I do apologize for the long wait for an update. I suffered from writers block, and soon lost interest. However, when I started writing several different fanfictions in the Harry Potter fandom, I soon realized what general direction I could spin this story into. For those of you who waited patiently, here is the latest chapter.


Chapter 7

For an hour Ron, Hermione, and Harry had gone over the theory of casting non-verbal spells. The next hour they had practiced casting expeliarmus and protego at one another. By the end of the first lesson Hermione had been the only one to successfully cast the non-verbal spells. They had moved on to charms, potions and then finally transfiguration. After their last lesson they were allowed to walk back home.

Molly had just finished setting the table as they walked in the door. They were exhausted from having to attend to several different types of schooling during the day. "Great just in time. Go wash up while I call the others for dinner." She shooed them out of the kitchen.

Ron let out a groan. "Why, I'm starving?" He proclaimed. Harry gave him a sympathetic look while Hermione gave him a disgruntled one.

"Come on Ron. The faster we get cleaned up, the faster we can eat. By the time we get done everyone else will be here." Harry said as left the kitchen.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Hermione shook her head. "Boys." She muttered as she followed them.

The rest of the week found the Golden Trio settling in for which would become their routine for the rest of the year. Harry had put his thoughts about Edward Cullen out of his mind. Mainly, because Cullen had been absent the rest of the week, and he hardly saw any of the others unless it was Alice who would wave at him and his friends from afar.

It was Friday and Harry was glad. He couldn't recall a time he had to work so hard on any of his school work. If it weren't for Hermione he didn't know how he would have managed to keep up with his muggle homework and the homework they were assigned by Remus and Moody. He could say that he was quite happy. Although, he did happen to miss quidditch, Ron and him had tried to talk Author, Remus, and Moody into charming the area behind the houses so they could play a couple of games of quidditch. They had said they would think about it. Harry was really hopping that they would do so. He finished getting dressed, grabbed his backpack and his binder and headed downstairs to the kitchen. As he walked down the hallway he grinned. Mrs. Weasly really did seem to out cook herself every day. This morning he could smell eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, and toast sifting through the hallways of the house. His stomach let out a small growl. He had retired after his magic lessons, and had chosen not to have any dinner. He had felt sick to his stomach from a nightmare he had earlier, about Sirius. No matter how much he tried. He just could not get the shocked face of his godfather out of his mind. It was as if he stuck watching his godfather fall through that awful veil every time he closed his eyes.

"Harry!" Harry looked up. "What are you thinking about?" Ginny asked him as she headed towards the kitchen too.

"Er, whether or not Gryffindor will win the quidditch cup this year." He lied quickly. He did not feel as if he should burden Ginny or anybody else with his problems. He knew he should grieve over his loss, but he wanted to do so privately. What if he blew up again like he had in Dumbledore's office last term?

Ginny shook her head in disappointment. "It's alright if you don't want to talk to me, but please talk to Ron or Hermione. They are your best friends. They have your back no matter what, so do I for that matter." She gave him a pat on the back and continued on her way.

He stared at her retreating form wide-eyed that she had been able to read him so easily. I wonder if Snape gave her legilimency lessons. He thought bewildered and made his way to the kitchen.


The Cullens-

Edward was sitting on the piano bench with perfect posture. His fingers gliding across the keys with easy grace as he hit chord after chord. His brother Jasper sat on the couch watching him play.

"What has your emotions all twisted now? Last time you were like this you was the first time you met Bella." Jasper said.

"That new kid has me worried. I can't read Bella's mind. I wished I had never even probed his mind." He stopped playing and swung around to face Jasper. "Call the family and I will explain myself fully. I will go and get Bella." He stated and in a flurry he was out the front door and in his car speeding away.

Jasper shook his head and called his family for a meeting.


Potter-

Harry's jaw dropped. His P.E. teacher had decided that they would be climbing the rope today.

"Potter, you're up first." The teacher barked out pointing at the rope. "If you don't make it up by the end of the quarter you will fail." He said the rest to all of the class. The class as a whole groaned.

A simple rope. He thought, and then grinned.

"What's so funny Potter. You think you can make it up on your first try? I don't think you will. You don't have any," The teacher reached forward and lifted Harry's arm up for the rest of the class to see, "any muscle built here. This rope will probably be your failure." He said with a chuckle.

The classes sniggered at the insult. Harry pulled his arm free and glared at the teacher. "I don't think so." He quickly made his way to the rope, and angrily grabbed it. What would really piss off that git? Why don't I try climbing the rope without using my legs. He thought. At once he lifted himself up and proceeded to reach above his extended arm pull himself up and repeat with his other arm, all the while his legs limply swayed. In thirty five seconds he made it to the top, rang the bell, and looked down at the teacher and the class who were staring at him with surprise. Quickly he lowered himself to the ground. "Sir, perhaps you shouldn't judge people on their looks. Looks, well, they can be deceiving." Without waiting for a response he went to the locker room, changed his clothes and decided to ditch the rest of the period for the library. Hermione will be proud. He thought as he entered the library. He pulled out his book he had studied the night before and waited for the bell to ring.

However, when he met up with his friends for lunch, Hermione was anything but pleased. "Harry, you should have stayed and waited for everyone else to take their turn on the rope."

"But, Mione'" Ron said through a bite of macaroni salad, "that p.e. bloke was being a complete arse to him. I would have done the same thing." He said.

"That's not the point!" She exclaimed.

"Excuse me," Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all looked up at Alice, "Could you please come outside we would like to talk to you." She said.

Harry looked at his friends. Alice did not have the same happy-go-lucky smile, nor was her voice filled with joy. She sounded solemn, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Who is we?" Hermione demanded at once.

Harry watched her reach to where she kept her wand stored. He did the same.

"My family." She turned on her heel, looked back, "please." She pleaded with them.

As soon as she was gone Hermione spoke, "I don't think we should trust her."

Ron looked puzzled then spoke, "I think we would have an advantage if they spoke with us on our terms. Let them wait. We will approach them after school when there is a crowd. If something happens there are witnesses." He said.

"That's brilliant." Hermione said.

"It's strategy." Harry spoke up, "it's what he does best."