Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and its various publishers own Harry Potter. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Two
What A Boy Wants

Auror training sounded great to Harry. As he walked over to Mrs. Figg's house, he was hoping that Mad Eye Moody would be there for tea so he could press him for details of Auror life. "You should go with your strengths," he thought, "and my strength is Defense Against the Dark Arts." He just hoped that now that he had decided on that goal, something beyond his control didn't hold him back.

As he passed the hedge, he heard a soft swish of cloth over to his left. With his Seeker's reflexes he spun toward the sound pulling his wand out to the ready at the same time. He connected awkwardly with something solid and fell to the pavement with an uncomfortable scrape. Sure enough Mad Eye Moody poked his head out from under his Invisibility Cloak and untangled himself from Harry swearing, "#$%&, Potter. How did you spot me this time?"

With a chuckle, Harry said, "If I tell you, I might not be able to catch you next time. Good to see you, Professor Moody."

"OK, fair enough answer. But one of these days, I'll be the one catching you. Constant vigilance is your only chance," Moody replied.

At this last comment, Harry mouthed the words, "constant vigilance." He and his Hogwarts friends had that phrase ingrained into them during their fourth year by the fake Professor Moody. Harry was learning to live by those words this summer. "What do you hear from Professor Lupin?"

Mad Eye walked on in silence. Once inside Mrs. Figg's kitchen door, he answered, "Careful what you talk about outside, Potter. You never know who is listening. Animagi could be buzzing by your ear pretending to be in search of pollen, when they are really just eavesdropping on you."

"Sorry. But have you spoken to Professor Lupin?" Harry persisted.

As the two walked into Mrs. Figg's lounge, Mad Eye sighed and said in a serious tone, "Lupin is not himself since losing Sirius. He is staying at headquarters, but we never see him. Keeps to himself."

"Maybe I could go and stay with him when my annual sentence with the Dursleys is over," Harry said. "Maybe I could talk to him." Harry stared at his feet while he tried to put aside the horrible guilt he felt in hearing about Professor Lupin. The man had lost his last best friend because of Harry's rash actions. He must be avoiding Harry because he blamed him for Sirius' death.

"Maybe," agreed Mad Eye. "Where's our tea, Arabella?" he called out to Mrs. Figg. Then asked Harry, "Why do you keep calling Remus Lupin and I, Professor? He hasn't been your teacher in years and I have NEVER been your teacher. Call me Mad Eye or Moody. I call you Harry or Potter, don't I? I don't really see myself as the professor type." He shook his head at the thought of himself in professorial robes.

Mrs. Figg came in wrestling with a large tea tray covered with sandwiches and cakes and tea. She had a big smile on her face. "I couldn't help but notice that you have had a growth spurt, Harry. You need to eat more food to keep up with all that new height. Help yourself. I'll wrap the leftovers for you to take home with you." To Mad-Eye she said, "Was that you bellowing?"

Moody ignored her teasing tone and said, "How are the Dursleys treating you, Harry? Do they feed you enough? Is there anything you want me to talk to them about? I notice your Muggle clothes have improved."

"I have a lot to thank you for this summer, Mad Eye. The Dursleys have been decent although I still prefer the Wizarding life to the Muggle life. I can't wait to leave Privet Drive." As he was guzzling tea and sandwiches, thinking of the beauties of the Wizarding world, one of its less appealing aspects stepped out of the shadow of Mrs. Figg's hallway and into the lounge. 'Professor Snape has a habit of slipping out of shadows like an overgrown bat,' thought Harry. Then he stopped himself, remembering that Professor Snape also was skilled at sneaking into his thoughts and eavesdropping.

Officially they had a truce. Harry wasn't sure how Dumbledore convinced Snape to resume his Occlumency lessons, but it must have been good. For his part Harry was determined to do it right this time. He knew he needed the Professor's help.

"Ready for our lesson, Potter, or are you too busy stuffing your face?" Snape said with that sneer he seemed to save just for Harry.

While Mrs. Figg frowned at him and Mad Eye raised an eyebrow, Harry turned to Snape and said evenly, "Thank you for asking, Professor. I would like to finish my tea. Please join us. Would you like a sandwich?" That Harry could say this without sounding utterly sarcastic was a testament to his newfound control over his emotions. He had decided that he was not going to react to Professor Snape and his sneering anymore. Life was too short. Plus it would help with the Occlumency lesson they were about to begin if Harry could detach from his emotional reaction to Snape and clear his mind.

Snape was getting used to this sort of overly polite reaction. His scowl showed he didn't like it. But with a little shake of his head, he simply sat down and said, "Thank you, Arabella, could I trouble you for an extra cup."

The meal went on in silence although Harry thought that Mad Eye appeared to be stifling a laugh. When most of the sandwiches and cake had been consumed, Mad Eye and Mrs. Figg went into the kitchen. Harry asked Professor Snape to begin. "Legilimens!" said Snape without any warning. Harry was ready for him. He had put up a block in his mind calming himself and envisioning a wall. He tried to hold the vision of a brick wall in his mind. After an hour of repeating such assaults on Harry's mind, Snape gave up with a gasp. "You are doing much better, Potter. I never thought I'd see any progress. How are your nightmares? Do you feel your scar?"

Harry hesitated in answering this question. Was Snape asking these questions for Dumbledore? While Dumbledore trusted Snape implicitly, Harry disliked the man more than ever because he could have prevented Sirius' death last June by preventing Harry and his friends from going to rescue him. Snape knew that was their intention and he knew how to contact the other Order members. He could have stopped them. Even so, he kept the information to himself until it was too late. Harry took a moment to calm down before answering, "Scar still hurts sometimes. My nightmares haven't been about Voldemort."

Snape's scowl deepened at this answer. "That's not the answer that will end our lessons together, Potter. I was hoping to hear that you have achieved sufficient prowess in Occlumency to shut out your connection with the Dark Lord. I will report this to Dumbledore."

Harry swallowed his dislike of Snape and his using the term "Dark Lord" and took this chance to ask Professor Snape for a favor. First with a little flattery, he said, "I think the lessons this summer have really helped Professor...I was wondering if you would let me into your N.E.W.T. Potions class. I don't have my O.W.L. results yet, but I have been studying potions all summer. I'm trying to improve. I know there will be a need to work hard if I am going to earn a N.E.W.T., but I want you to know that I am willing to do whatever it takes to be successful in the N.E.W.T. Potions class. Maybe you could suggest some summer reading in potions?"

With an oddly satisfied smile, Snape responded, "Let's just wait and see what your O.W.L. results are, shall we?" He looked like he wanted to say more as he turned to leave. When he reached the door, he said over his shoulder, "Look for a book called Potions for Dummies. It might help you close the gaps that your spotty interest in Potions through the years has left you with. Anyway, it's aptly named."

As he left, Harry chuckled to himself. "It's aptly named? Was that really your best shot, Professor?" He had done what he could toward his goal to become an Auror today. He walked home with Mad-Eye and a sack of cakes and sandwiches from Mrs. Figg feeling pretty good about himself.

Waking early as usual on the morning of his sixteenth birthday, Harry was greeted by not one, not two, but count them, fifteen owls. There were owls on his desk and owls on top of the clothes cupboard. Owls lined the end of his bed. Hedwig was stationed at his head as if to keep the other owls in line and keep them from waking up Harry.

'This can't just be my birthday. Do I know this many people well enough to get a birthday card from them?' Harry thought, sitting up and shaking his head to wake up a little bit better. It had rained the night before which cooled the temperature down from the scorching heat they'd had this July. As Harry sat up, the owls began to circle him, some dropping their letters and packages in his lap and some extending their legs to request that Harry untie their burdens.

As the stream of owls was leaving, Harry conjured himself a cup of morning tea and began to open things. Letters first, he chose the biggest and fattest letter because it had the Hogwarts seal. "O.W.L. Results Enclosed" was written above the seal. He decided to set that aside. 'Birthday first, then O.W.L. results - just in case they are really bad news... Oh, who am I kidding?' He tore open the Hogwarts envelope. 'Nine O.W.L.s. Brilliant.' Four Outstanding O.W.L.s on the Practicals in Potions, Charms, Transfigurations and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Exceeds Expectations on most of the theory tests. Even his History of Magic, Divination and Astronomy scores were all Acceptable. Harry had no clue how he passed his Divination tests. He didn't feel like he knew anything about the subject. 'Maybe there isn't anything to know,' he thought briefly. Great birthday present - now he knew he could take N.EW.T. Potions to become an Auror.

The first three letters he opened were addressed with handwriting that he did not recognize. These were letters from D.A. members. They didn't mention his birthday, just thanked Harry for helping them pass their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott and Dean Thomas had all earned Exceeds Expectations on their D.A.D.A. O.W.L. thanks to Harry teaching them what he knew in their Room of Requirement meetings.

Next Harry found the letter from Hermione. It was written in her flowery script.

Dear Harry,

How exciting! OWL results have arrived at last. Twelve OWLS! I can't believe it. I've been so worried about the Astronomy O.W.L. After watching Hagrid and then Professor McGonagall being attacked, I don't think I filled out any of that star chart. Now that I passed, I'm glad I took the Muggle Studies O.W.L. even though I stopped taking the class after third year!

Happy Birthday, Harry! I hope my package got there OK. I had Flourish and Blotts send it to you directly. We can never be too ready.

Hope the Dursleys are being decent. See you soon. Summer is going so fast!

Love,

Hermione

Harry grabbed the biggest, heaviest package. Ripping open the paper he found Hermione's gift, High Scoring NEWTS: Preparing for the Nastiest Tests Ever Invented. 'Typical Hermione. Just her way of looking out for me,' Harry thought. Hermione's first few letters of the summer had been full of helpful suggestions for Harry's grieving process. He had finally convinced her he had things under control, or at least he had convinced her to stop trying to "fix" him.

He fished through the others letters to find Ron's childlike print.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday, mate! Sorry I can't tell you that in person. Hope you are having a good day anyway. Hope you like your presents. There is no such thing as too much Chudley Cannon memorabilia. Could be worth something someday.

Summer is going by slowly. The most exciting event has been Fred and George moving to London to live above their store. Mum won't let me visit although Fred and George have sworn to take good care of me and even offered to let me work in the store. I could use the money, but Mum still says no.

Ginny is in the same boat. She isn't allowed to go anywhere and Mum wants her doing her homework. This will be her O.W.L. year so I guess that is a good thing. She hasn't heard much from Dean. Some boyfriend he is turning out to be.

Wow, my O.W.L. results came while I was writing you this letter. What are the odds? You will never guess so I will tell you. I got eight O.W.L.s! All of them are Exceeds Expectations except my Astronomy O.W.L. which was an Acceptable. The only O.W.L. I didn't pass was Divination. Big surprise. Eight O.W.L.s is still almost three times as many O.W.L.s as Fred and George earned. Thanks for all your D.A.D.A. help! I'll be thanking Hermione for all the rest.

Can't wait to show Mum.

See you soon,

Ron

Ron's package held a bright orange Chudley Cannons jersey that said "Quidditch Rules" across the chest. As he pulled it out of the box, a few packages of Chocolate Frogs fell out. 'Classic Ron,' Harry thought.

Fred and George sent him a box of assorted pranks. 'Nothing unusual there,' thought Harry, feeling proud of himself for being brave enough to open their gift at all. As a financial backer for Fred and George's joke business, he hoped that they would refrain from practicing their pranks on him. 'Maybe they just feel sorry for me because of Sirius,' Harry wondered, then quickly banished the thought. 'No self pity on my birthday. I am lucky to have so many people who care enough to send me something.'

Ginny had sent a framed drawing she'd done of Harry wearing his Quidditch outfit plus a cheery birthday card telling him that she was glad he would be back to playing Seeker for Gryffindor. He hoped she would be willing to play Chaser now that he was to be the Captain.

The rest of the notes were mostly more thank you's from D.A. members. The only real surprise was a letter from Cho. Recognizing her writing, he couldn't help but be curious. She'd been in the D.A., but she passed her O.W.L.s the year before.

Dear Harry,

First, let me say Happy Birthday! Hope you get lots of presents and have a fun party or maybe go out somewhere.

How has your summer gone? Are you enjoying your time off?

My summer has been much better than last year. My family rented a cottage by the ocean. We ate shellfish and lazed around in the sun for almost a month!

I've been thinking about you. First let me apologize for what happened with Marietta. Maybe I shouldn't have stuck up for her since she betrayed us all to Umbridge, but she is my friend and she needed me. I know Hermione is your friend, but I do think she could have at least told us all that we were signing a hexed piece of paper. Maybe Marietta would have kept her mouth shut if she'd known.

Anyway, that isn't why I'm writing to you. I just wanted to explain better. Last year was a rough time for me. I didn't know what to think or how to feel for most of the time. I like you a lot, Harry. I just always seem to say or do the wrong thing around you. I'm sorry that things didn't work out between us.

Things haven't worked out with Michael Corner either. He was just there to comfort me after we lost the Quidditch Cup. I never liked him the way I like you.

I won't expect a letter or any response from you, Harry. Thanks for reading my letter (I'm assuming you haven't burned this yet). We'll see each other next fall at Hogwarts.

Love,

Cho

Harry couldn't believe it. 'If I live forever, I'll never understand girls,' he thought. How could Cho still like him when they did nothing but disagree? Beyond noticing that she was a very pretty girl, Harry had never found out much about her. She obviously knew nothing about him if she thought he might be having a birthday party or an outing at the Dursleys.

Mr. Weasley had once said that boys should never go just for looks. Harry wondered if maybe that's where he went wrong with Cho. 'Do I want to get back together with Cho?' he thought. Unless she was standing right in front of him, he hadn't thought about her in months. Even the thought of her lazing around in the sun did nothing for him. 'So, I'm over the crush,' he reflected. 'Maybe I wasn't fair about her friend Marietta, but I just can't explain everything about myself to Cho. There's just so much she can't ever know. So, no girlfriend for you, Potter.' The thought made him sad. He couldn't put a name to it, but what he wanted more than anything was someone to love.

A/N: Thank you, Hollow Godric, for beta reading!

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