Privet Drive

Chapter six

Tutorial with Professor Carmella Paetulus

"You are here for a tutorial because you either, A) Did less than acceptable on your last essay, or B) Have to make up for absences." Professor Paetulus smiled at Ron and Neville. Harry sulked in his chair knowing he hadn't missed any classes, which only left A). Professor Paetulus paired them off with a few 7^th years that were assisting in the class.

"You will be working with me today, Harry," she led him to a corner of the room slightly removed from the rest. "Sirius said that you had asked him about apparating."

"Yes, Hermione thought the hardest part would be getting to the right place."

"Bright girl," said the professor with a smile, but the smile faded slightly as she continued, "Professor Dumbledore and Sirius both agreed I should teach you. Harry, it's against my better judgment for you to learn this. You must promise me you will only use this to get yourself to safety."

Harry spent the next hour learning the theory, and basics of apparating. It was a complicated skill to learn and was dangerous if done incorrectly. Harry was relieved to hear the pin did the important part of the work, so he couldn't get splinched.

"Tomorrow during your break I will have Hagrid escort us to Hogsmeade, since you won't be able to actually try this out here, in the castle."

"Neville, are you coming back up to the dorm?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, Madam Pomfrey said I was well enough to go."

Ron was catching up to them in the corridor, Harry looked back. "I thought you were right behind me at the hospital wing." Harry grinned at Ron. "Chicken."

Ron merely smiled.

It wasn't a long walk to Hogsmeade; Harry enjoyed listening to Professor Paetulus and Hagrid talk. They had been in school years apart from each other but had similar memories, and funny stories. Harry was taken aback at the view of Hogsmeade ahead of them. He had never been there when it wasn't a school weekend. This time there weren't hordes of students taking over the streets. Hagrid went off to run a few errands, Harry expected one of his errands was at The Three Broomsticks.

In a clearing not far from the Shrieking Shack, they practiced apparating.

"Last time I was here I got to see Sirius," Harry said.

"Concentrate, Harry." Professor Paetulus stayed in the clearing while Harry tried apparating from the closest shop. He was relieved that he appeared as steady as he had left; it was nothing like falling from a fireplace or the pull of a portkey. Before long Hagrid had returned and was taking Harry to the far end of Hogsmeade.

"Ok 'arry in 3 more minutes," Hagrid was holding up a pocket watch. Prof. Paetulus was also looking at her wristwatch. "Go," said Hagrid. With a pop, he was gone.

Harry stood a foot in front of his professor smiling; he was excited it had gone so well, and little surprised at how close he stood in front of her.

"Very good Harry. Now try something else." She grinned at Harry's eager expression. "I want you to try to apparate to Professor Dumbledore."

"But I thought we couldn't do that in the school."

"No, we can't, but I want you to try it anyway." She backed several paces away from Harry. "Go ahead." Harry concentrated and was startled to find he was standing right in front of her again; he blushed and backed up a step. "If you were truly concentrating you wouldn't have moved." It occurred to him that although it was going well there were variables he hadn't considered, but he was determined to get it right.

"How's it going here?" Hagrid asked, returning from where Harry had apparated from earlier.

"Okay," Harry said hesitantly.

"He's doing very well, Hagrid." Harry smiled at the praise, he couldn't wait to write to Sirius and tell him about the lesson.

Hagrid nodded with a big smile as if to say, "Of course he is."

"All ready to try that again? Now, if you're concentrating on Dumbledore you shouldn't move." Harry nodded, and smiled over to Hagrid.

Pop

"He couldn't have gotten to Dumbledore, could he?" asked Hagrid sounding alarmed.

"No he couldn't, I will go to Harry and come back here. If I don't return in a few minutes - you know what to do." Hagrid nodded and checked his watch.

Harry gasped his eyes racing to see where he was. The curtains on the windows were closed. He rubbed his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. "Lumos." The room was a mess and had torn robes on the floor.

Pop

"Are you alright?" Professor Paetulus whispered. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin from her sudden appearance, tripping over a bottle on the floor, dropping his wand.

"We have to get out of here, Harry."

"Where is here?" he asked, picking himself off the floor. His heart was beating half out of his chest.

"We need to get out of here so I can get us back."

"Can't we just apparate?" Harry asked.

"You can only come to me; I would have to leave you here first." She tried the lock on the door and several charms to open it, with no luck. "We really have to get out of here," she repeated sounding urgent.

Harry was unable to read her expression.

"How did I get here?"

"I'll explain when we get back Harry, but we don't belong here, and if we don't return quickly Hagrid will be getting help."

"Do we need help?" he whispered, "Are we in trouble?" There was a scream from the other room. Professor Paetulus grabbed Harry by the arm.

"We're out of time Harry, I have to apparate back to Hagrid. When I leave you count to three and follow me back."

"But what about her?" Harry could still hear muffled cries from the other room.

Paetulus tightened her grip on Harry's arm.

"We don't belong here." She said firmly. "Count to three and follow me. Do you understand?" Prof. Paetulus whispered, but pronounced each word very clearly. Harry nodded.

Pop, she was gone. Harry did his best to concentrate,

"One, two, - oh no, my wand!" Suddenly remembering he had dropped his wand earlier. On his hands and knees Harry frantically searched the floor. When he reached to pick it up he saw something, a glint of gold. There, on the lapel of the torn robes in a pile, on the floor, a gold pin. Harry picked up the torn garment, reaching for his own pin, and realized why he was there. "Sirius!" Oh- I said that out loud, Harry thought.

Harry prayed that whoever was in the other room hadn't heard him, but his thoughts were confirmed when he heard someone was scrambling around the next room. The door burst open; Sirius came through the door with a hop trying to get his trousers over his hips, wand in hand. Harry, still on his knees was grasping his wand and Sirius' robes. The sight of Sirius hopping into the room with no shirt on was enough for him to finally realize. A smile flickered on his face as he thought about Sirius with a girl after what must have been a long time, than his face fell in the realization. I really don't belong here.

Sirius saw Harry on the floor, shaking his head "Sirius, I'm sorry."

"Harry, what's happened?" Sirius was frantically patting down Harry looking for injuries. "Are you hurt?" Sirius spoke with panic in his voice.

Harry got to his feet; Sirius still had a grip on his arms. "I didn't mean to, I just was trying to get to Dumbledore, but I . . .I'm so sorry Sirius."

"Were you taken from the school? - Sorry for what, Harry?"

"For being here," Harry spoke to his feet, "Professor Paetulus said she would leave here and I should count to three and follow her, but my wand . . ."

"Carmella was here?"

Harry nodded, although he was only partly sure that was her first name.

"I was practicing to apparate to Dumbledore, but I suppose I thought about wanting to see you and I didn't concentr . . ."

"Let me get this straight, you're not hurt, or in trouble," Harry shook his head, hoping his Godfather wasn't too furious with him. "And you're here because you were practicing and thought of me?" Sirius looked up to the ceiling and let out a hearty laugh.

"You're not angry?" Harry asked sheepishly.

Sirius was still holding on to his arms, "Harry, every time my eye catches sight of that gold pin I think about you. I daydream about you coming to see me when ever you want, then I pray you don't because it would mean you were in trouble." Sirius then squeezed the breath out of him.

Sirius looked away from his Godson when he heard a faint pop sound, he spotted the grinning Defense teacher.

"Carmella," said Sirius with a smirk.

"Sirius," she saw Sirius standing there with no shirt on and sniggered.

"I know, don't say it." But she just had to.

"Teach him to apparate you said." Carmella Paetulus said with a sarcastic tone, grinning madly at the man pulling his robes on.

It was a long walk back to the castle. An embarrassed Harry could see Hagrid' s head shake with silent laughter. Carmella was biting her lip.

"All things aside Harry, you did well. I think you learned a lot today." Harry gave her a weak smile.

"Learned more than ya bargained for, eh?" Hagrid said, before bursting into laughter. Harry could feel the burn in his face.

When they reached the main entrance Professor Dumbledore was waiting for them. Harry could only assume that Hagrid had sent him a message when they hadn't returned. From the smile on his face it was safe to assume he also got word of the rest. "Might I suggest you warn him (Sirius) in advance of future field trip dates?" Harry wondered if his face would be red for the rest of his life.

Harry dragged himself to the common room to find Ron and Hermione in a tight embrace.

"That's all I need right now!" Harry stormed up the steps to his dormitory. "The day I'm having!"

It took Harry three days to convince Ron and Hermione that he wasn't upset about their relationship, which he didn't mind because they restrained themselves in front of him.

It was a week or so before Harry could look Prof. Paetulus in the face again. Writing to Sirius was a bit easier since he didn't have to see him. As the weeks passed the weather grew colder. The Gryffindor's had won their first game against Slytherin, but not by as many points as they would have liked. They had, after all, had an entire year off for the Triwizard Tournament. Angelina was determined to make up for lost time.

When an owl dropped a letter in Harry's lap Ron and Hermione looked over to see whom it was from.

"Him or her?" Ron asked. Hermione elbowed Ron in the ribs. "What?"

Harry shrugged and answered, "Him."

"Did you write back to her?" Hermione asked apprehensively.

"Nope." He said flatly. "We've got time before Herbology later, we could read this then." Harry said, pocketing the letter from Sirius.

It was much warmer in the greenhouse. Neville's plant was back in its spot, but now was surrounded by Venomous Tentacula to discourage anyone from going near it. As they looked at the plant it shuddered, one of the leaves seemed to pale, but only for a moment.

"Freaky." Ron said as he pulled away from a tendril that had reached out for him from the surrounding plants. Harry backed away from the plants pulling the letter from his pocket.

Dear Harry,

How is everything at school? I checked on the name of the Hufflepuff that had been hurt, Her father is an official at the Ministry of Magic. Let me know how often Lucius Malfoy shows up at the school. How common is it to show up when your son is in trouble?

I'm not in the area, but I guess you know that now. Please give me the date for the next Hogsmeade weekend; I want to make sure it's marked on my calendar. I don't want to take any chances. Just kidding you Harry.

Sirius

P.S. Mrs. Figg mentioned she hasn't had much post go by her way, let me know if there's anything you want to talk about.

"Harry, what did he mean he's not in the area? You said you apparated to him in Hogsmeade." Hermione asked timidly, she usually avoided discussing that day.

Harry paused trying to think of the answer.

"I guess I assumed he was nearby."

"How far away do you think you could get with that thing?" asked Ron pointing to the pin.

Harry shrugged, "I'll ask Prof. Paetulus the next time I see her."

A door to the greenhouse opened, letting in a rain soaked Neville. He smiled at them, "Hi, did you see my plant?" Neville said limping toward them.

"What's wrong Neville?" asked Hermione rushing over to him.

"I fell," he replied bashfully. "Well, I think I was tripped."

"Who did it Neville?" Ron demanded. Ron was much kinder to Neville these days, now that he had Hermione and knew Neville had a big hand in that.

Neville raised his eyebrows, "Who else?"

"Malfoy." Harry and Ron chorused.

Harry, true to his word, became closer friends with Neville. It was considerably easier with Ron and Hermione off on their own sometimes. Neville showed Harry some of the rare plants Professor Sprout had growing in a private greenhouse.

"I've got a plant at home that's been growing since before I was born."

"You're kidding?"

"It's true, my Mum was growing it, I've been taking care of it since my Gran taught me how," said Neville proudly.

"It must be huge," said Harry.

Neville shook his head, "No, but this is a big year, it will seed this season. I've waited a long time. Gran said I could have some seeds to start my own plant."

"That's nice Neville." Harry said sincerely. His friend's love of Herbology like his Mum's reminded him that he and his Father shared a passion for Quidditch.

Leaving the greenhouse they spotted the Slytherin Quidditch team in the distance, heading for practice.

"Neville . . ." Harry was grinning, "Come with me." The boys ran up to their room. Harry pulled out his father's cloak. Neville's eyes widened.

"I always hoped I'd get to see it." Harry's eyes were wide now.

"You knew about my Father's cloak?" he asked incredulously.

"Harry, I've shared a dorm room with you for over four years now. I hear things," he said shrugging. "Can I try it on?" Harry handed over the cloak with a bemused look.

After a few minutes of watching Neville's head bob around the room Harry stuffed the cloak in his robe.

"Come on, we're on a mission," said Harry with the grin back on his face.

Harry and Neville grabbed a few supplies and headed for the Quidditch pitch. They reached the top of the stands hidden under the invisibility cloak. "Here you go Harry," said Neville, handing him a pair of earmuffs.

"Why thank you sir," Harry said in a tone that was fitting for Fred Weasley. "It'll probably take a while for Malfoy to come close enough and be alone at the same time," Harry said as he sat back against the bench, "Might as well watch, Angelina would be proud I've taken the time to study our enemy." Neville laughed.

"Oh, that's why were here?" he said sarcastically.

The Slytherin team went through their paces. "That's dirty play." Harry muttered, "Look at them, they spent half the practice working on moves that would get them penalized if they worked right."

"You mean like the one you told Dumbledore about the twins doing?"

"That's different." Harry said with a mock frown. "The snitch!" Neville squealed. It was all Harry could do not to reach out and grab it. In a flash it was gone and Malfoy was right behind it.

"Get ready," Harry whispered, taking the earmuffs off his neck and placing them snugly over his ears. Neville did the same.

Neville held a clay pot tight in his hands; Harry gripped the plant at the base. Once again the snitch was coming their way. Malfoy was almost on it he reached out and missed. As he flew past just below them, Harry pulled out the plant. The baby Mandrake let out its cry.

Malfoy was out cold before he hit the ground.

Harry and Neville burst in to the common room roaring with laughter. They could barely compose themselves enough to tell the story to Ron and Hermione. Harry sat in a chair by the fire clutching his sides as Neville did his imitation of Malfoy hurling into the mud.

"I don't know what was funnier," Harry said catching his breath, "Watching him miss the snitch, or his teammates leaving him there while they finished practice." Ron joined him in fits of laughter.

"Did they really leave him there?" Asked Hermione

"Oh, they checked to see if he was breathing before they went on," chuckled Neville.

It was a very angry Malfoy who entered the great hall for breakfast. Harry, Ron and Neville all laughed. Hermione stuffed a hot roll into Ron's mouth. "Laugh any louder and Malfoy 's going to know you know he fell."

"Hmm urry uo mush." Ron said pulling the bread out of his mouth.

"I have to worry too much," said Hermione, "You don't worry enough."

"Don't think for a minute we don't appreciate that." Ron teased, as he bit off half the roll in one bite.

Owls flew overhead delivering post. A letter dropped into a surprised Harry's hands. "It's not him," Harry said as he checked the handwriting. Neville looked interested.

"Could I ask you a personal question Harry?" Neville's going to ask who "him" is, think fast . . .

"Sure Neville what is it?" Harry said doing is best not to sound worried.

"Well, please don't get angry, its really none of my business, but ...why is it you haven't sent a letter back to um... the girl you met?" Harry's face was a look of shock he really didn't expect that and was relieved his question was not related to Sirius. Harry turned to Hermione who was hiding behind her pumpkin juice; she relaxed a bit when she saw Harry smile.

"Truth is, I don't have the slightest idea what to write," said Harry stabbing at his bacon harder than need be.

"You've written to her before," said Ron, "Just do what you did before."

"What I did before? I already covered the few things I could think of. What do you suggest I tell her?" Harry continued on answering his own question, "Should I say how great it is to be flying my broom again, or how nice it is to have my best friends dating?" Hermione smiled, "How well would that go over? Remember, I'm supposed to be at an all boys school."

Ron's jaw dropped. "You better not tell her that!"

"See what I mean? I would love to tell her about the great use we made of the mandrake." Laughter broke out once again. Harry realized he still had a letter to open. His smile dropped slightly.

Mr. Potter

Please come to my office after breakfast.

Professor McGonagall

Harry and Neville looked at each other nervously, and glanced over to the Slytherin table.

"Do you think she knows about the mandrake?" asked Hermione.

"If she does, Malfoy would look happier, and be looking at us no doubt. Besides we put everything away, and got back before anyone even picked him up off the ground." Laughter ensued once again.

Harry was returning from his meeting carrying a small black velvet bag when he heard a voice that could only belong to Snape, "She is in Madam Pomfrey 's capable hands, and I will look in on her personally." It sounded odd to hear Snape speak well of anyone. In the entrance hall he spotted a man Harry had never seen before who was speaking to Professor Snape,

"I will be in touch," the stranger said. Snape nodded and held the big oak door for the man as he left the school.

Prof. Snape turned to see Harry behind him. "What do you want Potter?" Harry hated that the man made him want to cringe even when he wasn't doing something against the rules.

"Nothing, I was going to class."

"Didn't Care of Magical Creatures start ten minutes ago?" Asked Snape with a menacing look, "I should hope your lateness will cost you house points, but we both know better, don't we?" It was true, even if Harry didn't have a valid excuse for being late, Hagrid probably wouldn't take house points from him. Harry left for class silently.

Hagrid held a head of lettuce from his garden. He pulled a black, slimy looking creature from its center. Hermione took notes as Hagrid spoke. Dark, slimy, unwanted pest, she jotted down. Ron read over her shoulder before writing on his own parchment. 'Snape'.

At the end of class Hagrid admitted to Harry, Ron and Hermione that the class hadn't done more than identify and rid pests from his garden.

"Dumbledore asked me if I could keep it simple for a while." Hagrid said to them.

"Did the Slytherin girl get hurt in your class Hagrid?" asked Harry.

"No, she was . . . " Hagrid stopped himself. "How'd you know about that?"

"I saw Prof. Snape talking to her Father. I had to see Professors McGonagall and Paetulus." Hagrid nodded.

"I know, I was talking to Dumbledore about it when he got the messenger about the Slytherin girl." Harry looked puzzled. Hagrid explained that since the start of the term arrangements had been made so that whenever someone went for treatment, Madam Pomfrey sent a messenger to the headmaster.

"Won't that keep him busy, running down to the infirmary every time someone gets a cold?" asked Hermione.

"He needn't run down there unless she sends a special messenger for more serious stuff," explained Hagrid. Ron pushed Harry jokingly.

"I'll bet she sends the special message when you walk in, no matter what," Ron said laughing. Harry laughed too, until he looked at Hagrid and realized by his expression it was true.

"So that's why Dumbledore was there when I bruised my ribs during Quidditch practice." Unconsciously Harry rubbed his ribs when he felt something in his pocket. "Oh yeah, I got this." Harry pulled out the small velvet bag; he opened it and tipped the contents into his hand to show them.

"You got another one?" Ron asked as he eagerly took the gold pin from Harry's hands.

"It's not the same." Harry explained. "This one can't be used to apparate to any where, it's only for return. I can use it to get back to whoever is wearing it." Ron handed the pin over to Hermione to have a look "Prof. Paetulus said that when she was young her father was a ministry official and she had to wear one of these on dates." Hagrid laughed,

"That would keep a boy in line knowing a girls father could pop in anytime." Handing the pin back to Harry, Hermione said,

"I glad my fathers a muggle, could you imagine?" Ron's face went pink.

~*~To be continued~*~