A huge thank you to my reviewers from chapter 11. I know it was short. Erm.. Zardiphyllian.. a very interesting explanation for a name! I like it! Now, just a warning: my story is a bit strange from here on out. As if it wasn't strange before. I have an overly active imagination, so you kind of just have to go with it. Before you start, I'll have you know that Harry does develop new powers, but it's not because of lily's spell or anything to do with severus. It's just because harry is awesome and the most powerful wizard. ever. Also, he's learning a lot of other things on his own. He's reading, and learning more spells and more advanced things than he should have had to learn at a 5th year level. All of that starts in this chapter, but just aware that it's going on, even though it might not be written. Okay? Okay. Good. Enjoy!

**

Early the next morning, Harry sat up in bed in the hospital wing. Everyone else was still asleep; the only sound was the distant rumble of Peeves blowing up something somewhere in the castle. Harry had gotten up earlier than usual to test himself. Throughout this period of growth and change, and even before it started happening, at the end of his fourth year, Harry found himself feeling more knowledgeable and powerful than ever before. He couldn't pinpoint when the feeling started- perhaps it had been during the Triwizard Tournament, when he had learned important spells and charms to keep him in the race. It could have been after facing Voldemort, but that was unlikely. The only thing that facing Voldemort had done for Harry was to give him terrible nightmares that he feared would never go away. No, he really couldn't tell when it all began. But he knew that it was both frightening and awe-inspiring at the same time.

Harry had a theory. An idea, a hypothesis. His comment to his professors about getting captured and not being able to use a wand had sparked some interest in his newfound abilities. He hadn't told anyone about his new feeling of power. He didn't want to be seen as boastful. Harry had never really taken pride in what he had done. It was always for the good of the cause, nothing more. None of what he had done- all the years of thwarting Voldemort, being shot at by death eaters, the visions and pain in his sleep -was for him. Harry hated fame. He had always hated his fame, even though Ron loved it and envied him for it. God, if only he could give his game to Ron. At least then it would be appreciated.

Harry spotted a book lying discarded on a table next to the bed across from him. He grabbed his wand and said clearly, "Accio book."

The book flew into his outstretched hand. He smiled. Obviously, he hadn't forgotten anything.

Harry threw the book back to the bed across from him. He gently put down his wand and stretched out his hand, feeling foolish. He concentrated his mind and his magic on his hand and repeated, "Accio book." The book flew into his hand smoothly.

Harry gasped and then started laughing. The sound brought Madame Pomfrey into the room.

"Feeling better, Harry? All rested up?

"Yes, Madame Pomfrey. Thank you."

She nodded graciously and pointed toward the bathroom. "Shower and get ready, Potter. Professor Dumbledore expects you at breakfast when you're all cleaned up."

"Thank you!" he yelled, already grabbing his crutches and limping hastily toward the bathroom.

Seconds later, Madame Pomfrey heard the unmistakable sound of running water. She sighed and returned to her office.

***

"Ah, Harry! Good morning!" greeted Dumbledore merrily as he piled syrup on top of an enormous stack of pancakes. Professors McGonagall and Lupin were nowhere to be seen.

"Good morning, Professor," bowed Harry respectfully.

"Come, sit down. Have some breakfast. Remus and Minerva were up earlier. They're already down at the library researching."

Harry sat down next to Dumbledore and looked down at the vacant Great Hall. It seemed almost ghostly without all of the students there. Harry and Dumbledore were the only people there, although there were a couple of ghosts in a corner and a house elf or two were aimlessly wandering around the empty tables.

"How did you sleep?" inquired Dumbledore.

"Excellent, Professor. It seems that Voldemort did not see fit to torture Professor Snape yesterday. At least not through Cruciatus. I mean, there are other ways. And I think that I may only see the Cruciatus or the other Unforgivables. I'm really not sure."

Dumbledore was silent.

"Or perhaps he's getting the death eaters to do his dirty work for him," continued Harry.

"That's quite possible, child. But calm down. You're restless," noticed the headmaster.

"I'm sorry, sir. It's just that.." he suddenly grew quiet. "Would you mind if I.. if I showed you something?"

"Of course, Harry."

The teenager gulped and held out his hand, a look of intense concentration in his eyes.

"Accio fork," he whispered. A fork from across the table glided gently into Harry's hand. He looked up at Dumbledore, who was staring at him thoughtfully. Harry shifted uneasily under the gaze.

"Is this bad, Professor?" he asked nervously.

"Wandless magic is a rare gift, Harry. A very rare gift. No, it's not bad. It could help you a lot."

"You don't sound very convinced," muttered Harry.

"I'm - I'm trying to figure out where you got it. Usually, this kind of gift is passed down in families, though it hardly ever shows up. I know that Lily couldn't do wandless magic, and I'm almost certain that Severus isn't able to. It wasn't in either of their families."

Harry gulped. "Did - Voldemort? I mean, Tom Riddle? Did he?"

Dumbledore looked at him kindly. "No, Harry, wandless magic didn't run in the Riddle family, either."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. One more thing I don't have in common with that snake," he muttered quietly, but Dumbledore heard him all the same.

"Well, Harry, this is a surprise. But a welcome one, at that. This could prove to be very beneficial. We just have to hone your skills. While Minerva and Remus research, you and I will practice."

Harry nodded. "Okay, Professor."

"You must understand that this gift of yours has to remain a secret. You can't tell anyone about this. Not Ron, or Hermione, and certainly not Severus."

"Like I would tell that git anything," Harry growled under his breath.

"The two of you talked just yesterday. I know that," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, we did, unfortunately. And if I have anything to do with it, he won't be spending any more time in my head. Ever."

"You're angry with him," observed the headmaster.

Harry rolled his eyes. "How observant," he blathered, before covering his mouth with his hand. "I - I- forgive me, Professor. That was rude."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with mirth behind his glasses. "That's okay, Harry. It's summertime, you don't have to be so formal. But when school starts again.." he gave Harry a mock-glare that made the younger wizard chuckle.

"Yes, sir."

"Alright then, Harry. Let's go to the library to start practicing this wandless magic of yours, shall we?"

"I thought it was supposed to be a secret."

"I think it's okay that Minerva and Remus know what we're doing," said Dumbledore.

"Yeah. Remus will go crazy, you know. He'll be really excited," noted Harry with a wry smile.

"Remus is generally over-excited," replied Dumbledore cheerfully, a teasing tone in his voice.

Harry laughed. "Very true."

The two strode into the library and addressed the two waiting professors.

"Well, good morning, Harry!" Lupin teased.

"Remus, Minerva," Dumbledore said meaningfully, "Harry seems to have acquired a new skill that could be of use to us all."

Minerva looked confused. "A new skill?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Care to demonstrate, Harry?"

Harry pointed to Remus's hair, which immediately turned an alarming shade of pink.

Lupin looked dumbfounded as Harry stopped giggling and turned his hair back to its normal color. "Wandless magic? But.. how?"

"I don't know, actually," admitted Harry. "I've kind of entertained the idea for a while, and after the conversation about wands and getting captured, it just began to make sense."

"Wow, Mr. Potter," said Minerva, who now looked exuberant, "this could help us a lot! If no one knows about this except us, it would be a huge shock to your opponents. Namely, You-Know-Who. I'm sure he would be slightly less than thrilled."

"Quite right, Minerva," started Dumbledore, "that is why, while the two of you keep up with the research, Harry and I will be practicing."

"Very good, Albus. Good luck, Harry!"

Harry grinned as he and Dumbledore walked to a more open part of the library. Albus took out his wand. "Petrificus Totalis!" shouted the headmaster, intending to startle Harry. However, though Dumbledore's action surprised the boy, he turned and whispered a blocking spell just as the charm would have hit him.

Dumbledore looked pleasantly surprised. "Good, Harry." The teenager smiled back at him. "Alright, then," he continued, "We'll work on blocking today. I'll throw some spells at you and you block, okay?"

"Okay, Professor."

Dumbledore spent the next two hours throwing shot after shot at Harry. Only thirteen of the shots made it through his shields, all of which, fortunately, Dumbledore knew the countercurses to. By lunchtime, both Harry and Dumbledore were exhausted. They left for the Great Hall, where Remus and Minerva were waiting for them.

"That was quite a good show, Harry," Remus said when Harry crutched into the Great Hall. Harry gave him a half smile and dropped himself into a chair.

"I think that I can truthfully be rendered unconscious," proclaimed Harry.

McGonagall snickered. "Yes, Harry, you have ever right to be tired. So do you, Albus," she teased, "I don't think you've ever been so unsuccessful in cursing your opponents."

Dumbledore gave her a small smile and chuckled. He slid into his own chair and looked over at Harry, who appeared to be snoozing. Remus followed Albus's gaze and laughed.

"Go ahead and laugh," said a still very awake Harry, "I don't mind." He smirked, even though his eyes were still closed.

"Well, Harry, you seem to have proven your talent for blocking spells," concluded Minerva. "Perhaps you could work on some spells now yourself."

Harry's eyes slid open. "I think I'm too tired to do anything at the moment. But yeah, some spells might help. I'm fairly certain that we're not going to succeed against Voldemort simply because I can manage a decent blocking spell," he said, somewhat sarcastically.

"Quite right, Harry. We're going to have to work you on all of your subjects if we're going to manage a rescue mission."

"Even potions?" complained Harry.

Dumbledore gave this some thought. He had never been very good at potions, he was pretty sure that Minerva hadn't, and Remus had been terrible. He choked back a laugh.

"Well, perhaps we'll just give you some advanced potions books to read. I'm sure they won't be too difficult to understand. I'll but you some materials as well so you can practice. Is that okay?"

Harry made a noncommittal sound, causing Albus Dumbledore's eyes to glitter. "Excellent. Now that that's settled, Harry, I think you should get some rest. As should I. I haven't spent so much time hexing anyone since Remus here was in school! He was quite a handful, mind you. Always running about, doing something against the rules. Troublemakers, he and his lot."

Dumbledore chuckled loudly as Remus feigned anger. "Why, Albus, I was never the bad one. It was always Sirius or James! Never me!" he laughed.

"Yes, you four spent so much time playing tricks on poor Severus that I thought the boy was going to claim his own bed in the hospital wing!" recalled Minerva happily, as if thinking about her least favorite coworker as a young child with all sorts of coloring charms and extra body parts lying helpless on a bed in the hospital wing was highly amusing subject matter.

The three adults continued in their chatter until a groan from Harry hushed them. He had fallen out of his chair and was once again sweating profusely. His eyes were closed and he was beginning to tremble slightly.

"Oh, lord," said Minerva sadly. She had already realized that there was nothing she or anyone else could do when that happened.

Suddenly, just as Harry really started into the worst part of the Cruciatus, it stopped.

"Wha-" he asked weakly.

Lupin stretched out an arm to help Harry off the ground. "What happened, Harry?"

"I don't know," he gasped, clinging desperately to air, "one minute I was with Snape, and then.." Harry covered his scar as another round of pain started to hit him. He screamed unintelligibly for a few moments as his professors watched helplessly. Slowly, the Cruciatus subsided, but Harry stated in a trance for a few moments, his scar changing from violent red to cool blue.

"Hi," Harry whispered as he opened his eyes.

"Harry," Lupin said softly, "Are you alright?"

Harry laughed quietly. "No, I'm not alright. But I will be."

Dumbledore nodded as Harry shakily stood up and slumped into a chair.

"I don't really know why it stopped. I was trying to get into Professor Snape's mind to take away some of the pain, if I could, and it was like he shoved me out, or something. But then the curse came back. I can't explain it."

"You stayed in the trance after the curse was over," prodded Dumbledore.

"Yes. I was trying to find out why Snape hadn't been cursed in the past day. He wouldn't talk to me."

"Frustrating old git. Never was very reliable," Lupin muttered.

"Come on, Harry," said Minerva, helping the boy to his feet. "Let's get you back to the hospital wing. You need rest."

For once, Harry didn't argue.