Harry Potter and the Elemental Prophecy

Suddenly this year just got a whole lot more interesting...

Disclaimer: Hey! Guess what. I don't own a single thing; it all belongs to JK Rowling.

In fact, if you recognize it, I probably don't own it. (Unless you know me personally and have heard some of the stuff I say... lol) Otherwise, FFX, JK Rowling, Sites/Books/Songs...They all own it. I'm just borrowing, because I need something to do without homework… lol.

Authors Notes: Run for the hills, I warn you now.

I am so terribly sorry guys!! Please, forgive me? Pwease?

It's taken me so long to get this out, I know it's probably a lot longer than my other chapters but still, please forgive me? I got kind of lazy, and for about two or three days I just didn't write, sure I'd try and come up with ideas but every time I sat down to write, I just…couldn't.

But, Not too long ago, I'd say about two days…I finally sat down (in school no less) and wrote.   And then when I got home, I wrote some more.  Now I was originally going to have this whole funny little thing where Harry and Serena get into a huge fight but their arguments settle in at calling each other names, or insulting one another at odd intervals whenever they saw each other.  But that idea bombed and now you're about to see the result. 

So it's back to the original plan, SKIP the last few weeks of summer and skip to the night before.

We'll have everything happen then… lol. And after of course, duh! (If you understood that… kudos to you lol) but I'm so desperate to have school start so the scene I want to happen can happen around, oh chapter 8 or 9… then BOOM it's all supernatural and suspense from there. Life will be good.

A little note: I'm currently writing little scenes for future chapters… lol (well little scenes for me being two or three pages) so hey, cool...

If anybody pays attention to specific details… (or should I say if anybody's reading this...) You'll catch some foreshadowing major in these first few chapters lol.

Let's see, in this chapter? I don't know what you can expect.

Besides a visit from Sirius...

The Marauders catch up on old times with two of their old friends, enemies collide, ally's return, and life's all and well at Hogwarts (For now...)

But of course, nothing is perfect, especially when it concerns Harry.

Now what's going on, what's with the obviously open hatred between the Slytherin Lizzy and Serena, it can't just be Gryffindor/Slytherin hostility, whoops...was there a problem in the past between these two? Or maybe we just caught them both on a bad week?

Draco seems to be rather dour as well, however, without daddy dearest around...he seems to be--quite frankly, less hostile. But don't let that take away the fact that he still hates Harry royally, and hasn't forgiven him for the incident in the three broomsticks.

Basically?

Expect, memories to spark (old love?), sparks to fly, hexes abundant, and a whole lot of insults…

Suddenly, this year just got a whole lot more interesting...

PS: This chapter is once again dedicated to Ms. Padfoot! My best friend, beta, and fellow prankster! (Who also takes credit for the two interesting spells you'll see around in the chapter.  *cackles evilly*

------

Thankfully life passed quickly at Hogwarts for Harry, and rather uneventful, unless you count arguing with an Irish blonde with a wit so sharp it could cut through steel effortlessly, uneventful.

That had been an odd occurrence; he'd confronted her once more about the telepathy, why she was one, and why he was one. She'd give dismissive answers however and change the subject.

"There are quite a few wizards who are telepathic, nothing new… now, about Potions…"

"No, Harry, this is nothing that's going to mess up you're life… you're not some freak. Now come on, we need to work on our Transfiguration, I hear Professor McGonagall is going to be really strict this year..."

She never really met his eyes when she spoke of these subjects, so he never truly believed her, but he couldn't call her a liar...

However, without the strict surveillance of Arabella to keep him eating correctly Harry fell back into his old trend of skipping as many meals as possible without getting people to yell at him.

Of course, every time he walked into the Great Hall after a few skipped meals he'd gain rather curious glances from the Professors.

Take a picture why don't you? I hear they last longer, he'd mutter darkly to himself as he'd take his seat, join in on conversation for a moment or two, and shake off the feeling that he was being watched.

Which he was, by a familiar black haired Potions master who kept his glances to a minimum. Making sure to make it look like he actually cared what Sinstra had to say.

When the younger boy would leave there would be a few lingering glances, before everything fell back to normal, at least, partially normal.

-----

"Finally!" Harry exclaimed as he walked into the Great Hall a few minutes before the other students would arrive, "Schools finally starting."

"You're happy about this?" Serena asked as she sat down across from him at the Gryffindor table.

"Definitely, granted--a few of the classes I could live without…" Potions… Divination... "But all in all it's a lot better than living with my aunt and uncle."

This caused the blonde to raise her eyebrows as she looked up to the table where most of the staff was sitting. "Are there supposed to be that many seats? Just how many Professors do we have?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked and cast a glance up there and then did a double take. Not counting Arabella's empty chair there were four extra chairs, plus Hagrid's but he was bringing the first years around, at least, Harry supposed he was.

"I don't know, d'you suppose perhaps there are a few visiting teachers or something?" he asked her and received a shrug. "Well, guess we'll find out sooner or later." he then paused when he heard the loud chatter of students from behind the doors. "Oh! That reminds me, you'll have to meet Ron and Hermione."

"Who?"

"My friends, they're really great." he said with a smile as the doors suddenly burst open and second through seventh year students streamed in.

Harry jumped up when he heard. "Harry!!" "Harry, oi Harry!" and was engulfed in a nearly crushing hug by Hermione.

"I missed you so much, when you wrote that you were back at Hogwarts I got worried, especially with--well you know, everything going on with You-Know-Who… you are all right aren't you?" she asked and let go.

"Now that I can breathe, yeah I'm fine Hermione." he said with a lopsided smile and Ron pulled him into a quick hug as well before smirking and shaking his head. "Well, since you weren't on the train, I had to listen to her all the way here, talk about school and her homework... and Vicky." this earned him a sharp glare but he smiled anyways.

Harry shook his head at his friends then turned to introduce them to Serena, but she had disappeared. He looked around for a moment in confusion, but saw only Fred and George talking to each other, both smiling equally evil as they glanced over at the Slytherin table gathering students as the time progressed.

"Where did…" he started but shrugged as the three sat down and started comparing summers.

However this ended quickly when a door opened at the side of the hall and a few teachers walked in and up to the head table.

"Look Harry! It's Remus, what's he doing back here?" Ron asked him softly.

"Maybe he's going to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher again." Hermione replied.

"But Arabella's the…" Harry trailed of when she walked in behind a black haired woman and sat down looking rather worn. What's happened to her? He wondered and she raised her head, met eyes with him and smiled in a reassuring way. Which did very little for Harry besides make him worry more.

Remus seemed to have the same idea because he too was casting glances as his brunette friend every so often, but stopped and waved a little to the trio.

But, before he had the chance to even think about this, the doors to the Great Hall burst open once more and the first years streamed in.

Two very familiar voices could be heard from the crowd.

"Look! Look Anne, the ceiling! Isn't it beautiful? Just like Harry said it would be." He could hear Annette's voice ringing through the room.

"Remember though, it's only enchanted like that. I read it in Hogwarts: A History… really interesting book you know?" The two passed by without noticing him, too caught up in their conversation and he had to stop himself from laughing at Anne's reply. I wonder who that sounds like… he mused to himself silently.

"Tell her Harry, I'm right! Right? Harry, mate you there?" Ron's voice brought him back from his thoughts.

"Hm? Oh, what?" he shook his head and gained an odd look from both Hermione and Ron.

"Me and Hermione where having this-" "Hermione and I…" "Right, whatever, we were having this conversation about the OWL's this year Harry, she thinks right off the bat we should be studying…" he said casting a dark glance in her direction, "And I calmly told her no we don't."

"You lie, Ronald Weasley!"

"I DO NOT!"

"You do! You said why the devil should we be studying like mad overly critical, book worm gits who value not getting expelled over death." she said with a deadly look in her eyes.

"I said nothing of the sort, did I Harry." Ron defended himself, but had the grace to look slightly ashamed.

"Leave me out of this one." the aforementioned boy said shaking his head as the two fell into another argument.

After this Harry looked back up to the head table and watched a few more moments of hushed conversation between Remus and the new lady before everything settled down though three seats were still conspicuously empty.

Finally however, Professor McGonagall brought the sorting hat out and set it on the chair and waited, as did everybody else.

Quite a time ago, in this very place

I was made for a specific task,

To welcome you to this place

The founders four gave me mind and voice

And with the ability came the power of choice

To place you in the house, that will fit your very self

My choice this day is to sort

Into a house of four;

To Hufflepuff could you go

The kind and helpful badger,

Some say Hufflepuff is for soft ones

But tell you now I will

Dear Helga was one not to cross

For if you did it was your loss

This blonde did have a wrath

But keep her in your mind you should

For with this house comes truth.

Perhaps Ravenclaw is more your style;

If you are deft and a worker, hard

Rowena was not one to reckon or guess

When it came to any test.

Or maybe sly Slytherin,

Could your fate lay in wait;

For Salazar himself, was never one to fiddle

When a goal he set, he did achieve, in any possible manner...

And of course there's true Gryffindor

The mighty and the brave

As Godric was so long ago, so quick to save the day

He wielded the sword some know, the strongest of the four...

But he was not all lore, dear Gryffindor was mysterious,

More-so than even Slytherin, with a secret long untold.

But let not these lyrics, cloud your inner mind,

For even the Sorting Hat will tell, if given the proper time

So set me atop your head, and my decision I will make.

And you soon know, the path your fate shall take.

There was a sudden burst of applause in the room, though a few of the professors seemed unnerved.

"One of the better songs I would believe eh Harry?" Fred said from somewhere behind him and he nodded slightly as McGonagall brought up a piece of parchment, still eyeing the hat warily. "When I call your name-come up and place the hat on your head, and it shall sort you."

Opening the list she looked down and began to say a name, but raised her eyebrows skyward, at the very first one on the list. And with a hint of amusement in her voice, and a glimpse towards Harry's way she spoke. "James… Prongser..."

At this Harry nearly fell out of his seat, and when he looked up he saw a kid with, messy black hair, pale skin and an evil glint to his blue eyes, except without the glasses, he was hardly a match for the original bearer of the name.

It took a few moments however, for the hat to make it's choice, but when it did, there were three people in the room (next to Harry) who were shocked to hear the decision (those who'd been acquainted with a certain Potter child in the past..).

"SLYTHERIN"

At this Remus choked back a cough and struggled to retain a professional look, while gaining sideways glances from the other professors, and Arabella shook her head. Severus on the other hand, made a face not too common; a small twisted smile came to his face at the irony of that one moment.

Everything moved on smoothly after that, and it seemed as if most of the students were going into Hufflepuff or Slytherin.

Soon however... "Anne Bennings..." he looked up. "Ravenclaw!" and caught her smiling brightly as she moved to the table, he looked back up to the sorting hat.

"Annette Bennings." There was silence as she slid the too big hat over her head. "Gryffindor!!"

Like usual whenever they gained a new member there was wild applause for Annette as she took her seat next to another 1st year. She looked down the table and caught sight of Harry, and they both waved at once and smiled.

"You know that first year, Harry?" Hermione asked when he turned back to them.

"Yeah, that's Annette, I stayed with her family for a bit before--coming here." he said and she nodded slightly, a curious look on her face.

After about 15 more students were sorted (four more in Gryffindor, two into Slytherin, the rest to Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw) Dumbledore stood up and everybody quieted down right away.

"Yes, yes… welcome back everyone. Now, I will start off with the usual round of welcoming notices. The Forbidden forest, has its name for a good reason, and it is that reason that I ask nobody--of any age, to go near it." he paused and gave the room time to quiet down before launching into a full speech.

"The battle has once again begun, and you, like your parents did, will most unfortunately grow up in a time of great darkness, this I will not conceal. You will notice as well, a few seats empty where they should be full, this is from family's either pulling their students out, or other reasons unknown. I ask of you nothing more than keep your faith, and to those already lost, and those who will be lost, that we honor them and hold them in our hearts." this hit especially hard for the Hufflepuff's who went suddenly silent, as did Harry who suddenly felt quite a few eyes fall on him.

"Now-" he said his eyes glittering slightly behind his snowy white beard. "Onto better news, I shall now introduce to you--well two of your three Defense Against the Dark Arts professors." this caused quite a bit of chatter to erupt within the room but quieted down again swiftly.

"Right then, I'm sure you'll recognize one of our returning professors from a couple of years ago. Please welcome back Professor Remus Lupin as one of our ever revered… Defense teachers." he said and there was a loud eruption of applause as the younger man stood up and cast a wave to the students, nodding with a smile to Harry and the surrounding few. "As well as another student from Hogwarts… One Arabella Figg." she stood up and barely hid a wince of pain as she bowed slightly and sat down waving off a very concerned Remus.

"Two of our Professors will be coming in later on in the year, or even the day, one of whom is a person we all should remember from the end of last year. Fluer Delacour, who will be one of our deputy professors to most of the staff this year, as well as helping out with other matters at hand, you should be seeing her around school this year." at this another wild bit of talk broke out, mostly from the boys of the school, one Ronald Weasley in particular.

The Headmaster waited once more for it to quiet down before he continued. "Now Douglas Mauro will also be a deputy professor, though he will mostly be taking the place of Hagrid when he is unable to make classes this year, and we also have a Defense Trainer who will be showing up sometime within the next few months, he will also be helping when one or more of our other Professors is unable to attend class." he said his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

A sharp cough from beside him made him start and a few of the students laugh. "Oh! yes, one more introduction, we also have a Potions Mistress, for those unfortunate occasions Professor Snape is unable to teach class… Let me introduce before you all sit to eat--Lilian Deshandra.

Then there was silence as a woman with porcelain skin and amazingly long, thick, almost jet black hair stood up and bowed, letting her blood red cloak fall around her. She stood straight again and it was then that Harry started to clap when nobody else did, soon followed Ron and Hermione, and the rest of the Gryffindor table (as well as Remus and Arabella with smiles) and eventually it spread to nearly the rest of the other tables.

She looked to Harry and met eyes, emerald to emerald… and he sat there stunned. She then blinked slowly breaking the contact and sat down, ignoring the sour look she received from a certain Potions master on her other side.

"So! With that, I say… dig in!" and he clapped his hands as food appeared before everybody and they began to eat.

------



After a while, and after everybody had their fill and were now talking amongst themselves, Dumbledore stood up again and the remnants of the food disappeared leaving sparkling dishes and cutlery and said in an amused manor. "Now that all of you have been--I would assume, sufficiently fed it is time for bed, as you all won't want to miss your first day of classes tomorrow."

At this there was the usual amount of grumbling, though mostly from a few certain Gryffindor's, that didn't go unnoticed. "Now off you go, Prefects, take the first years to your respective common rooms, goodnight." and with that everybody was off. Well mostly everybody, Harry stayed back and looked around the Great Hall as it slowly emptied out-of both students and teachers. He finally spotted who he was looking for just near the doors.

Serena!

She hesitated and then turned around, nearly colliding with another 5th year. Yes? she replied in a resigned manner.

Where were you? Harry asked as he started towards her, still uncomfortable with this telepathy business.

She looked at him with what he almost interpreted as a sad _expression and asked feebly, What do you mean?

Why didn't you stay around to meet Ron and Hermione? Harry pressed and she sighed.

He noticed she laughed nervously before speaking aloud as they started out the doors together. "I'm really sorry Harry, I must seem like such a sap for disappearing like that. But I... em…--well you wouldn't understand." she said shortly her attitude changing all together.

"What do you mean I wouldn't understand? Why not?"

"Not yet, I can't." he thought she was speaking to him, but it looked as if she was speaking to somebody else all together. "You wouldn't understand, let's just leave it at that alright?" she said softly to him and before he could get another word in edge wise she slid into a secret passage and disappeared.

-------

Making his way up to the boy's dorm Harry changed and went to lay down, but stopped when he noticed a package on his bed with a note attached.

This will come in handy soon, do not lose it. But feel free to look through it if you wish.

There was no signature, and he had no idea whom it was from.

Opening up the parcel he saw a rather large book. Looking rather old it was blood red with silver trimming. Sitting down silently, and making sure Ron and the others were already asleep he caught site of Golden Letters forming a title in a language he didn't understand.

Ultimus Tutelae

Incatamenti, Incantare et omnia tu requirere te defendere tu ipse.

It was in Latin, but besides all the curses he knew, there was nothing in Latin that he understood..

Opening the book up he found the English translation to the title, thankfully.

Ultimate Protection

Spells, Charms and everything you need to defend yourself.

"Who would have given this to me… and why would it come in handy..." He muttered to himself before flipping through a few pages quickly then setting it down and falling into a deep sleep.

-------

It wasn't until the next day did he realize that the passage lead to the Gryffindor Common Room. Mostly by accident, as coming down for breakfast he'd collided with Serena again, who cast him a dark glare before hurrying up the steps looking rather worn.

He watched the stairs momentarily before being brought back to reality. "Oi Harry, you there?"

"What? Sorry Ron." he said turning to his friend with a sheepish smile.

"You waiting for somebody? Or can we head down to the Great Hall, I'm positively starved."

Hermione made her way down the stairs, books in hand looking at the two boys sternly. "When aren't you starved Ron? Now come on, I want to get my schedule."

"Why? Did you take up more classes again?" Ron asked sarcastically gaining a sharp glare.

"No! For your information I have not." she said hotly and then turned to Harry. "Harry, Professor Lupin told me last night that he wanted to talk to you this morning about something, he said to meet him during breakfast up at the head table."

This caught Harry off-guard. "What about?"

"He didn't say, but he was smiling a little, so I think it was a good thing."

"Good thing too, at least you're not in trouble eh?" Ron added with a grin and Harry chuckled.

"Not yet anyways, it's only the first real day of classes." he replied and the three of them went down to the Great Hall together, only to break when Harry caught sight of Remus who waved him over.

"I'll talk to you later you two." He whispered and took off towards the Head table. "Professor Lupin? Hermione said you wanted to talk to me about something."

"Yes I did Harry. Tell me, did you happen to receive an interesting parcel last night?" he asked with a curious look in his eyes.

"Yeah, why--wait was it you who-"

"No, I didn't give it to you Harry, somebody else did. But I need you to bring it with you to Defense class Harry, and also for you to stay behind after class. I'll be teaching this morning." he said thoughtfully then let out an "Oh!" which caused Lilian to choke on her tea and glare at him evilly. Smiling sheepishly he handed Harry a piece of parchment. "Here Harry, now go back with Ron and Hermione, and say hi for me ok?"

"I will Professor." with that and a wave to Remus he went back to the Gryffindor table and sat down between his already bickering friends.

"I did not!"

"You did too Ron, I know you did."

"I did no--" Ron stopped when Harry appeared between then. "Oi, hey Harry. What'd Lupin want?"

"Just basically wanted to tell me to bring something to Defense class, aside from the regular book, and that I need to stay after—No, he didn't tell me why Ron, and no I don't have the slightest idea."

"Could it be about… you know. Snuffles?" Hermione asked gently as she placed a plate of food in front of Harry who smirked at her.

"Never thought of that… Could be." he said and took a bite of his eggs then, like Remus before shouted. "Oh!" and caused Hermione to choke on her pumpkin juice, which caused a smile from Remus up at the head table who apparently saw this.

Pulling out the parchment he looked it over. "Oh, it's my schedule… hey Ron d'you have Double Potions again too?"

"Yeah, with the Slytherins, bloody gits the lot of em." The red head muttered and then smirked at Harry.

"Yeah, then we have double defense with the… Hufflepuffs?" This caught Harry off-guard and he stopped eating. Well, I see where this is going to go...

Ron however started to talk about his other classes, griping about Divination, ignoring Hermione's 'advice' to have dropped it like she did and then getting into another argument. Harry however was looking over his schedule again. "This can't be right.." he mumbled to himself earning two very curious looks.

"What can't be right?" Hermione asked ignoring an evil look from Ron.

"Nothing." Harry muttered avoiding her eye as he grabbed a piece of toast, stood up and headed for the door.

"Hey Potter, how's baby girl Bennings doing?" Malfoy asked coolly to the passing Gryffindor.

Ignoring him Harry passed by and rolled his eyes, which caused a great deal of annoyance to Draco.

-----

Almost in a repeat of their first meeting Harry turned a corner and collided with somebody, who turned out to be a very ragged looking Serena.

"Well this is a right peachy predicament, nice running into you again Harry." she said pulling herself up and then offering him a hand, helped him up as well.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing! I-I just thought I was going to be late for Potions…" she said and let out a snort.

"Well that's not surprising, so you have Potions too, where are your things?" He asked suspiciously, trying to call her lie.

"Honestly? I wasn't planning on bringing them, give Snape a hard time." she said offhandedly.

"Now that I don't believe."

"Would you believe I forgot?"

"That I'd believe, come on we'll go get our things we've still got 10 minutes to get down to the dungeons so we're safe." Harry said and then started back in the direction that Serena had come from.

And soon after they found themselves heading down the stone steps of the Dungeons in silence.

When they got there, a crowd of students massed into two groups were waiting on opposite sides of the door.

"What's going on?" Harry asked as he made his way over to Hermione and Ron, hand grabbing Serena's wrist so she couldn't make to escape.

"Professor Snape's not here yet." Hermione muttered and caught sight of Serena who was looking at her nervously.

"Harry who's tha-"

"Move aside!" the Potions Master snapped to a couple of the other Gryffindors as he pushed his way through and slammed the door open in rather familiar motion and the kids filed in, Serena deftly slipping away once again.

Stopping to look around Harry felt somebody shove him. "Forget what you were doing Potter?"

"Stuff it Malfoy."

"Nice come back scar face."

"You little-"

"Potter, Malfoy, sit. NOW!" Snape ordered and the both of them cast one last look at each other before moving to their respective seats, Harry next to Ron and Draco next to another girl with dark brown hair who looked over at him and waved mock sweetly.

After several moments of silence Snape turned around and started to speak. "Today we will be making a surprisingly... easy potion for you simpletons. The Canus Reddere." He said as a strangely twisted smile made its way onto his lips. "However, this potion, in its own element is complicated… as its effects are many. I don't suppose any of you would know this information?"

At this one hand shot up. Hermione knew the answer, but of course Severus wanted to hear somebody elses answer. "Put your hand down you obnoxious girl!" He snapped and then caught sight of one of the new students and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Ah… Ms. McKay, would you care to grace the class with your knowledge of this subject? Should you have any?" he said icily and the room fell into a tense silence.

However, soon enough the silence was broken by an alto voice in the back of the class. "Of course, sir. Canus reddere, the shortened version of Canus efficacem reddere... known as, all too amusingly, the White Hair Effect. Interesting opener, professor, by the way."

Severus raised an eyebrow but allowed her to continue.

"Yes, well… this specific potion, as the title says, causes the person drinking the concoction, if prepared correctly, to have white hair. Simple right? Perfect in a complete bodily make-over, as the White Hair effect can be done in many colors." she paused then glanced around the room. "Also known as the Dealbare Illecebrae it is not, absolutely not to be confused with the Canascere Efficacem Reddere which is known to counter certain black magic spells…"

Severus looked at her sharply at this last comment, but she only smiled secretly. "How did you-"

"Incidentally..." she continued quelling his question immediately. "Put in too much unicorn hair and you may end up with a rather strong Relegationis Illecebrae or binding enchantment, and… it's not recommended you go to slap somebody after drinking this potion… just incase. It takes a much stronger spell to break the enchantment, wouldn't want to be stuck to your worst enemy, now would you?"

This caused a chuckle from a few of the other Gryffindors, but Malfoy and his new partner glared at her evilly.

"Yes, well… congratulations Ms. McKay for wasting 5 minutes of our time with that incessant babble."

"A bit Narky today are we Professor?" She asked in, what was perceived as a mock-sweet manner.

Everybody waited for her to A) get thrown out of class or B) Get killed on the spot. But neither was right.

Strangely enough he tilted his head to the side and cast her a begrudging look before continuing his discussion on the potion, and all the ingredients needed.

-------

It was after Potions that the trouble happened halfway up the dungeon stairs Malfoy stopped Harry.

"So, Potter--which is it for the new girlfriend? Mudblood, baby girl, or Smart-arse blond."

"Who's the leech that was with you this morning Malfoy? What's wrong, Pansy finally got the better of you?" Ron retorted when he came up next to Harry.

By this time Hermione had made her way up the staircase as well and stopped at Harry's other side.

"Ah, Granger… how does it feel to have been one-upped by a first time student hm? You're not the top of the ladder now are you mudblood, granted… not that you ever were." he sneered.

Ron and Harry both pulled their wands but Hermione stared at him coldly. "You know… It must be the worst thing in the world to know that no one loves you Malfoy." she said softly and pushed past him.

Ron grinned slightly and Harry had to stop a laugh when she called back over her shoulder, "And 5 points from Slytherin for your mouth Malfoy."

This was the clincher, his cheeks reddened and he stormed up the stairwell, shoving her out of the way and down the hallway.

"Way to go 'Mione!" Ron laughed as he caught up with her.

"How many times do I have to tell you Ron? Don't call me Mione!"

He flushed and they continued on to Double Defense, the mood slightly higher than before.

------

A little while later the trio found themselves in front of the Defense classroom door, Ron and Hermione had fallen into a discussion about something and Harry was casting a curious glance around before they walked in.

At first nothing really happened, Remus wasn't around, and neither were there that many other students, a few other Gryffindors and a couple Hufflepuffs near the back.
"Wonder where Professor Lupin is." Hermione whispered as she took a seat near the front Harry sitting down next to her and Ron on the other side.

After a minute he noticed Serena slip into class, and he got up to go get her. But he was stopped suddenly when he collided with one of the entering Hufflepuff boys.

Attempting to apologize Harry nearly missed the hissing whisper of "Murderer" from the boy.

He faltered and the boy, Clarence, pulled out his wand.

"I.."

"You what?"

He couldn't find the ability to speak, he'd expected some anger, even open animosity from the other house but this? "I'm sorry." He trailed of lamely.

"You're sorry? Oh that's rich!" he exclaimed catching a few of the others in his house's attention, as well as Hermione and Ron who both got up and started towards them.

Any time you want to make an appearance Professor feel free. Harry thought to himself silently. "Look, I don't want any trouble." He started and backed up a little cursing the fact that he'd left his own wand back at the table.

"Pathetic." Clarence muttered and raised his wand pointing it at Harry then muttered a spell sounding like "Breata Awarta" and a rush of blue hit him in the chest and he stumbled backwards the air rushing out of his lungs.

"Harry!" Hermione cried as she ran up to him.

"What did you do to him" Ron demanded to Clarence who looked at the two of them darkly.

"Not a thing." He said smugly as he watched Harry struggling to breathe.

"Stop it! He can't breathe!" Hermione exclaimed and that caught the other Gryffindor's attention and they all looked over to the scene.

"Pity." The Hufflepuff said coldly.

With the passing argument Harry felt as if his chest were going to explode if he didn't get some air soon. He fell to his knees as his vision started to blur.

Ron had raised his wand and was pointing it at Clarence, while Hermione was looking quite frantic when another person walked through the door way and stopped taking in the scene.

"Harry?" he questioned then his eyes widened. "Finite Incantatem!" he said and the spell he'd been hit with stopped.

The reaction was immediate, just before he passed out Harry felt the pressure go off his chest and the air suddenly returned with a crash to his lungs and he let out a shuddering cough as he gasped.

Hermione was on her knees and helping him to stand up as Professor Lupin told off Clarence.

"15 points from Hufflepuff, Mr. Bowen, for deliberately causing harm to a fellow student and report to Filch tonight at 8 to discuss your detention! Now go sit down." The older wizard said as the boy glared at him angrily but went back to his seat.

"You ok Harry?" He asked as Harry sat down again at his seat.

Waving off the question Harry nodded. "Fine, professor."

Casting the younger boy one more questioning look he turned back and went up to the desk.

Harry on the other hand sighed with relief that no more questions were asked. Bloody smooth Potter, get yourself hexed by a Hufflepuff. He thought to himself darkly as he stared rather blankly at the Defense book in front of him. Guess I deserved it though, however I didn't think it would happen this early in the year, or like that, bloody hell that was painful, it still hurts to breathe.

"Harry!" Hermione hissed and brought him back to reality. "Pay attention!"

------

"Go on, I'll catch you at lunch guys." Harry said to Ron and Hermione when everybody else left the room.

"Okay." Hermione whispered and literally dragged Ron out.

Once the room was empty, not counting Harry and Remus the older of the two looked at the younger. "So."

"So…"

"How are you doing?"

"What kind of a question is that?"

"A rather legitimate one considering what you've been through these past few months. "

Harry had the grace to look ashamed when he looked back up at Remus. "Sorry Professor..."

"Just call me Remus."

"Sorry Remus, just..."

"Not been the best day?" Remus helped.

"Can we talk about why you asked me to stay after?" the raven haired boy asked.

"You have the book?"

"Yeah?"

"Good, keep that with you at all times, and-before you ask, yes your schedule is correct." Remus said with a smile.

"But why?"

"Because--considering the circumstances, a few of the staff members agree that, personally, you need a bit more advanced training. So instead of Divination this year you're going to have advanced Dark Arts training. As well as a little bit of Auror training, just the basics, nothing over strenuous." at Harry's questioning gaze he added. "Why? Because, with the ever present and growing threat of Voldemort you need to know more than what you, Ron and Hermione learned last year. Thought I have heard you did some pretty good practicing." He finished with a jovial smile.

Harry was silent for a second before he blinked. "Ok, so instead of Divination I get advanced Dark Defense, and a little bit of Auror training… who's going to teach me besides you and Arabella, I'm assuming she'll be one of the teachers."

"Good question, well I can assure you this isn't going to be a huge group effort, but it's not going to be too personal either, you'll get a little bit of knowledge from all teachers who have experience in this ordeal, and at rather odd intervals, especially considering all that's going on this year." he stopped suddenly then shook his head. "But never you mind about that."

This caused Harry to become a bit more curious but he quelled his questions for later. "I looked through the book a little last night."

"And?"

"It looks really interesting, but a lot of it I can't read, it's in another language, plus most of this seems way too complicated to learn! I mean, some of this stuff, it has to be way above even a seventh year's level!" he flipped through the book again and then looked back up. "I mean, it doesn't make sense, I'm only a fifth year, not even top of my class at that!"

"Harry..." Remus said as he leaned against his desk and folded his arms. "We're not expecting you to start perfect, to reach perfection, or to even reach Auror status, we're simply going to be helping you gain more knowledge and skills than you have at the moment. You need to be prepared, that's all."

The younger boy looked down at the book, then back up at Remus and sighed. "But what if I can't do it, I mean, what if it's way too hard?"

"Then it's hard- Harry, I was taught as a child that the way to progress is neither swift nor easy, and trust me, the progress you make will not have to meet expectations, we won't be setting any. Whatever you achieve will be enough for us. As long as you try."

There was still an uneasy look in the boy's eyes. "You are just like your father." He mused to himself.

"Huh?"

"I remember, when Sirius first brought up the idea of becoming Animagi. Now, James may have been rather adventurous, and trust me, he would do anything for a laugh, but the one major problem he had, was worrying about meeting his own expectations." He then laughed at this. "And trust me, your father-set some of the most unbelievable goals for himself, very few of them did he ever achieve." He paused in thought. "If you must know James, just after Peter was the one to wonder if they could pull it off. Sure he was all for being there for me during, well you know, but boy… when he couldn't get his transformation, it was hell. He always thought he would be able to master it within a month or so, maybe even three. But he didn't and it really left him angry."

Harry had been listening rapt, this was one of the first times he'd heard anything about his father, personal that is. "So? What happened?"

"He finally relaxed! Relented that maybe his goal of a few months was a little rash and decided to take it a step at a time, unlike Sirius who would throw a fit like a little child till the day he finally succeeded." Remus looked at Harry smiling a little as he let the boy think. "Trust me Harry. I know you're only fifteen; you've been through so much in your life all ready. But really you don't need to worry if you can't do this, or you can't perfect that. It didn't get your father anything, besides a headache."

Silent for a few more moments Harry looked up to his father's friend and smiled. "I guess there's no way to argue that logic."

"Not unless you would rather stay in divination." The older man said with an amused smile.

"You know, I think I'm willing to give it a shot."

"Sounds good to me, and… there will be a time or two where you could bring Ron and or Hermione. Granted you don't tell them too much. I mean, you know they're going to get suspicious about the 'get out of divination' problem, so tell them about Advanced Dark Defense, but nothing more. Ok? It was a stretch for us to even be able to do this in the first place."

"Alright," Harry paused, "Remus?"

"Yeah?"

"How's Sirius doing?"

"He's doing fine Harry, he says hi and hopes to be able to see you soon enough, in fact I'm expecting a letter from him soon about something, now-come on, let's go get something to eat, my next class isn't until tomorrow."

"Right."

--------

Thankfully the rest of the day went quietly, Harry told Ron and Hermione about Advanced Defense, and Ron nearly went off the hook at having to be in Divination alone.

"You're just going to leave me there with that kook Harry? Some friend you are, I bet she'll start predicting my death now!" He had shouted in a suffering tone.

"Oh, yea right, knowing my luck, she'll take my absence as a sign that her predictions came true and she'll be all moping, sobbing about how the 'Poor Poor boy' didn't take her advice. 'Now look where it's gotten him… I wonder what finally did it?'"

"Yeah, Harry… what should I tell her if that really happens?"

"Tell her you died from falling off your broom!" Fred interjected

"No! Tell her you got in the way of one of their crazy experiments and that finished you off." Ginny piped up.

"You could always tell her he died of heartache." Hermione had added softly.

"What?" everybody asked blankly.

"Yeah. 'I'm so terribly sorry Professor, but poor Harry, when he heard he wasn't going to be able to attend your class anymore… well he up and died of broken heart disease.'" she said with a terribly solemn tone of voice.

This caused the small group to break into a not-so-soft fit of laughter.

Finally the end of the day came, everybody was heading up to their respective Common Room's for the night, and Hermione left with a promise that she'd give Harry his present later on.

"Come on Ron, let's get upstairs."

"Yeah, I want to give you my present to, I really think you'll enjoy this!"

But as they reached the Great Hall doors they heard a rather… interesting argument going on from outside, nearly everybody was trying to avoiding the insult match between the two girls.

"Serena!?" Harry said in shock when he noticed her adding some pretty good retorts to the Slytherin girl in front of her.

"I wasn't born yesterday you know McKay." The brown haired girl said in a snippy tone of voice as she grasped her wand in her hand.

"More's the pity, we could have started your personality from scratch Zigger." Serena replied smugly also clasping her wand in hand as the other girl bristled.

"That's it!" she snapped and a huge blast of blue hit Serena and she stumbled back sopping wet.

"You--you… Ugh!" She let out an aggravated cry and yelled "Levis!" (Lev ees) and something totally unexpected happened, a wave of green fell from no where leaving Lizzy standing there, eyes clinched shut, mouth open in a shocked 'O' as green slime slid off her body to the ground in a large puddle.

She stood there stunned as she wiped some of the slime out of her face, and stared at the smugly smiling soaked blonde.

"Serena!!" she half exploded.

A few moments of silence as both girls cleaned themselves up with a cleaning charm.

"I'm waiting for an apology!"

"You'd better check the temperature in hell first."

Ron's jaw dropped and Harry couldn't help but laugh as another person came out from the hallway behind Lizzy.

"Very smart mouth you have there McKay."

"Why thank you Mr. Malfoy, I pride myself in my attitude." she said quirking an eyebrow as she rung her hair out.

"You going to apologize for insulting my friend here?"

"Are you off yer nut? O' course I'm not gunna apologize to her." she said casting a glance over at Harry who shook his head.

"Oh, look who's joined the fun!" Draco sneered when he saw Harry and Ron. "Scar-face and Weasel."

"Couldn't let you have all the fun Ferret boy." Ron snapped and caused Malfoy to throw him a very dirty look.

"Care to say that to my face Weasley?"

"Not particularly no, that would require getting within a few feet of you." The red head said sarcastically.

Within seconds he found himself against the doors laughing histerically. "H-Ha-Harry!! H-Hel-Help me out. It's t-the l-ti-ticking-curse!"

Lizzy was laughing. "What a loser."

"Watch it Zigger!" Serena snapped and Lizzy ducked a furnuculus curse.

"Hey!"

"Straw--yikes, bugger!" she stumbled to the side nearly getting hit by a tickling curse.

"And just where are the teachers?" Harry wondered to himself before crying out in surprise and turning around calling the counter curse at Ron who finally stopped laughing and got up weakly.

"Took you… long enough."

"Sorry Ron."

Suddenly the both turned around just in time to see two flashes of light heading their way. "Argh!" "What the devil?"

They looked at each other stunned.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Green hair on you really isn't the best."

"Not that you look good in Silver."

"What's the counter curse?"

"I don't know…"

They both turned and looked at Malfoy, who was looking smugly at the two of them while Lizzy was back to an argument with Serena, who closed in on her.

"Care to change us back?"

"Not on your life Potter."

"Take it back Serena."

"No."

"Take it back now... Micky."

"What did you call me?"

"You heard me… Micky girl."

"That's it…" Serena said and she dived at Lizzy and lost her wand in the process.

"Serena! No! You're going to get a detention!"

Suddenly there was the sound of rather loud footsteps down the corridor and Draco turned around in time to see somebody coming down the hallway.

"Serena!"

"You bloody git, get off me!" Lizzy yelled and tried to get a good aim at Serena as she yelled out "Sexus Transitus!" but was blocked and the curse ricocheted off the wall and hit the on-coming adult head on.

The two girls stopped their brawl long enough to looked up stunned.

"Oh… no."

Ron had to choke back laughter and Harry was struggling with a bout of hysterics over horrification.

It was another voice on the opposite end of the hall that decided the winner.

"Severus… my my, seems we've *ahem*... changed a touch since the feast." It was Remus, and he too was trying to stop himself from laughing.

"Professor!" Draco cried in astonishment when he finally got the sense to look at Snape, his eyes wide in horror and disbelief.

"What are you going on about Werewolf?" Snape snapped and stood up, not quite noticing the pitch change.

"Don't look now... but I do believe you look a lot more like Lilian than you ever have before." Remus said and had to hide his laughter behind a cough.

"What was that curse Lizzy?" Ron asked in curiosity and earned a scathing look from his professor, which only helped to make him laugh again.

This caused the Potions Professor to conjure up a mirror to see what was causing all the un-due amusement, expecting to see changed hair color (which he, unfortunately was used to from past experience), but instead let out a rather high pitched shriek and the mirror crashed to the ground shattering.

"WHO DID THIS TOO ME?!!"

Serena got up looking rather nervous, as did Lizzy who suddenly pointed to Serena, and found a finger pointing at her.

"What's with all the noise?" An unfamiliar female voice said as she opened the Great Hall doors and looked, in shock at Severus. "Oh. Merlin." she said and put her hand up to her face in amusement.

"Severus..."

"Don't say it Lilian."

"Do you know you've been turned in to a female?"

This only caused more anger from the black haired Professor who let out a shrill growl and glowered at the five students in front of… her with a murderous expression.

One of them was going to die. Or at least get expelled.

-------

Ms. Virginia and Dragon forever *snickers*: So? What did you think? Lol, more twins, will be up in the next few chapters, there are reasons they're there. ^_^

Renoldo9: Gotcha! Hope you liked this chapter... more space? How's this for more space, it's about 26 pages by "My" word pads counter, could be more. It was fun to write once I got passed some of the boring stuff… lol.

As for Jaimey… you girl, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I really hope you're safe there!! Please be safe, and enjoy this chapter! AND GET YOUR NEXT CHAPTER OUT ASAP! YA hear?!

*gets a really evil grin*

Next chapter?

Well expect it soon.  I'll be going up north this weekend, of the 18-20th and since it's now snowing, :looks out the study hall window: I'll most likely be doing a whole lot of writing from here to Monday.  So I'll see what I have, Wednesday at the earliest, Next Friday at the latest.  Maybe Halloween week.  Yeah, I think I'll write, make it really good and really long, then start the adventure over Halloween and post it around then.  Hope you guys don't mind the wait, but now that I've suddenly gotten myself more interested in this story (and now that it's nearing the time that I really NEED it to be in order to get the plot really moving) the chapters will be long, but they will be kind of spread apart. 

Not too far, I may get a really short chapter up next week, then a longer one up Halloween week, just to make it interesting.  :shrugs:  It all comes down to where my mind takes me.

:taps her head:

So I ask that all of you stay healthy, have a good weekend (as it's Friday when I post this) and just… peace.

//(^_^)\\ \/ (Yikes…lol)

Cheers! :waves:

Ms. Prongs!