CHAPTER TWO: THE BRINGER OF COMFORT & PEACE
"I'm dreadfully sorry, Albus," Mrs. Weasley pardoned. "They found out their O.W.L. results and then ran off. They've been gone for about an hour."
"That is perfectly alright," Albus Dumbledore said smiling. "They were pleased with their results I take it?"
"Oh yes! Well, they didn't show me, they left before they could but I mean they left their letters on the table-"
"Of course, they must have done so on purpose so that you could look," Dumbledore said his eyes sparkling.
Mrs. Weasley smiled, "Yes, they must of. Did you know about Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts mark?"
"I was informed – ah, thank you Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said as Ginny handed him a cup of hot chocolate.
"His parents would've been so proud," Mrs. Weasley said thoughtfully.
"Sirius would've been proud," Ginny said quietly.
Dumbledore smiled up at her from where he was sitting in the Weasley kitchen, "Yes, he would have been very proud."
"That sounds like them now," Mrs. Weasley said, looking out the kitchen windows. And sure enough, Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking toward the house, brooms under their arms.
"Molly, I would like to talk to Harry privately, if that would be alright with you?" Dumbledore said.
"Yes, yes, go into the lounge; is everything alright Albus?"
"Hopefully," Dumbledore said as he stood up, hot chocolate in his hands, and headed for the lounge quietly.
The kitchen door was thrown open and Ron's voice immediately filled the room.
"I can't wait to have tryouts for Quidditch! We can be really cruel and make them do all ... fun stuff," Ron finished quickly at the look on Hermione's face. "Ah ... Katie got captain right?"
"I'd imagine," Harry said.
"We'll have quite a good team. We only need another chaser, don't we? I mean - you as seeker of course, Katie and Ginny as Chasers, and the fourth year boys as beaters,"
"Fifth years now," Harry said.
"Whatever," Ron said waving his hands briskly.
"Ron, take Hermione up the stairs to your room. She needs to borrow Pigwidgen to write to her parents," Mrs. Weasley bustled in. "Harry dear, go into the lounge there's someone here to see you."
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Stairs!"
Ron and Hermione trudged off trying to peek into the lounge to see who was there.
"Go on, Harry, he's waiting," Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry put his broom against the normal house brooms and walked into the lounge to see his school Headmaster smiling up at him.
Harry had not spoken to Dumbledore since the night Sirius fell behind the veil, and as he looked at the old man and remembered everything that happened that night, Harry's stomach fell and he was vaguely aware of his body becoming rigid. He felt a sudden need to cry and that would not be good for his manhood.
In fact, he was having trouble standing up and was beginning to worry what would happen when Dumbledore started asking him questions.
Dumbledore gestured to the sofa opposite him for Harry to sit down. Harry did not move. He could not. Dumbledore, seeming to sense the cause to Harry's immobility, looked away whilst Harry tried to compose himself. Dumbledore immersed his own wish to pull the young man into a consoling hug.
After a few minutes of Dumbledore sipping his hot chocolate and Harry standing still as a statue, Harry finally moved towards the sofa and, surprising himself, nearly started laughing at the thought of one of the Weasley's walking into the lounge to see such a sight as what they must've been moments before. A serene old man, and a fretful boy. It would have been like a renaissance painting.
Dumbledore placed his empty mug on the worn, old, coffee table and looked up at Harry, "How have you been Harry?"
"Umm ... okay," was Harry's untruthful response.
"Really?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry shook his head.
"I understand. It will take time. In truth, you may never be or feel the same again. With the loss of Sirius and the latest revelation, I would be lying if I said your distress surprises me. But do not be discouraged, for change - no matter how terrible it may seem now - is not always ghastly."
"I don't know that anything good can come of Sirius not being here," Harry whispered. "But anyway, are you here cause Fred and George took me from the Dursley's?"
"In part, but let's get to that later, Harry. Am I to believe congratulations are in order?" Dumbledore said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, I guess ... six O.W.L's is alright. I never thought I'd do that well."
"Well what subjects have you chosen for next year then?"
"Oh ... well I think I'll probably do ADADA, DADA, Charms, Transfiguration and Potions."
"Potions? Professor Snape shall be pleased."
Harry scoffed, "I think they might've mucked my marks up with someone else's or something."
Dumbledore laughed, "I can assure that is not so, you must have worked hard in those last few weeks."
Harry nodded and as he thought about it, realised it was true. He hadn't bothered spending too much time on Defense Against the Dark Arts as he knew he would be alright in that subject. And he had no interest in continuing Divination and so did not study for that an awful lot either. Besides, the Divination examination involved finding information, sorting it, and then stating why it was rubbish. As Harry was a natural skeptic in this particular area of magic, he had pulled through it without the extra study anyway. And also, he had been so keen to prove Snape wrong that he had engrossed himself in hour upon hour of Potions notes.
"What about Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley?"
"Ron's doing ADADA, DADA, Charms, Divination and Transfiguration. Hermione's doing ADADA, DADA, Transfiguration, Arithmancy and Charms. So I'm gonna be by myself in Potions. It's Ron's fault, he wanted Hermione to do Charms with him, and he tried to get me to choose Divination over Potions. Like that was going to happen," Harry laughed. "I mean at least Potions will have a future even if Sna - ah, Hermione said that the top five students from each house are chosen for ADADA based on the O.W.L. results from the DADA exam."
"That is true," Dumbledore nodded.
"But what if all the Gryffindors do better than all the Hufflepuffs or something?"
"Sometimes students who have shown more ability than others are not accepted into Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts as their house spots are already full, but it is normally only one or two students, and we have never had too much trouble. We like to have the same amount of students learning the same potent spells to balance out the power. I'm sure you know what I mean."
"Yeah ... I 'spose."
"How was your stay at the Dursley's?" Dumbledore asked changing the subject.
"Awful as always. But - oh no I forgot!" Harry remembered the envelope that the strange muggle had given him. "I can't believe I forgot! Professor wait here for a second, I've got to show you something!"
In all the mayhem and excitement of coming back to The Burrow and receiving his O.W.L's, Harry had forgotten about the odd envelope and silently cursed himself for doing do. It is not everyday that muggles get a hold of wizarding information. He raced quickly upstairs and slowed down as he reached Ron's bedroom and as he opened the door he nearly shouted in surprise.
Ron and Hermione were standing by the window.
And they were not looking at the sky.
At the sound of the door hitting the other side of the wall, Ron and Hermione quickly broke apart and each, in turn, went bright red.
"Umm ... we ... you in lounge ... Hermione ... I ... kiss ... BOLLOCKS!" Ron stuttered.
"I just have to get something out of my trunk," Harry said, not looking his two best friends in the eye. He quickly pulled the envelope out hastily and left the room.
As Harry closed the door behind himself, he couldn't help but say it out loud, "About time."
"Well Harry, you definitely did the right thing in not opening it. It is surrounded by hexes and curses so that only the intended recipient could read it," Dumbledore said.
"Well that's bad, now we won't know what's inside," Harry replied.
"I'm sure Professor Flitwick will get to the bottom of it. Harry, have you told anyone?"
"No," Harry said. "I didn't think it would be a smart idea to start telling stories of a muggle coming to the Dursley's and giving me an envelope with the Dark Mark on it."
"A good premise, Harry. Although, there is still the question of who this muggle was."
"I don't know - all I remember is my uncle complaining about some Research Centre in Sussex, I can't remember what it was called."
Dumbledore looked up at Harry in surprise as he mentioned the Research Centre, but quickly hid it before his young companion caught on. "Very well, Harry. You did the right thing."
"That's okay," Harry said. "Umm ... Professor, would it be okay if I, well if I was sort of told what's in there. Cause it was given to me."
"We'll see, Harry," Dumbledore said. "I don't see why not now, but I can't promise anything."
"Oh, that's okay."
Harry was hoping that he would be given more information about the Order - particularly from Dumbledore - this year. Being left in the dark had not helped Harry in the past and he doubted it would now.
"Harry," Dumbledore continued. "There is now, the rather unfortunate issue which you brought up at the beginning of our meeting to discuss."
"About Fred and George coming to get me?"
"Yes, Harry. Whilst I have no doubt the Weasley's would love to have you stay here. It is not safe, not for you and not for them."
"I thought you might say that," Harry said.
And indeed he had. The reason, after all, that Harry had to go the Dursley's every year was because it was the only place, aside from Hogwarts, where Harry was safe from Voldemort. Harry had been slightly apprehensive about bringing this danger to the Weasley's who had always been so good to him.
"Harry, you cannot stay here."
"Yep, thought you'd say that too."
Dumbledore smiled at him and continued from a different angle. "Your godfather was no simpleton Harry; he knew the dangers of being in the Order of the Phoenix. So he, like all other members, had all his affairs set in order the moment he was recruited."
Harry looked at Dumbledore unsurely; he didn't like talking about Sirius that much. It was still too soon.
"In short, Harry," Dumbledore continued. "Sirius has left everything he owned to you. And what Sirius owned was quite liberal. The Black fortune and all its assets have been left to you and that includes Grimmauld Place."
"He left everything ... to me?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore smiled again, "You were the most important person in his life, Harry. Who else would he leave it to?"
Harry couldn't believe it. The Black's were one of the most prosperous wizarding families. Harry had heard Sirius talk of all the money roaming around Gringotts that belonged to him by inheritance or investments and the like.
Harry also felt some relief, as he had expected the Malfoys, via Narcissa Malfoy, Sirius's cousin, to inherit Sirius's things. Harry doubted that he would have been able to stomach that.
"Harry, it would be best if you went to Grimmauld Place. It is much more secure there," Dumbledore said.
"And safer for the Weasley's," Harry said a little acrimoniously. "Is the Order still using it?"
"Yes, we are."
"Okay, I guess it would be alright. I mean, I can't stay here, you're right it's not safe."
"Good Harry, no doubt the Weasleys will want to join you anyway."
"Of course we will!" Fred said jumping out from behind the doorway.
Harry lightened a bit at this, he hated being away from Ron and Hermione - despite all his efforts, he had come to rely on them.
"That is," George added appearing next to his twin. "If you'll have us Master Potter who is the Master of Grimmauld Place and practically the new Master Black making him one fairly powerful Master."
"We'll come too!" Ron appeared with Hermione behind George.
"Well in that case," Fred said. "I think I'll pass."
Daniel Buoy was on a plane leaving Heathrow Airport. He was off to Munich, Germany and was hoping he was not being followed. His wife was asleep against the window and he had his little girl in his arms. He listened to her steady breathing and thanked Delilah one more time for saving his life. He added a silent prayer that her latest prophecy was coming true, and that it no longer required him. She would be murderous if it was not.
Daniel looked over to the other side of the cabin and saw a small mouse like man with grey watery eyes. He was giving him a wicked smile. Daniel quickly looked away and glanced at his watch impatiently. He hated planes.
On Harry's fourth day at Grimmauld Place, Arthur Weasley came home from the ministry with an official looking letter for him.
The family was having a late dinner after spending most of the day cleaning up the house. Mrs. Weasley had gone to Diagon Alley with Bill to get all their school books. On their return a rather awkward moment had ensued when Bill gave Harry a duffel bag that had a featherweight charm on it full of sparkling, gold Galleons. Harry had looked at him in shock, "I don't need this much Bill! I need to make my parents money last!" Bill shook his head and gave a small laugh. "That's not from your parents vault Harry, that's from the Black vault. And believe me, you couldn't even tell I'd been there."
All the Weasley's stood there quietly and said nothing. Harry felt he couldn't cut a knife through the air it was so thick with tension. Harry would love to give the Weasley's all the money in the Black vault – but he knew they would not accept.
"The Youth Division has ordered a meeting with you Harry. They need to talk about your guardianship now that Sirius … is no longer with us," said Mr. Weasley, sitting down at the large dining table as Mrs. Weasley piled his plate with roast potatoes.
"What?" asked Harry. "A guardian?"
"Here, read this," Mr. Weasley handed the letter over to Harry.
Harry opened up the envelope and read out loud.
"From the desk of Ms. Jaime Kate Ireland, Head of the Youth Division
It has come to the Youth Division of the Ministry of Magic's attention that Mr. Harry James Potter is no longer in possession of a guardian due to the death of Mr. Sirius Phineas Black who had held guardianship over one Mr. Potter from 1981-1996 (June).
We would like to take this opportunity to say that the Youth Division's attempt to remove guardianship of Mr. Potter from Mr. Black in January, 1983 was foiled by Albus Dumbledore who insisted Mr. Potter's guardianship and birth documents stay as they were. We at the Youth Division wish to make clear that these requests were only kept after the attempted kidnapping of one Mr. Potter in September, 1982 from his home in Surrey, England – in which, without the aid of Albus Dumbledore, would have been successful.
For these reasons, we suggest that the aforementioned, Albus Dumbledore, is made sole guardian of Mr. Potter until he comes of age. Of course, Mr. Potter will be allowed to offer his own suggestions should he wish to at the official meeting that shall take place on July 30th of this month.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jaime Kate Ireland
Head of the Youth Division"
"They make it sound like Sirius has just gone on a holiday or something," said Ginny in a small voice.
Harry swallowed the lump in his throat and looked up at Mr. Weasley, "Who tried to kidnap me? Why wasn't I told?"
Mr. Weasley let out a small, nervous laugh. "Well I mean to say, it was just a random, crazy person, I mean … you were – are - Harry Potter. When certain people found out where you were some got ideas …" Mr. Weasley looked like he was regretting giving Harry the letter without opening it himself first.
"Was Harry left to Sirius when his parents died? Is that what they meant when they talked about his birth documents?" Hermione asked curiously, cutting Harry off who was about to start a serious probing.
Harry wasn't nearly as interested in that as he was in his "attempted kidnapping" but Mr. Weasley quickly bounded into an explanation to Hermione's questions.
"Well yes. When a child is born in the wizarding world, the parents must sign a magical contract that gives them all rights and responsibilities to that child until said child becomes of age. They also must assign a person to retain guardianship should they … well …"
"Die?" Harry suggested.
"Yes. When your parents died, your birth contract changed, Sirius gained all rights and responsibilities over you. That's why the Youth Division wanted to remove Sirius from your birth certificate. A convicted murderer? Well, you know what the Ministry is like. Dumbledore convinced them to leave it all alone. Sirius was in Azkaban so he couldn't exercise his rights over you anyway."
"Well," Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "The 30th is tomorrow Harry, so you better get to bed now."
Harry groaned, "I hate the Ministry."
"We all do Harry," said Mrs. Weasley ignoring Mr. Weasley's scowl.
Harry rose from the table and Ron joined him. When they were in their room in Grimmauld Place, Harry looked at Ron queerly.
"I was kidnapped? Or attempted or whatever."
Ron laughed, "I'm not surprised. Although I never heard anything about it. I 'spose I would've been too young to remember."
"I guess. Your Dad didn't look up for a conversation about it either."
Ron shrugged, "Ask the ministry people when you have your interview. They wrote the letter so they must have no problems with you knowing about it."
"Yeah … yeah, I might do that."
"Cool. Wanna play chess before Mum comes up to check on us?"
"Yeah alright," Harry said distractedly.
"Don't worry about it Harry. Dad was probably right; just a random crazy person."
"Yeah, maybe."
Harry went to the Ministry with Mr. Weasley early in the morning. He was still half asleep as he went into the phone booth that led right into the Ministry.
"Now Harry, I spoke to Dumbledore last night and he advised you not to suggest him to be your guardian," said Mr. Weasley.
"Why not?" Harry asked, slightly affronted.
"He didn't say why. Perhaps you should ask him yourself?"
"Yeah …"
Harry went through the normal inspection from the disgruntled Ministry workers and before he knew it he found himself in front of a long table full of women and one man inside an old, worn looking board room.
"Hello dear," a blonde haired woman in pink robes said, not looking up. She looked friendly enough, but Harry got the impression that she was very busy and wished to get this over with quickly. Harry shared her sentiments.
"My name is Ms. Ireland; you received our owl yesterday, yes?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes."
"And have you any suggestions or will we appoint you a guardian?"
"It's that simple?" Harry asked, eyebrows raised.
Ms. Ireland smiled, "For you it is. It'll be a month's paper work for Hamish, eh?"
The man on the right side of Ms. Ireland grunted.
"Well … I sort of wanted to ask you something," Harry said cautiously, avoiding Mr. Weasley's eye.
"Oh yes, what would you like to know?"
Harry spoke quickly, "In that letter you sent me you said that someone tried to kidnap me-"
"Ah yes, Mr. Potter we do not know the details about that, only that it happened. You would have to speak to the Aurors Department."
"Oh," said Harry.
"So have you any suggestions?"
Harry quickly brain stormed, "Um … Lupin! Remus Lupin."
"Very well. We will let you know if it is accepted. If not then we will appoint one for you," Ms. Ireland smiled at Harry. "Have a good day dear."
Harry was led by the arm by Mr. Weasley. "Okay Harry, I'll take you back to Grimmauld Place and then I've got to go to work."
Harry spent the next few days at Grimmauld Place in relative happiness. He had an excellent birthday spent with the Weasley's and received a lot owls from his friends at Hogwarts; Dean, Seamus, Luna, Parvati and Lavender, Ernie, Katie and Susan.
There was a small glitch in the festivities though. The Weasley's were a little quiet around him when he returned from the Ministry informing them of his suggestion for Lupin to be his guardian. He hadn't understood why until Hermione took him aside, "Well Harry, they thought you'd choose them as your guardian."
Harry felt very stupid and cruel and immediately went to apologise to them. They had accepted his apology but he knew they were a little offended. Harry was down for a while then, and thought about going back to the Ministry to tell them he had changed his mind. But then Lupin showed up and was glowing at Harry's request. He knew he had made the right choice.
Another glitch was the constant Order meetings that he was not allowed to attend.
He would sit on the stairs glumly with Ginny and Ron and Hermione and sulk at their bad fortune. It was made worse by the fact that Fred and George had recently joined.
Despite Harry wishing to be in on the meetings he would quickly run off to Buckbeak's room when the meeting ended and the members would file out. He didn't want to see the faces of Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt who he knew would be full of pity over Sirius' death.
Harry also wished to avoid Snape whose mutual hatred was as vast as ever. Harry knew deep down that it wasn't Snape's fault for what had happened to Sirius, but he found it easier to blame him than Dumbledore. And if he went on a rant about Snape for long enough, he could forget that deep down, it was his fault. Despite this realisation, Harry still had a hard time looking at the Potions Master, or even thinking about him with wanting to throw something sharp and pointy.
Dumbledore had also been teaching Harry Occlumency. Harry improved after each lesson and was surprised how much easier it was when you actually liked the teacher. He began to block the spell very well and was eager to learn how to cast it, but Dumbledore said he wanted Harry to learn to block it perfectly, and be able to conjure memories that never happened and file through his memories to release certain ones to trick the caster before he would let Harry cast the spell himself. But all this left Harry extremely drained and he had trouble getting out of bed any earlier than 10.30am.
On a more positive note, with Lupin's encouragement, Harry had been talking to Ron and Hermione about his feelings and such. Harry didn't think it helped him at all, but he knew it made Ron and Hermione feel much better about their relationship with him, and so he kept it up.
As far as the house was concerned, Harry couldn't believe he owned such an old, grand, home. The paintings on the wall constantly threw suspicious looks at him, and only with the encouragement of Phineas (who had a new found respect for Harry), did the paintings stop insulting Harry and his guests.
The portrait of Sirius's mum was still an unknown quantity, but Mrs. Weasley put up a crafty silencing charm around her painting so that her screams could not be heard. The crazy woman would scream for hours before finally passing out from exhaustion, and then start up again. Although you couldn't hear her, you could see her horrific facial expressions.
Harry had quickly decided the house needed to be cleaned and redecorated. Ron and Hermione willingly offered their assistance as did Mrs. Weasley who Harry had seen eyeing the little piles of dust in the drawing room the day before.
Harry wanted to get it all finished before he went back to Hogwarts, but it wasn't looking likely. Then one night, to everyone's surprise, Dumbledore came to Grimmauld Place with Dobby the house-elf.
Dobby had been beside himself at the prospect of working for Harry and had practically begged him to become the new house-elf of Grimmauld Place. Hermione was livid. But Harry welcomed the help as the house-elf, Kreacher, had finally died of old age. No one was particularly upset about this, not even Hermione.
With Dobby's help, by the last day of the holidays, the house looked brand new. And so Harry was ready to go back to Hogwarts for what would be another eventful year, he was sure.
Harry was sitting in a carriage right at the back of the Hogwarts Express. He had gotten on the train early in order to avoid stares and probing questions.
Ron and Hermione were receiving their prefect duties and so Harry was currently sitting with fellow Gryffindors Ginny, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan.
"I really wanted to get into ADADA," Dean was saying. "You two are so lucky!"
"Gran was really proud," Neville said. "It's all thanks to you Harry, and all those DA meetings."
"You did it on your own Neville," Harry said.
"So who else is in it?" Dean asked.
"Well the Gryffindors are you two, Hermione, Ron and Parvati Patil," Seamus said. "And I know the Hufflepuffs are Ernie MacMillian, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones and Zacharias Smith. But I don't know the Ravenclaws or Slytherins."
"The Slytherins are Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, Morag MacDougal and Draco Malfoy," said Neville.
"That's gonna be fun," Harry mumbled.
Harry had seen Malfoy come onto the train and had noticed how terrible he had looked. At first Harry thought Malfoy's messy hair, the bags under his eyes, his disheveled attire was the result of his father being in Azkaban. A loss of pride. But then Harry saw his eyes and recognized the far away look; Voldemort had paid a few visits to Malfoy Manor.
Harry decided he didn't care an awful lot about any plan of destruction that Voldemort had planned through Malfoy; there were too many people in the Order on the teaching staff to get away with anything too atrocious. Or so Harry hoped.
"And the Ravenclaws are, Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, Michael Corner and Heidi Gardiner."
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher is?" Ginny asked.
"I hope it's Lupin!" Dean said.
"It's not," Harry said.
"How do you know?" Dean asked.
"He told me he can't."
"What? When?"
Luckily at that moment, Harry avoided a questioning as the compartment door was opened and Luna Lovegood poked her head in.
"Hello Harry, hello Ginny."
"Hey," Harry said and he and Ginny moved across so that she could squeeze in next to Ginny.
Harry had originally thought very little of Luna; he thought she was a bit of an idiot in truth. But by the end of last year he had warmed to her as she was one of the few people who seemed to accept Harry for what he was, and never asked too many questions.
"Look at this fantastic new article on Balstoc Bridies," Luna said, waving her father's magazine, The Quibbler, under Ginny's nose.
"Wow, um, cool," Ginny said without conviction.
"I know," Luna said, and then she looked at Harry. "Are you pleased?"
Harry looked at her strangely, "About what?"
"Are pleased that your friends, Ron and Hermione are finally going out? I mean they won't fight anymore - will they?" Everyone in the compartment gasped loudly. Harry gave her a 'how did you know' look, and Luna laughed at him, "Just then, I saw them kissing."
Harry walked into the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione close behind, holding hands. This made Ginny and Harry erupt into childish giggles until they were sitting down at the Gryffindor table.
Harry looked up at the magical roof in the hall. The sky was a clear black with stars scattered everywhere like a messy drawing board. He looked over to the teacher's table and saw Rubeus Hagrid give him an energetic wave which caused his drink to spill onto Professor McGonagall. Harry laughed silently and waved back. The familiarity of it all was calming for Harry and he let out a sigh of relief. He was home.
His eyes then fell on Dumbledore who was in deep conversation with tiny Professor Flitwick. Harry wondered if they were talking about the envelope he had received from the muggle.
Harry's eyes continued to roam until they fell on Snape. Harry had not expected the scene in front of him. Normally the first feast for the year had Snape throwing disgusted, evil looks at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. However, Snape was in an animated conversation with one who could only be the new DADA teacher as Harry did not recognise her.
"Look at the woman Snape's talking too," Harry said nudging Ron who was sitting next to him.
Ron turned to the staff table, "Whoa! DADA's gonna be good this year!"
Harry rolled his eyes and looked back at the new professor. She had long thick, auto black hair, she was very pale, and had a little button nose. Her eyes were black as black, and Harry noted that she couldn't be more than 27 years old. She was very attractive and had an inner confident, intelligent look about her. She looked strangely familiar to Harry, but he was pulled out of his thoughts by the arrival of some very frightened looking first years.
As the first years were being sorted, Harry looked back at the woman who was still talking to Snape, though in whispers now. And then something happened Harry had not thought possible. Snape laughed. A real laugh that reached his beady, black eyes. Harry was in shock, and evidently, he wasn't the only one to notice, as there were a few collective gasps around the hall.
Harry's attention was then drawn to Dumbledore who had risen out of his chair to address his students. As he gave the usual warnings, Harry took yet another look at the woman who had had the power to make Snape laugh. She looked so familiar to Harry. And then it clicked.
He didn't need Dumbledore asking her to stand and offer an introduction.
He didn't need the sharp jab in his ribs from Ron.
He didn't need the sneering stare from the potions master.
There was another Snape at Hogwarts. Severus Snape had a sister.
Harry woke the next morning with a start. He had been in a deep sleep, and as usual he was dreaming about Sirius and Cedric Diggory. Only this one was much more pleasant than normal - though still slightly irregular.
He had been at Grimmauld Place celebrating Christmas. Sirius was dressed in Hogwarts school robes and passing around Black Pudding on a stick whilst laughing his loud bark-like laugh. Harry was walking around in his wake, clenching the back of his robes like a little child at the supermarket. Cedric was sitting with Hermione playing with a muggle Gameboy and talking about Cho Chang. Harry was very curious about what Diggory was saying but didn't want to let go of Sirius. Sirius turned to look down at him and smiled, encouraging him to go and sit with Cedric and Hermione, Harry shook his head resolutely, not wanting to let go. Before Sirius could make another response Harry was jerked awake.
"Harry? Harry! HARRY!" Ron shouted.
"Christ, Ron I'm awake!" said Harry groggily.
"Well hurry up then, we'll be late for breakfast."
Harry literally rolled out of bed and slowly pulled out his trunk from his place on the floor. He rummaged around for his robes and at a snail's pace put them on.
By the time Harry had come down from the dormitory Ron and Hermione were standing there looking very perturbed.
"Sorry," Harry muttered. "You didn't have to wait."
"I told you!" said Ron. Hermione glared.
They climbed out of the portrait hole and headed down to the Great Hall which was packed full of students. Ron practically sprinted to the Gryffindor table and started shoving food enthusiastically into his mouth before Hermione and Harry had even joined him.
"'Ere are your timetables lads," Seamus said. "McGonagall gave 'em to me."
"Phakus Sayheymus," Ron said mouth full of scrambled egg.
"Well gee, Ron don't talk with your mouth half full," Hermione scowled. "Fill it right up."
"Not too bad," Harry said examining his timetable. "Double Snape though."
"What?" asked Hermione.
"I've got Potions first and ADADA last. Double Snape."
"What are we gonna call her?" Ron asked in between swallows.
"Call who?" Seamus asked.
"Schnpez zistre," Ron said, mouth full again.
"Snape's sister? We'll call her Professor Snape of course," said Hermione surprising everyone with her ability to understand Ron's gibberish.
"Won't that get confusing?"
"Only for you, Weasel," a familiar drawl broke through the air.
All those at the Gryffindor table sat very quietly and watched with curious eyes at the scene in front of them. They had been waiting for the first confrontation between the illustrious house rivals, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. It had come sooner than they had anticipated. But Harry was about to crush their hopes, he wasn't in the mood for a fight this early in the morning and so looked up at Malfoy with spurn in hope to get rid of him swiftly.
"Have a good summer, Malfoy?" asked Harry. "No visitors? Intruders ... distinguished guests ... lords?"
Malfoy caught on quickly and went white with trepidation. "Just wait Potter," Malfoy spat out viciously. "Things are changing around here."
"We noticed," Ron said absent-mindedly looking at Snape's sister.
Malfoy regained his usual supercilious air as he followed Ron's eyes. "Yes, Salima, best choice that muggle-lover has made in quite a while. Bye then." Malfoy raised his eyebrows pointedly up at them before strolling off out the hall.
"That's odd," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"What? Malfoy being an impotent dic-" asked Ron.
"No!" Hermione snapped. "Crabbe and Goyle aren't here."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry.
"Well they weren't on the train, I was patrolling remember. I didn't see either if them. And they're not at the Slytherin table, look."
Harry's eyes roamed over the Slytherin table and he saw that Hermione was right. The large figures of Crabbe and Goyle were no where to be found.
"Malfoy's looking a bit peaky too," Hermione observed.
"Oh that'd be right!" Ron said out of the blue.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"You heard Malfoy; he said Snape's sister's name was Sabrina- Selena-"
'Salima," said Harry.
"Yeah, Salima. You know what that means don't you?" Ron said thickly between bites. "It means Malfoy knows her which means Malfoy's gonna be another teacher's pet. Impotent dic-"
"Ron!"
Harry laughed at Ron's histrionics before grabbing his bag and heading off to class with Dean - the only other Gryffindor doing Potions.
"I've got a feeling this class is gonna be a real bastard, Harry," Dean said as they approached the dungeons where Potions took place.
"Why?" Harry laughed.
"Well we're gonna be the only Gryffindors, so he'll have no one to pick on but us."
"Nah ... he doesn't like Hufflepuffs either," said Harry.
"Well then," Dean said sarcastically as they entered the classroom, "Things'll be just bloody peachy then, eh?"
Harry laughed and walked over to the desk at the far left corner with Dean.
He started pulling his pewter cauldron (which was allowed to be bigger now he was doing N.E.W.T's) out but stopped abruptly as he looked at the rest of the class.
There were quite a few people staring at him in shock. On closer inspection Harry saw it was actually the Slytherins (which made up a good fifty percent of the class) that were the gazers. He wondered why until a pug faced Slytherin girl voiced her shock;
"How the hell did you get into this class, Potter?" Pansy Parkinson asked.
Harry smiled in respite at something so trivial. "I've been asking myself the same question."
Before any more conversation could take place, Snape came storming through the door, "Quiet now, thank you." Snape said coldly.
"Sit," he ordered as he stood behind his desk at the front of class.
Everyone sat down quickly and quietly. They had been at Hogwarts for six years now and knew Snape was not a man to be trifled with.
"Welcome to NEWT Level Potions," he began in a bored sort of tone. "You are here because you either, one; are an exceptional potion maker, or two; (and one, I favor, suits many of you more than the former) fluked the examination.
"Either way, here we are. You should know that you will receive homework every night and will be making potions every lesson. If you fail to prepare or perform for either of these tasks sufficiently you will find yourself out of my class. I offer my warning now to not test me on this."
Harry gulped. Although he was normally relatively organised, due to Hermione, he had been known to hand a few bits of homework in late and to a poor standard.
"Congratulations are in order," Snape then said a little more brightly, "for Mr. Malfoy who received the highest O.W.L. result in Potions this year."
Malfoy smirked in superiority and a small round of clapping went around. Dean put his finger up at Malfoy behind his back, Harry laughed appreciatively.
"Now, to your first potion for the sixth year," Snape tapped the black board with his wand and a potion called The Draught of Odium appeared. "I don't suppose any of you miscreants know what the function of this potion is?"
Ernie Macmillan's hand flew up in the air in a very Hermione-sort of fashion.
"Macmillan?" drawled Snape rolling his eyes.
"Odium means 'abhorrence' or 'hatred' more explicitly. In this potion, Opium seeds are used with other soothing flora and other concentrated substances to concoct a potion that soothes ones hatred for one specific thing, that specific thing is supplemented to the potion immediately before the drinker consumes," Ernie said proudly.
"Correct," Snape said indifferently. Harry noted that if it were a Slytherin who had answered that they would have received five house points.
"This potion, if brewed incorrectly will cause the drinker to not lose their hatred for the specific object or thing, but cause an irreversible, insatiable anger for said object. So concentrate," he added very purposefully. "You may start."
Harry shared a nervous look with Dean before collecting the ingredients on the black board and cursing himself a thousand times over for deciding to take Potions.
"So, how bad was it?" Ron asked Harry as he, Hermione and Ron entered the Charms classroom.
"Terrible," Harry said truthfully.
And indeed it had been. Snape had, of course made several snide comments about Harry's academic ability, and attempted to knock over his potion (which had been relatively accurate. That is, no worse than anyone else's). But this was an old trick and Harry was quick to catch it and placed it purposefully in the flask holder at the end of class.
Harry felt utterly miserable at having been in a room where half the class taunted him and the other half looked at him pityingly, not daring to say anything in fear of receiving similar treatment. Harry's famous temper would have come storming out in bucket loads so severe that not even a perfect Draught of Odium could satiate his fury if it wasn't for Dean; whispering under his breath to Harry all the suggestive and crude things he thought Snape and Malfoy should do together.
"Well, Divination was a cinch," Ron said triumphantly. He had been trying to make Harry feel guilty about leaving him by himself all summer.
"Well who have you got?" Harry asked trying to get Potions out of his mind. "Trelawney or Firenze?"
"Firenze," said Ron, "Thank God. Trelawney's doing the younger levels."
"What about you Hermione?" Harry asked as they sat down at a desk at the front of the classroom.
This class was made up of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Charms was a much easier subject and therefore much more popular, so two classes always ran. The Gryffindors though, Harry noted, had never been with the Ravenclaws.
"Oh!" Hermione said enthusiastically. "Arithmancy was really hard! Professor Vector gave us loads of homework! It's going to be fantastic."
Ron rolled his eyes as tiny Professor Flitwick walked into the classroom.
"Alright sixth years," Flitwick said a big smile on his face. "Who's up for a laugh?"
Harry now remembered (and cursed himself for forgetting) that Flitwick was most definitely his favorite teacher.
Bellatrix Lestrange was back in the dark room. She was, this time however, in a much better mood than the previous occasion. She walked into her Master's private quarters eagerly.
"Well?" the bodiless voice asked.
"Good news, my Lord," Bellatrix said, thankful that he had his chair turned away from her. "We have found the muggle psychiatrist; Wormtail is bringing him back as we speak."
"Good," Lord Voldemort said. Bellatrix let out a sigh of relief and was about to leave when she was called back.
"Bella, have you found the documents?" His voice was deadly calm.
"Documents, my Lord?" Bellatrix asked in a small voice, attempting to cover her failure.
Voldemort laughed cruelly and stood up to face her, "Do not play games with me Bella, I always know. I thought you would have realised that by now?"
"What-"
"The documents meant for Lucius before those damned fools at the Ministry locked him up! Have you found them?!" Voldemort's voice boomed around the room, Bellatrix was petrified.
"He-he di-didn't ha-have them! Wo-ormtail said he didn't have them!"
"No he doesn't have them!" Voldemort shouted venomously and the large snake by the fire hissed up at her. "Do you know why?!"
"N-N-No."
"The muggle doesn't have them because the cracked-old-man does!"
"How-how do y-you know?"
"How I know is irrelevant! We have but one option now!"
"I un-understand. I'll ma-make the preparations."
Bellatrix made to leave the room. But Voldemort was far too enraged to let it go. She would really feel this one.
"We're not finished yet..."
Harry was leaving Charms, laughing happily with Ron and Hermione heading down to the Great Hall for lunch when he felt it. His scar ripping his head apart. He dropped his bag and the contents spilled all over the floor. Holding his head and screaming, Harry fell to the floor in a bundle and curled up in the fetal position. He had not felt his scar hurt this bad since the night Voldemort had come back that night in the grave yard, the searing pain was making him immobile.
"Christ!" He faintly heard Ron shout. "Dean ... Seamus ... help ... hospital wing!"
Harry felt arms pull him up and carry him away as he continued to scream and twist in pain in his friend's arms. Harry was faintly aware of the stares he was receiving as they ran him off to the hospital wing.
As they dumped him on the bed and Madame Pomfrey came out the pain abruptly stopped. He was panting and sweating through his clothes.
"Sshhh! He's stopped," Hermione shouted. "Harry is it your scar?"
"Of course it's his bloody scar!"
Harry was about to respond when it started again. He threw his head back in pain and then recognised what was going on.
"Voldemort..!" Harry screamed out trying to tell them what was going on.
In the blinding pain Harry didn't see Dumbledore come hastily in followed by Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape who quickly ushered Dean, Seamus and Neville out of the hospital wing.
"Voldemort ... doing Cruciatus Curse ... ARGH!" The pain was unbearable. Harry couldn't see or hear anything. He felt the pain would never end and that he would have to live with this for the rest of his life, he wanted to die. Death had to better.
And then it stopped. Harry took a moment to catch his breath. His throat felt scratchy from all the screaming. He felt faint, "He's bloody pissed-" Harry quickly stopped himself when he saw the ensemble of teachers around him.
"But Professor!" squeaked Hermione. "His Occlumency Lessons! He shouldn't feel anything - right?"
"Yes and no. Whilst Occlumency will keep Harry out of Voldemort's head when he sleeps, he will never stop feeling his more ... potent emotions."
Madame Pomfrey rushed forward and pushed a glass in his face, "A calming draught. Drink up." Harry took the glass eagerly; he could feel his blood pumping furiously around his body.
"I suppose he has become aware of the location of the documents you gave me, Harry," suggested Dumbledore.
"Documents?" queried Ron. Harry gave him an 'I'll-tell-you-later' look.
"There is currently nothing we can do," Dumbledore said. "Professor Flitwick has not finished opening the envelope."
Madame Pomfrey put her hand over Harry's head, "You're clearing up."
"Well, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall motioning them out the door. "Off to class, Mr. Potter you may stay if you wish."
"No," said Harry quickly. He wasn't keen on spending the rest of the day locked up in the hospital wing. "I'm fine, I'll go to class."
"Suit yourself."
"Here Harry," Hermione said handing him his bag. "The bell's about to go."
"Harry," Dumbledore said. "If anything else happens, no matter how insignificant you think it is, I want you to come to me."
"Okay," Harry said, and he smiled up at the old man before gingerly walking out of the room with Ron and Hermione, clearly aware of the four sets of eyes following him.
"Are you sure you're alright?" pressed Hermione.
"Hermione, he said he was fine," said Ron, but he also looked at Harry worriedly.
"I'm fine, promise," said Harry reassuringly.
They were on the third floor, heading down the corridor to a room they had never been in before. They opened the door and walked tentatively in. There were exactly three spots left, one next to Zacharias Smith, one next to Neville and one next to Parvati Patil. Harry moved quickly for Parvati before the other two could.
Zacharias was a prat and Harry had never been fond of him. And Neville, despite obvious improvement was still a walking disaster. Hermione sat herself next to Neville and Ron was left with Zacharias. They both glared at him as Harry smirked cheekily back.
"Bloody scar my ass," Ron muttered. Harry laughed.
He looked around the classroom. It was much bigger than the others and there were full book shelves along every wall, full of novels and facts on dark creatures and difficult defensive and attacking spells. The seating was fitted in quite tightly; in fact the desks only took up a quarter of the room. There were mats at the back for practicing spells.
"I'm so happy I got into this class," Parvati looked up at Harry eagerly. "This is the only thing I'm better than Padma at - thanks heaps to you. You have to help me so I can do better than her!"
Harry was reminded of Ron's silent rivalry with his brothers and nodded his head in agreement.
"Thanks!"
"That's alright," said Harry. "Hey, do you know much about Snape's sister?"
"Padma had DADA this morning and she said she was nice enough. She doesn't look much like Snape, does she?"
Harry thought this was an inaccurate description, she looked exactly like Snape. Salima had the same eyes; there was just life behind them. The same smile, only it was bona fide. The same colour hair only looked after and obviously, much longer. Harry didn't say this though, Parvati was about to continue when the young teacher walked in.
"Good afternoon sixth years," she said, a small smile on her face.
She was dressed in dark grey robes with black pants and a simple white blouse underneath.
"Don't get out your things out just yet!" she said as people began reaching for their wands. "We're going to have a bit of seating shuffle, everyone stand and when I call your name out go to the desk I signal at please."
Everyone stood and walked to the back of the class room.
"Alright," she began pointing at the desk at the far left corner. "Neville Longbottom and Morag MacDougal." Harry threw a sympathetic look at Neville and wondered where this seating arrangement came from.
She moved on to the desk next to Neville and Morag, "Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hannah Abbott."
"Heidi Gardiner and Millicent Bulstrode on this one thank you. Susan Bones and Mandy Brocklehurst, right here girls."
She moved on to the next row, "Terry Boot and Michael Corner, far left boys. Pansy Parkinson and Padma Patil next to the boys."
"Poor Padma, Parkinson is the biggest cow," said Parvati.
"Parvati Patil and Zacharias Smith."
Parvati walked off next to Zacharias and Salima Snape moved onto the front row. Harry looked at the six people left; himself, Ron, Hermione, Ernie and the two Slytherins.
"Ronald Weasley and Blaise Zabini, front left boys." Ron muttered under his breath and threw a vicious look at the young teacher who didn't notice.
"Ernie Macmillan and Hermione Granger, front right."
Harry rolled his eyes in an 'of course' sort of fashion. "Last but not least, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, centre front."
Harry was reluctant to walk to the desk until he saw Malfoy walking without fuss, he trotted on behind him and a few people stared at the young teacher with a 'do you know what your doing' expression.
"That's gutsy Professor, they'll kill each other before the end of class," Ron said motioning towards Harry and Malfoy.
There was a quiet murmur of agreement and Harry was about to add in his two cents until he saw the look the teacher was giving Ron. Her small pleasant smile had faded and Harry now saw the uncanny resemblance the young woman had with her brother. Everyone fell quiet.
"I beg to differ. Firstly," she said very coldly. "I am not a Professor and have no desire to become one. Far too much study involved. I am a teacher; you may call me 'Miss Snape'. Secondly, I am very aware of certain ... feelings," she threw a look at Harry and Malfoy, "between certain students. But I couldn't give two left testicles about what you do out of class, as long as in class, in my class, you behave."
There was complete and utter silence following this small speech, but she wasn't finished, "I have organised this seating arrangement in order of your ability at this subject." Miss Snape no longer looked murderous, but the small smile hadn't returned.
"You are currently sitting next to the person who is closest to your own ability, for example, the two weakest students, Mr. Longbottom and Miss MacDougal are currently sitting together." Neville looked very downcast at this statement.
"Don't look so affronted Mr. Longbottom," Miss Snape said, "You are the fifth best in your house at this subject." Neville looked a bit happier at this point of view.
"In this subject, nearly every assignment and assessment will require you to have a partner. You may feel that it is unfair to put the two best students together," she pointed to Harry and Malfoy with this statement, "but why should they be put with students below their own standard?"
Hermione's hand flew in the air. Harry felt Malfoy roll his eyes next to him.
"Yes Miss Granger."
"But how can those who are down the bottom of the class get better if they don't work with the strongest students."
Harry thought Hermione had a good point; he looked at Miss Snape waiting for her reply. "You have been at Hogwarts for six years; you have been learning new skills and honing your innate ones for six years. If you haven't got it now you never will."
Hermione looked abashed.
"In a subject like this, you either have it or you don't. Some of the cleverest wizards couldn't win a duel to save their life. Consider this," she looked at the class, "If I were to put the best student, Mr. Potter here, with the weakest, Mr. Longbottom, would that be fair on Mr. Potter?"
Harry could feel the class coming around to her point of view. "Mr. Potter would most likely do all the work, and Mr. Longbottom would receive the same mark for doing nothing. On top of this, Mr. Potter would be doing two people's work, therefore not giving him the best possible mark he could get."
People were nodding in agreement now, although Ron still looked as though he had sucked a lemon.
"Do you understand?" There was a round of "yes" before she continued.
"Very well," Miss Snape continued. "I'll let you know now what to expect from this class ... and from me."
Harry sat up attentively, "This class in nearly all practical, the only theory you will do will be what you read to further your understanding of certain spells and creatures. Having said that, this will be the hardest subject most of you do. And then, some of you naturals will waltz through this class like a dolphin would through a swimming class. We'll start slow though; it will get harder when I see confidence building. As for the person sitting next to, you'd do well to get along with them as best you can. As in order to pass this subject, you'll have to rely on them heavily."
"Fuck that," Malfoy swore softly.
Miss Snape heard and looked down at him; Harry expected her to start yelling, based on her reaction to Ron for his rebuke against her authority.
"Draco, don't swear it's bad for the soul."
Malfoy humphed.
She continued explaining the topics they would be studying without another word about Malfoy's slur, but Harry was looking at Malfoy with his mouth hanging open, and he wasn't the only one.
"Do you all understand? It's very important that you do not fall behind because you will never be able to catch up."
Ron's hand was in the air.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley."
"Are you going to let Malfoy swear at you," Ron asked disbelievingly.
"Well ... yes," she replied. "It'd be slightly hypocritical of me to punish him for using words I taught him."
Another shocked silence. Malfoy was smirking broadly.
Miss Snape ignored the curious stares and continued, "Turn to page one-hundred and fifteen of your text and you will see both information and instructions on the Baleful Curse and how to defend it and counter it. If you wish to avoid homework, I want you and your partner to be able to create the curse, counter it and defend it by the end of this period. Use the mats," she said referring to the mats to the back of the room, "if you need help don't be afraid to ask."
Harry took his text book and wand out of his bag, "Well come on Potter, I've got loads of Astronomy homework to get through, I don't need more."
Harry followed Malfoy to the mats.
"You know you don't seem very annoyed at having me as your partner," said Harry.
Malfoy looked at Harry as if he were a fool, "I'm not pleased Potter, but, as much as it pains me to admit it," he drawled out nastily, "You do appear to know what you're doing where this subject is concerned."
There was a loud bang and Ron began growing horns as Blaise Zabini held his hands over his mouth trying to stifle laughter. Miss Snape ran forward and muttered the counter curse, "It's alright Mr. Weasley ... be careful Mr. Zabini! This is a dangerous spell!"
Malfoy looked at Harry pointedly, as if to prove his point. "Horns wouldn't suit me."
"Don't know about that…" Harry muttered quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing, we better get started," Harry made to open the text book.
"Don't bother Potter, I know this spell," said Malfoy smirking malevolently. "I'll teach you."
This was going to be a long lesson.
Fifteen minutes before the end of the period, Miss Snape stopped the class and asked each student in turn to perform the curse, counter it, and defend it.
As she went around the room, stopping those who were performing the spell incorrectly, Harry noticed she was very quick with her wand and prevented what would have been deplorable accidents.
Harry and Malfoy were the last ones she came to, at this stage, only Hermione and Zacharias had avoided homework, Ron had done the curse and defended it effectively, but nearly sliced Blaise Zabini apart when he attempted the counter curse.
"Alright Mr. Potter, we'll see you defend it first," Miss Snape said, "You perform it Draco."
Malfoy shouted, "Ballefort!" Harry quickly shouted, "Decidendi!"
A large sparkling shield shot out of Harry's wand covering him entirely, the spell rebounded off the side of the shield and Miss Snape quickly muttered the counter curse before it hit Parvati Patil.
"Excellent Mr. Potter," she said. "Now swap."
Harry and Malfoy each took it in turns and performed the curse, its counter and a defense spell perfectly.
"Well done boys! Quickly before the bell goes back in your seats," Miss Snape said. "Those of you who did not complete the three tasks correctly, practice and study by next period. I'll test you again and those that aren't successful will find themselves on detention with me. Have a good evening, you're dismissed."
Harry grabbed his bag and quickly followed Ron and Hermione out of the room, eager to get away from Malfoy.
"Well she's alright," said Hermione.
"Are you kidding me?" Ron said. "She's just like Snape, favoring Malfoy, giving out detentions. And what about putting that dic-("Ron!") with you, eh Harry? I mean, everyone knows how you guys feel about each other!"
"She's right though," said Hermione. "Harry and Malfoy were clearly better than the rest of us; you saw how powerful their spells were, Ron?"
"You like her?" Ron said incredulously. "You agree with me, don't you?" He said turning on Harry.
"Well I definitely don't like being partners with Malfoy," said Harry.
"And you think I do, Potter?" drawled Malfoy, his Slytherin gang behind him. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Who asked you anyway?" said Ron who turned away from Malfoy and continued his ranting. "I mean, what kind of name is 'Salima' anyway?"
From behind them Harry heard Malfoy shout, "The bringer of comfort and peace!"
"What's he on about?"
Harry looked at Ron, "That's what her name means. The bringer of comfort and peace."
A/N: Thank you to MinorMistake99, Fleury & Nattles. Hope you enjoyed the second chapter. Review please!
AbundantFear :-)
