Sirius Black's Secret Love

Chapter Six - Harry's Punishment

Harry could feel his stomach sink and dreaded what was to come. He followed Professor McGonagall through the Great Hall and felt that everyone was looking and whispering at him. She brought him to the side room off the Great Hall where the Triwizard champions had met after their names had emerged from the Goblet of Fire. He felt almost as nervous as he did then, but at least he had an inkling of what to expect this time. He realized from the stern expression on her face that he was going to be punished for the hexing incident on the Hogwarts Express. Dumbledore was seated behind a table and gestured for Harry to sit down across from him.

"Well, I have to oversee the Sorting," Professor McGonagall said as she abruptly left.

"Harry, I think you know why you are here. There is a matter of concern that occurred on the train ride home at the end of the last school year. Did you place hexes on Misters Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle?"

Harry nodded glumly.

"Were there other students who also hexed them?"

"I'd rather not say," he said timidly.

"I understand. You'd rather take all the punishment than turn in your friends."

Harry nodded again.

"Well, I am put in the position of having to make an example out of you for the entire school body to recognize that hexing other students is unacceptable. I have never found a reason worthy enough for using Veritaserum on a student before..."

Harry looked up with dread in his eyes.

"...and I still do not think this warrants its usage in this matter either. Therefore, I shall deduct fifty points from Gryffindor, which shall actually make the house start at a deficit at the beginning of the school year. And in addition, you shall serve a detention every Saturday for the entire month of September."

Harry's eyes grew wide at that.

"Where you shall come to my office and we will work privately on your transfiguration lessons. Sirius and Arabella have kept me informed of your amazing progress," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. Harry suddenly brightened at the thought. Here Dumbledore figured out a way to outwardly punish Harry, but secretly allow for the continuation of his Animagus training.

"I think you should also know that Professor McGonagall had favored making you a prefect, but reconsidered after this unfortunate incident. And while I wish it had not occurred, it may serve some useful purposes. Everyone in the school will soon learn about it and realize that you and your friends are not people they want to cross."

"But they'll hate me. Especially if they believe what was printed in The Daily Prophet."

"Well, Nicolo Machiavelli wrote that it is more secure to be feared than to be loved."

"But that sounds more like Voldemort than me," Harry protested.

"Yes, he certainly is feared," Dumbledore agreed, "but right now people will soon be deciding where to cast their allegiances. The teenage years are a time of great turbulence and decision making. Traditionally it has also been a time of recruitment by those involved in the Dark Arts. The choice between what is right versus what is easy is never a simple one to make. There are many factors to consider. Voldemort's forces will probably resume their old carrot and stick approach to tempt people to join their side. The carrot is increased powers, accelerated advancement in your chosen career path, and a sense of belonging to a secret society. Of course the downside is that you are then compelled to follow any order to hurt or kill others - even people you care about. A real Bargain with the Devil. The stick if you choose not to join is the threat of harm to those closest to you or your own death."

"So how do we combat that?"

"That's why I think there may be an upside to your fellow students fearing you a little. You may serve as a deterrent for them to join with the Death Eaters. If they sense that they also are at risk of harm should they become your adversary, then it makes it more difficult for them to choose the easy path of siding with the Dark Forces."

"What about the Ministry of Magic? Doesn't the threat of going to Azkaban serve as a deterrent?" Harry asked.

"Not as much as one would think. The Ministry has always been a rich target for infiltration by Voldemort's forces. Many people who should have been locked away had their airtight cases seemingly disintegrate overnight. No, it is not the Ministry that people feared the most that allied themselves with Voldemort. Instead it was the band of agents that worked for me. Your father and mother were part of that group, as you are also."

Harry swallowed hard, "I - I am?"

"Yes, whether or not you realized it, you have been working for me in fighting Voldemort and his forces for years. Since his bodily return it is more important than ever to marshal all the forces I can to form a united front against evil."

"Sir, do you want to know why I hexed Malfoy?"

"Yes, please tell me."
"He said that I picked the wrong side. That Muggles and Mudbloods were going to the first targets and then he corrected himself to say that Cedric was the first target. I took that as a threat and that's when I hexed them."

Dumbledore nodded, "That's an understandable interpretation. We must also consider that Misters Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle have been groomed to follow their fathers into the ranks of the Death Eaters."

"Then why are they at this school?" Harry demanded.

"Because it is our choices in life that reveal more about who we are more than our abilities. They will soon decide for themselves whether to follow in their fathers' footsteps in the path that has been laid out for them or whether they will rebel and set out on their own path. The teenage years are commonly a rebellious time even in normal households that are not facing such dire choices. Now, I doubt that Mister Malfoy will decide to become your best friend, but he should see you as a worthy adversary - especially after the train incident. He shall now sense that he will be in personal danger should he follow his father's lead. Should he or the other children from similar households decide to reject their predetermined destiny, they could prove to be very valuable to our side as they will be talented and be incredible sources of information. So, that is one reason that they are here, they have not yet chosen their future paths and therefore we should not judge them and reject them due to the sins of their parents."

Dumbledore checked his bizarre watch, "The sorting should be over by now and everyone is waiting for the feast to begin. We should rejoin them and Harry, there's one more thing..."

"What's that sir?"

"Try not to seem repentant about the incident. Don't gloat, but don't apologize either."

Harry nodded as he followed Dumbledore out of the room. There was just so much about the headmaster that continually amazed him. As they entered the main hall and Harry made his way to his seat at the Gryffindor table, he felt all eyes were following him as he walked. Hushed voices were murmuring as he passed. After Harry sat down, Dumbledore stood and then all the heads turned towards the head table.

"I'd like to welcome all the new students to Hogwarts and welcome back all the returning students. Last year's Triwizard tournament was exciting as it allowed a lively competition and allowed for the opportunity to foster greater ties with others in the Wizarding World. This year promises to be more traditional in that our competition is the normal inter-house rivalry for the House cup. There is also the attempt to bridge those gaps by having different houses share classes together. It is the mission of Hogwarts to prepare all of its students for the Wizarding World. Competition and cooperation with one's rivals is a large part of that. However..." and his voice grew serious, "when competition is not tempered with reason it can also lead to an unhealthy animosity. This was exemplified by an unfortunate incident at the end of the last school year."

Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy gloating at him. Harry kept his face expressionless and did not avert his gaze.

"This type of anger between houses and students will not be tolerated. The student at the center of this controversy will be dealt with by a severe punishment. His house shall be docked fifty points and he shall serve detentions for every Saturday this month starting tomorrow."

Murmurs and gasps were heard throughout the room and loud snickers were coming from the Slytherin table.

"Let this serve as a lesson for all of you. There is no excuse for hexing a fellow student, even if someone insults the memory of someone like our former student Cedric Diggory."

Then all heads turned towards Draco Malfoy and his eyes flashed with anger and darted from Harry to Dumbledore. Words such as 'insulted Cedric?' 'how dare he' were heard above the hushed whispers. Dumbledore used his hands to motion the room to silence.

"There is one more thing that I must mention before the feast begins. There are those who refuse to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned. Some even say that there is no evidence of this. Believe me when I tell you that it is the truth and we all shall soon be faced with hard decisions in our lives as to where we shall place our loyalties and allegiances. I want to assure everyone that they are safe while they are at Hogwarts. To ensure this safety I promise you that anyone who would participate in activities in support of Voldemort while they are at this school shall be expelled. I also want any attempts to recruit any current students to his side to be brought to my attention without delay. Anyone who violates those rules shall find themselves out of Hogwarts and their wands broken."

The room was filled with a thick silence. Then Dumbledore's face softened and his warm smile returned. "And now for the highlight of the evening," he clapped his hands and all the golden plates were heaped with food. "Enjoy!"

Everyone started to dig into the sumptuous feast that lay before them.

"Fifty points!" Dean Thomas said angrily. "We haven't even started the school year yet. Thanks a lot Harry."

Fred waved his hand dismissively.

"Don't worry Dean, we'll make that up in our first Quidditch match. Didn't you say you were interested in trying out for the team this year?"

Then the talk at the table turned away from Harry's punishment to looking at this year's prospects for winning the Quidditch Cup. It seemed that both Ron and Dean were planning on trying out for the team as well as several other younger classmates.

Later when they were all safely back in Gryffindor Tower, Fred and George came up to Harry and spoke to him quietly.

"Did Dumbledore ask about anyone else?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't tell him. He didn't press the issue. Malfoy was there because of me, so I took full responsibility," Harry replied.

"Harry, that's awful big of you," George said.

"Well, now everyone will know that I've done something worthy of fifty penalty points and five detentions. Hopefully, that'll scare anyone away with an idea of attacking me," Harry said coolly.

"You're tougher than you look, Harry Potter," Fred said admiringly.

"Yeah, well I have to be," Harry said. "Just make sure when people talk about this incident in front of you, that everyone knows that I never apologized and I'd do it again to Malfoy if he provokes me."

"Will do," said George.

"Oh and Harry," Fred added. "We wanted to tell you that we've started on our business plan. We hope to get some of our product line in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We've made some contacts and hope to sell some things on consignment."

"That's great," Harry said.

"Well, you're our venture capitalist. We'll be giving you a share of our profits. That is once we turn any. Just thought you'd like to know," said George.

*

The next day after breakfast Harry went to Professor Dumbledore's office and looked at the gargoyle standing guard outside. Other years when he needed to speak with Dumbledore urgently he would try to guess what the password was. This time he was expected, so he simply knocked on the outside of the door. In a few minutes the door opened and Hermione walked out. She looked directly at Harry, gave her lips a quick lick and then flashed a large smile at him.

"Well, good morning Harry."

He stood with his mouth open staring at her. He blinked and said, "Er - hello."

Harry wondered if Hermione felt compelled to tell Dumbledore her part in the hexing incident even though he had shielded everyone else from taking any punishment. It would be just like her, he thought.

Hermione turned and shook Dumbledore's hand, "Thank you for your time, Headmaster."

"Anytime Miss Granger. Good luck with your project and please keep me updated," he said with a broad smile on his face. "Harry, please come in."

Harry looked puzzled as she walked past him.

"What was that about sir?"

"Should Miss Granger wish to tell you about it, I'm sure you will find out. Please have a seat. I've heard from Professor Figg about your progress in Animagus training, but I'd like to hear how you feel it is going."

Harry started to tell Dumbledore about his experiences of being forcibly transfigured and how he gradually became accustomed to the abrupt changes between being human and becoming a reptile and back again. He no longer needed the pepper-up potion to keep him from developing massive chills.

"I haven't been able to make much progress in turning myself into the snake form though."

"Perhaps the emotion you are using when concentrating on this task is not the most powerful one for you," Dumbledore observed.

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me Harry about some of the wandless magic you exhibited before you came to Hogwarts."

Harry thought back to the strange things that happened such as the disappearing glass at the zoo and when he forced his hair to grow back overnight when his aunt gave him a horrible haircut. He told those incidents to Dumbledore.

"So the emotions involved behind that magic involved either anger or fear," Dumbledore observed.

"Yeah, that seems about right."

"Well, I want you to focus your mind on those emotions and then try to work on your transfiguration. I assume that if you recall that evening in the graveyard that you should have enough anger and fear to work with."

Harry looked at him solemnly and nodded.

"Let's get started shall we. Please lay down on the floor and start concentrating on that evening. Give way to your anger at what happened to Cedric. Let it seethe inside of you."

Harry had tried for the last few months to banish any thoughts about that evening and now Dumbledore was compelling him to not only think about it, but to fully concentrate on feelings that he had actively tried to suppress. As Harry stood up, something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He noticed that a lush terrarium was sitting on an end table that he had never noticed before. Clinging on the inside of the glass was a large black beetle.

"Umm, sir - I noticed your terrarium..."

"It's a nice addition, don't you think. It's filled with the flora and fauna captured from our wonderful school grounds."

"Umm, is it wise to have it here in your office where..."

Dumbledore gave a knowing smile. "Like most things at Hogwarts there are many charms placed upon the item. I enjoy having it within my view to ensure its security."

Harry knew they were dancing around the subject and Dumbledore didn't want to come right out and talk about Rita Skeeter being held prisoner in her Animagus form. He felt that it was best to just play along rather than be bold and mention the obvious, but he had a safety concern that was nagging him.

"Yes, but sir - last year there were several students in Slytherin that were well aware of the other form and should they come to this office for any reason..." he stammered.

"Hmmm, well perhaps you have a point. Possibly this terrarium would look better in another place. I think I'll try it in my private quarters. Now, let's get back to your lesson shall we. Please lie down on the floor and start concentrating on that fateful evening. Let your anger flow through you. Channel that anger."

Harry lay perfectly still on the hard tile floor and started to picture the night that had haunted his nightmares. He could smell the air heavy with oppressive fumes from the simmering cauldron. He saw clearly in his mind's eye the murder of Cedric and he heard the sickening thud as his body fell to the ground. Harry's anger started to well up in him. Then he remembered how Wormtail, that pathetic excuse for a man who had betrayed Harry's parents tied him up to a tombstone. He allowed his anger and resentment to build against this traitorous man. A man whose life Harry had spared out of pity. He began to fume. The memory of Wormtail lifting Harry's sleeve to forcibly take his blood caused the scar on his arm to burn.

"Use the anger and concentrate on your snake form."

Harry held his legs together tightly and focused his mind like a laser on his anger and the snake image. He felt a fusion starting to occur, his legs were turning into a tail.

"Excellent, Harry. Now picture the creature rising out of the cauldron."

He turned his mind's eye to the horrific image of Voldemort rising with his snake-like head and spider-like hands. The revulsion started to make the contents of his stomach turn sour. The emotions washing over Harry were anger, rage, fury and bone-chilling fear. He had not allowed himself to fully feel those emotions that night because he was trying desperately to keep his wits about him and had actively suppressed those emotions at the time. Even in his dreams, he had never allowed himself to feel his emotions fully. Now he felt like he was riding a roller coaster that was out of control.

"Focus Harry. Focus on your arms. Have them meld to your body."

He followed Dumbledore's orders and felt his arms and torso become one solid piece. He started to feel the urge to move and began to struggle with the movement and trying to remember how to move forward.

"Excellent. Excellent work. Now breathe in - relax your mind and bring yourself back here - back to my office. Back to September 2^nd - the start of a new school year."

Harry listened and left all his thoughts of snakes and the cemetery behind. He started to think of Hedwig, Hermione, Ron and Gryffindor Tower. He then found himself blinking at his surroundings. He had been so consumed with his thoughts about the night Voldemort had returned that he had kept his eyes closed and had forgotten where he was. Harry shook his head groggily and began kneeling in his belabored effort to stand.

"Why don't you have a seat?" Dumbledore gestured to a chair and began filling a cup with tea. "Here drink this."

Dumbledore looked at Harry with grave seriousness in his eyes.

"Harry, is that the first time you allowed yourself to feel those emotions from that night?"

"Yes," Harry mumbled.

"Well," Dumbledore sighed. "It is good to examine and understand your emotions. It is an important part of yourself and you need to harness your feelings. However, I must warn you to not let them control you or allow it to become an obsession. Vengeance consumes the person seeking it and it has the power to destroy not only the target of the hatred, but the person bent on revenge. I wanted you to feel the power within you and channel it for your own use. Now that you've examined those feelings, please try to think of them only when you need to access them for your powers. Do you understand this?
"I think so," he said as he sipped the tea. It filled him with warmth and he was beginning to feel human again.

"Good, well I think that's all that I could expect from you today. I expect at this rate that by the end of your detentions that you should be able to change at will back and forth from human to snake with no trouble. You do realize that this is something that takes most wizards and witches years of practice to even get to the level that you've managed in roughly a month's time."

*

Monday morning Harry was eagerly eating his breakfast in anticipation of starting a new year of classes. Hermione groaned as she scanned the front page of The Daily Prophet.

"Oh no, not again."

"What is it?" Harry said with dread.

"You don't want to read it. It's another libelous attack on you. An unnamed source is accusing you of killing Cedric Diggory in order to get Cho Chang as your girlfriend."

Harry started to feel his blood boil and looked over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was eagerly reading the same paper and chuckling with his friends. Harry got up and started to walk over to Malfoy. He wasn't sure what he was going to say or do, but he knew he couldn't let this go unanswered. He had almost gotten there when Professor Figg strode angrily past him.

SMACK!

The paper had been slammed down on the table in front of Malfoy and she stood staring down at him.

"Would you please care to tell me how The Daily Prophet came to print an article using the very language that you used on the Hogwarts Express?" Professor Figg demanded.

Everyone in the Great Hall stopped eating their breakfast and focused their attention on the new teacher.

"H-How should I know?" Malfoy said nervously as he looked around the room.

"So you think it was just a happy coincidence they chose to make the same insinuation you did? And how did they come to find out that Cho Chang and Harry were in the same compartment on the train ride? Or what his punishment was for hexing you and your friends? Someone from this school initiated contact with that newspaper with the sole purpose of defaming Harry Potter. I would like to know if you had anything to do with this."

"Many people saw them together and voices carry on the Hogwarts Express. Perhaps someone else heard me and came to the same conclusion that I did," he drawled.

"Well then, for not answering a direct question from a faculty member I shall deduct ten points from Slytherin."

Malfoy looked at her and seemed emboldened.

"Professor Figg, I delivered your regards to my father. He was rather surprised to hear that you were going to be teaching here. He said you seemed to have dropped off the face of the Wizarding World some fourteen years ago. It was thought that you had renounced magic and were living amongst the Muggles. He also wondered what your qualifications were to teach here," Malfoy said with a lilt of contempt in his voice.

"That earns you another ten points penalty Mr. Malfoy. That's for not asking me a direct question but instead trying to veil an insinuation as a comment from your father. That type of disrespect will not be tolerated."

Snape entered the room and saw everyone staring at Draco Malfoy and Professor Figg. He quickly made his way over to stand behind Malfoy.

"Is there a problem here?"

"Yes, there is. Your newest prefect seems to have a problem showing the proper respect for faculty members. He refused to answer a direct question and then rather than ask me a question, he made an insinuation regarding my character and qualifications. So far he's lost Slytherin twenty points."

Snape looked at Malfoy and then cast a withering glance at Harry. Even though his name wasn't mentioned, Snape knew that this disagreement had something to do with Harry Potter. As Snape's eyes locked with his, Harry began to feel very self-conscious. He wanted to be anywhere except four feet away from the Slytherin table. He would have left except for the minor fact that his legs wouldn't move. His feet seemed to have been cemented to the floor.

Draco muttered something under his breath.

"What's that you said?" Professor Figg snapped. "That's another ten points! I will not tolerate inter-house prejudice. And for the record Mr. Malfoy, I was in Ravenclaw. Every house has a long and noble tradition as well as their own share of embarrassing alumni. Every house and every student here is deserving of respect. Comments like that are beneath the dignity of Hogwarts. And because this type of behavior is unacceptable from any student and especially reprehensible for prefects, you shall serve a detention for this. I shall leave that for you to arrange Professor Snape, since you are his head of house."

"Come with me Draco, before you lose Slytherin any more points," Snape said coolly.

Snape looked at Professor Figg as if he were sizing her up. Then he placed his hand on Draco's back as he guided him from the room.

"Oh and Mr. Malfoy," Professor Figg called to him. "I'll see you this morning in class. Don't be late."

She looked around and saw that the entire hall was staring at her.

Pansy Parkinson raised her hand cautiously.

"Professor Figg?" she asked.

"Yes? And your name is?"

"Pansy Parkinson."

"Yes, Miss Parkinson what is it?"

"Professor, what did you do for the last fourteen years?" she asked nervously.

"I worked providing security for a private client," Professor Figg replied matter-of-factly.

"Were you in the Muggle world?" Pansy asked.

"Any information regarding my client or their location would be a breach of confidentiality. As for my qualifications to teach here, the headmaster is well aware of my talents and experience. It was based on that knowledge that he recruited me for this position. I would like to thank you for asking me politely Miss Parkinson."

Professor Figg then looked around the room again. "Does anyone else have any questions for me?"

Heads were shaking all around.

"Well then, let's get back to breakfast. Your first class is in twenty minutes," she said as she turned and walked back to the head table.

Harry started getting the feeling back in his legs and began to move toward the Gryffindor table. Cho Chang stood up and looked directly at Harry.

She tossed her hair and said, "Hey, Harry."

Harry blinked, "Umm, hi."

"I want to make an announcement for the whole school to hear," Cho stated loudly. "The report in this morning's paper is false and I don't want anyone believing a word of it. I had asked to speak with Harry on the train because I had some questions for him regarding what happened to Cedric. He was honest and direct with me. He had nothing to do with Cedric's death and anyone who says otherwise is just slandering an upstanding young man and defiling the memory of Cedric. Furthermore, Harry has always been a perfect gentleman towards me. I wanted everyone to know that I categorically reject the content of that article. That's all."

Cho then sat down and her friends immediately started to lean forward with their questions for her. Harry felt stunned. He stumbled back to his seat, but no longer felt like eating anything.

Ron gave a low whistle. "Wow. So what do you think is going to happen at lunch?"

The table burst out in nervous laughter.

"Professor Figg looks like one tough lady," said Dean appreciatively.

"Yeah, well you have to be when you're fighting against dark wizards," said Harry.

Hermione was looking at her schedule.

"We don't have her until Friday afternoon," she said disappointedly.

"Yeah, but Malfoy's got her first thing this morning. I'd love to have a ticket to see that," said Ron. "Maybe he'll wind up getting a round fifty points taken away today."

"Well, we'd better hurry up or we'll be late for Transfiguration and I don't want to start the year off on a bad foot with Professor McGonagall," said Hermione as she shoveled some food in her mouth.

*

Harry's first week back in classes seemed rather uneventful. Even Potions class was bearable. It seemed that Snape, Malfoy and Harry had come to a silent understanding to try and ignore one another. The students in school did seem to give Harry a wide berth and cast nervous glances when they saw him walking in the halls or on the stairs.

Hagrid was glad to see Harry and pulled him to the side during their first Care of Magical Creatures class.

"You holdin' up all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said.

"'Cause I was right mad about all the garbage printed 'bout you in the papers this summer. I woulda gone and knocked some heads together, 'sceptin' I had to go and do a job fer Dumbledore."

"How did that go?" Harry said under his breath.

"I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but strictly between you 'n' me...they're gonna stay neutral for now."

Harry nodded and rejoined his classmates in looking at a Kneazle that Hagrid had brought in for the class. They were cat-like creatures that had the ability to recognize untrustworthy characters. He noticed that the one Hagrid was using for his demonstration had the same markings as one of Professor Figg's cats. The difference was that looked like it had a lion's tail.

"And remember class, if you have a Kneazle that Muggles might see, you'll need ta perform a disillusionment charm regularly so that it 'ppears to be a normal cat."

*

On Friday, Harry was glad to finally have his first Defence Against the Dark Arts class with Professor Figg. He felt it was like having a class with an old friend. Something he knew he could never in a million years feel with Snape. This year they would share the class with Ravenclaw. After Monday's incident with Malfoy, the entire school seemed to be buzzing about the newest professor. It seemed that everyone except for the Slytherins was impressed by her. Many of the girls started to imitate her new hairstyle by wearing their hair in a single braid down their back.

Professor Figg had been waiting inside her inner office until it was time for the class to start. When she closed the door behind her, she looked slowly around the room and made eye contact with each and every student. She repeated this during the first roll call asking certain students about the welfare of their parents.

She paused over Neville Longbottom's name. "Neville, how is your grandmother?"

"Fine."

"Good, give her my regards."

After these formalities, Professor Figg sat on the front of her desk and spoke quietly.

"This year will be a very different year for everyone at Hogwarts. In the past you've learned about dark creatures such as boggarts, kappas, grindylows. This year we will be focusing on far more dangerous dark forces, specifically evil witches and wizards. We will be discussing how best to respond when targeted by Voldemort's forces. Choosing what is right over what is easy.

"This will demand that everyone undergo a painful self-examination. Your essays for this class will not require much outside reading or research, but instead will require an understanding of yourself and your own weaknesses. Other classes have indicated that Professor Binns has not discussed any of the history related to Voldemort's Reign of Terror."

Hermione shook her head vehemently.

"Well, I was involved in the opposition to Voldemort," Professor Figg continued. "His forces were always outnumbered by those who refused to join the Dark Side. However, his clandestine organization wielded a lot of power by their terrorist acts and culture of secrecy. They also had a network of covert supporters who either tacitly approved or allowed the excesses to occur. There were other people that were forced by Voldemort to do horrific things. Some were coerced by the Imperius curse. Others were blackmailed or threatened with death to themselves or their loved ones. Those who were forced into supporting his evil deeds were never considered to be loyal. They were thought of as important, but unreliable. They might carry out horrible tortures and murders when they were compelled to act, but they could not be counted on for their fealty.

"The last group of supporters were his inner circle. His Death Eaters. Those who took an oath of loyalty and were steadfast in their support. They had to demonstrate their loyalty to him before their initiation. Afterwards, any order, no matter how gruesome had to be carried out. In trying to recruit these loyal followers the most effective method is to find those most likely to be receptive to your message. Can anyone think who might be tempted to join the Death Eaters?"

Ron Weasley raised his hand. "Children of Death Eaters?" he offered.

"Yes, legacies are commonly recruited. Especially if their families have tried to groom their children to follow their path. However, they can be like all children and are not always interested in following a prescribed role for them. If they reject the overtures to join - they may be in great danger. And when it comes to risk management, should they decide to turn over information they've gathered over the years - it could be very damaging. There are many examples of parents and children who have chosen different sides. Many children have turned bad whose parents were actively fighting Voldemort. So you can't always predict what the type of fruit a tree will bear. Who else?"

Seamus Finnigan raised his hand. "How about people who are bent on revenge? That's what the IRA and the Ulster Unionists use to recruit new members."

"Yes, revenge is a powerful motivation. That is something to bear in mind. You don't want to drive someone into Voldemort's arms because they want to hurt you," she said and looked directly at Harry.

He bristled at that. Harry thought that Draco Malfoy was destined to become a Death Eater due to being an evil git and following his father's lead. It wouldn't make any difference as to whether or not Harry hexed Draco.

"Another group that is vulnerable are those who are isolated and alone," she continued.

Neville Longbottom looked up startled.

"Part of the appeal of gangs, organized crime syndicates and terrorist organizations is the sense of belonging that their members feel. A sense of purpose. A sense of family. Once you become entrenched you can never leave. Not without the risk of death."

Harry swallowed hard as he thought of Snape. Was he really someone Dumbledore could trust? He wondered and thought that if Snape truly had left Voldemort that he would also prove to be a target for being murdered. Harry and Snape were probably number one and number two on the list of people Voldemort wanted killed. He shook his head and willed that thought to leave his mind.

"I will be assigning you three essays for the next three weeks," Professor Figg continued. "You can do them in any order. One essay will be on what kinds of temptations could be used to try and lure you to the Dark Side. Things such as promises of power, prestige, advancement in your career - possibly even revenge. I want you to imagine a scenario in which you are being actively tempted and promised what you covet. How would you respond? The second essay will center on those areas of your life that would yield your vulnerabilities. Family, loved ones, friends. Who would you try to shield from harm? Who in your life would you sacrifice anything to protect? Then I want you to detail how their safety could be threatened in a way that would make you give in to their demands."

Harry looked around the room and noticed that many of the students were shifting in their seats uncomfortably.

"The third essay will be in examining if there is anything you've done in your life or in your family's history that might work as ammunition for blackmail. Is there anything that might come back to haunt you? I want to stress the importance of privacy to be placed on these essays. This is not a simple composition paper in which you can ask your friends for help on. I want you to be honest and forthright in your own vulnerabilities. Work alone on these essays and do not show them to anyone."

Lisa Turpin raised her hand.

"How do we know that we can trust you with this sensitive information?"

Professor Figg smiled at her. "That is a good question. And to be honest - you don't know. All I can do is tell you that I fought against Voldemort and that Headmaster Dumbledore trusts me with this job. We discussed how best to prepare everyone for the coming battles and we came to an agreement on my lesson plans. That included these essays. Okay, enough of me talking. If you were Voldemort and wanted to recruit spies to help your side, who would you target?"

A few hands were raised.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley."

"People in the Ministry of Magic. Especially those who are Aurors or those involved in prosecutions," Ron suggested.

"Excellent. You should also remember that junior employees at the Ministry are prime targets. They are thought of as being easily tempted by promises of rapid advancement. Anyone else?" Professor Figg asked.

"I have a question," said Hermione. "If the Ministry is so vulnerable to infiltration with spies, do they try and protect against it by using Veritaserum on its agents?"

Professor Figg gave a knowing smile. "Veritaserum at the Ministry? That might prove useful, but I daresay it wouldn't be very popular. There would be many there that would actively resist it, if only for political reasons and their interdepartmental squabbles. I don't see that as happening unless a major scandal erupted at the Ministry. We would also have to have a new Minister of Magic before that would ever happen."

Professor Figg lectured a little longer about recruitment by the Dark Side and by the time class was dismissed there was a notable doom felt by the class. She also gave a standard warning about keeping track of their hair and nail clippings. Harry knew that the other students were only now beginning to feel some of the worries that he had become accustomed to for several years.

As the students filed out of class for the day, Neville was hanging back.
"Professor Figg? Could I talk with you?" he asked.

She smiled kindly and directed him to her office.

"Mr. Potter," she called out. "Could you please ask one of the house-elves to bring us some dinners here?"

He nodded and quickly caught up with Ron and Hermione. Harry was deep in thought about Neville. Isolated and alone. Those words described Neville Longbottom. He had never really made any close friends in Gryffindor and Harry felt somewhat to blame for that. Harry had never really made any attempts to befriend Neville and neither had Ron, Seamus or Dean it seemed. Neville seemed to be alone in a room full of boys.

Harry vowed that tonight after Neville came back to Gryffindor tower that he would reach out a hand in friendship and try to help him. After all, Harry could still recall the pain of not having any friends because his cousin Dudley had intimidated everyone around him.