"Harry Potter and the On Going Struggle"
By SillyGillie
Summary- Harry Potter's 6th year full of drama, mysteries, angst, and romance. Harry promises never to forget the people he's lost, the year goes on and more people are dying each day. Harry is trying to master his Occulmency along with NEWT classes, some interesting new classes, quidditch training, a new DADA teacher, DA still in progress, and the threat of the Prophecy grows closer each day. I hope you like it.
A/N- Ok, jeeze, I've decided to make no more promises, because I always end up breaking them! I'm so sorry, really this is becoming a bit repetitive, ah well. SORRY! So without furthur ado, the next chapter.
Dedication- to my sister for thinking up this chapter title, rather ingenious if I say so myself.
"Well you're up bright and early." Harry said disgustedly to himself as he lay back on his back starring at the bed side clock flashing 4:02. Harry heaved himself off his bed and walked quietly into the bathroom as not to wake anyone up.
He got ready for the day and changed into his quidditch robes, excited at the prospect of doing something exciting, when he realized he still didn't have his broom yet. He groaned aloud and changed into his robes, he needed to do something, he couldn't just sit and wait until his friends woke up, that would be ridiculous.
"Harry what are you doing? Been waiting long?" Ron asked walking down the stairs toward Harry who put aside a Defense book Sirius and Remus had gotten him.
"No, not long." Harry lied looking at his bare wrist. "Time?" Harry questioned.
"Seven, we've got to get to breakfast." Ron said holding his stomach.
"Ron, when are you not hungry?" Hermione questioned from the stairway.
Harry closed his ears to the twos bickering, 'Three hours reading, no, not long at all.' He thought to himself grimly.
"Woke up and figured you were on the pitch, but I guess not." Ron said remembering Harry's habits at the Burrow.
"Tried, but I don't have my broom yet." Harry answered.
"Oh right." Ron answered as Ginny walked down the stairs.
"Good Morning." She smiled.
"Morning." Harry said reasonably, it wasn't as if he was having a good morning, he'd woken up three hours ago and wasn't able to fly because Dumbledore had taken away his broom so that he, Harry, was forced to talk to him to get his broom back.
Then, all he could do was read Defense books, thinking all the while that he needed to kill Voldemort, and he was tired. So, he figured "Morning" cut it very well.
"So, what do you lot want to do today?" Harry asked as they settled down in their usual seats the at the table. Considering they returned to Hogwarts on Saturday, they had one free day until classes, which Ron took advantage of proclaiming loudly that he had work to finish, much to the disgust of Hermione.
"Would you like to go visit Hagrid?" Hermione questioned and Harry looked up to the teachers table seeking out Hagrid's face.
"Not here yet I guess." Ginny said, and it was true, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were part of the select few who were at breakfast.
Since the summer everyone had been pretty much getting up around seven to keep him company, and it seemed the week they spent together, they had all gotten into a routine of waking up at this time.
It had surprised Harry the first time Ron has come down at seven, he had only complained a little stating that, "How could anyone be up at this ungodly hour." However, Hermione was quick to point out that "God most likely never slept." Harry appreciated what his friends were doing for him, each time he insisted they really didn't have to.
"Look Professor Kean's up already." Hermione said and they all turned to look as he buttered his toast, he seemed to feel their gazes and looked up. When he met their curious stares, he smiled warmly ducking his head in a sort of greeting.
"What do you reckon?" Ron asked as they swivelled back toward each other.
"How long do you think he'll last before Harry has to get rid of him, you mean." Ginny smiled and then grinned at Harry's discomfort.
"Oh, come off it Harry." Ginny said swatting his arm and looking at him quite seriously. "You know it's true." Ginny pressed.
"Suppose so." Harry mumbled "A saving people sort of thing" flashed quickly through his head.
"Guess we'll just have to wait to see how he is." Ron said noting Harry's discomfort and shifting the conversation away from him.
"I didn't mean anything by it Harry." Ginny pressed on as Hermione and Ron threw nervous looks between themselves and Harry.
Harry managed to weakly smile in her direction, it didn't do to start fights. "I know." Harry answered, "So, we'll drop by Hagrid's for a bit?" Harry questioned and Ron and Hermione nodded in consent glad to be done of the former conversation.
"Ginny?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, well, I assumed it was going to be just you three."Ginny stuttered and to Harry's amazement turned the famous Weasley red that seemed to have vanished from Ginny's face since fourth year.
Harry smirked at her, "yeah and leave you behind?" Harry asked rhetorically.
"Well, yes." Ginny said blushing further.
"Oh, er, no. So do you want to come?" Harry questioned surprised that Ginny thought they would just leave her behind, had they done that before?
"Of course." Ginny answered properly regaining her composure.
"As if we'd leave you behind." Ron said shoving his sister.
"Like you've done before?" Ginny mumbled quietly to herself unaware that Harry had heard her. "Not likely" Ginny smiled back at Ron.
Harry watched the siblings with curiosity, he'd never had a brother or a sister, obviously, so he didn't know how they would normally act around each other, but being in the company of the Weasley's for so long made him able to recognize the hostility in Ginny's words, though she put on a sweet front.
"Right." Ron answered seeming to pick up on Ginny's hostility as well. Harry quickly reflected over the years how often Ginny was included in their group, and realized that up until last year they basically had ignored her.
He remembered Ron telling him once that Ginny and him were the closest, it must have been horrible for Ginny, almost as if he and Hermione had stolen away her best friend. Harry looked guiltily at Ginny and smiled as she met his eyes.
"Er, if you guys don't mind, I want to head to Dumbledore's, to get my broom." Harry said.
"Of course, we'll meet you out there?" Hermione questioned.
"Yeah sure, of course, only I don't know how long I'll be, so er, if I'm not back before you head out, tell Hagrid I'll see him soon." Harry said watching as Dumbledore spoke briefly to Professor McGonagall.
"Sure Harry." Hermione said as she took a roll from the basket. Harry smiled at her but continued to watch Dumbledore, as he paused and turned toward Harry, and smiled at him. Harry hesitantly smiled back at him, it wasn't as though he still hated Dumbledore for Sirius, he had been angry and hostile, he might not like Dumbledore as much as he once had, but he didn't hate him.
However, the last time he had seen the headmaster, he had acted differently toward Harry, asking him to keep his friends in the dark and to keep the key a secret, why had he even given the key to Harry if it was so important?
Even if he agreed to keep Harry up on the news of the Order, Harry could tell he had changed, causing Harry to accept the position of Quidditch captain and continue the D.A. He was quite sure he would have done that anyway but just the way Dumbledore had handled the situation made Harry uneasy.
Remus was in on it to, though Harry found the slightest bit of comfort knowing Remus would be around, even if he wasn't going to necessarily use it, it was a comfort none the less. He had to admit that the adults were using him as a pawn for the war.
They had told him they would tell him everything, but they were keeping the information of the key to themselves. He shook his head slightly as he realized that his smile had turned into a glare, and sighed softly to himself. He turned away from Dumbledore and met the concerned eyes of his friends.
"Er, sorry what did you want?" Harry questioned embarrassedly.
"Nothing." Ron said quickly.
"Oh, er, right." Harry said looking down at his plate. He stiffened as a hand touched his shoulder he looked up and met Ginny's eyes.
"Are you alright?" She questioned removing her hand causing Harry to feel odd.
"Er, right, I'm fine thanks." He answered quickly, Ginny obviously didn't believe him and held his eye contact for a moment or two longer before shrugging and turning her head.
"You ever want to talk..." Ginny started only to be interrupted by Harry.
"You can always find me." Harry finished grinning, having heard this speech one to many times for his liking.
"Thanks Ginny." He smiled sincerely.
"Anytime Harry." Ginny smiled.
"Well, I'm done." Ron said pushing up from his seat after a moment.
"About time." Hermione said lightly, "if we can I want to run to the library." Hermione suggested.
"It's not even the first day of school!" Ron exclaimed following Hermione out of the Great Hall.
"See you at Hagrid's?" Hermione called over her shoulder to Harry, busy ignoring Ron, as they both nodded in agreement.
"I have to go to the common room and then I'll meet you in Hagrid's later?" Ginny asked and got up from her seat.
"I have to get something before I go to Dumbledore's, I'll come with you." Harry said as they walked out of the hall together.
"You're getting the key aren't you?" Ginny questioned abruptly breaking the silence.
"Excuse me?" Harry asked stopping in his tracks.
"You're wearing the same expression when I saw you with it the first time." Ginny explained calmly as if she was talking about the weather outside.
"Erm, yes I am." Harry answered if not a bit reluctant. She already knew too much if Harry was considered, the key could be important just because she thought it was a gift it could still be used against her, if she was to meet one of Voldemort's supporters.
How did he get caught up in this game of lies, he knew he was in a war, but was this how it was played? With lies and deceit, the person he most trusted lying to him about an unknown artifact, he hated it.
"Chudley's Rule." Ginny said as they arrived at the portrait hole.
"Well, I wish you luck with whatever you're doing." Ginny said as she smiled briefly at him before running up the girl's staircase.
"Right, luck." Harry said slowing processing the thought as he made his way toward the sixth year dorm room. He walked in and saw the room was empty, he had passed Dean and Seamus in the hall and Neville in the common room.
He crouched down at the foot of his bed and opened the trunk and there was the key right on top, funny how he remembered piling things on top of it, and burrowing it down under his clothes. Harry looked at the key with distrust and slowly picked it up bringing the key to eye level and he watched it closely.
As the key started to glow slightly, he quickly shoved it into his pocket and turned to leave the room, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye and turned quickly to face it, but whatever it was had already vanished. He looked uneasily around the room before he squared his shoulders and prepared to meet the world, or in his case, the Headmaster, right on.
"Good luck Harry." Ginny called to him, he smiled slowly in response, did he look nervous? He knew he didn't want to see him yet, last year he'd wanted his support or just to have a conversation because it always made him feel, in a way, safer. He knew it was dumb but being in such a powerful wizard's presence put Harry at ease, but this year he'd give anything for Dumbledore to just leave him alone.
He smiled as he passed Neville and Luna in the hallway, and continued down the hallway. He didn't understand why he was so uncomfortable about going to see Dumbledore, maybe it was just because Dumbledore had told Harry to lie to his friends, but he also had a small feeling Dumbledore wasn't telling him something.
That shouldn't be though, Dumbledore had promised to tell him everything that was going on, Harry figured Dumbledore's word must be as great as any other and even more so. Feeling slightly comforted with the thought, he walked up to the statue guarding Dumbledore's office.
'Had Dumbledore told him the password?' He couldn't remember.
"Er, Sugar Quills, Cauldron Cakes, ton tongue toffee." Harry stated all the candy he knew off the top of his head and the doorway opened. He stepped inside and went up the staircase. He could hear muffled voiced inside the office. He went up to the door and knocked quickly, fully prepared to walk away before anyone opened up.
To his surprise Professor Kean and Professor Snape were sitting in the office facing each other and looking extremely peeved.
"Good Morning Harry." Dumbledore smiled while motioning toward the Professor, "Professor Kean, and as you know Professor Snape." Harry smiled weakly at Professor Kean and completely ignored Professor Snape.
"Nice to finally meet you." Professor Kean said kindly offering a hand. Harry reached out and shook a firm overly calloused hand.
"You as well." Harry answered unsure of what else to say.
"Well, now that Potter's everyone's favorite little student once more, I must be going." Snape sneered at Harry as he slammed the door causing Fawkes to start.
"Ignore him Harry." Dumbledore said causing Harry to turn his glare from the door to Dumbledore's face.
"Right well, I'm afraid I must be going as well." Professor Kean said slowly standing, Harry watched as he hugged his right side and his eyes tighten briefly before he shook Dumbledore's hand.
"Thanks again, er, Albus." And walked to the door. As he opened it, he turned toward Harry. "Wonderful to meet you." And shut the door.
"Sorry to interrupt your meeting." Harry said refusing to meet Dumbledore's eyes.
"It's quite alright. You came just at the right moment. I believe Professor Snape was grateful you came at the time you did." Dumbledore said and Harry could tell Professor Kean and Snape weren't on friendly terms.
"Professor Kean was in Bill's year, Ravenclaw, quite bright." Dumbledore spoke on thought the tension Harry felt rising in the room, "won't you sit down?" Dumbledore paused as Harry sat across from him.
"Where was I? Oh yes, he took quite a liking to defense and did brilliantly on his Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T.'s, if I recall correctly Professor Flitwick was quite proud." Dumbledore rambled on, "he did almost as well as you did Harry, on you OWL's, almost but not quite. Which leads to one of the things I wished to discuss with you." Dumbledore paused and leaned forward slightly in his chair,
"Harry you've received your OWL scores obviously, but you have done exceptionally well in Defense Against the Dark Arts, are you aware you scored the highest scores on you Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL out of the whole 5th year?" Dumbledore questioned smiling at Harry's shock.
"Hermione?" Harry questioned thought traveling a mile a minute through his brain.
"No, very close though." Dumbledore said eyes twinkling, "until this time Professor Kean used to hold the record." Dumbledore said pausing letting the information sink in.
"What?" Harry spluttered digesting nothing of the words that came out of Dumbledore's mouth.
"Harry. You now hold the record for the highest Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL in the history of Hogwarts." Harry sat waiting, waiting for Dumbledore to laugh and tell him it was a joke, how could he, Harry Potter, have the highest score in the history of Hogwarts. Harry sat still for a moment and let out a quick laugh before shutting up once more.
"I believe a congratulation is in order." Dumbledore said smiling as Harry smiled quickly, "your parents and Sirius would have been, needless to say, very proud." Dumbledore added quickly sobering up the atmosphere.
"I know." Harry spoke firmly, imagining the faces of two people he didn't even know smiling at him, his parents. Harry sighed deeply and quietly and pictured Sirius' face along with his parents, he wouldn't forget.
"Harry, due to recent events I would like it very much if you took more classes then required, preferably defense classes." Dumbledore said moving back in his chair.
"I have spoken to Remus and after much insisting, he has agreed to meet with you twice a week to train you in a more advanced field of defense." Dumbledore finished, Harry smiled lightly, he wouldn't mind seeing Remus twice a week.
"Because of the Order and Moon chart Tonks, and Professor Kean will also be working with you." Dumbledore added, much to Harry's surprise.
"Professor Kean had initially requested to train you. However, I believe his workload would be too much. I must ask you not to tell your friends about these extra Defense lessons." Dumbledore requested and Harry frowned slightly, one more thing to lie about.
"I assure you Harry. It's for their own safety." Dumbledore added and Harry nodded reluctantly.
"You will also be receiving Occulumency lessons once a week, with myself." Dumbledore said and Harry nodding, silently thanking Merlin he wouldn't have to work with Snape.
"However, after Christmas break I must insist upon Professor Snape teaching you." Dumbledore said firmly raising his hands before Harry could object.
"Professor Snape is most efficient in the art and is also the only one to go against Mr. Riddle, which is most important." Dumbledore said with a hint of finality in his voice. Harry nodded, he knew he would be better for himself, if he trained with Snape, however he'd be damned if he mentioned that out loud.
"This may seem like a large amount of work, however if you see your time table you will notice large periods of time are open." Dumbledore said, "Unfortunately you were forced to drop one of your electives." He added.
"What should I tell my friends?" Harry questioned indicating the schedule,
"Am I correct that you've told them of Occulumency, ye well, you may tell them that I believe it is the utmost importance that you are taught and master Occulumency." Dumbledore suggested.
"Alright Sir." Harry said lodging the information into his head.
"Very good Harry." Dumbledore said as a former headmistress coughed into a handkerchief. Harry looked at her and thought she looked faintly familiar.
"I'm sorry about your office Professor." Harry said looking at the pattern on the floor.
"Not to worry, I've replaced everything." Dumbledore said kindly. "I see that you have progressed, "I see that you have progressed in your period of mourning." Dumbledore observed stippling his fingers causing a ring to glint in the light. Harry didn't respond, he felt there was no correct answer to be given.
"The Weasley's have had a profound effect on you it the week you spent together. Do you remember my words that night at the Burrow?" Dumbledore questioned and Harry inclined his head keeping it bowed now for different reasons entirely. Dumbledore had told him he should spend more time with Ginny.
"Yes sir." Harry nodded.
"The Process will be slow, Harry, but you'll overcome it." Dumbledore stated with confidence. Harry sat back in the chair, eyes closed, and head bowed. He heard Dumbledore and he understood what he was saying, if he could do it; however, he didn't know. Harry and Dumbledore lapsed into a semi comfortable silence and Fawkes flew over onto Harry's knee emitting a soft trill.
"Professor, will I be able to go to Hogsmeade?" Harry questioned his shoulders feeling lighter than they had in days, he smiled graciously at the bird in front of him.
"I would like to say yes, the next visit, but that may very well be your only time, if Voldemort starts attacking closer to the school, I will have to forbid it." Dumbledore said sadly.
"Right." Harry said hoping he kept his feelings of unjust hidden.
"It's for your own good, Harry" Dumbledore explained.
"Professor, why are you able to speak with me this year?" Harry questioned.
"Truth be told, I believe your strong emotions are keeping him out, just a theory, but you've increased your studies on the subject as well. I cannot be sure, it could be that in a moment Voldemort could get to you, but this year it is a chance I am more than willing to take." Dumbledore stated with finality.
"About this key..." Harry started, "You must always keep it with you, not only will that give you a certain safe guard, it will also have less of a chance to be stolen." Dumbledore said gravely.
"Professor every time I touch it, it gives me a sense of forebodence, I don't like it." Harry said truthfully fingering the key.
"That is because the key holds an object of Dark Arts, you will get used to it." Dumbledore explained seriously.
"Why have you given it to me?" Harry pressed.
"For safe keeping that's all I can say on the matter." Dumbledore said frowning apologetically.
"Alright Harry it was nice speaking with you, feel free to drop by for anything." Dumbledore turned and walked over to a closet and gently took out a broom.
"Here you are." Dumbledore said.
"Was it really guarded by a troll?" Harry questioned and Dumbledore chuckled nodding.
"What a cow." Harry stated firmly, "sorry Professor." He added quickly.
"Once more I fear I have gone deaf." Dumbledore said sitting back in his chair. Harry could feel the power coursing through the broom next to him longing to be up in the air, Sirius' gift to Harry.
"Lemon drop on your way out?" Dumbledore smiled as Harry scooped one up.
"Thanks Professor." Harry said aloud, and silently added 'for everything' and walked toward the Great Hall. He would never forget.
Thanks so much for the reviews:
Sakura Sayoran- Thanks so much for the review Philly!! I can't remember your name is sad Like how mine was Boobie? Remember? Anywho I haven't talked to you in ages, so I dunno we must talk. lol
Melindaleo- Thanks so much for the review! Too kind! Well, I dunno this might sound concieted but I don't like posting this story over numerous sights because I like to know how many reviews I'm getting in one number, you know what I mean? I dunno I was thinking about it. Maybe when I'm done with it. I don't know! Thank you so much for your comments! I'm glad you liked the Thestrals, I was aprehensive about putting that scene in, I didn't like it much. LoL Luna, I don't really know how she sits with me currently, but I like writing her she reminds me of Trelawny so I just write a whole bunch of silly things with her, I think she's a funny character. Odd, more like it.
Missers- MISSY!! hugs Thanks so much for all the compliments! You're so sweet! I miss speaking with you! He he! Thanks so much I'm glad you enjoyed it! I like writing Ginny and Harry like that, even if it's totally off canon I think it would be interesting if in the books Ginny was able to bring Harry into normal teenager mode. I think she helps by bluntly shoving in his face what he's done and making him recognize it, I write her really carefree and I hope it rubs off on Harry! LoL!
Peachy Papayas- Cool the Orange Crush is the best ship to be on! Thanks so much for reading my story! I love yours! They're so good!
Oceangirl1661- Yay Chelsea! You found your ring! Excellent, you've just reminded me that I need to look for mine is sad Thanks so much for the review! Ha, and it was Gina, she didn't write me my sorting hat song so I put her in Slytherin the devil! LOL! HARRY'S BUM!! (is so mine) LoL! Yes my fellow triplet and love, I shall see you tomorrow, the minutes seem like hours! Lmao. Ah such good times, I'll see you tomorrow in the hell we like to call school. smirks
Silver Warrior- Ha, my thoughts exactly! Well, I think they're both really proud people and they want each other to admit that the other was wrong, as in all their little fights. Thanks so much for the review!!
Au revoir
