'Just think loudly. Harry does this all the time when he wants other opinions.'
'Now I don't do it ALL the time, Wisdom.'
Everyone was now staring at Harry. His face went a bit blank. "Holy crap... you heard ME, didn't you?"
Several nods later, Harry waved a hand. As his ropes gently released from everyone's power, they felt a surge of weakness, as if they just realized that they had been running uphill for an hour.
Before they could really do anything but sag into their seats. Harry raised an eyebrow. "Huh... I think that you guys were using my connection for more than just the mind stuff. It looks like your body was using it to enhance your abilities somehow... Hmm." Harry looked at Hermione, and her weakness fell away. Her body felt like she had just woken up and taken a shower.
'Can you hear me now?'
Hermione just nodded.
He grinned. As he looked at each person, they sat up again. "Yeah, I think there are side effects to this mind connection thing."
'But the ability to talk secretly is neat, no?'
Harry could feel a sigh from Hermione. 'If we feel such a loss when you drop the connection though, that could be distracting. How long can you hold this up Harry?'
He shrugged. 'I don't know. A few months? It is not using up any magic, I am just holding it in place.'
Terry rubbed his face. "You know, I should probably not be shocked by Harry any more." Hanna patted Terry's back. "It's fine. He never grew up with magic, so he will probably keep breaking the rules for a while. Being surprised is almost expected now."
Susan had a grin. "If you can make this into a spell, I know the Auror force would love it."
Seeing his expression, she explained. "Auror... uh. Like Magical Police I guess."
Harry raised his hand. 'Ok, I am going to disconnect us until the next time we do this. I don't want anyone to get addicted or whatever.'
Everyone nodded, some more reluctant than others, and prepared for the drop in energy.
Hannah groaned. It was still like gravity got heavier. "That... Harry, you just don't realize how much power you have. It is honestly ridiculous."
He shrugged as he began helping everyone up from the table. "No doubt. Now lets herd everyone down to dinner. I think we may want to call an early night tonight just because of how tired this has made everyone."
Several nods and a few groans later and they were moving through the halls of the School, searching for nourishments.
Hermione should probably be disgusted, but at this point it was just entertaining seeing what Harry decided to try. He was polite, but his choices... Right now he was making a ham, mustard and peanut butter sandwich with pickles. She had to forcibly remove the mayonnaise before he could add that as well. It was the least she could do after somehow missing him reaching for the peanut butter.
"Are you SURE you don't want a bite?"
Mouth firmly close, she gave a solid nod.
Harry shrugged, enjoying the tastes. "Your lost I guess." Man he loved the variety at these meals. He would have never mixed bacon and ranch dressing otherwise.
There seemed to be more seasonings, dips, and dressings near his plate today... someone in the kitchens must have noticed his eating habits.
Harry's internal debate about how to thank school cooks was cut short when Professor Flitwick stepped behind his group. "Here is your class schedules for Monday, everyone. And Harry, I have heard your group has been especially library bound so far this year, Mr. Potter."
He gave a wry nod. "After what happened last dinner I wanted to help my friends... protect themselves."
Harry saw lights flash through the smaller mans eyes. Clearly this teacher was clever. "Well Mr. Potter, I can't officially claim anything about any possible mental attacks by a teacher, and I certainly can't suggest making official complaints to build a time-line."
Harry gave a grin that was almost feral. "Susan didn't send anything, of course nothing to her Aunt. And I certainly am not teaching Hermione, Terry, Padma, Susan, and Hannah how to protect their minds." His grin was probably too big. "For I would have no reason, yes?"
Professor Flitwick gave a grin not that far from Harry's Goblin friends. "Well, you should take 25 points for not teaching them as well as another 10 for not encouraging house cooperation."
Hermione grinned next to Harry as he nodded. "Indeed. Are you required to sit up there at that stuffy table, or do you have time to join us lowly students?"
Filius sat next to Padma and began gathering some food. "Why thank you for the invitation. If you have some time, I may have a few stories to tell of earlier years... especially of a group of students that were called the 'Marauders'."
Harry's confused expression made the teacher grin. "Just so you know, James Potter was quite the prankster."
Harry's smile lasted through the whole meal. His friends, tired as they were, loved the stories of four students driving a rule loving woman mad and filling the halls with pranks and gags.
This was a memory that Harry would treasure.
Harry was sure Professor Flitwick would regret sharing information about the Marauders one day... but if he had his way, the teacher would be laughing at the same time.
Almost as soon as they finished dinner Harry begged time to go get lost in the castle. Hermione had some studding she wanted to do, and Padma just wanted a good nap... some of her mind animals were very energetic.
.
.
.
👓☕️Consider supporting me and enhance your reading experience with the ready-to-read PDFs I have on my Ko-fi.☕️👓
🎯https://ko-fi.com/cmrowling🎯