Disclaimer: I hereby declare that excepting the plot, the rest had been very neatly taken from J K Rowling's Harry Potter series. Well, if I owned Harry Potter … sounds nice doesn't it?

I have changed the writing a lot and this chapter is complete.
This chappie will be a bit long, needed to sort out the pairing stuff initially. You see even Voldemort's sorting out his own priorities now.

10. The Second War Begins
The previous day Lupin's expression had been one of pleasant surprise when Harry submitted the DADA homework.
Snape had managed to skip his assignment on the pretext of insufficent content.

Harry sat in his bed thinking deeply. Friday had been good, transfiguration, DADA, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and Charms. He had completed most of his homework.

However, today Saturday held more important events, for example the selection for Quidditch captainship and consequtively, formation of the team. He avidly looked forward to it, especially after the disturbing vision he had encountered this mornin.

Harry had as usual been dreaming about Cedric Diggory dying helplessly, Sirius Black falling through the veil. Adding to his guilt this time, Mrs. Black's shrieks resounded in the background. He even got to dream a confrontation with Lockhart at Mungos with the Healer asking her(Harry) to sit down for a while. Lockhart had followed by giving away photographs. Finally, the Healer had yanked Lockhart back and ordered her(Harry) to go back to her work. -Ron's voice had woken him up and his scar had been burning badly.

Burning with shame, Harry wondered whether he should really tell Dumbledore about it. "I dreamt about Lockhart and his Healer asking me to … chat for a while", how stupid! The dreams … he knew too nicely what they meant, Dumbledore knew too. He hated the Maria episode from the depths of his heart.

His timetable read Healing, Potions, Charms and Transfiguration, an hour each. The dueling classes were to be started a week from now, next Saturday.
Madam Pomfrey was supposed to take Healing but she had rejected the offer outright ("who'll take care of the patients then") and a new one was supposed to replace her.

His train of thought was halted by Ron's voice. "It isn't aching is it?" Harry shook his head.
Ron looked at him expectantly, "What happened this time, mate?" Misinterpreting the uneasy look on Harry's face, he added, "You better tell Dumbledore".

Harry nodded animatedly. Dumbledore, like himself would know what the dreams could mean.
Ron's eyes traversed the room and eventually rested on Harry's Potions homework left on the bed and never left them.

Harry sent Ron a big grin, "Yeah, complete". The redhead grinned back, "Man, Hermione is starting to rub off you, better be careful mate".

Intentionally wanting to send off Ron he replied, "Maybe for the best, Ron. I have this doubt that her homework will be booked prematurely now onwards by a certain redhead …"
Ron blushed crimson. "er-I'll wait for you in the Hall … Harry" so saying, Ron turned and walked out quickly.

Harry let his friend go away and after some time, instead of going to Dumbledore's office, took the path to the Great Hall for breakfast.

* * *

The Great Hall was packed with a whole lot of students, evidently making their way for breakfast. The pushing of chairs, scurrying of students and constant murmuring was unheared by Hermione as she sat with Neville and Ron in a corner of the Hall reading the Daily Prophet with a lot of interest.

"Hello Harry", said Neville. Seeing Harry, she set the paper onto the table. There was news about Mungos

"Hi Neville, Hermione".
"Harry, Fudge has transferred eighty Aurors to Mungos for guarding purposes", she said. Harry's interests were aroused.
"Hermione, Voldemort called back Rookwood. He could have been expecting this", he replied.
She nodded, "Further, there has been a thorough search of St Mungos …" Her face fell slightly, "… to no avail".

Harry had an odd expression on his face. It then changed into one of realization.

"What is it mate?"
He turned towards Ron, "Ron, Voldemort has possessed somebody and that person is still in Mungos". Neville choked on his sausage.

Hermione replied, "Harry, the Aurors have already run four checks in Mungos, the paper says so. They found nothing".
He looked at the paper for a while, "Hermione, this paper was printed yesterday. Today morning, I had a vision at Mungos".

Neville asked, "So is that why you were twisting in your bed?" and continued, "Ron happened to enter at that time and woke you up".

She wondered whether Harry had told Dumbledore, just then her's and Harry's eyes met. He promptly got up, excused himself and went out of the hall.

* * *

Seeing Hermione throw him a searching look, Harry excused himself and walked out straight to Dumbledore's office, berating himself for having overseen the vision. Halfway to the office the first thought was How hadn't he realized it? He had felt like a lady in the vision … just like last year when he had felt like a snake during the attack on Mr. Weasley too. He told the headmaster so, who acknowledged it gratefully. While returning he happened to bump into Professor Lupin … Remus.

"Sorry Remus er- Professor Lupin?" Harry bumbled on his words.
Lupin smiled. "When not in school, Remus will do". Harry looked at the Professor but couldn't help noticing that he looked slightly off-colour. "The full moon was hardly a week away".

"Well, for you, it will do even in my office, shall we go in?" Harry grinned.

Lupin's office was similar to how Harry had seen it in his third year. The Professor's desk was strikingly neat compared to his demeanour. Harry thought of gifting some really good clothes to Lupin, that was something he badly needed. Lupin who was looking at him replied, "Now that you say, I'll see ..."

Harry flushed. He turned around and his sight rested on a small parchment and quill on Lupin's desk, to which the Professor was reaching out.

"How was your journey?"
Harry reddened considerably, "er-Quick", he muttered. He had just remembered the fireplace incident too.

"Did you bump into Ron?" Lupin looked down into the parchment where some writing was beginning to form.
Harry suspected the Professor was trying to hide a smile.

"Remus, what is Voldemort doing at Mungos?"
Lupin sat down on a chair contemplatively, "There is little I can talk about it, Harry. I can surely tell you that the Order isn't sitting quietly either, we are carrying out tasks to monitor Mungos and set up a good network of communication. Dumbledore has a sly idea, one that says Voldemort would prefer capturing Azkaban first".

Harry paused, so this meant that the Order was expecting Voldemort to do something on a grandiose scale - to capture Azkaban. He knew that Lupin wouldn't say anything more.

"Thanks Remus, who's for Healing?"
Lupin replied quietly, "Sylvia Crawford".

* * *

Healing class went quickly. Possibly, because it was a Ravenclaw - Gryffindor class. Sylvia Crawford was a really good teacher like Lupin. For one she even demonstrated by imprinting a cut onto a table and joining it later. As for Harry, she remembered him very nicely. "The third time, we meet in Hogwarts finally, Potter". Harry also got to know that Neville and Ms. Crawford were very good friends … seeing that the Longbottoms were in Mungos … for quite some time. Harry managed to shake off Neville off the 'Maria' trail by stressing that he had met her only once in London, ages ago.

Walking towards the common room, Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione were discussing Healing. Hermione was a bit irritated, perhaps since even Ron had for once given his complete attention to the teacher.

"Ms. Crawford knows her stuff, mate. I guess the practicals will be great", asserted Ron. Dean nodded, not noticing that Parvati was throwing him looks full of loathing.
"She didn't tell me that she got a job here", muttered Neville ruefully.

Just then, Snape passed by, stone faced as ever. Harry could feel Neville shudder beside him.

Ron gritted his teeth. Before he could comment, Hermione motioned them to move quickly, "Ron, save it for later. We better hurry to Potions".

Though Snape had set up a really tedious looking, back breaking Strength Infusing Potion (Harry cursed, on realizing that Snape could have prepared and given it to Madam Pomfrey) to make, it was a quiet affair since the Potions master wasn't in the room. As usual Neville had messed up, Ron was peeking over at Hermione's Potion which was a translucent blue.

To Harry's satisfaction he had managed to follow all the instructions properly. ... Add the water, stir it with goat's blood (Ack!!), Add the grated coconut ...

Finally, Translucent blue vapours hung over his cauldron, it could have got heated a bit more ...

Ron spat fire as he came out. Snape had not checked Ron's 20 inches homework because of his incorrect potion.

Harry came out gritting his teeth, hating Snape and Potions more than ever. The Potions master had deliberately asked the class to 'collect whatever they had created' in a bottle and submit the homework together.

The trio made to go on for break, with Ron calling Snape such names that Hermione finally intervened, 'RON!'. Ron turned away from her to see a quivering Neville making way towards them.

"H-Harry, I-I c-cant come, S-Snape-" Ron opened his mouth and closed it as Hermione sent him one of her looks "-told me to f-finish the -P-Potion. Else f-four w-weeks of detention for m-me".

Ron declared, "See Hermione, Snape's mental". Harry agreed whole heartedly.

Hermione tutted, "Ron, only if you had added two teaspoons of the goat's blood instead of the whole vial, you would ... well ... could have somehow had your homework and Potion checked today". Ron bellowed, "Why the hell do we need Potions? For Aurorship? - and I dont want to hear anything from you Hermione". She shook her head disapprovingly.

Harry however began to feel a little uneasy. He had yet not forgotten McGonagall's adjudication, that she would assist him in any way possible to become an Auror. After a bit of arguing with himself he decided to redo the damned Potion properly. The only question that irked him was HOW. Snape allowing him to repeat the Potion was a chance in a billion.

Harry gulped. He would have to ask Snape, now that there was a solid reason. He told Hermione and Ron. Neville stared at him.

Ron threw a punch in mid air. "EXCELLENT idea mate, Snape's sure to end up in Mungos soon-", and added, "Are you serious?"

Hermione looked at him apprehensively for an instant but she then smiled. "Very good Harry. Ron you-"

"See you in the Common Room mate". Feigning deafness, Ron walked away before she could retort. She whispered, "Do it correctly this time Harry".

Neville butted in, "Harry ... Hermione can I have your instruction sheet, mine are ... wrong". Later, Harry and Neville made off to their destination very much apprehensive.

* * *

Harry and Neville stood by the door. Snape was sitting on his chair behind the desk right in front, writing something. There was nobody else in the class, all the benches were empty. Neville called out, "May ... we come in sir".

Snape's head jerked towards the door and Harry saw a look of surprise cross the Potions Master's face for an instant.

"Longbottom, does your commonsense even fail to suggest bringing some one more reliable along ... say Ms. Granger". Harry fought valiantly against his impulse to spit an insult even as Snape smirked. Neville blushed deep red.

Grinding the ground with his feet, Harry spoke quickly, "I wanted to perform the experiment this time properly ... sir".

"You do not order in my office, Potter. You have shown a remarkable inaptitude for Potions that leaves no scope for expecting anything worthwhile. You may go. Longbottom, unless you wish to grace the Potions class by your presence for four weeks continuously starting tomorrow, you may keep staring at Potter". Neville shuddered and set to work.

Harry repeated mechanically, "I will do it properly this time, sir". Snape sneered, "I have little resources to waste, Potter, now that the entire cupboard is reserved for Longbottom". Neville in the process of breaking the coconuts blushed furiously.

With great difficulty, Harry managed to gain Snape's assent. He got the ingredients from the cupboard and set to work, and glanced Neville looking at him.

Snape smirked, "Longbottom, unless you desire to spend the whole day trying to concoct the simple Strength Infusing Potion, you may freely imitate Potter".

Harry picked up a coconut by its fibrous husk and made to ram it hard on the table edge, hoping to hear it crack open.

"Potter, you are not supposed to use your wild imagination". Harry decided to look at Snape in the eyes, the bounteous insults running in his head would keep Snape occupied for quite some time.

After a nerve wracking half hour, he completed his Potion and to Snape's surprise, Neville's was ready as Harry handed over his own creation.

Some one knocked on the door, Malfoy stepped in. He looked at Neville and Harry alternately and sniggered silently, "Professor, the headmaster has called for you again".

The corners of Snape's mouth twitched momentarily.

Malfoy mouthed 'birds-of-a-feather-flock-together'. Harry decided to keep silent, with Snape and Malfoy in the same room as he, he didn't trust himself to speak. The Slytherin went away looking very smug.

Harry noted Snape's look as the professor glanced through his homework. His heart leaped with joy Snape couldn't find anything to mark wrongly.

"Potter, it seems that you are desirous of attaining perfection in all subjects-" Harry's heart stopped in mid-leap "-to ensure that you do, in Potions-" Snape's eyes glittered unpleasantly, "-you will resubmit the entire homework with corrections, if any".

* * *

Hermione was sitting with Ron in the Common Room after checking up with Professor McGonagall related to their prefect postings.

She had managed to hear quite a lot related to Mungos as the staff talked, before she and Ron exited the staff room.

"Harry? Neville? Hey mate!"

She looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see Harry and Neville. Seconds later, the two were seated with herself and Ron in a corner of the Common Room.

Neville beamed widely, "I never got a six, Harry". Ron stifled a cough and asked, "What did you get in Potions, Neville?"

"Exceeds Expectations". Hermione taken aback replied, "Yes, that's ... nice. really good Neville".

Harry cut in irritably, "I get to write my entire homework if Snape manages to find any mistake in it".

Ron sighed with relief, "And Hermione was telling me-". Harry sniggered, knowing Ron writing 20 inches again would kill him.

Hermione broke in quickly, "Neville, did you bring my instruction sheet?" Neville's eyes widened, "Sorry, Hermione. I left it in P-Potions class, I'll g-get it".

Once Neville was gone, ignoring Harry's raised eyebrow she said, "Harry, while coming back from McGonagall's office, I and Ron overheard her talking about someone in the Order leaking information".

Harry's eyes lit up, "I bet everybody suspects Snape". She continued, "That is why he was so angry in Potions".

Hermione shushed Ron and Harry continued, "Hermione, Dumbledore called Snape more than once today in a meeting, Malfoy delivered this message, Snape didn't look so pleased".

She said, "Harry, I heard Professor McGonagall saying that Kingsley, Tonks and Moody have found nothing at Mungos. Besides, the Daily Prophet states that all the Aurors have run a surprise check day before yesterday". This was very puzzling, they needed more clues.

Harry told her about all that he had known from Lupin.

Ron exclaimed, "Hermione! we have prefect duties now". She nodded distractedly as Harry raised an eyebrow and Neville came into the room, bringing her instruction sheet.

"uh - oh Yes, Ron. We'll go ... I'll see you in Transfiguration class next". Hermione and Ron set out, not noticing Neville whispering in Harry's ear and the corresponding smirk on Harry's face.

* * *

After Charms, Ron set out with a thoughtful Harry for the notice board, which was almost fully shrouded behind the large number of eager students hoping to get a look at it. He thought, "I must get to be captain, no one else is good enough and Harry ... he can't". Harry never noticed the glance, Ron had given. On nearing the notice, Ron recognized Dean, Ginny, Seamus and a raw member of their Quidditch team - Jack Sloper.

Dean stared at the board for a while and turned around ... to meet Ron's eyes. "Congratulations Ron, you're captain". Ron was however looking at Ginny who was still staring at the board, so he missed Dean and Seamus staring open-mouthed at Harry. "Congrats Ron, you've to report to McGonagall now", said Ginny. "Yeah, Ron I come too, everyone needs to know that the Seeker's position is occupied", said Harry.

By now all the people were coming over to win the favour of the new captain, seeing this Ginny motioned Ron to go quickly. He replied, "Mate, I'll come back quickly " and walked off. As Ginny turned around to face Harry with a smile plastered to her lips.

* * *

"Professor, Potter's needle has come to life", smirked Malfoy.

Never had Harry performed badly in any Transfiguration class but now seemed a complete exception. He tried to pick up his needle now lying on his desk and to his great surprise, it poked him in his finger.

"OUCH!"

"Potter? ... You got it all wrong ... Well, try once again", even Professor McGonagall seemed surprised. Harry muttered the charm and tapped the needle exactly as McGonagall had demonstrated but for the fourth time he couldn't transform his needle into a long walking stick. Even Neville had managed a half needle - half stick. His fully complete homework did nothing to assuage his anger, neither did Malfoy's snide remarks. He slipped out of class avoiding McGonagall's eyes and decided to see Hagrid. He decided to go alone, knowing that Hermione and Ron would be busy.

Once in the open ground, the sight of the Quidditch pitch ... the green scenery ... the cool wind of evening brushing past his face, flushed out all his anger and irritation. As he neared Hagrid's hut, many third years making their way back to the castle stared at him in awe. He simply ignored all of them and walked ahead.

"Hello 'arry", Hagrid's booming voice was enough to scare the living daylights out of the two remaining third years and Harry's morose nature out of him.

"Hi Hagrid".

"Cam' afer a long time. How's ya ches' doing?" said Hagrid now patting Buckbeak who having noticed Harry was making soft purring noises.

"Fine. I just wanted to see you", said Harry truthfully.

Hagrid's smile stretched so wide that it could even be seen under the thicket of hair that made up his moustache and beard. Buckbeak trilled and purred more loudly.

"Good ya did an' Beaky wans you ta ride on him" Hagrid called out to the two students, "Here Harry will show you".

Harry, who had been smirking at the thought of riding a Hippogriff for detention, stared at Hagrid even as the latter pushed him towards a excitable Buckbeak. He looked at the bird, bowed then mounted it. After a few seconds, Harry was back on the ground after a short flight.

"Thanks H-Professor, can I ride him later?" He motioned the stunned boys to go on.

"No Harry th-". Hagrid stared in surprise as one of the two third years looked at him and proceeded to mount Buckbeak. The boy rode well, his friend followed.

"Excellent both of ya, go to the castl-", Hagrid was interrupted by a trilling Buckbeak again. "Beaky wants ya to ride aga'n", Hagrid's eyes were round as saucers. Seeing Harry hesitate, he said softly, "Beaky's missin Sirius too but he seems to like ya".

Harry looked at the bird deeply. It seemed to understand his feelings, or maybe he was just imagining. Any way he was about to mount it when a shrill voice echoed in his head, "Harry, it isn't safe, you could always hold onto a broom ..." He smiled and promising that he would be careful, mounted the hippogriff.

Seconds later Buckbeak and Harry were flying over the castle grounds ... by the castle walls ... the Quidditch Stadium, Harry maneuvered Buckbeak imagining Hermione and Ron cheering for him ... he dodging a rogue Bludger ... and a searing pain rent his scar.

Instinctively, Harry pressed himself close to the bird's back and coaxed it to land near Hagrid. Even as Buckbeak retraced the short path to Hagrid, the pain in his scar increased further. The huge castle in front of him was getting blurrier, something more familiar was replacing it ... Harry concentrated all his thoughts and sight onto Hogwarts and coaxed the bird to go quicker ... more faster.

Buckbeak sensing something was wrong put on a huge burst of speed. The pain in his scar subsided as the bird's feet touched the ground. Harry should've been content of being alive but the vision - rather the feeling that he had was more troublesome. He patted Buckbeak, waved out to Hagrid and walked into the castle, trying to piece together what he had felt.

* * *

Harry walked into the great hall and saw Malfoy sitting in a corner of the room talking with some awed looking fifth and fourth year Slytherins. There were quite a number of people around ... Neville and Ginny were talking a lot. Ginny didn't seem to be looking fine, Harry stood mum, feeling a bit sorry for her. After the declaration of Quidditch captain for Gryffindor, he had found that Ginny was keeping a rather low opinion of Ron.

"Harry, Did you tell Ginny something?"

Harry closed his eyes and opened them. Luna was real, so was her dreamy voice. He turned around and hitched a smile to his lips.

She said, "Ginny was crying for quite some time in Defense classes. If you don't want to tell me I won't mind".

"I told her to keep faith in her brother's qualities and stop underestimating him".

To his great surprise, she brightened up, "Very correct Harry, she never listened when I told her the same thing. I guess she is now. See you around". Harry was totally stumped for any answer, he cast a last look at the receding back of the phenomenon called Luna Lovegood (talk about oddities) and continued to Dumbledore's office shaking his head.

"Ah Harry, sit down".

Dumbledore surveyed him as he struggled to find words to begin.

"You fly very well even without a broom", chuckled the headmaster.

"Hagrid asked me to demonstrate", Harry couldn't stop blushing.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "I daresay the hippogriff has taken a liking to you" that left Harry completely bewildered.

"Chocolate Frog?"

Harry couldn't help but notice the logo of the Joke Shop (WWW) embossed onto the Frogs.

"Ah, our two delightful entrepreneurs put forth such a proposal that I had to agree".

Harry downed one quickly and replied, "I had another vision, Professor".

Dumbledore gently motioned him to begin.

"I was once again in Mungos, the door in front was labelled the SPECIAL WARD FOR WITCHES. A quick Silencing Charm after which, I walked inside it and saw three people, two women and one man lying asleep on a bed. There were two nurses in the room, one blonde.

Somehow, I happened to know that the three patients were Aurors. The blonde one referring to me as Smith replied definitively, "They are doing excellently, Mr. Smith. Just eight hours more".

I told her gravely, "Very good, Mr. Pye has called for you two and if I were in your place right now, I wouldn't keep him waiting". The two nurses nodded and turned".

Harry paused and said, "Just then I told Buckbeak urgently to get down to the ground quickly and couldn't see anything else". Dumbledore's face looked more older with the newer wrinkles that had made their appearance. However, Harry couldn't ascertain the reason for the almost mystic sparkle in the headmaster's eyes.

Just then a person knocked on the door and to Harry's great disdain, Snape entered.

"You called headmaster".

"Ah yes. Severus, sit down".

Snape's face oddly reminded Harry of the likely fate of his homework. He turned to look at the headmaster.

"Harry, would you send for Professor Lupin?"

He nodded and had barely got up when Snape said, "Potter, Remedial Potions tomorrow 4'o clock in my office".

Harry nodded and walked out, slightly annoyed. For some reason, he felt rather hesitant in asking Dumbledore about Voldemort. Shrugging off his thoughts he made for the Great hall where he expected to find Ron and Hermione or Hermione atleast.

* * *

Hermione and Ron were not to be seen still. However, he reluctantly sat down with Neville and Ginny.

For a while no one talked. Ginny muttered, "I'm sorry Harry".

He looked at her apologetically, he had spoken very coldly on knowing that she wanted him and not Ron to get the Captainship. Besides, it was McGonagall indifference towards Ron while entering their name that had got to his nerves, though at that time in her office, he hadn't displayed any of his emotions.

"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have vented all my frustration on you". Harry noticed Neville struggling with himself.

Finally, Neville spoke out, "Harry, Ginny still likes you". He continued, "Do you fancy Ginny?"

Ginny blushed redder than a rose in full bloom, she glared at Neville hatefully, all the while avoiding Harry's eyes.

Harry looked at Ginny who was burning with shame. He liked her a lot, yes but was it similar to Cho? He tried probing deeper into his own feelings.

He had seen her only as Ron's sister and after fifth year as a good friend. Choosing his words carefully he replied, "I do like Ginny as a friend but I do not fancy her".

Neville's features relaxed. Ginny said cautiously, "You aren't angry with me Harry?"

Harry shook his head and looked at Neville tentatively. As if in confirmation Neville's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"This is great news, I bet Ron doesn't know. But how come you are going with Neville now?".

Ginny and Neville nodded sheepishly. Neville replied for her, "You see Harry, I asked her two days back".

Harry nodded and said, "By the way, where are Hermione and Ron".

Ginny giggled, "Prefect duties. You see they are more than ... friends now".

"Oh er-I think I'll complete my homework, see you two later".

Ginny giggled again, "Hermione said that you charmed a needle to come alive?"

Harry replied breezily, "er-Yet McGonagall didn't give me any marks". She laughed as Neville smiled at him. With that Harry made to his dorm puzzled at why he was feeling slightly angry with Hermione and Ron.

* * *

Harry tossed his transfiguration homework into his bag where it fell soundlessly. Over a period of four hours he had managed to complete Transfiguration and Potions. His book for Healing was a bit inadequate, he would need to get a better one Hermione would have a better book.

Now, it was time for dinner and Ron had yet not come back. A small wave of anger flowed through him but he suppressed it. Ron liked Hermione a lot and he (Harry) was just being jealous needlessly.

He had a quick dinner. Amazingly, Malfoy wasn't to be seen. He returned back to his common room trying to focus on the clues. However, he found himself thinking about Ron and Hermione intermittently. Later in the night, Ron entered the common room looking very tired.

"Ron, where in the world were you all this time?"

"Prefect duties and add to it McGonagall's briefing followed by discussion of tactics and maneuvers. What the heck of a day?" Ron flopped onto a bed looking very content.

Harry smirked, "Prefect duties with Hermione, I never knew it was so interesting". He had the satisfaction of seeing Ron blush deep red.

Ron replied, "Mate, I asked her for a date after all and you know what ... she agreed".

"Great! you have any plans?" Harry tried to stop his voice sounding hearty.

Ron looked at him for a while, "Nope, what do you say? you had Cho once didn't you?"

"I don't know Ron ... take her for a walk or something".

Ron's eyes brightened up, "Thanks mate, I knew I could count on you".

Seeing his friend's extremely happy face, Harry's irritation dissolved away. He walked out to the common room and took a seat in a corner pondering over the clues that he had obtained.

* * *

Hermione walked down the girls dorm into the Gryffindor common room. Ron had just asked her out, she was wondering what he would talk ... Ron was very much funny and a nice person, she liked him too but what irked her more was that she had promised to talk to Harry later and forgotten all about it ... She hadn't talked with Harry for the whole evening ... he certainly had changed after last year .. he was studying more intensely for a start. As always, her thoughts finally rested on the prophecy.

She had an idea which said that Harry knew about the prophecy. When she had asked him about the third year prophecy, his expression had become guarded. If she brought up the topic, he tended to excuse himself. Hermione muttered angrily, why didn't he just tell Ron at least? She knew it was eating him up from the inside ... add to it those accursed visions, which Harry wasn't talking about to anyone. She had but a general idea of what he could be feeling.

To her great surprise she found him sitting by the fireplace in deep thought.

"Harry?"

He jerked awake, "Hermione! You aren't asleep?"

She replied inquisitively, "Did you get any clues?"

He asserted wryly, "I saw another vision".

"Hey mate, Hermione!", Ron's voice echoed in the room. She called out to Ron and they bunched together.

Harry narrated all that he had seen.

Ron replied, "Voldemort's going to kill all those Aurors". Hermione shushed him, "He can't do it, that will simply attract attention".

Harry replied, "Hermione, this time I was a man, NOT a lady". She stared at him, "Harry, what does Dumbledore say?"

"Nothing".

Ron replied, "Hermione, Voldemort could take a lot of Ministry information and information on Azkaban from the Aurors".

Hermione smiled, "Ron, do you expect any person to know confidential information". Harry chiselled in, "Neville told me during Healing class that there are many Aurors holding important posts, in Mungos. His information cannot be wrong". She agreed.

Ron said, "Harry, Voldemort could have gotten ample information, why hasn't he attacked yet". Hermione replied, "Ron, there is someone giving away information to the Death Eaters too. It means he is planning something on a large scale. Considering his primary target is Azkaban, the two are very much related".

* * *

Harry sat down and tried viewing the pieces of the puzzle together.

First, there are two attacks on Mungos of all places. A congregation of Death Eaters is busted though many Muggles are killed. Voldemort waited for Rookwood. Malfoy murders an Order Member. Mungos double checked to no avail. A lady at Mungos then finally a mysterious man.

"Harry", Hermione's soft voice jerked him out of his thoughts. He realized that his fists were clenched so tightly that an impression of his nails was present on his palms. He had gritted his teeth to breaking point.

Harry stared into the fireplace hoping Hermione wouldn't start asking all her questions again. She didn't. To his utmost irritation all that they were able to construct was that Voldemort was planning something from Mungos and he wanted the information for attacking the Ministry and Azkaban.

Harry replied, "Hermione, there is one last way we can use". She looked at him intensely.

"How will you do it, mate?"

He replied, "I'll relax and allow myself to drift into sleepiness, finally I'll get access to Voldemort's thoughts and the person he controls". Ron chose to keep mum.

"Harry, you mustn't force yourself to do that", replied Hermione.

He raised an eyebrow, "Hermione, I always see a vision when I am relaxed".

She asserted forcefully, "Don't do it Harry. What if Voldemort wants ... you to relax?"

Harry looked at her oddly, "Hermione, I had visions two times already and nothing has happened till date".

"Harry, don't do it. What if Voldemort possesses you? If he's waiting for it", her words were edged with fear.

"Hermione, he hasn't possessed me yet. Besides, I was in the same room as him last year".

"But what about Occlumency, it deals with absolute control of the mind. Harry you had more than four visions already-"

He cut her off feeling more angry, "-and Hermione, I repeat Voldemort hasn't possessed me even once during those visions. He could have easily done so-".

Hermione broke in disapprovingly, "- and he may do it now that he has done it once. At least, please don't do it till you have perfected Occlumency".

Harry stared at her in surprise, she was being unnecessarily persuasive. He decided not to do it and smiled, "Hermione, at that time I and Voldemort were in the same room no wonder he could possess me".

She for her part was getting irritated with his stubbornness, he had already got himself in trouble once, with all of them. She repeated pleadingly, "Voldemort has regained his power now and he may try to do it again, so please - please don't try anything ... like that".

Harry's mouth dropped open, as what she was saying hit him hard. He lowered his gaze to the floor lost for words. As her words washed over him, the guilt of last year began burning him slowly. He barely managed to contain himself as he perceived his guilt slowly and steadily spread through his body like poison, choking him.

Harry stood up shakily mumbled a 'good night' and walked away to his dorm, focusing himself on the exit to the Common Room.

"Very good, Hermione", hissed Ron angrily. She kept silent.

"Why did you have to remind him again? Couldn't you have kept quiet".

Still looking at the doorway through which Harry had gone she said quietly, "and see him repent for another of his mistakes?"

He replied furiously, "Come on Hermione, don't be illogical". He had touched a nerve.

She turned around angrily and half shouted, "FINE he has already got himself nearly killed once. If Ginny or Neville were dead what would have Harry done then? What would YOU have done then? I'm going to sleep, Goodnight. Fuming, she stalked off to her dorm not casting another look behind.

Even as she pulled out her Potions homework, such a powerful sense of foreboding overcame her that she decided to talk to Harry. Understanding how he could be feeling, she decided to talk to him first thing next day. "After all even Harry couldn't do without sleep and while asleep, people usually relaxed".

* * *

The sun had set long back. It was now ten thirty in the night, Dean and Seamus were surprisingly fast asleep, Neville wished him a good night and followed suit. Harry dropped into his bed unable to shut out all those dreams which had become regular visitors. He pulled down the hangings around his bed and stared into space, Hermione had reminded him after all. He had decided against seeing the vision in between but she had continued unnecessarily. A small bout of fury flared up in his chest.

"She didn't have to remind me, I know that she would have been killed", he thought angrily.

"Still, instead of agreeing, you chose to continue her argument", his mind chided him.

His anger vanished at once. Harry turned over in his bed, Ron and Hermione were nearly killed last year and he had expected nothing less than insults from the Grangers. However, to his relief Hermione hadn't been transferred to some other schools. Neville had to meet Bellatrix again, Lestrange would have enjoyed killing him. Harry clasped the bedcover tightly, he should have listened to Hermione. Finally, as punishment he had lost Sirius. Harry sat up in bed unable to sleep anymore. As Ron entered the room Harry lay down pretending to be fast asleep, thankfully Ron didn't interrupt him.

Harry stared at the ceiling for a long time. His scar itched continuously, the mind link with Voldemort was getting clearer ... He walked along the corridors and entered the same SPECIAL WARD but for WIZARDS, an Auror opened it and ... Harry shook himself, he wouldn't drift off, he would listen to Hermione this time.

"But I have to sleep finally", he smirked at the irony in her statement.

Finally, at eleven he managed to sleep. All his nightmares came back, Cedric Diggory ... Sirius ... Ron with the brain clamped on his head ... A smart young man was talking to him ...

Harry twisted and turned in his sleep.

* * *

Exactly at twelve, a long, sorrowful wail erupted in the dorm where Ron was sleeping, resounding eerily around the room. Even the paintings on the wall woke up in horror. Neville jerked and slipped from his bed to the floor to cause a loud THUMP, Ron, Dean and Seamus woke up with a start their hearts beating very quickly. Ron's head automatically turned towards Harry who was writhing, twisting on his bed.

He felt himself unable to move a millimeter as Harry's wail increased to such a pitch that cold fear surging through his body and mind paralyzed him completely.

"smonecallmcgongal", Neville squeaked inaudibly. He had clutched his bedsheet so tightly that it had torn where his grip was. Harry gave another heart rendering scream and rolled over the bed right onto the adjoining closet with a crash. The four swayed in their spots.

Regaining his senses, Ron yelled out, "Seamus call McGonagall, tell her Harry's getting another nightmare ..." Harry rolled over screaming and flailing and rammed directly into the wall. "... and tell her to GET BACK DOUBLE QUICK, GO NOW". He ran over to Harry and tried to wake him, one powerful kick on his chest sent him careening onto his own bed.

Dean finding Seamus frigid with fear dashed off to the deputy headmistress's office.

Ron and Neville tried in vain to catch hold of Harry, they tried yelling but Harry gave another fearful scream and knocked over the closet with a violent kick, hearing which Neville's legs buckled and he sank to the floor. Ron took out his wand and yelled an 'Accio' just as the vase over the closet stopped in midair inches over Harry's eyes and flew to his outstretched hand.

Harry screamed something again and waved off something in front. Ron could make neither head nor tail of it. He began pulling the bed away from his friend and winced as he heard Harry's arm hit the opposite side of the bed. He shouted angrily, "Don't stand there Seamus, help me to pull this away".

Seamus still stricken with fear, nodded haphazardly and Neville joined in too, even as Harry unintentionally clobbered himself by intermittently barreling onto the bed's edges and the wall. Ron hoped Dean would stop loitering around and bring McGonagall quickly, and this nightmare would end.

Seven minutes later which seemed like an hour, Harry had cuts over his arms and legs from hitting the closet, wall and bed. Ron, Seamus and Neville had cleared off a portion of the room and the Head Boy had come down to investigate, who Ron and Seamus ordered to call McGonagall, even as Harry's screams and cries didn't stop. To their relief McGonagall turned around the corner and made for them very fast.

McGonagall hurriedly walked in and stared at the boy-who-lived, Ron's eyes widened as Dumbledore followed shortly, looking grave himself. A loud crack! occured as a shelf had one of its legs knocked off by Harry's wild punch a louder wail and a jumble of words followed which had Neville sitting beside Harry, cupping his ears to cut off the din. Thankfully, Dean had shut the door just sometime back. Nobody even noticed the portraits welcoming the headmaster into the room.

"Neville what the hell are you doing?" yelled Ron. Neville shakily walked back to the headmaster and replied, "P-P-Professor he is-s s-saying s-something, I c-couldn't hear p-pp-properly, it is something like 'excpep - I mean 'excep-pt p-plutonium'". Ron glared at him and looked at the headmaster who was doing some quick thinking.

Dumbledore replied, "Mr. Longbottom, go and wake up Madam Pomfrey. Tell her to give a bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion". Neville stared at the headmaster but nodded and ran shakily all the way to the infirmary.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM", a silver phoenix shot out of Dumbledore's wand and flew in and out of Harry. McGonagall did the same. Ron and Seamus followed suit. Seamus couldn't manage it but Ron did fare better on his third attempt, a wisp of bodiless smoke flew onto Harry and remained there for a considerable amount of time. To his great relief, Harry didn't shout and yell anymore but was reduced to twitching and struggling on the floor, temporarily. The Head Boy who everybody seemed to have forgotten about, looked on in total surprise.

Dumbledore nor McGonagall talked, neither did Seamus or Ron. Though Ron's strength was draining slowly, he understood that every moment his Patronus was on, the better his friend would feel. Looking around he saw the portraits, some looking on in shock, others completely nonplussed.

"Professssor ... I ... ggotit", Neville came in completely out of breath. To his surprise, McGonagall put a binding curse on Harry and told him to pour a few drops down Harry's throat.

"Professor!"

Dumbledore spoke up, "Your friend will be excused from classes for some time".

"What do you mean, sir?", asked Ron, worry overriding his commonsense.

McGonagall replied irritably, "Mr. Longbottom do it quickly and Mr. Weasley, your headmaster meant that Potter would be in the infirmary till he decides to get up".

After some trying seconds Neville managed to pour a few drops into Harry's mouth and he stepped back. To everybody's relief Harry dropped into a deep soundless slumber.

Dumbledore pointed his wand at Harry and then Ron blinked, his friend had vanished. The two Patronuses vanished too. Ron was only to happy to revoke his Patronus Charm. He slumped weakly onto his bed, strength almost nullified.

The headmaster spoke up, "All the students in this room, I shall ask you not to discuss about this incident to anyone and not to even bring it up in any conversation, unless Harry desires so".

The four and the Head Boy nodded dazedly, Neville asked in a small voice still shaky, "P-Professor, when shall H-Harry get-t-t up?"

"I would say that Madam Pomfrey is better equipped to answer your question. You all had better return to your sleep, there is nothing you can do". The four returned nods of assurance and went back to their sleep, in truth wondering what had actually happened.

"What the heck was that?" whispered Dean. Neville shrugged. Ron stared at Harry's bed, his friend had never got so violent before. Seamus seemed to agree, "Boy, that was something, I doubt he gets up soon".

"But what the hell happened, was someone attacked again?"

Ron's stomach did a somersault as he processed what Dean had said. He decided to write home first thing tomorrow morning.

Neville was pale as chalk. Knowing about the nature of Harry's recent visions, he hoped his Grandma would reply immediately.

=================================================

For next time:
Harry re-instates his DA. Find out how Harry fares at Occlumency.
Find out what Voldemort had actually planned. I doubt you could have guessed, you weren't supposed to actually. This was the first plot The Capture of Azkaban, the main plot starts in the next chap. The method used illustrates the ingenuity of Voldemort.

More about Hermione and the 5th year prophecy.