Chapter 11: Calling a Truce

Someone asked when this will start to deviate from canon. And while it will quit canon soon, my goal in this fic is to have Harry independent, but follow canon until he can't anymore.

I hemmed and hawed about deleting Dumbledore's scene, since it is the only alternate point of view and decided to cut it out. It basically rehashed the same self-doubt guilt trips many other fics do, so I went with taking it out.

There was a lot of rewriting in this chapter. After reading it over I finally figured out what people were saying that it was wooden, so I tried to make it flow better. Revised 1/4/16

Once again, thanks for the support, but I still can't answer reviews. Ffn won't let me.

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The next morning was Monday, so the professors handed out schedules. Harry and Hermione were both scheduled for Potions and Ron had a free period. The youngest male Weasley opted out of Potions since he wanted to be a Quidditch player and you don't need potions for that. They didn't have DADA till tomorrow right before dinner which gave them more time to adjust to the fact that Snape was teaching it.

Harry had a double free period right before dinner on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and figured that was a good time to test the timer on the Room of Requirements. Since the Room was a great feat in magic, he wasn't sure if the little timer would work there, but it was better than finding an abandoned classroom, because Dumbledore would know. That man seemed to have eyes in all the rooms of the castle, except the dorms, the ROR and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry was pretty sure that the timer would not work on the CoS, since it wasn't technically a room, but a large cavern with many tunnels and pipes leading in.

He was drawn from his plotting when the post came and with it the Prophet. There was much buzzing going on as his new letter was read. People were whispering and pointing at him. Hermione was sending him a look, like he needed to be careful. Glancing up at the Head Table he saw that Dumbledore wasn't happy that he was still writing the Prophet. He'd have to be careful when talking to the Headmaster, because he didn't want to give up the game too soon. He needed to stay in Hogwarts a little while longer to get as much knowledge as he could and maybe find a nice girl to date.

Speaking of girls, the dark-haired teen glanced coyly around at the surrounding tables. He knew a lot of girls that he knew weren't dating and wondered which one would be right for him. He really didn't want to date anyone who was popular; he needed that person he picked to keep it low key so they didn't become a target. After glancing at all the tables and thinking about it a while he kept a few in his mind, only one was from his own House, another might be a little more difficult as she was a Slytherin. None were well know, but all were well liked. All of them, except the Slytherin, he knew from the DA last year or at least from the friends that were in the group.

Harry gave up his musing on the pretty females and wondered how many letters he was going to receive this time and how he was going to be able to sort through it without getting cursed. He knew he could use his ring, but then he would have to explain where he got it. Of course, he could say he got it from the store in Surrey, but then he'd have to explain why he never told his friends before. Plus, he wouldn't have enough time to sort it all by himself and didn't have extra rings for his friends. Maybe, he should have the Hogwarts house elves sort through it. He'd go down to the kitchens during his free period and ask.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he notice Hermione looking at him with raised eyebrow, then she indicated the door and started towards it. He gathered his bag and followed. The two friends headed to Potions.

The dungeons looked the same as always, cold, dark and gloomy, with walls that looked wet, but felt cold and dry. The classroom was a lot warmer, due to the blazing fire in the grate. The workstations were scattered around the room in a half circle, instead of rows. Up at the teacher's desk there were three cauldrons bubbling away.

Since, Harry hadn't found the book needed in the old school books; he went up to the front of the class and inquired, "Professor, I don't have a book. Professor McGonagall didn't let me know I was in this class until it was too late to get one. Do you have an extra one here?" He made sure he kept his tone polite, not knowing this man and not wanting another Snape on his hands.

The rather round professor smiled joviality at him, looking much like St. Nick without the beard. "Harry, my boy, when I was a professor here before, we used to store old books in that cupboard in the back. Help yourself, my dear fellow, help yourself," he said and waved the teen to the back of the room.

Following the professor's directions, he went to the cupboard and saw there were two books there. One was new and the other was old and battered. Remembering the books from his trunk with helpful hints, he picked up the battered one. He took it to his station next to Hermione. When he opened the book he noted there were indeed notes in the margin and paying careful attention to them, he was able to make a perfect potion, winning the Felix Felicis potion that the professor had offered as prize at the beginning of class.

"Honestly, Harry, how could you cheat like that? You need to follow directions from the book and not some schoolboy's notes," Hermione hissed as soon as class let out and they were in the hall. She was angry that Harry's potion was better than hers and she had followed the instructions in the textbook to the letter. He wasn't supposed to outshine her; he was supposed to come to her for help. That has been their friendship since first year.

"Hermione," Harry snapped, knowing exactly what was wrong with his friend and not going to put up with it, "I didn't cheat. The notes in the margins made sense and helped me understand what needed to be done. How is that cheating? Besides, all you have to do is ask and I'll be more than happy to share this book with you, or anyone for that matter. It's not like I'm selfish or something. I thought you knew me better than that," he said a disappointed and betrayed look on his face. He wondered when it was that Hermione thought so low of him as to accuse him of cheating. He figured that she knew him better than that.

"They weren't your notes," Hermione insisted, getting in his face. "You are following someone else's notes and that is as good as cheating." She quickly backed off, seeing his determined face and tried another tactic. "Harry, you can't trust that book, it could be Dark and you have no idea who wrote in it. You should give that book back to Professor Slughorn and owl order one instead," she insisted with a firm nod that she was correct in her assumptions.

"Hermione, having someone else's notes is not cheating. I use your notes all the time. If that's cheating then why do you let me? Besides, if I found a book that used to be my mother's and her notes were in it would you say the same? That is not cheating its studying —like having a tutor in written form. I don't understand what the problem is. I'll do some research in the library, which will mean I'll still be doing my own studying. And I'll ask either Snape or Slughorn what they think of it," Harry answered a frown curving his lips, getting frustrated that she wouldn't drop it.

"Well, if you are going to talk to the Professors and if they say it is okay, then I won't say anymore," Hermione conceded not being able to rebut that, plus it eased her mind that a professor would have the final word. "But, you had better ask them before your next class or I'm going to tell them that you are cheating," she threatened smugly, firm in her belief that he would be made to hand the book back.

"Fine," Harry said, though he was surprised she backed off so quickly. Maybe this is what he could use to break the ice with Snape. If he let him know that he really wanted to do well in Potions then maybe they could reach an accord. "Hermione, do you want to go to the kitchen after dinner and talk to the elves? I think this needs to be done as soon as possible," he asked, diverting her attention to something else.

"Yes, I think you're right and it should be done quickly," the bushy-haired girl said, letting the subject go for now. "Will you come with me? The elves seem to like you," she asked, her voice taking on an unsure quality.

"Of course I will, I said I would, didn't I?" the male of the duo answered. Just because he was miffed at her didn't make him less of a friend.

Later that day, when they were both free, they went to the kitchen to talk to the elves. Harry asked if they would screen his post and they were overjoyed to help. Hermione did her best to let them know that she didn't want to kill them and that she thought she was helping. It took a while and Harry had to add words here and there, but they finally conceded that they would clean the tower, if no more knitted clothes showed up. The girl submitted and promised not to try and free them anymore.

The two made their way to the Great Hall and joined up with Ron. The Golden Trio then spent the rest of the evening talking about classes and what they were expecting from Snape. After dinner they went to the library and did what little homework they had and then retired for the evening.

The next morning the post came and there was quite a lot. Instead of coming by owl, it just appeared in a big pile by Harry's plate. The dark-haired teen drafted his friends into helping and sorted them in two piles this time. The ones that showed support and the ones that didn't.

He penned two form letters, similar to the ones he did for the last article and would send them out with the school owls. He wanted to stress the need for them to protect their family from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. He also wanted the responses to have as much positive reinforcements as he could give them, so he didn't care if he was repeating himself. The more that listened to him, the fewer would die.

The first letter read:

Dear (insert name here)

Thank you for your show of support. I know it's scary that there are Death Eaters at the Ministry. I do, however, have great faith that the Minister will do his best to get it sorted. I also don't want you to panic; the Aurors are a good group and will do what is necessary to protect the British Wizarding World. I'm sure that the Ministry will tighten security around Azkaban if enough people show concern.

Again, I'd like to ask that if you can produce a Patronus charm that you practice it so that you can protect your loved ones. And if you can't produce a Patronus than please try and learn. Forget what you were told, that it's a spell only the strongest wizard can do, if I can learn it at thirteen, then anyone can. The hardest part isn't magic, it's finding a happy memory, so think on that now and grab the best, then try.

Also, it would help if you brushed up on defensive spells. I'm sure that there are many books and Flourish and Blotts that can help. If you cannot afford them then there is a second hand store in Diagon Alley, the Junk Shop, which carries old books. I only ask this so you can protect yourself and your family.

If you are concerned then please write to the Minister and show that you'll back them in the cleansing of the Ministry and that you'll support a Minister that supports you.

Thanks again for your support

Harry Potter

The second letter read:

Dear (insert name here)

I'm sorry that you feel that way. I do truly want to support the Ministry. I want the public to back the Ministry, as well. However, I know for a fact there are Death Eaters there as I've seen them myself in the presences of Voldemort. I'm hoping that with the help of the public they will be flushed out and we can win this war if we fight together.

I'd like it if you would write to the Ministry and show that you'll support him in this trying time. I'm sure you know the Ministry has your best interest at heart.

Again I'd like to ask that if you can produce a Patronus charm that you practice it so that you can protect your loved ones and if you can't then try and learn it. Forget what you were told, that only the strongest wizard can produce it, I learned it at 13 than and I'm sure you are stronger that a teenager. There are books shops in Diagon Alley that carry defensive spells. I'm asking that you brush up on these to defend yourself and your loved ones.

Harry Potter

Harry didn't mention the Junk Shop to the ones that were unsupportive, because like last time he was sure they were pure-blooded bigots and mostly rich. However, he didn't want anyone to be defenseless so he hoped that they would at least brush up on defensive spells. He also played up to them that they believed they were stronger than a half-blood teenager.

Harry did receive a letter from the Minister that proclaimed that Harry was trying to cause public panic and that this was no way to work together in getting the public to support the Ministry. He wrote Fudge back and the letter read:

Dear Minister Fudge

I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm truly trying to get the public on your side. I need help fighting this war with Voldemort and thought that now that you've seen that he is back we could work together to put a stop to him.

I wasn't lying when I said there were Death Eaters in the Ministry. I wasn't lying about Umbridge either. You've seen with your own eyes that I'm not an attention seeking liar. I had hoped that you would see that I just want what is best for magical Britain.

Now that I'm once again put in a positive position in the eyes of the public, I want it to be seen that we will work together to end this war. If you get the Death Eaters out of the Ministry and tighten security around Azkaban, then you'll have my support 100% and the public will know that we can fight and win together. I'll even write a letter of endorsement to the Daily Prophet.

I've written to everyone who wrote me that they should show you support if you clean up the Ministry.

Once again I'm on your side; however I can't hide what I know. For the sake of the entire British Wizarding World let's work together.

Harry Potter

He needed that idiot to think that they would work together. Harry figured he would need to throw his hat into the political ring, so to speak. Then he would get rid of Fudge and try and get someone who would do some good into office. As far as he knew the Potters and the Blacks didn't have seats on the Wizengamot (though he wasn't sure about the Blacks), but like Malfoy he could get his voice heard by his name alone. First he needed the Ministry freer from corruption.

After he put all the missives in his satchel, he went about his day. They had Care of Magical Creatures first, then Herbology. The two classes basically went over last year's lessons, so they were pretty uneventful. They had shared CoMC with the Slytherins, but they seemed subdued this year and didn't cause trouble, not even Malfoy.

Later that afternoon, in DADA, the trio could see that Professor Snape was as passionate about the Dark Arts as he was Potions. His teaching skills in this class far outweighed his teaching skills in Potions. He gave a quick quiz to see where they stood in the class. Some of the class was way behind as they hadn't been a part of the Dumbledore's Army, or DA, last year. And since Umbridge taught them nothing and they only had two good professors in the six years they had been at Hogwarts, most really hadn't advanced. And, yes, even though the fake Moody was a Death Eater, Harry felt he was a good professor. The ones that had been in the DA were up to par and some surpassed the current curriculum.

Professor Snape started at a happy medium, telling the ones behind they would have to catch up and the ones ahead they would have to be patience, since he couldn't teach two classes at once. He was still a right bastard, but at least they were learning something.

After class Harry stayed behind, telling Ron and Hermione to go on ahead. "Professor, I wondered if I could ask for your advice about something," the wary teen stated, standing a bit nervously in front of the teacher's desk, hoping that Snape at least listened to him.

They hadn't really seen each other since he told Snape about Sirius being in trouble last year. Even though the greasy-haired bat had been at Grimmauld Place many times over the summer, Harry had done his best to avoid him and the rest of the Order.

"What could you possibly want from me, Mr. Potter? Last I saw of you, you were running as far away from me as you could possible get. If I remember correctly, you were holding me to blame that your dogfather went and got himself killed," Snape said, hands folded on the desk in front of him and his customary sneer on his face, as usual going for the most painful thing he could think to say.

Yep, this wasn't going to be easy. Closing his eyes to the memory, Harry took a minute to collect himself. He heard a huff coming from Snape and hardened his resolve. "Well, Professor, I did a lot of thinking about that over the summer and I know you did the best you could. At first I was confused as to why it took the Order so long to come to the rescue and then I thought about how many people there are and that it would take time to get organized. But, I do have to wonder, what would have happened if Sirius really had been there and was being tortured. I mean, he probably would've died anyway or wound up like the Longbottoms. Putting my past into perspective, I also know that I've been given many tasks to 'toughen' me up. So I don't really blame you."

This cause Snape to sneer, as if it should have been obvious from the beginning.

"I also know that when I looked into your private memories that what I did was wrong," the teen hurriedly continued. "Even though I thought I was justified at the time, looking back it really was a bad thing for me to do. And I do apologize about that. I was hoping we could call a truce, at least until the war in over. I know we'll never like each other; however, we're fighting on the same side. Dumbledore trust you, so I'll do my best to trust you as well," he rambled on, noticing that Snape was indeed listening.

"I will think on it. What did you need my advice about?" Snape said, wondering what this boy was up to. But, if the brat really wanted to call a truce, then he would try and put his animosity aside and do his best to get along with him. That and a very little part of him was impressed that the boy seemed to be maturing and that the child didn't blame him for something that really was not his fault.

That night he had looked everywhere for Dumbledore to let him know what was going on. Unfortunately, the man was very good at not being found if he didn't want to be. When they finally had all of the Order together, they all hoped that they didn't arrive too late. Snape would have gone himself, but he then would have been exposed as a spy and Dumbledore didn't want that to happen.

"Oh yeah, um, I found this book in the potion's classroom," Harry said, bringing Snape out of his thoughts. "There are notes in the margin. I was wondering if you could take a look at it and tell me if they're useful. Hermione is accusing me of cheating by using it, but if you say it's okay to use then she will leave off. I want to do well in Potions this year. I know I need the NEWT to get in to the Aurors program." He pulled the book out of his satchel and handed it to Snape.

The Professor took the book and looked at the name on the front inside cover and did a double take. The words 'Property of the Half-Blood Prince' stared mockingly at him. Snape of course knew this was his old text, but he couldn't tell Potter that. The boy would more than likely throw the book away and the student in front of him needed all the help he could get in potions. "You found this in the Potions class?" he asked, still looking through the book as if it wasn't his. He was smiling on the inside, remembering all the work he had put into these notes.

"Yes, sir," Harry said, not noticing the double take.

Snape looked through the book carefully and had a contemplative look on his face. "I see no reason why you should not use this book for class. I strongly recommend that you do your own research in anything you find in it. Do not do any of the spells without research. You do not know who wrote in it and you will not know what some of the spells can do. If you can find a place to practice, then go there and try them out before you wind up hurting someone and knowing you and your lack of patience that is quite possible," he said, snapping the book closed and handing it back to Harry.

"I will, sir, and thanks," Harry replied, retrieving his book and putting it away.

"Oh and Mr. Potter," Professor Snape said, though it looked like what he was about to say pained him, "good job on your defense class last year. Who knew you could teach Longbottom anything? Good day, Mr. Potter," he barked pointedly, lifting his finger to the door.

Harry thought about standing up for his friend, but then realized it would be time wasted, so he fled the classroom. Ron and Hermione were waiting for him.

"Well, what did he say?" Hermione asked, hoping that Snape had told Harry to give the book back.

"He said he saw no reason for me not to use the textbook, as long as I did my own research," Harry answered. He was glad of that answer; he was a little shocked that it went so well. He couldn't have asked for a better ice-breaker. "It was weird; he also complimented me on the DA. I think he is going to try for the truce I offered."

"Why did you have to go and ask him anyway? Why didn't you ask Slughorn? At least he is not a greasy git," Ron asked, feeling put out that no one would listen to him about that slimy snake. He never believed Snape was on their side, no matter what Dumbledore said.

"While Snape may be a greasy git and a right bastard, we at least know he is on our side. I wanted to call a truce with him 'cause we might have to work together sometime in the future and I don't want to have to fight with him if we do," the dark-haired teen replied, once again trying to get Ron over his preconception that all Slytherins were evil.

"Oh well, that makes sense I guess. Don't know if it will work though, you two have a lot of history," the redhead said, rubbing his nose in confusion. He really didn't think it would, but if Harry felt it was important then he'd try. He'd still hate that greasy git, but Harry was right they might have to work together in the coming war and he could only fight one enemy at a time.

"Well, the only thing we can do is try and I know that he won't treat me any better in class. He has to keep up appearances after all. We really shouldn't be talking about this in the hall. Who knows who could be listening," Harry said, looking around the thankfully empty hall.

"We really should look up some privacy spells so that we can have a discussion without worrying about that. I'll see what I can find in the library tonight, after I do my homework," Hermione said quietly, also casting her eyes about to see if anyone was listening. She wasn't going to give up on getting Harry to get rid of that book, but she was going to have to be subtle about it. She gave her word after all.

Harry figured he could reread some of the books in his trunk and see what privacy spells were in there. He seemed to remember reading about a few; he just didn't know if they were what were needed. He really needed to get to the Room of Requirements tomorrow and see if he could use the timer. He didn't want to fall behind from where he was in his studies just because he was at school. He would put the timer in his bag in the morning and sneak off when everyone else was in class. Hopefully it would do the job, so he could do his.

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There is a new poll on my profile, this date 1/4/16, it has nothing to do with the story, just something to satisfy my curiosity.