Harry Potter and the Elements of Valor

Chapter Seven - Expert Opinion

At ten minutes to midnight, Harry climbed carefully from his four-poster. The dormitory room was pitch-black. Because he had no idea where he and Mac were going, Harry had gotten into bed hours earlier, fully clothed, while Ron and Neville were still downstairs. It would save time later, he thought. Harry had placed his invisibility cloak under his pillow and he pulled it on now. He stuck his wand in his pocket and pushed his feet into his trainers. Then he quietly snuck down to the deserted common room. He had a twinge of guilt at not confiding in Ron and the others about this midnight trip, but he thought it could wait until he knew what it was all about. There was no telling what Mac had in mind. Harry pushed open the portrait, climbed through, then headed for the entrance hall.

Mac was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. Harry cleared his throat and Mac smiled. "Good boy," he whispered, staring past Harry and a bit off to the right. "Stay under that cloak of yours, follow me, and don't say anything."

Mac led the way along the corridor. They passed several darkened classrooms, and then he stopped before the door that Lupin had emerged from on two occasions now.

"Mac," Harry whispered, "where does this go?"

Mack put a finger to his lips and winked in a very Fred and George way. Harry felt sure that wherever it went, they weren't supposed to be going there. The door had a small brass plate on it that said, Private. Mac touched his wand to the lock, and Harry heard a click as the door swung open. Inside the door was a small landing and steps spiraling down. Torches burned at intervals in brackets set into the smooth stone wall, as the steps wound out of site.

Mac started down the stairs, with Harry close behind. After ten steps or so, Harry glanced back up toward the door. The whole thing gave off the feeling of strength and security, but also made him feel there was no escape, but straight back the way they had come.

After what seemed like at least fifty steps, Mac halted and signaled Harry to stop. He whispered even lower than before, "Stay under the cloak no matter what, and don't make any noise." It certainly seemed important to Mac that he, Harry remain unseen. Harry was both intrigued and apprehensive, as Mac continued downward, now allowing his own footfalls to ring rather loudly on the stone steps.

A familiar voice boomed up the stairs, "Who goes there?" It sounded like Remus. Harry slowed and made a point to step very carefully.

"Me, Lupin, just me," said Mac offhandedly.

Harry had now arrived at the foot of the stairs, and saw Mac facing Remus in a round room not much larger than Dumbledore's office. The room was brightly lit, bare of any furniture, with several doors and rooms leading off from it.

"I thought you might be Bill. What brings you down here, Conner?" asked Remus in concern. "You know Dumbledore doesn't want anyone giving away this location."

"I was careful, Lupin," said Mac in a placating tone. "Are you expecting Bill?" he asked, changing the subject.

Remus was stowing his wand, "Dumbledore said he might be moving in more gold from the Order members' vaults at Gringotts."

"Ahh!" said Mac with interest.

Remus continued, "Bill was telling Dumbledore the other night, that soon we'll need our own dragon to guard it." He laughed and waved a hand toward one of the doorways. "I'm sure we could store your gold here as well. Bill could arrange to move it," said Remus.

"I've made my own arrangements, but thank you," said Mac.

"What can I do for you, Conner?" asked Lupin.

"I was working late, and I simply had a potions question, so I thought I'd come consult an expert. I mean, why not, after all?" said Mac.

What was Mac talking about, thought Harry? Lupin was no good at potions. Why, Snape had to make the wolfsbane potion for him, because he....wait a minute, he thought.

"Well, I suppose it can't hurt. He's in there," said Lupin pointing to a door directly opposite. "You'll need this," Lupin handed Mac a key ring. "He's manacled to the floor, of course," said Lupin. "But be very careful."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine," said Mac confidently.

"If you think you can manage on your own, I'll just go finish a letter I was writing."

"I can manage, certainly," said Mac, with a bit too much of a grin Harry thought. He jangled the key ring and walked across the circular room to the door Lupin had indicated. Lupin sidled back toward an opening, through which Harry could see a small room with a table where several candles illuminated some parchment and a quill.

Harry realized he had been holding his breath, so as not to miss hearing the conversation. He let it out slowly and crept down the last step hurrying to catch up with Mac who was now unlocking a great heavy wooden door. Mac pushed it open and allowed Harry time to squeeze into the passage beyond before closing it. Harry's heart was hammering. He was fairly sure now what he was about to see. Beyond the first door was a short passage and another similar wooden door, but this one had a barred window in it. Mac strode forward saying loudly, "You have a visitor, and I'd like a word with you."

Harry thought he heard a grunt of anger or disgust from behind the door. Mac, however, gave a short laugh. "I am sure to prove more entertaining than anything else you have to do just now!" With that, he unlocked and wrenched open the next door, then slipped inside, shutting it before Harry could get in.

Harry moved up to the barred window just as a very familiar and icy voice said, "What is it you want, MacNessa?" Harry nearly swore as he saw the form of Severus Snape sprawled on a chair inside. "Come to gloat?"

"Ahhh...Severus....so much talent, but such unwise choices you've made," said Mac casually.

"That remains to be seen, MacNessa," replied Snape coolly.

"Well, I'd love to debate that point, but I have business with you and I'm sure we'd both like to be away from each others company as soon as possible." Mac began pulling a piece of parchment from the pocket of his robes. He handed it to Snape, who paused and then took it, but did not look at it.

"That parchment," began Mac, "contains perhaps the greatest potions find in a century, Snape. You have in your hands a copy of the original potion taken from an old book that found its way into my hands, and a copy of my translation of the potion into English. However there are one or two points on which I require your expert advice."

Harry could see in Snape's eyes that he was interested, but that he wished to appear bored. "What of it?" asked Snape. "Why should I help you?"

Mac smiled indulgently. "I am here to make a bit of a deal with you. I'll give you this parchment; the recipe for the potion, which I assure you, will be quite valuable, once tested. All you need do is check it over and help me work out the bits I'm unsure about." Mac strolled around the cell slowly, stepping over the chain binding Snape's ankle to a ring in the floor, watching Snape as he went.

Snape sniffed, and unfolded the parchment slowly as though bored. Harry knew of course that the parchment had to be the werewolf cure. There were two papers folded together, which Snape smoothed out. Harry recognized the one as the page from the book they had lifted from the Department of Mysteries. The other must be Mac's translated copy. Snape studied them, indifferently at first, then with much greater interest. He looked back and forth between them his dark eyes narrowing.

Harry was annoyed that Mac had shared the formula with this traitor, and he wasn't sure what good it would do. He suddenly realized he had his hand upon his wand. Surely, Snape would go out of his way to steer them wrong. The thought of this, coupled with the closeness of this known enemy made Harry want to throw off his cloak and curse Snape into oblivion. His hand tightened around his wand.

"It seems perfectly fine, MacNessa," said Snape finally, in a silky voice.

"You don't say," said Mac as he stopped behind Snape's chair.

"I think you've got it right, actually," said Snape smoothly. "I suppose you'll be giving it to Lupin then?"

With lightening speed, Mac whipped out his wand and said "Petrificus Totalus!" turning the potions master rigid as stone. Harry whipped around, but apparently, Lupin had not heard. Then Mac produced a vial from within his robes, and walked around to face Snape. "I have here the very potion, Severus...just as written there." He tapped the parchment still locked in Snape's hand, with the point of his wand. "If it is safe, then you won't mind swallowing some right now, will you. Since you are not a werewolf, the potion should be harmless to you, according to the text." Mac advanced toward Snape uncorking the vial. Snape's eyes widened in terror and he blinked rapidly, as though trying desperately to communicate.

Mac pointed his wand at Snape and said "Finite." Then he stepped back. "Something you'd like to say, Severus?"

"Damn you!" spat Snape who made a show of readjusting his robes. Then he muttered, "The dragon's blood....it should be three drops, then stir three times, followed by the asphodel, before adding the black adder venom, otherwise it could become rather... toxic."

"Excellent suggestion," said Mac with a laugh. He pocketed the vial. "I'll be back to test the new batch on you, Severus, so are there any other changes you'd like to suggest at this time?"

Snape sneered, "No," and turned away from MacNessa, crushing the parchment in his fist.

"I can't say it's been a pleasure, Severus, but treating with traitors seldom is," said Mac, as he unlocked the door and closed it behind him. "See you again once the new potion is done." Then he walked back toward the circular room in a completely unhurried fashion. Harry stood for a moment staring at Snape. Once Mac's back was turned, he had un-crumpled the parchment and began studying it again with relish.

Harry hurried to slip back out through the door before Mac locked it again. He stared at the door to Snape's cell while Mac returned the key ring to Lupin. Snape had been here the entire time. Right here in the castle!

A few minutes later, they were at the top to the stairs and Harry removed and stowed his invisibility cloak in his pocket. "Do you trust Snape?" asked Harry incredulously.

"I trust that Snape doesn't want to be poisoned," said Mac warily. "I'll test the final potion on a rat first and then we'll give it to Remus Lupin, if he agrees." Mac headed back toward his office.

"But Mac..." began Harry, trotting up behind him and now feeling very concerned.

"Look young Harry," whispered Mac, "I was very sure I had the potion right, and now I know I made a correct translation. I made a deliberate mistake on the parchment I gave to Snape. That was the one mistake he found and pointed out to me. I expected he'd try to lead us wrong, the greasy git."

"But, sir?" said Harry. "Is that the actual potion... in that bottle?"

"This?" scoffed Mac, holding up the small crystal vial. "This is weak tea." He pocketed it with a laugh. So, Harry thought, it was just a trick.

Seeing Snape like that was still a shock from which Harry was attempting to recover. He'd never imagined that the Order were holding him right here, at Hogwarts. Certainly everyone always said how safe Hogwarts was. Just to have something to say, Harry replied, "You think we can go ahead with the potion and give it to Remus then?"

"Yes, I do. But not only your Mr. Lupin, boy. There are many werewolves out there. They suffer torment and prejudice and with this potion, they can be returned to normal. This find, boy, will save many honest men from pain and discrimination." Mac was very excited. "We'll brew it in the room off my classroom, down in the dungeon. I recommend we keep the entire thing quiet until it's ready. Do you agree?"

Harry nodded automatically without really hearing what Mac was saying. Then the question pierced through the murky haze that Snape had caused in his brain. "No wait," he said. "Don't you think we should tell Remus what we're doing? I mean, he's going to have to decide if he wants to try it."

Mac stopped and seemed to consider. "I suppose you're right, young Harry. I was simply thinking that we wouldn't want it to become public knowledge. Perhaps you could ask your Mr. Lupin to come along with you on Friday afternoon and we can tell him what we have planned." Mac nodded to himself, "Yes, that will be fine, I'm sure." Then he started forward again.

Harry knew he should be happy they were on the right track to helping Remus, but he was having a difficult time shaking the image of Snape. What if he were able to get free?

"Um...Mac?" said Harry as they reached the entrance hall, "Do you think Snape is secure in that cell?"

Mac was scanning a copy of the page from the old book again as he walked, "Snape? Is he secure?" Mac looked up at him clearly not thinking about the man he had just hexed a few minutes before. "I believe he's under better control here than he would be in Azkaban. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing," replied Harry. It was probably simply the shock of seeing Snape that was causing him to feel a twinge of anxiety. Somehow, knowing that Snape was here in the castle made him feel decidedly unsafe. Snape knew the castle well, and he was a traitor. Harry shook his head to clear the thought away. He tried to pick up the thread of what Mac was saying.

"....so we'll begin tomorrow night, right after dinner. We'll get the ingredients together so we have something to show Lupin at the end of the week."

"Yes, sure," responded Harry.

"Then, perhaps, a few Friday afternoons. I calculate it will take about two months to prepare. I'm very glad we checked it through with Snape. Whatever else he may be, he's still a damned fine potions maker. Well...goodnight then young Harry," said Mac with a smile and he strode off towards the dungeon and the potions department.

Harry wondered sometimes at the brash way Mac behaved, but he had to admit that no one in the Order would ever have shown him the location where Snape was being held. Seeing him locked up and under guard was oddly satisfying and seeing Mac get the better of Snape was even more satisfying. At the end of last term, Snape had managed to kidnap him and Neville too, depositing them in the clutches of Voldemort. They had narrowly escaped being killed and Harry, in a rage, had dueled with Snape. In the end, Dumbledore had finally conceded that Snape had betrayed the Order. No one had been willing to tell him what had been done with the potions master after that. Now Harry knew the secret.

As though drawn by a magnet, Harry by-passed the stairway back to Gryffindor tower and walked back down the silent hallway. He stopped in front of the door marked Private. He wanted, more than anything, to march straight back down stairs and finish the fight that Dumbledore had broken up several months before. It was fool-hearty, but Harry felt nothing but loathing and resentment toward the man who was supposed to be his teacher, and even more, a member of the Order of the Phoenix. A noise from the entrance hall made Harry flatten himself against the wall in the dark corridor and quickly pull on his invisibility cloak again. Then he recognized Bill Weasley, levitating a bunch of large leather pouches in front of him, and coming toward him down the dark corridor.

Harry gave Bill a wide berth, and hurried quickly and quietly toward the stairs. As he made his way back to Gryffindor tower, he knew he would have trouble falling asleep.

The next morning Harry was bursting to tell what he had seen and heard to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. He poked Ron awake very early.

"What's up," said Ron blearily.

"Get up," said Harry. "I've got something to tell you."

Ron climbed groggily from his bed, yawning, but was soon dressing. "So what is it?" he asked in a whisper. No sound was yet coming from behind Neville's bed curtains, and indeed, only a pale rim of pink on the horizon was heralding the morning outside the dormitory window.

Harry said, "Let's go downstairs."

Ron followed Harry down through the common room and out into the hallway. There was no one stirring yet. Harry began to tell Ron about his midnight meeting with MacNessa as they headed toward the Great Hall. "Blimey, Harry!" said Ron as he finished the story. "So he's right here in the castle, and they're all probably taking it in turns to guard him."

"That's what I think," said Harry. "I wish they'd give me turn at guard duty," he said angrily.

Ron seemed to sense danger. "Harry, it doesn't matter where he is. You have to forget about it. He's not your concern."

"Not my...Not my concern!" bellowed Harry. Ron shushed him and he lowered his voice. "He tried to get me killed and Neville as well."

"But Harry, Dumbledore has him locked up and he probably has a very good reason to keep him here. Maybe the Order can use him somehow," reasoned Ron.

"You sound exactly like Hermione," accused Harry. He did not want to accept the logic of Ron's statement. He had tossed and turned all night inventing elaborate ways he could re-pay Snape's betrayal, now that he knew where the man was.

When Hermione and Ginny finally joined them at the table for breakfast, Harry whispered that he wanted to tell them something once they had eaten. Ron watched him as though he was a time bomb.

They finished breakfast quickly and then they all followed Harry out into the cool courtyard, where a light mist was hanging in the air. Harry quickly told them about seeing Snape and the making of the potion for Lupin.

Ginny's mouth was open. "Snape is here in the castle?" She grimaced. "I guess there must be a reason, but even still..."

"Harry," began Hermione, "You wouldn't do anything stupid, like going after him, would you? I mean, he's properly locked up and under guard, isn't he?"

"No," said Harry, beginning to feel deflated. "I expect it's the most I can ask for. I was really upset when I saw him but I suppose it is safer here than at Azkaban, but... I'd really like to get my hands on him." Harry still wanted him to suffer.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny all looked at him. Ginny broke the silence. "Harry, I'd say leave it alone for now. I hate him too for what he did to you, but let the Order handle it."

They talked together for a few more minutes. Ron wondered aloud if his dad had known Snape's location. "He must have done," said Hermione. "Your dad and Dumbledore seem pretty close."

Ginny looked at her watch and jumped. "I have to be in the greenhouses in five minutes," she said. "I'll see you all later." She said before hurrying off.

Harry, Hermione and Ron had their first Magical Beings: an Overview class today so they headed for Lupin's classroom. Hermione was rather unhappy, not with the new course offering but with the fact that no textbook had been assigned. She began complaining as soon as they left Ginny and continued until Ron turned the conversation around to Quidditch.

"Please take your seats," said Remus, looking up from his desk and smiling at them as they entered the room. He sounded tired and Harry noticed that he appeared pale. The last of the full moon had passed the previous night. Harry wondered who was making Remus's wolfsbane potion now that Snape was locked up. He decided to talk to Remus right after the lesson.

As Harry took his seat, he realized the class contained nearly all the seventh years. Remus took roll and then perched on the edge of his desk. "Many of you in this room come from wizard families, some do not. Regardless, I think you will find that you will learn a good deal in this class. We will be exploring the many and varied magical beings that inhabit our world. Notice I did not say "creatures" for we will be studying beings who walk and talk as we do, as well as those who do not."

Draco Malfoy, who was seated at the back of the room by himself, sneered "How interesting," in a very sarcastic voice. Everyone ignored him, making Ron smirk. Lupin did not look in his direction.

"We'll be studying the types of magic each being is able to use. We will be doing Elves, Giants, Vampires, and a host of other beings. Today, Professor Firenze will be taking the lesson and beginning our section on Centaurs." There was a clopping sound from the back of the room and Firenze walked proudly up the center aisle to the front of the room, his palomino tail swishing as he walked. Harry noticed that Hermione had her hand raised.

"Yes, Hermione?" said Remus.

"Sir, are there any assigned textbooks for this class?"

"I have decided against any one book, Hermione," explained Lupin. "Most of the books available in print are highly inaccurate and told strictly from a wizard perspective. I am aiming for a much more authentic and objective picture of magical beings. I anticipate some hand-outs." Hermione looked crushed.

"How are we going to study properly," she hissed to Ron and Harry, who were happy not to have more books to tote around.

The lesson was quite interesting. Firenze began talking about the known history of the Centaurs and how they came to be in Britain. He was just getting around to explaining how Centaurs had interacted with wizards when the bell rang to end the class. Lupin stood up and walked to the front of the room. "Professor Firenze will continue with his lecture next time. For your assignment, prepare three questions about Centaurs that you would like answered."

The class was on its feet and collecting their bags, when Harry heard Firenze call his name. Harry looked at Firenze and smiled, making his way up to the front as the room emptied. "Hi, Firenze," he said.

"Harry Potter, it is good to see you again. The planets are not always correct and I am glad at times that it is so." Firenze looked him over critically. Harry was trying to make out what he had meant. "Please be very careful at this time, as you are in great danger and events are approaching the zenith. I myself will continue to hope that the stars have been misread," Firenze said with an encouraging look before he moved off toward the door.

"Uhh, Thanks," was all Harry could think to say. He felt rather disconcerted. Everywhere he turned there were warnings and reminders of his fate.

Harry turned and moved over to Remus who was packing up a satchel full of books. "Remus," said Harry, "I need to talk to you for a minute, if that's ok."

"Certainly, Harry," said Remus. He walked over to the window and Harry followed.

"Remus, the day we went to the Department of Mysteries, Mac and I found something we want to talk to you about. Could you come to the potions classroom on Friday afternoon?"

"Sounds very mysterious Harry," said Remus with a smile. "Yes, I can meet you then."

Harry smiled and set off for his next class. He was running late and he had just broken into a run when someone hailed him and he skidded to a halt.

"Harry! A word if you don't mind." It was Bill Weasley, calling to him from a classroom.

"Ummm...sure," said Harry, looking around. "It's only I'm running late for my next class."

"I'll give you a note," said Bill. He led the way into the classroom and closed the door. He indicated a chair and Harry sat down. Bill pulled another chair around and straddled it, sinking down and resting his arms on the back, facing Harry. "So what do you think of Gryffindor's chances for the Quidditch cup this year?" asked Bill conversationally.

"Well it's a bit soon to tell, really. We'll be having try-outs on the weekend," Harry explained. "We have more experienced players returning than Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."

"Yes, well I'm looking forward to seeing some good flying from all of you. I may volunteer to act as referee," said Bill.

He paused, considering Harry. "Dad's told me very little about what's happening, but it doesn't take a lot to see that the Death Eaters want you pretty badly. I know some fairly remarkable jinxes Harry. Nothing I'll be showing this lot," he said waving his hand dismissively. "And frankly if anyone asks, I'll deny showing them to you...but...better to be well armed against the enemy, don't you think?"

"Sure...ya," said Harry. He was not sure where this was going exactly.

"Anyway, I thought we might strike a bit of a deal, Harry," he said. "I have it on very good authority that you ran a successful Defense Against the Dark Arts group in your fifth year. If you'd agree to help me manage the dueling classes on Friday, you know the kind of thing...walk amongst the students and correct their spells; I'd show you a few things that might come in handy some day."

Harry smiled broadly at Bill. "You want me to help in your class?" he asked.

"Why not?" asked Bill. "Dumbledore has already told me you needn't attend. He feels you are far advanced of the rest of the class."

Harry flushed. He hadn't known that Dumbledore thought him quite that good. He guessed the summer of intense practice had actually paid off.

"What do you say?"

"Bill, you're a curse breaker, and everything. You have loads of experience with defensive magic. I'm not sure I'll be much use to you," said Harry, expressing the doubt he felt.

"You are, apparently far beyond the rest of the students, by all accounts. Mac speaks quite highly of your dueling skills. Fred and George have shown me their bruises... and they are actually quite good," he chuckled and Harry grinned. "Still, teaching is a learning experience."

This was completely unexpected and Harry said "Sure," very slowly. "Only, Mac...I mean Professor MacNessa wanted me to help him the next few Fridays, in the afternoon." said Harry, thinking about the wolfsbane potion.

"Oh that's quite alright. I'll take you anytime you can make it," said Bill, smiling.

Harry nodded. He had enjoyed his hours teaching the D.A. members. "I'll check with Mac and see how long he needs me. I'd really like to help you."

"Great!" said Bill. He stood to leave. "And Harry, I admit I don't know why things keep happening to you, or why you're receiving extra attention from MacNessa, but I'm available to you anytime. If there is anything I can help you with..."

Harry flushed. "I...Uhh," he began.

Bill put up his hands. "No, I'm not asking you to tell me what's happening. I'm offering my help...if you need it." He reached out his hand to shake Harry's. Harry took it and smiled back. Bill jotted a quick note of excuse for him, and he hurried off to his next class.

Harry finally caught up with Ron and Hermione in Charms. Professor Flitwick smiled kindly at him when he handed in his note from Bill. Harry took a seat next to Ron at a table in the back of the room.

"What happened to you?" whispered Ron in an annoyed sort of way.

"First Firenze stopped me, then your brother," said Harry, pulling out his Charms textbook.

"What?" said Ron incredulously. "Bill?"

Harry shushed him. "I'll tell you later."

In the afternoon, Harry headed for the workroom that he now knew to be in the Hogshead Inn, in Hogsmeade. He knew he had to reach it by floo from Mac's old classroom and Harry wondered if the room had been turned over to Bill Weasley. As he stepped inside, he was met by both Mac and Dumbledore who were talking near the door to the study. They looked up as he approached.

"Harry, right on time I see," said Dumbledore. "Shall we all go through?" he asked.

Harry nodded and led the way from the classroom to the study where he grabbed a pinch of floo powder and was soon in the familiar and nearly empty room where he had learned to apparate the previous year. Dumbledore and Mac arrived within seconds.

"Harry," began Dumbledore, "Conner and I have been putting our heads together. We both agree that your reflexes are superb. In fact were you to try the auror dueling test right now, I am sure you would pass without a problem." Harry smiled, in spite of himself. "The thing we feel that you must work on is control. Reflexes are nothing without good spell control. We have been considering how best to help you improve this, as you will need it to be able to have a chance with the Elemental Magic you are learning. As you well know, you have gained little control over the air spell as yet. We need to find a way to help you with it."

Dumbledore walked to the center of the room and flicked his wand. A large china chamber pot materialized on the floor at his feet. "Harry, can you levitate this vessel?"

Harry moved toward the center of the room and said clearly, "Wingardium Leviosa." The chamber pot rose into the air and floated at eye level.

"Very fine," said Dumbledore. "Now, can you keep the chamber pot suspended whilst you move the flame of this candle?" With a second flick of his wand, Dumbledore produced a candle that also hovered in the air near Harry.

It seemed like an easy request. He was keeping the chamber pot aloft with his wand. He didn't need a wand to raise the candle flame. Harry faced the candle, checking that his wand was keeping the china pot in the air. He concentrated on the flame and... the chamber pot crashed spectacularly to the floor. Harry turned red.

"To be expected," said Dumbledore with a smile.

Harry looked over at Mac who was leaning against the wall and smirking. Dumbledore repaired the chamber pot with a wave of his wand and Harry set about for another try. SMASH! The pot fell again.

After a dozen attempts, Harry was feeling very frustrated. He could never really shift his concentration from the one spell to the other without losing control of the first. Dumbledore smiled at him encouragingly at each fresh attempt, but soon Harry was sweating and tense.

"Harry," said Mac, finally speaking. "Try the spells together, but without speaking."

"What!" said Harry, between irritation and amusement.

"You can do spells without saying them, if you concentrate on what you want to happen. If you think the spells, you may find you can do the two things at once."

"Like walking... and chewing gum!" said Dumbledore helpfully.

After what seemed an hour, Harry finally managed to raise the candle flame before the dratted chamber pot smashed to the floor, for what Harry was sure was the hundredth time. He collapsed to the floor among the china shards, and let out a deep sigh.

By the time he reached the dinner table he was starved. He dug in, thinking how he still had a full night ahead of him.

"Fancy a game of wizard chess this evening?" asked Ron, as he shoveled potatoes onto his plate.

"Can't...I have to meet Mac this evening," he said without looking up.

Ron looked at him, and then, catching on, nodded. "They have you running all directions, don't they?" he said.

Ginny was sitting on Harry's other side. It occurred to him that he needed to check her for the mark, as he promised Dumbledore. Perhaps they could manage it before he went to see Mac. Harry leaned over to her and whispered that she should meet him in Firenze's old classroom after dinner. Ginny nodded and smiled at him.

At the end of dinner, Harry rose from the table and bade the others goodbye, saying he would see them all later. He walked from the Great Hall and then turned down toward the Divination classroom. Looking around and finding no one in site, he ducked inside.

The tree-lined room still resembled nothing less than a forest clearing at night. Harry took a deep breath, sat down on a stump, near the wastepaper basket and waited.

A click of the lock a few minutes later, told him Ginny had arrived. She smiled as she entered and closed the door. Harry stood up as she approached. He took her in his arms and felt a great calming completeness as she rested her head on his chest. If only they could just stay like this forever, he thought.

"How was your day?" she asked finally.

"I'd rather not think about it," he said grinning.

"Well, let's get this over with," said Ginny. She removed her school robes and laid them aside. She was wearing a skirt and blouse underneath. She wrenched the blouse from the waistband and turned away from Harry. He lifted the back and pulled out a bit on the waistband of the skirt. There was, thankfully, nothing to see but smooth skin. "Nothing," said Harry. She turned and hugged him again, placing a kiss on his lips before straightening her clothes. Harry watched her. In his head, he hoped desperately that Lucius Malfoy would never try to reactivate the curse. The possibility that he could, ate at Harry.

A few minutes later Ginny left for the common room while Harry headed for the Potions classroom in the dungeons. His brain was completely done in by the lesson he had just experienced with Mac and Dumbledore, and he longed just to go off to bed. However, Mac wanted to start the werewolf potion and the sooner the better. If it would cure Remus, then Harry was willing to forego extra sleep.

The passage to the Potions classrooms was cool, with its hewn stone walls. It seemed less dank and forbidding now that he was going there to meet with Mac and not Snape. Even the candles spluttering in their brackets seemed friendlier. When Harry pushed open the door of the potions classroom, he saw light coming from the room beyond. Inside, Mac had a lot of ingredients laid out carefully on several tables. Two cauldrons were steaming on a separate table. "Young Harry," said Mac, enthusiastically as he entered. "I've just been getting some of the items organized. Perhaps you would be so kind as to begin over there chopping those roots." Harry nodded and took up his spot. They were soon completely focused on the potion they were making, speaking only as necessary. The next time Harry checked the clock, it was three hours later.

The first week back to school passed very quickly. Harry felt he was spending quite a lot of time in the workroom trying to levitate items and, at the same time, trying to do his various elemental spells. He was finding that doing spells without speaking them was difficult, but when he managed it, it did allow him to do, as Mac and Dumbledore had suggested, two things at one time. His brain, however, felt completely addled by the time he finished each of these lessons.

On Friday, Harry attended the first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. The morning was devoted to Bill Weasley explaining how they were going to organize the day. He told the students that dueling would be the focus of the afternoon lessons. Then he launched into a discussion of his own career at Gringotts Bank. Bill had some amazing stories about some of the old tombs he had worked in. Harry made a few notes about some jinxes and hexes that he wanted Bill to show him. The students were hanging on his words, particularly the girls. Many of the girls were looking at him in a dreamy way and Harry wondered if they were taking in anything Bill was telling them.

Ron, elbowed Harry at one point and whispered, "He should give this lot a surprise quiz. I'll bet the only question they could answer is what color Bill's eyes are." Harry suppressed a snort of laughter and Bill raised his eyebrow as he looked over at them. Ron gave him a shrug and they listened quietly for the rest of the lesson.

Hermione was full of praise for Bill's lecture during lunch. She ladled stew into bowls for Harry and Ron as she went over all the stories he had told them. Ginny had gone to talk to Bill and now joined them at the table. Harry squeezed her hand under the table and she smiled at him. "I just told Bill he was doing great. I guess he was worried," she said. Harry couldn't imagine confident and cool Bill worried about addressing a room full of Hogwarts students.

"He was great," said Harry. "I wish I could be there for the dueling practice this afternoon."

"You're not coming?" said Ron through a mouthful of bread.

"Harry is working on that potion," said Ginny who was filling her plate.

Harry lowered his voice and they all leaned closer, "We just started, and it's very complex. Mac thinks it will take the better part of a month to finish it. Then we have to get Remus to drink it while he's a wolf and under a full moon. I'm not sure how that will go. Plus it has to be in a circle of six people who want to break the curse. There are plenty of things that could go wrong," said Harry. "Anyway, I said I'd help Mac every Friday afternoon till it's done."

A few minutes later, Harry was again heading for the dungeon while Ron, Hermione and Ginny went off for dueling practice with Bill.

Mac was working in the back room when Harry entered. Harry set down his things and checked the list that Mac had made to keep the various processes organized. Remus came in a few minutes later.

"Lupin," said Mac enthusiastically. "So glad you could come. Please take a seat." Mac came around and indicated a chair at a small table in the corner. "Can I offer you some tea?"

"Thanks, yes," said Remus. Harry, taking his cue from Mac, took a seat at the table too.

"Harry, tea for you?" asked Mac.

"No thanks," said Harry, the excitement at telling Remus rising in him.

Once the tea had been presented and Mac had taken the third seat, he clasped his hands and leaned toward Remus. "Harry found something that day in the Department of Mysteries and he asked me to help him work it out. I've done a good deal of research and I think we really have something here. What I am speaking about, Lupin, is a cure for werewolf-ism." Macs words hung in the air.

Lupin was holding his cup half way to his mouth, which was slightly open. He stared at Mac. Then he placed his cup back on the table. "Is this a joke?" asked Remus with a note of irritation in his voice.

"Not at all," said Mac. For the next twenty minutes, Mac explained the find, and what they had done so far.

"I...I can't believe it," said Lupin. "Might I see the book?"

Mac passed him the text and the translation. "And, I checked my notes with Snape," explained Mac as Remus studied the old book.

Lupin looked up at him; comprehension dawned on him. "That night you came..." he stopped himself, glancing at Harry.

"No need to keep quiet around Harry, I had him with me that night, under his father's old cloak. But don't worry, I swore him to secrecy," said Mac, seeing Lupin's frown.

"Conner, you know Dumbledore didn't want Harry down there," said Lupin. However, Mac just shrugged as though it was not really an issue. Lupin seemed to realize he would not be able to affect Mac's behavior so he turned back to the book. "But this potion," said Lupin looking as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing, "Do you actually think this could work?"

Mac smiled at him and winked.