Harry Potter and the Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter Seventeen ~ A Few Surprises

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When you are with me
I'm free... I'm careless... I believe
Above all others we will fly.
This brings tears to my eyes.
My sacrifice.

Creed ~ My Sacrifice
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Harry entered the Hospital Wing slowly, his face guarded as he searched the room for Ginny. The young witch had Healing with him but she was coming from the dungeons. Normally, Harry made it there before her on Monday mornings, and it seemed that that was the case today.

He still didn't know what to think about what had happened last night. No words passed between them after he had finished crying. There wasn't anything to say once Ginny had moved away from him. Harry knew that meant nothing had really changed. She still wanted to be 'just friends' and... as much as it hurt him, he was willing to give her that freedom. Last night had not been his girlfriend Gin holding him, but his friend Ginny. He was happy with that, there was no way he'd be able to live without that friendship.

"Morning, Harry," Althea said brightly. "How are you this fine Monday?"

"I could be better," Harry answered honestly.

"What's the matter?" the Healer asked, concern in her voice.

"Last night..." Harry stopped as the door opened and Ginny entered. Just like at physical training and breakfast, the redhead acted as if nothing had happened. "Morning, Ginny."

"Morning, Harry. Althea, " Ginny replied, nodding to Althea. "Anything exciting happen this morning?"

"Nothing," Althea answered. "Let's go over those healing potions, Ginny, while Harry runs through his theory worksheets."

Harry grumbled as the two witches moved over to an empty bed. They started running through potions, and Harry tuned out their chatter. He took out his homework for the lesson and started running through the worksheets, correcting anything that he found wrong. He found himself wishing a student would get hurt, just so the monotony of working the same sheets again would end. How he would rue that wish in less than ten minutes!

"Poppy, are you around?" Professor Sprout asked from the fireplace. Harry hurried over and told her that Althea had control of the infirmary at the moment. "Well, tell Althea to come to Greenhouse Nine and to hurry." Harry delivered the news and Althea floo'ed out of the infirmary.

"Hey," Ginny said in greeting, as Harry sat across from her on another bed.

"Hey," he responded automatically. "I just want to say thanks for helping me last night, I don't want to know where my thoughts were going until you came. I don't think I would have done anything drastic, but..." Harry trailed off, shrugging as if that explained everything.

"It wasn't anything," Ginny responded, looking up from the textbook she was reading. "I'd do the same for any of my friends."

"Yeah... about being friends," Harry started bravely, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I'm glad we're friends, it's not as complicated. We can still talk and be there for each other, and that's better than..." being alone, Harry finished in his mind.

"Oh," Ginny commented, looking up at him. "Okay... that makes sense... I guess."

"It was fitting that it was you who followed me," Harry said after a moment.

"The date and all," Ginny finished for him. Althea stuck her head out of the fire calling for the two students.

"Ginny, go get Pomfrey from the staff room!" she barked. "Harry, come here!" Ginny hurried out of the room, running faster than she had ever run during a training session. Harry hurried over to the fire, floo'ing to Greenhouse Nine.

The place was calm chaos. Students were huddled in groups of threes and fours whispering and glancing at the two older witches. The Healers were huddled over a student's body, blocking Harry's view of the boy's face. But Harry would recognize those worn out trainers anywhere...

...Ron...

"What happened!?" Harry said, hurrying over to help in anyway possible.

"You wouldn't know if he's allergic to Sneezewort, would you?" Althea questioned him. Harry shook his head, unsure of the answer. "That's my guess, Pomona. But I'm not sure and Poppy should be here soon."

"I am here. Now what's the matter?" the matron asked professionally. Althea was about to open her mouth when Ginny gasped in surprise.

"There's Sneezewort in there, isn't there?" Ginny asked, pointing toward the greenhouse. "Bill, Percy, and Ron are all deathly allergic to that stuff. I remember those purple boils, when I was six somehow all the boys found some out in the meadow behind the house. That's how we know the other three aren't allergic."

"Well, that's simple enough," Poppy said. "Mr. Potter, lift the boy and floo to the infirmary with him! NOW!"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, levitating his best mate easily. Walking up the slope to Sprout's outside office, he carefully floo'ed away. He laid his friend on one of the empty beds and hurried to get out of the way as the three women started working on Ron. Harry watched carefully, taking mental notes. If this ever happened again, Harry wanted to make sure he knew how to deal with it.

Once the ladies were satisfied with their work, Harry walked over to stand next to Ron's bed. "I'm going to go get Hermione," he told Ginny who just nodded. "I'll be right back."

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"Hermione, I'm fine!" Ron grumbled as the bushy-haired girl worried over him.

"She's not being all that bad," Harry commented neutrally.

"Yeah, especially compared to Mum," Ginny added. Ron groaned at that thought and Ginny snickered. "See, she's not so bad."

"Shut up, both of you," Ron said half-heartedly to his sister and best mate. "Are there anymore chocolate frogs?" Harry laughed and picked up the last four frogs. Tossing three to Ron, he opened the last one.

"I wish they had a better picture at least," Harry muttered, tossing his chocolate frog card onto the bed. The youngest two Weasleys exchanged looks and than dove at the card, the fourteen-year-old picture-Harry ducking out of the way. They fought over it until Ron won. "Do I even want to know?" Harry asked, as the two settled back down. For some strange reason, this caused them to start laughing.

"The Weasley siblings have a bet going," Hermione answered him. "Whoever can collect the most Harry Potter chocolate frog cards before Christmas Day at exactly 3:01 PM gets the pot. I heard they each put in five galleons, so thirty galleons are riding on this."

"I see," Harry said slowly. "Can I throw in five galleons and start late?" This surprised a laugh out of Ron and Ginny and a sniff out of Hermione.

"It'll look bad if people find thirty chocolate frog cards with your picture on it under your bed," Ginny said with a laugh. "It'll make you look conceited."

"And anyone that matters even the tiniest bit to me knows that I'm not," Harry replied carelessly. "I've only got three galleons on me, but I've got two more back in my trunk. How about it?"

"Why not," Ron replied. "Only thing is, it's not just the Weasleys. Thia, Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Lee Jordan, Katie, Dean, Seamus, Neville, Blaise, Sephra, and a few others are in now too... It actually started with Dean, Seamus, Neville, and me, but slowly grew..."

"Wow, good thing that I've been saving my cards then," Harry added with a laugh. "I figured, they were better off in my hands than some other poor sap's."

"Harry, just how many cards do you have?" Ginny asked carefully.

"Let's see, the last time I counted them was back in August when I was trying to convince myself that I shouldn't follow Snape's advice," Harry answered thoughtfully. "I got to about thirty-six before I lost count, Ron and I started a Quidditch conversation, anyway I just kind of estimated after that."

"Do I want to ask why you have that many?" Ron asked a bit worriedly.

"So that I can fawn over myself and practice my signatures," Harry replied in his best Lockhart imitation. Ron's mouth dropped open and Ginny looked stunned. Hermione just started laughing.

"You have them under lock and key don't you, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I do," Harry replied. "I noticed my dorm mates taking or rather stealing every card of mine I threw out. So that got me wondering. Why would they want them? Then I overheard this conversation between Ron and Dean about some bet, and I started thinking I'd want to win that bet. After all, they were my chocolate frog cards."

"I knew you knew!" Hermione cried out.

"Miss Weasley, that is enough!" Pomfrey said, coming out of her office. She looked at Ginny, surprised by the look of outraged innocence. Harry started laughing as Madame Pomfrey did a double take. "I'm sorry. Miss Granger, that is enough! Out, all three of you, and leave my patient to rest."

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Harry was about ready to rip his hair out. As much as he wanted to ask whose idea this whole dance thing was, he knew better. After all, he had been the crazy one to suggest it. Hermione had assigned tasks to everyone at the Prefects meeting. Harry thought he had a simple job, but two weeks had past and he was no closer to being done. The other students involved had started glaring at him as they passed him in the halls. Harry didn't blame them. All he had to do was get a band to play for the dance. That's all he had to do but he was stuck! He'd tried to get a band but so far it had been one 'sorry, already booked' after another. If he could, he would be glaring at himself as he went through the halls. But that wasn't possible, so he'd settle with ripping his hair out.

It was Friday and all he had left for the day was his two-hour class with the headmaster. Though Dumbledore seemed pleased with Harry's progress, Harry didn't see any difference with his performance. Although he knew that just because he didn't notice anything, that didn't mean he wasn't accomplishing something. He just wished there was something tangible to show for all his hard work.

Ron had been released from the hospital yesterday, no worse for wear. Hermione was still strutting around because of her discovery. The others involved in the bet had heard how many chocolate frog cards Harry had managed to collect and started to panic. Chuckling to himself, Harry stood outside Dumbledore's office and knocked before entering.

The two men spent the first hour of the lesson working on the Theory of the Greats and Harry managed to give himself yet another headache. The second hour was spent talking about whatever needed to be talked about. Harry re-addressed his worry about the flash of happiness from Voldemort, already two weeks ago.

"I really don't think there is any reason to worry about that," Dumbledore replied, as he had last week, one day after the actual event. "If Tom was really that pleased about something, then that something must have already happened. Which means there is nothing you can do about it." Harry wasn't convinced but he let it drop. "How goes the party and dance plans?"

"Bad," Harry answered without a thought. "Well, on the whole, I guess alright, but I can't find a band."

"You might want to talk to Remus about that," Dumbledore hinted, a sly twinkle in his eye. "I'm sure he'll be able to help you."

"If you say so, sir," he replied doubtfully. "Sir, why did you let Ginny, Ron, and Hermione come to Malfoy Manor?"

"Have they not told you how that came about?"

"Yes, they have," Harry replied. "Remus and Thia fought for their right to be there. They're my best friends and in Ginny's case, she was my girlfriend at the time. They had been through thick and thin with me, for me, and they had more right than most to be a part of the rescue team. And with my mum's ring on, Ginny was able to find my cell and sneak in when Peter let me in. But, that doesn't answer my question... why did you let them?"

"Ron and Hermione are of age, and we really could not keep them from coming," Dumbledore answered. "They have, as you said, been with you since the start. You three are much stronger together than apart. They have shown their courage and moral strength over and over and they have both shown, in my opinion, that they have real reasons to be fighting this war. There are many Aurors out there that are just fighting for a vague cause of right must triumph over wrong, or because it is their job to do so. Those two know better. They've figured out what to fight for. They both have found that one thing worth dying for if they must."

"What about Ginny?" Harry asked, once Dumbledore had fallen silent.

"It's not my place to say, not really," Dumbledore replied. "She had come to me separately and talked with me. Just as I didn't tell you why I trust Severus, I will not tell you that. Ginny must. But after she and her mum had a talk, even Molly agreed that she should go."

"Oh," Harry answered absently. "Ron told me that you knew the Manor quite well. Why is that?"

"Lucius Malfoy's great-grandfather and I were good friends," Dumbledore replied sadly. "Belzar's father and mine were good friends and they made sure their children were friends. I spent many summers at the manor, exploring the grounds with Belzar, Michelle, his sister, and Aberforth. Belzar's oldest and only son started hanging out with the wrong crowd at Hogwarts and since that generation, the Malfoy name has taken on a black tint. Four generations was enough to turn one of the most well-loved families into one of the most hated. It was Belzar's son who started the Weasley-Malfoy feud actually."

"That must have been hard to watch," Harry commented.

"It is a sad sight to watch any of my students turn down the wrong path," the headmaster replied with a sigh. "It always leaves you wondering if there was something you could have said or something you shouldn't have said that would have made a difference in their lives."

"What do you think I should do once I graduate from Hogwarts and have the Prophecy behind me?" Harry asked suddenly, before he could chicken out. It was something that had been bothering him lately, and he wasn't sure whom to ask. Remus and the others would say "Be an Auror" or "Play Quidditch" and that would be that. At least Dumbledore would think about it a bit more.

"In your fifth year you told Minerva that you wanted to be an Auror," Dumbledore answered. "Are you having second thoughts about that?"

"After everything that has and will happen, I'm not sure if I want to," Harry answered. "I'm good at it, yes, but I'm not sure that kind of life will make me happy."

"What else are you thinking about?"

"Well, Quidditch," Harry supplied after a moment of thought. "All the Weasleys say I definitely could make it as a Seeker if I wanted. And with my name, the twins said I wouldn't have a problem being noticed by the scouts. Everyone will want the 'famous Harry Potter' playing for them."

"You don't want to then?"

"No," Harry said simply.

"May I ask why?"

"Simple, I don't want the attention I would get," Harry explained. "They would be hiring the 'famous Harry Potter' not 'just Harry'. And that goes with being an Auror too. Just think of the pressure I'd have on my shoulders. After defeating the darkest Dark Lord in centuries, any dark wizard or witch should be a breeze. We both know that's not the way it works, but that's how they'd see it."

"Very astute of you, Harry," Dumbledore remarked. "Now, though I do wish to continue this next week, you have a prefect meeting before supper, do you not?" Harry nodded. "Then we must run through the seeing exercise one last time so that you won't be late."

Harry nodded, and once more relaxed his mind, body, and sight. Opening his eyes, he yelped in surprise as magical feeling bombarded his vision. He closed his eyes, covering them with his hands.

"You felt it that time?" Dumbledore asked happily. Harry just nodded, trying to clear the lights from his closed eyes. "Go backwards through the steps to relax. Everyone is born with these shields in place; it is a genetic trait, actually. Muggles have shields that are so thick they cannot call upon magic to do their bidding. Wizards and witches are able to get through their shields and direct the magic with thought and wands. Very few can actually bring their shields down completely and look at the magic in its purest form."

"I didn't see anything different, but it... felt different," Harry said in awe, opening his eyes once the shields were back in place. "As if my eyes could feel as well as see."

"Yes, it is an odd experience," Dumbledore agreed. "You will get used to it. Now, I want you to practice this carefully. Small bites at a time, Harry. By next Friday, I want you to be able to keep your eyes open for at least five straight minutes. Now, off you go. We don't want the Head Boy to be late for the meeting, I'm sure the Head Girl would not be pleased."

It wasn't until Harry was opening the door to Hermione's office that he realized he hadn't taken a headache potion at all this evening. There was no need to; though he'd had a headache earlier it was already gone.

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The next day, Harry was practicing dueling with Volker. Remus was paired with Hermione, Thia with Ginny, and Tonks with Ron. Harry's task once the four duels ended was to tell the adults as much as he noticed about each duel. So while concentrating on Volker, Harry had to watch the others out of the corner of his eyes.

Thia and Ginny's duel ended first, Thia winning of course. Tonks and Ron ended next, Ron almost winning, but losing in the end. Hermione and Remus were still at it, until Hermione cast a tricky little charm that froze Remus' feet to the ground and had him falling backwards painfully. Harry and Volker continued, Harry now devoting his full attention to the older Auror. Eventually, Thia called a tie. Volker and Tonks had to leave for work and Thia wanted them to be able to stay for the full session critique.

"Well?" Thia asked and Harry told her everything he had noticed. Even Volker looked impressed with his information.

"And then you called a tie, and Volker and I put down our wands," Harry said, finishing. "How's that for a play by play?"

"You've really got the knack for that, Harry," Tonks said with a nod. "I'm impressed. You noticed more than I did." Remus and Volker both nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, just what I wanted," Harry mumbled. "The knack to fight. Just great."

"That's a good thing for an Auror," Volker commented. "Keeps you alive."

"Yeah," Harry agreed softly. "Anything else, Commander?"

"Just don't call me that," Thia commanded. The four teens had started to call her Commander just to annoy her.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied seriously.

"Just wait 'til you're an Auror, Potter," Thia warned him. "I'll have you working night/night shifts all the time!"

"I can hardly wait," Harry answered. He hadn't told anyone besides Dumbledore about his feelings on becoming an Auror. He wasn't sure how to tell them, so he just let them make their assumptions and didn't say anything to the contrary. "Hey, Remus," he said as Tonks and Volker hurried to leave for their shift. Thia and Remus turned back as the Room changed into his spot and then everyone took their normal seats.

"I told Dumbledore about the trouble I'm having with finding a band to play at the dance," Harry continued after a moment. He took a seat next to Remus. "He told me to ask you."

"Me?" Remus asked, surprised. "I don't know any bands. Unless…" He broke off thinking. "Some werewolves I know have a band. They're called the Full Moon."

"You know the members of Full Moon?" Ginny asked excitedly. "I love that band. Michael Richardson is so hot and Cassie Bird has the greatest voice and..."

"How come I've never heard you talk about them before?" Ron asked stupidly. Even Harry rolled his eyes at Ron.

"Geez, Ron... I had four posters up in my room before the Burrow burnt down and I've got one of Michael above my bed in the Tower," Ginny answered impatiently.

"You okay with that, Harry?" Ron asked, before realizing what he had just said. Harry and Ginny shifted uncomfortably.

"It's none of my business now, and before that, well... it's her ceiling," Harry replied with an awkward shrug. "Besides, the man's 33, married, has a six year old kid, and... in Ginny's words 'is nothing compared to me.' Well, she said 'you', but... you get the point." Hermione and Ginny started laughing.

"How do you know all that?" Ron asked.

"Your sister," Harry said, without a thought. "We talked about them sometime last spring and she made me listen to them." Harry turned back to Remus. "Do you really know them?"

"Yeah," Remus replied. "Used to do a bit of roady work for them, of course, that was before I taught at Hogwarts. They'll only hire other werewolves, so I didn't have to worry about losing my job just because of the disease. I'll talk to them if you want."

"That'd be great," Harry replied with a smile. "I might need to get official approval from Dumbledore, though. Someone somewhere might not approve of bringing in that many werewolves. Having Dumbledore's okay on this would be best," he finished, rolling his eyes as he said it.

"Yeah, the Council of Governors might not like it," Thia said with a thought. "But I approve, and if the Commander of the Aurors of Britain approves, then they shouldn't say much. It was after all Dumbledore's idea."

"True," Harry said with a nod. "Hey, I managed to see magic yesterday."

"Really, what's it like?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"Amazing, but... nothing like I expected," Harry answered. "It was like I could feel the magic with my eyes."

"It's an interesting thing to be able to do," Remus said with a nod. "I've talked about this with Dumbledore over the years. There's a lot to learn on the subject in the Hogwarts Library."

"That's what he told me," Harry said with a nod. "But he doesn't want me to read anything without his approval, something about some of the books being misleading."

"Some are just downright myths," Remus said in agreement.

"Commander Black," an Auror said, coming into the room. "You're wanted down at the floo. Nothing urgent."

"Well, duty calls," Thia said, as she got up and followed the Auror out the door.

"And I should find out if Full Moon has an opening in their schedule," Remus said, standing up. "You'd want them for how long?"

"The dance is from eight to midnight," Harry responded. Remus nodded and left.

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"Very good, Harry, very good," Dumbledore complemented him the next Friday. "That was almost ten full minutes. Do you have a headache?"

"No, sir," Harry responded. "Should I?"

"Only if you have over-worked your sight," Dumbledore answered. "Let's take a rest so that you don't get a headache. We can talk some more about the Theory." Harry nodded and replaced the shields. Now that he knew what the Shield felt like, it was a matter of seconds to take them down and put them up again. Harry poured the headmaster a cup of tea and handed it to him before pouring one for himself. Sitting down, he looked at the old man expectantly.

"We'll discuss the first 'rule' today," Dumbledore continued after a sip of the hot liquid. "Cause and Effect. As you've felt, everything has some magic to it. It is what keeps everything together in our world. Because of the shields that people are born with, they are limited as to what they can reach. You remove your Shield and it affects the way you do magic. As you grow accustomed to the 'feel' of magic, you will be tempted to keep your Shield down permanently. Do not do this." Dumbledore paused to take a sip of tea.

"Why?" Harry asked, when the headmaster didn't explain himself further. "Wait... let me think about it. If I take my Shield down I can access more magic than before. Is it possible that I might 'borrow' magic from others?"

"Very good," Dumbledore said with a nod. "It is very possible. If, or when, you do magic without the Shield you run the risk of stealing magic from others. This is why Tom seems so powerful. He lets his Shield down and steals from others. That is why he never does anything on his own; he always has his powerful servants with him."

"Are there ways to ward against that?" Harry asked, interrupting the old man.

"There are techniques, but only if you can remove your own Shield to begin with," Dumbledore answered. "There are also ways to shield others around you, whether they are human or not. Depending on how well these lessons go, I'll train you in those techniques. I reiterate, do not read..."

"Anything in the library without talking to you first," Harry finished for him. "That's one of the reasons why He fears you, isn't it?'

"It is," Dumbledore said with a nod. "I shield the area in which we fight so that he can only draw magic from himself and he is unused to that. It has been a long time since he fought just on his own power.

"The goal of what I am teaching you here is how to borrow magic from sources that are non-human and preferably non-animal. Magic from plants and inanimate objects are just as strong as magic from humans, but their life is easier to replace. A small amount of magic taken this way is very strong. It's raw power." They fell into silence, Dumbledore giving Harry time to process what he'd said.

"If He knows about this, than I can't really defeat him with it," Harry said after a moment.

"That's not necessarily true," Dumbledore replied. "The Prophecy states that you have a power that he does not know, it does not say that it is that power which will destroy him. I believe that this will help, if only to keep Tom from preying on your magic. You are his equal, and to be his equal, you need to learn this magic."

"When you were describing His use of this, you said 'stealing'," Harry pointed out. "But when you talked about what you were going to teach me, you said 'borrowing'. What's the difference?"

"The difference is you will want to replace as much of the borrowed magic afterwards as you can," Dumbledore replied. "And you want to use your magic first. Taking down your Shield makes it easier to access your magic and makes more of it available for use. Your magic keeps your Shield up. The magic Muggles have is completely devoted to keeping their shields strong. For magical folk and animals there is some left over and this is what witches and wizards use. For those born with the ability to remove their shields, they can access every bit of magic they possess."

"Born with the ability," Harry repeated. "So, if I taught this to the D.A. I could only teach them the theory and nothing more. They wouldn't necessarily be able to take their shields down."

"Correct," Dumbledore said with a nod. He opened his mouth to say more, but a knock came at his door. "Come in." Minster Vance entered the office. "Come, sit, Emmeline."

"I wish to speak with you alone, Headmaster," the Minister responded formally, standing next to his desk. Dumbledore stood from the chair he was sitting in near his fire, motioning for Harry to stand as well. "It is a matter of grave importance."

"Fine, Emmeline," Dumbledore said with a nod. "It has been a good practice and I am willing to call it quits for the day." He shook Harry's hand. "See you next Friday, Harry."

"Have a good evening, Minister, Headmaster," Harry said, and left the office thinking about everything he had learnt that day.

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Harry's weekend was a blur of homework, lessons with Bryant, dueling practice, and a D.A. meeting. As odd as it may sound, Harry was thrilled with the start of the school week just because it meant the busy weekend was over. Monday had been a long day as well, with a healing lesson with Ginny (still a semi-awkward time), dueling practice, and an Occlumency lesson with Snape. Tuesday so far, had started out quite all right. Harry had gotten back an essay in Potions with an 'O' marked at the top in red ink. Following the double Potions, the trio had Care of Magical Creatures outside. The weather was actually pleasant, though as the class wore on the clouds turned dark gray. Now, sitting inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Harry stared out at the lightning filled windows thankful to be inside.

Burke was working with Zacharias Smith, going over the spells Burke had taught this week. Harry watched from his desk, his mouth in a tight line. One by one, Burke was calling everyone forward for this memory work. Harry knew Zacharias knew these spells; they were spells the D.A. had learnt last year. But Zacharias never did well listing spells. He was much better at using them in context.

"Wrong," Burke said again.

"Evando?" Zacharias guessed again.

"No," Burke replied sharply. "An invisibility shield, come on, boy, you can remember this." Harry gritted his teeth together, aware that Ron and Blaise were just as angry. Burke's tone of voice was condescending and rude.

"Enidus?"

"Incorrect," Burke said, writing something down. "One more guess, and I'll have to give you a zero." Zacharias paled and Harry leaned back into his chair angrily. The last time he had helped someone, Burke had snapped at him and given the person a zero. Come on, Smith! You know this!

"Evindo?" Zacharias finally guessed, his voice filled with uncertainty.

"Zero," Burke said, writing that down. "It was Evanidus, by the way," he said, casting the invisibility ward on the desk he was sitting next to. Harry ground his teeth. There was no need for that. "Sit down; you obviously don't know these spells." Ron cracked his knuckles, but it was Hermione who bristled the most.

"He knows that spell!" she said, surprising everyone. "I taught it to him this time last year and he's used it in several D.A. lessons."

"Obviously you haven't done that good of a job, Miss Granger," Burke replied dismissively. "If he can't remember it now, how can I expect him to remember it in battle?"

"He's remembered it during D.A. lessons," Ron repeated. "Just last week he used it while you were supervising!" Harry glanced at his friends, wishing them to be quiet. Confronting Burke in this matter was not going to help matters.

"You're precious little D.A. is nothing more than fun and games," Burke said, his voice taking on that rude and condescending tone again. There was a uproar at that, all the D.A. members arguing in favor of the club. Harry's eyes caught Malfoy's smirk across the way. "Enough! For everyone that contributed to this mayhem, you will get a zero!"

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That next Monday, Harry was sitting in his favorite chair in front of the fire. Ginny and Hermione, both sitting on the couch, were talking about the decorations for the dance. Ron sat in another arm chair, reading for Potions class the next day. Neville was sitting in the chair next to Harry, talking about Herbology. Dean and Seamus entered the common room and headed over to join them.

"You fallen into any Sneezewort lately, Weasley?" Dean said with a laugh, once he realized what Neville was talking about. Seamus took the only empty seat, which was next to Ginny on the couch. Dean laughed at Ron's outraged face and sat on the floor, his back resting against the couch. Ginny slapped his head when he leaned it back into her lap.

"It's been three weeks so leave me be," Ron muttered darkly. "And keep your head out of my sister's lap."

"I'd recommend that you listen to the almighty older brother," Harry said, using a spooky voice and laughing at the same time. "Wait, you fell into the Sneezewort?"

"You don't know what happened?" Seamus asked with a laugh. "Oh boy, let me tell you then. It all started on a rainy Monday morning, only three short weeks ago. The day started normal enough, even the rain was normal. The main character of my tale is a tall lanky seventeen-year-old boy who is deathly allergic to Sneezewort. Professor Sprout, Queen of the Hogwarts Greenhouses, commanded him and his fellow classmates into Greenhouse Number Nine to battle the fierce enemy named Unicorns' Climber. As the plant tried to stop us, our hero managed to, all on his own, trip over a bucket placed there by none other than himself, bump into a table, fall over, was almost stomped on by yours truly, rolled out of the way, and slightly somersaulted into a huge clump of Sneezewort. At which point, our deathly allergic hero turned turquoise and developed purple boils." Harry couldn't stop laughing as Ron started to turn bluish purple. He could tell that his best mate was just trying not to laugh at himself with everyone else.

"That's not exactly what happened," Ron finally managed. "But near enough."

"Yeah, you forgot that he accidentally pushed Professor Sprout into the Unicorns' Climber," Neville said, coming up to rest against Harry's chair. "She had to pull the flowers off herself before she could rush to drag Ron out of the greenhouse. That Climber is a nasty plant."

"Bloody hell," Harry said, looking at the clock. "The one time Snape changes the time, I forget about it! I'll be back in about an hour and a half." He stood, grabbing his bag and rushed out of the common room heading for the dungeons.

"Hey, Harry!" Seamus called, running to catch up to the shorter boy. "I just wanted to know how you and Ginny are doing."

"What, oh," Harry said, skidding to a halt. "Fine, we're just friends, you know. I'd love to chat, Seamus, but I'm ten minutes late as it is and Snape is going to kill me if I'm any later."

"That's alright, that's all I needed to know." And with that Seamus turned to walk back to the common room. Harry pelted through the corridors, taking the stairs three at a time. Finally he made it to Snape's office where he stopped and caught his breath before knocking.

"Come in, Potter, before you're any later," Snape's annoyed voice rang out. "Sit." Harry sat in his normal armchair near the fire. Snape walked around to one of the cupboards that held potions and pulled out a small vial. "We never talked about the odd occurrences connected with this potion."

Harry took the offered vial and read the label. It was a Dreamless Sleep Potion. Snape continued, "After speaking with the headmaster about a few hunches, I have decided that you should take some tonight. Tomorrow, during your Potions lesson, I want you to tell me about any results. It shouldn't take up too much of our time. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered, placing the vial in his robe pocket.

"Don't forget," Snape said mildly before sitting down. "Spot, can you get us two butterbeers." The small house elf appeared handing each wizard a bottle. "Thank you."

"Are you going to tell me about your theories?" Harry asked, opening his drink with a pop.

"Let me open my bottle and I will," Snape commented. "Patience is a virtue."

"If you say so, sir," Harry said with a small smile. Snape opened his bottle and took a sip before turning his gaze on Harry. Harry made sure his Occlumency shields were up and strong, keeping Snape out of his head.

"Well done," Snape said, nodding. "Now, I think the reason your dreams have been able to overthrow this potion is because of your...how should I put it...your aptitude to put the Theory of the Greats into practice. It feeds the nightmares; that is my guess at least. Now that you have started to master taking the Shield down and putting it up again, I believe with a little extra work you should be able to keep your Shield up throughout the night. Practice not only the Occlumency we've been working on, but also shoring up that Shield you have."

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Legilimens," Snape cursed, not giving Harry a second's worth of warning. Harry was ready though and kept the Potions master from seeing into his thoughts and memories.

"Well done, Harry," Snape congratulated once more. "There is very little I can teach you from now on. You have managed to master this. The headmaster wishes us to continue just to keep your Occlumency shields strong. I agree with him."

"Me too," Harry said, sipping at his butterbeer. "I really didn't have much to learn, did I?"

"No," Snape agreed. "I also have a feeling that Voldemort is just as busy blocking you as you are him. He doesn't want you to find out about his plans and inform someone like Dumbledore."

"So have I really mastered this?" Harry tried to ask, but before it was finished, the older wizard had casted the Legilimens spell. Harry sidestepped the attack, pushing the presence away.

"Yes," Snape answered. "Against Thia, Professor Dumbledore, and I, you have always been very accomplished. We believe that only the link between you and the Dark Lord has enabled him such complete access into your mind."

"If he hadn't been the one attacking my mind last summer, would I have made it out of there without cracking?" Harry asked, not looking at the man he now respected, but looking at his nearly empty butterbeer bottle.

"Who knows," Snape answered sharply. "Breaking under the Dark Lord's attentions is not something you need to feel ashamed of, Harry."

"You managed it for years," Harry started to argue, but Snape's harsh, bitter laugh cut him off.

"I wasn't an enemy, but a servant," Snape answered. "Had he ever decided to completely distrust me, I would not have lasted a week of careful examinations. Be proud of your defiance, Potter, I am sure you frustrated the monster beyond measure." Harry looked up at the Slytherin, surprised, but then quickly down again. Those were high words of praise coming from this ex-Death Eater and spy. And Snape never gave praise unless it was deserved.

"I'm sorry about being late, sir," he apologized. Snape sniffed at this, but Harry knew better than to fall for his grumpy façade.

"Are you having a good year, sir?" Harry asked politely.

"As good as one's year can be while teaching a bunch of ungrateful hooligans," Snape muttered darkly.

"The Gryffindors causing that much trouble?" Harry asked smoothly.

"No more than normal," Snape replied. "I'd be worried if they didn't. A Gryffindor not causing trouble is a Gryffindor planning trouble."

"Very true," Harry replied mock-seriously. "Just as a loud Slytherin is hiding something. Honestly though, how is your year going?"

"Better than most," Snape replied, his right hand rubbing his left forearm. Harry thought the man didn't even realize what he was doing and didn't comment. "As much as losing a spy has cost the Order, I am glad I no longer need to pretend to worship the ground that cretin walks on."

"Sir, can I ask you a question about Malfoy?" Harry asked cautiously. Snape arched an eyebrow and Harry took that as the yes it meant. "Is he really the Order's spy?"

"Yes, the boy is," Snape replied slowly.

"So you trust him?"

"I trust that he is not a Death Eater by choice but by circumstance," Snape replied mildly. "His father forced him to take the Mark, and the boy wisely sought me out once I informed him that I knew. He has been our spy since January."

"But, do you trust him?" Harry asked, noticing the subtle difference Snape had used in his answer.

"I do not," Snape replied. "I worry that he has been long lost." They sat in silence for a bit, sipping at their butterbeers.

"What of Nott Jr.?" Harry finally asked, knowing that the spider incident was still bothering Ron.

"He hasn't suffered any permanent damage," Snape replied icily.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Harry countered, trying to remain civil. "Ron wouldn't make something that pathetic and easily refuted up. He saw Nott turn into a spider and then back again. Tell me, do you think he's an animagus and if so, do you think he's Voldemort's animagus?

Snape sighed deeply, staring into the flames. "I know that the Headmaster was tipped off about a strange poisonous bite about a week ago. I also know that it turned out to be a spider bite. Furthermore, I was informed that Nott was missing from his dorm the night this bite occurred. We are in bad shape if Nott is that spider.

"There are numerous poisons that are made with that spider's venom. It would be easy for the Potions masters that the Dark Lord still owns to make a new potion, one that I would not know the antidote to," Snape added after a few thoughts. "I'm sure you heard that the Auror and audience member who survived that idiotic Weird Sister concert have both died."

"Yeah," Harry said, grimacing. Rita had been particularly harsh about that one. It was as if she had forgotten that over two hundred people had escaped on their own.

"They died of such a hybrid poison," Snape informed him. "Marcus Lemon and I worked on an antidote, but we couldn't come up with one to save them."

"You have one now?"

"Yes," Snape said with a smirk. "I was, after all, the Dark Lord's most talented Potions master. However, if indeed Nott is this mysterious spider... The magical properties of that venom are highly dangerous in and of itself, who cares about adding it to a poison."

"Whenever I'm around him, I get a feeling, the same one I get around Malfoy or Nott Senior," Harry said, throwing the information out. "And Draco was pissed off after Nott told us that Ron had seen him turn into a spider."

"I know we were watching, stunned. I have never seen Minerva stunned by anything a student has done, it is a sight I will savor the rest of my life," Snape said with a very Slytherinly smile on his face. "It only confirms a few of my fears. Draco tells us that Nott is still not involved in this. But, if the plan the Dark Lord comes up with would, say further Draco's future plans, I'm afraid the boy would not tell us."

"You're afraid that this is the case?"

"The Order is afraid of this," Snape answered. "That is the danger with a spy only loyal to fight for you because it guarantees his safety. If he plays his cards right, he will be on the winning side no matter who wins. Though, I do know he'd rather our side win, and that is why he's willing to be a spy." Harry nodded, taking a sip from his butterbeer. "Legilimens!" Harry checked his shields, making sure there were no cracks for Snape to slip in through. "Very good. How has your year been?" It almost seemed to Harry that Snape wanted to talk of something other than the war. He was willing to humor the Professor.

"Hectic," Harry answered honestly. "Head Boy is a headache I'd willingly give up to Blaise. Though he's been a lot of help. He and Hermione are the ones that come up with the Prefect schedules, I just don't have the time."

"That's what he's told me," Snape said. "How are the Apparation lessons coming along?"

"I've almost got it down," Harry replied. "Druce thinks I'll be able to take the test over Halloween weekend. Of course, Sunday will be the only day I'll be able to go. We're decorating all day Saturday."

"Ah, yes, your excuse to ask Miss Weasley out again," Snape replied sarcastically. Harry looked at the man, his eyes bugging out. "Tell me you had realized that's what we all thought your reason was for having this dance."

"No," Harry said faintly, shaking his head. "Everyone had such a blast last Halloween and at the Yule Ball that I thought it was a good idea." Harry paused, shaking his head, annoyed at himself. "How could I forget about dates? That's all the girls are talking about as it is. But... I... I didn't think of that..."

"Will you ask her?" Snape asked, his head turned to the fire slightly, but his eyes focused on Harry.

"No, we're just friends now," Harry replied softly. "I don't want to ruin that."

"Gryffindors," Snape muttered under his breath. "I see. What happens if someone else asks her?"

"As long as he's a good bloke, then good for her and congrats to him," Harry answered honestly.

"I see," Snape replied, looking at Harry shrewdly. "Has your scar been bothering you lately?"

"No, not really," Harry replied. "A few twinges here and there, but nothing that bad. No emotions come across the link, that's for sure."

"You're still worried about the last time, are you not?"

"I am," Harry admitted. "There's very little that will make Voldemort that pleased. Something monumental must have happened." Snape was silent, staring into the flames.

"I agree with you," Snape admitted. They were silent, Harry placing his empty bottle onto the table between the two armchairs. "Be careful, Harry. Whatever the Dark Lord has planned cannot be good."

"I will, sir." Harry stood up and waited for the Potions master to dismiss him.

"Go to that infernal common room of yours and make loud noises or whatever you Gryffindors do for fun," Snape said dryly, nodding for Harry to go.

"Goodnight, sir," Harry said at the door.

"Goodnight, Harry," Snape replied, and Harry shut the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The week passed, wet and bustling as normal. Quidditch practices were miserable, homework was piling up, and to make matters worse, there was less than one week until the dance. Harry and Hermione were at their wits end, trying to pull everything together. News had gotten out that Harry had booked the Full Moon (which was true, thankfully) and girls were asking him if he could get Michael Richardson's autograph for them. The students were looking forward to the night, either filled with games or dancing. Harry was tempted to spend the evening with the first, second, and third years. It would be less of a headache.

It was Wednesday and there were only three full days left before the bothersome event. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were hanging out in the common room, the first two working on essays while Ginny did her best to distract them. Hermione was in Charms at the moment and due back in thirty minutes.

"Harry, what's this?" Ginny asked, looking up from his bag which she had been rummaging through. Harry looked up from his essay and at the small vial Ginny was holding.

"Oh, Professor Snape has a theory about my nightmares making it through when I take the Dreamless Sleep Potion," Harry replied, pulling his third year Transfiguration book closer. "He asked me a week and a half ago to take it and now I'm trying again."

"Did it work?" she asked, looking at the bottle closer.

"It worked better than the time I took it over the summer," Harry answered, flipping through the book. "The nightmares were... less real. I could break out of them. We've been working on a Legilimency shield that should help."

"Merlin," Ron swore, throwing the first-year's book he was borrowing towards Harry, who deftly caught it. "I'm going to kill McGonagall for giving us this essay."

Harry kept his mouth shut, but he had to agree. He snapped his third year book shut. A five foot essay covering everything they had learned in their first five years at Hogwarts was a tad much. How was he supposed to remember what she taught last year, let alone six years ago when he was a puny little first-year? 'I want you to review everything pre-N.E.W.T.'s level,' she had told them, but Harry knew she just wanted to keep people as busy as possible before the dance.

"Just give it up," Ginny tempted them, placing the vial back in Harry's bag. "I want to play chess."

"I would love to get demolished by you, Ginny," Harry informed her, "but there's D.A. later tonight after I sit in my office for an hour. I can never get any work done in there, too many students coming in to complain. And I'll have to use the hour after lunch tomorrow to read through this monstrosity, not writing it!"

"No kidding," Ron agreed. "I'm glad Hermione has that hour off. We should read each others essays and edit them." Harry nodded in agreement. "I get Hermione, she's my girlfriend."

"Fair deal," Harry agreed. "After all, you have to put up with her the most."

"Be nice, Potter," Ron said, threatening him with his quill.

"Save me, Ginny, he's going to kill me with that feather!" Harry cried out, hiding behind the laughing girl for effect. Ron pretended to launch himself at Harry, but only managed to fall on his face. Harry and Ginny started laughing, while helping Ron up. The redhead glared at them for a few seconds, before joining in.

"You changing your status with her any time soon?" Harry asked, once they calmed down.

"You aren't breaking up with her, are you?" Ginny asked worriedly.

"No," Ron said nervously, glaring at Harry for opening his mouth around Ginny.

"I forgot she didn't know," Harry admitted with a shrug.

"Know what?" Ginny asked, looking from one boy to the other.

"Hey, Ginny," Seamus said behind her. Ginny turned and smiled up at him in greeting. "Ron, Harry," Seamus greeted them.

"Hey," Harry responded. "How's your Transfiguration essay coming?"

"I've got three feet done already, I was just going to go get my book to work on it," Seamus answered and then turned to look at Ginny. "About Saturday, are you going to be all dressed up for the feast or are you getting ready afterwards?"

"I'll be ready before the feast," Ginny answered nervously.

"Alright then," Seamus said, and waved good bye to the two boys. Ron and Harry were looking at Ginny as if she had just professed undying and eternal love to Voldemort.

"You've got a date?" Ron finally asked. Harry just nodded, unable to string two words together.

"I didn't want to be the only sixth year without a date," Ginny replied. "Seamus said he talked with you first, Harry. He said you were alright about it."

"I... aah... yeah, I guess," Harry said stupidly, thinking back to the conversation the two had had a little more than a week ago. "I... I hope you two have fun."

"Yeah," Ginny said with a small smile. "We're just going as friends. It's too soon for anything else. But we both wanted a date, and he's not going to ask Lavender anytime soon." For some reason that loosened the knot that had developed in his stomach.

"When and why did they break up?" Ron asked, pretending to write his essay as Hermione came over looking frazzled.

"Oh, three weeks ago, now," Ginny answered, telling Ron all the gory details. Harry, on the other hand, just stared as Seamus came over and sat down next to Ginny on the sofa, and tried not to glare at his roommate and supposed friend.

Author's Notes: Finally, the next chapter. I'm sorry for the long delay and all that badness. I am in college and I do have a lot of classes with a lot of homework. Both my beta's have been dealing with illness (their own and family members) and work. Just persevere, I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS FIC!! And more importantly, it keeps me sane, so I will write. Submissions will happen as often as possible, but will not exceed once a week. I don't want to be writing the chapter that's to be posted next, but would rather be SEVERAL chapters ahead. This is important so that my wonderful beta's feel absolutely no pressure. Okay... so now that the important announcement has been given, we move on to more relevant issues:

HUGE THANK YOU TO: kedacat, ElizaMBlaine, loveisforever, Pelted, wvb89, Brittany_Black, hpmyman2389, felixdacat, deedubya, luck_duck415, and The Wizard Of Joz! You wonderful people keep me wanting to write! And, Britt, so sorry 'bout Crazy!

Don't you want to see your name included up above? Don't you want personal replies from yours truly? Don't you want to make my day? If you answered yes to any of these questions (and if you answered no to all of them) please leave a review. I do reply to all and any questions you may have (within reason, I'm not going to tell you anything that will give anything away) and they do really make my day! And really, who doesn't want their names forever immortalized above?

Huge thank you to the wonderful Stalkers! Hermz, good to see you again! Jeep, thanks for the reminder dude! Chapter 23 has completely taken over my RotP thought time and this got completely pushed to the side. Everyone else... hmmm... Celest, thanks for the moral support as I write 23... Crazy and Laura, glad you gals are on so often to talk... Kelly, didn't you show up once when I wasn't around? Trying to think... Esther! I know you did... Have you all submitted your reviews? Wait... I wonder how many of you will read this... And finally: HAMSTERS!

Chapter 18... Chapter 18... It's entitled "Moving in the Right Direction". We have the wonderful dance, followed by the clean up. Healing class proves to be interesting. Dumbledore teaches Harry how to use his Pensieve and we watch a VERY important memory. Finally, we move in the right direction... Both Harry and I... which is scary, 'cause for Harry it's a good thing that he's moving that way, and for Harry it's a bad thing that I'm moving that way... Confused? Good, 'cause so am I!

DONE!

Until next time,
Devotedly yours,
Ioci the Contrite and Nefarious