Harry Potter and the Dangerous Choice

Harry Potter and the Dangerous Choice

Chapter Seven - The Dragon and the Unicorn

On the way to the owlry the next morning, Harry overheard several conversations among students who were afraid their parents might force them to come home. Harry knew that no one would be doing that to him, and he had a brief vision of being the only remaining student in the castle. He shook his head. That would make him a much bigger target for Snape. Best hope that didn't happen.

The owlry was cool and breezy when Harry entered. Hedwig seemed almost indignant that all the other owls were frantically carrying messages and she'd got none. Once she realized that Harry had a message for her to carry she held very still and allowed him to affix Remus's letter to her leg. Then she gave him a small grateful peck before she winged off skyward.

Classes that day began normally, and soon it felt as though the regular routine had returned. NEWT level classes were definitely going to be a challenge. Each professor seemed to have a very aggressive schedule they wished to complete. By lunch time Harry's homework list was annoyingly long.

At the Gryffindor table, Hermione was chattering happily about the interesting assignments she had received. Ron looked at Harry and they both shook their heads. Suddenly Ron asked, "How many Hogwarts students do you reckon have left?" Harry glanced around and agan the room seemed a little less full than the day before.

Ginny leaned over toward them, "I started a list, just to see. So far I think there are about twenty students missing, mostly from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw."

"That's quite a few," whispered Hermione. "Were they mostly mixed blood?"

"I don't really know," said Ginny. "I'd never given it much thought before."

Hagrid's class was interesting and dangerous as always. He showed them a Fwooper. According to Hagrid the song of this colorful and odd looking bird could drive a person insane. "So's ya got ta watch it and keep em under a silencing charm at all times," he warned.

After class, as they made their way back to the castle, Harry asked, "Wonder where Hagrid came up with that odd bird thing he showed us today?"

"He probably crossed a Doxy with a Grindylow, then hatched the egg himself over the summer," suggested Ron with a smirk. "Did you hear him say it eats live spiders? If we have to feed it, I'm skiving off that day!"

Harry arrived early to Professors MacNessa's lesson. He had sprinted from the entrance hall to the classroom and was slightly out of breath. This was the class he had been waiting for all day. He had read the assigned chapters on apparition over three times because he did not want to fail the quiz. As he came through the door he was met by a black robed figure with an icy stare. Professor Snape was standing near the window with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Potter!" he barked. "What is going on here?"

Snape caught him off guard. "I'm having a lesson with Professor MacNessa in a few moments," said Harry, trying to suppress the smile he had worn as he first entered the room. It would do no good for Snape to think he was going to enjoy this lesson.

"I am well aware of that Potter, I wish to know what KIND of lesson," snarled Snape.

Harry wished he could stall for time. He had been told not to divulge the nature of this lesson, even to a teacher, but he could not see how he could avoid answering the question. In any event, Snape was likely to try to read his thoughts. He knew Snape was an Order member but still Harry would have liked to keep as much information from him as possible.

"I'm to receive potions lessons," began Harry, avoiding Snape's gaze.

"And I am going to have the pleasure of bringing young Potter here up to NEWT level in the subject, Severus," boomed Professor MacNessa. Harry saw MacNessa stroll into the room from behind Snape, and his sudden response made Snape jump.

"What a wonderful challenge for you on your first foray into the world of education," sneered Snape. "With Potter as your pupil you will certainly test the limits of your skills... whatever they may be. I simply inquired because the headmaster has not provided me with a schedule for Potter's Occlumency training."

"We won't be needing you for a while on that, Severus. But, I promise to give you ample advance notice," said MacNessa pleasantly. Harry saw the look of scorn on Snape's face as he swept from the room.

"What a WONDERFUL challenge it will be to attempt to restrain myself in the face of that pig-headed know-it-all," ispered MacNessa to Harry with a twinkle in his eye. Harry started to laugh, but MacNessa quickly shushed him. "Seriously Harry, I'm sure it's wrong of me to speak so of a fellow teacher. I told Dumbledore I'd be hopeless at this." MacNessa drew up a chair for Harry and asked him to sit down. Then he cleared his throat. "Are you prepared for the quiz, boy?"

"I think so sir," said Harry with confidence.

"You carefully studied the book, and you read all three assigned chapters?"

"Yes sir."

"Did you find them enlightening?" asked MacNessa.

"I tried to understand what the author was saying, but your explanation yesterday was more helpful."

"I see, I see. Well then, here is your single quiz question," MacNessa paused. "Who wrote the book?"

Harry had his mouth half opened, ready to answer any possible question. But now he stopped, shut his mouth and slouched back in his chair. "Umm...," was all he could say. He looked up at MacNessa, whose face was unreadable.

What a stupid question, a voice in his head screamed. This is so unfair. I want to apparate! No, Harry thought, stop and think, visualize the book cover. He screwed his face up and suddenly it came to him. "Gwendolyn Grisfowle," he said, as it popped into his head.

"Correct answer. Well, let's go then," said MacNessa springing up and pulling on his cloak. He beckoned Harry to follow him into his office at the back of the classroom.

"Professor, why did you ask me that question?" queried Harry as he caught up.

Harry looked at him quizzically. "I'm not sure I understood all that exactly?"

"The important thing is that you understand it here," said MacNessa as he tapped Harry's chest. "Even if you are a bit confused about it up here," he said as he touched Harry's forehead.

They were now facing a large stone fireplace with a low burning flame. "Come now Potter, take some floo powder and step in," he beckoned Harry to a pot of ash on the hearth stone. "Say "workroom" and I will follow you in a moment."

Harry hated floo travel, but he did as he was told. He was careful to say "workroom" very clearly, and was immediately spinning past other fire grates. The trip was quite short. He slid out on a polished wooden floor in a room that reminded Harry of the room of requirement where he held DA meetings the previous year. There were book shelves on two of the walls. They seemed crammed with books of all kinds. There was a large wooden folding screen in the corner. Several chairs were pushed back against a wall where painted portraits hung. There appeared to be no doors or windows. Curious he thought. I wonder where this is?

Just then MacNessa slid out and sprung to his feet in a very nimble move. Harry would have to try that in the future. After all if an older man such as MacNessa could do it, so could he. Sliding out of fireplaces on ones backside had seemed rather undignified to Harry.

Harry helped lift the heavy wooden folding screen into position. MacNessa explained that at its most basic, apparition was willing yourself to move from one location to another, by focusing on the new location. He asked Harry to look at the wooden screen and tell him what picture it showed. As Harry faced the screen there was a large gold leaf dragon carved into the wood. Then MacNessa walked him around to the other side and again asked what he saw. On this side the carving was that of a unicorn reared up on its hind legs, also embossed in shiny gold.

"Harry, can you picture the dragon on the other side of the screen?" asked MacNessa.

"Sure," said Harry.

"This is important, boy. Better go take another look." Harry marched back around and stared at the drago again, taking in the details of the picture. Then he came back to the unicorn side where MacNessa was waiting.

"Harry, from this position, try to imagine floating up and over this screen and landing in front of the dragon. Can you do that?"

Harry thought a moment and said, "Sure."

"You see, it's important to be able to feel what it would be like to rise up and over the screen and be in a different place then you are now."

"Ok...," said Harry doubtfully, trying hard to follow how this was going to work.

"Harry, it's like a muggle moving picture, slowed way down. You must see the steps needed to move to a new place and then speed them up. Once you master the technique, you will then be able to make the leap to traveling to an unknown place. For starters, we will give the dragon and the unicorn a try."

MacNessa explained the apparition command word, Apparicioun. He also said that the word did not have to be spoken. One might simply think it. "But, young Potter, you must use total concentration," said MacNessa. "You have to be able to feel magic in yourself. Summon your magic and let it fill you up. As you do, think Apparicioun and envisionyourself moving up and over the screen, arriving in front of the dragon."

Harry nodded purposefully and faced the unicorn. He was trying to summon his magic, but was not sure he was feeling anything. After a long moment, MacNessa put a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, think about the feeling you project when you conjure your Patronus. That's the magic you need."

Harry thought he understood, and re-focused. I'll just run through the steps in my head then I'll give it a go, he thought. Harry stood quietly and closed his eyes as he tried to call up the same force that he projected into his Patronus. Then he thought the word, Apparicioun, and envisioned floating over the screen to stand in front of the dragon.

"Ok,rofessor, I'm ready to try," said Harry opening his eyes. He heard MacNessa laughing and he was astonished to see that he was facing the dragon. He looked quickly around the screen at the unicorn, and then back at the dragon.

"Potter, I've never seen anyone pick that up so quickly. You are going to be dangerous some day."

Harry was not paying attention to MacNessa; he was preparing to try again. This time he succeeded in moving from the dragon to the unicorn. Dragon, Unicorn, Dragon, Unicorn, Dragon. It was like sliding back and forth through a blurred world. It was quite pleasant, actually.

"Alright, boy, you're making me dizzy," said MacNessa.

"Professor," asked Harry, "when I see wizard's apparate, there's just a popping sound and they disappear."

"It's like slow motion, young Harry. To you, it seems as though time passes as you move through space. To those in REAL time, you move almost instantaneously."

Harry apparated to Professor MacNessa's side, quite proud of himself. "You have shown fine concentration and an amazing innate ability, I might add. Now, try apparating into the corner of the room."

Harry could not contain his delight. He re-adjusted, stared hard into the corner for a moment, and POP there he was. And then back. "Harry, you are thinking this is quite simple, and it is, for a select few. I must warn you now of the dangers involved if ever you lose your concentration. Lack of focus is the cause of almost all apparition accidents. For example, a wizard has something pressing on his mind and suddenly, half of him is in Kent and the other half is in Cornwell." Harry vowed silently to be a focused apparator.

"Next, never apparate to a place that is uninhabitable, such as under a lake or into the center of a boulder. You receive no special defense or protection during apparition to save you from drowning or becoming part of a large rock."

"But Professor MacNessa," Harry began.

"Harry," MacNessa raised up his palm to stop Harry. "Please, feel free to call me Mac when we are alone together. It will go more smoothly. I am not one to stand on ceremony and I really feel foolish with the title of 'Professor'. That is not to say that I don't expect your total concentration and attention. But I am sure that this is not an issue here."

"Ok," said Harry, "Profess....I mean Mac...what if I am going somewhere I've not been. How do I avoid ending up inside a rock?"

"You simply look before you land, boy. Try the exercise again, but this time, hold back right at the end and select your 'landing or reappearing' spot. It will require a lot of control, because the mc WANTS to pull you through to the end."

Harry stood back and tried again. He found that indeed he could stop and assess his landing spot. It was like stopping time for a heartbeat and then landing exactly where he wished. Harry was flushed with the effort but very satisfied with himself.

"Harry, I think we must get back now," said Mac. "We will try a few variations tomorrow. Remember, you can't apparate inside Hogwarts. So don't attempt it," Mac warned.

Harry was so happy he didn't even mind the trip by floo powder back to Mac's office. As Harry slid out on the office floor he leapt to his feet, stumbling only a little bit. Mac was right behind him, and ever so much more graceful.

"By the way," asked Harry, "Where exactly were we just now."

"That's information you do not need, young Potter," and he ruffled Harry's hair with his large hand. "Go on with you now."

Harry felt almost giddy as he walked down the corridor toward the Great Hall and the aroma of dinner.

During dinner, Hermione said she needed to go to the library. Ron mumbled something about how he needed to as well. Harry looked over at him with a smile. He guessed that Ron had probably said that just so he could be with Hermione. At the end of dinner, Hermione stood up and collected her things. "Here, let me....uhmm....carry those books for you," offered Ron, flushing.

Hermione seemed to blush also and said, "Ok, if you like....thanks." The two of them left the hall walking rather awkwardly, side-by-side. Harry had to admire Ron for trying, but he also experienced a slight pang of loneliness as he watched them go.

On his way back to the dormitory, Harry noticed several "Voldemort, say his name and free yourself from tyranny!" posters in the corridors. Hermione had been busy. He wondered if this crusade would work out better than Hermione's attempt to free the house elves.

The next day's lessons passed quickly. Harry noticed MacNessa several times during the day prowling the hallways with a notebook and a quill. He had been seen talking to various teachers and greeting students he passed on his way. The older Hogwarts students were very curious how his Friday lessons would go.

When Harry arrived in the afternoon for his apparition lesson, Mac was waiting with his cloak on. Harry followed Mac through to the fireplace where he took floo powder and said "workroom" while stepping into the fireplace. Soon he was standing in the same room with the polished wood floors as yesterday. Mac arrived a second later.

"Harry, first thing today we will review what you did yesterday, as a warm-up."

"Sure, sir...I mean Mac," said Harry with a grin. He dropped his cloak and immediately apparated to the far corner of the room, then to the wall with the portraits, and then back right next to Mac.

"What a show-off you are young Potter!" said Mac with a look of bemusement. "Alright then, it seems that yesterday wasn't a fluke. So we'll try some long distance apparating and see how you do at that."

Mac explained that they needed to pick a spot that Harry had been to a number of times, and could clearly picture. Also, it had to be a wizard location and not a Muggle one, so as not to attract undo attention. In addition, since he was not really old enough to be doing this, it had to be a location where it was unlikely they would encounter anyone.

Harry had to think hard on this. As Mac continued to list off the exceptions, Harry's choices narrowed substantially. Then he had it. "The Burrow," he blurted out.

"You mean the Weasley place?" asked Mac. "Do you know Arthur and his family then?"

"I'm friends with Ron. He's in Gryffindor with me."

"I haven't seen them in years. Should have realized Arthur and Molly would still have children in school," said Mac.

"I was thinking we could go to the paddock near the house. It's where we practice Quidditch sometimes. Then we wouldn't scare Mrs. Weasley either," explained Harry.

"Good choice boy, we'll give it a go." Mac explained that Harry should visualize the paddock the same way as he had the dragon screen. Then let the magic take him there. "If something goes wrong, say "Finite Apparicioun Incantatum" and you should return to this spot. I am going to apparate with you to try to cover your underage use of magic. We think it will work, since no one expects an underage wizard to be apparating. If you have to use Finite Apparicioun, the Ministry would very likely catch you, since we would be temporarily separated. Once at the paddock, don't apparate again until I tell you, understood? Go ahead when you're ready."

"Yes sir," said Harry. He was a bit worried about the talk of getting caught. He decided he'd have to block that out of his mind or he'd lose his concentration. Harry readied himself and released the magic. He felt himself sliding through space, the Weasley paddock rushing toward him. He materialized and saw Mac was right beside him.

"How was that?" Mac asked.

"Great!" said Harry as he surveyed the area. The Weasley house was visible through the trees.

"This next bit is normally difficult but given your talent for apparition, we might as well push on." Mac looked around as though verifying they were completely alone. "Can you think of someone you could apparate to, who will not be surprised to see you, or else, not likely to tell the Ministry that they saw you, AND you are reasonably sure where they are right now?"

That presented a problem. Harry guessed that he would be able to apparate into Grimmauld Place, but he doubted that Mac could, so Remus was not a good choice. Fred and George would be a possibility, but what if there was a customer in the store at the time? No, that was not a good a choice either. Harry thought for a minute, but then had an idea. "How about my Aunt Petunia? She's a muggle, so she won't ever tell anyone, and she'll be home alone right now."

"Hummm...It's not by the book, a muggle and all, but under the circumstances.....won't she be frightened?" asked Mac.

"Probably," laughed Harry. Mac gave Harry that look that made him feel his thoughts were being read.

"Does she deserve it?" asked Mac. Harry looked down at his shoes. "Well, let's have a go," said Mac. Before he allowed the second trial he explained how to picture Aunt Petunia then had Harry give him the address on Privet Drive so he could apparate there as well. Mac explained that in order for this type of apparition to work, Harry must concentrate solely on the person and not upon their surroundings. He instructed Harry that as soon as they both arrived, they would immediately apparate back to the 'workroom'. Mac wanted Harry safely back there as soon as possible.

"Is the workroom protected in some special way?" asked Harry after Mac's instructions.

"Yes it is Harry, quite ingeniously protected, actually. But we've no time right now to discuss securing spells."

Harry agreed and got set. He pictured his aunt and concentrated. Again he experienced the feeling of zooming through white blurry space. Suddenly there he was, standing behind Aunt Petunia as she washed dishes. Mac apparated with a pop, right next to him. The popping noises must have scared Aunt Petunia, for she jumped and spun around, dropping a large china platter to the floor.

Harry remembered the plan, and immediately apparated back to the workroom, but not before he saw his aunt's eyes as big as saucers, staring at him, as her mouth formed a scream.

There he was again, back in the workroom, feeling quite exhilarated and a little tired. Mac arrived almost immediately. "I repaired your aunt's platter before I left," he said. "Don't be telling Arthur Weasley about this, or he'll have me up on charges for muggle-baiting!"

Once back in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Mac informed Harry that he could easily pass the official Ministry Apparition Exam. "I guess we'll wait to see if Dumbledore can get permission for you to be tested, but when he does, you should have no fears about passing." The discussion turned to Occlumency and Potions. Mac told him they would make a start on Occlumency on Monday.

Harry was in high spirits as he bounced down the hall. He pushed playfully into Ron who he caught up to in the first floor corridor. "Whoa, Harry!" laughed Ron. "What's up?"

"Tell you later!" said Harry. Since it was supposed to be a secret, Harry waited until he, Ron and Hermione were together, alone, in the common room to tell all about his Apparition lesson. They asked a lot of questions, because before long, they would be taking the class too.

"So you like Mac as a teacher then?" asked Ron.

"He's really fun to work with. Not stuffy or strict at all. I'm a bit worried about Occlumency though. I could never get that and I always ended-up flat on the floor," said Harry.

"Maybe Mac will teach it differently, or something," suggested Ron. Perhaps, thought Harry, doing Occlumency with Mac and Snape would not be as bad as with Snape alone. At least Mac seemed to be on his side.

"Do you really think the Ministry will give you permission to apparate before you're seventeen?" asked Hermione returning to the original subject.

"It would be stupid if they didn't. After all, look how Voldemort tricked everyone, and got Harry all tied up in that graveyard during the Tri-Wizard. If he could have apparated then, he wouldn't have had to fight Voldemort and risk dying," Ron concluded.

"It would have been useful," said Harry. Then a thought struck him. "Really though, I couldn't. I would have had to leave Cedric behind."

"But Harry, if you were in mortal danger you should definitely save yourself, I mean that's why Dumbledore is having you taught how to do it," said Hermione.

"I guess so....sure," said Harry. But he wasn't sure. On the one hand Hermione was more right than she realized. On the other, he really had wanted to bring Cedric back that night. He had promised Cedric. He tried to figure in his head how he might have done it. Perhaps he'd ask Mac if you could take someone or something with you when apparating. His concentration was broken by Ginny coming in and sliding into a chair across the table.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked.

They all told her she was welcome as they returned to their individual homework. Harry was having trouble focusing on his Transfiguration text book, so he pulled out a clean sheet of parchment. "Ok," he said, "who's going to be on the house team this year?" Ron and Ginny both looked up in interest.

That began an hour long discussion about the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Last year, Ginny had played Seeker during Harry's banning, however, she rather fancied playing Chaser this year. That left two open Chaser positions, with Angelina, Katie and Alicia all graduated. Harry would come back as Seeker and Ron would continue as Keeper. Kirke and Sloper had done an acceptable job last year as Beaters, replacing the Weasley twins.

"What about that Creevey kid for Chaser?" asked Ron. "He seems like he'd be fast."

"We should post try-outs," said Ginny. They decided to book the pitch for Saturday and Ginny made up a notice for the bulletin board to attract some new Chasers. As she worked she asked, "Harry, will you be the captain this year? You've been on the team the longest."

Harry blushed, "Thanks, but I think we should vote, and I'd say Ron is a better choice. I don't know nearly as much about Quidditch plays as he does." Now it was Ron's turn to blush.

Friday finally came, and the fifth, sixth and seventh years were eagerly awaiting their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. After breakfast the Great Hall was cleared and chairs were magically arranged in large concentric circles around an open area about four meters across. McGonagall signaled the students to come and take seats and Professor MacNessa came forward to the center of the circle. Harry noticed that Snape, Dumbledore and McGonagall were standing together near the back of the room. Snape looked restless and annoyed while Dumbledore was having an animated conversation with McGonagall.

Mac raised his arms to silence the crowd. "Thank you! I'm glad that our first lesson is finally getting under way. I hope that all of you will benefit from this wonderful new idea. I wish to make a few opening remarks before we begin."

"As an auror for the Ministry of Magic, I spent years chasing the worse possible wizards and witch's you could think to meet. I was in many a hard fight. I am here to help you lot learn how to defend against an attack from a dark wizard or even from the forces of Lord Voldemort." Many students gasped at the use of Voldemort's name.

"That's quite enough of that," boomed Mac. "Voldemort is not a ghosty in the closet, he's not the evil vapor of a fairy tale, he's real and he's here. Name him, and you are already on the way to resisting him. He and his forces are witches and wizards just like you. They may be older and more practiced, but you ARE capable of fighting back. We are going to teach you how to do this."

Mac spent the next hour reviewing about twelve different spells, hexes and jinxes that could be used in basic dueling. As he named each, he asked if everyone had heard of the spell, and then if they had been able to perform the spell. The students were to write down the spells and then circle the ones they had actually performed. His explanations were simple and to the point and Harry saw that many students were taking notes about what he was saying. As Mac went through the list, Harry found that he had actually performed all the spells himself, some several times.

"Keep in mind youngsters, when attacked, give your attacker a fight!" Mac blasted energetically. There was the sound of Dumbledore clearing his throat theatrically in the back of the room. That brought Mac up short. "I should say it this way; if you choose to fight, then be prepared and committed to fight as hard as you can. Your opponent will sense your timidity if it exists and that is the opening he may need to overcome you. If you are to go down fighting, then give it your all. Otherwise, give up immediately in the hope that you will escape injury. There is no middle ground in a fight. Yes, lack of commitment to the fight....," Mac trailed off as though he had lost his train of thought. Harry looked up quickly, but Mac had recovered and was going on.

"Everyone who has actually performed all these spells please stand." Harry rose and noticed that all the former DA member were also able to stand up at this point. "That's very good," said Mac looking around at the assembly. Harry noticed Marietta Edgecombe was standing. It seemed her face had cleared up since last year, when 'SNEAK' had been prominently displayed across her nose and cheeks. He looked back at Mac who was asking how many students could do eight of the twelve spells. "None of you? Alright, how about six then..."

Ron nudged him. "Wicked, Harry! We're like the top students in defense in the school."

"Seems so, doesn't it? But I suspect that if Snape has anything to do with it, we'll wish we weren't," whispered Harry.

"You may be right about that," agreed Ron.

Soon Mac had them all up out on the lawn for dueling practice. They were split into three groups. Snape, McGonagall and Mac each took a group. Of course, even though Harry did his best to avoid it, he ended up in Snape's group. After a few warm-up disarming spells, Snape decided they were all hopeless and called Harry up to the front to help him demonstrate proper technique. Harry winced when his name was called and steeled himself for the inevitable.

"Potter, stand here," Snape pointed and Harry complied. Snape turned toward the group. "When you disarm, you must put some feeling into it or your spell will likely not produce any results." The group stood silent as Snape continued, "Wand up, Potter!" Harry raised his wand and tried to pick a defensive spell to keep Snape from blasting him across the lawn. Without warning Snape whirled and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" There were gasps from some of the group. Harry got off a Protego spell just as Snape's spell made contact. Even still, Harry was knocked to the ground. The spell rebounded on Snape who also was knocked to the ground.

When Harry sat up he saw Snape's face, livid and poisonous as he picked himself up off the ground. "Potter, did I tell you to counter my spell?"

"No sir," said Harry, gritting his teeth. Snape straightened his robes and tossed his greasy hair out of his face. He sent Harry back to his place and continued on without offering any more demonstrations.

When lunch was served, the students were eager to tuck in. The morning session had been very active and the hall was full of lively chatter as students re-lived the morning's experiences.

After lunch Harry paid a bit more attention to the group practicing around hm. The range in knowledge and abilities was fairly broad. He was paired with Zacharias Smith who had been part of the DA. Zacharias was pretty good, and he was quick. Many of the pairs were struggling getting off their spells properly. Snape was strolling around and intimidating or humiliating most of the non-Slytherin students. Some how, Malfoy had not ended up in this group or Harry was sure Snape would have insisted they pair up. There was no telling what Malfoy might try to pull since Harry's actions sent Lucius Malfoy to Azkaban.

Mac called a halt to class at three. "That will be enough for today, ladies and gentlemen. I am quite pleased with the progress you've all made. Next week we are planning a full day session similar to this one, but including more actual dueling and more moving targets. Professor McGonagall will hand you a reading assignment list. Please get one from her. You are responsible for the assigned material.

Harry picked up his things and looked around for Ron and Hermione. As he did, he noticed that Mac was talking to Snape. He appeared to be instructing Snape in some technique or other. The potions master wore a look that could have curdled milk. His arms were crossed and he had his head cocked in a way that allowed him to look down his nose at Mac. Mac seemed not to notice and continued with his explanation. Snape suddenly turned and stalked away toward the castle. Harry watched Mac lower his head to try to hide a grin.

During dinner, Hedwig arrived with a letter for Harry. She soared down and landed lightly near his plate. She ruffled and shook her feathers spattering water droplets on the table and on Harry. Looking toward the enchanted ceiling, he noticed that a fine rain was falling. Harry offered Hedwig a piece of chicken which she gladly accepted, before taking off for the owlry. The letter was from Remus. That was pretty fast thought Harry as he ripped it open:

Dear Harry,

Thanks for writing to me. I hope you will do so whenever something comes up, or you just want to talk.

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Professor Dumbledore sent me an owl about it as well. Hope you are better now.

Harry, it's very important that you understand that the problems you are seeing in the newspaper are beyond our control right now...beyond ANY of our control. The Ministry is working hard to set things right. Try not to worry.

The answer to your question is that a pure blood can trace their wizarding heritage back at least five gnerations. It means that many families today are mixed blood. Half-blood implies that the person in question has a wizard or a witch parent and a muggle parent.

All of us here are well. Keep me informed.

Your Friend,

Remus

P.S. this particular parchment reminds me very much of an old map I once had. I swear it does.

Harry turned the letter over, thinking there should be more. Remus must have been in a hurry to have dashed off such a short reply. And whatever did that last bit mean? A moment later it clicked. "Oh!" said Harry aloud. He looked around and realized that he'd have to wait until after dinner to test out his intuition. He passed the letter to Hermione and then Ron, just to see if they saw what he saw.

Ron gave Harry a quizzical look, while Hermione's eye's lit up. Then Ron, too, seemed to catch on. The three of them, as if in silent agreement, quickly finished eating and excused themselves from the table. Out in the corridor they hurried toward the first empty classroom. "Do you think he means the letter works like the Marauders Map?" asked Ron, as they bent over it. Harry touched the letter with his wand and said, "I swear I am up to no good." Immediately letters began to fill the page until the whole parchment was filled with text. Now the letter read:

Dear Harry, (I'm glad you wrote, I was worried about you since the night of the attacks. Dumbledore called us all out as soon as he heard about your scar hurting. We were able to detect some magical activity and help a few families that might have been hurt otherwise. My group caught one Death Eater and we turned him over to Kingsley.)

Thanks for writing to me. I hope you will do so whenever something comes up, or you just want to talk. (I am going to try to find a way for us to communicate more easily. Until then his should serve. I'm guessing you worked it out! You will be able to erase this writing and then write back to me. Say "Inducoduxi" before you write the parts you want hidden. Then say "Celoare" after you finish writing me and the newly added parts should disappear until I retrieve them. I don't think anyone will be able to discover the hidden messages even if the letter is intercepted.)

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Professor Dumbledore actually sent me an owl about it as well. Hope you are better now. (Even though your scar warned us of an attack, Dumbledore still feels that it is best to have you block Voldemort's thoughts. It is too dangerous to maintain that link. I understand that Conner MacNessa has been retained to teach you Occlumency. He has quite a reputation, but I'm sure Dumbledore knows what he's doing. MacNessa may be a bit unconventional, but perhaps that's what's needed. I hope he has begun your Occlumency lessons.)

Harry, it's very important that you understand that the problems you are seeing in the newspaper are beyond our control right now...beyond ANY of our control. The Ministry is working hard to set things right. Try not to worry. (I have thought a lot about our conversation that night by the fire. First, it is not your fault that Voldemort is hurting people. Second, DO NOT act on any visions or premonitions you receive. Talk to an Order member first. By now you know the risks and the traps that Voldemort is likely to set. Don't try to be a hero. All you will succeed in doing is putting yourself in danger.)

The answer to your question is that a pure blood can trace their wizarding heritage back at least five generations. It means that many families today are mixed blood. Half-blood implies that the person in question has a wizard or a witch parent and a muggle parent. (You are what's considerd mixed blood. Lily and James were both magical, although James could certainly trace his wizarding heritage back five generations, Lily, was muggle- born, like Hermione. Certainly you've picked up on some of this, however we keep forgetting that you haven't grown up around it. Because of your name, it just seems strange to think no one has told you these things. Please feel free to ask me such questions in the future, Harry)

All of us here are well. Keep me informed. (Dobby and Beaky are fine, as am I. I'll see you around Halloween at Gringotts, Dumbledore will arrange everything.)

Your Friend,

Remus

Seemingly, Remus was well informed about what was going on. Harry wondered what was meant by, "I'll see you around Halloween at Gringotts". He tapped the letter and said, "Mischief Managed". The extra text disappeared.

Hermione and Ron had been reading over his shoulder. "Good advice, Harry," said Hermione.

"Ya, but what's that bit about Gringotts?" asked Ron.

"I don't know," was all Harry could say. He realized now that he should not have allowed Ron and Hermione to read the letter before he read it himself. Remus had come close to mentioning the prophesy, and Harry still didn't wish to tell anyone else about that yet. Not until he himself could come to grips with it.

The reference to the trip bothered him. Remus could have been a bit more specific. When the trio left the classroom the Great Hall was beginning to empty. Professor Dumbledore came striding out just as they reached the staircase. Harry touched Dumbledore's sleeve. "Can I have a word sir?" he asked.

"Certainly Harry," Dumbledore peered at Harry for a moment. "Meet me in my office in fifteen minutes. The new password is Sugar Quill."

"Harry, what is it?" asked Dumbledore, as he breezed into his office at fifteen minutes on the dot. Harry had been there waiting for five minutes, at least.

"Remus says I'm to meet him at Gringotts around Halloween.&rquo; He laid the letter from Remus on the headmaster's desk.

Without taking up the letter Dumbledore replied, "Yes Harry, you must attend the reading of a will, in accordance with wizard law. You are considered an underage wizard but still of an age to be a participant in the process."

"Whose will?" interrupted Harry, now intrigued.

"Sirius."

"Sirius left a will?"

"Perhaps this was not clear, Harry. Sirius officially made you his heir. He bequeathed Grimmauld Place to you and most of his other possessions. While we know, in general, what material goods have been left to you, there is more to a wizard will than that. Your presence is required to hear the will, once all the outstanding issues are cleared up."

Harry had many questions but could not seem to form one into words. "I am sorry that I didn't personally tell you about this trip. I intended to do so. The past few days have been a real trial, with pressing issues every minute. Please forgive me," said Dumbledore.

Harry tried to sort out what to ask next, but Dumbledore interrupted his thought. "Harry, I wish we could talk longer as I sense you have several things on your mind, however, I must meet with the Order yet this evening, so we will have to talk again later." Harry could say no more. An Order meeting was more important than his questions about wizard law. He thanked Dumbledore and left.

Harry walked back to Gryffindor Tower wondering what a wizard will included. He knew he was going to have tell Ron and Hermione about it. They had been there and had read Remus's letter. It would probably come out that he owned Grimmauld Place.

When Harry finally climbed back through the portrait hole he found that more Gryffindors were playing games than studying. Several students were reading Ginny's notice about the try-outs tomorrow, and someone had drawn a snake-like cartoon figure on Hermione's Voldemort poster.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville were playing Exploding Snap in the corner. Harry went to join them. They all greeted him, but both Ron and Hermione looked as though they wished they could get away to hear what had happened in Dumbledore's office. It was past midnight when the common room cleared to the point that Harry could explain about the trip to Gringotts. "It's to hear Sirius's will," said Harry solemnly.

"Really," Ron said. "Do you know what he's left you?"

"I guess, Grimmauld Place," said Harry quietly. "I told Dumbledore the Order could use it all they liked." Harry looked from Hermione to Ron. Ron seemed lost in thought.

"That's very noble, Harry," said Hermione.

"I don't want Sirius's gold or anything else," said Harry. "I'd just like him back."