Author: mony2208
Rating: PG-13
Summary: 'In the past decade, the indications have been that wizard kind is living through nothing more than a brief calm between two wars' as Firenze said in Divination class, fifth year … In Harry Potter's 6th year, will this 'brief calm' end and the 2nd war finally begin? Will he have the power to become the murderer or the murdered? … All that can be said is Harry's sixth year proves to be his most difficult yet, with his connection with Voldemort growing stronger everybody and his worst nightmares haunting him at every turn. Ootp spoilers.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Forewords: I'm sorry I took so long to update this chapter, but I experienced major problems in writing a sorting song … something, which I'm positive I have no talent at (poetry's just not my thing). So although I'm still not happy with the song, I figured this chapter was way due. Anyway, I hope you at least understand it … I'm never writing another one again … (unless I write a sequel, then I'm screwed). Also, just a note to anyone who reads my other story 'Diametrically Opposed', it should be updated within the next two days!!
Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch
Chapter Ten
An unanticipated turn of event
After the train had taken off from the station, and Mr and Mrs Weasley's fiery red hair were out of sight, Harry leant his head back and sighed.
Ginny was the first to break the silence. "Is it alright for me to pop in on some friends?" she asked, standing up. At the other's nods, she smiled cheekily. "I wanna pop in on Luna to see how that search for Heliopaths went." And with that, she opened the compartment door and moved to step outside, Harry feeling a pang of sympathy for Luna as he remembered their last encounter during the Leaving Feast.
"Say hi to her for me," he called through the door, seeing Ginny's quick nod before she completely disappeared from his view.
"Become a fan of Loony Luna, have you?" Ron asked, grinning.
Harry shrugged. "So she's a bit out there," he replied. "Other than that she still helped out when we needed it."
"Anyway," Hermione piped up knowingly. "I think she's quite the Ron Weasley fan."
Ron's head spun around in alarm. "What?"
Hermione looked amused. "She was singing that 'Weasley is our King song for months and – oooh."
She stopped as she looked down at her watch, then nudged Ron and pointed down at it. Harry looked on questioningly as Ron's expression fell slightly.
Harry's unspoken question was answered when Ron cleared his throat apologetically and he turned to Harry. "Mate," he said, "Me and Hermione have to go to the prefects meeting-"
"That's fine." Harry waved them off with a careless smile and Ron and Hermione smiled back in relief, promising they would be back later.
"We'll have to go collect Ginny," he heard Hermione say before the door closed.
After they left, Harry turned his attention outside the window, enjoying the momentary solitude before the chaos that was sure to follow when he returned to Hogwarts. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and leant his slightly aching forehead on the cold, but relieving window pane.
It was true what he had said to Ron and Hermione; it was fine for them to be prefects. Harry no longer felt upset about missing the prefect position. It was such a petty thing anyway … there were far more important things anyway. Dumbledore had been right … he did have far too much on his plate already without that responsibility.
Of course there still was a little part of him that felt slightly miffed at being withheld the position because Dumbledore thought he had too much to worry about … it should have been up to Harry to decide. But then Harry remembered how ecstatic Ron was when he found out he was a prefect … and how happy Mrs Weasley and the rest of the family was. Ron deserved it more than Harry, despite everything else … despite Harry's popularity for being the 'Boy-who-lived'. Ron deserved to make a name for himself and he was no less smarter than Harry. Most of the things Harry accomplished was far beyond the scope of following rules anyway. It was amazing that he hadn't been expelled yet. Ron, after all hadn't blown up his aunt.
And besides, Harry had his Quidditch Captaincy to worry about this year … something he knew that he really deserved. Not just something that he would get because of his status in the Wizarding world, but because he had real talent for it.
Harry remained against the window for a few more peaceful minutes until the sliding door opened violently to reveal Dean Thomas and a coughing, red-faced Seamus Finnigan. He looked at them and smiled slightly.
"Hey," he greeted, making room for them to sit. Dean thanked him and sat down across from him.
"Phew," said Seamus, slumping onto the seat as he gasped for breath. He wiped away a sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Almost missed the train this year," he commented, still coughing slightly. "There was all this smoke just outside the platform - muggle smoke alarms were going off as well as fire extinguishers - Thought I saw that Rita Skeeter woman get a mouthful from one of them - completely drenched she was. In the end, me mam had to cast that nifty spell Hermione used on yer glasses in third year, so we wouldn't get wet-"
He couldn't continue his rampage as by this time, Harry was clutching his ribs and rolling on the ground in hysterical laughter.
"Eh, Harry?" Seamus leaned forward curiously.
Harry shook his head, and managed to quell the bubble of laughter aching to rise again. "Tell … Ron," he managed to choke out. "All his idea."
Now Seamus looked a mixture between awed and annoyed. "That was his doing?"
Harry explained the whole situation with the reporters, once he'd taken control of himself, still smirking though at the thought of Skeeter running around, drenched to the bone and with her non-water-resistant quick quotes quill in one hand. "We couldn't get through safely without a commotion to get rid of them," he finished smugly, "… so Ron used the twins Smoking Sticks."
Dean grinned widely as Seamus snorted. "Wish I'd seen it," said Dean wistfully, then at Harry's curious look added. "I was early for once."
"Hmm." Was Harry's only reply as he propped himself back up onto his seat, now that his laughing fit was over. The three talked for a while about their summers; Dean telling them that he had gone with a few of his old muggle friends to watch a few soccer games and had started calling out Quidditch fouls when a soccer player was tripped. Apparently, everyone had stopped to look at him, and someone had even suggested he be taken back to the asylum.
After wiping away their tears of laughter, Seamus said on a sombre note that his mother had been preparing them for an attack from Voldemort.
"Seeing as me dad's a muggle 'nd all, me mam's got all these protection charms around our house in case – you-know-who's followers come 'round," Seamus said, then added proudly. "I even helped out … told her about all those defensive spells I learnt in the DA … said she'd forgotten some of them until I told her."
Harry smiled genuinely at that. "That's great Seamus," he replied.
Dean hesitantly asked Harry how his summer was, and the smile wavered slightly. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments, Harry wondering if Dean received the Daily Prophet when he was with his muggle family. He doubted it, by the sounds of Dean's honest and clearly clueless face. He quickly stole a look at Seamus who looked as if he knew already.
Harry turned back to Dean. "Uh- it was liveable." He shrugged and left it at that.
"I – uh saw your article in the Daily Prophet," Seamus said cautiously, proving Harry's suspicions to be true. "Was that all true … what you wrote?"
Harry swallowed painfully and nodded, watching as Seamus let out a low whistle. Dean looked on curiously, but Harry didn't elaborate further.
It was, perhaps lucky that a few moments later Neville decided to stumble into a compartment, beaming proudly as he waved around a brand new wand, and Trevor the frog in the other.
"Sorry I took so long to get here," he gasped, sitting down beside Seamus in a flurry of robes. "But Luna caught me and decided to tell me about her summer – oops, sorry."
Neville stopped as Trevor escaped his grip and jumped right into Seamus's lap, making Seamus spout something way too inappropriate to be repeated in any sort of proper company.
"Sorry Seamus," Neville repeated quickly, reaching out to grab at Trevor by one of his green legs. He finally managed to get a hold, and pulled him back into his own lap.
Whilst he was doing that, Harry took a good look at Neville. The boy had changed over the summer. Of course, there still was the clumsy, forgetful boy Harry had known for the past five years … but gone was his meekness … the same meekness that had always shone on his face whenever he had to learn something difficult or when he was in potions. Instead he looked more prouder, more determined. His chin was lifted higher, as though to meet every challenge thrown his way, and Harry was glad that the attack at the Ministry had at least finally managed to up Neville's self-esteem.
Nothing like seeing your worst enemy in front of your eyes to give you more determination, Harry thought wryly, thinking of Bellatrix and Voldemort.He was nudged out his reverie by Neville's foot.
"Hey, what do you think of my new wand?" Neville asked shyly, letting Harry have a look at it. "Oak, ten inches. Unicorn hair core … good for defence work … Gran bought it for me after …" he trailed off, and looked at Harry unsure of whether or not it was a good idea for bringing up that day.
"So, I bet you can't wait to try it out then?" Harry said brightly, smiling. Neville relaxed in audible relief. "Oh and thanks for my birthday present … sorry I couldn't get you anything."
"Oh-" Neville looked surprised. "No you don't have to get anything for me," he said quickly.
But Harry wasn't to be deterred. Neville didn't deserve to be overlooked so much. He saw such a spark in the boy's eyes, a spark that ignited the same desire.
Neville could just as well have turned out to be him, and it wasn't fair that people didn't pay attention to Neville.
"How about I buy you some Every Flavour Beans when the food trolley comes around?"
"Um – ok," Neville smiled gratefully and Harry's heart felt just that little bit lighter. He even found himself thinking that maybe this year wouldn't be too bad after all … not while his friends are around him, anyway.
Thus, the next few hours were spent talking happily with his fellow Gryffindors', and the occasional DA member who would stick their head in for a quick visit, asking if the DA was to continue this year. Ron, Hermione and Ginny rejoining them halfway through the journey.
But sometimes, further on in the trip, other students who Harry didn't know would also come into the compartment, giving their condolences on his godfather's death and telling him how brave and heroic they thought he was to fight against you-know-who and still live to tell the tale.
After this had occurred for almost ten minutes straight, it almost came to Harry as a relief when Ron and Hermione, using their prefect status, told them that if he wasn't left alone for the rest of the trip, they would deduct points from their Houses. Thankfully, Harry's visitors were drastically shortened, and he spent the rest of the trip in peace and amongst friends.
After travelling in the carriages up to Hogwarts and Harry giving the Thestral pulling his carriage a thankful pat, Harry followed the rest of the school into the castle and up the stairs to the Great Hall; Ron and Hermione only steps behind him.
He ignored the people gawking and whispering about him, keeping his gaze up at the enchanted sky – at the moment littered with sparkling stars and fast moving clouds - as he entered the Great Hall. However, as he changed his gaze to look forward to the Staff table, he couldn't help stopping dead in his tracks, causing Ron and Hermione to abruptly the same
"Tonks?" he gasped, looking straight at the figure sitting in the DADA chair. True to Harry's word, the woman sitting there talking and waving her arms around eagerly with Professor Hooch looked remarkably like the woman they had left behind on the platform only hours before. Her facial features were relatively the same; the same heart-shaped face with cheeky grin, and dark sparkling eyes. The only difference was that now she had long brown hair in place of the vibrant pink spikes she had previously sported.
When she caught a glimpse of Harry, Ron and Hermione still gaping in astonishment at the Head Table, she winked surreptitiously and flicked her long hair back into the face of a very unimpressed Snape.
"Still the old Tonks, eh Harry?" Ron sniggered, watching as Snape grumpily shifted his chair more over to Professor Hagrid, who also gave a wave at the trio. Snape didn't at all look pleased at being sandwiched between the two and scowled.
That started the three laughing even more, and after waving back at both Tonks and Hagrid, they continued moving towards the Gryffindor table once more. Hermione was the first to sit down, followed by Ron and then Harry, who gave an extra look over at the table.
Harry had to admit that he was immensely relieved to finally have what he thought would be their second effective DADA teacher. Dumbledore had chosen well this time.
He turned his attention back to his table; by then, Neville and the other Gryffindor sixth years had caught up with them and were looking at the new teacher. Hermione quickly filled them in on who it was, she obviously was happy too.
There was a long wait for the first years to arrive, and as usual, Ron started impatiently mumbling under his breath for the 'little runts' to hurry up. Finally, just as Ron was close to banging his empty plate onto the table and chanting for food, the Great Hall doors swung open and Professor McGonagall – now without the walking stick – came striding in, with a throe of meek looking first years trailing quickly after her.
If it wasn't for the plate Ron was still holding in his hands, he would have thrown his hands up in exasperation. "Finally!" he exclaimed loudly, causing vague snickers throughout the hall, and a rather unpleasant looking look from McGonagall.
Amidst heavy chuckling on Harry's part, and Hermione's own attempt at a McGonagall glare, Ron smiled weakly back and pretended to pay extra attention to the Sorting Hat, which was now in its usual place on the stool.
Like everyone else, Harry looked expectantly at the Sorting Hat, wondering what song would have the school rendered speechless this year.
He wasn't to be disappointed. The hat twitched on the stool and opened its slit-like mouth to sing:
.
You may think me ignorant
Of the times that have gone past
But one thing I do know,
Goes outside the role I've been cast.
.
I've tried to make you realise
That solidarity of all houses is needed.
And yet instead with sadness, I see
This warning has not been heeded.
.
As was the case
Over a thousand years ago,
One house remains detached
And considered a deathly foe.
.
But as I've said before,
That was not always the case
The four houses were once banded together
Until one rivalry reared its ugly face.
.
Slytherin and Gryffindor,
Once the greatest of friends
Spread their discord amongst the school,
Leaving all these years not on the mends.
.
But now it's time, that
All the Houses breached the gap
We are all human
Except yours truly, the Thinking Cap.
.
Last year began a whole new way
For the four houses of Hogwarts school
In times of peril I sorted
But warned you of becoming a fool
.
So this year, it continues
Where I'm to sort you out,
But I'll do so with caution
And no mucking about.
.
Gryffindor originally chose those,
Who, like him were brave at heart,
Courageous and strong, but
Now it is time to break apart.
.
Slytherin wanted those
who were pure-blooded to the core,
Cunning and self-seeking
But I want something more.
.
Ravenclaw had those
With knowledge and wit,
Their intelligence took them places
But all that does not quite fit.
.
Hufflepuff had those, who
Were faithful and true.
Loyal to the bone
But it's time that you knew,
.
See the qualities that I have chosen
To be within each house
Are not all of what's inside
And it's time that I grouse.
.
This division of houses
Is what's split us apart
Now it is time for Hogwarts
To show some heart.
.
Forget the houses
And the colours too.
Things are more important
For us to start anew.
.
Our world has come into,
Troubled and dangerous times
That are far overbearing, than
Silly sorting rhymes.
.
So together, forever
Amongst the highs and lows
United, Hogwarts should stand
A chance against our foes.
.
Last year was a warning,
For the horror that has begun
Now Hogwarts must merge together
If the war is to be won.
.
The last words echoed eerily throughout the Great Hall, and once again, there was silence throughout as everyone looked at the hat with no small amounts of confusion, apprehension and dread. There was no doubt in anyone's mind this year that the hat was talking about the war with Voldemort and what Hogwarts fate shall be.
The silence was only broken when Professor McGonagall broke out of her own reverie and cleared her throat importantly.
"Now," McGonagall started sternly. "When I call your name, please step up to the stool and place the Sorting Hat on your head." She unrolled the parchment and her glasses fell to the bridge of her nose as she called out the first name.
"Avett, Leah."
The Hat only took a few moments before it called out, "Ravenclaw!"
Though Harry's classmates whispered excitedly around him as Leah went to the Ravenclaw table, he remained silent, content to stare into space as the words from the sorting song impacted him fully.
For the second time in two years, the Hat mentioned the unity of all Houses … and for the second time in two years, it was too hard for Harry to accept or comprehend. Gryffindor and Slytherin make peace? Surely that was too much to ask? As the had had said, it had been many a year since Gryffindor or Slytherin were anything but enemies.
Harry stole a glance at the Slytherin table and watched as Malfoy entertained the table with some disdainful comments that didn't quite reach Harry's ears.
How could mending ties with Malfoy be influential to winning the war? If anything, most of the Death Eaters came from Slytherin, so what was the point of making any sort of a truce with them if they were just to 'Avada Kedavra' them when they needed them the most.
But, that annoying little voice in his head said, you were almost a Slytherin, and you would never have followed Voldemort or became a death eater.
Harry's gaze flickered over old and new Slytherins over at their table, and couldn't help take notice of the large amount of them that he had never taken notice of before. How could he possibly know that they were all bad? Maybe these House rivalries are doing more damage than good.
Now Harry's attention was toward the DA. Having Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff together with Gryffindor had sure helped things. There was no real difference between any of them, regardless of their houses, and there was no reason to alienate them just because they weren't wearing the right house colours. If anything, they were strengthened by uniting their forces together. Could that really be the key to winning the fight against Voldemort? Having Slytherin unite with them as well?
Harry looked back over to the Slytherin table and Malfoy. There had to be some good points in the Slytherins. They couldn't all be future dark lords.
At that moment though, as if to prove Harry's point wrong, Malfoy caught Harry's eye and muttered something else that made the Slytherins' laugh and look vindictively over at Harry.
With a scowl, Harry turned his head back to his friends and then over to the hat, which was currently deciding which House to put Davids, Matthew. Finally it decided on Hufflepuff, and Matthew shuffled over to the cheering Hufflepuff table.
About to lose interest again, Harry rested his head in his hands and began to slowly close his eyes.
"Evans, Mark," Eyes snapped open and his head shot up in shock, startling Hermione, who was as usual intently watching the first years being sorted.
"Do you know him?" Hermione asked, not missing a beat as Harry incredulously stared at the boy who hesitantly walked up to the Hat.
"Yeah," Harry whispered back. "Lives in my neighbourhood … Dudley and his gang liked to beat him up a lot because he gave them mouth-"
He was going to add that like the rest of the kids in his neighbourhood, Mark Evans steered well clear of him because he was the incurable and dangerous criminal, but the Hat decided to spout out "Gryffindor!" causing cheers to erupt from the Gryffindor table, and effectively drowning out anything else Harry wanted to add.
"Well, he'd have to be brave and courageous to stand up to that lump of lard," Harry muttered under his breath as he watched Mark sit at the end of the Gryffindor table.
"That or stupid," Ron added. "That cousin of yours is like four times the size of that kid!"
Harry scowled, turning back to his friends. "I know."
The sorting continued on, almost unforgivingly, according to Ron and then Harry's stomachs. Finally, Zelich, Jade was sorted into Ravenclaw and the sorting was over.
In the action of looking up at the Head Table for Professor Dumbledore's welcome speech, Harry accidentally locked eyes with Mark Evans, who had simultaneously looked away from the other first year Gryffindors beside him. Almost instantly, Mark's eyes widened noticeably … but for once, Harry thought ruefully, not because of my scar.
Feeling uncomfortable, Harry looked away to where Professor Dumbledore had stood up and was waiting for everyone to cease their talking. For a moment, Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes caught Harry's gaze and he gave a brief sad nod, before proceeding to greet everyone.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, new and old," he announced loudly. "I won't keep you long for dinner, but I do have a few announcements to make, which unfortunately do not include only a few short words as past years …"
A brief scatter of chuckles swept across the Hall and Dumbledore smiled cheerily. "Now, onto the first issue. As usual, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that to all students – forbidden. I daresay with the Weasley twins out of Hogwarts, this will hopefully be a - rare occurrence now." At that, Dumbledore eyed Harry from beneath his spectacles and Harry couldn't help but grin slightly.
"Secondly, Hogwarts caretaker Mr Filch has kindly relinquished some of his previous rules from last year. If you want the new and improved list of items banned from Hogwarts, please feel fit to see him or simply see the Wizard Weasley Wheezes weekly catalogue."
Ron's face broke out in a wide grin at that, as everybody turned to him and Ginny, the only Weasleys' left at Hogwarts now. No doubt he liked all the extra attention, Harry mused, looking at his red headed friend.
"Thirdly," Dumbledore continued merrily. He now pointed over towards Tonks who stood up with a cheery wave. "Professor Tonks here, a current auror from the Ministry of Magic will be your new DADA Professor for the year!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who knew her the most, clapped the loudest; Ginny even giving a shrill whistle. Tonks shot them a quick grateful grin.
After everything had quietened down and Tonks had sat back down, thankfully without a long, windy speech, Dumbledore added, "Also, as you can see the High Inquisitor is no longer a part of Hogwarts, so all – ahem-"
Dumbledore cleared his throat, and in-between this Ginny did her legendary 'hem hem', making students nearby laugh softly.
"-Educational Decrees made in her presence including bans are now uplifted and invalid."
There was a moment of amazed silence for the students that hadn't known before and then cheering broke out from the four houses, Gryffindor being the loudest.
"Cor," Seamus cried out loudly, being one of many to pat Harry on the back. "That means you're back on the Quidditch team!"
"Along with Weasley, we're going to win the Cup again!" Katie Bell/Alicia Spinnet screamed excitedly, bopping Harry and Ron on the head.
"With that said," Dumbledore continued on above the cheering. He too was smiling benevolently. "Enjoy your school year at Hogwarts."
By the time the food appeared, Harry was feeling quite on cloud nine. For once, he wouldn't have to be reminded of Voldemort or any stupid war and for just a little while he could pretend his life consisted of just Quidditch and school. He dug into his food with gusto, Ron immediately doing the same.
Unfortunately halfway through his dessert, whilst he was in the midst of talking to Ron about the possibility of the twins getting inducted into the Order, Harry began to feel an increasingly unpleasant prickle at the back of his neck … something that usually pointed towards somebody or something watching him closely.
Harry froze mid-action, and quickly looked around, searching for whoever it was that was staring at him. With no luck at any of the tables, he finally rested his eyes on the Head Table where Snape – Harry shouldn't have been surprised - was obviously having no qualms at sending him death glares across the Hall.
Harry narrowed his eyes hatefully at the man and returned the glare. After all, he couldn't lose points for glaring when the greasy git was over ten feet away from him.
"… They'll have to find a way of telling us if they're in or not-"
Ron stopped when he saw that Harry was busy glaring back at Snape to answer. "Oh forget him Harry," he said dismissively. "He's probably still sore about you being in his potions class again."
Still, as Harry looked away, he saw out of the corner of his eye that Snape continued to glare at him, and if it was possible, there would definitely have been sparks shooting out of them at the force he was sending over to him.
Harry took a moment to mull on what he'd done to annoy Snape that time. Surely it still wouldn't be over what Ron had suggested, he concluded incredulously. Snape hadn't said anything to him this morning, let alone send looks as filthy as the ones he was sending now.
Harry guardedly took a sip out of his pumpkin juice, for a moment thinking that Snape might have poisoned it or put truth serum into it, seeing as Snape's attention was still on him. Fighting the urge to childishly poke his tongue out at him, Harry took a large gulp and set the cup down forcefully.
"I wish he'd set his vampire-like eyes elsewhere," Harry hissed to Ron out of the corner of his mouth as he picked up his fork to eat again. He only took a few more bites out of his pudding, before placing his fork back down in disgust, feeling put-off his food now that Snape's presence wouldn't leave him.
"Stupid Snape," said Harry, grumpily, his good mood deflating heavily. Ron looked set to agree with Harry, but was stopped as a shadow fell onto him.
The shadow was Professor McGonagall, who – obviously finished with her own dinner – had begun to swoop past the Gryffindor table with the Sorting Hat. To Harry's surprise, she stopped to congratulate Harry on his Quidditch Captain position and then to pass him a note that she said was from Professor Dumbledore.
Frowning slightly, and shooting a curious look at Dumbledore who wasn't looking back, Harry began to deftly open the parchment, his frown growing deeper as his eyes skimmed over it quickly.
"You've got to be kidding me!" he exclaimed loudly, throwing the parchment down after reading only the first two lines. Uncaring of the fact that everyone turned to look at him, Harry glared at Dumbledore who still wouldn't look him in the eye. Instead he caught Snape's malevolent glare and matched it for a long moment
Ron nudged him and he tore his eyes away. "What's wrong?"
Aware that everybody's attention was still on him, Harry shook his head, and pretended to intently study his food. Only when everybody finally looked away, did Harry whisper to Ron and Hermione, "I'm starting Occlumency lessons again, alright-"
Then he jerked his head towards the end of the head table, now clutching the parchment tightly in one clenched fist. "-With Snape."
A/N: He he, trouble approaches. I know that most likely Harry won't be doing Occlumency with Snape again in the real sixth book, but I just couldn't resist. There is a good reason behind it though, which you will all find out later on in the story. Anyway, it gives me more interaction between Harry and Snape, so that's good! For some reason I can't help but like the snarky potions master!!
I almost forgot … Also, I thought I'd tell you the reason why I ended up putting Tonks as their new DADA teacher. As Voldemort's return has finally been acknowledged, obviously the students are going to have to prepare themselves against the many curses and hexes that will be coming from any death eaters. Having a new and still on-duty auror (whose involved with the Order and the Ministry) around will not only help the Hogwarts students, but also protect Harry. Please review to tell me what you think of this chapter. I can't know if anyone likes it or not if you don't!!
Oh and just a reminder, I've got a yahoo group for my two stories. Anybody can join. The address is on my author's page.
As usual thanks to the following reviewers:
Dragonsprincess: Hey, thanks for another review. Long too, which is good. I agreed with what you said about Remus (mainly because he's like my second or third favourite character), but I won't be having him as the DADA professor. He'll be doing something more important, but don't worry he'll still be a big part of the story. Anyway, I promise to have a look at your fic within the week. I haven't had a chance yet, something which I'm really sorry for. Your story sounds interesting though.
WinterWonderland02: Thank you for reviewing again. Sorry for the wait (again), lol.
Nana-hedwig: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it anyway. This one has a bit more in it. Longer too, I think, lol. I appreciated your opinion on the DADA professor question. You'll find out who I chose in this chapter. I hope you like it!!
Maxwell Coffee House: Thank you!! I hope you like this chapter. I don't think its one of my best ones, but … ah well.
John: Thanks, glad you liked!!
Serpent of Light: Thanks for the review!!
Amber16: No problem, I appreciate your honesty. Besides, I agree with you, I don't much like reading original characters either. I just didn't know whether or not people would like that or not. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I hope you like who the DADA professor is!!
Gaul1: Thanks for reviewing and I hope you keep on reading!!