Disclaimer: As we all know, I don’t own Harry Potter nor the following contest entries!
Parenting Class
Fanfic Contest
Rules: Below are all of the entries for the contest. Each are marked with a letter and separated with a line from the next one. Read them all please (it shouldn’t take too long.) Then, in your review, include which letter you vote for. And please, don’t vote for your own entry unless you think it is truly the best piece out there.
After the entries is the real chapter; so don’t forget to read that!
A.
Hermione woke, feeling extremely refreshed after the night’s sleep. She sat up, yawning, and stretched her arms. Rays of sunlight were peeking through the window shades and it was turning out to be a nice sunny day.
She puttered around a bit, looking at the two sleeping boys. Harry’s hair was overly messy, as always; it stuck out in every angle imaginable. ‘Draco looks positively angelic when he sleeps,’ Hermione thought, snickering to herself. But it was true! With his curtain of blond silky hair falling over a peaceful face, Draco did look rather angelic.
Hermione found, on a counter next to Draco’s bed, a small calendar with important events marked on it. Hermione, for want of anything better to do, looked through it lazily. Then she came to today. And she was more than surprised. Because the calendar said that…
It was Draco's birthday today!
Hermione gasped. Why hadn’t he told anybody?
She quickly exited the room, racing through the portrait hole and into the corridor. Draco needed a cake, and quickly! Why, that was practically the best part of a birthday. She panted as she ran through the hall at breakneck speed, nearly knocking over a small first year in the process.
The Gryffindor finally reached her destination: the kitchen. She knew, from Harry and Ron' escapades, exactly how to get in. She hurriedly ticked the bright green pear painted on the portrait, and it swung open to reveal hundreds of bustling elves preparing breakfast.
Hermione clutched a stitch in her side as a crush of elves ran eagerly up to her. One was Dobby, she recognized.
"Ah, Miss Granger is coming to the kitchens! What is I getting for you, Miss?" Dobby inquired eagerly. He was wearing a rather strange sock; a bright orange one, and it was on his…head? Hermione turned her thoughts to more pressing things than odd socks worn as headwear.
"Actually, you can do something for me, if that's okay," Hermione said, still attempting to regain her breath.
"Anything for Miss Hermione!”
"Well, you see Dobby, it's Draco's birthday today! Can you make a cake for him so he can have it at breakfast? Please? I had no idea it was his birthday until right now," Hermione explained.
"Oh, of course, that is in order, Miss!" Dobby said happily. "Come, would you like to pick out the type of cake?" Hermione nodded and followed Dobby through the crowd of elves.
"Chocolate or vanilla, Miss Hermione?" Dobby asked.
"Oh? Chocolate, I think," Hermione answered. Chocolate cake happened to be a favorite of hers.
After about half an hour (magically baked cakes took much less time to bake than ordinary muggle ones), the cake was complete to the very last detail.
It was a huge, round rich chocolate cake, completely covered in chocolate icing. On top of the cake, there was a very realistic looking snake in green and red icing, hissing and flicking its tongue about, not unlike a magical picture. There were also the words, spelled out in neat green icing: Happy Birthday, Draco!
Hermione looked down at the cake, smiling. She and Dobby added the appropriate amount of candles to the cake, making it look really nice and festive.
Hermione went to wash her hands, as they were completely covered in flour and icing.
When she returned to the cake, Dobby said to her, "So, does Miss Hermione think that Sir Draco will like this cake?"
Hermione grinned broadly. "Yes, Dobby, I think he will. A lot. Come on, let's bring it out.”
They entered the Great Hall and gingerly set the gigantic cake atop the Gryffindor table.
After a few moments, loud footsteps were heard in the doorway. Hermione looked up and saw Draco and Harry running into the Great Hall, Draco holding Harry by the hand so he wouldn't get lost in the crowd of students. Draco looked around frantically. "Draco, Harry, over here!" she called.
Draco and Harry, seeming to have spotted Hermione, rushed over, oblivious to the huge chocolate cake that was right in front of Hermione.
"Hermione, where were you? We couldn't find you anywhere?”" Draco began.
"Happy birthday, Draco!" Hermione said, for want of anything better.
Draco looked rather caught off guard. "The cake is for me?" he said wonderingly, looking at the large chocolate masterpiece.
"Yup. And it has your name right on it! Now sit so we can sing happy birthday!" Hermione commanded, and Harry sat down on her right, Draco across from them.
Hermione began singing happy birthday. True, she didn't have the world's best singing voice, but soon the whole room was singing. Draco looked rather embarrassed for once.
"Hermione, you really didn't have to?”" Draco began, but Hermione cut him off.
"Blow out the candles!" she said, gesturing to the seventeen flickering flames.
Draco obliged, pausing a moment to make a wish. Harry grinned and clapped.
"Now, who's for cake?" Hermione asked, cutting the cake into slivers and passing them to herself, Harry and Draco.
Harry looked up at Hermione in wonder. "Why are you giving me cake?" he asked softly, looking down at his untouched slice.
"Why not? It' Draco's birthday today, everybody deserves cake!" Hermione said happily, eyes sparkling with delight.
"Uncle Vernon won't let me have any on Dudley's birthday," Harry whispered, explaining.
Hermione fought hard not to lose her temper at this. "Well, Harry, you can have all the cake you want here, no matter what your uncle said.”
"Really?" Harry broke into a wide, delighted smile, and began chewing forkfuls of the cake. His mouth was soon covered in chocolate frosting.
"Hermione, how did you know it was my birthday?" asked Draco.
"Saw it on your calendar."
"Oh. Well, thanks. You're not SO bad, Granger.”
"You're not SO terrible yourself, Malfoy." Hermione replied.
"Yes, well. I do happen to prefer chocolate cake to vanilla." Draco said.
"Me too.”
The three chatted amiably while finishing their cake slices. By the end, all three had chocolate smudges by their lips and pretty much all over their faces.
"You've got chocolate all over you, Draco! And you too, Harry." Hermione said, fighting the urge to laugh.
"Well, you're not exactly frosting-free, are you?”
"Well…”
"Well, in that case, this won't hurt much anyway, will it?" asked Draco, grinning evilly. And with that, he hurled a piece of cake at Hermione.
For a moment, Hermione sat stock-still, feeling the chocolate make its trail down her face. Then she grinned slowly and grabbed a handful and threw it across the table, right in the middle of Draco's nose.
Draco looked so funny with chocolate all over his face and robes that Hermione couldn't help laughing. Draco responded by throwing another handful of chocolate cake at Hermione, this time getting her hair.
It went on for a while, each madly chucking cake at one another. Harry was laughing appreciatively.
Finally, there was no more cake to be thrown. The two were completely covered in chocolate from head to toe. They sat, looking at each other, stock still. Finally Hermione reached across the table, grinning, and swiped some chocolate icing from the tip of Draco's nose.
"I never like to waste."
B.
After getting Sparkles back, Draco sat on the couch with him in his arms. As soon as Butterscotch dropped Sparkles he ran into Hermione’s room.
“Hey! Get out of my room!” shouted Hermione.
And that’s exactly what Butterscotch did, except he had a little surprise with him. In his mouth was Hermione’s most prized possession – her old, ratty, loved to death Angel Blanket. Running over to Butterscotch she tried to grab it out of his hands.
“Is that yours, Hermione?” Draco asked.
“No, that’s not mine!” Hermione said frantically. But under her breath she whispered to Butterscotch, “Put that down! That’s not yours and you know it!”
Willingly Butterscotch dropped the blanket and ran back into her room.
Now what is he getting? Hermione thought to herself.
“What about that, Hermione? Is that yours?” Draco rolled into laughter on the couch and Harry stared at him wide-eyed wondering when he’s going to roll off onto the floor.
“No! That is NOT! mine! I do not own a whole entire photo album of Brad Pitt and his awesomely, hot body. I would never have movie pictures of him in a photo album either… Butterscotch, I’m warning you, if you hurt Brad Pitt it will be the end!” Hermione whispered a little too loudly at the dog.
“Oh, okay Hermione, what ever you say about Brad Pitt. We all know who you’d rather have in that Photo Album,” Draco laughed and this time rolled off onto the floor. Harry’s finally starting to have a giggle fest himself, not only at Draco but at Hermione’s facial expression.
“You are so full of yourself. Draco! Why would I want pictures of you?”
“Well you’ve already got a sizable amount in that camera of yours.”
Just then Butterscotch comes out of Hermione’s room again.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Give that BACK! That’s mine….NOT mine I tell you but a…friend’s and she’ll need it back!” Hermione yelled at Butterscotch but before she could get it the dog brought it over to Draco.
“The Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Bust Size, whoa Hermione, didn’t think that you’d be a person with one of these,” Draco laughed out to her.
“I told you, it’s not mine! It’s a friend’s!”
“And who would be that friend?”
“Ginny,” Hermione sais a little too quickly.
“Really, why’d she give it to you?”
“She left it here the last time she was over.”
“Well when was that? Because the last…every time, she’s never had anything with her.”
“Can I just have it back?”
“Yes you can have it back,” Draco said with an evil glint in his eyes. Hermione held out her hand but didn’t receive the book.
“Draco, can I have it?”
“Yes, you can.”
“Well?”
“You didn’t say, ‘May I’.”
“Draco Malfoy! You give that back NOW!”
“There’s no use in shouting, I can hear you just fine,” Draco’s all too familiar smirk had set on his face by now.
“MAY I PLEASE HAVE IT BACK?”
“Let me think…no.”
“AHHHHH!” Hermione screamed as she charged Draco.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HARRY HELP!”
“MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUST GIVE IT BACK BEFORE SHE DOES SOMETHING SERIOUS!” Harry shouted over the noise to be heard.
“FINE! HERE! YOU CAN HAVE IT BACK!” Draco threw the book over to Hermione but to no avail. Butterscotch grabbed the book midair and ran around the room with it like a victory flag.
“DRACO! You are in serious trouble! Now the dog’s got it…”
“He’s got a name Hermione,” Draco said nonchalantly.
“Fine,” she said a little too shortly. “Now Butterscotch has my book and it wouldn’t have happened if you would have just given it back.”
“Oh, so it is yours. Okay, well there’s nothing to be shy about. I’m sure plenty of girls have a copy.”
“I don’t need a copy though. I’m perfectly content with mine, thank you very much.”
“Okay, okay, chill Hermione. I’m just joking around. Sheesh, remember to never do that Harry. Especially when it concerns Hermione,” Draco whispered over to Harry. While Butterscotch was running around the room with the book in his mouth, Draco started thinking of ways to get it back.
“Any day now, Draco.”
“All right, don’t worry.” Draco starts running after Butterscotch; scrambling for the book, and trying to pounce on Butterscotch every once in a while. Hermione and Harry are sitting on the couch watching Draco go around in circles, acting like a complete idiot. When Draco finally wrestled the book out of Butterscotches mouth, Hermione and Harry had lost interest in the boy chasing the dog. Instead they were both in a serious conversation over who looked more the fool: Draco chasing a dog, or Butterscotch with a book on ways to increase your bust. Although Harry didn’t really know about anything that had to do with busts, he still knew that there was a puppy with a book in its jaws.
“Why would Butterscotch want a book, Mione?” Harry asked puzzled.
Draco joined in the conversation saying, “Because Butterscotch likes having a feminine side to him every once in a while.”
“Draco, honestly, Harry’s five. To him there are no girl/boy differences.”
“Okay Mrs. Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Bust Size.”
“Draco Malfoy, you’re in for it!” Just as Hermione’s ready to pounce on Draco Butterscotch walks over to the fireplace.
C.
“Well, tomorrow is the big day, Lav. Finally, Terry will be back to bloody normal! I don’t think I would be able to stand him for any longer!” Ron sighed with relief at the thought of no more bruises and teeth marks. Lavender, however, didn’t look too happy at Ron’s announcement. Before he could react, she had hit him rather hard on the arm.
“Ow! Watch the bruises! They’re still there from when Terry bit me yesterday! Or was it the day before? …Still! You shouldn’t hit people’s wounds!” Ron cradled his black and blue arm still adorned with tiny teeth marks.
“Ron! You deserve it! How dare you be happy that Terry will be gone! He’s just a little kid! You shouldn’t be so mean to him! Go apologize to him! Now!” Ron shrank back from Lavender with a look of fear. She was scary when she was mad! With a expression of annoyance on his face, Ron reluctantly walked over to the little five-year-old terror.
“Terry, I want to apologize.” Ron smartly left out why. Terry would be biting him all over if he knew that Ron didn’t like him! The little boy looked up at him with confusion. He actually looked… innocent and adorable. Well, Ron decided, looks can definitely be deceiving.
Before Terry could ask Ron why he was apologizing, Lavender scooped him up in her arms, walking with the little boy into the Gryffindor common room. Ron sighed with relief. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with the little biting terror.
Ron walked away to go find Hermione and Harry. Hopefully they weren’t busy with Draco. Yes, even Ron was calling him by his first name now. He was just so adorable! You couldn’t help but love him!
As it turned out, Harry and Hermione were indeed busy. They were both studying, albeit Harry wasn’t as enthusiastic about it as Hermione was. Draco was playing with Pansy in his room, where you could hear occasional screams of horror. These usually coincided with Draco running out of the room with various charms on him, including long, hot pink, fake nails magically attached with Harry’s stolen wand, girly clothes, and ever-changing hair color. Ron decided not to stick around just in case Pansy saw him and decided to do something about his bright red mop of hair.
Ron walked back toward Gryffindor Tower, when he saw Lavender running in his direction, a look of panic on her face. Ron froze.
Lavender let out a shrill scream. “RONALD WEASLEY! WHERE DID YOU PUT TERRY?”
Terry frowned as he walked down the corridor. Where was that kid? The one with the bleached hair, the one he really wanted to bite, was nowhere to be found! Well, maybe he would have to find a new victim. Terry gave an evil grin as he saw a young girl walking down the hallway.
She was his age and had long black hair. He knew her! Terry frowned, trying to recall her name. Daisy? Well, something like that. Without a second thought, Terry snuck up behind the unsuspecting girl. In one swift movement, he attached his teeth to her arm. He was, however, unprepared for the screeching wail that came with his attack.
Pansy screamed as loud as she could, desperately trying to get the little bugger off. She shook her arm, then stopped because his teeth were nearly tearing her skin. Alright, Pansy thought. Time to bring out the big guns.
Ron ran down the hallway toward Gryffindor Tower. He had to find Terry! Merlin, he couldn’t wait until the little bugger was back to normal.
“Ron! Ron, wait! I want to ask you something!” Ron ignored the voice. It sounded familiar… Wait! That was Cho!
“Ron, please! I wanted to know if you’ll go out with me! Ron!” Ron almost stopped in shock, don’t forget disgust, but he remembered that he had to find Terry.
He ignored her whiny voice and ran down the hallway.
Pansy swung her foot around, grinning smugly as she felt it connect with a shin. A howl of pain accompanied the release of her arm. Pansy backed away from her attacker, cradling her bruised arm.
“HOW DARE YOU TRY TO BITE ME! I’M GOING TO KICK YOU SO HARD YOU WON’T EVEN REMEMBER YOUR NAME!” Pansy screamed. Terry backed up, terrified. No matter who he bit, this had never happened before. Pansy lunged at him.
Terry fled. Running down the hallway, he didn’t stop until he reached the dungeons all the way at the other side of the castle. Stopping to breathe, Terry looked around, panting. Suddenly he saw a tall man in black robes stalking down the hallway. It was Professor Snoop, or something like that.
Terry grinned. He had just found himself a new victim.
Parenting Class
Nundus…Those Can’t Be Good (aka the real chapter)
Bright, warm sunlight streamed in through the large window, bouncing of the waterfall and creating miniature rainbows sparkling all about the dark green room. Hermione raised herself up on one elbow to watch the spectacle, wondering why she’d never seen it before.
And then she remembered. Last night. Flipping quickly over she came face to face with Harry, who was sleeping peacefully. Her throat clenched as she looked at the boy’s neck. Dark, purple and blue bruises covered the pale flesh, standing out vividly from the peach. But the frightening thing were the marks. Each one was in the shape of a long and slender finger…much too long to be Harry’s.
‘He was really with him,’ she realized, touching Harry’s hand to reassure herself the boy was next to her. “Voldemort was really trying to kill Harry…he was in Hogwarts! We’ll visit Dumbledore before breakfast,’ she decided, chewing on her lower lip. ‘He’ll know what to do.’
Conjuring up an icepack like Draco had done the night before, she gently lifted Harry’s head from the pillow and placed it beneath his neck and another one under his chin. Crawling around Harry and over to Draco, Hermione was surprised when she heard a soft woof of thanks.
Turning, she smiled as she saw Butterscotch had taken her spot on the bed and was nuzzling Harry. “You know,” she said, looking at the puppy fondly, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be mad at you…you saved Harry’s life and I’m eternally grateful.” Butterscotch gave her a grin and went back to trying to sleep.
The Gryffindor looked at Draco, surprised to see his face etched in semi-pain. When he’d woken her up at five, he hadn’t seemed to be like that…merely tired, which didn’t come as a surprise since it was quite early. “I am such a bloody idiot,” she muttered, a wave of guilt washing over her.
Yesterday’s events flashed through her mind…dropping Draco to the floor, forcing soap into his mouth, putting Harry on his stomach, not letting him play…well, the last one she could understand. After all, she wouldn’t have him falling behind in his studies because he’d rather read about quidditch. But he was hurt and she probably made it worse.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, reaching out and brushing back a stray piece of Draco’s hair that had fallen across his eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you…I just…oh, I don’t know. You deserved to have soap put in your mouth, but I shouldn’t have done it with your injuries. “Can you forgive me?”
“That depends.”
Hermione gave a shriek and tumbled of the bed, clutching her pounding heart. “Don’t do that!” she cried, breathing heavily as if she’d just run a mile. “You scared me! Wait!” she intervened before Draco could say anything. “Don’t apologize. That was my own fault and I quite deserved it. Now…depends on what?”
“If you promise to never, ever, put soap in my mouth again.”
“Deal.” Hermione held her hand out and Draco took it after a moment’s contemplation. “Look at this,” she whispered, going serious once more. “On his neck.” Removing one of the icepacks, Draco was able to see the marks the fingers pressed into the flesh had made.
“Did Harry do that or did…?”
“Voldemort did. The hands are too big to be Harry’s.” After a pause Hermione said softly, “I’m scared Draco. For Harry. He’s so little…so defenseless. He might have died last night if Butterscotch hadn’t gotten us”
“But the dog did, so let’s just put it behind us.”
“We can’t! It isn’t an everyday occurrence you know. Somehow, Voldemort was able to get past the defense at Hogwarts and he almost killed Harry right under our noses. How do you think we would have reacted in the morning if we’d found him dead?”
“Calm down,” Draco commanded. “Yes, it is terrible and all, but it didn’t happen. When we talk to Dumbledore he can probably fix it. So relax…you’re worrying about something that we can’t fix and if you keep doing it you’ll get sick.”
“When did you become smart?” she joked. “But you’re right…Dumbledore will take care of everything. And Harry doesn’t appear to be too bad…I mean, he’s sleeping right now.”
Draco looked offended at the first remark. “Hello?” he asked, rapping his knuckles against Hermione’s skull. “I am a Prefect and second highest ranked in this school as of the moment. I’m not as dumb as you think I am.”
“Sorry,” she apologized with a grin. “I know you’re not. Although I can whip you at Transfiguration.”
“And I beat you bloody bad at Potions. I am his favorite you know.”
“I know,” Hermione growled, vein pulsing in her forehead. “And that’s the only reason I’m not beating you there too.” Draco simply smirked. “Hey, Harry’s waking up!”
And indeed, the little boy was sitting up and rubbing his eyes sleepily, Butterscotch licking his face in a morning greeting. But a second later, both of his hands went to his neck and his face was scrunched up in pain. “Does it hurt a lot?” Hermione asked gently, scooting over on the bed. Harry gave a single nod. “Let’s head up and see Professor Dumbledore. He can possibly make it feel better. Let’s all go get dressed and then we’ll head up to see him.”
Disappearing into her own room, Hermione pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a long sleeved deep purple shirt and then yanked her robes on over her head. Picking up her book bag from the floor, Hermione exited. “Ready to go?” she asked. “Is Butterscotch in his cage?”
“No,” Draco shuddered. “I’m not going near that thing.”
“You didn’t seem so afraid of him last night. You were using the dog as a pillow!”
“Probably because I was too exhausted to realize what it really was. And Harry’s almost asleep again…I’m not going to make him do it.” Indeed, the child was curled contentedly in Draco’s arms, breathing soft and even.
Shaking her head, Hermione bribed the puppy into his cage with some dog treats and closed the door of it before Butterscotch even knew what was happening. Double checking to make sure his water bowl was still in the cage, Hermione gave the puppy a pat on the head through the bars and then beckoned for Draco to follow.
The halls were relatively empty, with only a few cries of alarm from some younger years as Peeves attacked them down the hall with water balloons as they headed for breakfast. Sunlight filtered in through the high windows, playing gently over the stone and warming it somewhat.
“So,” said Draco, attempting to create a conversation. “What class do we have first today?”
“Care of Magical Creatures. I’m really hoping that Hagrid doesn’t bring anything too dangerous. I mean, I really can’t see Harry taking well to a dragon or a Manticore, can you?”
“Maybe he’ll bring in a Niffler? I’m sure Harry would like those.”
“But we learned about Nifflers in fourth year, remember? That was when Hagrid hid the Leprechaun gold…”
“Oh yeah. Maybe a Mooncalf then?”
“The only good way to study a Mooncalf is at night when they’re performing their dances.”
“Dances?”
Hermione sighed. “It’s said that when the Mooncalves perform their dances they’re attempting to find a mate. They dance on their hind legs in a pattern on the ground and disappear before the sun comes up. It’s really quite interesting,” she mused. “Back in 1739 wizards studied the patterns made by Mooncalves made at certain times of the year to predict how well their crops would grow. No real discovery was made of this until 1748 when…”
Draco tuned out the now chattering Gryffindor and shook his head, though a smile was on his face. ‘Truly a bookworm,’ he smirked. ‘I wonder if she liked reading that much when she was a kid. If she did, we shouldn’t have any trouble…just bring her to the library and let her read everyday. I don’t know why she thinks she’ll be hard to handle.”
Listening again he heard Hermione speak, “and so therefore it’s said that the patterns really hold no significant value to farming, although studies are still going on to find if the patterns are in anyway connected to the Mooncalf the other Mooncalf is trying to mate. Interesting, huh?”
“Very,” Draco agreed.
“Were you even listening to me?”
“Uh huh,” Draco lied. “Hey look, we’re here,” he said, steering the conversation away from Mooncalves and their weird dances. “Any clue on the password?”
“Hmmm…not really. Just start guessing candies. One of them has to work.”
“Gumdrops!”
“Snickers.”
“Isn’t a snicker a sort of laugh?”
“Yes, but it’s also a candy bar that has chocolate, nougat, peanuts and caramel.”
“Oh…Fizzing Whizbees.”
“Nerds.”
“Well that isn’t very nice,” Draco commented. “Some people are proud to be nerds…like you.”
“One, I am not a nerd,” Hermione huffed. “I just enjoy school. And two, nerds are also a candy.”
“Right…” Draco drawled. “How about then…geeks!”
“That isn’t a candy,” Hermione sighed. “Butterfinger!”
“Muggles certainly have the oddest names for candy.”
“Yup, but they work.” As they watched, the gargoyles sprang apart to reveal the revolving staircase. Hopping on, Draco followed with Harry and both remained silent for the short trip up, the reality of why they were there too serious to make more jokes.
Entering Dumbledore’s office, they noticed the man standing at the window and stroking Fawkes’ head. “Hello, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy,” the headmaster greeted, never once turning away. “And how are you this fine morning?”
“We’re well, Sir,” Hermione said. “But Harry isn’t.”
“Harry?” Dumbledore looked sharply up, blue eyes looking at the child.
“Yes. Last night we think…no, we’re positive, that Voldemort was here, at Hogwarts.” At a nod from Dumbledore to continue, Hermione did. “We were sleeping when Butterscotch, Harry’s puppy, woke us up barking. When we got to Harry’s room he looked like he was strangling himself, or trying to get someone else’s hands off of his neck. We managed to wake him up and he told us that he was with the ‘bad wizard’. This morning, when it was light enough I saw the bruises around his neck…the fingers are too long to be his. Voldemort was here…he almost killed Harry.”
“May I see him?” asked Dumbledore, holding out his arms.
Draco nodded and began to place Harry in the man’s, just as the boy woke up. He took one look at Dumbledore and the once vibrant green orbs turned blood red. Hermione screamed and Draco drew back on the boy, clutching him protectively to his chest.
“It is as I feared,” Dumbledore spoke softly.
“What is?” Hermione whispered, looking at Harry, who’s eyes were once more green but very wide and slowly filling with tears.
“First, give him this,” Dumbledore said, handing a vial to Draco. “We can’t let him overhear…that’s a simple sleeping draught. We can wake him up when we’re done with this conversation.”
Draco nodded and looked down at Harry, who had his face now buried in Draco’s robes. “Can you drink this?” he asked quietly.
Harry gave a tiny nod and took the drink from the Slytherin. Seconds later, he was once more sound asleep. “Sit down,” suggested Dumbledore, conjuring two armchairs for Hermione and Draco in front of his desk. “What I say may come as a shock, especially to you, Miss Granger. I know that you have been Harry’s friend from the start, but you must not blame him for not informing you of what happened at the Ministry last year. And Mr. Malfoy, I trust that you won’t tell anyone of what I’m about to say.”
Both nodded, the air thick with tension and fear and they’d do anything to make it leave.
“Last year at the Ministry, I was forced into a duel with Voldemort,” Dumbledore said gravely. “At the end, I had him cornered and he…somehow, he managed to take control of Harry and speak through him. I fear that when Voldemort was resurrected with Harry’s blood two years ago, he gained some new powers.”
“So you mean that he can take over Harry whenever he wants to?” Hermione gasped, looking fearfully down at the boy lying across Draco’s lap.
“Not quite. Last year, he managed to gain access when Harry was very emotionally unstable; having just witnessed Sirius’ death. Now, Harry has very low defense barriers, being only a child. Once he is returned to his normal age, the barriers should go up and hold off Voldemort…for now.”
“For now?” Draco echoed.
Dumbledore bowed his head. “Every time Voldemort attempts to break through, Harry’s barrier weakens since he does not know how to defend it. We had hoped occlumency would have helped, but between Professor Snape’s dislike of Harry and Harry’s temper we haven’t gotten very far.”
“We have to do something,” Hermione declared. “Harry’s my best friend,” she said softer. “I’m not going to stand here and just wait for Harry to get over this. There has to be someway I can help.”
“Just let him know you’re there for him,” Dumbledore advised. “Make sure he knows you care and he has your friendship. Because Voldemort will never understand the true meaning of love or friendship, and he therefore can’t break through it. I think it might be safer to transform Harry back to his proper age…he’ll be somewhat better protected and Voldemort won’t be able to visit him in his dreams or take control.”
“I don’t know if that would be the best action,” Hermione murmured. “Harry had such a sad childhood. I want him to know that we care for him…and when he is changed back our bonds may be even deeper then before…and he’s even gaining new friends through this project...like Draco and Pansy.”
“I see your point,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “By having more friends, Harry will have even more of a defense against Voldemort because he’ll be able to draw strength and support from them. Then the best course of action I’d have to say would be to let him stay like this until the end of the project. But, if he should ever be possessed or have an encounter with Voldemort, like last night, we will have no choice but to return him to his proper age, understood?”
“Very clearly, Sir,” Hermione and Draco chorused.
Dumbledore reached over his desk and ruffled Harry’s hair. “I say it’s time to wake him up now and then head down for breakfast. You all look like you could use a hot meal…give this to Harry after he’s eaten something,” Dumbledore said, handing a small bottle to Draco. “It should make him feel quite a bit better. And remember…if you ever need something, my door will always be open.”
Hermione nodded and took the antidote for the sleeping potion. Administering it to Harry, she smiled her thanks at Dumbledore and turned to leave, Harry now in her arms and starting to rouse. Draco nodded at Dumbledore and followed Hermione and Harry, picking up the Gryffindor’s overly large book bag on the way out.
The headmaster smiled at the trio, blue eyes twinkling mischievously with humor. “I must say,” he chuckled to himself, watching as Draco and Hermione began to talk and fuss over Harry (well, really only Hermione fussing, Draco simply making sure he was okay) , “I am a genius.”
“I do wonder what Hagrid is planning,” Hermione said as the trio strolled outside and down the hill to Hagrid’s cabin. They had all eaten breakfast and Harry had taken his medicine and were now ready to face whatever the half-giant had planned for them.
“Is it going to be scary?” asked Harry, riding comfortably on Draco’s shoulders.
“I hope not,” Hermione tried to reassure. “At least we don’t have to worry about the Dragons, right?” As they neared the clearing they saw Hagrid standing on his front step, a large grin on his face. “I’ve got a real treat for yeh all today,” he smiled. Noticing Harry, his grin got even wider. ‘Arry, so nice ter see you again.”
“Uncle Haggy!” Harry cried in delight. Taking the child off of his shoulders, Draco watched as he sprinted for Hagrid and hugged him around the knees. “Are you going to show us something scary?” he asked, looking up at the gamekeeper.
“Nah, course not,” Hagrid beamed. “I’d never show yeh anything dangerous.”
The class, overhearing Hagrid’s announcement, looked at one another before small giggles were heard and then loud snickering. “Nothing dangerous,” Lavender laughed. “Then what were the Blast-Ended Skrewts?”
“And Norbert?” chimed in Terry.
“And all the other things we’ve studied?” added Pansy. Hagrid pointedly ignored them.
“Everyone here?” Hagrid asked, looking around at the assembled students. “Right then, I’ll go get yeh the creature.” Disappearing into his house, Hagrid came back out with a rather large wicker basket and set it on the ground. “If yeh’d come a bit nearer,” he said, “I’ll show yeh what’s inside.”
“Do we want to know?” Draco whispered to Hermione, the girl shrugging and sitting down a few feet from it, Harry securely in her lap.
“In ere is a Nundu. Nundus are from Eas’ Africa and are said to be close to extinction, due ter wizards killin’ em’.”
“A Nundu,” Hermione squeaked, backing up another few feet. “Are you mad, Hagrid! That thing could kill us all in a matter of minutes!”
“No, he won’. See, he’s on’y a baby, can’ do any serious damage yet. Now, as I was saying. There’s a huge debate going on ‘tween wizards abou’ if Nundus are the most dangerous creatures in world. I fer one, don’ think they are. Now abou’ the Nundu. It’s a gigantic leopard that is very quiet when it moves, ‘spite it’s size. Their breath is full of diseases that could wipe out whole towns.”
“So why are we studying one?” asked Pansy faintly.
“Being on’y a baby, the most damage yeh’ll get from Fuzzball is a cold fer a day o’ so. Would any of yeh like ter pet him?” No one moved.
Hermione sighed. When Harry was older he was always the one to participate first in Hagrid’s classes so the teacher wouldn’t feel so bad that no one liked his ‘pets’. “I’ll pet him, Hagrid,” she sighed, resigning herself to fate.
Hagrid beamed. “Right then, ‘Mione. Now, when yer pet him hold yer breath. It’ll prevent yeh from getting sick as long as yeh don’t breathe in the air around him.” Reaching into the basket, Hagrid removed the Nundu. It was the size of a full grown house cat, black and dark gold spots on the golden coat identifying it as a leopard.
Fuzzball was sound asleep, and curled up in Hagrid’s arms as soon as he was free from his basket. Cries of exclamation over how cute he was rose from the girls and the kids. Hermione took a gulp of fresh air and stepped closer to the cat in Hagrid’s arms. Reaching out, she gently stroked it, the Nundu purring in response.
“I wanna pet him too!” shouted Ron, jumping up from beside Lavender (where she’d made him sit, not by Harry or Neville) and racing towards the leopard. Unfortunately, Ron didn’t hold his breath and instead took in a lungful of air around the Nundu. A split second later, he fell over on the ground.
“Ron!” screamed Lavender.
“It’s all right,” Hagrid called. “He’s jus’ got a cold…the blast knocked him out though.”
“Can I pet him, Draco?” Harry asked, looking up at his current guardian. “Please?”
“Okay,” Draco said slowly. “But I’ll go with you…and remember to hold your breath.” Harry nodded and both moved slowly towards Hermione and Hagrid. “Harry wants to pet the cat too,” Draco announced.
“Come on, ‘Arry,” Hagrid encouraged. “He won’ bite yeh.” Tentatively Harry stepped forward with Draco right behind, both already holding their breath. Gingerly, Harry touched the Nundu, whom Hagrid had lowered so he could reach it. The child’s eyes lighted up and he smiled at Hagrid, who looked like he had when Draco (as a child) has asked if he could ride the dragon.
Care of Magical Creatures ended shortly after, no more accidents occurring, which was quite strange considering Neville was there. Ron was taken up to the Hospital Wing to get some Pepper-up Potion from Pomfrey so he’d hopefully be feeling better.
Ginny met Hermione and her group in the Great Hall for lunch a few hours later, her face furious. “What’s wrong?” asked Hermione, helping herself to an apple.
“My ‘younger brother’,” she hissed, so Harry wouldn’t overhear, vehemently biting into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Lavender asked me to watch him for a minute while she went to the bathroom since Terry was off getting an extra dose of pepper-up for him.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad…”
“During that five minutes he managed to steal my wand and dye my hair lime green. See, there’s still some green left by my roots. And then that brat tied me up and I was forced to watch him paint Lavender’s room the most beautiful shade of brown. She wasn’t very happy…”
Hermione nodded sympathetically and patted her friend’s shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she comforted. “In less then two weeks it’ll all be back to nor-” her voice was drowned out as loud screaming from the entrance hall sounded.
The noise grew louder and several of the children began to cry as students around them rose with their wands out and ready to defend, faces serious. The shouting grew louder until it seemed like the building would explode from the sound.
The question is…who’s attacking Hogwarts?
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