Harry Potter and the Undead Alliance

Usually Harry's irritation at his best friend's comments faded quickly but this time they weren't receding at all. In fact, the more Harry felt guilty about the attack, the madder he became at what Ron had said. 'I've got more important things to think about than him,' Harry bitterly thought but then felt the pangs of loneliness creep in.

Hermione met Harry and Kari in the library just as they were finishing studying Potions and all three walked to the Room of Requirement. "I've asked Professor Dumbledore to see if we can find a Boggart to practice on. Until then we'll just have to pretend."

"Have you got a form before?" Kari asked Hermione, who was just looking at the floor.

"Yeah, an otter but it didn't work with real Dementors," she replied looking upset.

"That's the thing," Harry said, "you have to focus on the happiest thought you can and stay focused on that. Real Dementors suck all the happy thoughts out of you so it makes it a lot harder." Harry saw the two girls looking at him intently and said, "It can be something from your childhood or even last week, it just has to be something that made you really happy, and you can't let them suck it away. Maybe your thought just needs to change Hermione."

Within three tries Hermione's otter was running across the floor. "It's back! I did it!" she exclaimed.

"That's great Hermione," Kari said, obviously disappointed that she had only gotten mist.

"You can do it Kari," Harry said, "just focus completely on something that makes you really happy. Sometimes you just have to let the thought come to you. You can't try to force a certain thought to make you happy."

The girl studied him, nodded and firmly said, 'Expecto Patronum!' Suddenly a large dragon erupted from her wand and glided over the floor.

"Woa!" Harry exclaimed. "Now that's a Patronus!"

After more congratulations and practice Harry said, "When we get a Boggart, we'll try again. Until then, practice focusing on your memory. You'll need to call it up quickly when real Dementors are around or they'll suck all the good thoughts out. You both were great."

Two days before the Holiday break Harry and Ron still hadn't spoken and the D.A. was having their final meeting; the first one since the Dementors attacked Hogsmeade and everyone was hoping to work on the Patronus charm again. Harry demonstrated but when the students tried again, only Cho, Hermione and Kari reliably made corporeal forms. Harry moved over to Cho while the other students were practicing and said, "I heard your Patronus was the only one until the Aurors showed up. You did really good."

Cho smiled brightly, touched his arm and said, "Thanks Harry that means a lot. It was a lot harder with them around. It took me three tries before it worked."

"Yeah, I know," Harry replied. "Would you mind telling everyone that? I think they'd like to hear it from you that once you focused on the happy thought it finally worked."

"You think it would help?"

"I think they'd like to hear it from you since you were right there," Harry softly said.

Harry got everyone's attention and then Cho recounted the attack and how her first two attempts failed. The students were riveted to her story and Harry could see the pain on Hermione's face at having to recount the memory. "Once I finally focused on one of my happiest memories, the Charm seemed easy," Cho said, looking more confident. "I'm sure I could do it again," she added, "now that I know what to focus on."

There was mumbling and Hanna Abbott asked, "What was your memory?"

Cho blushed profusely and said, "Well...that's kind of personal..." She paused and added, "Just try focusing on how someone makes you feel. They don't have to return the feeling or anything, just how being around them makes you feel."

Harry was just about to start organizing the practice again when the door to the Room of Requirement flew open getting everyone's attention. Harry groaned as the last person he would want to see here stepped through the door. "Well well well..." Professor Snape smirked. "What do we have here?"

"We have permission to hold group meetings," Hermione quickly said, as most of the students looked worried.

"I'm aware of that Miss Granger," Snape said, still looking like the cat that just caught the bird. "I'm not sure everyone is aware exactly what your group really does though."

"We were just leaving," Harry quickly said, stepping near the Professor. "Meeting's over guys."

Before anyone could leave Snape said, "Not so fast Potter. You see there are many rumors floating around about what is really going on in here. It seems some people are under the misguided impression that you're building a little army for yourself." Snape glanced around the room and was surprised that the students no longer seem worried. In fact, most of them had moved closer to Harry by now. Harry started to reply but Snape cut him off, "I for one find that rumor humorous. The thought that any sensible student would follow someone as reckless as you is preposterous."

Harry fought to control his temper and repeated, "We were just leaving."

"You know your group isn't the only one practicing," Snape sneered, as the door opened again and a group of Slytherins, lead by Draco Malfoy strutted in. Bringing up the rear was Professor Ziter who seemed a little out of place. Now clear lines had been drawn with the D.A. aligned behind Harry and the Slytherins behind Professor Snape. Professor Ziter was standing off to the side, trying to figure out what was about to happen.

"Well you can have the room then," Harry said. "We'll be on our way."

"Afraid of a little challenge Potter?" Malfoy taunted.

"Professor Snape suggested a small dueling competition," Professor Ziter said, getting everyone in the D.A.'s attention. "With everything going on, I felt it would be a good tie-in to our class."

"A few matches should clearly show who's been practicing and who hasn't," Snape said with an evil smile.

Harry heard many 'C'mon we can take them' from the group behind him but he didn't think this was a good idea. "We'll pass, thanks," Harry said, drawing groans from his group.

"Points will be given to the winners and even though Slytherin will get the points in the end, we'd rather earn them," Snape replied.

"This is extra credit in Defense," Professor Ziter added.

Hermione leaned into Harry and said, "We have to do this. The others will think you don't have any confidence in them if we don't." Harry sighed, realizing she was right and moved the group to the far corner so they could decide how to proceed.

"Miss Parkinson will be the first from our group," Professor Snape announced, and then whispered something to Pansy before she moved to the center of the room.

"Ok," Harry said to his group, "Who wants her?"

Everyone was begging to take her on but Luna's sing-song voice cut through the rest when she said, "I'd like to try someone I don't like that wasn't a Death Eater." Harry nodded and Luna moved to face Pansy, seemingly oblivious to the snickers from the rest of the Slytherins.

"Very well," Snape said, "You will start and stop on my mark and the match will end when one has been disarmed." The Professor leaned in and whispered something to Pansy and then said, "Three...Two...One...Begin!"

Instantly, Pansy sent a bright-orange hex that Harry didn't recognize at once but Luna simply swung her wand in a graceful arc creating a localized shield and the curse rebounded harmlessly away. In the same fluid motion, Luna's arm came down and she sent a curse back at her opponent, catching the Slytherin girl squarely in the chest. Pansy grimaced for a second but then smiled when she didn't feel anything else. The next moment however she gave a couple head shakes and then started scratching her scalp causing large chunks of hair to fall to the ground. Shrieking at the loss of her flowing hair, the girl forgot about the match, dropped her wand and began collecting the falling locks. Luna calmly summoned the discarded wand and gave a slight bow to the cheering of the rest of the D.A.

"I always wanted to try that. And you know, a bald girl can still be pretty," she said, moving back into the group as if she just finished a friendly discussion. Once the D.A. members recovered from Luna's stunning performance, they were all congratulating her soundly.

"This should be easy," Ron said, and was quickly joined by others.

"Don't be overconfident," Hermione scolded. "Some of them are bound to be really good."

Harry silently agreed with Hermione and saw that Marcus Stills was up next. "I really don't like that git," Dean Thomas snarled. "Let me have a go at him."

This didn't seem like a good idea to Harry but he remembered something Dumbledore said about giving people chances to prove themselves so he agreed and noticed the look of worry on some of the other members as Dean stepped up to the challenge.

It didn't take long for Marcus to finish Dean off. Dean had taken his opponent too lightly and hadn't been prepared for a quick barrage of offensive spells. He was consoled when he made it back to the group.

The next four matches pitted seventh year Slytherins against sixth year members of the D.A. and ended up evenly split.

Ted Nealy was next up for the Slytherin team. Harry didn't know much about Ted other than he would always go along with what the largest group suggested. Neville stepped up to Harry and firmly said, "He's always picking on Susan Bones. Can I try?"

Gone was the old indecision and worry in Neville's eyes and Harry wondered if that was because of real confidence or maybe his feelings for Susan. Agreeing, Harry sent Neville up next.

"The rest of you back up," Snape coldly said. "Longbottom's likely to hex the rest of us before he hits Nealy." The rest of the Slytherins laughed loudly as they backed up.

"Remember what you've already done Neville," Harry said. "You've taken on worse than him before." Neville looked Harry in the eye and gave a brief nod before turning back to the duel.

This time it was the Slytherin who took the Gryffindor too lightly and Neville quickly got the other boy backing up. The advantage didn't last long and it turned into a very evenly matched duel with counter-curses following curses and shields stopping hexes. The D.A. members who weren't at the Ministry were as stunned as the Slytherins at how good Neville was. In the end, it was Neville connecting with a simple Confundus charm and then asking Nealy for his wand that ended the duel to deafening cheers from the D.A. group.

"I suppose luck counts for something," Snape said. "I assure you the next one won't end like that...Tice get over here." Marc Tice, a large threatening looking dark boy stepped over. He had never done anything directly to Harry and Hermione had even talked to him in the library before but many of the girls in the D.A. group hissed as he went up.

Just as Harry thought about sending Ron or Hermione up Ginny grabbed his arm and said, "I want to take him."

There was a strange look in her eye and Harry said, "Ginny, he's a seventh year and supposed to be really good."

"I don't care...He's....He's said things to me...I can't stand him," she added, almost begging.

"There's no way you're going up there," Ron announced, stepping up next to Ginny.

Ginny flashed angrily but then Hermione stepped up and Harry expect her to scold Ron but instead she said, "He's really good Ginny."

Ignoring those two, Ginny turned back to Harry and firmly said, "I want to do this. Give me a chance."

Before Harry could answer, Ron grabbed his arm and turned him around. "If you send her up there I'll..."

Ron didn't get to finish because Harry jerked his arm back and snarled, "You'll what Ron? What! I used to care what you thought." After just a second Harry turned back to Ginny and said, "If you're sure." She nodded and he leaned in and whispered, "Kick is arse Gin."

"I'm not fighting a girl like her," Tice said, looking at Ginny like she had some disease.

"Fine then forfeit the match," Harry quickly said, drawing scowls from Snape and Tice. The Professor said something to the boy who didn't look happy but turned back to Ginny and gave a cold kiss with his lips just as Snape said go.

That first curse almost caught Ginny off guard but she was able to dodge it and then get a shield up to block the next curse. Within a couple minutes, everyone realized this wasn't going to be an easy win for the Slytherin as Ginny gave as good as she was getting. They each had nearly scored direct hits on the other numerous times. Ten minutes had passed and both were sweating and showing signs of tiring; Ginny more so than Marc.

Marc swirled his wand causing Ginny to put up a shield but then the hex he ended up sending turned the floor around Ginny into ice and she began to slip. Ginny quickly tried to say the counter-curse but as soon as her shield dropped, Marc summoned a chair from the side and it crashed into her causing her wand to fly out of her hand and for her to tumble to the ground. Marc quickly summoned her wand to him, thrusting his hand into the air in victory.

Some of the group was to her quickly and got her up as she continued to rub her head. Neville handed her wand back and she said, "Sorry Harry, I really thought I could take him."

Harry saw Hermione holding Ron back but he focused on Ginny, beamed a bright smile and said, "You were brilliant though. I was impressed. It was just one of those things where he slipped that spell in."

"Thanks," she said, nearly mesmerized by his compliments and bright green eyes. She honestly believed that he was very proud of her.

Just then Hermione came over and whispered, "We're tied now, maybe we should stop."

Harry was torn since part of him didn't want to let Snape or Malfoy know how much he had learned but the other part wanted to show Malfoy who was the better dueler. He remembered that he promised to give more weight to what Hermione recommended and made a decision. "We're tied," Harry announced, turning around. "This should be a good place to stop."

Malfoy stepped forward and taunted, "What's the matter Potter...Don't want you're little group to see who's really better." The rest of the Slytherins joined in the taunting.

"In your dreams, Malfoy," Harry replied, matching the boy stare for stare.

"I think one more match should do it," Snape said with an evil smile. "This is a competition after all and we should have a victor." Then he turned back to the group of Slytherins and added, "Besides, Potter hasn't shown he has any business leading this group now has he."

Harry was having a hard time keeping his hatred for Snape and Malfoy down but Professor Ziter said, "I would be interested in watching this. If this group has merit to continue with you as the leader, I'd like to see what you can do."

"You're going down Potter," Malfoy snarled, as he moved back.

Harry saw that Kari wasn't making any obvious commitments to either side but did give him an 'I'm sorry' kind of look. He understood her position since she did have to live with them. Cho however came over, placed her hand on his arm and said, "Wipe the floor with him Harry. We all know you can do it." After giving his arm a slight squeeze she moved away and Harry turned to start the duel.

"You both know the rules," Snape said, before giving a slight smile to Malfoy. "Three...Two...O..." Malfoy in usual style sent a curse before the start but Harry had expected this and casually blocked it away. There were complaints from the D.A. but the Slytherin group simply laughed.

Malfoy had expected a quick response from Harry but none came. Harry calmly stood there with his wand at his side. Malfoy took this opportunity and sent a stunner but Harry got a shield up in time and the hex bounced harmlessly off. Again Harry didn't respond and could see that it annoyed Malfoy. After Harry blocked about a dozen curses without responding, Draco was enraged and said, "What are you on about Potter? Afraid to duel like a man?" Harry stood there fighting with everything he learned in Occlumency to keep his emotions under wraps.

Another few curses and blocks caused another outburst from Draco. "What, is this something that mangy pet of yours taught you? Keep hiding behind things. Didn't work out too well for him did it?"

That nearly caused Harry to lose all the composure he had but he was able to hold it together although anyone who knew him saw how much the comment hurt. It was only the voice of Professor Snape that broke his concentration. "Potter, if you don't duel you will forfeit the match."

There were gasps of complaints but Professor Ziter firmly said, "That's not the rules Professor Snape. It will end in a draw if neither is disarmed."

Snape seemed furious and said, "Too good to duel like the rest of your group is that it? Fine to send them up to get hurt but not you. Wouldn't want to take a chance on getting the famous Harry Potter hurt now would you?"

Harry was seething and heard, "C'mon Potter, I'll give you one free shot." Malfoy was standing with both arms by his side relishing the cheers from the Slytherin side and noticing that the rest of the D.A. had been watching Harry with some confusion.

"Fine," Harry calmly said, then muttered a charm and quickly tapped the air up to his right causing an orange twinkle to form. Quickly saying the charm three more times and finishing off a square of twinkles Harry gave a glare to Draco and said one more spell, brought the tip of his wand to his mouth, pulled it away causing a silver strand to form and then quickly touched each point of the square. After all points were connected the area pulsed and then formed into a large orange balloon about two meters across that floated out in front of Harry. Now there was no sound from the room as everyone was wondering what Harry was doing. With a quick prod from his wand the balloon started to float toward Draco who stood there looking confused.

At about the half way point Draco said, "That's the best you can do? A bloody balloon! Pathetic." Draco sent a blasting curse at the balloon but it passed harmlessly through and Harry didn't even have to move to avoid it. Draco seemed annoyed and stepped toward the balloon.

"Don't touch that Draco," Snape quickly said.

The advice was ignored by the arrogant Slytherin and as soon as Draco poked the balloon with his wand, he was instantly sucked inside. There were gasps from the Slytherin side and some from the Gryffindor side as well before they were drowned out by cheers. Draco was just floating in the center of this large orange balloon in the middle of the Room of Requirement confused but obviously angry that everyone was laughing.

"Get me out of here!" he exclaimed, and then pointed his wand at the side of the balloon.

"I wouldn't do that Malfoy," Harry calmly said.

Malfoy totally ignored the comment and used another blasting curse which instead of passing out of the balloon caused the shell to pulse and begin to contract. In only a moment, the shell was tight against Malfoy's head and he had to curl up his legs. Eyes now wide with fear, he began to struggle as the enclosure constricted in upon him. "Get me out!" he yelled.

"Potter cancel the spell," Snape demanded.

"I'm sorry Professor, I can't remember the counter. You know how absent-minded I am," Harry said, happy to see the Professor slightly flustered.

"Finite Incantantem" Snape said, sending the spell at the balloon. Inside Malfoy yelped as the spell caused him to feel a slight shock.

"Get me out!" Malfoy yelled becoming almost hysterical.

"Drop your wand and it'll be over," Harry loudly said.

"Potter end this!" Snape bellowed.

Harry never took his eyes off Malfoy and again said, "Drop your wand!"

A slight motion caught Harry's attention and he saw Snape's wand rise to point at him and instantly, Harry stood fully ready to fight the man with his own wand drawn. Just then, Harry heard the clank of a wand hitting the ground and mumbled the counter which allowed Draco to fall to the ground with a thud. Malfoy lunged for his wand but Harry summoned it before the boy could get to it.

"That match is void," Snape yelled. "That was clearly against the rules."

Harry started to protest but Professor Ziter firmly said, "What rules would those be Professor Snape? Harry has Draco's wand and therefore is awarded the points."

The roar from the D.A. group was deafening and everyone was hugging each other. Harry didn't notice that the Slytherins and Professor Ziter were still around until Snape said, "Potter. That was a cowardly performance you put on. You wouldn't last a minute in a real duel."

"He already has!" Ginny yelled from the group, and was joined by many other members.

"Yes, yes, we hear all about the things the great Harry Potter has done but how convenient only a few close friends have ever been around." Snape paused and then, "Why don't you show us how you'd perform in a real duel Potter? I challenge you." Harry couldn't hide the shock on his face or ignore the worried looks he was getting. When he didn't immediately answer Snape added, "Or, are you taking after someone else. Only picking on those you know you can beat?"

"He's only trying to bait you," Hermione quickly said, grabbing onto his arm.

"Yeah well he's done it," Harry snapped, yanking his arm free and moving to the center of the room. Harry could almost feel the hairs on his neck standing up he was so angry.

"Students move back," Snape commanded. "I wish this room was bigger." After a moment of nothing happening, Harry concentrated on needing a larger room and instantly it expanded, nearly doubling in size. The shocked expression of the Potions Master quickly changed back into his hateful glare. "You will duel correctly or I'll make you regret it," Snape snarled.

Harry didn't answer, suddenly wondering what he had gotten himself into again. He faced the Professor and raised his wand in the correct manner waiting for the onslaught that was sure to come. Then it started and Harry recognized the first hex as an extreme blinding curse which was borderline Dark Arts. It required a specific localized shield to block but Harry was able to get it up in plenty of time. Snape was already making the next swiping motion when Harry had just relaxed from deflecting the first curse.

Conjuring a different shield, Harry blocked this curse and then got into the rhythm of casting an offensive spell at any opportunity. Harry realized the spells Snape was using were strong and could do considerable damage but weren't as bad as Harry thought the man could use.

As the minutes wore on, Snape was obviously getting annoyed but Harry was feeling more confident. A full-body-bind was the next curse Harry recognized and was able to use a block where his wand formed into a paddle and knocked the spell back towards the caster. This nearly connected with the Professor who had to side-step to avoid being hit.

From this point, things turned more aggressive both in turns of the types of spells and in the ferocity of attacks. Harry had surprised himself on a few occasions by the spells he had sent at his Professor. After casting a hex that would have done considerable damage to Professor Snape, the man began barraging Harry with spell after spell, not giving him much time to cast any offensive spells. Holding a shield and moving from one type of shield to another began to wear on Harry.

Off to the side, the students were grimacing and watching in awe at the duel going on just in front of them. For most of them, they had never seen two people go at each other so hard. Hermione had nearly bitten holes in her hands as she worried about her friend. At one point, she grabbed the sleeve of the person next to her when Harry had barely avoided a nasty hex from Snape that blasted a hole through a cupboard along the wall. "Quite a demonstration don't you think?" the calm voice of Professor Dumbledore caught her attention.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione exclaimed, slightly embarrassed that she had gripped the Headmaster's arm. The old wizard turned his head back to the action and Hermione asked, "Aren't you going to stop this?"

"Why would I stop it?" Dumbledore asked with that knowing twinkle in his eyes.

"Why?" Hermione exclaimed, annoyed at his calm demeanor. "He's going to get hurt!"

Dumbledore seemed to sigh a bit and looked at her seriously when he said, "He must learn Miss Granger."

"But Professor. You can't let him get hurt," Hermione pleaded.

"It was his choice to make," the old wizard replied, causing Hermione to just stare as he turned his attention back to the duel.

Harry knew he needed a break and didn't know how much longer Snape could continue to pound his shield. At the next slight break, Harry pulled his arm in a line from his lower left to his upper right and said the spell that had become one of his favorites from Moody's journal. Snape had just sent his next hex when there was a slight twinkle and the solid form of Harry Potter vanished into thin air. The now invisible Harry rolled to his right and knew that as long as he was quiet, didn't cast a spell and wasn't hit, he would remain hidden.

There were many gasps from the students and even Snape stood up straight, looking bewildered. "He apparated! When did he learn that?" Ron exclaimed.

"You can't apparate at Hogwarts!" Hermione exclaimed back.

"Yeah so then where'd he go?" Ron retorted, to which Hermione didn't have an answer.

She started to ask Dumbledore who looked like he had just received a Christmas gift when Snape bellowed, "Silence! Stay back!" Harry was slowly catching his breath and cringed when he saw the Professor say a spell and begin sweeping his arm across. Flames leapt out of the end of the wand and quickly connected with the invisible Harry's cloak. Harry immediately caused water to spout from his wand to put them out but the damage was done, he was now visible and Snape had already sent a slicing curse his way.

Diving to the right, he felt the curse catch him in the side and then hit a chair behind him causing it to split in the middle. Harry was totally focused on his opponent and didn't hear the screams of the students or Hermione's plea to Dumbledore for him to stop the duel. He only saw the next curse begin to fly at him and didn't think his normal shield could stop it. He pictured an image that often played through his mind and hoped he remembered the details correctly. Saying the spell he had only seen done one time, Harry thrust out his empty left hand. Snape's spell was almost upon him when his view of the man was obscured and a large gleaming shield appeared attached to his left arm. The next instant there was a loud 'clang' and Snape's spell was deflected away. Even Professor Snape seemed stunned that a Slytherin shield with a gleaming green snake was now attached to Harry's arm. The Potions Master knew that this was a favorite shield of the Dark Lord.

Even though the shield was large, it weighed nothing on Harry's arm. Emboldened by the success of this spell, Harry quickly cast his own curse at the Potions Master. Moving the shield only slightly, Harry was able to cast an offensive spell and still keep protected. A couple minutes of both holding the shield and casting spells brought back the uncomfortable feeling of when his magic failed during summer training. He cast another powerful curse just as Snape sent one back at him. When the curse struck the shield, it flickered and then vanished.

Glancing at his opponent, Harry saw that Professor Snape was doubled over and knew his spell had also gotten through the man's shield. However, seeing Harry shieldless caused the Professor to mutter a spell and thrust his wand at the boy. Uncertain as if his normal shield would hold and too tired to try avoiding the spell Harry recalled a spell he had seen in Moody's journal labeled 'Very Risky'. Twirling his wand in a small circle in front of him while saying the spell, a small vortex started swirling at the tip and grew bigger until Snape's spell arrived and was sucked into the void. The impact of the curse caused Harry's arm to be thrown backwards. Pulling the last of his energy, Harry added his own magic to the spell and wrenched his arm back towards the Professor who now clearly had a look of fear on his face. The modified spell exited Harry's wand with a massive 'whoosh' and a blinding red light raced toward his opponent.

Professor Snape stood like a deer caught in headlights, unable to process what was happening. The gasps from the crowd were drowned out by the sound of the spell. Suddenly, the floor of the room erupted and a solid wall of metal appeared in front of the streaking light causing the spell to crash into the wall; which groaned and began to give off an eerie glow.

Above the groan from the wall, only clapping from a single person was heard and then the Headmaster said, "Very impressive dem....." Another groan from the metal wall stopped the wizard's comment and with a slight flick of his wand, a second wall appeared just as the first one gave a final groan and collapsed into a pile of molten liquid. Nothing else was said as the Headmaster watched the second wall absorb the remainder of the spell and only after feeling confident the spell had faded he continued, "As I was saying...Very impressive demonstration..." With another flick, the wall disappeared, leaving Harry and Professor Snape glaring at each other. "You are all very fortunate to witness such a fine dueling display. Imagine how it would have been if they had indeed been trying to hurt each other."

Neither opponent took their eyes off each other but both did stand up a bit more relaxed. "Now Harry," Dumbledore said, getting his attention, "I do believe you should pay a visit to the Infirmary."

"I'm fine!" Harry snapped, glaring again at Professor Snape.

"Mr. Potter," Professor Ziter firmly said, "you're staining the floor."

Harry looked to his side and saw his robe dripping blood from where the slicing curse had hit his side. "Damn!" Harry said, and yanked up his shirt with his left hand exposing a long gash. There were many gasps at the sight but Harry mumbled something and roughly drug his wand over the gash causing the skin to smoke and bubble before it pulled back together, stopping the flow of blood. The students were now all either ill at the sight or shocked at what he was doing.

"Harry," the calm voice of Professor Dumbledore sounded, "Madame Pomfrey will have my skin when she hears of this if she hasn't seen to you herself. Please humor an old man and pay her a visit." Harry saw the bright twinkle of the Headmaster's eyes and started to storm toward the door.

Just then Hermione said, "C'mon Ron, we'll walk him."

Harry, still full of anger from his duel with Snape and the things Ron had said earlier snapped, "I don't need his help!"

The look of shock on Hermione's face and hurt on Ron's instantly made Harry feel guilty, but before he could say anything Ginny grabbed his arm and said, "C'mon Harry let me walk with you." Harry fell into step behind her and once through the door, the two walked in silence to the Hospital Room.

Back in the Room of Requirement, Hermione stopped Professor Dumbledore before he left and asked, "Professor. Who were you talking about when you said 'he must learn'?"

Dumbledore seemed to be barely holding a smile as his eyes twinkled brightly and asked, "Whom do you think Miss Granger?" With that he swept out of the room.

As soon as the door to the Hospital Room was open Harry heard, "Well I knew it couldn't be much longer. What have you gotten yourself into now?" As Harry sat on the edge of the bed she noticed the blood, "Oh my! Now this wasn't a simple accident was it?"

When Harry didn't answer directly Ginny said, "It was a dueling contest."

The woman pursed her lips at Harry and said, "Get that shirt off so I can see."

Ginny fumbled a bit and said, "I'll just wait outside."

Madame Pomfrey who had turned to rummage in a cabinet said, "You want to be a Healer don't you Miss Weasley?"

Ginny gave a quick, "Yes"

"Well then this shouldn't bother you much and you might as well get used to it. Especially considering who your friends are." After a brief pause the woman asked, "I must say I'm a bit disappointed that you let another student do this to you Mr. Potter. I would have expected you to deal with them handily."

"It was Professor Snape, Madame Pomfrey," Ginny quickly said.

"Professor Snape?" the woman exclaimed. "Well...Still Mr. Potter I expect you'll do better next time."

Ginny gave Harry a little smile as he rolled his eyes at the comment. Harry pulled off his shirt, causing Ginny's breath to catch a bit. She had only seen Harry without a shirt one other time and that was a few years ago. Years of Quidditch and summer work had definitely been good to him. Madame Pomfrey's voice grabbed her attention, "Mr. Potter! I would have thought that after the incident with Gilderoy you would have more sense than to let anyone else try to heal you. Whoever did this isn't current with healing charms. If they knew what they were doing, there wouldn't be any scar. Now, who did you let do this?"

"Um..." Harry mumbled, not wanting to draw her wrath.

"He did it himself," Ginny quickly said.

Madame Pomfrey looked shocked between the two and then asked, "Is this true Mr. Potter?" Harry nodded and the woman looked at the scar again. "Well this should take care of that scar since it's so fresh." She lightly rubbed some cream over the area causing a light tickling sensation but when Harry looked down, there was only a very faint line.

"Thanks," he said.

"Yes well apply another coat of this in the morning and it should go away completely," she said.

"Can I go now?" Harry asked hopefully.

"On one condition Mr. Potter," the Matron looked at him intently. "I want you to come back here and learn how to heal properly before this happens again." She turned to Ginny and added, "And if you're going to be hanging around him I suppose you should as well Miss Weasley. Now I'll expect to see you both back here before long." With that the woman turned and headed to her office.

Harry was shocked at how readily she agreed to let him leave. "Here, let me take care of those," Ginny said, getting his shirt and robe. She quickly said a cleaning charm and then magically fixed the cut in the fabric.

After pulling his shirt back on he said, "Thanks Ginny. Suppose I should learn those as well."

"Where did you learn to do that Harry?" Ginny asked, hoping that she wasn't going to make him close off.

For a second she thought that was exactly what was going to happen, but then to her amazement Harry sighed and said, "Well you know people are trying to keep me alive and they've been trying to teach me stuff. It kind of keeps my mind off of other things."

"We know something's going on," she said, wondering how far to push her luck.

Harry nodded towards the door and the two walked out when he surprised her again by saying, "You know you're too smart for your own good." With a slight smile he added, "They just think it's really important that I stay alive and well the odds are pretty good that Voldemort won't give up coming after me so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I'm not ready to just let him kill me."

"I should hope not!" Ginny exclaimed, and let herself be led through the corridors by him. "You can talk to me about it if you want."

Before she realized it, they were in front of the portrait of fruit and Harry ticked the pear, causing the passage to open. The two were at the bottom of the stairs before Harry said, "I know I could talk to you. If I thought it would help, I would. It's enough to know that Voldemort will never give up coming after me. I'm going to be his top priority."

"Harry Potter sir!" Dobby exclaimed, grabbing onto his knees. "Miss Weezey!" he said seeing her next to him. "What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?"

"Hi Dobby," they both said and then Harry added, "We don't feel like going to supper, can we get some down here please?"

"Of course Harry Potter! Would Harry Potter and Miss Weezey want special food?" Dobby said bouncing in happiness.

"No thanks Dobby, just whatever was for supper," Harry said as they sat down. He then turned to see Ginny smiling brightly and added, "I should have asked before I dragged you down here. Is this ok?"

"It's fine Harry," she honestly said. "Yes you should have asked, but I guess we can overlook it this time." The food appeared the next moment and the two friends made small talk during the whole meal.

"You know that was really amazing earlier," she said smiling at him. "I don't think Snape expected you to be able to do all that. I know I didn't."

"Well that'll teach you to doubt me," he said with a smile surprising both of them that he was teasing her. Then he got serious and said, "I don't think I should have though. Dumbledore said Voldemort had been underestimating me but now he'll hear about this. I should have just let him beat me."

"No way!" Ginny exclaimed. "Just learn something else and let V...Voldemort underestimate that." Harry smiled broadly at her use of his name.

Now Ginny looked really serious and said, "Sorry about my git of a brother. His temper is the worst of all of us."

"Even you?" Harry teased.

"That's what I say," she replied. "I know he really wants you to come to the Burrow for Holiday. He just doesn't know how to deal with having a girlfriend and not being able to protect people like you can."

"Fat lot of help I was," Harry corrected her.

"But you would have if you were there," she reminded him. "Ron should have just said he wished you were there so you could have helped but he lets his temper get the best of him. You know mum will probably show up here and drag you home if you don't come."

Harry was now feeling guilty. He wanted to go to the Burrow, mainly so that it would be easier to meet Kari but he hated that he felt like he would be using them. Ginny could see him torn and asked, "What is it Harry?"

"Listen Ginny," Harry said suddenly very focused. "If I come to the Burrow will you promise not to get mad at me for anything that happens?" She started to say something but he stopped her. "This isn't just me and Ron. There're things going on with me right now that are...complicated. People may not be very happy but it's really important to me."

Ginny studied him for a moment and knew it had taken a lot for Harry to tell her that. "I promise Harry," she honestly said. "I'd like to know what it is so I could see if I could help you but won't push."

"Thanks. Then I guess I'll come," he agreed.