Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and/or exicting Harry Potter scenes that were used in the story that came forth from J.K. Rowlings mind, I do however own the characters Prof. Mehtlik and Prof. Venuta

After dinner the Gryffindors headed back to the tower to study and work on the pile of homework they received.

"Aaargh none of these books says anything about 'Ventro Eructo'"

"Yeah I know, I've read through three books so far but none of it says anything about it" Harry sighted

"Guys it's of no use we'll have to go to the library tomorrow to look for it."

"I guess your right Hermione, so shall we move over to Potions?"

"Yes let's" Hermione agreed

"So Venuta wanted to know: what we experienced, why and where we would to use it, and than the ingredients right?"

"Ron?"

"Yes, Hermione?"

"You've paid attention today didn't you?" Hermione asked like accusing him for a crime.

"Well yeah I like to make a good impression."

"And since when are you interested what teachers think of you?"

The discussion between the new lovers kept going on for several minutes and consisted mostly of Hermione accusing Ron of constantly looking at Venuta's body and Ron denying that. Meanwhile Harry had moved over to another table and made his essay. This wasn't what he'd normally do but he had some business to attend to tonight and in his mind couldn't waste any time. The whole day he kept thinking about what happened the morning, it lay like a stone on his stomach. But why? Why was he so motivated to apologize? Was he so desperate for a new protector that he clang to everyone that was capable of protecting him in any way? His mind rattled on and he came to the conclusion that this wouldn't have happened if that.. that.. monster of a man hadn't killed the late Headmaster. He still had trouble sleeping at night, seeing the Headmaster's lifeless body flying over the balcony time and time again and than waking up all covered in cold sweat.

His essay was finished and he looked up to the big clock in the common room, half pas nine. The professor ought to be in his office at this time shouldn't he? He got up and walked past both Ron and Hermione who were heavily ignoring each other and were deeply buried in there books, so deep that even Ron didn't notice Harry saying he'd be back in a minute and than leaving the room.

The hallways were as dark as ever, only some lights coming from paintings that had fire or candles painted on them and of course the occasionally beams of moonlight coming through a window. He made his way to the DADA Professors Office. Strange he thought in himself, he had stood here and entered this room so many times before. But never with a heavy heart. He was here for Lockhearts detention, Lupins Anti-Dementor Lessons, would-be-Moody's pep-talks and to uncover the Tri-Wizard tournament hints. He was here for Umbridge detentions; unconsciously he rubbed his hand where the words were cut into. No he never associated this room with regret. He touched the wood of the door and let his hand run down the grains. He sighted and knocked. No answer. He knocked again and though he thought he had heard stumbling inside the room there was no 'come in' or 'who is it' coming from the other side. Harry leant with his back against the door and let himself slide down to a sitting position. He couldn't help it but he felt tears stinging in his eyes. He wanted to talk to somebody really, someone who understood his feelings someone who looked at his problems from a different side, someone… someone like Dumbledore. He pulled himself together, got up and made his way back to the common room.

The next morning Ron and Hermione were back together and clearly showing it, they walked hand in hand to the Great Hall for breakfast kissing here and there along the way. They had spent the night in the common room talking and both were somewhat tired. Harry and Ron had two hours off between their lessons and they were going to use it for the DADA-essay they promised to Hermione, who still wasn't sure they were going to because being in the library had never been the boys favourite time spending. The lessons went by and after lunch the boys headed for the library, they greeted Madam Pince which just gave curious look in return.

"Well if you start on this side I'll cover the other one" Ron suggested

"Yeah that'll do"

Both boys came back to their table with enormous pile of books which some how were related to DADA or secreted body fluids. After an hour or so they finally found something that was worth reading and with it they quickly answered the questions.

"There that should do it." Harry stated.

"Yeah good team work eh? I guess Mehtlik underestimated the Hogwarts Library."

"Haha well in any case we got what we need and maybe we can let Hermione copy from us this time so she can go to bed early"

"That is if she's nice enough to me" Ron smirked raising his eyebrows a couple of times.

"You dog" Harry said laughing

Harry and Ron made their way to the common room an enjoyed the rest of the break. The rest of the days went by without anything special really, Harry's day existed mostly of absorbing information and in the evening about studying to absorb even more. Luckily the first Hogsmeade trip was not far off. During the last few days he hadn't had the chance to talk to his DADA teacher in private mainly due the fact that there were always students or Professors around him asking things; everyone seemed to want something from him.

When Harry had another period off one day he went for a stroll. He walked past the green houses to the lake and sat on a large boulder. The sun shone on is face and he took of his jacket and sat on it for a bit more comfort. He overviewed the lake there was nothing new except for .. yeah there it was, Dumbledore's tomb. He hadn't seen it since the funeral.

For a moment all the times he had spent with the Headmaster went through his mind, how he yelled at him and cursed him. And how comforting his laugh and cheerful eyes always had been.

"Fine day for a walk isn't it?" A heavy dark voice came from behind

Harry turned and saw Professor Mehtlik standing there.

"Mind if I take place next to you?"

Harry muttered no and shook his head.

"It's views like these that makes people think isn't it?, what were you thinking about Harry?"

"A..about Professor Dumbledore sir, his tomb over there made me once again go through all moments we've spent together."

"Ah yes, impressive funeral it was but ever so modest"

"You were there sir?" Harry asked surprised because he hadn't saw him at all at the funeral. But than again which strange face did he remember that day?.

"Indeed I was, I saw you sitting on a chair with a redheaded girl which I now think was Ginny Weasly , you were calming her down."

Harry didn't say a word and looked at a seagull flying by, the memories of the funeral, the pain and tears that flew he didn't want to think about it. There was a silence between the two rock-sitters which didn't felt to unpleasant but Harry knew this was the moment to talk about what happened that first lesson.

"Professor, I'd like to apologize"

Mehtlik's eyebrows raised in surprise "What for Potter?"

The way his name left his mouth was one Harry never experienced. Most of the time there was a certain tone mixed with it, but this time it seemed blank. As if Mehtlik wasn't prejudged at all, as if he didn't have an opinion about him. He didn't know what he liked best.

"About what happened Monday morning, when I was about to .. you know"

Mehtlik felt the guilt and regret through the sentence as it left the boys mouth. "Ah yes that was a interesting start to say the least" he stated.

"I know sir and I'm very sorry my nerves seem to get the best of me nowadays"

"Don't apologize Potter, it wasn't the fact that you wanted to hex me that surprised me, although it was quite surprising indeed, but the fact that you didn't fire it because of that you couldn't stop staring at my eyes. You were completely stupefied , you the one bearing a scar that makes people stare at you as much as a mountain of Galleons would. I expected a bit more discretion from you, but on that manner I think your former Potions teacher was quite right in comparing you to an Elephant in a porcelain cabin."

Harry now knew why he had felt so guilty he had treated Professor Mehtlik the same way people treated him. He hated to be stared at and yet he did exactly the same thing. He felt a hand on his shoulders and knew that it was his DADA teacher's.

"Ah forget about it Potter it is not something to maelstrom about."

Just as Harry wanted to say something he heard the sound of flapping wings and turned his head upwards, a large raven came down from the sky and landed on Mehtlik's lower arm which he held up. It was completely black as were most of them but he noticed something different about this raven, he had blue eyes and they almost seemed human like…

"This is Reginald, and as you can see he's more than my mailman." Reginald cawed somewhat proud.

Harry looked from the creatures eyes to Mehtlik's " You've got a special bond with him don't you Professor?"

"Yes I do" Mehtlik said "But unfortunately I've got a first years class waiting for me so we can't continue our conversation, how about same stone same time next week?"

"I'll be there"

"Great, well see you tomorrow in class Potter." And with Reginald now sitting on his shoulder Mehtlik walked off towards the castle.

Harry continued his day with a better mood. He had talked about the conversation briefly with his friends but didn't think about the meeting until that night in his bed. Mehtlik and the raven had some sort of special bond that was for sure and more than meets the eye, literally, too bad he could ask about it. Slowly Harry was replaying the conversation in his head until he came to the point where Mehtlik talked about his former Potions teacher. He never noticed that Slughorn wasn't pleased with his discretion he was always very complimentary towards him and the way he brewed his potions unlike…

Harry sat straight in bed as if an alarm went off and yelled: " He spoke to Snape!"