ch 49 My Antics 2
September 12, 1991, Potion class, 9:41am
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubbles.
Double, double toil and trouble
Something wicked this way comes
🎵🎶🎵🎶
"Mr. Wit-cher-ly..... why ..are.. you ...singing?" Snape monotonously asked me with a stern gaze.
"Oh?! Sorry, Professor. It's a habit of mine when cooking…" I paused and awkwardly answered.
Snape raised an eyebrow and said, "You.. do.. know.. you.. are.. concocting.. a... Wiggenweld.. Potion, RIGHT??" 🤨
I nodded, "I know.." I sighed and just said, "I'll stop singing." 😔😔
I didn't sing, but I unconsciously started humming.. "Hmmm. Hmmm.Hmmm.HmHmmm...."
"E-H-E-M!!" Snape signaled to me to stop. I just sighed again.😡😡
I added a few drops of boom berry juice into our cauldron and let the enchantment of my cauldron do the stirring. When I saw the self-stirring cauldron back in Diagon Alley, I knew I had to buy it.
I then took my tasting spoon and dipped it in the pot for a taste test.
"Hmm. Yum-Not… But the taste is just right.!" I nodded, then looked at Adeline, who is my partner, and said,"Il suffit de le laisser mijoter 30 minutes et de le laisser refroidir avant de le mettre en bouteille". (Fr. We just need to let it simmer for 30 minutes and let it cool off before bottling it.)
She just nodded and wrote down notes. She was obviously holding her laughter, seeing me in chef mode.🤭🤭
I caught Snape looking at me while I was still holding my tasting spoon. He just gave me an eye-roll and continued to check the work of other pairs.🙄🙄
After letting our concoction simmer and cool down, we started to bottle it up in glass vials. We presented it to Snape.
The Professor inspected its color and took a whiff. He nodded then sternly looked at me and Adeline and said, "Well… Brewed. Be grateful... Ms. Le Roux... that you are partnered with Mr. Witcherly... 20 pts to Hufflepuff."
I thought that was the end of it but Snape warned me, "Do.. get.. rid .. of ..your.. habit .. of.. tasting..your concoction, Witcherly. We.. will be.. making.. poisons.. in.... the.. future."
I sighed and just nodded at what he said. I'm actually immune to poison, so I don't need to worry, but others might copy my habit, which would lead to someone getting hurt.
Snape was actually not as bad as I thought he would be. He did ridicule everyone at every chance he got, but he did not deduct points for all minor things. Even with the Gryffindors, he just gives them more pressure than Slytherins.
Well.. Except for Harry, of course. Snape still had issues with his parents.
He does have a habit of scaring the meeker students, but because those students tend to make more mistakes. He just doesn't realize that his constant monitoring tends to come across as intentional intimidation.
Before the end of the class, almost every pair has a vial of potion to present. But not all met Snape's standard. Those who failed were required to do homework and write about what was wrong with their brew and what caused them to fail.
After Potions, we had DADA and History of Magic until lunch. There was nothing noteworthy that happened in both class. It's just the same stuttering Quirrell and boring ghost.
At lunch in the Great Hall, I met the 1st year Gryffindors who were excited about their first flying lesson in the afternoon.
I sat at the Gryffindor table next to Harry and Ron. By now, everyone has got used to me mingling with everyone from all houses. Even the Slytherins became more approachable.
"Marshall, any tips on flying a broomstick?" Harry asked me.
'Eh, I haven't experienced flying with a broomstick.' I just shrugged my shoulders and said, " I have zero experience, mate. Sorry. You could ask the twins, though. They were practicing all summer in their backyard. Remember?"
The three of us then looked at the twins across the table. At the same time, Fred and George yelled, ""DON'T FALL!"".
'Ugh, can't these two act like big brothers for once?' I just shook my head. I already knew what would happen this afternoon and at midnight.
I had no intention of intervening, as I could tell that Harry would be under constant observation of the Headmaster. I already sense that Fluffy is on the 3rd floor and a sapling of devil snare is quickly growing a floor down the three-headed dog.
I just smiled at Harry and said, "But I have a feeling you're very suitable with a broomstick..."
"Huh? Really!? What makes you say that?" Harry's eye brightened hearing my comment.
I chuckled and explained, "Because you are still sooo thin, dude. There is no problem with anything lifting you off the ground. Seriously! Are you eating properly?!"
Ron rolled his eyes at me and said, "Great! Marshall entered his 'MOM' mode again."
The Weasleys and Harry just laughed at me.
After greeting my friends in Gryffindor, I made my way to the Hufflepuff table. Wayne asked me, "So Harry's group will be having their flying lesson later?"
I nodded and confirmed, "Yeah, with the Slytherins. That would probably be an interesting class..." Our flying lesson will be tomorrow with the eagles.
"Do you guys want to watch them? We don't have any class this afternoon," Justin asked. He seems eager to learn to fly with a broomstick. I guess all the muggle born are excited about experiencing it.
"I'll pass. I have already observed how brooms work. All the Weasleys were fans of Quidditch and I watched the twins practice their skills at their home last summer." I declined their invite.
Kevin asked, "You don't like flying, mate?"
I shook my head and explained, "I like flying, but I would prefer to be riding on the back of a flying beast. Maybe on a thunderbird or one of those winged horses."
Susan looked at me and said, "That is so... you, Marshall." All of them nodded in agreement. For some reason, they don't find the idea far-fetched.
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2:10 pm, at the border of the dark forest near Hagrid's hut.
"You're back here again, Marshall?" Hagrid called out to me. He was carrying a massive log over his shoulder. It seems he just come from the Forbidden Forest.
I greeted him and said, "I don't have class, and so I just want to explore the castle grounds. Anything interesting in the forest, Hagrid?"
Right in this instance, a big black dog lunged its slobbering face at me. I tried to hold the dog back while scratching its neck. I laughed, "Down, Fang! Down, boy! Keep your drool to yourself!"
*DANGK!* Hagrid dumped the log near his hut. He laughed, seeing me being assaulted by Fang. "Hahahe! You really do have a way with animals, Marshall," said Hagrid.
"Hagrid, are you free?! I need help wit--- Oh?! You're that kid. The Second Coming of Newt Scamander." An old man with a mechanical arm and appeared looking for Hagrid.
"What?! I have another nickname?!" I'm surprised. I complained internally, 'Can't people just call me by my name?'
The man with the mechanical arm said, "Well, it's much better than the "Prince of Rice" that some students are using..."
I just rubbed my face out of annoyance. I thought, 'What kind of reputation is this?!'
Hagrid was amused to hear my nicknames. He then introduced the old man to me, "Marshall, this is Professor Kettleburn. He teaches Care of Magical Creatures to the older students."
I tried to compose myself and greeted the Professor, "Nice to meet you, Professor. As you might already know, I'm Marshall Witcherly. Please, just call me Marshall when we are not in class."
The Professor and I shook hands. He nodded, then asked, "So Marshall, what are you doing here? Where are your pets?"
"Oh, I don't have class for the afternoon, Sir. I'm exploring the border of the Forbidden Forest to see and observe the local wildlife." I explained, "…and as for my pets..." I then looked at the forest and saw Naji and the twins coming my way.
They landed on me and started telling me stories, "HO!Hooo!" 🔔"Ting!tiing!"🔔 "Crooooakk!"
"Oh? Fascinating... Are they bonded to you, Marshall?" asked the Professor while observing my pets' interaction with me.
I nodded, "Yes Sir. Since they were young." Kettleburn nodded. As it is his area of expertise, he knows all about bonds.
Hagrid spoke, interrupting the Professor's thoughts, "Eh, Professor, were you looking for me?"
"Oh! Look at me being distracted. Hagrid, do you have anything to feed for the Hippogriffs? Something messed with my traps again, and I wasn't able to catch anything for them." The Professor explained with an arm on his waist and the mechanical one scratching the back of his head.
Hagrid felt guilty hearing that. He seems to know what happened to the traps. He coughed and shook his head, saying, "Sorry Professor... I haven't been hunting lately. All the meat in my hut is already salted and aged. The hippogriffs won't eat those."
Finding interest in the subject of their conversation, I asked, "What do the hippogriffs eat? Maybe I can help."
The two men looked at me and Hagrid said, "They eat insects, birds, and small mammals such as ferrets. They prefer live or freshly killed creaters."
I thought about it and asked, "How about fish or freshly butchered pig?"
The Professor raised an eyebrow but still nodded and said, "They're omnivores, so they can eat fish and pork."
I nodded and took out my wand and pointed in the direction of the castle. I shouted, "ACCIO SUITCASE!!" After a minute, my suitcase with expansion space came flying towards me. I caught it and placed it on the ground.
I made my way inside. When I was outside the view of the two men, I took out a Coleman 70 Qt cooler and filled it with live white fish of different varieties.
I waved my wand and levitated the cooler out of the suitcase. Furthermore, I took a slab of pork belly from the storage area and made my way out of the suitcase.
I saw the Professor and Hagrid checking the fish in the cooler as I got out of my suitcase. While holding the pork belly, I asked, "Are these enough?"
The two men just looked at me with blank expressions. The Professor regained his wit and nodded, "Yes boy. These are more than enough. As thanks, why don't you accompany me in feeding them to the hippogriffs."
I smiled and immediately said, " I thought you would never ask, Professor."
Kettleburn just laughed at my honesty.
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3:10 pm Astronomy wing near the Suspension Bridge
-Third-person POV-
" I hope Harry doesn't get expelled. Did you guys see Professor McGonagall's face when she took him away?" said Susan, while recalling what they saw during the Gryffindor and Slytherin's flying lesson.
Hannah added, "Don't forget that Neville got injured. I hope it's not serious."
Kevin hesitated a bit but suggested, "Should we look for Marshall? He is a closed friend with the Gryffindors."
Adeline shook her head and said, "He's probably off somewhere with his pets. We'll likely see him around dinner time."
Ernie reassured the group, "Don't jump to a conclusion just yet. We're talking about Harry Potter. Many people would protest if he was expelled for such a little offense." The rest of the group nodded when he pointed that fact out.
Wayne then complained, "But man! Where is Marshall! He is always not around when something happens."
"Hmmm. That reminds me. Do you think it's true that Marshall went swimming with the Giant Squid last weekend?" Justin asked, changing the topic.
Megan tried to remember where she heard that and asked, "Do you mean what Tracy Davis said back in class? You heard about it too?"
Justin nodded and continued, "Davis said she saw him swimming under the lake with the squid. Greengrass and Bulstrode also confirmed that. But it was just difficult to believe. Right?"
They all nodded. As much as they know that Marshall is a creature fanatic, swimming with the Giant Squid is just too unrealistic.
"KkkeeeeaaaaaakkkkkkkkkKK!!!!" "WOOHH!!!! YEAH!!!!"
The Hufflepuffs suddenly heard a loud cry of a bird and a someone yelling. They looked in the direction of the sounds and saw a flying creature with a student riding on its back.
When the creature passed by them, they recognize the rider. The signature shimmering redhead, Marshall!!!!
They saw Marshall wave at them, but the creature quickly turned around until it was no longer in their sight.
The group was quiet and were shocked by what they saw. Naomi broke the silence by saying, "Uhm.. Am I the only one who now thinks that Marshall really did swim with the squid???!"
They were still stunned by what they saw to give an answer.
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11:35pm, Trophy Room
-Marshall's POV-
I'm currently in the Trophy room. I am invisible and floating near the ceiling. Furthermore, I also isolate the space around me so that I don't leave a scent, emit a sound or show up on any tracking device like the Marauder's map or the school's wards.
Likewise, I already sense a few individuals roaming around. I came here just in case there was a chance that something was going off script. I got bothered when I didn't sense the Headmaster near the Trophy room and confirmed that he was in his tower.
As I wait, I recall my first time mounting a hippogriff in the afternoon. It was a nice feeling. I never tried to mount any of my beasts. For one thing, I could actually fly, so it never crossed my mind.
I guess I didn't picture myself flying independently when I asked for my gifts back then.
I smile when I recall how my fellow Hufflepuffs welcomed me in the common room. They were full of questions. They even asked about my swim with the Giant Squid. I just admitted it, but didn't go into details.
As I am keeping a low profile regarding my real powers, I won't be able to bring them along effortlessly for now.
I was lost in thought when I heard footsteps coming my way. A few moments later, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville appear in the Trophy room.
They looked around and realized that no one was there. They waited a few more minutes until they heard the clanking of keys. It was Filch looking for rule breakers.
Neville then crashes right into a suit of armor. Harry shouts, "Run!"
They galloped down corridor after corridor. I was following them along.
Then Peeves appeared and yelled, "Students out of bed! Students up at night! Students running in fright! Hahahaha!"
Filch was running as fast as he could towards Peeves' shouts.
The four Gryffindors run down to the end of the corridor, but they find only a locked door. Hermione swiftly casts a spell to unlock the door. They all cram through the door, shutting it quickly behind them.
I saw Filch ask Peeves where the violators were, but the poltergeist wouldn't tell. Filch walks away while cursing in a rage.
I waited a minute or two. Then suddenly, the door flung open. Harry and the other three quickly came out and, with force, slammed the door shut. They were obviously in distressed.
They quickly ran to their common room area and were finally able to enter it.
I just nodded when it was all over. So I made my way back to the kitchen area and into the Hufflepuff common room area.
I remove the levitation and invisibility. I made my way to my dormitory where everyone was asleep, even my pets. Then I removed the space isolation.
On any tracking device, I will just disappear and appear in my dorm room. I can just say I went into my suitcase if I was really asked.
Isolating the surrounding space to remove myself from the Marauders map was inspired by the Room of Requirements. I tried to follow the Weasley twins a few nights back while doing so, and they didn't notice me.
As I lay on my bed, I thought, "Now I just need to avoid Harry when he is asking about the stone and Nick, and just wait for Halloween."
~end chapter ~