Whelp II The Wrath of Snape

'You did a marvelous job.'

Harry felt his face redden, just like Ginny's had, and ducked his head. Surely Mrs. Weasley knew he wasn't meant to be praised? That he was stupid? Father didn't call him stupid, he knew, and said that Harry was very bright and was learning his writing and reading and maths really well, but, well, Father had to say that, didn't he? Because he was Father.

But Mrs. Weasley didn't laugh at him or take back her words, and none of the other Weasleys did either, so Harry didn't tell her not to say such things to him, and instead listened – though with his head still down – as Ron talked about the plants he had found, and then the twins came next, each one speaking every other line as Harry was starting to get used to. They provided even more information about their plants, including having a color display appear, of the Mediterranean island where the Rock Rose – used in a common sleeping draught – grew. It was very pretty. Even Mrs. Weasley said so.

Finally, they were done, and Mrs. Weasley let them get up and stretch their legs – encouraging the twins, particularly, to run about and work off some energy – for a few minutes before the next lesson. When she called them back, she posed another problem, this one about magical creatures, and added, 'Try a different object this time. I want each of you to get used to using all of them, over time.'

Harry knew she was talking to him, especially, as he had not let go of Apples yet, and had been hoping to talk to the Baku again in the next lesson. But he nodded like he was supposed to, and when she said, 'Go!' he put Apples down reluctantly, and went to try out one of the other objects instead. To his surprise, the Funderbus was just as helpful as Apples, but different in its own way, and it actually made Harry laugh with the story it told about a tribe of rude and mischievous Cornish Pixies.

Once again, the children shared what they learned, and Harry was starting to feel not quite as stupid as he had before. After this lesson was over, Mrs. Weasley let them play gobstones if they wanted, or swivenhodge, a game where the players hit a ball – it had used to be an inflated pig's bladder, Fred told Harry, until that was deemed downright mean to pigs – back and forth over a hedge – in their case, a hedge conjured by Mrs. Weasley for the purpose – with brooms.

It was loads of fun.

Harry, Ginny and Fred were on one team, with George and Ron on the other. The game was played to a hundred points, but though Harry tried to keep close count, it seemed like no one else was, really, so he gave it up after a while and just enjoyed the swing of the broom and the thunk of the ball, the sight of it flying over the hedge, and trying to figure where it would come back to next. By the time Mrs. Weasley said they needed to break for lunch, they were all hot and sweaty and giggling like mad.

But lunchtime meant Harry could see his father again, so he picked up the play equipment lickety split, and bounced on the balls of his feet in anticipation.

'Come on, dears,' Mrs. Weasley said when everything was back in her bag and she had shrunk it again to put in her pocket. 'Let's back to the castle. I believe we are dining in Professor Snape's quarters today.'

'Aww, but we—'

'—wanted to eat with Charlie, Mum, and—'

'—maybe take a poke at Percy!'

Mrs. Weasley shook her head fondly at the twins as they headed up the hill. 'Another time, boys. Let's go.'

Racing ahead so fast – with Treacle hard on his heels – Harry hardly heard her.

TBC . . .

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A/N: Argh! They are actually making me work at my day job. I cannot believe it! I beg your forgiveness, and hope it shall not be too much longer before I can get back into the regular swing of things, such as writing to my heart's content. In the meantime, thank you to everyone, for all the enthusiastic reviews and encouragement on this story!