Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe and all the characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Many thanks to TabiPrewett for Beta'ing this chapter!
Harry had told Ron and Hermione that his lessons with the Headmaster would not be containing any spellwork, their disappointment mirroring his own. For a moment he thought about telling them what he had learned regarding Voldemort's past and his questioning of the ritual, but decided against it in the end. Harry felt that the matter on Dumbledore's theory would likely need to be kept a secret between them. At least that was what he liked to say, not wanting to think about how his own selfish feelings for safekeeping them might be the true reason.
Ron and Hermione had shared a look before Ron shrugged and went back to annihilating his breakfast while Hermione only looked down at her food, brows slightly furrowed together.
It had been nearly a week since Dumbledore's lesson. Expectations of casting nonverbally were now in every class, which focused on spellwork. He struggled but didn't feel so bad after seeing everyone purple in the face from the strain during classes. Herbology was nothing passive either, teaming up was a requirement, the plants being so vicious and dangerous you needed at least one person to hold it down while the other extracted whatever the assignment required from the green demon spawns, Snargaluff's being the current.
Harry wanted to go either into the library or to an empty classroom to train alone during the week, but found it hard to find the time for it. The Professors were giving them an extra workload from the start to let them know that sixth year was difficult and serious.
On top of that there was the matter of Hagrid being obviously distraught about their choice of dropping Care of Magical Creatures, being his favorite students and suddenly dropping out had hurt him more than they would have thought.
Their visit to Hagrid had gone well enough, even after Harry had threatened to blast open his door when he continued to stubbornly ignore them. The groundkeeper had warmed up to them again after hearing their willingness (mostly Hermione here) to do whatever they could for the sick spider, Aragog, who had fallen ill during the summer. Luckily-err-unfortunately such things were much too dangerous now with the spider colony becoming restless in the forest.
Ron's quidditch try out had gone well and had earned him the position of keeper, but not without the helping hand of Hermione casting a Confundus Charm at McLaggen to make him lose..
Ron's good mood however was not to last, as Harry saw Slughorn walk towards them just when they were about to go into the castle again, his arms spread wide as if trying to catch him.
"There you are, Harry!" He greeted jovially, playing with one end of his moustache. "How about you join us all and taste a few of the wonderful delicacies we have for supper? I've got McLaggen coming, the Carrow twins, and Zabini, the charming Daphne Greengrass, whom you must have noticed by now. Did you know that her family owns a large chain of apothecaries?"
"Er, no I didn't." Harry responded lamely, wishing that he could hide underneath his Cloak and disappear.
"Well, you learn something new every day! Of course I expect the brilliant Miss Granger to come join us." Slughorn said expectantly, completely ignoring Ron's existence.
"I can't come, Professor," said Harry at once. "I need to catch up on a lot of homework." it was a weak lie, but not one you can ignore.
"Oh no, how dreadful Harry, but no matter next time for sure!" He said before bustling away.
"You'll run out of excuses someday." Ron muttered sourly.
"I wish you could come, I don't want to go on my own!" Said Hermione anxiously, not feeling all that comfortable with going to a party on her own.
After dinner they made their way back to Gryffindor tower to find it very crowded, but they managed to find themselves a free table that was considerably private and away from others. Ron had been in a prickly mood ever since their encounter with Slughorn so he sat there with his arms folded and a moping expression across his face. Along with Ron's mood and Hermione's nose buried in her Arithmancy book there was no conversation going on between them. Harry watched between the two of them and decided to try and break the tense atmosphere by bringing up one of the subjects he had been thinking about since coming to Hogwarts.
"Hey, can you guys think of any way Malfoy could have brought anything inside Hogwarts?"
"But how can he have done that, Harry?" said Hermione, putting down her book with an exaggerated look. "We were all searched when we arrived, weren't we? Filch ran over all of us with Secrecy Sensors when we got into the entrance hall. Any Dark object would have been found."
"Yeah, your right. No doubt that all the owls are being checked too, closing the loop." He said reluctantly but not defeated. "There must have been some other way then." Harry sighed. "Can you tell me that you have not noticed how Malfoy is dropping in his grades, or how he hardly takes the time anymore to pester us or anyone else for that matter?"
"Maybe Malfoy just grew up a bit and started struggling; like many others our year." Hermione said.
Harry wanted to comment on Malfoy only being able to sink lower, but was too slow as it was Ron who spoke up.
"Well sorry that I'm not perfect, Hermione." Ron said glowering, taking insult to her words.
"I wasn't talking to you Ron." Hermione defended herself.
"Nobody does. " Ron grumbled.
"Listen, it's not my fault Slughorn wants us to go to his parties, and is ignoring you, we don't even want to go, you know!" said Hermione, firing up.
"Of course you don't want to." said Ron sarcastically, jumping to his feet. "I think I'll go to bed, it's not like my presence is an important one."
He stormed off toward the door to the boys' dormitories, leaving Harry and Hermione staring after him, leaving them partially annoyed at his behavior and somewhat incredulous that he was going to sleep through the whole evening and night.
"Sorry Harry, but I think I'll start heading to Slughorn's dinner. Make something out of the time you managed to gain." She said putting her book away and heading for the portrait hole. Leaving Harry as he got out his Transfiguration essay, it hadn't been a complete lie; he still had work to do, just that it wasn't as urgent as he made it out to be. Besides this would be a good time to start he thought, thinking about his plans for the coming evenings.
He moved under his invisibility cloak, avoiding the few students still moving about in the halls. Having taken only a few items with him: the Marauders map, parchment, ink and a quill. It was all he would need for tonight.
There was still some time left before curfew would set in, on the way to the fourth floor he passed several people: a few first years, talking fast, hurrying through the halls, no doubt nervous about the curfew nearly setting in. A gliding Professor Snape, tempting Harry to do some kind of tripping hex, but decided against it as Snape knew about him having the invisibility cloak and didn't want to raise his suspicion in the empty hallway. Lastly, coming out of the library he saw Pansy Parkinson with the Slytherin girl from the train along with another unknown student from Slytherin. Parkinson expressing her unending infatuation of Malfoy as they walked, while the other two made only small sounds of acknowledgement, uninterested.
Entering the library he saw a vulture like woman, Madam Pince, stalking between the bookcases rearranging books and checking them for any damage. He quickly moved past the normal section and her, diving into the Restricted Section.
He took out his wand, creating some light with the Lumos spell, keeping the light to a minimum for fear of any light leaking out beneath the edges of his cloak in the dark section. Moving towards the bookcases he began his search.
Half an hour later he sat seated on a stool with his cloak still around him and the books he needed on his lap. Using one as a small table to write on and another to read in, it was an awkward position to work in but he took stealth as a priority. Especially now that Filch and Mrs. Norris had already passed once. He looked at the books he had found thus far, the covers reading: 'Rebirth and Resurrection', 'Dark Rituals', 'Spells a shade Darker' and 'From Dark wraiths to ghosts'.
He hesitated when moving in to open the books, making sure to put up Silencing Charms before opening any of them the memory of the shrieking book from his first year still fresh in his mind. He opened the book about wraiths and ghosts first, wanting to get an underlying understanding of it all, taking out his quill, ready to make summaries and take notes.
'Chapter one: Lingering remnants and imprints of the wizarding spirit.'
It was past midnight when Harry moved back to his dorms, a few pages worth of notes under his arm. The largest part containing information about: spirits, ghosts and the soul. Explaining how they are the disembodied spirit of a once-living wizard or witch, afraid of death and merely an imprint of a departed soul left upon the world. Meaning that the wizard had passed on but left a reflecting of him-self behind, reminding him of portraits who are enchanted to reflect the people they once were.
He had also looked into 'Spells a shade Darker' finding some useful and strong Spells, taking notes of their instructions and incantations. It had as the cover suggested; contained Darker Spells. Some of them in particular were downright evil, including the burning of someone's insides and rapid decay of its victims to his dismay. He found that he would be unable to learn those Spells even if he wanted to, as vital instructions and incantation were omitted and blurred out.
Teachers wouldn't want students to go into too much detail regarding such spells, thus censoring parts. Still some of the books contained useful spells, fully described and detailed. It also went into the history and nature of the Dark Arts.
Those were his final thoughts as he quietly stashed his notes beneath his bed and settled in his bed, asleep within minutes.
They stood in front of the greenhouses, waiting for Professor Sprout to arrive and let them in. A week had passed and Harry returned each night to the same books, having remembered their positions on the shelves and continuing where he left the day before. He had finished the book on ghosts. Now knowing the principles and boundaries on what spiritual beings can and cannot do. He learned that in all cases the beings are incapable of permanently inhabiting or returning to a physical body by whatever means. Meaning that Voldemort's spirit, who managed to inhabit Quirrel's body, and later his maimed container, must have been more than an imprint of the soul or spiritual being.
Sometimes throughout the explanations of the darker beings and methods came forth brief mentioning of soul anchoring. It hinted towards more but quickly left the subject, moving on towards other things.
Professor Sprout soon came to them, opening the greenhouse and letting them inside.
"Okay everyone starting today we will be done with the Snargaluff plant-" The class gave out a collected sigh of relief here. "-And start focusing our attention towards a new project. The harvesting of Dragon's Bane! It is as the name suggests a plant usable against Chimera's and Dragons if used properly. Its spores are highly irritating for their noses, causing breathing and thus fire breathing problems, effectively taking away one of their strongest assets. Could anyone tell me one other purpose they can serve for?"
People didn't bother as Hermione's hand was already in the air. Professor Sprout however was looking at Neville, knowing it was his best subject. "No, offense Ms. Granger but I would like others in the class to also try and speak up. Hermione's hand slowly fell down, disappointed. "Mr. Longbottom, give it a try."
Neville looked up nervously. "Er, D-Dragon's Bane is also the most important ingredient in Veritaserum?" he said his answer sounding unsure of his nerves.
"Correct 10 points to Gryffindor! Indeed as Mr. Longbottom said; it is also used for the strongest truth serum." Professor Sprout had in the meanwhile walked towards a workbench and was now sliding on her Dragonhide gloves.
She continued talking before stopping in front of a small potted plant. The core of the plant consisted of what looked like a small coconut with a lilac flower on top. The vines of the plant were only a foot long but were covered with hooked barbs of an inch long.
"Note that these plants need special care when being raised and nurtured. However before you do that be sure to think about your own, and your partner's safety." She said as the small plant began whipping her gloves in frenzy when she touched the flower.
"The flower will exert toxic waste in its center; during its early stages it is important to remove this as it will poison the plant itself if left alone." She said while deftly holding the vines in one hand and removing the toxic with a spoon like tool in the other.
"We will repeat this process until it has become larger. You will be working in pairs, thank me later. The lesson will get harder each time as the plant grows and changes. More instructions will follow when that time arrives. Remember that your teamwork will no doubt influence the quality of the Dragon's Bane so do your best!"
"Now as for the pairings, they have already been determined. Professor Slughorn had come to me earlier and posed some interesting questions while asking me for help. He desperately wants to make sure his students will be able to perform to the best of their abilities."
The classroom broke out in indignation, not wanting to be separated from their friends, while Harry only began to feel suspicious of anything Slughorn decided to mingle with.
"Now, now people. This is for educational purposes; we are not doing this to pester you. Having to work with new and unknown people, no matter their house, origin and standing will be something all of you will be doing later on, whether you be working for the ministry or a toad shop. It is crucial to learn this."
"I'm not working with any slimy snakes Professor!" cried Ron in indignation.
"In fact Mr. Weasley you are, since you will be paired up with Tracey Davis." Sprout quickly shot at him making Ron's jaw drop.
"No way."
Professor Sprout continued undeterred by his outburst. "I'll make the rest of the pairs known now that Mr. Weasley expressed his enthusiasm."
"Millicent Bulstrode with Hermione Granger."
"Pansy Parkinson with Seamus Finnegan."
"Theodore Nott and Gregory Goyle with Lavender Brown."
"Vincent Crabbe with Parvati Patil."
"Draco Malfoy with Neville Longbottom."
"Blaise Zabini with Dean Thomas."
"Harry potter with Daphne Greengrass."
Harry moved slowly away from his friends to one of the plants as they did the same, not looking all that happy. Hermione stood with Bulstrode, giving a leveled greeting to the big and firm girl, who only made a grunting sound back.
Ron looked ready to murder someone as he stared hard at his plant, the intensity of his gaze nearly setting fire to it. Maybe it was for the best that Ron was paired with the Davis girl, she looked to be the friendliest in her expression and attitude.
Harry had been the most curious to see the reaction between Neville and Malfoy because he was already expecting insults to come raining down as soon as Neville would be within his vicinity. He was proven wrong, as it was silent between the two, Malfoy looked annoyed but said little, his eyes small and body swaying on his feet for the barest of inches, Neville, for the most part managing to control his nerves, except for the shuffling of his feet; revealing his emotions.
He walked towards the back of a figure with blond hair done in a ponytail and arms crossed. He knew who the girl was now, in potions she was Slughorn's superstar, the same girl he had hurled into on the train, occasionally saw glimpses of in the halls, and called him Dugbog shit, what is a Dugbog in the first place?
"…Hey." he greeted lamely, standing next to her in front of the plant.
"Hello Potter." She greeted back neutrally. "Let's just try to get along. We will be stuck with each other for the coming weeks. Maybe even months."
"Good to know that you share the same thought then." He said, being sincere in his hope of not planning to kill each other using the plant. "How about I hold the vines down while you remove the toxic?"
"Glad to know that you're willing to do the brute work, allowing me to work on the potentially deadly fluid." She said, slight sarcasm noticeable in her voice.
"Want me to do the poison then?" He offered.
"No I'll do it," said Greengrass making Harry mentally sigh. Wanting to say: 'Then don't complain about it!' but he held his tongue. Let's not start anything and get through these lessons unharmed. He was already glad that she seemed capable of acting civil.
They equipped their Dragonhide gloves, the scales cold and metal like, while the leather in the palm was thick and only slightly flexible.
Harry positioned himself on the right, wanting to grab the vines beforehand, only to find that they had been buried underneath the sand rigidly like normal roots. As if it knew…now the only way to the vines is for to me to wait and grab it when it goes into the offense.
He indicated to her that he was ready, his gloved hands in the air above the plant.
She tried to brush a loose strand of hair back behind her ear in preparation, only to fail as her thick glove missed its mark. "Going in."
Vines shot out as her tool neared its mark, Harry instantly starting his job of snatches the vines away from her into a bundle in his other hand, his Seeker skills coming to use, as the vines were young and fast.
"Keep those things away Potter!" she said unable to move closer, as vines swept about.
"Trying to!" He responded, grasping for vines while dodging others.
This continued for a while, Greengrass trying to get closer as Harry snatches them up. After a few minutes of this he held a sizable bundle in his hand, the vines struggling in his grip, the barbs trying in vain to pierce his gloves.
"How's it going Greengrass, making any progress?" he said through his breathing from the workout, having been too occupied with keeping the vines away from them. She had in the meanwhile moved closer to the center.
"Trying to!" She growled, repeating his own words from earlier, as the tool fumbled clumsily in the thick Dragonhide gloves, being too small for proper precision.
"Damnit! I can't reach it, the flower keeps wiggling in every direction, it won't hold still!" she cried. Before flinging off her gloves and grabbing the flower on the coconut-like stump, her gloves no longer impairing her hand's movements, quickly scooping up the toxic and moving away.
"Well, that wasn't so hard." She said breathing heavily, more strands of hair hanging loosely around her face, having escaped in their fight with the green menace. "But next time I'll wear my Lizard skin gloves, Dragonhide is impossible."
"Yeah." Was all he said, staring at her for a bit. Maybe she was having a bad day when they had first encountered? That, or she simply had a short fuse, blowing up quicker than Ron's cauldron in Potions. She seemed much less like a snob now in any case.
"Sad thing is that it's not even adult yet, things will only get harder." He said returning his eyes to the now silent plant, wondering what future lessons will hold in store.
"We'll just see when that time comes then." She finished.
"Well done Ms. Greengrass and Mr. Potter! You were the first to finish." Professor Sprout said, having appeared in front of them to inspect their job of cleaning up the plant. "The toxic has been removed but be more careful with the flower next time, it is an important part." She commented, indicating to the small rips the petals had endured.
"We'll try Professor." Greengrass said, not looking or sounding sorry at all for the plant.
Harry, meanwhile, looked around to see that they had indeed been the first ones to finish. The others nearing their own goal as he looked.
Hermione and Bulstrode were nearing the end with Hermione close to the flower, doing her best to stay gentle with the plant, while Bulstrode pro-wrestled against the plant.
Neville was doing a decent job, but Harry could see some scratches on Malfoy, the beginning must not have gone very well. Malfoy was scowling and probably dreading the coming lessons.
Ron and Davis looked much like Neville and Malfoy. Ron going for the flower, making stabbing like movements to it, his face red and Davis holding down the vines, probably because she didn't trust Ron with her safety. For good reason, he added.
Professor Sprout had helped the others until they all succeeded and stood in front of her afterwards. "This marks the end of the lesson people; I wish to leave you with the promise of a reward to the best cultivated Chimera plant at the end of its growth cycle! Until next week then."
They all trudged away in the moist grass, Slytherins and Gryffindors going separate ways, neither of them really focused on the reward. The last thing Harry could hear from them being the Davis girl speaking to Greengrass above the other Slytherins. "He was so red that I was beginning to think he was going to blast me to pieces! With his eyes alone! I'm telling you, if looks could kill…"
Notes,
For some clarification:
Originally Amelia Bones was killed during Harry's summer, now it happens later, replacing the murder of Hannah Abbot's mother.
Dumbledore did not put on the ring when he went to retrieve it.
Harry did not receive the HB prince's book.
Separated some quotes in chapter 1, thank you to whoever the unknown guest was to point the formatting out.
I'm glad for the feedback regarding POV's and dialogue, learned more from them, will do my best to incorporate it into future chapters. POV's will be done differently, dialogue however is harder for me to improve quickly upon. (with time I hopefully will)
Lastly: Thank you all for reading, I hope that you peeps are enjoying my story. :)