Disclaimer: No money is being made by this. It is JK Rowlings world that our imagination just played in. 'The Sanguine Scot's' name was pulled from the Australian story "We of the Never Never" by Aeneas Gunn. We're not too good at coming up with cool names.

Chapter 7 Back to Hogwarts

The rest of the time before school started flew by. Remus came to Number Twelve on Saturday to stay for the next full moon the following Tuesday. Harry spent his time between talks with Remus, his trunk and his estate. He searched both libraries for the books on the Animagus transformation that his dad mentioned in the journal. He wanted to bring them along to Hogwarts. He thought several times about telling Remus that he'd found the estate, but didn't quite know how without letting him know he'd been taking the bike out.

Winky's focus returned to Grimmauld Place and her redecoration. Dobby currently split his time between the two locations. Tubow could easily move around the estate, but could not do any long distance apparating (which was why he had been freed). He spent his time grilling Harry when he was there about his likes and dislikes. From foods and drinks to linens on his bed. Harry had no clue so Tubow sent Tiz far and wide collecting samples for Harry to choose from. Harry wasn't so sure about this owning a large house thing. Too many decisions.

Two more house elves had been found in the final week before school. Their outfits became nice serviceable uniforms, but quite plain except for the Potter crest. Harry used Remus' absence on the day after the full moon to spend some more time at the estate and go over how they could contact him when he returned to school. It was agreed that Tubow would have control over everything to run as he saw fit and Harry should only be contacted in case of emergency or if more elves were found. Tiz could contact Dobby who could let Harry know.

Harry made a point of visiting both with his grandparents portrait and with Gilly before he left. He knew this could very well be the last time he had a chance to visit until next summer.

As Harry made his way through Kings Cross Station on September 1st, he gave another brief pat on the shrunken trunk in his shirt pocket. He heaved a sigh. He really had wanted to shrink the motorcycle and bring it along, but thought that at some point Remus would probably notice that it was gone. Moody prodded him from behind. "Keep it moving, Potter!"

Harry once again had a full guard. It felt strange that he wasn't carrying any luggage. He didn't even have Hedwig's cage since he had let her start on her trip to Scotland several days ago and so had her cage in his trunk. She had been restless with having so little to do all summer that Harry had thought she might enjoy the long trip if she could take it in slow, easy stages.

As Harry went through the barrier at Platform 9 3/4 he looked around for his friends. He was a little surprised to find himself looking for Ginny as much, or even more than his other friends. He was surprised by how much the things she did for him this summer stuck with him. When he was upset about Ron's vision; giving him her stress ball; even spending the time with him exercising. They'd had many interesting conversations while biking and jogging. Then there had been the times he'd given comfort to her. She had felt right in his arms. He wondered what it would be like to date her. He even thought Ron might just be okay with him dating Ginny. He wished he dared ask her if she had been serious about going after Dean.

Harry's guard left him to take up posts around the platform. Harry stepped out of the way to keep watch on the entrance to the platform. Suddenly he heard his name called from the side. Cho had found him.

"Harry! It seems so long since I saw you in Diagon Alley. How have you been doing?" He had seen Cho talking earlier with some other seventh year students and she had seemed okay, but now as she came to give him a hug, he could see tears forming in her eyes. She had a slightly desperate look in her eyes.

"I'm doing fine, Cho. Been keeping busy, ya know? How about you?"

"I'm doing better. We've been moved to a new location so there aren't so many memories. My brother is getting anxious to start Hogwarts himself next year…" Cho stopped. She swallowed hard. "My mum's trying to run the store by herself, but it's not easy for her with having to watch my brother, too. My…my father…always said he couldn't wait for my brother to start Hogwarts. He was sure he'd be sorted in to his old house, Hufflepuff. Mom's worried now, though about the expenses. I've told her that I could stay home this year and help, but she said she could hang on until I finish school and became fully qualified." Her voice broke on the last word.

Harry wanted more than anything to get away. Cho turned her head to Harry's shoulder and burst into tears. Harry patted her back, looking around desperately for some sort of rescue. He didn't know why Cho kept seeking him out when she only ever cried on him. He saw Ernie MacMillan and Hannah Abbott talking to Marietta Edgecomb. They seemed to be trying to convince her of something. She just kept shaking her head and trying to back away. Harry kept looking around. He saw the Weasley's and Hermione had entered the platform. Ron and Hermione were talking rapidly to each other, Hermione's hands gesturing wildly as she was obviously describing something from her trip. Ginny was with them. She caught Harry's eye. Harry couldn't tell what she was thinking. Suddenly her lips firmed and she turned and walked away. Harry groaned. They were obviously not coming to his aid. He glanced around again. Hannah seemed to be getting upset with Marietta. Finally Ernie pounced on Roger Davies who was walking past and started a quick conversation with him. Hannah left Marietta and joined them. Roger looked over at Harry and Cho and tilted his head as if thinking. Then he gave a nod.

Roger Davies strode over to Harry and Cho. Cho had finally gotten herself back together. Harry gave her something to blow her nose. She stepped back as Roger approached.

"Cho. Glad I found you. I don't know if you've heard, but I'm Head Boy this year and I'd like to ask you about something before the prefect meeting starts. Would you mind coming with me for a minute?"

Cho agreed and with one last lingering look at Harry, drifted away with Roger.

Harry heaved a big sigh of relief. He saw Ernie and Hannah heading towards him. They both had a bit of a smirk on their face.

"All right there, Potter?" Ernie started. "It looked as if you wanted a hand."

"Yeah, I did. Thanks. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not so good in those situations."

Hannah looked curious. "What was that all about, if you can tell us."

"You hear what happened to her father this summer?" Both nodded their heads solemnly. "Well, I think seeing me brings it all back for her. The Dementors; teaching the Patronus…" Harry wasn't going to mention the financial problems her mother was having.

"We saw her earlier. She was okay then, but she was obviously looking for you."

Harry just shook his head. "I don't know why. I think she's dating Michael Corner now. I don't think Cho and I have ever had a one on one conversation that didn't end with her crying."

Hannah looked amazed. "Really? Weren't you dating last year?"

Harry's eyes got a sad, far-off look in them. "Kind of. But then I reminded her of Cedric."

Ernie and Hannah became quiet, too. Cedric had been in their house. Their whole house felt the loss when he had been killed.

Ernie brought himself back to the present. "Well, maybe avoidance will be the way to go this year. Eh? Oh, there's Susan. I want to give her a hello before we have to get to the prefect's meeting. Save me a seat, Hannah? There's a good girl." Without even waiting for a reply, he took off across the platform. Harry's eyes followed him. Near Susan was Ginny. It was obvious from her body language she was flirting with someone. Harry narrowed his eyes. The boy had his back to Harry. When he shifted Harry could tell it was Dean Thomas. Well, so much for thinking about dating Ginny.

Harry gave a deep sigh. He was surprised to hear it being given simultaneously from the girl by his side. Harry and Hannah looked at each other in surprise. She looked back over where Ernie was standing.

"The Weasley girl?"

"Ernie?"

"Yes. We've been friends forever. Even long before Hogwarts. Our parents live in the same neighborhood. But I'm a friend. He likes Susan." Hannah seemed a little downcast.

Since she opened up to him, he figured he should do the same. "Ginny had a crush on 'The Boy Who Lived' even before she met me. I'll admit that the first few years I knew her, I hardly spoke a word to her and when I did, she would just run away. But the last year or so the crush seemed to fade and I actually got to see some of her personality. Then this past summer we actually spent quite a bit of time together, but she had mentioned she was interested in Dean now…" Harry shrugged.

Hannah gave a commiserating smile. "Quite the pair, aren't we? The timing's never quite right, is it?" She frowned. "You know, I guess I never thought about it before. You must run into a lot of people with preconceived ideas of who or what you are, don't you?"

Harry gave a resigned smile. "Try everyone. The first thing that happens the first few times I meet anyone is the eyes to the forehead." Harry gave a tap to his scar. Hannah had a thoughtful look on her face.

The Hogwart's Express chose that time to give a warning whistle. Hannah jumped. "Oh, I've got to get to the Prefect's carriage. There's a meeting you know."

Harry nodded. "I know. See you around."

Hannah headed for the front of the train while Harry headed for the back.

In looking for a compartment, Harry saw Ginny with a bunch of other sixth year girls. Harry found room in a compartment that only had Neville and Luna in it. They gladly let him join them and they spent some time talking about what they did with the rest of their summers. Harry didn't mention anything about the estate or his adventures on the Triumph, but avoided the topic by asking if Luna's father found any Snorkacks.

"We didn't find any Crumpled-horned Snorkacks, but we did find a herd of Mooncalves. Father was able to record their dances for a whole week until he ate a Mackled Malaclaw. Father thought it was a lobster, of course. It was quite a task getting him through muggle areas when he was delirious with fever, green skin and both of us carrying sacks of silvery mooncalf dung. It has quite a glow to it. People kept pointing at us and screaming 'alien'. It was the silliest thing. Of course, they seemed spooked already. Did you know they have a name for the areas left by the mooncalves dance? They call them 'crop circles'. Isn't that funny? The mooncalves don't always dance in just circles. They form all sorts of patterns! But they call them all 'crop circles'." Luna seemed quite perplexed by this muggle phenomena.

Harry chuckled quietly to himself. He could just imagine how muggles would react already spooked by the designs left in their fields seeing a green man walking through town with glowing silver shining from his clothes apparently muttering to himself.

Neville, on the other hand, was quite interested in the mooncalf dung. "What is your father planning to do with the dung?"

"Oh, I don't know. He didn't really say. He'll probably just add it to the collection of other souvenirs we've collected on our travels." Luna looked unconcerned. A moment later, as if Neville's interest finally registered, she tilted her head and looked at him. "Why? Are you interested in it?"

Neville's eyes lit up. "It's a great fertilizer for magical herbs. It can make them grow much faster than normal. Of course I'm interested. Professor Sprout would be, too."

Luna kept her unblinking stare on Neville for another minute and then slowly nodded her head. "I'll write to Daddy. I'll ask him to send some to you."

Neville started to back off. "You don't have to do that. If he's willing to sell some, I would gladly pay for it."

"No. Half of it's mine. I'll give it to you." With that Luna finished her conversation and pulled out her Quibbler and started to read it. Neville kept looking at her with his mouth slightly open.

Harry and Neville passed the time talking and playing a game of Wizarding Chess. It was much more even between them than playing against Ron.

Ron and Hermione finally joined them after the Prefect's meeting. Hermione was dragging Ginny behind them. "Look who we found. Finally. Hello, Harry. How was the end of your summer?"

Harry just mumbled a fine, and Hermione was off. She described how a ruined temple in Athens used charms, similar to the ones on Hogwarts. They allowed the ruins to be used as a tourist attraction, but used charms to keep muggles away from certain parts where the entrance to their wizarding community was. She mentioned that most of the muggle ruins had some type of wizarding connection.

All while Hermione was talking, Harry kept glancing at Ginny. She seemed to be avoiding his gaze. Harry wondered why.

Finally Hermione started running out of steam. Harry asked how Romania was. Ron and Ginny started their description of what they saw on their travels. The only time Ginny glanced at Harry was when Ron suddenly mentioned he dreamed about Harry one night.

"It was strange. I don't normally remember dreams and nothing really happened in it. I just dreamed I woke up and you were there." Ron frowned then shook his head.

Ginny looked at Harry. Harry looked down at his hands. After just a moment he forced himself to look up at Ron. "Strange, that." Hermione gave him a sharp look.

Ron just shrugged. "Yeah. Anyway, speaking of you, what was with that scene with Cho? You together again?"

Harry took in a breath to answer but Ginny cut him off. She jumped up and said, "I want to go see if I can find Dean."

Ron scowled at her as she left the compartment. "Don't know what she sees in him."

Harry said quietly, "Ron, Dean's a good guy. Anyway. I'm not sure what was with Cho. I think she's dating Michael Corner."

Hermione joined the conversation. "Apparently she's not dating him anymore. I'm not sure who broke off with whom, but at the Prefect's meeting, Padma told me that Terry Boot told her that Michael told him that all Cho would talk of was you this summer."

"Me? Why me?" Harry was confused.

"I'm not sure. She said Michael had said that he was sick of hearing how brave and smart and strong you are. He is not too fond of you right now."

Ron was snickering at the description of Harry. Harry, himself, was blushing and feeling uncomfortable. "I only saw her once this summer and she cried over me then, too!"

Ron had a full chuckle going now. "Maybe you've got yourself a stalker, Harry. At least it's a pretty one." His laughter grew even louder. Hermione harrumphed, crossed her arms and turned her back to Ron.

Harry gave a half-smile and shook his head at Ron. "I don't know…I think I prefer Colin with his picture taking. At least he doesn't cry all over me all the time."

Hermione frowned at them both. "It's not a laughing matter."

Harry felt a little bad. He knew Cho was hurting. "I know that, Hermione. Sorry." He tried to change the subject. "So, has anyone practiced wandless magic this summer?"

Luna joined in. "I have. Look." She levitated her upside-down Quibbler, focused, made the page turn, and brought it back to her hands. She looked at them with a proud expression on her face.

Harry had thought of a little more practical practicing, but supposed that for Luna, that was a practical use. He clapped his hands for her. Neville also demonstrated his advancement. Ron frowned. He hadn't had a chance to practice since they'd been under his mother's eye until the end of summer. Hermione, too, didn't have too much of a chance to practice.

After a while, Ron and Hermione left to do their Prefect round. The compartment lapsed into silence as Neville and Harry both joined Luna in reading.

After half an hour, the compartment door slid open. Harry looked up just in time to see a purple hex shooting at him. He couldn't raise his wand in time so he sent a wandless shield to deflect the hex. Where it hit the wall a nasty smell and some smoke rose in the air forming a small cloud. Within a second he was standing in a defensive position with his wand out. But there were no more spells.

"Did you see who that was, Neville?"

Neville sat wide-eyed and shook his head. "Sorry, Harry. I couldn't see."

There were footsteps heard coming rapidly down the hall. Susan and Ernie came to the doorway. Ernie strode in first. "Everyone all right in here? We saw Malfoy running away from here and suspected something was up."

"Malfoy. Figures."

Neville stood up. "Well, whatever that was he aimed at you is beginning to stink. I can take care of that. Scourgify!"

Harry tried to stop him. "Neville! No!" But it was too late. The spell hit the spot on the wall and it smoked twice as much. It was a visible purple-green and even though it was still clouding on the other side of the compartment, the smell was rancid. Harry quickly threw a spell to open the train windows and literally pushed Neville and Luna into the hall. He slammed the door shut behind them. He sealed it with a colloportus.

Harry turned to Neville. "You have Trevor?"

"Yeah. What was that?"

"It was the Nidor spell. I read about a shorter version of the spell this summer. Any skin the vapor touches will hold the smell for hours. The shorter version only holds it for about 10 minutes. Just enough to get away, hopefully."

"That smelled awful. I can't imagine having that smell on you for hours." Neville looked horrified.

"That wasn't even the full strength. If that cloud had actually touched your skin, it soaks right in. It can literally incapacitate you. Nothing gets rid of it, either. Scourgify only amplifies it. Bubble head charms don't help since because it comes out of your pores, it just fills the bubble with the smell. All you can do is wait for it to wear off."

"What about our stuff? It's all still in there." Neville was looking worried.

"No worries. It only absorbs into skin. The trunks should be fine. I can lend you something for the feast." Harry enlarged his trunk and pulled out a set of robes for himself and for Neville. Harry looked at Luna. His Gryffindor robes wouldn't work for her. She was a Ravenclaw. Harry looked at Hannah. She shrugged.

"If you don't mind a Hufflepuff badge, you can borrow one of my robes." Luna looked resigned.

"I'll be fine. It won't be the first time I've not had my proper robes. Usually it's just because they're hidden from me though. At least this time I know it wasn't aimed at me." Luna gave a half-sad smile to Harry.

Harry frowned at the reminder of how her house-mates treated her. "I'll figure something out for you, Luna."

Ernie straightened up. "Well, I dare say you will all need to find other compartments to use for the remainder of the journey. Not too much more to go, thank Merlin. So even if it gets a bit cramped it won't be for long." He started them back up the hall.

The first compartment that looked promising was one that had Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Parvati and Lavender in it. There was a brief explanation of how their compartment was unusable and were invited to join theirs. Harry shifted uncomfortably. He really didn't want to spend the rest of the trip watching Ginny flirting with Dean.

Cho happened to be coming down the hall and had stopped when she saw Harry and listened in on the problem. "Oh, it looks quite crowded in here if you add Neville and Loony. Why don't you join me in my compartment, Harry?" She had that pleading look in her eyes again.

Harry let himself be dragged out of the compartment and down the hall for a ways before he stopped. "You know, Cho, I really appreciate the offer, but I have something I need to talk over with Hannah and Ernie. But you could do me a big favor."

"Anything, Harry." Her eyes recovered from the disappointment with the anticipation of doing a favor for Harry.

"Luna Lovegood won't be able to get to her robes before the feast. Could you loan her a set for tonight? She could return them to you later on."

"You want me to loan a set of my robes to Loony Lovegood?" The incredible note in her voice and the scrunch of her nose did not endear her to Harry. Harry had an idea of who one of the girls who actively picked on Luna was now.

"Luna" Harry stressed the last syllable, "was hurt by Death Eaters last year trying to help me. She is a very nice girl. One who I hate to think is picked on by others because of her different outlook on life."

Cho bit her lip. "Of course, I'll loan her a set of robes. And I'm sure any problems she has will stop this year. I'll help keep an eye on her for you. Er…she's a friend, right?" Cho's eyes had a hard gleam in them.

Harry frowned. Of course she was his friend. What did she mean? "Yeah. She's my friend. Same as the others."

Cho's smile brightened. "I'll go get those robes right now." and she skipped off down the hall.

Hannah was biting her lip and shaking her head. Harry could see she was trying to hold in her laughter. "Oh, Harry. You just blew it. You should have implied she was more than a friend."

Harry's eyes widened. "You mean…she was asking…?"

"Yeah. She was checking out competition." Hannah was openly laughing now.

"Well, shoot." Harry was disgusted with himself for not catching on earlier, but then he had a thought. "It wouldn't have been right to use Luna that way anyway. She has problems enough in her house without adding jealousy or whatever it is to it."

Cho came right back carrying a set of robes. "Here you go, Harry. Feel free to come by my compartment when you're done with your talk. Okay?"

Harry gave an awkward smile, knowing there was no way he would. "I'll keep it in mind."

Harry had brought the robes back to Luna. When he told Luna who they were from, she looked at them as though they might explode in her face. Ginny's face seemed to cloud over with a thundercloud. Harry wondered if she was mad at him for getting robes for Luna from someone who had made Luna's life difficult. But he hadn't known that before he asked. So how could she blame him?

Harry made his way back up the train, following Hannah. Ernie had gone on to find Ron and Hermione to let them know not to return to the compartment. Since they had patrol duty until the reached Hogsmeade, it wasn't a big deal to them. They already had their robes on. They had put them on before they went on patrol.

Harry thanked Hannah again for letting him impose on them. Hannah smiled and said it was no problem. She wouldn't mind the company anyway. Harry saw what she meant when they reached the compartment. Ernie was there as well as Susan, Justin, Zacharias Smith and another Harry didn't know. Harry was introduced to Megan Jones. Harry smiled and waved his hand. Sure enough, first thing Megan did was look at his scar. Megan was in his year, but they had never really talked before.

Harry sat next to Hannah. She was trying to avoid watching Ernie flirt with Susan. "I see what you mean about meeting people. Megan's gone to school with you for five years, but the first time getting close, she still looks for your scar. I hadn't really believed it until I saw it. How do you stand it?"

Harry shrugged. "What can I do about it? I can't control other people's reactions."

Hannah suddenly looked up. "Hey, Harry. Does Hermione Granger still do that SPEW thing?"

Ernie looked up from where he was talking to Susan. "Oh, not again, Hannah. Leave it be! It was just a house elf!"

"He was not 'just a house elf'! I'm worried about him, okay?" Hannah turned back to Harry. "Does she? Does she track freed house elves?" Ernie shook his head and turned back to his conversation with Susan.

"She doesn't track freed house elves. What she would like is to free all house elves. But she's learned that not all of them can handle freedom. Why?"

Hannah seemed to deflate. Harry's mind started putting things together. Hannah Abbott. Winky saying Tubow ran the Abbott estate.

"Is this about Tubow?" Harry tentatively asked.

Hannah's head came up so fast Harry was afraid she would get a crick in her neck. "You've seen him? How is he?"

"He's fine. He met up with another house elf who took care of him. They both came to work for me a couple of weeks ago." Harry was speaking quietly. Not even his friends knew this part.

Hannah breathed a sigh of relief. "I've been so worried. I mean I knew he was getting older, but I never thought my father would just turn him out like that. I mean, he's just always been there for me. Whenever I had problems, he'd listen and be there for me. I just couldn't believe it when he was gone when I got home this summer. I've heard house elves don't last long once they're freed and I've been so worried all summer. You'll treat him all right, right? I mean, the whole DA saw how fanatical that one strange house elf is towards you so you must treat him okay."

"Dobby used to belong to the Malfoy family. I was able to trick Malfoy Sr. into freeing him several years ago. Dobby enjoys his freedom. It was actually Dobby who found Tubow for me."

"If Granger wants all house elves free, how does she feel about you having house elves?"

Harry went on to explain about Winky and how Hermione worked on modifying the spell so the house elves always have a choice. He told how she was looking into modifying the spell for currently enslaved house elves. Hannah listened, but Harry could see she didn't think it would really fly.

Harry asked if she could keep Tubow being at his house quiet for now. That no one except Dobby at Hogwarts knew about it yet and he hadn't even told Ron and Hermione about finding his Grandparent's house yet. Hannah agreed but Harry could see questions in her eyes about how he must live during the summer if he was concerned about people at Hogwarts, apparently the Headmaster, no less, finding out he 'found' his Grandparent's house. How do you 'find' a house anyway?

Harry's respect for Hannah increased when she managed not to ask all the questions obvious in her eyes. She had more restraint than he had. He liked talking to her. As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Harry decided he was quite glad he had been able to keep her distracted from Ernie's attentions to Susan as well. Maybe they'd talk again sometime.

As Harry disembarked from the Hogwarts Express, familiar sights and sounds hit him. He could hear Hagrid calling for the first years. He lifted a hand in greeting to him. Hagrid gave a wave back. Harry made his way to the carriages. He stopped and looked at the skeletal black horses that pulled them. His gaze pulled away when he heard his name being called.

"Harry! Over here, mate!" Ron was standing by an open carriage. Harry made his way over to him, glancing at the Thestral that pulled the carriage. He wondered if it was one of the six that brought him and his friends to the Ministry last year. Ron glanced towards where Harry was looking. "Is it one of them from last year?"

"Can't tell. I can't tell them apart yet." He squinted his eyes, focusing on two different bat-winged horses. "There are differences. I just didn't notice last year."

Ron shrugged and they got in. Hermione was already inside along with Luna and Neville. The coach made its way up to the castle.

Entering the Great Hall seemed like another coming home for Harry. Even with how bad the last school year was, Hogwarts was still the first place he had been able to get away from the Dursley's and that forgave a lot.

He looked around. Malfoy was holding court telling some amusing tale to those close to him at the Slytherin table. Suddenly, one of his listeners broke in and pointed to Harry. Draco turned with a grin that turned into a scowl as he saw Harry having no odor problems. Harry gave a mocking salute and continued to his table. Draco now looked furious and some of the Slytherins were laughing at him.

He gazed up at the enchanted ceiling as he took a seat at the Gryffindor table. The darkening sky was clear and he could just begin to see some stars shining through.

Neville, Ron and Hermione joined him. Ginny sat further along between some other fifth years but still within easy talking range with Dean. Ron looked over and scowled again. Harry saw Hermione glance at him, then saw Ron wince as she apparently kicked him under the table. Harry imagined Hermione spoke to him about his attitude while they made their Prefect rounds.

Harry glanced up at the Head Table. Most of the professors where there, except, of course, Professor McGonagall who would lead the first years in to be sorted. Harry noted the new teacher sitting next to Professor Snape. It was a mid-aged witch wearing Trelawney-like glasses.

Harry nudged Ron. "New DADA teacher, you reckon?"

Ron glanced up to squint at the Head Table. "Yeah. I wonder who she is."

The doors from the entrance hall opened. Professor McGonagall led the scared first years in. As they reached the front of the hall, Professor McGonagall set the stool down with the Sorting Hat on it.

The crowd hushed as the hat began its song:

In times gone by,

So long ago,

Hogwarts was one,

Not friend and foe.

Then strife came near,

Saw a dear one depart,

The school was weakened,

Which saddens the heart.

I've warned in the past

To come together once more,

But though there's a start

Something's still wrong at the core.

Though students be divided

Into houses four,

Know the school must be one

To continue into lore.

So put me on your head

And let your mind be seen

I'll tell if you've the craftiness,

To belong to Silver and Green.

Then again for the clever mind

That's really on the ball,

Blue and Bronze may be your fit

And become your home to call.

If you're gallant and courageous,

Red and Gold is yours to wear,

But for the enduring and steadfast

Yellow and Black will color your lair.

The Sorting Hat I am,

I know what I must do,

So put me on, and hold me tight,

And I'll sing where to put you.

Harry clapped with the rest of the school. He thought of the song. 'Something wrong at the core?' He knew what that was. Slytherin. Hermione had that analytical look on her face. Suddenly her face lit up.

"The Sorting Hat mentioned us!" She had an amazed look on her face.

That got Ron's attention. "What?"

"Dumbledore's Army. 'But though there's been a start,' Dumbledore's Army started uniting the houses!" Her face frowned again. "But…'Something still wrong at the core.' It's not enough."

"It's just a song, Hermione." Ron was paying more attention to his plate, waiting for his food.

"I don't think so, Ron. Maybe we're supposed to add Slytherins to the DA?" This last part came out uncertain.

"I don't bloody well think so. I think 'wrong to the core' is a pretty apt description of their whole house! Besides, the DA doesn't exist anymore, does it?"

"They can't all be bad. They're people just like us. They have emotions and ambitions just like us."

Harry was only half listening to Ron and Hermione's argument as 'Avery, Michelle' was sorted into Slytherin. The hat was currently deciding the fate of 'Brunhold, Joseph' as Harry's mind flashed back to his own sorting with the hat wanting to put him in Slytherin. Why had the Sorting Hat wanted to put him in Slytherin? Was it the 'thirst to prove himself'? That's what it said while he was under it.

"Ambitions to be Death Eaters!" Ron was continuing the argument. Harry automatically started clapping as the rest of his table did as a young first year ran down to it.

What was it Dumbledore had said were Slytherin traits? Parseltongue, resourcefulness, determination, disregard for rules…None of those really seemed that bad of traits to have. Well, maybe some would disagree on the rules one. Harry thought he was getting better at that, though. Well, maybe not. He did take the bike out and…Well, maybe not.

Harry turned his attention back to the sorting as 'Silverman, Sally' was sorted into Ravenclaw. Harry clapped at the appropriate times as the rest of the first years were sorted.

When it was finished, the Headmaster of Hogwarts rose to his feet. He lifted his hands in greeting. "Welcome, welcome, one and all. Now that the sorting has finished, tuck in." The tables filled with food.

All through the meal, Harry listened to the squabbling between Ron and Hermione. It didn't have any bite to it as it sometimes did in the past. It actually seemed like a comfortable routine for them. Half the time, Harry didn't think Ron really disagreed with Hermione but only disagreed to keep her going. Harry sometimes wondered if Hermione really meant what she said either. He wondered if she really felt the Slytherins were just the same or if she said it only because she knew Ron would react to it.

Ron broke out of their argument. "Hey, Harry. You'll never guess who the Head Boy and Girl are."

"I know Roger Davies is Head Boy. He saved me from Cho earlier. Who's the Head Girl?"

"A Slytherin! Something Fletcher, I think they said. Doesn't seem right, that!" Ron seemed right offended that a Slytherin was given the honor of the position.

Harry shrugged. It didn't matter much to him.

The food was delicious as always and they finished will full stomachs. Finally Dumbledore got to his feet again.

"If I could have a few moments of your time now that we are all nice and full from this wonderful feast. I have a few start of term notices…"

The Headmaster continued mentioning the ever growing forbidden item list in Filch's office, the typical forbidden forest being forbidden, no magic in the corridors, Quidditch trials for the house teams. Finally he introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Vigori.

Finally students were dismissed. Ron had given Harry the password earlier and he took some shortcuts up to the dorm rooms. Harry expanded his trunk and got settled for the night. It was good to be back.

Early the next morning, Harry made his way to the common room and he and his friends went to the Great Hall for breakfast. Professor McGonagall handed the time tables out. He looked at his time table. He wouldn't be having DADA until Wednesday. He was curious on how the new professor would teach the subject. Harry had two of his new classes today, Finance and Potions. They were right before lunch. Classes went well. NEWT Herbology was similar to classes in the past.

Finance was on the same level as the Firenze's classroom, near the Great Hall. On the way to the class, Harry saw Professor Dumbledore in the Great Hall talking to a goblin. He looked very serious and Harry thought the look he gave the students going towards the Finance class was a nervous look.

Harry was just about to enter the room when his name was called. "Mr. Potter, a word, please."

Harry looked up to see Firenze standing near the door to his own classroom. Harry walked over to him. "Mr. Potter. The stars have shown me that many beings and creatures are at a crossroads. The time is near for decisions to be made. Many will be looking to you." With those words he turned and went back into his classroom, leaving Harry confused. What kind of creatures would be asking him to make their decisions?

Ron was with him in Finance. Harry was surprised to find the instructor was the goblin. Not just any goblin, but Griphook was teaching the class. Harry had met Griphook on his first trip to Diagon Alley many years ago.

The class wasn't so large, but when Griphook walked in, Harry heard a disgusted sound behind him. He turned and saw a Slytherin boy was speaking to a classmate sitting beside him. "What is this school coming to? A centaur last year, now a goblin? What next? House elves?" It was clear from his tone, he no longer had any expectations of learning anything worthwhile in this class. He gathered his books and walked out of the class. The Slytherin girl he was talking to stayed, however.

Harry saw Griphook's eyes on the exchange. As the student left, he smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. Harry thought it seemed a bit feral. His eyes were cold.

Griphook started the class and from the opening statements Harry could tell this would not be an easy class. There would be no tolerance for any sloppy work. Harry and Ron filled page after page with notes on what was to come.

As the class ended, Griphook called Harry to stay after. "Mr. Potter, you were surprised to see me when I came in. You did not think a goblin could teach a wizard?"

Harry blinked. "No, that wasn't it. I mean, who could teach managing money better than a goblin?" Griphook's head jerked slightly in surprise. "I was surprised that you would be willing to teach is all. I didn't think goblins would consent to teach wizards. I also was surprised that you were you. I mean, I've met you before. I haven't met many goblins, but you helped me on my first trip to Gringotts."

Griphook's looked as if he was considering his words. "You speak well, young Potter." Harry was surprised. He thought what he had meant to say came out quite rough to say the least. "You are correct that goblins have always refused the invitations to teach before. Let's just say that we are interested in this generation of wizards and how they think. I was chosen because I have more tolerance with wizards than many of my kind." He gave Harry a thoughtful look then said, more to himself than to Harry, "I think I will consent to teach this class. Yes. It could bear watching. You may go Mr. Potter."

Harry gave another nod and left the room. He saw Professor Dumbledore waiting at the doorway. He looked intently at Griphook and Griphook nodded back to him. The Headmasters face broke into a smile and the twinkle brightened considerably. Harry continued to his next class wondering what that was all about.

Harry and Ron had their first Secondary Potions class after Finance. This class was being taught by a young, dark-haired witch and while still being taught in the dungeons, the room was much brighter and seemed much more cheerful than Snape's classroom. This class was starting with going over some basics on theory of how ingredients are classified and why and when they work (or don't work) together. If this was review, Harry wondered where he was for that class where they originally learned it. Harry thought he might do all right in this class.

At the end of the class, Harry and Ron headed for lunch. Ron was busy telling Hermione about their new classes they had. Ron seemed quite excited. Especially about the Finance class. Harry thought Ron might do really well in that class. His family might not have much money, but Ron was excellent at planning things and strategizing and this class sounded like it would contain quite a lot of that.

Harry finished his lunch and started to make his way back to the tower to get his Care of Magical Creature stuff when he was sidetracked by Cho.

"Hi, Harry, I'm sorry you weren't able sit with me on the train. Maybe we can get together later?"

Harry didn't know what it was, but he was just feeling uncomfortable around Cho now. Last year he was interested in Cho and she was interested in him, but something in her eyes was different this year. It wasn't interest as much as…well, he didn't know what it was, but it made him uncomfortable. "Yeah, maybe. I…I've got to get my books now for my next class."

Cho smiled and started, "Maybe I could walk with you…"

She was cut off by a, "Hiya, Harry. Could we talk to you for a minute?"

Harry looked over Cho's shoulder and saw Colin Creevey and a few other fifth years, including Ginny Weasley. She wouldn't look at him, though.

"Hey, Colin. Cho, you don't mind, do you?"

It was obvious that she did mind, but she graciously excused herself. Ron was walking past on his way to the tower. Under his breath so only Harry could hear he said, "Saved from Stalker #2 by Stalker #1." Harry could hear his laughter as Harry glared at him.

Harry turned to Colin. "Can we talk on the way to the tower? I've got to get my books."

"No problem, Harry." As they started moving, Colin was nudged by some of the others. "Er…we were wondering if you were planning to start the DA again?"

Harry frowned. "I hadn't thought to. This years teacher can't be as bad as last years, can she?"

"We had her this morning. It's not that she's bad so much…When do you have her?" Colin didn't seem to know how to describe the new teacher. Harry's curiosity was peaked.

"Not until Wednesday. Why?"

Colin seemed to be running out of what he'd planned to say. "Maybe you could think about it? Just…just keep in mind that several of us wouldn't mind extra lessons again."

"I'll keep it in mind, Colin." With that, Harry could escape up to the tower to get his books.

The students were taken out to the paddock for Care of Magical Creatures. The paddock was overgrown with tall grasses. There appeared to be a heating charm surrounding it as well. Hagrid came out of his cabin with a wide smile of greeting for the students. Harry, Ron and Hermione all had smiles for him, too.

"Welcome back fer another year. This year I've got summat good fer yeh to start wi'. I reckon this creature's going to be on NEWTs an' we're lucky to have borrowed us one fer a time." With that, Hagrid entered the paddock. The students lined up along the outside of the paddock. Hagrid started looking around through the tall grass. Harry heard some snickering from behind him from Malfoy and his cronies.

"Just look at him. He can't even find what he's supposed to be teaching us. What an idiot."

Harry turned and was about to let loose some words about what he felt about Malfoy and him even taking that class if he felt that way when he heard some other voices coming from the paddock.

"Here he comesss. If he triesss to lift usss again, I will bite him thisss time."

"I sssaid no, Shamira! He isss the one who bringsss us food and keepsss us warm. He hasssn't harmed usss."

"I don't care. I will bite him thisss time!" The voices were low, but Harry could hear them.

"Ah, there she is! Wait jus' a mo' and I'll show yeh the beauty." Hagrid started to reach down. Harry heard a violent hiss.

"Hagrid! No!" Harry jumped over the paddock fence. He ran the few steps to Hagrid and tried to stop Hagrid from reaching down.

"Harry? Whatsa matter? I wanta show the class the Runespoor we've got."

"She doesn't want to be picked up. She said she'd bite you if you did."

Hagrid's eyes opened with surprise and then understanding. "You can understand 'er? What else does she say?"

Harry looked down. There was a livid orange snake with black stripes about four feet long laying in the grass. Harry blinked and looked again. The snake had three heads. "Pleassse don't bite him. He meansss no harm. He just wantsss to show you to the studentsss."

The snake straightened up. Each head stared at Harry. The one on the left started. "I had no wish for him to be bitten. I am Sorena. Who are you?"

The right head spoke up. "I am sssick of being lifted. I am Shamira. Sorena never wantsss me to bite. She doesn't understand that sometimesss people should be bitten." The right head glared at the left head.

The middle head looked at Harry as well. This one seemed a little more out of it than the others. "I've heard of humansss who could talk but I never dreamed I'd meet one." At this the other heads both snorted. "I am Sapna."

"Pleasssed to meet you. I am Harry. Harry Potter. This is Hagrid. He teachesss us about different animals, sssuch as yourself. He thinksss you are beautiful." Harry wondered if snakes were impressed by flattery.

"Maybe I won't bite him, then. But I ssstill don't wish to be lifted up!"

Harry looked at Hagrid. "Shamira, the one on the right, doesn't want to be lifted up."

Hagrid's eyebrows came together. "D'yeh think she'd be willing to climb up?"

Harry asked the creature and they agreed. Hagrid reached down and the Runespoor climbed up his arm and wrapped lightly around his neck. Harry could hear the other students gasp.

Harry made his way back over the fence. The rest of the class was staring at him. Harry closed his eyes and thought. 'Not this again.' He gave a half-hearted smile to the rest and turned his attention back to Hagrid.

"Showing off, Potter?" Malfoy's voice hissed from behind. "You should have just let the great oaf get bitten. It might make the class more interesting."

"You know, Shamira really wants to bite someone. Maybe I should give my blessing for her to bite you, Malfoy. Would that make the class interesting enough?" Harry's voice was just as low. Ron started to chuckle, but Hermione jabbed Harry with her elbow.

"Now who can tell me 'bout Runespoors? Anyone?" Hagrid had reached the fence as well, but was staying inside the paddock with the snake-like creature around his neck for all to see. Most students backed away as Hagrid came close. Hermione raised her hand. "Alright, Hermione. What can you tell us about the Runespoor?"

"The Runespoor is an African snake whose eggs are used in memory potions. The right head is extremely poisonous." Hermione was eyeing the Runespoor with a bit of trepidation.

"Righto, Hermione. Ten points ter Gryffindor. We keep the heating charms on because the Runespoor is accustomed to heat an' doesn't like the cold. Harry, you said 'er name is Shamira?" The creature started hissing in earnest. Hagrid's hand was resting on the left head.

"Did he jussst call me Shamira! I am not that one! I have much more common sssense!"

"Er…they each have different names. The one you're touching now is Sorena. The one in the middle is Sapna and Shamira is the one on the right."

In the background, Harry could hear Malfoy whispering to Crabbe and Goyle in a panicky voice. "Right? He said it was the right one? Which one is the poisonous one?"

"Blimey! Didna realize tha'. I'll have ter make sure I keep 'em straight. Wouldn't want ter insult her none. An important rule when carin' for wild creatures is to always respect their dignity. Wha's important to them. Names can be an important thing."

Getting a closer look at the Runespoor, Harry noticed it looked like it had been in several fights. It seemed to have many scars, especially the right head, Shamira. Hagrid continued with his lesson. He explained that this was a pretty young Runespoor. They normally grew to around 7 to 8 feet in length and quite often lost their third head. Each head had a different personality. Overall, it was a pretty interesting lesson.

Later that night, Harry took out his dad's journal. He read over the first entry where his father mentioned the prank against the Slytherins. Harry wasn't intending to prank the Slytherins but he was curious about the passageway mentioned. He didn't think he ever used that passage. Of course, he didn't have any desire to go to the dungeons other than what was absolutely needed for his potions classes. But he was curious. Harry took out the Marauder's Map. He eventually found a passage that looked like it came out in a hallway two over from the Slytherin Common room. He traced the passage back and saw that it started on the fourth floor. Unlike most passages, this one only seemed to have the two exits. Many of the secret passageways had multiple exits on different floors.

There was still a couple of hours until curfew and Harry didn't have any pressing homework yet, so he thought maybe he would check it out. Harry took the map, the journal and his invisibility cloak and made his way down to the common room. He looked about for Ron. He thought he'd invite him along. He found Ron over by Hermione near the fire. From how close they were sitting and how focused they were on their conversation, Harry thought that maybe they had figured out they liked each other. He decided this was not a good time to interrupt them.

He looked around the rest of the common room. He saw Neville, Dean, Seamus, Parvati, Ginny and Lavender playing some sort of game over in another area, and couple of younger years anxiously starting on their homework. He took a deep sigh and decided to just head out alone.

When Harry reached the fifth floor on his way down, he met Terry Boot and Michael Corner coming up the stairs. Michael looked undecided about something and then approached Harry. "Potter! Can I have a word?"

"Sure." Harry wasn't sure what he wanted but he remembered Hermione telling him that Michael wasn't happy with him. As Michael gestured towards an open classroom off to the side, Harry kept his hand near his wand as unobtrusively as possible. Terry mumbled something about meeting up with Michael at the Library and left.

Michael followed Harry into the room and closed the door. He looked at Harry and then looked away and started pacing.

"I know we've never talked much before, but I've got to ask you something." Harry cautiously nodded. "I know you dated last year. How do you feel about Cho?" Michael met his eyes waiting for his answer.

Harry fidgeted. How would you answer that? "Last year I think Cho and I were both interested in each other briefly, but there was too much history between us. It just didn't work. I like her, but I don't like her anymore."

Michael nodded. "That's how I thought it had been. I…I care for Cho. We were getting quite close earlier this summer. Then, after her family was attacked, she started acting differently. She talked about you all the time."

Harry broke in. "I don't know why. I only saw her once during the summer and that was only for a couple of minutes."

Michael shook his head. "I know. I was there, remember. I don't know. Something's going on in her mind and until she can work it through, I just want to ask you to be careful with her, all right? She's very vulnerable right now."

Harry agreed and they went their separate ways.

Harry reached the fourth floor and found the dead end hallway that had the Sanguine Scots portrait. He looked at it. He was a red-headed cheerful looking fellow dressed in a plaid tartan and carrying bagpipes. He had been quietly playing them until Harry approached. He looked curiously at Harry.

"Och! Wha do we hae here? Ooh, laddie, wha are ye aboot?"

"I'm just curious about the passage behind you."

"Ye'll be needing the password afore you can enter."

Harry pulled out the map and the man in the portrait gasped. "Mon! Ah knew another Jimmy wha had a map like tha!" He peered closer at Harry. "Ye ken him? Ye have the look of him aboot ye."

"He was my father."

"Yer faither ye say! Tha' Jimmy could blether on agin the best. A right talker he was! An now the bairn comes."

Harry watched the map and saw a little word bubble form the word 'Haggis'. Harry looked back to the portrait. "Haggis."

"Tha be the one. Be canny now! Nowt's bin down this way for many-a year." The portrait swung open and Harry lit his wand and entered.

It was very dusty and was obviously unused. He carefully made his way down many sets of stairs and long halls until he finally reached the exit. He looked carefully around the door and found the latch to open it. He pushed it open and entered an empty classroom.

It was obviously another potions room. It was very dusty and seemed to be a used as a storage space for extra equipment once upon a time. Harry saw the exit behind him melt together into a stone wall. It reminded him of the Slytherin Common Room entrance. Harry walked over to the door to the hallway. He checked the map first to make sure no one was around and then tried the handle just to see if it was unlocked. It was locked. Harry continued exploring for a while.

Eventually Harry figured he'd seen enough. The supply cupboards still had some supplies in them, but most of them Harry thought were probably no good anymore. There were knives, cauldrons and burners in other cupboards as well as parchment, quills and some old potions books. Harry looked at the map again to find that he needed to twist a wall sconce to open the exit again. He did and made his way back up to the fourth floor.

Once out, Harry started back for the Tower. He didn't really want to go back, but wasn't sure where else to go. He rounded a corner and came to a dead stop. Cho was just down the hall. He thought of Michael's words and decided the best way to handle this now was to not be seen. He backed back up to the hall he came out of, but heard his name being called. "Harry?"

Harry took off back to the hallway of the Sanguine Scot and said the password. As the portrait opened, he asked him not to tell the young lady following that he had gone that way. The portrait just laughed and agreed 'not to tell any lassie's whaur he'd gaun.'

He made his way back to the potions room and decided to look through his father's journal again for a while. He pulled out a chair and put a cushioning charm on it and settled in. He looked over the animation spell section and decided to practice. Harry practiced for another hour. Before he left he was able to wordlessly/wandlessly make four stirring spoons and knives perform a dance for several minutes before they would collapse. He was quite pleased. He was almost ready to transform. He wanted to read more about before taking any other steps, but felt he was getting close to be capable of doing it successfully.

By the time Harry noticed the time, he had only a short time until curfew. He quickly checked the path to the Tower and didn't see Cho anywhere along the way. He made his way back up to the fourth floor and then on to the seventh floor to Gryffindor Tower. As he collapsed into his bed, he thought it hadn't been such a bad first day of classes.

Things got back into a routine for Harry over the next few days. He was able to spend some time with Ron and Hermione and get them caught up on what happened at the end of his summer, with finding the estate and all.

He was approached by more DA members about restarting their meetings. He said he would think about it. Because of this, he was looking forward to his Wednesday morning DADA class.

When he got to the classroom, he was pleased to notice that all the members of the DA in his year had made it. In fact, there were only three students who were not part of the DA in the class. Unfortunately, Malfoy was one of them.

The Professor entered the classroom. "Hello. I'm Professor Vigori. Welcome to NEWT Defense Against the Dark Arts. You may have read some of my books. I've written Saucy Tricks for Tricky Sorts, but more recently I've written Weird Wizarding Dilemmas." Harry thought they sounded familiar. He thought he may have read them in his fourth year, trying to find anything to help him survive the three tasks. He didn't think the first book was too bad, but remembered Hermione being pretty scathing about the second book.

The professor went on. "Now I know the first chapter in your book is mostly about shields, but instead of focusing on those, I think it would be much more fun to be prepared for the unexpected."

Harry started thinking 'OK. So far, so good.'

"Now who can tell me what would you do differently if confronted with a pixie with laryngitis rather than a troll with laryngitis? Anyone? Anyone?" The way she was bouncing around the room put Harry in mind of Pigwidgeon.

Harry let his head fall and hit his desk. He hit his head on the desk again just for good measure. How could they have gotten another useless teacher? Only two of the six teachers they've had had been any good and one of them was a Death Eater on Polyjuice! Slowly he lifted his head and looked around the classroom. The teacher was droning on and on. He noticed almost every eye was on him with hopeful looks. He closed his eyes, then nodded. The class broke into relieved smiles. Harry took out his fake galleon and set a time for after dinner on Thursday.

Thursday Harry's classes ended with Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall held Harry back as he was getting his stuff together. After the room emptied, she said, "Mr. Potter, I have made arrangements for you to have a tutor in potions. She will be along in just a moment."

They waited and within five minutes a tall Slytherin girl with brown hair entered. "Mr. Potter, Audra Fletcher has agreed to tutor you in potions. Miss Fletcher, here is the student I spoke to you about."

The girl's eyes widened. "Potter? You want me to tutor him?"

"Yes, Miss Fletcher. I will leave it to the two of you to make arrangements." With that, McGonagall left the room.

The girl threw up her hands and started muttering, "Great. Just bloody great!" She looked over at Harry. "Nothing personal, but it could cause difficulties if it got out that I was tutoring you."

Harry shrugged. "Sorry." Harry noticed she had the Head Girl badge on. "You're the Head Girl?"

"Yeah. So?" Her tone was very aggressive.

"Nothing. Will you have time to tutor? I don't know all what's involved in being the Head Girl, but I would imagine that it would take a lot of time."

"Oh. Professor McGonagall said it shouldn't be a problem if we only meet once a week or so. It wouldn't be like a full class. I would have just taught some of the extras learned at NEWT level. I intend to be professor after I leave. I know there will be an opening at Durmstrang in a couple of years and Professor McGonagall said she would give a recommendation on my skills as a tutor if I would do this. That can mean a lot when going for the job."

"Would it have to say who you tutored? Would it cause a problem with the job if it was me, or would it just cause problems with your House mates now?"

"There wouldn't be a problem later with the job. I doubt they'd even care to ask. It's the recommendation that would mean a lot. The problem is with my House mates. A few of them don't like you very much," she said sardonically.

"Do you have to tell them? I won't say anything."

Her face got an impatient look. "I think they would notice us meeting in the potions lab."

Harry started to get an idea. "What if we didn't meet there?"

"Even if this wouldn't be a regular class, there still would be things you would need to do which require a lab. It has to be the potions lab. At least most of the time." She was looking like she doubted Harry's intelligence.

"What if I tell you that I know of another potions lab that doesn't get used anymore?"

Her face had an arrested look. "Where?"

"Take a left from your common room instead of right and go down two hallways. It's one of the locked doors."

"Then you have to go past our common room to get there. You'd get noticed. How do you know where our common room is, anyway?"

Now Harry had the look that said, 'Give me a break'. "Don't you know where all the common rooms are?"

"I do now, since I became Head Girl. I didn't before."

Harry just shrugged. "I know a secret passage to that room. Why don't you come with me and see if it would work?"

She looked at him suspiciously. "All right. Lead on, Potter."

Harry led her to the fourth floor and down the side hallway to The Sanguine Scot. "Och, laddie! Back agin, are ye? Wha braw lassie be this? Ta' other got het up when she couldna find ye. Quite a palaver she made! She an' another were causing some ruckus aboot wither ye be a hero or no."

"Haggis!" The Slytherin girl was looking at Harry with a curiosity mixed with mistrust. The portrait swung open.

"Hero?" Audra looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Harry just rolled his eyes and shook his head. She continued on. "I didn't know about this passage. We're awful high for a passage to the dungeons."

"It's almost all stairs. Don't worry. Trust me." Harry lit his wand and entered the passage. The Slytherin girl lit hers and followed. She jumped when the portrait swung shut behind her. Harry just smiled and started leading the way down the passage.

Finally they reached the end of the passage and Harry unlatched the exit. As they stepped through, the girl's eyes widened. "I didn't actually believe you, but this really is an unused lab." Her eyes narrowed as she started to take inventory of what was around. She started testing some of the equipment that was there. "Most of this seems to be in working order. It's a bit dusty down here, but it is usable…"

"As you can see, I can get down here undetected. Would you be able to slip away?"

Harry could almost see the thoughts running behind Audra's eyes as she thought out the possibilities. "Yes…yes. I would have to tell Blaise, though. But he can keep it quiet."

"Blaise? Blaise Zabini?" Harry didn't know him well, but the name was familiar.

Audra's eyes narrowed. "Yes. You have a problem with him?" The aggression was back.

"No. As long as he doesn't have a problem with me, I'm okay with him. What does he have to do with this, though?"

For the first time Audra looked a little uncomfortable. "I'm dating him. If it ever should come out that we're meeting together I wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea. If you were anyone else, there wouldn't be a problem tutoring in the open, but…"

"Don't worry. I know what you mean. If it would make him feel better, bring him along. When do you want to meet?"

Her brow clouded again. "That's a problem. As Head Girl I have to work around things that come up week to week. I can't set a specific time for this. I had planned to just make arrangements week to week over lunch or something, but that won't work anymore."

Harry tried to think of a solution. His hand closed over something in his pocket. He pulled out his fake galleon. He slowly smiled. "I think I may have the solution for that as well. Do you know Hermione Granger?"

"The know-it-all Prefect?"

Harry smiled. "Yes. The know-it-all Prefect. There are some distinct advantages of being friends with an extremely smart witch. I think she can solve this problem. I'll talk to her about it. If what I think works, she can explain what to do after the next Prefect's meeting."

The Slytherin girl wore a skeptical look but said nothing. She started looking closer at the books on the shelf. She pulled one out, sneezed then wiped her hand on her robe leaving a dusty trail. "We'll definitely have to do something about cleaning up a little in here."

Harry wandered a little ways away and softly called, "Dobby?"

The loud crack that brought the little house elf startled Audra and she dropped the book. She looked on in shock as she took in Dobby's appearance. He was dressed in yellow shorts and a red shirt with four or five hats on his head and two different socks on his long feet.

"Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is so please that Harry Potter called him, sir!" Dobby lowered his voice. "Tiz has been coming to Hogwarts, sir. There is two more house elves. We was wondering if Harry Potter could be meeting at the next Hogsmeade weekend. Dobby believes it is in three weeks. They be okay until then."

"That would be fine, Dobby. That's a good plan to meet then. In fact, I have an idea about that but I'll talk to you later on that. I called to ask if you could get us some cleaning supplies so we could work on this room a little. Audra is going to be helping me with potions but we don't want others to know so we thought we would use this room."

Dobby looked at him with that 'he just doesn't understand how it's supposed to work' look. "Dobby would be happy to clean this room for Harry Potter!"

"I can do it, Dobby. I know you're already busy. I just need some supplies."

"Dobby is not so busy anymore. Since Miss stopped hiding clothes, the other elves helps Dobby with Gryffindor Tower again. Harry Potter is not a house elf! Harry Potter leave the cleaning to Dobby!" Dobby's ears were waggling so much Harry thought the hats might fall off. He even stamped his foot with his last statement.

Harry could hear Audra snickering behind him. She obviously enjoyed watching Harry getting yelled at by a house elf. "Another fan of the 'hero'?" she said with sarcastic amusement.

Dobby's ears perked up as he shifted his gaze to the Slytherin girl. "Ah. You knows Harry Potter well then. He is a great wizard. Harry Potter saved Dobby back in his second year and just this past summer he saves Winky, too! Yes, Harry Potter is a great wizard hero!"

Audra's eyes got large as Harry buried his face in his hands. He looked back up, knowing his cheeks were tinged with pink. "Dobby, thank you." He hoped Dobby would take that as a cue to leave.

Dobby's smile was as wide as his face. "You is very welcome, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby will have this clean for you in no time." With a snap of his fingers the small house elf cracked away.

"Okaaay. So you can call house elves here? I didn't think they answered students."

Harry shrugged. "Truthfully, that was the first time I tried. I don't think any of the others would respond, but Dobby's special. He and I have a history together. He's more of a friend. He does tend to get excited and exaggerate some things, though."

"Oh, really, Hero? I would never have guessed." Harry grimaced at the name. She looked around. "Well, I think this will make an okay tutoring place. I'll need to plan what I'll want to teach you. I'll contact you sometime next week on when we can start." Harry nodded agreement. Audra unlocked the door and left.

Harry made his way back up to the fourth floor to make his way back down to the Great Hall for dinner. His talk with Audra had gone a ways into the dinner hour so he had to hurry if he wanted to eat much. He looked over to the Slytherin table and saw Audra sitting next to Blaise Zabini. They were listening to someone sitting across the table from them. Harry figured she would probably find a more private place to explain about the tutoring.

Ron looked up. "Where've you been, Harry?"

"McGonagall held me after class. Just had to make some arrangements."

Hermione looked at him strangely. "Professor McGonagall has been here the whole time."

"Yeah, I know. I had to make arrangements with someone else. I'll tell you about it soon, okay?"

His friends nodded and returned to their meals.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to the Room of Requirement a little before seven o'clock when the others would be meeting. Harry paced the hallway and the door appeared. They entered the room.

"Okay, now. What arrangements and with whom?" Hermione started in first.

"McGonagall made arrangements for me to get tutoring in potions, so even if I don't take the class, I can still sit for the NEWT."

Hermione looked impressed, Ron looked nauseous. Hermione spoke up. "That will be really hard, Harry. I can try to help, too. Who's going to be tutoring you?"

"Audra Fletcher."

Ron's eyes popped wide. "The Head Girl? She's a Slytherin! You can't have her tutor you. She'll probably drug you and hand you off to the Death Eaters!"

Hermione's "Ron!" came as Harry started to explain. "I don't think Professor McGonagall would have a Death Eater wanna-be be my tutor. Audra seemed a bit upset about it being me she was tutoring, too. She's afraid it'll cause trouble for her in her house if anyone finds out so we're not telling anyone. You've got to keep it quiet. That brings to mind something else. Hermione, would it be possible to make the Protean Charm work both ways? Somehow we have to make arrangements to meet, but not obviously. I thought maybe you could charm a Sickle so each of us could agree on a time or something."

Hermione looked thoughtful. "It seems that when I was reading about the Protean Charm, there was another that would do that. I'll have to look it up."

Harry grinned. "That would be great. If we could work that out, I thought maybe you could stay after a Prefects meeting and explain how it works to Audra. That way she and I don't have to meet where we could be seen."

A sound was heard at the door. Cho walked in. She smiled at Harry. "Hi, Harry. I'm so glad you decided to do this again. How have things been?"

"They've been fine so far. How about for you?"

"Mostly okay. Marietta's not coming. I don't think she kept her coin and she didn't seem to realize anything when I pulled mine out to look at it. She didn't even seem to remember that it wasn't a real coin and I didn't explain. She hasn't been very nice lately. What was in that hex you made Granger?" Cho's voice turned a little cool when she spoke to Hermione.

"Only the acne hex charmed to spell 'sneak'. There was nothing more than that." Hermione sounded a little indignant.

"No. The memory thing happened later in Dumbledore's office." Harry broke in. He didn't want to elaborate any more. He didn't particularly like that memory.

"Oh, okay." Cho seemed to think that if Dumbledore knew about it, it must be all right then. Harry shook his head at the way people blindly thought anyone in authority must have the right answers.

Others were slowly trickling into the room. Harry was a bit surprised that all of them that were still at school, except for Marietta, came. He closed the door and they all settled on nearby chairs or poufs. Harry felt a little uncomfortable. True, there were no educational decrees forbidding them meeting this year, but this was the group that Dumbledore took the blame for last year then had to go into hiding. Harry took a deep breath and got started.

"I was hoping that this year's Defense teacher would be a little more willing to help us get ready for life out there. But, as unbelievable as it is, we once again seem to have someone who won't. What I want to find out from you tonight, is where do you want these meeting to go?"

Colin Creevey tentatively raised his hand.

"Colin?"

"I don't know how your classes are going, but in the two that I've had she mentions something that seems important to learn, says it will be on the OWLs and then has us practice how to braid nose-hair." His face screwed up at the end. The others in the room laughed but there were several nods of agreement.

"So you want to be able to practice what you believe will be important on your class tests?" Several nodded.

Justin Finch-Fletchley spoke out. "But last year you were teaching us other defenses, too. It's important for us to be able to defend ourselves with things we won't learn in class at Hogwarts." His eyes darted towards Cho who had a blank look on her face.

"So maybe some sort of divided time on learning new things and practicing existing spells?" More nods.

Dennis Creevey spoke up. "What about new members? I'm the only 3rd year here. I know of several classmates who would like to join something like this if they knew about it." Several mutters broke out. A couple of members shot looks at Hermione.

She reluctantly started to speak. "I was forced to take the jinx off at the beginning of summer. But I still don't think it's a good idea to be talking about this to everyone."

At that moment there was a knock at the door. Everyone froze. Harry slowly made his way to the door and opened it. He was surprised by who he saw there. "Headmaster?"

Professor Dumbledore made his way into the room along with a shocked Harry. "Ah, Mr. Potter. I was hoping to find you." His twinkling eyes made a circuit of the room, looking at all the frozen students. "I was wondering if you would mind heading up a study group this year. I was thinking you could even use this very room. A very delightful room it is, too. You and your friends would be able to study what you felt necessary and, as it is a study group, not a school club, you would be able to invite whatever students you feel would benefit from it. You may want to restrict it to third year and above just for size considerations, but that is up to you. You may want to come up with a new name for your group, however."

"Er…yes, sir."

The Headmaster smiled and made his way back to the door. Harry followed him out. "Headmaster, how did you know where I was?"

Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even brighter. He pulled a small golden coin from his pocket. He flipped it in the air to Harry. His seeker reflexes had him catching it to find one of the fake galleons. "I had removed it from Miss Edgecombe last year. My compliments to Miss Granger on some very fine charm work." And he turned and strode down the hall.

Harry turned and slowly made his way back into the room. He looked at the others and closed the door. Almost as one a loud breath was exhaled. Harry had to smile. It seemed like every single student had been holding his or her breath while the Headmaster was there.

"I think we have his blessing to continue."

Hermione was able to find the spell and charm two items to look like Sickles. She gave Harry a coin and explained the details. Friday evening they had a Prefect meeting and she told Harry afterwards that she explained how it worked to Audra Fletcher, too.

The weekend passed by without incident. Harry dodged Cho a few more times, but was successful. Monday morning came quickly and Ron was eager for another Finance class.

Harry and Ron took their seats near the front of the class. Griphook came in and scowled.

"The first thing with working with finances is obvious. Finances are value, usually in the form of galleons. In order to manage your galleons you need to know how much you have or will be coming in. Only then can you manage how much you plan to keep or how much you plan to spend. The goal, obviously, is to plan to keep more than you plan to spend. Today, we will be writing letters to 'Gringotts' to find out how much is in your vault."

Griphook frowned when the Hufflepuff raised her hand. "Miss Jones?"

"I…I don't actually have a vault at Gringotts." The timid Hufflepuff was obviously nervous.

Griphook sneered. "I don't expect you to actually have a vault, Miss Jones. Very few minors have access to a real Gringotts vault. For this exercise I will be Gringotts. You will write an acceptable letter to me and I will assign an amount to be in your 'vault'." He glared around the classroom.

The class got started on their letters. Harry thought it was a pretty simple exercise until Griphook started to ask them what they were including in their letters.

"Mr. Weasley. What did I say you were to try to find out?" He really looked rather scary when he pounced on something wrong.

Ron gulped and said, "You wanted us to find out how much gold was in the vault."

"Try again, Mr. Weasley. Anyone remember what I told you to find out?"

Harry didn't know. He thought Ron had it right. Tentatively the Hufflepuff behind them raised her hand. "You…you wanted us to find out what was in our vault. Is there more than just the money in the vault?"

"Correct, Miss Jones. Most vaults contain not only liquid assets but other assets as well; things that have value. You may never need to do anything with other items in your vault, but you should be aware of what they are. Re-write your letters to find the total value of your vault, preferably broken down between liquid assets and other material assets."

Harry crumpled his previous parchment and took out a new one. He wondered if there was anything else in his vault besides the galleons. He had never taken the time to look. He was usually in too much of a hurry. He decided to send a copy of his letter to the real Gringotts as well. Come to think of it, he wasn't sure if there were some automatic deductions from his account either. He wasn't sure how his education here at Hogwarts was paid for. He'd never felt comfortable asking. Maybe he could add something about getting the activity for the past few years added to it. Tubow had told him that there would be some initial extra expenditures for getting the estate back into shape. Harry had just given him the go ahead. Now he was getting nervous that he didn't have enough in his vault to cover everything.

Harry re-wrote his letter exactly how he thought he wanted his letter for his real vault to go. The class handed them in and continued on to read a chapter in their textbook until the end of class.

When class ended, Harry was called to stay back again by Griphook. "Mr. Potter, you did an excellent job on you account letter. What made you think to ask for past transactions?"

"I started thinking about my own vault. I realized that I have no idea what is in there and I…ah…acquired some responsibilities this past summer. I need to make sure that I can support those responsibilities."

"And what will you do, Mr. Potter, if your answer…disappoints you?" Griphook still looked at Harry with that watchful gaze.

Harry gulped. Griphook probably had a pretty good idea of what was in his vault. He wondered if this was his way to prepare him for disappointment. "Well…then I guess I'll have to find some other way to support them." He was speaking more to himself than to the goblin.

"Some responsibilities can be easily cast aside."

"Not mine. What I take on stays with me. I know I have some 'things'. Maybe I could sell something." Harry was mentally trying to figure what in the estate would be saleable.

Griphook made a snorting noise. "Mr. Potter, why don't you just wait for your response."

Harry focused on Griphook again. "Professor, would you have any advice on what else to include in my letter?"

Griphook looked up at him and gave one of his scary half-smiles, showing most of his pointed teeth. "The only additions I think you should make to your letter are to ask for priority and high confidentiality." He gave a snorting noise again. "Yes, you do not want your banking information to be known to everyone. High confidentiality is a must."

That really worried Harry. He could just imagine what the news would be like for the wizarding world to find out that the 'Boy Who Lived' was destitute. Yes. He thought that was very good advice. Harry thanked Griphook and left the classroom to run to his Potions class.

On Monday evening Harry was in the owlery sending Hedwig off with his letter to Gringotts when he felt a warmth in his pocket. He pulled out the Sickle. The date suggested on the Sickle was Tuesday at 8 PM. Harry adjusted his own to confirm the date.

Tuesday evening came and Harry decided to bring his invisibility cloak in his bag as well as the Marauders Map. Harry made his way to the secret passage and started down. He used his wandless lumos ball instead of his wand because it gave off a brighter light than his wand tip and no one was around to see. He also thought it would be a good idea to keep practicing whenever he could. He still made his way down into the trunk some evenings when Ron and Hermione seemed busy with either each other or their Prefect duties. Not only could he practice in private, but it was quieter for doing homework.

Harry checked the map before he entered the potions room. Blaise was with Audra. That was okay. If Harry was dating someone, and she was to be alone with someone, especially someone disliked by most of your acquaintances (if not all), he would want to check him out, too.

Harry put the map away and opened the exit. Blaise was standing against a wall with his arms across his chest. Audra was sitting on the teacher's desk.

"Hello," Harry noticed that while Blaise certainly didn't look friendly, he wasn't standing there with his wand pointed at him either.

"Potter," Audra greeted him back. Blaise just gave a short nod; his dark eyes watchful.

Harry sighed and moved to lean against one of the potions tables. He kept his arms open. "Okay. What questions do you have?" He looked directly at Blaise as he asked this.

Blaise unfolded his arms and moved over to the desk to sit near Audra. "I don't have questions, as such. I just want to know that Audra will be safe with you. I wouldn't think that McGonagall would set her up to be hurt, but you seem to be a blind spot with her and Dumbledore. At least I know now why she personally set up tutoring arrangements. Because it was you."

"She didn't do that because of me. Well, at least not directly. It was more to go against Umbridge. Umbridge hates me. She sat in on my career counseling and said I would never be an auror. McGonagall ended up getting right in her face saying that she would help me become an auror if it was the last thing she did. McGonagall takes her word seriously. And if it helps me get what I want, I'm not going to say no." Blaise and Audra nodded with agreement. They could understand that reasoning. "Regardless of what the Daily Prophet and others said last year, I am not a delusional crazy person with 'violent tendencies'." The last part was said with a tinge of bitterness.

Audra's eyes widened. "I hadn't heard that last one. Which article said you had violent tendencies?"

"That one wasn't in any of the articles I heard about. That was my friend Ron's brother Percy trying to warn him away from me in a letter."

Blaise frowned. "That's cold. I remember Percy. He was a bit of a pompous git, right?"

"Yeah. That's Percy."

"You say you don't have violent tendencies, but I saw what you did to Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle on the train last spring. I know they attacked you, but that was a pretty massive retaliation."

"I didn't do that. They had me cold. Some others came to help me and their combinations made those rather 'interesting' effects."

"I heard him saying he was going to jump you by the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw compartments. That way the Gryffindors couldn't help you."

"Yeah, well, the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws he chose just happened to be some that I tutored last year. They were a little enthusiastic in my defense." Harry couldn't help but smirk a bit at the memory.

"Tutor? I heard you were forming some sort of army."

"We called ourselves 'Dumbledore's Army' only because that seemed to be what the Ministry was most afraid of. There was no army. I was just helping a few students."

"What were you teaching them?"

"Defense. Umbridge wasn't teaching us anything and some of the other students believed me that Lord Voldemort was back." Both Blaise and Audra winced at the name. "They asked if I would teach them some of the things that I'd learned over the years."

"What sort of things?"

"Some basics. Making sure they could perform 'Expelliarmus' correctly. Some shields, a couple hexes. We were working on the Patronus Charm when Umbridge found out."

Audra's eyebrows lifted. "Chang. She was able to hold off Dementors this summer. She was part of your group?" At Harry's nod Audra continued. "Is that why she's calling you 'hero'?"

Blaise snorted. "Hero?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm not sure what's up with Cho this year. I taught her the charm, but I wasn't there." Harry was really baffled by Cho's strange behavior.

Blaise asked, "How did you know this secret passage to our dungeons?"

Harry smiled. "I've got to keep some secrets."

Blaise looked at Harry with curiosity. "You're a lot more interesting than I gave you credit for."

A/N – wdrayton - My brother is not Bobmin356. My brother's not publishing his story yet (even though we think it's really cool) but he did recommend Bobmin356's story about two weeks ago to us and we just finished his Dumbledore's Army last night. I see some similarities, especially the phoenix song thing, but that was purely coincidental since we have been writing this since last fall and only have a bit of the last chapter to go. Meaning, this will be fast postings because it's 98 finished.