Disclaimer: I do not own most of the characters or settings in this story. The honour belongs solely to JK Rowling. I suspect that I do not even own half of the plot, as this has been influenced by the numerous fanfics I've read.
Summary: Harry embarks on a new quest in his sixth year at Hogwarts. On the way he meets new friends, new enemies, and learns a few truths that will completely shatter his world. This is the sequel to 'Teaching Harry'.
Spoilers: All five books
Rating: PG-13 – Just to be safe
Note: I will be updating this story every weekend. It contains 25 chapters and is approximately 100,000 words in length.
Chapter 1: The First Day at Hogwarts.
Harry woke up in a very good mood on his first full day at Hogwarts, or home, as he would rather call it. He had just spent a horrible summer with Snape, but it was worth it. He could now study Advanced Potions, and become an Auror. And it was all due to Professor McGonagall.
Harry used every power he had to prevent himself from humming as he was getting dressed. He was afraid that maybe the other Gryffindors in his dorm might think he was losing his mind if he started singing and decide to send him off to St Mungo's.
Harry turned to the four-poster bed which was situated next to his. Ron was still asleep. Harry wanted to wake him up so he would have someone to talk to on this fine morning, but thought better of it. Ron was usually grumpy in the mornings at the best of times, but when his sleep was disturbed, one should really look for cover. Besides, it was still very early, two hours to go before breakfast was served.
Harry decided that the best course of action would be to grab his firebolt and get in some flying before breakfast. Harry smiled as he could imagine Hermione's reaction, "you really ought to start studying you know, we're studying Advanced subjects now and they're bound to be really hard!" But studying before he had even set foot in class was not something he was particularly interested in doing.
Harry quietly grabbed his Firebolt so as not to disturb the others and descended the stairs to the common room. He was surprised to see Hermione already there, although he was not so surprised to see all four sides of her table loaded with books.
Harry smiled as he approached her. "Hey Hermione," Harry said cheerfully.
Hermione was startled as she looked up. "Harry, don't scare me like that!" she cried.
"Sorry," Harry replied, although he wasn't really that sorry at all. He was quite amused by the whole thing actually. However, given Harry's mood, he would probably be amused by the stinger, sucker and blasting end of a Blast-Ended Skrewt.
"What are you doing studying already, Hermione. Classes haven't even started yet?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to change the subject.
"Well, we are studying Advanced subjects, you know you should be studying too -" but Hermione got no further than that as Harry cut her off.
"Okay, okay, I got it," he replied, not wanting a lecture on his first day of Hogwarts. "Listen, I'm off to the Quidditch pitch to get in some flying. I didn't get a chance to fly at the Dursley's," Harry told her.
Hermione looked disapproving of the fact that Harry seemed to already lack study ethics on his first day but she understood. "Alright, Harry, I'll see you at breakfast."
"Tell Ron where I am if he ever wakes up," Harry told her.
Hermione nodded and returned to her studying. Harry watched her for a moment. He saw her studying intently on Potions and quickly decided that that kind of devotion to spider legs and burlap juice was simply not normal. Of course, he had to concede that begging Snape to let Harry stay in his house with him wasn't exactly normal either.
On the way to the Quidditch pitch, Harry reflected on the events of the summer. He had gotten a letter from Dumbledore saying that he had arranged a tutor in Potions for Harry over summer, and if Harry achieved the appropriate grade, he would be able to study Advanced Potions, thus enabling him to still seek his ambitions of becoming an Auror. Harry had been ecstatic until he found out who his tutor was. It was Snape. So Harry had to endure an entire summer of constant criticisms and insults from both Snape and the Dursleys. Harry thought it had all been for nothing as he only achieved an 'E' grade, but then Dumbledore had came to his rescue yet again. He thought fondly of the memory of Snape's face when he found out that Dumbledore had arranged for Professor Morgan to teach Potions this year, so that Harry would be accepted into the class. Harry only wished he knew how to use a pensieve, so that he could store that memory forever and watch it again, and again, and again.
Then there was Mark Evans. Mark had appealed for Harry's help towards the end of the summer. Mark's father did not want Mark to study magic. Harry could sympathise with this, as the Dursleys felt the same way towards Harry's schooling. He knew that there was a difference, however. The Dursleys hated magic simply because they hated anything out of the ordinary. But something happened to Mr Evans mother, something bad, and it left her insane. And whatever it was it had something to do with the magical world. This was why Mr Evans did not want Mark to study magic, and this was what Mark was appealing to Harry for. To find out what happened to his grandmother.
Harry had already told Ron and Hermione about Mark's predicament last night at the welcoming feast, and they were all too ready to start the investigation. In fact, Hermione wanted to start studying the diary that Mark gave to Harry that very night, but Ron and Harry managed to talk her out of it. They were all too exhausted.
Harry felt the old sense of elation he always felt when he reached the Quidditch field. This was his favourite thing about Hogwarts. He simply loved flying. He valued the ability to jump on his broomstick and soar though the air with the wind in his face, and forget about all of his troubles.
He flew about fifteen laps, weaving in and out of the hoops on either side of the field. He completely forgot where he was until he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. He turned around and saw someone near the edge of the forbidden forest, but he was too far away to work out who that person was. Harry could only think of one person who would be near the forbidden forest at this time of morning. Hagrid, the gamekeeper. Harry cherished his friendship with Hagrid; if not the strange (and dangerous) creatures Hagrid had the tendency to introduce him to.
Harry flew closer to where Hagrid was standing, but swerved away at the last moment. It was not Hagrid at all. It was Snape. Harry recognised the big billowing cloak of his dreaded Potions master. He could not believe he had mistaken Hagrid for Snape. They were not at all alike. Not in size or demeanour. Harry hovered behind the trees in an effort to become invisible. The last thing he wanted was to be accused of spying on Snape. He tried to think of a way to get back to the Quidditch pitch without being seen. He was amazed he had made it here unnoticed, as there was a lot of clear air between the Quidditch field and the forest. He decided to make a run (or fly) for it. He was just about to take off when he heard a woman's laughter. Harry looked down and saw that Snape was talking to a woman. He hadn't seen her before because she had been obscured by the trees. She was dressed in traditional black teaching robes and had long blond hair. That was all he could make out from his position.
Harry was trying to work out who this woman could be, and then it suddenly came to him. She was wearing teaching robes so she must be a new teacher at Hogwarts. And there was only one position open. She was the new Potions Professor, Professor Morgan. He hadn't even looked at her during the feast last night. Harry also remembered that Snape said she was a personal friend of his, which explains the friendly nature. For a moment Harry wondered just how friendly they were, and this thought brought a wave of extreme nausea flooding over him. He decided it was probably best not to think about such things.
But fate was not on his side. Harry saw Snape brush a lock of hair behind Professor Morgan's ear, and she giggled. Harry couldn't stand to see any more and he soared straight back to the Quidditch pitch, hoping that Snape was so focused on Professor Morgan that he wouldn't notice Harry flying about.
Back at the Quidditch field, Harry landed, and had to hold onto the side railings to stop himself from falling. His head was spinning. He couldn't believe that any woman would be interested in Snape, and although he didn't see much of her, she seemed to be quite attractive.
Harry looked up to see a mop of red hair peer through the doorway of the dressing rooms.
"There you are, Harry," Ron said. "I thought you must have left. I've been here for ages."
Harry shook his head to try and clear it, then said, "Ron, you will not believe what I've just seen!" and he recounted everything he had seen and heard by the forbidden forest, watching with some amusement at the colour draining from Ron's face, freckles included.
"Blimey! The greasy git's got a girl? Who'd have him?" Ron asked, aghast.
"The new Potions Professor, apparently."
Ron stared at Harry, "You still want to fly?"
"Not particularly, you?"
Ron shook his head. "Let's go in for breakfast."
So they both left the Quidditch field and headed for the great hall with incredulous looks on their faces. But Harry couldn't stop thinking about it. Morgan was a friend (or possibly more) of Snape's. The idea that Potions class may be easier now that Snape wasn't teaching it left Harry's mind. In fact, an old muggle saying that Aunt Petunia used to use a lot came to mind, 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
Hermione was already sitting at the Gryffindor table when Ron and Harry arrived. She was simultaneously gorging her face with food and reading a particularly large and seemingly complicated book.
"Doing some light reading, Hermione?" Ron joked as he sat down next to her.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's our text for Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ron! I haven't even finished it. I don't know what I've been thinking of!" and she immediately stuck her nose back into the book.
"Sorry I asked," muttered Ron, as he piled his plate as full of eggs, bacon, sausages and toast as he could without it falling over the edges.
"That's okay, Ron. She's too busy to hear about what I just saw." Harry smiled, tempting her.
It was enough because Hermione's ears pricked and her eyes peered over the top of her book. "What did you see?"
"Snape, making out with the new Potions Professor," Harry responded.
"What?!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, okay, not making out, but they looked pretty cosy."
"Who looked cosy?" Neville asked who just walked in and sat down next to Harry.
"Snape and Morgan," Ron answered.
"Wow," Neville muttered, wide eyed. Everyone knew just how much Neville was afraid of Snape and he couldn't imagine anyone wanting to be alone in the same room with him.
"But keep it quiet, ok? If Snape found out I saw him, well, let's just say it would be horrible, alright?" Harry cautioned.
The three of them nodded their heads.
Just then, Professor McGonagall walked up to the Gryffindor table near the sixth years. "This is your class schedule. We are doing things a little differently this year. As some advanced subjects will be almost empty for some houses, the classes will not be assigned according to house. You will need to look at the available class times and sign up for the class you want to be in. Your schedule contains only those subjects you are eligible to take. As students sign up, you will see the numbers increase in the right hand column with the name of the students taking that class. Some classes will fill up quickly so it would be best to complete this as soon as possible. To give yourselves time to fill in your schedules and to give the teachers time to solve any scheduling problems that may arise, the sixth and seventh years will begin their classes next week. You would be advised to spend that time wisely."
All the sixth and seventh years, besides Hermione, were elated at this news. They had five days before classes started, and they were going to use the time well.
Harry took a good look at his schedule. The subjects he wanted to take to become an Auror were all there, as were the times the classes were to be held. He could see a small '0' beside each one, meaning that no-one had signed up for any of the classes yet. As he was looking at the schedule, he saw the number for Advanced Potions, Monday 11-12, increase to '1', and the neatly printed name of Hermione Granger appeared next to it. He looked up to see Hermione already filling in her sheet.
"Hermione, we have plenty of time to do this," Harry complained.
"Better to be prepared. Like Professor McGonagall said, all the good classes will fill up quick. You should do yours too," Hermione retorted.
Harry once again glanced at his schedule, and knowing that Hermione was right, started searching his bag for an ink pot and a quill. Just as he was about to choose his classes, Hedwig arrived with a letter. Wondering who would be writing to him so soon, Harry forgot about the schedule and removed the letter from Hedwig's leg.
"It's from Hagrid!" Harry exclaimed enthusiastically as he recognised Hagrid's untidy scrawl. Ron and Hermione looked up and motioned for Harry to read the note.
Dear Harry, Ron and Hermione,
Welcome back! I know that sixth years don't start classes until next week, so as soon as you get a moment why don't you three pop into my hut for a cuppa. We've got loads to catch up on.
From Hagrid
"Cool, let's go!" Ron urged, already stuffing his schedule into his bag. He hadn't even bothered to get his quill and ink out to fill it in.
"Ron, you should really be working on your schedule," Hermione warned.
"Like Harry said, plenty time later. Come on, Hermione, we haven't seen Hagrid for ages!" Ron said standing up, and swinging his bag over his shoulder.
"I'll be there later. I want to finish this first, and you should too!" Hermione stated firmly, as if it was the end of the argument.
"Fine. What about you, Harry?" Ron's eyes where pleading, but it didn't take much to sway Harry, for he was already packing his bag.
"We'll do this straight after we visit Hagrid. Promise."
And Ron and Harry swept out of the room, with Hermione left behind shaking her head.
Once outside, Harry's good mood which had temporarily soured by his witness of Snape earlier, returned with a vengeance.
The walk to Hagrid's hut was short and uneventful. They met up with Hagrid while he was supervising the transport of a large crate carried by two huge burly men into Hagrid's vegetable patch at the back of his hut.
"Will here be alright, Hagrid?" the taller of the two men asked, pointing to a place behind a particularly large cabbage.
"Fine, fine," Hagrid answered, bouncing on the balls of his feet and clapping his hands together. Hagrid looked quite pleased with himself.
Harry and Ron watched the two men straining to lower the huge crate to the ground. Just as they were leaving, Harry saw a long black leg creep out of a narrow gap in the crate which looked suspiciously like a spider leg.
"They aren't spiders, are they Hagrid?" Ron asked, his lips quivering. He still hadn't gotten over his fear of spiders, and his encounter with Aragog in his second year hadn't helped any.
Hagrid turned on his feet, clearly astonished to see Harry and Ron standing there. He quickly got over his surprise and beamed at them. "Harry! And Ron! I was hopin' yer'd stop by. Come in, come in!" Hagrid said, ushering them inside.
But Ron was not going to be deterred. "Those things in the crate – "
"Nuthin' to worry abou', Ron. Just a new project, is all. This year's goin' ter be great, you mark my words. Come in, I've just made some rock cakes. They'd be ready now."
Harry walked into Hagrid's hut wondering what new and terrifying creature Hagrid's going to show them this time. The boys sat down at the table in the centre of the hut while Hagrid prepared the refreshments.
"'ave a good summer, Harry?" Hagrid asked, while piling a load of cakes onto a platter.
"Not particularly," Harry replied, with a wry smile.
Hagrid looked at Harry with a concerned expression on his face. "Why, wha' happened?"
As Hagrid placed the cakes and tea on the table, Harry went into full detail of his summer with Snape, the tutoring, the mystery helper, and finally having to live with Snape. Harry neglected to mention anything about Mark. That was a mystery for the trio to solve, and he didn't want to share it yet. Besides, that was Mark's story to tell. Besides, that was Mark's story to tell. Harry had told Ron and Hermione with Mark's permission so they could help, but he felt he had no right to tell anyone else about it.
When Harry had finished, Hagrid let out a small chuckle. Harry felt horrified that Hagrid was so amused by his summer of torment.
"What's so funny?" Harry demanded.
"I'm sorry, Harry. Yer had it easy, really."
"Easy?" Harry was incredulous.
"Well, yeah. Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher. Yer safe wi' him. He's a good man, Snape."
Ron was just in the process of gulping down a huge mouthful of hot tea, and promptly spat it out all over the table in shock. Harry quickly got up to retrieve a towel to mop up the mess.
"Snape's a good man!?" Ron asked incredulously. Before he could stop himself, Ron added, "He's a greasy little git, that's what he is!"
"Ron!" Hagrid exclaimed.
Slightly abashed, Ron said, "I'm sorry, but he is. He's horrible to everyone but the Slytherins. Look at how he treats Harry!"
Hagrid stared at Ron in a way that made Ron shrink back into his chair. "Professor Snape is a good man, Ron. He mighten' be the friendliest character, but he is on our side. Tha's wha' counts. And as fer his treatment of Harry, Professor Snape would sacrifice his life to save Harry if it came ter that, I promise yer."
Ron was about to retort but was cut off by Hagrid's glare. It was clear that that was the end of that particular conversation.
Throughout the argument, Harry just stared back and forth between Ron and Hagrid. Harry tried to gently bite into a rock cake, knowing full well what to expect. This time, instead of getting his jaw glued shut, his teeth couldn't even penetrate the surface of the cake. Harry briefly thought that somebody should really tell Hagrid that rock cakes weren't actually made of rocks.
Thankfully, a knock at the door cut through the icy silence which had started to mount up. Hagrid rose to answer the door. It was Hermione.
"I've finished my schedule. You two should really get started. Classes are filling up quick," Hermione stated, holding out the schedule in front of Ron's face.
Ron swiped the piece of parchment away. "Later, Hermione."
With pursed lips, Hermione sat down in a spare seat at the table.
Wanting to change the conversation, Harry asked, "Hagrid, what's been happening over the summer? With Voldemort, I mean."
Hagrid and Ron both visibly shuddered at the use of the name but neither mentioned anything about it. "Nuthin' much," Hagrid answered. "He's still pretty quiet. Dumbledore reckons that his exposure at the Ministry stilted his plans. Everyone knows he's back, see. Makes it 'arder fer him. But he's still out there, planning somethin', you mark my words."
Harry had no doubt that Voldemort was planning something big, and he had a sneaking suspicion that whatever it was it concerned him somehow. He felt this was a logical conclusion as just about everything Voldemort had done since his return (and even before his return) had revolved around Harry.
"But surely you know something," Harry persisted.
"Yer'll 'ave to ask Dumbledore."
"What about the giants. Has anything happened there? Are any of them going to help?"
"Not yet. But they'll come."
"Alright," Harry conceded, sulkily.
"Speaking of giants, Hagrid, how is Grawp doing?" Hermione asked, entering the conversation for the first time.
It was the right question to ask because Hagrid's eyes lit up. "Great, really great. He's bin askin' about yer, 'ermione. He's startin' ter understand things now. Not so aggressive. Yer three should come with me to see him, if yer've got the time now?" Hagrid asked hopefully.
"Er-" Harry started, not sure what to say. After Harry's last encounter with Grawp in the forbidden forest, he had no desire to go there again, even if Grawp did save him and Hermione from the centaurs.
"We'd love to, Hagrid," Hermione started, and sighed at Ron and Harry's expressions of aghast. Hermione continued, "But Ron and Harry really do have to fill out their schedules. It's really important they do it now. We'll see Grawp another time?"
Hagrid looked crestfallen, but agreed. "Alright. Do yer want another cuppa?"
All three nodded their heads vigorously, thankful they managed to get out of visiting Grawp, this time.
After this, the conversation moved onto easier and more enjoyable topics. Classes, Quidditch, future ambitions and Quidditch were a couple of the topics they covered. They were all having a very good time until Hermione suddenly exclaimed, making Harry, Ron and Hagrid jump.
"It's nearly lunchtime! We've been here for hours! We'd better go!"
After lunch the three of them found themselves sitting at the table in front of the empty fireplace. Harry and Ron were playing wizard chess, and Hermione was reading yet another text book, which Harry assumed must be Ancient Runes by the look of the strange symbols on the cover. Hermione was giving them both the occasional disapproving side glance as they still hadn't worked out their schedules. Harry was happy though that Hermione had stopped harping on at them about it. There was still plenty of time.
After four spectacular losses in a row to Ron, Harry thought it was probably about time to get started on the schedule. He was about to mention it to Ron, when Lavender Brown and Ginny Weasley approached them.
"Hi, Harry," Ginny said.
"Hi, what's up?" Harry answered back.
"What do you want?" Ron said shortly.
"We were just wondering if the DA will start up again." Ginny said, not the slightest bit deterred about Ron's brashness. Harry guessed she was probably used to it by now, having grown up in a household of six brothers.
Harry hadn't really thought about starting up the DA again, since Umbridge was not longer around. Harry recollected the way in which Umbridge was unceremoniously ejected from the Hogwarts grounds and smiled.
"Well?" Ginny asked, getting impatient.
"I don't know, what do you guys think?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione.
Ron shrugged, but Hermione nodded enthusiastically.
"I think it would be a great idea. With Snape teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, I think it would be best to get some practise before lessons."
"Snape wouldn't just teach us theory like Umbridge did, though," Ron pointed out.
"No, but he's not going to go easy on us, is he. Snape's going to make Defense Against the Dark Arts as difficult as possible for us," Hermione countered.
"Besides," Ginny injected, "it was a lot of fun last year, I thought."
Harry nodded. "It might be a good idea. I'll get permission from McGonagall this time though."
And they all spent the afternoon discussing the DA and anything else they could think of, their schedules forgotten.
Later on in the evening, after they had tea and were all exhausted and ready to seek out their beds, Ron, Harry and Hermione were sitting alone in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron with expressions of exasperation, and Hermione sitting smugly saying 'I told you so' with her very amused eyes. Harry and Ron were again sitting at the table by the slightly simmering fire with their schedules in front of them. They finally realised the wisdom that Hermione showed by nagging at them all day about their schedules. Harry wished that maybe one day he would not just listen to Hermione's advice but act on it. He stared at the only available classes left and prayed for some miracle that there would be some way out of this catastrophe. For the only classes left were all filled with Slytherins, who had clearly stuck together when they filled out their schedules, and who the other students were clearly trying to avoid. With the exception of Care of Magical Creatures, both Harry and Ron would be stuck with Draco Malfoy in every single class for the entire year.
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Please R&R