It would be a bit of a waste to try and refine our methods, so they could help others at this point. Since we can't even pick them out from others."
Hermione frowned to that. She was glad Pansy answered her unasked question. She wasn't bothered by this regarding her situation with Harry. They had long since figured out what they experienced was different from Pansy's listening to magic.
[-] [-] [-]
The rest of their time with Hagrid was light-hearted and enjoyable. It was actually later than they thought when they decided to return to the castle. Once Tracey and Pansy split while they were still outside, Susan turned to the others and giggled. "Does anyone else agree with me when I say Pansy might be Fang's favorite person apart from Hagrid?" she asked giggling more.
"I thought it was adorable," Hannah said trying to hide her own giggle.
"It was too funny considering how she seemed so opposed to the idea of meeting Fang at first. She even had that spell she used to doggy slobber proof her clothes," Hermione said giggling far too much to be appropriate.
"Yeah. I didn't know she used it because she planned on playing with him so much," Harry said with an amused chuckle.
"For some reason, I always thought she was a cat person," Susan said in thought. "That was impressive hearing what she had to say about the whole magic listening thing she's mentioned a couple of times before."
"I always thought it would be a gift. But she made it sound like it took a lot of work and even discipline. No wonder she's so good at playing the role of a Pure Blood Princess," Hannah said.
The others nodded in agreement and changed the subject once they stood before Hogwarts. They knew well enough to not speak of such things here. They may not like the role Pansy usually plays, but they respected her wishes not to expose it to others. Speaking of such things casually inside Hogwarts was only tempting trouble.
The Hufflepuffs did turn out to be right regarding the brooms. Everyone was already talking about Slytherin's new brooms. While most tried not to show it, the other Quidditch players were really worried for this season. It already looked like Slytherin would again grab the cup. Harry and others admitted they saw the brooms when one student asked if it was true they were there. Draco's Plan really was a resounding success.