****
Harry Potter and Rise of the Dark Lord
By: LogicalRaven
****
Yes, most of you have figured out what is wrong with Tonks, though Harry isn't quite as clever, yet. Well, I wanted to thank everyone for being so patient and supportive this week. I have been so busy. I have worked more hours than I've slept and I really haven't been in the mood to write on this story when I get home. I'm sorry, because I know I've left some evil cliffies the past few chapters. Most of you have discovered that I do that, just my style I suppose.
I'm going to try to do better this week, but until we go to press with the spring edition with the magazine I work for, I don't know how much time I'll be able to spare. I promise you'll never have to wait more than three day though. I can't believe how long this story is getting. I'm a little over half way there, and there is still so much to tell. I got a review saying that this story was boring. Thanks for the input, but I must disagree. I feel the suspense and tension building inside me with every chapter I write. This next chapter is fairly long. A peace offering for waiting so long for an update. Thanks again to all my readers and reviews. You are all amazing as always. I've broken over 500 on both sites.
Making my total reviews over a thousand…(blinks in shock)
I would love to answer all your questions, but instead of telling you what is going to happen, I'll let the story do that for you. Without further ado.
Read and Review
Nothing is my Own
****
Definition of Honesty
Harry glanced at the Marauder Map, he had been staring at in in puzzlement for the past four hours, it was pointless to attempt to seek out of the Gryffindor house right now, Snape was on patrol in a nearby passageway, and if Harry attempted to break out, he'd surely be caught. Still the C. Chang danced in his mind. She was in the teachers lounge on the fifth floor, she was either asleep or just not moving, because the dot hadn't move since he had spotted it. He had tired to convince himself that there a perfectly good reason why this dot was appearing, but the only one Harry could come up with was the map was malfunctioning.
If that were indeed the reason for the C. Chang dot, than the map was worthless. Harry yanked his already mess hair in frustration and sighed. He wanted to talk to Ron, but he couldn't do that at the moment either.
R. Weasley and H. Granger were still in the small broom closet they had been locked in. It was hard to tell if they were still alive, but Harry was sure when they got out, helping him figure out what Cho was doing at Hogwarts would be the farthest thing from their minds.
"Bloody Snape, why can't you just go patrol your own house's corridor," Harry hissed at the dot marked S. Snape as it floated past the picture of the Fat Lady.
Harry yanked a piece of parchment out of his desk and began scribbling furiously.
Cho,
Sorry to be so blunt, but what in the name of Merlin are you doing at Hogwarts. Don't try to deny it because I saw you. I think I have a right to know what is going on. Is O'Riley still spying on me?
Harry
Harry grunted feeling his face flushing with anger as he read through it, he'd send it first thing in the morning. Hopefully he'd figure out who C. Chang was before she even got the letter, but just in case, he'd send it anyways.
He placed the letter in an envelope and wrote Cho Chang on the front. He then flung it down onto his desk and forced himself to go to sleep. He was positive he wouldn't be able to, but almost the same instant his head hit the pillow he fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
****
It was close to nine the next morning, thankfully it was Saturday and Harry had no classes. He gave a yawn as he let his eye linger around the room. On his desk was a letter, but it wasn't the same one he had written the previous night.
He stared at the letter curiously, recognizing the handwriting instantly, only one person he knew of made their C's so large.
Dearest Harry,
Sorry I haven't been able to write you lately. I was at my parents for a few days and now I'm back on active duty. I can't tell you where I'll be at, due to security reasons, but know that I'm thinking about you every second of every day.
Don't worry about me though, I'm in the safest place imaginable. I'll write when I can, and hopefully I'll be able to even come visit you. I'll be on this new assignment until Raymer returns to active duty. The doctors at St. Mungo said that could happen at anytime.
Always Yours,
Cho
Harry sighed in frustration, maybe the map was wrong. It didn't sound like she was at Hogwarts, if she was she would have eluded to it in her letter. Her letter!
Harry searched his desk trying to remember where he had put that letter. She would think he was completely mad if she read that letter. He basically accused her of being at Hogwarts. After twenty minuets of unsuccessful searching he concluded that Chu Jung must have taken it when he deliver Cho letter. There was no point in worrying, he'd just explain everything to her in his next letter.
He made his way down into the common room with the Marauder map tucked neatly in the pocket of his robe. The dot labeled C. Chang was still in the teachers lounge. Harry figured it wouldn't do any harm to do some investigating later that day to see if in fact the map was malfunctioning.
Ginny Weasley was sitting on the couch catching up on some reading when Harry took a seat next to her.
"Morning," Harry said with a slight yawn.
Ginny grinned, "Long night?"
"You have no idea," Harry muttered ruffling his messy hair. "When are we going to go let Ron and Hermione out?"
Ginny widened her grin, "We're not. The locking charm I used last exactly twenty-four hours. They won't be back until close to eight tonight probably later since they'll be pretty hungry by then."
"Maybe we should go ahead and let them out. I feel bad leaving them coped up in a broom closet all day," Harry said starting to second guess the brilliant plan.
Ginny shrugged, "You're welcome to try, but I don't even know the counter curse."
Harry sighed, "Well, I guess the bright side is we can already be in hiding when they finally get out."
"Precisely," Ginny agreed, "We might want to stay in hiding for a few days too."
Parvati made her way into the common room from outside with an enormous grin on her face, "Morning guys."
"What are you all cheeky about?" Harry asked raising his eyebrows.
"My dear Harry, why would I be so happy?" Parvati continued to beam.
Ginny eyes widened, "You didn't."
"Padma and I went to see how our little prisoners were doing. Padma decided to remove the muting charm, just to see what they might be discussing. Apparently Granger had already figured out that screaming was going to do little good in their particular situation.."
"And?" Harry demanded.
"Well, aside from plotting your deaths, they seem to be getting along quite nicely," Parvati smirked. "I swear I heard kissing noises, but Padma thinks I just imagined it."
"Well, I've learned that Padma is usually not one to jump to conclusions," Harry yawned again.
Parvati spotted Lavender over by the window and ran towards her in a fit of giggles.
"Girls," Harry muttered under his breath.
"Hey, watch it," Ginny warned, burying her nose back into her book.
Harry stood up a gave another slight yawn.
"Where you going?" Ginny asked not looking up from her book.
Harry contemplated telling her the truth for a brief moment, then decided against it, "I'm heading to the library. Maybe I can find a charm to protect me from Hermione and Ron tonight."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Fine, lie to me."
"I'm not lying," Harry defended.
"Harry Potter I've known you since I was ten years old. I think I tell when you aren't being completely honest."
Harry started to open his mouth.
"But why would you ever confide in me, I'm just Ron's little sister," Ginny spat.
"What?" Harry said suddenly feeling really confused.
"You don't even think I can go on a recon mission in a certain bar," Ginny continued bitterly.
Harry arched his eyebrows, "Is this about the Hog Head?"
"Why do you have to act like such a prat sometimes? Don't you know that girls can do everything boys can. Or is it just me since you feel the need to be my hero! Just because you saved me in the chamber doesn't mean I need your protection Harry," Ginny spat viciously.
"Poor little Ginny Weasley, she's like a little sister to me."
"You are like a sister to me," Harry interrupted.
"WHY?" Ginny said curtly, "Why can't you just look at me like a friend, like a girl!"
"Because you're not just a girl," Harry said feeling his own anger starting to rise.
Ginny's face was the color of her hair, "Go to hell Harry." She quickly raced towards the girls dormitory stairs.
Harry watched her disappear in disbelief. He slowly made his way to the entrance when he heard Parvati bellow out to him.
"I told you so!"
Harry pushed his way through the corridor. He didn't need to think about Ginny or her mood swings right now. He had more important things on his mind, like why C. Chang was appearing on the Marauder map, if the map was broken they were screwed. They needed the map to sneak into Hogmeade.
He soon found himself in front of the fifth floor teacher's lounge. He withdrew the map from his pocket and examined the dots inside. There was still a C. Chang, though it had moved slight from its original location.
"I'll just wait then" Harry said forcefully. "You can't stay in there forever."
Harry found a nice little seat on the base of a statue slightly down the hall. From the angle he was watching, the professors wouldn't have been able to spot him. He had a feeling he was in for a long wait, and there was a good chance that Cho wouldn't even leave the lounge. She did say she was in the safest place imaginable.
Half an hour went by and still no Cho had emerged from the room. Professor Sprout had left with Professor Tonks a few minuets after Harry started his watch. He had seen Professor McGongall go in, and Professor Binnes float through the door on his way out, but no Cho Chang.
Harry slowly pulled out the Marauder Map again and started screening the teachers lounge. This time he found no C. Chang inside. Harry blinked. Nobody could apparate inside the halls of Hogwarts so she either had to walk about he door or floo.
He quickly scanned the castle again searching for the dot labeled C. Chang, but with so many dots moving around the castle this time of day, it made the map extremely hard to figure out. He was about to call it quits, trying to convince himself the map was faulty when he spotted the dot again. C. Chang.
She was in Tonk's transfiguration classroom. He tucked the map back into his pocket and made a sprint for the transfiguration room. When he reached it he knocked softy and pushed the door open.
"Professor?" Harry said quickly, noticing Tonks sitting at her desk grading essays.
"Harry," she said looking slightly startled.
"I'm sorry to bother you professor, but I was looking for somebody," Harry said swallowing hard. The way Tonks was looking at him was creeping him out.
"Who?" Tonks said suddenly shaking the dreamy look off her face.
Harry thought for a second, slowly starting to put two and two together. Harry shook his head, that was impossible. There was no way in the world that the Tonks, staring at him like a woman with a school girl crush, was Cho.
Harry grinned nervously, "Hermione, we had a study date."
He had to revel at his own genius, Cho hated it when Hermione studied with him. Tonks face twisted in jealously.
"I haven't seen her," Tonks spat turning her face back to her papers.
"Cho, you don't have to get jealous," Harry said quickly, hoping his assumption was accurate.
"I'm not jealous, I just don't understand why you have to study with Granger all the time," Tonks said before she grabbed her mouth realizing she had just let her secret slip.
Harry smiled, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, thank goodness Tonks wasn't developing a thing for him.
"Bloody hell Harry, I'm not suppose to tell you!" Cho in Tonk's form cried.
Harry smile grew wider, "You didn't tell me. The Marauder Map did."
Cho sighed in frustration as she narrowed her eyes, "I thought you lost it? Well, I guess my cover is blown. Wait until Moody finds about this, I'll hear about it for weeks I tell you."
"I'm not going to tell anybody Cho or should I call you professor?" Harry joked, looking at her curiously.
"Ha ha, very funny. I didn't have a choice you know," Cho spat, "I was afraid somebody might figure it out, I mean I can't morph my nose or anything."
Harry grinned, "Polyjuice."
Cho nodded.
"Taste terrible doesn't it?" Harry questioned.
Cho looked at him suspiciously, "And how would you know what polyjuice taste like?"
Harry shrugged trying to look innocent, "So when does your hour end?"
Cho frowned, "I just took it a few moments ago. I'm sleeping up in the teachers lounge so nobody catches me who shouldn't while I'm in Cho form."
"Seems like everyone is using polyjuice. Snape was just telling me about his mission the other day," Harry said sharply, wondering if he should say anything to Cho or not about his conversations with Snape.
"He didn't?" Cho said looking slightly concerned, "Moody told him not do, stupid git."
"Why didn't Moody want me to know?" Harry asked feeling slightly offended.
"It isn't anything personal Harry, it just isn't something that a lot of people need to know about. The only reason I know is I figured it out when I saw him sipping on polyjuice at the Order," Cho explained, "They filled me in on his mission afterwards. I personally think he's losing it. He's been paranoid lately, he thinks everyone is a spy and that its going to blow his cover. Mad honestly, he thinks Sirius Black told you all about him, and you want him dead."
"So did he tell Moody all this?" Harry pushed.
Cho grinned, "Oh course, he told Moody he wanted to confront you, but Moody said Dumbledore said it wasn't a wise idea."
Harry glanced at the Cho in Tonk's body, it felt so odd to be having this conversation with someone his eyes recognized as somebody completely different.
"So where is Tonks?" Harry asked.
Cho eyes grew wide and she forced a smile as she tried to avoid the question.
"I really missed you Harry," Cho said lightly, tears starting to form in her eyes.
Harry's smile faded, "This is really weird."
Cho giggled nervously, "Does that mean you don't want to kiss me?"
Harry's face went white, "Uhh, I wouldn't feel right…."
"I'm kidding Harry," Cho laughed, "I can just see the rumors now. Harry Potter snogs transfiguration professor."
"I'd rather not think of that particular mental image. Considering McGongall and Tonks are the only two professors I've had in that particular subject, and I can't imagine snogging either one of them."
Cho had to laughed, "Well, maybe we can arrange something so you won't have to resort to snogging your transfiguration professor."
A knock on the door caused both of them to jump slightly when a small second year Hufflepuff poked her head into the classroom.
"Professor, I was wondering if you could help me with this one spell, I can't seem to get it," the Hufflepuff said slowly, looking nervously up at Harry.
"Oh course," Cho or Tonks depending who was looking smiled, "Mr. Potter, if you don't mind we can talk about your Transfiguration grade later on this evening, be in my office around eight."
Harry cringed at the thought of going to Tonk's office for a night rendezvous but nodded, "Sure professor, have a good day."
Harry glanced over his shoulder as he walked out the doors to the classroom, this was going to be a very long day.
****
Harry spent most of the day trying catching up on his homework and reading but failed. Too many things were on his mind. First there was his meeting with Cho/Tonks that night, there was the Ron/Hermione thing and finally the cold looking Ginny Weasley was shooting him from across the room. He glanced at his watch, it was close to seven. He stood up and stretched. He had enough time to go grab a bit to eat before going to the transfiguration room.
Ginny gave him a cold glare as he started his way to the door. He thought about going over to her asking what the hell her problem was, but he didn't really have the time to get in a battle with the youngest Weasley.
"RUN!" Parvati yelped, as she and Lavender pushed their way into the common room.
"Huh?" Harry asked slightly confused.
"Filch and Professor Lupin found Granger and Weasley, they're on their way here right as we speak," Lavender said quickly, grabbing Parvati's hand as the two dashed up the girls' dormitory stairs.
Harry felt the blood drain from his face as he slowly turned to see how Ginny was taking the news.
"Shit," Ginny swore, "How in the world did they get that door open?"
Harry considered calling a truce with Ginny, but before he could vocalize his offer she was already dashing up the girls' dormitory steps. Harry had to grin, the three of them had just trapped themselves. Harry dashed out the entrance to Gryffindor common room and swallowed hard. He could either go left or right, it was a gamble either way. Why had he decided to leave without his cloak?
Harry went right because it was the closest route to the Great Hall, and his stomach told him he needed food, since he wasn't sure when he'd be able to eat again. He walked quickly and close to the walls. If he was lucky then the shadows would hide him if he had chosen the wrong passage.
"Oh, just wait until I find Harry and Ginny. I can't believe we didn't tell Lupin what they did," Hermione spat viciously as Harry plastered himself flat against a dark section of the wall.
"I'd rather deal with those so called friends myself," Ron spat, clenching his fist against his sides.
Hermione sighed, "I was suppose to turn in my Ancient Runes scrolls today for extra credit. At least Lupin didn't give us detention."
"I would have killed them then," Ron spat stopping suddenly only a foot in front of Harry's frozen form.
Hermione grinned sheepishly, "So, about what we talked about, do you really thing we should do it?"
Ron grinned, "I don't think they deserve to know what really happened between us. They'd just brag about it."
Hermione laughed nervously, "This is silly."
Ron could have been blushing but it was difficult for Harry to tell.
"HARRY!" Hermione suddenly screamed, spotting the bespectacled boy plastered to the wall.
Harry cringed his eyes closed hoping that it was a figment of his imagination that Hermione had just spotted him. When he dared to crack them open Ron and Hermione were both glaring at him. If looks could kill.
"Hey guys, where have you been all day?" Harry said ignorantly with a forced smile.
"You know bloody well where we've been. Why in the name of Merlin did you lock us in a bloody broom closet?" Ron ranted, clinching his fists at his side. Harry noticed them and remembered the fate Dean Thomas had faced the previous year when he had broken up with Ginny.
Harry sighed, it was time to drop the act, "Well, you didn't give me much choice. You two have been nearly impossible this year."
"What?" Ron asked looking insulted.
Hermione frowned, "Is this about that talk we had the other night? Is it about what I said about us growing apart?"
"Yes," Harry said quickly, "You're right Hermione, we are growing apart."
"I wouldn't agree with that," Ron grinned glancing at Hermione.
"I shouldn't have said that Harry, it's just thing have been really stressful lately," Hermione blushed at Ron's grin.
Harry eyes darted from Ron to Hermione, "I mean you two. You can't even admit you have feelings for each other! Unless you're drunk of fire whiskey."
Hermione's grin faded as she eyed Ron suspiciously.
"That isn't true!" Ron said instantly giving Harry a warning look.
"So what don't we deserve to know happened?" Harry demanded.
Hermione approached Harry and placed a hand on his arm, "Ron and I have worked out our differences. We've come to an agreement, and I promise we're going to be more tolerable."
"Are you two dating now?" Harry asked raising his eyebrows.
"NO!" the two said in unison.
"We aren't going to do that," Hermione grinned, "we need to rebuild our friendship."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Just tell her Ron!"
"Tell her what?" Ron demanded.
"What you told me!" Harry yelled back in frustration.
Hermione sighed, "Harry this is something Ron and I have to figure out on our own."
Harry huffed, "Hes already figured it out! And until he tells you then things are never going to get any better!"
"I trusted you!" Ron hissed.
"TELL HER!" Harry screamed.
"Tell her what? That I love her!" Ron said matching Harry scream.
Hermione gasped in shock, placing her hands over her mouth.
Harry smiled, "Exactly."
Ron blushed crimson, "I'm sorry Hermione, but Harry's right. I can't be your friend anymore, not like we were before."
Hermione looked speechless for the first time in her life.
Harry smiled broadly as he saw his two closest friends finally start to figure things out.
"Well, you don't need me here anymore."
Harry slowly slipped away, he saw Ron take Hermione's hand in his as he glanced over his shoulder one last time. From the look on Hermione's face, she wasn't worried about her Ancient Runes essay anymore.
Harry rushed quickly to the kitchen, he didn't have much time left to get something to eat. He smiled as he was greeted by the happy house elves, all asking him what services they could provide to him. He politely asked them for a sandwich, which he hoped would tied him over until breakfast. As the elves dashed off to prepare his food his eyes caught sight of something he hadn't seen in two years.
"FITHY TRAITOR!!! SUPID MUDBLOOD SCUM!"
Mrs. Black didn't look much better than the last time he had seen her portrait. Her face was still yellow and her drool still poured from her mouth. Harry let his eyes scan the room as she caught sight of the Black family elf.
"YOU!" Harry hissed.
The house elf cowered, but the look on his face remained defiant.
"I should kill you!" Harry shrilled, pointing his finger in a rage of hate he didn't know existed.
"Sir, your foods is ready," a nervous looking house elf said tugging gently on the sleeves of Harry's robes.
Kreacher didn't flinch or say a word as Harry shook in anger.
Harry quickly removed his tie from around his neck and flung it at the angry looking house elf.
"Get out of my sight before I change my mind," Harry spat.
Kreacher smile broadly and made a grab for the portrait.
"That doesn't belong to you," Harry hissed pointing his wand and summoning the portrait to his side.
"Mark my word Kreacher, if you breath even one secret of the Order to anyone. I'll shred this precious portrait into a thousand pieces," Harry warned.
Kreacher looking horrorstruck as his face twisted in agony, he glared at Harry as if he wanted to challenge his threat but instead snapped his fingers and disappeared.
Mrs. Black's portrait wailed in cursed as Harry slammed it to the floor.
"Could one of you please see that Dobby gets this? Ask him to place it upstairs in the attic so nobody will disturb it," Harry instructed a terrified house elf. The worst thing a master could do to a house elf was present it with clothing, and Harry had done just that.
He left his sandwich behind, his anger must have made the thoughts of being hungry slip his mind. He almost forgot he was suppose to go the transfiguration classroom, and had to turn around to head the opposite direction when he was halfway to the Gryffindor common room.
He quickly made a sprint to the classroom, knocking lightly as he pushed his way in . He wasn't quite sure what to call out since it really wasn't Tonks he was looking for and nobody was suppose to know Cho was here.
"Harry," said a breathless voice, he recognized instantly making the rage inside him instantly sink deep into his mind.
"Cho," Harry grinned staring at the young Auror.
Cho blushed slightly, "I was worried you weren't going to come."
"I had a bit of a delay….We locked Hermione and Ron in a broom closet last night," Harry said after a moment of thought, he didn't think it was right to tell her he'd just released Kreacher from his bondage.
"You didn't," Cho said looking shocked.
Harry eyes followed her soft skin up her neck and to her lips. He was suddenly over come with the desire to kiss her. He let his arms slip around her waist and gently touched his lips to her.
"Missed me did you?" Cho questioned, "I wouldn't have guess from the letter you sent me earlier today."
"Oh that, well I was slightly upset," Harry laughed pressing his forehead against hers, "I thought you were at Hogwarts and you didn't want to see me."
"You must have thought Tonks was a nutter from the other day when I approached you in the corridor," Cho giggled.
"I admit, I was a bit worried," Harry laughed kissing her lightly again.
Cho suddenly frowned, "If anyone finds out that you know, I'll be sent away."
"Nobody is going to find out," Harry said confidently. "Where is Tonks anyways."
"I can't tell you," Cho admitted lowering her head, "But she'll be back. The Order just couldn't risk blowing her cover. That's why I'm here, nobody is suppose to know Tonks in off on a mission."
"It seems nothing or nobody is what they seem," Harry said tilting her chin back up towards his face.
Cho flushed from head to toe, "Are you making a move on me Mr. Potter."
"Forgive me for my boldness, but I don't think anyone is going to pop in on us in here," Harry said placing his lips firmly on hers while letting his fingers dance over the top of her robe.
They kissed deeply until Cho quickly pulled away, "This is so risky, you have no idea the consequences if we're discovered. I can promise it will be worse than an embarrassing lecture from Remus Lupin."
"I want to be with you Cho. I don't care if we're caught," Harry confessed, feeling an emotion he didn't quite recognized overwhelm him.
Cho shook her head pulling away from Harry as he kissed her again, "I'm not going to lose you because we're acting on silly emotions. You mean to much too me. We can't see each other like this."
"What are you talking about?" Harry demanded, suddenly feeling her worry spread to him.
"They'll take me away from you Harry, and I don't what that to happen," Cho said brushing her fingers lightly against his cheek, "believe me when I tell you that there are many wizards who don't want to see us together."