Harry Potter and the Black Owl

by Qwest

complete: To protect Harry Professor McGonagall relives her teenage years. What seemed like a good idea at first is swiftly becoming a bad one. This is a rather twisted romantic adventure that is sure to please. I think. Read Please:

15. Into the Forbbiden Forest

Hello, my friends. Here is the 15th installment of my little fic. I do so hope you enjoy the chapter. I personally think it is one of the better ones. But I am a little bias considering I wrote it. This time my comments to reviews section is pretty short, so you see that little scroll down bar on the right side of the screen. Look at it. It's practically all chapter. I hope you're happy; this is a long one. Next chapter isn't likely to be so long, though.

I have nothing else of importance to say, so I'll just say I don't own Harry Potter and let you get on with the story. Read and enjoy and as always—review!

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Chapter 15

Into the Forbidden Forest

"What is Ron talking about?"

Harry looked at Min then glanced around the crowded class. Most of the students were completely unaware of what had happened. Harry suspected half of them were sleeping. The ones that were awake and had noticed the end of what Ron had said didn't really know what was gong on. Ron still looked very pale and drawn. He stared at Harry silently pleading with him to rethink hi actions.

Min stared at Harry too, but with and entirely different expression on her face. "Well?" She shot, her eyes flashing. "What is the boy talking about?"

"Min," Harry said, in a hushed tone. "Not now, not in here. I'll tell you..."

"Now, Harry," she insisted. "I've waited and waited for you to come to me on your won. But you haven't. And now Ron says you're going to DIE." Min stared at Harry furiously. "Tell me what's going on right now Harry Potter or I SWEAR I'LL…"

"Min," Harry said, cutting her off, and glancing around the room once more. Anybody who hadn't known what was happening was certainly trying to find out now. Curious eyes turned to watch them, but Min seemed completely oblivious of anyone else. She wanted to have this conversation and she wanted to have it now.

Harry took her by the shoulders and spun her around. "May we be excused?" He asked Firenze already leading Min towards the door. Firenze nodded though it didn't make much difference to Harry if he gave his permission or not. He needed to be away from the class. He opened the door silently, and before it had even closed fully, he heard the buzz of conversation start up. He hoped no one would bother Ron. Harry was sure Ron would not be in the mood.

He and Min walked some distance down the hall, putting some space between them and the Divination classroom. After a bit, Min looked around. "Isolated enough for you?"

Harry shook his head then walked a little ways farther to another room. He peeked inside, saw that it was empty and motioned for Min to join him. She frowned but followed him into the room, and waited while Harry made sure the door was closed fully behind them.

Min spun on Harry and folded her arms across her chest. "I'm still waiting on an explanation," she said.

Harry was quiet for a bit, while he tried to decide the best way to tell Min everything that had happened since Hermione first revealed her discovery. He could think of no easy way to say what he had to, so he decided he'd just be as brief as he could and get over quickly. "Er, it started with Hermione figuring out who the Animagus is." He began then told her about Lestrange and his plan involving the Polyjuice potion to get her location from Pansy. He stopped short of telling her what he planned to do once he found her. Min was already livid that Harry was even planning on dealing with a Death Eater alone.

"And how could you possibly decide it would be best not to tell Professor Dumbledore?" She asked. "Harry, this has got to be the thickest thing I've ever heard of you doing. What on Earth made you think you could take on Lestrange alone? Have you gone completely mad?"

Harry winced. He knew Min wouldn't like what he had to say, but he hadn't realized how much it would hurt to here her talk to him like that. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just wanted…"

"What? What could you have possibly wanted to do on your own?" Min shook her head. "It doesn't take a Diviner to know you're going to get yourself killed, Harry."

Harry shook his head. "You're wrong. I'm a lot stronger now. I can take her."

"Not according to Ron," Min retorted. She turned away from Harry and walked towards the window on the other side of the room. She stared out of it for a bit, visibly trying to calm herself. Finally, she said, "I think I understand now why you didn't want to tell me this. At first I was afraid you didn't trust me enough to keep your secrets, but now I see. You knew this was one secret I wouldn't keep."

Harry stared at her for a minute as what she said gradually sunk in. "Min, you're not going to tell Dumbledore, are you?" He asked slowly.

Min looked back over her shoulder. "Of course I am. You think I'm going to let you go get yourself killed. Hermione and Ron may bed content to sit back and wait for your brain to start working again, but I'm not. I'm leaving a lot for you, you know, Harry. I don't regret that I am. I do love you. But it's still a lot and I don't want it to be for nothing." She looked at him seriously and asked, "How do you expect me to go on if you die?"

"I'm not going to die," Harry answered. "It doesn't matter what anybody says. Not Ron or Hermione or…or you. I want die. I told you. I'm stronger now. I can take her."

Min shook her head and turned away from the window, approaching Harry once again. "Why are you being so stubborn about this? So you think you're strong enough to fight her. But what if you're wrong? She's evil, Harry. You can't fight that kind of evil."

Harry was quiet. He looked away from Min refusing to her the logic of her words. "She killed Sirius," he said softly

Min took Harry by the hands. "I know she's the reason your godfather is…gone. But that doesn't change anything. You still can't fight her. Not by yourself." Min was silent for a bit then said, "I think you should be the one to tell Professor Dumbledore. I have to see him tomorrow afternoon. You can come with me. We can't tell him together if that makes it any easier."

Harry shook his head. "You still don't understand," he said, pulling away from her. "She killed Sirius." Min was silent, watching Harry. "She killed him," Harry repeated, "And if I tell Dumbledore he'll catch her."

"Isn't that what you want?"

"NO THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT!"

Min winced and Harry squeezed his eyes shut. He ran a hand through his hair, tussling it even more than it already was. Slowly he said. "I don't want her to be caught."

Min shook her head. "I don't understand. Why not?"

"Don't you see? If Professor Dumbledore catches her, she'll be sent back to Azkaban."

"But isn't that what she deserves?"

Harry frowned. "No," he said. "So what if she's sent back. She'll just sit there and wait for Voldemort to bust her out again, or worse. She'll get off like Lucius Malfoy."

"That could never happen," Min said quickly.

"It doesn't matter if it could or couldn't," Harry answered. "She'll still be around and it isn't fair. It isn't fair someone as evil as her is still alive when someone as good as Sirius is…is not. I don't want her put back in Azkaban. I want her dead." Harry stopped. It was the first time he had spoken how he really felt out loud. He knew that those feelings were what were motivating him this whole time. Why he formulated his plan and pushed for the Polyjuice potion to be made. Why he shut Ron and Hermione out and never told Min the truth. He knew he had done all that he had because he wanted to see Lestrange suffer for all the hurt she had caused. But saying it out loud made those feelings real and it shocked him a bit. He wanted a person dead and he wanted to be there to watch that person die.

"So," Min said slowly, breaking the silence. "You want Lestrange dead." She looked up at him with unreadable grey eyes. "You think you can kill her?"

Harry glanced away, not answering immediately. He didn't think Min was asking him if he thought he had the physical ability to kill a person. She was asking if he really had the desire to kill. And the answer to that would have been an emphatic yes. He had known for sometime that if given the opportunity, he could and would kill Lestrange. He couldn't tell Min that, though. He couldn't tell her he was willing to commit murder no matter how justifiable it was. "I don't know," he mumbled after a bit.

"Harry," Min said, reaching for his hand again.

Harry pulled away then walked to one of the empty desk and slumped down in the chair. "I'm sorry," he said after a bit. "It's the first time I actually said that out loud." He looked up at her. "Do you hate me?"

"No," Min answered, tilting her head slightly. "Why would I hate you?"

"I want someone…dead."

"People think evil thoughts about other people all the time," Min said, trying to be comforting. "I have."

Harry shook his head. "But this is different."

"I don't know. I have wished some pretty nasty things on Snape."

Harry smiled slightly and Min returned the smile. She walked over to him, and , perching on the edge of his chair, wrapped her arms around him. "I won't pretend I know what you're going through, Harry. Sirius was a very good friend, and sometimes I miss him so much. But he was the closest person you had to a father."

Harry nodded, wrapping his arms around Min's waist and pulling her closer. "He was," he said quietly.

"I don't know what it's like to lose parents to murder," Min went on. "Mine died peacefully in their sleep at the age of one hundred and ten."

Another half smile graced Harry's face. "Gees, Min. How old are you exactly?"

Min looked up at Harry, mirroring his smile. "That is none of your business." Her expression turned serious and she reached up and pushed Harry's hair out of his face. Harry watched her, very aware that she was looking at his scar. "A lot has been placed on your shoulders," she said after a bit. "but Lestrange is something you don't have to worry about." She pulled Harry's face towards her and kissed him on the forehead. "You'll feel better once you tell Dumbledore everything."

Harry relinquished his grip on Min's waist and stood, slowly pushing her way. "Min, I thought you got that I didn't want to tell Dumbledore."

Min frowned. "What? Harry, I thought we were working through that."

Harry shook his head. "You said it yourself. You don't understand how it feels to lose your patents to murder. I hate that my mum and dad aren't here with me. But I hate even more that Sirius isn't. I knew him and I…I loved him. He was there for me; was gong to be there for me even more. I had only just found him, Min. Only just found him and she took him away from me." Harry felt himself tearing up and he looked away from Min, squeezing his eyes shut. "I hate her."

"I don't blame you for that," Min answered, "But you're letting your hate blind you, Harry. You aren't thinking clearly. You can't kill Lestrange."

"Why not?" Harry retorted. "I'm supposed to kill Voldemort, right? Why not start with one of his little minions and work my way up?"

Min frowned, folding her arms across her chest once more. "Don't by cynical, Harry," she said. "It doesn't suite you. Tell Dumbledore. Let him take care of this. And don't worry about what happens to Lestrange now. She'll get what she deserves in the end."

"That's comforting."

"What did I tell you about being cynical?"

"I was being sarcastic."

Min glared at Harry then huffed. "God, Harry, what's it going to take to make you see you're running head long into death. What are you waiting for, a sign form the stars? Oh, wait, you've already got that."

"Technically, that was a tree."

"Don't do it, Harry," Min said, ignoring him. "Please, stop trying to find her. Leave it to Dumbledore. If you won't tell him to save yourself then tell him for me." She walked towards Harry and looked up at him with a sincerity Harry couldn't ignore. "Honestly, how do you expect me to on with out you?"

Harry looked down at her, feeling his expression soften and his resolve melt away. He supposed he had always known that if he told Min, she'd be the one to talk him out of it. "Alright," he said quietly. "Alright, I'll tell Dumbledore. I'll tell him everything."

Min blew a sigh of relief then stepped up to Harry wrapping her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I just don't want to lose you," she said against his chest. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Min," Harry said, holding her just as tightly. A part of him was a little relieved to be going to the headmaster, but he knew he still very much wanted Lestrange dead. He doubted that would change anytime soon.

Min looked up at him, still holding on to him. "I'm sorry I yelled so much."

Harry smiled slightly. "It's okay. I probably deserved it."

"Yeah, you did." She kissed him lightly. "We should go. I'm sure class has to be almost over by now."

Harry nodded and started to pull away, when the door behind them opened. He looked back to see Professor Lupin standing in the door way, staring at the town of them with a very surprised look on his face.

"Er, I have class in here in fifteen minutes. You might want to take that else where," he said, the corners of his mouth starting to tug up in a grin.

Harry realized how he and Min must look standing together as they were and felt himself going red again. Min must have had the same realization and she quickly disentangled herself from Harry.

"Sorry, Sir," she said, casting her eyes toward the floor and keeping them there as she made her to the door.

"Yeah," Harry added. "We'll just, er, be going now."

He turned to follow Min, but Professor Lupin put a hand on his shoulder stopping him. Lupin waited until Min was out the door before saying in a low voice, "I see the two of you have worked things out."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, everything is fine with us now."

"Good." Professor Lupin looked at Harry and smiled a bit nervously. "So, er, are there any…any things you need to talk about? If there are, you can come see me. Any time."

Harry looked away, suddenly embarrassed himself. He thought he had already dodged this conversation. "I know. But I think…I think I'm good," he said and left before Professor Lupin could go any further down the path he had been traveling.

Harry found Min just outside the room. She stepped away from the door guiltily then looked at him seriously, though her eyes were laughing. "So, are you two going to have 'the talk'?" She asked

"Not if I can help it," Harry answered. He took her hand and the two of them made their way back to the Divination class room.

They didn't have much time left in the period when they finally returned. Ron was gone and Firenze had all of the students studying the stars once more. He walked around, trying to make sure everyone remained focused on the lesson. This, however, didn't stop anybody from slipping towards Harry and Min and questioning them about what had happened.

Parvati kept poking at Min and Harry, hoping to get one of them to tell her where Ron had gone. Finally Min replied, "I don't know. Maybe he's in the boys' toilet. Why don't you go check?"

"Well, you don't have to be so snappy," Parvati frowned and left them alone.

Harry and Min remained quiet for the rest of the period, ignoring the occasional question and wishing desperately that the class would end. They were very relieved when Firenze finally announced the end of the period and sent everybody on their way. The two of them headed straight for Gryffindor Tower, hoping to find Ron. They found Hermione instead, who stood next to the Fat Lady waiting for them.

Hermione looked up as they approached her and smiled weakly. "Ron told me what happened," she said quietly, stepping forward to meet them. "He's resting now and I don't think he wants to be bothered."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I suppose he wouldn't."

The three turned around and started for the Great Hall. Unlike the first time Ron had read the tree, no one really knew what had happened. Happily, there would be no rumors of swarms of Death Eaters attacking the school this time. No one would be misinterpreting what they had heard and no one would be saying that Voldemort himself was on the way. Though what Ron's predictions meant, Harry wasn't entirely sure. It almost sounded like he was going to be the cause of Dumbledore's fall. But that couldn't be right, could it?

"Harry finally tell you everything?" Hermione asked Min as they entered the Great Hall.

Min nodded, frowning again. "How could you let him almost go through with such an idiotic idea?"

"You know Harry," Hermione sighed. "He can be very stubborn."

Min nodded. "I suppose that's true, but still. Did you think he'd finally change his mind and go to Professor Dumbledore on his own?"

Hermione shook her head. "I had hoped he would, but I didn't really think so. I figured he'd finally tell you and you'd make him go to Dumbledore. You did talk him out of it, didn't you?"

Min nodded. "It took some convincing, but we're going to see Professor Dumbledore together tomorrow after classes." She shook her head. "I love him, but he can be so thick sometimes."

"You know, I'm still here," Harry said, slightly annoyed./ "I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me as I wasn't standing next to you."

Min glanced back at Harry and smiled. "Sorry, luv. Here's a spot." They followed her to the far end of the Gryffindor tabled and sat well away form the other students, where they had a small bit of privacy.

Hermione glance around, making sure their general area was free of listening ears, then leaning in close asked, "What exactly did Ron see this time? He wouldn't tell me when he got back. He just want to like down."

"It seemed like he was finishing what he started last time," Harry answered. He looked up at Hermione and repeated what Ron had said as closely as he could. Hermione listened intently her forehead creasing in thought. "And then finished up by telling me I was going to die," Harry concluded.

"He didn't say you were definitely going to die." Min frowned. "Only if you tried to take on Lestrange by yourself. Which you're not, so problem solved."

Harry nodded. "Maybe." He looked back at Hermione. "What do you think it means?"

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. I'm no expert at this kind of thing. But it sounded more like a prophecy than a prediction to me."

"What's the difference?" Harry asked.

"Not much I suppose," Hermione answered with a shrug. "It's just that I think of a prediction as something that will happen quickly or at least in the near future. I think of a prophecy as something that may not happen for years."

"What difference does it make whether what Ron said was going to happen tomorrow or ten years from tomorrow?" Min asked. "He seemed pretty definite that Harry was going to die if he went through with his plan."

"I suppose that's true," Hermione said thoughtfully. "And since Harry isn't going to do it then it won't come true. So then it doesn't really matter whether it's a prophecy or a prediction or what it's supposed to mean."

Harry nodded, though he didn't agree. He was getting very tired of hearing prophesies about himself and not knowing exactly what they entailed.

"Ron will be glad to know you changed your mind," Hermione went on, looking back at Harry. "He was worried about you."

Harry nodded again. "I didn't mean to worry anyone." He looked up and asked, "Does it make a difference, though, if I told you I really can handle Lestrange."

"No," Hermione answered, "Mostly because I don't believe you. You're good with defensive magic, but you're not that good."

"I've gotten better. More than you know."

"How?" Hermione asked.

"That's another one of those things that doesn't matter," Min cut in. She looked over at Harry and said, "You promised me you wouldn't go chasing after Lestrange alone. If you go back on that promise, Harry, I'll…I'll never speak to you again."

Harry smiled slightly at the weak threat, reaching over to give Min's hand a squeeze. "I said I wouldn't and I won't," he said. "We'll go see Professor Dumbledore tomorrow and it'll all be over."

Min nodded and Hermione looked at him quite relieved. "I am glad to hear that," she said.

"Let's not talk about Lestrange and prophesies anymore," Harry added.

Alright," Min said, glancing over at Harry. "How far have you gotten in your Potion assignment?"

Harry groaned. "Anything but that too."

Hermione smirked. "That translates into he hasn't done a thing."

Min nodded. "We'll have to remedy that after dinner, won't we?"

Harry reluctantly agreed. Even though ending his evening with Potions homework wasn't his ideal finish to an already rough day, he found he didn't mind it so much. At least it was…normal. He turned back to his food, trying to push all thoughts of Lestrange from his mind. But as hard as he tried, one thing kept bothering him. He knew beyond any doubt that Lestrange was going to get away with murder.

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Minerva gasped and sat straight up in bed. For a moment, she couldn't remember what had woken her, but was rudely reminded when she moved her head. Minerva moaned, and pressed the heels of her hands against her temples. She had woken up with the worst headache of her life.

The drapes around her bed were suddenly pulled back. Minerva started and looked up. She immediately squinted against the light and looked away. The light made her head hurt even worse.

"I can't believe you're still in bed, Mindy. You're going to be late."

"Ginny?" Min asked, chancing a look back into the light.

Ginny stood over her, Hermione just behind. Hermione tilted her head to the side. "Are you feeling okay? You slept through breakfast."

"We came up to make sure you weren't dead," Ginny added.

Minerva nodded and immediately regretted it. It felt like her brain was rattling around in her skull. "I'm fine," she lied. "What time is it?"

"Almost eight," Hermione answered. "Are you sure you're alright? You look a little pale."

"Yes, I'm fine. I have to get dress." Minerva threw the covers back and slid out of bed. "I can't believe I overslept."

"Take your time," Hermione said, waving away Minerva's worry. "You probably won't miss a thing. And if you like, you can borrow my notes; unless you want me to wait for you."

"Thanks, Hermione," Minerva said, pulling open her beside draw and rummaging through it. "But you should go. Don't be late on my account."

"I don't mind waiting," Ginny said, sitting on the bed across from Minerva's. "I have History of Magic first today."

Minerva shook her head. "Go, both of you." She looked up at Hermione. "I'll see you in class."

"Alright," Hermione said. "Come on, Ginny."

Ginny waved a good-bye and followed Hermione out of the room. Minerva watched them leave then turned back to her drawer. Pushing some quills and loose parchment aside, she found the bottle of pills she had borrowed from Lavender ages ago. She had been meaning to return tit but never quite got around to it. And they did work so well on headaches. She didn't really want to see Madam Pompfry about her headaches. And she especially didn't want to talk to Professor Snape. The man was being insufferable lately.

Minerva pulled out the bottle and noticed something shinny jammed in the back corner of her drawer. Putting the bottle of Tylenol aside, she reached into her drawer and pulled out a pretty little jewelry box. She looked down at the Christmas present Harry had given her then slowly lifted the lid. Inside still laid the clear blue-grey jewel on its silver chain. She couldn't believe she had almost forgotten it was back there. Harry had rally put a lot of thought into her gift, but she had never worn it. She had looked at the beautiful present then shoved it out of her sight. She supposed she had felt guilty about it before. Now that she would admit it, she knew she had been just as in love with Harry as he was with her then. But, of course, on that day she didn't know that she would ever tell him, or anyone else. She had thought it would be hypocritical to wear the necklace when she had no intentions of being with Harry.

She took the necklace out of the box and held it up in the sunlight. Things were different, now, though. They were together now. She put the necklace on and found herself grinning. She was glad she could finally wear Harry's gift. Her smile faded slightly as she remembered that afternoon she had to talk to Professor Dumbledore. She and Harry were going to drop a lot on the headmaster. She couldn't help feeling things weren't going to go well. 'Maybe this will bring us luck,' she thought, tucking the gem under her pajama top. Picking up the bottle and pills and grabbing some clean clothes, Minerva shut her drawer and hurried to get ready for the day.

Normally Minerva hated sitting through Defense against the Dark Arts. But that day she found she didn't mind it so much. Professor Trelawney had the class spend the period in deep reflection, which was suppose to help open their inner eye and allow them to have visions of any dark entities that might try to attack them.

Ron frowned. "I don't need anymore visions of that sort of thing," he said quietly. "Two per year is plenty enough." He pulled out his Transfiguration book and began working on the essay they were assigned the day before.

"It's not so bad," Harry said. "Sort of relaxing really."

"It's ridiculous," Hermione said with a frown. "I'm with Ron. We should just do our work for our other classes."

"You'll never get away with it, Hermione." Harry said, shifting his position on his cushion and closing his eyes.

"We'll see," Hermione mumbled and began to work on a bit of Arithmacy.

Harry was right, though. Professor Trelawney managed to overlook Ron doing work for another class, but she immediately spotted Hermione. She promptly took ten points from Gryffindor and told Hermione to start on her Defense against the Dark Arts lesson or face detention.

"Unbelievable." Hermione fumed and began ranting quietly to herself as she shoved her books away.

Minerva would have normally agreed with Hermione, but she was feeling very drowsy. She had taken double the amount of pills Lavender had told her to take that morning thinking that it would make her headache go away faster. When her headache wasn't gone in the ten minutes it usually took she took one more. That seemed to do the trick, but while her headache was gone, she couldn't seem to keep her eyes open. It was just beginning to dawn on her as she swayed on her cushion that maybe taking more was not necessarily better. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and tried to focus on self reflection. She closed her eyes and found her self drifting off again. Frowning at her own inability to control her wakefulness, Minerva stood up.

"Yes, do you need something, Ms. James?" Professor Trelawney asked, floating her way.

"No," Minerva answered shortly, and plopped back down on her cushion. She decided it was the classroom that was making her sleepy. As always, the room was way too warm. It was practically March and the fire did not need to be going so strongly. The perfume coming from the fireplace wasn't helping either. It must have been the heavy scent that was trying to put her to sleep. "Does the woman ever just burn a regular fire?" Minerva thought.

"What?" Harry asked, opening an eye and looking at her.

"Did I say that out loud?" Minerva asked. "I must be more out of it than I thought."

"Out of it?" Harry asked, concern suddenly filling his green eyes. "Are you ill? Do you want me to take you to see Madam Pompfry?"

"No, I'm fine. I just didn't get a lot of sleep." Minerva answered. She shifted her weight too get more comfortable. "I just need to focus on the lesson, is all. I'll be alright."

"If you say so," Harry answered a little unsure.

Minerva nodded her confidence and closed her eyes. Her deep self reflection, however, soon turned into a deep sleep. She ended up sleeping the period away, not waking again until Harry shook her shoulder.

"Min, class is over," he whispered in her ear.

Minerva sat up slowly and blinked confused. She didn't know at what point she had rested her head on the small table in front of her, but that was the position she had found herself in. "Class is over?" She said then asked a little more surprised, "And Professor Trelawney didn't try to wake me up?"

Ron smiled. "Every time Professor Trelawney looked your way, we would prop you up. She thought you were just really, really concentrating on the lesson."

Harry laughed. "You actually got points for Gryffindor today, Min." He stood and taking Minerva's hand helped her to her feet. "Potion's next. I wonder if the same trick would work on Snape."

"Give it a try," Ron said with a smirk. "I'd like to hear how that one turns out."

Minerva squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. She felt a little dizzy and she leaned on Harry for support. "Let's just go so I can get this day over with," she said grouchily.

Hermione looked at her frowning. "Are you sure you're alright? I've never seen you sleep during class."

Minerva nodded, allowing Harry to lead her towards the trap door. "This morning I had a headache," she answered, "But it's gone now. I took a few of these." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the bottle of Tylenol.

Hermione took the bottle from her then followed her through the trap door and out of the class. "Muggle medicine?" Hermione asked curiously, falling into step beside Minerva and Harry. "I didn't know you used Muggle things."

"Normally I don't," Minerva answered. "Lavender let me borrow them forever ago and they really help a headache."

Ron frowned at the bottle. "I don't trust those things," he said. "You should've gone to Madam Pompfry."

"I'd rather not see her, considering my situation," Minerva answered.

"It's only Tylenol," Harry said. "I take it all the time when I'm ill."

Hermione nodded. "Me too, but, exactly how many pills did you take, Min?"

"Um," Minerva squinted, trying to remember. "Four, no, five."

Harry turned towards. "Five?"

"All at once?" Hermione asked.

"Is that bad?" Minerva asked. "Because I was starting to think it might be bad."

"Yes, it's bad." Hermione answered. "No wonder you couldn't stay awake, you've practically drugged yourself. You can't take that much Muggle medicine at one time."

"Is she going to be alright?" Ron asked alarmed. "That's why I don't trust that stuff. It makes you sicker than you already are."

"She's fine, Ron." Hermione said, looking back at him. "She hasn't slipped into a comma yet."

"A comma?" Ron asked.

"Hermione's kidding," Harry said, quickly. "You're kidding right?"

Hermione frowned then gave the bottle back to Minerva. "Don't take anymore today, okay. And in the future, please remember no more than two every so many hours."

Minerva nodded tucking the pills into her pocket. "I just hope I can stay awake in Potions. I doubt Snape will believe I accidentally drugged myself."

"You're in no condition to go to class," Hermione frowned. "Come on. I'll walk with you back to Gryffindor Tower."

"No," Minerva said, quickly. "I can't skip Potions. Professor Snape will think I'm trying to get out of my meeting with Dumbledore."

"Hermione's right," Harry said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "You should go lay down. Try to sleep off some of that medicine."

Minerva shook her head. "I can't miss that class. Besides, I'm feeling better already. Let's go." She wiggled out of Harry's grip and walked determinedly down the hall heading for the passage that would take them to the dungeon class room. She glanced back to find Harry following her, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

"Fine," he said, "But if you start to feel ill, please go see Madam Pompfry."

Minerva nodded. "I will," she promised, stopping to let Harry catch up with her. She leaned against him again, glad for the support. "It's going to be a very long day," she said quietly as they continued on to class.

Half way through Potions Minerva was starting think she should have taken Harry's and Hermione's advice and gone back to bed. She was having better luck staying awake. Leaning over a hot cauldron, full of stinky potion was certainly a big help. She wasn't, however, having any luck focusing. She had no idea what kind of potion she was brewing. Seeing as she didn't know what she was making, she was fairly sure she was making it completely wrong. She kept throwing in ingredients to look busy, and flashing Professor Snape a 'I know exactly what I'm doing' smile when ever looked her way.

Minerva reached into her Potion kit and pulled out a bottle of something. Pulling out the stopper, she dumped nearly half the contents of the bottle into her cauldron. Her potion turned from a muddy brown to an electric purple. "Ooh, that's pretty," she said, half to herself.

Draco looked over at her then leaned over her cauldron. "Vigoreous potions aren't supposed to be that color," he whispered.

"Vigoreous," Minerva said slowly. "Is that what we're making?"

Draco looked at her curiously. "Are you feeling alright? I've never seen you like this before."

"Yes, I'm okay. I wish people would stop asking me that, though."

Draco nodded then asked slowly, "Mindy, can I talk to you?"

"Sure. Go ahead," Minerva said, turning back to her clearly not Vigoreous potion. She found a vile of pixie wings and rattled it, contemplating what would happen if she threw them into the cauldron too.

"Not right now. I meant alone." Draco said. He frowned slightly. "Or are you still letting Potter dictate who you can or can't talk to."

Minerva temporarily forgot the pixie wings and looked back at Draco. "Harry doesn't tell me who I can talk to. He doesn't care who I'm friends with."

"I find that hard to believe," Draco said, turning a glare on Harry across the room.

Minerva followed his gaze and found Harry giving her a very disapproving look. She tilted her head to the side, wondering why he would be looking at her like that. Minerva frowned. She was having all sorts of trouble thinking this morning. She should have gone back to bed.

"So we can talk later?" Draco asked, turning to look at Minerva again.

Minerva looked away from Harry back at Draco. She probably shouldn't. She knew Harry didn't like Draco. But she liked Draco. Minerva shrugged. "Sure."

Draco grinned. "Meet me after diner, outside by the lake."

Minerva nodded again and yawned. Then suddenly remembering she had Pixie wings in her hand, she opened the vial and tossed a few into her potion which immediately belched and acid green cloud that smelled strongly of rotten eggs.

Professor Snape turned back to look at her. "Ms. James, what are you doing?"

"Experimenting," Minerva answered without hesitation.

Professor Snape's eyes narrowed. "You're what?"

"She just miss added one thing," Draco said, quickly. "I've finished my potion so I can help her fix it."

Snape glanced at Draco then looked back at Minerva curiously. "Miss added something, did you?"

Minerva shrugged. "Sure if you want to believe that."

"Maybe you should just stop talking while you're ahead." Draco whispered.

Deciding that was probably sound advice, Minerva shut her mouth. She looked back at Professor Snape expecting him to take some points from Gryffindor. But instead he said, "Assist her Mr. Malfoy, but be quick about it. The period is almost over." And turned and headed back for his desk.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Draco asked, ladling some of his potion into an empty bottle. "Here," he added, handing her the bottle.

"Yes, I'm fine. What's this?"

"The best assistance I can give you with that," Draco answered, nodding towards her ruined potion. "Just put your name on it and turn it in."

"Er, thanks," Minerva said, taking the bottle of potion.

"What are friends for?" Draco answered with a faint smile.

"Yeah," Minerva answered listlessly as she scribbled her name across the bottle.

Minerva spent the remainder of the period doing nothing, and was very glad when Professor Snape asked everyone to turn in their potions and ended the class. Harry dropped off his potion and started her way. Draco watched him approach, then looked at Minerva.

"I should probably get going, Mindy," he said, clearing his cauldron and putting his things away. He waited for Harry to be in earshot, before adding, "I'll see you after you diner."

Minerva nodded waving a good-bye, completely unaware for a moment of the trouble that statement would undoubtedly cause. Harry gave Draco a look that could kill, but waited for him to leave before turning on Minerva.

"What did he mean by 'see you after diner'?"

"Er," Minerva stalled.

Harry frowned. "Min, you promised me you would stay away from him."

"I didn't say that exactly, did I?" Minerva asked innocently.

Harry sighed. "You can't trust him."

"Well, why not?" Minerva asked. "He's always been very nice to me."

"Because," Harry started then stopped. "There's something I need to tell you that I didn't before…" Harry tried again.

"Potter."

Harry stopped talking and looked around. Professor Snape stood behind him, looking down his nose at him. "Yes?" Harry asked.

"Leave."

Harry frowned. He glanced at Minerva then back at Professor Snape. "But, I…"

"Now."

Harry's frown deepened, but he nodded. "I need to talk to you." He said quietly, looking back at Minerva. "It's really important, okay. So find me as soon as you're done."

Minerva nodded only half of what Harry was saying sinking in. Looking back at Professor Snape once more, Harry turned and slowly left the dungeon room.

Professor Snape waited until the room was empty before turning to Minerva and saying, "I see the two of you are still…" His face twisted into an expression of utter disgust, "…friendly."

Minerva smiled sweetly. "Very friendly, actually."

"I had hoped you would have come to your senses by now," Professor Snape said. "Do you really mean to tell Professor Dumbledore this nonsense about you and Potter?"

"It's not nonsense," Minerva retorted. "I love him."

"I don't want to hear you spout any of that idiotic dribble."

"Then why did you ask me stay?"

"I wanted to make sure you didn't 'forget' you're meeting with Professor Dumbledore. He already knows you're coming, so don't try to put it off."

Minerva huffed, self-righteously. "Do you really think I would try to skip the meeting when I promised I would go?"

"I don't know what you would do anymore, Minerva," Snape answered.

"I'm here aren't I?" Minerva said defensively.

"Why is that significant?" Snape answered. "You seem to enjoy coming to my class and annoying me."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Not everything is about you."

Snape arched an eyebrow at Minerva. "No, then maybe it's about Mr. Malfoy." Minerva frowned, unsure of what Snape was getting at. "I've also noticed your friendly behavior towards him." He went on.

"What?" Minerva asked, admittedly a little lost.

"I thought you loved Potter."

Minerva scowled. "What are you talking about?"

"Come now, Minerva. Anyone can see what you're doing." Snape looked down at her. "Why are you leading Mr. Malfoy on?"

Minerva shook her head. "I'm not leading any…."

Snape's face twisted into a wry smirk. "Or were you this promiscuous when you were really sixteen?"

Minerva blinked, Snape's words slowly trickling past her dulled senses. She gasped, as she realized what Snape had just called her and whipped out her wand, pointing it directly at his beak nose. "I may be sixteen, Severus, but I can still turn you into a smoldering pile of shit. Don't push me."

Snape folded his arms across his chest. "Language, Minerva."

Minerva growled then shoved her wand back into her robe pocket. "I don't need to stand here and listen to you. I'm leaving," she said, pushing her cauldron aside and heading for the door.

"I'll see you this evening," Snape said in a very unfriendly manner.

Minerva glared at Snape then turned back to door.

"Leave Draco alone," he went on. "He has enough to deal with, without you throwing yourself at him."

Minerva yanked the door open. "Not that it's any of your business, but Draco comes on to me. Not the other way around. So you can take your advice and shove up your ass." She stepped out the room and slammed the door shut behind her. She stopped just outside the door and squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't believe how angry Snape had made her. She couldn't remember the last time she had been that mad. Minerva rubbed a temple. Great, now her headache was back. Forcing herself to breath slowly, Minerva started down the hall, deciding to head straight for Gryffindor Tower. She really needed to lie down now.

Minerva's mind kept playing over what Snape said about her throwing herself at Draco. She didn't believe for a moment that she was, but what if Draco was reading too much into their friendship. She didn't want him to think she felt something special for him. Minerva started having second thoughts about agreeing to meet Draco. But perhaps it could be a good thing. She could talk to him and make sure he didn't think of her as anything more than friend.

"Exploding Bog," Minerva said to the fat lady then climbed through the portrait hole and nearly into Ginny.

"Oh, hello," Ginny said, taking a step back quickly. "I didn't expect anyone to be climbing through. Aren't you going to lunch?"

Minerva shook her head. "I don't feel so well, so I think I'm going to sleep through lunch today."

"You didn't look too good this morning." Ginny nodded starting for the portrait hole again. "Want me to tell Harry, then?"

Minerva looked around at her. At the mention of Harry's name, she remembered she was supposed to find him. He had wanted to talk to her about something. She should probably go find him, but, with her headache, she doubt she'd be able to focus on whatever it was Harry had to say. Besides, all he probably wanted to do was tell her rotten Draco was and she was not in the mood to hear that. "Yes, that would be great," Minerva answered. "Tell him we can talk later."

"Alright," Ginny said, agreeing to deliver the message. "Hope you feel better soon, Mindy," she added climbing through the portrait hole.

"Thanks," Minerva said and headed up to the sixth year girls' room. A small nap was all she needed to feel like herself again. Min walked into the room and flopped down on her bed. She wasn't one for sleeping during the middle of the day, but as her head hit the pillow she found she had no troubled falling straight to sleep.

When Minerva woke up again, she felt much better. Her headache was gone, and she felt rested. Minerva stretched hugely and rolled out of bed, wondering if she had slept through any of her classes. The room was still empty and much darker than it had been, with only the torches lit for illumination. This registered as odd, but it didn't strike her why until she was half-way across the common room. Minerva paused just in front of the portrait whole. It shouldn't be so dark, not if it was the middle of the day. She glanced up at the clock and was slightly surprised to see she had slept through the day and most of dinner.

'Harry is going to be mad,' Minerva thought and started through the portrait hole. He had wanted to talk to her hours ago. 'About Draco,' Minerva remembered glancing back at the clock once more. She had promised to meet Draco after dinner. She stared at the clock for a moment then hurried back up to the room to get her cloak. Whatever Harry wanted to tell had waited all day. It could wait a little longer. If she hurried, she still had time to catch up with Draco.

Pulling on her cloak, Minerva hurried back down to the common room and out the portrait hole into the hall.

"A little over dressed for dinner aren't you?" The Fat Lady said as she swung closed.

Minerva waved a hand at the portrait, not answering it, and hurried on. She slowed as she passed the Great Hall. She stared at the door for a moment, suddenly wondering if she should go in and talk to Harry. She shook her head and picked up the pace. Whispering a silent apology to Harry, she pushed the doors leading out of the school open and stepped out into the night. March had finally come, and with it so had slightly warmer weather. The snow was melting, but at night the water left in the lawn would freeze anew and turn the ground into ice. Minerva picked her way across the grass, trying not to slip on the icy patches, as she made her way towards the lake. It was still dusk dark, but it was rapidly getting darker as the last rays of the sun disappeared.

Minerva squinted against the murkiness and spotted a lone figure, hands tucked in cloak pockets, staring out at the still frozen water. "Draco?" She called as she approached him.

Draco turned around and smiled a smile that matched the weather. "You're early," he said. "Dinner isn't quite over yet."

Minerva stopped beside him. "Only by a little," she answered. "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Draco removed one of his hands from his pocket and took Minerva by the arm. "Let's walk," he said, leading her around the lake, towards the Forbidden Forest.

Minerva allowed herself to be led, waiting for Draco to finally break the silence and tell her what this was all about.

"I'm glad you came," he said, after a very long moment, staring into the forest. "I missed talking to you, Mindy."

"I, er, missed you too," Minerva said, slowly. "You were a good friend when I needed one."

Draco glanced back at Minerva. "Was I?"

Minerva nodded. "Yes, you know that."

"But only a friend," Draco stated flatly.

Minerva looked away then said slowly, "I hope we can be friends again, Draco. Honestly, I do."

Draco looked at her, but said nothing.

Minerva kept walking in silence waiting for Draco to speak again. When he didn't after some time, she decided to break the silence and asked, "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Draco looked back at the dark forest looming ahead. "Sometimes people have to do things they don't want to do," he said quietly, "But they have no choice." He looked at her almost pleadingly. "Can you understand that?"

Minerva frowned trying to figure out what the boy was getting at. She didn't understand at all. "I think a person always have a choice," she answered as best she could.

Draco closed his eyes and looked away. "Not always," he mumbled.

Minerva tilted her head, remembering what Professor Snape had said earlier. That Draco had enough to deal with. She wondered if something was going on that he had talked to Snape about. While, she couldn't imagine going to Snape with anything right now, he was Draco's house professor. The boy might have felt more comfortable talking to him. Now, though, whatever it was, Draco was trying to tell her. He was trusting her with what was bothering him. 'Harry was wrong,' Minerva thought, 'If Draco can trust me, I can trust him'.

"Is someone trying to make you do something you don't want to do?" Minerva asked, stepping in front of him to look him in the eye.

Draco stuffed his hands back into the pockets of his robes. "I just don't want you to hate me."

Minerva stared at him curiously. "I've never hated you. Why would I hate you now?"

"I'm not like them," Draco went on, as if Minerva had never spoken. "I don't want to be like them. But I don't have much choice in the matter."

"Okay, you're losing me. What is going on?"

Draco looked at her then took her by the shoulders. "You won't be hurt. I'll make sure of that," he said.

"Be hurt?" Minerva questioned. "What are talking about?"

"She just needs you for a little…"

"She?" Minerva whispered her eyes widening. Who was he talking about? Surely it wasn't Bellatrix Lestrange. She found herself suddenly having second thoughts about going so far away from the school in the dark to meet Draco. Harry might be right and, for once, she might be wrong. Very wrong. "Draco, you're starting to scare me," she said, wiggling out of his grip. "I think it's time I went back inside."

"I can't let you do that," he said, stepping in front of her as she tried to step around him.

"Draco, please move," Minerva said. "I don't want to turn my wand on you, but I will."

Draco looked down at her, with a mixture of regret and fear. "Please don't hate me, Mindy," he whispered. "I'm really sorry."

Minerva stared up at him. "Sorry for what? What are you planning?"

Draco started to answer but stopped as he looked over her shoulder. He quickly stepped away from her, casting his eyes to the ground.

Minerva wondered at his behavior for a second before she felt a presence behind her. She turned slowly a little afraid of what might be there. What Minerva saw behind her made her heart stop. Emerging slowly from the form of an owl was Bellatrix Lestrange. Minerva realized suddenly, that she had never really expected to see Lestrange there. Some where in the back of her mind, the thought of a Death Eater getting on Hogwarts' grounds had seemed ludicrous. Actually seeing Lestrange in front of her, starting towards her with an evil grin plastered across her face, was an impossibility Minerva's brain just couldn't accept. Minerva stood rooted in her spot, staring at Lestrange as if she expected her to disappear at any moment.

"So, you're the beautiful Mindy James my young friend is so infatuated with," Lestrange said stopping directly in front of her. She looked Minerva up and down then turned a glare on Draco. "You were supposed to lead her closer to the forest, Malfoy. I told you I didn't want to come this far into the open. If that old man spots me, all my planning would have been for nothing."

Draco kept his eyes on the ground. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Lestrange waved a hand, as if he meant nothing. She looked at Minerva again then said, almost to herself, "I hope Potter is worth all the trouble the Dark Lord thinks he is."

At the mention of Harry's name, Minerva's brain came unfrozen and started working overtime. She couldn't believe how long she had stood there doing and saying nothing. That was about to change. She stuck a hand quickly into her robe pocket, reaching for her wand.

Lestrange didn't miss the movement, though, and had her wand pointing directly a Minerva's chest in a flash. "I don't think so--" her face twisted into an ugly sneer "—Mindy."

Minerva started to take a step back. She wondered if she should scream. Hagrid's hut was not so far away. He might hear her.

But before she could even formulate the word "help" in her mind, Lestrange was waving her wand. "Stupefy," she yelled, hitting Minerva savagely at point blank range in the chest.

Minerva gasped as she flew a few inches back, and hit the ground. Pain lanced through her upper body for a few seconds. Her vision swam and all she could focus on were frozen blades of grass spinning in front of her. "You promised you wouldn't hurt her!" Minerva heard Draco yelling some where behind her. Then a pair of boots stepped in front of her. Minerva looked up to see Draco standing over her.

"Move you ridiculous little boy," Lestrange hissed.

Draco was pale and shaking but he shook his head, taking up a protective posture over Minerva. "You said you wouldn't hurt her," he repeated.

Lestrange moved so quickly Minerva was sure Draco hadn't seen her move at all. Wrapping white fingers around his throat, she said coldly, "You're going to be very sorry you stood in my way," before pushing him aside. She stood over Minerva and looked down at her. "You forget," she said to Draco even though she was looking at Min, "What I can do to you."

Minerva's upper body was numb from the spell, but she couldn't just lie on the ground and do nothing. She made for her wand again, but was still too stunned too move quickly.

Lestrange stared down at her, her face twisted into that evil grin again. "Besides, she isn't hurt. Yet. Stupefy!"

This time Minerva didn't feel the pain as she slipped immediately into darkness.

---------

"Harry stop fidgeting, and either eat those peas or leave them alone."

Harry looked up at Hermione then back at his plate. He had been poking at his peas for so long they were practically pea soup. "Sorry," he mumbled, dropping his fork. He glanced at the doors of the Great Hall for the millionth time that night then went back to staring at his barely touched dinner.

"You're worried about Min." Ron observed.

Harry nodded. "She should have come down by now," he said looking at the doors again, hoping they would open and Min would be behind them. They didn't.

"Harry, I told you, she's sleeping." Hermione frowned. "You're getting all worked up over nothing. You know she wasn't feeling well this morning. She's just catching up on her rest."

"I know," Harry answered, though he couldn't help feeling a little unsure. Min had missed lunch, then afternoon classes, and now she was sleeping through dinner too. Hermione had looked in on her before they went down and reported that Min was sleeping soundly. She had decided not to disturb Min. Harry knew she must still be in bed, but he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong. "Will you go check on her again?" He asked, looking at Hermione hopefully.

"No, I will not," Hermione answered. "She needs her rest and she can't get it if I'm poking at her every five minutes."

"But…"

"But nothing, Harry. When she wakes up—on her own, mind you—I'll tell her to see you. But not before then."

"I think you should go see about her," Ron said. "What if she's slipped into a comma from all that Muggle medicine? We all know how unreliable that stuff is."

"She isn't in a comma, Ron. Honestly, you're as bad as Harry."

Ron shrugged. "Better safe than sorry, I say."

Harry glanced back at the doors of the Great Hall then turned his attentions to the Slytherine house table. He knew he wouldn't be so worried if Malfoy wasn't missing from the table. Malfoy had wanted to meet Min tonight and whatever the reason was, it couldn't be for any good. Of course, if Min was still in bed then she was safe in Gryffindor tower and Hermione was right; he was getting worked up over nothing. However unlikely, Hermione could be wrong, though, and that possibility was more than enough to make him concern. "You really want go look in on her?" Harry asked, dragging his eyes from the spot Malfoy normally occupied at the Slytherine table.

"No," Hermione answered. Harry threw her a pleading look and Hermione sighed. "Fine, Harry, I will, but not until after dinner. She was sleeping so soundly earlier I really don't want to wake her up."

Harry nodded. "Thanks, Hermione," he said, pushing away from the table. "I'm not really hungry anymore. I'll see you back in the Tower."

"Later," Ron called, as Harry walked away.

Harry left the Great Hall and started towards Gryffindor Tower. He wished he could go up to the girls' room and see about Min himself. But he knew exactly what would happen if he tried that. 'Well, I have to see her soon,' he told himself, 'we still have to visit Professor Dumbledore.' Thinking of Dumbledore reminded him of Lestrange and that reminded him of Malfoy. He wondered if Malfoy was lurking somewhere waiting on an unsuspecting Min. Harry really wished he had gotten the chance to talk to Min earlier. More than that, though, he wished he knew what Malfoy was up to.

Harry wasn't far from Gryffindor Tower when it struck him he could find out what Malfoy was planning. All he had to do was use the Polyjuice potion to get the truth out of Pansy. Harry stopped walking, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a few strands of pale blond hair. He stared at the hairs for a moment, unsure of what to do. He had promised Min he wouldn't take the potion. Actually, he had promised not to take the potion to try and find Lestrange. He wouldn't be taking it for that reason now, though. He was going to use it get Pansy to tell him exactly what how she and Malfoy fit in with Lestrange. If he could find out what their part was he could tell Dumbledore. The headmaster might be able to do something about them then. The school would certainly be better off without them.

Harry turned on his heals and headed for the Room of Requirement with determination. There was still a lot of time left before dinner ended. He was sure he could become Malfoy, get the information he wanted out of Pansy, and get back to Gryffindor tower before anyone noticed he was missing. After performing the necessary ritual, Harry pushed the door to the Room of Requirement open. In the middle of the floor still sat the cauldron containing the completed Polyjuice potion. Harry had considered getting rid of it right after he made his promise to Min, but couldn't bring himself to toss it out after he and Hermione had worked so hard to make it. Now, he was very glad he hadn't.

Harry found a large ladle and a glass, and dipped some of the potion out. It looked just as thick and disgusting as he remembered it. He frowned at the glass of sludge and then tossed in the blond strands. The potion bubbled as the hair dissolved into it then settled back to its sludgy state.

Harry stared at the potion a moment longer. "Here's to you, Malfoy," he said before raising the glass to his lips and chugging it down. It tasted just as foul as he remembered, like old cabbage. What he hadn't remembered was how weird it felt after taking the potion. He dropped the glass and fell to his knees as he felt his insides begin to squirm. His skin melted and changed as it reformed around a slightly different body frame. He wondered if he was going to be sick as he watched his hands grow paler. His vision suddenly blurred and he shakily removed his glasses as he realized he didn't need them anymore.

And just as quickly as it began the changing ended. Harry stared down at his slightly paler hands. He was surprised how little he had changed in height and size. Other than seeing a difference in his skin tone, he didn't feel any different. He touched his chest; maybe he was a little thinner. Then he reached up to feel his face. That was definitely different. His face was much sharper somehow. Harry ran a hand over his head. His hair was shorter now and finer. This was definitely not his head. Harry was suddenly curious as to how he looked like and searched the room for a mirror. He quickly spotted one he hadn't noticed before in a back corner, hidden behind a pair of cauldrons. Harry made his way over to it and pushed the cauldron's aside. He looked down at the reflection in the mirror and found himself staring into a pair of cool grey eyes. Harry touched his face again, and felt his forehead where the scar should have been. He resisted the desire to a run hand through his now neat blond hair and turned away from the mirror with a small satisfied smile. Good, the potion had done its job. Now it was time for him to do his.

Harry glanced at his image in the mirror again very relieved his clothes still fit. He removed his red and gold tie and tucked it into a pocket along with his glasses, for once happy that everyone had to wear the same uniform. Harry checked the time on his pocket watch, marking when the thirty minutes would be up, then left the Room of Requirement. He walked as quickly as he could, without seeming to be in a rush back to the Great Hall. With a little luck, Pansy would still be there having dinner. He hoped she hadn't left for her own house yet. He barely remembered where Slytherine was, and even if he could find it again, he doubted he'd be able to guess upon the right pass word. As it was, luck was with him. When Harry returned to the Great Hall, he spotted Pansy just where he had last seen her, sitting next to Malcolm Maddock, slurping on dessert. Harry glanced up and down the line of the Slytherine house table, assuring himself that the real Malfoy wasn't there. After deciding it was safe to go on, he pushed the doors of the Great Hall wide open, and tried to copy Malfoy's confident swagger as he strode towards the house table.

"Hi, Draco, you still on for Friday?"

Harry stopped and looked back as an older and rather pretty Slytherine girl stood and started towards him. He had no idea who she was or what she was talking about, so he did the only thing he could. He nodded.

"Great," the girl said. She reached out and stroked his face. "I can't wait."

Harry forced himself to remain calm. "Er, neither can I," he answered, trying hard to keep the uncertain out of his voice.

She winked at him, before turning and strolling rather seductively off. 'Great,' Harry thought as he watched the girl walk away, 'I just helped Malfoy's love life.' He shook his head, turned around, and nearly ran right into Pansy. Harry took a step back surprised. For a big girl she sure could move quietly.

Pansy stared at him, face red and chest heaving. "What was that all about?" She hissed.

"Wha--"

"You told me nothing was going on with you and Blaze," Pansy went on in a fume.

Harry frowned, and then grinned. He couldn't believe it. Pansy was jealous. Harry had always thought Pansy had thing for Draco. "Jealous are you?" He asked.

"No," Pansy answered, indignantly. "It's just… Well, she's a tramp and I hear her cousin is a Squib. You don't want to be involved with anyone that has somebody like that in their family. It tends to run along the line."

"Yes, well…can we talk?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

Pansy frowned. "You're asking me?" She asked as if Malfoy had never asked her permission before.

It suddenly struck Harry that it was very likely Malfoy hadn't ever asked Pansy's permission. He was not behaving very Malfoy like. He forced himself not to grimace at his mistake. It was so much easier when had to only pretend to be stupid. Trying to put on that 'I'm better than everybody else' expression Malfoy was so good at, Harry said, "I was trying to show you how little Blaze means to me. But if you don't want to talk…"

"No, it's not that," Pansy said quickly, "I just…er, well, yes. Let's talk."

"Come on, then," Harry said and started for the doors not bothering to see if Pansy was following. This seemed more like Malfoy and Pansy fell into step at his heals. Harry glanced towards the Gryffindor table as he headed for the door. He was glad to see Ron and Hermione still there. That meant they wouldn't be up in the tower looking for him. Lavender was with them too, which struck Harry as odd. She hadn't been having dinner with them of late. She was talking excitedly and small crowd was starting to form around her. Harry wondered briefly what she was saying as he pulled the doors to the Great Hall open and stepped out.

As the doors closed behind them, Pansy turned to Harry, a strangely eager look in her eyes. "What is it you want to talk about?"

Harry glanced around. The hall was empty but it wouldn't stay that way for long with dinner winding down. Besides, the real Malfoy could pop up at any moment and that would be bad to say the least. "Let's walk," he said, taking Pansy by the elbow and steering her away from the Great Hall.

Pansy let him lead her as if she were only to happy to be receiving this sort of attention from who she thought was Malfoy. "Where are we going?" She asked.

Harry didn't know where they were going. He was walking aimlessly, wondering where the emptiest spot might be. But, most importantly, he wanted to go where he wasn't likely to meet the real Malfoy. "Er, does it matter?" He answered, after a while.

"I guess not," Pansy answered with a sly smile. She stepped up close to Harry and looped her arm through his.

Harry suppressed a shudder and resisted an urge to put some distance between them. He would have never thought he would be this close to Pansy Parkinson and he distinctly did not like it. Harry glanced around, deciding they were probably far enough from the main halls now not to run into anybody and came to a halt. He pulled away from Pansy and walked a little ways from her, wondering exactly how he was going to get her to tell him about Malfoy's plan with Min.

Finally deciding it might be best to just be direct, Harry turned to face Pansy, leaning against one of the walls. Keeping his face as emotionless as possible, he asked, "What are we doing?"

Pansy stared at him curiously for a bit then answered, "Hopefully becoming very friendly." She grinned as she stepped close to him again, sliding both hands along his shoulders.

Again, Harry suppressed a shudder as he pushed her away. "No," he said firmly (for more reasons than one) "I mean with…Lestrange."

Pansy's grin faded quickly as she stepped away. "Don't start again, Draco," she said, suddenly becoming angry. "And here I thought you were finally stepping up and being a man." She turned on Harry. "Didn't your father straighten you out any at all?"

Harry blinked. He wasn't sure what sort of reaction he would get out of Pansy, but he was sure he wasn't expecting that one. "Er, yes, but…" He paused, lost as to what he should do or say next.

"No, buts," Pansy said, taking it upon herself to finish Harry's thought. "We have to do what she says, Draco." She leaned in close, lowering her voice. "With the Dark Lord back, the pure bloods will rise to full power again. And if we help now, just think how we'll be elevated when the Dark Lord rules the Widzarding World. Then we can have whatever and whoever we want."

Harry frowned. "What makes you think Vol—the Dark Lord is going to win?"

Pansy stared at Harry as if he'd lost his mind. Then she folded her arms across her chest and huffed, "You're still hung up over that girl aren't you?"

Harry stared at Pansy, not speaking. She had to be talking about Min.

Pansy nodded. "I knew it. And don't try to feed men any more rubbish about what we're doing being" –here she rolled her eyes—"wrong. I know this is all about James. I see the way you stare at her. It's worse than the looks you give Blaze or Zeeda or that Ravenclaw winch." Harry stared at Pansy. Was Malfoy really that popular? "She's not like us, Draco," Pansy went on. "She's a goody-goody Gryffindor and Potter's bitch to boot."

"Hey!" Harry shouted, momentarily forgetting who he was supposed to be. He grabbed Pansy by the robes and said, "Don't you ever talk about Min like that." He pushed her away so forcefully, she slammed against the opposite wall. Harry realized belatedly what he had done and stepped back quickly, looking at Pansy. He was sure he had just blown it.

Pansy looked hurt, but didn't look at all surprised to be treated that way. "Do you love her then?" She asked quietly.

Harry looked away. What was he suppose to say to that?

Pansy seemed to draw her own conclusions as she straightened up, back pressed against the stone wall. "It doesn't make any difference now. She's going to die, you know." She smiled evilly. "How do you like knowing you led her to her death?"

Harry looked at Pansy, his eyes widening with fear. "What are you talking about?"

Pansy's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you believed Madam Lestrange when she said she wouldn't hurt James. Once she's done using James, she'll kill her."

Harry realized that he had stopped breathing and forced himself to take a breath. He reminded himself that Min was safe in Gryffindor Tower sleeping off all the medicine she had taken earlier. Whatever Pansy thought was happening to Min, it wasn't. "What if I said I didn't do it?" Harry asked just to see what Pansy would say.

She didn't answer right away, looking at Harry as if she thought he wasn't really serious. It slowly began to dawn on her that he might have disobeyed Lestrange's orders. "Draco, you did do it right? You told me you'd do it tonight. Madam Lestrange is ready for Potter now and she'll be mad if she doesn't get her bait." Pansy stepped up to him and hissed, "She'll kill you, Draco, and you know she will if you don't do what she says. Or worse. Think of what she did to the Longbottoms. You know how sadistic she can be."

Harry didn't know what to say yet again. He decided to do the one thing Malfoy always did: fall back on his rotten father. "My father wouldn't let her touch me."

"Your father wouldn't do a damn thing to stop her. He's just as afraid of her as everybody else." Pansy turned and started away. She stopped and looked back at Harry. "I don't care what you have to do, Draco, but get James down to that lake. This is our chance to get in good with the Dark Lord. Don't you dare ruin it."

Pansy started off again. Harry was very tempted to just let her walk away. Hearing her talk was starting to make him sick. But there was still one more thing he needed to know. "Pansy," he called, stopping her. "I'll make this right," he said. "I'll take …James directly to , er, Madam Lestrange. I just need to know where she is hiding."

Pansy frowned at the question. "Some where in the Forbidden Forest. You know that."

"Yes," Harry answered, even though he hadn't, "But where?"

"I don't know exactly. I've only just met her, near that Unicorn tree. But don't try to be an over achiever now, Draco. Just get James to the lake like you said you would and let Madam Lestrange take it from there."

Harry nodded.

"Find me afterwards," Pansy added, looking back. "Maybe we can pick up where we left off earlier. Before the conversation turned sour." She looked at Harry longingly, before turning around and heading for the main corridor.

Harry rolled his eyes and headed off in the opposite direction. What was so great about Malfoy that girls were falling all over themselves for him? He pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. Five minutes were left till the Polyjuice potion wore off. He was really pushing it, but at least he had gotten what he wanted to know out of Pansy. Now, he knew beyond any doubt that she and Malfoy were involved with Lestrange. Plus, he had the relative location of Lestrange. All of this was bound to be helpful when he talked to Professor Dumbledore.

Truthfully, though, all Harry could think about was getting back to Gryffindor Tower and finding Min safe. He quickly found a boys' lavatory where he waited out the last few minutes of the Polyjuice potion. He watched his face change in the mirror. His scar reappeared first then his hair started to thicken and darken. His features were just starting to look more like his own, when his image suddenly blurred. Harry took his glasses out of his pocket ant put them back on. He looked at the mirror, never happier to see his own face looking back at him.

Harry left the boys' room and hurried back to Gryffindor tower, eager to get to Min. As he headed back, he wondered if Lestrange would really kill Malfoy. Normally, he wouldn't care one way or the other, but something Pansy had said was starting to make him question everything he had ever thought about the boy. Malfoy didn't want Min hurt. Then Harry remembered something else Malfoy had said but he hadn't paid attention to at the time. Right after Pansy had left that night Harry had overheard their conversation, Malfoy had said he didn't want to be like his father. Min might have been right; Malfoy might not be as evil as he had always thought. Harry shook those thoughts away as he walked up to the Fat Lady. "Exploding Bog," he said.

"Oh, you're in for a treat tonight," the Fat Lady said as she swung open.

Harry wondered what she meant, and quickly found out as he entered the common room. Nearly every Gryffindor was there. An excited buzz filled the air. Harry looked around and found Hermione and Ginny standing with Lavender and Parvati off to one side. He walked over and asked, "What's going on?"

"You don't know?" Parvati asked, genuinely surprised. "Tell, him Lavender," she said looking at her friend and then going on before Lavender could speak, "It's so exciting. Lavender found a cure."

Harry blinked and looked at Lavender who beamed proudly. "Really?" He asked.

"Well, Professor Snape did most of the work, but I helped, and the important thing is Neville and Colin are going to be alright."

"Isn't that wonderful?" Hermione said grinning at Harry. "I know you were worried about them."

He nodded. "Yeah, wonderful."

"Where've you been all night, Harry?"

Harry turned around as Ron, Seamus, and Dean approached. "I've been trying to find you," Ron added.

"Oh, I've been…working on something," Harry answered.

"Hear the good new?" Seamus asked. "We're going to throw a little party to celebrate."

"Want to come with us to the kitchen to get some food?" Dean asked.

Ginny frowned at Ron. "Can you do that, Ron, seeing as you're a prefect?"

"Well, this is a special occasion," Ron answered. "Coming, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "Go on. I'll just wait here."

"Suit yourself," Dean said, before leading Ron and Seamus through the mass of students and out the portrait hole.

Harry looked around the common room hoping to see Min. When he didn't spot her among the faces, he looked back at Hermione and asked, "Where's Min?"

"Oh," Hermione said, "In all the excitement I forgot to wake her. I'll go get her."

She hurried off and Harry settled in to wait on Hermione's return. Until he saw Min's face, he wouldn't be able to relax. It felt like an eternity before Hermione came back down stairs. He had only been half listening to Lavender tell a group of excited listeners how she and Snape had finally figured out the cure, when the doors to girls' rooms finally opened. Harry hurried over, ready to take Min in his arms, and was incredibly disappointed when Hermione had returned alone.

"She isn't in the room," Hermione explained with a slight frown. She started off across the common room. "Maybe she woke up early and went to the library. She did sleep through half her classes today. Maybe she's trying to catch up."

"I doubt that," Harry said, following Hermione through the portrait hole and out into the hall. "Not even Min is that keen on school work. Are you sure she isn't up in the room? Have looked everywhere for her?"

Hermione stopped and turned around. "I did, Harry. I didn't find her. She isn't up there, and the only other place I can think of is the library."

"Who are you looking for?"

Harry turned to look at the Fat Lady, leaning languidly against her frame. "Min. Mindy James," he answered. "Have you seen her?"

"As a matter of fact I have," the Fat Lady answered. "She left sometime during dinner, I believe. I remember because she was wearing her cloak. I told her she was a little over dress for dinner but she didn't even glance back. Rather rude if you ask me."

Harry's heart stopped for second. Min had left in her cloak. Pansy had said that Draco was supposed to get Min out to the lake. Draco must have told Min to meet him there.

"That's odd," Hermione said. "Where would she be going in her cloak? And why didn't she come in the Great Hall? She had to know you would be worried about her, Harry?"

Harry didn't answer Hermione. He was certain where Min had gone. She went to meet Malfoy and that meant… Harry looked at the Fat Lady, unable to even finish the thought. "Open up," he said.

"What?" The Fat Lady asked.

"Open up."

"Not without…"

"OPEN UP."

"Well," the Fat Lady huffed, but swung open quickly.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.

But Harry ignored her question as he climbed back through the portrait hole and hurried up to his room. He grabbed his cloak and as an after thought threw open his chest and pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. Wrapping his cloak around his shoulders, he hurried back down stairs. He ignored the looks he received as he raced through the common room. He was just about to open the portrait door when it swung open. Ron stood on the other side, arms loaded with bottles of Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice.

"Where're you going?" He asked, as Harry pushed past him.

"The party's just about to start," Seamus added.

"I'll be back soon," Harry answered, not even looking back.

"Harry, wait," Hermione called.

But Harry didn't wait. He didn't have time to wait. He had to find Min before it was too late. He ran down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the mostly empty corridors. He hoped he didn't run into Mr. Filch. He didn't have time to be held up by the old care taker and his cat. He made it to the outer doors, though, without running into another living soul. He did pass Peeves, but the poltergeist quickly got out of the way as he was that whatever Harry was about, he meant business.

Harry pushed the doors open and ran out into the dark. He slipped across the icy lawn as he came to halt and looked around. He didn't see anyone. Pushing down the feeling that he may already be too late, Harry raced on to the lake.

When he reached the still frozen lake his breath was coming in short burst. He was having a hard time breathing and he wasn't entirely sure it was from all the running. He stared out at the empty, icy water. Where was she? He spun in place searching. Nothing. He had an overwhelming desire to scream. Fighting panic, Harry looked down at the ground for any sign that she had been there. He quickly spotted two sets of foot prints in the frost. 'Min and Malfoy,' he thought and followed them along the lake. He reached a place where the foot prints became muddled up. There was a spot in the icy grass where it looked as if someone had laid down.

"Min," Harry whispered. Was he too late? It was obvious she had been taken. Harry looked up from the ground at the dark forest looming ahead of him. She had been taken into there. Pulling out his invisibility cloak, Harry wrapped it around him. He refused to believe he was too late to save and Min, and he'd be damned if he let Lestrange take another person he loved away from him.

"I'll kill her," Harry hissed as he walked determinedly into the Forbidden Forest.

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Look, I finished. And I'm updating pretty quickly, relatively speaking. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, tell me. If you didn't, still tell. I like to know these things. Anyways, I know for certain, for certain there will be only two more chapters. So we're nearly at the very end. Great, huh? I'm still not sure about the sequel. I would like to write one, but I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it if I start it. And I don't want to start something I can't finish, so we shall have to wait and see.

Also, the next up-date may come a little late. Okay, very late. I have end of the semester finals coming up, and I have to ::huge sigh:: study. And after that, it's holiday break and I'm going on vacation this year. Yay! for me; but not so much for you. All of that equals to about a two months before the next chapter is posted. I'll try to post within the next two weeks, but if I can't don't expect to find in up-date till mid January maybe. Sorry in advance about the wait that will undoubtedly take place folks. But at least I'm warning you, right?

Wellt, that's enough of my dribble, here are comments to reviews.

Jack: Actually, I wanted to wait so he could be convinced not to go through with it by Min. But you saw that didn't you. After totally ignoring Hermione, you think one little prediction about doom and destruction would change Harry's mind? And Harry was being a little irrational until Min talked some sense into him. Of course he's just thrown that sense to the wind and has gone and done the one thing he said he wouldn't. But I think it makes for excitement. I like excitement.

TeenTypist: What? No romantic adventures in the Astronomy tower. No worries, there, luv. I don't approve of that sort of activity either. I just like hinting at it.

albus's bitch: One word. Decafe. And you rock too!

Autumn: Love the review. I like it when people leave me stuff I can use. Don't be silly. You weren't lecturing. I've had lectures before, though they were probably well deserved. And yes, I do hate it when fics that I love just stop for no apparent reason. Don't worry though. I plan to finish to this one, even if it kills me and my grades go to heck in a handbag. Ron never gets any attention, so I decided that I would throw him bone. I happen to like Ron, though I don't know why. He never really does much. I thought he should have a bigger role than just that red head kid over there. And what did you think of the little conversation between Min and Snape this time?

Shawn Pickett: Howdy. Okay. I see your point on point 5. And you do make a good point. Didn't really mean to use the word point so much, but well, ya know. Anyways, that's going on the top of my list when I start to rewrite (though right now, I'm just trying to make it to the end of this fic). But you may be right. Maybe it is time for Harry and Dumbledore to butt heads. Maybe. It would certainly make for some good drama. I like drama. I'm not quite sure how I'll work it out yet, but I'll come up something. Thanks for making think.

(...) : I don't know who you are, but would you have preferred, the Idiot's Guide to Defense Against the Dark Arts?

Superhpfreak: Missed you, babe.

To everybody else who reviewed: Thanks-a-million. You do my ego good.

Oh, yes, and one more thing. Review people. Review.