Harry Potter and the Book of Shadows

Skeleton Potion

Somehow, for the second day in a row, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione made it through getting to breakfast without anyone trying to eliminate them. Stealing a quick glance at the game board on their way out, Harry saw there were less than a third of the students in Gryffindor still playing the game. Slytherin only had fifteen people left total. After a hasty meal, Ginny ran off to her next class as the trio sprinted toward the greenhouses. Just as they got to the glass doors, a spell flashed and hit Harry.

Turning with a swear, he prepared to tell whoever it was who their next target would be. However, since the bespectacled brunette running toward him was frowning, he stopped.

"Well, get in there!" she exclaimed, running past him to hide in the entry.

"I thought-" Harry rushed in behind her. "Didn't you just eliminate me?"

The girl shook her head. "No. Sorry. I was aiming for your friend, Hermione, but I missed. Your wand won't work but Miss Hade will turn it back on for you. I mean, reactivate it for you."

Harry smiled. She was probably a Muggle-born. "You didn't have to tell me."

She shrugged and smiled. "It's just seems more...fair that way, you know. All right." She glanced around before opening the glass door again. "I have to go or I'm going to be late to class. Just wanted to tell you to go get your wand reactivated."

"Wait, what's your name?" Harry didn't think it really mattered, but thought he should ask, just in case he ended up with her as a target at some point.

She looked at him suspiciously but then shrugged and smiled. "Julia. Julia Henderson. Gotta go. Good luck."

And she was gone. Harry rejoined his friends already waiting by the long tables in the greenhouse.

"I need to see Persephone before the next class," he informed them. Hermione looked at him suspiciously but Professor Sprout quickly put them to work and left no time for questions.

Running down the dungeon staircase, Harry had to think that the game was probably working to the other professors' advantage. He'd never seen everyone so eager to get to their classrooms before. Even Filch had little to complain about since everyone was trying to avoid getting caught in the corridors, not many people were trying to eliminate their targets there. Knocking hurriedly on Persephone's door, he wondered if Professors' offices counted as safe zones. He hoped so.

As soon as he heard her call out for him to enter, he rushed in. "Is it safe in here?"

Sitting behind her desk, Persephone laughed. "Yes, you can consider my office a safe zone. How can I help you?"

Harry held out his scarlet wand. "Deactivated by accident."

There was a small 'pop' and Harry was surprised to see Dobby standing by the door, carrying a small tray holding a coffee pot and a delicate cup and saucer.

"Oh! Dobby, come in." Getting up, Persephone waved him toward the guest chair. "And you brought coffee, wonderful! Thank you. Have a seat and I'll be right with you. Just let me get Harry squared away first. Don't want him to be late to class. Would either of you care for something to drink?"

When they both replied in the negative, she poured herself a cup then took Harry's wand and went to the small bookshelf by the fireplace. Opening a thin volume, she flipped through some pages, mumbling, "Reactivate, reactivate..."

"Hello, Dobby," Harry greeted the house-elf.

"How is Harry Potter, sir?" Dobby blinked up at Harry with his huge tennis-ball eyes.

Harry shrugged. "Fine. Just getting my wand fixed so I can keep playing the game. What are you here for?"

"Dobby is this week's house-elf chosen to meet with the Missus." Dobby glanced around anxiously.

"Oh." Harry nodded. Seeing Persephone was still murmuring over the book, he looked over the scattered parchments and Dobby's tea tray occupying her desk. Idly, Harry wondered how many cups of coffee she drank a day. There were also a number of small jars Harry thought he recognized. He picked one up and saw Ron's name scrawled on the tag. "Hey, these are our Veritaserum Potions."

Persephone glanced up. "Hmm? Oh, yes. Professor Snape asked me to have a look at a few of them."

As the use of Veritaserum was supposedly highly regulated, once they'd finished their attempts, Snape had collected and locked up everyone's potions. Harry eyed Ron's cloudy result swirling in its bottle and wondered if Snape was planning on getting her opinion on how bad the less than perfect ones were so he could try them out on the class. Quickly, he put the jar back down.

Still working on his wand, Persephone asked, "How are you enjoying the game, Harry?"

"You were right, it is fun," Harry said, watching her mumbling something over his wand.

"See?" She looked over and smiled at him then turned back to what she was doing.

Conversationally, Harry asked, "Any ideas who'll win the whole thing?"

"I don't think it would be fair to tell you what I think. However, I will say everyone is playing very well. You've all picked up the game quite fast." She paused. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to say it looks like you're the frontrunner for Gryffindor's Wildfire Award."

"Really?" Harry still thought his four eliminations in a row were pretty impressive, but hadn't considered he'd actually win one of the awards.

Persephone walked back to her desk and shook her head, taking a sip of her coffee. She handed him his wand. "Here you go. Good as new."

Taking it, Harry said, "Thanks."

Harry watched her make a face and put the cup back down. "Something wrong?"

"It's cold." She gave him an odd look.

Harry thought she looked awfully pale all of a sudden. "Are you all right?"

She looked as though she was about to answer when her knees buckled under her and she fell forward, hitting the desk before crashing into the floor beside it. The delicate cup in her hand smashed on the hard stones. Half on her side, she lay unmoving, her eyes open and unblinking, the handle of the cup caught on her finger.

He heard Dobby gasp in alarm. Turning to him, Harry yelled, "Dobby, get Madame Pomfrey, quick!"

With a loud 'pop', Dobby was gone, leaving Harry uncertain what to do next. She seemed like she was still breathing but he didn't know what else to do. The hospital wing was a long way from the dungeon and he wasn't sure how fast Dobby and Madame Pomfrey would get back. Oddly, Hermione's exasperated voice rang in his mind telling him it was impossible to Apparate at Hogwarts, and Harry suddenly wondered if it only applied to humans. Fighting panic, Harry told himself there had to be someone closer who could help. He ran out of the room and down the hall.

"Professor Snape!" Harry shouted as he ran through the doorway to Snape's class, though he wasn't sure why he thought Snape would know what to do any more than he did. A room full of third years turned around in surprise.

"Potter! What is the meaning of this?" Snape glared at him. "How dare you interrupt-"

Harry ignored his tone. "It's Persephone, you have to help."

That got his attention. "What are you talking about?"

"She's..." Harry stopped. Dying? He didn't know and didn't want to guess. "I don't know what's wrong. You have to help."

Without another word Snape swept past the now very interested students and out the door. Harry followed. "She was fine and then suddenly collapsed."

Reaching her office, Harry saw Persephone hadn't moved. Still staring unseeing at the ceiling, she didn't respond when Snape called her name or when he tapped her with his wand and said, "Enervate!" Catching sight of the smashed cup, he frowned. Obviously distressed, Snape went to the cupboard behind her desk and started shoving bottles and jars around.

"Get Madame Pomfrey!" he barked at Harry.

"I sent Dobby to get her. He was here, when, uh..." Harry stammered.

"Tell me exactly what happened." Snape continued to search for something.

Harry tried to remember if something out of the ordinary had happened he hadn't noticed at first. With a sudden feeling of horror, he thought Snape might try to pin the blame for whatever had happened on him. "I don't know! She was reactivating my wand for the game and then drank out of her cup and then fell. I don't know what happened!"

Snape seemed to have found what he was looking for and knelt by Persephone. "How much did she drink?"

"Not much, just a sip, I think." Harry looked on worriedly. Had her drink been poisoned? "What happened? What was in it?"

"You have to drink this." Snape was looking into Persephone's eyes. Harry thought it a rather odd thing to say as it didn't seem like she had much choice in the matter. Even so, Harry was somewhat relived to see her try to focus.

Snape somehow got her to swallow whatever was in the little glass bottle. The room was absolutely silent for a second, both he and Snape holding their breaths. Harry didn't know what he was waiting for, when suddenly Persephone jerked and started coughing violently.

She tried to roll over, still coughing and gasping. Harry thought it looked like she was trying to run away from something, her legs kicked out and she tried to grab the desk and pull away from Snape. He caught her and held her against him as she struggled. She seemed like she was trying to escape, but Harry couldn't imagine where it was she intended to go. In any case, Snape wouldn't let go of her.

"What did you give her?" Harry's voice sounded terrified, even to him.

Snape didn't answer as Persephone kept coughing and grabbing for the desk. After a moment, she seemed to settle down a bit, trying to curl into a ball. "Burning..." she gasped.

Harry was relived when Dobby ran in a few moments later, quickly followed by Madame Pomfrey. Kneeling beside them, Madame Pomfrey tried to check Persephone over, but as soon as she got close, Persephone slapped her hands away, her voice high-pitched and panicky.

"Stop it! Leave me alone! I'm not going back!"

Snape grabbed her wrists so she couldn't strike out again. Eyes wide and staring, even Harry could tell whatever she was seeing, it wasn't anything that was actually there.

Madame Pomfrey sat back. "You gave her the Skeleton Potion?"

"Yes."

Harry looked to Snape. Skeleton Potion? What's that?

Madame Pomfrey nodded. "We'll just have to wait, then."

"Potter, get back to your class," Snape said.

Harry just stood there, still uneasy. "What..."

"Get back to your class," Snape enunciated every word.

Knowing it would be useless to argue, Harry left. Forgetting about the game, and the fact he was now very late for Transfiguration, he walked slowly to McGonagall's classroom. Someone had poisoned her, Harry was almost certain.

"Mr. Potter! You are late." McGonagall's voice broke into his whirling thoughts.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled as he sat.

"I'm going to have to take-" McGonagall gave him a concerned look. "Are you all right?"

Harry looked up to see McGonagall and the rest of the class watching him with strange looks. Only imagining what he looked like to cause their concern, he tried to focus on where he was. "Fine."

McGonagall didn't look convinced but instructed him to start working on his project. She seemed to have forgotten she was about to take points for his tardiness.

Ron, abandoning his chess set, leaned over. "What happened? Did you get eliminated?"

Harry had forgotten all about why he'd gone to see Persephone in the first place. "No. No, it's not that."

"Harry, are you all right? You don't look so well," Hermione said in a very concerned tone.

She looked up to see McGonagall watching them intently and shrunk back to her desk and started working on her project again. Ron didn't seem to care.

"What happened?" he prompted.

Not wanting to be overheard, Harry focused on his notes. "After class."

Harry got no work done. Between trying to figure out what had happened in Persephone's office and sensing the worried looks Ron, Hermione, and McGonagall kept shooting him, he couldn't think.

As soon as class was over and everyone had stood to leave, McGonagall called Harry over. Ignoring the curious looks aimed at him, Harry stood by her desk.

When the last of the students had exited, McGonagall spoke, "Why were you late?"

Harry wanted to think over his answer, but after a few seconds of McGonagall's impatient stare, he figured he may as well be honest, though there was no need for him to reveal more than necessary. "I went to get my Dorm Assassin Wand reactivated."

McGonagall gave him a skeptical look. "I see. And the fact you might have been eliminated at any point was what had you looking so distressed?" Her tone clearly indicated she knew that wasn't the truth.

Before Harry could say anything she continued, "Potter, allow me to speak frankly for a moment. In light of what happened at the end of term last year, Dumbledore has asked us to keep a careful eye out for any unusual events and to look after you in particular. While the Ministry may have their heads in the sand regarding-" She stopped herself, her mouth forming a thin line. "With that in mind, I must insist you tell me what exactly happened to make you late."

Harry frowned, there didn't seem to be a way out of it. "I went to get my wand reactivated and when I was in Miss Hade's office, she..." Harry still didn't know what had happened and didn't want to start any rumors. He shrugged helplessly. "She had some kind of reaction or something." Harry gave the same sort of unsure explanation he'd given Snape.

Harry wasn't it was possible, but after he stopped, McGonagall looked more severe than he'd ever seen her. "I see. Well, I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will inform the Headmaster. Still, I think..." She stood. "All right, Potter, you may go. And please do watch yourself."

Ron and Hermione flanked him as he left the classroom.

"So what happened?" Ron started.

People kept asking the same question to which he had no answer. He gestured helplessly. "I don't know."

Hermione gave him a stern look and he was almost amusedly reminded of Professor McGonagall. "Something happened. A letter from Lupin? A vision? What?"

They were heading to lunch, Harry noted absently. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to say what was really on his mind. Looking at Hermione and Ron, he blurted out, "I think someone tried to kill Persephone."

Ron and Hermione stopped dead in the hallway. "What?" they exclaimed in unison.

Seeing they were near Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him in. "Say that again."

Harry tried to explain, once again, what had happened when he'd gone to get his wand reactivated. It was a relief not to have to guard his description of what he'd seen.

Hermione's forehead wrinkled. "Maybe it was an accident."

"How could that have been an accident?" Ron asked in a disbelieving tone. "Oops, sorry I spilled this poison in your drink?"

"Well, why would someone want to kill her?" Hermione challenged.

Harry suddenly remembered one of the first memories he'd seen in Occlumency this year, the Death Eater telling her: You will join us or you will die, and then remembered the dream he'd had where Wormtail had asked about a missing Death Eater. Voldemort had said she wouldn't be returning. I'm not going back. "If she switched sides, they'd be after her."

Ron and Hermione turned to him. "What was that?"

"What if she was a Death Eater and switched sides? If they found out, they'd try to kill her, right?" Harry said slowly.

Hermione frowned. "I suppose, but why now? Wouldn't they have tried a long time ago? And she's from America. How important could she have been here?"

Harry threw up his hands in a gesture of uncertainty. "Well, her mum is from here. Her family knew the Malfoys. I don't know. Maybe not. What if they didn't care until she showed up here? What if they didn't care until they knew Voldemort was really back? They wouldn't have had a good enough reason before, really. Why risk it then?"

Ron flinched at the name, but Hermione seemed to consider. "All right then, who would be helping them at Hogwarts?"

"Snape?" Ron guessed.

Harry shook his head. "I don't think so." For all he still couldn't stand the Potions Master, that didn't seem to fit what had happened. "Anyway, he saved her. Gave her something called Skeleton Potion."

"What's that?" Ron asked.

"I have no idea. Some kind of antidote I suppose. Seemed to work," Harry replied.

They both looked to Hermione, who shrugged. "I've never heard of it."

"Maybe he did it to throw people off the track," Ron suggested.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, that makes no sense."

"None of this makes sense," Harry muttered.

Hermione started to say something but stopped herself. Harry caught her hesitant look. "What?"

"Maybe...maybe it was meant for you," she said slowly.

"I don't drink coffee, Hermione," Harry said.

Hermione frowned. "I know but...What if whoever it was just put it in the wrong cup or water or something? One of the house-elves, maybe? They start making lunch about the time you went to see her. What if, just by chance, she ended up with something meant for you?"

Ron looked at her like she was nuts. "Harry didn't know until a few minutes before he went down there that he'd even have to. That'd be a pretty big coincidence."

"And why would the house-elves want to hurt me?" Harry asked.

Ron snorted. "Yeah, more likely they'd be after you, Mione."

Hermione shot a look at him. "That's not funny, Ron. Maybe they didn't want to, but someone told them to? Then they wouldn't have a choice."

Harry remembered Dobby had seemed rather nervous. Then again, Dobby always seemed a bit nervous. "Even if it was one of the house-elves, it still seems like it was meant for her, not me."

Hermione didn't look fully convinced. "Well, what if they found a way around the command? If they were told 'put it in whatever' not 'poison Harry'? They would have to, but they could make sure it went to someone else instead of you and still do what they were told."

"Why're you so convinced it was one of the house-elves, anyway? You're usually on their side," Ron said.

Hermione glared at him. "I'm just trying to help figure this out! If house-elves had more freedom to do what they wanted, things like this wouldn't happen!"

"You're not on about that again, are you? Besides, someone here still would have had to tell them to do it. House-elves only have to obey their masters," Ron said.

"Winky doesn't think of anyone at Hogwarts as her master," Hermione retorted.

Ron took that as more evidence for his theory. Harry shook his head. "Why Persephone, then?"

"Why not? Maybe they chose at random. Maybe they thought..." It looked as though something suddenly dawned on her. "What if they chose her, knowing after they poisoned her, there would be someone nearby to help?"

"You mean Snape?" Ron asked. "Why would he be checking on her? He had a class. Wouldn't it have been too late by the time it was over?"

Harry looked back and forth between the two, realizing what Hermione had just said fit, in strange sort of way. "Not Snape. Dobby. Not that I thought he did it," he rushed on, "but he had a meeting scheduled with her. The other house elves would have known about it. He would have gone for help."

Wondering if Persephone would know what was going on, they fell silent as they left the bathroom. When they finally did sit down to lunch, Harry found he had very little appetite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had sat for several minutes on the cold stone floor, waiting. Madame Pomfrey had attempted to collect some of the spilled liquid to test later. Forgetting about the classroom of students down the hall, Snape looked down at Persephone, curled up with her eyes squeezed shut. As soon as she opened them, he locked her gaze.

"What happened?"

He felt something hit him hard in the chest, and it took a moment for him to realize it hadn't been in his mind. She had shoved him away.

"Go back to your class." Without looking at him, she scrambled away and got unsteadily to her feet. Madame Pomfrey supported her by the elbow.

"What-"

Still refusing to look at him as Madame Pomfrey led her away, she repeated herself, "Go back to your class."

Standing in the doorway of the hospital wing, Snape saw her sitting on one of the beds furthest from the door. He was sure she knew he was there, but she didn't acknowledge him. Her knees drawn up, she rested her head on her folded arms as he approached, looking the other way.

He sat in the chair by the bed. "You know what this is all about, don't you?"

She didn't answer. She didn't have to.

Turning her head and forcing her to look at him, Snape stared into her eyes. "Tell me," he demanded.

Unblinking, she looked back. They remained locked in a silent battle as the faint footsteps from down the hallway grew louder as they neared. Snape finally let her go and stood. Without another word he strode angrily to the exit, passing McGonagall and Dumbledore on the way out.

"Don't bother."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Distracted on their way to Hagrid's for Care of Magical Creatures, the trio didn't see the spell until it was too late. Just as they reached the main doors they heard "Interimo!" and a split second later, Hermione was hit. Turning, Ron and Harry saw a very stunned Dennis Creevey on the other side of the hallway.

"I actually got two targets?" Dennis' eyes were wide and surprised.

Hermione, for all she had said against it, was obviously disappointed she was out of the game. Forcing a smile, she walked over.

"Interimo!" The spell flashed by Hermione to Dennis, whose face fell the instant he realized what had happened.

Ron ran up grinning, his worries obviously forgotten momentarily. "Sorry, you're out, Mione. But hey, it would've been me after you next."

"I guess Dennis got Julia, then." Harry commented, briefly distracted from his thoughts.

Dennis beamed. "Yeah! It was brilliant Harry! You should have seen it! Wait till I tell Colin I got two targets!"

Dennis ran off to his next class, leaving the trio shaking their heads after him.

"So who's my target, Mione?"

Hermione sighed and leaned closer, making sure Harry wouldn't hear. "Liz McCumsey."

Ron grinned. "What year?"

"You'll have to find out on your own," she sniffed.

"Aw, come on. Be a sport," Ron cajoled.

They walked down to Hagrid's, Ron trying to get Hermione to tell him more about Liz and Hermione refusing to budge. Harry wondered if they just wanted to focus on something else. Wishing he could, Harry's thoughts drifted back to what had happened earlier. Maybe he'd stop by the kitchens later and talk to Dobby.

Since Hermione was out of the game, after dinner she informed them she was going to catch up on her work in the common room, which was bound to be emptier than the library. Privately thinking it didn't matter since she was always ahead of everything, Ron convinced Harry to go to the library with him. Hermione shot them a disapproving look, knowing studying was the last thing on their minds.

"What about Ginny?" Harry asked as they hurried down the long corridor.

Ron shrugged. "Haven't seen her all day. I don't know if she's even still in the game."

They exchanged glances, obviously having the same thought. Ginny might very well have one of them as a target by now. They picked up their pace. Once inside the library, not nearly as full as the night before, Ron headed directly for the yearbooks.

Since he already knew who he was after, Harry went to the older yearbooks. After two tries, he found the one he was looking for. He found his mother first. Lily Evans, young and carefree, smiled and waved up at him. While the sadness that always welled up when he saw her picture was still there, Harry found comfort in watching her laughing and waving in the small photo. After a moment, he found the picture of his father. Seeing Ron was still occupied with searching for his new target, Harry sat on the floor between the tall bookshelves and gazed at the old yearbook.

Harry had grown quite a bit over the summer and if he had had a mirror with him, he was sure he would see how he resembled his father even more now than when he was younger. He found an odd reassurance in the fact he looked so much like his parents. Idly flipping through the pages, he couldn't bring himself to look for Sirius' picture. Instead, he flipped toward the pages he was sure didn't have any last names beginning with 'B'.

Settling on a random page somewhere in the middle, Harry found himself looking at a sullen boy with long black hair. He realized who it was the second before he read Snape's name below the picture. Harry laughed soundlessly, had Snape ever smiled? Thinking about it, Harry had to conclude that he had not, in fact, ever seen Snape look anything but dour. Wait, no. Harry paused. There was one time. He'd almost forgotten the memory of Snape looking in the window of Bourgin and Bourkes, just before his first year. Harry traded the book he was holding for one dated five years earlier. Who was the other boy in the memory? Now was his chance to find out. Surely, Harry would recognize him if he saw his picture.

Starting with the Slytherin section, Harry scanned the pictures, looking for the sandy-haired boy from Snape's memory. While he did find Snape, Harry didn't find anyone who might be the other boy. He tried Ravenclaw next, sure the boy couldn't possibly be a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Coming up blank again, Harry frowned and turned to the Hufflepuff section. Maybe that's why they weren't friends. If Snape had been sorted into Slytherin and the other boy into Hufflepuff, Snape would never have continued the friendship.

Still nothing. Harry opened to the beginning of the Gryffindor page, thinking the same thing might have happened if the other boy ended up in that House. Skipping the 'B' page, Harry decided he'd only look there if he couldn't find the mystery boy anywhere else.

Halfway through the L's, Harry swore, loud enough to get Ron's attention. "What?"

Harry swore again. "They knew each other. Before my dad did."

"Who knew each other?" Ron sat by Harry and glanced at the yearbook page Harry was pointing at.

"Lupin. Lupin and Snape. They met before Lupin was friends with my dad." Harry couldn't believe it. The other boy in Snape's memory was Remus Lupin. Several things suddenly made perfect sense. Harry always wondered why Snape held so much antipathy against Lupin. Sure, Harry understood his dad and Sirius were less than kind to him all those years at school, but he didn't think Lupin's guilt by inaction warranted the same intense hatred. But the betrayal of someone you thought might be a friend...

Ron's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "How do you know that just by a picture?"

"Occlumency. One of Snape's memories I saw. They met right outside of Bourgin and Burkes, in Knockturn Alley, right before their first year. If Lupin hadn't..." Harry trailed off, staring at the space in front of him. "I think they would have been friends."

Ron looked just as surprised as Harry. "Guess that didn't really work out too well, did it?"

Harry shut the book, suddenly feeling very tired. "I think I'm going to head back."

Ron stood quickly. "Yeah, me too. I found out what year she's in."

Harry's mind was once again miles from the game. Still, they both made it back without incident.

Once they arrived back in the common room, Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm and drug him back out of the portrait hole.

"What's this?" Ron exclaimed. "Mione, I'm still in the game! What're you doing?"

"You're also still a prefect and we're going to be late." Hermione ignored Ron's protests and marched him down the hallway.

Harry laughed to himself and turned around to come face to face with the end of a very bright red wand. Instinctively, he put his hands up.

"Oh, Harry really." Ginny rolled her eyes and dropped her hand. "You'd give up just like that?"

Harry let out the breath he'd been holding. "So I'm not your target?"

"No," Ginny said, obviously less than impressed with his reaction. "Not at the moment, anyway."

Harry's interest was piqued as they claimed a couch by the fireplace that had a clear view of the entrance. "How many people are left?"

"Including you and me, eight," Ginny stated.

Harry considered. "So the game's almost over."

"Looks like," Ginny said. She shot a sideways glance at Harry. "Something's wrong."

"You want to talk about it?" Harry almost didn't want to ask, having fallen into that trap before.

Ginny laughed. "Not me. With you. Do you want to talk about it?"

Harry wondered what she meant. There was no way for her to know about him finding out about Lupin and Snape.

"You could start with why you dragged Snape out of his third year class," Ginny suggested.

Harry's mood suddenly turned sour. Of course the whole school would be talking about that by now. "I didn't drag him anywhere," he said sullenly.

Why did everyone always know everything about him? Didn't people have other things to think about? Too late, Harry realized Ginny was probably just worried about Persephone. Turning, he caught the flash of anger in her eyes, but she waited patiently for him to say something. Feeling a bit bad for snapping at her, he told her the abbreviated version of what had happened, ending with Hermione's theories.

"How odd," Ginny said, a faraway look in her eyes. "So what's the other thing?"

"Huh?" Harry asked. "That was pretty much all we came up with."

Ginny shook her head. "No, the other thing bothering you. It's not just what happened in Persephone's office."

Harry ogled. How did she know? "You've been practicing," Harry said.

They hadn't had another go at Occlumency since Ron and Ginny's row, but Harry was almost sure they were all still practicing. Maybe he'd ask if they wanted to try again that Saturday. Even if Ron and Hermione didn't want to, it looked like Ginny would be willing.

"Yeah, but that's not how I knew." Ginny's smile faded and she shrugged. "If you don't want to talk about it..."

Harry wasn't sure why, but he was almost certain the rest of the sentence would have been, 'I'll find out if we try Occlumency again.' Realizing he had a lesson with Snape the next night, he thought maybe he should try to settle the knowledge that perhaps his father and Sirius and done more to make Snape's life miserable than just a few pranks. Even if it was unintentional.

Returning from their prefect meeting to find Harry and Ginny deep in conversation, Ron and Hermione exchanged looks and left the common room without saying hello.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Ron made sure he was awake before Harry. Creeping down the stairs, he saw Hermione already waiting. Glancing around to see if the coast was clear, he joined her.

"Where's Ginny?"

"Good morning to you, too," Hermione said. "Still getting dressed, I think. Where's Harry?"

"Still sleeping," Ron replied.

Hermione nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Now, as long as Ginny gets down here first-"

There was a loud exclamation of 'Bloody hell!' and once again Ginny was preceded by an angry girl stomping down the steps.

Ron had his scarlet wand out and pointed at the girls' staircase.

"Ron, what're you-"

"Shhh!" Ron shushed her. "There were eight people left yesterday. I think someone just got someone. Their next target could easily be me."

"You're worrying about that stupid game now?" Hermione exclaimed. Her only reply was another shushing.

The first thing they saw was the bright tip of a scarlet wand poke around the corner.

"Protego!" Ginny had her Shield Charm up before she stepped into view. Ron lowered his wand.

Seeing Ron hadn't tried to hit her with a spell, Ginny looked over the side of the staircase before running lightly down to meet them.

"This is giving me a headache." Hermione looked heavenward, muttering, "When will it be over?"

"You're just mad because you didn't win. Hey, Ginny," Ron greeted his sister while ducking a swat.

"We wanted to talk to you," Hermione stated.

Ginny eyed them suspiciously. "About what?"

"What were you and Harry talking about last night?" Ron asked.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because he's our friend and we're worried," Hermione said.

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "He's my friend, too. Don't you think if he wanted to talk to you he would? Why don't you ask him?"

And with that, Ginny left the common room.

Ron watched her go. "Well, at least we know she can keep a secret."

Whirling around at the sound of someone at the top of the stairs, Ron mimicked his sister's spell work. Seeing Harry had also cast a shield, Ron lowered his wand.

"Morning, Harry," Ron said.

"Ron." Harry held up his wand. "How many left?"

"Seven at most."

"We'd better run to breakfast, then."

Ron nodded in agreement. The boys took off through the portrait hole, leaving Hermione shaking her head to follow at a more dignified pace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The trio spent most of their potions class exchanging furtive looks with one another, trying to glean clues about what had happened the day before from Snape's behavior. Since nothing he did was out of the ordinary, they left with no more information they had arrived with, though with far more homework and a few less House points.

"Maybe I can find something out during Occlumency tonight," Harry said quietly as they left.

Hermione looked disapproving. "Don't look for trouble, Harry."

"Tutoring is tonight, too," Ron added. "That is, if she didn't cancel."

Turing to Harry, Hermione said, "Will you ask Persephone something for me?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Ask her what?"

"About Skeleton Potion. I looked in the library, but I couldn't find anything about it." Hermione's eyes pleaded silently.

Catching Ron's look of dismay, Harry asked, "Why don't you ask?"

Hermione gave him a look. "I wasn't there when it happened so I have no reason to know anything about it." She ignored Ron's snort and mumbled comment that everyone who wasn't there knew about it. "It wouldn't be proper for me to ask. Please, Harry?"

Harry said he'd try, ignoring Ron's pointed glare at Hermione. They hurried down the hall, giving Malfoy a wide berth. There were only three Slytherins left in their game and Malfoy was in a rather aggressive mood. Passing the usual tutoring classroom, they didn't see a note pinned to the door and thus assumed Persephone would be holding her class as usual.

In Defense Against the Dark Arts later that day, Dunn seemed ecstatic with the success of the game. Instead of his usual class work, he let everyone relate their favorite moments, triumphant or otherwise. After hearing some of the near-misses, he scribbled nominations for the Lightning Award to discuss with Persephone. The class was spent laughing and topping each others' stories, thoroughly distracting Harry from his earlier worries.

After his last class, Harry snuck off to the Room of Requirement. Not to do research, Harry only wanted a few moments alone to collect his thoughts before his lesson with Snape. As he paced before the door, Ginny's words from their conversation the night before rose to the surface of his mind.

You have enough to worry about without taking on guilt that doesn't belong to you.

After he'd told her about Lupin and Snape, Ginny had asked why Harry felt guilty about it. Until she'd pointed it out, Harry hadn't realized that had been exactly what he'd been feeling. Hoping for a moment alone, Harry wanted to think about what she'd said. Walking through the door, he saw he wasn't going to get the chance.

"Sorry, Ginny," Harry said.

She looked up, obviously surprised to see him. "Oh, Harry. Hello." She cleared her throat. "I was just reading some things about Occlumency."

Harry sat across from her on one of the squashy armchairs and glanced at the book she was holding. "Beyond the Body is better."

Ginny glanced at the bookshelves. "Really? I just picked one at random." She shut the book she was holding and got up.

"So you're on for practicing tomorrow, then?" Harry asked.

Ginny struggled to reach a slim volume, just beyond her fingertips. Harry got up and, standing behind her, slid it off the shelf. Ginny turned around, mere inches between them.

"Thanks," Ginny's hand closed over the book as she looked up.

There was a moment of silence then Harry let go of the book and backed away abruptly. Ginny quickly looked down and cleared her throat again. "Tomorrow, sure. Same time?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair, making it appear even more unkempt than usual, trying to ignore the sudden awkwardness he felt. "Yeah. I'll see if Ron and Hermione want to come, too."

Ginny nodded, still examining the book's cover. "You staying here for a while, then?"

Harry checked the clock. "No, I don't want to be late for Snape's lesson."

"I'll walk out with you."

Just as they left the room, Ginny paused. "Harry?"

Harry stopped and turned toward her. "Yeah?"

"Interimo."

Harry was still slightly in shock as he made his way down the dungeon staircase. It shouldn't have come as a surprise, being as there were so few people left in the game, but it had. Trying to redirect his thoughts and get them under control before facing Snape, Harry paused outside the potions classroom and took a deep breath.

He tried to forget Ginny had just eliminated him from the game and focus on what she'd told him the night before instead. It's not my fault they're not friends. Taking another fortifying breath, Harry squared his shoulders and walked through the classroom, knocking on Snape's office door once he had reached it.

The first thing that struck Harry was that Snape was once again seated behind his desk, instead of standing, ready to begin. The second thing that struck him was that Snape looked different. At first, Harry couldn't put his finger on it. If he'd stopped to think about it, which he hadn't until now, Snape's appearance had changed in the last few months. If only slightly. Was it that his hair wasn't quite so stringy? Was his complexion less sallow? Harry thought the latter might be due to the angry flush Persephone seemed to be able to incite at the drop of a hat. While they didn't argue nearly as regularly as they had at first, most of the students could still sense the odd tension between them. Having nothing better to do, Harry continued to try to puzzle it out while he waited for Snape to acknowledge him.

Snape continued to ignore him, seemingly absorbed in the pages in front of him. Bored with staring at Snape, Harry attempted to read what he could glimpse of the upside-down print. After figuring out a few lines, Harry realized it was a catalogue of poisons. It was then Harry realized Snape looked exhausted. Seeing the size of the tome in front of him, Harry didn't wonder why. Hermione tended to take on a similar look when she was absorbed in something of that nature. Harry tried not to let himself feel happy about it, but couldn't help but think it would give him an easier time during the lesson. If it ever started, that was.

He was thinking about backing away slowly and silently when Snape finally looked up. Wordlessly, he marked the page and walked around the desk to face Harry.

Harry was ready when Snape aimed at him, or so he thought. Expecting his practice with his friends and Snape's apparent fatigue to lend him an edge, Harry was unprepared for the force of the spell. Trying to find the calm and focus he'd had when facing Hermione and Ginny, Harry resisted casting a spell to force Snape out at first.

A few moments later, panting with the effort of suppressing memories Snape kept trying to force to the surface, Harry cast the Shield Charm and broke Snape's concentration. Avoiding eye contact in the hopes of gaining a few seconds to rest, Harry tried to slow his racing heart. Snape may have looked tired, but there was something driving him to attack Harry with everything he had. Though he tried to recall if he'd done anything to warrant it, Harry couldn't come up with a single thing he'd done to anger Snape recently. The memory Snape had just seen had nothing to do with the yearbook pictures or Harry's revelation of Snape's near-friendship with Lupin. As soon as he glanced up, Snape cast again. Harry intended to use the Shield Charm straightaway, but couldn't.

Broken glass blood and snow cold falling snow and blood and glass

Harry's mind screamed in protest at the rush of images. Backing away, not knowing if it was merely the memory of the nightmares or the start of another episode, Harry dropped his wand. What had only flashed as 'red' in his mind before was now clearly defined as blood. Harry fought the frightening images, still not understanding what they meant.

Snape immediately stopped the spell, but Harry continued to struggle. "Potter!"

The sound of his name seemed to bring him back and Snape barked it again. After a moment Harry looked around, dazed and out of breath.

"What was that?" Harry reached for his wand on the floor, still shaking. He was almost afraid to move, thinking it was like the night he'd had the nightmares the first time and it would start all over again.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "What did you see?"

It wasn't exactly asked in the same concerned tone as Ginny, but Harry tried to explain. By Snape's expression, Harry doubted he was doing a very good job of it.

"This has happened before," Snape stated.

Harry didn't care how he knew if there was some chance it meant Snape knew what was happening and could help. "A while ago. I had nightmares. The first one wasn't quite like that, but the rest were. Just jumbled images and feelings." Finally, he stared to calm down and got his breathing under control. "I thought they were someone else's nightmares because I'd had them after I woke up."

Snape frowned, but didn't say anything right away. Moving to sit behind his desk again, he seemed to be thinking something over. It left Harry standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, wondering if the lesson was over.

Hoping for some answers, Harry spoke up, "Do you know what it means?" At Snape's glare Harry added, albeit insincerely, "Sir."

"You read the book I gave you," Snape began. It obviously wasn't a question.

Harry bit back a snide reply. He'd told Snape he had and had even shown what he'd learned in previous lessons. "I did."

"Not carefully enough." Snape opened a drawer and tossed the book at Harry. "Read it again."

Harry's anger flared. Why didn't he ever get straight answers from anyone? Why did everything always have to be so cryptic and difficult?

"Can't you just explain it?" Harry blurted out. He deliberately did not add a 'sir', insincere or otherwise.

For a moment, Harry thought Snape was about to do something horrible and he regretted his rash question. However, instead of retaliating, Snape sat back. "When you read the book again," Snape emphasized 'when', "you will pay particular attention to the effects the study of Occlumency has on dreams. Particularly the section on channeling dreams of other people."

Harry remembered the chapter. "I read it! It didn't describe anything like this. It only said something about people who were in the same room and asleep at the same time." Harry recalled the chapter. It had mentioned something about the side effect of channeling dreams. But the book had said there was usually a strong bond between the two people to begin with. Harry didn't even know who the nightmares belonged to.

"Of course the book deals in generalizations, you cannot expect it to detail exactly what you will experience. And as I said before, the normal rules do not seem to apply to you. Dreams, or in your case, nightmares, are not the same for everyone. Nor do you interpret what you see the same way the person whose thoughts you are picking up does."

Contempt dripped from every word. "For someone who is supposedly known for thinking on his feet, you seem rather slow, Potter."

Harry remembered a frustrated Persephone saying something frighteningly similar just before they'd headed into the Forbidden Forest.

Suppressing his flaring temper, Harry said tightly, "I'll read it again, then. Sir."

When Snape's reply was no more than a narrowing of his eyes, Harry decided the lesson was over and left. He passed Ron on the staircase on his way back to Gryffindor Tower.

"She cancel after all, then?" Ron asked.

Harry had forgotten all about tutoring. He turned around and rejoined Ron. "No. I just forgot."

They walked back down to the dungeons together, Harry trying not to think about his waking nightmares.

For the first time, as he and Ron entered the tutoring classroom, they saw Persephone was not perched upon the desk in front waiting for them. Settling at their usual table, Ron and Harry exchanged looks then glanced around the room. Most of the students who had been there the first day had continued to show up every week, and it looked like that night would be no different. Chatting in small groups, no one else seemed concerned Persephone hadn't shown up yet.

Ten minutes later, when she still hadn't shown, the conversations seemed to shift and Harry noticed everyone beginning to get restless.

"Did she cancel and not tell us, then?" Harry recognized the girl with the brown pigtails who had commented on Persephone's voting method after the first lesson.

Before her friend could reply, a disheveled Persephone rushed through the doorway. "Sorry! Sorry!"

She waved her wand at the board and words appeared. Shuffling papers, she shoved her hair behind her ears and faced the class. "I apologize for being late. Tonight we'll be making Clearing Ointment, another of your voted choices. Instructions are on the board. Please be careful with the bubotuber pus, we don't want another accident."

She looked a bit out of sorts. Ron leaned over before gathering his ingredients to whisper, "I wonder what she was doing that made her late."

Having gotten the class started, Persephone dragged her fingers through her hair before twisting it up and sticking her wand through it. Harry whispered back, "Maybe it had something to do with what happened yesterday."

While the class worked, Persephone did not wander around as usual, offering advice. Instead, she sat behind the desk leaning on one hand, observing the class, though if anyone raised their hand needing assistance, she immediately went to help. Harry thought she looked tired.

When they were finished, everyone had produced a light yellowish ointment, good for treating minor blemishes and scratches. Persephone reminded them to test their ointments on the inside skin of their elbow, leaving it overnight, to make sure they did not have an allergic reaction before using it.

As everyone was getting up and collecting their things, Persephone asked, "Just out of curiosity, how many of you are still left in the game?"

Harry saw only a few hands raised. Ron looked to him in surprise.

"Who got you?" he asked.

Harry smirked. "Ginny."

Ron's eyes widened with shock. "When did that happen?"

"Just before I went to Snape's lesson," Harry replied as they stood.

"Oh. Who's her target now?" Ron asked a bit too casually.

Harry shook his head with a smile as they made their way to leave. "Not saying."

Before they made it to the door, Persephone stopped Harry.

"Harry, could I speak to you for a moment?" The look she gave Ron clearly stated she wanted to speak to Harry alone.

When Ron had left, she turned to Harry. "I wanted to thank you for acting so quickly yesterday."

Harry felt uncomfortable. Just like when he'd helped Ginny after the Bludger, he didn't think he'd done anything anyone else wouldn't have. Part of him was hoping Persephone was about to tell him why someone had tried to poison her, but he quickly found he was not that lucky.

She looked at him seriously. "However, if anyone asks, I would prefer if you did not say anything in regards to any of the rumors floating around. If someone does ask, just tell them it was an accident and everything is fine."

Harry couldn't help but feel disappointed, but he nodded.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Somehow I'd forgotten what a rumor mill a school can be," she said.

Harry figured it was as good an opportunity as any to ask Hermione's question. "What's Skeleton Potion?"

Persephone stopped. "Where did you hear about that?"

"When you were, uh..." Harry cleared his throat. "Madame Pomfrey asked Snape if he'd given you Skeleton Potion."

"Oh." Persephone gathered up the jars on the desk. "It's a universal poison antidote that's just been developed. Madame Pomfrey asked me to try making it a few weeks ago. I gave her the finished potion and made sure every classroom had a small vial, just in case." She snorted softly. "Didn't expect I'd be the first to try it out."

Comprehension crossed Harry's features. "I get it, Skeleton Potion, like a skeleton key- it works on everything. What's in it?" Harry was curious himself now.

Persephone thought for a moment. "Phoenix tears, mugwort, heartsease, of course a bezoar..." She looked at Harry apologetically, "I didn't memorize it, but I can get you a copy of the recipe if you like."

"Sure." Hermione would be thrilled, Harry thought. "Thanks."

"Well? What did she say?" Ron asked curiously when Harry rejoined him in the hall.

"She's going to give me a copy of the Skeleton Potion recipe. It's a poison antidote, like we guessed," Harry replied.

Resisting the urge to frown, Ron rolled his eyes. "Not that! About yesterday."

Harry sighed. In a flat voice he repeated, "It was an accident and everything is fine."

Ron raised his eyebrows skeptically. "She expects you to believe that?"

Reaching the top of the dungeon staircase, Harry turned to head back to Gryffindor. "Apparently."

Ron shrugged then smiled. "So Ginny, huh?"

Harry shook his head but smiled. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about her going around proclaiming herself 'The Girl Who Killed Harry Potter'."