Harry Potter and the Dangerous Choice

Harry Potter and the Dangerous Choice

Chapter Six: Mixed Blood

Harry awoke during the night. He was drenched in sweat and his scar was burning. With his head pounding so hard he felt as though he would be sick, Harry swung his legs out of the bed and staggered toward the window. He opened it and breathed in the fresh night air. A raspy cough escaped and he realized his throat was parched. Pouring a glass of water from the pitcher on the nearby table proved nearly impossible. His hands were shaking to the point that he was almost unable to complete the simple task. His legs were weak and he finally slumped down to the floor, sloshing the water. Past caring about the spilled water, he tried to steady his hands and sip what remained. Suddenly his scar exploded in pain again. He groaned loudly and the glass slipped from his hand, breaking on the floor.

Ron sat up in bed looking around in the darkness. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked. Seeing Harry on the floor, Ron jumped out of bed.

Harry rolled over on his side pulling his knees up to his chest and holding his head. He couldn't think. He couldn't talk. He couldn't get control. Then he rolled on to his hands and knees and vomited.

A shard of glass sliced his hand and the blood from the cut marked his forehead as he pressed his palm against his scar. Harry felt everything going black. As he fought to remain conscience, he could hear shouting and footsteps. Someone was pulling him away from the mess on the floor, and laying him back down. Then in spite of the continuing pain, he slipped into blackness.

Mist seemed to swirl around him. Flashes of light and shifting dark shapes danced in and out of his vision. A women in a robe was pleading, crying. Then a scream of pain from somewhere Harry could not see. A man with abject fear in his eyes, falling to his knees as a dark shape bent over him. The swirling mist obscured the scene.

Harry awoke to a room, well lit, with his four housemates gathered around in pajamas and robes. He was covered in a blanket but was still on the floor. Professor McGonagall was hovering over him, with her hand upon his forehead. "Potter, did you have another vision?" she asked breathlessly.

Harry tried to sit up but McGonagall held him firmly down. "None of that Harry, now please try to answer the question," she asked urgently.

"Uhh...well, sort of, but it's really confused...I don't know if it meant anything. I just woke up and my scar..." Harry touched his forehead. "It still hurts though," he said.

"Let's get you to Madam Pomfrey," said McGonagall. "Do you think you can stand?"

Harry nodded weakly, and made an effort to get up. Rolling over, he got to his knees. Ron took his arm and helped him to his feet. Another sharp pain shot through his scar and as his knees began to buckle, he slipped back to the floor. "Enough of this," said McGonagall who immediately produced a stretcher from thin air with a wave of her wand, and levitated Harry on to it. Harry felt himself falling back into darkness, "Get the doors Weasley. Longbottom, clean up this mess... No boy! Use your wand, for pity sake..."

In and out of consciousness, Harry remembered only bits of the trip to the hospital wing. When he was finally situated in a bed, he saw through the fog of pain, Professor Dumbledore bending over him. He heard a spell being spoken and a sense of great relaxation spreading through his body. Sleep over took him.

Harry awoke from a dreamless sleep feeling totally refreshed. Ron and Hermione were standing by his bedside talking softly. "Hi," said Harry, sitting up and reaching for his glasses. He recalled how he had gotten there, but had no idea how long he had been asleep. "What time is it?"

"It's time for breakfast." said Hermione quietly, as though loud noises might be damaging to Harry's frail health. "How are you feeling?"

"Actually, I feel fine. Great, really. Sorry Ron, for waking you all up in the middle of the night."

"Harry, when you get sick like that, everyone pays attention. It's how you saved my dad last year." said Ron.

"But I didn't have much of a vision this time, at least not that I remember. Still it had to be Voldemort up to something," reasoned Harry, running a hand through his hair. "I wish I could block him out, or at least not totally collapse every time he decides to get angry." As the memory of the vision crept back to him, Harry tried to catch the feeling of the misty dream. "I think he was happy last night over terrorizing someone. Or that's how it seemed." Then a thought hit him, "Do you think Voldemort could have actually been hurting some one last night?"

Hermione and Ron exchanged a look. "Even if he was, there was nothing you could have done about it.... Right now you need to rest. I don't think you should get up just yet," Hermione said, again using her most calming voice.

Harry scanned the immediate area. "I'll need some clothes so I can get out of here and get to classes."

"Harry, I see you are up," said Dumbledore. The three of them jumped as they hadn't noticed him come in. "I'm glad to see you awake. I suspect you are feeling rested?" Harry nodded. "Then you are free to leave, if you are up to it." Harry noticed that Dumbledore seemed distracted.

"Thanks sir. I feel fine, really."

Dumbledore waved his wand lightly and Harry's school clothes materialized on an empty chair. "Then off to breakfast with you." Dumbledore looked over the rim of his glasses at Harry. "I will warn you however, that the newspaper contains distressing news about Death Eater attacks that took place last night. I am guessing they were the cause of your sudden illness. When I was informed of your taking sick, I was able to dispatch all the available Order members and contact the Ministry. They were able to stop two of the attacks, which probably saved innocent lives."

"But, sir ..." began Harry.

"I can't answer questions now, I have many things to attend to this morning. More information will be forthcoming." Then Dumbledore left without further comment.

"It's almost as though he was happy you got sick, wasn't it," asked Ron.

"Don't be silly Ron, I'm sure he was glad that the Order could send help but I'm certain he didn't want Harry sick." scolded Hermione.

Harry got out of bed and pulled a screen around the chair. "If they stopped two attacks, how many attacks were there?" wondered Harry aloud. He began to dress while Ron and Hermione waited.

"Do you think anyone was killed?" asked Hermione. "It sounds bad." She paused, "That must mean the letter to the Ministry WAS just a ruse to get the aurors out of the way."

"I'm not sure," said Harry thoughtfully, "We were well done with dinner and asleep before I got sick. I suppose that could have been the plan though. Let everyone relax and think the threat was over, and then the real attack comes later."

Ron said hesitantly, "Really what can the Ministry do but pay attention when they get a letter like they did. They took precautions, and then nothing happened at the train station, now the Ministry looks bad, like they were duped." Harry though Ron was probably right. What else could the Ministry do but take warnings seriously.

Once Harry had dressed, the three walked down to the Great Hall where breakfast was under way. Copies of The Daily Prophet were lying open on every house table. The room was very quiet compared to usual. Harry, Ron and Hermione took seats at the Gryffindor table and Ginny passed a copy of the morning paper to Harry. As she did she mouthed "Are you ok?" and he nodded.

The headline was "Multiple Attacks on Mixed Blood Families Overnight". There were several articles from different parts on Britain describing the incidents. Harry scanned the various bits on the front page. It seemed 5 different wizard families, where one parent was a muggle and the other was a wizard or witch had been attacked. No pure-blood families had been targeted. In each case, one of the victims had actually been soul-sucked by dementors brought by the Death Eaters. The attacking dementors had disappeared quickly in each case, along with their handlers. The Ministry of Magic had dispatched teams of Aurors but they were unable to capture any of the 'rogue' dementors. It appeared they had captured several Death Eaters. The Ministry spokesperson said they were not releasing names of the families at this time until relatives had been properly notified.

Harry read aloud, "Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, refused comment except to say, 'I'm at my wits end. How can this be happening? So many wizards, witches, even some small children.....it's outrageous." Soon after the interview, Minister Fudge was taken to St. Mungo's for treatment of a panic attack."

"So, our great Minister of Magic is working hard to protect us," quipped Ron as he played with his toast. "Dad's office must be in a total uproar."

They ate for awhile in silence. Through the low murmuring of voices around the room Harry noticed the head table. There were no teachers sitting there. Turning around, he saw they were all together in the hallway near the door. Dumbledore was talking to them. Some of the teachers were shaking their heads. Dumbledore left the group and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. He approached the young boy that Harry had met in Diagon Alley while getting his robes. He touched the boy gently on the shoulder and escorted him into the hall. There he bent to speak to the boy. There was a look of shock on his young face followed by tears as he was led away.

Soon Professor McGonagall appeared, passing out class schedules. Her heart did not seem to be in it, as she moved from student to student. Her lips were tight and her eyes were red from lack of sleep, or from crying, or both. Harry looked at her as she handed him his schedule. "Professor, are you alright?" he asked quietly.

She seemed rattled, "Yes, Potter, I'm fine, or as fine as one can be under the circumstances. But, how are you feeling this morning?"

"Actually, I feel ok. Thanks for coming last night," Harry said, and he was grateful. McGonagall always seemed so strict but Harry could tell she cared. That was very comforting.

"That first year from Ravenclaw..." began Harry.

McGonagall looked extremely sad and began to turn away, then looked down at Harry and whispered, "You may as well know Potter, as you suffered from the attack too. That boy's family was attacked last night. Wizard father, muggle mother. They were made to watch as a dementor soul-sucked their seven year old daughter. Nasty Death Eaters stood by and laughed, according to the reports. Damnable business! And, that's not the end of it....but you'll hear that soon enough." She seemed on the verge of tears as she shook her head and moved down the table.

Ron, Ginny and Hermione had heard McGonagall's description of the attack. Hermione dissolved into tears and she covered her face with her hands.

Ron and Harry looked at each other, "It's terrible what happened, Hermione," tried Harry. Ron just looked lost as to what to do.

Ginny put her arm around Hermione. "Don't you see," she explained, "Hermione's worried her parents could be targeted as well."

"They...they can't defend themselves against dementors," sobbed Hermione.

"Well," said Ginny in a sage and comforting way, "I'm sure the Ministry is working on a protection plan, now that they know what type of threat this is."

Students started to rise and leave the Great Hall for classes. Hagrid was stationed at the door and was turning them back. There was general mumbling as the students resumed their seats. Ron speculated that someone would be speaking to them about the attacks, and he was right. After a few minutes, McGonagall came up the front of the room, clasped her hands in front of her and began to speak. "The attacks last night were a great tragedy. Our school has been affected, in that two of your fellow students lost family members last night. They are Arthur Steeple of Ravenclaw and Seamus Finnigan of Gryffindor." Harry had glanced quickly around at the mention of Seamus's name. He was not at their table. Someone must have already talked to him. Harry wondered who had been killed in the Finnigan house, and if Seamus was still in the castle, or had been sent home.

McGonagall was still speaking. "In addition, Professor Sinistra lost a close friend. The capture of several Death Eaters has caused the Wizengamot to hold a special hearing today that will require the presence of Professor Dumbledore. Due to the seriousness of the event, we have decided that it would be best to postpone the first day of classes until tomorrow." Professor McGonagall paused as Snape had come forward and whispered something to her. She shook her head and then continued. "We ask that students stay inside the castle. You may use this room and the library. Please conduct yourselves in an appropriate manner. We will begin the normal class schedule tomorrow. That is all."

Suddenly a huge flock of owls swooped into the Great Hall. Most of the students were receiving letters. Harry guessed rightly that they were anxious letters from worried parents who had read the newspaper and immediately panicked. It was easy to tell the children from non-magic families because those parents were not recipients of The Daily Prophet and were unaware to the danger they now apparently faced.

The room was reduced to a confusion of owls, sobbing girls, and a nameless, palpable fear. Harry remembered his talk with Arthur Weasley, the night of his birthday. "I believe there will be quite a few deaths before the end... that's the way of a war." The words rocketed around in Harry's head. His worry escalated.

Students began streaming out of the Great Hall, heading back toward their dormitories and common rooms. There didn't seem to be anything else to do. At the door, Hagrid beckoned to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Don't you three go sneakin down ta see me today, it might not be safe. You stay put til the Ministry decides what ta do."

"What do you mean Hagrid, by decide what to do?" asked Harry.

"They could shut down the school, if they think there's too much danger."

"That doesn't make any sense Hagrid. Hogwarts is probably safer than most places." Hermione pointed out, wiping her eyes.

It won't make no difference," said Hagrid. "Parents may want to keep their children close by em, or maybe even take em an leave the country for a while."

"Why wouldn't they stay and fight?" asked Harry.

"Not all wizards are as brave as all that, Harry. Some aren't all that good at spells and hexes. Not good enough to withstand Death Eaters, anyways. Plus, their dead scared a You-Know-Who."

"Why don't you say his name, Hagrid?" asked Harry, rather annoyed. Of course they were all scared thought Harry. They had convinced themselves that even Voldemort's name was dangerous to speak. It made him even more powerful than he actually was.

Hermione said, "Ok Hagrid, we agree to stay in the castle. C'mon you two." She tapped Harry's arm and tugged Ron's sleeve to get them moving toward the stairs.

"What is it Hermione," asked Harry once they were out of earshot of Hagrid.

"We need a campaign to make Voldemort's name ...well...speakable. If we do that, people will be less afraid of him. I'll bet we could really make a difference." Hermione was definitely wearing her crusader face. She looked mad and determined. Ron and Harry knew they couldn't fight her when she was in this frame of mind.

She started talking about posters and newspaper articles as they walked toward Gryffindor tower. Harry was not really listening. What good would posters do? There was only one way that this would end. Harry felt a physical weight in his chest and a constriction in his throat. Would it really be his place to stop all of this? Looking around him he felt a heavy sense of guilt. He was fine, he was safe at Hogwarts, but others were out there dying. He didn't know how to sit on the side lines and simply wait. And, wait for what? For Voldemort to finally catch up with him?

Neville was standing near the portrait hole as Ron, Harry and Hermione entered. "Harry, are we going to get the DA back together? We need to be able to defend ourselves, don't you think?"

"I think we should see how the new Defense lessons go this year first." said Harry. Neville looked a bit disappointed but Harry knew how much trouble the discovery of the DA had caused Dumbledore last year. He had not spoken to Professor Dumbledore about continuing it and he sensed that the new Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for this year were supposed to do what he had tried to do on his own.

"My gran was so proud of me when she found out that I had gone to the Department of Mysteries last year. Kingsley Shaklebolt came to our house and explained what had happened. She got me a new wand right away," said Neville presenting a nice new twelve inch oak wand with a unicorn hair core.

"That's great Neville," said Ron, running a finger along the new wand.

Neville headed off to talk to the Creevey brothers.

"What should we do today?" asked Ron as he chucked his books down on a table.

"I know what I'm doing," said Hermione forcefully as she headed toward the girls dormitory.

The mood of the other Gryffindors was subdued like a slowly simmering pot before it boils over. Harry was sure everyone was feeling anger at the attacks. He looked around for Dean hoping to find out what happened to the Finnigan's, but Dean was not in the common room.

Harry's mind was a swirling mass of confusion. He wondered what the Wizengamot was doing. Could they contain more Death Eaters in Azkaban, if the dementors would not guard them? He worried that the Ministry would consider closing the school. If they did, what would he do? Go hide out at Grimmauld Place? The thought did not give him any pleasure.

"I think I'd like to go visit Hedwig for a second." Harry told Ron. It was silly, but Hedwig was the one living thing that belonged to Harry and he just wanted to be sure she was ok.

"I'll go with you." said Ron with a glance in Hermione's direction. "It might be better not to be here when she gets back."

There was a steady stream of students making their way to the owlry, but besides this the halls were very quiet with only small knots of students here and there. They guessed that most were staying in their common rooms. Hedwig hooted a greeting as Harry and Ron entered. Pig fluttered down and perched on Ron's shoulder, twittering happily. Most of the other owls were gone, making deliveries. After a brief visit the boys left the windy tower and headed back.

In a corridor on the fourth floor, Ron and Harry turned a corner and came face to face with Draco Malfoy who was in the company of his unofficial body guards, Crabbe and Goyle. "Potter, you had better stay clear of me this year. I'm going to see you pay for what you did to my father." He began to draw his wand from his robe, but Harry and Ron were ahead of him.

"Your father was perfectly prepared to kill me Draco, all he got was prison." snarled Harry pushing down Draco's wand with his own.

"Tell him he can thank Harry for that the next time he sees him." added Ron. The two boys continued down the hall without a backwards glance at the three open-mouthed Slytherins.

On the stairs Harry asked, "Have you thought of going looking for Percy?"

"Actually, when you were in the hospital wing, I kind of snooped around when Pomfrey wasn't looking, but I didn't see him. There are some rooms down a hall past Pomfrey's office. I tried sneaking past but she caught me and sent me packing. Still, I don't think they're keeping him there. He must be locked up. There's a ton of places in the castle we've never even seen. He could be anywhere, really. I'd like a look at him though."

"Maybe we'll pick up a hint somewhere," said Harry.

"Maybe," echoed Ron.

Ron looked around, checking for others in the hallway before he stopped and faced Harry. "When Hermione was crying this morning. What should I...I mean...we, have done?"

"Err....I don't know, it seemed Ginny had things under control. I don't know what to say to girls when they cry. Cho was always crying," said Harry, recalling his failed relationship of the previous year. Then as he looked at Ron's down cast face he realized the real question Ron was asking. "Ron, do you fancy Hermione?"

Ron tried to look away and sort of twisted uncomfortably. "Well, if you must know, yes. Although I don't know that she fancies me. I keep thinking she's just a friend, but when I saw her again....but I sort of thought I should have said something this morning when she was all worried about her parents."

Harry grinned and said, "I wondered when you'd finally get around to it. I thought you liked her last year. As far as what to say, I'm no help. I really don't understand girls. I wish they'd just say what they want. It would make everything so much easier."

Ron nodded his agreement as they continued back toward Gryffindor tower.

The details about the family of the Ravenclaw boy had spread like fire. There were worried faces and whispered conversations everywhere. The story was also misrepresented in several ways. However, Harry noted that none of the stories could make the real deed any less gruesome. He hated the dementors and had been too close to them, too many times. The thought of them chilled him to the core.

Back in the Gryffindor common room Harry spotted Dean and he and Ron went to talk to him. "What happened to Seamus's family?" asked Harry nervously.

"His mum and dad... Death Eaters came to their house, they used the Cruciatus Curse on his mum. She survived it, but then they let the dementors go after his dad. Dumbledore sent Seamus home early this morning." Dean turned away and headed toward the dormitory.

It was then that Harry noticed a small poster hanging from the wall next to the message board. He moved closer to read it. "Voldemort, say his name and free yourself from tyranny!" had been written in large red letters. Harry knew immediately who had done it. He turned and saw Hermione watching him from the other side of the room. Although he doubted that such a message would really change anything, what could it hurt? He gave her a nod and a smile.

Dean was asked to repeat what he knew about the Finnigan family quite a few times over the remainder of the day. The story pained Harry because he was sure that one of the misty images from his vision could well have been Seamus's family. He didn't discuss what he had seen with anyone. It seemed somehow wrong that he had witnessed the torture, but been unable to help more directly.

When it was time for dinner, everyone traipsed silently down to the Great Hall. Dinner was as quiet as the day had been. The teachers table had many empty places. Dumbledore was absent, as was Sinistra. Even the ghosts were subdued including Peeves who was doing nothing more than jeering at the first years he spotted in the halls.

The Gryffindor common room was full that evening but the conversation was subdued. Everyone seemed to want to be together, but there did not seem to be much to say. They all sat watching the fire, and then drifted off one by one to bed.

The next morning breakfast seemed more normal. The paper held follow-up stories to the attacks but no new attacks were reported. Owls swarmed through the Great Hall dropping many more letters than normal. Errol barely managed to land on the table next to Ginny before falling into her lap. She gave him a nibble of toast and he seemed to revive. Soon he flapped his wings and flew off. Mrs. Weasley had sent a brief message saying they should all stay calm and try not to worry. Mr. Weasley was working hard to set up a better defense system for the general wizard population.

Charms was Harry's first lesson of the day. Everyone loved Professor Flitwick and Harry would have been looking forward to this class under normal circumstances. Ron and Hermione also had Charms and they took seats together near the back of the room. With Seamus gone, Dean was looking depressed.

Flitwick came in shortly, and climbed up to stand upon his desk. "We will begin class in a minute, but first, we will bow our heads and take a moment to recognize the passing of the members of our community who were taken from us. The students bowed their heads. Flitwick said "Memoria In Aeterna." In the silence that followed, sniffling could be heard through out the room. A few moments later Professor Flitwick began the lesson.

Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson were in Transfiguration along with Harry and Hermione. Obviously Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy's constant shadow's had been too thick to continue at NEWT level. Malfoy and Parkinson could be heard sniggering behind a book while Professor McGonagall recounted the cowardly way the attacks had been carried out. When she was finished, McGonagall walked quietly over to them and said something in a whisper and then stood next to their table with her arms crossed. Draco looked at her with complete malevolence as the two packed up their books and angrily stormed out of the room. "Now we can begin class," she said.

Herbology class was spent filling out a questionnaire for Professor Sprout. She was accustomed to focusing NEWT level Herbology classes in the areas of interest to the students. Harry was not sure what to put down on his form. He guessed that he was most interested in plant properties that could help an auror so he penned that as his response and checked some boxes about unusual plants with magical properties. Ron, who had this class with Harry, was not sure what to put down either. "Hey look at Neville," he said, giving Harry a poke. Neville was writing furiously, as though he'd not have enough time to complete the whole list before Sprout would call for the papers. "Maybe we should all just say, see Neville's paper," smirked Ron. This made Harry smile for the first time that day. When they had finished filling in their preferences, Professor Sprout dismissed them early.

Harry, Hermione and Ron met back up at lunch. They all had Care of Magical Creatures, together as their next class. The noon meal was marked with more gloomy silence, as students ate little and talked even less. To Harry it was always like a bad dream when the words of the prophesy came back to him. He could often push it down, ignore it for awhile, but everything that happened seemed to draw it back to the surface. Harry felt his face redden. Real flesh and blood people were going to keep being killed unless he killed Voldemort. Harry just could never reconcile that idea in his head. Certainly he had survived several attacks, but he did not feel it was through his wizarding skills. It all seemed like luck and happenstance to him. He had no idea how he was to defeat Voldemort. He dropped his fork on to his plate. The food suddenly disgusted him. He needed to talk to someone. Someone who knew the entire story. He decided he would send an owl to Remus later. At least he could vent his frustration.

Hagrid was looking glum when Harry, Ron and Hermione approached the paddock for Care of Magical Creatures class. Thankfully, only a few Slytherin's had chosen to take the class this year. Draco Malfoy was not one of them. Theodore Nott was there, but he was the quiet sort. He stood off to the edge of the group and refrained from the usual snide remarks that Harry had come to expect from the Slytherin's during Hagrid's lessons. Hagrid spoke briefly about the attacks. "Unbelievable...People bein attacked, right in their homes. It's shameful is what it is. You lot had best learn all ya can bout defending yer selves, cause soon'll come the day you'll be out there on yer own, and them beasts may still be at large."

Hagrid apparently had decided to keep his first magical creature a surprise for a happier day, "such as tomorrow," he said. "No use going on with it today." Instead he gave a rather good overview of what he planned to show them during the year. As usual, Hagrid tended toward the larger, deadlier, less lovable of the magical creatures. Harry sighed when Hagrid mentioned the Graphorn. That was bound to be a horror.

Once Hagrid had dismissed them, the students trudged in small groups back across the lawn to the castle, "Well I've got Potions next," said Hermione, checking her schedule.

"I've got Divination," said Ron. "I hope it's with Firenze and not that old bat Trelawney."

Harry had not taken Divination although in a way he thought he should have. After all it was Sybil Trelawney who had made the deadly prophesy that sealed Harry's fate. She had also predicted Pettigrew's escape over two years ago in the Shrieking Shack. On the other hand, Harry felt he had no talent for Divination, and Trelawney's stifling classroom always made him feel foggy and dull. Firenze's lessons had been more interesting, but also very cryptic. Harry felt he needed to work on things that would actually help him survive. Still he wondered if Trelawney might have another prophesy for him someday. He recalled his Aunt Petunia saying things always came in three's.

Harry bid his friends good-bye and headed off to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, which now belonged to Conner MacNessa, where he would spend the next two class periods.

He reached the door of the classroom through which so many teachers had passed; Quirrel, Lockhart, Lupin, Crouch disguised as Moody, and Umbridge. New year, new teacher Harry thought, though he was not sure what to think yet about Professor MacNessa. Dumbledore and McGonagall liked him, that was clear. After his fourth year where Mad-Eye Moody turned out to be Barty Crouch, Harry felt a bit of apprehension about trusting anyone too quickly. However, even though Moody had turned out to be an imposter, the imposter had given quite good lessons. Harry shrugged and pushed the door open. MacNessa was seated at a desk in the corner of the room, writing. As Harry entered, MacNessa rose and greeted him warmly. "Hello Harry, please come in and pull up a chair." Lowering his voice he said, "Yesterdays news was shocking. Scum like this 'dark lord' deserve worse than death."

"Yes sir" said Harry shyly. He preferred not to have to re-live those images again. He laid his books down and pulled a wooden chair up to the side of the desk. Harry realized that the night of the sorting he had not really concentrated on the man now seated next to him. MacNessa was a big man. He was rather portly but also tall and tough looking, like an old tree. He had a definite Scottish accent. His iron gray hair looked as though it had always been that color. It was shoulder length and very curly, as was his full beard and mustache. He wore high leather boots, brown leggings and green tunic with a wide leather belt that made his middle look even bigger. He might have appeared 'jolly' except that he had a rugged and worn look to him. His eyes were his most engaging feature. They sparkled blue in his confident and open face.

"Now Harry, we will be seeing quite a lot of each other this year and there is a lot that I am tasked with teaching you. I am, however, assured by one and all that you have the talent and desire to learn," began MacNessa. "Let me say at the outset, I am not usually employed as a teacher, but Dumbledore practically insisted I come, and there's no denying Albus Dumbledore when he wants something," laughed MacNessa. "I am a very straightforward person, boy. I say what I think. So, if I think you're slacking, I will say so. If you are doing well, I will tell you. There'll be no pretending you're progressing, if you are not. That serves no purpose, in my book. I would like the same honesty from you." Harry nodded watching his professor's face.

MacNessa got up and came around to the side of the desk perching on the edge. "I will say to you now, that I am not a fool," Harry looked up and cocked his head; he had no reason to think of MacNessa as a fool, not yet anyway. "I know some of your history, the scar, Voldemort, etc... and I have to ask myself, why was Dumbledore so keen to have you tutored, by me, and in this way? Dumbledore is so even-handed when it comes to his students, he is known for it. Yet, he brings me here, almost drags me here, in order to teach you. To be frank, I think the Defense Against the Dark Arts position was merely an excuse for the benefit of the Ministry. I suspect tutoring you was always my REAL job." MacNessa stopped now and stared hard at Harry with bright penetrating eyes.

Harry did not know what to say, but clearly a lie was not the thing. "Er...I guess that Professor Dumbledore wants me to be able to defend myself, since Voldemort seems to want to kill me."

MacNessa continued his stare for a moment longer and then smiled and got up off the desk. He walked back around and sat down. "Yes, no doubt," he said calmly.

"Well, Harry we have three tasks before us, Potions, Occlumency and Apparition. Interesting list. At first consideration, they have nothing in common...except they do," MacNessa paused. "Can you tell me what that is?"

Harry was glad the subject had shifted from WHY he was having lessons to WHAT he was to learn. He thought a moment. "Well, Occlumency takes a lot of concentration. And I think I have trouble in Potions class because Snape makes it difficult to concentrate on what I'm making, so I'd say concentration," Harry guessed. "Oh, sorry, Professor Snape," added Harry.

"That's quite right" said MacNessa beaming. "All three disciplines require mental control and focus, attention to detail might be another way to put it. In order to be successful in these subjects you need to be master of your mind, able to block out all but that which allows you to achieve the desired results," said MacNessa. "But... I take it that you don't like Professor Snape, and it seems he may be helping me with your Occlumency lessons."

Harry looked at the floor. He probably shouldn't have said that to Professor MacNessa. He didn't really want to say any more.

"Well Harry, never fear," chuckled MacNessa, "Severus Snape always was a greasy, overbearing, self-important, twit!" and then he laughed out loud.

Harry, relaxed and tried not to smile, but couldn't help himself. He had never heard such a thing from a teacher before.

"Now," said MacNessa straightening, "back to business. First, I need to explain the order we will be taking these subjects. I believe that we will concentrate solely on Apparition until you have reached a level where you can pass the standard test. Then we will work on Potions two days a week and Occlumency two days a week. If you master Occlumency then we can move into Potions full time." MacNessa was making some notes as he talked. "Does that suit you, boy?"

"Yes. Fine," said Harry. He was thinking now how great it would be once he could apparate. He decided that now was a good time to ask a question that had been bothering him. "Professor, how can you teach me apparition here at Hogwarts? I don't think you can apparate in the castle." Harry had heard Hermione say this about a dozen times since their first year now he guessed he'd find out if she was right.

"That's true Harry. Hogwarts is protected by spells that resist apparition. We will be traveling to a location outside the grounds for your lessons. By the way, you are not to tell any other students or teachers that you are receiving Apparition lessons. They would not be sanctioned by the Ministry, for someone your age," said MacNessa seriously. "I will tell you that Professor Dumbledore is making a request to the Ministry to allow you to be taught Apparition and to be certified prior to your seventeenth birthday. He must feel there is a chance you will need this magic and doesn't want a fuss if you actually use it. Even so, this is very unusual and so you must keep it to yourself." Harry squirmed a little in his seat.

"So I could get in trouble?" asked Harry thinking back to his experience with the Ministry last year.

"No, I suspect it would be Dumbledore, or me. Neither of us cares what the Ministry has to say, so we won't think too hard on that one. However, it would do no one any good if this leaked out." Harry nodded and almost felt guilty that he had confided in Ron and Hermione. Then he remembered his talk with Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley and Remus the night his aunt's house was blown up. Surely they must know he would probably tell his friends.

"Where are we going to go for the lessons, then?" asked Harry.

"Secure location, young Potter," was all he would say. MacNessa continued to make notes for a minute and then turned again to Harry. "I want you to fully understand the problem with young wizards learning apparition. Has anyone explained the dangers and consequences to you?"

Harry shook his head 'no'. "It can't be much more dangerous than feeding a Blast-Ended Screwt." said Harry trying to make light of any problems. He really wanted to learn this bit of magic.

"For today, I want to share the theory of apparition with you, and I have a book for you on the subject." MacNessa handed a small book to Harry that said "Teleportation and Other Spatial Displacements", on the worn cover.

Harry thought the title sounded very boring and he hoped there wouldn't be a written exam.

"The first thing you must understand is that apparition does not come easily to all witches and wizards. Many never obtain their licenses and many more give-up the practice of apparating because they are just not up to it. It is, in many ways, as difficult to learn as producing a Patronus. That is to say, it is magic which can drain you unless you are up to it." MacNesssa stopped. "I'm sorry Harry, you may never have seen a Patronus and don't know what I am referring to. I believe you learn about that in seventh year. Allow me to explain," said MacNessa.

Harry interrupted him, "Actually, I can produce a Patronus, sir. I learned it in third year, to ward off dementors."

MacNessa again sized Harry up. "Really! I'm extremely impressed. Can you show me?"

"Yes sir," said Harry. He rather liked showing off his stag as long as it didn't involve chasing off dementors.

Harry stood up and walked to the end of the class room. He cleared his head, raised his wand and said firmly, "Expecto Patronus!" A beautiful, misty white stag sprung from Harry's wand and galloped straight through the wall at the other end of the room. Harry looked at MacNessa whose eyes were dancing.

"Well, Harry Potter, I must say, that if you can do that, and at your age, I'll be out of a tutoring job by Christmas." Then he laughed again. Harry did too. He thought he would like this professor.

MacNessa beckoned Harry back to his seat and began explaining the theory behind apparition. As with most magic Harry had learned, it sounded fairly simple, but the execution was usually harder than it sounded. Apparently it was easier to apparate to a place you had already been, than to a strange place. It seemed that concentrating on the place itself was very important. If you had never been to a place, you had to do an additional step and actually see the place you were materializing in before you physically "arrived". It seemed rather confusing as MacNessa explained it. Apparition was sort of like moving very fast through space. So fast, that no one could actually see you. You could still be partly in the place you started from when you began to materialize in the place you were going.

"But Professor, when I've seen people apparate, I usually hear this popping sound and they just appear. They don't appear slowly."

"That's true young Potter, but that is not the way it seems to the one apparating. It is as though you are moving through a world that has slowed down," explained MacNessa.

"Slow motion?" asked Harry.

"None of your muggle terms, if you please," laughed MacNessa. "But, yes, that's it exactly." MacNesssa went on for some time about the dangers caused by lack of focus while attempting to apparate and included several rather painful descriptions of recorded accidents.

Harry listened with interest. Even though Professor MacNessa was trying hard to make it seem dangerous, it sounded fun and Harry couldn't wait to try. At the end of an hour Harry was very enthusiastic about the prospect of apparating. "Will I be able to have a go at it today?" asked Harry excitedly.

"You must first show me that you are ready," said MacNessa. "I want you to read from the beginning through the third chapter of the book I gave you. The rest is not important at this time. I will be quizzing you about the book. If you do not pass my quiz, you will continue to study it until you do. After that we will begin the practical part of the instruction."

Harry could not suppress a grin.

"That's all for today, boy. Use the last hour to do the reading. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow."

Harry gathered his things and left the room. As he turned to close the door he saw MacNessa standing at the window humming and smiling.

Harry spent the last class period in the library reading the book MacNessa had given him. Madam Pince was peering suspiciously over his shoulder, being unconvinced that Harry had no other class that period. The book was mostly theory and Harry was forced to re-read most of it before he felt he was prepared to be quizzed.

At dinner, there were several empty chairs at the various house tables. Before he could mention it, Ron asked about his first lesson with Professor MacNessa. Hermione was also keen to hear. He felt rather guilty about how good the lesson was. "We're doing apparition first, although I guess no one is supposed to know," whispered Harry. "Going to start tomorrow." Ron was about to comment when Dumbledore signaled for silence.

"I wish to make an announcement," he began. "You may notice that several students are absent from dinner this evening. They have been removed from Hogwarts by their parents due to the present 'uncertainty'. Some of these students may return later in the year and we will gladly welcome them back. You or your parents may decide to do the same at some point during the year, if attacks by Voldemort continue. As for myself and the staff, we will respect your decision and that of your family. I hope all students will take a similar stance. Please be supportive of each other in this time of turmoil."

Dumbledore turned and went back to his seat. It was an unusually somber message coming from him. Harry's buoyant mood deflated. Were there to be no more happy moments? Students were looking around and pointing out empty places. Harry again lost his appetite. Choosing to leave Hogwarts was unthinkable to him, it was like giving up. "I can't believe people are leaving," said Harry bitterly. "You'd think that the parents would be happy to have their children safe inside Hogwarts with Dumbledore guarding them, instead of out where they could easily be attacked."

"I suspect it's the parents just wanting their children close," said Hermione. "Although, it would seem safer here than elsewhere."

At the conclusion of dinner, McGonagall rose and invited the students to join in a moment of remembrance out on the lawn. All the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs trooped out on to the dark grassy space. A few Slytherins joined, but most did not. Draco simply smirked at the departing students and whispered something to Crabbe.

McGonagall asked that the group form into a circle around her. Then with a wave of her wand, lit candles appeared in each student's hand. A bright crescent moon shown down upon them, throwing glimmering flashes on the surface of the lake. Harry noticed movement near the edge of the forest and was astonished to see a group of about fifteen centaurs standing reverently just at the edge of the tree line.

McGonagall raised her arms and her face skyward and she sang a slow sad song in a language that Harry did not recognize. Her voice was not very well tuned to singing but something about the song mesmerized the entire group. As her voice rose in the last stanza, a white mist swirled quickly around the entire company and then soared upward. It felt to Harry as though he had been washed clean. He felt relief and calm fill him up.

Back in the common room though, Harry could not settle down to his homework. Ron and Hermione were working quietly at a table by the fire and Ginny had joined them. Harry wanted to talk or go for a walk down to Hagrid's, something besides sit still and read. He wanted things to feel more 'normal' but he wasn't sure what 'normal' was.

He finally decided to write to Remus. He pulled a clean sheet of parchment out and began to explain the last two days.

Dear Remus,

I hope you, Dobby, and our pet are all well. The trip to school was pretty normal.

After the welcome dinner I had a really bad headache, the kind I have gotten before. It came on after I went to bed. I had to go see Madam Pomfrey. I am worried about the cause of my headaches. I feel like I should be doing something to stop them.

We received the paper the next morning and read the news about the attacks. It seems really bad. We didn't have classes yesterday because of the troubles. Now some students are leaving school.

I have a new Professor this year named MacNessa. Do you know him? I think I'll learn a lot from him.

Can you tell me what the term "mixed blood" really means? How many generations back do they consider? I was wondering because of the newspaper article.

I hope you are ok. Write soon.

Yours truly,

Harry

It was difficult composing a letter when he could not say exactly what he wanted to in case the letter was intercepted. Harry hoped Remus could read between the lines and figure out what he was really asking. He folded it up and decided to send it in the morning, rather than sneak up to the owlry at this time of night. He didn't need detention on his first week back.