The Department of Intelligence

    Harry didn't know what he was going to do with these visions he kept having. When he told Ron and Hermione, they gazed at him pitifully, and told him that Sirius was dead, and there was nothing else to it. Ron suggested that he go to Madam Pomfrey, while Hermione insisted that this was a situation better suited for Dumbledore.

    Harry had to admit that this year was one of his worst. Percy was an absolute nightmare, the pile of homework (especially for Transfigurations) was building up quickly, he had to teach the Slytherins Defense Against the Dark Arts, and then teach the members of Dumbledore's Army real classes, the Quidditch season was coming up, meaning that he had to train the team, and on top of it all, he was easily distracted by thoughts of Seamus.

    For once, Harry could escape only in his dreams. He had had no further dreams of Voldemort, nor did he have any visions of Sirius at night. 'At least you don't have Muggle Studies,' said Ron when Harry told him about his hectic schedule (minus a few things such as Seamus) one day. 'I have no idea how they expect us to remember these things. We've gone to something called the telly, and I keep messing it up with the felly—I mean telephone. Why do they sound the same?'

    'Well, if you listened in class, you'd know that it's called the television, not the telly,' said Hermione hotly. 'The telephone is quite different,'

    'I know,' said Ron darkly. 'I still remember the first time I used one,'

    Harry grinned. Ron had used the telephone for the first time during the summer after their second year, and had screamed into Uncle Vernon's ear, asking to speak to Harry. 'I'm surprised you're only at the television,' Harry said to Hermione. 'It's quite basic, isn't it?'

    'Well, we did a basic study on it during our fourth year,' said Hermione. 'Now, we're going through mass communication through the ages. We've already done the radio—'

    'I liked that one,' said Ron.

    'You would,' Hermione glared. 'Witches have radios too. We had to study the circuitry,' she said, her attention back on Harry, 'of the radio, now we're going through the television and its wiring. We're doing computers next. In our fourth year, all we learned was that they received signals and that its outer appearance changed through the ages,'

    It was Wednesday, the Gryffindors day to practice. The Ravenclaws had Monday, the Hufflepuffs, Tuesday, and the Slytherins had Friday. Harry was beginning to regret his decision to put Seamus on the team. He found it very hard to concentrate when the Irish boy was around, and usually felt like throwing caution into the wind and snogging him, even if they were in public. They hadn't done anything since Seamus had given him that handjob last week, and Harry was eager to play a more active role. However, his schedule was keeping him from Seamus.

    Hermione dropped them off at the Quidditch pitch. 'Where are you going while we practice?' asked Ron.

    'Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll just stay in the common room,' said Hermione. Harry had a bad feeling that she wasn't telling them everything, and he could guess what it was; the house-elves had returned to cleaning Gryffindor Tower, and he was sure that she would try to make more outfits for them, but he didn't say anything.

    The other Gryffindors were waiting for them by the time Harry and Ron arrived. Seamus flashed Harry a smile, and Harry felt heat creep up to his cheeks. He smiled back. 'Okay, mount your brooms,' he said.  Harry saw Seamus climb on his broom, a Golden Streak, and zoom into the air, followed by the rest of the team. Harry opened up the kit with the four balls, and the Bludgers shot into the air as soon as they were released, narrowly missing his nose. Harry released the Quaffle and the Snitch and then flew on his Firebolt.

    Lorne and Ambrosia kept the Bludgers away from the other players, allowing Katie to score. Ron grumbled to himself because he missed an easy shot, and they were at it again. Seamus didn't spend much time going after the Quaffle, and Harry saw him staring at something in his direction, before he realized that Seamus was staring at him.

    Annette got two more shots in, and Seamus got one, and Ron saved another two before they realized that they were being watched. 'Who's that?' asked Ron, pointing a pale boy with black hair who was watching the team. Harry squinted and flew down a little closer, and realized that it was a first year. 'It's that Apreck boy!' he said. 'He's a Slytherin!'

    'What's he doing?' asked Annette.

    'Spying on us,' said Katie angrily. 'He can't do that!'

    Harry flew to the ground, followed closely by the rest of the team. Realizing that he had been spotted, Apreck made a run for it, but Harry had his wand. Pulling it out, he yelled, 'Petrificus Totallus!' and Apreck was immobile.

    When Harry gripped the Slytherin's collar, Katie used her own wand and said, 'Finite Incantatem!' unfreezing Apreck from his spot. 'Did the Slytherins send you here to spy on us?' asked Harry.

    'No,' said Apreck defensively. Harry didn't believe him.

    'Who's the new Slytherin captain?' he asked.

    'D—Draco Malfoy,' Apreck stammered.

    'I knew it,' Ron hissed. It was exactly the kind of thing Malfoy would do.

    'Let go of him, Potter,' said a cold, drawling voice. Harry looked up to see Malfoy standing behind the team. They turned around and glared at him. 'He's telling the truth. I didn't send him. Why should I? I already know you'll be the worst captain in history,'

    'And yet I've always caught the Snitch when I play against you, Malfoy,' Harry retorted.

    'I think it would be best if we ask him why he's here,' said Malfoy. 'You should know better, Potter. I'm a sixth-year. I do not associate with mere first-years,'

    Harry realized that this was true. Malfoy seemed to be too arrogant to hang around someone younger than him. 'Why are you here?' he asked Apreck.

    'I wanted to spy on the team, so that I could be placed in next year,' Apreck confessed. Malfoy rolled his eyes. 'When I delivered information to Mr. Malfoy, he would be sure to place me next year,'

    'Wrong,' said Malfoy coldly. 'Our prestigious team only accepts the best,'

    'They accepted you, didn't they?' muttered Ron under his breath. Malfoy looked coldly at him and sneered.

    'Yes they did, Weasley,' he said. 'I wonder how you ever got in. I was obviously the best, or I wouldn't be team captain now, would I? We, unlike Gryffindor, still have many of our players around. Potter here was chosen—' he locked eyes on Katie, '—because there was no other alternative,'

    'Why, you—' Katie snarled, launching herself onto him, but was held back by Harry and Seamus. Malfoy laughed derisively.

    'I'll let you get back to your … training. You'll need it. Good luck, Weasley. Your Highness,'

    Ron inhaled sharply, but didn't do anything.

    'Come on,' said Harry. 'We have to go back to training,'

*

    '… an absolute nightmare,' said Ron as he and Harry trudged back into Gryffindor tower. Ron was still fuming about the encounter with Malfoy, and Harry wasn't paying much attention. 'Potter!'

    Harry and Ron turned to see Professor Snape walking quickly up to them, and Harry briefly thought of running. 'I have just received a complaint,' said Snape in his coldest voice when he reached them, 'from a Mr. Richard Apreck. Seems that he was outside the school, trying to relax from a hard day's work by walking around, and he was suddenly immobilized. By you,'

    'He's lying,' said Harry at once.

    'You deny using the Petrifying Charm, then?' said Snape.

    'No,' Harry said quickly, knowing that Snape would just think up a worse punishment than detention if he lied. 'I did, but he was watching us practice! He was spying!'

    'Mr. Apreck swears on the Slytherin flag that he was merely trying to relax,' said Snape. Harry burned, knowing that Snape had just made that up. Apreck had most probably come screaming to Snape, told him everything, and run away. 'And anyway, magic is not allowed to be performed on students, much less on the Quidditch pitch. Ten points from Gryffindor, and detention this Friday,'

    He left before Harry could protest.

    'Oh, Harry,' said Hermione in despair when he told her later. 'You've lost sixty points for Gryffindor and the Quidditch season hasn't even started yet!'

    'I'm just lucky he didn't take fifty,' said Harry. 'That means he knows that I was justified in my actions, but he just doesn't want to admit it,'

    'But you weren't justified, Harry,' said Hermione. 'Professor Snape is right. Magic shouldn't be used on students no matter what. Have you ever seen Wood use magic on any of the Slytherins?'

    'Well, Wood didn't have such problems, did he?' asked Harry. 'And anyway, Ron tried to curse Malfoy in our second year. No one punished him for that,'

    'They probably would have,' said Ron. 'If the spell hadn't backfired, that is,'

    Harry let out a sound of disgust. 'I'm going up to my room,' he said, getting up. He went up the Boys' staircase, and into his room to find Seamus sitting on his bed.

    'Need comforting?' asked Seamus with an amused smile.

    Harry smiled back. 'Very much so,' he said, walking to his bed, and enveloped into Seamus's arms. In a moment, Harry felt his lips being crushed by Seamus's. 'Mmm,' he smiled, kissing back, and entering Seamus's mouth.

    The door opened, and they heard a great gasp, and broke away. Ron was standing there, staring at them, a mixture of shock and horror on his face. 'What's going on?' he asked, shutting the door behind him. 'What are you doing to Harry?'

    'Ron, we were just—'

    'This doesn't concern you,' Ron snapped at Harry. Harry fell silent.

    'We were snogging,' said Seamus baldly.

    'Snogging?' Ron couldn't seem to believe it, though he had just seen them, and heard Seamus confess.

    'Yes. Kissing. Making out.'

    'Don't get smart, Finnigan,' warned Ron.

    'Ron, this isn't about you,' said Harry. 'I know what I'm doing,'

    'I don't think you do,' said Ron, turning on Harry. 'Harry, not only is Seamus a friend, he's a boy!'

    'Does that make me a boyfriend then?' Seamus laced his fingers through Harry's. Ron glared at him, but Harry was staring at his friend, as if seeing him in a new light.

    'Are you … homophobic?' he asked Ron slowly.

    'No, Harry. It's just … wrong,' said Ron.

    'Uh, Ron, that's what homophobes usually feel about this,' said Harry. 'Ron, please don't tell me that you can't handle this,'

    'I can handle this, Harry,' said Ron in a tired voice. 'It—it just came out wrong. Seamus is a good friend. And he's your roommate. What if this doesn't work out? How are you going to be friends with him again? What if you can't play Quidditch with him again? What if you can't even sleep or be in the same room as him?'

    Even though these were worrying questions, Harry felt a surge of relief. Ron could accept this. Ron wouldn't hate him. 'I'll be fine, Ron,' said Harry. Ron glanced at Seamus, whose fingers were still laced through Harry's.

    'Just … take care of yourself,' he said to Harry. Harry nodded. Ron left the room.

    'Take care of yourself,' repeated Seamus. 'Does that mean that I'm a danger to you?'

    Harry faced Seamus, and realized that he wanted more. 'Only the good kind,' he said. He placed his hand on Seamus's chest, and pushed him down on the bed, then began kissing him feverishly. 'Seamus,' he whispered.

    'Yeah?' Seamus managed to ask before kissing Harry again.

    'I want you …' said Harry, before pausing to kiss him again, 'to do more than just kiss me tonight,'

    Seamus stopped. 'Are—are you sure?'

    'Yes,' Harry was astounded by how bold he was. He had never tried this before, but he wanted to go all the way with Seamus.  He unbuttoned the clasp on his robe and it fell off, and he began unbuttoning his shirt. 'I'm sure,'

    Seamus pushed Harry's hand away and replaced it with his own. They began undressing each other slowly, purposely. Seamus embraced Harry with another kiss, and they were soon naked. 'Wait,' Seamus whispered. He gripped his wand, and flicked it at the edge of Harry's bed. The drapes of the four-poster closed on them, giving them privacy. Seamus's lips returned to work, as he trailed down and kissed Harry's neck, and went even lower. He suckled on Harry's right nipple first, turning it red and raw. Then he did the left.

    Encouraged by Harry's growls of pleasure, he went lower, until his nose brushed against Harry's black curls. He took in a lock of the pubic hair into his mouth and dampened it before letting it go. It curled back in Harry's groin in a clump. Harry's cock was crying out for attention, and Harry was voicing it out. Seamus pushed back the foreskin of the seven inched cock, and his tongue darted out to touch the forehead. Harry gasped in pleasure, and Seamus allowed his tongue to lick the head.

    'Oh, Seamus …' Harry yowled.

    Seamus swathed his lips over the head of Harry's cock. He flipped Harry over, so that the Boy Who Lived was at the bottom, and he was on top. 'I need …' Harry said, hardly able to maintain a steady voice, ' … your cock,'

    Seamus pulled off Harry's dick, listening to Harry groan in disappointment. He spread his legs and turned his body so that his legs fit either side of Harry's head, and so that his cock was directly over Harry's mouth. Harry drew it in, and proceeded to blow him. Seamus moaned around Harry's cock, but pulled off again, to snatch his wand. 'Silencio!' he murmured, casting a Silencing Spell over them. He felt Harry's tongue on his eight inch pole, and moaned again, but this time, it couldn't be heard due to the Silencing Spell.

    The two boys 69-ed like this for a while. Harry paused every time he felt Seamus approaching orgasm, trying to make it last, but finally couldn't hold back. He felt his own orgasm approaching, and Seamus didn't bother to stop it. Harry tried to cry 'Fuck!' but his mouth was occupied by Seamus's fat cock, and no one could have heard it anyway due to the charm. His balls tightened.

    He came.

    He shot many times into Seamus's mouth, and he convulsed from the pleasure, his back flying upward. He continued to suck as well, and Seamus fell over the edge. He blew his wad in Harry's mouth, crying out silently, overcome by the sense of relief. He licked the head of Harry's cock after he came, knowing that the head was most sensitive after orgasm. As expected, Harry thrashed around, and Seamus had to use his hands to keep his legs in check.

    He rolled off Harry, and noticed that they were both sweating. 'Finite Incantatem,'

    Harry didn't know what to do. He had just had sex for the first time, and it was the most pleasurable experience he ever felt. In fact, the only thing that could come close to the feelings he had felt during the encounter was the feelings he felt now, during the afterglow.

    After a moment, Seamus turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. Lying on his side, he kissed Harry on the lips. 'You're a natural, you know that?' he asked him.

    'Really?' Harry grinned.

    'Yep,' Seamus nodded. Harry watched him. Seamus was just too irresistible like this, covered in a sheen of sweat. Harry couldn't pass it up. He leaned towards Seamus and kissed him. He descended and sucked on his neck, wanting to leave a bruise there. To let everybody who dared to look at Seamus know that he was taken. He sank lower, after making sure that there was a hickey on his neck, to Seamus's chest. He ignored Seamus's small nipples, however, and buried his face in armpit. There were a few hairs there and Harry licked them over and over.

    He pulled off, and aimed for Seamus's lips again, when Seamus stopped him. 'Harry let's talk,'

    They sat upright. 'Harry, we've kissed, and I've given you a handjob, and we've had sex—'

    'Amazing sex,' Harry corrected.

    'Incredible sex,' said Seamus. 'But we've done all this stuff, and we've never even gone on a date. Or …' he trailed off.

    'What?' Harry probed.

    'I don't think you want me to ask,' said Seamus seriously.

    Harry chuckled. 'Yes, I do,' he said. 'Come on, tell me,'

    Seamus eyed Harry solemnly. 'Do you … do you want to make it … official?'

    'Are you asking me to marry you?' Harry smirked.

    'No!' Seamus exclaimed, before he realized that Harry was joking. 'I mean … do you …'

    'Yes?'

    'Well … I, um, I look at you,' Seamus stuttered. 'And you … do you know what you really need, Harry?'

    'No, what?'

    'A bo—a man,' said Seamus soberly. 'Someone to protect you, and to hold your hand when you need him, and someone to … love you?' it was more of a question than it was a statement.

    'What were you going to say before?' asked Harry coyly.

    'Nothing,'

    'Seamus …'

    'I said that what you really need a boyfriend,' Seamus admitted. He looked timid.

    'I won't bite,' said Harry tenderly. 'Go ahead, ask me to be your boyfriend.'

    Seamus's face cracked into a smile. 'Okay,' he said. 'Do you … will you be my boyfriend?'

    Harry didn't laugh, which he was sure was the root of Seamus's fear that took him so long to stammer out the words. 'Yes,' he said earnestly. 'Yes, I do.'

    Seamus looked elated. 'Really?'

    'Really,' said Harry, kissing him full on the lips.

*

    'Wow, what happened?' asked Hermione when Harry came down that night. He had a look of pure delight on his face.

    'Nothing,' said Harry contentedly. 'Everything is amazingly, unbelievably … perfect,'

    Ron, who was sitting next to Hermione, shot him a do-I-even-want-to-know look. Harry just beamed.

    'Uh-oh,' said Hermione, who had spotted a group of second-years playing with a box. 'Ron, we have to go. Prefect duties,'

    'What? Where?' Ron looked around, seeking for the trouble Hermione was talking about.

    'Over there. Those second-years,' Hermione nodded at the children. 'That's the box Fred and George delivered, isn't it? The one with the fireworks you were planning to save?'

    'Oi!' Ron yelled, catching sight of the second-years. 'Put that box down!' They hurried over to the second-years, leaving Harry alone to think about the events that had just transpired. A boyfriend, he thought giddily. I have a boyfriend.

    It seemed strange to him that these thoughts made him so happy. A year ago, he had been hung up on Cho Chang, and had barely noticed anybody else. This year, it was Seamus. He was a completely different person. He was a completely different sex. But it was Seamus. Harry only had to wonder why this hadn't happened sooner. He was beautiful. He was sexy. He made Harry feel as though he mattered. He was one of his best friends, and he was the only person in the world who could sweep him off his feet and make him feel this way after all that happened. It was Seamus after all, who had turned him off girls and on boys. Not just any boy. Him.

    For the rest of the night, Harry drifted on a cloud, interrupted only once when his scar hurt.

*

      The next morning, Hermione shoved the Daily Prophet to him. 'Look at it,' she ordered. Harry did.

INVASION ON MINISTRY

FOUR KILLED

    'The Ministry of Magic suffered the tragic losses of Daria Osendrof and Eurich Coppleware, two Aurors who died to save the Ministry of Magic last night. The Ministry was attacked at precisely 10:58 p.m. by Death Eaters, and it is believed that they were sent in attempt to assassinate the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge.'

    'Fudge, already on thin ice with the International Confederation of Wizards for withholding information on the return of the Dark Lord, says that the Death Eaters have been out to get him ever since the summer began, as he threw some of them into Azkaban.'

'Bull,' said Harry.

    'Read on,' urged Hermione.

    'Fudge has refused to resign from his post as Minister, claiming that "this whole operation will fall without me", and has been forced to attend a hearing tried before the International Confederation of Wizards and the Wizengamot. The Death Eaters appeared last night without asking questions and immediately began shooting Killing Curses. Most wizards took cover, but one curse hit Alison McPherson, a Muggle-born. Aurors arrived at the scene, just as the death Eaters were advancing on Minister Fudge.'

    'Osendrof then Stunned one Death Eater, and Petrified two more, while Coppleware administered the Killing Curse on one. The Death Eaters retreated, but not before killing Osendrof and Coppleware and launching the Dark Mark over the Ministry. The Death Eater struck by Coppleware was later revealed to be Wallace Appleby, one of the members of the Department of Intelligence, who had never been accused of being a Death Eater, nor thrown into Azkaban.'

    'The funerals for McPherson, Osendrof, and Coppleware will be held this afternoon. The body of Appleby will be kept in the Department of Intelligence.'

Harry looked up.

    'Where's the Department of Intelligence?' he asked Ron. 'I was at the Ministry last year, and I didn't see it,'

    'Where did you go?' asked Ron.

    'Er, Level Seven to Level Two, then straight to the Atrium at Level Nine,' said Harry.

    'That explains it. The Department of Intelligence is in Level One,' Ron said. 'It's the most important department in the Ministry, except maybe for the Department of Mysteries. The Department of Intelligence is located in every Ministry of Magic in the world, and they're all interlocked. It's where they go to monitor the Floo Networks,'

    'So it's like the CIA?' asked Hermione.

    'The what?' Ron stared at her. Hermione sighed.

    'Never mind,' she said. 'We'll learn that this year or next year in Muggle Studies, I expect,'

    After the bell rang, they went to their classes. As it was Thursday, the Defense Association was on, followed by Dumbledore's Army. Harry arrived early and was trying his best to do Marble Transformations, while Ron and Hermione lounged about. 'You're not putting enough emphasis on it, I think,' said Hermione.

    'I'm trying,' Harry was getting frustrated by his lack of success. Just then, the door opened, and the students came in, led by Malfoy. Harry rolled his eyes. He was planning to teach them the Burning Charm today which he had learned in his second year. When the students took their place, Harry set up small boards. 'Everyone take out your wands, and flick it, then say "Relashio!"' he said.

    The class did it obediently. Seamus's board caught fire quickly, and was left in cinders. The rest did well too. Neville accidentally dropped his wand, setting the hem of Dennis Creevey's robes on fire. He yelped and jumped around, and Hermione put it out with her Water spell. Malfoy did his smoothly and efficiently, as though he had done it a million times.

    'Enough of this, Potter,' he said. 'When are we going to skip this and get to the good stuff?'

    'Every spell counts, Malfoy,' retorted Harry. 'Right, now I want everyone to learn how to do the Shield Charm. Take your wands, flick it three hundred and sixty degrees, and say "Protego!"'

    Cho's wand flew out of her hand when she twirled it, and hit the wall. Neville dropped his wand once again, and Ron almost poked Hermione in the eye with his. 'Okay, try again,' said Harry. Everyone did it again, and it was much better. Cho blushed furiously when she almost dropped her wand again, but she managed to get a handle on things. 'Protego!' bellowed the students. As the shield wasn't visible, Harry had to test it.

    'Stupefy!' he pointed his wand to Neville, but the red light didn't hit him. Figuring that if Neville could do it, so could everybody else. 'Now, we're going to duel with each other. You may use the Stupefying Charm and the Burning Spell, and deflect it with the Shield—' he stopped abruptly as the class began to dissolve.

    He was back in Voldemort's lair, sitting before the league of Death Eaters, who were bowing before him. One of them was trembling. 'I am surrounded by fools,' he said.

    'My Lord, please,' said a hooded Death Eater. 'We beg you—'

    'Silence, Nott,' said Harry. 'You have all failed me. I don't like being failed. Because of your actions, I have lost one of my most valuable followers. We no longer possess a link to the Department of Intelligence,'

    'Yes, Master,' said a short Death Eater. 'But we can get another link, can we not? The Imperius Curse can be—'

    'The Imperius Curse was never meant to be administered this year, Wormtail,' Harry had lowered his voice to a dangerous whisper. 'This is my most dangerous plan to date. Our entire future depends on this, and I will not stand for such incompetence. I can easily kill you all and replace you with my newest allies in Hogwarts. True that they are inexperienced … but they will learn …'

    Harry paused suddenly. He looked around the room. 'He's here,' he said softly.

    'Master?'

    'He's here!' Harry screeched. 'Potter! He's here, listening to us!' Harry said to the Death Eaters. The scene disappeared, and Harry felt someone shaking him recklessly.

    'Harry!' he heard Seamus. He felt a sting on his face, and dimly registered that he had just been slapped. 'Harry!' Another slap. 'Potter,' he heard a cold voice. 'Ennervate!'

    'He wasn't stunned,' he heard Hermione say. 'He just … fell, Professor,'

    'I'm up, I'm up,' he said in a bleary voice. His eyes fluttered open to see Seamus, Ron, Hermione, and Snape standing over him. The three students wore frightened and worried expressions on their faces, but Snape looked as calm and collected as usual. He was clutching his wand.

    'What happened, Potter?' asked Snape.

    'I had … a vision,' said Harry. 'Voldemort,'

    'You had a vision about the Dark Lord,' Snape repeated.

    'How is that possible?' asked Hermione. 'You were awake,'

    'I don't know,' Harry shook his head. 'I saw him. I was—' he cut himself off, catching sight of the Slytherins who were watching him apprehensively. 'I need to go to Professor Dumbledore,' he told Snape.

    'I shall accompany you,' Snape agreed. Seamus offered Harry his hand, and he took it. When he got to his feet, Snape turned to the class. 'Dismissed,' he said. 'Potter is in no condition to resume class tonight. Back to your houses. Now.'

    The class departed, and Harry and Snape went to the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office. 'Canary Custard,' said Snape. 'Unbelievable that the Headmaster actually liked those repulsive sweets those Weasleys made,' Harry heard him mutter to himself.

    They went into Dumbledore's office, and Harry was surprised to see the headmaster having tea with Sturgis Podmore. 'Ah, Harry, Severus. To what do I owe this pleasure?' asked Dumbledore pleasantly, setting his cup of tea on the table. Sturgis eyed Snape guardedly.

    'Potter has had a vision about the Dark Lord, Headmaster,' said Snape. 'And this time, he was awake,'

    Dumbledore looked inquiringly at Harry.

    'It's true, sir,' said Harry truthfully.

    'I see,' Dumbledore nodded. 'And what was it about, Harry?'

    'Er …' Harry sneaked a quick look at Snape, not sure if he should be telling this in front of the former Death Eater. 'Voldemort was talking about the attack on the Ministry,'

    'What about it?' asked Dumbledore.

    'He was angry about losing one of the Death Eaters,' said Harry. 'Wallace Appleby, from the Department of Intelligence. And Wormtail suggested that he use the Imperius Curse, but Voldemort was angry about that too because the Imperius Curse wasn't part of his plan. He—he also said that he has new allies. In Hogwarts,'

    'I see,' nodded Dumbledore pensively. 'Anything else?'

    'Er, yes,' said Harry. 'He knew that I was there. He was talking, and then suddenly knew that I was listening,'

    'And what position were you in during this vision, Harry?' asked Dumbledore.

    Harry hesitated. 'I was Voldemort,' he said finally. 'And he knew, even though he couldn't see me,'

    'Voldemort is getting stronger then,' said Dumbledore composedly. 'I had anticipated this.'

    There was an uncomfortable silence. Podmore was staring fixedly at the tea in his cup, and Snape was avoiding his eyes by looking at Fawkes as though he contained the secrets of the world. 'Professor,' Harry said.

    Dumbledore looked up.

    'Voldemort said that he had new followers here In Hogwarts,' said Harry. 'He threatened to kill off all his current Death Eaters, and replace them with his new ones. It sounded like had has a lot of them. They could be …' his eyes flicked to Snape's impassive face.

    'You suspect the Slytherins,' said Dumbledore bluntly.

    'Yes, sir,' said Harry softly. 'It's just that Voldemort used to be in Slytherin, and the past Slytherins ended up being his servants,'

    Dumbledore nodded in agreement, but didn't say anything.

    'Very well, Harry,' he said in a conclusive tone. 'I shall alert the Order about this. Now, have you had your dinner?'

    'Yes, sir,'

    'Very well, you may go back to Gryffindor Tower now. Severus, you have dismissed the Defense Association for today?'

    'I have, Headmaster,' said Snape complacently. 'Shall I direct Potter back to the Tower?'

    'I doubt Harry needs the extra help. But of course, that is for him to decide,' Dumbledore turned his blue eyes on Harry. 'Harry, do you wish to be accompanied by Professor Snape?'

    'No,' said Harry. 'I'll be fine,'

    As he turned to leave, he was stumped. Wasn't Dumbledore going to do something about this? Voldemort was obviously planning something. He had said it himself; this was his most dangerous plan yet. But surely it would lead to a very rewarding goal.

    Ron, Hermione and Seamus were waiting for him when he came back through the portrait. 'What happened?' Ron demanded as soon as Harry caught his eye.

    Harry shook his head. 'I'm not exactly sure,' he said. 'I told Dumbledore about the vision, but he didn't seem too concerned,'

    'What was your vision?' asked Hermione. 'Was it bad?'

    'Very,' sighed Harry. 'Voldemort—' Ron and Seamus cringed, '—was talking to the Death Eaters, and he was angry because of the attack on the Ministry,'

    'He didn't want there to be an attack on the Ministry?' Ron asked.

    'Of course not, Ron!' retorted Hermione. 'One of the Death Eaters was killed,'

    'Right,' nodded Harry. 'Appleby from the Department of Intelligence. Apparently, he was Voldemort's only link to that department, and without him, he's basically stuck,'

    'Why would You-Know-Who want to go to the Department of Intelligence?' Seamus wondered.

    Harry shrugged.

    'Maybe he's trying to connect with all purebloods through the Floo Network and try to convince them to join the Death Eaters or something,' he said, although this didn't sound very likely.

    'I doubt it,' said Ron. 'The Department of Intelligence is where they do a lot of other things, besides watching the Floo Network. My dad told me that that's where they keep records of the Animagi. The ones who are registered, that is,'

    Seamus frowned, and Harry knew he was wondering who they knew was an unregistered Animagus, but he didn't say anything. Harry was glad for that. He felt his scar twinge, and he knew that Voldemort was still angry, probably desperately seeking Harry. Or maybe the Death Eaters were being punished.

*

    October came, and the climate grew colder as the temperature dropped, and Harry could hardly believe that the time was passing so slowly. He had already learned that Voldemort had a bold new plan, and he had a boyfriend. Plus, the sixth-years were having more homework than ever.

    'I know I complained a lot last year about the amount of work they gave,' said Ron, as they went to lunch after Potions, 'but this really takes the cake. If they continue like this, I swear I'm just going to drop dead right here,'

    'Which is a lot less worse than what I would do,' muttered Harry.

    October meant that the Quidditch season was back on, and this brought raging tensions between the houses, especially the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Harry found himself dodging random hexes, which surprisingly attacked when he was around a group of Slytherin students.

    According to the list posted in the common room, the Quidditch season was to kick off with Gryffindor playing against the Slytherins. Harry and Draco had taken this opportunity to train their respective teams very hard, and returned to their dorms late at night.

    Potions had taken a definite turn for the worst. Snape seemed to be hoping to tire Harry out with so much work that he would sleep through the Quidditch match or something. Draco, who seemed to be a permanent partner for him in the class, did nothing to help when they were given practical work, instead choosing to whisper insults to him when Snape had his back turned.

    'Potter, I would like you to tell me what the color your potion is,' said Snape coldly, during one lesson.

    'Er … white,' said Harry, looking confused.

    'White,' nodded Snape. He turned to Draco.

    'And what, Mr. Malfoy, is the appropriate color of the potion?' he questioned.

    Malfoy smirked. 'Beige,' he answered smugly.

    'Ten points to Slytherin,' said Snape. He turned back to Harry, who looked completely nonplussed.

    'White,' Snape shook his head. 'Have you ever thought of getting a new pair of glasses, Potter? These seem to be defective. How many butterfly wings have you added, Potter?'

    'Two,' Snape and Malfoy shared a superior look with each other smug looks.

    'And how on earth did you manage to confuse two with three?' asked Snape, a twisted smile on his face. 'Granted that they share the letter 't' between them, but I would have thought you would have read the whole word,'

    Harry's heart sank when he saw the instructions Snape had read on the wall, and he glared furiously at Malfoy. He should have known something was up when he had offered to read out the instructions, and he inwardly reprimanded himself for accepting Malfoy's help.

    'Well, it is certainly too late to add the extra pair of butterfly wings,' continued Snape. 'Zero marks then, Potter,'

    Snape left them, and Harry turned on Draco. 'You know, the more you sabotage me, the more you're sabotage yourself,' hissed Harry. 'I would have thought you would have considered your own grades since we're in this together,'

    'We're not in anything together, Potter,' said Malfoy callously. 'These grades don't even count, just how well we take in the subjects we learn. And just because you keep fouling up and getting the wrong information, doesn't mean that I am too,'

    Harry badly wanted to hex the blonde boy, and Malfoy seemed to be thinking along those lines too, as they both gripped their wands tightly. Fortunately, Snape intervened. 'Take your vials and dip them in your potions,' he addressed the class. 'Then clear up and submit them to me. Potter, Malfoy, clear up your potion, and don't bother handing it up,'

    When he was about to leave, Snape called out to Harry. 'One more thing, Potter,' he said. 'I want you to write an essay about this potion, with the correct apparatus, ingredients, and method listed. I want you to write what it would look like when done correctly, it's uses, advantages and disadvantages, and what it would do when it is created the way you created it today. To be handed it by tomorrow,'

    'What?' asked Harry, outraged. 'But, Professor—'

    'Tomorrow, Potter,' said Snape firmly. 'Now get to class, unless you wish to lose Gryffindor more points. You've already lost so much in this month alone,'

    Face burning with embarrassment, Harry met Ron, Hermione and Seamus outside and told them of what Snape had given him as homework.

    'Git,' said Ron vehemently. 'He should be fired, he should. How did he ever hold down this job, anyway?'

    'Dumbledore,' said Harry gloomily. He still couldn't understand why Dumbledore was so calm about Voldemort's new plan. Did Dumbledore know something that he was keeping away from Harry? Harry briefly wondered if the Order was in on whatever Dumbledore was up to.

*

    It was the day of the first Quidditch match. In the changing room, Seamus, Lorne Horatio, and Annette Coral seemed close to tears, as they were extremely worried about their first match ever. Ron looked rather ill himself. Harry, Katie and Ambrosia were the only ones remotely relaxed, but inside, Harry was just a jumble of nerves. This was his first match as Quidditch captain, and he was beginning to appreciate all the training that Wood had given the team when he had been captain. He wondered if he should have trained everyone a bit more.

    'Alright,' he said to them. 'This is it. And no matter what happens, we'll still be in the running. So just keep your heads, and do the best you can.' The players nodded, and Harry turned to Ron. 'Remember, Ron,' he said, 'don't listen to anything the Slytherins say,'

    'I won't, Harry,' said Ron with a weak smile.

    The doors opened, and they made their way into the Quidditch pitch. The Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were all cheering and whistling for them, and the Slytherins were booing. 'And here come the Gryffindor team!' said the commentator, a boy named Cory Evans. 'Fabulous lineup this year. Finnigan, Horatio, Coral, Spinnet, Weasley, Bell and Potter, who is the captain this year. And here come the Slytherins. Baddock, Dierans, Race, Parkinson, Bulstrode, Nott, and Malfoy, who leads the Slytherin team this year,'

    Harry met with Draco, who narrowed his eyes. They shook hands—or rather gripped each others hands for a fraction of a second before quickly letting go. Most of the Slytherins were new, but Harry could see a couple who were on the team previous years. Baddock and Race were both seventh-years and had been on the team ever since their second, he knew. Unlike Flint, the Slytherins previous captain, Malfoy had allowed girls to play on the team.

    'Mount your brooms,' directed Madam Hooch. 'Now, listen. This is to be a fair game, do you hear? As you are both new captains, I expect there to be a new way in playing. No more dirty games, like last time,'

    They didn't answer, but she seemed to take their silence as consent. The players climbed on their brooms. Madam Hooch opened the kit holding the balls, and released them into the air, and everyone was off.

    Race got the Quaffle first and hurtled to the hoops. When he was close enough, he heaved it. 'Dive, Ron! Dive!' Harry yelled. Ron dived, and caught the Quaffle. There was a cheer from the three houses, and Harry sighed in relief.

    'Quick thinking by Weasley, the Gryffindor Keeper, who managed to stop the Quaffle in time,' said Evans. Annette zoomed around the air, as Ron tossed the Quaffle to Katie. Harry saw a Bludger heading straight for Ambrosia, but she saw it too, and struck it with her bat, sending it flying.

    'Quaffle to Bell,' said Evans, watching closely, 'who just passed it to Coral. Back to Bell, back to Coral again. They are just tossing it back and forth, people—'

    Harry, who was watching all of this, was ready to tear his hair out. Just as he opened his mouth to yell at them to score, Annette threw it in the hoop.

    'Ten points to Gryffindor!' Evans whooped.

    The crowds cheered, and Harry saw Malfoy frowning.

    Race had the Quaffle now, and sped to Ron. Harry watched as Ron's eyes widened, and Race chucked the Quaffle straight for the hoops. Ron flew to the right, where the Quaffle was, and captured it by the tips of his fingers. There were groans on the Slytherin side, but the other three houses were cheering wildly. Ron threw it to Ambrosia, who headed straight for the Slytherin hoops, which Millicent Bulstrode was guarding. Annette was about to throw the ball, when a Bludger hit her arm, causing her to drop the Quaffle, caught by Pansy.

    Evans was commentating furiously, and the crowd was groaning, and Harry waited for Madam Hooch to sound the whistle, but it didn't come. A second later, he realized that it was allowed for Beaters to hit Bludgers at the Chasers.

    Pansy was flying for Ron now, but Lorne, who seemed to have been waiting for his chance to hit a Slytherin from close range, smacked a Bludger at Pansy. It worked. The Quaffle fell out of her hand, and was falling down to the grass below. For a second, Harry thought that it would hit the grass, but Seamus streaked down and seized it just in time. He flew upwards and threw it with all his might. However, just s it was about to go through the hoops, Dierans hit a Bludger at it, deterring it from Millicent.

    Madam Hooch blew her whistle. 'You do not hit a Bludger at the Quaffle!' she barked.

    'Sorry, missed,' called Dierans, letting out a nasty laugh. Harry saw him high-fiving Malfoy.

    His eyes skimmed the sky for the Snitch, but he couldn't locate it.

    'Twenty-zero, Gryffindor,' said Evans. 'Finnigan is taking another shot, and Bulstrode is reaching for it, and … and—yes, I don't believe it! Gryffindor scores, thirty-zero!'

    'Come on, come on,' muttered Harry. Where was the Snitch?

    'Quaffle to Baddock,' said Evans. 'He's taking aim, and he shoots and—yes! Ron Weasley blocks it!'

    'Go, Ron!' shouted Harry, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Ron had obviously grown out of his awkwardness from last year, and Harry gave Malfoy a poisonous glare. Let him try to make up another rendition of 'Weasley is our King' now.

    Seamus had the Quaffle now. He flew for Millicent, ducking as Nott hit a Bludger in his direction. Bulstrode was waiting for him, and Seamus paused. Then, without warning, he turned and passed it to Katie, who was flying a on his right. Millicent hadn't been expecting this, and flew to Katie. Katie then threw it back to Seamus, who threw it in the left hoop, which Millicent had left unattended.

    'Forty-zero!' howled Evans, jumping to his feet. It was then that Harry spotted the Snitch. It was behind the goalpost Ron was guarding. 'Quaffle in possession of Slytherin—oh, back luck, Parkinson. Quaffle with Spinnet—she shoots—she scores! Fifty-zero, Gryffindor!'

    Now, Harry told himself. He zoomed straight for the goalposts. No one had noticed yet …

    'Where's Potter going?' asked Evans, and Harry gritted his teeth. Thanks to Evans, his element of surprise was gone. Malfoy had sat up straighter, and was following Harry. 'He's found the Snitch!'

    'Faster,' said Harry to his Firebolt. Ron's eyes widened, and flew out of the way. Harry had reached the hoops … the Snitch had realized it was about to get caught, and made an attempt to get away, but it was too slow. His hand was closing around it … and he gripped it by the wing.

    'Potter's got the Snitch!' cried Evans, jumping to his feet. 'Gryffindor wins two hundred to zero!'

    Everyone was cheering Harry's name, and he swore that he could hear Luna Lovegood's Gryffindor hat roaring in the stands. In a second, he had been enveloped by Ron.

    That night, there was a huge celebration at Gryffindor Tower. It was the second in two weeks, but Professor McGonagall couldn't really object. Never before had Gryffindor beaten Slytherin by such high points, and the fact that it was the first game of the season made it all the more special. Even Nearly-Headless Nick had stopped by to congratulate them, and Harry had been forced to shake his hand, which gave him a very unpleasant feeling indeed.

    Finally, Professor McGonagall, dressed in a bathrobe, had come in, telling them that even though it was Saturday the next day, they had to get to sleep. The Gryffindors obliged willingly, and Harry had been congratulated as he, Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville went up.

    Though Neville had lost out to Evans, who was a Hufflepuff seventh-year, he hadn't been embarrassed, and he complimented Harry on his amazing win.

    As he put his head on the pillow, he couldn't help but think that it had been an almost perfect day. His eyes started to droop when he heard someone hissing his name. He opened his eyes to see Seamus standing over him, a big grin on his face. 'You're gorgeous,' he told Harry.

    'I could say the same for you,' said Harry. 'Except that you're drop-dead gorgeous,'

    Seamus crept into his bed, and noticed Harry's worried look. 'Don't worry, they're all out like torches,' he said. 'Did you know that I …' he kissed Harry on the lips, '… have been waiting all day to do this?'

    'Tell me what you want to do to me,' whispered Harry, his hand reaching for Seamus's boxers.

    'I want to pin you down,' murmured Seamus, kissing his neck, 'and I want to take you, and hear you moan.'

    Harry had pulled out Seamus's long cock and was stroking it as his boyfriend told him these words. 'No,' he said.

    'No?' Seamus was surprised.

    'No,' said Harry. 'Not pin me down. Tie me up,'

    'Tie you up?' Seamus had gone past surprised and was almost past shocked. 'Harry, I had no idea you were into that,'

    'Neither did I,' admitted Harry. 'But don't tell me that it doesn't make you hot, because your cock is saying it for you,'

    Seamus's dick had gotten harder by Harry's kinky words, and then Harry attacked it. His mouth flew on Seamus's cock, and he took his from the tip to the head. Seamus let out a loud groan, and thrust into Harry's mouth.

    'Oi!' they heard Ron hiss. Harry froze with fear, and he felt Seamus's cock go limp in fright. They turned around to see him glaring in the darkness. 'Finnigan, get to bed! Harry, sleep! You're lucky it was only me and not these two,' he gestured to the slumbering bodies of Dean and Neville.

    Harry wanted to argue, and Seamus looked like he did too, but they nodded. Seamus went back into his own bed, leaving Harry to lie there alone, with only thoughts of Voldemort's latest plan to keep him company.

A/N: Sorry people, but that's the way the story goes. But you had sex earlier in the chapter … although Harry and Seamus have yet to fuck. And I also wanted to say that I appreciate all your reviews, and I know you have questions, but I'm tying to write as JK Rowling would (except for the explicit sex parts of course), and she obviously can't answer questions in her book. But I will try to email you all the answers to your questions, if I can. You can drop me a line at watiwant2000@yahoo.com. Thanks.