Harry Potter and the Missing Prophecy

Chapter Six

Harry had started to head for the Gryffindor common room with the intention of missing the feast, but halfway up the stairs he realised that he could either put up with the stares and whispers from the school, or he could go and sit in his own company and think about Sirius and the Prophecy.

He chose the former option. It was the lesser of two evils to bear.

But he felt a lot better now that he had told Ron and Hermione the most important things of all.

Harry had taken a deep breath and marched into the Great Hall, stoutly ignoring everyone else and taking a seat beside Hermione, keeping his head down. He didn't even look up to see who else was sitting around him.

The chatter in the Great Hall had died down when Harry had walked in between the long house tables, but the din grew steadily louder as he sat down.

Harry let out the long breath he hadn't realised he was holding, then tilted his head up towards Hermione. She gave him a small smile and squeezed his leg. Hermione gave a look that said, 'you ok?' and Harry nodded in return. He ventured another look upwards and saw he was sitting opposite Ron, who was sitting to the right of Neville Longbottom. Ginny Weasley sat next to Neville on his other side, and next to her Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan were deep in conversation.

Harry couldn't help but notice that, although Ginny and Dean were not talking to each other, he had his pinky finger interlocked with hers on the table. Harry looked at Ron to gauge his reaction to this, but it seemed that Ron was trying to catch Harry's attention instead and, as their eyes locked, Ron gave him a small weak smile. Harry returned it, then gestured by nodding towards Ron's sister.

As Ron noticed their blatant display of affection, his eyes widened in shock and he opened his mouth to say something: "Ow!"

Ron turned to Hermione and gave her a scathing look. She had kicked him under the table to stop him from saying anything. She leaned forward and hissed back to him: "Ginny - is - fifteen - years - old - she - can - look - after - herself!"

"If he touches her...." Ron hissed back.

"Then I'm sure she'll kick him in the nuts - if that's what SHE wants to do! So stay out of it!" Hermione whispered.

Ron turned his back on Ginny and Dean, but scowled and kept watch on them out of the corner of his eye.

Conversation quickly turned to OWL results. Harry was pleased to hear that Neville actually did very well in his Potions exam, and did pretty well at Defence Against the Dark Arts too. In fact, it seemed that everyone who was in the DA passed this exam with flying colours. It gave Harry enormous satisfaction to hear this.

OWL conversation was rapidly extinguished, however, when the doors to the Great Hall were opened and forty or so frightened looking new first years hurried up the central aisle behind Professor McGonagall. Harry was surprised to see how quickly she could still march with the aid of a walking stick.

When she reached the front, she pulled out a stool and lay the familiar shabby hat with the wide brim on top of it. The entire school waited in anticipation for the Sorting Hat's new song, but it never came.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, what's the matter now?" Professor McGonagall threw her hands up impatiently. She strode over to the stool, picked up the hat and thrust it over her head, which completely covered her face. A low murmuring erupted around the hall as they waited for McGonagall to emerge, who was making rude hand gestures whilst wordlessly talking to the Sorting Hat.

Harry took this opportunity to glance quickly at the Teachers' table at the top of the Great Hall. All the teachers were sat in their usual place, but Albus Dumbledore's seat was empty.

There was also something else that didn't seem right, something missing, but Harry couldn't put his finger on it.

However, his confusion was cut short when McGonagall suddenly threw the Sorting Hat off her head and back onto the stool.

"Quiet down, everyone. Thank you. It appears that the Sorting Hat is not going to be singing its song this year." She clenched her teeth. "It says it is under protest at the way its advice was ignored last year and says it told us so. However, I have managed to.... persuade it to do its job this evening, so when I call your name, you will come forward and place the Sorting Hat on your head. When your House is called, please join the appropriate table."

As names were called out, Harry tuned away and took the opportunity to sneak a glance around the House tables. Most people were watching the Sorting Ceremony, but occasionally the odd peek was taken in his direction. I feel like an eleven-year-old again, he thought wryly to himself.

Harry could feel the people turn to glance at him and then turn hastily back to the front of the hall, but he had the constant suspicion that someone's eyes were boring into his back, making no attempt to hide their curiosity. He surreptitiously scanned the room, looking for the source. As his eyes passed over the Slytherin table, Harry just knew who the culprit was.

Harry locked gazes with Draco Malfoy, who made no effort to look away. Harry could feel Malfoy's essence try to burn into him, and for some reason he was reminded of his dream on the Hogwarts Express. As Harry kept right on meeting Malfoy's gaze, Malfoy's mouth turned upwards into an evil sneer, his eyes laughing at Harry. Then he winked threateningly at Harry and turned casually back to the Sorting Ceremony, which was now finishing.

A cold shiver ran up Harry's spine as he continued to watch Malfoy. When Harry turned back to his friends, he felt Malfoy start to watch him again.

Hang about, this isn't a good sign...

Harry was under no illusion that Malfoy wanted revenge for Harry having his father caught, but it was only now, in Malfoy's presence, that he realised what a threat Malfoy could be to him.

"You may now start the feast," Professor McGonagall shouted over the dying cheers of the students. At that, platters of delicious looking food appeared on the tables. The hall was now virtually silent apart from the clinking of knives and forks, and the frequent exclamations of delight at the wonderful food, so lovingly prepared by the house-elves.

Harry was ravenous, and couldn't decide what to have first. He reached for a spoon to serve himself some cauliflower cheese, which always looked nice, even though Harry never liked it whenever he tried it.

Harry ate a little bit and sighed. Nope, still don't like it. He magically cleaned his plate and then reached for something more to his definite tastes.

As the occupants of the hall quickly filled their grumbling bellies with the hot, warming food, the chatter grew once again, everyone much more satisfied than before. When Harry turned to his left to wave to Hagrid at the top table, he was startled when he saw that Dumbledore had, at some point, entered the hall and was currently enjoying conversation with Professor Flitwick.

Harry then realised what had bothered him before.

Smiling reassuringly his way, Remus Lupin seemed to be watching Harry, and as he caught his eye, he smiled and gave a little wave. Harry beamed back at Rem...Professor Lupin and instantly felt cheerier. How could I have forgotten!?

Harry waved at Remus, beaming from ear to ear, then turned back to grin at Ron and Hermione. They wallowed for a moment in their shared joy at having their friend back at Hogwarts, but just as they started laughing, it was quickly diminished by the sudden hush of the crowd.

The trio turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing behind the Teachers' table, waiting patiently for the hubbub to quieten.

Harry's heart sank.

"Hem hem," Dumbledore said, and gave a little cough.

Somebody in the crowd yelled "Do you want a cough drop, Sir?" and the whole hall erupted into laughter. Professor McGonagall had a scowl on her face, although the twinkle in her eye showed that she wanted to laugh along with the rest of them.

"Thank you, thank you, I made that one up myself, you know," Dumbledore said bashfully. "Anyway, now that Hogwarts is back to some semblance of normality, I feel a speech is in order. Firstly, a hearty welcome to the newest members of our family. I do hope you enjoy our little school and all it has to offer in your time here. As usual, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students, apart from those who wish to be attacked by various beasts, which worryingly seems to be quite a lot of you."

A few students nervously laughed and shrunk down in their seats, including Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and about two thirds of the Slytherins. The Hufflepuffs just looked confused.

"Secondly, I have the pleasure in announcing that we have re-appointed the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Many of you will remember Professor Lupin from a few years ago, and he has agreed to teach at Hogwarts once again. The skill and knowledge he showed last time he taught here was of the standard I expect here at Hogwarts and I hope you will join me in welcoming him back into our folds once again."

Harry picked up a tone of ever-so-slight warning in Dumbledore's voice, leaving the unsaid words very clear in everyone's minds - his words were not to be taken lightly and Lupin's condition was never to be questioned.

Harry also picked up on the uncomfortable silence that this new appointment had caused. There were many students (and some teachers) who had a very strong opinion about the appointment of a werewolf as a professor, but it seemed no one was to question on this occasion. Harry reminded himself to ask Lupin how Dumbledore had managed to convince the School Board to take him on again and Harry inwardly grinned when he suspected that it might have been to do with the fact that Lucius Malfoy was no longer part of that Board.

"There is also something else that I feel needs to be mentioned." Deathly silence fell about the room, as everyone knew what Dumbledore was about to say. "No doubt you have all read the papers over the summer, and now that the information supplied is a more accurate and reliable, you must all surely be well informed of the situation at hand." He paused. "It seems that the wizarding world is on the cusp of the second war against Voldemort."

A number of people started to look ill at this statement. Dumbledore dared to give Harry a quick glance, but Harry was determined to drill a hole with his eyes into the table in front of him.

"The past year has proved quiet with regards to Voldemort's public movements, and with such current inactivity, I would urge you all to remain focused and remain from panicking. Yes, it is a worrying time, but the Ministry are well prepared. If and when any incidents occur, I will keep you all informed. Old age and lessons learnt have taught me well that information is best shared in the face of such times."

Harry's eyes shot upwards to give a hateful look at his Headmaster. Dumbledore was looking right back at him, searching Harry's face for any sign on forgiveness, but which was not forthcoming.

Harry could feel himself bubbling up inside as he continued to stare the Headmaster out.

Silence reigned for a few moments, before people started to look around to see whom Dumbledore was staring at. As their eyes fell on Harry, Harry realised that most people in the Great Hall were now looking at him again. He averted his gaze and it fell back again on Malfoy who, again, was staring at him, this time with a knowing grin on his pale face.

Everyone turned back to the Headmaster as he straightened up and continued.

"And so, in light of the current climate, I look to you all to remain responsible and wary at all times. If you have any concerns about what is happening, I ask you to approach any member of the staff, including myself, to voice those concerns. It does not do to dwell on these things. We must pull together in order to defeat our fears, as well as our enemies."

Typical cheese... Harry thought to himself, rolling his eyes. He folded his arms and looked around. Harry was startled to see that everyone's eyes were riveted to their Headmaster, drinking in every word, his very quintessence. Taking his word for gospel, trusting him, believing in his protection.

Harry was perfectly aware that he used to be one of them.

Harry was also becoming more and more aware of his own growing hostility towards the man that had tried so hard to do what was best for him.

Not hard enough, Harry seethed and ground his teeth.

Then he blinked in shock at his own words. What had he become in order to hate that man so much now? Only a few short hours ago, he hadn't known what to think of him; he couldn't have described it as hate, but now.... now he couldn't even look at Dumbledore without complete and utter resentment.

And he didn't care.

Hermione caught Harry's eye and questioned him wordlessly. Harry just looked forward in defiance, so Hermione reluctantly turned back to the Headmaster, who had been silent for a few moments.

"And so, on that note, I think it is time for well-earned rest and recuperation before tomorrows lessons begin. However, before you go to your common rooms to no doubt stay up all night, I thought I would announce to you all that forthwith, Harry Potter's Quidditch life-ban is lifted, and he is therefore allowed back onto the Gryffindor house team."

Harry's back straightened as he heard this. Cheers erupted all around him as his fellow Gryffindors slapped him hard on the back.

Harry didn't say anything. Of course, he had predicted that the ban might be lifted, and was ecstatic that he could now freely play Quidditch, but for Dumbledore to announce it publicly like that just made the gesture seem cheap.

To Harry, it felt as though this was meant to go someway as an apology from Dumbledore. As though buying him off.

Harry didn't look towards the Headmaster; he had nothing to convey to him.

The backslapping and congratulations continued to surround Harry as he left the Great Hall, and Harry tried to pull away from the crowd. They weren't leaving much room for him to manoeuvre, though, and Harry smiled with relief when Remus Lupin reached him through the throng and guided him away.

"I'll catch up with you in the common room," Harry called to Ron and Hermione, who were set to follow him. They shot him a questioning look, but Harry frowned and gave them a look that said 'Not now, I'll tell you everything later.'

Ron and Hermione nodded and headed up the stairs together, their heads bowed close, talking in low voices, whilst the first year Gryffindors followed behind, their legs too short to keep pace.

Harry turned to Remus and smiled. "Sorry Remus, I kind of forgot you were coming." He gave him an apologetic look. They were standing by the entrance to the lower staircase that led to the Slytherin common room.

Remus smiled back and said, "That's ok. Looked like you needed rescuing, though," and nodded towards the students who had now given up on surrounding Harry and had started to head for their common rooms.

"Listen, um, should I be calling you Professor again? I mean..."

Remus cut him off. "I expect you should really. But there's no harm in using familiar terms when there's no one else about."

"Why did you take the job?" Harry asked. "I mean, I know someone has to keep an eye on me and all that, but surely that's not the only reason?"

Remus looked at him and sighed. "Yes, it is a reason, but only one of many. Yes, I am here to look after you on behalf of the Order, but I'm also here to look after you as James's son, and Sirius's godson.... and as your friend as well. And, of course, I love to teach."

Harry expected to feel irritated by the whole baby-sitting issue again, but the thought that it was Remus comforted him and banished all thoughts and feelings of resentment. It also warmed his heart to hear Remus describing him as a friend.

Harry just had to ask: "So how did you get the job? I mean, not to be rude or anything, we're glad you're back, but I didn't think all those parents or the School Board would be very happy about it."

"Well, no, they wouldn't normally, but with Lucius Malfoy out of the picture, it was a lot easier to convince people, especially when Dumbledore outlined the plans to, er, keep me contained when I need to be. I think Dumbledore was getting rather peeved off about not finding a half-decent Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and decided to put his foot down. He's got a lot of leeway now. I think the Ministry have learnt their lesson. Fudge just seems glad that Dumbledore's let him keep his job at all!" Remus grinned.

"So most people consider Dumbledore at the forefront of the war? The leader of our side?" Harry asked, a faint note of bitterness and sarcasm floating on the edge of his words, shocked again at his own hostility.

Remus frowned at him, worry etched on his face. "Dumbledore's really trying, you know..." His voice trailed off.

"So, anyway, when's our first lesson with you?" Harry asked brightly, not liking where that conversation was headed. He didn't want to fall out with Remus as well.

"Aah," Remus replied, hard in thought. "I do believe it's tomorrow's last lesson." His words were stilted somewhat, recognising Harry's diversionary tactics.

An awkward pause ensued, the last footsteps of students receding away from the entrance hall.

"Anyway, I'd better be going," Harry said, looking at the floor.

"OK, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," Remus replied stiffly.

Harry made to walk up the stairs, but had only climbed a few when he paused. He closed his eyes briefly, thinking, and then turned back to Remus again, who was casually strolling towards a door to the right of the staircase.

"Yes, Harry?" Remus asked and then stopped, predicting that Harry had something more to say.

"Um, I was wondering... if I ever need to, you know...." Harry asked awkwardly.

"Of course, Harry. Dumbledore gave me new quarters; through that door, down the corridor and it's the last door on the left. Feel free at any time to come for tea, or a butterbeer, or, well, whatever...." Remus was tactful enough not to mention any 'talks' that Harry might want to have. He smiled up at Harry.

Harry smiled back. "Thanks, Rem... Professor." Then he turned a little more happily back to the stairs and bounded up two at a time until he reached the top.

He didn't see Remus watching him, frowning as Harry disappeared from sight.

The first day of term was fairly uneventful.

After Hermione, Ron and Harry had had an early breakfast to avoid the morning rush, they sat on a bench by the fountain outside the main entrance to the castle, talking of nothing in particular and comparing timetables in the last of the summer warmth.

"Divination first, then." Ron pretended to groan.

"Well, at least you're not in that stuffy old attic anymore," Harry consoled.

"No, you're in that forest of a classroom instead," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Well, it's a lot comfier in any case. And besides, Firenze is a pretty good teacher," Ron said, suddenly defending his most frustrating, and yet, best subject.

"Actually, Ron," Harry interrupted, "no one has a clue what he's talking about most of the time. I'm glad I gave it up."

"Load of rubbish, anyway," Hermione said, studying her timetable more closely.

"The Prophecy was real enough, though...." Ron said. Hermione scowled at him, then Ron slapped his hand to his mouth when he realised they were talking about a banned subject, and changed direction. "What's your first one, then?" Ron asked Harry brightly.

"Herbology, greenhouse 3." He pulled a face, then thought of something. He asked Hermione and Ron very suddenly, "Hey, you guys never told me what you said you wanted to be at your Career Guidance meeting!"

Ron blushed and looked a little embarrassed. "Well, I always thought I wanted to be an Auror, but, well.... I dunno what I want to do at all. McGonagall said to take a lot of really different subjects to get an all-round education so that I can always choose later on."

"But Divination?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"It's a worthwhile subject!" Ron defended, casting his eyes downwards.

Harry ignored them and said, "Yeah, I said I wanted to be an Auror. I couldn't really think of anything else at the time and I'm not that bothered about it. But Umbridge was there, saying there was no way I'd ever be good enough and I was rubbish at everything, so McGonagall said she'd make it her life's work or something to see me get to be an Auror, just to piss that old toad off."

"I'd love to have seen that!" Ron said in awe. "What about you Hermy?"

"Call me that once more and I'll do something with my wand you may live to regret," Hermione said casually, not looking up from her timetable. When she looked up after a moment's silence to see Harry and Ron staring at her expectantly, she sighed. "Oh, alright, if you must know. I didn't know what I wanted to do either. Happy now?" And then she rolled her eyes.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, absolutely stunned that Hermione, of all people, didn't know what to do with her life after Hogwarts. Ron voiced his incredulity with a snort.

"Well, there's just so much to choose from," Hermione said, frustration echoing in her voice. "McGonagall said I've got good enough grades to do whatever I want, but I don't know what that is. I wanted to be an Auror too, but only because fake Moody told me I could. But then I thought, do I really want to do that, when I could help people by being a Mediwitch? Then I thought, maybe I could go into research or something. I reckon I'd be good at that." Ron and Harry shared that unbelieving look again. "And I kind of like the idea of teaching...." Hermione rambled on and on.

"OK, OK, we get the idea," Ron said, exasperated.

"Well, you did ask," Hermione said quietly.

As the bell rang to call them to their classes, Ron and Hermione headed back to the front doors whilst Harry walked around the outside of the castle to get to the greenhouses. He met Neville on the way and they spent the lesson together, with Harry desperately trying to concentrate on the lesson and not keep looking at Neville with just a little bit of contempt. Must keep that in check.

After Herbology, Harry rushed off to find Ron and Hermione for Potions with Professor Snape. Surprisingly, the lesson passed relatively peacefully, or rather, as peacefully as a Potions lesson with Snape could. Apart from the occasional strange look from Malfoy, and the normal derogatory language and point taking from Snape, nothing untoward happened at all.

As they walked away from the classroom to head to the Great Hall for lunch, the trio discussed how uneventfully Potions had passed and came to the conclusion that Snape was just trying to act normal, and Malfoy was just trying to psyche them out.

However, Harry became incredibly uneasy when he felt those eyes burning into the back of his head as he walked along the corridor.

After lunch the Gryffindor sixth years had double Defence Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin and the sixth year Ravenclaws.

When Remus had stepped onto the small raised area at the front of the classroom, Harry had picked up on his nervousness and gave him an encouraging smile.

The Gryffindors were all happy to have the werewolf as their teacher, for they saw through his affliction (at Harry's explicit request), but the Ravenclaws looked slightly apprehensive, as though some thought Lupin might jump at them and turn into his wolf form at any time.

However, as the lesson progressed, the Ravenclaws quickly reverted to their original opinion of him, the one they had before they had known he was a werewolf in their third year. Harry was overjoyed to see at least one prejudice being broken down.

Lupin had introduced himself to the class once again, and guided them through what he would be teaching them that term.

"I believe that the past couple of years have given you a mixed education in the defence of the spells and hexes that you might come across. It seems that the Moody you had in your fourth year, although fake, actually gave you good lessons, teaching you many things you might not have learned otherwise. However, your fifth year seems to have been wasted."

"Um, Professor Lupin?" Neville asked cautiously. He turned to glance at Harry, asking permission to tell him. Harry nodded and smiled, knowing that Lupin already knew about Dumbledore's Army. He ran his hand through his hair and leant back.

"Yes, Neville?" Lupin asked.

"Um, last year, ah, we had a kind of club. Some of us...."

"Yes, yes, Neville, I am quite aware of the DA," Lupin smiled in Harry's direction. "I think most people are aware of it now. However, I would remind you that there is no need for the DA to meet anymore. Everything you learned there will be re-learned in my lessons, for the sake of those who were not members, of course." He turned to the rest of the class. "The current political situation is rather volatile, and you are all getting a little older and a little wiser. It is becoming more and more likely that you will actually have to use the counter-curses and defence spells that you will learn and come across in these lessons, as the members of the DA realised last year.

"I will not be treating you as children anymore. Therefore, I expect you to act like adults, and take these classes seriously. You have grown up since I saw you last, and most of you have found defences out for yourself along the way. If you do feel you would like to set up after-school clubs or extra tutorials in this subject, you are welcome to, but please come to me first and I will guide you further. I do not expect I can teach you everything you will need to know, but I do expect you to work together. Perhaps we can all learn from each other as time passes. That is the essence of real teaching." Lupin paused as his words sunk in.

"Neville, I'd like you to write down all the charms, counter-curses and hexes the DA learnt and mastered. I think I need to know what has already been taught so eloquently, based upon the members' OWL results," Lupin gave the tiniest wink in Harry's direction.

"Today's lesson will be dedicated to reviewing these defences and teaching some of the others the more basic ones. As I said, I expect you all to work together, with those who already know them helping those who don't."

After Lupin had scanned the rather extensive list that Neville had written out, the next part of the lesson saw Lupin calling up various DA members to the front and making them demonstrate their individual Patronus, which Lupin was really rather impressed with.

For the rest of the lesson the members of the DA paired up with non-members, learning some of the simpler but more effective charms that Harry had taught the group. He had anticipated that they would not start teaching the more complex and difficult ones, like the Patronus Charm, just yet.

Harry found it a most satisfying end to the day, and actually enjoyed spending time that evening in the Gryffindor common room with his friends, playing Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt he wanted to be around lots of people, his school family, spending time with them laughing and joking. Harry noticed Ron and Hermione exchanging many happy smiles, then catching Harry looking and smiling back at him. Then they would laugh at how silly it all seemed before going back to their game.

Harry felt a lot happier to be going to bed that night. He even had a fleeting feeling of inner peace, small though it was. Harry's final thought before he drifted into dreamless sleep was, maybe things aren't as bad as they seem.

Harry Potter should have known better.