Chapter 16

It was Wednesday night and Harry was just finishing up dinner before his lesson with Dumbledore. Katie Belle came running up to Ron and Harry smiling.

"Guess what?!" Katie asked. Harry was going to ask what but Katie just continued talking. "I'm Quidditch Captain!"

"Way to go!" Harry said.

"Thanks! I just came to tell you that we are holding tryouts for our two open chaser positions on Saturday." Katie said.

"I'll be there." Harry said.

"Me too. If you need any help getting ready, you know for tryouts, I could help you." Ron said in what he hoped was a casual voice. Harry knew that Ron really wanted to be captain next year.

"Actually now that you mention it I really could use some help getting everything set up." Katie said. "Meet me in the Common Room after dinner so we can talk." Katie said happily as she left.

"If she let's me help this year do you think they'll make me captain next year?" Ron asked Harry.

"Sure." Harry answered not knowing or really caring about how the Quidditch Captains are choosen. "And if they give it to me I'll give it to you because I really don't want it." Harry answered. Ron beamed at his friend. "So Gin are you going to try out?" Harry asked turning to Ginny.

"Did you even have to ask?" Ginny responded.

"Not really but I thought it would be polite." Harry answered with a sly grin.

"Such a gentlemen you are, Harry Potter." Ginny answered sarcastically while she, Ron, Hermione and Neville laughed.

"I try to be." Harry answered. Then looking at his watch said. "I gotta run. Don't want to be late for my first lesson with Dumbledore. He's got enough people watching me as it is."

Five minutes later Harry entered Dumbledores' office. Dumbledore motioned for him to sit down so Harry sat. Dumbledore finished signing some papers while Fawkes perched himself on Harrys' knee.

"Shall we get started?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded. "I'm sure Professor Snape explained everything last year so I'm not going to bother repeating it. Legiliemens!" Dumbledore said without warning.

Harry managed to throw Dumbledore out only when Dumbledore brought up the memory of Sirius falling behind the veil. Harry was panting, but had a small smile when he successfully threw Dumbledore out of his mind.

"Very good, but you need to be able to throw me out right away. Again." Dumbledore said.

They worked on Occlumency for an hour and a half before moving on to controlling Harry's wandless magic. By ten o'clock that night Harry was able to throw Dumbledore out of his mind quickly and was learning to control his anger so he could do wandless magic at any given moment.

"That's enough for tonight, Harry." Dumbledore said. Harry nodded and was getting ready to leave when Dumbledore said. "And Harry, I would prefer that you don't use any of the new spells you've learned."

"Ok." Harry answered while he wondered how Dumbledore knew about the spells. Then it occured to him that Dumbledore had been in and out of his mind all night.

It was Friday afternoon and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville were all heading for their first Defense lesson of the year. When they arrived they decided to sit in the middle of the classroom, so that if Zombini was a good teacher they could hear everything and if he wasn't they were more or less out of harms way. Shortly after they arrived Zombini entered.

"Harry! It's good to see you again!" Zombini said.

"Ah, it's good to see you again too Professor." Harry answered.

"Who are you three?" Zombini asked turning toward Neville.

"I'm Hermione Granger." Hermione said extending her hand out.

"Granger." Zombini said thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. Albus told me that you are the cleverest which of your age." Zombini said as Hermione blushed and muttered her thanks.

"Ron Weasley." Ron said.

"I know your parents." Zombini said. "Good people. Although your mum can be a little hard to handle sometimes." Ron laughed.

"Neville Longbottom." Neville said feeling more at ease now.

"It's nice to meet you. I heard your parents were great wizards." Zombini said.

Ten minutes later the rest of the class had entered. Once everyone was seated, which took a while since the Gryffindors' and Slytherins' didn't want to sit next to each other, the class started.

"As all of you know I'll be teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. We will start the year off by learning about the Unforgivable Curses. Yes I know that you've already learned about them, but with the Minister still breathing down our necks we have to be careful." Zombini said.

It was decided that night at dinner that Zombini was almost as good Lupin. All the students seemed to really like him. Even the Slytherins' who would rather die then admit to that. Harry had soon grown tired of all of his new 'followers' and couldn't take it any more.

"WILL EVERYONE JUST GIVE ME FIVE BLOODY MINUTES TO MYSELF!" Harry roared. "I'M GLAD YOU'VE ALL DECIDED I'M NOT A NUTTER, BUT THIS IS RIDICULES!" Everyone was taken aback by Harry's sudden outburst.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville quickly ran after Harry to make sure he was alright. They knew that his 'fan club' had been getting on Harry's nerves but they hadn't realized it was this bad. Ginny, personally, was glad that Harry had told everyone off.

"I don't still like Harry that way." Ginny told herself firmly. "Do I?"