Time Goes By

Chapter 5

Life had reached a state of normalcy for Harry and his friends as the first few weeks passed. Although Harry hadn't talked to Ron much since that first day, he met up with Draco sometimes. He was really close to Fred and George, and they did almost everything together. It amazed him sometimes that Ron was a part of their trio; it seemed more like a duo to Harry.

It was their third week at Hogwarts, and the school had been unforgiving to the first year students. On the second day of classes, they had met Peeves the Poltergeist. Why no one had at least warned them of Peeves was anybody's guess; Harry just assumed that since everyone else had had to learn about Peeves the hard way, every first year student after them would have to suffer the same fate.

And because of Peeves, they had been late to their very first class with McGonagall; it was not a pretty sight. Then, they got lost on their way to History of Magic and were caught by Filch; again, not a pretty sight. Two days later, on their way to their second class with McGonagall, the staircase changed on them, and they were caught again, this time by Percy Weasley, fifth year Gryffindor prefect (and Fred and George's older brother), and when they finally did manage to make it to Transfiguration, McGonagall yelled at them again. Now, to anyone counting (although some students, particularly some of the Gryffindorks, might have trouble with such large numbers), that's four detentions in the first week!

The week after followed in about the same fashion.

* * *

Tuesday morning, a few weeks later, Harry awoke in a cold sweat. He smiled slightly at the memory of the dream. Just then, Fred and George walked into the room, with big, goofy grins plastered on both of their faces.

"We talked to Ron this morning," said Fred in a singsong voice.

"Oh?"

"Well," George said, the grin never leaving his face, "apparently, our brother has had his own run-ins with McGonagall, and our mission, should we choose to accept it, is 'Operation Catnip.'"

Harry's eyes went wide. "Catnip?"

Fred and George looked at each other, then back at Harry, Fred pulled a small bag out of his robe pocket.

Harry smiled, then, suddenly, his face fell.

"What?" they both asked.

Harry looked at them wide-eyed. "Do either of you mind if I do it?"

They looked at each other and said in unison, "Not at all, Harry."

Fred handed Harry the catnip.

"Thanks," Harry said.

* * *

On their way to lunch, Fred asked, "Is it just me, or did the catnip thing not work?"

"Well, we don't rightfully know yet, do we?" Harry asked innocently.

"What does that mean?" George asked, confused.

"Yeah, what does that mean, Harry?" Fred quipped.

He looked at them with an evil grin. "You'll see."

As they arrived at the doors of the Great Hall, Ron stopped them. "Well?"

Harry shook his head and opened the doors, motioning for him to come outside. Draco joined the group, as well.

"What's happening?" Draco asked.

Harry looked at them. "Follow me,"

Ron and Draco looked at Fred and George who both just shrugged and they all followed Harry.

* * *

He led them straight to McGonagall's office, and what they saw when they opened the door made them all burst into laughter.

There was cat-McGonagall, purring loudly and rolling on the floor, batting at the catnip with her paw.

"Well, Harry, I have to hand it to you, I couldn't have done it better myself," Fred said, and wiped a tear from his eye.

"That was wicked! Bloody brilliant!" Ron said, once he had finally caught his breath.

"Let me get this straight," Draco said, after he stopped laughing. "You planned, carried out, and pulled off this incredible prank without telling me until it was finished! I can't believe this!"

They all stopped laughing.

"Well, guys, I...um... I'm going to my next class. See you later," Ron said as he sidled away.

"Coward," muttered Fred.

"Draco, this all happened this morning, so we really didn't have that much notice ourselves. Besides, we had to do it during our class with McGonagall, and you don't even have Transfiguration today," George tried to explain.

Draco looked at the Slytherins. "Yeah, whatever," he said, and stalked off.

Harry ran after him. "Draco!"

"What do you want?"

"I need to tell you something, and you can't tell anybody--I mean anybody, not Ron, not even Fred and George."

"What is it, Harry?"

* * *

When Harry had finished explaining, Draco was looking at him wide-eyed. "Are you sirious?"

Harry sighed. "Unfortunately, I am."

"Wow..." Draco whispered in awe.

"Harry Potter!" said a very angry McGonagall from behind them.

Both Harry and Draco flinched.

Harry turned around to face McGonagall, who was holding up a familiar clove of catnip. "Does this belong to you?" she demanded.

"No, professor, it's mine," Draco said quickly.

Harry looked at Draco, shocked, as did McGonagall.

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy. Come with me, Mr. Potter; I believe you have classes to attend."

Harry was helpless to do anything, so he followed her instructions; however, he swore to himself that he'd pay Draco back and that McGonagall would get the prank of the century... as soon as he could think of it.

* * *

He arrived late to Defence Against the Dark Arts, which was his favourite class.

"Ah, so glad you decided to join us, Harry. Now, could you please take your seat?"

"I'm sorry, Professor Lupin, you see, I - "

"That's quite alright, Harry. Now, shall we continue with the lesson?"

He went and sat down between Fred and George.

"Well, what happened?" Fred whispered.

Harry sighed. "McGonagall knew."

They both looked at him, wide-eyed. "What?" George demanded, under his breath.

"She asked if I knew where the catnip had come from, but Draco said it was his."

"He did what?" Fred burst out.

"Is there something that you three would like to share with the class?" asked Professor Lupin.

"No, Professor," they said in unison.

"Do you mind waiting for dinner if you must have a conversation not relating to this class?" he asked, sounding amused.

"No, Professor," they said again.

"Good," he said, and got back to his lecture.

"Draco took the blame, but I thought he was mad at us," said Fred.

"He was, but he's not anymore," Harry said, but a look of pure terror appeared in his eyes.

"What's wrong, Harry?" George whispered.

"Nothing," he whispered back. I have got to figure out what the fuck is going on with me, he thought. Unfortunately, there was only one person who could help him... and it wasn't someone he'd ever go to, had he the choice. But I don't have a choice; if this keeps up, I'm going to go crazy.

* * *

Harry excused himself on the way to dinner, saying he needed to use the loo. He steeled himself to do what obviously needed to be done.

Instead of going to the bathroom, he went to the library. "Hermione, I need your help with something," he said.

Without looking up from what she was reading, she asked, "Oh, and what might that be?"

"Well, you see, it's like this..."