Labyrinth of Illusion

Harry watched as Gwendolyn stalked before the class of fifth-year Gryffindor students. She looked over them with a look of contempt and severity they had only seen from Professor Snape.

"This is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Yes, this job was jinxed in the past. You have had teachers that were no good at teaching the defense against the dark arts. I assure you, this curse has been lifted now."

"Just as long as she can find her way to class," Lavender Brown whispered to Parvati Patil.

Professor Maclay brought her gaze to Lavender, but didn't comment on her joke. "There are a lot of things out there that use Dark Magic, not just dark wizards. I'm going to teach you how to defend yourself against them. You're in your fifth year now. We're getting into serious stuff. In fighting deadly creatures, there is no room for error. If you do it wrong, you're dead. So this is not going to be a light class."

Professor Maclay turned, picking a book off of her desk. Lavender rolled her eyes.

"Something you want to say, Miss Brown?" Professor Maclay asked, not turning around.

Lavender gave a large smile. "No Ma'am."

"You sure about that?" She asked, turning. She gave her a mirror faux-smile. "You look ACHING to say something."

"I just think you're being very dramatic."

"Quick, a Tengu has you, crunching down on your tender flesh with its talons. Blood is pouring out, coating your skin. You're in so much pain, you can't even see. What. Do. You. Do?"

Lavender started to search through her book. Hermione's hand shot into the air.

"Miss Granger." Professor Maclay gestured to Hermione. "Enlighten us."

"Hold perfectly still. The Tengu will think you've died and drop you. It only eats live prey." She looked at Lavender, thinking 'But if I were Lavender, I'd piss myself and die.'.

"Correct, Miss Granger." Professor Maclay said, "On both accounts."

Hermione's jaw dropped, eyes widening. She looked to Harry and Ron, whispering. "Did I make my comment out loud?"

"What comment?" Ron asked, "Hermione, are you okay?"

Hermione shook her head, glaring at Professor Maclay as she gave out points to Gryffindor. "It's probably just my imagination."

**

After class, Harry hung back, looking at Gwendolyn. She was cleaning up the books on her desk, ignoring the young boy.

Harry cleared his throat, wringing his hands nervously. Gwendolyn looked up, smiling. "Is there something I can help you with, Harry?"

He moved towards her desk nervously. "I was kind of hoping... You could tell me about my dad."

"Jamie?" She raised an eyebrow. She folded her hands. "There's so much. Where would you like me to start?"

"What was he like?" he asked quietly, almost plaintively.

"He was... Fun." She nodded, smiling. Her smile grew. "Yeah. We used to get into a lot of trouble."

"Really? Any stories to tell?" His eyes gleamed hopefully behind his glasses.

"Well..." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I remember when I got cursed. We were having a duel. We were seven at the time."

"He cursed you?" Harry looked shocked.

She shook her head, her cheeks flushing pink. "No, I cursed myself. He deflected my curse and-- BOOM. I can't find my way out of a paper bag."

Harry sat on the edge of Gwendolyn's desk. "So...you gave yourself the Misdirection Curse. Wow."

She shrugged bashfully. "I didn't really know what the curse was at the time. I WAS seven."

She shut her eyes. "Okay... Other stuff about your dad. Well, he had three very good friends. Sirius, Remus and Peter."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I know about them. Sirius is my godfather, Remus was Defense Against the Dark Arts professor my third year... and Peter..."

"Oh? You know them?" A worried looked crossed her features. She shook it off, wrinkling her nose. "Anyway, your father was good friends with your mother too. They started dating in their fourth year."

He blushed. "Oh?"

She smiled brightly. "James and Lily were the ideal couple at Hogwarts. Everyone-- with the exception of the Slytherins-- looked up to them."

"Wow."

Gwendolyn smiled mysteriously. "Your mum was a very interesting lady, you know. A bit like your friend Hermione, I think. Smart, sweet, very pretty."

She looked up, staring at Harry.

Harry felt warmth spread through him. His head was spinning. Was she speaking? It felt like there were a million voices in his head. He heard his mother, his father... He heard all the members of his family. They sounded happy. He felt loved, accepted-- Part of a FAMILY.

For about ten minutes, Harry stayed silent. He covered his face, the tears running down his cheeks. Finally, he found words, "I wish I would have known them."

"They're proud of you," Gwendolyn whispered, "I know that." She wiped a stray tear from Harry's face.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, hugging her fiercely. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Gwendolyn rocked him back and forth. "I know, Harry. It's okay. It's okay."

After a moment, she pulled away. "Okay, a happy topic... I hear from Professor McGonagall that you're a wonderful Seeker. Jamie would be very proud of you. He was a Chaser."

He nodded. "Yeah. Did you play Quidditch?"

The room filled with laughter as Gwendolyn nearly doubled over. "Oh no! I love the game, even tried out for the team, but I kept on scoring on the wrong goal. I just placed bets with Sirius."

"You were friends with Sirius and Professor Lupin too?"

Gwendolyn shifted in her seat, slightly agitated. "I knew them. Remus dated one of my housemates for a while, so I was around them."

Harry furrowed his brow. "So... Does that meanÉ You and Sirius?"

"No. Sirius was not my type." Gwendolyn's voice sounded a bit strained, as if she was trying not to say something.

"Excuse me," An icy voice said from the doorway. Harry and Gwendolyn looked up. Professor Snape was standing in the doorway, arms crossed tightly over his chest. Gwendolyn rose from her seat. "Yes, Professor Snape?"

Snape's lip curled in a snarl, eyes fixed on Harry. "Isn't there somewhere you have to be, Potter?"

"No, sir, not really." He was not going to let Snape interfere with his relationship with his cousin!

"I have a matter which I need to discuss with Professor Maclay."

Gwendolyn crossed her arms. "Just wait, Severus," she said tartly. "I will come to your classroom to discuss whatever you wish."

"Fine." He turned, stalking off. His robes flowed around his body.

Gwendolyn shook her head, sighing. "Damn Severus."

Harry shuffled his feet shyly. "SoÉ UhÉ I can call you Gwendolyn outside class, can't I?"

"I would be upset if you didn't."

He smiled and hugged her. She kissed him on the forehead, right on his scar. That made him shudder slightly.

"Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Everything," Harry said immediately. He then blushed. "I mean, anything you feel like telling me.

She laughed, gesturing to her chair. "Take a seat. This'll take a while."