Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling

Chapter 11:

Friday, duelling class. For the first exercise, the duelling lanes had been opened right up, and now Vayden and Harry stood back to back, facing the five remaining members of the class. Mick watched carefully. The battle was limited to marking, tripping and disarming spells, plus shield spells. They'd been allowed a brief consultation beforehand. He gave the signal, and Vayden put up a strong shield that covered himself and Harry. Marking spells bounced off. Then abruptly, the whole scene went inky black. Mick blinked. He supposed that was a variety of shield, though he hadn't taught it. As arranged, Vayden dropped to the ground, crawled to a corner, and waited, flat on the floor, and shielded.

Mick listened hard, trying to work out what was going on. At first there were the shouted incantations from the larger team, but he heard nothing from Harry. A sudden exclamation, and Draco called indignantly, "That was me, Chris! Watch it!"

"Well, make it light then!" There was a quiet murmur Mick couldn't identify. He heard nothing from Harry. There were several failed attempts to make it light again.

When the scene lit up, it was not in response to any voiced spell, and Vayden held five wands in his hand. Each of the opposing team had a white glow, indicating they'd taken four hits. Neither he nor Harry showed any hits.

Mick ordered, "Explain!"

Vayden said casually, "I guess I was just pretty good, Professor."

Mick grinned, "Eleven minutes. Not at all bad."

Harry asked, "Do we get the reward?"

Mick shook his head, "It's really very childish handing out rewards!"

Vayden said, "We need chocolates to give our girlfriends." Mick handed over the two small boxes of chocolates, decorated for Valentine's gifts.

Harry remarked, "McGonnagal's clamped down on my money. I couldn't afford to buy anything."

Draco asked, "So who's it for - Stephanie, Heather or Malene?"

It was for Hannah, of course, though Harry wasn't at all sure she'd accept it. He asked, "Who are you going out with, Draco?"

"Pansy, sometimes, Trevor, sometimes..."

Harry exclaimed, "Trevor!"

Draco laughed at him, "Your Muggle upbringing is showing, Harry. Why shouldn't I have fun with Trevor?"

Mick intervened, "I am a school professor, boys. And sex between students is officially discouraged."

"Sorry, Professor, though I don't understand why."

Mick grinned, "Neither did I? Do students still use the Astronomy Tower?"

"Far too cold."

There was a brief knock at the door - Professor Dumbledore, with five others. One was a tall man with a heavy mane of black hair, grizzled white. He looked around at the students, and asked abruptly, "Which is he?" His eyes were on Charlie Greaves, who was nearly eighteen, had black hair, and was over six feet in height.

Dumbledore said, "Harry, come here." Harry stepped forward, and the man's eyes rested on him, assessingly. Harry returned his gaze, and then looked over the others. Fudge, McKenzie and three others, one of whom he recognized as a student who'd graduated a couple of years back. Chris's brother? He wore the uniform of an Auror, though with a variation on the badge. A trainee then. The other young man also wore the uniform of an Auror. The third man was around forty, heavily bearded, and with deep lines on his face. He wore a heavy brown cape, trimmed with a darker brown, and with a badge of brown, blue and red. No introductions were made.

The first man said, "Harry Potter. They say you're a coward!"

Harry replied evenly, "Yes, Sir."

The man regarded the duelling room, and said scathingly, "Trained with rewards, like a monkey."

Harry shrugged and suddenly grinned to himself. If he chose, he could bore into the man's consciousness, and have him squealing, maybe even take control and have him jumping around like a monkey. It was lucky he was such a peaceful person.

Dumbledore said, a gentle rebuke in his voice, "None of us here are joking, my boy. This is Dachier Arne Kuhnast, of Germany." Dachier, Germany's term for Minister of Magic.

Harry said politely, "Good afternoon, Dachier."

Kuhnast said abruptly, "Well, are you?"

"Am I what?"

"A coward of course."

Harry shrugged. He didn't think so, not when a few days before he'd visited the Acromantula Colony, and, he hoped, made them all sterile. Not that it had been very dangerous. He'd been on his broomstick the whole time.

Kuhnast looked back at Dumbledore, "You promised a demonstration."

"Certainly. Harry you're to face Oliver Pearson, who's in the Auror Programme."

"What spells are allowed?"

"Only the usual, nothing that will hurt."

Oliver looked contemptuous, and Chris said, "Be grateful, brother. Harry could tie you in knots if he chose."

Harry defeated Oliver with dispatch, and then the trainee and the qualified Auror, working together. Kuhnast was beginning to look a lot less disdainful. Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction. His tool was ready.

Kuhnast asked Dumbledore, "How fit is he? I heard he was sickly."

"Fit and strong, though I don't expect he'll ever be big. Size is not always an indication of power."

McKenzie suggested, "Against the target?"

Kuhnast asked, "What does he do if he gets hurt?"

Harry answered for himself, "I refuse to play."

"Play? I understood you were being trained to take on the Lord Voldemort."

"I have never agreed that I should be a sacrificial offering. If Voldemort doesn't bother me, I won't bother him."

Dumbledore shook his head, "Harry, my dear boy, you still don't understand. Destiny cannot be denied."

"My destiny is mine to determine, Sir. No-one else."

Dumbledore turned to McKenzie, who chose to ignore the exchange, and said merely, "Against the target. Intensity 10."

Mick said, "Harry, I want you to demonstrate a variety of curses and shields. Refrain from destroying the target."

The second German spoke for the first time, with a heavy accent, "Is Vatier Target. No break!"

Mick smirked, "Vayden, bring out Shorty. No. 2 lane." Shorty, the target without a head, and one of the centre lanes so they could all have a good view.

Mick and McKenzie grinned when the Germans refused to believe that Harry was capable of destroying a Watier target. Harry leaned against the wall, wand tapping against his leg as they argued. The Germans wanted to see the target destroyed, but Fudge spoke about costs. Only when Kuhnast offered to pay did Harry get his instructions. "Fight to the death."

Harry queried, "The death?"

"You take four harmless hits, or you destroy the target, whichever comes first."

"Yes, Sir." He glanced at his audience and shrugged. It was still in his best interests not to defy either Dumbledore or Fudge. He'd do as instructed.

Vayden murmured to Draco, "I keep expecting Harry to revolt, but he hasn't so far."

"The way they talk about him as if he wasn't there! When will it occur to them that if he chose, he could be greater than the Dark Lord ever was?"

"Greater?"

"My father always said the Dark Lord used to be great. Only that he was never the same after the curse that backfired."

"Do you think the Dark Lord will return to England?"

"He has to. And he has to kill Harry if he's to retain any credibility."

Intensity 10. Harry was getting a very good workout. He'd not yet been hit, but he was beginning to tire. A slash curse hit the weakest point of Shorty's leg, the leg fell to the side, and the target lost its balance, though still firing off curse after curse. Harry's speed was very obvious. He didn't try and disarm the target. The wand was firmly fixed to its hand. Instead, he attacked the wrist joint until the wand hand was detached. Shorty struggled on the floor, and Harry looked questioningly at Mick.

Fudge called excitedly, "Dust, Harry. Reduce it to dust!"

"Why?" Using that much power would tire him.

Fudge said, "C'mon Harry. Just do it!"

Harry wiped his brow, went to the harmless target, pointed his wand, and Shorty was dust. Fudge actually cheered and Harry grinned at him. The Minister for Magic sometimes seemed a little simple-minded. There was still a dismembered leg, and a forearm with wand in hand. He went back to stand with the other students.

Draco said, in a tone of polite disgust, "You're all over sweat, Harry. Quite vile!"

Dumbledore came over, patted Harry on the shoulder, and said benignly, "You did very well. Go and pack for a trip. You're going to Germany."

"Why?"

Dumbledore exerted all his will, "You're not to be afraid, but it is known where Voldemort is. It is time for you to fulfil the Prophecy."

Harry turned to Kuhnast, and asked coolly, "And how much am I to be paid?"

Kuhnast looked at Fudge, who spluttered.

Dumbledore said in a tone of sorrow, "It is your duty, Harry. I would hope that no student of mine would ever be remiss in his duty."

Harry shook his head. "It is not my duty, Professor. However, I will agree to come on Sunday or afterwards, for no more than a week, and provided I am awarded my apparation license, full freedom to come and go, and full access to my vault at Gringotts. Those are my terms. They are not dependent on me fighting Voldemort, only on my being willing to face him if he truly is there."

Draco said, "Ask for emancipation, Harry. The rest comes automatically."

Harry queried, "Emancipation?"

Draco explained, "Emancipation means you're an adult. No guardian."

Harry smiled, "Emancipation. I will come to Germany if I am granted emancipation and an apparation license."

Kuhnast said, "I agree that paying you is only fair. The same as an Auror for the whole time you're in Germany, a bonus if you defeat him. Emancipation is up to your Minister. But we do want you straightaway. He is elusive."

"Sorry, I have a date tomorrow."

Kuhnast stared at him incredulously, and Mick gave a snort of laughter.

McKenzie said, "Harry, you can't possibly put a girlfriend ahead of the safety of our world."

"Of course I can. I'm a teenage boy. I also have three assignments to complete."

The other man was looking from one to the other, not quite able to follow the conversation in English. Kuhnast said, "This is Albrecht Graf, by the way, Mr. Potter. Our Head Auror."

Graf extended his hand, and Harry, pleased with the courtesy, shook it, "Mr. Graf."

Dumbledore said, "Go shower, Harry. Clean clothes, and come to my office."

Harry hesitated, "There is no good stunning me and delivering me to him like bait. He won't be defeated like that."

Kuhnast assured him, "That would not be considered. Either you come voluntarily, or we'll continue to deal with the problem ourselves."

"Thank you, Mr. Kuhnast."

Mick glanced at his watch as Harry, Dumbledore and the others retreated. "Ten minutes. You might as well have an early mark. And keep it quiet!"

Chris asked, "They wouldn't really consider that, would they, Mick?"

"What?"

"Taking him by force."

"An unwilling fighter is seldom effective. There would be no point."

The trainee and junior Auror waited outside Dumbledore's office, while inside, the two Germans were speaking rapidly to each other. The English were in a separate huddle. McKenzie queried, "His terms, Minister Fudge?"

"He's less than six months from being legally an adult in any case. What do you think, Albus?"

Dumbledore said firmly, "I am against it. Or only if he succeeds. And I suggest you surround him with Aurors to prevent a bolt. I don't like to say it, but our Harry is not always obedient."

McKenzie suggested mildly, "Mick is close to the boy. If Mick stays close, that will keep his courage up. Maybe Kingsley and Stew again, as he had in the hospital. He seemed to trust them."

"So what do we say?"

Dumbledore said, "He gets access to his money, win or lose, and I will promise freedom to come and go. However, if he fails, and Voldemort is still on the loose, then the circumstances will have changed. Unfortunately in that case, I cannot permit him to put himself into danger. But that is hypothetical, and there is no need to speak of it at this stage."

"The apparation license?"

"He must be able to apparate already, if he asked for it."

"Being unable to apparate will put him at a strong disadvantage in a dangerous situation. I say we teach him to apparate tomorrow, if it is needed, and if he's proficient, supply him with a license. Leave Sunday."

"If he can apparate, and we take him outside the wards, he could simply flee."

"He didn't ask to be taught..."

Fudge nodded, "He can have the license without any testing."

Meantime Harry showered, very thoughtful. He thought he really needed a solicitor to argue for him. The thing was, of course, that Voldemort was dead, and he couldn't help feeling excited when he thought of the trip. There shouldn't be any danger in it for him. What he had done was betray that he could apparate, and now they'd be worried that he'd leave. Would he be able to defeat an anti-disapparation charm if they put one on him? There was no way he'd yield his wand, but he didn't think a temporary anti-disapparation charm would hurt. They'd covered them in Defence, and they wore off after a few weeks, even if not lifted.

Kuhnast was amused and impressed when the youth held his own in the negotiations. Harry emerged with signed papers stating that he could access his vault without restriction, that once returned from Germany, he would be as free to come and go as any other school student, and that arrangements for his emancipation would be started. He also had the promise of an apparation license, but in return he'd had to agree to submit to having an anti-disapparation charm imposed. They were to leave Sunday.

It was not long later when he was very much regretting that he hadn't agreed to go immediately. Everywhere he went, there were whispers and pointing, and when Hannah spotted him, she turned quickly away, apparently struggling not to cry. Stephanie and Heather, on the other hand, stayed close, wanting to hold his hand and talking excitedly.

Harry balked and almost turned tail at the sudden silence when he entered the Great Hall for dinner, but Draco stood up and called, "Come here, Harry. I'll tell you about emancipation."

Ron scowled and went to the Gryffindor table. He still thought all Slytherins Death Eaters in training.

Draco watched as Harry helped himself to a meal, and said mockingly, "Not nervous, then?"

Harry said shortly, "He's probably not even there. And if he is, one way or the other, I'll be free of him, and people are going to stop treating me like a freak!"

He glowered at Trevor, who was looking at him adoringly. Trevor smiled back. Harry asked abruptly, "Vayden, heard whether your brother is happy with Fiona?"

"Of course he is. She's Hecatema!"

"How did he find out about her, do you know?"

Vayden shrugged, "Father's an influential man. Favours owed, you know the sort of thing. I just wish Father had told me. I reckon I could have beaten Linley."

Draco asked curiously, "What do you know about her, Harry?"

"She sent me a letter a few weeks before, with directions. As I understand, it was given to our respected headmaster to pass on to me. I never received it."

Vayden looked surprised, and then laughed, "Your loss, our family's gain."

"Dumbledore's gain as well, I daresay!"

Draco asked, "Did they promise emancipation?"

"They promised to put it in hand. My estimate is that it will take until 31st July. I did get a commitment that I could access my money."

"Freedom to come and go?"

"Promised, but doubtful. If I'm still prisoner after I'm seventeen, I might need help to hire a solicitor. It would be bad policy simply to break out."

"It would indeed. I'm surprised you're so prudent."

Harry pushed aside his empty plate, which vanished. His favourite dessert suddenly appeared in front of him. Harry jumped and then laughed, "The house-elves. Even they think I'm going to my death!"

"You're not?"

Harry grinned, "I'll take all bets that I come back."

Draco snorted, "Who'd take that bet. If you're dead, you can't pay!"

Harry said hopefully, "I'll leave promissory notes."

Draco asked, "Who's to look after your will?"

"A will is not valid until you're seventeen. I guess my Aunt Petunia would inherit."

Draco shook his head, "It would be in very bad taste to bet on your death."

Harry said mockingly, "What about you, Brooks? You even took a hand last year. I never got around to taking revenge."

Brooks said sulkily, "It was just a stun spell. How would I know you'd be seriously ill because of it?"

Harry asked curiously, "Have you had any contact from those who gave the order?"

Brooks stood abruptly and left the table.

Harry said, "Hey, house-elves, could I have another dessert?" A second dessert appeared in front of him, and Harry laughed, "Thank you."

Draco regarded Harry's place, and said, "House-elves, I'll have a marble parfait, please."

Nothing appeared, and Harry twinkled at him, "Favouritism. They like me." He was in a good mood, now, laughing and joking with the Slytherins.

Hannah whispered to Susan, "Would you believe it? He just doesn't seem to care!"

Seamus was nearby, and reassured, "He's pretty sure he's dead. He's not going to worry about a dead man."

Susan said, "Remember how he used to collapse sometimes? It was because of the connection between them. If he thinks he's dead, he's probably right."

"If he's in Germany, he's probably simply out of range. And Harry's only sixteen, not even as old as I am."

Draco asked Harry, "So who are you going to honour with your company tonight? We've talked around, and you can have Pansy or Heather or Stephanie or Venetia or Lyn or Trevor."

Harry grinned, "The last meal for a dying man?" He looked around speculatively, and took a sip of coffee before looking up innocently. "I think I'll have you, Draco. You're so pretty with that blonde hair."

Draco pulled back, spluttering. Trevor put in, "Good idea, Harry. Try it before you die."

Harry asked, "Well, Draco?"

Draco shook his head, very firmly. "No way. You're not really going to die, and I don't fancy the idea."

Trevor said helpfully, "You can have me, Harry. I don't mind that you're small."

Heather said in a silky tone, "Oh, he's not small, not where it counts."

Harry went bright red, "Heather!"

Heather said in an innocent voice, "Yes, dear one?"

Harry wiped his brow, and asked, "Heather? Same time, same place?"

Heather smiled, "Yes, dear one."

The Slytherins had been good for him, much better than the gloomy pall which seemed to hang over the other tables. Harry left cheerfully, to try and get through as much work as possible before Sunday. Arithmancy was still giving him trouble, and he wanted to go in with the fifth years after the Easter break.

Two hours later, he put aside his Arithmancy books, and stretched. Still an hour before he was due to meet Heather. They always met fairly late, as there were too many people around earlier. Three of the second years approached, and Meggie asked, "Can we get you anything, Harry? A coffee?"

Harry looked at her in surprise. Peter and Euan were with her. They looked pale and anxious. He reassured, "I'm only going away for a few days. I will be back, you know."

Peter said, "Ron showed me how to get to the kitchens, and we'll say it's for you."

"If you want... A hot chocolate, and something sweet would be good." He frowned after them as they hurried off, and looked around. Others were watching him, though he hadn't noticed when he'd been concentrating on homework. Why Dumbledore hadn't been a bit more discreet, he didn't know. It was very awkward.

He sighed and pulled a Transfiguration textbook towards himself. McGonnagal was the least tolerant of the teachers when he didn't manage to complete the work allotted. He was engrossed again by the time a hot chocolate and a plate of cakes were quietly placed beside him, only looking up when Ron plumped himself down next to him, and helped himself to one of the cakes. He looked around and smiled at the second years, "Thanks, kids. I appreciate it."

Ron asked, "Did you really say you couldn't go until Sunday because you had a date?"

"It's just that it's my first date with Hannah - or almost date. She says it's not really a date."

"Are you seriously keen on her then?"

"I'd just like to get to know her a bit better."

Charlie paused by the table, and asked, "Did you really suggest that Draco go to bed with you?"

Harry laughed, "I wasn't serious. Just that he seemed to be offering a dozen others, including Trevor, so I suggested that he himself might like to comfort the doomed hero."

"You think it'll be all right then?"

"I think it'll be a fizzer, but they've promised me some pay, and I get to go to Germany."

Ron said, "Well, the Valentine's picnic's still on, Hermione said. And she's trying to persuade Hannah and Susan that you'll come back safely."

"Doesn't make for a cheerful picnic though, does it? If the girls think I'm going to my death."

"They're going to collect us here at three o'clock tomorrow. None of us boys know where they're taking us."

Saturday morning, and Harry was in the library, doing some research. He looked up and scowled when yet another person said nervously, "Hello, Harry."

The three first years took a step back, but one said quaveringly, "He killed my grandparents and two of my uncles. I wanted to say good luck."

Guiltily, Harry tried to look a little more pleasant, and said, "Thank you, Jilly," pleased to be able to dredge the name from his memory. The two others echoed the first, and then hurried away, looking miserable.

Harry swore, and was rebuked by the librarian, who then noticed who he was, and said, "Oh, sorry." Then disastrously, "It's for the greater good, you know. You die in a good cause."

Harry stood up, angrily gathering his books together, and snapped, "I have no intention of dying, not for the greater good, nor for anything else!"

The middle-aged woman said gently, "Yes, Harry."

Harry didn't hear, already stalking out.

It was unbearable, and Harry strode through the corridors, his mind made up to go out. He supposed he'd best be back for lunch, as he had no money. On a sudden thought, he wrote a letter first and enclosed a copy of Dumbledore's blanket authorisation. To Gringott's requesting several money orders for large amounts, urgently, to be sent care of Ronald Weasley. Hopefully the request might go through before Dumbledore reneged on his promises. Hedwig. At least his owl was acting normally towards him. He caressed her soft feathers, and told her that he'd be away for a few days, maybe up to a week. She hooted softly, and flew off.

He felt a little soothed after that, but glared again when he noticed Mick apparently keeping an eye on him, and then on his way outside, an oddball Ravenclaw tried to press a good luck charm on him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he was on his broom, soared once around the full extent of the boundaries, and then, more carefully, below the tree line, to that point where he could disapparate. It took three attempts to disapparate, he supposed his concentration had been lacking. But then he was in the neglected shrubbery of a rundown factory - the approved Apparation Point for Edinburgh. It was a relief to just walk the streets, where no-one knew where he was, where no-one thought he was brave, and where no-one expected him to die for the greater good.

McGonnagal reported to Dumbledore, "He's in the Forbidden Forest somewhere, but Hagrid said he knows where he goes. He's made himself a little treehouse. I guess he just likes to be alone sometimes."

"I don't want to have to compel him to go with the Aurors."

"I don't think that will be necessary. Just that he's always hated being the centre of attention. It would have been better if his departure could have been managed more discreetly."

Dumbledore took refuge in his air of mystery, "I had my reasons, Minerva. I always have my reasons." And so he did. Just that this time his reason was because he'd been careless. The boy couldn't leave, of course. Not just that the gate guards had orders to be especially careful, but there were two Aurors also watching the gate, although concealed from casual scrutiny. And Harry was already under an anti-disapparation charm, though he didn't know it. McKenzie had done that, silently and from behind. Only prudent. Albrecht Graf had seen, but luckily hadn't said anything.

Dumbledore was more concerned when Harry didn't appear at lunch. There were other absentees, as many of the students were in Hogsmeade, making the most of the treat. Compared to a Muggle school, Hogwarts was not generous to its students. They worked hard, there were no school excursions, and their only outings were the occasional Hogsmeade weekends.

Harry was in Devon, inspecting the completed block of flats that had caught his interest in the summer. He was very hungry, but ignored it. He couldn't bear to return yet.

Ron said quietly to Hermione, "I'm pretty sure he's gone out. The curiosity was driving him mad!"

"Susan and Hannah have promised not even to mention it to him. To try and give him a good time."

"Best way. Funny thing, he slept well last night. Once he stopped growling about bloody kids wanting bloody autographs."

Hermione was a little shocked, "I've hardly ever heard him swear."

"He was last night. And he said that it would have been far better if he'd just gone straightaway, when they said."

"Is he really keen on Hannah?"

"I don't know. She's nothing like the girlfriends he's had."

"I couldn't believe the way the Slytherins were acting - as if they didn't care he was risking his life."

"He says he's not risking his life."

"He could be. Even if Voldemort's not there, there must be criminals. It's going to be dangerous, whatever he says."

"His duelling skills are phenomenal, Charlie says."

Harry checked his watch, and decided that it was time to return. Again, he had a little trouble apparating, and this time he realised what the problem was. He'd come to realise that he did indeed have more power than other wizards. An anti-disapparation charm, and he'd been able to overcome it. Probably one of those things he should keep to himself. If he wanted one day to be treated as if he was ordinary, he'd have to act ordinary. Certainly not use his sense of person to show off in duelling class.

Dumbledore had the message that Harry was back almost the moment he returned his broom to its place, and headed upstairs to change. He gave a sigh of relief. His prestige would have suffered a severe blow if his tool was seen to be unwilling to face his destiny. It was sad, of course, that Harry might defeat Voldemort, only to die because of the fractured bond, but maybe it was for the best. A wizard with too much power was dangerous, and Harry had the potential to be very powerful indeed. Better he die before he started flexing muscles.

Hannah looked around smilingly at the Tropical Greenhouse, and said gratefully, "It's very good of you to allow us to use it, Professor Sprout. He's not allowed out, you see."

Sprout said briskly, "Whatever I can do. The boy gets treated shamefully, it seems to me."

Hannah was surprised, "He does?"

"Telling a child the fate of our world rests on his shoulders, it's a disgrace!"

"But the Prophecy..."

"Sybil Trelawney can't predict when the first snows are due, let alone anything else!"

Hermione laughed, "I agree. She's a dead fraud!"

Sprout was suddenly stern, "Now don't you go repeating what I said. I don't want to be fired at my age."

Hannah smiled at her, feeling better than she had since she heard, "Yes, Professor Sprout."

"And no getting carried away here. I know what teenagers are like, and anyone could walk in!"

"No, Professor Sprout."

Pomona Sprout beckoned, and dropped her voice, "There's a small room at the back of this greenhouse, quite clean and cosy. Very private." The girls stared at her in amazement, and Sprout looked embarrassed, "Just if you wanted to, I mean... It's between two other rooms, both of which are filled with tools and pots, and so on. The door's lockable."

By the time the three boys were shown into the greenhouse, there was a clean, cleared area, with a large table spread with a feast. Hannah said quickly, a little anxiously, "No dangerous plants, they're all just decorative and sweet-smelling. Professor Sprout says it's where she comes for relaxation, but we have special permission to use it."

Harry looked around, and said, "It's beautiful! I never really understood why people wanted to grow things like Venomous Tentacula or Stinging Blusnost, but I can understand this!"

Hannah beamed at him, "I'm going to be a landscape gardener one day, and grow whole parks full of beautiful things."

"I'm going to be a builder one day. Maybe I can hire you to do the gardens."

It was a promising start, and as no-one mentioned Germany or evil dark lords, or even autographs, the small event continued to go well. It was almost dark when the boys were sent out, and the girls started to tidy. Hermione said, "That little place at back... If I came here tonight?"

Susan said, "Seamus and I already have a special place."

"Hannah?"

"I scarcely know him. And anyway, I heard Venetia say she was having him tonight."

Hermione laughed, "I wonder if he knows!"

"He gave me some chocolates."

Harry was in a much better mood, and as no-one disturbed him, he was able to ready the Transfiguration Assignment for marking, and had time to do some preliminary work on the Potions one. Hermione shared both those subjects with him, so she could hand them in for him. Arithmancy, and he gathered up the completed work, and looked around for the one fourth year Gryffindor who did Arithmancy, but Simon wasn't present. Hardly anyone was, though usually at this time there would be a quite a large gathering in the Common Room.

Dinner. Harry sat between Ron and Neville, and ignored the whispers and abruptly cut off conversations. Mick came over to their table to say he'd be coming as well. "Pack one set of school robes, plus casual Muggle clothing, whatever else you think you'll need, and I'll collect you from the Common Room at six in the morning."

"How are we going, Sir?"

"Portkey to the Ministry, and an airplane from there."

Harry was surprised, "An ordinary airplane? I expected something more impressive."

"Like what?"

"Well, when the other schools came for the Triwizard Tournament, one arrived in a carriage pulled by flying horses, and one in a ship that rose from the lake."

"Trying to impress, no doubt. Rest assured that they would have made most of the trip in a perfectly conventional manner."

Ron asked, surprised, "Didn't you realise that, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, "Life is full of disappointments, I guess."

Hermione said, "I was sure that wizards would have more efficient means of travelling as well. But Portkeys have a maximum range of not much more than apparation, and it's no good making multiple apparation jumps, as you just exhaust yourself."

Harry grinned, "You read it in a book, somewhere?"

"Of course. Though I would have expected you to know that. It's common knowledge."

Mick suggested, "It's one of those things that wizard families take for granted, and don't talk about, probably. And a small warning. I suspect that the Headmaster will make a speech wishing you luck." Harry's frown returned.

Mick clasped him on the shoulder, and said, "Put up with it. It would not be a good idea to announce to the whole student body that you're doing it only for the pay."

Harry ate quickly, skipped dessert, and by the time Dumbledore rose to make his speech, he was gone. Dumbledore referred to his 'modest hero,' and to the virtues of undertaking difficult tasks when duty requires. Harry packed his Arithmancy books and three History books. Unless they planned to entertain him in the evenings, there would probably be reading time.

Snape looked up expectantly when there was a knock on his office door, late. Harry, with the completed Potions essay. Harry said, "A bit shorter than expected, I'm afraid, but I ran out of time."

"So what did you miss?"

"Researching the Indickiri effect, but I've marked it in my diary, and I'll get back to it."

Snape glanced over the essay, and laughed, "As usual, just enough to get a pass."

Harry grinned, "A pass is enough. There's no point working myself silly."

Snape wrote a brief note, "Here's the reference you need."

"Three extra subjects because I'm the Boy Who Lived, and taking me away for several days - they're not very kind to me sometimes."

"Did Dumbledore give you a choice?"

"The German Dachier would have done. All Dumbledore did was use the Mind-Magic compulsion/persuasion."

Snape nodded, "I don't know why I never realised before you told me. To me, he was my saviour and hero. And he seemed to know by instinct how to play on the right emotions - guilt in my case."

"The desire for someone who cared for me, in my case, like a parent. I almost worshipped him in the beginning."

"Now?"

"He's too powerful. I can't take him on, and I don't really want to leave England. And by the way, they've got a tracking device on me again, so they'll know I was here."

"Can't you take it off?"

"I prefer it to having guards too obvious. I'd hate the others to see me taken away under guard."

"Do you think they'd do it?"

"I think they might. This is the less intrusive option."

"Enjoy your date?"

Harry smiled, "It was nice."

"Hannah Abbot?"

"She said it was not a date, just a group of friends."

"You meeting anyone tonight?"

"She told me she needed me or she wouldn't be able to sleep for worry. It sounded a good reason to me!"

Snape held out his hand, "Have fun, Harry, and don't get yourself hurt in other people's wars."

"I'll try not to. See you later, Severus."

An hour later, he left Malene, and to his surprise, found himself following Ron and Hermione, also just coming in. They didn't even notice him, just kissing each other and separating to go to their dorms. Ron looked back at Hermione disappearing up the steps, looking a bit dazed, and very, very happy. Harry smiled, and refrained from asking.

***chapter end***