Chapter 22

Visiting Hagrid's Hut

After milling over several dusty books that Harry and Mark read early on with their investigation. This time, however, Harry went for more thorough search of when was Tengu's first known murder. Harry flipping through pages dully as he skimmed over serial killers in the wizarding world. Most of them were for revenge or avenging or of some sort. Others dealt with family feuds, and the purity of blood.

At one point, he had thought he found what he was looking for because he skimmed over where it said Black Essence curse only to discover that the murderer is captured soon after killing five people in one week. His mind began to wander freely, when was
Black Essence curse created? He flipped some fifty pages later and skimmed a page about mysterious murderer who keeps using Black Essence curse. He read further, and found that this person killed some fifty people in two consecutive days in Tokyo Japan sometime in the late 1940's.

Harry immediately recorded this possible first known murder of Tengu down on the parchment. He read further, and found out that the murderer had killed two people before the massacre. He frowned, wondering what set him off for killing people for so long. He reached the end of the page, flipped the next page, and found detailed names of the victims. He wrote down the first two names that were killed by Tengu. At least, that is what he thought, and continued down the page and found another detailed description. The murderer had left the Black Essence curse on all victims, leaving black feathers behind and confiscating the wands. He nodded to himself, he was sure this was the same murderer to Tengu today.

"Hey Mark, I found what I needed to find."

"Oh really? Mmm, so he had been killing people since 1949?" asked Mark, looking over what Harry wrote.

"Yeah, I have to report this to the Headmistress, come on; help me put these things away," after they put the books back on the correct shelf in the correct order. The two boys made their way out of the library with parchments of notes Harry had made. He decided to show to Hermione before going straight to Professor McGonagall. Perhaps she could shed some light on a few things, such as the names. After all, she had been reading Japanese culture and the wizarding culture of Japan recently.

"I thought we were going to see Professor McGonagall?"

"I just need to show this to Hermione before going to professor McGonagall," replied Harry as they gave the password into the common room. When they entered, Harry found that Hermione was still trying different ways of creating the counter charm of Black Area charm. "Hey Hermione, I found something."

"Oh, what is it?" asked Hermione, looking up from her parchment and putting her wand down. Harry could see that Ginny and Ron tried to use the same spell as Harry but only spots of red and gold were found throughout the room.

"Not much luck huh? Here Hermione, just wanted to show you what I found before reporting to Professor McGonagall. Perhaps there is a link between Tengu and Voldemort."

Hermione fell silent as she read over Harry's unusually detailed notes. She gasped at one point but continued reading and looked up at Harry. He gave her the look of 'Well-what-is-it?'

"The names of the two people that were murdered by Tengu's sound awfully familiar. I need to duplicate the notes," she said, casting the duplicating spell on the parchment. Harry didn't bother asking where she learned the spell, or how advanced the spell is. "Thank you Harry, I suppose you can go report that to Professor McGonagall."

"Yeah, and after that, I was wondering if we all can go to Hagrid's, well, if anyone wants to come that is…."

"I'll come, just let me pack up these things. I never thought that inventing a spell could be so difficult…" said Hermione, trailing off as she packed up her parchments and notes along with her quill and ink.

"Me too mate, it'll be a change of scenery," said Ron lightly.

"If you mean by change of colors, then I'm sorry," said Harry grinning. Ron pouted and argued with him.

"I meant as a change of place!" Harry laughed.

"I know Ron, I know what you meant, anyone else?"

"Can't, have to do some homework," said Ginny, frowning.

"I'll come," said Mark.

"Ah that's too bad Ginny, maybe some other time," said Harry. "Well, ready?"

"Yes," replied Hermione as the other two boys nodded in answer.

"See you later on tonight Ginny," said Hermione as they made out of the common room into the corridor. Harry turned to the right, making way towards Professor McGonagall's office. Giving the password and entered with Hermione, Ron and Mark following up the spiraling stair case. At the top, he knocked on the door twice.

"Come in," replied the voice and Harry entered. "Oh, what's new now?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"I have found the earliest documented murders from Tengu, it was back in 1949…" said Harry, giving her the parchment.

"Mmm," said Minerva McGonagall as she read the paper. Then she gasped at one part and looked up.

"Are the names true?"

"The ones that were murdered? Yeah, it is, what is it?" asked Harry.

"Umita Ito, Isamu Tanaka…" murmured professor McGonagall.

"Is there significance with their names?"

"Yes, Umita was a professor of a wizarding school in Japan. Isamu was an ambassador for the country in Japan. I'm almost positive that You-know-who is linked somehow with this murderer… Please continue the research."

Harry nodded in answer, "we will Professor, well, is that all we can discuss for now?"

"Yes, thank you Harry for informing of this new information. You may leave now," she dismissed them. Harry walked back out into the corridor and Hermione spoke up.

"I knew those names were familiar…" said Hermione. "Umita Ito was a really good professor, or so I have heard."

"Mm," is all Harry said, thinking as they walked down towards Entrance Hall. When they made their way to the Entrance Hall and down the steps towards Hagrid's hut. After climbing up the stairs and Harry knocks the door.

"Comin', comin'," boomed the voice from the inside that they all know well. Hagrid opened the door, holding Fang back who was barking up at the door. "'Arry! Hermione, Ron, and I believe you are Mark. Come in, come in, want cuppa tea?" asked Hagrid, letting them in.

"Sure Hagrid," replied Hermione.

"I would like to have some," said Harry as Ron and Mark nodded in answer. Hagrid poured some already hot water into their cups and put some tea as Harry spoke.

"Guess what Hagrid?"

"Mm?" he answered as he put the cups out for them to drink.

"Well, of course you might know already, but I'm cleared. Do you know what is going on at the Ministry?" Harry saw that his right hand jerked slightly, and scratched his head.

"I'm glad that yer cleared, but I won' say nuthing about the Ministry. I know you three kids have a knack fer-"

"Hagrid, we already know," said Harry, interrupting him.

"Yeh do? Since when?" frowned Hagrid, but unconsciously shaking the cup in his hand, albeit slightly.

"Oh, don't worry Hagrid, I was told by my professors, since we almost got ambushed earlier," said Harry. Hagrid's face lighten up somewhat.

"Really? That means yeh won't bother with any sor' of inves'gating?"

"Of course not," replied Hermione. "Professor McGonagall told us to investigate Tengu's murders so that we can see if they are somehow linked with Voldemort."

"Don' say the name!" growled Hagrid, wincing.

"Voldemort Hagrid," said Hermione again, persistent that Hagrid should be used to his name by now.

"Hermione, please don't say the name," shivered Hagrid.

"How's your brother?" asked Harry, changing subjects.

"Oh he's miserable, locked up and all," said Hagrid miserably.

"Do you know what might have set him off?" asked Ron. Hagrid stood up so fast that he knocked the table over.

"Hagrid!" shouted the four, spilling hot tea over themselves.

"Ow, this is hot!" yelled Ron, "Oh this burns, bloody hell it hurts."

"Sorry, I'm sorry, I didn' mean to do tha', here, lemme take you to the hospital…"

"No, we're perfectly okay, Disardo, disardo, disardo, and disardo," said Harry, casting the healing charm for burns on himself and the others. "Do you know Hagrid?" asked Harry again; ignoring what Hermione is trying to say.

"He jus' went mad, tha's all, sorry, please just go," said Hagrid, begging them to leave. Harry sighed, he was sure that Hagrid knew what he is trying to hide.

"Okay Hagrid, we'll leave," said Harry, leading the others out of the hut. "Bye Hagrid."

"See you Hagrid," said Mark.

"Take care okay Hagrid? Bye," said Hermione as Ron waved good bye to him and everyone went back to Hogwarts.

"You know, he was acting kind of funny," said Harry.

"Well, maybe it is because of Grawp, he is worried about his only family right?" said Hermione. Harry looked at Mark and thought of Sirius and Remus.

"You're right, I probably be acting like that too…" said Harry.

"Well, they won't die mate," said Ron. Harry smiled slightly.

"Harry, I just remembered, tell me where did you learn that healing charm?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, one of the books I read this year," replied Harry, Hermione stared at him suspiciously.

"If you say so…" said Hermione slowly, and everyone went back to their common room and retired for the night.

At breakfast, kids everywhere were talking about Harry's Black Area charm, and to be honest. Harry felt really sick and tried of what they are talking about.

"Is it true that Harry Potter used the spell so he can cloak himself?"

"Judging at how big the area is, he could be our protector…."

"No, he could be the next dark wizard, haven't you seen what Harry had been acting?"

That's not to mention the Daily Prophet that Hermione got, the front lines had said that he was the only person able to defeat Voldemort. But there were some questions arising such as 'will he stay at the light side?' 'Will he go mad and take over?' 'What if he can't handle all this power?' Harry sighed, and having renewed vigor in researching for a counter charm for Black Area charm.

He did not think that he could see another day like this, having everything to revolve around him when he wanted peace and quiet. He would never understand why that bloke, Lockhart, liked all the attention. He supposed that Lockhart was too vain in the first place and thanked Dursleys for the way he is today. 'How surprising, I'm actually giving thanks towards the Dursleys…' thought Harry with some sarcasm. 'Only that it is too late for that.' He, Hermione and Ron went to their first class of the day, which turns out to be Charms, which Harry groaned audibly at this.

"Cheer up mate, I think Professor Flitwick won't pick on you too much today," said Ron as they entered the classroom.

"Mr. Potter!" squeaked Flitwick as Harry glared at Ron. "I must say again, the spell you cast yesterday was simply amazing. Only if you could have gotten the color right," said the short Professor as everyone laughed. Harry wanted to bust something up right now, but he couldn't do so in front of anyone, let alone, a classroom full of kids and a professor. He swallowed his anger and sat down next to Hermione.

"Stay cool Harry," said Hermione, noticing the look in Harry's eyes. "Take a few deep breaths…" Harry drew in a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and did again.

"Thanks Hermione," said Harry quietly as the class began. By the end of the class, Professor Flitwick had gotten to the point where Harry didn't think he could retain his sanity. He kept asking him for favors, for performing some charms that they had learned in the past and today which was to 'Purify the water'. Their task was to turn watery mud into clean water. There had been lot of voices casting the charm, "Purifico water!" Hermione, Harry and Seamus had cast on so many of them that they had to start using the mud charm to create more. By the end of the class, there was enough water to give to the whole table in Great Hall.

When Harry left the classroom and sighed in relief. He hoped that this would only last one day and not for six whole months if they don't have the counter charm by then. That night, after several classes similar to charms but less extreme, nevertheless, still drove Harry crazy. He knocked on Severus' door for their Legillimency lessons.

"Come in," replied the voice dryly. Harry pulled the door open and closed behind him. He walked over and sat down on one of the desk, and waited. Severus Snape seems to be working on something and not grading classwork/homework for once. He wondered what he was writing about and stared at Professor Snape. He blinked several times at what he had just 'thought'. He could be writing a letter to one of the Death Eaters, but wasn't sure who he was writing to. He frowned at this aspect of idea or thought and decided to wait for him to finish writing.

When he finally signed his name and rolled up with wax to seal the parchment. He set that aside and stood up, walked around to Harry. Severus cleared his throat; obviously, Harry had gone blank in his head.

"Oh, sorry sir, I was just thinking…"

"About what?" asked Professor Snape.

"I don't mean to intrude, but… well, were you writing a letter to one of the D-Death Eaters?" asked Harry, not at all comfortable. Snape said nothing but stared at him with his careful glare and finally sighed.

"Do tell me, how do you know? From where you are standing, you cannot read what I write."

"That is true Professor… I mean, I don't know how, but the thought just… came to my mind."

"How?"

"Thinking," replied Harry.

"No, how? What were you looking at?"

"Y-you sir," replied Harry.

"Where? My torso, my eyes, where?" he drawled.

"…I think I just focused solely on you, not really looking at anything else…" he replied, frowning. Again, Severus didn't say anything else but stare at Harry. Harry sat there defiantly; he wasn't about to let the whole day of people staring at him and let this one push his button to explode.

"Potter, I think we best to start practicing the art of discreet, this is what Dark Lord uses most of the time to know if his followers are telling the truth or not."

Harry felt elated, they were finally moving on something more precise. He nodded, excited by the fact he could finally find out who is lying and who is not, particularly, Malfoy.

"It appears that you have already begun the first step towards that branch Potter. You only focus on the person and only. Tell me, what did you think when you found that thought?"

"Well, I… I had wanted to know what you were writing about, since you weren't grading papers…" replied Harry slowly.

"Mm, unusual, Dark Lord doesn't do that, he just knew when they report him…" drawled Professor Snape. "Perhaps, you just needed something to poke with and not just know. So, Potter, you are still quite the beginner, nevertheless, on your way. Now, tell me if I am telling the truth or not. Tomorrow I will assign everyone in your Potions class in writing an essay on properties of Hellabore, knot grass, and Pine dew."

While he was saying the 'phrase', he began to focus on Professor Snape and only him with the thought of 'Is he telling the truth about the essay? Do we have to write that?' But after Severus stopped talking for good two minutes and Harry gave up.

"I don't know sir," said Harry.

"Tsk, Potter, you are forcing yourself," drawled Severus. Harry realized that he had been forcing himself to think if he is telling the truth or not. "Let's try this again shall we?" he said silkily. Harry nodded, allowing himself to relax a bit. "Next Monday, we will be working on Unmaleficus potion."

Again, Harry focused on Severus solely, and with a lax question in mind. 'Mmm, is he telling the truth? …Yes, he is telling the truth, there is that flying thought. Something about planning?' A grin started to play on his lips.

"You're telling the truth," said Harry, but Severus sighed and shook his head. "What, but you 'thought' of going to plan that!"

"No Potter, one of the things you need to keep in mind. Our thoughts are not something to be read, they are freely, continuous thinking. You simply cannot strip lies from truths the first thing that comes across your mind. Unless, of course, when you are much more skilled."

"So you're saying that I should process more time?" asked Harry.

"Do you need me to repeat? Of course you do," replied Severus dryly. Harry tried not to let that to his head, he was not having a good day as it is, but increasingly losing his control with Severus. "We try again Potter," drawled Severus.

'Here it goes… more time he says… well fine,' thought Harry.

"This Friday, I will be assigning your class with a different partners," said Professor Snape.

'What, is he implying that Malfoy could be my partner!? Is he telling the truth, this can't be… wait, there's… oh no, so it is true, we are going to be partners this week,' Harry stared at Professor Snape, half in horror but in surprise. Why would Severus Snape put him with Malfoy?

"Y-you're partnering me with Malfoy aren't you?"

"Very good," he replied with a semi-sadistic grin. Harry shrank back slightly but still standing defiantly. "You finally achieved what we have been trying to do. Tell me, how did you work through this one?"

"Well, when I started thinking that it can't be true that you're implying me and Malfoy as partners for Potion this Friday. I later discovered in some parts of your mind, you're telling the truth…"

"Now you have gone on to the next step, I think that will be all for this evening, good night," he dismissed Harry back to Gryffindor tower.

'Well, now I have some idea of what do to next… oh that reminds me, training this Saturday with Malfoy. Well, partnering with him this Friday can't be too bad, can it?' thought Harry as he gave Fat Lady the password and entered the common room. He blinked several times; the room was back to their original color.

"What the…"

"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, running up to him. "I almost have it figured out, but I don't know why this is happening…" frowned Hermione.

"What is it?" asked Harry.

"Well, Mark Evans have cast the charm we were practicing and this room, well, as you can see…."

"What, but…" He wasn't sure what to think. He had thought Mark was a bit powerful.

"Also Harry, we tried having Mark cast the Black Area charm…."

"And?" prompted Harry.

"It only covers fifteen square feet. I have had several first years cast their magic, but most were either unable to pronounce the words correctly or too advanced. So I had them try the counter charm… I got some positive results."

"Really?"

"Yes, most of the dormitories are back to normal, only separately by different people. I don't know what to conclude from all of this Harry."

"Didn't you say that most were unable to do Dark Area charm? Who else did it?"

"Durand, he cast a considerably larger area than Mark did, forty square feet, but when he tried to make it go back to normal… he didn't do much."

"Wait, I think I'm seeing some sort of a pattern here, hey Durand!"

"What pattern? I haven't saw any patterns…."

"Yes?" asked Durand, in front of Harry.

"How well are you doing in charms? Transfiguration? Defense Against the Dark Arts?" asked Harry. "What I mean, is how well you are performing magic."

"Oh, well, I'm usually the one who gets the spells right the first or second time…."

"I see… well that would make sense then," muttered Harry.

"Why?" asked Durand and Hermione, curious.

"Well, you know that he cast the Black Area charm quite well didn't he?"

"Yes he did," replied Hermione, impatient for him to get to the point.

"Well, he couldn't return that to normal right? I'm sure he had to perform the test counter charm twice, right?"

"Four times," muttered Durand, disappointed.

"Don't be disappointed, I think I know why that happens."

"Why?"

"Don't you see it Hermione? The weaker that a wizard or witch has for magic, the bigger the counter charm gets. I could only do a small thread, yet I made half this Earth cloaked in darkness." Hermione's face lighten up, with some new understanding.

"Of course! This all make so much more sense!"

"Yeah, but I don't know, maybe we could strengthen the words or the wand movements, so that more area could be covered? I mean, I'm sure that I would like to cover more area than just a thread…."

"Perhaps you are right, 'Return to normal' sounds a bit weak. I'll go look something up," said Hermione.

"Thanks Durand, you can go back what you were doing," said Harry, walking towards Ron and the others.

"Anytime!" Durand, going back to his circle of friends, assuming that he was discussing the conversation he had with the famous Harry Potter. Harry stopped in front of Ron.

"Hey mate," said Ron, chewing on sugar quill.

"Hey Ron," said Harry, sitting down.

"How was um, your remedial potions?" asked Hermione carefully.

"Different than usual, I'm actually advancing to do that in discreet. I will know who is trustworthy and who is not in time. Though it will take time," said Harry.

"Oh, well that's good isn't it?" asked Hermione nonchalantly.

"Yeah, I'll find out what Malfoy wants this Saturday…."

"You can't mean to actually train with him!" exclaimed Ron.

"I intend to," said Harry dully. "What other option do I have? I do not think none of you are willing to cast…" he looked around for eavesdroppers and leaned in. "The Unforgivables now would you?"

"Well, if it means that you will get better in your defenses then yes I would. Honestly Harry, I don't think Malfoy's up to any good," said Hermione.

"Really? I didn't think you would," remarked Harry. He didn't think any of his friends would chance in hurting him on purpose while trying to make himself tougher and withstand more. He remembered the spell that he cast on Malfoy last year, the last day before he had to go to that place, the Light Curse. He wondered freely that if he was able to cast the spell but shrugged it off.

"I would for the sake of my friends," said Hermione determinedly.

"Hermione, I really thank you for that, but I think my truce with Malfoy sort of… lighten things up."

"Harry please, consider us," pleaded Hermione. Harry sighed in annoyance and stood up.

"Hermione, I will ask for you when Malfoy is unable to train or whatever. Please Hermione, Malfoy will think I'm, I'm some kind of a coward. But I'm not!"

"Oh I see, so you had to prove yourself to Malfoy then?" sniffed Hermione stiffly.

"Well, something like that," replied Harry slowly. Hermione groaned, throwing her hands up in the air.

"But mate, why Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"Because, another thing to consider with training, not to insult or anything, but he knows his stuff. He has… experience that I do not want to even think how he did it. But he has it," said Harry.

"Then that is the proof we need, he's up to no good," said Hermione.

"That he could still be a sadistic Slytherin and ignore any truce that we have?" Hermione, Ron and Ginny nodded nervously. "Guys, I appreciate this, but by this weekend, I'll know for sure of his true intentions. If he's still that slimy, arrogant, little shit that we all know, or used to know, then I'll turn down his offer. Hermione, I know when the next good time to do that so don't worry."

"How do you know, did you two all ready plan to meet tonight or what?" said Ron irritatedly.

"No Ron, it's the information I got from Professor Snape in remedial potions today. We — er, that is to say, we are partnering up this Friday. He's assigning partners on that day."

Ron and Hermione groaned at this, they just knew that Snape could pair everyone in Gryffindor/Slytherin partners.

"I hope I don't get that Pansy, she's enough trouble as it is," she said, rubbing her temples.

"Why?" inquired Harry. She usually never complains this much about Pansy.

"Most days, when I try to go to the bathroom," she hesitated, "she keeps insulting me and hexing me."

"What? Why didn't we know this?" asked Harry angrily, standing up. "Knowing you, you should be reporting this to a professor," he saw her fidgeting with her fingers. "What, did she threaten you with something?" Silence, "Hermione, please tell me."

"She threatens to — to hand you over to the Death Eaters!" Harry heaved a sigh; at least it was a death threat.

"Hermione, do you think I won't give in without a fight?"

"Well — no but Harry…" trembled Hermione.

"How long have this been going on for?" asked Harry, he couldn't believe that how well she masked her face while dealing with that pugly-Pansy.

"Since mid-September… when you got that letter from Voldemort. I was so scared Harry, I didn't want to chance and tell a Professor."

"Hermione, do you really think she can land her hands on you when you tell a professor, perhaps one in the Order?"

"…"

"Hermione, I thought you knew better, but I guess you didn't, I'm telling now," said Harry, making his way toward the portrait.

"No Harry!" said Hermione, refusing.

"I can think of many ways to hex you without hurting you and none of the kids here won't be able to turn you back to normal if you don't let me through," Hermione whimpered slightly, taking a step back. "Hermione, this isn't you, I really thought that if anything like this happens, you would have told someone straight away. No wonder why you have been complaining about her lately."

"Was it that obvious?" asked Hermione quietly.

"Of course, now that I think about it," replied Harry. "I promise, nothing bad will happen after I report this, maybe you should come too."

"I — I — oh fine," sighed Hermione and followed Harry out of the room. Granted, it was past curfew, but most Professors here will be understandable about this situation. Scratch that, everyone would be. He decided to head straight for the staff room. Hermione frowned in confusion but didn't say anything, which Harry was grateful.

"Tea time," said Harry and entered the staff room, followed by somewhat stunned Hermione.

"Potter, what brings you here tonight?" asked Professor McGonagall, Harry could clearly see that it was faculty meeting time.

"Sorry Professors, but can I interrupt the meeting for a few? Hermione just told me something, go on," said Harry, slightly pushing her in front of him.

"Harry no!" hissed Hermione, while getting a bit red in the face.

"If you don't want to do it, then I can do this for you," hissed Harry back.

"Oh all right, I'll tell," whispered Hermione. "Um, well, this has been going on since mid-September, a-after Harry got the letter from Voldemort…" Harry looked around at the staff members and saw some he didn't even recognize, and after attending nearly six years at Hogwarts, he was surprised. But assumed that one taught Ancient Runs, and some would be teaching Muggle studies. Even Trelawney was here today which Harry found surprising. He looked around the room, and recognized some faces, as some were Professors Conan, Sinistra, Srycry, Snape and others.

"Pansy, she, well, whenever we are in the bathrooms, which is like almost every two days or so. She — she would…" Harry sensed that she needed some bit of help continuing her talk.

"She would threaten her, insult her and hex her. And I never saw any of this, she just admitted this to me not a moment ago."

"Y-yes well," said Hermione, exhaling some excess air. "She threatened that she would hand Harry to the Death Eaters…."

"And you believe this?" drawled Professor Snape.

"Yes," replied Hermione meekly.

"Foolish girl, I never heard such talks from my… fellow friends about using their children to get Harry Potter to them."

"But you don't understand!" said Hermione, tears brimming at the edge of her eyes.

"Then make me understand," said Snape simply.

"The way she said when she threatens, she really means them. Professor, you just had to be there to understand…."

"Perhaps we can," said Professor Snape, looking over to Professor McGonagall who stared at Hermione sternly.

"Sir?" inquired Hermione, confused.

"If, with permission, I can either use Legillimency, or Pensieve. Either way, it's the same thing," said Professor Snape. Harry stared at him, he was actually going to see how Pansy acted, and with permission! He saw that Professor McGonagall shifted greatly, something that Harry sensed that she didn't really expect this, as did most of the professors.

"Well, Ms. Granger?" asked Professor McGonagall, looking over her oval glasses.

"If it means that I will prove myself r-right, then I will use the Pensieve. I… I heard how tiring that a Legillimency can be. I prefer Pensieve method…."

"Very well," drawled Professor Snape, standing up and walked to the end of the room and reached for something. He came back with the familiar looking bowl and put that in front of her. "Take your wand out and put it to your temple, or do you not need my instructions for performing this?"

"I — I read about it, thank you," said Hermione, pulling a certain memory silvery strand out of her temple and placed it in the bowl. Professor Snape tapped the bowl and drew out the figure, which Harry recognized as Pansy.

"Granger! Stop coming here and tainting with your blood, we don't need you to come here!" Another voice spoke, which Harry assumed Hermione's.

"I have as much right to be here as you do Pansy, so shut your foul mouth of yours and leave me in peace or I'll tell the Professors!"

"Oh-ho, scared aren't we? Well, let me tell you on a secret. Anything that you try and sabotage me or Malfoy or any of us Slytherins, you will never see Harry Potter before sunset tomorrow! Oh yes, I have ways of telling my mother and father about the sweet little old you Granger, Lacrimosus!" Immediately, they heard her crying which lasted about four minutes or less. Harry realized she didn't have that much to cry about, then again, it could have been the Power-joint charm.

"Is that-" Harry began, but he received hushing noises and remained quiet in annoyance. 'Is that where Hermione learned that spell?'

"Poor little ugly mudblood girl, crying," sneered Pansy. "If you try and tell to one of our precious professors, you will regret it!" With that, she left the bathroom and the figure went back down to the bottom of basin. Harry saw Hermione crying quietly. Harry sighed, and draped an arm around Hermione. He realized he had been doing that for girls lately and exhaled again.

"Well, that concludes everything, she could be putting on an act," said Professor Snape. Harry's eyes snapped at him angrily. Didn't he take this seriously? It seemed threatening enough! "However, we will put more security on Ms. Granger."

Harry sighed of relief; at least he was doing something about it. He half hugged Hermione whose face had buried into his cloths. He should have known, she was humiliated.

"Hermione, it's okay," said Harry quietly. "Things will be better without Pansy. Perhaps you can start using the Prefects bathroom?"

"…" The room fell silent.

'Shit, they know that I shouldn't have known about Prefect's bathroom!' Harry cursed himself for that small slip. Hermione looked up at him, questioning look in her eyes.

"How did you know about the Prefect's bathroom?" asked Professor McGonagall sharply. He sighed, he should have known that this sort of thing are well kept secret. He remembered how he had told Cedric about the dragons and him returning the favor. By telling him to take a bath with the egg in Prefect's bathroom.

"Well?" drawled Professor Snape.

"I have known si-since my fourth year," fidgeted Harry. He was not sure what everyone was to handle this piece of new knowledge.

"And?" prompted Hermione. Harry groaned, and sat down in the chair, burying his face into his hands.

"You want to know every single part of my life or what?" asked Harry exasperatedly. How was he supposed to have any secrets of his own? But no, he couldn't, with the stupid title, 'The-Boy-Who-Lived

"Potter, tell us or I will take off points for not being honest."

"Fine, I'll tell you, you know how Professor Moody was the imposter right? Well, anyways, I gave a tip off to Cedric that we would have dragons for the first task," he said while looking at Hagrid nervously who also tensed somewhat.

"How did you know this Potter? Where does this lead to?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Ah — well, see, H-Hagrid helped…" said Harry slowly.

"Rebeus Hagrid! I cannot believe what you have done!" reprimanded McGonagall. Hagrid fidgeted still, looking around the room. "However, please continue."

"So because of that, I've had a hard time trying to figure out what the egg means or anything. It wasn't until sometime in mid-January, Professor Moody told me that he told Cedric how he had to repay me. So, he told me how I figure the egg out and that I could use the Prefect's bathroom…."

"I see…" said Professor McGonagall. "Well, that explains how you know about Prefect's bathroom. Please do not spread this knowledge to others."

"Believe me, I haven't," said Harry tiredly.

"Well, we'll increase our security measures on you five, I don't think we would want to risk the Weasleys and Evans as well do we?"

"No ma'am, thanks, so are we allowed to go?"

"Yes, and I daresay you are way past curfew time, so here's a note for pardoning you when Filch sees you," said Professor McGonagall, writing a short note for them. Harry took the note and good nights were exchanged and on their way back to Gryffindor tower.

"See Hermione, it wasn't all that bad was it?" said Harry lightly.

"You're right, I don't understand why I had to suffer because of that bitch…"

"Well, best to move on I guess," said Harry.