Note: I've been writing more regularly these last few days as I've had a
little more time on my hands and also to make up for all those months
without a chapter. My schedule was really messy during then and now I have
managed to sort it out. Hope to write more chapters soon. Enjoy this
chapter and review it!!!
The next few weeks went by fast and the pace was quickening. Harry had to balance his homework as well as Quidditch training, which was four times a week. Frustration soon set in as the workload had doubled since the year before. Ron was one of the first to complain.
'Why is it that we need to have so much homework when it has only been a month and a half since school began! I mean, the exams are still ages away and it looks as if we're preparing for the N.E.W.Ts!' Harry seemed so share Ron's view about the workload but kept quiet as Hermione gave him a reproving glare. The strain was beginning to show in his face and he felt that he was about to have a nervous breakdown.
Harry quickly swallowed his protests and started on his work. The hours passed at a snail's pace and Harry was beginning to feel the effects of fatigue. It was past two a.m. when he finally finished his work. Feeling too weak to drag himself up to his bedroom, he simply rested his head on his books and drifted off. It was then that it began...
He was walking along the same torch illuminated corridor that had the solitary room at the end of it. The door was now slightly open, and a flickering blue light could be seen. He apprehensively slinked toward the door, trying his best not to be heard. He stopped directly outside the door and listened. He heard a familiar trembling voice. It was Wormtail. He was not alone in the room. A hissing sound could be heard, and the same cold, high voice that had plagued Harry for the last five years could be heard.
'You blundered again Wormtail, the prophecy has been destroyed because of your foolishness and Potter escaped again. You do know that I do not forgive and forget and feel that you deserve a little more punishment...' Wormtail whimpered, 'No, master...please no...I know my mistake and it will never happen again...please not another dose of pain...' Harry braced himself for the command. 'Crucio', came the cold voice that was now filled with malice. Wormtails screams shattered the silence and Harry's scar burned with such ferocity that he screamed out loud. It was then that Harry was being shaken awake by Ron, whose face was pale and his eyes fearful. Harry was on the floor, shaking and rubbing his scar. 'Harry, are you alright?' Before Harry could reply, Professor McGonnagal, dressed in a tartan nightgown and a hairnet, came bursting through the portrait hole.
'What is all this commotion?' It was then that she saw Harry on the floor did she realize what had just happened. 'Come with me, Potter, you need to see the Headmaster.' Harry nodded weakly and staggered to his feet. He pulled on a sweater and followed the Professor to Dumbledore's office.
'Bertie Botts' said Professor McGonnagal to the stone gargoyle, which sprang to life and jumped aside. Harry and the Professor got onto the revolving spiral staircase that corkscrewed up towards the Headmaster's office. Professor McGonagall knocked on the door and waited. The door opened instantly and they went in. Dumbledore was sitting in front of the table reading a worn manuscript when they entered. He quickly put it away and greeted them both before offering them a seat.
'Albus, Mr. Potter has been having those nightmares about Lord Voldemort again. I thought that Severus was supposed to have taken care of the problem through the Occlumency classes?' Professor Dumbledore clasped his hands together before looking Harry directly in the eye. He knew about Harry's intrusion into Snape's personal affairs which resulted in Harry being kicked out of his office the year before. 'There were some issues that both Professor Snape and Mr. Potter had that needed to be looked into, Minerva. I will have a talk with Severus in the morning.'
Professor McGonnagal nodded and led Harry back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry quietly crept into the boy's dormitory where Ron was anxiously waiting for his return. 'What happened Harry? Are you alright?' Harry nodded and told him about his meeting with Dumbledore. Ron listened intently and frowned at the thought of Harry having Occlumency classes with Snape. 'Snape is not going to be happy, Harry. I bet that he has not forgotten about it yet.' Harry doubted whether Snape would ever forget about it.
Harry tried not to think about it. Voldemort had tricked him once and that led to the death of Sirius. He didn't want to put anyone else in danger. He was going to have the Occlumency lessons with Snape because he needed them.
The next morning, Harry told Hermione about what happened the night before and Dumbledore's decision to restart Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape. As expected, she thought that it was a good idea. 'Dumbledore is doing the right thing, Harry. He does not want you to unknowingly supply information to Voldemort.' Harry grumbled that he knew and that he was unhappy about Snape being his teacher. 'Snape is the only qualified Occlumency teacher in Hogwarts and you have no choice, Harry.', said Hermione. Harry had to agree with her. As much as he hated Snape, only he could help Harry. He quickly finished his breakfast before heading to the Quidditch pitch with Ron.
They were met by Alicia, the new Gryffindor captain, who had taken over from Angelina Johnson, who had left Hogwarts. She had made a few changes to the team. Firstly, she fired Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, who were grateful, and replaced them with two new players, David Johnson, Angelina's younger brother who was in his fourth year, and Maria Gallen, a pretty fifth year. Both had excellent beater skills and they outmatched Fred and George by a considerable amount. Harry was reinstated as the team Seeker and Ginny became a chaser for the team. This was good news for the Gryffindor team as the team was much stronger than the other house teams. Alicia reminded them all that their first game was the next day against Ravenclaw and advised them to have a good nights sleep before the game. They all nodded and walked off, eagerly anticipating next day's game.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny and the Quidditch conditions were excellent. By eleven O'clock, everyone had arrived at the Quidditch pitch and had taken their seats. Alicia shook hands with Terry Boot, the new Ravenclaw captain and both teams took their positions. And then the game was on. Ravenclaw scored the first goal within seconds but Gryffindor retaliated with three goals in five minutes. Harry was still searching for the snitch. He kept his eyes open and alert. He quickly dodged an oncoming bludger and zoomed around the pitch. Soon, both teams were tied with one hundred and eighty points. One of them needed to catch the snitch soon as the players were beginning to feel tired. Just then, Harry spotted the snitch at the Ravenclaw goalposts. He quickly accelerated towards the goalpost. The ravenclaw seeker, Michael Range, who had been monitoring Harry's every move, followed suit. However, he was no match for Harry's Firebolt and Harry soon caught the snitch and won the game. The pitch erupted with applause and cheers accompanied with boos from the Slytherins. The commentator, Darren Davidson, happily announced the score. Gryffindor - 330, Ravenclaw - 180.
As the Gryffindor team was about to head back to the changing room, Professor Lupin came down and congratulated Harry and Ron. 'Excellent flying boys, you have good keeper skills, Ron, keep up the good work. And good work Harry, for another win. Sirius would have been proud.' Harry smiled and followed the team to the changing room. When Harry and Ron returned to Gryffindor Tower, they were met with applause and cheers. Harry was surprised to see Fred and George, who were beaming, their arms filled with Honeydukes sweets and Butterbeer bottles. 'Congratulations on another victory!', they said in unison. Harry beamed at them and helped himself to some food. He felt that the Gryffindor team was the best and toasted them. It was a wonderful victory for them and they hoped that there was more to come in the later games.
The next few weeks went by fast and the pace was quickening. Harry had to balance his homework as well as Quidditch training, which was four times a week. Frustration soon set in as the workload had doubled since the year before. Ron was one of the first to complain.
'Why is it that we need to have so much homework when it has only been a month and a half since school began! I mean, the exams are still ages away and it looks as if we're preparing for the N.E.W.Ts!' Harry seemed so share Ron's view about the workload but kept quiet as Hermione gave him a reproving glare. The strain was beginning to show in his face and he felt that he was about to have a nervous breakdown.
Harry quickly swallowed his protests and started on his work. The hours passed at a snail's pace and Harry was beginning to feel the effects of fatigue. It was past two a.m. when he finally finished his work. Feeling too weak to drag himself up to his bedroom, he simply rested his head on his books and drifted off. It was then that it began...
He was walking along the same torch illuminated corridor that had the solitary room at the end of it. The door was now slightly open, and a flickering blue light could be seen. He apprehensively slinked toward the door, trying his best not to be heard. He stopped directly outside the door and listened. He heard a familiar trembling voice. It was Wormtail. He was not alone in the room. A hissing sound could be heard, and the same cold, high voice that had plagued Harry for the last five years could be heard.
'You blundered again Wormtail, the prophecy has been destroyed because of your foolishness and Potter escaped again. You do know that I do not forgive and forget and feel that you deserve a little more punishment...' Wormtail whimpered, 'No, master...please no...I know my mistake and it will never happen again...please not another dose of pain...' Harry braced himself for the command. 'Crucio', came the cold voice that was now filled with malice. Wormtails screams shattered the silence and Harry's scar burned with such ferocity that he screamed out loud. It was then that Harry was being shaken awake by Ron, whose face was pale and his eyes fearful. Harry was on the floor, shaking and rubbing his scar. 'Harry, are you alright?' Before Harry could reply, Professor McGonnagal, dressed in a tartan nightgown and a hairnet, came bursting through the portrait hole.
'What is all this commotion?' It was then that she saw Harry on the floor did she realize what had just happened. 'Come with me, Potter, you need to see the Headmaster.' Harry nodded weakly and staggered to his feet. He pulled on a sweater and followed the Professor to Dumbledore's office.
'Bertie Botts' said Professor McGonnagal to the stone gargoyle, which sprang to life and jumped aside. Harry and the Professor got onto the revolving spiral staircase that corkscrewed up towards the Headmaster's office. Professor McGonagall knocked on the door and waited. The door opened instantly and they went in. Dumbledore was sitting in front of the table reading a worn manuscript when they entered. He quickly put it away and greeted them both before offering them a seat.
'Albus, Mr. Potter has been having those nightmares about Lord Voldemort again. I thought that Severus was supposed to have taken care of the problem through the Occlumency classes?' Professor Dumbledore clasped his hands together before looking Harry directly in the eye. He knew about Harry's intrusion into Snape's personal affairs which resulted in Harry being kicked out of his office the year before. 'There were some issues that both Professor Snape and Mr. Potter had that needed to be looked into, Minerva. I will have a talk with Severus in the morning.'
Professor McGonnagal nodded and led Harry back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry quietly crept into the boy's dormitory where Ron was anxiously waiting for his return. 'What happened Harry? Are you alright?' Harry nodded and told him about his meeting with Dumbledore. Ron listened intently and frowned at the thought of Harry having Occlumency classes with Snape. 'Snape is not going to be happy, Harry. I bet that he has not forgotten about it yet.' Harry doubted whether Snape would ever forget about it.
Harry tried not to think about it. Voldemort had tricked him once and that led to the death of Sirius. He didn't want to put anyone else in danger. He was going to have the Occlumency lessons with Snape because he needed them.
The next morning, Harry told Hermione about what happened the night before and Dumbledore's decision to restart Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape. As expected, she thought that it was a good idea. 'Dumbledore is doing the right thing, Harry. He does not want you to unknowingly supply information to Voldemort.' Harry grumbled that he knew and that he was unhappy about Snape being his teacher. 'Snape is the only qualified Occlumency teacher in Hogwarts and you have no choice, Harry.', said Hermione. Harry had to agree with her. As much as he hated Snape, only he could help Harry. He quickly finished his breakfast before heading to the Quidditch pitch with Ron.
They were met by Alicia, the new Gryffindor captain, who had taken over from Angelina Johnson, who had left Hogwarts. She had made a few changes to the team. Firstly, she fired Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, who were grateful, and replaced them with two new players, David Johnson, Angelina's younger brother who was in his fourth year, and Maria Gallen, a pretty fifth year. Both had excellent beater skills and they outmatched Fred and George by a considerable amount. Harry was reinstated as the team Seeker and Ginny became a chaser for the team. This was good news for the Gryffindor team as the team was much stronger than the other house teams. Alicia reminded them all that their first game was the next day against Ravenclaw and advised them to have a good nights sleep before the game. They all nodded and walked off, eagerly anticipating next day's game.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny and the Quidditch conditions were excellent. By eleven O'clock, everyone had arrived at the Quidditch pitch and had taken their seats. Alicia shook hands with Terry Boot, the new Ravenclaw captain and both teams took their positions. And then the game was on. Ravenclaw scored the first goal within seconds but Gryffindor retaliated with three goals in five minutes. Harry was still searching for the snitch. He kept his eyes open and alert. He quickly dodged an oncoming bludger and zoomed around the pitch. Soon, both teams were tied with one hundred and eighty points. One of them needed to catch the snitch soon as the players were beginning to feel tired. Just then, Harry spotted the snitch at the Ravenclaw goalposts. He quickly accelerated towards the goalpost. The ravenclaw seeker, Michael Range, who had been monitoring Harry's every move, followed suit. However, he was no match for Harry's Firebolt and Harry soon caught the snitch and won the game. The pitch erupted with applause and cheers accompanied with boos from the Slytherins. The commentator, Darren Davidson, happily announced the score. Gryffindor - 330, Ravenclaw - 180.
As the Gryffindor team was about to head back to the changing room, Professor Lupin came down and congratulated Harry and Ron. 'Excellent flying boys, you have good keeper skills, Ron, keep up the good work. And good work Harry, for another win. Sirius would have been proud.' Harry smiled and followed the team to the changing room. When Harry and Ron returned to Gryffindor Tower, they were met with applause and cheers. Harry was surprised to see Fred and George, who were beaming, their arms filled with Honeydukes sweets and Butterbeer bottles. 'Congratulations on another victory!', they said in unison. Harry beamed at them and helped himself to some food. He felt that the Gryffindor team was the best and toasted them. It was a wonderful victory for them and they hoped that there was more to come in the later games.