Harry Potter and the Emerald Dragon

Title: Harry Potter and the Emerald Dragon (12/?)
Author: CPoe
Author email: [email protected]
Category: Romance, Adventure
Keywords: Harry, Emily, Hermione, Draco, Ron
Spoilers: All four books
Rating: R (to be on the safe side)
Summary: It's Harry's sixth year, and he meets a new girl that comes along with a lot of baggage. Romances are budding, confusion is all around, and the threesome's life is going to become a little hectic.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situationscreated and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is beingmade and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Harry Potter and the Emerald Dragon

Chapter 12: The Talented Ms. Waters

Harry sat in the potions dungeon, distantly aware of thelecture Snape was giving. His head washaving trouble concentrating on anything, in fact. That morning in charms he had nearly sent Ron flying across theroom and into Prof. Flitwick due to a brandishing charm gone bad.

Harry watched as Snape drew a complex flow chart on theblack board illustrating the various steps for creating some potion orother. He just sat there doodling so itlooked like he was paying attention. Hewas sitting next to Hermione; he could copy the notes from her later. Everything seemed to be going well untilsuddenly he heard Snape addressing him.

"Mr. Potter, did you hear my question?" he asked. Harry blinked a few times, trying to slideinto class-mode.

"Sorry, Professor, can you repeat it?" Snape let out a frustrated breath.

"Why do we want to allow the solution to cool before addingthe Armadillo bile?" repeated Snape.

Harry wracked his brain, trying to think of anything hemight have previously known about Armadillo bile. He came up empty. Just ashe was about to admit to Snape that he hadn't the faintest idea why thesolution needed to cool, he heard Emily's voice echo through his mind.

Because the Armadillo bile will vaporize if added to aboiling cauldron, she said. Harryturned to look at her, but she was looking down at her parchment. He looked back up at Snape.

"Because the Armadillo bile will vaporize if added to aboiling cauldron," he said, carefully repeating exactly what Emily had toldhim. Snape looked at him suspiciously.

"Lucky guess," he retorted, turning back to the board. Harry noticed Hermione looking at him with aconfused look on her face.

"Emily told me," he whispered as he picked up his quill andstarted doodling again. Hermione nodded,but she didn't stop giving him the confused look. "What?"

"Is she still talking to you?" she whispered back.

"No."

"You really ought to pay attention in class," she continued,pointing at the doodles of little Snitches he was drawing across his parchment.

"How much longer until class ends?" he asked in return.

"Ten minutes, why?"

"Just wondering," he responded. Hermione looked up at him, but then quickly returned to copyingwhat Snape was writing on the blackboard. Harry stopped doodling and looked over at Emily who was sitting next toDraco, scribbling down Snape's notes onto her parchment. Emily! he called as loud as he could in his head. She didn't respond. He tried again and still didn't get aresponse. He had to get her attentionsomehow. He gazed around the room, hiseyes finally falling on Ron who was sitting directly in front of him. Harry slipped his hand into his pocket andremoved his wand, quickly moving it under his desk so that no one, includingHermione, could see what he was doing. He pointed the wand at the bottom of Ron's chair and whispered, in thequietest voice he could, a breaking charm.

Ron instantly fell backwards off his chair, crashing to theground with a loud thud. Harry shovedhis wand back into his pocket as everyone in the room turned their heads andpeered at Ron. Hermione jumped up outof her seat, and Harry could hear several of the Slytherins mufflinglaughs. Ron stood up while Hermionequickly charmed the chair back to normal again, and Harry heard Snape mutteringsomething that included the word "Weasleys." But all the while, Harry kept his attention on Emily. She was staring at Ron at first, and thensaying something to Draco that Harry couldn't hear. She then looked back over at Ron, and then....

EMILY! Harry screamed in his head again as soon asher eyes met his. She jerked her headback and grabbed the back of her chair, but then quickly recovered and turnedback to her desk. Draco gave her a lookbefore returning back to copying the board.

What? her voice asked in his head. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It worked.

Sorry about scaring you like that.

You should be, she responded, but then added ha,ha, ha.

What?

Well, I couldn't figure out how to laugh in my head, so Isaid 'ha, ha, ha.'

Oh.

I was going to say L-O-L, but then I realized youwouldn't have a clue what I meant.

L-O-L?

Laugh out loud. It's a Muggle thing for talking over the internet.

Oh.

So, why'd you shout at me like that?

Because I wanted to talk to you.

Well, I figured that. What about.

I have Transfiguration next.

And that is important because...

You have it right after us, don't you?

Yeah.

I was thinking about a way that we could meet again.

Harry, you know Draco watches me all the time.

Yeah, but if you get detention he won't know.

What? Detention?

I'm going to ask McGonagall to give you a detention.

Harry, are you crazy? Why would McGonagall give me a detention?

Did she assign you that essay about living-nonlivingtransformation?

Yes.

And it's due today?

Yes...but...

When she collects it, don't give it to her, pretend likeyou're looking for it in your bag but can't find it.

What? But Harry...

I'll tell McGonagall before hand to give you a fakedetention so that I can talk to you.

Why would she listen to you?

Well, it's a long story, but I think I can get her to doit. Draco won't follow you to adetention will he?

I don't think so. It should be safe.

See you later, then.

* * * * *

After Defense Against the Dark Arts, Emily headed to Transfiguration. She had no clue how Harry was planning topull this off, but she subconsciously hoped it worked.

She sat down at her desk next to Millicent and looked up tosee Professor McGonagall walking around the room and collecting theiressays. Emily started rummaging throughher bag, pulling out parchments and being careful to leave her neatly writtenessay at the bottom of the bag where no one would see it.

"Ms. Waters, your essay please," she suddenly heard Prof.McGonagall's voice from just above her. She looked up and saw her teacher staring down at her. Oh my, she thought to herself, Ido hope Harry worked this all out.

"I can't seem to find it Professor," Emily said, indicatingall the parchments strewn out on her desk. "I swear it was in my bag, but now..."

"Unlikely story," Professor McGonagall said, looking acrossto Millicent. "Do you have your paper?"she asked. Emily watched as Millicenthanded her parchment over to Prof. McGonagall. Oh no, she's not going to give me a... "And that will be adetention for you Ms. Waters, for not turning in your essay when it wasdue."

"Yes, Professor," Emily said, sinking down in her chair inrelief.

"But I saw her doing it!" came Draco's voice from justbehind her. Emily cringed. "She finishedit three days ago." Emily looked up atMcGonagall, who seemed to be temporarily lost for words.

"I'm sorry," she then said, glancing over at Draco. "It'sdue today and she doesn't have it. Until she turns it in to me, she will have a detention for each daylate." Emily glanced back at Draco witha face that she hoped expressed deep hatred towards McGonagall for being sounfair. Draco seemed to accept theexpression, because he shrugged and pulled a face at McGonagall's back as soonas she turned around and continued to collect essays from the remainingstudents.

The rest of the class proceeded as usual. That day, they were starting a series oflessons dealing with transfiguration of non-living things, like pens andpillows, into living things such as snakes and cats. It turned out that most people in the class could already dothese transfigurations, but now they were learning the theory behind it, andmoving onto more advanced changes. Emily took notes hastily, though her mind wasn't really focused on thematerial. She kept thinking ofHarry. It was strange to allow her mindto drift back to him again after weeks of instantly dismissing any thought ofhim.

Before she knew it, the class had ended and she foundherself walking up to Professor McGonagall's desk to find out the details ofher detention. As she approached, thewoman instantly began to speak.

"Detention will be at eight o'clock this evening," she said,sorting through the essays she had received during the beginning of class. "Inthis room."

"Yes professor," Emily replied.

"And," she added, lowering her voice to just above awhisper, "I'm not going log it as an official detention and also won't takepoints off for your late essay."

"Thank you," she responded, looking uneasily around the roomfor Draco. He was standing by the doorwaiting for her.

"That will be all," said McGonagall, returning to heressays. Emily turned around and walkedover to Draco, who had a scowl on his face.

"That was outrageous if you ask me," Draco said as soon asthey got out into the hallway. "I can'tbelieve she didn't even give you 'till tomorrow to hand it in."

"Yeah, I know," Emily said offhandedly.

"She didn't even believe me!" Draco then added, "And I'm aprefect!"

"Yeah, well, she's strict about schoolwork and rules."

"But a detention! For a late essay!" Draco thenmade a guttural noise. "Unbelievable!"

"I just don't understand where I could have put it," Emilymumbled, hoping she sounded upset about the detention.

"And you of all people!" Draco said, not really payingattention to what she had said and continuing on his tirade. "You're the beststudent in the class!"

"Thanks, but..."

"You'd think that counts for something!" he burst out, stillignoring her comments.

"Draco, it's not that big of a deal."

"Of course it's a big deal! Detention!"

"Draco, you gave me detention at the beginning of the year."

"But I was just abusing my privileges," he replied, stillwalking angrily down the corridors.

"At least you admit it," she responded under herbreath. He turned his head towards herand had a peculiar look on his face.

"I never did apologize for that did I?" he asked.

"What?" Emily was momentarily lost for words. Did he justsay the word 'apologize'?

"I didn't know you then," he said, steering out of the wayof a group of oncoming Hufflepuffs. "You were new and I just wanted to scareyou a bit."

"Scare me?"

"How else do you think I get the respect I have?" He turned to look at her. "I have all theSlytherins wrapped around my finger." Emily was about to laugh and tell him he was delusional, until sherealized he was right. Everyone inSlytherin did worship the ground he walked on. "All part of my image."

"Image?" Emily asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "Whatimage?"

"As my father always says, the best way to control isthrough fear." An oncoming first-year bumped into him and apologizedimmediately, but Draco just glared down at him and responded in a menacingtone. "Watch where you're going next time!" The boy scurried off, looking horrified. Draco then turned back to Emily, "See what I mean?"

"That was horrible!" Emily cried. "He was just a littleboy!"

"Who will always remember that I'm not to be messed with,"Draco said, giving her a pointed look. "I've got to keep up my image."

"But what about the real Draco?" she asked.

"What about him?"

"You're so busy maintaining your image that you'vecompletely lost the real you," said Emily, poking him in the shoulder."Threatening people will only get you so far you know. You'll never have real friends thatway."

"Who needs friends when you've got followers?" he shrugged,walking into the Great Hall and over to the Slytherin table.

"Are you serious?" she asked, sitting down at the seatopposite him. "Have you ever had a real friend before?"

"I've got Crabbe and Goyle," he responded, nodding down thetable to his two goonies.

"Crabbe and Goyle?" she said disbelievingly. "You hate them, Draco. They're followers."

"Yeah, guess you're right," he said, helping himself tofood. "Guess not then."

"You've never had a true friend?" she asked, suddenlyfeeling sorry for him. "Not even whenyou were younger?" He shook his headand shrugged, taking a bite out of his food. Emily couldn't believe it. Andyet, she could.

"Well," he then said, popping his head up and looking ather. "Maybe one." And then he returned to eating his food.

"One?" she asked, instantly intrigued. "Who?" He didn't answer; he just kept eating hisfood. "Draco, did you hear me?"

"What?" he said, looking up at her again. "Did you say something?"

"Draco, you heard me!" she exclaimed, finally reachingacross the table for a platter and helping herself to lunch. "Who's the one friend?"

"Oh, no one," he said, waving his hand to dismiss the issue. She, however, wasn't going to be thrown offthat easily.

"Oh, come on! Who isit, Pansy or something?" Emily said teasingly.

"Don't even say her name. She's such an annoying little--"

"Then, who!" Emily said through a mouthful of food,interrupting him.

"So, what time's your detention? Will you be able to make itto practice this afternoon?" he asked, completely ignoring her.

"This is ridiculous. I don't understand why you wouldn't tell me. I mean, I spend almost every second with you during the day andI've never noticed you having a mystery friend...unless it's a prefect!" shesaid, suddenly realizing that that was perhaps the only time she wasn't aroundDraco. "Are they in Slytherin or one of the other houses? Is it Millicent?" she asked, but thenthought about it, "No, it can't be her, you're never very nice to her. What about that seventh year prefect, ohwhat's his name?"

"You know, for someone as smart as you, you can be verydense sometimes." He quietly laughed tohimself before returning back to his food.

"For goodness' sake, Draco! If I'm so dense why don't you just--"

"It's you," said Draco, interrupting her.

"What?" she looked over at him, not quite believing what hesaid.

"You heard me!" he responded agitatedly. "But you obviously feel differently," headded.

"Well, I just wasn't expecting--"

"Just forget about it, alright?" he interrupted, looking alittle hurt. It was very strange to seeDraco actually showing emotion. Henever seemed to care about anything, nevertheless care about how she felt abouthim. It was all a little shocking, tosay the least.

"No, it's just that...well...I thought you were just doing allthis because of...well...you know," she stammered out. She wasn't sure why, but she suddenly felt really bad. He's one of them; he's going to be aDeath Eater. He's not my friend; he'sjust watching me because the Dark Lord wants him to keep tabs...he's ahorrible...horrible...

"Yeah, you're right. I was just doing what I was told to do!" he said defiantly, stabbing hisfork into his food and then shoving it into his mouth. As she watched him chew, the other side ofEmily's brain started saying something completely different. He's been pretty nice to melately--almost understanding, and I've gotten so used to being around him thathe has pretty much become one of my friends. I'd be pretty miserable if it weren't for him, even if he's going to bea Death Eater, which is all because of his stupid father, and he's right abouthis whole image thing: that's not really who he is.

"You're right," she said suddenly.

"Of course I am," he responded smugly. But then looked up from his plate a fewseconds later. "About what precisely?"

"That I'm dense sometimes."

"Yes you are," he replied, returning to his food again.

"It just never crossed my mind that you'd think of me as afriend. In fact, I always thought youthought of me as some sort of annoying chore."

"Yeah, well, I did," he said, "Until you finally snapped outof that annoying, emotional windfall. Turns out you're a half-way decent person after all."

"Half-way?"

"Yeah, well. Don'tfish for complements," he said, with just the slightest trace of a grin.

"You know, you're not so bad yourself when you drop thewhole image obsession," she responded.

"Don't expect it to happen too often."

"Oh, don't worry. Iwont."

* * * * *

"Harry," called Hermione from over her book, "Are youfinished with my potions notes?"

"Not yet," Harry answered, leaning over his parchments andcopying as fast as he could.

"Well, it's just that I found something interesting youmight want to read."

"What about?" Ron asked, leaning over from his homework andlooking over at the book Hermione had spread out in front of her. "Oh, it'sthat Latin book again," he said, settling back down into the slouch he was inpreviously and picking up his homework again.

"Well, according to this," Hermione said, indicating theAncient Rituals book she had stolen from Malfoy, "Emily should be able to shapeshift."

"What do you mean by shape shift?" asked Harry in an uneasyvoice. He didn't like the sound ofthat.

"Well, it doesn't really go into detail, but I think itmeans that she can take on the appearance of anything she wants to. Sort of like a Boggart."

"Cool," Ron said, picking his head up for a second and thenreturning to his work.

"Has she ever mentioned this to you before?" Hermione askedHarry. He shrugged and shook his head,figuring she probably didn't even know she could do it. Most of her other abilities she haddiscovered by accident. "You should tell her about it tonight," Hermione said,glancing down at her watch. "You know,it's almost eight. You should getgoing."

Harry looked down at his watch and realized he should haveleft five minutes ago. He quicklypacked up his bag, tossing Hermione's potions notes back over to her as he didso. Once his stuff was cleared, heshoved his bag under the chair he had been sitting in and started to head outof the common room, saying goodnight to Ron and Hermione.

Harry quickly made his way through the hallways and wassurprised that he made it to the classroom so quickly. I'm not even late, he thought tohimself as he glanced down at his watch while pushing the door open. He entered the darkened room, whichimmediately flooded with light from the lanterns that hung on the wall. Harrywalked over to one of the desks, and leaned up against it, waiting forEmily. He didn't have to wait longthough, because within a few minutes she came hurrying into the room.

"Sorry I'm late," she said, carefully closing the doorbehind her. "Quidditch practice." Harrywatched her as she walked over to him, immediately aware that she was wearing afitted sweater that left little to the imagination. She swung her bag onto the desk he was leaning up against andthen hopped onto the one across from it, such that they were both facing eachother. "Nice breaking charm thismorning," she said with a wide grin.

"How'd you know about that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes ather in mock suspicion, "I thought we agreed that you weren't going to read mymind unless I gave you permission."

"Didn't have to read your mind," she responded, kicking outher leg and nudging him with her foot. "I could read it all over your face."

"Yeah, well, I had to get your attention somehow."

"Hey, it worked," she said with a smile. "What'd you have to speak to me about?"

"Sirius Black," Harry responded.

"Oh," Emily said, putting her head down. "I heard about what my father did. I'm so sorry Harry."

"Don't be sorry, it wasn't your fault."

"Harry, this is all so complicated."

"I know," Harry said, reaching across and putting his handunder her chin to make her look up at him, "Did you know we used to playtogether?" he asked.

"We did?"

"Yup. When we werereally little. And Sirius used to watchus when our parents went out together."

"He did?" she asked, her eyes starting to get a littlewatery. Harry nodded. "I can't believemy father could have betrayed --"

"How exactly do you feel about your father?" Harry suddenly cut in. Emily sat up straight and gave him apeculiar look.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Sirius was arrested for the murder of your father alongwith the murder of several Muggles in the vicinity," Harry began, watching herreaction to what he was saying. "If we proved that he was still alive, Siriuswould be cleared of all charges and your father would be...put away." Harry wasstill watching her reaction, but she hadn't given one yet. "Would you testifyagainst him?" Harry finally asked, "Could you put your own father in Azkaban?"

"I hate him!"

"I know, but hating him and putting him in Azkaban are twodifferent things. He is your father."

"By blood only," she snapped, her voice cold. "I'd do anything to put him away."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. He'sdone nothing but horrible things. He'sa horrible person!"

"And your mom?" Harry asked, making sure his voice wasmeasured.

"I don't think she loves him anymore. I don't think she could love him after whathe did." Her voice was soft and sad,and Harry instantly felt sorry for her. She then shook her head quickly, as if brushing away her emotions. "Ijust want this all to be over with. Iwant this whole nightmare to end."

"I know."

"Why us, Harry?" she asked, looking into his eyes. "What did we ever do to deserve this?"

"It will be over soon..."

"But how? How willit all end?"

"We'll defeat Voldemort."

"Will we? What ifthat's not how it ends? What if--"

"Don't say it," Harry said, looking away from her. He had to be optimistic; it was the onlyway. "I have no intention of lettinghim get away," he growled.

"We're kids Harry!" Emily almost yelled, snapping Harry'sattention back towards her. "Intentions mean nothing!"

"He's more powerful then us, he knows more magic than we do,he's got a minion of followers that -"

"Harry, are you trying to make me feel better, because it'snot working so well."

"He thinks he's invincible, which is his one giantflaw. He underestimates us Emily. He thinks you're on his side," Harry said witha smile, "Which you're not. He thinks Ihave no clue what's he's planning. Andhe's wrong. He's vulnerable and hedoesn't even know it!" Emily seemed toconsider him for a moment, and then smiled.

"You really believe we can do it, don't you?" she asked,still smiling.

"I've got to believe it," he responded, forcing a smile inreturn. "And so do you." She took adeep breath and seemed to relax a little.

"You always know what to say to make me feel better."

"Yeah, I know," Harry said sarcastically, broadening hisgrin. And then he suddenly rememberedwhat Hermione had told him earlier in the common room. "Hey, did you know thatyou can shape shift?"

"I can what?" Emily asked, looking completely perplexed.

"Hermione read it in that old book about ancient rituals."

"I knew she stole that book!" Emily said, a look of triumphspreading over her face. "Draco kept insisting that he had left it somewhereand that she didn't have it!"

"She reads it almost every night, trying to find informationabout you," Harry responded.

"What did she mean by shape shift?"

"I don't know, Hermione guessed that it was similar to how aBoggart can take on different forms."

"Like an animagus?"

"I guess, but I think you can become anything."

"Hmm," Emily murmured, looking thoughtfully at herhands. "I wonder how I'd go about doingit."

"Well, how do you do other things?" Harry asked.

"I just do it," she answered.

"So, just do it then," Harry said, stating the obvious.

"What should I try to become?"

"I don't know, try something easy."

"Like what? Can Ibecome a chair? Or does it have to bealive?" Harry thought about this for asecond.

"I don't know, try something alive though." Emily was looking around the room, as if itwould give her ideas. Harry did thesame, and his eyes fell on Prof. McGonagall's desk. "Try a cat."

"A cat?" she asked, snapping her head back towards him. "Why a cat?"

"I don't know, I couldn't think of anything else. It's what McGonagall becomes when shetransforms."

"That sounds really hard, becoming a cat," she said, lookingdoubtful. "Why don't I try becoming another person first?"

"How about Hermione," Harry suggested.

"Oh, well, that sounds a little more reasonable." She jumped down from off the desk she hadbeen sitting on and walked over to the side of the room where she had somespace. She looked at Harry nervously,and Harry nodded his approval. Sheclosed her eyes and stood there for a few moments, and then suddenlydisappeared. Harry jumped up off hisdesk and ran over to where she had been standing, but she was gone. His mind began to race and worry. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. Harry then suddenly heard a noise frombehind him and he swung around. Emilywas standing by the door.

"What happened?" he gasped, unable to believe his eyes.

"I think I accidentally apparated," she said, tussling herhands through her hair. "I was picturing Hermione and when I opened my eyes, Ithink I was in your common room. AndHermione and Ron were staring at me-"

"But that's impossible!" Harry said, blinking at her. "You can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds."

"How else would you explain it?" she asked.

"Do you even know how to apparate?"

"I had to learn if I was going to be a Death Eater."

"So you just apparated? Inside the castle?"

"I think so, I mean, I know it sounds crazy but I swear Iwas just in your common room."

"Try apparating somewhere else," Harry said, instantlycurious.

"Like where?" she asked.

"Er...."Harry began, thinking of places that would beabandoned at this time of evening. "The greenhouses. No one should be in thereat this time of night."

"Ok," she said, closing her eyes and instantly disappearingagain. Harry's jaw dropped indisbelief. She's apparating onHogwarts grounds! A second later she reappeared again, and shewas holding what looked like a small plant in her hand, which she handed overto Harry. "Proof," she mumbled. Harry was speechless. "Cool, ha?" she asked with a smile.

"Cool?"

"Hells, yeah! Totally cool!" she said excitedly. He hadn't thought of it that way. He supposed that it was pretty cool to be able to apparate around thecastle. She was bouncing on her toes with excitement. "You know, stuff likethis used to scare me," she said with a bright smile, looking at her hands. She then looked back up at Harry, "But notanymore. It's like finding out you'vegot a billion dollars in you bank account!" She was so excited that Harry decided not to bring up the costsof those billion dollars. He insteadsimply smiled at her. She soberedslightly, looking back at her hands.

"I've missed you," Harry suddenly heard himself say. It hadn't been a conscious comment - justsomething that flew out of his mouth.

"You have?" she asked, looking down and avoiding his gaze."Even after how horribly I've treated you?"

"That wasn't really you," he answered. She instantly looked back up at him.

"You want to know what I missed most?" she asked. Harry nodded. "The way you smell." She then took a few steps closer to him andleaned into him such that her face was just next to his left ear and neck. He could hear her inhale deeply through hernose. "You don't notice it unless you're really close," she whispered to him,her breath softly sweeping past the hairs on his neck. "It's uniquely you."

Harry reached out and wrapped his hands around her waist,pulling her into him. He felt her handsdoing the same, sliding around his back and then up to his shoulderblades. He dropped his head down,resting his cheek on her hair, and closing his eyes. He felt her head move a bit, and then he felt her lips softlygraze the base of his neck. And thentravel up the line of his jaw. And thenhis ear, across to his cheek, and to the tip of his nose. He opened his eyes and she leaned in closer,sliding her nose along his. "If onlythings were different," she whispered.

"They will be," he whispered back, lightly kissing her."Soon you'll wake up from this nightmare and you'll be free again." He leanedin and kissed her again. "And I'll be there to sweep you off your feet." Heleaned in to kiss her again, but she moved her head away from him.

"You've already swept me off my feet," she said with alopsided grin.

"Hmmm," he mumbled in response, "I'll just have to do itagain, then."

"Sounds good to me," she responded, finally leaning into himagain. Their lips finally met in a fullkiss and all the pain Harry had been feeling for the past few weeks instantlyevaporated.

* * * *

Sirius sat nervously in the corner of Dumbledore's office,occasionally licking his paws and pushing back the fur that constantly tickledhis ears. He hadn't consciously beenaware of when he started taking on canine mannerisms, but now he couldn't helpit anymore, it just came naturally.

He had been waiting in the office for nearly half an hourbefore the headmaster finally showed up. As soon as Dumbledore entered the room, Sirius instantly knew somethingwas wrong.

"You can transform Sirius, it's safe," he said, walkingaround his desk and gracefully sitting down in his chair. Sirius quickly obeyed and took a seat at thedesk opposite Dumbledore. "I asked youto come speak with me because I fear that Harry may be in danger." He leanedback in his chair and fixed Sirius with a hard gaze.

"What kind of danger?" Sirius asked.

"Several of my operatives have gathered intelligencesuggesting that Voldemort is planning something." Sirius flinched at themention of the name, but quickly recovered.

"How much do we know?"

"Not a lot. It'sapparently top secret even among the Death Eaters. All of our spies are low ranking, and are therefore not kept asinformed as we'd like."

"And it involves Harry?"

Dumbledore nodded, removing his classes and wiping them onhis robes before replacing them. "I fear that Harry may no longer be safe atHogwarts."

"What?" Siriusgasped, "But Hogwarts is the safest place!"

"Many may believe that our castle is impenetrable, butevents in recent years have proved it is not. I seem to recall an escaped prisoner entering these very walls andgaining access to one of our dormitories." Dumbledore looked at Siriusthoughtfully, and added, "We are more vulnerable then we like to think."

"What exactly do we know about the plans?"

"It will happen over break. They know he is staying, which already tells us that there are insidersin the castle working with the Death Eaters."

"Or that there are students here who have Death Eaters forparents," Sirius reminded him.

"Yes, I have thought of that."

"What of the girl?" Sirius asked cautiously.

"McGonagall tells me that Harry has arranged a meeting withher for this evening. He's going tobroach the topic concerning you."

"Harry is more informed about what's going on then he leadsus to believe," Sirius responded.

"So, he's discovered her true identity?" Sirius nodded. "What does he make of it?"

"He's confused at the moment. I don't think he fully grasps what it means."

"I was afraid of that. Once I realized who she was, I had my doubts about allowing her to stayhere."

"What if she's the one passing information about Harry tothe Death Eaters?"

"I don't think she is."

"How do you know?"

"I've been keeping a watch on her. I was optimistic when I first learned that she and Harry wereclose. Her reaction to finding out thatshe was the Emerald Dragon was to be expected. She's been initiated, and that is exactly where we want her."

"Being a Death Eater is exactly where we want her?"

"She's an invaluable tool Sirius. She'll come around eventually."

"Are you sure?"

"I can tell that she is conflicted. She isn't one of them, not in heart. I could see it clearly the day I first mether." Dumbledore's expression thenchanged. "It's Harry I'm worriedabout. His professors have expressedconcern about him recently," Dumbledore said dimly. "He's getting older now,and he is much more hesitant to come to me then he used to be. I hadn't anticipated that. This reason is partly why I wanted you here.He talks to you." Sirius momentarily felt a wave of guilt pass over hisbody.

"He's a teenager," Sirius responded.

"He is also the only hope we have," Dumbledore said,"Everything points to him, Sirius. IfVoldemort finds a way to destroy him, I fear that there will be nothing tostand in his way."

"He doesn't deserve that kind of pressure, Professor."

"I agree, but it is beyond our control. You have to convince him to confide inme. It is the only way I can guidehim."

"How can I? He hasto decide on his own, even you agree with me on that."

"Yes, but we haven't much time. Use any means necessary." Sirius was momentarily taken aback by Dumbledore's words. But then realized the headmaster wasright. If Harry was to defeatVoldemort, he couldn't do it without guidance from the headmaster.

"I'll do what I can."

* * * *

"Are you sure she's going to meet us here?" Hermione askedgrumpily, checking her watch again.

"She said she would. Let's wait a few more..." Harry answered, but was interrupted by the doorto the small room in the back of the library opening. It was Emily.

"Sorry," she whispered, slinking in through the door andwalking over to the two of them. "Had to get rid of Draco." She walked around the table and sat down atthe chair opposite Harry, all the while looking uneasily at Hermione. Harry turned and saw that Hermione wasglaring at her.

"Shall we begin?" Hermione spat, her mood instantly turningcold. Emily looked at Harry.

"I thought you explained everything to her," she said.

"I did," Harry responded, looking over at Hermione. "What'syour problem?"

"Excuse me if I'm still a little miffed about this wholething!" Hermione huffed, still glaring at Emily. "I just don't trust you yet," she added, narrowing her eyes.

"Look, if I wanted Harry dead I would have just killed him!"Emily said defensively. "And, from thelooks of things, he seems to be breathing just fine at the moment!"

"You're a Death Eater!"

"Not by choice!"

"Doesn't matter!"

"Will you both just stop yelling," Harry cut in, "We're in alibrary."

"Sorry," they both said, lowering their voices considerably.

"Can we manage a civil meeting?" Harry asked, lookingbetween the both of them.

"I'm not the one with the problem," Emily hissed atHermione.

"I don't have a problem either," Hermione replied, thoughHarry felt her voice suggested otherwise. With a loud 'tut', Hermione reacheddown into her bag and removed the large ancient rituals text. "I don't have all day, do you want to dothis or not?" Harry nodded, as didEmily. "I reread the section aboutshape shifting, but it didn't go into much detail."

"What did it say?" Emily asked, still regardingHermione with a hint of anger. Harrysaw Hermione look up and give Emily a withering look before returning to herbook.

"There's an account from a villager about their encounterwith the Emerald Dragon," Hermione began, pointing to a place on the page shehad opened the book to. "It says that she watched in horror as her motherslowly changed into the face of that which she dreaded most and then took thelife of her brother, no wait, sister, with the wave of his hand." Hermionestopped, and looked up at Emily, "Do try to be careful. I'd hate to see you accidentally killyourself while brushing your hair."

"I'll keep that in mind," Emily responded caustically.

"Anyway," Hermione said, returning to her book and flippinga couple of pages ahead, "There's another similar account, where the EmeraldDragon took on the shape of a sheep. And another," Hermione said, flipping the page again, "where it appearedas a tree."

"Does it say how they went about changing shape?" Harryasked.

"No, it's always from the point of view of a villager or theauthor," Hermione responded, flipping the book closed. "When you do stuff, do you say theincantations in your head?" Hermione asked, regarding Emily with less thenmalice for the first time since she had entered the room.

"I used to, but I don't anymore. I just think to do it and it happens."

"Have you tried to change into something since the othernight with Harry?" Hermione then asked.

"No."

"Well, why don't you try to do it using the incantations fortransfiguration?" Hermione suggested, "Maybe it will help you focus a little."

"I suppose," Emily began, getting up from her seat andwalking over to the center of the room. Harry watched her as she did so. "What should I try to become?"

"Why don't you try Hermione again?" Harry suggested, lookingover at Hermione. "You can't apparate to her because she's right here." Hermione looked less than pleased aboutthis, but nodded her head in approval. Emily clenched her hands, and closed her eyes, her lips moving ever soslightly as she whispered an incantation. Nothing seemed to be happening.

"Didn't work, did it?" she asked, opening her eyes andlooking down at herself, examining her hands.

"Were you concentrating?" Hermione asked as if she had zeropatience for this whole ordeal.

"No, I was thinking about what I had for dinner last night,"Emily retorted with another glare at Hermione, "Of course I was concentrating!"

"Have you ever done anything even remotely liketransfiguring yourself?" Harry asked, hoping to break some of the tensionbetween the two of them. Will theyboth just give it up!

"Well," Emily began, looking thoughtful. "I can change myhair, and my fingernails. Once I evenmade my feet smaller so I could wear my friend Elizabeth's shoes, though Ididn't realize it at the time."

"That's a start," Harry said, looking at Hermione, "Normalwitches can't do that, can they?" Hermione shook her head. "Whydon't you try making your hair look like Hermione's," he then suggested,looking back over at Emily.

"Do I have to?" Emily asked with a scowl, regarding Hermionewith disgust.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" Hermione shouted, getting up fromher seat. "I can't do this Harry."

"You know, it would be easier if you weren't so god damncold towards me," Emily piped in defensively.

"Well, I wouldn't be so cold towards you if you weren't sucha bitch!" Hermione lashed back. Harry,however, had had enough of all this.

"Hermione! Sit down!" he roared, getting up from his chairsuch that he was towering over her. Hermione had a momentary look of defiancein her eyes, but then relented and sank back into her chair, instantly crossingher arms in protest. "Emily!" Harrythen said, spinning around and shooting her a look, "You're really not helpingthe situation." The two of themcontinued to stare at each other, until finally Emily looked away.

"Look, Hermione. Iknow you're just trying to protect Harry, and that you think I've been actingselfishly. But just being here tonight should be enough to say that I'm tryingto fix all this." She nervously ran herhands through her hair. Harry lookedover at Hermione, who had her arms crossed and was looking extremely put out.

"Hermione, did you hear Emily?" Harry asked, realizing hesounded like some sort of kindergarten teacher trying to coax an apology out ofthe schoolyard bully. Hermionenodded. "Good, now, let's try the hairthing," Harry said, turning back to Emily.

I really messed everything up, didn't I? Harry heardEmily's voice echo through his mind.

She's just being difficult. Always is. You should seehow tough she is on Ron sometimes, makes you wonder how the two of them couldever be dating, Harry responded, with asmile. She smiled back at him.

"Right, the hair," shesaid, closing her eyes again. She stoodthere for a few moments, and then, it happened. Her hair slowly began to grow, and then darken. Before he knew it, she had a full mane ofhair that looked exactly like Hermione's.

"It worked!" he chirped,nudging Hermione with his elbow. "Didyou see that?"

"Yeah," she responded,though with little emotion. Emilyopened her eyes, and Harry watched as she began to run her hands through hernewly grown locks, holding strands of it out in front of her so that she couldsee what it looked like. But when sheturned her attention back towards Harry, he almost flinched.

"What?" Emily asked,obviously sensing his reaction.

"You changed your eyestoo," Harry said, peering at her closer. "They're not green anymore." He then looked down at Hermione, "They'rebrown like Hermione's." This apparentlygot Hermione's attention, and she suddenly stopped pouting and looked up atEmily with interest.

"You're right," Hermionesaid. "They're exactly like mine, even the shape of them."

"Try something else, likeyour nose or mouth or something," Harry proposed. He watched as Emily closed her eyes again, and then the featureson her face began to shift. It wasstrange to watch. At first, her nosejust sort of crinkled up and her lips almost completely deflated. It was quick though, and before he knew it,her face looked exactly like Hermione's. And then, other things started to change. She shrank in size a bit, and her shoulders became less broad andher frame became thin like Hermione's, her curves effectivelydisappearing. After a few moments, theonly thing that would have given her away was the clothing.

"It worked!" Hermionegasped, most likely shocked to be staring at herself. "You look just like me!"

"I do?" Emily asked. Both Harry and Hermione gasped in response."What is it now?"

"You still sound likeyourself," Harry explained.

"It's weird to hear yourvoice coming out of my body," Hermione added.

"Oh," Emily replied,"hmmm," she then bit her lower lip and looked as though she was concentratingvery hard on something. Harry couldn'ttake his eyes off of her, scrutinizing every last inch of her to see ifanything hadn't switched over. He felta little strange doing this, but he was just so shocked that it worked that hedidn't pay it much mind. A few secondslater, he heard Emily clear her throat. "How about this?"

Both he and Hermionegasped again.

"Ok, it's even weirderwhen you do sound like Hermione!" Harryexclaimed. "How did you do that?"

"Don't know, just did,"Emily answered.

"This is so strange,"Hermione said, her voice weak. She thentook a few steps forward, and circled Emily with an amazed expression fillingher face. "I can't believe I'm looking at myself. Try someone else." Emilystood there for a moment, and then a crooked smile swept acrossher-as-Hermione's face. Damnit's weird to see Hermione making Emily's facial expressions! Harrywatched as Emily's entire body appeared to melt and grow, much faster thistime, into...

"Oh. My. God!" Hermioneexclaimed jumping back away from Emily. Harry, however, was speechless.

"What do you think?" Emilyasked with her own voice. Her body,however, was definitely not back tonormal. "Or rather," she cleared herthroat again, "Now what do you think?" she drawled, her voice dead on.

"I think Draco should neverwear girls jeans, that's for sure!" Hermionegasped, openly bursting into laughter. "Oh, I wish Ron were here!"

"Harry?" Emily-as-Dracodrawled again, "What do you think?" Harry couldn't stop blinking. "Harry?"

"I think that's thescariest thing I've ever seen," Harry finally managed to get out, stillblinking at her. Or him.

"What about..." Emily closedher eyes again, and even quicker then before, became the spitting image of ChoChang. "This? Or...." Again, she changed, this time into Pansy Parkinson. "This?"

"You're getting reallygood at it," Hermione said, obviously impressed. Emily-as-Pansy ran her hands through her hair.

"Wonder what she'd looklike with short hair," Emily said, and in the blink of an eye, her hair quicklyshortened. "This is fun!"

"This is weird!" Harry corrected, realizing he was gaping at her.

"No, this is weird," she responded, raising her eyebrows. Harry watched in horror as she closed hereyes again and suddenly became a mirror image of himself, scar and all.

"Wow!" Hermione blurted,holding her hands up to her mouth, and looking between Harry andEmily-as-Harry. "You don't look so goodin girls jeans either, Harry!"

"Hermione!" heresponded. But as he looked over at hertrying to hold her giggles back, he found that he couldn't hold back thelaughter any longer.

"You know Hermione," Emilybegan, her voice normal and not like Harry's. "I beg to differ. I think helooks kinda sexy in girls jeans," she teased, looking down at herself andshaking her hips a bit. "Just look athow nice they make his ass look!" she commented lightly, twisting around for abetter look.

"Don't do that!" Harry replied between fits of laughter. Hermione was practically rolling on thefloor, unable to breath.

"Hey, what about this?"Emily-as-Harry asked. In the blink ofan eye, the scraggly black hairs on the top of her head shortened, producing aneat and chic style. Hermione's jawdropped.

"Harry! You haveto cut you hair like that!" she exclaimed, again looking back and forth betweenEmily and Harry.

"It looks good?" Emilyasked, her eyes looking up in their sockets as if she could see the new hairstyle.

"It looks great," Hermioneresponded. She then looked over atHarry, "No offense or anything, of course. But look at her! It looks amazing!"

"I like my hair the way itis," Harry replied, running his hands through his messy hair.

Oh, Harry. You'reno fun! Emily responded in his head, quickly morphing back into herselfagain - except the pink highlights were back and her hair was shorter. "I should be getting back before Draco getsall suspicious," Emily announced, walking towards the table where her bag wassitting. She rummaged through it for afew seconds, and then removed a small, circular mirror. "Oh my," she exclaimed as she looked at herreflection. She then dropped the mirrorback into her bag and looked up at them both. "You guys were going to let me leave like this?" She quickly changed herhair back to the way it had been looking for the past few weeks. "Funny how I still think of myself with thepink highlights."

"I like the pinkhighlights," Harry said playfully, watching Emily as she swung her bag over herhead and positioned it at the small of her back.

"I know you do," sheresponded, taking a step towards him and pecking him on the side of the mouth."I'm getting better at avoiding Draco, so I think I can meet againtomorrow." She smiled at him, and thentelepathically added, perhaps we can be alone next time.

Sounds good to me, Harryreplied, catching hold of her sweater and pulling her back towards him. Olddivination room, after dinner? he asked,slipping his hands around her.

I'll be there, sheanswered, relaxing in his arms. Heleaned down and kissed her softly.

"Honestly!" he heardHermione grunt from somewhere to the left of him. "You'd think I was invisible!Do you see me and Ron snogging when there are people in the room?" Harry broke away from Emily, feeling theredness rushing to his cheeks. Truthfully, he had forgotten thatHermione was there.

"Er, sorry," he said,releasing Emily completely. She took a few steps back, and then turned towardsthe exit.

"Thanks for helping mewith this Hermione," she called over her shoulder as she approached the door.

"Your welcome," Hermioneresponded as Emily disappeared into the library proper. "I can't believe you just did that!"Hermione mumbled to Harry as soon as the door was closed again.

"You know, I seem torecall a certain evening in an abandoned tower," Harry began, turning hisattention towards Hermione, "where I got much more of an eyeful then our littledisplay just now." Now, it was Hermione'sturn to turn red.

"I forgot about that," shemumbled. "Guess we're even then."

"Guess again. You two were practically shagging. Emily and I were just having an innocentmoment."

"We were not practically shagging!" Hermione protested.

"Well, you didn't see itfrom my point of view, now did you?" Harry added teasingly. Hermione, if possible, turned evenredder. "Speaking of which, where do you and Ron go to....er....snog."

"None of your business!"Hermione snapped, though Harry had the distinct impression that he saw a devilishsmile flash across her face for a split second.

"Fine, don't tell me. Just make sure you lock the door so I don'twalk in on you two," he said, picking up his rucksack. "I think I've got morethen enough memories from that party to last me a lifetime."

"Deal," she said, grabbingher bag as well. "You know, I can see why you like her."

"Who, Emily?"

"Yeah. She's a nice girl,when you give her a chance."

"Well, it's about time yourealized it," Harry said, nudging Hermione with his elbow.

"Just be careful?"

"Hermione, you're notstill on about - "

"Harry, I trust her. I just don't want you to get too wrapped upin it all and get careless. She can'tbe sneaking away from Draco everyday."

"Yeah, I know."

"And we've still got a lotahead of us, and maybe getting really attached isn't the best idea."

"Hermione," Harry said,putting his hand up to signal her to stop talking. He didn't need to hear hersay it. "I know."

"Well, good then,"Hermione said, nudging him with herelbow this time. "I was serious aboutthat hair cut, though," she then added. Harry grunted and exited the room, closely followed by Hermione as shecontinued to badger him about his hair.

* * * *

"So?" Ron asked as soon ashe saw Harry and Hermione enter the common room. "How did it go?"

"Very well," Hermioneresponded, flopping down on the couch next to him, "Don't you agree, Harry?"

"It would have gone a lotsmoother if you had been nicer to her from the start," Harry replied, sinkinginto the armchair opposite Ron.

"Harry's just beingtouchy," Hermione answered, resting her hand on Ron's leg. "Did you finish your paper?"

"Almost, just have to tieeverything together." He put down his quill and parchment and looked over atHermione. "So, she was able to do it?"

Both Harry and Hermionenodded in affirmation.

"Do you think it willwork? Hermione's plan, that is?" Ronasked. Neither of them responded. Ron looked over at Harry, and saw that hewas shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "You still don't want to do it, doyou?" Harry shook his head. "But, it's the best thing we've got!"

"I don't want to put herin danger like that!" Harry said, looking up at Ron.

"Harry, you haven't eventold her yet. What if she agrees to doit?" Hermione asked gently.

"I know she'll agree. She'll probably think it's a greatplan. I bet she'd even have somesuggestions about how to make it better!" Harry responded, "I just don't wanther to do it."

"Harry, don't you thinkit's her decision whether she -" Hermione began, but was quickly cut off byHarry.

"It's too dangerous," hecut in, a note of finality to his voice. "We'll have to think of something else."

"We've been trying tothink of something else for an entire week!" Ron responded, beginning to getfrustrated with Harry's over-protectiveness of Emily.

"Ron, would you letHermione do it?" Harry asked, cocking his eyebrows at him. Ron was silent. No, of course I wouldn't let Hermione do it, Ron thought to himself. But Hermione isn't a powerful dark witch who's alreadyplaced herself in danger by joining the bloody Death Eaters! "Exactly."

"But Emily isn't like me,Harry," Hermione insisted. "And you know that."

"She didn't ask to be -"

"But she is!" Hermione cut him off, "She is involved in this nomatter what. This is the only way!" Ronwatched as Harry sank even deeper into his chair. It was times like these where Ron found himself feeling sorry forHarry. He was rich. He was famous. But he was eternally screwed.

"Harry, why don't you runit by Emily tomorrow, see what she thinks?" Ron suggested.

"Fine," Harry responded,his voice low and weak.

"It's a good plan, Harry,"Ron then added, hoping to make Harry feel better. "Hermione doesn't make shoddy plans."

"Yeah, it's a goodplan. I just wish it didn't centeraround Emily," Harry responded, getting up from his seat.

"Where are you going?"Hermione asked, sitting up straight and looking worried.

"To bed," Harry mumbled,meandering around the small table between them and over towards thestairs. "Good night." Ron watched him depart, and then turned toHermione. She was looking at him withsullen eyes.

"He's right you know,about it being dangerous," Hermione whispered, leaning into Ron and resting herhead on his shoulder. "If any of theDeath Eaters become suspicious -"

"What would they do toher? She's their only hope."

"It just might make thingsworse for Harry, that's all," Hermione said. She then reached forward and picked up Ron's paper. "You want me toproofread this for you?" she asked, changing the subject.

"No, I'm just going tofinish it and then go up to bed."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, but thanks for offering."

* * * *

End Note: Hope youenjoyed the chapter, and don't forget to review! In the next chapter: Sirius pushes Harry too far, we find outinfo about Harry's parents, and Emily gets asked to the winter ball, but bywhom?