DISCLAIMER: I own nothing – it all belongs to JK Rowling.

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Within the first week of his return to school, Harry found that Lupin was quite right – he was very, very busy. The teachers taking NEWT classes seemed to take it as a personal challenge to load them with as much homework as possible, and the trio found themselves snowed under.

While most of Harry's teachers were delighted to have him back, one was definitely not. Professor Snape, with his usual disdain, looked down at Harry with disgust in his first Potions lesson.

"I see that some of you managed to hoodwink the examiners into giving you ridiculously high marks in your OWLs," he purred. "However, I shall be putting you through your paces with immediate effect, and I have no doubt that several people in this class will be dropping out by the end of the year."

Harry bit his tongue in an effort to keep quiet. I'm not as thick as you think, Snape, he thought furiously. In fact, it was because you weren't there that I managed to do well in my Potions exam – I didn't have you hanging around, deducting points from Gryffindor all over the place just because I happen to look like my father. Let's see who wins this one, shall we?

He smiled sweetly up at Professor Snape, who looked momentarily startled.

"We will be starting this year with work on poison antidotes," Professor Snape said, recovering his composure and shooting a vicious look at Harry. "We shall not, however, be handling the poisons themselves for some time – not until you are old enough to be responsible about it. Which, for certain individuals, might be never."

Harry sighed. Some things, it seemed, never changed.

Defence Against the Dark Arts, however, was a different story. Tonks (who insisted that her NEWT class members drop the "Professor" when addressing her) was an excellent teacher. Despite her inherent clumsiness, she had an innate ability to understand a student's capabilities and push them to go just a little bit further. She earned Neville's undying devotion and adoration in the first week when they were revising the hexes and jinxes they had already covered, by clapping him on the shoulder and telling him he had mastered the best Impediment Jinx she'd ever seen.

On top of all the extra work, Harry had the additional task of sorting out the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet had finished school, and the two Beaters who had replaced Fred and George Weasley refused point blank to return. "Sorry, Harry," said Jack Sloper apologetically, "but I can't take the stress. Not for me, Quidditch …" Andrew Kirke nodded agreement.

So that left the team short four players, with the only remaining stalwarts being Harry himself as Seeker, Ron as Keeper, and Katie Bell as a Chaser. Glumly, Harry put a notice up on the Gryffindor noticeboard, announcing that tryouts for the team would take place that Saturday afternoon. "I reckon we're looking for a miracle," he said morosely to Ron. "We need two new Chasers, and two new Beaters. We're going to have to train damn hard to stay in the running for the Quidditch Cup this year."

He turned to find Ginny hovering behind him, reading the notice over his shoulder. "Hope you're still going to try out for Chaser, Ginny," he said hopefully. "We really need you."

"'Course," she said nonchalantly. "And I know people in high places, so I just might have a shot at it, won't I?" She winked at him and gave his arm a squeeze. To his surprise, Harry felt his stomach flip over.

What is it with Ginny this year? he wondered. She's having a really odd effect on me!

Before they knew it, the week was over and it was Friday already. Harry couldn't wait for the day to end, as he was to begin his Occlumency and Legilimency lessons with Lupin. He was a bit nervous, as he well remembered the unpleasant sessions with Snape last year. His scar had burned and stung after every session. Come to think of it, he thought, he hadn't felt his scar hurt for ages. Must remember to mention that to Lupin…

Going into the Great Hall at lunchtime, he threw himself into a spare seat next to Hermione and helped himself to shepherd's pie with enthusiasm. After a few minutes, he realized that apart from a curt "hello", Hermione hadn't said a single word. Glancing at her curiously, he saw her glaring in the direction of the Hufflepuff table. There, standing next to Susan Bones and laughing uproariously, was Ron.

"What's he doing over there?" Harry mumbled to Hermione, his mouth full of mashed potato. She shot him a disgusted look.

"Chatting up Susan," she muttered through gritted teeth.

"Ron?" Harry laughed. "Ron wouldn't know how to chat up a girl if someone gave him a manual and six free lessons."

"Well, they've been very cosy since yesterday's Care of Magical Creatures class," said Hermione, sounding miffed.

Interested, Harry looked over at Ron and Susan. Ron had now taken up the seat next to Susan and they were talking animatedly, heads close together.

"How about that?" said Ginny, who had slid into the space on the other side of Hermione. "My big brother – babe magnet!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" snapped Hermione, getting up abruptly. "Harry's right – Ron doesn't have a clue!" She stomped out of the hall in a huff.

Harry watched her go with his mouth open. He raised his eyebrows at Ginny, who shrugged. "Odd relationship, those two," she said, sliding over next to him and tucking into her lunch. "Love-hate. Bit more love than hate, I'd say."

"OK, hold it right there!" Harry said, amazed. "What kind of crazy girl logic is that? Ron and Hermione have been friends forever! I know they bicker a bit, but …"

"Yeah, but maybe there's more to it than you think," said Ginny serenely. "Why do you think they fight so much? You don't fight with either of them like they do with each other, and you've been friends with them just as long!"

Harry sat there dumbly, thinking about this piece of intuition. Then something occurred to him. "I suppose that would explain why Ron gets so irritated whenever Hermione mentions Viktor Krum, and why he got so upset when she went to the Yule Ball with Krum in fourth year!" he spluttered.

"Slow, aren't you, Harry?" said Ginny, laughing. "I've thought something might happen between them for ages, but I suspect they're in denial. In fact," she added thoughtfully, "I think Ron might have given the idea up altogether, going by his sudden interest in Miss Bones."

They both looked towards the Hufflepuff table, where Ron was now offering Susan his hand to help her up from the table. Harry had never seen Ron being so chivalrous.

"After all," said Ginny, "people can only handle unrequited love for so long. Then they just have to move on. Speaking from experience and all …" She looked at her watch. "Oh damn, is that the time? Got to go, Harry – I need to speak to Prof McGonagall before class so I better get a move on." She got up with hurriedly and belted out of the hall.

Harry felt quite downcast. Hermione was right the previous year, then – Ginny had gotten over her crush on him after all. And just when he was starting to notice that she was a lot more than just "Ron's little sister', too.

At five minutes to eight that evening, as directed, Harry arrived at the door of the small classroom off the main hallway. Lupin opened it before he could knock. "Impatient, aren't you?" he said, smiling. "Come on, then."

Grabbing his cloak, Lupin trotted up the stairs. "Where are we going?" said Harry, bewildered. "I thought we were meeting in that room downstairs."

"Well, Dumbledore thought it might not be such a good idea, as anyone could pop their head in and see what we're up to," said Lupin, taking the steps three at a time. "He's offered us the use of his office instead, as it's probably the safest place in Hogwarts."

Arriving at the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office, Lupin murmured "Acid Pop" in its ear. The gargoyle sprang aside, revealing a moving circular staircase which took Harry and Lupin up to Dumbledore's office. The room was exactly the same as it had been the last time Harry was here, and he felt a pain in his chest when he remembered the circumstances. It was here that, for the first time, he had fully understood what his life was to be, and had started to come to terms with an existence without Sirius.

To his surprise, Dumbledore was seated at his desk, with his phoenix, Fawkes, on his perch nearby.

"Good evening, Remus, Harry," Dumbledore said, nodding at them both in turn. "I wanted to talk to you both before your lessons begin. Please, take a seat."

They sat in the straight-backed chairs before the desk. "Now then, Harry," said Dumbledore gravely. "Have you felt any further connection to Voldemort since your encounter at the end of last term?"

"No, sir," said Harry. "I've been a bit worried – I haven't felt anything in my scar for ages. I was going to ask you what's been happening."

"Absolutely nothing – and we're very concerned too," said Dumbledore somberly. "It hasn't been this quiet since Voldemort was vanquished when you were a child. The imprisoned Death Eaters haven't even tried to escape Azkaban, there have been no incidents – nothing at all…"

"Any theories, Albus?" asked Lupin.

"We believe they are gathering their forces for a big push," said Dumbledore, observing them over the tops of his half-moon glasses. "But … I think there is more to it. Harry, this time around, I want you to work really hard at your Occlumency lessons, and you will need to apply yourself to becoming a Legilimens with Remus. Once you are sufficiently accomplished, I will work with you myself and begin to teach you to defend your mind."

"I will, Professor," said Harry earnestly. "But why is it so important now?"

"Because, Harry, I believe that the time will come – and sooner than we think – that Voldemort will attack you again," said Dumbledore. "And this time, he'll be doing it in a realm where we can't be there to help you – your consciousness."

He sighed, and stood up. Moving over to the window, he looked sadly at the lake outside before turning back to them. "Voldemort has learned to his cost that he cannot attack you physically and survive," he said. "It is my belief that he is going to try and destroy your mind, making you a mere shell and therefore, no threat to him at all. This is why you need to learn the arts of defending your mind and protecting your soul, and how to attack him in kind. Maybe, just maybe, this is the way we will destroy him in the end."

Shocked, Harry sat there in silence. Then he squared his shoulders, and looked Dumbledore in the eye. "Well, we knew it would ultimately be him or me," he said quietly. "Let's get on with the training, then – I want to be as prepared as possible."

Dumbledore nodded, and walked towards the door. Pausing, he put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You have more courage than much older and more experienced wizards," he said softly. "Your parents would have been prouder than you can possibly know."

He beckoned to Fawkes, who swooped towards his shoulder. Bidding them good night, he left the office and closed the door softly behind him.

"Ready, Harry?" asked Lupin quietly.

Harry nodded nervously. "Let's do it."