Harry Potter and the Angel of Justice

Chapter Thirteen - Old Friends

Illustration link:

[url]http://hpbook6.freewebpage.org/art/nomarks/Hermione_Ron_teasing_Harry.jpg[/url]

Between Quidditch practice and schoolwork, Harry had been so busy that an entire month had passed before he knew it. He was at breakfast early one Monday morning and Hermione was in the midst of her yearly nag that he and Ron should start making their study schedules.

"Hermione, it's ages till the exams, and it's not like we aren't already working our noses to the grindstone," retorted Ron.

"You said the same thing last year, and you still put off your revising," lectured Hermione.

"Well I think getting nine OWLs apiece speaks for itself, don't you, Harry?"

Harry simply nodded. He agreed with Ron, but had no wish to be dragged into this argument.

"But I still had to make the schedules for you again. I was just hoping this year the two of you would be a bit more responsible."

As Harry feared, their sniping match was just beginning, and it lasted all the way through breakfast and their walk to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry walked apart from the quarreling pair and chatted with Ginny and Neville. When they arrived, Mars seemed eager to get the class started; he shut the hall door as soon as the last student had entered.

"Today, you're going to learn a charm that has not been taught at Hogwarts for centuries. The teachers think it's too troublesome for students to know, and the Ministry frowns upon its use outside of law enforcement," said Mars.

This remark whetted the appetite of the class and they made enthusiastic noises. Mars waved his wand at the board and the words "Whisper Charm" appeared on it. Only Hermione and Padma appeared to have even heard of the spell, and even they weren't sure what it did or how to cast it.

"Let me show y'all an example. Hmmm, what would make a good juicy message?" wondered Mars as his eyes roamed over the students. His gaze stopped at Ginny and Luna and he smiled broadly at them. "Oh yes, perfect." He pointed his wand at his mouth, said "Oratio Clandestinus," and moved it quickly to point in Harry's direction. His lips then moved as if he was saying something, but no sound emerged.

A small breeze out of nowhere moved Harry, Ron and Hermione's hair, and they heard Mars' voice whisper, "Harry, when are you going to come to your senses and ask Ginny out?"

Harry jumped, stunned speechless. Mars chuckled at the front of the class, and Harry heard Ron chortling behind him. Ron shoved him in the back; Hermione struggled to control a giggling fit.

"As you can see, only the people whom I wished to hear my message, did. In stealth and battle-field conditions, this little spell can be immensely helpful. It however can certainly get on a teacher's nerves if his students are chatting with this charm instead of paying attention in class," said Mars, gazing pointedly at Padma, Parvati and Lavender. They giggled nervously.

The rest of the class was spent practicing this spell. Harry was still annoyed at Mars for sending that message about Ginny so that Hermione and Ron could hear. He had quite started to like Ginny, but the last thing he needed was to be ribbed about it. Each time Harry started to make headway in learning the charm, Ron or Hermione would look at him and start laughing again.

Harry was not the only one who was having trouble with the spell. After fifty minutes or so Seamus complained that he just couldn't get it to work.

Mars must have heard Seamus complain, because he spoke to the class. "Okay, hands up who has managed to cast the spell," he ordered.

A little more than half of the class raised their hands; Harry noticed that virtually all of them were girls.

"Tsk, tsk; just as I feared. Boys, this spell could one day save your life or that of a friend. I wouldn't risk the ire of all the other teachers just to show you a gossip spell. Just because the spell doesn't zap or pulverize something, doesn't make it useless for Defense Against the Dark Arts. I want all of you to have mastered this charm by Friday. No exceptions," he finished, staring right at Seamus. Mars dismissed the class.

Many of the girls in the class stopped by the teacher's desk, chatting excitedly. Harry, however, was still miffed at Mars; he headed straight for the door. On the way out, he heard Ginny and Katie asking Mars what message had made Harry blush so much. Harry scowled and hurried out before he could hear Mars' reply.

Hermione and Ron caught up with him in the courtyard. They both tried unsuccessfully to hide their amusement, which irritated Harry further.

"Why does he always do that stuff to me?" asked Harry, annoyed.

"It's just a joke, mate. What happened to your sense of humor?" answered Ron.

"It might've been funny if he hadn't let you two in on it."

"Oh, come off it, Harry, he picks on everyone, you know. Besides, he's got a point about Ginny. You're always looking at her like you're interested - you shouldn't be leading her on if you don't plan on asking her out," said Hermione.

Harry was about to object strenuously but a cold, drawling voice rang out first.

"Potter, this is pathetic even for you. Taking romantic advice from a bucktoothed muggle?"

Draco Malfoy and his two flunkies, Crabbe and Goyle, stepped around a pillar that had obscured them from sight.

"Shut it, Malfoy," spat Harry.

"Hermione's a witch!" snarled Ron.

"I mean, what kind of disgraceful wizard would it take to even think about dating this bushy-haired, loud-mouthed mudblood anyway?" Malfoy stared straight at Ron.

Ron looked livid and Harry was sure that he and Malfoy were about to go for their wands, but again a drawling voice rang out. This one was much deeper, and had a Texas twang.

"Draco, what did I hear you call my student?" asked Mars who had just walked up to Harry and Ron and then passed in front of them.

Malfoy looked up at Mars with malice in his eyes that quickly changed to fear. Harry couldn't see Mars' eyes, but he would have bet his Firebolt that they were blazing. Malfoy looked terrified, but couldn't seem to avert his eyes.

"Answer me, Draco. There's no point in trying to lie to me, boy," Mars said sharply.

Malfoy stammered a bit and then said, shakily but clearly, "I-I called her a mudblood."

Harry and the others were startled at this self-incrimination. Malfoy wasn't crazy enough to think he could use bravado with Mars, was he?

Mars reached a hand down to his belt, to a small leather pouch that he kept there; his other hand pointed an index finger at Malfoy's chest.

"If I ever hear you call one of my students that again, I'll knock your head right off your shoulders, boy. And don't you take this warning as just a figure of speech, either." Mars seemed to be pulling something out of the pouch as he spoke.

"Am I right in thinking that you three will soon be seventeen? Within a couple of months, isn't it?" asked Mars in a deadly calm voice.

Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy all nodded nervously.

"That means you'll be allowed to move up from the junior auxiliary and become full-fledged Death Eaters. Well, I'm sure your parents will be proud, but let me show you where being a Donnie will take you."

Mars' left hand quickly moved out in front of him, holding something that had been taken from the pouch; Harry hadn't gotten a good look at it.

"This look familiar, Vincent?" he asked.

Goyle and Malfoy stared at the unknown object cluelessly, but Crabbe's eyes glinted with recognition. His face flushed with anger and he seemed so upset that Harry thought he might actually attack Mars.

"This is where you three are headed if you don't change direction 180 degrees. I warn you, there is very little time left to save yourselves," said Mars, glowering at Crabbe.

Under Mars' stare, Crabbe's fury transformed into terror. His face contorted and he screamed. "NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!" He spun and sprinted towards the entrance doors, yelling gibberish. Malfoy and Goyle looked confused, but they were trembling.

"Get after him. Make sure he tells you why he ran off. Go on, beat it!" Mars waved his other hand at them.

Malfoy and Goyle darted after their friend in silence.

"W-why did Crabbe scream like that, Mars?" whispered Hermione, scared.

Slowly Mars turned, and when they saw his eyes all three flinched. None of Mars' usual warmth was present. Pure and simple malice seemed to ooze from his gaze. All around them the air tingled with electricity, causing their hair to stand on end. Power seemed to radiate from Mars, and the sight of him was terrifying.

"He recognized this, and deduced how it fell into my possession," answered Mars. The malice faded and the eerie tingling of the air stopped as he showed the three of them the unfamiliar wand in his hand.

"But why would a wand scare him like that?" asked Ron, who had recovered first from the sight of Mars' rage.

"Because it was his father's," answered Mars.

He turned to Harry. "I followed you out here because it seemed you were really upset with the teasing I gave you, Harry. It's just good natured, but there was some advice embedded in the joke."

Harry was still pondering the significance of Mars having Crabbe's father's wand. He replied to Mars without thinking. "Oh, no probs, Mars. I can take it."

Mars smiled at him. "I should have known. A little teasing is nothing compared to what you've been through." He shifted his gaze to Hermione. "Hermione darlin', don't you let that lowlife Draco Malfoy bother you. I have known many a great witch who was muggleborn. Draco and his family will soon get what's coming to them." He turned and walked back towards his classroom.

All three were lost in their thoughts for a minute or so until Ron reminded them it was time to go to Charms. They were sufficiently distracted by these events that even Hermione paid Professor Flitwick scant attention. Flitwick noticed, and for the first time Harry could remember, Hermione, along with Ron and himself, was given extra homework before the class was dismissed for lunch.

They were eating at the Gryffindor table before Hermione openly broached the subject of Mars and Crabbe.

"Mars was out of order, threatening them like that," she stated.

"Threatening them?" replied Ron incredulously "He was warning them, Hermione. He was a lot nicer than I was about to be."

"Who was threatening who?" asked Ginny, sitting down next to Hermione.

Hermione quickly filled Ginny in. Ginny looked shocked. "You know how Mars got Crabbe's wand, don't you?" Ginny said.

"What do you mean?" asked Ron.

"He must have been the one that killed him," said Harry.

"I don't follow you two," said Hermione.

"In wartime, American wizards take trophies from their defeated opponents. Luna told me about it," said Ginny.

"And I saw Mars take the wands from the wizards that attacked me in the alleyway this summer. I never thought about it until now," added Harry.

"That's just sick!" said Hermione, aghast. "How could someone even think of taunting someone with the death of their parent? It's even worse than that, if it was Mars that killed his father."

"Like Ron said, Hermione, Mars was warning him. He's giving Crabbe and those other two gits one last chance to straighten up before they become Death Eaters and therefore his enemies. I don't remember Snape or even Dumbledore doing that. It's probably the nicest thing a teacher has ever done for them," said a fiercely loyal Harry.

"You have an odd definition of nicest, Harry," retorted Hermione.

"You pick odd people to defend, Hermione," growled Harry.

Ron and Ginny agreed with Harry; that annoyed Hermione so much that she simply answered "Fine!" and stuck her nose in a book for the rest of lunch.

After lunch, the sixth years headed out to Hagrid's cabin for class. When they arrived, Hagrid was talking to the two Slytherin girls in the class. They were looking into a cage as they spoke; when they noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione approaching, all three greeted them brightly.

Ron and Hermione were taken aback by this friendly greeting from Slytherins, but Harry had been told by several of his first year students that Sally-Anne and Blaise were both nice girls who had been bullied into acting unfriendly by the other Slytherins, especially Pansy Parkinson and Malfoy. Not all of Harry's Slytherin students were friendly towards him, but a little more than half were, and they had changed his outlook considerably. Harry quickly returned the girls' salutation. "All right, you lot! What's in the cage?"

Hermione and Ron mumbled a surprised greeting of their own.

"They're mokes, Harry; I'll explain more once the rest o' the class gets here," answered Hagrid. The three looked into the cage, which was full of small tree branches and leaves; on one of the larger branches were four silver-green lizards sunning themselves.

Within a few minutes the Hufflepuffs and the rest of the Gryffindors had arrived, and Hagrid started his lecture.

"Now, these lizards might look all non-magical to yeh, but I can tell yeh that yeh'll work as hard ter catch one as yeh would a unicorn," he said, seeming proud that he had managed this feat.

"How can that be, Hagrid?" asked Hannah Abbot.

"Just yeh watch and see," he answered, and poked a stick into the cage. As the stick neared one of the mokes, the lizard shrank from about eight inches to around a quarter of an inch, and quickly hid under a leaf. The class was impressed.

"Pretty easy ter see why muggles don't know about'em even though the mokes live all around'em. Wizards like ter make their wallets or money pouches out of moke skin because when a thief tries ter steal it they shrink just like the lizard," Hagrid explained. He went on to describe where they live and how to tell them from ordinary lizards at a distance. They finished the class by making a drawing of the mokes and labeling their distinguishing marks.

When class was over, Hagrid invited Harry, Hermione and Ron over to his cabin for some tea before dinner. While they were drinking the tea, Ron brought up the friendliness of the two Slytherin girls in the class.

"What's with Sally-Anne Perkins and Blaise Zabini getting all friendly lately?"

"Yes, it has been a bit odd," added Hermione. "They've both been saying hi to me, and a few of the first year Slytherins have been friendly too, especially, believe it or not, Pansy's little sister Heather."

"Well, ter tell yeh the truth, Sally-Anne an' Blaise have always been nice ter me. They've always apologized for th' way some of the Sytherins spoke to me," said Hagrid.

"I think they have always wanted to be friendly, but they weren't brave enough to talk to the other houses until Mars got here," said Harry.

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.

Harry explained to them what he had learned from his students about Mars making them be friends, and how more than half of his Slytherin kids were quite nice. He admitted to feeling guilty about prejudging them based on their house.

"I still don't get it, though," admitted Ron. "You can't just tell someone they're going to be friends and expected it to happen can you?"

"Mars can be hard to say no to, Ron," said Harry.

"Too right about that yeh are, Harry. When I firs' ran inter Mars since he got back a month or so ago, he was downright scary when I disagreed with'em," said Hagrid, shivering a bit.

"What happened?" all three asked eagerly.

"Well, I was in Tomintoul, spying on the--, er, well, I was, um, taking, er, a hike-" sputtered Hagrid.

"Were you keeping an eye on the giants that the Death Eaters brought back to Britain?" asked Ron as Harry and Hermione grinned at Hagrid.

Hagrid looked surprised but then he just shook his enormous head. "Should've known, as nosy as yeh three are. One day that will do you in, yeh know? But, yeah, I was watchin' the giants. Grawpy came with me, an' we managed to secretly get a few ter join our side. The ones that seemed ter like me an' Olympe before.

"Then, about three days before the start of the term, out of nowhere I hear Mars say from righ' behind me, 'Howdy Hagrid, long time no see, eh, partner?' Me heart nearly stopped, I was so shocked. I hadn't seen Mars since Dumbledore had banished him when he was jus' eighteen an' then, BLAM, he jus' appears out of nowhere in me secret hidin' spot."

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged looks when Hagrid mentioned Mars' banishment. Harry was sure they were thinking the same thing he was - that Hagrid would prove to be a lot easier to get information out on the subject than Bill had been. The three of them sat back to let Hagrid finish his story while they plotted how to get him talk about the banishment.

"I asked 'im what I could do fer 'im, and mentioned that I was bit busy at the moment, but I don't think he listened to a word I said. He just wants to know when I was gonna be back at Hogwarts. I told 'im I hadn't really concerned meself about it, since I was on a real important mission that he was interrupting!

"Then he tells me that the term starts in three days an' that I had better get prepared to start teachin'. I was gettin' annoyed but I kept me temper; Mars was always really nice ter me when he was in school. I told him that Wilhelmina was all set ter cover me classes until I was finished. He jus' looked real cold at me an' said I was ter leave fer Hogwarts right away. He told me ter go find Grawpy an' that he was gonna send us back with a port key. I started t' object but then he turned a small boulder near us into a port key an' told me to get a move on it. I was really mad now. I said t'him that I was on a mission fer Dumbledore an' I wasn't goin' nowhere."

"What did he say to that?" asked Harry.

"He just ignored me again. He said that I had ter be at Hogwarts when the train arrived, an' that his own people would keep on eye on the giants. Then I look him straight in th' eye an' I'm about ter really tell 'im off but I start feelin' weird. Like he's inside me brain, a bit like the dementors when they make you feel depressed, but he was makin' me feel weak. I was so weak I fell to me knees an' then he touches me arm an' fear spreads through my body - I've never been so scared in me life. I was shakin' an' then he tells me I must hurry an' get back t'Hogwarts. I was so terrified I just ran for the port key an' grabbed it. I didn't even have time ter think about poor Grawpy," said Hagrid, who still looked quite shaken by relating the tale.

"What happened to Grawp then?" asked Hermione.

Hagrid swallowed a gulp of tea and said, "When I appeared at Hogwarts I looked around an' all the fear was gone. I had half a mind ter grab the port key an' go back fer Grawp, but then he appeared right next to me. Poor Grawpy couldn't explain how he had got there; another port key, I s'pose. Then I thought about using the port key to go back an' finish m'argument with Mars, but I remembered how terrifyin' his eyes were. I then decided I never wanted to make that ruddy wizard mad at me again. No way will I even think about arguin' with 'im. Sommat spooky about 'im, I tell yeh. He must be okay though; Dumbledore sure likes 'im."

"I wonder why he was so determined for you to be back before the term started?" asked Hermione.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and realized they knew exactly why, but that it would be best to explain it to Hermione without Hagrid around.

"Has he mentioned anything about the incident since?" asked Harry.

"No, nothin'. He has been real nice an' friendly. He even patched things up with Magorian fer me. The centaurs are cordial again, an' they leave Grawpy alone. I'm not sore at Mars any more, but still really confused. Mars has always been a bit weird, but don't mention that I said that. I want ter stay on his good side," answered Hagrid.

"You mentioned Professor Dumbledore banishing Mars years ago. Charlie and Bill had told us about it, but not everything. Wouldn't it be hard to banish a wizard like Mars?" asked Hermione hopefully. Harry and Ron beamed at her.

"Well, they were his best mates, Hermione. I doubt I know more'n them," said Hagrid.

"But you are so close to Dumbledore; I mean, he trusts you more than anyone, right?" Hermione said quickly.

Hagrid chest swelled with pride. "Oh, all right, I did see a few things in person that Ron's brothers mighta missed." He got up to refill the kettle. Harry and Ron both flashed Hermione the thumbs up sign.

"Well, ter start off, you lot gotta know that Mars knew quite a few original members of th' Order of the Phoenix. He was way too young to be in it, even younger than you, but he was still furious when we wouldn't let 'im in," said Hagrid.

"I know the feeling," said Harry hotly.

"Even more'n you think Harry. You-Know-Who murdered Mars' mum almost exactly one year before he killed yehr parents," said Hagrid sadly.

"No!" exclaimed Hermione. Harry was too unnerved to speak.

"Yeah, it was awful. He was just thirteen and saw You-Know-Who finish her off," said Hagrid, sniffling.

Harry's mind raced. Mars really did know how he felt. He and Harry were both famous; they both seemed to be liked and outcast simultaneously by society; and both of them had lost their mums to Voldemort.

"You and Mars sure have a lot in common, Harry," commented Ron. Harry nodded mutely.

Hagrid looked aghast. "Well, I don't about that, but what I was about ter say was that he knew your parents, Harry. Not well, but he met'em a few times."

"Really?" said Harry.

"Yeah, but more important ter this story is someone else that he did know well."

"Who?"

"Sirius Black," said Hagrid plainly.

"Mars knew Sirius?" asked Harry and Ron together.

"Yep; Sirius always said we should've let Mars join up with us, 'specially after his mum was killed. That made Mars really look up to Sirius. Whenever he'd stop by ter see Dumbledore he would always make time to chat with young Mars.

"Well, as you can imagine, Mars was simply distraught when your parents were murdered, Harry. We all were, but he just couldn't accep' that Sirius'd betrayed them. Even with all the evidence an' Dumbledore's personal testimony Mars didn't believe Sirius was guilty," explained Hagrid.

"But how could have he known?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, even Dumbledore and Sirius' best friend Lupin believed he was guilty," added Ron.

"I'm not sure exactly how he knew, but Mars claimed no one that evil coulda fooled him so many times. He said no one could look him in the eye and lie so convincingly," said Hagrid.

"Malfoy sure couldn't; he 'fessed right up to Mars," Harry pointed out.

"Well, Mars was fumin' because no one would listen to him. He raged at Dumbledore so bad I thought fer sure he was gonna get expelled. He even tried to force his way inter the Minister of Magic's office when she didn't answer the owls he sent her," continued Hagrid.

"He did that when he was fifteen?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, he and Millicent Bagnold never got along after that," answered Hagrid.

"Well, what did Mars want them to do? Just set Sirius free? Until he saw that picture of Pedigrew sitting on Ron's shoulder, even Sirius didn't know how to prove his innocence. I mean the Wizengamot's not going to declare him innocent just because Mars doesn't think people can fool him," said Hermione.

"He wanted 'em to give Sirius a chance to at least drink Veritaserum an' show he could be innocent. Mars said there were ways to fool that serum, but at least an inquiry could be started if he passed," said Hagrid.

"Yes, that does make sense. I mean, once he passed the Veritaserum test, surely an excellent and trusted Legilimens could have verified his innocence! Oh, they should have listened to Mars," said Hermione sadly.

Harry was keen to hear more of the story. "Go on, Hagrid," he prompted.

"Well, Mars was never the same. Charlie told me he never saw Mars do any school work his las' three years, even though he got Outstandings on all of his OWLs and NEWTs. It was years before we found out what he was really studyin'," said Hagrid.

"Charlie told us he was learning about Hogwarts Castle's defenses," said Harry.

"Not just the Hogwarts defenses, Harry; all protective wards, sensor charms and such," replied Hagrid.

"What for?" asked Ron.

"I'm gettin' to that," said Hagrid as he took another gulp of tea. Hagrid had grown more excited as his story unfolded. "When he lef' Hogwarts, Mars traveled a bunch. No one really knows where fer sure, but for a while he was in Egypt with your brother Bill, Ron. Dumbledore thought he musta been to South East Asia and Texas for a while also, but I didn't see him fer two years.

"One day me and Dumbledore were in Hogsmeade lookin' fer a birthday present for Professor McGonagall an' Mars jus' walks up out of nowhere like he always does. We were too surprised to say anythin' righ' away, but Mars did. He goes, 'Hi Hagrid, I just wanted to say I always liked you, buddy.' Then he turns to Dumbledore and says 'Old Man, I never thanked you for all you taught me and all you did for me. Sometimes it just takes a while to realize these things. I'm sorry that sometimes I seemed so ungrateful.' He shakes Dumbledore's hand an' I don't think I ever saw the Professor look more proud in his life. Mars then just turned, walked away a bit an' disapparated. I remember it all perfectly because it was the last time I saw him until he found me in Tomintoul last month," said Hagrid and then he took another gulp of tea.

"After a few seconds we wen' inter the store that we were in front of and started lookin' fer presents again. Dumbledore looked like he was thinkin' hard an' after about fifteen minutes he jus' stops dead an' starts talking t' himself. 'I should have known immediately!' he says. Then he tells me ter get back t'Hogwarts righ' away. He then takes out his wand an' righ' before he disapparates he says again t' himself. 'I have to beat him there, I just have to,'" said Hagrid.

"Beat him where?" asked Harry.

Hagrid took a deep breath and put his cup down. He gazed around the table at them and then said quietly, "Azkaban."

Harry, Hermione, and Ron immediately started yelling questions at Hagrid.

"You're joking!"

"He went to break out Sirius?"

"But there were hundreds of dementors there!"

"He went to talk ter Sirius, an' he was right well ready for the dementors. Dumbledore got there, but quite a few minutes behind Mars. He could tell at once that most of the wards had been countered. Dumbledore could also see that Mars was surrounded by dementors, but he noticed that there wasn't nearly as many as he remembered. Mars waved his wand round a bit an' bright white lights shot out, hitting some of the dementors. Each one that got hit withered away into nothin'."

"He killed the dementors?" asked Hermione.

"I think Dumbledore said they were destroyed, not sure if there's a difference. Well, it's my guess that the dementors ain't useta being challenged like that. After they saw so many of their mates destroyed, they apparently decided to cut their losses and run fer it. Mars started walkin' to the cells, but Dumbledore knew he had ter stop him. He hit Mars with the impediment jinx, but it didn't seem to affect him. Mars just turned an' smiled at Dumbledore," said Hagrid, now perched, like the three teenagers, on the edge of his seat.

"It didn't stop him?" asked Hermione breathlessly.

"Nope. Mars said that he had expected Dumbledore, but not this soon. I think he had planned on havin' his talk with Sirius first.

"Me memory gets pretty sketchy round this part. I know Dumbledore tried ter talk some sense inter him, but then a lot of aurors showed up. Apparently, some of the dementors had run off fer help. The first few aurors attacked, but Mars stunned them. Dumbledore then convinced Mars to leave an' let him try to straighten things out before the battle got any worse.

"The Minister was absolutely furious an' wanted Mars dead. But Dumbledore managed to convince both sides ter meet an' talk about a fair trial fer both Mars an' Sirius. I think gettin' Sirius a real trial was the only reason Mars agreed ter a parlay. The Minister had lied ter Dumbledore, however; she had no intention of talkin'. Instead of meeting Mars an' Dumbledore with her aides fer discussion, she sent ten aurors ter kill Mars on sight!"

"She double-crossed Mars?" asked Ron.

"And Dumbledore?" added Hermione.

"Oh yeah, they showed up an' some of 'em cast the Killin' Curse at Mars," said Hagrid.

"They didn't dare!" sputtered Hermione.

"They sure did; Mars somehow managed to dodge the curses an' went inter a rage. He killed five of the aurors an' almos' killed three more before Dumbledore could stop him," answered Hagrid.

Harry couldn't believe his ears. How could a Minister be so corrupt? Ron swore and Hermione put her hands over her mouth nervously.

"Dumbledore was furious. He wen' ter Bagnold an' told her that her only chance at survival was to make a deal immediately. He told her if Mars could waltz righ' inter Azkaban so easily the Ministry would never be able ter protect her. The Minister was very scared. They agreed that a ten-year banishment as a Demon Fighter in the American West was acceptable. I think she only agreed because she thought Mars would never live ten years there. But I am still amazed Dumbledore got Mars ter agree ter leave without getting even with Bagnold or a trial for Sirius."

"I can see why Mars said everyone thought he was a loose cannon," said Harry, amazed.

"Well, he was right the whole time," added Ron.

"But to try and bust out Sirius out on his own? He killed half the guards in Azkaban, it sounds like," said Hermione.

"He tried reasoning with them first, Hermione. You heard Hagrid. It was the right thing to do," replied Ron.

"It was the only thing to do," said Harry. "Sirius was innocent and Mars knew it."

"Well I think we should get moving if we want t' have dinner tonight," suggested Hagrid.

After dinner that evening they let Ginny in on what Hagrid had told them. Harry and Ron also filled the girls in about how Mars had learned how depressed they had been last year when Hagrid hadn't been there to greet them off the Hogwarts Express.

"So you think that's why he dragged Hagrid back from Tomintoul?" asked Ginny.

"It's the only motive that we can come up with," answered Harry.

"That's a pretty extreme measure just to cheer us up," worried Hermione.

"It wouldn't be the first time he had been extreme in doing what he thought was right now, would it?" Ron pointed out.

Chapter Fourteen - Old Hatreds

Illustration link:

[url]http://hpbook6.freewebpage.org/art/nomarks/Hermione_Ron_STOP.jpg[/url]

It was Thursday morning and Ron, Harry and Hermione had finished breakfast early, so they headed down to the dungeons for Double Potions. Ron was just starting his weekly complaint that he and Harry should never have signed up for the NEWT level potions class when they arrived at the classroom. Being early, they didn't expect Snape to have arrived yet, but to their surprise, the door to the classroom was ajar.

"Why is that door open?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, old paranoid Snape never leaves the door unlocked anymore. Let's take a look," said Ron, pushing the door fully open. Hermione's hand went up as though to stop Ron, but she let him enter the room unhindered, and she and Harry followed.

The classroom looked empty. Nervously, the three silently walked to their favorite tables in the back. As soon as they had placed their bags on the floor, however, they heard a noise from behind Snape's desk. They all froze and stared at the desk. Finally, Harry spoke up.

"Who's up there?" he asked.

A familiar red head popped up over the top of the desk. It was attached to the tall, mean and very familiar form of the seventh year girl, Ester Spikes.

"What are you three doing in here without Professor Snape's permission?" she asked nastily.

"We could ask you the same thing, Ester," Hermione countered.

"I doubt it, Granger. I know the three of you have stolen potion ingredients before, but I thought even you lot had more sense than to try it again," sneered the Head Girl.

"We aren't stealing anything! We just came in to take our seats and you know it!" replied Hermione angrily.

"Don't let her goad you into something stupid, Hermione," whispered Ron.

Hermione ignored his hypocrisy and started in on Ester again. "Just what were you doing snooping behind his desk, then?" she demanded.

"I wasn't snooping, Granger, and you'd better watch your attitude. You get into any more trouble and I might just have to recommend you be suspended as a prefect.

"I left something here from class yesterday, if that's any of your business. Just be glad I'm in a good mood so you lot escape without detention," snarled Ester. She turned up her nose and left the room.

"You would think a mare like her would be better at lying," said Hermione viciously.

Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.

A few minutes later Snape walked in, with the Slytherin students behind him. He seemed surprised to see the three of them already seated, but he only acknowledged their presence with a scowl. The rest if the class piled in and Snape addressed them.

"Settle down," he needlessly ordered the silent students. "Today we will be mixing a difficult but very useful potion that any alchemist worth his salt will always have on hand. It is the Extinguishing Draught, and as its name implies, it will put out just about any fire, even most magical ones." Snape pointed his wand at the board and a long list of ingredients and instructions appeared. "You have one hour before I test your potions on the fireplace."

Harry read the instructions with great care. He didn't want to give Snape the satisfaction of giving him zero marks for the day again.

About halfway through the class, Snape announced that the potions should be thickening and sky blue in color. Harry's looked very close to that description; Hermione's was perfect, of course, but Ron's was a bit off. Its blue color was a little too deep, and it was not thickening at all. Harry saw Hermione whisper a few instructions to Ron out of the side of her mouth.

At the end of the hour Snape called the students up to his desk one by one to test the potions. Most of them managed to put out the fire. After each test, Snape would mark his register and the student would leave. By the time Ron's potion was tested, only the three of them and Padma Patil were still in the classroom.

Snape took Ron's sample flask and looked at it. The color and consistency perfectly matched Snape's requirements. He flicked his wand, said "Evanesco," and the flask vanished.

"I saw Miss Granger helping you, Weasley. Tsk, tsk. I normally expect better from prefects, but with you I have become accustomed to sub-par work and rule-breaking. Zeros for all three of you, and be thankful I don't give you detention for cheating!" said Snape acidly.

Ron hung his head in shame, but Harry spoke up quickly. "No one helped me, Professor! I was very careful and followed the instructions exactly," he pleaded.

Snape just sneered at him.

"He's telling the truth professor," said Hermione desperately. "I didn't help Harry at all and I only gave Ron a few hints. He's getting quite good at -"

"Silence! Why should I believe you for anything, Miss Granger? You've already shown your deceitfulness by cheating with Weasley here and with Longbottom earlier. Don't try to deny it now!" Snape thundered. "Ester told me all about you insulting me behind my back, and then you went and convinced that criminal Mars to override her punishments!" Snape was breathing heavily and glaring frighteningly at Hermione. "You'd better not count on that freak to keep baling you out; it won't be long until he's got himself killed or thrown out of Britain again, and then where will you be? Just a loud mouthed know-it-all who thinks she's special because she hangs around Harry Potter."

Hermione looked petrified--Snape had never been so belligerent with her before--but Harry had suffered Snape's venomous abuse many times, and he was not about to let him treat Hermione the same way. "Leave her alone," he shouted. "She didn't ask Mars to cancel her detention. And you've got some nerve calling him a criminal."

Snape turned his gaze to Harry. "What's that suppose to mean, Potter?" he challenged.

"He means a Death Eater like you has no business calling anyone else a criminal!" interjected Ron. "Don't you dare insult him again. You sadistic, foul -"

"Enough!" shouted Snape. "It's obvious that Mars' insanity has rubbed off on the lot of you. We're going straight to McGonagall's office."

"I told you not to insult Mars!" shouted Ron, stepping forward aggressively. Hermione grabbed Ron's robe to hold him back, but he ignored her, pulling her forward with him.

"Weasley, do you realize that threatening a teacher results in an automatic expulsion?" asked Snape in a disgustingly delighted voice.

"You've been threatening us for years and Dumbledore still lets you cower here away from your old Death Eater pals," said Harry, as he stepped up shoulder to shoulder with Ron.

Snape had reached his boiling point; he went for his wand. Harry and Ron followed suit and then all three had their wands locked into position, staring poison at each other.

"Oh, Ron, don't! Please don't. Oh, Harry, stop this," pleaded Hermione.

Just as the tension seemed about to boil over into disaster, Padma Patil burst into the room, clutching Professor Flitwick by his robes. Harry didn't remember seeing her leave, but obviously she had run off at the first sign of trouble to get her Head of House.

Flitwick looked at the situation, squeaked, "Oh my!" and then with astonishing speed pulled out his wand and said, "Impedimenta!," knocking Harry and Ron flat on their backs, unable to move.

Snape put his wand away, looking furious at having missed his chance to curse them.

"Miss Patil, Granger: go back to your common rooms," sneered Snape though his yellow teeth. "Professor Flitwick, if you would be so kind to escort these two miscreants to McGonagall's office, I will go and fetch her."

He then spun and swooped bat-like out of the room.

Flitwick said very little on their trip to McGonagall's office. Once they arrived he merely ushered them inside, left, and closed the door behind him.

Harry felt very depressed. He and Ron had actually pulled their wands on a teacher; but Snape had pulled his first, dammit! But Harry knew Snape wouldn't tell it that way, and Snape would be the only one the other teachers would listen to. He sighed heavily.

"We're expelled for sure, mate," said Ron gloomily.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish I could have hexed Snape first. I mean, if you're gonna get expelled, you might as well earn it," said Harry wryly.

Ron let out a gruff laugh. "Well, I'm not sorry I said what I did. I'm not going to let him talk to Hermione that way. Someone had to stand up to him. I can't believe Dumbledore lets a gargoyle like that even teach us!" said Ron angrily.

Ron's outburst rekindled Harry's own anger. All these years Snape had been so horrible to everyone but Slytherins, but no one had ever stood up to him. Even when Snape tried to get Sirius and Lupin murdered by the dementors, Dumbledore had only fixed the situation by sleight of hand; he had not confronted Snape at all. Harry remembered that there had been one person who confronted Snape for his abuse: Sirius. All these powerful wizards and witches around, and only Sirius was brave enough to call Snape on his sadism. Harry was disgusted.

"You're spot on. Snape only gets away with this because people let him. Sometimes you've got to suffer the consequences for doing the right thing," replied Harry.

The two of them stewed for about twenty minutes before Professor McGonagall came into the office. Her mouth was very thin, and her eyes were full of anger as she glared at them. Harry did not wince, but merely stared back at her. He already knew he was going to be expelled, and he didn't plan to go out cowering.

"I have never heard of such behavior from a Gryffindor in all my years at Hogwarts!" said McGonagall icily. "How dare you insult and then threaten a teacher? This is simply unprecedented. You two have pushed the limits before, but how could you even think of doing something like this?"

"He was abusing Hermione!" cried Ron fiercely.

"What do you mean, Weasley?"

"I mean he was insulting her and yelling at her. He enjoys abusing his students, and what do you do about it?" answered Ron.

"That's enough, Weasley! Severus told me he caught you three cheating and was chastising you for it. I was quite shocked to hear that Miss Granger would do such a thing."

"We weren't cheating. She was helping me with a few things for my potion. It's not like it was a test. Every other Professor encourages the students to help each other learn," objected Ron.

"It is not up to you to decide how a Professor instructs his class! You lot knew perfectly well she was not allowed to help you with that potion," snapped McGonagall.

Ron lowered his head in defeat. Harry, however, was still ready to go out swinging. "How about his abuse, huh? Hermione didn't help me at all and he still insisted that I cheated. It didn't matter what I did, he was going to give me a zero because he hates me!"

McGonagall's anger seemed to abate some at this.

"Now, Potter, I know Professor Snape does bear you some animosity, and he is harsh with you and your friends, but that does not give you the right to threaten him," she said, more kindly.

"But he was insulting Mars," Ron cried. "He called him a freak, a criminal, and said he was insane. He knows how much Mars means to us; I mean he saved half of my family's lives and Harry's too. Snape would NEVER have said that stuff to Mars' face!"

McGonagall looked surprised for a moment, but quickly recovered. "I think we all can agree that Professor Mars is quite capable of taking care of his own honor, Weasley. From now on you two should let him handle his own disputes with Severus."

Harry now joined Ron in lowering his head in defeat.

"As for your punishments, you will lose fifty points each for Gryffindor. You both have twenty days detention, and I am suspending you from the first Quidditch match. That seemed the only punishment that got your attention last year, Potter," said McGonagall sharply.

Harry was speechless. She had not said the word "expelled!"

"You mean we're not expelled, Professor?" asked Ron timidly.

"Not this time, Mr. Weasley. Let there be no doubt, however, that the leniency that Dumbledore and I have shown you two more than balances out the the harshness that you claim comes from Professor Snape. I must warn you not to expect any more such mercy. This is the second time that the two of you have committed an act that would have normally called for expulsion. Rest assured that my patience is at an end with your rule breaking.

"You have missed lunch for the day. I know your next class is Transfiguration, but I am not in the mood to deal with you two any more today. You can go ahead and get started on your first detention by cleaning out the Owlery with Mr Filch. I'll make sure there is some dinner left for you in the Great Hall when you're done, and then you are to go straight to your Common Room afterward. Understand?"

They both nodded.

Ron and Harry hurried out of her office and headed towards the Owlery. As soon as they thought they were far enough away, they exhaled deeply in relief.

"Dodged a bit of jinx there, didn't we?" asked Ron.

"Too true. Mind you, we still got a lot of punishments," added Harry.

"Better than being expelled," offered Ron.

"Do you think your mum will send us both Howlers?" asked Harry nervously.

Ron looked terrified at the thought.

Cleaning the Owlery was hard and distasteful work, but Harry smiled the entire time. So did Ron, in fact, and this truly annoyed Filch, who spent the whole time trying to upset them, without effect: they had done the right thing, they were now suffering the consequences for it, but they had stood up to Snape's bullying and they were still in school. The feeling was almost as good as winning a Quidditch match.

When they had finished with the Owlery and washed up, Ron and Harry headed to the Great Hall, where roast beef and ham sandwiches waited for them. After having their fill of sandwiches and pumpkin juice, they walked wearily up to the Gryffindor Common Room. They were tired but undaunted as they gave the Fat Lady the password and walked in.

Most of the Gryffindors were still up, and they all looked at Harry and Ron nervously as the boys entered and shut the painting behind them. Two figures came streaking at them from near the fireplace, Ginny and Hermione, both looking worried and miserable. It was quite obvious that they had been crying.

"Were you two -" asked Hermione.

"Expelled?" finished Ginny.

Harry looked down at Ginny and smiled. He said toothily, "No, we just lost a lot of points and got loads of detentions."

The room erupted in celebration. Ginny launched herself onto Harry and Hermione threw her arms around Ron. The embraces lasted almost a minute before the girls lead them over to the best chairs by the fire.

Neville, Katie, Mary, Dean, and Mark Evans joined them to hear the rest of the story from Harry and Ron. When they finished, everyone except Hermione looked delighted; Hermione, however, looked concerned.

"I am so proud of you both for standing up to him," said Ginny. "He's been absolutely horrible to me all year. Much worse than before."

"That's because he knows your family is so close with Mars, Ginny," said Dean. "You can tell he hates Mars with every ounce of his body, but he knows better than to mess with him, so he abuses students close to Mars."

"What a coward," thundered Ron. "He fancies himself such an important and powerful wizard but he picks on students while he cowers from Mars."

They all laughed, again with the exception of Hermione.

"Harry, Ron. No one is more happy and relieved that you two weren't expelled than me, but you mustn't do anything like this again," Hermione said desperately. "Just ignore Snape! I know he's completely horrible to us, but I-I just don't know what I would do if you two weren't at Hogwarts with us. Please, please don't lose your tempers with Snape again. Promise me," Hermione pleaded.

Harry looked at Ron. They both felt guilty for scaring Hermione, but Harry just couldn't promise not to do the right thing again. Ever since he had heard what Mars had risked to free Sirius, he had felt emboldened. His and Ron's defiant stand against Snape's abuse had encouraged him further. Not only had they managed to emerge relatively unscathed, but they were now being treated as heroes. Harry didn't want to give up this feeling. He could not decide how to answer Hermione's plea; fortunately he was spared the necessity by the entrance of an unexpected guest. Parvati and Lavender had just been leaving for the baths, towels and toiletries in hand, when they opened the door and squealed in surprise.

"Mars!" they yelled, and attached themselves to him for a hug.

"Hello, girls," said Mars with his typical enormous grin. "You've got the Whisper Charm down for tomorrow, don't you?"

They both nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, then, I'll see you in class," said Mars as he let go of them and headed inside.

Mark Evans and Katie Bell both ran up to him in greeting. Mark and Mars exchanged a weird handshake; Harry had no idea what it meant, but it seemed to thrill Mark. Katie gave Mars an enormous hug, and the three of them walked over to the fireplace.

"Well, I've heard a lot about you two today. Most of it seemed quite extraordinary, so I figured I would come by and get the story straight from the horse's mouth. Would you mind filling me in?" asked Mars.

Harry and Ron both nodded nervously.

Mars then took out his wand and said "Elicio!" and a beautiful red leather coach appeared behind him. He sat down on it and invited Katie and Mark to join him. They complied, and he looked at Harry and Ron and spoke.

"I am sure you are tired of talking about it, but I really need to know everything that happened. I spoke with Padma and Minerva, but most of Minerva's knowledge came from Snape's side. Don't spare my feelings, you never have to fear telling me the truth."

Harry and Ron started their tale from the point where Snape destroyed Ron's sample. Hermione helped them in a few spots to describe the argument that had followed. They finished by telling Mars how good they had felt about standing up to Snape, no matter the consequences. Harry really wanted to relate his feelings about Mars' attempted rescue of Sirius, but he knew it would be a bad idea with so many other Gryffindors listening.

Mars looked moved. Harry could swear he saw a tear glimmer in one eye. Mars leaned back and put a fatherly arm around Mark, who was sitting next to him.

"Boys, you have shown yourselves to be true Apprentices of Mars. Your loyalty and bravery are to be commended. You knew Snape was wrong to abuse Hermione like that, and you stood right up to him. There is no finer thing than to defend what is right. I am so proud of you," he said.

"Those who show loyalty to me will always be rewarded. NEVER forget that. Now tell me the punishments that Minerva gave you," requested Mars.

"We both got twenty days detention; we served the first one this evening; and lost fifty points each for Gryffindor. Oh and we're both are suspended from our first Quidditch match," Harry related. Ron nodded in agreement.

"Twenty days? That's a lot of lost studying time," said Mars thoughtfully. "I must see about that. And your first Quidditch match. It's against Slytherin, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," answered Ron.

"And Severus suggested that punishment to Minerva once the Headmaster refused to let you two be expelled," stated Mars.

"Dumbledore was involved?" asked Harry.

"Oh yes, Severus called a bunch of the teachers together for the discussion, but for some reason I wasn't notified," Mars smirked. "Luckily Padma came by my office and told me a few things."

Harry and Ron both gripped their hands in fists. Harry thought it was just typical of Snape to try something underhanded to help Slytherin win the Quidditch Cup.

"Yes, yes. I will speak to a few teachers about this," said Mars as he stood up. "Don't think this mess gets you out of your homework on the Whisper Charm."

Harry and Ron both gaped in surprise.

"Don't look at me like that. Hermione and Ginny here got the spell down pat during class. It's not that difficult; however, if you're polite maybe they," Mars pointed at the two girls, "will assist you with it. I promise not to get abusive for having other students help you," he grinned. He said good night to everyone and left the Common Room.

Ginny stood up and grabbed Harry by the hand, pulling him out of the chair. "C'mon, we can go to the other side of the room and send messages to Ron and Hermione over here. You should be able to pick it up in no time," said Ginny brightly.

While Ginny's idea was good, it didn't seem to be working. After an hour, neither Harry nor Ron had managed to cast the spell correctly. Harry was about to give up, and dispute Mars' claim that girls didn't have an advantage casting it, when Ginny and he heard Ron's voice whisper, "I'll never cast this stupid spell."

Ginny and Harry both yelped in triumph and Harry then redoubled his efforts. After a few more tries, Harry, too, cast the charm correctly. It took about fifteen more minutes of practicing before they could cast the spell to Hermione's satisfaction. Once she sounded her approval, the four exhausted students went straight to bed.

The next morning, Harry and Ron met the girls in the Common Room and they headed down to breakfast together. As soon as they entered the Great Hall, Harry knew something was up. Normally only a few teachers would be there eating breakfast, but today it seemed almost all of them were present. The oddest part was that Dumbledore and Mars were among them. Dumbledore rarely had breakfast with the students, and Mars never ate in the Hall except for feasts. He had told Harry that he didn't like the food, which made Harry decide Charlie was right about his awful taste in food.

Mars gave them a friendly wave and went back to talking to Dumbledore. They seemed to be in the midst of a friendly argument, because both were talking fast and gesticulating frequently.

"Oh, no," said Hermione. "Professor McGonagall is coming this way, and she doesn't look pleased."

Harry agreed with Hermione's assessment: McGonagall looked quite annoyed when she reached them.

"Potter, Weasley, after further discussions with the staff there have been some adjustments to your punishments," she said shortly.

Harry worked hard not to smile. Suddenly he felt a familiar sensation; it was the same one he'd while on the Hogwarts Express, but much fainter. He was positive someone was watching him closely - spying on him. He looked around to see if he could determine who it was and how they were doing it, but with hundreds of students in the Great Hall, he had no idea where to start.

"Professor Mars," McGonagall said, glaring at Harry, "seemed to think that the twenty days of detention would put you too far behind in your studies. Instead, you will have two days of detention with Professor Mars, working on extra homework he has devised. Wipe that smile off your face, Weasley! You're still in a lot of trouble!" she snapped.

Ron quickly did his best to straighten his features.

"The Quidditch suspension has also been lifted. But you will still both lose fifty points for Gryffindor," she said firmly, and turned to leave.

A gentle breeze then ruffled their hair and McGonagall's, and they heard Mars' voice whisper, "Minerva, haven't you forgotten something?"

Professor McGonagall wrinkled her nose and turned back to the table. "There is one more thing: the four of you, and select students from other houses, will temporarily regard Professor Mars as your Head of House."

They gaped in surprise.

"The Headmaster has decided the special curriculum being followed requires this." McGonagall then turned to face the staff table defiantly and said, "Will that suffice, Professor?"

Seconds later they again felt the gentle wind and heard Mars whisper, "Yes, Minerva, that was excellent. Thank you so much for your cooperation."

Then, with all the dignity she could manage, Professor McGonagall turned and walked quickly out of the Great Hall.

The teenagers sat in silence for a full minute before they could recover from the surprise of McGonagall's pronouncements. Harry was about say something about the reductions in their punishments when Mars walked over to them.

"Well, I think that set of punishments is a lot more in line, don't you all?" he asked.

Harry and Ron both agreed enthusiastically, but Hermione looked bothered. Mars must have noticed, because he asked her, "What's troubling you, Hermione? Be honest, now."

"I understand why you got their punishments reduced, but was there any reason to humiliate Professor McGonagall? It's not her fault Professor Snape is so horrible to us," said Hermione.

"I didn't mean for her to feel humiliated, but she insisted on delivering the message instead of letting me do it. If she was going to be the messenger, she needed to make sure all the information was passed on.

"And I would, however, argue that she does bear some of the blame for Snape's behavior. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore have done very little to curb Snape's bullying or his complete negligence in steering Slytherins away from the dark side. We are at war, Hermione; I don't always have the luxury of sparing someone's feelings," answered Mars.

Hermione looked mollified and nodded at Mars.

"Thanks, Mars!" said Ron. "Hopefully, we can get that one hundred points back during our first quidditch match."

"Oh yes, the points. I knew I had forgotten something. We seem to be out of salt and pepper at the staff table. Ron, could you pass me the salt, Harry, the pepper, please?" asked Mars pleasantly.

Ron and Harry looked confused but passed him the spices.

"Thank you so much. Excellent job. Worth, I'd say, forty points for Gryffindor each, yes, I think that will do. I'll see you in class this afternoon," said Mars as he headed back to the staff table.

"Mars," called Ginny before he could leave. "How did you know what she said to us? Her back was turned to you, you couldn't have read her lips."

"A simple spell that I may show your class later: The Listening Charm. Like the Whisper Charm, it can cause a lot of trouble, but it's great for nearby eavesdropping. However, it does have a flaw. Some witches and wizards have the talent to feel when it's being cast upon them. The better the caster, the harder it is to tell, but you shouldn't count on it always being undetected," Mars answered, and then he left.

Most of the students at the Gryffindor table were chatting excitedly about getting eighty of their points back, but Harry thought back to his feelings of being watched on the Hogwarts Express. The feeling then had been much stronger, so the caster must have been less experienced than Mars. Apparently some student already knew the charm, and was very interested in what Harry had been saying to his friends.

Later that day, after Charms, Harry, Ron and Hermione ran into Ginny and the four of them headed down a corridor that led to the courtyard where they usually spent their break. They had just turned around a sharp corner when they stepped back in surprise; Professor Snape was standing in the middle of the hallway, looking down at them.

"So Potter, Weasley. You two think you can hide behind Mars to escape your just punishments, do you?" he sneered.

"They didn't ask Mars to help them," interjected Hermione.

"I wasn't talking to you, but if I ever need help in cheating on an assignment I'll make sure to ask," said Snape acidly.

Hermione bit her lip nervously. Snape returned his gaze to Harry.

"Mars can be a convenient ally for rogues, but his friendship carries a heavy price," said Snape.

"What are you hinting at?" asked Ron hotly.

"I'm saying, Weasley, that your beloved Texan is playing the four of you for fools, just like he did your brothers years ago."

"Oh you'll have to do better than that," Harry laughed snidely.

"I'm trying to warn you how he operates, Potter. I'll admit Mars is cunning and powerful, but his most prevalent characteristic is his ruthlessness. I know the lot of you think he's some kind of guardian angel, but his good works are all done for the purpose of manipulating people, and are more than canceled out by his crimes.

"In the middle of his most infamous crime, he was foiled by the aurors who chased him off, but later they caught up to him and Mars murdered half of them. He would have killed the lot, but Dumbledore stopped him."

"That was self-defense! They tried to kill him first, and you know it!" shouted Ron angrily.

"And it was no crime. Sirius was innocent. Sending him to Azkaban without a trial was the real crime," added Harry.

Snape's eyes flickered with recognition and he spoke in a low voice. "I see he has told you his twisted version of the events. He must have his hooks buried very deep inside you."

"But he didn't tell the story, Hagrid did," Hermione protested.

For just a single second Snape looked fearful, but it faded. He took a deep breath and spoke again. "Therein, Miss Granger, lies an example of the extreme power of Mars' manipulation and corruption."

"You're speaking nonsense," said Harry derisively.

"Am I, Potter? Hagrid will have heard the story from Dumbledore, since he witnessed neither the breakout attempt nor the slaying of the aurors. While a powerful wizard like Dumbledore has always been able to resist the temptation of the Dark Side, he has met his match with the corruption of Mars. Dumbledore, for all his greatness, does have a glaring weakness that Mars immediately attacked. His willingness to trust those whom most find untrustworthy," said Snape.

"Isn't that funny," said Harry scathingly. "Mars said the same thing about you."

"Naturally he did. Don't be such a fool, Potter. I am one of the few smart enough to see through Mars' disguise and brave enough to stand up to him. Dumbledore's trusting nature let him fall under Mars' spell.

"Mars has made a tremendous effort to bewitch the four of you. His tools of manipulation are many and powerful. He has endless wealth, powerful magic lore, a golden tongue, and freakish powers to tempt you into his fold. He has worked very hard to make you part of his faithful following.

"With you, Potter, he knew how you longed for someone who understood your situation. Your isolation made you weak to his promises, and his empathy told him which buttons to press. I imagine you were the easiest to control."

"Control?" sputtered Harry. "He saved my life twice! Without him, my relatives, who were under Voldemort's control, would have drugged me and turned me over to the Death Eaters."

Snape snarled, "Didn't you ever think that he could be the one who put them under the curse in the first place? He needed to move you away from Dumbledore's protection and put you under his own. Once you were with the Weasleys, you were grateful to him; and his influence over members of that family is long established."

Harry didn't know what to think. He didn't want to believe what Snape was saying, but there was a horrifying logic to it.

"You lie!" shouted Ron. "Mars would never hurt Harry."

"Oh, I agree with that, Weasley," replied Snape with relish. "Mars needs Potter for his plans, but anyone who gets in his way is fair game to this ruthless killer. Potter's muggle relatives mean nothing to him.

"You and your sister had your bloodlines going against you in fighting his bewitchment. Your two oldest brothers could never resist anything Mars suggested, and while your mother looked as though she had thrown off his spell, she quickly succumbed to his power once Mars returned.

"You, Granger, were the only one who stood a real chance of avoiding his domination. Being muggleborn, you had no links to his past and did not suffer from the Dark Lord's reign. But he still knew how to seduce you. Greedy for knowledge, you were an easy target for his extensive magical lore. He also learned of your pathetic ideas on house-elf emancipation and pretended he cared. You fell for his act completely."

Hermione looked almost in tears as she answered. "But he saved me and my parents," she whispered.

"You mean he said he did. Most likely he jinxed your car just enough to scare you and then later claimed credit for stopping the attack," sneered Snape.

"You're lying!" shouted Ginny, in tears. "You just hate Mars because he's exposed you for the fraud you are." She pointed her finger at him accusingly.

"Ginny, no, we swore an oath," said Harry quickly. He feared Ginny was about to accuse Snape of being the spy that Mars had discovered.

"Just what are you implying?" demanded Snape as he glared down at Ginny.

Ginny looked at Harry, and he shook his head at her, thinking, "No, don't mention the spy."

She inhaled loudly and then shrieked at Snape, "I hate you!" Then she stormed passed him.

"C'mon, lets get away from him before I'm ill," said Harry as he grabbed Ron and Hermione by the arms and turned back down the corridor he had just come from.

"Granger, you think about what I said. You're supposed to have brains inside that bushy head of yours. Use them now before it's too late," Snape called after them.