THE WAY THINGS SHOULD BE

Revised: November 12, 2013

Remus got to his feet as soon as he saw Cormac McLaggen take a swipe at his son's head. When Harry began to fall he- as well as Helena and Sirius ran out of the stands and onto the field. Luckily he was caught in the nick of time by fellow teammates Coote and Peakes; otherwise Harry would have been even more injured.

"Set him down here!" Remus instructed, pointing to an empty space on the field after Madam Hooch called for a break.

The two Beaters placed Harry on the grass- he was unconscious. Remus shook the boy's shoulder, calling his name but he wouldn't wake. Helena bent down next to him and waved her wand before gasping.

"We have to get him to the hospital wing now," she ordered.

"What is it?" Sirius asked, worry all over his face.

She didn't explain, she just conjured a stretcher and with the help of Remus and Sirius lifted the limp body onto it and carried if off to the castle.

His head was pulsing in tune to his heartbeat. He gave off a little groan; it was hard to wake up. But he had to- he heard the sounds of soft crying in the distance. It upset him; he didn't want to hear anyone cry. There was also a warm weight somewhere on his chest. Slowly, Harry finally cracked open his eyelids and found he was in the hospital wing. The sky outside was a deep purple- night had already fallen. The crying continued. Harry moved his head slightly and moaned again. This time it seemed to startle the person who was crying.

"H-Harry?" Hermione gasped.

"Hermione? What- I- what are you doing here?" he rasped.

In the distance three more figures turned around and hurried at his side. He could tell it was his family.

"How are you kiddo?" Sirius asked, looking somber.

"My head feels like crap, what happened?"

"You were hit in the head by McLaggen's Beater bat," Remus said carefully.

"What?" Harry cried.

"Yeah, he took a swing at you- on accident and whacked you in the head," Sirius said.

"But- but"-

"Madam Pomfrey says you cracked your skull," Remus said.

Harry growled. "I cannot believe it! I cannot believe he would do something like this to me!"

"It was an accident Harry, nobody purposely hurts their own team members," Remus said fairly.

"It doesn't matter! He was walking around everywhere, camping it up that he was this world-class Quidditch star and he goes and hits me in the head!" Harry called furiously, trying to sit up now.

"I don't think so young man," called a voice and the form of Poppy Pomfrey came into Harry's blurred view. "You just took a nasty blow to the head, you need to remain calm and not do anything extravagant for a while."

"But"-

"You aren't going to try and get revenge on him now are you?" Remus raised a brow.

"He hit me!"

"Harry, you heard Madam Pom-Pomfrey, you should rest," Hermione hiccupped.

All eyes turned on her. She was sitting up in a chair next to Harry's bed now. Sirius bit his lip.

"I think we should get ready to go home soon, we'll come by tomorrow all right kid?" Sirius said to Harry.

Harry said good-bye to Sirius, Helena, and Cayden before they left the wing with Remus.

"I have left-over dinner for you if you're hungry Harry," Poppy said, and placed a tray of hot stew and bread on his knees before giving the two a look and heading into her office.

"Hey mate, how are you?" called another voice.

Harry looked to the right of him and saw Ron smiling.

"I was going to say hi but well, your family got to you first. That must have been some fall you took. I heard yells and everything from up here. I was afraid what had happened. Then they brought you in."

Hermione dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "I should g-go."

"You can stay," Ron offered.

"No, I should go. I'll see you tomorrow maybe Harry," she sniffed and hurried out.

"Why'd you have to say that?" Harry said thought gritted teeth at the redhead.

"Say what?"

"She was just about to tell me something!"

"She was?"

"Yes, that's why everyone left."

Ron raised a brow. "Did you want her to tell you something?"

"Of course!"

"Even after two months of bitter resentment between the two of you?"

Harry opened his mouth then shut it. "Well I still wanted to know what she wanted to say regardless of everything."

Ron smiled. "I did hear the commentary though. You didn't tell me Luna would be doing it!"

"I didn't know," Harry said, finally placing his glasses on his nose.

Ron was grinning widely now. "Man, she was great. Really funny, I never knew! Loser's Lurgy- did you hear? Everyone thought so too. I should talk to her when I get out so she knows how well she did."

Harry couldn't help but feel a tiny tug at his lips. "Yeah, I think she might like that."

There was silence in the ward for a while before Harry finally decided to start on his late dinner. It was only then as he ate his beef stew that he realized his head was bound tightly in white bandages like a turban. On the right side of his skull in the back of his ear hurt the most. He figured that was where he was hit. He touched the spot gingerly and winced- it was painful and not quite as hard as he remembered it. When Harry finished his soup and placed the empty bowl on his nightstand Ron spoke up again.

"Hermione hasn't left your side all day," he said conversationally.

Harry looked at him.

"Yeah, soon as Madam Pomfrey began fixing you she ran in, tears on her face and everything. Only after Madam Pomfrey was finished was she allowed to be by you. She hasn't left your side since."

Harry's heart tugged at the thought of his girlfriend by his side, crying over his poor withered body. It's what he wanted for two months now, it felt right to hear this but he didn't know what to say back.

"Thought you should know," Ron yawned then turned to his side and a few minutes later the sounds of his snores filled the room. Harry took off his glasses and tried to get to sleep, Hermione's face and scent luring him into dreamland.

Hermione however did not show up the next day to visit him so Harry had to look out for her when he was released from the hospital wing along with Ron on Monday. They were walking down for breakfast when they ran into Luna. Her face went pink when she spotted Ron.

"Oh, hello, I was going to visit you two just now but you were released."

Ron was smiling. "I heard you at the Quidditch match Luna."

"Oh, everyone did. They haven't stopped laughing at me since then," she said in a low voice.

"Are you kidding? I thought it was great!"

She frowned at him. "You're making fun aren't you?"

"I'm not; I really thought it was great. Best commentary I've heard in a while."

Harry could see a smile pull on Luna's face. Harry stepped away. "I'm going to get some breakfast," he said and went to leave the two alone. Harry looked up and down the Gryffindor table; there was a nice empty space across from Hermione. Knowing she had already spotted him Harry decided to take the seat. She kept glancing at him as she watched him pour in some Chocolate Dragon Explosion cereal into a bowl and cover it with cold milk and begin to eat. She was just about to open her mouth to say something when Ginny plopped down next to him.

"Harry, I didn't know you were back yet!" she greeted.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, just was discharged."

She smiled. "I was going to see you just now."

"Before breakfast?" Harry raised a brow.

"Oh well, you know, I had to make sure you were okay."

"Isn't breakfast more important? I wasn't on my death bed or anything," he said shortly.

Ginny blinked. "I know but it was scary what happened. If Coote and Peakes hadn't caught you…"

Hermione was now starting hard into her cornflakes, trying to block out Ginny's voice.

Ginny then got to her feet. "Well I just wanted to see how you were. See you later Harry!" she rubbed his arm a second too long before leaving, her long flaming hair trailing behind.

Harry looked at Hermione. She was flushing a little bit.

"Sorry about that," Harry said hastily.

"It doesn't matter. You aren't going out with her."

"Thank God," Harry said before he could help it. Hermione chuckled but both froze after she did this. She hadn't smiled at him for almost two months now. It was odd. Harry sighed after he finished another spoonful of his favored cereal. "Listen, Hermione, I think we need to talk."

"I think so too."

Harry tapped his spoon on the side of his bowl for a moment. "Right, okay, er… when?"

She frowned. "Tonight?"

"Well tonight Sirius and Helena are coming down to celebrate Remus' birthday and, well, I can't miss that."

She nodded.

"Unless you want to come-?" Harry trailed.

"I would but it wouldn't be right, at least not right now. I know everyone will be wondering why I'm there," she said in a quiet voice.

"Not really, you're my best friend; you've known Remus as long as I have."

"Really Harry, it's okay. I should focus on this huge assignment for Ancient Runes. Whenever you're free I'm free," she said and after her cereal was about to leave before turning back. She looked at Harry who was still eating his chocolaty cereal. "You know, my dad won't approve of you eating that junk should he find out. It's sticky and full of sugar," she said fairly.

Harry grinned at her and she smiled back before walking off.

I got two smiles out of her just now, things should be getting better soon, Harry thought to himself before swallowing the remains of his bowl regardless of her 'warning' and feeling it was only necessary- grabbed an orange and went to prepare for Charms. The party that was held for Remus that night was a small affair with only the Black/Delmar family around but Remus was happy nonetheless although was annoyed to no end by Sirius reminding him over and over that he was now 37 until Harry finally told his godfather he turned the big 3-7 two months previous which shut him up.

The next day Harry pumped out like never before on his homework so he could hopefully talk to Hermione that night. Indeed, when he finally wrapped up the last word on his essay he looked across the common room to find Hermione's eyes on him. He put his things away and walked over to her. She looked nervous and twisted her hands. Harry looked over his shoulder.

"Er- if you want to talk I'll be in the dorm, too many people down here," he muttered and went off to the boy's dorm.

He sat on his bed, hoping she would come. He scratched Weinki under the chin as he looked around the empty dorm. His heart leapt when he heard the door open and Hermione step in minutes later. Harry got to his feet, ignoring Weinki's cry that he had stopped.

"Hey," Harry said.

"Hey," Hermione said back.

Harry bit his lip; he didn't have a clue what to say or do next. Thankfully Hermione gave him an option- she suddenly let out a cry and wrapped her arms around neck. He wrapped his around her back as he felt her hot tears drip onto him.

"Oh Harry, I'm so so sorry," she sniffed.

"What for?"

"I was terrified- when I saw you get hit by that Bludger"-

"Wait- you were there?" Harry said in surprise.

She nodded. "I had to come, I wanted to see you. Oh Harry, I never have been more afraid in my life! How it happened- the sound of the bat hitting your head, it was so scary. You fainted and dropped like a stone and if you hadn't been caught who knows what- what else might have happened," she hiccupped.

"Oh." Harry didn't know what to say.

"It was shocking; I never thought such a dreadful injury would happen to you during Quidditch. You were in the hospital wing, uncurious for hours. You didn't make a move to awaken. Like I said, I've never been more afraid for you. I thought I might lose you," she sniffled.

Harry couldn't help but crack a grin. "You can't lose me that easily. It's Quidditch, it happens, although I'd still love to give McLaggen a piece of my mind…"

"You're okay then? I'm sorry I didn't visit after you awoke," Hermione asked, eyes wide.

"I'm fine, see?" Harry knocked on the spot where he was hit. "Good as new."

Hermione ran her hand in the hair covering that part of his skull- Harry felt his heart race. It had been so long since her delicate fingers had been in his locks. He placed his hands on her shoulders. She sighed and stepped back.

"We can't just pretend the past two months didn't happen Harry, it's not that easy."

"I know that, I wanted to just talk so we at least know what each other want. If we can clear some things maybe we could give it another go…?" he said carefully.

"Yes, we could."

There was a short silence. "Yeah, all right well, that's good," Harry said.

Hermione looked up at him. "If you want to go first."

"Oh- right, okay, um… well, well first off can I just say I'm sorry for everything? For treating you like a doormat? Because I am, really."

"I'm sure you are but I don't want it to happen again. I didn't mean to yell at you like that but it bothers me that you always see me as someone to reference and never anything else."

"I know you are so much more, I've known it for years," Harry said, again putting his hands on her shoulders.

Hermione sighed. "We could spend all night apologizing but I know it'll do no good. I want to make sure we don't hurt each other like this in the future."

"Right, I just don't want to be the only bad guy here. It takes two to tango right?"

Hermione couldn't help but smile. "My dad tells me that sometimes."

"Well it's true. You can't have a fight if only one person is fighting. I wasn't the only one at fault here," Harry frowned.

"Harry, what else do you see me as?" Hermione asked bluntly.

"What?"

"What else do you see me as?" she repeated. "I want to know."

"I see you as a very smart pretty witch who can get anyone out of any situation."

"I know that already, but what else am I to you?"

Harry thought. "Well, you for one know a whole lot about me so are a very wonderful friend, the best I could ask for. You might not like everything I do but you still make sure that I'm okay. You care a whole lot about me and always have. I know I hate being smothered and you respect that. You respect anything I say and that I am different. You let me be me and that's very gratifying. You also have a big heart and true to yourself which is important. Fake people aren't worth my time."

She smiled as she played with his hair again.

"What do you see me as?" Harry asked.

"I see you as a highly stubborn but determined and caring person. You have the biggest heart out there and want to do whatever is in your power to make others safe and happy before you yourself are these things. No teenager should be as selfless as you are. You can get a little hot-headed but it's only when you're standing up for those you care about. You're a lot more talented and amazing than I think you see sometimes."

He grinned widely. Was it too soon to kiss her though…?

Hermione placed her hands on his chest. "There are a few things we need to discuss first."

"Like?"

Hermione sighed. "You have to promise to work harder than ever in your schoolwork or other problems you have. I don't mind helping you but I don't want to be the problem-solver for everything."

"Completely understand. However, I want you to know that there will be times that I can't do something so will go to you."

Hermione nodded. "As long as it's not always."

"And that I need times to relax and let loose. It's hard to do that these days but I never got to do much when I was younger so when I see free time, I'm going to take the opportunity to do what I want."

Hermione nodded.

Harry sighed. "Now what?"

"What do you mean 'now what'?"

"Well, if we're good to go then… is it safe to kiss you finally?"

Hermione smiled and Harry placed his hands over her face and brought her to his lips. They held onto one another like this for several minutes, both thankful that things could rekindle between them once more.

Hermione was released from her boyfriend's hold and dabbed at her eye. "So, you wanted to tell me something?"

Harry looked confused.

"Last week you tried to talk to me in the common room. What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh, that, well…" Harry chuckled a bit. "There's a lot. I don't know where to begin."

Hermione took a seat on his bed and placed Weinki in her lap. "Anywhere is a good place to begin."

Harry thought a moment but nodded and began. He told her all about Cayden's illness (she did not know it had happened and was angry at him for a second for not telling her but was relieved he was okay), his possible tooth extraction ("These things happen sometimes Harry," she had said sadly), and of course- the secret of Seb being a wizard. Her eyes lit up most at this.

"How though? How?" she said looking wild.

Harry shrugged as he got comfortable on his bed. "It has to be true though, there's no other way he would know what he told me."

"We would have seen him"-

"No. According to him he was just another kid with brown hair when he was at Hogwarts."

Hermione frowned. "What House did he say he was in?"

"He didn't."

"Do you have an idea as to what it might be? If so, it will make it easier to check the school records in the library."

Harry thought a moment. He didn't know Seb for very long but he was already shaped out in his mind. "He kept telling me he's a very honest person and seems protective of his little sister so that has me thinking he was in Hufflepuff. But he seems to be holding a lot of secrets and the way he looks, I don't want to judge a person how they look but he has this sort of- I don't know, cunning rebellious look to him that has me thinking he's a Slytherin."

"You really can't judge a person by how they look so he might not be either," Hermione said evenly. She thought for a little while. "We'll just have to look it up ourselves in the library tomorrow."

Harry pulled her on top of him at that moment. "It feels so good to have you back."

She kissed him. "I feel the same way."

The sky seemed to be clearing for Harry the rest of that week. Not only was he back with Hermione again, but Ron seemed to finally have taken an interest in Luna as well. He told Harry and Hermione about the conversation they had a couple days ago before breakfast and looked happier than usual. Of course Lavender was getting highly suspicious now and Ron was at loss as to how to call it quits with her. Ginny also looked a little surprised that week. When she saw Harry and Hermione walk down into breakfast the next day holding hands and smiling she barely said a word to them since. Harry didn't care- he was with Hermione again and he never wanted to let her go.

A few nights later Harry was busy contemplating something in his head- that being Dumbledore and the lessons he was having with him. He knew Sirius did not want him to talk to him but he knew he was going to, it was important. He figured it was best to tell the headmaster that himself so he knew that he wasn't going to allow a silly 'ban' from his guardians stop him from what needed to be done. He had his invisibility cloak with him after dinner and went to Dumbledore's office. The corridors leading there were thankfully empty that evening although Harry still had to make sure his shoes didn't echo as he walked on. After muttering the password chocolate éclairs to the gargoyle entrance Harry traveled up to the heavy door and knocked. It swung open on its own. Harry saw Dumbledore behind his desk, looking at a book but looked up, surprised when he saw the boy standing in his doorway.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" he asked.

Harry hesitated but stepped inside. "I was thinking about some things, particularly what Sirius had said and I wanted to let you know that I wasn't going to have that stop me from coming here."

Dumbledore raised his brows and set aside his book. He looked a little lost for words but finally sighed and dipped his head slightly. "I would be lying if I didn't say this Harry: I was hoping you would make that decision on your own."

Harry looked at him.

"Your guardians do mean well but they do not know how serious it is, these lessons. Since you were given this ban from ever seeing me I was hoping you would still consider the importance of them and without this knowledge, the consequences would be grave."

"Well, yeah," Harry said lamely. "I know I need to know everything no matter what."

"I unfortunately do not have the time to show anything as of now. It is already getting a bit late and I have not prepared anything for the next memory which is, as you know, the true memory from Slughorn."

Harry's stomach contracted. He had not gained that memory yet. "Er- sir, I- I don't have the memory for you yet."

"Oh?"

"You see- I- I tried, I really did but I couldn't get it yet."

Dumbledore cocked his head slightly. "I thought you were going to give me the memory Harry. That's why you came up to me in the first place."

"No, I just wanted to tell you that I'm still trying and- and Sirius won't stop me," Harry felt guilt bubbling inside his stomach.

"Why had you not gained the memory yet Harry?" Dumbledore asked casually.

Harry clenched his trousers slightly. "Um, well, I tried a couple times but Slughorn knew what I was up to and refused. I was going to do it March first. I was hoping to get him in a good enough mood, maybe have him talk a bit about my mother and everything since I know he liked her but Ron was poisoned…"

"Ah yes, of course you had to make sure that he was all right before you tried again. But you did have the rest of the week to do it then, did you not?"

Harry was trying hard not to look annoyed. "I did but I also had lessons and other problems. My friend was poisoned and my girlfriend still wasn't talking to me. I didn't have much of a drive last week for anything. Then I was hit in the head during Quidditch so I couldn't talk to Slughorn while I lay in the hospital wing."

Dumbledore nodded. "Well I do hope you try again Harry, otherwise it will be difficult to continue without it."

"I'll try again sir, I really will," Harry nodded.

Dumbledore got to his feet. "Well, why don't I make an appointment for this next lesson then until you can retrieve the memory? I might be skipping over some important information but I want to finish these up so you know enough by the time term is over."

Harry nodded.

"I will be free at 8 PM Monday night. Will you?"

"Yes," Harry immediately said, knowing he should agree with whatever time the headmaster suggested.

"Well until then, I bid you good luck, and good-night."

Harry waved a hand. "Yeah, 'night," and he left the room.

Saturday afternoon Harry and Hermione could be found in the back of the library where all the old school records were, trying to find out more information about Seb. Harry felt like he was invading his privacy but Hermione told him that there wasn't going to be a book written about him so it wasn't as if they were about to uncover some hidden family secret about the youth.

"How old did you say he was again?" Hermione asked as she pulled up a large book that held information about all the students enrolled in Hogwarts the year above them.

"He's eighteen," Harry answered, shoving aside his bag for more room on their table.

Madam Pince the librarian was glaring across the floor. It was bad enough students had decided to spend the afternoon in her precious library on a Saturday, much less make a mess out of one of the work tables.

"Hm, so he'd be either one or two years above us," Hermione thought.

"He'd be two. I'm sixteen, he's eighteen, that's two," Harry corrected her.

"Yes but he could have been born at an inconvenient month like I was and be older without being two years about you. And you don't know what House he was in do you?"

"No, it's not like he had all the time in the world to talk to me that one day by your parents' practice."

Hermione took out two books and handed one to Harry. "Here, you take this book about all the records for students one year above us; I'll take the one with students two years above us."

Harry opened his book to look at all the seventh year student's names as Hermione pursued the one with those who would have graduated last year. After ten minutes or so of searching Hermione paused.

"His full name is Sebastian isn't it?" she asked her boyfriend.

"Yeah, why?"

"I think I found him."

Harry moved his record aside and peered over Hermione's shoulder at the page she was on. She pointed at the name Sebastian A. Conway on the list of students two years above them and traced it to where it said the House he was sorted into.

"Hufflepuff?" Harry read from the book.

"Shh!" Madam Pince hissed overhead before walking away.

Harry glared at her but looked back at the record.

"Does he seem like a Hufflepuff?" Hermione asked softly.

"Well I suppose. I don't know everything about him but he was talking about how he doesn't lie and is honest and everything," Harry shrugged.

"Well there you have it; Seb was a third year Hufflepuff when we were in first year. I wonder why he left…" Hermione trailed.

"It doesn't say anything else?"

Hermione flipped through the record. "No, it's just a list of students sorted in 1989 and little marks if they were involved in anything. This one means a club," Hermione pointed to a purple square next to Bernie Getternold. "This one means they were on their Quidditch team," she pointed to a yellow triangle. "It doesn't say Seb was involved in anything."

"Well how many people are involved in anything? It's not as if Hogwarts offers a lot of different activates like Muggle school," Harry noted.

"There are more than you think, you've just never heard of them." Hermione frowned. "He didn't say why he left?"

Harry shook his head. "When would he have? I'd like to know why but it'd be rude to ask him. There must be a record that tells you why students never completed all seven years somewhere…"

"There is but it must be well hidden or in the headmaster's office because I've never seen it. It would be a bit of a privacy issue if anyone could see why someone left school. There could be any number of reasons why they left, not all would be things to share to the public."

"Well aren't we invading his privacy enough as it is?" Harry growled.

"No, I told you we'd only find what year and House he was in. Why do you want to know so much anyway?" she raised a brow at him.

"I don't know, he just seems to be hiding something. Granted I've never spent a day with the bloke but you know me, I immediately get certain vibes from people as soon as I meet them."

Hermione hummed. "Yes, I suppose you do. Well maybe next time you have your braces tightened you'll be able to talk to him on the internet or phone him."

"I can't, he said he only gets on at night and I have no reason staying home the rest of the day after what your dad does to me."

Hermione shrugged. "We- especially you, shouldn't worry about it too much then Harry. You're already obsessed about Malfoy, you shouldn't have another person to add to the list," she said, getting to her feet.

"Yeah yeah…" Harry said dryly doing the same.

At that moment Madam Pince came round, her eyes wide as golf balls. "Aren't you going to clean this mess up?" she cried.

"Sorry," Harry and Hermione said together and hurriedly put away the school records before leaving the library to finally enjoy the warm Saturday afternoon.

The next Monday Harry arrived in Dumbledore's office, ready for whatever lesson he had planned. He didn't try and retrieve the memory from Slughorn again but knew he still had time. For now, he was going to see the next memory of Voldemort that Dumbledore was going to show. Thankfully he nor Hermione and Ron told his guardians what he was doing behind their wishes, although Harry knew Remus wasn't the one that had the problem with it.

Harry walked into the office that night after muttering the password. Dumbledore smiled upon Harry's presence. "Good evening Harry, how are you?"

Harry shrugged. "Fine. Er- you?"

"I am very well thank-you," the man nodded. "Well now, I am sure you are wondering what our next lesson will be aren't you?"

"Er- yeah," Harry said.

"You remember where we left off though?"

"Yes, um, listen sir, I was thinking about something…" Harry frowned, looking distracted as the image of Seb appeared in his eyes. Who better to ask about him than the headmaster?

"Yes Harry?"

"It's- it's about a student. Someone who used to go here."

Dumbledore frowned. "Who is this student?"

"Um, well I met him actually the day I was released from the Muggle hospital," Harry started, feeling it was best to tell the truth. "His name is Sebastian Conway. I don't know if you… remember him?" Harry trailed.

Dumbledore looked at him. "You met him the last winter holiday?"

"Yeah, he was also in the hospital- had some sort of skateboard accident or something- I forgot. We talked for a little while but he didn't tell me anything then. It was one of the last times I had my braces tightened. He was by the Granger's practice apparently waiting for me. He told me he was a wizard. I had to believe him; the things he told me made too much sense. Anyway, Hermione and I found out he was in third year when we were in first and that he was in Hufflepuff."

"What is it you want to know about him Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry blinked. "I'm not really sure to be honest. I'm just surprised and a little curious. He didn't complete his seventh year here. It's not every day you run into a Hogwarts drop-out."

"Very true, it is unusual," Dumbledore nodded.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I don't want to butt into his private life but I want to know whether I'm wasting my time worrying about him or not?"

"Are you friends with Mr. Conway?"

Harry shrugged. "I guess, a little. I mean, we haven't done anything together yet. We try to keep in touch."

Dumbledore sighed. "I do not want to dive into the young man's life either Harry. But as you've figured out, he no longer resigns at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I was wondering why."

Dumbledore rubbed his chin. "I do not have all the answers but Mr. Conway was taken out of school by his father at the end of his third year. It is only recorded in my records as a personal family reason. I do not know what has come of him since then. But apparently you know him, so I could ask you how he is doing. It is very rare for students to not finish all seven years, much less to be taken out years before they're in their seventh."

"He seemed all right from the couple times I've run into him. Probably looks different than how you remember him."

Dumbledore looked at him in the eye. Harry hated the feeling as if he were being X-rayed. "Harry, you shouldn't worry about Mr. Conway. The poor boy had his own life, troubles of his own that he didn't want to discuss. It is best to leave him be, and if you two do become close, then I hope the best for you. But Harry, we have more pressing matters on our hands at the moment."

"Huh? Oh, right, yeah," Harry shook his head to soak in the new memory he was about to witness.

"We last left off with the fake memory from Slughorn. I have two memories left to show you tonight. There is very little known about the boy Riddle and I know no one out there alive is willing to share anything about him. But we do know that Riddle passed seventh year with flying colors, top grades and everything. Many people thought that such a brilliant young mind such as his would go on for a career with the Ministry Of Magic. Slughorn was one who was eager to show him all the people he knew and give him some very useful insight and contacts. Riddle however refused all offers. The next thing we knew, he was working at Borgin and Burkes," Dumbledore began.

"What?" Harry's eyes widened a second.

"Yes, Borgin and Burkes. Of course it shouldn't be that much of a mystery as to why he was attracted to that shop. But it was not his first option. In fact, he asked Professor Dippet if he could remain at Hogwarts for a teaching position."

"Teaching? Here? Why?" Harry wondered.

"I am sure he had several reasons, none of which he discussed with anyone, although I do have a few possibilities. I assume he felt a pull to this castle from early on. It was the first place he felt at home. Where he was happiest."

Harry's insides twisted uncomfortably. He felt the same way as well. It was very discerning.

"Also, the castle holds many secrets, all of which I am sure Voldemort was eager to pursue. I am confident he found out many while he was a student but there was much more to be learned. A third reason is that I feel he would have power over students, which again, shouldn't be too surprising. I have a feeling he was inspired by Slughorn, the teacher whom he was on best terms with. He saw what kind of influence one teacher could hold on his students and naturally wanted that as well. I also feel Voldemort saw this as the best chance to start up an army of his own, build it up with fresh new faces, eager to fit into the world themselves."

"He obviously didn't get it did he?" Harry felt stupid for asking.

"No, he did not. Professor Dippet told him that at eighteen, he was too young for a teaching position but if it still interested him he could reapply in a few more years."

"How did you feel about this when you heard? Sir?" Harry added.

"Very unsettled," Dumbledore said heavily. "I had advised Armando against this offer- not giving him the reasons I have given you, but it was difficult as he was deeply fond of Voldemort as every member of the staff was. But I knew what could happen if he indeed got the job and I did not want him back at the school so he could be in control."

Harry looked at the headmaster for a moment. "He wanted Defense Against the Dark Arts didn't he?" he said straightforward.

"He did," the old man nodded. "At the time it was being taught by old Professor Galetea Merrythought who had been teaching at the school for nearly fifty years."

Harry clutched at his trousers slightly as the man spoke.

"So the next thing anyone knew the brilliant mind of Tom Riddle was working at the lonely shop of Borgin and Burkes. It was a waste everyone agreed. Voldemort had a talent for listening, and was clever and careful and soon became the perfect assistant, carrying out jobs that only exist in a shop such as Borgin and Burkes. He was sent to persuade people with their treasures for sale by their partners which, unfortunately, he was highly talented at."

Harry had a feeling he knew why and a small frown was forming on his face the more Dumbledore spoke.

Dumbledore sighed. "Well, that is all you need to know now before we break onto another journey together into the thoughts of another."

Harry got to his feet.

"We are going to view the memory of a house-elf by the name of Hokey, who worked for an old but very wealthy witch by the name of Hepzibah Smith." Dumbledore took out a crystal bottle and poured the memory inside his Pensieve. He nodded to Harry, who took this as an invitation to go in. He took a deep breath and put his face inside, feeling his feet leave the room in a swirl of cool air and colors.

Always is nice when things are mended together again, correct? Especially relationships.

Magical love: Rose