Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Fifty-five: Storm Clouds

Chapter 55: Storm Clouds

Two days later, Harry, Ron and Hermione Apparated back to Hogwarts with their trunks in tow. It was snowing so hard that they could barely see two feet in front of themselves as they trudged up the lane back to the castle.

Monday morning, Harry decided he wasn't going to start the day with alcohol. He made it to Charms class thoroughly hung over and wished he hadn't had the pumpkin juice he'd forced down at breakfast. He felt like he needed to throw up.

"I trust everyone had a good Christmas break!" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "So now that we've thoroughly covered the multiple types of advanced defensive, concealment, engorgement and protective charms, it is time to move on to the next subject you will need to know for your N.E.W.T. That is, the advanced study of weather charms!"

Harry was only half-listening to Professor Flitwick, who bounced on the balls of his feet slightly as he spoke. "That's right, class, once you're ready for your N.E.W.T.s, you will be able to control the weather. Storms, snow squalls, draught, bright, sunny days--if you study and practice well, these should be within your control by the end of this school year."

Instead of paying attention, Harry was watching Ginny and Draco, who were sitting two seats forward and one over from Harry and Ron (Hermione wanted to sit in the front).

"But a word of caution, if you cause harm to anyone--particularly muggles--through the misuse of these charms, you will likely find yourself a reserved seat in Azkaban. So take care!" said Professor Flitwick. "Take out your wands and please open your books to page four-hundred eighty-eight and we'll get cracking!"

Harry watched as Draco reached into the pocket of his robes and then pulled out two wands. He handed one of the wands to Ginny.

Why did Draco Malfoy have Ginny's wand in his pocket? Was he actually controlling when she could perform magic?

Harry gritted his teeth. Of course Malfoy would be an overprotective, controlling boyfriend. It suited him.

"Did you see that?" Harry whispered to Ron.

"See what?"

"Nothing."

"So!" continued Flitwick. Harry looked up at the front of the room and was not surprised: Flitwick had a cloud floating near his head. "I will conjure you each your own individual cloud. It will be up to you to first turn it into a storm cloud, and then turn it into light, whispy clouds. As the book describes, you must do so without verbal incantation, and use a wand motion like so." Flitwick performed the magic quickly and perfectly. "Right, off you go!"

Everyone pushed their chairs back and stood while Flitwick walked around the class, making a white fluffy cloud in front of each student.

Harry ruminated the rest of the day (as much as he could while teaching classes, anyway) about how Draco had been holding Ginny's wand. He knew he shouldn't do anything or say anything. He'd probably only make Ginny hate him even more. But, Harry figured, what did that matter anymore? She already wanted to hex him. He could still protect her, even if she hated him. How much worse could he possibly make it by at least talking to Draco?

The next morning, Harry didn't bother trying not to drink. He started the morning with a large gulp of Firewhiskey. He felt normal once he did it, which frightened him, but he tried not to think about it.

"Harry, you did it!" said Hermione. Harry again was drinking pumpkin juice this morning but he didn't feel like he needed to throw up. Pumpkin juice tasted better with a little alcohol in it anyway.