"Wow." Cho said.
Harry was amazed. Seven hundred and fifty witches and wizards, waiting for him to lead them into battle. It made him queasy just thinking about it.
"I'm sorry Cho, but I've got to go tell Ron and Hermione. I'll see you later okay?"
"Sure." Cho answered, but still looked upset to see him leave.
Harry got up to go, but hesitated. "Cho?"
"Mm hmm?"
"Cho. if we're allowed to leave, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
Cho eyed him suspiciously, much like she had the last time. "As a date?"
"If you want it to be." Harry could feel the colour rising in his face, but he didn't care.
"Absolutely. A few months ago, I would've said we had no chance of getting back together. But now, I would love to."
Harry spent the entire walk to the Gryffindor common room smiling. "Cornish hen." Harry said to the fat lady. He only stopped grinning when he saw Ron and Hermione frowning at him.
"Harry, how could you?"
"Yes, why didn't you tell us?"
"Tell you what?"
"Everything Seamus said Cho said in the Great Hall."
"Oh. That." Harry sat down, his mind reeling, trying to find the best way to explain. 'Do you know the whole story?"
Hermione nodded, but Ron gave her a look and shook his head.
""Well, I guess I can explain. Cho's parents were killed by Voldemort."
Both Ron and Hermione winced, but Harry ignored them. "She found them when she came home from school. Dumbledore thought she would be safe at my house, in case Voldemort came back. I didn't want anyone at school to know until Cho was ready to tell them, and that included you two. I'm sorry, but it wasn't my secret to tell."
He felt good getting it out. He knew there was more, and he intended to tell them all of it.
"There is some stuff I didn't tell you because I wasn't ready. I'm still not ready, but you guys deserve to know." Harry motioned for them to go into corner. "Verballo." Harry muttered, meaning that no one could hear the sounds they were making, no matter how loudly they talked.
He took a deep breath. "We came to school after a month. We came so I could train. I can apparate now, well, almost, I still have t take the test, and I am almost an animagi. I can't tell you what I turn into, for safety reasons. That's why I always practice in Professor McGonagall's office. The only people who know my animagus form are Dumbledore and McGonagall. Anyway, it should only be a few days before I can do it. In early may, I am leaving school and we are going to plan an attack on Voldemort. I can't tell you more, just in case. You will find out then."
Ron had gone very white, and Hermione had actually started to cry.
"I need to beg forgiveness for not telling you this, but. I'm teaching a course this year. Defense Against the Dark Arts, for the first to third years. I'm actually doing pretty well, Dumbledore is bringing in a Boggart when classes start again for the third years, and I've got all the first year stuff under control. It's making me really happy, because these kids are respecting me for more than just a scar on my head. It's also helping me learn to be a leader, which I think is important for someone who is going to be leading an army."
Harry looked from Ron, to Hermione, back to Ron, back to Hermione. Hermione was crying almost freely now, and Ron had turned a slight green colour.
"Err, I'm done, you know." Harry said, thinking they hadn't really understood.
"Harry." Hermione said slowly, choosing her words carefully. "We should be really mad at you for not telling us, but you didn't exactly lie, and you didn't really have a choice. You are also doing some truly amazing things." She smiled weakly.
"Besides," Ron continued for her, turning less green as he spoke. "you will need friends behind you for this, so we are prepared to forgive you."
Harry smiled so broadly he thought his face was going to explode. He stood up and gave both of them hugs. "Friends forever?"
"Friends forever." Hermione and Ron both answered.
"Oh, by the way, guess what just happened to me?" Harry didn't wait for an answer. "I asked Cho out, and she said yes!"
Hermione glanced at Ron, but they quickly burst into smiles. Harry could tell they saw Cho in a different light after all the new information. 'Congratulations!" Hermione cried.
"Yeah mate, congrats."
Harry looked at them. "So, when is it going to happen for you two?" They both blushed, and Harry ran to his dormitory before they could catch him. Harry could hear Ron hot on his heels, but he closed the door on him too quickly.
"Ouch!" Came a sound from the other side of the door. Harry opened it. "You okay, Ron?"
Suddenly, he felt a swift smack hit him on the upside of his head. "Hah! Fooled you!"
"Hey, I'm a teacher, I can take points off!"
"Yeah, well I'm a prefect, I can take points off too!"
"Touché!" Harry laughed. They both collapsed laughing on a couch when they got back to the common room. They spent the rest of the night comparing presents, smiling, and laughing.
* * * * *
the next week, classes started again. "Why, oh why, does Divination have to be my first class after Christmas?" Ron grumbled at breakfast.
Harry laughed. "Yeah, well, I have to impress a bunch of third year students, trying to get them to believe that I can actually defeat a Boggart. Luckily, Professor McGonagall doesn't have a class right now, so she is going to stand by."
But Ron wasn't listening. He was too busy with his toast, and Hermione was too busy reading her Arithmancy textbook.
A little while later, Harry walked into his classroom. Professor McGonagall was already there, as well as a few early bird students.
"Good morning, Professor, students. I hope you enjoyed you holidays."
"Oh come on, you know we were here, just like you!" Jane Bee said as she walked in.
Finally, Harry got his class settled (without Professor McGonagall's help, he was proud to say) and started class. "Alright, I hope you have all practiced you Riddikulus spell over the holidays, as today is the day it comes into action!"
Harry listened to them chant the spell, but wasn't really paying attention. He was worried about what would happen if he went in front of the Boggart. It wouldn't come as a Dementor anymore. It would come as him. Voldemort. And it just wasn't right to expose his students tot hat, so he couldn't do a demo.
The students lined up single file against the wall opposite to the box the Boggart was in. Jane Bee, the first in the alphabet, came forward. The box opened.
A small, furry creature came out. A rat. "Riddikulus!" She screamed. The rat flipped over on its back, its tiny legs squirming in front of it. The next student came forward, and the Boggart changed into a very surly looking Slytherin, whom Harry was quie sure was in fourth year. Domita cried the spell, and the bully's voice cracked as he threatened her. The entire class laughed, even the slytherins.
Soon most of the class had gone. They had been basic things to be scared of, creatures from movies, stories, although there were a few Death Eaters with their masks falling off, a troll knocking itself out (which Harry found strangely familiar) and a Thestral which started sprouting purple fur. Finally, Professor McGonagall stepped forward and put the Boggart away.
Harry applauded his class. "That was wonderful! Now, I want a short piece on the dangers of Boggarts. About six inches, please."
The students all pulled out their quills and wrote down their homework before the bell rang. As Harry was waiting for his next class, Professor McGonagall approached him. "You've taught them well, Harry. I'll make sure to tell Serverus, he's sure to get a kick out of it."
Harry laughed, picturing the look on Snape's face when he found out Harry was doing a good job. He couldn't even begin to think how low he'd score on his next Potions assignment.
"Harry, would you like to try the Boggart? It might be good practice. The way it feels, though I'm not sure it would be the same."
Harry nodded, and took position. The Boggart came out, and transformed into a tall, thin man. Harry barely glanced at Professor McGonagall, but he could see that she had her wand up and ready.
'Hello, Harry. You know why I'm here. It's your fault. You let him die, and I live. You are a stupid, weak, little boy, and I am going to crush you as soon as I see you. It is your fault he is dead, and it is your fault Cedric is dead. You did it. And you can never escape, until I kill yo-"
"Riddikulus!" Harry screamed, and Voldemort's great clock disappeared, and a sparkling suit and straw boater appeared. Voldemort's legs started to move, and he turned into a scary looking Fred Astaire. He continued to talk as he danced, but he was drowned out by old music.
Professor McGonagall put it in the box, and smiled. "That was wonderful. You are going to do very, very well."
She left without another word.
Harry couldn't help but smile. He was almost there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
well, I'm getting there. Its going to get interesting soon. I think there are going to be less than fifteen chapters, unless I come up with new twists, which I definitely plan to. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm trying to get to fifty. I'm actually over halfway there. Please help me get to my goal! If you have any questions or anything, say it in a review, and I will answer it in my next chapter. So long..everyone should watch Little Shop of Horrors..best movie ever!
"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
-unolimbo
Harry was amazed. Seven hundred and fifty witches and wizards, waiting for him to lead them into battle. It made him queasy just thinking about it.
"I'm sorry Cho, but I've got to go tell Ron and Hermione. I'll see you later okay?"
"Sure." Cho answered, but still looked upset to see him leave.
Harry got up to go, but hesitated. "Cho?"
"Mm hmm?"
"Cho. if we're allowed to leave, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
Cho eyed him suspiciously, much like she had the last time. "As a date?"
"If you want it to be." Harry could feel the colour rising in his face, but he didn't care.
"Absolutely. A few months ago, I would've said we had no chance of getting back together. But now, I would love to."
Harry spent the entire walk to the Gryffindor common room smiling. "Cornish hen." Harry said to the fat lady. He only stopped grinning when he saw Ron and Hermione frowning at him.
"Harry, how could you?"
"Yes, why didn't you tell us?"
"Tell you what?"
"Everything Seamus said Cho said in the Great Hall."
"Oh. That." Harry sat down, his mind reeling, trying to find the best way to explain. 'Do you know the whole story?"
Hermione nodded, but Ron gave her a look and shook his head.
""Well, I guess I can explain. Cho's parents were killed by Voldemort."
Both Ron and Hermione winced, but Harry ignored them. "She found them when she came home from school. Dumbledore thought she would be safe at my house, in case Voldemort came back. I didn't want anyone at school to know until Cho was ready to tell them, and that included you two. I'm sorry, but it wasn't my secret to tell."
He felt good getting it out. He knew there was more, and he intended to tell them all of it.
"There is some stuff I didn't tell you because I wasn't ready. I'm still not ready, but you guys deserve to know." Harry motioned for them to go into corner. "Verballo." Harry muttered, meaning that no one could hear the sounds they were making, no matter how loudly they talked.
He took a deep breath. "We came to school after a month. We came so I could train. I can apparate now, well, almost, I still have t take the test, and I am almost an animagi. I can't tell you what I turn into, for safety reasons. That's why I always practice in Professor McGonagall's office. The only people who know my animagus form are Dumbledore and McGonagall. Anyway, it should only be a few days before I can do it. In early may, I am leaving school and we are going to plan an attack on Voldemort. I can't tell you more, just in case. You will find out then."
Ron had gone very white, and Hermione had actually started to cry.
"I need to beg forgiveness for not telling you this, but. I'm teaching a course this year. Defense Against the Dark Arts, for the first to third years. I'm actually doing pretty well, Dumbledore is bringing in a Boggart when classes start again for the third years, and I've got all the first year stuff under control. It's making me really happy, because these kids are respecting me for more than just a scar on my head. It's also helping me learn to be a leader, which I think is important for someone who is going to be leading an army."
Harry looked from Ron, to Hermione, back to Ron, back to Hermione. Hermione was crying almost freely now, and Ron had turned a slight green colour.
"Err, I'm done, you know." Harry said, thinking they hadn't really understood.
"Harry." Hermione said slowly, choosing her words carefully. "We should be really mad at you for not telling us, but you didn't exactly lie, and you didn't really have a choice. You are also doing some truly amazing things." She smiled weakly.
"Besides," Ron continued for her, turning less green as he spoke. "you will need friends behind you for this, so we are prepared to forgive you."
Harry smiled so broadly he thought his face was going to explode. He stood up and gave both of them hugs. "Friends forever?"
"Friends forever." Hermione and Ron both answered.
"Oh, by the way, guess what just happened to me?" Harry didn't wait for an answer. "I asked Cho out, and she said yes!"
Hermione glanced at Ron, but they quickly burst into smiles. Harry could tell they saw Cho in a different light after all the new information. 'Congratulations!" Hermione cried.
"Yeah mate, congrats."
Harry looked at them. "So, when is it going to happen for you two?" They both blushed, and Harry ran to his dormitory before they could catch him. Harry could hear Ron hot on his heels, but he closed the door on him too quickly.
"Ouch!" Came a sound from the other side of the door. Harry opened it. "You okay, Ron?"
Suddenly, he felt a swift smack hit him on the upside of his head. "Hah! Fooled you!"
"Hey, I'm a teacher, I can take points off!"
"Yeah, well I'm a prefect, I can take points off too!"
"Touché!" Harry laughed. They both collapsed laughing on a couch when they got back to the common room. They spent the rest of the night comparing presents, smiling, and laughing.
* * * * *
the next week, classes started again. "Why, oh why, does Divination have to be my first class after Christmas?" Ron grumbled at breakfast.
Harry laughed. "Yeah, well, I have to impress a bunch of third year students, trying to get them to believe that I can actually defeat a Boggart. Luckily, Professor McGonagall doesn't have a class right now, so she is going to stand by."
But Ron wasn't listening. He was too busy with his toast, and Hermione was too busy reading her Arithmancy textbook.
A little while later, Harry walked into his classroom. Professor McGonagall was already there, as well as a few early bird students.
"Good morning, Professor, students. I hope you enjoyed you holidays."
"Oh come on, you know we were here, just like you!" Jane Bee said as she walked in.
Finally, Harry got his class settled (without Professor McGonagall's help, he was proud to say) and started class. "Alright, I hope you have all practiced you Riddikulus spell over the holidays, as today is the day it comes into action!"
Harry listened to them chant the spell, but wasn't really paying attention. He was worried about what would happen if he went in front of the Boggart. It wouldn't come as a Dementor anymore. It would come as him. Voldemort. And it just wasn't right to expose his students tot hat, so he couldn't do a demo.
The students lined up single file against the wall opposite to the box the Boggart was in. Jane Bee, the first in the alphabet, came forward. The box opened.
A small, furry creature came out. A rat. "Riddikulus!" She screamed. The rat flipped over on its back, its tiny legs squirming in front of it. The next student came forward, and the Boggart changed into a very surly looking Slytherin, whom Harry was quie sure was in fourth year. Domita cried the spell, and the bully's voice cracked as he threatened her. The entire class laughed, even the slytherins.
Soon most of the class had gone. They had been basic things to be scared of, creatures from movies, stories, although there were a few Death Eaters with their masks falling off, a troll knocking itself out (which Harry found strangely familiar) and a Thestral which started sprouting purple fur. Finally, Professor McGonagall stepped forward and put the Boggart away.
Harry applauded his class. "That was wonderful! Now, I want a short piece on the dangers of Boggarts. About six inches, please."
The students all pulled out their quills and wrote down their homework before the bell rang. As Harry was waiting for his next class, Professor McGonagall approached him. "You've taught them well, Harry. I'll make sure to tell Serverus, he's sure to get a kick out of it."
Harry laughed, picturing the look on Snape's face when he found out Harry was doing a good job. He couldn't even begin to think how low he'd score on his next Potions assignment.
"Harry, would you like to try the Boggart? It might be good practice. The way it feels, though I'm not sure it would be the same."
Harry nodded, and took position. The Boggart came out, and transformed into a tall, thin man. Harry barely glanced at Professor McGonagall, but he could see that she had her wand up and ready.
'Hello, Harry. You know why I'm here. It's your fault. You let him die, and I live. You are a stupid, weak, little boy, and I am going to crush you as soon as I see you. It is your fault he is dead, and it is your fault Cedric is dead. You did it. And you can never escape, until I kill yo-"
"Riddikulus!" Harry screamed, and Voldemort's great clock disappeared, and a sparkling suit and straw boater appeared. Voldemort's legs started to move, and he turned into a scary looking Fred Astaire. He continued to talk as he danced, but he was drowned out by old music.
Professor McGonagall put it in the box, and smiled. "That was wonderful. You are going to do very, very well."
She left without another word.
Harry couldn't help but smile. He was almost there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
well, I'm getting there. Its going to get interesting soon. I think there are going to be less than fifteen chapters, unless I come up with new twists, which I definitely plan to. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm trying to get to fifty. I'm actually over halfway there. Please help me get to my goal! If you have any questions or anything, say it in a review, and I will answer it in my next chapter. So long..everyone should watch Little Shop of Horrors..best movie ever!
"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
-unolimbo