Aftermath

Lewellen Arngram;

Harold Answorth;

Katie Bell;

Susan Bones;

Terry Boot;

Cho Chang;

Roberta Claybourne;

Dennis Creevy;

Amos Diggory;

Wilfred Dunnigan;

Justin Finch-Fletchly;

William Frederickson;

Eric Gleeson;

Morris Gregory;

Hojo Homnigrits;

Angelina Johnson;

Mary Langford;

Padma Patil;

Harold Proudfoot;

Marvella Roachmount;

Bryon Simpson;

Elliot Testimonte;

Bill Weasley;

George Weasley;

Percy Weasley;

Winky, a house elf;

Oliver Wood;

Ester Zeller;

Paul Zimmerman...

As Dumbledore finished reading the names, Ginny was crying audibly, tears rolling down her cheeks; she missed her brothers so much, hearing Dumbledore call out their names tore at her heart. Dumbledore now asked for all of those in attendance to stand and join him in a toast. As the students rose, a small glass of blood-red wine appeared in front of each of them. Taking his goblet, raising it in front of him, he intoned, "to those no longer with us."

"To those no longer with us," repeated the assembly, as they drank their wine in unison.

Everyone but Dumbledore took his or her seat. The old wizard looked around the great hall and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"To go along with our remembrance ceremony tonight, we have some very good news to share with you. I am going to ask one of our students to give you that news. Harry Potter, would you come up to the dais please?" asked Dumbledore.

Harry squirmed in his seat; it appeared as though he was trying to figure out the way to the nearest exit. I hadn't planned on this, he thought to himself.

"Miss Weasley, would you escort Mr. Potter to the dais please?" requested Dumbledore.

Ginny stood, wiping her eyes and taking Harry by the arm; she led him to the dais. She positioned him to face the students and then started to return to her seat. Harry grabbed her by the arm and would not let her leave. Ginny looked anxiously at Dumbledore; he just smiled and nodded that it was all right that she stayed with Harry.

"I suppose you all know me?" said Harry, immediately regretting his choice of words.

The laughter went on for some time, with Harry turning so red it looked like he was on fire. Dumbledore held up his hands for quite, and Ginny whispered to Harry that it was all right to continue.

"As you can tell, I am not much of a public speaker, but, Professor Dumbledore has something that he wants me to tell you, so I'm going to do my best."

Ginny looked over at the Gryffindor table and was surprised to see Neville with a big smile on his face. She hadn't seen him look that happy in all the years she had known him. Whatever Harry was going to say, Ginny was sure that Neville was already privy to it.

"As you know, there are many wizarding families that suffered greatly in the war against Voldemort and his death eaters," said Harry. The students shifted uneasily in their seats; even now, mentioning Voldemort's name made people feel uncomfortable. "To help with the long term care of those who have suffered so much, Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Arthur Weasley and I have formulated a plan that we hope will lessen their burden. It can be quite expensive to keep a patient at St. Mungos for a long period of time. To help out, when long term care is needed, I would like to announce that The Ministry of Magic will be opening a new, long term, convalescent care centre."

The room was now buzzing with excitement; it was a few minutes before Dumbledore could restore order.

Harry felt exhausted. He asked Dumbledore to take over and finish explaining things to everyone. Dumbledore agreed, but kept Harry and Ginny on the dais with him.

"As a part of Mr. Arthur Weasley's compensation, in his position as the head of The Ministry of Magic; he, along with his wonderful family, have been given a newly renovated mansion to live in. The Weasleys have graciously asked that the mansion be renovated once again, and turned into the long-term convalescent centre of which Harry spoke. We will have the finest medical equipment and medical wizards on hand to provide the best care possible, at no cost to the patients or their families. We have already hired a head nurse, Madam Nesbitt, formerly of St. Mungos. Funding for the centre start-up will come largely from Harry here. He is donating the majority of his inheritance and a portion of his income from his interest in Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes to this cause."

The room now erupted in applause. Everyone was standing and cheering. People began chanting, Harry... Harry... Harry...

Ginny was just beaming, what a wonderful thing Harry had done, and her dad, giving up that mansion; they didn't have to leave the Burrow. Now she knew why Neville was so happy, his parents were going to go to the new centre, he no longer had to worry about how he would pay for their care.

Once again, Dumbledore asked for quiet. Everyone returned to his or her seat.

"Because Harry has done so much to get this all started, he will be given the honour of naming the new facility, I believe he is ready to do that right now," said Dumbledore.

With the pride obvious on his face, Harry again addressed the assembly.

"I have decided that the new facility will be called the Lilly and James Potter convalescent centre. It is of course, named for my dear parents, who did so much to ensure that I would survive in this world, against almost impossible odds. A special feature of the centre will be a wing devoted to the most seriously ill, those needing the most special care. It will be called the Severus Snape intensive care wing," Harry concluded.

You could hear a pin drop.

All eyes in the hall turned to the far end of the dais, where Professor Snape always sat during the banquets. The good professor looked as if he was about to go into shock.

Harry spoke again. "I have chosen to name the seriously ill wing, in honour of Professor Snape, because of his tireless efforts to research and develop potions and serums that have restored to us; some of our friends whom we thought were lost to us forever.

A small tear ran down Hermione's cheek as Harry spoke. She, like many others, was going to have to re-think her attitude towards Professor Snape. She owed him so much; she could never repay him.

Harry now had Ginny lead him over to Professor Snape. He put out his hand and said "Thank you professor, thank you for Hermione, thank you for everything."

Snape rose and shook Harry's hand. "You're welcome Pott... you're welcome Harry," he said simply.

The entire assembly now rose and applauded loudly. Unbelievably, Snape seemed to have what appeared to be an actual smile upon his face. Harry turned and had Ginny lead him back to their seats. As the applause subsided and everyone took his or her seat, Dumbledore said simply "Let the feast begin".

Magically, all of the most wonderful items of food appeared on the banquet tables. Plates full of chicken legs, mashed potatoes and gravy, beef roast, all sorts of vegetables and delicious salads. There were also many pitchers of pumpkin juice to wash everything down.

For dessert, the house-elves had prepared Ron's new favourite. "Look, chocolate mouse," he exclaimed.

Hermione rolled her eyes, sometimes Ron could be such a git, but he was her git, she thought.

The students were given their class schedules during the meal and immediately began studying them. Harry could actually read his own schedule, it had been reproduced in Braille; he felt a hand upon his shoulder. "Harry, when we get back to the common room tonight, I would like to go over our schedules if you don't mind," said Millicent. "We need to plan out our study schedules so we get you off to a good start this year."

"Whatever you say Milly, I will be at your disposal. We don't want you to get behind in your studies either, especially because of me," replied Harry.

"I think we'll be fine Harry, working together, we should be able to handle things quite nicely," Milly reassured him, patting his shoulder.

This last gesture wasn't lost on Ginny. It seemed to her that Millicent was taking some extra care with her physical appearance lately. Was she using a little makeup now? She also seemed to be losing weight; Ginny noticed that Milly had eaten only a small salad for dinner. Milly couldn't have designs on Harry, could she, thought Ginny. Even though Milly was a big girl, she wasn't unattractive. Ginny decided that she would need to keep a close eye on this studying thing between Harry and Milly.

Stuffed to the max, the students began to wander back to their respective common rooms. Ginny took Harry by the arm, making sure that she was between him and Milly. Neville was on the other side of Harry, thanking him again for what he was doing with the convalescent centre; Neville's parents were going to be the first patients. Luna Lovegood walked next to Neville lost in her own little world as usual. Ginny noticed that Luna and Neville were walking very close together, looking like they wanted to hold hands, but each afraid of how the other would react. Go for it Luna thought Ginny.

By now they had reached the common room. "Protractice Regularis" said Ginny, to the fat lady, and the door was immediately opened.

As the students entered the common room, Ginny noticed that Luna had entered with the Gryffindors. Luna and Neville went to an intimate corner of the room and sat down on a small loveseat located there. Ron was the last one to enter the room, pushing Hermione in her chair. Harry and Ginny sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, joined by Ron; Hermione remained in her chair, near the couch.

"Harry; Neville and Luna are sitting together on the loveseat," said Ginny. "What do you thing is going on?"

Harry smiled and said, "Neville did have a little chat with me about Luna. He fancies her for certain, asked me what I thought about it. Seems he is a little nervous about what people might think if he were to pursue Luna a bit."

"What did you tell him mate?" asked Ron.

"I said that I thought Luna was an interesting girl, and if he wanted to go for a relationship with her, that was up to the two of them. Anyone who didn't like it could just sod off."

"Too right Harry, life is too short not to pursue your heart's desire," said Hermione.

Millicent now approached Harry. "Want to go over those study schedules now, Harry?"

"Sure Milly, let's go to the small table by the window, if it's still there," laughed Harry.

"It's there Harry, I'll take you," said Millicent, taking Harry by the arm.

As the two walked over to the table, Ron couldn't help but notice the sour look on his sister's face.

"Got a bit of competition there, do you Gin?" teased Ron.

"Ronald, sometimes you really need to practice that thing we talked about, sometimes you really need to just keep your mouth shut," snapped Hermione.

"That's all right Hermy, just let him rant, he can't help it, he is after all only a boy," said Ginny. "Besides I have a favour to ask of him."

"What's that Gin?" asked Ron.

"I would like for you to kiss Hermione good night and then leave us; I need to talk to her in private."

"But..." he started.

"Please, Ron, I will see to it that she gets back to the dorm in one piece; I can levitate her back up the stairs just as easily as I could down the stairs," said Ginny.

Hermione smiled at Ron and assured him that she would be all right. He wasn't too happy about it but he decided to do what his sister had asked. Giving Hermione a quick peck on the cheek, he reluctantly climbed the stairs towards the boy's dorm.

"Now, what is so important that you've driven away my boyfriend," chided Hermione.

"Look at them over there, talking and laughing, just having the merriest old time, and here I sit," said Ginny.

Hermione glanced over at Harry and Milly, they did rather seem to be enjoying themselves, but it was no more than normal interaction between two friends.

"What's the problem, Gin? Isn't Harry allowed to have female friends other than me?"

"Of course he's allowed to have other female friends, I just don't want them to be too friendly," pouted Ginny.

"Ginny, I read something in a book once that I think might help you in this situation. You are in love with Harry, of course. The passage in the book I read said this about love: Being in Love is like holding a little bird. If you hold it too tightly, you will crush it, if you hold it too loosely it will fly away. Don't crush the life out of your love, Ginny, both you and Harry need room to breathe and have friendships with others. It doesn't mean that you two aren't true to each other, it just means that you love and trust each other enough so that you aren't threatened by other friendships."

"S'pose you're right, Hermy, I should be grateful for all the help Milly is giving Harry. It's just that I was the one who did most of the looking after him those first few months, and now it hurts a bit to see that he doesn't need me as much as he used to," said Ginny, sadly.

"Don't be silly Gin, Harry needs you as much as ever, and I know he loves you dearly."

Ginny gave Hermione a hug and thanked her for her advice. They went over to Harry and Milly to see how their study plans were coming along.

"How goes it, you two?" asked Ginny.

"Think we've got everything figured out, Milly here is quite a planner," said Harry.

"It's going to be tough at first, but Harry has a great attitude, and he's really learned the Braille system well," said Milly, stifling a yawn. "I guess I'm ready for bed, didn't realize that I was that tired."

"Thanks for helping Harry," said Ginny, as she gave Millicent a hug. "We both appreciate you so much."

"It's no problem at all, the least I could do," responded Milly.

As they turned to head up to their dorms, the group noticed that Neville and Luna were still sitting together in the corner, talking quietly; they smiled at each other and decided not to bother the couple. Ginny used the Wingardium Leviosa spell again and easily transported Hermione back up the stairs. They all said their good-byes at the top of the stairs. Ginny knocked on the boys' door and had Ron come get Harry. She hugged both Harry and Ron, and said goodnight.

Back downstairs, Neville and Luna remained on the loveseat.

"Really is a nice moon out tonight," said Neville, nervously.

"Yes it is, but I prefer the sun. Too bad the sun can't come out at night, isn't it Neville?" mused Luna.

"Well, I never thought..." started Neville.

"But if the sun came out at night, then the bats wouldn't know what to do would they?" she interrupted.

Neville thought for a moment, trying to decide if this was a question that could really be answered or if he was just being subjected to another Luna-ism.

"It's okay if you do that you know," she said softly.

"Er... do what?" asked Neville.

"Hold my hand, silly. You want to, don't you?"

Neville didn't say anything; he just took Luna's hand in his, the broadest smile appearing on his face.

"I think it's wonderful that your parents will be going to the new clinic, Neville. Do you visit them often?"

"When school was out, I went every day. Now I'll go every Sunday."

"You are such a sweet boy, Neville, and such a good son. When you go to visit your parents next time, do you suppose I could go with you? I would love to visit them."

Neville was genuinely touched by what Luna had said. She had some strange ways about her, but she was also very kind and sincere. "Of course you can come with me, I'd like that."

"I suppose I should get back to my own dorm now. Will you see me out?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, taking her by the arm and walking her to the door.

He opened the door and turned to face her, hating the fact that she was leaving.

She looked at him and smiled. "It's okay if you do that too," she said.

"I...I..." he stammered.

"You do want to kiss me goodnight, don't you Neville?"

He turned bright red and nodded his head up and down like a bobble doll.

She laughed and cupped his face in her hands, kissing him slowly on the lips. "Goodnight, sweet Neville," she said, before turning to go back to her own house.

Now, in a complete daze, Neville headed for the stairway to the dorms. He hadn't gotten very far; before the fat lady screamed at him to close the door. Obeying, like some mindless robot, he secured the door and then went upstairs.

Harry was the first one awake the next morning, he didn't want to wake anyone else up, and so he crawled

along the floor to the bath room and got himself ready for breakfast. Ron was the next to wake up and couldn't believe that Harry was almost all dressed and ready to go.

"Harry, you sure you can't see?" asked Ron, in a joking way that only a true friend could ask.

Harry laughed and assured Ron that he really couldn't see. He remembered when he had been told by the medical wizards that the chances were good that he would never see again. They had told him that because of the nature of the Avada Kedavra curse, for which there was no counter spell, there was no known treatment they could give him to cure the effects of being hit by the deflected spell. They assured him that they would keep trying, but in reality, he was just lucky to be alive.

"Ron will you hurry up? I'm hungry," grumped Harry.

"Ooooooooh," came a moan from Seamus. "Will you two shut up?" "I'm trying to sleep!"

"Come on Seamus, time to get out there and face another beautiful day," said Neville, bounding out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

Seamus and Ron looked at each other, they couldn't figure out what had gotten into their normally dour friend.

"What's up with him?" asked Seamus.

"He has a thing for Luna, and evidently she thinged him right back," joked Harry.

They all laughed at Harry as Seamus finally managed to get out of bed. In a short time the boys were all ready to head down to breakfast. The girls were nowhere to be seen, so the boys went ahead without them. Neville led Harry to the Gryffindor table; the boys were the first ones there.

"Are we that early?" asked Seamus.

"Harry's stomach said we had to come now," laughed Ron. "That's surprising, knowing that we have to start out the day with double potions; that usually makes Harry's stomach queasy."

"You think things will be different with Snape now?" asked Neville, hopefully.

"I think they might," said Harry, we'll just have to play it out and see how things go."

Harry heard a noise; the girls were entering the room along with the main body of the rest of the students.

Hermione was being pushed by Ginny; they were accompanied by Parvati, Millicent and a few other Gryffindor females. The girls were giggling and talking in hushed whispers, the boys figured that something was up, but whatever it was, the girls were keeping it to themselves.

"How you doing Parvati?" asked Neville.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," she replied.

Neville knew that the death of her sister, Padma, at Diagon Alley, had hit Parvati extremely hard. Padma had fought well, and had accounted for several death eaters before she had been struck down. She was now a national hero in her home country, as well as a hero to the entire wizarding world. Neville would take special care to make sure that Parvati was looked after.

"Mind if I join you for Breakfast, Neville?" said a voice from behind him.

He looked around and saw Luna standing there. This just wasn't done, he thought to himself. The students always ate with their own houses.

"I took a shower this morning, I don't stink," said Luna, seriously.

"I...I...I'm sure you don't I...I...sure, please sit down," offered Neville.

Luna happily slipped into a space between Harry and Neville. All eyes in the great hall seemed to be on her. "I think that now, with everything that has happened, with the battle and all, the houses should mingle more with each other," said Luna.

"I couldn't agree more. You never know how long you're going to have someone with you, you should make the most of it while you can," said Parvati.

"You're welcome to join us anytime Luna. I think tomorrow morning I'll have breakfast with the Ravenclaws," said Ginny.

They all agreed that Luna had a good idea. They weren't sure what the heads of the houses would say, but they were going to stick to their guns and insist upon it.

After their usual hearty breakfast, the students trooped off to their respective classes. Harry, Milly, Ron, Neville and Hermione headed to potions; each of them wondering how things would be now with professor Snape. He had seemed somehow different at the banquet, but none of them had their hopes up that he had changed that much. They entered the classroom and took their seats. Harry and Milly sat together; Hermione stayed in her wheelchair, parked next to Ron. Milly opened their desktop and got out the potion vials professor Snape had left for them, including Harry's, which were labelled in Braille. The door burst open and Snape came charging in, as was his usual habit.

"Before we begin today's lesson, we will review a few things to see how much you have forgotten during the past months," said Snape, with a note of disdain in his voice.

"Oh shit,

thought Harry, he's not going to change at all.

"If you want to offset the effects of the bite from a Bandy Legged Comart, what potion would you use, what are the components of the potion and what is the correct dosage to administer," Snape challenged the class.

No one was surprised when Hermione raised her hand to answer the question: everyone was surprised when Ron raised his.

"No Mr. Weasley, you may not go to the bathroom, you'll have to hold it till after class," said Snape sharply.

"If you please sir, I don't need to go to the bathroom, I'd like to answer the question sir," replied Ron.

Snape was taken aback, in all the years Ron Weasley had been in his potions classes; the professor could not remember him ever raising his hand to answer a question, only to request a visit to the bathroom.

"Mr. Weasley, we don't have time for joking, we have a lot of lost time to make up for, we..."

"No, sir, I'm not joking, I would like to answer the question," interrupted Ron.

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing, he wondered who had taken over Ron's body; Ron Weasley would never raise his hand to answer a question in potions class.

"Very well, Mr. Weasley, you may try to answer the question, but since I doubt your true motives, five points will be deducted from Gryffindor house if you fail to answer the entire question correctly.

Ron stood up and cleared his throat; Hermione moved her hand ever so slightly so that it just touched his.

"Well sir, the bite of the Bandy Legged Comart can be offset by the use of the Glissondow potion. The potion is made up from two leaves of the Glissondow plant, one part Umriel root, two parts hare's hair, one-third cup water and a teaspoon of Yak milk. The dry ingredients should all be ground up finely together and then added to the water and milk. The mixture should be heated slowly until it is just barely cool enough to drink. A normal sized person should be given the entire batch of potion, a smaller person should be given half a batch, and a large person should be given one and a half batches. Since the bite of the Bandy Legged Comart is not fatal, but is very painful and can get infected, a person would be able to mix up a batch of Glissondow potion after a bite. People living in an area where these creatures are prevalent, should have batches of the potion already made up, to expedite treatment."

Ron took his seat and Harry held his breath.

Snape eyed Ron closely, that stern, almost malevolent look on his face. "Mr. Weasley," he almost hissed, "Five points...awarded to Gryffindor house, correct answer on all counts."

Harry let out a whoop and Milly clapped her hands in excitement. Milly was immediately silenced by a withering stare from Snape, she quickly grabbed Harry's arm and warned him to be quiet.

Snape now continued asking review questions of the students. On every question, Hermione and Ron both raised their hands; sometimes they were joined by a few others, including Harry, but those two were the only ones to raise their hands every time. Between the two of them, they managed to garner fifty points for Gryffindor house. By the time it was over, Snape had used the entire period for review. Since this was a double session, there was a short break for the students between times.

As the break began, Snape approached Ron and Harry. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, I would like to speak to both of you after the end of second period, in my private office. I will see you first Mr. Potter and then you Mr. Weasley. Is that clear?"

Both boys nodded their heads as Snape turned and walked away.

"What did we do, Harry?" asked Ron.

"Don't know mate, unless he thinks you were showing off or something, I didn't do anything, don't know what he wants to talk to me about."

"Showing off, what are you talking about? Do you realize how hard I've..." started Ron.

"By the way, just how did you know the answers to all those questions?" interrupted Harry.

Harry didn't get an answer, as it was time for second period to start and Snape had a lot of new material he wanted to cover. The two boys didn't get much out of the second period, as they were both very much worried about what they had done to incur Snape's wrath.

Second period ended, and the other students filed out of the classroom, glancing at the condemned twosome and hoping for their safe delivery from Snape.

Snape had already gone to his private office, so Ron led Harry up to the door and knocked.

"Enter," said Snape, who was bent over his desk, writing furiously in some sort of journal.

The boys entered and Ron led Harry to a chair in front of Snape's desk.

"You may wait in the next room until I call for you Mr. Weasley," said the professor.

Ron nodded and left the room; he certainly didn't envy Harry, being left alone with Snape, but then again, his own turn was coming up.

Harry didn't know what to expect, Snape had gotten up, and Harry could hear him pacing back and forth.

"You know Potter, I hated your father," said Snape, with a strange tone to his voice.

Instantly on the alert, Harry rose and started to defend his father.

'Sit down Potter, I will have my say, without interruption," commanded Snape.

"Your father and his friends made my life miserable; it's safe to say that I hated them all. And, as much as I hated them, I loved your mother with all my heart. She was my first love; I cherished her more than life itself."

"When you started school here, my first reaction was to hate you too. I saw the reincarnation of your father in you. All of those painful memories of my youth came back to me, to the point that I hated the very sight of you. I tried to make your life here as miserable as I could, but you had one thing that I have never had, something that always lifted your spirits and enabled you to continue on, no matter what I might do to you. You had friends, Potter, friends to console you, friends to support you through good times and bad. That's when it hit me Potter, that's when I knew the real reason I hated your father. I hated your father because he was right about me. I was a greasy, snivelling, friendless wretch who no decent person would want to be friends with. Your father had so many friends, friends who loved and respected him, friends that I would never have."

"Professor, I...I," started Harry.

"Your mother was perhaps the only person who was ever kind to me during my time at Hogwarts, and I didn't even deserve that. She would keep your father and his friends in check when they started to torment me; I loved her so much for that. I even fantasized that someday she would return my love, a foolish thought, I know, but I was young and foolish and so desperate for someone to care about me."

Snape now returned to his desk and sat down. Leaning back in his chair, he looked at Harry for a long time, saying nothing. When he spoke again, he startled Harry so much, it made the boy jump.

"The time has come Potter, for me to grow up and become the man I should have been all along. Your gracious act of naming the hospital wing for me was the act of a true gentleman. You are more of a man than I am Potter, I can only ask you to forgive me," said Snape, finally finished.

Harry wasn't sure what he should do; finally, he just stood up, stuck out his hand and said "I forgive you professor."

Snape took Harry's hand and shook it firmly. He then took out a note pad and scribbled on it.

"This note will get you and Mr. Weasley into your next class, if the instructor has any questions, have her contact me."

Snape then led Harry out to the classroom, to an empty seat next to Ron.

"Your turn Mr. Weasley," said Snape, briskly as he returned to his private office.

"What's up Harry," asked a panicked Ron.

"You won't believe it Ron, just go and see for yourself."

Like a condemned man taking his last walk, Ron lowered his head and slowly entered Snape's office.

"Sit down," barked Snape.

Ron hurriedly did as he was told, waiting bravely for whatever disaster was about to befall him; although he really couldn't understand what he had done wrong.

"What is it Weasley? What trick are you trying to pull?" asked Snape. "I don't remember you ever volunteering to answer a question in my class before."

"Well sir, it's like this. You know how Harry thanked you, for helping Hermione, by naming that hospital wing for you. Well, I wanted to thank you too, because I love Hermione more than anything in the world, but I don't have the means to do something like Harry did, so I thought of something else. I have had Hermione help me study like I've never studied before. We've been concentrating on potions, potions and still more potions. We've reviewed all of the material that I should have learned over the past few years and she has made me read ahead on this year's material to the point that I am almost finished with the book. I know the material forward and backward."

Snape looked almost stunned. "And for what purpose have you been devoting yourself to all this extra academic endeavour, Mr. Weasley."

"Sir, to honour you, to thank you for what you have done for Hermione, I am going to become the best potions student you have ever had. I am going to dedicate my life to the study of potions; someday I want to become a professor of potions.

Snape was now, truly stunned. He got up slowly and circled the desk, walking behind Ron. He made one more circuit of the room before stopping in front of a huge bookshelf. On one shelf, there were a series of twelve like-bound books. The professor picked out the first volume and idly thumbed through it.

"Do you know what these books are, Mr. Weasley?" asked Professor Snape.

"No sir, I don't," replied Ron.

"They are the twelve volumes of The Writings of Ashera. Ashera, as you know, was the greatest potions expert the wizarding world has ever known. She wrote these twelve volumes to catalogue the years of knowledge that she acquired through her studies. It was from studying these volumes that I found a way to partially restore Miss Granger. It is through the continued study of these volumes that I feel we can find a way to completely restore Miss Granger to normalcy. We might even be able to restore long suffering patients like the Longbottoms. We might even be able to restore Mr. Potter's sight to him. "

Ron jumped up. "Professor, do you really think you could do all those things?" he asked excitedly.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, I think it is possible, but, I need help. I need someone who would dedicate himself to going over these volumes in the utmost detail. Someone who would have a special interest in finding a way to help the people I have mentioned. Do you know of such a person Mr. Weasley?"

"Of course professor, I'll help you, I'll do whatever it takes," said Ron, practically shouting.

"I assumed as much, Mr. Weasley. You will have to dedicate a portion of each school day, to coming here for an assignment that I will have for you. I will give you different volumes to study and specific things to look for. Sometimes we will be working together; sometimes you will be on your own. At the end of each week I want a written report detailing what you have covered and what observations you have made. Are you up to it?"

"Yes professor, I'd do anything for Hermione and Harry," said Ron.

"I know you would Mr. Weasley. Right now though, you and Mr. Potter need to get to your next class. Mr. Potter has your hall pass, make sure you give it to Professor Sprout."

"Yes professor, I will, and, thank you so much for the opportunity to help Hermione.

"We'll see how much you want to thank me after our first session working together. Now off with you," commanded Snape.

Ron headed for the door at a run, almost forgetting Harry in his haste.

"Here mate, let's get to Herbology," said Ron in a rush.

"What happened Ron, what did he say?" asked Harry.

"I'll explain on the run, you won't believe it," said Ron as the two boys disappeared down the main hallway.