Vestiges of Normalcy

Chapter 11

November keeled off the stage of 1994, giving way for December. With the new month, came even more frigid temperatures, snow, ice, flushed noses and cheeks from the cold.

Harry had spent the first week of the month doing a number of things – namely trying to figure out the clue to the second task from the egg without destroying his eardrums, spending time with his friends, and teaching Luna various offensive and defensive spells to use against any tormentors trying to heckle her.

The second and third items were a success in Harry's mind. It was nice to spend many an hour with Viktor and his friends, the twins and Luna in between classes in the Room of Requirement. Plus, Luna has come along well with the spell-work, a prime example being when she blasted two Ravenclaw fifth-years straight into a suit of armour, before the impact caused a tapestry to fall onto them, extending their hospital stay to a week.

The first item, though, was not as successful. No matter what tactic or spell, the egg kept its secret. If only it could keep its infernal screaming whenever it was opened. Harry would have blasted the egg with a Bombarda Maxima if he could, if it weren't for the fact that he would send the Durmstrang ship to the bottom of the lake.

Thankfully, something else happened that temporarily allowed Harry to forget his troubles with the egg. Something that both had him wanting to hex people to next Sunday, and paving the way for something bigger.

Harry had Transfiguration that afternoon, and Viktor tagged along as per usual. This time, Viktor's clique accompanied the pair, having nothing better to do that day, and wanting to act as a second barrier against unwanted hecklers.

The group reached the classroom, only to notice something odd.

All the desks and chairs were gone, leaving behind a bare room. Professor McGonagall was off to one end of the room, fiddling with a large gramophone. Hearing the door open, she looked up.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, you're early," the Scottish professor remarked.

"What's going on, Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, "What happened to the classroom?"

"All in due time, Mr. Potter, once everyone else arrives," McGonagall replied, approaching the group, "In the mean time..."

The Transfiguration professor came to a stop in front of Harry, Viktor instinctively tightening his grip on his friend's shoulder. Harry noticed that his otherwise stern professor's strict expression had softened a little.

"I never got to congratulate you for your impressive performance during the First Task, Mr. Potter," McGonagall began, "It was an entirely foolish, but brave move of you to try wrestling the Horntail down before it killed all of us."

Viktor and his friends eyed Harry, waiting for his reaction. Harry had previously scorned off any congratulations from his schoolmates, and they half-expected him to do the same to his head-of-house who had shown no support for him during that trying time before the First Task.

They were therefore somewhat surprised when Harry gave his reply.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. What I did then was merely what I thought right."

The professor nodded slowly.

"Is there anything else, professor?" Harry asked.

"Yes, there is. Mr. Potter, I believe I owe you a very overdue apology."

Viktor raised an eyebrow, and so too did his clique. Harry stayed impassively neutral, simply waiting for her explanation.

"My behaviour between the moment your name came out of the goblet and the First Task was abhorrent," McGonagall continued, "I did not come to your aid at all during what must have been a difficult time for you. I was blind to my house's atrocious behaviour, merely believing the headmaster in waiting out the "emotional tsunami", as he called it. It was only your admonishment of Mr. Weasley and the others in the arena that made see what I had ignored. Let me assure you that I have punished my house severely for their transgressions. But I have no excuse for my own failings, so I humbly apologize for that."