Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Two

Ch. 50

Summer Break Begins

Two weeks after the brilliant trip to Hogsmeade with his friends, Harry finds himself needing a break from the continuous studying. Looking across the library table at Draco asleep on the two books he was studying, Harry whispers "Drake! Wake Up!" while simultaneously giving his cousin a kick under the table.

"WHAA? WHY'D YOU KICK ME?" Draco nearly shouts waking with a jump.

"SHH SHH, Don't talk so loud, we're still in the library!"

"Okay. Why did you kick me like that, it hurt. I haven't done anything to you and you know it!" Draco replies more quietly.

"You were asleep and you told me to wake you up if you went to sleep so I tried calling you. You didn't stir so I tapped you in the leg. Would you rather I sent a Rictusempra at you instead?"

"You shush me from talking and then threaten to do me in with a tickling spell? What did you wake me for and don't say because I told you to. I've told you that many times and you always let me nap instead. What's going through your mind with that 'I'm so innocent' look on your face? I know that look and it usually leads to trouble."

"I have studied so much in the last two weeks, the material is floating right back out of my ears. I need a distraction to be able to concentrate on lessons again. We still have exams for Charms, Transfiguration and Potions this week and next week. We've done all the practicals so all that's left is the written. Help me with something to get my mind cleared so I can study again."

"Something like what? What are you planning? I know you and you already have something thought of to do, so what is it? It better not be something that risks my ability to sit down or I won't help you!" Draco finishes with a glare at his cousin.

"Ahh Draco, I said I was sorry. Don't be mad. I didn't know Uncle Sev would react that way. It was just a small prank really. He didn't wallop me so why you? I just got detention in the Potion's Lab."

"Harry, magically gluing his potions cabinet and desk drawers shut was not a small prank. That wasn't what got me in trouble though. I made the mistake of hiding his wand so he couldn't cast a spell to open the cabinet. I locked it in my desk in my room and he couldn't use Accio to get it. It was just a joke but he didn't see it that way. I then told him I didn't know who was behind the prank and he already knew it was both of us. He got me for touching his wand and for lying."

"How did he know you were the one who moved his wand?"

"The house elf told on me. Bloody elf!"

"Shh,Draco! If Madame hears you say that word, she'll report you! She has ears like a bat. It must be from always being in such a quiet place."

"Either that or she has super sonic hearing. Now what about the plans you have. What kind of prank is it? Will my Dad get upset again?"

"Well this next one won't be aimed at him so we ought to be just fine. In fact, I doubt anyone can trace it back to us at all. Now, here's the idea." Harry answers as he moves to sit beside Draco.

"We'll need the twins help for this one. I don't think we can pull off that prank without more help."

"I know. I'll ask them tonight at dinner. How do you think you did on the Herbology exam yesterday?"

"I felt good about it except for the questions on Mandrakes. There was the one on the plant roots and two on the leaves. Have we covered Mandrakes much? I know that they are the plants that scream if you try to replant them but I must have missed the discussion of them."

"I didn't know those either. I don't know what 'magical properties' the Mandrake leaves have or what potions we could use the roots in. I just guessed and wrote a name of a potion we've studied this term. I doubt I get the questions correct. It wasn't good that Professor Sprout had to leave the way she did just before the end of term. The exam was different from all her others so I believe Professor Greystone wrote that exam."

"It did seem different. We had to do essay answers for all of it instead of choosing the correct answer for half and essay for half. It also had just ten questions. That doesn't seem right as Professor Sprout always had twenty five. Plus it was the End Of Term exam so it would usually be longer not shorter than her other exams."

"Do you always go around counting the number of questions on exams? That's just plain strange, Drake. You sound like Hermione! I, for one, am happy not to have a long exam. I just want to get it over and get on with something fun!" Harry whispers.

"Yes, you and your 'just have fun' ideas often lead you or both of us into trouble. Remember the time you decided to just have fun at the Professional Quidditch game in London? How about the time you decided we needed to help Hagrid with the dragons? What about the time you decided to cast a spell on the paint for the Astronomy lab and we both got hot bums over that? Your ideas of fun cost me a sore backside many times. Now, I'm not sure I'm going to help with the latest "fun" idea. I'm not going to start summer break being grounded with a sore bum. You know how much of a moody git Dad gets this time of year."

"Draco!" Harry calls trying to stifle the giggles.

"What? What is so funny?"

"You. Calling your Dad a 'moody git'. That's just so unlike you. It was more something I would say. I really think your 'proper' training from your birth parents is finally wearing off. I am doing a good job of teaching you to be a normal kid, I see."

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"Sod off. I have been a normal kid a long time."

"Whatever you say, Drake. Now, are you coming with me to talk to the twins or not?"

"No, I've got more studying to do. We have the Potions exam tomorrow, remember? My Dad would bloody murder us both if we muck it up. Besides, I thought you were going to talk to them at dinner."

"I changed my mind. I'm going to be quick and then we can study together. I know Uncle Sev would most likely peel me like a bug for potions if I failed his exam and so would my Dad. I've been studying so much, I just need a quick break before my head explodes."

Walking into the older students common room, Harry sees Fred and George playing a game of gobstones by the fireplace. Heading over to them he waits for George to take his turn before asking "Could I talk to you both alone?"

"Hello little Owlet. What are you doing in the big kids dorms?" The twins ask, Fred beginning and George ending the question.

"I've an idea and I need your help. Let's go to your room, okay?" Harry answers glancing around at the other students meaningfully.

"Ahh, a PRIVATE talk, good. Lead the way Forge!"

"Follow me, Owlet and Gred."

Looking around the boys' room, Harry sees it looks the same as his own dorm room. Red and gold color scheme on the drapes and duvet covers for the beds, trunks at the ends of beds, bookshelves, chiffarobes, desks and wall lamps.

"What can we do for you Owlet?"

"Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Because you belong to Hedwig. She's in charge of you, therefore, you are an Owlet. Get it?" Fred answers.

"Okay, I came because I need help planning how to do something. I know what I want to do but I need your help to do it. We need a break from all the studying and worry over exams. We need to just have some fun. I wanted to do it Friday night and have it ready for Saturday. Will you help?"

"We'll help even if we don't know the plan. You will tell us that little bit of information soon, I hope." George answers for both.

"I want to have a fun day on Saturday with indoor sled races. Somehow turn the main staircase into a snowdrift. I want to have a balloon fight in the Grand Hall with balloons filled with either shaving cream or something else, maybe custards, something to do with confetti or streamers or something like that from the ceiling like a big New Year's party. That's all I have right now."

"OOOHH, cream-filled balloons, sledding down the stairs, good ideas. Let us think some tonight and get back to you tomorrow. I picture pie fights too. A good pie in the face is always funny. Oh, and the long streamers have to wrap around people mummy style... Hmm... I'll keep thinking." Fred whispers.

"Why're you whispering nimnal? There's no one here but us." George asks.

"The walls can hear you know. Best to be careful."

"Harry, we'll get back with you tomorrow after classes. Meet in the library by the restricted section at four o'clock. Come alone."

"Alone? Draco may want to come."

"Come with Draco then. The fewer people, the less chance someone slips up and blabs the plans. The Professors would nix our ideas you know. Not a word."

"Not a word. Got that, see ya."

"See you soon, Owlet."

Returning to his own dorm, having just settled into a good chess match with Ron, one of the prefects walks up to them.

"Potter-Black, Professor Black requests your presence in his quarters. He said to tell you "Pronto". I have no idea what that means but I'm telling you anyway."

"Thank you, Billingsley." Harry answers with a deep sigh. "I'll see you, Ron. I know Draco will finish the game with you if you ask."

"Good luck, Harry. Being called to the Professor's quarters is not a good thing."

"Yeah, see you." Harry replies before walking out to the stairs.

Making his way down the corridor to their quarters, Harry wonders if his Dad has discovered the prank plans in some way. Opening the door and walking in he calls "Dad? I'm here. What did you want to see me about? Billingsley told me you said to come."

Leaning out from the kitchen, Sirius says "Come into the kitchen. I'm heating hot chocolate for us to have before we talk. Go ahead and sit down while I pour us a cup."

"I'll have marshmallows in mine. I meant to say, Please may I have some marshmallows, Dad?" Harry hurriedly corrects himself at the look he receives at his imperious tone.

"You may." Sirius replies pouring the steaming hot chocolate into two mugs. Adding a layer of marshmallows to both mugs he delivers them to the table and sits across from Harry.

Blowing on his spoon to cool the liquid down, Harry peeks at his Dad. He doesn't look angry, no glare, no frown, hmmm maybe I'm not in trouble. He thinks taking a small sip from the mug after blowing on it also.

"This is good, Dad. Thank you." Harry says while sipping his drink.

"You are welcome, son. It's still cool enough in the evening to have a hot drink."

Finished with his drink, Sirius waits for Harry to finish his before beginning the discussion.

"Harry, I received a notice this afternoon." He says sliding the paper across to his son.

Looking down Harry reads Notice of Academic Failure for: Harrison James Potter-Black. Subject- Herbology. Instructor - Malia Greystone. Score on exam - 60: Dreadful Level. Instructor notes: Does not participate in class, failure to complete assignments, unacceptable essay responses. Meeting with parent advised.

Frowning, Harry asks "Why do school reports always have our full name on them?"

"Is that ALL you have to say on this matter? Don't you wish to explain to me WHY you scored a Dreadful on an end of term exam? If not then we'll move to the part where I turn you over my knee and apply a ruler to your bare bum! We had an agreement. You would study well, complete assignments and keep your grades at the Acceptable level if I allowed you to move to the dorm. Your response?" Sirius answers.

Recognizing the tone and realizing he'd better speak quickly, Harry replies "No sir, I have more to say. We didn't have an exam the way Professor Sprout always gave us. She's given long exams with at least twenty-five questions. Some questions would be the ones where we pick the right answer and some writing the answer. This exam had only ten questions all essay and three of them were on something many of us could not answer well. Draco, me, Ron, and some of the other kids all talked about it and we are positive we never were taught what she asked. Neville knew the answers but he knows Herbology as well as you know Astronomy. He lives to learn about plants and their uses. Hermione knew also but she knows everything! Dad, I didn't goof off or anything. I promise! I did study and try my best. The questions we didn't know were on Mandrakes and we haven't studied that yet. Professor Sprout has let us work with them but we didn't talk about what the roots do or the leaves or anything really. We knew the plants scream and that is all. She asked details on roots and leaves and we haven't been taught that yet. We weren't to read it in our lesson or homework either. I asked Hermoine if we had any homework on it and she said we didn't. She keeps all of her homework to go back over and she looked."

"Alright, son. Thank you for the explanation. I'm going to go meet with Professor Greystone. We will talk more when I return. You go wait in your room for me." Sirius answers, standing to leave.

"I'm telling the truth, Dad. I did study and I've tried to do my best in class, also. I don't know why she would say I didn't listen or do my assignments."

"We'll straighten this out, Harry. Just go rest or read while I talk to her. I want to investigate before we discuss this more."

Thirty minutes later, Sirius came into Harry's room finding the boy asleep. Gently shaking him he whispers "Harry, wake up. We need to talk."

"UMphh? Whattt? Oh! Um, you're back." Harry says as he wakes enough to realize what is happening.

"Yes, I had a conversation with Professor Greystone. She seemed unaware of her mistake in the test. She agreed to rewrite a longer exam covering the notes she now has from Professor Sprout. I showed her where to find the material and described a typical End of Term exam for her. You and your classmates will be given the exam next Wednesday which gives you one week to study. I'm going to set up a study group with Neville and Hermione in charge. This group will meet here in our quarters on Thursday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday beginning this week. You will be attending."

"Yessir. Am I in trouble, Dad?"

"No, we worked out a solution for you and your classmates' grades. It seems Neville and Hermione are the only two who passed that exam. Everyone else scored Poor, Troll or Dreadful. She clarified her comments on the Academic Report as pertaining only to the one test. She told me you have done homework assignments and listened respectfully. I apologize for worrying you, son. I just want you to show how bright and responsible you really are. I won't let your schoolwork be less than you are capable of doing."

"Thanks, Dad for getting us a new test. I know the mates will eventually be happy. What time is it? Have I missed supper?"

"You are welcome and no, you haven't missed a meal as it's only beginning the supper hour. So, do you want to have a meal with your old Dad?" Sirius asks as they walk into the kitchen.

"Sure. Can we order out? I want pepperoni, sausage and cheese pizza."

"You'd rather have pizza? I was thinking of sending Millie to London for curry and more from the Indian restaurant we went to while we were visiting."

"Well, I love curry too but tonight could we just get pizza? Please Dad, can we save our Indian food night for after school is finally over? We can celebrate the end of school then."

"Good idea. We'll have a special celebration back at Black Manor as soon as we are officially on Summer Break. I'll send out for two pizzas and two bottles of coca cola also. Anything else?"

"What about something sweet?"

"We'll get that from the Hogwarts Kitchen. What would you like?"

"Umm, well, I picked the pizza so you pick dessert. You know my favorites, Dad. Am I to spend the night here? I'll need my schoolbag if I am."

"I'll walk you back to the dorm after we finish the meal. You aren't grounded if that's what you are asking. As far as I see, you did nothing wrong here."

"Thanks, Dad, I do love you best."

"Well that makes it all worthwhile Pup. I love you best also. Pizza's here, let's eat!" Sirius replies as two pizza boxes appear on the kitchen table.

The following morning, Draco asks "Were you punished last night? I heard you had to go see Uncle Sirius and then you didn't come back until after curfew. What was it?"

"Professor Greystone sent a report to Dad saying I failed the test. He wanted to talk to me about it. I didn't get punished because he went to talk to her. She's going to give us another test based on Professor Sprout's notes. We also have a study group with Neville and Hermione in Dad's quarters four nights starting this week until the test. You are invited."

"I had to go talk to my Dad for the same reason. I didn't fail the test but he didn't like that I made a Poor. He very nearly whacked my bum! I had to do some fast talking! I'll be at the study group. I've got to make at least Acceptable or I am in big trouble!"

"Same here, Drake. I've been thinking about the pranks we were planning to do. In light of my recent close call with the ruler, I think it would be best to wait until after our exams are finished. We could do it on Friday of next week. What'dya think?"

"Much better plan. No one would be upset that we interrupted studying then. Let's go eat breakfast. I need a full stomach to make it through the Potions exam today. Something tells me Dad's exam is going to be the longest we've had yet."

"What makes you say that? Did you get to see the test? Do you remember any of it?"

"Harry!"

"What?"

"You are asking me for something that would be the same as cheating. You do remember what happened last year when you borrowed my work? Now to answer your question. No, I didn't see the actual test. I did see him putting papers with questions on them in his file where he keeps assignments. It was four pages."

"My stars, Draco! Four pages? I really hope all of that is not essay questions! We'll be taking the test until this time tomorrow!"

One week later, Draco and Neville join Harry as he stands and watches the excitement.

"Harry! This is brilliant! I'm so glad you talked Headmaster Dumbledore into creating this for us. I can't believe we actually have our own water park here on the grounds! Best of all the water is heated!" Neville exclaims.

"He thought of it, really. I just asked for help to turn the stairs into a water slide and the floor a pool to land in. My original idea was to create a snow slope out of the stairs for us to sled on. Then I decided to make it a water slide as it's closer to summer than winter. He came up with the rest." Harry answers smiling.

"I like the water idea much better. We've had enough snow to last me." Neville answers. "Did he do all this by himself, you think? He's one very talented wizard."

"He is at that but he didn't do all this alone. My Dad and Harry's plus the Headmaster, Professor Flitwick, Professor Lupin, Professor McGonagall and even Professor Greystone all worked on this for us. What do you want to go on first? The water slide or the whirlpool bumper boats? We can do the lagoon later. My Dad is monitoring that one." Draco asks his friends.

"I choose water slide! I do want to go to the Black Lake now called Lagoon though. We're going to get to play with the Squid. Hagrid asked him if he would mind if we all used his lagoon and he said he wanted to play with us!" Harry replies looking at Neville.

"Yes, let's do that last. It's going to be fun to play with the Squid. I see Hermione and Ron in the queue for the slide. Maybe they'll let us join them." Neville answers.

"Hey Guys! I just thought of something." Harry speaks up as they all stand waiting their turn, watching schoolmates slide down the tall slide on mats.

"What Harry?"

"We are going into what would be our First Year of Hogwarts next year but we're really Third Year Junior Level! We're so much more advanced than those First Years will be! They don't even know how to do matchstick to needle or do Leviosa yet! Can you believe that? We're going to be the advanced kids again in the Fall. We'll have to be helping the next crop of First Years find their way around Hogwarts."

"The only bad thing about that is my sister will be here year after next. She wasn't old enough to go into Junior Level when we did and there are no more Junior Level examinations. I guess we were the only ones the school is going to have as Junior Level."

"No, Ron. That's not quite true. Dad says the school will hold examinations for another set of Junior Level after we move into our upper-level dorm. Junior Level lasts three years so we are the first set of students to ever be Junior Level!" Harry explains.

"Yes, we'll be part of the upper level in a way. They'll all be looking up to us. We're almost in upper-level Hogwarts students now. One more year and we won't be Junior Level any longer!" Hermione replies, happily.

"Yes, that's great mates. You know what's even greater?" Draco asks, his eyes sparkling.

"What?"

"WE'RE ON SUMMER BREAK!" Draco yells causing the rest of the line to cheer and clap.

Author's Note: This is the end of Junior Level Year Two. The sequel: Harry Potter: A Child Prodigy In Wizardry: Junior Level Year Three will have some twists and surprises for Harry and friends. It is in progress.