Project Management for Beginners

by snuffly22

Harry had never really properly planned anything before. The fact that his first ever plan was risky and filled with assorted dangers was not actually deterring him as much as it should. (This story explores how Harry's third year at Hogwarts might have played out differently if a little project management and an ambitious plan had been thrown into the mix.)

16. The deep dive

All rights to the Harry Potter universe belong to JK Rowling. I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: Hello all. Many thanks for all of the comments I've received. I hope you are still enjoying the story.

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Chapter 16 – The deep dive

Projects are run by (and depend on) people, and people can be unpredictable. A project manager needs to take this into account during their planning processes and adapt quickly if changes are needed.

It was Sunday evening, and Harry was spending a long and depressing day in the hospital wing. The Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff quidditch match had come to an abrupt end for Harry when the Dementors tore into the school grounds and invaded the pitch. Unable to deal with their assault on his mind and emotions, and living through a vivid remembrance of his mother's terrible death over and over, he'd fallen off his broomstick and been knocked out. Match lost, broomstick smashed, weekend ruined.

People had visited him regularly while he'd been in the hospital wing. In fact he'd had a lot of company and he'd tried to be cheerful for them, but he struggled to deal with all of it. He was so vulnerable to those things, and he hated it. Still, Harry was relieved whenever his friends arrived; talking to them helped to take his mind off his troubles.

"You have a couple of Slytherin visitors, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey told him, and he heard the slight questioning tone in her voice.

"Is it Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott?" he asked. "If so, I'd like to see them."

"Very well, I'll let them in then."

Harry grinned as Blaise and Theo came in and sat down. "About time you two showed up."

"Hello to you too," Theo said with a smile.

Blaise grinned at him. "We did ask Hermione to pass on our best wishes for your recovery yesterday. I hope she did so? Good. But we had to find the right moment to sneak in. It's dinner time now and everyone's in the Great Hall. It's probably a fatuous question but how are you feeling?"

"Better," he said with a sigh. "I'll be back in school tomorrow."

"He didn't just mean your physical health," Theo commented. "Madam Pomfrey told us that you're almost back to normal. How are you feeling about things?"

Harry shrugged awkwardly. "I didn't like losing the game."

"You're competitive, of course you didn't like losing the game!" Blaise said. "Talk to us, Harry. Because I know you well enough to be fairly certain that your encounter with the Dementors is troubling you - a lot."

"There's no point in talking about it, Blaise. They affect me more than they do everyone else, and no doubt Malfoy will be laughing his head off at my expense for the next month about it."

"Yes, he will," Blaise agreed readily. "But you know how to handle him now, so let's talk about something more interesting. Yesterday I asked Professor Lupin about Dementors, and about spells that could be used against them. I thought you might like some more information on the subject."

Harry was immediately interested. "Yeah, definitely. What did he say?"

"Well, I went to his office yesterday afternoon. The door was open a little and as I got close to it, I heard Professor Snape talking to Lupin. I may have eavesdropped slightly at this point... a common thing to do, but somehow the situation seemed to call for it. They were talking about you, Harry. Professor Snape was telling Lupin that your defences against Dementors clearly need to be strengthened and that he should teach you 'the charm'. Lupin replied that it was very advanced magic and someone your age couldn't be expected to learn it, but Professor Snape insisted that you be allowed to try. He told Lupin he'd teach you himself if he had to, and eventually Lupin agreed that he'd speak to you about it."

"Really?" Harry said excitedly. "I'd love to learn how to fight back against a Dementor."

"I thought you'd be pleased," Blaise replied with a satisfied smile. "Anyway, I retreated down the corridor at that point so as not to be caught, and five minutes after Professor Snape had gone, I went in to Lupin's office. As I knew that it wasn't necessary to ask him to help you, I decided instead to learn more about this charm. I told him that I had a friend who was strongly affected by Dementors and that I was concerned for them, and so on. Lupin assumed it was a Slytherin friend, of course. He just tried to dismiss what I was saying by assuring me that everything would be fine and my friend shouldn't worry about the Dementors as they wouldn't cause any more trouble." A note of contempt came into his voice at this point.

"Did he tell you anything else?"

"I asked about preventive spells. He said there's a charm that can be used to defend against a Dementor; the Patronus Charm. That will be the one that Professor Snape was referring to. It's very advanced - beyond NEWT level, apparently. He also told me that my friend probably couldn't learn it unless they were a seventh-year or something, and even then, they might not manage it. A lot of adult witches and wizards can't cast it."

"Oh," Harry said dismally.

"Don't pay any attention to that," Theo told him firmly. "Any spell can be learned if you work hard enough. And you have the motivation, too. I've seen how much you apply yourself when we've been duelling; I know you can do it."

"Thanks, Theo."

"I also asked Professor Lupin why some wizards, such as yourself, are more affected by the Dementors than others," Blaise said casually. "I didn't think he'd believe me if I said you were my friend, so I lied and said scornfully that I thought you must be a weak wizard, to experience their effects so powerfully. Lupin fell for it, of course – you Gryffindors are so easy to provoke! He denied strongly that you were weak. According to him, it's because you've been through a lot more bad things in your life than others, so the Dementors have more traumatic events to work with."

"Thanks Blaise, I'm glad you told me. I'll go and see Professor Lupin tomorrow and make him teach me that charm."

Blaise nodded. "Don't take no for an answer."

"Oh, I won't. What happened after that?"

"Nothing - I had the information that I needed, so I left."

"And he let you?" Harry said, frowning. "I mean, you told him that you were concerned about a friend being affected by Dementors. Didn't he offer to see your friend and talk to them?"

Blaise shrugged gracefully. "No. As I said, Professor Lupin is a Gryffindor."

"That's no excuse! He should be treating everyone the same. I mean, he's the Defence Professor. He should teach the Patronus Charm to anyone who wants to learn it."

"I like your ideas Harry, but Professor Snape isn't the only teacher who struggles with House loyalties in the classroom," Theo told him.

"I suppose not," Harry said. He didn't feel pleased with Professor Lupin for not trying to assist Blaise though. "Oh by the way, there's something that I'd like your advice on, both of you. Not now, but in the next day or two; I'll want Ron and Hermione there too, and maybe a few others. I'd like to talk to you about Sirius Black."

"Well, it's about time!" Blaise exclaimed.

"We've been wondering when you were going to touch on the fact that a deranged mass murderer who badly wants to kill you managed to get into the school recently," Theo clarified, as he noticed Harry's surprised look. "I mean, people generally do talk about that sort of thing."

Harry smiled. "I suppose I've been a bit slow to react. Time to make up for that, don't you think?"

"As long as you're not planning anything reckless," Blaise agreed. "But then if you were, you wouldn't want us involved."

"True. And I've already promised Hermione that I won't try and find Black, so don't worry. Nothing reckless, no heroics, just a bit of conversation. Tuesday at seven in the study group meeting room suit you?"

"We'll be there," Theo said.

"We have to go to dinner now," Blaise said. "One more thing before we do… whatever Malfoy says to you, he's as scared of the Dementors as you are. I know that because every Slytherin is scared of them."

"Really?"

"Really. A lot of Slytherins have, or used to have, relatives in Azkaban – or if they don't, like Theo and I, then our friends have, or other classmates. Don't you think we've imagined what it's like for the prisoners there? We have, many times – and that makes it a lot harder to see the Dementors hanging about right outside the school."

Harry nodded understandingly. "Fair enough. I won't let it get to me when Malfoy starts going. Thanks, guys."

"We'll message you later, if you're still awake," Theo said as they left. "Ty to get some rest though."

"Yes, Madam Theo," Harry said flippantly. The Slytherins grinned and headed out.

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Harry was pleased to be discharged from the Hospital Wing the next morning and allowed to go back to school. Malfoy immediately started doing impressions of his collapse at the quidditch match and how he fell off his broom. The other Slytherins (not including Blaise and Theo) seemed to find this hilarious. Harry didn't like it at all, but he'd been studying anger management for most of the term and he'd got used to having the upper hand in most of his clashes with Malfoy. He didn't intend to let things regress to how they were before; he didn't want Malfoy to have any power to hurt him. The polite and friendly approach had proved to be an effective weapon against Malfoy before, and he thought it was time to see if the same was still true.

Harry had witnessed Malfoy's increasingly exaggerated impression of him falling from his broomstick six or seven times by the end of the morning. The only upside was when he tried it during Potions class and Professor Snape took ten points off Slytherin as a result. It was the first time that a Slytherin had lost points in Potions since Snape's change of approach to teaching, and Malfoy's expression when it happened had been priceless. Ron was spoiling for a fight about the situation though, as was Neville, but Harry told them both that he would deal with Malfoy personally. He saw a perfect opportunity for this towards the end of lunch. Malfoy was acting out the scene yet again when the person sitting next to him got up to go and speak to another student. Harry stood up, walked over to the Slytherin table and sat down boldly next to Malfoy.

"Hello, all!" he said cheerfully. "Just thought I'd drop by to say hi. Having a nice lunch?"

"Get lost, Potter!" Malfoy snarled. "This is the Slytherin table!" The other Slytherins were staring and many looked angry, but Harry paid them no attention.

"Oh, I do know that," he said lightly. "But there's no rule against people sitting at other House tables, except on feast nights. You can come and sit with us Gryffindors any time, if you want to. And so can the rest of you, of course!" he said, smiling pleasantly around. "You're all welcome."

Malfoy was glancing down the table, and Harry realised he was looking to the older students for help with the situation. However, there was an animated discussion going on among the more senior Slytherins at that point and none of them seemed to have noticed Harry's arrival.

"You don't belong at our table, Potter," Millicent Bulstrode said, but there wasn't any particular menace in her voice. Theo and Blaise were doing their best to not look amused while everyone else was just watching with ill-concealed eagerness to see what would happen next.

"That's very true, but I just thought that since Mr. Malfoy here is so interested in my unfortunate quidditch accident the other day that I'd come over and help out with the re-enactment. I was there, after all; I could probably impersonate myself quite well!"

"Push off," Malfoy said, his face reddening with anger. Harry felt a surge of excitement at seeing him start to lose his temper.

"But why, Draco dear? Isn't this just meant to be fun? I know you wouldn't deliberately taunt me for getting badly injured because that would be really mean and nasty. I could do the commentary, how about that? You know, like Lee Jordan does: And there's Potter, flying full speed towards the snitch with Diggory tearing towards it as well. It's neck and neck, too close to call though obviously I'm hoping it'll be Potter who gets it because I'm a totally biased Gryffindor so there you are... JORDAN! Yes, sorry Professor, the excitement was just getting to me there! But just a minute, why are all those Dementor things on the pitch? Potter's stopped, he seems to have noticed them and clearly doesn't like them much. Can't say I blame him, I've seen better looking creatures on the underside of a rock… Come on Draco, you're meant to be doing the actions!"

Malfoy jumped up and drew his wand. "I'll get you back for this, Potter!" he shouted. This caught the attention of the Slytherin prefects and one of them walked quickly over.

"What's going on here? Malfoy, lower your wand. Potter, you're not meant to be at our table."

"Sorry," Harry said insincerely. He stood up. "I'll go now. I just wanted to talk to Mr. Malfoy about something. Apologies for disturbing your lunch." He strolled away, a smile of triumph on his face. Somehow he suspected that Malfoy would think twice before publicly making fun of him about the Dementor incident in future.

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Harry was asked by Professor Lupin to wait behind after Defence class that day, which suited him very well. "I thought we should have a talk about the quidditch match, Harry," Lupin said to him once the other students had left. "Your accident was due to the effects of the Dementors, I take it?"

"I'm not weak," Harry replied, ignoring the question and going straight to what he thought was the important thing to say. "You seem to think that I am, but you're wrong. I could have faced the boggart as well that time, if you'd given me the chance."

Professor Lupin sighed. He looked tired. "I know that you are not weak, Harry. In fact, you are very far from it. I didn't let you face the boggart because I didn't think it would be a good idea for Lord Voldemort to appear in a classroom full of children."

Harry blinked with surprise, not having expected this answer at all. "It wouldn't have been him," he said eventually. "It would have been a Dementor. That's why I would like you to teach me the Patronus Charm, please sir. I'd like to start learning it right away."

Lupin glanced at him. "Your conversational style is quite jumpy today," he remarked. "Well, I see that you've done your research about anti-Dementor spells. Or more likely, Miss Granger has done."

"Will you be able to teach me, Professor? I need to be able to fight back against those monsters."

"Nobody can 'fight back' against a dementor," Lupin replied sharply. "The Patronus Charm can repel them, that's all. It is, however, extremely advanced magic and you would find it very difficult to learn it."

"I'm motivated to learn, and that's half the battle. Please Professor, this is very important to me."

Professor Lupin frowned. "That much is obvious. It might interest you to know that Professor Snape also thinks that you should study this charm."

"I'm glad to hear it," Harry replied calmly. "I know he's very interested in Defence Against the Dark Arts and knows a lot about it."

"Yes, I expect so. Well, I will attempt to teach you the Patronus charm but it can't be until next term, I'm afraid. I'm very busy at the moment. I was off sick recently, and I need to catch up with quite a few things."

This didn't seem very reassuring to Harry. "Thank you for the offer sir, but next term is two months away. I really don't want to wait that long to start learning the Patronus Charm."

"Well, I won't have any time to teach you before then," Lupin replied frostily. "Perhaps you might want to look for a different tutor. If you are unable to find one then my offer stands for next term."

"But what about if other people also want to learn it? I don't suppose I'm the only one who needs to know about protective spells to combat Dementors. Maybe you could hold a class for everyone who'd be interested from all of the Houses."

"You're very persistent about this," Lupin said. Harry could hear the note of disapproval in his voice.

"That's because I think it's important. What if other Gryffindor students need help too? Or students in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff maybe, or… Slytherin." He looked closely at Lupin, hoping this might provoke a reaction from him, but there was nothing. Harry had always liked Professor Lupin but the more he thought about it, the less happy he was about his treatment of Blaise.

"Yes, I do know the names of the other Houses, thank you Harry."

"Well then, there could be people there who are almost as badly affected by the Dementors as I am. I don't think you should be assuming that I'm the only one who needs training on this when that probably isn't the case. What if someone else asks you about Dementors like I am now?"

"I will cross that bridge when I come to it, and not before. Now, I have a great deal of work to do Harry, so if you don't mind, I suggest we leave it there."

Harry's expression darkened as he recognised the implicit lie in Lupin's words. "You are the Defence Professor, aren't you? Then why won't you help me and the other students defend themselves? Isn't that your job?"

"Ten points from Gryffindor for speaking disrespectfully to a Professor," Lupin said, looking at him unfavourably.

"You can take points all you like but it's still true," Harry replied angrily. "If you don't have the capacity to teach the Patronus Charm then I suppose that's understandable, I realise that you might be busy, but then the Headmaster should arrange for someone else to do it – an auror, maybe. To be honest, I don't think it should be my responsibility to find my own tutor. I also think that training in the Patronus Charm should be offered to all students and not just me."

"I think I've heard quite enough of what you think for one day," Lupin replied sarcastically. "I will however discuss your suggestion with the Headmaster. You may go."

"Yes Professor," Harry replied quietly, and left the room. He was annoyed at the points loss but knew that he'd been rude and deserved it. He still wasn't willing to wait for two months to start learning the Patronus though – if Lupin wouldn't teach the students and the Headmaster didn't intervene then he'd sort something out himself.

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

At dinner on Monday, the Headmaster announced that as part of the Teaching Charter amendments to Potions lessons that Professor Snape would be allowing students who had achieved an Exceeds Expectations grade in their Potions OWL to study Potions at NEWT level from now on. A number of older students looked visibly excited at this news. Sixth-year students were also offered the chance of joining NEWT Potions classes, if they were willing to take extra lessons to make up for those that they'd missed since the start of term.

"I don't suppose that'll make much difference to me," Ron remarked. "I'll probably just get an Acceptable OWL for Potions. Either of you going to take NEWT Potions?"

"Well of course," Hermione said, looking surprised that he might ask, "though I am hoping to get an Outstanding OWL, but you never know… what about you, Harry?"

"Not sure," Harry replied. His NEWT choices seemed much too far off to care about. "It's good that the requirement's been dropped though."

"Snape's really trying to make changes with the Charter, isn't he?" Ron said. "I never thought he would, or could for that matter."

"I'm just keen to see the back of Binns," Harry said. "History of Magic classes seem twice as awful as usual, now that we know he's going but not yet gone."

"We've only got to put up with him for a few weeks," Ron said. "By the way, did you see the article in the Prophet about Rudolph Stanslake joining the Cannons next month? He's a good player, you know? He could be just what we need to get back on top!"

Fine minutes later, Ron was mid-way through analysing the Chudley Cannons' chances of making it to at least the middle of the league before the end of the season when he broke off what he was saying and stared at the door. Harry turned his head and saw that Randolf Burrow and Felix Brunt had just come into the Great Hall, looking desperate. They were each wearing what Harry instantly recognised as a Mrs. Weasley Christmas jumper – but instead of the letters F and G on the front, each jumper now had the word BULLY written across them in huge yellow letters. Just to make the point even clearer, there was a massive floating sign above each of their heads which said "I AM A SICK, NASTY, TWISTED BULLY!", with a helpful arrow pointing from the sign downwards. Harry started to laugh, as did most people - even the other Ravenclaws seemed to find it pretty amusing. There was some kind of tune playing, though the words were too quiet to hear.

"It won't stop!" Burrow cried. "Somebody do something!"

"Not a problem!" Fred shouted. He aimed his wand at them and muttered a spell, amplifying the sound and making the song – which was clearly being sung by the twins – loud enough for everyone to hear.

We're a couple of bullies, we pick on younger kids,

We're nasty and unpleasant, we deserve to be put in a bin,

We hurt other students and cause them pain, just because we like toooooo…

But we're going to put it right, or this song will never stop!

We're a couple of bullies, we pick on younger kids—

"Yes, that's quite enough of that," Dumbledore said. Along with Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall, he had already made his way to Burrow and Blunt. He drew his wand and murmured a spell, but the song kept singing and the signs above the Ravenclaws' heads started raining on them.

"Please be careful, Sir!" Blunt yelled. "We tried to stop it a few times and it just got worse! There were hailstones before, and snow as well - I almost got struck by lightning at one point!"

"We had to make a list," Burrow said, looking humiliated. "A list of everyone we've ever bullied and exactly what we did to them. The spell wouldn't let us go until we wrote it and agreed to bring it to you, Headmaster. We've can't take these jumpers off and we've been trapped in an old classroom for hours with this thing, and it's sung that song the whole time!" He handed the list over to Dumbledore with a trembling hand; Harry noticed that it was a very long one.

Dumbledore turned to look at Fred and George, who were laughing as much as everyone else. He beckoned them over, looking rather grim.

"Can we do something for you, Headmaster?" George asked with a grin

"Yes Mr. Weasley, you can deactivate this spell," Dumbledore said firmly.

"It's a shame to ruin a work of genius but I will if you insist, Sir," he replied, looking regretful but not surprised. With a quick stroke of George's wand, the jumpers, the song and the floating signs all vanished. Quite a few of the students booed, though the two Ravenclaws looked deeply relieved.

"They had it coming," Fred said to the Headmaster with complete calm. "I know you'll punish us but we've still got no regrets."

"I think we should move this discussion to my office," Dumbledore said. "Come along, all of you."

The three Professors and four students walked out of the room, the twins making a deep bow to the clapping students as they did so. Harry glanced over at Blaise who smiled back at him with great satisfaction.

"As long as we don't lose too many points, otherwise that was a triumph," Ron said. "But don't tell them I said that, or they'll make fun of me for months…"

Fred and George returned to the common room later that evening and were given a rapturous welcome by the other Gryffindors.

"You did really well. How did it go in Dumbledore's office?" Harry asked when they finally made their way over to him.

"Twenty points lost each and a fortnight's detention, starting next week," George told him cheerfully. "Could have been a lot worse. Dumbledore said we deserved a lot worse as it happens, but he didn't want to take all of the Gryffindors' Charter points away. Personally I think he was laughing on the inside."

"And what about Burrow and Blunt?"

"Suspended until the end of term," Fred said with great satisfaction. "A hundred points each from Ravenclaw too, and if they bully one more person when they come back then they're getting expelled right away. Good result, yes?"

"Really good," Harry agreed. "Thanks very much. Sorry about the detentions."

"Not a problem, Harry. It was worth it," George said. "And you know what? Two different firsties stopped us on the way back here to thank us for sorting those idiots out. Didn't we tell you there were others?"

"You did. I'm sorry that you were so right. I suppose I'm lucky that they didn't pick on me when it was my first year."

"You were too visible," Fred told him. "Boy who lived, and all that. There were probably easier targets."

"Like me," Neville said, looking self-conscious. "I never mentioned it at the time, but… yeah."

"Really? In that case, I'm sorry they didn't get expelled," Harry said furiously. "I wish you'd said something, Neville. We could have helped."

Neville shrugged defensively. "I just thought it would get worse if I did. I was able to keep out of their way most of the time."

Harry glanced over at the twins. "So, Dumbledore said that when Blunt and Burrow come back, they only have to pick on one more student and they're gone for good?"

"That's right. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, dear Harry?" Fred said with an excited grin. "We set them up?"

"No," Harry replied firmly. "No, I wouldn't be happy with that. Dumbledore's chosen to give them a second chance, so that's what they get – but not a third chance. We'll have to watch them as much as we can. Try and catch them, if they do mess up."

"That's the best way," Neville agreed. "It won't be easy though, keeping track of them in such a big place as Hogwarts."

"Oh, I don't know," George said lightly, "Fred and I are quite good at that sort of thing."

Ron glanced at his brothers. "I bet they'll be expelled by Easter," he said. The twins merely smiled knowingly.

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Harry's new quest meeting went ahead the next day. He'd put some considerable thought into who should be included. Ron and Hermione were there of course, as well as Blaise and Theo. He also invited Fred, George, Percy and Neville. Some of them had skills that might be useful – the twins were creative and great inventors, while Hermione and Percy both had extensive knowledge of most magical subjects. Ron was proving himself a good leader with the Danger Club and Blaise and Theo had cunning, and the ability to work through a situation logically. Neville had none of these qualities, but he was loyal and Harry valued his opinion. Most importantly by far, he trusted them all.

"So, thanks very much for meeting up," he said. "Let's talk about Sirius Black. I want to do something about him – in a safe way, of course."

"I hope you mean that, Harry. Safety and Sirius Black don't exactly go together," Percy commented.

"True, but talking about the situation can't do any harm," Harry pointed out. "I'd like to come up with a plan that we can take to Dumbledore, then he can put it to the Ministry."

"Why now?" Fred asked. "Is it because Black got into Hogwarts?"

"Yes. I under-estimated him. I felt safe here, like he was hundreds of miles away and couldn't do me or everyone else any harm. Well, he could have. He still might."

"We won't let him," Neville replied fiercely.

"Thanks Neville, I appreciate that. The thing is, though – I'm not okay with just waiting for him to be caught. So what can we do about it? Any thoughts?"

"Perhaps we ought to start with thinking about what we know," Blaise said. "Black escaped from a highly secure prison and has somehow managed to stay free for months, then he got through all of the school's defences and attempted to break into the Gryffindor common room while we were at the Halloween feast. Then after that, he escaped from the school without being detected. What does all of that tell us?"

"That he's a maniac," Ron replied with disdain. "Yeah, let's state the obvious, shall we?"

"Ron," Harry said warningly before anyone could reply, "I've learned this term that Blaise is really good at working stuff out. Maybe we should listen to him, okay?"

"Fine," Ron replied in a grudging voice, his face red. "Sorry, Zabini." The twins grinned at his obvious discomfort.

"Apology accepted," Blaise replied, throwing a quick smile in Harry's direction.

"Maniac or not, he can't be insane," Percy said. "Because insane people can't plan things and work out ways to overcome obstacles as he's done – at least, I don't think they can."

"I agree," Blaise said. "I believe he is probably a maniac – which as I understand it, is someone with wild and violent behaviour. However, he's also shown himself to be very resourceful right from the start. Therefore, we're dealing with someone who can reason – and possibly someone who could be reasoned with."

"But if he's that obsessed then how could we talk him out of trying to hurt Harry?" Hermione asked. "Maniacs aren't reasonable people, and nor are Death Eaters."

"Let's think more about what else we can learn from events so far before worrying about that," Fred said. "There's been a lot of talk around school about why he picked Halloween to attack, when we were all in the Great Hall for the feast. Some people say he didn't know the date, that he'd got mixed up with being on the run, but if he's that clever…"

Harry looked at him thoughtfully. "Even clever people make mistakes though, Fred. Look, let's think about it both ways. Suppose he did mix the date up, and he thought it was a normal evening – in which case it's a bit of a stupid time to try and break in to the common room. There'd have been lots of people around to fight him, and he couldn't even have been sure that I was there at the time. That doesn't make sense."

"Yeah, the chances of him getting to you before people stopped him would be low," George agreed. "The best time to sneak in would be the middle of the night. He lost the advantage of surprise when he attacked the Fat Lady's picture. He must know it'll be much harder to attack a second time. It was pretty stupid, if you think about it."

"So what if he didn't mix the date up?" Neville said. "I think that's what really happened. His plan was to sneak into the common room while we were all away, then hide somewhere until night-time and strike at Harry when nobody was awake to stop him. That could have worked."

"Yeah, and maybe he'd have sneaked in and sat down on Harry's bed while nobody was looking," Ron said pointedly. "How creepy would that have been, eh?"

"We have apologised," George said with a grin. "Forgiveness is a virtue, Ronniekins."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Yes well, leaving aside that dose of Gryffindor in-fighting, what Neville said is much the more likely option – and again, that proves that we're dealing with someone who's still able to think properly and hasn't lost his mind."

"Even so, I don't see that it gets us any further," Ron said.

"What about how he got into the school in the first place?" Blaise said. "I think that's very significant."

"Professor McGonagall told me that it was probably through the school's secret passages, and that they were all being reinforced as a result," Harry said.

The twins looked disappointed. "Oh really? That's not what I'd call cheerful news," George said. "Those passages are a mischief-maker's best friend. Still, I suppose your safety has to come first, Harry."

"Thanks for that," he said with a smile.

Blaise and Theo glanced at each other. "There is another implication," Blaise said carefully. "I take it that you heard about Professor Snape not wanting Professor Lupin to get involved with the work on improving the school's security protections?"

"Yes, that's common knowledge," Percy replied. "What of it?"

"The general view in the Slytherin common room is that Black was able to get past the Hogwarts defences because he has someone helping him on the inside," Theo said meaningfully. The Gryffindors stared for a moment while taking this idea in, and then several of them started to talk at once.

"He wouldn't!"

"Professor Lupin's really nice, I won't believe it!"

"That is a completely STUPID idea!"

"You're only saying that because he's a Gryffindor!"

"Snape's hated Lupin from day one, you can't put any stock in his view of things!"

"Will you all calm down!" Harry said. "I don't think we should just dismiss the idea of an accomplice. After all, how did the troll get in two years ago? How did the basilisk get loose last year? People made those things happen. But yes, it's true that Snape hates Lupin – so if Black has got an ally in the school, it could be someone else."

"Do you two really think Lupin and Black are working together?" Ron asked Blaise and Theo.

Blaise shrugged. "There's no direct evidence to suggest it, but I went and looked Lupin up in the Hogwarts yearbooks. He and James Potter and Sirius Black were all Gryffindors in the same year as each other at school. I found that fact rather interesting."

Harry stared. "Lupin must have known my father really well then. He's never said! And he's never mentioned Black, either."

"Is it a coincidence that a man who was at school with Sirius Black has been brought in to teach Defence this year?" Theo asked. "I very much doubt it. I think the Headmaster employed him because his knowledge of Black might be useful to protect us. He could be a traitor, but personally I don't think he's got enough force of character for that."

"It got a bit difficult when I asked him for lessons in the Patronus Charm yesterday," Harry said, "but I don't think he's a traitor either. He might have secrets of some kind, but that's not the same thing."

"Somebody should question Professor Lupin," Hermione said, "though they shouldn't go alone. Perhaps a few of us could speak to him together."

"Can't risk it," George said decidedly. "If he is hand in glove with Black then he'd know his cover was blown and attack us right away. No, let's just agree to be careful around him – and Harry, don't go to those Patronus lessons on your own if he agrees to them, okay?"

"Okay."

"As far as I can see, there are no grounds to accuse Professor Lupin of anything," Percy said firmly. "He's a member of staff, which means he has access to all areas of the school in case of emergency. If he was on Black's side, he could simply have told him what the password to our common room was."

"That does seem to rule him out," Blaise agreed. "Are there any other likely suspects? I can't think of any."

"What about other Slytherins?" Ron asked, looking embarrassed. "I mean, is there anyone who might…"

"Want to help out a follower of the Dark Lord?" Theo said coolly. "Maybe, but if so they haven't made themselves known to us. We don't have any more information on this than the rest of the school."

"No, I didn't think you would have," Harry said quickly. "I can't see any way of telling who might be helping Black out. I can't think of anyone who's acting suspiciously or anything."

"Nor can I," Percy said. "I think we've gone over the main facts about Black, and trying to find his accomplices if he has any would be dangerous and should not be pursued. Is everyone clear on that point?" They all nodded, somewhat reluctantly.

"That doesn't stop us from working out who Black's ally might be and telling one of the Professors," Neville said stubbornly. "We should try that."

"But how?" Hermione said. "If Black does have a helper within the school, I can't think of any way to unmask them."

"Interesting choice of words…" Theo said quietly.

"Let's go back to the logical approach," George said. "Start with the teachers. Apart from Lupin, have any of them done anything this term that might make us suspect them? Take a minute to think about it."

They did so. Harry was hampered a bit by not taking classes with several of the Professors but he thought about those that he knew. They seemed exactly as usual. "There's nothing," he said after a couple of minutes, and the others agreed.

"So, the other students then," George said. "Could he have got to any of them? If so, they might not have been helping him willingly."

"Was there anyone not in the Great Hall during the Halloween feast?" Fred asked.

"Not that I can recall," Percy said. "In any case, someone working with Black could have let him in just before the feast. Unless any of you can think of someone who we might need to investigate further then I suggest we move on."

"Fair enough," Ron said reluctantly. "So let's just agree that if at any point we think there might be someone on Black's side then we tell a Professor."

"And tell me," Percy replied firmly. "Now, you want to stop him, Harry. Any ideas as to how?"

"I've got sort of half an idea, but I'd like to hear what you guys think first."

"The problem is, they're probably trying all sorts of plans already at the Ministry," Ron pointed out. "You could come up with what you think is the best scheme ever and they might just tell you that they tried it two months ago and it failed completely."

"It's a pity we can't just send you somewhere far away and remove you from the scene of peril," Blaise said with a smile.

"Yes, isn't it?" Harry grinned. "That has given me an idea, though. Not about Black, something else. Never mind. And well… don't say anything to anyone please, but I might have got hold of a bit of inside information on what the Ministry's doing to look for Black."

"Ahhh…." Theo said softly. "Advance preparation?"

"Yes. I have to keep it a secret though – I can't say what they told me as I might get the person in trouble."

Blaise nodded. "In that case, how about we come up with suggestions and you can decide whether you think they're sensible or not sensible. If you should happen to base that decision on information received from other sources then we're not to know, are we?"

"Good idea," Harry said. "Okay, let's get started."

"We could find out who all of Black's friends were at school and get in touch with them to see if they know anything," Ron suggested.

"Not sensible."

"What, really? Well, I'm out of ideas then."

"Getting all of the portraits to look for him?" Neville said.

"I can answer that one," Blaise said. "It's already happening as one of the changes from the security review. The ghosts are also all on night patrol each evening. They can't fight Black but also he can't do them any harm, and they can all sound the alarm if they see him. I assume that it wouldn't be sensible to write to our relatives and ask them to look for signs of life at the Black ancestral home?"

"Definitely not," Harry said.

Blaise sighed. "Thought as much. How do you feel about being tied to a tree in the Forbidden Forest as bait with a big sign next to you saying 'Hey Black, here's your early Christmas present'?" Ron and Percy looked rather offended but everyone else laughed.

"Sorry, that's a not sensible as well," Harry said with a grin.

"Quite right!" Percy replied. "Personally, I can't think of anything. The muggles all know, don't they?"

"Yes, Black's escape was highly publicised," Hermione confirmed. "We can't do anything more there. I don't suppose tracking spells would be of use? Or maybe, if we sent him an owl and then followed behind it on a broomstick?"

"Erm… I don't know for sure," Harry said. "I've kind of assumed it can't be that easy, though."

"It's not," Theo advised him. "They'll already have tried it of course, just on the off-chance, but there are plenty of spells that can be used to make a person's location unplottable."

"Fred and I could maybe think about laying some traps around the school," George said. "Trouble is, it'll be hard to make sure they work on Black and nobody else. Hmm, have to think about that one."

"Increase the number of Auror patrols in key wizarding locations?" Neville offered.

"Not sensible."

"What about setting up the magical equivalent of neighbourhood watch?" Hermione asked. "We have that where I live – it's a group of muggles who take it in turns to keep an eye on their home area looking for trouble, then they report anything they find to the authorities. People could keep a watch in Hogsmeade."

"Sorry, also not sensible."

"The Ministry seem to have thought of everything," Ron said in a disgruntled voice. "Mind you, there aren't any Aurors in the school. If they were here to keep an eye on things, that could be a help."

Harry hesitated. "Sensible, but… can't be done."

Ron looked confused. "Is that a yes or a no?"

"What Harry's basically not telling you is that he likes the idea, the Ministry likes the idea, the Aurors like the idea, but the Headmaster doesn't," Blaise said with amusement.

"Oh, right. Well, you'd better tell us your own suggestion mate, because I don't think the rest of us have got anything."

Harry nodded. "So, like I said it's only half an idea really. I was hoping you all could help me improve it. I've sort of touched on what Hermione mentioned before about sending Black an owl, but with a twist. The way I see it, if you're so completely obsessed with someone that you want to kill them and then they write to you out of the blue, you're going to want to read what the letter says, right? I mean, you'd be curious about what your planned victim wanted to say to you, don't you think?"

"Yes, but if he's cast spells to make his location unplottable then it's likely that a letter wouldn't even reach him," Percy said.

"Normally yeah, but I was thinking… when I was in the Chamber of Secrets last year, the Headmaster's phoenix Fawkes made it down there to me. So if Fawkes can do that, could he also maybe lead an owl to where Black is?"

"That's not a bad idea at all," Hermione said appreciatively. "Well, supposing he can – what next?"

"I want the letter to be spelled so that it's a trap, but not just one trap – as many as we can manage. Multiple layers of spells, maybe. Black's going to be suspicious but if we're good at this, he'll spot some of the traps but not all of them. In fact, we could make a few of them pretty obvious so that he doesn't catch on to the less obvious ones."

"Now you're talking," Fred said, his eyes lighting up. "This we can work with. But what will the letter say?"

"I want to ask him why," Harry said. "Wouldn't you want to know, if you were me?" Fred nodded.

"So basically, send him a completely booby-trapped letter and see if he takes the bait?" George said. "Yeah, could work – but the Professors are going to insist on all your incoming mail being checked for curses if we try this. What you can do, Black can too."

"That's alright, I don't get much mail at school anyway," Harry said. "Do you think we can come up with a list of spells to use as traps, then?"

"Oh yes," Blaise said, smiling maliciously. "I think we're just the people you need for that little job."

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Late that evening, Harry wrote a couple of letters which he planned to send out first thing the following morning. One was to the Headmaster, asking for an interview about Black. He stated in the letter that he would be bringing eight other students with him and that it would be useful if Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall could also be present. He suspected this would be more than enough to make the Headmaster curious, and an interview would be swiftly arranged.

Then he turned to the second letter, which was to someone he had thought of contacting because of Blaise's comment during the quest meeting.

To – Charlie Weasley, Romania

From – Harry Potter, Hogwarts

Dear Mr. Weasley,

You don't know me but I'm in your brother Ron's year at Hogwarts and he's one of my best friends, so I hope you won't mind that I've got in touch with you directly to ask for some advice. I could have asked Ron to write to you but I didn't want to raise his hopes up if you can't help out. I don't know how much Ron has told you about current events but he's trying to help Hagrid sort out a problem. Hagrid's been teaching Care of Magical Creatures this year and there was an accident in a lesson when a hippogriff called Buckbeak struck one of the Slytherin students (Draco Malfoy) and injured his arm. It wasn't a bad injury but Malfoy's played it up, and Malfoy's father has asked the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures to consider having Buckbeak destroyed. I know that you work with dragons and not hippogriffs, but I expect you can still understand how upset Hagrid is about the idea of that.

There's going to be a Committee hearing in a few weeks about it and I was thinking, is there anywhere that the hippogriff could be sent where they'd be safe and couldn't be considered to be a danger to people? A hippogriff sanctuary, maybe? Do you know anywhere like that? Maybe then the committee might be willing to send Buckbeak there rather than execute him.

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Harry Potter

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

As Harry was finishing off his letter to Charlie Weasley, Severus Snape arrived in the Slytherin Tower for a discussion with the portrait of Salazar Slytherin.

It was a lengthy conversation, as he needed to bring Slytherin up to date with all of the happenings over the last two weeks. Severus found that this took much longer than it normally would; Salazar kept interrupting him to ask how he felt about something, or why he'd made a particular decision and not selected a different option. He didn't protest as he suspected that this was part of the portrait's way of learning about the changes in his character since the Volens Melius spell had been cast, though he was reticent in talking about emotional matters and evaded the more personal questions.

"You've certainly had a busy fortnight," Slytherin remarked when he'd finally heard the last of the update. "It was a sensible approach to take charge of the security assessment yourself, even if you did have to include Lupin."

"The Headmaster left me no option with Lupin," he replied. "We were just outside the Great Hall and surrounded by students when he stopped me and said that surely I'd be including Professor Lupin in my review group, after all he is the Defence Professor… I couldn't say no. Even with the Volen Melius in place, I still don't trust the man. Still, I did manage to limit the damage of his involvement."

"Oh, how?"

He smiled slightly. "I essentially ran two reviews of the Hogwarts defences; one included Lupin and a parallel, secret one did not. He therefore knows about some of the security enhancements but not all of them, by any means."

"Excellent notion," Slytherin said admiringly. "Does Dumbledore know?"

"Yes. He wasn't happy about it but by the time he found out, it was already completed. The Headmaster did eventually concede that there was nothing wrong in principle with having multiple layers of protective magic in place."

"Good. Now, this business with the Charter is resolved fully, I assume?"

"I suppose so, yes. I've already started making changes to how I teach and deal with students; there didn't seem to be any point in waiting until next term."

"Indeed. How are the lessons going?"

"Oh, fine," Snape said flatly. "No problems there."

Slytherin looked across at him with an intent gaze. "And the Slytherins?"

"They're fine also."

"So what are your main concerns at the moment, aside from the unresolved issue with Black?"

"Mr. Potter's vulnerability to the Dementors is a concern. If they should happen to get near him again… I have put pressure on Lupin to teach him the Patronus Charm but the man seemed reluctant. I think he is avoiding any close contact with Potter. Minerva told me a while back that the boy has no idea that Lupin was his father's close friend."

"Unusual behaviour that, is it not?"

"For someone so week and spineless? Hardly," he scoffed. "Why Lupin was sorted into Gryffindor, I cannot imagine; he has less courage than a baby mouse."

"It's good to hear you talk so," Slytherin said with a teasing smile. "I was rather worried that Volens Melius might have taken away your ability to hold completely prejudiced and irrational opinions."

Severus looked mockingly back at him. "It's not quite that bad."

"And yet, I cannot take the measure of your character. You are different, but still the same person. How can someone be both?"

"I'm still adapting," Severus said heavily. "Don't try to understand me when I can barely understand myself."

"Can't you explain any further?"

"There used to be beliefs which were certain and undisputed truths of my life – but now, I start to question them. Let this be for a while, Salazar. I don't want to go into it more deeply with you now."

"And if I was to ask why not? After all, you have always been open and candid with me before."

Severus sighed. While that was true, he really didn't want to be open and candid at the moment. "You know, much as I respect your knowledge and wisdom… you are not real, Salazar."

"Then go to someone who is!" Slytherin exclaimed. "You need a person to confide in, Severus. Do you think I can't sense how empty you are? How lonely?"

"I can't tell anyone about this," he said.

"Yes you can, providing they can be trusted to keep your secrets. There are only three possible choices – Flitwick, Dumbledore or McGonagall. Pick one."

Severus considered this. Unpleasant as it might be to admit it, he did feel particularly alone right now and perhaps it would be good to talk. Albus was the natural, logical choice of course, but…

"You've thought of someone," Slytherin said.

He nodded. "Filius."

"Hmm. Not who I expected you'd go with."

"He has been… considerate lately, in a number of ways. I have noticed it. I think he might have perceived how difficult things have been for me over the past few weeks. He invited me for afternoon tea on Saturday the other day. I said I might not be able to make it but perhaps I will reconsider."

"Promise me that you'll go," Slytherin said.

"Very well, if it will calm you down..."

"I am perfectly calm, Severus. I'm here to help, you know."

"I do know that. Don't mind my manner, Salazar. I value your advice as much as I always have done."

Slytherin brushed this remark aside with a careless gesture. "Tell me one thing – do you regret making use of the Volens Melius spell?"

The instinctive thought which came to Severus's mind was 'yes', but he did not say it. Deep down he knew that it was worthwhile to undergo the process of changing and reshaping himself, painful though it was proving to be in some ways. It was, after all, for a very good cause. "Ask me again in a month."

"I won't forget," Slytherin warned him. "We not real people have excellent memories, you know."

"I might just forget the way to this tower if you're not careful," Snape replied, but he smiled slightly to show that he wasn't serious.

"As if you could manage for any length of time without coming to see me for advice! Now go, you need to rest. I'll be here whenever you're ready to talk."

- IIII - IIII - IIII - IIII -

Several days later, Harry and the rest of his quest group assembled for the meeting with The Headmaster and Professors Snape and McGonagall.

"Are you two sure that you want to come in?" Harry asked Blaise and Theo. "You can stay out of it if you want to."

"We're sure," Theo said, and Blaise nodded his agreement. "Besides, if we don't go then you Gryffindors will get all of the house points!"

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to the gargoyles who were guarding the staircase. "Nut brittle," he said. The gargoyles moved aside and they walked up to Dumbledore's office.

There was an immediate reaction from all three teachers when they saw that Harry had brought both Slytherins and Gryffindors with him. Dumbledore's smile of welcome faded and was replaced by an expression that was close to dismay, while Professor McGonagall frowned in apparent disapproval and worst of all, Professor Snape was clearly starting to assemble the pieces of a previously undetected jigsaw puzzle together in his head. There were seats for all of them and as they made themselves comfortable, Harry looked across and nervously started to speak.

"Erm, so thanks for agreeing to see us. We've been working on an idea which we wanted to share with you. Sirius Black needs to be captured, and we think we have identified a possible way of doing that."

"Indeed? That sounds most intriguing," the Headmaster said. "Please do continue."

"Okay, so basically the idea is this – I'd like to write a letter to Sirius Black which is completely drenched with curses and traps of all kinds. It needs layers and layers of magic, some obvious - the sort that a third-year student might typically come up with - and some less so. It's a trap within a trap within a trap. And Black will realise that, but even if he spots most of the spells and bypasses then, as long as one or two aren't detected then maybe we can successfully attack him."

"You can't be serious!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "The risks that such actions would bring…"

"I'm very serious, Professor. The risks can be minimised, with your help that is. That's why I asked for you and Professor Snape to be present."

"What is your plan to circumvent the fact that Black will have made his location unplottable?" Snape asked.

Harry liked the way that Snape phrased the question. "Well, I don't know if this will work, but Headmaster – when I was in the Chamber of Secrets last year, Fawkes knew to fly down to me, which I think no normal bird could have done. He's really clever I know, so I was wondering if he might also be able to guide an owl to Black's location? Fawkes couldn't deliver the letter directly or Black would be suspicious, but if he could lead an owl to within visual sight of Black then it would be able to drop the letter off on its own."

"What a remarkable idea," Dumbledore said appreciatively. "I hadn't thought of anything like that." He turned and reached out a hand to Fawkes, who flew to land on his shoulder. "Well my old friend, do you think you could overcome Black's defences and take an owl to him?"

Fawkes ruffled his feathers and made a rough sound; it sounded like something half way between a cough and a snort. Dumbledore nodded, as if he understood. "I see. And of course, I would not want you to put yourself in danger, though for the owl I fear that would be inevitable. But as a possibility, is it worth trying?" This time the phoenix hooted quietly. "Thank you, Fawkes."

"Does he think it will work, Sir?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"Fawkes believes that the task will be extremely difficult, and it might need several attempts or more, but he is willing to try."

"Good job, Fawkes!" Fred said cheerfully.

"I still think we should think this through very carefully," Professor McGonagall said. "If Potter writes to Black then he could very easily play us at our own game and write back!"

"We thought of that," Percy said hastily. "Harry is willing to have all incoming mail diverted to be checked for dark curses before he receives it."

"A wise precaution," Snape said. He looked at them all with something approaching approval. "It could work, and I can't see that we lose much if it doesn't. However, the Headmaster is quite correct; we would risk the owl's life. You would not wish to use your own owl, or any other one which you are fond of, Mr. Potter."

Harry felt a bit uncomfortable. "We hadn't thought of that. It's a bit unfair though, I mean… my owl's life isn't worth more than any of the others. It doesn't seem fair to maybe send one of the school owls to their death just because they're not my pet."

A month ago, Snape would doubtless have mocked him and tried to embarrass him for what he'd said, but this new Snape – this startling enigma of a man – did not. "If we do this, then we will explain the situation to the owl. We will tell them what is being asked of them and give them the chance to refuse. I think you will find that they will choose to accept the task. The Hogwarts owls are very loyal to the school, and will not draw back from the danger if they understand the circumstances."

"Err, okay, thanks."

"Do you have the list?" Blaise said to Harry.

"Oh yes, sure." Harry pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over to the Headmaster. "These are some ideas for spells which could be used. I'm sure you'll know better ones but we thought maybe you might want to see what we could come up with."

"Thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Well, let me see what we have here…" He read the list while the two Professors peered at it over his shoulder. Snape looked keenly interested, while McGonagall seemed more worried as she read each suggestion.

Turn letter, owl and twine tying letter into portkeys to bring Black to secure location. Also apply multiple tracking charms to each.

Send a second owl who can follow Fawkes and the owl with the letter, with tracking spells and Disillusionment Charm applied to it.

Soak letter in mixture of wolfsbane, asphodel and moly (Longbottom family spell, see over the page); can be used as a virtually undetectable tracking spell.

Create special ink using a mixture of scurvy-grass and lovage (Zabini family spell, see over the page): to cause confusion, apathy and permanent sleepiness.

Conceal anti-gravity mist within letter to pull Black into the air and suspend him there when he opens it.

Apply similar spells to those used as part of the monitoring of underage magic to the letter and the string around it, so that Black's use of magic can be tracked.

Embed an Anti-Disapparition jinx within the letter.

Contain photo of Harry's parents in letter. Use Entrancing Enchantments to make Black pick it up. Use stunning spell when he does so, or make into portkey.

Transform the letter into magical chains to bind Black and stop him getting away.

"You have come up with this between you?" Snape asked, glancing at them in turn.

"It was Harry's idea initially, Sir," Theo said. "Using Fawkes and writing to Black, I mean. We helped with the list." Snape nodded thoughtfully, and Harry knew that he hadn't missed Theo's use of his first name.

"We worked on it together," Harry said, "all of us."

"The use of family magic could be an excellent idea," Snape commented, with a nod of approval to Blaise and Neville. "Those would be spells which Black is unfamiliar with."

"And what about the letter itself?" The Headmaster asked. "Is it prepared?"

"Well, I've drafted it," Harry said. "If we use any special paper or ink then I'll need to recopy it, though."

"I think it would be best if someone else actually wrote out the letter, while pretending to be yourself," Snape said. "It's important that Black does not get to see your own style of writing, that way he cannot use it to write a letter in your name."

"That's fine," Harry said immediately. He'd been hoping that Snape would give him an opportunity of this kind, since he thought the letter offered him the chance to work on both of his quests at the same time. He took a second piece of paper out of his bag and handed it to Snape. "Here it is. I don't mind if you read it - in fact I really think you should, just to check that nothing in it looks bad to say."

Snape looked surprised. He did not open the letter until the Headmaster gave him a quick nod of assent. "Very well." He studied it carefully and then handed it to Professor McGonagall who read it out loud.

From – Harry Potter

To – Sirius Black

I expect you're surprised to be hearing from me. Bit of a sudden impulse on my part, to get in touch. I was trying to stay as far away from you as possible and wait for you to get recaptured, but then you broke into my school. That made me start to think about you a lot more and to be honest I got pretty angry. What right have you to come after me here, you pathetic excuse for a wizard?

See, what I really want to know is why? I mean, if you're going to kill me then it's only fair that I understand the reason for my own probably violent death. Why are you after me – but more importantly, why did you betray my parents to Voldemort? I know you were their secret keeper. They trusted you to keep them safe! I thought you were their friend, or was that just a fake friendship all along? I've been told that you and my father were best mates when you were at school, right from the start. Was that true, or did you get on the Hogwarts Express at age eleven already planning to be a loyal Death Eater and turn traitor when you grew up? I'd like to know because it's my Mum and Dad that you helped to slaughter.

I suppose the signs were there all along. You were a bully at school, attacking other students when you wanted to. You picked on Slytherins, you hurt them and you liked it. What kind of a monster were you, anyway? If I'd been at school with you then you'd probably have gone for me too. People like you deserve to be in Azkaban. Bullies are disgusting, and that's what you are still – a bully, coming after me, a third-year student; a kid. Pick on someone your own size, why don't you?

Don't think I don't know that my Dad bullied people as well, during his time at Hogwarts. I'm ashamed of that. I'm a fair bit different from him in some ways. I've recently made some friends in Slytherin, and I can honestly say that I've never bullied another person in my life. Pity you and my Dad can't say the same. Mind you, I'm proud of him as well, for all that he achieved. I know he must have got his act together later on or Mum wouldn't have given him the time of day. He died a hero, fighting a dark wizard to save his family. Have you ever heard of the word hero, or do I need to explain it to you?

So yeah, like I said – any chance of letting me know why you're doing all this? I mean, if it's because I bumped off Voldemort then in my own defence I have to say, he did hit me with the killing curse first and I've got no idea why it didn't work. Doesn't seem fair to blame me for your lord and master's complete incompetence in murdering a toddler. And why would you be loyal to someone so pathetically weak in the first place?

Feel free to write back any time. I've asked the owl I sent to wait for an answer in case you don't have an owl of your own.

HP

"You want Black to think that this letter is a product of hot, furious rage – a reckless, unplanned attack, done without telling anyone else, intended to provoke him, immature and irresponsible," Snape said slowly, "whereas in reality it is nothing of the sort."

"That's right," Harry said simply.

"Then I'd recommend some stronger language in a couple of the sections – perhaps some swearing. Someone who was very angry would probably use such words."

"That's fine sir," Harry said, trying not to grin, "the words can be changed however you think fit."

"Albus, surely this is too dangerous to contemplate?" Professor McGonagall said anxiously.

"I concede that some danger is involved, but there are times when we must take risks. There are dangers everywhere in life, Minerva – all we can do is minimise them. Imagine if we don't put this plan into action and Black makes his way inside the castle once more? That is another risk."

"I suppose you're right," she replied. "What about the Ministry, would they need to be involved?"

"We could not tell the Ministry," Dumbledore said. "That would be a risk too many, if you like. Should they be aware of this plan, they would almost certainly send Dementors to follow Fawkes and the owl, and if those creatures crossed the path of an innocent person on the way… no, we would have to keep it a secret. Have you told anyone else of this, Harry?"

"No, we're the only ones who know about it."

"Then I must insist that all of you keep this an absolute secret, even from your friends and family," Dumbledore said. "We will meet with Professors Flitwick and Sprout to discuss this further. I would want to examine every possible way in which Black could stage a counter-attack and make sure that we have put the appropriate defences in place. If you could all return here in three days at the same time then we will let you know our conclusions."

"Okay. Thanks for considering the idea," Harry said.

"Oh, that is no trouble at all," Dumbledore assured him. "If this could rid us of the Dementors then truly, it would be worthwhile. Now, before you all leave, I will award thirty points each to Slytherin and Gryffindor, for you working together and producing a most innovative idea."

"That's nice, Headmaster, but there are seven Gryffindors and two Slytherins here," George remarked with a cheeky grin. "So, this idea of us getting equal points—"

"Mr Weasley, that is quite enough!" Professor McGonagall told him, sounding outraged. "If you're not careful I'll take those points away, and more besides!"

"Sorry Professor," he said as they left the room, clearly not meaning it. Percy, Hermione, Blaise and Theo were all giving George dirty looks while Fred clapped his twin on the back in congratulations.

"And they say that Slytherins are the cunning ones," Theo remarked when the door had closed behind them.

"Oh well, it was just a joke," George said easily. "It's not like he really was going to dish out more points."

"I bet we'll all get loads more when we catch Black," Neville said confidently. "With Hufflepuff being way behind and Ravenclaw having lost so many points because of Burrow and Blunt, it's looking like either Slytherin or Gryffindor for the House Cup this year."

"I like a good contest," Blaise replied with a cheerful smile. "Anyway, we'd better head back to the Slytherin common room. See you all tomorrow."

"Bye," Harry said. "And thanks, both of you."

"Are Blaise and Theo going to get in trouble with Professor Snape, do you think?" Neville asked with concern as they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

"The Professor didn't look angry with them," Percy said, sounding slightly doubtful.

"He was too busy niffling," George said. "That's what me and Fred call it when Snape knows that there's something suspicious going on and he's trying to work out what. You know, like a niffler hunting for a stack of galleons or jewels."

"He's a really good niffler," Fred added, with a rueful note to his voice, "as we know to our cost."

"They'll be okay, Neville," Harry reassured his friend. "Blaise will have it all planned out; he knew we'd be seeing Professor Snape today, after all. Hey, do you want to come with us when we walk around Hogsmeade next time? I haven't been before so you can show me all of the best places."

Neville's face brightened, and he was successfully diverted from worrying about the Slytherins as he started to tell Harry about all of the interesting sights of the village.

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