Chapter 18

Last Trip Home

"Hurry up, let's get moving!" Mrs. Weasley screamed.

"Hermione, where are you?" Ron whined. He was had been shy and edgy around her the rest of August, but Hermione absent was clear, Miley and Ginny were already looking for her.

"Ron," she said softly, "I here."

Ron opened the closet under the stairs and she sitting there, her hair smoothed straight and pulled into a pony tail. She was sitting on an up side down bucket, her head resting on her hands.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked.

Harry stopped on the steps and listened. It was eerie.

"This is our last year... this is the last time we will be hurrying around the house trying to catch the train, the last time I'll be going to school." Hermione sniffed. "It's going to be the best year Ron, it is."

Ron nodded then smiled, as though Hermione was his best friend again, not his crush, "It won't be if we don't catch the train." Hermione whipped her eyes and took Ron's hands. Ron pulled her up and stared at her for a moment.

"Hermione," Draco called coming down the stairs. Harry gritted his teeth and tripped him.

"HEY POTTER!"

"Draco," Hermione pulled away from Ron and skipped off to him.

"Damnit," Ron hissed. He picked up Hermione trunk and called Crockshanks to follow.

"The cars are here," Seri called.

"Okay, Ginny, Miley... come on!"

"Ron come on... we'll go together." Harry nudged Ron. "But I have Hermione's trunk."

"I'll take it," Seri said softly. She unloaded Ron of the trunk. "I'll tell them you're going by yourselves." She turned to Harry, "I'm going to miss you Harry, and you are a real good friend. Charlie and I are getting married over Christmas break... could you... and you too Ron, come back here for Christmas and the wedding?"

"Do you have to ask?" Harry groaned, ending it in a smile.

"You ole punk!" Seri giggled. "Love you and have a good year."

"Is Mark in the car?" Harry asked quickly.

"Yes, now go... and be careful."

"Come on, we'll be there early this for once."

Ron chuckled and they disappeared together.

"WOW, you too are here early." Dean Thomas came toward them. "Joe just dropped me off early... he had work this morning."

"Who's Joe?" Harry asked, following Dean to his compartment, which was empty.

"My step dad." He said shortly. "Where is Hermione and Ginny?"

"Oh, we apparated... Hermione isn't old enough and Draco didn't want to leave her."

"Wait, you mean Malfoy... what is he doing with you all. And he hates Hermione. What happened to Krum?"

Ron molded himself into a corner.

"After his dad went to prison and stuff, his mum disowned him so he came with us. Every since then him and Hermione have been flirting... is very... odd." Harry said.

"I always thought it would be Hermione and Ron." Dean chuckled and slapped his knee. "How they fought and crap, you could tell they wanted to grab the other and kiss 'em. But I guess Malfoy and Hermione where the same way."

"Yea... naw, Hermione and I are just friends." Ron muttered.

"You don't act like it." Dean laughed. "So, who got Head Boy, we all know Hermione got Head Girl."

"Ron did," Harry answered proudly.

"I always thought it would be you. I heard your mum and dad were Head Boy and Girl, and your dad was quidditch captain." Dean said, pointing out all the areas that James Potter had excelled above him.

"Yea," Harry said, nodding, "I guess that worked for my dad, but not for me. I rather just play Quidditch and I rather wiggle out of trouble then having to put people into trouble."

Harry grabbed Ron's neck affectionately and shook him. "No more sneaking around with you mate."

"Where do the Head Boy and Girl sleep? I know Percy was Head Boy and he never slept in the Gryffindor house, he just popped in to see if Fred and George where behaving."

Ron never thought of that and his eyes got big.

"Is this box saved?" Ginny asked, staring at Harry. Harry gulped and shook his head.

Ginny sat down next to Harry. "Hi Dean," she said softly.

"Hey Ginny," Dean said back.

"What ever happened with you two?" Harry asked.

"Oh, he dumped me because I didn't want to go see him during the summer. Sorry Dean," Ginny giggled.

"Ah, no sweat. Ron would have killed if we went out any longer." Dean chuckled.

"Where's Hermione and Draco?" he asked Ginny.

"Miley and Draco went to sit with the Slytherins, explained that it would seem curious if they didn't. And Susan is with her friends. We have to keep out connection down low now, a lot of Death Eaters kids are running around you know." Ginny explained. "Neville was helping Hermione carry her trunk to the Head Compartment and Ron you need to go now."

"Harry, walk me down there." Ron said, grabbing his trunk and Pig.

They got up in silence and continued down the hall. "I can't be in the compartment by myself... with her. What will I say, what will I do? What if she starts talking about Malfoy. I can't take it."

"This is Hermione, you've known her forever."

"Yet, I've never known what to do." Ron sighed.

"Ron, there you are, I was about to come get you." Hermione skipped out of the compartment. "We have work to do, a lot to organize and stuff. Sorry Harry, you can't come in."

"I know, I was just talking to Ron," see you later, I'm going to go find Mark and..."

"HARRY!!" Mark squealed he jumped on Harry's back. "I thought I'd never find you."

"Hey Mark, bye guys." Harry walked back to Dean's compartment with Mark on his shoulders.

"Tell Adam that you did save me, he won't believe me."

"I didn't say that," Adam hissed. "You are so stupid Mark."

"Shut up!" Mark squealed.

Neville, Luna, Ginny, Dean, Harry, Mark, and Adam where all crammed into one happy compartment. Seamus stopped by with his Hufflepuff girlfriend to say hello and the Harry bought everyone treats from the trolley.

Darkness came over the sky and Neville fell asleep against the window, Luna on Harry's right shoulder, Mark and Adam on each other and Dean got so bored with everyone sleeping he got up to go jinx the Head compartment so Ron and Hermione would have pink hair.

"Harry," Ginny whispered, slowly falling asleep on his other shoulder, "Thank you," she yawned.

"For what?" Harry whispered back.

"For the necklace... thank you. I love..." Ginny twitched slightly and nudged into Harry's neck. "you."

Harry looked in shock at her and grinned. He rested his head on top of hers and closed his eyes.

"Guy..." Ron shouted banging on the door. "Harry what in the hell is going on here? You have two girls now?"

Harry blinked his eyes and looked over Ginny's head. He could have kicked himself... he slept on his way back to Hogwarts... his last train trip home and he slept. He heaved a sigh and nudged both Ginny and Luna (who was drooling on his shirt.)

"We haven't changed." Ginny yawned.

Harry waved his wand and made two curtains. "We won't catch an early coach anyway."

"Boys next compartment," Ron ordered.

"Ron, we have a curtain... and all we need to do is change my jeans." Ginny whined.

"You all have hormones and I know how they work... boy next compartment, now!" Ron snapped.

"Ron, honestly, like I would do that to Ginny and Luna." Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"What you don't want to look at us?" Luna said, buttoning up her shirt over her white "Quibbler" tank top.

"Look, Ron," Ginny said stepping out of the curtain. "I'm done changing and nobody tried to sneak and peak. God, you treat us like children."

"I'm not done changing though!" Harry grunted. "Not fair!" He laughed throwing a sock at her.

"Oh, like I didn't wash those boxers last night. Get dressed Potter." Ginny threw the sock back and walked out with Ron trailing behind her giving her a evil look.

"Not bad," Luna said peeking over the curtain. "I'd wash your boxers."

"GET OUT!" Adam screamed.

Luna looked bugged eye at the second year and jolted out of the compartment.

The castle looked the same. It was dark out and the full moon left a looming glow over the lake. "Look how clear it is." Luna said, dropping back to walk with Harry.

"Yeah, you can almost see every star." Harry replied, not looking at her, but looking up.

"My favorite is Sirius," Luna said. "Isn't that you godfather's name."

"Yes, Luna... my godfather is Sirius Black." Harry stressed trying to recount how many times she asked what his godfather's name was... but not having enough fingers or toes.

"Now that you say it... I do remember you saying something about it." Luna nodded. She twisted her hair into her finger tip and finally brushed it off her shoulder. "Where did Ron and Ginny go?"

"Luna, Harry... over here!" Hermione jumped up above the crowd.

"What happened?" Harry said, rushing over to her. A large crowd had formed a rung around them, and it was a fight to get both him and Luna to the middle. "Ginny..." Harry gasped, falling to his knees beside Ron. Ginny was lying in his lap. He face was pale white and her eyes dry and nearly red.

"I see them..." she whispered.

"I see them too Ginny, so does Hermione... it's okay." Ron smoothed, with Harry's help, raising her to her feet and supporting her.

"But they died... and I didn't see them at the end of last year... I didn't."

"I think... what it is... you have to except and realize what happened. Seeing both your brothers die must have had a huge, unreal imprint on you. You didn't really want to accept it." Luna said softly.

Harry looked at Luna in surprise... that's the first sane thing he ever heard her say.

Ron struggled to lift his sister and carry her to the carriage. "I got her," Harry took her from Ron's arms and let her rest her head on his shoulder.

"Come on Ron, let's go." Hermione took his arm led him to follow Harry.

"Harry, you know last year when I said I wish I could see them," Ron said, blushing

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I take it back, they're ugly."

This made Ginny grin even though her face was pale.

"We should take her to the hospital wing," Hermione said once in the carriage. Luna fell behind in the carriage following with Neville, Adam and Mark, somehow, Harry felt Mark was safe with Luna.

"We can't," Ron whined, "We have to be in the Great Hall, we're Heads."

"But this is Ginny... Dumbledore will understand." Hermione argued.

"I can take her, you two don't need to miss anything." Harry nearly yelled, beating down the up coming argument.

"Thanks mate, Ginny would probably want you to go with her anyway." Ron snickered, raising an eyebrow.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Hermione snapped.

"Well, because Ginny and Harry fancy each other." Ron said, blankly.

"So, doesn't mean she needs Harry to survive, he's just a nice tag-a-long." Hermione said strongly.

"What is wrong with you?" Ron asked, narrowing his eyes as though he never saw Hermione in his life.

"Girl are independent, it's the men who are dependent." Hermione crossed her arms.

"Guess what," Ron barked, cocking his head, "I don't need anyone... not you or any other girl. If ever I get a girl friend it will be simple for my pleasure, not of need!"

"Ronald, you talk as if girls are toys!"

Ron looked at her slyly, "We can play with them can't we?"

"I hope Draco doesn't think like you," Hermione whined.

"Every guy does."

The carriage stopped and Hermione jumped out and ran to Draco, not caring about what he said about the "being the friendly" thing. Draco gently pushed her away and said they could talk later. She nodded childishly and let the Slytherin crowd mold around her and walk away.

"What was that about mate?" Harry asked, gently lifting Ginny from the carriage.

"She thinks Draco needs her that what she's going at. But did you see that? She just stood there and let Draco push by her." His voice softened. "I would have held her and told her everything was okay. Then take her walking with me and let h r talk then... not later."

"You're better for Hermione," Ginny whispered through blue lips.

"Shhh, hush... its okay..." Harry smoothed.

"I can't believe I have to room with her, what if her and Draco get...occupied..." Ron look to the ground his face mixed with sadness and sickness.

Harry proceeded past Ron and up the stairs. "Where are you going? What did you do to her Potter?" Argus Finch snapped.

"She fainted, the Head Girl told me to take her to the hospital wing."

Smug with his new friendship with authority, Harry walked past and stern faced Mr. Finch.

"Madam Pomfrey," Harry called into the ward.

"I'm coming, just stocking up the... oh, hello Potter. Back already? I should add you to my Christmas card list by how much I see you." She pointed to the bed and gathers a tray.

Harry lied Ginny down on the bed, letting her prop up on some pillows.

"And you Ms. Weasley, I'm familiar with you too." Poppy said during her work.

"Head aches you say," Madam Pomfrey repeated Ginny's whisper for Harry to hear. "Doctor hasn't a clue what's causing them? Well, drink this and then you should be alright for the feast. I will inform Headmaster about this. If their isn't an illness, it may be dark magic. Lord knows you have been around it enough for that to be a reason."

Ginny drained the cup and winkled her nose. "Taste awful!" She nearly screamed, her voice back to hear volume.

"I make medicine potions, not one for you tasting, though it might help those squirming first years that their flue potion."

Harry walked back with Ginny to the Great Hall. They had missed the sorting, Harry could tell by the new faces staring at him in childish round smiles.

"Well back to a new year." Dumbledore announced, almost as though he was waiting to see Harry before he began. Ginny and Harry stole the seats Neville and Ron had saved for them. "I do have some..." Dumbledore rolled his hands over one another as though nervous, "Important news for everyone, but why trouble an empty stomach. Eat and enjoy." He clapped his boney hands and the golden plates filled with all the glorious food of a Hogwarts feast.

"You feeling alright Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey gave me some medicine. She said my head aches might be caused by Dark Magic... she would have to talk to Dumbledore about it."

Ron dropped the chicken leg in his hand and stared at Ginny. "Dark Magic, on my little sister! No, that's can't be it."

"Oh Ron, it could have something to do with Bill and Percy... some kind of emotion curse." Dean Thomas said through a mouthful of corn pudding. "Dumbledore could fix her up in two seconds."

Harry nodded, wanting to believe Dean and wanting Ron to calm down.

"Have you figured out where you and Ron are staying this year Hermione?" Neville hissed after he swallowed his carrot stew.

"Yes, Professor Flamel told us when we arrived. We are staying in a two person dorm somewhere between Gryffindor Tower and Dumbledore's office." Ron answered for Hermione who was looking up at the Great Hall ceiling, missing her mouth with her fork. "Hermione, are you alright?"

"Yeah, sure... I'm fine." She said, wiping the mash potatoes away from her face.

"If your sure mate," Ron breathed, diving into desert.

"Why are you calling me mate?" Hermione asked.

Harry breathed deeply recognizing a fight coming on.

"Because... you are a mate...you're my friend."

"Is that all I am to you?" Hermione nearly screamed.

"What else do you freaking want to be Hermione? What else?" Ron screamed.

Hermione turned red, like she just realized something. She kept her head bowed and food away the rest of the meal.

Harry looked up at Dumbledore silently thanking him with eyes for stopping the fight from going any further. He stood and cleared the table with a clap of the hands. "Now that we are finished eat I have some announcements to make. It is my duty to tell you all that going near the forbidden forest is forbidden. Mr. Finch has made a new list of objects not allowed in the hall way between classes. I would also like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Black is getting married year to the Minister second son. Our new teacher is one of my oldest..." Ron and Harry looked at each other in amusement. "friend. May I introduce Professor Nicolas Flamel." The hall gave an applause. "It is also my duty to tell you the truth, which sometimes, as human do, I fail to do. This is my last year at Hogwarts. Next year Professor McGonagall will be Head Mistress."

Hermione looked up from her stupor and Harry dropped his jaw. "But Professor!" He shouted.

"It is this old coot has seen enough years go by at Hogwarts as a student, a teacher and as a head master. I believe I have done all I can do here and it is time to let Hogwarts grow but you can't do that with an old traditional coot." Dumbledore said. Everyone, even the first years look depressed.

"We have to do something about this." Hermione whispered.

Ron didn't say a word, just nodded. They stood and left the table together, off on their first Hogwart's mission.

Harry, not ready for the uneasy, dorm room empty of Ron, he went for a walk, leaving Ginny staring after him. His hands dug deep into his pockets and decided a nice; moonlight walk was exactly what he needed. He pushed his way through the crowd and out of the large front door, the barrier between and life he always loved falling apart and peaceful outskirts where everything going wrong seemed like a twisting plot that you somehow knew would work out. Dumbledore would somehow decide Hogwarts need him after all and stay till his dying day, Lily and James would pop back into Harry's life laughing on how the fooled everyone and went on a long vacation... how Seri wouldn't have to have that pain behind her eyes and Bill and Percy would be seating at the Borrow with the rest of the Weasleys. In some sick way Harry's life was a story... but he doubted it had a happy ending.

Not watching his feet, he ended up walking into the Hagrid's front door.

""ello?" Hagrid grunted. "I just got in, not fit for visitors."

Not know why he was there, Harry messed with his hair, "It's Harry... I just... I don't know."

Hagrid didn't answer, but blew open the door. "Come in, I'm sorry, should have known it was you." Hagrid pulled Harry in and began to fix a cup of tea.

"How have you been?" Harry sighed.

"Alright, alright. Been in the forest most of the time. Dumbledore been helping me build Grawp a hut in the woods and trying to make peace with centaurs. Some have understood, but other are just plain dumb. What about you?"

"Alright I guess. Got my apparition license, Hermione and Draco Malfoy is a thing, Ron fancies Hermione, Seri is marring Charlie, Ron and Hermione are heads and won't be in the Gryffindor Tower, Ron is Quidditch Captian and Dumbledore is quitting."

" Wow, Harry, seems like you have a lot on your plate. Let's digest this." Hagrid set the cups of tea down and took his seat."

"Congratulation on your apparition license, that's a big deal." Hagrid said simple, as though following a list. "Hermione and Draco seem very odd, I always thought they hated each other, but I new Ron like Hermione, he let it slip one time. I bet its hell for him." Hagrid gave sigh. As for Seri, I knew it was coming and I bet Sirius is shitting a brick over the marriage."

"I haven't talked to him about it." Harry whispered, sipping his tea.

"On to important matters." Hagrid huffed, making the black dog sleeping at his feet shake. "I think you're jealous of Ron."

"I can't help it..." Harry whimpered.

"I understand... he is everything you never had and you are everything he ever wanted. He doesn't understand it really, he just knows your famous and have no one to fight attention for." Hagrid said sadly.

"I hate being me! Dad was Quidditch Captain, and Head Boy... I gave them up for Ron."

"How did you give them up?"

"Katie told me that I was voted Captain, but I voted for Ron so I over ruled. And Dumbledore asked me to be Head Boy."

"Bloody hell, Harry?!?" Hagrid huffed, spitting out his tea. "You did that for Ron?" Harry looked at his tea and nodded. "Why?"

"Because when we were in our first year, Ron stood in front of that mirror and saw himself being head boy, and quidditch captain... and while I was screaming at myself to do that and be head boy... there was this eleven year old voice telling me how much Ron wanted everything I was about to get." Harry sighed again.

"You are braver than I thought. There are not many people like you in this world." Hagrid grinned through his bread. "Have you told Ron?"

"NO!" Harry jumped. "He'll tell me I'll lying and it wouldn't be fair, telling him didn't earn all that stuff... when I believe he did..."

"Well, Harry... you've gotta understand what Ron's life is like. I mean, your not the only one who is been denied things. He is fighting to find out who he is. He's always been someone's younger brother or your mate. No one has ever really recognized him as himself." Hagrid explain.

Harry nodded, draining his tea. "I better go." Harry said after the silence.

"Night Harry, see you around." Hagrid said, rising with Harry. "It's kinda lonely now without everyone in my class." He added as Harry left.

The next morning Harry awoke to Neville breathing heavily over his bed. "We have classes today," he yawned as he threw his chubby arm behind him in a stretch.
Harry, half edger to see Ron since supper and half dreading starting his final year rolled on of bed bringing the ruby sheet with him. Seamus, at the fall, shot up out of his slumber. "Go away you blasted screwt!"
Dean chuckled as he threw his bed curtains open. "Thanks for the compliment Seamus!"
Seamus, realizing what he must have done got dressed quickly and ran down to breakfast.
Neville was already dress, but he waited one Dean and Harry.
"What classes do you think we'll have this year?" Neville asked as they entered the Great Hall.
"Same as last year I suppose." Harry answered groggily, feeling to lazy to search for Ron.
"And what is up with this Famel guy?" Seamus said, "He looks on his death bed."
"Well," Harry started, "He should be... he's pretty old... forgot how old though."
"Ninety?" Neville inquired.
Harry chuckled, sitting down and just picking up the plate of eggs and eating it. "No, I'd say around four hundred something." And then Harry grinned at their awed, jaw-dropping look.
"SCHEDULES!" Ron hollered laying a stack in front of them.
"Ron," Harry shouted, excitement mounting in him. He missed Ron, for some reason, Hogwarts wasn't Hogwarts without him there all the time. "Sit down and have a bite."
Ron looked at him longing for a moment then moved down to the group of second year biting their nails as he laid down the stacks on parchment. He looked tiered. "Can't mate, I have to get this down and help Professor Famel before class starts."
"You need to eat something," Dean said on cue as Ron stomach gave a roar.
"I already have... at three this morning." Ron gave a nervous sigh and moved further down the table.
"Guess we won't see much of Ron." Neville said, stealing some of Harry's eggs.
Dean nodded, but Harry, coming down to breakfast with a full appetite now felt sick and heart broken. He couldn't eat anymore... Ron was too busy for him... Dumbledore was leaving, what else could happen?
Ten minutes before their first class, the three boys decided they better figure out where they were going. Harry read over his schedule.

Monday
-Potions 10am
-Transfiguration 4pm
Tuesday
-Charms 8am
-Defense Against the Dark Arts 10 am
Wednesday
-Private 10 am
-Potions 4pm
Thursday
-Transfiguration 10am
-Charms 2pm
-Defense Against the Dark Arts 4pm
Friday
-Charms 8am
-Private 10am
-Transfiguration 4pm

"Harry," Neville said softly peering over his shoulder. "What are those private classes?"
Harry gulped looking at Dean and Neville look at him in question. "They are for... these... things." He stuttered.
"What things?" Dean pressed.
"Isn't it obvious," Neville said, cutting off Harry silent words. "It has something to do with Voldemort." He lowered his voice as he spoke.
"Naw," Dean said, after giving it a thought. "Come on Harry, tell us what they're for? Is Dumbledore secretly training you to be the youngest Head Master when he leaves? Or does he want you to take Wealsey's spot as Minister, what is it?"
Harry, trying not to laugh at Dean's logic and imagination shook his head. "No, Neville was right. But I can't tell you... I promised I wouldn't give details." Neville nodded and Dean just sat there as though his imaginary pride was left visibly broken. What Harry said was half true; Dumbledore wouldn't want Harry telling random people about what they were doing but part of Harry thought he should trust Neville... but he didn't want him to know that Voldemort could get in him thoughts and partly control him without these classes. No, Harry reassured himself, not telling Dean and Neville about the classes was a wise thing to do.
The three of them left silently for a quick nap before their first class in two hours.
Harry loaded up his Potions books and ingredients and left Neville and Dean in their search for Neville's toad. He felt a tugging at his heart, nothing seemed to be going his way this year. He know somehow that he was reaching the end, but of what he didn't know. It was stronger now that Seri and Ron and Hermione weren't close, before he just figured it was the miss he knew he would feel once he left Hogwarts for good, but now, alone without comfort he realized it was more, much more.
Walking aimlessly down the corridor, lost in his thoughts he ran into one of the most unlikely people. Their books feel from the collision and paper sprayed all over the deserted hall. "Potter, do u need another eye where that scar is?"
Harry lifted his eyes not surprised to see Draco Malfoy. "Sorry, wasn't paying attention." Harry replied offhandedly, collecting his paper and cramming them back into his Potion's book.
Draco's eye softened as he peered ahead watching the backs of Goyle and Crabbe turn the corner. "Lugs," he hissed.
Harry followed his gazed a chuckled. "They barely have enough brain to think much less to care."
Draco cracked a half warming smile. "I wish it were different though," he sighed. "Ron and Hermione would have helped you, and yelled at me to top it off."
"Yeah well, at least Crabbe and Goyel have time for you." Harry said, becoming stricken by his need for his friends.
"Yeah, I can see that," Draco said, trying to be comforting. "I just wish I had friends like that, like you even."
Harry smirked, knowing how much Draco was hitting himself inside. "You know you don't have to have friend like us, you could be friends with us. Besides, if you like Hermione so much, isn't she worth a little bit of a change?"
Draco lost his comforting eyes and they turned cold gray. "I wasted enough of my time Potter," He snatched his things and left knocking Harry's things back out of his hands.

Walking in the Potions room was like entering a freezer, one that sucked any kind of warmth from your face. No on was there, so Harry took the liberty of stealing the best seat in the place, the seats in the back. He set up his cauldron and placed the ingredients neatly in front of him. He then opened his book and flipped though reading the chapter summaries just incase Snape was feeling curl and wanted stupid answers that only a Hermione could answer on the first day, or any day for that matter.

"What are you doing here so early Potter?" Snape hissed, beginning to write the lesson on the dirt chalk board.

"Sorry, Professor, I'll leave if I'm bothering you," Harry whispered just loud enough for Snape to here him.

He stopped a moment, as though considering it, but said nothing more. "Professor, may I ask you something?"

"If it has to do with Potions, yes."

Harry flipped the page in his book, forgetting to question all together and ignoring Snape sighs and scratched on the board. Slowly, as the time for the bell to ring grew closer, sluggish seventh year filed in. Hermione, running in very late grabbed a seat in the front, where Ron has taken moments before. Draco hissed in front of Harry, eying Ron with loath and hate.

Neville, looking untidy and displeased with not sitting with Hermione, looked through is book quickly, trying to avoid embarrassing himself at least the first day.

"Class," Snape snarled, on time with the bell. "Welcome to your last year on Potions and indeed the most difficult. We will be preparing Potions that are illegal under any other circumstance, we will be dealing with deadly chemicals and ingredients that if you are not quick or smart enough" his cold eyes moved to Neville's white washed face as a grin snaked across his face, "they can result in death. Today though, as I'm sure none of you have read or can remember anything from last year, we will be reviewing one of the harder potions from last year, hopefully helping you decide with you should continue on in his area of profession. But..." The class groaned, "let's see if any one has read their book." Hermione straighten up edger to answer their first question.

"What is the deadly power of a Florence Nightingale?"

'I know this one,' Harry thought, raising his hand quickly, even before Hermione.

Snape glared over Hermione, regaining the sense of ignoring her. His eyes passed Harry and then doubled back. "Mr. Potter, have you finally done something in this class? Well, tell us the answer."

"They contain a fume the can cloud the mind and cause you to do things you sometimes think about like killing someone... and if you get too much fume, it will cause you to die." Harry read off almost in text book form.

"Try again Mr. Potter?" Snape said, his eyes nearly dancing in something Harry didn't know was happiness or cruelty. "How should you use flubber worm waste?"

"You should always take care not to mix it with salt or it will expand thus causing the potion to bubble up on the cauldron. It wouldn't be so bad yet flubber worm waste is called for in some of the more dangerous potions."

Snape nodded, not finding an inch on praise in his veins to give Harry. "Turn to page 119 and start the potion on the board. I want a sample of it on my desk before the bell rings. You should have just enough time."

Harry carried the potion he and Neville made to the front. He winked at Hermione and Ron who were walking vigorously to finish. "Done early Mr. Potter?" Snape hissed.

"Yes sir," Harry muttered.

"Did you give it enough to time stir and bubble?"

"Yes sir."

"Did you wait till it turn from pink to green?"

"Yes."

"Yes sir!"

"Yes sir," Harry repeated for him.

"Meeting me in my office after class," Snape snapped turning back to his work.

Harry walked back to help Neville, who seemed more confident, clean up their mess. The bell rang and everyone left in a hurry.

"What did you do?" Ron asked sheepishly.

"I don't know," Harry replied as though Ron was a random person asking. He was mad at Ron, he didn't know why, but he was, he felt he should be.

He entered Snape's office. "Yes professor?"

"Good job today."

"Thank you Professor," Harry answered in shock.

"Keep it up, and don't worry about Granger and Weasley, as the year gets in a roll, they'll have more time." Harry nodded, "Dumbledore told me what you did, for Ron I mean." Snape said, his voice becoming less familiar as it softened. "That's very braver, braver than your father would have ever done." Harry only nodded again.

Snape shut his book, "What did you want to ask me?"

Harry sighed; remembering that Snape could read his mind and the question just came back to him. He messed with his hair, which seemed to not phase Snape as it did before, "You hated my dad, and you're not very fond of me... so coming from you it would mean more... I just wanted to know if..."

"Yea Harry," Snape interrupted. "Your father would be very proud of you."