'Ves, if you don't get down here, I will just buy another owl. One that will be less stroppy.'

Ves clicked her beak angrily.

'It's literally your job! You get treats and stuff for it and you do literally nothing else all year 'cause all the people I write too are at the school.'

Ves turned her back on him.

'It's like one a day if that! Look, take this one and I promise you won't have to do any tomorrow.'

It took her a few moments, but Ves begrudgingly turned back around to face Y/N and fluttered down onto his bed. Y/N stroked her head and then tied his letter to her leg.

'Gin asked for a response as soon as possible or I'd leave it and you know that. I do feel bad,' said Y/N.

Ves clicked her beak at him, but he could see that she had lost her conviction. She nibbled his finger and then spread her wings and flew out of his open window.

Y/N sighed and sank back into the chair in front of his desk.

It had been a very long summer. The elation of finally closing the Chamber for good and slaying the basilisk had caused the first week to pass by in a blaze. Y/N spent a lot of time attempting to prepare for his upcoming classes, but it had proven difficult with his excitement. Once that elation had worn off however, it had suddenly sunk exactly what he had to look forward to.

Two months with nothing more than written communication with his friends. Originally, he'd thought it would just be his best friend Hermione Granger that he'd be missing out on seeing, she'd gone away on holiday with her parents to France. The two still wrote back and forth regularly using the journals that Y/N had had specifically made for a Christmas present in their first year. Both were enchanted with a Protean charm and allowed the users to write anything in their own and have the other change to match, meaning every time one of them wrote a passage, the other's journal updated to reflect it.

He flicked open his journal and read the last passage he'd received from her:

'I was eight last time we were here, but it seems like a completely different country! I've never noticed the subtle signs of magic before, always just thought I was seeing things or tricks of the light, but we've seen so many small shops and information areas that tell you all about the history of magic out here. It's weird to see so many things that we aren't even taught!

I've rewritten my entire essay for Professor Binns. I hope he won't be upset but it's already two rolls of parchment more than he asked for. He normally seems quite happy when I write extra though, I don't think anyone else bar us do.

I really do miss you. This place is lovely, but I might see if I can convince Mum and Dad to bring you along next time. There's so many things here that I know you'd love. Also, I've sent Ves back to you, but with a different gift. I've decided to save your birthday present till I'm back with you so I can see your reaction. It's a little late I know, but hopefully getting it will help you forgive me.

I'll see you really soon, I promise. I've managed to pick up some floo powder whilst walking around so as long as your mums okay with it, I'll come and visit the moment I'm back. I'll be travelling from the Leaky Cauldron because we can't exactly hook our house up to the Floo Network.'

Y/N finished reading it, beaming. He missed her dearly, but he was very happy to hear that she was having such a wonderful time. And it was endearing to see her talking about trying to take him along next time. He knew Hermione wouldn't be back until the last day before term was due to start, but even an extra day was enough. He'd been psyching himself up all summer for asking her to go out with him. Even though he knew the answer, or hoped he did, it was still nerve-wracking. He glanced over to the pack of fudge that Hermione had sent back with Ves and smiled as he placed his journal down.

And instead turned his attention onto the letter that had just been delivered from Ginny and Ron. Ves had been very unhappy when she had flown in through Y/N's window, hence her going into a strop on top of his wardrobe. From what he could gather, Ron had been writing in response to Y/N's letter to him and Ginny had insisted on writing one too. Ves had not taken kindly to this and in fact, Y/N's response had had to be a letter to each of them written on both sides of a singular piece of parchment as to make her actually even consider taking it.

He flicked open Ron's letter first and read it through once again.

'Dear Y/N

Dad actually won it! We couldn't believe it, but dad actually won the Galleon Draw. Mum and dad are talking about using it to go for Egypt for the rest of the summer so I imagine our letters will be more spaced from here going forward. Make sure you keep Harry company for us? I think he might go insane with no one to talk to.

Looking forward to seeing Bill. Haven't had a chance to properly see him since he went curse-breaking. See him for Christmas and stuff sometimes, but actually being in Egypt with him.

They say we'll be back the week before term, hoping we can get Harry there and, if she's free, Hermione too and we can all meet up. Think you'll be able to make it?

All the best

Ron

Y/N smiled happily and folded the letter away inside his desk. He was glad to hear the Weasleys had managed to get themselves into a better position. He was half prepared to buy Ginny all new stuff just because he knew how much it bothered her to be in second-hand clothing. Worst case he could pick her something up. He didn't know when her birthday was so just a general present would work fine. He reached over and flicked open her letter, reading it one last time before tucking it away.

'Dear Y/N

Thinking you can slip Vesper past me? Don't think so! I'm sure Ron's already told you, but dad won the Galleon Draw! We're going to Egypt! I'm so excited, Bill's told us all about these ancient pyramids and things that he's gone through, hopefully we'll be able to go in and have a look at them with him. It's going to be so exciting.

Sadly, that does mean that my letters back to you may be spaced so I do hope that's okay? I know it'll be a long flight for Vesper and I don't want to put too much strain on her. Worst case, we're back on the last week before term so we can keep in touch then and hopefully even see you in Diagon Alley?

Also I don't know if you know anywhere worth going? Don't know if you've been to Egypt but you seem to know a lot about… well, everything. I wish you all the best for the rest of your summer and please try to write back as quickly as possible! I'd like to hear back from you before we go

Gin

'Like brother, like sister,' said Y/N, but he was still beaming. He'd gone from having no one to write to, to suddenly having so many letters his owl was getting sick of delivering them. He didn't think she actually minded, she just liked to put on a show.

He scooped up the final piece of parchment on his desk and flicked it open. From the final member of his little group. He'd already responded to this one, but he hadn't been bothered to put it away yet. He needed to get better at organising.

'Dear Y/N

Thanks for your letter, and for Ves. The Dursleys have told me Hedwig isn't allowed to deliver anything, but they didn't say anything about your owl. And she seems to know somethings up. She always flies in late and keeps as quiet as possible. She's an absolute lifesaver.

I'm doing okay, doing my best to keep up with schoolwork whilst the Dursleys can't hear me. They like to yell if they find me with any of my schoolbooks out, as if anyone comes into my room. It's getting a bit lonely without the others writing too me, especially after Ron's phone call-

Y/N remembered vividly the note now sitting in his desk, detailing the catastrophe that had occurred when Ron had attempted to use the phone number given by Harry to ring him. Apparently, Mr Weasley had either forgotten, or neglected to tell Ron, that the person on the other end could hear you perfectly fine without shouting. Both Y/N and Hermione had received letters from Ron advising against ringing Harry. And whilst both knew they would have done it better, they didn't want to get Harry in deeper trouble.

-but I know it's for the best, I don't want another shouting match with Uncle Vernon like last time. Have you heard anything from the others about what they're up too? I've still heard nothing.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Harry.'

With one deep sigh he tucked it away in his desk. He hated reading about the way the Dursleys treated Harry. It was disgusting, love of magic or not you don't treat a child that way. Admittedly he'd mostly only heard stories, however the barred-up window and locked cupboard under the stairs he and the Weasleys had gone to rescue Harry from the year previously spoke volumes.

'Literally the least clean part of my room,' said Y/N as he got to his feet and started pushing some of the loose parchment towards the back of his desk.

'If you just focused on one piece of homework, it wouldn't be that bad,' said his mum as she made her way into his room, carrying a stack of washing which proceeded to fly towards his now-opened wardrobe and begin hanging itself up.

'If we didn't get set homework over the summer holidays, it wouldn't be that bad,' said Y/N, turning to face her. 'Believe me, I enjoy studying as much as the next bookworm, but isn't this meant to be my time to relax?'

'Yes, and I am also well aware of exactly how much work you've been set and how quickly you could get it done if you stopped responding to Miss Granger every ten minutes.'

'It's not ten minutes…' muttered Y/N, 'And it's not just 'Mione,' he added.

'I am aware of that, however the other letters have delivery times. She does not. And responding to her or not I have still seen how much you've been reading your journal. Even now' she said pointing to the still open journal on Y/N's desk.

'Well, I like talking to her, okay? Is that a crime?'

'Not at all Y/N, in fact I think it's quite endearing. However, don't complain about your workload when you are just sitting there staring at it. At least complain at it whilst doing it.'

'That sounds very much like a job for future Y/N,' said Y/N as he replaced one of his textbooks on the bookshelf next to him.

'And future Y/N is going to be so grateful for that,' said Minerva with a stern look, but it soon softened. 'Come downstairs, I have something for you.'

Confused, Y/N followed her out of his room and downstairs and gasped slightly as he saw what looked like a wrapped crate on the table. He moved forward at her encouragement and unwrapped it. Inside was a large crate containing six large, sealed bottles. He picked one up and examined it.

'This is-'

'Butterbeer,' Minerva finished for him. 'I had every intention of giving it to you on your birthday, but you seemed a million miles away. As though you didn't even remember it. After Miss Granger, I can hardly blame you. So, I figured it should wait for another day.'

'My birthday-?' began Y/N, but then it hit him. 'That was the day you invited me into your office!'

'It was the first time I'd seen you the way you were. The moment it hit your birthday, I was worried you wouldn't notice what day it was. I invited you up. If you'd have realised, I'd have given you your gift, but it didn't feel right to pass it along when you didn't remember. I hardly wanted to force feeling like you needed to celebrate when you were so down.'

'Thanks mum,' said Y/N, walking forward and hugging her. 'Is that why you got me to try it? See if I'd like it?' Minerva nodded.

'I figured you would. Most people do and you had when you'd had it previously, but you were much younger and it still felt right to check. However, there is a reason for this today,' she added as she pulled a letter out of her robes and passed it across to him. Y/N saw the familiar seal of Hogwarts on the back of the letter. He opened it and slid the letter out-

-and another one fell to the floor. He scooped it up and placed it down on the desk before opening the one in his hands.

'Dear Mr. L/N

Please note that the new school year will begin on September first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform 9 ¾ at eleven o'clock. Please find attached your supplies list for the upcoming year

Also note, third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.

Yours Sincerely

Professor M McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress.'

'Hogsmeade?' asked Y/N, quickly his head shooting upwards, 'that's the fully wizarding village, isn't it? With the Shrieking Shack?'

'It is,' said Minerva as she took a seat at the table. 'I have already taken the liberty of signing yours. I simply had to place it in the letter to keep things professional.'

Y/N scooped up the form and read.

'I, Minerva M McGonagall, hereby give Y/N L/N permission to visit Hogsmeade during the planned trips throughout the year.'

'Wow,' said Y/N breathlessly. 'The history there will be incredible. It's one of the only full wizarding residential areas in Britain, isn't it?'

'It is the only,' said Minerva as she smiled at him. 'Most others have had a few muggles trickle in over the years but Hogsmeade's proximity to the school has driven most of them away. Well, that and the excessive amount of wizarding shops down there.'

'Wow…' breathed Y/N again. It was all he could say. He was so excited to be able to go, he could drag Hermione around the shops. He imagined she'd be as excited as he was. The idea of asking her on a date flashed through his mind but he shook it away. That would be a job for when she was back, and he had his answer first.

'Another thing,' said Minerva, now much more seriously. 'Both you and Miss Granger have taken more subjects than we normally see out of our third years. They normally limit themselves to two or three. However, you have taken four and Miss Granger all five. It's taken a lot of reasoning, however we have managed to arrange something for you both. We will discuss it more at the start of the year, but I tell you now, both as your Professor and your mother, that you are not to tell another soul that you have this item. It will be given to Miss Granger, however you are both to use it and tell no one. Is that clear?'

'Of course mum, is it a revision helper?'

'In a manner of speaking. Again, I will discuss it more with you once the year starts, but it will allow you to continue taking that many lessons. I will just advise caution for both of you. There is a reason no one takes that many subjects and it may get stressful. Just take caution on yourselves.'

'Promise,' said Y/N and he moved over to join her at the table.

()()()()()()

A few days later and Y/N decided to risk poking Vesper once again.

'Hey, Ves,' he said, and the owl immediately turned to look away from him. 'It's Harry's birthday!' he cried, holding up the wrapped parcel. 'Can't exactly tell him he didn't get anything because you're being stubborn.'

Ves' head span around to glare at him before she held out a leg and allowed him to wrap the package around it.

'It's literally just that and the letter,' he said as he tied the card on, 'Not that bad, is it?' Ves hooted and took off out the window. 'That owl's going to be the death of me.'

He turned back to his journal to read the response Hermione had just sent him.

'Still wonder what exactly it is that your mums meant to be giving us. But I'm excited! Going to be fun trying to keep a secret from the other two. Even if they do make it a little bit too easy sometimes.

Also, have you prepared anything for Harry for his birthday? I did but wasn't sure how to get it to him. But Hedwig's just shown up. I think she wants to make sure he gets something knowing that his aunt and uncle won't give him anything. Wouldn't be surprised if she shows up at yours next.'

He quickly pulled out his quill and wrote back.

'They make it far too easy. It's going to be a busy year with all their new lessons. Doubt they'll even notice. From what mum was saying, it seems like it's going to be fairly easy to hide.

I have, I bought him a miniature flying snitch. Thought it'd help him do some practice without Wood needing to kick him awake. Plus, I think he'll just like watching it fly around with the broom I got for him before. I've just sent it with Ves, but I doubt Hedwig will come and see me. She already knows Ves goes to and from. Ves makes sure to sneak in so Harry doesn't get in trouble. If you'd have said something, I'd have sent her your way.'

He snapped the journal shut and pulled his Potions homework back towards him. He'd finally chosen to heed his mother warnings about his studying and how it was almost entirely his fault that he was so far behind. But just as he went to begin once again, there was a knock at his door.

…

His mother didn't knock?

Feeling confused, Y/N called, 'Come in!' and in walked Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts. He smiled around at the room as he entered and then turned his eyes on Y/N.

'Greetings Y/N. A pleasure to see you again.'

'And you Professor!' said Y/N, spluttering slightly. 'Please-' he made to stand up, but Dumbledore raised his hand and simply waved his wand, and two comfy armchairs appeared out of mid-air and landed with a dull thud on the floor of the room. He closed the door and sat down in one of them, looking at Y/N.

'A lovely room you've got here, Y/N. I must admit it's odd seeing you so grown up. I still remember finding you in the Hogwarts grounds.'

Y/N flushed, but wasn't really sure what to say. This didn't seem to bother Dumbledore however, he hummed quite happily to himself as he fiddled with something in his robes. He pulled out what appeared to be a small pocket watch.

'Ah!' he said brightly, 'I think we've got around five minutes. That should give me enough time to explain,' He replaced the watch within his pocket and looked at Y/N again. 'I believe your mother passed along the message in regard to your bouts of uncontrollable magic, Y/N'

'She did, Professor,' said Y/N, 'But I'm a little confused about something, if you don't mind me asking?'

'Of course my dear boy, ask away.'

'Well, isn't it natural sir? I mean, most underage wizards do accidental magic before they receive their wands and stuff, don't they? How is this different?'

'I thought you might ask me that,' said Dumbledore. 'The difference is, Y/N, that once a wizard has his or her wand, that is meant to be the outlet for our magical nature. Meaning that random acts of magic are far less likely. It is still possible in cases of extreme stress, like you faced last year. However, not to the extreme that it happened with you. I am speaking, of course, of the incident in the Hospital Wing. From what Minerva tells me, doors were locked, objects were floating and your entire body was almost pulsing.'

'What,' said Y/N blankly. He'd known about the door, though that had confused him, but the rest of that…

'That is the other worrying part, my dear boy. You were not conscious of this happening. This level of magic out of someone who doesn't know what's happening is cause for concern. You're a very emotional person, Y/N, and that means that when it comes to things like this, you feel it that much harder, and your magic is that much stronger.'

'But how am I meant to stop doing magic when I don't realise I'm doing it?'

'By realising you're doing it,' said Dumbledore simply. 'By learning how the magic happens, you will know how to lessen the effects. Now please do remember that none of this is mandatory. This is merely a suggestion as to how to use your feelings. However, emotions can be strong reinforcements for our spells. A spell cast is a spell cast, but a spell cast with a purpose and force is a destructive wave.'

Y/N wasn't sure if he knew what Dumbledore meant, but he nodded along with it. At the very least this would be a chance for some extra study, and maybe one day he'd know exactly what it was that Dumbledore meant.

'How exactly will I be learning this, sir?'

'The answer to that, should be walking through the door, in approximately forty-seven seconds, Y/N,' smiled Dumbledore. The two sat there and waited. And almost as if counted in, at exactly forty-seven there was a quiet knock at the door. Dumbledore looked to Y/N, who called, 'Come in!'

'It is your room Y/N, I am hardly going to invite someone into somewhere that is not mine,' said Dumbledore as the door opened, and in walked a man Y/N had never seen before.

He was wearing an extremely ragged set of robes that looked as though they had been darned in several places, he had a pale face with very premature lines across it and very light brown hair containing streaks of grey.

'Hello Albus,' said the man as he entered and shook Dumbledore's hand. 'And you must be Y/N.'

'I am,' said Y/N as he shook the strangers outstretched hand.

'I am Remus Lupin,' said Remus, smiling at him. 'It's a pleasure to meet you.'

'Remus here will be taking over as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year,' said Dumbledore as Lupin sank into the other vacant armchair, 'And he has kindly agreed to help you attempt to manage your emotions.'

'I have had some practice with it in my own time,' said Remus, smiling at Y/N. 'When I was around your age, my emotions regularly got the better of me and it caused all sorts of commotion. It was a bit more of a necessity for me to learn how to manage it.'

'Can it be stopped?' asked Y/N.

'Certainly it can be,' said Remus, 'But that is not always the best option. Our emotions can be amplifiers for our spells, Y/N. The easiest example is from dark wizards. If a dark wizard were to second guess his decision before casting a spell at you, it wouldn't be a true spell. However, if someone like Lord Voldemort were to cast the same spell, with full meaning and conviction, it would be greater and even more powerful than the spell's original purpose.'

'Professor Dumbledore said something similar,' said Y/N nodding towards Dumbledore, who was idly flicking through one of Y/N's textbooks, 'But I still don't fully get it.'

'You will with time,' said Remus. 'It's something that's much easier to see than hear. But to answer your earlier question, if you can learn to master your emotions and use them to amplify your spells, it's normally better than simply stopping them being a factor all together. If necessary, I can teach you to completely disconnect your magic from your emotions, but it's not a pleasant feeling. And I'd highly recommend using them as an amplifier instead.'

'I'll try…' said Y/N, a little unsure. 'Will this be something we do at school? Just I have a bit of a full timetable this year.'

'I have been informed,' said Remus, 'However, the girl you're sharing it with, Miss Granger I believe? Has taken Muggle Studies, where you have not. And whilst that class is on, I don't have a class. So, whilst she is at Muggle Studies, you shall come and join me and I shall do my best to teach you.'

'Will it just be me?' asked Y/N and Remus nodded.

'It's hard enough to teach this to an individual, never mind a full class, Y/N. That is why it isn't part of the default curriculum. It's hard to do and even harder to master. But both Professor's McGonagall and Dumbledore have faith in your ability.'

Y/N felt his face go red as Dumbledore turned his eyes onto him, smiling.

'We would also ask that these lessons remain quiet, Y/N,' said Dumbledore 'I do not mind your friends knowing however outside of that I'd rather it wasn't bragged about to the school. Much as Remus said, we just don't have the manpower to make it a school wide thing. Especially as I worry not many of the student body may be able to use such an ability.'

'Of course Professor. And thank you,' said Y/N. 'I appreciate you helping me with this.'

'It's a gift,' said Dumbledore, 'But a dangerous one, and the quicker you learn to control the danger, the stronger you'll become from it. I believe you've already used some of it without even directly meaning to.'

'I have?' said Y/N, shocked.

'From your stories of last year, I believe the power of your Arania Exumai incantation versus the Acromantula and your Diffindo spell versus the Basilisk both speak for themselves. You floored several spiders almost three times your size and cut a hole through the roof of the mouth and hide of a snake even larger. All because of the anger you felt for your fallen friend.'

'He scarred a basilisk?' asked Remus, looking astonished.

'Scarred is a strong word,' said Y/N, going slightly pink. 'I sliced the roof of its mouth open enough to stab it with a sword. The scar I left on the outside didn't do anything.'

'The fact that you left a scar is impressive in and of itself, Y/N,' said Dumbledore.

'Basilisks have magic resistant hides' said Remus. 'They resist spells to the point where they don't even take effect. Being able to magically scar a basilisk is something few wizards could do. Especially not a second year.

'I mean… I just kind of… did it.' Said Y/N lamely. 'I didn't really think too much about it.'

'But you did, Y/N,' said Dumbledore. 'You thought about killing the basilisk. You told me the very same in your mother's office. You said that you told Harry that the basilisk was yours to kill. That is a declaration to kill. A drive. Something to amplify your emotions behind. You told yourself you were going to kill the beast and used the anger you felt to throw your spells at it.'

'So… because I was so angry, and knew that I was aiming to kill, my spells got stronger?'

'Precisely,' said Dumbledore, beaming.

'I told you it was an odd branch to teach, Y/N,' said Remus, 'But the fact that you're already grasping it is promising and, from what Albus says, you've already proven you can use it.'

Dumbledore was getting to his feet and Remus followed shortly after.

'I'll see you at Hogwarts, Y/N,' said Remus, 'But until then I leave you with this. Consider it homework from your future teacher. Think about what scares you above all else, something so terrifying that it's the last thing you'd ever want to face.'

Remus and Y/N shook hands again and Dumbledore did the same.

'Enjoy the rest of your summer, Y/N,' said Dumbledore and, with a tip of his hat and a wave, the two men left his bedroom.

Y/N sat back in his chair, his mind racing. Emotions being used to amplify spells? Surely that hadn't been what he was doing. He'd just been casting, hadn't he? He thought back to the morning in the common room that he'd finally managed to pull off the stunning spell, and the feeling of anger that had been coursing through his veins before he did it.

His mind wandered back to his first year. The knockback jinxes from both himself and Harry against Quirrell. He'd been angry then, but he hadn't been able to break it alone. Although, could two knockback jinxes normally break a shield charm, and had that even been a normal shield charm? He knew there were stronger versions.

He pushed his Potions homework away, Dumbledore and Remus had given him too much to think about for him to be able to focus on it properly. He instead got to his feet and began pacing, thinking back on every time he'd accidentally cast magic.

Before even starting at Hogwarts, he'd thrown open the door to his wardrobe. Then again after having the dream at the castle, Ron had said he'd seen chairs hovering around Y/N. Y/N had thought he was just seeing things, but then he'd heard about the floating objects again. The chair at Lockhart, the hole in Malfoy's cauldron, the mess in the Hospital Wing.

He shook his head, lingering on it wouldn't help him. He'd simply have to address it once his classes with Remus started. His thoughts instead fell on what Remus had said before leaving.

'Think about what scares you above all else, something so terrifying that it's the last thing you'd ever want to face.'

His first thought was of course Voldemort, but he didn't really fear the man. He certainly didn't want to face him, but following Quirrell and the diary, he merely hated him. Then he remembered the sight of Hermione, lifeless, frozen on the Hospital Wing bed. Ginny, face down in between the statues feet, pale and unresponsive.

The homework hadn't been particularly difficult. But he wondered why Remus wanted it, surely he wasn't going to try and invoke those feelings? He could hardly petrify Hermione. Not least of all because he'd said himself, she'd be at Muggle Studies when all of this was going on. And Dumbledore wouldn't let that happen anyway.

He clambered into bed that night with his thoughts still racing as to what exactly it could be. And his dreams were once again haunted by that same forest, that same voice, that same flash of green light and he jumped awake.