Harry Potter and the Seal of the Ring

"Thanks for making that excuse to get me out of there Ron," said Harry Potter as he walked to the Weasley home.

"Any time, Harry." They smiled at each other mischievously. Ron had made up a whole thing about some gruesome rituals they had to do to make Harry a proper wizard to get him away from the Dursley's. They had happily given him up.

"Harry," cried Hermione, running to them from the house.

"Hermione," laughed Harry as she collided with him in a hug.

"She's been here all summer," commented Ron, who kept walking to the house, "Her parents thought it would be a good idea if she spent a summer with a pure wizarding family."

"That's why Pigwidgeon has been giving me messages from both of you," exclaimed Harry, who was walking behind Ron with his arm around Hermione's shoulders. Hermione just giggled as an answer.

"Oh, Harry dear! How nice to see you," said Mrs. Weasley as they walked into the house. Harry smiled as he threw his coat on a chair. "Ron! Put your coat on the rack," she snapped before he could throw it on a chair. Harry wandered into the living room and some thing smacked into his head.

"Ow, what the-"

"Post's here," cried Ginny, running in from another room. Pigwidgeon flitted out from underneath a table and put himself up on Ginny's shoulder. Hermione and Ron rushed in along with Mr. (who had just arrived) and Mrs. Weasley. "Oh, Hogwarts letters. They sent yours too Harry." Turning to him she turned the same color as her hair.

"Thanks," said Harry. Ginny turned away, embarrassed. Mrs. Weasley took Ginny's letter.

"School time," she sighed. "Well, won't be any problem this year," she muttered, opening the envelope to put the letter back in, "Oh, what's this?" She pulled out another piece of parchment.

"I got one too," said Harry.

"We all did," said Hermione. She began to read the letter:

Dear Hogwarts students and Parents,

As you know, Hogwarts has had teacher after teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts. This year the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, will be taking this position and teaching the person who is to take this position next year. They will be introduced after the Sorting and we are asking all students to obey and respect them as if they were a teacher. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

"Bloody hell," muttered Ron.

"Ron," snapped Mrs. Weasley.

"Sorry mum."

"Something's not right about this," said Harry, "Why would they have to ask us to obey this... student teacher? And why does Professor McGonagall refer to the student teacher as 'they'? Hasn't the school gotten some one already?"

"Of course they have," said Mr. Weasley, "Very intriguing, the girl they chose. Very secretive as well and only three years older than Ron!"

"No," gasped Mrs. Weasley, "Hiring a child to be a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! Shameful!"

"If you can count her as a child, it's only in age. Today she told me about loads of spells I never even knew existed. Says she even knows the unforgivable curses," he said and then took a bite out of a steaming muffin. Mrs. Weasley gasped again.

"Wicked," said Ron, smiling. Hermione punched his arm.

"Well, come on then. We should be going to Diagon Alley," said Mrs. Weasley, getting over her shock.

"Hey, look Harry," exclaimed Hermione, dragging him towards the window of a new 'everything' shop. "They've got silver name plates for owls! They can inscribe one in 30 seconds with any name and any style! Hedwig would look great with one."

"But-"

"You've already gotten your things for school, haven't you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then spend some money on your self and Hedwig!"

"Hermione," whined Harry. She dragged him into the store and hauled him up to the counter.

"My friend here would like to purchase a name plate for his owl."

"Speak to Dionis at the back of the store, dear heart," said the cheery clerk.

"Thank you." She hauled Harry off to the back of the store only to find Dionis occupied by a tall figure in white robes.

"All right, what is the name of your bird ma'am."

"Foehn," said a slightly deep feminine voice, "I would like the name in a Celtic script."

"Of course, what ever the lady wants," he laughed. "Now, how big is your owl's neck so we can cut the right length chain for it."

"She is a phoenix and I have never particularly checked how large her neck is."

"Oh, we had a fellow come in here with a phoenix. They all seem to be the same size but if the chain isn't the right length you can just bring it back and we'll do some measurements."

"Thank you, sir."

"Of course ma'am," Dionis pulled out his wand and a rectangular silver plate. He pointed his wand at the plate, muttered some words under his breath, and a huge spread of white lightening hit the plate. Hermione and Harry jumped back as a wave of heat came at them. "Never seen magical engraving, eh?" he asked Hermione and Harry.

"No sir," replied Harry. The woman in white robes looked back at him. Her hood was up so he couldn't see her face.

"Potter...,"said an airy voice in his head. He felt a sudden burning pain in his forehead but as soon as the woman looked back at Dionis the pain stopped.

"Well, here you are ma'am and here," he pulled a length of silver chain out of an unseen bin, "Is your chain. My wife up front will put clasps and such on it and attach it to the plate."

"Again, thank you," she said. Dionis nodded.

"Potter...," the voice came again as she walked pass him.

"And what can I do for you sir?"

"Oh, uh... My owl, Hedwig. I'd like to get a name plate for her."

Ron shut the door to the train cabin. "Now, what happened at Diagon Alley again?" he asked.

"This strange woman with white robes is buying a name plate for her phoenix and when she looks back at me then my scare starts to burn and I hear a ghost like voice in my head saying 'Potter'. Then when she's leaving I hear the voice again."

"And she wasn't student age. She had to be at least eighteen years old," added Hermione.

"Did it sound like... You-Know-Who's voice?"

"No, it wasn't raspy and evil. It was more like some one was whispering in my ear and calling me from far away at the same time."

"Well, I say it's a Death Eater," said Ron.

"Me too," said Hermione. Ginny just sort of watched from the corner and didn't say anything.

"I... I'm not so sure," said Harry.

"WHAT?!?!" chorused Ron and Hermione, almost jumping from their seats.

"With my scar... It wasn't painful like when Voldemort did it. It was almost like it was to get my attention. Like - like throwing hot tea in my face."

"Okay, so it was weak Death Eater."

"No, Ron. There are no Death Eaters that are that...weak..." Harry trailed off as he spotted the white robed woman meeting some one a few feet away from their cabin. It looked like a prefect from Ravenclaw. She still had her hood up but he could feel her eyes shifting away from the prefect and on to him.

"Harry...,"said the voice, "Harry Potter. I have been trying to find you for years. Dumbledore will probably introduce me as Faena. But I wish for you to call me Freesia, for that is my true name... I am pleased to meet you... Harry... Potter."

"Harry, are you all right? Harry?" asked Hermione. The woman's attention snapped back to the babbling prefect.

"Yeah, but... That's her."

"Really?" asked Ron, leaning over to get a view of her. Harry suddenly found a quill and a piece of parchment in his hands.

"Write to Sirius," said Hermione, imperiously.

"Hermione," Ron whined. "Harry shouldn't have to call to Sirius each time his scar hurts just because you say so. Next thing you know you'll be having him write when it twitches!" She ignored him and pressed on Harry again.

"Do it. Your scar burning has meant some thing before, so have the voices; it all has to mean some thing now." Annoyed, Harry began writing.

Dear Sirius,

Hermione is making me write this because some strange girl in white robes made my scar hurt. I first met her in Diagon Alley and again on the train. She said some thing in my mind about looking for me for a long time and she would be introduced to people as Faena but she wanted me to call her Freesia. She keeps her hood up so I have yet to see her face.

I hope you don't come to Hogwarts and get yourself captured by the Ministry of Magic. Even though Hermione and Ron think she's a Death Eater, I don't feel all that threatened by her. Besides, my scar felt more like some one had thrown hot water at me rather than fire. I hope you'll answer soon.

Love,

Harry

Ron already had Hedwig out of her cage. She stepped lightly onto Harry's arm and held out her leg. He rolled up the letter and tied it tightly to Hedwig's leg.

"Hmmm. I never gave it to her," he laughed. He took the silver name plate from his pocket and clasped it around her neck. Hedwig held her head high and made a sort of satisfactory croon. "Now, take this letter to Sirius," he said, opening the window. She leaped out of the window and disappeared into the rain. "I feel sort of guilty making her deliver a letter in that weather."

"Harry," whispered Ginny. Everyone turned to her, having forgotten she was there. "Is some one else going to die this year?" Harry dropped down into the seat beside her and took her hand.

"I'm going to try to keep every one alive," he said, sympathetically.

"Even if you have to kill some one?" Harry's eyes grew wide and nothing would come out of his open mouth.

"Ginny!"cried Ron.

"No, Ron," said Harry firmly. "She's right. I may have to take some one's life, even though I don't want to." He looked back to Ginny. "Yes, even if I have to kill some one." Ginny took her hand away from his and looked at the floor.

"Ginny! It's not going to be any students or teachers. Harry may just have to fight some Death Eaters. Right, Harry?" laughed Ron, nervously. Harry looked out the window as the train began to slow down.

"Hopefully."

"Vanessa Xian," called Professor McGonagall. The shaky Muggle-born girl stepped up to the stool. "Please sit down." She closed her eyes and pushed herself up onto the stool. As soon as the Sorting Hat began to descend onto her head:

"Gryffindor!" A great cheering went up at the Gryffindor table. As the small girl skipped down to the table. Unnoticed, Dumbledore stood up.

"Attention! Attention students!" Fireworks flew from his wand and Great Hall quieted down. "Hopefully you all found the other letter that came with your supplies list. I would like to introduce our student teacher but unfortunately-"

"I am quite late," finished a woman at the doors. It was the white robed woman and her hood was still up. "My sincerest apologies Headmaster. I had to deal with a second year who was stealing wands on the train." She pushed a small boy out from behind her towards the Slytherin table. Most of his hair was burned off and his face was covered in soot. She began walking down the aisle towards the teacher's table.

"I hope you did not use your own version of justice," said Dumbledore, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Old habits die hard," she laughed (some what maliciously), and threw back her hood. Her unwieldy black hair, that was short around her face, fluffed out. The rest of it trailed down into an unknown length inside her robes. Her wire rim glasses slid down her nose as she tried to smooth her hair back, making her piercing green eyes stand out even more. Her eyes weren't her most notable feature though. Above her right eye was a huge scar. It looked almost like a jagged spider web or a crack-pattern in a pane of glass. It spread from her temple to the bridge of her nose, and from her eye brow to her hair line. Once she reached the steps she turned and bowed to the students.

"This is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for next year: Faena Andune." All the tables gave her a round of applause except for most of the Slytherin table, who looked to the skulking Professor Snape. She quickly turned on her heal, robes flowing about her, and took a position behind Professor McGonagall at the table. "And now to the feast," said Dumbledore. The food flowered out onto the plates. Harry looked up to the head table. Faena's gaze was resting on him and she didn't even notice the food.

"Sirius can do nothing for you. When he sees me, he will not help you. What is going to happen is going to happen. Hopefully you will regret nothing when it is all over. Good luck Mr. Potter." She kept staring at him even when he finally looked away.

Harry looked over his fifth year schedule the next morning. "We have Defense Against the Dark Arts first?"

"Well, in the past all of the things that required defense happened later in the day so Professor Dumbledore may be trying to make us the partial school protectors," said Hermione. Ron dropped his toast.

"What?! I can't do that!"

"Too bad, Ron," laughed Harry, "Come on, let's get to class early." It didn't take long for them to get there but the door was locked. A few minutes later a band of Slytherins showed up, containing Draco Malfoy.

"Well, well, well. The idiot trio: Potter, the mudblood, and a Weasley." The band began laughing but Hermione intruded on their mirth. She pulled out the two foot thick 'Standard Book of Spells 5' from her bag.

"MALFOY!!! I'M GOING TO BEAT THE-"

"What seems to be the problem?" asked Faena, who had opened the door right as Hermione had gone off. She towered over every one but Ron; who met her height exactly.

"She-," Draco started, pointing at Hermione.

"Quiet, Mr. Malfoy. I heard the whole thing. You provoked her. Since you were not honorable enough to admit it you will have one night of detention with me. Tonight. End of story. Now, class will be starting soon so all of you come in." They all reluctantly filed in right as everyone else was showing up. The students quickly seated them selves and quieted down. Dumbledore came out of the back office and stepped up to the front row of desks.

"Welcome, children, to the fifth year of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Since most all of the evil creatures you might have to defend against have been covered then we will begin on curses and tricks. Last year you talked about the four unforgivable curses, that will be a long project come spring. For now I plan on teaching about some thing much more dangerous." All the student's eyes grew wide and most of their mouths dropped open.

"What could be more dangerous than the four unforgivable curses?!" cried Hermione. Dumbledore smiled softly.

"It is called Mind Projection. Very, very few are born with this great gift. It is basically what muggles call telepathy in their 'Science Fiction'. In only a matter of days you can turn most any witch or wizard to Dark service and they go willingly; thinking that they have been told by a higher power to serve evil."

"When you say few have it, about how few?" asked Draco.

"There are three known to have the power in Europe, six in the Americas, and three more in Asia. Sadly, seven out of the twelve are believed to use it for evil." Hermione's hand shot up immediately. "Yes, Hermione."

"Who are the three in Europe?"

"Twins, Fred and George Weasley and," Dumbledore looked back to Faena who was quietly pouring over a small book. She felt the eyes on her and looked up.

"I was wondering when you were going to mention me." She put the book down and caught the blank look on Ron's face. "Fred and George had to keep it from you; they signed papers to say they would. But I think they've forgotten they have it." Ron finally blinked and sat up.

"Oookay." Faena stood and took a position beside Dumbledore.

"I don't believe you have been tested yet, Ronald Weasley." Faena's voice echoed around the room and every one had heard her but her lips had never moved. Ron's mouth dropped open and he leaned back in his chair. "Come up with an image in your mind. When you have it then begin describing it to me but... don't describe it to me. Do you understand?"

"It's about as clear as mud but I'll try." Faena stepped back. "Never mind. You've already proved your self," then to Dumbledore: "I think we need to send a letter to Fudge about a thirteenth Projectionist."

"What about the rest of us," snarled Draco. Faena looked over to him and narrowed her eyes.

"Mr. Malfoy," her voice was only in his head. "You do not have the blood for it. Would you like to see why?"

"Of course." He narrowed his eyes. It wasn't long before every one could tell she was talking to him through projection.

"Prepare yourself, Malfoy. You will not like this."

"Yeah right," he sneered. In a matter of seconds Draco was screaming and curling up on the floor. The Slytherins rushed to the back of the class room.

"DO NOT TOUCH HIM!!" Faena's voice boomed around the room and would have made things shake if it hadn't been in their minds. "He needs to see what I am showing him. If you touch him he will wake up." The Slytherins backed off and glanced around nervously at each other. Harry looked back to the front of the class; saw Dumbledore scanning over a book, and Faena smiling. He poked at Ron with his wand to get his attention.

"What?" whispered Ron, turning to him.

"Tell her to stop... I-I think she's enjoying this. I think she's torturing Draco for fun."

"What!?" Ron turned to find the smiling Faena. He recoiled for a second then began to concentrate. Draco's racket quickly ended and Faena's expression changed to surprised.

"You are dismissed," said Professor Dumbledore as he began to lead Faena into his office. Everyone happily left. The Slytherins all latched onto Draco and hauled him to his feet. All he could do was stare blankly at every one. Ron forced his way through the crowd.

"You owe me one, Malfoy. I told her to stop," said Ron. Draco held a hand to his forehead and groaned.

"Yeah... Ron," he muttered and turned away. Ron emerged from the crowd and Hermione punched him in the arm.

"What?" he moaned, rubbing his arm.

"He was dazed! He was completely out of it and you go and rub his face in the fact that you helped him! Idiot!" Hermione gave him a death stare. Ron just kept rubbing his arm and muttering to himself.

The trio trudged into the common room that night with barely any energy left. Hagrid had made them chase his Nifflers back into their cages. Right as they all collapsed into a chair a pecking sound came at the window across the room.

"Oh, God. It's Hedwig," moaned Harry. He dragged himself out of the chair and let her in. Hedwig hopped about squawking wildly and shaking the letter on her leg.

"What's gotten into her?" asked Hermione, suddenly having new energy. Harry got her to stand still and pulled off the letter.

"Sirius sent back!" he hissed. Both Ron and Harry got a second wind and sat up straight. All three of them gathered around to keep other students from noticing the letter.

Dear Harry,

Freesia... that name seems familiar to me but I can't quite place it. Anyway, thank Hermione for having you write. This is a big deal and I think you should feel threatened by her. No matter how mild the pain in your scar was, that makes her a threat. Thank you for your concern but I'm coming any way. I just have this feeling that I'm suppose to play some major part this year. If any thing more comes up write to me.

Love,

Sirius

Hermione gave a satisfactory snort and was about to say 'I told you so' but Harry pulled out a quill and some parchment.

Dear Sirius,

Freesia is a Mind Projectionist and she seemed to know when I wrote to you on the train. After the sorting when she was sitting at the head table (she's the Defense Against the Dark Arts student teacher) she 'thought' to me that when you came and saw who she was that you wouldn't help me. When you get here, tell me and I'll figure out a time when we can meet.

Love,

Harry

Harry quickly tied the letter to Hedwig's leg and sent her back out the window. Hermione and Ron stared blankly at him.

"What?" asked Harry.

"You didn't tell us that she talked to you at the feast," cried Hermione.

"It's not like it was important or-"