Harry Potter and the Year of Revelations

Chapter 3: Getting Things Done

Harry woke after a good night's sleep feeling refreshed. He wondered a bit about why he hadn't had a nightmare, but he thought that it must have been the feeling of security and home that Hogwarts always gave him. Still in his bed, he listened to the sounds around him. The curtains were drawn, so no one could see that he was awake. However, that was useless, because there wasn't anyone else in the room and not a sound came from the direction of the bathroom either. In the silence his thoughts drifted to last night. Isabelle was very beautiful and sweet. He couldn't understand how she could be a member of the Malfoy family.

He jerked himself back to the present. He realised that it was Monday and he hadn't even checked the clock. He stuck his hand out by the curtain to get his glasses from the bedside table. He marvelled for a second at the fact that he didn't need to clean them even a bit. Not even a speck of dust had gathered on them. He withdrew the curtain and looked at the clock. It was only half past seven. He felt relieved. Where were the others then? He washed his teeth, dressed and went down to the Common Room. As he got within view of it, he saw that there were many people there. In fact, the whole house. As they saw him, they all shouted a big 'surprise'. Harry came down, blushing.

"What's all this?" he asked.

Hermione stepped to him, grinning.

"Well, we thought that you've done so much for the World these past few years and especially last year that we would start off this year with a small breakfast party."

"Breakfast party?" he was very happy about this.

Soon Harry was mingling with the others, talking, laughing at summer antics. Hermione noticed that he was wearing her present and he thanked her for it, then Ron for the book. There was plenty of food and pumpkin juice. The papers with the timetables were all in a pile and they had to dig through it to find their own. He had a great time. He thought of talking to Isabelle. She was watching him again silently from a corner with a half-smile on her lips. He knew that he couldn't go to her and wished that he could.

Soon it was almost nine o'clock, time for the first lesson. They reluctantly stopped playing and chatting to get their books. Most of them looked at the new timetables for the first time. As always, some got a nasty shock. Harry went up for his books as well. Sitting on his bed he wanted to have a look at his paper, but Ron saw his first.

"Harry! Look what they've done to us!"

He opened the envelope with his name and read the paper. Every morning they had 3 hour classes of their main classes. Even potions! He groaned. Three hours with Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape in the same room!

"I see you're as happy about it as I am," Ron said.

"Yes. Especially the potions. There's one good point though."

"What?"

"We're going to have DADA right now."

"That's right! We'll find out who this Oya Potter is!"

Harry saw curiosity overtake Ron as he quickly packed his DADA book into his bag.

"Ron, do you know where my books are?"

"Yes, in your trunk."

Harry opened it and there they were; his new books. He looked around, wondering which one was for DADA. To his surprise, he found a book on Hitler and WWII. He had no idea which class it could be for, but he reckoned History of Magic. Finally, he saw a book on magical offence and defence and put it in his bag. He ran after Ron, who was already in the Common Room. They did party a bit too long.

When they got to the classroom, Hermione was already there, saving them seats in the first row. Glancing around, Harry saw Isabelle in the back row, pulling herself together as much as possible. No one seemed to take much notice of her.

They waited for a few minutes; the class should have already started. Suddenly a window burst open and an eagle with a golden beak landed before the teacher's desk in a hurry. It changed into Oya Potter in the blink of an eye. She wore dark purple robes that were tied together this time. Her golden mane glistened in the sunshine that streamed through the windows. Her dark eyes looked around behind her spectacles, taking everyone in for a few moments.

"Good morning class! Sorry for being late, but I'm not used to such early waking and you wouldn't want to meet me before I took a few laps in my eagle form. So, let's get right down to it. You all know that I'm Oya Potter and I just know what you're all wondering about. Am I related to your friend, Harry?" she looked at him with a bright smile. "Well, I am. James Potter was my older brother. Now you're all asking ... but I don't want to put words into your mouths. So, what are you all asking?" she looked at Hermione as a clear sign to utter her question.

"Why aren't you taking care of Harry if you're his aunt?" Hermione smiled.

"That's exactly what I was thinking about! Well, because of my dark past," she said this a bit theatrically, but the smile vanished from her features.

She reached towards the belt of her robe and untied it. She took it off. Underneath she wore a short-sleeved blouse.

"This is no real secret, everyone knows it. The reason why I'm standing before you and not in Azkaban is that they never had the opportunity to lock me up, I was too good," with these words she quickly turned up the sleeve of her left arm to reveal a Dark Mark. The students sitting around her were so astonished they couldn't even gasp. A Death Eater for a teacher! Harry's aunt a Death Eater!

"Yes, I was a Death Eater and nothing can take away the memories or the mark on my arm. I will forever wear it on my soul. Actually, the Mark itself can be on different places on the left arm. I got it on the shoulder because it's easier for a woman to hide it there. The reason why I can teach you now is that Dumbledore believes that I'm sorry for everything I've done and that I'm on his side. He also thinks that I can give you such an insight into why some people join the dark side as no one else really can and I can teach you about the methods they use. Furthermore, I can help you in discovering yourself, thereby lessening the chances of you becoming trapped in the shadows of your own souls. Anyone can become a Death Eater. We all have our dark sides, for some people it's darker than for others. Now you must be thinking that Slytherins become Death Eaters, not Gryffindors. However, there were plenty from your house as well at the Meetings. I was a Gryffindor myself."

She pulled down the sleeve and redressed. She took her time, allowing them to digest the information they had just heard. When she was ready, she leaned on the teacher's table and crossed her arms.

"There is more than one reason why people become Death Eaters. Can you tell me about any?" She looked around, they were all still a bit startled. "You, dark haired girl in the back! What's your name?"

"Isabelle Malfoy," her voice sounded just like a whisper.

"Oh yes, well, Miss Malfoy, I suppose you can tell us at least one reason."

"Family," again, a whisper.

"Miss Malfoy, talk louder so that everyone can hear you and please answer in detail."

"Some join the Dark Side because their family has always been on that side and they don't have much of a choice."

"There's always a choice. If no other, you can always die. Believe me, even that's better."

The students' eyes grew large. They were only fifteen and no one had ever talked to them that way.

"Yes. Or you can always turn into a spy, though few survive that. However, it is more useful than just giving up. Thank you, Miss Malfoy. Once I can hear you, you say good things." Oya smiled at her. "Other reasons? Anyone?"

To everybody's great surprise Neville's hand rose.

"First tell me your name and then the rest. All of you, I have a very bad memory for names so you'll have to do this for the following two months. If I still don't remember your names, please forgive me. Go ahead."

"Neville Longbottom, Miss Potter. Loneliness. When someone feels that the good side does not appreciate them, they are lonely, they could try the other. Also, this way they can avenge being shut out."

"Very good, Mr. Longbottom. Excellent. You may not have noticed this, but you gave two reasons. One is that people need to feel that they belong somewhere. Voldemort ..." There came a sudden gasp from the children. "So, as I said, Voldemort is very good at making you feel part of a group. He praises you for your good work. He initiates you and after doing the hard task that's a part of the ceremony, everyone around you pats your back, saying how great it is to have you. You also get a partner with whom you work. If you're single, then a single person from the opposite sex. If married or you have someone, then someone with equal marital status from the same sex. That way you can either get together with the first or discuss your problems with the second. He knows people well and how to treat them.

"Other than belonging the other reason you mentioned is vengeance. The person becomes a Death Eater to be on the other side than his or her enemy. Or to be able to hurt the enemy any way. A man I knew became a Death Eater because the woman he loved married a man on the side of the good. I joined ... well, I was mad at James for several reasons and wanted to hurt him where it ached the most." She looked down a bit, blinking several times. When she looked up again, she had a bittersweet smile on her face.

"More reasons? Can anyone give me more?" she said, her voice ringing strong in the quiet room. Everyone's eyes were fixed on her, not wanting to miss a word.

Ron's arm rose into the air.

"Yes?"

"Ron Weasley. Money and position. Voldemort could offer money and position in the Ministry. At least, the last time he had connections there."

"Wonderful, Mr. Weasley! You even said his name! However, I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Money and position have always been a charmer. However, these people had to make a choice between what's right and what's easy. It's easy to help Voldemort in the Ministry with small things. Those people never had to kill personally. Through their actions they could rise fast. Some had no conscience to reckon with. However, there were people who one day looked into the mirror and didn't like what they saw. That's why I put "The Picture of Dorian Gray" on your reading list. Please read it by Christmas. It's the perfect example of when a man lets his ambitions, his dark side take over and one day realises what he had become.

"I believe we have more reasons. At least one." She looked around, searching for a hand.

Finally Seamus Finnigan's rose.

"Seamus Finnigan. Blackmail. If someone is blackmailed by something ... I suppose it could be the life of his or her family or something that the person has done."

"That's what I was thinking about! Thank you, Mr. Finnigan. Voldemort used blackmail as well. Though usually not for a longer term and more often than not, eventually he did kill the person. So if you ever get into that situation, I suggest you go to Dumbledore and hide your loved ones. Doing what he wants won't be enough to save them.

"These are common reasons, but not the right ones. If you hate Muggles and Muggle-borns, if you enjoy killing and bloodshed, if you have no conscience ... then go ahead and join Voldemort. Never, "she looked around to see that everyone was paying attention to her," for any other reason, because some day you'll wake up and see that you yourself had destroyed everything you loved, everything you cared for.

"To prevent that, you're going to get to know yourselves this term. We'll spend the first 90 minutes on this. After that we're going to start revising the stuff that you need to know for your exams. I was always awful at preparing for exams, so I want to help you. Besides, that time should be spent by that. ... I know it will be difficult, because you have had a different teacher every year. To make it more difficult, I only have the notes of Professor Lupin. I do have your books though. ... Maybe we're going to get passed that problem and I'll be your teacher for the next three years. Unless, that is, I die a painful death, or loose my memory. Oh, and don't worry, I'm not a werewolf, just an animagus." She grinned at this and the others joined her as well.

During the class, first they did self-discovery tasks and then revised. They got some homework; they had to describe their outer and inner features. They also had to tell if they liked these in themselves or not. Strictly the truth. When they had gathered their notes and things, Oya approached Harry.

"Harry, I need to speak to you. However, not now. After dinner at 7?"

"Ok."

"Good. Bye!"

"Bye!"

They walked out to the corridor, making their way towards the Great Hall.

"What do you think she'll say, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Don't know. I really don't know what to think. I mean about her. She seems nice and all, but she had been a Death Eater."

"She's your aunt. Maybe you could live with her," Ron suggested.

"Ron, what if she's still a Death Eater and pretends not to be just to get close to me?"

"Aren't you a bit paranoid?" the red-head wondered.

"It's only logical, Ron..." Hermione began to say when the man she least expected to see that day appeared.

Lucius Malfoy passed them, looking angry, not even directing a menacing gaze towards Harry. Then he spotted Oya, who was also going to the Great Hall.

"Well, if it isn't Oya Potter!" He put on a fake smile.

"Hello Lucius," she said, returning his fake smile.

When Harry, Ron and Hermione saw this, they stopped as they rounded the corner, wanting to hear the rest of the conversation.

"I haven't seen you in ages. Draco did write that you were here. I could hardly believe my eyes."

"Well, I'm the new DADA teacher."

"Finally, someone who knows the trade. It's a true wonder that Dumbledore took you up."

"You know Lucius, I was always good at convincing."

"Yes, so true. Teach Draco well, he'll have many things to do."

"I know. Are you here to talk to me, Lucius, or for some other reason?"

"As much as I like to welcome you back, Oya, I'm here because of Isabelle."

"I saw her in Gryffindor. I was very surprised when she said her name."

"I'll put her in her place. She has been nothing more than a pain ever since she was born."

"She's your daughter, Lucius. However, being in Gryffindor can't be that bad. After all, I was a Gryffindor myself."

"I don't want her to be brave. She has a different reason for living."

"To follow the Malfoy tradition concerning women?"

"Yes."

"Maybe she would be of more use to you. I'm sorry; I really have to go eat now, Lucius."

"Go then, Oya."

Harry and the others quickly went on; hoping that Oya hadn't noticed them.

At the table the subject was of course Oya Potter. Neville had already arrived by the time the trio sat down and he was telling about their new teacher.

"She is nice and teaches very well. I could understand a lot of things that I didn't in first year."

"Is she Harry's relative?" Fred anxiously asked him.

"Yes, she's his aunt. Get this! She was a Death Eater and she doesn't hide it!"

Everyone who could hear this and hadn't already known suddenly looked up at the teacher's table to look at Professor Potter. They could hardly believe it. Harry's aunt! Death Eater!

"How is this possible?" George wondered.

"She said she was angry at Harry's dad."

"Why?" George pushed on.

"She never said," Harry replied. "However, she said she wants to talk to me at seven in the evening."

"Speaking of strange women, Professor Potter has just met Lucius Malfoy on the corridor. He said that Isabelle is his daughter," Ron announced.

Again, lots of astonished faces. It was getting funny.

"She doesn't look a bit like a Malfoy, as I've said earlier," Hermione observed. "It's amazing that she's Lucius Malfoy's daughter. I'll look into that eye-contact thing right after Astronomy."

"Hermione, I don't think you'll need to do that," Harry said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Well, she is in Gryffindor. I don't think she meant any harm."

"Harry, just because she's in Gryffindor, it doesn't mean that she can't be your enemy. Remember what Professor Potter said, anyone can become a Death Eater."

Harry was caught. He couldn't tell her that Isabelle was becoming his friend, but he didn't want Hermione to waste her time either.

"Very well then, research it." He decided to let her do it, it was the only way of escape. Besides, she loved research so much, it wouldn't be that much of a problem for her.

"Good. I'll start right after class."

"You'll have to stop at 5, remember?" Harry warned her.

"Oh, the meeting! I almost forgot the first prefects' meeting! I was so excited about the opportunity to research."

They all smiled at this. Then Fred spoke, remembering another meeting they had to hold.

"Harry, we have to discuss the matters concerning the Quidditch team!"

"Yes, you're right. Ugh, I think today will be full of discussions."

Just as he said it, an owl swooped down before him, dropping a letter. Somehow, he was reluctant to touch it, but decided to open the letter anyway. Inside was a note from Professor Dumbledore, telling him that Madame Malkin would be waiting for him at the Headmaster's office after class. Oh great, Harry thought, another thing to do.

While eating, he mentally organised his meetings to find a place in his busy schedule for the Quidditch meeting. First, he went to Astronomy. It was a short, 45 minute class. Then he would meet Madame Malkin in Professor Dumbledore's office. He was glad to be finally getting new clothes. It was getting embarrassing. Besides his trousers being too short, his sleeves were short as well, his shirts fitted him all wrong. Also, his robes looked awful. He could just hear Draco Malfoy's comments. The Malfoys always looked well-tailored. Isabelle as well, who looked beautiful last night in that robe. Beautiful? Now why did he think that? Because she was beautiful, he realised. He glanced over to the Ravenclaw table where Cho Chang was sitting. She was pretty, he noticed, but Isabelle, she was beauty itself to him. However, how could he think about her that way? First he had a crush on Cho, who had been with Cedric. And now, a Malfoy. Besides, what got him thinking about Isabelle in the first place? He decided to stop that and go to the appointment he had after that. However, he did glance around, searching for Isabelle. He couldn't see her anywhere.

He had a prefect's meeting at 5. Well, he did have plenty of time before that and that was a great time to put Quidditch meeting.

"What if we have Quidditch team meeting at 4? I'm sure we would have everything settled by the prefects' meeting."

George looked at him with a strange expression.

"Hmm, we have already settled on that time. We have been waiting for you to say if it is all right with you."

Harry blushed a little.

"Sorry, I have a lot of things to do today and I was thinking about them."

"What things?" Ron was curious.

"Well, after Astronomy I have to meet Madame Malkin about my new clothes. Then the two meetings and finally I'm going to talk with .... my aunt after dinner."

"I'm curious about what she's going to tell you," Hermione said.

"Me too. I can't wait," Harry replied.

"Maybe you'll be able to live with her," Ron suggested again.

"Ron, let's not go that far. We still don't know if she has really put her past behind her," Hermione warned.

"I have just been thinking," George began. "All of our DADA teachers have deceived us somehow. Quirrell tried to bring the Dark Lord back. Lockhart was almost a squib. Lupin was a werewolf. Moody wasn't even Moody! It makes me think that Professor Potter could be different from what she seems."

"I just had an idea!" Harry brightened. "I'll talk to Dumbledore about it."

"Great idea, Harry!" Hermione was happy about it. "Maybe he could tell you a couple of things."

With this final thought they all turned to their food, since they had little time left to eat. Ron especially began shovelling food into his mouth.

Harry was thinking about Oya Potter, his aunt. She had said that she had joined the Dark Side because she was mad at his father. He wondered what possible reason she could have had? Everyone liked his father, well, except for Snape. Strangely enough, there they were again, chatting about something at the teachers' table. Snape was still smiling and it made Harry shudder. Could she really be hiding something? Harry decided to ask Oya about Snape as well. Maybe they knew each other when they were both Death Eaters.

"Harry!" he heard Hermione call him.

"What is it?"

"Harry, we have to get to class, we have only a few minutes left of the break!"

Harry looked at his watch, shook his head because it wasn't there and quickly got up. They had to run up to the Astronomy Tower. They didn't need to see the stars today, they were only being introduced to the schedule of this year's classes. Some classes were held at night to see the stars, some during the day to discuss theory.

After a long 45 minutes of charts and star maps Harry parted from his friends, who were heading to the library to have a look at spells that need eye contact and cause the effect that Harry had experienced. Harry's view on this was that a part of him wanted to believe in Isabelle. He wanted to accept what she had said about the eye contact. However, he had been proven so wrong so many times when judging people's characters, he wanted to make sure he could trust her. Still, he was looking forward to meeting her that night. Lucius Malfoy seemed very mad and he was afraid that he had hurt her a lot. Especially because he hadn't seen her in class.

When he reached the end of that train of thought, he found himself in front of Dumbledore's office. He briefly wondered how to get in, when the gargoyle jumped away to reveal Dumbledore.

"Harry, it is so good to see you. Did you get your presents and books all right?"

"Yes, thank you Professor Dumbledore."

"Madame Malkin isn't here yet. However, I have someone inside that you should meet." He smiled and motioned him inside.

When they were within his office, Harry saw a figure clad in black sitting with his back towards the door in one of the chairs. His heart beat faster.

"Sirius?" he stuttered.

The figure got up and turned.

"Harry! My, you have grown so much!" Sirius exclaimed with a big smile.

"I'll leave you two alone." Dumbledore left.

Harry went to Sirius and they hugged. It was then that Harry realised just how much taller he had become. He reached up to Sirius so much better.

They broke apart and sat down. Harry observed that Sirius was in a much better condition than when he last saw him.

"Sirius, did you alert the old crowd all right?" he said the first thing that popped into his mind.

"Yes, they are all ready to fight a new war against Voldemort. They are preparing in secret. Harry, I hope your summer wasn't too bad. I know that the things that happened when Voldemort returned had shocked you."

"I'm fine. My summer was all right."

"Harry, I don't believe you," Sirius said, looking deep into his eyes. "You can tell me the truth."

Harry took a deep breath. He decided that he had to talk to someone about it and the best person was Sirius.

"All right. During the summer I worked most of the day. I fixed things around the house. I ate only a little and slept less. Often, I had nightmares. About Voldemort. When I woke up, I read. I felt .... awful. I can't help thinking that Cedric's death was all my fault. I told him to touch the cup. I ...." He looked down into his lap.

"Harry, I don't think it would work if I told you that you are not responsible. I know that no one could ever make me not believe that I'm not responsible for Lilly and James' deaths. The only thing I can do is to help you in any way I possibly can. The only thing you can do is to study, go on with your life and become the best and strongest wizard possible so that one day you can defeat Voldemort."

"Sirius, why was Voldemort after my parents so much? Why do I play such a big role in the course of things? I've been thinking; Dumbledore isn't like the way he is with me just because of what happened when I was little. There must be something more behind it. Is there?"

"I do know that Dumbledore has been hiding something. He always seemed to take special care when it came to your parents. However, I do not know the reasons behind it."

"Did you ever ask him?"

"No. He'd tell me if I had to know. He'll tell you when you'll have to know."

A moment of silence followed as they both considered Dumbledore's reasons. However, neither of them could think of a really good one.

"Yesterday and today many strange things happened around here. I've meet, my aunt." Harry changed the subject.

"Dumbledore told me that she was here."

"Sirius, what do you know about her?"

"Oya. .... She's two years younger than James. She was a beautiful little girl. Is she still beautiful?"

"Yes."

"James was very protective of her. However, I think she felt that she was very much in his shadow. She used to be a quiet girl, then suddenly she changed when she was fifteen. She .... well, I hate to speak about her that way, but she began to have a reputation, you know, a bad reputation. James had just finished Hogwarts when their parents were killed by Death Eaters. It was awful and things only became worse. After she finished school, she moved away and became a Death Eater. We never knew why. James didn't see her again. Or .... I think he did see her again, however, the only thing he said was that she was a very different woman than the girl he had known."

"She said in class today that she became a Death Eater to hurt dad."

"She did seem to be very mad at him, but I have no idea why. .... How is she now?"

"Nice. A bit sad. I think I like her. I'm going to talk to her at 7 this afternoon."

"She must have changed a lot. I would like to meet her. .... What other strange things happened around here?"

"I've found out that Draco Malfoy has a twin sister."

"Yes, .... now that I think about it, I do remember that they had two children. However, I didn't even know that it was a girl."

"Her name is Isabelle. She was sorted into Gryffindor. The strangest thing about her is that she has dark hair and doesn't look at all like a Malfoy."

"Hmmm. That is very interesting. She sounds like a Malfoy, who is not a Malfoy."

"She doesn't even think like one either."

"How do you know that?"

Harry could have kicked himself for letting that slip.

"Well, don't tell anyone, ok?"

"Ok."

"Last night I went to the Common Room to open my presents. After I was done with them, I saw that she had just come down the stairs. I told her to sit down if she couldn't sleep. I think she had been crying. Then we talked for a while. She said that she doesn't agree with many things that her father had told her. Also, I think he hurts her. She told me not to mention talking to her to anyone."

"I can imagine that her father must be very mad at her for being in Gryffindor."

"I saw him today. He looked furious."

"Lucius Malfoy, here? It's a good thing I can use the secret passages. Are you going to see her tonight as well?"

"I hope so."

"Harry, do be careful around her."

"I know. I am. Oh, Sirius, I haven't even thanked you for your presents."

"Well, yes. You like them?" he smiled at his godson.

"Yes, a lot. I will check the stone often."

"Good. The book?"

"I haven't really had a chance to look at it yet."

"Harry, there are so many things I should tell you about girls and such things."

"Don't you think it's a bit early?"

"No. I remember when I was your age ... well, let's just say I wasn't a monk."

"What about Dad?"

"Oh, he started to notice Lily the girl around that time. Before that she was Lily the friend. By the end of the year they were going out. However, I don't know how far they got. James wasn't the kind to talk about it." He noticed Harry blushing. "What is it?"

"It's just that it's odd to think of them like that."

"Well, they had to do it some time. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"I know."

Dumbledore chose that moment to enter the room.

"Sirius, I'm afraid you have to go. Madame Malkin is waiting outside."

"Oh, then, goodbye Harry." He stood up.

Harry stood up as well and they hugged briefly.

"Goodbye, Sirius."

Then the boy watched as his godfather left through an opening in the wall that had just appeared and then disappeared once he passed it.

Madame Malkin came and the matter of the clothes was taken care of. When they were done and the bought garments were magically adjusted to Harry's size, 4 o'clock came. Harry hurried to the Common Room where the Gryffindor Quidditch Team Meeting would be held. The three girls and the twins were already sitting around a table, waiting for him.

"Well, Harry, nice new clothes!" George exclaimed.

"Yes, just got them." He sat down.

"Then let's do this quickly. All in favour of Harry being the new captain, raise your hands," Alicia Spinnet said, surprising Harry.

He was even more surprised, when everyone raised their hands.

"All right, with that taken care of, when are we holding the tryouts for the keeper?" she went on.

"Hey, aren't you going to ask me if I take it?" Harry was gathering himself.

"No," Fred spoke. "Face it Harry, you're the best man for the job. So, when do you want to hold the tryouts? Make it quick, we always play on the first game of the year and we still need to practice."

"Ugh, yes. Let's post a notice on the school board and put the tryouts to next Sunday."

"Good, let's not waste time!" Fred was very happy.

"I'll put the paper up," Harry said. "Does someone have anything to add?"

They all shook their heads.

"All right, meeting dismissed." He smiled at how formally he spoke.

Harry looked at his watch, then realised he still hadn't got a new one and his arm was still empty. He looked at a clock on the wall. He had some time 'till the other meeting. He decided to go to the hospital wing and get some sleeping potion. He couldn't be as lucky every night as he was last night.

When he finally reached it, he found Madame Pomfrey in her office brewing some potion.

"Madame Pomfrey?"

"Oh, Harry, I expected to see you here, but not so soon. What can I help you with?"

"I need something that would put me into a dreamless sleep."

"Having nightmares after last year?"

"Yes." He looked down.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Greater men have been broken by less." She went to one of the many shelves containing bottles and reaching up, took one from the top shelf. It was the purple potion that Harry had once taken the year before. "Take one gulp before going to sleep and that would provide you with 4 hours of guaranteed dreamless slumber. You can sleep on after the 4 hours, but you could have nightmares. One sip is 2 hours. So you can time it to how much you want to sleep. Did you understand everything?"

"Yes."

Satisfied, Madame Pomfrey gave him the potion.

"Now, I must attend to a patient. If you'll excuse me," with these words she took out a spoonful of the boiling potion and poured it into a glass.

Harry headed out, but something made him stop. Madame Pomfrey went to a bed that had curtains around it. When she drew it aside, Harry got a good look of who was there. It was Isabelle! Her face was very white and she looked gratefully at the nurse, accepting the potion. Harry went out, but kept his ears to the door. When he heard the nurse leave, he went back inside. He hurried to the bed where Isabelle was lying. He slipped in through the curtains.

She looked very white and ill. However, he couldn't see anything else wrong with her. Her eyes slowly opened. When she looked at Harry, they grew round.

"Harry! What are you doing here?" she whispered.

"I came for a potion." He raised the item in his hand. "Then I saw you. Are you ill?"

Her eyes turned very sad and she looked away.

"No, I'm not ill. I just ... I just don't feel very well."

"Did your father do something?"

"Harry, he did what he did. I'll be all right by tomorrow. We can meet again tomorrow night. You should go. I don't really like you seeing me this way."

"Isabelle.... how could he get to you here?"

"He found me. Draco helped."

"He's helping Lucius hurt you?"

"No. Father told him to find me and bring me to him and so Draco did."

"I see. How did he hurt you?"

"I'd rather not say. Go already, ok?"

"I want to know what's wrong with you."

"Harry, you're sweet. I just can't tell you. Be content with that I'll be fine tomorrow."

"All right. If that's the way you want it. Then, get better. Bye!"

"Bye!"

She looked at him with a smile that he knew was fake.

He left the hospital wing feeling strange. He couldn't see any outer damages on Isabelle, however, if Lucius Malfoy had used a curse, those have a worse effect than any physical beating without leaving any surface evidence. He now also knew the reason for her being absent from class. He had never felt like that. The need to hold her and protect her was strong. A part of him was afraid that it wasn't really coming from himself, that it was just some spell. Another part of him was even more afraid that it was real and not magic. After all, a Malfoy and he has only known her for a day. What a day it has been! It was not over yet.

To be continued...