Harry Potter and the Age of Deceit

by kiwimage

It’s Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts and the magical world is beginning to fall apart. Well-known people are seen committing horrendous crimes and there are rumours of disappearances. The Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge Voldemort has returne

5. New Lessons

Chapter 1.5 New Lessons

"What the­" Harry began as he blinked and rubbed his eyes.  He reached for his glasses and wand.  Both were present were he normally kept them.  He got out of bed and walked about touching things.  He was in a dormitory at Hogwarts.  It was like the one he had had last year but was subtly different.  He wondered if it was the fifth year's dormitory or perhaps a not quite perfect illusion.  It certainly looked like a Gryffindor room.  Harry saw that his trunk was at the end of the bed he had been in although the others beds looked empty and devoid of any possessions.  It looked as if he was alone and he went to his chest and searched for his invisibility cloak.  It wasn't to be found.  Neither were any of his robes.  He stood up feeling very naked without his invisibility cloak and was about to reluctantly go on exploring without his cloak when he realised Oppy might be around.  He looked under the bed and saw a small scrap of cloth.  It looked as if it just ended abruptly in mid air, as if most of it was under an invisibility cloak.  Harry reached for it before stopping as he remembered that Oppy was rather poisonous and did not like being disturbed.

"Oppy," he whispered repeatedly but he got no response. Reluctantly he reached in, grabbed the visible section, and pulled it towards him.

A low hissed "What?" had Harry stopping.

"Hello Oppy," Harry said.

"Hello Harry.  Why have you disturbed me?"

"You have my robes."

"You reclaimed them."

"You're in them."

"But…yes I am in them.  Why am I in them?  Did you return them to me?"  She hissed in a hopeful tone.

"No something very strange is going on," Harry said as he pulled his robes and Oppy clear of the bed.  Oppy slid onto the floor as Harry put the invisibly cloak on leaving his head uncovered.

"Where are we Harry," Oppy said as she looked about.

"Hogwarts I think but I don't remember coming here and no one else is here.  My stuff and you were moved here though.  I think we were abducted."

"What is Hogwarts?"

"My school.  If it is Hogwarts it should be safe but I'm not sure it is Hogwarts," Harry said in a whisper, "do you want to stay here while I go and investigate or do you want to come with me."

"I will come with you."

"Er I suppose," Harry said and lifted a willing Oppy up into his arms.  She ended up coiled about his neck and seemed to be content.  Harry was a bit nervous about the arrangement but wasn't about to say anything to upset her.  He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and, holding his wand ready, he proceeded out of the room.  It led to some very familiar stairs and Harry walked down them.  It looked as if he had been in the fifth year dorm if his surrounding were to be believed.  He continued out into a very familiar but empty Gryffindor common room.

 He looked about and seeing nothing of interest, he went to the entrance.  He pushed it open and went into the corridor outside of it.  He pushed the painting closed and looked at it.  The fat lady was nowhere to be seen but the painting did appear to be hers.

He decided to walk to Dumbledore's office as that meant, he might see his professor and he was sure that he would have that answer to his questions.  As he went he noticed many things including several paintings that he remembered; the occupants of which appeared to be grouped together in a few paintings and were engaged in various activities including one rowdy game of cards that caught Harry's attention.  It really did appear to be Hogwarts although it was far more silent than he remembered it.  It was like it was during the dead of night although Harry was fairly certain it was late in the morning. He was halfway to his destination when he heard soft sobbing.  Intrigued he followed it to the source.  It was coming from a painting.  In it were several people Harry recognised including the fat lady and her friend Violet.  Sir Cadogan was sitting in the background looking very sombre indeed.

"And he was so young," the fat lady sobbed

"He may yet turn up, remember the scare he gave us all when he ran away from home.  He may have done so again," Violet said in a disbelieving voice. Harry realised with a shock that they were most likely talking about him.  He'd run away from home once before and caused a furore although it was just now that he truly realised the consequences of that act.  He'd made people cry.  He couldn't take it anymore and given that it seemed unlikely a painting could hurt him, he removed his hood.  The fat lady saw him first.  Her features froze as her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"Harry?" she whispered in a hoarse disbelieving tone.

"Don't' worry they'll find him" Violet whispered not seeing Harry.

"Is it you?"  The fat lady said and everybody else in the portrait looked up at him.  Disbelief was etched into every face.

"Hi," Harry said hesitantly.

"H-Harry you're alive," the fat lady said weakly

"Er yes I am. I guess you don't know how I got here then?  This is Hogwarts right?" Harry asked.  She nodded and she slowly seemed to accept the unexpected development.  A growing whisper swept though the halls as other paintings realised just who was present and spread the news. Very rapidly, his name was echoing along the corridors.

"HARRY POTTER, he's safe, he's here, HARRY POTTER" Harry winced.  It was one thing to say he was here.  It was quite another to have it broadcast to the entire school.  Someone might hear and come looking for him.

"Freeze!" a voice called out.  Harry duly froze.  It took him a fraction of a second to realise the speaker was known to him. Professor McGonagall.  Harry turned to face her.  She had been crying and looked rather tired and ragged.  Her mood was one of disbelief, shock and relief.  Anger was only beginning to rear its ugly head.  "Harry?" she said.

"Er yes Professor McGonagall?"

"Yes er explain yourself."

"I woke up here.  I am in Hogwarts aren't I?"

"Of course you are."

"How did I get here?"  Harry asked

"How did you get here?" Professor McGonagall asked at the same time. "Remove that cloak." She said impatiently.  Harry complied and Professor McGonagall looked him over. "Is that the snake you got from Diagon alley?"

"Er yes."

"What kind is it?" she said in a manner that suggested she already knew but wanted confirmation.

"Um not sure." Harry muttered. He supposed he really he should know that and made a mental note to remember to ask Oppy later.  Professor McGonagall thought about this and Harry's sudden arrival for a minute or so.  Finally, she decided on something.  Faster than Harry could react she cast a spell on him.  He felt strange for an instance but as he looked down on his hands, he couldn't feel any long-term effects of the spell.

 "Well you seem to be who you say you are but I'm not convinced.  Move" she pointed along the corridor with her free hand, her wand never strayed from Harry,  "Professor Dumbledore's office.  You have a lot of explaining to do"

"But I don't know anything.  I fell asleep in my bedroom and woke up here."

"You have been missing for well over 35 hours.  We thought you d-dead." 

"W-what?" Harry said.

"You just disappeared and couldn't be found.  We thought You-know-who had you.  After what happened to the Grangers, we were quick to suspect that our measures weren't enough and then you were just gone and the Dursleys didn't know anything.  They hadn't been tampered with as far as we could tell.  You were just gone."

"35 hours?" Harry asked incredulous. He couldn't remember being away for 35 hours.

"Do you remember anything?" Professor McGonagall said as they walked.

"N-no I was in my bed then waking up in another.  It was not a pleasant feeling"

"How so?"

"I wasn't in my bed.  I didn't now where I was for a little bit"

"We get to the bottom of it," she said with a certainty as they reached the concealed entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office.  "Obfirmo," she said and it opened.

"Is that a kind of sweet?"

"No," Professor McGonagall responded in a tone reminiscent of Hermione.  It said that he was supposed to know what it meant and she was annoyed that he didn't.

"But it's always a sweet."

 "I set that one.  Professor Dumbledore has been away from Hogwarts recently and I've been using his office," she said. Harry didn't have time to ask questions as he was bundled into the office.  It was empty and Harry was crestfallen.  He wanted to see Dumbledore.  Only then would he fell truly secure.  "Sit and remain silent," Professor McGonagall said as she sat in Professor Dumbledore's chair. Harry did as he was told and watched as Professor McGonagall used the Floo network to contact someone.  A weary wizard answered and listened as Professor McGonagall explained the situation and then asked for Dumbledore. The wizard's expression turned to one of shock and then elation as they saw Harry and in a flash they disappeared.  The office fell rather silent as the paintings were the only ones still making noise and Harry looked at them.  They were full, as it seemed every painting in Hogwarts was crammed into the frames that usually held only the former headmasters. They had all been rather rudely moved to one side.

It was at least a quarter of an hour before the door opened and Dumbledore swept in.  Harry found himself quickly enveloped as Dumbledore hugged him tightly out of his chair.

"Oh my boy Harry you are alive…you had me so very worried," he said in a tired but relieved voice. "Whatever happened to you?" he asked as he moved away and sat in his chair that Professor McGonagall had rather hastily vacated.

"Er I don't know" Harry said as he fell back into his chair.  Only now did he finally embrace the hope that had been building in him.  He was ok.  He really was in Hogwarts.

"You don't know?"

"I er am in Hogwarts right and you are who I think you are right?"

"I think we are all feeling a little of that Harry but I am Professor Dumbledore and I am fairly sure you are Harry."

"I don't now how I got here."

"Where were you before?"

"In my bedroom.  I was er thinking about stuff and I must of fallen asleep and…" Harry paused as he couldn't actually remember falling asleep.  He distinctly remembered being awake and thinking and then he remembered waking in the dorm, "And then I woke up in the dorm.  All of my stuff was there and Oppy came along and well somehow got my robes back. She doesn't remember anything either."

"Oppy?"

"Er Oppy," Harry said as he pointed to Oppy.

"Yes Oppy," Dumbledore murmured,  "She remembers nothing?"

"She doesn't remember anything."

"Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked and Harry looked at Oppy.

"Oppy do you remember how we got here? Do you remember anything odd happening from when we were in my room till now?" he asked.

"I do not know how I came to be here in Hogwarts," Oppy said in a neutral tone. Harry got the distinct impression she wasn't all that perturbed about the situation.

"What do you remember?" Harry asked.

"I was stalking the snapping book then I was woken by you. I do not know what happened Harry." Oppy said.

"You were just stalking then waking up?"

"Yes" Oppy said calmly. Harry shivered. Her tone was at all calming for Harry. "It has happened before," Oppy continued in the same calm tone.

"WHAT?" Harry exclaimed.

"When the agent of darkness caught me," Oppy explained, "I was hunting an egg thief then I woke in a bag.  I do not know how I got into the bag."

"Oh," Harry said then he looked up at a very interested audience.  He addressed them.  "Oppy doesn't remember anything of getting here but it has happened to her before.  When the Death Eaters captured her. She was doing something and then she was waking somewhere else."

"A stupefy spell can have that effect but one could not be cast on you with in number four.  Did you­" Professor Dumbledore was interrupted by the door bursting open and several people poured in.  Fudge, Mr Weasley and several people Harry had seen before but could not name entered and they all breathed a collective sigh of relief upon seeing Harry.  Fudge in particular seemed overwhelmed.  He staggered as he strived to catch his breath.

"Thank Merlin you found him Albus" he wheezed. Mr Weasley brushed past him and hugged Harry tightly where he sat.

"You have given us far too great a shock Harry"

"How did you do it Albus," Fudge wheezed as he stood up.

"I did nothing but­" he was interrupted by an owl that had flown in the window. It dropped a letter on the desk and left. Dumbledore opened the letter.  He shook his head as he read it.  It seemed to both sadden and relieve him.  He put it down in disgust and the letter shrivelled up into dust.  "I know what happened," he said to everyone present, "and while it may have been traumatic for all none was intended and I believe little harm has been done. I suggest we put this matter behind us."

"Tell me what was in that letter?  Tell me what happened," Fudge exclaimed.

"That I cannot.  I have been put in an uncomfortable and unenviable position.  For the sake of eventual victory I must keep the identity of those responsible to myself."

"I demand to know Albus.  YOU MUST TELL ME.  I am the minister for magic.  I demand that you tell me."

"I cannot.  Please understand there is more to this than there appears.  I find that I must keep some secrets to myself.  If I were to tell you, it would aid none but Voldemort himself."

"Voldemort is dead," Fudge exclaimed drawing disbelieving look from all but one of those around him.  The one person who seemed to support him reminded Harry very strongly of Fudge himself and Harry immediately thought less of the man. "I will have the answer Albus," Fudge said in an angry demanding tone, "and then this nonsense of Voldemort's rebirth can be put behind us once and for all."

"I can not tell you anything about those responsible for Harry's abduction and transport to Hogwarts.  While I concede they might have once been our enemy that is no longer the case and now they fight with us. I honestly believe they meant no harm and though their actions defy belief they have succeeded in accomplishing what had to be done.  Harry has been transported safely to Hogwarts and that is perhaps most important." Dumbledore said in an even if tired voice. Fudge was outraged. 

"You haven't heard the last of this Albus," he said in a blatantly threatening tone and he turned and left.  The unknown people all left with him.  Mr Weasley remained although he seemed to be in two minds over the matter.

"I should go with him.  He may yet do something truly idiotic," he said shaking his head and then after giving one more hurried hug to Harry he too left the office.

"Who?"  Harry asked hesitantly.

"I cannot tell you Harry.  They say they are our allies and we need them to be our allies even if they do not act as such.  They were once the enemy but I do firmly believe that now they seek redemption and peace.  Moving you here unharmed was a gesture of goodwill from them.  It said that they could have killed you but chose otherwise.  Galling perhaps and most unsettling but it was for the best."

"They knew where I was?" Harry asked incredulous.

"They are not…There…No I cannot say without revealing too much.  Please, Harry understand that there is more than the…The Voldemort issue it far greater than you think. Far greater than it appears Minister Fudge can think," a very weary Dumbledore said.  Harry reeled as he saw his professor choose his words carefully.  Some things were being kept from him and he didn't like it even as he felt he would rather not know the truth if it was so horrific and all encompassing.  Dumbledore had just hinted that Voldemort was far deadlier than he had previously thought.  Remembering all the talk of the darkness and the chosen one made Harry feel worse.  If he was going to fight, he needed to know but then he really didn't want to fight. 

"What?" he began.

"I'm sorry Harry but you must put his unfortunate incident behind you," Dumbledore said in a final sort of tone. Harry looked around at Professor McGonagall.  She did not seem to approve but was grudgingly accepting the situation.

"Then what am I to do?"  Harry asked.

"You will stay here for the last couple of days of the holidays.  I'm afraid however, that you will have to remain within the castle.  No strolling outside at all, at least not until further measures are put in place.  In addition Harry, realise you are to be on your best behaviour.  Most of the staff are very busy right now, too busy to keep too much of an eye on your activities. Harry averted his gaze.  Dumbledore was very possibly suggesting that he wasn't the best behaved of students.  "Now I think you should perhaps go back to you dormitory. The other students are arriving in a couple of days although I may be able to fix that to some extent." Dumbledore said with the twinkle in his eye having returned.  Harry reluctantly got up and walked out of the office. It had been a very strange couple of hours.

Harry went back to his dorm as instructed and set about rearranging as his possessions. They had been put away already. Possibly by the same people that had transported him to Hogwarts and he was therefore eager to see if anything was missing. He found everything present if not where he liked it. He was putting the orbs in his top bedside draw when he picked the one that contacted Ron and went to contact him but saw that Sirius's orb was glowing. Elation filled him as he grabbed it and his godfathers face filled the orb.

"Harry where are you?" Sirius asked in an urgent manner.

"Hogwarts," Harry replied, "I was abducted but was taken here. Dumbledore knows what happened but he's not telling me anything."

"What? Are you sure are. Hmmm I'll er­" Sirius seemed to have been taken by surprise by the revelation that Harry was ok. "You are ok then?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Harry responded. "Dumbledore doesn't seem to think anything bad happened but I still can't recall what happened. I was asleep with the Dursleys and then I was waking in a dorm here at Hogwarts.

"That's impossible."

"Dumbledore got a letter that explained it but well he wouldn't tell Fudge or anyone what it said but he seemed to know a lot more than he was letting on."

"I'm coming to see you."

"No I'm fine."

"And I'll be sure to notice that when I get there."

"There's no need."

"My safety is my concern. Your safety is my concern as well. Stop worrying Harry. I'll be there in a couple of days." With a smile Sirius disappeared. Harry reeled with dread. He didn't like it when people risked themselves on his behalf. He picked up Rons orb and activated it. Someone answered it very quickly.

"Ron—you're not Ron, hello Ginny" Harry said as he realised Ginny had answered the orb." Where's Ron?"

"Oh H-Harry are you alright?"

"Oh—er yeah I'm fine. I was just going to tell Ron that. I was abducted and held for a few hours but I remember nothing of that. And then I woke up in Hogwarts. That's where I am now."

"Y-Your fine then?"

"Yes."

"Thank—no wait its my call, no­" Ginny was cut off and the orb call ended.  The orb immediately glowed again if briefly. It flickered repeatedly to the point Harry started to fear it was broken. He was about to shake the orb when it glowed with a constant light. Harry answered it. Ron's dishevelled head appeared although Harry could see he was Ginny was struggling to regain control of the orb.

"Are you ok?" Ron asked as he fended someone away.

"Yes."

"Is he alright, are you alright?" Hermione said as she tried to clamber over Ron.

"I just asked him that." Ron snapped.

"But I was­" Ginny said trying to get closer to the orb.

"Quit it Ginny." Ron complained as he moved the orb away from Ginny.

"But­" Ginny protested.

"What do you want to ask him Ginny?" Ron said impatiently.

"Er…" Ginny said hesitantly.

"See nothing. Now what happened Harry?" Ron asked in an interested and slightly smug tone. Harry quickly adverted the threatening argument by regaling them with an account of what had happened.  Hermione in particular seemed traumatised by the account. Ginny didn't seem to take it much better. Ron however found the entire scenario rather exciting. The four talked for over quite a while before Mrs Weasley burst into the room apparently to inform them all that Harry was safe at Hogwarts.  When she spotted the orb she went ballistic apparently not having known Ron was in possession of it. She commandeered it and called the twins and Charlie who apparently was visiting into the room.  They talked for quite sometime with a great deal of discussion dealing with what had happened to Harry with special emphasis ion the missing time. Even Percy made a belated appearance although he didn't actually say anything to Harry rather he complained about the noise.  Ron Hermione and Harry talked long after the others had left them and it was a much happier Harry that ended the call. He was safe back at home at Hogwarts.

The next two days were very boring. The teachers and other denizens of the castle made it their business to be around Harry constantly and always were looking at him when even the slightest thought of misbehaviour occurred to him. And when he was presented with a slim opportunity his heart just wasn't in it without his friends there beside him. All in all they were some of the dullest moments Harry had ever experienced at Hogwarts. He greeted the arrival of the students with great enthusiasm.

At lunch on the next day Harry was sitting in the main hall marvelling at the amount of effort and preparation that went into the first dinner. Of particular interest were Professor Flitwick's attempts to convince some fairies to vacate the hall. He was not having much luck, as the fairies were very skilled at evading his efforts. So enthralled was he that he didn't notice the small party that crept up behind him.

 "Boo"

"Arhhh!" Harry screamed as he jumped.

"Ha-ha got you good Harry," said a person who sounded remarkably like Ron.

"What the?" Harry said as he turned to meet his friends.

"Hello Harry," Hermione said as she gave Ron a disapproving shake of her head.

"Hi," Ginny said as she too looked upon Ron with a scorn.

"Good to see you Harry my good man," one of the twins said.

"Yeah" the other one said.

"Uh the train isn't­" Harry began.

"Didn't come by train."

"Oh then how?"

"Port key to nearby then walked."

"Oh well," Harry got up, "its good to see you all."  Hermione appeared to deliberate for a moment then she leapt upon Harry and hugged him very tightly. She didn't say anything as she continued to hug him and then finally let him go.  "Er" Harry said as he backed away.  Ron looked as if he wanted to say something derisive but something made him refrain.  Hermione looked rather unsettled and Harry saw that she really wasn't taking the strain of the situation with Voldemort very well at all. In fact everyone appeared nervous and an unsettling calm resulted. It was only broken by several of the fairies decided that Ginny and Hermione's hair might be a good place to hide in.  Both shrieked in fright as the small creatures landed upon them from behind. Hermione shriek in particular contained a large amount of fear and it went straight to Harry's core. It was a sound that he could not bear and he felt something within him swell up in protest. The force was so much that he grunted as he felt it flow through him for the briefest of moments and then he was a helpless witness as the fairies were flung from the two girls with extreme force. Each made a high-pitched whine as they flew though the air and hit the walls of the hall in a serries of sickening splatters. Harry staggered, as he felt slightly dizzy from the loss of control.  "Whoa that was weird," he said as he started to feel very guilty.

"Whoa indeed.  Harry you really didn't have to kill them all," Ron said in awe.

"Dear dear Harry. A loss of control at your age," one of the twins said.

"Yeah Harry Potter can't handle his magic, oh wait till everybody finds out," said the other.

"I didn't mean to," Harry said as he looked about in shock.  Flitwick was tending to some of the hurt fairies already but some of the house elves who had been present were looking at Harry still frozen in horror. The few fairies that hadn't been affected were buzzing about their fallen comrades. Finally Harry stumbled forward and moved to the nearest fallen fairy. He picked the fragile creature up. It looked like a small woman with wings although she wasn't moving and was enveloped in an increasing pool of what Harry realised with horror was blood.  "Oh she dying help," he looked up and about him, "help me help her," he said feeling rather more helpless than he had ever felt before. He was once more surrounded with carnage but this time it was of his own making. All of a sudden salvation came to him in the sound and then sight of a brilliant phoenix followed by a running Dumbledore. Several more staff followed. Harry realised the phoenix was Fawlkes and was immensely relieved when he set himself down upon Harry's shoulder. Fawlkes lent over the injured fairy Harry held up for inspection. His talons dug into Harry's shoulder sharp enough to draw tears to his eyes. Harry winced as he wondered if he was being punished by Fawlkes who he had never before considered capable of hurting him. A small buzzing sound had Harry opening his eyes and he saw that the fairy that had been in his hand was healed and flying about in front of him. She did not look at all happy with him.  "Sorry," Harry said. The fairy buzzed off to some of the other injured fairies.  Harry turned to help some of the other fairy but found that they were all whisked away before he could get to them. In a short amount of time he realised that all of the fairies had been dealt with and he turned to face a sombre looking Dumbledore who was quickly joined by a thin-lipped McGonagall.

"I would like a word with you Harry" Dumbledore said.

"I didn't k-kill any d-did I?" Harry asked. Dumbledore looked about at Madam Pomfrey who was still busy. She looked up at them and smiled weakly.

"It doesn't appear to be the case"

"But it could easily have been. My word what were you thinking Mr Potter," McGonagall interjected.

"Now Minerva I don't think it was intentional."

"Hhmmpph a loss of control at his age and besides you know that that isn't a permissible defence."

"Harry did you mean to injure the fairies?"

"No."

"Come on lets go and have that talk in my office."

Harry turned to look at his friends. Their faces were grim except for Hermione and Ginny who both looked to be in shock.

"Er see you in a bit" he said weakly and he left with Dumbledore. McGonagall followed after them

Nothing was spoken in the trip to the office and all of them filed in and Harry and Dumbledore took a seat. McGonagall remained standing.

"Harry could you explain yourself"

"I was talking with my friends and the fairies landed in Hermione and Ginny's hair. They shrieked and it didn't er sound good. I don't know I couldn't stand the noise and I er wanted it to stop. I felt something and then I saw the fairies whizzing into the walls. I knew it had been me but I truly didn't mean to do it."

"Do you think anger management might help" McGonagall said.

"I was not angry," Harry said in an angry offended tone. McGonagall gave him a look that had Harry looking at his feet.

"Sorry" he mumbled.

"I believe every young wizard and witch goes though this phase," Dumbledore said. McGonagall snorted a suggestion that she had never done so.

"Come now Minerva. Surely you must have lost control once"

"Never"

"Then it is you who are the strange case"

McGonagall bristled while Dumbledore smiled warmly at Harry.

"Although you may have already realised it Harry I think it bears repeating. You are a very powerful wizard Harry. Quite a bit stronger than most and you are starting to come into your true strength as your grow older. I think you should always bear that in mind as you continue your studies here. Be prepared to not need to put as much effort into your spells as the others and be mindful of what you desire as we have just seen what can happen when you truly want something."

"Er okay Professor" Harry said as he felt a blush forming.

"I think you can go now but be sure to apologise to the fairies and I will ensue that all other interested parties are informed that it was an accident.

"Others?"

"Well I'm sure by now a rumour has spread right throughout Hogwarts that you tried to kill the fairies. I will try to ensure the truth also circulates."

"Thankyou and er thankyou Fawlkes," he said after spotting Fawlkes fly in. He got up and left just hearing McGonagall complaint that a suitable punishment had not been decided upon. He fled down the stairs in a hurry just in case she got her way. He went back to the hall and to his friends who were still there.

"How long?" Ron asked almost immediately.

"How long what?" Harry replied.

"Your punishment"

"What punishment?"

"Figures"

"What?" Harry said as he felt indignation swell up inside him. It wasn't like that and if it was he didn't want it to be.

"Are you going to apologise to them?" Hermione said in an accusing voice.

"Er yes," Harry said as he looked away.

"Then do it now," Hermione said. Her tone indicated that Harry didn't have a choice in the matter.  Harry went outside and spotted some of the fairies trying to get back inside. They weren't having much luck as a barrier of some kind was in their way. In any event they fled as Harry approached.

"Sorry" he called out to them as they left.

"Really I don't think that is good enough" Hermione said from behind him

"What do you want me to do?" Harry bit back.

"Duck?" said Ron in an amused voice.

"What?" he said as he looked up to get drenched in foul smelling leaves and flowers. Several of the fairies had conspired to seek revenge and one flew down to hover in front of him. Harry recognised it as the one that he had held. "I am so sorry that I hurt you," he said

It buzzed angrily to within an inch of his nose before regarding with what looked like a sorrowful expression although Harry couldn't be sure as he was going a little cross-eyed given it was so close.  Moving like a snitch it rejoined its comrades and the group then dived and swarmed about him as he backed away in a hurry. In moments it was over and Harry found himself tripping over himself to land in an untidy lump on the ground. The fairies having removed the leaves and flowers from him then flew into some nearby bushes and out of sight.  Harry turned to his laughing friends.

"Pity Fred and George aren't here. They'd have loved to see that," Ron said.  Harry scowled and glared at him. Rons grin grew. "Well what do you want to do now?" He asked.

"Lets go see if Hagrid's back." Harry said eager for a distraction.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Well he's still away on that important business for Dumbledore. He's supposed to have been back ages ago but there's been some kind of difficulty that no one will tell me about." Harry said and the trio exchanged concerned stares.

"That wasn't what I meant. We are not allowed out of the castle"

"We're outside now," Ron said and ducked a blow that never came. Hermione settled for a glare in stead. Ron smiled and looked to Ginny.  "What are you going to do?" he said to her.

"She's coming with us," Hermione replied.

"Why?"

"Because she doesn't have anyone else to be with at Hogwarts. The other students aren't getting here till Monday and I doubt we'll find the twins. Honestly Ron you should think before you speak."

"Honestly Hermione you say that so much it's beginning to make me think you feel you have to tell people when you're trying to be honest"

"Well I hmmphh." Hermione said and glared at Ron. An argument was imminent.

"Enough you two," Ginny said as she tried to defuse the situation by standing in between the pair.

The foursome went to Hagrid's. Ginny walked by Harry and both made an effort to remain between Ron and Hermione who traded intermittent stares.

They found however, the hut empty and no sign of Hagrid or Fang.

"Hagrid's not here," Ron stated the obvious causing Hermione to shake her head in disbelief at him.

"Must be away still," Harry said watching his two friends closely. It was almost as if they wanted to fight. He quickly thought of a new topic to distract them from each other. "I haven't seen Snape either," he said.

"Did you want to?" Ron asked.

"No." Harry grunted in reply.

"Well then what do you want to do?" Ron asked as he looked about at Hermione.

"Explore the castle," Harry said quickly.

"Study," Hermione suggested eliciting a look of disbelief from Ron.

"Redo our homework," Ron said in a high falsetto.

"Okay," Hermione said with an air of anticipation.

"I was being sarcastic," Ron said with narrowed eyes.

"I know but you really do need to the encouragement to do your homework." Hermione replied in a sweet tone as she patted his face. Harry began to feel very uncomfortable.

"All for exploration?" he said holding his hand up. Ron and Ginny joined him.

"All for studying" Hermione said as she held her hand up.

"So where are we going to explore?" Ron asked ignoring Hermione who was giving him a dirty look.

"Is it safe" Ginny asked.

"Are you okay Gin?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Ginny said in an equally small voice.

"You just seem so very quiet."

"I'm er fine," she said.

"Lets go then," said Hermione, "We can go explore the library."

"No we can't!" Ron exclaimed.

"Why not?"

"Because we're not bonkers."

"I like exploring the library."

"QED."

"Why you­" Hermione said and reached for her wand.

"Run!" Ginny said, laughing as she gave Ron a push start he really didn't need and he tore off towards the castle with Hermione in close pursuit.

"Come on let's go," Harry said he tried to see the funny side of it all. "Er Gin?" he added sensing silence beside him.

"Er we're all alone," she said in a small voice.

"Er yeah," Harry said.  Ginny blushed and started fidgeting. "Are you coming?" Harry asked.

"Hm-hm," she mumbled while nodding and the two of them ran after the others.

They caught up with the others just within the castle. Hermione had Ron cornered and surrounded with giant spiders.

"Come on Hermione, call them off," Ron said as he backed away as far as he could.

"Apologise."

"I'm sorry."

"That's the spirit Hermione," Ginny cried out, "let him have it"

"Er where'd you get them from?" Harry asked.

"Conjured them."

"And why are you scared of them Ron, they're not real."

"They're real enough," Ron said with genuine fear.

"Not real hmm," Hermione huffed indignantly. She flicked her wand and one of the spiders, easily as big as a Fang, turned on Harry. He backed away and it lunged at him. He jumped backwards and drew his wand.

"Impedimenta" he cried as he tripped and fell backwards. His head made a sickening sound as it hit the stone floor.  He rose into a sitting position with one hand rubbing his head.  He was slightly dizzy but felt that little damage had been done his head.  He looked at the offending spider. It was almost frozen.  "Infernus" he said and after racking his brain for a suitably destructive spell. The spider disappeared in a ball of flame.

"Hey Harry," Hermione protested.

"Are you okay Harry?" Ron said as he continued to cower from the remaining spiders.

"Yeah, just a little bump."

"Are you sure," Ginny said as she knelt down in front of Harry, "it made a nasty sound."

"Yeah" Harry said and gave Ginny a smile. She blushed furiously.

"Hermione call these damn things off me"

"Okay you big baby," Hermione said and with a swish and flick of her wand the spiders withered into dust.

"Never do that again."

"Never insult me again."

"Deal."

The foursome walked towards the dungeons. Harry and Ginny walked in the middle separating Ron and Hermione. Ron kept giving sideways glances at Hermione that irked Harry although he chose not to analyse why they did so. Hermione tried on several occasions to lead them towards the library but the others were having none of it. They began creeping as they entered the dungeon. They had no reason to do so as the dungeons hadn't been specified as being off limits. In fact it was outside that was forbidden. However they crept onwards trying to be as quite as possible.

"Where to?" Ron whispered.

"What about the new dungeons" Ginny whispered.

"They built new dungeons?" Ron asked in a much louder voice and was promptly hushed.

"It's in Hogwarts, a His­" Hermione began.

"Well let's go" Ron interrupted and he marched onward. Ginny hurriedly took the lead and steered Ron onto the correct path. Hermione walked with Harry.

"Honestly he didn't even know," Hermione said to Harry. Harry kept quiet. He hadn't believed the stories he had heard of a completely unused dungeon. Hermione turned sharply to face Harry. She looked at him as he looked away. She shook her head and started speaking in her favoured lecturing tone, "The new dungeons aren't all that new. Hogwarts, a History states they were built nearly two hundred years ago as an addition to the existing dungeons. However they weren't all that popular and rapidly fell into disuse. They are supposed to smell funny and not sound at all like a proper dungeon should." Harry gritted his teeth as Hermione took a breath and continued, "In fact they were only used for teaching for one year and then the old dungeons were just expanded." Harry was spared any more by Ginny squealing.

Harry and Hermione rushed ahead and found Ron doubled over in laughter. Ginny was covered in a thick green slime.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"She-she pulled a lever and got dumped on."

"It was the lever to the New Dungeons. The slime wasn't supposed to be there," Ginny said in a huffy voice, "And shut your gob Ron or I'll stuff it full of this stuff." She barked at her brother. He staggered a bit and stood biting his lip. Ginny scowled at him and entered the doorway behind her. The others followed.

What they found amazed Harry. It was nice. The walls were a pale marble and the ambient lighting although still provided by flame was much brighter than the dungeons they had just left. The ceiling was higher as well.

"Wow," Harry said.

"Wow," Ron said, "I can see why they didn't want to use this place."

"What?" Harry asked.

"It's appalling. It's far too light and nowhere near damp enough.

"Isn't that good."

"What?"

"Well dungeons are supposed to be damp and dark. It helps something or rather."

"You don't know do you," Hermione accused.

"Well then tell me then."

"I don't think there is a proper reason they were never used. I think that it didn't look like what they thought a dungeon should look like and so they refused to use it.

"Don't blame them," Ron muttered. Harry looked at Ginny. She caught his glance and looked away hesitantly.

"It doesn't look like any dungeon I've ever been in," she said

"How many would that be then?" Ron asked and received a glare from Ginny.

The foursome began exploring. They found the classrooms to be similarly well laid out and very well lit. Instead of the overflowing cupboards and masses of ingredients hanging about the walls they were used to the classrooms they found had walls that were covered in very well laid out shelving and draws. There wasn't a sign of a cobweb or even a smudge on any of the desks. Harry ran his hand along one of the desk. There wasn't even a trace of dust.

"Do the house elves clean down here?" Harry asked.

"No they don't," Hermione said in an irritated tone. "This is a result of a very powerful cleaning charm that was put on the dungeon soon after it was built. It was actually stronger than had been intended and was used as one of the main reasons for it to be abandoned.

"So why­" Harry asked.

"Exactly. The house elves don't have to do all the cleaning that they are forced to."

Ron looked for moment like he was going to retort but he showed remarkable restraint and settled for looking a way with a mocking smirk on his face.

"Does anyone use this," Harry asked

"No who'd be caught dead here. I mean look at the décor. It's foul," Ron muttered loudly. Harry suspected he was only trying to illicit a response from Hermione,

"It is not. It's wonderful," Harry said. They had entered a large classroom that was devoid of furniture. A sign on the door had stated that it was 'Practice Room 3'.

"This place is boring," Ron said.

"Come on if no-one comes down here then think of the things we can do down here. Come to think of it. Why isn't it used for no good?" Harry asked

"It is," a voice said from behind them. They spun to face the twins.

"What are you doing here?" Harry and one of the twins said.

"We use the facilities. The unsettling surrounds don't bother us that much. Anyhow we've decorated one of the other rooms."  They were led to one of the rooms that the twins had indeed decorated to look more like the old dungeons. Harry didn't like it. There were over a dozen cauldrons bubbling and the room was littered with what Harry recognised as wares of Weasleys Wizards Wheezes. He took an involuntary step backwards as Ron leapt forward and with the help of the twins started to stuff his pockets with an assortment of their products. The others were led forward and subjected to a lengthy demonstration.

It was hours later that the foursome left the dungeon. Harry's pockets were stuffed with unwanted gifts. The twins had been eager to provide him with an assortment and a promise that he'd receive a personal demonstration of each and every single one of their inventions. It made him feel ill to think about it. As it was late they headed quickly to the dorm and then to bed. The gifts were carefully placed in a draw that Harry made a mental note of. He wasn't about to open it again.

The next day was spent almost exclusively in the new dungeons exploring each room and just hanging out. In fact the dungeons grew on Harry and he found himself spending most of him time there over the days that followed.

Thus the remaining holidays passed rapidly. Much sooner than Harry liked it was it was the morning of the last day of the holidays. The Hogwarts express was due just prior to Dinner and Harry sat eating his breakfast very quickly. He wanted to make he most of the little time left. Just as they were leaving McGonagall approached them and made them promise to be on time for the dinner as well as to be on their best behaviour. After that they dashed to the kitchens and grabbed a packed lunch prior to heading towards the dungeons. Soon they were enthralled with exploration and mischievous behaviour.

It was Hermione who belatedly realised they were all very late for the first dinner. Harry thought it looked very likely that he would miss the sorting for the third time in five years as they all ran as fast as they could towards the great hall.

"Faster," Hermione cried as they ran, "we'll miss the sorting"

"We are in so much trouble," Ginny said worriedly.

"We will be if Filch catches us running in the halls," Ron said

"Do you think Dumbledore will have sent anyone looking for us?"  Hermione asked.

"Possibly," Harry said

"He could have sent McGonagall," Ginny said.

"I bloody well hope not," Ron exclaimed.

The foursome poured into the main entrance and headed for the main hall the doors stood closed. Hermione reached them first and pushed. They didn't give.

"Open up," she cried in frustration.

The others reached it and pushed with her. Harry gave it a thump in frustration and Ron gave it an almighty kick.

"Arggghh," he cried as he hopped around in obvious pain, "that hurt."

"Honestly Ron what did you expect to happen," Hermione chastised.

"I've stubbed my toe," an injured Ron said as he hopped around.  Ginny started laughing and Harry bit his lip to prevent himself from joining her.

"Let me have a look," Hermione said and knelt in front of him.  She impatiently grabbed the offending foot and had the shoe and sock off very quickly.  "You've stubbed it," she said as she pulled off her bag and took book from it.

"What are you doing," Ron said as an edge of panic entered his voice, "I'm getting Pomfrey to have a look at it."

"I can do it."

"No you don't."

"Hold still," Hermione said and grabbed his leg firmly.  "Petrificus Pedus," she said impatiently and Ron cried, as his good foot froze solid. Ginny leant on Harry as her laughter increased.  Harry could restrain himself any longer and began to laugh.

It was at that moment that the doors swept open to reveal a stiff lipped Professor McGonagall in front of a hushed hall. All eyes where on the foursome.

"Ms Granger what on earth are you doing," she said in a loud voice.  Hermione gulped and let go of Ron's foot.

"Helping Ron?" Hermione replied in barely audible voice.  Chatter swept across the hall and laughter started coming form the Slytherin table.

"Couldn't you afford a room Weasley," Draco's shrill voice came over the chatter.  The chatter stopped and the laughter from the Slytherin's increased tenfold.

"Silence," Professor Dumbledore bellowed and the hall fell silent.

"Come on in," Professor McGonagall said in a subdued voice.

"I can't walk."

"Why not?"

"I stubbed my toe and Hermione put a petrifying spell on my other foot."

"Why?"

"He wouldn't stay still," Hermione interjected.

Professor McGonagall shook her head as she quickly removed the curse then said; "In now."

"But my foot" Ron protested.

"I can't imagine it is that bad," she said in a firm voice.

"Yes professor," Ron said begrudgingly and he hobbled into the hall.

He followed a beetroot red Hermione to a space on the Gryffindor table and sat down.  Harry and Ginny followed the pair and sat beside them.  All eyes where on them, although Harry suspected they were more so on Ron and Hermione.

"Now that is over we may continue," Professor Dumbledore said and McGonagall went to the front of the hall where the sorting hat sat on its stool.

"We haven't missed the whole sorting," Ginny said to Harry and the others.  Hermione was still blushing and didn't look up.  Ron also didn't look up from the empty plate in front of him.

"What on earth were you doing Hermione because it looked er rather strange from where I was sitting? Hermione?" Lavender asked from the other side of the table.

"I was helping Ron," Hermione said in a very small voice.

"I hurt my foot," Ron said as he came to Hermione's aid.

"Oh," Lavender said in a slightly disappointed tone. It was obvious she had wanted something juicier.

"That wasn't very nice," Ginny whispered in Harry's ear and he turned to face her.

Their faces ended up rather close together and he backed away blushing while promptly forgetting what he had been going to say.  A moment later he hazarded a glance back at her and saw that she was looking away and downward at the table. Her face was aglow with a deep blush.

"Great," Harry thought, at once disgusted with himself and the turn of events. It didn't look like she was ever going to get over her crush on him and it was becoming rather uncomfortable for him although it looked like it was worse for Ginny. She looked like she was close to tears.  "Hey Gin," Harry began before he considered what he might say to her, "er did you enjoy the er today?" he said off the top of his head in what he hoped was a cheerful tone.

It did seem to have a somewhat positive effect and she said, "Yes," in a nervous twitter with her eyes fixated on the plate in front of her.

"Want to do it again sometime," Harry said and inwardly winced. What was he doing?

"You really want me to?" she replied still looking at her plate.  Harry realised he had gotten himself into a no win situation. He could either say yes and he didn't like to think where that might lead or he could say no and gut Ginny and have her enraged brothers gut him. He was certain the twins would do something terrible to him and he suspected Ron would help them. He wasn't even sure Hermione could or would protect him.

"Yes," he said weakly.  He was rewarded with a small smile from Ginny and a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Really?" she whispered.  Harry resigned himself to his fate.  Anyway it couldn't be that bad. Being around Hermione and Ron was often like being alone since they had paired up.  "Well I be alone otherwise," he said and was being interrupted by a noisily dropped piece of cutlery before he could adequately qualify his statement.  He looked up across the table to Lavender who had dropped her spoon onto her plate. She had a look of shock on her face. Harry gave a questioning glance at Parvati who was sitting beside her and was shocked to see that her expression mirrored Lavenders. It was then he noticed that the table was unnaturally quiet about him. He looked around. He and Ginny where the centre of attention and Harry felt himself redden. He looked beside himself to Hermione. She was giving him a questioning look.  He looked past her to Ron. Hs look was one of disbelief.

"Why are you all looking at us?" Harry asked as he looked about.

"What's going on between you two?" Lavender asked in an inquisitive tone that suggested she wanted a lot of details. Harry looked at Ginny who met his gaze and then they both looked back at Lavender.

"Nothing," they said together.

"Ooooh," Lavender responded as her mood seemed to streak towards elation, "do tell."

"There's nothing to tell," Harry reasserted.

"But you're dating," Lavender said as if it were common knowledge.

"We are not!" Harry exclaimed in shock. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard. He wasn't dating anyone.

"But you just asked her out," Parvati said with a puzzled frown upon her face.

"I asked her to accompany me and Hermione and Ron." Harry explained as he felt a familiar sense of dread flow over him.

 "Ooooh double date," Lavender enthused.

"No! What? No it isn't. Harry said as the thought of everybody thinking he might be dating someone filled him with dread. "I don't want to date Ginny," he said in a harsh voice. He caught a painful hurt sound from beside him and he turned to see Ginny looking as if she were about to cry. That made no sense to him at all. "Gin?" he asked confused. They hadn't been that mean to the two of them. Ginny whimpered and looked up at him with hurt tear filled eyes. He'd hurt her, Harry realised but he didn't have much time to think up something to say as Ginny gave a sob and then shaking she quickly stood up and ran hard past the gasping hall full of students and out of the doors.

"What the…Ginny?" Harry said as he stood up and looked at Ginny's rapidly disappearing back. "What?" he looked back at a horror-struck Gryffindor table. "What did I do?"  He looked at Hermione who looked as if she were about to begin a sentence with, 'Honestly Harry,' and then at Ron who looked as if he wanted to kill him.  "I'll go and­" Harry said then started after Ginny. The hall erupted in noisy chatter again and a shrill voice called out over the others.

"Nice going lover boy," Draco called out over the chatter.  Harry ignored him although he did note he would have to hurt him later.  He tore out of the hall and found no sign of Ginny although he could hear some commotion along one of the corridors over the loudness behind him.  He guessed from the direction that it was Ginny heading towards the Gryffindor common room and he decided to cut her off.

As it turned out he arrived just behind her. Close enough to see her disappearing into the common room but not close enough to stop her.  He raced in after her and dashed right up the stairs to the girl's dorm.

"Argghhhh!!!" he exclaimed as he ran into an invisible but very solid barrier at full tilt.  He fell backwards nearly toppling down the stairs.  "What the," he exclaimed in pain as he grabbed his broken nose. He knew it was bleeding even before he held his blood-covered hands up for visual inspection.  "Fuck," he moaned to himself as blood went everywhere.  Ginny came running back down the stairs. Her mouth opened in shock as she saw the bloody mess that was Harry.

"Oh Harry—you're hurt—oh its all my fault."

"Wat ded ae het," Harry mumbled as he tried to stem the blood flow.

"Anti-male barrier."

"What?"

"Stops boys from passing.  Hermione put it up after she caught the twins sneaking about up here"

"Oh how do I get past it?"

"You don't.  Are you ok?"

"Yes whey did you run away." Harry asked. Ginny looked like she was going to run away crying again. 

"Why did you ask me out?" she asked as tears filled her eyes once more.

"I didn't I just wanted you to come with me and the others.  It's boring without you. Hermione and Ron keep you know…"

"Oh…" she said mutely.

"Its rather disgusting and I don't like it.  Them and their constant bickering and then they run off together and urgh I don't like to think about what happens then," Harry said.

Ginny and looked over Harry's shoulder with a hesitant shocked expression. It's meaning wasn't lost on Harry and he winced and turned to see a highly affronted Hermione. Her expression changed completely when she saw the bloody mess that was Harry's face.

"What happened?" she exclaimed.

"I ran into your barrier," Harry accused.

"Oh," she said guiltily as she grabbed Harry and pulled his down the stairs.  "We've got to get you to Madam Pomfrey."

"What?"  Harry began as he was dragged away.

"Are you coming with us?" Hermione asked Ginny

"Er" Ginny said hesitantly.

"Or are you going back to the hall"

"Oh I can't" Ginny said with real dread apparent in her expression. Hermione looked torn between the two of them for a moment before she let go of Harry and embraced Ginny in a tight hug.

"Hey," Harry protested.

"Oh you can make it to the hospital wing on your own.  Ginny needs me. And hurry you're dripping blood everywhere and those poor house elves are already over worked."  Harry rolled his eyes in disgust and left the two of them for the hospital wing.  Girls, he decided, were all bonkers although this did not quell his feelings of guilt even slightly. He'd hurt Ginny and there was no chance of forgiveness, least not from himself.  He went to the hospital wing and waited.  It took a few moments for Madam Pomfrey to appear.

"Oh my Harry starting early this year aren't you," she said as a greeting before setting to work upon Harry's nose.

"It wasn't my fault," Harry protested.

"It never is.  You should be more careful."

"I ran into an invisible barrier."

"You shouldn't have been running then," Poppy replied.  Harry decided to shut up as Poppy healed his nose and then held up a mirror so that he could judge whether it was as it had been previously.  Harry decided his nose was fine and went to leave as Madam Pomfrey went back to whatever she had been doing before.  Harry opened the door to leave and never saw the fist that floored him.  Harry moaned as he looked up at Ron who was wringing his hand and had a very shocked look on his face.

"What did you do that for?" moaned Harry.

"You made Ginny cry," Ron said as he held his other hand out to help Harry up.

"What's all this noise, Harry what on earth, I just healed your nose."

"Er I walked into the door on the way out," Harry lied instinctively to protect his friend.  He regretted it almost immediately as he dearly wanted Ron to pay for his unprovoked assault but he decided he could always exact his own revenge and he doubted the professors would be at all lenient on Ron if they knew.

"I see your problem is your don't look where you are going.  Come on over hear and sit," she said in a resigned tone.  "I'll go and get the potion again." 

As soon as she had left, Ron spoke, "Sorry Harry instinct I suppose."

"But I didn't do anything," Harry bit out.

"You made Gin cry," Ron said as if that said it all.

"How?" Harry asked more to himself than anyone else. He still couldn't understand it.

"You made er. You know how she likes you.  Well, you said in front of every body that you don't like her."

"I did not."

"Well that's what she thinks…you know all girls are bonkers"

"Humph," Madam Poppy said as she returned and rather brusquely pushed Ron aside and treated Harry again.

Very soon Harry had his nose intact once more and he and Ron were walking away from the Hospital wing. Harry was feeling very guilty now and headed back towards the Gryffindor common room and Ginny.

"I overheard some of what the other girls were saying. They started talking about you and how mean you are almost before you took off after Ginny.  I think you just took a huge dive in the rankings," Ron said as they walked.

"What rankings?"

"Er they've er ranked all the boys, I think."

"Ranked us?"

"Girls are frightening although I don't suppose Hermione would be interested in that kind of thing."

"She does like lists quite a lot," Harry said with a smile.

"And talking with Gin about 'girl talk'," Ron said as he mused the matter over.

"So where do you rank?"  Harry asked as he elbowed Ron.

"Top of Hermione's list obviously, well if she's silly enough to have one."

"Has Krum been relegated into a close second?" Harry said as he gave Ron a friendly elbow. Ron looked around at Harry in outrage.  It was obvious to Harry that he had overstepped the mark. "Er sorry," he said quickly.

"She doesn't like him anymore.  She told me so," Ron said in a haughty voice that sounded very insecure to Harry. He bit his lip to keep his retort to himself.  It was obvious that his friend still hadn't gotten over Krum.

Arriving back at the Gryffindor common room both went in and headed to the barrier.  Harry thumped on it.  It held firm.

"What do you think?" he asked Ron.

"Hermione is rather talented?" Ron said with a shrug before shaking his head. "Come off it Harry. If it stopped the twins, it'll stop you."

"Hermione," Harry called to no response.

"Give it up Harry," Ron said as Harry started thumping repeatedly on it.

"Help me," Harry demanded.

"No thanks but I will go and tell the twins that family honour has been restored and they don't have to hurt you."

"What!?" Harry said turning about to face Ron.

"Matter of principle," Ron said with a shrug.

"Are you all insane?"

"Do you want me to talk to them?"

"Yes!"

"Well then I had better go.  I imagine they already have set up a few nasty surprises for you."

"Bye," Harry said as Ron left.  Moments later Hermione came down the stairs.

"Go away."

"No."

"You hurt her," she accused.

"I didn't mean to.  Let me talk to her."

"She doesn't want to speak to you.  I think it best if you left. You know you actually aren't allowed to be standing where you are now.  Boys aren't allowed onto even the first step."

"I just want to talk to her."

"Why?"

"I want to apologise"

"For what?  Do you know what you did wrong?"

"No but­"

"Then how do you expect to be able to apologise?  Honestly Harry."

"What did I do wrong then?" Harry asked as a sense of foreboding came over him.

"You embarrassed her in front of everybody and said that you didn't like her right after you suggested you did.  Imagine that Cho had come over and in front of everybody asked you to accompany her to Hogsmeade and then, when her friends had questioned her, said that she didn't actually want to go out with you but was just trying to make you happy and that all she wanted was someone to prevent her from becoming bored."

"Oh," Harry hung his head low.  It sounded very callous when put like that.  "Crap. Ah is she er no I guess not. Is she crying then?"  Harry said as he thought of how Ginny must be feeling.

"You hurt her and then she ran out of the hall in front of everybody.  Can you really imagine just how embarrassed she is?"

"No," Harry said feeling very ashamed with himself and he sat down on the stairs and leant backwards onto the barrier.  It didn't hold him and he hit his head on the sharp edge of one of the steps.  "Ouch what the?" he said groggily as he sat up. 

"Hey you can't do that," Hermione cried out in a surprised and indignant voice.  Harry turned and pressed a hand against the barrier.  It was firm under his touch.  He felt the back of his head and realised he was bleeding. 

"Great," he said in disgust.

"Oh Harry your bleeding oh I'm so sorry, but really you shouldn't have er how did you do that.  I know my barrier is foolproof"

"I'm going to go to Madam Pomfrey," Harry said and got up and walked away holding his head as some small part of him told him that his pain was justice for the pain he had caused Ginny.

Madam Pomfrey was speechless when he walked in and went so far as to check him over thoroughly for clumsiness curses.  She found nothing untoward and was still shaking her head in disbelief as Harry left.

It appeared the dinner was over and he was caught up in the rush of students as they headed to the dorms.  He pushed his way to the front and managed to get to the Fat Lady just as they were arriving.  "Bubbles and boils" he muttered and entered.  He met the twins in the common room and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Harry there you are," one said with a decidedly evil smirk on his face.

"May we have a word with you," the other said as he pounded a fist into his other hand. Harry backed away as he looked at the too of them

"Has Ron talked to you recently?" he asked.

"Not recently."

"Oh because he's looking for you.  He already er restored family pride."

"Don't worry this won't hurt a bit," one of the twins said as they both advanced on Harry.

"Your right about that," Angelina's voice interrupted.

"But­"

"Hurt him and go on detention," she threatened.

"Okay," both twins said as they produced their wands and proceeded to hit Harry with a combined transfiguration spell.

"No­" Harry managed before he doubled over and toppled to the floor.  The world fell into darkness as his stood on all fours.  A great weight was upon him and he squirmed to get out of it.  There was considerable noise about him and then the weight was lifted free of him and he looked up to see the others literally towering over him.  They where immense but he did not have long to ponder the situation before he was hit by another spell and felt himself changing once more.  He staggered as he found himself standing on two legs before realising there had been a collective gasp.  It was then he realised he was naked.  All of his clothes were at his feet.  In what seemed slow motion Harry looked down at his feet and his clothes and then up at those around him who looked milliseconds from laughter and then down again at his clothes.  

He found himself moving painfully slowly towards his clothes as he began to hear his pulse pound in his temples and then the world was back at full speed.

"Crap," Harry heard himself uttering as he grabbed his clothes up and holding them in front of himself bolted for his dorm right past the mass of flabbergasted first years.  He was at the bottom of the stairs as the crescendo of laughter began.  It followed him up to his dorm and was only dulled by his slamming the door shut behind him.

Harry panted as he sunk to the ground.  He had never been so humiliated before in his life.  He slowly caught his breath as the laughter from the common room echoed in his head.  He knew that he was not going to be able to face them again for a long time if ever.  Memories of the event were going to haunt him forever.  He imagined a scene at his graduation from Hogwarts and the unfortunate incident being brought up.  It was clear that he was doomed.

He eventually got dressed and then lay on the bed as his mind tormented him with distorted images of his friends laughing at him.  After a while, the door to the dorm was opened and Ron walked in.

"Is it true then.  You were stark bloody naked in front of all the first years," he began enthusiastically.

Anger well up in Harry in response to his friends humour at his predicament.  "Shove it," he said into his pillow.

"Aw come on Harry its not that bad. Anyway, you should have seen what Angela did to the twins.  I only got to see the end of it but well imagine this. Two green piggies running about the dorm, oh priceless," Ron said with great enthusiasm.

"You mean they weren't laughing at me?"

"Well no but they weren't laughing just at you although I did distinctly hear some of the girls commenting on your er attributes."

"Great," Harry muttered more to himself than to Ron.

"Come on Harry, everybody streaks at least once while they're at Hogwarts," Ron said as he sat down on the bed beside Harry.  Although Ron sounded sincere, Harry didn't believe him for a second.  "Anyway," Ron said with an air of resignation, "I'm going back down and join in the fun.  I suppose you'll stay here then."

"Right," Harry mumbled and Ron walked out.  Laughter echoed around the room as Ron opened and closed the door.  Harry lay there hungry and dejected for quite some time before his stomach growled angrily.  He had neglected to eat and he decided to remedy that.  He got up, retrieved his invisibility cloak, and walked out.  The common room was more subdued as he ghosted by.  The twins were present as was Ron.  He couldn't see Hermione or Ginny.

He silently left the common room and made swift progress towards the kitchens. 

He opened the entrance and walked in.  One of the house elves looked up at the door and at him or Harry realized. right through him and he took off his hood.

"Harry Potter, Sir" a shrill voice came from behind one of the tables and streaked towards him. Dobby leaped and hugged him about the midriff very tightly.

"Er hi Dobby," Harry said.

"Why is you down here Harry Potter, Sir," Dobby said.

"Er hungry," Harry said.  Almost instantaneously, trays of food were being presented to him by a small hoard of house elves.  Harry grabbed as much as he could and stuffed his pockets and mouth with it.

"Mr Potter," a voice called out behind Harry causing his insides to freeze and made swallowing his mouthful of food rather difficult.  Harry turned slowly.  The new professor stood before him.  "Why this is an honour.  I get to give my very first detention to the boy himself," the professor uttered with an evil glint in his eyes.  "Now come with me boy." He continued in barley a whisper. He looked at the house elves, "I will back to collect what I came for later." He gestured towards the door and Harry walked out after him.  Harry quickly realised he was not being led to the Gryffindor dorm. He was being led somewhere far worse.  They arrived and Harry walked in very slowly.  The professor followed.  Professor McGonagall looked up at the two of them. Her eyes narrowed and bored into Harry.

"What has happened," she said in a terse voice.

"First round to me Minerva.  I caught this one in the kitchens. I believe a detention is called for." 

"Yes Professor Wilder if that is all," she said very tersely.

"Always a pleasure Minerva," Professor Wilder said in an oily voice before gliding out. Professor McGonagall stiffened as he disappeared and it's meaning was not lost on Harry.  He was in a lot of trouble.

"I have never been so appalled before in my life Mr Potter.  Detention.  The year has hardly begun and already you are wandering about the castle after dark. What on earth possessed you to do that?"

"I was hungry," Harry mumbled.

"Did you not hear Professor Dumbledore's warning?"

"No."

"That reminds me.  She pulled a parchment from her cloak. "I was going to go against my better judgment and show mercy as it is only the beginning of the year however it appears you need reminding of the rules."  She looked down at the parchment and read, "Detention – causing physical bodily harm to castle denizens­"

"But I, we­"

"Quiet.  Detention.  For being late to the sorting ceremony when you were specifically instructed to be punctual.  Detention.  For humiliating a fellow student. Detention. For bring the house into disrepute with the fiasco that followed.  Detention.  For leaving the hall and wandering the castle without permission and as I've already explained. Detention.  For being out of your dormitory and wandering the castle after hours."  Harry reeled and sat down in a nearby chair.  "Now Mr Potter you will turn up here after your last class tomorrow and begin serving your detentions.  If I hear that you have been involved in any further breaches of the schools regulations I will make an example out of you by seeking a suspension. Now I will walk you back to the dorm and you will not say a single word. Understand?"

Harry nodded.

Harry was lead back to the dorm in silence and entered the common room. Professor McGonagall followed. Several students were still up and paled as they saw the professor.

"I suggest you all go to bed," she said in a quiet but forceful voice. She waited as Harry and the others went to bed. Ron caught up with Harry in the dorms.

"What happened?"

"A weeks worth of detentions and I'm going to be suspended if I misbehave any more."

"Wow. Harsh"

 "I just want to go to bed."

"Did she didn't er talk about me or…"

"No."

"Thank god. My mum would kill me if I got suspended."

"Maybe she'll get to you tomorrow," Harry said as he thought about the sheer injustice of it all. Ron paled and didn't say anything further. Not even a good night.

********

The next morning things were a little better. He received a few whistles and looks although less than he had feared. Ginny looked right through him as if he didn't exist and virtually all of the girls were giving him hate filled stares. He tried his best to ignore them all. When he had met up with Hermione the trio went down to breakfast together. On the way Draco and his cohorts ambushed them.  The first they knew of it was Draco's loud obnoxious voice calling out to them.

"Does bad taste run in your family Weasley or is it that you can't afford anything better.  I mean really have you no sh­" Draco fell to the ground having been hit by multiple spells.  Goyle and Crabbe drew their wands and were similarly felled.

Ron walked onto and over Draco while the others walked around him.

"Who did this?" Angelina asked in a loud voice as they had just about made a clean getaway.

"They tripped and fell," Fred said with a smirk as he and George rushed forward to look upon Draco and co. Angelina looked at them all. Ron in particular was giving her a disapproving look.

"I warned you I wouldn't hesitate to give you all detention. Now who did this?" She looked at Harry and Ron and then to the twins. Nobody said a word. "Fine I will have to speak to Professor McGonagall and mention all of your names."

"Traitor," Ron coughed under his breath just as Angelina was looking away from him. She spun and glared at them all and then walked stiffly away.

"She's eager," one of the twins said.

"Depressingly so," said the other in a far more sombre manner.  Harry and the others continued on to breakfast. Not one of them bothered to wake Draco or the others.

The first class after breakfast was potions and Harry walked in with hopeful trepidation.  Although the new potions teacher had stared at him for most of the breakfast he couldn't see how he could be anywhere near as bad as Snape. Snape hated him and he didn't see how or why this new teacher might hate him. He walked in and tried to suppress any anxiety and to smile which he achieved to a small degree.

He sat down with his friends. He had tried to sit between them but found much to his dismay that Hermione was first to her seat and placed herself between Ron and himself. Neither of them seemed to notice or mind but Harry felt annoyed as sitting next to Ron meant some small possibility of fun while sitting next to Hermione allowed for none. The only other person who seemed at all alarmed at this turn of events was Neville who now had Ron next to him. It seemed he did not relish the idea of potions without the guiding hand of Hermione.

Harry's scowl was interrupted by Hermione warning him of the new professors arrival. He looked up and met the glare of the new professor who was staring intently at him from the front of the room.

"Wakey wakey Mr Potter—yes isn't that better—but don't you rely on young ever innocent Ms Granger's assistance," the new professor said with a smirk on his face. He looked intently at Ron as if trying to decide whom he was, "Mr Weasley, why this is a surprise. I see that Ms Granger is indeed fickle with her attentions. Why," he looked about the room and stopped when he spied Neville, "Mr Longbottom I see you have now suffered one of the greatest evils of this world. What ever are you going to do now with no one to prepare your potions for you." Neville looked down at his desk while Harry felt Hermione stiffen next to him. "Yes class, Professor Snape has been kind enough to leave detailed instructions and a very though description of you all. So all that I need do now is convey a little about myself and how we will proceed with this class. First however, I will warn you. This class, as is life itself, will not be at all fair. So Mr Potter tell us some of the ingredients of oh say Polyjuice potion"

Harry gulped as he saw the trap. He wasn't supposed to know how to make Polyjuice potion. He wondered if it was a not so subtle hint about the stolen ingredients that had gone into that potion.

"Er I don't know sir," he said weakly.

"Five points—off Gryffindor," the professor said. He looked around at the others and paused on the Slytherins, most of who were whispering to one another. "SILENCE!" he bellowed causing some of them to jump. "I will not have Slytherins talking in my class. Where is your pride? Snape may have enjoyed favouring your weakness and allowing a common," he pointed over at Hermione, "to show you all up but I will not stand for it. I am warning you all now I will not be pleasant to those who do not excel in this class." He looked at Draco. "Mr Malfoy I hold you personally responsible for the actions of the other Slytherins. Pray that they do not fail you."

"Sir!?" Draco said loudly as he stood up in protest.

"Yes I too recognise their utter incompetence, but my decision stands. Now sit or I will show you that I am nothing if not brutal to my enemies," he said in a very calm voice that completely silenced the class. It seemed to Harry that his fears had been justified. It was possible for a teacher to be like Snape.

Now we shall begin with the first class," the professor began before spotting a hand raised into the air. "Yes Ms Parkinson?"

"What is your name sir?"

"My my a Slytherin asking for my name. Am I not the acting head of your house—but then we have mentioned your incompetence haven't we. My name is Damien Wilder. You may call me Professor Wilder or sir. Any other name shall incur my wrath and hmmm delight."

"Sir?" she asked.

"Well would not you take delight in subjecting a pitiful student to cruel and unusual punishment."

Pansy sat down having gone rather pale and the Slytherins remained very quiet for the rest of the lesson.

***

Professor Wilder quickly began an introductory lesson into defensive potions. The class was instructed on the preparation of a potion that became a wall when spread on the ground. They were then ordered to prepare a small amount.

Professor Wilder walked menacingly around as the class struggled with the advanced potion.

"Neville why is your potion green when all others are blue?" He said leaning over Neville's shoulder.

Neville shuddered. "Do you want me to start over sir?"

"You decide," Professor Wilder said as he moved off. Neville looked at his potion and with and air of resignation began again.

Harry looked down at his potion and was alarmed to see it too had turned a bright shade of green. He double-checked the instructions before he noticed that Hermione's had also assumed a green colour. Hermione looked at it and then at her book and then at Neville.

"That was an evil thing to do. Neville was just faster than us," she muttered under her breath to Harry and Ron.

"No Ms Granger it was five points off Gryffindor. No talking," Professor Wilder said loudly causing the class to look at Hermione. Draco snickered but the rest remained silent, unwilling to incur lost house points so early into the new school year.

Only four people managed to finished the potion prior to the end of the lesson. Draco, Pansy, Hermione and, surprising even himself, Harry. They then proceeded to use the potions to make four walls and Professor Wilder subjected each to a Reducio curse that reduced them all to fine rubble.

"I will give you four all one point each for good work and now before you leave there is the small matter of homework. Read the assigned text completely through and familiarise yourself with its pages. You have till next week. Class dismissed"

"Sir!"

"It not enough time."

"But its hundreds of pages."

"CLASS DISMISSED! Now flee or I shall happily give you something to flee," Professor Wilder screamed and the entire class fled.

Harry walked beside an equally sickened Ron. Life was not fair.

"The whole book" Ron struggled weakly as he accompanied Harry and Hermione to the next class.

"I've already read it" Hermione said in a voice that instantly irritated Harry.

"Yes we know you would have. But for us normal people­" Ron said.

"What do you mean by normal people?" Hermione said as she took point with what had been said against her.

"Well you know, not little kiss up types," Ron said as Harry cringed. He could sense a Ron-Hermione fight brewing

"Cut it out you two," he said as he hoped he was averting the disaster he sensed.

"Cut what out Harry and what ever do you mean by 'kiss up types' Ron" Hermione said as her rage built.

"Don't fight its not worth it," Harry said as he struggled to maintain the peace.

"We aren't going to fight," Hermione said in a tone that suggested otherwise.

"Well normal people don't read the entire book before they have too," Ron replied.

"Well I—how can you—I am sure that you will never get good marks in the upcoming exams."

"What exams?"

"The OWLs idiot."

"But they're a whole year off."

Hermione didn't reply verbally but gave a look that conveyed her position to Ron and he looked abashed.

"But it's a whole year off," he protested but his conviction was lessened from his previous complaint. "It's the whole book," he said to Harry as he sought support for his position.

"Yeah it's a lot isn't it?" Harry agreed with his friend.

"You both could do with an increased effort," Hermione complained.

"Let it go Hermione," Ron said

"No I will not," Hermione said, "both of you need to realise our whole lives are hinging on the outcome of the upcoming exams. We must do well or well it's not nice to think about the alternative."

"Whatever," Ron replied as he dismissed Hermione.

"But," she protested.

"She's right," Harry conceded to placate Hermione.

"Suck up," Ron said derisively and Harry hung his head. He couldn't win.

Further argument about studying was halted as they reached their next class; Defence Against the Dark Arts.

"Ooooh Professor Moody is teaching this class," Hermione said.

"But he taught it last year," Ron said.  Hermione looked at him in disbelief.

"No he didn't."

"Well it was someone who was pretending to be him then"

"Yes and this is the real thing"

"If he was good enough to fool the other teachers then he'll be good enough to fool you and then he'll seem just like the last Moody."

"But that wasn't Moody."

"Picky picky."

"Why you," but she was cut off by the arrival of the real Moody; signalled by the clunking sound of his wooden leg on the stone floor. "Ooooh," she said expectantly.

"Women," Ron muttered darkly.

The trio went into the class with the other students.  Defence Against the Dark Arts was apparently going to be with Slytherin. Harry noticed this and mumbled darkly to Ron; "Looks like we have snakes in all of our classes."

"It's a conspiracy," Ron replied

"It is not," Hermione said, "I have arithimancy with Ravenclaw"

Ron snorted derisively; "Arithimancy isn't a class. It's voluntary torture undertaken by people who are obviously bonkers."

"I take arithimancy."

"Can't be sane all of the time."

"This from someone who takes divination."

"But I don't take it seriously."

"I do," Harry said.

Hermione snorted disbelief; "Then why do you seem to always die in the most unbelievable circumstances in your essays"

"I have had real premonitions" Harry replied.

Hermione shuddered." Yes and don't remind me. Its quite terrifying"

Harry didn't have an opportunity to ask what exactly terrified her as Moody called the class to order.

"Eyes front…now"

The class stopped talking and faced him.

"I know that you met one Barty Crouch Jnr last year while he was impersonating me. What did you learn?"

Hermione put her hand up and was selected

"We learnt about­"

"Not what was taught. What did you learn from his teaching you?"

"That appearance can be deceiving."

"Did you learn any rules?"

"Constant vigilance"

"Ah one of my favourites. CONSATNT VIGILANCE and ONE SPELL never forget these things. You must always be alert and you have one spell so make it count.  You, what is your name?" He said looking at the Slytherins.

"Crabbe sir."

"Stop playing with that object."

"Yes sir"

"What do I mean by one spell"

"I don't know"

"Crabbe, yes I know your father. One spell. When you are confronted with a sudden threat you have time to cast just one spell so you must make it count. Don't hope that you last long enough for two. Chances are you won't. I certainly wouldn't let any wizard cast two spells on me. ONE SPELL. Now, who knows what that means?"

"You have to know what you are fighting before you cast"

"Exactly, you have one spell so you must know which spell to cast and that means knowing what the threat is and the appropriate spell for that threat. It is no good to know what the threat is and to not be able to cast a suitable spell. What can be learned from this?"

Hermione raised her arm but the rest kept themselves as still as possible. Moody looked about the room. Both his eyes centred on Harry.

"Mr Potter, you have had experience with such matters. What have you learned."

"Er" Harry gulped as everybody looked at him. What had he learned? He didn't know that many spells. He usually relied on Hermione to tell him the threat and the suitable spell. He doubted that was what Professor Moody was after. All he really knew were some general-purpose spells. "Know some general purpose spells like impedimenta?" Harry said with his fingers crossed beneath the desk.

"Yes well done. Know general-purpose spells. You all should know impedimenta. It can be very useful both in slowing a charging beast and giving you the opportunity to run away if you feel the need. Who here knows impedimenta? Harry raised his hand as did some others but it was apparent that some didn't know. Moody didn't look pleased. He shook his head and then bellowed, "Then you are going to learn how now." The rest of the lesson revolved around learning impedimenta and other general-purpose spells. Harry found it much to his liking as he knew most of them and he left the class with a smile on his face. If all DADA classes were going to be like that then the year might not be that bad.  He walked to lunch with Ron and Hermione. They walked hand in hand but Harry tried to ignore that.

Lunch was a quick affair as Harry had promised Oppy that he'd take her something to eat. He looked at the food in front of him and wondered just what Oppy would like. At number four he'd just let her out into the back yard to eat what ever she could catch.

"What do snakes eat?" he asked Hermione.

"Depends on the snake but any small rodent should suffice"

"Where am I going to get one of those from? What would she like from this table"

"Oh er"

"If I still had Scabbers then you could have fed him to her" Ron said with a smile.

"I suppose she'd like some meat but I'm not sure that they like dead food. Maybe you could transfigure it into a mouse?"

"I suppose so," Harry said as he wondered if he could turn a piece of meat into a good enough mouse to satisfy Oppy. He had a brief mental image of Oppy turning her nose up at a partially transfigured mouse. He decided it was the best he could do and grabbed small amount of meat from the table. He was about to stuff the lot into his pocket when Hermione stopped him and conjured a bag for him. He used that instead and then the three of them went to see Oppy.

Upon reaching the Gryffindor common room Hermione dashed up to the stair to the girl's common rooms saying she was going to get Crookshanks. Harry and Ron went to get Oppy. He found her under her bed where he'd left her.

"Oppy I brought you lunch," he whispered.

"Hello Harry. I don't need lunch."

"Pardon?"

"I was hungry so I went hunting. I am quite full."

"Oh what did you catch?"

"Food."

"Okay," Harry said in neutral tones as he tried to think what food might have been. He sincerely hoped that one of the other students wasn't now missing a pet mouse or rat. "So you don't want what I brought you?"

"No."

"I'll just leave you here then."

"I would like to come with you."

"Pardon."

"I would like to see where you went. You were gone longer that I had anticipated. Where did you go?"

"Classes."

"Will you go again?"

"Yes every day except the weekends."

"May I see these classes?"

"Er I don't know the teachers might not like that."

"I could hide as I have done before."

"I suppose so if you promise to keep hidden."

"I promise to remain hidden," Oppy said.

"Well it's lunch time now. Classes are in about an hour. Do you want me to come and get you then"

"I will wait"

"Okay," Harry said and he and Ron went back down to the common room. Harry could help but notice Ron's expression. It was one of puzzlement and disapproval.

"What?"

"What did you…"

"Oppy wants to come to class with me to see what its like"

"Oh and she was disappointed and slithered away."

"No she waiting for me to come get her before class."

"Er you can't take Oppy to class."

"She can hide under my robes"

"But its wrong and if your caught you be I don't know. You're bonkers if you think you can do that Harry."

"What exactly is wrong with the idea?"

"Well…"

"See nothing. I won't get caught and Oppy will see that classes are fairy boring and won't ask to come again."

"I'm going to ask Hermione what she thinks," Ron said as they entered the common room

"Ask me what?" Hermione said from where she was sitting. Crookshanks was on her lap purring loudly as Hermione stroked him.

"Harry wants to take Oppy to class"

"Pardon?"

"She wants to know what classes are like so I agreed she could  hide under my robes for the next class. It's no big deal."

"And what will you do when you get caught with a snake in your robes," said Hermione with a very disapproving look upon her face.

"I'm not going to get caught," said Harry. Neither Ron nor Hermione looked convinced and so he changed the topic. "So what are we going to do?"

"Study," said Hermione in a neutral tone that suggested she knew it would never happen.

"I was thinking of exploring the new dungeon," Harry said ignoring Hermione's obligatory suggestion of studying.

"Yeah," Ron said also ignoring Hermiones suggestion.

"Mmmph," mumbled Hermione in obvious disapproval of the other two.

"Did you have a suggestion?" Ron asked her. Hermione scowled at him and the three of them made their way to the dungeons with Harry using his invisibly cloak to get all of them there without incurring the attention of any professors that might want to know what they were doing.

They went straight to the twin's lab and interrupted the two of them as they were huddled over a cauldron. The twins didn't mind in the least and promptly sat the trio down and presented them with their latest inventions. They wanted Harry in particular to try all of them and when he refused quite forcibly they demonstrated their wares upon themselves. Sensing the end of the demonstration Harry turned to comment to Ron and found, much to his displeasure, that both he and Hermione were nowhere to be seen. Somehow Harry had missed that the audience had shrunk and he suspected that the twins had had a hand in ensuring he hadn't noticed. He gave them an accusing stare and they both grinned widely and one of them winked suggestively. He shook his head in disgust and glumly watched the twins go about their experimenting. Very soon he had had enough and went looking for his friends but they were nowhere to be found. Finally a despondent and very irritated Harry gave up and went back to his dorm. Oppy promptly slithered out under from under his bed.

"I am ready," she said expectantly.

"Its still lunch time," Harry said and Oppy slithered straight back under the bed. Harry shook his head sadly. It was somehow appropriate that she didn't want to chat. He collapsed onto his bed and grabbing a book began reading while feeling very bored. It was no fun having no one to play with.

After what seemed an eternity lunch ended and he went to the next class, Care of Magical Creatures, with Oppy carefully hidden under his robes. She had apparently been waiting and had not fallen asleep, as Harry had hoped. Now that he was going to do it he was very unsure of his chances of success. He couldn't shake the image of Oppy bursting out of his robes halfway through class and causing a furore.  He hadn't heard of Hagrid's return so he supposed that a replacement had been called in as he had overheard some Gryffindors talking about at breakfast. A replacement teacher was unlikely to be kind to him if he caused trouble but he couldn't just tell Oppy no after he'd said yes. He grumbled and hurried his pace. It wouldn't do to be late as well.

He caught up with Ron and Hermione on the way.

"Nice of you to just run off" Harry said as he jogged to catch them.

"Er we escaped while we could," Ron said hesitantly.

"And left me behind."

"Sorry," Hermione said quickly as Ron flushed and looked away.

"It's just…no forget it," Harry said in a depressed voice. He couldn't be bothered delving into a matter that he didn't like even thinking about.

The trio walked silently to class where they were met with a very pleasant surprise.

"Hagrid," Harry cried out upon spying a familiar large form bent over a pen.

"Why 'ello Harry, Hermione, Ron. Just be a minute. I only got back this morn'n and I'm a bit behind. It was nice of some friends to supply some creatures although I think you'll have seen most of them before. Not to worry as I've got something coming that'll surprise ya," Hagrid said as he tried vainly to catch something in the pen in front of him. Draco and the other students were already present and watching Hagrid's attempts. He seemed to be having difficulty with what ever was in the pen and Draco in particular seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. Harry moved so he could get a better view. He went up to the pen and looked in. a small furry creature leapt out of the soil and back in again like it was water.

"Nifflers!" Harry said.

"Right you are Harry but these Nifflers are off their food for some reason. Something's got them spooked. I wasn't having much trouble till you lot turned up. I suppose they might not be used to so many people being about but I'd swear it's like something else. If I had to guess I'd say they were terrified of something."

"Urgh," Harry exclaimed as Oppy writhed inside his robes. She poked her head out of his collar and looked about. She froze dead still when she spotted the Nifflers.

"Egg thieves," she exclaimed and the Niffler that Hagrid was trying to catch stopped dead and looked at Harry. It remained dead still as Hagrid grabbed it and lifted it up. He turned about with it in his hands.

"Well now that's odd," Hagrid said as he stroked the Niffler. "If I didn't know better I say it'd spotted trouble or something." Hagrid gave a cheerful smile nevertheless as Harry started to have a very bad idea of what was about to happen. Oppy and the Niffler moved in the same instant just before Harry was about to tuck her back in. Instead he writhed as Oppy escaped from under his robes and fell to the ground. The Niffler bit Hagrid and dived into the ground. It surfaced behind Hagrid and Oppy was after it in a flash.

"Oppy!" Harry called out but it was no use as both showed remarkable speed as they disappeared from sight.

"Snake!" someone screamed and chaos ensued. Guilt welled up inside of Harry as he leapt after Oppy as the majority of the class screamed and fled.

"Oppy come back," Harry called as loudly as he could in Parseltongue. He turned and faced Hagrid and what others that had remained.

"Well blimey it bit me. That's never happened before. Usually quite peaceful creatures"

"Ah Hagrid," Harry said as he was confused by Hagrid's apparent disregard of the chaos that was ensuing just behind him.

"Never you mind Harry," said Hagrid in a confidant voice, "No snake is ever going to catch a Niffler. Them Nifflers are fast and can hide underground but what on earth were you doing with a snake under your clothes?"

"Er she's my pet snake Oppy. She wanted to see what my classes were like. I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought her."

"I heard that you got a snake, not that I believed it but now. Why did it? And why would you?"

"It said they were egg thieves and I'm sorry."

"Egg thieves? Nifflers? Never. They eat worms 'n' stuff not eggs"

"Oppy come back," Harry hissed as he spotted the Oppy moving back towards the pen and then watched in horror as the pen frothed. The Nifflers in the pen were going berserk and earth and Niffler were flying about so fast it was all a blur to Harry. "Oppy!" he screamed. The pen fell still. Oppy was in the centre of it with not a Niffler in sight.

"Yes?" Oppy hissed as if nothing were the matter.

"Come here," Harry said in an urgent tone. He was beginning to imagine Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore telling him Oppy had to leave Hogwarts.

"But the egg thieves are still here," Oppy said.

"It doesn't matter. Come here. You're getting me into a lot of trouble."

"But the egg thieves will steal my eggs."

"But you don't have any eggs."

"I will have soon."

"Pardon."

"I will lay my eggs very soon."

"You're pregnant?"

"Yes"

"Oh"

"So the egg thieves must die now," Oppy said looking about herself.

"No!" Harry exclaimed.

"But they will­"

"I'll keep them away besides they're kept in a pen and they can't get out" Harry said. Oppy didn't look convinced. "Please Oppy. Come here and I will make sure no egg thief gets your eggs. I promise"

"Very well, if you promise," Oppy said and slithered over to the side of the pen. Harry reached in and retrieved his wayward snake. He looked about at the others, most of whom had retreated a considerable distance. They were looking at him in horror. All except for Draco who had a pale but smug expression and Goyle and Crabbe who were standing beside Draco looking more stupid than shocked.

"Sorry Hagrid I don't know what got into her," Harry said to Hagrid.

"Well I suppose if no harms been done."

"Oppy you didn't actually kill any of them did you."

"No I was too full to catch them," Oppy said in a discontented tone.

"She says she didn't catch any."

"Very good but why did she try to harm them. Them Nifflers they don't hurt snakes."

"She's pregnant and thinks that the Nifflers are going to steal her eggs when she lays them."

"Well tell her that the Nifflers are harmless"

"Hagrid says the Nifflers are harmless. They aren't going to steal anything"

"They are egg thieves," Oppy said, her eyes never leaving the Niffler pen.

"Perhaps I should take her back to my dorm"

"No need for that Harry as long as you can keep her under control."

"What?" Draco protested loudly "But it's a dangerous wild animal."

"Nonsense, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't allow dangerous wild animals to be kept as pets. Not here at Hogwarts," Hagrid said with a non-to-subtle wink in Harry's direction. Harry bit his lip to stop from laughing and couldn't resist a smug smile at Draco. Draco's expression conveyed his position. He was livid and was going to cause as much trouble for both he and Hagrid as he possibly could. "We'll just move away from the Nifflers." Hagrid said and the class followed him as he led them away from the Nifflers. He walked them to a water-filled penned area.  "We are going to study something else today anyway. Now have you all got you books from last year"

"No," was the reply from all but Harry and Hermione.

"Well oh I thought you'd bring them. Be sure to bring them along next time. I suppose we'll continue anyway."

Harry pulled Snapper out of his bag and absently scratched the spine as Hagrid introduced the creatures in the pen. They were Squigies. Small greenish blue blobs that occasionally waved small tentacles through the air above them as they floated in the pen. "Now the task today is to take a Squigie and train it to change into another shape. I will give points for the most imaginative shape." Hagrid said and the class set to work.  Everyone had to pick one of the Squigies up. Harry scooped one blob out of the water and walked back to where he had been sitting. As he sat down he noticed Snapper scampering away.

"Snapper bad book. Come back here" he said and Snapper stopped. "Come" Harry said impatiently and Snapper scampered back to him. He stoked his hand down Snapper's spine as he plopped the Squigie onto the plate Hagrid had provided. He then looked up and realised everybody was staring at him. "What?" he asked.

"How'd you do that?" Lavender said. She was staring at Snapper.

"Do what?"

"Make your book do that."

"Come back to me? I trained it."

"How?" Lavender said in a manner that suggested she really meant, 'Why?'

"I don't know. I was bored over the holidays. There's not much to do with the Dursleys and Snapper was er" Harry stopped speaking and shrugged.

"Now that's amazing Harry that is," Hagrid enthused as he bounded over. "That's worth ten points that is. Taking very good care of your book. He reached down to pick up Snapper."

"Careful he bites," Harry warned and then watched as Hagrid picked him up and Snapper fell open without the slightest fuss.

"Why your Snapper is nearly as nice as mine although I never named mine. I suppose I should though," he said as he handed Snapper back to Harry. Harry smiled broadly until he noticed he was getting peculiar looks from everyone else. He looked down and concentrated on the task at hand.

It wasn't until the class was over and he was packing up that Ron and him spoke.

"So taking Oppy to the next class," Ron asked rhetorically.

"No," Harry said. He didn't like to imagine what Oppy would do next. He was going to take her straight back to the dorm.

"You were lucky it was Hagrid and not some other teacher."

"Yeah" Harry said weakly. He had been very lucky that it had been Hagrid. Any other teacher would have given him a weeks detention at the very least and probably ensured the Oppy had to be confined to a cage or even leave Hogwarts.

"Hmmm," Hermione said as she eyed Snapper with obvious envy.

"Isn't yours well behaved?" Harry asked when he noticed what Hermione was staring at. Hermione looked down at her monster book. It had a large belt about it.  "You know they don't like belts. It will bite you more often with one. Snapper doesn't need one"

"It's a book," Hermione said and then seemed to realise what she had said. She didn't know what to do then and so looked away.

 "Yeah I know but it's still fun. Like a toy I suppose," Harry said.

"Oh hmm was it hard to train?" she asked in a nonchalant manner that Harry suspected hid a genuine desire to have her book be the best of all. Hermione really didn't like coming second in anything at all especially if it involved books.

"No just treat your copy like an unruly puppy. It should respond well."

"Just when some deluded fools where starting to suspect there might be a shred of sanity in you Potter you prove that there isn't." Draco said as he passed by them.

"I wont have bitten fingers at the next class."

"There is something wrong with you Potter."

"Whatever Draco," Harry said and then he had a delicious thought. "Oppy how are you," he hissed to Oppy.

"I am fine," Oppy hissed back from within his robes. He looked up at Draco.

"Oppy doesn't like you. Did you see what she did to the Nifflers she didn't like?"

"You can't threaten me Potter."

"I'm not. I just told Oppy not to attack you. She wanted to. There's no antidote to her bite. 100% fatal. Did you see how fast she is?"

"You don't scare me Potter," Draco shrieked as he distanced himself. "If you snake attacks me I'll kill it."

"I suspect Oppy would have bitten you by then." Harry said and then turned to Ron "Do you think Malfoy would see Oppy coming?" Ron smiled and shook his head. Draco looked at them and then at Oppy.

"You haven't heard the last of this Potter," he spat out and then ran into the castle.

"He's going to get you for that Harry," Ron said as he laughed.

"Why did that person scream at you?" Oppy asked.

"Er I told him you were going to attack him. Sorry but I don't like him."

"Would you like me to attack him?"

"No!"

"Very well," Oppy said as settled back down within his robes.

Harry looked up at Ron and Hermione who were eyeing him with some hesitation.

"What?"

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that Harry," Ron said.

Harry shook his head and steeped up the pace. He had to get to the dorm and drop off Oppy before the last class transfiguration.

"Where are you going," Hermione asked.

"Dorm."

"You won't make it in time."

"Well I'll run then," Harry said as he broke into a run leaving the others behind.

He hadn't gotten very far at all when fate intervened.

"Mr Potter," Professor McGonagall's voice called out. Harry turned to see her surrounded by a bunch of first or second year girls. They looked shocked. Professor McGonagall looked about ready to hand out a multitude of detentions.

"Sorry," Harry said and crossing his fingers walked slowly out of sight. He took a few more steps and then started running again. He ran to the dorm and dropped off an irritated Oppy. She hadn't liked the running and couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to go to the next class. Harry was forced to waste precious time making Oppy comfortable and then he had to sprint to class. He was late but that wasn't what caused his stomach to seize up upon reaching Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall was standing in the doorway. She was looking at her watch.

"I believe you are late Mr Potter."

"Sorry"

"And I believe I warned you about running in the halls

"Sorry," Harry said as he realised he was getting a detention.

"Detention Mr Potter. Now inside and take your seat." Professor McGonagall said.

What followed was a blur of torture for Harry as try as he might to remain as small and inconspicuous as possible Professor McGonagall looked towards him for every answer to the multitude of questions she put to the class.

"What is the seventh important step that must be taken before transfiguring an magical animal," Professor McGonagall asked. She looked about the room. Only Hermione had her hand raised. "Mr Potter?". Harry winced and heard Hermione's grumble. She had moaned every time that Harry had been chosen before her not that it had mattered much. Much to his dismay, Harry hadn't known many of the answers. He paused as he tried to remember the answer to the current question. He could only ever remember five of the seven and it was no different now. Harry winced as Professor McGonagall continued staring at him. Hermione was becoming increasingly impatient as well and Harry could almost feel her buzzing with anticipation.

"Check that it's actually what you think it is," he guessed and knew as he uttered the first couple of word that he was wrong from Hermione's disapproving grumble.

"That would be the third step Mr Potter. Hermione please tell the class the correct answer"

"Well the seventh…" she began and Harry grumbled to himself and lowered his head as he tried to drown out Hermione voice. Being picked on by Professor McGonagall wasn't enjoyable. It got worse however, far worse that Harry had thought possible. Nearing the end of the lesson Professor McGonagall addressed the class.

"I am most disappointed. It seems that not all of you have spent the holidays revising. I am therefore forced to assign extra homework to ensure that you are not left behind. We will be studying advanced topics this year and you must know all of last years work to have any chance of understanding it. You will all write an twenty page essay summarising in your own words all that was covered last year. It shall be due at the start of class one week from now."

Harry looked up in shock. He looked about the class. Hermione looked quite possibly happy while Ron had gone very pale. The majority of the others were looking at him with very unpleasant expressions upon their faces. It was clear he was dead meat. He sat lower in his seat and tried to ignore the fact that he was surrounded by people who were most likely already plotting his downfall.  Professor McGonagall made a few final announcements and it was time for Harry to face the others.

"Twenty," Ron said weakly as they left the class.

"Sorry"

"Nice going Potter, you pathetic excuse for a…whatever the fuck you are," Draco yelled. Harry turned and watched him walk off. He looked down at his feet feeling terrible.

Pansy mockingly clapped at him as she walked off after Draco. He looked about at his fellow Gryffindors. Not one of them smiled at him.

"You obviously haven't been studying enough," Hermione said in an authoritative voice. "I will have to make you work harder."

"Pardon?"

"Perhaps you should Harry," said Seamus. He and the others looked like they were still coming to terms with the unforeseen essay.

"I'll go easy on you like I do with Ron," Hermione said. Ron made gagging gestures behind her back.

"No thanks Hermione," Harry said and Hermione smiled. It was a smile that caused Harry no sense of happiness as it suggested that he had no choice in the matter.

"Lets go study," she said.

"No. I'm going to the dorm and lying down on my bed."

"You should study. You should have known those problems. You should have…"

"Hey," Harry protested. "If it had been about something proper I might have known. I know some thing's like that book you gave me."

"Sneaky Spells?"

"Yeah every spell I tried out of that has worked perfectly."

"Really? Because some of them are rather advanced."

Harry winced. If it were something he wasn't supposed to be able to do then he'd rather not be able do it unless, of cause, it had something to do with Quidditch. He was quite happy to be the worlds best in Quidditch.

"Well the ones I have tried have worked. I haven't tried all of them. I suppose…"

"Have you tried the hex repelling charm on page two hundred and ninety-eight, Harry?"

 Harry looked at her in disbelief and wondered if she genuinely expected him to know what was on page two hundred and ninety-eight. "Pardon?" he said.

"I thought you said you'd read Sneaky Spells."

"Read it, yes. Committed every letter and blemish to memory, no."

"Hmmphh there are only two hex repelling charms in the book."

Harry shook his head and said, "Well one of them is on my robes right now. I thought it might come in handy to stop Malfoy and maybe the twins"

"Oooh both of them are very complex charms. Did they work properly?"

"Er," Harry winced. He'd chosen the charm because he had thought it looked easy and it had been rather easy. . "I don't know how good it is."

"Oh that's easy to find out.  Inficio" she said casting a spell onto Harry's robes.

"Hey," Harry protested as he looked down at his robes. He could see any discernable damage and looked up at Hermione. She looked impressed although for and instant Harry thought he spotted something like jealously.

"What did you just do?"

"I tried to discolour your robes. But you seem to have put a very good charm on them. Which begs the question. If you know how to do complex charms such as that one why can't you answer simple question like those Professor McGonagall asked you?"

"I'm not good at everything Hermione"

"It's because you didn't try isn't it. You know as well as I do that all you have to do is try"

"What does that mean?"

"Oh er nothing"

"Yes it did"

"It meant that you are a very talented very powerful wizard who needs to work harder," she said very quickly. Harry looked at her dumfounded.

"What about me?"  Ron asked in a small voice.

"You…" Hermione said and then paused. "You need to work harder."

"Is that all?" Ron said obviously crestfallen.

"You…you need to realise that every Weasley is a very talented wizard or witch"

"What?" Ron said in a confused hurt voice.

"You are a Weasley, Ron. Hence very talented. It you were to actually try once in your life you would find that out."

"So what's brought all this on?" Harry asked as they continued to walk. It wasn't usual for Hermione have such outburst. Usually they were the sign of much deeper annoyances.

"Er nothing," Hermione said and blushed beetroot red. Harry gave Ron questioning look but saw that he was busy grinning ear from ear. Harry shook his head in disbelief. It really didn't take much from Hermione to make Ron happy.

They went to the library at Hermione's insistence. Harry tagged along only to be with them. He had the sneaking suspicion that they wanted to be alone together but he didn't want to be left alone by himself.  They made a start upon McGonagalls impromptu essay until Harry had had as much as he could take.

"Chess Ron?" he asked.

"Oh yeah," said Ron as he leapt to his feet, his work falling about him.  He scooped it into his bag and was walking away when Hermione intercepted them.

"Sit," she said to Ron, pointing to his seat. Ron looked sheepish as he sat back down.

"What the?" Harry exclaimed.

"Sorry," Ron mumbled.

"But chess."

"Ron can't play chess until he's finished." Hermione said in an authoritative voice.

"Are you going to stand for that Ron?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Er."

"You should do your essay Harry."

"I can't take anymore. I have to do something else. Just for a break. We've got an entire week to do the essay Hermione."

"And what chance of excelling are you leaving yourself if you wait until the last possible moment?"

"Ron come on," Harry said.

"SorryHarryIcan'tcome," Ron mumbled without making eye contact. He was slowly and very reluctantly unpacking his essay.

Harry backed off. "There is something wrong with you two," he said as he stared in disbelief at them. Both were reddening, Ron in embarrassment and Hermione in anger. Harry shook his head and walked away from the two of them. They were obviously insane.

He went to the dorm where he read until it to became too boring. Eventually he returned to the essay but he didn't see anymore of either Ron or Hermione until Ron entered the dorm after Harry had already got into bed. Nothing was said between the two and Harry went to sleep in a disgruntled mood.

***********