Harry Potter & the Dark Lord – Chapter 7
Disclaimer: As we all know by know, the characters, setting, etc., belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed!!! I really appreciate it. Anyway, the reason Ron acts that way around Fleur is because she's part Veela; he can't help it and it doesn't mean he likes Hermione any less. Don't worry – Hermione won't stand for it much longer! There's more romance in this part, (H/G and R/H of course), and I'll try to slow down the pace a bit (Thanks for the advice B). Oh, and Sirius will be in here too. READ & REVIEW PLEASE!!!!
Harry rushed to breakfast the next morning, anxious to let the others know what he'd heard between Snape and Fletcher. He bumped into Ginny on the way to the Great Hall, and that now-familiar uneasiness he felt around her reappeared. Ginny noticed the bags under Harry's eyes, and eyeing him quizzically, said, "Not getting much sleep lately, are you Harry?"
Harry wasn't sure how to respond, but he suddenly had the urge to pour out his heart to Ginny and tell her everything that had been going through his mind. Restraining himself, he simply said, "No, I guess not."
At this point they had reached the Great Hall and found Ron and Hermione had already started on breakfast. Ron was actually in the middle of pouring Hermione a glass of orange juice and when the others arrived, he blushed slightly, quickly pushing the glass towards her. Harry smiled inwardly and glanced over at Ginny, who had apparently noticed the same thing and was trying to suppress a giggle.
Normally, Harry wouldn't have shared the story about Snape until he was alone with Ron and Hermione. For some reason, though, he felt he could trust Ginny. Maybe it was because, lately, Harry had started to see her as an equal, rather than just a little kid that idolized him. Whatever the reason, Harry decided she should hear about Snape, too. He had to fill Ginny in on what they had seen in the Entrance Hall the day before, and then told the three of them about his trip to the dungeons.
"That means we've got Snape again this morning? Blimey, they should give us more warning!" Ron's face looked panicked. Harry could see that Hermione was thinking hard. Before she said anything, Ginny spoke up.
"Well, Harry, I don't like the idea of you wandering around at night, even with an invisibility cloak. You could get hurt!" Ginny looked a little worried – she hadn't known about Harry's cloak before. "Still, I wonder what kind of potion they were working on."
"That's what I was wondering," Hermione added, "Well I guess we were wrong about Fletcher working against Snape, although it doesn't seem they're the best of friends, either."
Ginny laughed, "I don't think too many people get along with Fletcher. From what my dad's told me, he's quite a handful. Very quick to go for his wand, I think he said once. Percy doesn't think much of him either. Apparently, he doesn't follow all the rules perfectly – you know how Percy is about that."
Ron added, "Fletcher doesn't allow any funny stuff in his classes, that's for sure. But at least he doesn't have it out for us like Snape does! I wonder if he'll stick around much longer now that Snape is back."
"Well, unless you want to be late for Snape's class, we'd better get going," Hermione added, glancing at her watch. Ginny walked out of the Great Hall with the three, turning to go as they reached the staircase.
"Bye, Ginny," Harry called, "Are you coming to watch our Quidditch practice tonight?" Harry surprised himself by asking that, but, he rationalized, she might like to come since three of her brothers were on the team now.
Ginny smiled and said she would try, and then disappeared up the stairs. Ron gave Harry a curious look for a second and then smirked, saying, "Better be careful there Harry, Ginny's been good for a while. You don't want her to start up your fan club again, do you?"
Harry walked faster so they couldn't see the color rising in his cheeks, but he heard Hermione whisper to Ron, "You are so dense sometimes." Ron didn't have a chance to respond, as they had reached the classroom.
Snape was already there, his bruises now completely gone and looking as sour as ever. The rest of the class was tittering in surprise, but Harry, Ron and Hermione went to the back of the class and found their seats quietly. Neville rushed in so quickly, he didn't notice Snape standing in the front. He started to say hello, but the word turned into a whimper as he looked up. Snape was smiling malevolently as the last few stragglers found seats. Harry chanced a look at Malfoy, who was beaming as if he had just won the Quidditch World Cup.
"It's about time he returned," Malfoy was saying loudly to Crabbe and Goyle, who were nodding their large heads in agreement, "Father was most upset when he heard Fletcher was substituting. Haven't learned a thing yet this term! Finally, we'll get a decent education."
Harry had to suppress a laugh at the thought of Malfoy actually caring about getting a decent education. The room grew quiet as Snape began, sneering, "Yes, I am back, and I'm glad to see how much I've been missed. We've got a lot to catch up on, as I'm sure you're all very behind this term. Unfortunately, I had no say in choosing my substitute. Well, let's see how far back you have fallen." He turned his gaze to Harry with a sinister gleam in his eye. "Potter, tell us what Skeltonomus potion is used for."
Hermione's hand immediately shot up, and Harry gulped. He thought that Snape must have purposely picked something from the very back of the book, as they wouldn't have gotten to it yet. "Er," Harry tried to stall.
"I see you haven't bothered to keep up with your studies," Snape sneered. "The Triwizard Tournament was last year, Potter. You won't be excused from end of term exams this year. I suggest you crack a book. Ten points from Gryffindor." Snape looked most pleased that Harry hadn't known the answer.
Hermione was practically falling out of her seat, desperate to regain the points for her house. Snape actually called on her, surprising Harry. He never wanted to give Gryffindor a chance to get an answer. He must be up to something, Harry thought.
"Please, Professor Snape," Hermione answered breathlessly, "the Skeltonomus potion makes a person's bones pliable, so they can squeeze between small places."
"Mr. Malfoy, is Miss Granger correct?" Snape asked.
Malfoy obviously didn't have a clue, but guessing that Hermione was usually right, he said, "Er, yes, sir."
"Excellent, twenty points for Slytherin!"
Ron opened his mouth in rage, but Harry gave him a sharp kick in the shin. He knew it would be pointless to debate with Snape, and he didn't want to risk losing any more points. The rest of the class was pure torture, and Neville, after having improved so much with Professor Fletcher, had gone back to his bumbling ways.
When class mercifully ended, Harry stayed behind to help Neville clean up the mess he had made. Neville looked up at Harry, a little calmer since Snape had left the room, and said, "Did you notice the sign in the Entrance Hall? They were putting it up just as I was heading here."
Harry hadn't seen anything. "There's going to be a Halloween dance after the feast! It'll also be the last night that the Champions are here, so it's kind of a goodbye for them too. I'm going to ask Ginny," Neville rushed these words out, blushing at the end. "By the way, Harry, I don't know what you said to her, but thanks! We've been getting along great since Hogsmeade! I think she may actually like me."
"Do you really think so Neville? I don't know..." Neville's face dropped, and Harry didn't know what had made him say that, but he immediately regretted it. "I mean, I haven't had a chance to talk to her about it recently, that's all." Neville brightened a bit after that, and Harry felt a tad less guilty.
Defense Against Dark Arts was interesting as usual. Professor Figg had shown the class how to perform a shield charm that would make any but the most advanced Dark magic bounce off and rebound onto the person who had sent it. It was a fairly advanced spell, and by the end of class, only Harry and surprisingly, Ron, were able to conjure up even a fragile shield that deflected the weakest curses. Hermione was very angry with herself as her faint shield faded as soon as a curse was sent towards her. Professor Figg had had to perform quite a few counter curses to reverse the damage done when the shields failed.
Harry and Ron were eating quickly that night as they had to rush off to practice. Hermione consented to join them, figuring she and Ginny could work on their Advanced Muggle Studies homework as they watched. Ron mentioned the Halloween dance.
"So did you think about whom you're going to ask," Ron was looking at Harry, but Harry knew the question was really directed at Hermione.
"I, er, haven't thought about it," Harry stumbled over his words. He glanced over at Ginny, who was eating with her fourth year friends at the other side of the table.
Hermione noticed this and asked, 'Harry, why don't you go with Ginny? Ron and I can go together, so none of us have to worry about dates." She added the last part hastily.
Harry, trying not to look too disappointed, said, "Neville told me he's going to ask Ginny."
Ron looked over at the Ravenclaw table, where Cho was giggling with her friends and looking over at Harry. "Aren't you going to ask Cho? I'm sure she'll go with you."
"I guess so. I don't really know." Harry really didn't want to think about the dance anymore, so he got up and headed to practice.
Ginny and Hermione both showed up as promised, and sat in the stands giggling together and looking over their books. Harry glanced over fairly often, and felt a warm feeling inside when he saw Ginny smiling at him. Ron was doing very well as keeper, making quite a few dramatic saves. Harry thought he was overdoing it a bit, making unnecessary turns and loops on his broom to make even easy saves look spectacular. Hermione, though, seemed rather impressed.
When Fred and George were finally satisfied, Harry and Ron headed over to the girls. Ron was trying to look humble as he said, "Not bad for my first practice, don't you think?"
"Ron, I never knew you could play that well! You could be as good as Oliver Wood!" Hermione gushed.
Ron looked rather pleased with himself, adding "Well, I did practice a lot with my brothers over the summer. Charlie and Bill gave me a few tips when they were around."
Hermione glanced quickly between Ginny and Harry, and said, "We were just talking about the dance. It'll be so much fun, don't you think?"
"Yeah," Ron added, as his ears became redder than his hair, "We're going together right? So we don't have to look for dates? I mean, unless you already have one…" he trailed off.
Hermione smiled at this, "No, I don't have a date yet. Going together would be the easiest thing, I suppose. What about you Ginny?"
Harry cut in, "Ginny's going with Neville, aren't you?"
Ginny's face dropped, and she opened her mouth, "Well, he did ask, but I haven't…"
Harry cut in, "Well, I have to get some rest. I'll see you all later." Harry turned, ignoring Hermione's sharp look, and headed back to the castle. Ginny looked so disappointed, but it couldn't be because of him, could it? Neville had said how they had been getting along so well since the Hogsmeade trip. He seemed to think she liked him. Even if Neville was wrong, what would he say if Harry asked Ginny to the dance? Harry could just imagine the hurt look on Neville's face. No, he thought, Ginny and Neville like each other. He should just stay out of it.
Harry was sitting alone in the common room by the fire when Ginny, Ron and Hermione returned. Ginny glanced over at him unsurely, but was interrupted by Neville who came over to them.
"So Ginny, have you thought about what we, er, discussed?" Neville asked hopefully.
Ginny looked over at Hermione, who gave her a sympathetic look. Ginny bit her lip and answered, "Yes. Of course I'll go with you Neville. It would be a pleasure." Neville floated away smiling at himself.
Ginny sat down next to Harry, while Hermione grabbed Ron, telling him she wanted to show him something in her books. Neither Ginny nor Harry spoke for a minute. Harry was trying to make himself congratulate Ginny on her date with Neville, but the words just wouldn't form on his lips. He finally broke the silence, saying, "So are you excited about the dance?"
Ginny answered slowly, "It'll be a nice change of pace. And Neville is very nice, of course, but…" she paused nervously.
Harry couldn't figure out what she was trying to say. He was still upset with himself for not being happy for Neville. Neville was his friend, after all.
Ginny continued hurriedly, "Oh, Harry, I really like Neville, but only as a friend. I think he's expecting more! I don't know what to do. I mean he's such a nice person, I don't want to hurt him. Has he said anything to you?"
Ginny looked positively distraught. Harry was taken aback. He had spent so much time convincing himself that Ginny felt the same way for Neville as Neville felt about her, and now that she had said otherwise, he didn't know how to react. "You don't like Neville?" he asked, still not believing it.
"No," Ginny said mournfully, "At least not that way…I feel horrible about it but I, I think I like someone else." Ginny looked at Harry anxiously.
Before Harry could say anything to this, Ron headed back, with Hermione rushing after him looking peeved. Ron was looking quite annoyed himself, "Geez, Hermione, I told you I don't want to read about the Goblin Rebellion right now!"
Seeing Harry and Ginny looking up guiltily at him, he frowned slightly. "Did I miss something?"
"Nope," Ginny said, "I was just heading up to bed." With that, she grabbed her things and rushed upstairs.
Harry was too busy trying to stop himself from going over Ginny's last words. He was hoping that it was him that Ginny liked. Could it be possible? Hermione was looking very exasperated at Ron, but she kept quiet. Now that Ginny was gone, Harry decided they should discuss the plan for tomorrow night's meeting with Sirius. He had thought about mentioning it earlier while Ginny was there, but since Ginny still didn't know the truth about Sirius, Harry thought it might be a bit of a shock.
The next day went by rather quickly as Harry grew excited at the thought of finally seeing his godfather. At 7:30, he, Ron, and Hermione headed off for a walk on the grounds, with Harry hidden under his invisibility cloak. Harry had suggested that people would be more likely to leave them alone if they thought Ron and Hermione were on a romantic walk, and although Ron had nearly choked at this, they all agreed it would probably work best. As they left the castle, though, the plan immediately hit a glitch as Fleur came by. "'Ello Ron and 'Ermione. Wair's 'Arry?"
Ron, looking stricken, mumbled something about a walk. Hermione said, "Harry's up in his room I think. If you'll excuse us, we were just going for a walk."
Hermione grabbed Ron's hand angrily and dragged him away from Fleur, muttering "Honestly Ron, you'd think by now you'd be able to handle it. My goodness, she's not even a full-blooded Veela! You don't see Harry acting that way."
Harry had to try to stop himself from laughing in case anyone nearby heard – he was invisible after all, and a laugh coming from nowhere would be sure to attract attention. Ron opened his mouth to try and defend himself, but nothing came out. Hermione, still gripping his hand –very tightly it seemed, as Ron looked like he was in pain – continued sarcastically, "I'm sure everyone will believe we're on a romantic walk the way you're behaving! Don't you care if Harry gets caught?"
They had finally reached the Whomping Willow. Most students stayed away from the menacing tree, so there very few people around. Hermione and Ron sat nearby, pretending to be enjoying the night. After a minute, Hermione muttered under her breath, 'Okay, Harry, it's safe now. Go!"
Harry grabbed a loose branch and reached in to press a knot by the roots. The Whomping Willow's branches froze and Harry crawled through the small opening at the base of the tree. Once he was in the tunnel, Harry took off the cloak and stuffed it into his pocket. He took his wand out of his pocket and whispered, "Lumos". Harry continued through the tunnel led by the light at the end of his wand. After what seemed like forever, he finally had reached the Shrieking Shack. The last time he had been here, he was trying to save Ron from what he then thought was a ruthless murderer. It turned out that Sirius was innocent, but as Sirius wasn't able to clear his name, he was still wanted by the Ministry. Dumbledore, Lupin, Harry, Ron and Hermione were the only ones who knew that Sirius was innocent for a while, but last year, Ron's parents and Snape had also heard the truth – although Harry doubted if Snape believed it. A few others, like Figg, must know by now, Harry reasoned, but Sirius still had to be very careful.
Harry walked up the stairs and opened the door into a dusty, cobweb filled room that looked like a cyclone had gone through it. Sitting in a corner was a large black dog. Once Harry had shut the door behind him, the dog turned into a tall man. "Sirius!!" Harry rushed over to hug his godfather.
"Harry, it's so good to see you," Sirius said. He stood back from Harry, looking him up and down as if to assure himself that Harry was okay. Harry thought Sirius looked pretty healthy considering he was hurt in Africa not long ago.
"You saw Voldemort…" Harry started.
"Yes, he's definitely back Harry. And he's in England now. That's why I came here. Harry, your scar hasn't hurt at all, has it?" Sirius asked anxiously. Harry shook his head and Sirius continued, "Because you must go immediately to Dumbledore if you notice anything suspicious. Anything at all, do you understand me??"
Harry nodded. "Nothing's happened at all. Except Snape is back." Harry proceeded to tell Sirius what he had seen. He continued telling Sirius about everything that had happened over the last month and a half, including Ron's making the Quidditch team, the returning champions, and the upcoming Halloween ball. Harry had been eager to talk to someone. Ever since he had felt the urge to tell Ginny everything earlier, he had been realizing that he really missed having someone to talk to. He had Ron and Hermione, but there were some things he couldn't share with them.
Sirius smiled when Harry told him about Ron and Hermione going to the ball together. "And who are you taking?" Sirius asked.
Harry turned red. "I, um, haven't asked anyone yet."
"It seems there's someone you want to ask, though." Sirius seemed very amused by this, but when Harry didn't answer, he said, "Well, whoever it turns out to be, promise me you won't go for any moonlight walks on the grounds by yourself. Stay by the castle and don't stray from the crowds. If you're anything like I was at your age, I know that's a tall order."
This reminded Harry of something he wanted to talk to Sirius about, "You went to school with Fletcher and Professor Figg's daughter, didn't you? Snape doesn't seem to like Fletcher much."
"Well I can't say I cared for either one of them. They both poked their noses where they didn't belong. They did hate each other though. I'm sure Dumbledore was amused to have them forced to work together. That is the kind of thing he would do."
Harry was confused, "So Snape is actually on our side?" He didn't want to believe it. Snape had always absolutely loathed Harry, and his father before him. But Snape had saved Harry's life once.
"As much as I would like to deny it, Snape is working against Voldemort. I don't know exactly what he's doing though. It's very curious. I'll see what I can find out from Arabella."
"She was my mum's best friend wasn't she?" Harry asked quietly.
Sirius all of a sudden looked very sad, "Lily was very close to her. So were the rest of us…"
Harry looked at Sirius closely, "Well, aren't you all working together again now?"
Sirius looked up as if he had forgotten Harry was there. "What? Oh, yes, but, a lot has happened since then." Sirius obviously wasn't going to tell Harry anymore about this, so Harry mulled over what he had heard.
Sirius continued, "Harry, it's more important than ever now that you keep near Dumbledore. Do not try to play the hero."
"Why would I? Harry asked. He thought back to a question he had asked Dumbledore long ago, but that had never been answered.
"Sirius," he started cautiously, "Why is Voldemort after me? I mean, why did he want me dead rather than my mum?"
Harry didn't dare breathe while he waited for an answer. Sirius looked like he was debating what to tell him.
"I can't tell you everything yet, Harry. I don't know it all myself. Most people think it's because James and you were Gryffindor's last descendants, but there's more."
Harry's eyes widened in shock. He was Gryffindor's last descendant? Harry let this sink in for a moment but he didn't know what to say.
"You did know that, didn't you Harry?" Sirius looked concerned at Harry's reaction.
Harry didn't answer. "Great," Sirius said, half to himself, "I should learn to keep my mouth shut. Look Harry, this is a lot for you to take in. Why don't you go back up to your tower and rest a while? I'll be staying here, so let me know if anything unusual happens." Sirius seemed very upset at himself for blurting out that news so suddenly.
Harry nodded and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry Harry," Sirius added, "I thought you knew."
A/N: Well, hoped you like this one. Next time, we find out what Ron and Hermione were up to while waiting for Harry. Also, Krum and Fleur's time at Hogwarts flies by, and then the dance!!! Please REVIEW!!!!!