Change of Heart

by Lplus

During the late summer of 1996 and the first term of his sixth year, Harry Potter wrestles with the machinations of his enemies, the growth of his powers and the consequences of a Change of Heart HT then HG also RHr COMPLETE at last.

25. Guard Duty

Ch 25:- Guard Duty

'I say the whole idea of allowing the students to visit Hogsmeade is nonsense.'

Harry could almost feel the distaste in Professor Snape's voice. The Headmaster had gathered the Housemasters and Housemistresses in his study after the evening meal, together with Mad eye Moody and, to his amazement, Harry. He was sitting quietly beside Moody, watching the Headmaster.

'Nonetheless, Severus,' intoned Dumbledore, 'We cannot keep the entire school cooped up for ever. The older students, at least, are entitled to escape the confines of the castle occasionally.'

'But not immediately after an attack on the school, Headmaster.' Snape's voice quivered with the vehemence of his reply.

Professor Flitwick added his more measured tones to the fury of Snape's opinion. 'I really think, Albus, that this could be unwise.'

'I'm afraid I must disagree.'

Professor Sprout was perched on one of the armchairs. Diminutive she may have been, but there was a glint in her eyes as she spoke.

'The Headmaster has been admirably honest in his appraisal. The additional aurors from the Ministry are sufficient to patrol the village and the road. The extended alarm and protection spells will prevent apparation into the area - and warn of any undesirables anywhere near the school and village. I hardly believe Lord Voldemort, or his minions, will attack so soon and in the same area as before. They probably believe, as you do Severus, that the school will be hermetically sealed after the attack.'

'It is still too dangerous,' snarled Snape. 'Hermetically sealing the school sounds like the best suggestion heard so far this evening!' Snape was obviously no nearer being convinced and Harry was on his side, for once.

It was barely two weeks since the attack that had resulted in Dora's injury and the very idea of the students flocking down to the village made Harry think of lambs and slaughterhouses. The Headmaster's arguments were pretty cogent, but he just didn't like the idea; period. He looked sideways at his superior.

Madeye Moody sat with his arms crossed, wooden leg stuck out in front of him and magical eye looking out of the window, whilst his real eye appraised the potions master with disdain.

'The Headmaster's right, Snape, and you know it!' he growled. 'Anyway, your students aren't at risk, are they!'

Snape glared silently at Moody, but it was Professor McGonagall who retorted tartly to Moody's jibe. 'And you do not have any students in your charge at all, Alastor, so I fail to see why your opinion on this matter is relevant!'

Harry was surprise to see Moody flinch back slightly from McGonagall's obvious ire. His magical eye flicked towards her and became perfectly still as it regarded her.

McGonagall was unfazed. 'And don't look at me in that manner either! You know I have the right of it, Alastor.'

She addressed the room in general. 'However, I tend to agree that the Headmaster has made a satisfactory case for the visits to go ahead - with due precaution, of course. The prefects will accompany the students en bloc to Hogsmeade and patrol the village during the visit. Myself and Professor Snape – ' she hesitated and looked pointedly at him, 'will accompany the students whilst you,' she looked at Professors Sprout and Flitwick, 'will maintain a watch on the detector spells. Did I understand you correctly Headmaster, that Alastor will be liasing with the Ministry Aurors?'

Snape was almost radiating irritation by the time the Gryffindor housemistress had finished talking, but Dumbledore forestalled any rejoinder he might have made.

'A masterly summary, Minerva,' he enthused, 'though I fear the detail will prove more difficult to organise than the overall view.'

Harry wondered just how much detail could in fact be arranged in the two days before the visit and that thought reminded him, once again, that he still had no role in this operation.

'Er – Professor?' he interrupted. 'What do you want me to do?'

Once more, a hiss of breath between teeth heralded the expected Severus Snape rant, but nothing happened. Dumbledore stared at Harry for several seconds, almost as if he had forgotten Harry was there.

'I think, Harry, that you should accompany the Gryffindor house students to Hogsmead. Your abilities are now well known about the school, and I think your presence will reassure at least those who are in your school house, if no others.'

'It's not just Gryffindors who think you're more than capable of looking after them.'

Moody's growled comment did more to boost Harry's confidence than all the effusive praise from Flitwick and Sprout put together. McGonagall sniffed slightly disapprovingly, but Harry could see a small smile hiding at the corners of her mouth.

After receiving such an accolade, even Snape's almost pathological hatred for him couldn't dent Harry's pride.

'Very well, Professor, I'll do my best,' he said proudly.

Snape grunted loudly, though only the Headmaster looked his way, one eyebrow raised, until it was obvious that Snape had nothing else to say.

'I'm sure you will Harry,' said Dumbledore, beaming. Then he spoke to the room in general. 'I intend final briefing to be half an hour before the students are due to leave. Alastor, would you please ensure that all liaison with the Ministry aurors is complete at least an hour before that?' Moody nodded and Dumbledore addressed the heads of houses. 'Very well, would you please inform your house prefects as soon as possible, and keep me informed of any problems. Severus, you might have a few words with one or two of your students?' Snape grimaced but nodded.

The six stood, as the Headmaster indicated that the meeting was over.

'Thank you for your attendance,' murmured the Professor, then, 'Harry would you please remain behind.'

Severus Snape gave Harry yet another incandescent glare as he left the room, only moderating his look as he realised the Headmaster was watching closely. Harry caught the edge of what seemed to be a message that passed between them, but he could make no sense of what he picked up. He was, in fact, too surprised to do anything but gawp.

- o -

Once the door was closed, the Headmaster indicated that Harry should sit down. They both took chairs in front of the fire and the Headmaster stared into the flames for at least five minutes before speaking. Harry wondered if the Professor had in fact gone into some sort of trance, he was so still.

'Harry,' began the Headmaster, 'I think you should know that the precautions will not be quite as described to Professor Snape.'

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. The thought of telling Snape every little detail had been niggling at him since the start of the meeting. 'Thank you for telling me, Professor' he mumbled.'

'There are several additional spells in preparation,' continued the Headmaster, 'and several members of the order will also be in attendance in Hogsmeade; in disguise. The quantities of Polyjuice potion required have stretched our 'sources' quite severely.'

'Wouldn't it just be easier to cancel the visit, Professor? I mean, - well – with the war and all that.'

Dumbledore stared at Harry over his glasses. 'Harry,' he said slowly, 'This war could go on for years, depending upon how fast Lord Voldemort's plans come to fruition. We cannot allow the entire wizarding world to become paralysed by fear. '

'But what about the parents Professor' queried Harry, 'Surely they have no wish for their children to be put in danger?'

Dumbledore was still. Eventually he began to answer. 'I have impeccable information, Harry, to the effect that Lord Voldemort is presently in the heart of Africa; Eastern Nigeria, to be more precise. I am not certain why, although my source mentioned the nundu as a possible reason for the Dark Lord to travel so far afield.' Harry racked his brains to recall the description of the nundu, but gave up as the headmaster continued.

'Bellatrix Black is presently at the Malfoy residence. The Ministry could attempt to arrest her, but they prefer to keep her in sight and hope she makes a mistake.' Dumbledore paused once more. 'There are no other credible sources of danger, Harry.' He finished. 'The remaining death eaters have been traced and they are being watched to discover if any sympathisers can be identified.'

Harry glanced at the Headmaster. 'The parents don't know that, Professor' he whispered.

'No Harry, they do not. They, on the other hand, trust me, which is something you seemingly find hard to do.'

Harry began to blush. 'I'm sorry – P- Professor. I didn't meant to, - well –'

'I'm sure you didn't, Harry,' interposed Dumbledore. 'I have just had a message to indicate that the necessary spells will be in place as I requested.' Harry looked quizzical. 'Even you should not be party to those preparations, Harry. I have something more useful for you - well, for your friends, anyway.'

Harry wondered if the Headmaster has paused for dramatic effect. Previously, he would have never accused The Professor of being so frivolous, but now he was beginning to wonder. Dumbledore however, laid several vials of a clear liquid on the small table in front of the fire. 'These vials contain sufficient to 'infect' your friends within the Order with the ability to hear a spell cast at them.'

Harry suddenly stood to get a better view of the vials. 'Infect?' he asked cautiously.

Dumbledore looked highly amused. 'The ability is activated within their brains by a harmless virus that attaches itself to them and then becomes dormant. It the best that they do not realise how the 'trick' is achieved, so you may need to invent some excuse for them to take the potion and another reason for them to suddenly be able to hear spells.'

Harry was understandably extremely wary of giving his friends something that could alter the very nature of their being.

'Professor?' he asked, 'Is this really safe? It's bad enough that they are in more danger than any other students in this school. Is this an experiment?'

'I have already told you, Harry, we are at war.' growled the Headmaster. Harry realised yet again that he had been talking to the Headmaster as an equal, not as a lowly student.

The Headmaster continued in a more normal voice. 'In fact, all but the Grangers have given permission for their children to gain this advantage, and I dare not omit Hermione Granger from the group. This is the only protection I can provide.'

Harry subsided for a few seconds, before a further thought struck him. 'Won't they need to use an incantation to switch the spell on and off like I can?' He sighed quietly. 'I just hope this is safe, Professor.

'I'm afraid there is no time to teach them the incantation, Harry. I would also ask if turning the spell off is necessary. As to whether the virus is safe? How do you feel, Harry? You are already infected with a slightly more primitive version of this virus - A goblet of pumpkin juice in my study, as I recall.'

Harry's brain stopped thinking for a second, as an image of his body being invaded by minute wriggling bugs flashed across his mind. Almost immediately, however, a wry smile appeared on his face as he realised that, once again, the Headmaster had answers for every question he was ever likely to ask. He admitted defeat.

'Very well, Professor, I'll get started on this problem as soon as I can. Do you know how quickly the virus acts?'

'Several selected members of the Order have already been given this ability. Twelve hours should be more than enough. Now I think you should return to your house and consider ways to ensure your friends receive their new abilities.'

On his way back to Gryffindor Tower, Harry ran through scenarios and explanations that might possibly fool one or two of the order members, but that would leave others, particularly Hermione, either deeply suspicious or downright hostile. By the time he reached the porthole, he had decided to resort to the one thing no one could complain about – the truth.

- o -

Ron and Hermione were in their usual places at a small table in the corner of the room. Ginny was nowhere to be seen, though Dean was around, talking to Lavender and Parvati with Seamus and Jack Sloper. Katie Bell was sitting in the corner, glowering at Jack. Harry looked away quickly, trying to stifle a grin, and dropped down into the spare chair beside Ron.

'Interesting meeting I've just been to' he murmured. 'Know where Ginny is?'

Hermione glanced across the room and looked down at her book again. 'Upstairs in her dorm, having a sulk.'

Harry felt a sudden shiver down his spine. 'Dean?'

'Dean!' murmured Ron.

'Well, I've got some news that can't wait, Hermione, can you go and get her?'

Hermione looked cautious. 'It had better be urgent, Harry. I don't think Ginny will want to be disturbed.'

Harry lowered his voice to a whisper. 'D'you think being able to hear spells cast at you the way I can would be important?' He suddenly had Ron and Hermione's undivided attention. 'Well?' They both nodded vigorously.

'Good, 'cause Dumbledores decided to give us six members of the order the ability.'

'Including Luna and Neville?'

Harry nodded.

Two voices sounded as one. 'How?'

'Round up Ginny and Neville and meet me in Classroom fourteen.'

- o -

'We just drink this?' asked Neville incredulously.

'Yep'

'And I'll be able to hear spells cast at me? Like you, Harry? I didn't even know you could do that.'

Harry shrugged. 'Well I can, and you'll be able to, when it takes effect. BUT you have to keep quiet about it – and so does Luna. So make sure she realises when you give her the vial.'

Harry's first thoughts on Luna being given the ability were mental pictures of banner headlines in the Quibbler announcing the discovery to the world. Second thoughts, however, obliterated those mental pictures. When the chips were down, Luna suddenly seemed to discover the on switch for her brain.

Neville was obviously still wavering and Hermione and Ron were not a lot better.

'As usual!' snarled Ginny. 'It's down to me again!' She grabbed her vial and upended it, only going slightly red as the taste caught at the back of her throat. Dumping the vial back on the desk, she stormed out of the room, stopping at the door to turn a look of withering scorn on the other three.

'That stuff had better work Harry, or you're in deep, deep, trouble.'

'I'll hex you tomorrow morning then, to try it out' he called to her retreating back, before turning to the others and handing them their vials.

The looks they gave him suggested deep distrust. He hoped their distrust wasn't justified.

- o -

'Hogsmeade?'

'Yeah, there's going to be a Hogsmead visit after all,' murmured Ron at breakfast 'MacGonagall said so this morning. I reckon Dumbledore's pushing it, but there you go'

'Dumbledore thinks it's safe?' hissed Hermione.

'He's got his reasons' muttered Harry. 'I don't like them but – well, we can't stay cooped up in the castle.'

'And who is going to protect the students?' she huffed.

'You are, Hermione' he chuckled. 'That's why you get to hear spells'

Hermione looked hurt. 'I don't think Dumbledore's wonderful elixir worked, Harry.'

Harry looked at Hermione and thought the legilimens spell. Her eyes widened as she heard the spell and he touched her mind, before withdrawing immediately.

'You were saying?' he chuckled.

'Wow' she breathed.

Ron looked at her with amazement on his face, 'You alright, Hermie?'

'Do-it-to-Ron! 'she hissed.

Harry reluctantly repeated the exercise, leaving Ron with the same look of astonishment as Hermione's. Harry's faith in the Headmaster redoubled.

Ginny didn't turn up until they were all leaving the great hall. She grabbed Harry's arm and hauled him round.

'It didn't work, Harry!' she growled.

Harry stood stock still as Ginny tried to haul his arm off at the shoulder, then he thought the immobilus spell at her, whilst he was looking straight into her eyes.

She had time to get the first syllable of a swearword out before she too gained a look of wonder and stopped talking, to gaze straight ahead. Harry gently patted her cheek before continuing down the corridor, smiling to himself.

As he was about to turn the corner, he looked back and said the words "Immobilus Finite Incantatem"; he didn't wait around to see if it worked.

- o -

The main entrance hall of Hogwarts Castle was controlled pandemonium. – Well, pandemonium anyway. The students from each house were being gathered together for checking off by Filch and escorting down the drive towards the village. The house prefects were corralling their charges in four different parts of the entrance whilst Filch went round the groups checking off names.

Unsurprisingly Filch started with Slytherin, allowing Malfoy and his cronies to start for the village before the other houses. Mutterings from the Gryffindors, in particular, were met by jeers and laughter from the Slytherins. Malfoy made an obscene gesture at Harry, only to snatch his hand back when Harry casually pointed his wand in the general direction of the Slytherin group.

Harry's smile at Malfoy's sudden retreat redoubled as he saw the main door open for the Slytherins and realised that the lowering clouds last seen through the Gryffindor Tower windows had now decided to descend to ground level, cloaking the grounds of the school with a damp drizzle. The look on the Slytherins' faces was priceless.

'D'you think you could magic up some umbrellas Hermione?' he asked with a smile.

She grinned back. 'How about personal water repellent spells?'

He gave her the thumbs up. 'Yeah. 100. Can you give all our lot one?'

'No problem, Harry,' she chuckled, and then began to move round the group of Gryffindors, waving her wand and mumbling the incantation.

- o -

By the time the Gryffindors were checked off ready to go the drizzle had intensified to a steady rain, although the clouds were still at ground level.

'Oi. Potter!' snarled Filch, holding a hand in front of Harry. 'Where d'yer think yer goin?'

Harry stopped in sheer amazement. 'What?' he gasped.

Filch leered at him, exposing his brown and twisted teeth. 'Yer Godfather gave 'is permission fer you ter visit 'Ogsmeade - an' 'ee's dead! - You ain't goin' nowhere'

Harry's first emotion was blazing anger, an anger he had difficulty beating down. This was typical Filch; mean, nasty and vicious and unnecessary. Harry wondered why this unpleasant squib was employed within a hundred miles of Hogwarts School. Finally he managed to curb his anger and answer in a manner fitting his position.

'That's MR. Potter to you, Filch! You still seem to be unable to grasp that teaching a subject makes me a teacher - and teachers can go to Hogsmeade whenever they want. Now get out of my way before I hex your arm off!'

Harry realised belatedly that his last comment was perhaps a little extreme, but Filch was already heading for his office at warp speed, so he decided that perhaps it didn't matter after all.

The astounded looks on the faces of the Gryffindors changed slowly to smiles and nods of approval. Too many of them had suffered at the hands of Argus Filch to waste any sympathy on him. Ginny had been standing with Dean, looking sourly round the hallway at the other departing houses; at last she looked directly at Harry, and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips.

It was Head of House Jack Sloper who finally signalled that the Gryffindors should leave the castle. A muted chorus of cheers greeted this announcement and the students traipsed out of the main doors, into the fog and rain.

- o -

Thanks to Hermione's rain repellent charm, the Gryffindors were still dry and reasonably cheerful by the time they reached the outskirts of the village. Once in the main street, Professor McGonagall appeared out of the Three Broomsticks, gathered them round her and issued instructions to remain in the main street and to restrict their activities to a list of shops known to be under surveillance. Instructions received, the group spilt up and began to mingle with the students of the other houses in the village.

As instructed, the prefects were patrolling the main street in groups of two or more. Ron and Hermione moved off towards the far end of the village, whilst Ginny, with Colin Creavey, the other fifth year prefect, and Dean Thomas in tow, headed for the area of Zonko's joke shop and Honeydukes sweet emporium. The plan was to swap areas later. Harry sheltered in the doorway of the local branch of Gringotts to take stock of the situation.

The mist and rain had not abated; thought the rain was becoming finer once more. The village looked dismal in the dull light and the students seemed less boisterous than usual as they dodged from shop to shop. Harry shivered suddenly, though he wasn't cold after the brisk walk from the school. His senses were at maximum stretch, but there seemed to be nothing untoward in the air, or the magical continuum. He shrugged and headed for the quidditch supplies and magical ingredients shops.

Amongst the scrum of students buying magical ingredients, Harry saw Alison Linney and Natalie MacDonald inspecting the powdered salamander blood and chickens teeth. Both looked up and smiled at him, Alison smiling with a look of friendship, instead of the giggly precociousness of a few days before. The change in her behaviour had been quite remarkable, leading him to wonder what Ginny had said to her after rounding on him in classroom fourteen. Whatever Ginny had said, Alison Linney was now a pleasure to have around. They'd enjoyed a long conversation about broomstick aerobatics in the common room, the evening before. Even though he might not be playing in the next quidditch game, he was looking forward to the possibility of flying a display pattern with Alison and her sister Stephanie before the match started.

Leaving the damp fug of the shop, Harry ambled over to the quidditch supplies shop to look at the latest protection equipment displays. One of his arm guards was becoming a bit tattered, so he spent a while inspecting alternatives before making his choice. That left him with the need to carry his purchase around for the rest of the day, so he decided to strap the arm guard on and just wear it, despite the strange looks he got from various people, including Seamus who burst out laughing on the spot.

As the morning wore on, Harry began to wonder what all the fuss had been about. The light had improved as the clouds finally rose off the ground, and the students began to leave the shelter of the shops as the rain finally eased.

Inevitably there was some friction between the houses, usually started by the Slytherins, with the benefit of Malfoy's expert tuition. The presence of so many prefects, and the ever watchful Professors McGonagall and Snape tended to prevent the friction leading to any conflagrations. Malfoy himself didn't make an appearance, however, Parvati Patil saying in passing that she thought she saw him going into the Hogs Head. Wherever he had gone, Harry felt certain Malfoy and his minders were intent on making mischief, for someone.

- o -

Harry met Hermione and Ron for lunch in the Three Broomsticks. Professor McGonagall had taken over their responsibilities for an hour. Each had a butterbeer in front of them, together with a plate of steak and kidney pie and peas.

'All a bit of a waste of time, then.' grumbled Ron. 'And why in Merlin's name are you wearing that arm guard?'

'Seems like it, so far, doesn't it.' mumbled Harry. 'Wearing it beats carrying it mate. Pumpkin pie for afters?'

'Not pumpkin pie again, Harry? Please!' moaned Hermione.

'What can you expect, Herms,' said Ron. 'It's nearly Halloween. They've got to use up the pumpkin from the lanterns somehow, haven't they?'

Hermione looked uncertainly at Ron for a second or two before bursting out laughing. 'Idiot!' she chuckled 'They're magic lanterns!' at which Ron simply smirked and drank some more butter beer.

Harry however was not so cheerful. 'Anyone seen Malfoy?'

Heads were shaken, with a muffled ''nt s'n h'm almorn'n' from a full mouthed Ron.

'He's up to something. I can feel it,' Harry muttered. 'When we've finished this, I'm going to have a look for him.'

- o -

The afternoon weather was much like the morning and Harry was beginning to get a little damp as the afternoon wore on. As he patrolled the streets of the village, Harry saw groups from all the houses chattering to each other and enjoying the brief freedom from the Castle, but no Malfoy. Various aurors were visible, some in the main street, but more glimpsed down the lanes leading to the outskirts of the village. Harry even saw one he recalled from his visit to the Ministry with Arthur Weasley; a tall wizard with a long ponytail wearing a scarlet robe and dragonhide boots.

Twice, Harry passed Ginny and Colin, with Dean close by Ginny's side, and both times, he pretended to be looking down a side-street or into one of the alleyways. The third time, Colin was missing, and Dean was making the most of his absence. Harry immediately decided to patrol the other end of the village, close to the Hogs Head. Maybe Parvati had been right, though she had prefaced her previous comment with a large wink, so Harry wasn't sure just how much credence to give her.

It was here, however, that Harry did get his first glimpse of Malfoy, as the Slytherin and his minders left the Hogs Head and scuttled away down an alley. Harry mentally thanked Parvati, though he decided thanking her face to face might be a dangerous move. It was getting close to time for the students to start the march back to the Castle, and Harry wondered why Malfoy wasn't heading straight for the main street. He was also intrigued to see the ponytailed auror wave at Malfoy before disappearing down another alley. That auror had been behaving slightly strangely before, making Harry doubly suspicious; he turned back to the main street to find the Gryffindor group.

- o -

Hermione's rain protection spell was becoming almost exhausted by 4 O'clock, when the students had been told to meet by the post office. The rain was getting harder, and the four groups of students were beginning to look bedraggled. Hermione worked her charms on the Gryffindors once more, leaving them at least dryer than most of the others, and prompting Cho Chang from Ravenclaw to ask jokingly if Hermione could swap houses for ten minutes.

Cries of 'It'll cost you!' and 'Are you going to join us then?' accompanied by the odd leer and a single unidentified 'Gettem off then!' had sent Cho sidling round her group to the safety of Michael Corner.

Harry saw Malfoy join his house group from an alleyway beside Gringotts and smirk at Harry from the safety of the Slytherin pack.

At last, the groups began the walk back to the school, once more Gryffindor bringing up the rear. The aurors were visible at various points, most of them fading away as the students left the village. Harry could see the ponytailed auror at the entrance to the alley beside Gringotts, as they passed, but soon the village and the aurors were swallowed up in the rain and Harry moved to the front of the group, looking forward to hot buttered crumpets in front of the common room fire. He briefly wondered where McGonagall had disappeared to but the thought of the crumpets overrode the question in his mind as he headed towards the station and the railway bridge.

Crossing the railway, Harry caught a glimpse of the Castle brooding on the promontory above the lake. Almost immediately, the mist and rain closed off the view, leaving Harry with a sudden feeling of cold and sadness. Looking to the right, he saw the entrance to the old railway tunnel, where the disused tracks beyond the station disappeared into the gloom. He thought suddenly of his parents, then of Sirius, and the sense of loss was stronger than he had felt it for weeks. A single tear squeezed past one eyelid as he shuddered to himself and walked down the slope on the other side of the bridge.

Past the station approach and on up the hill towards the school, Harry grappled with a sense of something not being quite right. The feeling had started when he looked at the old railway tunnel. The line had once been used to transport minerals from an old mine three valleys away, but as with so many mines, the ore had become harder to reach and the mine had finally closed nearly twenty years ago. The tunnel had been bricked up for many years - except that it hadn't been bricked up when Harry had looked at it from the top of the railway bridge – it had been opened.

Harry turned suddenly, forcing Hermione to dodge round him and Katie Bell to almost knock him off his feet. He frantically staggered upright and tried to push back against the flow of students. He could see something hovering above the bridge parapet, something dark and sinister, radiating cold; – there were suddenly two of them.

Dementors!

The first screams reached Harry's ears.