Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or places in this story
they all belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter 5: Back to Hogwarts
Twelve Grimmauld Place was a hive of activity on the morning of September 1st as Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny got ready for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, Ron and Hermione-the golden trio- were entering their 6th year and Ron's younger sister Ginny was starting her 5th year.
They were all hoping that they weren't going to be asked to give their accounts of what happened last year in the Department of Mysteries. While the physical scars had faded the emotional scars were harder to heal especially for Harry.
At ten o clock Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Lupin, Moody and two other members of the order set off to Kings Cross Station so Ginny and the trio could catch the Hogwarts Express which was to leave at 11.00. They decided to use Muggle Transport to get there.
They got to Kings Cross Station in plenty of time and before they knew it, it was 11.00 and the students were about to board the Hogwarts Express. Lupin pulled Harry into a tight hug and said "Take good care of yourself, I'm really going to miss you. I now have Sirius's mirror I understand you have the other mirror so if you ever want a listening ear or someone is giving you a hard time just use it to talk to me" "Thanks Remus" said Harry, "I'm going to miss you too"
Once they were on the train, Harry,Ron and Hermione found a compartment while Ginny went off on her own to talk to some fellow 5th years. After a while Neville Longbottom came into their compartment. He had got a lot more confident in himself over the summer and proudly exclaimed that he had got Exceeds Expectation in his DADA. He had also got an acceptable on potions. That may not seem very good to most people but for Neville Longbottom, this was a great achievement. The journey was uneventful and before they knew it they were in Hogsmeade boarding the Thestral drawn coaches to Hogwarts.
Once at Hogwarts, everyone filed into the Great Hall for the sorting and the feast and as they did every year everyone looked at the staff table to see who the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher was but this year there was an empty seat. "I wonder who the New DADA teacher is?" said Hermione. "It had better not be Snape" moaned Ron. "Maybe we should ask Dumbledore after the feast" said Harry but there was no need as at that moment Dumbledore cleared his throat and began to speak: "As you have probably noticed there is not a new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher this year, Regrettably I have been unable to find a new teacher for this year so I have decided to teach the subject myself" Everyone cheered at this with the exception of Snape and the Slytherins who merely glared. "Anyone who wants extra practice- I believe that Mr Potter is running a Defence Club" with this he closed his speech and gave out timetables.
Harry and Hermione looked at their timetables in shock because their first lesson of the year was double Potions with the Slytherins "How am I going to survive 2 hours in the same room with Malfoy and Snape?" Harry moaned. "How do you know Malfoy even passes potions?" argued Hermione. "I just know, anyway Snape would let Malfoy in his class if he failed he's his favourite"
After the feast, Dumbledore summoned Harry to his office. "How are you bearing up Harry?" "Ok" said Harry, "It's still painful but having that service helped me to say goodbye" Dumbledore smiled warmly at Harry "I assume you want to continue with the DA?" "Yes" said Harry. "Good, One more thing before you go, I believe this belongs to you" Dumbledore gave Harry back his Firebolt. Harry smiled and went to the the Gryffindor's boys dormitories.
Harry got up the next day dreading his first lesson. He even considered not getting up but he decided that he wouldn't give Snape any reason to give him a hard time. Half an hour later him and Hermione were standing outside the dungeons.a couple of minutes after they arrived Snape strode down the corridor and beckoned them all in. When they were all in their seats he began "Welcome to my advanced NEWT class. You may have all done sufficiently well enough to get into my class but I have no doubt that some of you", looks at Harry, "got in by a stroke of luck rather than adept potions making. This year and the next you will be brewing some advanced but useful potions but today I will just be outlining the potions I expect you to make, to a standard that is acceptable to me, get your quills out and pay attention"
The lesson went by quickly, especially for a theory lesson and before they knew it the lesson had come to an end. Harry stayed behind after everyone else had left. He knew that if he had to apologize to Snape then he might as well do it now.
"Professor Snape?" said Harry. "What is it Potter? Don't tell me you don't understand basic theory" "No Sir I understand the theory perfectly well" said Harry "I owe you an apology for not trying with Occulemency and for looking in your Pensieve- I know it was wrong and I was shocked to see what my father did"
"Apology accepted Potter, now if you haven't got anything else to say please leave as I have better things to do with my time than make small talk with you" Anger flashed in Harry's eyes "Don't you think you owe me an apology, you did after all physically throw me out of your office" Snape sighed "What part of leave do you not understand Potter?" Harry gave Snape a furious glare before going to speak to Dumbledore.
Harry gave the password and entered Dumbledore's office. "Good morning Harry, what's wrong?" Harry told Dumbleore how he had apologized and how Snape had accepted the apology but had not returned. Dumbledore sighed deeply before going to the fireplace to summoning Severus. A few moments later Harry saw his potions master clambering out of Dumbledore's fireplace. "You called Albus", "Yes Severus, I believe there is something you need to say to Mr Potter" " Snape sneered " I have got nothing to say to Mr. Potter" " How about sorry" said Albus " Ever since Harry came to this school you have punished him for something his father did to you twenty years ago and I think that warrants an apology" Severus opened his mouth to argue but Albus shot him a glare that rivaled his own so he reluctantly apologized" Harry out of politeness accepted the apology
"Now if you don't mind Severus, there is something I need to discuss with Harry" said Albus and with that Snape left. Dumbledore then turned to Harry "As I discussed with you earlier in the summer it would be beneficial for you to learn Occulemency and as I couldn't find a replacement for Professor Snape I will teach you myself. Please report to my office every Tuesday evening at 8.00" "OK" said Harry and with that he left. Harry reluctantly went to his Occulemency lesson the following evening. He was dreading anyone looking at his memories even if he did like them. Harry tried his best to relax and when Dumbledore thought he was ready he shouted "Legilimens". Harry relived his early childhood memories like the Dursleys locking him in the cupboard and Dudley beating him up. All of the sudden he managed to fight off the curse and instead of seeing his own memories he saw a young wizard standing in the rubble of a house that had just been attacked by Grindewald and his followers. Dumbledore lifted the curse. "Well done Harry, you did really well there." "Thanks" said Harry "Is that what made you so determined to fight against the Dark side "asked Harry referring to Dumbledore's memory "That among other things" said Dumbledore and with that they said goodnight. Harry slept that night safe in the knowledge that he had made some real progress,
The term was speeding by. Occulemency was going well even though he still couldn't block out some of the more painful memories he had and the DA club was also keeping him busy. The first Quidditch match, Gryffindor vs Slytherin, was getting ever closer and training was tight,
The eve of the match finally came and Harry was anticipating a big game. He was going to win and he was going to dedicate the win to Sirius. As Harry laid in bed he wondered what his Dad felt before a Quidditch match, he got out the diary and found two diary entries,
Dear Diary,
Quidditch trials were held yesterday. I love Quidditch it's just so exhilarating soaring to get the snitch and dodging Bludgers etc .Anyway I found out today that I got picked as seeker!! Sirius and Remus are really happy for me, Evans tries to pretend she doesn't care but I bet she does deep down. She always pretends that she doesn't like me but she loves me really
Anyway, got to go, Quidditch calls
James
Dear Diary,
It's the night before my first Quidditch match. It's Gryffindor vs Slytherin- this should be interesting. The Slytherin seeker is a guy called Lucius Malfoy. He thinks he's cool but I'm a far better player than he'll ever be.
James
The Match was about to start. Everyone was sitting in the stands cheering their respective teams on. Flint and Johnson shook hands and then Madame Hooch blew the whistle. The game started badly for Gryffindor- they were 30- 10 down and it looked like Slytherins were about to score again when Harry saw the Snitch, he swooped down to get it, Draco Malfoy hot on his heels. A great cheer was heard from Gryffindor supporters as Harry wrapped his fingers around the Snitch-they had won!!
Harry had one last Occulemency lesson before term ended. Dumbledore gave Harry a couple of minutes to prepare before saying Legilimens. Harry relived looking into Snape's pensieve and then Snape's reaction when he came back and found Harry invading his private thoughts. Dumbledore watched this with a shocked expression on his face before lifting the curse and dismissing Harry. Dumbledore shut the door behind him fuming. His potion's master had a lot of explaining to do.
Chapter 5: Back to Hogwarts
Twelve Grimmauld Place was a hive of activity on the morning of September 1st as Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny got ready for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, Ron and Hermione-the golden trio- were entering their 6th year and Ron's younger sister Ginny was starting her 5th year.
They were all hoping that they weren't going to be asked to give their accounts of what happened last year in the Department of Mysteries. While the physical scars had faded the emotional scars were harder to heal especially for Harry.
At ten o clock Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Lupin, Moody and two other members of the order set off to Kings Cross Station so Ginny and the trio could catch the Hogwarts Express which was to leave at 11.00. They decided to use Muggle Transport to get there.
They got to Kings Cross Station in plenty of time and before they knew it, it was 11.00 and the students were about to board the Hogwarts Express. Lupin pulled Harry into a tight hug and said "Take good care of yourself, I'm really going to miss you. I now have Sirius's mirror I understand you have the other mirror so if you ever want a listening ear or someone is giving you a hard time just use it to talk to me" "Thanks Remus" said Harry, "I'm going to miss you too"
Once they were on the train, Harry,Ron and Hermione found a compartment while Ginny went off on her own to talk to some fellow 5th years. After a while Neville Longbottom came into their compartment. He had got a lot more confident in himself over the summer and proudly exclaimed that he had got Exceeds Expectation in his DADA. He had also got an acceptable on potions. That may not seem very good to most people but for Neville Longbottom, this was a great achievement. The journey was uneventful and before they knew it they were in Hogsmeade boarding the Thestral drawn coaches to Hogwarts.
Once at Hogwarts, everyone filed into the Great Hall for the sorting and the feast and as they did every year everyone looked at the staff table to see who the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher was but this year there was an empty seat. "I wonder who the New DADA teacher is?" said Hermione. "It had better not be Snape" moaned Ron. "Maybe we should ask Dumbledore after the feast" said Harry but there was no need as at that moment Dumbledore cleared his throat and began to speak: "As you have probably noticed there is not a new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher this year, Regrettably I have been unable to find a new teacher for this year so I have decided to teach the subject myself" Everyone cheered at this with the exception of Snape and the Slytherins who merely glared. "Anyone who wants extra practice- I believe that Mr Potter is running a Defence Club" with this he closed his speech and gave out timetables.
Harry and Hermione looked at their timetables in shock because their first lesson of the year was double Potions with the Slytherins "How am I going to survive 2 hours in the same room with Malfoy and Snape?" Harry moaned. "How do you know Malfoy even passes potions?" argued Hermione. "I just know, anyway Snape would let Malfoy in his class if he failed he's his favourite"
After the feast, Dumbledore summoned Harry to his office. "How are you bearing up Harry?" "Ok" said Harry, "It's still painful but having that service helped me to say goodbye" Dumbledore smiled warmly at Harry "I assume you want to continue with the DA?" "Yes" said Harry. "Good, One more thing before you go, I believe this belongs to you" Dumbledore gave Harry back his Firebolt. Harry smiled and went to the the Gryffindor's boys dormitories.
Harry got up the next day dreading his first lesson. He even considered not getting up but he decided that he wouldn't give Snape any reason to give him a hard time. Half an hour later him and Hermione were standing outside the dungeons.a couple of minutes after they arrived Snape strode down the corridor and beckoned them all in. When they were all in their seats he began "Welcome to my advanced NEWT class. You may have all done sufficiently well enough to get into my class but I have no doubt that some of you", looks at Harry, "got in by a stroke of luck rather than adept potions making. This year and the next you will be brewing some advanced but useful potions but today I will just be outlining the potions I expect you to make, to a standard that is acceptable to me, get your quills out and pay attention"
The lesson went by quickly, especially for a theory lesson and before they knew it the lesson had come to an end. Harry stayed behind after everyone else had left. He knew that if he had to apologize to Snape then he might as well do it now.
"Professor Snape?" said Harry. "What is it Potter? Don't tell me you don't understand basic theory" "No Sir I understand the theory perfectly well" said Harry "I owe you an apology for not trying with Occulemency and for looking in your Pensieve- I know it was wrong and I was shocked to see what my father did"
"Apology accepted Potter, now if you haven't got anything else to say please leave as I have better things to do with my time than make small talk with you" Anger flashed in Harry's eyes "Don't you think you owe me an apology, you did after all physically throw me out of your office" Snape sighed "What part of leave do you not understand Potter?" Harry gave Snape a furious glare before going to speak to Dumbledore.
Harry gave the password and entered Dumbledore's office. "Good morning Harry, what's wrong?" Harry told Dumbleore how he had apologized and how Snape had accepted the apology but had not returned. Dumbledore sighed deeply before going to the fireplace to summoning Severus. A few moments later Harry saw his potions master clambering out of Dumbledore's fireplace. "You called Albus", "Yes Severus, I believe there is something you need to say to Mr Potter" " Snape sneered " I have got nothing to say to Mr. Potter" " How about sorry" said Albus " Ever since Harry came to this school you have punished him for something his father did to you twenty years ago and I think that warrants an apology" Severus opened his mouth to argue but Albus shot him a glare that rivaled his own so he reluctantly apologized" Harry out of politeness accepted the apology
"Now if you don't mind Severus, there is something I need to discuss with Harry" said Albus and with that Snape left. Dumbledore then turned to Harry "As I discussed with you earlier in the summer it would be beneficial for you to learn Occulemency and as I couldn't find a replacement for Professor Snape I will teach you myself. Please report to my office every Tuesday evening at 8.00" "OK" said Harry and with that he left. Harry reluctantly went to his Occulemency lesson the following evening. He was dreading anyone looking at his memories even if he did like them. Harry tried his best to relax and when Dumbledore thought he was ready he shouted "Legilimens". Harry relived his early childhood memories like the Dursleys locking him in the cupboard and Dudley beating him up. All of the sudden he managed to fight off the curse and instead of seeing his own memories he saw a young wizard standing in the rubble of a house that had just been attacked by Grindewald and his followers. Dumbledore lifted the curse. "Well done Harry, you did really well there." "Thanks" said Harry "Is that what made you so determined to fight against the Dark side "asked Harry referring to Dumbledore's memory "That among other things" said Dumbledore and with that they said goodnight. Harry slept that night safe in the knowledge that he had made some real progress,
The term was speeding by. Occulemency was going well even though he still couldn't block out some of the more painful memories he had and the DA club was also keeping him busy. The first Quidditch match, Gryffindor vs Slytherin, was getting ever closer and training was tight,
The eve of the match finally came and Harry was anticipating a big game. He was going to win and he was going to dedicate the win to Sirius. As Harry laid in bed he wondered what his Dad felt before a Quidditch match, he got out the diary and found two diary entries,
Dear Diary,
Quidditch trials were held yesterday. I love Quidditch it's just so exhilarating soaring to get the snitch and dodging Bludgers etc .Anyway I found out today that I got picked as seeker!! Sirius and Remus are really happy for me, Evans tries to pretend she doesn't care but I bet she does deep down. She always pretends that she doesn't like me but she loves me really
Anyway, got to go, Quidditch calls
James
Dear Diary,
It's the night before my first Quidditch match. It's Gryffindor vs Slytherin- this should be interesting. The Slytherin seeker is a guy called Lucius Malfoy. He thinks he's cool but I'm a far better player than he'll ever be.
James
The Match was about to start. Everyone was sitting in the stands cheering their respective teams on. Flint and Johnson shook hands and then Madame Hooch blew the whistle. The game started badly for Gryffindor- they were 30- 10 down and it looked like Slytherins were about to score again when Harry saw the Snitch, he swooped down to get it, Draco Malfoy hot on his heels. A great cheer was heard from Gryffindor supporters as Harry wrapped his fingers around the Snitch-they had won!!
Harry had one last Occulemency lesson before term ended. Dumbledore gave Harry a couple of minutes to prepare before saying Legilimens. Harry relived looking into Snape's pensieve and then Snape's reaction when he came back and found Harry invading his private thoughts. Dumbledore watched this with a shocked expression on his face before lifting the curse and dismissing Harry. Dumbledore shut the door behind him fuming. His potion's master had a lot of explaining to do.