Hey everyone here is Chapter 10. I just want to say thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. As of right now I have 243 for this story alone. So thank you to everyone of you and I hope you all stick with me to the very end.
Before we get started I would like to address an issue I think you all would like answered. In Chapter one I introduced an OC, Selene, who helped Harry get to where he is now. I have gotten a few enquires about how I didn't properly explain who she was and why was she helping Harry. I've also said that she won't be playing a large role in the story which is partially true. For now. Can't say anymore without giving stuff away. Well here is the answer you all want. YOU WON"T FIND OUT RIGHT NOW. Her purpose won't be truly explained until the sequel or maybe the very end of this story, don't really know right now. So quit sending reviews about her. I know I didn't explain her, I did that on purpose. SO QUIT BUGGING ME.
But I would love for you all to take guess on what role she will take as the story develops and what she is exactly. So enough of me taking my frustrations out on all of you.
ON WITH THE STORY.
Harry woke up the next morning at 5:00, so he could avoid Seamus and the rest of his dorm mates. After a quick shower he got dressed in his uniform and was looking at himself in the mirror trying to decide what he was going to do with his hair. After going through different color combinations he decided on electric purple hair, with neon yellow eyes to go with it. He grabbed his Potion, History and Defense books, ignoring his Divinations text. He would talk to McGonagall about dropping Divination at breakfast, once she started to hand schedules. Some parchment, quills and an unbreakable ink pot followed the books into the bag. Looking around to make sure that none of the other boys were waking up, he opened the third compartment of his trunk and pulled out the Rockman cabinet and pulled out an Occlumency book for him to study at breakfast. He realized that if he wanted to avoid the scene in his history OWL, he better start now. He placed the cabinet back in the compartment and made sure he reset the password.
A soft hiss made him pause on his way out the door. ' Where are you going snake-child?'
Harry turned around and saw that Sylvia had woken up and had made herself comfortable on the lid of his trunk.
' To the common room to read for a while. Then to breakfast. Are you going to come with me or do you want to stay here?' he asked, knowing that she wanted to stay with him at all times.
' Yes I will come with you. I said I would follow you and protect you and I can't do that if you leave me here while you go off gallivanting around where I can't make you don't do anything stupid.' she glared at him to help get her point across. ' Now get over here so I can wrap around your arm.'
Harry held his left arm out, allowing Sylvia to make her way up. She slid underneath the fabric of his robe and wrapped herself around his upper arm, allowing her head to poke out of his robe collar. She promptly fell asleep. Harry wondered how she would protect him if she always fell sleep.
He walked down to the common room and sat in front of the fire to read his Occlumency book. He sat there for over half an hour before movement from the dorms above alerted him to his fellow Gryffindors, who were starting to wake up. Marking his place and placing the book in his bag he walked out of the portrait hole hoping to have a peaceful breakfast before the majority of the school turned up and stared at him.
He made his way down to the Great Hall slowly, enjoying the sun rise he looked at through the windows as he walked. He took his time figuring even the early risers wouldn't be in the Hall this early, as breakfast wasn't served until 6:30 and it was only, he glanced down at his watch, 6:09. He reached the Great Hall and sat down at the far end of the Gryffindor table, closest to the door.
He set his bag down and pulled out his Occlumency book and started where he left off. He continued to read even as more and more people started to show up, mostly Ravenclaws and a few Slytherins. He was only slightly aware of the glances he received, to engrossed in his reading too really care about what was going on around him.
The sound of someone sitting down across from him pulled his attention away from the book and caused him to look up briefly.
" Hi guys just let me finish this chapter then we can talk." Harry told them, before going back to his book.
Ron and Hermione just stared at him. They had just been blown off. Finally ten minutes later Harry marked his spot and set the book down next to his plate. He smiled at them and started to fill his plate with eggs, bacon and toast.
Hermione just looked at him. " Harry how long have you been awake? Ron told me you weren't in bed when he woke up and you weren't in the common room when I got down there. Have you been here all morning?"
" To answer your first question I've been awake since 5:00 and been here since around 6:30 or so. I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to deal with Seamus so I just waited in the common room and I didn't want to deal with the looks I would get from the whole house." he explained, in between bites.
" No offense Harry but if you want to stop some of the looks then you should probably keep your hair and eyes normal and not change them into such," she stopped for a moment trying to find the right words before finally settling on, " loud colors."
Harry smiled at her. " Your probably right about that. It would help I'm sure. But I like it Hermione so people will just have to except it. Besides people are staring at me for a lot more then what I look like."
Hermione was cut off from replying by the appearance of Fred and George. They sat themselves on either side of Harry.
" Hey you guys." George said.
" How are you." Fred took over.
" This wonderful." George replied.
" Morning." They finished together.
Harry just stared at his friends. All three wondered how they did that, even Ron who had known them all his life.
" Nice hair Harry. It looks good on you." George flashed a grin at him.
Fred nodded his agreement, " Yeah purple is definitely your color."
Harry smiled at them clearly showing off his neon yellow eyes. Both twins raised an eyebrow each at his choice of colors but refrained from saying anything. Ten minutes before classes were do to start McGonagall made her way to there end of the table, with there time tables.
" Here you go Mr. Potter." she handed him his time table, only raising an eyebrow at his choice of hair. " Also you are to report to Madame Pompfrey after lessons. She is expecting you. Don't be late."
" Thank you for telling me Professor. Actually I was wondering if I could drop a class." Harry spoke up as she was walking away.
McGonagall turned around, " What class would that be Mr. Potter?"
" Divinations Professor." he answered.
" May I see your schedule?" she asked, clearly not used to having a student ask to drop a class on the first day of term.
Harry handed her his schedule, which he was still holding in his hand. She tapped it with her wand three times before handing it back to him. He looked down and saw that all of his Divination lessons had been replaced with free time.
" Mr. Potter I would like you to come to my office after dinner tonight so you can explain why you wanted to drop Divinations. Be aware that if you can not come up with a very good reason then you will have to return to lessons and explain to Professor Trelawney why you missed her lesson today." she turned and walked away, not waiting for a response.
Harry sat back down thinking about what he would say to convince McGonagall to let keep not taking Divinations. Though once he thought about it he knew it wouldn't take much to convince her he didn't want to take it, if past history was anything to go by.
" Harry why do you want to drop Divinations? You're going to leave me all alone in that class. Who's going to help me stay awake?" Ron complained.
Harry sighed. " Ron that class is a joke we're not learning anything in there. Besides I've got more important things to do then worry about how I'm going to die. I can spend that time a lot more efficiently on my own then I can in that class. Besides I'm sure Dean or Neville would be glad to help you stay awake."
" I'm proud of you Harry." Hermione gave him a big smile. " I'm glad that you finally decided to drop that silly class. Now you can spend your free time studying for OWLs instead of wasting your time."
" Thanks Hermione. Now come on guys we should be going or we're going to be late for History." Harry stood up, making sure to put his Occlumency book back in his bag. He figured he could get some reading done in History.
The three stood up and waved good bye to the Twins and made there way out of the Great hall. Harry spent the whole way there listening to Ron and Hermione bicker about how it was too early to start studying for OWLs and how it was never to early, that they probably should have begun last spring. Harry was sure that she would say they should have started studying in the beginning of first year. Harry let a small chuckle escape earning him two glares from his friends.
" Something funny Harry?" Ron asked.
" Just thinking that Hermione would have told us to start studying at the very beginning of first year if we had been talking then." Harry said with a grin.
Ron laughed with Harry while Hermione scowled before cracking a small smile herself.
" Alright you two knock it off. Come on we're going to be late if we don't hurry up." Hermione hurried ahead, leaving Ron and Harry to run to catch up.
They reached the classroom with only minutes to spare and were lucky to grab three seats in the back. It was the consensus of most Hogwarts students that History of Magic was the most boring subject offered. Binns could put the entire class to sleep in ten minutes, five in hot weather. The final bell rang and Binns floated through the chalkboard and immediately started to lecture on giant wars. Hermione was taking a copious amount of notes, while Ron sat gazing out the window, his eyes glazed over. Harry decided to be productive and pulled out his Occlumency book and opened it to where he left off at breakfast. He spent the rest of the class reading on how to enter his mind and sort through all of his feelings. By the time the bell rang to signal class was over he was half way through the chapter on how to build up his mental walls.
" Harry what are you reading that is so impressive?" Ron asked on there way down to the dungeons for Potions.
Harry was formulating an answer when Hermione interrupted him. " Ron I think its wonderful that Harry has finally taken an interest in his studies. Now if you would do the same then I wouldn't have to let you copy my notes."
" Just because you like to study Hermione doesn't mean everyone has to." Ron countered.
They started arguing about weather or not studying was important. Harry just rolled his eyes and tuned them out. " Guys I'm going to go ahead I'll see you in class." Harry told them but they were to busy bickering to notice.
Harry continued on hoping that he would run into Cho again. He knew he no longer had feelings for her but he hoped to at least talk to her without any interruptions from his friends or hers. Luck seemed to be on his side today because when he turned the corner he saw Cho walking towards him.
She saw him and smiled a little. " Hello Harry."
He smiled back. " Hi Cho. How are you doing? How was your summer?"
" It was alright, you know with everything that happened . . ."
" Its okay if you don't want to talk about it Cho." Harry said gently. " Its been hard for me too."
She gasped, " Oh Harry I'm so sorry. I forgot that you were there when it happened. I've been so selfish to think that I'm the only one who has been effected by his death. I'm so sorry."
Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. " It's okay Cho. It's perfectly understandable." he glanced down at his watch and saw that he only had seven minutes to get to class. " Cho I'm sorry but I have to go or I'll be late for Potions. But maybe we could get together in the Library one day and talk."
An understanding look dawned in her eyes. " I would really like that. I should go too or I'll be late for Ancient Runes. Bye Harry." she walked off towards the stairs.
" Bye Cho." Harry called after her.
He knew that he couldn't make it to class on time, even if he ran he knew he would be late by a few minutes. Thinking quickly he decided to take the risk.
'Sylvia I'm going to transform. You want to get off for a moment.' Harry asked.
Sylvia made her way out from under his robe and he set her on the ground. 'Your going to want to hold on tight.'
'Of course snake-child.' she hissed at.
Knowing that the Grim would faster and would get him to class on time, he concentrated and felt himself change into his form. Sylvia made her way up his front leg and wrapped herself securely around his neck. He wasted no time and took off at a quick run. He was surprised that he didn't run into anyone on his way to the dungeons, but didn't start questioning his good fortune. He could hear Sylvia hissing in displeasure, yelling at him to slow down and cursing at him. He let out a bark, the closest thing to a laugh he could make as a dog. He skidded to a halt in front of the classroom and quickly transformed. He smoothed out his robes and made sure he didn't look winded. He waited for Sylvia to go under his robe before he opened the door and walked in, ignoring the looks he received from both Slytherins and Gryffindors. He made his way to where Hermione and Ron were sitting and sat between them. He had barely sat down when Snape burst through the door.
He stocked to the front of the room, he faced the class, bracing his arms on his desk.
" Before we begin today's lesson," Snape said softly. " I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'acceptable' in your O.W.L. or suffer my . . . displeasure."
His gaze swept across the room, lingering for a time upon Neville, you gulped loudly.
" After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me." continued Snape. " I take only the very best into me N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying good-bye."
His gaze rested on Harry and his lip curled into a sneer. Harry glared back at him, feeling the need to prove himself.
" But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell, so weather you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students."
He waved his wand at the chalkboard behind him, the instructions for the days potion appearing.
" Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion used to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing. The ingredients and method are on the chalkboard you will find everything you need in the store cupboard. You have an hour and a half. Start."
Harry grabbed all of the needed ingredients and started to prepare them for the potion. From his reading over the summer he had learned that it was best to prepare the ingredients before even starting the potion and to let the water heat up to the proper temperature. Ten minutes later he was starting. He followed every instruction to the tee, reading and rereading every line twice before adding an ingredient. He even remembered the two drops of syrup of hellebore this time.
He had just lowered the temperature and was counting down to the time before he had to add the last ingredient. Silver vapor had just started to rise when Snape stood up.
" A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potion," Snape called, with ten minutes of class left.
Harry looked around the room and let a small smile grace his lips. Ron's cauldron was once again shooting green sparks, Seamus was trying to put out the fire. Hermione's was a shimmering silver, he looked around the room and saw that the only other people besides himself and Hermione that got it right were Malfoy and a Slytherin girl, he thought was called Daphne Greengrass. Snape walked around glaring at the Gryffindors who got it wrong and ignoring the Slytherins. As he swept past Hermione's potion he just looked down at it and continued on without comment. When he got to Harry's cauldron he stopped and stared down at it.
Harry was sure that he was going to find something wrong with it, but to his surprise he just sneered at him and continued on to Neville's cauldron which looked like it had cement in it and started interrogating him about what he had done wrong. After he had inspected everyone else's cauldrons he swiftly made his way up to the front of the room.
" Those of you who have managed to make read the directions properly, fill one flagon with a sample of your work, label it clearly with your name and bring it up to my desk for testing."
Harry filled his vile with his potion and whispered an anti shattering spell just in case Snape got any ideas. He walked up with the rest of the class and was glad that Snape just ignored him. He cleaned and cleared all of his stuff away and waited anxiously for the final bell to ring. When it finally rang the Golden Trio made there way up to the Great Hall.
" I can't believe Snape did that to Neville." Hermione exclaimed, as the three started to fill there plates. " I mean I know Neville isn't the best at Potions but he tries and Snape shouldn't embarrass him like he does. He should try to be a little fairer."
" Yeah. But when has Snape ever been fair to anyone other then Slytherins?" Harry said, slightly annoyed with the situation.
" I did think he would be a bit better this year." she sounded a bit disappointed. " I mean . . . you know . . ." she looked around to make sure no one was listening in. " . . . Now that he's in the Order."
Ron snorted. " Yeah right Hermione. I've always thought that Dumbledore was cracked trusting Snape, where's the evidence he ever really stopped working for You-Know-You?"
Hermione glared at him. " Dumbledore's probably got plenty of evidence Ronald. Even if he doesn't share it with you." she snapped.
Harry looked at them from over his book, shooting them both a glare. " Would you two shut up." he said angrily just as Ron was opening his mouth. " Can't you guys give it a rest?" he asked, ignoring the looks of anger on there faces. " You're always having a go at each other and it's driving me mad." Suddenly he lost his appetite. He grabbed his stuff and walked out of the Hall.
He made his way through the halls not really caring where he ended up. Finally after 10 minutes he stopped and leaned against the wall. He slid down and slumped to the floor. He didn't know why he snapped at them the way he did. He hadn't been channeling Voldemort, at least he didn't think he had been. He just hated the way they were always arguing and not talking to each other. If they didn't stop he was going to use a sticking charm on them and lock them in the Room of Requirement until they announced there love for each other.
He sighed, knowing that if he kept this up he wouldn't have any friends by the end of the year. He stood up and continued on his way, deciding he needed a quiet place of his own to sleep. And he knew just the place.
Five minutes later Harry could be found pacing in front of a blank wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy thinking, ' I need a place to be alone, I need a place to be alone, I need a place to be alone.' After three laps a simple wooden door appeared. Harry walked in and looked around. The room was similar to the room he had first met Selene in, just without the writing desk in the corner. A large black leather couch sat in front of a roaring fire and a bookcase filled with all kinds of books he knew he could spend hours reading, stood opposite of him.
He walked over and browsed through the titles until one caught his eyes. ' Multi-Animagus, Combining the Beasts Within.' He pulled it out and sat down on the couch and started reading it.
45 minutes later
Harry walked out of the RoR much calmer and happier then when he went in. He knew that it wasn't fair to take out his frustrations on Ron and Hermione and he intended to apologize when he saw them in Defense.
He frowned.
Defense meant Umbridge and Umbridge meant an inexplicable urge to want to curse something. To get through this class would take what little self control he had, to not speak out against her about Voldemort. He slowly made his way to the Defense room, looking out for Ron and Hermione on the way. By the time he reached the Defense room he hadn't caught sight of them and figured they had already gone in. He walked quietly into the room and saw that Umbridge was sitting behind her desk, and was watching the door as each student walked in.
He looked around and saw that his assumption was right, Ron and Hermione had gotten there ahead of him. They had taken seats in the one of the middle desks and hadn't saved him a seat. He sighed, knowing they were probably still upset at him from breakfast. He saw Neville sitting further back and sat down next to him.
Neville gave him a small smile. " Hi Harry."
" Hey Neville." he answered. " How has your first day back been?"
" Good I suppose. Potions was horrible but at least I didn't melt my cauldron this time so I think that is an improvement." Neville sounded prouder when he said he hadn't caused his cauldron to melt.
Harry chuckled. " Yeah Neville I would say that is definitely an improvement."
They both say in companionable silence as the rest of the class slowly trickled in. The whole class was silent as Umbridge was an unknown variable and no one knew how strict she was.
" Well, good afternoon class." she greeted, once the last person had taken there seat.
A few people mumbled " Good afternoon," back in reply while Harry glared at her.
" Tut, tut," she said, looking around at the class. " That just won't do, now, will it? I should like you all to ' Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' Once more, please. Good afternoon class."
" Good afternoon Professor Umbridge." they all chanted back at her, except Harry who mumbled it more then said it.
She gave them a sickly sweet smile. " Now that wasn't so difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."
Many people exchanged gloomy looks, they had never had a lesson that was fun that started with the words " wands away." Harry pulled out the needed items and set them on the desk roughly, startling Neville. Umbridge opened her own bag, pulled out her wand and tapped the chalkboard sharply.
Defense Against the Dark Arts, A return to Basic Principles once again found its way onto the board. Harry had to bite back a groan, he remembered how boring this class had been the first time around he didn't want to imagine what it would be like a second time.
" It seems that your teaching in this subject has been fragmented and disrupted." stated Umbridge, turning to face the class, her hands clasped in front of her and that sickly sweet smile on her face once again. " The constant changing of teachers who have not followed a Ministry-approved curriculum, has resulted in you being far below the standard we have come to expect in our O.W.L. year. That problem has now been fixed. You be pleased to know that, we will be following a carefully structured, theory-centered, Ministry-approved curriculum."
She waved her wand at the chalkboard again causing the writing to change. " Please copy down the following."
The sound of scratching quills filled the room while everyone copied down the Course Aims. Once everybody had finished copying down the aims Umbridge said, " Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
There was a general mummer of assent throughout the class.
" I think we should try that again," said Professor Umbridge. " When I ask you a question I expect you to reply ' Yes Professor Umbridge' or ' No Professor Umbridge.' Let us try that again. Has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
" Yes Professor Umbridge" rang throughout the class.
" Good. I would like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, ' Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."
Harry opened his book to the correct page number and skimmed the first page before he gave up and just started flipping the pages every few minutes. In reality he was waiting for Hermione to raise her hand.
He didn't have to wait long.
Just like before her book sat unopened in front of her, while she tried to catch Umbridge's attention, while said Professor looked in the opposite direction. After several minutes however more and more people had taken notice and were watching either Hermione or Umbridge. Once half the class had abandoned there assigned reading Umbridge realized she could no longer ignore the situation.
" Did you want to ask a question about the chapter, Dear." Umbridge said, her voice dripping with forced sweetness.
" No not about the chapter Professor." said Hermione.
" Well we're reading right now," said Umbridge, " If you have any questions then we can deal with them at the end of class."
" I've got a query about your course aims."
Umbridge turned her attention solely on Hermione.
" And your name is . . ."
" Hermione Granger." said Hermione.
" Well, Miss. Granger, if you read the course aims carefully enough then I think they are perfectly clear." Umbridge said, with smile on her face.
" Well I don't." Hermione said bluntly. " There's nothing in there about using defensive spells."
" Using defensive spells?" she repeated with a little laugh. " Why I can't imagine why you would need to know defensive spells, Miss Granger. You surely are not going to be attacked in class."
" We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked loudly.
Umbridge, looked at him, her smile still on her face. " Students will raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class Mr. -?"
" Weasley." Ron supplied, thrusting his hand up into the air, along with Hermione.
Umbridge, still smiling, turned her back on them only to find raised hands allover the room.
" Wizards much older and cleverer then you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in secure, risk-free way -"
" What use is that?" asked Harry, deciding it would be a good time to speak up. " If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk free."
" Hand, Mr. Potter." Umbridge sang out.
Harry settled on glaring at her. He didn't feel like having his hand carved up again. He had unconsciously started rubbing his left hand at the thought.
Umbridge turned to face them, an unconvincing smile on her lips.
" I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, not to mention," she gave a tiny little laugh. " extremely dangerous half-breeds."
Harry resisted the urge to jinx her. Sylvia, sensing his sudden tenseness, let out a soft warning hiss. He took a deep breath and let it out. He would get revenge soon enough.
" If your talking about Professor Lupin," piped up Dean angrily, " he was the best defense teacher we ever -"
" Hand, Mr. Thomas. As I was saying. You have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day -"
" No we haven't." Hermione said. " we just -"
" Your hand is not up Miss. Granger!" trilled Umbridge. "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examinations, which, after all is what school is all about."
" What good is theory going to do for us in the real world?" Ron asked loudly, surprising Harry with his forwardness.
Umbridge looked up, seemingly surprised that it was Ron who had spoken up.
" This is school, Mr. Weasley, not the real world."
" So were not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting for us out there?" Harry called out.
" There is nothing waiting for you out there, Mr. Potter. Who would want to attack children like yourselves?"
" Oh yeah?" said Harry. He knew that if he continued to talk he would probably be given a detention but he didn't care. He was still pissed off from his argument with Ron and Hermione and he needed to vent some frustrations. This seemed like a good opportunity to do just that. " Let's think . . ." he said, his tone mocking. " maybe Lord Voldemort?"
The class gave a collective gasp, with a few screams thrown in for good measure. ' At least Neville managed to stay in his seat this time.' Harry thought offhandedly.
" Ten points fro Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."
They whole classroom held it's collective breath. They were either staring at Umbridge or Harry.
" Now let me make this quite clear. You have been told that a certain Dark wizard had returned from the dead and is at large. This is a lie."
" It is NOT a lie!" Harry said, he stood up. " I saw him, I fought him!"
" Detention, Mr. Potter!" said Umbridge, triumphantly. " Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any Dark wizard." Umbridge sat behind her desk. " Please continue your reading. Page five. 'Basics for Beginners.'"
" So are you saying that Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, all his anger rushing back to the surface.
Umbridge stood back up. " Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident." she said coldly.
" It was murder. Voldemort murdered him." said Harry. He was surprised to feel himself shaking in repressed rage. He clenched his fist, the urge to curse her becoming stronger by the minute.
" Come up here Mr. Potter." she told him, her sickly sweet voice once again in place.
Harry calmly stood up, packed up his stuff and made his way to the front of the classroom. He stopped in front of her desk and patiently waited for her to write the pass to McGonagall's office. No one spoke as they watched Umbridge write something down on a piece of parchment and roll it up. She tapped it with her wand and held it out for him
" Take this to Professor McGonagall, dear." said Umbridge.
He took it from her without saying a word, turned on his heal and calmly walked out of the room, not even looking at Ron or Hermione, who he was sure was looking at him in annoyance. He let the door close behind him, though he gave it a little bit of help with his foot. He smiled as it closed with a very satisfying crash. He walked through the corridors, watchful for any appearance by Peeves.
He reached McGonagall's office without any problem and without running into Peeves. He knocked sharply on the door and heard movement inside.
Professor McGonagall opened the door and gave a slight start when she saw Harry.
" Why aren't you in class Mr. Potter?" she asked him.
Harry just held out the note. " I was sent to see you."
She took the offered note, frowning, she slit it open with her wand and began to read. As her eyes zoomed across the page, they became narrower with each line.
" Come in here, Potter."
He followed her inside, the door closing behind him automatically. He couldn't help but feel that he was about to be interrogated. He let a small smile grace his lips, technically he was going to be interrogated.
" Well?" asked the Professor, rounding on him. " Is this true?"
" Is what true, Professor?" he asked politely.
" Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"
"Yes," said Harry.
" You called her a liar."
" Yes."
" That you told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?"
" Yes."
McGonagall sat down behind her desk, watching Harry closely. Then she said. " Have a biscuit, Potter. And take a seat."
Harry smiled at her and gladly took a Ginger Newt and sat down in the offered chair.
" Thank you Professor McGonagall." he said politely.
" Potter you need to be careful." she said, a weary tone in her voice. " Misbehavior in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than House points and a detention. Now it says here that she has given you detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow."
" Every evening this week!" Harry repeated, acting properly horrified. " But Professor, couldn't you -"
" No, I couldn't." McGonagall said flatly. You would do best to keep your head down and your mouth shut while in her classroom."
She stood up and walked around her desk. " Have another biscuit, Potter."
He took one from the tin on her desk. " Thank you Professor."
She held the door open for him. " Have a nice evening Potter."
" You too Professor." he returned.
" Oh Potter." she called. " You are officially out of Divinations. I expect, with this extra free time, that your grades improve from what they have been in the past."
Harry turned back around. " Of course Professor and thank you."
He walked down the corridor, mindful that McGonagall's gaze followed him until he turned the corner.
He waited until he was two floors and a rarely used corridor later before he leaned against the wall, suddenly exhausted. Sylvia poked her head out of his robe collar.
' Is everything alright snake-child.' she asked.
Harry nodded and stroked her head. ' I'm alright Sylvia. Just trying to sort some stuff out.'
She gave him a look and clearly said she didn't believe him. ' You know every time I ask you that and you say your okay something happens that proves your not. I am not always going to be here snake-child, so please try and use some common sense.;
Harry gave her a small smile. ' I will Syl. I promise.'
Harry stood up and slowly made his way to the Hospital Wing. He walked in and saw that Madame Pomphrey was already standing by a bed, with a tray of potions, waiting for him.
" Mr. Potter I was informed my Professor McGonagall that you had broken your left wrist earlier this summer." she said, once he got closer. " Is that true?"
" Yes Madame Pomphrey."
" Well sit down here and let me take a look." she instructed him to sit down on the bed in front of her.
He set his book bag on the floor and did as told. She spelled the brace, that he had been wearing for close to a month, off and got a good look at his hand. She flexed it, moved it and did all sorts of exercises with it.
" Do you feel any pain?" she asked him.
Harry shook his head. " No. It only feels a little stiff. That's all."
" Well it seems to have healed just fine. Here," said Madame Pomphrey, holding out an orange potion. " Drink this and the stiffness should go away. Now I don't do anything to strenuous for the next two weeks or so and you will be completely healed."
" Can I still play Quidditch?"
She sighed but nodded. " Yes you can as long as you take it easy. Well as easy as that game is."
" Thank you Madame Pomphrey." Harry got off the bed and picked up his bag.
" Your welcome Mr. Potter. Please don't let me see you in for at least a month." said Madame Pomphrey, with a sigh.
Harry just grinned at her and walked out of the Hospital Wing intending to go down to the Great Hall for dinner and apologize to his friends. Overall it hadn't been that bad of a day.
Showing Snape up, getting out of Divination's and telling off Umbridge.
Harry smirked.
It had been a good day indeed.
I am so sorry this took like three months to get out. I had a horrible case of writers block. My muse just left me and didn't come back until last week. I think she was down in Vegas getting it rich at Caesar's. But I'm back and ready to go. I have the next three chapter already planned out so expect a whole lot of angst drama.
I am in the works right now for a CSI story, focusing on a father/son relationship between Grissom, Greg and Nick. I got the general idea from a story I read but I want to try and take a crack at it. So if you think should do it put a note in your review. Thanks for sticking with through such a long wait and I want to say it again. I WILL NEVER ABANDOND A STORY. It may take me for ever to update but I always will eventually.
Thanks again. And review.