I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story continue!
The next day Harry had Astronomy, Herbology, and Charms. It was odd for him and Ron not to have class with Hermione, as she was in N.E.W.T courses. It was kind of amazing how these schedules worked out for her, but she always managed. Harry admired a lot about her, in friendly eyes and well - maybe more than friendly eyes. In a way he was glad they weren't in all the same classes - at least he wouldn't have people looking at him suspisiously when he stared at her with puppy eyes. (A/N: Isn't that a cute thought? Harry with Puppy Eyes?)
The classes weren't as hard as N.E.W.T, but they were tougher than any other year at their time spent in Hogwarts. Harry was struggling in Astronomy; they weren't outside, but had a day time class and reviewed the constellations. Harry had so much on his mind he didn't remember them. Charms was okay, Harry could always cope with Charms. Herbology was kind of a laugh for him and Ron - Malfoy had gotten bitten by a Mandrake. Why he was messing with it or why it was in the room (they had gotten passed those in second year!) no one knows.
After dinner Harry had to meet with Snape for further Occlumency lessons. Harry wondered when this would end. He was getting better after having three sessions in the summer with Snape, but when would he perfect it? Every night he tried his best to empty out his mind, and it seemed to have been working as he didn't have any dreams of Voldemort's further plans.
Harry's feelings towards Snape were still bitter. He didn't like Snape the least bit, but he knew he needed these classes. He hadn't exploded yet, as many times as he wanted to. Patience was the key, after all.
Just as he was walking down the halls, he heard two familiar voices.
"Stop with the green smoke-colored dung bombs!" Sir Nicholas said to Peeves the Poltergiest. "Where did you get those bloody things anyway?"
"The Weasley twins sent it to me this summer! You remember they opened that Joke shop? Weasley & Weasley Jokes to Joke you out." replied Peeves, restraining his last bomb, pondering where to blow it up at. (A/N: I couldn't think of a better name!)
Sir Nicholas shook his head. "Stop that or I will get the Bloody Baron!"
Peeves gave Sir Nicholas a dirty look and strode away. He saw Harry staring up at him.
"Hello, young Potter, or well not so young anymore." Sir Nicholas said a bit awkwardly. "I trust your summer was... well?"
Sir Nicholas had confirmed with Harry that Sirius would not come back as a ghost which was to his great disappointment. "I've gotten better," he replied nodding his head. "Well, I've got to go or else I'll be in trouble with Snape."
Sir Nicholas nodded at him indicating a 'good-bye'. Harry headed down the dungeons into Snape's torch-lit classroom, the cold gray walls glistening with it's bright light. Snape had his back turned and was fussing with some paper work that the students had probably turned in that day. However, he knew when someone was in the room.
"Hello, Potter," he said in his usual manner.
"Professor Snape, sir," Harry replied, remembering to emphasize the word 'sir'.
Snape turned around, "Let's begin then." Snape transferred some of his more intimate thoughts into the Pensieve before starting.
They began and flashes of Harry's past came back to him. The cake dropped on the Durleys' visitors head by Dobby, him almost getting expelled - three times, Voldemort rising, Cedric's body, him getting chased up to a tree; however he had to stop these from coming. He was beginning to get quicker at it, but a thought slowed him down. He had a vision of Sirius falling into the Veil. This thought had not come up before in any other lessons, and Harry did not know why, but it came up now. It angered him, and he retaliated quickly. He saw Snape leaning on his table, as they both tried to catch their breaths.
"Very good," Snape said dully. "I trust you did not want me to see that memory?"
"No, I didn't," Harry replied, adding, "sir."
Then Snape said, "Very well. You are done for the night. However, Professor Dumbledore wanted to know if you had any disturbing dreams lately."
"Can't I just tell him myself if I had?"
"You know why you can't, Potter," answered Snape. "At least not yet."
Harry just nodded, knowing that he couldn't until Occlumency was perfected. "No, I haven't had any." He didn't want to go further into the conversation, since he was afraid that he would explode or some such. He left the room.
As he walked back to his dormitories he was thinking of Quidditch. Being the Captain was a huge responsibility. Sometimes, he wondered why McGonagall allowed him to be chosen, as he was going through a deal of drama. Nonetheless, he was happy with the decision. He began thinking of suitable people as Chasers. He knew Ginny would probably get it and maybe Neville, perhaps? No, maybe too clumsy. He did not know, but he would find out.
Just as he approached his Portrait hole, a familiar elf showed up in front of him. Dobby was wearing many hats, a sweater, and socks. No doubt all the clothing that Hermione had made for all the elfs to take. Harry still hadn't told her that it was Dobby who took them all. He felt a sudden rush of guilt.
"Hello, Harry Potter, sir," Dobby said, bowing. "How is Harry Potter doing, sir?"
"Fine, Dobby. It's nice to see you. How has your summer been?" Harry replied.
"Oh, just lovely," Dobby's face saddened however. "Excepts, Winky still not over Mr. Crouch's death. She has stopped drinking butterbeer, Harry Potter, sir, but still she is refusing work and especially getting paid."
"Er - maybe I'll have Hermione talk to her. We'll visit sometime, down in the kitchens. Give that pear a tickle." Harry laughed to himself. "But I have to go study now, I'll talk to you later!"
Dobby then disappeared as Hermione showed up.
"Hello, Harry," she said, appearing exhausted. "Wimbledom," she told the Fat Lady.
"Er - Hi. Why do you look so exhausted?" he asked, walking into the Portrait hole, letting her in first.
"Prefect Duty," she simply said.
"Do you know where Ron is?" he said after not knowing what else to say.
"He said he was going to the library. That's extremely odd. But well, that's what he said."
"Um, Hermione," he was gonna tell her, he was gonna do it! "I -"
She exasparatedly said, before he could finish, "Oh, Harry. I'm incredibly tired. After dinner I went to study in the library, then I left for Prefect Duty. I'm gonna go up for an early sleep." And she left, running up the girls' dormitories.
Harry sighed and sat down on a couch. Some people - mostly fifth years being stressed about their O.W.Ls - and a few seventh years - stressing about their N.E.W.Ts - were up in the corners studying. Harry took out his belongings, deciding to do his work. He was puzzled about his Transfiguration homework when Ron came in half an hour later. He quickly put a letter into his robes and then greeted Harry. Harry saw the gesture, but quickly forgot, as he was getting tired from all the work.
"Hey, mate," Ron greeted.
"I'm off to bed soon, Ron. Why were you in the library?" he asked.
"Oh," Ron said slowly. "It was a more peaceful place to do work. Anyway," he said wanting to change the subject, "Did you tell her yet?"
"No," admitted Harry, "She left before I could tell her. Anyway, I'm off to bed now. Good night."
A/N: Yeah, this chapter's boring. I just need a few build-up chapters, and plus I needed to add a few people missing! I want to stay true to Harry Potter so I just can't leave out Dobby, Winky, Snape, and the ghosts... I had to make it as real as possible. Don't worry, more exciting stuff coming soon! Please REVIEW!!!!!! :'( Oh, and read my friend's fic: Oh Dear, We Are in Trouble! under penname: RachelleRadcliffe. :) I also have another parody out right now, it's called Harry Potter and the Pirate Curse of the LOTR. Check that out too. :p Oh, to my faithful reviewer:
sierra: Thanks for continuing reading this! You think you could promote this more? wink hehe jk, but I appreciate that you're enjoying the story! Keep reading, something good WILL happen, I promise!