Full guard was a bit trickier on September 1, both Moody and Tonks having
left for Hogwarts on the same day as Amy and Charlie. As most of the
members of the Order were working, Harry made the walk to King's Cross
Station with Professor Lupin ahead of him and Mr. Weasley behind, Mrs.
Weasley bringing up the rear with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, the twins and
Bill having had to be at work in Diagon Alley and having bade them good-bye
the night before.
Although they arrived in good time, most of the compartments on the train were full, and Harry turned to Ginny. "Come on, let's go save seats for Ron and Hermione."
Ginny shifted her weight, holding an owl cage under her arm - a recent gift from her parents. "Harry, don't you remember? I'm Prefect, too." She gave the cage a little shake, upsetting the barn owl - Wallace - inside.
Harry blinked. "Well, erm - I'll . . . I'll get a compartment, then."
"We won't be long, mate," Ron said earnestly. "Remember last year."
Harry gave them a half-hearted wave before making his way back along the train, looking in compartments, ducking out of the way as Cho glanced up, finally finding the last empty compartment on the train, trying not to throw Hedwig's cage into the racks with too much frustration as she hadn't abandoned him.
"Harry!" Neville appeared in the doorway, looking flushed, but his face was not as round as it had been the year before and he was a couple inches taller. "D'you mind if I sit here?"
"Please," Harry said, amazingly grateful for the company of a boy he had not yet thought to consider as a friend, despite the previous year's happenings in the Department of Mysteries. "I s'pose Luna found somewhere else to sit, then?" he asked, grinning.
"Saw her on the platform," Neville said, taking a seat and clutching his beloved plant [someone borrowed the book, forgot the name, any help would be appreciated]. "She's Prefect for Ravenclaw, told me about seven times before I got away."
Harry only grinned again. That sounded like Luna.
The four of them - Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna Lovegood - appeared just after the cart of sweets had been through and Neville and Harry were making a dent in the mountain they had purchased. "Well, you'll be happy to know our good buddy Malfoy still wants to kill you," Ron sighed, sinking into the seat next to Harry and nicking a Chocolate Frog, getting it down in two bites and only giving the wizard card a casual glance afterward, right before he reached for another.
Ginny laughed, she and Luna filling up Neville's side of the compartment. "You should hear him, honestly!" She had to disappear behind her hands, she was giggling so much.
Hermione leaned around Ron to grin at Harry. "'You tell Potter to just wait. My aunt's here this year, not very understanding of poor Muggle- borns. Just wait till I hex you bad enough for the hospital wing . . .'"
Harry blinked. "She is his aunt, isn't she?"
"Wouldn't remind her of it, Amy seems rather content in forgetting," Ginny said.
Neville looked puzzled. "Who are you talking about?"
Harry launched into a pseudo-explanation of who Amy was, leaving out the Snape factor, but mentioning she was also Sirius's sister. Sort of. By the time he'd lurched through the family tree, Neville looked sorry he'd asked.
Luna, who had pulled out a copy of the Quibbler, of which her father was the editor, put it down low enough to look at Harry. "So it's like her sister, who she pretended to like but really didn't, killed her brother, who she pretended to hate but really loved best."
After he'd uncrossed his eyes, Harry had to agree.
The bright sunny fields outside gradually faded with the onset of night, though the sparks from the Exploding Snape game they were playing seemed rather spectacular with such a gloomy background. Finally they all changed into their school robes, Ginny admiring her new badge while Ron pinned on his like it was more of a curse than a blessing. Luna put hers on upside- down before Neville hesitatingly pointed it out. When the train slowed to a stop, Harry and Neville had to figure out how to carry Pig, Crookshanks, Hedwig, Wallace, and [the plant] while the Prefects went out and made sure the first years were herded properly into the boats. About the only thing that made carrying so many cages worth it was the familiar sound of Hagrid calling, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! Firs' years this way! How are yeh, Harry?" The giant man looked down on him, beetle black eyes sparkling merrily.
"Just fine, Hagrid!" he called back, allowing the crowds to push him toward the carriages, this time not all that concerned with the presence of the dark, dragon-esque Thestrals as he and Neville loaded the animals inside and called the others over to climb in for the ride to the castle. As it was too dark to read, Luna satisfied herself with fixing a dreamy smile on Ron, who was sitting across from her and trying to politely ignore it.
The students trooped into the castle, voices echoing off the high ceilings as they caught each other up on the past summer's adventures, what their dads had to say about the escapes Death Eaters, and greeted Harry with more warmth than he had been given in a long time. He grinned and waved, not even knowing enough names to say a proper "Hello" back.
Harry was almost into the great Hall - he could see the star-speckled ceiling - when a cold voice spoke behind them. "Mr. Potter."
Ron winced, not turning around. "We'll save you a seat," he whispered as Harry extricated himself from the masses and forced himself to look up at Snape.
"You will come with me," the professor said silkily, though "greasily" would have better matched his hair, which was looking a bit less cared-for than usual.
Harry gulped and followed. Anything that made Snape smile sinisterly was not going to be fun for him. Having no inkling as to where they were going or why, Harry tailed the billowing black robes up the stairs, down a hall, though a room he was quite sure he hadn't seen before, and stopped before a door, knocking sharply. The voices inside died and, after a pause, someone opened the door a crack, then pulled it further, revealing Tonks looking like herself with pink spiky hair. "Hey, it's Harry. C'mon in," she said, beckoning him inside, and Snape followed.
Mad-Eye Moody, Charlie, and Amy were grouped around a table, looking at the parchment in Amy's hand. "Hello, Potter," Moody growled. "Welcome to the new residence of Hogwarts' Aurors. We have something we think you should know."
Amy rolled her eyes. "It's more annoying than dangerous, don't listen to him." She was wearing a jade green robe that almost glimmered in the candlelight, accented by the white apron, cuffs, and collar that specified her as Healer. "Basically my brother-in-law, Lucius" - she made a face as if even his name tasted terrible - "has informed me that his son will be trying to, shall we say, recruit you this year, and to help Draco along if possible. There guys" - she nodded to Moody and Tonks - "seem to think that's more danger than annoyance, but I can't say they know my nephew very well if they think that."
Harry frowned. Granted, the way it was worded on the train, Amy was going to be the one to make him pay, but still . . . not that Draco would be very good at being nice. "You called me up here to tell me that? I'm missing a good Sorting Song for this!" He grinned to show he was kidding.
Moody stood and clumped around to where Harry was. "Listen, Potter: even the most innocent thing can get you someplace you don't want to be. The wrong word, the wrong look . . . you have to know where you can find us. And remember that we're all here to help." His electric blue eye swiveled around in his head, undoubtedly looking at Snape. "Anything suspicious, anything out-of-the-ordinary, anything that seems a little off, you tell us. Dumbledore's orders."
Tonks cleared her throat. "Well, you done lecturing him yet, Mad-Eye? 'Cause I'm starving."
Moody shot her a glare that did nothing to remove the smile from her face. "Well, then. To the feast." He fondly patted his hip flask. "And Potter - constant vigilance!"
Harry winced slightly as Moody past, back to remembering a time when Moody was not Moody at all. But that trick had been done and had failed, right? So he was really Moody this time, right? He caught Amy's eye and smiled, especially when she grabbed his arm. "Point out that trick step to me again, would you? I keep missing it, Sev's getting sick of pulling me out."
Harry laughed. "See, that's why you should have gone to Hogwarts instead of Durmstrang. Disappearing doors, trick steps . . . how many times have you gotten lost already?"
"Don't ask," she muttered. And she did manage to jump the trick step on the way down.
The food had already appeared when Harry arrived, taking a seat between Ron and Ginny. "What was that about?" Ginny asked, heaping his plate with steak and kidney pie.
"Nothing much," Harry said truthfully, scanning the Head Table. Amy was sitting between Snape and Tonks, and Mad-Eye Moody was on the young Auror's other side. Further down at the other end of the table was a wizard in blue robes, presumably the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He was talking animatedly with Professor Sprout, a smile on his face. The man appeared to be tall, broad in the shoulder, and his hair was black but sprinkled with gray, the whole effect something along the lines of a young grandfather. "Who's that?" Harry asked, gesturing with his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"No idea, mate," Ron said, "but he looks like an improvement over Umbridge, don't you think?"
"They haven't been introduced yet," Ginny supplied.
After even the desserts had been polished away, Dumbledore stood and the Great Hall grew silent. "And now, some introductions. As many of you may already know, Madam Pomfrey was offered a respected position at St. Mungo's Hospital. Therefore, our new school Healer is Madam Amy." Harry clapped loudly as Amy stood and nodded a greeting, though he noticed that she received a rather large round from Slytherin, as well. "And our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tobias." The man stood up, towering over tiny Professor Flitwick on his left, and waved jovially to the students.
"Now," Dumbledore said, adjusting his half-moon spectacles on his crooked nose, "in light of recent events, Hogwarts has taken two extra security measures. One, we now have a dragon by the front gates, to be handled by a graduate of this school, Charlie Weasley." Harry wondered why he had not seen Charlie earlier, but his question was answered when the young man leaned out from around Hagrid to wave. "And, on orders from the Minister, we have two Aurors: Alistair Moody and Nymphadora Tonks." As he gathered breath to move on to the rest of his speech, Tonks let out a little hem, hem that caused six-sevenths of the hall to freeze, look around uneasily, and then laugh long and hard.
"And now," Dumbledore said when everyone had finally managed to get under control, wiping tears from his eyes, "Argus Filch wishes to remind you that a complete list of items banned from this school is available in his office, though he was suggested tattooing it to the inside of certain students' eyelids. The Forest is off-limits - I daresay I might have to use his idea for this one" - Harry, Ron, and Hermione all shared a grimace - "but, that is all! Off to bed!"
Harry let the Prefects get away and direct the First Years up to Gryffindor Tower, getting close enough to hear the password - "Mugmump mentalis" - and then going up the stairs to his dormitory. Seamus and Dean greeted him with enthusiastic smiles before going back to swapping stories of their summers. Harry just smiled, change into his pajamas, and was asleep before Ron straggle up the stairs, cursing First Years and dung bombs under his breath.
* * * * *
Schedules were distributed over breakfast on Monday morning, and Harry propped his against his goblet of pumpkin juice to study as he spooned oatmeal into his mouth. "Hey, would you look at that!" he exclaimed, gesturing with his spoon.
Ron glanced over to make sure he was thinking the same thing. "Yeah! Wicked, mate." He and Harry began to eat at a more leisurely pace.
"Won't you two hurry up?" Hermione said, grabbing her book bag. "You've class in ten minutes!"
"Sad, isn't it, Harry?" Ron asked, pretending to lean back in an easy chair. "Those poor people who took things like Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and didn't drop a single class . . ."
"Yeah, they still have a class the first thing Monday morning, don't they?" Harry asked lazily, grinning back.
Hermione grabbed one of their schedules just to make sure they weren't lying. "Humph. Well, enjoy your freedom, then. I'll see you in Potions." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she left.
Harry winced. "You know, it's people like her that really know how to ruin a good mood."
"Yeah." Ron looked slightly sick. "NEWT level Potions, first thing . . . I'm going to get a 'T' right off the bat, I just know it."
"Hey, I was being optimistic," Harry said wistfully. "I was thinking 'D,' at least."
Ron rolled his eyes. Slowly the Great Hall became less crowded as most students drifted off to their first class of the new school year, in groups of friends, though Harry spotted Luna drifting off on her own, eyes slightly glazed over. She almost plowed down a bunch of Hufflepuff first years, but they moved out of the way in time to avoid complete disaster.
"Earth to Harry. Come in, Harry." Someone was poking him. "Hey, Monday morning, I can understand." Amy grinned at him, leaning over to pick up his schedule and look it over. "What's gone besides History of Magic?"
"Divination," he informed her, pleased. "No more Professor Trelawney . . ."
"And no more . . . Firenze." She sighed his name, batting her eyes and holding her hands over her heart in a good impression of most fifth and sixth year girls. "Oh, if it wasn't for the centaur part, I'd drop Remus and go for him in a second. Not."
Harry snickered into his hand. "Yeah, that seems to be the general female opinion of him. Just without the 'not' bit."
Amy smiled, handing back his schedule. "Hey, Harry - I was thinking."
"Mite dangerous, isn't it?" Ron asked, pretending to duck a curse.
"Well, you're involved in Quidditch," she continued, ignoring Ron, "and if you want to keep up your DA lessons this year -
"Keep up the DA?" The thought had never occurred to him. "Why, is Professor Tobias just as worthless as Umbridge?"
"Who, Henry? No, he's great. We were actually discussing you last night."
Harry tried not to wince. "Oh?"
"Sure. You know a Patonus is beyond NEWT level, and you were already teaching it to the other students. He and I think it would be all right for you to continue, if you wish, and Dumbledore has agreed, so long as either Henry - 'scuse me, Professor Tobias - or I know when you're practicing, in case you get into a few of the more dicey spells. He's even said he could give you a few pointers on some of the more advanced stuff you haven't gotten into yet, when he's free." She shrugged. "But that wasn't my point. See, with things going on after school, I thought maybe you'd rather devote your currently vacant Monday morning class time to Occlumency and leave after school for fun. What do you think?"
He wilted slightly. "Fine, makes sense and all that."
Amy laughed, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Cheer up. C'mon, let's get started."
She lead him up to the hospital wing, past the beds and their sterile white sheets, behind a tapestry depicting a wizard discovering the healing properties of dragon's blood (labeled "Ugric the Unease's Memorable Death") and through the door. "Welcome to my humble . . . er . . . dwelling," she said, bowing him through and into what was a combination common room and office, a desk in one end and comfy chairs grouped around a fireplace in the other. A further - unconcealed - door lead, Harry supposed, to her bedroom. "D'you want to do this in comfort" - she gestured to the chairs - "or . . . well . . . with a desk for protection?"
"Comfort's fine," Harry said, taking a seat in a maroon velvet chair and fairly sinking into the cushions. "This is amazing. All this, just for being a Healer?"
Amy laughed. "Just?" she asked, drawing her wand out of her apron pocket. "This job can get tough. D'you want to go thought a bit of the yoga experience or just dive right in?"
"Er . . . yoga's fine, really," he said quickly. Anything to delay that first spell was fine with him, especially if she forgot to keep an eye on the clock and had to send him off to Potions without using her wand. Then again, maybe she could excuse him from Potions for extra practice . . . Such - and all - thoughts were slowly seeped out of his mind in the yoga trance. Harry relaxed back into the chair, smiling slightly. Nothing . . . nothing . . . nothing . . . Professor Sprout was unpotting a Mandrake . . . nothing . . . Harry was staring incredulously on the test Professor Lockhart had given them on their first day . . . Professor Grubbly-Plank was showing them a unicorn . . . nothing . . . Hermione screamed as Grawp stood up, straining at the ropes that held him . . . Grawp was towering over them, saving them from unicorns . . . nothing . . . he was flying on the back of a Thestral to save Sirius . . . Sirius . . . Sirius . . .
Harry was on the floor, having fallen out of the chair and landed hard on his knees. Amy was beside him in an instant, helping him to sit again and giving him a Chocolate Frog. "That was good," she said, breathless. "Without even a wand . . . you were harder to track down then, harder to pin your thoughts."
"You didn't warn me," he accused half-heartedly.
"Harry. You were already calm and relaxed. D'you really think Voldemort's going to say, 'Y'know, Harry, before I probe your mind I'd like to try a little something a Muggle thought up . . . care to join me?' Then he'll whip two Yoga mats out of thin air, close his eyes, and say 'Om."
He had to laugh at that, biting the head off his frog. "But - I'm getting better, right?"
She nodded, perching herself on the arm of another chair. "It took longer. You just need to not lose yourself when you're not thinking of anything, and then be able to shove me away completely and without effort. Preferably without even knowing it, just as an instinctive reaction." She checked her watch. "Finish that frog, Harry. You've a class in fifteen minutes."
Harry was in the dungeon two minutes early, taking the empty seat between Ron and Hermione. Hermione sniffed. "Cutting it rather close, aren't you?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Just got here myself," he muttered.
"I was doing Occlumency," Harry informed her. "Monday mornings, so whoever's Quidditch captain doesn't steam." He didn't mention DA, partially because he didn't want her to give him a withering glance and inform him that they had a proper Cark Arts professor and wouldn't need him anymore. That was when the door banged open and shut again as Snape swooped into the room.
"Your first NEWT level Potions," he said, turning, gaze sweeping and taking in the empty seats. Perhaps sixty percent of the original Double Potions class remained. "I must admit, some of you" - his eyes narrowed on Harry - "must have hoodwinked your testers in some way. No matter. You will stay or leave depending on your work. Instructions on the board." He whipped his wand. "Items in the cupboard. You will not finish today. But you should be - here." Another flick of his wand and a silver line stretched across the instructions. "Begin."
"I'll say we shouldn't finish today," Hermione said, sniffing as though anyone who had that thought would have to be thicker than Crabbe or Goyle, both of whom were in the twenty percent that had not continued. To her dismay, Millicent Bulstrode had. "Just look at the last instruction. Really."
Harry did. Let simmer for a full moon cycle. Thinking that sounded familiar, he finally read the name of the potion they were beginning and could not decide whether to chuckle or wince. Veritaserum. Wonderful. Snape had threatened him with it enough.
"Harry," Hermione hissed. "Come on, this will take the entire class as it is."
An hour and a half later, Snape was walking around, telling them the liquid should be a simmering pale yellow, emitting a few pink sparks. Hermione's was, of course, perfect. Harry's was a bit deeper, but at least his had the sparks, whereas Ron's was just sitting there. "That wasn't so horrible," Hermione said as they washed their hands in the flow of water from the Gargoyle's mouth.
"Sure," Ron muttered. "By the time he can test it, I'll have forgotten what it was and won't mind the 'D'."
Harry just heaped their plates high, praying they wouldn't argue with their mouths full.
The afternoon saw them trooping out to the greenhouses, lining pots with dragon dung for the third years to do some repotting, then back to the castle to wash their hands and attempt to make buttons dance across their desks in a more advanced form of the Locomotive Charm as Professor Flitwick corrected wand movements and subtleties of pronunciation.
"I'm going to hate this year," Ginny said glumly when Harry and Ron sat on either side of her for dinner.
"Oh, it's not nearly as horrible as you think," Hermione said, taking a seat across from the younger girl. "It's really not that difficult."
"Yeah, not if you don't do anything but study," Ron said, tucking in.
After dinner, Professor McGonnagal called to Harry before he could exit the Great Hall. "Potter, your broom's in my office. You'll be wanting it before having tryouts."
He frowned, half-turned. "Professor?"
She smiled at him over her glasses in a way eerily reminiscent of Professor Dumbledore. "You've been the longest on the team, Potter. As Quidditch Captian, you have three Chasers to replace. Though you may want to have a look at those Beaters . . ." She looked slightly pained. "Still, I can't think of anyone better . . . make sure Ginny tries out, would you?"
"Ah - sure. Yes. Of course." He blinked, trying to absorb all of this. He was back on the team. He was Gryffindor's Seeker again. Ginny would definitely try out, she was a good hand at flying, they needed two more . . .
"what's up?" Ron asked when Harry finally exited the Hall.
"Oh, nothing," he said breezily, though his grin gave it away. "Y'know, it was considerate of Amy to save me from being bawled out by the Quidditch Captain, but she needn't have bothered."
Ginny sighed loudly. "Harry, didn't I tell you your 'lifelong ban' only lasted as long as Umbridge was here?"
"You did," he allowed as they started up the main staircase. "It's just - kind of odd for me to bawl myself out, isn't it?"
Her eyes widened. "You're captain?"
Harry nodded. "Name the try-out date. Sometime soon, that works for you. Because then we need to find two other chasers."
She whooped, nearly bowling Hermione over as she ran on ahead. "I've got to tell Charlie!" she called out.
Hermione looked thoughtful. "Chaser, huh? Hmm." She drifted off in a Luna- esque fog.
Ron shared a look with Harry. "Bet Viktor's had some hand in this," he muttered. "Come on, let's play some chess. Loser buys the winner a Butterbeer next Hogsmeade visit."
"You're on," Harry said, racing him to the Fat Lady. Memories of this night would be sure to surface in his next Occlumency lesson, but they would be as useful in attacking as soap bubbles. He grinned to himself as his knight smashed one of Ron's pawns with particular energy. Maybe the key wasn't really to keep his mind blank, but to balance all the horrible things with good things. He'd have to ask Amy about that. For now, he'd just concentrate on getting Ron to owe him a Butterbeer.
* * * *
Defense Against the Dark Arts came on Wednesday, the last class of the day, and everyone was half exited, half apprehensive as they filed into the classroom. In a gesture of defiance they all had their wands prominent on the tops of their desks and no books anywhere in sight. "How d'you think he'll be?" Ron asked Harry, glancing over his shoulder at the classroom door. "Ginny hasn't had him yet, that's tomorrow."
"Not like he could really be worse, is it?" Hermione muttered, eyebrows raised. "Amy speaks highly of him, at least. I had a knitting session last night," she added when Harry and Ron gave her puzzled looks.
"So what, is Professor Tobias from Durmstrang, then?" Harry asked. "I thought they actually taught the Dark Arts, not the defense."
"He spent a few terms there, but he just came from Beauxbatons," she explained. "He took a bash at teaching the Dark Arts, but he left because the kids were too rough. Viktor only had him his first year."
"Viktor," Ron muttered, rolling his eyes.
Professor Tobias entered then, saving Harry from having to prevent a spat between his two best friends. "Wands away, please," he said pleasantly, going to the front of the room to stand by his desk.
Everyone shifted nervously. Their professor stopped going through his briefcase and looked up. "Is something wrong?"
"Are we actually going to be doing magic in this class this year?" Dean demanded, not raising his hand.
"Not today, no, but later, indeed. What sort of education do you think would be achieved without a wand?"
"Hear, hear!" Seamus called, grinning as he tucked his wand into this pocket.
Professor Tobias smiled. "Yes, I've heard all about your last year, but Outstanding OWLs proved that at least some of you did not let it go to waste." He winked at Harry. "Now, as for this year. Defense Against the Dark Arts, NEWT level, first year. Why are you here?" He spread his hands and sat on the corner of his desk.
Hermione actually blinked a few times before tentatively putting a hand in the air. He nodded at her. "Hermione Granger, is it?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Miss Granger: why are you here?"
"To learn defense against the dark arts," she said slowly, waiting for the trick in the question.
"Yes, but why?" He peered at her openly through his silver spectacles.
Hermione looked around in case someone else wanted to help her. "Erm . . . because Voldemort's back." Lavender shrieked and Parvati jumped slightly in her chair.
Another nod. "That he is, but why are you here?"
Being used to questions that had only one answer, she was getting rather frustrated. "What answer do you want? Because I achieved a decent score on this OWL? Because we all may have to face Death Eaters eventually?"
Professor Tobias looked thoughtful. "It is not my aim," he said slowly, "to teach my students how to duel Death Eaters or even Voldemort himself." He ignored the communal gasp that came with the Dark Lord's name. "I realize that, for four of you, the experience has already been had. Can anyone else answer my question? Why are you here?" He looked around the room. Hermione slumped in her seat, looking dejected and angry that she had failed to answer properly.
Harry tentatively lifted his hand in the air. "Professor? I'm not sure we entirely know what you're asking."
The blue eyes were turned on him. "Harry Potter. You know that the spell Avada Kedavra has only failed to work once since its discovery, and even that one instance involved innocent deaths. What is the point in learning to protect yourself against the Dark Arts if the death spell has no counter curse, no form of protection?
"Because he doesn't always use Avada Kedavra," Harry said seriously. "Neither do his Death Eaters."
"But when they do, there's nothing you can do."
Harry frowned. "But when Professor Dumbledore - I saw them dueling, last - a few months ago. He managed. He's not dead."
Professor Tobias did not make any acknowledgement of this last statement. "Anyone else?"
"I'm here because I want - I think maybe - I - well, some jobs require it," Ron piped up. "Like - like being an Auror." His ears were turning pink then, as if he expected laughter and catcalls at the very thought of him becoming one of the Dark wizard hunters.
"Good." Professor Tobias nodded, Ron beamed, and Harry and Hermione exchanged glum looks. "Anything else? Reasons you took this class . . . yes?"
Neville made a face. "Gran made me."
"And why, do you think, she had you continue in Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Professor Tobias looked at a sheet of parchment in his hand. "Why, Neville Longbottom, did you join the DA last year in spite of everything said against it?"
The pudgy boy paled slightly, glancing at Harry. "I - well, what I mean to say is - I mean - to be safe," he concluded feebly.
"To protect ourselves," Seamus added. "Because you never know what's going to happen and it's better to be prepared." He smiled at Neville; the other boy was giving him a look of thanks.
The professor nodded. "Now, I need someone to sum up what Miss Granger and Misters Potter, Weasley, Longbottom, and Finnegan have said. One simple maxim: why are you in this room? Why prepare yourselves?"
Silence. Harry looked around. His classmates were frowning, some of them biting fingernails, all trying to think.
Professor Tobias stood up. "Your homework," he said, "is to think about the answer to my question: why are you here? Why should I teach you? Dismissed."
The class shifted uneasily. "You want an essay?" Dean asked doubtfully.
"Merely a prepared answer to tell me if I asked you, Mr. . . ."
"Thomas."
"Mr. Thomas. Yes?" Hermione had her hand in the air.
"Sir, class hasn't ended yet."
"I know." He nodded. "But I will not teach you until you can give me an answer to my question. Come back next week with one ready. Go on; the doorway won't burst into flames on your way out." His eyes were twinkling again.
"Well, that was strange," Ron muttered as they climbed the main staircase. "A question even Hermione can't answer . . ."
"It wasn't exactly a normal question, Ron," she said huffily, increasing her pace. "But a good one. Why are we there?"
Harry shrugged. "Beats me. Hey, Ron - grab your broom. Let's practice some Quidditch before dinner."
Ron's face lit up. "Yes, let's!" And he took off down the hallways, yelling at Harry to catch up.
* * * * *
Harry had already been thrown to the floor twice with the Legilimency spell and was beginning to regret declining a yoga lesson that morning, climbing gingerly to his feet and brushing off the front of his robes.
Amy gave him a look that was half wince, half grin. "You don't have to admit I'm right, but it might be easier on your knees."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he muttered, straightening his glasses and taking his wand more firmly in hand. "Maybe you keep lifting it just as I'm going to throw it off."
She gave him a Look.
"Okay, so I was joking . . ." Unconsciously he rumpled his hair. "But, I mean, it's taking longer to get to the bad memories, right?"
Amy laughed, swinging herself up to sit on her desk, legs swinging. "Takes a lot longer after yoga," she said pointedly. "Come on, you have to admit it helps. Have you been practicing?"
His silence spoke volumes.
"Harry James Potter!" It was not real anger, more motherly frustration. "How are you supposed to get better if you don't practice?"
"I've homework every night, a Quidditch tryout to plan, and some stupid riddle thing to answer for Dark Arts next!" he complained. "That's not exactly fodder for emptying my mind."
She looked thoughtful. "So Henry's not yet dropped the why-are-you-taking- this-class thing, huh?"
"Do you know the answer?" Harry, who had momentarily drooped, perked up.
"Yes. And will I tell you? What's the fun in that?" She hopped off the desk, wand rising, but before it drew level there was a thump and a mild explosion from the fireplace, sending a figure - and some soot - into the room. Harry coughed against the fine dust, backing up instinctively and wiping off his glasses to see.
"Amy! How wonderful to have found you at last." Lucius Malfoy brushed off his green robes, though his long blonde hair remained immaculate. "It has been so dreadfully long since our last . . . reunion."
"Petrificus totalus!" Amy cried, freezing Harry before he could say something or, worse, try out a spell of some kind. He was frozen completely, though balanced enough not to fall. Had he still had control over any of his muscles - they all were freezing besides motionless - he would have glared at her. "Lucius, you should warn me, I was right in the middle -"
"Of something less important than this. I know." His smile was blindingly fake, and Harry almost preferred Lockhart's. "You see, dear sister - I need your help."
"Lucius," Amy said, scolding, standing up straight and not backing up as the desk was in her way, "look at me, at where I am. How can I provide assistance without arousing suspicions?"
"That's not all you arouse," the elder Malfoy hissed softly, daring to step closer and brush a stand of hair from her face.
"Now, Lucius," Amy said, ducking under his arm and going into the center of the room.
"Now what?" he said, eyes glinting, clearly thinking she was playing a game. "You no longer have Regulus to think of."
"But Narcissa is still very much alive," Amy said, keeping her voice light. Harry was dying to be unfrozen, dying to shoot a stream of green light directly at Malfoy's head, and the anger pulsing within him made him feel as though he could actually see this Unforgivable Curse through.
"Who's going to tell her?" In one swift movement his walking stick was behind her back and he was hanging onto both end of it, drawing her closer. "I need your help."
"You need me more here than it's worth to risk me being tossed out," Amy said, trying not to clench her teeth, putting her hands on his chest to try and push him away. "Lucius, please!"
"You can erase the boy's memory later." His eyes were closing as he breathed in the scent of her hair. "There's nothing to stop us now."
Harry could see Amy's eyes clearly and it was obvious she was trying desperately to think of a way out of this. "And what is it you want me to do?" she asked, still trying to pull away and not appear too offensive while doing so.
Lucius' smile seemed to grow fangs. "Do I really need to spell it out for you?"
Any noise Harry might have made caught in the back of his motionless throat as Malfoy actually dared to kiss Amy on the forehead, clearly intent on making the next one lower. "But Narcissa!" Amy cried, trying once more to pull away, this time not so subtlety. "Lucius, I can't!"
"That's not for you to say," he said with a hint of a growl, eyes flashing. "The last time I had this chance you were all set to be engaged to Regulus and I had to settle for your sister. I can't go back there, anyway. She'll never know. And" - his smile grew malicious - "if that's a problem, then the problem can be eliminated."
"You can't kill your own wife," Amy protested, glancing to the door and praying for someone to knock, to charge through. She wondered if she could get to her wand, unfreeze Harry, and get him to run out the door for help without first trying to blast the Death Eater.
"You should have been my wife," Lucius growled, pulling her roughly closer. "If not for that stupid mother of yours, you would have been." Amy stopped moving with shock when he forcibly kissed her, stopped from wrenching away by the iron vice of his grip. "There," he said at last, almost panting. "That wasn't -" He stopped, holding up her left hand, through which he had been lacing his own fingers. "You stopped wearing the ring Regulus gave you years ago."
"Lucius -"
"You didn't - he couldn't have - you -" He was fast on his way to becoming purple with rage. "How dare he force you into accepting!" he roared, throwing her hand away and at last releasing her. "I'll kill him!"
"Lucius -
"Mark my words, Amy," Lucius said, catching her chin in his hand. "I'll free you from him. And I'll be waiting for you when the time comes." Kissing her once again, he swirled his cloak around himself, throwing Floo Powder into the fireplace before stepping in, vanishing in a puff of green smoke.
She was shaking badly, eyes on the fireplace. "Damn him," she whispered, hand clenched around her wand. "Just - urgh!" With a flip of her wand she preformed the counter curse and Harry almost fell to the floor.
"Why didn't you let me get him?" he demanded, almost as livid as the Death Eater had been. "You - he - he's in love with you?!"
"Since he met me," she muttered, going to her desk, pulling out an armful of Chocolate Frogs and tossing one to him, collapsing in the chair and taking one for herself. "It's only luck I got out of marrying both him and Regulus . . ." She shuddered slightly, rolling the chocolate over her tongue. "Harry, I need you to do something for me," she said, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and trying not to shudder again. "Go down to the staff room. Fetch Severus - yes, I know he has a class, tell him he'll have to cancel - and Professor Dumbledore, then all three of you come up here. Minerva has a class, she'll be informed later, and Hagrid doesn't know half of this . . ." Amy trailed off, a line creasing her brow. "Yes, the two of them. Now," she commanded.
"But -"
"Harry, just go!"
He went.
Although they arrived in good time, most of the compartments on the train were full, and Harry turned to Ginny. "Come on, let's go save seats for Ron and Hermione."
Ginny shifted her weight, holding an owl cage under her arm - a recent gift from her parents. "Harry, don't you remember? I'm Prefect, too." She gave the cage a little shake, upsetting the barn owl - Wallace - inside.
Harry blinked. "Well, erm - I'll . . . I'll get a compartment, then."
"We won't be long, mate," Ron said earnestly. "Remember last year."
Harry gave them a half-hearted wave before making his way back along the train, looking in compartments, ducking out of the way as Cho glanced up, finally finding the last empty compartment on the train, trying not to throw Hedwig's cage into the racks with too much frustration as she hadn't abandoned him.
"Harry!" Neville appeared in the doorway, looking flushed, but his face was not as round as it had been the year before and he was a couple inches taller. "D'you mind if I sit here?"
"Please," Harry said, amazingly grateful for the company of a boy he had not yet thought to consider as a friend, despite the previous year's happenings in the Department of Mysteries. "I s'pose Luna found somewhere else to sit, then?" he asked, grinning.
"Saw her on the platform," Neville said, taking a seat and clutching his beloved plant [someone borrowed the book, forgot the name, any help would be appreciated]. "She's Prefect for Ravenclaw, told me about seven times before I got away."
Harry only grinned again. That sounded like Luna.
The four of them - Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna Lovegood - appeared just after the cart of sweets had been through and Neville and Harry were making a dent in the mountain they had purchased. "Well, you'll be happy to know our good buddy Malfoy still wants to kill you," Ron sighed, sinking into the seat next to Harry and nicking a Chocolate Frog, getting it down in two bites and only giving the wizard card a casual glance afterward, right before he reached for another.
Ginny laughed, she and Luna filling up Neville's side of the compartment. "You should hear him, honestly!" She had to disappear behind her hands, she was giggling so much.
Hermione leaned around Ron to grin at Harry. "'You tell Potter to just wait. My aunt's here this year, not very understanding of poor Muggle- borns. Just wait till I hex you bad enough for the hospital wing . . .'"
Harry blinked. "She is his aunt, isn't she?"
"Wouldn't remind her of it, Amy seems rather content in forgetting," Ginny said.
Neville looked puzzled. "Who are you talking about?"
Harry launched into a pseudo-explanation of who Amy was, leaving out the Snape factor, but mentioning she was also Sirius's sister. Sort of. By the time he'd lurched through the family tree, Neville looked sorry he'd asked.
Luna, who had pulled out a copy of the Quibbler, of which her father was the editor, put it down low enough to look at Harry. "So it's like her sister, who she pretended to like but really didn't, killed her brother, who she pretended to hate but really loved best."
After he'd uncrossed his eyes, Harry had to agree.
The bright sunny fields outside gradually faded with the onset of night, though the sparks from the Exploding Snape game they were playing seemed rather spectacular with such a gloomy background. Finally they all changed into their school robes, Ginny admiring her new badge while Ron pinned on his like it was more of a curse than a blessing. Luna put hers on upside- down before Neville hesitatingly pointed it out. When the train slowed to a stop, Harry and Neville had to figure out how to carry Pig, Crookshanks, Hedwig, Wallace, and [the plant] while the Prefects went out and made sure the first years were herded properly into the boats. About the only thing that made carrying so many cages worth it was the familiar sound of Hagrid calling, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! Firs' years this way! How are yeh, Harry?" The giant man looked down on him, beetle black eyes sparkling merrily.
"Just fine, Hagrid!" he called back, allowing the crowds to push him toward the carriages, this time not all that concerned with the presence of the dark, dragon-esque Thestrals as he and Neville loaded the animals inside and called the others over to climb in for the ride to the castle. As it was too dark to read, Luna satisfied herself with fixing a dreamy smile on Ron, who was sitting across from her and trying to politely ignore it.
The students trooped into the castle, voices echoing off the high ceilings as they caught each other up on the past summer's adventures, what their dads had to say about the escapes Death Eaters, and greeted Harry with more warmth than he had been given in a long time. He grinned and waved, not even knowing enough names to say a proper "Hello" back.
Harry was almost into the great Hall - he could see the star-speckled ceiling - when a cold voice spoke behind them. "Mr. Potter."
Ron winced, not turning around. "We'll save you a seat," he whispered as Harry extricated himself from the masses and forced himself to look up at Snape.
"You will come with me," the professor said silkily, though "greasily" would have better matched his hair, which was looking a bit less cared-for than usual.
Harry gulped and followed. Anything that made Snape smile sinisterly was not going to be fun for him. Having no inkling as to where they were going or why, Harry tailed the billowing black robes up the stairs, down a hall, though a room he was quite sure he hadn't seen before, and stopped before a door, knocking sharply. The voices inside died and, after a pause, someone opened the door a crack, then pulled it further, revealing Tonks looking like herself with pink spiky hair. "Hey, it's Harry. C'mon in," she said, beckoning him inside, and Snape followed.
Mad-Eye Moody, Charlie, and Amy were grouped around a table, looking at the parchment in Amy's hand. "Hello, Potter," Moody growled. "Welcome to the new residence of Hogwarts' Aurors. We have something we think you should know."
Amy rolled her eyes. "It's more annoying than dangerous, don't listen to him." She was wearing a jade green robe that almost glimmered in the candlelight, accented by the white apron, cuffs, and collar that specified her as Healer. "Basically my brother-in-law, Lucius" - she made a face as if even his name tasted terrible - "has informed me that his son will be trying to, shall we say, recruit you this year, and to help Draco along if possible. There guys" - she nodded to Moody and Tonks - "seem to think that's more danger than annoyance, but I can't say they know my nephew very well if they think that."
Harry frowned. Granted, the way it was worded on the train, Amy was going to be the one to make him pay, but still . . . not that Draco would be very good at being nice. "You called me up here to tell me that? I'm missing a good Sorting Song for this!" He grinned to show he was kidding.
Moody stood and clumped around to where Harry was. "Listen, Potter: even the most innocent thing can get you someplace you don't want to be. The wrong word, the wrong look . . . you have to know where you can find us. And remember that we're all here to help." His electric blue eye swiveled around in his head, undoubtedly looking at Snape. "Anything suspicious, anything out-of-the-ordinary, anything that seems a little off, you tell us. Dumbledore's orders."
Tonks cleared her throat. "Well, you done lecturing him yet, Mad-Eye? 'Cause I'm starving."
Moody shot her a glare that did nothing to remove the smile from her face. "Well, then. To the feast." He fondly patted his hip flask. "And Potter - constant vigilance!"
Harry winced slightly as Moody past, back to remembering a time when Moody was not Moody at all. But that trick had been done and had failed, right? So he was really Moody this time, right? He caught Amy's eye and smiled, especially when she grabbed his arm. "Point out that trick step to me again, would you? I keep missing it, Sev's getting sick of pulling me out."
Harry laughed. "See, that's why you should have gone to Hogwarts instead of Durmstrang. Disappearing doors, trick steps . . . how many times have you gotten lost already?"
"Don't ask," she muttered. And she did manage to jump the trick step on the way down.
The food had already appeared when Harry arrived, taking a seat between Ron and Ginny. "What was that about?" Ginny asked, heaping his plate with steak and kidney pie.
"Nothing much," Harry said truthfully, scanning the Head Table. Amy was sitting between Snape and Tonks, and Mad-Eye Moody was on the young Auror's other side. Further down at the other end of the table was a wizard in blue robes, presumably the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He was talking animatedly with Professor Sprout, a smile on his face. The man appeared to be tall, broad in the shoulder, and his hair was black but sprinkled with gray, the whole effect something along the lines of a young grandfather. "Who's that?" Harry asked, gesturing with his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"No idea, mate," Ron said, "but he looks like an improvement over Umbridge, don't you think?"
"They haven't been introduced yet," Ginny supplied.
After even the desserts had been polished away, Dumbledore stood and the Great Hall grew silent. "And now, some introductions. As many of you may already know, Madam Pomfrey was offered a respected position at St. Mungo's Hospital. Therefore, our new school Healer is Madam Amy." Harry clapped loudly as Amy stood and nodded a greeting, though he noticed that she received a rather large round from Slytherin, as well. "And our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tobias." The man stood up, towering over tiny Professor Flitwick on his left, and waved jovially to the students.
"Now," Dumbledore said, adjusting his half-moon spectacles on his crooked nose, "in light of recent events, Hogwarts has taken two extra security measures. One, we now have a dragon by the front gates, to be handled by a graduate of this school, Charlie Weasley." Harry wondered why he had not seen Charlie earlier, but his question was answered when the young man leaned out from around Hagrid to wave. "And, on orders from the Minister, we have two Aurors: Alistair Moody and Nymphadora Tonks." As he gathered breath to move on to the rest of his speech, Tonks let out a little hem, hem that caused six-sevenths of the hall to freeze, look around uneasily, and then laugh long and hard.
"And now," Dumbledore said when everyone had finally managed to get under control, wiping tears from his eyes, "Argus Filch wishes to remind you that a complete list of items banned from this school is available in his office, though he was suggested tattooing it to the inside of certain students' eyelids. The Forest is off-limits - I daresay I might have to use his idea for this one" - Harry, Ron, and Hermione all shared a grimace - "but, that is all! Off to bed!"
Harry let the Prefects get away and direct the First Years up to Gryffindor Tower, getting close enough to hear the password - "Mugmump mentalis" - and then going up the stairs to his dormitory. Seamus and Dean greeted him with enthusiastic smiles before going back to swapping stories of their summers. Harry just smiled, change into his pajamas, and was asleep before Ron straggle up the stairs, cursing First Years and dung bombs under his breath.
* * * * *
Schedules were distributed over breakfast on Monday morning, and Harry propped his against his goblet of pumpkin juice to study as he spooned oatmeal into his mouth. "Hey, would you look at that!" he exclaimed, gesturing with his spoon.
Ron glanced over to make sure he was thinking the same thing. "Yeah! Wicked, mate." He and Harry began to eat at a more leisurely pace.
"Won't you two hurry up?" Hermione said, grabbing her book bag. "You've class in ten minutes!"
"Sad, isn't it, Harry?" Ron asked, pretending to lean back in an easy chair. "Those poor people who took things like Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and didn't drop a single class . . ."
"Yeah, they still have a class the first thing Monday morning, don't they?" Harry asked lazily, grinning back.
Hermione grabbed one of their schedules just to make sure they weren't lying. "Humph. Well, enjoy your freedom, then. I'll see you in Potions." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she left.
Harry winced. "You know, it's people like her that really know how to ruin a good mood."
"Yeah." Ron looked slightly sick. "NEWT level Potions, first thing . . . I'm going to get a 'T' right off the bat, I just know it."
"Hey, I was being optimistic," Harry said wistfully. "I was thinking 'D,' at least."
Ron rolled his eyes. Slowly the Great Hall became less crowded as most students drifted off to their first class of the new school year, in groups of friends, though Harry spotted Luna drifting off on her own, eyes slightly glazed over. She almost plowed down a bunch of Hufflepuff first years, but they moved out of the way in time to avoid complete disaster.
"Earth to Harry. Come in, Harry." Someone was poking him. "Hey, Monday morning, I can understand." Amy grinned at him, leaning over to pick up his schedule and look it over. "What's gone besides History of Magic?"
"Divination," he informed her, pleased. "No more Professor Trelawney . . ."
"And no more . . . Firenze." She sighed his name, batting her eyes and holding her hands over her heart in a good impression of most fifth and sixth year girls. "Oh, if it wasn't for the centaur part, I'd drop Remus and go for him in a second. Not."
Harry snickered into his hand. "Yeah, that seems to be the general female opinion of him. Just without the 'not' bit."
Amy smiled, handing back his schedule. "Hey, Harry - I was thinking."
"Mite dangerous, isn't it?" Ron asked, pretending to duck a curse.
"Well, you're involved in Quidditch," she continued, ignoring Ron, "and if you want to keep up your DA lessons this year -
"Keep up the DA?" The thought had never occurred to him. "Why, is Professor Tobias just as worthless as Umbridge?"
"Who, Henry? No, he's great. We were actually discussing you last night."
Harry tried not to wince. "Oh?"
"Sure. You know a Patonus is beyond NEWT level, and you were already teaching it to the other students. He and I think it would be all right for you to continue, if you wish, and Dumbledore has agreed, so long as either Henry - 'scuse me, Professor Tobias - or I know when you're practicing, in case you get into a few of the more dicey spells. He's even said he could give you a few pointers on some of the more advanced stuff you haven't gotten into yet, when he's free." She shrugged. "But that wasn't my point. See, with things going on after school, I thought maybe you'd rather devote your currently vacant Monday morning class time to Occlumency and leave after school for fun. What do you think?"
He wilted slightly. "Fine, makes sense and all that."
Amy laughed, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Cheer up. C'mon, let's get started."
She lead him up to the hospital wing, past the beds and their sterile white sheets, behind a tapestry depicting a wizard discovering the healing properties of dragon's blood (labeled "Ugric the Unease's Memorable Death") and through the door. "Welcome to my humble . . . er . . . dwelling," she said, bowing him through and into what was a combination common room and office, a desk in one end and comfy chairs grouped around a fireplace in the other. A further - unconcealed - door lead, Harry supposed, to her bedroom. "D'you want to do this in comfort" - she gestured to the chairs - "or . . . well . . . with a desk for protection?"
"Comfort's fine," Harry said, taking a seat in a maroon velvet chair and fairly sinking into the cushions. "This is amazing. All this, just for being a Healer?"
Amy laughed. "Just?" she asked, drawing her wand out of her apron pocket. "This job can get tough. D'you want to go thought a bit of the yoga experience or just dive right in?"
"Er . . . yoga's fine, really," he said quickly. Anything to delay that first spell was fine with him, especially if she forgot to keep an eye on the clock and had to send him off to Potions without using her wand. Then again, maybe she could excuse him from Potions for extra practice . . . Such - and all - thoughts were slowly seeped out of his mind in the yoga trance. Harry relaxed back into the chair, smiling slightly. Nothing . . . nothing . . . nothing . . . Professor Sprout was unpotting a Mandrake . . . nothing . . . Harry was staring incredulously on the test Professor Lockhart had given them on their first day . . . Professor Grubbly-Plank was showing them a unicorn . . . nothing . . . Hermione screamed as Grawp stood up, straining at the ropes that held him . . . Grawp was towering over them, saving them from unicorns . . . nothing . . . he was flying on the back of a Thestral to save Sirius . . . Sirius . . . Sirius . . .
Harry was on the floor, having fallen out of the chair and landed hard on his knees. Amy was beside him in an instant, helping him to sit again and giving him a Chocolate Frog. "That was good," she said, breathless. "Without even a wand . . . you were harder to track down then, harder to pin your thoughts."
"You didn't warn me," he accused half-heartedly.
"Harry. You were already calm and relaxed. D'you really think Voldemort's going to say, 'Y'know, Harry, before I probe your mind I'd like to try a little something a Muggle thought up . . . care to join me?' Then he'll whip two Yoga mats out of thin air, close his eyes, and say 'Om."
He had to laugh at that, biting the head off his frog. "But - I'm getting better, right?"
She nodded, perching herself on the arm of another chair. "It took longer. You just need to not lose yourself when you're not thinking of anything, and then be able to shove me away completely and without effort. Preferably without even knowing it, just as an instinctive reaction." She checked her watch. "Finish that frog, Harry. You've a class in fifteen minutes."
Harry was in the dungeon two minutes early, taking the empty seat between Ron and Hermione. Hermione sniffed. "Cutting it rather close, aren't you?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Just got here myself," he muttered.
"I was doing Occlumency," Harry informed her. "Monday mornings, so whoever's Quidditch captain doesn't steam." He didn't mention DA, partially because he didn't want her to give him a withering glance and inform him that they had a proper Cark Arts professor and wouldn't need him anymore. That was when the door banged open and shut again as Snape swooped into the room.
"Your first NEWT level Potions," he said, turning, gaze sweeping and taking in the empty seats. Perhaps sixty percent of the original Double Potions class remained. "I must admit, some of you" - his eyes narrowed on Harry - "must have hoodwinked your testers in some way. No matter. You will stay or leave depending on your work. Instructions on the board." He whipped his wand. "Items in the cupboard. You will not finish today. But you should be - here." Another flick of his wand and a silver line stretched across the instructions. "Begin."
"I'll say we shouldn't finish today," Hermione said, sniffing as though anyone who had that thought would have to be thicker than Crabbe or Goyle, both of whom were in the twenty percent that had not continued. To her dismay, Millicent Bulstrode had. "Just look at the last instruction. Really."
Harry did. Let simmer for a full moon cycle. Thinking that sounded familiar, he finally read the name of the potion they were beginning and could not decide whether to chuckle or wince. Veritaserum. Wonderful. Snape had threatened him with it enough.
"Harry," Hermione hissed. "Come on, this will take the entire class as it is."
An hour and a half later, Snape was walking around, telling them the liquid should be a simmering pale yellow, emitting a few pink sparks. Hermione's was, of course, perfect. Harry's was a bit deeper, but at least his had the sparks, whereas Ron's was just sitting there. "That wasn't so horrible," Hermione said as they washed their hands in the flow of water from the Gargoyle's mouth.
"Sure," Ron muttered. "By the time he can test it, I'll have forgotten what it was and won't mind the 'D'."
Harry just heaped their plates high, praying they wouldn't argue with their mouths full.
The afternoon saw them trooping out to the greenhouses, lining pots with dragon dung for the third years to do some repotting, then back to the castle to wash their hands and attempt to make buttons dance across their desks in a more advanced form of the Locomotive Charm as Professor Flitwick corrected wand movements and subtleties of pronunciation.
"I'm going to hate this year," Ginny said glumly when Harry and Ron sat on either side of her for dinner.
"Oh, it's not nearly as horrible as you think," Hermione said, taking a seat across from the younger girl. "It's really not that difficult."
"Yeah, not if you don't do anything but study," Ron said, tucking in.
After dinner, Professor McGonnagal called to Harry before he could exit the Great Hall. "Potter, your broom's in my office. You'll be wanting it before having tryouts."
He frowned, half-turned. "Professor?"
She smiled at him over her glasses in a way eerily reminiscent of Professor Dumbledore. "You've been the longest on the team, Potter. As Quidditch Captian, you have three Chasers to replace. Though you may want to have a look at those Beaters . . ." She looked slightly pained. "Still, I can't think of anyone better . . . make sure Ginny tries out, would you?"
"Ah - sure. Yes. Of course." He blinked, trying to absorb all of this. He was back on the team. He was Gryffindor's Seeker again. Ginny would definitely try out, she was a good hand at flying, they needed two more . . .
"what's up?" Ron asked when Harry finally exited the Hall.
"Oh, nothing," he said breezily, though his grin gave it away. "Y'know, it was considerate of Amy to save me from being bawled out by the Quidditch Captain, but she needn't have bothered."
Ginny sighed loudly. "Harry, didn't I tell you your 'lifelong ban' only lasted as long as Umbridge was here?"
"You did," he allowed as they started up the main staircase. "It's just - kind of odd for me to bawl myself out, isn't it?"
Her eyes widened. "You're captain?"
Harry nodded. "Name the try-out date. Sometime soon, that works for you. Because then we need to find two other chasers."
She whooped, nearly bowling Hermione over as she ran on ahead. "I've got to tell Charlie!" she called out.
Hermione looked thoughtful. "Chaser, huh? Hmm." She drifted off in a Luna- esque fog.
Ron shared a look with Harry. "Bet Viktor's had some hand in this," he muttered. "Come on, let's play some chess. Loser buys the winner a Butterbeer next Hogsmeade visit."
"You're on," Harry said, racing him to the Fat Lady. Memories of this night would be sure to surface in his next Occlumency lesson, but they would be as useful in attacking as soap bubbles. He grinned to himself as his knight smashed one of Ron's pawns with particular energy. Maybe the key wasn't really to keep his mind blank, but to balance all the horrible things with good things. He'd have to ask Amy about that. For now, he'd just concentrate on getting Ron to owe him a Butterbeer.
* * * *
Defense Against the Dark Arts came on Wednesday, the last class of the day, and everyone was half exited, half apprehensive as they filed into the classroom. In a gesture of defiance they all had their wands prominent on the tops of their desks and no books anywhere in sight. "How d'you think he'll be?" Ron asked Harry, glancing over his shoulder at the classroom door. "Ginny hasn't had him yet, that's tomorrow."
"Not like he could really be worse, is it?" Hermione muttered, eyebrows raised. "Amy speaks highly of him, at least. I had a knitting session last night," she added when Harry and Ron gave her puzzled looks.
"So what, is Professor Tobias from Durmstrang, then?" Harry asked. "I thought they actually taught the Dark Arts, not the defense."
"He spent a few terms there, but he just came from Beauxbatons," she explained. "He took a bash at teaching the Dark Arts, but he left because the kids were too rough. Viktor only had him his first year."
"Viktor," Ron muttered, rolling his eyes.
Professor Tobias entered then, saving Harry from having to prevent a spat between his two best friends. "Wands away, please," he said pleasantly, going to the front of the room to stand by his desk.
Everyone shifted nervously. Their professor stopped going through his briefcase and looked up. "Is something wrong?"
"Are we actually going to be doing magic in this class this year?" Dean demanded, not raising his hand.
"Not today, no, but later, indeed. What sort of education do you think would be achieved without a wand?"
"Hear, hear!" Seamus called, grinning as he tucked his wand into this pocket.
Professor Tobias smiled. "Yes, I've heard all about your last year, but Outstanding OWLs proved that at least some of you did not let it go to waste." He winked at Harry. "Now, as for this year. Defense Against the Dark Arts, NEWT level, first year. Why are you here?" He spread his hands and sat on the corner of his desk.
Hermione actually blinked a few times before tentatively putting a hand in the air. He nodded at her. "Hermione Granger, is it?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Miss Granger: why are you here?"
"To learn defense against the dark arts," she said slowly, waiting for the trick in the question.
"Yes, but why?" He peered at her openly through his silver spectacles.
Hermione looked around in case someone else wanted to help her. "Erm . . . because Voldemort's back." Lavender shrieked and Parvati jumped slightly in her chair.
Another nod. "That he is, but why are you here?"
Being used to questions that had only one answer, she was getting rather frustrated. "What answer do you want? Because I achieved a decent score on this OWL? Because we all may have to face Death Eaters eventually?"
Professor Tobias looked thoughtful. "It is not my aim," he said slowly, "to teach my students how to duel Death Eaters or even Voldemort himself." He ignored the communal gasp that came with the Dark Lord's name. "I realize that, for four of you, the experience has already been had. Can anyone else answer my question? Why are you here?" He looked around the room. Hermione slumped in her seat, looking dejected and angry that she had failed to answer properly.
Harry tentatively lifted his hand in the air. "Professor? I'm not sure we entirely know what you're asking."
The blue eyes were turned on him. "Harry Potter. You know that the spell Avada Kedavra has only failed to work once since its discovery, and even that one instance involved innocent deaths. What is the point in learning to protect yourself against the Dark Arts if the death spell has no counter curse, no form of protection?
"Because he doesn't always use Avada Kedavra," Harry said seriously. "Neither do his Death Eaters."
"But when they do, there's nothing you can do."
Harry frowned. "But when Professor Dumbledore - I saw them dueling, last - a few months ago. He managed. He's not dead."
Professor Tobias did not make any acknowledgement of this last statement. "Anyone else?"
"I'm here because I want - I think maybe - I - well, some jobs require it," Ron piped up. "Like - like being an Auror." His ears were turning pink then, as if he expected laughter and catcalls at the very thought of him becoming one of the Dark wizard hunters.
"Good." Professor Tobias nodded, Ron beamed, and Harry and Hermione exchanged glum looks. "Anything else? Reasons you took this class . . . yes?"
Neville made a face. "Gran made me."
"And why, do you think, she had you continue in Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Professor Tobias looked at a sheet of parchment in his hand. "Why, Neville Longbottom, did you join the DA last year in spite of everything said against it?"
The pudgy boy paled slightly, glancing at Harry. "I - well, what I mean to say is - I mean - to be safe," he concluded feebly.
"To protect ourselves," Seamus added. "Because you never know what's going to happen and it's better to be prepared." He smiled at Neville; the other boy was giving him a look of thanks.
The professor nodded. "Now, I need someone to sum up what Miss Granger and Misters Potter, Weasley, Longbottom, and Finnegan have said. One simple maxim: why are you in this room? Why prepare yourselves?"
Silence. Harry looked around. His classmates were frowning, some of them biting fingernails, all trying to think.
Professor Tobias stood up. "Your homework," he said, "is to think about the answer to my question: why are you here? Why should I teach you? Dismissed."
The class shifted uneasily. "You want an essay?" Dean asked doubtfully.
"Merely a prepared answer to tell me if I asked you, Mr. . . ."
"Thomas."
"Mr. Thomas. Yes?" Hermione had her hand in the air.
"Sir, class hasn't ended yet."
"I know." He nodded. "But I will not teach you until you can give me an answer to my question. Come back next week with one ready. Go on; the doorway won't burst into flames on your way out." His eyes were twinkling again.
"Well, that was strange," Ron muttered as they climbed the main staircase. "A question even Hermione can't answer . . ."
"It wasn't exactly a normal question, Ron," she said huffily, increasing her pace. "But a good one. Why are we there?"
Harry shrugged. "Beats me. Hey, Ron - grab your broom. Let's practice some Quidditch before dinner."
Ron's face lit up. "Yes, let's!" And he took off down the hallways, yelling at Harry to catch up.
* * * * *
Harry had already been thrown to the floor twice with the Legilimency spell and was beginning to regret declining a yoga lesson that morning, climbing gingerly to his feet and brushing off the front of his robes.
Amy gave him a look that was half wince, half grin. "You don't have to admit I'm right, but it might be easier on your knees."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he muttered, straightening his glasses and taking his wand more firmly in hand. "Maybe you keep lifting it just as I'm going to throw it off."
She gave him a Look.
"Okay, so I was joking . . ." Unconsciously he rumpled his hair. "But, I mean, it's taking longer to get to the bad memories, right?"
Amy laughed, swinging herself up to sit on her desk, legs swinging. "Takes a lot longer after yoga," she said pointedly. "Come on, you have to admit it helps. Have you been practicing?"
His silence spoke volumes.
"Harry James Potter!" It was not real anger, more motherly frustration. "How are you supposed to get better if you don't practice?"
"I've homework every night, a Quidditch tryout to plan, and some stupid riddle thing to answer for Dark Arts next!" he complained. "That's not exactly fodder for emptying my mind."
She looked thoughtful. "So Henry's not yet dropped the why-are-you-taking- this-class thing, huh?"
"Do you know the answer?" Harry, who had momentarily drooped, perked up.
"Yes. And will I tell you? What's the fun in that?" She hopped off the desk, wand rising, but before it drew level there was a thump and a mild explosion from the fireplace, sending a figure - and some soot - into the room. Harry coughed against the fine dust, backing up instinctively and wiping off his glasses to see.
"Amy! How wonderful to have found you at last." Lucius Malfoy brushed off his green robes, though his long blonde hair remained immaculate. "It has been so dreadfully long since our last . . . reunion."
"Petrificus totalus!" Amy cried, freezing Harry before he could say something or, worse, try out a spell of some kind. He was frozen completely, though balanced enough not to fall. Had he still had control over any of his muscles - they all were freezing besides motionless - he would have glared at her. "Lucius, you should warn me, I was right in the middle -"
"Of something less important than this. I know." His smile was blindingly fake, and Harry almost preferred Lockhart's. "You see, dear sister - I need your help."
"Lucius," Amy said, scolding, standing up straight and not backing up as the desk was in her way, "look at me, at where I am. How can I provide assistance without arousing suspicions?"
"That's not all you arouse," the elder Malfoy hissed softly, daring to step closer and brush a stand of hair from her face.
"Now, Lucius," Amy said, ducking under his arm and going into the center of the room.
"Now what?" he said, eyes glinting, clearly thinking she was playing a game. "You no longer have Regulus to think of."
"But Narcissa is still very much alive," Amy said, keeping her voice light. Harry was dying to be unfrozen, dying to shoot a stream of green light directly at Malfoy's head, and the anger pulsing within him made him feel as though he could actually see this Unforgivable Curse through.
"Who's going to tell her?" In one swift movement his walking stick was behind her back and he was hanging onto both end of it, drawing her closer. "I need your help."
"You need me more here than it's worth to risk me being tossed out," Amy said, trying not to clench her teeth, putting her hands on his chest to try and push him away. "Lucius, please!"
"You can erase the boy's memory later." His eyes were closing as he breathed in the scent of her hair. "There's nothing to stop us now."
Harry could see Amy's eyes clearly and it was obvious she was trying desperately to think of a way out of this. "And what is it you want me to do?" she asked, still trying to pull away and not appear too offensive while doing so.
Lucius' smile seemed to grow fangs. "Do I really need to spell it out for you?"
Any noise Harry might have made caught in the back of his motionless throat as Malfoy actually dared to kiss Amy on the forehead, clearly intent on making the next one lower. "But Narcissa!" Amy cried, trying once more to pull away, this time not so subtlety. "Lucius, I can't!"
"That's not for you to say," he said with a hint of a growl, eyes flashing. "The last time I had this chance you were all set to be engaged to Regulus and I had to settle for your sister. I can't go back there, anyway. She'll never know. And" - his smile grew malicious - "if that's a problem, then the problem can be eliminated."
"You can't kill your own wife," Amy protested, glancing to the door and praying for someone to knock, to charge through. She wondered if she could get to her wand, unfreeze Harry, and get him to run out the door for help without first trying to blast the Death Eater.
"You should have been my wife," Lucius growled, pulling her roughly closer. "If not for that stupid mother of yours, you would have been." Amy stopped moving with shock when he forcibly kissed her, stopped from wrenching away by the iron vice of his grip. "There," he said at last, almost panting. "That wasn't -" He stopped, holding up her left hand, through which he had been lacing his own fingers. "You stopped wearing the ring Regulus gave you years ago."
"Lucius -"
"You didn't - he couldn't have - you -" He was fast on his way to becoming purple with rage. "How dare he force you into accepting!" he roared, throwing her hand away and at last releasing her. "I'll kill him!"
"Lucius -
"Mark my words, Amy," Lucius said, catching her chin in his hand. "I'll free you from him. And I'll be waiting for you when the time comes." Kissing her once again, he swirled his cloak around himself, throwing Floo Powder into the fireplace before stepping in, vanishing in a puff of green smoke.
She was shaking badly, eyes on the fireplace. "Damn him," she whispered, hand clenched around her wand. "Just - urgh!" With a flip of her wand she preformed the counter curse and Harry almost fell to the floor.
"Why didn't you let me get him?" he demanded, almost as livid as the Death Eater had been. "You - he - he's in love with you?!"
"Since he met me," she muttered, going to her desk, pulling out an armful of Chocolate Frogs and tossing one to him, collapsing in the chair and taking one for herself. "It's only luck I got out of marrying both him and Regulus . . ." She shuddered slightly, rolling the chocolate over her tongue. "Harry, I need you to do something for me," she said, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and trying not to shudder again. "Go down to the staff room. Fetch Severus - yes, I know he has a class, tell him he'll have to cancel - and Professor Dumbledore, then all three of you come up here. Minerva has a class, she'll be informed later, and Hagrid doesn't know half of this . . ." Amy trailed off, a line creasing her brow. "Yes, the two of them. Now," she commanded.
"But -"
"Harry, just go!"
He went.