"Merlin's beard! Sweet Merlin's beard!" Professor Flitwick squeaked as he rushed forwards and stopped in front of Harry while the crowd around them began whispering to each other. "A fully-fledged corporeal patronus!" He gasped as he stared up at Harry. "I'm very impressed with you, Mr Potter! Excellent work!
Take fifty points for Gryffindor!" He said with a bright smile on his face.
"Oh…..thank you, sir." Harry blushed slightly, running a hand through the back of his hair as the whispers
continued to grow louder.
"It's absolutely marvellous! Who taught you that spell?" Professor Flitwick asked curiously, staring at Harry like he was a difficult puzzle.
"Um...nobody, sir. I learnt it myself," Harry answered. "I'm not a fan of the dementors around here and I wanted to learn how to do it."
"Amazing!" Professor Flitwick smiled wider than Harry had ever seen the man smile. "Take another twenty points!"
"Um...thanks." Harry smiled at him, not really knowing what else to say.
"Oh goodness, your mother would be proud!" Professor Flitwick continued, a wide grin on his face. "She was the best student I had ever taught when it comes to charms and even she wasn't able to accomplish what you had just done. How would you feel about attending a few extra lessons with me?" He asked hopefully.
Harry blinked and stared at him, not noticing the gaping look from Ron or the jealous one from Hermione.
The next morning Harry rolled his eyes as he sat down at breakfast, the Hogwarts school rumour mill had been running overtime in its attempt to make sure that everyone knew everything about what had happened recently with Harry. By now, Harry was sure that the whole school knew about his confrontation with Snape
and that everyone had heard about him being able to cast a patronus. Harry was able to hear whispers from all four tables as his breakfast appeared in front of him.
"You know," He began, speaking to Ron and Hermione who had sat opposite him. "I'd like it if just once I was able to last a whole week without being talked about."
"Not likely to happen," Ron grunted, a hint of irritation in his voice. "You fought with Snape and then made a big show in front of everyone with that spell." Harry wasn't sure if it was just his imagination that had picked up on the jealousy in Ron's voice or if it was actually there, but either way, he decided to try and cut it off before it could get worse.
"I didn't mean to do that," Harry defended. "I thought that I'd practise the spell, I never figured that it'd create a massive stag that'd cause everyone to look at me." Harry ran a hand through his hair which for
some reason caused several nearby girls to let out dreamy sighs, something which caused Harry to quickly stop and lower nis hand.
"It doesn't matter if vou like it or not, vou're going to be fairly popular for the next few weeks." Hermione commented, sounding less than pleased as she ate breakfast with one hand while her other hand held a book that she was reading.
"I think that..." Harry paused when he noticed the book was a charms book, one that was very familiar to Harry as it was the one that he had learnt the patronus charm from. "Hermione, isn't that the book I checked out from the library?" He asked with a frown.
"Yes." Hermione didn't even bother looking at him as she continued reading the book.
"Well, why do you have it?" Harry's frown grew bigger.
"I wanted to try and learn the patronus charm," Hermione absently explained as she continued to read through the book.
'I had left that book on my bed, didn't I?' Harry asked Venom.
'Yes, yes, you did.' Venom growled. 'Meaning she took it, you really know how to choose your friends.'
Ignoring Venom's last remark, Harry reached forwards and snatched the book out of Hermione's hands. The bushy-haired girl blinked and stared at Harry with disbelief, as was Ron who thought that getting between Hermione and a book was a lot like getting in between a dog and its dinner.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked in an irritated voice.
"Hermione, I had left this in my room on my bed, why is it in your hands?" Harry asked, sounding just as
irritated.
"Because I wanted to read it and..."
"That is not a good excuse," Harry cut her off.
"Harry James Potter, I.
"Hermione Jean Granger," Harry cut her off before she could start on what would likely be a long rant.
"you've constantly since we've met harped on Ron and me about our manners, the way we conduct ourselves, dress, eat, our language and so much more. Therefore, I am sure that you'll understand why I find it more than irritating and quite hypocritical for you to think that it is in any way acceptable for you, a girl, to walk up into the boy's dorm and then take something from your friend without permission." Harry wasn't entirely sure it it was Just his words or also the chiding tone that he was using but either way, he seemed to be getting to Hermione based on how the girl was turning red.
"I had only gone up when you were having a shower to see how long you were taking," Hermione began,
though her voice was much quieter than before. "I wanted to see what was taking so long and then I saw
voUr book anc...
"I don't care," Harry interrupted. "I'm the one that checked this out of the library so if anything happens to this book then it'll be me who gets in trouble, either way, you shouldn't have taken something from me without permission. Now, in the civilised world if we want something then we ask for it, now, do you want this book?" Harry asked, holding up the book.
"Y...yes please." Hermione's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Then ask for it, politely and nicely," Harry told her. Hermione stared at him for a few moments before she
obened her mouth.
"Harry, may I please borrow that book?" She asked.
"See, that wasn't so hard." Harry rolled his eyes before he handed her the book.
"Thank you," Hermione gave him a brief nod before deciding to continue eating breakfast and reading in the hopes that the awkwardness of the situation would die down. Harry held back a snort before he also started eating, Ron blinked for a few seconds before joining them, leaving the whole trio to eat in awkward silence.
Harry had barely finished his food when all of a sudden a group of people walked into the great hall. Harry noted that Tonks was one of them, he also saw a man that he remembered as Auror Shacklebolt, there were also a couple of other aurors that Harry didn't recognise. He watched as the group walked up to the teacher's table, Tonks making sure to wink at Harry and give him a small smile as she passed. "What's going on?"
Hermione frowned, looking up from her book to see what was happening.
"Something very good, hopefully," Harry whispered to himself.
"Good morning," Dumbledore stood up as the aurors stopped in front of the table. "How may I help you?" He
asked curiously.
"Forgive me, Professor Dumbledore, but we are here on official business," Auror Shacklebolt said before turning his attention to Snape who was glaring at the aurors for interrupting his breakfast. "Professor Snape, I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of illegal legilimency on a minor." His words quickly caused the majority of the students to start talking to each other about what they had just heard.
"What?!" Snape snapped as he quickly stood up, causing everyone to become silent, Snape glared at the aurors before turning his attention to Harry who was watching with a lazy smile. "Potter!" Snape barked.
"Yo." Harry gave him a small wave.
"You arrogant little brat! You dare to...
"That's enough!" Tonks said in a firm voice, interrupting Snape
"Don't speak to me like that!" Snape hissed at Tonks. "Don't forget that only a few years ago you were just a
DinK-naired menace nere and..
"That might be true but right now I am standing here in my full capacity as an auror," Tonks cut Snape off, glaring at him as her hair turned red. "And I feel like it's my duty as an auror and a person with common sense to tell you that when you're accused of a crime as horrible as mind-reading then the last thing you should do is start insulting the aurors and the one that claims to be a victim, especially in a hall full of witnesses. For somebody so smart, you seem to be unable to think things through." Tonks was very tempted
to smile as she saw snape grow increasingly red at her words.
..." The potions teacher began but was quickly interrupted by Dumbledore.
"Enough, Severus," He said in a firm voice before turning to Shacklebolt and speaking in a softer voice.
"now, is this really necessary? I'm sure that this is all a big misunderstanding."
"Perhaps, but orders are orders and we have to follow procedure," Shacklebolt said in an apologetic voice as he pulled out a pair of magical impression handcuffs, causing Snape to blanch as he not only saw the handcuffs but also the group of aurors that looked more than ready to attack him if he resisted arrest, it probably didn't help his situation that most of them were former students of his.
'We probably shouldn't laugh at this, but I really want to.' Harry mentally told Venom.
'Let's find somewhere private, then we can laugh our asses off.'
'Good idea.'
"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me!" Harry blurted out in sync with Venom.
It had been three days since Snape had been taken away by the aurors, and a lot had happened within that time. Firstly, Harry was once again held as a hero by everyone who hated Snape (the majority of the school), though Hermione was incredibly annoyed with him over it, unsurprisingly. Dumbledore had also been called to meet with the aurors since he could potentially be charged with assisting Snape since he didn't report the incident, Harry himself had been called in once to give a statement before being allowed to return to school.
While Snape was gone, Harry had continued practising spells and had been taking extra lessons with Professor Flitwick who was beyond happy with the progress that Harry was making. Harry had also noticed
that Hermione was trying desperately to get the patronus charm to work but wasn't really able to get more than a bit of mist. Harry had offered to help but the stubborn girl seemed intent on doing it by herself.
Right now, Harry was in the owlery, having gone up to visit Hedwig who was now currently perched on Harry's shoulder. Venom had also decided to greet her, which was why a black tentacle with Venom's head on the end of it had emerged out of Harry's back. All seemed nice until Harry and Venom (plus Hedwig) had looked down and saw Professor Dumbledore and Snape arrive on the grounds.
"The bastard got off," Harry growled, remembering Tonks's warning that this might happen.
"Dumbledore saved him," Venom growled alongside Harry before turning to Hedwig. "Do you see the bullshit that we have to deal with?" Hedwig gave an affirmative and sympathetic hoot as she nodded her head before letting out another hoot. "You're right, we deserve better than this." Harry wasn't sure if Venom honestly could understand Hedwig but decided he didn't really want to think about it at the moment.
"I hate him." Harry glared down to where Snape was talking with Dumbledore.
"Same." Venom agreed.
"Hoot." Hedwig hooted before letting out a chirping noise.
"That's illegal." Venom told her.
"He's going to be a nightmare now," Harry whispered. "no matter what Dumbledore says, I'm not going back to his class."
"He didn't teach much anyway," Venom pointed out. "we'll learn a lot better on our own."
"Yeah," Harry nodded, Snape's teaching method honestly seemed to be limited to writing the instructions and then insulting anyone who doesn't get them right so Harry wouldn't exactly argue with Venom's last
comment. "let's get out of here."
"Fine," Venom nodded before turning to Hedwig just as another black tentacle popped out of Harry's back.
"bye Hedwig." The second tentacle waved at her before both tentacles retreated into Harry.
"I'm glad you two are getting along," Harry gave Hedwig a small smile before he gently and carefully picked her up and placed her back on a perch. "take care of yourself girl." He earned an affectionate nip of his fingers with that comment, causing him to laugh and give Hedwig one last owl treat before walking off.