The letter
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Harry awoke as he felt the rising sun on his face, absorbing the dormitory in its depth. He turned over and groaned into his pillow. He clearly didn't want to get out of bed this morning.
He was depressed about something. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. Maybe it was do to the fact that it was a Monday and that meant the weekend was five days away, and today was first day of Double Potions of the school year.
Giving up on anymore sleep, he threw the blankets off his body as he turned over to get ready to head for the Gryffindor boys' washroom. He leaned over and grabbed his glasses off his bedside table a little rougher then expected, as he put them on his face. The room came into clear view as he sat up in his bed. Harry rubbed his eyes as he glanced over to the bed on his right feeling the sun sting his eyes right above it.
Instead of a sleeping form where a certain red head should be in placement there were muffled blankets on the end of the bed steadying themselves on falling to the ground.
'Must be in the shower.'
He bent over and grabbed his clean wrinkled towel lying on the left side of his bed. He took off his pajamas, throwing them to the floor for the house elves to pick up later during the day. He wrapped the towel around his hips, then bending over and picking up his bag sitting on the chair next to his bed.
He stood up and starting heading for the Common Room, yawning and stretching as he walked. The minute his feet hit the cold stone floor outside of his dormitory door he was covered in goose bumps. Harry really hated taking showers in the morning; he preferred at night where it wasn't so cold, and he wasn't full of sleep, but he was up late doing homework as usual.
Once he reached the common room one glance around the room told him no one was up yet. He was thankful at this. Harry never really felt comfortable being seen in public in only a towel, let alone his classmates.
Pulling his towel closer to him he started heading for the portrait opening. He sighed once he was completely out of the Common Room and in the cold corridor; shivering from head to foot.
'Don't they ever heat this place?'
He started making his way down to the Gryffindor boys' washroom a couple feet from the corridor. He turned left and started walking down another freezing corridor. He wasn't surprised not to of found Ron in his bed or in the common room, but Hermione always greeted him with a good morning kiss which he missed this morning.
Before he knew it he reached the boy's washroom. A portrait of a Troll taking a bath with his wand as the substitute for a water spouts pouring water over the huge body.
"Shackle Berries," mumbled Harry; still full of sleep. He walked into the bathroom, but as soon as his head entered his glasses fogged up blocking him from any sight. He sighed, knowing someone had been in the shower to long. He didn't even bothering retrieving his glasses to see properly. He has been showering in here for six years he was pretty sure where everything was without his sight.
He began walking up the aisle heading for the showers. He turned into the corridor where the mirrors lay. He tried to suppress a laugh as he saw who the source of the fog was.
"Took long enough of a shower eh," said Harry, as he watched Ron jump back from fright.
"Merlin Harry I swear one day I'm gonna hit you in the gob if you keep that up," he said, clutching his chest getting his breathing back.
"Sorry, why didn't you wake me?" said Harry, setting down his bag on the bench, next to him.
"Mione told me not to," said Ron attacking his hair with a comb and turning his attention back to the mirror.
"Right," said Harry walking down the corridor to the showers. He took off his towel and flung it over the metal bar above his head. He pulled the tab out and turned it to 'hot.'
If Ron was feeling the same way Harry was about Double Potions he could see why there was so much fog in the washroom. A whole morning in the dungeons with Snape and the Slytherins' was enough for anyone to stay in the shower past overtime. Over all the six years of attending Hogwarts Harry always wondered why Gryffindor always got paired with Slytherins' for potions? He rubbed his body with soap before scenting up his hair with shampoo.
After he was all washed up and didn't smell of sleep anymore, he turned the running water off. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waste.
He felt the goose bumps sprout all over his body as he felt the breeze hit him after reopening the door again. Walking back over to his bag he noticed Ron was not at the mirrors anymore. He grabbed his bag and turned to head down the aisle where the lockers were for changing. He spotted Ron at the end of the aisle with just his uniform pants on and he was fiddling with his shirt in his hands.
"What else did Mione say," asked Harry, pulling his uniform out of his bag and laying it on the bench.
"Calm down Harry you only saw her what ten hours ago," said Ron through a laugh. Harry gave him serious look before he stopped laughing.
"Sorry couldn't resist -- er -- I bumped into her in the common room, she was heading for the girls washroom and asked if you were awake, I said no, and she said to let you sleep a little longer."
"She's sweet," said Harry more to himself then to Ron, but was thankful all- in-all that Ron didn't catch on.
"Acts more like a mother then a girlfriend if yeah ask me," he said throwing his shirt over his head. Harry leaned over and punched him playfully on the upper arm, while him, himself was grinning.
"Have you two told each the three letter word yet," asked Ron, throwing his wet towel into his shower bag. Harry looked up at him confused.
"The three letter word?"
"Don't be thick you know I -- love -- you," he said, as if saying it to a three year old, while giving Harry a knowing look.
"Oh -- well no not yet, but it's only been three months Ron, when are you supposed to say that," said Harry, slipping his underwear on underneath his towel, still wrapped tightly around his hips.
Ron laughed a hollow laugh. "Well from what I hear whenever you feel it -- do you -- er -- you know love Mione?"
Harry felt shocked; he always assumed when he started dating Hermione he'd be having this conversation with Ginny, not her brother of all people.
"I don't know -- yet I mean -- no what I mean is -- I do but I don't know this is all new to me," he mumbled taking off the towel and throwing his pants on. He did love Hermione in a platonic way but he knew as there new relationship grew, they would tell each other soon enough, just give it time.
"Right," said Ron smirking while adjusting his tie.
"What," asked Harry staring at him. He could tell Ron was enjoying this.
"Well how far have you two gone," asked Ron.
"RON!" said Harry, hitting him playfully on the arm again while Ron broke down in laughter.
"What, you can tell me - what, who I am going to tell?"
"Ron who d'you take Hermione for, she isn't Parkinson, she's not like that."
"So you're telling me you haven't even kissed?"
"Well yeah we have, but not like a groping kiss."
"Tongue?" asked Ron, Harry could tell his heart was beating fast and his face was burning red hot with crimson. Why was he so nervous talking about this.
"Yes, if you must know. It was actually really nice."
"Wait when did you two do it? I mean we've been together all summer."
"Oh she er -- came into our bedroom the day we got our letters and it just - happened."
"Oh so after you said I do to dating a couple of days later."
"Yeah, its weird kissing your best friend yeah know?"
"No sorry -- but Harry don't get any ideas now, remember you have a girlfriend," said Ron, bursting into laughter once more, while Harry just shook his head in disbelief at his best friend for making an accommodation at them being a couple.
Once they were fully dressed, teethed brushed, and absent Harry combing his hair they left the washroom. He never saw a point in combing his hair; it would just be the same after it dried; messy, and never lying flat. Harry and Ron starting heading back up to the common room for their books and to get ready to head down to the Great Hall.
"Codswallop tarticles," mumbled Harry, once they reached the Fat Lady sleeping in her portrait.
"They really need to change that," said Ron through another laugh. Harry glanced around the room where he spotted Hermione in the chair by the fireplace, now full of ashes and burnt wood. Hermione had a book in her hands reading peacefully. Harry walked over to her, smiling to himself.
She looked up and smiled at him scooting over and gesturing him to sit with her. Harry sat in the chair, surprised at how they both fitted in so well. Hermione set her book down and hoped on his lap laying her head on his shoulder.
"I never got my good morning kiss," he whispered into her ear. Hermione giggled and pulled her face up to his, they kept eye contact before Hermione leaned in. Once there lips meant that sent Harry into a smile. Hermione pulled away with a smirk on her face.
"All better," she said bending over and brushing her lower back up against Harry's lower waist while picking her book back up from off the floor. Hermione had never done that before and Harry knew she didn't know what reaction it was causing over him, nor probably meaning anything either.
Harry was in no way into pressuring Hermione into anything she didn't want or wasn't ready to do. Hell he wasn't even sure if he was ready for sex, but he knew if Hermione kept doing that every morning he was going to have problems.
She leaned back into him and let out a huge sigh.
"Come on, I'm famished and I don't want you two to be late for the first day."
Harry sighed as Hermione stood up and looked back at him. He got up, feeling defeat running over him. Harry leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs to grab his books.
Once he entered he saw Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ron near his bed, talking in a casually way. They all said good morning to him, which he returned and went over to his bed. He grabbed his bag, and waited by the door for Ron to find his Divination book.
"Did you try under your bed?" asked Harry, spotting the black binding peeking out through the crumbled up mess of Ron's bed.
"No why," asked Ron, staring up at Harry not noticing where Harry glaze was directed towards.
"Because you git -- it's where you left it last night," said Dean walking over to the bed and handing the book to Ron. Harry smiled as he saw crimson leaking its way into Ron's cheeks.
Once Ron had finally recovered all his books, Harry and him made there way back down to an impatient waiting Hermione. They started heading down to the Great Hall and then Double Potions. Even the thought of it kept making Harry's insides squirm with despise.
When they entered the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way over to their usual seats with Hermione sitting next to him, and Ron opposite of them.
Harry started scooping and pulling the eggs and kippers onto his plate. He was so tired he didn't think his brain would fully function properly for him to eat.
'You really need to start getting some more sleep.'
Giving up on eating anything he pushed his plate away. He started looking around for the coffee container before he noticed it sitting on Hermione's left.
"Mione could you pass the coffee?" he asked sweetly, feeling his eye lids becoming heavier and heavier by the minute.
"Since when did you start drinking coffee?" asked Ron, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"Since he's been putting his homework off therefore staying up all night to finish it!" said Hermione, in her spectral tone, giving Harry a stern look. Harry heard Ron start to muffle a small laugh. He turned to look at him and Ron stopped immediately. Picking up his orange juice again and muttering something that sounding distinctly liked "whipped," under his breath.
"How late were you up Harry," said Hermione, setting down her fork and pushing away her plate.
"Two, why does it matter Mione," said Harry giving up on her passing the coffee, and leaning forward and grabbing it himself.
"What were you doing?"
"Homework, -- Hermione don't worry about me." He watched as Hermione turned a bright shade of crimson, and nodded her head in agreement.
Harry sat in silence for the next five minutes, enjoying small sips of wakening coffee running through him, while listening to Ron and Hermione talked about what Snape might have planed them for the morning.
Getting bored of hearing the name of his Potions Master over and over again, he turned his head towards the professors' table.
He was expecting to see the teachers talking over a small breakfast, eating in peace. But instead he watched Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall sitting by each other, looking to be in some sort of serious talk, while Professor Sprout, was leaned in over McGonagall and Professor Flitwick over Dumbledore.
Even Hagrid was acting weird, leaned in over Professor Grubbly-Plank, their heads bowed and talking privately as if someone was listening behind them. The reason Harry found this weird was because; Hagrid never took it out of his way to be friendly with Grubbly-Plank after she taught his class in the pervious year. Harry, Ron, and Hermione started to notice him warm up to her when she got appointed the Defense against the Dark Arts job. Which suited Harry fine, seeing as they finally found a teacher he thought suited the subject well.
He did feel more confident in that class with her teaching it. But if it was because of Umbridge being gone, or if he really liked Grubbly- Plank, he didn't know nor cared.
Harry didn't realize he's staring became evident until he saw Professor Sprout's head shoot up and notice him watching. Professor Sprout then got Dumbledore's attention and then the whole table looked up at him. Immediately Harry pulled his eyes off of the staff table turning back to Ron and Hermione, which he didn't even noticed that they had stopped talking also. They were both staring at the head table also.
"Er -- Harry why is Dumbledore staring at you like that," said Ron prying his eyes off the table and looking back at him.
Harry didn't answer Ron. He had two guesses as to why Dumbledore plus the whole staff table was looking at him like that.
Either Dumbledore had informed the entire staff of Harry's visit to Dumbledore's office a month prior after school had started. According to Dumbledore, it was related to talking to him about the pervious events of last year and how he was doing, or more logically speaking how he's scar was doing. Which had made Harry, if possible, more inflamed with the man he had once looked up to as an admirer for five years, which; have now been crushed sine last June. The feeling of living with the fact that the reason his parents are dead is because of him, Harry. And the fact that his life must consist of murder; either taking his or someone else's life.
The other thought as to why Dumbledore was acting in this new attitude would be because he was discussing information with the staff involving the Order. Harry sincerely doubted that the second the thought rolled into his mind. Why would the teachers decide to talk about something so private in front of the entire school when they could have done it at Head Quarters, with the rest of the Order.
Harry set down his coffee feeling a little better to say the least and ready for Snape. He pushed aside his cup and grabbed his bag.
"Let's go," he said through a sigh, standing up. Waiting for Ron and Hermione to acknowledge his movements, which they did seconds later, their bags hanging limply over their shoulders also.
They made there way down to the Dungeons in silence. Harry had the feeling that Hermione, despite her love for school, was also dreading the next class just as much as Harry and Ron were, but she sure did a great job of not showing it. Her head held high, and her bag hugged tightly in her arms.
After a few more minutes are silence, and many stairs, they reached the Dungeons door in what felt like to quick for the time to have gone by that fast.
They all stood looking up at the door with disgust over their faces. Harry couldn't remember any other time he dreaded Potions this much.
"You think he'll notice if we just ditch, or don't show up?" said Ron, still staring at the door like it held his death wish.
"Ron!" said Hermione, "you're a prefect where are your morals?" she said in a hushed whisper and heading in the classroom, leaving Harry and Ron alone.
"At least she doesn't know about the fire whiskey last year," said Ron laughing to himself and heading in with a smile on his face. Harry didn't find himself laughing at that memory -- hell he didn't even have a smile for it. That night may have been a huge blast because he was turning sixteen, but the next morning was just not worth an ounce of it. Fred and George decided that Harry's sixteenth birthday should be one he would remember and one to be celebrated 'the right way' so they said. So the twins being the twins, brought two bottles of fire whiskey and in three hours it was devoured between the four boys, leaving them in a fit of laughter and not a clue in the world. But half the next day Harry found himself next to the toilet, alongside with Ron.
Harry winced as he remembered that morning and the pain that involved it. He sighed and headed in. He spotted Ron and Hermione in their usual seats in the back. Hermione already setting up, and Ron sitting down in a chair behind her. He was eyeing her with an evil grin. Harry didn't have to ask what he was smiling at, he already knew. Harry made Ron, Fred, and George, promise not to breathe a word of what they had done to Hermione. Being as they had only been dating a week and he at the time, didn't want to screw it up after telling her they celebrated his sweet sixteen with two bottles of whiskey.
Harry heard the door close behind him. He sat down in a hurry not wanting to infuriate the Potions Professor on there first day. Snape walked in looking more smugger and greasier then usual. The class stopped talking immediately, as Snape took his seat in his desk.
"Settle down," said Snape, even though the class was already deadly silent. Even his voice was darker and filled with loath.
"Since today is the first day of Double Potions, I know it will be as fun for you as for me -- any mess ups and a detention and points taken immediately," said Snape, looking directly at the Gryffindor side of the room.
Harry could tell he was no further excited about this class then he was.
"Now," said Snape "Since you're all in your sixth year, we will be starting on a new potion. A complex potion, which will be an amazement if all of you can complete this with no problems," he said looking directly at Neville. For the first time in Harry's life Neville didn't look frightened under the stare of the harsh man in front of him. He looked determined to do something. Harry smiled to himself, Neville was determined to show Snape he can do well in his class, and his face expression was speaking for itself.
"For five points who can tell me what the Poly Juice Potion is?" said Snape.
If they could have discussed what Snape would be having them do today a million times, Harry wouldn't have guessed that. He looked over at Ron, he to, looked surprised. Harry shouldn't have put this past Hermione; knowing her. He watched as her hand shot up into the air, waving franticly.
Snape turned his back on her walking over to the other part of the room. He was giving the Syltherins' looks of disgust and disappointment. Harry guessed it was because a Gryffindor knew the answer and a Syltherin didn't. This made him smile even more.
Soon enough Hermione's begging pleas of "I know," became impossible to ignore, along with her rushing hand in the air, waving back and forth. Snape walked over to her with a look that could scare a child out his life, but Hermione still kept her hand in the air, and her face straight.
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Sir, the Poly Juice Potion, if properly brewed allows the drinker to transform himself into the temporally form of another for one hour."
Harry leaned back in his chair, his smile clearly evident in his face. He loved it when his girlfriend told Snape off like this, or made a fool of the Syltherins'. Either way it made Harry admire her more.
"Five points from Gryffindor for Miss. Granger's impatient postures and disrupting my class," said Snape, walking back to the chalk board.
"What - that git," whispered Ron into Harry's ear.
"Now, as Miss. Granger impatiently stated, the Poly Juice Potion transforms humans. We will be starting this project today. I will explain how it will work when you all are done brewing the potion which takes well little to a month. I want you all in groups of fours, no more. The instructions," he pulled his wand out and flicked it towards the board; white chalk being sprawled out onto it, "are on the board. When you come in, there will be new instructions on the board and you are to get to work immediately if I catch one of you disobeying this opportunity it won't be fun for either you or me," said Snape, staring now at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"The ingredients are on the table, GET TO WORK," he said, turning back to his desk and writing something on his parchment. Harry watched him with so much loath in his eyes he wouldn't be surprised if Snape blew up at this point.
"I'll go get the ingredients," said Hermione, standing up and walking over to the clump of students at the table.
"I can't believe him, we get it right and he makes an excuse to take points away," said Ron, standing up along with Harry. His eyes following Hermione over to the table and watching her gather their ingredients.
"Oh come on Ron, you know Snape -- he never gives Gryffindor points," said Harry.
"Well it wouldn't kill him to start," mumbled Ron bending over to his bag and pulling out his quill and some parchment. Harry snorted at Ron's comment. He sincerely doubted if Snape could ever do such a task like that.
Hermione walk back over to them; arms full of materials. Harry and Ron helped her unload them onto the table.
"Well this is rubbish we already know how to do this," said Ron, eyeing the vials scattered on the table.
Hermione snorted a little too loudly while she started setting up the cauldron. Ron stared at her.
"What?"
"Excuse me Ron, but I already know how to do this, if I am correct you just took the potion after I brewed it," she stood up and stared at him with pride on her face. Harry didn't say anything, he knew Hermione was right, but this time they were going to help just as much as she did.
"So how do you want to do this?" said Hermione, finally getting everything separated out and looking at the two boys'.
"What do you mean Hermione?" said Harry eyeing all the vials full of ingredients.
"Well -- after the potion is ready we are going to have to take it," she said, eyeing Ron with a look of hope. Harry stared confused at her for a while before it dawned on him.
"Hermione are you saying that like, I become you, and you become Harry, and Harry becomes me?" asked Ron.
"Er -- yes something like that," said Hermione .
"No way, Mione -- no way in Merlin am I going to become a girl," he pouted. Harry didn't feel too comfortable about this situation. He was glad Ron was refusing to taking on Hermione's form, he didn't want his best friend in his girl friends body.
Hermione looked relieved also, she turned to Harry, but the second her mouth opened Harry already understood.
"Sure love -- I'll take yours."
Harry saw Hermione smile at his words. He couldn't help but smile to. It was the first time he called her 'love' and he liked it, even if they had only been dating for three months.
"Okay, then I'll take Harry's and Hermione you can take mine," said Ron, staring at Hermione. Harry could tell he looked a little better with the fact of whose body he was taking. Hermione looked a bit disappointed at the force Ron was inputting on her. Harry could tell she wanted to take his form, but if they did that then Ron would be left without a partner. But Harry didn't care, he still felt better at knowing he was going to be taking Hermione's body even if she wasn't going to be taking his.
"Okay so it's settled, Harry will take mine, I will take Ron's, and Ron -- you will take Harry's," she said, nodding her head between them. They both nodded in return.
"Right Potter, a girl form will suit you well with that hair of yours, and now even better a mudblood body," said a voice behind them. Harry turned and saw a laughing Malfoy behind him. Harry felt Ron and Hermione grab the back of his robes as he emerged forward at the blond.
"Let it go Harry," whispered Hermione. Harry didn't hear her. Insulting Harry was one thing, but when he saw Malfoy do it to his girlfriend just infuriated him more.
"You'll get more points taken," whispered Ron, into his ear. Harry stopped suddenly and just glared and Malfoy who returned back to his work still laughing quietly to himself.
Harry tried hard to keep his concentration on Hermione showing Ron how to brew the potion, but found his anger fully boiled up in him -- waiting to explode. After each glare shot at Malfoy it was becoming harder and harder for Harry to not curse him into tomorrow.
Thanking Merlin as he heard the bell, he gathered his things, and helped Hermione put the cauldron in the cabinet and walking out the door with her and Ron.
"I'm famished," said Ron, rubbing his stomach and groaning.
"You're always hungry Ron," said Hermione, in a spiteful way, walking beside Harry, intertwining there hands as they walked. She looked up at him innocently, her beautiful chocolate brown eyes full of concern. "You okay?"
Harry looked down at her and smiled. She was always cute when she looked all worried. He gave her a feather soft kiss on her forehead.
"I'm fine."
They kept walking in silence, watching the other students talk joyfully amongst there friends. Right as they were about to turn into the corridor that led up the stairs to the Great Hall Harry stopped Ron and Hermione.
"I'll meet you guys there in a minute just going to drop my bag off."
"Okay," said Ron.
He hated bringing his bag to lunch with him. He didn't know why, but he had gotten into the habit of dropping it ff before lunch or dinner. He felt extremely tired again, all that angry wearing off, and leaving him exhausted. Just as he was about to climb the steps to the Gryffindor staircase, he heard voices behind him. He turned and looked to see who they belonged to. No one was there. Walking further, he could hear the voices started to increase. Curiosity taking over him, he turned and followed the noise.
The voices were coming from the Transfiguration classroom. A little while later Harry recognized them as McGonagall's and Flitwick's. Professor Flitwick's evident squeaky voice was echoing off the walls in the room and lingering out to Harry's ears. He walked a little further to the door, trying to be quiet and listen to every word being said.
"...the letter came today," said Flitwick, astounded.
"This morning, before breakfast," he heard McGonagall say in a disbelieving voice. They sounded like they were having a chat over tea. Harry could hear the faint 'clinks' of tea cups hitting saucers.
"What did Albus do?"
"Informed the Order immediately, this is huge news, the Daily Prophet will have a field day when this gets out."
"How do we know it's not just some Death Eater posing?"
"Albus thought so to, but then when he told me who's had her for the past fifteen years - well lets say there no Death Eaters."
"Who was it?"
"The Glenwood's."
"Blimey, wait Jane and Will --?"
"Yes Quality Quidditch, Albus already knows. Took him totally by surprise."
"What about Potter?"
"Albus said at lunch he would inform him."
"Minerva inform him is an understatement, this is huge, does he --"
"No he has no clue, that's why were so worried how he'll react when we tell him."
Harry backed away from the door, looking at it as if it might explode right in front of him. He had a sudden urge to burst through that door and demand what they were talking about.
'Ron and Hermione.'
He turned, and started running down the two flights of stairs with his bag still hanging over his shoulders. Once he reached the Great Hall, he was out of breath. He was clutching a snitch in his side and trying to catch his breath as he reached the doors. Making up his mind, he flung the doors open and ran to the Gryffindor table, ignoring all the stares following him.
Hermione and Ron were sitting on opposite sides of each other. Hermione had a bowl of soup under her nose, while Ron had some chicken on his plate.
Harry ran up to them trying to catch his breath again, but failing.
"Harry weren't you going to put your bag away?" asked Ron, eyeing the bag, and then looking at Harry's flushed face. Harry turned around and looked at the staff table.
Dumbledore was not there. Harry started to get really worried. He started scanning the hall for any sign of the tall man. He was nowhere in sight. Remembering the conversation he just heard - '"Albus said at lunch he would inform him."'
"Harry what's happened?" asked Hermione, also staring at him. Harry looked at their faces, they both looked extremely concern and confused; just like he felt.
"I was just walking up to the --"
"HARRY HEY, HARRY!" called a voice behind Hermione. Harry looked up and saw Colin Creevey running towards them.
He ran over to them. He face was flushed and he was extremely red in his place face. He was clutching his side and catching his breath. Hermione turned to look at Harry. Harry ignored her and looked at Colin who was slowly recovering his breath.
"Dumb - ledore wants to see you - in his office," panted Colin.
"What?"
"Dumbledore, he wants to see you in his office, he said - that you two" gesturing to Ron and Hermione "need to go with him," said Colin, looking back at Harry.
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. They both nodded at Colin, and stood up in there seats; ignoring the unfinished meals. They began to start heading out before Colin called back to them.
"HARRY, HEY wait -- he said something else -- er someone was there - oh yeah Snuggles or some rubbish like that that."
"Snuffles?" questioned Hermione, looking at Colin with a disbelieving look.
"Yes that's it snuffles he's there to," said Colin.
Harry's eyes grew wide with fear.
He looked over at Ron who nodded his head and they shot from the Great Hall in a dead run. Ignoring Colin's "whose snuffles?" comment.
Harry was running so fast, he didn't even notice he was bumping into people and dropping their books everyway, Ron and Herminone not far behind him, pushing through the squeals and protests of the students. Sirius with Dumbledore, what more could of happened in his life? What if he was hurt or someone else was hurt. Did Sirius get caught?
'Don't think that.'
Before Harry knew it, after two flights of stairs, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were standing outside of the Headmasters Office.
"Black Licorice," mumbled Harry, his breath getting caught in his throat. He could feel his heart pounding against his throat, but he had a feeling that was more out of nerves then running so fast. He looked over at Ron who was giving him a confused look; also breathing hard.
"It's a Muggle candy, he told it to me when I had to come to his office a month ago," said Harry. Ron nodded his head in acceptance.
"Come on Harry," said Hermione, rushing up the stairs that had stopped just a moment ago. Harry and Ron followed her. The minute they finally caught up with her, she was already at the door listening intently.
"Mione just go -"
"shhhhh," she hissed, silencing them with the wave of her hand.
"Harry," she said in a whisper so low that Harry had to lean in to hear it, "listen to this."
Harry walked forward and put his ear on the door next to Hermione's. Seconds later he felt Ron follow his movements behind him. The three teenagers listened closely as they heard the sound of two people beyond the door; one yelling and the other talking calmly.
" -- Dumbledore I'm begging you, this isn't the way he should find out."
"Please Sirius, he needs to know -"
"How do you know it isn't some Death Eater working for Voldemort eh?"
"Because, this letter in front of me explains everything Sirius, how she was separated from Harry -- everything."
"But Albus they pronounced her dead fifteen years ago, remember I was there."
"How could I forget, you and Mr. Lupine both attended."
"Dumbledore -- how -- how can you trust people this easily?"
"Because Sirius I know these people -"
"IF YOU KNEW THEM THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU KNOW THEY HAD HAYLEY?"
Harry with no mistake knew that voice. The voice of his angry godfather, and of course the other being the voice of Professor Dumbledore.
He couldn't take hearing Sirius in that tone, something was wrong, and he had to find out. Taking his ear away, he knocked twice. Hermione and Ron were giving him reassuring smiles before the door flew open and there stood the form of Professor Dumbledore.
"Come in," he said, standing aside for the three teenagers to pass.
"Professor sir, where's Sirius?"
"I'm right here Harry," said a voice in the corner. Harry turned around and there sitting by the window was his godfather. Sunken in by the sunlight, he didn't look like himself, he looked scared, and anticipation was clear on his solemn face. He seemed to be given Dumbledore looks of grimace.
"Sirius what's happened?" asked Hermione.
"Sit down Harry." Pulling out his wand and with one flick three chairs appeared before there eyes. Ron took the right seat, Harry the middle and Hermione, the left.
Sirius stood up from the window sill and walked over to Dumbledore.
"I'm begging you please don't -"
"Sirius would you like to tell him or would you prefer I do," said Dumbledore, keeping his eyes on Harry. He didn't trust those eyes whatsoever. He knew something was happening. The atmosphere in the room could be cut with three knifes it was so tense.
"Sirius?" said Harry, a questioning look in his eyes.
"I'll tell him about her -- you can begin from there," said Sirius, through a sigh and walking behind Harry. Putting his hand on his shoulder in a fatherly gesture. Harry had to admit, it clamed him down a little bit, knowing Sirius was here with him.
"Very well, Harry do you know why you were called into my office today?" asked Dumbledore, looking intently at Harry and nothing else. Harry shook his head from side to side.
"It's because of this letter Harry," said Dumbledore, gesturing to some parchment lying beside him. Harry looked at Dumbledore confused.
'What's he playing at?'
"You don't have to read it, but that letter contains information that could change your life forever."
Harry felt Sirius's grip tighten around his shoulder. He could tell by the tightness of the grip, that he was more nervous about this then Harry was.
"Harry, have you heard of Mr. Will Glenwood?" asked Dumbledore, setting down the letter and looking back at him.
"Yes he's owns Quality Quidditch right?"
"Yes, now I don't know how up to date you kids are on taking notes on famous people, but if you didn't know he's married."
"To Jane Glenwood," asked Ron.
"Yes Jane. I received this letter this morning, as you saw the display in the Great Hall."
"The teachers," mumbled Harry more to himself then to anybody in the room.
"Yes I was informing them of it. Well informing is an understatement of how they took it," he chuckled to himself, but Harry didn't return the gesture. He was tense, and nervous, he could feel his heart pounding against his chest like a bomb ticking to go off.
"Once again Harry I don't know how up to date you and your friends are but do you know anything else about Mr. and Mrs. Glenwood?"
Harry shook his head. The name did ring some bell but he didn't ponder the thought any longer.
"They have a daughter, don't they?"
"Yes very good Miss. Granger," said Dumbledore, smiling proudly at her.
Harry once again felt Sirius tighten his grip around his shoulder. Why was he doing this? It was beginning to hurt, but Harry had no intent of telling him this. He looked sad about something, but Harry couldn't make it out, and didn't want to make Sirius mad at asking.
"Their daughter is around your age, well Harry's age to be precise," said Dumbledore. Harry was started to get angry with him. Why was he telling him this, he doesn't even know this girl.
"I'm not understanding -"
"Let me finish Harry," said Dumbledore. The twinkle in his eyes were evident at the moment, but that didn't make Harry feel any better.
"Jane sent me this letter Harry, something very important contained within it, and could change the Order and you're life immensely, someone who hasn't been known to the Wizarding World for fifteen years...Sirius I believe this is were you come in," said Dumbledore, looking up at Sirius.
"Sir pardon me, but what does this have to do with Ron and I?" asked Hermione.
"Oh yes pardon my rudeness Miss. Granger. I asked for your company because I need you two here to support Harry, and I thought it was best for all three of you, being as your so close."
"Sirius if you please?" said Dumbledore gesturing towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"It's not an invite Albus," said Sirius in a cold voice, letting go of Harry's shoulder and walking over to the desk beside the Headmaster. Dumbledore didn't seem at all taken back by his rudeness in that statement, but it took Harry by surprise. Why would he act such a way to Albus Dumbledore.
Harry looked at Sirius. Still one question on his mind that he was dying to ask now.
"Why are you here?"
"Nice to see you too Harry," smiled Sirius, but didn't look like he took the comment to heart.
"Sorry, but why are you?"
"Dumbledore Owled me down after he received this," said Sirius, picking up the letter and throwing it back on the desk again.
Harry watched as Sirius sat gently on the edge of the desk, staring at Harry like he saw him in a new light. He gave him a serious look -- a look Harry had never seen Sirius display before.
"Harry there is something that you need to know," said Dumbledore. Harry looked at him, he too seemed like he was dripping with anticipation on his face.
'What the hell, first Sirius and now Dumbledore?'
"Okay."
"Harry can I ask you something personal?" asked Sirius, looking at him now with concern in his eyes. Harry nodded his head. A little too much caution in the bow, as to what he was saying yes to.
"Do you remember the night your parents died?"
Harry looked up at him with a confused look. The word parents stirred something in his brain. Maybe this had something to do with his parents, is this why everyone was acting so weird? Excitement filling in him, he shook his head, trying to keep his face straight as possible.
"I didn't think so, you were only one after all," said Sirius, his face calming down a bit.
"Harry the night your parents died there were five people in that house, do you know who?"
Harry thought for a minute. This sounded honestly like a riddle, but not a funny one at that. He thought for moment longer. He felt really stupid even thinking this -- five people, there was him, his mum and dad, Voldemort and -
"Wormtail?"
Sirius looked shocked. A second later he frowned. After all, the chances of this 'fifth' person could very well have been Peter.
"No not Wormtail Harry --er god this is hard - " Sirius took in a huge inhale of breath and let it out in a long grasp looking back at the ground. "Please just remember that we all love you Harry, but -- it was -- your sister," he said through a whisper.
Harry felt like someone had just put the oblivious spell on him. He couldn't feel anything around him, everything went silent. He didn't even feel Hermione hand intertwine his. He felt his face draining of color and his body turned unexpectedly cold. Did he just hear right?
"Harry?" he heard Ron whisper next to him. Harry blink a few times; feeling his brain coming back to his surroundings.
"I'm sorry what," was all he said looking at Sirius again.
"Your sister Harry --- Hayley," said Dumbledore putting his head down. Harry did hear right. The room went even colder. He like a Dementor had just walked through the door. He couldn't take it anymore, he needed out. The room was becoming blurry and his face was growing more ghostly white then ever. He stood up, knocking his chair over in the process and ran to the door. Throwing it open and running out as fast as he could onto the stone platform, ignoring the faint calls of Hermione, Sirius, and Ron echoing behind him.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Harry awoke as he felt the rising sun on his face, absorbing the dormitory in its depth. He turned over and groaned into his pillow. He clearly didn't want to get out of bed this morning.
He was depressed about something. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. Maybe it was do to the fact that it was a Monday and that meant the weekend was five days away, and today was first day of Double Potions of the school year.
Giving up on anymore sleep, he threw the blankets off his body as he turned over to get ready to head for the Gryffindor boys' washroom. He leaned over and grabbed his glasses off his bedside table a little rougher then expected, as he put them on his face. The room came into clear view as he sat up in his bed. Harry rubbed his eyes as he glanced over to the bed on his right feeling the sun sting his eyes right above it.
Instead of a sleeping form where a certain red head should be in placement there were muffled blankets on the end of the bed steadying themselves on falling to the ground.
'Must be in the shower.'
He bent over and grabbed his clean wrinkled towel lying on the left side of his bed. He took off his pajamas, throwing them to the floor for the house elves to pick up later during the day. He wrapped the towel around his hips, then bending over and picking up his bag sitting on the chair next to his bed.
He stood up and starting heading for the Common Room, yawning and stretching as he walked. The minute his feet hit the cold stone floor outside of his dormitory door he was covered in goose bumps. Harry really hated taking showers in the morning; he preferred at night where it wasn't so cold, and he wasn't full of sleep, but he was up late doing homework as usual.
Once he reached the common room one glance around the room told him no one was up yet. He was thankful at this. Harry never really felt comfortable being seen in public in only a towel, let alone his classmates.
Pulling his towel closer to him he started heading for the portrait opening. He sighed once he was completely out of the Common Room and in the cold corridor; shivering from head to foot.
'Don't they ever heat this place?'
He started making his way down to the Gryffindor boys' washroom a couple feet from the corridor. He turned left and started walking down another freezing corridor. He wasn't surprised not to of found Ron in his bed or in the common room, but Hermione always greeted him with a good morning kiss which he missed this morning.
Before he knew it he reached the boy's washroom. A portrait of a Troll taking a bath with his wand as the substitute for a water spouts pouring water over the huge body.
"Shackle Berries," mumbled Harry; still full of sleep. He walked into the bathroom, but as soon as his head entered his glasses fogged up blocking him from any sight. He sighed, knowing someone had been in the shower to long. He didn't even bothering retrieving his glasses to see properly. He has been showering in here for six years he was pretty sure where everything was without his sight.
He began walking up the aisle heading for the showers. He turned into the corridor where the mirrors lay. He tried to suppress a laugh as he saw who the source of the fog was.
"Took long enough of a shower eh," said Harry, as he watched Ron jump back from fright.
"Merlin Harry I swear one day I'm gonna hit you in the gob if you keep that up," he said, clutching his chest getting his breathing back.
"Sorry, why didn't you wake me?" said Harry, setting down his bag on the bench, next to him.
"Mione told me not to," said Ron attacking his hair with a comb and turning his attention back to the mirror.
"Right," said Harry walking down the corridor to the showers. He took off his towel and flung it over the metal bar above his head. He pulled the tab out and turned it to 'hot.'
If Ron was feeling the same way Harry was about Double Potions he could see why there was so much fog in the washroom. A whole morning in the dungeons with Snape and the Slytherins' was enough for anyone to stay in the shower past overtime. Over all the six years of attending Hogwarts Harry always wondered why Gryffindor always got paired with Slytherins' for potions? He rubbed his body with soap before scenting up his hair with shampoo.
After he was all washed up and didn't smell of sleep anymore, he turned the running water off. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waste.
He felt the goose bumps sprout all over his body as he felt the breeze hit him after reopening the door again. Walking back over to his bag he noticed Ron was not at the mirrors anymore. He grabbed his bag and turned to head down the aisle where the lockers were for changing. He spotted Ron at the end of the aisle with just his uniform pants on and he was fiddling with his shirt in his hands.
"What else did Mione say," asked Harry, pulling his uniform out of his bag and laying it on the bench.
"Calm down Harry you only saw her what ten hours ago," said Ron through a laugh. Harry gave him serious look before he stopped laughing.
"Sorry couldn't resist -- er -- I bumped into her in the common room, she was heading for the girls washroom and asked if you were awake, I said no, and she said to let you sleep a little longer."
"She's sweet," said Harry more to himself then to Ron, but was thankful all- in-all that Ron didn't catch on.
"Acts more like a mother then a girlfriend if yeah ask me," he said throwing his shirt over his head. Harry leaned over and punched him playfully on the upper arm, while him, himself was grinning.
"Have you two told each the three letter word yet," asked Ron, throwing his wet towel into his shower bag. Harry looked up at him confused.
"The three letter word?"
"Don't be thick you know I -- love -- you," he said, as if saying it to a three year old, while giving Harry a knowing look.
"Oh -- well no not yet, but it's only been three months Ron, when are you supposed to say that," said Harry, slipping his underwear on underneath his towel, still wrapped tightly around his hips.
Ron laughed a hollow laugh. "Well from what I hear whenever you feel it -- do you -- er -- you know love Mione?"
Harry felt shocked; he always assumed when he started dating Hermione he'd be having this conversation with Ginny, not her brother of all people.
"I don't know -- yet I mean -- no what I mean is -- I do but I don't know this is all new to me," he mumbled taking off the towel and throwing his pants on. He did love Hermione in a platonic way but he knew as there new relationship grew, they would tell each other soon enough, just give it time.
"Right," said Ron smirking while adjusting his tie.
"What," asked Harry staring at him. He could tell Ron was enjoying this.
"Well how far have you two gone," asked Ron.
"RON!" said Harry, hitting him playfully on the arm again while Ron broke down in laughter.
"What, you can tell me - what, who I am going to tell?"
"Ron who d'you take Hermione for, she isn't Parkinson, she's not like that."
"So you're telling me you haven't even kissed?"
"Well yeah we have, but not like a groping kiss."
"Tongue?" asked Ron, Harry could tell his heart was beating fast and his face was burning red hot with crimson. Why was he so nervous talking about this.
"Yes, if you must know. It was actually really nice."
"Wait when did you two do it? I mean we've been together all summer."
"Oh she er -- came into our bedroom the day we got our letters and it just - happened."
"Oh so after you said I do to dating a couple of days later."
"Yeah, its weird kissing your best friend yeah know?"
"No sorry -- but Harry don't get any ideas now, remember you have a girlfriend," said Ron, bursting into laughter once more, while Harry just shook his head in disbelief at his best friend for making an accommodation at them being a couple.
Once they were fully dressed, teethed brushed, and absent Harry combing his hair they left the washroom. He never saw a point in combing his hair; it would just be the same after it dried; messy, and never lying flat. Harry and Ron starting heading back up to the common room for their books and to get ready to head down to the Great Hall.
"Codswallop tarticles," mumbled Harry, once they reached the Fat Lady sleeping in her portrait.
"They really need to change that," said Ron through another laugh. Harry glanced around the room where he spotted Hermione in the chair by the fireplace, now full of ashes and burnt wood. Hermione had a book in her hands reading peacefully. Harry walked over to her, smiling to himself.
She looked up and smiled at him scooting over and gesturing him to sit with her. Harry sat in the chair, surprised at how they both fitted in so well. Hermione set her book down and hoped on his lap laying her head on his shoulder.
"I never got my good morning kiss," he whispered into her ear. Hermione giggled and pulled her face up to his, they kept eye contact before Hermione leaned in. Once there lips meant that sent Harry into a smile. Hermione pulled away with a smirk on her face.
"All better," she said bending over and brushing her lower back up against Harry's lower waist while picking her book back up from off the floor. Hermione had never done that before and Harry knew she didn't know what reaction it was causing over him, nor probably meaning anything either.
Harry was in no way into pressuring Hermione into anything she didn't want or wasn't ready to do. Hell he wasn't even sure if he was ready for sex, but he knew if Hermione kept doing that every morning he was going to have problems.
She leaned back into him and let out a huge sigh.
"Come on, I'm famished and I don't want you two to be late for the first day."
Harry sighed as Hermione stood up and looked back at him. He got up, feeling defeat running over him. Harry leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs to grab his books.
Once he entered he saw Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ron near his bed, talking in a casually way. They all said good morning to him, which he returned and went over to his bed. He grabbed his bag, and waited by the door for Ron to find his Divination book.
"Did you try under your bed?" asked Harry, spotting the black binding peeking out through the crumbled up mess of Ron's bed.
"No why," asked Ron, staring up at Harry not noticing where Harry glaze was directed towards.
"Because you git -- it's where you left it last night," said Dean walking over to the bed and handing the book to Ron. Harry smiled as he saw crimson leaking its way into Ron's cheeks.
Once Ron had finally recovered all his books, Harry and him made there way back down to an impatient waiting Hermione. They started heading down to the Great Hall and then Double Potions. Even the thought of it kept making Harry's insides squirm with despise.
When they entered the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way over to their usual seats with Hermione sitting next to him, and Ron opposite of them.
Harry started scooping and pulling the eggs and kippers onto his plate. He was so tired he didn't think his brain would fully function properly for him to eat.
'You really need to start getting some more sleep.'
Giving up on eating anything he pushed his plate away. He started looking around for the coffee container before he noticed it sitting on Hermione's left.
"Mione could you pass the coffee?" he asked sweetly, feeling his eye lids becoming heavier and heavier by the minute.
"Since when did you start drinking coffee?" asked Ron, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"Since he's been putting his homework off therefore staying up all night to finish it!" said Hermione, in her spectral tone, giving Harry a stern look. Harry heard Ron start to muffle a small laugh. He turned to look at him and Ron stopped immediately. Picking up his orange juice again and muttering something that sounding distinctly liked "whipped," under his breath.
"How late were you up Harry," said Hermione, setting down her fork and pushing away her plate.
"Two, why does it matter Mione," said Harry giving up on her passing the coffee, and leaning forward and grabbing it himself.
"What were you doing?"
"Homework, -- Hermione don't worry about me." He watched as Hermione turned a bright shade of crimson, and nodded her head in agreement.
Harry sat in silence for the next five minutes, enjoying small sips of wakening coffee running through him, while listening to Ron and Hermione talked about what Snape might have planed them for the morning.
Getting bored of hearing the name of his Potions Master over and over again, he turned his head towards the professors' table.
He was expecting to see the teachers talking over a small breakfast, eating in peace. But instead he watched Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall sitting by each other, looking to be in some sort of serious talk, while Professor Sprout, was leaned in over McGonagall and Professor Flitwick over Dumbledore.
Even Hagrid was acting weird, leaned in over Professor Grubbly-Plank, their heads bowed and talking privately as if someone was listening behind them. The reason Harry found this weird was because; Hagrid never took it out of his way to be friendly with Grubbly-Plank after she taught his class in the pervious year. Harry, Ron, and Hermione started to notice him warm up to her when she got appointed the Defense against the Dark Arts job. Which suited Harry fine, seeing as they finally found a teacher he thought suited the subject well.
He did feel more confident in that class with her teaching it. But if it was because of Umbridge being gone, or if he really liked Grubbly- Plank, he didn't know nor cared.
Harry didn't realize he's staring became evident until he saw Professor Sprout's head shoot up and notice him watching. Professor Sprout then got Dumbledore's attention and then the whole table looked up at him. Immediately Harry pulled his eyes off of the staff table turning back to Ron and Hermione, which he didn't even noticed that they had stopped talking also. They were both staring at the head table also.
"Er -- Harry why is Dumbledore staring at you like that," said Ron prying his eyes off the table and looking back at him.
Harry didn't answer Ron. He had two guesses as to why Dumbledore plus the whole staff table was looking at him like that.
Either Dumbledore had informed the entire staff of Harry's visit to Dumbledore's office a month prior after school had started. According to Dumbledore, it was related to talking to him about the pervious events of last year and how he was doing, or more logically speaking how he's scar was doing. Which had made Harry, if possible, more inflamed with the man he had once looked up to as an admirer for five years, which; have now been crushed sine last June. The feeling of living with the fact that the reason his parents are dead is because of him, Harry. And the fact that his life must consist of murder; either taking his or someone else's life.
The other thought as to why Dumbledore was acting in this new attitude would be because he was discussing information with the staff involving the Order. Harry sincerely doubted that the second the thought rolled into his mind. Why would the teachers decide to talk about something so private in front of the entire school when they could have done it at Head Quarters, with the rest of the Order.
Harry set down his coffee feeling a little better to say the least and ready for Snape. He pushed aside his cup and grabbed his bag.
"Let's go," he said through a sigh, standing up. Waiting for Ron and Hermione to acknowledge his movements, which they did seconds later, their bags hanging limply over their shoulders also.
They made there way down to the Dungeons in silence. Harry had the feeling that Hermione, despite her love for school, was also dreading the next class just as much as Harry and Ron were, but she sure did a great job of not showing it. Her head held high, and her bag hugged tightly in her arms.
After a few more minutes are silence, and many stairs, they reached the Dungeons door in what felt like to quick for the time to have gone by that fast.
They all stood looking up at the door with disgust over their faces. Harry couldn't remember any other time he dreaded Potions this much.
"You think he'll notice if we just ditch, or don't show up?" said Ron, still staring at the door like it held his death wish.
"Ron!" said Hermione, "you're a prefect where are your morals?" she said in a hushed whisper and heading in the classroom, leaving Harry and Ron alone.
"At least she doesn't know about the fire whiskey last year," said Ron laughing to himself and heading in with a smile on his face. Harry didn't find himself laughing at that memory -- hell he didn't even have a smile for it. That night may have been a huge blast because he was turning sixteen, but the next morning was just not worth an ounce of it. Fred and George decided that Harry's sixteenth birthday should be one he would remember and one to be celebrated 'the right way' so they said. So the twins being the twins, brought two bottles of fire whiskey and in three hours it was devoured between the four boys, leaving them in a fit of laughter and not a clue in the world. But half the next day Harry found himself next to the toilet, alongside with Ron.
Harry winced as he remembered that morning and the pain that involved it. He sighed and headed in. He spotted Ron and Hermione in their usual seats in the back. Hermione already setting up, and Ron sitting down in a chair behind her. He was eyeing her with an evil grin. Harry didn't have to ask what he was smiling at, he already knew. Harry made Ron, Fred, and George, promise not to breathe a word of what they had done to Hermione. Being as they had only been dating a week and he at the time, didn't want to screw it up after telling her they celebrated his sweet sixteen with two bottles of whiskey.
Harry heard the door close behind him. He sat down in a hurry not wanting to infuriate the Potions Professor on there first day. Snape walked in looking more smugger and greasier then usual. The class stopped talking immediately, as Snape took his seat in his desk.
"Settle down," said Snape, even though the class was already deadly silent. Even his voice was darker and filled with loath.
"Since today is the first day of Double Potions, I know it will be as fun for you as for me -- any mess ups and a detention and points taken immediately," said Snape, looking directly at the Gryffindor side of the room.
Harry could tell he was no further excited about this class then he was.
"Now," said Snape "Since you're all in your sixth year, we will be starting on a new potion. A complex potion, which will be an amazement if all of you can complete this with no problems," he said looking directly at Neville. For the first time in Harry's life Neville didn't look frightened under the stare of the harsh man in front of him. He looked determined to do something. Harry smiled to himself, Neville was determined to show Snape he can do well in his class, and his face expression was speaking for itself.
"For five points who can tell me what the Poly Juice Potion is?" said Snape.
If they could have discussed what Snape would be having them do today a million times, Harry wouldn't have guessed that. He looked over at Ron, he to, looked surprised. Harry shouldn't have put this past Hermione; knowing her. He watched as her hand shot up into the air, waving franticly.
Snape turned his back on her walking over to the other part of the room. He was giving the Syltherins' looks of disgust and disappointment. Harry guessed it was because a Gryffindor knew the answer and a Syltherin didn't. This made him smile even more.
Soon enough Hermione's begging pleas of "I know," became impossible to ignore, along with her rushing hand in the air, waving back and forth. Snape walked over to her with a look that could scare a child out his life, but Hermione still kept her hand in the air, and her face straight.
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Sir, the Poly Juice Potion, if properly brewed allows the drinker to transform himself into the temporally form of another for one hour."
Harry leaned back in his chair, his smile clearly evident in his face. He loved it when his girlfriend told Snape off like this, or made a fool of the Syltherins'. Either way it made Harry admire her more.
"Five points from Gryffindor for Miss. Granger's impatient postures and disrupting my class," said Snape, walking back to the chalk board.
"What - that git," whispered Ron into Harry's ear.
"Now, as Miss. Granger impatiently stated, the Poly Juice Potion transforms humans. We will be starting this project today. I will explain how it will work when you all are done brewing the potion which takes well little to a month. I want you all in groups of fours, no more. The instructions," he pulled his wand out and flicked it towards the board; white chalk being sprawled out onto it, "are on the board. When you come in, there will be new instructions on the board and you are to get to work immediately if I catch one of you disobeying this opportunity it won't be fun for either you or me," said Snape, staring now at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"The ingredients are on the table, GET TO WORK," he said, turning back to his desk and writing something on his parchment. Harry watched him with so much loath in his eyes he wouldn't be surprised if Snape blew up at this point.
"I'll go get the ingredients," said Hermione, standing up and walking over to the clump of students at the table.
"I can't believe him, we get it right and he makes an excuse to take points away," said Ron, standing up along with Harry. His eyes following Hermione over to the table and watching her gather their ingredients.
"Oh come on Ron, you know Snape -- he never gives Gryffindor points," said Harry.
"Well it wouldn't kill him to start," mumbled Ron bending over to his bag and pulling out his quill and some parchment. Harry snorted at Ron's comment. He sincerely doubted if Snape could ever do such a task like that.
Hermione walk back over to them; arms full of materials. Harry and Ron helped her unload them onto the table.
"Well this is rubbish we already know how to do this," said Ron, eyeing the vials scattered on the table.
Hermione snorted a little too loudly while she started setting up the cauldron. Ron stared at her.
"What?"
"Excuse me Ron, but I already know how to do this, if I am correct you just took the potion after I brewed it," she stood up and stared at him with pride on her face. Harry didn't say anything, he knew Hermione was right, but this time they were going to help just as much as she did.
"So how do you want to do this?" said Hermione, finally getting everything separated out and looking at the two boys'.
"What do you mean Hermione?" said Harry eyeing all the vials full of ingredients.
"Well -- after the potion is ready we are going to have to take it," she said, eyeing Ron with a look of hope. Harry stared confused at her for a while before it dawned on him.
"Hermione are you saying that like, I become you, and you become Harry, and Harry becomes me?" asked Ron.
"Er -- yes something like that," said Hermione .
"No way, Mione -- no way in Merlin am I going to become a girl," he pouted. Harry didn't feel too comfortable about this situation. He was glad Ron was refusing to taking on Hermione's form, he didn't want his best friend in his girl friends body.
Hermione looked relieved also, she turned to Harry, but the second her mouth opened Harry already understood.
"Sure love -- I'll take yours."
Harry saw Hermione smile at his words. He couldn't help but smile to. It was the first time he called her 'love' and he liked it, even if they had only been dating for three months.
"Okay, then I'll take Harry's and Hermione you can take mine," said Ron, staring at Hermione. Harry could tell he looked a little better with the fact of whose body he was taking. Hermione looked a bit disappointed at the force Ron was inputting on her. Harry could tell she wanted to take his form, but if they did that then Ron would be left without a partner. But Harry didn't care, he still felt better at knowing he was going to be taking Hermione's body even if she wasn't going to be taking his.
"Okay so it's settled, Harry will take mine, I will take Ron's, and Ron -- you will take Harry's," she said, nodding her head between them. They both nodded in return.
"Right Potter, a girl form will suit you well with that hair of yours, and now even better a mudblood body," said a voice behind them. Harry turned and saw a laughing Malfoy behind him. Harry felt Ron and Hermione grab the back of his robes as he emerged forward at the blond.
"Let it go Harry," whispered Hermione. Harry didn't hear her. Insulting Harry was one thing, but when he saw Malfoy do it to his girlfriend just infuriated him more.
"You'll get more points taken," whispered Ron, into his ear. Harry stopped suddenly and just glared and Malfoy who returned back to his work still laughing quietly to himself.
Harry tried hard to keep his concentration on Hermione showing Ron how to brew the potion, but found his anger fully boiled up in him -- waiting to explode. After each glare shot at Malfoy it was becoming harder and harder for Harry to not curse him into tomorrow.
Thanking Merlin as he heard the bell, he gathered his things, and helped Hermione put the cauldron in the cabinet and walking out the door with her and Ron.
"I'm famished," said Ron, rubbing his stomach and groaning.
"You're always hungry Ron," said Hermione, in a spiteful way, walking beside Harry, intertwining there hands as they walked. She looked up at him innocently, her beautiful chocolate brown eyes full of concern. "You okay?"
Harry looked down at her and smiled. She was always cute when she looked all worried. He gave her a feather soft kiss on her forehead.
"I'm fine."
They kept walking in silence, watching the other students talk joyfully amongst there friends. Right as they were about to turn into the corridor that led up the stairs to the Great Hall Harry stopped Ron and Hermione.
"I'll meet you guys there in a minute just going to drop my bag off."
"Okay," said Ron.
He hated bringing his bag to lunch with him. He didn't know why, but he had gotten into the habit of dropping it ff before lunch or dinner. He felt extremely tired again, all that angry wearing off, and leaving him exhausted. Just as he was about to climb the steps to the Gryffindor staircase, he heard voices behind him. He turned and looked to see who they belonged to. No one was there. Walking further, he could hear the voices started to increase. Curiosity taking over him, he turned and followed the noise.
The voices were coming from the Transfiguration classroom. A little while later Harry recognized them as McGonagall's and Flitwick's. Professor Flitwick's evident squeaky voice was echoing off the walls in the room and lingering out to Harry's ears. He walked a little further to the door, trying to be quiet and listen to every word being said.
"...the letter came today," said Flitwick, astounded.
"This morning, before breakfast," he heard McGonagall say in a disbelieving voice. They sounded like they were having a chat over tea. Harry could hear the faint 'clinks' of tea cups hitting saucers.
"What did Albus do?"
"Informed the Order immediately, this is huge news, the Daily Prophet will have a field day when this gets out."
"How do we know it's not just some Death Eater posing?"
"Albus thought so to, but then when he told me who's had her for the past fifteen years - well lets say there no Death Eaters."
"Who was it?"
"The Glenwood's."
"Blimey, wait Jane and Will --?"
"Yes Quality Quidditch, Albus already knows. Took him totally by surprise."
"What about Potter?"
"Albus said at lunch he would inform him."
"Minerva inform him is an understatement, this is huge, does he --"
"No he has no clue, that's why were so worried how he'll react when we tell him."
Harry backed away from the door, looking at it as if it might explode right in front of him. He had a sudden urge to burst through that door and demand what they were talking about.
'Ron and Hermione.'
He turned, and started running down the two flights of stairs with his bag still hanging over his shoulders. Once he reached the Great Hall, he was out of breath. He was clutching a snitch in his side and trying to catch his breath as he reached the doors. Making up his mind, he flung the doors open and ran to the Gryffindor table, ignoring all the stares following him.
Hermione and Ron were sitting on opposite sides of each other. Hermione had a bowl of soup under her nose, while Ron had some chicken on his plate.
Harry ran up to them trying to catch his breath again, but failing.
"Harry weren't you going to put your bag away?" asked Ron, eyeing the bag, and then looking at Harry's flushed face. Harry turned around and looked at the staff table.
Dumbledore was not there. Harry started to get really worried. He started scanning the hall for any sign of the tall man. He was nowhere in sight. Remembering the conversation he just heard - '"Albus said at lunch he would inform him."'
"Harry what's happened?" asked Hermione, also staring at him. Harry looked at their faces, they both looked extremely concern and confused; just like he felt.
"I was just walking up to the --"
"HARRY HEY, HARRY!" called a voice behind Hermione. Harry looked up and saw Colin Creevey running towards them.
He ran over to them. He face was flushed and he was extremely red in his place face. He was clutching his side and catching his breath. Hermione turned to look at Harry. Harry ignored her and looked at Colin who was slowly recovering his breath.
"Dumb - ledore wants to see you - in his office," panted Colin.
"What?"
"Dumbledore, he wants to see you in his office, he said - that you two" gesturing to Ron and Hermione "need to go with him," said Colin, looking back at Harry.
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. They both nodded at Colin, and stood up in there seats; ignoring the unfinished meals. They began to start heading out before Colin called back to them.
"HARRY, HEY wait -- he said something else -- er someone was there - oh yeah Snuggles or some rubbish like that that."
"Snuffles?" questioned Hermione, looking at Colin with a disbelieving look.
"Yes that's it snuffles he's there to," said Colin.
Harry's eyes grew wide with fear.
He looked over at Ron who nodded his head and they shot from the Great Hall in a dead run. Ignoring Colin's "whose snuffles?" comment.
Harry was running so fast, he didn't even notice he was bumping into people and dropping their books everyway, Ron and Herminone not far behind him, pushing through the squeals and protests of the students. Sirius with Dumbledore, what more could of happened in his life? What if he was hurt or someone else was hurt. Did Sirius get caught?
'Don't think that.'
Before Harry knew it, after two flights of stairs, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were standing outside of the Headmasters Office.
"Black Licorice," mumbled Harry, his breath getting caught in his throat. He could feel his heart pounding against his throat, but he had a feeling that was more out of nerves then running so fast. He looked over at Ron who was giving him a confused look; also breathing hard.
"It's a Muggle candy, he told it to me when I had to come to his office a month ago," said Harry. Ron nodded his head in acceptance.
"Come on Harry," said Hermione, rushing up the stairs that had stopped just a moment ago. Harry and Ron followed her. The minute they finally caught up with her, she was already at the door listening intently.
"Mione just go -"
"shhhhh," she hissed, silencing them with the wave of her hand.
"Harry," she said in a whisper so low that Harry had to lean in to hear it, "listen to this."
Harry walked forward and put his ear on the door next to Hermione's. Seconds later he felt Ron follow his movements behind him. The three teenagers listened closely as they heard the sound of two people beyond the door; one yelling and the other talking calmly.
" -- Dumbledore I'm begging you, this isn't the way he should find out."
"Please Sirius, he needs to know -"
"How do you know it isn't some Death Eater working for Voldemort eh?"
"Because, this letter in front of me explains everything Sirius, how she was separated from Harry -- everything."
"But Albus they pronounced her dead fifteen years ago, remember I was there."
"How could I forget, you and Mr. Lupine both attended."
"Dumbledore -- how -- how can you trust people this easily?"
"Because Sirius I know these people -"
"IF YOU KNEW THEM THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU KNOW THEY HAD HAYLEY?"
Harry with no mistake knew that voice. The voice of his angry godfather, and of course the other being the voice of Professor Dumbledore.
He couldn't take hearing Sirius in that tone, something was wrong, and he had to find out. Taking his ear away, he knocked twice. Hermione and Ron were giving him reassuring smiles before the door flew open and there stood the form of Professor Dumbledore.
"Come in," he said, standing aside for the three teenagers to pass.
"Professor sir, where's Sirius?"
"I'm right here Harry," said a voice in the corner. Harry turned around and there sitting by the window was his godfather. Sunken in by the sunlight, he didn't look like himself, he looked scared, and anticipation was clear on his solemn face. He seemed to be given Dumbledore looks of grimace.
"Sirius what's happened?" asked Hermione.
"Sit down Harry." Pulling out his wand and with one flick three chairs appeared before there eyes. Ron took the right seat, Harry the middle and Hermione, the left.
Sirius stood up from the window sill and walked over to Dumbledore.
"I'm begging you please don't -"
"Sirius would you like to tell him or would you prefer I do," said Dumbledore, keeping his eyes on Harry. He didn't trust those eyes whatsoever. He knew something was happening. The atmosphere in the room could be cut with three knifes it was so tense.
"Sirius?" said Harry, a questioning look in his eyes.
"I'll tell him about her -- you can begin from there," said Sirius, through a sigh and walking behind Harry. Putting his hand on his shoulder in a fatherly gesture. Harry had to admit, it clamed him down a little bit, knowing Sirius was here with him.
"Very well, Harry do you know why you were called into my office today?" asked Dumbledore, looking intently at Harry and nothing else. Harry shook his head from side to side.
"It's because of this letter Harry," said Dumbledore, gesturing to some parchment lying beside him. Harry looked at Dumbledore confused.
'What's he playing at?'
"You don't have to read it, but that letter contains information that could change your life forever."
Harry felt Sirius's grip tighten around his shoulder. He could tell by the tightness of the grip, that he was more nervous about this then Harry was.
"Harry, have you heard of Mr. Will Glenwood?" asked Dumbledore, setting down the letter and looking back at him.
"Yes he's owns Quality Quidditch right?"
"Yes, now I don't know how up to date you kids are on taking notes on famous people, but if you didn't know he's married."
"To Jane Glenwood," asked Ron.
"Yes Jane. I received this letter this morning, as you saw the display in the Great Hall."
"The teachers," mumbled Harry more to himself then to anybody in the room.
"Yes I was informing them of it. Well informing is an understatement of how they took it," he chuckled to himself, but Harry didn't return the gesture. He was tense, and nervous, he could feel his heart pounding against his chest like a bomb ticking to go off.
"Once again Harry I don't know how up to date you and your friends are but do you know anything else about Mr. and Mrs. Glenwood?"
Harry shook his head. The name did ring some bell but he didn't ponder the thought any longer.
"They have a daughter, don't they?"
"Yes very good Miss. Granger," said Dumbledore, smiling proudly at her.
Harry once again felt Sirius tighten his grip around his shoulder. Why was he doing this? It was beginning to hurt, but Harry had no intent of telling him this. He looked sad about something, but Harry couldn't make it out, and didn't want to make Sirius mad at asking.
"Their daughter is around your age, well Harry's age to be precise," said Dumbledore. Harry was started to get angry with him. Why was he telling him this, he doesn't even know this girl.
"I'm not understanding -"
"Let me finish Harry," said Dumbledore. The twinkle in his eyes were evident at the moment, but that didn't make Harry feel any better.
"Jane sent me this letter Harry, something very important contained within it, and could change the Order and you're life immensely, someone who hasn't been known to the Wizarding World for fifteen years...Sirius I believe this is were you come in," said Dumbledore, looking up at Sirius.
"Sir pardon me, but what does this have to do with Ron and I?" asked Hermione.
"Oh yes pardon my rudeness Miss. Granger. I asked for your company because I need you two here to support Harry, and I thought it was best for all three of you, being as your so close."
"Sirius if you please?" said Dumbledore gesturing towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"It's not an invite Albus," said Sirius in a cold voice, letting go of Harry's shoulder and walking over to the desk beside the Headmaster. Dumbledore didn't seem at all taken back by his rudeness in that statement, but it took Harry by surprise. Why would he act such a way to Albus Dumbledore.
Harry looked at Sirius. Still one question on his mind that he was dying to ask now.
"Why are you here?"
"Nice to see you too Harry," smiled Sirius, but didn't look like he took the comment to heart.
"Sorry, but why are you?"
"Dumbledore Owled me down after he received this," said Sirius, picking up the letter and throwing it back on the desk again.
Harry watched as Sirius sat gently on the edge of the desk, staring at Harry like he saw him in a new light. He gave him a serious look -- a look Harry had never seen Sirius display before.
"Harry there is something that you need to know," said Dumbledore. Harry looked at him, he too seemed like he was dripping with anticipation on his face.
'What the hell, first Sirius and now Dumbledore?'
"Okay."
"Harry can I ask you something personal?" asked Sirius, looking at him now with concern in his eyes. Harry nodded his head. A little too much caution in the bow, as to what he was saying yes to.
"Do you remember the night your parents died?"
Harry looked up at him with a confused look. The word parents stirred something in his brain. Maybe this had something to do with his parents, is this why everyone was acting so weird? Excitement filling in him, he shook his head, trying to keep his face straight as possible.
"I didn't think so, you were only one after all," said Sirius, his face calming down a bit.
"Harry the night your parents died there were five people in that house, do you know who?"
Harry thought for a minute. This sounded honestly like a riddle, but not a funny one at that. He thought for moment longer. He felt really stupid even thinking this -- five people, there was him, his mum and dad, Voldemort and -
"Wormtail?"
Sirius looked shocked. A second later he frowned. After all, the chances of this 'fifth' person could very well have been Peter.
"No not Wormtail Harry --er god this is hard - " Sirius took in a huge inhale of breath and let it out in a long grasp looking back at the ground. "Please just remember that we all love you Harry, but -- it was -- your sister," he said through a whisper.
Harry felt like someone had just put the oblivious spell on him. He couldn't feel anything around him, everything went silent. He didn't even feel Hermione hand intertwine his. He felt his face draining of color and his body turned unexpectedly cold. Did he just hear right?
"Harry?" he heard Ron whisper next to him. Harry blink a few times; feeling his brain coming back to his surroundings.
"I'm sorry what," was all he said looking at Sirius again.
"Your sister Harry --- Hayley," said Dumbledore putting his head down. Harry did hear right. The room went even colder. He like a Dementor had just walked through the door. He couldn't take it anymore, he needed out. The room was becoming blurry and his face was growing more ghostly white then ever. He stood up, knocking his chair over in the process and ran to the door. Throwing it open and running out as fast as he could onto the stone platform, ignoring the faint calls of Hermione, Sirius, and Ron echoing behind him.
