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"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- Heylo everyone! I'm SOOO SOO sorry for posting this so late! I think it's been two months! I'm really sorry! I tried to post it (09-07-04) before I started school (09-09-04) but needless to say, I didn't make that cut! This is by far my longest chapter yet! It was 22 pages in my notebook, and is 27 pages all typed up! Fantastic right?! Well, again I'm sorry for taking such a long time, but I had so many things to do before I went back to school! Hectic! Well, this is for a Happy Friday, which is tomorrow! So enjoy!
Disclaimer- No money-making involved, because the HP universe is not mine, but JKR's. I just play in her playground.
Ok, this chapter is dedicated to Lourdes for reviewing every single chapter and the nice compliments of course, I mean what girl doesn't like compliments?! Thanks so much!
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Catching the Quaffle
"Welcome Mr. Potter, to your first Occulumency lesson of the year." Dumbledore smiled warmly rising from his chair. "You've been practicing, I hope?" he added and Harry nodded.
"Right then, lets see, what I wanted to tell you before we began, was simply that, though I am training you, at the end of each week Professor Snape will test you on how you've progressed." Dumbledore paused as if expecting an outburst, but was met with silence.
"Very well, shall we proceed? Please explain to me what Professor Snape has covered with you thus far."
"Truthfully sir? Truthfully, I don't remember much. I've just been practicing clearing my head. I think that's the most difficult bit of it anyway." Harry paused looking unsure of himself but continued with Professor Dumbledore's nod of his head.
"I mean to say, when I finally clear my head I start thinking about how I've cleared my head, and then, well, I'm thinking obviously, so I have to start all over again." Harry stated firmly, as if this was a topic he had clearly pondered.
"It's physically impossible to think of nothing, isn't it? Because nothing is something, only proving that I'm thinking of something, while I'm trying to think of nothing." Harry finished jerking his head in surprise as Dumbledore snorted into his tea cup.
"You must forgive me Harry, you've thought much too hard on this topic." Dumbledore chuckled again. "It is not so literal, clearing you head can lead you to many different places, it's more of a relaxing exercise, you shouldn't put too much effort into it."
"What I would like to know now, is what you're thinking of this very moment." Dumbledore looked intently at Harry and paused.
"Er, well, I was thinking about how much I sounded like Hermione then." Harry paused
"Yes?" Dumbledore prompted.
"And, and how I made fun of Ginny for turning into Hermione and now I am." Harry said looking horrified. Ron would never speak to him again, and provoking another laugh from the headmaster.
"Now, that we know what is on your mind Harry, I would like you to picture something really dull." Dumbledore said, "I personally find that I loose myself to that crack on the wall, just there." Dumbledore said pointing to where a former headmistress was looking scandalized at the thought of a crack above "her" head.
"Do you have your dull picture Harry?" Dumbledore questioned leaning back into his chair.
"Yes sir" Harry responded hearing Professor Binn's voice echoing in his head.
"What is it that you're focusing on?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Professor Binn's voice." Harry stated devoid of all embarrassment, Dumbledore laughed softly.
"All right, I want you to focus intently on his voice, because what you are going to attempt is going into a sort of conscious sleep. You will be aware of everything. This will just help you to clear your mind." Dumbledore said watching Harry as he closed his eyes and focused on Professor Binn's voice, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Stop, stop, you are trying much too hard. You are supposed to be relaxed Harry, not working on it." Dumbledore said and Harry looked at his crossly.
"Here, lie down." Dumbledore said conjuring a cot in the middle of his office. Harry got up and lay stiffly on the cot.
"Now concentrate on Professor Binn's voice, and ignore all other sounds, what you are really attempting to do is drown his voice as well, concentrate souly on the way it sounds. Leave everything else behind." Dumbledore stated and Harry lay listening to Professor Binn's voice drone on and on about some Goblin rebellion, but Harry was beginning to lose exactly what he was saying, the sound was getting softer and softer...
and suddenly Harry talking to Ginny about wanting to talk to Sirius last year grew before his mind, Sirius laughing, Sirius singing Christmas carols, Sirius' smile not yet leaving his face as he fell through the veil; and he awoke with a start.
"Wonderful job Harry." Dumbledore applauded as Harry took in his surroundings. The sun was now over the quidditch pitch leading Harry to believe he had been in a trance for quite a while.
"How long have I been...?" Harry questioned
"Sleeping Harry, how long were you sleeping?" Dumbledore said, "One hour." He answered.
"I had been trying to get into your head for fifty-five minutes, and only just was able to." Dumbledore said smiling down at Harry from behind his desk.
"I need not state where your defenses are both weakest and strongest." Dumbledore stated knowingly.
"In my friendship." Harry ground out flushing much to his annoyance, he knew what Dumbledore was trying to get at, the scene with him and Ginny had been the first image able to break through his defenses.
"All right" Dumbledore conceded, "well, I believe you went very far today. Keep practicing, and I will see you in two days." Dumbledore stated getting up and walking Harry to the door.
"It is very important that you practice Harry, I believe you understand the reason and the consequences. And may I also remind you, you now hold knowledge that Voldemort does not, you know the whole prophecy, it is imperative that he never finds out, Good day Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said and opened the door through which Harry quickly made his escape.
"You've been in there for quite awhile Potter" Draco's voice slapped his ears.
"Don't I feel loved, Malfoy, have you really been waiting here for me this whole time?" Harry questioned, "Nothing better to do? Where are your two goons anyway?" he added but Draco only smirked.
"What was Dumbledore's number one star doing in there?" Malfoy said stalking closer to him.
"And what were you doing Malfoy, spying for Daddy Deatheater?" Harry questioned.
"Answer the question Potter." Malfoy ground out eyes flashing.
"If you must know Malfoy, I was..." Harry began
"Mr. Potter, what do you think you're doing?" Snape strode forward "Put your wand away this instant, fifteen points from Gryffindor for fighting in the hallway and detention with me, Friday." Snape hissed and Malfoy looked quickly down to Harry's hand in surprise.
"Well, get away." Snape said pushing Harry forward. Harry stepped away from Professor Snape's hand and threw him a look of disgust.
"Why of course Professor Snape." Harry said sarcastically and strode forward before Snape could take points. Harry had long ago decided that he was going to give Snape the exact behavior he seemed to expect from Harry, what was the point in trying to prove him wrong each time.
"Harry." Ron called, "how was it?" he questioned silently.
"Good, way better than with Snape." Harry stated still quite annoyed by Snape's behavior, pushing him? Well it wasn't the first time. "I also got to sleep for an hour." Harry said eyes cast down.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Harry questioned.
"I was coming to find you, didn't have anything better to do, did I? Hermione was reading, and Neville went down to the Green houses, and I dunno where Ginny is." Ron stated.
"Malfoy was waiting for me after I left Dumbledore's." Harry said suddenly. "Just as I was about to hex him, Snape came and took points and gave me a detention." Harry stated bitterly.
"What are you supposed to tell everyone, I mean last year at least you could say you were taking remedial Potions, what now?" Ron questioned.
"I dunno, that's why I was going to hex him." Harry stated seriously and Ron snorted.
"I'll try to talk to Dumbledore before our next meeting." Harry said looking down the hall.
"Harry, Ron, wait up" Neville called joining their group.
"Hi Neville." Harry and Ron greeted.
"Professor Sprout was really pleased with my plant." Neville gushed, "she said it's one of the largest she's seen."
"Good for you Neville." Harry said sincerely.
"Yeah good show." Ron added.
"What do we have next?" Harry questioned.
"Erm, let me check." Ron said fishing through his bag.
"Charms." Hermione stated firmly walking toward their group, from the left with Ginny in tow.
"That's good, what about you Ginny?" Harry questioned.
"Defense, I heard it was an excellent lesson." Ginny said happily.
"Yeah brilliant." Neville agreed.
"Where were you anyway?" Ron questioned moodily.
"Charms, I don't have a free period like you Ron." Ginny said.
"Ouch." Ron exclaimed grumpily as Luna walked into him.
"Sorry Ronald." Luna said dreamily and joined their group, which Harry couldn't help but notice, consisted of everyone who went to the Ministry with him.
"How long till class starts?" Harry questioned.
"Two minutes." Hermione informed him. He again looked around at all his friends, every one of them had been willing to sacrifice themselves for Sirius, they were by and by true friends.
"Oh shove it. I'm going to be late." Ginny exclaimed, "see you." She said and ran down the hall. "Come on Luna!" Ginny called back down the hall.
"Bye Ronald." She said and began trotting after Ginny.
"Look how she runs." Ron laughed, once again cheerful.
"Shut up Ron." Hermione said sharply.
"Sorry." Ron replied grumpily once more as they turned down the charm's hallway.
"Good afternoon, I would just like to let you know that even though NEWTS are not this year, you will be spending this year and the next preparing for them." Professor Flitwick informed the class. "Because of the impending war, we will be practicing defense and offensive charms. I have previously spoken to Professor Kean, and we have set it up so that they won't be taught twice."
Harry looked to his left, as movement caught his eye, and saw that Ron was scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment.
"Ron, what are you doing?" Harry questioned, remembering Ron's odd behavior throughout the day.
"Tell me what you wanted to tell me before Defense." Harry said ignoring his previous statement.
"Nothing" Ron scribbled on a piece of parchment between them.
Harry gave him a pointed glare, Ron looked queasy and wrote hesitantly, "promise not to laugh?"
Harry shook his head yes.
"I think, I'm going to well, tell.., tell Hermione, tell her that Ilikeher." Ron wrote and Harry barely had a chance to read it before Ron ripped it to shreds. Harry looked a moment at Ron, and put his head in his hands, it all made sense now.
"Harry, Harry, are you all right? See, I knew this was a bad idea, you like her don't you?" Ron questioned. Harry's insides felt like they were going to burst, he had promised not to laugh, he kept repeating the mantra in his head.
"Harry?" Ron questioned pathetically and Harry could hold it back no longer, and laughed.
"Harry...are you crying. You're making weird noises." Ron said uncomfortably, which caused Harry to laugh even harder. Ron looked at him suspiciously, and pulled one of Harry's hands away from his face.
"Bugger. You're laughing? Bastard." Ron mumbled turning bright red.
"Will you two please shut up." Hermione snapped from beside Harry.
"Finally." Harry gasped out when he stopped laughing.
"What do you mean, finally?" Ron questioned furiously.
"I don't know if you remember Ron, but Ginny and I told you this summer that she fancies you, and you fancy her. I wonder what you're supposed to do about that?" Harry questioned sarcastically.
"Is that why you've been acting all moody as well?" Harry questioned.
"I'm not moody. I'm nervous." Ron answered grumpily. "What should I do?"
"How should I know?" Harry questioned.
"You asked Cho out last year." Ron said grumpily. Harry glared at Ron sick of his mood, and remembered Cho crying the whole time they were dating.
"Ask Ginny, she'd know." Harry said tiredly.
"Yeah I think I will." Ron said stringing his hands, and pushed his chair backward so he was balancing on two legs.
"Who does Ron fancy?" Hermione questioned, Ron looked alarmed and jerked his seat causing the chair to loose it's balance and begin to fall. Harry quickly caught the seat, re-balancing his best friend.
"Nobody" Ron said loudly just as Harry said "you."
"What?" Hermione questioned with only half an ear,
"Nobody." Ron said forcefully, elbowing Harry in the gut.
"Aw" Harry moaned clutching his stomach.
"You all right mate. I was just joshing with you." Ron said looking worried.
"Fine." Harry said grabbing Ron's arms and pulling him forward, before quickly pushing him back, causing Ron to topple from his chair.
"Mr. Weasley, are you all right?" Professor Flitwick questioned from the front of the classroom.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped clutching her heart and looking very worried, "Ron are you OK?"
"Yeah, sorry, must've slipped." Ron replied to both in between bouts of laughter. "Git" Ron called Harry before turning to face the Professor.
Hermione threw Harry a withering glare before muttering "boys" and turning back to the Professor. Meanwhile, Harry smiled innocently to Ron and faced the professor as well.
"Class dismissed." Professor Flitwick called.
"Hermione, can I borrow your notes?" Harry questioned as they left the room.
"Harry, you know I'd let you, but you weren't paying attention at all. You and Ron were too busy talking the entire period. That's not a very smart way to start your 6th year." Hermione rambled on.
"Oi Neville." Ron called stopping Hermione mid rant, "Can me and Harry borrow your notes?" Ron questioned.
"Harry and I" Hermione mumbled.
"Yeah sure." Neville called back and continued walking.
"Lunch next, and then free period, I could get used to this." He smiled as the three walked toward the great hall.
"Really Ron, they won't be so free once classes start." Hermione responded.
"True, so best to enjoy it while it lasts." Ron said and Hermione huffed and threw him and exasperated look.
"Ron, can I talk to you a moment." Harry questioned stopping in his tracks.
"Yeah sure." Ron paused as well
"Just about quidditch." Harry added as Hermione paused looking hurt.
"I don't mind." Hermione said smiling once more, Harry looked nervously between the two of them, and blushed fantastically.
"Well, Ron, I may not know a lot about Keeping." Harry paused putting an emphasis on the word keeping and looked between Hermione and Ron, hoping Ron would catch his drift. Harry knew Ron had once he blushed if not more brilliantly than Harry.
"But I think, I think that not being nice to the quaffle, won't help you catch it." Harry said throughly turning red.
"What?" Hermione said looking at the two as if they were crazy.
"Quidditch" Hermione grumbled walking toward the table.
"Right" Ron said hoarsely, "I can't believe you just said that."
"You? I just made a ruddy fool of myself, thank merlin she didn't realize." Harry moaned. "I had to say something. She wanted to hear." Harry persisted at Ron's look of horror.
"You couldn't have been like, mate, I'm holding tryouts this weekend." Ron said throwing Harry a look.
"Well, why would I have asked you by yourself, I could've said it in front of her." Harry persisted.
"True." Ron muttered in agreement. "Let's go eat lunch." He muttered still red.
"Yeah." Harry nodded, "I'm mad." He said to himself.
"To right you are Sir." A portrait exclaimed as he walked by, and Harry couldn't help but nod in agreement.
AND CATCHING THE QUAFFLE BEGINS!
"See you" Ginny said to her friends sitting down with the group.
"What's wrong with you lot?" she questioned looking at Ron and Harry's red faces and Hermione's exasperated expression.
"Quidditch" Ron and Harry said quickly.
"Oh really, what about?" Ginny questioned eagerly.
"Erm, keeper stuff." Ron mumbled stuffing a piece of toast in his mouth, while Harry just starred into his empty plate.
"About being nice to quaffles." Hermione said, "I don't know if you two know this but, inanimate objects don't have feelings." Hermione stated throughly exasperated.
"I don't know about that Hermione." Neville began, "My Gran once said.." But stopped after Ron and Harry's looks.
"What?" Ginny questioned confused.
"They were saying something about being nice to a quaffle will help you catch it." Hermione said as if grasping for a meaning, but she apparently couldn't find one and grabbed a piece of toast instead. Ginny watched as Ron's face filled with horror, and Harry's embarrassment and burst out laughing.
"Who said that?" Ginny questioned.
"Exactly." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Harry" Ron said and Harry had the decency to not look up.
"Harry. I'm surprised in you, what a shallow thing to say." Ginny laughed.
"Oh shut it Ginny." Ron said looking at his best friend's red face.
"No, she's right, but I don't care, it had to be said." Harry said lifting his head.
"Ron's been acting like a ruddy idiot to the quaffle since last year." Harry said throwing a dark look to Ron.
"True, about time you tried to talk some sense into him, Harry." Ginny agreed.
"What? You're agreeing with him about a quaffle having feelings." Hermione exclaimed.
"You better hope so" Ginny said grinning widely.
"So, about this quaffle, has Ron planned any new keeper moves?" Ginny questioned smirking.
"Yes, tonight he's going out to practice, or at least, he should. He's never got up the nerve to try this move before." Harry said feeling better that Ginny was in on the joke.
"I hope it's not dangerous Ron." Hermione said trying her hardest to follow the conversation.
"Don't worry Hermione. I'm sure he'll be able to handle it." Ginny smiled reassuringly at her brother.
"Right" Ron answered.
"How did you like your first defense lesson?" Harry questioned Ginny.
"Fantastic, I expect the first lessons were all the same." Ginny said looking up at the teacher's table. "I wonder how he injured his leg."
"Yeah, I wondered too." Harry agreed.
"Me as well." Hermione pipped up.
"He was injured, where?" Seamus questioned.
"His leg, Seamus, didn't you see the cane he used?" Hermione questioned.
"No" Seamus said dubiously and Dean nodded in agreement.
"I didn't either." Dean responded.
"Strange." Ginny commented as everyone shook their heads in agreement.
x!x!x!x!x!x
"Disillusion charm Harry, I'm sure your familiar with that?" Professor Kean winked at Harry. "Then how come only Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Ginny saw it?" Harry questioned in his extra defense lesson.
"I had previously tested the level of magic on each of my students. I had only preformed a low rate of magic. Anyone above that level of magic would've been able to see through my illusion. It is only a coincidence that you are surrounded by a very powerful group of friends." Professor Kean stated,
"Which brings me to my first lesson, rates of magic." Professor Kean added, "To begin you must think of something small, a snail perhaps?" Professor Kean suggested.
"Next think of something large. Hogwarts let's say." Professor Kean volunteered once more.
"Now think of the amount of energy it would take to charm each object. If you were to transform a snail it would take a blink of an eye, also a blink of power. However, if you were to transfigure the Gryffindor Tower, it would drain most, if not all, of your magical reserves." Professor Kean explained.
"Do you know why this occurs?" he questioned.
"Because of the size and energy it takes?" Harry restated hesitantly.
"Correct, glad to know you're paying attention." Professor Kean smiled.
"Are you familiar with Muggle physics? Every action has an equal or opposite reaction." Professor Kean left open.
"Er, Murphy's law?" Harry questioned thinking back to his primary school.
"I thought it was Newton's, but it doesn't really matter, how many years ago was primary school?" Professor Kean questioned with a laugh.
"So, my point, which is lost at the moment." Professor Kean said looking lost for a moment. "Let's continue shall we? It takes more power to cast spells on large objects, that much is clear. What I am going to teach you is a sort of illusion, to most, it will also help you limit power used, and preserve energy. Most helpful if you're in a sticky situation." Professor Kean stated.
"Won't it make your actions slower? Your response time?" Harry questioned.
"Excellent question, yes in the beginning it will, which is why you must practice." Professor Kean stated.
"So, to begin, what is an illusion." He questioned.
"A disguise of sorts, you can see it but others' can't or see something completely different." Harry ventured.
"Good enough." Professor Kean said, "First, I want to find your exact rate of magic, when I cast this spell on you, you will be able tell how much power you have, you can feel the power flowing through your veins, wicked feeling, I might add." Professor Kean smiled.
"This is a spell you'll become familiar with as you begin your Auror career." He stated.
"Partinus Extremus." Professor Kean said raising his wand in several complex wand movements. Harry started as a cold liquid moved through his veins, instantly giving a refreshing feeling. It was one of the best feelings Harry had ever felt, pretty close to flying, causing him to smile. He felt the cold liquid inching through every inch of his skin a tingly feeling soft and cool.
"Done." Professor Kean said and the feeling vanished, leaving Harry feeling unusually clean.
"Brilliant right?" He questioned and Harry nodded in agreement. Harry stared at Professor Kean's wand as a piece of parchment came sweeping out of the end.
"The results, hmm," Professor Kean muttered, "unusually high for one so young. Excellent, it shouldn't be hard teach you the illusion of magic." Professor Kean said throwing a glance at Harry then back at the parchment, before stuffing it in his robes.
"Now, what I want you to do is discover how much energy you are using for each spell, since it's different for every person. I can perform a spell that does just that. Ready then?" Professor Kean said and swished his wand.
"Now, summon that book on the shelf over there." Professor Kean requested and Harry complied.
"Accio book." And Professor Kean's spell activated causing three bars, which Harry only assumed was how much energy he used, to go up.
"Now, transfigure the wall into a mirror." Professor Kean said showing Harry the correct wand movements and pronunciations and surprisingly Harry succeeded his first try causing eight bars to appear.
Harry looked in the mirror and it portrayed him standing nervously and awkwardly next to Professor Kean shuffling his feet, which he immediately ceased, much to his Professor's amusement, since Harry could swear he saw him smirk.
"What I'm going to teach you, is to use less energy for these charms and others." Professor Kean stated to Harry for about the third time.
"You must understand that magical energy and physical energy are one in the same, however; they come from different reserves in your body. Your magical energy is constantly growing, on younger students, that is why it is essential to teach them at a young age, so they are able to learn to control their powers.
The unspeakables are currently studying where the magical reserves are located in your body. However, physical energy is much more straight forward. Which is why I must request that you do everything in your power to exercise and eat well." Professor Kean finished.
"If you would like, I run around the lake each morning, and you could join me. I've got to keep in shape for my Auror career." Professor Kean suggested watching Harry's reaction intently.
"All right" Harry volunteered, it wasn't like he had much to do when he woke up anyway.
"Meet me at 5:30 in the entrance hall. I want you to have on a decent pair of running shoes, short, a tee-shirt, and something to drink out of." Professor Kean said and Harry thought grimly of his broken trainers, maybe he could get Hermione to charm them.
"Yes sir."
"Don't call me sir Harry, how many times must I tell you? Nathaniel will do." He smiled kindly.
"Now, back to your magic reserves, it is possible for people to use up all their magical reserves and therefore loose their magical ability, or enter into a self inflicted coma, that your body will do into in order to restore your magical reserves.
The trick to limiting the energy used on a spell is to think of smaller and easier things, which will lead to your ability to perform spells without speaking them, wandless magic, and disguise magic." He paused at Harry's confused look.
"Which is simply saying one spell, but preforming another. Deadly useful." Professor Kean stated reminding Harry of the twins for some reason.
"We will not however, be practicing today, I would like you to think of this possibility more, and practice on your own. There of course, will be no homework, though, I do expect you to treat this as one of your most important classes of the year.
If you force me, I will have to give you homework, but I assume that I can trust you." Harry nodded in consent and turned to leave.
"Just where do you think you're going, Harry?" Professor Kean laughed. "This class will fill the spot of two of your elective courses. Now we use this half to train."
"Right."
"I understand you know how to duel." Harry nodded and walked closer toward Professor Kean, they bowed and abruptly turned, walking away from each other.
"Begin." Professor Kean stated and Harry threw up a shield barely in time to block Professor Kean's burst of red light.
"As any enemy will not take it easy on you, I won't." Professor Kean said firing curses off in rapid succession, Harry was barely able to send out a stunner before he fell back darkness swallowing him.
"Ennervate." Professor Kean said and Harry blinked his eyes in surprise. "I'd say good job Harry, but we both know, truthfully, it wasn't. You were only able to shoot off one stunner? I doubt that from what I've heard about you."
It was true, Harry reflected, he had gone up against powerful adults before, what was his problem now?
"Let's begin again, shall we?" Professor Kean suggested. "Begin."
Harry threw himself to the side as two spells flew past him in quick succession, "Protego" Harry called as a spell was eaten by his shield.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry called and to his pleasant surprise Nathaniel's wand flew out of his hand,
"Accio wand." Kean shouted and Harry watched amazed as Professor Kean's wand flew back into his hand.
"Stupefy." Professor Kean shouted and Harry watched hopelessly as he was engulfed in a bright light.
"I must say, it was better then before, may I enquire, as to why you stood still and watched as my wand flew out of my hand? Take immediate action Harry, no standing still." He told Harry walking away.
"Get up, again." Professor Kean said using a voice Harry though must've been used in his Auror training.
Harry was getting frustrated with himself, with his mistakes being so blatantly shoved in his face, why was he messing up so easily.
"Begin." Professor Kean said in his "leave no room for play" voice.
"Expelliarmus" Harry shouted side stepping three curses.
"Stupefy." He added and saw Professor Kean narrowly dodge it, giving Harry heart.
"Furnunculus." Harry's skin erupted as boils popped up on his skin.
"Pay attention." Professor Kean snapped, Harry grimaced as he stumbled to the left shielding himself with a desk, this was definitely not the same person as before, Harry decided.
"Brilliant, using your surroundings in an attack is crucial, that is why you must always be aware of your surroundings." Professor Kean said throwing a breaking charm smashing the desk in half exposing Harry, but he was ready.
"Rictusempra." Harry called. "Petrificus Totalus, Stupefy." He called out in quick succession hoping one of them had hit his mark. He was met with silence.
He walked up cautiously to his Professor. He had done it! One of his spells had made it through. He walked closer and before he could do anything Professor Kean had rolled into a crouch position and stunned Harry once more.
"Get up Harry." Professor Kean said with a hard edge to his voice. "You know what you did wrong?" Professor Kean questioned.
"Yes." Harry answered testily from getting caught again.
"Take immediate action, immediate! Once you saw I was down you should have stunned me again, and bound my arms and legs. During these drills I am not your professor, I am your enemy, and you are to treat me as one.
I'm ashamed if you are the one who beat my Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL and this is all the defense you can do." Professor Kean stated grimly to a silently seething Harry.
"Once more, for every time you stand still you will have to do one lap around the quidditch stadium, no slacking, you must already do four." Professor Kean advised him.
Harry walked away from him, back tense, boils all over his skin, and not in a very good mood. What was this? Muggle gym class? Harry whipped around furiously.
"Begin." Professor Kean called out.
"Petrificus Totalus" Harry called dodging a blue curse.
"Stupefy, Tarantallegra, Stupefy." Harry called out in a row, each to a different part of the room, so Professor Kean would have to dodge from each of them.
"Five laps." Professor Kean called out. Harry looked at him in shock. "Six." He called out and Harry ran to the left.
"Expelliarmus" Harry called hitting Professor Kean, "Accio wand" Harry called again and grinned as his Professor's wand flew into his hand.
"Accio wand" Professor Kean called and Harry watched grin fading as his own wand flew out of his hand, he looked grimly down at the Professor's wand in his hand, feeling oddly empty without his own.
"Seven laps Harry, if it gets to ten you'll automatically have five tomorrow!" Professor Kean called out. Harry dove to the floor whipping out his professor's wand.
"Stupefy." Harry called and immediately felt an odd feeling of resistance.
"Ah, you see, it takes more power to operate another's wand, and the results aren't rewarding." Professor Kean stated.
"What are you doing to do? You need your wand back Harry." Professor Kean said taunting Harry.
How does it feel to die Harry, I wouldn't know, for I have never died.
"Eight laps." Professor Kean called out. Harry dove to the floor as three bright flashes zoomed over his head.
"Confudious." Harry shot out and crawled to a desk closer to the left of the Professor.
"Protego." Harry called out running to another desk. Harry waited silently and contemplated what he should do.
"I don't see you moving Harry, nine laps." Professor Kean called, Harry cursed under his breath, furious now he leaped up from behind the desk and watch in surprise and despair as Professor Kean stood waiting for him.
"Stupefy." And Harry distantly felt himself fall to the ground.
"Rule number one, Harry, never, and I mean never, go into a duel angry. You will just get yourself needlessly wounded, or worse killed.
You must never be angry when fighting, it is as bad as if you were intoxicated, not only does it throw off your reaction time, you don't see every possible opening, because you're blinded by your anger.
Now, you have five laps tomorrow, and ten that must be completed tonight. I suggest you get a move on." Professor Kean finished heading out the door.
"Finite.." Harry began but watched furiously as Professor Kean's wand floated out of his hand, leaving him without a wand.
"You will learn from your mistake. The boils stay." Professor Kean said, and Harry and he walked in silence down to the pitch, every step putting Harry in a fouler mood.
Harry slammed the portrait hole shut, much to the annoyance of the fat lady, who from inside the tower, could easily be heard grumbling about moody teenagers.
Harry looked up furiously and met the eyes of the whole common room who were avidly watching him, he angrily pushed back his soaked hair and attempted to locate his friends. He looked around and noticed that Ron and Hermione were nowhere in sight, where were they?
He looked around once more, before flinging himself up the boy's dormitory staircase, pointedly ignoring the whispers that erupted below.
He opened the door and noticed something scurry into the darkness. He looked as hard as he could into the darkness, hadn't he seen something like that a night ago?
Wormtail, flashed through his head and he threw himself on the floor muttering, "Lumos" as he landed. He crawled over to the space and looked down,
"What in Merlin's name?" Harry mumbled and pulled himself off the floor disgruntled with himself, he was turning into Mad-Eye Moody.
"What are you doing in here?" Harry questioned the little black and white kitten, Socks, and Ginny, the proud owner, would be pleased to know that her cat had indeed succeeded, Harry noticed with a slight grin.
The cat wove its way in and out of Harry's legs before dashing away with a pair of Ron's socks in its tiny mouth. Harry watched as the cat, somehow, managed to open the door, with its head. Probably part Kneazel, was the only conclusion that Harry could come to.
He opened his trunk and took out a new shirt and pants, he looked disgustedly down at his own soaked shirt and peeled it off, and took off his muddy shoes, it had apparently rained quite heavily during his extra lessons.
He kicked his shoes angrily out of the way, he still didn't think that he stood still the last two times, just because he had been caught didn't mean he wasn't moving, and he had five more laps to do tomorrow.
Ten, ten laps of running had him down on the ground for a good ten minutes, even if he was in good condition from quidditch.
He had learned the hard way that he couldn't walk either, as he had attempted to do during the last lap. Which ended up giving him another lap to complete making his total eleven laps of torture. The last time he had run at all was probably before he was eleven, making his decidedly out of practice.
He grudgingly admitted that he had enjoyed his experience while running, all thoughts just melting away, almost like flying. At the end of his torture session he had agreed to meet Professor Kean at the Great Hall to run again in the morning, but Harry could already feel his muscles tightening.
He hadn't really done any quidditch training since last year. He had only played for fun at the Burrow. He shook his head of his thoughts and went to go take a shower.
"Hey Ginny, Neville." Harry said coming downstairs, thankfully refreshed.
"Hiya Harry." Neville greeted.
"Are you heading to dinner? We were just going down." Ginny questioned and Harry smiled thankfully joining them on their descent to the Great Hall.
"Do you know where Ron and Hermione are?" Harry questioned Neville who shook his head.
"How was Potions?" Harry questioned Ginny, he had pretty much given up his foul mood once he left his dorm room.
"As expected, I suppose" Ginny answered with a shrug, "The same speeches about OWLs this year, I wish classes would just start already, so that way I can score unbelievably high, and graduate with honors." Ginny smirked and Harry and Neville smiled in agreement.
"You could do it. I'm sure you could." Neville stated firmly, and Ginny laughed.
"Thank you Neville you're very sweet." Ginny smiled as they reached the doors and sat down for dinner.
"Reckon I should check the map?" Harry questioned regarding Ron and Hermione.
"What map?" Neville questioned.
"Have I really never shown you the map?" Harry questioned incredulously.
"So you have it now? I wondered what Fred and George did with it." Ginny said eyes alight with wonder.
"It was my Dad's." Harry explained and Ginny and Neville nodded. "He and his friends were called the Marauders, my dad's name was Prongs, because he was a stag animagi." Harry paused as Neville looked amazed.
"Your dad was an animagi, wicked" he exclaimed.
"My dad's best mate, Sirius Black, the one at the ministry, you know?" Harry paused looking down at his plate before continuing, "his nickname was Padfoot, because he turned into a grim." Neville looked sadly at Harry and thumped him on the back.
"Sorry." Neville offered.
"S'alright mate." Harry reassured him, noticing that Ginny was watching him closely, he proceeded to explain about Remus and Peter.
"Are you serious?" Neville exclaimed upon learning of Peter's traitorous nature.
"Yes he is, bastard." Ginny ground out, "slept on my brother's bed, and in your dorm" she spat out and Harry couldn't help but grin at how alike the Weasley's were.
"So when they were in school, they made a map of Hogwarts that showed all of the secret passages, and everyone who's in the school, at the time." Harry explained and smiled at Neville's face.
"We can go see it after dinner." Harry reassured him.
"Potty" Malfoy called, "where's your little dream team off to then? Finally leave you by yourself, did they realize what a maniac you are?" Malfoy taunted.
"Left you alone with S and S, slut and squib?" Malfoy finished and Pansy let out a shriek of laughter.
Harry looked up at Malfoy, "How long did it take you to think of that one Malfoy, rehearse it all night in front of the mirror?" Harry questioned and turned at the sound of Ginny's voice.
"I hope you didn't think too hard Malfoy, don't want you to hurt yourself, now do we?" Ginny questioned in the silence around the table.
"Shut your face, you little mudblood lover." Malfoy ground out, but Ginny just laughed.
"Poor soul, don't you think Harry? He spent much too long thinking of the last one. He can't even remember that he's not supposed to use such naughty words." Ginny said eyes flashing.
"You know Potter." Malfoy started, but was interrupted by Harry.
"Hey Malfoy? Tell Daddy something for me? Tell him, I know something he doesn't know, and be sure to giggle in the end, right. When you see him of course, knowing you that won't be a long time." Harry smirked. "But wait I have a solution, maybe crazy auntie Bella could tell him, she'll be joining him sooner right? I'm sure your mum and her keep in contact still." Harry paused as Malfoy looked on, and purposely baiting him went on.
"Apples don't far fall from the tree do they?" he questioned thinking briefly and painfully of Sirius, regretting his statement almost immediately.
"Shut up about my mother Potter, or you'll be sorry." Malfoy said glaring.
"Look Ginny, I do believe we've stumped him with our intelligence, he can only repeat last year's threats. I assure you Malfoy, nothing you could do could ever make me sorry." Harry said glaring fiercely at his nemesis and turned back toward his plate.
"Don't turn your back to me Potter." Malfoy said furiously.
"Funny thing that, because at the risk of sounding too much like a cliche, I already have." Harry said picking up his fork.
"Shove off Malfoy." Neville said from next to Ginny.
"Like I'd listen to you Longbottom, tell me are we feeling a little mad tonight? Careful don't want to be like your parents do you?" Malfoy questioned laughing and Harry nodded indiscreetly to Neville and patted his shoulder, telling him not to react.
"Malfoy I'd go before you wet your pants, I mean we all know that's what dementors make you do, don't worry I'm sure you'll have a nice long stay in Azkaban when you're ready. Right next to mummy and daddy, and Auntie and Uncle, how about we just say your whole family and be done with it. Maybe if you're lucky, they might name a wing after you." Ginny said clapping her hands together sarcastically.
"Now, if you would be so kind, as to excuse us, I'd like to go back to my dorm." Harry said and head rather then saw, Ginny and Neville follow suit.
"Just wait Potter." Malfoy said and Harry walked past.
"Malfoy," Harry paused and turned around, "I've been waiting for sixteen bloody years. I think I'm getting a bit bored, I mean if all he's going to do is send you all the time." Harry shrugged and attempted to move around Malfoy who was blocking his path, only to have it blocked again. He looked behind him and saw Neville and Ginny in the same predicament being blocked by Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkison.
"Move Pansy, unless you want to dance of course." Ginny said stepping to the side only to be blocked again.
"Really Malfoy, move please." Harry said sarcastically and lifted up his arms and physically moving him to the side.
"Goodnight Malfoy." Harry called back as soon as Neville and Ginny got through.
"Malfoy means something really foul in French." Ginny commented randomly as they walked down the hallway, "I can't remember what exactly." She shrugged.
"Do you speak French then?" Harry questioned.
"Not really, it's just a hobby. I'd like to though." Ginny said and looked at Neville who was silent.
"It's all right Neville, just ignore him. The foul pig. He knows he can bait you with your parents, so he will." Ginny soothed him, and rubbed his back once.
"Yeah, erm, I do want to see your map, Harry." Neville said softly and Harry looked at Ginny who met his eyes, he shrugged helplessly, he was well used to Malfoy so nothing he said really affected him.
"Yeah, er, I've got a surprise too, you can borrow too." Harry said thinking of his cloak. "But no, er, midnight trips with girls or anything, I don't stand for that" Harry said looking helplessly un-witty at Ginny who smirked at him. Neville blushed but thanked Harry all the same.
"I'll bet I know where Ron's at." Harry said suddenly.
"Where?" Neville asked
"He's catching the quaffle." Harry said grinning and Ginny laughed, Neville just looked lost.
"He means that Ron's asking Hermione out." Ginny supplied, "really Harry, I can't believe you said that, Ron I could understand, but you, not in a million years." Ginny laughed again.
"You continue to surprise me Mr. Potter." Ginny laughed and then told Neville the whole story of "Catching the Quaffle."
"They've been gone an awful long time haven't they?" Neville reasoned.
"Five knuts says they're in a broom cupboard." Ginny smirked.
"You're probably right." Harry reasoned, "damn, I have to see when I placed my bets for." Harry realized.
"Well I said within this month, and you said before October, so we win." Ginny said and then cheered for herself, causing Harry to grin and Neville to moan.
"Gran's going to be upset at me if she finds out, I bet November, three galleons," Neville said shrugging helplessly.
"I'll be the first to admit I have the thickest friends, but come on Neville, November? They've liked each other since fourth year at least." Harry said grinning at Neville.
"I'm sure the whole of Hogwarts knows that with tier yelling about asking each other." Ginny smirked.
"You're probably right" Neville said gloomily.
"Cheer up mate. You will soon feast your eyes on the brilliance, and if you wanted, I bet we could even go and feast." Neville smiled as Harry finished.
"Come along then, chipper, chipper." Ginny said running a little ahead of them.
"Canons' drool" Ginny said loudly as Harry stated "Chudley's rule" and the portrait opened.
"Hello Socks" Ginny said scooping up her kitten.
"Oh yeah I forgot, Socks nicked some of Ron's socks while I was in my dorm." Harry laughed at the look on Ginny's face.
"Socky was caught? Uh-oh, you bad little kitty." Ginny said playfully and the kitty wacked her hand with its paw.
"Monster!" Ginny laughed placing him back on the floor.
"Were they really big and fuzzy?" Ginny questioned.
"Er..?" Harry supplied, "they were maroon."
"That doesn't help, everything Ron gets is maroon. Just like everything I get is green. "It's to match your beautiful hair, love." Ginny mimicked sounding uncannily like Mrs. Weasley, causing Harry to laugh.
"Come on then, dinner's almost over, we'll be caught." Harry laughed and ran up the stairs.
"Come on Ginny" Harry called, "You won't slide down these stairs." He added and Ginny bounded up after him.
"Welcome to our dorm." Harry said opening the door to a mess of clothes and books, and an awful smell.
"We haven't been back a week, how in Merlin's name is it so dirty in here?" Ginny laughed.
"Well, Neville and myself are the only clean ones in the lot, relatives of course, our downfall." Harry joked to a smiling Neville.
"Plus, Gryffindor has its own house-elf, Dobby, quite helpful." Harry grinned and walked over to his trunk, he opened it up and was met with the key, which he hastily shoved aside, but not before sensing a reaction from Ginny. He carefully moved the mirror aside, which was also on top, reminding himself that he needed to fix it.
He fished to the bottom of the trunk and felt the old parchment, and promptly handed it to Neville who examined it skeptically, he shrugged and passed it to Harry.
"What do I do with it?" Neville questioned.
"Ginny, care to do the honors?" Harry questioned.
"That's very nice of you, of course." Ginny smiled and took it. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." And the map came alive much to the shock of Neville.
Harry smiled and snatched the map from Ginny's grasp, who swatted his arm, and began to search diligently to Ron and Hermione's names.
"It shouldn't be hard, since its still dinner time, ah there we go. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, Empty Classroom, floor three." Harry finished and got an idea, eyes scanning the map again.
"Hm, Ginny fancy this, you know your name's Ginerva Weasley on here." Harry smiled and Ginny smirked.
"I like my name thanks, but you would've known had you gone to you second year Welcoming Feast."
"It sounds to like Minerva, but with a G." Harry commented.
"I'll have you know it's Italian for Guinevere, Harold." Ginny smirked.
"My name's not Harold, it's Harry."
"I was kidding, but are you going to give Neville a chance to see it?" Ginny, not waiting for an answer, took it from his hands and handed it to Neville.
"Hey." Harry exclaimed and Ginny crossed her arms across her chest and stuck out her tongue.
"Mature." Harry muttered
"Very." Ginny nodded.
"This is brilliant, Harry, your dad was a genius." Neville grinned, Harry smiled sadly in reply.
"Thanks" he commented simply.
"Well? Are we going to go find Hermione and Ron snogging?" Ginny questioned.
"I don't fancy finding them like that." Harry shivered. "What about you Neville?"
"I agree with you." Neville said.
"Bunch of gits." Ginny mumbled.
"You could go by yourself, and we could meet you in the kitchens." Harry suggested.
"Are we really going to the kitchens?" Neville asked excitedly.
"Sure" Harry looked questioningly at Ginny who conceding nodded.
"It would be no fun it I went by myself, but maybe after we leave the kitchens, I can get one photo, that's all I ask." Ginny pleaded.
"If they're still there." Neville stated Harry and Ginny grinned at each other, before saying that "they will be"
x!x!x!x!x!!!!
"Right, so the two house-elfs I know are Winky and Dobby, you're familiar with Dobby aren't you?" Harry questioned as they stood outside the fruit bowl. And at both their nods continued,
"Well, he sort of likes me so, er, just don't laugh." Harry said turning red, but he could see it would be a fruitless attempt as Ginny and Neville proceeded to grin.
"So, er, Neville, the honors?" Harry questioned
"All right, erm, what should I do?" Neville questioned walking up to the picture, running his hands over it, emitting a high-pitched giggle from the pear.
"Tickle the pear." Ginny smiled at Neville's startled appearance.
"Welcome to Hogwart's Kitchens, where all the real magic happens." Ginny laughed.
"Harry Potter sir!" Dobby called delightedly running and swinging himself around Harry's knees. "You have come to see Dobby sir? Sir is so kind, greatest wizard." Dobby gushed.
"Thanks Dobby, good to see you too." Harry said glaring at Ginny and Neville who were unsuccessfully turning their laughs into coughs.
"How's Winky?" Harry questioned as Dobby pried himself from Harry's legs.
"Oh sir, she is not doing well sir, but good news." Dobby smiled. "She is left, she is getting a new master, Dobby is so proud." Dobby smiled.
"That's good news. Where is she?" Harry questioned.
"Dobby doesn't know sir. It is a secret place of Dumbledore's." Dobby said appearing genuinely sorry. Harry took no notice and felt ice enter his spine,
"Er, right." Harry said and even to his own ears his voice seemed strange. He looked at Ginny who was frowning and appeared deep in thought, and Neville who looked confused but sensing the tension frowned as well.
Sirius, He had always been there for his friends, even after his best friends death, he was loyal to his friends to the end. Harry, he was hiding every detail of his life from his friends, lying about everything that was happening.
He could of course, say he was protecting them, the less they knew the better. Harry nodded his head resolutely, 'don't you think it should be their decision?' a voice sounding distinctly like Hermione echoed through his head and he could feel his resolutions breaking.
"Did Dobby upset Mr. Harry Potter sir?" Dobby questioned pulling Hermione's hat low on his forehead.
"Upset me? No, no of course not." Harry said quickly smiling, while his eyes strayed to his friends.
"Oh right, this is Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom." Harry introduced them.
"Any friend of Mr. Harry Potter sir is most welcome." Dobby said grabbing Harry's elbow and swung himself on it, reminding Harry distinctly of a four-year-old.
"Right, well, I think we'll just get some...?" Harry paused looking at his friends,
Ginny smiled at Dobby before requesting some rice pudding, and Neville requested a roll.
"I'll have a piece of toast. Thanks." Harry smiled and walked over to a little table that conveniently had three chairs.
"That was Dobby." Harry smiled.
"Really Harry? You're so observant I think I could cry." Ginny smirked and Neville laughed.
"Likes you just a bit doesn't he?" Neville asked referring to Dobby, as four house-elfs came loaded with trays.
"Thank you." The three chorused and as his friends dug into their food, Harry took a moment to compare Neville. In his first year he had been a stuttering nervous kid, this year he was at ease with everyone, and fairly decent, as far as Harry could tell, in all his classes.
"Good show Neville." Harry remarked suddenly and Ginny and Neville looked confused.
"Erm, nothing just good show." Harry said uncomfortably, not wishing to share his thoughts with the others.
"When will D.A. start up?" Neville questioned vaguely, while looking at Harry curiously.
"Oh, er, I haven't decided yet, quidditch practice this weekend though, tryouts, are you planning on being Chaser?" Harry questioned Ginny.
"Yeah, I'm not too nervous." Ginny smirked smugly and Harry laughed.
"We'll see Miss Weasley."
"What about you Neville?" Harry questioned, "will I be seeing you there?"
"Nah, I'm rubbish on a broom stick, I'll watch though." He added
"All right." Harry responded and they lapsed into a comfortable silence.
"So, earlier, Professor Kean made me run ten bloody laps around the quidditch stadium." Harry said quite suddenly. "And I have to do five tomorrow."
"Why Harry?" Ginny questioned putting down her spoon.
"Well, I'm taking extra defense classes and for the second half of the class, I had to duel him, and erm, apparently, I didn't move enough." Harry said shrugging, it felt good to tell them, even if it was only this little bit of information.
"That's awful." Neville said looking at Harry with sympathy. Harry nodded and shrugged again, but turned from Ginny, who he could tell, was giving him a questioning look.
"Ok, so I want to tell you lot something, that I swore I wouldn't tell anyone." Harry said, "but I want Ron and Hermione here too, say tomorrow in the Room of Requirement?" Harry questioned in a rush, he had to tell them, he wouldn't be able to handle not telling them if he was breaking already, on only the first day of classes.
"Sure Harry." Ginny replied and nodded along with Neville.
"Good, good." Harry said nervously, not sure of what to do next. Ginny, however, seeming to sense his hesitance, asked for the map.
"I seem to remember a funny story with this map, and Professor Snape." Ginny stated and Harry smiled at her graciously. Harry looked at the two as they laughed and knew he made the right decision, regardless of what Dumbledore told him.
x!x!x!x!x!
"Shh" Ginny called for the fourth time as Harry and Neville mumbled to themselves.
"Look. We're going to get points off." Neville resorted, "Hermione will take them off each of us, I better go, so less points." He reasoned earning a glare from Ginny.
"Keep the cloak. We can manage without it." Harry whispered.
"I'm gonna keep the map though, sorry mate." Harry called to Neville who looked quite queasy and disappeared from view.
"Going to desert me too?" Ginny shot him an impish grin.
"Wouldn't dream of it, camera ready?" Harry said looking disgustedly at the door.
"It's not a picnic for me, do you think I want to see my brother snogging my best friend?" Ginny questioned. "But as Fred and George say, you must make sacrifices for a good prank, same for blackmail. That's rule number two. Sacrifice." Ginny smirked.
"On the count of three then." Harry said walking closer to the door,
"One." He motioned for Ginny to move closer.
"Two." Ginny was at the door
"Three." Harry banged open the door and a flash of light went off, and a squeal and shout of outrage.
"Run Harry! Run!" Ginny laughed taking off down the hallway.
"I'm trying to, I can't see, you've blinded me." Harry laughed and tipped over the suit of armor in his way.
"HARRY AND GINNY GET OVER HERE!" Hermione screeched down the hallway.
"Leave me behind Ginny." Harry called still seeing a white light.
"Never Potter. You're stuck with me." Ginny said and stopped to help him up. Harry took a double take at Ginny's words, but as she had turned away he couldn't tell, and continued on.
"Run!" Harry laughed.
"THAT'S IT HARRY YOU'RE DONE FOR!" Ron hollered from down the corridor.
"What do we do Harry? They're catching up!" Ginny called and Harry looked up and managed to see a cloth painting that he knew led to somewhere else in the school.
"Petrificus totalius." Hermione called and Ginny went down with an "Umpf"
"Finite Incantatem" Harry pointed his wand Ginny's way and dragged her off her feet. "Come on this way!"
"You'll never catch us!" Ginny yelled in triumph.
"Erm, password right." Harry muttered looking down the hall at his two friends barreling down the corridor toward him.
"Bloody Password." Harry muttered hitting his head with the map.
"The map Harry!" Ginny yelled and Harry could've died on the spot from relief. "Ticlatulous" Harry said quietly so that his friends couldn't hear him, as they were very close now.
"Come on Ginny!" Harry grabbed her hand and slammed the portrait closed.
"Come on Harry, give me the camera." Hermione wailed hitting the picture, much to the occupants annoyance as it hollered protests at the deranged girl.
"Come on." Harry said pulling a hysterical Ginny down the hallway.
"Where does this lead to?" Ginny questioned
"6th floor, one more flight and we'll be there, I've just got to figure out a useful locking charm, that'll work on the curtains around my bed." Harry explained.
"Just tell him that I have it, and I'll tell Hermione you have it, when really Colin's going to have it, to develop the film of course." Ginny laughed wickedly.
"Well, come on then, nobody's there." Harry said looking at the map. They ran up the stairs and flung themselves at the fat lady.
"Chudley's rule." Harry muttered, and they both walked in and plopped down on the sofa.
"How long have we got?" Ginny questioned.
"A good ten minutes at least." Harry answered. They sat in silence for a moment.
"Reckon Neville's sleeping?" Harry questioned
"Maybe." And Ginny broke out in hilarious laughter, with tears streaming down her face. Harry watched her in amazement for awhile, but then couldn't help but laugh along, and as they laughed together he knew he made the right decision, he would tell his friends, tomorrow.
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Thanks so much for the reviews:
Melindaleo- Thanks so much for reviewing! My ever prompt reviewer! LoL, well my sister hates Kean after this chapter, but still thinks he's cool, so I dunno. I think he's cool too! LoL. I hope your questions with Ron were cleared up and that Harry's occulumency was up to par! Thanks again for the review!
MrsSakuraPotter (aka-SillyPhilly)- Aww don't I feel special! Thanks so much for all the encouragment throughout this chapter! Loads of help! I like Professor Kean too, but my sis, as I said in Melindaleo's response, doesn't like him anymore, what do you think? Thanks so much for the review Chim-Chim!
Lourdes- Wow!! Thanks so much for all the detailed reviews! It was amazing to see my number of reviews go up so quickly! Thanks so much for all the compliments as well, really I think you give me too much credit! I'm really glad that you're enjoying my story! I hope that you like this chapter! And again, thank you so much for all the outstanding compliments, it made me very happy to read them! LoL! Thanks so much!
Xionic- Aw thankies! I hope you will continue to enjoy it! Thanks so much for reading!
Logan- Sorry! I was just following what JK started at the end of the fifth book. Thanks for the review.
Kitty254781- Thanks so much for the review! Lol, believe me, you're not the first to tell me, nor, I think will you be the last! Thanks so much again!
Des1- Hey des! Thanks so much for coming back to the story! Missed you for awhile! LoL! Thanks so much for the review, and for sticking up for me to Logan! Thankies!!!
Missers- Thanks so much Missy! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Such a detailed review! And it still means a lot, regardless of how late it is! hugs I'm glad you like(d) Professor Kean, as I've stated numerous times already, (lol), my sister changed her view on him from this chapter, so we shall see! I do miss speaking with you Missy! We must chat some times! I'm glad you liked Remus' breakfast tradition, I thought it was unnecessary and cheesy, but it fit so well. LoL! munches on cookies while Missy reads I'm sorry for the delay! I hope you liked it!!
Bob- I'm quite sorry! I'll answer the same way JK does, since we seem to have the same problem "Urgh Maths." I'm sorry, I'll try and fix it with the lexicon, but knowing me I probably won't get around to it! Thanks again for pointing it out and trying to fix it for me!
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