HARRY POTTER AND THE SEERS' TRUTH
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 32
Sticky Situations
10 REVIEWS. Here's the new chapter—I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 10 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. LOL Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to reviews follow the story.
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. THANKS JK.
--LADY LESTRANGE
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(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down FOUR times. --Lady Lestrange)
UP TO THIS POINT: Parvati has been having dreams and visions about the Dark Lord, Harry and a Prophecy Child. So far, they are not sure who the prophecy child is, and it is important for them to find him/her. The Sorting Hat is not sorting, so the students have "little brothers and sisters" to show around. The dream team thinks that The Sorting Hat failing is a plot to hide the Prophecy child from the teachers and anyone who can help insure that he/she stays on the side of light. No one is sure that the brothers and sisters actually belong to the house they are currently in.
The Hogwarts Express has been attacked. Dark Marks have been in the sky. The floo network is compromised. The Minister of Magic has been turned. Snape is now teaching both Defense and Advanced Defense, but it looks like Advanced Defense is just an excuse to let the Slytherins and Ginny and Edward visit the Dark Lord. Mrs. Figg is teaching potions and we know very little about her so far, except that she was against Dumbledore's suggestion to make Poly Juice Potion.
Beatrice is an animagus, a bunny. Edward's granny looks like she could have given the Dursleys a few pointers on cruelty. Slytherin is a house at war according to Snape, divided between Death Eaters and those who want to stay on the side of light. Harry uses his Invisibility Cloak and finds out when it is ripped, the Invisibility spell ceases. There is an unwelcome addition to Myrtle's bathroom, Olive Hornby. Peeves is his usual annoying self, but the Baron seems to have a little less control over him.
Samara, for some reason, lofts some wicked, powerful curses. She doesn't look like she has total control over them, which isn't really surprising since she's learned magic on her own from a book, that Harry is sure is a dark book. She seems to like Draco, but don't assume this is a romance. It is not. Ginny is still hearing voices in her head. Harry's scar is hurting more, and neither he nor Ginny know what this means. Ginny is closer with Harry this year, but again, not romantically. There is Edward, the new Gryffindor, who seems interested in Ginny, but Ginny really hasn't gotten over Tom.
We find out about Neville's powerful auror parents. We learn that Neville has a memory charm that was put on him as a baby. He's a more powerful wizard than anyone ever thought as evidenced by his yew wand and the way he reacts to Snape's ministrations in trying to remove the memory charm. We might wonder why Snape is trying to do this himself, instead of enlisting the help of Madam Pomfrey. Sirius and Lupin are on "fieldtrips" with the sixth and seventh years.
Of course we can also wonder why Snape is so determined to teach his classes advanced spells like the Patronus, or we can just chalk it up to Snape, being mean. The Fifth year class starts apparition classes and we meet Professor Sinistra. We also visit Hufflepuff, where we see The Wall, and Slytherin house, where we discover, to our amazement, a magic room that Draco shares with Samara, but Samara has a very unslytherin use for the room. Ravenclaw to come next weekend.
The chapter, CHAINED AND CHARMED, takes place at the same time as DANCING IS AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE-when Samara was in Slytherin, dancing. It is Saturday afternoon. Harry and the Gryffindors examine Samara's Dark Book, after they come back from lunch. They find an extreme potion, and decide they need to make a trip to the Chamber of Secrets. Ghastly Ghostly Dinner is when Gryffindor's meet with Samara after her little trip to Slytherin. Samara and Beatrice are persuaded by Edward to help him steal his snake back from his brother Ethan. Things get a little out of hand, and Samara learns more about Slytherin than she ever wanted to know.
Now the Gryffindors are mad at her. Samara wants to make up and be friends with them, but is it possible to befriend both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? How far will she go to make up, or will she just find some valuable information to store away for future use? (So, don't you want one of those Tee shirts?)
LIONS AND TIGERS: We see a very stressed out Snap both in Harry's memory of what happened with Snap and Neville and in the actual DADA class. We find out Trelawney doesn't want Samara in her class and Samara decides to take Ancient Runes instead. McGonagall assures Samara that Trelawney has done her a favor. McGonagall further talks to Samara about her experiences in Gryffindor, opening the door to give Samara someone to talk to, if she so chooses. We also learned lots more about animagi in McGonagall's class. Snape dismisses the Gryffifndors and keeps the Slytherins after class. We find out it's because Snape wants them to practice their patronus because the Slytherins are so lousy at the spell. Could it be because there are so few happy memories to chose from? In DRAGON BREATH AND BLUDGER BATS, Ginny and Edward set the Slytherins up with fire mints, and Samara gets extremely angry at them both because they hurt her friends. In an effort to contain her anger, she goes to the Quiddich pitch where she meets Fred and George. After lobbing a few quaffles at them in her anger, they decide to ask her to be a Beater for Gryffindor. She refuses, but later when she talks to Draco, he is not very nice to her, (hey, who said Draco was a nice guy?) so she wonders whether or not she should take the Beater job. In WISH IT REAL; WISH IT NOT we see into one of Ginny's dreams. If you don't remember this dream, go and re-read chapter 28. In Chapter 29, THE SPELLING BEE, Samara is feeling homesick and friendless until Draco invites Samara back to Slytherin. Also, includes a short intro into what's coming up in potions class. In Chapter 30, CHILD OF GRYFFINDOR, Neville and Snape break the Imperio part of the Memory Charm. The trio discusses the Founders' spells, which put their gifts in the Sorting Hat; however they do not have the original parseltongue version of Salazar's spell. Ginny also sees Edward painting and the reader sees a bit of Ginny and Tom's relationship. In SLYTHERIN GAMES—Well, if you don't remember it, you better re-read. Voldemort is finally out and angry—burning and pillaging and we see a little-known inside version of Slytherin through Ginny's eyes.
AND NOW ON TO THE STORY:
Chapter 32
Sticky Situations
On Friday, after Herbology, Harry hurried up to the owlry to get Hedwig, to transfigure her into a rabbit.
Herbology was uneventful, but transfiguration was another thing altogether. McGonagall was trying to talk over the squawking of pets in her room. "Today," she said. "We will transfigure pets into a non-poisonous, non-threatening animal. It is easiest to start with your pets. They know you, like you, trust you. They tend not to attack or bite when they are confused. Instead they come to you for protection and comfort. If you do not have a pet, I hope you have found or borrowed an animal that you have now formed a rapport with. I also have some choices of calm animals for those of you who do not have pets. Is there anyone who doesn't have an animal to transfigure?"
She looked around the room. "Good. You are all prepared. One thing that we do not want to do is to turn a mouse that wants to bite you into a tiger that wants to bite you."
After a few more preliminary explanations, the class was ready to begin the spells.
Hermione changed Crookshanks into a brown rabbit and then back again. It seemed as if the original transfiguration was not as hard as turning him back into a cat. Hermione frowned, apparently uncertain as to whether or not she got every ginger hair in the right place.
Harry thought that changing Hedwig into a rabbit was also a good idea, especially since Beatrice had schooled him and Hermione for hours. Unfortunately, when confronted with McGonagall's inspection, Harry couldn't manage to change the color. Hedwig turned into a rabbit, but stayed white, even though Harry had managed to get him to be brown when they practiced in the common room. Turning Hedwig back was a strain and Harry's head was pounding by the time he finished.
Ron turned Pig into a rat, and Pig stubbornly refused to be turned back. Finally McGonagall said that if he couldn't turn him back, he would have to stay a rat. Horrified, Ron looked at Beatrice for help, but she just shook her head.
Samara swished her wand to transfigure Aggie, but Aggie wasn't being cooperative. She kept flapping her wings and moving.
"You need a lighter swish and flick," said McGonagall, "You're trying too hard. Relax."
Samara took a deep breath and indeed seemed to relax. "Permutatio—" she began as she tried to swish and flick. Apparently, she got it just right because suddenly blue flame shot from her fingernails. "Shit!" she spat under her breath. Then looking at Ginny, she muttered, "I'm gonna kill your brothers." For emphasis, she blew out her fingernails.
The class dissolved into hysterical laughter. Whispers of "Fred and George" punctuated hiccups and snorts as nearly everyone laughed until tears flowed down their cheeks.
"Miss Donnally," began McGonagall sternly, but by this time, the class was a shambles.
Aggie, who had a particular aversion to fire in the first place, had decided that she needed to get out of this class and was flying frantically about the ceiling. Hedwig and several other owls joined her. Their antics made most of the other pets get hysterical too, especially those who thought that the owls might eat them. Pig, who apparently thought she could still fly, launched herself off of the desk and landed with a hard splat on the floor. That seemed to get Aggie's attention and she swooped down on the rat, just as Ron's frantic swishing took effect and much to Aggie's consternation, she turned back into a small, somewhat flustered owl. The only pet that was completely still was Crookshanks who was meowing piteously at Hermione.
When McGonagall finally got control of the class again, she took unprecedented fifteen points from Gryffindor. "Yes, from my own house," she fumed. "Although I loathe doing it, you have behaved almost as badly as the Slytherins did earlier today."
Harry wondered what the Slytherins did. He would have to ask Edward to find out, but apparently Edward was already thinking the same thing. His puzzled look left little doubt that he wanted to know what got McGonagall so upset.
"Just sit and read the next chapter," said McGonagall, "While I catch my breath. One at a time, you can come up and retrieve your pets. Miss Donnally, we will begin with your owl."
Harry began reading the assignment:
Why do most people have only one animagi form?
Most people have only one animagi form; however, throughout history there have been scattered reports of wizards who can change into more than one form. There is some speculation as to whether or not this is true. Some historians believe that even these wizards have only one animagus form and the other animal form is a transformation spell and not necessarily an animagus. There are several cases in history of persons having more than one animagi form, but they are very rare. Most notable is the animagi forms of Rowena Ravenclaw who is said to be able to become both a Raven and an owl and Salazar Slytherin is said to have become several kinds of snakes, although this is unconfirmed since Salazar Slytherin would not allow his forms to be documented, and indeed there is some speculation as to whether or not he was an animagus at all. As previously noted, multiple animagi are always similar animals because the template is permanent and only small changes can be made instantaneously by the human wizard.
Most people only have one animagi form because they are most like this animal and can think in human perimeters in this form. Unlike transformed humans, animagi can stay in their animal form for a long period of time without losing the human perspective. The longest known continuous animagi form is Julius Flammel, who was a turtle for 10 years, 2 months.
Hey, Scabbers was a rat longer than that thought Harry.
"Mister Potter," McGonagall called, and thankfully Hedwig came immediately when Harry called her. "Very good." McGonagall said with relief.
She allowed them all to go a few minutes early, so that they could put their pets back in their rooms or the owlry.
"I don't think I did a bad job on Pig," said Ron who was carrying a rather subdued little owl up to the owlry. "Perhaps I should turn him into a rat more often. It's really quieted him down."
"He's scared to death," said Samara who was carrying Aggie. "He thought he was going to be attacked by Aggie. I'm sorry she traumatized Pig. Poor Pig," said Samara as she took her time calming and soothing Aggie.
Hedwig seemed to be above all the fuss, although she wasn't pecking Harry's fingers affectionately like she usually did. Harry took her all the way to the owlry and gave her some treats to make up for the transfiguration she had to endure.
"Do you think Errol looks all right?" asked Ginny as they entered the owlry. "He is sort of old for this type of thing."
"Oh he's fine," said Ron. "He's been transfigured by five Weasleys now. He should be used to it."
"I'm sure it didn't hurt him," said Harry. "Here. Give him a treat." Harry passed a few of Hedwig's owl treats to Ginny, his hand brushing hers as Ginny took the treats.
"Thanks," said Ginny, blushing. For a moment, Harry thought she had been about to speak to him, but then, she looked at the ground and began to feed Errol his treats, her eyes now staring off into the cloudy sky. Harry hesitated, but Ginny seemed to be miles away. It probably wasn't the best time to talk to her about her growing relationship with Edward. Maybe later, thought Harry and with a frown, he climbed down the stairs from the owlry and hurried to catch up with Ron.
==
After history, on their way to lunch, Edward said, "I wonder what the Slytherins did to get Professor McGonagall so upset. I'll bet we did better. That was a pretty exciting class. You really livened things up a bit, Samara." But Samara didn't answer. She barely spoke to anyone. She walked into the Great Hall and headed straight for Fred and George, and her wand was in her hand.
"I don't think I'd want to be my brothers just now," said Ron.
She stopped right next to Fred. George was sitting across the table from his brother. "Haerere Fred, George," she said.
"Huh? Did you say hello?" Fred said.
"Not exactly," replied Samara, leaning across the table to include George in her glare. "I'm really mad at you guys. You lost us points in McGonagall's class." She proceeded to tell them what happened as their smiles got bigger and bigger and finally they broke into laughter.
"Hey, we didn't know you'd 'swish and flick' in McGonagall's class," said George.
"You two deserve each other!" Samara spat, and she turned away to go to her own side of the lunch table.
George, who hated to see anyone seriously mad at them, got up to follow her, but as soon as he took a step away from the table, he fell flat on his face. "Hey!" Called Fred also standing. "What did you do?" One step later, Fred was also on his face.
"Figure it out!" Samara yelled back. "It's more fun that way."
"What's for lunch?" she asked as she got back to her friends.
"Samara, what did you just do?" asked Harry from several seats away. "Give them Jelly Legs or something?"
"Or something," she replied taking a bite of potato.
Harry watched Fred and George trying to get away from the long table where they were sitting. They had to take a step and then the person sitting beside them had to move so that they could stay against the table. Each in turn, they took one step and then another and then a person had to move out of their way. Some of the people that had to move were very obstinant about moving. "They can't get away from the table?" muttered Edward.
"No," said Samara. "They can't get away from each other. At least they can't get any farther than the width of the table that separated them when I pronounced the spell."
"And when will this wear off?" asked Harry, who was unabashedly eves dropping.
"Never."
"What?"
"Well, eventually, I'll take it off," said Samara.
"But we have Quiddich practice this evening—and tomorrow—tomorrow's Saturday. We need that long practice," said Harry.
"Guess they'll have to fly close together," said Samara.
Finally Fred and George made their way to Samara. "Samara, you have to take this curse off," Fred said.
"We have Snape after lunch and he never lets us sit together."
"Guess you'll just have to explain your predicament to him," said Samara coldly. "Rather like I had to explain to McGonagall."
"That's McGonagall," cried George, "Not Snape."
"And how would you know I didn't 'swish and flick' in Snape's class," snapped Samara. "Did you think of that? No. So I have no pity on you. When you said it was 'flame' nail polish, I thought you meant the color, not—not—Oh, Go away and let me finish my lunch."
"But Samara!"
"Go away," she said pulling her wand from her hair. "Before I decide to put a couple blast end screwts between the two of you."
Harry looked at Samara unbelievingly. "Samara, you can't do that!"
"Watch me," she said.
She was really going to leave them like that, thought Harry. How would they explain to Snape? Harry started to try to reason with her, and thought better of it. She really didn't look like she was ready to listen to him.
Edward, however, seemed to be braver. "Hey Samara" he said. "At least you know you got the 'swish and flick' right."
She glared at him.
"And the 'point and shoot' right too," he continued.
"So was it the same spell as you said you used on your trunk to stick it to the train?" asked Edward.
"Not exactly."
"Like this? 'Adhere'" Edward said, and Samara's fork stuck to her hand. She frowned at him annoyed.
"Or like this? 'Haerere'" Samara's spoon jumped from the table and stuck to her nose. The ghost of a smile started to form on the corners of her mouth.
"NO, like this!" said Samara. "Haerere napkin" and Edward's clothe napkin plastered itself on his face.
"Not fair," cried Edward. "I'm blinded."
"Duoforamen," Samara pronounced and two holes appeared like a mask.
"I still can't eat," Edward complained, pretending to try to get a spoon through the napkin. "I'll probably starve."
The smile on Samara's face finally split into laughter. The napkin and silverware fell from their faces, just as McGonagall came over to the table.
"What is going on over here?" she asked.
"Nothing." They answered in unison.
McGonagall reached for the napkin and in whispered stereo, Edward and Samara both muttered "Repairo."
The napkin was unharmed. She frowned at Samara. "Don't get in any more trouble today, young lady" she said sternly.
"Yes, ma'am."
As soon as McGonagall was out of earshot, both Samara and Edward burst into gales of laughter. Then Samara hurried up to the girls' dorm to remove her "flame" nail polish.
==
Harry didn't see the twins again until right before Defense class. "Did you have class with Professor Snape," Samara asked sweetly.
"Yes," answered George and Fred together.
"Well," said Samara "I see you're still alive, so it mustn't have been too bad."
"Bad enough," said George.
"So what did he say?" asked Samara.
"He wanted to know who did it," said Fred.
"Why?" asked Samara.
"He wanted to give them house points," said George disgustedly.
"How about that!" said Samara.
"But I think he assumed it was a Slytherin. He was a little disappointed when we told him it was you," said Fred. "And he also took 10 points off Gryffindor."
"For what?" asked Samara.
"Because we couldn't counter a curse from someone three years behind us."
"That hypocrite," said Samara.
"Samara wait," said Harry. He didn't want Samara heading into Snape's class with a grudge. "You can't call him a hypocrite to his face," Harry said.
"I know that. I may not be a Ravenclaw, but I'm not stupid."
==
Snape was waiting impatiently for all of the student's to file into the class. "Quickly, now," he said. "This class may take a while, so move your lazy selves in here."
The talking stopped almost instantly as the students sensed Snape's mood. Although he was always a little more testy than usual on Fridays, today, he was a wizard time bomb, set to go off at any moment.
Even Malfoy was utterly silent.
"There are several ways to learn," said Snape, pacing the front of the room like a caged animal. "One of them is long and arduous study. We don't have time for that. Dumbledore wants you whipped into wizards as fast as possible."
Ron glanced worriedly back at Hermione.
"Pay attention, Mr. Weasley," Snape growled.
"Fast, leaves only one option." He continued. "Emotion. Usually fear. Sometimes anger, although anger can often go dark, so we will try to avoid that. Fear, although--uncomfortable is safer." Snape spun around, his black robes billowing out behind him and glared at the class. He didn't look like he cared about their safety.
This is going to be bad, thought Harry, as Snape's eyes settled on him. "Besides, knowing how to channel your fear into something constructive will help you when you are afraid—" said Snape, "as you will be--when faced with—some--monster." He paced over to Harry's desk and stood directly behind him, breathing down his neck. Harry dared not turn to look at him, but Snape, standing behind him was even more unnerving than Snape standing in front of him. "Certainly, even the brave Gryffindors will feel fear," said Snape in a low voice. "Some, of course, like Dumbledore, say that courage is not the lack of fear, but acting in spite of it. I disagree. What Gryffindors call courage, is not acting in spite of fear, it is acting with the lack of forethought. It is only bravery if the wizard happens to live and stupidity when the wizard is dead. Which happens much more often than one-who-lives." Snape walked around to the front of the class. His beetle black eyes were on Harry as he spoke.
Snape took a deep breath and the rest of the class seemed to let out their breath too. Harry hadn't realized he had been holding his.
"How many of you have spontaneously done magic when you were fearful or angry?" asked Snape, and every hand went up. Professor Snape glanced around the room as if to be sure. "I want you to remember that feeling. It is probably your most powerful self. What you need to do is consciously tap into that power."
Harry remembered the time he had loosed the snake on Dudley and the time he blew up Aunt Marge. Both times he had been filled with frustration and anger. Magic seemed to be the only way to let the emotion out, but he wasn't controlling that magic. It was controlling him. If the teacher had been anyone but Snape, he would have asked a question about control, but since his teacher was Snape, he remained silent.
Snape turned toward his desk and indicated a metal basket with holes large enough for a wand to slip through. "I would like you to come up here, row by row, and place your wands within the basket." He said. "We have discussed methods of keeping your wand; however, there is always a chance that you won't keep it. Therefore, we have to now concentrate on how to get it back if this catastrophe befalls you. I hope you all read the section on wandless magic carefully and practiced the assigned exercises. If you didn't practice sufficiently, we will now find out--I doubt that you are ready to delve into the intricacies of wandless magic, so your goal, should you lose your wand, is simply to get your wand back. Besides, you may lose your wand in a face to face encounter but if your adversary should happen to be merciful--or stupid-- you may later be able to get your wand back, by stealth. Come up as I call you and put your wands in this basket."
After Ethan and Edward put their wands in, they stood close together as if to gain power from one another. So did Parvati and Lavender. Ron and Ginny also edged closer together. The Slytherins didn't as a whole seem very bothered by the whole ordeal, except for Lauren Avery who hesitated until Pansy Parkinson physically took the wand from her hand and dropped it into the basket. Hermione, white faced, dropped her wand in. Samara was last. With a scowl that would have rivaled Snape's himself, she dropped her wand into the basket.
While Snape was talking, Harry had pulled out his wand, but something in him would not let him give it to Snape. He stood holding it. Waiting. Gripping it, tighter and tighter. Harry looked at his whitened knuckles wrapped around the lightly grained holly wood, and then looked up at Snape, collecting the wands. He knew that this wasn't the day to cross Snape. He should put his wand in the basket, but Harry just couldn't do it. Snape would have to take it.
The wands fell into the metal container like so many sticks of wood. At last there was only his wand left. "Potter?" Snape said.
Harry didn't move. Didn't speak. He moved his feet apart in a more comfortable dueling position.
"If you were face to face with the Dark Lord—"
"I've been there," Harry countered.
"And if he hadn't have given you your wand back, would you have gotten it?"
"No."
"Then you see the importance of this lesson," Snape said reasonably.
Harry didn't answer. He could feel his pulse beating rapidly in his throat.
A sudden tightness in Snape's face warned Harry just a moment before Snape acted, but it didn't matter.
"Expellaramus!" Snape shouted and Harry stumbled backwards, his wand ripped out of his hand, brush burning the skin, but flying to Snape nonetheless.
At least Harry knew that it took Snape's wand and a good deal of magic to pull the wand from him. It wasn't easy, but Snape still did it. And if Snape could do it, so could Voldemort. Harry felt like crying—not because his hand hurt, although it did, but because he knew he wasn't strong enough for what was coming. How could he prepare to face Voldemort? How could the wizarding world expect him to? He pushed the red, raw skin of his hand against his cool robe. Just when it was starting to feel better after Samara's book bit it, it had to start hurting all over again. Harry took a deep breath. Something much deeper than the skin of his hand was injured by Snape's expellaramus. Call it his pride—call it ego or self worth. Whatever it was, Harry felt a cold, hard, surety that every bit of luck that has saved him from Voldemort in the past, had now run out.
What really was it but luck? Thought Harry. His mother's spell had saved him as a baby and remnants of that same spell saved him in first year. In second year, somehow he called Dumbledore's phoenix, but this year, Dumbledore didn't seem to think he mattered as much as this other prophecy child. Then in third year, Voldemort seemed to lay low, biding his time, but he, Harry, had stupidly released "Voldemort's servant" and started a whole new prophecy, which culminated in the events at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Dumbledore said that a wizard's bond is formed when one wizard saves another's life, but Wormtail didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that Harry's blood brought Voldemort back—some bond. Harry truly thought he would die that day, but Fate dealt him another reprieve, by allowing his and Voldemort's wands to join instead of dueling. Watching those shades appear from the wand had given him a new perspective on death and dying. On one hand, as he had told Trelawney once, when she was predicting his sudden death—" as long as it isn't drawn out—I don't want to suffer." On the other hand, Harry couldn't help but wonder how Tom had done it. How had he conquered death?
There was a sharp clang as Snape dropped the lid closed on the box with the wands and magically locked it. Harry could see several wands through the mesh. They were rustling, wanting to return to their owners. Snape carried the box out of the room.
While he was gone, Beatrice looked through her bag and pulled out a puffer. She took a deep breath and then closed the bag just before Snape returned.
The room was utterly silent.
"It doesn't matter if your wands are right next door or miles away." Snape said. "If you want them, you can get them." Snape waved his wand and muttered an incantation before moving out of the doorway. "Those of you who want your wands back, may get them." He said.
Harry felt like he could breathe again.
Several wands rocketed immediately into the room: Harry's, Samara's, Edward's and Ethan's, Lauren Avery's and Draco's. It was hard to tell who got theirs first, the reaction was so instantaneous. Snape waited for a moment, but no more wands came rocketing into the room. "Very well, then," said Snape. "You six are dismissed. The rest of you will stay until you get your wands. You will need them to unlock the ward on the door. It's a Friday so you don't need to get to class in the morning. You can take as long as you like. Of course dinner is in about two hours, and it would be a shame if you miss it. I'll inform Filch that some of you may be up after curfew, but I doubt if that will effect your detention. I'll return tomorrow to see how you are getting along." He paused at the door. "--If I think about it. It IS a weekend, you know." Then, he moved to the door, raised his wand, uttered "Alohomora," and just left.
Lauren Avery was the first one to come to her senses. "I'm out of here," she said. "Alohomora!" and she was gone, followed quickly by Draco and then Ethan.
Edward headed toward the door and then hesitated. He seemed to be undecided. "Harry," he said. "I don't see how we can help."
"That rotten son of a bitch," snapped Samara. "I forgot to get my house points." She spoke "Alohomora," on the run and was gone chasing after Snape.
"Samara wait!" Ginny called. "Don't—" She raised her hand and her wand was in it effortlessly. She sprinted after her friend.
Samara's anger seemed to release something into the room and several Slytherins started muttering to themselves. Confusion and anger broke out everywhere. Ron's wand suddenly flew to his hand.
Harry heard Crabbe complaining that the Gryffindors staying to help their friends, but Draco just left them. "If I had my wand," he muttered, and suddenly there were wands flying into the room, one after the other. Chaos ruled. Some of the wands, in their rush to return to their owners smacked heads and faces of wizards that were in the way. Slytherins didn't take kindly to such things.
Someone once again, cursed Eloise Midgen and she left holding her nose and saying: "I hope Madam Pomfrey puts it on right this time."
Joe and Lou were in the middle of the Slytherin cursing battle and both had multiple curses as they headed for the door. Edward took them to Madam Pomfrey.
Parvati and Lavender were holding hands and humming like they did at the Sorting. Millicent Bulstrode, fed up with their noise told them to shut up. They didn't listen, so she shoved Lavender against the wall. "Quit it, Slytherin Pig," snapped Lavender, reaching for a wand that wasn't there.
"And what are you going to do about it?" challenged Millicent. "I could beat you to a pulp. Who needs a wand?"
Millicent pushed Lavender again and punched her, once, twice, and then Lavender's wand was in her hand and Millicent was on the floor. "Parvati?" Lavender said, but her friend had gained her wand just about the same time as she saw Lavender in need of help. "Let's go! Before she wakes up."
But they hesitated at the door.
"It's OK," said Harry. "Go."
At last there was just Harry, Ron and Hermione along with Neville and Beatrice and Millicent and Gregory Goyle who were still knocked out on the floor, several curses showed on their faces and arms. Greg's robe had fallen further off of his shoulder, showing his extremely hairy chest, covered with orange burn healing goo.
"So I wonder how he got burned?" asked Harry thoughtfully.
"That's pretty obvious, isn't it?" said Ron. "These curses are too good for him." Ron pointed his wand at Goyle and bit his lip, thinking.
"Ron!" said Harry and Neville together.
"Oh," said Ron, putting his wand away. "It just doesn't seem right to curse him when he's unconscious, even if the scum is a Death Eater."
"You're not sure—" said Beatrice worriedly.
Hermione was busy coaxing her wand to her. Slowly, it floated into the room. "See," she told Neville, "You can do it without getting angry."
Harry had to point out that the anger seemed to work a lot faster.
After about an hour more of working with Neville and Beatrice and trying everything they could think of Ron's stomach growled loudly.
"Go on," said Neville. "You might as well get dinner. Bring some food up to the dorm in case we get out of here tonight."
"I really would stay Neville," said Harry, "But Edward and I have our meeting with McGonagall."
"I'm sure Snape will let you out later tonight when he realizes that you didn't get out yet," said Hermione.
"I doubt it," replied Neville.
"Maybe you can get out with us," said Hermione. "I'll open the door and you stand really close to me when we walk out."
They tried it, but only Hermione was released from the room. Neville was thrown back into the room with a powerful stunning charm. Hermione tried to come back in, but was barred by the stunning charm.
"Are you alright?" asked Harry as he and Ron picked Neville up from the floor.
"Not really," said Neville. "He didn't have to put such a powerful charm on the door. That hurt."
About that time, Millicent woke up and realized she was the only Slytherin awake among the little group of Gryffindors. She grimaced at Gregory Goyle as if she were embarrassed that he was her only Slytherin companion. Then she stood a little groggily and headed for the door. "Don't," cried Neville. "It's got—"
Millicent hit the stunning charm and fell back into the room. She shook like a dog, and then stood and headed for the door again—this time at a run. She bounced off of it with a little cry and held her hand up expectantly. No wand appeared.
"Stop," Harry called. "We'll help you."
"I don't need any help from a Gryffindor," she spat. And as she hit the wall the third time her wand was in her hand. She spoke "Alohomora," and fell through the doorway. They could see her once again knocked out cold, but this time on the other side of the doorway, with her wand in her hand.
"Neville?" called Hermione from outside the door. "Are you guys ok?"
"We're alright," called Ron. "We're coming."
"Pain and anger," muttered Harry. "Snape is one sick-o, isn't he?"
"I hate Fridays," said Ron. "Did you ever notice he's twice as bad on Fridays. I think he drinks some kind of hate potion to make him miserable. No one could be so nasty without something—"
Hermione laughed aloud.
"Go to dinner," said Beatrice, herding them towards the door. "Neville and I will be alright. We'll just rest for a while and then try again, right Neville."
Neville nodded. "If either of us get out, we'll come and let you know."
"What about him?" Harry asked indicating the thoroughly cursed and sleeping Goyle.
"He doesn't look like he'll be waking any time soon," said Neville.
"Just in case," Harry pointed his wand at the prone Goyle. "Somnus!" he said. "That should give you a couple of hours to get out."
"Alright, we're going to dinner. We'll save you something." Ron and Harry agreed reluctantly and the spoke "Alohomora," and one at a time walked through the door.
At dinner, Samara was once again in a foul mood. "What's wrong now," asked Ginny.
"Snape only gave me 10 points."
"Well, that's good," said Ginny.
"No it isn't. Fred and George lost 10. And I got called to the Headmaster's office."
"About what?" said Ginny surprised.
"Dumbledore said I had to take the curse off of Fred and George. They are going somewhere with Professor Lupin tomorrow."
"Well, don't worry about it," said Ginny. "We'll get them back another time. All in all they are pretty good guys though. Look. Let me show you what they gave me." She pulled a bottle of potion from her bag. It looked almost transparent, but when Ginny poured a small amount into her hand it became the color of her flesh. She rubbed it onto the back of her hand. "It's a wizarding version of muggle make up."
"So what does that do?" Asked Samara. "Set your face on fire?"
"No," said Ginny, "But it sure gets rid of freckles."
"Really?"
"Sure," said Ginny. "Instant concealer. Studying too hard? Hide those dark circles under you eyes."
Samara laughed. "OK so you try it," she said, "If you don't break out in some strange rash, I might try it later. I don't believe that it doesn't have a joke attached."
"It doesn't," said Ginny. "Not because they didn't want a joke, they just haven't thought of it yet. They were arguing over whether it should turn someone's face purple or green— Fred didn't want green because it's Slytherin colors, and of course purple isn't anyone's color so George said what's the point of that? If it colors maybe someone will want it for Quiddich games. Anyway, they decided to let me try the unspelled version. It just takes away freckles."
==
After dinner, Samara and Ginny were surprised to see the little brown bunny dart between their legs as they opened the door to their dorm room.
"Oh gosh!" Beatrice!" shrieked Ginny.
"Beatrice," said Samara. "You got out of Snape's class. What happened?"
Beatrice had scooted under her bed and was now huddled in a dark corner—a small shivering mop of brown fur.
"Bea?" said Samara gently. "Come out."
Maybe we should get McGonagall," suggested Ginny.
"The bunny gave a little squeak.
"I didn't know rabbits made sounds," said Samara.
A moment later, Beatrice was out from under the bed and transforming back into her human self. She immediately headed for her desk and her puffer.
"I don't understand how you manage to go without your puffer as an animagus, but need it as soon as you're in your human form again," said Ginny. "I think Snape—"
"I don't know either," snapped Beatrice. Tears started to well up in her eyes.
"What happened?" asked Samara.
"I ran," said Beatrice "I left Neville and my wand."
"How did you get out?"
"When Snape came in. I slipped through his legs. The ward wasn't made for rabbits.
"Did Snape see you?" asked Samara
"Yes. He was so mad—" said Beatrice bursting into tears. "He said he was going to feed me to Mrs. Norris." She gasped for breath and after a moment seemed to get control of herself.
"Oh, he won't do that," said Ginny. "So where is Neville? Did Snape let him go too?"
"No. No. No. You're not listening. He didn't let us go," said Beatrice. "I escaped. He still has Neville. We have to help him."
"I don't see how we can," said Ginny.
"Come on—" Beatrice urged.
"Where?" asked Ginny.
"We can't even get into the room," said Samara. "What could we do to help?"
"Beatrice, the whole purpose of this exercise is for Neville to get out himself," said Ginny.
Finally, Beatrice threw up her hands and went in search of Hermione. Fifteen minutes later, Ron, Hermione and Beatrice were headed to the dungeon.
When they arrived, Neville was sitting on the dungeon floor outside of the Defense Classroom. His knees were pulled up to his chin but his wand was in his hand. He had his face buried on the sleeves of his robe.
"Neville! You're out! You did it!" Cried Hermione. "You got your wand."
"Yes," said Neville sullenly.
"What's wrong?" asked Beatrice. "I'm sorry I left you—I just—"
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does." She sat down beside him.
Then Ron noticed the blood on the floor. "Whoa! What happened?"
"Professor McGonagall killed a rabbit," said Neville. "Well, not a real rabbit. She transfigured it first—I guess--"
They looked from one to the other trying to piece together what had happened. "McGonagall?" said Hermione.
Neville nodded. "I think Professor Snape called her—"
Suddenly Beatrice understood. "You heard Snape," she said. "You heard him when he said that he was going to feed me to Mrs. Norris. Neville! You didn't believe him! He's a slimy git, but he's not that bad!"
"I didn't," Neville choked out "I didn't believe him--until I heard—" Neville shuddered. Then I couldn't help you—I couldn't get my wand in time."
"Neville, it wasn't me!"
"It-could-have-been!" He shouted. "I heard the squealing and—and—" He covered his face with his hands.
"But, Neville you did it. You got your wand."
"Too late," he said. "The rabbit was dead."
"Neville, there was no rabbit. It was a book or a quill or a stick," said Hermione.
"Next time you'll be faster." said Beatrice kneeling beside him
"That's what Snape said."
"Heaven help us, I'm agreeing with that slimy git," said Beatrice.
"My parents were aurors. They were awesome and I'm so useless," he whispered.
"Neville, you're not." Said Beatrice wrapping her arm around his shoulder. "You're kind and good and—"
Ron nudged Hermione. "Let's go," he whispered. "They don't need us here."
Hermione nodded and Ron caught her hand, leading her from the dungeon.
==
When Harry and Edward arrived in McGonagall's office, she wasn't there.
"I'm sure we have the time right," said Harry.
"Maybe she's just running late," said Edward. "Let's wait."
"McGonagall, late?" said Harry. "We'd better hope we're early. If McGonagall's late, it must be the end of the world—""
A cat dashed by them—a cat Harry recognized, and a moment later, McGonagall called from inside her office. "Come in, gentlemen. I just need to wash my hands and I'll be right with you."
"How did she get inside?" wondered Edward aloud.
"Secret passage?" said Harry.
"Must be."
McGonagall was her tall prim human self as she emerged from the wash room and came to sit behind her desk. "Sit down boys. Tell me how you are getting along. Is there anything you want to ask me?"
"No, ma'am," said both boys simultaneously.
"I see you've visited the other houses," said McGonagall, addressing Edward. "Are you happy in Gryffindor?"
"Oh, yes, ma'am. I love Gryffindor. Sometimes I find it hard to study in the common room, and have to go to the library, but other than that it's great."
"So it feels like home?"
"Well, no." Edward looked down at his hands and toyed with the edge of his robe. "Home isn't what I wanted it to feel like," he whispered. "It's better than home."
"And Slytherin?" asked McGonagall.
"Well," said Edward. "My brother's in Slytherin and I've been brought up with him. We've always stuck together, and sometimes I worry about him over there." Edward's voice dropped to a whisper. "He's been cursed several times by Draco Malfoy."
Harry frowned. He didn't know that Draco had cursed Edward's brother. He always thought Draco saved his curses for the Gryffindors.
"Yes, I know," said McGonagall. "I understand you've been cursed a few times too."
"Nothing that damaging," said Edward reddening. With a slight smile, he continued. "Remember, I come from a Slytherin household. My grandmother taught me several wards at a very young age. Unfortunately, Draco wasn't happy I was protecting Samara, and that's why he—um—"Edward glanced at Harry and looked uncomfortable. McGonagall seemed to understand his distress.
"Madam Pomfrey told me," said McGonagall. "She's keeping special records of all first years accidents and curses. You have no bitterness over this incident?"
"No, none," said Edward, "I've been told before—by words and curses--that I was—I was told that I was—um—less than a man—or that I was a coward—because—I um--as I said I was raised in a Slytherin household—I" Edward took a deep breath and glanced at Harry.
"Harry, would you wait in the corridor?" said McGonagall. "I think Edward would rather talk privately—"
"Oh no," interrupted Edward. "Harry can stay. He's my friend. It's just that when the Slytherins say—I have no—um—guts. That's why it was so gratifying to be sorted into Gryffindor, the house of the brave," Edward smiled. "And to be chosen by Harry Potter--that was just an added benefit."
"As a matter of fact," Edward added, "Harry here, suggested that I keep an eye on Samara over in Slytherin, and I was glad he did. I never thanked you for that bit of advice, Harry. Thanks."
"He protected Samara over at Slytherin?" thought Harry. "Why didn't Samara tell me that—thought Harry. Well, it could be because we weren't speaking," thought Harry.
"So you don't think you are a Slytherin?" asked McGonagall.
Edward looked suddenly scared. "No, ma'am," he said quickly. "I mean, I kind of, know how they think, but I don't think I am one."
"And Ravenclaw?"
"Well, I could almost go to Ravenclaw, just for their library," said Edward with eyes sparkling, "But I think I would prefer to stay in Gryffindor. I can always find someone to go to the library with me, mostly Hermione, or Ginny." Edward looked at his shoes. "She's very nice," he whispered.
"And you told me already about your trip to Hufflepuff," said McGonagall, "How's the painting?"
"It's coming along," said Edward excitedly. "Dean has been helping me with it. It's been quite a holiday," he said and then he got quieter. If Harry didn't know better, he would have interpreted his sudden silence as shyness. "I don't think the Gryffindors who aren't involved in the painting are terribly thrilled about being out of their rooms so much though," he whispered, glancing at Harry. "I was wondering—maybe since there are so many extra rooms—while we are painting those who want to use dorm rooms to study could use one of the empty dorm rooms. I hate for them to be inconvenienced because of my project, but I think they're going to be impressed once it is done."
"I'll consider that," said McGonagall. "Well, if you're happy with Gryffindor, we're happy to have you. You bring us your artistic talent and your intelligence and of course, your bravery."
"Thank you ma'am."
"You may go, gentlemen, unless there is something you wanted to add, Harry?"
"Er—Professor, I'd like to talk to you privately, if you have a moment."
"Certainly, Harry. Welcome to Gryffindor, Edward. If you have any further concerns, my door is always open to my Gryffindors," said McGonagall with a prim smile. The door closed with a click.
"Mr. Potter?" Said McGonagall expectantly.
"You truly think Edward is a Gryffindor?" Harry blurted.
"Why Mr. Potter? What do you think?"
"I think—I think—" muttered Harry. I think, it was a bloody good act, he thought, but aloud, Harry said, "I don't know what I think. But I know one thing. Dean is painting the wall. Edward doesn't have a Hufflepuff bone in his body."
"What about Ravenclaw?" asked McGonagall. "I understand he's visited there several times."
"Yeah, to read the dark books," muttered Harry.
"Mr. Potter," said McGonagall sharply.
"Professor McGonagall, why are you doing this?" asked Harry. "You don't believe Trelawney any more than—"
"Professor Trelawney," McGonagall corrected. "And you are right Mr. Potter. I have never put much faith in divination, but it does exist. Furthermore, Albus Dumbledore believes Professor Trelawney and Parvati Patil, and that's good enough for me. It should be good enough for you too."
"Yes, ma'am."
McGonagall's face softened. "You seem to have an opinion, Mr. Potter. What is it?"
"I think Edward's a Slytherin," spat Harry.
McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "As I recall, you thought Professor Snape was trying to kill you first year too, when he was trying to save you. Now do you have any facts to tell me or not. As I've said more than once, Divination is a very imprecise branch of magic."
Harry blushed. "I understand, Ma'am."
Facts thought Harry. What facts did he have? "Ma'am, someone has been lighting fires in Gryffindor common room," said Harry "And some nights, Edward has been out past curfew. In fact," said Harry suddenly on inspiration, "He saw you talking to Sirius in the fire last week."
McGonagall blanched, and then she frowned. "And how do you know this, Mr. Potter?"
"There was no way to get out of it. "Ron and I were going to the library," he muttered. "We forgot to get a book we needed." As soon as he said it, he realized he had made a mistake. He should have said Hermione instead of Ron. Then he could have said they changed their minds because Hermione was a prefect and decided not breaking any rules was more important than getting another book for her report.
"The library is closed after curfew," said McGonagall.
"I know," answered Harry. " In the end, we decided not to go, but what was Edward doing out of bed?"
"Perhaps looking for you?" suggested McGonagall.
"Perhaps," said Harry miserably. McGonagall actually believed Edward belonged in Gryffindor.—"
"I'm sure it must be very trying for you, Mr. Potter—Harry—considering the possibility that some Death Eaters could floo into Hogwarts. For your information, the teachers are working on the floo problem. We could have simply closed the floo, but we wanted to be able to keep the fires in the winter. Warming charms on everything would be so tiresome, although Professor Dumbledore said that is what Drumstang does. In any case, if we can find and infiltrate the Death Eaters floo network, we can use this problem to our advantage. I've only told you this because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has targeted you so strongly in the past. I don't have to tell you not to tell anyone this, do I?"
"No, Ma'am."
"McGonagall leaned forward and folded her hands in front of her. "Now, Mr. Potter, today, and on several occasions, Edward Lestrange has been seriously cursed in Slytherin. Harry, you know there is a prophecy that this one child can free the wizarding world. The formula is that this prophecy child will choose a side and whichever side the child chooses will become the victor in our current fight. Mr. Potter, you must understand that choice is you or You-Know-Who. If you reject the overtures of friendship, you may push this child to the Dark. If the prophecy child dies, it looks like the weight may go to the dark, but Professor Trelawney says it's unclear. I don't want you to think I don't see Slytherin traits in Edward, but I also see Gryffindor bravery in his saving Ginny Weasley and now, Samara Donnally and even in his asking me to paint the wall in your dorm room. I know he's spent a lot of time at Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff really impressed him. We talked previously for several hours about how the Hufflepuff wall was brought to life. It is truly an art form to make an animated wall and that he would even consider such a tedious undertaking clearly points to Hufflepuff traits. If he is the prophecy child, with you as his mentor, he is in the most advantageous place he could be, for the Light. The last place we would want him to be is Slytherin. If I had to re-sort him, I would put him in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."
"I see," said Harry, sudden inspiration hitting him. "He has a pet snake, too. It's in our room and it talks all night."
In addition to his black cat?" McGonagall asked with a frown. "It isn't venomous, is it?"
"No. It's a python, and I haven't seen the cat," said Harry, but Edward said that he and Ethan share the snake. Maybe Ethan has the cat now."
McGonagall nodded. "Perhaps," she said thoughtfully. "Harry, what does the snake say?"
"What does it—I don't know—"Harry shrugged, thinking the teachers must be desperate to be taking advice from a snake. "I try to ignore it. It's annoying when you are trying to sleep."
"Well, I would think that a pet that lived with him, would know quite a bit about him. Why don't you strike up a conversation with this snake and ask it about Edward. Find out what kind of person he is. It has been my experience that animals generally are a good judge of character."
"Pardon?" said Harry. "You want me to ask the snake if he's the prophecy child?"
"Well, you are a parselmouth," said McGonagall. "Although I doubt that the snake would know about the prophecy, it would know about Edward."
Harry nodded, feeling miserable. "I wish I hadn't stood up for him," Harry said.
"Why did you stand?"
Harry shuffled his feet nervously. "Professor, this might come as a shock to you, but in spite of the fact that divination is my best subject, I don't really believe in most of it myself. I didn't feel anything when I stood. I was just hoping for a good Quiddich player."
"And Edward doesn't want to play Quiddich," said McGonagall softly. "Mr. Potter, the fact that you stood up for him should mean something."
"I don't know what, but I feel—uncomfortable around him."
McGonagall looked at him suddenly. "Has your scar been bothering you, Harry. You are to see Professor Dumbledore immediately if it is. "
"I know professor. My scar has been hurting me all summer, but it doesn't hurt any more when Edward is around—" Ethan is another question, thought Harry.
"In that case, I would like you to make a special effort to be friends with Edward, Harry. If he is the prophecy child, he will need you as his friend. And let me know what the snake says."
What am I now, thought Harry, his bodyguard—messenger-- Great. Just great. And once the snake knew he was a parselmouth, it probably wouldn't let him alone. He had had that trouble with the Dursley's garter snakes this summer. "Yes Ma'am," said Harry as he got up and headed toward the door.
"Harry, has our little talk made you feel better?"
"No," Harry said candidly. "Not really." On the contrary, if Edward is the prophecy child, Trelawney may be right. We're all doomed. "But I will consider what you said."
McGonagall nodded.
When Harry reached the Gryffindor Common room, it was in an uproar. Neville and Bea apparently had just returned from Snape's DADA classroom and Gryffindors were clustered around them asking them questions as they ate a late stolen supper. It seemed like everyone was waiting excitedly to hear the details of their escape.
"It really wasn't that hard," said Neville happily.
"I'm just proud of your accioing your own wand," said Hermione giving Neville a literal pat on the back.
"Well, when I couldn't accio Beatrice's wand even though I had my own," said Neville, "I thought maybe Professor Snape had put a spell on them so that no one but the wand's owner could accio it. So Beatrice suggested Samara's adhaere charm. I tried. I really tried, but that didn't work either. So there I am, sticking my wand through the holes in the box. I could touch it with my wand, but I couldn't get it out. It was so frustrating. If I could just get it to stick," I said. "Then Beatrice had the idea."
"What idea?" roared Fred.
"Yeah, tell us already," said George.
"The Droobles Best Blowing Bubble Gum, you gave her," said Neville.
"Uh-Oh," said Ron.
"Why?" said Beatrice.
"Go ahead. Just get on with the story," urged George.
"Well, I chewed the bubble gum and put it on the end of my wand. It stuck to Beatrice's wand and I lifted it—"
"Tell us about Snape," said Fred.
"Go on. Tell them what happened." Urged Lou.
"Professor Snape almost caught us," said Neville breathlessly. "He came around the corner, just as Beatrice managed to get a grasp on her wand. I stuck mine in my pocket, gum and all." Neville turned his robe pocket inside out. Anyone know how to get gum off of your robes?" he asked grimly.
"Mum uses peanutbutter," said Hermione.
"Ice or a freezing charm," said Lou.
Mrs. Skower's—" began Ron.
"Just tell the house elves," said Fred. "They'll get it clean."
"What did Snape say?" demanded George.
"He said, "That since Beatrice came back to get her wand, and she got out of the ward, even though she did it in a way that he had not thought of, he would give her 5 house points."
"Only five," said Fred sarcastically.
"It's Snape," said George, "Anytime he isn't deducting points you consider yourself lucky."
"Oh like five points would be enough to win the house cup!" said Fred.
My ten were enough to win the house cup first year," said Neville softly.
"Fred, George," interrupted Harry. "What's the charm you put on the Drooble's Best Blowing Bubble Gum?"
The twins grinned evilly at Harry.
"Gotta go," said George.
"Off to the library," said Fred.
"Levitation charm," confided Ron. "When you blow the first bubble."
"Oh, no," said Beatrice. "I gave some to Samara."
MANY THANKS TO MY REVIEWERS: Just a quick note saying "I liked it" or "I hated it" and why would be so-o-o-o helpful. Your little comments keep my muse happy. Please REVIEW. Ten reviews needed before I update. THANKS AGAIN FAITHFUL REVIEWERS.
A/N: Coming soon: Ravenclaw. I know I said that before, but I ended up putting some chapters between—Ravenclaw was originally written right after "The Wall" and then I made some changes, so please be patient. I think it is better for the changes. Also, Slytherin retaliates, next chapter, Draco here. So review… review…Also coming: In Harry POV The trio gets Viktor's package and unravels a new string of the prophecy. Then, Quiddich and Hogsmeade—Both with their own hidden dangers. (Muawahaha!) A bit more Neville and his awesome auror parents. And more Ginny/Tom. Lots more Ginny/Tom
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ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:
Melbell: Sorry Beauxbatons upset you, but hey, people die in war. And yes, Voldemort is evil. Poor kids.
Silverfox: Glad this is your new favorite chapter. Personally I think there is one coming that you will like even better.
Harry James Potter: Yes, I know Harry knows Mrs. Figg from before he was a wizard. There will be more Mrs. Figg once they complete the polyjuice potion. Also, I mentioned that Mrs. Figg was the same Mrs. Figg that Harry knew from Privot Drive.
Whiteriver: Thanks for the review. I'm honored. Whiteriver is an awesome writer! Read her fics.
Trillium: Yeah. Sorta. Don't get me started on JK's fifth book. Email or IM if you want to talk about it. My AIM is carman doogle
Whiteriver: I finished OotP pretty fast too. That death, you were talking about—I read it so fast, I had to re-read—Opps? Did he die? Just like that? And what about the "gift" Harry got? Why didn't he use it? IM me and we'll compare thoughts on OotP. I have lots to say, but don't want to say it here. My AIM is carman doogle
PyRei: Glad you're sniffling. That was the idea. Yes. Dumbledore talked Rita into a change of heart—sort of--Let me think about some of your comments: "Love Edward"; "Don't trust him"' "Don't make him evil…well…too evil" How should I answer those? Or should I just leave you in the dark—with the rats and the snakes--(Evil laughter—MUWHA-HA-HA!)
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REVIEW! (Did you review yet? NO? CRUCIO!)
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