Mother Knows Best

Monday Morning, after the great Q & A, Harry was back in Lucy's office.

"You want to learn CPR?" she asked quizzically.

"Yes."

"Well, sure, I can teach you. But why the sudden interest in Muggle First Aid?"

"Well..." Harry told Lucy about his conversation with Buffy.

"Oh, that; I always wondered about that. You see, Harry, CPR shouldn't make your heart start beating on its own. It's just a holdover until somebody can get a defibrillator. I suspect there was actually a current running through the water she was in contact with, and it jump-started her heart." Harry was visibly disappointed. "Hey, don't get me wrong; CPR is still an important life-saving skill. Tell you what: I'll teach the DA Muggle First Aid, and then I'll teach you-all the Wizard equivalent of a defibrillator." As Lucy said this, her hand crackled with lightning.

"Sure, that would be great!"

"Done," Lucy said, making a mental note to herself. "And Harry," she added.

"Yes?"

"Good luck with your Quidditch game on Friday!"

Harry grinned. "Thanks."

Ron had been nervous during Quidditch practise, and his spectacular saves from the last game he played seemed all but forgotten. But Harry knew Ron had the makings of a good keeper. He kept reminding Ron of this, and all the spectacular saves he made last year. Slowly but surely, Ron was getting better; even in spite of the jeering Slytherin students who attended the Gryffindor team practises religiously.

The Slytherin students became much fewer in number, however, after someone 'accidentally' left a box of Fred and George's Skiving Sweets out on the bench; which the Slytherins gorged on, causing them to become instantly and spectacularly ill. They came down the most shocking combination of nausea, nosebleeds, fever, malaria and other assorted illnesses that Madam Pomfrey had ever seen. Unfortunately, this episode brought the existence of Skiving Sweets to the attention of the teachers, and Mr. Filch got permission to search for them. A lot of students were caught with the contraband Sweets; a lot of detentions and lost house points followed. Snape was furious about the whole affair, as half the Slytherin Quidditch team had been affected, and he cursed Fred and George for leaving before he could have them expelled.

Ginny made a really good chaser, though Harry suspected she was a better seeker. Even though Marcia didn't say anything, Harry got the impression that she lamented the loss of Katie Bell. Crabbe and Goyle had started threatening the Gryffindor players -especially Ginny- around school, but since they had been affected worst by the Skiving Sweets (they had managed to stuff themselves with half the sweets before the other Slytherins got a chance), they were still under Madam Pomfrey's care by the time the first game came around. Malfoy (who had unfortunately escaped the whole Skiving affair), had tried to carry on in Crabbe and Goyle's place, but when Ginny hinted she was going to volunteer to test new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products, Malfoy had turned even paler than usual, and quickly departed.

The weather was perfect for a game; overcast with absolutely no wind. It was even unseasonably warm for autumn at Hogwarts. Slytherin was really getting the lead out; they had found temporary replacements for all the players still sick from the Skiving Sweets, but the new players had only had a few weeks to practise, so the other Slytherin students were resorting to their usual demoralising tactics to try and shake the Gryffindor team. They even tried a chorus of "Wesley is our King," but the Gryffindor students drowned them out with their own rendition. In truth, Harry felt sort of bad about the whole thing, and had asked professor McGonagall if the game could be postponed, but she said they could only forfeit; and neither house was about to do that. The Gryffindor students were still sore about losing the house cup last year due to all the points they'd lost while the 'inquisitional squad' was in power, and the Skiving incident had pushed the rivalry of the two houses into open hostilities; they were teetering on the brink of actual fighting. Harry hoped the Quidditch game would diffuse some of the hostile feelings, at least on the Gryffindor side. He was even willing to throw the game, if he thought it would mean the Slytherin students would stop bullying the Gryffindors. But he doubted it.

Madam Hooch told the teams to shake hands, and Harry got several crushing handshakes (he doubted he was the only one, he saw all his team-mates grimace a lot). She blew the whistle, and they kicked off. Harry circled the field from above, keeping half an eye out for the snitch, and keeping half an eye on Ron, to see how he was doing.

"The Slytherin team seems to be picking on Ginny -er, sorry professor- focusing their defence on the new Gryffindor chaser, Ginny Weasley." Colin Creevey, who had replaced Lee as announcer, announced, his usual not-quite-contained pro-Gryffindor prejudice curbed by stern looks from professor McGonagall. "Ginny, as you recall, replaced Harry as seeker last year during his horribly unfair ban. -sorry professor, but it was! She's returned this year to replace Katie Bell." He said, trying unsuccessfully to change the topic to something slightly less related to the game, and as such, less likely to get him in trouble. "Ginny has the Quaffle, -ooh! Ginny barely dodges a Bludger speeding towards her head!" It seemed to Harry like Ginny was doing her best to keep the Quaffle away from her brother, who was looking somewhat green from nerves.

Just then, Malfoy came floating up next to Harry. "Well, well, a Weasley on a Nimbus; I never thought I'd see the day. I hear it was a present from those joker twins. Their mother must be deliriously happy to finally have galleons at her command. Does she take all the profit from that Wheezing shop of theirs?" he asked, giving Harry a nasty grin.

"It's none of my business, and it's certainly none of yours," Harry replied coolly.

"Oh, but that's not really her style. And I heard that howler Ron got last year, she probably disowned them. Did she go crawling back to dear old Fred and George to beg for money for all that fancy new school equipment?" Malfoy laughed with malicious delight.

Malfoy narrowly missed a hex as Harry was distracted when Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "No talking between players!" she shouted in an amplified voice. Suddenly, Harry noticed that Slytherin players had gone up to Gryffindor players allover the field, probably doing exactly what Malfoy was doing; distracting the players! Angry, Harry ignored Malfoy, moved away and redoubled his efforts in searching for the snitch.

"And another point scored for Gryffindor!" Colin roared.

Then, Harry caught a glint of gold out of the corner of his eye. He focused in on it, and groaned despairingly; the snitch was over the stands, and getting uncomfortably close to Snape. It was bad enough that Snape seemed to hold Harry personally responsible for everything his father had done to Snape during their school years, and that Harry was stuck with him as potions teacher right up until Harry finished his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Harry did NOT want to tread on Snape's toes, and he knew the Potions Master would probably find some way to hold Harry's dive-bombing him against Harry somehow. Too late. Malfoy had seen the snitch; Harry would have to make a go at it. Luckily, Harry was closer, and his Firebolt was faster than Malfoy's Nimbus. Malfoy made a beeline straight for Snape's face, while Harry, who had been approaching the stands anyway, dropped down from above. Even with Harry's lead, it was going to be very close.

It all happened at once; Harry grabbed the snitch, which was less than an inch from Malfoy's hand, then their shoulders connected with a great 'whack!' Snape let out an odd squeaking sound as Harry and Malfoy collided in midair right in front of him. Lucy, who was a few seats away, began coughing furiously. The inertial force of Harry and Malfoy's impact caused them both to spin and Malfoy's broom hit Snape in the face. Lucy now sounded like she was choking; but somehow, Harry thought she was desperately trying to mask a fit of laughter. Harry, himself, was unsure whether he should be happy or miserable. He had not only snatched victory from Slytherin's hands; rather literally, he had embarrassed their head of house in public, and caused him to be hit in the face with a broom at high speed. All of this would cause the Slytherins to hate him, but he would practically be a hero in the Gryffindor common room tonight.

Harry flew down and joined the rest of the Gryffindor team. He got several appreciative pats and handshakes, but he was bracing for Malfoy's inevitable insults.

"So good of you to save the Weasleys from embarrassment with that catch, Potter," Malfoy drawled.

"Funny, they seemed to be doing all right to me," Harry retorted.

"Who wouldn't, with half our team still in the infirmary?" Malfoy snapped back.

"DRACO MALFOY!" was suddenly bellowed from nearby. Lucy stormed into view. "That was -positively- the most disgraceful display of poor sportsmanship I have EVER had the misfortune of witnessing!" For the first time in since Harry had met Malfoy, he was actually looking sorry for behaving badly. Unfortunately, Harry doubted Malfoy actually did feel bad about what he'd said, he was just sorry Lucy had caught him. "My office -now, -both of you."

Harry had no idea why she was dragging him off as well, but she sounded furious, and he wasn't about to argue. He jumped as Lucy prodded him gingerly in the back. "Come along, you two." Lucy must have been avoiding touching their shoulders, in case they were hurt.

"And where are you going?" a somewhat dazed-looking Snape asked, blocking their path.

"I see your brief nap did nothing to improve your temperament," Lucy said, smiling sweetly. "I need to speak with Harry and Draco about sportsmanship, and the proper way to behave towards one's fellow students."

"I'm afraid that will have to wait, I need to speak to Potter about my...nap."

Lucy coughed again. "Oh, come now, Severus, we all know accidents happen. Besides, Draco is no doubt not any more pleased that his broom hit you than you are." Snape looked bitterly disappointed at having lost an opportunity to punish Harry. Lucy poked Harry and Malfoy in the back again, ushering them past Snape. "I recommend you visit the infirmary, Professor," Lucy called at Snape as they passed, "head injuries are nothing to sniff at."

Maybe that hit straightened out something in that twisted mind, Harry thought. The look on Lucy's face said he wasn't the only one who thought it.

Lucy plunked down into the chair behind the desk of the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor's office. Harry always seemed to end up here at least once a year, and he had to say, even as barren as it now was, it was a SIGNIFICANT improvement over last year's décor. The lace doilies and frolicking kittens had been mercifully removed. Instead, the office had a very 'Dark Ages' look to it.

There was a ledge to Harry's left, with a glowing aura around it, and inside was the crossbow Lucy had been holding when she'd arrived, as well as an impressive-looking broadsword, and a strange, old book written in a language Harry didn't recognize. Harry guessed the aura was some sort of protection spell. The office was also filled with the most impressive variety of crystals that Harry had ever seen.

Lucy sat with her arms crossed over her chest, and her feet up on the desk. She looked at Harry and Malfoy pensively for a moment, then said, "Why do I get the feeling this was not an isolated incident?" Harry and Malfoy shot hateful glances at one another. "Would either of you care to offer me an explanation of why you are unable to be civil to one another?"

To Harry's surprise, Malfoy spoke up. "I was very civil with Potter when we first met," he said, as if nothing could be more true, "but he didn't return my civility, and I knew there was no reasoning with him."

Harry stood up and went for Malfoy, but Lucy blocked him. "Sit down, Harry. Just tell us your side of this."

"Oh, yes, he was very civil to me; he just insulted Hagrid and the Weasleys. He thinks only the old wizard families should be able to learn magic, or do anything! He'll probably become a Death Eater the first chance he gets," Harry finished, scowling at Malfoy.

"Just like you dad, huh?" was all Lucy said in response.

"You know my father?" Malfoy asked proudly.

Lucy laughed dryly. "Oh yes; I tried to talk him out of following Voldemort. I warned him that no good would come of it, and his current living arrangements are proof positive. If you hear from him, tell him Lucy O'Grady says 'I told you so.'" Malfoy gaped. Harry broke into a huge grin. Lucy had just become Harry's favourite teacher. "Draco, I'm going to tell you what I told your father: what Voldemort is trying to accomplish is going to start a war. Wars, without exception, have casualties on both sides, and it is the innocent who suffer most. The case you plead is no different from Hitler's Third Reich, and is just as bigoted. Furthermore, there are SEVEN BILLION people on this planet, less than ten percent of which can actually use magic, and only ten percent of that ten percent support your cause. You are grossly out numbered, and not even Voldemort's powers can overcome such odds. If Voldemort does not relent, the world at large will find out about witches and wizards eventually, as well as what he is attempting. When that happens, the witch hunts of the Dark Ages will be nothing in comparison to the Muggles' wrath. But this is not the Dark Ages, and Muggle weaponry is a very near match for magic, probably much more deadly and destructive. By involving yourself in this, you are endangering not only yourself, but your loved ones. I consider you weigh all this before throwing your lot in with Voldemort." Lucy paused to gauge Malfoy's reaction. Malfoy just scowled at Harry accusingly. "In addition to that, I would also mention to you, Draco, that your father's imprisonment is not an accident, nor a great injustice. And it is most certainly not all Harry Potter's fault, as you seem to believe. He was apprehended in a top-secret section of the department of Mysteries, well after hours, dressed as a Death Eater. All of these things are quite illegal, and he was tried and convicted. Furthermore, the wizarding community has already suffered from Voldemort's tyranny once, and people will be loath to give up the peace they now enjoy. Anyone found -or perhaps even strongly suspected of having ties to Voldemort, shall quickly lose their freedom.

"But that is beside the point at hand. It is of paramount importance that students behave well towards one another, and as upper-year students, you are expected to set a good example. I don't expect you two to like each other, but I can't say it wouldn't be nice if you could at least stop hating each other. I'm going to be keeping my eye on you both, and you'll be back in here quick as you please if I catch either of you being rude, mean, threatening or insulting to another student."

Harry was fine with that, he wasn't any of those things to anyone but Malfoy, anyhow, and Harry was more than happy to just avoid Malfoy for the rest of his time at Hogwarts, if it came down to it. Harry would do his utmost to be a model student, if Lucy pleased, but he doubted Malfoy was up to it. He only hoped Lucy could catch Malfoy in the act.

Malfoy, for his part, was scowling more than usual. Lucy's expression softened. "Draco, I know your father isn't a bad person, and you're not a bad person, either. You just... have a very skewed view of the world, and it tends to cause you to make bad decisions. I wish I knew how to make you understand, there's no such thing as 'normal' or 'same,' really, and persecuting other people for being different is hypocrisy!" Malfoy looked very confused at this. Lucy got up. "Just think about it. Now, I think you two should get down to the infirmary; that crash you had was rather nasty, and Professor Snape was knocked out cold just by the force of the broom-sweep. You two look all right, but you're very lucky not to have come away with fractures." Harry let himself be ushered into Madam Pomfrey's care.

Madam Pomfrey was rather incredulous when Harry and Draco had both insisted nothing was broken. She gave them both a healing potion, kept them for an hour, and then sent them on their way. Malfoy still looked perplexed as they left, but Harry turned and headed off towards Gryffindor Tower before Malfoy had a chance to get back to his old self.

Everyone was waiting for Harry in the common room, and he was up against a battery of questions the moment he stepped in. "She's not going to punish you because of stupid Malfoy, is she?" Ginny asked.

"She didn't ban you from Quidditch again, did she?" Marcia asked, looking somewhat desperate.

"But she is going to punish Malfoy, right?" Ron asked

"No, no and no," Harry answered, there were lots more questions, but those were the only ones Harry could pick out. "She said we were setting a bad example for the other students, and she will punish either of us if she catches us 'being rude, mean, threatening or insulting to another student.' I can't decide whether she's brilliant or barking; she said she'd warned Mr. Malfoy not to go in with Voldemort's lot," Voldemort's name received the usual wave of terrified moans and shudders, "but she also said she didn't think he was a bad person, or Malfoy either, for that matter."

"She's barking," Ron answered. But Harry wasn't so certain. He changed the subject, and got the rest of the Quidditch team to tell him about all their great manoeuvres, and gave them more details about his catch. Everyone roared in laughter when he described how Malfoy had knocked Snape unconscious with his broom. But after a bit, Harry went up to the dormitory to think.

It had occurred to Harry that Mr. Malfoy was in prison because he had refused to Harm Harry. Why had Mr. Malfoy been so insistent on not harming Harry back in the department of mysteries? Had he been afraid of falling to the same fate Voldemort had, all those years ago? But Voldemort had explained to all his followers what had caused his spell to backfire when he had returned the year before last, when he had also overcome the protective spell. And for the same reason, the Death Eaters couldn't fear being burnt like Professor Quirrell had been. Mr. Malfoy could have been under orders from Voldemort to save Harry for him to deal with, and there was the result of the duel Harry had fought with Voldemort in the cemetery. None of that answered why or how Lucy knew Mr. Malfoy, however. Harry went to sleep and drifted into strange dreams.