Harry Potter and the Siren's Song

At lunch, Harry, Hermione and Ron discussed Velange's class. "I think that's the first History of Magic class I haven't fallen asleep in," Ron said incredulously. "Wonder how much of that stuff'll show up on our OWL's…if we get to focus on what we learn this year, I may have a chance. If it's all goblin rebellions, well, let's hope we get points for originality on their names. You know, Bladvack the Brute, Gernon the Greedy," he paused. "Draco the Determined Dung-head."

"You haven't said a word about how much work she assigned," Hermione pointed out. "I guess you really did enjoy it."

"What? Oh, the essay - that shouldn't take long," Ron said dismissively.

"Ron - you normally shriek like a cat stuck in water over any essay longer than twelve inches!" Hermione said accusingly. As Ginny joined them, Hermione asked her "Did you have Velange yet?"

"No, we have her this afternoon," Ginny answered. "Why?"

"She's fabulous," Ron said eagerly.

"She's very good," Hermione said diplomatically. "And I think we'll learn a lot - that is, if the boys in our class actually pay more attention to what Velange is saying instead of what she’s wearing."

"Jealous, are we?" Ron asked, smirking. "Unlike that prat Lockhart, this one's good looking AND smart." Hermione chose to ignore this.

"Don't fret, 'Mione. Yeah, she's pretty but you get used to that," Harry told her. "I think you'll really like her."

"Oh, I do," Hermione said slowly. "And I think what she's teaching is really useful. I guess I just don't trust new teachers much."

None of them commented. Hermione had a point, Harry thought. None of their new teachers, except Lupin, had ever been worth much. And none of their new teachers, except Lupin and Moody, had ever entranced a class as much as Velange had.

"Care of Magic Creatures this afternoon," Hermione said, checking her schedule. "Wonder what Hagrid will have us caring for now."

"Vampires?" Ron said, a note of hope in his voice. "Ones who have a preference for snacking on Slytherins?"

Giving Ron a "that's not funny" look, Hermione focused on her lunch of shepherd's pie. "Her eyes don't match," she murmured, almost to herself.

"Whose?" Harry asked. "Velange's? What are you talking about, they're exactly the same colour."

"No, not like that. Her eyes, they look-" she struggled to find the word. "Old. Older then Dumbledore's. Ancient, even. Like they've seen a lot."

"Maybe she has," Harry said. "After all, she's about the same age as Snuffles. Maybe she's lost a lot of friends."

Hermione sighed. "I supposed so."

"She really gets to you, doesn't she, Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking concerned.

"No, it's just…something about her. It just doesn't fit." Hermione shook her head, and changed the subject. "What do you think Moody's going to be like?"

"We'll find out soon enough," Ron answered. "Defense Against the Dark Arts is right after Care of Magical Creatures." He grinned. "Think this Moody will turn Malfoy into a ferret again?"

Care of Magical Creatures was held out on the grounds by Hagrid's cabin. When the three of them arrived, they saw Hagrid standing out by the paddock. Last time he'd taught a class there, it had been on unicorns. The time before that had been hippogriffs, so they had a fifty-fifty chance the class would focus on something lethal.

"Hullo," Hagrid said, beaming at them. "How's yer firs' day back been?"

"Oh, it's been wonderful!" Hermione answered. "What are we covering today, Hagrid?"

"Kammels," Hagrid replied.

"Come again?" Ron asked.

"Kammels. Found 'em while I was travelling this summer. Big help, they were. Best we wait 'till the Slytherins get here."

They didn't have to wait long. Draco Malfoy at the lead, the group walked up to the paddock a few minutes later. "How's the extra project from Velange going, Draco?" Hermione said with a sweet smile.

Draco just glared. "Bitch," he mouthed back at her.

"Now tha' yer all here," Hagrid said loudly, distracting Ron and Harry, who had started for Malfoy, "yer first lesson this year is on Kammels." He pulled open the crate next to him, and held aloft a very tiny - cat?

There was a chorus of "Awww's" from the girls, and Harry couldn’t help but grin. The Kammel was barely larger then his own hand, and in Hagrid's dustbin lid sized hands it looked positively miniscule.

"Kammels are also known as star cats. Full grown, they don't weigh more 'an eight pounds. Powerful magic, they are. People keep 'em as pets, in the mountains. Bet'er then guard dogs, 'cause they sense magic. Most particularly, they can sense Dark Magic, and if a Dark wizard is comin' they raise an awful fuss." The Kammel, which was covered in dark brown glossy fur, curled up in Hagrid's hand and went straight to sleep.

"Kammels live up ter fifty years, so they make good pets. They don' like too much noise though, so I doubt we'll see 'em for sale in Diagon Alley anytime soon. But Hogwarts isn't too noisy, so I thought we could raise 'em here. Dumbledore agreed - thought they'd come in handy, 'specially now. Everyone, gather round - split into 6 teams - there's one for each team."

Hermione went and claimed the trios' Kammel. It was incredibly tiny, and gazed at them trustingly, its paw crooked around Hermione's finger. It made a funny sound, not a purring noise but more of a soft whistle.

"Kammels aren't cats, so don't try 'em on cat food. They won't like it. They like dragon liver and yoghurt. The families I met this summer kept 'em mostly on yoghurt…dragon liver's a bit too dear for everyday. I've got enough yoghurt for 'em all, just drop a bit in these bowls…."

The Kammels certainly did like yoghurt. As soon as they smelled it, they raised their heads and made a yowling sound, which reminded Harry a bit of the musical orchestra at Nearly-Headless Nick's deathday party.

"Bloody hell, make that racket stop!" Draco groaned. "Eat already." He glared at his Kammel, who obligingly buried its head in the yoghurt, and was silent.

"Yeah, that's what they sound like when they sense Dark Magic too," Hagrid continued, scratching his hairy chin unconcernedly.

"Do they do anything besides eat and yowl?" Draco asked coldly.

As if in answer, Draco's Kammel went rigid. Its hair began to stand up as it made its horrible yowling screech. Pansy Parkinson squealed as the Kammel began to grow. Before their astonished eyes, it quickly became the size of a small tiger, its claws' razor sharp, and its eyes menacing.

"One o' these days, Malfoy, yer gonna get yourself killed by askin' such a stupid question in front of these creatures!" Hagrid roared, placing himself quickly between the hissing Kammel and Draco. He began moving slowly towards the creature, making soothing noises. The Kammel seemed reluctant to take its eyes off Draco, who had gone very white.

"Hermione - help me!'" Hagrid ordered. "You'll take his left, and I'll take his righ'!"

Hermione walked slowly towards the Kammel. She didn't appear to be blinking, just making some soft noises under her breath as she drew nearer. The Kammel finally took its eyes off of Malfoy, and focused on Hermione instead. With a soft hiss it reduced back to its usual size, and allowed Hermione to pick it up, rubbing its head against her fingers.

"No wonder Dumbledore wanted them - imagine the racket they'd make if Voldemort turned up on the grounds?" Ron whispered.

"Imagine the racket they'd make if we set one loose in the Slytherin common room?" Harry grinned.

They played with the Kammels once they'd eaten their fill of yoghurt. (The Slytherins, Harry noticed, allowed Pansy and Millicent to do the actual playing - Draco and his cronies kept back several feet.) Harry noticed that theirs had odd gold coloured markings growing in with its fur.

"That's how they get their name - star cats," Hagrid said when Harry asked about it. "Diff'rent constellations - Orion, mostly. Depends on what time of year it was when they were born. Their markin's start showing up when they're aroun' 6 months and are completely grown in by the time they're a year old."

"You're not going to keep them in your house, are you Hagrid?" Hermione asked apprehensively, stroking theirs which she had named "Flibbert". (Neither Ron nor Harry had the heart to ask why she named it something so ridiculous.)

"Nah - built 'em a house behind mine. They'll each have a room, with a blanket and food. The Kammelry is open whenever you want to see one. Best be puttin' 'em away now - nearly time fer the bell."

"Wouldn't plan on seeing Draco down there anytime soon," Harry said to Hagrid, as Ron snickered.

"Smarmy git," Hagrid growled, while giving the blonde boy a dark look as the Slytherins hurriedly placed their Kammel in its house and headed back up for the castle.

"'Fore I forget, ten points to Gryffindor, Hermione, fer the way you handled that Kammel," Hagrid said. "Now, you'd best be gettin' up to the castle - don't want to be late fer yer' next class."

"Thanks, Hagrid," Ron called over his shoulder, as they began hurrying towards the castle and Defense Against the Dark Arts. "That was pretty harmless," he commented to Harry. "Depressingly so, actually. Pity that Kammel didn't rip Malfoy's fingers off."

Hermione smirked. "I actually had some other parts in mind."

They hurried into Moody's classroom seconds after the bell rang. "You're late," came Moody's growl behind them. "Five points from Gryffindor. We've entirely too much to cover for anyone of us to be waiting around."

Mumbling apologies, they hurried to a table in the front of the class and sat down. Moody shut the door, before turning around to face the class.

"Before we get started, let's get one thing straight," Moody began. "You did not have me for class last year, so everyone in this class starts with a fresh slate. Got it?"

There were mute nods. "Good. Well, from what I can gather, you had a thorough covering on hexes and curses last year, and dark creatures the year before." More silent nods. "For the first term of the year, we're going to focus on what creatures the Dark Order considers its closest allies. Then we'll get into how to battle against them. I think we're all agreed in thinking it may only be a matter of time before we may all be called on to fight such beings, and the sooner you learn about them, the better."

"There are four main creatures that pose the biggest threat to both the Muggle world and our own, and as such are the four most highly sought after for alliances with the Dark Order. Anyone care to hazard a guess at what they are?"

Hermione's hand shot into the air, as usual, and so did Neville's. "Longbottom?"

"Vampires?" Neville said, his voice a bit timid.

"Good. Another? Weasley?"

"Uh, Dementors?"

"Very good. Brown?"

"Werewolves?"

"Yes. And the last? Potter?"

Harry frowned as he answered "Um, Giants?" He thought of Hagrid, and remembered the way he'd been treated when his half-giant heritage had been exposed in the Daily Prophet last year. And wondered again what exactly he'd spent the summer doing.

"Precisely." Moody wrote them on the board. "Now, how do we combat against these creatures joining the Dark Order?"

There was a long pause, before Hermione raised her hand. "Granger?"

"We make them our allies before Voldemort does the same." Her voice was very clear and sure.

"Exactly. Voldemort is a very big believer in the saying "My enemies' enemy is my friend." Unless we'd like a mess as big as we had fourteen years ago, it's time for the wizarding world to put away old biases and fight with every weapon at our disposal."

"However, not every one of these creatures is going to be convinced that we are the winning side, or even the side they chose to lose on. So it's best if you're prepared by knowing their strengths and weaknesses first."

"Now, I know you covered vampires to some extent with Professor Lupin in third year, but there's still much you need to know. So first a review! What are the ways in which to detect vampire activity?"

They spent the entire class reviewing how to detect vampires, how to kill them, and how to protect themselves. Some of the ways Moody covered on killing vampires made more then one girl blanche ("Extracting the heart and boiling it in either vinegar or wine can be a bit messy but it never fails") but were nonetheless interesting.

"Now, knowing all of this, why is it that the wizard community hasn't stomped out vampires?" Moody asked, looking around. "No one?"

For once, not one hand was in the air - not even Hermione's. Moody sighed.

"Right. For homework-" Moody ignored the soft groans that followed this statement, "what inducement could we as wizards offer vampires to have them agree to fight alongside us, rather then side with Voldemort? Due next Monday. Now, off you get. Potter, I need a word."

"But Professor," Hermione piped up, "we still have fifteen minutes left."

"Those essays aren't going to be completed by copying a few lines from some book, Granger. I suggest that you all get started unless you plan to spend the whole weekend in the library," Moody growled. Hermione went rather pink.

Harry hefted his book bag up over his shoulder and followed after Moody into his office. As soon as the door was closed, he said in a low voice, "Hermione Granger is the best student in the year, Professor."

"I'm aware of that, Potter. She has enormous potential to whatever she puts that brain of hers to." Moody sat in a chair and gave Harry a cagey look. "Think I was a bit rough on her? On all of you?"

Harry nodded mutely.

"You're not children anymore, Potter. It would be an insult to your intelligence if I were to treat you as such. No, I think it's safe to say that when the battle comes, you and your fellows are our best hope. But you won't be ready if you're coddled. And we need you ready." Moody stared gloomily into the fire, then said "How did your first class go with Professor Velange?"

"Er, all right." Harry wondered where this was going. "She started on nature vs. nurture. We have an essay due next week."

"Smartest curriculum choice Dumbledore could have made, that class. You'll no doubt be swimming in work, but you'll be ready for whatever comes." He focused on Harry then. "So, our lessons - you'll check and let me know when your Quidditch practices are, and we'll schedule them around that." Seeing Harry's shocked expression, he grinned. "I'm not totally heartless, Potter. I know how important Quidditch is to you, and to Hogwarts. Far be it from me to spoil House competition and school morale. You'll let me know by the end of the week?"

"Yes." Harry paused a moment. "Professor, you said half of training against the Dark Arts was in practical lessons…we're not going to have to take on a vampire or anything, are we?"

Moody's mouth twitched. "Hell of an idea, Potter. Like the way your mind thinks. Now we'd better be off for dinner." He stood. "Coming?"

And Harry, completely at a loss for words, followed him to the Great Hall.

"Harry!" Angelina hissed when she saw him. "Team meeting tonight - after dinner in the common room. Ok?"

"Right." Harry slumped at the table, piling mashed potatoes onto his plate.

"Hungry, are we?" Ginny gave him an amused glance.

"Starving." He reached for the chicken, and saw her giving him a sideways glance. Harry's face softened. "Long day," he said softly.

"I know." Her hand under the table gave his knee a gentle squeeze, which almost made him drop the gravy boat. Setting it down, he saw her eyes twinkling. Her eyes, they reminded him of a topaz necklace he'd seen once in Diagon Alley - they way they reflected and caught the light…

Harry was so lost in this train of thought that it took him a few minutes to realize that Fred was speaking to him. "First Quidditch match is in four weeks. Given any thought as to who we'll add on as Keeper?"

"Ron," Harry said without hesitation.

"Harry, I've been thinking…it wouldn't hurt for us to add a few reserves this year. I mean, I know it's going to be hard replacing the best Beaters this school has ever had-" this produced a few rolled eyes from the table, "but next year we're going to need two new Chasers as well. Might as well hold a full roster tryout."

Harry, his mouth full of food, realized most of the table was looking at him for comment. Swallowing hastily, he tried to speak but choked and ended up nearly spitting his potatoes onto the table, much to the amusement of the twins. Yeah, that's the stuff revered Quidditch Captains are made of, Harry thought to himself wryly.

"It’s really quite simple, Potter. Chew, then swallow." Draco's voice cut through the air, causing the smiles at the table to vanish. "I can draw you a chart with step by step directions if you prefer."

"You know, Malfoy, for someone who claims to loathe us, you certainly seem to like hanging around the Gryffindor table! Or did you decide you enjoyed having conversations that involved words larger then one syllable, as compared to the clever Troll language your buddies doll out?" Ron snapped.

"Witty, Weasley. Did Granger make that up for you earlier today or did you manage to string that together on the spot?" Draco said smoothly. "Despite the jolly's I get slumming in the Mudblood pit, I'm here to let Potty know that Professor Snape wants to see the both of us after he's done spitting his food all over the Hall."

At the word "Mudblood" Ron threw down his napkin and started for Malfoy.

"Ron, no!" squealed Hermione, catching him by the arm. Throwing Draco a scornful look, she said loudly enough for half the Hall to hear, "So Malfoy - still having that burning sensation? I'm sure Madam Pomfrey has a cream to help alleviate your symptoms, although I think that rash may be permanent."

That brought a torrent of snickers, and not only from the Gryffindor table. Harry could have sworn he recognized Pansy Parkinson's high-pitched cackle. Were even the Slytherins tired of his attitude?

Malfoy coloured, then said in a low voice, "You sound fairly knowledgeable for someone's who's supposed to still be a virgin, Granger…or did Krum manage to accomplish what Potter and Weasley both fantasize about?"

Angelina stood then, and snapped "Twenty points from Slytherin! Get back to your own table, Malfoy - or I'll add a detention, and piss on your prefect status!"

Malfoy smirked, and added as he turned away "I see I hit a nerve. See you in Snape's office, Potter." His eyes lingered on Hermione. "No wonder you're stuck in Gryffindor - that cherry colour suits you, Granger. You should consider taking out an ad - wanted: experienced male to tackle uptight prude-"

Without warning, the gravy boat on the table flew into the air and landed with a splat! directly on Malfoy's shining silvery-blonde hair. Swearing enough to make the air burn, Malfoy stormed from the hall, the gales of laughter from the Gryffindor table serenading his exit.

"Who did it?" George chortled, as Professor McGonagall swept over to their table looking like a particularly murderous hippogriff.

"I have never been more shocked by Gryffindors' behavior! Detention for the entire House unless the guilty party confesses this instant!"

Ten sets of hands flew into the air. Harry was shocked to see that Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Angelina, Katie, Alicia and Lee had raised their hands along with him.

There was a strained silence. Harry watched McGonagall's mouth twitch suspiciously, as though she was fighting not to smile. "As upperclassmen you are responsible for modeling the behavior of the entire house. You should be ashamed of yourselves, you should be setting an example - especially you three!" Her steely gaze focused on Harry and Hermione before moving on to Angelina. "Fifty points from Gryffindor - and if I catch wind of any other unauthorized magic from you lot, I will make it an even hundred!" She stormed off and returned to the Head table, looking extremely irate.

"Best fifty points we ever lost," Fred said in a low voice. "I'm splitting for the tower, though, before she remembers she already threatened George and I with that exact same thing that earlier today."

"See you," George said cheerily, and he, Lee, Angelina and Fred left, looking as though they found the whole incident hilarious.

"Fifty points !" Hermione squeaked. "How are we supposed to make that up?"

"Be glad it's that and not detention Saturday night," Ron said. "I'd hate to miss our first Hogsmeade visit."

"What are you on about?" Harry frowned. "First Hogsmeade visit isn't until Halloween."

"Not for fifth years and above, its not," Ron said, grinning. "We're allowed to visit every weekend if we choose to…didn't anyone tell you?"

"No," said Harry slowly. "It never came up." To be honest, he'd focused his mind elsewhere, not on the events of the upcoming school year.

"There's traditionally a big party at the Hog's Head first Saturday night of the term that the seventh years throw for the fifth years and above. Supposed to be a big secret, but all the teachers know," Ron continued. "That's probably why we didn't get our detentions that night…McGonagall didn't feel up to dealing with Fred and George's wrath this early in the year."

The thought of Fred and George throwing a party made Harry grin. He was thinking about what kind of new joke they might be springing on their captive audience that weekend as he made his way out of the Great Hall and down the stairs to Snape's dungeon offices. Malfoy was already there, looking downright sulky, when Harry arrived.

Snape gave Harry a scathing look and said without preamble, "The potion you want to work on is highly complex, Potter, and as I have no wish to be blamed for your unfortunate demise," Snape's lip curled as he spoke, "I have requested that Mr. Malfoy assist you."

"What?" Harry stared at Snape. "But Professor, I don't think-"

"I couldn't have put it any better, Potter." Malfoy's drawl singed the air. "Actually, I could have. 'Chewing and swallowing are advanced skills for Potter - it'll take years of practice to reach the level of actual thought."

"Enough!" Snape snapped. "Malfoy is the best Potions student in the year, and the only one I would trust to work on such an advanced project. However, the idea was yours, therefore you will work together and he will attempt to keep you from destroying my classroom. End of discussion." Snape's eyes glinted dangerously as both boys opened their mouths in protest. "You will both hand in written summaries of your project weekly, due to me each Friday. The days you choose to work on this are at your discretion, but I would recommend a minimum of two nights each week. I realize this will cut into your Quidditch practice time, but we all have to make sacrifices. Now, I suggest you both remove yourselves from my sight."

The two boys were silent as they exited the classroom, but the second they were out of Snape's earshot, Malfoy rounded on Harry.

"Decided being Dumbledore's favourite boy wasn't good enough, Potter? Snape's the only teacher with eyes in his head, you know, and he can see right through you. If you were planning on using this little experiment to butter him up, save us both the time and give up now - I have enough to do this year without holding your hand through after-hour Potions projects."

"You think working with you was my idea?" Harry asked hotly. "I'd sooner snog Millicent Bulstrode."

"I can arrange that." Draco retorted.

Harry was fuming. Two nights a week working in the dark, smelly Potions dungeon would be bad enough, but with Malfoy sneering at his elbow it would be pure torture. Still, he wasn't giving up the thought of perfecting the Impenetrable Potion. He needed to have that in his arsenal.

"Just stay out of my way, Malfoy, and you'll have both hands free to while away the hours…just don't do it in front of me." With that, Harry turned and headed up the stairs and back towards Gryffindor Tower.

As he entered the common room, he caught sight of the entire Quidditch team waiting for him at the far end. They all grinned as Harry scrambled over to meet them.

"'Bout time you got here. We were starting to wonder if you'd run off with Mrs. Norris." George's eyes were dancing.

"What did I miss?" Harry asked, throwing himself into a chair.

"Just that you're captain by acclamation," Katie shrugged, trying not to laugh.

"Nothing big," Fred said, looking equally amused.

"You're joking." Harry said, looking from one beaming face to the next.

"Not on something like this, we're not," Angelina promised, then swooped down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Congratulations!"

With that, the entire team let out a whoop of laughter at the look on Harry's face. As heads turned, George yelled loud enough for the entire tower to hear, "Harry Potter's your new Quidditch team captain. Quit with the studying already - we need to celebrate!"

Pandemonium broke out as the entire tower began applauding and shouting their approval. From out of nowhere, bottles of butterbeer appeared on tables surrounded by heaps of candy and stacks of Cauldron Cakes. Harry found himself being kissed by Alicia and Katie, while Fred and George slapped him on the back and called for a speech.

"Umm." His voice cracked a bit as he realized that every eye in the room was on him. Get a grip! He told himself firmly. This is Quidditch we're talking about - not the Nobel Prize. But seeing the glowing look Ginny was sending him did nothing to calm the squirming in his stomach. "Quidditch tryouts will be Wednesday and Thursday night!" Harry finally managed to get out. "We need a new Keeper, and we'll be looking for reserve players for the positions of Chaser and Beater. " He managed a weak grin. "We're looking to bring home the Cup again, so no pressure." There was a buzz of excited chatter as people's attention mercifully shifted to the party and off of Harry.

"Need to work on that public speaking bit, Harry." George snickered as he reached for a butterbeer. "I've heard more inspiring speeches from the house elves."

Harry shrugged. "You didn't elect me for my wit and charm."

"Congratulations, Harry!" squealed Parvati, reaching up and kissing his cheek. Lavender Brown was giving Harry a very thorough once-over with her eyes. The whole thing was making Harry very uncomfortable. "Thanks," he muttered, his cheeks red as he made his way over to where Ron, Hermione and Ginny were standing.

"I told you!" Ron crowed as soon as Harry was in earshot. "I told you they were electing you as captain, Harry!"

"Congratulations!" Ginny beamed at him.

"What did Snape want?" Hermione asked, while Ron rolled his eyes.

"Hermione - Harry just got named Quidditch captain and you want to talk about Snape?"

"It's OK," Harry said quickly, glad to be able to talk about something else. He told them about how Snape had assigned the Impenetrable Potion to both him and Malfoy. Ron's mouth made a perfect "o" as he tried to find the words to express his outrage. "That prat," he said finally. "That slimy, greasy, horrid, evil bastard -"

"Gold star for imagery, Ron," Hermione interrupted. "But Snape's got a point - Malfoy is his best Potions student."

"In your year, maybe," Ginny said archly.

"Whatever," Ron yawned. "Snape's still working his way into Hell's inner circle by making Harry work with him. What are you going to do?" he asked Harry.

"Work with him, I guess. That potion's important," Harry said shortly. "We'll need it - I'm sure of it."

Harry's gloom over working with Malfoy overshadowed the happiness he felt about being named Quidditch captain. Mumbling about his essay for Moody, he made his way upstairs to the dorm room.

Reaching for his diary, his hand began writing as fast as the thoughts poured into his brain.

Harry already knew the answer to that. Too many people had died for Voldemort not to get his full attention. He heard Cedric's voice in his head, asking for Harry to take his body back to his parents.

Ginny's smiling face flashed through his mind, and his hand froze for a second, then wrote:

His hand was shaking as he wrote that last bit. Staring at the words, he added: