A/N: I'm very sorry it took me so long to update. I had so much work to do for school but now I've almost graduated and more time again. I really missed writing. I changed my penname from Lady Cathy to Bizarre Dreamscapes.

I can only promise to update more frequently in the future.

Disclaimer: Parts of this chapter are quote from HBP, such as parts of the conversation during the lunch with Slughorn or the Slytherins' chat.

Enjoy!


Burning Desire

The Fickle Grace Of Society

On September 1rst Harry Potter arrived at King's Cross station like all the other students did as well. This year only his aunt had accompanied him to London, not his whole family like the years before. What no one knew though was that the woman accompanying him was in no way his aunt although she looked absolutely identical to Petunia Dursley.

"There we are, boy," the lean woman said rather unfriendly.

"Thanks for driving me to London, aunt Petunia," Harry said meekly. He could feel the stare of other students in his back, those who also entered platform 9 ¾ via the muggle station.

"Listen up, boy," his aunt reminded him. "Your uncle and I will not tolerate much more of the trouble you're causing..." She leaned closer in on him and whispered, so that no one else could hear:

"Take care, Harry. I mean it. Don't get in trouble."

Harry nodded. "I'll try," he whispered back. "Be careful yourself."

"Course," she answered. "Wotcher, Harry."

"Bye, Tonks," Harry breathed.

"Until next summer, Harry," 'aunt Petunia' said.

Harry nodded hastily and hurried over to the barrier while Tonks stared after him. Then she turned on her heel and walked away, not looking back at her 'nephew'. It was time to get out of this disgusting guise.

In meanwhile Harry entered platform 9 ¾ pushing his baggage cart casually through the barrier between platform 9 and 10.

The moment he entered the platform he was followed by whispers and stares. Although the nature of this attention had changed since last term, when it had been mostly hatred and schadenfreude and now was awe and respect, he still hated it. Harry ignored his onlookers as he pushed through the crowd. They aloofly reminded him of gaping fish. Now it would be so much more satisfying to see their eyes filled with fear and disdain. He had nothing to give them and they had no right to expect anything.

"Harry, mate! We're over here," someone yelled as Harry was walking towards the red Hogwarts Express.

Harry turned to the voice recognizing it as the one of his 'best friend' Ron. The tall red head was waving at him, looking over the crowd. Harry briefly waved back and made his way to Ron.

Ron was standing with his parents, Ginny and of course Hermione who had spent her summer with them.

"Hi, Harry," Hermione called. "Good to see you again. How was the rest of your holidays?"

Harry smiled weakly as he watched them through his glasses which now consisted of window glass since he could not see anymore through optical galsses. "It was okay," he said dismissively, showing that he clearly did not want to talk about it. Hermione however was about to continue the conversation but Mrs. Weasley forestalled her.

"Harry, my dear!," she smiled warmly at him. "I'm sorry you could not stay with us this summer. I hope you still had nice holidays." She looked a little doubtful at this statement however.

"Yes, I had, Mrs. Weasley," Harry repeated. "As I was telling Ron and Hermione..."

But Mrs. Weasley had turned to the train. "It's about time, kids."

"You were late, mate," Ron muttered to him. "You don't want to miss the train again, do you?"

Harry shrugged. "There was a lot of traffic in London today and my aunt got in a traffic jam."

"Traffic jam?," asked Ron confused.

"It's got nothing to do with marmalade, Ron," Hermione said disapprovingly, interpreting his mimic. "Really, you should take muggle studies, I've told you so often..."

"Get on the train, now," Mrs. Weasley rushed them.

They stopped talking and followed her instruction.

"Have a good year, kids," Mr. Weasley said as farewell.

"Yes, and be careful," Mrs. Weasley pleaded. She quickly hugged all of them. Harry stood stiff as she did so. He felt uncomfortable at the close physical contact, wanting to lean away from it knowing it was anything but genuine.

The moment passed and they were on the train only moments before it departed.

"Ron and I need to go to the Prefects' meeting," Hermione informed Harry.

"Do we?," asked Ron in an unmotivated manner.

"Yes, we do, Ronald, and you are not going to skip it," Hermione chided strictly. "We'll see you later."

"Okay," said Harry. He did not mind at all.

"What about finding a compartment?," he asked Ginny.

Ginny bit her lip. "I'm actually supposed to meet up with Dean," she told him.

Harry sighed. "Forget about Dean for a moment, Ginny," he said. "Why are you doing this? You don't have to pretend."

"You don't understand, Harry," Ginny answered, looking him in the eye. "I can never live up to my families expectations."

"But you don't have to," Harry argued, indeed not understanding her. "They've treated you badly and besides you're your own person, Ginny. You should decide about your life and not them."

"Harry, it's not that bad. Not compared to...," Ginny broke off. "I'm bound to them by blood."

Not compared to what happened to you. He just knew that she wanted to say that but chose to ignore it. "By blood... what does that mean? There are bounds much deeper. Blood means nothing. Look at my relatives, my aunt and uncle. They're my blood but they're nothing to me... Your parents aren't the only family you have, Ginny. What about Fred and George? They'll be there for you. Then there's Luna. And I'll be here, too," Harry argued.

Ginny opened her mouth and closed it again. Then she said: "Harry, I'm so worried about you. Are you sure you're doing the right thing? I mean..."

Harry crossed his arms. He did not like the way she was speaking. "I've made my decision," he said coldly.

Ginny seemed taken aback by his tone but nodded. "If that's what you want. But still... promise me to be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"It won't," Harry answered. "Now why don't you forget about Dean for a moment? Let's find an empty compartment, huh?"

Ginny nodded, dismissing their former subject. She half-grinned at him. "Okay, okay... Harry, you really have a way to see things positive."

He snorted. "You really think so? I didn't notice."

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Sure. I mean what would others have done in your situation? They wouldn't do half as well."

Harry frowned. He found that a strange way to see things.

"Nah, forget it," Giny brushed it off. "What about quidditch? Hey, watch out!"

She scowled at couple of students who had roughly brushed past her in the full corridor.

"What do you think who'll be captain this year?" Ginny asked.

Harry cursed under his breath. He had almost forgotten about that. Before he could answer, however, a familiar face appeared in front of them.

"Hey, Harry, Ginny! How was your summer? We're searching for an empty compartment...," it was Neville, Luna in tow.

"Hello," the blond girl greeted airily.

Harry and Ginny smiled at them and greeted and together they shoved through the crowd to the compartments further back. There they found an empty one and dropped in it.

Harry quickly sat down next to Neville letting Luna and Ginny sit next to each other. Casually Luna took the latest copy of the Quibbler out and started reading it upside down, apparently not taking notice of anyone anymore.

Ginny suppressed a grin and Neville did not pay it any heed.

"So how was your summer?," Neville repeated his question.

"Exhausting," Ginny sighed in mock-annoyance. "Bill invited Fleur Delacour over to us... you know, Nev, the Beaubatons champion?"

Neville nodded in awe. "Fleur? How so?"

Ginny grinned and pouted. "You can bet on that reaction... men," she muttered and Neville blushed slightly. "Well, Bill and Fleur want to get married, so he brought her over... Mum hates her, Ron worships her and Hermione was jealous... That's what I meant when I said exhausting."

"How are they anyways? Ron told me they left?," Harry asked Ginny, remembering her brother's words. He had never felt the pull of Fleur's Veela charm but he had grown to like her during the Triwizard Turnament.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, they had a fight with mum and then Bill left shouting they didn't need our parents' approval to marry... I wrote him a letter, telling I'll forever hate him if the marriage is done without me." She sounded rather satisfied at that. "Fleur answered promising me that I could be bridesmaid."

"Hm, it sounds like you are relieved that school has started again," Neville commented.

Ginny shrugged. "It wasn't that pleasant at home."

"What about you, Harry?," Neville turned to Harry.

"Nothing special," Harry said. "I'm glad holidays are over. And you?"

"It was nice," Neville said. "Uncle Algie visited for two weeks... but it was good, actually. He was really impressed with, you know, what we did at the Ministry..." Neville blushed and cleared his throat. He knew that Harry had not taken the death of Sirius Black very well last year. "We went to St. Mungo's to see my parents..." Neville sounded very sad at those words. "You won't believe how many people were there. They're panicking, lots of people go to St. Mungo's to have checked if they were subjected to Dementors or an Inferius... as if you would not notice that when it happens."

Harry regarded Neville as the latter spoke. He had always liked the other boy and felt as if they were somewhat similar especially after he had found out about the fate of Neville's parents. Last year he had taken much interest and pride in Neville's proceedings in the DA and of course he had been thankful towards him for believing his claims about Voldemort's return. Neville had been one of the few who did not abandon him or mark him as a crazy, lying attention-seeker.

Now, he was not sure how to feel towards Neville. Harry had no wish for him to be harmed but he would not step out of his way for Neville either. He could not imagine that Neville would ever understand his decision, not after what Bella had done to his parents – something that sure was worse than death. Harry could not help himself, his thoughts always returned to what Dumbledore had said about the prophecy – the fake prophecy – in summer. That it could also have meant Neville.

Where would that leave me now? It was hard for Harry to imagine how his life would have worked out had Voldemort chosen Neville. Although he had spent quite a part of his life wondering about a reality in which his parents were still alive he knew deep down that there was no real answer to that question. It was pointless now anyways since they were dead... and he was going to live forever (or at least theoretically). He still could not wrap his mind around that fact. But then again Harry had masses of time left to think about it.

"Harry! Harry," Ginny was saying.

"Huh?," Harry's head snapped up. "Sorry, I was deep in thought. What did you say?"

"I figured," she commented bemusedly. "As I was asking you before what do you think, who'll be quidditch captain this year? Angelina graduated after all."

"You know," Harry started. With all the things that had happened over the summer he had totally forgotten about that. "Dumbledore made me captain."

Ginny looked really surprised at that. "But that's great, Harry!," she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Congratulations," Neville said.

"Thanks," Harry said halfheartedly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Ginny. But we only saw each other so briefly and it totally skipped my mind."

Harry was not sure what to make of his new position in the team. Quidditch was a team sport, he had enjoyed it, because of flying and because of his team. But now he wanted nothing less than to spend more time than necessary with his 'friends'. Ron had good chances of getting in the team again, and besides he had not forgotten how the other Gryffindors had turned their backs on him when the Ministry had deemed him a liar.

On the other hand it would seem very odd if he dropped out now and Dumbledore would not be the only one to ask him a lot of questions about his sudden, unexpected decision.

Ginny nodded at his words. "After all we met in Fred and George's shop, it's easy there to forget about everything else," she said lightly.

"Oh, I've been there, too, in the holidays," Neville said in amazement. "It's really great."

Ginny beamed. "Yeah, they put loads of work into it."

Neville nodded. "It was absolutely worth it." Then he turned to Harry. "Are you going to continue the DA?," he asked.

Harry shook his head. "Don't think so. It's purpose was getting rid of Umbridge and providing some real DADA lessons. If Scrimgoeur isn't as brainless as Fudge he'll let Dumbledore hire a proper Defense teacher."

"Dad says Scrimgeour is a sworn enemy of the Dark Arts like Mad Eye or Barty Crouch," said Ginny.

"He's a vampire," Luna added all of a sudden.

"Huh? Who's a vampire?" asked Neville confusedly.

"Scrimgeour of course," Luna explained in an isn't-that-obvious-voice.

"Well, then I hope he keeps his people from joining Voldemort," Harry commented dryly.

"Oh no," Luna disagreed. "He was expelled from his clan."

By that time Neville obviously realized that he'd been staring at Luna. He cleared his throat and reached for his trunk mumbling about checking something.

Luna in meantime had returned to reading the Quibbler.

"Hey, Ginny, there you are, hi Harry, Neville, Luna," the compartment door was opened by Dean. "I thought we were going to meet up?"

"Um...yeah and I searched for you, Dean, but it was so full I just couldn't find you," Ginny said evasively.

"Doesn't matter," Dean dismissed it. "Are you coming?"

Ginny briefly glanced at Luna before she nodded.

"I'll see you later," she murmured as she left.

Harry gave her a pointed look but was ignored.

"I didn't know that Ginny is together with Dean now," Neville said.

When Luna did not react Harry answered: "They got together at the end of last term or in the summer holidays, I think."

Neville nodded.

It did not take long until the compartment door was opened again. This time it were Ron and Hermione.

"I'm glad that's over," Ron sighed dramatically before he let himself fall in Ginny's now empty seat.

"Ron, our Prefect duties are very important," Hermione said disapprovingly and sat down next to Harry.

Is arguing all they can do? wondered Harry. This impression had started last year when Ron and Hermione's constant picking on each other had stressed Harry's nerves while they were already unsound.

"The term has not even started and I'm already supposed to work?" complained Ron. Then he looked around. "Hey Harry, where's Ginny?"

"She left with Dean a few moments ago," Harry answered casually.

Ron grumbled unfriendly in response to that.

"Ron," Hermione said tentatively. "Ginny is old enough to decide who she wants to be together with. Maybe you should leave it to her."

Not waiting for an answer she went on, turning to Harry.

"I've just seen Cho, Harry," she remarked casually. "She seemed pretty upset about something."

That's something new, thought Harry sarcastically. Cho was always upset about something.

"Really?" Harry asked only faintly interested. "I haven't seen her yet."

"The father of her friend Marietta was killed this summer," told Neville them. "I saw it in the Prophet."

Hermione gasped in shock. "That's terrible," she said. "I know she betrayed us to Umbridge but still..."

So Hermione was sorry for that stupid bitch but not for him? Harry would have very much liked to laugh at the irony of the situation.

"So Cho's still friends with Marietta?" he asked stiffly.

"I don't get it either, mate," Ron said, while Hermione eyed them resignedly, probably due to there lack of understanding for girls' feelings. "I mean after all she betrayed us... I wouldn't be friends with her anymore."

Interesting that Ron thought so.

"Did they at least get the people who killed Marietta's father?" Harry asked Neville in order to feign concern.

Neville shook his head.

Ron snorted. "They always get away with it. Just like Narcissa Malfoy," he said. "I bet ickle Draco's really gleeful bout that. I thought that his father's imprisonment would put a damper on his arrogance but he still struts around like he owns the place."

"What did you expect, man?" answered Harry. "We know Malfoy."

"Yeah, right, I guess he'll always be like that," agreed Ron.

"He did seem particularly happy about something," Hermione suddenly injected. "Ron's right, it is kind of odd considering they sent his father to Azkaban."

"He won't be happy much longer," Luna spoke up. "If the Ministry makes use of the things they breed in the Department of Mysteries-"

"The Ministry doesn't breed anything in the Department of Mysteries," interrupted Hermione fiercely.

"There were those brains that attacked my," pointed Ron out.

"They could hardly be used in battle against Death Eaters," said Hermione.

A year ago Harry would have dismissed Luna's words but now... she was a Seer so it was natural for her to know things that others didn't. Then again there were many things that were absolutely wrong which the Quibbler reported about, like Sirius in reality being lead singer of the band the Hobgoblins. All of those seemingly wrong stories Luna quoted form the Quibbler were a good way to disguise the fact that some of her knowledge was what she had Seen. But how should Harry know what was true and what wasn't?

"You ask him."

"No, you."

"I'll do it."

A group of fourth year Gryffindor girls was standing outside of their compartment, discussing and giggling.

Then one of them opened the compartment door. She had dark eyes, long black hair and a prominent chin. Her eyes sparkled with self confidence and wit.

"Hi, Harry," she said after she had quickly looked around in the compartment. "I'm Romilda, Romilda Vane. I wanted to ask you if you'd like to come and sit with us instead of them." When she said the last word she meaningfully glanced around in the compartment again.

Neville and Ron had blushed at those words, the former in a faint pink, the latter in a bright red.

Luna had apparently not taken notice of the conversation while Hermione had narrowed her eyes in offense.

Harry was tempted to take Romilda's proposal just to dump Ron and Hermione but that would not have worked well at all with his plan to pretend that nothing had changed.

So he said: "Those are my friends."

Romilda's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, okay," she answered. "Maybe an other time, then."

"People expect you to have cooler friends," said Luna deadly serious when Romilda had left.

Too bad for them, life does not always meet up to one's expectations, thought Harry. Out loud he said: "You are cool."

"That's right! I can't believe it, Harry, she's never spoken a word to you and now that she thinks that your the Chosen One she's suddenly interested?" Ron sounded genuinely outraged but Harry knew that it was jealousy that spoke out of his words.

"That's how people are," Hermione agreed. "Don't let yourself be bothered by it."

"It's a shame we don't know what the prophecy said," Ron added.

In the beginning of the summer Harry had planned on telling Ron and Hermione about the prophecy. But even if he had still wanted to talk about the prophecy he would not have found any opportunity to do so during the holidays.

Even though he was now aware that the prophecy was not valid Harry upheld his decision to share its content with his two 'best friends'. After all he did not know that the prophecy was a fake, right?

Then the compartment door slid open again. A nervous third year girl stepped in.

"I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom and Harry P-Potter," she announced and held out two scrolls of parchment tied with violet ribbon.

Perplexed Harry and Neville took them.

"What is it?" asked Ron.

"In invitation," answered Harry.

The parchment read:

Harry,

I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.

Sincerely, Professor H.E.F. Slughorn

"Who's Professor Slughorn?" asked Neville who seemed rather surprised about the invitation.

"Probably the new Defense teacher," Harry guessed. "After all Umbridge was fired. I suppose we should see what he wants."

"Yeah, right," agreed Neville. "Wonder why he wants to see me."

Harry shrugged and grabbed his bag before they left their compartment.

The corridor was still filled with students and it was not easy to go anywhere.

As Neville and he pushed their way towards compartment C the number of other students staring at him had increased since he had entered the train.

When they reached compartment C they realized that they were not the only ones that Professor Slughorn had invited.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, good to see you, good to see you," they were greeted by a man who could only be Professor Slughorn.

Slughorn had a bald head and a shiny silver mustache. His noticeable belly was covered in velvet and all in all his attire was rather pompous. He faintly reminded Harry of a big walrus.

Slughorn gestured for them to sit down and they took the only two empty seats, positioned opposite of each other.

Neville looked wary, still unsure why he was here.

Harry in meantime glanced around at the other guests. There was Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin from their year, two seventh years Harry did not know and surprisingly Ginny. As their eyes met Ginny shrugged barely noticeable and Harry slightly raised his eyebrows in amusement.

"Now do you know everyone, Harry, I can call you Harry, right?" Slughorn asked him and Harry nodded. "Splendid. Here is Blaise Zabini, in your year, of course..."

Zabini gave no sign of recognition as did neither Harry nor Neville.

"This is Cormac McLaggen, maybe you've come across each other-? No?"

McLaggen, a large, wire-haired youth, raised a hand and Harry and Neville nodded back at him.

"-and this is Marcus Belby, I don't know whether-?"

Belby, who was thin and nervous looking, gave a strained smile.

"-and this charming young lady tells me she knows you!" Slughorn finished.

Ginny grimaced at Harry and Neville from behind Slughorn's back.

"Well, now this is most pleasant," said Slughorn cosily. "A chance to get to know you all a little better. Here, take a napkin. I've packed my own lunch, the trolley, as I remember it, is heavy on Liquorice Wands, a poor old man's digestive system isn't quite up to such things... pheasant, Belby?"

From Slughorn's words Harry guessed that he may have been teacher at Hogwarts before. Of course he could be referring to his own school days when he had said he remembered the Liquorice Wands but that would be very long ago, Harry figured.

This whole meeting seemed very peculiar to Harry. Everyone who was attending it seemed to be related to someone famous or be special in some way – besides Ginny, why she was here Harry could not figure out.

"I was just telling young Marcus here that I had the pleasure of teaching his uncle Damocles," Slughorn told Harry and Neville about Belby for example. "Outstanding wizard, outstanding and his Order of Merlin most well-deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Marcus?"

It seemed as if Harry was right, there was indeed something interesting about everyone present.

"Anapeo," said Slughorn calmly, pointing his wand at Belby who was choking on the pheasant he had taken from Slughorn.

*Do you know a H.E.F. Slughorn?* asked Harry in his mind. He had not seen Voldemort since the day he had told Harry that Bella was going to teach him the unforgivables.

First there was no reply so Harry showed Voldemort his current situation via their mind link.

*I see.* came the thoughtful answer. *Horace Slughorn is a Potions Master. He used to be teacher at Hogwarts before he retired some time ago.*

*Potions?* asked Harry. *I thought he would teach DADA?*

*Maybe, although I don't think so. He taught Potions when I went to Hogwarts. You will probably see a lot of him this term, Harry. Slughorn collects students.* Voldemort informed him.

*What do you mean, he collects students?*

*He is only interested in students who are talented, famous or otherwise influential. He brings them together and helps them on their way to success. In turn he mostly receives valuable presents or curtsies from his thankful students. He calls them the Slug Club.* Those words sounded amused in Harry's head.

*The Slug Club?* repeated Harry incredulously. *Never mind. If he retired before why is he back now?*

*Probably Dumbledore's doing.* Voldemort assumed. *Although I don't know what he would want to achieve by that. Slughorn was my teacher and not only that, Harry – he was the one who told me about horcruxes. But the destruction of the ring shows that Dumbledore already knows about them...maybe not how many?*

*If Slughorn is that interested in famous students than it should be no problem for me to stay close to him and eventually find out why he returned to Hogwarts.* thought Harry.

*Who else did Slughorn invite?* asked Voldemort.

Harry mentally let him see what he himself was seeing. *Cormac McLaggen, Blaise Zabini, Belby, Neville Longbottom and Ginny.*

*So this is the other prophecy child.* thought Voldemort , sounding intrigued. The others did not seem to interest him.

*Would you have rather chosen him in hindsight?* asked Harry mockingly.

*Him? I hope you aren't serious. Just look at him, Harry.* There was so much disgust addicted to this vwords that Harry started to cough heavily in order to hide his laughter. He really could not imagine Neville to be in his current situation. Harry knew that Voldemort loved beautiful things and while his words would have been seen as exaggerated by others since Neville was far from ugly, Harry knew him well enough to understand where he was coming from.

"Aren't you well, Harry?" Slughorn asked worriedly, being interrupted by Harry's coughs.

"It's alright, thanks, Professor," Harry managed to say. "I just got pheseant in my airway."

*I was just asking, would you please not try to make me choke?* Harry asked dryly.

Then he remembered what Ron and Hermione had said about Draco Malfoy earlier. *Is there a chance that you gave Draco the Dark Mark so that he could replace his father?*

*Why would you assume that?* Voldemort asked interestedly.

*No real reason.* answered Harry. *It's just the way he behaves. It seems kind of odd while his father is in Azkaban. I always thought they were rather close.*

*That's correct.* commented Voldemort.

*I take that as a yes to my earlier question.* stated Harry.

*If you want.* said Voldemort bemusedly.

In the meantime Slughorn had lost any interest in Belby who had admitted that he had no contact to his uncle Damocles.

Cormac McLaggen seemed to be more of the type of student Slughorn was interested in.

"Oh, yeah, that was fun, that was," McLaggen was bragging. "We went with Bertie Higgs and Rufus Scrimgeour – this was before he became Minister, obviously -"

"Ah, you know Bertie and Rufus, too?" Slughorn beamed, now offering a small tray of pies; Harry noticed that Belby was somehow missed out. "Now tell me..."

And so Slughorn went on. He talked to everyone, interviewing them like he had with Belby and McLaggen. Zabini apparently had been invited because of his famously beautiful mother who had married seven times up to now. Her husbands had died under mysterious and most tragic circumstances leaving Mrs. Zabini an enormous fortune.

Neville's interrogation was very unpleasant for the boy since Slughorn had invited him because of his parents who had been very skilled aurors before they were tortured into insanity.

Neville had never spoken about that to anyone in school and except for Harry almost no one had known until the mass break-out from Azkaban last year.

Finally Slughorn turned to Harry.

"And now," he said, shifting in his seat with the air of a compère introducing his star act. "Harry Potter! Where to begin?"

As Slughorn eyed him Harry could not overcome the feeling of being a particularly large and succulent piece of pheasant.

"The 'Chosen One' they're calling you now!"

Harry said nothing. He could not openly proclaim to be the Chosen One but he knew that this was a way to win Slughorn over.

"Of course," said Slughorn, "there have been rumors for years... I remember when – well – after that terrible night – Lily – James – and you survived – and the word was that you must have powers beyond the ordinary -"

Zabini's face took an incredulous expression and he gave a tiny, polite cough, showing that he obviously doubted that Harry had any powers beyond the ordinary.

"Yeah Zabini, because you're so talented... at posing," snapped Ginny angrily.

"Oh dear!" Slughorn turned around to Ginny who was scowling at Zabini. "You want to be careful, Blaise! I saw this young lady perform the most marvelous Bat Bogey Hex as I was passing her carriage! I won't cross her."

While Zabini looked thoroughly unimpressed, Harry inwardly wondered who Ginny had cursed.

"Anyway," said Slughorn and returned his attention to Harry. "Such rumors this summer. Of course, one doesn't know what to believe, the Prophet has been known to print inaccuracies, make mistakes – but there seems little doubt, given the number of witnesses, that there was quite a disturbance at the Ministry and that you were there in the thick of it all."

"With that I must say the Prophet was right for once," admitted Harry humbly. "Ginny and Neville were there, too."

"Fascinating," commented Slughorn his eyes darting between Harry, Ginny and Neville. "But the rest of the stories – so sensational, of course, one doesn't know quite what to believe – this fabled prophecy, for instance -"

"We never heard a prophecy," said Neville, turning geranium-pink at his words.

"That's right," said Ginny affirmatively her eyes resting on Harry. "Neville and I were both there too, and all this 'Chosen One' rubbish is just the Prophet making things up as usual."

Well, Ginny knew that for sure.

"That's right," said Harry to Slughorn who still looked most interested. "The prophecy got broken in the Ministry and we could not hear its content then."

His words subtly left the possibility that he had heard the prophecy elsewhere. No one seemed to notice but Slughorn slightly narrowed his eyes as he focused on Harry.

"Yes... well... it is true that the Prophet often exaggerates, of course..." Slughorn continued, his attention still on Harry. "I remember dear Gwenog telling me – Gwenog Jones, I mean, of course, captain of the Holyhead Harpies -"

And then Slughorn lost himself in anecdotes about illustrious members of the 'Slug Club' he had taught at Hogwarts. Harry listened more or less attentively while McLaggen mostly provided Slughorn with an answer when the latter paused in his monologue. Zabini sometimes said something, too. He and McLaggen where obviously the only ones who knew many of the people Slughorn was talking about. Belby might have fallen asleep, Harry could not tell that for sure, but Slughorn was not paying him attention anymore anyways. Ginny looked quite bored and Neville seemed eager to leave but he did not speak up. Harry assumed that he saw no way to politely excuse himself. Harry did not really care, he was not very keen on returning to Ron and Hermione.

When it began to darken outside, Slughorn looked around.

"Good gracious, it's getting dark already! I didn't notice that they'd lit the lamps! You'd better go and change into your robes, all of you. McLaggen, you must drop by and borrow that book on Nogtails. Harry, Blaise – anytime you're passing. Same goes for you, miss," he twinkled at Ginny. "Well, off you go, off you go!"

Slughorn was the first to leave and Harry, Neville and Luna followed Zabini out.

"That was strange," sighed Neville.

"Quite so," agreed Harry. "So Ginny, who did you hex, huh?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Zacharias Smith. He kept asking me about what happened at the Ministry and he could not cope with the fact that I wouldn't tell him. Dean looked about to punch him, so I hexed him before Dean would get in trouble. As Slughorn came by I thought I'd get detention but instead he invited me to his lunch."

Harry nodded, then he said: "I'll see you later, okay?"

Neville seemed confused but nodded, Ginny on the other hand opened her mouth to say something but Harry was faster.

"Later, okay? Please Ginny, we can talk then."

"Fine," Ginny agreed and she trotted off together with Neville. The corridors were emptier now than they had been at midday. Hogsmeade station could not be far away anymore and most of students were changing into their robes.

Harry pulled the Invisibility cloak out of his bag and put it on. Then he followed Zabini. Zabini would go back to the Slytherin sixth year's compartment where Malfoy probably was, too.

Voldemort's words had only increased Harry's suspicions that Malfoy had taken the Dark Mark. That in itself would not be very surprising but Voldemort would have a reason for it other than replacing Lucius Malfoy. Draco was still going to school so he would be no use to Voldemort unless Draco had been given a task that had something to do with Hogwarts.

When Zabini had reached the compartment Harry moved as close as he could to Zabini and slipped through the door behind the boy. Unfortunately he was not quick enough and he had to block the door for a moment when Zabini wanted to shut it.

Zabini gave an irritated hiss and slammed the door shut, in the meantime Harry stepped on Zabini's empty seat and hoisted himself up into the luggage rack.

He sincerely hoped that the cloak had covered him all the time in his hurry to leave Zabini's seat which was occupied by the boy only moments after Harry had made it into the luggage rack.

"So, Zabini," said Malfoy who was lying back down across two seats, his head in Pansy Parkinson's lap. "What did Slughorn want?"

"Just trying to make up to well-connected people," answered Zabini. "Not that he managed to find many."

To that Harry had to silently agree. Malfoy however was not pleased by the information.

"Who else had he invited?" he demanded. Harry had to grin, obviously Malfoy was jealous that he had not been invited. It doesn't help to be the son of a convicted criminal. Harry thought.

"Mc Laggen form Gryffindor," said Zabini.

"Oh yeah, his uncle's big in the Ministry," said Malfoy.

"- someone else called Belby from Ravenclaw -"

"Not him, he's a prat!" said Pansy.

"- and Longbottom, Potter and that Weasley girl," finished Zabini.

Malfoy sat up very suddenly, knocking Pansy's hand aside.

"He invited Longbottom?"

"Well, I assume so, as Longbottom was there," said Zabini indifferently.

"What's Longbottom got to interest Slughorn?"

Zabini shrugged.

"Potter, of course, obviously he wanted a look at the 'Chosen One'," sneered Malfoy, but he also sounded a tad thoughtful. Harry assumed that Malfoy had not forgotten their encounter in Diagon Alley. "But that Weasley girl! What's so special about her?"

"A lot of boys like her," said Pansy, watching Malfoy out of the corner of her eyes for his reaction. "Even you think she's good-looking, don't you, Blaise, and we all know how hard you are to please!"

"I wouldn't touch a filthy blood-traitor like her whatever she looked like," said Zabini coldly, and Pansy looked pleased.

"Well, I pity Slughorn's taste. Maybe he's going a bit senile. Shame, my father always said he was a good wizard in his day. My father used to be a bit of a favorite of his. Slughorn probably hasn't heard that I'm on the train, or-"

Harry rolled his eyes under the Invisibility cloak. Malfoy should urgently stop to rely on his father and learn to fight his own battles.

"I wouldn't bank on an invitation," said Zabini. "He asked about Nott's father when I first arrived. They used to be old friends, apparently, but when he heard he'd been caught at the Ministry he didn't look happy, and Nott didn't get an invitation, did he? I don't think Slughorn's interested in Death Eaters."

Malfoy was obviously loosing influence in his own house as well. Before Harry had never heard anyone speak to Malfoy like that.

Draco looked angry at first but then he laughed humorlessly.

"Well who cares what he's interested in? What is he when you come down to it? Just some stupid teacher." Malfoy yawned ostentatiously. "I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year, what's it matter to me if some fat old has-been likes me or not."

*My, my, Draco is really stupid. Slughorn can be extremely useful.* Harry heard Voldemort's thoughts.

"What do you mean you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" said Pansy indignantly.

"Well, you never know," said Malfoy with the ghost of a smirk. "I might have – er – moved on to bigger and better things."

Carbbe and Goyle gaped at Malfoy like fish. Even Zabini looked curious now and Pansy stared at Draco, looking dumbfound.

"Do you mean – Him?"

Malfoy shrugged.

"Mother wants me to complete my education, but personally, I don't see it as that important these days. I mean, think about it... when the Dark Lord takes over, is he going to care how many O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s anyone's got? Of course he isn't... it'll be all about the kind of service he received, the level of devotion he was shown."

*Malfoy all but admitted that you branded him. I think even he's not stupid enough to lie about something like this.* thought Harry.

"And you think you'll be able to do something for him?" asked Zabini scathingly. "Sixteen years old and not even fully qualified yet?"

*Maybe he dies during his task.* Voldemort answered hopefully.

*And then I thought that you would not have to rely on Malfoy dying during his task to get rid of him.* thought Harry sarcastically. *See it positive. Maybe he'll excel himself.*

*He better does.* replied Voldemort darkly.

"I've just said, haven't I? Maybe he doesn't care if I'm qualified. Maybe the job he wants me to do isn't something that you need to be qualified for," said Malfoy quietly.

Or you misjudge the situation, thought Harry.

The rest of the compartment was stunned into silence, although Zabini still looked skeptical.

"I can see Hogwarts," said Malfoy dismissing the subject. "We'd better get our robes on."

Harry did his best not to be discovered as they grabbed their trunks from the luggage rack in order to put their robes on, however he was hit by Goyle's trunk and a small gasp escaped his mouth.

When the train came to a halt Malfoy, said:

"You go on. I just want to check something."

Great, thought Harry. He assumed that Malfoy had detected him despite his use of the Invisibility cloak. Maybe he was not that stupid after all.

When Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini and Pansy had left the compartment Malfoy turned his attention to the luggage rack.

"What exactly do you think you're doing here, Potter?" he asked.

Harry sighed heavily and jumped down form the luggage rack, pulling off his Invisibility cloak.

"Listening to your endearing voice, Malfoy," he said mockingly.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes to slits. "You can't prove anything," he said coldly, knowing what Harry had heard.

"No I can't," agreed Harry lazily. "But maybe the Dark Mark on your arm can?"

"Don't try anything you'll regret afterward," Malfoy said coldly, pointing his wand at Harry.

"It looks almost like you have something to hide," smirked Harry.

"What are you playing at, Potter?" demanded Malfoy threateningly.

Now it was really hilarious to see Malfoy so confused.

"Whatever He has you do," remarked Harry seriously, rising his eyebrows slightly. "You'd better not fail Him."

And that was the second time Harry Potter left behind a very stunned Malfoy. Harry wondered how many times he was going to take it again.


REVIEW PLEASE!

Okay, I originally wanted to include the Minister in this but 7000 words are enough for now so he will show up next chapter!