2nd Year [pt3]

Hermione came in right on Ron's heels, while talking to Susan Bones and Neville Longbottom. She crashed full on into Harry and immediately started rambling "I'm so sorry Harry. I didn't see you there. Though it's not good to stand near a doorway. Do you know how mad Professor Lockhart is at you? We were starting to worr-" And, suddenly, she saw stars.

"Sorry doesn't begin to cover it!" growled Harry as he shoved her into the doorframe. Violently. Then, paying no mind to usual cross-gender behavior, he grabbed fistfuls of the front of Hermione's uniform, twisted the material, slammed her against the stone wall and lifted her off the floor. "TRAITOR!"

Those nearest to the sudden fight were shocked. Ron most of all. He had never seen his friend this angry and never at one of them. "Harry? What happe-what're you-Why?" the boy couldn't even complete a question.

"She told Dumbledore!" Harry snarled angrily, his grip on Hermione left her blouse and went to her throat.

Hermione scratched blindly at his hands as her eyes rolled back in her head.

"Mr. Potter!" an alarmed McGonagall exclaimed "What are you doing! Unhand Miss Granger at once! Petrificus Totalis!" and Harry fell over like an iron statue.

Abcij

In her office the Deputy Headmistress spoke harshly "I am going to release you now, Potter. Miss Granger is no where around. You will now explain to me calmly and civilly EXACTLY what happened at lunch. If I am not satisfied with your narrative you may well find yourself expelled. Are we clear? Very well! Finite!"

"After you left, Dumbledore" Harry began

She corrected "Professor Dumbledore"

"Whatever." He answered carelessly "He wanted to know what I did all summer. Then he said this spell leggy something. gave me a thumping headache, he kept doing it til he was tired then he let me go."

McGonagall frowned and demanded "And what has this to do with your assault on Miss Granger?"

"I'm getting to that, Professor." He said and continued "And I guess you're gonna find out anyway. I left the Dursleys because they hate me and I hate them. I stayed somewhere else and he wanted to know where and it's a secret. And the only ones I mentioned it to were Ron and Granger. He promised not to tell and she wanted to. I told her not to and she did anyway. What is that spell Dumbledore did on me? Some mind reading thing?"

She stiffened and answered "There is such a spell, although it is something else than what Muggles know as mere mind reading. And it is quite improper to use it on a student. I should be cautious in accusing the Headmaster of such a thing. Now then, regarding your assault on Miss Granger, you will serve two weeks detention with Mr. Filch starting tomorrow night and you will stay away from her both in and out of class. I will notify all professors to not pair the two of you on any project. Am I making myself completely understood?"

"I'm fine with that." Answered Harry "You should tell her the same."

"I see. You may go, Potter." She ordered.

This, Harry, is an emergency passage. Someone has attempted to use active Legilimency on you. And well before the first time I learned of it in Fifth Year. This is a deliberate spell cast to see into your mind [mind reading] There is a passive form that allows a user to see surface thoughts and emotions. When I created the Diary, filling it with my memories, I created an artificial Legilimency defense. The user, a legilimens, would see my thoughts and emotions. Particularly of my time with the Dursleys. I never got away from them while at Hogwarts. Negative memories are quite seductive and tend to suck in a legilimens, because they are usually not your friend. Occlumency, that is the defense against Legilimency can be taught many ways. I was 'not taught' by Snape. He just yelled 'clear your mind' and fired one battering ram after another at me. The actual spell can be delayed by not looking in the Legilimens' eyes, but Occlumency is the only way to defeat a determined assault. You have been learning Occlumency, quite clever of me if I do say so myself, in massaging your muscles with hot and cold hands. That makes you concentrate on multiple tasks. Especially one hand hot, the other cold. You're going to have to up that. Increase the temperature differences. Try to light fires and freeze water, not while massaging naturally. Try to change the patterns, make individual fingers hot and cold. Squares, circles, triangles. The more you can do, the better. And get your friends in on it. Dumbledore can teach it, but there comes a point where I didn't trust him. Best alternative is Queenie Goldstein. Hedwig will love the trip, she lives in New York City.

Harry snarled. He already was at the point he didn't trust the Headmaster. Trying to read his mind automatically ended any trust. He would step up his efforts. No one would get in his head again. NO ONE! He scratched quickly on parchment and immediately headed for the Owlery "Hey Hedwig!" he called out and when his snowy friend landed nearby "Hi girl. Bit of a dry year, I know. Sorry but Ginny's here now. Can you manage a long trip?"

Squawk she replied and eagerly stuck out her leg. She heard good things about American owl treats. As soon as the letter was secured to her leg, off she went.

Ron stood at the door and spoked hesitantly "Hey, mate… I don't want to fight you, believe me, I don't. I …. That is… never seen you lose it before. Not at Malfoy, not. at Snape. What happened?"

"I can if you want." Harry joked darkly. Neither boy laughed. He continued "It started with Lockhart. Loser. Then Dumbledore attacked me with a mind reading spell. He wanted to know where I was all summer. I told him it wasn't his business, and that's when he attacked. It hurt so much, in my head. I've only told two people and you promised not to. Granger betrayed me. I HATE her!"

Ron swallowed, nervously and answered "Oh. Err…Uhhmmm Harry, how much trouble did you get in?"

"Couple of weeks in detention with Filch." He answered with a shrug. "It's Dumbledore I'm gonna make pay."

Abcij

A month later, things had settled down. Most students lost interest in the Harry Hermione situation with the next event in their own lives. It had been several days that Harry even looked angry. Hermione was constantly in the library, nothing especially unusual about that. The two didn't make special efforts to avoid each other, but neither spoke to the other. Neville and Ron seemed to split the difference between them. Until it finally happened "Harry, hasn't it been long enough? I'm ready to hear what you have to say for yourself."

"Why are you violating McGonagall's orders, Granger?" asked Harry, tonelessly, not looking up from his Diary "Not like you to disobey a professor. Ask her to pass on any messages."

The small audience in the Common Room sighed in relief that no fight broke out. A sunny voice said "Hello Harry Potter!" and took a seat beside him.

"Hi Luna Lovegood." He grinned at her, "how's the classes?"

The First Year frowned "Well enough. Although someone helped themselves to my Astronomy textbook."

"If it doesn't turn up real soon" said Harry, voice dangerous "you let me know."

Hermione put in "That's what professors are for, Luna. Go to McGonagall."

"And if she doesn't do anything, I will handle it." He eyed her with considerable disfavor. "I promise."

Abcij

"Good job, Nev." Harry encouraged his friend. The shy Gryffindor had asked to participate in Harry's exercises. Harry wanted to make his running tougher during the school year so he could get more workout into a shorter period. The change he made was running up and down the stairs.

Neville huffed and puffed "How can…you do… so many?"

"I've been at it for a year and a half, mate." It was the third time around for Harry, and Neville was ALMOST completing his first "Come on! One more flight! Move it!"

When Neville finally completed a run all the way up, he said "More tomorrow. Let's get a drink."

Harry stopped every few minutes, doing pushups, to keep with his friend's hobbled pace "Holy Merlin!" he exclaimed "Look at that!"

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE and more alarming was the cat hanging from a torch holder. It wasn't moving.

"That's Mrs. Norris!" exclaimed Neville.

And, as sure as lightning follows thunder, Harry never understood why, several professors and students came upon the scene a mere minute after the two boys did.

"You killed my cat!" Mr. Flich exclaimed "I'll kill you! Little rat! I'll kill you!" He reached for Harry with his left hand and swung a punch with his right. Harry was fit enough to simply dodge the bigger man, who ended up punching the stone wall them falling into it clutching his hand. Then Harry kicked him in the stomach.

Snape was the closest professor and immediately declared "Potter should be expelled for assault!"

"Calm down, Argus, Mrs. Norris is not dead. Merely petrified." Said Dumbledore, ignoring Snape's demand "Though, how it happened, I cannot say. However,-"

The caretaker cried "My cat has been petrified! I wanna see some punishment!"

"We will be able to restore her, Argus. Just as soon as Professor Sprout's mandrakes mature." Dumbledore idly stroked his beard.

Snape opined "The circumstances are suspicious, Headmaster. I do not recall seeing Longbottom or Potter at the Halloween Feast. I suggest suspending all their school activities until the matter is properly investigated."

"You think not wanting to celebrate your parents' death is suspicious?" Harry crossed his arms and glared at the Potions Master.

Dumbledore held out his hands "Innocent until proven guilty, Severus."

"Funny, not what you said when you attacked me." Harry made a point with him, then quickly looked away.

Hermione scolded him "You shouldn't be disrespectful to the professors, Harry."

"We'll see about that when Sirius gets here. And, Professor McGonagall, Granger is violating your instructions to both of us." Said Harry.

"ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE" Draco read the blood message "You'll be next mudbloods!"

Harry blocked Ron with a hand on his chest and wondered aloud "Anyone going to punish Malfoy for his mouth and bigoted attitude?"

"I think it is long overdue." Said Professor Sinistra "Ten points from Slytherin. And detention with me, Mr. Malfoy."

Everyone blinked, and Draco threatened "Wait until my father hears of this!"

"I shall be glad to correspond with him. And that will be another five." She sneered.

Abcij

Even though it had been announced in every newspaper and magazine in Wizarding Britain, the presence of one Sirius Black walking the halls of Hogwarts threw the school into chaos. And the Marauder grinned maniacally from the moment the first student fled. He was dressed exactly as the Head of an Ancient and Noble House would be expected when attending to the most important of business. "Greetings, Headmaster." He said, his voice magically enhanced "I desire an immediate parent-teacher conference concerning my Godson."

"No objection, Sirius." Dumbledore replied in his usual way "You can see we are just sitting down to breakfast. May we complete that first."

Tipping his wizards' hat in return, he allowed "Of course not. I'll join my Godson, with your and Professor McGonagall's permission, naturally."

Although it was Harry's habit to mix with other houses, today he was with Gryffindor. He waved to his Godfather. There was room enough for him to sit and Sirius' reputation meant there was more than necessary. He just innocently smiled and sat between Harry and Luna. "Hiya, Pronglet!" he greeted, patting his back "And who is everybody?"

"Luna Lovegood.""Seamus Finnegan.""Dean Thomas.""Ron Weasley.""Ginny Weasley.""Percival Weasley.""George Weasley.""Fred Weasley.""Hermione Granger." All those closest introduced themselves.

Harry put in "Actually that one is Fred, the other is George. And you can ignore Granger."

"What was Azkaban like?" asked Luna.

Fred and George were looking at each other 'Did they hear the ex-con really say Pronglet?'

"Luna!" Hermione hissed "That's beyond rude!"

Sirius looked at the small girl and touched her shoulder "My dear, it is the worst place on Earth. You're in a cell not quite large enough to be comfortable. And the worst are Dark creatures called Dementors. I pray none of you ever meet one. They guard Azkaban, especially the worst prisoners. They drain you of all your happiness and make you relive all your worst memories."

"That's inhumane!" exclaimed Hermione "What about the Geneva Convention?"

Giving her a kindly look, he said "You're Muggleborn, aren't you?"

"Yes. What's wrong with that?" she looked offended.

Sirius chuckled "And brightest witch of your age no doubt. A certain Muggleborn asked the same question during the first war. Simply, it doesn't exist for us." He put his hand over his plate, bacon, eggs and pumpkin juice appeared.

Hermione grinned happily, she knew exactly who she was being compared to. And it pleased her no end. Harry knew too and glared hatefully at his former friend.

"Harry, let's go somewhere private." Said Sirius as he stuffed in a forkful of egg and grabbed the last two bacon strips.

To which Harry nodded curtly. And when they were in a corner of the Hall, he said "Put up a privacy charm."

"Alright. You know far more than any Second Year I ever knew." Sirius commented as he complied. "I'm here for a couple of reasons. Obviously, not your grades, except to protest the P in Potions. I know that's Snape and his grudge. Os in everything except essay writing is very impressive. And I get the sense you're barely trying."

Harry nodded "Thanks to my friend I'm doing Fourth Year stuff, except History."

"Figured as much." His Godfather acknowledged "Dug ourself a bit of a hole, haven't we?"

Harry gave an angry look "Not my fault he attacked me."

"No, it isn't. except for the fact Dumbledore can't stand a mystery that he isn't part of." Sirius answered, then went on "Luckily we have a fairly easy solution. That is, if you can lie convincingly. We simply say, as you are a Black by blood and my Godson, I have been teaching you from the Black family magics. Including Occlumency. As for where you were all summer, we'll say with me. Mostly true."

At that, Harry smirked "Me? Lie? Half truths? How could you?!"

"HAHHAHAHAH!" Sirius' laugh boomed through the piracy ward. Then he lowered his voice "Would you like to share what has you on the outs with the lovely Miss Granger?"

Harry sighed "When I caught out Wormtail. I was stuck telling them about leaving the Dursleys. Running away, as she called it. They all promised not to tell anyone. She insisted I should tell an 'adult' Dumbledore knew, it's how that whole Legilimency attack started. So she almost cost me my freedom, my hideaway and who knows what else! Then, well, I lost it on her."

"I see." Said Sirius with a bit of sadness "You know, some of that reminds me of how we lost Peter. One little step at a time. You're not necessarily wrong about Hermione. But all may not be what it seems. If I were you, Harry, I'd try to have a chat with her."

Harry just glared and grunted "Hmpf!" He glanced at Ginny, who seemed a little weary. The whole school was proceeding to their first class of the day. Then, he saw it, there on the bench! His wand was out in a trice and "Accio Diary!" It was in his hands and Ginny was none the wiser!

"I don't like that grin." Sirius was another matter "That's a girl's diary. You know she has a crush on you. I could see it the moment I looked at her. Accio? I'm …well… I should be shocked. That's a Fourth Year spell. Explain."

This was a problem. That, fortunately, Harry did not have to deal with at the moment. "Dumbledore is waving us over." He tucked Ginny's Diary under his shirt, next to his. Harry was not surprised when it started glowing.

"We will pick this up….later." promised Sirius.

Abcij

"Black." The Potion Master sneered as the five gathered in the small office beside the Head Table.

Sirius glared, immediately flashing back to student days "Azkaban is almost better than seeing you, Sivilus."

"The two of you haven't changed a bit." Professor McGonagall complained.

He glared at her "Yeah well, Azkaban doesn't have much of an self-improvement program."

"Enough! All of you!" ordered Dumbledore "Harry, there is nothing to smile about here!"

The Second Year tried to wipe it off his face, failed, hid it behind a hand, coughed instead of actually laughing.

"Well, we'll deal with Potions, first then." Said Sirius "Harry has received consistently lower than earned grades in Potions. This is proven by his First Year final exam. Second, is the subject of point deductions. He told me of the appeal last Christmas. There is no point in a public discussion of last year's deductions, privately, I think it is worth reviewing. Shall we, Minerva? And how many points has Severus deducted from Harry this year? And why?"

The Head of Gryffindor sighed "That is an arduous task, Mr. Black. And if I were to perform such detailed analysis for Mr. Potter, then I must…perforce… do the same for my whole House."

"Make you a deal, Minerva." He countered, the Marauder gleam in his eyes "I will do it. For Severus and Harry, Severus and …oh… how about Mr. Malfoy. Severus and any other student you name. Last, Harry and any other professor you name."

Snape snarled "I am the Potion Master! I am not to be questioned in this manner!"

"You're welcome to resign." Sirius suggested, and couldn't help adding "Please."

Dumbledore declared harshly "That…is…not…an…option!"

Harry, for the first time, contributed "Rats!"

Sirius nudged him while holding a guffaw, while all the professors frowned at him…Particularly Snape, if looks could kill…

"Sirius, this is a difficult situation." Dumbledore said "I have full faith in Severus."

Harry shrugged "So? Why should we?"

"Not your place to question the Headmaster, Potter. Twenty points from Gryffindor." Said Snape. "And det-"

Sirius cut him off "Proves my point. If you let that stand, Albus, I'll go before the Governors. Publicly."

"Never mind, Sirius, never mind." Dumbledore waived it off "As the incident occurred in a private meeting, no loss of authority is perceived. As for your proposal, it is your time to waste, Sirius."

After nodding, he said "Fine, and I'm sure my findings will be enlightening. Onto what doesn't concern Severus." And he paused significantly.

"As I have said, Severus has my full trust." Answered Dumbledore.

To which Sirius pointed out "Would you really care to go public with an assault on a student? I wouldn't mind. In fact, it might be good for Harry's reputation given how he acted after you let him leave your office. So, out Snivilus."

"I see." Dumbledore could not allow such a thing to be exposed. And he waved a hand and Snape departed "Now, first I do want to say to Harry that I apologize for using Legilimency on you."

Sirius put up a privacy charm, much to the Headmaster's displeasure. He grinned "No eavesdroppers. Anyway, an apology is fine. And appreciated. Right, Harry?"

"Even accepted as long as you don't repeat it." Said Harry, right as he'd been cued to.

McGonagall frowned "Rude, Mr. Potter."

"Mind reading, without permission isn't?" countered Harry.

Dumbledore held up a hand "Quietly Minerva. Now. Let's bring up Harry's specific situation. At the time, and to this day, Harry needed to be safe and placing him with his Aunt and Uncle was the only way to do that. Harry leaving those wards for over a year has weakened them to such an extent I will have to return with him to recast several spells to restore them. I am most displeased with you, Harry."

"Well, funny, you never told me all last year. And I'll solve that." Said Harry "I won't go back to Privet. Ever."

The Headmaster countered "Your Aunt and Uncle agreeing to take you in activated blood wards that protected you from Voldemort's followers."

"Oh?" asked Harry, hostilely "And what prevented Vernon from locking me in a cupboard for ten years? What prevented Vernon from breaking my arm when I was two? What prevented them making me slave for them!?"

McGonagall frowned "Albus I warned you, that day. They were the worst sort-"

"You knew!" Harry accused furiously "I HATE YOU TOO!"

Sirius prevented the boy from charging and venting his anger on her "Harry is allowed to have his secrets." He said coldly "I will have to find someone else, Minerva, that Harry trusts, as my original request was that no further meetings happen outside my or your presence. Dumbledore, until I say otherwise, you will have to wait for me. I taught Harry Occlumency, I know full well he can't block you, or Snivilus-yet. But obviously, he knows enough to know it's happening. Don't test me on this."

"Shoulda let me hit the bitch!" Harry sobbed as he was carried back into the Great Hall, which was mercifully empty. If the professors heard the remark, neither of them made a comment.

Great job getting the Diary, Harry. Remember that it is dangerous. DO NOT WRITE IN IT! And please trust that this is not the same magic. Tom's diary was created by a ritual, then a murder. It split his soul in half, storing that part in the Diary. Hopefully you've got to it before it corrupted Ginny too much. But, try to talk to her. If she won't, make sure Mr. and Mrs. Weasley know she needs help. How do you destroy a Horcrux? I'm glad you asked. How brave do you feel? Lucky you won't have to do what I did. You'll learn you're a Parselmouth. What's that? You can talk to snakes. First thing, get a rooster. Hopefully you've got the Diary before all of the school's are killed. If not, buy one in Hogsmeade. Then go into the bathroom that always flooded, yes it's a girls' loo. Make sure to make nice with Moaning Myrtle. She'll introduce herself. Goto the sinks, find the faucet with the snake symbol. Tell it to open in Parseltongue, might take a couple of tries. Jump down the hole, go through the outer Chamber. Tell the snake door to open. Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets. Walk up to the huge face. Say Speak to me Salazar Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwartsfour. Yeah a little bigheaded, but then a certain Slytherin has been calling you that ever since you got here. What will come out is a basilisk. A sixty foot snake. A speaker, as snakes call humans who can talk to them, will be immune to the Death Glare. Try to talk the basilisk into not attacking anyone in the school. Tell it that it can kill all the acromantulas [giant spiders] it wants in the Forbidden Forest. If not, let the rooster crow. It's fatal to the basilisk. If it agrees have it bite Tom's Diary. If not break off a tooth and stab it. If it agrees, I suppose you have a friend. Basilisk poison and skin is worth a fortune. If you have to kill it, so are basilisk organs.

For a moment, Harry was frozen with terror. And a little distrust. His older self was telling him to confront a monster. It could swallow him whole, for Merlin's sake! Giant spiders scared him less because he shared his cupboard with several over the decade he spent in it. That actually clicked a lost memory, he would need to talk to Sirius. But, he had two options here. He guessed he could risk talking to the basilisk. But was DEFINITELY getting a rooster first. In the back of his mind he realized "I owe Hermione an apology. A big one."

Abcij

Friday night, curfew was approaching, Harry ended his running early. "Come on Nev! Pack it in!" he called to still his only co-exerciser.

"Thanks Harry." Neville puffed "What's with the … generosity."

Harry only sighed "Just have a seat in the Common Room."

"Here with your squib, Potter?" sneered Draco, to the amusement of his two bodyguards "Where's your little Mudblood?"

Harry's fists clenched and unclenched in annoyance. His current habit was to alternate hot and cold between his fingers, he was very serious about improving his skill with Occlumency. "Draco" he said with unusual patience "you simply don't want to tangle with her. And the fact is I could wipe the floor with all three of you."

"Get them, boys!" Draco ordered his bodyguards. Crabbe and Goyle complied, charging.

Neville's wand, already half out, petrified Goyle. Harry simply sidestepped Crabbe and allowed him to run into the wall. They both trained their wands on Malfoy and grinned maliciously. Who promptly fled. The two Gryffindors grinned at each other.

"Assault on your classmates, Potter?" Snape sneered as he came around from behind a corner. "That will be fifty points from you and Longbottom….each…..and a week with Mr. Filch."

Harry didn't bother arguing. It had to be a setup. Another reason for his Godfather to visit, and a chat with his Head of House. Followed, no doubt, by an escalation to the Board of Directors.

Abcij

"Hermione? Can I have a word with you? In private?" asked Harry. They were in the Common Room assorted Gryffindors were conducting their own affairs of the post-lunch weekend afternoon. To say all activity stopped at the boy's pronouncement was like saying Dumbledore's beard was a little long.

The bushy-haired girl glared up at him without a hint of emotion, for so long everyone thought she would not reply. Finally, she did "No, Potter, I don't think so. Your attack was quite public and I rather think anything you have to say to me should be public as well."

"Fair enough." Admitted Harry after a moment's thought "Better anyway, it so happens. Want to listen? Feel free. Right. My Mother's sister and her husband treated me like a House Elf all my life. They hate magic at least as much as Malfoy hates Muggleborns. We all know what he calls them. I took the opportunity after getting my letter to escape. I lived alone until I started here. She wanted me to tell a teacher. Well, I don't trust many adults, take Snape. Dumbledore all of a sudden wanted to know where I was all year. For Purebloods, he used Legilimency on me, Muggleborns he read my mind. Forcibly. Without asking! That day I was plain pissed! I thought Hermione told on me after telling her I didn't want anyone knowing, because I was safe where I was." He looked directly at her "So I took it out on you. And I'm sorry. I was wrong to attack you. The whole thing started with Dumbledore attacking me. I hope we can be friends again."

The bushy haired girl sniffled a little "Maybe it was a bit wrong of me to jump to conclusions." She admitted, and "I think we can. But it will be a long time before I forget what you did."

"I know." Acknowledged Harry with a half-smile. Ron looked very pleased and the three of them sat together studying until supper time. Or rather Hermione was, Ron was playing chess against Harry who was splitting his attention between the game and a book.

Not too far away, Neville was tutoring Ginny and Colin on his favorite subject. Even the twins were half-listening to see what they could pick up. Ginny, however, was decidedly distracted and of late she'd taken to frowning at Harry.

Abcij

Harry's heart was a little lighter the next day. He decided now was the day to get rid of that cursed diary. He showered, dressed in knock-about clothes, reapplied the sticking charm to his Diary and secured the cursed one inside it. Then recast the notice-me-not charm. And no sense putting it off, he skipped breakfast and was making a beeline for the girls' loo.

"Harry Potter? That is not the way to breakfast." Said Luna.

Shaken out of his train of thought, he stopped in mid-step and a bit distractedly answered "Good morning, Luna. I'm sorry, I'm ahhh… doing a project this morning. See you later."

"The girls' dorm seems infested with two different varieties of Nargle." The odd witch refused to be dismissed "One seems obsessed with my possessions, the other variety has helped themselves to Ginevra's diary. I do find that most peculiar, predators tend not to stop at one. Unless, of course, they are skimpy eaters."

Suddenly, taking on a basilisk could wait. He led his friend to the Quidditch Pitch "HEY! Katie! Angelina! Alicia!" he called down the trio of Chasers who were playing catch for practice "Girls! I need a favor."

"What's in it for us, Harry?" asked Katie with a playful tone.

Not in a similar mood, he replied "Luna's gratitude. She's my friend. And, of course, mine. Someone has been teasing her and stealing her stuff. Think you can convince the girls they should stop in the interest of House unity? If that doesn't work, feel free to tell them… it's in their best interest."

"You got it, Harry." Replied Alicia, seriously. And the others nodded. The girls exchanged looks that were a mix of amusement and concern. Was a mere Second Year really threatening the whole of the girls' dorm? Could he back it up? He certainly acted like it.

oc-OC-oc

McGonagall knocked on Old Harry's door, in high dudgeon over the latest installment "Mr. Potter! You have made a respectful young lad most disrespectful to his elders."

"Sirius stopped him from getting to you." the old man observed.

She countered "And most ungentlemanly assaulting Miss Granger."

"You're forgetting his apology and his defense of Luna." he argued.

McGonagall chose to ignore that "I shall be watching this boy's behavior, and holding you responsible for it."

"Thanks for stopping by Professor." Old Harry kissed her hand "And give my best to Old-Crow."