Harry Potter and the Ancient Secret of War

Chapter Twelve

Mayhem at the Ministry

Hermione's birthday had now been a thing of a couple of days ago. It was Saturday and everyone was enjoying a nice late weekend breakfast. In a few minutes, owls started flying n through the rafters and the air was filled with the sound of flapping wings. Mail had arrived. Students who took the Daily Prophet opened the newspaper and gasped at the headline.

French Minister of Magic Assassinated By Death Eaters

The French Minister of Magic, Charles le Tallec, who arrived earlier in England last week to hold discussions with his English counterpart, Cornelius Fudge, especially regarding the internal situation in the English magical community, was assassinated last night by a group of Death Eaters led by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself. Minister Le Tallec's convoy was assailed at the official guest residence in London and the attack left 21 dead including the Minister himself. No eyewitnesses are reported to have survived and the attack was discovered by Aurors who saw the Dark Mark hovering above the scene. The area has been cordoned off and none but the authorized personnel are being allowed inside.

It must be noted that the French Minister's visit was a bid at allaying the fear that has got sparked in the worldwide magical community due to the news of the resurgence of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the reportedly, increasing number of his followers. French Magical Law Enforcement authorities had advised the Minister not to take up residence in England, but that warning was unheeded and eventually culminated in the assassination.

In a statement issued earlier this morning, Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who visited the scene of the attack, said, "We condemn the assassination and the people responsible for the same and at the same time, we are deeply regretful of Minister Le Tallec's untimely demise. He was a fine leader and his assassination has caused a great loss for the worldwide magical community."

On being asked about actions the Ministry plans to take against the guilty party, he replied, "You-Know-Who is a very powerful wizard. But we are sure he won't be able to stand against the might of the Ministry. We have a whole team of Aurors on this case and we are sure that we will catch him and bring him to justice soon, now that he has resumed his anti-social activities."

This latest lapse of intelligence and the assassination is seen as a grave threat to Minister Fudge's standing in the Ministry. His image has taken a severe beating due to these events, since it is reported that he had given a personal guarantee of the French Minister's safety. Even as the news of the assassination spread, the Warlocks have called an emergency meeting to deliberate on the fate of Minister Fudge. It might indeed, be before long, that the magical community of England, sees a new Minister of Magic in office.

Hermione looked up from the newspaper, her face pale, and handed it over to Harry. By the time, Harry and Ron were done reading the newspaper, her face had assumed a thoughtful demeanour.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed when he was done reading the report, "Team of Aurors to catch You-Know-Who? If they can so much so as even give him a bruise somewhere, I'll stop eating!"

"Fudge had to say something, Ron." Hermione snapped. "Otherwise, he would have looked like a fool."

"He looks more like a fool to me after he said this." Ron retorted. "Everyone in their right mind knows that no one can kill or hurt You-Know-Who."

"Thanks for the show of confidence, Ron." Harry muttered bitterly, under his breath. The sound of loud discussions on the subject drifted from across the house tables.

Ron's face immediately took on an apologetic expression, while Hermione suddenly became all concerned - the same patronising, almost motherly look she wore on her countenance as she constantly looked after Harry - watching his back; and looking out for him.

"What's the matter, Harry?" she asked.

"Nothing, it's nothing." Harry replied.

"Come off it, mate." Ron said, grinning wickedly at him. "You know you can't hide anything from us. And anyways, I may not always agree with Herm-own-ninny here but I know her well enough to see that she is usually always right about everything and everyone, especially you, mate."

Harry sighed. "Okay." He said. "I was just wondering - if Voldemort had himself led the attack and killed the minister, why then didn't I feel it? My scar didn't even hurt, as it should have since he was clearly in a murderous mood."

"I dunno, mate." Ron said slowly, evidently thinking as he spoke. "I think you should go to Dumbledore with this."

Harry seemed a bit sceptical about this, but Hermione backed Ron on the matter. "Yes, Harry." She said. "Let's go and meet Professor Dumbledore. Anyway, I think I can go on without studying this morning."

Ron's jaw fell to the ground at this proclamation and he made a face at Hermione in mock surprise. The trio shared a good laugh and for a moment, it seemed that the tension prevalent in the wizarding world was non-existent in their midst. They made their way to Professor Dumbledore's office and Hermione was about to speak the password - 'Skiving Snackboxes' (knowing the password to the Headmaster's office was a special privilege of the Prefects) - when they were met by Professor McGonagall. She walked briskly towards the trio and stopping in front of them, said, "Professor Dumbledore predicted that you might try to meet him this morning. But he is not here at the moment. He's told you though, all three of you mind, to meet him tonight at eight here itself. I gather that you know the necessary password."

The three of them nodded and Professor McGonagall walked away, leaving them a little dazed in her wake.

"So, shall we go then?" Hermione asked.

Harry and Ron nodded. They had nearly made their way to the next corridor when they collided with a host of other students coming from the opposite direction. Everyone fell down in a heap. It transpired that the students were none other than the members of last year's DA.

"Harry! Ron! Hermione!" Dean Thomas exclaimed, as they got up from the floor and dusted themselves. "We've been looking for you since ages."

"What is it, Dean?" Ron asked impatiently. In reality, he had never gotten over the fact that he had once dated Ginny and now tended to be a little short with his dorm-mate even after they had called things off.

"We were all wondering if we could re-organise and start the DA again." Lavender Brown said.

"A few more students are also interested in joining it this year, like Seamus over here," Justin Finch-Fletchey spoke up. "They heard about it last year and are interested in joining now."

Harry thought for a moment and then began, "I don't know about this. I mean, last year, that had, Umbridge wasn't up to the mark, but this year, Bickerstaff seems fine enough."

"Come on now, Harry." Ernie Macmillan said. "This isn't about Umbridge or Bickerstaff. The DA wasn't even only about side-stepping Umbridge's authority. It was about readying ourselves to fight You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. You'd said it yourself. As it is, their threat exists and so, the DA must too."

There was a general murmur of assent that ran through the group at this. But Harry still wasn't so sure.

It was Hermione who spoke up now. "Harry, I think Ernie's right. There is definitely a strong point as to what he is saying. I think we could make the DA legal this year and even ask Bickerstaff to help us out with this."

"Okay, then." Harry said, acknowledging everyone's wishes. "I'll ask Professor Dumbledore for his permission. But I think we should talk to Bickerstaff first."

The group cheered at this proclamation. Seamus Finnigan exclaimed, "There's a good man, mate." Ron clapped Harry's back, happy about the latest decision.

On this note, the group dispersed and Ron, Harry and Hermione made their way to the common room. Harry and Ron really needed to get their homework done. Their mental exercise continued even after lunch. Eventually, after three Transfiguration assignments, a couple of Charms essays and half a dozen Defense assignments (he had let all these assignments pile up over the last few days of classes) Ron got tired and said that he could take no more, not for the time being at least; and he chose to go up to the dormitory to take a nap. Harry, meanwhile, had a considerably smaller backlog to start with, and now only had to get the last remnant of his homework - the last of Snape's Potions essays out of the way. It was about four in the afternoon when he finally finished.

The common room was generally empty except for Hermione sitting by the fire. The weather had seemingly warmed up and everyone was enjoying the weekend outdoors.

"Ha!" Harry exclaimed happily as he put his books aside, finally glad that he would be able to spend the rest of the evening as he wished, away from the anxiety of completed assignments and homework deadlines. However, his exclamation had shaken Hermione out of her reverie.

Harry went up to her and sat on the floor, his back resting in between her legs.

"So?" she asked him. "Done all the homework?"

Harry nodded.

"Tired?" she asked him once again.

"You bet." Harry sighed. "I don't know how I am going to hold up at Quidditch practice tonight with all my muscles aching. I didn't know that plain old studying was such an exhausting affair."

"At least you completed it though." Hermione reasoned. "Now, you can enjoy the rest of the evening."

"That's exactly what I thought about all this." Harry said absentmindedly, beginning to enjoy the sensations that were now being produced by Hermione gently massaging his shouldered with her small hands.

"I know." She said reassuringly, and continued rubbing his back gently, making him revel in the feeling of her hands and making him moan lightly in the process.

'How can such a light touch produce such an effect?' Harry wondered to himself as another wave of pleasure passed over him as Hermione began nuzzling his neck with her lips and tongue.

Finally, he detached himself from the carpet and from Hermione and took the seat next to her. It was more out of the fear that they would get washed away in their passion and someone might walk in on them. Hermione snuggled into Harry.

"So, what were you thinking earlier?" Harry asked her.

"What? When?" Hermione asked, appearing confused.

"Only just now when I was completing the Potions assignment." Harry replied. "You had that expression on your face like you always do whenever you are trying to think hard about anything."

"And way may that expression be?" Hermione asked indignantly.

"Well, it's this trademark expression really." Harry explained. "Your eyebrows are all scrunched up together ; your little nose is just a bit turned up, like this; your cheeks get this light pink tinge that I really adore and you bit your lip like this; and it makes you look so cute that I could look at you forever." He tried to show her, but winced in pain as he bit his lip rather harder that he wanted to, or should have.

Hermione giggled at him and punched his arm lightly. He winced in mock pain. She snuggled further into him, almost on his lap now.

"So, what were you thinking?" Harry persisted with his question, his hands playing with one of her curly locks. Her hair was another thing that fascinated Harry about Hermione. Together, all her curls seemed untamed, wild, bushy, unmanageable - you name such terms that can be not-so-good attributes to anyone's hair; but individually, her golden brown locks were so silky, smooth and almost transparent, not at all unlike a veil.

"Just about the killing." Hermione replied. "You know, I've read of Le Tallec more than once. He was one of the most prominent supporters of equal rights to all magical creatures. He implemented many such policies in France. He was a liberal, you know, and for quite some time, a resistance against him has been taking shape, led by wizards and witches with pure-blood mania. Guess it sort of figures why Voldemort would want to kill him. He is all for the purification of the wizarding race, even though he keeps on pretending, even unto himself that he is a pure-blood all the time." Harry nodded.

"But what doesn't make sense," Hermione continued slowly, emphasizing every syllable that she uttered, "is that if Voldemort was really behind this, how could you not feel his hate? Does it mean that Voldemort wasn't actually behind this attack and his rise was seen by the Resistance of doing their work without anyone knowing any better? Or does it mean that he blocked you from your mind, that he strangulated your connection for some time?"

"I thought about it when the news appeared." Harry told her. "I have no idea. Maybe the latter case is the one we are looking for. After all, he is an expert Leglimens and Occlumens."

"Of course," Hermione said, clapping her hand to her forehead. "That would explain a lot of things now, wouldn't it?"

Harry nodded.

Hermione spoke now. "We should ask Dumbledore about this. He's bound to know what happened."

Harry replied, "Believe me, we will. Tonight."

But as it transpired, they did not meet Dumbledore that evening, for as Harry and Ron were at Quidditch practice, Harry received an OWL from the Headmaster himself.

Harry,

I regret that I will not be able to meet you tonight, as Minerva might have informed you. Evidently, some urgent business has sprung up that needs my immediate attention. I know you have questions whose answers you eagerly await, but please bear with this wait. It will not go in vain, and you will get the answers that you seek from me. Look to Minerva for further instructions as to my return. And I would suggest, in the meanwhile, that you seek Miss Granger's help and practise a few elementary Occlumency techniques. Hogwarts library has quite a few books on the subject.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

Harry quietly pocketed the note, and showed it to Ron and Hermione later that night.

"What could it mean?" Ron asked, not knowing how to make head or tail of Dumbledore's cryptic words.

"It means," Hermione said, a look of understanding on her face, "that Voldemort may be listening in on us at the moment." With that, she looked at Harry. He understood immediately.

While Hermione ran off to the library to fetch few books on Occlumency, Harry explained the meaning of their statements to Ron, who didn't seem to have got them.

All three of them, even Ron, stayed up till late that night trying to work out the basic mind relaxation techniques - the elementary stages of Occlumency - and by the time they crawled up to their beds, all were dead tired, even Hermione, who was quite as used to burning the midnight oil, as anyone could be.

* * * * *

The next day, while at breakfast, Harry looked in the direction of the staff table, trying to find a sign of the Headmaster's return. He caught Minerva McGonagall's eyes, who seemed to know what he was trying to do. She shook her head slightly and Harry realised that Dumbledore had not returned yet. He did the same at lunch and at dinner and yet, Albus Dumbledore had not returned. Evidently, there was something going on that was keeping him busier than ever.

* * * * *

The subsequent week started off with Defense Against the Dark Arts class for the sixth years. After the class was over, Harry approached Bickerstaff and said, "Professor?"

"Yes, Mr Potter?" Bickerstaff inquired. "Do you have any problem or are you in any difficulty."

"Neither, Sir." Harry replied. "Actually, sir, last year, we had this informal Defense Association and we were just wondering if we could re-organise this year as well and maybe, you could help us out with all the stuff and such."

"Why not, Mr Potter?" Bickerstaff said, his dull blue eyes coming to life all of a sudden. "However, I do have one suggestion though..."

* * * * *

When Harry exited the Classroom finally, he found himself surrounded by a host of DA members.

"So, what did he say?" Neville asked breathlessly.

"Did he allow it, Harry?" Colin Creevey asked.

"I hope he said we could do it!" exclaimed Parvati Patil.

"Guys! Guys! Guys!" Harry said exasperatedly. "There is no need to get hyped up. He said it is okay. He has no objection. He even agreed to help the group.

There was a collective sigh from the group at this and they broke into a cheer.

Harry however, raised his hand to ask for silence and then said, "He only suggested one thing...that this year, we should call the DA only the Dark Arts Group or something so simple on those lines; and not something so catchy as Dumbledore's Army."

All of them broke into laughs at this. As for Harry, his pleasant mood carried on throughout the day, even when he lost a few points for Gryffindor, in Snape's class for no reason whatsoever.

* * * * *

It was now two weeks since the news of the assassination of the French Minister of Magic had reached Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world, for that matter. There was no remarkable change on any new sequence of events that had taken place in the school. Classes were proving more exacting than ever, especially with the increasingly complex magic that the sixth-years had to deal with. Although the NEWTs were nearly one year and nine months away, it seemed to Harry that their teachers were trying to cram in the whole of their NEWTs curriculum into one single year. However, Hermione promptly proved wrong this theory of his, by giving him a whole list of all the things that they still had to learn in their remaining time at Hogwarts. Ron had seconded his view - his palette was a lot lighter than either Harry's or Hermione's - but he was doing the worst job among them, of keeping up with his work. Hermione often chided him, saying that he could get his work done in the free periods he had, but whether he just shrugged the advice off, or was refraining from telling them something - Harry could not say definitely.

The only notable absentee at Hogwarts during all this time, at least to the trio, was Albus Dumbledore - the Headmaster himself. Evidently, the situation at the Ministry was nothing short of mayhem. The Warlocks of the Wizengamot - which acted much like the Parliament coupled with the High Court - were holding daily meetings to review the perilous situation and talks about impeaching Fudge as the minister were definitely gaining ground. A massive undercurrent against Fudge was rapidly surfacing in the wizarding world. Ironically, even the Daily Prophet, the self-proclaimed filter of all news among the English wizarding community could not keep itself immune from this trend and articles regarding Fudge's incompetence slowly began to resurface in the newspaper with periodic regularity.

According to the Prophet, Dumbledore, being the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, was having a tough time, moderating the opinions of most of his colleagues in the organisation. It seemed surprising to Harry that Dumbledore, who himself never stood for the conventional, was now providing a moderate voice, and that too in support of Fudge, who had accused him last year of trying to overthrow him from his chair and even tried to arrest him for that, albeit unsuccessfully.

He spoke about this view of his before Ron and Hermione one evening in the common room. At this, Hermione told him, "Don't worry about things that are not in your hand, Harry. I daresay Dumbledore has everything figured out and he knows what he is doing. Besides, if you are really curious about this, I will tell you what I think. I believe that Dumbledore wants to stop someone ruthless and unforgiving from assuming office. Fudge might be weak, adamant, and power-hungry; but at least he wont start a full-fledged war. The stakes are too high for that. I believe that is what Dumbledore thinks. Because if the war starts, you will be left with no time to prepare yourself. Don't you see this yet? He is trying to buy you some time."

"No," Ron objected. "Dumbledore wouldn't do that. He would never support Fudge, especially after last year."

"Oh Ron," Hermione said exasperatedly. "You are so thick. Anyone would think you have a Muggle background...Just wait and consider this. Can you think about certain words that could describe the situation today?"

"Dunno." Ron said, thinking really hard. "Maybe tense, and fearful, anxious and a sense of foreboding."

"Exactly." Hermione said, her eyes gleaming with the kind of light that they always glowed with whenever she succeeded in putting across a valid point of argument. "Now, you can't expect all witches and wizards to take a rational stand in such a case. What Dumbledore is trying to do, I think, is to fist have the situation calm down and then decide on the future course of action. Considering that we don't know yet of Voldemort's plans for the wizarding world, I think we would be playing into his hands if we started openly attacking him. We cannot afford this war, not with the kind of support that we have at the moment. That's what I believe Dumbledore wants. Either way, I don't think Fudge has many days left in his office."

"A most excellent deduction, Miss Granger." Came a voice from behind them - from towards the portrait hole which they had their backs against - "If it were not for the fact that this will have no immediate bearing on your school performance, I would gladly have awarded you fifty points."

Hermione and Ron turned around in their seats to come face-to-face with Albus Dumbledore. Harry though, didn't turn around or make any movement, since that voice had given him enough surprises to last a life time. However, he was undeniably curious. After all, it was the first time, he had seen Albus Dumbledore actually make an appearance inside the Gryffindor common room.

"Professor?" Hermione said. Ron had his mouth hanging open in surprise while Harry merely continued gazing into the fire. (He knew that Dumbledore must have come here for a purpose and in good time, it would be revealed) "What are you doing here?" Hermione asked.

"Well, actually, I am here to see Harry, as with you and Mr Weasley here." Dumbledore said. "I did promise you that...I daresay that it is nice to be back in the common room after so many years. Sort of brings out old memories to the fore from the time when I was a lad."

Ron sniggered inwardly. He could not imagine Dumbledore as a young, carefree lad.

Dumbledore continued, "I would have met you a few days earlier, as you three had no doubt intended me to do, but unfortunately, I did not take the subsequent events into account...Anyway, I believe that you have something interesting to tell me."

Hermione looked at Harry and when he gave her an almost imperceptible nod, she told Dumbledore regarding their discussion about Harry not having felt Voldemort's presence the night of the murder of the French minister.

"Well, there is a very simple explanation to all that, Hermione," Dumbledore said. He had addressed Hermione using her first name for the first time. "Harry blocked Lord Voldemort off. Unknowingly, I am sure, and without meaning to. He used Occlumency to protect himself from the vision."

"But how?" Ron interjected. "Harry isn't an Occlumens. He is still learning. And at the time of the attack, he hadn't even practised for months."

"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "But you forget Ron, that sometimes, a piece of magic performed unknowingly has far greater consequences that magic knowingly brought into force. How Harry kept Lord Voldemort out, we might never know for it was without doubt, magic at its deepest, forged by the connection they share. But the important thing is that Voldemort is now aware of what happened, about how Harry did not get the vision. He will now try even harder to break your defences, Harry and for that you need to learn Occlumency once again."

"We started Harry on the mind relaxation techniques," Hermione informed Dumbledore. "He has almost perfected them." What Hermione said was indeed true. Harry was having much more success in controlling his emotions than he previously did.

"Yes, it is just as well." Dumbledore said. "You will be starting Occlumency once again as per last year's schedule, Harry. Mondays at six in the evening. Professor Snape will be waiting for you in the dungeons to teach you and you will be going there under the excuse of having to attend Remedial Potions."

"But why can't you teach me?" Harry asked, speaking for the first time in this entire exchange. "Why does it have to be Snape still? Especially after last year; even you told me that it was a mistake on your part not to teach me Occlumency."

"Yes, but in today's context," Dumbledore replied patiently, and looking gently at Harry, "The most important thing is that you establish a sizeable command over Occlumency, irrespective of who it is that teaches you. As such, I'll confess to you that the affairs of the Wizengamot are taking a toll on me and I'll be kept very busy indeed, in the days to come."

"Why, Professor?" Hermione asked, "What's happening?"

"Too much, I am afraid." Dumbledore replied. "Too much and things that we have no control over. As for enumerating all the affairs, I couldn't do that even if my life depended on it."

"Why? Don't you trust us?" Ron asked, sounding a bit hurt.

"Indeed no, Ron!" Dumbledore replied. "I don't think that I could find three persons who I could trust more, but the fact is that the affairs of the Wizengamot will seem dull and dreary to your youth. However, I will venture to give you some information, seeing as you already have deduced so much and considering that lack of information could indeed be deemed dangerous.

"At the moment, the Wizengamot is merely entertaining the idea of impeaching Cornelius Fudge and appointing a new Minister of Magic in his stead. Yet, I fear that soon, that notion will transcend into something more dangerous. I fear that the members of the Wizengamot may decide to take on the administration of the Ministry and the issues confronting it into their own hands. In that case, I'm afraid no one will be able to help us."

"Why?" Hermione questioned. "I have heard that some of the most honest wizards and witches are members of the Wizengamot. And you are the Chief Warlock." She added, as if that settled the matter.

"Yes, that maybe so," Dumbledore said. "But power can do strange things to people. Even Lord Voldemort was Tom Riddle once - a gullible and honest boy. But it was power that corrupted him, that made him the greatest threat to the world that we live in."

"The Wizengamot has always been more than just the High court of appeal," he continued. "It is the highest authority in the wizarding world, an authority to which even the minister is subservient. But till now, we have always been passive onlookers. True, we have never felt the need to exercise our almost unlimited powers. All the more reason why I fear to see the Wizengamot abandon its passivity!"

"One thing is for sure," Dumbledore resumed, a faraway look in his blue eyes. "We cannot risk open war in the current scenario. If we declare war openly, we will find ourselves standing all alone without the support of other magical communities. Till today, we have only seen Lord Voldemort's guerrilla tactics. I can't imagine what will transpire in open war against him."

"So, why then are you defending Fudge?" Ron asked; glad that they could get so much information out of the Headmaster.

"Well, I'm afraid that the Daily Prophet must share a blame for that." Dumbledore answered. "I have merely been trying to state that although Cornelius is to bear the lion's share of the blame for ignoring the return of Lord Voldemort, other people who could have warned the world of the same are also responsible. Hence, it is time that we stop the blame game and get down to business. I am afraid the Daily Prophet rather misinterpreted my statements."

"Sir," Ron asked, "If Fudge gets removed from office, and the elections take place, why don't you stand for the Minister's post? I am sure you will have ample support."

"Yes, Ron," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling merrily. "I daresay that Griselda Marchbanks has many friends. But I would never want to leave Hogwarts now, would I? And besides, there are many people who would be more interested in getting the job, more so than I."

They sat there in silence for a moment and then Dumbledore got up saying, "I'll better leave now. I still have to go to London tomorrow. Good luck, all three of you." With that, he went to the portrait hole, and still maintaining his amazing poise and grace, went out and disappeared from sight.

As he did so, Ron exclaimed, "That was an eye-opener and make no mistake about that!"

* * * * *

So it was that Monday came, in much the same fashion as it always did, ignoring the rumblings of the outside world and vesting only a purely academic interest in the comings and goings of the outside world, something that the Daily Prophet informed them about. There was a shadow of apprehension, yes, but they seemed too remote like the white clouds high up in the sky, incapable of bringing in a storm, incapable of troubling the hearts and minds of living things.

Over the past two weeks, Harry had received many inquiries from the DA members regarding the time to hold the meetings, but he had not yet had time to do so. He had informed them though, that the meetings would still be held in the Room of Requirement, but as for the time, they would have to pay close attention to the false galleons in their pockets. He had yet to decide on the format of their exercise and had resolved to take up that matter with Ron and Hermione that night.

However, at the moment, it was six o' clock in the evening, and Harry had an Occlumency lesson to attend. He walked down to the Potions dungeon and to Snape's office, partly in trepidation and partly with confidence. Trepidation, because he did not know how vicious Snape would be, especially since his last Occlumency lesson had involved Harry getting more than a sizeable glimpse of Snape's worst memory; and confidence, because a couple of weeks worth of mind-relaxation exercises with Hermione had taught him to have better control over his emotions and his mind.

When he reached the Potions master's office and knocked at the door, it opened noiselessly, as usual, giving him entry into the cold room.

As soon as Harry entered the room, the door shut by itself again and he found himself looking at the cold, sneering gaze of Severus Snape. Harry did not see a Pensieve anywhere. Perhaps Snape had hidden it somewhere away from him.

As soon as the door closed, Snape got up from behind his desk and walked over in front of Harry, staring at him in the eye all the time. Harry looked back at him defiantly.

"Anger, emotion, defiance." Snape said slowly. "These are hindrances to the art of Occlumency. Unless you make your mind immune from these...these weaknesses, shall I say, you will never succeed in becoming an Occlumens."

"But sir," Harry said, gritting his teeth to prevent his anger from seeping through into his words, "I have heard that emotions make us human. Surely you don't want to imply something other wise."

"That's enough, Potter." Snape ordered. "I am not here to answer your questions. I am doing this only out of a favour to you and a because of a request from the Headmaster. It is time now that we got on with the lesson."

Snape raised his wand and barked, "Potter, be prepared."

Harry tried to invoke one of the mind relaxation exercises that he had learnt with Hermione's help in the past few days. It seemed to work up to some level, it seemed to him as he could feel a barrier getting created between his mind and the force of the spell that emanated from Snape's wand after he had shouted 'Leglimens'. But as a few seconds passed, he felt the barrier vanishing. He tried to concentrate harder on keeping up the barrier, but as hard as he tried, it was to no avail. It was like holding sand in your grip. The harder you tried to keep it there, the quicker it leaked from your palm.

Finally, he felt a dozen or so memories flashing through his mind. There was his summer at the Dursleys...the ice-cream parlour at which he worked...Sirius falling through the veil...his first real birthday party...But suddenly, all of it stopped and Harry found himself, lying in a heap on the ground.

"Occlumency is not something that can be enforced by the agitated mind, Potter." Snape said, fingering his wand. "It is possibly the only branch of magic, in which the concentration of wizard who performs this skill is of no use. The strength to uphold the barrier must come from within your mind. It is an involuntary strength or gesture in our normal lives, but Occlumency deals with bringing that skill under control and making it abide by your wishes."

For once, Snape was talking to him in a civil manner and was explaining to him, the nuances of Occlumency in a proper way. Harry guessed that the answer to this riddle was Dumbledore. He deduced that the Headmaster had coerced Snape to be more civil and considerate with Harry, at least during their Occlumency lessons.

But these thoughts vanished from his mind as Snape ordered him, "Get up now, Potter. I don't have all evening you know. Prepare yourself now." But before Harry even got up completely, Snape had performed the spell on him, and Harry's mind was flooded with past memories. But the once memory that beheld his attention fro the most part, was that of him kissing Hermione, on the floor of the alcove by the lake, on her birthday. In a while, he felt the spell being lifted off and he lay in a heap once again on the floor."

Harry expected Snape to make some scathing remark about him and Hermione, but to his surprise, nothing of that sort came. On the contrary, Snape's expression was something Harry had never seen before on the sallow face of his - vindication. However, the look passed as soon as Snape perceived Harry looking at him.

He now sneered at Harry, as if he were exacting revenge for letting him see that expression. "Potter, is this all you've got? No wonder you failed to perceive the truth and rushed off like a fool to save your Godfather!"

As soon as he said this however, Snape truly regretted it. Harry Potter was enraged, he knew it. His green eyes shone with fire and the heat of anger began radiating from his body in waves. For a while, Severus Snape was reminded of the vision of Lord Voldemort, standing before him, murder in his eyes. But the vision soon passed as Harry said to him, "Sir, I think it's time you told me what to do next."

Snape decided not to press the matter further. He was suddenly afraid and he knew why. He tried to regain his composure and said, "Then get out of here, Potter. I'll expect to see you again on Thursday. Till then, keep practising or it won't be pleasant what I might punish you with for not practising."

Harry took it as a dismissal order and gladly exited the slimy dungeons. He was son angry with Snape that he didn't even notice how tired he was, till he reached the Fat Lady's portrait. Exhaustion seemed to have caught up with him now. By the time he climbed through the portrait hole and made his way to the corner by the fire where Ron and Hermione were sitting, his head was spinning, and his mind was rendered incapable of thinking.

"So, how did it go?" Hermione put aside her books and turned her attention to Harry.

"Okay, I guess," Harry replied. "I think I did okay the first time - created some sort of a barrier between Snape and myself, but the second time, I could do nothing." With that, he narrated what had happened during the lesson, although he omitted the part about Snape's remark regarding Sirius; about the memory of Hermione and him kissing being revealed to Snape and about his near blow-up in the end.

"Don't worry, Harry," Hermione told Harry. "It will be okay. You'll learn fast enough."

"I hope so." Harry said, glumly. He was glad that he hadn't lost his control before Snape earlier in the evening.

"So, what do you reckon we should do in the DA this year?" Harry asked after some time, eliciting complete interest from Ron and Hermione.

"Dunno mate." Ron said. "You are going to be the one teaching us. I would have thought that you would have all of it figured out in your mind."

"I was thinking about sticking to last year's pattern initially." Harry answered thoughtfully. "But ever time I thought about it, I always remembered what happened back at the Department of Mysteries. I think that along with new, useful spells, we also need to practise duelling, even with odds like to two to one, or even three to one."

"That's a good idea, Harry." Hermione said, appreciatively.

Ron however, was more vocal in his appreciation. He said, "Good? That's a bloody brilliant idea, mate! But when are we going to meet?"

"What about Saturday at four in the afternoon?" Hermione suggested. "It's a weekend, so everyone would be free and we could have a go at it for a long time, if we wanted to."

Harry thought for a moment and then nodded, "Yes, that would be fine." With that, he changed the date and time on the fake galleon that he always carried in his pocket out of habit.

Later that night, at dinner, Harry found several of the DA members coming over to him to confirm the date and venue of their meeting or waving at him from afar. Some of them wanted to bring new members along and Harry gladly acquiesced to there request, saying, "The more the merrier!"

* * * * *

It was Wednesday at breakfast. The post arrived soon. Many of the students, including Hermione, were daily subscribers to the Daily Prophet and they received a big surprise when they unfolded the paper and began reading it.

The headline was in bold letter as always but today it had been enchanted to sparkle in various colours, as if to highlight the new item further. The front page read-

CORNELIUS FUDGE SACKED AS MINISTER OF MAGIC

According to inside sources from the Ministry, it had indeed been confirmed for the Daily Prophet, that the incumbent Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge has been sacked from his post. The Daily Prophet had come across a formal Wizengamot order, that is to be made public sometime today, that the decision has been finalised.

Sources revealed that the Wizengamot under the Presidentship of Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore met in London yesterday and took the decision. This decision has been expected ever since the confirmation of the news that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned, and the subsequent assassination of French Minister of Magic, Charles Le Tallec, by You-Know-Who in London. The official release of the Wizengamot meeting cites inefficiency, incompetence and an excessive hunger for power as the reasons behind Minister Fudge's sacking.

The Wizengamot has now installed Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law enforcement as the acting Minister of Magic till such date as the elections for the new minister are held.

Aspirants to the Minister's post have now begun planning their campaigns for the forthcoming elections. Madam Bones has hitherto not announced any plan of wanting to contest the elections, which as per wide belief, are to be conducted under the shadow of the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his band of Death Eaters.

It must be reminded that Cornelius Fudge was elected the Minister of Magic...

The article went on about Fudge's political career and his past history of jobs. As expected, a lot of blame was placed on him for ignoring Voldemort's return and by the time, the reporter had finished criticising Fudge and concluded by writing that Fudge was a mean, selfish, good-for-nothing old man who should never have been elected to the post in the first place (Ron took serious offence to this, saying that it was apparently the Daily Prophet whose vocal support had swung the previous elections in Fudge's favour) The whole of Fudge's eighty years of life had been torn to bits due to over-analysing and six pages of the newspaper had been exhausted in the process.

"Well, I guess that was expected." Hermione said in a low voice, so that only Harry and Ron could hear her. Both boys nodded at this.

"I just hope the new minister has the sense to listen to Dumbledore and the Order." Ron concluded, as he continued with his breakfast.

Harry meanwhile, remained silent and thought to himself, "If only it were that simple, Ron!"

* * * * *