In the Crosshairs Chapter 46: (old) Summer Term, II, a harry potter fanfic

WARNING: This is old material that I will be revising. I'm leaving it up for those wishing to read on.

[A/N: 15 Sep 2018, splitting the chapter (this one was at 93k)]

Chapter A-8b: Summer Term, II

Monday morning, Harry stretched, sat up in his sleeping bag in the loft of the survival cabin. He looked around at the other seven sleeping bodies, so he apparated down into the shower. He came out a few minutes later, dressed, to see everyone gathered around the small table. Harry lifted his eyebrows, looked at Ron.

"Read," Ron said, shoving the Daily Prophet at Harry.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, Jun 30, 1997

Minister Declines Listing Proposal

Minister of Magic, Victor Fallerschain, has declined a proposal to list four students attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the Suspected Dark Wizard Control Act. Fallerschain stressed that refusal to be tattooed cannot be construed as sufficient for listing. The Minister went further to state that expressing a position sympathetic toward a listee, offering lodging to a listee, or being related to a listee does not constitute grounds to be considered an accomplice or to be listed. The Minister, however, does warn that providing substantial materialistic support to a listee to support their Dark Arts is grounds to be listed as an accomplice.

This statement stems from a proposal submitted by the EM President to list Ginerva Weasley, Colin Creevy, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood as accomplices under the SDWCA. The proposal cited the above reasons for listing; however, the Minister found them lacking substance and therefore denied the proposal. In doing so, the Minister upheld the rules of Hogwarts stating that forcing a tattoo can be construed as an assault.

The Minister issued a secondary statement stating that any citizen or family of the Isle, except a person listed under the SDWCA, is legally permitted to refuse a search by the EM. The EM must legally honor that refusal or the homeowner may be permitted to take any measures to ensure that such an inspection does not take place.

Upon questioning, replacement candidate for Minister of Magic, Clarence Patil, promised to rectify the misunderstandings that Fallerschain appears to be having about his job. The public demands to be protected from Potter at all costs, yet the Minister is caving in and permitting Potter to run amok on the Isle.

"Well," Harry said, "Looks better than it could be, they're not listed after all."

"But we are named," Colin said, "That means we'll get harassed."

"You can smack them with your fist then," Harry said, "Unless you're listed, doing so could likely be justified."

"Minister backing down is nice," Ron asked, "Why?"

"Likely bothered to read the law books," Hermione said.

"No," Harry said, "It's power. EM is drawing a lot of political power-look at the confidence Seamus had in getting you listed Neville. It's likely scaring the Minister. EM is a very credible political threat that can take him down unless he knocks it down really quick but carefully."

Neville ruffled the paper.

"You're saying that the Minister rejected the proposal just to ruffle the EM's feathers?" Neville asked.

"Likely, yes," Harry said, "Breakfast in a few moments, then we can work on, say, the Patronus today."

Early Tuesday morning, Montana time; they all returned to England, to Neville's grandmother's house. Harry looked at the clock, saw it move to six in the morning. Harry turned to Ron.

"Suppose if we tried to sleep-we'd oversleep," Harry said.

Ron shrugged, watched Luna and Ginny and Colin disappear into the living room fireplace; Neville climbed the stairs. Harry sat on the sofa, laid his head back on the cushions.

"Harry!" Ron shouted.

The clock had just toned off ten in the morning. Ron shook Harry a second time on the sofa.

"What?" Harry demanded.

"Time to go," Ron said.

"Already?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded.

Harry got up, took out his Portkey. Ron, Hermione, and Gia held on. They landed into a familiar office.

"You're late."

Harry blinked twice, looked at Dumbledore sitting behind the desk.

"Fortunately the premature end of term has made the timing for today less than critical," Dumbledore said, "It is a pleasure to see that you're doing fine."

"Somebody overslept," Ron said, his eyes darting toward Harry.

"You will first need to check in with Professor McGonagall as this is the start of the summer remedial term," Dumbledore said.

"Remedial?" Hermione exclaimed.

Dumbledore looked at Hermione.

"Miss. Granger," Dumbledore said, "You failed to complete any of the classes you were enrolled in at the beginning of the fall term. When accommodations were made in the form of a consolidated class, you still failed to complete the requirements for that class; your marks this past year have been failing."

"Mine too?" Harry asked.

"Yes Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, "Yours are failing too, same with you Mr. Weasley. However, I do understand the mitigating circumstances that made it impossible for you to complete the requirements for any marks. Miss. Granger, I do believe that if you had the chance, you would still be at the top of your class - but life has not been fair to you, therefore, the honor now slips to Draco Malfoy."

Hermione's jaw dropped.

"You should also not be surprised to hear that Mr. Malfoy is being considered for Head Boy," Dumbledore said, "It will be either him or Mr. Macmillan, the staff is still undecided. This does not signify a lack of confidence on our parts-rather, the Head Boy must be able to command the respect of his peers, something that you'd find extremely difficult given the current circumstances. In either case, normally, an existing Prefect is chosen into the positions."

Harry shifted the weight on his feet.

"That is a position for somebody who is taking a normal workload and having a normal experience at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, "It would be foolhardy and a fallacy to try to pretend that your situation is in any form normal when it clearly is not. I instructed the staff to stick to the rules for marks; you failed to submit a number of assignments and failed to complete finals. That failure has allowed me to bring you to Hogwarts for the remedial summer term, a Hogwarts devoid of any other students or Ministry personnel. A number of teachers are taking an extended holiday, therefore, yourselves and myself can be the principle occupants for the summer."

"Stay here? At Hogwarts?" Harry said, "I wasn't expecting that to be possible."

"You seem to forget that I am the Headmaster for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Dumbledore said, "I am in that position until either I resign or the Board of Governors elects to take action. Arranging for an relatively safe stay at Hogwarts during the summer for you will allow us to work on the task ahead. Hogwarts is essentially empty; some staff and teachers remain, I have recalled several former Order members to patrol the castle. While I have every confidence in your ability to remain safe within the castle; it will merely be a burden and impede our lessons, therefore, I do not want you to have to worry about safety in the castle or on the grounds, but of course do not neglect common sense."

Dumbledore paused for a few moments to catch his breath.

"There are scheduled two weddings and a Quidditch camp during your stay," Dumbledore said, "I trust you to stay out of sight for the weddings. For the Quidditch camp, I understand how important that is for you to maintain-I invited Coach Meyers to make use of the castle for the camp that you are expected to attend."

"Camp will be here?" Harry asked.

"Your safety is always my concern," Dumbledore said, "You do not wish to be worrying about that during a training camp, you want to be able to entrust that onto somebody else. Now, the matter of the lessons I had envisioned..." Dumbledore caught Harry's expression. "As always Mr. Potter, this is subject to your approval. I have no wish to compel you against your own desires, so the choice is up to you."

"Of course," Harry said.

"Reality is that the next Dark War is almost upon us," Dumbledore said, "It will come to you-"

"It already has started," Harry said, "For us, at least."

"For you, perhaps it has," Dumbledore said, "The start of any war is usually ambiguous. Voldemort's first Dark War-when did that start? Was it when the first person was murdered by him or was it his plunge into the Dark Arts? Or was it when the Ministry finally acknowledged it? Historians will choose some event as the start, before then the clouds of war are considered to be looming for which your troubles will be associated; however, you will find action occurs before the War begins and some peace to be had for some even after the start."

Dumbledore stood slowly, walked over to the armchairs near the fireplace, sat, then conjured up a tea set. Dumbledore waved, Harry et al went over and sat. Dumbledore poured a cup of tea and handed it to Harry.

"Consider your affairs a part of Voldemort's preparation for the real Dark War," Dumbledore said, "It is clear that Voldemort is making preparations; getting declared dead means all but few will ignore the signs of his rise. By all indicators, the ranks of Voldemort's Death Eaters are expanding-"

"How many are aware of his being alive then?" Harry asked.

"Many are being recruited on the pretense of being Potter Eaters," Dumbledore said, "To some, the way of the Dark Arts is appealing, for one reason or another. Of course, you are aware of the EM tattoo that will conscript the victim at the appropriate time, a tattoo that is estimated to be on the arms of a third of the British wizarding population."

Dumbledore sipped his cup of tea.

"You can certainly agree that Voldemort is up to something and it is not going to be pretty," Dumbledore said, "Each war takes a different shape, a different tone. My goal for this summer is to prepare you to help take on that challenge, which, I am certain you would agree, is more important than NEWT examinations."

Hermione's jaw dropped.

"They're of no use if we're dead," Harry said.

"I will still assess the finals that you were supposed to take," Dumbledore said, "We will cover the pertinent material from your seventh year courses. After the Dark War is finished, or you're otherwise able, you'd be permitted to return to Hogwarts and take the relevant coursework to complete the NEWTs you had wanted to take in the first place."

Harry read the expression on Hermione's face, stood up.

"Hermione!" Harry paced several steps, turned around, and faced Hermione. "You, of all people, know what we're facing! Voldemort isn't fouling our names just to earn Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award! He's doing it because it is advantageous to him and it's working much better than even he could anticipate!"

Dumbledore looked at Harry.

"That is an astute observation Harry," Dumbledore said.

"He didn't try to kill me at the last encounter," Harry said, "He wants us alive, for now. In prior encounters, St. Mungo's for example, he tried a Killing Curse, he tried in March to suffocate us, he tried to kill me when we fled that manor in Noigate. Yet, come two weekends ago, he had the opportunity to try, I even tried to kill him, but he refrained from doing so and he instructed his Death Eaters not to kill either. That means, he's finding the smear much more profitable than he had planned on, he'll refrain from killing me while that's true."

"Then that would hint that Voldemort does not have the EM under his grasp," Dumbledore said.

"No, not yet," Harry said, "It seems to me that he's prodding the EM, but nearly every person in the EM is acting of their own will right now. Anyways, while my death is to be spared by his organization, that says nothing about Ron or Hermione or Gia here."

Harry sat back down, sipped his tea.

"You are touching on operational matters, we'll get back to that," Dumbledore said, "As you are aware, my demise has been predicted, while I prefer to believe in Minerva's attempt at the crystal ball where she claimed to see me threatening to expel your grandchildren, I must be pragmatic about matters. I need a successor for leading our side once the Dark War starts - I feel that it is proper for you Harry to fill that role."

"Me? Lead?" Harry stammered.

"You would spend the summer with me preparing to take on that role," Dumbledore said, "Your friends would prepare to assist, to help you."

"You think I-?" Harry protested, "Most everybody hates me!"

"Because they are currently hypnotized by Voldemort," Dumbledore said, "Once they come out of his trance, they will naturally look to you for leadership. You'll try to avoid it, to dodge it, but you won't be able to escape it; as I have tried to do that before. I need to make certain you're capable of waging a fight against Voldemort as necessary, that is what I intend to do this summer."

Harry entered the Hogwarts Library, came over to Ron and Hermione at a table.

"How'd it go for Gia?" Ron asked.

"Professor Sprout agreed to have her on as an assistant for the summer when she's at Hogwarts," Harry said, "It isn't perfect, but I think it'll help Gia by happy."

Ron looked up as Harry sat down.

"Are you mad?" Ron said, "Sprout isn't a fan, quite the-"

"She's alright for tending to Gia," Harry said, "Sprout has lost two students to this stuff so far, so naturally, she's hostile but was willing to give Gia a chance."

"Nothing to stop Sprout from murdering-" Ron said.

"Sprout lacks the mean bone to do that," Harry said, "Besides, Dumbledore fixed Gia up with an emergency Portkey for use in the castle."

Harry grabbed at the blank piece of parchment in front of Hermione, looked at it.

"Any progress so far?" Harry asked.

Hermione snatched the parchment back.

"No cheating-especially for Dumbledore!" Hermione said, "Remember, we each do our own essays."

"I know!" Ron said, "What Voldemort wants from that legislation!"

"No," Harry said, "What he can and likely will get. Do we have the charter for Gringotts anywhere?"

"Yes." Hermione grabbed a book, read it. "The Goblins are hereby granted a monopoly...The Goblins will prevent any access unauthorized by the account holder to their best efforts possible and are obligated to cover any losses...Governing wizards are not allowed to access to any individual account save their own."

"So," Harry said, "The Ministry is contractually obligated to not attempt to drain my vault."

"Pretty much," Hermione said, "To dip into that, they need to alter the charter, that requires the approval of the Goblins and by two thirds of the members of the ICW."

"We've heard talk about it being blind-Any restrictions?" Harry asked.

Harry flipped the ICW Lingo book, read.

"Blind legislation," Harry said, "Refers to the fact that its contents are requested not to be divulged until after passage to the wizarding population in general. Commonly used for a Dark Pact-last one circulated in the early 70's."

"Dark Pact?" Ron exclaimed, "Blimey! No!" Ron slid down in his seat. "No! Our lives are-"

"Let me see," Hermione said, reaching for the book in Harry's hand.

"What's a Dark Pact?" Harry asked.

"Essentially the world against us," Ron said, "Bunch of measures to help contain and then defeat a rising Dark Lord."

Hermione flipped the pages.

"A Dark Pact requires passage by all members of the ICW and its provisions are usually kept away from the public until after passage," Hermione said, "Due to the high hurdle of unilateral agreement, a Dark Pact has not seen passage since the time of Erland who was discovered to have instigated the brief Pig wars in the 1840's between the US and Britain, the US-Mexican war, the US Civil war, and the Crimean war between Russia and Britain among the muggles."

"So it's not a worry," Ron said.

"Except Voldemort's pressuring it through." Harry turned the pages of the Daily Prophet laying there. "Seventeen murdered last night in Namibia." Harry turned to a different Daily Prophet. "Twenty seven murdered two nights ago in Jamaica." Harry looked at Ron. "You really think passage is going to be difficult? Jamaica and Namibia are likely to approve the thing inside a week!"

"Typical provisions include death warrants for the individual," Hermione said, "Also included are measures allowing for more aggressive hunting techniques, and more importantly, consolidates the fight behind a single government or Ministry-given who introduced it, we can guess which country will take charge there."

"And it's passing." Harry ruffled the morning's Daily Prophet; Hermione looked up at Harry. "Jamaica-attacked two nights ago passed the Potter Pact, as it's called, yesterday."

Ron scribbled on his blank parchment with a quill. "Great-done. Amending the Gringotts Charter and a Dark Pact. Done with that." Ron laid the quill down.

"Not quite," Harry said, "Why is Voldemort pushing so hard then? Gringotts-he can steal out of the vaults-he's tried it before and would've been successful if the vault actually contained something."

"You mean he got lucky," Ron said, "Goblins are good, so it's risky to attempt stealing-"

"Somebody managed to drain my vault earlier this year," Harry said, "If it weren't for Percy, I'd be broke right now. Remember what he said-the Goblins covered the loss which means it wasn't recovered. Why the Dark Pact-he's never needed a death warrant to go after anybody before. There has to be something else, something that is tucked away within those provisions, that is clearly beneficial to Voldemort."

Hermione flipped several pages. "If nominated as the organization, the Death Eaters could be legitimized so long as they changed their names to something like Potter Patrol. Another common provision to a Dark Pact are incentives and rewards to the death of the Dark Wizard in question."

"There's already a seven million galleon bounty on my head!" Harry said, "You're expecting another million to be tempting to Voldemort? Perhaps they'll give him the Order of Merlin, First Class. Voldemort might brag, but that won't make a difference. Thing is, we're missing a key provision, something I'm certain is buried within that pact, something that Voldemort wants badly enough that he's ordered the Death Eaters to spare me for the moment. That provision is not some Gringotts amendment or the provisions of the Dark Pact - face it, he already has the means to secure that, and attacking in the name of getting me, is already tolerated by the wizarding world."

"Dunno," Hermione said, "It could be anything-but isn't the legitimization of his activities enough? To keep the Ministry Aurors from even bothering to break up his gatherings - that might be worth something."

Harry stood, then stared at his reflection in the oval mirror hanging on the end of the nearest bookcase. Through his reflection, he stared at Hermione studying his backside.

"We're missing something," Harry said, "While those measures we've considered are nice, it's not enough. Voldemort's always going on about Muggles being inferior, I've thought it to be a ploy to get the loyalty of his Death Eaters-suppose he's got something in there about Muggles. Perhaps repealing the secrecy decrees and/or changing the Muggle classification to something he can readily kill-beast for instance."

"Some Purebloods wouldn't mind that." Ron planted his head between Hermione's and Harry's vision.

"Prick!" Hermione snapped, gave Ron a quick shove back.

Harry snorted.

"What?" Hermione demanded.

"Nothing," Harry said, sitting on the table. Harry ruffled to the Daily Prophet. "It notes that most countries are passing this after an attack, some of the more recent ones are aggressively debating, the exception being the United States where the Potter Pact is still stuck in committees-seems they're taking this thing the most conservatively of all the nations."

"For them, this pact is moving fast," Hermione said, "You aren't familiar with their politics-Voldemort would be lucky to get the bill through by the end of the year."

"Unless those people get really, really, ticked," Harry said, "A muggle provision, while nice, would undoubtedly get challenged in at least one nation. This Pact is supposed to be about getting at me-therefore, any portion must seem to be about getting me. Is Voldemort that desperate to get the Order of Merlin?"

Ron got out The Order of Merlin: Comprehensive Listing, opened it up, skipped past the third, second, and first class.

Merlin's Staff1

The distinction of Merlin's Staff actually originated before Merlin's time. It was called raajaadhiraaja meaning "overking of kings" in Sanskrit. It is the highest distinction possible in the Wizarding World. It originated in Ancient Egypt about 8000 BC (the original Egyptian title has been lost) and has been awarded only six times, the most recent being nine hundred years ago. It became known as Merlin's Staff when Merlin himself (a recipient of the recognition) presented his staff to the next recipient of the recognition. (This is the only time that two recipients have ever been within each others life time.) Modernly, anyone named to the title is also the official leader of the International Confederation of Wizards.

In order for Merlin's Staff to be awarded all wizarding governments throughout the entire world must unanimously agree to the appointment. In agreeing to the appointment, they also agree to recognize the individual as the supreme authority in all wizarding affairs. He (or she-though a woman has never been awarded the distinction) supersedes the authority of whatever governments currently exist and whatever laws are standing. Most important, once the appointment is made (meaning as soon as a government approves it) it cannot be revoked. There are three ways in which Merlin's Staff may be removed-through death, through a self-declared act revoking his own appointment, or by a new person appointed to the position.

Each wizarding body must examine the set criteria and if they find the nominated individual meets the criteria they must go through with the appointment.

Albus Dumbledore was considered for the award but was disqualified on the grounds that Grindlewald did not threaten the entire world. His appointment fell short by ten approvals.

Harry's jaw dropped.

"That is clearly possible," Harry said, "However, wouldn't somebody notice that provision?"

"Destined to go into the hands of whomever kills Harry," Ron said, "As an added bonus."

"Impossible," Hermione said, "The recipient must be named. I don't care how desperate people may be, but giving that to Voldemort-you'd be very thick not to notice. The Minister of Magic certainly would've caught onto that-regardless of his feelings for you, he wouldn't hand that to Voldemort."

"Too severe anyways," Harry said, "but what about something in between? Giving the British Ministry world-wide authority? We come to the same issue though-Voldemort needs none of this. He can rampage world-wide; were he to kill me, he'd be unstoppable, the bloody laws be damned."

"Could be doing it as a joke," Ron said.

Hermione glared at Ron.

"An insult to Dumbledore?" Ron asked.

"Stop fooling-" Hermione snapped.

"He may be right," Harry said, "Perhaps all that Voldemort wants to do is to rub this Potter Pact in Dumbledore's face."

"A lot of work and killing just to rub it in Dumbledore's face," Hermione said.

"A statement that Voldemort's the greatest sorcerer alive and he rubs it in the face of his old school teacher, the only one he's supposedly ever feared," Harry said, "We were assuming Voldemort was trying to get something else out of that legislation-I think the bragging is more than enough reason for him to pursue it. I am supposedly Dumbledore's golden boy-this would damage that, totally."

Hermione glared at Ron.

"Take it easy Hermione," Harry said, "He's got brothers that specialize in pranks and rubbing it in faces-those twins are the official suppliers of all EM gear!"

Harry sat into his chair, grabbed a quill, dipped it into his inkjar, and started writing on his roll of parchment.

"I think we have enough to go by," Harry said.

Late that afternoon, Harry left the Library first; the rollerblades sprang forth from his dragon hide boots, he skated to the corner where the floor met the wall, then Harry skated up the wall. He was cruising along as if the wall were the floor. He reached a stairwell, so with a jump, brought his skates against the ceiling, he skated up the stairwell while Ron and Hermione followed down the stairs. Harry kept to skating on the ceiling of the corridors and was on the second floor when-

"Mr. Potter-"

"What?" Harry asked the approaching McGonagall.

"That is hazardous and dangerous to your health-" McGonagall said.

"I'm perfectly safe," Harry asked, 'Why are you walking on the ceiling?" Harry's skates were planted on a rafter, him upside down, with McGonagall having to look up at him.

"By your standards Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "Nothing is dangerous-"

"More dangerous than having the entire wizarding world out to kill me?" Harry snapped.

"Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "While you are in this castle, you will keep your feet planted on the floor. Is that understood?"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Mr. Potter," McGonagall repeated.

"Alright, alright," Harry said.

Ron reached up and pulled on Harry's arms, Harry somersaulted onto the floor then spun around facing forward. McGonagall shook her head, then strolled off. Harry continued skating, this time with his feet on the floor.

Harry entered the Headmaster's office first.

"Good afternoon Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said from behind his desk.

"We think we have some ideas to the legislation Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, laid his parchment down on the desk.

Dumbledore took the parchment, read it.

"Fascinating," Dumbledore said, "The sheer number of possibilities that could be laying, waiting to be approved by the international community."

"Frightening is more like it," Ron said.

Hermione grabbed Ron's parchment, laid it down upon the desk along with her own essay.

"It wasn't an easy task I assigned," Dumbledore said, "Impossible is more like it if I were to have expected accurate results. The number of permutations of the possible contents of a Dark Pact is without bounds. Modifying the Gringotts Charter is a definite candidate-add in a provision under the Dark Pact and he could drain vaults with no protest or outrage, that would definitely expand his resources."

"We thought and debated over these," Harry said, "Given what he can do already-he doesn't need the legal coverage. We figure he's likely trying to send an insult to you, that the entire world hates us so much as to pass the Potter Pact."

"However, I would not put it past Voldemort to get his activities legitimized," Dumbledore said, "The advantage is we would lose all recourse to place his supporters into Azkaban. He did try several decades ago to remove the restrictions on the Unforgivables."

"Another provision then," Harry said, "Likely applies to me and my supporters."

"Speaking of supporters," Dumbledore said, "I received an interesting letter from Mrs. Longbottom this past weekend. Apparently, Neville was under the impression of being listed then took off along with you for an extended weekend."

"Decided to give them a few tips to survive," Harry said, "We assumed they'd be listed, so we gave them some defense lessons."

Harry explained the agenda. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"See the respect you have Harry?" Dumbledore said, "On a whim, you suggested time alone, time that you could have used to a disgraceful advantage. They trusted you with their lives, which should mean something to you."

"The numbers are what-hundreds of thousands to a few dozen at best?" Harry said, "We need numbers-I figured that they'd be able to help snare an impostor in the act come fall."

"Until we have solid proof," Dumbledore said, "Then, we would gain half of those people back."

"Will it be in time?" Harry asked.

"We should hope so," Dumbledore said, "It is about time for dinner, let us make our way to the Great Hall."

Dumbledore rose, grabbed his cane, and slowly walked toward the doors that lead to the spiral staircase.

After dinner, Gia, Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked through the corridors, up and up, until they were on the fifth floor.

"Go ahead," Harry said to Ron and Hermione, "We'll catch up to you in an hour."

"Doing something?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Harry said, "I'd like to keep it to me and Gia tonight."

Harry grabbed Gia's hand, went for the door to the Prefect's bathroom; they entered. Harry turned around and locked the door closed, then turned around for his eyes to meet Gia's glaring at him.

"You're jumping to conclusions," Gia said.

"How much we time do we get?" Harry said, "We have the rest of the evening, I'd like to use it."

Harry grinned, wide as he could; Gia snickered.

"I've been promised a long day tomorrow," Harry asked, "Start with a bath?"

"Let it fill first before you get any ideas," Gia said.

Harry walked over, turned on several of the taps, then brought Gia to a bench; they sat down facing each other.

"Was today better?" Harry said.

"A bit," Gia said, "I get the feeling that Sprout despises me or something, felt as welcomed as I would with Snape."

Harry exhaled.

"Sprout has lost a number of kids in her house," Harry said, "She's seen others that she's taught being killed. I don't doubt that some resentment would linger onto us given that we're the main suspects."

"I'd like a different teacher," Gia said.

"If only I could do that with Potions." Harry then moved his eyes, returned her look. "I suggest give it another day or two, try to get to know her, demonstrate that we aren't the monsters we're made out to be. I think working with her could help us, like Dumbledore said, most want to believe us but they simply can't right now."

Harry looked over, saw the bubbles reaching the overflow drains.

"I'm going in," Harry said, "You can watch or join me, your choice."

"You're always saying that," Gia said, "My choice."

Harry sat on the bench in front of Gia, he grabbed her hands.

"It should always be your choice," Harry said, "Obvious what I'd like you to do, but it should be your choice. I say it less to remind you but more to remind me. What you want does matter, to me. I know you want a quiet and stable life, I think we might get that within Hogwarts for the next couple months. True, it's not forever stable and quiet-yet, but it's a start."

Harry smiled, drew her hands in, and kissed her. Gia rolled her eyes.

"We're all we have for the future," Harry said, "You're all I have, and I love you."

"Wish he'd come along with us," Hermione grumbled as she and Ron approached the fat Lady on the seventh floor, "Could easily be booby traps still in place. Does he come with us? Noo, he grabs her and goes into the Prefect's bathroom instead. I mean-"

Ron wrapped his arm around Hermione. "You know exactly what he intends to do by going into that bathroom. I think it can help."

Hermione rolled her eyes, they came to a stop in front of the painting.

"Password?" the Fat Lady challenged.

"Assassin," Ron replied.

The painting of the Fat Lady swung open. Ron drew his wand, crept through the hole. Ron cursed, several ropes burned, then they stood for a moment in the empty common room.

"We're back," Ron said, "Need to be careful for any remaining traps."

"Harry could've helped," Hermione said.

They headed up the stairs, slowly clearing each and every stair.

"Do you realize how Gia's feeling?" Ron said, "She needs the attention, she's been nothing but a piece of luggage for some while."

"Gia is not a piece of luggage," Hermione said, "She has to follow for she's dead otherwise if she's not in our protection."

"She travels from place to place with Harry," Ron said, "She does essentially nothing-sounds like luggage to me."

"You're sounding like-like-" Hermione said.

"Like the truth?" Ron said, "Anyways, Harry is working on it with her, trying to find a way to keep her from feeling like luggage."

They entered the dormitory, the sixth year sign still hanging.

"It's been months since we were last in here," Hermione said.

"And hot." Ron removed his jacket, laid it on the trunk in front of one of the two double wide four posters.

Hermione lifted the lid to the second trunk, jaw dropped.

"Dumbledore retrieved our trunks from Charlie's," Hermione said.

"Likely useful and helpful to our studies," Ron said.

Wednesday morning, Gia entered greenhouse two.

"Grab a bowl and start picking," Sprout instructed.

Gia grabbed a bowl, went to a strawberry shrub, picked.

"Finch-Fletchley liked these," Sprout said, "Total shame-"

"It's not like Harry wanted to stumble across his corpse!" Gia snapped.

Sprout looked at Gia.

"Magic sucks," Gia said.

Sprout raised her eyebrows, stopped picking.

"Certainly I could have used magic to pick these," Sprout said, "That is difficult to do without bruising the fruit. For Healing though-"

"Don't understand," Gia said, "Magic sucks-the people. Accusations are all that seem to matter-guilt and innocence mean nothing."

"I'm sorry but Potter has been proven guilty-" Sprout said.

Gia glared.

"By standards so low that a second year Potions student can easily break?" Gia said, "By investigators who label conjecture as fact? Anymore, the mere suggestion is all it takes to convict! At least in the Muggle courts, it requires some proof. Here, the best proof that's been offered can be conjured up by anybody with a vengeance against Harry."

Gia plucked two strawberries.

"You-Know-Who is dead," Sprout said.

"You believe him to be the only enemy of Harry's?" Gia said, "How about the followers? Don't you suppose one of them has a bone or two to pick with Harry? He's got hundreds of others jealous over his fame." - Gia sampled a strawberry - "Lemme guess your next objection-all these suspensions."

Sprout nodded, kept picking berries as she listened.

"Professor Dumbledore has believed in Harry's innocence all along," Gia said, "Were you aware of the Governors's resolution requiring the suspensions regardless of guilt? Under that, if Malfoy hit Harry, Harry'd get suspended-Professor Dumbledore was required to suspend regardless of his belief of guilt, so the mere mention or rumor of a problem led to suspension. Harry was frequently in bed with me, hundreds of miles away, at the same time he was accused of thumping someone else-he'd get an owl letter notifying him of the suspension and not to bother with going to Hogwarts."

"Sounds like whining-excuse making to me," Sprout said, exchanging her full bowl for an empty.

Gia dropped her jaw for a moment.

"Whining?" Gia said, "You consider having impostors as an excuse? Last fall, we showed, in court, that impostors existed, but nobody cared. If anything, Harry wasn't vocal enough, maybe people would have listened, maybe his enemies could have been stopped before it got worse. But where wizarding world treats the truth as a legal technicality, where matters of innocence or guilt are irrelevant, where the Dark Arts are permitted to fester and you actively assassinate the one wizard who took a stand against it, can you honestly say you aren't willing conspirators?"

Gia put her full bowl on the counter, grabbed another empty, and returned to the plants. She picked.

"That's not true-" Sprout protested.

"Isn't it?" Gia said, "Seven million galleons to be awarded to whoever kills Harry-the Wizarding world wants him dead! Those bounties are funded by donations, contributions from quite a few people who want us dead."

Gia got up, started picking. She and Sprout continued picking in silence save the weird sisters on the jukebox in the corner of the greenhouse.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Headmaster's Office in the morning on Friday. Whispers of the paintings filled the room, aside from Dumbledore working his quill on a piece of parchment before him. Fawkes stirred for a moment after the heavy doors closed. The gentle draft from the open windows above billowed Harry's blue T-shirt around the top of his trousers. Dumbledore looked up, his blue eyes fell upon Harry, then looked back to his parchment.

"Does he need a new prescription?" Harry whispered into Hermione's ear.

Hermione snickered, Dumbledore looked up over the rims of his half moon spectacles.

"Madam Pomfrey checks my vision once a year," Dumbledore said.

Dumbledore looked down, finished the parchment, folded it into a letter, and placed it on the corner of his desk. Dumbledore looked up at them.

"Well?" Ron demanded.

"Patience Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, "I have reviewed your assessments from yesterday. As you were undoubtedly aware, they were not formal finals, rather they were designed for me to gain an understanding of where you stand. Overall, your performance was acceptable, but showed some weakness in the practical-that is understandable given the circumstances of the past year, so we will work that into the schedule."

"Weakness?" Hermione muttered.

"Miss. Granger, do not place yourself under unrealistic expectations," Dumbledore said, "Now, Mr. Potter, I recommended that you pursue the study of a particular subject last fall with Professor Snape-"

"Oh no, not that again!" Harry protested.

"You must admit that you would have the strongest motivation to learn the skill under those circumstances," Dumbledore said, "Regardless, the fact remains that you need to master the skill of Occlumency. I am aware that you have tried to master this by yourself, that is to be commended, but at a certain point you need a master occlumens to progress any further."

"I do not wish to do it with Snape," Harry said, "Besides, I've been able to keep Voldemort at bay."

"Professor Snape will conduct your final exam in the matter," Dumbledore said, "I am impressed with what you have done so far in the subject-turning to your friend to help learn the skill."

"What?" Ron asked.

Dumbledore's blue eyes glanced at Ron for a moment.

"Do not play the fool with me," Dumbledore said, "I am aware that you and Mr. Potter have been mutually learning the subject" - Dumbledore glanced at Hermione for a moment - "That you two have also brought Miss. Granger into the skill, but her skills are lacking at this time. Your guards are not perfect gentlemen, I can tell that you have walls in place-sufficient to keep others out but insufficient to necessarily do what you want it to do. For the rest of the day, both Harry and Ron will get you Miss. Granger to the level of skill that they're currently at."

Harry and Ron both turned their head, both stared at Hermione and grinned. Hermione took several steps backward.

"Um..." Hermione muttered.

Harry and Ron advanced, Hermione bolted out the door, Harry and Ron pursued.

Ron carried Hermione slumped over his shoulder into the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry followed with Hermione staring at his feet. Hermione kicked her feet, getting Ron's stomach.

"I was perfectly capable of walking," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"You're mine," Ron said, "I caught you-"

Hermione gave a swift kick to Ron's crotch, he doubled over and dumped her onto a sofa. Ron collapsed to the floor and moaned.

"Can you get the books from my trunk?" Harry asked Hermione.

"You two love the idea of studying this," Hermione said, "Tear apart my-"

"What better incentive would you have?" Harry asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, went up the stairs to the dormitory.

"I heard that," Ron said.

"Don't you agree?" Harry said, "We give her an incentive."

"By probing for that?" Ron asked.

"Didn't say anything!" Harry protested.

"Yes you did," Ron said, "About figuring out her intimate girl stuff."

"No I didn't!" Harry demanded, "Why'd you find that talk with Dumbledore so funny?"

"Never said anything-" Ron protested.

"Yes you did," Harry said, "I heard your every snide remark-"

"I never said-" Ron said, "I was thinking it-"

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"You don't suppose-?" Harry asked.

"Could be," Ron said.

"I'll check," Harry said.

Hermione came down the stairs with the books, laid them down on the study table; Ron down across from her.

Harry went for the stairs. He crossed the dormitory over to Ron's trunk, and then sorted through his books removing Ministry: Mysteries. Harry flipped through the pages landing upon one of interest as he sat on his double wide four-poster.

Mental Bonds

Magical mental bonds, while rare, have been known to exist between two or more wizards; these bonds can result from any number of reasons ranging from failed curses to an exhaustive use of the restricted practice of Legilimency between two parties. Due to the rareness of this condition, the bond between any two wizards must be probed for range and utility. In most cases, the wizards are advised to become Occlumens to mitigate any adverse side effects of the bond.

"Blimey!" Harry muttered, "Have we done it so much to cause this?"

Harry paused for a moment.

"Shut up Ron!" Harry snapped.

That evening, Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall.

"You're predictably late Potter," Snape sneered.

Harry and Hermione sat at the large circular table, around which many eyes were focused upon them.

"Ronald-?" Arthur asked.

"Decided not to show," Harry said.

Dumbledore coughed for a moment, McGonagall snapped her head to look at Dumbledore.

"In regards to recent legislation," Dumbledore said, "Mr. Potter has come up with some interesting theories to its contents."

"We do know it is not to Potter's favor," Amelia Bones said.

"Well duh." Harry rolled his eyes, "First idea is that they are amending the Gringotts charter to allow for for unfettered access to certain vaults, access that is prohibited as the charter is currently written."

"I fail to see why the Ministry needs to alter the charter," Arthur said, "It has worked for the past four centuries as is, alteration is not needed."

Harry calmly sipped his tea, endured the new set of antlers on his head.

"Nice rack," Tonks said.

"I assume that Fred catered-" Harry said.

"An unfounded accusation!" Fred protested.

"Second," Harry said, "Voldemort is trying to humiliate us with the Potter Pact."

"Rubbing it our eyes," Bones said.

"Additionally, the usual harsh measures for containing a Dark Wizard," Harry said, "which come down to kill-on-sight."

Later, Fred and George followed Harry through the castle and into the Gryffindor Common Room.

"It's been soo long," Fred said, "Staying-?"

"What are you doing here?" Ron demanded, sitting on a sofa reading up on Quidditch Through the Ages.

"Sorry," Harry said, "We suffered a lice infestation several hours-"

"Hey!" George snapped.

A swarm of flies shot out of the fireplace, went straight for Fred and George, started crawling all over and burrowing into their clothes. Fred dropped the bundle of his jacket and something else onto the floor, his hands quickly moved to scrap off the flies. George stripped and then shook the flies off of him. Fred saw George, quickly copied the more effective technique. Ron was rolling on the floor in hysterics. Harry was snickering from the sofa. After a few, the flies disappeared, leaving both Fred and George standing starkers in the middle of the common room looking for their clothes.

"Nice-" Gia started, her eyes upon the twins.

"An invitation," Fred said to George.

"No it's not!" Harry leveled his wand at George. "I still remember Pomfrey's curse."

"You followed for a reason?" Ron asked.

"Certainly brother," Fred said, "Thought you'd be mature enough to enjoy this-" Fred unwrapped the package to show a case of beer "-judging from your behavior, you're not."

A beer flew from the case to Ron's hand. "Yes we are, quite funny, don't you think 'Mione?"

Another beer flew into Harry's hand. Fred and George grabbed cans; they sat on the other sofas, both opened their cans of beer.

Midday Sunday, Harry and Ron were walking along the third floor corridor, in route to the Great Hall.

"Quidditch camp starts today!" Ron said, "Hardly wait."

"I know, I know," Harry said, "Hermione seems okay with things."

"She's getting an intensive two week treatment in Arithmacy with Professor Vector," Ron said, "Of course she's happy. Gia's not at that level of bliss though."

"Assisting Sprout is helping her, I think," Harry said, "But it doesn't address the problem, the being chased and having no place to build up as her own."

"Any publicity through the Quidditch should help," Ron said.

"I hope," Harry said, "We're in so desperate need that just a little bit isn't enough."

They went down a flight of stairs. Eventually, they entered the Entrance Hall.

BOOM!

Out of a crate to the side of the hall came many upon many enchanted fireworks. Dragons, composed entirely of sparks, roamed the corridors spewing fiery breaths onto all. Cartwheels spun firing off sparks that spewed remarks positive of Puddlemere United. Cracklers exploded everywhere, filling the Entrance Hall and the Great Hall with much noise.

"Right place I guess," Ron whispered to Harry.

Harry and Ron walked into the Great Hall, ignored the silver rockets ricocheting off the walls and grazing their heads.

"Closest ones are always the latest." Fred shook his head.

Harry sat at the large round table between Oliver Wood and Amy Greystok; Ron glared at Harry for a moment then sat next to George and Fred. To one side of the table, Coach Meyers stood up, his coaching jacket gone replaced by a polo shirt.

"All appear to now be present," Meyers said, "Welcome to the Quidditch Camp for Puddlemere United. As you've undoubtedly noticed, the location has been changed to Hogwarts at the request of Professor Dumbledore who expressed concerns over the security of our two new players, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley."

Meyers waited for the applause of the others around the table.

"That said, their presence on this team will cause friction especially among the public, the press, and the other teams," Meyers said, "That will draw unwanted attention to this team, some may go beyond a scathing letter to the editor-taking matters in their own hands. Therefore, you'll find it reasonable that we schedule a week later in the summer" - he rolled his eyes at the moans coming from most of the others - "to hone your abilities in self-defense."

"We already know how to fight," Amy Greystok said.

Eyes darted between Greystok and Coach Meyers.

"He's serious," Harry asked, "Are you safe now?"

Eyes of the coaches across the table fixated on the boy in black hair with green eyes looking at Greystok. Eyes of the others turned to the head above the shoulders and his white T-shirt. Greystok turned and looked into the emerald green eyes, her eyes glared.

"Or," Harry asked, "Are you merely trusting that nobody'll sneak up and stab you?"

"You wouldn't!" Greystok protested.

"George could," Harry said.

George, to her right, poked Greystok in the back; she jumped.

"You don't get it, do you?" Harry said, "People are after me, wanting me dead, and you're sitting next to me." Harry glared into her eyes for a moment. "You don't want to die for me-great 'cause I don't want you to." Harry looked past her to George, skipping past, to Meyers. "I should explain the risk that is posed to you all by my presence on this-"

"Get real," Fred said, "You're not a threat to-"

"The people after me are dangerous," Harry said, "You all deserve to know what's going on."

"I was going to ask you later to the status," Meyers said, "If you're comfortable discussing that in front of the team-"

"They deserve to know what is going on and the threat that poses to them," Harry said, "Everyone of you bears some risk given that we're professional Quidditch, but there is more-"

"Let us have lunch while Potter explains things," Meyers said.

Marshall clapped.

"Dumbledore explained it," Meyers asked, "Anybody here know the charm?"

Meyers looked, Kline and Gerber shook their heads, others grunted.

"Normally we just go down to the kitchens and ask the House Elfs," Ron said.

"Summoning-thanks Weasley," Meyers said.

With a wave of Meyers's wand, platters of sandwiches appeared on the table. The others started eating.

Frogmore stood up. "You're making it sound like suicide to take you onto this team. Coach-no offense, but is he worth it?"

"A more prudent question is whether removing Harry Potter now would reduce the threats against you." Dumbledore stepped out of the shadows against the walls and into the light of the sun coming through the windows above.

"Professor!" Frogmore stammered.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are already associated with this team," Dumbledore said, "Removal would result in what Mr. Frogmore?"

"Retaliation Professor?" Frogmore asked.

"Correct," Dumbledore said, "Regardless of whether Mr. Potter plays or not, the risks to you are now about the same, and what isn't borne now will be borne later."

Harry looked at Dumbledore's blue eyes, the arm leaning heavily on a cane between Meyers and Kline.

"Times ahead may be dark Harry," Dumbledore said, "It does not help to darken things ourselves."

"Meaning?" Emsworth asked.

"Meaning I came into this hall with another purpose," Dumbledore said, "As a dedicated fan of the team, I proudly welcome you to Hogwarts whose facilities you intend to use for the next two weeks to train intensively for the upcoming season-may you win the League Cup this year. To your lodging, I would assume that the dormitories of Gryffindor Tower should prove adequate."

Fred and George widened their eyes, grins crept across their faces.

"Nice decorations in the corridors," Dumbledore said to Fred and George.

They heard the tap of Dumbledore's cane as he left the Great Hall.

"Regarding security," Meyers said, "We chose this over the usual locations because we could provide for better security. Assuming that you are each done with lunch, please report to the Hospital Wing where Notley will conduct an examination."

As Ron left the curtains in the Hospital Wing; he turned to Harry.

"You're next." Ron lowered his voice. "Don't try to escape."

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron nudged Harry until he went for the curtains; Harry entered.

"You're acting like a married couple-" George said, standing nearby.

"Perhaps the girls are just a cover for something else-" Fred said.

"Does that matter to a person who's been castrated?" Ron asked, then waited for Fred and George to finish their wincing. Ron glared at Fred then George, then reached up and grabbed a lock of Fred's hair-the rest of it was floating off his head in the breeze. "Watch it, you're moulting."

George glared at Ron, grabbed a clump of his hair. "What did you-?"

"Must be a side effect of one of your products," Ron said, dashing for the door out of the Hospital Wing, leaving the rest of the waiting team in stitches.

Harry closed the curtains, looked at Notley seated on a stool looking back at him.

"Have a seat Potter," Notley said.

"Just a moment." Harry drew his wand, cast an Imperturbment Charm around them. "Hate eavesdroppers."

Notley brought over the scale.

"Suppose Pomfrey's around-" Harry muttered.

"No she is not," Notley said, "For the next two weeks, she is on holiday. Scale."

Harry stepped onto the scale. Notley checked and double checked, then jotted the number onto his chart.

"You've grown," Notley said, "You're at five feet and four inches now-"

"Meaning?" Harry asked.

"Meaning that since you're now at ninety pounds," Notley said, "You are making progress-you're not in the normal range yet, but you're making progress-that is good."

Harry gripped his buttocks. "Want these to get fat?"

"You still are underweight Potter," Notley said, "You have fifty pounds to go before you'd need to worry about those." He pointed to the bed, Harry moved and sat on top of the covers.

"Fifty?" Harry said.

Notley leveled his wand, started moving it over Harry.

"You should realize that there are people who care about you," Notley said, "Now, being of a proper weight is best for your long term health, your reflexes, and your Quidditch skills. It's also apparent that the malnutrition had stunted your growth-"

Harry dropped his jaw. "Wha-?"

Notley tapped on his chart with his pen. "You started eating properly and you resumed growing Potter, no fooling there. I suggest we let this continue, it definitely helps with your stature."

"You're saying I'm shorter than I should be?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Notley said, "With luck, we might remedy it." Notley scribbled out several lines on his chart. "You have accepted your situation and you're making progress - therefore, I will permit you to play, however, this will be conditioned on you continuing to make progress Potter."

Harry dressed, Notley handed Harry a slip of parchment.

"The coaches are waiting out on the pitch," Notley said, "Hand this slip to them."

Harry grabbed the slip, read it as he left the curtains.

Coach Meyers

Harry Potter is permitted to practice and play Quidditch provided he follows the directions I have outlined to him.
Notley

Harry rolled his eyes, and left the castle. He mounted his Whitehorn, cast SEP and a Disillusionment Charm on himself, and then flew around the grounds and approached the Quidditch Pitch opposite of the hill down from the castle. He hovered above Ron and Wood eying the trail, in particular, a big green area on one of the steps.

"Certain he's coming?" Wood said, "Been a while."

"Him and Notley likely have loads to talk about," Ron said, "He's coming."

Down the path, Gerber came running; his right heel made contact with the green goo, Gerber slipped and fell on his back. Gerber moaned; his skin, hair, everything promptly turned green.

"Coach?" Wood asked, approaching.

"You're not Harry!" Ron said.

"Bloody Brilliant." Gerber rolled his eyes.

"It was meant for Potter," Wood said.

"You missed." Harry released his charms, buzzed Wood.

Wood fell forward into the slime, his white T-shirt became grass green. Harry circled them tightly on his Whitehorn, extended an arm, and took Ron down into a roll.

"Trying to prank me?" Harry asked Ron, both of whom had holds on each other.

"A little harmless fun-" Ron said.

"Masterminds about to come out?" Harry asked.

Harry and Ron released their grips on each other, rolled until they could lay flat on the grass, both in spread eagles.

"Interesting morning." Kline came into Harry's view, holding the Whitehorn. "Nice broom, mind if I try-?"

"Just don't break your neck," Harry asked, "Is Coach Meyers here?"

"Will be down in a short while." Kline mounted the Whitehorn, flew.

Late that evening, Harry and Ron entered the Headmaster's office, brooms in hand, formerly white T-shirts were now in shades of brown and green matching the patterns on their skin.

"Did you enjoy the afternoon?" Dumbledore asked from behind his desk.

"Meaning?" Harry snapped.

"I should think my intentions are apparent Harry," Dumbledore said.

"But with you-there's always a catch," Harry said.

"I repeat," Dumbledore asked, "Did you enjoy the afternoon?"

Dumbledore watched the grins return to their faces, his eyes twinkled.

"For a man in the twilight of his life-happiness counts," Dumbledore said, "Yours has been seriously compromised due to no fault of your own-I need not explain further. Quidditch, for the next two weeks, will occupy most of your time, however, I strongly recommend that you continue studying, at least two or three hours per evening after practice." Dumbledore studied the growing faces of displeasure on Harry and Ron. "There is much for you to learn and too little time as it stands, you need to make the most of it. I have chosen a subject that should hold your interest for the next two weeks-battlefield tactics."

Harry lifted his eyebrows, Ron tried to suppress his grin.

"Though I loath the necessity," Dumbledore said, "I am of the opinion that you will need to be versed in the matter, sufficient to outwit others. I have drafted a list of reading and essays, you may cooperate with Miss. Granger if you wish, for she has the same list. In a little more than ten days, there will be an exercise to demonstrate how much you've learned."

"An exam already?" Harry asked.

"If you commit the two to three hours daily," Dumbledore said, "then you will find your knowledge adequate for what I have in mind."

Ron grabbed the parchment from Dumbledore, raised his eyebrows as he read.

"Hermione'll have it done by tomorrow," Ron said.

"That'd be true if it weren't for the opportunity I afforded her," Dumbledore said, "While you two are drilling with the team, Miss. Granger will be in private session with Professor Vector to hone up her Arithmacy and her Ancient Runes. Both her and Miss. Prescott were in the Library last time I checked."

A half hour later, Harry set down the pile of books onto the study table in the library. Around it were Hermione, Ron, and Gia. Ron picked up Thucydides, raised his eyebrows.

"It's about learning from others-" Hermione said.

"Muggle wars?" Ron said, "We're dealing with-"

"Principles are the same Ron," Gia said, "Whether you're dealing with wands or rifles, the goals are the same. You're all good at magicking your way through a duel, but I think Dumbledore wants you to learn more than handling a duel, lessons that transcend the instruments you have at hand."

"I'm not a battlefield general," Hermione muttered, her quill writing on her parchment.

Harry grabbed her hand, looked into her brown eyes.

"Not yet," Harry said, "I'm getting the nasty feeling that Dumbledore expects fighting-he wants us to be able to head things, to wage a good fight even if the odds are against us."

Harry reached, grabbed Revolutionary War: Guerrilla Warfare and Terrorism in Our Time.

"It's obvious what he's training us for," Harry said, "Voldemort has successfully split the wizarding world, we may be fighting like this."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia returned to Gryffindor Tower late that evening, they entered the Common Room.

"We were wondering-" Fred said.

"Can it," Ron snapped.

"Easy bro-" George said.

"Bent-?" Ron asked.

"Not fair-" Fred said.

"Great way to silence them," Wood said as he looked at a miniature model of the Quidditch Pitch.

They went for the stairs. Harry entered the dormitory last and locked the door, then looked at Gia getting ready for bed.

"Was today better?" Harry asked.

"Spent it with Hermione," Gia said, "It was alright."

"We'll work on things." Harry crossed to his bed, embraced Gia.

Ron studied Hermione's face.

"Shower first!" Hermione ordered, "I'm not touching before that."

Ron rolled his eyes.

Wednesday evening, Harry and Gia entered the Room of Requirements; Harry turned the key in the door locking it shut. Harry gripped and held Gia's hand, they both looked forward at the sand stretching to what seemed to be forever, waves of the water lapped at their feet. In Harry's other hand was a picnic basket.

"Goes on for a ways," Gia said.

"Not really that far," Harry said, "Just an illusion-"

"I like it," Gia said, turning to give Harry a kiss, "Any chance of being interrupted?"

"No, none whatsoever," Harry said, smiling, "It's you, me, and this illusion of a secluded beach. Happy Birthday."

Meanwhile, back in the Library.

"Should've figured!" Hermione complained, as she slammed a book onto the table, "He goes off with her at the first opportunity-totally ignoring his studies!"

"You know perfectly well who's birthday it is," Ron said, sitting down next to Hermione.

"Simple-jewelry, dinner, flowers," Hermione said, "Dozens of gifts would've suited-"

"Anybody save Harry." Ron leaned his arm onto the table, looked at Hermione's busy face. "You know perfectly well how he is with money and gifts-he's spending time with her, something they need."

Hermione pushed her stack of books aside. "Us?"

"I'm spending time in the library with you, aren't I?" Ron said, "We could do more-later."

A grin crept across Ron's face as he looked at Hermione then glanced over to the Restricted section, then back to Hermione. Hermione's brown eyes widened.

"Figures," Hermione muttered.

Ron grabbed her right hand resting on the table.

"If you want to," Ron said, "Understand why Dumbledore brought the Quidditch Camp to Hogwarts?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Everything in the world always stops for Quidditch-suppose we could stall Voldemort by starting a match."

Ron chuckled for a moment.

"No, that's not why," Ron said, "Dumbledore strongly hints at why-remember to live. It's important to remember that, especially now. We've been giving Harry a life, a life that actually means something to him to risk, a life that will hopefully keep him from acting too rash. I mean, especially after hearing the prophecy, it's hard for Harry not to think of himself as Dumbledore's weapon - you've heard it-"

"You're worried about Harry attempting-?" Hermione asked.

"I think Gia got through to him," Ron said, "However, the conditions are getting worse than before. We're no longer the sole targets-Dumbledore, Ginny, the others are too along with all of Puddlemere United once the press gets a hold of the fact that we're on the team. Coaches are stalling on the press releases, but that works for only so long."

Ron saw a tear coming down Hermione's face, the rays of the setting sun sparkled in it, Ron wiped it from her face.

"Things are so messed up, aren't they?" Hermione muttered.

"We'll get through this," Ron said.

"How can you-?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing," Ron said, "It makes me feel good to say it."

"Fi-" Hermione said.

"So this is where you're hiding." George entered the Library, followed by Fred.

"Scram!" Ron snapped.

"Didn't you know?" Fred said, "No comfort-"

Ron swung his right arm around, leveled his wand at Fred.

"Scram!" Ron ordered.

"Easy brother," George said, "We were told no guests for this outing-yet you're-"

"I am not Ron's guest," Hermione said, "I am here at Professor Dumbledore's request-"

"So that's how you're getting away with it," Fred said, "Should've-"

Ron shoved Monday's Daily Prophet at Fred.

"Six million on my head," Ron said, "Four and a half million on hers-you honesty think I'd play without ensuring her safety? You have no idea of what you're interfering with-"

"Oh, we're certain we know what we've barged in on," George said, "Madam Pince would have a fit if she knew-"

Crack

Ron's left fist met George's right jaw, a splatter of blood flew from the nostril onto the back Ron's fist. George's eyes flashed, his left hand snatching Ron's wand. Hermione shoved her books and parchment down the table.

"Ron!" Hermione warned.

"He's insulted you for the last time," Ron retorted, "Stand back!"

Ron's right foot kicked George's left shin; he then stood there, fists drawn, posed to fight.

"Two against one?" Fred said, "You think that's a fair fight Ronald?"

"Why?" Ron asked, "Need a third?"

George stepped back.

"We won't forget this Ronald-attacking your-" George said, in a threatening voice.

"With you trying to assault us-?" Ron snapped.

"Punching a brother-I won't forget." George handed Ron his wand back. "Was going to persuade you to join the team instead of wasting your time-"

"I'm not wasting my time," Ron said, "Scramm!"

A curse shot from Ron's wand, it sent George flying backward and slamming into the wall next to the door.

"We won't forget," Fred said.

Fred ran over, helped George out of the library.

"That was mean of you," Hermione said to Ron.

"They were being obnoxious so they deserved it," Ron said, "Can't let them walk all over me or they keep doing it."

Ron sat down next to Hermione, she moved her chair down the table.

"What else could've I have done?" Ron said, "Trying to explain things would've spilled too much-the fist was easier."

Ron moved his chair next to Hermione; she started to move but could not escape Ron's arm closing, wrapping, around her front then side and then back.

"Hmph!" Hermione uttered.

Ron's left arm wrapped around the other side, his momentum carrying the both of them, pushing her chair over, and the both of them onto the floor. Ron rubbed her head.

"You're special to me," Ron said, "I won't let them insult you."

"So you tackled me to the floor?" Hermione asked.

"Just keeping you from escaping," Ron said, letting a grin come across his face, "Are you okay?"

Hermione glared. "You just shoved me to-"

"I grabbed you-" Ron asked, "Are you okay?"

Hermione rubbed the back her head, yawned for a moment; Ron looked into her brown eyes.

"Stress?" Ron asked.

"You're sneaking-?" Hermione exclaimed.

"You're irritated," Ron said, "It's more than my picking a fight with George - it's something else. Therefore, count on me to use any and everything I can-I swear to be persistent."

Ron ran his fingers on her face, then back into her hair; he kept his eyes trained on her face.

"Nice but I do have studies-" Hermione said.

"That can wait for a short while," Ron said, "That's it, isn't it?"

Hermione inflected her eyebrows, arching them for a moment.

"Just say it," Ron said, "What you find stressful-you've studied before on a deadline."

"Not two years worth in two weeks," Hermione said.

Ron rolled his eyes, then met hers again.

"Trying for it all may be unreasonable," Ron said, "Focus on what's essential first, then the rest. Before you continue, I insist that you relax-"

"Your code word for-" Hermione said.

"It works," Ron said, kissing her.

"Here?" Hermione asked, "In the library?"

"We're not moving unless it's into the Restricted section," Ron whispered.

Thursday morning, Harry walked into the Great Hall, sat down next to Ron; the rest of the players were already leaving.

"You're late," Ron said.

"Overslept," Harry said.

"While I know why," Ron said, "You might not want to mention it-"

"How-?" Harry asked.

"I do," Ron said, his eyes looked up at Harry, "Besides, look at today's paper."

Harry looked at Ron, then to the paper. Ron shoved the Daily Prophet on over.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Thursday, July 10, 1997

Hogwarts Student Murdered

Last night, Hogwarts Student Susan Bones was found murdered in the home of Amelia Susan Bones in the village of Thurton, a few miles southeast of Norwich. Responding to a call about a Potter mark lingering above the residence, Ministry Aurors found the sixth year student bleeding to death while Amelia Bones had been out on an errand visiting the local grocer. The seventeen year old niece of the former Head of the Magical Law Enforcement was cut down in her prime by the Dark Lord Harry Potter. This cruelty was in addition to the 39 souls Potter butchered in Freiburg, Germany.

"No wonder I feel tired," Harry snapped.

"Come on!" Ron said, "I know you didn't do it-just that you need to be aware of it. Another gone out of our year."

"Like I needed reminding!" Harry said, "Who's left? We've lost Finch-Fletchley, then both the Patils, and now Bones! Two Hufflepuffs, one Ravenclaw, and one Gryffindor - any guesses?"

"A Slytherin?" Ron said, "But all Dark Lords lust for Slytherin-perhaps they're trying to show a retaliation for not getting into the house you should've wanted to be."

"Wouldn't put it past them," Harry muttered.

Ron patted Harry's shoulder. "Let's go-practice."

Ron and Harry left the Great Hall.

That evening, Harry, Ron, Gia, and Hermione returned late from the Library; they crossed the Common room.

"You might consider enjoying yourselves," Fred said.

"Can't-must study," Harry said.

George came over.

"Harry," George said, "We believe you're overworking yourself-"

"Tell that to Susan Bones," Harry snapped.

Harry led the way up the stairs to their dormitory. At the top of the stairs, Harry pushed the door open, then froze.

"What?" Ron asked.

"It wasn't locked," Harry said, "I locked it this morning as I left-have any of you been in here?"

"No," Hermione said.

Gia and Ron shook their heads.

"Caution then," Harry said, "Gia-you come in last."

With wands drawn, Harry entered first, followed by Ron and then Hermione; they scanned the nooks and crannies, checked under the beds, patted down their four posters. Gia came in last and closed the door.

"Can't find anything yet," Harry said, "Ron? Hermione?"

Hermione came out of the bathroom, wand still scanning. "No, nothing in there."

"I think it's clear," Ron said.

"Normal people'd say that you were being paranoid," Gia said.

Harry looked at Gia. "Most people don't have million galleon prizes for their heads either."

"True," Gia said.

"Seems clear to me," Harry said.

Ron and Hermione nodded. Ron was the first ready for bed, so he opened the bed cover on the bed of his four poster, slid his left leg along the sheets, then pushed and then stopped.

"Hey!" Ron asked, "Harry-did you short sheet us?"

"No," Harry replied from the bathroom.

Ron gave the fold another shove, they heard the rip, followed by the single sheet transfiguring into two sheets of proper size resulting in a properly made bed.

"Very funny," Ron said, "Ha, Ha. The short sheet jinx-you'll see that again Harry."

Ron slid in between the sheets, started to pull the covers up, then screamed.

"Wha-?" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes fixated on Ron.

Harry looked out from the bathroom, witnessed the transformation, as Ron's covers changed into a bed of small spiders crawling all over Ron. Ron scrambled out of the bed, anxiously started trying to wipe the spiders off of him, first swiping at the ones crawling near his crotch. Hermione gasped, pointed at the walls.

"Even more," Hermione whispered.

They watched the walls, the floor, the ceiling; out of which came more spiders as if the paint transfigured itself into more crawling spiders; all the spiders converging and engulfing Ron.

"Help!" Ron exclaimed.

Through the dormitory door came Fred and George, both laughing.

"We warned you!" Fred said.

"Fair play!" George said.

Ron glared, wand was drawn, both Fred and George bent over and collapsed onto the floor. Hermione dashed over and helped Ron, with a curse, the spiders vanished.

"Funny though," Hermione said, "Seeing what you valued-"

"It's about what you value-" Ron said.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, leaning over Fred.

"We're alive," George said.

Harry watched the redness on their skin spread, the inflammation of the rash on Fred's skin flared. Harry touched the back of Fred's neck.

"Ow!" Fred exclaimed.

"Can you stand," Harry asked.

"Hur-yes," Fred said.

George and Fred slowly stood, the bright red rashes from their heads down to their toes glimmered. George had his right hand down the back of his shorts, scratching. Fred was rubbing his T-shirt.

"Know the spiders were payback-" Fred said.

"Which earned you the rash," Ron said, "Don't scratch-it'll make the itching worse."

"You're hiding-swear we'll pry it out-" George said.

Another curse from Ron had George doubled over again.

"You do not have rights to my life," Ron stated, "You do not have the right to demand that I tell you every detail about my life-yet you seem determined to extract it, all consequences be damned. You don't care that such an action could get everybody killed-leave unless you think those rashes aren't enough. Leave me!"

George glared at Ron. Ron glared, another curse sent George flying backward through the dormitory door-shattering it-and down the stairwell. Fred glanced at Ron, then the door, and followed after George down the stairwell. A fourth curse repaired the door.

"Interesting temper," Gia remarked.

"How'd you like it?" Ron said, "Having brothers trying to pry everything out so they can retort on it-twist it to their advantage and your disadvantage? I've had enough! I should not be compelled to reveal everything about me when I don't want to-"

Hermione stared at Ron, blinked.

"You-usually I don't mind," Ron said, "It's about whether I want to or not-they have a habit of ignoring that and still try to pry-"

Harry placed his hands on his hips, glared at Ron.

"I'm not saying there aren't exceptions," Ron said, "You've got a habit of letting things needle at you until it's too late-still, there's a line that Fred and George crossed all too long ago and I'm sick of it."

"So," Harry asked, "How long do their rashes last?"

"Until they wise up," Ron said, "Though George's burning sensations should go away by morning."

Harry and Ron exchanged grins.

"That wasn't nice of you," Hermione said.

"Neither were their spiders," Ron said, "Now, can we get to bed?"

Ron tugged at the bed, rearranged the sheets, and laid down on it.

Harry sat down next to Gia on top of the Astronomy tower Friday evening around nine; their reclining rocking bench high enough for them to peer over the edge. Gia was already looking to the northwest, beyond the Quidditch Pitch, but not quite to the sun just above the horizon.

"Saw Coach Kline earlier out there," Gia said, "Had a rather vivid talk with Ron."

Gia looked up at the timbers Harry had brought up earlier to suspend their bench from, then back out to the grass of the fields and the road sweeping to their left skirting the edge of the lake.

"You can't put the twins-both of the Reserve Beaters-into the Hospital Wing without the coaches noticing," Harry said, "Fred scratched too much, it flared, and is still in there. Coach Kline isn't happy right now, but chalks it up to sibling rivalry. Personally, I agree with Ron, those twins do like to meddle in things, stick their noses into other people's business - a little deflating is good."

Gia glanced at the shadows devouring the grounds below, the deepening of colors, then to Harry for a moment, her eyes then moved to a raven soaring above the Quidditch Pitch.

"Perhaps," Gia said, "It's still possible to go overboard."

"Still need to do enough to get the message to stick," Harry said, "What Fred and George were prying for...well, bordered upon sensitive, and could, if spilled, easily endanger us. Twins don't seem to comprehend what's at stake, for them, the worst is a failed trick or gag, for us, it's much worse."

Harry sighed, glanced at the waxing crescent just above the horizon showing itself through the dark blue of the fading twilight.

"I finally comprehend what Dumbledore does-telling what one needs to know rather than what they want to know," Harry said, "You tell a person enough for them to do their job and perhaps cover the butts of their closest associates, but not enough for them to be able to divulge the plan to your enemies.

"Of course, the twins do have a point-we're working for twelve or more hours on the Pitch practicing, then what do Ron and I do? We head for the library to study and work some more-we've become workaholics and that's one of the things the twins are trying to unravel. Normally, I'd say shove it-if it weren't for Dumbledore. Can definitely see where Dumbledore put pressure on the coaches."

"You can?" Gia asked, her eyes focusing on one of the bats flying about.

"When it comes to me and Ron's security, yes," Harry said, "Normally, they use a facility dedicated to this Quidditch Training, sharing the experience with three other teams - this time, they're using Hogwarts at Dumbledore's request."

"Any chance of resolving this mess soon?" Gia asked.

Harry adjusted his left arm, moved his hand down her shirt and rested his hand on her shoulder.

"It'll eventually be resolved, that's for certain, one way or the other," Harry said, "How soon-I can't really say. I do know that it's successfully fractured the wizarding world, it's dissolved most of the opposition against Voldemort's plans, it's threatening the only group of people who can do something against him, and it's endangering me-the sole person Dumbledore is convinced can bring about his downfall. Those mass murders aren't helping and neither are the deaths of my school mates-Susan Bones being the latest."

Gia reached up with her left hand, grabbed Harry's hand on her shoulder and tugged slightly.

"As you're aware, I spent the day helping Professor Sprout," Gia said, "I...I think she's coming around. Apparently, she's been made aware of us sticking to the castle, understands that we didn't murder her, but of course, Sprout is still upset over the deaths. Don't get me wrong, she's not exactly warmed up to us, but I think she realizes how helpless we are in the matter."

Fred and George woke Sunday morning to the smell of fried fish. Fred blinked twice, looked past his eyebrows to the desk in the middle of the small office below the oil lamp hanging from the ceiling. George looked up his bare chest, over his white boxer shorts, up his legs to the pair of cuffs holding his ankles up to the ceiling.

"Just what did we do last night?" George asked.

Fred rubbed his head. "Nasty headache."

MEOW, MEOW

Fred and George looked down, saw the dust colored cat with a skeletal build whose lamp like yellow eyes were trained up on the twins.

"Mrs. Norris!" Fred exclaimed, "Shoo, go away!"

"How'd we get into his office?" George said, "Must've-"

"My my," Filch said, coming into the office and looking at the twins hanging from the ceiling in nothing save their boxers, "I will get the dungeon ready."

Filch scooped up Mrs. Norris, carried her out of the office.

"I just don't get..." Fred said.

Laughter filled the small office, the chairs by the desk creaked.

"I think we're about to find out who-" George said.

"Have very short lifespans," Fred said.

Harry and Ron, on the chairs, faded into illusion then dashed out of the office. Ron paused in the hallway, hunched over with his hands on his knees, still laughing.

"That...was...funny," Ron said, halting but interspersed with laughter.

Harry grasped Ron's shoulder, the cloth of his white T-shirt slid under his light grip.

"Should we oil the whips for Mr. Filch?" Harry asked.

Ron's laughter increased for a short bit.

"They're...going...to...kill...us," Ron said.

"Maybe," Harry said, "Come."

Harry tugged, him and Ron continued along for the Great Hall, fits of laughter continued to fill the otherwise empty corridors.

Monday, Ron and Harry came down the steps into the Entrance Hall; their Whitehorns in hand and both wearing their Puddlemere United T-shirts and shorts.

"Hurry up!" Meyers said, coming from behind Harry and Ron, "We need to leave in thirty minutes!"

Ron and Harry entered the Great Hall.

"Well, well," Fred said, sitting around the round table, "Staying up too late from all your joke-"

"Not that." Ron bent over and whispered into Fred's ear.

"That's not fair!" Fred said, "For Merlin's sake, you could, like, not rub that in."

Ron shrugged, sat down. "Rubbing is fun."

George rolled his eyes. "Be careful with your pranks then Brother-you want that to remain true."

"Quiet!" Harry snapped. His eyes focused on the paper in his hands.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, July 14, 1997

Puddlemere United Remains Silent

As of publication, coaches and other officials for Puddlemere United have remained silent on the contents of their roster for the upcoming season, still four days shy of the mandatory reporting date. Many commentaries have speculated to the changes being undertaken at Puddlemere United, with several discredited rumors suggesting that Dark Lords Potter and Weasley are being brought onto the team. What is known is that changes are being made to their roster and that the management of Puddlemere United is currently taking measures to bolster security.

"They publish the rosters?" Harry asked.

"Of course they do," Wood said, "Fans like to know and all - the coaches are really stalling this year, keeping you Potter and Weasley from being known until it's required."

Harry rolled his eyes. George pointed to the bounties in the Daily Prophet.

"Seven million on your head Harry," George said,

"Thanks," Harry said, laced with sarcasm, "Didn't realize until you told me-"

"It's enough to get the coaches' attentions Potter," Wood said, "You pointed out last-"

"I know," Harry said.

Harry opened the Quidditch Weekly, started reading and ignored the others.

THE QUIDDITCH WEEKLY

Monday, July 14, 1997

League in Training

by Tanner Robbins

It is that time of the year again, our favorite teams spend two weeks honing and concentrating on improving their skills. Each team is assigned to one of the four league training facilities, where coaches and players can share their expertise. A notable exception is Puddlemere United, who, citing concerns over security, have relocated their principal training facility to an undisclosed location and remaining in seclusion with the exception of schedule training games within their assigned usual facility. Inside, you will find the low down on the current picks of each team.

"Specialized facility-?" Harry muttered.

"Think nothing of it," Wood said, "Hogwarts works just fine - true, it's a bit further from the dormitories to the Quidditch Pitch, but this place has more character than the training facility."

George leaned over.

"In other words Harry," George said, "It allows him to fantasize that he's put the Gryffindor Dream Team back together."

Wood scowled. Harry and Ron followed Wood out of the Great Hall into the Entrance Hall.

"Punctuality and Vigilance Potter!"

Harry turned, saw Moody behind a statue with a wand aimed at him. The wand started to move upward, but Moody caught it.

"Nice try Potter," Moody said.

"Interesting shirt." Tonks came up from behind Harry, walked around looking at his white T-shirt with a gold Puddlemere United logo embroidered over the left pect. She took to the back where she could see Potter labeled in gold followed by 17 underneath. Her eyes then darted to his blue shorts, then up to Harry's eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes. "This isn't a fashion show."

"No," Tonks said, "We're your escort."

"What?" Harry exclaimed.

"Mr. Potter," said Dumbledore, coming down the stairs with Meyers, "Mr. Ronald Weasley, may I have a moment?"

"Sure," Harry said.

Dumbledore escorted Ron and Harry into the small Antechamber off the Entrance Hall; he closed the door.

"Harry," Dumbledore said, "You need the security escort at these games. For once, your location at particular times will be known in advance. You are also professional Quidditch players, your focus needs to be on the game, not totally on security; therefore, I will send Tonks and Moody to focus on security for you. You will wear these-" Dumbledore handed them each a small black badge "-pin them to your shirt collar, it will allow Moody or Tonks to talk to you during the game should you need to duck."

Ron took one of the badges, put it on; Harry glared at Dumbledore.

"For your age, you are extremely skilled," Dumbledore said, "However, the threats against you are extreme and on that pitch you will be very exposed. I'd rather send Moody and Tonks to earn your annoyance than to have you return with tales of needing to use half the team as human shields due to an unprovoked attack. Besides, I have already spoken with Moody and Tonks, both of whom assure me that they have nothing better to do."

Harry snorted, attached his badge.

"Humor an old man then," Dumbledore said, with a twinkle in his eye. Harry gave a brief smile.

"Have fun," Dumbledore said as he opened the door.

Harry and Ron returned to the gathering team members.

The team, the coaches, Moody and Tonks, Notley, Harry, and Ron, all landed on a highly polished granite floor while holding a hula-hoop. Meyers took the hula-hoop, hung it on coat rack. Harry and Ron took a moment to look around. They were standing under a dome spanning a hundred fifty feet to a height of forty five. Starting at thirty feet from the center were four arms, each a rectangular brick building stretching out of the dome and reaching upward to three stories tall; the top floor of each arm was connected by a massive ring concentric to the center of the dome. Above the door to the arm in front of Harry's vision was written in red letters on the white paint, "Chudley Canons", to the right were "Appleby Arrows", behind him was "Puddlemere United", and to the left was "Holyhead Harpies". Between each arm was a giant spread of tables and sofas, four lounging areas, with some people sitting around.

Kline grabbed Ron and Harry by the shoulders.

"This is the facility we were assigned to," Kline said, "It is the one we would've used if we weren't concerned about security. If we went through those doors, you'd find our wing has dormitories and showering facilities upstairs, among other things."

"Reserve players, this way," Gerber announced.

"Play well Potter," Wood said.

Harry rolled his eyes, followed Gerber through one of the huge lounge areas between the Appleby Arrows wing and the Puddlemere United wing.

"Better play well," Moody growled, "I came to see some Quidditch."

People in the lounge area, through which Harry was crossing along with his fellow reserve players, moved away once they realized that Harry Potter was in the group, some shuddered, others left the area, while one hid under a coffee table. At the sliding glass door to a Pitch, Moody placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, Ron stopped and waited.

"Just remember you two," Moody whispered, "You're the only two players with wands on them-don't use them unless you have to."

Harry nodded; they continued out the door.

Harry and his team walked past the goal posts and into the middle of the pitch; Moody and Tonks took to roaming the perimeter of the field. Ron looked up at the group of girls in yellow shirts with green lettering and the tight shorts.

Ron whistled. Harry looked at Ron.

"Well," Ron said, "They are cute."

"And you're fixed," Harry hissed.

Fred crouched, from behind, into the space between Harry and Ron, his arms were on both shoulders.

"Easy there," Fred said, "Focus on the game."

"Game?" Ron said, "They're-"

"Distracting you," Gerber said, "Huddle."

Stopping a dozen yards from the girls, the team gathered in a huddle around Gerber. Gerber looked at his players from Harry to Ron to Katie Bell to Craig Nesper to Anna McKenzie to Fred and George.

"Guys-keep your todgers in your shorts," Gerber said, "Remember, these girls love to use that against you, distract you to stare at them than the game. Potter-look for the snitch not the snatch. Same to the rest of you, concentrate on the game."

Gerber left the huddle, went for the referee standing next to a tall woman with short brown and grey hair.

"Seems so concerned about the girls-" Harry said.

"Not without cause," Nesper said, "They've been known to...um...strip-"

"Playing in the buff?" Harry asked.

Nesper nodded.

"It's legal too," MacKenzie said.

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Read the rulebook Potter," Bell said, "Only thing you're required to wear is a team and number identifier. If you notice the paint on the handles of their fleet of Nimbus 2010s, they've got that sorted."

"Relax Harry," George said, "You can't be required to play in the buff-you've got the right to at least shorts and a shirt-"

"Relax, we wouldn't impose," Fred said, "Neither would the coaches anyways."

Harry spied Gerber and the lady and the referee in a privacy bubble; all three were arguing. Fred caught Harry's line of sight.

"Too bad we left the ears at home," Fred said.

"No need," Harry said, seeing the lady glare and point at Harry, "I can guess the topic from here."

George looked over, saw their opponent huddled on the opposite side of the privacy bubble.

"They're scared of you?" George said, "No reason-"

"'Cept they believe the smut," Harry said, "Which is why the coaches are stalling on the rosters-need to minimize the protests until the last moment."

Harry walked a few yards away from his team, moped, and ran his foot through the grass.

SPLAT

A clod of mud hit the grass a foot in front of Harry, leaving a foot and a half long brown streak. Harry looked, saw the girls of his opponent arming themselves with more clods of mud.

"GO AWAY!" the tallest girl shouted.

Harry mounted his Whitehorn, took off, and watched seven more clods of mud hit where he was standing. Harry gained altitude, circled around the stadium, by the two box stands and the two sets of goals, but no encompassing stands; he looks around, sees the other three pitches of the facilities, each with their own game about to begin. Harry circled for a minute, came back down to the pitch and landed behind Ron.

"That was mean of them," Fred said, "We'll take care of them."

"Forget it," Harry said, "No point in escalating matters."

"Of course it matters," George said, "You're our teammate-"

The referee blew her whistle, the privacy bubble was gone. Gerber came over them.

"Line up," Gerber said.

Harry went over, formed a line up with the other Puddlemere United Reserve players, facing off against the Holyhead Harpies Reserve girls. Harry looked down the center line to the referee, a witch standing six feet tall with long silver hair. The referee blew a short blast with her whistle.

"I am Kieve Blindburn, I started playing professionally fifty years ago," Blindburn said, "I have since retired as a player and now referee on a routine basis. I expect fair play between the teams. We start off with a penalty awarded to the Harpies for Potter's mud fight-"

"Hey-!" Harry protested.

"And a two minute time-out for Potter for interfering with the referee," Blindburn said.

Gerber walked along the line, grabbed Harry by the shoulder, and escorted him to the sideline.

"I didn't-!" Harry protested.

"I know and she is out of line," Gerber said, "However, she is still the referee and you need to abide by her decision-"

Harry's jaw dropped. "She-!"

"She is trying to find cause to get you expelled from the league!" Gerber said, "She is toying you, trying to provoke your temper. I know it's totally unfair, but don't let her bait you."

They watched Blindburn release the Snitch, the Bludgers, and the Quaffle; immediately, the Harpies took their chance with their free penalty shot. Chaser Newby took the chance, Ron flew up, hands in the air, and snatched the Quaffle five feet away from the goal.

"Way to go Ron!" Harry whispered.

Blindburn blew her whistle.

"Hands out of the goals Puddlemere!" Blindburn shouted, "Another penalty-"

Ron's face burned green.

"Stop RON!" Harry shouted.

Ron glared angrily at Harry.

"This isn't going to be a fair game," Gerber moaned, slouching down onto the grass in front of the bench.

Harry sat on the grass next to Gerber.

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

"In case you hadn't figured it out," Gerber said, "Your presence isn't being received well-"

"Kinda figured that with the mudslinging," Harry said.

Harpies Chaser Bogg took the penalty shot and scored; Blindburn waved her wand at the scoreboard and updated the score to read ten to zero. Bell took possession of the Quaffle.

"Forfeiting a training game isn't taken lightly," Gerber said, "So the Harpies' Assistant Coach-that's Maggie Clewer-" Gerber pointed to the witch sitting on the other side of the pitch some two hundred feet away "-she protested you specifically. After a heated discussion-oh no!" Gerber looked up into the air. "CAREFUL FRED, GEORGE!"

Harry looked, saw the action. To one side, the Harpies Beaters, Sewell and Dalwich, were passing the Bludgers back and forth to each other-both had already discarded their shirts leaving their chests exposed, upon which both Fred and George were concentrating.

"Have to admit they're good," Gerber said, "Also efficient."

"BLUDGERS!" Harry shouted at Fred.

Fred's focus changed, he looked at the Bludgers for a split second, but that changed as two Harpies chasers aimed for him. Harpies Chaser Baine leaned forward as her broom zoomed past Fred's face, his eyes drifted with her flesh. A Bludger smacked Fred on the side of the head, Fred fell off his broom and slammed into the ground, a smile a mile wide was on his face.

"See?" Gerber said.

Harpies Chaser Newby distracted George in the same fashion; George slammed into the ground a dozen yards away from Fred. Notley ran out to the Pitch, looked at Fred first, then George, then levitated them both to the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Bell approached the goal post with the Quaffle. As Bell threw, the tall Harpies Keeper Wixoe shoved Bell off her broom, but the Quaffle still went in. Gerber looked at Blindburn, who did nothing.

"Ref!" Gerber protested, "We just scored-the foul-!"

"I saw nothing of importance," Blindburn shouted, "Except for your team's unprofessional behavior! For that-Seeker remains sidelined for ten minutes!"

Green swelled in Harry's face.

"Calm down!" Gerber said, "Attacking her would get you booted-permanently."

"It's unfair-she's refereeing!" Harry said.

"While I agree with you-we're stuck with her," Gerber said, "Harpies protested you-Blindburn was sympathetic, but ruled that Harpies had no influence, their only choice would be to forfeit."

"Sidelined for something I didn't commit-" Harry said.

"She saw that the Harpies throw them," Gerber said, "She admitted to trying to boot you-actively. The team will be filing a protest later-but regardless of the fairness, the game is still practice."

Harry sighed.

"Don't rise to her challenge-she wants an excuse to toss you," Gerber said, "Take two deep breaths and ask yourself if this game will really matter later?"

"She loathes me worse than Snape-" Harry said.

"Let it go," Gerber said, "Just let the resentment go-it's justifiable, but harmful."

Harry breathed deeply, watched Ron successfully dodge the Bludgers after the attempted distraction by two of the topless Harpies Chasers, then intercept the Quaffle from the third-then saw Blindburn update the score as if the Quaffle had actually gone in.

"You'd think they'd be easy to get into bed," Harry said, "Showing themselves off like a pack of whores."

Gerber snorted.

"No," Gerber said, "Not to say nobody's tried-they're infamous for teasing. It's just that they've come to realize the strategic advantage of showing off their...um...assets during a game."

Blindburn pointed at Gerber, Harry. "Time's up-play!"

"Remember what I told you," Gerber said.

Harry nodded, mounted his Whitehorn, and flew upward. Bell flew up next to Harry.

"What a fucking idiot of a ref-" Bell complained.

"She's trying to trip us up-" Harry said.

"It's one thing to hold a grudge, another to totally ignore the rules," Bell said, "She's awarded two of my goals to our opponent! Yet, if Weasley intercepts-she still awards points to them."

"It's about me," Harry said, "She's punishing the entire team-"

"Figures," Bell muttered.

"Score's bad already," Harry said, pointing to the scoreboard standing at seventy to zero.

Bell flew off, rescued Nesper from being distracted by the Harpies. Harry flew upward, looked for the Snitch. Into Harry's view rose a pair of bare buttocks, then the Harpies Seeker in the buff.

"Thought you were respectable," Harry said, "Nothing but a bunch of cheating whores!"

Seeker Rhyl, five foot six with slender build and red hair, flipped Harry off, then reached to massage herself.

"Read the Daily Prophet, January edition you lesbian!" Harry snapped, "Can't win without cheating, can you?"

Harry saw the Snitch at the other end of the field, hovering twenty feet above Ron; he sped away, Rhyl on her Nimbus 2010 moved and gave chase. Harry rolled to avoid the Bludgers aimed at him, both of which hit Rhyl who slammed into the ground. Blindburn blew her whistle.

"Illegal dodge by the Puddlemere Seeker!" Blindburn yelled, "Penalty shot for the Harpies!"

"What?" Gerber yelled, "Dodging-"

Blindburn glared at Gerber. "You're out-technical! Two more for the Harpies!"

Gerber went up the stands into the box, sighed, and sat in the corner. Harry rose up to circle while the Harpies took and scored on their three shots. Blindburn updated the score to a hundred twenty to zero, Rhyl recovered from below and rejoined the game, Blindburn resumed play.

"Your coach was right, you shouldn't get penalized for avoiding the Bludgers." Rhyl came up next to Harry, she was still starkers. "See anything you like?"

"January edition-well publicized," Harry said, "So that won't work on me."

"Rude way to crush a girl's hopes," Rhyl said.

Harry looked down, spotted the Snitch moving below; Harry dived off his broom.

"You're crazy!" Rhyl shouted, maneuvering her broom to pursue.

Harry caught the Snitch at ten feet above the ground with his right hand, his left still gripping his Whitehorn in the free fall. Harry slammed into the ground in a roll, then stood up and held the Snitch up high. Ron flew down, clasped Harry's shoulder.

"You just fancy that technique, don't you?" Ron said.

Harry grinned, that is, until Blindburn blew her whistle and waved her wand; she credited the Harpies with a hundred and fifty points.

"Harpies win!" Blindburn announced, "After Puddlemere Seeker used an illegal move to capture the Snitch-defaults to Harpies!"

Harry's face turned green, Blindburn spat at his feet.

"And just how fair were you to my daughter two months ago?" Blindburn scolded, "She didn't have a chance in hell to-"

Blindburn vanished.

"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed.

Gerber jumped out of the top box, rolled out on the grass, then came over.

"What did you do?" Gerber asked Harry.

"Nothing," Harry said, "yet everything."

Ron stared at Harry, watched the anger drain from Harry's face.

Harry slumped against the base of a tree separating this Pitch from the next, slid down to the ground; Ron, Tonks, and Gerber huddled over Harry.

"It's nothing to really worry about," Gerber said, "Referees do occasionally go missing for a while-ticking off an entire team usually does that. You weren't the only one angry Harry."

"Mine counted," Harry said, "No no-she doesn't deserve that!"

"What?" Ron asked.

"Nothing to worry about Potter," Gerber said, "May take time-she'll be back."

"No she won't!" Harry snapped.

Ron lowered himself, crouched in front of Harry.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"She was in Voldemort's company for a moment, a moment too long," Harry said, "That's where she ended up and she's not coming back. He's handed her corpse over to Wormtail for preparation to be discovered."

"Stay here and settle down," Tonks said, "Coach-?"

"I need to talk to the other coaches," Gerber said, "I'll come and get you in a bit."

Gerber left, Notley arrived.

"Everything alright Potter?" Notley asked.

"No!" Harry shouted.

Notley bent down to examine, Ron got up and held him back. Notley looked at Ron, Ron shook his head. Notley returned to Fred and George, starting to recover on the sidelines.

"Dumbledore needs to be-" Tonks said.

"Not now!" Harry protested, "Later!"

"Surprised you could play at all given the Harpies' scandalous tactics," Tonks said, "Harry, I kept score according to the rules-Puddlemere was the better."

Tonks left.

"That's a mean temper you have." Ron sat down next to Harry.

"Lots of good that did Blindburn!" Harry snapped.

They watched the Holyhead Harpies Reserve dress then made their way to the building. Bell, Nesper, and McKenzie hovered around Fred and George.

"Suppose this is a sign of things to come?" Ron asked.

"Hope not," Harry said, "I'll be worse than useless if every ref is going to act like Blindburn-not to mention the guilt of sending people to their deaths!"

"Next time," Ron said, "Should remove you from the Pitch before you have the chance-"

"You don't get it-" Harry snapped.

"Likely true," Ron said, "Try me."

"My anger-it allowed Voldemort through," Harry said, "It put her on his hit list anyways-guess how that'd look?"

Harry picked a blade of grass, then shredded it with his fingers.

"They were hot-those chicks," Ron said, "Took effort."

Harry chuckled.

"How'd you stand it?" Ron said, "You had that one-"

"Summoned up a memory of Gia," Harry said, "Then recalled Hermione's little spell, to, um, ignore, that sort of thing."

"That's a bit broad-" Ron said.

"Yet effective," Harry said.

They remained silent for a few minutes watching Notley and the twins from a far. Wood landed in front of Harry and Ron, both of whom were still leaning against the tree.

"Enjoy your first game?" Wood asked.

Harry groaned.

"That bad?" Wood said, "Those girls flaunting-it does seem effective, doesn't it? Enough to keep my eyes off the Quaffle for several scores."

"Worse than that," Ron said, "We stood our ground, some are recovering from the distraction-"

"Who won?" Wood asked, "Score? Snitch?"

"They won, two ninety to zero," Harry said, "I caught the Snitch."

"I know a lie when I hear it," Wood said, "Snitch is a hundred fifty-"

"True," Ron said, "Bloke of a ref gave the points to our opponent."

Wood stared at Harry.

"You're serious?" Wood asked.

"Gerber's talking it over with the other coaches, I suppose," Harry said, "She had a grudge against us-made Snape seem generous."

"Total foul up of a ref." Ron explained the referee's calls.

"Gross incompetence can hurt a referee's career," Wood said, "Willfully-that's major-"

"Not with her dead," Harry said.

Wood looked at Harry, blinked.

"Lesson in life," Ron said, "Never, ever, toy with Harry's temper."

"You murdered-?" Wood asked.

Ron shook his head.

"Let Harry answer-" Wood said.

Ron covered Harry's mouth.

"His answer would go like this," Ron said, "Yes, he will liken himself to murder even though he didn't do that. See, his temper relocated the referee-"

"Occurs," Wood said, "On this scale of injustice-I'm not surprised."

"His temper relocated her to Voldemort," Ron said.

Wood flinched. "Blimey! You said-"

"One guess to what Voldemort did," Ron said.

"I'll leave you two for now." Wood crossed over to Fred and George.

"You keep blabbing," Harry sneered.

"And they need an explanation," Ron said, "Funny-"

"How you mention to avoid my temper," Harry said, "Yet, you're here toying with it."

"No I'm not," Ron protested.

Harry glared at Ron. Ron pointed along the tree line, to a girl from the Harpies approaching. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Could be another strip tease," Ron whispered.

Harry elbowed Ron in the stomach.

"Potter?" Rhyl, the girl, inquired.

Harry looked up to her face, met her purple eyes under her purple hair.

"Yeah," Harry said, "That's me."

"Your coach wanted you to know that Blindburn has been found," Rhyl said, "She was being unfair-she even cheated us."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Distracting you guys was one thing," Rhyl said, "She did nothing, save handing us a free victory, something we'd like to earn."

"So they found her?" Harry asked.

"I should've said they found her body," Rhyl said, "It just showed up at St. Mungo's, dead, and badly mutilated. Aurors are blaming you-I just don't get it. You've been here the whole time-"

"My presence isn't required to murder, apparently," Harry said, "I've gotten used to that. This time-"

"She toyed with your temper," Ron said.

Harry turned his head, green eyes glared into brown, Ron looked away and back up to the purple under the purple hair.

"You're so complacent about being blamed-" Rhyl said.

"Evidence ain't required," Harry said, "Besides, I placed her into danger-"

"Cut that crap," Ron snapped.

"G'Day." Rhyl turned, went for the lodge.

Ron watched Rhyl's rear as she left them. Harry watched a butterfly flutter around.

"Suppose it's about time for the next game," Harry said.

Ron glanced over to the empty spot where Fred and George used to be, then back to Harry. Ron got up, went for the lodge, Harry followed several moments later.

That evening, Ron entered the library at Hogwarts, crossed over and behind the girl at the study table. Ron's hands entered into her bushy hair, played; he bent over and looked down at the parchment she was writing on besides a myriad of books.

"Did you win?" Hermione asked.

"No and no," Ron said.

"And here I thought I was dating a winning Quidditch player," Hermione said.

"And we thought we'd get a fair game," Ron said.

"Complaining?" Hermione asked.

"Referees were totally biased." Ron explained the first game. "And the second wasn't much better-at least he didn't award our points to the opponent, just became creative in awarding fouls."

"Perhaps you could ask Professor Snape to referee," Hermione said.

"Never thought I'd say it," Ron said, "He'd be better than what we had. Though the first one's dead-"

Ron explained the games.

"I did get a good glance at Harry after it," Ron said, "I think Voldemort chose the destination of Blindburn."

"Did you tell Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No," Ron said, "Just tried to convince him out of the guilt he felt."

Hermione concentrated on her parchment, dipped her quill, and finished off her assignment.

"Ancient Runes?" Ron asked.

"At least you can distinguish that from Arithmacy," Hermione said.

"Lemme figure these runes..." Ron slid his hands down the stretched the collar of her T-shirt.

"Means that you have fifteen seconds to remove those," Hermione said, "Or your snake is staying idle tonight."

"Aw!" Ron complained, "Realize what I avoided earlier for-"

"Don't think that automatically earns you a right-" Hermione said, "Besides, knocking up the entire Holyhead Harpies would've proven you not be fixed"

"Suppose you're right," Ron said.

Ron sat in the chair next to Hermione.

Tuesday morning, Harry entered the Great Hall, saw down between Wood and the twins.

"You're daring," Wood said.

"They know better than to annoy me," Harry said, taking in the looks of the faces of Fred and George.

"In case you're interested." Fred handed Harry the Daily Prophet.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Tuesday, July 15, 1997

Another Potter Victim

Kieve Blindburn, a witch in her late seventies, was received into St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, dead on arrival presumably from Potter whose tell-tale signs and marks covered her corpse. Blindburn, who was reportedly working at the Bowman Wright Training facility for the day, evidently made her way into Potter's clutches, her death comes nearly two months after her eldest daughter experienced the same fate at the hands of Potter.

In addition to Blindburn, it's been confirmed that Potter murdered thirty seven others last night. Two were murdered outside Perth. Thirty five souls were massacred outside of Kibuye, Rwanda.

Puddlemere United Expresses Outrage at Referees

Coaches for Puddlemere United expressed outrage at the biased and unprofessional behavior of several referees who were supposed to be officiating at the training games between Puddlemere United and the Holyhead Harpies. Coaches for Holyhead Harpies seconded the motion stating that the bias robbed their players a chance at good and honest games. Puddlemere cited numerous examples including improper foul calling that ranged from creating imaginary fouls to ignoring fouls depending on the team; improper awarding of points that ranged from ignoring scores to awarding points to the opposing team. The most egregious actions occurred at the reserves on reserves game, where the Puddlemere Seeker caught the Snitch, yet the referee gave the hundred fifty points to the Holyhead Harpies declaring them the winner - it was noted that this followed the trend where Puddlemere United's legitimate goals were credited to Holyhead Harpies.

Bowman Wright Reporting Silenced

All four head coaches have summarily silenced all reporting from Bowman Wright Training Facility until further notice citing security and safety concerns. At residence in this facility is Puddlemere United, Holyhead Harpies, Appleby Arrows, and the Chudley Canons. While reporters were permitted onto the grounds last week, they were suddenly evicted early Monday morning with every coach apologizing but emphasized security. Us reporters and editors for the Daily Prophet question the need for security and state that this level of secrecy is unprecedented in the history of the Quidditch training.

Harry slammed down the Daily Prophet.

"They don't understand-" Harry said.

"Hope we do better against the Arrows," Wood said.

"You love the Arrows!" Harry protested.

"And so I hope they place just after us," Wood said, with a wink.

Ron sat down, across from Harry, at the round table.

"Suppose they'll fly straight?" Ron asked, nodding toward Fred and George.

"Come on!" Fred protested, "You expected me to concentrate on flying?"

"Yes." Harry, finished with his breakfast, stood up.

Wednesday evening, Ron entered the library, crossed over to Hermione.

"Win?" Hermione asked.

"Won against the Chudley's," Ron said, "Well, should clarify that, the reserves beat them-if only the coaches axed the regular players, we'd have a winning season-"

"Unless the referees are always so biased as you described," Hermione said.

Ron slammed his fist onto the table. "Blimey!"

"It's apparent what the referees are trying to do," Hermione said, "Encourage you and Harry to quit."

"That's not fair-" Ron protested.

"You honestly expected the entire Quidditch league to welcome you two in?" Hermione shuffled to the Daily Prophet. "I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen. Nearly everybody on the Isle hates us-somehow Professor Dumbledore managed to convince your coaches out of it. Truth is, they all have a right to be mad and angry-it's just that Voldemort's deflected that hatred onto us, not onto him. Seventeen were massacred in El Salvador last night-that's in addition to the usual sporadic murders and disappearances. That anger fueled those bounties and is fueling the Ministry's attitude toward us; people are venting that anger in the form of many Howlers to the Minister of Magic demanding that more action be taken to rid them of us."

Ron sat in a chair, looked not at Hermione, but the bloody scene pictured on the Daily Prophet.

"Guess you're right," Ron said, "Always thinking about the unfairness of them at us that I neglect the big picture, the disgusting kernel of truth-they have a right and ought to be angry. They're just so infuriated that they refuse to see the truth about who's responsible-coming to watch tomorrow?"

Hermione glared at Ron.

"Professor Vector's tutoring!" Hermione said, "It's-"

"Supposedly an agent is coming," Ron said, "They're recruiting for the national team-anyways, it's the reserve against the normal players."

"Tomorrow may be my last time with Arithmacy!" Hermione growled, "I will be doing that-not watching some stupid game."

"Quidditch isn't-" Ron protested.

"Arithmacy is just as important to me," Hermione said, "After tomorrow, I'm certain I'll get many more chances to watch you play. You are professional, so that means, what, a dozen or two matches per year and many more practices?"

"I'll let it slip," Ron said, "This time."

Ron winked and grinned, Hermione snorted and giggled. The door to the library slammed closed, Harry came in and over to the table.

"Fred and George seem puzzled as always," Harry said.

Harry grabbed a book from Hermione's stack, opened it.

"Why?" Ron said, "They seem to not understand studying."

"Have they ever?" Harry asked.

Ron shook his head.

Thursday afternoon, the reserves had won their third consecutive match against the regular players. Everybody returned to the castle; Meyers stopped Ron and Harry in the Entrance Hall. A tall and skinny man with a graying beard came up to Meyers.

"Hi Ryland," Meyers said, "Follow me, that goes for you too." Meyers looked at Harry and Ron.

Meyers, Ryland, Harry, and Ron crossed the Great Hall to the door to the Antechamber. Meyers held the door open. Ryland entered the antechamber first, followed by Meyers, Ron, and Harry. Ryland sat on one of the chairs, across from the sofa on which Ron and Harry sat. Meyers stood behind a chair, resting his hands on the back. Ryland folded his hands together, cracked his knuckles, then looked at Harry.

"I'll be blunt," Ryland said, "Potter does have talent-I see what Meyers saw in him-talents that would be of a great asset to the Britain team. Weasley is nearly ordinary when compared to other players, however, you'd have a sporting chance to make it through the qualifiers. In spite of that, neither of you will not be invited to either join the team or participate in the qualifiers-"

Ron's jaw dropped. Harry stared at Ryland.

"Normally, the coach drafts up the roster," Ryland said, "However, it must be approved by the Minister for Magic. Normally, this is just a formality, but in your cases, the objections would be strong and ultimately futile."

"It's unfair-" Harry said, "At least you could try-"

"And get fired in the process," Ryland said, "No, my decision is final-I'm sorry."

Harry stared at Ryland for a minute, Ron stared at the floor.

"Sorry fellows," Meyers said, "I tried, I really tried to get Walton to change his mind, I couldn't. At least you have the league cup to look forward to."

"Unlike Darrell here," Ryland said, "I don't think I'll be able to stomach the controversy that he's about to endure over this-"

"One favor," Harry said.

"What?" Meyers asked.

"Forget that you even approached us Ryland," Harry said, "Don't publish it-give some ironclad credible excuse if you're pushed."

Ryland stared at Harry.

"What are you talking about?" Ryland asked.

"If news of what just happened were to leak," Harry said, "My troublemakers would make your death look like a revenge killing."

Ron lowered his head, held his face in both hands.

"Potter-" Meyers said.

"You misunderstand-I don't want another death!" Harry said, "I don't want any of you to get onto my enemy's hit list-that's what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to save your neck Ryland."

"Perhaps I should clarify things with Walton," Meyers said, "Potter, Weasley, you're dismissed."

Ron got up to his feet first.

"No more deaths-please!" Harry pleaded, "Never mention you approached us!"

Ron grabbed Harry by the elbow, pulled him out of the Antechamber, then closed the door.

"Careful!" Ron said, "Harry, you almost made yourself sound guilty-"

Harry glared.

"Trust the coach iron it out," Ron said, "Think he understood."

"Still..." Harry muttered.

"Studies and Gia," Ron whispered.

Friday morning, Harry came into the Great Hall first, sat down next to Wood. A few moments later, Ron came in along with Hermione.

"What?" Harry muttered to Ron.

"Came across Dumbledore," Ron whispered, "Advised that she come too."

Hermione grabbed a spare copy of the Daily Prophet, handed it over for them to read.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Friday, July 18, 1997

Puddlemere United Announces Roster

At the last possible moment, Puddlemere United filled their new season roster within a minute of the deadline last night. These players are:

Seeker : Amy Greystok

Keeper : Oliver Wood

Chaser 1 : Stanly Emsworth

Chaser 2 : Andrew Haslar

Chaser 3 : Wallis Boomere

Beater 1 : Lester Frogmore

Beater 2 : Kristi Marshall

Reserve Seeker : Harry Potter

Reserve Keeper : Ronald Weasley

Reserve Chaser 1: Katie Bell

Reserve Chaser 2: Craig Nesper

Reserve Chaser 3: Anna McKenzie

Reserve Beater 1: George Weasley

Reserve Beater 2: Fred Weasley

Outrage at Puddlemere United

The wizarding world is outraged at the antics of Puddlemere United, hiring known criminals and murderers to hopefully intimidate their opponents into losing for fear of their lives - Dark Lord Potter and Weasley have no business playing professional Quidditch, unless they have found a new and legal avenue to perpetuate their criminal campaign of fear and terror over us all, demonstrating the fate of any who stand up against their newly found Quidditch team.

Upon contact, the Minister of Magic, issued a statement, "The hiring of Potter and Weasley by Puddlemere United will be severely scrutinized to answer why the coaches were demented enough to hire them."

EM has issued a statement condemning Puddlemere United and promising an organization wide boycott of games and merchandise of Puddlemere United.

Editors and reasonable citizens call upon Puddlemere United to fire Potter and Weasley immediately!

"We're certainly popular," Harry said.

"One thing you can count on," Wood said, "Meyers has a spine-he won't succumb to the pressure."

"There's always a breaking point," Harry said, "Question is, what is it?"

"Stop being so negative," Wood said, "You're on the team-enjoy it."

Meyers stood up.

"We should be having some guests in a few minutes," Meyers said, "The other coaches and I felt some friendly competition would be nice off of the Quidditch Pitch."

Ron and Harry looked at each other, glanced at Fred and George, then looked back at Meyers.

"You will be engaging in an eight way game of capture the flag," Meyers said.

"Capture the flag?" Fred muttered.

"Eight ways?" George asked.

"Each team will be divided into two," Meyers said, "Puddlemere's division has already been determined and will be announced as soon as the other three teams arrive."

Kline came into the Great Hall.

"They're here," Kline said, "They've already been briefed."

"Every coach agreed that Hogwarts certainly has better facilities for this than the training facility," Meyers said, "The divisions in Puddlemere is as follows; in the light division is Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and their friend Hermione Granger. The remainder of Puddlemere United will form the dark division."

"Three against twelve?" George said, "That's unfair!"

"That is how the division will be," Meyers said, "Our coaches-should they wish to participate-will aid the dark division."

Meyers held up two flags, both three by two feet; one was yellow with a blue PU in the center, the other was blue with yellow PU. Meyers handed the blue flag to Greystok and the yellow flag to Harry.

Into the Great Hall came the teams of the Holyhead Harpies, the Appleby Arrows, and the Chudley Canons.

"I designate Greystok to be the leader for the dark division," Meyers said, "You will find your T-shirts changing colors momentarily."

They all watched the T-shirts of all the dozens of people in the room. For Puddlemere, most of them turned blue with a yellow "PU"; for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, theirs turned yellow with blue lettering. For the other three teams, the divisions were even, the Holyhead Harpies had yellow with green, the Appleby Arrows had light grey and light blue, and the Chudley Canons had their distinctive orange and black.

"Black?" Hermione said, "They'll have a lovely day."

"Up to two of your fellow members may leave for, say twenty minutes, to hide your flags," Meyers said, "Remember, they can't be kept on your person and the Hospital Wing is off limits."

With that, Greystok and Fred got up, left the Great Hall; four each from the Harpies, Arrows, and the Cannons left. Harry tapped Ron's shoulder, they both left the Great Hall.

"That has to be the most biased split I've seen Hermione," George said.

"All the others-it was obvious," Wood said, "They all split along the reserve and regular players. We had to be different-a big team and a little team."

"Miss. Granger."

Hermione turned, saw Dumbledore standing there. Hermione stood, followed Dumbledore into the Antechamber.

"You have by now noticed the imbalance in the divisions," Dumbledore said, "Coach Meyers made that split on my request."

"Three against twelve or even fifteen," Hermione said, "Not good odds-"

"Neither are the odds against you in the real world," Dumbledore said, "While it may seem petty for me to involve myself in a mere game, you need to know that I requested this activity from Coach Meyers for the purpose of testing you and Harry and Ronald."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "It's a test? What in?"

"What have you been studying for the past several weeks in conjunction with Harry and Ronald?" Dumbledore said, "Enjoy the game."

Hermione turned away from his twinkling eyes, went back into the Great Hall. She came across Ron and Harry, both with grins on their faces.

"Where'd you hide it?" Hermione asked.

"You don't want to know," Harry said.

"Where?" Hermione demanded.

Ron grabbed her wrist.

"Trust us," Ron said, "It's well hidden and well guarded."

Hermione sidelined the two away from Fred and George, both of whom were starting to encroach.

"Well?" Harry asked.

Hermione explained Dumbledore's conversation.

"Figures," Ron said.

"Not surprised," Harry said, "Dumbledore seems to favor practical test anyways - more accurate to what you can do under stress."

Others came filing back in.

"Alright, we look ready," Meyers said, "Other rules; you have no territory save what you can defend. Killing is not permitted, but stunning is, and so is the taking of prisoners. To ensure a fair start, it begins for you once you take a chocolate frog from my assistant in the back, Leroy Kline. Each frog is a Portkey that will take you each to a different location in the castle, so, if a group wishes to stick together, you each need to take the same frog simultaneously. Good luck - the team with the most captured flags win, but you may not summon a flag."

Everybody crowded around Kline, frog after frog was snatched. Finally, it came to be Harry, Ron, and Hermione who were last in line apart from Meyers and Kline.

"Together?" Harry asked.

Ron and Hermione joined, all three grabbed a chocolate frog. Ron had devoured the chocolate frog almost before they had finished landing. Harry prodded in their dark surroundings, hitting wood on all sides, then reaching a wooden handle.

"Broom closet, Figures," Harry said, "We need a strategy."

"Get their flags," Ron said.

"Duh!" Harry said, "I have my map."

Light came from Harry's wand, filling the broom closet. Harry reached into his right pocket of his dark blue shorts, removed his worn piece of parchment. Ron grabbed the parchment, aimed his wand.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Ron said.

Harry pointed to several of the dots on the parchment.

"We still need to know where we are," Harry said, "Remember-we're untrackable so we won't show up. We've got our Portkeys into the dormitory-let's get on our dragon hide."

"We're supposed to be uniformed," Ron said.

Harry rolled his eyes, held out his Portkey; they grabbed on.

Three wands sent out pulses of blue; Harry, Ron, and Hermione finished landing in their dormitory. Harry stashed his Portkey back into his wand holster. Ron and Hermione stashed their wands. Harry's wand continued to surge, sending out pulse after pulse of a bead of magic, changing colors with each pulse, first the blue, then red, then orange, then green, then finally black.

"What the-?" Ron stammered.

They all saw the room, not in its normal colorings, but in shades of grey. Their wands and holsters shone blue, rainbow colors came from their trunks, and a faint yellow came from the outline of the door to the loo. A surge from Harry's wand, a pulse of white shot out, their perception changed to the normal colors.

"Weird," Ron said.

"Don't look at me," Harry said, "I just tried that for the first time-I wanted to see the magic in the room. Guess that's the result we got."

"Wicked," Ron said.

"Advanced magic too," Hermione said, "It's not in anything I've read."

Ron gave Harry a thumbs up; Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Dragon hide." Harry went to his trunk, got his out and put on the trousers, the boots, and the jacket. "Our task is clear-figure out where they've hidden their flags."

Harry sat down at their small table, placed the Marauder's map flat onto the table. He studied the dots.

"Alright," Harry said, "Seems to be a couple of fellows from the Appleby Arrows hanging around the Whomping Willow. That Harpies seeker with fine lines seems to be taking to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Fred and George seem to be liking Filch's office. Several Canons appear to be guarding Hagrid's Hut. Several other Harpies seem to be around the top box of the Quidditch Pitch. Can't seem to figure out any other spots for flags at the moment."

Harry sighed.

"Should go for these," Ron said, "Then regroup."

"Agreed," Harry said, "I'll go for the top box. Hermione, you check out Myrtle's bathroom and around Filch's office. I'll take a look at the top box then the Willow. Ron, look into Hagrid's, then the willow. We'll meet back up-say, the Prefect's bathroom?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'm serious," Harry said, "They won't know the password-we do. Hermione, I'll give you a lift down to the Charms classroom, think you can manage from there. Remember, if the capture is difficult, then don't grab it, just get back so we can plan something. If it's trivial, grab it."

"Agreed," Ron said.

Harry looked at Hermione, she nodded.

"Alright," Harry said, "I'm using the window-suggest you do too Ron."

Harry got out his Whitehorn.

Hermione mounted behind Harry. They both cast Disillusionment charms upon themselves. Harry flew out the window into the crisp and fresh outdoor air. Hermione dug her fingernails into Harry's midriff.

"Ease up Hermione," Harry said, "It's not that bad."

They gently circled the castle; Harry and Hermione both noticed the specks of people running about on the grounds. Hermione noticed a puff of flame come out of the Astronomy Tower.

"On fire?" Hermione asked.

"No," Harry said, "It's where I placed the decoy."

"Decoy?" Hermione asked.

"I made a decoy flag-not proper," Harry said, "Anyways, I persuaded Maverick to guard the decoy for us."

Harry made a pass of the Astronomy tower. Hermione got a good glimpse of Maverick, the Common Green Welsh, standing there looking into the sky and them. Harry waved.

"You're as bad as Hagrid," Hermione said.

"No," Harry said, "Maverick will give anybody a run for their money should they try for our decoy flag."

"Where's the real one?" Hermione asked.

"You don't want to know," Harry said as he circled lower.

"You said that before," Hermione said.

"With good reason," Harry said, "Here we go."

Harry guided the Whitehorn through an open window, then landed in the middle of the Charms classroom. Hermione dismounted, Harry handed her the Marauder's Map.

"Be careful," Harry said.

"Don't worry," Hermione said.

Harry took off through the window and renewed his Disillusionment charm.

Ron casted the Disillusionment Charm upon himself, flew out the window, bolted down to the ground, and flew for Hagrid's Hut. Ahead of him, he saw the tall Chudley Canon Keeper, Dan Lavick, standing guard to the side of the front door, to either side were a pair of Chudleys. Through the window was the orange flag with a black CC clearly visible in the middle of the hut. Out in front of the hut, some fifty feet out, were the rest of the regular Chudley canon players in an all out Wizard duel with several players from the Appleby Arrows. Ron gained altitude, added an SEP on top of the Disillusionment Charm, then flew to the back of the hut, to find it unguarded.

"Stupefy!", "Expelliarmus!", Jelly Legs, and other curses could be heard from the battle in front.

Ron crept to the back door, took out his wand, and opened it. He walked in, reached up, and removed the flag.

"HEY!" came a shout from out in front.

Ron bolted out the back door, narrowly missing the front hitting him in the head. He felt his dragon hide take a curse, could see the Chudleys to the side encroaching around. Ron mounted his Whitehorn and flew.

"A Broom!" Lavick exclaimed, "If I had known...!"

Ron flew into the Forbidden Forest, cast the Disillusionment Charm and SEP onto himself, then flew back out towards the Whomping Willow. He tucked the flag into the pocket of his dragon hide jacket.

"One down, six to go," Ron muttered.

Harry flew down to the Quidditch Pitch, saw two of the Harpies reserves sitting at the base of the top box, their flag wide open and laying flat on a bench above. Harry cruised in fast, swooped down, and grabbed it in a single silent maneuver. He stuffed the flag into his pocket, then made his way to the Whomping Willow. Ron joined up with Harry, they come into view of the Whomping Willow.

"Well, they're guarding theirs better," Harry said.

"True," Ron said, "Got the primary Chudley-you?"

"Harpies reserve," Harry said, "Have an explanation ready for Hermione when she finds out where we hid ours?"

"Worry about that later," Ron said, "This first."

They looked at the Whomping Willow, around which, two Appleby Arrow players, their beaters, were encircling the tree, riding on several Nimbus 2000's. In the middle of the wailing branches was the Appleby's flag, the light blue with grey lettering.

"At least we know that tree," Ron said.

Ron looked at Harry; both renewed their Disillusionment Charms. Ron landed on the grass then eyed the knot in the trunk next to the opening of the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack. Ron looked around, lifted a long branch, and prodded the knot. One of the Appleby Arrow players shot a stunning curse at the long branch, the other watched, mystified, as the Willow calmed down.

Harry swooped in on his Whitehorn, grabbed the flag, rolled to dodge the curses sent his way, renewed his Disillusionment charm, and flew.

"Hey!" both players shouted, "That's our flag!"

"Not anymore," Ron said.

Ron mounted and flew his Whitehorn, two curses ignited a small fire where Ron had been standing.

"Three down," Harry said as Ron joined up with him, "Four to go."

Harry stuffed the flag into his dragon hide jacket.

"Well," Ron said, "We have one of the canons, one of the arrows, and one of the Harpies. Check up on Hermione?"

"Yeah," Harry said, "She had two to track."

Harry and Ron flew for the fourth floor, they entered the Prefect's Bathroom, wands drawn, both sending out a series of pulsing bright blue scans. Ron's eyes came to rest on Hermione.

"What took you?" Hermione asked.

Ron groaned. Harry closed the door.

"Progress?" Harry asked.

Hermione dangled up two flags. "Those Holyhead Harpies-not very clever. Have to compliment your brothers to think of the vanishing cabinet Ron."

"Brings the total to five," Harry said, "Lets look at the map Hermione."

"Ever think to look for the flags?" Hermione asked.

"What?" Harry asked.

"They're alive as far as the map is concerned," Hermione said, "Five of them are showing up in this room."

Harry took the map.

"Looks like somebody left theirs unguarded in the Owlery," Harry said, "Two below."

"One is in the kitchens, the other in Potions," Hermione said.

"We'll go for the Owlery first," Harry said.

"The kitchens one is unguarded," Hermione said.

Ron shook his head.

"Oh," Hermione said.

"Thing is," Harry said, "I've never tried getting into the Owlery 'cept through the stairs and somebody's guarding the base there. Can we get in from the air?"

"Others were easy," Ron said, "These may be booby trapped."

"Stay here Hermione," Harry said, "Ron and I will take care of this one. You figure out a plan for the Potions classroom."

Harry and Ron left the Prefect's bathroom.

"Ah Ha!"

Harry looked over his shoulder, caught a glimpse of George and Fred at the end of the corridor.

"Good morning," Harry said.

"Strange rumors are running wild," George said, approaching, "Apparently, at least four flags have already been taken, but nobody's come forward to claim credit."

"We were wondering where a certain map is," Fred said.

Harry gripped the handle of his Whitehorn.

"Love to chat," Harry said, "We're pressed for time-must dash."

"We also note your usage of dragon hide," George said.

"Precautions," Ron said.

Harry and Ron flew down the corridor, avoiding curses from Fred and George, and shattered a window as they flew out of the castle.

"They're catching on," Ron whispered.

They both cast Disillusionment Charms upon themselves and flew upward toward the West Tower.

"Careful," Harry said, "Somehow, I get an eerie feeling."

Harry blocked Ron from entering through the window, instead, Harry drew his wand, pulsed. They both saw a light blue rectangle glow.

"Knew it," Harry asked, "Any clue to the magic?"

"Should've brought Hermione," Ron said.

"We can assume it's to keep us out," Harry said, "Agreed."

"Sure," Ron said.

"Duck," Harry said to Ron.

Ron wrinkled his eyebrow.

"Out of the way," Harry said, pushing Ron away and to the side of the window.

"What do you...?" Ron demanded.

Harry's wand was out, the rushing of air could be heard as owl after owl left the Owlery. Ron glimpsed inside, saw a massive cyclone building up. Chunk after chunk, the straw and owl droppings flew outward. Then, the flag hanging from the rafters, fell off and got caught in the wind. The flag escaped the fingers of person in the Owlery and it drifted out the window.

"Hey!" the player protested.

Harry took chase of the flag, the grey flag with light blue lettering. Out of the Owlery came the player, on a Firebolt, pursuing. Ron sped up, cut the player off, the Whitehorn sending the Firebolt into a downward spiral. Harry pulled out of his dive, flag in hand.

"We're doing it!" Harry exclaimed.

Harry handed the flag over to Ron, Ron stuffed it into his jacket.

"Yeah," Ron said, "We are."

They saw belches of flame coming from the Astronomy Tower.

"Wonder who-?" Ron said.

"Dunno," Harry said, "Find out soon enough."

Ron and Harry renewed their Disillusionment Charms, went for the fourth floor. An alarm tripped as soon as Ron and Harry flew back in through the windows they had previously broken.

"Figures," Fred said, "Too late for you anyways."

Harry and Ron stopped, looked at Fred; Fred was singed from head to toe and he was holding up a yellow cloth.

"Should've guarded it better," Fred said, "That dragon was a challenge, I admit. Where'd you find one on such short notice?"

"That isn't our flag," Harry said.

"Yes it is," Fred said, "Yellow with blue lettering..."

Fred glimpsed a solid blue block where the lettering should have been.

"Congratulations," Ron said, "You got the decoy."

"Decoy?" Fred exclaimed.

"Yeah," Harry said, "We made a bogus flag, planted that with Maverick-not telling where the real flag is."

"Heard that there was a commotion in the West Tower," George said, coming up, "Can only assume our brother had something to do with that."

"If you'll excuse us," Ron said, "We have another flag to capture."

Harry and Ron flew past Fred and George, then quickly ducked into the Prefects Bathroom.

"Where did they take off to?" Ron asked Hermione just after he and Harry entered the Prefects Bathroom.

"Seem to be going down, floor by floor, with lots of the other people," Hermione said, "There's only two flags left-are you certain ours is in the kitchens?"

"No," Harry asked, "Why?"

"Saw it move into McGonagall's office earlier," Hermione said, "Currently up in our dormitory."

"Others?" Ron asked.

"Looks like they're ganging up to set an ambush for us," Hermione said, pointing to the map.

Harry and Ron glimpsed the map, saw people gathering in the dungeons, in the corridor leading up to the Potions classroom. Harry scanned the map.

"Look-Snape's private quarters," Harry said.

Harry pointed to the map, showed a small corridor leading up to the outside of the greenhouses.

"His own entrance?" Ron muttered.

"Makes sense," Harry said, "I mean, he may get called and need to leave-perfect route to just slip in and out. I have a plan."

Harry dropped Hermione off by the greenhouses, then flew up to Gryffindor Tower. Ron joined him and they entered the twin's dormitory.

"There's got to be something they've been meaning to test," Harry said.

Ron opened up their trunks, then transferred assorted tricks into his own pockets.

"Leave some," Harry said.

"They never travel without this stuff," Ron said.

Ron closed their trunks; both took off and left Gryffindor Tower.

Harry and Ron cast Disillusionment Charms and SEP upon themselves, then landed by the front oak doors. Both stowed their brooms, then entered. Harry's wand was drawn at the ready, the walls of the Entrance Hall glowed save a shadow behind a suit of armor.

"Hi Moody!" Harry whispered.

Ron got out a wet bandanna, wrapped it around his face. Harry lit a Dungbomb and threw it down the stairs to the dungeons.

"Fine way to announce our arrival," Ron muttered.

They heard several coughs come from down the stairs.

"More," Harry said.

Harry tied a wet bandanna around his face. Ron lit and threw a Dungbomb down the stairs.

"A frontal assault," Moody sneered, "Are you mad?"

"Nope," Harry said.

Harry threw down another Dungbomb, they heard even more coughing.

"Trying something I read about," Harry said.

Harry aimed his wand down the stairs, at the farthest bend, a small crystalline ball appeared, floating in midair. A blast of red magic, a bead, came out of Harry's wand; it hit the crystalline ball, the ball reflected and refracted the curse into many in many directions. Harry ducked, several bodies slumped from the shadows down onto the marble staircase.

"Wicked," Ron said.

Harry started down the stairs, stepped over the limp bodies of Wood, several of the Arrows players, over Kline and Meyers, over several of the girls from the Harpies.

"It's like they've ganged up," Harry said.

"They noticed who had made off with the flags," Moody said.

Harry renewed his Disillusionment Charm and SEP, then threw down another wave of Dungbombs.

"Blimey!" came the voice of Fred echoing up the stairwell from the corridor below.

Ron threw down a wave of Dungbombs along with Stinkpellets.

"Argh!" came the voice of George.

Ron snickered. Harry held up a small spherical yellow rubber ball for Ron to see.

"Sure," Ron said.

Harry chucked the ball, it bounced down the staircase to the corridor; both he and Ron could see a swamp forming across the floor.

"Into our trunks now?" Fred protested.

Harry took out another rubber ball, this one white, and chucked it. Both he and Ron saw a massive maze of thick spider webs form in the corridor.

"And you're expecting to get into the appropriate room?" George asked in a loud voice.

Harry took out a blue rubber ball, threw it down the stairs. A storm developed in the corridor, massive amounts of rain along with thunder and lightening inundated the corridor.

"What next, a blizzard?" Fred shouted, "Those were experimental-we can't reverse them."

"He's lying," Ron whispered, "They always can."

Harry threw down another wave of Dungbombs and Stinkpellets. Out of the muck and slime, came several players from the Chudley Canons.

"We give up," the lead player said, "That's not worth it."

Several screams came from below.

"It's gone!" a male shouted, "The flag is gone!"

"How?" Fred exclaimed, "Harry and Ron...but not-"

"What stinks?" came the voice of Hermione from above.

"Your boyfriend," George shouted.

Harry and Ron traveled up the steps to the Entrance Hall, both met a grinning Hermione.

"Oh Fred!" Harry shouted down the stairs, "What are we supposed to do after capturing all of the other flags?"

"You Bastard!" Fred shouted.

"Come," Hermione said.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down around a small table in the Great Hall. Slowly, the other players come into the hall; among the last were Coach Meyers and Kline of Puddlemere United.

"I am under the impression that seven of the eight flags have been captured," Meyers said, "Can the people responsible get them out now?"

Harry pulled the two out of his sleeve; Ron then pulled out two, with Hermione pulling out three.

"They even made a decoy flag." Fred pulled out the singed yellow flag.

Laughs echoed the Great Hall.

"And the last flag is where?" Meyers asked Harry.

"Ron," Harry prompted.

"Blinky!" Ron called, his voice echoed.

A house elf appeared next to the table of Harry, Ron, and Hermione; everybody looked at the Hogwarts uniform and then its yellow cape.

"That's unfair!" George exclaimed.

Hermione glared at Ron. Harry removed the flag from the house elf.

"Thank you Blinky," Harry said, "You've been a good House Elf."

"Regardless of who won and who loss," Meyers said, "The game was enjoyable by all with our smallest team playing for keeps. Clearly, it was over sooner than I had anticipated. Feel free to mingle, everybody has the rest of the day off. I understand that Mister Fred and George Weasley are hosting a social gathering tonight starting at seven-everybody is invited. Until then, stroll around. I'm certain that for some of you, this is your first visit to Hogwarts, for others, it brings back some fond memories - enjoy."

Many started to leave the Great Hall; Harry, Ron, and Hermione were intercepted by Dumbledore who escorted them. Dumbledore sat behind his desk in the Headmaster's office; Ron, being last, closed the door. They stood there looking at Dumbledore, whose blue eyes were twinkling.

"Interesting game," Dumbledore said, "I had thought it a stretch that you would successfully capture all the other flags first."

"Most weren't exactly thinking when they hid the flags," Hermione said.

"That was true until they caught onto who was taking the flags," Dumbledore said, "Then, the teams reorganized and focused upon stopping you, first by charming the Owlery, then barricading the last flag in a classroom and lining the corridor for an ambush. Interestingly, you countered their measures successfully. Congratulations."

"We passed?" Hermione asked.

"The three of you excelled," Dumbledore said, "I will assess your performance to determine where to head next in your training. In the meanwhile, I noticed you were able to detect the presence of wards or curses Harry, were you able to tell what it was?"

Harry shook his head.

"Nothing to be ashamed of," Dumbledore said, "The fact that you looked is a success compared to prior occasions. For today, you have some repairs to consider-for most is the needed cleanup in dungeons. I believe there is a dragon in need of return to his colony. Complete those and take the rest of the day as a holiday."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the Headmaster's office.

By midnight, the other teams had returned to the Bowman Training Facility.

By noon on Saturday, all the other players for Puddlemere United had left; that left Harry and Gia the afternoon to sunbathe on top of the Astronomy Tower while Ron worked on his women studies in the library with Hermione.

Neville, midday Saturday, had taken Trevor, his toad, down to the small marsh near his grandmother's house. Neville had waded knee deep into the water, felt the rush of stream run past his kneecaps and was watching Trevor leap around, from a lily pad to a clump of grass wedged between two small logs.

"Neville!" his grandmother called from a far, "Two of your friends are here!"

Neville waved to her, beaconing them down. Along the path came two boys he knew, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, both in shorts and T-shirts with wands woven into their shorts. Seamus came to a stop next to the water, looked at Neville with only a pair of swim briefs, Seamus pointed to his wand holster.

"Cool," Seamus said.

Neville glared at Seamus.

"Sorry for being harsh on you last year," Seamus said, "You're our roommate, you should be able to trust us."

"So should Harry," Neville snapped.

"If he hadn't punched me," Seamus said, "Or killed my folks."

"Did you witness the murders?" Neville said, "If not, how do you know if it was Harry or not?"

"Ministry confirmed it!" Seamus snapped.

"All they did is spot the corpses and said Harry did it," Neville said, "Ministry Aurors have no incentive to get the blame right."

Dean pointed at Neville's left arm.

"No tattoo yet," Dean said.

"Something we'll have to remedy," Seamus said.

"No!" Neville said, "Doing so would disgrace my parents! You have no clue to what's going on-just blame Harry, easier to pin all our problems on the scapegoat than it is to look for the truth!"

Seamus flared his eyebrows.

"Thousands of eyewitnesses for his crimes, Ministry confirmations, and you still doubt his guilt?" Seamus said, "You're thick-"

"You are if you don't realize he's being expertly framed," Neville said, "Or realize that he's has enemies who are currently profiting from this! Try a little Polyjuice Potion and then think hard, really hard, about the only solid proof being eyewitnesses-nothing else to tie him to most of these crimes when he can prove that he wasn't at the scene but somewhere else."

"That excuse again-?" Seamus said, "Famous whining-"

"So you give him no choice but to plead guilty because he's famous?" Neville said, "What a bunch of hypocrites you are. Get rid of that tattoo or leave."

Seamus got out a tattoo. "We insist-"

"What a load!" Neville said, "The only people to harass me so far has been your organization!"

Seamus marched into the water, grabbed Neville's left arm, and brought the tattoo closer. Neville's right fist smacked Seamus in the jaw, Seamus recoiled then backed up.

"You-sympathizer!" Seamus said, "I have a duty!"

Seamus drew his wand, aimed it at Neville. Neville's wand was out quicker, Seamus's wand flew toward Neville who threw it into the middle of the lake. Seamus lunged at Neville who dropped his wand as he fell backward under the water. Neville threw his weight, aided the backward motion, grabbed Seamus and threw him over. Neville rolled them over, gripped Seamus by the throat, and held him under the water. Seamus choked, bubbles spewed from his mouth, he swallowed water and his eyes stopped moving.

"Neville!" Dean screamed.

"Neville-" Rose came over.

Neville relented. Dean grabbed Seamus and dragged him away, Seamus choked and started to breathe again. Rose dragged Neville into the house.

"Neville," Rose Longbottom scolded, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself-trying to kill your friend like that-"

"He's not my friend!" Neville shouted, "No longer is Seamus my friend! He's an unwitting supporter of You-Know-Who and he tried to kill me!"

Rose Longbottom glared at Neville as he stood there in the living room.

"You are grounded!" Rose said, "You will stay in your room for the next week. You ought to be grateful that he lived."

"Seamus tried to make me a Death Eater!" Neville shouted, "He tried to mark me with the Dark Mark and you're grounding me for resisting?"

"You will not shout at me while you live under this roof-" Rose said.

"That is solved," Neville stated.

Neville stormed up to his room, came back with his packed trunk and Trevor.

"Neville," Rose pleaded, "Please reconsider-"

"Bye," Neville said, voice shaking.

Neville went for the fireplace, stepped in.

That afternoon, Harry came into the Headmaster's office, nodded at Dumbledore behind his desk, then glanced over to the fireplace. Harry blinked twice, Sirius was standing there.

"Sirius?" Harry asked.

"Hi Harry," Sirius said.

"Sirius has some important news that I thought you would be interested in," Dumbledore said.

Harry stood there, darted his eyes up to the paintings and then back to Sirius.

"Harry," Sirius said, "I looked into the circumstances surrounding Hagrid's death-"

"Riot in Azkaban, right?" Harry asked.

"You bought that?" Sirius exclaimed.

Harry looked at Dumbledore.

"Riots do not occur at Azkaban," Dumbledore said, "At least they haven't for living memory. It has been clear for some time that something was amiss. First, I was denied details to the incident. Second, I have been unable to recover his body or any reasonable explanation. Hagrid was a dear friend to many during his tenure at Hogwarts, I felt the grounds would be a suitable and fitting location for his final resting place."

"So were you able to find out what did happen?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked up over the rims of his half moon spectacles.

"The official Ministry report echoed what was in the Daily Prophet," Dumbledore said, "I was skeptical then; now, I am dismissive of that report and-"

"Hagrid was murdered," Sirius stated.

Harry stared at Sirius, jaw open.

"Come again," Harry requested.

"Hagrid was murdered in his cell Harry," Sirius said, "I don't have all of the answers, but it is clear that Hagrid was murdered. The story of the riot was given to the Daily Prophet to hide that fact."

"So," Harry said, "Somebody just waltzed into his cell and pulled a knife or something?"

"Worse," Dumbledore said, "Somebody walked into Azkaban, murdered an inmate, and walked out - they subsequently were able to get the reports altered and the tale of a riot published."

Harry slumped into an armchair by the fire.

"Murdered?" Harry said, "Why?"

"We don't know why," Dumbledore said, "I do know that his defense for the trial was going to be strong."

"Could've been murdered cause he's my friend," Harry said.

Sirius gripped Harry's shoulder.

"Do not think like that Harry," Sirius said,

"I concur," Dumbledore said, "Do not let the Dark forces rob and blackmail you of your friends. Speaking of whom, I had a rather vivid discussion this morning with Rose Longbottom."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Apparently," Dumbledore said, "Mr. Finnigan stopped by to visit Neville, they had some sort of disagreement resulting in Neville attempting to kill Mr. Finnigan."

"Neville attempt to murder?" Harry asked, "What could prompt that?"

"Neville got into a confrontation with his grandmother shortly afterwards," Dumbledore said, "According to Neville, Mr. Finnigan was insulting the honor of Neville's parents by forcing a tattoo. Neville ran away. Mr. Finnigan, as I understand it, recovered at St. Mungo's."

"I know that both Finnigan and Thomas have been pestering Neville about joining the EM and taking on the tattoo," Harry said, "Neville's been more or less supportive of us and takes the imposition personally."

"Unfortunately Mr. Finnigan may make another petition to the Minister," Dumbledore said, "This time he would have more credibility to getting Neville listed."

"If Neville attacked," Harry said, "Then it was self-defense-it has to be, Neville wouldn't harm a fly otherwise."

"You know how much that weighs in on the decision process," Dumbledore said, "I am thinking of bring Neville to Hogwarts to train alongside you-I would also consider bringing Luna Lovegood, Colin Creevy, and Ginny Weasley in on this."

"It'd clutter your schedule," Harry said.

"I will be the judge of that," Dumbledore said, "It will be clear that, once the action of the Dark War starts, that you will need assistance. You have already taken the initiative to start training those four - are there any more you have in mind?"

"Still have the Puddlemere defensive training," Harry said.

"I can manage Harry," Dumbledore said, "Do you have an opinion on how to proceed?"

Harry blinked.

"I just realized that I was starting to impose," Dumbledore said, "Lupin made me realize that it's in all of our interests for you to retain control of your life. I occasionally will slip back into bad habits, however, I am trying to give you control over what you do."

"Thanks," Harry said, "I guess."

That evening, Harry watched Neville step out of the Floo fire on the golden pedestal in the Great Hall that afternoon. Neville dropped his trunk to the floor, then wiped the soot off the rear of his shorts.

"Hi Harry," Neville said.

"Take it you accepted the invite," Harry said.

Luna appeared in the fire, stepped out.

"Yeah," Neville said, "Beats spending the summer with Gran."

"Heard you ran," Harry said.

"She grounded and was upset-" Neville said.

"Drowning somebody's a bit serious," Harry said.

"He had grabbed me," Neville protested, "He was forcing the EM onto me, forcing me to become a Death Eater, to become one of those who tortured my parents!"

Luna looked at Harry while grabbing one of Neville's shoulders.

"Harry," Luna asked, "Know where we're to sleep?"

"In Gryffindor Tower," Harry said, "There are six boys dormitories and seven girls to choose from."

"How about the usual?" Neville asked.

"Sorry Neville, no offense intended," Harry said, "Ron, myself, and our girls, have more or less made that one home for the summer-we'd appreciate keeping what little privacy that is afforded by that."

"Certainly Harry," Neville said.

Neville and Luna went for the marble stairs. Harry watched a suit of armor move, left hand to its hip, right in the air.

"I'm a little teapot," the suit sang, "short and stout; Here is my handle, here is my spot; When I get all steamed up, hear me shout; Just tip me over and pour me out!"

Harry laughed. The visor fell open, revealing the ghost inside.

"Peeves!" Harry said, "That was great!"

Peeves left the suit, passed into the floor. Pots and pans could be heard crashing down in the kitchen. Harry looked to the pedestals whose flames lit up. Emerging were Ginny, Colin, and a dark haired boy, Michael Corner. Harry grabbed the hilt of his wand.

"Harry!" Ginny said, stepping out first, "It's alright-he's alright-he's joining for the training."

"Ginny, you don't understand," Harry said, "I have a million people on this Isle who want me dead. He's been set against me and a sworn member of the EM-I must question a change in heart."

"And you deserve an answer," Michael said, "However, I want to put this stuff down first."

"I'll show you to the dormitories," Harry said.

Harry lead; Ginny, Colin, and Michael followed.

Ron leveled his wand as Michael entered the Gryffindor Common Room.

"He is-" Ron protested.

"To get a chance," Harry snapped.

Michael looked from Ron to Harry to Hermione.

"While it's likely insufficient," Michael said, "I am sorry for the actions I took at a certain punishment of yours-I now know that I compounded the injustices against you."

"You actually believe us?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I do," Micheal said, "I saw Susan Bones being murdered-her killers bragged about how easy it is to frame you, frame you for hundreds of murders, and that nobody gave a damn to defending the innocence of their ex-golden boy. I wrote a letter to the editor to the Daily Prophet-it never got published and I received a cursed letter for my troubles."

"You witnessed something?" Harry said, "Sit and explain."

"I was over at Susan's," Micheal said, "Her Aunt was going to be gone for a while, so we were on the sofa, um, exploring and less than decent. We heard noises at the front door-here we were, with me about to take advantage of her, and I thought it was her Aunt about to return. I hid in the corner under an invisibility cloak. Through the door came two figures, both in robes and black masks-Death Eaters, bona fide Death Eaters, for Potter Eaters are known to have those lightening bolts on them. Susan shouted for them to leave, but they already had her bound in ropes. I was scared-the fear kept me from doing anything-I'm a coward but I want revenge for what they did.

"In a flash, one of them cast the Killing curse, the other mutilated her corpse to bleed. They cackled and the bragged about how to place the blame upon you, they cast a Potter Mark into the sky. True enough, moments later, the Ministry showed, the Auror simply concluded that you had done it based upon the mark in the sky, then left Susan's aunt to weep in misery by herself. "

"Amelia?" Harry asked.

"I came out of the Invisibility cloak-revealed more to her than I had normally cared to," Michael said, "She seemed upset, I told her my version, she seemed to take comfort in that."

"Why are you here?" Ron asked.

"I want revenge and I'm sick of being a coward," Michael said, "Ginny's been the only other real friend I have, so I borrowed her shoulder-she suggested this."

Ron glared at Ginny.

"It helped Neville," Ginny said.

Silence reigned for several minutes.

"Alright," Harry said, "We'll work something out. Just keep in mind, Michael, that the list of injustices by you has some length to it-it's grown longer than I can easily forgive; that will take time and effort on your part."

"Totally understand," Michael said, "If roles were reversed, doubt I'd do as much as you."

"Find a dormitory," Harry said, "Use any save the top on on the boys side-cooperate with the others too, there's more than enough room right now up there. Formal training will start in the morning."

Michael went for the stairs; Ginny and Neville climbed too, leaving the common room cleared of all save Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"What's going on?" Ron said, "My sister, Neville, and them showing up!"

"First some news on Hagrid." Harry explained the conversation with Sirius.

"Murdered?" Ron said, "Who'd dare? He's well liked."

"Not by all," Harry said, "It just doesn't fit-he's not the type who'd be murdered to get to me, too many liked him. Can't see the EM retaliating either."

Hermione looked up from the sofa to Harry.

"You're forgetting the third reason," Hermione said, "He could've exposed something."

"In Azkaban?" Ron exclaimed, his arms were waving.

"No, she may be right," Harry said, "And it might not have been Hagrid himself, but something on his behalf. Dumbledore did mention that he was lining up a solid defense for Hagrid-perhaps if Dumbledore kept digging, he was on the verge of discovering something Voldemort's cronies didn't want him to. We'll bring it to Dumbledore's attention tomorrow."

"Trail could be cold by now," Hermione said, "Or, because the trial is moot, the crucial requests for information from the Ministry or other sources would go unanswered."

"Still worth a try," Harry said.

"Agreed," Ron said, arms were now folded.

"This influx of people, Harry," Hermione said, "While nice, it could interfere with our own training."

"I understand what Dumbledore's trying to get at," Harry said, "The more people, the better, actually. So, if we can find more to train, it'd be to our benefit. Dumbledore seems to think that, when the time comes, that we will have little time to gear up. The more people we have before then, the better, and each extra person would be dividends when we need them."

Harry explained Neville's story.

"Alright," Ron said, "Can buy that most may get listed and need to know the ropes too."

"Harry?" came Gia's voice from the stairwell.

Harry looked over to her in her swimsuit.

"Catch you later," Harry said to Ron and Hermione.

Harry escorted Gia out of the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron watched the lake through the tower window; he saw both Harry and Gia arrive, then jump in and swim.

"Nice idea," Ron said.

"What?" Hermione exclaimed, "Show off everything not covered by three postage stamps?"

"There are bigger swim suits available," Ron said, "While I'd like to see you in none, in that lake, a suit'd have to do."

"Maybe next weekend," Hermione said. She flipped the page in her Arithmacy notes and kept reading.

Harry and Ron came down the marble staircase Monday morning toward the Entrance Hall.

"Suppose Dumbledore'll take a while with Michael," Ron said.

"A change in loyalties and getting near us," Harry said, "We must be cautious given the millions of galleons on our heads. So yeah, it's going to be a bit of time for them."

A yellow canary fluttered down, Ron let it land on his shoulder.

SNAP

Where Ron was standing, was a red ferret on the granite floor of the Entrance Hall. The ferret went up into the air, then came back down, bouncing off the floor; this repeated. Harry looked, saw Fred and George, with wands out, moving them up and down along with the bouncing ferret.

"Only payback to our brother," Fred said.

"Stay out of this," George warned.

Harry's wand was drawn, a pair of red haired mice were suddenly where Fred and George were standing. Suddenly, the red ferret changed into a red haired cat that leapt at the mice. The mice squeaked, ducked under the gap of the doors into the Great Hall.

AAIEE!...

Screams came from within the Great Hall, Harry opened the doors. Through the doors, the red haired cat bound for the table upon which two mice were huddled. Standing on her chair, looking down at the mice, was Ginny; to her side, Colin was ready with a butcher knife. Harry flicked his wand, Colin was frozen stiff.

"Harry!" Hermione scolded.

Both mice jumped and landed on Hermione.

"Get them off!" Hermione shouted.

"Confine them!" Harry said.

Neville grabbed one squirming mouse, placed it into an empty cereal bowl. The other jumped on the floor escaping Neville's grasp. Huffing and puffing, the mouse ran, the cat after it. Harry leveled his wand.

"Harry!" Hermione warned.

Both the mouse and cat transformed; from the mouse came Fred, from the cat came Ron.

"You sly-" Fred said to Harry.

"Can it," Harry said, "Never transfigure my friends again!"

Harry flicked his wand, the other mouse in the bowl transformed, grew up into George; the bowl was shattered in the process. Hermione glared at Harry.

"Transfiguration is never to be used-" Hermione said.

"Stuff it!" Ron said, "They started it." Ron pointed between Fred and George.

"This is going to be interesting," Ginny said.

Another flick of Harry's wand, Colin was let free of his body bind.

"You two had better have an explanation," Hermione said to Harry.

"Agreed," Gia said, sitting next to Hermione.

Everybody sat at the table while Harry explained; at the end of which, Ginny was in giggles.

"Why'd you curse us with your presence anyways?" Ron asked Fred and George.

"On the invitation of Professor Dumbledore," Fred said.

An owl swooped down, delivered the Daily Prophet and a letter into the middle of the table. Hermione grabbed the Daily Prophet then handed it over to Harry.

"Read," Hermione said.

Harry read it out loud.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, July 21, 1997

Wizengamot Amends Quidditch League Charter

Yesterday during a special Sunday session of the Wizengamot, the charter to the Quidditch League was altered. Effective Monday, the British and Irish Quidditch League is required to ban any player listed under the Suspected Dark Wizard Control Act (SDWCA); any teams are required to fire such individuals.

Quidditch League Bans Potter

In accordance to the newly amended Charter, the British and Irish Quidditch League has issued a lifetime ban against Harry James Potter and Ronald Bilius Weasley. Any team attempting to use these players in a game will automatically forfeit said match and will be deemed ineligible for the League Cup.

Puddlemere United Fires Potter

Puddlemere United fires newly hired players Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley in accordance to recently passed legislation. May the players of the British and Irish Quidditch play their games with the confidence that they will not be slaughtered midflight by these two menaces.

Many Expresses Glee for the New Wisdom at Puddlemere United

Many people including the editors at the Daily Prophet, the Minister of Magic, and the EM, are ecstatic that the coaches at Puddlemere United have finally realized that Potter and Weasley lack any talent in Quidditch and were rather propelling themselves on the winds of the Dark Arts.

"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed.

Ron turned to the letter.

Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley

You have been removed and fired from your respective positions at Puddlemere United.

We are appealing to all avenues of redress to overturn the legislation, but the efforts appear to be too little too late.

Our condolences,
Darrel Meyers, Leroy Kline, Adam Gerber

Tap, Tap, Tap

They turned, saw Dumbledore entering the Great Hall, Michael Corner following.

"I concur Harry that such a measure is unfair against you," Dumbledore said, "However, it is an advantage in that it deflects risk off of the players of Puddlemere United-"

"Coaches?" Harry asked.

Michael sat, quickly started eating.

"They may have some risk still," Dumbledore said, "I invited Fred and George for some training since they are well known to be affiliated with you."

"Makes sense," Harry said.

Dumbledore sat and started at a modest breakfast of his own.

"I was planning to divide into groups," Dumbledore said, "Miss. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Creevy, Miss. Lovegood, Mr. Corner, Mr. Fred and George Weasley will get practice at dueling under the supervision of Professor Tonks and Mr. Kinsley Shacklebolt. Harry, Ronald, and Hermione would start with Professor McGonagall in her classroom."

"Your idea being?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore took a few moments to eat his oatmeal, then chase it down with a bit of apple juice.

"You, Harry, are clearly ahead of them in dueling," Dumbledore said, "So, while they catch up, you would get a brief tutorial on the material you would be learning this next year. Unfortunately, I expect the suspension trend to continue; therefore, it would be in your interests to hone up on the crucial material from the year. Naturally, you wouldn't get all the detail, so you would still benefit from actual attendance were it permitted."

Harry nodded.

"Of course," Fred said, "We can't spend the entire day given that we still have a shop to run."

Harry entered the Transfiguration classroom first and confronted a Professor McGonagall with a very thin mouth that immediately eradicated the grin off of his face. Ron and Hermione came to a halt at the threshold of the door, both stopped.

"I have it on good authority that you used Transfiguration on several individuals this morning without their consent Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "I also understand that you managed to make a spectacle of it Mr. Potter."

"Fred and George require that type of lesson, Professor," Harry said.

"It is irresponsible to toy with Transfiguration like that," McGonagall said, "I do not want to hear further rumors about this again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Professor," Harry said.

McGonagall looked to the door where Ron and Hermione were waiting.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss. Granger," McGonagall said, "You may enter."

Ron and Hermione came up.

"For the next week," McGonagall said, "I will be honing your skills in both Transfiguration and Charms-Professor Flitwick has taken the remainder of the holiday off. While my field of expertise is Transfiguration, I am reasonably versed and competent in Charms to teach to the NEWT level. First, destroy the apple, each of you."

McGonagall flicked her wand, conjured up three apples on three desks. Hermione flicked her wand to the left, the apple vanished but left a small scorch mark. Ron flicked his wand to the middle desk, his apple melted into a puddle. Harry flicked his wand to the right apple.

BANG!

Both the apple and the desk were destroyed, along with the string of desks behind and a chunk of the wall.

"Miss. Granger," McGonagall said, "I assume you strung the Latin together in your head, but faltered just a bit on focus."

"Close," Hermione said.

"Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, "You likely focused on destroy, but not the method or the object as close as you should have."

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Then we have Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "You likely place all your power behind the curse, but did not focus it."

"Dunno," Harry said.

"Your first lesson will be to better control your spells," McGonagall said, "A weak but well focused spell can overcome a powerful but poorly focused spell. You will learn to control the power, the focus, and the scope of your spells."

Dumbledore had just left, along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione; Gia left for the Library; into the Great Hall came Tonks and Shacklebolt.

"Seven," Shacklebolt said, "One short of a bracket-oh well."

Shacklebolt waved his wand, where the tables were was replaced by a single long platform.

"Fred, George," Tonks said, "You two will start the dueling."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"We need to know where to start," Shacklebolt said, "For that, we need to know what you know-dueling will get that out of you."

"Not that," Ginny said, "Facing those two blokes off against each other-?"

"Should prove interesting," Tonks said.

George stood to one end of the platform, Fred to the other.

Tuesday, Harry came into the Great Hall.

"Busy last night?" Micheal asked.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Sorry," Micheal said, "It's just this."

Michael handed Harry the Daily Prophet.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Tuesday, July 22, 1997

Potter Murders Blaise

Last night, Dark Lord Potter and his fellow Potter Eaters struck in a gruesome way to murder a fellow schoolmate, Zabini Blaise, who was to be a seventh year this fall at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. As evidenced by the photographs snuck out by a Ministry double agent in the Potter Eaters, Potter kidnapped Blaise from Gloucester, brought him out to the shown sacrificial altar at the top of Waun Fach of Gader Ridge in the Black Mountains near Abergavenny. As shown, after forcing him to strip, Potter then bound Blaise to the altar then executed him using a muggle technique known as the "Bowl."

The "Bowl" used to be a routine form of torturous execution in Holland among the muggles. The victim is pinned down so their stomachs are flat. Mice are placed upon the victim's stomach and a metallic bowl is placed over top trapping the mice underneath. A fire is then lit on top of the bowl, this causes the mice to panic and burrow through the victim to escape; the victim, in this case Blaise, perishes. This gruesome execution only adds to the growing list of charges to be pursued when the Potter tribunal convenes early next year. (Last night, after Blaise, Potter then murdered twelve in Burkina Faso.)

Disturbing is this new trend of Potter to murder his fellow classmates, however, this new streak of murder can be explained by the rankings in his class by his fellow Dark Witch Hermione Granger, who has been experiencing failing marks recently due to all the attention that they have diverted to their fall into the Dark Arts. Potter is obviously trying to push Granger back to her formerly coveted position as top student in the class by eliminating the competition. Other soon to be seven year students at Hogwarts had better watch out as Potter may be visiting them in the near future.

"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed.

"That's not all," Michael said, "Just got a note from my kid sister-EM attacked our house to silence...me. Apparently, some of its members didn't like the letters of support I wrote to the Daily Prophet, the Quibbler, and the Ministry. The EM rewarded by murdering my parents-Ministry claimed it to be an act by you."

"Figures," Harry said, "It's corrupt and incompetent."

"You don't get it, do you?" Micheal said, "Suppose you're always seeing the bad side, so you don't see the other face."

"What other face?" Ron asked.

"To them, to the view I held until several weeks ago," Micheal said, "To the wizarding population as a whole, the Ministry is not biased and is fair-they don't see what you're seeing. A robber stealing in Diagon Alley will get a reasonable trial with legal counsel where the prosecutor has the burden to prove guilt-the robber has the option of testimony under Veritaserum. An elderly witch, shaken by possible intruders, would get timely assistance. Aurors have gotten fired for accepting bribes - they're far cleaner today. To them, they see a new and better Ministry, the likes of which, they've never seen before, a Ministry that cares about them and seeks to ensure fairness in all matter.

"That is why, when you complain about the Ministry - you're deemed whiners because everybody else sees a good but fair Ministry. Now that I understand what's happening, I realize you've become their scapegoats-when in doubt, blame you, and nobody gets fired."

Harry stirred at his oatmeal. "'Bout sums that up."

All of them kept training; Ginny, Colin, Neville, Luna, Michael, Fred, and George under the tutelage of Tonks and Shacklebolt with occasional help from Moody; Harry, Ron, and Hermione kept up their lessons from Dumbledore and McGonagall; Gia kept herself busy, helping Sprout or reading or exploring the castle even further. They kept the pace, that was, until a week and a half passed to Thursday, July 31, 1997.

Harry was the last to leave Gryffindor Tower, he made slow progress as all the corridors took to turning themselves into swamps as he attempted to move along. On the sixth floor, Harry got out his Whitehorn from the expanded pocket of his shorts, mounted, and flew along the corridor ducking the limbs of the various swamp trees. He landed in the Entrance Hall, stowed his Whitehorn, and went for the Great Hall.

SURPRISE!

Harry looked around at the people looking back at him.

"Happy Birthday Harry," Dumbledore said, shaking his hand, "You're now seventeen and an adult by age."

"No Daily Prophet?" Harry asked.

"We thought it better if you forgot about them for the day," Ron said, "So-"

Ron lead the singing.

"Happy Birthday to You,

"Happy Birthday dear Harry,

"Harry Birthday to You."

Gia paid attention to the shades of red that came across Harry's face.

"We've sufficiently embarrassed him," Gia said.

Harry came to a stop in front of the table with breakfast and a cake, a cake with seventeen burning candles.

"Well," Arthur said, "Some of us are hungry."

Harry sat down, started in. As he ate, his eyes moved around, taking in the others; Ron, Hermione, Gia, Dumbledore, Micheal, Ginny, Colin, Neville, Luna, Arthur Weasley along side Edward, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Fred, George, Snuffles, McGonagall, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Moody, Amelia Bones, Wood, and Madam Sprout.

"There's so many," Harry said.

"In today's atmosphere," Dumbledore said, "It is useful to be reminded of what one does have-in your case, how many people are willing to celebrate your birthday can be important."

"Kline and Meyers are still upset over the legislation," Wood said, "They do note that you were on the official roster for several days which makes you ex-players and eligible for all the benefits that entails-discounts on team merchandise and games for one."

"One of the most biased pieces of legislation I have ever had the misfortune to witness," Arthur said, "At their rate, Harry won't be legally allowed to comply with the stupid laws they keep imposing."

'Haven't been able to since the SDWCA was passed," Harry said, "Survival is incompatible with that law once you're listed."

"We, here, are celebrating your making it another year," Tonks said, "We look forward to celebrating it next year too."

Tonks held up her glass, they all toasted, then kept eating.

"Well," Neville asked, "Are you going to make a wish?"

Harry was hovering above the cake with seventeen candles.

"Yeah," Harry said, "It's-"

"Don't say it!" Tonks said.

Harry huffed, he blew out the candles.

"Presents!" Fred said, "Some have things to do!"

Dumbledore tapped his cane on the floor.

"We can hand out the cake first," Dumbledore said, "Then Harry may delve into his packages."

Gia handled the knife and cut the cake up; Ron levitated the plates over to each person. One by one, each person had a piece.

"Harry," Ron said, "You eat first."

"Oh," Harry muttered, his face flushing with color.

Harry nibbled into his, taking a small bit; his next bite was bigger, devouring his slice. He quickly chased it down with Pumpkin juice. Harry then walked over to the table with the small array of packages. One by one, Harry unwrapped then opened the gifts.

"Ours next," Fred requested.

Harry grabbed their gift, opened it, and saw a bunch of small rubber balls in it.

"Same as what you sampled during that capture the flag game," George said.

"Instant swamps, blizzards, whatever you want," Fred said.

Harry looked at the assortment.

"These are not to be used in the castle Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.

"Of course not," Harry said.

Harry then grabbed a soft package from Dumbledore, opened it, and found a silvery water like cloth.

"Invisibility cloak!" Harry exclaimed.

"After more searching," Dumbledore said, "We were able to salvage enough of your old to put in for repair, which took months."

"Thank you," Harry said.

Harry turned to his soft package from Wood; opened it up to find a Puddlemere United jersey, number 17, white with blue lettering and a gold number. Harry moved from signature to signature.

"It's from the entire team," Wood said, "They all feel you're getting shafted, so, you're an unofficial player."

"Thanks," Harry stammered.

Harry worked his way through, eventually until all the gifts were opened.

"Thank you all," Harry said.

"Our small token against the oppression," Fred said, "Hang in there."

"Nice as this was," Arthur said, shaking Harry's hand with his right, burping Edward with his left, "Somebody will want their morning nap."

Arthur left; one by one, the others left.

"Well," Fred said, "As mentioned yesterday, we're pretty well versed for self-defense."

"We have a shop to tend to," George said.

Fred and George left; the others left until it dwindled to the usual people.

"Well," Harry said to Dumbledore, "You'll excuse me if I skip today's lesson-"

"Living life is important too," Dumbledore said, "I was already planning on you-"

"Thank you," Harry said.

Harry grabbed Gia's hand, darted out of the Great Hall.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "One guess."

"Resolving her complaints," Ron said.

"What next?" Ginny asked.

"The House-Elfs will remove these packages up to the dormitory," Dumbledore said, "As Minerva and Tonks discussed with me last night, we have come to a close with the seventh-year tutoring Hermione and Ronald - while it is incomplete from a NEWT and lesson perspective, you have what we feel is needed for the remainder of our lessons. Miss. Weasley, Mr. Creevy, Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Corner, and Miss. Lovegood, I understand that Professor Tonks and Kinsley Shacklebolt have done an excellent job at bringing you up to speed with dueling and wand techniques."

"Yes," Neville said, "So they say."

An owl entered the Great Hall, swooped down, and dropped a letter at Neville's feet. He picked up the letter, read, with a frown coming across his face.

"Well?" Luna asked.

"It's from Gran," Neville said, "Not good."

"And?" Luna asked.

"Seamus is pressing charges," Neville said, "I will go on trial for attempted murder-to be arranged at a later date."

Friday morning, Harry joined the others for breakfast in the Great Hall. He picked up the Daily Prophet.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Friday, August 1, 1997

Potter Eaters Celebrate Dark Lord's Birthday

Dark Lord Harry Potter and his associates celebrated his seventeenth birthday last night with a spectacle that should never be repeated - a ritualistic sacrifice by the Potter Eaters, a feat that was apparently duplicated across the globe. As shown in this photo series smuggled out of Potter's main ritual near Canterbury, a muggle is sacrificed in a dazzling display of witchcraft and wizardry.

The victim is forced to drink a concoction that gives himself the likeness of Dark Lord Potter and turns the victim's blood into a flammable liquid. The victim is levitated then has his blood ignited. This results in a dazzling glow of the victim's skin for the five to ten seconds before he incinerates; leaving nothing but extensively charred remains.

Harry stared at the picture, took in the charred skeleton with shards of burnt flesh attached to the skull and appendages. Harry doubled over and puked onto the floor.

"Disgusting," Ron said, "Agree with you there."

"So fucking annoying," Harry said, "Time in and time again, blasted jerks find some new and more disgusting crime-what a fine birthday gift from Voldemort."

Ron looked from Harry, sitting across from him, to Dumbledore.

"Suggest we duel this morning," Ron said, "Get the anger out."

Ron saw the twinkle drain from Dumbledore's blue eyes, Ron arched his eyebrows.

"Anger should not be the motive for dueling," Dumbledore said, "However, I leave the choice up to you."

"Some of us haven't dueled in a while," Harry said, "Good to have a friendly duel for the sake of it."

Dumbledore rose and slowly left the Great Hall. He returned forty minutes later; he observed that the tables had already been cleared, but Harry was loitering around with the others. Harry spied Notley tagging behind Dumbledore.

"Professor?" Harry asked.

"I was fired from Puddlemere United," Notley said.

"I have asked Mr. Notley to staff the just-opened second mediwizard position in the Hospital Wing," Dumbledore said, "I am grateful that he accepted the offer. He will be supervising your duel-just in case. What type of platform were you considering using? Classic? Modern? Anarchy?"

"Huh?" Harry muttered.

"Stand back," Dumbledore said.

Everybody stepped backward until they were flat against the wall. Dumbledore waved his wand; in the middle of the Great Hall appeared a long platform.

"Same as Lockhart's!" Ron exclaimed.

"Yes," Dumbledore said, "That is the classic platform for dueling."

Dumbledore waved his wand; the platform widened, to both ends were ramps and blocks.

"Modern," Dumbledore said, "Provides more of a challenge when the opponent can hide behind an obstacle."

Dumbledore waved his wand, the platform widened, nearly to the width of the Great Hall itself; many ramps and blocks were present on this platform, dips were in some places while the blocks were distributed to provide up to six feet of height; a pair of blocks twenty feet apart toward the rear of the Great Hall had a small foot bridge connecting them.

"Anarchy," Dumbledore said, "When you want no sides and an all out brawl."

Harry looked at the others, Michael, Ginny, Neville, then Ron.

"This'll do," Harry said.

Harry jumped up onto the platform.

"Enjoy your session," Dumbledore said, "I have other matters to tend to."

Tap, Tap

Dumbledore moved his cane and left the Great hall; Tonks came in. Ron, Hermione, and the others jumped onto the platform. In came a purple haired witch.

"Tonks?" Harry asked.

"Professor Dumbledore mentioned something about a duel," Tonks said, "I couldn't resist-"

Harry rolled his eyes, his wand came forth, and a lavender curse shot forth; it hit Tonks. Tonks shrieked.

"Does this mean we've started?" Neville asked.

A curse came from Ron, dashed under the bridge, and hit Neville. Neville was propelled upward, flew sideways, and landed in a dip of the platform. Luna scrambled over.

"I take that as a yes," Neville wheezed.

Tonks threw a curse at Harry, then ducked into a dip behind a tall block. Harry jumped from his high block, tumbled on the platform as Tonks' curse struck. Harry gritted his teeth, rolled, and returned a curse to Tonks only to have it struck the block she was hiding behind.

The nine of them kept dueling for the remainder of the day, only pausing at noon for lunch. By late afternoon, most were exhausted, so Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Luna, Colin, and Michael could be seen sitting on the bridge watching Harry and Tonks still dueling. Beads of sweat covered Harry's skin, Ginny observing the glistening of light off Harry's bare chest for his shirt was laying in burnt shards littering the dueling platform. They watched Harry's curse shove Tonks into a dip, most of them had been filled with magically conjured water by this point. Michael snickered.

"How long do they plan to duel?" Neville asked.

"Until the other one surrenders," Hermione said.

Colin massaged his left arm that was mended several hours earlier after being broken from a curse from Michael.

"They keep going and going and going," Luna said.

"It's about stamina," Ron said, "I mean, Harry's due for a duel to the death with Voldemort-"

Ginny and Luna flinched.

"Blimey!" Neville said, "Do you have to say-"

"Voldemort, Voldemort, Voldemort," Ron said, "Voldemort, Voldemort, Voldemort-"

Ginny gave Ron a firm slap to his cheek. Ron shoved Ginny. Ginny drew her wand; Ron pulled her off the bridge, he followed, they rolled out on the green of the platform.

"You Prat!" Ginny scolded.

"Maggot!" Ron snapped.

Ron took several steps back, drew his wand, and cursed.

"Siblings." Hermione rolled her eyes.

Ginny's right hand shook, spasmed, dropping her wand - it flew into Ron's left hand. Ginny ran, tackled Ron, they both fell backward into a dip of the platform containing ice cold water. Neville looked away from the sibling fight back to Harry and Tonks.

"Suppose this is the place for that," Hermione said, still looking at Ron and Ginny struggling in the water, both wands laying to the side forgotten.

"Uh-oh," Neville muttered, pointing to the opening doors of the Great Hall.

Harry spied the entering figure, his next curse was fired not at Tonks but this new visitor. Neville and Hermione both looked; watched the curse hit the greasy git in black billowing robes. Snape flew upward, slamming into the ceiling, then dropped into the pool of water in the middle of the dueling platform.

"About time he gets a bath!" Tonks called.

Neville snickered, Hermione giggled. In a flash, Snape's wand was out, a curse struck Harry in his shorts, he doubled over and stumbled off the top of his elevated block. Harry fell in the shallow water pit to his side.

"I will take over Tonks," Snape said, standing up.

Snape cursed again, Harry's body flew upward, then slammed down on his back; Snape hovered above Harry and confiscated his wand.

"Potter thinks himself a worthy adversary," Snape sneered, "I will need to teach him better."

With a flick, blue electric arcs covered Harry, leaving red marks on the skin, replacing the blue and purple of his myriad of bruises.

"How is your ego Potter?" Snape sneered, "Feel capable of dueling a Death Eater or the Dark Lord himself?"

Snape flicked his wand, Harry gasped for breath. Snape flicked his wand, Harry squirmed.

"Stop!" Ron shouted.

"Think you could do better Weasley?" Snape sneered, "Potter challenged-"

Snape's wand disintegrated; where Snape had stood, was now just his head. Scattered around the Great Hall were Snape's other body parts in a many way splinch.

"I believe it is time to bring this exercise to a close," Dumbledore said as he entered the Great Hall, "I trust that you have successfully dissipated the hostile feelings you wished to rid yourselves of. I suggest you take to the kitchens for dinner; I need to summon specialists from the Ministry to address Professor Snape's dilemma."

"I could try-" Harry said.

"Not in this case," Dumbledore said, "Dealing with splinches within an Anti-apparation ward is a tricky procedure-it is possible to kill the victim."

Harry led the way out of the Great Hall; followed by Tonks, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Colin, Luna, Michael, and Neville.

"You went for quite a workout Potter," Tonks said as they entered the kitchen.

"Dunno why," Harry said, "Just felt like going and going."

"Everyone against each other-?" Michael asked.

"'Cause everybody will be against you," Harry said, "When it comes to fighting for life or death, you will likely be outnumbered worse than up there-"

Blinky, an Elf in a Hogwarts uniform, came up to them.

"We'd appreciate dinner down here," Harry said.

Quickly, Blinky and the other House Elfs escorted them over to the tables underneath the Great Hall; Hermione glared at Harry.

"What did Snape do?" Ron asked.

"Cruciatus was one of them," Harry said.

"That's illegal and Unforgivable!" Michael said.

"Like anybody'd bother to prosecute," Harry said.

"Gotta be kidding-" Michael said.

"Am not!" Harry said, "That SDWCA, remember that? Under which I am listed, under which you'll be listed if you continue to hang out with me. That piece of crap strips my rights to prosecute-for it's intended that I place myself at the other side of a Killing Curse and not bitch about it! Under that-I have no rights, I am a dead man, whether it be today or next week or next month or next year."

Saturday, Harry entered the Great Hall, Ron followed; both stopped a short distance from the table. Wood was sitting there.

"Don't you have practice?" Harry asked.

"Read." Wood shoved the Daily Prophet at them.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Saturday, August 2, 1997

Puddlemere United Suspended

In an unanimous agreement of the other twelve head coaches, the Head of Magical Games and Sports, and the Minister for Magic; sanctions have been imposed upon Puddlemere United for hiring known Suspected Dark Wizards, provisioning them with brooms in violation of the act, and providing services of a mediwizard to known Suspected Dark Wizards.

Effective immediately, the entire team of Puddlemere United is to be suspended for the remainder of the year until July 1998, all coaches are to be fired, the Team Healer is to be fired and have his mediwizard license revoked, and all players will be suspended.

"It's about time that people put their foot down to anybody aiding and abetting these known Dark Wizards," said Clarence Patil, EM spokesperson, "This suspension is far too light for the crimes that team committed, the Dark Arts they unwittingly assisted, and the shelter they provided to known Suspected Dark Wizards."

In a quick poll of readers, the overwhelming majority support this decisive action as it sends a strong and clear message to anybody who is considering providing breaks to these known criminals and terrorists.

"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed.

Sunday evening, Harry and Ron walk diligently along the road in the village Castlebridge just outside of Wexford, Ireland; both were under the Disillusionment Charm.

"You're certain this is the right neighborhood?" Ron asked, "Why not just Apparate?"

"Apparate in blindly?" Harry asked, "Gone spare have we? Remember, we're here to convince-nothing else, as tempting as that might be."

Ron rolled his eyes; they kept walking down the lane, past the rows of house blocks to the single family homes. They came to a stop at the last one.

"He's listed as living here," Harry said, "Supposedly he's routinely got company."

"How'd you find that out?" Ron asked.

"A dog told me," Harry said, grinning.

They walked up to the house, Harry cast the spell on the door. Both Ron and Harry stepped through and into the living room of this modest house. On two of the sofas were Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, both fanning themselves in the heat as they watched a television. Harry quietly crossed the room and stood behind Finnigan.

With a flick of his wand, Harry's face came to the television overriding Home Improvement; Harry spoke, the spell throwing his voice to the speaker of the television.

"Hello Finnigan," Harry said.

An expression of shock came over Finnigan's face. Ron spied Finnigan wetting his briefs.

"Potter!" Finnigan exclaimed, eyes focused on the television.

"Potter," Thomas growled.

Thomas threw a towel over at Finnigan.

"Want something Potter?" Finnigan demanded.

"You need to learn to think Finnigan," Harry said, arms crossed in the projection, "You need to learn and not just parrot what the wizarding world wants you to parrot-which you've seemed to master as EM president. Yet, you fail to realize the peril that you are inviting into your lives, the wickedness you are committing by doing Voldemort's dirty work. You've willingly become his puppet and you aren't objecting-"

"You are a spoiled brat Potter," Finnigan said, "You always have been, using your fame to get whatever you want, murdering the relatives who loved and cared for you smothering you-"

"You call starvation smothering?" Ron demanded.

Finnigan jumped.

"Weasley!" Finnigan exclaimed, "Knew it! Another to threaten us or execute us? Should warn you that I'm very well connected - we all see through your disguises for the evil you are, drumming up excuses and technicalities to why you shouldn't be executed for your crimes that you very well know you've committed. This is MY house where you murdered my parents-you disgrace their memories-"

"I didn't," Harry said, "You never believed me, you never intended to give me a chance. By your logic, I'm guilty of everything because I'm the Boy-Who-Lived, innocence is a minor technicality. You don't care, you just want me killed without knowing the truth, for you don't care about the truth, you're finally showing the jealousy you've had for years at Hogwarts, how you never wanted me there. How fitting for you to become a Death Eater just-"

"I am not a Death Eater!" Finnigan protested.

"Yes you are," Harry said, "You're just too stupid to realize it. If you really cared about the victims, you'd make certain you had the right culprit. EM is such a big organization that it has the resources to conduct an honest investigation, if it wanted to, but you don't, know why? Your case doesn't have a leg to stand on, you'd be exposed as nothing but a murderous gang of thugs enforcing order in the new fascist state in preparation for Voldemort's rise. You cite supposed investigations-there hasn't been a fair investigation yet! Nobody's bothered to check up on my being framed because you all conveniently forgot that I have had enemies since before I was born, all of whom would still cheer. Nobody bothers to fairly investigate-why? Because the investigators are being bribed to find me guilty-none of them bother to check the facts anymore-"

"Seamus!" Dean shouted, coming back into the living room, "Should be here-"

Pop, Pop, Pop

Three Ministry Aurors apparated in. The lead, Brockwell, looked at the television.

"My, my," Brockwell said, "So Potter is here."

Rollerblades sprang forth from Harry's dragon hide boots; he jumped and bladed on the side of the wall. Curses fired at the tire marks, severing the wall in half. Harry grabbed Ron, pulled him, knocking down the front door; both rolled on the grass. Curses fired at the indentations in the grass. Harry and Ron ran down the road, avoiding arriving Aurors. Harry opened his palm, revealing the Portkey in it, tapped it with his wand, and gripped the skin on the back of Ron's neck.

Harry and Ron landed in their dormitory at Hogwarts.

"Damn!" Harry exclaimed.

"It was a long shot," Ron said, "You admitted that yourself."

Harry sat on the floor, leaned against the corner of his four poster.

"I know," Harry said, "I just thought Finnigan'd have some measure of sense."

"He's the fucking president of the gang who wants you dead," Ron asked, "You honestly thought he'd listen?"

"Fool's hope, I guess," Harry said, "Thought he could be made to see reason-instead, resentment he seems to have held back on for years is surfacing and consuming his actions. He's helping Voldemort, he's trying to help finish my murder that was started years ago, all because he's jealous. Wish Finnigan would find his brain. Should he be lucky to live long enough to learn of his mistakes-any clue to what he'll demand?"

"Sure, he has no right to demand it and you have no obligation there," Ron said, "He'll come up with excuse after excuse, resorting to blaming us 'cause he's aggressively keeping us down as he kicks."

Ron reached down, grabbed Harry's arm, and pulled him upright.

"Gia's likely wondering how things went," Ron said.

"I didn't exactly tell her what we were up to," Harry said.

"Neither did we tell Hermione," Ron said, "Still, they'd be interested."

Ron led, they both went for the dormitory door.

Monday morning, Harry sat down and dropped his spoon; his eyes landed upon the Daily Prophet and its front page article.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, August 4, 1997

EM President Narrowly Escapes Potter

Yesterday evening, Dark Lord Harry Potter and sidekick Ronald Weasley made their presence known to Seamus Finnigan, the EM President, at his residence in Wexford County, Ireland. Finnigan narrowly escaped as Ministry Aurors were successfully able to chase Potter away. In the investigation, it was clear that Potter was bent on revenge for the justice that EM has been attempting to impose. Aurors take credit for interrupting Potter's preparations for murder.

"This only confirms that with every breath, Dark Lord Harry Potter continues to demonstrate the need for his extermination," said Clarence Patil, EM Spokesperson, "All of us should continue to unite to confront this terrible menace-nobody should feel safe until Potter is dead."

Ex-Puddlemere United Coaches Murdered

Yesterday morning, the recently fired coaches from Puddlemere United were found murdered outside of Plymouth where all three resided. Dead are the former head coach Darrell Meyers, Assistant Coach Leroy Kline, and Assistant Coach Adam Gerber. Few will mourn these Potter collaborators who were to be formally listed under the SDWCA today.

Minister of Magic, Victor Fallerschain, would like to remind that action against people listed under the SDWCA should not commence until the people have been formally listed. Investigators confirmed that these three murders were not the result of Potter, but instead, from people getting a head start on removing three menaces from society. Charges will not be filed in this matter.

Harry threw down the Daily Prophet and bolted for the door. Ron pursued. Harry came to a stop at the other side of the lake; he waded until the water covered his ankles. He sat so his rear was still dry and out of the water. Ron sat next to Harry. Harry stared over the water toward the cliffs with Hogwarts perched above.

"Know that sometimes I do like to be alone," Harry said.

"I can't trust you," Ron said.

Harry turned his head, glared at Ron.

"Not that again!" Harry exclaimed, "Over that ages ago!"

Ron rolled his eyes.

"Blimey! Things are worse than before!" Ron said, "You expect me to believe it's not getting to you? You wouldn't have ran off like that if it isn't."

"Then be quiet!" Harry snapped.

Harry snatched another Daily Prophet from under Ron's arm, opened it up, and stared at the three dead bodies laying face down in pools of blood.

"Fucking executed," Harry muttered, "'Cause of me!"

Ron yanked the Daily Prophet back, laid it on the ground, took out his wand, and burnt it.

"Sorry," Ron said, "That's nothing but depressing-we don't need it."

Harry gave Ron a huge shove; Ron fell sideways, over the small rock edge, and into the lake. Ron rolled, then sat on the rock bottom, submerged up to his ribs. Harry arched his eyebrows and glared at Ron.

"I don't care if I'm being annoying-" Ron said.

"I do!" Harry snapped.

"Sorry if it damages your ego," Ron said, "but, we do care-the fact that more of our supporters are-"

"Executed in cold blood!" Harry said, "Just for being nice to me. I should've foreseen-"

"Blimey, it's not your fault!" Ron said, "They knew what they were getting into when they stood up and showed support-"

"And it got them killed," Harry said, "Just like I told them weeks ago-"

"Yet they chose to accept those consequences," Ron said, "Just like I do, just like Hermione or Gia does. Six million galleons my head because I'm your friend. They want you to destroy yourself-I mean, to be fired because they refused to watch you die, it's asinine. They will be the ones crawling to you for help, thinking a simple apology will suffice-you can shove this back at them; tell them to hide in a cave and kiss their arses goodbye-"

"So many are dead, now," Harry said, "Loads of good that does them."

"They stood up against the oppression of the EM," Ron said, "Don't forget that, or you do injustice to their sacrifices. Face it, EM is the defacto fascist government of the British Wizarding world - they have enough numbers to be a real threat to the Ministry, they could overturn it if they wanted to. EM has a third of the population as their members - what about the other two thirds? Can tell you, some believe you're guilty, but not so much as to organize; the others believe you're not guilty, but they're getting intimidated to shut up. Those few who do stand up get murdered. Voldemort's going to rise again and we'll have EM to thank for that-not you."

Harry studied the goldfish jumping, from crest to crest, into the air, then to fall back down. In the distance, near the middle of the lake, the Giant Squid surfaced.

"I'd still like to be alone for a while," Harry said.

Ron stood, treaded through the water, approached Harry, and placed his hand onto Harry's shoulder.

"Sure," Ron said, "I'll go and think not too far away. Even though Dumbledore claims this to be secure, we know from prior years how porous the ways into Hogwarts can be."

Harry rolled his eyes. Ron strolled out of the water, climbed up along the edge of the lake.

Thursday morning, Harry and Ron entered the Great Hall, went towards the round table with breakfast.

"You weren't too far off Harry," Hermione said, handing him the Daily Prophet.

Harry read.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Thursday, August 7, 1997

Gringotts Charter Amended, Potter's Vault Confiscated

Minister of Magic, Victor Fallerschain, is proud to announce that with the passage of the Potter Pact in Brazil yesterday, that the Gringotts Charter has been amended to permit the listing Minister access to and control of any vault belonging to any listed suspected Dark Wizard or Witch in part or full. Under this measure, the resources of any rising Dark Wizard in deposit at Gringotts can be immediately taken into custody of the Ministry of Magic - no longer can the Dark Wizard use their ill gotten funds to further finance their plunge into the evils of the Dark Arts. By taking control of vaults, the Ministry of Magic can freeze spending or confiscate the contents to finance the fight against the Dark Wizard.

Immediately after passage, the Minister of Magic seized control of the personal vault of Dark Lord Harry James Potter, only to discover that Potter had beat the Minister to the funds. Previously listed at 1.6 million galleons in January, the vault contained a mere 203 galleons this morning, proving that Potter has gone on a spending spree to support his Dark Arts. The Minister of Magic also seized control of the Potter Family Trust; previously listed at 46.2 million galleons and containing 66 properties throughout the United Kingdom in January, contained a mere 4,380 galleons upon seizure - again proving the expenses that Potter has been willing to incur to practice his Dark Arts. Moving faster than Potter anticipated, the Minister of Magic also seized control of the personal and family vaults of Sirius Black for a combined total of 29.7 million galleons which will be removed from the vaults and used to fund recompense to Potter's victims. All vaults have been subsequently closed and surrendered back to Gringotts for usage by more deserving parties.

EM Rejoices at Action

EM rejoices that the Minister of Magic has finally decided to take action to stymie Dark Lord Potter's practice of the Dark Arts by confiscating all assets that he may be using. EM hopes that the victims of Potter can find some measure of relief in the funds they will be receiving under this new action of the Minister; however, they noted that given the numbers of victims, the money will seem paltry.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"They finally," Harry said, "Disgusting-does anybody realize how badly they've weaken the security at Gringotts? Nobody's vault is safe there anymore."

Friday, Dumbledore's card club gathered in the Great Hall. Dumbledore dealt out for a game of poker.

"Our first topic is finances," Dumbledore said, "Poker requires wagering which usually requires money - on that note, the charter for Gringotts has been amended. Monies from several vaults have been confiscated - Severus, you have some further news."

"The Dark Lord boasted about finally being able to put the confiscated money to better use," Snape said, "Especially Potter's."

"I am dismayed by this," McGonagall said.

"Mr. Potter had good reason to suspect that this would happen for some time," Dumbledore said, "Precautions were made, and this has been proven to be worthwhile.

"Suffice it to say," Harry said, looking at the royal flush in his hands, "I am not broke-most of it has been re-appropriated and used to explore other retention plans."

"We failed to anticipate Mr. Black's trusts," Dumbledore said, "That was regrettable, but does take the edge off of making this all seem organized."

"Certainly, there is something we can do about this," Arthur Weasley said, "It can not go unchallenged-we are all in danger of this."

"Agreed," Harry said, "I raise you twenty galleons."

"Attempting to rebuild your vault?" Snape sneered.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Repealing this amendment-that'd be difficult. Remember, it's taken Voldemort months of petitioning. Can we undo that in a few days? Likely not. Rest of you should prepare as I did-hide the majority of your assets through money laundering."

Snape raised his eyebrows, Harry looked at Dumbledore then McGonagall.

"It has been quite clear that they're going after allies of mine," Harry said, "You, the ones sitting around this table, may be listed at anytime, be it today, tomorrow, or some other time. It is highly likely that you will get listed. You don't want to be caught short changed. Therefore, you need to stash and hide your funds, in multiple accounts and definitely not at Gringotts; keep just enough at Gringotts for immediate needs and to have just enough to keep the Ministry from suspecting what you're up to. I left that two hundred galleons to be stolen-every thing else is somewhere else."

Harry shuffled his cards.

"Anybody wagering?" Harry asked.

"Raise you ten Galleons Harry," Fred said.

"Especially you, be careful," Harry said, "Nothing would cripple your business faster-"

"We have enough liquidity and cash on hand," George said.

"You're still making a profit," Harry said, "Stay afterward and I'll give you some hints on how to further hide them in nearly as secure locations as Gringotts."

"Great," Snape sneered, "Order of the Phoenix, an organization since the time of Godric Gryffindor, is now advocating money laundering."

Gia woke Saturday morning to the sensation of liquid flowing across her skin. She felt the mass of black hair above where that face was usually buried in the middle of her chest, where the occasional drops of liquid came from his tear ducts, onto the skin of her chest, and down. She looked, saw him sprawled as he usually was, but shivering slightly. Gia pulled the covers up and over them. Harry rolled, pulling off the covers, then laid there, still asleep, but shaking and wetting. Gia reached to her other side, grabbed a towel, and mopped Harry.

"Nightmare?" Ron asked from the other four poster.

"Think so," Gia said.

Gia pulled the sheet up over Harry, restrained him, and massaged. She gave him a kiss on his scar. Ron got out of his bed, walked over.

"He sleeps more than the rest of us," Ron said, "Wonder if it's a vision or dream-"

Ron gazed down into the rapidly blinking eyes.

"Can you tell?" Gia asked.

Ron turned, doubled over, and hurled onto the floor.

"Alright?" Gia asked.

Ron turned around.

"Scar, I think," Ron said, "It was horrific-a mother torturing, murdering, her kids while Voldemort laughs and others cheered-absolutely sickening."

"How the devil does he get off on doing things like that?" Gia said, "It's gross and disgusting-I just don't get it."

"Dunno really," Ron said, "Guess it's an inferiority complex, he doesn't feel good about himself unless he gets his murder fix."

Ron looked over his shoulder back to his bed, saw the turning of the sheets.

"She can't sleep-?" Gia asked.

"Naw," Ron said, "Subconsciously looking for me."

The next morning, Ron entered the Headmaster's office.

"Good morning Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said.

"Voldemort's on the attack again," Ron said.

"That fails to surprise me," Dumbledore said, sitting on an easy chair in front of the fireplace, "Care to join me for breakfast?"

Ron sat down, took to a scone.

"Trust your information is from the usual source," Dumbledore said.

Dumbledore sipped his Earl Grey tea.

"It's frustrating not to be able to do much during them," Ron said, "Gia's got a knack to sooth him a bit, but still, it's frustrating, and I think it's beyond what Occlumency can do for him-"

"Unless you are a highly trained Occlumens," Dumbledore said, "It is not your place to know what can or can't be done."

"At least Harry can't block it," Ron said, "I'm under the impression that Voldemort's shoving more crap onto Harry-like they're engaged in a mental tug-of-war."

Dumbledore stirred a bit of sugar into another cup of tea.

"Adept analogy," Dumbledore said, "Curious that Voldemort chooses not to block the link-isn't it? It can be a great source of intelligence on our part."

"'Except it was a murder in progress earlier," Ron said, "Doubt he'd want Harry to miss that-not to mention what Harry shows him-"

"Harry intentionally shows-?" Dumbledore asked.

"Lets it be shown would be more like it-" Ron said, "You requested to be unaware of the subject matter some while ago. It's amazing that Harry can even put up with all that-dreamless sleep won't stop the imagery, we've done enough dream swapping where that's no longer advisable. He appears to sleep more than the rest of us, usually first to sleep and last to rise - won't give him a sleeping potion for the last thing I'd want to do is to trap him in a vision. Of course, Harry doesn't want to be fussed over-" Ron rolls his eyes "-the fact he can take Voldemort's crude and keep true is, for lack of a better word, amazing."

Dumbledore nibbled at a scone.

"Battle for his sanity," Dumbledore said, "Unfortunately, that is a war I can only sit on the sidelines for-you're on the front line. In case you have noticed, I have been trying to help; why do you think I talked to Coach Meyers? Or find out the truth to Hagrid?"

"It seems to be backfiring-" Ron said.

"Which is another regret I have," Dumbledore said, "I did not foresee that strong of a reaction-"

"Harry did," Ron said, "He's pessimistic enough to predict that-He wants the smear, Voldemort, all of it, to go away, so he can live on with her. With the wizarding world robbing him of everything-she's the one thing-"

"I think I understand," Dumbledore said, "I agree, bringing a resolution about as quickly as possible will be beneficial to us all."

Ron sipped at some pumpkin juice.

"Another thing," Ron said, "Harry's always got a problem with people sacrificing themselves-true, it's as a last resort, but-"

"I think we can come up with something," Dumbledore said.

Neville looked over the Daily Prophet Monday morning at breakfast in the Great Hall.

"Blimey!" Neville exclaimed.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, August 11, 1997

Potter's Weekend Blood

Over this past weekend, Dark Lord Harry Potter and his gang of Potter Eaters have been directly responsible for 84 deaths and indirectly responsible for 53 others. Friday evening, Potter descended upon the outskirts of Gaziantep, Turkey; 36 were brutally tortured and murdered, reports of mothers under the Imperius curse being forced to dismember their children have yet to be confirmed. Saturday evening, Potter and his allies executed 23 in their rampage in Banska, Slovakia before being evicted by the Slovakian Ministry. Last night, Potter murdered 4 in Mauritius before murdering another 13 in Gafsa, Tunisia. At home, Potter is confirmed to have murdered two on Friday from Northampton and dumped their corpses in Loch Ness. Six other murders on Saturday and Sunday have been confirmed to be Potter's handiwork, however, details are being withheld pending notification of their families.

"Yet," Neville said, "He's been here the whole time! At Hogwarts!"

"That's the way it's been," Colin said, "As Harry put it, his presence is no longer required to be guilty."

Neville threw down the paper.

"Rubbish!" Neville said, "That's the first thing that should matter-yet, it's getting dismissed as if it were a legal technicality to get him off the hook. If he ain't there at the time of the crime, he didn't do it!"

"Unfortunately," Harry said as he entered the Great Hall, "That no longer matters to the Ministry or anybody else."

"That's not true!" Ginny protested.

Ron bolted in from the door, converged rapidly onto Harry's position, arms stretched. Harry grabbed Ron's arm, tripped Ron, and sent Ron flying downward, with Ron's back slamming onto the marble floor.

"Ron!" Ginny screamed.

"Today," Harry announced, "We start a new phase of your training-self defense, the muggle way."

Michael stood from his spot at the table, stared at Ron.

"Muggle way?" Colin asked.

"You know-no magic," Harry said, "Such techniques can be very useful, even to a wizard or a witch-how to fight. You think you know it on instinct-we'll spend this next week showing you otherwise. Death Eater won't be bothering with this, so this is an area where you can gain a definitive edge. You never know in a duel when a muggle way would be more effective than the magical way; therefore, it's in your advantage to know both. Professor Dumbledore has cleared the schedules so you can learn this over the next few days - we have brought in a specialist in these matters, well, not an instructor but she does employ the techniques in the course of her work." Harry turned to the door. "Hermione!"

Alongside Hermione and Gia, into the Great Hall came Kristen Osborn. Harry reached down, gave Ron a hand up. Kristen looked around as she walked.

"Interesting castle," Kristen said.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry," Dumbledore said, coming out of the door from the Antechamber, "In ten years time, your grandson will likely be in attendance Mrs. Osborn."

"Professor?" Harry exclaimed.

"I am the Headmaster," Dumbledore said, "I was curious to the program that you had arranged Harry."

Harry took a moment.

"Certainly Professor," Harry said, "Feel free to join in the exercises."

"Poppy would raise a fit if I did," Dumbledore said, "Were I a century younger, I would. I did ask Tonks to join in - Auror training is a bit weak in this area that you have chosen. I do agree with your reasoning that it should be a part of any Auror's training."

Michael looked at Kristen.

"A muggle," Micheal asked, "Her qualifications are-?"

"Kristen is the police chief of Noigate," Harry said, "She is also a friend of myself and Gia. You will treat her with the same respect as you do to me and Gia. Due to a Death Eater attack earlier this year, she was made aware of the wizarding world and the fact that she is currently raising a muggleborn wizard-therefore, I could ask her to teach as asking any other instructor would have been risky for myself and several others here."

Kristen looked around.

"You should have mats to practice upon," Kristen said.

"Please stand to the edge of the room," Dumbledore requested.

Everybody moved over to the side.

"One moment," Dumbledore said.

Dumbledore concentrated, stood, then waved his wand. The tables and chairs disappeared, save the one chair that turned into an armchair beneath him; the empty floor then filled up with gym mats.

"Will these suffice?" Dumbledore asked.

Kristen bent down, squeezed.

"These should work," Kristen said, "Mats reduce the chances of injury from common mistakes one can make."

Through the door came Tonks, tripping on the edge of a mat, and falling face down onto a mat.

"Case in point," Kristen said.

"Ow," Tonks said.

Harry ran over, picked Tonks up.

"Come on," Harry said, "You're late."

Tonks rolled her eyes, then came to join the group.

"My agenda," Harry said to them all, "Is that we will work on this through Friday-if we need more time, I'm certain we can find it."

"There will be other matters for you to train in after this Harry," Dumbledore said.

"I know," Harry said, "We're all at different skills right now-we'll play it by ear."

Ginny, Colin, Neville, Luna, Micheal, Ron, Hermione, Gia, Harry, and Tonks formed a circle around Kristen. Kristen started.

The following Monday, Harry rolled his eyes as he read the Daily Prophet at breakfast in the Great Hall.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, August 18, 1997

EM Doubles Bounties on Potter

In light of the recent escalation in violence from Dark Lord Potter and pressure from its constituents, EM has formally agreed to double the rewards being offered for the deaths of Dark Lord Harry Potter and his evil friends.

Potter, Harry : 15,000,000 galleons

Weasley, Ron : 12,000,000 galleons

Granger, Hermione : 9,000,000 galleons

Prescott, Gia : 6,000,000 galleons

Removal of these problems would be greatly appreciated. Contributions can be sent to "Bye Bye". To claim a reward, submit relevant documentation. 60,000 galleon bonus for each relation severed.

"How will that improve their odds?" Harry muttered.

"Makes you a more attractive target," Michael said.

"How?" Harry demanded, "How is fifteen any better than seven?"

"By nearly eight million," Neville said, "They aren't trying to influence the average bloke-they're already motivated. They are trying to get us to turn on ourselves, that's the only reason why they increase the bounties, they're hoping that one of us will snap. Look at who currently has sufficient access to you to have a decent chance to kill you, look at who you're trusting."

Harry counted on his fingers. "Gia, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Colin, Neville, Luna, Michael, Dumbledore, Tonks, Sirius, Fred, George-"

"See?" Neville said, "That's who they're trying to break with those numbers, the people who you trust-"

"To get you to lose that trust," Ron said, "I mean, Harry, with these numbers-people can get corrupted. Money, power, that's what their side uses, and there's a good reason why they use it-'cause it's worked before and will work again."

Harry glared at Ron.

'Wish I could storm up to Voldemort now and get this over with," Harry said.

"But there's no bounty on him-" Ron said.

"And what would you use upon Voldemort?" Dumbledore said, "The Killing Curse? Would that work? Harry, your schedule for today is fixed by me, there are some things we need to discuss in my office. Come."

"Ron, Hermione," Harry said, "Co-"

"No," Dumbledore said, "Just you. The others can make productive use of their time on their own. Another game of capture the flag might help you hone your skills."

Harry followed Dumbledore out of the Great Hall. Ron looked at Hermione then Neville.

"So?" Ron said.

"Dunno about you," Neville said, "Rest of us are getting a bit tired of always fighting."

Ron placed his hands into his pocket, looked at the floor.

"There is something you could work on," Ron said, "Harry and I have found this skill extremely useful in evading capture before, so we should all brush up on it. Ginny, get your Firebolt; Colin, get whatever you use-join us down on the Quidditch Pitch."

"Wha-?" Neville protested.

"You are going to practice flying," Ron said.

Neville stuttered.

"Hermione," Ron said, "Get Notley, have him meet us down on the Pitch."

"Ron-" Hermione protested.

Ron grabbed Hermione, drew her close.

"How many times have we escaped with our lives using our brooms?" Ron said, "Enough to get you and Neville to be proficient-you need to be comfortable about it without me or Harry. You need confidence-come."

Ron escorted Hermione out of the Great Hall.

"Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE"

It was early that Wednesday morning. Harry opened his eyes.

"Oh SHIT!" Harry yelled, "WAKE UP NOW!"

Ron, Hermione, and Gia woke up, saw the situation as Harry saw it. They were in a glass container submerged in water; below and to the sides, they could see fish swimming past, above they could see shadows of fish and filtered sunlight. All four could hear the chant.

"Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE"

Harry stood, leaned against the glass wall; the container tilted in favor of Harry.

"Watch it," Ron said, standing gingerly himself.

Gia and Hermione stood; they looked at Ron and Harry in their shorts and shirts.

"Dressed?" Gia said, "You sleep-"

"I know-" Harry said.

"Did we make it to bed?" Hermione said, "I vaguely recall-"

"Getting attacked in the tower on our way to bed," Harry said, rubbing the small bloody wound in his scalp, "Hogwarts was supposed to be safe!"

"Let's worry about getting out of here," Gia said.

The chant repeated itself.

"Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE, Die Potter DIE"

"Better think of something," Ron said.

They looked around their surroundings, above were the markings of a locked hatch in the middle; to one side, through a small opening, were a chess board on a table and a chair, both with skull and bones on them. Harry grabbed a note from the middle of the chess board, opened it, and read it.

Dark Lord Potter

Fast death is unjust against an evil as bad as you. Perhaps a slow, agonizing, death may help you to see the error of your ways before you get judged.

To the question on your mind - is there a way out? Maybe, maybe not.

Cheers to your passage to the afterlife,
EM

"Answers our questions," Harry said, "Dumbledore promised-"

"Debating that won't do us any good," Gia said, "Focus on getting us out of here."

Hermione studied the hatch, tapped with her fingers. "Anybody have their wands?"

Harry felt at his forearm, Ron did the same.

"No," Ron said.

Harry shook his head.

"Mine's missing too," Hermione said, "Just a moment."

Hermione studied the letter, inspected the hatch, the chess board, the seat, and then moved a piece on the board.

"Going to play lady?" the piece said, moving back, "Sit to play."

Hermione turned back to Harry.

"Doesn't look good..." Hermione said, a tear coming to her eye.

"Figured it out?" Ron asked.

"In order to open the hatch," Hermione said, "Somebody must win a game-the person who plays will be unable to escape."

"Are you certain?" Harry said, "There has to be another way!"

Harry looked at Hermione, Gia, then Ron.

"Well," Ron said, "Could try-"

Ron pounded on the glass, no cracks formed, but water started to fill the chamber.

"Great work," Hermione snapped.

"Can you think of something else?" Ron asked.

"We need to escape, that's clear," Harry said, "I'll play-"

"Are you mad?" Ron said, "With this water flooding, you'll get one chance."

"Ron gives us a better chance." Hermione sobbed. "There needs to be another choice!"

Tears welled under Harry's eyelids, he tried to keep them from flowing.

"Ron?" Harry asked.

"No!" Hermione protested, "I-"

"He's beaten you how many times at chess?" Harry said, "Ron-"

Ron swallowed hard, the water up to their ankles.

"Yeah," Ron said, "Take care."

Ron sat on the chair besides the chess board. Immediately, restraints appeared, binding Ron to the chair; a glass barrier went up, separating him from them.

"No!" Hermione buried her face into Harry's chest, gripping his shirt.

Gia leaned against the side of the glass, watched Ron start in on the game of chess as water continued to fill both chambers. Hermione pounded on the glass, only to have the water flood even faster.

"There has to be a better-" Hermione said.

"This appears to be the only way," Harry said.

They watched the pieces on the chess board dwindle, then a look of triumph came to Ron's face. The hatch above creaked. Ron's chamber flooded completely, Ron panicking. With a rush and shove upwards, Hermione, Harry, and Gia were propelled towards the surface.

Gia surfaced first, followed by Harry then Hermione.

Swish, Swish

"Sirius!" Harry yelled at the sight of the approaching rowboat, "Sirius!"

"Coming," Sirius shouted back.

Harry then looked around, saw the giant squid submerge, then looked as Sirius approached. Harry treaded the water along with Gia and Hermione.

"EM invaded and captured," Harry said, "Ron's still down there!"

Sirius maneuvered the boat next to them, pulled in Gia first, then Hermione, and then Harry; he gave them each a heated blanket to cover them.

"Suggest you ditch the wet clothes," Sirius said, "They'll only keep you cold."

"But have to go and save Ron!" Harry said, "He's still trapped..."

The giant squid surfaced next to the boat, its tentacles rose with Ron's body in their grasp, the tentacles moved, bringing his body into the boat. The giant squid then submerged. Harry huddled over Ron's body.

"Ron, Ron!" Harry shouted.

"He won't respond," Sirius said, "We need to get him to Dumbledore to reverse the charm-he insisted on going through despite the risks."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Just what is going on?"

Sirius rowed toward the cliff with Hogwarts castle looming above.

"A lesson for you," Sirius said, "One that we all felt you needed."

"In what?" Harry exclaimed, "Swimming?"

"No, about something else you dread," Sirius said, "It became apparent that you had to sacrifice Ron for the rest of you to survive - you did so. If the situation weren't so controlled, Ron could have died - he still can if we don't get him to Dumbledore."

Hogwarts got bigger and bigger, they felt the push of the giant squid propelling them even faster.

"That wasn't my idea of fun," Harry said.

"Of course it wasn't," Sirius said, "I presume you covered all the alternatives, were fairly certain there was no other means of escape, then had Ron make the sacrifice." Sirius put the paddle aside, letting the squid push them along, turned toward Harry. "Look, you are facing the prospects of a serious Dark War. It may come that you have to sacrifice somebody for the greater good-it's had to be done before and, at some point, will again. I suggest you spend some time pondering what just occurred-you certainly don't want to freeze with paralysis at a crucial moment."

The boat landed softly under the cliff with Hogwarts perched above. Sirius moved Ron onto the waiting stretcher, him and Hermione carried it up the stairs. Harry and Gia followed. At the top of the stairs, Sirius and Hermione entered the castle. Harry and Gia followed the edge of the cliff, walking along. Harry cleared the cobwebs out of Hagrid's Hut, then sat at the round table, pounding his fist on the table.

"I just want to strangle that red head!" Harry exclaimed, "It wasn't funny!"

Gia sat down next to Harry, moved her hands to his shoulders, and massaged.

"I think he meant well," Gia said.

"It's not how I wanted to spend the morning!" Harry exclaimed.

"That's obvious," Gia said, "Consider what Sirius said - otherwise that red head might seek to repeat-"

"He won't survive a second time," Harry warned.

"Calm down," Gia said, her eyes dart to the dusty teapot in the corner, "He means well, albeit he's not going about it the best way, but how should he go about it?"

"Dunno," Harry said, "Talking would be a start."

Gia got up, walked over, grabbed a match, started the fire in the fireplace.

"Exactly how can you talk about that scenario?" Gia said, "There's a big difference between talking and going through that scenario. Even Lupin knew that-hence that exercise of his."

Gia left the hut for a moment, returned with the teapot full of water.

"I hate these exercises," Harry said.

Gia placed the teapot over the fire.

"So you should," Gia said, "They're matters of life or death that they're trying to push you on, to think about now when we have the luxury of time."

Gia coaxed Harry over to the bed, wrapped their blankets tightly around the both of them.

"As I see things," Gia said, "They're trying to make you think about killing and sacrificing in the thick of things-making certain that you can. The fact you hate and dread it, is, good, for it's certainly not something you should be enjoying like somebody else does. However, you may need to make the decision-stalling on the ethical debate could prove lethal."

"I just..." Harry said, "it isn't right to have to ask somebody to...die."

Gia ripped off his shirt under the blanket, then wrapped her arms around him, tightly.

"It shouldn't feel good," Gia said, "However, you must remember that Ron's essentially sworn his life to you, entrusted it to you, whatever the cost may be. While he doesn't want it wasted, he is willing to spend his life if the cause and price is just, and he trusts you to exercise sound judgment. Like today, you explored all the options you could, found there to be no other way, so had to sacrifice him - he likely set that up specifically to get you to be able to, should it be necessary."

"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Harry said.

"Nor should you," Gia said, "Though you should forgive him as he did this lesson for your benefit, for our benefit.

Friday, Dumbledore brought in all the surviving members of the old crowd, divided the trio up, and staged a three way battle with dueling at Hogwarts which left a thick haze lingering over the castle for hours. At the end, with no conclusive winner, they stopped with most going home. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Gia, Neville, Ginny, Luna, Colin, and Michael gathered in the Great Hall for a late supper.

"That went well," Dumbledore said, "This brings your summer training to a close."

"We still have, like, a week!" Harry protested.

"I ask for a bit of time, separately, for tea in my office over the weekend," Dumbledore said, "After that, enjoy what may be your last uneventful week at Hogwarts-we can easily speculate some of what lies in store for the next year and it's unlikely to be easier than the last."

Harry glared, the rest ate the supper.

Michael was first for tea that Saturday morning in the Headmaster's office, and he was shaking a bit.

"Dear Mr. Corner," Dumbledore said, "Have a seat, take a sip of tea."

Michael stumbled for a chair, sat, but looked at Dumbledore instead of drinking tea.

"Relax," Dumbledore said.

They talked. Dumbledore continued the one-on-one conferences for Luna, Neville, Colin, and Ginny. They then gathered in the Entrance Hall; five of them had their packed trunks. Dumbledore gathered around.

"In a week," Dumbledore said, "Enjoy the last of your holiday."

With that, Michael, Ginny, Colin, Neville, and then Luna went, one by one, onto the golden Floo platforms, vanishing from sight. Dumbledore returned to the stairs, up to the second floor.

Gia entered the Headmaster's office right behind Dumbledore himself, they both sat and then talked. An hour later, Hermione came into the Headmaster's office right after Gia had left, she too spent time talking.

In the meanwhile, Ron and Harry sat on the second floor in the empty corridor.

"Any clues to this?" Harry asked.

"It seems to be talks," Ron said, "Perhaps an end-of-training evaluation-not certain."

Hermione came out from the Stone Gargoyle.

"You're next Ron," Hermione said, "I'm off to the-"

"Library," Ron said, "We know."

Ron got up and went for the Stone Gargoyle.

Harry crossed the Headmaster's office, took a look at Fawkes sitting on his perch, gave several strokes to the phoenix's feathers. Fawkes looked back at Harry, black eyes gazed into Harry's emerald green eyes. Harry blinked, Fawkes emitted a quick shrill note.

A chuckle. "I think he's taken a liking to you Harry," Dumbledore said, standing behind Harry.

"He's...I dunno," Harry said, "Comforting, I guess."

"I'm afraid that Fawkes will be needing a new caretaker in the near future," Dumbledore said, "I have been advised to get my affairs in order-that includes you."

Harry turned around, his emerald green eyes moved and fixated onto the blue.

"Everybody dies eventually Harry," Dumbledore said, "It is merely a question of how and when - I have had the fortune of being reminded that my time is soon, which gives me time to sort things and focus on what matters."

"But it's different for you-enough mediwizards to know something is wrong," Harry said, "Yet, you've refused to tell me-"

"That is a matter of privacy for me," Dumbledore said, "Besides, who is the first person you'd tell? Then, what would you be doing-Miss. Granger would likely have the whole lot of you in the library pouring over every text and book-"

Harry snickered. "You're right with her-"

"Which would be a poor use of time when you have more important matters," Dumbledore said, "As you have undoubtedly noticed, I have been concentrating my efforts on training you for the role you will be asked to perform-for it's only a matter of time until most everybody realizes how wrong they've been with the smear campaign, for that I am certain because Voldemort will not wait in hiding forever and at that point, they will come to you."

Harry turned back around, faced Fawkes.

"I hope they remember the roles they have played," Harry said, "For I will not forget or forgive-"

"You may need to," Dumbledore said, "I mean forgive, for your own sanity-take a look at Snape if you want an example of somebody who hasn't forgiven and takes his grudges out on next of kin."

"What they've done-it's unforgivable!" Harry said, "Be plenty more injustices too, I'm sure of that, until this is over. I've had it with the wizarding society-I'd hide under a rock if Voldemort would stop hunting me, but he won't."

"Most certainly he will not," Dumbledore said, "His harassment followed you into the muggle world-that's ample proof, for you are prophesied to be able to bring him down, Voldemort won't rest easy until you are out of his way. In the meanwhile-"

"I have resolved to see this through," Harry said, "To see Voldemort put down, then Gia and I will, dunno, escape or elude or something, just get away from the wizarding world, leave them to themselves."

"You may get an opportunity to change things," Dumbledore said, "To keep this mess from happening in the future, at least to this degree, you may want to consider that, to keep it happening to some other poor soul."

Monday morning, Harry ascended to the Astronomy Tower; he sat at the small table, across from Gia. They exchanged smiles then looked at the breakfast the House Elfs had furnished. Harry laid the Daily Prophet down to read, Gia blocked him.

"Huh?" Harry muttered.

Gia removed the Daily Prophet, laid it down on the bricks under her chair.

"It's never filled with anything good," Gia said, "Why continue to spoil your breakfast on a daily basis? Read it later."

"Right there," Harry said, grabbing for a dish of food.

Harry and Gia watched several of the workers and House Elfs work on the North Tower reconstruction, most of the stones to the tower had already been put in place, the pointed roof had several shingles left to be place on, windows were being installed.

"I just wonder about today's crap," Harry said, picking up the Daily Prophet.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, August 25, 1997

Potter Murders Brown and Greengrass

Last night, Dark Lord Potter continued his rampage of killing his classmates by murdering Lavender Brown and Daphne Greengrass, both scheduled to return to Hogwarts in the fall.

Members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad responded to reports of enchanted bronze bulls moaning over coals of a fire in Oxford, only to find the cause to be more gruesome. Already perished and trapped inside the two bulls, were the corpses of Lavender Brown and Daphne Greengrass, the latest victims of Potter who apparently decided to use the ancient Greek form of execution for a bit of variety. We can only assume that Dark Lord Potter's next attacks will be even more gruesome and creative as apparently the Killing Curse is getting too boring and mundane. This form of execution, first known to have been practiced among the muggles of Greece, places the victim into a hollow statue of a bronze bull, a fire is lit underneath, and the victim slowly cooks until they die of suffocation (it was unknown at the advent of its invention that suffocation was the cause of death due to the bronze metal absorbing all of the oxygen in the air) - it was common for the last breaths and moans of the victim to reverberate making the bull seem alive as the victim perishes.

"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed.

"Creative," Gia said, reading over the article, "Disgusting but creative."

Harry spotted the figures flying over the Quidditch Pitch.

"Enjoy the view," Harry said, "I have business to attend to."

Harry reached to their side, picked up and put on his Scarlet Gryffindor Quidditch Robes, then grabbed his Whitehorn, mounted, and flew.

Harry approached the group of people flying above the Quidditch Pitch, four others in red Gryffindor robes, eight in white and blue Puddlemere United robes; he looked down to the pitch where Wood in black and Katie Bell in white stood. Ron flew up to Harry.

"Funny," Ron said, "Them choosing here."

"Loads of good memories, I guess," Harry said, "Early morning practices did them good."

George snickered, coming up.

"Hey George," Harry said, "Sorry about the team-I didn't realize-"

"How could you know ahead of time that they'd slam us all?" George said, "You, Ron, we weren't completely surprised-the team, took us for a loop too."

Harry flew down to the pitch, lined up behind Wood and Bell; Dumbledore came up to the couple, purple robes billowing.

"This is an occasion that gives me great pleasure," Dumbledore said, "As Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, I have the authority vested in me to perform this marriage between Oliver Wood and Katie Bell."

Ginny woke Monday morning, the first of September, to being shaken away. Her eyelids fluttered open, her brown eyes focused upon the man looming above.

"Dad?" Ginny asked.

"Time to wake and get a move on," Arthur said, "You have a train to catch."

"Can't I just skip the year?" Ginny asked.

"Nonsense," Arthur said, "You need a solid education-look at the benefits your brothers have reaped from it, George and Fred and their business-"

"One that Mum objected to," Ginny said.

"Colin's already said that he'll be going," Arthur said, with a wink.

Ginny blushed.

"You'll do fine this year," Arthur said, "We leave in an hour-easier now that we don't have to travel from Devon."

Arthur left the bedroom.

Colin came down the stairs to the living room and then the dining room.

"Fred, George," Colin said, "Thanks for letting me stay-"

"Not a problem," Fred said, leaning over Ginny's trunk.

Colin poured himself a bit of cold cereal, watched as Fred and George added items to Ginny's trunk.

"Spicing up the year?" Colin asked.

"A few samples," George said, "That and she has several items to give to our younger brother and his friend."

"Think things will be better this year?" Colin asked, then spooned another bite of his cereal.

"One thing I do know is that Ron should be grateful that Mum isn't around to scold him about his streak with suspensions," Fred said, "He'd be in hot water by now."

"Actually," Arthur said, as he entered, "I think Molly would've understood the situation-it's the board of governors that should feel grateful, for they would have gotten their fair share of Howlers by now."

Colin snorted, milk spewed out of his nose, then his eyes landed upon the Daily Prophet on the table.

THE DAILY PROPHET

Monday, September 1, 1997

Princess Diana of Wales, Dead

In muggle news, Princess Diana was killed yesterday during a high speed car (muggle equivalent to flying carpets) chase in Paris. According to a press release from the Ministry of Magic, Dark Lord Harry Potter is not attributed to have caused this crash in anyway. For further information, consult the muggle newspapers.

First Day for Hogwarts

Today is the first day of term for students at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry; all students are expected to catch the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross leaving at 11 am. Ministry Aurors will be stationed on the Hogwarts Express to ensure that students arrive safely at the Hogsmeade station.

Of notable significance is the change in the Sorting due to the unfortunate demise of the Sorting Hat last fall at the hands of Potter, Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall explained the new procedures. "Every first year will be interviewed on the train with the decision being announced during the time allocated for the Sorting Ceremony."

Statistics released by Hogwarts shows a decline in acceptance this year as compared to the average year; this year, about half the usual number of prospective students replied favorably - presumable, this drop is due to the negative publicity surrounding Hogwarts most notorious student, Dark Lord Harry Potter and his two Dark friends.

Potter Precaution Plan

Due to the danger present for Dark Lord Harry Potter attending Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Minister of Magic has announced inclusion and deployment of enough Ministry Aurors to keep any interference from Potter to a minimum. Experts question whether this will be enough to thwart Potter. Parents are advised to bid their kids farewell and to ensure they have a burial plan ready should it be needed.

Potter Massacres 70 in States

Last night, Potter got in a last minute dash of blood before resuming his studies at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry by the brutal massacre of seventy yesterday in the states. Every Oblivator working for the United States Department of Magic was called out to assist in covering up the damage by Potter's melee that exposed the wizarding world to hundreds of Muggles. One by one, Potter mowed down muggle after muggle with curse after curse at a Sunday farmer's market in Chicago, Illinois. Potter disapparated from the site upon arrival of the first Auror - Potter remains at large. At the end of his aftermath, seventy muggles laid dead, twenty five were severely injured. Charges from this incident will be added to the growing list of charges scheduled to be tried in the Potter tribunal in January.

We can only hope that this incident will encourage the US Congress of Magic to pass the Potter Pact legislation.

EM Bounties

EM has increased the bounties offered for the deaths of listed Suspected Dark Wizards.

Potter, Harry : 20,000,000 galleons

Weasley, Ron : 16,000,000 galleons

Granger, Hermione : 12,000,000 galleons

Prescott, Gia : 8,000,000 galleons

Removal of these problems would be greatly appreciated. Contributions can be sent to "Bye Bye". To claim a reward, submit relevant documentation. 60,000 galleon bonus for each relation severed.

The EM board of directors has approved an instant 500,000 galleon bounty to be applied against anybody who becomes listed as an accomplice to Dark Lord Potter under the SDWCA.

"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed, sitting in the Great Hall for breakfast, his eyes focused on the Daily Prophet.

Hermione grabbed the paper. "The fact that the legislation is stalling in the States is interesting - I mean, look at the cave in after incidents-be back in a bit."

Hermione left the Great Hall, only to be replaced by McGonagall arriving to their table.

"Good morning Professor," Harry said.

"I need to speak with you about accommodations in the dormitories," McGonagall said, "Obviously, the current arrangement cannot last given the start of a new school year and the return of three students with title to the room you are currently enjoying."

"True," Harry said, "Hadn't thought that far ahead-ideas Professor?"

"There are three options for residing at Hogwarts for you," McGonagall said, "First, due to the recent deaths of your classmates, the seventh year girls dormitory would be housing only Miss. Granger, therefore, that room is available. Second, Hagrid's Hut could be used-Albus and myself feel that its distance from the castle might pose problems should trouble strike. Third, we could locate a small apartment within the castle for your use, there are some available. Any location would eventually be known to every student, so your security would be paramount."

"Gryffindor Tower is out of the question," Ron said, "I mean, security on the doors is weak, and we know how we were treated last spring."

"Not to mention the likelihood of not spending much time at Hogwarts," Harry said.

"Regardless of the amount of time," McGonagall said, "I have a duty to see that it is a safe stay for you."

"Thank you Professor," Harry said, "Hagrid's is too insecure, so an apartment sounds appropriate, especially if we have control over the passwords."

"You've got, like, that new tower nearly finished," Gia said, "There's bound to be room in there."

McGonagall stood there for a moment.

"I will consult with the House Elfs," McGonagall said, "Until the arrangements are made, your trunks will be stored in my office."

McGonagall turned for the exit.

"Professor?" Harry asked.

McGonagall turned back toward Harry.

"Yes Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked.

"Thank you Professor McGonagall," Harry said, "Thank you for what you've done to help us."

"You're welcome Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "If you'll excuse me-"

"Certainly," Harry said.

McGonagall turned, left the Great Hall.

"Can't believe you actually-" Ron said.

"Shut it!" Harry said, "Given how things are going, this might be our last chance before she gets listed."

"You don't think-?" Gia asked.

"It's pretty damn clear to our opponents by now," Harry said, "We're getting help to survive-therefore, it's only a matter of time until our supporters get listed. Dumbledore's already there, Lupin was there, so was Kristen for a short while. It's only time until they know of what McGonagall and the other order members have done and they get listed."

Harry slammed his cup of pumpkin juice onto the table; it splashed the three of them, the silver cup bounced and fell over. Hermione came in.

"This is rather curious," Hermione said, looking at her notes.

"What's curious about it?" Ron said, "It's a bunch of notes, but, I mean-"

Hermione gave Ron a slap across the back of his head.

"It's more than that," Hermione said.

"What is it anyways?" Harry asked.

Hermione sat down, between Harry and Gia, but across from Ron; she set down her notes depicting multiple dates and countries.

"I correlated attacks with the Potter Pact," Hermione said, "In every case, an attack precipitated a country ratifying the measure."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Meaning?"

"Take just about any country, say, Turkey," Hermione said, "The Potter Pact was introduced to their government back in early May when it first started to circulate. They debated and debated it, whether you're really that big of a threat. Then, come the eighth of August when our cronies massacre thirty six in a bloody fashion, you were identified as the culprit. After that, people started to demand passage, which occurred on the twenty second of August. Since then, there hasn't been any real incident involving you-save one suspicious disappearance currently being attributed to, but not confirmed to be, you."

"So," Harry said, "You're saying the attacks are being used to pressure a specific country? I knew they were to bolster me a threat, but this is more coordinated."

"Exactly," Hermione said, "Only two countries have yet to ratify the legislation; Pakistan and the United States."

"They've both been attacked," Harry said.

"Pakistan was attacked a bit more than a week ago, but they're going full steam and will ratify within the week," Hermione said, "The United States has been attacked twice so far, once back in May and then last night - as of last Friday, the Potter Pact was stuck in committees."

Harry pointed to the Daily Prophet.

"That's going to add pressure," Harry said.

Ron looked at Hermione.

"You're saying that the duration of our current freedoms depends on how slow the Yankees act?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded.

"We're screwed," Ron said.

"Not for a while," Hermione said, "The Potter Pact must be ratified by the whole of the Congress of Magic, then, because it is a treaty, it must be ratified by the muggle Senate house of Congress. While everybody agrees the Potter Pact is a must-pass piece of legislation, many of their representatives are taking advantage of that."

"Meaning?" Harry asked.

"The very thing that slows it down," Hermione said, "Everybody is attaching their own riders and provisions to it-"

"Then that's good," Harry said, "Altering will require re-ratification-"

"Not that," Hermione said, "It apparently started as a simple bill to ratify the Potter Pact, it now has added provisions to drill for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, it earmarks forty billion dollars for B2 bombers for their muggle Department of Defense, several million dollars for enhancing the Floo Network in the states of Alaska and Wyoming, among other things." Hermione scanned her copy of the Salem Stake, then pointed. "Oh, one provision would fund a study to see if Penguins can be used like Owls." She pointed to another provision. "Increase funding to the National Zoo of Magical Creatures." Hermione snickered. "They could very easily scuttle the Potter Pact over this squabbling and bickering of theirs."

"Remind me the next time we're in the Antarctic Harry," Ron said, "Need to thank the Penguins for stalling the Potter Pact ratification."

Neville and Luna rode on the train as it passed Clapham Junction, bound for Waterloo from Devon.

"Thanks Luna for letting me stay with your-" Neville said.

"No problem," Luna said, "Couldn't believe your Gran would hold a grudge-"

"Almost murder the EM President?" Neville said, "That leaves the house marked, if you get my drift."

Luna got out a collapsible trolley, put their trunks on it, and rolled it toward the door. Neville looked to both sides until a platform came into view.

"Can't believe they'd make us take the train," Neville grumbled, "Floo Network would've been faster-"

"It's not tradition," Luna said.

The train crept and slowed down until it came to a rest next to the platform. Luna pressed the button and the door opened. Neville moved the trolley off the train and onto the platform.

"Suppose Harry and them will skip the train," Neville said.

"Ministry Aurors on board?" Luna said, "One had better hope they do."

Neville lugged the trolley down the stairs to the Underground, then turned right.

"Go Muggle ways all the time?" Neville asked.

"Dad can't always take the time," Luna said, "Usually."

Luna walked up to the ticket machine, bought two tickets, then returned to Neville.

"This way," Luna said, heading for the row of turnstiles with the ticket inspectors overlooking the activity.

Neville and Luna made use of the gate by the inspector, then they went for the Northbound Northern line.

"Have this memorized?" Neville asked.

"Just know my way around," Luna said.

HONK! HONK! HO-ONK!

"GO!" shouted the cab driver, head out the window, to the car in front who was stopped in front of a green light at the intersection of Pentonville Road and King's Cross Road.

"Wish we had the Angina," Ginny said.

Arthur chuckled for a moment. "Too bad your brother made that rather impossible."

"I know!" Ginny said, "Wish he took me on that too!"

"You would've been expelled," Arthur said, "As a first year, you'd have little to stand on-surprised Dumbledore didn't expel them at the time."

"Flying a car to school would be fun," Colin asked, "Can we adapt this cab?"

"No modifications unless you wish to buy the vehicle first," the cab driver said.

HONK! HONK! HONK!

The cab driver flipped off the stationary car in front of them.

"Looks like they have nowhere to go," Ginny said, looking ahead to the plethora of cars jamming the road ahead of them.

Arthur looked at his watch, then to the tower of St. Pancras ahead, adjacent to Kings Cross Station, it flashed 10:40am.

"We're going to miss the train at this rate," Arthur said.

"If a constable objects, you pay the fine," the cab driver said.

The cab driver yanked the wheel, sped up onto the sidewalk, and drove; they watched the pedestrians dash to get out of the way. Slowly, they made progress until they were stopped on the sidewalk across the road from the train station.

HONK! SCREECH! SMASH!

The cab driver yanked the steering wheel, dashed through the intersection on a red light, two other cars slammed on their brakes smashing into each other, but sparing the taxi. They came to a stop in the handicap parking space.

"Get a trolley Colin," Arthur said.

Colin dashed out the door first, for the station to get a trolley. Ginny got out, then stretched her arms.

"That's a hundred twenty four pounds and sixty pence," the cab driver said.

"A hundred?" Arthur protested as Ginny and Colin unloaded the trunk.

"For the points they'll put against my license when they catch up," the cab driver said.

Colin moved slowly for the station. Ginny tugged at Arthur's arm.

"Ten minutes," Ginny said.

Arthur dug through his pocket, paid the driver a hundred and thirty pounds. The cab driver took it, then drove off.

"My change?" Arthur asked the thin air where the taxis was a moment earlier.

Arthur turned, then caught up with Ginny and Colin inside the station.

"Hey!"

They turned, saw Luna and Neville coming up the escalator from the Underground.

"You took the Underground?" Arthur asked, "How was it?"

"Fine," Neville said.

Neville and Luna followed as Colin led the way down between platforms nine and ten. Neville and Colin ran toward the train, loaded the two trolleys onto it, then boarded. Luna waited for Ginny. Arthur gave Ginny a hug and kiss.

"Behave and have a fun year," Arthur said.

"Da-ad!" Ginny said, "Those are mutually exclusive!"

"Not if you do it properly!" Arthur said.

Ginny giggled, then waved as she boarded the train. Luna climbed in, closed the door as the train started to move. Ginny stood there, watched Arthur wave as the platform grew smaller and then was out of sight.

"Lets go find a compartment," Colin said to Ginny.

Ginny and Colin strolled down the corridor, then came across the compartment with Neville and Luna. Colin opened the door; Neville jumped, his left hand removed itself from Luna's right thigh.

"It's just us," Colin said.

"How about your own year?" Neville asked.

"Why them?" Colin said, "Seems we have more in common anymore."

Ginny moved to close the sliding door, but was interrupted. Through the door came a Ministry Auror, Cheriton.

"Any sign of Potter?" Cheriton demanded.

"He's not on this train," Ginny said.

"You would know-how?" Cheriton demanded.

"They never showed up to the platform," Ginny said.

"Faulty reasoning," Cheriton sneered, "Plenty of opportunities for that scum-"

"If you're done looking," Neville said, "Please leave, we'd like to enjoy the trip."

"No funny business," Cheriton snarled, then left the compartment.

Ginny closed the door, then sat on the bench seat.

"She had a burr up her ass," Colin said.

Ginny glared at Colin.

"Well, she did," Colin stated.

"Us Prefects should be heading to the front about now," Luna said.

"You're a Prefect?" Neville asked.

Luna rolled her eyes.

"Took Ronald months," Ginny said.

Neville sat there, watched as Ginny, Colin, and Luna left; in came Michael Corner.

"Hi Neville," Michael said.

"Oh hi," Neville said, "Come in, could use the company to keep Finnigan and them out."

"Suppose they'll pressure you again?" Michael asked.

"Almost count on it," Neville said, "They can be really pushy."

The lady with the cart pushed her way by, both of them bought Cauldron Cakes.

Harry and Ron walked down the marble staircase, their Whitehorns in hand; they came to a stop at the bottom in front of Dumbledore.

"Fine weather for that," Dumbledore said, "There are several things you need to be aware of, given that the term is starting today. First, finish your flying by five thirty and return to the castle by six at the latest; the Ministry is sending their Aurors for safety between six and seven. At six, you and the ladies will need to take refuge in Professor McGonagall's office where you will need to remain until the feast begins; slipping on your dragon hide would be advisable at that time as would preparations for suspensions. We will make preparations for how best for you to attend the feast, if possible. In the meanwhile, have fun with your flying."

Dumbledore smirked, then used his cane to climb the stairs; Harry and Ron walked out the front oak doors into the sunny morning.

Harry and Ron walked along the path down to the Quidditch Pitch.

"Was talking with Hermione earlier," Ron said, "She made a comment, the fact we haven't been attacked at Hogwarts yet."

Harry raised his eyebrows, looked at Ron.

"We've eliminated a slew of candidates for being a minion to the conspiracy," Ron said.

"Perhaps," Harry said.

"You're bursting our bubble," Ron said.

"All we do know is that we haven't been attacked," Harry said, "That says nothing to whether Voldemort knows we're here-"

"If he knew, he'd attack," Ron said.

"Not necessarily," Harry said, "Look at the situation, we've been stored out of the way for the most part, not making any trouble to him; in the meanwhile, he stomps and kills while we're unable to disclose our location to anybody for fear of an EM response."

They trotted over the steps down the path.

"He's liked trying to killi you before," Ron said.

"True," Harry said, "However, this Potter Pact, he wants that passed, so I can't be dead for people to ratify it."

"So," Ron said, "That gives us a limited period-"

"Wrong," Harry said, "It gives me a short reprieve from him, but not from the EM, nor a reprieve for you."

"Then," Ron said, "Why not attack me here?"

"And have me leave?" Harry said, "So, what we do know is that we haven't been attacked - Ministry in the blind about it, else Minister Fucker would be screaming. We don't know if Voldemort knows, but it's been a nice summer regardless not having to run."

"True," Ron said, "Suppose we'll have to once school starts back up."

They reached the Quidditch Pitch, Ron pulled out their practice Quidditch box from under the stands, opened it, and handed a bat to Harry.

"I play Seeker-" Harry protested.

"So?" Ron said, "Every player should be able to play any position in a pinch."

Ron grabbed the other bat, then released a single Bludger.

"You're mad," Harry said.

"Back and forth?" Ron asked.

"Sure," Harry said.

The Bludger returned to them, Harry knocked it back into the air. Both of them mounted their Whitehorns and flew into the air. Gia watched Harry and Ron knock the Bludger back and forth, her eyes were focused looking out of the Library window toward the Quidditch Pitch a distance away.

"It is a nice day out," Gia said, "Seems that Ron and Harry have the right idea."

Hermione looked up from her book on the table to Gia.

"Are you kidding?" Hermione said, "This may be my last chance to read something from this library-"

"Or stroll freely about the grounds," Gia said, "Ron was right."

Hermione glared, eyes flashed. "Ron was right?"

"You truly are a book worm-" Gia said.

"If you want to stroll the grounds, then do so," Hermione said, "I want to read."

"Ever think about it?" Gia asked.

"About what?" Hermione demanded, huffing across her nose, eyes upward from her book to Gia, glaring.

"You know," Gia said, lowering her voice, "skipping the pills?"

"I'd get expelled within a week," Hermione said, "Don't bother saying anything else, for I'm not listening, but reading this book!"

Hermione looked down at her book, conjured up a pair of earmuffs and placed them over her ears. Her eyes moved, tracing the writing in the book. Gia flipped off Hermione, then went for the door. Shortly before six that evening, Harry and Ron entered McGonagall's office, Hermione was already there reading at the desk.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Figures."

"What'd you expect?" Harry said, "It's Hermione."

Woof!

Harry opened the office door, Gia with Snuffles in the hall.

"Oh hi," Harry asked, "Could you stay out-?"

"In a few moments," Dumbledore said, approaching.

Snuffles entered the office, Dumbledore followed and closed the door. Resting on his cane, Dumbledore looked to them.

"The Hogwarts Express should be arriving in a bit more than an hour with the festivities starting at eight," Dumbledore said, "I thank you Harry for letting us borrow that hat for the interviews-it's existence can remain secret for the year, during which, I think you will find it helpful. I have been notified that the Minister of Magic will be in attendance. The impact for you is that within a half hour, this place will be crawling with six Ministry Aurors - so stay in this office as that door, once I leave, will be unable to open until Minerva returns, that is for your safety. I loathe the imposition, but I'm certain you don't fancy dodging the Aurors for the next couple of hours."

"The feast?" Ron asked.

"Minerva will escort you to the kitchens in the basement," Dumbledore said, "We have equipped below with a projection spell to allow you to see and hear what happens up in the Great Hall without them being aware of you. After the feast, and the other students have made it to their dormitories, Minerva and myself will escort you to your dormitory which we believe you will find adequate. In the meanwhile, I suggest you put on the dragon hide-I would not be surprised if a student or two attempted something."

Dumbledore turned for the door.

"Snuffles needs to remain hidden too," Dumbledore said, "Under the desk or somewhere in here."

Dumbledore left, Harry opened the lid to his trunk in the corner and removed his dragon hide.

"Been a while," Harry said, "This'll feel stuffy-"

"You don't know a simple comfort charm?" Hermione asked.

Ron rolled his eyes.

Luna, Ginny, and Colin returned to Neville's compartment as the sky outside darkened.

"You took your time," Neville said.

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"We had to help with the interview and house selection for the First Years," Colin said, "Professor McGonagall was certainly being thorough about it-sure glad we had the Sorting Hat our year."

"It's going to go quick this year," Luna said, "It'll be decided before the schmuck gets to the stool."

"How's it going this year?" Neville asked.

"Results aren't announced until the time of the usual Sorting," Colin said, "Even the First Years won't know until then."

Luna leaned against Neville. "Do anything interesting while we were gone?" Her eyes drifted toward Michael.

"Not too much," Neville said.

"Or they just don't want to talk about it," Ginny said.

A voice echoed through the train, "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

"If you'll excuse us," Neville said, "We do need to change-"

"After the time we spent this summer-" Luna protested.

Neville rolled his eyes. "Won't be but a minute."

Ginny and Luna left the compartment; waited outside as Neville, Colin, and Michael got into their uniforms.

Neville got off the train at the Hogsmeade station.

"First years over here!" Oliver Wood shouted from the end of the platform.

"Almost wish we could do that again," Neville said to Luna, "Nice way to approach the castle."

Neville and Luna got into a coach, followed by Finnigan and Thomas.

"Thought about making the proper decision yet Longbottom?" Finnigan asked.

"Buzz off," Neville snapped.

"Ohh!" Thomas said, "Wrong answer."

Neville flipped Thomas off, then had his wand aimed.

"You have no fucking clue what you're inviting upon yourselves!" Neville said, "You don't because you refuse to listen, to figure out the facts for yourselves. I only have one thing to say to you-baah! Silenco!"

Neville snickered as Thomas and Finnigan tried to talk, but nothing came out. Finnigan lunged at Neville.

"Stop that!" Luna ordered.

Finnigan managed a choke hold onto Neville; Neville bit Finnigan's hand.

"Ow!" Finnigan exclaimed, the silencing spell lifted, his arm retracted.

Neville brought a left to bear across Finnigan's nose, blood splattered the face and Neville's fist.

"Ouch," Thomas said, "Cringing."

"Know what?" Neville said, "I feel safer in Harry's presence than yours-"

"You admit-?" Finnigan asked.

"He has visited me over the holiday," Neville said, "Not once has he attacked me, yet, I spend a fraction of a carriage ride with you and you're assaulting me. I don't care what you say about Harry-you're the meanest Dark Wizards about."

"You better learn when to keep your trap shut or-" Finnigan said.

"Or what?" Neville demanded, "You become the worst set of bullies around? Luna, we're going."

Neville opened the carriage door, they were still moving, he grabbed Luna and pulled them both out, rolling onto the ground halfway along the road to the castle.

"Could've warned-" Luna said.

"Sorry 'bout that," Neville said, brushing off some grass from his uniform, "It was about to escalate-"

"Need help Mr. Longbottom?" McGonagall asked from the next carriage coming to a stop in front of them.

"We'll take the offer," Neville said, climbing into the carriage along with Luna.

"Mind explaining?" McGonagall asked as the carriage started to speed up.

"I've been having problems with Seamus Finnigan for months now," Neville said, "Came to a head there in the carriage." Neville explained the transactions in the other carriage, McGonagall's expression remained a neutral thin mouth.

McGonagall thought for a moment as the carriage approached the front door.

"It was wise to escape the situation, for the escalation would have been costly in terms of punishments," McGonagall said, "Mr. Finnigan and Mr. Thomas are due for a stern lecture."

Luna opened the door to the carriage, for they were by the front doors; she got out first, followed by Neville, and then McGonagall. McGonagall walked fast until she caught up with Finnigan and Thomas. Neville and Luna climbed the steps.

Neville and Luna crossed the rear of the Great Hall, came to a halt next to Ginny and Colin at the Gryffindor table.

"It'd be nice if you joined us," Neville said to Luna, pointing at the seat.

"I'd like to, but it is by houses tonight," Luna said, retreating to the end of the Ravenclaw table.

Neville sat, in the corner, at the end of the table, to the rear of the Great Hall. Ginny and Colin were sitting side by side on the other side of the table a short distance to Neville's right.

"With all the action," Neville remarked, "Gets a bit thin in here."

"That's what happens when you lose a good chunk of your class," Ginny said.

Others filed in, Finnigan glared at Neville then passed to a ways down the table, Thomas to his side.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia sat down at a small round table to the far end of the room in the kitchens under the Great Hall. On each of the four tables, they watched the House Elfs busily place on the various foods and dishes. Within, they saw the projection at work, the figures at the staff table including Dumbledore with the Victor Fallerschain to his right; at each of the tables, they saw a projection of each of the students from above.

"Sort of feel included," Ron said.

"Go up a floor in person," Harry said, "Dodge hundreds of Killing Curses."

Hermione glared at Harry. Harry watched as four of the Ministry Aurors stood around the Great Hall. Then, in through the middle, they saw the First years, all twenty of them, walk up to the front of the hall. Wood stood and faced them all.

"As you are aware of, we had to revise the Sorting due to the destruction of the hat," Wood said, "Therefore, we conducted interviews while reserving announcing the decision for this ceremony. As I call each of your names, step forward, and I will announce the house you will belong to for your education at Hogwarts."

Wood looked to his clipboard.

"ABERFORD, GWEN."

Forth came a short blond haired girl, she shook as she turned to face the crowd of students.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Wood announced.

Ernie Macmillan and the other Hufflepuffs cheered.

One by one, the first years were sorted; Bagstone, Chilson, Colden, etc until finally Segar Ysbyty was sorted into Slytherin.

"Funny," Hermione remarked, "Most avoided Slytherin and Gryffindor-three each, while Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw got seven. Thought the teachers were more-"

"It wasn't the teachers," Harry said, "Remember, they used the hat I lent them, tossed in some other questions to pull off the ruse."

"Awww," Hermione said, "So it was the hat-"

"Guess why people are avoiding Gryffindor and/or Slytherin?" Harry asked.

"Slytherin-usual reasons, especially with our rise," Ron said, "Gryffindor-seems to have a rather high fatality rate as of lately."

Harry rolled his eyes, then focused on Dumbledore standing up front.

"Welcome to the start of another year," Dumbledore said, "Let us first eat."

Dumbledore clapped his hands, Harry watched the food on the tables disappear.

"Up it goes," Harry said, "Mystery solved."

The House-Elfs provisioned their small round table with food.

"So far so good," Ron said.

Gia rolled her eyes. "Say nothing to that-you'll jinx things."

"You're suspicious of-" Hermione said.

"Everything," Gia said, "Dunno, it's the anticipation of something happening this week-I mean, nothing's really changed since last year."

"Like you said, don't jinx," Ron said, "Can you pass me more chicken-please?"

Gia handed the bowl over to Ron's greasy fingers.

When the desert pudding appeared on the tables above, to which Ron had already consumed two helpings of, Dumbledore stood.

"Welcome," Dumbledore said, "I hope you are all well fed and watered by now. First years, though some of the older students can use the reminder, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students - I look to the Prefects to help there. I am pleased to announce that the Head Boy for this year will be Ernie Macmillan, assisted by the Head Girl, Hannah Abbott."

Dumbledore paused, waited for Macmillan and Abbott to stand for a couple minutes of clapping.

"Replacing the position, but not the shoes, of our prior Care of Magical Creatures instructor, Rubeus Hagrid," Dumbledore said, "I am pleased to announce that Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank has accepted the position on a permanent basis. For Defense Against the Dark Arts, Kinsley Shacklebolt has agreed to take on the second teaching post for that important subject. For those frequenting the Hospital Wing, you may notice the presence of a second Mediwizard who is as competent at treating your injuries and maladies, Benjamin Notley has agreed-"

"Him?" Fallerschain protested, "His license was revoked!"

"For administrative reasons," Dumbledore said, "He remains competent and qualified to heal any injury-even you can't reasonable assert that the revocation had anything to do with his competence as a mediwizard."

"He broke the law," Fallerschain stated.

"We will discuss this matter later," Dumbledore said, "In the meanwhile, every student is to know that Mr. Notley is capable."

Dumbledore paused, sighed, and caught his breath.

"Over the summer," Dumbledore said, "Hogwarts lost a number of students from its ranks, please feel free to discuss the matter with a teacher if you so choose, but do not let the matter eat at you-"

"Fine tribute given your hand in the matter," Fallerschain snapped.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Idiot."

"You will have your moment Minister shortly," Dumbledore asked, "May I continue?"

"Certainly," Fallerschain said, crossing and folding his arms.

"Our caretaker," Dumbledore said, "Mr. Filch, had added a number of items to the forbidden list including a number of articles available at the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. The full list is available in his office and it would be prudent for each and every one of you to become familiar with that list."

Dumbledore paused, took a sip of water.

"Given recent events," Dumbledore said, "I remind you that you are to abide by the school rules while at Hogwarts, please consult your head of house, or your Head Boy and Girl, for a complete list."

"Ought to owl that to a specific person of mutual interest," Fallerschain said.

"I am pleased to welcome the Minister for Magic, Victor Fallerschain, to Hogwarts for this feast," Dumbledore said, "He has some words of wisdom he wishes to share with you."

Fallerschain stood as Dumbledore sat back down.

"Welcome everybody, both the returning students and the new first years," Fallerschain said, "It must have been heart wrenching for your parents for you to attend given the publicized events of the previous year - I thank you for attending and showing bravery at a time when it is needed. You all represent the future for all wizarding kind; so study hard and take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves over the years. Unfortunately, there are those who would dare to spoil you and Hogwarts for their own personal gain in power and money, namely those students dabbling in, or supporting the practice of, the Dark Arts."

Gasps drifted through the Great Hall.

"Named as suspected accomplices to, and practitioners of, the Dark Arts," Fallerschain said, "Formally added to the list of Suspected Dark Wizards are the students" - he voice sped up - "Ginevra Weasley, Colin Creevy, Michael Corner, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood, all of whom, I regret to announce-"

"Half million each!" Finnigan shouted.

Sounding like an out of tune school choir, the horrid incantation echoed into Hogwarts: A History as many unpolished wands swished and flicked.

AVADA KEDAVRA! AV-AVADA KEDAVRA!

Wands revealed their smudges in the fast sunrise of green magic that had erupted across the Great Hall, the sudden illumination shone from flying gifts of darkness and hatred.

[END OF CHAPTER]

1 Credit comes from Betrayed by kateydidnt (madam_author), the idea is being used with permission.