Chapter 16

Something was wrong this morning, Harry could tell by the way his friends were reacting. Ron has not sad a single word during breakfast and was eating his porridge silently not looking up from his plate. Kayla and Hermione looked nervous and glanced at Ron every once in a while, just like they were waiting for something to happen. Something must have happened yesterday when he wasn't with them in the common room. Ron would tell him if there is something, Harry shrugged and finished his toast before it was time to go to class.

At this time Dumbledore got up from his chair and cleared his throat. "Quiet please" The talking and laughing died and everybody turned his face to Dumbledore. "I have some announcements to make. Although the MOM is refusing to acknowledge that You-know-who is back, the teachers and I have made the decision that additional security measures are in order. Until further notice quidditch will be cancelled"

The whole student body groaned in unison. "We also decided that we will keep the coming Hogsmead weekend up" Everybody sighed with relief

"However the time will be limited to 3 hours and I don't want anybody wandering off alone. Stay in groups and stick to the main streets please. We don't know what You-know-who is planning therefore we need to be extra careful. I guess that's it for now. Please finish your breakfast and have a pleasant day" Dumbledore left the table closely followed by Professor McGonagall and Snape.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! THEY CANCELLED QUIDDITCH!!" Ron shouted.

Harry just sat there, his face buried in his head. Quidditch was the only thing he really enjoyed. When he was flying he could leave the mess that his life was behind and just be free. A few days before the game against Slytherin Dumbledore just came along and cancelled it. He wasn't even looking forward to the Hogsmead weekend anymore.

So Harry got up, walked past his friends and right out of the Great Hall. He had no idea how to survive this day. No quidditch to look forward to and double potions. Snape would skin him alive and all that with that evil smirk on his face. Harry was fully aware of the fact that he could call himself lucky when Snape'd give him a "D" for his essay. He had spend endless hours in the library but for some reason he couldn't concentrate. He had the feeling that his friends have something to hide and he shouldn't find out about it. Kayla and Hermione acted strangely in the library and even Ron had started being all weird after he had returned from the DADA-tutoring.

Harry reached the dungeons as one of the firsts. A few Slytherins were already waiting for Snape to open the door. Harry leaned back against the cold stone wall getting as far away from the Slytherins as possible. Their nasty comments would be just what he needed to drive him over the edge.

Just when Snape opened the door Ron, Hermione and Kayla joined Harry in front of the dungeons, Ron looking just as mad as Harry. They all sat down in the very back of the class room. Snape gave them their assignment for this lesson and started grading their homework. They all worked silently, obviously all brooding over Dumbledore's new announcements.

All of a sudden Harry heard Hermione whispering "Do you think You-know-who is planning something? We know he's after you Harry but would he risk to attack the school while Dumbledore is here"

"20 points from Gryffindor for talking during class, Miss Granger" Snape hissed. Hermione blushed slightly and continued with her potion. The rest of class was just as usual. Snape took some more points for Neville's stupidity and Harry got a "D" for his essay just as expected.

The strangest thing ever happened after Snape had dismissed the class.... "Miss Warren may I have a word with you for a moment?" Snape ask glaring at the Ron and the rest. "Miss Warren will be with you shortly. You better leave or you'll be late for class and I don't think Gryffindor can afford losing anymore points." Harry and Ron stared at each other, and then looked at Hermione while Snape slammed the door shut.

"Well Miss Warren" Snape said "I have noticed that you are very gifted when it comes to potions. Have you ever considered a career in this field? Maybe as a teacher or as a researcher like you father?" Kayla felt extremely uncomfortable.

She loved potions and has always been interested in her fathers' researches, but she also knew that Snape wouldn't do anything to assist a Gryffindor.

"Yes Professor" Kayla answered slowly. "I thought about taking your N.E.W.T.s classes"

"This is what I wanted to suggest. You are highly talented and by far the best student I have. You should talk to your Head of House. She will be more than willing to give you advice about any career you have in mind. But feel free to contact me if you need further informations about a career in potions."

Kayla was totally baffled. She was lucky that Snape didn't treat her as bad as others' because she was really god in potions, but she was still a Gryffindor. She didn't know what to say. The only thing she could do was staring at the strict potion master in disbelief.

"You may go now". Then Kayla watched her professor leaving the classroom through a side entrance his cloak billowing behind him. She walked out of the classroom door like in trance. She still couldn't believe what had happened. Her friends had been waiting for her and looked at her in shock now.

"Kayla dear...what did he do to you? Say something" Hermione asked brushing some hair out of Kayla's face.

"Kayla, What is it?" Harry said with a very concerned voice.

"KAYLA!" Ron finally yelled and started padding the girls' face, but Kayla kept staring into space.

"Kayla, snap out of it!" Hermione shouted shaking her friend forcefully. "What happened in there? How many points did he take from you? Did he give you detention?"

"No" Kayla whispered. "He...he...he"

"HE WHAT? Girl you start getting on my nerves now" Ron growled.

"He was ...NICE. He offered me to attend his N.E.W.T.s class and advice when I'm going to choose a future career"

"WHAT? hold on...hold on. This can't be true. You are a Gryffindor after all" Harry stated.

"I know... this is what makes it so scary" Kayla replied.