An unfamiliar black owl dropped a letter onto Harry's empty plate and soared back through the high open window without stopping.

"Tea?" Hermione asked Harry as he opened and read his letter. Ron was leaning down close to his breakfast, eating quickly as usual.

"Mm. Thanks," Harry said without looking up. Ginny sat next to Harry, one leg tucked under her as she read the Daily Prophet, eating her toast in small bites. Hermione watched Harry as she poured the tea. She thought of those nights with him in the tent after Ron had left. She could no longer recall Ron leaving, but she definitely remembered how kind Harry had been to her after. How he'd wrapped her in a blanket as she sobbed as she was still soaking from the rain.

Could that be what the dream had been about? How he cares for her?

"Woah, careful there," Harry said, flicking his wand before his over-poured tea spilled onto the table.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something," Hermione said quietly, setting the teapot down with a dull thud.

"When are you ever not?" Ron said with his mouth full of bacon.

"Oh Hermione had a sex dream this morning," Ginny said off-handedly without looking up from the Daily Prophet.

"Ginny!" Hermione swatted Ginny's hand.

"What?" Ginny shrugged. Hermione glanced to Harry and then to Ron. Ron had stopped eating and Harry was sitting very still. "Oh you three need to relax. I mean… come on…," Ginny said, "It's no big deal."

"I- er-" Harry said, standing and stepping back over the bench, "I have to get ready to teach-" He glanced toward the huge double doors to the Great Hall.

"Harry, sit down and finish your breakfast," Ginny said, pulling him toward her by his hand. He did as she asked. It was quiet for a few minutes before Ginny broke the silence, "Sorry, I guess I never quite got the dynamic between you three…"

"It's okay," Hermione said at the same time that Harry said, "It's nothing." Ron said nothing but only continued eating, though it was quite obvious that his ears were beet red.

Hermione tried to push the thoughts of her dream away but they kept pushing back. She tried to recite the first page of Hogwarts, a History to herself in her head but the dream popped into her head again like a movie: silk sheets and the look on Harry's face in her mind's eye kept rewinding and replaying itself. What was wrong with her?

After it was quiet for a moment, Harry cleared his throat as though he meant to speak. Hermione looked up, as did Ginny.

"The owl was from Rita Skeeter. She wants to do a follow up on the end of the battle…"

"Oh, do you think you'll do it?" Hermione asked. Ron was listening for his answer, but Ginny seemed to have lost interest and instead was reading again.

"I don't know. I guess so?"

"Is there anything else to say though? It's over, isn't it?" Ron said, taking another bite of his eggs.

"I suppose…" Harry shrugged.

Hermione's mind was wandering which was an unusual feeling for her. Her period was almost a week late and it never had been before. Not since the first time she'd gotten it during second year. Does pregnancy cause sex dreams? She made a mental note to check the library for medical texts.

Ginny was the one to break the silence again, "Oh, by the way there's going to be some sort of memorial service on Halloween out on the grounds. In the Forbidden Forest I think? Luna told me."

"I don't want to do any more funerals. We've had enough of that at the beginning of summer, didn't we?" Ron said, shaking his head as he looked down at his empty plate.

Hermione shrugged, "I suppose it'd be good to go but it isn't being led by a professor. The flyer on the board in the Common Room only said it was being led by Slytherin… Sounds a bit odd to me."

"I'll go. I should go," Harry said, glancing at Ginny and then down at his tea and then back at Ginny again. He gave her a half-smile and nodded a little awkwardly. "Well, I've finished my breakfast, Miss. May I be excused?"

Hermione was instantly, inexplicably jealous of the smile that Harry and Ginny then exchanged.

"Yes, you may," Ginny said, leaning forward and pecking him with a kiss on his cheek, "You've been a good boy. Now go teach your naughty students not to do any dabbling in the Dark Arts."

"Yes, Miss," he said. Hermione watched Harry's face fall slightly as he looked back across the table to Hermione and Ron, "See you."

"Ehm," Hermione said and coughed. Ron slapped her back a few times as he obviously assumed she was choking. "Thanks," she said quietly to Ron.

"Well, shall we head off to the greenhouses?" Ginny said, folding up her newspaper.

"You go ahead, Gin," Ron said, "Hermione hasn't touched her breakfast. We'll see you there."

"Right-o," Ginny said, and she got up from her seat and left. Hermione looked down at her plate and felt a little nauseous.

"So, what's wrong?" Ron asked as Ginny walked away.

"Nothing's wrong," Hermione replied immediately, almost as a reflex.

"'Mione."

"Ron."

"Fine, I'm not going to do this thing that girls do to perfectly well-meaning blokes. You just tell me when you're ready then, yeah? I can wait."

"How would you even know-" Hermione started but stopped herself. Was Ron comparing her to Lavender Brown? Lavender was dead… did that mean Hermione wasn't allowed to be annoyed any longer by the fact that they'd dated? "Oh, never mind." Hermione swung her leg over the bench so she was facing away from Ron, gathered up her bag and stomped away. Ron quickly caught up.

"Alright, I'll play," Ron said and pulled her bag from her shoulder and carried it for her without asking if she wanted him to. It was simultaneously annoying and sweet. "What's wrong? Please, tell me what's wrong. Was it something I said? I'm sorry."

"Why must something be wrong?" She wished Ron wasn't so observant when it came to her. He wasn't a really observant person when it came to school. He only ever seemed to notice things he wasn't supposed to.

"Is this about your sex dream that Ginny mentioned? Are you embarrassed or something? You know, I've had those dreams about you loads of times. I had the first one about you after the Yule Ball of course. I had a dream that you came to me afterward and-"

"Such things just, just, they're not proper to talk about, alright! Anyway, that's not what's bothering me. Please, drop it. I'll tell you later," Hermione said, feeling her face redden. She was very aware of how they were walking amongst the other students in the hallway. As Head Girl and Head Boy they really shouldn't be talking about such things at all, let alone where anyone could hear.

"Oh, okay. Got it. Sorry," Ron said quietly. They didn't speak again until they were just about to enter the greenhouse when Ron leaned close to her ear, brushing tendrils away as he whispered, "I just hope that the dream was about me and not, you know, someone else." Hermione tripped to a stop when he said this. He let her stop and he went ahead and sat down next to his sister in the greenhouse. Hermione pretended to be looking for something in her bag, took a few calming breaths, and then walked slowly to the seat next to Ron and sat down.

Harry's morning with the third and then the fourth years passed quickly. The older students took their studies a little more seriously than the younger students and were ready to learn. There were a few questions about his past year but nothing that he wasn't prepared to answer this time.

As he walked to lunch, his mind strayed to Hermione. He suspected that the dream had been about him and not Ron. He wondered if his Memory Charm over the summer had worked on her but there was no possible way to find out, short of using Legilimency on her.

He could come clean and just tell her the truth too, he knew. But who would benefit from that? Hermione seemed happy. A little confused this morning, yes, but happy generally.

Was he only being self-centered? Knowing Hermione, she probably spilled that tea this morning because she was thinking about how she hadn't finished her second full-read of the herbology textbook prior to class or something.

Still, Harry was dreading seeing her for some reason. Especially with Ron around. What if his instinct was right and it was about him?

Was he only turning into his father? The thought simultaneously made him feel a little proud and completely arrogant. Was he-Harry-simply being egotistical in thinking that everyone around him was so effected by him?

Harry veered off toward the front double doors of the Entrance Hall before entering the Great Hall for lunch. It wouldn't kill him to skip a meal. He ate more at Hogwarts in one day than he had in a week sometimes at the Dursleys.

A walk by the lake would help clear his head… The day was cool. It felt like autumn.

Far on the other side of the water, Harry could spy Dumbledore's grave. Harry squinted in the weak sunlight as he walked and found himself thinking about the Deathly Hallows.

Harry knew that there were so many details from this past year that he hadn't yet let himself think over or really process at all. It was all a jumbled mess inside of a locked box in his head. But this one thing, while he was alone for now, he decided he'd let himself think about.

Dumbledore knew that Harry would have to willingly sacrifice himself for the horcrux inside him to die. So Dumbledore wanted Harry to be the master of death in order to have a better chance at survival. Because why? Because he felt guilty? Because he loved Harry?

"Why didn't he just tell me? Why make me…" Harry whispered to himself as he came nearer to the Whomping Willow, making sure to keep a safe distance from its branches, "I refuse to believe he didn't know…"

It crossed Harry's mind-only just for a second: where had he dropped the Resurrection Stone? Maybe he could ask Dumbledore some more questions… He suddenly felt something akin to panic. So many people were gone… so many answers were gone…

"Alrigh' there Harry?" came a familiar voice from some metres away off toward the Forbidden Forest. Harry's gaze snapped up and as expected, Harry saw Hagrid.

"Hagrid, hello!" Harry said, in a falsely cheerful tone. He strode toward Hagrid. "Yes, I'm alright. Was just thinking some things over."

Hagrid was carrying a few dead rabbits toward his hut. Harry caught up with him and tried to match pace. It was only just possible because Hagrid was walking slowly.

"Yeah," Hagrid said, once Harry had caught up with him, "I 'spect you have lots o' thinkin' ter do. What, after last year and all."

"Mm. Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Yes, great day to be finishin' up some o' the gardens for the summer."

"I wouldn't know much about that. Unless you are working on muggle flowers… My aunt had me tend to hers from time to time."

"Muggle flowers? No, can't say I've got any o' those," Hagrid chuckled, "Can I offer yeh some tea?"

"I think I probably should be getting back up to the castle for my Transfiguration lesson, but thanks, Hagrid."

"Well, take a rain check then, 'arry. And," Hagrid patted Harry on the shoulder, "Don't worry yerself thinkin'. What's done is done. And there isn't anythin' ter do 'bout it."

"Thanks," Harry said, smiling. He didn't really know what Hagrid was trying to say, but Harry didn't ask. He really did have to go because the bell was sounding. Hagrid and Harry waved to one another and Harry hurried back up to the front entrance.

Harry was only just in time for the start of class. He took a seat alone in the back. Hermione was in her usual seat near the front and Ron was next to her. Ginny sat behind Hermione. And on the professor's desk in the front of the room, the Sorting Hat sat unmoving.

"Good morning," said Professor McGonagall. "This is a very important year for all of you. It is N.E.W.T. year. I expect a lot from each and every one of you. It is my fervent wish that you do not disappoint me and do not disappoint yourselves." She scanned the room and then let a small smile play at the corner of her mouth. "Now, yes, you will notice that all four houses are combined for this class. Normally I would have you split by two houses each but as I am splitting my own time between continuing to teach as well as acting as Head Mistress, I saw fit to combine this class as there are only twelve of you continuing with your N.E.W.T."

Harry glanced around and found that indeed, Zacharias Smith was here. As was Luna. And Draco Malfoy…

"With that out of the way, let's get started. I am going to use the Sorting Hat to sort you into pairs. I will start with the back corner and work my way up until everyone is sorted. Come on then, Potter. You first."

Harry shrugged and got up. He supposed in the past this sort of thing would have made him nervous, but why be worried? What could this possibly entail?

As he walked to the front of the classroom, Professor McGonagall continued speaking to the class.

"You will be partnered with one other student until Christmas break, wherein you will then take your midterm examination. After break, you will have a new partner. This is because the magic that you will be performing necessarily requires a person to perform it on and not an object or animal."

Harry stood at the front of the classroom, facing the class. He crossed his arms over his chest. As Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat onto his head, he was surprised that it seemed to fit now.

He hoped he wouldn't be paired with Seamus just because he didn't particularly fancy a new life as a partially transfigured toad or water goblet.

"Ahh, Mr. Potter," said the Sorting Hat inside Harry's head. "What secrets have you? They fester like an unhealing wound. I think it best…" and then aloud, the Sorting Hat announced: "Hermione Granger!"

Harry felt his heart plummet into his stomach. Why did this have anything to do with festering secrets?

He wished that the summer had never happened.

"Next, Mr. Thomas." Harry walked back to his seat without looking at Hermione, or anyone else.

After Dean was paired with Seamus, Luna was paired with Ron.

"Mr. Malfoy," called Professor McGonagall. Malfoy stood with the hat on his head for at least a whole minute before it came to a decision.

"Ginny Weasley," said the Sorting Hat. Harry's automatic reaction to this news was that he should try to stop it and protect her, but as he watched him take his seat again, he knew that there was nothing to do. Ginny didn't seem fazed at all, nor did Malfoy.

Soon, everyone was sorted into pairs.

"Now, for the duration of the semester, in addition to the course work normally assigned, you and your partner will be learning to perform Occlumency and Legilimency. In light of recent events, I have been contacted by multiple different departments at the Ministry asking that we begin teaching this to our N.E.W.T. students. As Occlumency is traditionally a Transfiguration of the mind when you attempt to close it, it has been added to this course instead of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

She flicked her wand and instructions as to how to perform Occlumency and Legilimency appeared on the chalkboard, written in blue chalk.

"Potter, you've done this before. Please come to the front of the class."

Now Harry really was nervous. As he made his way back up to the front, he glanced at the other students and ended up catching Ginny's eye. She winked at him. Harry pretended he didn't notice.

"Right, on the count of three. One, two, three."

"Proteg—" Harry began but Professor McGonagall was too fast. She was turning pages in his mind: she saw him break his leg in the stairs, saw him repairing the wall the muggle way in his parents' house in Godric's Hollow, saw him in bed with Ginny at the Burrow, he dropped the Ressurection Stone in the forest…

"Protego!" Harry slammed the pages of his mind shut. McGonagall stumbled back from the force of his spell.

"Well done," she said, righting herself from where she'd tripped back onto her desk. Her eyebrows raised as she gazed at him. Harry looked away, blushing at what she'd seen. He half wondered if she hadn't been somehow looking for such memories. Was it possible? Snape had never given him much instruction other than to simply close his mind… "Though I should remind you that when you take your practical examination for N.E.W.T.s, no verbal spells are allowed."

"At all?" Ron asked loudly.

"At all," said Professor McGonagall, "As you already had ample instruction in nonverbal spells during sixth year, this should not come as a shock. You may be seated again, Mr. Potter."

Harry walked back to his seat slowly without looking up. He felt as though the whole class had just seen him bare-bottom paddled by her. Really, no one really knew what she'd seen (though a few guessed, they didn't know they were right) but Harry was still uncomfortable with the feeling of his mind being opened up like that.

"For homework, read the chapters on Legilimency and Occlumency and write twelve inches on appropriate and inappropriate spells to protect against Legilimency to be submitted to me by next week. You will have a practical exam with your partner just before Christmas break on these topics as well as the other things we learn in the next weeks leading up to the exam. If you have time, I highly recommend reading ahead in your text during the semester as these topics are so challenging that they are beyond the magical scope of some witches and wizards.

"Now, you may use the rest of the period practicing. I will critique as I see necessary. Up and off you go."

There was the familiar groan of twelve wooden chairs against the cold stone floor as everyone stood. Then, the low mutterings as everyone found their partners. Harry couldn't help but watch Draco as he muttered something to Ginny, who tossed her shining red hair over her shoulder. She meant business.

"Right," said Hermione from Harry's right. He turned to face her. "Shall I go first? I've been practicing closing my mind since having read the chapters a few weeks ago but I can't be sure I've done it properly as I don't think anyone's tried to-"

Harry stepped out in a dueler's stance and hit her with the silent Legilimency spell. She stumbled and fell to the ground from the power of his spell, which surprised Harry. But then he realized he'd never actually done this to anyone before.

In Hermione's mind, Harry saw her cooking fish in the tent over the winter while watching Ron sleep, his arm still badly wounded from splinching… he saw her sitting in the corner of what looked to be a primary school classroom, the other girls taunted her about her wild hair and her buck teeth… it was dark and she was multiplying jars of blue flames, she saw Harry ahead, in bed…

Without any sign that she was fighting back, he lifted the spell from her.

"What, what was that?" Hermione said. Harry stepped forward and offered his hand and helped her up. "That last one."

"Search me," Harry said. He glanced over at Ron. He was laughing at something Luna had said and she was laughing too.

"I just need to gather my wits about me. Give me a moment," Hermione said, rubbing her back. "I don't remember falling. You caught me quite unaware, Harry."

"Sorry." He was watching Draco and Ginny, who were on the other side of the room. She was kneeling down before Draco, who was lying on the floor in profile to Harry. She offered Draco her hand which he clasped and together they stood. Harry gritted his teeth and looked back down at Hermione.

"You alright?" Harry asked.

"Yes, thanks." She nodded. "Wow, that spell is a lot more powerful than I'd imagined. Like being punched. It'd an odd feeling, the intrusion into your mind. I'm glad I was paired with you and not someone I distrust."

"Yeah," Harry said, tapping her shoulder a few times in a poor show of solidarity. Harry watched as Hermione glanced at Draco and Ginny and then she looked quickly back at him. Harry shrugged.

In the memory, Ginny watched from Draco's point of view. It was the first day at Hogwarts and he was very nervous. Crabbe and Goyle were nearby but he wished they'd go away. They were difficult to carry on a conversation with.

Ahead, Draco saw the famous Harry Potter for the second time ever. Since meeting him in the robes shop, he soon after realized who he'd been speaking to. He'd promised himself that he'd try to make friends with him at school, even if Father did disapprove. Mother would think it was a great idea when he told her.

"So it's you, is it?" Draco was saying. Unfortunately, Harry was looking at Crabbe and Goyle though… Draco introduced them rather than be rude and tell them to leave. But then Ron laughed at Draco's name… Draco had always been embarrassed by his name. He wished he just had a normal name. He promised himself over and over since he was very little that he'd never name even a dog such a name as Draco or anything like it. Ever.

As soon as Draco held his hand out to Harry though, he knew he'd made a mistake. He wasn't sure what he'd said wrong. Father was always talking about those Weasleys and their recklessness at having so many kids with no way to pay for them all. Didn't everyone think so? He'd never known Father to lie…

But Potter seemed to have already befriended the Weasley. Just as well… if he wanted to have a charity case following him around, it wouldn't be Draco's problem…

And then Ginny lifted the Legilimency spell from Draco. He'd fallen to the floor.

"So I'm a charity case, am I?" Ginny said. She was kneeling over Draco.

"I'm not eleven anymore, so no you're not a charity case," he said. He took her offer of help and stood up again.

"It's alright," Ginny said, smirking at him. "I'm sure you're bound to see something equally as embarrassing… it's alright, have a go. It's your turn-"

As Hermione stepped back and raised her wand, Harry realized how incredibly bad this could go. What if one of them were to shout out to the class something that Hermione was supposed to have forgotten? What if Hermione remembered just enough of her tryst with Harry over the summer to start talking to Ginny, or worse, Ron, about it? What should he do?

Well, the only thing Harry had ever bested Hermione at when it came to studies was defensive magic. He'd just have to keep her from getting into his head. And he'd certainly have to be a lot more careful about what he looked at in her head.

She cast the spell and immediately a memory that Harry had all but forgotten flicked into the forefront of his mind.

Aunt Petunia was scolding him for not getting the dishes clean enough. She'd woken him from a nightmare and he'd wet the bed. She made him strip the sheets and wash them himself before getting up to scrub the pots and pans. It was the middle of the night…

Then another memory-Harry was in Godric's Hollow. Ginny was holding him as he cried.

With that, he firmed slammed her out of his head. She stumbled back from him.

"Wow Harry," Hermione said, righting herself. He knew she wanted to hug him but he didn't want her to. He gave a faint shake of his head and she simply half-smiled at him, as though she pitied him.

For once, he promised himself, he was going to try as hard as he could at Occlumency and Legilimency.