Chapter 6

Hermione's jaw dropped as Harry followed Neville and Luna into the nearest carriage and it rolled away without pause.

"There!" Ron exploded. "I knew Harry would be mad about the letters! Now what?"

Hermione bit her lip. "I'm sure he'll understand once we explain that we had no choice."

But they had had a choice, and deep down Ron knew it. His sense of uneasiness grew.

Harry was summoned to the Headmaster's office right after the Welcoming Feast.

"My boy," Dumbledore eyed him sternly. "It was a bad decision to run away from your relatives. I must tell you that without your presence, the wards in Surrey collapsed. Tragically, your aunt and uncle have been kissed by dementors!"

"In that case," Harry said smoothly, "it's a good thing I did run away! If I had been there, I might have been kissed as well."

"I'm certain you don't mean that, Harry."

Harry merely smiled, which seemed to unsettle Dumbledore. "At least your cousin was not at home during the attack, and therefore survived. He has been given into the custody of Marge Dursley."

Dumbledore seemed to expect some response, but Harry was determined to make none. He saw Phineas' portrait, and could have sworn it winked at him.

"In any event, I must make arrangements for your custody. I believe the Tonks family…"

"Please don't bother, sir," Harry said firmly. "I am now Lord Black, and fully emancipated. Also, I doubt the Tonks family has any warm feelings for me, since I immediately disowned them again!"

Dumbledore was thunderstruck. "What! Why would you do such a thing? You must undo it at once! How dare you disregard your godfather's wishes?"

"Didn't you already disregard them, sir? You never mentioned I was emancipated due to Sirius' will."

"There were reasons for that!"

"And, I had reasons for the disownment, " Harry concluded.

One glance at Astoria told Daphne her sister had over-taxed her energy, and they needed a pepper-up potion from the Infirmary in order for Astoria to function the next day.

There they encountered Millicent Bulstrode, who'd been subjected to several vicious hexes that left bruises all over her body.

"What happened?" Astoria gasped.

Millicent jerked her head towards the beds, where lay the inert bodies of Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Montague, and Warrington.

"Seems some people aren't happy with last year's Inquisitorial Squad."

"Is Pansy hurt badly?" Daphne asked calmly. Why, oh why, had her cousin agreed to be part of that? Because of Draco, of course!

"Where's Draco?" Astoria was looking around frantically.

"He was in Professor Snape's office. Lucky for him. Everyone else took the brunt of it, as usual Draco escaped the consequences. We'll be okay…this time."

Madam Pomfrey came towards them. "You're free to go, Miss Bulstrode. Your bruises ought to fade by morning."

"Yay." Millicent's voice was sarcastic. "Just in time to acquire another crop."

"Tell Professor Snape," urged Astoria. "He'll stop this!"

"He can't do much against an entire school," objected Millicent. "Let's face it; it's open season on Slytherins."

Millicent proved prophetic.

The Slytherins, many of whom could scarcely conceal their glee at the return of the dark lord, quickly learned to be cautious and travel in packs.

Nevertheless, with three Houses against one, it was inevitable that some hexes would find their mark.

Astoria sat on the bed in the infirmary, sobbing. "It hurts!"

Red welts were vivid against her pale skin.

Daphne put her arms around her sister. "I know. But the salve will start working in a minute."

She turned to the dark-haired girl. "Thank you, Millicent. For bringing her here so fast."

"Call me Millie."

"You got hurt too, Millie." Daphne took note of more welts on the other's arms.

"Not too bad. This time."

Astoria dried her tears. "It's better now…but they'll do it again."

"No they won't." Daphne pressed her lips together. "There's one person who could put a stop to this…Harry Potter!"

Millie snorted. "Good luck with that! He suffered more from Umbridge than anyone else. Why would he help?"

"What do you mean? What did Umbridge do?"

Millie told them about the blood quill.

Harry flung himself into a chair in front of the fire and opened his book. He was already in a bad mood after the encounter with Dumbledore and reluctant to talk to anyone immediately.

Unfortunately, that was the exact moment that Hermione and Ron decided to enter the common room and confront him.

"Harry! What is the matter with you?" Hermione began. "Why did you…hey! That's my book!"

"No. It's mine." Harry tried to hold onto his temper.

"But Dumbledore gave it to me!"

"He can't give away someone else's property," Harry countered. "This came from the Black family library."

Hermione bristled. "The Headmaster can do anything he wants! Grimmauld Place belongs to the Or…"

"Stop right there!" Harry commanded. "For your information, the property in question is now my home, and I decide who can enter it. Right now, that doesn't include Dumbledore or the Order."

Hermione drew herself up indignantly. "You can't do that, Harry! You have to do what Dumbledore says!"

"Why?"

"Because he is your guardian and he knows what's best for you!"

"Does he now?" Harry countered. "Was it best for me to be dumped on the doorstep of people who loathed me? Who mistreated me for years? You both knew that."

Hermione met his eyes defiantly, but Harry could see that Ron looked abashed.

He elected to speak. "I'm sorry, mate. I knew there was something wrong when we saw the bars on the window, but …"

"Lots of muggle homes put bars on the windows to keep burglars from getting in!" interrupted Hermione. "It's a safety measure! Speaking of burglars, you had no right to break into my house and steal my books!"

"I had every right to reclaim my own belongings!" Harry shouted. "You are the thief!"

Ron swallowed hard. He could see that everyone present was staring at the trio, and didn't have an inkling what to do. An argument between Hermione and Ron was the norm; a quarrel between Hermione and Harry was so strange, like Snape tap-dancing in the Great Hall, or McGonagall taking up roller-skating. It just…did…not…happen.

"I'm reporting this to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione glared at Harry. "This isn't over!"

Harry shrugged, and made his way upstairs to the dorm.

When Ron followed, he found Harry in conversation with Neville. They broke off when they saw him, and both pulled their curtains closed.

Ron followed their example, but sleep eluded him that night.