A/N:
Isabella Grace - No amount of magic can hold back the effect of the 104% grade!
Lightingbolt, and ~*~, and jenny, and Twisted Anjle, and Hobbit, and CliodnaHPFan, and Mella deRanged, and kind sir, and weatherbee- Thanks!
Sabrina - Yes you are, Sabrina! Thanks!
Shdurrani - Yeah, I don't know what the heck is up with ff.net.
Feather0311 - Thanks, and they don't bring me down they just annoy the heck out of me. "You aren't doing this right, you aren't doing that right, write it the way I want, this chapter is pointless, ... blah, blah, blah." Some people couldn't be constructive if they tried. I try to tell everyone that there is a purpose with everything I write, but they will never understand.
milkyway - It's a deal .. now about your fee ... you get 15 , nah 20 percent of everything I make on this story. okay! (okay, now 20% of $0 is .... carry the two ... round off the 5 ...)
American Mione - I personally love the hat! My favorite part of the chapter.
Jandi - You're kidding, right? In the city I live in an eight year old girl got pregnant last month. It is not at all uncommon to hear of sex between couples in middle school which is ages 11-13 in my area. 16 is almost the old maid zone. Yes I disapprove of it and I think it shows in the story.
Chapter 21
"They've finally noticed that the Minister is dead." Hermione said as she gazed over the headline of the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. "They've said the Wizengamot has convened to choose another minister."
Ron gobbled another sausage, "Do ya fink 'umble'ore?"
"Don't be silly," Hermione shot back. "Professor Dumbledore has no interest in being Minister."
Harry nodded.
"I wouldn't be surprised, however, if they chose someone from the Department of Auror's considering the situation with Voldemort."
"You don't think, Ron's dad?" Harry suggested.
"No, they need strong control now that the Dementors are loose and potential for Giant involvement is on the horizon. Hopefully they'll realize their mistake over the last year and make to correct it."
"This is the Ministry we're talking about," Ron remarked then he looked at his watch. "Muggle Studies is calling."
They waved goodbye.
"I've got a bunch of unruly third-years this morning and a boggart to show off. I better get going, myself."
He leaned down and pecked her cheek. Hermione smiled, "Have a good day at class, dear."
He could have sworn he heard a couple of first-years snickering from down the table until he shot a scathing look their way.
******************
Harry stared at a black veil hanging down in front of him and watched it move as if a slight breeze was blowing through. Once he gathered his thoughts he lifted his wand, "Riddikulus!"
The veil disappeared with a faint pop. Most of the students were still standing around. Some were scared of what form the boggart had taken for each of them and some wondered what had scared their professor.
"What do you think it was?"
"Looked like a Lethhifold to me. They're supposed to swoop down like a black shroud while you're asleep and smother you."
Harry ignored them, trying to rid himself of the image of Sirius falling backward through the veil covered archway, hidden deep in the bottom floor of the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries.
"I want eight inches on the hunting habits of boggarts and you might as well start preparing for your first test next Wednesday. Topics will include all listings in chapter one of 'Those Pesky Dark Creatures'"
A few groans were uttered.
********************
"Concentrate, Potter!" Snape snarled. "If you add more than the allotted amount of salamander scales you will be poisoning your fellow classmates."
Harry's hand was shaking as he leveled off the measuring spoon. The extended Potions tutoring lessons were beginning to take their toll on his nerves.
"If you are not going to apply yourself I shall insist that your name be removed from my advanced classes and you can join Weasley in the exciting world of Muggle Relations."
Harry tried to tune out the sound of Snape's voice for it was this that had cause him to mis-measure the scales in the first place. He could not believe the amount of hatred that was feeling because of Snape's involvement in his godfather's death and being this close to him, regularly, was more than he could stand.
He upturned the spoon into the mixture and stirred six times counterclockwise and three times clockwise then sat back satisfied.
"Your fire, Potter!"
He had forgotten to lower the flame for the potion to simmer, but corrected the mistake with a wave of his wand.
"Seven minutes over the low flame and then ..."
"I can bloody well read!" Harry yelled.
"Ten points from Gryffindor. I would suggest in the future that you lower your voice and adjust your attitude."
Harry seethed and considered using his father's trick to hang Snape upside down for a good shake or two, but thought better of it.
"Go ahead Potter, use it." Snape dared him.
It wasn't until then that Harry noticed his ownhand was holding his wand high and ready with a jinx.
"Use it and you will be on the first train to Kings Cross and your beloved Miss Granger will be in her rooms slowly going insane."
Harry's eyes widened and blind fury ignited within his head. Sealed jars of potion ingredients exploded across the room scattering their contents on the floor. Snape ducked a particularly large clump of tarantula eyes that flew overhead.
"Fifteen -- twenty points from Gryffindor!" he yelled. "Stop it this instant, Potter!"
But Harry didn't hear him he was too busy clutching a hand to his forehead in pain. A feeling of unbridled triumph overcame him and hissed though his veins.
"Snape," he heard himself say. "You will leave him alone or feel my wrath!"
Harry saw the Potions Master pushing himself backward across the floor grabbing for his wand, under the folds of his cloak..
"Crucio!" Harry yelled and watched as the person he hated the most at this point in time was screaming in agony.
This, I can give you, Harry. Power undreamed of! Power to put down those that defy you and seek to do you harm. I have been a fool in trying to oppose you and I know what must be done. Come to my side, Harry. Can you feel the sheer strength we have when we are merged? Together we can rule and even Dumbledore won't be able to stop us!
Pleasure coursed through his body at seeing Snape under his thumb, at last! His back bowed and spittle shot forth from his mouth. The thrashing of his body around the floor was almost as brutal as the curse itself. Harry heard bones snapping against the desks and further grunts and screams of new pain.
He was unable to perform the curse at the murderer of his godfather. She had said he needed to cause pain, to enjoy it. Laughter bubbled up inside him. She said he'd have to enjoy causing pain? Oh, he was enjoying it, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew it wasn't his own pleasure he was feeling, but that of his enemy.
I will give you Bellatrix Lestrange! Think about it, Harry. Think of the freedom to punish those that laugh at you and point and stare. I will permit your attachment to your muggle-born woman, Harry. She could be your queen! Anything you want! I will return for your answer. But first a little fun.
"Avada Keda..."
Before he could finish the act Harry heard the door to the potions classroom open and Hermione screaming, "Harry, NO!"
"Stupefy!" Professor McGonagall called from behind his fiancé before things went black.
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"Harry?"
"Get back child. Let me have a look at him."
"He's coming around. Go fetch Professor McGonagall."
He opened his eyes and tried to sit up suddenly as if to fight off an unknown foe.
"Slowly, Potter. Here drink this."
He recognized the form of Madame Pomfrey holding a glass of something under his chin and he took it.
"What?"
"Just drink this and things will be clearer," she reiterated.
He upended the cup and swallowed what he recognized as Pepperup Potion. His thoughts became clearer almost immediately.
"What happened?" he asked as soon as the burning taste left his throat.
The doors to the hospital wing flew open and Hermione ran back in followed closely behind by Professor McGonagall.
"Harry," she cried as she ran to his side and embraced him. "It was awful!"
They gave them a moment, then, "Come along, Miss Granger. Harry will be fine. The professor needs to question Mr. Potter."
"Can she stay?"
McGonagall looked at the both, "Sit aside and please do not interrupt."
Hermione summoned a chair and sat next to Harry, quietly. The professor did the same.
"What do you remember, Potter."
Harry looked down and tried to recall what had happened.
"I was making Pepperup potion for Snape. He started yelling at me and ... and ..." He concentrated as if looking through a fog. "He threatened Hermione and I ... he made me so mad ... I went crazy."
Bitter reproach covered the professor's face. "Then you performed a spell," she urged.
Harry shook his head very slowly, "No. He came."
"He?"
"Voldemort. He was inside my head, like before -- at the Ministry."
Hermione gasped.
"What happened?" Harry pleaded.
"You've performed the Cruciatus Curse on Professor Snape with disturbing results. Miss Granger nearly collapsed during her Transfiguration class at what I assume was her connection with you. When we arrived in the dungeon you were standing above the body of Professor Snape, your wand cast at him with the most hideous grin on your face"
Hermione squeezed his hand. "Harry, your eyes were glowing crimson! You were performing the Killing Curse!"
The color drained from his face and his throat went dry as he remembered the entire scene. "He wants ...," he couldn't finish the phrase, couldn't tell them what Voldemort wanted. They'd lock him away in Azkaban Prison just to protect themselves and Harry would never see the light of day or for that matter, Hermione ever again.
"What does he want, Potter?"
Harry hid his face in his hands not knowing if he could lie to the professors face convincingly enough, "I ... I can't remember!"
"That's enough." Madam Pomfrey interrupted.
"Poppy!"
But the school nurse would not be rebuked, "I said, enough. He needs his rest as well as Professor Snape. Out with both of you until Professor Dumbledore returns."
Harry laid down and turned on his side, not wanting to meet his fiancé's face.
She kissed him on the head from behind, "I'll be back after classes, Harry."
Once the door closed Harry looked over at the screened off area across the way. "Madame Pomfrey?"
She turned around from her rummagings at the potions cart. "Yes, dear?"
"Will Professor Snape be alright?"
She frowned, "I've patched him up, but his injuries are beyond me. Medi-witches are on their way from St. Mungo's to transfer him for a few days only, I'm sure."
She lifted another glass of something Harry was very familiar with. "Drink this down now, it will help you sleep and recover. You'll be up and around in no time."
He drank the potion down as instructed and his last thoughts before he fell asleep were of Dumbledore's face and the disappointment that would be on it.