Mrs. Granger woke up at four o'clock in the morning. She went to get
herself a glass of water when she heard someone sobbing. Forgetting about
the water she tiptoed to her daughter's door. The door was half - open and
she looked inside. She saw Hermione curled up in Harry's lap, crying
hysterically. The boy was stroking her hair, while crying too. She had
heard Hermione cry at night before, she had been acting strange all summer.
She had been very sensitive and a bit paranoid about everything. She was
totally clueless about what could be the reason that made Harry cry. She
had heard from Hermione that he had a strong personality and a hard
childhood. He never cried, he never showed signs of weakness when anyone
was near. He was stubborn to be strong. Her daughter told her about the
fight in the Department of Mysteries. She had been worried about her; she
didn't want her to fight, or to get hurt.
With a heavy heart she went to get her water. When she headed back to her
bed she heard calm and even breathing coming from the next room. Harry and
Hermione were asleep.
Harry woke up with a sore back. It took him a minute to remember why Hermione was sleeping on him, with her head on his shoulder. Then it clicked, he groaned. He was going to face many questions afterwards. Hermione was still asleep. Her hair was unbelievably bushy. Her hands were around Harry's neck and her head on his shoulder. She looked peaceful and innocent, like a little girl. Seeing Hermione cry like that had broke his heart. He silently made himself a promise. He would never cry again, never be weak.
Especially when someone was around.
Hermione woke up a few minutes after that. She took a quick glance to her muggle alarm clock and shouted. 'Nine thirty! Mom will want us downstairs for breakfast any minute now. I have to shower!' shooing Harry out of the room she began to comb her hair. Harry stood behind the closed door. He walked to his room muttering to himself: 'Girls...' He found his trunk under his bed. He was looking for clean socks when he found a letter between his presents. 'Where did that come from?' he thought. Than he remembered that he threw some of his presents to his trunk without opening them. Without a second thought he opened the letter. A little 'oh, my god!' escaped his lips. The O.W.L. results. He began to read.
Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you of... 'Blah, blah, blah.' He skipped that part wanting to read his results first.
Your grades were the following:
Astronomy: Acceptable Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding Charms: Outstanding Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding Divination: Poor Herbology: Outstanding History of Magic: Acceptable Potions: Outstanding Transfiguration: Outstanding
Harry's mouth fell open. 'An O in Potions! I must be hallucinating.' The next word he shouted: 'Herm!' He heard footsteps on the stairs, the next second Hermione rushed to his room. Seeing that nothing was wrong she caught her breath and asked: 'What's wrong?' Harry, still recovering from the shock said with a quivering voice: 'O.W.L. s.' Hermione didn't seem to get it and asked: 'Owls? Where? Here? When?' she sounded quite irritated. 'No, O.W.L. results' he said with a weird blank expression. 'I got my O.W.L. results.' He handed her the letter.' Hermione took it and read it through quickly. 'Eight. That's wonderful, Harry' Then it sank in. 'You got an O in POTIONS? That's great! Has Snape really gone insane? You did well, but an O from Snape?' she said that very quickly. Then her tone changed and she continued confidently 'Snape is not such a bad person. We knew that before.' Harry didn't notice. He was staring wide-eyed at his other letter. Hermione looked over his shoulder to see what was so distracting.
Mr. Potter, your list of classes is the following. Some of them are obligatory, some are advisable and some are extra subjects you can take if you have interest in them. To pick a subject, please tick it with your wand.
N.E.W.T.-s (advisable, you must pick at least three, if you got that many) Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology.
Obligatory classes: Occlumency and Legilimency, Basic Use of the Dark Arts.
Extra classes: (You can pick up to two) Advanced Nature Studies, Medical Training, Dueling Practice.
You will be owled your book list after you tick the subjects.
P.S. Angelina Johnson graduated. You are the new Quiddich captain. If you don't want this position, please owl your Head of House.
Best regards, Minerva McGonagall; deputy headmistress and Head of Griffindor House.
Harry stared at the note with his mouth open. After a long pause he asked: 'Hermione, isn't dark magic illegal?' She hesitated a bit and then answered. 'Technically, no. Using it against other people or half-breeds is. But learning it isn't. It's a complicated law. But using dark magic against others will get you into Azkaban pretty fast. Are you going to take the position? Quiddich, I mean.' 'Ummm, Herm, this is like everyone's dream. A Quiddich captain, it's like being Head Boy or something.' 'Hermione raised a brow and made a strange sound, something between a giggle and a snort. 'If you hadn't said Head Boy with respect I would think you are polyjuiced.' 'Did I say it with respect? I wanted to sound obnoxious.' He said with a fake snare. 'Ok, Malfoy, why are you here, and what did you do with Harry?' She managed to keep a straight face, but laughter was evident in her voice.'
'I'll have to go and get properly dressed, meet you at breakfast.' She went out and closed the door. Harry sighed and sat on his bed. The letter had distracted him, but now the pressure came back with more force than before.
An hour later he was 'eating' his breakfast. He had become surprisingly numb. Like he had had too much pressure (witch he had) and his brain had shut down (witch it hadn't). He only had room for one emotion in his heart and mind. Anger. All consuming anger. Not rage. Rage and sadness he couldn't control, but anger was his ally, anger consumed all other emotions, including sadness. A distant voice was calling him. 'Harry... Harry... HARRY!' It was Hermione.' 'W-what?' he asked, cursing himself for letting his mind wonder about. 'Ahem, Harry, are you going to eat that?' her voice was doubtful. He looked down at his plate. Did he do that? There was this unbelievable goop on his plate. Oatmeal mixed with butter and ketchup - in fewer words - yuck. 'Um, actually... no. I'm not hungry' Hermione shot him a glare that could (and probably would if she wanted it to) kill. She took a bowl, filled it with oatmeal and gave it to Harry. 'Eat! Or I'll owl Moody to come here and force you to eat it. Maybe as a ferret, a black ferret.' He took the plate reluctantly and began to eat. He felt ashamed. He ate in silence, wondering if she'd really owl Moody to come here. He was focusing on not really wanting to eat when he looked at his plate- it was almost empty. His eyes went wide. The plate had been full just a second ago. 'Did I just use magic?' He asked from himself. 'Did you say something?' Hermione looked over the table with interest. Harry's mind raced. 'Did I use magic? Will I get expelled? What the heck did I do?' his thoughts were cut short by Hermione's talking. 'Harry, are you done? You'll have to pick your subjects soon and Dumbledore promised to come and speak to you.' She sounded like it was all so obvious. Something clicked in Harry's mind. 'If Dumbledore will come here to speak to me he must have something important to tell me. Like why I constantly perform magic though I have no intention to. He managed to smile. And answer with that awful sincere voice that wasn't his. He it used when he was trying to hide his nervousness. 'Yes, I'm done. Could you help me with the list? I really don't know what to pick.' The last one was a lie and he knew it. He knew exactly what he would pick. His personality was changing. He had an odd desire to prove himself. He had to be his best if he ever wanted to defeat Voldemort. He would be ready when it was time.
A half an hour later they were already done with the subjects. The book list appeared on the same parchment.
Where There's a Wand, There's a Way – Dueling Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six – Charms How Do Defend Yourself in Every Imaginable Situation - Defense Against the Dark Arts A Guide to Expert Transfiguration – Transfiguration Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions – Medical Magic Intermediate Occlumency and Legilimency – Occlumency and Legilimency A Million Magical Herbs and Fungi – Herbology The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts – Basic Use of the Dark Arts Moste Potente Potions – Potions Magical Beasts for Magical People - Care of Magical Creatures
Harry woke up with a sore back. It took him a minute to remember why Hermione was sleeping on him, with her head on his shoulder. Then it clicked, he groaned. He was going to face many questions afterwards. Hermione was still asleep. Her hair was unbelievably bushy. Her hands were around Harry's neck and her head on his shoulder. She looked peaceful and innocent, like a little girl. Seeing Hermione cry like that had broke his heart. He silently made himself a promise. He would never cry again, never be weak.
Especially when someone was around.
Hermione woke up a few minutes after that. She took a quick glance to her muggle alarm clock and shouted. 'Nine thirty! Mom will want us downstairs for breakfast any minute now. I have to shower!' shooing Harry out of the room she began to comb her hair. Harry stood behind the closed door. He walked to his room muttering to himself: 'Girls...' He found his trunk under his bed. He was looking for clean socks when he found a letter between his presents. 'Where did that come from?' he thought. Than he remembered that he threw some of his presents to his trunk without opening them. Without a second thought he opened the letter. A little 'oh, my god!' escaped his lips. The O.W.L. results. He began to read.
Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you of... 'Blah, blah, blah.' He skipped that part wanting to read his results first.
Your grades were the following:
Astronomy: Acceptable Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding Charms: Outstanding Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding Divination: Poor Herbology: Outstanding History of Magic: Acceptable Potions: Outstanding Transfiguration: Outstanding
Harry's mouth fell open. 'An O in Potions! I must be hallucinating.' The next word he shouted: 'Herm!' He heard footsteps on the stairs, the next second Hermione rushed to his room. Seeing that nothing was wrong she caught her breath and asked: 'What's wrong?' Harry, still recovering from the shock said with a quivering voice: 'O.W.L. s.' Hermione didn't seem to get it and asked: 'Owls? Where? Here? When?' she sounded quite irritated. 'No, O.W.L. results' he said with a weird blank expression. 'I got my O.W.L. results.' He handed her the letter.' Hermione took it and read it through quickly. 'Eight. That's wonderful, Harry' Then it sank in. 'You got an O in POTIONS? That's great! Has Snape really gone insane? You did well, but an O from Snape?' she said that very quickly. Then her tone changed and she continued confidently 'Snape is not such a bad person. We knew that before.' Harry didn't notice. He was staring wide-eyed at his other letter. Hermione looked over his shoulder to see what was so distracting.
Mr. Potter, your list of classes is the following. Some of them are obligatory, some are advisable and some are extra subjects you can take if you have interest in them. To pick a subject, please tick it with your wand.
N.E.W.T.-s (advisable, you must pick at least three, if you got that many) Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology.
Obligatory classes: Occlumency and Legilimency, Basic Use of the Dark Arts.
Extra classes: (You can pick up to two) Advanced Nature Studies, Medical Training, Dueling Practice.
You will be owled your book list after you tick the subjects.
P.S. Angelina Johnson graduated. You are the new Quiddich captain. If you don't want this position, please owl your Head of House.
Best regards, Minerva McGonagall; deputy headmistress and Head of Griffindor House.
Harry stared at the note with his mouth open. After a long pause he asked: 'Hermione, isn't dark magic illegal?' She hesitated a bit and then answered. 'Technically, no. Using it against other people or half-breeds is. But learning it isn't. It's a complicated law. But using dark magic against others will get you into Azkaban pretty fast. Are you going to take the position? Quiddich, I mean.' 'Ummm, Herm, this is like everyone's dream. A Quiddich captain, it's like being Head Boy or something.' 'Hermione raised a brow and made a strange sound, something between a giggle and a snort. 'If you hadn't said Head Boy with respect I would think you are polyjuiced.' 'Did I say it with respect? I wanted to sound obnoxious.' He said with a fake snare. 'Ok, Malfoy, why are you here, and what did you do with Harry?' She managed to keep a straight face, but laughter was evident in her voice.'
'I'll have to go and get properly dressed, meet you at breakfast.' She went out and closed the door. Harry sighed and sat on his bed. The letter had distracted him, but now the pressure came back with more force than before.
An hour later he was 'eating' his breakfast. He had become surprisingly numb. Like he had had too much pressure (witch he had) and his brain had shut down (witch it hadn't). He only had room for one emotion in his heart and mind. Anger. All consuming anger. Not rage. Rage and sadness he couldn't control, but anger was his ally, anger consumed all other emotions, including sadness. A distant voice was calling him. 'Harry... Harry... HARRY!' It was Hermione.' 'W-what?' he asked, cursing himself for letting his mind wonder about. 'Ahem, Harry, are you going to eat that?' her voice was doubtful. He looked down at his plate. Did he do that? There was this unbelievable goop on his plate. Oatmeal mixed with butter and ketchup - in fewer words - yuck. 'Um, actually... no. I'm not hungry' Hermione shot him a glare that could (and probably would if she wanted it to) kill. She took a bowl, filled it with oatmeal and gave it to Harry. 'Eat! Or I'll owl Moody to come here and force you to eat it. Maybe as a ferret, a black ferret.' He took the plate reluctantly and began to eat. He felt ashamed. He ate in silence, wondering if she'd really owl Moody to come here. He was focusing on not really wanting to eat when he looked at his plate- it was almost empty. His eyes went wide. The plate had been full just a second ago. 'Did I just use magic?' He asked from himself. 'Did you say something?' Hermione looked over the table with interest. Harry's mind raced. 'Did I use magic? Will I get expelled? What the heck did I do?' his thoughts were cut short by Hermione's talking. 'Harry, are you done? You'll have to pick your subjects soon and Dumbledore promised to come and speak to you.' She sounded like it was all so obvious. Something clicked in Harry's mind. 'If Dumbledore will come here to speak to me he must have something important to tell me. Like why I constantly perform magic though I have no intention to. He managed to smile. And answer with that awful sincere voice that wasn't his. He it used when he was trying to hide his nervousness. 'Yes, I'm done. Could you help me with the list? I really don't know what to pick.' The last one was a lie and he knew it. He knew exactly what he would pick. His personality was changing. He had an odd desire to prove himself. He had to be his best if he ever wanted to defeat Voldemort. He would be ready when it was time.
A half an hour later they were already done with the subjects. The book list appeared on the same parchment.
Where There's a Wand, There's a Way – Dueling Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six – Charms How Do Defend Yourself in Every Imaginable Situation - Defense Against the Dark Arts A Guide to Expert Transfiguration – Transfiguration Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions – Medical Magic Intermediate Occlumency and Legilimency – Occlumency and Legilimency A Million Magical Herbs and Fungi – Herbology The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts – Basic Use of the Dark Arts Moste Potente Potions – Potions Magical Beasts for Magical People - Care of Magical Creatures