Harry Potter and the Awakening Power

by darkpheonix31

Canon to OOTP- Yr 6 AU. Harry struggles to take up the role that he needs to play in the escalating war. Will the Order continue to see him a child they need to protect or the leader that they need him to be? When circumstances force Harry to spend part of the summer with with his two least favorite people, it sets of a spiral of events and nothing is the same. HARRY mentors SNAPE

36. Our Luck Has Run Out

Chapter 36: Our Luck Has Run Out

Warning: Violence, language and some sexual innuendo between an adult and teen

It was the beginning of April and Harry had never been looking forward to the coming Easter break more than he did now. The last few weeks had been exhausting for him and in more ways than one. The Aurors had been kept busy with the escalating attacks from the Death Eaters and Voldemort's Shield had thus far proved to be impenetrable. The village that he had captured was working as kind of staging ground and the people inside as an example for what was to come to anyone that tried to resist the next attack. The recent setbacks had led to a barely contained sense of panic within the Wizarding World and Harry was beginning to think that in the end the Ministry was more likely to be brought down by the collective weight of despair felt by the people rather than the Death Eaters themselves. The people needed a morale boost and Harry was as lost as anyone else on how to give it to them.

That was not to say that Harry had been sitting idly by on the sidelines, in fact he didn't think that he had ever been busier in his life. Classes were as busy as ever and to add onto their busy schedules the Sixth Years had started apparation lessons. Harry had been excited to learn the instantaneous form of travel but he had thus far been only marginally successful. He had managed it twice so far but only for short distances and had failed to reach the exact mark that he was aiming for. And then of course there were all of his other duties to contend with. The alliance that Harry had helped build with the vampires and the werewolves was holding at the moment but there was a constant struggle to maintain it due to the Ministry's constant ineptitude and persistent condescending attitude towards anyone not strictly human. Both Dimitri's clan and the newly found pack leader of the werewolves in Malthe Penderson were refusing to negotiate with anyone except Harry, which meant that he was currently being bombarded with owls from three sides as the Ministry needed to respond through him.

Not for the first time in his life, Harry was immensely thankful that he had Hermione as a friend. With so many letters coming in daily, Harry felt as though he was drowning in parchment and it was a struggle to respond to each question, request or (more often than not) complaint. Hermione was there when he needed to phrase something delicately or else research a law or treaty that he might be stumbling on when he told the dark creatures what they should be doing.

Ron was a lifesaver in an entirely different way- he was currently keeping Harry from wanting to bang his head on a table in utter defeat. Whenever Harry came out of a long winded meeting with the Headmaster and representatives from the Ministry, Ron was there to make him feel better with a game of chess or a funny story to take his mind off of things for a while. He was also quick to lend Harry his finished homework with a wink that Hermione had already checked his over so it was sure to be correct.

Perhaps the most surprising source of comfort in all the current chaos had come from Hermione's two dormmates. Harry had never been particularly close friends with either Lavender or Parvati, in fact truth be told, he had always dismissed them as rather silly gossipmongers. However, Lavender's relationship with Ron had brought her closer into their friend group and consequently, Parvati had also been spending more time with them and Harry had discovered that their classmates had more to offer than he had first thought. Harry had once been certain that Ron and Lavender were a quick blip on the relationship radar of Hogwarts' revolving couples but in the past couple of weeks the two of them had grown closer- moving from a purely physical relationship into one that involved an actual friendship.

Following the confessions the three of them had made to one another nearly two months ago Harry felt that their friendship had never been stronger. The three of them had a trust between them that was now unbreakable and their mutual support had made each of them stronger- both as group and individually. Ron and Hermione had supported him for so long that in spite of the troubles they faced, he was grateful that he was able to provide them with the same sense of comfort and strength that they had always given to him.

Though as much as his relationship had grown with his two best friends, he knew that the bond that he had with them was separate from the one that they had with each other. Since Ron's discovery that Hermione had been attacked by Cormac McLaggen, Ron had been there as Hermione's best friend. With Harry so busy the two of them had been left on their own quite often. Harry would often come back to the Common Room to find that the two of them had stayed behind to talk and even after Harry went to bed the two would then stay up late into the night, both of them relating their fears or uncertainties to one another and looking for support. Ron had told them both that Sarah the Mind Healer had suggested that Ron seek out some counselling to help him work through some of his issues but Ron had two problems with that. The first, of course, was simple pride. The youngest Weasley brother had never wanted his family to know that he had felt inadequate or how deeply he had been affected by their lack of money and the fact that his parents' affection had had to split, many time disproportionally, between seven kids. None of the others seemed to have developed Ron's insecurities or anger problems and he was embarrassed by his own feelings of inadequacy.

Ron had even gone so far as to say that in many ways he felt that it would have been more acceptable if he had been diagnosed with a mental illness because at least then he would not been blamed for it. "You have to understand, my uncle's illness… he can't help it. And yeah it terrible and everything but no one blames him or can get mad at him for feeling how he does. Can you imagine what Fred and George would say if I had to go counselling just because everyone in the family is better than me? They would never let me live it down."

Hermione had told Ron that if anyone gave him a hard time for trying to help himself feel better, and as result be better, than they were idiots that didn't understand basic human emotions, but Ron had not been convinced and for once Hermione had not pushed her point. Through her own experiences Hermione had at long last learned the value of taking a step back. Of supporting someone rather than pushing them in the direction she felt that they should go.

Fortunately for Ron his other reason for avoiding official counselling was more pragmatic- it was expensive. Hermione had again argued that they had both been left money in Sirius' will, but Ron had pointed out that his parents knew of that money had put it in trust until Ron graduated and started a career. His mother had been afraid that he would use the not insignificant 500 gallons as a reason to slack off, or perhaps she had worried that he would go the 'Fred and George route' and open his own business, in spite if the fact that the twins business had become wildly successful. In any event, Mrs. Weasley had made it clear that the money was to be used wisely.

Hermione had again offered the rather salient point that using the money towards helping his own mental health was using the money wisely but that argument had fallen on deaf ears.

However, Ron and Hermione's late night talks and suddenly rekindled friendship had obviously not been lost on Lavender and one night when Harry's two best friends had been talking alone in the boys dormitory, waiting for Harry to come back from a meeting, she had stormed upstairs in a righteous fury, intent on making them both regret going behind her back.

Lavender had not expected to see a sobbing Hermione being held by Ron as she related the latest of her nightmares to him. They had been startled by the brunette's appearance and jumped apart, Hermione especially stammering apologies for how things must have looked, but it had not taken long to see that a very different scenario was playing out in the boys' dorm than the one that Lavender had been anticipating. Hermione had started to apologize for how much of Ron's time she had been monopolizing but Lavender had heard enough through Hermione's tears to guess what had happened and it had been then that Lavender's not insignificant rage had been completely redirected to a new and more deserving target.

Hermione had never been particularly close with her dorm mates but they had risen to the occasion in her hour of need and Harry learned quickly the cost of enraging the so-called 'fairer sex' en mass. Lavender had wanted to drag McLaggen out in front of the entire Common Room and publicly castrate him but Hermione had restrained her for the moment. However, that had not stopped Lavender from enacting a much more sinister and yet ultimately more effective source of revenge. Lavender had been using her not inconsiderable skills as Hogwarts' resident gossip and style monarch to make it clear that no girl should want to be seen with McLaggen. And without providing any information what-so-ever the girls of Hogwarts had seemingly complied, much to the Seventh Year's frustration. He was now no persona non grata everywhere he went.

With her willingness to help Hermione and her understanding of the friendship that Ron shared with her, Lavender and Ron had reached a new understanding their relationship and begun spending more time together. This time really getting to know one another simply than just snogging. Ron had told Harry that he found Lavender refreshing in a way. She was largely uncomplicated and yet was willing to listen to him talk when he needed it. What had at first seemed to be inconsequential fling had suddenly turned deeper.

Harry had found that he liked having the lighthearted Lavender and Parvati to talk to in the mornings and both girls had helped with a few of the more social letters that Harry had also found himself writing since involving himself in International politics. It was a strange world full of fake friendships and tenuous alliances but all of it hinged on a polite veneer of friendship that Harry often didn't know what to make of. However, he knew enough to know that when he received seemingly friendly letters from delegates or their significant others that did not appear at first glance to have anything to do with politics or the war- he still needed to be careful of what he said. After giving him quite a hard time for his apparently awful social skills he had actually learned quite a bit from two girls that took socializing to a professional level.

HPHPHP

The morning of the Hogsmeade trip arrived and Harry was relieved that he actually had the whole day free to spend it with his friends. Ron's 17th birthday had passed not three weeks earlier and while Harry had managed to get him a present for the occasion, a wizard coming of age deserved more fanfare than a simple present and a pat on the back. Especially after the great surprise party his friends had thrown for him at the beginning of the year, Harry wanted to make Ron's day just as eventful. Lavender and Hermione had both helped and Hermione in particular had been unexpectedly excited about planning out a unique day in the small village.

"Is everything ready?" Hermione asked Harry in way of greeting as Harry came down the stairs.

Harry nodded, "Tonks is one of the Aurors that's planning on patrolling the village today and she said that she would take care of everything." There had been speculation and more than a few demands for the school to cancel the weekend trip to the village, citing danger from Death Eaters but instead they had opted for increased security. Harry knew what was being left unsaid was the fact that there were more than a few children of Death Eaters that would not want to be placed in the crosshairs if an attack were to occur. It seemed to have become an unofficial practice for the students to see if students like Draco Malfoy and Gregory Goyle were going before they themselves committed to leaving the safety of the castle, as their parents surely would have warned them to stay away if trouble was planned.

"Lavender knows to get him here by noon and Ginny said she made sure that Fred, George and Bill are all coming."

Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly, "I didn't realize that you and Ginny were even speaking."

Harry shrugged, feeling slightly defensive despite Hermione's even tone. "We aren't, not really but this is about Ron and I won't make him choose between us."

Hermione smiled at him softly as she said quietly, "quite nice of you considering that Ron's made it abundantly clear that he would choose you if it came down to it."

Harry was too embarrassed to properly respond. It was times like these that Harry was reminded just how far in his life that he had come. There had been a very long period in his life when the idea of anyone choosing Harry over family, even his own family choosing him, had seemed all but impossible.

"I don't want him to have to choose. And besides," Harry squared his shoulders slightly as he said, "I'm not going to run around with my tail between my legs around her. She cheated on me, I should be able to talk to her if I want. I'm not gonna act like I'm afraid of her or something."

Hermione smirked slightly, "that's the spirit Harry. You're absolutely right. You have nothing to be ashamed about, she does."

Harry nodded but he didn't feel quite as confident as he was trying to project. The truth of the matter was, in spite of how busy he was, or how his relationship problems honestly paled in comparison to his friends' current dilemmas or even his own problems with the war- he was still incredibly hurt by what Ginny had done to him. He had trust her. Possibly loved her. And she had betrayed him and now he wasn't sure how he was supposed to move on from that.

Hermione gripped his shoulder slightly and in spite of everything that he had just said to her, he knew that she understood. It was times like these when Harry knew that he could not ask for better friends.

HPHPHP

The place of the surprise had actually been Lavender's unexpected suggestion. She had told both Harry and Hermione that during the Hogmeade trip before the Winter Break she had suggested that she and Ron have lunch one day at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe and Ron's reaction of disgust mingled with tangible boredom and disappointment had been rather funny to her. She had therefore bullied him mercilessly into taking her this time, not allowing him to talk his way out of it- citing every excuse she could think of: they spent all their time with his friends

- she had gone to many of his Quidditch practices

- she had been a patient and giving girlfriend and he owed it to her to do things that she liked.

Ron had begrudgingly given in but instead had complained continually to Harry and Hermione about having to go.

Just as noon was approaching Harry had just finished spelling the decorations that Lavender, Parvati and Hermione had helped design over the usual sickly sweet decor. The owner had been frowning and complaining about their style- particularly Harry's own touches- for well over an hour and Harry had given up trying to be polite. He had felt bad, initially, that their plan had been to lure Ron to a place that he would despise simply to make fun of the fact that they would never subject him to the ridiculously over-done romance that the cafe was usually known for. He had felt it rude to insult Madam Puddifoot's place of business even if it wasn't to his particular tastes but the woman's sour attitude and none too subtle remarks regarding the fact that Harry was currently single had dried up any remorse he might have had.

"Not bad Harry, and to think... I told Lavender that having you set up would be more trouble than it was worth," Hermione grinned at him.

"Are you suggesting that I don't have a flair for style and color...combinations?" Harry asked her. Hand over heart as though thoroughly offended.

Hermione, whose clever charms had helped bring in the food that Harry had supplied without anyone the wiser, was peering at Harry's handiwork anxiously, using her wand to fix a few more streamers in bright Chudley Cannon orange. "Harry you have many talents, interior designer is not one of them," she told him with mock solemnity.

Harry gave her a look of hurt before grinning, "well I think Ron will like it."

"He better," Hermione grumbled. "I thought Lavender's plan to drag him here was funny at first but he has been complaining nonstop for days! He's driving me nuts. If he doesn't give us the world's biggest apology for going on like a prat than I am never doing this again."

Harry shook his head, laughing at his Hermione's frustration. He doubted that she noticed that not only had he had to put up with Ron's continued complaints but Hermione's as well. It was times like these that he was very happy indeed that Ron now had Lavender to distract him. The fights that he had with her were very different than the bickering that he had with Hermione and while in some ways the fight that he had with his girlfriend were fiercer, they were also infinitely less annoying as they didn't tend to drag on indefinitely.

It wasn't much later before the guests started to arrive and finally it was a time for the guest of honor to arrive. "Come on then!" Lavender shouted out louder than strictly necessary if she had only been addressing her boyfriend.

"Oh alright then," Ron said with obvious resignation.

"Surprise!" everyone shouted. Unlike Harry, Ron did not stumble back or jump with surprise. In fact he was grinning widely and waving to them, "brilliant! I was really hoping you would go with my favorite colors. I can see you didn't let Harry convince you that it was fine just to take down all the hearts and stars and be done with it."

Lavender's mouth dropped and she stared at Ron with surprise, "you...you've known this whole time?"

Ron grinned as he pulled several pieces of parchment out from his robes, "don't say my mum didn't raise me right- these are all your pre-emptive thank you cards! And I won't say I knew the whole time... just pretty much most of the time," he told them grinning widely.

"Ronald Weasley you complete arse!" Hermione gaped, "you've been complaining for days about having to come here and you've known all along it was a surprise party?"

"Come on Hermione, you can't think it's that easy to get one over on me. I'm not Harry over there who never saw a damn thing coming even though I think we mentioned it like two times in front of him."

Harry snapped around, "what now?" he asked in confusion. Ron smirked at him, mirth in his eyes and Harry tried to think back to previous conversations among his friends in which they had let the niffler out of the bag, as the wizards were known for saying, but too much time had passed.

Fred and George laughed loudly at the prank their brother had managed to pull off and Harry wryly thought that after growing up with the twins it was very hard to get one over on his best friend. The party fell into full swing and Harry found himself fully relaxing for the first time in months. The drinks were flowing fairly freely considering the fact that they were not in the Hogs' Head but Harry had made special arrangements for the semi-private party. It was difficult to get a full room in Hogsmeade during a school weekend trip since most of the businesses used the students in the village as a major boost in their business. Harry had given Madame Puddifoot a flat rate for the room and the understanding that the guests would buy from her directly as well as be free to consume outside food and drinks. They also weren't able to stop other guests from coming in they wanted to be there.

Harry was greeted by Nott and Daphne, he had invited them as both of them had been getting along with Ron pretty well but he had been surprised when they had actually attended. "Potter, that was a wicked Defense class Friday," Nott congratulated him with a clasp of his shoulder.

Harry grinned, Tackley's class had continued to break down into teams for various exercises throughout the year and the last one had been a staged emergency evacuation of the school if there had been an attack. The objective was to get everyone out of the school as quickly as possible with as few causalities as possible.

Surprisingly Neville jumped in at that point. He and his former friend had been avoiding one another for weeks at this point and while they had been forced to work together down in the Chamber, once their projects had been presented and the Ravenclaws had been suitably upset that the team with the least amount of members had managed the top score due to what they considered an unfair advantage, the silent treatment had resumed. "I can't believe that you gave up a secret passage like that though. Honestly, I would have thought that you wouldn't want anyone to find out, even if it did get everyone out faster than the usual protocol." It was hard to read Neville's tone, part of him seemed genuinely impressed that once again Harry's method had beaten Tackley surefire plans, and part of him seemed strangely smug that Harry had given up a seeming advantage so easily.

"Desperate times," Harry shrugged casually. "Better the passage is used for a real evacuation if we need it than I get to hold on to a secret."

Nott shook his head in Harry's direction looking rather fond, but there was smirk on his face as though he knew that Harry hadn't been giving up as much as it seemed. And it was true, Harry knew full well that due to Pettigrew, Voldemort was perfectly aware of the secret passages in and out of the castle. They were essentially worthless, or worse an active trap, in an actual emergency but impressing Tackley or even getting a good grade in Defense was not Harry's goal. He was not about to give up his real plan of escape to her- who he was still uncertain of her loyalties, or his classmates- several of whom he was all too aware were his enemies.

Harry said none of this though as he continued to laugh with Nott about the terrible performance that Crabbe and Goyle had both shown in their Charms practical.

As the afternoon wore on the teenagers started to play various games and the twins demonstrated several new products. The twins had turned themselves into quite the success story. There were products were popular and cost effective. However, much of their popularity came from the mystique that continued to surround the growing myth of their mysterious financial backer. The twins had been playing up the fact that they could in no way confirm or deny the existence of a enigmatic philanthropist that had an 'uncanny knack for spotting rare talent and financing future success stories'.

Harry found the whole thing quite funny. He honestly had no idea how such wild speculation had started. He had thought for sure when he had first overheard the guests at Dimitri's party wondering about the twin's secret partner that it was just idle gossip and everyone would move on, but once again Fred and George's knack for inciting chaos even in the most mundane situations had paid off. Once again people were begging the twins to let them in on the secret but the pranksters only gave them identical Cheshire grins and insisted that they were bound by layers of oaths.

Harry spent most of the evening enjoyably chatting with a couple of Seventh Year Ravenclaws girls that were quite adept at using their famous intellects for the kind of witty remarks that had Harry blushing quite furiously at some of their innuendos.

All too soon Harry was dragging a very inebriated Ron Weasley back to the castle and trying quite unsuccessfully to get him past a livid McGonagall. Technically speaking Ron was now of age and allowed to consume alcohol when not school grounds... but vomiting in front of the Deputy Headmistress was not what the rules were designed to allow. Once in a bad mood McGonagall was quick to remember that Harry, unlike his friend, was not 17 and therefore breaking rules by drinking. They were both given a handful of detentions for their troubles but for once Harry felt the detentions were quite well earned and he would not have traded them back. Despite her anger and disappointment in their actions, Harry rather thought that their Head of House was slightly amused by catching them out for something frivolous for a change rather than dangerous or violent. In the end, Harry had so many meetings and other engagements that the detentions were essentially forgotten... much to Ron's indignation for he had no such excuses to keep him from scrubbing the Transfiguration Room.

HPHPHP

Harry groaned as he rose early for the day. It was still dark and Harry internally whined to himself that he should be made to get up before the sun had even managed to make an appearance but nevertheless he pulled himself from the warmth of his bed and into the shower. Today he was due to attend another Summit meeting and he needed to make sure that he looked as presentable as possible. He was already feeling the now rather familiar guilty sensation of being unprepared.

Despite the weeks of exchanging letters and reading as much as he could about ICW laws and political alliances that Britain was enmeshed in, he could not help feeling that he didn't have a clue as to what he was supposed to actually be doing. Harry had never felt comfortable talking in front of large groups, it was a skill that he had learned to do over time and when he had led the D.A. or was even voted captain of their team during the fake battle at the beginning of the year and he had managed rather well, but that had been when he was talking about something that he was confident about. Harry had found that he felt more at home on the battlefield than in the chambers of a political hall and he was now convinced more than ever before that he was making a wise career move in wanting to be an Auror, rather than try his luck in legislation.

Snape had been right on the train ride when he had warned him about the type of people that Harry would be dealing with. Politics more than anything else was a game with complicated rules that only insiders knew all the rules to. Lies and double dealing were considered business as usual and as many people seemed to like Harry's earnest style and straightforward speech, he knew just as many dismissed him or even ridiculed him for not doing things the way they were used to doing it. It was an unspoken rule among these people that no matter how obvious a decision was, or how helpful it would be to their own people to follow a course of action they would never agree to anything without first getting something selfish or controversial along with it. Harry hate it. Being an Auror and spending his life running after dark wizard might make for a dangerous life but Harry liked the straightforwardness of a man cursing you to your face with a wand than behind your back with words and parchment.

More than anything Harry wished that he could send Hermione or someone else who would not only be able to read the situations easier than he did but also know what to say to get what they wanted. Harry dragged himself out to the carriages just in time for their scheduled departure, he was met by Snape and Dumbledore, both of whom were looking rather tense and the unusually serious expression on the Headmaster's face in particular caught Harry off guard. "Is something wrong?" he asked them.

"Not at all Harry, Professor Snape and I were merely discussing the last minute details of your venture. As you know Harry, you need to be exceedingly be careful. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are growing restless and they know about the Summit and that you are expected to attend. It makes it an extremely likely target, I stress to you again that you are not obligated in any way to attend this conference. If the Ministry tries to force your hand, I will do everything that I can to protect you- I do not want you to place yourself in unnecessary danger."

Harry nodded, the risks of attending were not lost on him but he also knew that the point in time where he could have sat on the sidelines had past. He had come too far and worked with too many people for him to be able to reasonably back out at this point lest everything that he had been working towards crumble with him. The vampires and werewolves were depending on him. The cooperation that they had with the other delegates was depending on him. Harry knew that for better or worse Harry he would have to go.

"I understand sir. Do you know of anything specific?"

There was a distinct lack of twinkle to Dumbledore's eyes as he shook his head and this more than anything gave Harry cause for suspicion. He had long since known that the Headmaster was known to keep secrets from him but he had never before thought that the man would deliberately place him in a dangerous situation. Harry's best guess was that there was a conflict at the moment between Snape's role as a spy and his role as an Order member and assigned chaperone for Harry. Unlike the last time Harry had met with the Ministry, which was during a busy battle and seemingly without time to plan, this was a pre-arranged meeting and so there was no reason in which Snape would not be present.

Not to mention the fact that they could hardly get away with using a polyjuiced Tackley a second time. As it stood, Harry suspected the woman knew exactly what Harry had done, she had shot him more than suspicious glare while they had been in class and Harry could only assume that someone at the Ministry had said something about 'her' role in the negotiation. However, there was no way she could prove her claim without giving up the fact that she had not in fact been present. Luckily for them all, the deal had turned out be massively popular. England had received International acclaim for settling a potentially deadly conflict with a treaty that benefited wizards and creatures alike, and people domestically and abroad were citing the new legislation for 'dark' creatures as progressive and 'smart war time policies'. Tackley knew full well that she would be a fool to distance herself from such praise.

"Just keep your wits about you Harry and remember that Professor Snape is there for a reason. Trust him and I know that you both will make it back safely."

Harry nodded at his professors, showing that he had understood their warning. An attack was a high risk but it would be difficult to coordinate with the added security that all diplomats were given. Harry had heard that Voldemort had been recruiting on the Continent but to the best of his knowledge his numbers were weak there. However, the real problem came with Snape's loyalty. Harry knew that as a spy Snape could not openly help him but it seemed as though no one was going to spell out in so many words. Harry knew that if it came down to it, he would have to take care of himself- it wouldn't be the first time after all, but it occurred to him that he might also have to take care of Snape as well.

Harry pulled himself up into the carriage, saying a quick hello to the others present which included the other delegates and a team of Aurors, before taking out his Transfiguration homework for the journey. Two of the Aurors that were sent as an escort were extremely helpful in answering many of his questions and if it weren't for the rocking of the carriage that was making his usually messy handwriting downright illegible, Harry would have had one of the best essays he had evert written to hand in.

By the time they were on the train and making their way towards the bunker where the Summit would be held once more, Harry had finishing up his revision for Charms. Harry had gotten rather good at juggling his time between his various responsibilities. After spending countless sleepless nights in his Fifth Year to make up for the times that he had found himself utterly incapable of studying due to Occlumency lessons- or else the pain from the lessons or his visions- he had learned to be efficient with the time he had. A skill that had served him well in the past months as more and more responsibilities seemed to be heaped upon him.

However, perhaps the best lesson that Harry had learned in the past months was discovering that he could in fact ask for help when it was needed. In the past he had always assumed that asking his professors questions or for help on an assignment would either make him look incredibly stupid or else he would simply be rejected. His discovery that people were in fact willing to help him when asked came about, much like most things in his life, out of necessity. With only so many hours in a day and mounting jobs that he was expected to complete, Harry had finally broken down one day after Herbology and explained to Professor Sprout that he had not understood the last chapter that they had been expected to read and had not had the time to go to the library to learn more. To Harry's surprise Sprout had gladly explained why it was that Dragonis Trap wasn't able to bloom in months with less and 15 days of rain and why it was useful in the creation of time-delayed potions.

After that Harry had asked more of his teachers for help with the concepts that he needed to learn and not only were they just as helpful, McGonagall in particular had expressly told him that she was proud of the fact that he had stopped to ask them for help rather than pressing on alone. Harry had been raised under the strict banner of 'don't ask questions' and more subtly stated but even more clear- never expect help from anyone. Harry had learned at a young age that he could be self-sufficient. He could rely on himself and did not need others to survive. He was now learning that there was a difference between learning how to survive on your own and learning to thrive with the help of others. He liked knowing that he was in control of his own destiny but at the same time he valued the strength that others gave him.

Harry spent the first few minutes of the train ride speaking with a few of the liasons from the werewolf pack that had been sent to the Summit. Four had been sent from the Crescent Nest pack but there were half a dozen others from different packs around Britain that were interesting in hearing Harry's deal. Werewolves had been wanting to immigrate out of Britain for quite a while but strict laws on them had made travel nearly impossible. They had found themselves in a lose-lose situation. Unable to find employment or even safety in their home country and yet left without the resources or ability to move away.

Snape was busy speaking with many of the vampires. Once Dimitri had established his dominance over the Clan he had been strangely accepting of influence from Raymond and the older, now-former Clan Leader who had been tasked with working on building alliances with several other Clans. Raymond had already established relationships with many of the Clans, a few of them for centuries and knew the players involved intimately. Harry had spoken with a few of the leaders and was cautiously optimistic that they could extend their alliances to the other Clans. However, he as wary of trusting unknowns too deeply. Not all of the Vampires had been happy that Harry's deal had treated vampires and werewolves equally, many of them feeling that werewolves of England had long ago gone feral and could no longer be controlled. Others simply hated the wizarding society and wanted to destroy it and Harry knew that they needed to be careful of who they trusted lest the leaders try and double cross them for their own purposes.

Harry found that he liked many of delegates that he had been sent for the Summit and at the same time hated having to be present for constant squabbles, complaints and politicking. On the upside he did get quite a few interesting tips on his homework for Defense before heading into his own assigned compartment to finish up his work before they arrived. Harry wanted to have as much done as possible before they arrived so that he could devote his fully energy to the Summit.

Harry was looking over his potions essay, making revisions for the final draft when he realized that after looking through HBP's book so many times alongside his mother's own notes and tips he had actually understood the entire potion on his own and had even adopted his own thoughts on the reversal process for the hellebore poison.

He smiled slightly to himself, proud of this small achievement. When broken down there were a lot of things that he liked about potions. The precision, the cause equals effect continuity of it, the relaxing rhythm of how the ingredients were added. It was very different from most things in life, which were generally messy and unpredictable and while Harry still felt that he usually operated best on the spur of the moment, he had found that the predictability of a potion could be quiet calming.

In the past potions had always been a struggle for him. He had often failed to understand the concepts and he had dreaded potions because of the tension and dread he associated with an hour spent with a teacher that despised him, not to mention that Harry had on more than one occasion suspected of wanting him dead. But Harry and Snape's relationship had changed… or perhaps the better word was evolved. They were not friends and Harry doubted that they ever could be. Nor did he see Snape as a mentor in the way he often saw Dumbledore. There was too much history and bad blood between them for such simple titles but Harry had learned to respect the man for his skills. Balancing himself between the two sides of the war in a way that Harry doubted anyone else could have survived. Being a master potion master and a superb dualist and fighter. Harry couldn't deny that the man had a lot of skills to offer and his tenacity in completing a task was a trait that Harry admired in himself and had been forced to admit that they both shared.

"You look particularly amused by something in your essay Mr. Potter, personally I have never seen the humorous side to quick acting poisons. Though I suppose when used under the right circumstances..." Snape commented. Harry jumped slightly, cursing himself for being so oblivious, he liked to think of himself as aware of his surroundings but he had failed to even notice that Snape had come back to the compartment.

"Damn you've been spending too much time with vampires, I didn't even hear you breathing."

Snape smirked at him, "our indomitable savior, battle-ready at all times I see."

Harry grimaced, "you sound like Tonks, you know she's started yelling out 'Constant Vigilance' at me just to see if I'll react or not. I think she forgets that she's the one that's actually terrified of Moody," Harry grinned as he thought about how jumpy Tonks got when her mentor was even mentioned within hearing shot of her.

Snape was more interested in watching Harry work and seemed to consider his words carefully before he finally said, "professors talk to one another you know. We discuss difficulties in the school, problems that need to be addressed either school wide or with select individuals. In the latest staff meeting quite a few of them mentioned that after nearly 6 full years of schooling you've finally mastered the concept of raising your hand and asking a question. I also notice that despite your seemingly inexplicable improvement this year in Potions, you have not felt a similar need to ask for my assistance and my naturally suspicious nature finds myself wondering why precisely that is."

Harry inwardly wondered how it was that even when Snape was genuinely curious he phrased everything as though it was an accusation. He took a minute to gather his thoughts, wondering how best to explain himself to a man that Harry didn't think would ask for help if he was inches from death. "To be honest I never really thought that anyone would help me if I asked for it. I mean, I know they would answer my questions but the only person that's ever really taken the time to actually help me with anything was Lupin and at first I thought it was because I was just so desperate that I practically begged him, but then I found out that he knew my dad and I knew that he was doing it as way of honoring their friendship."

Harry shrugged a bit defensively, "and I didn't want anyone to think that was stupid. So instead I struggled more than I probably had to and probably looked even dumber than I had to be. This year... I just didn't have to time to really worry about what they might think if I asked for help and I knew that I needed it. I need to be as good as I possibly can if I'm going to fight against Voldemort and I guess if you want to think of it in Slytherin terms... I'm doing a hell of a lot for everyone else in the Wizarding World so I think I'm entitled to a little help every now and then."

Snape actually gave a genuine snort of laughter at that. "It occurs to me that a real Slytherin argument would be that the professors of Hogwarts are tasked with educating the future of the Wizarding World, a position that is not only prestigious in its own right but also has a tremendous responsibility to ensuring that its students succeed to their fullest potential. Therefore, you were always entitled to help if you had asked for it."

Harry smirked slightly as he dared to ask, "and would you have ever stayed behind after class to ask for extra help with the assignment?"

"Unlike you Potter, I was not easily confused by the course curriculum and did not require extra assistance." He sniffed for a moment in agitation before relenting, "though I admit that had I found myself in a similar situation I would have fallen more in line with your former line of thinking than your latter. As I once told you Potter, if there is a trait that you and I share it is stubbornness. I am not a man that is known to relent."

Harry nodded his understanding. Though Snape had never shared any part of his past with Harry, the Gryffindor had pieced together enough to know that they had both come from uncaring, neglectful guardians. Harry didn't know enough to know who had suffered more in their childhood but he knew that both had come out with a fierce sense of independence. Harry could understand the need for control, the fear that if you allowed yourself to become dependent on another person than you were going to suffer for it. However, Harry had also learned that sometimes you had to take a chance on someone.

"It was hard... asking Sprout for help that first time. Actually, no matter how easy the professors have been about it, it's always hard. But it's worth it. I probably have less time to do my work than I've ever had but I'm actually doing better than last year in my classes. Of course it helps that my scar hasn't been burning every second of the day and Voldemort is coursing his emotions through me like some sort of human aerial, but really it's the fact that I made myself get over the fact that I can't do everything. Its like Dumbledore told me, everyone has a role to play in the war... I think everyone has a role to play in other people's lives too. And it's up to us how we use though roles. We can help people and make everything a little easier, or we can make sure to make things even harder for them. We can make sure that we're all alone with no around us, or we can open ourselves up to bigger possibilities."

Snape was silent for a moment before he said quietly, "very insightful Mr. Potter. Before this year I confess I had never envisioned you one for philosophy but I have found that you possess a keen insight into how the world works."

Harry shifted uncomfortably, he was touched that Snape would compliment him, he knew that it was a rare thing for the man to do anyone.

"However that does leave the mystery of your improved Potions work..."Snape raised an eyebrow and there was an unspoken challenge in his words. Honestly, Harry was more surprised that he had not been questioned about his improved work sooner. In past years Snape would have accused him of cheating in a heartbeat. Though he didn't feel at all guilty for using the journals his mother had left him, he was worried that Snape would object to him having them. If the professor insisted Harry would cease to use the knowledge he gained from them in class but there wasn't a force that Snape could exert on him that would make Harry give up the precious mementos his mother had left behind for him.

"Sirius left me my mother's old Potion's journals in his will and I've been studying the notes she's left me… I never found Potions very interesting in the past but she…" he shrugged, having only realized as he started talking how personal the subject had suddenly become. Harry rarely got to speak of either of his parents but at least people mentioned his dad. With the exception of Slughorn informing him that Lily had been a brilliant student with an apparently cheeky tongue, he had never spoken of his mother before with anyone. "She had this way of explaining things that just make a lot of sense. She breaks it down it easier I guess, and she added in these little notes that not only help with understanding what to do but actually make it... interesting. I've learned a lot from what she left me and now that I understand it better, I like potions a lot more. She was brilliant at them," he added.

Snape had gone strangely still at Harry's explanation but gave a curt, almost formal nod to the comment. If Snape was ever going to say more, Harry would never find out as the train came to a screeching, jarring halt.

Harry was thrown forward, books and parchment going everywhere and ink splattering on his face, hands and the back wall. He collided painfully with the opposite seat but jumped up quickly as he retrieved his wand.

They had come in masse and the diplomats were screaming as then quickly realized that the protection from their Auror guards would hardly be enough.

Harry glanced out the window but he knew what he had to do first, "Professor!" Snape turned, wand drawn just as Harry yelled "stupify!"

The dark robed man fell hard to the floor and Harry knew that he had powered the spell well, Snape would not be rousing himself for several hours. "Sorry about that, but you can't help against Voldemort and I can't leave you to attack us," Harry muttered as he cast the very few protection spells he knew on the compartment. He really needed to learn how to ward or something. This was the second time this year he had found himself lacking. He exited the compartment to find two Death Eaters going after one of the werewolves. Harry used his wand to blast them painfully back, ducking under another volley of spells.

The Aurors were fighting back but the corridor was small and Death Eaters had them well surrounded. Harry had no idea how they had gotten onto the train the way they had, there were supposed to be protections in place against an attack. Harry's guess was that they had been betrayed by someone but he didn't have time to worry about that at the moment.

Panicked heads were coming out of the compartments and the vampires were using their own brand of destructive magic to dangerous results. "Get behind me!" Harry yelled as he constructed the largest and strongest shield that he could manage. He felt his magic build and was unsurprised when the spells crashed into the solid force with an almighty crash. He experienced a dizzying moment of déjà vu before focusing in the moment for what he had to do.

It might have been enough if not for the fact that Harry had nothing to shield his back, except the lives of innocent people and it was cost he was not willing to sacrifice. More Death Eaters charged forward and Harry was forcibly banished people back into the compartments to keep them out of harm's way. It was in the midst of trying desperately to help a young werewolf girl that Harry found himself overwhelmed. He raised his wand but there were too many of them and it came down to protecting others or else helping himself. He raised a shield to protect the girl just as pain engulfed him and he suddenly found himself encased in robes from an Incarcerous spell.

"We got Potter, we have to go!" the cry was echoed up and down the train cars and before Harry knew what was happening he was pulled into suffocating darkness.

HPHPHPHP

Harry was thrown down onto the stone floor, his head knocking painfully against the cement due to his hands still be tied behind his back. "You's gonna learn yer place at last Potter," a gruff voice told him as he was kicked in the side. Harry grunted, and tried to make his eyes adjust to the darkness of the room. He wasn't sure where they had taken him but he seemed to be some sort of dungeon room.

"You always thought you was better than us, dinna ya? You thought you was gonna win but whose laughing?"

Harry said nothing, his eyes searching around the enclosed space desperately even though his hopes of escape were low. He was in an unknown place, trapped among enemies. There was no portkey for him this time to escape. No one there to die for him in the moment. He was well and truly screwed and in that moment Harry's hope faltered and died. He let out a slow breath, he would not panic. He would not show them fear. This might be the end but Harry had decided that night in the graveyard that he would never cower and hide, he would meet his death with dignity. He pulled forth that vision of his family by the simmering lake and reminded himself that he had nothing to fear.

"This is going to be fun..." came a voice of delicious delight. Harry looked up and was unsurprised to see Dolohov standing in front of him. He had seen dozens of Death Eater meetings this past year, witnessed what they had done and felt the emotions of everyone present all while the events had transpired. He knew who relished the pain and who was in fear for their lives. Who regretted the fateful day they had tied themselves irrevocably to a madman and who still wore their Dark Marks with pride. Dolohov and Bellatrix were among the most rabid of Death Eaters, the ones who delighted in pain the most and Harry knew what to was going to happen before the curse left the man's lips.

The pain of the Cruciatus Curse slammed into Harry with unrelenting fury. It was a pain that was impossible to get used to. An all-consuming agony that made the victim want to beg for release. Harry screamed, and knew there was no point in even trying to hold them back. He would scream and he knew eventually he would even cry but he would not beg and he would not give them anything that they could use against his friends. Laughter echoed off the stone walls as others surrounded him. He knew without looking that even the more reluctant Death Eaters were excited by his capture. They had succeeded in their mission and pleased their master. They would be greatly rewarded and the first part of that reward would be to make him suffer.

The efforts of the Death Eaters continued for what seemed to be hours. The cursed him, they kicked him, spat at him and strung him up. At some point the robes binding his arms to his sides were cut away along with his robes so that Harry was suspended by his wrists in only his boxer shorts. It was cold and he thought he might be hungry, though it was hard to tell if the ache in his stomach was from lack of food or the bruises.

They released him with a careless wave and Harry crashed into the floor with a weak groan. "I think we need our rest boys, it would be shame not to be able to fully enjoy this." The door shut behind them and Harry crawled over to his torn and discarded robes. He felt an irrational flash of anger at the fact that they had torn up his good robes. For the second time these year his formal robes had been destroyed due to insane madmen and the errant but strangely funny thought occurred to him that he should really start billing them.

He curled up around his shredded clothing in an attempt to stay warm. He needed to try and sleep despite the pain. He needed to be as strong as possible if there was any hope of escape. Snape. Snape would know where he was and he would be able to send the Order. He needed to hold on until the Order came and he needed to be strong enough to make to a run for it. Harry shifted and grimaced when he leaned into a razor-sharp five inch stone that was poking into his back. He moved it aside and tried to enjoy the fact that the floor might be hard but at least it was no longer stabbing him.

The next couple of days blurred. Harry was given some water but no food and the Death Eaters came in at odd times to play with him. He knew that his ribs were broken and he thought at least two of his teeth were missing. He was just grateful for the moment that his entire jaw had not been broken as well. Harry knew that the Death Eaters were taking their time. They could have destroyed him much faster than this, he had seen it his visions, but instead they seemed content to make the experience last. He wasn't sure why Voldemort was waiting. He felt oddly insulted that his capture was not of greater priority to his arch-enemy but he kept telling himself that the longer that they waited, the more time the Order would have to get to him. They would not abandon him. They couldn't abandon him, not with the prophesy, he kept reminding himself.

They had started questioning at him. At first it had just been pain for the sake of pain but after the fourth visit in Harry was no longer sure how many days they started questioning him about everything. They asked about the Order, about Dumbledore, his friends, the Summit. Even the werewolves and vampires. Harry grew vaguely alarmed when even asked him about Snape. Did he Harry trust him? Had Snape helped him at all? He worried that the fact that he had stunned Snape so quickly into the fight had raised suspicion. Did they know?

Harry knew better than to ask or try and lie. He said nothing and kept his eyes closed if they tried to look at him lest they try to use leglimency. He might die a failure, never taking down Voldemort but he refused to die a traitor. Never a traitor. Harry had learned a long time ago that you could take a lot from a person- clothes, food, safety, even love. But dignity was a choice and he would not lose it. However, as the time stretched on and Harry's vision started to blur around the edges- dulled from hunger and pain, he was beginning to think that he was in a losing battle.

The door opened again and only one man walked in. Harry recognized him, he had been down several times at this point though never before alone, it was Alexander Nott, Theo's father, and Harry was slightly relieved. Nott spent more time mocking and taunting him than actually cursing him.

"You haven't begged yet," he commented idly as he stepped slowly into the room, taking in Harry's battered form. "Do you really think that someone is going to come and save their precious Chosen One? Maybe you thought it would be Snape. You two have been spending a lot of time together this year, maybe you thought that he would actually gave a damn. He wasn't much help to you on that train ride though. Didn't get you to safety when it mattered. Did you really think after all this time a Slytherin would be on anyone's side other than their own? He was never going to choose you Potter for a very simple reason: you were never going to win."

"Are you so sure about that?" Harry questioned, his voice rasping and choked sounding. It was the first time he had answered them back but he needed to keep Nott talking, needed a distraction, his breathing was labored now and he couldn't take another round with them. Not yet, he needed more time. He was close to his breaking point and the worst thing was Harry was pretty sure that they knew it. His resolve was crumbling the aching pain in his bones, the cold that had settled deep inside of him, continually begging him to give him. Give them what they wanted so that he could stop the pain. So he would play the game for a bit, taunt them back. He couldn't give up yet. Just a little longer and Snape would be able to get the Order here.

Unfortunately though, what Nott said was true- he was never going to win against Voldemort. Even if he and the dark wizard were to fight right here and now the man's Horcruxes would save him. The man quite literally had seven lives and sheer dumb luck was not enough to keep Harry breathing.

Nott grinned at him, his face looked quite like his son Theo's but unlike the boy that Harry tentatively called a friend, his father had no warmth or kindness in his eyes. They were cold and hollow and spoke of a man that enjoyed witnessing the pain of others. But Alexander Nott was not insane like so many other Death Eaters, instead Harry had to face a more devastating truth- this was a man that valued cold pragmatism above all else. It wasn't about the fact that he wanted Voldemort to win- it was a simple fact that he would and it would be stupid to side against him.

"My son likes you Potter. Did you know that? Theodore is a good judge of character, I'll give him that one. He's a weak fighter and truth be told a bit of a pansy when it comes to inflicting pain- but the boy can size up the quality of others. He sees their strengths and he preys on their weaknesses and he is impressed by you. Says you're a real leader. That you're powerful and charming. It's honestly a shame kid, given the right upbringing and standards I honestly believe that you could have been a great wizard. Hell," and the man chuckled darkly, "given enough training and time you might have even stood a chance of winning this thing outright- but you didn't have the training or the upbringing and being a worthy opponent is still not winning."

"Do you even care what Voldemort stands for?" Harry asked because he was honestly curious.

Nott smirked at him, "of course I do. I believe in power. I believe in might and magic and that the strong should rule. Do you know why there are so many muggles Potter? For the same reason that they are so many ants. They are meaningless. Worthless. They exist to work and serve and worship us. We should be like gods to these people and instead we hide from them. The only thing that the Dark Lord is doing is restoring the natural order, and you can't fight nature Potter."

The door banged opened and light momentarily flooded the dark space causing Harry's eyes to tear, when he blinked he saw that that Bellatrix had entered his little prison, her face was alight with the kind of joy that Harry was more used to seeing at a Quidditch match than on a woman that was anticipating torture and death.

"Well, well, well if it is an itty bitty Potter... did you miss us so much that you needed to come and visit for a long while?" She spoke in the baby voice that grated on Harry's nerves and lighted fire in him as he remembered how this woman had ruthlessly cut down the closest thing to a father that Harry had ever known in his life. And yet despite the anger that flared within him, as he watched her smirk at him with malice, he couldn't help the tendril of fear that licked at his insides as the horrible crimes of the woman came back to him. He knew what she had once done to Neville's parents, he knew that she above all of the other Death Eaters truly enjoyed mayhem, chaos and pain.

"Isn't your Master expecting you to be bowing at his feet and kissing is robes right about now?" Harry asked scathingly, refusing to show the fear that was building inside him.

"Little Potter likes to talk a big game but he has no idea who the players even are, do you my sweet little boy?" She was kneeling down beside him and Harry had backed up against the far wall, he was trapped and Bellatrix used that moment to run the back of her hand down his cheek, caressing it in a gesture that was nearly sensual.

When she spoke her voice was soft and velvety, the way a lover would speak to you after coitus and Harry felt his stomach contract uncomfortably. "You are a stupid, ignorant little boy that runs to anyone that pays you the smallest amount of attention, aren't you Potter? I've heard all about your damaged childhood. The filthy muggles that dared to take down their betters. After they made it clear that they would never give a damn about you, you started to whore your affection out to anyone that gave you the time of day, isn't that right?"

Harry glared at her, refusing to rise to the bait.

"First it was Dumbledore, who you will walk through fire for whenever he asks. And then it was dear cousin Sirius who was so stupid that he might as well have thrown himself through the veil, though perhaps that was goal to get away from you.." she chuckled at Harry's pain and grief. Laughed at the death of the man that she had callously murdered and Harry wanted to kill her. His hands groped until they fell onto the sharp stone that he had found a few days ago and his hands curled around it.

"And now...it's Snape isn't it? Do you love him too baby Potter? Are you so lonely that you'll latch onto anyone that so much as looks at you? Are you sure you're looking for a new daddy, or maybe you're just looking for someone that you can 'daddy' in bed... is that what Snape lets you do baby Potter?"

Harry snarled at her, her hands had strayed down to his abdomen at this point and he was caught between fury and disgust. He wanted to rip her apart but Nott was still there with his wand trained on Harry, his own features nearly impassive.

"You and precious Snape have certainly spent a lot time together this year and I have had my suspicions. I don't trust him, I have never trusted him but then... you never knew why it is that Severus Snape is so honored by my master, have you? Did Dumbledore ever tell you how my master knew of the prophesy that sent him to his doom? The same prophesy that destroyed everything- for me, for our world when our master was destroyed... and even you Potter. You're entire life was changed that night and haven't you ever wondered who it was that gave that information to our Master?

"It was Snape. I might hate that man but I will give him credit where credit's due, there's no greater Slytherin than its own Head of House. Severus Snape knows how to play his cards and he plays them perfectly. The very man that hands the Dark Lord the prophecy that will send him to his ruin becomes his most trusted advisor and right hand man because it. And then somehow he inexplicably leverages his way into being Dumbledore's little pet as well. And now," she chuckled smiling at him as though she was about to reveal a secret. "He has you wrapped around his little finger as well, isn't that right? Like I said if I didn't hate the man so much, I would actually have to admire him."

Harry didn't want to believe her. A year ago he would not have put anything past the viciously cruel potions master. He would have believed the man capable of anything that would have hurt Harry or his family especially his father. But in the past months he had seen a different side to the man, one that was focused on keeping his word and above all doing what needed to be done. But as he thought of those very words Harry realized that 17 years ago exactly what Snape had needed to do to survive was ensure that his master had the perfect information to win the war. Snape had sold out his family in exchange for his position. First giving it to Voldemort and then somehow spinning things so that he could play both sides with Dumbledore too.

Dumbledore. Who had sworn to tell Harry everything and then sent Harry to spend the summer at the house of the man that had sent their murderer after them. Dumbledore had lied once again.

Bellatrix shrieked with laughter when she saw Harry's expression, his eyes had turned cold, his face hardened and Harry knew that Bellatrix was fully aware that she had succeeded- he believed every word that she said.

"My master is coming tonight baby Potter and he is going to find out all everything. You are going to tell him everything that he needs to know and you know what?" she whispered, her mouth at his ear, her hot breath ticking his face as her cold hands ran down his torso, teasing him. "You're going to tell him because he's going to make the pain go away, won't that be nice? Don't you want that? He's going to fix everything if you're a good boy."

Harry nodded at her blankly and she clapped her hands in psychotic joy. She bounced excitedly out of the room, no doubt prepared to tell her master that their enemy was finally broken, Nott's eyes had followed her out and he was turned away. Harry only had seconds to make sure that his plan worked. Holding his breath lest he gasp from the pain of pulling himself upright he used his strength to get to his feet, taking his only weapon with him.

He moved quickly- his Seeker reflexes still fast and honed despite the wracking agony he was in and before Nott could turn he took the pointed end of the slate in his hand and drove it directly into the man's neck. Nott gurgled and gasped, his hands flying up but Harry had stabbed straight though. The lack of air, the position of the wound kept him from screaming. The blood flowed freely and Harry had to adjust his grip as his hands grew slick from the red liquid. It was over quicker than Harry would have thought, which was good. He didn't have much time- he needed to escape.

A/N: As always thanks everyone! Hope you liked it. Little more violent than usual but I didn't think it was overly descriptive.