Harry and Hermione -- Their Sixth Year II

Chapter IV

Dementor attacks on isolated wizarding homes occurred every night between November 3 and November 15. By that point, most magical families had moved, either to towns or cities, or were actually hiding with Muggle or Squib relatives. In any event, they were either protected by larger numbers or hidden.

The only silver lining for Harry was that his induction into the Dark Arts Defense League went almost unnoticed. The Quidditch teams had met, and decided to cancel the formal Quidditch season -- every team had at least three players whose family members had been attacked or killed. Instead of Quidditch every late afternoon, Third through Seventh years were found practicing defense in groups, while the First and Second years practiced a bit less often.

Even the Slytherins were fully participating. Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini had joined forces and convinced the entire House to join in. All of the student leaders knew there were at least two students who couldn't be trusted, but there was no way to determine who the two were. The students therefore didn't have a great deal of trust in each other as a whole, but the different factions all hoped that their particular group didn't harbor the traitors.

Saturday, November 16, 1996

Harry ducked out of the morning defense groups to go deep into the dungeons. He had been making the rounds of the many different groups the students had broken into to practice defense, so it was unlikely he would be missed. Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny, and Colin all knew where he was going, and therefore would cover for him if any asked.

Harry arrived at the door he had been directed to. As he raised his hand to knock, the door opened on its own.

"Come in, Mister Potter."

Harry walked in. It was a long room, with high stone walls. Except for Dr. Powell, a few odd looking devices at one end, and a dented metal bull's-eye target floating a few feet above the floor at the other, it was empty. "Doctor Powell; I was wondering if it would be you."

Powell smiled a little grimly. "My uncle is out supervising the various student groups, and the Headmaster needs his rest. Lupin, Flitwick, and McGonagall have learned the third spell, but need a bit more practice before they can teach all three, if we ever teach the third. That leaves me."

"So what do I do?"

"First, tell me what fights a dementor?"

"A Patronus, which is a physical manifestation of our positive thoughts and feelings," Harry answered almost automatically, and then added, "and light." The first was the textbook answer, but he had remembered that Dumbledore had punished the dementors his Third year with a bright light.

"Very good. The first spell is therefore a sun spell. An upswing hook, with the incantation of 'helios.' As you complete the incantation, flick the point of your wand where you want to light to go. It's a fairly concentrated cone of light. The downsides to this spell are 1) if you miss you give away your position and 2) most people don't have enough power to do serious damage to the dementor. For it to really work, you have to hit under the hood."

"Understandable."

"In combat conditions, you have to be careful not to hit anyone on your side. Someone of your supposed power could permanently blind someone."

Yes, sir."

The pair worked on the spell for twenty minutes. Powell had studied Harry in class, but had never seen him in action. True, he had what his uncle, Lupin, and Flitwick told him, but he was shocked at how quickly Harry had picked up the spell and how much power he actually had.

"Well done," Powell finally conceded. "Questions?"

"Light works; does fire?" Harry asked.

"No. They don't like heat, but even the heat of a fire doesn't really hurt them. It merely burns their robes off. Not an attractive sight." Powell wrinkled his nose in disgust. "What?" he asked, seeing the thoughtful look on Harry's face.

"If light affects them, but not heat, would ultraviolet be effective?"

Powell gave that some serious thought. "Perhaps. So far as I know, no one has ever made the suggestion before, but it makes sense to try. I'll consult with Filius. Now, For the second spell. This will NOT be taught to any student except yourself and perhaps Ms Granger this term. It is a very dangerous spell. It can kill a dementor, but it can also seriously injure, or even kill, a person. It is based on the Patronus. First, I know you have a corporeal Patronus, but have you ever driven away even one dementor with it?"

"I drove away two, almost a year and a half ago. And I drove away about a hundred at the end of my third year."

Powell looked very disbelieving.

"It's true!" Harry insisted. "I was probably able to do it because I was far enough away from them that they weren't affecting me."

"Fair enough," Powell said. "Having a corporeal Patronus is the first real requirement for this. Casting the Patronus is of course done with a mere lift of the wand. It can also be cast as a weapon. You were Muggle-raised; did you ever play cricket?"

"A few times at school. Not since I came to Hogwarts. Why?"

Powell materialized a cricket ball and handed it to Harry. "Imagine you just fielded the ball. Hit the target."

Harry wound up and flung the ball. It hit the edge of the target. Powell summoned the ball and handed it back to Harry. "Use more of a stride, and throw a bit more overhand than side-armed."

It took Harry about ten minutes before he was making the motions Powell wanted him to make. He was also hitting the target better by that time. Powell then had Harry alternate for ten minutes between throwing the ball and holding his wand, which threw sparks towards the target. Then he had Harry send stingers, a sort of concentrated spark-blob, at the target.

"Now comes the hard part," Powell told him. "What you need to do is the same motion, while thinking your positive thought and using the incantation 'Patronum!' After you complete the incantation, imagine hitting the target. All right? Let's see what happens."

Harry eyed the target, then went into his stride. "Patronum!" A small silver dart shot from Harry's wand and the target rang when he hit the bull's-eye.

"Well done! Again, you have to aim for the head. Dementors have a humanoid shape, but the only vulnerable area is the head. They don't have hearts, hitting one in the chest or abdomen might weaken a dementor a bit, but usually doesn't hurt them any more than hitting one in the arm or leg would. In any event, that's never fatal."

"Usually?" Harry asked, going back a sentence.

"Hitting them in the center of the body may release a captive soul or two, but even that's not common. Best to aim straight at the center of the head."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, again, you have to be careful with this spell. Try it again." Powell waved his wand in a repair spell, and all the dents on the target evened out.

"Patronum!" Harry scored another bull's-eye.

"Come look." Harry saw there was a significant dent in the metal target.

"Hit a man with that, and you'll likely give him a concussion if you hit him in the head, or break a few ribs if you hit him in the chest, at the very least." Powell seemed to hesitate.

"What?" Harry demanded.

"A Patronus dart will go through a neutral shield, or one powered by Dark magic. That's one reason my uncle is teaching the Sixth and Seventh years those shields powered by positive thoughts. The three different Love Shields will protect you against anything except an Unforgivable, as do the material shields you're learning to materialize. And, if you can up the power on your dart, and Voldemort doesn't protect himself with a material shield. . . ."

"I might be able to kill him using this dart?"

"Exactly. He cannot project any of the Love Shields. It's likely that few of the remaining Death Eaters could, either."

Harry nodded his understanding. Of course, he also remembered the material metal shield Voldemort had materialized in his fight with Dumbledore the previous June. This gave him a second weapon, along with his Occlumency, in fighting Voldemort, but it wasn't a likely knockout. Still, anything was better than the Killing Curse.

"And the third weapon against dementors?" Harry asked gamely.

Powell smiled. "Potter, you're are a determined young man, I'll grant you that. We've been working about an hour, and you're tired. We'll meet again next Saturday and see how you're doing with these two. We'll also set the door to recognize you. You may practice in this room at any time. Do NOT use those two spells anywhere else, unless it's against a dementor. Do NOT bring anyone here, other than Ms Granger. Do NOT demonstrate those spells to her unless she is standing behind you and to your left. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then repeat the three conditions."

Harry did so. Powell expressed himself satisfied, and the pair left.

"How were your private lessons? Who was it? What did you learn? Where did you go?" Colin, Ginny, and Hermione were each shooting questions at Harry as he sat down to lunch. Dean gave Harry a sympathetic smile. Neville, on the other hand, completely ignored all the by-play, too concerned about what Lavender and Parvati had planned for him. The pair were giggling in the manner that Neville had come to associate with the pair having deviant plans for their boyfriend.

Neville loved to hear that giggle.

Ron, on the other hand, was trying to eat as fast as he could, so he could sneak some quality snogging time with Henrietta before helping out with yet another defence group at 1:30.

"Calm down!" Harry said. "I learned two of the three anti-dementor spells from Doctor Powell. Everything went well. I'll meet with him to practice them down near the Ravenclaw tower next Saturday. Alright?"

"What are we all going to do for Christmas this year?" Ron asked as he grabbed a slice of apple pie.

The table went silent. Frowning, Ron looked around at the stricken table. Puzzled, he looked towards Harry. Harry's eyes gestured to Colin and Dean.

"Right. Sorry."

"Mum said that the Burrow might be safe by then. There are new wards. So, we may have to go home, at least at first," Ginny said. "Luna and Henrietta may be coming, too." That cheered Ron a bit.

"I'm taking Colin and Dean with me, wherever I go," Harry said softly, "although we're claiming to stay."

"So am I," Hermione added.

"We're going to Neville's," Lavender stated. Parvati giggled.

The group stayed at the table, teasing each other, until it was time for the next set of voluntary defense groups.

The students straggled back to the Great Hall between 5:30 and 6:00, tired from their work. Most had taken the time to shower, and those who hadn't were sent off to do so. The students ate quietly, as they had over the last week or so.

It had been a horrible month so far, and no one was trying to deny it.

The staff surveyed the quiet students, concerned.

"How is their morale?" Professor Vector asked. "They're working hard in class, but I don't really get to see them, other than at meals and in class."

"I'm surprised, but morale isn't terrible," McGonagall said. "Most seem determined to believe that hard work on their part will help them get through this."

"You doubt it?" Flitwick asked. "Without this extra work, they would certainly have lesser chances to survive."

"True, but the students are going on grit alone, and that might not be enough to keep them going," she replied. "Perhaps we should have kept the Quidditch season after all."

"Perhaps," Snape agreed. He sighed. "I never thought I would say this, but I almost wish the Weasley twins were still students." He looked at the shocked faces. "I said 'almost'."

"I think the dance should go ahead next week," Sprout said. "I understand why merriment in such a time as this doesn't feel quite right, but we must do something. These are children. Children in a horrible time, but they are safe, or at least relatively safe, and need some positive relief."

"Other than snogging in my astronomy tower," Sinistra growled. "If we don't get them doing other things they might be finding the wrong kind of relief."

"My dear professor!" Flitwick protested.

"We have always been liberal towards any non-coercive sexual conduct, other than intercourse," Snape stated. "Peer pressure kept anything beyond a casual kiss or non-intimate caress private. Things are becoming much more public. Normally, the most we see in the Great Hall is a kiss on the cheek in greeting, and that was both rare and usually just between committed couples in their last two years. Eighteen couples have kissed long on the lips so far tonight, and that does NOT include Longbottom and his two gigglers, or the multi-House harem Zabini seems to be gathering. In addition, while we have always ignored inversion, there are now at least fifteen openly gay couples."

"Does this bother you, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"Not as such. I am merely pointing out that, for the first time I am aware of, relationships are becoming much more open. Even if they are refraining from actual intercourse, they may be engaging in other sexual behavior, or perhaps even merging their magics."

"You can't think they would!" Ivy Sprout protested.

"Why wouldn't they? Although there are rules regulating it, it's not totally forbidden."

"We would never have DREAMED of any sort of . . . merging, either physically or magically," McGonagall sniffed.

"At least not until our Seventh year," Law muttered, causing McGonagall to blush.

"At least thar's more 'cross-House dating," Hagrid put in to cover up the sudden silence.

Snape frowned and then said, nearly snarling, "I am certain that is NOT what the Sorting Hat meant about bringing the Houses together these last two years."

"No, it is not," Dumbledore agreed. "However, it helps. Before this term who would have predicted that couple?" Anna Lloyd, Fourth year Slytherin and proud Pure-blood, was walking arm-in-arm with Seamus Finnigan, the half-blood Gryffindor.

Snape sighed. "Come, Severus," Powell teased. "Ms Granger has persuaded all the Muggle-born and raised to take lessons in wizarding culture next term. If they were coming together to move into Muggle culture, I would agree with your complaints. But coming together to celebrate our culture? I, for one, rejoice."

"I do not object as such," Snape retorted. "While ideally I would prefer the students following both wizarding manners and customs, I will settle for them following a mixture of wizarding and Muggle manners within wizarding customs. I do wonder about how serious and how deep this situation is. I do worry about how long this truce between Pure-blood and Muggle customs will last."

"I agree," Remus said. "We must encourage them, but keep a close eye on them at the same time."

On that agreed-upon declaration, the high table broke up.

Harry caught up to Remus and Tonks as they were leaving. Seeing Harry wanted to talk, Remus invited him to come along to his office.

"What's on your mind, Harry?"

"Christmas," Harry said bluntly. "You two stuck me with Grimmauld Place. I want us, and my friends and the Grangers, and perhaps the Weasleys, to have Christmas together. If you approve, I'll approach Dumbledore, not just for permission to go, but to allow Dobby and Winky time off to really strip and prepare the house." Harry had other plans, but didn't think he needed to discuss those with any but Dobby.

The pair looked at each other. "Neither of you told me what happened to Kreacher, but may I presume it's gone?" Harry finally asked.

"He is," Tonks said.

"And Mrs. Black?"

"She cannot be removed, as best we can tell," Remus said. "Not even Dumbledore and Flitwick working together could pull that evil thing down. You, as the house owner, may be able to get her and that tapestry down, but I won't swear to it."

"I'll risk it. Hermione will enjoy researching it." He looked at Remus and Tonks. "Well?"

"Ask Dumbledore," Remus said after exchanging glances with Tonks.

"Thank you." Harry left them.

"He's up to something," Tonks observed. "Is this his Marauder's heritage?"

Remus smiled. "No. No, James plotted jokes and campaigns, but not like this. Harry looks mostly like James, but while he's mostly just himself, of course, he's more like Lily than James in personality. Sirius had a hard time believing that."

Harry's plan won over the Headmaster's approval, at least once it was more-or-less fully explained. Harry next sought out Dobby.

"Master Harry?"

"Did you get to make a survey of Grimmauld Place, as I asked?"

"Yes, Master Harry. Headmaster gave Dobby and Winky permission."

"Remind me of the general floor plan." Harry hadn't paid much attention, beyond the ground floor, kitchen, and his bedroom and the bath on the third floor.

"Cellar has kitchen in the back, servant dining room, and three storage rooms, one set up as Order meeting room. Sub-basement has boiler room with elf lair off that, wine cellar, and two storage rooms, one set up for wolf-Lupin. All of cellars is now ready for remodeling. Ground floor has dining room, breakfast room, parlor, small washroom, and the sitting room. All walls and floors need painting and polishing, but Mrs. Wheezy and Master's friends got out most nasty things."

"Go on."

"First floor has drawing room, front parlor, and back parlor. Second floor has master suite; two bedrooms, two small dressing rooms, small sitting room, and bath. Also, two bedrooms and bath outside of suite. Third and fourth floors each have six rooms and two baths. Attic is all storage, although with partitions dividing it into four parts. Each bedroom has fireplace, each bath has gas heater. No nasty creatures left, except for boggart in attic, nasty tapestry in first floor drawing room, and nasty and evil picture in front hall."

"One of the areas of the attic has a north-facing window, right?"

"Yes, Master Harry."

"The Headmaster has given you and Winky permission to take twelve hours off three days a week between now and the start of the winter vacation. Your Hogwarts pay will be halted for those times, and I will be paying both you and Winky instead."

Dobby jumped up and down in joy.

"You have the power to draw money for paint and other supplies, rugs, mattresses, et cetera. Professor Lupin and Tonks will continue to occupy the master suite. Ask them if they want any of it restored, changed, painted, or polished. One second floor bedroom may be occupied by the Grangers. Ask Hermione what needs to be added, and what colors to paint it. Mister and Mrs. Weasley may be occupying the other. Ask Ginny about colors and anything else needed there. Ask Hermione about updating the plumbing. Anything you can't handle, let us know."

Dobby was nodding happily.

"As for the fourth floor and attic, only Hermione, Colin, Dean, and myself, and you and Winky, should be able to access it. Take a look at the roof, and see that it's both in good shape and able to repel attackers. I leave it for you, Winky, and Hermione to work out how, but I want no one else to be able to access it."

Dobby gave Harry a sly grin, which Harry ignored. "Dobby understands."

"A bedroom in the front for Colin, which Dean can share, plus a room for his study. A bedroom for Hermione and myself, a study for me, and a study and a library for Hermione. I want sky blue walls and a white ceiling in my study."

"Yes, Master Harry!"

"Set up a store room as a gym. Here's a list of Muggle exercise equipment we'll need."

"Yes, Master Harry!"

"The section of the attic with the north-facing window? That needs to be fixed up as a studio for Dean, if it can be done. Dean or Colin can fill you in. Alastor Moody will be by sometime to get rid of the boggart."

"Dobby will fix it, Master Harry."

"One bedroom on the third floor for Ginny and Luna, one for Ron, and the one next to it for Henrietta."

"Why, Master Harry?" Dobby asked, puzzled.

"So Mrs. Weasley doesn't yell," Harry replied.

"Ah, Dobby understands."

"The other two rooms should be set up for visiting members of the Order. Can three beds be fit into those?"

"Small beds, yes Master Harry."

"One should be the room with the portrait of that old Headmaster," Harry said with a smirk.

"Yes, Master Harry," Dobby said knowingly. "For Headmaster, when he stays?"

"Exactly." Harry frowned. "There should be some way for the portrait to . . . to. . . ."

"Dobby understands and will arrange."

"Thank you, Dobby. Feel free to arrange quarters for yourself and for Winky in someplace better than the room off the boiler, or more than one place, if you want."

"Winky and Dobby have decided to be together, if Master and Mistress approve," Dobby said.

"I approve, of course, Dobby."

Dobby bowed and disappeared.