Yours Lovingly

CHAPTER 1

The Diary

The girl's mother was close to tears. She obviously felt uncomfortable with her daughter's idea of Apparating to Diagon Alley alone.

"I always thought this was a bad idea." She shivered slightly. "Why don't you let us take you the normal way?"

She nudged her husband to support her.

"Honey!" said the girl's father, who is middle aged and slightly bald headed. "She is seventeen now and she already passed the apparition test. So, I don't think there is anything to worry about."

"Thank you very much father," said the girl gratefully. "I think I should get going. I will come back by evening so that we can leave early in the morning tomorrow." The girl raised her wand and muttered a few words and vanished in thin air, leaving her father to calm down her mother, who was positively howling.

The girl instantly reappeared in Diagon alley. She was fascinated by the freedom of being left alone so that she could do her shopping peacefully. She couldn't tell whether she was happy or sad now that this was the last year at school. Being a fully trained witch would open doors to many possibilities and an enticing future. However, it would also mean not having a special someone in front of her eyes all the time...

She caught herself before drifting back into the painfully familiar thoughts. "Honestly!" she said to herself. "I have one more year to stay at Hogwarts, which is plenty of time to tell him what I feel for him."

With this thought in her mind, she took an envelope out of her pocket that bore a large green 'H' on it. This would be the last time she received any letter from school. The thought was bitter, but somehow, she managed to shake it off and headed towards the shops.

She quickly scanned her list of school supplies for anything new and specific for the year. She had most of them. She only had to buy an advanced potion kit and a book called 'Analysis of the Unforgivable Curses and How to Confront Them'.

She sighed deeply and said to herself. "One fun year this is going to be. Being exposed to Unforgivable Curses."

After buying everything, she was about to Disapparate, when suddenly her eyes fell on a store that she had never visited before. The store was called 'Lucky Supplies' and the girl wondered what the name meant. She was intrigued with curiosity. She hesitated for a moment and headed off towards the store.

When she first entered the shop, she was surprised to see that it was the most unusual place she had ever been to. The paint on the walls was peeling off and things were scattered all over the floor. She wouldn't have believed they were actually for sale if she hadn't seen the price tags on them. The floor was filled with amulets and talismans of all kinds, spell cards that supposedly make your wishes come true, incanted dolls, wish boxes, lucky lockets, miniature broomsticks, candles, and scented oils.

The atmosphere was eerie and the girl was glad that there was no one in the shop except her and the owner. She would better leave before anyone caught her in that place. She turned towards the door and was about to leave when she tripped on a book of some kind. It was the only book that she saw in that place and it was rather grand with a golden colored cover and silver embroidered borders. It's the kind of a book that can never be missed. She picked up the book, curious to know what it was for. She was about to open it, when the shop keeper approached her.

The shopkeeper was old and had a bent back. His clothes were ragged and he had a squashed face, which made the girl remember a cat called Crookshanks.

"Ah, the diary!" said the shop keeper. "Now that's ten sickles if you want to buy it."

The girl was suddenly aware that she had to leave before someone came in. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to buy anything in here. I was just looking...I have to leave."

"Leave?" said the shop keeper with a raised eyebrow. "How many times in your life do you think you will get a chance to be an owner of this magnificent diary?"

"Er," said the girl, "What exactly does this diary do?"

"The diary is incanted to bring luck to anyone who uses it. Before opening the diary, ask it to fulfill one wish of yours and it will do the rest for you."

The girl didn't understand how exactly a diary could make her wish come true. However, she was attracted to its exterior. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. Besides she certainly was planning to keep a journal of her own.

"I will take it!" said the girl. She paid for it and left the shop, feeling cheerful than she was before.

After coming out of the shop, she held the diary firmly in front of her. "Hey, you are supposed to be my lucky charm. Then just make sure the person I love loves me back."

She put the diary inside her bag and raised her wand. Before Disapparating, she said one last time. "I love you Harry."

Harry woke up with a start. He had been dreaming about someone in a peculiar shop, holding a book of some kind. The book was the only part of the dream he clearly remembered. The girl headed out of the shop and said something to the book that woke Harry up.

Harry got up, put his glasses on and went to the window. It was early in the morning and Privet drive looked as normal as it could possibly look on an early summer morning. Harry looked into the dawning sky and wondered who the girl could be. The more he was trying to hold on to the dream, the faster it seemed to be fading away. At last he gave up. He was certain about one thing. Whoever the girl was, she seemed to be in love with him.

A tingling sensation ran through his spine that he thought woke him up. Some one in love with Harry potter? The thought was exhilarating and for a while he wondered who it could be? Could it be Cho?

He realized he hadn't thought about Cho since his fifth year at Hogwarts. After learning about the Prophecy from Dumbledore, he took for granted that there wasn't going to be a prospect of a normal life in his future. He felt everything was of unimportance except what lay ahead. He was furtively preparing himself for the great confrontation with Voldemort, when suddenly in his sixth year, he found himself facing his worst fears. Years of hate, despair and deprivation made him plunge his head into Voldemort's ribs and before he even had time to recover, Harry pointed his wand at Voldemort's forehead and fiercely shouted the killing curse...

Harry shuddered at the thought. His action was totally spontaneous and he was totally drained of his potency. He found himself in the hospital wing at Hogwarts with all the teachers looking thoroughly pleased with something. The first thing he wanted to do was to talk to Dumbledore and find out what happened, when Dumbledore suddenly approached his bed and said the golden words. "Voldemort is dead, Harry."

At that time, Harry was sure he could have produced the world's best Patrons. He destroyed Voldemort. He was free. He was going to start a safe and peaceful year at Hogwarts and nothing could deprive him of the normal life he always wished to lead.

He thought of the dream for a while again and wished it would come true. Now that he doesn't have to worry about Voldemort, it's time to be in a relationship. He wanted to love. He wanted to be loved. He wanted to obtain everything he had missed on since he was born. If this wish came true, his life would be perfect. He was also excited at the thought that he could now ask Cho out without any distractions encircling his mind.

He was suddenly pulled back into reality with a loud knock on the door. It was Aunt Petunia and Harry was sure that nothing she could say could depress him any longer. He was surprised she woke up early in the morning, and politely answered the door.

"Good morning, Aunt Petunia!" greeted Harry.

Aunt Petunia said nothing for a while. It was an awkward silence and Aunt Petunia was the first one to break it. "So."

"Er, I don't understand, Aunt Petunia," said Harry trying to be as polite as possible.

"When are you leaving?" asked Aunt Petunia with a note of impatience in her voice.

"Oh!" Harry almost forgot. Aunt Petunia, Dudley, and Uncle Vernon were going somewhere on a vacation and he was supposed to leave. He wrote to Mrs. Weasley and she was more than glad to let him stay in the Burrow for the rest of the summer.

"Sorry, Aunt Petunia," said Harry. "I almost forgot. I will just freshen up and get going."

Aunt Petunia still stood there as if she was pondering whether to ask him something or not.

"How are you going to go?" she said finally. "Not that I care or anything."

"I am going to use my broomstick. I can't Apparate with my trunk and Hedwig's cage."

"Whatever you do, just make sure no one sees you," said Aunt Petunia stiffly and strode off downstairs.

Harry sighed deeply and went into the bathroom. He came out, fully dressed and went to his trunk. He put back his Transfiguration book he had been reading before into his trunk and locked it. He went downstairs, with his trunk in one hand, and Hedwig's cage in the other, while his broom stick obediently followed him by his side.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were standing near the door as if waiting for him to leave. The moment Uncle Vernon saw the broom stick soaring in midair by itself, he bellowed, "WHAT THE DEVIL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

For a moment, Harry didn't understand what Uncle Vernon was talking about. He followed Uncle Vernon's eyes and realized that his broomstick was the cause of his panic.

"I can't hold it since my hands are full," said Harry. "It's quite harmless by the way."

"WHATEVER IT IS, JUST GET IT OUT OF MY SIGHT!" snarled uncle Vernon.

Harry mumbled a quick goodbye to the both of them. He left the house and reached the spot at the cornet of Privet drive, where he was planning to take off from. From there, he was conspicuous, being hidden by the trees. With out any further ado, he tied his trunk and Hedwig's cage to the broom stick with two thick ropes he acquired the day before from Aunt Petunia. Double checking to make sure everything was intact, he mounted on his broom and took off into the clear sky.

Mr. Weasley had described him in his mail how to reach their house by broom stick and he had been revising the route from the moment he got it. By now, he knew it by heart and he was glad to see that the surroundings below were just as Mr. Weasley had described them.

It seemed to take ages to get there. After a thoroughly exhausting journey, Harry reached the Burrow and his heart leapt with happiness at the sight of the magically held house. He was going to spend the rest of his summer at his favorite place. He wondered if he could take any more good news.

He halted right in front of the Burrow and approached the front door. He wasn't sure if there was a bell of some kind to let them know he was out side. Every time he came there, it was with Ron and Mrs. Weasley seemed to know and opened the door for them. He speculated if she would do the same. Just when he was wondering if he should knock first, Mrs. Weasley opened the door and greeted him.

"Hello, Harry dear!" said Mrs. Weasley. "It's so nice to see you. We were just starting to worry if you followed the directions correctly. Oh, come on in!"

"No problems with the directions, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry as he came in.

"I am glad. We were just getting ready for breakfast. Come and join us," said Mrs. Weasley and strode off towards the kitchen.

Harry now knew where every room in the burrow was as his own. He went upstairs to Ron's room, put his belongings in a corner and went down to the kitchen where everyone was sitting for Breakfast.

The kitchen was small and was cramped with an old wooden table and chairs in the middle. Just as he entered, he was greeted from all directions.

"Harry!"

"How are you, mate?"

"I am fine," beamed Harry.

"Nice to see you, Harry," said Mr. Weasley, a middle aged man, with square spectacles and a slightly bald head.

"Thanks for letting me stay here, Mr. Weasley," said Harry gratefully. "I was getting restless."

"Don't mention it, Harry. We were actually planning to ask you if you could come and stay here for the summer. In the meanwhile we got your letter."

"Hey, Harry," said Fred and George together, "how is that revolting cousin of yours?"

"He is good," answered Harry. "And big," he added, which made the twins howl with laughter.

Harry turned to Ron. "Did you get any letter from Hermione?"

"Why? She is right here of course," said Ron, loading his plate with second helpings of sausages.

"She is!" exclaimed Harry. "She never wrote to me this summer and I was getting a bit worried."

"Oh. Come on, Harry. It's Hermione. You know her."

"But still-" he was cut short by Mrs. Weasley beckoning him to eat his sausages before they got cold. They didn't speak until they finished their breakfast and Ron and Harry hurried upstairs to their room.

"You know," said Ron, "the Daily prophet is filled with news about you and your fight with Vol-Voldemort last year." Ron looked surprised at his own daring. Harry was glad.

"Now that he is dead, things should be perfect for you," continued Ron. "After all that he did to you...Wait a minute, Harry, I didn't have time to ask you last year. Dumbledore wouldn't let us talk to you after that fight. He said the end of term exams were cancelled on behalf of Voldemort's death," he shuddered again at the name but continued swiftly, "and we didn't even have a chance to talk to you. How exactly did you kill Voldemort Harry?"

Harry waited for Ron to finish. "Well, I don't know how exactly I did it. I was surprised my killing curse worked the first time. Dumbledore told me that I was emotionally wrecked and the sight of Voldemort provided me enough energy to get back what I have missed on. So, without even thinking, I knocked him out by slamming my head into his ribs and I pointed my wand to his forehead and said the curse. I passed out right after that."

"So the rumors were right. You did use the Killing Curse," said Ron impressed.

"They are. I was terrified when I woke up in the hospital wing. I thought they would put me in Azkaban-"

"Put you in Azkaban? What would they do that for?"

Hermione and Ginny came and sat on the bed Harry and Ron were sitting on.

"Why, Harry?" repeated Hermione. "Why would they want to put the 'Boy who killed the Dark Lord' in Azkaban?"

"For using the Killing Curse," said Harry through gritted teeth. "Now you tell me why you didn't contact me over the summer."

Hermione looked uncomfortable. It was her turn to give explanation.

"I am really sorry, Harry," said Hermione guiltily. "Things sort of went out of hand at my house lately. My dad insists I have to continue as a healer, which I don't want to be by the way. Just because they are dentists, it doesn't mean that I have to be one. I was really depressed. I didn't know what to do.

Nothing seemed to be viable. I wasn't myself the whole summer. I know it's not a good reason for not sending you an owl. Besides, I thought after what had happened you should be left alone with out any disturbance for a while," she finished.

Hermione knew her excuse didn't satisfy Harry. "I am sorry," she added.

This seemed to cool down Harry a bit. She was right. He did want to be left alone for a while after going back to the Dursleys.

"It's alright," he said, feeling sorry for Hermione's situation. "Don't worry about it."

Hermione seemed greatly relieved. Beside her, Ginny let out a fake cough as if to let them know that she existed.

"Oh, hello, Ginny," greeted Harry. He felt awkward.

"So what are you two up to?" asked Ron, turning towards Ginny. "You and Hermione seem to be spending a lot of time in your room lately."

"It's none of your business," snapped Ginny. "We girls have a hundred things to share between ourselves."

Looking at Ron's offended face, she quickly added, "Come on, Ron, we were just busy doing some research. Hermione's findings were quite fascinating!"

"Hermione Syndrome," muttered Ron to Harry. "Quite contagious!"

Harry forced a laugh. He noticed that Hermione had a troubled expression on her face.

There was a tap on the window and Harry saw that it was an owl. It was slightly bigger than Pigwidgeon. It flew to Pigwidgeon's cage, took a sip of water from the bowl (Pigwidgeon greatly disproved of it), and flew to Harry and settled on his shoulder.

Harry untied the letter and the owl flew through the window back into the clear sky.

They looked at the unexpected owl soar through the sky for a while and when it disappeared, turned their gaze to the letter in Harry's hands.

"Who is it from, Harry?" asked Hermione, slightly anxious.

Harry was used to sharing his personal stuff with his best friends. He didn't look any more uncomfortable than he was before. Ginny was about to excuse herself, but Harry stopped her saying she didn't need to.

"It doesn't say who it is from. Let me read it."

As he read the letter, he realized he was regretting every moment he asked Ginny to stay there.

Looking at Harry's face, Ron asked, "Who is it from, Harry?"

Harry didn't answer. He quietly passed the letter to Ron and suddenly seemed to be greatly interested in the frog spawn in the jar at the window sill.

Ron looked at the letter and much to the annoyance of Harry started reading it aloud.

Dear Harry,

Sorry for not mentioning my name. I am not sure if I should. For all I know, you haven't a slightest clue as to who I am and I prefer it to be that way till I decide it's time. I didn't even want to send this letter to you, but I can't resist this any longer. I have waited 2 full years to tell you this Harry. I Love you.

I fell in love with the bravery you possessed when you fought Voldemort single handedly.

I fell in love with the concern you showed in your bright emerald eyes when you saved Fleur's sister in the second task in the Triwizard Tournament, even though it wasn't your job to do so.

I fell in love with the compassion you exhibited when I heard that you gave your entire Triwizard winnings to the Weasley twins.

Lastly I fell in love with you when you undertook such a great risk to share your knowledge of Defense against the Dark Arts and started an entire army of yours.

I know I won't be able to know your reaction if you don't know who I am in the first place. But the fact that I let you know what I feel for you will be more than enough to calm down my heart for the time being. You can expect me to show you myself or tell you who I am in some way or the other before I leave Hogwarts forever. But for now, bye Harry. I love you. Take care.

Yours lovingly

Your me

Ron looked at Harry, not knowing what to speak. Hermione was looking with her mouth slightly open. Before she could say something, Ron blurted out.

"WHO TOLD THIS GIRL THAT HARRY GAVE HIS TRIWIZARD WINNINGS TO FRED AND GEORGE?"

Hermione shook her head fervently and Ginny bit her lip.

"Ginny!" said Ron aghast. "You did it?"

"I did what?" said Ginny defensively. "I didn't send that letter!"

She looked uncomfortable. "I was just about to say I told people that Harry gave his money to Fred and George."

"But why did you even do that?" asked Ron, his voice slightly menacing.

"Oh Ron!" said Ginny in a voice that indicated deep annoyance. "I just wanted people to know. Besides even mum asked me to spread it. She wanted to give full credit to Harry."

Ron was about to say something and was cut short by Hermione. Her eyes rounded on Harry and she was looking at him intently. "So, what do you think Harry?"

Harry wasn't paying attention to the conversation. He was too busy thinking about the dream and the letter...

"Er, what Hermione?"

"I asked whom do you think this letter is from," repeated Hermione, looking concerned.

Harry thought about this a bit. He looked at Hermione and saw that she looked hopeful for his answer.

He finally said, "I think its Cho."

Ginny giggled. Even Ron seemed to forget the matter regarding Fred and George.

"Cho?" said Ron with amusement in his voice that made Harry look away again. "Isn't she the one you kissed in our fifth year?"

Hermione threw Ron a nasty look that wiped the smirk off his face. "Harry, if you think its Cho, I think you have to go and directly ask her. I mean," she pondered for the right words, "you fancy Cho and if she loves you, then I don't think there is any problem in this. Besides, I think you deserve it."

Harry felt grateful for Hermione. He wanted to confide everything in her. He looked at her intently as if trying to convey a message.

Hermione got what Harry was trying to say. She beckoned Ginny to go downstairs with her and later returned without her.

"So," she said as she sat down on the bed. Harry thought she looked exhausted. But she was enthusiastic all the same. "What did you want to tell, Harry?"

"I recently had a dream that somehow relates to this letter," said Harry.

Hermione was looking at him with great attention. Ron, however found everything rather amusing.

"A dream! Harry, dreams never come true. I don't think it's worth your time to think about it."

"I know dreams are silly. But this was one of the few dreams I had that had an air of reality in them. As you know, I dreamt about Voldemort and most of the time, they turned out to be right. I also dreamt about your dad getting injured and I was right then too. This was sort of like that." He felt stupid. "It's as if I was there."

"Never mind him Harry." Hermione cut in. "So what was the dream about?"

Harry wanted to make things as brief as possible. "It was about this girl. I couldn't see her face. She was holding a book of some kind and said something about loving me and then I felt a tingling sensation and I woke up."

Hermione was at the edge of her seat. "So you think this is the same girl?"

"I think so. Anyways, I don't think it's that much of an importance. When time comes, she will show up herself".

Hermione looked slightly disappointed. She finally said, "As a girl, Harry, I understand how she feels like. When she does show up, just make sure you justify your reasons before making any decisions."

"Hermione!" said Ron loudly. "Harry just arrived and don't bore him with your silly lectures. Want to play a game of Quidditch Harry? Fred and George are ready!"

Without speaking another word, Harry and Ron left downstairs in high spirits leaving an extremely annoyed Hermione behind.

******

The rest of the summer passed very quickly much to Harry's disappointment. However, as he approached the start of the term at Hogwarts, he was left with memorable events that he thought he would cherish his whole life.

He went to Fred and George's Joke shop, experimented with quite a few of their products, played Quidditch, degnomed the garden, visited Hogsmeade and did a whole bunch of other stuff he lost track of. He was poignant when he realized that their train to Hogwarts was the very next day.

"I got all your school supplies for you, Harry," said Mrs. Weasley before they went to bed.

Harry completely forgot about his school supplies. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Weasley," he said gratefully.

"Don't mention it, dear," said Mrs. Weasley and swiftly closed the door behind her.

Harry woke up the next day and got ready to go to Hogwarts. He was sad for leaving the Burrow behind. But the prospect of going to his home-like Hogwarts was more than enough to keep up his good mood.

Harry thanked Mrs. Weasley again for all that she did to him. She was the only one, who he considered next to his mother.

"Have a great year Harry. Remember to visit us after school. You don't need an invitation!"

As the train started moving, Mrs. Weasley Disapparated and Harry was on his way home.

CHAPTER 2

The Unexpected Problem

Harry, Ron, Hermione sat in the same compartment in the Hogwarts express. Harry was having the same feeling he had when he was going to Hogwarts for the first time. But this time, he wasn't going to be disappointed...

He thought of Sirius. His presence would have made his day. Except for the fact that Sirius was absent among them, Harry had a rather cheerful journey. He played miniature Quidditch with Ron, bought candies, chocolate frogs, every flavor beans, and had an in depth discussion of Quidditch strategies with Ron (Ron had been the keeper for the Gryffindor team since his fifth year at Hogwarts). Even his arch enemy, Draco Malfoy seemed to think better than picking a fight with Harry, which was something he never did during the previous years.

Harry was relieved to go back to the castle. Rain was pouring thickly outside and all the students were eagerly waiting for the sorting to finish. They were starving.

The Great Hall looked magnificent as it ever was. Thousands of candles were floating above them in mid-air. Ghosts were patrolling in and out of the walls giving the walls a crystallized flickering appearance. Suits of armors, unusually gleaming, were laughing at the terrified first years. Portraits (with moving pictures) seemed to have undergone a special cleaning over the summer. They were sparkling clean. The ceiling resembled the sky outside and the thunders outside occasionally filled the hall with a bright and dazzling light.

Harry looked at the staff table. He noticed that one of the chairs was empty.

"Who is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" asked Harry turning towards Ron and Hermione.

"Looks like they didn't find one," replied Ron.

"But, they are supposed to find some one, right?" said Hermione with a tensed expression on her face. "I mean, it's an extremely important subject."

"Hermione, it makes sense," said Ron. "Since Voldemort is dead, we don't need Defense Against the Dark Arts anymore."

"Ron!" interjected Hermione. "What are you talking about? You never know. Besides, there are death eaters all over the place. Not all of them are caught, are they?"

Ron rolled his eyes and turned his attention towards the empty plates, anticipating them to be filled.

Harry turned towards Snape, his least favorite teacher at Hogwarts. This time, Snape didn't have the usual dung-under-the-nose expression on his face. He seemed to be looking forward to something. When he turned towards Harry, his eyes narrowed with an evil grin and Harry was confirmed that Snape still had his share of vengeance stored for him.

But I don't have to be concerned with what he is thinking. After all, I dropped out of Potions last year and he can't do a thing to me. Evil git.

After the sorting hat had been taken away, Dumbledore stood up and loudly cleared his throat. The whole hall went silent.

"Good evening students, teachers and ghosts. Hope you all had a brilliant summer. I had a rather fascinating one myself!

"First things first. As you all know, last year, our student Harry Potter risked his own life to relieve the wizarding world of Lord Voldemort, and eventually succeeded in his endeavor. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that Harry potter has been nominated to receive the Order of Merlin."

This was too much for Harry to take in. As soon as Dumbledore finished, the whole hall, except the Slytherin table, exploded with applause. Hundreds of eyes turned towards Harry and he felt awkward at being the center of attention. He briefly looked up and spotted Cho in the crowd with a look of admiration on her face. Didn't he dream of this before?

"Of course, Harry won't receive the Order until he is officially out of Hogwarts," continued Dumbledore when the applause died away, "but I deeply congratulate him for his achievement.

"Now coming back to the same old matters, the list of formidable acts in the vicinity of campus is posted on the door of Mr. Filch's office. The forbidden forest is out of bounds to all the students. Lastly, let me introduce to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Snape."

Harry's jaw dropped.

It was the Slytherin table's turn to fill the hall with cheerful ovation.

"What the-"

All of his excitement was wiped out by Dumbledore's last words. He absolutely wasn't anticipating Snape for a teacher in his last year. Defense Against the Dark Arts was his favorite of all the subjects, and Snape was going to seize the chance to make it his worst. He looked around at his table and realized that he wasn't the only one who had the expression of having eaten freshly squeezed Bobotuber puss on his face.

"From this year on," continued Dumbledore swiftly as if not aware of the furious looks he was receiving from the students, "Professor Snape will be teaching both Potions and Defense Against The Dark Arts. Now it's time for dinner. Enjoy your selves." He finished and took his seat.

"Enjoy ourselves?" muttered Ron furiously. "With Snape? I think Dumbledore had gone insane!"

"I was already expecting this," said Hermione superiorly. "The main reason Snape wasn't allowed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts was because of Voldemort, considering, he was death eater for half his life. Since Voldemort is no more, Dumbledore need not fear him rejoining the Death eaters."

"You don't understand, Hermione. He made us buy the unforgivable curses book. Didn't want to let go of them, did he? Now he is going to have real fun time experimenting them on us. Lucky Harry is resistant to that curse," said Ron with a loathsome tone.

Hermione opened her mouth as if to argue, but thought better than to defend Snape right under Ron's nose.

"Just let go of the topic, Ron. We have the whole year to discuss this," said Harry grimly.

"Don't worry, Harry. You know most of the stuff anyway. That's enough to start on your Auror training after school. Besides, I have never seen anyone produce a perfect Patronus like you do and no one can take it away from you," said Hermione soothingly.

This didn't cheer Harry up. He looked at his plate to find it already filled with food. He was no longer interested in what was being served. He just had some mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, and a small jug of Pumpkin Juice and waited for the plates to clear. He wanted to be alone and think of possible ways to avoid Snape from ruining his last year at Hogwarts.

After the plates turned back to their original sparkling state, Harry Ron and Hermione left to Gryffindor tower together. They kept quiet all the way, walking absentmindedly and didn't even realize they were in front of the fat lady, the keeper of the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

"Password?" demanded the fat lady.

"Oh shoot! We don't know the password!" said Ron.

"What are we going to do now?" said Harry trying to sound normal.

His question was instantly answered by Neville Longbottom, a round faced and forgetful seventh year. He was running towards them shouting out the password.

"MERLIN'S BEARD! MERLIN'S BEARD!" repeated Neville approaching them. "I just asked the Prefect downstairs".

"I am certainly not deaf!" said the fat lady disapprovingly as she swung forward to let them in.

"Thanks, Neville," said Hermione after entering the common room.

"Don't mention it," said Neville earnestly.

Harry and Ron looked at each other. Neville was looking at Hermione with a dazed expression on his face. He seemed to be trying to look diligent, which made Harry suspect something was up.

"Er, I will go to bed then," said Hermione. She mumbled quick goodbye to the three boys and left to the girls' dormitory.

Harry looked at Neville. He was still staring behind Hermione and was brought back to senses by Harry's voice.

"Neville, are you okay?" asked Harry, trying to sound concerned. He was having a hard time suppressing his grin.

"What, Harry? Oh. Ya. I am perfectly fine. I am really tired. I will go to Hermione now. Oh no! I meant to my bed."

Neville looked furious at himself. Without looking at Harry and Ron, he left upstairs to the boys' dormitory.

"Do you think he loves Hermione?" asked Ron after Neville left.

"Isn't it obvious? I reckon what Hermione thinks," said Harry.

"Didn't I get a memo or something?" said Ron impatiently. "Every body seemed to be in love except me. I wonder why!"

"You can sit here and wonder about it leisurely. I am going to bed now," said Harry and strode off leaving an extremely confused Ron behind.

Harry couldn't get sleep that night. He had a lot of thoughts in his mind. The letter. Cho. Snape.

What am I doing? I am not supposed to be thinking about anything right now. After all Snape can do nothing worse than he already did to me so far and regarding the letter, whoever the girl is, she said she would show up. Damn it. Forget about it.

The absence of Neville's usual snores told Harry that he wasn't the only one who wasn't asleep.

******

Harry was woken up by Ron in the morning. They both dressed and hurried to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Hermione was already sitting at the table pouring over a book with a jug of Pumpkin juice in one hand and toast in the other.

"Good morning!" she greeted them as they sat on the other side of the table.

"What are you reading, Hermione?" said Ron curiously. "Classes haven't even started yet!"

"It's the analysis of the Unforgivable Curses book. Thought I would be well prepared if Snape puts the curse on me," said Hermione and returned back to reading the book.

Just when Harry was buttering his toast, he heard the familiar flapping of hundreds of wings.

Owl post

Harry found himself hoping for another letter from his unknown lover. Sure enough, a barn owl landed in front of him right in his pumpkin juice and sprayed him and Ron all over.

Harry took the letter from the owl and it took off in the direction of the owlery.

His heart leapt with excitement. Ignoring the furious propositions of Ron that school owls must be trained to land properly, he opened the letter with his fingers trembling slightly.

Harry read the letter. Ron peered at it over his shoulders, while Hermione continued reading her book, looking unconcerned.

Dear Harry,

How are you doing? I was really happy for your nomination for the Order of Merlin. I am proud of you Harry and only waiting to express it to you the 'right way'. Let me tell you. The day is not too far.

I regret Snape being our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Trust me Harry, it isn't as bad as it sounds. Just try to stay composed and everything will be all right.

And one more thing. Those glasses need some repairing. I am sure you know the appropriate spell.

I love you Harry. Bye and take care.

Yours lovingly

Your me

After reading the letter, Harry immediately reached for his wand in his pocket and mended his glasses. He looked cheerful than usual.

"You know, may be Snape being the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher isn't that bad after all," he said turning behind to face Ron. "I already know how to block curses and Snape is going to have a hard time trying to make me hop around the class!"

"You weren't so confident when I told you the same thing yesterday," said Hermione teasingly, putting the book away in her bag. "But when the girl says it, it all makes much more sense, doesn't it?"

"This is different Herm- wait a minute. How do you know the girl said the same thing?" asked Harry with skepticism in his voice.

"It wouldn't take a genius to figure that out," replied Hermione returning to her toast. "You were suddenly comfortable with Snape teaching us."

"You know what, Harry?" said Ron suddenly as if he had made a very special discovery. "I think I have some clues as to who this girl could be!"

"WHO?" said Harry and Hermione at once.

Ron looked pleased at their enthusiasm. "Well, the girl obviously hates Snape as much as we do. So she can't be a Slytherin."

Harry was amazed at Ron's presence of mind and was greatly relieved. He was dreading the fact that there was a great chance the girl could be either Millicent Bulstrode or Pansy Parkinson.

"And the way she knew your glasses was askew, she must be someone who you talked to or who looked at you closely yesterday."

Harry was reminded of Cho's dark eyes looking at him with full of admiration in them.

"Ron!" interrupted Hermione. "Apart from us, no other girl talked to Harry yesterday and let me remind you how the entire student population turned towards Harry after Dumbledore's announcement. But I must say that the girl, not being a Slytherin, must be a great relief to Harry. He can now happily rule out Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson from the list of suspects, right, Harry?"

Harry looked at Hermione, astonished at how she could read his thoughts. Hermione possessed a gift of ingenuity he always admired.

Ron was about to say something, but stopped when Professor McGonagall approached him and gave him his schedule.

"Double Defense Against the Dark Arts today!" he groaned, looking over at his schedule.

"And double Divination. What a Monday!" said Harry gloomily.

"Why don't you take my advice and drop Divination?" said Hermione looking annoyed. "Honestly, I don't think you learned any thing from it so far!"

"And on what basis do you say that?" shot Ron.

"Well, if you really did learn something, you could have predicted who Harry's girl was by now!"

Harry dropped his toast. Harry's girl?

"Er, who says I can't predict? Give me some time," said Ron and closed his eyes as if thinking very hard. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I know who she is!" said Ron after a minute, grinning broadly.

"Who is it then?" asked Hermione trying to suppress a laugh.

Harry knew better than to pay attention to the conversation. He just sat there finishing his toast.

"It's YOU!" said Ron loudly.

The smile on Hermione's lips faded instantly. She looked at Ron as if he had just said an extremely nasty word.

"SHUT UP, RON! THINK A LITTLE BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING-"

"Hermione, I was just-"

"JOKING? IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY? LET ME TELL YOU. IT WASN'T AS AMUSING AS YOU THINK IT WAS!"

With that, she threw an extremely vicious look at Ron and without meeting Harry's eyes, seized her bag and left the hall.

It took a moment for Harry to digest what had just happened. He hadn't expected Ron to say that, and most of all, didn't expect Hermione to react that way.

"Harry-" Ron began, with a guilty expression. "You know I was-"

"I know you were just joking," said Harry, trying to ignore Seamus and Dean's queries as to why Hermione fumed all of a sudden.

They didn't talk anymore for the rest of the breakfast. They went back to the Gryffindor tower, took their 'Analysis of the Unforgivable Curses' text book and left for Snape's class.

Harry felt odd not to attend Snape's class in a dungeon. He wasn't sure if the experiences were going to get better or worst.

"Mr. Potter and his sidekick Weasley arrived at last!" said Snape when they entered the class. Harry was confirmed that Snape didn't change a bit.

"Five points each from Gryffindor for being late. Now go and take your seats before I take another five each," said Snape removing his greasy hair off his eyes.

Harry couldn't believe it. Snape took off ten points off Gryffindor the very first day. He was tempted to hurl his textbook at Snape's unusually big nose and enjoy it bleed. However, he thought better of it and quietly took his seat at the back of the class room.

"Miserable old nut!" muttered Ron as he took his seat beside Harry. "One day, I might put a dung bomb in his chair. I can't wait to see his behind swell like salami!"

Harry suppressed a laugh. He spotted Hermione at the front, rapt with attention as usual. Some thing about her behavior told Harry that she was trying to avoid him and Ron.

Ron seemed to have noticed this. He immediately took out a piece of parchment and scribbled something and gave it to Harry.

Before he even read the first word, Snape strode over to them and snatched the parchment. He loudly cleared his throat and read it to the rest of the class.

"Leave her, Harry. Let her be miserable!" read Snape.

Harry saw Ron go red in the face. He was worried if this would worsen Hermione and Ron's friendship. But Hermione seemed to be suddenly interested in the black board. She wasn't taking her eyes off it.

"Let's see," said Snape in ecstasy, which Harry thought made him look twice as ugly than he already was. "Twenty points off Gryffindor," he spat at them.

"I prefer you two sitting at the front," said Snape much to the annoyance of Hermione and conjured two chairs right in front of her.

"That's better. Go and take your seat."

Harry got up and walked across the classroom, hot in his face. He wished Ron would do something nasty to Snape at the moment. He would be more than glad to give him a hand.

However, Ron came and took his seat with his face resembling his hair.

Snape took his seat at the front of the classroom and looked around the class before continuing.

"As I was saying before, the main tool for blocking any curse is your own will power. Of course, it would be incredibly foolish of me to expect anything like that from you bunch, but I will do my job. Who wants to volunteer?"

It was a common knowledge that Snape normally picked students who didn't raise their hands immediately at something. Every one in the class raised their hands except...

"Miss Granger."

Ron! What an incredibly stupid thing you did! Now, I can't even face Harry.

"MISS GRANGER."

Hermione was shoved back to reality. It was the first time she trailed off without paying attention to the class. She looked furious with herself.

"Y-Yes, Professor Snape?"

"I would like you to come forward and demonstrate your ability to block the Imperius Curse."

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" fumed Ron suddenly. "YOU DIDN'T EVEN TEACH US HOW TO BLOCK IT AND YOU EXPECT US TO DO IT?"

Harry noticed his nostrils were on fire. He knew Ron had crossed his limits.

"I WON'T STAND BEING TALKED TO LIKE THAT, WEASLEY!" said Snape pointing his wand at Ron. "FIFTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR AND YOU ARE THE NEXT ONE TO DEMONSTRATE. TAKE YOUR SEAT. NOW!!!"

Ron sat back in his seat and slammed his text book against the bench. Harry decided what he was going to do. If Snape made Hermione do anything inappropriate, he would petrify him right there.

"Miss Granger, are you ready?"

"Yes, Professor," said Hermione.

Snape pointed his wand at Hermione's forehead and muttered, "Imperio"

Harry could see the relaxed feeling in Hermione's face. He reached for his wand in his pocket.

"Jump on the table! NOW!" said Snape demandingly.

This is it. The moment Hermione jumps, he will regret the day he was born.

Hermione's expression changed from relaxed to serious. Harry took out his wand and was ready for what was coming...

"JUMP ON THE TABLE NOW, MISS GRANGER!"

Hermione however remained somber. She was unyielding and looked as if she didn't even hear Snape the second time.

Harry was astonished. He looked at Ron. Even he was holding out his wand, ready to use it. They both exchanged meaningful glances and put their wands down.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She didn't remotely look dazed and confused as one was expected to be after being inflicted upon by the Imperius curse.

"Are you done with me Professor Snape?" she asked as if Snape had just made her do a favor for him.

"D-Didn't you feel anything Miss Granger?" asked Snape, hardly audible.

"I didn't feel a thing Professor. Besides, it felt good. Can I take my seat now?" said Hermione, thoroughly enjoying the ugly expression of Snape's face.

"Class dismissed. You all can leave," said Snape in a distressed tone.

Harry and Ron couldn't believe what just happened. Hermione blocked an Unforgivable Curse from Snape without a trace of difficulty and he dismissed the class without even testing Ron as he said he would.

"I don't understand why Hermione is behaving like this," said Ron on their way to the great hall for lunch. "Did I do something that terrible for it to be a reason why she doesn't talk to me?"

"Hermione has changed a lot over the summer," said Harry. He stopped and turning towards Ron. "I wonder what she was thinking about while Snape put the curse on her."

"It doesn't really matter what she was thinking about. The point is, she blocked the curse-"

"No Ron. You don't understand. It does matter. She was affected by something so deep that it could dominate the feeling of the curse. I think what you said made her feel very bad. May be she is worried I would think you were right."

"May be," said Ron with a worried expression on his face. "I will apologize to her."

"You should!" said Harry grimly. Both of them went and sat at the Gryffindor table, looking for a sign of bushy hair among the students.

"Where is She?" said Ron looking flustered. "She didn't even have her breakfast properly!"

"May be she is in the library. It's typical of her to go there whenever she is depressed."

They had their lunch rather quickly and headed back to the Gryffindor tower. Harry hoped Hermione was in the common room, studying. He could personally tell her he would never think she was the one who sent the love letters.

When they crawled through the portrait hole into the common room, there was no sign of Hermione there. Harry was disappointed. He and Ron went upstairs to their dormitory to fetch their 'Unfogging the future' text books, when Harry was hit right in the eye by something sharp.

"IT WORKED! IT WORKED!" Harry heard Seamus bawl with excitement.

"What was that about?" shot Harry at Seamus angrily. He was frantically rubbing his eye.

"Sorry mate," apologized Seamus. "Dean was teaching me how to make paper airplanes!"

"And why exactly do you want to make-" Ron picked up a paper airplane and enthusiastically examined it. "WOW"

"These are the Muggle broom sticks!" said Ron, in a frenzied voice. "Dad told me about them once. How do they work Seamus?"

"Just blow air in this hole and press it here with your two index fingers and fling it upwards into the air," said Seamus animatedly.

Ron tried it and his airplane soared all the way across the room and lodged itself on the window sill.

"This is so cool. Muggles have to be very clever to create stuff like this. What do you think Harry?" said Ron, now trying to blow air into the second airplane.

"I wouldn't fancy being hit in the eye by something that cool. Why are you wasting your time doing these anyways?" asked Harry with a red eye.

Seamus held his hands to his ears as if Harry had severely offended him with his words, "Wasting my time Harry? Do you know that these paper airplanes are normally used as love messengers in the Muggle world?"

"What do you mean?" asked Harry picking up his book from his bed.

"What I mean is," said Seamus with an evil grin on his face, "we are going to use these airplanes to tease the girls with out getting ourselves caught. We have great plans with them. Do you want to join us Harry?"

"No thanks," said Harry and dragged Ron behind him to their divination class.

Divination was painful as usual. Trelawney decided they were ready for numerology and made them do numerous calculations to predict their date of death from their date of birth.

When Harry was trying to figure out if he was supposed to die crashing against the Whomping Willow or by a mere heart-attack, Professor Trelawney came over to him. "Something troubling you Mr. Potter? The baleful influence of Saturn on you still didn't flicker, I presume."

"Er, it did actually. I am supposed to be dying at the age of 91," said Harry trying not to lose track.

"91? I wonder if you should flip it over to make it a 19 dear, as I see it," said Professor Trelawney anticipating to see Harry agreeing with her.

"No," said Harry, confident. "I am sure it's 91."

"Very well, I would suggest you double check your work," said Professor Trelawney in a dissatisfied tone. "Come to me after class. I would like to review it for you."

This was the last thing Harry ever wanted to do. Sure Trelawney was going to find some thing or the other to change it from a 91 to 19.

"Hey Harry," said Ron, "I am supposed to be dying in the hands of a troll. No, wait...Oh no, a giant spider"

Professor Trelawney went over to Ron, "Did you find anything so far Mr. Weasley?"

"Umm...Yeah, I am supposed to be dying in a fight with a giant spider," said Ron looking over at his parchment.

"Oh dear! At what age are you supposed to be indulging in that unfateful fight of yours?" asked Trelawney, thoroughly pleased.

"At the age of 20" he made up.

"That's much more likely to happen. I am impressed by your bold confession Mr. Weasley. You receive full marks for the day," said Trelawney spiritedly and strode off to question Parvati Patil.

"I don't understand this," said Harry at the end of the class to Ron. "I had to bite my head off to come up with an answer and she doesn't believe me. You just made up something and she gives you full marks. What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Just tell her you redid your calculations and you are supposed to be dying at the age of 19," said Ron, now accompanying Harry to Professor Trelawney. "She will be more than happy to accept that."

Harry reached Professor Trelawney. She was sitting in her armchair with her eyes closed.

"Professor, I did my calculations. As you said, I am supposed to be dying at the age of 19."

Professor Trelawney didn't open her eyes or move a muscle. Harry wanted to seize the chance and leave the place before she did open her eyes and asked him to show her his work. He turned back and was about to leave, when she suddenly spoke.

"THE UNKNOWN ADHERENT IS ABOUT TO COME OUT AS A BOLT FROM THE BLUE AND THE REVELATION WILL MUCH MORE OF A TWINGE THAN RELIEF FOR THE BOY WHO KILLED THE DARK LORD"

Harry turned back and stared at Professor Trelawney, lost for words. He recognized the trance-like state she was in. She was all rigid and her eyes were rolled into her head. It's the only time her predictions were true, and Harry panicked. She might say who the girl was and it would cause him pain. He looked at Ron, who was staring at her as if she had suddenly transformed into a zombie.

"Let's go Harry!" nudged Ron. "We don't want to see her like this!"

"But-But Ron, she is-"

"Let's not talk about it here, okay!"

"THE GIRL NAMED-"

"COME ON HARRY!!!"

Harry was steered away from the room by Ron before Trelawney let out the name. He made sure they were out of earshot before he turned to Ron to speak. "What did you do that for? If we stayed there, she could have told us who the girl was!"

"I just couldn't see you like that." Ron tried to explain. "You were all pale and white and I think we heard enough to worry us for now."

"But, did you hear what she just said? Why would it be painful to know who loves me? I know for certain she is right, though."

"I know. That's the reason I got you off from that place. You would be better off not knowing it rather than knowing it and later regretting you ever knew it."

Harry decided that whatever Ron did was for his own good. He didn't complain. Yet, he was furious with Ron for preventing him from knowing what he was dying to know from the moment he had gotten the letter.

Harry finally made up his mind. Whoever the girl was, he loved her. He didn't care who she was. Her letters expressed sincere love for him and he would gladly love her back. The girl made him feel something he never felt before. He could feel the girl's agony and all he ever wanted to do was embrace her and let her know that he loved her.

Harry felt better. It wasn't going to be painful like Professor Trelawney had predicted.

It just can't be!

-TBC-