Chapter 5
Impending Doom
Harry watched as Remus pulled out a large loaf of bread out of the oven and used his wand to slice it. He could hear Tonks up in the hall above.
"Kristina, you look as lovely as ever. Here, let me help you with your things."
There was no mistaking Snapes cold voice, "No, thank you! We want them in one piece!"
"Severus!" A female voice Harry didn't recognize seemed to be reprimanding him. "Don't be so rude. She was only trying to help."
"That's alright Kristina's. He is right. I am dead clumsy." Tonks said weakly.
"Dobby, will you see that these reach their proper places?" Dumbledore asked.
Their voices were edging closer. Harry looked at Remus. "Dobby is here?"
"Uh, yes. Dumbledore mentioned he would be bringing him to help now that Kreacher has died. Dobby seemed to be very excited to receive the job." Remus answered setting the table with a flick of his wand.
Kreacher was dead?
Harry was just setting down the pitcher of butter beer when they all piled into the kitchen. The woman from Snapes memories was in the lead. Her hair was a bit longer and salt and peppered.
She took a deep breath and smiled, "It smells delicious, Remus." She said. Harry couldn't help but notice that she had one of the prettiest smiles he had ever seen. Then she turned her eyes on him. "Hello, Harry.", she said as though she had known him her entire life.
He nearly tipped the pitcher of butter beer over. "Er, hello Mrs. Snape." Harry said nervously. He could have sworn he heard Snape snort, but no one else seemed to notice.
"Please, call me Kristina. I haven't been Mrs. for years." She said.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry said. He just couldn't believe that Snapes mum was such a babe. He didn't look anything like her. Harry imagined that like him, Snape looked exactly like his father. Except the eyes.
"Kristina, you look absolutely stunning." Remus said.
She blushed and gave Remus a motherly hug. Harry watched in amusement as Snape flashed Remus a cold glare behind his mothers back. He didn't seem to like the fact that Remus was receiving such attention from his mother.
"Well, lunch is read. It isn't much. Molly will be back in about a week." Remus said apologetically.
"Don't be ridiculous Remus. It smells fantastic!" Dumbledore said eyeing the pot on the stove with hungry eyes.
They all sat down and began serving them selves. Harry noticed that Snape took care to serve his mother before himself. He seemed very protective and he doted on her excessively. for Snape.
"So, Harry." Dumbledore said buttering a fresh slice of bread. "I expect you to work hard during your Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape. I will be coming once a week to test you, myself."
"Yes, sir." Harry said dully.
"Lessons will start promptly at 8 am and end at 12 pm every day." Snape said softly.
Harry wanted to protest against such long lessons, but didn't really feel he could. Voldemort had proven the night Sirius had been murdered that he could posses Harry and send false visions. Harry had to prevent this from ever happening again. Occlumency was his only weapon.
Snapes silky voice interrupted Harry's unpleasant reverie. "Defense lesson will begin promptly at one o'clock and end at five. Is that understood?"
Harry gaped at him.
Snape scowled, "What? Don't you think I am capable of teaching you defense against the dark arts, Potter?" he snapped.
"No, sir it's nothing like that. I expect you would be a formidable defense teacher. You know what Voldemort is capable of. You have seen him in action, after all." Harry said, causing quite a stir around the table.
Snape looked stunned. Harry wished he had a camera at this very moment. Neville would never be frightened of Snape again if he could see Snape now.
Harry decided to take Snapes surprise a step further by adding, "The disarming spell you taught us in the dueling club has been very useful. I used it that night Voldemort came back. With out that I would not have come back."
He gulped his butter beer and watched Snapes eyebrows shoot upwards. One more comment like that he thought, and Snape might loose his eyebrows all together. He wouldn't be half as frightening in class.
Remus laughed, "Can't you take a compliment, Severus?"
"You should have seen it Remus!" Harry said excitedly. "He sent that moron Lockhart flying through the air and he slammed into the wall! It was brilliant! We didn't know whether to applaud or not!"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, the students still talk about it. He peered over his half moon glasses at Snape, "In their eyes it nearly redeems their over bearing Potions Professor."
Snape snorted, "It wasn't that difficult. It was Lockhart after all."
"Don't be so modes, Severus." Kristina said smiling proudly.
"Professor, you did what we all wanted to do!" Harry said matter-of- factly.
They all laughed heartily, and Dumbledore gave them some more interesting stories about Lockhart. It seemed that he was even a joke amongst the staff. It seemed that Professor Flitwick had a betting pool for how long he would last.
Everyone complimented Remus on lunch and helped clean up. Dobby came in shortly after and tried to clean up. Remus insisted he sit down and eat first. Dobby seemed embarrassed, but did as he was told. He grinned at Harry and ate heartily.
Then, Dumbledore gave them all a bit of news that Harry could have done with out. "Sirius's funeral is tomorrow. Alastor will be by at 8 am to pick you all up."
Harry dropped the stack of bowls he was carrying over to the cabinet. Remus fixed them with a flick of his wrist and levitated them to the cabinet.
Harry's vision began to blur. His heart was suddenly stuck in his throat. "Right." He whispered. Breathing seemed to be an especially hard thing to do all of a sudden. His scar began to burn, and his head throbbed painfully. He could hear a woman screaming somewhere. The kitchen began to dim and all went black.
When he opened his eyes Dumbledore was peering at him gravely over his glasses. His wand was out and pointed at him.
Harry could feel warm tears on his face. He wiped them away furiously with his sleeves. He looked around the room. Everyone was pale and shaking. "I'm sorry." Harry croaked. Then he slipped back into the darkness.
He woke again and found he was in his room. Dobby was dabbing his head with a towel. He had a worried look on his face. "Harry Potter sir. You is awake sir!" Dobby shrieked.
Dumbledore stood over his bed. He looked very tired. "Harry, it is very important that you master Occlumency."
"Yes, sir. I know." Harry said.
Dumbledore nodded, and sighed heavily. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. They were lit brightly. "I sent out your letters.", he said smiling.
Harry sat up. "Thank you, sir." Dobby was pushing him back down. "Harry Potter must stay in bed, sir. You is needing your rest, sir." Harry smiled and laid back down.
"Do you think it will work?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I think it just might help with other things that are rolling around in the Ministry." Dumbledore said mischievously.
"What things?" Harry asked.
"We are trying to overturn Umbridges law that keeps half humans from working amongst others. The law forces Werewolves to wear dog tags alerting other members of the wizarding world that they are werewolves." Dumbledore looked absolutely furious.
"What!" Harry said angrily, sitting up abruptly. "She can't do that!"
"She already has." Dumbledore said frowning. "But her activities at Hogwarts have left her looking insane, and all the laws she has passed are being reconsidered. I took the liberty to add a ps to your letter."
"What does it say?" Harry asked eagerly. Dobby was pressing down on his chest again. Harry lay down to quiet him so he could hear what Dumbledore was saying.
"Just that the Ministry will be reviewing these laws on Friday" Dumbledore said simply. "Now, get some rest." He said and left the room.
Harry couldn't believe the injustices that Remus was facing. How could he still manage to smile? His best friends were all dead. He couldn't get a job. He was forced to wear dog tags! This was a job for D.A. He just hoped they would come through.
Dobby forced a glass into his hand. "Professor Snape sir, is giving this to Dobby for you sir. It is sleeping potion sir. It is helping you not to dream, sir." Harry swallowed the potion and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Impending Doom
Harry watched as Remus pulled out a large loaf of bread out of the oven and used his wand to slice it. He could hear Tonks up in the hall above.
"Kristina, you look as lovely as ever. Here, let me help you with your things."
There was no mistaking Snapes cold voice, "No, thank you! We want them in one piece!"
"Severus!" A female voice Harry didn't recognize seemed to be reprimanding him. "Don't be so rude. She was only trying to help."
"That's alright Kristina's. He is right. I am dead clumsy." Tonks said weakly.
"Dobby, will you see that these reach their proper places?" Dumbledore asked.
Their voices were edging closer. Harry looked at Remus. "Dobby is here?"
"Uh, yes. Dumbledore mentioned he would be bringing him to help now that Kreacher has died. Dobby seemed to be very excited to receive the job." Remus answered setting the table with a flick of his wand.
Kreacher was dead?
Harry was just setting down the pitcher of butter beer when they all piled into the kitchen. The woman from Snapes memories was in the lead. Her hair was a bit longer and salt and peppered.
She took a deep breath and smiled, "It smells delicious, Remus." She said. Harry couldn't help but notice that she had one of the prettiest smiles he had ever seen. Then she turned her eyes on him. "Hello, Harry.", she said as though she had known him her entire life.
He nearly tipped the pitcher of butter beer over. "Er, hello Mrs. Snape." Harry said nervously. He could have sworn he heard Snape snort, but no one else seemed to notice.
"Please, call me Kristina. I haven't been Mrs. for years." She said.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry said. He just couldn't believe that Snapes mum was such a babe. He didn't look anything like her. Harry imagined that like him, Snape looked exactly like his father. Except the eyes.
"Kristina, you look absolutely stunning." Remus said.
She blushed and gave Remus a motherly hug. Harry watched in amusement as Snape flashed Remus a cold glare behind his mothers back. He didn't seem to like the fact that Remus was receiving such attention from his mother.
"Well, lunch is read. It isn't much. Molly will be back in about a week." Remus said apologetically.
"Don't be ridiculous Remus. It smells fantastic!" Dumbledore said eyeing the pot on the stove with hungry eyes.
They all sat down and began serving them selves. Harry noticed that Snape took care to serve his mother before himself. He seemed very protective and he doted on her excessively. for Snape.
"So, Harry." Dumbledore said buttering a fresh slice of bread. "I expect you to work hard during your Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape. I will be coming once a week to test you, myself."
"Yes, sir." Harry said dully.
"Lessons will start promptly at 8 am and end at 12 pm every day." Snape said softly.
Harry wanted to protest against such long lessons, but didn't really feel he could. Voldemort had proven the night Sirius had been murdered that he could posses Harry and send false visions. Harry had to prevent this from ever happening again. Occlumency was his only weapon.
Snapes silky voice interrupted Harry's unpleasant reverie. "Defense lesson will begin promptly at one o'clock and end at five. Is that understood?"
Harry gaped at him.
Snape scowled, "What? Don't you think I am capable of teaching you defense against the dark arts, Potter?" he snapped.
"No, sir it's nothing like that. I expect you would be a formidable defense teacher. You know what Voldemort is capable of. You have seen him in action, after all." Harry said, causing quite a stir around the table.
Snape looked stunned. Harry wished he had a camera at this very moment. Neville would never be frightened of Snape again if he could see Snape now.
Harry decided to take Snapes surprise a step further by adding, "The disarming spell you taught us in the dueling club has been very useful. I used it that night Voldemort came back. With out that I would not have come back."
He gulped his butter beer and watched Snapes eyebrows shoot upwards. One more comment like that he thought, and Snape might loose his eyebrows all together. He wouldn't be half as frightening in class.
Remus laughed, "Can't you take a compliment, Severus?"
"You should have seen it Remus!" Harry said excitedly. "He sent that moron Lockhart flying through the air and he slammed into the wall! It was brilliant! We didn't know whether to applaud or not!"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, the students still talk about it. He peered over his half moon glasses at Snape, "In their eyes it nearly redeems their over bearing Potions Professor."
Snape snorted, "It wasn't that difficult. It was Lockhart after all."
"Don't be so modes, Severus." Kristina said smiling proudly.
"Professor, you did what we all wanted to do!" Harry said matter-of- factly.
They all laughed heartily, and Dumbledore gave them some more interesting stories about Lockhart. It seemed that he was even a joke amongst the staff. It seemed that Professor Flitwick had a betting pool for how long he would last.
Everyone complimented Remus on lunch and helped clean up. Dobby came in shortly after and tried to clean up. Remus insisted he sit down and eat first. Dobby seemed embarrassed, but did as he was told. He grinned at Harry and ate heartily.
Then, Dumbledore gave them all a bit of news that Harry could have done with out. "Sirius's funeral is tomorrow. Alastor will be by at 8 am to pick you all up."
Harry dropped the stack of bowls he was carrying over to the cabinet. Remus fixed them with a flick of his wrist and levitated them to the cabinet.
Harry's vision began to blur. His heart was suddenly stuck in his throat. "Right." He whispered. Breathing seemed to be an especially hard thing to do all of a sudden. His scar began to burn, and his head throbbed painfully. He could hear a woman screaming somewhere. The kitchen began to dim and all went black.
When he opened his eyes Dumbledore was peering at him gravely over his glasses. His wand was out and pointed at him.
Harry could feel warm tears on his face. He wiped them away furiously with his sleeves. He looked around the room. Everyone was pale and shaking. "I'm sorry." Harry croaked. Then he slipped back into the darkness.
He woke again and found he was in his room. Dobby was dabbing his head with a towel. He had a worried look on his face. "Harry Potter sir. You is awake sir!" Dobby shrieked.
Dumbledore stood over his bed. He looked very tired. "Harry, it is very important that you master Occlumency."
"Yes, sir. I know." Harry said.
Dumbledore nodded, and sighed heavily. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. They were lit brightly. "I sent out your letters.", he said smiling.
Harry sat up. "Thank you, sir." Dobby was pushing him back down. "Harry Potter must stay in bed, sir. You is needing your rest, sir." Harry smiled and laid back down.
"Do you think it will work?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I think it just might help with other things that are rolling around in the Ministry." Dumbledore said mischievously.
"What things?" Harry asked.
"We are trying to overturn Umbridges law that keeps half humans from working amongst others. The law forces Werewolves to wear dog tags alerting other members of the wizarding world that they are werewolves." Dumbledore looked absolutely furious.
"What!" Harry said angrily, sitting up abruptly. "She can't do that!"
"She already has." Dumbledore said frowning. "But her activities at Hogwarts have left her looking insane, and all the laws she has passed are being reconsidered. I took the liberty to add a ps to your letter."
"What does it say?" Harry asked eagerly. Dobby was pressing down on his chest again. Harry lay down to quiet him so he could hear what Dumbledore was saying.
"Just that the Ministry will be reviewing these laws on Friday" Dumbledore said simply. "Now, get some rest." He said and left the room.
Harry couldn't believe the injustices that Remus was facing. How could he still manage to smile? His best friends were all dead. He couldn't get a job. He was forced to wear dog tags! This was a job for D.A. He just hoped they would come through.
Dobby forced a glass into his hand. "Professor Snape sir, is giving this to Dobby for you sir. It is sleeping potion sir. It is helping you not to dream, sir." Harry swallowed the potion and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
