*YELLS PROTEGO* lets all the reviewer's curses and jinxes ping off the golden shield.
I remember the New Year Resolution jus' gotta bit late but folks, here it is. I'll update the next ch' soon enough, gimme a week and a half and yes I'll SURELY update it.
Last Review Responses
David M Potter, John, Wanye, abhijeet, Swordfish-abhi,Kay's Shekinah, John (Hey I'm lonely, leave a review, will you)
Quite some reviewers have told me that Harry's characteriz'n is good. I'll bring the others upto the mark, jus' give some time. It tends to become scarce when needed most.
Of course, Thanks to all reviewers for your appreciative comments, it definitely gets me going.
Wanye: :-) A titanic review but I guess I've worked on it. The chap.5 is updated. I admit it was a bit confusing to read, its sorted out now. Hey Harry's going to get up, read on.
9. The Truth Potion
The golden rays of the morning sun, shone brightly through the window trying to rouse Harry awake gently, in vain. He turned over and covered himself with the soft, mushy blanket surrounding him.
Last night Hermione and Ron had approached him about some second year boy. Harry had told them to go ahead. As it was, the guilt within him threatened to burn him alive. Deep in his heart he knew he was fully responsible for what had happened to Sirius. Mrs. Black's shrieks still rang in his head … FILTHY HALF BLOOD SON OF A MUDBLOOD DISGRACING MY HOUSE WITH HIS VERY PRESENCE MURDERER OF MY SON HARBRINGER OF DEATH … Harry had woken up. His nightmares were nothing compared to what he felt now. Though Harry didn't acknowledge it, he was hurting badly, the huge emptiness created by the loss of Sirius within him would fill with prickly hot guilt and taunt him mercilessly. He took a large swig of a Potion and went back to his sleep which seemed just out of his reach. Finally, late night he managed to sleep.
Somebody shouted, "Harry, wake up, YOU'LL BE LATE". Hedwig hooted loudly and perched herself on his chest.
Opening his eyes, he cast a somnolent look around. "WhassitRon? llodwig". She dug herself into the blankets and settled down on his chest comfortably.
"DADA classes, mate. It's at 10'o clock. The darn notice says so", Ron pulled the blankets away, as Hedwig hooted angrily and flew to the sill.
"Thisss noffair", Harry turned over in his bed still in the dream-like state. Ron stopped for a moment, "That's true" and proceeded to pull up the hangings.
"Hermione's waiting too, get up", Ron grinned at him. Harry's eyes flew open abruptly.
Ron was at a total loss at explaning what had possessed his friend to brush up, bath and dress, all within a half hour.
"I'm ready", Harry glanced his watch, "9.50 am".
Ron raised an eyebrow. Harry grinned back, the new DADA teacher was supposed to be a surprise, maybe not for him.
Ron looked at Harry's trunk fixedly, "Is there some left?"
As part of the process to heal his chest completely, the healers had recommended the second potion (A Strength Infusing Potion to be precise) to rejuvenate him. He had dreaded in all entirety even the possibility of seeing Snape on his first day, which turned into relief on knowing that he'd have to drop by Madam Pomfrey instead. The short but sound sleep late night coupled with the Potion had done its job beautifully. Speaking of Snape, he was supposed to ask the Potions Master for Occlumency lessons today. Harry groaned.
As far as things went, the whole Gryffindor House disliked Snape for his well known abhorrent attitude towards them. An apprehensive Ron accentuated the fact when he said, "If it turns out to be Snape, I'll need it on a daily basis too. Mate, keep aside two pegs for me".
Harry merely nodded, he didn't want to spoil the surprise.
"Nice robe, Ron". Harry had just noticed Ron's azure blue robe thanks to the sunlight reflecting off it onto him. He received a ear-to-ear grin.
"You know what, the twins aren't really as bad as I make them out to be". Ron petted his robe absently, still grinning.
A very frantic Hermione joined them shortly in the Common room.
"Did you lose your bag, Hermione?" Ron asked her innocently.
She replied breathlessly, "Professor McGonagall is rolling up the list of names for this year's captaincy, today's the last date. You both better go before it gets finalized".
Harry and Ron looked at each other, the latter had a look of dawning realization. She rolled her eyes and replied hastily, "Go on now. In her office". Without a second thought, they ran as fast as their legs could carry them navigating the seemingly endless scores of turns and stairs easily, Harry ran directly into Draco Malfoy.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows seeing the blue robes Ron was wearing, "Did the Ministry pay your father with clothes this year, Weasel?"
By chance Harry happened to notice that Ron was a good five inches taller than Malfoy. The proud Slytherin looked around them and smirked tragically, "Is Mudblood dead?"
He had to pull Ron back by the helm of the robes to prevent him from murdering the Slytherin.
"Potty, you could have brushed yourself elsewhere. I'll have to get another robe now", Malfoy dusted his robes furiously.
"Whenever you wear one you'll have to buy another, Malfoy".
Ron laughed, both of them sprinted to McGonagall's office without another look behind.
"Sorry … Professor!". Panting hard like having run a marathon, Ron gave Harry a quick look and added, "We wanted to enter our names for Quidditch captainship, Professor".
She gave Ron a stern look, "Mr. Weasley, you ought to read the school letter which accompanies your results too". Ron squirmed uneasily, "but Pr-".
"It was clearly stated in the school letter that the dates were shifted".
Harry gulped painfully. Excluding the result and the date of reopening, reading the rest of the letter had seemed meaningless. Judging by Ron's battered looking face, even he seemed to have similar thoughts.
"Mr. Potter, why didn't you enter it yesterday?" she asked curiously.
"I was feeling too tired, Professor. All I did was to try to sleep, eat dinner and try to sleep again" and it was true.
"Why didn't you inform us earlier?" Harry could see the Professor's stern look but her eyes told him otherwise.
He shrugged oddly and looked at the floor, "er-Voldemort(the Professor quaked badly) attacked at the Dursleys, I was at Mungos for quite a while. Later I forgot all about the letter". For a second, he hoped the professor couldn't hear his heart now beating faster.
"In that case Mr. Potter-" she adjusted her spectacles and turned to fish something out of her bag. "-do it now". Harry breathed freely, he had't exactly lied had he? However, his relief was shortlived as he realized his friend was in a tight spot.
The disappointment and shock on Ron's face were far too conspicuous, not to be noted. McGonagall having her back to them did not notice. Ron started off weakly, "Professor, there wasn't any college before yesterday. Hermione just told me today. We were waiting for Harry". Ron kept looking at the Professor.
Harry thought he detected something inculpatory in Ron's tone. "Maybe I'm imagining it".
Professor McGonagall looked at Ron and stated, "Mr. Weasley, I suppose you could have OWLed. Isn't this the second time you have forgotten the same thing so obvious?"
Ron had, as well as Harry. As a matter of fact, in the second year when he and Harry had missed the Hogwarts Express, they driven in Mr. Weasley's car straight into Hogwarts, directly into a gleeful Snape. He mouthed soundlessly.
Harry tried to cover up, "We thought we'd submit it together-". Casting a furtive glance at Ron, he added, "-we'll do our best, Professor. He's done a great job last year too-".
Ron catching on to the idea seemed to have recovered his lost voice and nodded pleadingly, "-We'll win this year Professor-".
"-that cup's ours Professor, we're not giving it to anybody else-".
"-you'll get it on your table, year end-".
"Yeah, its definitely not for stinking Slyt-".
"Potter", her strict voice punctured their high hopes effectively.
Minutes later, Ron bounding ahead like a gas balloon emerged from the office, followed by a grinning Harry.
"Thanks for your help mate, we nailed her alright". Harry smiled in return. Ron remarked, "Lets see what day after tomorrow, holds for me".
"Where's Hermione?" he asked further, seeing an empty Common room.
A puzzled silence preceded a bout of understanding and both of them scrambled madly for Defense aganst the Dark Arts.
* * *
Breathless, both of them entered the room. Harry couldn't help but register that his watch showed 9:50 am.
"You ought to be on time, Harry, Ron".
Harry watched Ron stare at the new professor in total disbelief. Lupin now smiling, motioned them to come in and didn't attempt to take any points. Hermione had their bags placed on two seats for them. Once seated on either side of her, the lesson continued.
"How was the surprise?" he asked Ron.
"Oh so this is it" saying thus Ron turned to his bag. Hermione was too deeply entrenched in the lecture to listen to anything. The other two exchanged grins and returned to what Professor Lupin was saying. Harry could see Neville didn't look like his old self at all.
Professor Lupin smiled slightly. "Can someone tell us what a Slip Jinx is?" Hermione had her hand high up in the air, followed by a few others.
"Neville?" Neville who hadn't expected him to be questioned stood up shaking slightly. "It c-causes an object to slip". The class burst into loud laughter, poor Neville looked humbled. Lupin smiled and added, "Exactly, though a Trip Jinx does the same. Why do we need a Slip Jinx then?"
To everybody's astonishment Harry's hand shot up much before Hermione.
"Yes, Harry".
He stood up, "A Slip Jinx unlike a Trip Jinx is always aimed in the vicinity of the target and never on the target itself. A properly fired Slip Jinx can only be avoided by jumping away from the spell's target or more difficultly by putting up a shield on its target.
"Very correct, Five points to Gryffindor".
Ron sniggered in a low tone, "Malfoy looks exactly like the git he is". Ignoring the comment, Hermione told Ron, "All because Harry studied, you could at least take a leaf out of his book". Ron feigned deafness.
Professor Lupin had not just confined to theory. "We will practise what we've learnt for which two volunteers will be needed".
Dean and Neville put up their hands. "Dean … hmm Neville … come forward".
"You can fire the curse on the ground, the opponent's shoes, near your opponent's feet but the Jinx will have no effect upon a human. A shielding charm may be used for warding off oncoming spells".
Lupin added slowly, "While saying the spell, please focus all your thoughts on the curse to have proper effect". The two nodded.
"Ready?"
Dean and Neville had taken positions.
"Now".
Neville sent a Slip Jinx. Much to Malfoy's surprise the Jinx hit the floor near Dean's feet and the latter slipped then fell over.
"I'd really do with Malfoy's photograph", Ron sniggered again.
Lupin pulled Dean up and corrected him. Next Neville almost fell over.
"That was very good both of you, Ten points to Gryffindor". Dean and Neville took their seats.
"Mr. Malfoy … Ron" Malfoy smirked. Ron whispered, "The git is done for-". Hermione pushed him ahead. She gave Ron a thumbs up.
"You have to-", Professor Lupin was stopped midway by a drawling Malfoy "Yes, sir".
Ron nodded still looking at Malfoy, now angrier with the git's behaviour. Professor Lupin looked surprised but he motioned both the volunteers to face each other. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by Hermione. "I hope Malfoy doesn't cause trouble", she muttered looking at the two in front now facing each other.
She got her answer when Malfoy shot the Jinx before Lupin had given the go-ahead.
Ron slipped and fell to the floor. "Oops, wrong timing, sir", replied Malfoy, a smirk on his face. All the Slytherins were sneering silently. Ron turned a bright shade of red.
Harry saw Lupin correcting Malfoy, the latter simply nodded his head, "Please fire the spell after I say go. Mr. Weasley, you are allowed to use a shielding charm". Ron nodded, all the while glaring at Malfoy.
This time Ron didn't fall, Malfoy didn't fall either but stumbled as a weak Slip Jinx hit his shoes. Incensed, he sent a Stunner and a Slip Jinx, the first one bounced across Ron's shield and hit one of the Slytherins the second found its mark. Ron managed to stop himself from falling again.
"You were not supposed to use a Stunner, Mr. Malfoy. Five points from Slytherin. However as both performed the Jinx properly, Five points to Gryffindor and Five to Slytherin". Malfoy walked back disbelievingly, he muttered something about werewolfs. Ron came back to his seat, looking very embarrassed. "Malfoy cheated twice", she tried to assuage his embarrassment while throwing Malfoy an infuriated glare.
"Scrubbing the floor with your robes, weren't you Weasel?", smirked Malfoy, loud enough to reach Ron's ears. Ron burned with anger and humiliation.
"Mr. Crabbe? ok … Harry … please come forward".
Harry looked at the professor still hand in air and walked towards the stage quietly, slowly bringing his hand down.
Ron broke into a loud guffaw, the rest of the class followed suit. Harry tried to suppress his smile, in vain.
"Yes, Ron. Any questions anybody?" "Nothing sir".
He eyed his opponent, Crabbe was busy flexing his muscles.
Lupin spoke up. "Please do not use any other spell other than the Slip Jinx or the Shield charm. Mr. Crabbe take your position. Harry take your position".
Crabbe fired a shot at him, which easily rebounded on his shield and hit a Gryffindor. A second one missed him but it hit someone behind, maybe a Ravenclaw. From the corner of his eye he noticed another exchange between an irritated Ron and Malfoy. His anger rose again. Glimpsing Lupin, he struggled to control it and got hit by a Slip Jinx in the process. He didn't fall. Then he had a brainwave, Malfoy's smirk going unnoticed.
Professor Lupin looked at him for a moment and said, "Mr. Crabbe, you must not aim at your opponent but at the ground where he is standing. However since your opponent slipped … Five points to Slytherin". A loud groan issued from the Gryffindors as all the Slytherins cheered.
Harry was suddenly aware of the whole class staring at him, the Slytherins leering. Seeing Hermione's face for a split second, he had an urge to laugh.
"Take your positions. Ready … Go", said Lupin.
To get things into place, Harry quickly fired a Jinx at the ground between Crabbe's feet, much before Crabbe could move. The whole class held its breath. Crabbe's legs slipped out below him smoothly, for an instant he watched Crabbe suspended in mid air who then fell to the floor with a squish.
"Very perfectly carried out, Twenty points for Gryffindor. Mr. Crabbe you ought to be faster, never wait for your opponent". He didn't see his friends, instead he focussed on Malfoy.
Crabbe fixed his two dull eyes onto the professor and then onto him. Harry readied himself. Crabbe sent a curse again which missed him by a foot, Harry promptly aligned himself and stuck out his wand, a second later Crabbe jumped aside and Harry fired the Slip Jinx which missed his opponent by two feet.
To his immense pleasure, the jinx streaked through the air and struck Malfoy's bench perfectly.
A loud roar of laughter erupted as its occupant slid through the bench onto the floor.
Harry smirked, "Oops, wrong timing professor". He had the satisfaction of seeing Malfoy's angry face below the bench red as a tomato.
Lupin sent both of them back. Harry walked back to his seat debating whether he had really heard the professor snigger. Ron and Hermione were pink from laughing hard.
Unsurprisingly, time seemed to fly past much to the disappointment of the class.
"Hope he stays for next year too", said Neville looking very satisfied. "Can't we have him for Potions too?"
Hermione replied patiently, "He's specialized in DADA, Neville".
Dean spoke up. "I hope he breaks the DADA jinx". He turned to Harry and replied, "That was really cool Harry, Malfoy slithering to the floor like a worm". Seamus and Dean broke out in laughter. Harry smiled awkwardly.
Parvati chose to speak, "Harry, are you continuing the DA?"
"Er- Professor Lupin's back. If you think necessary we'll continue".
Nobody seemed to be really interested.
Neville butted in in a small voice, "It is, before the DA, I was a Squib as good as Mr. Filch". Ron was lost in his own thoughts.
"Professor Lupin's a werewolf, isn't he?" Lavender looked a bit doubtful.
Hermione rounded up on her, "So what?" Seamus jumped in, "So, that's no problem".
As the last of them filed out, Ron caught hold of him.
"You knew it was Lupin".
"Yup".
"When did you learn that, Harry? The Slip Jinx was quite difficult", asked Hermione. He was irresistibly reminded of Tonks.
"You didn't aim it on the ground, Hermione, that's all".
"That was unexpected", came a drawl from behind them. Harry and Ron whipped around.
"Get lost", seethed Hermione.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows in mock surprise, "Mudblood could not perform a simple Jinx!". He chuckled heartily.
She retorted, "You slithered rather smartly to the ground Malfoy, worm-like that is". Ron and Harry sniggered loudly.
The blonde Slytherin turned to face Ron, "Watch out for her Weasel. They'll have her". The next moment Malfoy was seeing the ends of two sparking wands.
"What's going on here?" Professor Lupin had stepped out of the class. Harry withdrew his wand instantly, Malfoy walked away coolly.
"Go on to the next class, you have Herbology, don't want to be late, do you?" Professor Lupin was smiling but Harry sensed some tension too.
"Yes Professor", the three moved on quietly.
Herbology was Neville's favorite subject, maybe because it dealed with plants. Harry liked it only because it kept him away from Snape, or any dangerous creatures. Today's class was as usual about some dumb plant called Aconite. Finishing it the four of them went over to the lake ,where Ginny and Luna were waving at them.
"Harry, 'ow are y'u?" Hagrid's voice boomed across the ground.
Harry grinned and took a diversion Hermione following behind at a slower pace. Neville and Ron went over to Luna and Ginny.
Hagrid grinned more widely, "I knew dat you'll come outta ina p'ece. Havinga break?"
He nodded, "Two more hours for Potions, I'll hang around with Ron and Hermione till then".
"Dumbledore tol' me that your chest 'as healed. You 'ave my clas' t'morrow, don't you? It'll be very int'restin"
He nodded dumbly, not having seen the timetable.
"Did you like the new DADA te'cher?" Hagrid's grin could be spotted through the thick growth of hair that formed his beard and moustache. Harry grinned back, "Excellent".
"Hello Hagrid, nice to see you back", greeted Hermione from behind him.
"ello 'rmione, Professor McGonagall told me you have sixteen OWLs, very good keep it up".
"Thanks, Hagrid", she stifled a snicker as a puzzled Harry mouthed sixteen?
Hagrid was not yet done. "Molly tol' me about ya Patronus, very good" and added inquisitively, "Did you learn it by yourself?"
"No, actu"-.
"er-Hagrid, Ron's waiting for us. See you later", interrupted Harry feeling hot around the collar.
Slightly surprised, Hagrid said, "Do come to meet me summat and bring Ron along".
He and Hermione nodded and set off to the lake.
Before Hermione could speak, Harry began, "Didn't you get twenty two OWLs?"
She replied, "Of course, but I just said it sort of to work Ron up".
He stopped in his tracks looked at her meaningfully. She blushed deep red in reply.
Harry replied, "You two could have atleast told me" Hermione looked at him for a while and replied, "Ron thought he would surprise you" and added, "Now that you say it, I have your complete OWL marksheet. You better take a look at it".
"Why?"
She added with a smile, "You got 3 OWLs in DADA out of 2".
Harry smiled in return, "I guess so".
Hermione rolled her eyes, "That isn't possible Harry".
"I think not". Seeing her confused expression he continued smirking, "I got a bonus point, courtesy Professor Tofty". Professor Tofty had taken their practical DADA exams in fifth year.
She shook her head and said, "You never told me DADA went that good". Harry shrugged in reply.
After a while, Hermione spoke up pensively, "Harry, I really hope either of you gets the post of captain".
He turned to look at her.
"Angelina, Alicia, Katie and the twins aren't in the team. Have you thought about it?" she added further.
Harry raised an eyebrow, it wasn't like Hermione to discuss about Quidditch.
"Gryffindor are in a tight spot, I agree but we better leave it to our future captain", he finished still slightly suspicious.
"Ron does have a good chance, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he does". Harry wondered what Hermione was playing at.
All of a sudden, his scar burnt with such a ferocity that he stopped in his tracks, all his other thoughts forgotten.
"What happened?" Hermione's voice gave away her worry.
"Voldemort's really happy, his plans are going smoothly. He's just waiting for Rookwood to arrive" , the words flowed from his mouth as it were. Harry knew it was perfectly true.
"Harry, you'd better see Dumbledore, meet Madam Pomfrey too", she added worriedly, "and do it now".
He nodded his head absurdly and made off thoughtfully. Harry was wondering why he suddenly felt a bit empty.
She strolled back, deep in thought. Subconsciously, she was in fact thinking about someone else.
Harry had never looked at her like that before. "He wasn't angry, not at all but …" she wondered aloud not realising that she was blushing.
"What took you so long?" Ron's sharp voice brought her out of her thoughts. Neville was talking with Luna and Ginny.
"Another vision", she replied. Ron took a step backward, "A vision now! Did he see something?"
"Harry said Voldemort(Neville, Luna and Ginny snapped out of their conversation) is happy and his plans are going smoothly. he is supposed to be waiting for Rookwood".
Neville and Ginny let their jaws drop in surprise.
"One more vision!", exclaimed a very worried looking Ginny. Hermione deep in thought removed a paper from her school bag.
"But what is the Daily Prophet for?" asked Neville. Luna looked blissfully unaware of the proceedings.
"A month old paper at that", commented Ron while trying to hook onto the thread of Hermone's thoughts.
She turned to the second page and held it out, "Read it carefully".
DEATH EATER ATTACK AT ST. MUNGOS HOSPITAL
In a bizarre twist to the ongoing crisis of Cornelius Fudge, You-Know-Who has attacked again, this time at the most priviledged hospital of the wizarding world St Mungos, once again. The Ministry officials had previously, with the help of Albus Dumbledore the eldest and the wisest of all members of the Wizengamot uncovered an attempt to attack St Mungos …
… Many Death Eaters were caught quite a few of them surrendered but the others chose to go to Azkaban. Mr. Fudge has repeatedly stressed the need to do away with the DeathEaters and You-Know-Who but is afraid to even speak the name of the Dark Lord aloud. The Official spokesperson Mr. Percy Weasley has stated, "The Minister currently is busy with various matters related to the attack. Three DeathEaters two of whom have been identified as Avery and Rookwood have given the slip …"
All the four looked at her. Luna spoke up, "Ron's brother is mentioned". Ginny and Ron exploded into laughter. Neville smiled awkwardly.
Harry walked into their midst and was quite surprised to see Hermione staring daggers at Luna.
"ello arry", chortled Ron now pink from laughing.
"I have DADA next. I'll go on", spoke Luna. "Yeah", replied Ginny and she jumped to her feet. "See you later. Bye, Neville … bye Harry".
"Yeah, bye both of you", replied Neville.
Harry turned to Hermione and took the paper from her.
"Shall we go in?" she spoke up angrily. Neville smiled seeing Harry's puzzled look. "Hermione asked us to read the paper, carefully. Luna told us that Ron's brother was mentioned". Harry chuckled. "Lets go in", sniggered Ron who seemed to have made a full recovery.
Once in the common room, the four chose a seat near the warm fireplace. "Hermione, the fireplace isn't a good place during a hot afternoon", Ron commented. Neville who had begun to move towards the window nodded in agreement, fanning himself with the Daily Prophet.
She began in a low voice, "Now, Rookwood was-". Harry directed a sharp look at her, motioning towards Neville, after all even Neville had accompanied him last year proving his loyalty, he needed to know too. She called out to Neville and continued, "-present at St. Mungos during the previous attacks. Fudge has stated it. Percy has too".
"So another attack's on the line?" piped up Ron. The discussion continued in low tones, Neville had seated himself near their table.
Harry cut in, "What sense does it make if Voldemort(Neville winced) attacks St Mungos?"
Hermione replied unsurely, "A History of magic says that innumerable Death Eaters and Aurors were killed during the last war, I wonder how he heals Death Eaters, Voldemort isn't a Healer himself". She added, "'A History of Hogwarts: Most popular students' says so".
Harry replied, "He probably is an undesignated Healer". Seeing the puzzled looks he was receiving, Harry went on, "In fourth year, Voldemort fabricated a new arm out of thin air for Wormtail, does that qualify him as a Healer?" and continued thoughtfully, "Hermione, if Death Eaters could heal themselves, then they needn't attack St Mungos".
"Dad says there is a steady flow of patients into St Mungos, Muggles, Wizards, Aurors, Elder people Youth and Children alike. Victims of Voldemort's attacks", said Ron thoughtfully. "If St. Mungos goes down, there would be too many casualties. Still people could always switch over to other lesser known hospitals".
"Voldemort could be attacking St Mungos as some diversion", remarked Harry. He added, "Lucius Malfoy is designated to attack somewhere".
Hermione replied absently, "Probably he is".
Hearing this statement, he felt a dead weight settle in his stomach. Hermione bit her tongue.
"Mate, that seems to be the general idea, so why would Voldemort do it?", interjected Ron seeing Harry feeling uneasy. Hermione looked at him for a while and screwed up her face in deep thought. Finally, she gave in, "Two attacks on St. Mungos of all places, heavy casualties in the first attack".
She continued still deep in thought, "In his last reign, Azkaban was captured twice by him. The First time, Dementors switched their loyalties and Azkaban was captured without a fight. The second time, Voldemort (Neville didn't wince as much) set up a dummy attack at the Ministry and mounted a direct attack using the services of goblins and giants. His plan worked well, he attained control of Azkaban easily".
Neville who had remained silent spoke up, "Maybe, he wants to kill all the people in Mungos. There are around seventy wounded Aurors there".
Ron spoke up curiously, "How do you know that there are seventy Aurors?" Hermione glared at him.
Neville looked at the table, "While visiting my parents, I saw the nurses bringing in bodies and wounded people. Many of them had the ministry robes on".
Harry put his hand around Neville's shoulder. Hermione still wasn't convinced, Ron replied, "Maybe he's trying to-". Neville got up abruptly.
"I'll be going, are you coming now?"
"We'll come later, Neville", replied Hermione.
"Its P-Potions. I better be early". Neville walked out of the common room.
"So he's spending his summer with his parents in St Mungos", asserted a concerned looking Ron now staring at the doorway.
Hermione took the paper from Neville and whispered, "Harry, Ron -" she turned over to the first page "-Fudge has stationed half his troops at Azkaban. I overheard Professor McGonagall saying that St Mungos has just around fifty Aurors as guards".
Ron spoke up next, "Yeah, Fudge is a pudding head".
Hermione threw Ron a glare, "Stop calling him names, do you have a solution?" Apparently, the two had been conversing about the Minister of Magic at length before. Harry chiselled in quietly, "Ron, what about your dad? How's his campaigning going?"
"Dad says its going great, partly to the Dementor attack at Diagon Alley. Mate, -" Ron grinned madly "- Fred and George have been persuading him to put up Weasley Wizarding Wheezes as campaign sponsors. Dad agreed instantly, mum looked surprised but she didn't object". Hermione spoke up, "I really appreciate those two they really use their heads". Ron added in a satisfactory tone, "They've already started keeping busy. All thanks to you Harry".
Harry turned red and looked out of the window. The sun didn't seem to cast any shadow. He groaned. "I'll see you two later, need to talk to Snape for remedial Potions". "This year too?", quipped Ron.
Hermione silenced Ron with a look and spoke up seriously, "Harry please do it properly this time"
He nodded weakly, she had a good reason to tell him off which he had no desire to hear. He walked off to Snape's office, propelling his feet forward with increasing difficulty as his destination neared.
"We'll wait here, mate", Ron's voice resonated in the corridor behind him.
Harry knocked on the closed door of Snape's office.
"Come in Potter". Quite surprised he entered the room, and saw the pensieve kept in a corner, Snape sitting beside it.
A moment of silence passed. Snape walked towards him and smirked.
"Either speak up or leave, Potter. I have other pressing matters at hand, too", Snape's voice was cold.
Harry spoke up determinedly, "Will you teach me Occlumency?"
Snape sneered, "I would rather teach you manners, Potter".
Harry clenched his fists in his pockets and remained silent.
The potions master walked back to the cupboard where Harry knew various Potions were kept.
"Last year, seven months of Occlumency failed to penetrate your dense head, Potter. An unparalleled abominable waste of time and efforts. Unless you are required to repeat it, I see no legitimate reason to teach you Occlumency" Snape's eyes glittered with wholesome contempt.
Harry clenched his fists tighter now more angry than ever, "It was due to Snape that Sirius had died. Had Snape ta- ". Just before he could answer back, he remembered the conversation with Lupin back in Grimmauld.
"State your reason quickly or leave, unlike you, Potter, I do not have leisure time". Stating thus the Potions Master walked over to one of the cupboards and pulled out a bag full of roots.
Fighting mentally to curb his anger, Harry spoke slowly, "I'll try my best, sir". Snape who was now pulling out some bottles from the cupboard stopped and hissed, "You have wasted the whole of last year trying to learn Occlumency Potter-". Harry cut in, "I'll do my best, sir".
Snape looked at him for an instant and returned to getting other slimy looking artifacts out of the adjacent cupboard taking no notice of him at all.
"At what time could I come … sir?"
The reply said, "4'o clock on weekends, in this room. Can you understand, Potter?"
Harry replied slowly, "Yes … sir" and turned to go out of the room.
He had barely touched the doorknob when Snape's voice reached his ears, "Leave the room of your own accord, rules and manners are not for famous Potter, are they?"
"Can I go now … sir?" Harry wished he could stuff one of the plants lying on the table into Snape's mouth.
"Get out", Snape's voice was cold as always.
Harry stormed out of the office and headed straight for the common room.
"What happened Harry?" asked Hermione looking more concerned than before.
"Snape's accepted to teach Occlumency", Ron replied wisely.
The three of them set out for Potions straight away, He told them what had happened.
Hermione spoke up disapprovingly, "You shouldn't have peeped into his Pensieve, Harry. Nobody would have liked it". Harry glared into nothingness but continued walking quietly.
"Late are we?" Snape wore a disconcerting smile. All three of them stopped in the doorway, as did their heartbeat.
The Potion Master's eyes glittered unpleasantly.
"Sir, we're on time" asserted Hermione. Harry didn't dare look at his watch.
"Potter's watch is just as reliable as himself. Don't just dawdle by the door, get in and close the door properly".
All the Slytherin's snickered loudly.
Without another word, the three entered the class and took seats at the last benches. Ron was busy focussing his thoughts on the table. He and Hermione exchanged puzzled glances. Knowing Snape, atleast ten points could have been lost. Now, the same professor hadn't taken a single goddamn point. Harry mentally cursed the professor and his own luck.
"Those competent enough will be making the Truth Potion Concoction today". He looked at Harry, his eyes flashing dangerously. "The potion will be tested on those who concoct it". Harry couldn't feel the bottom of his stomach he wouldn't touch his potion. Ron paled considerably and murmured something. Hermione had already begun jotting down the instructions, her hands shaking slightly. She threw Harry a glance and continued with her writing.
Same was the condition for the other Gryffindors. The Slytherins however were hiding their glee with extreme difficulty.
"Only two people together, split up now-". Snape added slowly, "-Potter".
The professor continued in a softer voice, "Pair up with Longbottom" Malfoy was laughing silently. Harry resolved to learn a spell which would cause a taste of fresh horseshit in a person's mouth.
As he made no attempt to move, Snape sneered at him and asked repugnantly, "Potter, are you deaf too?"
The whole Slytherin table erupted in laughter. All the Gryffindor's looked at the target of Snape's ridicule with immense pity. Harry's insides were beginning to burn with anger, now indisputably hating Snape more than ever.
Reluctantly, he put on his gloves moved over to Neville and cut the pieces clumsily. "Harry, careful with the Aconite, its poisonous. I b-bet S-Snape's looking at us". Harry stared at the roots worriedly. "C-Cut them along the stem, hold it like this and-". Harry thankful that Neville was excellent at Herbology, he did as told, besides following the instructions on the board.
"Longbottom, What is this plant called?" Snape seemed to lurk beside them.
Every member of the Slytherin table had stopped their activity. Neville was shaking in his seat, a root in his gloved hand.
"A-Aconite, sir".
"Potter, do you, by any chance know what property it possesses?" Snape's lips morphed into a evil smile.
Everybody had stopped their work and Harry could feel many eyes fixed on him.
Not meeting Snape's eyes he replied, "It is poisonous" and mentally thanked Neville. Snape's smile didn't even flicker. All the Gryffindor's were staring at their roots.
"Yet to learn politeness have you Potter? Two points from Gryffindor", hissed the Potion Master and looked at the roots lovingly.
"If added as specified, these roots combined with pheasant's eye and birchwood would help you in creating the Truth Potion Concoction", Snape paused. "If added excessively or by a stroke of luck the contents of its roots spills onto you …" a horrible sneer followed, "… end of all bother".
A deathly silence ensued. Parvati and Seamus refused to touch the roots any further.
"Five inches on composition and uses of Aconite, Pheasant's Eye, Birchwood and the procedure to create a Truth Potion Concoction to be handed over in two days, alongwith a half inch on Veritaserum. An extra five inches for those too dull to make the Potion by the end of class". Ron muttered something but unfortunately not soft enough.
"Ms Granger's company seems to have made you more studious Mr. Weasley". Hermione blushed scarlet.
"Well Five inches each for you then". Malfoy was laughing so hard that his eyes were streaming. Ron was now trembling with fury. Hermione had to catch Ron to rivet him to the seat. The whole Slytherin lot were delirious with laughter.
Harry's hands trembled with indignation. Somehow he and Neville managed to get the potion done. With a sick feeling both found out Snape advancing gleefully.
"Mr. Longbottom, what is this supposed to be?" A loud laughter erupted from the Slytherin table.
"T-Truth Potion Conc-c-ccoction, sssir", Neville's body was more vibrant than his voice.
Harry could see a sparkle in Snape's eyes. He knew what it meant, potion poisoning. Bloody Snape.
"Let's see, Potter drink it".
Each and every student was now balancing on the edge of their seats precariously, all rules restrictions forgotten. Ron eyes were focussed on Snape a mad glint in them.
"No", Harry hissed venomously.
"You can't use that sir, its illegal", Hermione burst out angrily. Harry's hopes drifted further downwards. Snape would have her for lunch.
Instead, the Potion Master looked at her and smirked.
"Only if not specified in the syllabus, a point from Gryffindor for your outburst, Ms. Granger". Harry forced himself to looked at Neville who was shivering uncontrollably. Above Neville's shoulder, he could see Ron's fists white in colour.
Snape looked at him and said slowly, "Don't trust your own potion, Potter?" Harry remained still, not trusting his mouth to speak.
"Unexpected show of honesty. Ten marks to you, Zero to Longbottom", Snape declared lethally.
Seamus's jaw dropped open.
Harry had drunk the Potion in one go.
Everybody in the room had stopped in their work. Even Ron's anger had turned into shock. Hermione was struck speechless. Malfoy was looking at his professor as if the holidays had started early. Dean had dropped some water onto Ron's pants but the latter hadn't noticed. Seamus's hands were touching Lavender's waist and both were fully incognizant of it.
The Potions Professor spoke calmly no trace of the eagerness within him visible, "What is your name?"
"Harry Potter".
"Mother's maiden name"
"Lily Evans".
"Father's name".
"James Potter".
Everybody watched in pure fascination and fear as Snape conducted the interrogation.
Sitting right in front of Harry, Neville looked into Harry's eyes he could see momentary instances of emotion present when Harry answered. All other times those green eyes were voids, no emotion within.
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead", The Slytherin's laughed. Most of the Gryffindor's were standing looking visibly disgusted.
"Have you seen them?"
"Yes".
"Where did you first see them?" A short pause occurred.
"In a photograph", The Slytherins collectively roared with laughter. Ron's anger was beginning to resurface, slowly and steadily. His temper wasn't the only one which was increasing.
"Any brothers?"
"Don't know".
"Any sisters?"
"Don't know". Malfoy snickered loudly. His voice was audible over the Slytherin laughter.
"Any living relatives?"
"Yes".
"How many?"
"Three". Only a handful laughed.
"What incident happened at the end of last year?"
A pause occurred again. Hermione glared at the Professor who didn't seem to notice. "Stop it", murmured Neville but nobody seemed to listen to him. "The Minster of Magic believed the fact that Voldemort has returned". Snape shuddered violently. All students (except Hermione and Ron) took in deeps breath, some scared out of their wits.
"What is your deepest fear?" asked Snape his eyes glittering.
In a Gryffindor vs Slytherin match one could expect a huge assembly. Students yelling, cheering, cursing, emotions reflecting the mood of the game. The absolute enemity coupled with the vigour of playing would spur the players and the crowd to a greater degree of ecstasy. Seeing the tense mood in the room, students hanging over each other oblivious to where they were standing or sitting, any one could tell that this time they were amazed and curious, Slytherin and Gryffindor alike. No enemity visible.
"A Dementor".
Every student in the room gawked at him, Harry of course didn't know. Snape's eyes lost their glitter.
"You aren't afraid of the Dark Lord?" someone yelled out, obviously a Slytherin seeing that Snape didn't object.
"No".
All the students looked on in awe, some not convinced. Again, Harry didn't see or feel them either.
"Who are your relatives?"
He replied, "Aunt Petunia, Dudley, Uncle Vernon". There was complete silence in the room.
As Snape walked towards him, Parvati piped up suddenly, "You have a girlfriend Harry?"
Ron stared at Parvati in disbelief.
"No".
"Who do you fancy, Potter?" Malfoy's voice rang out. Snape's features had become rather fixed.
"Don't tell anyone, Harry", shouted Neville even though he was less than three feet away from Harry.
"For your efforts Longbottom, five points from Gryffindor. Mr. Finnigan, Ms. Brown you are in a Potions class not in a ballroom, ten points from Gryffindor". Seamus and Lavender blushed deep red and returned to their seats.
Snape had spent his schooling at Hogwarts. It was Potions that had captured his interest. Brewing complicated simmering potions that could carry out your orders … any order once down the throat of your victim … had fascinated him to such an extent that he had higher schooling in Advanced Potions. Over the years Severus Snape could be counted as the best of the best in Potion brewing.
Unlike VeritaSerum which required skill and concentration much beyond the realm of puny students, he knew that the best faultless scaled down version of the Truth Serum could be made with simple techniques. The same which the two biggest bunglers of the class had prepared correctly but not unexpectedly. Snape knew that the Potion was strong enough but not comparable to the VeritaSerum which assumed total control of a person. However, he certainly hadn't expected Potter to be able to fight it. Undoubtedly Snape was flummoxed beyond belief, though he never showed it.
Malfoy drawled again, "Who do you fancy, Potter?"
Harry's face was crinkled up with intense concentration. His eyes swam around in his sockets. Everybody stood in shocked silence as his trembling hands moved to his face and waved through the air helplessly.
Harry could see the whole scene in front begin to flutter which eventually turned misty finally leading to full blackness. A feeling of nausea overcame him temporarily and his muscles relaxed. All thoughts cleared and gradually emptiness remained.
A bodiless voice said, "What is your name?"
Immediately the words Harry Potter flashed in the darkness. He complied obediently, "Harry Potter".
"Mother's maiden name?"
The words Lily Evans flashed in front again. "Lily Evans".
"Father's name?"
He replied, "James Potter".
Similarly, more questions were being asked, some very difficult to think of. However, he couldn't stop, he would remember bad feelings which would turn worse and remain so till he spoke out the truth. One of them being, "Where did you see them first?"
A photograph of his parents' wedding flashed. When he stopped, the contents of the Pensieve played forth. When he made no attempt to speak, the image burned brightly irritating him thoroughly. Unable to shut out the irritation he complied, "In a photograph".
After some more questions someone asked, "What incident happened at the end of last year?"
A series of images appeared in the darkness, he could see Sirius Black and for some reason he felt immense pain and sorrow. The next showed an aged old man and another wizard wearing a set of slippers conversing in moderate voices. He couldn't tell the first one, it was too painful. So he said, "The Minister of Magic believed the fact that Voldemort has returned". The words below the image melted away and the scene dissolved into darkness.
Later on the same voice said, "Who do you fancy, Potter?"
Immediately a girl's image flashed across the darkness and he felt nice more than ever he had felt before. In truth he couldn't describe what he felt. Even as the name of the girl flashed across the same voice said. "Don't tell anyone, Harry".
He decided to keep silent but the words in the darkness began glowing brighter so he tried to answer it. The words, "DON'T TELL ANYONE", resounded more forcefully. He decided to remain silent the image of the girl and her name burned more brightly. He remained silent. It burned more irritably and he felt a spasm of pain. Undaunted, he remained silent, the name burned so brightly that he hoped it would go away instead it burned more brightly. He could feel his body now. Harry tried moving his hand against the bright words they burned still brighter. More feelings came back to him. He decided that he would never tell her name. The pain in his body increased to such an extent that he yelled out.
"I WONT TELL ANYONE". The roar took everyone by surprise sending them reeling backwards. If Malfoy's face could be described by an odour, it would have been worse than a pair of unwashed socks. Harry slipped from his chair to the ground.
Snape walked forward and Neville yelled, "ENOUGH, STOP IT, THAT'S ENOUGH". He ran out of the room, trembling badly.
There was pindrop silence, Snape took out a bottle from one of his pockets. "Potter. Drink this potion".
"STOP IT", Hermione was literally quaking with anger all politeness forgotten. Ron was transfixed to his spot.
In the midst of the blinding light and pain. A voice commanded him to drink from a bottle, he clasped the bottle and drank its contents. The darkness began to morph into a mist and slowly the scene changed to include some people, the scene still fluttered in front of him. After a while, as the effect wore off Harry saw Snape's expressionless face right in front of him. All his once lost thoughts inundated his head giving him a slight headache.
Harry got up and seated himself on the chair to find Neville missing.
"You weren't sure about the Potion. You had to take help from Longbottom. Unexpectedly, the Concoction seems to be proper, the problem undoubtedly lies in its drinker because you didn't manage to answer all questions, Potter. Zero to you, Five to Longbottom, class dismissed".
He quietly picked up his bag walked out of the room. Hermione and Ron followed close behind. Walking in complete silence, he entered his dorm and closed the door with such force that it rattled on its hinges.
In the boys' dormitory Neville sat on his bed, staring at the evening sun smiling at him through the window. The experience with the Truth Potion had turned out to be bad enough. Neville almost didn't believe it. He tried to remember someone who had stood for him. His parents, yes but years back. His grandmother loved him the most, she would do anything for him. Just three people in the world. Hermione was nice, intelligent smart much more than him in many respects but she wouldn't have drunk it. His relatives …
Neville managed to single out only his parents and grandmother. Here, Harry had drunk it without a second thought and answered all those horrible questions, Neville shuddered to think about it, having one think about the bad side of their past. Harry didn't mind saying telling all his secrets because Snape had been injust to a somebody called Neville? He had an idea how Harry could have felt and to think there could be people like Bellatrix … Neville absently took a book from his bag.
Exactly at that moment, the door opened and with a deafening boom rattled shut.
Neville jumped up two feet in the air. The book in his hands fell onto the bed with a 'flump'. He turned around and found a very angry Harry throwing his own bag onto his own bed.
Harry turned over in his bed angrily, he had a zero for Potions again. "An excellent start to the term", he thought sarcastically.
The thought that Longbottom had got five seemed to anger him further. "Neville gets five marks and I get a bloody zero for a perfect Potion".
"Neville never asked you to drink that Truth Potion", his conscience chided him again.
Harry forced himself to think of something else but he couldn't calm himself. He couldn't have not drunk the Potion, Neville and himself had prepared it together. Neville had even helped him answer a question. Neville had known everything about the plant. Harry had followed the instructions properly, both had worked in tandem neither deserved zero. Snape had nicked his marks for no reason at all.
He paused for a moment, expecting Snape to be nice was equal to expecting a hungry lion to spit out the fresh meat in its mouth.
"You shouldn't have peeped into his Pensieve. Nobody would have liked it", the same voice in his head told him.
Harry turned uncomfortably in his bed again, it was unfortunately true.
"You needn't have drunk the Potion, Harry. I always get a zero in Potions", Harry tried to ignore Neville's remorseful voice but he couldn't. Instead angry with Neville's attitude he replied, some sarcasm still lingering in his words, "Sorry to offend you, but this time you got a five".
"B-But S-Snape gave me a zero", Neville was totally confused.
"He decided to change his mind".
Neville stared at him for a while, thanked him and walked out of the dorm still a bit confused.
Ron entered the dorm exactly after Neville opened the door.
"Bloody Snape, gave you a zero for a perfect Potion", Ron added hopefully, "Maybe this time Dumbledore will kick him out if we complain" .
"Ron, Snape always gives me a zero, Dumbledore hasn't fired him yet".
Ron still angry looked at him, "All those dumb questions he asked, after the last question you twitched and fell to the floor- Don't you remember them?"
Seeing his blank face, his friend's eyes nearly popped out, "He asked you so many goddamn questions and the bloody git got to ask one too. The next time I see Malfoy, the git's going to lose his -" .
"Ron, did I answer Malfoy?" Harry hoped he hadn't.
His friend stared at him, "Don't you remember anything?"
"No", he lied even as his heart beat faster. "Did I?"
Harry remembered only one question, the one which he had refused to answer, the voice had been monotonous to hear, like Binns. Neither was he interested in discussing the question with anybody.
His friend laughed satanically, "No, you didn't. Mate, you should have seen the git's face, looked like he'd eaten a load of dragon dung". Harry's sigh of relief went unnoticed.
"Where's Hermione?" He asked.
Ron stopped laughing and said, "She wanted to start on her homework sooner and-" Harry saw his friend's happy expression change to one of horror, "BLOODY SNAPE, I'VE TO WRITE 20 INCHES ON THOSE IDIOTIC PLANTS".
Ron turned to him and said sorrowfully, "I could've squirted some poison on Snape. Nobody would miss him".
Remembering Hermione, Harry asked Ron, "How did Ginny get her OWLs? I don't remember Fred and George playing pranks on Hermione". Ron blanked out for a while. Harry noticed his friend beginning to blush slightly and grin at the same time.
"After Professor Moody told us that you had begun to recover in Mungos, Hermione for once set aside 'Ancient Runes', searched him out and asked him a load of questions. It took Professor Moody a good half hour to convince her". Ron's body shook with silent laughter, "Mate, he avoided her completely for two whole days thereafter".
His friend continued after a short pause, "The twins thought she was getting a bit obsessed with her books so they decided to give her a break". Harry narrowed his eyes, he knew the twins wouldn't fool around with her, she would report them to Mrs Weasley.
"They tried a prank and it worked after all", said Ron and continued reminscently, "You know what, I seriously thought Fred was kidding. By the way Ginny never got OWLs, Hermione maybe forgot that Ginny is in fourth year" Ron looked at him intently.
"Hermione could have known the syllabus even by reading the letter. He remembered Hermione had forgotten once during their third year, thanks to the too many subjects she had taken but then she had been really stressed up". He couldn't see a reason why she could have been so worried now.
He decided to ask the question which seemed to eat his head.
Ron asked him concernedly, "Mate, what are you thinking?"
He asked instead, "Are you finally going out with Hermione?"
The change in his friend's demeanor was remarkable. Ron blushed deep red and looked away shyly and stuttered, "er- I'… maybe yes. "Its … fine with you isn't it? Mate?"
Harry replied, "Yeah, congrats Ron".
Ron visibly relaxed. "Thanks mate".
He asked further, "When did you propose?"
Ron turned redder at the wicked look Harry was wearing, "At Grimmauld's after you got into St Mungos" and added quickly, "well, she agreed too".
"Great … any plans in store for her?". His friend looked at him for a while and sighed, "Not yet, maybe … BLOODY SNAPE" Harry shrugged. He still remembered his disaster with Cho vividly.
Ron flopped onto Harry's bed, "I simply can't get a date with this homework pending". Harry nodded in affirmation, atleast for Ron 20 inches were too much.
"Try asking Hermione, she probably will help you", he suggested.
"Maybe she will but I'd rather do it later. Let's go to the common room, shall we?"
"er- You go on Ron. I'll complete this homework today". Seeing Ron in a state of mock horror he added, "At least, DADA needn't be pending".
Ron grinned back, "Mate, its too early. School's just started today. Ginny and the others, including Hermione are waiting outside".
Harry took out his books and began to write, "I'll come later Ron, I don't want DADA pending".
After Ron had gone out, Harry lay down on his bed feeling frustrated. He had always known Ron had liked Hermione for a long time.
Now, Ron had told him the same thing, then why was he feeling angry? Harry tried gauging his feelings for his friends. He definitely liked Ron and Hermione more than anything. Why did he want that his two friends wouldn't be together?
"Your feelings run deeper for her", his mind told him.
Harry shook his head absently, he wasn't at all attracted to Hermione, he just liked her similar to Ron. His hand chanced to scrape the cover of A Perfect Guide against the Dark Arts
Harry resolutely fished out his books, McGonagall's words rang in his ears I will assist you to become an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly, I will make sure you achieve the required results! Deep in his writing, he didn't notice Dean slip a marksheet beside him.
Just before dinner Harry managed to complete his DADA homework and a part of Potions. He decided that he would do it on his own. It was then that he noticed the marksheet lying calmly beside him. It wasn't very impressive but Harry was glad he had made it through.
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Fifth Year OWL Results for Harry Potter, student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Outstanding performance in Transfiguration
Scored 2 OWLs combined
1 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals
Exceeds Expectations performance in Charms
Scored 1 OWL combined
0 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals
Exceeds Expectations performance in Herbology
Scored 1 OWLs
0 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals
Outstanding performance in Defense against the Dark Arts
Scored 3 OWLs (+1 bonus)
1 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals (+1 bonus having cast the Patronus charm successfully)
Outstanding performance in Care of Magical Creatures
Scored 2 OWLs
1 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals
Acceptable performance in History Of Magic
Scored 0 OWLs
0 out of 1 in theory
Acceptable performance in Astronomy
Scored 0 OWLs
0 out of 1 in theory
0 out of 1 in practicals
Poor performance in Divination (He grinned all-knowingly)
Scored 0 OWLs
0 out of 1 in theory
0 out of 1 in practicals
Outstanding performance in Potions
Scored 2 OWLs
1 out of 1 in theory
1 out of 1 in practicals
Total - 10 O.W.L.s (+1 bonus)
Mr. Potter, your strengths being Transfiguration, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures and more practical oriented, Aurorship and Potion Brewing are recommended.
You will of course have to keep up your performance now onwards in the subjects Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts to qualify for Aurorship. The latter requires extensive knowledge of Potions, Care of Magical Creatures and Charms.
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The bonus marks are to be specified separately
Dear Pupil,
Congratulations on getting 10 OWLs. Having received your OWL marksheet, you are to inform the headmaster/headmistress of your school in case any anomalies are evident. Also, you are advised to keep this marksheet safe, they ascertain your suitability when you apply for a job.
Yours sincerely,
Billy Windsor.
Regulation and Control of Underage Wizardry (RCUW)
Ministry of magic.
London.
Harry nodded at his marksheet and tucked it safely into his trunk. His mind now buzzing with the Truth Potion ingredients, he wrote them down. This time he was more than pleased with himself. 8 inches for DADA and currently 5 inches to Potions. He set it in his trunk resolving to finish it after dinner. Even dinner was a quiet affair, every Slytherin and Gryffindor gazed at him as if he were some alien. Feeling uncomfortable, Harry quickly finished his food and returned to completing Potions. He had heard Hermione, Ginny and Ron talking about himself and something prompted him to attend to his unfinished Potions homework.
Completing Potions late into the night, Harry finally slept off satisfied that he had done his homework, completely on his own.
* * *
Ginny, Ron, Neville and Hermione sat at the dinner table alongwith Harry talking about the food and classes. Ginny noticed that Harry seemed to be severely irked by the unnaturally large number of people looking at him. She was even surprised to see him finish the food at record speed and excuse himself.
"What's going on Ron? Why're your classmates and those Slytherins looking at Harry?" she asked her brother unable to make head or tail of the situation. Ron who had been looking at Harry too replied after a while, "In Potions, we were told to make the Truth Potion. Snape told him to drink it".
"WHAT?" gasped Ginny.
Neville motioned out to someone with his hand. Ron on finding it was Luna, winced.
"You needn't talk to her", Hermione remarked irritably.
"Hello Ronald, Hello Ginny" Ignoring Ginny's stifled laughs, Ron put up a brave front and smiled in return. To his despair, she settled on a chair directly in front of him.
Neville said in an awed tone, "I never knew Harry was not afraid of You-Know-Who". Everybody sat in silence till Luna spoke up, "Are you talking about Harry's Potion class?"
Hermione said jerkily, "How do you know?" Luna merely ate some pudding and replied, "Parvati and Lavender told us. Everybody knows about it. Cho was discussing about it too".
Ginny piped up, "But Harry isn't after Cho anymore, is he?" Hermione spoke up thoughtfully, "I think so, Harry has changed, he hasn't even talked much with us. I doubt he knows who our new Head Girl is". Ginny chiseled in, very slightly eager "What did Snape ask?"
After hearing Ron out, she turned to look at the Slytherin's wrathfully, "Malfoy asked him that?"
He replied disbelievingly, "It was Parvati who gave Malfoy the idea".
Hermione hissed angrily, "Snape didn't even bother telling Malfoy to shut up". Ginny spoke dreamily, "Wonder who Harry fancies?"
To everybody's surprise Neville replied sharply, "That's none of our business".
Luna who had finished her pudding decided to speak, "Did Harry finish his dinner?"
Hermione replied, "Yes he did-". Ron spoke up thoughtfully, "-with those filthy Slytherins trying to stare him down". Ginny cut in, "No wonder he was feeling queasy, remembering all th-". Ron replied, "Ginny, he doesn't remember anything".
"Harry wouldn't remember them, the Truth Potion takes full control of a person. The person remains in an unconscious state till the Potion is in effect. Only after the Potion wears off, does the person regains consciousness", replied Hermione knowingly.
They discussed about their OWLs, (Ginny grinned as Ron exclaimed, "Hermione, didn't you say twenty two!") Dinner went by quickly.
Ron and Hermione trudged back to their respective dormitories. Ron smiled and said, "Goodnight Hermione".
"Goodnight Ron", Hermione smiled and walked away to her room leaving a slightly disappointed Ron behind.
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What is Voldemort upto? Any ideas, guesses, brainwaves !! Go on put it in a review and I'll surely take a look at it.
Two days for Quidditch captainship.