Harry Potter and the Undead Alliance

Harry was able to avoid his friends for the next couple days which made it easier to get to his study time with Kari without any questions. There was very light and brief conversation between the three, usually with Hermione in the middle. She was still acting a bit coolly to Harry but not as bad as he had expected. By the time the weekend came around, he was beginning to miss sitting with his friends and even missed watching Ron flirt with Hermione.

Quidditch practice Saturday had been pretty horrible. He had no real direction for the Chasers and they were the ones that needed to work together the most. The Beaters remembered enough from last year to show their improvement so they weren't a huge concern. Ginny had been on the team last year but she had been the Seeker so she was also new to the Chaser position. Harry saw Ginny giving Ron dirty looks throughout practice and knew it was to stop her brother from making comments about how bad the team was playing.

After supper that evening, Harry was still in a funk from practice and nearly walked into Kari who was waiting by the portrait of fruit for him. "Can't you think of something more original than running into me again?" she asked, as she avoided the collision.

"Sorry," Harry admitted, "rough practice."

"So we have a chance this year?" she asked sounding hopeful.

"Unless I can figure out how to be a decent Captain, yeah. I know nothing about Chaser plays," he told her.

"Well," Kari said looking uncomfortable, "Weasley's always talking Quidditch, just ask him for help."

Harry thought for a second. At first he hadn't wanted to ask Ron because of Ron's attitude but since it was best for the team, he'd have to swallow a little pride and ask. Kari must have seen him thinking and said, "Boys. Never want to ask for help." She saw Harry smile at this and said, "Ready to face their wrath when you bring me to the meeting?"

Harry nodded confidently and said, "Ready. Ready to get beat by some fifth years?"

"Unless you've changed up the plan I think I can handle them," she said, bumping her shoulder into his.

When they reached the door to the Room of Requirement, the two walked in hearing the other students talking. Harry smiled when he saw the expression of wonder Kari was wearing, remembering his first time seeing this room. Suddenly things got very quiet and then the whispering started. Both Harry and Kari saw everyone staring at them but Harry nodded his head in a direction and the two walked over to where Hermione was standing. He was able to ignore the strange looks from the members but couldn't ignore those his friends were giving him as they approached. "What?" Harry snapped, causing Ron and Ginny to close their mouths.

"Hello Kari," Hermione said, still a little strained but not entirely unpleasant tone.

"Hermione," Kari responded.

"I asked Kari if she wanted to join the group," Harry said, and saw Ron and Ginny's faces look even more shocked. "She knows about the sign-up sheet and the consequences of betraying the group," he added, meeting Hermione's eyes.

"Umm....Sure," Hermione said, fumbling through her bag before producing a piece of parchment. "Are you sure you understand what signing this means?" Hermione asked, looking intently at the Slytherin girl.

"Fully," she replied with the same intent look, and quickly scrawled her name at the bottom of the parchment causing a brief twinkle around the writing.

Hermione rolled the parchment back up and dug out another token to give the girl. Ron's confused glare had now taken on a very angry look but Harry couldn't make out Ginny's thoughts from her expression; he only knew it didn't look good. Ron looked like he wanted to say something but Harry quickly said, "Ok, I think that since many of us are working on shield charms in class that we should try some spells that tend to break them down quickly." The students had stopped mumbling about Kari and were paying attention. "Spells that are focused will break down a shield quicker than full body spells such as Stupefy. The blinding curse is one that is tightly focused but still not too advanced so we should all be able to do it." He went on to describe the curse and made sure to tell everyone the counter to it in case someone was blinded.

The students paired up and Harry gave Hermione a pleading look which she understood, so she agreed to pair up with Kari, making Ron scowl even more. By the end of the class, Harry was pleased to see that they all seemed worn out and also that nearly everyone had successfully performed the blinding curse. Harry was just about to follow Kari out of the room when he heard, "Harry, we need to talk to you for a minute." He turned to see Ron glaring at him.

Turning back to Kari he was about to apologize when she said, "Time to see if you can handle them." The girl smiled and said, "Thanks for bringing me. I really appreciate it."

"It's our deal remember," Harry said smiling back, and then turned to face the wrath of his friends.

As soon as the door was shut Ron started, "A Slytherin! You brought a bloody Slytherin to our group."

Hermione shook her head at Ron and then said, "I think what Ron's trying to say is..."

She was cut off by Ron bellowing, "I said what I'm trying to say. How could you bring a Slytherin here?"

Harry's anger quickly flared but he saw a slightly hurt look on Ginny's face and that caused him to keep it in check. He hoped to not tell them about his deal with Kari but realized that without telling them to stay out of his business that was probably the only way to get out of this. "She's alright Ron," Harry firmly said.

Before Ron could reply Hermione said, "He's right Ron. Kari's always seemed ok. Not all of them are like Malfoy."

"What'd she do, just walk up to you, give a pretty smile and ask you to bring her?" Ginny coldly asked.

"Yeah!" Ron agreed. "Is this like Cho, where you were falling all over yourself?"

Harry had just about enough and was ready to launch into two of his friends when Hermione snapped, "That's uncalled for both of you. Ron do I have to remind you about Fleur?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ron causing his eyes to suddenly lose their hateful look. "And Ginny," Hermione said, turning to her other friend, "I seem to remember..."

"Ok...Ok..." Ginny quickly said before Hermione could say something terribly embarrassing.

"That's not how it is," Harry angrily said. "I made her a deal ok! You've seen how I'm doing better in Potions. Well she's helping me and in return she wanted into the D.A. I told her about the magical contract and everything. She just wants to learn like the rest of us and I really need help with Potions."

The two girls immediately softened their looks but Ron hadn't come around yet. Hermione quickly said, "You could have asked me Harry. I would have helped you."

"You're always off -studying- with Ron," Harry said, immediately feeling bad for his tone. "I mean that's great and everything. I'm happy for you two but I still could use the help and she's smart." He turned to Ginny and said, "Even you said I'd know something was wrong if you ever asked me for Potions help. You know I need it."

Ginny grudgingly agreed and said, "So that's where you go off to after supper. You're off with her."

"Studying potions!" Harry quickly added.

"I wish you would have talked to us before," Hermione said. "It was just a shock."

"You didn't talk to me about all the other people you invited before the first class," Harry quickly replied.

"I didn't think you cared as long as there weren't many," Hermione explained.

"I didn't," Harry agreed. "But I don't see why I needed to get all of your permission when no one ever asked me for mine."

"You're right," Hermione quickly said, not wanting another argument. "Let's just all agree that if we want someone else to join we talk about it first. Just so none of us are surprised."

"Fine by me," Harry said.

"Me too," Ginny said.

"I don't want anyone else in anyway so it's fine by me," Ron added.

The four walked back to the Common Room in silence and even after sitting in their normal corner, they were strangely quiet. "How'd you start talking to her anyway?" Ron asked, breaking the silence. Harry couldn't believe his friend had just asked that and before he could snap back Ron continued, "I mean we never talk to them. I don't see how you two made this deal if you never talked." Ginny looked torn between her brother's rude question and wanting to know the answer.

"I just ran into her and we started talking," Harry replied, thinking that was exactly how it happened. "Then she saw me studying potions and it just came up. I do talk to other people you know."

"Ron," Ginny quickly said, "You're always off -studying- with Hermione so I don't think you can say anything about Harry finding other people to talk to."

Hermione seemed the most shocked by Ginny's comment but Harry quickly said, "Thank you Ginny."

"You can always hang around with me," she said, and almost wished she hadn't because a blush quickly formed.

Harry didn't notice and said, "That'd be great but I don't think Dean would appreciate it."

Hermione and Ginny exchanged glances before Ginny said, "Oh well he won't mind. We broke up a while back?"

"What?" Ron exclaimed. "What'd the prat do?"

Hermione shook her head but Ginny calmly replied, "He didn't do anything, it just wasn't working. No big deal."

"I'm sorry Ginny," Harry offered. "I noticed you weren't sitting with him as much but didn't know you two had split. I should have paid more attention."

"That's ok," Ginny said with a smile. "You've got more important things to think about."

"That doesn't matter," he replied. "You're my friend and I should have noticed."

"Well that's just a sign you shouldn't be dating yet. Why don't you wait a couple years," Ron said.

Hermione and Harry were ready for the blowup but Ginny only said, "I'll wait if you do."

Now Ron blushed while Ginny stared defiantly at him. Harry and Hermione both laughed at how red his face was.

The next day Harry was focusing on the Potions assignment when he felt someone lean behind him and whisper, "I see they didn't hurt you too bad Potter."

Leaning back Harry quietly replied, "I think I'll live Boslav. And thanks, I actually understand the assignment."

"Ten points from Gryffindor for Potter's inability to remain quiet," Snape snapped as he glared at Harry. "Five for talking and five for trying to bring another student down to his level."

Straining to keep control of his temper, Harry just stared back at his cauldron and slowly added the next ingredients but didn't miss Malfoy snickering from the next table. Chopping the next ingredient with more force than necessary, Harry fumed at how much he hated both the Professor and the blonde Slytherin at the next table.

The friends had just left Transfiguration that afternoon and Ron asked, "Why didn't McGonagall give Harry points for his chair. That looked perfect and she's always making up for the points that greasy git takes."

Harry gave Hermione a questioning look but she firmly replied, "Probably because Harry actually did something to cause the points to be taken. She only gives us points back when Professor Snape takes points for no reason."

Harry shrugged but had learned to not dwell on things that happened in Potions class. Ron brought him out of his thoughts. "C'mon Harry let's get to practice before supper."

Once again, practice hadn't gone well. Harry was regretting not paying attention in past practices since he now had no idea what the previous captains were telling the other members. He felt it was only Ginny who had kept the other two chasers from hexing him for his lack of clear direction. It had only been when Ron suggested a simple play that the three chasers had been able to form any move that remotely looked like the previous year's team.

"We'll need to see if there are any plays in some of my old magazines," Ron reluctantly told Harry as they entered the common room. Harry didn't notice the look Ginny gave Hermione just before heading up to the girl's dorm. When Harry did look at Hermione, he could tell she was a bit uncomfortable so he headed over to where she was sitting.

"I bloody well stink as captain," he admitted as he sunk into the chair. "I should just tell McGonagall to give it to Ron so we have half a chance. I have no idea how to come up with plays."

Hermione knew her boyfriend would love to be captain, but she also felt terrible for Harry. She knew the other players would be more willing to follow Harry then they would Ron and knew how much it hurt him to be bad at something. Hesitantly, she leaned forward after making sure no one could hear and said, "Listen Harry. This is really hard for me you know but maybe you could...you know ask someone who knows about these things."

Harry looked confused and said, "I did ask Ron, but he's a bit hesitant to suggest much...I mean I understand he'd like to be captain and everything..."

"Maybe there's someone else who would be more helpful..." Hermione said, still watching to see if anyone could hear. "Someone who knows a lot about Quidditch..." Seeing that Harry didn't pick anything up she said she quietly added, "Someone you competed against before and knows people..."

"I don't think Cho would help much. She already told me to look at Quidditch Monthly magazine," Harry said.

"Not Cho," Hermione sighed and leaned closer. "What about someone that was here for a while and you competed against. Someone older who happens to play professionally..." she added, raising her eyebrows.

After just a second Harry looked like he got the hint and said, "Krum! You think I should ask Victor?"

"Shhh...." Hermione snarled, and looked around. "You can't let anyone know I suggested that Harry... I mean anyone. If someone thought I told you to ask him it would be....uncomfortable."

Harry nodded and looked around before asking, "You think he'd help?"

"Probably," she quietly replied, "He likes you and thought you flew really well. You know he really felt guilty about what happened in the final task. He's kind of like you and blames himself."

"Really?" Harry hadn't considered that Victor would feel like that. "He shouldn't blame himself. It's not his fault he got put under the imperious curse." Harry saw the look of almost triumph Hermione was giving him and he added, "I know...I know... It's just easier when it's someone else. I think I will write him." He saw the worry on her face and added, "And I won't say anything to anyone. Thank you Hermione. This actually gives me a bit of hope."

The four of them were heading down to supper when Harry said, "I've got to go send an owl. I'll meet you guys at the table."

"Who're you sending a note to?" Ron asked, as Harry disappeared down the hall.

"Probably Lupin," Hermione said, trying to sound like it wasn't important.

Harry burst through the owlery door and heard, "Hey! Watch what you're doing."

Turning, he saw Cho Chang who obviously had jumped back to miss the wildly swinging door. "Sorry Cho," Harry said. "Are you ok?"

She seemed to soften as she said, "I'm fine Harry. In a bit of a hurry aren't you?"

"Just need to send this and get down to supper," Harry said, as Hedwig landed on his shoulder. Harry didn't want Cho to know who he was sending this to so he quietly whispered, "Take this to Victor Krum please." Hedwig gave him a proud look and puffed out her chest before nibbling his ear and flying out the window.

"Oh, secret notes," Cho teased. "I'll be disappointed if I see your owl drop something at the Slytherin table tonight."

"What?" Harry quickly asked, and then guessed she thought he was seeing Kari as well. "Just asking a friend for some help. It's a guy and he lives far away."

Cho studied him for a minute and said, "That's good then. C'mon I'll walk you to supper." They had gone a ways when she asked, "How's your team coming?"

Harry felt a bit ashamed and admitted, "Horribly. I never paid attention to anything other than my position before. I don't know what McGonagall was thinking."

"Well maybe we'll actually have a chance this year." Harry could tell she was teasing. "McGonagall knows the Gryffindors would follow you anywhere. She did the right thing. I suppose everyone other than the Slytherins would follow you anywhere if you asked."

Harry looked shocked but said, "Well that wouldn't be very smart of them, I can tell you that." After walking just a bit further in silence he asked, "How do you think the D.A. is going this year?"

"Great!" she quickly said, and then seemed a bit embarrassed but added, "I mean good. It's just different learning from you. You're really good with the rest of us. Not sure about your latest recruit but I suppose you know what you're doing."

Harry laughed and as he held the door to the dining hall open he said, "You should never assume I know what I'm doing."

"Well thanks for walking me to supper," Cho said with a smile, "Maybe we'll meet in the owlery again sometime."

Returning the smile Harry said, "I'll be more careful next time I come through the door. And, I thought you were walking me to supper."

The next night Harry caught Kari staring off while they were studying potions and kept thinking he should ask her if something was wrong. When the two shifted to Defense practice, she kept stopping and acting like she wanted to say something. Finally Harry asked, "Is something wrong? I didn't do anything did I?"

The girl studied him for a moment and then said, "You didn't do anything. I've just got a lot on my mind right now. Sorry for being so spacey."

"Trust me, I know how that is," Harry joked back, and decided to not push her for more information.

The day of the first Quidditch match had arrived without any response from Victor. Harry had become very agitated and worried about the match. He and Ron had gotten into a few shouting matches about how plays should be carried out and it caused the four friends to choose sides. Hermione sided with Ron but Ginny usually sided with Harry. Thankfully by the next day, each of them had put any hard feelings behind them.

After breakfast, Harry felt he needed to be alone to try and calm down before the match so he headed down to the lake and sat along the bank. He had been so worried about Quidditch that he didn't even realize he hadn't focused on losing Sirius or the prophecy in the last week.

"Trying to hide Potter," Kari asked, as she approached from behind him.

Harry actually smiled at hearing her voice. Even though he wanted to be alone, the Slytherin girl had never done a single thing to annoy him and usually kept his mind off things. "Just trying to figure out some way to actually act like a captain today," Harry admitted without turning around. The girl sat down next to him and he teased, "Did I say you could join me Boslav?"

Kari shook her head and said, "When have I cared what you say Potter? I'm here and that's the way it is."

Harry chuckled and the two sat in silence until Kari asked, "Can I ask about your godfather?" This shocked Harry and he snapped his head around to stare at the girl. "It's important that I understand something and you'll have to trust me on this. I don't want to tell you why until the end...So can I?"

"I guess," Harry said, as he started staring as his feet.

"Ok... Now don't jump to anything and this is going to be a little weird but just trust me," she said uncertainly.

"A Slytherin asking me to trust them?" Harry said with more spite than he meant.

"No, not a Slytherin, just me," Kari calmly replied, and looked directly at his face. Harry just nodded so she asked, "Sirius died during the battle at the Ministry, right?" Harry nodded again. "Why was there no funeral?" she firmly asked.

Harry nearly snapped at her but could tell by the look in her face that she really wanted to know. After a long silence he said, "There wasn't ...isn't a body. He fell through some archway."

Kari studied him for a second and asked, "The Afterworld Veil? Did he go through the Afterworld Veil?"

Harry's eyes go huge and he asked, "You know about the veil?" She nodded and he said, "I don't know what it's called but he fell through an archway covered by a thin veil. I got close to it once and there were all these voices."

Harry thought he caught something flash through Kari's face but she regained control and asked, "You were that close?" Harry nodded still looking intently at her. "I swore I'd never tell anyone this....My brother...Skylar worked in the Department of Mysteries." Harry couldn't hide his surprise. "Remember, not all Slytherins are completely evil. Skylar was a good guy. He was killed by my other brother Damien. He's a Death Eater."

She paused while Harry just stared, trying to put his hands around the information. "Damien wanted information or something from Skylar and when Skylar wouldn't give it up, Damien killed him. Just like that."

"I'm sorry," Harry said, and then added, "How can you be around me then. If your brother knows you're around me, he'll come after you."

"We won't hide from him," Kari firmly said. "The rest of my family are good people. We won't cower from anyone." Harry slightly nodded, knowing how she felt. "Well anyway, Skylar knew things about the veil." Harry was almost in shock as she said this. "What if I told you there's a way to see Sirius again?"

"What?" Harry exclaimed, totally unable to control his emotion. "This better not be a joke."

"I wouldn't do that to you Harry," Kari said, grabbing his arm and looking directly into his eyes. "Maybe we can see them both. I don't think I can do it alone but I think about Skylar all the time and want to try."

"You're serious," Harry said, and Kari nodded, never taking her eyes off Harry's. "Of course I'll help. I'd do anything to see him again."

"We could get into serious trouble for this but I just keep thinking about him and need to try," the girl said almost pleadingly.

"I'm the same way," Harry admitted. "I dream about him all the time. Sometimes I can almost swear he's right in front of me."

The two just stared at each other for a minute until finally Kari said, "Ok. This won't be easy and we'll have to work together. But Skylar used to tell me stories of how a couple of the old-timers in that department had gone through the veil to talk to the dead, trying to get information about crimes and such. It's risky and he made it sound like they wished they hadn't gone but they went for different reasons. We'd be going to get some final closure with our family."

"I'd owe you big time if this works," Harry offered. "I'd do anything just to talk to Sirius for a minute."

"I'm the same with Skylar," she said. "If I read his journal correctly, we should have about twenty minutes to find them before we get pulled out." She grimaced and said, "Even if this works, if we get caught we're probably in for some serious trouble."

Harry almost snorted and said, "Well that will be pretty normal for me. I'd risk almost anything to see him again."

"Ok, well we need to...." Kari started to say before they were interrupted.

"Harry!! Harry!" Ron bellowed. "What are you doing with... Come on, the match is starting... We'll have to forfeit if you do get over there."

"Bullocks!" Harry exclaimed.

"Go on," Kari said. "We'll finish this later."

Harry was still in a daze as he followed Ron to the changing room. "What were you doing with her?" Ron snapped. "I bet she tried to get you to miss the match."

"What?" Harry questioned. "Why would she do that? We're playing Hufflepuff."

"Yeah but if we lose that'll put Slytherin in a prime spot," Ron said, as they entered the changing room.

"Where have you been?" Ginny questioned, and was followed by the rest of the team.

"He was with the Slytherin," Ron spat.

Harry didn't listen to any more protests and snarled, "Go on out, I'll change and be right there."

After changing, Harry was stopped by one of the people he least wanted to see right now. "Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said in the tone that clearly indicated she wasn't pleased. "I trusted this team to you and you repay that by forgetting about the first match of the year."

"I'm sorry Professor," Harry said. "I got involved and it slipped my mind."

"Well I dare say a match never slipped Oliver Wood's mind."

"The match is going to start, I really need to get going," Harry said, hoping to get away from the woman.

Harry flew directly to the center of the pitch where the Hufflepuff captain was waiting with Madame Hooch who didn't look pleased at all. "Another minute and you would have forfeited the match Potter."

Harry had heard this enough and was about to snap at the woman when she let the snitch go. It quickly buzzed in front of each captain before disappearing into the bright blue sky. The next second Madame Hooch blew her whistle and the match started.

Harry quickly flew up, higher than the other players in the center of the pitch. After scanning for the snitch a few moments, he let his mind drift back to what he and Kari were talking about earlier. 'Was there really a chance he could talk to Sirius again?' This was what he had been dreaming about for months. All kinds of ideas began going through his head about how this could be possible. Every time he brought up the veil to his friends they all got mad and said he had to forget about Sirius and now someone else was offering a chance to see his godfather again. Harry's mind was reeling with this new information.

Harry was still hovering in the center of the pitch when a large redhead boy appeared in his vision. "Harry! What the hell's wrong with you?"

Harry shook himself out of his thoughts and asked, "What? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong is that you're not in the match!" Ron bellowed. "I called a timeout. Get down here." With that Ron sped off to where the rest of the team had gathered looking angrily in their direction.

Harry joined the group only to be berated by many angry comments. Ignoring them he asked, "What's the score?"

"The score? You don't know the score?" Ron bellowed.

"It's 120-20 Hufflepuff," Ginny snapped. "What's with you?"

"We're losing?" Harry asked, and the rest of the team just looked at him stunned.

"Yes we're losing!" Ron snapped. "You're lucky we haven't lost. Their seeker went after the snitch but lost it in the crowd. You just sat there."

"Ok. Ok. I get it," Harry snapped back. "I see by the score that you haven't stopped much either!" Harry snarled to his friend.

"Stuff it you two," Ginny yelled, getting their attention.

"Ok, I'm with it now," Harry said. "You three," Harry said focusing on the chasers, "Just do the simple moves we've worked on. And you two," Harry turned to the beaters, "Give them some holes to work with." "I'll get my head out of my arse and you," Harry snapped to Ron, "Try to stop something will you."

"Potter! Get your team out here," Hooch snapped.

The match started again and within three minutes, the snitch appeared and Harry was able to loop their seeker and grab the little winged-ball from just below their keeper's foot giving Gryffindor a 190-140 win. On the way to the ground, Harry saw Kari heading around the corner of the stadium so as soon as he returned the snitch to Madame Hooch, he ignored the calls from his teammates and hurried toward the exit of the stadium.

"Nice match Potter," the ingratiating voice of Draco Malfoy was heard above the rest. "You keep that up and we're a lock for the cup."

Harry ignored the comment and kept walking. "Finally started hanging around a real woman and can't keep your mind on anything else?" Malfoy asked.

That comment caused Harry to stop and he faced the sneering blond boy. "What do you know Malfoy?'

"I know more than you want me to Potter. And just so you're clear, I make sure other people know as well."

"Yeah well you tell your dad and the other people that I'll be glad to kill them personally the next time I get a chance," Harry snapped, before catching Kari's form disappearing around the far side of the lake.

Finally Harry caught up to the girl and he grabbed her arm and asked, "Do you talk to Malfoy about anything we discuss?"

The girl jerked her arm away and snapped, "I don't tell Draco anything. I thought you said you trusted me?"

Harry dropped and put his head into his hands. "I'm sorry but he just stopped me and said he knows everything and it bothered me. There's just so much going on...I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it Potter," Kari said, sitting down next to him. "I shouldn't have sprung that on you before the match. You were pathetic really." Harry just groaned. "Listen, you were pathetic but you still won. Forget it."

Harry looked up into her face and asked, "Can we really do this?"

Kari nodded and said, "It'll take work and then we'll have to get there without being caught. I can deal with the preliminary stuff but we're going to have to find some way to get back into that room. That's your area since I've never been there. I do have some ideas about when. I'll have to try and see if they're on the same schedule."

"We're really going to be able to talk to them?" Harry asked, still amazed that this was possible.

"I'm not totally sure how it works, but it sounds like we'd have up to twenty minutes with them. Skylar never told me everything and his journal is really cryptic."

"Good enough for me," Harry firmly said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Well nothing yet," she replied. "We need a potion, but that's my area of expertise," she added with a smirk. "You can help of course but that's my part. You..." she said studying him. "You just do what you do. Make me believe that we can do this and figure out a way around the rules....Isn't that what you do?"

"I'll do whatever you say," Harry quickly offered.

"Anything?" Kari asked raising her eyebrow. "Don't forget I'm a Slytherin...How about we start with another supper?"

"Done," Harry gladly agreed. "You know you're really not so bad."

"Yeah same to ya Gryffindor," Kari joked. "Now get to your celebration. I'll get everything planned out."

Harry walked back to the common room replaying everything in his mind. He couldn't clearly remember even playing in a Quidditch match. The sound of the celebration could easily be heard when he stepped through the portrait but much of it conspicuously stopped once he was recognized. He tried to ignore the looks and made his way to where Hermione was studying in the corner.

He sat down across from his friend and could tell she was itching to say something so he said, "Go on say it. I stunk. I'm a horrible captain."

"Well yes," Hermione admitted. "But what I want to know is what she said to get you so distracted. You've never been like that before." She hesitated but then said, "You know Ron thinks she's trying to throw you off your game."

"She wouldn't do that," Harry challenged. "It was my fault, not hers. I should have kept my head on the game."

Just then Ginny came and sat next to Harry. "Don't sweat it Harry," she said in a very cheerful voice. "It was bound to happen that you'd have a bad game but we still won."

"Thanks Ginny," Harry said, trying to fake a smile. "There's no excuse though." Noticing the looks the other Gryffindors were giving him Harry said, "I'm going to go for a walk. Don't feel like I should be celebrating."

Hermione started to say something but Ginny stopped her and said, "Ok Harry but just remember we're here if you want to talk about anything."

Harry was able to give a genuine smile before he slipped back out of the common room and made his way towards the Room of Requirement. Entering the room without being followed, Harry quickly began practicing simple shields and confusion charms. Even though his mind kept straying to thoughts of seeing Sirius again, he was able to stop most of the spells shot at him from the practice dummies. When his stomach finally signaled he had been there long enough, he made his way to the kitchens and grabbed something before grabbing his books and working on his homework in a quiet corner of the common room.

Most of the ill-will from his house-mates about his performance the previous day had dissipated by breakfast. Harry did have to listen to Draco Malfoy's taunts but didn't give the Slytherin the satisfaction of responding. Just before he was about to head to class, a large brown owl swooped through the window and circled the Meal Hall one time before dropping a package into Harry's hands. Harry just shrugged at his friend's questioning looks before tearing the wrapping off the package. It was a think plain brown notebook with a small piece of parchment on front.

Mr. Harry Potter.

Victor Krum mentioned that you wanted some help with Chaser moves for your school Quidditch team. I have known Victor for many years and he speaks very highly of you both as a Seeker and as a Wizard. I put this small notebook together for you. These are some of our more simple plays from last year. We've since replaced most of these so it isn't giving away any secrets by sharing them with you. Having said that, I'd like to ask that you keep this just between us as I can't be sending this information off to just anyone.

Victor also included a couple diagrams of some seeker moves he thought you may be interested in. If you can actually pull them off, I would be extremely impressed. I told Victor they were much too advanced for someone your age but he just laughed and said you would be able to handle them. If that is the case then I will be very interest in speaking to you upon your graduation from Hogwarts.

I hope these meet your needs and Victor sends his regards.

Drex McNight

Offensive Coach

Puddlemeyer United

"So, what'd you get?" Ron asked, as he finished his last biscuit.

"Oh, just notes Lupin had on some spells. I've wanted something new for the D.A. meetings," Harry said, almost feeling bad at how easy lying was becoming. His mood was up all day at finally having some hope for getting his Quidditch team confident in their skills.

As soon as Transfiguration ended, Harry quickly gathered his books and was prepared to run back to the common room so he could look over the plays when Professor McGonagall stopped him. "Mr. Potter a minute please."

Hermione gave him a sympathetic look as he slowly trudged up to the Professor's desk. "Yes Professor," Harry said.

McGonagall waited until the other students were gone and then she said, "Mr. Potter, you're performance during the Quidditch match has me concerned." Harry began to protest but she cut him off. "I understand you have quite a lot going on and I was concerned from the beginning about adding to your load. You understand I need to do what's in the best interest of both you and the team."

"It won't happen again Professor," Harry pleaded. "I'll admit I didn't have any good ideas on what to work with the chasers on but I really feel better about it now. I'm sure it will be better."

"It's not just the chasers," McGonagall said. "I never thought I'd say this but the team doesn't seem to have confidence in your leadership."

"I agree," Harry said. "But I can change it, I promise. Just give me another chance."

The Professor studied him closely and said, "Very well Mr. Potter. I'll give you the chance to get the team back on track. Make sure you take advantage of it."

Harry had just left the corridor and heard, "Did the old bat finally come to her senses and throw you off the team Potter?" Harry saw Draco Malfoy and his two goons step into his path.

"Nothing better to do than follow me around Malfoy?" Harry snapped, while he glanced around to see that no one else was in the narrow hallway.

"You'd be surprised Potter," Malfoy smirked. "It seems you're all alone doesn't it?" Crabb and Goyle both grunted and cracked their knuckles.

"And yet you and your goons don't seem to worry me much," Harry said, letting his hand get closer to where his wand was stored.

Malfoy snorted and said, "You know as much as I'd like for us to deal with you right here and now, you'd find some way to make everyone think you won. No, I think we'll let you off for now. But don't worry; the whole school will know soon enough who can deal with the other." Harry was confused at this but held his groan as all three of the Slytherins knocked into his shoulder as they continued down the hall.

Seeing the questioning looks his friends were giving him as soon as Harry entered the common room, he quickly made his way to them and sat down next to Ginny but didn't instantly offer any information.

After a few minutes of small talk, Hermione said, "Well why don't we all go down to supper."

"Arrgh, I can't take this," Ron exclaimed, "What did McGonagall want? She didn't look too happy."

"Ron!" Ginny snapped.

"It's ok," Harry quickly said. "It won't surprise any of you. She's not too pleased with my performance as captain."

Harry didn't notice Hermione and Ginny's sympathetic looks but was surprised when Ron said, "Listen mate, it's our fault as well." Hermione and Ginny now just gazed at Ron with astonishment. "We just weren't in it. We'll work harder"

"Yeah, and we'll try to figure out some new chaser plays," Ginny added with a large smile.

Hearing this really lifted Harry's spirit and he heartedly said, "Thanks guys, that means a bunch. I've got some ideas on some plays as well so hopefully I won't be so worthless." Harry saw Hermione's eyebrow raise and he gave her a slight nod.

"Well that's good," Hermione said, grabbing Ron's hand. "I couldn't stand Slytherin winning the cup."

"You don't care about Quidditch," Ron replied, sounding shocked.

"I care about you three and know how you'd be if Slytherin beat us and don't think I could stand to be around any of you," she teased, as they headed down to supper.