Chapter Seven: Professor Weasley

Harry woke up the next morning to find his room empty. Worried that he was late, he flew out of bed, threw on his robes, pinned his prefect badge on, and ran out the door and down the steps. The common room was full of people chatting excitedly. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't late.

"Morning, Harry." Said Ron walking up to him. "Got your schedule." He handed Harry the slip of paper.

"Thanks Ron." He said. "What's all this about?"

"Quidditch." Ron replied. "We've never needed so many people for our team. We've only got you, me, and Katie right now."

"What about Ginny?" Harry asked. "And Andrew Kirke hasn't graduated."

"Well, Ginny's got to try out, although she's almost guaranteed in. And you remember Kirke... He's, well... no good, really."

"Hey Harry!" Said an excited voice behind him. He turned around to see Collin Creevey, a fifth year who had admired Harry since his first year. Harry noticed he had grown quite a bit over the summer.

"Hello, Collin." Harry replied.

"Hey, guess what? I'm going to try out to be the announcer for the Quidditch games!" It took Harry a moment to process this, and he then realized that Lee Jordan wouldn't be doing that this year.

"That's great, Collin, I hope you get it." Harry said enthusiastically, but was actually wondering if Collin knew a thing about Quidditch.

"Well, I got to go Harry, see you later." He returned to his group of friends.

"Bit of an odd one, isn't he?" Ron said raising his eyebrows. "Come on, let's go eat."

On their way out Harry checked the announcements board and saw the pamphlet that had everybody crazy. In large, black writing it said:

Quidditch Players Needed!!!!

The Gryffindor quidditch team is in need

Of 2 chasers and 2 beaters,

Tryouts are 2 weeks from

Today!!!

The position for announcer is also open to anybody who is interested.

See professor Mcgonagall

Harry crawled through the porthole after Ron.

"Where's Hermione?" He asked.

"She's already down eating." Ron replied. "It's the first day of school, she was too excited to sleep."

Harry wouldn't doubt it. Hermione was top of their class, and had been every year. Harry knew it was possible she was already sitting patiently in class.

As it turned out, Hermione wasn't rushing through breakfast to get to class. She was sitting at the table eating slowly, deep in thought. She didn't notice when Ron and Harry sat on either side of her.

"Herm?" Ron said. Hermione jumped quickly.

"Oh, hello, I was just thinking." She replied.

"About what?" Harry asked.

"Oh, nothing." Hermione replied quickly.

"Why did you get here so early?" Ron asked.

"I had to talk to somebody." She replied, cautious of her words.

"Who?" Ron pressed on.

"It doesn't matter, Ron. And try minding your own business." She replied harshly and left angrily.

"She knows something." Harry said.

"When doesn't she?" Ron said. "And mind my own business... When have we ever kept secrets from each other?"

"Whenever you two know something about Voldemort that I shouldn't." Harry replied, knowing that whatever Hermione had figured out was what Bill had asked him not to find out.

Ron looked slightly uncomfortable.

"What could she have possible figured out?" Ron asked. It only took Harry a moment to remember Malfoy's words that previous night. Whatever clues were laid out, Hermione had looked for them.

"What classes have we got first?" Ron asked, pulling out his schedule.

"Transfiguration." Harry replied.

"And then we have an off." Ron continued.

"Correction, you have an off." Harry said. "I have History of Magic."

"Sorry mate, but we'll meet in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Wonder what Bill's lessons are going to be on. And here's something new, it's with the Ravenclaws."

"Then double Care of Magical Creatures..." Said Harry, slightly worried, "You don't think Hagrid will start this year out with a bang do you?"

"You can't be too sure with that one." Ron replied. "The good news is we don't have potions until tomorrow."

Harry's stomach dropped. One thing he was not looking forward to was N.E.W.T. potions with Snape.
They ate hastily and moved back up towards the front of the Great Hall. As he walked out, Professor Trelawny, the divinations teacher, caught his eye. Harry nodded hello, but she didn't return it. Her eyes got misty and she looked down.

"I don't have her class any more and she still tells me I'm going to die," Harry murmured.

"Speaking of Divination, what happened to that centaur, Firenze? Is he still teaching?" Ron asked.

"I suppose so. He can't go back, can he? The other centaurs would maul him to death." Harry replied. "They might be doing a split class."

"I don't think that would work... Firenze would not get along with that old bat."

They walked through the castle corridors to Professor McGonnagall's classroom. The class was already filling up with people, and Harry and Ron worked their way to a seat next to Hermione, who gave Ron an angry look.

"All I did was ask a question!" Ron said.

"Let's not do this." Harry suggested urgently. "We were just interested Hermione, that's all."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I suppose so." She replied. "I'm sorry I was cross with you."

"Not a problem," Ron said, "I won't pry you for information any more."

"You'll know soon enough." Hermione said, looking at the head of the class.

Harry caught Ron's eye and saw him shrug a little.

They sat patiently as the rest of the class murmured until Professor McGonagall entered. She looked about the same, except Harry noticed she had enormous bags under her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in the usual bun, and her lips pursed together as if she'd been sucking on a lemon. This stern look was one Harry was used to, but one he knew wasn't her exact personality. Although she was stern, she was one of the nicest witches at Hogwarts. The chatting quieted and then she began.

"Welcome back, everybody. I'm very happy everyone had a safe vacation." She said, eyeing particularly in Harry's direction. "Now, let's just get right to it, shall we? This is, after all, a N.E.W.T. class and there will be no slacking off in here."

"Welcome back," Ron whispered.

"What did I just say, Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall said, and although she sounded stern Harry would swear to it that the ends of her pursed lips had curled for just a moment.

"Going on, we will be learning the Summoning Spell, the exact opposite to the Vanishing Spell we learned last year. However, this is twice as difficult. You will be practicing for at least one year to perfect it and mark my words it will be on you N.E.W.T. examinations."

Harry couldn't believe she was talking about the exams already. They were a year and a half away and she was getting them worried in advance.

"Now, the Summoning Spell is one of the most complex forms of magic. To conjure an item out of thin air is one of the most difficult ideas to grasp. This and Apparation are, no doubt, two of the hardest common magical talents.

"Now, the problem with the Summoning Spell is that to make something appear, you must first make it disappear. There it is stored in a place where it is generally safe for your own use. As you get better at it, you will be able to store more and larger items. I myself store everything from quills to," she waved her wand and muttered something. "chairs." A wooden chair had appeared right in front of where she'd been standing. Some of the class gasped.

"Now, although the objects that you vanish and store are often quite safe, it is very possible for a powerful wizard to break them free and release them so that anybody could conjure them at their own will. That is the main reason why money and other things of importance are kept in banks. And I'd ask you not to try to use this to shoplift, as most stores have anti-vanishing charms where you will be sucked onto that object yourself where you will be stuck until the authorities come and remove you. Forcefully, I might add." She said, with a twinkle in her eye. She waved her wand and the chair was gone.

"First, vanish the peas you have in front of you." The class broke out in the muttering of spells. "We're only summoning peas?" Ron asked, shocked in it's simplicity. For many people, including Ron (who went scarlet), it took a second try to vanish their vegetables. "Alright then." Mcgonagall continued. "You must concentrate very, very hard on the pea you just vanished. Now, wave your wand, up, down to the right, up again, then down to left very quickly and say 'Veniri.'"

The class again broke out in the muttering of the spells.

"Don't forget to think about the pea." Mcgonagall said loudly. Harry was having a difficult time with it, but he swore he made half of it appear once. Hermione was even having trouble with it.

"Veniri. No that was the wrong motion. Drat this is difficult." She exclaimed.

"No, no, Neville, not like that." Mcgonnagall was saying.

"I don't think she gave us the right incantation." Ron said, annoyed.

"Oh, of course she did Ron, you're just not concentrating enough." Hermione replied.

"I haven't seen you summon the pea up yet."

"I didn't say I had."

Harry was getting very uncomfortable, and had a sudden urge to plunge his head in water. He was overcome with heat, and could feel himself getting red. A strange feeling had come with the heat. He couldn't decide what it was at first, but it soon came to him: power. He felt more powerful then he'd ever felt. For some reason, he had to succeed in this, as if he were competing with some one. He felt embarrassed that he hadn't done it already, even though he knew it was some of the most complex magic that existed. He could feel his competitor taunting him, laughing at him struggling. It was only a pea. He could do this, he knew he could, he knew he had to. Without really knowing what he was doing, he was on his feet. He felt a wave of power surging through him. He yelled "VENIRI" as if he were proving his opponent wrong, showing him that it could be done, as he violently swung his wand in the motion. Suddenly, he felt as if something had been sucked from his body. He felt very dizzy. His head was about to explode, he knew it. And then, just as sudden as this feeling of loss, small golden rays of light intertwined each other into a small sphere. They began to take form and color, and as soon as it had started, it had ended, and a small pea lay on the table spinning.

He looked up, the color drained from his face. He knew he had beaten the taunting, but as he gazed at his classmates he wasn't sure if he was glad. They were staring at him with frightened looks, even professor Mcgonagall was looking at him odd.

"In all my years," she started, "only one other person has done something like this." She said quietly, and almost frightened at the obvious irony.

But Harry was finished yet. He felt another surge, and suddenly, more golden rays appeared, crossing each other, growing larger. As they took form, Harry knew what they were. About twenty more peas laid on his table.

"He didn't do that." She said, shocked. "Count those Potter, immediately."

Harry did, fingering through each pea. When he finished he looked up to see her counting the last few heads of the class.

"Eighteen." Harry said, nervously.

"Eighteen." She replied, impressed, and yet still nervous.

"Hey, that one's mine! It had that black spot on it!" Ron said.

"Will everybody come around and grab a pea again. Potter, I need to talk to you." Professor McGonnagall said. Harry walked to her.

"What just happened?" She asked.

Harry wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't describe the surge of power he'd just had. It had just happened.

"It was like," Harry started, "like I was competing with some one." He said looking at the floor.

"With who Harry?" She asked hoarsely.

"I don't know, but I could guess." He replied, not making eye contact.

"As could I, Harry, but I need to hear you say it."

"I think it was Voldemort."

She drew in her breath sharply. "I see." She said. "Well, return to your seat Potter, and try to summon your own pea, if you will." She said smiling.

Harry walked back to his seat and sat down.

"What just happened?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure, but I know I liked it." Harry said, although he wasn't sure why.

"Well, please keep out of my summoning safe-box, alright?" He asked smiling. Hermione was not so light hearted.

"That was very advanced, Harry. I don't understand..." She said.

"I don't either," Harry replied. "I do know why."

"Why?" She asked.

"I was competing." He replied.

"With who?" Ron asked.

Harry looked at him with hinting eyes.

"Well, that's just perfect, isn't it? Harry's playing magic games with You-Know-Who."

"They're not games, it was... Some how I know that he succeeded at this his first time. And I knew he could feel me struggle with it."
"If it was anybody else, I'd probably say that was bizarre." Ron said.

"It is bizarre." Hermione said. "He's looking for you Harry, you know he is. He's got something big up his sleeve this time."

"When hasn't he?" Ron asked.

"This is different. He's in the open now. He doesn't need to be so stealthy. Now," she said nervously, "He can plan his war."

There was a shrill of the bell. "Practice your summoning spells!" Professor McGonnagall called out. "Do not get behind on them!"

"Well I have an off. You two have fun with Binns." Ron said. Harry groaned.

"Can't stand being away from Ron for a few minutes?" Hermione asked sarcastically.

"No, I can't stand being with Binns for a few minutes." Harry replied. Hermione laughed. "It won't be that bad." Harry was not sure if he agreed. The two of them made their way to Binns classroom. He entered, as he usually did, through the black board.

"Man, I love that." Dean said a few seats away from Harry. "Do you think he realizes he's dead yet?"

Professor Binns wasted no time with hellos, but went strait onto his lesson.

"This year," he said very slowly and drawn out. "We will begin further back in wizard's history, before the great wars of our time." They had never talked much about the wizard's wars, but they all knew the basics. It was a typical conflict, a dark wizard arises and tries to conquer the magical world and the rest tried to stop him. They all knew that the four founders of this school had fought in it, and that the dark wizard was stopped, but that was about the extent of their knowledge.

"Midway through the year we will get to the wizarding wars and we will discuss them," he paused, "very thoroughly."

"Perfect" Harry whispered, "That'll be a thrill." Hermione nudged him.

Forty minutes and many space-outs later, Harry exited the classroom much more tired then when he entered. Hermione, as usual, was some how excited about the upcoming year.

"I can't wait. Everyone says the wizarding wars make the entire year worthwhile." She said.

"We'll see." Harry said with doubt in his voice.

"Trust me Harry," she said, "You need to pay attention this year." She said.

"Why's that?" Harry asked, caught off guard with her suggestion.

"History tends to repeat itself, Harry. You don't want to be caught off guard." She said. Harry stopped in his tracks as Hermione continued walking down the hall to lunch.

Shaking off Hermione's cryptic warning, Harry walked slowly to the Great Hall. He arrived and found his seat next to Ron and Hermione.

"How was it, Harry?" Ron asked.

"As fun as flobber worms." Harry said.

"Hermione liked it." He replied sarcastically.

"What's next," Hermione said, quickly changing the subject.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Ron said. "This should be interesting."

"At least this year the teacher won't slice my hand open," Harry said, looking at his callused hand. The scars of "I will not tell lies" were still slightly visible.

"Yeah, we'll see." Ron said jokingly. "I might be able to work something out with Bill."

They ate lunch and started the walk to the classroom. They were the first ones there, and Bill was at the front of the class, scrambling through books and parchments with a nervous look on his face. When he heard them enter, his head jerked up.

"Oh, Hello." He said.

"Calm down, Bill." Ron said.

"About that. I ask you to please call me Professor in class." He said. "So as to avoid favoritism." He said awkwardly. Ron gawked at him.

"You're serious?"

"Just in class." He said.

"Alright, Professor." Ron said and sat down. Harry suddenly had an idea. Remembering his vow to Ron all those nights ago, he said, "Er-Professor?"

"Yes, Harry?"
"I have a request for you." He said.

"I'll see what I can do, but I make no promises."

"No doubt we will talk about Voldemort this year." He said. Bill winced momentarily, but nodded.

"When we do," Harry continued, unsure if he should ask this, "I request you use his name." Bill and Ron both looked at him shocked, but Hermione was smiling.

"I, um, I'd have to think about that." Bill said. "That name means so much."
"It's only a name, Professor." Hermione said.

"Yes, but... It's harder then you can imagine, Hermione." He said. "You are muggle born. You have no reason to fear that name."
"But Harry does." She replied. "More then anybody else."

"Harry," Ron said, "I know you want to get people to say his name. But this word is worse then any curse word you've ever heard. His own followers won't even use it!"

"All the more reason we should." Harry replied. "Now, say it. Just once, Ron. You said you'd do it eventually." Ron looked at him. He sighed and mumbled something.

"That doesn't quite cut it." Harry said.

Ron looked as if this was the most difficult thing he'd ever done. He was turning red and averting everyone's eyes and was already sweating.

"V-," he started. "Vold-. How about we progress through syllables?"

"Come on, Ron." Hermione said.

"Voldem- Voldemort." He said and let out an exhausted sigh.

"See?" Hermione said. "That wasn't so hard."

"Yes it was." He replied. "I'm never saying it again."

Bill laughed. "You see? It's just been forced into us. That word is taboo. But... I will try this year to start saying it more often. Because you're right," he said, "it's only a name."

"Right." Ron said. "Only a name."

Students began to pile into the classroom, some with excited looks on their faces. With every student that came in, Bill's ears got pinker and he shifted more and more in his seat. When every student was present, Bill looked at them all and tried to smile.

"Welcome," he said, his voice shaking slightly, "To Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Weasley, some might know me through Ron."

Ron went pink. "Nice intro, Bill." He murmured.

"Alright," Bill continued. "As you know, we all live in dangerous times. You-Know-Who has returned, and it is my job to prepare you for the worst. We will cover everything from his newly created Vampire army to every curse that might be sent at you. Many of you have already been affected and some, unfortunately, have seen him in person." Harry shifted in his seat.

"You-Know..." He cleared his throat, "Voldemort's armies..." Many people gasped, Harry smiled, "are cruel, hateful, and heartless. They care not for your pain or your suffering. They live a life of darkness. If you meet one they will not negotiate or show mercy, so I have never shown mercy to them."

"Excuse me, professor?" Dean Thomas asked. "Have you actually met a Death Eater?"

Bill looked at him with solemn eyes. "Many times, Mr. Thomas."

The class got very tense.

"So have you fought one?" Seamus Finnigan asked.

"Occasionally." Bill said.

"Well, have you seen somebody die?"

Bill tensed up. Harry recollected the night he was at the Burrow. Bill had witnessed Copper's death.

"Yes." He replied with finality, but the class wasn't finished.

"Have you ever seen You-Know-Who?" Parvati Patil.

"Voledmort?" He asked. "Yes, once."

The class gasped. Even Ron's jaw dropped.

"Did you duel him?" Dean asked.

Bill chuckled. "I would not be able to handle him." He said. "Voldemort would

rip me to shreds. Dumbledore's the only man who could survive a duel against

Voldemort." Harry was already pleased at how easily the name was shifting into

common conversation.

"Harry's done it." Neville said. Harry looked down. Bill had a rather bewildered

look on his face at first, but he recovered quickly.

"Yes, that's true." Bill said. "But Harry is... an exception."

Harry fought the urge to slouch in his seat in order to catch Bill's eye to end the conversation. Bill looked at him and caught the message.

"Okay, let's move on, shall we?" He said. "We are going to begin with a dark subject, but one that became very important over the summer." Pulled out a piece of paper from his desk, pulled out his wand, and said, "Engorgio." The paper grew to the size of a large poster. Bill flicked his wand and turned the poster around. The class gasped.

The picture was of the face of a very pale man. His black collar extended up and covered his entire neck. His narrow eyes were pitch black, and his eyebrows thin and curled up. His cheekbones were visible through his thin face. His jet-black hair fell down his face, but much smoother then Harry's did. If he were messier, it could have been the picture of Sirius when Harry first saw him. It was, without a doubt, a vampire.

In the picture, he would open his mouth wide, and his fangs, which were originally normal size, would lengthen as if he were about to strike. A lot of people shuddered when this would happen.

"This," Bill explained, "is Millvaunder."

"Is that a vampire?" Lavender asked.

"Yes, Mrs. Brown, that is. A particularly vicious one, at that. Over the past few months, Voldemort has worked to increase his army, particularly with giants and," he motioned to the picture, "vampires."

"You-Know-Who has... Vampires?" Seamus gulped. Harry, who had known this since his night at the Burrow, was looking at the picture of Millvaunder.

"You recognize him?" Harry asked Ron.

"Nobody ever recognizes vampires," he replied. "For one, there's hardly any of them left, and the ones that remain are never seen. They live in darkness, physically and metaphorically. They're only heard of in times of war when they come out of hiding."

"Millvaunder," Bill announced to the class, "Is the leader of the vampires. He is much more powerful and much crueler then the other vampires. He was the one who negotiated with Voldemort. He is now a commander in his army."

"Did You-Know-Who get all the vampires?" Neville asked.

"Well, there are not many left, only a few hundred. They're like most other creature, some are evil, some aren't. Dumbledore has talked to some vampires on our side that take potion instead of blood. However, vampires are generally an evil group, so most have gone to Voldemort's side."

"Why?" Brett Howard, a Ravenclaw, asked. "What do they have to benefit from?"

"That," Bill said, "Is confidential."

The class shifted in curiosity. Harry had a foreboding feeling it had something to do with him.

"Now, we'll be going over vampires extensively. Their threat is at its largest now. You must know how to defend yourself from one." Bill explained. "Now, first, can anyone tell me the strengths of vampires?"

Hermione raised her hand. "Yes, Hermione?" Bill said.

"One, they have certain magical powers that do not require a wand. Two, with blood or a certain replacement potion, they grow more powerful for a temporary time. Finally, and most importantly, they are invulnerable to curses and charms. No wizard has been powerful enough to harm a vampire in that way."

"Very good. Now, can anyone tell me the weaknesses of Vampires?"

Hermione's hand shot up again, but Ron pulled it down quickly.

"Wait 'til we're stumped." He said. She looked annoyed, but obeyed.

"Okay, Parvati." Bill called.

"Light." She replied.

"Exactly. The number one weakness of vampires. Light. It has to be a strong light. The electric lights of muggles won't do it. Sunlight is the number one death of Vampires, which is why they have so much trouble surviving. Can anyone name another?"

"Wood?" Edwen Mithrandilyn, a sixth year Ravenclaw, offered tentatively.

"Yes, if it penetrates their skin, wood will wound a vampire and kill them if it stabs their heart. Any others?"

"Garlic." Ron said. Hermione's jaws dropped in annoyance.

"Partially right. Garlic won't kill or wound a vampire, but it will keep them away. The smell of it knocks them out over periods of time. The final one? Anyone? It's the second most effective, but it's the least known as it is also the least common. Because light wounds it, a vampire is nocturnal. There is another nocturnal creature that has the power to destroy vampires. It seems to be a natural balance of power."

Nobody spoke. Hermione looked at Ron.

"Alright, now you can speak." Said Ron.

Hermione raised her hand. "Werewolves."

Harry jumped in shock.

"Exactly." Bill said. "Werewolves. Something in their bodies is a weakness to vampires. They are natural enemies. Each can grow their numbers by biting, and each has the power to destroy the other. A werewolf, in its wolf state, can handle about seven vampires at once. The problem, of course, is that werewolves can only harm the vampires while it is a wolf, which only happens once a month, and not at their own will. Potion makers all over the world are working to find a potion that helps them control both their transformations from man to wolf and their minds while in the wolf state, so as to differentiate friend from foe. So far, they are unsuccessful."

Harry had only one person in mind: Lupin. He looked at Ron, whose expression reflected Harry's thoughts exactly.

"Now, does anybody know a relative of the vampire?"

Nobody moved. Even Hermione had a confused look on her face.

"Not many know this," Bill said, "but the answer is Dementors."

Hermione's face lifted into a look of realization. "Of course." She whispered.

"Dementor's evolved from vampires. Instead of living off blood, they live off suffering. Eventually, the two species became what they are today. They've become distant relatives, different in every way except one: like vampires, no wizard can harm a dementor with a curse. Our only defense is the Patronus charm, which" Bill added with a smile, "it seems many of you know."

Harry smiled. In their previous year, Hermione had started an illegal club where Harry taught many students curses and charms, including the Patronus charm.

"Most vampires," Bill continued, "have a little bit of human in them. As long as they were bitten, they still have a sense of morality, which is why a few of them have not gone to Voldemort. Those born a vampire, such as Millvaunder, have no care for other living things. Dementors are the same. They are neither good nor evil, technically. They side with the group that has the most for them to benefit from. Voldemort can give that to them. Now, will everyone turn their books to chapter nine." The ruffling of books and papers echoed as the class pulled out their books and turned to the page. They read on vampires the rest of class until the bell rang.

"I want a short paragraph on the ways to kill a vampire." Bill said. "I'll see you all next class."

The class stood up and filed out the door. It seemed most people really enjoyed the class.

"Did you know all that about vampires?" Lisa Turpin asked.

"That Millvaunder looked dangerous." Terry Boot murmured. Harry was very relieved that Bill's first class had gone well.

"Lunch time." Ron said with eagerness. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Don't you ever think about anything else?" She asked.

Ron thought for a second. "You know, not really."

They went down to the Great Hall and ate, and then walked out on the castle ground going to Hagrid's hut.

"I hope he doesn't do anything stupid." Hermione said.

"He did fine last year." Harry said.

"That's because the most dangerous thing we did involved creatures that only two of us could see." Ron replied.

"I'm sorry, it's almost as if you didn't fly on a giant winged beast." Said Hermione sarcastically. They walked over the hill and looked down on Hagrid's cabin. Suddenly, they froze in fright and surprise.

"No..." Harry said, as he gazed down.

"He-he wouldn't..." Said Hermione.

"He did." Said Ron. Each of them had eyes wider then dinner plates. Tied up rather loosely by a old and tattered rope on a stump that looked like it would snap if he moved much, was Grawp, Hagrid's half brother. He was sleeping in the fetal position, his gigantic stomach swelling with every breath he took, and with every growling exhale Harry's hair was blown back slightly. Students were walking up behind them, and they too came to halt when they saw what lay before them.

"That oaf's gone off his rocker!" Sneered Malfoy behind him. "He's brought a giant to class! Decided to teach about himself I guess." Harry glowered at him. "What are you going to do," Malfoy shot, "shoot me across the campus without your precious wand?"

"Don't be scared," came Hagrid's voice to their right. "He won't be waken' up for another four hours." He was smiling broadly. Hermione, however, was not. She stormed up to him furiously.

"What do you think you're doing?" She hissed. "You brought him out? Are you crazy? He could kill some one."

"He wouldn' hurt a fly!" Hagrid retorted.

Hermione just stared at him.

"Well it doesn' matter." He continued. "He's completely sedated. Professor Snapes strongest sleeping potion.

"What does Dumbledore think?" Ron asked.

"Who d'you think put the unbreakable charms on that rope and stump? I tell yer, 'Arry, he ain't goin' nowhere."

"Does he know he's living in the forest?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, he found out last year when he went after the centaurs. Saw him stompin' around the forest."

"And he let him stay?!" Asked Hermione indignantly.

"Well he's put more protection on him then I could tell yeh." Hagrid said. "Can't actually put charms on him, o'course, but he's put some on the borders of the forest." Harry knew that the blood in giants prevents magic curses or any spell from a wand. "He seems to think Grawp'll help us in some way. That's why Dumbledore let'm stay so willingly."

Hermione still looked over at the sleeping mass with uneasiness.

"Welp," said Hagrid loudly, so everyone could hear. "Let's start class."

"Are you joking?" Said Malfoy. "I'm not going close to that thing."

Many people in the class murmured in agreement.

"Aw, come on," Hagrid said. "Dumbledore's put an unbreakable charm on that rope an' stump." The class still shifted nervously. "And 'e's drank a keg of sleeping potion. He won't be wakin' up." The class still stood defiantly. Harry nudged Ron who looked at him and rolled his eyes, but agreed. He did the same to Hermione, who simply shrugged.

"We'll go." Said Harry, trying to hide the shakiness in his voice. He hadn't had the best experiences with Grawp in the past. Hagrid smiled, "All righ', then."

The three of them started walking, slower then usual, towards Hagrid's cabin. A few Gryffindor's followed them. And eventually Malfoy said a rather rude expression, and followed it with, "Let's go."

"Come on, now he won' bite." Hagrid called, "At least not while he's sleeping."

The class fell into place behind him. They were about thirty feet from the sleeping giant, which seemed uncomfortably close for many people.

"Now," Hagrid said, "We won' go over these too much, as Professor Weasley will want to, but what Dumbledore wants is for you to be face to face with one, and, yeh know, learn how t' recognize one."

"There's a trick." Malfoy sneered. Hagrid turned red.

"Any way," Hagrid continued, "This is Grawp. He's lived up north for his entire life, and recently he was imprisoned by the new Gurg."

"The new what?" Lavender asked.

"Gurg," Hagrid explained, "The chief o' the giants. Anyway, it is my duty to tell you that most of the giants have gone to the other side, and that's why we need to know about them. First thing, I want you to feel his skin."

Nobody moved.

"I'm tellin' you, he isn't gonna wake up."

Harry stepped forward.

"Shocking, Potter." Malfoy said.

"'ere you go, Harry, just touch him."

Harry reached out his hand. A sudden inhale made him jump, but Grawp was still sleeping soundly. He put his hand on Grawp's stomach and rubbed. His skin was very rough, almost like bark, and felt incredibly thick.

"Gian's skin." Hagrid said, "My skin's rough, o' course, but not that rough. It's that skin that protects giants from wizards. Curses'll just bounce off that. Giants hate magic, so never try to curse one, or yeh'll be sorry."

Harry remembered seeing the curses bounce of Hagrid during his astronomy OWL in his previous year.

Ron and Hermione stepped up and rubbed Grawp's skin. Eventually the entire class was doing it save Malfoy, who had watched angrily as Crabbe and Goyle had stepped up to pat the enormous beast.

"There ya go," said Hagrid, beaming. "See? E's 'armless."

"Hagrid?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide and her voice shaky, "what's that?" She was pointing to bits of smashed wood surrounded by a puddle of mud in Hagrid's garden.

"Oh, "Hagrid said, "That was another keg of sleeping potion before Grawp smashed it. 'E didn't want to drink anymore I guess." He said laughing. Hermione wasn't.

"How-," she said, "How long ago did you give it to him?"

Hagrid started to speak, but Hermione's question was answered before he could get a word out. There was a loud growl from somewhere around Grawp, and Parvati screamed.

"Uh oh." Hagrid said.

The giant mass that was Grawp shot up with a roar. The students screamed and ran the other direction. Grawp looked at them for a moment, and then followed after them growling.

Suddenly, the tattered rope got tight and Grawp was yanked backwards with a loud yelp.

"No, Grawp!" Hagrid yelled. Grawp stood up and looked at him.

"Hagger!" He yelled, "They bother Grawp!"

"Grawp! Sit down." Hagrid yelled.

Grawp growled and ran to the stump his rope was tethered to. He began to pull on it with all his might, but Dumbledore's charm was too strong for that. Grawp saw Hermione, Ron and Harry huddled close to Hagrid.

"Hermy!" Grawp yelled.

"Oh, no." Hermione said.

In a movement that seemed impossibly quick for his size, Grawp had seized Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ron yelled, and dived to get her out of Grawp's clutch, but was not nearly strong enough. He was lifted holding onto her ankles. Grawp lifted them far above the ground, holding them as if they were small toys.

"No!" Hagrid screamed. "Grawp put them down! NOW! GRAWP!"

"Ron, let go of my ankle!" Hermione screamed.

Harry pulled out his wand. "Do it Ron!" He yelled. Ron looked down and saw Harry.

"You'd better catch me." He yelled. He closed his eyes, and dropped.

"Impedimenta!" Harry yelled. Ron immediately slowed down in mid air and hit the ground softly.

"We have to get her down, Hagrid!" Harry yelled.

"I'm workin' on it Harry!" Hagrid yelled. "Grawp! Put Hermy down!"

"Grawp want play with Hermy."

"Play with me on the ground then!" Hermione said, struggling against the strong grip.

Harry gripped his wand. He didn't know why he was about to try this. He knew it was impossible, but he couldn't just sit there watching Hermione in the giant's clutch. He raised his wand.

"Harry, it won't work!" Ron yelled.

"Catch her, Ron." Harry said, suddenly confident.

"Harry, don', yeh'll just anger him!" Hagrid said.

"Expelliamrus!" Harry yelled. The spell flew out of Harry's wand and hit Grawp. For a moment, he thought he'd failed, but then the spell completely encircled Grawp. He looked very confused. He looked at his hand as it was loosening, and tried as hard as he could to close it again, but he couldn't. Hermione finally dropped. Ron caught her and they both toppled to the ground.

Grawp stared at Harry. His upper lip curled in anger and his eyes flared.

"Uh oh." Hagrid said.

"Can't you say anything else?" Harry asked, his wand still pointed Grawp.

"Grawp... Don' do anything, now." He said coaxingly.

Grawp roared loudly and charged at Harry.

"STUPE-!" Harry yelled before he was knocked thirty yards in the air by Grawps mighty swing. His body turned over at the height of his fall, and his stomach dropped as he fell rapidly towards the ground.

"Impedimenta!" Hermione yelled. Harry felt himself move in slow motion. He turned his head as fast as he could, which was hardly moving at all, and saw Grawp storming toward him. His giant arm stretched out in order to grab Harry, but suddenly, as Hermione yelled "ACCIO HARRY!" he zoomed out of his reach and knocked Hermione to the ground for a second time.

"Where's my wand?" Harry yelled frantically as Grawp stormed towards them. Almost immediately, something smacked the back of his head. He turned around and his wand lay by his feet. He turned back to Grawp as he lifted his hand to swat Hermione and him.

"Duck!" Harry yelled and grabbed Hermione's shirt and pulled her down. In a quick movement, he spun around, picked up his wand as a rush of wind flew over them both, and came back to face Grawp. Grawp's hand was pulled back across his body for a follow-up backhanded slap. As he started to bring his hand down, Harry yelled, "STUPEFY!" The spell hit Grawp, and like the previous one, completely encircled him. His eyes were suddenly wide and he went completely rigid.

"Run." Hermione said. Grawp's enormous body tumbled toward them. They were scrambling up as his shadow grew over them. Harry knew that they weren't going to get out of it. They were going to be crushed.

Suddenly they were both pushed out of the way. For the third time in thirty seconds, Harry and Hermione tumbled onto the ground in a tangled mass. Suddenly, the ground shook violently and there was a sound like thunder, and then a loud scream. Harry and Hermione rapidly turned around. Grawp lay on the ground, and it took Harry a minute to find out who had pushed them, and who had screamed. Ron's legs were under Grawp's enormous belly, and his face was contorted in a look of pain.

"Ron!" Hermione yelled, and ran to him.

Hagrid moved faster then Harry had ever seen him. He leaped over the stunned Grawp and landed with a thud. He spun quickly, and with enormous strength lifted Grawp's stomach.

"Pull'im out, Hermione." Hagrid grunted under the enormous weight. Hermione grabbed Ron's arms and pulled. Ron screamed in pain. Harry could tell Ron's legs were useless. They looked as if the bones were completely shattered.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione said desperately.

Hagrid dropped Grawp's stomach with a loud thud. "Hermione, go get Dumbledore." He said. "Harry, we need to get Ron to Madame Pomfrey." He picked up Ron with one arm and gently laid him over his shoulder. Harry and Hagrid started hurrying up the grounds, Ron clenching his teeth and sucking air with every step.

"Yeh'll be alrigh', Ron." Hagrid said. They hurried through the front door and around the winding corridors of the school. Finally, they arrived at the hospital wing. Hagrid burst through the door.

"Oh dear," said Madame Pomfrey instantly, "Already?"

"Jus' some broken legs, Poppy." Hagrid said.

"Oh, well that's too bad." She said reassuringly, although Ron had a look of disagreement on his face. "Just put him on a bed Hagrid, this won't take thirty minutes." Hagrid gently laid Ron on a hospital bed.

"Oh dear this is a bad one." Madame Pomfrey said.

"You think?" said Ron angrily.

"That won't do you any good," she said scoldingly. "Here, drink this." She said handing him a bottle. Ron took a gulp and gagged.

"We'll that work its way to your legs, and in about fifteen minutes I can fix your legs as good as new. Hagrid, you can leave now, he'll be fine." Hagrid nodded and exited the room. "You too Mr. Potter." She said, and Harry reluctantly left with Hagrid.

Hermione came running towards them with Professor Dumbledore walking briskly at her side.

"He's awake?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah, but he's stunned." Hagrid replied.

"Dumbledore gave him a quizzical look. "Stunned?"

"Yeah, Harry... I don' know how..." Hagrid said.

"Ah..." Dumbledore said. "I see."

"Is he still tied up, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah, and I reckon next time we use shorter rope."

"I reckon next time we make sure to give the proper amount of sleeping potion." Dumbledore replied, and although Hagrid bent his head in shame, Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled.

"They could've died." Hagrid said.

"Hagrid, you're folly was clumsy and careless," Dumbledore said somewhat sternly, "but there was no permanent damage. And I believe," he continued, "that you've taught them something more valuable then you intended."

Harry wasn't sure what Hagrid had taught them, except that he was now more confused then he ever had been. All this lesson had done was raise more questions.

"Let's go Hagrid," Dumbledore said, "we need to get Grawp back into the forest before the spell wears off. Harry, Hermione, Ron will be out very shortly, and as you have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy yourselves. I'll see you tonight." Hagrid and him walked way, leaving Hermione and Harry alone.

"What's tonight?" Harry asked.

"The prefect meeting." Hermione said quickly.

"Oh, right, I'd forgotten."

They started walking towards the Gryffindor tower in silence.

"How did you do that?" Hermione asked.

Harry would have played stupid, but he knew it was completely pointless. "I don't know," he replied truthfully.

"You stunned a full growing giant. Nobody can do that... Their skin prevents it... It's... impossible."

"Apparently not." Harry said.

"It has to be connected..." Hermione said halfway to herself.

"What does?" Harry asked.

"Everything..." She said. "The weapons... The spells..."

"Hermione, what are you talking about?"

"But why do you have it?" She said, still to herself, "if Voldemort gave them to you, he wouldn't need you... But you got the weapon..."

"Hermione!" Harry said. Hermione snapped out of it.

"I'm sorry... I just don't get it."

"What don't you get."
"I can't tell you, and I don't think I could tell you all of it anyway."

Harry stood in silence, utterly confused.

"There's one thing missing, Harry." She said. "I know it all but the core, the one thing that could hold this all together. If I tried to tell you I'd leave out the most important part. It's better that Dumbledore tell you everything."

"You're amazing." Harry said. "You figured out in one day something I have absolutely no idea about."

Hermione smiled, "That's because if I know it's not dangerous." She said. Harry instantly felt like laughing... ""Ah, yes, the mudblood. I will be especially happy obtaining her. Don't worry Potter. I won't torture her for too long." He dropped to his knees clutching his scar.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione said, kneeling down next to him.

"I'm putting you all in danger." He said.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.

"Remember at Ron's house, I was telling you about the dream Voldemort," he paused thinking for a word, "manifested in me? Where he asked me to join him?"

"Yeah," Hermione replied slowly.

"Well, he said something else... He threatened you."

"Me?" Hermione asked, suddenly fearful.

"Yes, you, and Ron, and the Weasley's, everybody close to me. If you're near me, you're in danger, you figuring this whole thing out increased it."

"Why would he threaten us?" She asked. "We're not important."

"He doesn't care. He wants to make things as difficult as possible for me until he gets what he wants, and apparently you know what that is."

Hermione was stunned by this news.

"I won't let him get to you." He said. "I promise."

"Harry, the prophecy Trelawney made about you, what was it's exact wording."

Harry took a deep breath. Although he'd never told anyone he'd known the prophecy's wording exactly, but he'd recited it to himself every day over the summer.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dives. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

"Wow..." Hermione said. "I don't know what to say."

"Neither did I." Harry said.

"That line," she said, "About having a power that the Dark Lord knows not, does that mean the power that you showed today? Or is it the wandless magic? This makes no sense, you have too many powers," she said laughing.
"Dumbledore said it was the power my mom gave me when she died."

"But..." She said and paused, "never mind," she continued hastily.

"What?" Harry asked

"It's just... a coincidence, that's all." She said.

"What is?"

"Well... You're not going to like me." She said. Harry raised his eye brow.

"In Ron's dream... Didn't he say your dad gave you a certain power?"

Harry clenched his jaw. "Yes..." He said.

"Forget it." She said.

"It was a dream."

"I know, Harry, I'm sure it was just a coincidence. He has a dream about your power, suddenly you use magic without a wand and can stun a giant."

"Stop it. He can't be having dreams about my dad."

"I guess you're right." She said. "Let's just drop it."

"Allright, good." Harry said angrily. They walked in silence until they got to their tower.

"I'm going to get ready for dinner." Hermione said.

"All right, see you later." Harry said. He walked up to his dormitory, his mind racing frantically over everything they had just talked about.