A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

Part 55

"Yes, but it's a bad influence, can't you tell?" Tom asked sarcastically. "And heaven forbid you learn how to dance."

"Oh, yes. To have good posture and balance would be a tragedy," Harry snarked back. "This should be the next article. Perhaps in the beginning of the first term?"

"You just want to be able to see everyone's reaction."

"Yep," Harry said, kissing Tom on the cheek.

Tom snorted lightly and continued looking through the files.

"I'm worried about Umbridge," Harry admitted, rolling his eyes as he read off the classes to himself. Dumbledore had canceled an art class? Really?

"You can handle her."

"Maybe, but there's just something... off about her," Harry said unconvinced. "She's not just here for Dumbledore. I don't know why I think that, but..." He trailed off, turning the file in his hands absentmindedly.

'I can keep an eye on her,' Azure suggested.

'That would be great, thanks.' Anything to relieve his worries.

Azure picked up Harry's wand with her tail and gave it a wave. 'If I were a witch, that Umbitch would wish she'd never been born.'

'If you were a witch, you'd be buddies with the Weasley twins,' Tom remarked.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Harry said.

Tom shrugged. "It's not. But they don't need any more encouragement from Remus."

Most would think that, given Remus had been a prefect when he was in school, he was the one trying to reel the other Marauders in. But if Sirius' stories were anything to go by, he was the worst offender at times. Not to mention, it had been Remus' idea to give the twins money for their birthday to help with their business, from one generation of pranksters to the next. Fred and George had been ecstatic.

"It's their last year at Hogwarts," Harry said. "I bet Remus will make sure it's their best one yet."

"I bet you're right." Tom let out a loud groan.

"What?"

"Wizarding customs and political science." Tom threw the files down angrily. "Those would have been very helpful for Muggle-raised wizards and witches like us."

Harry himself groaned at this. "Bloody hell!"

And Dumbledore liked to say he was doing everything for the greater good. Right.

All too soon, Harry was boarding the train.

"You made prefect, I see," Harry greeted Draco, seeing the badge.

"Yeah, I did. So did Pansy. I have to join her in the prefect carriage. The Head Boy and Girl are to give us instructions."

"I'll save you a compartment," Harry promised.

He walked down the corridor until he came across one that was occupied by Luna. "Hi, Luna," he said. "May I sit here?"

"You may. How have you been?"

"Fine, thanks."

"Professors Snape and Lupin doing all right?"

Harry was caught off guard for a second. "They're doing great. I'm pretty sure I saw one of Severus' cloaks in Remus' case."

"I'm sure he'll look wonderful in it. He is rather good-looking, isn't he?"

"I'd say so," Harry replied. "He certainly has more admirers than he thinks he does."