Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Sixth year, and Harry's back at Hogwarts, but how can it be like it was? NEWTs and even Quidditch pale into insignificance, with Sirius gone and the horizon dark with war. Familiar faces turn up in unexpected places, and then there's the small matter of Malfoy... Drama a-plenty, and maybe an apocalypse or two to come.

The tension at Hogwarts deepens; Harry waits for the sword of Damocles to fall, but in the meantime there are a few surprises in store.

Ron and Hermione are desperate to find out where Harry is; Lupin is desperate to find out where Harry is; even Harry is desperate to find out where Harry is -- but more importantly, what on Earth is Malfoy up to?

Our heroes struggle to save each other and themselves, and many problems arise in their paths: the Knight Bus, the wand, and the moon; ancient landscapes, misunderstandings, Malfoy's hair and Harry's Invisibility Cloak; but above all, a conversation overheard that will change somebody's life forever.

The worst is over, or so Harry thinks. But even back at Hogwarts, things continue to take strange turns, and he finds that none of the problems he left behind have been resolved. In fact, some of them have just got worse...

Harry's mood has not improved over much, but then, neither has Malfoy's, so they're a good match. Our heroes jolt from argument to argument, and on the way a small mystery is solved and another one created.