************CHAPTER FIVE***********
As the Professor stood up, he looked angrily at Harry then with the phrase "Potter, this means war!" he turned and walked away.
Harry couldn't help but smile at Snape's words. Yes, this would be war, and Harry would be the victor. 'Just wait until you find out how things have changed in my favor,' was all he could think. Feeling a warmth on his shoulder, Harry turned around quickly and came face to face with what he had most dreaded coming back to.
"Hello Hermione. What are you doing here? It's not good to go walking through the corridors at night. Someone might think you were trying to get involved in something you weren't supposed to."
Harry's words had a chilling effect on Hermione's spine. She wanted so much to know what was wrong with him. She had talked to him at his house before, but she could never quite get him to say why he left in the first place. He was never one for letting out his emotions, but she felt that things would be a lot better if he would just confide in someone.
"I was looking for you so we could talk, then Professor Snape decide to pull the kidnapping stunt. I'm glad you came back Harry, everyone is."
"Not everyone Hermione, I'm not. I wish I could go back."
There was a strong silence between them for sever minutes. Both of them had the same thing on their mind, but neither of them wanted to bring it up. Finally,
"Harry, I meant what I said two months ago."
"I know. I just don't want you to have to get involved...." and he continued while trailing off.
"I'm already involved Harry, and besides that, I can decide quite well for myself. Is it the two months age difference between us that makes you so much wiser and older and better equipped to handle my life?"
"I just, I just couldn't handle it if anything else happened because of me."
"Harry, what do you mean anything else? Please talk to me Harry, why did you leave? Why don't you like it here?"
"I'm just so tired of all of this," he accidentally blurted out. He hoped that maybe Hermione hadn't caught it but unfortunately,
"Harry, what do you mean you 'tired' of it? What are you tired of?" He couldn't keep it in any longer. After storing in his emotions for almost all his life, he decided to let it all come out. Even if he hadn't wanted to, he probably would have found that that wouldn't stop him.
"I'm just tired of fighting. I'm tired of being strong. I'm tired of my forehead being looked at. I'm tired of people wishing they were me. If they want my life so damn badly then they can have the pain in my scar and my nightmares of Voldemort. They can have it all."
And with that, Harry did something he rarely did. He began crying like a baby. He just couldn't keep it in any longer.
Hermione knew it wasn't right to be almost smiling ear to ear when her best friend was sitting in front of her bawling, but she couldn't help but feeling relieved. He was finally letting it out. She pulled him in and for several minutes, they sat in one huddled mass with Harry sobbing into her shoulder.
After a few minutes, he realized what he was doing and pulled himself back to Earth.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I don't know what got into me. It felt good to get it out though."
"It's alright, I'm just glad you finally let some of it out." And with that, another awkward silence entered the room.
"Harry," Hermione started quietly, "If you let others help you, you wouldn't get so tired."
"But they'll get hurt."
"I think we've already proven that by you trying to do it yourself, that people are getting just as hurt. You may be tired of fighting, Harry, but quite frankly, I'm tired of losing. Please stay here a while. Whether you want me to or not, I do love you."
Harry sighed. "That's the problem. I love you, too."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Then I fail to see the problem. Let me handle myself, Harry I've done so quite well without you for too long. At least let me be able to be with you while you're here."
Harry looked into the her deep chocolate eyes and gave in. He couldn't live any longer without her. He just plain loved her too much. And with that, Harry leaned in and kissed her passionately.
For hours the couple sat there and kissed and talked and kissed a little more. Harry had to admit that it was most definitely one the best days of his life. Finally, Hermione decided it was time to go back to her room. Harry gave her her wand back and they reluctantly said their good nights.
After Harry closed the door he turned around, put his back against the wall and placed a huge grin on his face. Yes, things were definitely looking better.
*~^~*
The next three days were wild. Harry went to classes and found that he was ahead of everyone else in his year. Everyone was quite surprised. Everyone but Harry.
Since it was a Tuesday, and Gryffindors didn't have potions until Friday, Harry luckily didn't have to worry about Snape's little war during class. However, that didn't keep him from trying to hex Harry at every chance he got. It was an unspoken agreement that none of the 'attacks' would happen in front of students, neither of them felt that giving away Harry's ability would be to the benefit of the cause.
Thirteen times Snape managed to surprise Harry, and thirteen times Harry blocked each hex and to his own amusement, hex Snape. After the last time, the professor was getting quite annoyed at his loss, so he decided to step up the program. 'Any curse he said, any curse is what he'll get.'
On the last day, he quietly sneaked up behind Harry, pulled out his wand, and yelled CRUCIO!
To any bystander, it would have looked like Harry completely blocked the curse. After hearing the CR- Harry spun around and held his hand directly in front of him. After the curse was finished, Harry felt a familiar, yet horrendous pain throughout his entire body. He closed his eyes, and using all the rest of his strength, deflected the pain away and disarmed Snape.
After catching his breath, Harry finally spoke. "There, are you happy? You finally got me."
Snape was a little bewildered by his words. It didn't look like he had felt anything. "What are you talking about Potter? I think you've finally gone mad! You blocked it! But how?"
"I didn't block it. It's called a poker face."
"Poker?"
"It's a muggle game. Never mind. Now that you managed to curse me, can we call a truce, I've got somewhere to be and it's not standing here talking to you." Deciding that if Harry could pull that last stunt off with out even him knowing about it, he decided "Yes, Potter. Truce." And with that they glared at each other for another few moments, then turned around and walked away.
*~^~*
A few hours later, Harry found himself in front of the familiar gargoyle guarding the headmaster office. 'This is it,' he thought. 'Just get this over with, then you can go back home.' "Butterbeer Lollipop" he said and the stone statue moved out of the way with a nod. As he went up the stairs he felt a little scared. He couldn't help but things would never be the same after he got involved in this. 'But I'm already involved! How can this change this any?'
When he finally got up to the giant wood door, he slyly knocked. "Come in."
When he opened the door, the setting looked exactly as it had 3 days ago.
"Ah, Mr. Potter! I'm glad you could join us!"
"Hello, Headmaster."
"So let's get this meeting started. We all know what we are actually here for, so let get on with it. Severus, what the verdict? Can you trust Mr. Potter here to handle himself?"
"Not completely, sir, but I will not object." Harry could have sworn that at the end of that comment Snape muttered "As much."
"Well, that's good enough for me. Does anyone else here have any objections?"
There was a fleeting silence from the peanut gallery.
"Very well, then. Harry, would you please come forward?"
And with that, Harry walked to stand in front of the elderly wizard.
"Harold James Potter, do you solemnly agree to preserve, protect and defend the Light in the name of the Order of the Phoenix, until death beseeches you or until the Order is no longer needed?"
"I do."
"Do you further agree to trust and defend the other members of this Order and treat them with respect and honor?"
"I do."
"Then welcome Harry, to the Order of the Phoenix."
As Dumbledore completed the oath, an enchanting song could be heard filling the room.
"Most peculiar..."
"What is professor?"
"It seems Fawkes here wishes to welcome you to the Order, also."
"Why is that so peculiar?"
"No reason my dear boy, no reason... Shall we get back to business then? If my memory serves correctly, we have a full moon in three weeks, and during the attack on Azkaban, and we will be one Order member short, due to circumstances beyond our control. Does anyone have any ideas on how we might achieve a victory in this battle?"
And for the rest of the night, the Order discussed, planned and plotted their side in the giant chess game of good vs. evil.
***********************
a/n So here's yet another chapter... It would have been out sooner, but I have a pesky thing that I like to call the finals from hell... I still have two left (errrrrrrr) If you'd like to take one of them I'd love you forever :)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter... I got some good suggestions... I'll see what happens :)
I really wanted to make this one longer, but it just didn't make it. I'm gonna give ya'll an option... Do you want shorter chapters more often or longer chapters less frequently? Its up to you... It doesn't matter to me... let me know :)
And it all comes down to the DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
And the chanting from the computer (Mine's name is Bob... He runs on the little wheel inside the computer, and I feed him cheese)
Bob: "RE-VIEW RE-VIEW RE-VIEW! RE-VIEW RE-VIEW RE-VIEW!"
I ask you... how can you deny little Bob asking you to review? That's what I thought...)
Thanks!
As the Professor stood up, he looked angrily at Harry then with the phrase "Potter, this means war!" he turned and walked away.
Harry couldn't help but smile at Snape's words. Yes, this would be war, and Harry would be the victor. 'Just wait until you find out how things have changed in my favor,' was all he could think. Feeling a warmth on his shoulder, Harry turned around quickly and came face to face with what he had most dreaded coming back to.
"Hello Hermione. What are you doing here? It's not good to go walking through the corridors at night. Someone might think you were trying to get involved in something you weren't supposed to."
Harry's words had a chilling effect on Hermione's spine. She wanted so much to know what was wrong with him. She had talked to him at his house before, but she could never quite get him to say why he left in the first place. He was never one for letting out his emotions, but she felt that things would be a lot better if he would just confide in someone.
"I was looking for you so we could talk, then Professor Snape decide to pull the kidnapping stunt. I'm glad you came back Harry, everyone is."
"Not everyone Hermione, I'm not. I wish I could go back."
There was a strong silence between them for sever minutes. Both of them had the same thing on their mind, but neither of them wanted to bring it up. Finally,
"Harry, I meant what I said two months ago."
"I know. I just don't want you to have to get involved...." and he continued while trailing off.
"I'm already involved Harry, and besides that, I can decide quite well for myself. Is it the two months age difference between us that makes you so much wiser and older and better equipped to handle my life?"
"I just, I just couldn't handle it if anything else happened because of me."
"Harry, what do you mean anything else? Please talk to me Harry, why did you leave? Why don't you like it here?"
"I'm just so tired of all of this," he accidentally blurted out. He hoped that maybe Hermione hadn't caught it but unfortunately,
"Harry, what do you mean you 'tired' of it? What are you tired of?" He couldn't keep it in any longer. After storing in his emotions for almost all his life, he decided to let it all come out. Even if he hadn't wanted to, he probably would have found that that wouldn't stop him.
"I'm just tired of fighting. I'm tired of being strong. I'm tired of my forehead being looked at. I'm tired of people wishing they were me. If they want my life so damn badly then they can have the pain in my scar and my nightmares of Voldemort. They can have it all."
And with that, Harry did something he rarely did. He began crying like a baby. He just couldn't keep it in any longer.
Hermione knew it wasn't right to be almost smiling ear to ear when her best friend was sitting in front of her bawling, but she couldn't help but feeling relieved. He was finally letting it out. She pulled him in and for several minutes, they sat in one huddled mass with Harry sobbing into her shoulder.
After a few minutes, he realized what he was doing and pulled himself back to Earth.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I don't know what got into me. It felt good to get it out though."
"It's alright, I'm just glad you finally let some of it out." And with that, another awkward silence entered the room.
"Harry," Hermione started quietly, "If you let others help you, you wouldn't get so tired."
"But they'll get hurt."
"I think we've already proven that by you trying to do it yourself, that people are getting just as hurt. You may be tired of fighting, Harry, but quite frankly, I'm tired of losing. Please stay here a while. Whether you want me to or not, I do love you."
Harry sighed. "That's the problem. I love you, too."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Then I fail to see the problem. Let me handle myself, Harry I've done so quite well without you for too long. At least let me be able to be with you while you're here."
Harry looked into the her deep chocolate eyes and gave in. He couldn't live any longer without her. He just plain loved her too much. And with that, Harry leaned in and kissed her passionately.
For hours the couple sat there and kissed and talked and kissed a little more. Harry had to admit that it was most definitely one the best days of his life. Finally, Hermione decided it was time to go back to her room. Harry gave her her wand back and they reluctantly said their good nights.
After Harry closed the door he turned around, put his back against the wall and placed a huge grin on his face. Yes, things were definitely looking better.
*~^~*
The next three days were wild. Harry went to classes and found that he was ahead of everyone else in his year. Everyone was quite surprised. Everyone but Harry.
Since it was a Tuesday, and Gryffindors didn't have potions until Friday, Harry luckily didn't have to worry about Snape's little war during class. However, that didn't keep him from trying to hex Harry at every chance he got. It was an unspoken agreement that none of the 'attacks' would happen in front of students, neither of them felt that giving away Harry's ability would be to the benefit of the cause.
Thirteen times Snape managed to surprise Harry, and thirteen times Harry blocked each hex and to his own amusement, hex Snape. After the last time, the professor was getting quite annoyed at his loss, so he decided to step up the program. 'Any curse he said, any curse is what he'll get.'
On the last day, he quietly sneaked up behind Harry, pulled out his wand, and yelled CRUCIO!
To any bystander, it would have looked like Harry completely blocked the curse. After hearing the CR- Harry spun around and held his hand directly in front of him. After the curse was finished, Harry felt a familiar, yet horrendous pain throughout his entire body. He closed his eyes, and using all the rest of his strength, deflected the pain away and disarmed Snape.
After catching his breath, Harry finally spoke. "There, are you happy? You finally got me."
Snape was a little bewildered by his words. It didn't look like he had felt anything. "What are you talking about Potter? I think you've finally gone mad! You blocked it! But how?"
"I didn't block it. It's called a poker face."
"Poker?"
"It's a muggle game. Never mind. Now that you managed to curse me, can we call a truce, I've got somewhere to be and it's not standing here talking to you." Deciding that if Harry could pull that last stunt off with out even him knowing about it, he decided "Yes, Potter. Truce." And with that they glared at each other for another few moments, then turned around and walked away.
*~^~*
A few hours later, Harry found himself in front of the familiar gargoyle guarding the headmaster office. 'This is it,' he thought. 'Just get this over with, then you can go back home.' "Butterbeer Lollipop" he said and the stone statue moved out of the way with a nod. As he went up the stairs he felt a little scared. He couldn't help but things would never be the same after he got involved in this. 'But I'm already involved! How can this change this any?'
When he finally got up to the giant wood door, he slyly knocked. "Come in."
When he opened the door, the setting looked exactly as it had 3 days ago.
"Ah, Mr. Potter! I'm glad you could join us!"
"Hello, Headmaster."
"So let's get this meeting started. We all know what we are actually here for, so let get on with it. Severus, what the verdict? Can you trust Mr. Potter here to handle himself?"
"Not completely, sir, but I will not object." Harry could have sworn that at the end of that comment Snape muttered "As much."
"Well, that's good enough for me. Does anyone else here have any objections?"
There was a fleeting silence from the peanut gallery.
"Very well, then. Harry, would you please come forward?"
And with that, Harry walked to stand in front of the elderly wizard.
"Harold James Potter, do you solemnly agree to preserve, protect and defend the Light in the name of the Order of the Phoenix, until death beseeches you or until the Order is no longer needed?"
"I do."
"Do you further agree to trust and defend the other members of this Order and treat them with respect and honor?"
"I do."
"Then welcome Harry, to the Order of the Phoenix."
As Dumbledore completed the oath, an enchanting song could be heard filling the room.
"Most peculiar..."
"What is professor?"
"It seems Fawkes here wishes to welcome you to the Order, also."
"Why is that so peculiar?"
"No reason my dear boy, no reason... Shall we get back to business then? If my memory serves correctly, we have a full moon in three weeks, and during the attack on Azkaban, and we will be one Order member short, due to circumstances beyond our control. Does anyone have any ideas on how we might achieve a victory in this battle?"
And for the rest of the night, the Order discussed, planned and plotted their side in the giant chess game of good vs. evil.
***********************
a/n So here's yet another chapter... It would have been out sooner, but I have a pesky thing that I like to call the finals from hell... I still have two left (errrrrrrr) If you'd like to take one of them I'd love you forever :)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter... I got some good suggestions... I'll see what happens :)
I really wanted to make this one longer, but it just didn't make it. I'm gonna give ya'll an option... Do you want shorter chapters more often or longer chapters less frequently? Its up to you... It doesn't matter to me... let me know :)
And it all comes down to the DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
And the chanting from the computer (Mine's name is Bob... He runs on the little wheel inside the computer, and I feed him cheese)
Bob: "RE-VIEW RE-VIEW RE-VIEW! RE-VIEW RE-VIEW RE-VIEW!"
I ask you... how can you deny little Bob asking you to review? That's what I thought...)
Thanks!