Chapter Five

Punishment

With a yell of fear, Harry jerked away from the small hands and fumbled for his wand.

"Harry Potter! Wake up, Harry Potter!"

Harry found himself face to face with a pair of large round eyes, pointed ears, and a nose shaped like a pencil.

"Dobby?" Harry gasped panting heavily. "What are you doing here?"

"Dumbledore sent Dobby here! He tells Dobby Harry Potter has inherited a house and would Dobby like to work part time for Harry Potter, and of course Dobby says oh yes!"

"Well, you could have waited until I woke up to tell me instead of scaring me half to death."

Dobby's ears drooped a little. "Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter. But Ron Weezly said you would get a better surprise that way."

Harry looked and saw Ron howling with laughter near the door.

"Breakfast is ready, Harry Potter, Sir" Ron choked out through his laughter in an imitation of Dobby's voice. He quickly ducked out of the way of the shoe and his laughter echoed all the way down the stairs.

"Dobby, tell the others I'll be right down. I need to get dressed." As Dobby left, Harry got out of bed and started dressing. As he finished, he picked up the letter Dumbledore had written him. As no one was in the room with him, he opened it and began to read.

Dear Harry

Once again I feel I must apologize for my failings last year.

You have a terrible burden to bear, and I wish to make it

as easy as possible for you. Once again, I will not make you a prefect

this year. You will have other responsibilities to deal with which you will

find out soon. I have faith that you will perform them admirably.

You will also be glad to note that I have lifted the ban on your participation

in Quidditch.

I also wish to discuss with you what happened during your Occlumency lessons

with Professor Snape. What you did was a very serious invasion of his privacy

and he was understandably angry with you. I must impress upon you the seriousness

of what you did. Later this month, he and I will be visiting to bring Professor

Lupin his Wolfsbane Potion. We will talk about this situation then.

My Warmest Regards on your Birthday,

Albus Dumbledore.

P. S. Tell no one what was written in this letter with the exception of being

able to play Quidditch again. This matter is just between you, me and Professor

Snape.

As Harry finished reading the letter, it burst into flame and became a very fine ash within seconds.

Harry felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He wasn't going to be a prefect, but after listening to Ron's experiences, he wasn't sure he wanted to. He WAS dreading the meeting between himself, Dumbledore, and Snape. He had looked into the pensieve containing Snape's thoughts during his last Occlumency lesson, and was horrified to see Snape being bullied and absolutely humiliated by his father. When asked, Sirius and Lupin both said that James Potter later matured, and Harry wanted desperately to believe them. He thought again about what the letter said. "Other responsibilities" ...what could they be? As if knowing that he would either have to kill or be killed by Voldemort wasn't bad enough.

With those thoughts souring his mood, he went downstairs to breakfast. The others were already at the table, and Dobby was just finishing up the cooking, closely supervised by Mrs. Weasley, who was clearly unused to having a house elf do the cooking. Harry sat down across the table from Ron and Hermione, who were holding hands. Harry looked at Ron.

"So, you finally asked her out, did you? When did it happen?"

"What? How did you--when--"

Harry grinned, the prospect of teasing Ron a little easing his bad mood. "After the Yule Ball, when you were so jealous of Viktor Krum. And I'll bet Hermione has known for ages but didn't say anything."

Ron and Hermione turned identical shades of scarlet. "Well," Hermione said, speaking to the table, "when he did bring it up, the first thing I said was 'It's about time, what took you so long'". Ron blushed harder. Ginny was howling.

"What they both didn't know was that Fred, George and I had a pool going. I won." she said simply.

"Ginny! That was not nice at all!" said Mrs. Weasley in shock. "I thought I raised you better than that."

"Sorry, Mum" replied Ginny, in a small voice as Dobby laid the breakfast out. Ron immediately dove into the kippers and eggs. Hermione rolled her eyes. The rest ate their breakfast with a bit less gusto.

"This is very good" said Harry. "I didn't know you could cook this well." Ron, his mouth full to bursting, made what seemed to be noises of agreement as he ate.

"Well" Mrs. Weasley said, after they had finished eating, "that was indeed very good, Dobby. Now today, I thought we'd put some finishing touches on the house to make it a bit brighter, and then we need to assist Harry in decorating and making the place his."

Harry and the others all groaned inwardly at the thought of more cleaning. They had spent all last summer cleaning the house and making it fit for human habitation again. They looked around at the dark walls and tarnished decorations. It looked like it was going to be another long summer.

"But Mum," said Ron, "we've got Dobby to do that for us now. Can't we give it a rest for a while?"

"RON!" said Hermione and Mrs. Weasley indignantly. "No, we won't 'give it a rest', as you so colorfully put it" continued Mrs. Weasley. "A house elf is supposed to help, not do everything. Besides, it will do you good to get your hands dirty. You can scrub the floors."

Ron groaned audibly. "Dobby thanks Mrs. Wheezy for the kind words" Dobby piped up, "but Dobby is honored to work in Harry Potter's house. Dobby will only be here twice a week but Dobby will work extra hard to make Harry Potter's house wonderful."

"Thanks, Dobby", Harry said. Just then there was a flash of fire, and four letters and a phoenix feather dropped onto the table.

"Hogwarts letters" said Hermione eagerly. They all reached for their own and opened them and began reading.

"So then," Hermoine was saying, "We only take those N.E.W.T. classes in those subjects where we've made an a high enough O.W.L. It looks like you and I will be in Potions together, Harry. Sorry, Ron."

"Yeah, I'm real disappointed." Ron read down his letter. "Oh, bloody- I mean darn. Looks like I have to take Binns' class. I can only imagine what those classes will be like. You'll help me study, Hermione?" Ron finished with a slightly desperate look at Hermione.

Hermione smiled affectionately at Ron. "Of course I will, Ron"

Ginny was looking glumly at her letter. "What's up, Ginny?" said Ron

Ginny said nothing, but rather held up her hand. In it was a prefect's badge. "I was hoping I'd be able to have a bit of fun this year."

Mrs. Weasley was immediately transported to heights of ecstacy. Witht the exception of Fred and George, all of her children had become Hogwarts prefects. Hermione and Ron also congradulated Ginny, saying she'll be an excellent prefect. Ron also pointed out that she would be able to have plenty of fun, to the disapproval of Hermione and Mrs. Weasley.

Meanwhile, Harry barely caught any of the other talk. He was staring at his letter in shock. THIS was the "other responsibility" Dumbledore mentioned in his letter?

"Harry?" Lupin said so sharply that all the others turned to look. "What's wrong?"

Harry looked up to the others and spoke in a disbelieving voice.

"I've been named a Teaching Assistant for Defense Against the Dark Arts" The others looked at him in shock. "I'm supposed to assist in practical lessons for first through fifth years and to assist in preparing students for their Defense O.W.L.s. I'm to arrange classes around my schedule, prepare lessons, and then teach them."

"Has Dumbledore ever done that before?" asked Hermione in an awed voice, as she took Harry's letter to read it for herself.

"Does this mean we have to call you 'Professor Potter' now?" asked Ron, grinning.

"Dumbledore must have been impressed with how well you taught us in the DA" said Ginny.

"Wait. Why would there be a need for an assistant to the Defense Professor?" said Hermione. "Who's teaching it this year?" She looked at the letters again. "Hmmm. Just one book. 'Power and Darkness: A Guide to the Dark Arts and Those Who Practice Them' by Santo de la Muerte."

Lupin dropped his goblet. "It can't be" he whispered, almost to himself. "I thought he was dead. But, it makes sense for Dumbledore to appoint an assistant if he's the new teacher"

"Who? Who is he?" they all asked eagerly.

Lupin looked at them darkly. "I'm not going to say because I hope I'm wrong. He shouldn't be teaching children. Molly, I don't think Flourish and Blott's will sell that book. You might have to get it for them at Borgin and Burke's"

They all looked at him in fear and awe. Borgin and Burke's was a shop in Knockturn Alley, known for its Dark Arts shops. Harry accidentally came out in Borgin and Burke's the first time he tried Floo Powder and saw Lucius Malfoy, a Death Eater, selling some of his things there.

Mrs. Weasley turned pale and prsed her lips, but she nodded. "Well, if I have to, then it's best to get this over with as soon as possible. You three" she said, pointing at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, "get ready. We're going to Diagon Alley today. We'll get you some new robes, Ron, I wish you'd stop growing soon, and we'll pick out your reward for making prefect, Ginny. Harry, dear, I'll measure you to see if you need new robes as well, and if you'll give me your book list I'll pick them up as well as anything else you might need. You all can wait at Fred and George's while I get your Defense books."

"Wait" said Ron. "Harry's not coming? But you've got to see the shop, it's totally other. They've got better stuff than Zonko's in Hogsmeade and it's always packed."

"Harry can't leave the house this summer" said Lupin. "He'll have plenty of time over the Christmas Holiday to visit Fred and George's shop."

"Yeah, you go on and have a good time" said Harry glumly. "Besides, I've got to make lesson plans and Professor Lupin can help me with those."

"Why can't Harry leave?" asked Ron

"Order business" replied Lupin, "and that's all you need to know about it."

"Dobby will be here to help cheer Harry Potter up while his friends are away" said Dobby. "He is going to start with the kitchen and all the silver and chandeliers today"

Harry smiled at the little house elf. "Thanks, Dobby"

Mrs. Weasley measured Harry and indeed he needed some new robes. Harry waved from the stairs as they left, all laughing and chattering happily. Harry gloomily got all his Defense books, including the volumes Sirius and Lupin gave him for Christmas, headed down to the kitchen and started to sort out what he was going to teach in the upcoming year. It was harder than he thought, to decide on what was appropriate for which year, which creatures to introduce, which spells, jinxes, and curses to teach, but totally absorbing. Soon Harry forgot his bad mood as he and Lupin engaged in some intense discussions about the specifics of the lessons, pausing only when Dobby asked them to move to the other half of the table so he could clean that half. Before he knew it, he heard the door open, and the chattering voices of the Weasleys and Hermione grew louder they came downstairs.

"Well, Harry, all your things are on your bed. Thank goodness I didn't have to go into Knockturn Alley. The manager of Flourish and Blott's had set up a special booth near the entrance under tight security. Fred and George send their regards, and were sorry you couldn't visit today. However, they are looking forward to seeing you over Christmas, and say they may have a few new surprises by then." She made a slightly dark look with the last remark. Although disapproving of her twin sons' ambition of running a joke shop as beneath them, as well as the spectacular way they left Hogwarts last year, she was nevertheless willing to give them her support, especially as their venture was so successful. "I don't know about those two...such talent, and to use it on a joke shop..."

"Ease up on them, Molly" said Lupin. "They're happy, good at what they do, and very successful at it. What more can you ask for?"

"I know, Remus, but so young, and in the Order..." she sniffed slightly. "But I'm their mother, I'm entitled. Now," she went on, a bit more briskly, "tonight is Percy's night over, so I won't be staying for dinner, but I will be back later. Dobby!" The house elf appeared instantly. "Dobby, I know you have to go, but before you do, can you fix dinner for all of them? And by the way, I've never seen the chandeliers so clean and bright, and the kitchen looks superb. Thank you."

The others looked around. The kitchen was indeed spotless and bright, and looked much cheerier.

Dobby beamed. "Dobby thanks Mrs. Wheezy for the kind words. Now he knows where Ron gets his generosity and kindness from." Mrs.Weasley blushed and beamed.

********************

As the next couple of weeks passed, Harry and his friends, with the assistance of Dobby, transformed the old house. No longer dark and gloomy, the hardwood floors fairly shone. The chipped and cracked walls were repaired and papered over. The chandeliers were no longer tarnished, but gleamed. Even the stone looked warm and inviting. With the money Sirius left Harry, he was able to redecorate the house. The drawing room became a combination living room and study. Harry and the others all chipped in and filled the new bookshelves with Dark Arts Defense books, as well as other householdy books. The empty portrait of Phineas Nigellus was moved there, and as a special treat for Harry, Mrs. Weasley had Harry's favorite photograph of his parents enlarged and framed, and placed in a position of honor above the fireplace. When Harry sat and talked, or played chess with his friends in the drawing room, Lily and James Potter smiled lovingly down at him. It had turned into the home Harry always hoped to have, but Harry was filled with an empty feeling at the thought of living here alone after he left school.

Several times the Order came at night for meetings. During these meetings, Harry and his friends were banished to their rooms. Several usually stayed for dinner afterwards, including some of Harry's friends. Mr. Weasley came for dinner almost every night, except for when Percy was visiting the Burrow. Fred and George were regular visitors, and usually came with stories of new products in development, Tonks came often, as well as Kingsley Shacklebolt, another auror, and Mundungus Fletcher, who never said no to a homecooked (and free) meal. Even Mad-Eye stopped by once or twice.

As the Time passed, Lupin began spending more and more time in his room. The others noted with trepidation that it was nearing full moon. Lupin, with a sad smile, told them not to worry. He and Dumbledore had set strong charms around Lupin's room to keep him from leaving during the time he was transformed. A feeling of dread was growing in Harry, however, and it had nothing to do with Lupin.

Sure enough, shortly before the last week of the holidays, Snape showed up with the potion for Lupin, accompanied by Dumbledore. After giving Lupin the potion, they led Harry down to the kitchen. As Dumbledore locked the door, he placed several anti-eavesdropping charms on the room. Snape looked at Harry with his usual sneer.

"So" he said, "I see you have received an 'Outstanding' on your Potions exam and that you're enrolled in my N.E.W.T. class. Be warned, Potter, that I will not tolerate the work you usually turn in to me. You must prove to ME that you earned that grade. Anything less than an 'E' and I will seriously reconsider your ability to be in my class."

Harry said nothing, but looked up at Snape with an expression of utmost loathing.

"Now, Severus" said Dumbledore, I'm sure he will perform up to your standards. However, that is not why we are here. Harry, do you have anything to say to Professor Snape?"

Several things, all nasty, flashed through Harry's mind as Snape looked down his large crooked nose at Harry. Finally he replied "I apologize for what happened last year during my Occlumency lesson. It was wrong of me and I shouldn't have done it."

"Why did you do it?" asked Dumbledore

"I thought Professor Snape had information about the Department of Mysteries."

"And when you saw that they were not about the Department? Why did you continue?"

"I-I saw my father."

"And so you went into my memories" snarled Snape. "Did you enjoy what you saw? Did you enjoy seeing your father as he really was?"

"No! Of course I didn't! He had no right to do that to you, even if--"

"Even if what, Potter?" Snape interrupted in his most dangerous voice.

"Harry" Dumbledore quickly interrupted, quieting Snape with a glance, "why were you so upset at your father's actions?"

"Well," Harry said slowly, "It's because that's how my cousin treated me. I couldn't believe my father was exactly as Professor Snape always described him."

Dumbledore sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, Harry, many of the mistakes we make in our youth often have consequences far past the time when we grow up. Now you can begin to understand one of the reasons I sent you to live with the Dursleys. Had you grown up in a Wizarding family, as famous as you were, you may have turned out to be worse than your father ever was in his youth. As it is," and here he smiled at Harry, "while you still have his casual disregard for the rules, you are already mature enough to be horrified at a moment of youthful arrogance. To feel compassion for someone you dislike, even hate, Harry, is a great gift. I believe you at one point even felt compassion for Lord Voldemort."

Harry thought for a moment. He recalled young Tom Riddle, growing up in an orphanage, alone and friendless. He had felt a moment of compassion and pity for him.

Dumbledore looked at Snape. "Severus, are you satisfied with Harry's apology and explanation?"

"Yes, Headmaster. But something like that must never happen again."

"I think we can guarantee that, Severus. Harry, you will continue to study Occlumency with Professor Snape. However, I think we can dispense with calling it Remedial Potions. You will see him for your first lesson the first day of term. Until then, practice emptying your mind every night before you go to bed. Now I believe, Harry I mentioned that while curiosity is good, one must use caution when exercising it. In order to impress the seriousness of invading Professor Snape's privacy so intimately upon you, I am forced to give you a week's worth of detentions with Professor Snape. And" he continued, "I am suspending you from the Gryffindor Quidditch team for the first match. I hope this will deter you from doing something like this again, and will encourage you to exercise thought and deliberation."

Harry hung his head. Dumbledore did not raise his voice, but the disappointment in it made this punishment ten times as bad as any Professor umbridge had given him. "Yes, sir" he said quietly. "It won't happen again."

"Good. Now, what was said here will not be discussed by you with anyone. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore."

"Now, I must go and ask Molly if I can stay for dinner. Will you be staying, Severus?"

"No, Headmaster, I have other business tonight." He looked significantly at Dumbledore.

"Ah. Well then, I wish you good luck, Severus."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Snape turned to Harry. "I will say this once, and only once, Potter. Your emotions, along with your hot headedness and temper, will get you killed if you don't discipline your mind. If you can't deal with me, you will never stand a chance against the Dark Lord."

He swept out of the room, his black cloak billowing behind him.