By Reason of Insanity
A/N:I don't own Harry Potter or anything, that's all J.K. Rowling. I just own this silly plot. Enjoy!
Also, to Luxraylover: You were the inspiration to push through and update this chapter. I had gotten caught up with life and forgotten that there were faithful readers out there, waiting patiently for the next chapter of this tale. And to you, Luxraylover, I dedicate this chapter! I hope it is up to your standards.
"No really, how did you do it?" Ron questioned as they sat down to lunch in the great hall.
"The book Slughorn gave me had writing from the previous owner in it. I just followed the tips." Harry explained quietly.
Harry felt another stab of guilt as he caught Hermione's glare from across the table.
"I suppose you think I cheated?" He huffed, replacing his guilt with irritation.
"He did his own work. He just followed different instructions than we did." Ron said, backing him up. "Right lucky if you ask me. He could have blown us all up!"
"My point exactly, Ronald! He shouldn't be taking instructions from an unknown source. You remember the diary!" Hermione snapped.
Harry returned her glare with a dark look of his own. "Everything turned out okay, didn't it? It's not like…y'know."
"Yes, but you don't know who wrote in it. It could be dark or cursed." She argued. "Let me see it!"
"No!" Harry exclaimed as he held it against his chest, suddenly fiercely protective over the book.
Hermione narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Harry James Potter, if you do not let me see that book I will go to….Scarlett. Or worse! Professor McGonagall!"
He matched her gaze with an icy one of his own before reluctantly handing her the ratty book, "Fine."
Hermione grasped the book firmly, looking as if she were afraid it would fall apart in her hands. Harry watched her closely as she began her initial inspection. He too took the opportunity to observe the appearance of the book. The cover was very well worn, and the binding was creased heavily, giving the impression that it had been opened many times. The pages also showed signs of extensive use. The once crisp white pages of the textbook were crinkled, worn thin and stained a sickly yellow from age. Harry watched nervously as Hermione set the textbook delicately on the table and waved her wand over it, mumbling incomprehensible incantations.
"It seems to be…just an old textbook." Hermione said dejectedly after a few moments.
Harry grinned in satisfaction, snatching the book back quickly. In his haste, he dropped it unceremoniously on the floor. As he bent to retrieve it, he noticed the same cramped, spiky scrawl on the back cover.
This Book is property of the Half-Blood Prince.
To any passerby, indecipherable shouts and angry mumblings could be heard coming from the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
"Dora, this situation is far more delicate than you would like to believe." Remus said with a forced calm.
Tonks' metamorphmagus abilities betrayed her, presenting her anger despite the steely mask of indifference she wore. The witch exuded a boiling rage with flaming red hair and deep crimson eyes.
"It is quite simple, actually. We need to interrogate him!" Nymphadora seethed, rounding on the werewolf.
"This is Harry Potter we are talking about!" Lupin shouted, finally losing his cool. "He is a seventeen year-old boy, the chosen one, our friend, and the son of my best friend! I am not about to approach the matter rashly."
Tonks held her angry glare for a few moments before deflating with her usual dramatic flair. Stepping back, she allowed her eyes and hair to fade to a more submissive mousy brown. She let out a frustrated sigh and plopped down in one of the highly uncomfortable chairs in the small office. Remus followed her lead and took the chair beside her and grasped her hand lovingly.
"I will talk to him, Dora. I promise you." He said, peppering her knuckles with light feathery kisses. "I loved Sirius too. And we'll figure all this out together. I have Harry next period."
Tonks sighed again and nodded in acknowledgement as she lazily observed the walls of the office, "You suck at decorating."
Sharp violet eyes followed the auror surreptitiously, keeping enough distance away to be able to observe, but also able to duck back into the forest if necessary. The only sounds came from the determined walking of the young woman and the faint rustle of leaves from the afternoon breeze. Bellatrix kept to the grassy edge of the forest, using the lush green blades to muffle the thud of her paws on the ground. She crept along the tree line carefully, keeping her trained eyes on the shocking bubble gum pink colored hair of her niece. She followed her closely as she tried to ascertain the reason behind the young woman's visit. Tonks navigated her way down the vast Hogwarts grounds to the front gate, presumably to apparition point. Bellatrix narrowed her eyes suspiciously. What was she doing here?
Tonks whipped around suddenly with her wand at the ready, immediately taking a defensive stance. The nagging sensation of being watched overwhelmed her auror trained senses. Bellatrix ducked quickly into the trees and sunk low to the ground, hoping the rough foliage provided enough covering to prevent the woman from seeing her white fur. The metamorphmagus searched the trees and rolling hills of the grounds, scanning for threats. Bellatrix watched as her niece slowly took a few steps backward before turning on her heel and disapparating with a soft 'pop'.
The white wolf stood and trotted down a few slopes directly in front of the castle, making her way to the black lake. They wouldn't be looking for her at Hogwarts already, would they? It was only two days ago that she had been discovered at Black Manor. Panic swelled deep in her chest before rationality quashed it where it grew. It wasn't possible. She reached the water's edge and sat back on her haunches, gazing pensively into the dark, placid surface. The mirror-like tranquility was disturbed only by the occasional rise and fall of the Giant Squid's tentacle as it lazily skimmed the surface. Immeasurable guilt replaced the previous panic. She had almost killed her niece at the Department of Mysteries. She had almost killed Nymphadora, her sister's daughter, just like she killed Sirius. 'When all of this is finally over, I will make it up to them.' She swore to her reflection before the water once again rippled, distorting her image. 'If I even survive.'
The Golden Trio navigated through the crowded hallways, pushing through the mass of students as they made their way to their next class. Ron and Hermione casually exchanged thoughts on who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor might be while Harry quietly flipped through the notes of the Half-Blood Prince. Squinting, he struggled to read the messy writing jammed in one of the margins.
'Muffliato' –For privacy
"I'm pregnant. We decided to name the baby Severus after professor Snape," Said Hermione's voice, suddenly weaving its way through his thoughts.
"That's nice." He mumbled distractedly, bringing the book closer to his face.
"Severus Jr. to be exact. Professor Snape is the father." Hermione said sarcastically in exaggerated tones as she attempted to acquire Harry's attention.
"Okay, sounds good."
"Harry!" Hermione admonished, pushing the book away. "You haven't listened to a word we've said, have you?"
Harry looked up only because of the dainty hand that covered the page.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
Ron and Hermione leveled him with an even stare before gesturing to the open door of the classroom.
"We're here, mate." Ron answered as he pushed his friend into the room.
They entered the familiar, circular classroom behind a few other students. The classroom was empty save for the rows of chairs and desks. They found a cluster of desks toward the back behind another group of Ravenclaws. To their left was another group of Gryffindors, Neville included. At the front of the class was a cluster of Hufflepuffs and a rather large group of Slytherins. Just as they had made themselves comfortable, the large wooden door to the classroom shut behind them as their new professor descended the stairs from his office at the front of the room, effectively beginning the lesson.
"Welcome sixth years to your NEWT level Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Congratulations to all of you for achieving the exam scores necessary to be here!"
Gasps and murmurs spread across the room like wildfire.
"Harry, it's…" Hermione hissed to them excitedly.
"Professor Lupin!" Harry finished for her, a wide grin lighting his face.
A/N: School is out for the summer! College has been hectic, but hey, it's college. I hope to crank out some chapters for you all real soon once I get settled back home. 3