Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am just borrowing the characters for some fun.
Warning: This story will contain swearing, scenes of torture and sexual innuendo. Eventual Slash.
Summary: Nothing is going to plan. The order is three days late to pick him up and Lucius Malfoy has somehow managed to get out of Azkaban. Remus always wants to talk, but Harry can't bring himself to even think of what happened in June. It was time to face facts: Harry's life belongs to the cause and his own feelings don't matter. Begins after Order of the Phoenix. Eventual Slash.
Chapter 14: Treading Water
The next morning Harry convinced himself to do his work out. It was hard to wake up early when all the boys were still sleeping, but he knew if he skipped two days in a row it would only get harder to convince himself to go. He dressed quietly and quickly before heading down toward the lake for his run.
The air was a little brisk, but it was a perfect temperature to work up a sweat in. He ran until he couldn't anymore and then immediately dropped into his strength training exercises. Something about being outside so early felt calming and he could feel his anxieties about a new school year disappearing.
On his way back inside he saw Hagrid and stopped for a quick chat. He always loved seeing the friendly grounds keeper. Harry would always remember his eleventh birthday and he would always be thankful to Hagrid for changing his life.
""ello Harry! How was your summer?"
"It was great! You?"
The half giant smiled. "I spent me summer with Olympe, gathering information on-certain communities. Found a wonderful place for Gawp to live too."
Hagrid was not exactly good a keeping secrets, Harry had no problem deducing that the 'communities' he referred to were the giants. "Sounds lovely."
"What brings you out here so early?" Asked Hagrid. "Most students are just waking up."
"Remus has got me on a strict fitness schedule." Answered Harry, opening the door for both of them. "It seems that he thinks my best plan in case of danger is to run as fast as I can in the other direction."
"Nonsense. You'll destroy any Death Eaters that come your way."
"Ta, Hagrid." Said Harry, waving goodbye as he moved to head back to the Gryffindor common rooms.
The halls of Hogwarts were still quiet now, and Harry enjoyed his walk to the dorms in silence. He needed the time to clear his head. Today was the sixth year's first Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year. He was sure that Professor Vance would be much better than Umbridge, but then again anyone would be. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that he had when he thought about that class. Last year Umbridge had truly been a torture. As horrible as the detentions had been, that mocking voice in front of all his classmates and all the little digs had been the hardest to swallow. Logically, he knew that this year was bound to be different, but something about going back to that class made him on edge.
Ron and the other sixth year boys were just waking up as Harry walked into the dorm. They all looked drowsy and in need of a few more hours of rest.
"Where were you?" Asked Ron, yawning and groaning as he sat up in bed. "It's so hard to get used to waking up early again, after sleeping in during the summer."
Harry laughed at their sleepy eyes. "I was working out. Dibs on the shower."
"No argument here." Said Seamus as he rummaged in his trunk. "You smell, mate."
Harry threw his sweaty sock at him.
It landed on Dean's bed and he kicked the covers until it fell to the floor. Dean groaned and covered his head with the blanket. "Remind me to annoy you lot the next time you are trying to get an extra five minutes of sleep."
Seamus smiled evilly at them all before heading over to Dean's bed. Without any warning he ripped the covers right off of Dean and his bed. "Wakey wakey! Time for school!"
As things descended into further mayhem, Harry snuck into the bathroom. It took them another 20 minutes to get down to breakfast, but lucky they arrived with enough time to avoid another tongue lashing from McGonagall.
Hermione sighed into her cereal. "Eat fast. We have Defense first thing and I want to get there early."
Harry slumped into the seat across from her, his stomach rumbling. He was starving. Hastily he plucked a hardboiled egg and some toast off a nearby platter. Ron had gone around to sit next to Hermione and seemed to be looking for something on the table. With a smirk the redhead stood and reached rudely across the table for a bowl of strawberries.
Ron plopped the bowl down in front of Hermione. "I can't believe you are eating cereal without strawberries in it."
Hermione looked up and blushed. "Thanks Ron. I didn't see the bowl."
"She basically lived off of strawberries all summer." Said Ron, turning to Harry to fill him in on the reference. "I think if we has let her she would have had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And then more for dessert."
Harry eyed them both, noticing that Ron was sitting just a little closer than necessary and that Hermione's cheeks were still an embarrassed shade of pink. It definitely seemed that they had gotten over their fight the other day. He wondered if maybe his friends had got a clue over the summer. Hermione was putting heaping spoonful's of berries into her bowl.
She leaned to her right and nudged Ron with her shoulder. "Honestly Ron, I was not that bad. Hurry up and eat. I want to get to Defense before everyone else to size up the new professor."
Ron winked at Harry as he grabbed a piece of toast. Harry gave him a look.
"We still have half an hour before class. Plenty of time to eat and annoy the new teacher." Ron said nonchalantly.
They ate quickly, Hermione keeping them on a tight schedule and the trio found themselves in the Defense class almost ten minutes before class was to start.
Right away they noticed that the room had been reorganized. Umbridge had always had the desks in strict rows, offset so that no two people were directly next to each other. It had suited her 'teaching style' which involved a lot of quiet reading and never any talking. In contrast, this room looked like it was set up specifically for discussion, group work and movement. Rather than rows, the desks had been pushed to the side of the room allowing for a large space in the middle. It looked like all the desks had been formed into a large U shape. Even the professor's desk was swept off to the side. Additionally the desks had been pushed into pairs, leading the trio to conclude there would be some group work. Harry eyed the little golf sized glass balls that had been placed on each desk. All the posters from the ministry that had decorated the room last year had been removed, and were replaced with diagrams depicting different dark creatures and weapons.
Their teacher was nowhere to be found, so they moved into the room slowly taking in the changes. Harry smiled as Hermione nabbed the seat closest to the front and Ron sat down next to her.
"What's this little ball thing?" Ron reached his hand out as if to touch it, but Hermione slapped his hand away.
"I don't think we're supposed to touch that Ron. I'm sure she'll explain it to us when class starts." Said Hermione, matter-of-factly.
Harry grabbed the seat on the other side of Ron. "Well this room looks a lot better without all that ministry rubbish in here."
Hermione was looking around the room. "I wonder where Vance is? Class starts in 4 minutes."
A few other eager students were arriving to class settling into seats scatted around the room. Harry grimaced when he saw Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott settle opposite them. Clearly they were sharing this class with the Slytherins. That would cause some interesting classes, if they were going to be actually doing spell work.
A minute before the bell rung, Vance appeared. Her face looked stern, and she walked quickly to the center of the U. Without having to be told, all the students feel silent. It was clear to Harry, that like Snape and McGonagall, Vance had a definite classroom presence.
They all looked at each other for a moment. The Professors eyes moved around the room, taking in their various faces and seeming to note who had their papers and quill out. The bell sounded to signify the beginning of class and still they were silent. Harry hardly dared to breathe.
"Good morning. My name is Professor Vance and I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the next year, perhaps more if I am very lucky." She gave them a small smile and the tension in the room dropped slightly. Harry saw Ron shift into a more comfortable position. "I have been reviewing your previous years of education in this subject, and I would like to give you all fair warning that this class will be much more work they you have experienced in previous years. This is the first year of education following your OWLS and the work for your NEWTS begins now, so do not fool yourself into thinking this year you can slack off." She eyed them all carefully. Hermione was nodding along with her absentmindedly.
"Now before we begin the lesson, I would like to make one thing clear to you all: I am not interested in politics. That is to say, I have heard that Professor Umbridge was very vocal in her political beliefs. As far as you are all concerned I have none. I have heard a lot about this classes petulant for rivalry- and that rivalry is to end the moment you walk through my classroom doors." Ron and Harry glanced at each other. It seemed that Vance was going to be the complete opposite of Umbridge. "I do not play favorites to one Hogwarts house over the others. I could not care less where you have been sorted. I also am not interested in hearing about your family, your fame or your political beliefs- none of those things will curry favor with me. There is only one way to get a good grade in my class and that is to work hard. If you show up, work hard and focus on your own success I am sure we will all get along just fine. We will be doing a lot of group and partner work and I will not censor who people work with. I have no patience for petty school rivalry. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a half second of silence where the Gryffindor's and the Slytherin's glared at each other across from the U shaped desks, and then they were all mumbling a hasty "yes, Professor." Harry's stomach dropped at the idea of having to work any of the Slytherin's in class; that was bound to end badly. The teacher had turned towards the chalk board and was writing something on it, bringing an end to her introductory speech.
"So much for her being friends with Dumbledore." Whispered Ron.
"Mr. Weasley, I'll kindly ask that you only talk when given permission." Said Vance, effectively cutting off all the whispers around the room.
Ron's eyes widened. "How did she know my name?" he hissed at Hermione
"That will be your second warning Mr. Weasley. Any more talking out of turn and I will have to take points from Gryffindor." She turned from the board, having finished what she had written. "However, I should point out that it is rather hard to be simply another face in the crowd when the Weasley family hair is so distinctive."
Ron's cheeks flamed red, and Harry saw Malfoy snickering across the room.
"Mr. Malfoy I would not be so quick to laugh when your own family has a similarly distinctive trait." Said Vance without skipping a beat. Both boys looked rather offended at their families being compared in anyway. Vance continued without concern. "We will be covering disguises and appearances later on in the year."
She eyed the room of students. About half were glaring across their desk at their rival house and the other half were leaning disinterestedly on their desks daydreaming. "I believe I wrote something on the board. Whatever I write, you write. If I were you I would get out a quill and some ink. I have never seen such an unprepared sixth year class."
There was a scramble for ink and parchment.
"Now I am sure you are all curious about the item on your desk it is called an adjutor ..."
What followed was a half hour lecture, as they all scrambled to write everything down. Harry didn't even have time to glare at Malfoy, as he was so busy making sure he didn't miss anything the teacher said. It turned out that an adjutor (Latin for helper) was a small device that could be used to help measure their progress. Each student had to label their device and cast all the defensive spells they knew into it. From there the adjutor could tell them their level and what they needed to improve on. Hermione was practically vibrating with excitement about the whole thing.
"Seems like a cop out to me." Said Ron, over lunch. They were busy analyzing every moment of their defense class.
"Definitly not." Countered Hermione. "Don't you see? This can only make it a more efficient class! She can't possibly watch us all casting at the same time. This way we can practice new spells on the adjutor and she can review them later to see who was struggling. She can also use it to see which spells we already know. It's very useful, I don't know why we don't use it in all our classes."
Harry shrugged. "I'm just happy that this year it looks like we will be casting spells instead of just reading about it."
"Yeah, but what about that speech at the beginning of class about not having a political view?" Ron shoved in a mouthful of shepherd's pie. "I 'ean-we 'dnow tha she's in da 'order."
"For goodness sake, close your mouth when you eat, Ron." Said Hermione making a face. "She's just trying to establish that she will grade on work, not favoritism. I think it's a good thing."
"Well, At least she's not going to be like Snape." Said Harry
"No," Said Ron, "It seems like she is equally prickly to everyone."
Harry laughed. "Well it's definitely better than Umbridge. And it looks like we might even learn something-surprise, surprise."
Hermione beamed at him. "I can't wait to really get into things. That class on disguises seems really interesting."
"We are going to drown in all the homework." Muttered Ron, into his pumpkin juice.
As the week wore on it did seem increasingly more likely that Ron's prediction would come true. Vance was not the only teacher that seemed to feel that just because they did not have any Major Wizard Exams this year that they could relax. The sixth years were receiving more homework than ever. On top of that practically every night Harry had an extra class, whether it be defense or Occlumency.
Luckily he was improving at Occlumency, and as a consequence the lessons were becoming shorter. Some nights he was only down in Snape's office for 1 hour letting the potions master break into his mind. His extra defense classes on the other hand, were a completely different story. Now that Harry could finally use magic the classes had advanced beyond simply dodging curses or strategizing. His teachers expected him to use all the strategy and spells they had taught him over the summer to dodge their attacks. To be faced with Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape was something that Harry thought most Wizards would blanch at, and for good reason. They always left him bruised and sore, pushing him to his limits with no mercy. Harry knew that it was all for a good cause, that one day these tactics would keep him alive, but that didn't preventing him from hating them when he had to get up early in the morning to do his exercises.
By Friday he was ready to collapse. He had 2 essays due by Monday that he hadn't even looked at and a potion he had to memorize for Snape's next class. He had barely had any time to spend with his friends, between their prefect's duties and Harry's extra classes Ron and Hermione had almost become strangers. What was even more confusing was that when he did finally see them, Harry was so out of the loop that he missed half of their jokes.
"Mr. Potter a moment please."
Harry groaned. He was on his way to lunch and he was starving. That morning he had finished his charms homework instead of eating breakfast and his stomach was protesting loudly.
Ron gave him a look of sympathy. "We'll save you a spot."
"Thanks." Harry threw his knapsack over his shoulder and moved to Professor McGonagall's desk. "What did you want to see me about, professor?"
She smiled at him. "Nothing to be concerned about. I just wanted to make sure that you were doing well and give you…" she reached in to his drawer. "This."
She handed him a small badge that was a polished Gryffindor gold. Emblazed on the front was the word 'captain.'
McGonagall beamed at him. "I expect another quidditch cup in Gryffindor's future. Things were rather tricky last year, but we still managed to pull through. I expect with our start seeker back we will be unstoppable."
Harry stared down at the small badge. It was light in his hand, but even still the responsibility of it felt heavy. Of course he had played quidditch for years, but being captain was something altogether different. There were tryouts to organize and plays to plan, as well as fighting for practice time on the pitch. Just thinking about the extra time he did not have to work on quidditch made his heart hammer. "Thank you professor."
"I expect a win Mr. Potter." McGonagall winked. "I have a nice little wager with Professor Snape. I know that you will make sure my whisky cabinet has another bottle in by the end of the year."
Harry licked his lips. "Thank you professor. But-But I can't accept the title."
The Gryffindor head of house gave him a startled look. "You are the most senior player on the team now Mr. Potter, not to mention one of the best seekers we have ever had grace the halls of Hogwarts, by all rights the post is yours."
"I know." Harry gulped. It was so hard to turn her down. He knew it was the right thing, but the confused look on her face made it almost impossible. As if he was not the person she expected him to be. "It's just that, it's only been the first week and I'm already falling behind in my studies. I don't know if professor Dumbledore told you but I'm taking some extra classes in defense training. Between regular school work, and my extra classes-to add in being quidditch captain would just be too much."
She pursed her lips. "I was unaware that you had so much on your shoulders. Your studies must come first of course." She took back the badge. "Well then, do you have any suggestions on who should be appointed captain if not you?"
"I think you should give it to Ron." Said Harry, and he continued hastily at her blank look. "I mean, I know he had some trouble last year, but he has gotten really good as keeper. In some ways he's a much better choice than me. I'm off in my own world looking for the snitch, but he knows what goes on in the thick of it. Not to mention that he's been studying quidditch since he could sat on a broom. He knows all the strategies and stuff more than me anyway."
She looked thoughtful. "Very well then. Off you go to lunch, Potter."
Harry turned, feeling a moment a relief. One less thing to worry about.
"Mr. Potter?"
He spun back around, hoping she wouldn't be long and he could go get his lunch.
"Do let me know if things are getting too much for you. Arrangements can be made should you be overwhelmed."
She looked so sincere that for a moment Harry felt bad about not going to her for more help last year. "Thanks professor."
Before his transfiguration teacher could hold him up any longer Harry scurried towards the door. Within 2 minutes he was down in the great hall, falling into a seat next to Ron. He hadn't even taken the time to drop off his bag in Gryffindor tower.
"What was that about?" Said Ron, passing him a platter of sandwiches.
Harry shrugged. "She just wanted to check up on me, make sure I wasn't overwhelmed with all the extra work."
Harry grabbed a ham sandwich and smiled at his friends. He was hopeful that McGonagall would give Ron the position as captain, and he didn't want his friend to feel like he was the second choice (even if he was).
There was a silence that fell over them all. Harry noticed that both Ron and Hermione were pointedly not talking about their next three hour block for the ingenuim Ceremony. That was fine by him, he would rather silence to the bickering. Things had been so lovely with everyone getting along.
"Mr. Weasley a word."
Professor McGonagall was standing right behind them. She had just come into the great hall, and it looked like she had detoured to take the students entrance. She gave Hermione and Harry a tight smile. Ron shoved the rest of his roast beef sandwich into his mouth and then moved to see the teacher.
"What on earth?" said Hermione, then her eyes fell on Harry. "What do you know? Out with it!"
Harry smirked. "I know something you don't know!" he sing songed.
"Harry!" She shrieked, seeming more amused than annoyed. "Tell me!"
He stuck out his tongue at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Very mature."
"I know something you don't know." Harry sang again, earning himself a playful glare.
"Fine. Keep your secrets. I have a feeling I'll know soon enough." She turned back to her food and propped up her defense textbook on a jug of pumpkin juice.
She hadn't even had the chance to read through the full page before Ron was coming towards them with a big smile on his face. "I can't believe it! I got quidditch Captain!"
Hermione closed her book and gave him a large smile. "Congratulations Ron! That's great!"
Ron clapped Harry on the back. "Harry you wanker. I can't believe you turned down the position!"
"You'll be a better captain then me. You know way more about strategy then I ever could." Said Harry, cursing McGonagall for telling Ron that he had been offered the post first.
Ron laughed. "I was arguing that you should be given it, and McGonagall told me to shut up." He looked at Harry as he sat back down. "Thanks mate. I really appreciate it."
Hermione was giving them both a funny smile.
Harry shrugged, unsure how to respond. "Wait till you tell the twins."
Ron beamed. "I expect mum and dad will be pretty pleased too."
The rest of lunch time flew by. Harry and Ron huddled together to start planning for the next season and Hermione listening indulgently. Ron was full of ideas and already drew up a short list of potential players. It seemed like in no time Harry was headed down to the dreary Dungeons for his first Ingenium class.
Snape was waiting for them with his usual scowl on his face. He was standing by the desk and looked impatient for everyone to arrive. Harry noticed that Draco Malfoy was already there seated in the front row. In the desk behind him sat the other Slytherin in their group Tracy Davis. Not wanting to be too close to his rival, Harry picked a strategic seat in the middle of the room. It felt strange to sit in the middle of an almost empty classroom.
Terry Boot was the last person to arrive. Harry noticed that Terry seemed a lot less dubious about their classmates then he did. The Ravenclaw slid into a seat at the front opposite the aisle from Malfoy.
"I will not waste time explaining to you all the type of decorum I expect in my classroom." Said Snape without preamble. "This class will be very different than any other you will take at Hogwarts. Besides the obvious difference of it being a much smaller class size, this class is also specifically designed to prepare you for your coming of age ceremony. The Ingenium Ceremony is an ancient and respected ritual, as such I will be drawing on ancient methods to prepare you all for what you will face at the end of the year. Additionally, this course will be much more informal than any other course. You have been designated 3 hours each week for class, however class will consist mostly of personal projects rather than strict lecture."
Terry boot raised his hand.
"Mr. Boot?"
"What kind of personal projects? I couldn't find out much about the ritual when I looked in the library."
"I will be introducing one such project today." Said Snape. "The projects will vary and will all center on preparing you for the ceremony. There will be research to do, potions to memorize and even a dance portion."
Internally Harry groaned. He was not good at research, potions or dancing. If they needed him to do all those things to get 'the power Voldemort knows not', they might as well surrender now. He noticed that neither Malfoy nor Davis looked at all surprised by the requirements. Harry was sure that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy would prepare their son for such an ancient right.
"As I stated previously," Continued Snape, unaware of Harry's increasingly sure view that Trelawney was correct in all her predictions of his death. "This class draws on the ancient rites, and therefore we will be doing preparations in a different room. Anyone care to explain why?"
Malfoys hand was up in a shot. The blond looked positively board by the whole thing. "This classroom is located below ground. While the element of earth is favorable for potions making, for the kind of ritual we are preparing for we require all four elements present."
Harry thought about that for a moment. He had never considered that the potions classroom was in the dungeons for a reason- it had always just seemed so fitting that the dreariest subject was in a dark dreary place. But it did make sense. Potions used many ingredients that came from the earth, and after hearing about the power of the elements from Narcissa he saw the logic of it. He wondered if there were any other subtle things about classroom placement that he had never noticed. For example the charms classroom looked out onto the lake- had that been by design? It has always seemed strange that they made students run around so much to get from class to class. When he was younger Harry had wished that they had put all the class in one or two hallways and called it a day. But now he began to realize that there was a method to the madness.
"Excellent. Ten points to Slytherin." Snape drawled. "We will be moving rooms, please pay attention to the directions as any further class will take place there, and I do not take kindly to tardy students."
They all stood and filed out of the classroom after Snape. Malfoy was steadfastly ignoring Harry since the run in they had had earlier in the week, which suited him just fine. Harry fell into step next to Terry. They didn't dare talk- Snape was sure to complain about that even though they were just walking through empty corridors, but they exchanged tentative smiles. Snape led them to the nearest stair well and up they went. Harry counted five staircases before they stopped. They were higher than the Transfiguration classroom, but still much lower then Divination. Snape led them down a corridor for several minutes, before opening a seemingly random classroom.
They all filed in. Harry hastily took note of a painting of a rather beautiful woman to the right of the door before walking in. The class had obviously not been chosen at random. The room had one table pushed to the side, with five chairs around it. In the middle of the room was a small circle of pillows with a kind of fire pit in the middle. Snape took a seat on one of the pillows and the students began to follow suit. Luckily Harry ended up wedged between Terry Boot and Tracy Davis.
Once everyone had settled in Snape began to talk once again. "Next week please come directly to this classroom. We will be the only people using this room, please feel free to use it outside of class time, however I ask that you not bring friends here. This space is strictly for you four."
Everyone around the room nodded. Harry thought about how nice it would be to have a place to come study alone. He hoped that he won't run into Malfoy here, but he may be willing to risk it for the solitude. Also these pillows were incredibly comfy.
"I would like to begin each class with meditation. I encourage you to meditate every day for your own benefit. You will be required to meditate for quite a time during your Ingenium Ceremony. Are you all familiar with how to draw on your power through meditation?"
To Harry's surprise everyone answered with a calm 'yes sir'. From what the Malfoy's had told him, he was sure that Draco would have been taught medication. He had assumed maybe Davis had also learned meditation techniques, as any good Slytherin pureblood. But Terry Boot's comfort with meditation was a small shock. Terry was a half-blood, so Harry assumed that it would not be as important to his family.
Malfoy was giving Harry a confused angry look. Harry glared back.
"Good." Said Snape, interrupting the sixth year's looks. "I am going to light a fire in the middle. You may wish to take of your cloak. As you may have noticed I have opened the window as well, the goal of course being to bring in the four elements. This room also looks out onto the lake."
Harry shrugged off his cloak and allowed himself to fall into the now familiar feeling of meditation. It too him a moment to feel comfortable relaxing so much with the company in the room, but soon he felt himself whisked away. His magic rose up to meet him. He could feel it flow all through him, stronger than ever before. It definitely seemed like his magic was responding to the presence of the four elements, he could feel it almost dancing with contentment.
He wasn't sure how long they sat there, whenever he meditated time seemed unimportant. Especially with feeling his magic so strong, Harry felt like he would have been fine with staying there all night. Snape, on the other hand, had things for them to do.
"Excellent. Please take a moment to pull yourselves back to the present."
It did take Harry a moment to pull himself back into the halls of Hogwarts and away from the alluring pull of his magic shifting around him. When he did finally blink himself back, he noticed that Davis and Malfoy were still sitting with her eyes. Harry took a moment to evaluate the Slytherins without them looking. They both looked so innocent and calm. Malfoy had leaned back on the pillows so that he was almost lying down. He had obviously slipped down and his shirt had ridden up. A small area of pale flesh peaked out from between his shirt and trousers. Malfoy moved and Harry quickly averted his eyes to Snape.
"Very good, I can feel the magic moving throughout the room." Said Snape, and everyone sat a little taller. Snape never gave unnecessary praise. "The first order of business involves researching and preparing yourselves for the powers you may be inheriting. This part of the preparation can be tedious, but is very necessary. Imagine for a moment that you inherit an animagus skill, yet you have not prepared for it. Your magic would be seeking a transformation, but you would lack the practical knowledge to help yourself and it may result in a possibly life threatening situation."
Terry Boot raised his hand.
Snape waved his hand down. "No need to raise your hand, Mr. Boot. This class will be much more informal then potions."
"Will we have to research all of our potential powers, sir?" Said Terry, pulling out a note book from his bag as if ready to get started this second.
"You will." Replied Snape. "This may take longer for some of you then others. The first several month of our time together will be dedicated to making sure that you are able to have the theoretical knowledge to accompany any talent you receive. I expect a small essay on the details of each of your potential talents."
"But Sir?" Said Harry, before he could think. He bit his lip when everyone turned to face him expectantly. "Isn't that kind of the point? That these powers are instinct and you don't have to study for them?"
Malfoy snorted as if he had asked a stupid question, but Harry took heart in the fact that Boot and Davis both looked interested in Snape's answer.
"Yes and no, Mr. Potter." Snape was looking at Harry encouragingly, well encouragingly for Snape. "These powers will be instinct to you, however you have to have the rudimentary skills necessary to control them. These are not skills that you have grown up with and you will have a sudden new power entering your system. Consider if you should gain the power of Legilimency and you had no training what-so-ever. It would be natural to reach out and look into people's minds, but you would not know how to stop or how to filter the information you are seeing. It can be a very dangerous thing. Of course you are not required to become experts in all your potential inherences, but I do require a rudimentary knowledge. Further training will come once you have your talent."
Snape sighed and gave them all a considering look. "Perhaps an apt metaphor would be that you are quite a gifted flier, however you are still required to go to quidditch practice and study strategy to be an effective player. Simply having an instinct for something does not mean you can control it."
Harry smiled at the Gob smacked look on Malfoys face. Snape had definitely softened over the summer, but even Harry never would have guessed that his potions teacher would have admitted that he was a gifted quidditch player.
Snape seemed more than happy to move on quickly to the next subject. "If you did not bring your familiae haereditatem with you, I suggest that you send word home. It will be invaluable in your research. I will require a list from each of you of all the potential talents you could receive. This information will remain confidential. All teachers working as mentors are required to take an oath of secrecy. I expect this list by the next time we meet. You may use the rest of this period to begin your research. I will remain here until the end of the period should you have any questions. Please feel welcome to leave for the library should you need."
The dismissal was clear and everyone began to move at once. Terry smiled at Harry before leaving to sit at the table with some books and parchment. Davis stood and grabbed her bag, wasting no time to get to the library. Malfoy lazily pulled a paper out of his bag and handed it to Snape. It was clear that the prat had already done the list for Snape.
As Harry watched Snape took the parchment and cast a spell on it. Although he could not see the text from where he sat, Harry could see the black scrawl disappear. He assumed that Snape must have put some sort of enchantment on it so that only he could read it. This must be part of the Confidentiality oath.
When Malfoy had moved off Harry moved forward. "Sir…umm…I don't have my familiae haereditatem. What is that and where do I get it?" "Of course you don't have it." Snape's voice did not sound sarcastic, just matter if fact. "A familiae haereditatem is a document that Purebloods keep detailing their family history and talents."
Harry nodded. He had heard Ron mention before that most pure-blood families kept detailed accounts of family lineage, but he had never thought there was an actual practical reason for it. He had always assumed that it was just some papers that they could wave in people's faces as proof of how pure they are.
Having such a document certainly appealed to Harry. He didn't know anything about his family history on the Potter side. He didn't know too much on the Even's side either, only catching what his aunt had said casually over the years, but the Potter's side was an even bigger mystery. The only problem was he did not think he had the Potter familiae haereditatem. A chill went down Harry's spine-what if it had been at Godric's Hollow on the night of his parent's death? What if it was destroyed? How was he ever supposed to get the 'power-the-dark-lord-knows-not' if he did not even know what he was inheriting?
"I don't have anything like that, sir." Said Harry, mouth dry.
"A document such as this is normally kept in the family vault at Gringotts." Said Snape. "I suggest you ask someone you trust to go to the Potter vault and retrieve it for you."
Harry let out a breath. Of course! They wouldn't keep something that valuable hanging around the house. He would ask Remus to go get it for him. "Okay. Thanks sir. I'll ask Remus to pick it up."
"As long as I have that list by next Friday, Potter." Said Snape, with an air of impatience.
Harry smiled and moved to the table. He smiled at Terry and pulled out some parchment to write a letter to Remus. He didn't fancy research all that much, but if he was researching his family maybe he found the first research project he could enjoy.
A/N: I am so sorry for the wait between chapters! Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks I had 2 family members in the hospital. Happy to report that it looks like they will both be fine. To make up for it I have an extra long chapter. Thanks for reading and please review!