Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Gryffins, Sphynxes and Secret Knowledges

"You're kidding!" Hermione breathed excitedly. "Are you sure? Are you sure Fred and George don't know about this one?"

"I don't think even Mooney Wormtail Padfoot and Prongs knew about THIS one!"

"How ever did you find it?" Harry asked.

"Well I went to get my Care of Magical Creatures book, and then I thought, whilst I was up in that part of the castle, I'd go and pay a little visit to Pig and Hedwig." Hermione rolled her eyes at this. " Well, whilst I was there I started nattering with Pig and I just leant against this wall, and suddenly I wasn't!"

"Wasn't what?"

"Leaning against a wall. It had completely gone!" Harry and Hermione looked at him amazed.

"Do you have any Idea what this means?" Hermione squealed excitedly

"Yeah! It means we can have the run of the WHOLE school! We can bypass Filch and Mrs Norris, we can sneak into Hogsmeade, we can..."

"No no no silly! It means we can build up secret defences. Ever since Harry's first encounter with... with Voldemort, I have always felt that Hogwarts was the key somehow. If we have this place as our centre of attack and we can send envoys and convoys and..."

"Whoah!" Harry interrupted. "Slow down Tawny! Remember "A wise old owl sat in an oak. The more he heard the less he spoke...""

""The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird" Sorry guys I sort of got carried away there didn't I! And what was that bit about Tawny!"

"Well you are an owl, and I think bearing in mind who we are and have become, I think nicknames are fitting!"

"I like Tawny." Hermione agreed.

"Yeah," Ron put in. "It really suits you."

"Thanks, and Ron you have got to be "The King"!" She replied, giggling

"Ah-huh-huh!" Harry agreed, curling his lip before also chuckling a little.

"EH?" Ron was a little confused.

"Elvis Presely! The King!" Ron still looked blank.

"Ron, Elvis Presley was a Muggle Singer back in the 50s and 60s, and he was known as the King of rock and role, or just simply "The King". He was, in his day, bigger than the Weird Sisters!"

"Ok. That sounds pretty cool. And of course, the Lion is the King of beasts!" Harry and Hermione threw each other "Well D'uh!" glances. "And Harry, you've GOT to be Puzzle. I was going to suggest Riddle but..."

"Thanks." Harry said, a little shortly. "Oh and you know what we've got to do now. We've got to improve the Marauders' Map!"

"Excellent! We can incorporate the tunnel that Ron found!"

"Uh, Harry? Do you still HAVE the Marauders' Map?"

"Yep, Dumbledore slipped it back in my Book on Friday night. I think he half expected this to happen. I don't think he knows about it yet. And I don't imagine he imagined Ron would find it, but as your dad said, Dumbledore doesn't miss a trick!"

"And after that we can.... What the HECK?" They had just got around the back of Hagrid's hut, where their first Care of Magical Creatures lesson would be, and Ron thought he had caught sight of something in a smaller hut in the Pen behind it.

"What?" Hermione asked him, slightly amused at the expression on his face.

"Nothing. I thought I saw something in the hut, that's all."

"What was it? Knowing Hagrid, if you thought you saw it, you probably DID!"

"I thought it was a giant eagle!"

"Not bad Hagrid! Other side of the world for those!" Hermione muttered to herself.

"'Ullo you three!" Hagrid called from his back window, beaming at them. "I see yer early as usual."

"Only a minute this time. Sorry Hagrid we got chatting." Harry said. "Here come the others now."

Sure enough, in the near distance the glint of silver behind the green, and gold on red of the on-coming uniform indicated the impending arrival of their classmates. Once again Gryffindor had this class with the Slytherins.

"I hope you're not going to take any more rubbish from the Slytherins this year! Because I've already said I'm not. " Ron growled quietly to Hagrid. Hagrid simply looked grave and nodded.

"I'm with yeh there, young Ron. I've already spoken to Dumbledore and he has promised me that this year NONE of my darlings are going to even be threatened with execution."

"Good for you Hagrid." Hermione put in.

"Yeah!" Harry agreed, putting his hand on Hagrid's elbow (he couldn't reach his shoulder!).

"Ah well, here we are once again!" Came the familiar sickening drawl. "And what might we be dealing with this year? Eight-legged gerbils from Outer Mongolia? Thirty-jawed worms from Venezuela?"

"Actually young master Draco, what we'll be dealing with this year, are a couple of boo'iful, graceful creatures, 'oo are generally quite placid, but if pushed will take even less of yer guff than I will!" Hagrid started the sentence off standing upright and roaring, but finished hunched over Malfoy and speaking in barely more than a whisper, so that the only ones apart from themselves that could hear it were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Both Hagrid's and Malfoy's eyes had narrowed so much that if you weren't there right next to them, you'd swear that they had both just gone to sleep. After three quiet minutes of what could only be described as a stare-down, the ensuing silence was finally broken.

"And what, Professor Hagrid, are these beautiful creatures that we are going to be encountering this year?" This was a question all had been pondering but it was quickly forgotten in the confrontation. The voice asking the question was respectful, female, and came from the last female anyone had expected to ask such a question.

"Well Miss Parkinson, why don't I call them out so as yeh can find out fer yerselves!" Hagrid said, smiling. "Grace! Courage!"

Shadows moved with in the hut. A couple of low growls could be heard, then the doorway was completely blocked with fur. The students stood there rooted to the spot, eyes wide with amazement. Quite a number of them let out gasps and a couple of the girls barely stifled squeals. There in the pen, glistening in the mid-morning sunlight, were the most amazing creatures they had ever seen. One Harry had encountered last year. He remembered it all too clearly, but he wasn't sure if the others would remember. He wondered if it was the same one.

There in the enclosure was a Gryffin and... A Sphynx. "Dumbledore says for later!" Hagrid whispered to Harry, who nodded.

"Now then, who can tell me what is special about a Gryffin?"

A few hands went up, Hermione's amongst them of course. However the question was proffered to Malfoy.

"Ok then Master Malfoy. Let's see if yer mind is as fast as yer tongue."

"The Gryffin is a powerful creature, although not quite so powerful as the Sphynx." he drawled lazily." It, like the Sphynx is one of the few mammals possessed of the ability to fly and it can do so at tremendous speeds, easily out pacing most modern motor-vehicles and some of the faster racing brooms as well. However, because of their sheer size and power and potential ferocity, they are often charged with guarding treasure or property." He stood down and smirked a little.

"Very good. Yes 'Ermione?" Hermione was standing there, arm raised, looking over at Malfoy, a little smug.

"You can also tell the gender and origins of Gryffin by the markings above its beak. This, for example, is a female Gryffin from Egypt. The females have dots on either side of the beak whereas males have a straight line down the centre. The shape of the line, or dots determines the land of origin. Egyptians have a line that curls outwards, from beak to tufts, the Japanese Gryffin has a straight line, and the Brazilian Gryffin actually curves over the eyes. And... excuse me ma'am, but are you pregnant?" The students all gasped, slightly amazed at Hermione's apparent lack of tact. The Gryffin eyed her curiously for a moment, quivering slightly several feet below her. Then she gave a slow, sedate smile and nodded. Hermione sighed, smiling also and said to her. "Congratulations!" Then, turning to the class. "I'd almost forgotten. A male Gryffin's natural eye-colour is brown, and a female's is blue. Her eyes will only go brown when she is pregnant. The Gryffin's bone structure is so immense that the presence of a foetus is externally undetectable. And finally, (and I'm sorry I don't know more about this Hagrid) Gryffins, unlike Sphynxes are incapable of forming human speech, but are still amongst the few species that fully understand." She stood down, a little flushed but smiling slightly, quite pleased with herself. Ron and Harry just gawped at her, unabashed. No matter how long the knew her, they were resigned to the fact that she would always come up with an apparently useless bit of information at a useful time.

"That is excellent stuff 'Ermione. Absolutely spot on! Half the breeders in the world don't know that much!" Hagrid was positively beaming. "Take twenty-five points fer Gryffindor!"

"Twenty-five?" Malfoy spluttered. "You didn't give me anything for Slytherine."

"Yeh just regurgitated one of the texts I set yeh this year. Pull yerself together boy. This is yer OWL year! Ye've got to put some effort into yer work! Do a bit of research. Swallow the 'ole blimmin' library like 'Ermione 'ere!" All the Gryffindors, including Hermione laughed heartily at this. Hermione wasn't sure whether or not to be flattered by what Hagrid had said (tact was never his strong point), but it was wonderful to see him getting his own back on Malfoy. "Now then, let's see who can tell us a bit about Sphynxes." Harry put his hand up alongside Hermione. Ron also put his hand up. Harry and Hermione stared at Ron, glanced at each other and raised questioning eyebrows. "Yes Ron?"

"Er, Hagrid? Isn't it true that, contrary to popular belief, although they are quite fierce, Gryffins are reasonably tame when treated with respect? Sort of like Hippogriffs?"

"That is very true m'boy. Well said, and well done. Remember that ALL of you. Especially you, young Master Malfoy. Any animal, no matter how tame has pride. In order for the animal to feed you, you need to feed the animal. And the best way to start doing so is by feeding his pride. Treat him, oh excuse me ladies, OR her, with love and respect, and you will earn their trust and loyalty. That is an excellent lesson to have taught us Ron. Take another five points for Gryffindor. Ok then. The Sphynx? Harry, you had yer hand up?"

"The Sphynx is often used by a number of wealthy families to guard their treasures or their homes. In the days when Human-Sphynx relationships were just beginning you had to earn their trust buy first proving your mind by answering one of their riddles, and then proving your loyalty by offering your first born child to the Sphynx community. They were always treated well and released on their tenth birthday (or after 4 years if over the age of six). There has only been one recorded incident of a human child being mistreated by their Sphynx master and that Sphynx was tried by her own community and executed. Nowadays the relationships are much better and the Sphynx devotes a fierce loyalty to its domicile, human family and charge. A favourite method of allowing access to a charge for those it doesn't recognise is to pose a riddle. The riddle posed will never be the same and a Sphynx's intelligence is so acute that for every sentence uttered it can think of literally a thousand different riddles. And excuse me ma'am," Harry said, blushing slightly as Hermione had done. "But haven't we met before? Weren't you here for the Tri-wizard tournament?"

"Yes that is quite correct Harry and you did exceptionally well. You were able to answer quite rapidly indeed." Grace replied in a long, deep, slightly husky whispering voice. Harry gazed at her for a moment, shook his head and carried on.

"The Sphynx will usually offer three options. You may for gold, as it were. That is to say, answer the puzzle. If the answer is wrong the Sphynx will attack, but if the answer is correct it will let you pass. However there is always a third option, which is to walk away empty-handed but unscathed.

"Once you have earned its trust, a Sphynx will sometimes interact with you through telepathy and..."

Harry stopped. He heard a voice in his head at that moment. He stopped and stared, gawping at the Sphynx who just stood their, smiling, towering over him. He started to think.

"Are you here for my Animagus potion?"

"I am."

"To whom do you belong?"

"I think you already know that one."

"But then why aren't you here?" The Sphynx raised one mighty eyebrow and

shook her head. Smiling. "Okay, I'm sorry it was a silly question. Has he told you all of what this is about?"

"Yes."

"Do I have any hard tasks to perform?"

"I will tell you nearer the time."

"Will I be able to do this?"

"Yes!" Harry brightened at this. Although he had no idea about this himself he was transfixed. There was silence all around him, he was aware of that much. He, however, thought they were all silent because of what he had said previously. He was unaware of the time-span.

"Anyway," he thought. "Where was I?"

"You were talking about me to the class. You were just about to tell them the creature to whom, we are the only enemy."

"I was?"

"Think Harry," she encouraged sedately. " you DO know this." Harry thought. He thought long and hard staring into the husky brown eyes of this giant, beautiful creature. An image slowly formed in his mind. An ordinary sized lion appeared before him, but this was somehow different. The tail had long spiny needles growing out of it in several rows, glistening in the light. The lion then turned its head and Harry saw not a lion's face, but that of a MAN. He started. The mouth of the man had several rows of sharp teeth, the eyes were a piercing red, and then suddenly, from the body of the lion spread two great furry wings, previously concealed in the mound of fur on either flank. A shudder passed through him as he looked at it. Then the image started to recede in front of him until it was no more than a tiny speck, and he realised that he had to look up to look at it. In fact he positively had to crane his neck to see it. And why had the background become black? He suddenly realised that the image of the creature was not one projected by his own mind, but by the Sphynx herself.

"You can project images as well?"

"I can. But I can only project images of a thought or idea, which is already in your mind. Fleur would call it an "Aide-Memoire". However, I can elaborate on what you already know to give a fuller knowledge of the picture, if I so chose. And now Harry it is time for you to awake and tell everyone more about yourself."

"WHAT?" he cried. But this last statement was out-loud and as the Sphynx blinked her eyes and shook her magnificent mane, Harry was suddenly aware of everyone staring at him. He shook his head as if to bring himself to, and he continued. "And the Sphynx is the only enemy of the Manticore and the Winged Manticore, and... and... and I'm sorry Hagrid but that's as far as I can go."

"Don' worry about it Harry." Hagrid said smiling. You did really well.

At this, to everyone's surprise, Neville put his hand up. Neville was a rather clumsy and forgetful Gryffindor who was very shy and nervous, and only occasionally tried to answer questions that weren't based on Herbology, but when he did, you knew it was something important. Despite his timidity, he had shown inner fortitude on a couple of occasions, and because of what he knew of his home-life, Harry held Neville in high esteem.

"Yes Neville!" Hagrid said in surprise.

"The Sphynx is also able to see into your very heart to ascertain whether or not your intentions towards its charge are pure. Based on this the Sphynx will either offer the riddle or warn you off, and attack if you still persist. Because of this ability to look into your heart, they can tell if you are lying. But, a Sphynx will never lie of its own volition. It will only lie when asked to do so by the owner of the property it guards, and if asked whether it has been told to lie, the Sphynx will always reply truthfully." Harry stared at Neville shamelessly.

"Where on earth did you read that?" he asked Neville who was standing behind him. Neville turned white.

"I-It's one of the few stories I remember my mum telling me before..." He looked close to tears. Harry quickly put his hand on Neville's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"It's okay. You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to." Most people there looked somewhat amused at this little exchange between them but none said anything.

"Thanks Harry. Maybe some other time." He smiled weakly.

"Very well said Neville." Hagrid roared, trying to lighten the mood. "The Sphynx is indeed, along with the Gryffin, amongst the best guardians in the world. And remember that although you can be as friendly and respectful as you like with both, their first loyalty is to their charge. Well said indeed Neville. Take fifteen points for Gryffindor. And 'Arry," Hagrid said with a smile and a wink to let him know he was not serious. "I suppose I'd better give you five points to, otherwise it wouldn't be fair!" Harry and Neville grinned broadly, as did the rest of the Gryffindors. The Slytherins on the other hand looked as if they were going to throw up. "Now then. As 'Ermione rightfully said, Courage here is pregnant, and as well as learning how to look after Gryffins, we will be learning about care of baby Gryffins as well. A normal litter is two or three strong. Courage 'ere tells me she is expecting two and so..."

"How in the Hell do you know that?" To no-one's surprise it was a Slytherin that asked this. To everyone's surprise, it was Gregory Goyle. He never normally said anything. In fact most of the school was uncertain if Malfoy's cronies even had a voice!

"Jus' because a Gryffin can' speak 'uman-like, don' mean 'E can' make 'isself understood!" Hagrid replied indignantly. "Anyway, as I were sayin'. It is goin' te be one each fer the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Now then, It's goin' to be about two weeks, ain't it Courage, old girl?" She nodded sedately. "Right then. In the meantime we are going to be talking about these noble creatures."

At break time, the three of them hurried back to the Library where Fleur was just putting out some more books on her desk which were to be for the third years. When she saw them, she smiled, rushed over to them and kissed them all once on each cheek. Hermione was looking much more at ease than she had ever been around Fleur before, and Harry knew it had to be because of the letters. She didn't even seem to mind her kissing Ron, who had not seemed as eager about it this time, although to say that he didn't enjoy it would be an insult to all present.

For a while no one said anything. There was no need to. They were comfortable just smiling.

Finally, and in no hurry, Harry broke the silence.

"So, Fleur. How are you?"

"I am very well sank you 'Arry. And you are well also?"

"Yes thank you."

"You are not 'aving too much derangement wiz ze family?"

""Derangement"?" Harry looked blankly at Hermione.

"Bother, Trouble."

"Oh right. No, they leave me pretty much alone now. The only real difference is that I don't have electricity or hot water any more, so it gets a little nippy at night, but apart from that it's fine."

"And Ron? You 'ad a good summer?"

"Oh yes. They first couple of weeks, we spent visiting Charlie in Romania. Bill is back on Holiday from Egypt, and so he came with us."

"Bill? 'E is you're oldest bruzzer, wiz ze long hair and ze boucle d'orreille, yes?" She said, blushing a little.

""Boucle d'orreille"?" He pondered. "Boucle, buckle? OH! You mean EAR RING! Yes that's right. Although his hair's a little shorter now. Mum's still not happy with it!"

"Ouais, je sais!" Fleur said absently to herself.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh nossing."

"Well, anyway, then Hermione came over for a week, before she went to Bulgaria to visit Viktor, and then Fred, George, Ginny, and I played Quidditch in the back garden for two weeks, then, on Harry's Birthday, he came over and it's been like that pretty much since. What about yourself Fleur? What did you get up to over the summer?"

"Well, apart from applying for ze job at 'Ogwart's, I spent a large part of ze Summer writing to 'Ermionee, and seeing a, euh, friend, and, euh, oh yes, I also 'ad to collect ze books for my lessons. As zere are about four 'undred studiants 'ere at ze school, it was a lot to arrange! I was 'appy when I found out zat it was all to be sent 'ere! I could not 'ave managed to bring zem all 'ere myself!"

"I never got to ask you last term, Fleur," Harry began curiously. "What was Beauxbatons like?" At this Hermione's ears pricked up and she turned to Fleur, staring at her with intense interest.

"What can I say?" she began. "It is 'ome. It is exceptionally beautiful. In ze winter, Oh, comment puis-j'expliquer? It is like, euh, ze, euh, what do you call zose leetle plastic sings wiz ze snow-like poudre?"

"Snow-globes, or snow-storms" Hermione offered.

"Ouais, c'est ça! Ze Snow globes. Covered in ze snow, ze Chateux de Beauxbatons, looks magical! You remember ze 'orses wheesh pulled our carriage? Well zey 'ave zere own cave at Beaubatons, where zey sleep at nights, but in ze evening, you see zem standing around, and, if you watch and listen to zem very carefully, it is almost as if, I don't know. Zis may sound a bit, euh, bizarre, but sometimes I sink I see and 'ear zem telling stories."

"Sound's more than plausible." Hermione said, half to herself, pondering. "Giant horses are herding creatures. No reason to assume they wouldn't sit around the proverbial campfire and tell stories by moonlight!"

"And what is it like inside?" Ron asked, just as interested.

"I don't know. Again, it is very beautiful. Actually, I sink it is not too dissimilar to 'Ogwart's. We do not 'ave ze suits of armour, or ze ghosts, but we still 'ave ze portraits, and zey certainly are beautiful. Ze painting behind wheesh was found my house room, I probably should not tell you zis, but I am sure you will say nossing, yes?"

"Of course not." they all said, smiling amicably.

"Well she was Joan D'Arc!" Hermione gasped at this.

"B-but I didn't think she was burned as a witch, and even then, wouldn't she have just cast an anti-heat spell on the flames?"

"You are absolutely correct 'Ermionee! 'Owever, because of what she was doing and what she was fighting for, she chose ze pass of martyrdom, you say?"

"Yes." Hermione replied, stunned. Joan of Arc, a witch? Ron and Harry could already see the well-oiled cogs turning inside her cranium.

"That would be perfect for your History of Magic Owl!" they chorused. She blushed slightly at this, but nodded to acknowledge the veracity of their thoughts.

Fleur was just about to say something when the bell rang for the second half of the morning.

"Well, I 'ad better let you get to your lessons." she sighed slightly. "You will steel come to visit me, yes?"

"Of course," they all replied exchanging hugs with her.

"And," Hermione added. "You will sit with us at lunchtimes when the table is quiet, yes?"

"Most definitely!" Fleur said fixing Hermione with a very meaningful gaze and then winking.

"See you later!" they chorused as they left the library.

Potions was wonderful. NEVER had anyone outside of Slytherin enjoyed it so much. They were allowed to remain in their threesome and talk about various things that had nothing to do with potions. They discovered how to stew Belladonna correctly to distil out the poison. (It turned out that once the poison had been removed from the veins of the Belladonna plant - otherwise known as "Deadly Nightshade" - the leaves of the plant were a powerful restorative (One of the main ingredients in the Pepper-Up Potion) and also made quite a pleasant Tea). Finally, to cap it all, he criticised Malfoy. Professor Fletcher was a hoot! It truly was the best Potions Lesson they'd ever had.

Defence Against The Dark Arts, which they had with the Hufflepuffs was also very interesting. Professor Figg (Harry had said "Mrs Figg" on several occasions throughout the lesson) it turns out was on very familiar terms with Professor

Lupin and had, spoke to him in great detail about their lessons with him. She had decided to teach the children how to defend themselves against Dementors. She took Harry to once side at the start of the lesson to explain to her what she wanted him to do.

"I have managed to lay my hands on a Boggart, Harry." she said. "Remus has told me about your Dementor lessons and I need you to help me with them as you are now expert with the Patronus charm. When you face the Boggart, it will take its Dementor form and I will perform a curse of my own on it to keep it in that form. You will then perform the Patronus charm, which it will retreat from. I have charmed the room to increase its internal dimensions so that the Dementor will be forced into a far corner. Those not facing the Dementor will be on the other side of the room, and those facing the Dementor individually will be in the centre of the room. The effective internal dimensions of the room will be that of about half a mile, so that the Dementor will only affect those tackling it. At the end of the lesson I will un-charm the room, release the curse on the Boggart and force it into the trunk I have it in. From what I saw at the Tri-Wizard tournament you have an exceptionally strong Patronus and so I will ask you to perform the charm whilst I explain to the class what you are doing. I am afraid that whilst my knowledge on the subject is sufficient for Dumbledore to want me as the DADA Professor, my own Patronus is comparatively weak." She paused. Whilst she had been saying this, Harry had said nothing, his face being devoid of emotion. "Do you understand what I am asking you to do, Harry?"

"Voldemort has got to the Dementors hasn't he." Harry said simply. It wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you ask professor Lupin to help you." Again, this was not a question, more of a statement.

"I did. He said you were much more qualified. Besides," Her eyes twinkled conspiratorially and she leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." She stood back and winked at him. Harry looked puzzled for a moment, and then his mouth dropped wide open.

"You were a Marauder?" he whispered in awe. This time it was most definitely a question.

"Not exactly. I am more what you would call a Marauder's sister. My Maiden name is Padfoot and we were close enough that I was in on it. A silent partner if you will." she said, just in case anyone could hear them.

"Snuffles is your Brother?"

"Yes."

"Is this what you meant at the feast?"

"Yes. I will talk about this later. Now," she said out-loud to the now-accumulated class. "We must get on with the lesson. Dementors!" There was a sharp intake of breath so tangible it felt to Harry that the room itself was in shock. "Like Professor Dumbledore, I don't believe in pussyfooting around the truth. Lord Voldemort has acquired the services of the Dementors of Azkaban and it is my job to teach you all to defend yourself against them. Who here, apart from Harry, Hermione and Ron can tell me anything about Dementors?" Justin Finch-Fletchley, an amicable Hufflepuff who had inadvertently had a run-in with Harry in their Second Year at Hogwarts and had later apologised for his misunderstanding of the situation, raised his hand at this. "Yes Justin?"

"The Dementor feeds off Happiness in order to create a bleak decay which it likes to surround itself in?"

"That is quite correct Justin. Very good."

"And they were used in Azkaban to torment and punish those who had been sent there as sort of a negative reinforcement?"

"That is putting it mildly but fair comment. Now can anyone tell me how to drive a Dementor away?" The room stood silent. "Very well, Ron?"

"The Patronus charm. But I am afraid I am not quite sure I know how it works. I know you need to think of something happy but apart from that..."

"That's okay. Hermione please continue?"

"Actually professor, I think it would be better if Harry explained it to us. I think Ron and Justin managed to hit the nail on the head as far as they could, but the only way you can give a truly satisfactory explanation of a Patronus charm is if you have performed one yourself. I only ever tried it once and I ended up unconscious in the grounds." she said, a little embarrassed at admitting her own fallibility.

"Nonetheless, considering you hadn't practised it, you didn't do too badly for a first attempt. However you are right. Harry, please proceed."

"I don't know where to begin." Harry pondered out loud. "The Patronus is like an inner guardian; An immense concentration of everything good and warming in your life. When you come into contact with a Dementor you feel drained of all happiness, like you'll never be happy again. The happiness slides down the Dementor's throat like ice-cold pumpkin juice on a warm summer's day, whilst it makes you relive the worst memories of your life. However the Patronus charm is like an enormous concentration of that happiness and the Dementor can't swallow it and becomes... I don't know. I can't really say afraid of it because I don't think Dementor's have emotions do they Hermione? Mrs Figg? I'm sorry, Professor?"

Both shook their heads... No.

"But anyway, it's like too much of it is really bad for them and so it drives them away. It doesn't kill them. I don't think they can actually die. They are just there."

"That is quite correct Harry. And now if everyone will move back to this end of the room, Harry will now demonstrate the Patronus charm."

Harry thought about the feeling of flying on his broomstick. The wind flowing through his hair, the feeling of complete and total freedom, the world beneath you, so small an insignificant. He closed his eyes, wand in hand, smiled and then cried "Expecto Patronum!" A burst of silvery white light issued forth from his wand and quickly took the form of a rather large stag. The stag looked around for a moment before turning back to Harry and trotted to his side. "Hello Prongs, old fellow." Harry said smiling. He knew he couldn't have his father with him, but this was almost as good. He remembered what Dumbledore had said... "You see Harry, he lives in you. How else could you have produced that particular Patronus. Prongs rode again last night." He smiled, a tear in his eye, but a tear of happiness. He sighed stroking Prongs and as Prongs faded beside him Harry turned back to the class, all staring at him in amazement. Harry wasn't the only one with a tear in his eyes either. Hermione and Professor Figg also had watery eyes, and Ron looked a little choked too. "There you go," he said, clearing his throat and chuckling. "Simple!"

"Okay." said Professor Figg, having regained her composure. "Firstly we will practice the charm together. Now, like Harry said, I want you to all think of a Happy thought. It can be anything, something you got for Christmas last year, a friend, your granddad, an old girlfriend or boyfriend!" She smiled knowingly, raising her eyebrows and looking around the students, a few of whom were gently blushing, and a couple of others blushing more violently. "Whatever it may be, I want it firmly lodged in your mind. Have you all got your happy thought?" Slowly, the class began to nod, and finally Neville joined in with the nodding. "Right, now, I want you all to please take out your wands," They did so. "And repeat the incantation "Expecto Patronum"."

"Expecto Patronum" From all of the wands, little wisps of smoke of varying clarity escaped and then loitered at the end of their owner's wands.

"Excellent. Now then we, or rather Harry here, will show you a proper Patronus in action." And with that, and with a nod to Harry who stepped forward to approach the trunk in the centre of the room, she stepped back to join the students, raised her wand and with a mutter the box sprung open and out stepped not the Boggart, but a Dementor. Harry remembered this creature all too well. The tall cloaked, hooded figure, the long skeletal hands barely sinews and flesh, the drawn out haggard breaths and the overwhelming dampening feeling of despair. He began to hear that familiar screaming in his ear, and concentrating with all his might on ignoring that screaming, he started to ponder on his happy thought. He quickly decided on when Hermione had come rushing up to him squealing with delight after waking up from the Basilisk attack two and a bit years ago. It was always wonderful when an ill friend or relation gets better after a long bout of illness. The irresistible urge to smile crept over him and he raised his wand and roared "Expecto Patronum!" Once again Prongs materialised right in front of Harry, but rather than turning back to him and standing docile at his side, he made for the Dementor with an incomprehensibly tangible silent roar and the Dementor retreated rapidly to the far side of the complex.

Taking careful aim at the Dementor, Professor Figg cried out "Forma Status Quo!" and then lowering her wand. "You can come back now Harry, leave Prongs to it for a couple of minutes. Harry made his way back to their side of the room and Harry, taking a large chunk of Honeyduke's Best Chocolate stood next to Hermione, whispered thanks, chuckled at her puzzled expression, and watched the rest of the proceedings.

The whole class had a go at it. Of course, no-one was able to produce a full patronus yet. A few Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs fainted and several shook violently. It seemed that only Hermoine was little affected by the Dementor, but she still looked miserable at the end of it. Her Patronus was a very clear, almost solid wisp of smoke, but as yet, it was completely formless. She looked at everyone saw the terror in some of their eyes and looked away downcast. She took her place next to Harry and whereas those who had had some chocolate already cheered up a lot, Hermione didn't. If anything, she looked somewhat worse. Harry stared questioningly at her throughout the last few attempts. Ron was last. He had a little trouble with the Patronus but his eventually stayed up long enough for the Dementor to start backing off a little.

"Harry, would you do the honours?" Professor Figg said to him, pointing her wand at the Dementor and saying "Forma Normalis".

"Certainly Professor." Harry replied, giving Ron, who was on his way back to the group, a little shakily, a friendly punch on the shoulder. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he roared, but this time he Jumped on Prongs and rode him to where the Dementor was backed into a corner. Raising his wand once again he pointed it at the Dementor and cried "Ridikulus!" and the Boggart disappeared in a puff of smoke, which wafted its way back to the trunk.

"Firma!" Professor Figg said, and the trunk locked behind him.

Harry jumped off Prongs and patted him gently on the muzzle as he disappeared, then made his way back and took his place next to Hermione. Noticing she was still very upset, Harry indicated to Ron and once again, they both gave her hands a squeeze. Hermione looked at them tearfully and squeezed back, whispering her thanks.

"Well done everybody. That was an excellent session. And don't be disheartened any of you that you were unable to produce a full Patronus. Some wizards do not favour that particular charm. You will find your strengths in other areas. In the meantime, I think you all deserve points for Hufflepuff and Gryffindor! Let me see, yes, fifteen points for Harry, my helper over here, ten each for Ron and Justin who answered my questions and faced the Dementor, and five points to each everyone else because you all faced the Dementor. Now then you'd all better get to lunch." she said smiling. "Harry, Ron, Hermione? May I have a quick word please?" She turned to them as the others left.

"Professor?" Ron said, enquiring, leaning casually against the wall near a slightly open storage cupboard, and professor Figg smiled, winking.

"Firstly Dumbledore has said that Harry trusts you and that he trusts you. Therefore I want you to know that I know what is going on and that I will do everything I can to help you. Snuffles has told me everything."

"You know the Marauders?" Hermione asked.

"Padfoot is my brother." Professor Figg replied simply. "This is what Harry and I were talking about at the start of the lesson. And I think you..."

"You were part of the old crowd that Dumbledore was talking about weren't you?"

"That's right Hermione. These are all troubled times, and whilst I am not happy about enlisting the help of wizards so young - frankly I would rather that you were outside playing Quidditch and playing practical jokes on the Slytherins like your father Harry" At which they all smiled. "However, needs must as the devil drives. Harry, you are one of the most resourceful wizards I have seen in years. Hermione, you are one of the most intelligent witches I've EVER seen. And as for you Ron, NOBODY is more loyal. As Dumbledore has said, you are all to look out for each other, take care of each other, and love each other, although by the looks of it, and from what I have heard of your antics over the last four years, there is no doubt that you do. I am here to protect you and, like the Marauders, I am going to help you through your transformations. Now there is one last thing for me to say," And with that she raised her wand. "Omnes Conspecti, Omnes Auditi, Amicum Suum Pensi Sapent".

"What on Earth was that all about?" Harry wondered, looking at Ron and Hermione.

"Not a clue! Any ideas Hermione?"

"Well I don't know much Latin, and I've never heard that incantation before, but... Holy CRICKET! Say that again Ron!"

"Say what again? All I said was that I hadn't..."

"RON YOU'RE NOT MOVING YOUR LIPS!" Harry and Hermione both cried.

"NEITHER ARE YOU TWO!" Ron yelled back.

"Professor, what is going on? What have you done to us?" Ron cried, out loud this time.

"What do you think I have done?" she said smiling.

"Well the only translation for that incantation you gave that I can think of is "All who see this, all who hear this, know their friends thoughts" but that can't be right. I mean..."

"Why can't it be right Hermione?"

"Because telepathy is impossible isn't it? It just doesn't happen. "

"Actually Hermione, do you remember what I was saying about the Sphynx?" Harry put in.

"Yeah, but Sphynxes aren't human. Humans can't communicate by telepathy."

"Hermione, have you ever heard the phrase "The only things in this life that are certain are Death and Taxes"?" she asked with a smile.

"Somewhere I think, but what does that..."

"The only certainty in the magical world is death. You can keep someone alive with potions aplenty, but eventually, once the potions have run out, you will eventually die. No, all other human laws can be bent, stretched or completely shattered by magic. The terms of the spell were that one of the people that the spell was cast on had to either have the predilection for telepathy or that they had recently been in contact with a creature that did and had communicated with them."

"Of course! Harry! The Sphynx! Brilliant of Hagrid and Dumbledore, and you Professor."

"But I thought that Hagrid meant that the Sphynx would be for some sort of potion that we would have to take before we transformed?"

"It is, but that is only part of it. I am afraid we kind of relied on your inquisitive nature for the spell, Harry. That and that either you or Hermione would know about a Sphynxes ability to communicate telepathically. Now you are able to do so. However you are also able to make your thoughts unavailable for reading, as it were. A mind-block if you will. For example I know how much Hermione hates you trying to get answers off her for your homework and how she hates you even joking about cheating off her in the exam. Well she could easily prevent you from doing so. You could still communicate with her, but she could choose what she let you hear. Do you all understand?"

"Yes Professor." They all replied.

"Oh and Professor. Thank you! This is so COOL!" Ron cried with relish.

"Yeah!" Harry and Hermione agreed.

"And Professor? Will we all be able to project images as well?"

"No Hermione, only Harry will be able to do this I'm afraid. However, he will be able to project images into your minds even when he is not transformed. Why don't you have a go now Harry." she said, glancing over to the cupboard near where Ron was standing. "Once you've had a telepathic connection with, say, a Sphynx, that part of Harry's mind has now been activated as it were, and so he can do that now."

"Okay Mrs Figg. Sorry, Professor. Figg! I am afraid it is still a bit new to me."

"Don't worry Harry. Outside of class I want you all to call me Arabella."

"But you're an adult!" Hermione cried in shock.

"So is Fleur."

"But she is only a three years older than us."

"And I am only twenty-five years older than you, which in wizarding years isn't much at all."

"Okay then... Arabella! I don't think I will get used to that in the near future!"

"No!" The Order agreed.

"Anyway, Harry. Go ahead and project."

Harry thought long and hard. Firstly he looked straight at Hermione and thought long and hard. All the memories he'd had with her. The first day on the train when she'd been looking for Neville's toad. The time she had helped him prepare for the first task. The night she'd helped him rescue Sirius. Then he looked at Ron and thought about the first time he'd seen him on the train. The chess games, THE chess game before Harry confronted Professor Quirrel and Voldemort, their effectively kidnapping Professor Lockhart (Professor! Hmmph!). Then he looked at them both and one firm memory stuck in his mind. The day they became friends, the day they'd set the troll on her by accident. Their defeat of the troll, and then her lie to McGonagall. Yes. That would be a good image to display to them. So he thought about it long and hard. The sloping forehead. The ugly green-grey leathery skin. The short stubby nose. The gargantuan arms. As the image formed in his mind, he both chuckled and let out an involuntary shudder. He then removed all other thoughts from his head, let his mind go completely blank, brought back the image of the troll again, and then concentrated on letting Ron and Hermione see it as well. They both stared at him, a little unsure at first. Of course Hermione first twigged, Ron followed shortly after, and both whispered choked thanks to Harry.

"Well then," Arabella said, breaking the ensuing silence. Off you go to lunch.