As promised, here's a prompt upload of the next chapter. Got the muse lately with this story, so expect more updates! Already working on Chapter 8!

Disclaimer: Rowling. Is. Amazing.

Chapter 7:

I woke up the next morning with the birds. I hadn't truly slept all night. Instead, I'd wavered between the world of sleeping and dreaming, always a little awake. I knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep, so I grabbed my broom and headed to the quidditch pitch to fly around on my own for a while. It cleared my mind, and by breakfast I felt a bit calmer.

The Great Hall was abuzz with summer gossip and students comparing schedules. McGonagall handed out parchments to Gryffindors as people shoveled eggs and toast onto their plates. I ignored Draco's sneer and nod as I passed the Slytherin table. Not that I could admit it to anyone other than myself, but it had been Draco's threat that had kept me up all night. I tried to remind myself who I was dealing with. Draco was harmless, for the most part. Wasn't he?

I sat down and helped myself to a large portion of bacon and eggs, then waited for McGonagall to get to my side of the table.

"Have a good summer?" Neville sat across from me.

I shrugged. "There was a lot of family time."

He made a face, then recovered. "I'm sure Professor Snape is a lot nicer to you than the rest of us."

I snorted into my orange juice. "I wouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly."

McGonagall handed him his schedule and his face dropped. "Herbology with Slytherins," he said.

McGonagall gave parchment to Ron, who had just plopped down next to me.

"Excuse me, Professor," I said. "What's my schedule?"

"That's yet to be decided," she said, handing a schedule to a raven-haired first year. "Meet me in my office in ten minutes. We'll discuss it then. Be quick. My day begins with first years, so I've little patience."

"Noted." I finished my breakfast in five bites, wolfing down a slice of toast as I gathered my things.

"Impressive," Ron said.

"It's a gift," I replied, mouth full.

I headed to McGonagall's office, unsure of what would happen. I could always count on Snape to be angry. Dumbledore had an insufferable amount of patience. My head of house always seemed to be a wild card.

When I walked in, she was already sorting through a stack of papers on her desk.

"Sit," she said.

I sat.

"I've received your exam results from last year, including your ordinary wizarding levels."

"And?" I said.

She pursed her lips. "You failed defense against the dark arts."

My breakfast threatened to hurl itself back up at an equally impressive speed. "But Umbridge was fired."

"Kidnapped by centaurs, to be exact," and I thought the corners of her mouth turned up just a little. "However, considering her pompous attitude and overall inability to teach or evaluate any student's progress or intellect, you'll have to take an additional exam to evaluate your level."

I nodded. "From who?"

"Our current defense against the dark arts professor."

Sirius. Seriously? Could my luck be any worse?

"As for your other exams, you passed with high marks."

I smiled a little. "So what's the plan? Seventh year classes? Sixth?"

"Some of your professors believe that you've surpassed the curriculum. Others among us think that considering your fast paced learning style, you would be best suited for independent study. Which courses do you wish to pursue?"

"Charms, Transfiguration, Divination, Potions, and Defense against the Dark Arts."

"No Astronomy? History of Magic? Herbology?"

I shrugged. "If I get curious I can always pick up a book. I'd rather focus my studies on the subjects that matter to me."

She peered at me for a moment. "What career do you wish to pursue after Hogwarts?"

The question sparked several others in my head. Would I finish my time at Hogwarts? Would I survive past my time at Hogwarts? Would the wizarding world be ruled by the magical equivalent of Hitler?

Still, an answer came to my mind without much thought. "I'd like to be an auror."

"I thought as much. It's best if you continue on with Herbology as well then."

I frowned. Would I be growing criminal-catching plants? "If you think it's best," I said, hesitantly.

"Good. Professor Flitwick and myself are quite busy this year, but we both would like to work independently with you. We will meet once a week."

My eyebrows went up.

"Make no mistake, you'll be working harder than you would in a normal class. You'll have to do a fair amount of research and writing on your own, and you will still have exams, naturally. Are you willing to put in the commitment required of you?"

I nodded, smiling. "Looking forwards to it. When can we start?" There was a reason why Hermione and I got along so well.

Her lips twitched. "It's a wonder you're not in Ravenclaw," she said.

I tried not to let the compliment go to my head. "What about Potions, Divination and Herbology?"

McGonagall shook her head. "Professor Sprout is impressed by your improvement, however she said that Herbology is best learned in a group setting. Your Uncle said much the same on Potions. As did Trelawney." McGonagall's nose twitched, and her disapproval shined through for a moment. "You will be with the other N.E.W.T. level students in those classes. And you will be expected to take the N.E.W.T. examinations for each class you're enrolled in."

She said it as if I would be taking classes off the record.

"Your grandfather wishes to have weekly classes with you as well."

My face fell. "But—"

"He said they were compulsory, although he did not divulge the details to me. And your Uncle wanted to meet daily with you to continue occlumency lessons, though that will obviously not include a final exam."

"Isn't Snape busy with classes?" I said, aware of the whiny inflection my voice had taken.

"He'll be using his free period to teach you, as all of us are hoping that you won't have detention for a second straight year. Especially the new Quidditch captain."

Crap. Quidditch. I blushed. "Right."

McGonagall tapped a piece of parchment with her wand and handed it to me. I noticed DADA in red ink on Friday.

"What about Professor Black's class?"

"He says that it all depends on your exam, but he seemed confident in your capabilities."

"Awesome," I said under my breath as McGonagall turned back to her desk.

"I'll see you Tomorrow morning for our first class," she called.

I walked down the hall and read through my schedule.

I checked my watch and cursed. My first class had already started. I broke into a run, reaching Snape's classroom just as people began to light the fires under their cauldrons.

"How nice of you to join us, Miss Dumbledore," Snape said, a piece of chalk weaving its way across the board behind him.

I made my way to the only vacant seat, next to Hermione. Harry and Ron sat in the front, not looking pleased that I'd tutored them so much last year that they'd scored high enough to be in this class.

"Perhaps you could answer the question, if you insist on disturbing my class." He knew I'd had a meeting with McGonagall.

I sighed, nodding.

"No one seems able to gather what potion we will be brewing in class today. If I require you to have fairy wings, rose thorns, and foxglove, what potion might I wish you to make?"

"Blood replenishing," I said, still dragging my cauldron from my bag.

Snape gave a curt nod. I didn't expect him to award any points to Gryffindor, and he didn't disappoint. Hermione and I worked silently, both of us concentrating heavily despite the chatter around us. It was a difficult potion to brew, and the most delicate stage was the very beginning. Sure enough, an explosion occurred at no less than three tables.

I shook my head. "Amateurs."

"Your potion should be darker," Snape said to me, walking by. "And be careful with the flame. It's far too high."

I glared at his back, and lowered my flame slightly. Ten minutes later, while most of the other students started over, Hermione and I relaxed for the five minutes it would take for the potion to simmer.

"Why were you late?" she said.

"So we're friends again?" I asked.

She clicked her tongue. "Just because you're a liar doesn't mean you're not my friend. And you can't be angry with me when I'm still angry with you. And I'm not that angry with you. At least, I won't be once you tell Harry."

I sighed. "Fine. I was talking with McGonagall about my classes for this year."

She grabbed the schedule out of my hands, and her eyes widened. "It's not fair," she muttered finally, handing it back to me. I took another glance at it before Snape could make a comment about our inattentiveness.

Monday:

Charms Independent Study (First Period)

N.E.W.T. Herbology (Sixth Period)

Advanced Potions (Seventh Period)

Tuesday:

N.E.W.T. Potions (First Period)

N.E.W.T. Divination (Second Period)

Advanced Potions (Seventh Period)

Wednesday:

Transfiguration Independent Study (Second Period)

N.E.W.T. Herbology (Sixth Period)

Advanced Potions (Seventh Period)

Thursday:

N.E.W.T. Potions (First Period)

Advanced Potions (Seventh Period)

Friday:

DADA Evaluation (Third Period)

Seminar with Headmaster Dumbledore (Fifth Period)

"Advanced Potions?" she mouthed.

"Occlumency," I mouthed back.

She nodded, and we went back to our work. Once class was over, I ran with Ron and Harry to the Divination room.

"Remind me again why we're taking this stupid class for another bloody year?" Ron asked.

We all gasped for breath as we climbed what felt like the fiftieth staircase. "Because I don't want to take it alone," I said, "and I'll provide prime entertainment."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Not the Grim nonsense again."

"Oh yes," I said, grinning.

I met Snape for "Advanced Potions" at the end of the day. I'd spent my free time in the library working on the essay he'd assigned. As frustrating as it was to write about the significance of foxglove in a blood-replenishing potion, I'd rather write seven essays than step into his office.

He was grading papers when I walked in, which was lovely, because nothing guaranteed an irritated Snape like grading papers.

"Sit."

I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk and crossed my arms.

He glanced at me a few times before placing the rolls of parchment in the top drawer of his desk. "Are you planning to improve your attitude, or should I expect you to continue pouting all year?"

My eyes narrowed. "I don't know. Are you planning to keep me on house arrest like some sort of criminal?"

"Do try and act like an adult," he said, frowning.

"Are you serious? You're making up ridiculous rules and you expect me to not feel completely suffocated by them?"

He took a deep breath and waved his wand. A heavy book zoomed from the bookshelf and dropped right in front of me. A cloud of dust flew up in its wake and I coughed.

"I expect you to read the first three chapters by tomorrow. Prepare an essay, no less than a foot long, on whether or not you agree with the author's ideas on the ethical ramifications of Legilimency. If you bring up my new stipulations on leaving the castle once more, I'll be sure to make each and every homework assignment as painful as this one."

I grabbed the book and shoved it in my bag. "Fine."

"You are dismissed."

I slammed the door on my way out, and heard a muffled, "Twenty points from Gryffindor."

Like I cared about the House Cup.

That night, Hermione and I were the last two in the Gryffindor common room. As soon as Dean stood up, I began packing my things. Still, I wasn't quick enough, and Hermione cornered me before I could make it to the staircase.

"Why haven't you told him yet?"

"I'm sorry. I've just been really busy, and I haven't found the right time—"

"The right time?" She frowned, deeply. "You're about to tell Harry exactly what makes Voldemort the most powerful wizard alive, and you're waiting for the right time?" She shook her head. "There is no right time for this, Kat. You know there isn't."

"Hermione—"

"Tell him before next week." She walked away, and I dragged myself up to the girl's dormitory. I had an awkward bed in the sixth year dorm. Even though I'd failed at making friends with any of them, I knew it could be worse; I could be sharing a room with Hermione.

OOO

So? I promise, Fred will pop up again soon, and so will more action-packed scenes.

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