Disclaimer: No money is being made by this. It is JK Rowlings world that our imagination just played in.

Chapter 8 Hogsmeade

A few days after he had his first Potions tutoring meeting, Harry was again at his cauldron in the unused potions room. He felt so much more comfortable brewing a potion without Snape looking over his shoulder. He had to admit that this level of potion was above his comfort level, but Audra explained the steps and let him take his time to absorb what needed to be done. Blaise was there as well. It didn't seem that he didn't trust Harry, but he seem to find it easy to study in there while Harry and Audra quietly went about their business. It actually seemed the most quiet and relaxing 'class' Harry had.

Only on occasion would Harry get distracted. One time Blaise was trying to practice a defensive hex from the textbook (one good one that the teacher decided to skip over in favor of teaching the art of spelling your fingernails to grow into curls). Harry couldn't help himself. He called over, "Hold your wrist a little straighter."

Blaise gave him a disdainful look, but took his advice and the hex went much better. Audra brought Harry's attention back to what he was doing. "You know, Potter, you're not so bad at this but you let yourself be distracted."

Harry gave a lopsided grin. "What can I say? That," he gestured with a jerk of his head towards Blaise, "is a lot more fun."

Eventually they reached a breaking point. "The potion has to boil now for 15 minutes. Why don't you go play? I'll call you when you have to start stirring again." She took out her timer and set it for 15 minutes. Harry grinned at her and made his way over to Blaise.

"What are you looking at now?" Harry was trying to figure out what Blaise was studying.

"I've gone ahead in the book to this shielding charm. I'm not quite understanding what it's supposed to do, though."

Harry took a look. "Oh! Protego. We covered that one last year. You don't need much wand movement, just a bit of lift and it forms a shield that returns most spells back on the caster. Let me show you." Harry took a stance a bit away from Blaise. "Go ahead and send something. Something you wouldn't mind being hit with yourself, of course." Harry said with a smile.

Blaise thought for a moment then the dark haired boy yelled, "Rictusempra!"

Harry returned with, "Protego!"

Blaise's spell hit Harry's shield and rebounded. He tried to dodge but was hit. He started laughing. Harry cast the counter charm.

Audra came over. She had a heavy frown on her forehead. "Are you two fighting?"

Harry gave Blaise a hand up and Blaise walked over and put an arm around her. "Don't worry, Honey. We're just practicing some shields." Audra's face cleared, she nodded and returned to the teacher's desk where she had been looking through one of the old potions textbooks that had been on the shelf.

"Now you try the shield. Did you see how it was raised?"

Blaise frowned. "Could you raise it one more time?"

Harry lifted his wand a bit slower than he had when protecting himself from the jinx. "Protego."

Blaise nodded. "Okay. I think I've got it."

They paced off again and this time Harry raised his wand. "Rictusempra!"

The beam of light headed for Blaise and he raised his shield with, "Protego!" The beam of light bounced back to Harry who dodged out of the way.

Unfortunately the beam kept going until it hit Audra who had been on the other side of the classroom, but directly behind Harry. She started laughing uncontrollably. Harry smacked his hand to his forehead. "I'm sorry, Audra!" He quickly made his way over to her and performed the counter curse.

Audra stopped laughing, but now they could both hear Blaise laughing. Audra turned to him with a glare. "I'm sorry! But that was just hilarious! You should have seen Potter's face when he realized that you got hit with it. I've never seen eyes get that wide. He was totally gob-smacked!"

The edges of Audra's mouth softened and her eyes started to smile, too. "As long as you're laughing at him and not me."

That session set the tone for most of their sessions. Audra would teach Harry different types of potions and more advanced uses and properties of the ingredients and any time there was a bit of a break for a potion to simmer or boil, Harry would wander over by Blaise and they would work on different charms, hexes, jinxes and shields; making sure to be facing each other on the short length of the room so any stray curses would harmlessly hit the wall.

Katie Bell was Quidditch captain this year. She called for try outs on Wednesday night. As the crowd moved down to the pitch, Harry found himself walking next to Ginny. He smiled at her. "Hey, Ginny. How've you been? I haven't seen you much recently."

Ginny looked up. "Hi, Harry. Guess I've just been busy." She looked around. "Taking a break from your girlfriend?"

Harry looked confused. "What girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend."

Ginny looked up at him. Harry couldn't read her expression. At that moment he heard, "Harry! There you are. Have you been avoiding me?" Cho Chang had come up behind them. She grabbed hold of Harry's arm.

Harry gave a soft groan. He forced a smile on his face. "Of course not, Cho. What would give you that idea?"

He could feel Ginny giving him a sharp look. Cho started to pout at him. Harry wondered if she thought that looked cute. Now Ginny had a cute pout. You could always see the laughter in her brown eyes when she tried it. Cho just looked sulky.

"I hardly ever see you. Anyway, I decided to watch your try outs. I knew you would be here."

Harry's smile kept wanting to slide off his face. He tried to break away. "Well, I have to get going, now. I'll see you around. Come on, Ginny. We don't want to be late." Cho finally let go and smiled at him and gave a suspicious glare at Ginny.

As they got some distance away, Ginny turned to him. "I thought you liked her."

"I like her well enough, but not that way anymore. I don't really think she likes me that way either. I'm not sure what's up with her, but I have to admit that I feel like she's a predator and I'm the prey when she's around."

Ginny gave a small giggle. "Then where have you been lately at night if not with Cho?"

"Oh, sometimes I go down in the trunk, other times I have…er…some tutoring." Harry knew this wasn't coming out quite right. He was getting flustered. It was ridiculous. He could face down Death Eaters, being scared out of his mind, sure, but able to be coherent. But sometimes he just had a hard time talking to girls.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Ginny asked.

"What?" Harry had lost track of what they were talking about.

"Your tutoring. Is it with Professor Dumbledore?"

"Er…no. It's with someone else. But I do have to see Professor Dumbledore on Friday." Harry frowned distracted by this thought. The Headmaster told him to bring his stress ball and they would work on permanent Occlumency shields. Harry wasn't looking forward to it. He missed the suspicious look on Ginny's face.

Katie got everyone's attention and the try outs started. It was pretty much a given that Ginny would get a Chaser position, and Katie and Ginny worked with the other students trying out. They did pretty good. Ginny matched Katie's moves well and they were able to test out different styles of the hopefuls. Ron was having a blast in his Keeper position. He looked like he was feeling like Harry had when he first took out the bike back at Number 12; like he'd been deprived of flying for too long. There really wasn't much for Harry to do but watch, although he made sure he always stuck close to Katie when she was on the ground or watch her stuff when she was in the air so Cho wouldn't try to get his attention.

Finally Katie called all the existing team together and thanked the hopefuls for trying out. She led the team into the locker room.

"I know we really only need one Chaser this year, but I'd like to have two players in reserve; one Beater and one Chaser. We know that Ginny can always back Harry up if something should happen. My first choices are Natalie MacDonald as Chaser, Dennis Creevey as reserve Beater and Euan Abercrombie as reserve Chaser. What do you guys think? Anyone have any reservations on any of those?"

No one did so it was decided.

Harry received a surprise Thursday during dinner. He had just been discussing Quidditch plays with Ron, when Professor McGonagall came up to him giving him a note saying that Professor Griphook was requesting his presence in his classroom and he should bring his vault key.

Harry frowned at the note, but gave a lame excuse to his friends and left the table. He hurried up to his dorm and searched through his trunk for his key. When he found it he stuffed it into his pocket and headed back to the main floor. He reached the door to the Finance class and gave a knock.

"Come in, Mr. Potter." Griphook had that smile that was a bit scary on his face. His eyes seemed to be anticipating something. "Your owl reached the bank this morning. After doing a preliminary check of your standing, they decided to comply with your rush request. They did a thorough hand count of your vault today and I was asked to bring you the results to insure confidentiality." Griphook seemed quite amused at the ruckus caused by Harry's letter. He pushed a very thick portfolio carrier across the desk towards Harry.

Harry's eyes widened. He had expected a simple letter detailing a few transactions and a grand total at the bottom. It didn't look like that was all that was there. Harry hesitantly reached for the portfolio.

"Lay your key against the impression on the seal." Harry did so and a green glow shone for just a moment. The seal opened. Harry reached in and pulled out several groups of parchment bound in different ways. "The first bundle is a summary of all items in your vault, the second is the amount of galleons, sickles and knuts, the third is the record of the properties you have interest in, the fourth of any business ownership or investments you hold, the fifth is small personal possessions such as jewelry and the sixth is the record of the transactions of your vault for the last three years."

Harry decided to only look at the first bundle right now. The rest would have to wait. The first bundle only consisted of three parchments. Three parchments of very tiny, precise writing. He squinted at the writing which started with actual galleons in his vault. His eyes widened. He didn't know how much things cost in the wizarding world, but that number seemed rather more than large. Harry didn't realize his jaw had dropped until he heard a snorting noise coming from his professor.

He was positive this time that Griphook was laughing at him. He took another look at the parchment. After the first section summarizing the value of the gold in the account came the section on property. It listed Potter Place, Godric's Hollow and 50 ownership of the House of Black. Each property had a value assigned to it. Harry noticed with a grimace that the value of Godric's Hollow was very low, but that wasn't surprising since it had been blown up. The next section was the largest. Business after business was listed as well as percent of ownership, each with a assigned value as well. He noticed some had little to no value to them. The last section on the summary was of the small personal possessions. There were many different rings, cloak clasps and other jewelry as well as some ornamental daggers and swords. Every item had a value assigned and Harry had to suppose some of them must have some large jewels in them to apparently be worth so much.

"All items were appraised by the Gringotts appraisal department so all values are current. They've been quite busy today." Again he seemed to be quite amused at the chaos caused.

Harry looked up and gulped slightly. "May I ask a question?"

"Of course, Mr. Potter." Griphook still seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Who manages all this stuff. These investments and things."

Griphook's look turned even more sinisterly amused as more pointed teeth showed. "Why, you do, Mr. Potter."

"I do?"

"Of course, at your birth it was handled by your parents and then it fell to your wizarding guardian at their demise. Unfortunately, during his incarceration things have gotten a little…messy…shall we say. Maybe not taken care of as they should be. Perfectly understandable. But since his passing, as you have no other official wizarding guardian, all management falls to you."

Harry groaned. He slowly folded the summary again and started to replace it and the other bundles in the portfolio. "May I keep this? It's going to take me a while to try to understand all this."

"Of course, Mr. Potter. I have also been instructed to inform you that if you have any other requests you may feel free to contact any goblin at Gringotts. They are most anxious to follow any financial directions you care to place, for a small fee, of course."

Harry gave a half grin. "Of course. Thank you, Professor."

"You are very welcome. I've quite enjoyed your reactions to this news." With that, Griphook gave a short bow and left the room.

Harry needed to talk to someone about this. He figured Hermione wouldn't know much more than he and Ron always was so touchy about money. Harry wondered if Remus could come see him somehow. Maybe he could help him sort this out.

Friday saw Harry trudging down the hall to the Headmasters office. The stressball was being squeezed in his hand, phoenix song singing in his head. He was more than a bit nervous about doing Occlumency with the Headmaster. He had broken a few too many rules this summer and was concerned about what the Headmaster would find. He almost wished he was doing this with Snape again. Almost, but not quite.

Harry told the password, 'gargoyle gumdrops', and made his way up the revolving stair. Harry knocked on the door to Dumbledore's office.

"Come in, Harry," The Headmaster's voice was as cheery as ever. The cheerfulness seemed a bit out of place with how Harry's stomach was feeling. "Have a seat." Harry sat down in front of the Headmaster. "Now, Harry, I believe you need to continue your Occlumency lessons. The solution you found is a good temporary measure, but if there should, Merlin forbid, ever be a time you should be captured or it is taken from you, you would be vulnerable. You need to learn to use your mind alone to prevent attacks. My hope is that you will learn to shield your mind and perhaps eventually be able to plant false memories to mislead."

"Do you think he will still try? I think he probably knows I was able to cut him off somehow earlier this summer. Maybe he thinks I mastered it already."

"I believe it was cut off too suddenly for him to believe you learned to block it off on your own powers alone." Harry could believe that. He did, on occasion, still feel twinges of Voldemort's emotions and burning in his scar, especially when he hadn't used the stressball the night before. "I would like you to leave your aide with me and meet with me in two days time." Harry's hand tightened over the small ball. He was very uneasy. Two days seemed a long time when he thought of the potential pain that could happen. Phoenix song started again in his head, calming him.

"Are you sure, Headmaster? What if I get a vision or he realizes he can send me pain?" Harry was hoping against hope that he wouldn't have to be parted from his little crutch.

"If you need to, come to my office. You are welcome any time." His blue eyes were twinkling as he continued on. "To go over what you know, Occlumency is a defense of the mind. A skilled Legilimens can search for memories to prove truthfulness, plant visions, or feel the victim's emotions."

"Feel the victim's emotions? Like I do with Voldemort? Is that Legilimency? Or the visions I've had of him when he's not aware of it? Is that Legilimency?" Harry was shocked.

"Yes. I believe it is. I believe you have a natural talent, either your own or transferred with the scar, it matters not, with Legilimency. I'm not sure if it would work with everyone or if it can only travel the link you share, but I suspect that with practice, it could be with anyone. That is why I believe you can perform Occlumency. You have a very strong mind. We will not be able to try today because I am sure you have too recently used your aide and would be able to block my intrusion as well as Lord Voldemort's. But I believe the effects should be lessened enough to try in two days time. As for now, I want you to practice calling to mind the phoenix song from within your own mind; from your memories or from somewhere deep within yourself. I'm afraid that if Lord Voldemort were to try to access your mind for memories, he would try to access your worst."

Harry muttered, "They wouldn't be news to him. He was there for most of them."

"That may be true. To start with I shall not try with full force. That should probably bring up some disturbing memories, but not the worst that you have. The Legilimens is not always able to control which exact memories will come up with their search, but the power behind the spell does have some effect on how close the caster gets to the memories he wants to see. He may want to search for your worst memories, things you most want to hide, or things you like the most. Unfortunately, Lord Voldemort is a powerful wizard with more than enough power to see what he wants most of the time."

"But how do you clear your mind or 'empty yourself of all emotion'? I can't walk around all day trying to listen to phoenix song in my head. What keeps the protection there?"

"The accomplished Occlumens doesn't need to keep a blank mind or have total control of all emotions at all times. Humans are not robots. It is not possible. The calmness or in your case, the phoenix song would just be running in the background. It can happen with practice. What they do need to be able to do is to instantly recognize the intrusion and at that moment temporarily calm their mind and emotions until the intruder leaves. Even better, instantly recognize the intrusion, realize what the intruder is searching for and send misleading memories or feelings about the subject. There is actually a small delay from when you see the memory to when the attacker sees the memory. Time enough for the accomplished Occlumens to pull back the initial memory and supplant it with another."

Harry wondered if that was what happened last year when he'd seen the memory of Cho coming towards him. That was when he'd pushed Snape out of his mind, but Snape hadn't seemed to have seen that memory.

The professor dismissed him with an admonishment to practice recalling the phoenix song before he went to bed and on occasion during the coming days. Harry agreed and left.

Saturday morning, notices of a Hogsmeade weekend went up for the weekend in two weeks. Harry started making some plans. He called Dobby and had a little talk with him. Dobby grinned and popped away.

They had their first DA study group session on Saturday evening. Harry was surprised at how many new people showed up. There were at least thirty-five people; more than last year. Hermione even ran out of enchanted coins. They spent the first half of the session practicing things they had gone over last year as a review. Those who had it down pat he paired with new members. For the second half, Harry had them take a seat and he started taking requests. Each year had different things they wanted to focus on. Harry put the ones who wanted to study the same things in their own small groups and let them go. Everyone had something. He wandered around the room, giving out pointers here and there to each group. It still amazed him that even students older than he would take his advice on how to do something. With all of his studying he found he was familiar with almost all the spells people wanted to work on and those he wasn't he quickly picked up.

While he was making his rounds, he stopped by Hannah Abbott. "Hannah, would you go with me to Hogsmeade? I have a surprise for you if you will. I'm sure you'd like it."

Hannah looked at him with curiosity. "Sure. I'll go. You've peaked my curiosity. Will it be for all day?"

"No. Only for a bit in the morning. In fact, you can make arrangements to meet up with your friends for the afternoon. This should only take an hour or so in the morning."

"Now you've definitely peaked my curiosity. What kind of date only lasts an hour or two in the morning?" Hannah teased him.

Harry started stammering, but Hannah cut him off with a smile. "Don't worry. I'm not getting the wrong idea here. I'm just teasing you."

Harry gave a sigh of relief, threw her a lopsided smile and moved on to the next group. The next group were some seventh year students. Cho came near him. "Hi, Harry. Did you see that there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up soon?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Er…yeah."

"What about you and me stopping by Madam Puddifoots again?"

"I'm afraid I already have some plans with Hannah."

Cho's voice stopped it's flirtatious tone and dropped about thirty degrees. "Hannah? Hannah Abbott? You're going to Hogsmeade with Hannah Abbott?" She was getting quite loud.

Harry was somewhat amused by the disbelieving chorus behind him. "Hannah?" It was like people never even thought that he could possibly have anything to do with Hannah. He distinctly heard Ginny's and Ernie's voices.

"Yes, I'm going to Hogsmeade with Hannah Abbott."

Cho flipped her hair back behind her shoulder and calmed herself. "Well, maybe I'll see you there."

He dismissed them before curfew, again releasing them in small groups so they wouldn't attract attention. While it wasn't a forbidden thing anymore, he still didn't want it advertised to just everybody.

He was straightening up the room, when the door opened up. He looked up. Cho was standing there. She came into the room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it. Harry started getting nervous again.

"Cho, what are you doing here?"

There was no other word for it. She started stalking towards him. A light sweat broke out over Harry's lip.

"I just wanted to show you what you were missing. You can still change your mind. I'm sure…Hannah… would understand." Her eyes were very focused and filled with determination.

Harry kept backing up for each step she advanced until finally he hit the wall. Cho pressed her body up against his and started kissing him for all she was worth. Harry's mind stopped. When it started again it was thinking thoughts about being alone with a beautiful girl who felt very good against him. Not only was she kissing him, but seemed very willing to do more. His hands came up to rest on her hips. He faintly noticed the lights dimming in the room. Then he heard a tiny voice in the back of his mind telling him he knew this was wrong. His body didn't want to listen to the voice, but the voice was joined with memories of him telling Michael how he liked her but didn't like her anymore and Michael telling him that he cared and to be very careful with her as she was vulnerable right now. Harry's hands tightened on Cho's hips. He tried to call phoenix song to mind to calm himself down and he pushed her away. The lights were back to full brightness. "Cho, stop. Don't do this. I'm going to Hogsmeade with Hannah. Go back to your dorm."

Cho's face showed confusion and hurt. "But Harry, you know you would rather go with me. You love me."

"Cho, I don't love you. I like you as a person, but I'm not in love with you."

She started to get angry. "Well, you're not in love with Hannah! I'll make sure of that!" With that said, she turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Harry just gave a huge sigh of relief and slowly sank down on one of the poufs.

The next evening Harry made his way back to the Headmaster's office. As he walked he reflected on the previous evening. He still couldn't believe that scene with Cho had happened. He still couldn't believe he had been able to stop. That was much more difficult than he had expected. Even after Cho had left it had taken Harry almost fifteen minutes before he felt he could head back to his Common Room without embarrassing himself.

Harry had found Ron and forcibly dragged him up to the dorm room. Once there he made him swear he would never leave Harry alone after a DA meeting again. Ron had seen how agitated Harry still was and had gone instantly on guard, thinking some Slytherins had cornered him. He had asked 'who?'. When Harry had responded, 'Cho,' Ron had almost bust a gut with his laughter.

It took a few slaps to the back of the head from Harry to finally quiet Ron down some. Eventually Harry had to see the humor in it, too. Here he was, the leader of a rather large group of students studying defense and he felt helpless in defending himself against one girl. But it wasn't like he could just hex her and be done with it. When he pointed that out to Ron, Ron had finally agreed that he would help guard against Harry being cornered by stalker #2.

Harry rode the revolving stair to Dumbledore's door. He entered when the Headmaster gave his permission and took the seat he was motioned to.

"Well, Harry, how has the practice been going?"

"I've tried bringing the song to mind at times, but it's not an automatic thing. It definitely needs some prompting and concentration. Last night my scar twinged, too, but not too bad."

"That is to be expected. You may even experience a bit more pain tonight after we practice. I'm afraid that until you manage to succeed, the practice tends to 'tire out' any natural shields you may have."

Harry remembered last year's sessions. He always felt worse after a session with Snape. He had even suspected Snape of doing it on purpose, but now Dumbledore was saying that was natural. He just wished someone explained this stuff to him last year. Maybe then he wouldn't have mistrusted Snape so much and would have thought of him when he had that vision…Best not to be thinking of that right now. Nothing could be changed anymore anyway.

"I will initially be saying the spell aloud so you know when it is coming, but eventually I hope to be saying it wordlessly and you will still be able to block it. Professor Snape said you were successful expelling him from your mind a couple of times and were able to cast a stinging hex and rebounding shield, but you mustn't rely too much on outward spells. In normal Occlumency study I would recommend learning by using a wand as you did last year, but I fear you will need to learn the harder way, without a wand." Harry started to protest. Professor Dumbledore held a hand up. "Normal Legilimency needs eye contact, but because Lord Voldemort can access your mind without being physically present, you need to be able to expel him using only your mind. Learning to hex with a wand will do you no good."

Harry sighed and sat back. The Headmaster was right. What good was a shield spell when his scar was hurting? There was no spell physically coming at him to block. The professor smiled gently at him. "We will start slowly. Do not fear. Are you ready to begin?"

Harry nodded. He deliberately set his wand in front of him on his Headmaster's desk. Dumbledore lifted his own and softly spoke, "Legilimens."

Harry tried to recall the sound of the phoenix song as images started to flash by. Cooking breakfast for the Dursley's when he was six, being chased by Aunt Marge's dog Ripper, being hit by Dudley and his gang, his Uncle grabbing him by the ear and throwing him in the cupboard under the stairs while Harry tried to explain he didn't know how his teacher's hair turned blue…

The spell lifted. Harry was panting. He started to take stock of his situation. He thought it was rather nice not falling onto the floor. He was slumped in the chair, but there were no bruises. He lifted his eyes to find his Headmaster looking at him in a mixture of curiosity and discomfort. "What?"

Suddenly the Headmaster let out a large belch. Harry blinked in surprise.

"Ah, that's much better. You continually surprise me, Mr. Potter. I do not believe you've noticed yet, but you wandlessly summoned your wand and cast a belching hex on me. A short one, true, but effective in this case in that it stopped the spell."

"Oh, sorry." Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to say.

"Quite all right." The Headmaster's face turned grave. "You do know that I am sorry you had to grow up in that environment, don't you?" From the serious look on his face and the lack of twinkle in his eye, Harry knew the Headmaster was entirely sincere.

Harry just kind of shrugged and nodded. He gave a half smile. He was not comfortable with people learning his past, even people who knew it already. "I know. Er…maybe you should keep hold of this." Harry looked down at his wand and handed it across the desk.

"Let's try again, shall we? Legilimens." Harry saw the memories coming. He saw Aunt Petunia swinging a frying pan at him. He saw Ginny jumping up to leave their train compartment to find Dean. He saw Cho closing the door of the Room of Requirement and leaning against it. Harry started to panic. He didn't want Dumbledore to see that scene. He tried to call to mind the phoenix song. He focused on hearing it play and the feeling it gave. He could tell the scene started to play for the Headmaster and then to his relief felt his mind becoming calm and the image start to fade. His Headmaster's face was coming into focus. Suddenly a surge of power slammed into him bringing it back into focus. Harry started sweating trying to clear it away. Cho had him backed against the wall now. Phoenix song. Like Fawkes. 'Pull it up from deep inside.' The birdsong started playing louder in his mind and he was able to begin to fuzz the picture again. For a second time a surge of power brought it back into focus. Harry was too tired. He couldn't fight it anymore. He let the scene play out. Cho was kissing him and he brought his hands to her hips. The lights dimming around them. Then the knowledge that it was wrong and trying to calm his mind to push her away. The lights brightening again. Eventually managing to push her away and the last words exchanged until he collapsed in an overstuffed pouf.

Harry just lay in the chair panting when Dumbledore lifted the spell. He kept his eyes closed. His head ached something fierce.

Harry faintly heard his Headmaster softly calling his name. "Harry?" Harry just grunted back. "Harry? I apologize. When I saw that last memory, I became concerned. The Room of Requirement is a very special room and would be easily abused. I am very glad my trust in your use of it hasn't been misplaced. I am correct that you haven't shared it's secret with others?"

Harry took a deep breath and softly said with his eyes still closed, "As far as I know Ron, Hermione and I are the only students who know how to create the room and we've only ever used it for DA meetings."

"That is very good. I'm sure your head is not ready to do any more tonight." Harry gave a brief snort which turned into a painful wince. He could hear the Headmaster writing something. He then got up from his seat and walked around the desk to kneel by Harry's chair. "Harry, can you look at me?"

Harry turned his head in the direction of his Headmaster's voice and squinted his eyes open. Once again he fought back a wince.

"I have a note here for you to give Madam Pomfrey. It is for Dreamless Sleep potion. I believe you should take some tonight. With the headache you already undoubtedly have, your defenses are very low. This is not something to expect with our lessons, but I think it would be wise tonight." The Headmaster gave a small smile. "If it helps at all, I had to put quite a substantial amount of power into the spell to keep the connection. There is no doubt in my mind that you can learn this very quickly. Most wizards would have had no chance at keeping the connection."

By the time Harry made it back to the Common Room, Dreamless Sleep potion in hand, he was weaving on his feet. Ron and Hermione took one look at him and helped him up to his dorm.

Ron was astounded. "Professor Dumbledore did this to you? Remind me never to study Occlumency. You look like crap, Harry."

"Feel like it, too. Can you keep your voice down?"

Ron helped Harry into his pajamas while Hermione paced outside their room. Eventually Ron called her back in and she instantly went back to Harry's side. She helped him drink his potion. Harry smiled. 'It was nice to have friends who cared' was his last thought before he collapsed back on his bed.

Harry was feeling infinitely better the next morning. Everything went fine in Herbology, but Harry tried to avoid Griphook's eyes in Finance. They got the amounts that was in their 'vaults' handed to them. Harry's was quite large, but Ron's was quite small.

"Figures," he said.

"Think of it as a challenge. You're good at strategy. Plan." Ron looked at Harry like he was crazy and then as if he was thinking about it. Finally he had the light of battle in his eyes.

"You're right. All I need is a plan." Ron focused intently on the rest of the class.

They had a small celebration for Hermione's birthday on Thursday. She received several gifts from a Gryffindor cloak clasp to books. She was 17 years old now. Not that it made a great deal of difference while at school, but she would be able to use magic on Christmas Break.

On Friday, Harry was heading for his class on Enchantment after his First Aid class. Harry decided to take a secret passage to get back up to the fourth floor. He didn't use this one much anymore because it was definitely made for shorter people. Ron couldn't take this one anymore without hitting his head at least twice and Neville would have a hard time squeezing out of the narrow exits.

As it was a somewhat known passage Harry used his wand for his lumos spell. Harry had reached the second floor when he heard the sound of panicked breathing. The dim light from his lumos spell gave up the figure of a young girl, probably a first year. Harry couldn't tell what house she was from. "Are you all right?"

"No! My cousin had told me about some of the secret passages and I needed to get to the third floor so I thought I would try one. The door closed behind me and it got dark and I can't find the way back out!"

Harry gave a soft chuckle and held out a hand. She took it and he started to lead the way up some stairs. "It'll be all right. I'll take you to the third floor. I take it you're a first year?" At the small nod Harry continued, "You may want to wait with the passages until you learn the lumos spell, like the one on my wand. Don't worry. You'll learn it soon. Then you can explore to your heart's content."

The girls panic was obviously subsiding and she started rambling. "This is just how it's been going for me. I keep getting lost in this bloody huge castle. I've been late for almost every class."

"No worries. If you need help when you're lost, feel free to ask any prefect. I'm sure they'll help you. Of course, you won't find too many wandering around in here! Most other older students are willing to point the way as well. Just watch out for Peeves."

The young girl looked up at Harry in the gloom. He could see a sense of shocked recognition in her eyes. In a hushed voice she said, "It was you!"

Harry was confused. "What was me?"

But she wouldn't answer. She fell into a silence. Finally they reached the third floor exit. Harry showed her how the catch worked to open the door. A door swung open a short way. The statue of Cliodna limited how far it could open.

"Here you go. Third floor. Can you find your way from here?"

The girl shook her head and pulled on his hand. Harry gave a sigh. This was one of the smallest exits this passage had. The girl squirmed through quite easily. Harry had a harder time, but managed to twist his way out. Harry started brushing off his robes. This exit ended in a side hallway that seemed to be a dead end. Finally he looked up.

The girl's eyes had widened even more. She was a Slytherin. Harry thought she might have been the 'Avery, Michelle'. He tended to remember familiar Death Eater last names.

"You…you're…" Her eyes were on his scar.

"Yeah, I am." Harry grimaced. "So where do you need to go?"

She seemed distracted and took his arm, but only to start pushing up his sleeve.

"Er…What are you doing?" Harry started to push her away, but she was determined about something.

"Potter! Avery! What's going on here?" Harry looked up and saw Audra Fletcher coming towards them. She must have heard them from the main hallway. She looked suspiciously at Harry.

Harry was still trying to fend off Michelle's hands on his left arm, but without much success. He could swear she seemed to have three sets of hands.

Audra was looking at Michelle a little queerly now. "What's with her?"

"I haven't a clue! I came across her when she was trapped in the passageway and led her to this floor." Harry said, getting a little frustrated.

"It was you. I know it was you." Michelle started babbling. "I recognized your voice in the dark from before and you said the same sort of words! It has to be you. I just need to see your arm!"

"When were you with her in the dark before, Potter?" Audra's voice was loaded with suspicion and she had her wand trained on him.

"I don't know what she's talking about. What words?" Harry's mind was racing trying to think of what he'd said.

"This summer. I even got some blood on my jacket. When my mum saw that she broke down and cried for an hour." Harry didn't know what was going on but he was getting nervous of the look in Audra's eyes and the way her wand was fixed on him.

"Roll up your sleeve, Hero." Audra's voice brooked no argument and had a dangerous tone to it. Harry stopped fighting Michelle's hands and she pushed the loose robe sleeve up his arm. He was wearing a short sleeved shirt underneath so nothing stopped her pushing it up all the way to his shoulder. High on his shoulder she revealed a newly healed scar.

"See! Right there! That's proof that it was you!" She was pointing emphatically at the scar. Harry blinked. That was the scar he'd gotten a couple of weeks before school started from that cutting hex in South London…

"That was you behind me?" He tilted his head to the side to peer at the girl.

"All right. What's going on? What's this about talking in the dark, blood, and making her mother cry? I need an explanation!" Audra had a no nonsense tone and shoved them both into a nearby empty classroom.

Michelle started to shake. Audra led her to a chair set along the wall. With sarcasm lacing her voice, she looked at Harry and said, "Well, Hero?"

Harry looked at Michelle. "There was an incident this summer and I helped her mother out."

"I'd like a little less condensed version, please." Audra glared at Harry.

Michelle spoke up. "My mother was being forced to go with three Death Eaters to get marked and he came by on his motorcycle, took them out and got us away. Mum knew one of them. He used to come to our house sometimes. Whenever he would come she would make sure we stayed in our rooms. We had one room we could lock from inside and she would let us know when it was okay to unlock it after he would leave."

Audra was trying to take it in. "What was with the 'voice in the dark' thing?"

"It was dark that night and we couldn't see his face. At first we could hardly see him!"

Harry muttered "Disillusionment charm." when Audra gave him a sharp glance. She returned her gaze to Michelle.

"A little ways away he stopped and I remember him saying something about 'No worries' and 'if we need help, Professor Dumbledore would help us'. When he mentioned just now if I was lost a Prefect would help the phrase clicked with what happened that night."

"The blood?"

"He had been hit by some spell by one of the Death Eaters and was bleeding."

Harry again muttered, "Cutting hex, mostly deflected."

"Your mother crying?"

"Father'd changed so much this last year. Mother decided to use this time that he's in Azkaban to get us away from all that. She had been so scared that night. Everyone knows that once you're marked you can't get away, at least alive. I think when she saw his blood on my jacket it brought it back how close it had been." Michelle's eyes grew wide. "Wait until I tell her that it was Harry Potter that saved us!"

Harry winced. "I really would appreciate if you wouldn't do that. Technically I wasn't supposed to be there that night and I could get into some big trouble if it got out that I was."

Michelle's eyes widened again as a thought came to her. "You told us you weren't anyone important when we asked who you were!"

Harry put a hand on Michelle's arm to try to get her to listen to him. "Michelle. Really. I would like it if you could just forget that you learned it was me. I'm serious that I would get into trouble for being out that night. I'm not ever supposed to go out." The last part was muttered more to himself than to Michelle.

Michelle looked confused. "But why?"

"There are a few people around who are a little upset I made it to my second birthday."

Michelle looked at him and said quietly, "Like my father."

"Yeah. But there are some other people who want to protect me and they would be upset if they knew I had left my protection."

Audra looked at him in amusement. "You snuck out? I thought you were a Gryffindor? They're not the ones known for breaking rules. We Slytherins are. Then again, you and your friends do seem to get into trouble a lot."

"Yeah, well, I guess I'm a bad influence on them."

"Are you saying that 'Gryffindor's Golden Boy' isn't all Gryffindor?" Audra's eyebrows were raised.

"I think there are a lot of students who actually fit more than one house. I know Hermione Granger was considered for Ravenclaw." Harry left it at that.

Michelle's voice piped up. "I was considered for Hufflepuff."

Audra looked at Harry consideringly. "You know, I'm going to have to either stop calling you 'Hero' or start meaning it."

Audra promised Harry she would keep an eye on Michelle and explain some of the current rules to live by in the Slytherin Common. Harry took that as 'don't proclaim any admiration of Harry Potter if you want to live.'

At their next tutoring meeting, Harry asked how Michelle was doing. Audra said she seemed to be doing fine. She got her to listen carefully to how other's are talking around her before speaking herself. Michelle noticed that one of her close friends actively talked against Harry Potter. Harry frowned. He tried to review the names he'd heard at the sorting. It seemed there was one other somewhat familiar surname.

"Fermot?"

Audra looked surprised. "Yes. How did you know?"

"I know of a Death Eater by that last name. I think he was sent to Azkaban earlier this summer for the attack against the Chang's. Tell Michelle to be careful. I would hate her friendship to only have been a trap to get to her and her family.

"I tell her, but I don't think that you need to be overly worried. I keep my ears open in our dungeons and I've not heard anything like the story Michelle told last night. I don't think the Death Eaters advertise their failures. I doubt the little Fermot girl even knows there was any trouble at all."

On Tuesday, Harry had another Occlumency lesson. This one started with a little excitement. His scar had been bothering him on and off and he was absently rubbing it as he entered the Headmaster's office.

"Good evening, Harry." Harry looked up at the Headmaster's greeting and felt it.

A snake was uncoiling inside of him. He had an impulse to lift his wand and start cursing his Headmaster. Professor Dumbledore's eyes narrowed for a moment and then he looked over Harry's shoulder. "Fight it, Harry! Pull up your protection!"

Harry anxiously scrambled to recall what he was supposed to remember. His hand started lifting with his wand. Song! Phoenix song! Harry frantically reached deep inside and dragged some up by it's feathers. He filled his head with the music. The snake retreated and Harry's wand hand relaxed.

"I'm okay, sir." Harry moved to the seat in front of the desk and collapsed into it. "Is that Legilimency or possession? Is there a difference?"

Harry saw the professor chance a small glance at him and relax. "I believe it's a bit of both. The attack is definitely against the mind, which is Legilimency, but it also attempts to control you, which would be possession. Most likely you could have used either Occlumency or the feelings you used last spring to expel him. My theory is that Lord Voldemort, in all the years he possessed creatures before his rebirth, has become extremely adept at it. And with the link the two of you share…well, it's the same as you did with the snake episode and Mr. Weasley."

"You mean he was actually seeing through my eyes like I did his? I could have controlled his actions? But I would have tried, Professor! All I could feel that time was his feelings of having to bite him." Harry was upset that he possibly could have stopped it, but hadn't been able to.

"You must remember, Harry, that Lord Voldemort is a very powerful wizard and has decades more experience in possession than you do. He is bound to be more advanced than you will ever be. He has to be as that was his mode of survival for twelve years. Do not be angry with yourself for not having the dark knowledge that he has. And, please, do not attempt to possess him!"

"What about the times I'm not sharing his body, but see what's going on? Like last summer with the meeting about the Chang's. Do you think he can do that? He could be here now!"

Dumbledore leaned forward and smiled. He steepled his fingers under his chin and said, "I suspect he is not aware of your presence then and I do not believe he knows how to do it either. As much as you use the link to travel to him, you do not reside in his body when you do. I do not know how, but somehow you stop yourself before you enter him so he cannot feel your presence. This is just a theory, but I'm pretty sure of my conclusion. That is not to say that you should put yourself at risk opening yourself up to the connection. I do not feel this is something to be trifled with." He gave a warning frown.

"Yes, sir."

As the Hogsmeade weekend approached, Harry kept feeling odd lurches of emotion disassociated with what he was feeling. He hated these feelings. He watched the approach of the full moon.

The full moon passed and the Hogsmeade weekend was here. On that Saturday morning, Harry made his way from the Great Hall to the Entrance Hall. He was going to meet Hannah there. He saw Hannah waiting for him. Ernie, Susan and a few others were keeping her company. When she looked up she broke away from them and came towards Harry with a smile. "Well, I'm ready for my surprise."

Harry gave her a lopsided grin and held out his arm. "Shall we go, then?" She took his arm, gave a small laugh and together they joined the queue to be check out by Filch.

The walk down to Hogsmeade was pleasant, but a little chilly. Autumn had definitely set in. Harry expected it to warm up later in the morning, but for now he was glad of his heavy cloak. He gave a glance over to Hannah. She seemed comfortable enough. They talked of general things; the DA, how the new members seemed to be integrating in, and how both of them were glad they no longer had Snape as their professor. Soon they reached the edge of the town.

Harry was just going to lead Hannah to the trail up to the Shrieking Shack when he heard Cho's voice coming from the side. "Harry! Hannah. Fancy meeting the two of you here. Where are you heading? Maybe we can make it a little party of three." Cho had come up to them and wormed her way between the two of them, taking Harry's arm.

Harry quietly swore to himself. "We were just taking a walk around the edge of town to warm up, then we're heading for the Three Broomsticks." Harry didn't know how to get rid of Cho without being rude.

Hannah stepped in to save the day. She took a step closer to Cho and said in a confiding voice, "No offense, Cho, but Harry and I want to have the morning to ourselves. You understand, don't you?" Harry couldn't believe it when she gave a slight wink to Cho.

Cho's face turned frustrated and angry. "Of course I understand. Well, I guess I'll see you around. Maybe I'll find Michael. He talked of taking me to Madame Puddifoot's. Now that's a nice, romantic place." She looked at Harry as if expecting him to show signs of jealousy.

"I think you'd like that. Why don't you go find him?" Inside he was shuddering, remembering that place.

Cho let out a quiet shriek, turned around and stomped away. Harry looked around. No one else was near. He started to take Hannah's arm again to lead her up the path when he heard a cough and sniffle. Even Hannah jumped. "Did you hear something."

Harry put a hand to his head. "Merlin! I forgot about the guard," he muttered to himself. "Hannah, this might take a little longer than I had thought, but would you come to the Three Broomsticks with me?"

She looked confused but said, "It's a bit early, but of course, Harry."

The two took off back up the street to the Three Broomsticks. Now that he was listening for it he could hear a shuffle behind him. When they reached the tavern, Harry settled Hannah at a table and went to get them some butterbeers. He was bringing them back to the table when he saw a witch under heavy veils come in and plunk herself down at the bar. So Dung was his watcher. He was using the same disguise he used last year at the Hogs Head. Harry was relieved. He could manage this.

Harry kept a covert watch on the witch at the bar while he chatted with Hannah. When Dung was on his second drink Harry told Hannah to head towards the loo and slip out the back entrance. He would meet her there shortly. She gave him a very strange look at this, but complied.

After waiting for a few minutes, Harry got up from the table and headed for the loo himself. At the last moment he ducked down and snuck out the door. He met Hannah outside. He grabbed her hand and started running. "Come on!" Hannah was startled, but she ran, too.

After they had gone a short way, Harry stopped and pulled Hannah around the corner of a building. He peered around the corner and soon saw the heavily-veiled witch come out the back door of the Three Broomsticks, swearing like a sailor in a low, gravelly voice. Harry gave a little chuckle. Hannah had looked, too. "Do you know that witch?"

"Yeah, I know him. I think we just bought ourselves a little bit of time, but we'd better not take too long." The heavily-veiled witch had gone back inside the tavern. "Let's go."

Harry led them in a roundabout way to the Shrieking Shack. When they got there, several small house elves came out from the trees. Two had nice small cloaks, the other two just had towels over their shoulders. "Harry Potter, sir! We are here."

"Hi," Harry smiled as he saw Tiz, Tubow and two other house elves make their way down. As they got closer Harry could see the two cloaks had his stylized 'P' on them. He looked over to Hannah. Her look of confusion was giving way to surprise and then delight.

"Tubow!" Hannah cried happily.

"Miss Hannah." Tubow had a wide grin on his face.

"I'll let the two of you talk. I've got a little business to attend to. We'll just be up the path a bit." Harry led Tiz and the two unknown elves up a little path to a secluded picnicking spot.

Tiz explained that one elf specialized in groundskeeping and the other was a chef. Harry performed the ritual with the two elves. Both of their ragged coverings transformed into uniforms covered with serviceable cloaks. The kitchen elf even had a little chef's hat.

The old grounds elf looked at his outfit with wonder. "It is being so warm!" He turned his old eyes to Harry. "Thank you, sir! Thank you so!"

Harry just gave a nod and settled on the ground. Harry spent some time getting to know his two new elves. They were nervous but Harry tried to put them at ease. He asked Terran, the groundskeeper what all could be done before winter set in. Terran admitted there were only a few things that could be done to help prepare for next spring, but he could get the greenhouses back in shape. Harry hadn't realized he had greenhouses. He asked Kreelo what types of foods he liked to make. Kreelo said his specialty was treacle tart. Harry's eyes got wide and he said he couldn't wait until he could try some. Harry asked Tiz how Gilly was doing. The last time he'd seen him he hadn't been feeling that great.

The two new elves watched with wide eyes. Harry wondered if it really was that rare for a master to ask after a house elf's welfare.

"Gilly is just being tired lately. He tries to get all his jobs done but he gets sleepy too fast. Tiz tries to tell him to slow down, but he just worry bout getting job done. I's tell him you ask bout him. That make Gilly feel good."

Harry smiled at her and they made their way back to the Shack. Hannah looked up from where she was sitting with Tubow. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. She got up and ran to Harry, throwing her arms around him and giving him a kiss. Harry just stood there in surprise.

"I want to thank you, Harry. Tubow's told me what it's like working at your place and I feel so much better now. It was so nice of you to have him brought here so we could talk." She finally stepped back, still holding on to his arms.

Harry blushed, feeling awkward again. "I'm glad to have him helping me. As I've been muggle-raised I really have no idea how this stuff is supposed to work. Tubow's been a great help in getting things set up for me to have a home."

Harry turned to Tubow. "Tubow, could you make sure we have some jackets or cloaks on hand this winter that new house elves could wear before I get to meet them? And would it be possible to look to hire or whatever some strong younger elf to help Gilly? I would only want them to be on hand to do what Gilly wants them to do. He would be in charge of what he wants to teach them about his job. I just want him to feel he can take it a bit easier."

Tubow nodded. "Of course, sir."

Terran stepped forward. "Master? Terran could try to help old Gilly a bit until another could be found. Terran will also be needing some help with the grounds come spring so the new elf could be doing some of that work when Gilly not be needing him."

Harry smiled gratefully at the little old elf. "That would be wonderful, Terran. I really appreciate your offer to help. Anything with the greenhouses or grounds can wait if you think Gilly would like some help. He is a higher priority to me."

"Terran has seen old Gilly. Terran be already knowing this, master." Harry looked surprised but nodded.

"Well, thank you all for coming. You can get back all right?" The elves nodded. "Then take care." Tiz grabbed Tubows arm and with a loud crack they were all gone.

"Shall we return to Hogsmeade? I expect that as soon as I show my face I will be in trouble and sent back to Hogwarts, but maybe we can find some of your friends before I do." Hannah nodded in agreement wondering again about what kind of life Harry must lead.

As they walked down the path, Hannah started a conversation. "So, how many house elves do you have?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Ah…six so far. Gilly, Winky, Tubow, Tiz, Kreelo and Terran."

Hannah gave a short laugh. "That is such a strange thought. That they actually are yours. I mean, my family has always had house elves, but their family elves. Not mine."

Harry shrugged. "I don't think of them as mine, like possessions, mine. Some of them are friends or like family and the others I've just taken the responsibility to care for them while they help me."

"I can tell you actually care for them. I have to admit Tubow never looked so nicely dressed while he was with us."

Harry frowned. "What is with the clothes thing? I totally don't understand it. I mean, Winky got this beautiful little dress, but Tiz just has a pretty normal uniform dress. Tubow's is nice, but the other new elves just have uniforms. While I was talking to Gilly his towel toga thing changed right on him into a fancy guard uniform. I totally don't understand!"

Hannah was laughing at him by the time he ended his little tirade. "Sometimes I forget how much you don't know. I've known your name all my life, but you know so little about our world!" Harry just rolled his eyes. "A house elf's clothes are an outward sign of his position. Most house elves are generally dressed in old linens or cast off drapes or pillowcases because, frankly, they are not a very respected creature. The higher the position held or the more the master respects the elf, the better the clothing. I admit I have seen very few house elves, and of those only head house elves with actual normal looking clothes. Usually the most they could hope for is some nice tea towel or something they can wear as a toga."

"That's how Terran knew that I cared about Gilly? Because Gilly had a nice uniform?"

"I would guess so. Why do they have two different insignia's on their clothing?"

"Well, when I started with Winky, I hadn't been aware there was such a thing as the Potter Crest so I guess we just made our own up. Since then I've noticed that the Potter Crest goes on the uniform, but any accessories have that funny 'P'."

"It's pretty cool." They had reached the entrance to the Three Broomsticks again.

As their eyes got adjusted to the darkness inside, Harry heard his name being shouted. "Harry!" Hermione was apparently here.

Harry could see Hermione and Ron heading for them. Harry held a hand up and they stopped. Harry and Hannah made their way across the room. As Harry approached he noticed there was a big table filled with several members from the DA including Michael, Cho, Ernie, Susan, Luna, Neville, Terry, Ginny, Dean, Parvati, Seamus and Lavender. A couple of people started to slide over so they could join.

When Cho looked up her eyes widened, then narrowed. She gave a huff as she got up then grabbed Michael and dragged him out of the tavern. Hannah's eyes were lit with laughter.

Hermione started. "Harry, you are in so much trouble. If we saw you, we were to take you back immediately."

"I know. I figured that. I just wanted to get Hannah settled first. I can explain…"

Ron was grinning from ear to ear. "No need to mate. Things look pretty clear to me."

Harry looked at him in bewilderment.

"Oh, Harry," Harry turned to face Ginny. Her voice had a bit of a bite to it that confused him. "Before you go you may want to fix your lipstick. It smudged."

Harry's eyes grew wide and his hand flew to his mouth. Sure enough there was a bit of a sticky substance on one side. His eyes flew to Hannah. She just burst out laughing. Ernie looked at her like he hadn't seen her before.

Ron and Hermione dragged him away from the Three Broomsticks and over to the Owl Post. Hermione explained that was where Dung was waiting. Sure enough, as they approached the Owl Post Harry saw a witch wearing heavy veils leaning against the wall.

"So you found the scamp, didja? Whadja go an' run orf for?" He saw Harry still trying to scrub at his mouth and understanding dawned in his eyes. "I'm beginin' to see. Well, ifin' you're going ta run orf for a bit of pash with a skirt, you be doing it on someone else's shift!"

Harry's face flamed red. He wanted to explain that it wasn't that way, but he couldn't exactly explain to the Order or Dumbledore that he needed to meet with some house elves who worked for him in a house he shouldn't even know existed. Harry just kept quiet.

Ron and Hermione left him and returned to their friends. Dung actually grabbed hold of Harry's ear and started to pull him along.

"Ow! Can you lighten up a bit? That's…ah!...really not necessary. I'll come along quietly."

"Potter!" Harry again heard his name being yelled out. It seemed quite the day for it. Audra was coming up the street quickly followed by Blaise. "What is going on here? Ma'am, where are you taking…Uncle Dung? Why are you wearing a dress?"

Dung finally let go of Harry's ear. Harry started rubbing it. It really hurt.

"Now don't you be paying old Uncle Dung any mind, see. I'm just takin' young Potter back up to 'ogwarts. You can just be mindin' your own business and let me be mindin' mine."

"Dung's your uncle?" Harry hadn't connected the names.

"Great uncle, yes." She turned back to Dung. "Your business isn't exactly what I'd be expecting Harry to be mixed up in." She looked suspiciously at them, expecting them to break out a load of stolen cauldrons or something Harry suspected. "And it is my business because I'm the Head Girl."

"'ead Girl, are you? Well, whadja know. Good on you. Niver made Prefect or 'ead Boy meself. I once said to your father, I says,…"

"Uncle Dung!"

"Oh, right. Well, like I says before, I'm just escortin' Mr. Potter back to 'ogwarts all nice an' quick. Right to the 'eadmaster. There's nothin' wrong with being a dab 'and with the skirts, but not on my shift!"

Audra and Blaise were looking at Harry now with raised eyebrows. Harry could feel the blush returning. He gave up. "I can't explain."

Audra's mouth quirked up at the corner. "I don't know exactly what's going on, but is it safe to assume some of your trouble finally caught up with you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You could say that. And it is all right. We are heading back to Hogwarts," He gave a glare at Dung. "And I can make it under my own steam, thank you very much!"

Dung paid him no attention and grabbed his collar. "I'm takin' no more chances wiv you, Scamp. You can scarper faster than a five-fingered Charlie from a copper."

As he started hauling Harry back to the gates, Harry could hear Blaise and Audra laughing. This was embarrassing.

Harry soon found out that it wasn't as bad as it was about to get, though. As they approached the steps of Hogwarts, the doors opened and Snape was standing there.

"What is going on?" Harry wished they had run into any other professor than Snape.

"Oi, I haf ter admit that the Scamp's slipped 'is leash. Got 'im back though."

Snape sneered down his nose. "Pity. Potter, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Sorry? I'm back now. I promise I won't go back out the gates today?" Harry knew he was probably getting himself in more trouble for being flippant back to the Professor, but he just couldn't help it.

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Ten points from Gryffindor and detention."

Harry gritted his teeth. "Exactly what school rule did I break, Professor?"

"Lack of common sense and disrespect!"

Dung was shuffling from one foot to the other. "Now, see here. He wasn't up to no serious mischief. Just a bit of fun with a lass. Didn't mean to cause 'im no trouble. Where's Dumbledore?"

Snape shifted his glare to Dung. "The Headmaster is away. You will have to leave Potter in my hands. And he is always up to mischief. Now get up to your dorm, Potter, and stay there if you know what's good for you."

Dung gave Harry an apologetic look. Harry wordlessly accepted it with a shrug. Dung didn't mean to hand Harry off to Snape, but he wasn't about to go against the angry Potions Master and stick around.

Harry moved past Snape and headed for the stairs. Best he act like he was getting settled in for the day. He had about an hour before he had to leave again. Hopefully Snape would be somewhere else by then.