Guardian of the Order

by Leo M. Panther

This story has haunting my every waking moment. This story isn't about the order of the phoenix. Harry needs to be protected but the Ministry is short on reliable staff so they call in a favour, let's hope they did the right thing...HIATUS

9. Chapter 8 Sneaking, suspicions

CHAPTER 8

Sneaking, suspicions.

'No… No…… NOOOOO!!!' Harry yelled as he woke up from the recurring nightmare. He breathed heavily. His pyjama was sticky with cold sweat and his wand was poking his chest when he laid down again.

The soft tapping of tenacious rain could be heard, though be it barely, over Ron's snoring. Harry turned over to look at the window. As he did he could see somebody crouching next to his bed. Harry quickly closed his hand around his wand and slowly pointed it at the person.

'Who are you?' Harry whispered, his throat dry.

'Go back to sleep Harry.' Leo replied.

'Leo?! What are you doing here?' Harry asked rather surprised. He picked up his glasses and sat up still cradling his wand.

'Nothing of importance. Just something that helps me keep track of you.' Leo answered softly. Clearly he didn't want to draw more undue attention. Harry couldn't make out exactly what Leo was doing but it looked like he was drawing a set of symbols in white chalk linked by a continuous line. Leo looked up for a moment. 'I'm resetting the alarm ward around your bed.' He added.

'What is the purpose of that?' Harry asked as he leaned in closer to see what Leo was doing.

'It tells me when you are in your bed. It's how I keep track of whether you are out on a illicit stroll.' Leo answered as he wiped out and redrew a symbol at the foot end of the bed.

'Aha. So why are you applying it now? Wouldn't it have been better to put it into place at the beginning of the year?' Harry asked before remembering that Leo said he was resetting it.

Leo continued the line to the other side of the bed. 'I did. In this magic rich environment it keeps fading.'

'How often do you need to reset it?'

'Once every week.' Leo said putting the final dot in the last symbol. 'Usually you sleep through these sessions. What has gotten you so spooked?' He pulled out his wand and started muttering an incantation.

'N- nothing. Just a nightmare.' Harry stammered.

As Leo finished the incantation a thin colourless beam came out his wand which ignited the ward. A spark went over the line and as it touched a symbol it began to glow, each a different colour. Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Cyan. Marine. Violet. When the last symbol began to glow they all turned bright white for a moment and then disappeared from sight.

'Some nightmare.' Leo stated. 'Try to get some sleep Harry. It's still three hours till dawn.' He got up and silently made his way to the door. When he opened the door it creaked and Neville stirred.

'Whhoooozzzz theeeeereeee?' He asked drowsily.

'Meeeow.' Leo imitated quickly.

'Darn catzzz.' Neville said and he turned over. However just as Leo was going to step outside Neville got up. 'Wait! We don't have a cat.'

'That's because I'm a stray.' Leo said.

'Oh, yes. That makes perfect sense.' Neville said with a yawn and he laid back down again. As the door closed softly Harry laid down as well. He put his wand on the night stand, next to his glasses.

'Which side are you on Lionar Panther?' Harry asked himself. 'Whom should I be more careful with? Voldemort or you? And which truths you give me should I believe? If you'll not tell me, than I will have to find out myself.' Harry sighed and closed his eyes. 'And I will find out…' Harry fell asleep. He rested easier but not much.

Time past. Harry's deal with Hermione ended as well, confusing Crookshanks greatly now that he had gotten used to being fed by Harry. Everyday was now completely filled from waken up to falling into bed from fatigue. Tutoring continued and though Harry had some great assistance with Hermione helping him. He decided that teaching was probably not a good career choice. He frequently had gotten to his outer limits of patience with the fourth years. Especially the girls who wouldn't stop staring blankly at him while they should be taking notes.
Their last remaining free time would either be spent on detailing their spying mission, making homework or giving Ron advise on quidditch practice. Even though Ron was quite eager to go all out he still hadn't gotten all of the basics down. Seeing as how he was always an observer and not a participant. You could frequently see Ron going through piles of strategies and tactics left behind by former captains. A big enchanted binder alone was full of Wood's ideas and Ron had vowed to learn them all before the first game against Slytherin.

School wise not much changed at all. Merely business as usual. The repairs to the entrance hall came along fine. The holes were gone and the paintings were replaced. Shiny new suits of armour were set in place and the magically repaired carpet was put down again. Soon after, the incident that caused all of that was forgotten. A new buzz was going through the school as Halloween drew closer.

As life continued at Hogwarts Harry put his mind at ease again and let things go as they came along. The weirdness didn't return until a week before Halloween. It is there that I continue the story.

The day had begun normal enough. Though fall had thoroughly set in, it was a sunny day with a calm breeze and rain clouds far away on the horizon. This morning they would have Care for Magical creatures. Harry had noticed that Hagrid had become a little more on edge these past few weeks. Still that morning nothing seemed wrong. The Slytherins had been put with the Gryffindors again.

Hagrid was pacing nervously, leaving a trench where he was walking. Something had gone wrong. 'Mornin' class.' He mumbled as the students approached.

'What's wrong Hagrid?' Hermione asked before Harry could.

'Nothin' is wrong per se. I had a special treat for you all t'day. Except it sorta…' Hagrid said.

'Escaped?!' Draco shouted so that everybody heard. 'Figures you would foul up again.' He sneered.

'Shut up, Malfoy!' Harry shouted.

'What did you have planned for us, Hagrid?' Hermione asked.

'I caught a beauty of a Sphinx prowling on the grounds. And them are rare in these believe you me.' Hagrid answered.

Leo looked up. 'Excuse me professor? Did this Sphinx have blond hair and piercing grey-blue eyes?' He asked.

'Call me Hagrid and yes she did. How did you know that?'

'Oh brother. I told her not to follow me here.' Leo said slapping his hand against his forehead.

'Ye mean to tell me that you know her?' Hagrid asked.

'Of course I know her I'm her caretaker.' Leo replied.

Draco was instantly sowing panic. 'You're more dangerous then you realise. You almost killed me for no reason and now your pet Sphinx is running rampant on the grounds. This will c- gggghhh.' He shouted till Leo held out his hand and did a Darth Vader impression putting Draco in a force grip.

'In case you didn't understand Harry. Shut up Malfoy. I don't want to repeat myself. Are we clear?!' He said angrily.

'ghh Crys- gh -tal.' Draco spluttered and Leo released him.

'I'm going to search for her. If anyone wants to help that's fine but don't do anything until I get there, okay?' Leo said before running of onto the grounds.

'Shall we?' Harry asked Ron and Hermione.

'We shall.' They both answered and all three of them ran after Leo.

Behind him Harry could hear Hagrid ordering the other students to look for the sphinx as well. From the sound of footsteps he understood that the Gryffindors had gone to look as soon as Hagrid finished, and from the distant arguing that the Slytherins were refusing to stick their necks out.
Even while running flat out Harry found it hard to keep up with Leo who effortlessly soared over the field. After running for fifteen minutes Harry had to stop before his lungs cracked. He fell onto his knees and breathed deeply several times before looking up to find Leo standing still a few yards ahead of them. Waiting.

Harry was the first to get up, his legs feeling wobbly and head light from the lack of oxygen. Leo was scanning the edge of the forbidden forest. He wasn't even slightly out of breath.

'Where- Do- We… Look?' Harry asked when he had dragged himself next to Leo.

'She isn't too far from here. That is if she came for me. I guess she is in one of the trees. We'll have to get closer.' Leo replied before speeding away again.

Harry stood there for awhile looking at that, then he felt a hand on his shoulder. Then he saw Ron, supported by Hermione, limping slightly. He had gotten a cramp by going into a sprint that sudden. Together they walked over to the edge of the forest. Several other students had gotten there already and were walking wand out along the edge.
Leo wasn't there. Ron sat down to massage the cramp and Harry joined the other students with the search, Hermione close behind him.

The shadows of the trees combined with gusts of wind were already a cause for panicky yelps from several of the others. Harry had read about sphinxes and his encounter with one during the third trial made sure that he was on his toes. Hermione was eager to tell him all she knew about sphinxes but several shushes later she realized that silence beat talk when looking for this creature.

They had been creeping along the edge for some time and some students had already given up, Hermione had gone back to motivate them to continue. Harry wouldn't give up, as he came around the trunk of an old oak he saw Leo crouched on the ground feeling a paw print.

'She's been here. Not to long ago.' Leo said without looking back to see who had approached him. He picked up a handful of dirt and took a whiff. 'She is close, no doubt about it.'

'Some nose.' Harry commented. Leo stood up, turned around and faced Harry. 'How come you never told me you had a sphinx?' Harry asked.

'You didn't ask.' Leo answered and began making his way back in the direction that Harry came from.

'Aggh.' Harry cried, for failing to see that coming. 'How did you get your sphinx?'

Leo hesitated. 'I… I found her… No. That's not true. I adopted her. Yes. That's as close to the truth as I can tell.'

'Aren't you going to try to cover up the truth?' Harry asked sarcastically. He looked to his side and he could see that Leo's eyes were wet.

'I don't… Ney'le'ti shouldn't be with me. I'm not perfect. I've made mistakes, and she is a result of one.' Leo said his voice quivering.

'Maybe if you told someone. Tell me what happened.' Harry pleaded.

'That's just it Harry I can't tell you. Remember when I told you about my trip to Egypt?'

'Yes'

'She is part of that trip.' Leo looked at Harry, the questioning look was still there. 'I will try but I can't go in depth on most things. The night we found a trail to the pyramids, we split up looking for an entrance…'

'The entrance of what?' Harry cut in.

'I can't say Harry, please just listen.' Leo sighed. 'I was the lucky one who found the entrance. Only to find out it was guarded by two sphinxes. Back then my patience was shorter than it is today.' Leo stopped and sighed deeply rubbing his eyes. 'I killed them because I couldn't solve their riddles or because I couldn't wait to think of the answer. At the time I didn't know that those two sphinxes were parents.'

'What?!' Harry shouted, earning several stares from students a little further away.

'Yes, parents. So on the way back I came past the bodies of the sphinxes to find a smaller one trying to get her dead parents to wake up. I was "young" then and I couldn't bring myself to kill her too, which would probably have been better. I felt so bad that I decided to take her with me and I've taken care of her, like a little sister, ever since.' Leo said. His voice going softer as he got closer to the end.

'Does she know that you killed her parents?' Harry asked astutely.

'No. Even with all the courage I can muster I couldn't tell her that. And you mustn't tell her either.'

Harry nodded. Then their was a high-pitch girlish shriek ahead of them. As Harry and Leo started running to the noise they saw that a Slytherin had panicked upon sight of the Sphinx who herself was simply relaxing in a big tree. It didn't take long for the entire class to arrive. Hagrid arrived last with a long thick rope over his shoulder with one end tied into a lasso.

'Alright y'all. I'll take care of this.' He said and he pulled the rope of his shoulder.

Leo came up from behind and put his hand upon Hagrid's arm since he couldn't reach to his shoulder. 'Let me handle this professor.' Was all he said. Hagrid nodded and beckoned the class to step back.

Leo took a few more steps at the tree and looked up at the sphinx. The sphinx looked down gave a short purring sound and said. 'Hi there Leo. Nice day for a hunt is it not?'

'Ney'le'ti!' Leo said sternly. 'Get down from there.'

'No. If I come down that oafish brute will try to tie me up again. You know I hate having ropes around my neck. It itches too much.' She protested.

'I give you my word that he wont tie you up.' He turned to face Hagrid. 'Right, professor?' Some of the Gryffindor students were a little on edge for that remark about Hagrid being an oafish brute and how Leo instantly knew who the sphinx was talking about.

Hagrid looked somewhat disappointed but he nodded.

'Now get down from there.' Leo repeated.

'What's the friendly word?' Ney'le'ti asked defiantly.

'Or else…!' Leo answered. Clearly he had enough of this game.

'Alright. Alright.' The sphinx sighed and she nimbly hopped down via several branches, landing directly in front of Leo.

The two of them stood there looking at one another, then suddenly the sphinx reared up landing her paws on Leo's shoulders. Harry at first assumed she was attacking him and drew his wand but then he realised that this was the sphinx' way of hugging a person.

'I missed you so much, brother. I just couldn't stay there any longer.' The sphinx said with tears of happiness streaming down her face. Leo replied to this by pushing her head into his shoulder and allowed her to bury her face. It was a stunning sight, an adult sphinx an her rear legs leaning on a grown man.

'I know Neyi. I'd rather not have left you with him but I had no choice. Sphinxes aren't allowed as personal pets.' Leo said to her in such a friendly tone of voice that Harry thought Leo was incapable off.

The sphinx returned to all fours and sat down looking up at Leo, who in return kneeled down to remain at eye height. 'Why not? It said in that letter that you were allowed to have an owl, a cat or a toad. What do you think I am?' She said haughtily.

Leo cocked his eyebrow and slowly put his hand over his mouth, followed by a couple of sharp coughs. 'Somehow I don't think that Sphinxes are considered the same as ordinary housecats.' Leo said somewhat amused. 'But that's irrelevant. You shouldn't have come here.'

The sphinx looked down. 'I know. It's just that he is so… so…' She couldn't come up with the right word.

'He forgot to feed you again, didn't he?' Leo said blankly. The sphinx nodded.

'Well since you're here know you might as well make yourself useful.' Leo said while getting up.

She tilted her head slightly and gave Leo a curious look. 'How?'

'Go over to the professor's hut and wait for us there. If you'll behave and promise not to cause mischief or kill someone than I'll promise not to send you back.' Leo replied coolly. His remark about killing someone put the students on edge. The sphinx nodded and sped off towards the hut. 'It's your class again, professor.' Leo said to Hagrid.

On cue Hagrid signalled the entire class to return to his hut and took point. As soon as they arrived Hagrid peeked at his watch and looked a little worried. Only ten minutes left.

True to her word the sphinx was sitting next to the hut. The students had gathered in a half circle around her. Hagrid put the rope over the fence and walked closer to the sphinx. She spun her head and growled. Hagrid stopped. 'Erm. Class this is a sphinx.' He began. A chorus of duhs erupted from the Slytherins. 'Now, I can't rightly tell you how to take care of 'm but as part of yer defence training ye're required to be able to recognize and beat one.'

'Are you completely insane?' One the Slytherins cried from the back.

'Yeah. It's way too dangerous to let us anywhere near a sphinx.' Draco added.

'Maybe for you Malfoy.' Ron sneered with a smirk.

'Watch it Weasley.' Draco snapped back.

Harry didn't pay too much attention to the argument that was erupting as both of them dug deeply into their mind for swear words. He was trying to listen to Hagrid but something else caught his eye. The sphinx was wearing a necklace with a golden chain, the pendant displayed a golden lion figure and a crossed sword and wand on a blood red background. His mind made the link immediately, the same markings as on Leo's signet ring. Harry's gaze moved up and he found himself staring straight into the grey/blue eyes of the sphinx. It made him uneasy for some reason. As if her eyes were burning two holes in his soul and she could see his secrets.

Hagrid had stepped in and ended the fight abruptly by taking five points from both Ron and Draco. After which he told them to stand further apart from each other.

'Now. Since we are a bit short on time I will ask one of each house to step forward and challenge the sphinx.' Hagrid said. Immediately the Slytherins began protesting, while the Gryffindors were more practical and "volunteered" Hermione. She quickly stepped back in the group and volunteered Harry. He was a bit uncertain whether he should do it but since he had already faced one in the triwizard tournament he'd figure that this one shouldn't be that hard.

Since Harry had stepped forward Draco did as well. Then Leo came forward out of the crowd and walked over to the sphinx. As the volunteering had gone on she apparently had tried to escape and was blocked by Hagrid who was about to get pounced upon.

'Ney'le'ti. Himosh meosi stumpl.' Leo said in that strange language again.
(Ney'le'ti. Stop right there young lady.)

'Krijis! Machomp killymanjaru zoomi. Somof mossila screis.' The sphinx answered.
(NO! This half-breed giant wont leave me alone. I wont do what he says.)

'Mausinmo, slumshin hozonka bij-ous. Hopstis gammanc syphero glyphim.' Leo said pleadingly.
(Okay, just go along with what he says for now. If you do I'll go hunting with you later.)

A sparkle appeared in the sphinx' eyes. 'Nwasom? Wui co ham sil mar?'
(Really? As man or beast?)

Leo looked around as if a dangerous word had been said. 'Ham, skuil giue moawn jhiul.'
(Man, and don't ask about you-know-what again.)

'Okay. I will do this.' The sphinx said returning to English. 'But you better keep your promise.'

'I will.' They turned back to the spot where the sphinx had sat before. 'Alright. Let's get this over with. Who will try first?' He asked while putting his hand on the back of the neck of the sphinx. She started purring again.

'Are you sure it's safe?' Harry asked.

'Don't worry. If you get the answer right she wont lay a claw on you and if you get it wrong than I will intervene before she does.

'That make me feel so much safer now.' Malfoy said sarcastically. 'It's not like we're in much danger. That scrawny sphinx couldn't harm a flubberworm.'

The sphinx growled and bared her teeth, shiny nails unveiled themselves as she stood up and lined up with Draco who looked apprehensive to say the least.

'In case it's not clear. Don't call a sphinx names, don't threaten or insult them unless you seek to die. Their claws can cut through high grade steel and when they attack they become virtually impervious to magic due to bloodlust.' He bared a piece of his shoulder to show four deep claw scars running from the shoulder to the chest. 'I was lucky to get away once. Do you feel lucky? Well do you, punk?' He said menacingly. The sphinx growled again.

Draco was too scared out of his mind to answer.

'Now, as for the riddles. Neyi here is still learning so you don't have to expect to difficult riddles.' Leo commented.

'Hey!' The sphinx rebutted.

'It's true, okay. Now who goes first?' He asked again.

'I will.' Harry said more courageous than he felt.

Harry stepped in front of the now relaxed sphinx. 'I wear scale all my life yet I never draw a single breath, I am as cold during my life as at the moment of my death. What am I?' She asked him calmly.

Harry didn't think long on it, this one was easy. 'A fish.' He answered.

'Correct. You live to see another day.' The sphinx said somewhat bored.

'Very good Harry. Ten points to Gryffindor.' Hagrid said.

Harry stepped away from the sphinx rather relieved. Then he turned to watch Draco step in front of the sphinx.

The sphinx smirked briefly but quickly composed herself. 'Wherever you find me I make things lighter, and if you made more of me it would become lighter still. What am I?'

Draco didn't seem to be able to think as fast as Harry and the fact that the sphinx was leering at him making sure a piece of her teeth were visible, didn't help. Finally he blurted out. 'Air. You are air.'

'Wrong.' The sphinx said, sounding almost happy. She sunk low on her paws and fixed her eyes on Draco who was trying to run but paralysed by fear. As she jumped claws extended Leo pushed Draco away and tried to catch her as she came down. With a loud feline roar the sphinx pushed Leo on the ground and they started to struggle to be on top.
After wrestling for a few minutes Leo had mounted the sphinx and put her in a headlock. She couldn't get free. Then the buzzer went, signalling the end of the class.

'Alright class. That ends t'day's lesson. I want you all to write a foot on sphinxes due next lesson.' Hagrid bellowed over the roaring and stomping of the sphinx who hadn't completely calmed down yet.
'Hey, what about my points?' Draco complained.

'Ye failed to say the right answer. No points fer you.' Hagrid said decisively.

Draco stomped away mumbling something about Hagrid not being fair in giving points. Then as if a switch had been turned off the sphinx stopped attacking. Leo got up and wiped the dirt of his robes.

'Always a delight to spar with you Neyi.' Leo said happily to the sphinx.

'I went easy on you this time.' She replied.

Harry gave Leo a weird look. 'You fight often?' He asked.

'Yep. She is my regular sparring partner when I'm off duty. Unfortunately I haven't had much of that lately.' Leo answered, with a regretful look in his eyes.

'Leo?' Hermione said out of the blue. 'The name of your sphinx. I just wondered if it meant something.'

'Yes it does. It means "Bright star".' Leo said one arm pointing vaguely upward.

'That's so sweet. Is that because you saw a bright star when you found her or is she the brightest star in your life?' Hermione asked with a dreamy look in her eyes.

'No. She has a piece of white fur on her back shaped like a star.' Leo said flatly. Instantly Hermione's dreamy look subsided and she made her way back to the castle.

Leo stayed behind for a moment, probably to discuss what to do with his pet sphinx. Harry and Ron saw their opportunity. During the time leading up to Halloween the trio had been trying to keep their efforts hidden from Leo. A daunting task in itself. Hermione had been perfecting her illusions for three weeks now and they were all pretty sure that Leo was still in the dark about their efforts.

As Harry and Ron arrived at the castle they saw Leo still arguing with Hagrid, who was flailing a rope around. The moment they stepped inside they could hear Hermione hissing at them to follow her. They quickly but silently walked into an abandoned room and soundproofed the door after bracing it with a mouldy desk.

'Okay, Hermione. It's time to see what you've accomplished so far.' Harry said with a lowered voice. As if Leo could hear what he was saying anyway.

Hermione walked into a dark corner behind a cabinet and came out leading a person by hand. 'Harry. Meet Harry.' She said as she manoeuvred the duplicate in front of Harry.

'Unreal Hermione. It actually looks like him this time.' Ron thought out loud. This earned him a mouth-melt hex.

After putting her wand away she turned to Harry. The real one. 'Go ahead, shake hands.'

'You mean it's actually tangible?' Harry asked. Hermione seemed to move her hand to her wand again but reconsidered halfway and nodded. The Harry clone stuck out his hand and Harry grabbed it and shook it firmly. 'It even feels warm. How about interaction?' Harry asked.

Hermione walked around and stopped next to Harry. 'Say hello Harry.' She said to the clone.

'Hello Harry.' The clone obeyed. The tone of voice was so equal that Harry thought he was hearing himself.

'So what do you think? Is it good enough?' Hermione asked Harry.

'It'll never fool Leo.' Harry said coldly. 'I'm sorry Hermione but I don't think we can do this without help.' He said while sitting down on an old chair which creaked loudly under his weight.

'Hmmmm hmmm huhuhum hmhm.' Ron said.

'What?' Harry asked a bit absent.

Hermione undid the mouth-melt. 'Thanks Herm. I said why don't we ask Snuffles for help. I'm sure he knows how to fool the most observant person.' Ron said while stretching his mouth to make sure that it had completely opened.

'NO!' Harry shouted. 'I will not drag him into this. Maybe someone else.'

'Who else is there? We can't ask Flitwick without rising suspicion in our activities.' Hemione cut in.

'How about your brothers?' Harry asked.

'I don't think Fred and George can be trusted with this.' Ron replied. 'Besides they are busy with some graduation prank.'

'Really? Do you have some proof of that?' Hermione asked, her mind busy with prefect responsibilities.

'No.' Ron answered. 'And even if I did I would not give it to you.' He added quickly.

Harry hadn't been paying attention to the conversation. Then a weird idea popped into his head. 'Hey you guys!' He shouted. 'How about we make a deal with the devil?'

'What?!' Ron and Hermione said in tandem.

'What if we ask Leo for help with the mirror image?' He clarified.

'Are you insane? He'd know immediately that we are up to something.' Ron protested.

'Ron is right for once.' Hermione added. Ron first nodded in agreement and then scowled as he detected the insult. 'Besides I doubt that he would be fooled by his own tricks.' She added not paying attention to Ron's sour face.

'It's worth a try.' Harry said decisively. 'I will ask him.'

'Harry I really think this is a bad idea.' Hermione agrued.

'I know it is, but we have run out of time. Unless we can make that act, sound and look like me at the same time, we don't stand a chance either way.' Harry said while pointing at his clone. The clone copied the point.

Then their time was up. They had to run to their next class. Potions.

On the way they ran into Leo who himself was running to get to class in time. Their running paid off as they arrived in time to be last in line to get in. Snape clearly wanted to deduct points but as Leo was with the club he let it pass. The lesson itself was rather boring. Snape only had a single hour and he used it to have the students write essays on various potions.

After the hour was up and everybody dropped their parchment on Snape's desk Harry returned to his place to collect his books. A foot short of getting there Draco pushed all the books of the table and gave Harry his familiar superiority smirk before leaving for lunch. Ron and Hermione offered to help him but Harry told them to go to have lunch. And, he figured, to have an opportunity to be alone with Leo to ask for help.

Harry's monster book's bindings had been undone and it had crawled under the table. Then while Harry crawled under there to retrieve it he heard Leo's voice.

'Professor Snape. You and I have to talk about something.' Leo began in a neutral tone.

'Make it fast Panther. I need to be somewhere else.' Snape replied curtly and from the fast footsteps Harry made out that Snape had no intention of staying to listen. There was a gust of air and the door slammed shut.

'You'll stay as long as it takes.' Leo said firmly. Snape continued walking to the door and tried to open it.

'Enough with this foolishness. Open the door! NOW!' Snape barked.

Harry crawled further under the table, for some reason he felt better if they couldn't see him. Maybe it was because Leo's anger was risen.

'Professor Snape.' Leo said before continuing. 'I have had to wait for so long to get an opportunity like this. For someone who doesn't like people, it's been hard to find you alone.' There was an edge to his voice, a new depth of anger that Leo hadn't shown yet.

Snape walked back into classroom. 'What is it you want Panther?' He asked impatiently.

'You know what I want Snape. I made that clear during our first conversation here at Hogwarts.'

'I don't know what you mean.' Snape said rapidly.

'You know perfectly well what I mean. Traitor.' Leo's voice dived into deep tones that shook the core of Harry's bones making him shiver unwillingly.

'I don't know.' Snape repeated a great deal more nervous. There was a loud crack of wood followed by a pain surge in Harry's scar.

'I want the recipe. Snape. That's all.' Leo said.

What recipe? Harry thought.

'What on earth are you talking about?!' Snape asked with his remaining courage.

Harry's pain peaked and he barely stopped himself from screaming out loud. 'ROOAAAAR!!!! The recipe you used to curse my family and seal my fate!! Do you remember now? Or do I have to help your memory?!' Leo yelled at Snape.

'I can't give you that.' Snape rebutted. 'I've already explained to you that Voldemort will know if I tell you anything about that.'

'I… DON'T… CARE…!!!'

'Too bad. There is nothing you can do about it.' Snape said as calm as he could.

'Are you sure?' Leo asked in a sly voice.

Snape didn't answer right away. 'You gave your word that you wouldn't touch me. I expect you to keep your word.' He said.

'Hmmm.' Leo said to that. 'That's not exactly what I promised. If you dig deep into that twisted goo you call a brain, you might recall that I only made a promise not to kill you. How about we find out how close to death I can bring you.' Leo chuckled. Harry could see Snape backing towards the door.

'SANGSINGE!' Leo shouted. Harry didn't recognize the spell but he was pretty sure it was illegal.

A dull thud followed and from what Harry could see from his hiding place was Snape sitting on his knees. 'Pleeassee…' Snape uttered with great effort.

'What's the matter? From your record I made out that the blood-boil spell was one of your favourites. Can you feel your blood bubbling?' He paused and assumed that Snape's throat noise meant yes. 'Hurts doesn't it? It's causes permanent damage to your body after ninety seconds and kills after another thirty… It's been almost a minute now.' Leo said his voice full of glee.

'Ggahh…' Snape produced.

'Desist.' Leo muttered and from the sound Snape collapsed on the floor. 'Have you changed your mind?'

'I… can't… ~cough~ tell… you…' Snape struggled to say. There was another gust of wind and Harry could see Snape be lifted off the ground and land somewhere with a sickening thud. From the cry coming from Snape Harry guessed he'd broken something.

'I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly…!! But you have elected the way off pain.' Leo shouted. Snape cried out again, a thud came from the ceiling followed by one on the ground. Harry was startled by this and he knocked over a jar he hadn't seen before. A powder substance released into the confined space where Harry was hiding. A glance at the jar showed Harry the label. Zonko's loud sneezing powder. A left-over joke of the Weasley twins.

At seeing the danger of blowing his cover, literally, Harry immediately pinched his nose shut. A little too late however as he could already feel the powder itching in his nose. He then figured that if he cast a silencing charm that he could at least prevent Leo from hearing him, this however forced him to take his hand of his nose as the spell could not be cast properly with his nose shut.
While Harry was fumbling for his wand with his off-hand he heard several vials breaking. The classroom turned hazy as an abundance of smoke was produced by whatever was put together.

'Oh please, Snape. Do you really think a smokescreen is gonna hide you from me?' Leo said mockingly.

'You… you will… get nothing… from me!...' Snape answered with a failing voice.

Leo erupted in another roar. This time it sounded more bestial than human. 'You never did have an idea of the monsters you helped to create. Let me show you…' He said, his voice dropping near the end.

Harry had now finally pulled out his wand. He knew that his timing had to be perfect or he was done for. After releasing his nose he transferred his wand to his right hand and said. 'Silen- Ha- HA- HAA!! ATCHOOO!!!!' The force of the sneeze slammed Harry's head into the table.

Great! Harry thought while rubbing the back of his head. If he didn't hear the sneeze the bang against the table sure did.

Harry hoped for the best. But an eerie silence had fallen. 'WHO IS THERE!!!' A voice similar to Leo's roared. Harry knew he heard Leo speak with that voice before, but like trying to remember a dream it didn't come to him right away. He made himself as small as possible, but all of a sudden Harry felt himself exposed. When he looked up he saw that the entire row of tables was being levitated.

Snape was sitting against a cabinet trying to pull himself up. When he saw Harry he said. 'Potter?! RUN!!' With his last remaining strength Snape magicked the door open and Harry knew what was expected.

As he got up and ran he almost felt time slowing down and the door being miles away. Behind him a voice cried. 'IMMOBILUS!' A split second later Harry felt the hex hitting him square in the back. He felt all his muscles contracting, the effect was immediate. Harry could no longer move and, in the position he was hit, unable to remain upright. Before falling however he felt someone keeping him up.

'I am sorry Harry. But I cannot allow you to remember this from happening.' Leo's weird voice said. Then a creature unlike Harry had ever seen stepped in front of him, the only thing familiar he saw were two blazing red eyes. 'OBLIVIATE.'

Harry felt his memory slipping…

'Where am I?' Harry said to himself when coming out of what appeared to be a daydream. He was still in the dungeons, his books all in his bag, his robes on the right way. 'What time is it?' He asked himself. 'That can't be right…' He said when he checked his watch. Upon which it replied. "Yes it is."

Harry felt strangely empty but everything appeared to be alright. Even though he couldn't explain why the back of his head felt sore and lumpy or why his nose was so runny.

For some reason Harry felt like he'd left something in the potions classroom. He was just about to go look when Ron came around the corner. 'Oy mate. Are you coming to lunch or not?' He shouted at Harry. Who in return doubted whether he should tell Ron about this feeling. His stomach decided for him by growling.

'Alright, I'm coming.' Harry said back and they both made their way to the great hall.

The weird feeling Harry had when he came out of the daydream stayed with him all the way to the Gryffindor table. He didn't even hear Hermione when he sat down.

'What?' Harry asked absentminded.

'Did you ask him?' Hermione repeated.

'Did I ask who for what?' Harry replied. His confusion was so great you could imagine a giant question mark hovering over his head.

'Did you ask Leo for help with the double?' Hermione said pronouncing each word slowly.

'Eh… I don't think I did.' Harry answered.

'How can you not be sure about it?' Hermione asked. She sat a little closer to Harry who felt a tingle in his stomach when she touched him. 'Harry do you feel alright?' She asked whilst putting a hand on Harry's forehead.

'My mind is a haze right now. I must have sniffed some forgetfulness potion in the dungeons.' Harry replied. He was trying the shift a little bit away from Hermione but since Ron was seated firmly next to him, he couldn't go any further. 'I'll just ask him now then… Where is he?' Harry asked when he couldn't see him. This was awkward. In these past weeks Leo had always been at the table before them regardless what time it was.

'That guy is getting more and more annoying. Just when you need him he's gone.' Ron said when he too hadn't found Leo.

It would be another fifteen minutes before they saw Leo sneak in the Great hall and take a seat across from them.

'You're a bit out of character today.' Harry commented as Leo dug into the first foodstuff in front of him.

'Hmmm.' Leo replied. Harry couldn't tell whether that was a positive or negative response.

'Where were you?' He tried again.

'Busy.' Leo said between chews.

'With what?' Ron asked.

'Business. ~Chomp, chomp.~ My business.' Leo said gruffly with his mouthful.

Rather then pursuing this any further they all returned to their plates and filled their stomachs. It didn't take long for them to be disturbed though, Professor Snape entered the Great hall. He looked terrible.

'What happened to him?' Ron asked to no one in particular.

'He looks like he has been in a fight or something, Harry surmised.' Then there was a click in his brain. 'Or maybe he botched up a potion.'

'A cauldron blew up in his face.' Leo said.

'What?' The three of them said almost all at the same time.

Snape limped to the centre of the teachers table and exchanged a few words with Dumbeldore before gently taking his place. One of his arms was in a sling and his face was severely cut up.

'A cauldron blew up in his face.' Leo repeated in the same toe of voice. 'He was lucky I was there. If I hadn't, he'd have had to drag his own butt to the infirmary.' He added an evil glint in his eyes.

There was another click in Harry's mind. 'You were there? Why?' He asked in reflex.

'I wanted to ask him something personal.' Leo answered.

'Yes, you wanted to talk. You went back. Must have forgotten about it.' Harry muttered to himself. The memory wouldn't come.

'Hey Harry, you were near the potions classroom when I came looking for you. Didn't you hear anything?' Ron asked Harry.

'I don't know. I don't recall any explosions. I must have been out of this world for a moment.' Harry replied, something about his explanation sounded fabricated like he had rehearsed it.

Ron didn't notice though as chattering erupted around the table and the air was full of rumour about what actually happened to Snape.

'A cauldron blew up in his face? I think it's an improvement… I think it was an attack. You-know-who must have infiltrated the school… You're bonkers, it must have been Fred and George who went too far again…' The rambling went on for some time and it soon became too noisy to hold a regular conversation. Through hand signals Harry told Leo that he wanted to ask him something and they both snuck away to the door.

Once they were outside Leo checked that they weren't followed and then quietly shut it. 'Phew. Okay, Harry. What did you want ask me?' Leo said.

'Well… I need your help. How good are you with illusions?' Harry asked cautiously.

'Fairly good. Why do you ask?' Leo asked in return.

Harry shifted uncomfortably, he'd have to lie convincingly to get what he needed. 'I would like to make a mirror image of myself which would fool even the most observant person.'

Leo gave him a curious look. 'That doesn't explain why you need my help, by the end of term you should be able to perform such an illusion without too much difficulty.' He stated and looked ready to get back into the dining hall.

I need to able to fool you in a week that's why I need your help!

'No wait. It's just. I want to get a little extra credit by performing a high-level illusion. And maybe get a higher grade than Hermione for a change.' Harry said hastily. Again Leo looked curiously at Harry.

'A lofty goal.' Leo said mockingly. 'If you're really that intent on doing this then I suppose I could help. Hmmm. With some pointers and perhaps a little tutoring by me I could have you perform it in a month.'

'Erm… Well I don't suppose you could trim it down a bit?' Harry asked.

'How much is a bit?'

'A… a week?' Harry's answer sounded more like a question.

'Why so soon?' Leo wondered. 'Anyway. I can't teach you anything crucial to the spell in a week time. Not unless you've advanced a year's worth without me knowing… And I'm sorry to say you don't have to ability to advance that fast.'

Harry felt like kicking Leo for that remark but he remained composed. 'I will accept anything you can offer. But I need your help with this.' He almost begged.

'I can see you wont let this go. Okay, if you are in such a hurry then the best I can do is give you the book I used when learning illusions. It has some personal notes in it, so I would like it back in one piece. Okay?'

'Okay!' Harry said a bit more enthusiastic then intended.

Leo chuckled. 'I'll drop it off after classes.' He said before going back into the great hall.

Now we may stand a chance. Harry thought before returning as well.

Later that evening Harry found a book on his pillow. "Remarkably real illusions. By Inigo Verdi Isable". Tips and tricks to making the most convincing illusions ever seen. It read on the back.

YES!! Harry thought.

With the aid of this book Hermione doubled her efforts and when the week had passed she managed to create a mirror image of Harry that moved, sounded and knew a fragment of Harry's memory as well. The only drawback was that it couldn't hold liquids. So Ron and Hermione would have to make sure that the fake-Harry wouldn't drink anything for the duration of the search.

Halloween.

The dreaded night had come. So far they were quite sure they had kept their efforts a secret from Leo. The one thing they didn't know what the gradation prank was, planned by Fred and George. They called it a preview of the main event which they said would show the day of graduation itself.

The set up for the night was a great Halloween feast followed by a dance. Celestina Warbeck and band were invited to provide the music. The plan was that after the feast that Harry would give Leo an excuse to be absent at which point they would change him with the fake and he would slip back to the Gryffindor Tower under the invisibility cloak.

Before the feast…

'Ready?' Hermione asked Harry who was wrapping the invisibility cloak around his waste and then covered it up with his robes.

'We're not going to get a second chance with this.' He replied. 'I'll be ready.'

Hermione sighed. 'It's not too late to stop. Even after all the effort, I'm not sure I want to know his secrets.'

Ron joined them. 'We're at the point of no return. Let's vote about this. I want to know.' Harry said. 'How about you two?'

'I want to know as well.' Ron said resolutely.

'Very well. I want to know too.' Hermione said not as convincing as Ron but she was just as determined as the others.

'Then it's settled.' Harry said straightening out his robe. 'Tonight we will unravel this mystery for good.'

19:00 PM, the Great hall. The dinner had ended an hour ago and the students were sufficiently stuffed to last them a week. Most had gone to their respective common rooms to recover and/or redress. The prefects were asked to stay and help to get the great hall ready for the dance party. The tables had been moved to the sides and the floor had been cleaned up by the house elves.

The first students started returning and looked in awe at hall as it was now colourfully decorated. The mood was most certainly that of Halloween, bats were flying around, floating pumpkins were present and a light fog had been released into the building making everything below knee-height disappear.
Celestina Warbeck and company were already on stage getting their equipment ready.

The stage was set and the "sneak-mission" could begin. Harry decided to wait till all students were present to make sure that Leo's senses, which he had deemed very good, would get confused with all the lights, noises and scents of hundreds of people dancing all out. Strangely enough though Leo had been largely absent from the dinner and he had yet to show himself. Through reliable sources Harry had heard that Dumbledore had asked Leo to chaperone alongside the teachers.
This would definitely work to their advantage as he would be even more distracted.

19:12 PM, the great hall. By now all students had returned to the great hall and Dumbledore appeared ready to announce the beginning of the dance. Leo had still not been spotted and Harry was getting afraid that he might not show up.
Just as Dumbledore started announcing Harry spotted Leo slip in. Now Harry instantly understood what took him so long. Leo was wearing some weird looking blood red robe that looked like it was patched up with studded leather at the joints, Leo's crest was sewn on the front ,leather straps on the side and diagonally across his chest were clearly put there for holding daggers and other weapons. Leo's bright blade was in fact set in a holder on his right and his wand in one on the left. Probably so that he could cross draw them fast.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. 'Students! Now that you're all present. I'm announcing that this party has begun. Now without further ado. Miss Celestina Warbeck!' Dumbledore quickly stepped of the stage and joined McGonagall on the side. After a quick cheerful greeting to the students Celestina started a loud swing song to get the mood started and soon after most students were dancing. The plan could be set in motion.
Harry had lost track of Leo due to the dancing but quickly found him again. He was standing… He was standing next to Snape?!

Harry made his way towards him, at first polite but after getting his toes crushed three times he elbowed his way through.
Leo had engaged in conversation with Snape and now Harry was close enough to overhear.

'… great party isn't it?' Leo shouted at Snape.

'It suffices.' Snape replied gruffly. 'Don't you think it's a bit inappropriate to come to a party in battle robes?' He asked in return.

'Says the man all dressed in black.' Leo rebutted. 'Give me a break, this was the only thing with colour I've got.' Harry moved a bit closer. 'By the way if you were planning to slip some of that potion in Harry's drink you better give up now, he is not going to remember.' Leo shouted at Snape.

Remember what? 'What potion?' Snape asked with a genuine unknowing look.

Leo slapped Snape hard on the chest, followed by something made out of glass cracking. 'That potion.' Leo replied. 'I'm keeping my eye on you as well. Professor Snape.' He said sternly as if he was talking down a naughty child.

Harry was now standing behind Leo. 'Leo!' Harry shouted.

'Ouch, I'm standing next to you Harry. What's the matter?' Leo said rubbing his ears.

'I'm going to the bathroom.' Harry said. Leo gave him a non-caring stare.

'So go. I'm sure you don't need my help.' Leo said with a dismissive wave. Harry now ran as fast as he could back to Ron and Hermione who were staking out the door.

'Alright. I told him I had to go to the bathroom. So release the double five minutes after I've left.' Harry said the moment he arrived.

'Roger.' Ron answered and they pushed the door ajar.

The hallway was clear, Harry stepped outside and fiddled under his robe to get the invisibility cloak free.

''Ey! What are you doin' out here? Get back inside.' Filch said behind Harry. Mrs. Norris hissed at him.

'I er.. need to go the bathroom.' Harry answered quickly.

'Oh. Well be quick about it. I don't want any loitering in the halls.' Filch said and he walked away into another corridor.

Harry sighed with relief and dropped the invisibility cloak on the floor and then put it on. It would take him at least ten minutes to get back to the common room without raising to much noise.

19:24 PM, in front of the picture of the fat Lady. Harry had made it back without detection. He silently thanked his luck that Filch wasn't anywhere near this area.

'Pegasus.' Harry whispered to the painting which promptly opened even though she didn't see anyone. The common room felt lifeless with no one there and all the lights either out or low. It felt cold too, or maybe it was just the chills that were running down his spine.

Harry refocused his mind, he quickly walked over to the door that led to all the secrets. He lowered the hood of the cloak and pushed the rest of it behind his back so that he was completely visible.
Harry put his hand on the doorknob, he got a shock. Just static electricity, pull yourself together. He pushed the door open and stepped into Leo's lair.

It hadn't changed much from the last time he was there. The door slammed shut behind him, his hart skipped a beat as it did. No matter how wrong this felt it gave Harry a sense absolute joy that he actually would know what he wasn't allowed to know for so long.
Leo's laptop was active, it was showing it's screensaver with the fireworks. From the dust on it Harry gathered that Leo had barely touched it since the first day he turned it on. Harry had seen Dudley messing around with his computer at times but he never quite figured out how to work them.
Still, it could contain a wealth of information. Harry pushed a random key.

'Password?' The devise asked with a female voice that Harry knew from someplace. He decided not to think about that right now.

What password would Leo use? Harry thought to himself.

'Warrior.' Harry tried.

'Incorrect.' The devise said almost with joy in the voice.

'Erm… Bright blade.' Harry guessed.

'Incorrect.' The voice said again sounding way too happy. 'What's the matter? Got a hole in your mind?' The voice added.

'Elena.' Harry guessed as he looked at Leo's scrapbook.

'Incorrect. Who the hell is this? You're not Leo. He wouldn't have to guess this password.' The voice asked.

Harry was taken aback by this. 'Eh… I'm… My name is Harry.'

'There is no profile fitting that username. You may not access this glorified calculator. Any further attempt to access me will result in immediate shutdown and Leo will be alerted to this attempted breach of security.' The voice said warningly.

This was enough for Harry and he abandoned the devise in search for something less well protected. The book shelf behind him seemed like a good place to start. He ignored the binders detailing the surveillance missions. Then he saw a book below it. It read: "The personal journal of Lionar Marinus Panther.". Harry was just about to open it when the silvery glint of the liquid in the pensieve next to the journal caught his eye.

A memory! That would be better. If Leo writes the way he talks then this journal could be full of evasive references but you can't lie within a memory. Harry thought and he put his hands around the bowl.

The liquid inside stirred and an image began to form. Harry tried to pull himself onto the chair while still keeping an eye on the pensieve. He missed the chair however and while trying to remaining balanced he put one hand on the floor while the other to remain grip on the bowl slipped into the liquid and Harry felt himself being pulled into the memory…

Harry blinked a few times after landing in a room, not that it was overly bright or he gotten something in his eyes but the expectation of what he would see was completely mismatched. Harry figured Leo to be pure-blooded, even though he had no proof of it and thus he expected the place where he ended up to be very wizard oriented. A little bit like the Burrow but way more luxurious.
The room looked a lot like a regular muggle living room. Complete with a operational TV-set and sound system. The few things that gave away that wizards were actually living here were the books on the shelves next to the fire-place. A record player in the back was softly playing some classic music, like an opera.
Another thing bothered Harry, if this was anyone's memory than where is the person who it belongs to? The room was empty and quiet. The colours in the memory hadn't faded yet but were degrading. There was also a round table, big enough for maybe four people to sit around, in the room. On it was a silver dish with some sort of liquid and surrounded by three candles, one of those candles had a green flame.
Then Harry heard a noise behind a door that he believed lead to the front door.

The door opened. 'Like I said, you have some nerve coming here by yourself Minister.' A man said.

Harry immediately recognized the first man coming through the door. It was Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The second man that came in after Fudge he didn't know but he figured that somehow he related to Leo. Something in the face, the rest of the man's body told a different story. Whatever life this man had it had been good, judging from the plumpness alone. The man had a beard which wouldn't have looked strange on a muggle either and his hair had all but receded.

The two of them stopped in the middle of the chamber for a moment. 'Gerard, I have come for something important. We can discuss that side matter at a later date.' Fudge said to the point. The strictness with which he spoke clearly showed that Fudge had no intention of staying here a second longer than needed. They resumed their way to a set of comfy chairs near the fireplace and seated themselves opposite from each other separated by a small coffee table.

'Alright Minister. State your business.' Gerard said curtly.

'Gerard, I need with your help with something.' Fudge replied with equal curtness.

'Minister. I believe a little respect is in place here. It's not like we're friends.' Gerard said slightly agitated.

Fudge sighed. 'Very well, Mister Panther. I call upon the agreement you made during you-know-who's reign. In spirit of that agreement you have no choice but to accept this mission.'

Gerard Panther chuckled. 'After you betrayed us? Get out!' His tone switched from humoured to angered instantly.

'You betrayed us first. Or need I remind you that you abandoned us at the heat of battle. The one chance we had to drive You-know-who and his followers back into the sea.' Fudge said matching Gerard's tone.

'We explained that. We wouldn't have been able to stop Voldemort then because his followers had already infiltrated your ranks. And like we said then, our Order had been compromised and we needed to create order in our chaos first, before we could aid you again.' Gerard didn't sound the least bit apologetic, rather he sounded more annoyed because it reminded him of something.

'That statement was given by your former head. Does the chaos still reign after 21 years?' Fudge asked way more slyly than Harry thought him capable off.

'In a lesser way… Fine, Minister. What mission do you have for us?' Gerard shifted forward to the edge of his seat.

'I knew you'd see it my way. I the wake of hostilities against Harry Potter we feel there is a need to give him better protection. I want you to arrange that protection and we want it done quietly. There is no need to stir up more false rumours about risen dead people.' Fudge explained.

'Minister you do realize that would require one of us enlisting ourselves as a teacher at Hogwarts?' Gerard stated rather than really asking.

'I think you'd make an excellent defence against the dark arts teacher.' Fudge said dead serious.

'Hah. My field of expertise is potions, Minister. But I suppose you're right. I assume you have a contract ready?'

Fudge pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment from the pocket on the inside of his robe. 'This is what I had in mind. By the way Gerard, have you seen your son lately? How is the little rascal?'

'All grown up and quite miffed about being exiled from Britain soil. And no I haven't seen him lately.' Gerard answered while looking the contract over.

'Pity. Well I suppose it is for the better that the beast child doesn't return.' Fudge said a touch more nervous. Harry had felt it too, like someone's anger started to fill the room. 'I assume everything is in order?'

'Well most of this seems alright. Would you mind if I make a few minor alterations?' Gerard asked politely.

'Sure, sure. Do what you like as long as you accept the mission.' Fudge said. Then he stood up and held out his hand. 'Do we have an agreement?'

Gerard stood up as well. 'We have a deal Minister Fudge.' And he shook Fudge's hand firmly. 'I'll have the final contract duplicated and send to your office by stealth-owl.' He added. They walked back to the door and a few minutes later Gerard came back taking another look at the contract. Harry walked over to him and looked at the parchment as well, it looked the same as the one Leo showed to the Ministry agents in Dumbledore's office.

'You can come out now.' Gerard bellowed and for a moment Harry thought he meant him.

However as he followed Gerard's brief gaze, Harry saw a shadow move across the wall. The shadow stepped of the wall and expanded in three dimensions giving a black in white image, then the colour returned to the person.

So that is how he kept himself hidden. Harry thought as he now saw Leo standing in front of him.

'You really shouldn't use that technique anymore.' Gerard said flatly, not even bothering to look at Leo.

'Why not? I've been hiding in my own shadow since I was two. I can do it blindfolded with my hands broken behind my back.' Leo said in return, he also didn't bother to look at his father.

'Because it is, essentially, a dark art and therefore illegal. I always felt that dad made stupid mistakes in the order in which he taught you spells.' Gerard replied. Harry quickly gathered that this was how they commonly spoke to each other.

'Dad, using avada kedavra is illegal as well but you use it to kill roaches anyway, don't you.' Leo made a first glance at his father. It wasn't returned. 'As for the order in which gramps taught me. It wasn't wrong. Let's see. Levitation, disarming, hide in my own shadow… Nope nothing wrong there.' Leo said mockingly, clearly his intent was to provoke anger in his father.

Gerard dropped the piece of paper on the table near the dish on the table and walked over to his son. He stopped three feet away from him and gave him a look. Harry didn't know this one yet. His best guess was that Gerard Panther told Leo that he was the boss and right by default. They stood like that for a minute or so and Harry noticed the subtle similarities between the two men. The most striking being that they both wore a glove on the right hand.
Then all off a sudden Gerard broke off contact and stepped back to the contract.

Leo didn't waste time. 'So… Dad. I suspect you have a good reason for pulling me away from my… duties?' He asked.

'Your dragon-ale can wait, my son.' Gerard answered while scribbling something on the contract.

'Not for long, though. What will be my next suicide mission?' Leo said.

'You've been listening to Minister Fudge haven't you? I'm assigning you to that mission.' His father answered. Leo took a step towards him but stopped when his father give him a stern look. 'That should keep you out off trouble for a while.'

'Aww. And deny you the pleasure of having field duty. I don't think so.' Leo said with a sneer.

'I am altering the profile a little. You'll be perfect for the position.' Gerard continued like he hadn't heard Leo at all.

'Dad, you know I get edgy when surrounded by that many people. I'd end up hurting someone.' Leo protested. 'Why wont you do it and become defence teacher for a year?' Leo asked. But Harry could tell that Leo already knew the answer to that question.

'Son. You know like I do that Dumbledore has already hired a new teacher.'

'So? That wouldn't be any reason to send me instead of going yourself. Unless it is a friend of yours.'

'Maybe. Regardless of that I'm sending you. I'll leave it to you whether you eliminate the current defence teacher or not.' Gerard put his signature on the contract and shoved it in Leo's direction.

'Dad I can't teach. I don't have the patience, besides I'm too young to be a teacher.' Leo protested again, this time it seemed to be more effective.

'Last time I checked a 21 year old was an adult. Why should that be a problem?'

'I'd barely be older than the seventh years. Also I'd draw too much attention to myself by doing it, you know that the Daily Prophet writes a column on the new defence against the dark arts teacher every year.' Leo explained. Harry was convinced but could the same be said about Gerard?

'Fine than enrol as a student who couldn't attend at the normal age.' Gerard said dismissively and gestured Leo to sign the contract.

'What? We're going to tell the truth? I don't know if I remember how.' Leo's answer didn't go down well with his father who was fuming but didn't want to dignify Leo's words with an reply.

'Just read the contract and we can get on with this.' Gerard finally said.

After reading the contract several times Leo put it down and dipped the quill in the ink but didn't sign right away. 'I still don't see why we should be protecting Harry Potter before school as well. The Phoenix have an operative living near him, let them handle it.'

'Son, the Phoenix is old and tired.'

'Dad I don't know if you've noticed but our Order is ancient. Not to mention understaffed, ill-equipped and unmotivated. The only reason I still follow your orders is because I have to.' Leo said with a sigh. He put the quill on the bottom of the contract.

'That's why I'm sending you.' Gerard said simply.

'Dad. You're slime. You know that, right?' Leo commented while putting the final touch on his signature.

His father checked the signature, then blew on it to dry the ink and then with a swish of his wand he duplicated it twice so that there are now three copies of the contract. He gave one to Leo who folded it and put it in one his pockets. An other one was sent away by owl, probably to Fudge and the third was put in a drawer in the table which couldn't be seen while closed.

'Is that all? I have some business to attend to.' Leo stated and walked away from the table.

'Come… Stand here. You need to see this.' His father practically commanded. Leo didn't stop and gave his dad the rude gesture involving his middle finger. 'Whom do you serve?!' Gerard said with a deep voice that resonated through the room.

Leo didn't reply but he had stopped dead in his tracks, his body was shaking furiously like he was resisting a pull backwards. 'I serve the Order.' Leo answered through clenched teeth.

'What do you serve?' Gerard asked on.

'I serve the balance.' Leo had turned around but was resisting walking back to the table.

'Who commands the Order?' Gerard asked finally.

Leo couldn't struggle anymore and paced over to the table. 'You command the Order, Master Guardian.' Leo said, standing at attention next to the table.

'Good. Now that that is cleared up we can continue…' Gerard said gestured Leo to look at the dish.

There was a soft crackling coming out of the green flamed candle which sounded like someone trying to stifle her laughter. Yes, her… It was a woman.

'What is so funny, luna-wench?' Gerard said with the authority he knew he had.

'Nothing of importance sir.' The voice replied. Harry had recognized the voice, it belonged to the female werewolf in that shop on Diagon Alley.

'I just lost a bet because of that command stuff you just pulled on me.' Leo cut in when he saw that his father wasn't going to let the matter rest. 'I just lost fifteen sickles.'

'Excuse me, that's twenty sickles mister.' The female werewolf said.

'Pardon me, sweet lady.' Leo said. A new fit of chuckles crackled out of the flame that shuddered because of it.

'Enough of this!' Gerard shouted. 'We don't have forever with this.'

'Alright, Dad. What am I looking at?' Leo asked while gazing deeply into the silver dish on the table.

'We are looking at the Ministry's second D.A.M. storage facility. It's about to be raided by Death-eaters.' Gerard said. He too started to gaze into the picture that was displayed in the dish.

Leo sighed and turned away slightly. 'I know all about the Death-eaters, dad! We've all seen the recordings a hundred ti…' Gerard pulled his son quickly back towards the dish pushing one of the candles of the table in the process.

'Dissecting an attack afterwards is one thing, seeing one live is another. You must go into this with both eyes open. Once started there is no going back. Are you prepared to go all the way with this my son?' The sincerity in Gerard's voice made Harry think about that as well. Was he fully ready for an attack?

After a minute of silent thinking Leo said. 'Yes… Yes I am prepared to go all the way, my good Master Guardian.'

'Good… Good, I knew I could count on you my son.' Gerard said sounding somewhat relieved.

They fixed their gazes on the dish again, Harry joined them. From what he could see the warehouse was filled with a lot of crates stacked three or four high. Three columns and… Actually he couldn't see how many rows there were from the current point of view. There were also several shoddy catwalks that ran as high as the highest stack of crates, which meant that one of them must have been stacked seven high at least. The view was centred on the guards and from the angle probably taken from the catwalks.
Harry took a quick count of the guards, two near the front entrance, one patrolling on the catwalks and two more patrolling on ground level.

Only five people to protect an entire warehouse?! The Ministry is getting sloppy. Harry thought.

'How many off our group are present?' Leo suddenly asked.

'I sent the entire luna-squad.' Gerard answered.

'All three off them? A lone scout would have sufficed.' Leo protested.

'If they get in trouble then they have greater protection.' Gerard countered.

'With all of them there they run a greater risk of being seen. OH! Never mind.' Leo stated furiously but completely unable to change anything about it.

The opera music in the background became faded up coming to a scene climax. Whatever the theme was it suited the situation in warehouse. The front door blew up in a green blast and the two guards near it were killed by the doors squashing them. Death-eaters were now pouring into the building, taking cover behind crates. Several were hit by stun beams coming from the wizard on the catwalks. They were quickly revived by their colleagues. The wizard on the catwalk quickly found out that he was hopelessly exposed when he was hit by a green beam and reeled over the railing falling down to earth.
Only two wizards were left now, they had levitated several crates down for cover and were pressing hard on the death-eaters at the front door who were pinned down by the furious magic being thrown their way. But there was a weak spot in the wizards defence as several Death-eaters now circled around and opened a side entrance. Two dementors floated in through the side entrance completely out of sight of the two wizards.

A new crackle came out of the candle flame. A male voice said. 'Sir. The facility will be overrun in a matter of minutes. Shall we intervene?'

'Evacuate Luna-leader, we've seen enough.' Gerard said calmly.

The image became wobbly and was slowly moving away from the wizards. The music finally reached its climax. The two dementors were lazily moving in behind the two wizards. Just as they were about to attack one of the wizards saw the luna-squad leaving. Even from the distance they were now Harry could read the despair in his eyes. He was pleading for help with that look.
Just as the dementor grabbed the wizard and was about to administer the kiss the image faded, the music stopped and Harry felt himself being pulled back to reality.

'Hallo, Harry. Got lost on the way to the bathroom?!' Leo asked him. He had both hands firmly latched onto Harry's shoulders.

'Busted!' Harry thought out loud.

'Beyond belief.' Leo added. 'Sit down Harry.' He pushed Harry into the chair and he sat down on the bed.

For a moment Harry thought of making a break for it. Surely Leo wouldn't try anything if surrounded by others. But he pushed it aside, he knew that most people would still be in the great hall. Maybe he could make it all the way there. Leo stood up and turned his back on Harry.

Now! Harry thought and he got up and slowly stepped towards the door. He almost had the knob in his hands.

'Don't bother. Only I can open that door now.' Leo said, still with his back to Harry.

Harry sighed and resigned himself to his fate while sinking back into the chair. 'Are you mad?' Harry asked cautiously. It was a stupid question but it broke the nerve-racking silence that Leo maintained.

'No. I am disappointed.' Leo answered. 'I'm too drunk to get angry with anyone.' That certainly explained why Leo was in such a talkative mood back in the great hall. 'I am disappointed in you because you betrayed my trust.'

'I am sorry.' Harry said weakly. Leo's words hurt him more deeply than he realized at first. 'But I had to know more about you. For all I know you could be an agent of Voldemort.' There. He had made the accusation, now let's see what happens.

Leo turned around. 'What could have given you that idea? My secrecy is involuntary but I am no agent of Voldemort.' His voice quivered.

'It isn't one thing. You told me you couldn't kill Voldemort, I have had a note saying that you are a murderer and you and Snape share some secret that I knew but can't recall now.' Harry summed up.

Leo sighed and sat down on the bed. 'I truly wish I could tell you about some things but I cannot disobey my father's command. But this isn't about me, you broke a rule that we both agreed on.' Leo stuck one hand under his bed and pulled out a wooden box. 'In a way you can count yourself lucky that I can't harm you in any permanent way. If either of your friends had invaded my room they would be I a coma right now, if I wouldn't have killed them by accident.' Harry gulped.

'So if you're not going to hurt me than what are you going to do?' Harry asked carefully. Leo showed a sly grin.

'How is your knowledge of curses Harry?' He asked.

'F-Fairly good.' Harry replied. 'Why?'

'You know about the three different types?' Leo continued.

'Er… No. We haven't covered that yet.' Harry answered, getting more and more nervous.

'Well. There are three kinds. Singular, continuous and permanent. All curses in existence can be put in one of those groups. Though most are a combination. Permanent curses are cast once and have no cure or not yet. The effects of these curses can always be seen or accessed at anytime. Transfiguration curses are usually found in this group. Such as the animagi creation curse…' Leo stopped for breath.

'Er… Sure. Alright. Why are you telling me this?' Harry cut in. Leo didn't answer but opened the box. Harry couldn't see what was in it.

'The continuous curses are considered slightly more aggressive than permanent curses because it is harder to find a cure for these curses. The subject who suffers under this curse will be submitted to it at a preset time or circumstance. The effect may or may not be accessed at anytime but usually it is beyond the curse-bearers control. The werewolf curse is a prime example of this type.

'Okay. But what does this have to…' Harry cut in again but Leo didn't gave him a chance to finish the question.

'Singular curses are instantaneous and their effects are direct and most of them either end in death or madness. They have to be recast again if the effect is to be felt again. Most of them have cures and/or counters except for a dark few. The killing curse and the cruciatus curse are examples of those.' Leo finished. He put his hand in the box, something metallic jingled inside it.

'Why did you tell me that?' Harry asked him. He felt himself sweating from the tension.

Leo pulled his hand out of the box, several small golden chains were pulled out. The chains had droplet-shaped beads on both ends. Leo looked at all the chains and picked one out and laid it down next to him on the bed. Then he put the others back and put the box back under the bed. 'These things look beautiful don't they?' He held up the chain in front of Harry. When Harry tried to take a closer look Leo pulled it back. 'You'll have more than enough time to look at this thing later.' He said when he pulled it back.

'What is it?' Harry asked curiously.

'I took these out of a trap in the Dragon valley after my comrades had already triggered another one and were turned into deer for a day. Afterwards I found a way to change the curse embedded in these things. I can set them to turn a person in any creature now. As well as set a circumstance for triggering. Catch!' Leo threw the chain hard at Harry.

Harry's reflexes took over and he now held the golden chain firmly in his hand. He slowly opened it to look at it, then the chain slithered like a snake out of his hand and wrapped itself around his wrist. As the two droplets touched Harry could feel the magic contained within it being released.

'WHAT DID YOU DO?!' Harry shouted as he knocked the chair over as he stood up.

'Harry Potter. You are now cursed. If the bracelet hears the word "deer" being spoken near you it will turn you into one for ten minutes. If you are foolish enough to say the word yourself then you'll remain changed for twice that time and should you speak that word ten times than you'll remain changed… Permanently!' Leo got up, his eyes flared red briefly, he walked to Harry. 'Oh and the bracelet isn't specific with noises. Any homonym will trigger it as well.' He added. Then he pushed Harry backwards, the door flew open behind him. 'Now! GET OUT!' With a hard thrust Leo threw Harry into the common room, followed by the door slamming shut.

Harry landed with a loud thud on his behind, narrowly missing a table-corner with his head. He just lay dazed for a moment, partly trying to ignore the pain and for the rest he was trying to make sense of everything that happened. Harry slowly got up rubbing his behind to soothe the pain somewhat.
His eye immediately fell onto the curse-bracelet Leo had put on him. For a moment Harry toyed with the thought of pulling it off, it certainly didn't look very strong. But even before he could wrap his fingers around the chain he reconsidered, as though the bracelet had given him a warning.
Still he couldn't pull his eyes away from it, even though he wanted to. He noticed that the droplet shaped beads on it had a small carving in shape of a full grown stag on them.

Another thought. Briefly Harry considered to say the trigger, he wasn't even sure why. The bracelet was tempting him to say it, but even without that Harry wondered what it would feel like to become a stag, to be more connected to his father. The feeling wouldn't leave him, as Harry tried to refocus his thoughts he started walking and with every step he felt the magic of the bracelet coursing through him. It felt weird.

After gathering his thoughts Harry quickly knew that he had to return to the party downstairs, he absence would be noticed. He also wanted to talk to Ron and Hermione, no doubt they would be waiting for his report on what he'd found out.

Harry didn't have to walk far though to talk with his friends as they came running through the portrait hole.

'HARRY! LEO… FOUND… OUT…' Ron shouted with panic in his voice. Hermione stopped for breath before talking.

'Did we make it in time?' She asked as calmly as she could, even though panic could be read of he face as well.

His face was enough of an answer to them. 'Sorry guys. He caught me red-handed.' Harry answered. A silence fell, neither one of his friends quite knew what to ask next, despite the obvious question of course.

'He didn't do anything to you, did he?' Hermione asked, her eyes were slowly gliding down to Harry's arm, she had noticed something different with it since the last time she saw him.

Harry chuckled inwardly, somehow that question made no sense at all. 'He…' It felt hard to tell his friends that the plan had failed so badly. 'He did do something to me.' He finally pushed past his lips. Although it was an answer to her question it didn't satisfy Hermione.

'What did he do Harry?' She said a bit more sternly than her previous question.

'He…' Again his voice failed. 'He cursed me.' Harry spat out quickly.

'He did WHAT?!' Ron shouted, after which he pulled out his wand. 'He'll pay for that.' As he said that Ron started pacing over to Leo's room. He might have actually tried to break in there if Harry hadn't stopped him.

'Ron, NO!' Harry shouted to his friend while pulling him away from the door in a headlock. 'I already got punished for our mistake, I will not lose you too. He will not harm you if you stay away from him.'

'I DON'T CARE.' Ron yelled, while trying to wrestle himself out of the headlock.

'RON!' Hermione shouted. 'Harry is right. You wont solve anything by barging in on Leo. You'd probably end up in the infirmary… or in a coffin.' This calmed Ron somewhat but just to be safe Harry held him firmly by his arm. 'Now… Harry, tell us what happened and how did he curse you?' Hermione asked after Ron seemed to have cooled down enough.

Harry looked around, if Ron and Hermione had come here than it would be possible that a curious Gryffindor could have followed them. 'Let's go to the boys dorm, we can talk there.' He replied and so the trio went upstairs.

After making a final check that they weren't followed Hermione locked the door and made it soundproof.

'Alright. Tell us what happened Harry.' She asked standing nervously at the door.

'First things first Mione.' Harry replied and he motioned her to sit down next to Ron who was barely able to keep his anger back. 'What happened with the diversion?' He asked.

'Malfoy happened.' Ron spat with clear contempt. 'He thought it would be funny to "accidentally" throw his drink over you.'

Hermione sighed in acknowledgement. 'Unfortunately Leo was near, I guess he wanted to catch Draco in the act of throwing and then punish him for it but he was a second too late. When he saw the pumpkin juice go straight through your double he quickly put one and one together and ran out to find you.' She elaborated.

'We might have been here earlier if Snape didn't find it necessary to question us about why we wanted to leave as well.' Ron added.

'I see.' Was Harry's only reply. Then he gave his account of what he had seen and heard, the talking computer (he did have to explain to Ron what a computer was), the pensieve, the memory he visited and finally his encounter with Leo.

'So if it wasn't you but one of us in there one of us could be in the infirmary right now?' Hermione summed up. 'Or even killed.' She shuddered at the thought.

'No way. He wouldn't kill us. He would be thrown into Azkaban if he even tried such a thing.' Ron stated.

'Somehow I don't think he would be caught that easily.' Harry commented to his friend's statement. 'In any case he put this curse on me.' He showed the bracelet to his friends. 'Whenever I hear the… a certain word I change into a… an animal for ten minutes, unless I say the word myself then it will last for twenty minutes and should I say it for the tenth time then the change would be permanent.' He explained.

'What animal would you change into?' Ron asked.

'What word activates the curse?' Hermione wondered.

Harry sighed and rubbed his face while thinking of a way to tell them the word without triggering the curse.

'Maybe I could pull that bracelet off.' Ron said as he stood up. 'It doesn't look very strong.' Before Harry could protest Ron had walked over to him and gave a hard tug on the bracelet. 'YEOW.' He cried out and he quickly released the bracelet. 'That thing shocked me.'

'Honestly Ron. If it were that easy to get rid off I doubt Leo would have used it.' Hermione said.

'I can't say the word or tell you what animal I turn into, because the name of the creature is the same as the word.' Harry explained.

'Maybe you could give us a clue to the animal.' Hermione suggested.

Good idea. Harry thought.

Just then Leo stepped out of the shadows on the far side of the room. 'That wont be necessary. The trigger word is "Deer".' He said calmly.

A shock went through Harry's body and his limbs went rigid. The weird magic was crawling through his veins making him feel itchy underneath his skin. Then he felt a sharp pain in his stomach like someone had jabbed him, he doubled over on the floor. A sharp volley of needle pricks ran over his skin making him want to scratch like crazy but his fingers wouldn't move. They were changing slowly into hooves.

I don't want to change, stop. STOP. STOOOOOOOOP!! Harry thought. He tried to stop the change by sheer willpower. This seemed to slow it down and for a moment Harry believed that his fingers were returning to normal again. He looked up, in front of him he saw Leo leering at him.

'Stop fighting it, Harry. It will only make the change more painful. You simply don't have the power to stop the change, let alone reverse it.' Leo said in reply to Harry pained stare at him.

Then two sharp things sprang up on Harry's head making him scream in agony, the noise he heard didn't sound human at all. Then he felt all his bones shift and change, they felt like they were breaking. This surpassed Harry's tolerance and he lost consciousness.

When he came to the room looked different, it smelled different and sounded different. There were noises nearby, no not noises, voices.

Friends. Have to get up. Why don't I feel my legs? I feel something else. I have four legs. Have to get up, tell them I'm fine.

Harry's attempts to get up broke up the argument between Ron and Leo, Hermione had already gone over to him to give Harry a hand. After falling down twice he managed to maintain a shaky balance on the four thin legs that were supporting him. The only thing that remained the same on Harry were his green eyes. His scar was covered by fur and thus out of sight.

Hermione was the first to speak. 'Harry? Are you alright?' She asked carefully.

'…' Harry tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth.

'Can he understand us?' She asked Leo.

'I didn't remove his human mind, it's in there as well as most deer instincts. His vocal cords are just incapable of using human speech.' Leo replied.

'Deer instincts?' Hermione asked.

'Yes, everything he needs to use this body properly, he just has to learn how to access it, but that's a problem I leave to him.' Leo answered with a smirk. Somewhere he was enjoying this. 'Basically his human consciousness is trapped inside a deer's body. Unable to perform anything he could as a human being. Just a dumb deer.' He put out his hand to pat Harry on the head, however Harry took a step backwards before Leo could touch him, this almost made Harry lose his balance again.

Leo does not smell human. Smell like Predator! Have to get away!

'Ah, he just figured out how to smell danger on being. Maybe he'll survive my punishment.' Leo commented.

'Enough of this!' Ron shouted. 'Undo this!' He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Leo's face.

Leo sighed. 'Mr. Weasley. If you're done expressing your ego then I'll ask you to lower that wand and return my property to me.'

'Your property?!' Ron shouted. 'We don't have anything of yours.'

'Yes you do. The book about illusions. The one I loaned Harry and which you used to pull this stupid ploy with in the first place. I want it back, that's why I can up here!' Leo shouted back though much more controlled than Ron.

Hermione got up and went to the door to get the book from her dormroom. 'STOP MIONE!' Ron shouted. 'We're not giving him anything until he undoes this curse on Harry.'

'Your loyalty to your friends is admirable but futile. I will have that book back. I'll get it myself if necessary but I'll only be lenient on the two of you if you get it for me. So the question is do you want to leave this room on a stretcher or on your own two feet?' Leo's threat was quite real. Ron's fearless attitude was fading, and Hermione had already left the room to get the book.

When she came back she held out the book and said. 'Here! Take your stupid book.'

Leo silently took hold of the book, shrunk it and put it inside one of the many pockets of his robes. Just as he was about to leave Hermione stepped in front of the door. 'Out of my way Miss Granger. It's not too late for me to change my mind about punishing you.' Leo threatened.

'I wish to negotiate a deal. I ask that you remove the curse of Harry and put it on me.' Hermione said softly. Harry gave a startled noise.

'A very noble sentiment. I can see I underestimated your friendship with him. Or is it more than that?' This remark made Hermione blush. 'In either case it doesn't matter. When it comes to curses I don't to intend to reverse them until I'm sure the victim learned his or her lesson.'

Hermione didn't budge. 'You can't do this. Please! I'm sure Harry is very sorry for this, I'm sorry for being a part of it.' She sank down on her knees. 'Please.'

'Sorry just doesn't cut it for me. Nor will any amount of begging make me change my mind. Only a sacrifice of severe magnitude would convince me.' Leo stated and pushed Hermione aside.

'Forget him Hermione.' Ron said still holding his wand pointed at Leo. 'Will just find another way to remove the curse. After all how strong can it be, there is nothing the three of us can't do.'

Leo chuckled at Ron's speech. 'Safe your words and strength for supporting Harry through this. There are only two people in this school strong enough and experienced enough to remove this curse. I am one and Dumbledore is the other but if you're thinking he'll help you with this, think again. Because he'll need to know why Harry was cursed. And he wont help if he finds my reasons to curse him better than your plight to free him.'

'Professor Dumbledore is a good man. He will help us. What could possibly give you more leverage?' Ron asked completely confused by Leo's enduring confidence.

'For one thing, he has been very forgiving for some previous efforts but his patience is slowly running out. Also your illegal outings so far were, in the long run, capable of slowing down Voldemort. This thing was only about invading my privacy, learning secrets that you have no business of knowing and, generally, to PISS ME OFF!! On top of that I'm Dumbledore's godson.' Ron and Hermione just stood there, absolutely flabbergasted.

'Dumb-, Dumble-, Dumbledore is your godfather?!' Hermione stammered.

'That's what I said. So just forget about it. He isn't going to help you on this. Now if that's all, there's a party going on that we have to get back to.'

'Wait!' Hermione cried out.

'What is it now Miss Granger?' Leo said sounding very annoyed.

'You said that only a great sacrifice would change your mind. How about you put the curse on me AND Ron. Would that be big enough?'

'EH. Hermione you could have asked me first before suggesting this.' Ron said, clearly not entirely sure whether he wanted to do this.

'She could have but she didn't.' Leo cut in jokingly. 'And yes it would be big enough, if Harry has to look after his friends continually then that would educate him just as well.' He said more or less to himself.

'Don't worry Ron, see how Harry is holding up. I'm sure that becoming a deer occasionally wont be that bad. Okay, Mr. Panther do it.' Hermione said, then she stuck out her arm and closed her eyes.

'I'm afraid I am all out of deer bracelets, but since I anticipated this I took two other ones which are just as good.' Leo pulled out two golden chains and held them up. 'One of you will become a merperson and the other will be a w…' Leo examined one of the bracelets closer. 'I could have sworn I picked the white wolf. Oh well. And the other will be a werewolf. Any takers?' Leo held the bracelets closer to Hermione and Ron.

'Are you nuts? Do you know what would happen if we changed into those things?' Ron protested.

'Yes. One of you would suffocate and the other will start eating some and turning the rest of the school into fellow werewolves. It should be fun to watch, I imagine.' Leo replied.

'You're insane. Hermione we can't do this. Think this through.' Ron appealed to Hermione who still had her arm outstretched.

'I have, it's our fault that Harry is in this position. We have to set it right.' Hermione bit back at Ron. 'Do it!'

'You do understand that I have to change the rules of triggering.' Hermione nodded but Ron was just staring at her. 'The bracelets will activate every time you hear your first name, the change will remain for an hour. And you may never speak the word yourself as that will make the change permanent.' Leo explained.

'Deal!' Hermione shouted. Then as Leo was about to put the merperson chain on her arm Harry charged him, slamming his antlers into Leo's back who reeled over in shock rather than pain. The tips of Harry's antlers were now tipped red with blood. Leo quickly stood up again to find Harry standing in front of his friends in an attack posture.

'It seems that Harry isn't too happy with your sacrifice. In which case the deal is off, Harry will remain cursed until I deem him punished.' With that said Leo walked out of the room.

Harry remained in this position towards his friends, Hermione was trying to calm him down but nothing she said seemed to change anything. Then the ten minutes were up. The reversal of the change didn't feel less painful than the initial change and for a time Harry just lay on the floor recovering. His head was adorned with two red blood spots.

'Are you alright?' Hermione asked carefully trying to help Harry up again.

'How… dare… you…?' Harry said with great difficulty. His vocal cords were strained because of his attempts to shout at his friends while changed.

'What do you mean?' Hermione asked in all innocence. She wasn't sure what Harry meant exactly.

'How dare you put me above yourself?' Harry bit at her. 'How dare you do that? It would hurt me a thousand times more if something happened to the two of you. Don't ever makes such a deal again.'

'I agree with Harry on that Mione.' Ron said. 'But that still leaves the current problem of the curse.'

'If we can't find a cure then I'm willing to sit this thing out. For now I think we should go back down again and think about fixing this another time.' Harry said and shakily stood up.

'Alright, let's get back down again.' Hermione agreed while supporting Harry. 'But before we stop thinking about this I say we go to Dumbledore and at least try to convince him to break the curse.'

'Very well… After the party.' Harry said.

Ron had taken position on the other side of Harry. 'I still can't believe that gargoyle is the godson of Professor Dumbledore.' Harry and Hermione chuckled briefly as Ron said this. 'Speaking of godfathers, Harry should we tell yours about this?'

'Later Ron, later.' Was all Harry could say.

The effects of the change wore off quickly and soon Harry was able to walk without assistance. Nothing was said during the long stroll back to the great hall, maybe the three of them knew that words wouldn't solve their problem. As they were nearing the great hall various noises came flooding towards them. These weren't sounds of joy, nor any kind of music. The noises were produced by a lot off panicking people. Without a second thought Harry, closely followed by Ron and Hermione, drew his wand and made a dash for the great hall, expecting the worst.

What they found was certainly not among the things they were expecting, despite the fact that the plan to keep Leo busy in the great hall had failed hadn't meant that Fred and George also had stopped their planned diversion.
The dance-floor was crawling with mice, white mice, just like the ones Hermione feeds to Crookshanks. Harry figured that when Hermione explained to him about the mice that the twins had been listening to it. They'd probably hidden the sleeping mice just before the party, the noise and heat had awoken them.

Many of the female population in the school had taken flight on top of the snack tables. To Harry's amusement, Draco was up there as well. While many of the boys were either playing with the mice, trying to convince their dance partner that mice were harmless or trying to exterminate the vermin.
The professors were trying to regain order and McGonagall had gotten so desperate that she changed into her cat-form and started hunting. After devouring her fifth mouse she was more than full and she quickly changed back before she lost her meal again. McGonagall climbed onto the stage and turned her voice to full volume.

'All students with cats or owls as pets are to get them immediately. ~URP~ Pardon me.' She shouted over the noise.

Harry turned to his friends. 'I guess that means us too. Let's go.' They turned around again, Hermione went back to the Gryffindor tower and Harry and Ron went to the owlery. After seeing his friend shake his head for the third time Harry decided to ask what was wrong. 'What's on your mind Ron?'

'It's nothing.' Ron answered. 'It's just… I'm a little worried that those mice will eat Pig instead of the other way around. Did you see how many there were? What on earth were my brothers thinking?'

Harry tried hard not to laugh out loud. 'They probably thought those mice would cause chaos. Looks like they were right.'

Later, up in the owlery. The school owls were all gone already, Hedwig had taken to a spot close to the roof where she was comfortably asleep. At first she wasn't too happy about being disturbed, which she showed by a disgruntled screech but quite happy later when Harry explained about an easy meal.
Pig was already awake and wouldn't stop orbiting Ron's head, chirping joyfully because of all the attention he was getting. He even refused to leave for the great hall after Ron asked him to. Then he ordered and when that didn't work he threatened, but the little owl just didn't seem to get it. In the end Ron just went back down again with Pig following him closely.

He finally understood what Ron was trying to tell him up in the owlery when they arrived back at the great hall, this he proved by showing his first kill to Ron before eating it in front of him. 'Ew. Pig!' Ron exclaimed.

After about fifteen minutes the floor was pretty much cleared of mice, leaving only their remains scattered. However some of the mice had escaped and would plague Hogwarts for months to come. The party mood had pretty much died though and even though Dumbledore tried to encourage the students to continue but this was a hopeless cause since the main performer had run off when of horde of mice ran across the stage. With the mood killed, most students went back to their dormitories and Professor McGonagall went off to find Fred and George who had mysteriously disappeared.

Harry said goodnight to Hedwig who was looking rather bulgy around her stomach, at which she gave him a friendly nip on the hand and she flew a little of balance back to the owlery. Pig had gotten too heavy to fly so Ron carried him back up and Crookshanks was so full that he'd fallen asleep and he wouldn't wake up even when Hermione prodded him. So she carried the softly purring ginger cat in her arms.

Most students weren't very tired, and they either started studying played a game or started betting on the kind off punishment the twins would get for their latest stunt. Harry, however, went up to the bedroom for some peace and quiet. He deserved it for all he had been through tonight. On his way up he heard some fellow Gryffindors gossiping.

'Did you hear about what is happening in the Forbidden Forest?'

'Some kind of beast is loose in there. It's been killing rabbits and deer.'

An alarm struck in Harry's head as the word sunk in and the itchy feeling in his veins returned. He ran upstairs and barely made it inside before the pain overpowered him.
The change didn't seem to last as long as it did the first time though, maybe because Harry didn't have time to resist it. Figuring he'd have to make the best of the situation Harry started to practise walking. It took him about four minutes to get it down and he actually felt joyful about it. What he really wanted to do though was find a mirror to see what he looked like, but the nearest one in which he could do that was the boys bathroom and he didn't feel like exposing himself like this. He continued with the walking practise, then he noticed that there was a breeze coming through the window, Harry was sure that it was closed the last time they were here.

Harry walked over to it and tried smelling for a scent, he couldn't make heads or tails from it though. When he turned around he saw a note on his pillow. He trotted over to it and started reading, this took long though as he found it difficult to decipher the words for some reason.

Mr. Potter,

I warned you about this. Listen to me. You have to stay away from Panther. You'll end up much worse if you stay to close to him. Believe me I know.

A concerned individual.

Harry took a bite out of the note in frustration. WHO ARE YOU?!

There was no scent on the note, or at least nothing Harry could work with. There was a noise from the window. A cry for help, but not in human tongue though, Harry knew the noise, a deer crying alarm to her fellow deer. Then a scream of agony. The female deer had died and Harry felt a wave of sorrow coming over him. A horrible thought came to him, what if he changed near the forbidden forest while that beast was out there.

The thought passed as Harry felt his body returning to normal. Now that Harry was completely drained he staggered to his bed and fell asleep the moment he closed his eyes.

But even in the dream world he wasn't free from fear. Harry felt sick when he landed into his first dream, something was wrong with the world. Lot's of fog everywhere, the air tasting too stale for his liking. Before long Harry realized that he was in a conscious dream again. He was on the Hogwarts grounds. In the distance Harry could see Hogsmeade, but it looked like a ghost town. Slowly the fog lifted a little and Harry could see Hagrid's hut, it had collapsed after a fire had raged through it, the remains charred beyond recognition except for the chimney which looked like it could fall over at any time.
The Forbidden forest behind it was burnt to the ground as well, nothing lived in there anymore. A feeling of foreboding came over Harry. If those things were gone than that would mean…

He turned around, Hogwarts was a ruin. Or at least most of it, several sections looked undamaged, while others like the Gryffindor section of the school were completely destroyed.

'NO!' Harry shouted, startling himself with the power of his voice. 'Hello?!' He shouted, only a few echoes answered. 'What happened here?!' Again only echoes. 'Somebody!' No answer. 'Anybody.' He said a little softer, knowing that he was all alone. Harry fell to his knees, he was alone. A tear gleamed in his eye, the idea that not even his friends would answer that question scared him. He would soon find out why they didn't answer, as Harry turned away from the Hogwarts ruins he saw a row of standing stones a few yards away from him, tombstones.

He ran towards them and as he read the first one he felt his heart break. Ronald "Ron" Weasley. Died in defence of his friends.
The one next to it shattered his heart completely. Hermione Granger. She was killed in the last stand to defend Hogwarts, her presence will be greatly missed by all.
The tombstones didn't have dates on them and they didn't stop there, the row seemed to go on forever.

'NO!!' Harry cried. 'This isn't real, it is only a dream, a bad dream. This will never happen.' He felt his tears falling on his hands. 'I wont let it happen.' Having said that he felt the world around him dissolving and then it came back. But it was different this time, it was night and warm. Not just warm, hot, burning hot. Harry stood up and found himself surrounded by flames, the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's hut, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts itself, they were all burning.
From his place on the ground Harry could see how the Gryffindor tower was getting especially badly hit by the fire. For some reason even Harry himself didn't know why he ran inside. The entrance hall and the connecting corridor to the great hall hadn't been touched by the fire yet. The grand doors that lead to the great hall had taken a beating, and after pulling one of them hard Harry managed to squeeze through. As soon as he saw the scene on the other side he wished he hadn't tried so hard. A war had raged in this room, the house-tables had been turned over as barricades but that hadn't saved the ones trying to hold the room.

But wasn't what scared him so much, it was the sight of his friends lying, dead and tormented, scattered across the room. As a final cruel act each one of them had written a message to Harry in their own blood.
Hermione had written: Where were you?

And Ron had put down: How could you do this to us?

Do what? Harry thought at the accusation made by his friend at the moment of his death. The others had written similar things. But Harry noticed that someone was missing. Neville, Neville Longbottom was missing from the corpses. This relieved Harry somewhat, but then he heard footsteps coming from the door near the teachers table, staggering footsteps. The person who made them was injured.
Harry saw Neville limping around the corner, his left arm was hanging limply by his side, his robes were torn and several cuts ran over Neville's face. He looked up startled when he saw Harry standing in front of him.

'Where were you? Why didn't you help us?' Neville spat with as much force he could give his voice.

'Neville. Who did this?' Harry asked quickly while rushing over to his friend to support him.

Neville tried to answer. 'Y---' But before he could get the words out a voice behind him spoke first.

'Avada Kedavra!' Harry moved just fast enough to see the light in Neville's eyes fade as he caught him while falling.

The voice belonged to a cloaked figure, a black cloak and a mask to complete the Death-eater uniform. The left sleeve of the person's robes was rolled up revealing the Dark Mark burning on it. Harry stood face to mask with the figure, they were the same height.

'You did this?' Was the first question that came to Harry's mind. The cloaked figure nodded. 'Who are you?'

The figure began to remove his hood and mask, the messy black hair seemed familiar to Harry but he couldn't be sure until he saw the scar shaped like a lightning bolt appear as the mask was removed. Harry was looking at himself. 'Me? I did this?'

'Me too, we both did this. They died defending you and you couldn't save them in return, doesn't that make you just as bad as Voldemort?' Evil Harry raised his wand. 'Don't worry. This wont hurt for long. Avada' Harry tried to move, to run but his feet were stuck, trapped by the floor that he turned to a thick puddle of quick-sand and then solidified again when he got sucked in till his ankles. 'Kedavra!'

Just as the green beam should have hit he jerked awake, but Harry didn't find himself in his bed. He was lying at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Did I sleepwalk here? Harry thought. Pinching himself hurt, so Harry concluded that he must be awake. Feeling a little out of place and embarrassed he started to walk back to the school. There was something alluring about the forest, it was calling to him. Before long Harry found himself at the edge and he didn't stop, he just kept moving.

'Come to me Harry.' A female voice beckoned. 'I have something you want. Something that belonged to your parents.' The voice sounded trustworthy, whoever it belonged to she wouldn't harm him. When Harry arrived at a clearing the voice fell silent and for the first time he started looking where he was. The forest canopy almost closed up above him, making it impossible for him to see more than a small moon and a few stars, behind him the trees were too thick and too close together to see the school behind him.

'Feeling lost?' The female voice asked. 'Feeling… lonely?' Harry couldn't figure out where the sound was coming from. 'Find me and I'll help you.'

'Where are you?' Harry asked frantically. This game was getting on his nerves.

'Very close by, my dear.' The female voice answered. Harry felt the curse changing his body again.

A trap! Harry panicked, and made a wild dash in a random direction. Have to get away! Have to get away! It thundered in Harry's head, in rhythm with his fast gallop. Behind him he heard another fast paced run, made by soft padded feet. In a flash of curiosity Harry looked around, the only thing he saw were two bouncing red dots. Red flashing eyes! But while thinking this Harry forgot the most important rule while being chased, don't look behind you while moving. He tripped over a tree root, rolled over forward and landed on his back followed by his legs dropping to the side. Besides having the wind knocked out of him he'd also broken a leg, Harry couldn't get up. The creature that was chasing him had caught up now and Harry could feel it's breath. He gave a final cry in desperation and then he could feel the creature's fangs sinking into his neck.

Harry woke up, he was in his bed in the Gryffindor tower, it was morning already. Only a dream, it was only a dream.