Chapter 15: Fragile Alliances

Harry had a plan; it was the middle of a lazy Sunday afternoon, and his two schedules were laid out side by side on his bed. Monday through Thursday, he would start each day with the persona that did not have Defense Against the Dark Arts, so that he would not have to worry about finishing both personas' days while coping with headaches. It was just a precaution since he had full confidences in his godfather's brewing ability, but one he hoped would make his double life much easier to manage. After jotting down a few notes, he placed the slip of parchment with his findings into the mokeskin pouch he always carried. Afterward he sent Horatio's schedule back to the Slytherin dormitory with Woody and headed downstairs to the Gryffindor common room.

The cozy circular room still held that sense of welcome and comfort that he had felt when he entered the room on his first night. It was mostly deserted now, with most of the students out in the grounds enjoying the fine weather. He hadn't even seen Fred and George all day, and they weren't exactly hard to miss. When he'd returned from being Horatio early that morning, he'd overheard them complaining loudly about the Quidditch captain waking them up at the crack of dawn. He had slid into his nice warm bed, glad that he wasn't in their shoes. Not that he would have minded learning about everyone's favorite wizarding sport, but it had been extremely early to be awakened on a Sunday morning.

As Harry passed by the notice board, he spotted an announcement for the first years. Upon reading further he learned that the first flying lesson was scheduled for Thursday morning, a time when the first years usually slept in after Astronomy. They would be meeting the flying instructor Madam Hooch on the front lawn of the school, and Gryffindor would be learning with Slytherin. Harry shook his head and thought that it would have been easier if they'd been learning with Hufflepuff instead. Oh well, at least he'd be with all his favorite people. He headed over to where Dean and Seamus were practicing with his muggle chess set.

"Hey, did you guys see the notice about flying lessons?" Harry asked as he sank into his favorite armchair.

"What do I need flying lessons for? I've been flying since before I could walk." Seamus said as he reached out to take one of Dean's rooks, which made the black boy sigh.

Harry shook his head, 'Are you going to tell us the hang glider story again?" Dean chuckled, glancing away from the board long enough to shoot Harry a grin.

"Oh… told you that one already, did I?" Seamus asked as he scratched his chin.

"Only once or twice…" Dean shrugged, "well since the first time anyway."

"But it be a good story…" The Irish boy complained with a pout. The portrait hole opened to reveal Neville, "Hey Longbottom want to hear about me flyin' with me Cousin Fergus?"

"Maybe later," Neville said politely. He started searching between cushions and under tables.

Dean, who was losing badly, and didn't seem inclined to further his latest defeat asked, "Did you lose Trevor again?"

"No," Neville stood up, turning in a slow circle as he looked around the room. "I lost the homework planner my Gran sent me."

Seamus snickered, "Oh, you mean that annoyin' thing that yells at ya every time you open it?"

Neville sighed, "Yes… that…"

Harry turned in his chair, "I can help you look."

"Yeah, me too," Dean offered.

Seamus waggled a finger at his friend, "Oh no you don't Thomas, I'm not finished with you yet."

Harry shrugged at Dean as if to say, well you tried, as he got up to go assist Neville. As he walked away from the table Dean said huffily, "You're no help, Potter."

"You're playing with my board, and I taught you how all the pieces move." Harry said over his shoulder, "and Seamus, remember play to teach not to thrash." He asked Neville as he reached him, "So where do you remember using it last?"

Neville's brow furrowed as he thought back, "I was in the library yesterday… I remember because Madame Pence threatened me with her feather duster when it started talking."

Harry couldn't help it, the image of the librarian threatening anyone with her feather duster sprang to his mind, making him chortle. Catching sight of his friend's unhappy expression he tried to reassure him. Harry clutched at his ribs as he struggled to speak, "Neh-no, Neh-Neville, it's just… the image… of her and… the fea-feather dust-er."

"Well, it is kind of funny," Neville smiled weakly.

Harry took several calming breaths before asking, "If you remember it being in the library, why not check there?"

Neville's shoulder's slumped, "I already did, or I tried, but the place is massive. So, I hoped that maybe I'd brought it back here. I've already checked my bag too."

"I could help you go check again now, if you like." Harry offered.

Neville's kind features scrunched in discomfort, "I would go now, but she was already giving me suspicious looks because I wandered near the restricted section while I was searching."

Harry rolled his eyes, a habit he'd picked up from Draco, "I swear she always thinks students are up to something. It's like no one told her we're supposed to be touching her precious books." He ran a hand through his already messy hair, "Well if you think you could hold off until morning break, I could help you look then." Their schedule was fresh in his mind, so he was able to suggest, "or we could look during our free period after Charms."

"That would be really great Harry." Neville said sincerely.

Harry made a mental note to help Neville look for his homework planner, which reminded him of something else. "Hey Neville, try to remember we're meeting in the library after dinner for that first-year study club."

"I'll try, and hopefully I'll have my planner back by then."

Hermione exited the girls' dorms at that moment, and she had the talkative Esme Vane and the pithy Izzy MacDougal in tow. She spotted Harry and Neville and waved to them, the trio taking seats not far from where Dean and Seamus' game was just finishing. The Londoner threw up his hands and said he was done with chess, but they all knew it wouldn't be long before he'd try again.

Harry turned back to Neville and asked, "Want to go join them?"

"Sure," as they walked over to join their friends he asked, "Do you know if Theo is going to sit with us, or his Slytherin friends for dinner?"

This morning a few of the Slytherins had joined the Gryffindor table for breakfast. It had caused a bit of a stir, but none of the tables had been very full, and perhaps the lions had been too sleepy to complain too much. At lunch, Theo had sat at the Slytherin table again, but after the meeting the day before, no one from Slytherin was keen to make a fuss in the middle of the Great Hall. Horatio knew that the friends would be sitting at their own house tables for dinner tonight, but as himself Harry didn't know this information.

He shrugged, "No clue."

"Clue, about what?" Esme asked.

"If Theo is sitting with us for dinner." Harry explained.

"As he should," Isobel said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked with a furrowed brow.

"I have nothing against Nott," Isobel's lips thinned. "But students are supposed to sit with their own house for meals."

Dean looked up from the sketchpad he'd retrieved from his bag. "I don't care where he sits—if he wants to sit with his friends—it's not hurting me any."

The Scottish girl pushed back her dark red curls, "But what if you, or Finnigan, or any of us wanted to sit at our house table, and there was no room because everyone had their friends over from the other three houses?"

Dean shrugged, "Then I'd go sit at the Hufflepuff table, and maybe bring Shay along."

Seamus snorted, "I'd go with you, as long as we didn't have to sit with Smith—the boy twin anyway—he's an eejit."

Esme tried to stifle her giggles, "Seamus! That's not nice."

"Oh, it is," Seamus muttered, "considerin' what I'd like to call him..."

Before the conversation could devolve into Seamus telling everyone how he really felt about Zachariah Smith, Harry turned to Hermione, "Is there a rule that we have to sit at our house tables for meals?"

Hermione chewed her lip as she thought, "No, I don't think so—except for feast days—like the sorting feast or the leaving feast."

"Right, that makes sense," Harry nodded, to Isobel he said, "If there's no rule that he must sit with us all the time, I don't mind him sitting with his friends. In fact, I think it's a good thing." He gestured between himself, Hermione, and Neville. "The three of us sat on the Hogwarts Express together along with Ron Weasley, and he's in Slytherin. The four of us are friends—like Hermione is friends with you and Esme—but we don't get to spend time with Ron as much as we'd like." He shrugged and concluded, "That's why I say it's good to share meals with our friends from other houses."

"It's like Parvati and her sister, I know they wish they could spend more time together." Hermione added, "Besides it's the weekend, and things seem to be more relaxed around here."

"I still think we should stick to our own." Isobel said, "but you do make good points."

Harry figured that concession was as far as she'd probably go on the matter. He decided to change the subject, pointing toward the message board he said, "Have you all seen the notice about the flying lesson?"

A range of expressions crossed the other's faces; Hermione glanced over at the board with an anxious expression, Neville swallowed nervously, Esme clapped her hands together, Dean grinned before returning to his drawing, Seamus sat back in his chair looking like he didn't have a care in the world, and Isobel raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Gran has never let me near a broomstick…" Neville said. Privately Harry didn't blame her, since he seemed to be accident prone even with both feet on the ground.

"I suppose I can give you lot some pointers," Seamus said lazily.

Hermione said sheepishly, "I've read some pointers in Quidditch Through the Ages I checked it out from the library earlier this week." Her cheeks turned pink as she confessed, "I was tired of feeling like an idiot when everyone was talking about quaffles and bludgers and things."

"Ya can't learn flyin from a book!" Seamus said indignantly. "You just have to get outta your head and do it."

"Finnigan don't be a braggard," Isobel scolded. "She's muggle raised, and so are Thomas and Potter. Everyone can't fly around the countryside all day like you."

Seamus flared up at once "Ya think I don't know that?" His verdigris eyes flashed with anger. "Or did you forget me Da's a muggle? I'm from both worlds."

Dean put his pencil down and closed his book. "Shay…" he said warningly.

"She was havin' a go at me." Seamus pointed at Isobel.

"I was not," Isobel shot back. "I jus get tired of you actin like yer better than everyone else."

Hermione pleaded, "Izzy please… don't fight." Beside her Esme's lower lip was trembling.

"Well excuse me, for tryin to share me knowledge." Seamus stood up, "Anyone want me help with anything in future they can ask for it." He crossed the common room, slamming the portrait of the fat lady closed behind him. There was a stunned silence in his wake in which Dean leant back and massaged his temples, and Hermione put her arm around Esme who let out a whimper.

"I'm sorry Esme," Isobel sighed heavily. "I shouldn't have lost my temper."

"What… was that even… How did that blow up so fast?" Harry asked perplexed.

There was a long moment when it seemed there would be no answer, and then Isobel finally spoke, "Finnigan, reminds me of boys from home, who always acted like they knew everything, and if they 'dained to share their knowledge you better be grateful for it." She poked savagely at some stuffing coming out of her armchair, "When I was little, I used magic to do something better than them for once, and they saw me do it…. The Ministry of Magic came and sorted it out, but not before they called me a freak and worse." She swallowed hard before continuing, "They got Obliviated of course—so they don't remember-but I still do."

"That's horrible," Neville said, after a moment he asked. "Did they offer to modify your memory too? I know it can be dangerous for little kids, but sometimes it's done."

"They did offer, but my parents said no. They said I should learn from it, so I didn't do it again."

"That's a bit harsh if you ask me." Dean said with a frown. "Well, I better go check on Shay."

Isobel kneaded her forehead, and said in a weary voice, "I'll apologize to him when he's had a chance to cool off."

Dean nodded, reaching for his sketch pad before glancing at Harry's gameboard. "Hey Harry, would you mind if I took the chess board with me. Maybe thrashing me in a game or two will help Seamus."

"No, have it." Harry reached out, pushing the board toward Dean.

"Thanks," Dean took the board and climbed out the portrait hole after his friend.

"You alright Esme?" Neville asked in concern.

Hermione gave her friend another squeeze, and Esme wiped her eyes before saying, "I hate when people fight." She sniffed, "but I'm okay now."

Harry asked, "Is it the raised voices, or—" She nodded quickly.

"All of it really, but mostly that."

"I know that about you." Isobel made a disgusted face, though Harry thought it must be directed at herself. "I shouldn't have raised my voice in anger."

Esme offered a rueful smile, "I'm fine Izzy I promise."

The portrait hole opened again to reveal their prefect, Craig Bennet. He was carrying a stack of books in his arms which he deposited on a table before noticing the group of first years. "Hey, Longbottom did you lose this in the library?" He held up the infamous homework planner.

"Oh yes, that's mine!" Neville went over to take the book, "Where did you find it?"

"It was crammed between two books on a shelf in the Potions Section."

"That's funny," Neville scratched his head. "I could have sworn I was doing History of Magic homework yesterday…"

Bennet frowned, "Is it possible someone hid it from you?"

"I don't know," Neville said. "I can't think of anyone who would do something like that."

"Hmm, well maybe it got put on a shelf by mistake." The prefect pondered, "but then again it's not hard to find out what that book is."

"Yeah, all you have to do is open it." Neville demonstrated and the book promptly said, "Don't leave it until later you big second rater!"

Craig chuckled, "Yes that's how I figured it out." He turned his attention back to the small mountain of books in front of him, "and on that note, I should probably work on Professor Snape's essay on the properties of moonstone."

"Good luck," Neville said as he retreated to his group of friends. "Well Harry, looks like we won't have to go find it tomorrow."

"That's good," Harry grinned. "Now we only have to deal with Madame Feather-Duster once tomorrow." His companions burst into laughter, and Harry beamed glad to have succeeded in lightening the mood.

Monday morning went smoothly for Horatio. The Slytherins played their usual morning games at forms time. It was raining when they went to Herbology, so he and his classmates ran to the greenhouse with their cloaks over their heads. He managed to stay awake in History of Magic, and even take his own notes. It was odd to not have Flint waiting outside the classroom for them. The Slytherins glanced around as it dawned on them that they didn't have to go to the same place.

"Hey Weasley," the swarthy Ravenclaw called Blaise asked, "Do you want to join me, Rivers, and Roper to play chess? We'll be going to the classroom we usually use for forms because of the rain."

"Sure," Ron said, he glanced over at Horatio and Draco. "Do you two want to come along?"

Draco raised his eyebrows quizzically at Horatio who grinned, "Sounds brilliant, I haven't played in ages."

Beside him Draco grinned, "He played almost daily with my father over the summer."

Blaise cocked his head, "I'm looking forward to the challenge then."

As the group walked away, they failed to notice the downcast looks on Crabbe and Goyle's faces. Selwyn shook his head and said, "Looks like we're on our own boys, how about some exploding snap in the common room?" He directed his next question to the other Slytherins, "Anyone else want to join?"

"Oh, I'm going to the common room, but to see my Luna," Millicent said, "and maybe read up on the new Nimbus 2000."

"What's the point?" Selwyn scoffed, "if first years can't have their own brooms?"

"Uh because it's cool?" She asked in a nonplussed tone.

"I don't see the point either." Pansy sidled up to Selwyn. "I can join your game so there are even sides."

The rest of the Slytherins returned to the common room to indulge in ther own pursuits. Unbeknownst to Horatio, Draco, and Ron, Selwyn was quietly trying to turn the rest of their year against them, since the direct approach had been unsuccessful. Daphne made a note of this behavior from where she sat with Tracy, who was copying her History of Magic notes. Harriet and Adamaris were reading their respective publications, and generally ignoring Selwyn's attempts to draw them into conversation, at least until the betting of chocolate frog cards was suggested, because as a rule Maris got her pick if she watched over the cards.

She riffled through the cards in her hand, "I wish Weasley was here, he always has the best cards."

"Me too," Crabbe muttered as he shuffled the exploding snap deck.

Selwyn frowned and said, "We don't need Weasley here to have a good time."

"Careful Selwyn," Millicent said as she rubbed a purring Luna. "Your jealousy is showing."

"Me, jealous of him?" Selwyn asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Why should I be jealous of Weasley? His family is dirt poor, I hear they even sleep in the same—"

"There are things more important than gold…" Goyle mumbled as he fiddled with the cards in his hand, which had begun to smoke at the corners.

"Maybe we should play the game?" Crabbe suggested before Dominic could start in on Greg. "The cards will explode before we even start."

"Look Goyle," Selwyn said, "there's nothing wrong with your family not having a lot…"

Goyle pushed the cards away, so they didn't explode in his hands, "Then why is it different for Weasley?"

Across the common room, Bletchley had been prodding figures across the model quidditch pitch. Now he stood and stalked over to the quarreling first years, "Haven't you lot learned not to talk about Weasley yet? Does Master Snape have to put the whole house in detention for you to get it through your skulls?"

"Greg was defending Weasley." Crabbe shot back, throwing down his own cards.

"I don't care," The older Slytherin rapped his knuckles on the table. "If Weasley isn't around then don't mention his name, and that goes especially for you Selweanie." He glared around at the group at the table, "Do I make myself clear?" Selwyn's face had flushed with anger at Bletchley's jab at his family name.

In a moment, his wand was in his hand, "Don't you ever call me that again."

"Put that away boy," The older Slytherin said coldly, "never draw your wand unless you're prepared to use it, and you don't want to cross wands with me."

"To defend my family's honor, I will." Selwyn got to his feet.

The stone wall opened, and Flint walked into the room. His sleeve was singed, and he was examining a burn beneath it as he walked. Glancing up he spotted the group around the table, and Selwyn's drawn wand. "What's all this?" he asked.

Horatio and his friends approached the Slytherin table for lunch and scanned it for three empty seats. Most of the other first years were clustered together engrossed in conversation. His grey eyes swept the group, and he realized Selwyn was missing, "I wonder what that's about?" he nodded in their direction.

"Let's go find out." Draco said heading over.

"I'm not sure I want to know." Ron muttered as he followed more reluctantly.

When they reached their year-mates Adamaris glanced up and said, "Talk of the devil, hi boys."

"Did you have fun playing chess?" Tracy asked Horatio as he sat down.

"I did," he said. "Blaise is a tricky player, and the other two are pretty good, very different playstyles."

"It was fun yes." Draco agreed, glancing up and down the table, "but to address the hippogriff in the room, where is Selwyn?"

"Having lunch in the common room." Crabbe sighed, poking at the stew on his plate.

Harriet explained, "They didn't think he could behave properly in public."

"So, they're making him eat in the common room?" Ron asked bewildered.

"It was that or get Master Snape involved again." Millicent shrugged, "and they wanted to avoid that."

"So, what did he do this time?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"And where is Goyle?" Horatio asked, noticing that he too was absent.

"He's at St. Mungo's, getting tested for glasses." Crabbe explained morosely.

The others described the scene in the common room, and the confrontation between Selwyn and Bletchley. Then how Flint had arrived, after an accident in Care of Magical Creatures. He'd taken charge of the situation then, sending Bletchley to go calm down, and had taken Selwyn with him into another chamber of the house. He'd told the other first years to go about their business. That was when McKinniss had come in to tell Goyle that his parents were waiting for him in the entrance hall to take him to St. Mungo's for the eye healer appointment. It was the sixth year's idea to have Selwyn stay in the common room for lunch.

"Where do you think Flint took him?" Draco asked.

"The dueling chamber from what Flint told us." Millicent explained, "He went there to get some burn cream for his arm."

Horatio shook his head, "I can't believe he pulled his wand on an older student, the most he can do at this point is shoot sparks at Bletchley, we haven't exactly learned any combative magic yet."

"I keep forgetting you weren't raised in a magical household." Maris took a sip of pumpkin juice before explaining. "Some of the old families have their own spells or teach the concepts of dueling to their children. So, he might have some nasty tricks up his sleeve."

"It was still a really foolish thing for him to do." Harrie said scrunching her nose in distaste.

"I just wish he'd leave me alone," Ron pointed up to his distinctive red hair. "I mean does he not like redheads, because that's the only thing I can figure that makes us different?"

"Greg asked him what was different, but he didn't really get a chance to respond because Bletchley came over." Crabb said with a shrug. "We just can't figure out what his problem is. You're pureblood so Dominic can't look down on you for that, no offense Prince and Davis. Your family isn't well off, but there are plenty of people whose families are poor. I mean who cares about any of that? I just don't get it…"

"No offense taken," Horatio said. Tracy nodded her agreement.

Draco had been sitting staring at his plate for the past five minutes as he took in the conversation. Finally, he looked up and asked, "Is it possible he's jealous of something?" He squinted at Ron as if trying to figure out what Selwyn could find to be jealous about.

"Oh, he's jealous alright," Millicent snorted, "I figured that out pretty quickly, but what he's jealous of is still eluding me."

Ron shifted as all eyes turned to him, "When the hat said that Slytherin could help me on the way to greatness, to stepping out of my brothers' shadows, I didn't think it meant like this…"

"This isn't what the hat predicted," Harrie patted his arm consolingly.

Maris nodded her agreement, "Yeah it's just one spoiled brat, thinking he should always be the center of attention."

"I've heard enough about Selweanie for one day." Millicent smirked at her use of Bletchley's jab before asking. "Let's talk about something else, whose looking forward to flying lessons?" Her fellow first years eagerly took up the change in subject. They spent the rest of lunch talking about their much-anticipated lesson.

After lunch Harry returned to Gryffindor tower and turned back to the night before. He found himself surrounded by the sleepy breathing of his dormmates. After tucking away the time turner, and putting his headache cure in his bag, Harry laid down in his bed. His thoughts turned back to the locket, and in the darkness, he retrieved it from its hiding place, brushing a thumb over the damaged surface. He twitched the hangings open to let a shaft of moonlight fall across his bed, and stared at the letters that were still legible, wondering what the locket contained, and if Aunt Petunia had noticed it missing yet.

The chain Hermione had mended, slid through his fingers as he turned the locket over in his hand. The back was just as damaged, and Harry cringed as he imagined the condition of its contents. He resolved that one way or the other, he would try to get it open soon. Tucking the locket under his pillow, he closed the hangings and settled back to try to sleep, but rest would not come. With a sigh he set his watch to wake him an hour earlier than the others would usually wake, and literally tried counting sheep until he finally drifted off.

He dreamed of Aunt Petunia, she was holding a heavy frying pan in both hands, raised over his time turner. She said that he had taken something precious from her, and that she was going to destroy what was precious to him in return. Before he could stop her, she reigned a heavy blow down with the frying pan, and the time turner shattered into a million pieces. Harry awoke with a start and flung back the hangings, he pulled the mokeskin pouch from his bedside cabinet and dumped the contents on his bed. His breathing calmed as he noticed the time turner was unharmed and glittering in the predawn light.

Harry repacked his belongings carefully and dressed in the almost silent dormitory. He would take Hermione's advice and ask one of the teachers for help to open the locket. The dream had unnerved him, he knew his aunt must have noticed the locket was missing by now and was probably frantic. He stole quietly down the stairs and crossed the deserted common room to the portrait hole. The fat lady mumbled in her sleep as he climbed through and closed it softly so as not to disturb her further. The prefects had showed them how to reach their head of house in case of an emergency—which this wasn't—but he did need to speak to someone about this.

There was a picture of a tabby cat with square markings around its eyes on the left-hand side of the corridor. Harry walked over and whispered, "I don't have the password, but could you tell your mistress that one of her cubs needs to speak with her?" The cat blinked and hopped down from the red and gold cushion it had been sitting on and sauntered out of the frame. Harry stared at the book-lined room the portrait depicted for a couple minutes before the cat returned. It jumped back onto its perch and settled, "Did she get the message?" He asked anxiously.

"I did, Mr. Potter." The familiar voice came from behind him. He spun around to see her standing beside the tapestry of some great battle. She was wearing a tartan dressing gown and a concerned expression, "Is there an emergency, has someone taken ill?"

"No professor," Harry shook his head. "Nothing like that, I just needed to speak to someone…" He trailed off not knowing how to explain himself properly.

Her expression softened, and she stepped aside. "Then come in, and we can discuss whatever has brought you to my door in the wee hours of the morning." She pulled back the tapestry to reveal a door, with a knocker in the shape of a lion. She touched it and the door opened onto a short hall she beckoned him inside.

Harry entered a cozy sitting room with a mixture of muggle and magical photographs lining the walls, some were black and white. A seating area was clustered around a fireplace, with more photos lining the mantlepiece. Professor McGonagall followed him into the room and pointed her wand at the grate in which a fire blazed up at once, as if it had been burning for hours. She settled herself onto an armchair and gestured for him to do the same. Harry took a seat opposite her and startled only slightly as a house elf appeared at her elbow.

The elf wore a pristine white tea towel baring the Hogwarts coat of arms, which was draped like a toga around its small frame. It spoke in a tiny squeak of a voice, "Is there anything Tilly can do for Madame Kitty this morning?"

The Transfiguration professor's cheekbones turned pink with mild embarrassment at the name. "Tilly, I have told you not to call me that around students."

The house elf's large gray eyes widened, and she knelt on the floor hanging her head so low that her nose brushed the rug beneath their feet. "I'm sorry Madame, should bad Tilly punish herself, or would Madame prefer to do the punishment?"

"That won't be necessary," McGonagall said sharply. "Just see that it does not happen again and do stand up Tilly." She turned her attention back to her guest, "Potter would you like some tea and biscuits or perhaps toast?"

"Either would be fine, professor." Harry said politely.

"Good, then Tilly make yourself useful, and bring us some tea." Her tone made it sound more like a request than an order.

Tilly smoothed her tea towel, "Yes Madame, Tilly will bring tea right away." She vanished with a faint pop.

"Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company at this very early hour, Mr. Potter?"

"Right…" Harry pulled the locket from his robes, "I was wondering if you had any advice on how to repair this."

Her face paled as she spotted the gold chain, but she relaxed into her seat as his hand opened to reveal the locket. "Potter, you gave me a fright." Her hand rested over her heart, "I thought for one moment that the time turner—"

"Oh no professor, I'm very careful with that." He gestured to the locket, "This was in my Aunt Petunia's possession, I'm not sure if it was hers or my Mum's." He indicated the letters, "see the inscription?"

"May I?" She asked, holding out her hand. Harry placed the locket in her palm. She studied it for a moment, "I can tell you that this belonged to your mother." Her voice was slightly hoarse as she explained, "She wore it every day, from the first day I met her, when I went to explain to her family that she was a witch."

The locket had been his mother's, and she had worn it every day… He stared at the fragile link between himself and his mother which was resting in McGonagall's hand. It surprised him to learn that his professor had been able to recognize the locket so readily. He had known that someone must have told his mother that she was a witch, much like Severus had told him he was a wizard, but he had never thought to meet that person, much less that she would be such a prominent figure in his own life.

Tilly arrived with the tea tray at that moment, and quietly placed it on the table between them. The elf waited a second to see if there would be further instructions, but seeing that there were none forthcoming, she curtsied and scurried out of sight.

Harry looked up from the locket to McGonagall's face, she was studying it closely, turning it gingerly over in her hand. She placed the locket on the table beside the tea tray. "Potter, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you with this." Harry's heart sank and his disappointment must have shown on his face, because she said gently, "don't look so glum. I may know of someone who could help you." She started to prepare tea as she continued. "Professor Flitwick is both a Charms Master and has the unique perspective of his mixed wizard and goblin ancestry, if anyone can find a way to mend the locket, it would be him." She indicated the tray, "I've served earl gray, do you care for milk or sugar?"

Harry had recognized the scent of bergamot as she steeped the tea, it was a smell he associated with the tea parties his aunt hosted when he was small. Out of respect for his host he kept his distaste for it to himself, "Both please." He carefully tucked the locket away as she prepared their cups and passed one to him. He delicately stirred to not make a sound with his spoon, placing it on the saucer behind his cup. He took a careful sip, his eyes widening in surprise at the slightly smoky flavor. "This isn't the earl gray I'm used to having."

"Do you not care for it?" she asked before taking a sip of her own.

"No, it's different, better than the type I remember." He put his cup down on the table and took a gingernut from the serving plate.

She smiled fondly down at the steaming cup of tea in her hands, "It was a gift from your godfather. I believe he creates the blend himself."

"That's very thoughtful of him." Harry said as he retrieved his cup from its saucer.

Her glasses caught the firelight as she glanced toward the lightening sky beyond the windows. "I was a bit surprised you did not bring the locket to him." She eyed him beadily as she continued, "but then I thought that you might be protecting him from seeing the damage to whatever is inside." Harry nodded softly and she blinked a few times before saying, "That is a very noble and kind thing for you to do Mr. Potter." McGonagall tilted her head before declaring, "five points to Gryffindor."

Harry raised both his eyebrows, "You didn't have to do that, professor."

"Yes, I did," She looked him straight in the eye. "You should be rewarded for your deeds, and what you did to spare Professor Snape, at the risk of your own feelings is commendable." She sat back taking another sip before adding, "Though you should also remember that it is our job as adults to protect you."

"I'll keep that in mind, professor." Harry said with a grin.

She shook her head, and he could tell she wasn't convinced, "Would you like me to speak to Professor Flitwick, or would you prefer to do so?"

"I'll speak to him about it myself."

The Gryffindor head of house sat with her student; the pair finished their tea in companionable silence. She was touched that he had come to her with something so personal. She hoped that Filius would be able to mend the locket, and that whatever was inside could be salvaged. Though she suspected with the severity of the external damage, that whatever was inside had been destroyed. It was also curious that he had come by the locket in the first place, since the last time she had seen it, it had been placed in a box with Lily's personal effects that had been given to her sister, when the Ministry had concluded their investigation. She didn't feel that it was her place to pry into such things and kept her thoughts to herself.

When they finished their tea Harry excused himself and returned to the common room. Harry sat in his favorite armchair to wait for his friends to come down from their dormitories, so they could go to breakfast together. As he waited, he watched his housemates drifting sleepily through the room in twos and threes, occasionally giving him a wave or greeting as they passed. Dean was the first of his year mates to appear and he looked surprised to see Harry already awake.

"Wow, you're up early." He said, checking his watch. "I'm usually the first from our dormitory to come down here."

Harry shrugged, "You know when you wake up and you just know you won't be able to go back to sleep? That was me this morning."

"Yeah," Dean nodded as he folded his lanky frame into one of the squashy armchairs. "I know what you mean."

Thinking back to the disagreement yesterday Harry asked, "So has Seamus calmed down yet?"

Dean shrugged, "I guess, he and Isobel talked at any rate, and I think they've called a truce."

Harry sighed in relief, "That's good to hear." Dean pulled out his sketch pad and Harry fell silent so as not to disturb his creative process.

After Charms class Harry told his friends, "I'd like to have a word with Professor Flitwick."

"We could wait for you, if you like." Neville offered.

Harry shook his head, "I'll catch you up in the common room."

"See you in a bit then." Hermione said with a smile. His three friends were the last to leave the classroom.

Harry approached Flitwick's desk and peered over the top, "Professor, can I have a word?"

The Charms Master looked up from straightening the cushions he usually perched on to see over his desk, "Of course Mr. Potter, how may I help you?"

"Well sir, I have something that was damaged, it's made of metal, and I don't know how the damage happened…" He faltered as he rummaged for the locket, "It belonged to my mother…" he held out the locket. "I was wondering if you could find a way to repair it, to open it if possible."

The shorter wizard squinted at the locket in the boy's hand. It was gold which was a relatively soft metal, and he could not detect the presence of magic around it, though he could not be sure without running a few diagnostic spells. He frowned looking up into the hopeful green eyes, which so resembled one of his favorite students. "I may need to spend some time examining it before I will even attempt to mend it. I know how important this must be for you Mr. Potter, and I will not give you false hope. The locket appears badly damaged at first glance, so I do not know if it will be even possible." He cast a quick Tempus charm and shook his head. "I have second-year Ravenclaw and Slytherin in a few moments, if you could leave the locket with me, I will examine it more closely during my free period, and we could meet to discuss it further, say Wednesday morning?"

Harry frowned, closing his hand around the locket protectively. Behind him the door to the classroom opened, and a pretty Asian girl walked into the room. She stopped in surprise, her dark eyes widening as she realized she was interrupting something. "I'm sorry Professor, I'll wait outside." She backed toward the door.

"Thank you, Miss Chang," Flitwick said waving a hand in her direction, "please tell your classmates to wait in the corridor as well. I will let you all in shortly when I am finished speaking with Mr. Potter here." She nodded respectfully and exited the classroom. When they were alone again, he said, "You do not need to decide now. If you would rather wait so we can examine the locket together, you could meet with me this afternoon or Wednesday morning."

Harry chewed his lip for a moment as he considered, before finally holding out his hand. The Charms professor pulled a handkerchief from his robes, and tenderly folded it around the locket. He tucked it into an inner pocket of his robe, and patted the boy on his arm. "I will take good care of it for you."

Harry nodded and turned toward the door, as he reached it, he looked over his shoulder and asked, "You said I could meet with you Wednesday morning?"

Flitwick turned from directing a piece of chalk across the blackboard, "Yes, I will meet you outside the classroom at nine o'clock, and we can go to my office from there."

"Thank you, sir." Harry said before pushing the door open and stepping out into the corridor. A group of Slytherins and Ravenclaws was cued near the door. The girl who had interrupted them was at the head of the line. Their eyes met and she smiled shyly as he passed.

Harry sat in Defense Against the Dark Arts that afternoon. He had preemptively taken the headache cure before entering the classroom. Now he was reading the assigned chapter from The Dark Arts; A Guide to Self-Protection, which was easier than listening to Professor Quirrell's lecture on the topic. His head still prickled occasionally, but the pain of it was muted so he could still concentrate. He was seated beside Hermione who was dutifully taking notes as she listened to the lecture. Across the isle Ernie MacMillian was staring at Professor Quirrell, giving the impression that he was listening, but his eyes had glazed over. In the row in front Seamus and Dean appeared to be playing hangman on a corner of Seamus parchment.

The chapter today was about ghosts, ghouls, and other apparitions. Earlier Hannah had asked some interesting questions about the difference between ghosts—like Hufflepuff's resident ghost the Fat Friar—and poltergeists like Peeves. Quirrell had done his best to explain, but it was almost unintelligible with all the stuttering, and most of the class had lost interest in what he was saying. Harry was relieved when the lesson was over, both because he could leave the classroom, and because the potion seemed to be helping. The headache wasn't eliminated, but his symptoms were tolerable. He was even able to engage with his fellow Gryffindors in their complaints about the lesson.

"I just hope this one doesn't decide to croak and come back to haunt us as a teacher for the rest of time." Seamus groused as they headed up to the seventh floor.

Esme scrunched her nose, "Eww don't say that Seamus… One ghost professor is too much already."

"At least we'd only have to deal with him for a year." Theo said thoughtfully. "Though I wonder what the curse would do to a ghost…"

"What are you on about Nott?" Parvati asked with a laugh.

Harry chipped in, "There is supposedly a curse on the DADA position. No instructor has lasted more than three terms for as long as anyone can remember."

Lavender let out a little gasp, "What happened to them?"

"I'm not sure, I just heard about it in passing." Harry frowned as he glanced quizzically at Theo. "Do you know more about it?"

"It hasn't been officially confirmed, but apparently a lot of accidents and fishy circumstances have made professors have to move on from the school." Theo shook his head and added, "I'm honestly surprised no one has died yet."

Hermione's brow furrowed, "I never read anything like that, not in Hogwarts A History at any rate…"

Neville turned to address the others, "Gran believes it's cursed—she said it started after her time—whoops!" He nearly walked into a suit of armor narrowly avoiding a collision. Theo and Harry reached out automatically to steady him. "Thanks guys."

"No problem," Harry said, patting his friend on the back. "What were you saying?"

"Just that it was after her time, in Dumbledore's early years as Headmaster." Neville scratched his head. "I can't really remember much beyond that. She was commenting on the text for DADA this year when we were at Flourish and Blots."

"When did Dumbledore become Headmaster then?" Harry asked, turning automatically toward Hermione.

She smiled, "I'm flattered that you think I'd know that off the top of my head, but even I'll have to look that one up."

"He succeeded Armando Dippet in 1956." Isobel explained. "His name is listed among the other headmasters and headmistresses in Hogwarts A History, but like Hermione said, there was nothing in there about a cursed position." Her nostrils flared as she made a skeptical sound.

"Here's an idea," Seamus suggested as the group paused at the Fat Lady's portrait. "What if Dumbledore cursed the position himself?" There was an outbreak of surprised and disbelieving exclamations, "No hear me out, what if he wanted new blood in the position, but he couldn't find another way to get rid of the current teacher?"

"Surely there are easier ways to replace a staff member…" Hermione said shaking her head.

"Caput Draconis," Isobel said to the Fat Lady who swung open to allow them access to the common room. Before climbing through she said, "Finnigan—there's no way around it—you're off your head."

"Thank you, I think." Seamus quipped back as he climbed through after her.

"It wasn't a complement," she said with a frustrated sigh as she walked off toward the girls' dormitories.

Harry caught Dean's eye and said, "I see what you mean about a truce… an uneasy one at that."

Dean shrugged, "At least they're not shouting or trying to curse each other."

Harry approached the table where he and Theo had met with the girls from the other three houses on Friday. He was surprised to see that two tables had been pushed together, and there were a few new faces seated around them. Parvati was sitting with her twin and Lavender who were talking with Mandy and Lisa, Ernie was sitting with Hannah and Susan along with the curly haired Justin Finch-Fletchly, and he knew of course that Daphne had invited Ron, Draco, and Horatio, though they had not arrived yet.

"Looks like the group has grown…" Theo said from Harry's side.

Neville rushed over to them, "I'm not late, am I?" He asked glancing around at the assembled students.

"No, we're still waiting for a couple people," Harry said. "Come sit down, you look like you ran all the way here."

"I almost did," Neville's face was flushed and wiped his sleeve across his brow. "I was afraid I was going to be late."

"Hey Potter, I took the liberty of inviting Weasley, Malfoy, and Prince." Daphne called in a low voice, so as not to attract the ire of the librarian.

"Thanks, Greengrass," Harry nodded to her. He glanced around as he realized that the gathered first years had fallen silent when he began speaking. "So, we're just waiting for them and Hermione." He shrugged self-consciously, "Then we can… study together."

Lisa rolled her eyes, "He means that Potter's Study Club will be in session." Several people laughed.

Harry muttered to Theo, "We really need to find a new name for this group…"

"What else would we call it?" Theo asked through a snicker.

"The First Year Study Club?" Harry suggested.

Hermione came around a bookcase on the far side of the table. She waved to the group, and came to sit on Harry's other side, he realized that Neville had left that spot open for her. Harry raised his eyebrows at the other boy, but Neville just grinned and busied himself with unpacking his bag. Harry shook his head in a bemused sort of way and turned toward Hermione, "I'm glad you could make it."

"Me too," she flashed him a grin before glancing around the group. "There's quite a few people."

A familiar drawling voice came from behind them, "Looks like we found the right place." Draco came into view and sat down beside Theo with Horatio and Ron filling out the last two empty seats. Harry realized belatedly that someone had gathered the right number of chairs for everyone. He supposed he better find out who had done it, so he could thank them.

"Now that everyone is here," Susan said as she pushed her braid over her shoulder, "How do we want to proceed?"

Hermione whispered, "I think she means, are we all going to study together, or divide up by subject?"

Harry blinked, "I actually hadn't thought that far ahead."

Draco's grey eyes sparked with amusement, and Harry knew he wasn't going to like whatever came out of his mouth, "So you brought us all here to be part of a study group, but you didn't think about how the group would run once we were all here?" The blond clapped slowly three times, "Excellent leadership skills there Potter." Harry thought I'm going to kill him when I turn back.

"That's not very nice Malfoy," Parvati said with a scowl, "and if you don't like the group, you don't have to be here."

Theo sat forward, "While Draco could have been a bit more polite in his phrasing," here he shot Draco a look, "he makes a point, maybe we should decide as a group how we want things to work."

"We could write down what we're best at, so then people know who to speak to for help in a specific subject?" Mandy suggested.

Ernie nodded and said, "That sounds like a good idea to me." He turned his gray eyes on Harry, "What do you say Potter?"

Draco rolled his eyes, but Horatio elbowed him to be quiet.

"Yes," Harry said, "let's do that."

Ron's ears turned pink as he asked, "What if you don't feel like you're good at anything, well not in lessons anyway?" This elicited several looks of sympathy from a few people, and quiet laughter from others.

"Then maybe write down your strengths outside of lessons?" Hannah suggested. "After all life should be about more than just studying."

"Oo," Lavender clapped her hands together. "We could be a social group too."

"Oh Good, does that mean we get to change the name?" Harry asked hopefully.

A piece of parchment was passed around, and everyone wrote down at least one thing they were good at, whether it had to do with lessons or not. When people found out that Neville was good at Herbology, there were a couple requests for him to look over homework for Professor Sprout. Hannah was the resident potions expert, though Daphne had also written that down. Several people had written down Transfiguration among them was Horatio. Hermione and Susan were the only ones to list History of Magic, so they too were asked for help. Ron had put down that he was good at wizard chess, exploding snap, gobstones, and flying. With the upcoming flying lesson, he found himself being asked for pointers on the subject, apparently Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw would have their first lesson together on Wednesday morning.

Hermione and Susan were explaining the finer points on the Werewolf Code of Conduct when Horatio tapped Harry on the shoulder making him jump, "Have you seen the time? It's almost curfew."

"Wow," Harry said looking down at his own watch. "That means we've been here for nearly three hours." Horatio retreated to his place between Draco and Ron. Harry cleared his throat, "Hey everyone, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's almost curfew." Several people checked their watches and made similar exclamations of surprise. "Do we want to meet up again tomorrow at the same time?"

"Sorry Potter we can't." Lisa indicated herself, Mandy, and Padma. "Professor Flitwick wants to speak with all of us about a dueling competition."

"Then I have Charms club." Mandy said with a smile.

Justin spoke up for the first time, "If we make it a standing meeting, then whoever is available can attend, and those with schedule conflicts could attend the next meeting."

The group agreed that was a good idea and began packing up their things. Harry looked around at the group and was pleased with the result of his efforts, it had been strange to be approached by himself, but he had managed the awkward moment. He still had to turn back to finish the day, and he would have words with Draco later about being a prat. He slung his bag over his shoulder and followed his fellow Gryffindors back to their beds.

A tap on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Parvati beside him, "I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me and Padma. It was nice to be able to spend so much time with her." She beamed and waved to her twin who was heading in the opposite direction.

"It was no problem, I'm glad you were both able to come." Harry said sincerely, "That's kind of the reason I invited you both. I don't have a brother or sister, but I figured it must be hard to be apart from each other." She nodded and they continued their way back to Gryffindor tower.

"You know, you almost got us thrown out." Ron said to Draco as the five Slytherins made their way down to the dungeons. Daphne and Tracy were walking ahead of the boys and engrossed in conversation about possible names for the group. The Hufflepuffs who were headed in the same general direction, were lagging behind.

"I would have been the only one thrown out." Draco smirked as he swaggered down the marble staircase.

"You make it sound like a good thing." Horatio said dryly. "Weren't you the one who thought it was a good idea to go?"

"I was," Draco said, "but I fail to see why that doesn't mean I can't tease our St. Potter a bit. Besides, I was only trying to help him."

Ron raised his eyebrows and asked, "How do you figure that?"

"Because" Draco explained in a matter-of-fact tone, "Potter was floundering with all the attention on him, so I thought if I drew some of their eyes onto me it would let him come up with something."

Ron and Horatio exchanged skeptical glances as the trio paused beside the stone wall that concealed their common room. Draco spoke the password and they walked inside together. The giant windows that held back the lake were almost black by this hour, but the fireplace was lit against the gloom. The common room was almost deserted, but two figures stood as the three boys entered, it was Crabb and Goyle and they walked over to meet them.

Crabbe asked, "Can we have a word?" gesturing to include Goyle in his request.

"Yeah, what's up?" Ron asked curiously, the other two nodded.

"It's just that last week we all hung out together," Goyle mumbled looking down at his large feet. "Now you three hardly spend any time in the common room…" He trailed off searching for the right words.

Crabb picked up where he'd left off, "And we were wondering if there was something we did that made you not want to be friends with us anymore."

"You haven't done anything wrong," Horatio rushed to reassure them. "We've just been spending time getting to know other people too."

"Yeah," Ron agreed. "The other first years got to know each other last week, while we were still being shepherded from place to place. So, we just sort of started to get to know them too." He shrugged as he added, "but that doesn't mean you can't come along, or that we don't want to be your friends anymore."

The two boys looked relieved. Crabbe said, "That's good, we thought it was because of Selwyn…"

"Well, he is a git." Draco scowled, "but what he does isn't your fault. No more than it would be Horatio or Ron's fault if I was a prat."

Goyle turned to Ron, "Dominic says he's going to lay off you."

"Really?" Ron asked, "What made him change his mind?"

Crabb chuckled, "I think having dinner with a couple of angry fifth and sixth years made him change his tune."

"For how long…" Draco muttered, and Horatio stepped on his foot. "I mean, that's good news."

Ignoring the sarcasm Goyle said, "Thanks for clearing the air guys."

The boys agreed to spend the following morning building a card castle out of Crabb's exploding snap deck and headed off to bed. As he closed the green velvet hangings around his four-poster, Horatio reflected that it had been a very strange day indeed.

A/N: That concludes chapter fifteen! Alliances are shifting for our young first years, and Harry has made some new allies, and is making progress on solving the mystery of the locket. Next chapter will lead into the first flying lesson and it's aftermath.

Disclaimer: You should know this isn't mine by now. I'm just playing in J.K. Rowlings sanbox, and building a different sandcastle.