A/N:

WARNING: You know the drill. Please go to Chapter 9 and start from there. Thank you~

I don't own Harry Potter.

I heard a hesitant knock on my door. I could understand why it was so hesitant- I hadn't been at breakfast. And I had thought I wouldn't have to deal with morning sickness...

I opened the door widely to reveal Harry and Hermione. After Ron's behavior the previous night, I wasn't surprised by his absence, but I was a bit saddened by it.

"Hey guys, come on in," I greeted, smiling as I stepped from the door to let them enter. I led them into the living room area, where the coffee table was loaded with dozens of books.

"Let me say from the start that the next few months will not be easy for you two, especially you, Harry. I'm making it my job to teach you everything I think you need to know for this, which is a lot by your standards."

"Um, Professor?" Hermione asked awkwardly.

"Rose," I corrected distractedly, fixing myself some tea with a flick of my wand.

"Rose," Hermione repeated. "Are you all right?"

"Course I am. Why would I not be all right?"

"Well... you weren't in breakfast, so...-" I followed her eyes down to my pajamas. My morning hadn't been going exceptionally well- oversleeping plus morning sickness can do that to a person- so I hadn't bothered to change out of my Doctor Who t-shirt and plaid sweatpants. My hair was tied into a loose ponytail and out of my face.

"Oh, that," I shrugged. "That can wait after I figure out where you two are in your studies.

"I'll be the first to admit that, if I wasn't worried about the effect Sirius would have on you, Harry, or if you didn't have such good friends here, I'd teach you privately back in London. That way I could make sure that you knew everything you could possibly need. I'm not going to take you out of Hogwarts now, but I was seriously considering that for a while."

"You'd take me out of Hogwarts?" Harry asked, sounding shocked at the idea.

"Not anymore, no. I really only considered it back when I first met you, after you escaped from our lovely relatives," I assured him.

"What now?" Harry asked after a pause. I gestured towards the couch, motioning for the two friends to sit down. They obeyed and I sat across from them.

"Well, first I need to know where both of you are at in your studies. Then we'll go from there," I shrugged. With that, Harry and Hermione began going into detail with what they had learned thus far. When it came to this year's curriculum, Hermione was almost startled at Harry's knowledge and even more so of his practical experience with the new material.

"But it's illegal to use magic outside of school! You're lucky you haven't been expelled, or arrested!" she gasped. I shook my head.

"The Trace, the enchantment that allows the Ministry to see if you are using magic, can't tell the difference between my magic and yours'. To prevent purebloods and halfbloods from getting in trouble when their parents use magic, the Trace is nullified in the home. The Ministry relies on wizarding parents to keep their kids in line. In other words, Ron could use magic at home and his punishment would be handled by his mum. You do magic at home, and you could be expelled."

"But that's unfair," Hermione said, sounding scandalized. I nodded.

"It's a rubbish law. I don't uphold it. That is why I allowed and encouraged Harry to get started on the curriculum during the summer."

Hermione looked to Harry, a new respect in her eyes.

"That's how you've been doing so well in class," she told her friend. He looked a bit confused and she smiled wryly. "Think about it: you've been getting spells almost as fast as I do, you haven't asked to copy a single essay except from Potions, and you do your own homework."

I raised an eyebrow at my nephew.

"You copied from Hermione?"

"I- erm- well-" He was startled when I started laughing.

"Somewhere, Sirius is very proud. Anyway, aside from your previous bad study habits, it looks like we have some work ahead of us."

~Lunchtime~

Harry and Hermione were exhausted, but I was very proud of them. As I had expected, Harry was being modest when it came to his spell work. When quizzed, his performance was exemplary. Hermione was determined to not be left behind, rising to every challenge thrown at her. An hour before lunch, I set them to practice dueling and was pleased to see that they were quick enough on their feet.

After changing into more appropriate attire, I sat with the Gryffindors again, not particularly wanting to see Karkaroff when my morning had been so nice.

Regardless of where I sat, I was disappointed.

The Gryffindors, while disheartened when they could not get any details out of Harry, were proud enough of Harry's part in the tournament that they did not hesitate to flaunt, and therefore exclude, him. I knew that Harry hated this recognition, this added fame; he was a teenage boy- he wanted to fit in for once.

The Hufflepuffs were visibly angry and it didn't take a Ravenclaw to figure out why. The Hufflepuff house was commonly regarded as the least impressive of the four houses. They got so little respect and recognition, they must feel as if Harry stole it from them moments after Cedric, one of their own, was named champion.

The Ravenclaws seemed to side with Hufflepuff, deciding that Harry was once again trying to steal all the glory. Adding insult to injury, not one of them could figure out how Harry supposedly put his name in the Goblet, especially since all of the older students had already denied putting it in for him.

The Slytherins were being... themselves. Malicious intent, sneers, dirty looks, and all. Their death muncher daddies would be proud to see how they treated the Boy Who Lived.

The Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were clearly bitter, still feeling as if they were stripped of a right. In a way, they were right to be angry, seeing as the chances of their school bringing home the glory went from a one in three chance to a one in four. To compensate, they were openly cold to the Gryffindors, being unnecessarily friendly with the other houses. Slytherin greatly appreciated it, especially since that meant that they occupied more of Krum's attention.

Turning away from my study of the Great Hall, I took out a piece of parchment and my self-inking quill, touching the tip to my tongue to activate the charm before pressing it to the paper.

Dumbledore,

Keep wandering eyes from this.

I'd like to take the time now to formally ask to take Harry as a private student. If he is to survive the next few months without serious injury, he'll need some serious catching up. As you know full well, he is already at a major disadvantage. I've had him start the fourth year's curriculum over the summer, but he is still a two and a half, if not three years behind the other champions. Although I should tell you, I intend to tutor him with or without permission, so I suppose this is more of an announcement than a request.

On another note, I heard something of a more disturbing nature from Hermione. Although he has not chosen to confide in me, at least not yet, Harry has been experiencing nightmares. Nightmares related to his scar. According to Hermione, he wakes when his scar starts to burn. I fear that Voldemort is getting stronger, and with that, the link between Voldemort and Harry. I'm sure you've already theorized this, but I think that Harry is beginning to be aware of the bond, even if Voldemort is unaware of it. As a precaution, I'd like permission to teach Harry in Occlumency.

Also, I have something to talk to you about, in private. Something that cannot wait long, I'm afraid. I've been noticing little things, things that I doubt even you have noticed. If you have, I'd like to confirm my theory. Although I have to say... I really hope it's just a theory.

Rose

I folded the letter in half, whistling a single note. The shrill sound caused the students nearest to me to cry out in alarm and cover their ears but I paid them no mind as Aren flew gracefully through the window. She alighted on my outstretched arm and chuffed happily when I passed her a piece of my bacon, placed at the table just for me, nibbling on it as I tied the parchment to her leg.

"Dumbledore," I whispered to her. She blinked in recognition and opened her wings as she finished the bit of bacon. She flew off, landing carefully in front of the headmaster so as not to disturb the food laid out on the table. Dumbledore smiled at my owl as she held her leg out and obliged, untying the letter. He opened it and read it quickly, looking up at me and giving a subtle nod.

He took out a quill and scribbled something on the back of the letter, holding it out to Aren. She took it in her mouth, once again taking to the air.

I took the note as soon as she landed, pushing my plate towards her. I opened it hurriedly, my eyes scanning the paper.

Rose,

I give full permission, of course. I trust your judgment perhaps more than my own when it comes to Harry. Leave alerting Harry's other professors to me. I apologize for the intrusion, but I have no delusions that both you and Severus shall escape that conversation unharmed. My only wish is that the change in lessons be kept as quiet as possible. If the other schools, or the Daily Prophet for that matter, were to learn of it, they'd accuse you of favoritism. Discretion would be wise.

Thank you for alerting me regarding the change in Harry's condition. As a matter of fact, I have a variety of theories regarding the bond between Harry and Voldemort, theories I shall share in a more private setting.

You know how I enjoy theories. The more ludicrous the better, in my opinion. It always seems to be the least likely answer to fit best, so I will gladly hear your idea, especially if you hope it to be proven false.

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. Have you tried lemon drops? They are wonderful little candies, aren't they?

I looked back at the staff table, nodding. I turned back to the students.

"I have lessons to prepare for," I said, not completely lying. "Ron, Hermione, could you two swing by my office before dinner? I have a few things to talk to you about."

Ron muttered something under his breath but, judging from Hermione's too-cheery smile, she'd get him to my office if she had to drag him by the ears.

I rescued a piece of bacon before Aren could grab it, carefully slinging my bag over my shoulder so as not to disturb its contents. I said a quick goodbye to the students before walking towards the door, still munching on my bacon.

Mm... Bacon...

I said goodbye to Hermione and Ron as they walked from the door of my office.

Sure, the meaningful talk I had planned that explained to Ron and Hermione the dangers that Harry would be facing was dotted with arguing and more yelling than I'd like, but I think I got the point across. After showing Ron the statistics of champions who had survived all three tasks, he seemed to fall out of whatever angry bitterness he had.

Yes, he had been jealous of Harry, but it was superficial. He cared more for his friend than he did for his personal pride, and I admired that. He might've had a lot to live up to with his family, but he didn't have to be them, and I hope he left with that knowledge.

A/N:

Hope you liked it!

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