Dodging Prison and Stealing Witches

Chapter 43: Daphne's Birthday, Work and Play - Part Two

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text
"WHERE — IS — HARRY!?"

Slytherin students watched in bemusement as the irate muggleborn professor stormed up the stairs to the Slytherin common room from the boys' dormitories.

"It's well past curfew! Where — is — he? Mister Malfoy! Do you know?"

"No, Professor."

"Nott?"

"I'm afraid not — ahaha."

"Miss Parkinson?"

"Sorry, Professor."

Down in the second year girl's dormitory, Tracey Davis' heart was making a spirited attempt to beat its way out of her chest.

"Just act like you normally would around Harry," Hermione said, uncorking a tiny vial of polyjuice.

"But what about his clothes?" Tracey asked frantically.

"I've got a set of his robes here." Hermione had stripped down to her underwear and was bringing the vial to her lips. "Look away!"

Tracey spun around just as Hermione's skin began to bubble. "Oh, Merlin and Morgana — if Professor Potter finds Harry in our dormitory..."

"Yes, I know! Look outside, is there anyone there?"

Tracey poked her around the door into the corridor. "No, it's clear. What are we going to tell her?"

"Get Ginny! She can disillusion!"

"Yes, but what are we going to tell her?"

"Tracey, I've got this! Just go!"

— DP & SW: NRiCD —

Lily Potter looked around the Slytherin common room for the dozenth time in the last five minutes. Where could Harry possibly be? She knew he was still in the castle. The headmaster had confirmed it.

When she finally got a hold of him, he was going to be in so much trouble.

Then, something on one of the sofas by the fireplace caught her eye. A slight ripple in the air — almost unnoticeable — a disillusionment charm.

Lily narrowed her eyes and pointed her wand at the space. "Finite incantatem!"

There was a much more pronounced shimmer as the disillusionment fell.

Lily stared.

Her son, Harry Potter, was buried deep under a blanket, fast asleep, and next to him slept Ginny Weasley. The two were snuggled into each other, Ginny's head resting in the crook of Harry's neck. Even as she watched, Ginny tried to nuzzle her way even deeper into him.

Lily's heart melted. Despite the curt way Ginny usually acted around her, any mother would be hard pressed not to find the tableau in front of her utterly adorable.

She approached cautiously, feeling a good chunk of her anger and frustration draining out of her. She then poked around with her wand, stretching her extremely limited magic sensing abilities to the limit, eventually deciding that, yes, there was also a silencing charm around them, which would explain why they hadn't heard her shouting only a moment ago.

Had Harry cast them? It wouldn't surprise her. He was already at NEWT level, after all — such a little genius.

Lily dispelled the charm, crouched down beside them, and put a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, slowly shaking him. "Harry," She said quietly.