Hey Everyone! Thank everything that school is finally over … for two weeks. I'd loved to say I'm free but they've loaded us with work *sobs* probably something to do with the A-Level exams that are coming up in May … Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to write loads so I don't have to be worrying about if I've finished the next chapter or anything.
This chapter isn't beta'd cos I only finished it on Wednesday *cringes* so all mistakes are mine and not that of my beta's … anything else needing to be said … um … feedback always loved.
Oh yeah, the scenes with Dumbledore I'm not too sure about so feel free to criticise them to your hearts' content, but hopefully we'll get to the actual plot soon … maybe two chapters away…
Thank You's: GoddessMoonLady, athenakitty, linkin loopy, Sky (O! I'm honoured! Harry won't be too dark, just a bit of a rebel, especially to some teachers), RilieDeAnnPotter5569, Ginners (Lol, I'm beginning to look forward to Fridays when I can answer you're reviews! I agree, Fred and George can be sometimes overlooked, but they wanted to be written in and I can't stop them ^-^ Like with the character in the bookshop, he just popped up out of no where.)
Next update:
Friday 16th April … or so…
Disclaimer: Was never mine, is not mine, will
never be mine – except
for the plot ^-^
"spoken"
'thought'
~parseltongue~
//~Mind-link conversation between Saskia and Harry~//
:: Part IV ::
[ 15th August 1996 ]
The curtains around Harry's bed had been spelled to keep any sounds Harry made in, making it impossible for Ron to know that Harry was actually studying magic and not sleeping like the sane people in Grimmauld Place.
Harry was finding it increasingly difficult to sleep in the house, so much so that he had progressed farther into serpent magic than Saskia had expected in such a short amount of time. Considering the ease and speed with which Harry was mastering that particular type of magic, Saskia had suggested that he begin to study advanced wizarding magic. So there Harry was; sitting up in bed, a snake curled up by his side, a charm silencing any sound, a spotlight by his head, shining down on a heavy tome.
Harry sighed as he glanced at the clock. He was beginning to understand the loneliness that some people felt. People constantly surrounded him but the only purpose it served was to drive a further wedge between him and them; their worries were no longer his. He knew his appearances had changed along with his attitude, but he hadn't quite realised that his friends would seem so young and immature to him. They were prone to arguing over everything and anything; never failing to annoy Harry to the point where he wanted to scream.
Whilst it was mainly Hermione, Ron and Ginny that had Harry struggling to hold on to his self-control, there was also the problem with Fred and George; the twins it appeared, were trying their best to avoid him. As if that was enough, Harry had to cope with seeing Snape and the other Order members. Deep inside of him, Harry knew that it wasn't Snape's fault that Sirius died, that it was his decision to go to the Department of Mysteries and that it was Sirius' decision to follow, but it still hurt. There were all these 'what-if's' flying around in Harry's head… but Harry knew that life moved on, no matter how much people wanted to live in the past or change things. When Saskia had hissed this to Harry he replied, hissing ~ Are you training to become a psssychologissst becaussse *that* actually makesss senssse.~ The only reply he had received had been the flick of her tail in his face. There were also the feelings that Mrs Weasley had about Harry's new look. Everyone knew that she despised it with a loathing that rivalled Snape hatred for James Potter and Sirius Black.
Slowly but surely the atmosphere in 12 Grimmauld Place was driving Harry to an early arrival in St. Mungo's mental ward, complete with insomnia.
~ * ~ = ~ * ~
Harry sat at the kitchen table, reading her old Transfiguration book and eating breakfast. He really wished that the Hogwarts letters would come soon; he wanted to be back at Hogwarts, with a library that wasn't so empty. It was obvious that many of the books in the Black Library had been removed since the house had become the Order's HQ. With the school library, Harry had a rather large selection and choice that he didn't have here.
Considering it was seven o'clock in the morning, Harry was not expecting Professor McGonagall to walk into the kitchen and pour herself a cup of coffee.
"Good morning Potter, studying already?" She said amicably.
//~Well duh~// Saskia hissed in annoyance.
Harry stifled his laughter, replying, "Yeah, just catching up on some old Transfiguration points." He paused and then asked, "Professor, when do we get our Hogwarts letters?"
She looked at him curiously, "You haven't already Potter?"
Harry just looked at her, another blank look on his face.
"I see. And your OWL results?" She enquired, Harry shook his head. "I see." She said again, "Your Hogwarts letter should have arrived the same time as your OWL results." She stood up saying, "Wait here Potter."
When she returned she carried a thick book, which she set down on the table, seating herself next to Harry.
"Let's see, Potter, Harry," she said as she ran her fingers along an open page. "Well, it turns out you did quite well Potter."
Harry angled his head so he could read the book a little easier. //~Outssstandingsss in Transssfiguration, Potionsss, Herbology, Care of Magical Creaturesss, Charmsss and Defence Againssst the Dark Artsss. Exceedsss Expectations in Divination, Assstronomy and Hissstory of Magic. You reckon thessse sssound like my gradesss Sasss?~//
//~Unfortunately not young massster~// Saskia hissed back.
"Professor," Harry said, "As much as I'd love to say that I deserve these grades, I don't."
The Head of Gryffindor looked at him suspiciously and then at the grades. "Well, I would say that you are capable of these grades if you try Potter," she said carefully.
"Oh," Harry said, "I didn't think it was possible to get and 'E' in an exam I didn't even finish or even one that I hardly started," Harry pointed to the grades. "See, I didn't really write anything that would qualify for an 'A' in History of Magic, I left because of Voldemort. And with Astronomy I didn't finish because Hagrid was attacked and you got stunned." He shrugged, "As much as I'd love to accept the grades 'cos it means I can get into all the NEWTs classes, I can't, it wouldn't be fair."
McGonagall gave him a tight smile. "I understand, however, there is nothing that can be done about it." Harry raised an eyebrow at her, trying to be polite. "All candidates are required to contest their results, if they wish, before the 9th of August, a week after you should have received them."
"So I'm stuck with them?"
"I'm afraid so Potter."
"Well at least they're good … and I don't have to argue with Snape to let me in his Potions class," Harry replied humourlessly.
McGonagall laughed, "Knowing Professor Snape, he'll be delighted."
"So how do I know what books I need to get for my lessons?" Harry asked.
"You were supposed to owl back to your head of house with your NEWT choices by yesterday. One of the reasons I'm here so early, so I could talk to you." McGonagall turned to the back page of her book and removed a quill from her pocket. "So, any ideas on what subjects you want to take?"
Harry thought and then replied, "Defence definitely. Um, also Charms, Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic."
"So, you still want to be an Auror then?" She said it as more of a statement than a question.
Harry snorted in reply, "That's very doubtful professor."
"Hmm," she sounded, "I guess I should warn you Potter that we cannot really know what your OWL results actually were so I suggest that if you find the workload in any subject hard that you seriously consider the value of that subject."
"Thanks for the advice, professor, I will definitely use it. So what can you tell me about the Transfiguration NEWT?"
~ * ~ = ~ * ~
[ 16th August 1996 ]
The next morning Harry found himself summoned to the kitchen.
"Ah Harry!" Dumbledore greeted cheerfully. "Professor McGonagall has informed me that you need to visit Diagon Alley in order to buy your new school things."
Harry nodded politely.
"Well, I find myself in need of getting a few things, would you care to join me?"
Harry just nodded again, "Ok sir, what time do you want to leave?"
"Is now agreeable for you?"
"Yeah, it's fine sir."
And so Harry found himself walking through Gringotts at Dumbledore's side. Saskia was once again hidden in his room, but the snake pendant allowed for their mind conversations.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily as he offered Harry a sherbet lemon, who accepted.
It felt weird to be in Diagon Alley with the Headmaster but Harry just passed it off as one of those things that would always happen to him. Even with his 'strange' new look Harry was still recognisable; his scar stood prominently on his forehead.
Dumbledore led him into Flourish and Blotts and they separated to buy their different books. While Harry was getting the books that McGonagall had listed for him, he was also looking at the other books, particularly the advanced ones. Harry was pleasantly surprised to see a book that had a picture of a snake for a cover. The book though was covered in an old language that Harry recognised to be ancient Latin, as he flipped through the book he noticed that the language changed though. He closed the book and looked at the title, which was written in Ancient Runes. //~ 'The Advanced Guide To Magic' ~// Saskia hissed her approval back and Harry went in search of more interesting books.
Moving over to the Quidditch section Harry grinned as he saw a book entitled 'The Greatest Moves For The Advanced Seeker'. Harry grinned to himself as he thought about the number of accidents that could happen if someone tried a stunt that was a little out of their range.
"If I were you," a voice said behind him, "I'd get the Novice book. You'd only hurt yourself if you tried some of those moves."
Harry's grin widened as he turned around, saying, "Oliver Wood! I am so insulted, here was me thinking that I was a good seeker and yet you're telling me that I'm not capable of some of these moves."
He grinned as he saw Oliver try an impression of a goldfish. "Harry!" He gasped.
"Yes?" Harry replied innocently polite.
"You," the man struggled to say something, "You grew."
"Hmmm, that normally is the way with life Oliver," Harry teased lightly.
Oliver glared back at him, "Well I'm sorry that I haven't seen you in a while but you have to admit you've changed a lot."
Harry grinned, "I know, forgive me?"
"For my favourite Gryffindor seeker, yes, I will," Oliver replied. "Hmmm, I suppose you're capable of most of these moves … you still banned though?"
"I better not be," Harry growled.
Oliver laughed lightly, "Seriously though, you should be careful with some of these moves. Michael Pike, the seeker of my team, tried one of these out and he spent a couple of days in St. Mungo's."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful Oliver." Harry promised.
They continued to chat about this and that as the bought their books. "You know, we've got a game coming up in a few days, don't suppose you want to come?" Oliver asked.
"I'd love to come," Harry replied smiling, "But I doubt I'd be allowed to go."
"Oh right yeah, sorry." Oliver replied. "I wasn't thinking. Listen I'd better go to practice. It was good seeing you again Harry."
"Yeah, bye."
As the older wizard apparated away Harry mused that he hadn't felt the urge to 'leave me alone' or hex Oliver. It was completely unlike the people that surrounded Harry. //~Maybe it isss that you weren't talking about Voldemort or ssschool massster. You did not feel the presssure to be who they want you to be, but yourssself~// Saskia hissed to him.
//~And once again, Doctor Sssassskia hisssesss her wordsss of wisssdom. Are you sssure you don't want to become a psssychologissst? ~// Harry hissed back.
Harry tensed as he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see blue twinkling eyes near him. "Sorry to startle you Harry, are you ready to go?" Dumbledore asked.
The rest of Diagon Alley was relatively uneventful. Harry made a point of stopping in at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes but it was utterly crowded so Harry and Dumbledore waved at the twins and left.
After dinner Harry sat in the kitchen, waiting for Dumbledore to finish his conversation with Charlie, Bill and Remus.
"Sir, is there anyway that I can go see Puddlemere United play this Friday?" Harry asked. The old man looked surprised. "I ran in to Oliver Wood this morning and he asked if I'd go watch." Harry said by way of explanation.
"Hmmm. I suppose something could be arranged, but there would be the danger of the openness of the pitch." Dumbledore said. "And you'd need a number of fully trained wizards to go with."
"The three of us could go." Charlie offered. "And I'm sure Fred and George would like to see Wood. They did enjoy playing Quidditch with him."
So in the end it was all planned. Fred, George, Harry, Angelina, Katie and Alicia would go to the game to support their former captain as he played for the first time as First Keeper and not reserve. Remus, Dumbledore, McGonagall and the Weasley's would go with them.
Harry smiled as he gently petted Saskia as she slept by his side. It was again night and insomnia claimed him. He was reading through his schoolbooks, learning them so he couldn't be targeted for idiocy in any of his classes; knowing Snape, he'd try to humiliate him in front of the class. The extra-curricular ones would just have to wait until he'd finished the other ones.