Simon says...

On their way to their respective dorms, the Hogwarts students produced theories and rumours of what had happened that night at Azkaban prison. The Slytherin students, conversely, directed their conversations to the identities of those who were likely to have escaped their sentences now that the wizard prison was a Dementor-free zone. Unsurprisingly, preparations for a celebration were started as soon as the first students entered the cold Common Room located in the dungeons. Harry tried to summon up the names of Death Eaters he knew, of those who had been caught last summer in the Ministry.

'Lucius Malfoy, of course, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott,' he recalled. All were parents of his classmates. He looked around, noticing them gathered together somewhere in the middle of the room, bursting for happiness about the latest news. 'Dolohov, Lestrange.' Harry winced and tried to locate Simon in the hassle of blissful people. He discovered Simon in a chair by the fire, in silent company with Frederic. Harry tried to reach out and catch Simon's thoughts, but the young man had shut down his walls completely. After trying once more, Harry gave up and let his gaze take in the situation before him. He felt lost in the collective merriment of the Slytherins and wondered, for the first time sine the Sorting, what had possessed him to dislike the new House so much. He didn't want to imagine what this meant for the Wizarding world, or worse, the Muggle world. It wouldn't be long now until Voldemort would attack, he was sure of it.

A sudden hush, caused him to turn his head to the stone door, where their Head of House had just appeared and demanded everyone's attention without so much as whispered word. The students innocently scanned the floor, hiding smiles behind unmoving features.

"I can't tell you anymore than you already know," Snape started. "The Dark Lord's power is growing, but for now Hogwarts is safe and classes will be held as usual."

He turned to leave, the hem of his robes already getting ready for its customary billowing, when a brave third year stepped forward.

"How did he manage that, Sir?" he asked.

Snape arched an eyebrow and for a minuscule moment it looked as if he would answer, but instead he pushed the door open and stepped through. "Go to bed."

***

The second he was out of the door, the students continued their happy chatter from before. Since Harry didn't quite feel like having a party in honour of Voldemort's success and Simon had left the Common Room right after Snape's talk, he decided to break the curfew and pay Hedwig a visit in the Owlery. Slowly and quietly, he found his way through the dark to the tower. The castle was as quiet as it should be. He didn't see a single soul, but unfortunately, the same applied to the Owlery. Only a few school owls were resting on the wooden bars, but most of them, including Hedwig, had left for a late-night hunt. Harry tried to empty his mind, but without much success. Thoughts of Voldemort and the prophecy kept invading his troubled mind. Suddenly, he picked up soft footsteps on the staircase below. Fearing being caught by Filch, Harry anxiously searched for a hiding place, but there was not one. Desperate not to lose any house points, Harry made a feeble attempt to hide behind the door. Maybe he would be lucky, and Filch would only take a quick peer inside. The door opened, and Harry recognized the tall figure of a certain Phoenix student.

"Hi, Ron. Are you writing to you parents?"

Ron jolted in alarm but when he recognized Harry, he just turned and tried to persuade Pig to come down to him.

"None of your business, is it?" Ron retorted harshly.

"Tell them I said hi," Harry answered, trying to keep up a friendly attitude.

Ron turned around, gawking at him,

"You serious? After everything they did for you, you go behind everyone's back, fraternizing with the enemy? Only to pretend as if nothing changed? Go figure."

Harry was thunderstruck. He was stuck in an emotional battle, on the one side his, apparently former, best mate, on the other, facing the feeling of being tired of having to defend himself for finding new friends and not receiving any support, not even from the people close to him. He just had to get it all out for once.

"Cut it out, Ron. I've had enough of your...tittle-tattle. You should know better than to judge without actually ever making an effort to get to know the person. Or didn't you grow up at all? Well, you should know me better than that. We're friends, remember? Or at least we were," Harry hollered infuriated and forgetting all about the need to be quiet.

"Done?" Ron rejoined, in a matching angry voice. "Ever considered that maybe we don't like to be jumped at just like that? Because that's what you've been doing ever since you found out about Hermione and me. I wonder why. Are you jealous? Or is it Lestrange's influence? After all, he can't be that good a guy if he's now in Slytherin with the rest of the Death Eater pack, can he?" Ron eyed him challengingly.

"Screw you. You have no idea what this is about," Harry snapped and stormed down the staircase. Only when the door slammed shut with an echoing bang, did he realise the racket they must have been making. And sure enough, he could already hear the, fortunately still muffled, sound of Filch coming closer. Harry quickly disappeared behind the next available door, leaving it open a touch so as to be able to sneak out as soon as the caretaker had passed by. The faint thought of warning Ron quickly evaporated in his still fuming mind. That should teach him.

A couple seconds later, Filch turned around the corner leading to the Owlery . Seeing nothing he was about to head off into the opposite direction, when Ron carefully opened the wooden door and glimpsed out. A nasty beam spread across Filch's face.

"Well, well, we are in trouble."

"Mr. Filch, I was just..." Ron's forehead sported tiny beads of sweat as he frantically tried to make up a decent excuse, but Filch would have none of it.

"Nah, spare your breath for you detention. You will need it. Off to my office, now," the unpleasant man said.

When the two of them had left the corridor, Harry saw his chance to return to his dorm. 'Serves him right,' a malevolent voice echoed in his head while he collapsed on his bed but Harry quickly shoved it aside.

***

Dumbledore's announcement was followed by a contest of gossip among the students. Everyone was eager to find out more about the happenings, but since even The Daily Prophet only gave a short note on the event without indulging further information, more and more intriguing 'details' circulated the corridors of Hogwarts. Apart from the Slytherins, students and staff were anxious of what would come next, talking about it in hushed voices. Harry felt totally out of place among the happy faces of his Housemates and consequently avoided the Slytherin Common Room and its now nightly parties.

On Saturday morning, Harry was sitting once again on the far corner of the table, when after days of silence, Simon finally sunk onto a stool next to him.

"Hey, what's up with you?"

Harry shrugged and continued scooping porridge into his bowl.

"Going to see the match late on?" Simon didn't let a bad-tempered Harry spoil his mood.

Harry inclined his head. "I guess. The whole team should see how the others are playing. Both teams are just as new and fresh as ours."

They continued chatting about Quidditch until the post arrived. A huge barn owl dropped a newspaper in front of Simon just seconds before a miniature owl fell into Harry's bowl of porridge. First he thought it was Pigwidgeon, but it turned out to be a school owl bearing a note form Hagrid.

"So, you've got a little rendezvous with Hagrid?" Simon questioned him.

Harry nodded, staring back at Simon, whose gaze was fixed upon him.

"You're friends with him, right?"

"So what?" Harry couldn't understand the sudden hostility in Simon's voice

"Well, it's your own responsibility who your friends are." Simon shrugged and unrolled The Daily Prophet.

"About time," he murmured and shifted the paper so Harry could read it as well.

Dementors out of control -- You-Know-Who is gaining strength

After the Dementors appeared to have abandoned Azkaban Prison two days ago, Ministry worker Arthur Weasley confirmed the public worst speculations last night, saying that the Dementors have indeed returned into You-Know-Who's lines

As new information on the exact happenings of that night are now surfacing, it has been determined that there was apparently a leak on the inside. During a crucial phase of the process of reconstructing the entire security system of the prison, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named attacked the island at its weakest moment. Just how the Dark wizard and his fellows gained this information is still a mystery.

Further, it seems that the Dementors were easily persuaded to rejoin the Dark Arts and left the prison unattended. This resulted in most prisoners fleeing successfully to the mainland, though it remains to be seen if they received help. Their exact number is still unknown. Those prisoners who failed or did not attempt an escape, have yet to provide useful information.

***

After finishing his breakfast, Harry sauntered down to the Quidditch Pitch accompanied by Simon. He was still pondering the article. Just why hadn't they released the Dementors from their position before? At least that could have prevented another mass-break-out.

The match itself was astounding. Ravenclaw was supported by three superb Chasers who gave the Gryffindor players a hard time just following the Quaffle, never mind actually getting their hands on it. If Ginny didn't get the Snitch soon, they were likely to lose. But Harry couldn't spot it anywhere either. Terry Boot had just scored another goal for Ravenclaw, making it eighty-nil. Both Harry and Simon looked at each other incredulously; they had an enormous piece of work to accomplish until they'd have to face these outstanding players, especially if Nott would continue to take up the position of their Keeper. About half an hour later, the scoring had reached one hundred and sixty to ten and the Ravenclaw Chasers were in the middle of another attack on the Gryffindor goal posts, when Ginny caught the Snitch and the match ended in a surprising tie. Harry released his hurting fingers; he had unconsciously crossed them during the match for Ginny, with a content smile on his face. But only because he knew how good a Seeker she was, he told himself. Cho's disappointed face went unnoticed by him.

***

After the match, Harry fought his way down to Hagrid's. It took him a while since everyone else was heading in the opposite direction. At last, he reached the front door and knocked. His hand stretched out for a quick second knock, but froze in midair. He had heard voices inside. He wasn't sure he liked the sound of it either. But too late, Hagrid had already opened the door.

"C'mon in." Hagrid opened the door to reveal Hermione and Ron sitting at the table, already warming their hands on their mugs.

"Don't tell me you invited him, as well," Harry voiced his irritation.

"Yeah, I thought 'tis 'bout time ye two set yer anger 'side," Hagrid explained and ushered Harry inside the little cabin, practically forcing him to sit in a chair by the table and then set another mug in front of Harry.

They sipped the tea, no one spoke a word, until Hagrid's impatience reached its limits.

"Wha's wrong wit' ye lot?"

"Nothing," Ron said quickly, shooting Harry a dark look, which earned him a nudge in the ribs from Hermione.

"Now, come on, both you. Stop fighting and finally start talking," she addressed the two hotheads.

"Sure, he lost us twenty House points, remember?"

"Yes, but he didn't force you to run around the castle late at night, so you can't blame him for that."

As both boys directed their eyes in front of them, pretending to study their tealeaves, Hermione decided to take a different approach.

"Actually, we should be talking about more important thing, anyway, did either of you read the paper today?"

She pulled a crumpled piece out of her bag and laid it onto the table.

"It's about the Azkaban outbreak. Harry, you didn't happen to hear anything concerning how V-Voldemort gained access into the prison?"

Harry resolved that she was right and to go with it.

"Nope, I hardly spend any time in the Common Room lately. And Snape won't say anything, either."

"Sure, he's a Death Eater, after all," Ron interjected.

"Professor Snape was a Death Eater 'n' is now a spy, yer should know tha' by now. But don't yer go 'round tellin' others," Hagrid cut him off.

"We're not that stupid," Ron replied.

But Hagrid was looking intently at Harry. "What 'bout that new friend of yours, Lestrange?"

"Simon's okay, really. He already knows that Snape's a spy," he grinned at them broadly, but the others were outraged.

"WHAT?" they shouted in unison.

"You talked to him about it?" Ron whispered.

Harry knew that he had better explain the situation and briefly described Simon's relationship to Snape, but leaving out the parts about Snape's past. He felt he'd be abusing Simon's trust, should he reveal too much to them.

"How do you know he's trustworthy?" Ron asked doubtfully.

"Dunno, maybe because he's in a similar situation like I am, and was sorted into Slytherin due to a weird coincidence," Harry answered, but in head he recalled Simon's words. 'Nothing in life is coincidental.'

Ron was still not entirely convinced, but they left it at that and Hagrid moved to the cauldron to fix another pot of tea.

"Harry, how are you getting along with Malfoy?" Hermione said, barely audible, with a fleeting glance in Hagrid's direction.

"Depends, sometimes rather hostile, sometimes okay," Harry replied. "Why?"

"Well, I would assume that he knows more about the Dementors and plans in general. You know, think of his father. How did the Slytherins react to the news of the attack and the outbreak?"

"They were absolutely thrilled and-- Hermione, no! I don't think I should be talking about this!" Harry stopped himself.

"Oh, come on, Harry. They - and Malfoy especially -- might know something about Voldemort's plotting and since you're in their midst, we might as well take advantage of the situation and milk them for information!" Hermione grinned mischievously.

"And you're planning on stopping Voldemort as soon as you gathered enough facts?" Harry stated sarcastically. "Okay."

"No harm will be done by listening closely and keeping your eyes open. At least we'll know something and would be able to prepare ourselves accordingly." Hermione looked at him hopefully.

"I doubt anyone will volunteer anything but I'll see what I can do," Harry finally agreed to play along. "Maybe I can get some to boast a bit next weekend, when Simon probably hand out another cauldron full of his speciality. It usually takes Malfoy about three cup-fulls until he forgets where he is and what he's saying," Harry mused aloud until he caught sight of his friend's bewildered faces. "What?"

"Are you drinking that stuff, too? Are you mad?" Hermione exclaimed a bit too loudly and quickly lowered her voice again. "Harry, this can be dangerous."

"Oh, don't worry. Snape knows and hasn't forbidden it. If Snape's ok with it, you can be too," Harry hastily whispered back. Hagrid was trotting back to the table with a pot of steaming tea in his hand, and he didn't think the half giant would approve of the Potion any more than Hermione did.

"Did I miss anythin' important?" Hagird asked suspiciously upon noticing the sudden silence.

"Nope, not at all. How are the magical rabbits?" Harry pointed their chat in a new direction and motioned their host to refill his cup.

"They're 'bout ready ter take over the postal service," Hagrid announced proudly. "Owls are no longer safe, too many seem to be intercepted or vanish completely. Must be You-Know-Who's doing."

Ron paled slightly. "I just hope no one went after Pig, then."

"Why? Who'd notice a flying feather ball?"

"I just don't want anyone reading it. And he hardly managed to make a decent delivery before owls were being chased down, never mind now. That's all."

They laughed a lot and the time passed too quickly while they discussed serious matters. Harry enjoyed joking around with Ron and Hermione, who were a lot easier about some things than Simon, who usually had a reserved view about things and hardly ever laughed heartily about anything.

***

Happy about being on speaking terms with his friends again, though feeling uneasy about the task he had agreed to, Harry slowly returned to the Slytherin Dungeon. The only way of luring Malfoy into disclosing his knowledge was to keep a clear head tonight, observe Malfoy and approach him when he was at his third cup of Confundus Draught, which should make him oblivious to Harry's intentions.

Unfortunately, Simon had spent the past few hours forging new strategies for their next Quidditch match and was now eager to confer on them with Harry, who didn't see a chance of getting out of this talk without raising suspicions, and continued to watch Malfoy and his cronies. Hey, why not ask Simon? He might have heard something related to Malfoy and everything. But when asked, the older student just shrugged.

"Dunno. None of my business, is it? There are other things on my mind right now."

"Yeah, strawberries and chocolate with a hint of vanilla ice cream," Harry replied earnestly and then laughed.

"Well, Potter, aren't we having fun," Malfoy hissed, just having come closer to refill his cup. Harry's laughter died abruptly. If he asked Malfoy now he would only trigger Simon's suspicions of why he'd pressed such a matter, so he opted for involving Malfoy in the conversation.

"You don't happen to have finished your History of Magic essay already, do you?"

Malfoy looked at him, dumbfounded. Simon smirked and got up.

"I'll be right back."

"You'll have to do that yourself. Or ask your girlfriend, Granger. I'm sure she's written enough for half of the class anyway. By the way, I saw the two of you together earlier. Did you advise her to buzz off? The Dark Lord is getting stronger and stronger. His most faithful followers rejoined him."

Malfoy looked at him, challenging. And Harry took his chance.

"Do you know something about the Azkaban breakout?"

Malfoy just smirked. "Why should I tell you, of all people, Potter? Afraid of the Dementors?"

Harry quickly shook his head but the chance was gone. It was clear that Malfoy wouldn't go into the subject, so he turned away without saying any more. In the dark corridor, leading to the dorms, Harry heard sharp whispers that stopped as soon as he had entered. In passing he noticed Simon, Frederic and Ethan standing by one of the doors. However, Harry was too tired to process any more tonight and hurried to his bed.

***

Harry spent the entire Sunday writing two rolls of parchment for Professor Snape about the rightful use of Veritaserum, as well as finishing an essay for Professor Binns, though that one had to be of less length. However, he was amused to notice that Crabbe and Goyle hadn't finished their homework either. They were seated at a table close to his, trying to copy Malfoy's work. At some point, Malfoy, who had had enough, angrily packed his things and made to leave the Common Room. Crabbe attempted to follow him, but thought better of it when Malfoy pointed his wand threateningly at him. Harry didn't see Malfoy all day after that and Crabbe and Goyle remained gloomily at their table, competing in a silent contest of who could eat the most sweets.

***

After his fist lesson since his disappearance, Professor Snape called those students who had to sit the re-examination back and curtly handed each of them a piece of parchment.

Name: Harry Potter
Re-sit: Potions

Theory: Outstanding
Practical: Exceeds Expectations

Result: Passed

Harry's heart leaped up as high as it could have. He had passed, though it would still need some time to sink in. Looking around, he saw the pale face belonging to Neville, staring unbelievingly at the parchment in front of him and somehow Harry knew that the shy boy had passed as well, but was too shocked to show it. Harry jumped up to search for Simon to share the good news with him. Since he didn't know Simon's schedule, he aimlessly ran down a few corridors, but it didn't matter, he felt so restless he could have run all the way back down to London. When he was out of breath, he leaned against a wall. He could always thank Simon later during lunch.

"Hullo, Harry," an uncertain voice piped up. Looking up, he saw Ginny standing at the next corner. "You look like you've run through the whole castle," she stated matter-of-factly.

Harry nodded, grinning. "Almost, yes. I'm looking for Simon. I passed Potions."

"Congratulations. That's important news," she smiled, "Sorry, I can't help you."

Harry moved away from the wall and looked at her briefly, before dropping his gaze again to the floor.

"You played really good last Saturday."

"Thanks," Ginny murmured, shifting her position. Harry would have placed any bet that she also reddened, but he didn't dare to look up since his own face had grown pretty hot as well.

"I'll be off, then," he said instead and leisurely walked to his next class.

***

During the next few days, nothing worth telling happened. Malfoy's easily irritated temper caused Harry to put his interrogating plans on hold for now. They had finished discussing magical rabbits in Care of Magical Creatures and had moved on to Mudders. They weren't dangerous, but were experts in blending in with their natural environment and their scales were used for healing potions. On a rainy day, Hagrid would send the students out to a muddy patch close to the Great Lake with the task to find a Mudder and scrape of its scales. Harry, of course was picked to be the first to grope around in the mud with his hands, trying to locate a tiny body. All eyes were on him and he started to feel nervous and silly.

'Finally,' he thought when his hands didn't squish through more wet dirt but closed on something solid. He pulled a maybe tennis-ball-sized bundle out of the ground. The creature wriggled in his hands, trying to escape and, due to its slipperiness, almost succeeded. Harry tightened his grip until suddenly the creature stopped twisting. Harry grinned proudly and with a loud bang the Mudder exploded in his hands and was gone, spluttering Harry and the rest of the class over and over in dripping, mucky grime.

"Oh, I forgot 'bout that," Hagrid announced, sounding rather delighted. "Mudders tend teh explode when held t' tight."

"Good job, Potter." Draco scowled angrily, whilst wiping mud from his face with a cloth, though his attempts to clean himself only worsened his look.

Harry tried to keep a straight face. "Sorry."

***

Badly tempered, the class hurried back to the castle, to clean up before their next lesson. As the Slytherins hastened down a narrow corridor, they bumped into Ron and Hermione, who were dashing equally fast from the opposite direction. Malfoy, who was in front, ran straight into Hermione and his bag slammed onto the floor. Hermione had to hold on to Ron to keep her balance, but lost her wand, which fell down, shooting stars, and rolled towards Malfoy.

"Just perfect," Malfoy yelled, "I was just waiting for a Mudblood to touch me and make this day worse."

Ron, who had always protected Hermione when Malfoy called her names, made for the Slytherin, but Draco was faster. His wand in hand, he threatened the other boy. "Watch it, Weasley. You might just get yourself cursed first."

Ron stopped in his tracks; his eyes wearily directed at the wand, he evaluated his chances. No one else dared to interrupt the situation, to be honest, the Slytherins were rather enjoying themselves.

"Pick up my bag, Weasley." An evil smiled spread across Malfoy's face but Ron shook his head, determined not to give in.

"No. I won't."

"Oh, you still haven't learned your lesson, then?" Malfoy waved his wand and fired a Bat Bogey Hex at Ron, who in return, tried his best to protect his face.

"Stop it, Malfoy." Harry had finally managed to fight his way through the pack of Slytherins. "You'll only get us all into trouble."

But Malfoy laughed heartily with the rest and signalled Crabbe and Goyle to take care of Harry, before turning to Hermione.

"Now, what shall we do with you," he said with a voice full of scorn. "There are so many curses I'd love to try out on you, I just can't decide which one would be the best to start." He laughed his cold laugh again, until, without any kind of warning, he shouted, "Tarantallegra!"

Hermione's legs started to move uncontrollable. She looked a fool and while the Slytherins still had the time of their lives, Harry continued to fight for his freedom. Crabbe, however, tightened his grip and twisted his arms. Harry had to stop moving to stop the pain. Goyle left them and moved up next to Malfoy.

"After you," Draco said in a way too friendly manner, and gestured towards Hermione.

Harry didn't really hear what happened next, being busy trying to bite off Crabbe's fingers. Suddenly, he saw Hermione levitating to the ceiling, her legs still lashing about, until her head bumped into it.

The curse on Ron was loosing its effects and he managed to pull his own wand out, which he pointed at Goyle.

"Relashio!" he croaked, causing Coyle to be pushed backwards with an enormous force and falling onto Crabbe, who let go of Harry. "Expelliarmus!" Ron cried again and Goyle's wand flew in a high bow and landed somewhere behind Ron.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Malfoy shouted and Ron's body snapped together, he fell to the floor, his wand was lost somewhere on the ground.

Harry, who had freed himself from Crabbe's grip, dashed forward. Catching his breath, he straightened up and pointed his wand at Malfoy.

"Fancy a duel?"

Malfoy turned around to him and they fought a furious battle, staring into each other's eyes, neither wanting to be the first to blink. Crabbe and Goyle had gotten back onto their feet and started for Harry, but Malfoy waved them back, then he nodded. Malfoy quietly counted to down to one. Having reached the last number, both Harry and Malfoy shot curses at each other at the same time.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Furnunculus!"

Both curses reached their aim, the only problems was, that even though Malfoy now possessed tentacles, Harry was kneeling in front of him -- wandless. Malfoy stepped up to him until the tip of his wand connected with Harry's forehead.

"You lost, Potter. There's no one around to help you now." He flashed his brilliant-white teeth. He was about to fire another curse at Harry, when distant footsteps could be heard hurrying towards them. Malfoy hesitated. The scene on the corridor was bad enough as it was: Harry kneeling defeated, Hermione still levitating above them and Ron motionless spread across the ground. Then Neville came around the corner and stopped in his tracks. Malfoy snorted.

"Get lost, Longbottom." Malfoy turned his attention back to Harry, confident that Neville would be too scared to do anything but keep gawping. Apparently, he had also decided which spell to use, because he swished his wand and Harry was hit by a Stinging Curse. Due to its effects, Harry didn't see or hear what happened next. There were footsteps, people stepping over him and shouting. Finally, he heard Neville's voice loudly above his head.

"F-Fi-Finite Incatatem!"

Apparently, Neville had lived up to his parent's skills. The spell was strong enough to end the curses on everyone presently cursed: Hermione plunged down, Ron and Harry sat back up. Malfoy's face was back to normal, though he too was in the process of standing up, dusting his robes. Neville had taking his wand off him with an unexpectedly strong disarming spell.

Malfoy snatched his wand and bag up and walked to them. When he came close to Neville, he slowed his steps slightly and hissed, "You'll pay for that." Then he made his way to their next classroom. The rest of the Slytherins followed suit, shooting menacing glances at Neville.

"Professor Sprout sent me. She wanted to start earlier today, remember? Because of th..."

Neville's hasty explanation was cut short by Ron and Hermione drawing him into a tight hug. Harry hesitated a bit, but then patted Neville on the shoulder in thanks. At that moment the bell rang, calling them all away to their classes.

***

Harry spent that afternoon with Simon for another lesson of tutoring for Potions. Even though he had passed the exam, he still had troubles understanding some of the finer distinctions. Suddenly, he felt a burn on his right leg. He quickly reached down to get rid of whatever it was Malfoy had put into his robes, but instead found a glowing Galleon.

"What's that?" Simon asked, checking out the coin. Harry looked at it in surprise. He had totally forgotten about it, but apparently, still carried it around wherever he went.

"It's something from last year. We founded this group and used this to communicate the date of the next meeting. The DA will meet again tonight."

TBC