Worse Than Crucio

There, I told you all that I'd give you the next 2 chapters after I updated before. This website takes so long to update, I sort of have to if I want to keep you even remotely interested. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this far, you have no idea how much I appreciate that.

Chapter 5: Problem Solved

Harry fell to the floor with a crash, hands pressed tightly over his scar. While the students gasped in shock and craned their necks to get a better view Dumbledore rushed to Harry's side. Fudge and Umbridge backed away, dumbfounded.

"Harry?" As Dumbledore rested a hand on the young wizard's shoulder Lupin and McGonagall attempted to calm the students. After a minute or so Dumbledore felt Harry relax. He slowly removed his hands from his face.

"Are you okay?" Dumbledore asked .

"I need to talk to you," Harry muttered, standing up. Dumbledore nodded and turned towards the head table.

"Minerva, kindly take over my speech for me. Severus, please show Cornelius and Delores out, and Harry, come with me."

He then led Harry through the hall, not letting him say a word until they were safely in his office with the door shut behind them.

"This way we don't have to worry about being overheard," Dumbledore explained, sitting down and gesturing for Harry to do the same. "Now, about Cornelius--"

"I know that I shouldn't have lost my temper, but that's not what I wanted to talk about," said Harry quickly.

"I see, then what was it?"

"I know that, well, Voldemort can plant images into my head and all, but can he pretend to feel things? I mean, when I felt that he was angry a little while ago, was he really mad, or was he just pretending to be?"

"I believe that those were really his feelings," Dumbledore informed him.

Harry, unsure of what to say, simply nodded and looked around the room, noticing that something was missing.

"Well, hopefully that's good news for us," Dumbledore commented. He paused, then voiced a question Harry had not expected. "Is the curse gone?"

"Not all the way, although it all got a lot less visible, and the yelling has gotten softer. Why?"

"Because I believe that what Miss Lovegood proposed was a good suggestion."

Harry was about to ask how he knew about that when he stopped. This was, after all, Dumbledore, the man that knew everything that was said between others. Instead he said, "Hermione didn't think it was."

"Still, I bet you're happy that the curse has at least died down some, aren't you?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yeah, I am," Harry admitted, then gasped. The room in his head was now barely visible. "You did that on purpose!" Harry accused the older wizard, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Did what?" asked Dumbledore as if he had no idea what was going on.

"It's almost all the way gone!" Harry exclaimed. "Do something else!"

"What about this?" Dumbledore inquired, reaching into his desk drawer and pulling out an envelope with the Hogwarts seal on it. He handed it over to Harry, who looked at it, puzzled. "I probably should have given this to you back in June, but we were a bit preoccupied. But I think this might be just what you need to get rid of the last of the curse."

Harry was about to open the envelope when a crack like a gunshot rang through the room. Harry and Dumbledore looked around to find the source of the noise. A single phoenix feather floated, gleaming, in the air with a note attached to it. That was when Harry realized what was missing: Fawkes.

Dumbledore raised himself from his chair and retrieved the letter. He read it quickly and turned to Harry.

"Remus would like to come up here. Would you mind?"

"Of course not," said Harry, startled that Dumbledore would even have to ask. The older wizard muttered something and the feather vanished. This must have led the visitor in, because seconds later there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Harry turned in his chair to see Lupin walk in. He took one look at Harry and smiled. "I just thought that I'd come and see how Harry was doing. He had everyone rather frightened back there."

"I'm fine," Harry told him which was, shockingly enough, sort of true.

"We were just about to view his O.W.L. results," Dumbledore informed Lupin, taking his seat once again.

"That's what these are?" Harry gasped; he had completely forgotten about them.

"That's right, you never got those did you?" Lupin asked Harry, shook his head and looked down at the envelope in his hand.

"Well, open it," encouraged Lupin.

Hesitantly Harry opened the letter and looked down at his grades in shock.

Astronomy Poor

Care of Magical Creatures Outstanding

Charms Outstanding

Defense Against the Dark Arts Outstanding

Divination Poor

Herbology Outstanding

History of Magic Dreadful

Potions Exceeds Expectations

Transfiguration Exceeds Expectations

"Four 'Outstanding's?" Harry asked incredulously, passing the paper to Lupin.

"Well done," he beamed, handing it back to Harry, who looked back down at it, shocked. He turned to give it to Dumbledore but the headmaster shook his head.

"I already know what you got," he told him.

"Of course you do," Harry smiled. Then he stopped. "Hey, the curse is gone!"

"See, I thought that would help," nodded Dumbledore, smiling.

"Then why didn't you give him that a month ago?" asked Lupin.

"Because that wouldn't have helped the curse when it was that strong. But as it seems, Harry need only feel extremely angry and it will lessen the effects of the curse. I guess that we should have invited Cornelius over a long time ago, then," he added thoughtfully.

Harry laughed for the first time in months, then frowned. "So what do you think about Voldemort being angry? Is it something to worry about?"

"Harry, Voldemort's always something to worry about. But I don't want you to worry about it. All I want you to worry about are your Occlumency lessons. I am instructing a new teacher for you."

"Who?" Harry asked, both pleased that it wasn't Snape and upset that he still had to learn it, even though he now knew exactly how important it was.

"I believe that would be me," answered Lupin.

"You?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, why would you prefer someone else?"

"No!" Harry exclaimed, "I'm just glad that it's not Snape."

"Professor Snape, Harry," Dumbledore corrected him. Harry ignored him.

"So, you'll be teaching me," Harry muttered, more to himself than to Lupin.

"Yes, but we also think that I should teach Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood as well," Lupin told him.

"Why?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Because..." Dumbledore struggled to find the words. That was when Harry realized it.

"Because they're his main targets," he murmured aloud. The expression on Dumbledore's face was answer enough.

"But why Neville and Luna? Luna I hardly even know and Neville--"

"Were both in the Department of Mysteries," Lupin reminded him. Harry swore under his breath, remembering.

"I told them not to come," he sighed to himself.

"Harry, we're not sure that they're in danger, we just want to make sure. If we could we would teach everyone Occlumency," Lupin told him in attempt to make him feel better. Seeing that he was not comforted Dumbledore decided to change the subject.

"So, tell me about this army that I came up with."

Harry started. He had completely forgotten about the D.A. He was about to apologize when he saw the look in Dumbledore's twinkling eyes. He then began to tell them all about the D.A. and what all they had learned.

"...and we had been working on Patronuses when we were discovered," Harry finished.

"Patronuses?" exclaimed Lupin, looking impressed. "Could many of them do it?"

"Well, I'd say about ten out of the 27 could. I just thought that it would have worked better if we could have gotten a boggart so that they could practice in front of a dementor like I had, but given the circumstances..."

"Well, what do you think of continuing this club of yours?" Dumbledore asked him. Harry gaped at him.

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not. I think that it is a good idea that you all be as prepared as possible. Alastor and Remus can help you if you need them. You can use the Great Hall if you wish."

"Actually, would it be alright if we continued in the Room of Requirement? It comes complete with tons of defense books and pillows for stunning...it even has Moody's old Dark Detectors."

"If that's what you want, go right ahead. I shall make an announcement tomorrow. When did you normally meet?"

"Eight o'clock. The day changed every week, because we had to accommodate three different Quidditch schedules, and this way it was harder for others to discover a pattern," Harry told them. Both older wizards nodded their approval.

"When do you wish to start it back up again?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to wait a while to see if maybe we can come up with more ideas later when I'm not so tired."

"Yes, you must be exhausted," sympathized Dumbledore. "Why don't you head on back to your dormitory and get some sleep?"

"Sure," agreed Harry, suddenly afraid that he would be faced with the same dreams that he had to face before the curse.

"And on your way why don't you stop by and ask Madame Pomfrey for a dreamless sleep potion?" added Dumbledore.

"Thanks," Harry muttered, standing up.

"Would you please tell the people mentioned to meet in my office at 8 pm on Thursday?" asked Lupin.

"Okay," Harry agreed.

"Remember not to tell anyone else, and make sure that they know that too," Dumbledore reminded him.

"I will," Harry assured them, turning towards the door.

"And Harry?"

He turned around to see both Lupin and Dumbledore watching him.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," returned Harry.

"We'll see you tomorrow," Lupin said. And with that Harry turned and left the office.

Chapter 6: Danger From Foes

Harry stumbled into the common room twenty minutes later. Madame Pomfrey had told him that she was unfortunately out of dreamless sleep potions, and suggested that he go see Professor Snape, since he had had all the necessary ingredients over the summer and perhaps he still had some of the potion left. Seeing as how he would rather die than go to Snape for help, Harry politely declined and wandered back to the common room, ignoring his fellow students' commentary as he walked.

When Harry entered the room he saw Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville talking quietly in a corner. Harry smiled to himself; how much easier could it get?

"Harry!" cried Hermione when she saw him, beckoning to him. "Come on over here, we were just talking about you!"

"Well, isn't that inviting?" Harry joked, joining the group and disregarding his classmates calling out to him.

"Hey, you were sarcastic!" realized Ron.

"Very good," applauded Harry, smiling.

"But, but, does that mean that--"

"Yup, the curse is gone."

"Oh Harry!" squealed Hermione, hugging him. "But how?"

"Fudge got me really mad, and that got rid of most of it. And then Dumbledore showed me my O.W.L. results."

"Ooh! What did you get?" asked Hermione automatically.

Harry handed her the sheet. It was difficult not to laugh at the look on Hermione's face as she looked down at his grades.

"Wow, Harry, this is really good," Hermione congratulated him as she passed his grades to the others.

"What did you get? Let me guess, all O's?" he asked her.

"No," said Hermione, slightly defensively. "I got an E in Astronomy."

"Boohoo," pouted Harry in friendly sarcasm. He turned to Ron and Neville. "What did you guys get?"

"I don't remember," stated Ron. "I'll show you the sheet later."

'I remember what you got," Hermione declared. "You got P's in Divination, Astronomy, and History of Magic, E's in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures , and Herbology, and A's in Transfiguration and Potions." They all stared at her. "What?"

"You remember that?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Yes, and I know Neville's grades, too," she said impressively. "An O in Herbology, E's in Charms and Care of Magical Creatures, P's in Divination and History of Magic, and A's in everything else." They continued to gape at her.

"You are really weird," Ron told her. Hermione scowled.

"Just because I remember what people get on very important tests--"

"Well, as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I'm really, really tired. I'll just see you guys tomorrow," Harry interrupted. He had just turned to go upstairs when he remembered what it was that he wanted to talk to them about in the first place. "I forgot, Dumbledore wants us all to learn Occlumency," he told them, turning back around to face them.

"What?" Hermione asked, alarmed.

"What's Occlumency?" asked Neville.

"I'll explain later, the point is that Dumbledore wants you guys to learn it too. Lupin will be teaching us, but no one else can know besides the five of us and Luna," Harry informed them.

"Luna?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah, she has to learn it, too. I'll talk to her tomorrow. Just meet in Lupin's office at 8 pm Thursday. Oh, and I forgot to mention; Dumbledore wants us to restart the DA."

"Really?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, so we need to start coming up with ideas. Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. I'll talk to you guys tomorrow."

"Goodnight," they chorused.

"G'night," Harry called and went on up to bed.

*

He was standing in the middle of a large circle of hooded people in masks. He moved slowly along the line until he came to a certain person.

"Rookwood!"

The Death Eater cowered at being addressed but never the less turned his head up to gaze at Harry.

"Y-yes Master?" he stammered.

"I thought that you said that when something happens to one of the prophecies that the Keeper of the Hall of Record replaces it."

"Yes, Master, that's right."

"Then why is it," retorted Harry," that when I went to retrieve it I found that the door had been locked?"

"L-locked Master?"

"Yes," snapped Harry," locked. Meaning that absolutely nothing that I tried permitted me access to that room."

"Are you sure that you tried the right door, my lord?" questioned the Death Eater.

"Are you questioning my authority?" Harry demanded.

"NO!" cried the Death Eater, "I was merely saying that there is only one room in the Department of Mysteries that is kept locked at all times. Maybe, maybe because of what happened a few months ago, they sealed that off too....my lord."

"How do they seal the doors?" Harry asked.

"I'm not sure, my lord. All that I know is that they were sealed so that no one could gain entrance except for an elite few, and I was never one of them."

"Go figure...it doesn't matter. I have a new plan to learn the prophecy. Severus!" Harry called suddenly, turning to another wizard who stood up straight and tall when he was addressed.

"Yes, my lord?"

"How was Potter doing in his Occlumency lessons?"

"Not very well," Snape informed him. "Three months of practice and no improvement. Dumbledore's assigning the werewolf to teach him, but there's nothing to worry about. In the time I spent with the brat he seemed to get worse if anything."

"Good. How is coming along with the curse?"

"Apparently he threw it off after he told off Fudge. They seemed to have found a loophole."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that Potter only needed to be extremely angry and it would lessen it."

"I see. Does Dumbledore suspect anything?"

"My lord?"

"Does he suspect that I removed it?"

"No my lord, as far as they're concerned there's no counter curse."

"There's not. But, seeing as how it would be an Unforgivable if the Ministry knew about it, it falls under the same category as one. Meaning that you have to be focused on it, and I took my focus off of it when I was trying to get the prophecy. But no matter, I have a new plan now..."

"What is it Master?" asked one Death Eater eagerly. The others in the circle winced at the amateur.

"I will tell you when I feel it necessary," sneered Harry, raising his wand. "It would appear that I need to teach you a little patience. Crucio!"

The Death Eater immediately dropped to the ground and started screaming in agony. The scar on Harry's forehead seared with pain; he sat bolt upright in bed and woke up his entire dormitory with one long, piercing scream.