I thought I'd just treat you to two chapters at once, enjoy!

Chapter 22 Friends?

Harry had fled the Great Hall without eating and found his way down to the kitchens, tickling the pear; he opened the door and went in search of Dobby.

"Harry Potter Sir, it is a great pleasure to see you," Dobby appeared in front of him.

"Hi Dobby, could you let me eat down here please?" Harry asked.

"But of course, what would you like?" Dobby led him to a table in the corner.

Harry looked about the kitchens and said, "Anything without Potions in it."

"Oh Harry Potter, Mr Dumbledore made me do it Sir, I am very sorry sir, but he said it was to save your life," Dobby muttered his apologies.

"It's alright Dobby, but I want you to warn me if anyone tries to do it again, no matter what they tell you. Okay?"

"Yes sir, Harry Potter." Dobby bowed and hurried off then seconds later he returned with a plate of Shepard's pie, vegetables and potatoes. Placing the plate in front of Harry, he conjured a goblet of pumpkin juice and some cutlery.

Harry began to eat and casually glanced around, something was different, but Harry couldn't figure out what it was. After he had cleared his plate, several other House-elves came forward with various puddings, to see which he would prefer. Harry suddenly realised that they were all wearing navy socks with their tea towels. Harry remembered that Dumbledore had freed them from their enslavement.

Harry smiled at the nearest elf and said, "How are you enjoying your freedom?"

The Elf sniffed and replied, "I likes it just fine."

Harry noted the elf didn't seem to be too excited by the whole freedom thing, but had obviously been unable to refuse Dumbledore's releasing them. Dobby rushed back over and whispered, "They don't like to talk about it … sir…they think that it proves they have not worked well."

Harry replied with a small 'oh' then thanked them all for letting him eat there, they gave him a few pastries and cakes to take with him and bid him goodbye.

Harry still wasn't ready to face Ron yet or the scared look in the younger students' eyes, if he went to the common room, so he wandered aimlessly around the corridors, pretending to be on duty.  His mind was replaying his argument with Ron but his anger had burned out and he could see it from Ron's point of view. Harry should have warned them, even although Dumbledore had insisted against him, he had known deep down that Malfoy wouldn't change. They had not been friends even before they had been separated into their houses. Malfoy had always been a snob and Harry had never liked that in anyone.

Harry wondered what Ron was doing now, would he forgive him, especially for taping his mouth shut –though in all fairness he hadn't actually meant to do that, he had only wanted Ron to stop yelling before he announced to all the students how many private lessons Harry had had. He smiled a little as he remembered the look of outrage on his friends face as the sticky plaster had appeared -Ron probably didn't even know what it was, having grown up in a magical family, he would never have needed plasters at home.

Sighing Harry decided to go and apologize to his friend, but only for the sticky plaster, he knew Ron had lashed out because he was angry, but what he had said still hurt. Did he really believe Harry thought that the world revolved around him? Knowing he couldn't answer this alone he headed towards Gryffindor tower.

As he climbed in the Portrait hole, a few of the younger students eyed him warily. Ignoring them Harry looked around for his friends, not seeing them he went up to Ron's dorm, to see if they were in there. Pausing he knocked on the door, and then pushed it open to find Neville sitting on his bed, alone in the room.

"Hey Neville, have you seen Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Not since dinner, no," Neville answered.

"Well, tell them I'm looking for them if you do. Thanks," Harry said as he turned and continued up to his room. Lying down on the bed and closing his eyes he tried to focus on them, maybe he could find them that way. It would be quicker than walking around the whole castle. Gradually his breathing slowed and he focused on the air around him. Searching through the voices that came to him, he finally isolated Ron's.

"But he should have told us," Ron was saying.

"He couldn't, you heard him, Dumbledore made him promise," Hermione answered.

"I just thought he would trust me with something this big, regardless of what Dumbledore said."

"He was just trying to do the right thing you know Ron," Hermione answered softly.

"You know its bad enough my best friend won't let me in anymore, without my girlfriend taking his side, again!" Ron snapped.

"I'm not taking his side, honestly, it's just that I think he has enough to deal with without losing his best friend too," Hermione replied.

"I know, did you feel the common room shake when he started shouting?"

"Everyone felt it, most of the first years are afraid to be in the same room as him now," Hermione said.

"How could he do that though, is it because of this wandless stuff?"

"I don't know, maybe. But do you think you could talk to him, please?" Hermione asked.

"Oh I suppose so, but only for you, you know," Ron huffed. "But we don't have to go now do we? I mean there's no one here right now, we could wait a while."

"Ron!" Hermione's voice was suddenly muffled and Harry drew back in his mind, not wanting to hear his two best friends enjoying a private moment.

Was it true, he asked himself, had he shut them out of his life? Sighing he realised that he had and Ron was right, he should talk to his friends, they could help him, even if they couldn't understand all of it, they could at least listen to him. And now that the rest of Gryffindor tower seemed to be afraid of him, he needed his friends more than ever.

He was startled out of his light doze, by a small knock on his door, an hour later. Opening he found Ron standing there. Without saying anything Harry stepped back to let Ron in.

"Look, before you say anything I wanted to say you were right. I should have told you and I'm sorry about the sticky plaster thing, I didn't mean that," Harry rushed his apology out.

"Yeh, how do muggles put up with those, they hurt like hell to rip it off," Ron replied, forgetting what he had been about to say.

Harry smiled a little and Ron added, "Actually, you were right. You made a promise and I respect that you kept it, even if it was for Malfoy." Ron spat out the name.

"I'm sorry you feel like I'm shutting you out," Harry raised his hand to forestall Ron's comment, "I didn't mean to do it, it's just Dumbledore and his secrecy thing. He doesn't let me talk about anything anymore."

"How did you know what Hermione and I were talking about?" Ron asked, when Harry had finished.

"Well, I kind of…overheard," Harry said quietly.

"How could you have overheard us, we were alone in the room of requirements," Ron looked puzzled.

Harry took a deep breath and explained to Ron an abbreviated version of his meditation, he didn't go into the elemental part of it. But he told Ron about being able to hear things around the castle. Ron looked horrified, "Does that mean you've be listening to Hermione and me ….when we.. ..uh…." his voice trailed away.

"Usually I don't listen to anyone, certainly not you two, when you're…ah…..anyway; I've only really heard Snape a couple of times moaning about me. I think maybe I can only hear things relating to me," Harry tried to reassure his friend. 

Ron looked a bit happier about this, and then asked Harry about all the missed lessons. Harry told him about his argument with Dumbledore and how he had spent the day in the forest and then in Hogsmead. It felt good to have someone to talk too. He avoided the whole subject of Elemental magic, not because Dumbledore had asked him not to talk about it, but because he was not ready to explain it. He didn't want to shock Ron with how different he was becoming, maybe Ron wouldn't want to be around him then.

They sat for a long time talking and Harry glanced at his watch and said, "It's nearly 4am, I suppose we should get some sleep. Hermione will probably wake you about 9am so you can study."

Ron laughed, "Yeh, she's beginning to get that look about her, you know the one?"

Harry nodded in return, "The 'we've only got three months until our exams!' look."

Ron nodded and tried to look serious for a moment as he stood and stretched, "You do realise that NEWT's are the most important exams you will ever sit, Harry!"

Harry laughed; his friend actually did quite a good impression of his girlfriend's exasperated tone. "You know the only good thing about all this war business? I really can't seem to get too worked up about sitting school exams any more; if I live long enough to graduate then I'll be happy."

"Well mate on that cheerful note, I'll say goodnight." Ron yawned. "By the way I've been meaning to ask you, the meditation stuff you taught Neville do you reckon I could learn it? No never mind, you've got enough studying to do on your own." Ron reached the door handle and nodded as he went to go out.

"Actually I think it's a brilliant idea, but you'd have to read my books in here, in case someone else saw them," Harry replied, wondering why he had never thought of it before.

"But didn't Dumbledore tell you not to let us read your books?" Ron asked.

"Well let's just say I don't think Dumbledore's ideas are always right," Harry replied darkly, "look what his last idea did to Hagrid."

"Right well if you're sure, I'll keep it quiet, can I tell Hermione?" Ron asked.

"It's up to you, I think it would do you both good to learn it," Harry replied.

"You're right, anyway she's smarter than I am, so she can help me to understand it," Ron replied earnestly.

"If I can learn it then so can you, now go away and sleep, before I have to give you a detention!" Harry laughed.

"Well I'll just have to learn that sticky plastic spell and get them all over you!" Ron retaliated.

"Plasters, Ron, you sound more like your Dad every day," Harry laughed as his friend slipped out of the door. "Goodnight."

Harry sprawled out on his bed and thought about Ron and Hermione learning the whole meditation and auras thing, he wondered if they would be ready for wandless and silent magic. Dumbledore's face floated into his mind and he cast it aside. Why should the headmaster be against his students gaining knowledge, he should encourage them all, not just Harry. But he only ever understood Dumbledore about half the time anyway, so there was no point in trying to fathom the old mans insistence that Harry keep all that he had learned to himself.

Suddenly feeling a little better than he had for weeks Harry rolled onto his back and fell into a dreamless sleep. Ron was still his friend, Malfoy had gone back to where he belonged and Harry no longer felt guilty about it, just sad. Harry had learned an important lesson today- he needed his friends, and they needed him, not just to save them, but him…Harry ….the ordinary boy who lived within the hero.

At lunch time Ron banged on his door to wake him, telling him to 'stop lying in bed all day.' Strangely his words reminded Harry of the Dursleys. Shuddering at the memory, Harry got up, grabbed his gear and headed for a quick shower. Strolling down to the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione, he paused at the door.

"What?" Hermione asked, when she noticed he had stopped.

"I'm not sure if I want to eat in there again," Harry said quietly.

"Come on, just eat everything I eat," Ron offered. "Then you'll know if it's poisoned or not."

"Not with your stomach Ron, you could eat anything and it probably wouldn't effect you," Hermione laughed.

"Oh charming," Ron said.

Laughing at his friends, Harry took a step into the Great Hall; he would just have to pay more attention, surely twice was enough, then he recalled Megan, and mentally groaned. Okay three times. Maybe people would have gotten bored trying to dope him and move on to a different method. Still, he took a long time to decide what he wanted and even then he picked food from the same serving plates he saw the others eat from before him.

After lunch they retreated to his room and Harry gave them the first book Dumbledore had given him on meditation.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Hermione whispered as though someone might overhear them.

"Why? Dumbledore never said anything when I showed Neville how to," Harry replied.

"Yes but he told you when you got the books not to discuss them with anyone," Hermione reminded him.

"That was almost two years ago, he knew you wouldn't be ready. Now if you take your time and don't rush through them, your magic should be well enough developed to do it." Harry reasoned, "You already learned a lot of the defence I was studying when I started these."

"Maybe we should ask…" Hermione began.

"Enough Hermione, I am doing this, no matter what you say," Ron said in a quiet but firm voice. "And I would like you to do it to."

Hermione, a little startled by Ron's authoritative tone, nodded meekly and sat down on the floor with the other two. Harry explained how he had begun with the simple meditation and then gradually worked on the wandless spells.

"But you shouldn't rush those," Harry warned them, "That's part of the reason I collapsed last year."

"You fainted," Ron smirked, unwilling to let his friend live it down.

"Collapsed," Harry stated. "Anyway, you can read the first bit about meditation and such, and then practice it before you go to sleep at night. Then once you start to do it right you'll see the auras." He looked up at his book shelve and called silently another book down, opening it he said, "I think I went onto this one next. But you should take it slow, just in case."

"I love that silent voice thing, it is just so cool," Ron said with a grin.

And with that they all laughed, Hermione relaxed visibly when she realised that they would be taking it slowly and carefully.

"How are your animagus lessons coming?" Harry asked.

"Don't ask she refuses to let us try by ourselves. I spend hours running around her classroom being chased by a lion," Ron groaned.

This brought a fresh bout of laughing, the image of a lion chasing a Red Setter around and McGonagall shouting at the pair of them, struck Harry as extremely amusing. But once he had stopped laughing he said, "I'm sure she'll let you try if you ask her often enough."

"How did you convince her?" Ron asked.

"Well, I kept nagging and eventually Dumbledore arrived and agreed with me," Harry replied.

"Well I think she's right to be cautious," Hermione said, "she has years of experience."

"Hermione, I know you think that the teachers know best, and maybe they do most of the time, but eventually they have to let their students grow up and make decisions for themselves," Harry countered. "I think you should give it a go Ron, it is actually easier to transform back once you've done it yourself."

Hermione looked a bit put out by his comment and Ron looked a though he were hovering between excitement and fear from the whole thing.  "Harry's got a point Hermione, be side's I can't keep up with the extra lessons much longer. I need to study for my NEWT's remember."

Harry thought this was probably the best argument that his friend could put forward, Hermione was already nagging them about studying. They spent the time until dinner, reading Harry's books and listening to him explain some of the finer points then they trooped down to the Great Hall.

Harry felt a little lighter; he remembered feeling this way when he had first started the DA in fifth year. He was taking charge and helping his friends learn to defend themselves, and it felt right, regardless of what Dumbledore thought.

Monday morning brought his first lesson with the headmaster. Harry was surprised to find Dumbledore waiting for him in the classroom already.

"Good morning Harry, did you have a restful day yesterday?"

Harry frowned a little at Dumbledore; did he know that Harry was teaching Ron and Hermione? Or was he just being pleasant. "Yes thank you," Harry replied shortly.

 "I see you are still angry with me," Dumbledore sighed, "Well what would you like to do today?"

"What would I like to do?" Harry inquired.

"Well you know better than anyone what things you need to practice," Dumbledore replied. "I told you a while ago I could only lead you so far. The rest is up to you."

"Well I'm not sure, I think I need to study more advanced duelling, the Friday afternoon Defence lessons are still a bit basic. In fact I think that all the students are ready for more advanced lessons." Harry replied.

"Ah, well I can help you with duelling, however we must remember that this is a school, not an army training facility," Dumbledore smiled. "We should not over do it with the other students, they already know how to defend themselves, it is not necessary to take them beyond that level. That is what Auror training is for, and not all students are suitable for it." 

"But what about fighting against Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"That is a job for trained Aurors and Order members," Dumbledore replied.

"And me!" Harry finished.

Dumbledore sighed, "Yes Harry, much as I regret it, and you."

They began their duelling and Harry tried to read Dumbledore's strategy, he managed to do well and several times caught the Headmaster out. After the bell rang, Dumbledore commended Harry on his skills and sent him of to Transfigurations.

After class Harry hung back to speak to Professor McGonagall, he wave Ron and Hermione to go to lunch without him.

"Yes Mr Potter?"

"Professor, I wanted to ask you something, I realise that it's none of my business at the end of the day, but anyway I …" Harry trailed off, trying to think of the best way to word his question.

"Spit it out Mr Potter, or we'll miss lunch," McGonagall said briskly.

"It's about Ron, I was wondering if it would be okay for me to help him with his animagi practice." Harry began, the rushed on before she could interrupt. "He feels like he may not have time to study for his NEWT's properly if he doesn't finish the extra lessons soon. And it would be a pity if he didn't learn before he left school."

"Mr Potter, I realise that you took a remarkably short time to learn to transform alone, but really school policy dictates that I only let the students transform when they have successfully returned to human form alone," McGonagall answered, in a remarkably calm tone. Harry had envisioned her shouting at him to mind his own business.

"I know, but still, maybe just once to see how he does?" Harry asked.

"I'll think about it," McGonagall replied. "I understand why you're so keen, I realise it has been a difficult two years for you, unable to share your new talents with your friends, be patient for a little longer Harry." McGonagall smiled a little smile at Harry, leaving him very surprised. "Now off you go to lunch, you wouldn't want to miss it."

 Harry smiled his thanks and raced down to lunch. He hadn't really expected Professor McGonagall to agree with him and change her policy, but he hadn't expected her to smile at him either. Strange how all the teachers seemed to be changing, Harry thought, or maybe they hadn't changed so much, maybe he had.