Disclaimers etc in Part 1

A/N – Thanks to all my reviewers – particularly Lyansidde and Yunadax for their continued encouragement.

Minerva McGonagall tightened the Chinese burn she was applying to Harry's wrist. Everyone had to have at least one vice to keep them interesting. Dumbledore's was ten-pin bowling and Minerva's was watching Jackie Chan movies.

Occasionally the wizarding world could learn a lot from Muggle culture; Minerva mused as she applied even more pressure to Harry's wrist. A correctly applied Chinese burn caused plenty of pain but with none of the side effects of an Unforgivable.

Quite effective in one on one combat, really, she thought.

"Professor – OWWWWWWWWW! What are you doing?" Finally Harry dropped his wand.

"Back to your common room immediately Mr Potter," Minerva barked. "Wait for me there."

Confused and his wrist still stinging from the Chinese burn, Harry headed back the castle trying to work out how to explain things to Ron and Hermoine. Was the strange wizard he disturbed a renegade Death Eater? Where did McGonagall learn how to do a Chinese burn? Both were pretty disturbing thoughts.

"Are you hurt, my dear sir?" Never in his seven years at Hogwarts had Harry heard his head of house addressing a contemporary with so much tenderness. Hiding behind a tree, he continued to watch the exchange.

"Gentle lady, I am well. While I don't believe the lad meant me harm, why did you stop the spell he was casting? Do you consider him to be some sort of threat to my well being?"

Like so many at Hogwarts right now, Gandalf was joining the legion of the confused and magical. Minerva wondered where to begin the necessary explanations about her three favourite Griffindors and the continual struggle against Lord Voldemort.

Guiding Gandalf from the forest to a stone bench in the shade of the astronomy tower, Minerva began her explanation of the life and death of James and Lily Potter, the birth of Harry, his existence with the Dursleys, Harry's years at Hogwarts, the never ending battles against Voldemort and the dark one's subsequent disappearance.

"No, Harry Potter is no threat to your well being here at Hogwarts." Minerva placed a hand on Gandalf's, hoping to provide reassurance to her visitor.

"The last time anyone had that look on their face, they were trying to kill me. I was only trying to make that poor beast's last moments as dignified as I could." Gandalf stared at Minerva, squeezing her hand and almost willing her to believe him.

Harry was fuming about Professor McGonagall's actions in the forest all the way back to the castle. Why had the deputy principal stopped him from killing one of Voldemort's minions? It was bad enough that he had to get his head around Snape working as a double agent, but Professor McGonagall defending one from the dark side? If this were where the wizarding world was heading, he would rather move back in with the Dursleys.

By the time he reached the Fat Lady, he was at boiling point. As for the Fat Lady, she was so surprised at his demeanor she let Harry in without asking for the password. Throwing his legs over the arms of one of the chairs in the common room, the Gryffindor seeker stared at the fire.

"McGonagall has gone barking mad," he muttered.

"In the name of Merlin, Harry – what are you talking about?" Hermoine would not tolerate any criticism of her favourite teacher.

"That strange wizard who has been with the professors for the last couple of days. I'm sure he is some sort of servant of Voldemort's who has got them all sucked in with his stranger from another world routine. He was leaning over a bleeding unicorn and the last person we all saw doing that was Voldemort."

"Have you spoken to this other wizard?" Ron asked.

"Why do I have to? I know what I saw in that forest. Enough said."

"Well, you pair can sit around and discuss this for as long as you like but it won't get any kind of useful straight answer." Hermoine gathered a couple of parchments and a quill, before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Where are you going?" Ron demanded.

"To do what I do best."

"Raid the library and break into the restricted section?" Harry teased.

Hermoine smiled and, with a reply of "maybe, maybe not", disappeared through the portrait hole.