The next morning on the quidditch pitch Angelina was speechless. After several tries she finally got out, "Wow!"
A few days later Harry saw Lavender Brown again. Her hair was standing in spikes and was purple. He snickered as she walked by and she turned to glare at him, "This is your fault."
"No it's your own fault." Harry said, "If you'd learn to leave other people and their things alone it wouldn't happen to you. She isn't the only one who has been charmed."
"Who else?" Lavender asked worriedly.
"Just don't mess with anyone and you won't have to find out." Harry said, he really hated bullies.
Later that day Ginny and Hermione had him teach all the same things to Luna. Within a few days several people were sporting purple spiked hair. The day that was the best though was the day Malfoy showed up with the hair in the Great Hall during dinner.
He walked up to Harry and shoved him, "Change it back!"
"No." Harry turned away and Malfoy pulled his wand, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Harry warned but Malfoy tried anyway and the spell bounced off and hit his robes changed them to purple with pink spots. The room chuckled and Harry said, "I warned you not to. See I've developed this little spell. When someone tries to bully someone else a hex is visited upon the bully. It's random and lasts for twenty four hours. Any attempt to change it or bully them or someone else again and it gets worse. The bigger the bully the more hexes will be dumped on you."
"Remove the hex or I'll be writing my father." Malfoy said.
"I just told you it lasts for twenty four hours." Harry said, "I can't change it."
"Not the hair or robes the one that visits the hex back on me." Malfoy growled.
"Actually that spell isn't on you. I've put it on a bunch of people and if anyone bullies them it attacks the bully." Harry said, "Each person who has it on them has agreed to let me do it to them. In fact I've taught them how to do it so they can renew it themselves and put it on others if they want it."
"That's not fair." he yelled.
"Neither is bullying people." Harry said.
"Mr. Malfoy, you should sit down now." Snape said. The teen huffed and walked away and Harry looked at the professor, "Fifteen points from Gryffindor for malicious behavior."
"And fifteen points from Slytherin for bullying." Minerva said from behind him.
"Fifteen points to Gryffindor for inventive use of a charm." Flitwick added.
"Fifteen points to Gryffindor for defense of others." Dumbledore added, "Now everyone sit I'm rather hungry tonight. Oh and Mr. Evanson my office after dinner."
"Yes sir." Harry was trying to keep from grinning.
"That was hilarious." Sirius wiped his eyes, "I think I would have paid money to see that happen."
Harry was in the headmaster's office with Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Flitwick and McGonagall. McGonagall had told them the story as she had seen it. She was quite angry about Snape's points deductions from Harry.
"Professor don't worry about it." Harry said, "He's just mad he didn't think of it when he was being bullied. Unfortunately many people bully others because we can't detect it. Did you notice how many people were sporting the look? A good half of Slytherin, a third of each of the other houses."
"I've seen many people slinking around embarrassed by their actions." Minerva said, "They were fine with them until they got caught. I think this is the best charm I've ever seen. Good for you Mr. Evanson."
"Pranking to help I'd never thought I'd see the day." Remus chuckled.
"Ok, ok." Harry said waving off the subject, "How goes the fight for the cup?"
"I won." Sirius said, "I've got it with me do you have the tooth?"
"Yes!" Harry cheered, "Give it up."
"Don't you want the story?" Sirius pouted.
"After the cup is destroyed we can hear it." Harry said, "I'm anxious to get this done."
"Fine." Sirius said handing the cup over.
"Is it safe to do it here?" Harry asked the Headmaster.
"Just do it quickly." Albus nodded.
Harry walked up and quickly pulled the tooth out and stabbed the cup."Thank goodness. Hopefully he won't make anymore."
"Alright story time." Sirius sang. "It was a dark and stormy night…"
"Get off of it and just tell us already." Harry laughed at Sirius' childlike enthusiasm.
"Ok so we've been working on this all summer and we thought we would have it on September first. But the Goblins had other ideas. When the found out what I wanted they flat out said no and wouldn't hear another thing. So today I went back and started negotiations again." Sirius spent the next hour telling them about his meeting at Gringotts, "I had to tell them that there was dark magic and I wanted to destroy the magic. I also had to promise to return it when I'm done so they can test it and make sure it's destroyed. But that's all I get I don't get to keep the cup it goes back in the vault. So in the end for my bargain I get to destroy it but not keep it."
"Not a bad trade off if you ask me." Harry said, "Two hundred and fifty thousand galleons for one seventh of Voldemort's soul. He put a reasonable price on his own head or soul rather. Now we go after the last part. I think it's time to let everyone know that Harry Potter isn't dead."
"Are you sure?" Sirius said, "I mean can we wait until you're older?"
"No. I'm strong enough to stop him now. I couldn't come back from my other school until I was ready to beat him." Harry said, "Besides we have just less than two months until Halloween. Wouldn't it be fitting for him to find his end on that particular day?"
"I hate it when he makes so much sense." Sirius grumbled to the delight of several professors.
"While I'm here I need permission to start an advanced study group." Harry said looking at Albus.
"What will you be studying?" He asked.
"I won't really be studying anything." Harry said, "I'm going to be giving advanced defense lessons to anyone I find to be for the light and trustworthy. So far Ginny has about thirty people signed up."
"I'm not sure Auror Jenkins is going to like that." Albus said.
"Probably not but if he doesn't know he won't get mad." Harry said, "That's why we're calling it an advanced study group. In truth it won't contain only things from defense class. It will have advanced stuff from charms, transfiguration, potions and herbology. A little bit of ancient runes and astrology for creating wards. Possible even some creatures."
"You have permission for that group to be started." Albus agreed, "Try not to have more than five hours a week of extra work for the students I don't want them or you to get too tired. What age group?"
"Any." Harry said, "But we'll keep it within their means. I'm pretty good at determining magical levels so I won't try to get them to do something they aren't able to do. I also will be delegating teaching. I won't always teach all age groups. People like Hermione learn just as well when they're teaching someone else as they do just trying to learn it."
Over the next few weeks many of the students in Harry's group improved greatly. Teachers were very happy with the jump in grades for those students. But none jumped as far as Neville. Several things had happened since his parents woke up. He had given his father back his wand and he'd gotten a new one. He was happier and gaining confidence. His grades had improved from the previous year in that first week on his own but when Harry stepped in they skyrocketed.
"I just can't believe it." Neville said, "I've never gotten an O on a practical exam ever. I usually have to get an O in the written just to bring the whole thing up to an A."
"I told you so." Harry laughed, "You just needed the confidence. Now that you know you can do it in charms let's work on DADA and Potions."
"Potions has nothing to do with confidence." Neville grumbled, "Snape just has it in for me."
"Nev just picture him like you did when you fought the boggart." Ron suggested offhandedly.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"His boggart is Snape and he pictured him in his Grandmothers clothes." Ron chuckled fondly in remembrance.
"Brilliant." Harry said, "That's exactly what you need to do. When he starts breathing down your neck just remember him as your boggart after the incantation."
"That's a really good idea Harry." Hermione said sitting down beside him.
"Not mine." he replied, "Ron thought of it."
"Really?" Hermione questioned, Harry nodded in reply, "Well then five points to Gryffindor for Ron having a brilliant idea."
Ron looked confused at that. He wasn't sure if he should be offended or not. Harry chuckled and slapped him on the back.
At the very next potions class, which was on Friday, Harry noticed Neville was far more relaxed much to the disappointment of Professor Snape. At one point he was on the verge of laughter and had to take several deep breaths to get it under control. Harry turned away from his amusement at Neville to see Ron ready to dump an ingredient into his cauldron.
"Stop Ron. That will blow up the room." Harry said pushing his arm away. He saw Snape heating up so he continued, "I read about it last night in Potions Monthly. Professor Snape's article said they have to be finely chopped or it can disrupt the potion. And it's the wrong color which his article said could have explosive results."
Harry had successfully taken the wind out of the man's anger. Snape still stalked over and said to Ron, "Five points from Gryffindor for almost blowing us all up. Evanson stay after class so we can discuss your detention for disrupting class."
After class Harry waited. All others had left when Snape looked at him and said grudgingly, "Fifteen points to Gryffindor for stopping Weasley from blowing us all up. Did you enjoy the article?"
"Very much." Harry said, "I knew you were a brilliant potion's master but to see it at work was enlightening."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. By the way I know how to change the Dark Mark if you're interested." Harry offered, "I can't make it go away completely but I can stop the pain."
"When I'm done with my work you can change it." Snape said, "For now I'm too busy."
"I'm going to be letting my secret out soon." Harry said, "Before I do I want you to know I've enjoyed class and I'll understand when you have to start hating me."
"I just wish I didn't have to act that way." Snape sighed, "Just stop him so I can be myself at least once before I die."
Harry chuckled, "What's my detention to be?"
"If anyone asks you have two hours with me this evening." Snape answered, "I want to have some peace tonight to work on a potion I'm testing."
"Is it the mind healing one?" Harry asked, "Can I come watch?"
"How did you know…" Snape started and then waved it off, "Never mind I don't want to know. Be here at seven and don't talk."
"Fine." Harry grinned and then altered his face to an angry look, "I have to go be mad about my detention now. See you later."
Snape couldn't help it, he laughed. He was able to contain it until Harry left and he could lock the door and silence the room. It was short lived however because his mark began to burn.
"Are you sure Harry?" Sirius was very uncomfortable with Harry's decision, "We could wait until you're older and more developed. I just don't want you to push it."
"Sirius quit acting like a baby." Harry said, "I'm ready and this is the best way to let it out. Just leak the information and I'm sure they'll spread it around faster than anything.
"I'll tell you what." Albus said, "What if I give an anonymous tip off to Rita Skeeter at about four thirty on Saturday. She'll pop up at Hogsmeade just as you are making you way back to the castle. We'll make sure the biggest gossips in school hear her try to question you. Tom will know before its five thirty. And you'll be safely back at school well before then. We can face him here."
"That sounds good." Sirius relaxed some.
"Only if we have an evacuation plan for the students to get away from the school safely." Harry said, "I don't want him hurting anyone else when he tries to get to me."
"One more thing." Albus said, "Severus was called away he said to tell you detention is postponed."
"Death Eater meeting?" Harry asked.
"What did you do to get detention?" Sirius asked.
"Stopped Ron from blowing us up." Harry said, "After everyone left he gave me fifteen points. He wasn't going to make me do detention I was going to watch him work on the mind healing potion. Remember he has to hate me because I'm in Gryffindor."
"And he'll hate you more when you're Harry Potter." Sirius sighed.
"Easily dealt with when I know it's an act." Harry said, "I just have to use my own acting skills."
The next day students including Harry were already in Hogsmeade when Severus Snape stumbled into his office from his floo. He forced himself to get up and move. Luckily no students were around to see the Slytherin Head of House trying to run through the halls. Mostly he just managed to bump into to walls as he staggered through. He checked the Great Hall first luckily because that is where Dumbledore was. Snape entered the room and collapsed on the end of the Gryffindor table. He was trying to push himself up when he was lifted up by Sirius Black.
"Harry… danger… he knows." Snape whispered and then passed out in the man's arms.
Albus heard and called, "Take him to the hospital Poppy. All other teachers meet in the entrance now. Students stay in your seats."
"I've got to go warn Harry." Sirius said.
"Padfoot will get you there faster. Have any prefects begin to gather students and send them back. Use any of the secret passages, preferably Honeydukes."
Sirius ran off towards the gates thinking he and his friends had been stupid to think they were the first to find the secret passages. Outside the gates he transformed back and apparated close to the village. Once there he went back to padfoot and started following Harry's scent trail.
Harry felt someone grab the back of his cloak so he turned around. Padfoot was there and he cocked his head at the door. He followed the dog out the door and around the store to the alley. "He knows."
"We need to get all the kids out of here." Harry turned and ran back to the store. Sirius followed him a few moments later.
"Hermione, Ron." Harry pulled on their cloaks, "Death Eaters may be on their way here. Start gathering everyone up and get them back to school.
"Use the Honeydukes passage." Sirius said, "We don't want anyone jumped on the road back to school."
"Where are you going to be?" Ginny asked pulling on his arm.
"Outside the three broomsticks." Harry said, "The rest of the order should be here soon. I don't want them to follow me back up to the school. Go help Ron and Hermione."
Ginny gave him a quick kiss and ran off to start herding the other students back to school.
"We need to leave the Slytherins for last." Ron stated.
"I don't know." Hermione was ready to argue.
"He's right. We don't know who they're backing and if they know too quickly they may try to stop them from coming." Ginny said, "Or warn them to come earlier. I'll go empty out Honeydukes first."
"Good luck." Hermione said, "We'll send others to you. I'll start at the north end Ron you go to the south."
Ginny walked in the door of Honeydukes to find the place was swarming with kids. She quickly noted that no Slytherins were in the store. She moved to the counter and jumped up on it.
"Attention everyone." Ginny said, "I've been informed that Death Eaters may be on their way to Hogsmeade. Some prefects are already going to other stores and sending everyone here."
"Why here? Won't we be trapped?" A Ravenclaw asked.
"No there is a secret passage that leads from the basement to the school. If you'll all follow me I'll show you." Ginny said. She jumped off the counter and opened the door to the cellar and went down the steps. Once there she opened the trap door in the floor, "Just go down the steps and it will take you back to school."
"I know this one." A boy said, "I know how to open the other end. How did you find out about it?"
"Fred and George." she stated and then pushed her way back up into the store. The trail of students was fairly steady. She never saw a Slytherin uniform in the bunch. When Ron, Hermione and the twins made it to the candy store Ginny was coming up from showing the last group of students the way.
"It's empty." Fred said, "Back to school with you lot."
"I'm not going." Ginny said, "I need to be here just in case."
"Gin." Ron tried to give her a warning.
"If you try to make me go they'll be finding pieces of you all over the store." Ginny declared angrily.
Back at the school…..
"All the Slytherins are accounted for." Albus said, "Seems none of them felt like going to Hogsmeade today."
"They all knew?" Minerva asked angrily.
"No but those who did held the others until it was too late to save the rest of the students." Albus sighed, "I have the names. I'm not sure what to do about this."
