Learning to Vanquish

Chapter Four

Summer's End

They met Snape the next morning in front of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Hermione was already there. She looked pale and tired, but smiled at the boys when she saw them.

He led them into the bathroom and back to the entrance of the Chamber without speaking. Harry noticed that neither Ron nor Hermione seemed interested in talking; the journey was silent. When they got there, Snape whirled around to face them. "We will need to concentrate on what we are doing in here today. The most dangerous part of the collection is finished; however, what is left can still be harmful if you are not careful. Don your protective gear now and don't take it off for any reason."

They ate lunch quietly outside the Chamber after spending the morning disassembling the skeleton and collecting the internal organs. They had found out that, although not as poisonous as its venom, a basilisk's blood is also painful to touch. After lunch, they continued with their task, finally finishing in the late afternoon. They helped Snape carry everything back to his office but, when Harry went to leave with the others, Snape asked him to stay back. Ron and Hermione both said their good-byes and left.

Snape sat down at his desk, looking at Harry as if he were an interesting but dangerous item. "Mr. Potter," he finally said. "There is no record of that book anywhere in this universe. If it is from the other universe you visited last month, we cannot identify anything about it."

Harry thought. He was afraid if he let Snape and Dumbledore have the book, he wouldn't get it back. On the other hand, they would continue to worry and focus on the book; they all had better things to focus on. He finally sighed. "I don't mind you looking at the book, but I want it back. It's the best of the three books I have now for explaining how to do the initial steps of both Occlumency and Legilimency. I, er, have a way of talking to the Sirius of that universe; he has the same book and has used it as an Auror. It isn't dangerous, even if using it may be." Harry held his breath to see how Snape would react.

"You can communicate with the other universe?" Snape looked shocked.

"Yes, at least to Sirius," Harry said.

"Not letters or other documents?"

"No, at least it's not set up that way. Why?"

"My," Snape trailed off, a very intense look on his face. "The Severus Snape of that universe is a researcher of some renown, correct?" When Harry nodded, Snape continued, "Their world is ahead of us in some ways, behind in others. Collaboration between the two would benefit both. Can you see where I'm going with this?"

Yes, it was pretty obvious what Snape had in mind. Thinking about it, Harry couldn't really disagree with the idea. "Yes, I do. The only problem is that it would involve reading and transcribing . . ."

"Or adjusting the current line of communication," Snape interrupted. "Would you be willing to ask the question? To allow documents to be passed back and forth."

Harry decided his life had finally gone totally mad. "Why don't you come with me? If you promise to be nice to that Sirius, I'll let you sit there while I ask him. I'll even let you discuss ways and means. If you promise." The feeling that he had the ability to deny something to the potions master was heady.

Snape nodded absently, collecting several more rolls and a stack of books. When he found himself unable to hold them all, he thrust the overflow at Harry, who took them bemusedly. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower. Once back in the common room, Harry dumped his armful on one of the tables and picked up the mirror. He called for Sirius and waited.

Tonight, it took almost ten minutes and several calls before Sirius's face showed in the mirror. He was sporting a black eye and looked rather bedraggled. "What happened to you?" Harry said, the Sirius's appearance making him momentarily forget why he had contacted him.

"We had to go after a group of the Knights of Walpurgis," Sirius answered breezily. "They were causing trouble, tormenting Muggles and all, and we had to take them into custody. What's up?"

"I told Professor Snape about our communication link," Harry told him. "He wants to know if it's possible to change it so that documents can be sent through. I don't want to lose the link in the process, though; it's been really helpful."

Sirius grinned. "You should have heard Sniv, er, Severus rage that I hadn't discussed the mirrors with anyone here before you left. He had an idea, but we'll need your help to activate the change."

Harry nodded. "It won't interfere, will it?"

"It won't," Sirius confirmed. "All you have to do is leave the connection open and have a stack of parchment next to your mirror. I'll cast a spell on mine which should flow to yours." Harry sat, on edge, waiting for Sirius. He could dimly hear a spell being cast, but couldn't make out the words. He suddenly realized that Snape had come up behind him and was watching over his shoulder. "Can you see and hear me?" Sirius asked some time later.

Harry grinned. "Loud and clear," he said.

"Step back, and we'll see if we can send a document through the connection." Harry did so and the top sheet of the stack of parchment he had placed next to the mirror quickly filled up with writing.

"It worked!" he shouted. Opening the scroll, he read, "Never say never." "Because never is a very long time," he finished the quotation out loud. "This is wicked!"

Snape leaned over Harry's shoulder. "Black, how does it work the other way?" There was none of the contempt and derision Harry was used to hearing when Snape talked to Sirius. His voice wasn't friendly but it wasn't nasty either.

"You place whatever you want to send on top of the mirror, tap it and say Transport. We didn't see any reason to make it complicated," Sirius added.

Snape looked over at his stack of parchment rolls and books. Harry could see what the man wanted, and realized he wouldn't ask for it. "Sir, why don't you get your things in order and send them over through the evening. Sirius," he said through the mirror, "for this, the mirror doesn't have to be attended, does it?"

"No, which is just as well, I think," Sirius answered. "It looks to me like some things, and people, are very much the same between universes. Do your worst, Severus, but I'm going to bed. Good night, Harry, and pleasant dreams."

"You, too," Harry grinned. "Good night, Professor. You will leave the mirror where it is, won't you?"

"Yes, yes," Snape answered distractedly. "I should start with the Sleeping Draught he sent, it's a very interesting formulation . . ." Harry climbed the stairs to his dorm and bed, leaving Snape muttering to himself.

When Harry walked into the common room the next morning, Snape had left. There were two notes lying on the table next to the mirror. The first one was from McGonagall, reminding him of their appointment later that morning. The other was one of the more surprising letters he had ever read.

Mr. Potter, it read.

I must thank you for the opportunity to work with competent researchers, even if that collaboration cannot be face-to-face. I will be asking your indulgence in the future to send additional documents to them and to deliver their findings to me.

I took the book from which you obtained the exercise you used yesterday. I wish to thoroughly review all information in it. I should be able to return it to you no later than tomorrow morning.

While reviewing this book, it occurred to me that we are working with incomplete information. Make a list of every time you have been aware of the Dark Lord's activities that you can remember, every time in which your mood has been affected by his and the physical sensations, including pain, you have experienced. I will be discussing this paper with Professor Dumbledore; we both believe the connection between the Dark Lord and yourself may be affected by both Occlumency and Legilimency in ways we do not yet understand.

Finally, it has been brought to my attention that the connection, when activated, causes you some physical discomfort. Make another list of all occasions in which the connection became active and the physical reactions you experienced. Included in this list should be all examples that occurred while you were asleep and any relation to surrounding dreams.

I believe the other universe's mongrel wishes to speak with you when you awaken.

S. Snape

Harry stared at the letter in disbelief. Snape had thanked him? It even appeared the thanks were both genuine and sincere. Mind-boggling. Harry wondered what researches Snape would be pursuing, but decided he didn't much care. Snape appeared to have decided that the book wasn't dangerous; as long as he got it back, Harry decided not to complain.

Two more papers to write! And that was in addition to the one he was writing on his experience in the other universe, which he still hadn't finished. At least he wouldn't be graded on them, Harry thought in relief, but Snape wanted a lot of information. After thinking about it for a moment, he decided he could enjoy the writing and vent all of the anger he had built up in them. It didn't give a specific time to have them finished; he could wait until it was convenient. And he decided that pain so excruciating that you had to vomit would be considered "some physical discomfort".

With those thoughts whirling around in his head, he activated the mirror. Sirius's head came into view almost immediately; he looked a lot better today. The black eye was gone and it looked like he'd had a good night's sleep.

"Good morning, Sirius," he said. "You look better today."

"Amazing what some sleep can do for a bloke. Mind you, Snivellus didn't want to leave me alone, but the growls finally got loud enough to send him off."

"Why didn't Snape want to leave you alone? And how could he get to you?"

Sirius chuckled. "Your Snape left me alone quite nicely. Sent a ton of stuff through, but I didn't have to sit there while he did. No, it was mine who was causing the problems. He wanted me to extend the mirror to allow objects to be sent through." When Harry looked interested, Sirius shook his head. "I think we've reached the limits of the mirrors. Anything more is just too disruptive. It's going on a list of research subjects, but it's low down on the priority list."

"You have a list of research subjects about alternate universes?" Harry asked, fascinated. He thought he'd like to see that list.

"Apparently, that's been in existence for a while. When Lily's supervisor got back from holiday, he almost cried when he found out we'd had a counterpart of someone here from another universe, and you'd left before he could, er, interview you. Lily and Snape have been put on alternate universe studies nearly full-time now.

"No, the list I'm talking about is the one pertaining to you specifically." Sirius stopped and looked like he was gathering himself up to say something awful. "You go through your life thinking that things aren't terrible but aren't so great either. Then, some kid, who looks like a boy you know and love, tells you that if one thing had changed, your life and the lives of those you love would have been hellish." Sirius's eyes were very far away now. "I would have spent twelve years of my life, twelve years in which I've had a lot of fun by the way, in the worst place I know of, reliving my worst memories, losing my good memories, losing my sanity I think. Of the four friends I'm closest to from my childhood, two would be dead, one a traitor and one would have had to live alone and close to the edge. My godson, who is the most important person in my life, would have grown up an orphan, unloved and with a destiny hanging over his head I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."

Sirius sighed. "It's hitting all of us here this way. We're feeling incredibly lucky that our Tom Riddle died while experimenting. Turns out no one's really certain what killed him; he didn't keep any notes and the condition of his body didn't give any clues. So, our Tom Riddle had a moment of carelessness, or yours had a moment of clarity. Your life is shite and ours looks like paradise to you. It's not official, but we are going to give you whatever help we can. Don't be surprised when we come up with ideas; we're working on it. Incidentally, our Harry is too. He's never wanted for anything, had everything he's ever wanted handed to him on a platter, and he's never really appreciated it. Seeing what kind of person you are, with how little you have, was a rather loud wake-up call; he's actually working on studies this summer." Sirius suddenly grinned. "You wouldn't believe how thrilled Lily is; she's been trying to get him to take school seriously for years."

The depth of emotion Harry heard in Sirius's voice made him choke up. There was no way he'd ever be able to thank these people just for the understanding that things were hard, much less all of the help they were trying to give him. Instead, he said lightly, "He can't take school seriously; you're at home."

Sirius blinked for a moment, and then roared in laughter. "And to top it all off, you have an appropriately warped sense of humor. Let's leave the humor aside for a minute," Sirius continued, his eyes sparkling. "Your Snape is supposed to ask you to write out everything you can think of both about your connection to Riddle and the Occlumency lessons. Don't put it off, do it. That way it's very clear to both Snape and Dumbledore that you were never given the chance to learn Occlumency last year."

Sirius sobered. "Harry, no matter how hard you tried, you were never taught even a little of what might have helped keep that monster out of your mind. Your godfather's death was not your fault."

Harry swallowed, hard, and convinced himself that he wasn't going to start crying. "I wish I could believe that," he finally said quietly.

"We're going to keep telling you until you do believe it," Sirius said. "In the meantime, you do need to learn Occlumency, but we're not sure it will block your connection to Riddle. It's not the normal mental connection we're used to, so we're not convinced it will help in this case. The more we know of what you've experienced through the connection, the better we'll be able to analyze it. So, take it seriously," this brought a brief, rueful grin, "and be thorough."

When Harry nodded, Sirius glance over his shoulder. "And I'm late. Are you going to be OK?" he asked. Harry nodded again and Sirius closed the connection.

The next few weeks flew by. Harry continued his Occlumency lessons with Professor Dumbledore; Snape now joined them. Harry couldn't yet block out either man entirely, but they had to work to use Legilimency on him now. His lessons with Professor McGonagall were going very well; she was calling in Flitwick and Snape on a regular basis to supplement what she could teach him with their additional expertise. He was able to spend regular afternoons with Hagrid and Grawp; unfortunately, Hagrid was once again talking about finding Grawp a lady friend. Harry had no idea how to talk him out of it.

The world outside Hogwarts wasn't stopping. There was little about Voldemort, Death Eater activity or political maneuvering in the Daily Prophet. None of the adults would tell Harry any more of what was going on than "Everybody's staying very quiet."

Harry kept up with his letter writing. His friends were good about writing, although some were easier to write to than others. Neville, in particular, was a problem. Harry had decided to tell him about the prophecy, but he couldn't put it into a letter. The hole caused by what Harry couldn't say made his letters to Neville stilted and strange. He finally told Neville that the two of them needed to have a long conversation once they returned to school. He then had to reassure Neville that they were still friends. Harry found himself bemused; after all Neville had done for him in June, how could he think of the other boy as anything other than a friend?

Hermione's letters were filled with the things she and her parents were doing. They were making up for several holidays in which they hadn't seen her by doing a lot of "family things". She, in turn, was telling them all of the things she'd been hiding for the last five years. She had also started researching the prophecy; although she described it differently.

Ginny had apparently wormed the prophecy out of Ron after the second trip to the Chamber. Although Harry welcomed her letters, they were something of a trial. She spent most of the time scolding him, refusing to let him sink into despair or self-pity. When she wasn't scolding him though, her letters were delightful, filled with funny stories, silliness and plans for the next school year.

Luna's letters, like she herself, were different. She told him about the stories her father was working on, some of them anyway. She also asked his opinion of a number of the boys in his year, and most of the boys in Gryffindor. Once he figured out what she was up to, he gave her his opinions as to which boys he would consider "worthy" of her and which ones he thought likely to understand her. He found that, even though he had known Luna for just a year, she had become very special and dear to him. When he told her that they might not have sparks, but she would always occupy a special place in his heart, she wrote back saying she didn't think most people realized in what way he was truly remarkable. Harry set aside that letter to discuss with Hermione; he knew he'd never be able to figure out what she meant on his own.

Harry enjoyed comparing Tonks's letters with Kingsley's. She and Kingsley frequently wrote about the same incidents, but where Kingsley would emphasize the professional aspect, Tonks would tell him all the funny stories associated with it. There was one incident, about the capture of a dark wizard who had been capturing and torturing Muggles, which he read about three times: once in the Daily Prophet where they sanctimoniously talked about how the Ministry was protecting the Wizarding world, once from Kingsley where he talked about how careful they had had to be to catch the wizard without hurting anyone else or letting the Muggles find out, and once from Tonks where she talked about how, after they got through seven layers of wards where he was hiding, he'd left marbles all over the place so the Aurors were sliding and rolling everywhere. Tonks's version was the funniest, but Harry still felt unsettled that no one understood why the wizard was doing what he was doing; he wasn't associated with Voldemort or the Death Eaters in any way they could find.

Letters from Lupin, which arrived at least every other day, were a special treat. He couldn't write about what he was doing so he would write his letters as if he were at one moment in the past. Harry read the one in which Lupin described the night he was born so many times that he had to stop folding it so it wouldn't fall apart.

It was the letters from Gideon Croaker, from the Department of Mysteries, that Harry found the most fascinating. Gideon, as he had asked Harry to address him, seemed to know that something strange had happened to him the previous month but he never asked directly about it. He also couldn't discuss precisely what he, or any of his colleagues, did, so he discussed current events and the theories of magic. Harry wasn't sure which he preferred: he liked having the perspective on current events from an intelligent adult who wasn't a member of the Order, at least as far as he knew, but he found the theoretical items extremely interesting. For the first time, he found himself visiting the library without needing something specific. When McGonagall found out what he was doing, she started pointing him towards books that would help him understand the new concepts he was learning. When he teased Gideon that he could feel his brain expanding, the man's response was a bland, "It won't hurt you."

Ron was able to come and visit from every Saturday evening, after the shop closed, to late Sunday evening. The two boys flew over all the grounds, played chess, and explored the castle. Harry found he felt better just being in Ron's presence; it didn't seem to matter what they did.

On the Wednesday morning a week before school began, Lupin came to visit Harry. They spent the day by the lake talking and enjoying the sunny summer day. They discussed what Harry had been studying, the progress he had made and what he would be doing once school started. Late that afternoon, after they had returned to Gryffindor Tower, Lupin asked for his school supply list. "Molly is picking up Ron and Ginny's things; she can get your things at the same time."

Harry scowled. "I'd been planning on going myself," he said. "I don't mind going with someone, but there's some things I wanted to check on."

Lupin sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry. I know your summer's not been much fun, but it's too dangerous for you to be outside wards. We've had warnings that the Death Eaters are looking for a chance to get their hands on you. You can write up a list for Molly; she'll be glad to get anything you need."

Harry hadn't minded being kept at Hogwarts. It was better than the Dursleys and staying at the Burrow would have been dangerous for the Weasleys. Because he was content to stay at the school, he hadn't thought about what would happen when the summer was over. "I'm not going to be able to go to Hogsmeade this year, am I?" he asked miserably.

Lupin shook his head. "If there's a special reason, or person," he added, smiling, "we can discuss it. Otherwise, it's best if you don't. It's just not safe." At Harry's expression, he winced and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I know this is no fun."

Harry pushed the hand off his shoulder and moved away. "Yeah, right. I know. I am going to be able to go to King's Cross to take the train to school, right?" At Lupin's grimace, Harry asked, already knowing the answer, "I'm not going to be able to take the train to school this year."

"It's a known time and location," Lupin answered. "Not only would it put you in danger, it would put the rest of the students in danger as well. It's better for you, and everyone else, if you just stay here."

Harry glared at Lupin, but decided to act as mature as possible. He went up to his dorm room to retrieve the list and gave it to Lupin. "There you go. I reckon I'll see you later."

"I thought we could get some supper and talk on," Lupin said tentatively.

"I don't feel like company," Harry said as blandly as possible. He waited until Lupin had gone, giving Harry a worried look as he left. Then, he went back up to his dorm room and started collecting supplies. He left a note that he would be in the castle but might not return to the Tower that night and left.

He was glad to see that Myrtle wasn't in her bathroom when he got there; dealing with her was the last thing he wanted to do. He headed straight for the Chamber, closing the doors behind him. Once there, he used the blankets he'd brought down with him to make himself comfortable. Then, he pulled out the mirror and looked at it.

He'd been planning on calling Sirius and telling him what had happened. Looking at the mirror now, though, reminded him of the other mirror sitting in the bottom of his trunk. Harry found himself remembering Sirius, his Sirius. His stomach twisted as he thought about all the things he should have done. He finally put the mirror back and sat staring unseeing at the Chamber.

He must have fallen asleep at some point, because his watch had jumped forward several hours. Since he was getting hungry, he decided to return to his common room and get some breakfast. As he went to leave Myrtle's bathroom, he found a note attached to the inside of the door, with Potter written on it in Snape's handwriting. Opening it, he read, "You are to report to the library as soon as you receive this." Looking at the note unhappily, he walked up to the library.

As he was about to walk in, Lupin walked out. "Good morning, Harry. How are you doing this morning?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm fine," he said.

"Mm, yes," Lupin said mildly. "How do you feel about taking a walk and talking some things over?"

Harry looked at him. He reckoned Lupin wanted to calm him down from yesterday. The problem was that Harry didn't want to be soothed; since he couldn't do what his friends and classmates could, he didn't want to discuss it. After thinking it over, he asked coolly, "Has anything changed from yesterday?"

"No, but it's obvious you have some things you need to say," Lupin answered calmly. "You're not being punished, Harry. I'm sure it feels that way, but that's not the intent."

Harry thought for a moment but finally shook his head, "I hate this. There were some things I was planning to do, but they're not worth putting anyone else at risk for." When Lupin looked like he was going to say something, Harry said hastily, "Is there anything you have to tell me? Because if not, I have things I need to be doing."

Lupin shook his head. "If there's anything we can do, just let us know."

"Nothing," Harry said bitterly as he turned to go back to the Tower. Once there, he stared out the window for a long time. The clear sunny day made it so tempting to hop on his broom and never return.

Half an hour after his Occlumency lesson was supposed to start, an owl flew through the window with a note attached to her leg. It turned out to be from Dumbledore, reminding him of the lesson. Harry scribbled back a note stating that he would be doing no more lessons until school started, as he'd done all his summer homework . As the owl flew out the window, Harry got up and walked down to the lake. It was a warm sunny day, but Harry could see storm clouds in the distance.

He had planned on walking back to the common room for his lunch, but he changed his mind when he realized how easy it would be to find him there. Instead, he stopped at the kitchens and got a couple of sandwiches. As he headed back to Myrtle's bathroom, he decided that the hard part was convincing the house-elves that he only wanted a couple of sandwiches, not a five course banquet.

This time, Myrtle was there. When she started to talk with him, he glared at her and went back to the Chamber. Once he got there, he settled down to think. His stomach woke him up at suppertime.

Harry clambered back out of the Chamber. Snape himself was waiting for him this time, looking resigned. "Potter, in the future, if you find it necessary to go someplace inaccessible, please do not leave a depressed teenage ghost to guard your back. I have spent the last three hours listening to Myrtle. There are more productive ways for me to spend my time. Now, go to the headmaster's office; he's waiting to talk with you."

"Why? Is he going to yell at me for skiving off Occlumency or for going off where none of you can come 'reason' with me?"

Snape smirked at him. "A little of both, I should think."

"He'll have to do it without me," Harry said, pushing his way past Snape and walking back to his common room. He had walked almost to the stairs when he heard behind him, "Petrificus Totalis." He hadn't been expecting Snape, a teacher, to hex him and hadn't been able to get out a shield fast enough. As he fell to the floor, he heard "Mobiluscorpus" and felt himself lifted and carried to the Headmaster's office.

Once there, he heard Dumbledore ask sharply, "What happened, Severus?"

"Since I was required to wait in a bathroom because Potter was having a temper tantrum," Snape said coldly, "I will make certain he goes where he is told."

"I think you've done more than enough, Severus," Dumbledore said, his voice tired. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." After Harry heard the door close, Dumbledore lowered him to the floor and cast "Finite Incantatum."

Harry stood up angrily. "I'd leave, but you'd just send him after me until I stayed like a good little boy, so I'll just sit until you tell me I can go." He sat down, glaring at Dumbledore.

"I apologize," Dumbledore said. There was no twinkle in his eyes; he looked sad and old. "I had no idea that Professor Snape would go to such lengths to bring you here. We're all quite worried about you."

"I'm fine," Harry insisted. "I don't want to hear why it's dangerous for me to do what I want over and over again. I understood it the first time, I haven't said another word about it and I don't understand why everyone doesn't just leave me alone!" It was taking every bit of willpower Harry had not to shout, but he was determined to sound as mature as possible.

"Remus informed me of how disappointed you were and both of us agreed you needed to be assured this is not a punishment."

"Of course it is," Harry said flatly. Before Dumbledore could say anything further, he continued, "It's my punishment for living while those around me died. Now, I came up to have my supper, may I please go? Without being attacked again?"

"Why don't I order us some supper?" asked Dumbledore, walking towards the Floo.

Harry sighed. "Never mind, I've lost my appetite. Say what you need to."

Dumbledore looked taken aback. It looked as if he started to say something several times, but stopped before he finished the sentence. "Harry, I'm just trying to do what's best for you. I know it's not what you would like, but it's the best I can do." When Harry didn't respond, he finally sighed. "You may go if you wish, but know my door is always open to you."

Harry went to the door, but turned around at the threshold. "Please stop telling me you're doing what's best for me. You're doing what's best for everyone; I'm just a pawn in this game." Before the Headmaster could respond, Harry turned and left.

When Harry woke up the next day, there was a storm outside the castle. Harry sat in the common room by the fire, unable to get up the energy to do anything. He ate the meals the house-elves brought him, but he couldn't have said what they were. The next day started the same, but just before lunch, Professor McGonagall came in to the common room.

"Potter, the Headmaster needs to speak with you. Please come with me." Not giving him a chance to argue, or even think, she led him out through the portrait hole. When Harry glanced over at her, her face was set and her lips pursed.

Two staircases away from their destination, she stopped him. "I have disagreed with many of Albus's decisions over the years. We've fought bitterly over many things, including his sending you to live with your relatives." The pause before the last word told Harry exactly what she thought of them. "I believe, unfortunately, that I'm now being proved right, but, Harry, he was truly doing what he believed was right for you. I know you're angry with him, and you have every right to be, but he's human. He makes mistakes and he has a very hard time seeing what is best for you. You don't have to agree with him. In fact, it probably does him a great deal of good to have you fighting him. But, Harry, please forgive his mistakes. He cares."

Harry couldn't decide which part of that speech was the most surprising. He thought it might be the fact that she had called him by his first name; Professor McGonagall was as formal as she was strict. He thought about it for a minute. "I'll try, but it hurts so much." He stopped for a minute, fighting back tears. "I've been trying very hard since I got back to do the right thing. I reckon I didn't manage it."

McGonagall's eyes were very bright and her lips were less thin than usual. "I'm not so sure about that, Mr. Potter," she said. "You have certainly reminded us that, in spite of everything that has happened to you, you are still just sixteen." She took a deep breath and said more briskly, "Now, let's get you to the Headmaster's office, shall we? I think he has some good news for you for a change." They finished the trip in silence, but Harry found himself feeling a little better.

When they had entered the office, Dumbledore said, "I'm delighted you can join us, Harry." There was a large platter of assorted sandwiches on his desk and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Please sit and have some lunch. There are several house-elves who will be quite upset if we don't finish off this platter." Harry and Professor McGonagall sat down and they all served themselves some lunch.

"I have been informed that your Quidditch ban has been officially lifted." Dumbledore looked at Harry over the tops of his half-moon glasses, eyes serious. "Please try not to punch any more of the opposing teams' players; next time things will be more difficult to smooth over." When Harry nodded in agreement, Dumbledore continued. "I will have a guest for supper tonight who wants to meet you; I believe you've been corresponding with him. Gideon Croaker?"

"Great," Harry said. "I've wanted to meet him, but it hasn't been possible."

"He and I have other things to discuss this afternoon, but he's staying afterward to talk with you. Also, I thought you might like to meet the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher a little early; he will be here tomorrow morning and I thought you might like to talk with him before the other students get here."

Harry agreed that he'd like to meet the new Defense teacher. They spent the rest of the meal chatting about inconsequentials. Harry thought it would be some time before he'd be comfortable confiding in the older wizard, but things seemed easier between them.

Dinner that night was again in Dumbledore's office. Croaker turned out to be a short, plump middle-aged wizard with graying hair and rimless glasses who asked Harry to call him Gideon. He was an amusing dinner companion, with lots of funny stories about things he'd seen in his travels. After dinner, he asked Harry to take a walk with him around the grounds.

"There are many things we can't discuss with those who don't work with us," Gideon said. "There are some things we can discuss with you, including the three reasons we want you to consider us two years from now. First, your original defeat of Voldemort; it is not understood and indicates you are a wizard with some unusual abilities. We, erm, collect wizards with unusual abilities; they come in handy in what we do. Second, you are a Parselmouth; the first Parselmouth we know of who is not, or does not appear to be, interested in using that skill as a weapon. We don't understand the ability, but we know it's a useful one. Third, you managed to take a walk between universes with no more negative effect than a little fatigue. The ability isn't unique, but it is rare and, erm, interesting."

Harry looked at Gideon in surprise. "The way you're talking, all Unspeakables have unusual abilities. Am I right about that?"

Gideon shook his head. "Not all. But we look for and actively try to bring those wizards and witches into our department." He smiled ruefully. "We are well aware that those with unusual abilities have unusual problems and, if they become known, problems with the press. As an Unspeakable, we could keep the press from finding out what you're up to."

"That itself makes it very attractive," Harry told him. "It'd be nice not having every thing I do printed in the press."

"You do know how to use it for your own purposes, though," Gideon told him, smiling. "That interview you gave the Quibbler was impressive; was that your idea?"

"Hermione Granger's," Harry admitted. "She's a friend of mine. So, you do research."

"Mm, yes, you could say we do research," Gideon admitted. It was the last admission, or real information, Harry got from him for the rest of the evening. They continued talking for several hours, but Harry was able to get nothing more from him about the Department of Mysteries. Even so, as he went to bed that evening, he thought it might not be a bad idea to consider it for after school.