DISCLAIMER: I am in no way associated with JK Rowling. All characters contained in this work of fiction belong solely to her. That's why she's a world famous author and I'm not.

A/N: I really hope you continue to enjoy this story. Thanks again for the reviews and support I have been given.

CHAPTER FIVE

Harry hadn't realised his eyes were closed until Ron elbowed him sharply in the ribs and he jerked them open again. Professor Binns had been droning on about the long reaching consequences of the Wizards Conference of 1633 for about forty minutes, and Harry, like the rest of the class, had long since lost interest.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked quietly, as Binns continued in his monotone voice.

"Yeah," Harry lied, leaning his elbow on the desk and resting his head against his palm.

It was their first lesson of the week. Harry hadn't mentioned his dream to Ron or Hermione yet. He had gone down to the common room with every intention of telling them, but he'd been distracted by Ron's grumbling about the backhand tactics of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Then this morning at breakfast – he had planned to tell them then, but the gloating smirks of everybody at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy especially, had sidetracked him.

'At lunch' Harry told himself, as he tried his hardest to concentrate on what Professor Binns was saying. 'I'll talk to them at lunch.'

But just then, a knock at the classroom door interrupted Harry's musings.

Dennis Creevy appeared in the doorway and called excitedly to Professor Binns.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Professor Dumbledore wants to see Harry in his office, Sir."

All eyes in the classroom turned to look at Harry, who in turn looked quizzically at Dennis, who just grinned happily.

Professor Binns waved his hand towards Harry, who assumed it meant he had permission to leave. He muttered a quiet goodbye to Ron and Hermione, and then followed Dennis from the room.

"Hi, Harry," Dennis said, the moment the door swung shut behind them. "I couldn't believe it when I was asked to come and find you. I haven't seen you around for ages. You weren't in the common room much over the weekend. Dreadful shame about us losing at Quidditch, wasn't it? But I suppose without you, they didn't stand much of a chance."

Harry closed his eyes and wished that Dumbledore had sent a different messenger to find him.

"Everybody's saying about how unfair it was for Professor Snape to ban you from the team – I agree. The only...."

"Sorry, Dennis," Harry interrupted, working to keep his voice level, when he really felt like grabbing Dennis by the shoulders and shaking him until his tongue fell out so he couldn't talk anymore. "But do you know why Dumbledore wants to see me?"

"Haven't got a clue," Dennis replied brightly as they continued to walk. "Maybe he's going to put you back on the Quidditch team!"

Harry managed a small laugh before falling silent. He seriously doubted that was the reason Dumbledore wanted to talk to him. His stomach gave a violent lurch as he remembered Snape's promise to talk to Dumbledore about him. Perhaps he'd kept his promise.

"Well, here we are."

Dennis' cheery voice brought Harry out of his thoughts and he was surprised to see that they had reached the stone gargoyle which blocked the entrance to Dumbledore's office. He looked down at Dennis and forced a friendly smile.

"Thank you, Dennis."

Dennis grinned and then turned to face the gargoyle.

"Sugar Quill."

The gargoyle jumped to one side as Dennis spoke the password. Dennis positively beamed at Harry. "Professor Dumbledore said that he knew he could trust me with the password. Although I should imagine he'll change it soon enough."

Harry nodded and then climbed onto the bottom step of the staircase which had just been revealed. Dennis gave him a friendly wave as the staircase began to revolve slowly, lifting Harry out of sight.

*

With a heavy heart, Harry knocked loudly on the door and then opened it cautiously. Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly and beckoned Harry inside.

"Please, sit down, Harry," he said. He was seated behind his desk, which was overflowing with pieces of parchment. "I must apologise for the disorderly state of my affairs."

Harry smiled nervously as he sat down, Dumbledore waving vaguely at the clutter on his desk.

"What did you want to see me about, Professor?"

Professor Dumbledore's eyes wrinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he smiled at Harry. He didn't reply; he just placed his fingertips together and leaned back in his chair.

"Professor?"

Harry could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He was looking down at the floor, unable to look at Dumbledore. What had Snape said to him?

"I understand you have been removed from the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Harry."

Harry nodded, still not looking at Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape informs me that this is because of your behaviour in his classes."

This made Harry look at him.

"It's not fair," he complained, leaning forward and resting his hands on Dumbledore's desk. "I'd done nothing wrong. Malfoy was...."

But Dumbledore held up his hand and Harry fell into silence.

"Your feud with Mr Malfoy is, I trust, still ongoing?"

Harry gave an exasperated sigh.

"You know what his family's like, Professor! He's always trying to get me into trouble and Snape..I mean Professor Snape lets him get away with everything. I know I sometimes lose my temper with him when I shouldn't, but I can't help it. He just makes me so angry. He says things about my Father. Horrible things."

Harry put his hands into his lap and twisted his fingers together.

"And things about Sirius."

Professor Dumbledore nodded and fell into thoughtful silence.

"He said he was going to ask you to expel me," Harry added, his voice quiet and downbeat. He looked up at Dumbledore, blinking nervously behind his glasses.

"Yes," Dumbledore replied slowly, "He has spoken to me about the matter." He looked across the desk at Harry and gave him a warm, encouraging smile. "But of course I have no intentions of doing any such thing."

This was exactly what Harry had wanted to hear. He smiled widely at Dumbledore, who picked up a small pot on his desk and offered Harry a sherbert lemon, which Harry accepted gratefully. Dumbledore looked intently at Harry for a few moments, before speaking again.

"You must understand that Professor Snape will probably never forget his grudge against your Father. I have spoken to him about not letting it affect his treatment of you but I'm afraid Severus doesn't always follow my advice."

Harry didn't think any response was required of him, so he sucked silently on his sherbert lemon and watched Dumbledore.

"However – you must remember that Professor Snape is your teacher and therefore deserving of your respect." Dumbledore's expression was serious and Harry bit down on his lip as he listened. "I know that you will not let me down, Harry."

Harry took a heavy breath and looked down in his lap. In other words, Professor Dumbledore was asking him to ignore all of Snape's bullying and not retaliate. That was so unfair and for a brief moment, Harry despised Dumbledore for even asking, but then he sighed and gave a quick nod of his head. He didn't want to let the headmaster down. Dumbledore beamed at him, his eyes wrinkled with pleasure.

"Thank you. Now, is there anything else you would like to talk to me about?"

Harry shook his head.

"Then you may go." Dumbledore looked up at the large golden clock on the wall and then turned back to Harry with a smile. "There doesn't seem much point in you returning your class now. Why don't you have a breather before your next lesson, which is, unless I'm mistaken, transfiguration?"

Harry nodded and stood up, glancing at Dumbledore. Suddenly, he remembered his dream last night. He opened his mouth but then froze. Was it really worth bothering Dumbledore over a dream? Because surely that's all it was. Just a dream. Nothing to worry about.

"Yes, Professor," Harry said and then he left the office, closing the door quietly behind him. Dumbledore watched him leave and then closed his eyes thoughtfully. There was something Harry had wanted to say – he could tell – but then he'd changed his mind at the last minute. He wondered what was on the boys mind....

TBC.....