Harry Potter and the Michaelmas Term

Compared with OWLs, NEWTs were very much more demanding. On the other hand, Harry was so far ahead of everyone in Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons that he usually sat near the back of the class reading another of Moody's book, half an ear open just in case the old Auror decided to send one of his hexes in his direction. Sometimes Moody hauled him out to the front to demonstrate something, which he didn't enjoy because of the attention it brought him.

Transfiguration was becoming easier, although Professor McGonagall was setting them so many essays that he was often up late trying to get them done. He would sit with Ron, who would doggedly go through his books to find the right passages. Ron knew well enough by now that whatever he wanted to do would demand good grades from him, and he was prepared to make the effort. Often Harry could come up with an answer just by thinking about the problem, but would then spend ten minutes trying to find the right section in the book to justify his answers.

Potions was harder work: he didn't as yet have a proper feel of the subject, which meant too often that he was following recipes rather than understanding what was going on. Snape was no help: there was no point in asking him questions in class, as the only response would be a sneer. Hermione had given up raising her hand in answer to a question, since Snape would behave as if she didn't even exist. He had given up trying to find excuses to dock points from the Gryffindors: they knew him well enough by now to keep a low profile in his lessons. But as Ron said after a particularly trying lesson: "What's the point? He's no help at all. He's just a hindrance." And the others would have to agree.

Neville's potion work had also improved beyond belief as Snape had backed off: Neville now had the confidence to continue with his work even as Snape was standing by his elbow ready to find the slightest fault. Indeed, just as Snape ignored Hermione, so Neville ignored Snape. Although Snape would throw out jibe after jibe, Neville would keep his head down and carry on as if nothing had been said.

They maintained a state of armed neutrality with the Slytherins. With Crabbe and Goyle still in the Remedial stream, they saw little of them, and although Malfoy still hated them as much as ever, he was more circumspect without his cronies to back him up. And in some respects, some of the House tensions had eased. Some of the younger Slytherins were coming to the Defence Group meetings, and although they never became chummy with the Gryffindors, they were at least civil. Harry saw Ron on more than one occasion chatting to some of them after meetings.

Seeing Nott there still worried him, although he couldn't say why. It was one of those instinctive things that prickled him. Paradoxically, he was then more polite to the Slytherin than he might otherwise have been. But Nott caused no trouble: he listened as Harry explained things, joined in with the others in practicing charms, jinxes and hexes. There being no other Slytherins, it was difficult to find him a partner - particularly given the Slytherin reputation - but Harry eventually prevailed on Dean to work with him. Dean was not keen on the idea, but agreed in the end, and Harry was relieved to see that after a rather wary beginning, the two seemed to work together quite well.

September slowly passed into October. Privately, Harry had to admit that visiting Hogsmeade at the weekend wasn't the thrill it might once have been. On the other hand, the thought of getting out of the castle, much though he loved it, was quite appealing. None of them had arranged anything specific, which meant that a group of Gryffindors - Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Dean - were heading down towards the entrance hall. Ginny had decided to go off with some of her Sixth Year friends. Luna had somehow managed to tag along with them - Harry knew that she didn't always get on with people in Ravenclaw, and the Gryffindors were more prepared to accept her as she was.

As they came down the steps from the Entrance Hall, Harry saw Susan Bones standing in the sunshine by herself.

"Hi, Harry," she said with a smile, as she saw them emerge.

There was a snort from Hermione who was close behind him. He heard Ron mutter: "She's only after your body, mate."

He abruptly slowed his pace, which gave him an opportunity to stand hard on Ron's toe, and to his satisfaction heard a yelp close behind him.

"Hi, Susan," he said brightly. "Aren't you going to Hogsmeade?"

"The others seem to have gone on without me," she said.

"Surprise, surprise," he heard Ron whisper.

"Well," Harry said loudly, "you'd better come with us then."

"That'd be nice," she said, with what she obviously hoped was a winning smile.

Harry suddenly found he'd someone standing at each shoulder: Ron on one side and Hermione the other.

"What's this," he muttered, "an escort or a guard of honour?"

"We're just protecting your virtue," said Hermione.

Susan looked at this byplay somewhat perplexed.

It was a beautiful day for the end of September: the leaves were turning various shades of red and yellow, although those that had fallen on the path made it rather slippery underfoot. The group soon broke up into smaller fragments, and Harry found that Susan had made it to his side. As long as she didn't to talk about press conferences, he hoped.

But she didn't chatter at all, to his surprise, but instead they walked quietly down the lane.

They ambled slowly down the High Street in Hogsmeade. Zonko's was no longer the attraction it had been, now they had access to Weasleys' Wizarding Wonders. They were losing their taste for sticky sweets, although Honeyduke's still had a lot to offer. Ron was a little way ahead, talking to Dean, and Harry whispered to Hermione: "Give us five minutes."

"Okay." She walked on ahead and joined the other two.

Harry turned to look at Susan, who smiled back at him.

"Um ..."

"Yes?"

Don't go red! Don't go red! No use. "Were you waiting for us up at the castle?" he blurted.

Susan smiled again. "Something like that. Well - for you, mainly."

"Oh." Harry thought hard about what to say next. "Thing is," he said slowly, "I wouldn't want you to get too involved with me."

Susan looked rather taken aback by his remark. "Why's that?" she asked curiously.

"Well," he said even more awkwardly, "I have something of a problem."

"Oh?"

"Having someone after you, wanting to kill you, is quite a problem. And I don't want you to be hurt if ... well, you know ..."

Susan reached out and took his hand. "It's okay, Harry. I know that. We needn't be too serious about things. Just a bit of fun, okay?"

"If you don't mind ..."

"Of course I don't." She hesitated in her turn. "Some of my family were - well, you know - last time."

"Oh. Right."

"So I understand."

"Yeah. Sure."

Hermione turned round, saw them holding hands, and gave a small smile. Ron turned too, and grinned, then leered.

"Take no notice of them," said Harry.

"They're your friends."

"Yeah."

"Well, in that case, I'd like them to be my friends too."

"Right. Fair enough."

They found a new tea shop, and rather than go into the Three Broomsticks, decided to give it a try. It wasn't bad, either, thought Harry, and they sat munching some excellent hot buttered teacakes.

Then Susan asked Ron about his encounter with the Dementors. Ron brightened, and started telling them all about that day when they'd been ambushed. Harry sat back and listened with half an ear. Susan appeared to be hanging on every word, and when he'd finished asked him about what else he'd been doing during the holidays. That started him off on his adventures at Gringotts, some of which was new to Harry. Even allowing for a little exaggeration, Harry was impressed. Bill had obviously taken Ron off on some quite tricky missions. By the time he'd finished his tales, it was almost time to be heading back again. They paid for their tea and headed up the path to the school in the light of the setting sun.

Once in the Entrance Hall, Susan released Harry's hand, waved to them all, and said: "See you all later."

"That was quite clever," said Hermione to Harry as they climbed the stairs back to the tower.

"What was?"

"Getting Ron to talk about himself like that. She knows if she's to be friends with you, she's got to be friends with us too. And she's certainly got Ron on her side now."

"You're a cynic, Hermione."

"No," said Hermione. "I just know a little bit about how girls' minds work."

"Glad you do. They're still a mystery to me."

But he felt that perhaps they might be a little less of a mystery to him now.

After the emotional rollercoaster that had been Cho Chang, going out with Susan was a much more peaceful business. Susan was happy to go for walks with him around the lake, walking together hand in hand, and not talking very much. In many ways, it was just what Harry needed: some steadying influence in his life. And Susan became a regular helper at the Defence Group meetings. She wasn't bad either. Not bright like Hermione, perhaps, but she could do magic when she needed to.

It was at one of these meetings that Harry overheard Ron talking to someone, and was staggered when he realised exactly who.

"Oh, yeah," he heard the voice saying, "he came along to give our village team some coaching."

"Jamie Anson? Really?"

"Well, he's not the best Keeper the Cannons have ever had."

"No, but he's not bad. Did you get to meet him?"

"He showed me a few moves."

"Really? I didn't know you were any good."

There was a laugh. "I'm not. But when someone like that comes along, you make the best of your opportunities."

"I bet!"

Ron was talking to Theo Nott - and by the sound of things, it was quite an amiable conversation. Harry straightened up from moving a table aside and caught Hermione's eye, getting a small smile in return.

"Quidditch," he mouthed at her.

She rolled her eyes, and he grinned. Well, if Ron had accepted Nott, perhaps there wasn't that much to worry about.

Breakfast on Sunday mornings was a leisurely affair. Hermione, as usual, was deeply immersed in the latest edition of the Prophet. Ron was blankly and blearily spooning porridge into his mouth. Harry was eating his bacon and eggs with very little conscious thought in his mind. Further down the table other Gryffindors were yawning into their morning cups of tea.

As Harry pushed his plate away, he saw three very self important looking owls descending down to their table. To his surprise, they stopped in front of him, Ron and Hermione.

Hermione put down her paper for a moment to take the letter. Ron merely blinked at the bird standing in front of him. Harry took his letter, smiled at the bird, and said: "Thank you." With a soft hoot, it climbed away into the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall.

The envelope was of a very thick parchment, sealed with a extremely impressive wax seal. Carefully Harry eased the envelope open, and pulled out a card. What he read on the card made his jaw drop.

THE MINISTER OF MAGIC INVITES HARRY JAMES POTTER TO A HALLOWEEN RECEPTION AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC ON 30TH OCTOBER AT 7 P.M.

R.S.V.P.

He read it again to make sure he'd got it right. He glanced up at Ron who was reading his own card with a dazed expression on his face. Ron looked up at him and said: "Is yours the same as mine?"

"Probably. Swap."

It was.

Hermione noticed the by play and picked up her envelope. Her eyes widened as she opened it and read the card. "Wow."

"What's it all about?" asked Ron.

"Well," said Hermione, "it's an invitation." Ron snorted. "But more than that. By inviting us to an event like this, Arbuthnot is saying publicly that what we've been saying and doing all along is right."

"Hasn't he said that already?" asked Ron, confused.

"Yes. But to get an invitation like this - it shows to everyone that he has been listening to us, and that he reckons we're worth listening to."

"Careful, Hermione. Swollen head time," warned Harry.

Hermione considered this. "Yes. And no."

"You're sounding like Dumbledore now."

"There are worse role models. Anyway, I take it we're going?"

"Well, yeah, I suppose," said Ron.

"Then you need to be on your guard."

Ron looked even more confused. "Why's that?"

"Because there'll be an awful lot of people there who'll assume we have the Minister's ear. And will want things from you. Gossip. Influence. Whatever."

"I'm not sure I can live with all of this," groaned Ron.

"You don't have to go."

Ron looked at her as though she were mad. "Yeah, right."

"Hermione's right," said Harry quietly. "We're going to be objects of curiosity. And yes - people will think we have some sort of pull with the Minister."

Ron gave a hollow laugh. "Every time I see him, I end up calling Ravenclaws prats."

"Tact has always been your strong point."

"Wasn't I tactful with the goblins?" said Ron with dignity.

"You were," Hermione told him. "Now you've got to do that in the Ministry."

"S'pose," muttered Ron.

"I take it we are going to accept," said Harry.

It was Harry's turn to get the amazed stare. "What? And miss a party like that?"

Hermione caught Harry's eye and sighed. "Well, we'd better tell McGonagall."

"Do we have to?" Ron grumbled.

"It might be polite and it might be tactful. And it means missing the feast."

"S'pose."

They went to see Professor McGonagall that evening. Her eyebrows went up at the sight of the three of them.

"Good news or bad?" she asked briskly.

The two boys had decided that they'd leave the talking to Hermione - who was always on better terms with McGonagall than they were.

"Oh, good news, I think," said Hermione, passing over the invitation card.

McGonagall's eyebrows rose higher.

"My word," she said eventually, "an invitation from the Minister himself. And to a party like this." She turned the card back and forward in her fingers and them passed it back to Hermione. "Is this for advice or information?"

"Both, really, Professor."

"Hm, well. I'm not sure that I can give you that much in the way of advice. Dress smartly, be polite, and don't drink too much. All of which I'm sure you know already."

"We'll do our best to be a credit to the school," said Ron.

The other two looked at him in amazement.

"Indeed, Mr Weasley. In many ways, you are already. For once, I'll say I have confidence in you to get things right."

"Thank you, Professor," said Ron, flushing redder than usual.

"Oh - and make sure you enjoy yourselves. In the right way, that is."

"Yes, Professor. Thank you."

She looked at them over her spectacles, and they realised that the interview was over.

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry, speaking for the first time.

She smiled at him, and they filed out one by one.