Time to Learn

Chapter 2

by Loralee

beta by skeptic7

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Harry packed the Firebolt carefully away in his trunk. It was a remembrance of his godfather, and he didn't want anything to happen to it. Seamus and Dean weren't in the dorm, but Ron was still snoring away. Harry wondered if he would sleep through lunch as well, then shrugged and left the dorm.

In the common room he spotted Parvati Patil, and asked, "Say, Parvati, have you seen Hermione this morning?"

"She was gone when I got up, Harry, have you checked the library?" then she blinked, and really looked at him, "Wow, you look good, Harry, maybe there's something I can do for you?" she said stepping closer to him, and placing a hand on his arm.

Harry blinked, and looked down at the hand, and then back up at Parvati, "Erm, no thanks, I'll go look in the library."

He thought he heard her say "pity" as he hurried away, wondering just what, that was all about. Harry made his way to the library, and to Hermione's regular table. She wasn't there, so he went up to the room of requirement to check there, once there he almost smacked himself as he thought that he should have checked the map, and headed back to Gryffindor tower. As he passed Ravenclaw tower, Cho Chang stopped him.

"Harry, I'm glad to see you, I'm really sorry for how things turned out last year, I'd really like a chance to talk to you if you aren't busy," she said softly, as she stood uncomfortably close to him.

"Er, well I am kind of busy right now, Cho," he said uneasily taking a step back.

"Oh, maybe I can help," she said smiling.

"Well, I need to find Hermione-" he broke off as she scowled, burst into tears, and stormed away. He shook his head, and muttered to himself, "mental, every one of them, completely mental."

He rounded the corner into the hall by the fat lady, he came face to face with Hermione.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere. Are you alright?" he asked, as he noted her pale face and her frazzled hair.

"Harry, oh, Harry I'm a horrible person," she wailed as she threw herself at him. He grabbed her, and ducked into a nearby classroom, swiftly casting a locking charm and privacy spell.

"Why would you think that, Hermione?" he demanded, as he settled her into a chair.

She took a deep shuddering breath and said, "Dobby came to see me this morning. He told me about how the elves were refusing to clean our tower again this year, I didn't know he was having to do it all last year because I was making hats. Oh, Harry it's horrible. He told me how an elf who has been given clothes wastes away, how their magic drains out of them. They need to be bonded to wizards to live. Harry I went to see Winky, it's only because Dobby's been helping her, and the ambient magic is so great here that she was still alive. I—I, oh Harry I had to-to bond her to me. I had to save her. What am I going to do now?"

"I don't understand Hermione, I think you did the right thing. Why are you so upset?" he asked.

She sighed and said, "Honestly Harry, I made a horrible fool of myself going on about house elves and I don't know anything about taking care of one. I own a house elf Harry, what am I supposed to do with her. I live in a muggle neighborhood, my parents certainly won't understand this."

Her look of confusion turned to a glare, when he laughed, and he hastily said, "I'm not laughing at you Hermione, but there's nothing to taking care of a house elf, apparently I've owned Dobby for years and didn't even know it. How is Winky now?"

"It will take her a couple of days to fully recover but she seemed very happy," said Hermione slowly.

"Well then I think that maybe you should talk to her when she's fully recovered about what she wants to do. After all just because you own her doesn't mean you have to make all the decisions, right?" said Harry.

Hermione brightened, "You're absolutely right, Harry, when did you get so smart?"

He grinned and struck a pose, "It comes naturally."

"Prat!" she said.

"It's almost lunch time, maybe you want to clean up a little and we can go down together?" asked Harry.

"Are you saying I look bad, Potter?" she demanded.

"Erm, no but your hair is a little er- I need to make sure Ron's awake for lunch," Harry said as he waved down his spell work and retreated out the door.

Harry prodded Ron and said, "Come on Ron time to get up."

"F've ore mints, mum," mumbled Ron dragging the blanket over his head.

"I'm not your mum, prat and you've already missed breakfast, do you want to miss lunch too?" asked Harry.

Ron sat up straight and asked in horror, "I've missed breakfast? Why didn't you wake me?"

"I say again, I'm not your mum. You can eat twice as much at lunch to make up for it. Now hurry up and get ready, I'll be in the common room."

Hermione and Ron came down their respective staircases about the same time, and joined Harry and Neville in the common room, where Harry was once again surrounded by first years.

"Okay, everyone, this is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the sixth year prefects. I'm sure one of them can sort this out," said Harry.

Hermione frowned and asked, "What's going on?"

"Prefect Wilson said we had to stay in the common room, we wanted to explore but she wouldn't let us," complained the red head.

"I don't understand Hermione, we didn't have to be walked to and from meals," said Harry.

"We weren't told of any restrictions at the prefect meeting," said Hermione. There were a flurry of other complaints

"She said we had to stay here, because we bothered Lord Potter this morning," said Melvin.

"She said we couldn't be trusted because we didn't wait for her," said a blond boy.

"And that the halls were dangerous, and the Slytherins would curse us if they found us wandering," said another.

Hermione sighed with exasperation. She looked around the room, but didn't see either of the seventh year prefects or Matthew Connaly, the other fifth year prefect. "Well come on, we'll go to lunch and I'll talk to her."

They saw the first years to lunch, and Hermione spoke briefly to Mary Wilson, and then again to Jane Freeman, the seventh year prefect, and sat down between Ron and Harry across from Neville.

"Hmph, that girl," hissed Hermione.

There was an inquiring sound from Ron, and Harry raised an eyebrow. "Never mind, Jane will take them around this afternoon," she said as she filled her plate.

"Hey Harry, you want to get in some dueling practice this afternoon?" asked Neville.

"Oh, could we, Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Sure, we'll go to the Room of Requirement and practice," said Harry agreeably.

"All of the DA?" Dean asked softly from next to Neville.

Harry blinked and shrugged, "Well anyone that wants to I suppose."

Neville nodded, and Harry watched bemusedly as he rose and walked over to the Hufflepuff table, and leaned over Hannah Abbott's shoulder for a moment, and then returned. Harry grinned at him, but Neville only blushed slightly and returned to his food.

Harry was surprised when most of the DA showed up that afternoon.

The happy members of the DA swarmed into the Great Hall for Dinner. An afternoon spent dueling, and learning new spells made one very hungry. Harry grinned at the cluster of waving first years as he sat down across from Neville.

"New fans, Harry?" asked Katie Bell from several seats away.

Harry just smiled at her, and changed the subject, "So are you Quidditch Captain this year, Katie?"

"I am, Potter, what's it to you?" she said in a snooty tone, unfortunately she giggled at the end ruining the effect.

"I just wanted to know when I should come to practice?" he said casually.

Her eyes widened and she asked, "You're back on the team?"

He shrugged, "Well if you think you want me."

"Of course I WANT YOU!" she screamed. Harry blinked into the silence, Katie blushed furiously, and then the whispers started and built to a crescendo of rumor and speculation. "Oh, bloody hell," she mumbled, "you're going to pay for that."

Harry wasn't sure if she meant him or herself, but turned to accept congratulations from Ron and others around them.

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Ron.

"You were asleep when I met with McGonagall this morning, and I didn't think about it until now," said Harry.

"She give you back your broom?"

"Yeah but I'll be using my new broom this year. I don't want anything to happen to my Firebolt," said Harry.

Ron's eyes widened, "You got a new broom? We should go flying after dinner." Then he turned back to his food. Harry laughed and shook his head. Then looked for Ginny, worried she'd be upset at losing the seeker position. She was sitting with the Creevey brothers, and laughing at something. It was good to see her laugh. He nudged Ron and tilted his head. Ron scowled as he noted Ginny and Colin's heads quite close together.

"We'll have to hurt him," said Ron.

Harry snorted, "No, Ron she's laughing, she looks happy, you git."

Ron blinked and looked again eyes narrowed, then nodded, "Okay just a mild warning then," he finally said. Hermione huffed and Harry shook his head. Some things never changed.

McGonagall stopped by the table, as Harry was scrapping the last of the treacle tart on to his plate. "Mr. Potter, the Headmaster would like to see you in his office when you've finished," she said. Harry's eyes narrowed and he darted a glance at the head table, but Dumbledore had already gone. He gave her a tight nod and sighed, pushing back his plate as his guts tightened. "Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley I'd like to see both of you in my office as well."

"Yes, Professor," said Hermione. Hermione watched her walk further down the table, and speak to the other prefects before leaving the Hall.

"I haven't done anything," complained Ron to Harry.

Harry shrugged, "I had a talk with her earlier. He sighed again and rose, "I'd trade you places, you can go talk to Dumbledore."

Ron wrinkled his nose, "Not a chance, mate."

"You want me to go with you?" asked Neville. Ron gave him an odd look and Hermione added, "Maybe you should."

Harry shook his head and grimaced, "No, if I'm supposed to be an adult I need to act like one. I'll go see what he wants."

"We'll see you in the common room later then, Harry. Come on, Ron," said Hermione.

Neville stood and said, "Well I'm going for a walk." He went over to the Hufflepuff table, and Hannah and Susan got up.

Harry sighed again, and made his way out of the Great Hall towards the Headmaster's office. He stopped in front of the gargoyle with a frown, and told it that he was expected. It moved out of the way and he stepped onto the stair.

"Come in Harry," called the Headmaster as he reached the top of the stairs. Harry entered the office still frowning.

"Your pardon, Lord Potter. I suppose I have lost the right to address you so informally. Please have a seat." Dumbledore wasn't behind his desk, instead he was seated in an armchair by the fire and waved Harry to the one opposite his. "I must confess I wouldn't have been surprised if you had refused to see me, Lord Potter."

Harry shrugged slightly as he settled into the chair, and then was surprised when Fawkes landed on his knee. "Lo Fawkes, how are you, then," he said to the bird.

Dumbledore chuckled, "And that is the proof."

Harry glanced at the old man, "Proof, sir?"

"Fawkes trusts you, as I should have. You are the next leader of the light, Harry, excuse me Lord Potter. I should have been helping you to prepare these past years, teaching you what I could. I should have given you a choice. Instead I thought that I knew best, I wanted to let you be a child without seeing that you weren't. I did what was easy, what fit into my world view, my plans, without remembering that a boy has his own plans and ambitions, and frequently rebels against unilateral authority simply because he is becoming a man," said Dumbledore.

"Er—" said Harry.

"Ah, let me get to the point then. I will do my best to keep you informed, and to give you the information that I have and that you may need to stand against Voldemort and his allies. Although I suspect that you already have at least one spy in the Order. Miss Tonks is justifiably proud of her family ring."

"I rather like having family," said Harry softly.

Dumbledore looked very sad and said, "I do understand." They sat together for a moment in silence, then Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Is there anything you need from me? I did notice your Defense group met today, and I acknowledge that you are within your rights to form your own support organization. Even though I dislike the idea of putting students at risk."

Harry snorted, "I'm not training them to fight Death Eaters for me. I'm teaching them Defense so they can protect themselves and their families. I don't want any more of my friends to die."

Dumbledore blinked and sighed, "Once again you show me an error in my thinking."

"Oh, I know I'll need help, I'm not so arrogant to think I can do what needs to be done by myself, but it will be their choice, and they will know what they're getting into first," said Harry.

Dumbledore nodded, "I offer my aid as well, my boy. On another matter, you said that Miss Tonks thought your Occlumency was sufficient. I would like Professor Snape to-" Harry cut him off. "Snape is not coming anywhere near me."

"Professor Snape, Harry you must show him-"

"Are you going to correct him the next time he calls me Potter?" said Harry in an icy voice. "The next time he calls me an arrogant brat? If he tries to invade my mind, I'll kill him."

Dumbledore blinked shocked, and asked, "Surely you don't mean that?"

"I do and will give you a pensieve memory of why if you like, since you don't actually want to believe me about those lessons," said Harry sharply.

"It's not that I don't believe you, but you must admit you did not put forth the effort required for-"

"Bloody hell, you're doing it again! We're done," said Harry jumping from the chair, causing Fawkes to squawk in indignation and circle the room.

"Wait," cried Dumbledore also rising from his chair, "make me understand."

Harry growled out, "Where is your pensieve?"

Dumbledore brought it out from the cabinet, and Harry deposited several memories into it, and waited while the Headmaster looked at them. When he emerged, white faced he asked, "May I see one of your theory lessons, Lord Potter?"

Harry snorted, "What theory lessons? That is the sum total of the lessons Headmaster, and that is why I won't put up with him this year. I bought a book on Occlumency this summer. Tonks tested me. That's the end of the matter. Are we done?"

Dumbledore dropped back into his chair as Harry retrieved his memories. "Once again I must apologized Lord Potter. I had no idea that-" he sighed, "I will make amends somehow, and will attempt to stop second guessing you."

"Thank you, if that's all?" said Harry.

"I-yes, of course, good evening Lord Potter," said Dumbledore a frown between his brows and looking deep in thought.

Harry stepped over to Fawkes on his perch, muttered an apology and left.

Harry collapsed on to the couch in the common room, irritated with himself that he'd lost his temper once again. He hadn't wanted to do that, but the old man had pushed his buttons.

Hermione sank into the cushions next to him. "Are you all right, Harry?" she asked.

"Yeah, I think so, you?" Harry replied.

"Yes, I'm good," she said with a smile.

"What did McGonagall want?"

"We had a discussion of prefect responsibilities," said Hermione with a little sniff.

"Oh, was there a problem?" asked Harry.

She rolled her eyes, "Yes, Harry, you told McGonagall about Wilson being mean to the first years. She called us in to find out why you were having to do prefect duties this morning when you aren't a prefect."

"Oh," said Harry

"Yeah, Wilson claimed she told the firstys someone would take them down to breakfast, and she thought I'd be up early and take care of it so she slept in. Only I was with Dobby, Ron had a lie in, Connaly was flying with his friends because they want to try out for Quidditch, Jane was meeting her boyfriend for an early breakfast and walk, and Briles was in the infirmary with an upset stomach," she huffed a bit and shook her head. "McGonagall wasn't happy."

"Sounds like fun," said Harry with a grimace.

"Yeah, how was your meeting?" she asked.

Harry wrinkled his nose and said, "I'm not ready to talk about it yet." Then he changed subject, "So where's Ron?"

"Oh, he saw a fancy chess set in McGonagall's office and stayed to play a game," Hermione said with a laugh. Harry grinned as well.