It wouldn't do. He had to change. Be nicer, more considerate to the others. Learn to think things through and not just accept them at face value. Take his studies more seriously. Prove to Snape he was good enough to learn occlumency. That he wasn't...
The library became more claustrophobic as the week went on. Despite his insistence that he be left out of any defence group, Hermione must have spread the word as he was approached almost daily with small questions about defence spells and theory. It was starting to not only get annoying but also get him unwanted attention. Umbridge had been seen prowling the library recently and she took special interest in breaking up study groups of more than four people, freely assigning detentions to any who flouted her Educational Decree.
After the fourth defence 'homework' question in an hour, each one accompanied by the sugar sweet words of Umbridge asking if everything was alright, and then the huff of Madame Pince who had taken to following Umbridge around and tidying up behind her as if Umbridge's very presence desecrated the sanctity of the library, Harry had had enough. Packing his things away he left the library, ignoring the disappointed looks that followed his departure.
Not wanting to return to the common room, where he was sure he would be asked even more questions as they could also do magic there, he decided to return to the gallery he had found earlier that week. The window seat in the alcove would do well enough for him to complete his work, and he might get more than five minutes of solitude for a change.
A small table next to the alcove had been transformed into a brewing station and Harry was currently attempting the cure for boils they had learnt in second year. George had complained about some side effects of their latest snack box so Harry decided he might as well turn his brewing practice to a more useful end.
As he waited for the roots to stew he picked up the latest book he had found in the library. Once he had started reading about his magickal core, Harry realised there were many day to day things he could do to help balance and strengthen his magick. In the footnotes of one of the books, it had mentioned muggle interference with magick, so Harry had ordered Magic and Muggles from Flourish and Blot's. The introduction had been an insightful read, and Harry was keen to continue, so he flicked open to where he had bookmarked and curled up on the window seat to read.
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Grabbing a quill from his bag, Harry started to make notes in the margins of the book. If this was correct, then his abundance of muggle items would be interfering with his ability to perform magick. Perhaps there was a way to test this? If he brought some wizarding clothes the next time he went to Hogsmeade, maybe he could see if his magick became more stable and easier to access. Currently the only magickal clothes he owned was his robes and his four Weasley jumpers. Even the shirt and trousers he wore under his robes were cheap polyester off-casts from Dudley's Smelting's uniform.
Chewing on the end of his quill thoughtfully, Harry tried to remember if he had ever seen any clothing stores in Hogsmeade. He had definitely overheard Lavender and Parvati talking about clothes shopping, perhaps it was time to explore the village more thoroughly than just Honeyduke's and the Three Broomsticks.
A bell chiming through the corridors pulled Harry from his thoughts reminding him it was dinner time. He quickly tidied up the small brewing station, making a note to come back and re-brew the boils cure soon. Picking up his book-bag, he made his way back to the crowds of the school.
The great hall was unusually loud that evening, Harry arrived a few minutes later than usual sitting next to Ron and across from the twins. Glancing up to the head table he saw what was likely the source of the commotion. Umbridge was sat at her usual seat, but she appeared taller than usual and was rocking around as if sat on a very unstable surface. The other students were gossiping loudly, it seemed Umbridge had started floating part way through the afternoon and had yet to find a way back to the ground. Harry raised an eyebrow at the twins, waiting for their explanation.
"We found out Filtch has been giving her chocolates..."
"Not an image we wanted to have..."
"But we decided..."
"To give his latest gift an upgrade."
"So they work then?" Harry asked grinning
"Do what work?" Ron asked looking between Harry and the twins. "Are you guys the reason Umbridge has been floating all afternoon?"
"Lets just say..."
"She shall be regretting her flying ban!" George smirked
"You guys are brilliant" Ron laughed looking with admiration at the twins.
"Awww it's nothing..." Fred said, feigning embarrassment.
"You should thank young Harry-kins..." George added flinging an arm around Harry.
"Our inspiration!" They chorused.
Harry winced at the look on Ron's face. His friend was still prone to jealousy and this was the sort of thing that could sour their relationship once more. Ignoring the twins antics, he bowed his head focusing on finishing his dinner, even though the food now seemed bland.
The awkwardness of dinner did not last long and both the twins and Harry were in a celebratory mood as they returned to the common room. The fudge had been more of a success than either of the twins predicted, coupled with the fact that Umbridge was unable to pinpoint the culprits, having taught neither Harry or the twins that day. Settling into one of the sofas Harry watched as the twins paraded their latest success with glee, feeding samples of the fudge to several first years who were now wobbling around the common room bouncing off various pieces of furniture.
"So you work with the twins now?" Ron asked slightly bitterly as he sat down next to Harry. Harry winced, he had been expecting this conversation ever since he had given them his Triwizard winnings. Ron had never quite understood why he invested the money in the twins instead of just gifting it to their family. Harry was regretting letting Ron know exactly where his money had gone.
"Nah, they just tested it out on me. They found me after a detention with Umbridge and decided I needed cheering up." Harry said airily, hoping Ron wouldn't question it too much further.
"Ugh, rather you than me mate" Ron grimaced and Harry smiled in sympathy. Ron had been subjected to far to many of the twins test products to willingly subject himself to them again. The explanation seemed to cheer Ron up though and he settled back on the sofa, pulling out a deck of exploding snap cards to deal between them.
"Hermione was telling me about her defence club idea" Ron said after a few moments of silence in which they looked at their cards. "I thought it sounded good, why did you tell her no?"
"I don't want to get you guys in trouble. I've only just convinced Umbridge to leave me alone, a defence club wouldn't just get me in trouble with her, but all of you guys too."
"Yeah but we can handle it." Ron protested
"I don't want you to handle it. I don't want that on my conscience."
"It's our decision to make." Ron pointed out, "Why shouldn't we be allowed to risk things."
"And what about my decision?" Harry argued, "I won't risk everyone's safety like that. Maybe you can handle the detentions or are willing to risk expulsion, but what about the younger years? Or NEWT students, these things can affect their careers, their whole futures! I can't put them through that. I can't have that on my conscience. McGonagall is right, it's best we keep our heads down."
"But you are Harry Potter! You are not supposed to keep your head down!" Ron scowled, "What's happened to you this year? It's like I don't even know my best mate anymore."
With that, Ron stormed off towards the dorms, card game forgotten, leaving Harry sat in stunned silence. Had he really changed that much? He didn't feel that different. Was it really so bad that he wanted to keep his head down for a change? Should he just agree with the defence club idea?
Was his self improvement project even worth it if it came at the cost of his first and best friend?
