Disclaimer – Harry Potter is not ours. We just let our imagination play in JK Rowlings world.

2nd Disclaimer – Our imagination ran dry on house elf/goblin names. We've started borrowing names from a book we have by Vonda N McIntyre which is based on a screenplay by Harve Bennett. Anyone guess what movie?

Chapter 14 Relationships

When Harry awoke the next morning, he thought the house seemed extra quiet. He knew it was mostly his imagination. Percy, Justina and Minister Fudge had all left the day before, but Remus and all the house elves were still there. The house elves were just very good at not being heard. Well, most of them except Tiz. Every so often you could hear a crash when she broke something. They were seldom seen as well unless he specifically was looking for them. Even after the couple of weeks he'd been living here, he still wasn't sure when they cleaned certain rooms. He assumed it must mostly be done at night.

Harry smiled with contentment as he enjoyed a few more minutes in his bed. Life was good again. Professor Dumbledore had stopped by after he'd made the appointment to see Ragnok this afternoon and advised him that it might be best if he returned to his home. He had asked if Harry would like to move to the other house as it was a bit more secure, but Harry declined. He'd told him that except for the Weasley's, he'd rather just stay where he was. Professor Dumbledore looked thoughtful and then had told him to wait a couple of days and he'd see what the situation looked like. He'd get a message to him with Fawkes if he would be allowed to stay at the Burrow.

Returning home Harry had still been flying high on the thought that he might get to spend a couple days at the Burrow. He saw his friends almost every day, but once noon came, they always had to leave. Harry wanted to be able to do things with his friends then, too. He hated to admit it, but he felt a little left out. He wouldn't mind if they had to de-gnome the garden in the afternoons as long as he could do it with them.

Everyone started talking at once when Harry had appeared. He was able to quiet them down and pass along Minister Fudge's 'requests', which sounded a lot more like orders. Justina couldn't believe it when Harry added for her to pack up all the stuff in the Lab to take along with her, as it was all hers now. Chaos reigned for a while as Percy and Justina scrambled to get their belongings in order so they could leave. Percy arranged for Hermes to go ahead to his apartment and started to gather the supplies for Delores together while Justina started to pack up the rest of the laboratory items. Harry was glad Percy planned to take Delores with him. He didn't want any reminders of Umbridge around if he could help it.

Finally they were gone and it was just Harry and Remus. Remus had been oddly quiet throughout the pandemonium. Harry looked at him cautiously then ducked as Remus exploded.

"WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING! You went there while she was speaking, didn't you! You were probably standing just inches away from her. Do you think you're invincible? If she or that Blythefield got their hands on you they would have forced you to really lose your mind if not your life! How could you go and do something that stupid?" Remus started pacing back and forth.

Harry protested, "I had the invisibility cloak and Winky. At the first sign of trouble she would have brought me back here."

Remus turned to face him with a glare. "And if you and Winky had been stunned? It only takes a second to stun someone. They could easily have excused doing that in front of everyone 'for your own good'! She did the Cruciatus curse on that fellow. What if you had been in the way? You know that if she'd known you were there she would have done it to you, don't you?"

"But I'm fine, Remus! Everything turned out all right."

"…Not to mention the Death Eaters. Lord Voldemort always has his spies at any Ministry Press Conference. But did you return right away? Noooo!"

Harry wasn't sure where all this was coming from. "What's wrong, Remus? Was what I did that bad? I was just trying to help."

"What's wrong? What's wrong? I turned to say something to you and you were gone. I just knew…knew you must have gone there. Once again, something was going on and there was nothing I could do. I just had to wait and listen. Just like that night of the full moon. And what was I listening to? A madwoman throwing unforgivables around when I knew you were there somewhere! Then, just as calmly as you please, after all the chaos that went on, you speak into the microphone and call Fudge to you! You didn't need to go there!" Remus continued to rant and rave at him.

Harry started to understand a little. Remus had been scared for him just like the night he freed Grimmauld Place from the house elf heads. Harry couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on his face. Remus was yelling at him because he cared. Just like someone who truly was part of your family would do.

Remus saw the smile and wasn't amused. "What are you smiling about?"

Harry walked over to him and put one arm around him and gave a light squeeze. "I'm sorry if I worried you. I felt I should go, that I could help if I did. I knew how to push her buttons and she needed to crack in public for her to be removed from office quickly. If there's a next time, I promise I'll try to talk to you first."

Remus closed his eyes. The wind seemed taken out of his sails. "All right. I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'm not." Remus looked surprised at Harry's reply. "I know you did it because you care. Before only my friends have done that for me."

Remus looked at him, and then gave him a return squeeze around the shoulders. Harry decided to change the subject. "By the way, Fudge thinks you're a 'frightfully intelligent fellow'. You impressed him the other night. When he was talking about repealing Umbridge's proposals, he also talked of repealing more. Maybe he'll do something about all those werewolf restrictions. Wouldn't that be great?"

Remus allowed himself to be distracted and smiled. "Sure would. I'll wait until I see it, though. Sometimes it's easier to get a restriction put in place than it is to remove it."

Harry frowned. "If he does get the 'Auror bring in for any reason' thing removed, what does that mean for you and the others?"

"I'm not sure. We escaped from a Ministry holding cell, but we had never been arrested, just brought in for questioning; regardless of the fact they never asked us any questions. Hopefully, it would mean that things could be just as before. I don't think they would press charges in that situation. I'll have Professor Dumbledore find out for sure, though, before I walk down Diagon Alley."

Harry smiled again as he remembered how he and Remus spent the rest of the day together. He hoped that Remus could be free. He wanted to stay at the Weasley's, but not if it meant he had to leave Remus alone. He'd have to wait and see.

Harry got out of bed and got dressed. It amused him that Fossa always knew when he entered the loo in the morning. Whenever he came back out, there was an outfit lying out for him on the bed.

Harry made his way to the trunk. Hermione had returned to her home with her parents the day before. Their week at the Burrow was over. Ron and Ginny came down after a short while. Ron started the interrogation.

"Dad said you caused quite a stir at the Ministry yesterday. Wish we'd heard it on the wireless, but we weren't listening. Did you really go there and destroy Umbridge?"

Harry laughed and told them what happened. Their reactions were as predicted when he got to the part where Umbridge fired the unforgivable. They started in on him. Ginny first. "Oh, Harry, that was really dangerous. What if it had hit you?"

"No kidding, mate! Good thing you were using the cloak. She wouldn't've cared about that Blythefield fellow if she'd seen you."

Ginny was sitting with her hand in front of her mouth, with wide eyes. "Good thing Mum didn't know about it 'til it was over. You would've gotten a howler for sure. If I'd known what you were doing I think I'd send you one myself."

Harry got a small, contented grin on his face. "That's okay. I got an 'in person' one from Remus. He must've yelled for five minutes."

Ron looked confused. "And you're happy about this?"

Ginny seemed to understand, though. "That's great, Harry."

Ron looked even more confused. "Great? What am I missing here?"

Ginny took hold of his arm. "Ron, if it was you, what would Mum or Dad do when you got back?"

"Yell, of course. But what…?"

"Why do they yell?"

"I reckon because they care…oh, I get it." He looked over to Harry. "Good for you, mate."

"Yeah." Harry continued to tell them the rest of the details except the part about his appointment with Ragnok, finishing with Dumbledore possibly letting come to the Burrow for a couple of days. They seemed pleased with that possibility. "It'll depend on what happens with Remus, though, too. I don't want to leave him alone in hiding if I can help it."

Ginny understood. "Of course not."

Harry felt the conversation had been too much on him and decided to change the subject. "So, Ginny, did the photo turn out? Were you able to see how you look when you transform?"

Ginny flushed. Harry could see the red creep all the way down her throat and disappear down her robe. "Yeah. I saw the photo."

"I wouldn't mind seeing it myself. I haven't seen much of myself when I've changed. I wouldn't mind having a copy of it."

Ginny seemed a bit panicked. "I could take a photo of you sometime. This one didn't turn out all that well."

Ron joined in shaking his head, "She won't even let me see that photo. Dunno. I reckon her feathers were in a mess or something. She's very protective of it. Who can figure girls?"

Ginny glared at him, but Harry shrugged. He would've liked seeing the photo, but if Ginny was embarrassed by it for some reason, he'd let it go. "So Ginny, have you changed yet since the first time?"

She looked uncomfortable. "No. Not yet. I know you said it only hurt the first time, but I just can't help but feel reluctant to try again. It was rather overwhelming."

"Oh, you've got to try. Go get your cloaks and come on up to my place. Trust me on this. You'll love it. Ron can use my Firebolt and you can see how fast you can fly."

That was enough to convince Ron and he took off up the ladder to grab their cloaks. He was back in a moment corralling Ginny towards Harry's ladder. Sooner than any of them realized, they were out on the front lawn of Harry's property.

Ron was getting impatient. "Come on, Ginny. I'll race you! Transform already!"

Ginny was still reluctant. "I just don't know…"

Harry put a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "I'll be right here every step of the way. I promise it will be all right. Trust me?"

She stared back at him. "Yes…."

Harry smiled at her. "Follow me." He transformed into Flame. He looked up at Ginny. She took a deep breath and transformed into a slate-blue falcon with reddish-brown markings. She hesitated a moment as if waiting for the pain then gave a joyful squawk and took off to the sky.

Harry distantly heard an "All right!" from Ron as he followed Ginny into the air. She was fast. Faster than Harry was. Harry was soon passed by Ron on the Firebolt. Harry felt like laughing. He enjoyed watching Ron and Ginny having fun in the sky. Eventually he got to where they were flying around each other.

Ginny noticed him and started circling him as well. /Where have you been/

/Where have I been? What happened to following me/

/Oh, pish. This is wonderful, Harry. You were right/

/I'll race you back to the ground. Then you and Ron can test out different things/

/Race? Against you? In case you haven't noticed I've been leaving you in the dust/

Ron flew over at that moment. "What are you guys talking about? I wish I could understand you."

Harry flew in a circle and dipped down in a shallow dive. "You want to land? Already?"

/Well, I'm ready if you are, Flame. Ready, set, go/

Harry and Ginny dove towards the ground. Ginny immediately took the lead. Ron belatedly started his descent and soon passed Harry again. Harry laughed to himself then flashed himself to their take-off point.

As Ginny neared and saw Harry standing there, she gave an indignant squawk. She pulled up with a flick back of her wings then flew straight into a laughing Harry and transformed back, knocking Harry to the ground.

"You cheater! That wasn't fair!" Her fingers started to dig into his sides, finding ticklish spots in revenge.

Harry was laughing even harder. "I never said I would fly!"

Ron pulled up beside them. "What's up?"

Ginny rolled off of Harry and got up, brushing snow off her cloak. "That cheater challenged me to a race to the ground then he flashed instead of flew!"

"Well, it's pretty obvious that you both can fly faster than Flame can. But that doesn't mean I will always be last. I just thought that since it's hard to communicate up there, that we could talk here a minute. Ron, why don't you and Ginny see how fast she can go in a straight line or in a dive?"

They agreed and brother and sister took to the air again. Harry sat on the ground and watched with a huge grin on his face. He watched the two swoop through the air and race each other through the sky. Ron could go faster on the Firebolt in a straight line, but Ginny actually seemed faster in a dive. Her speed seemed to triple when she dove. She folded her wings halfway back and just dropped like a missile. She could also stop on a dime from a full sprint by just snapping her wings back.

Harry joined them again after about a half hour and flew around the face of the cliffs. Eventually they all headed back to the house. All were out of breath and rosy cheeked. Ron came up with the name for her falcon form. "Sky. I reckon it's where you belong when you're like that."

"I'll spell it with an 'e'. I've seen Skye as a girls name before. I like that."

Ginny took a deep breath when they entered the house. "That was so great. It was everything I'd hoped it would be. Thank you, Harry, for pushing me to try it. I think I could just fly all day."

"My pleasure, Ginny. My pleasure." He looked over at the brown-eyed girl. Her hair was tousled from the wind and her eyes were sparkling. Harry thought she looked beautiful. His mind flitted again to what it would be like if she would be his girlfriend.

Remus seemed rather distracted during lunch and that was fine with Harry. He enjoyed looking through the Potter library and had that morning found the diaries of Harry's great-grandfather, the one who had friends in a werewolf settlement. He was fascinated by the lifestyle from so many years ago. He asked if Harry minded if he borrowed them for a while to read. Harry assured him he didn't mind at all.

As the time for his appointment drew near, Harry headed down to the study. He asked Tubow to show Ragnok and Griphook in when they arrived. Harry had made sure they would have access when they came. He avoided the desk and made himself comfortable on a sofa near the fireplace. He got out a Quidditch magazine and read the breakdown of plays on the recent Wimbourne Wasps and Chudley Cannons game. It wasn't long before Tubow led the two goblins in. They sat in the chairs near the fireplace.

"Ragnok, Griphook, welcome to my home. Would you like anything?"

They refused and got down to business. "Mr. Potter, there are just a few last details needed to be ironed out before The Fund can be fully functional. I would recommend you have at least two people needed to authorize any transaction as a guard against being taken advantage of. I would also like a Gringotts goblin to be involved in each transaction to make sure they are within the guidelines we set out. To begin with it would be me, but eventually I would appoint one of my trusted associates. Albus Dumbledore recommended Mr. Arthur Weasley as the outside person to help guide people and Miss Fleur Delacour has agreed to coordinate the evaluations and training as needed as well as the paperwork. Do you want to be notified and give your approval to each transaction?"

Harry thought for a minute. "I trust Mr. Weasley totally. My knowing about who uses it isn't necessary."

A few more details came up and were decided on. Griphook was taking notes on some parchment while they spoke and finally all the decisions were made. The agreements and outlines of who and how someone should qualify had been written out and these few items were added at the end. As Harry wanted to remain mostly anonymous, Ragnok had him sign their agreement by using his thumbprint.

The goblins were about ready to leave when Harry remembered a question he had wanted to ask. "This has nothing to do with anything we've talked about, but how do you go about attaching a will to your vault?"

Griphook answered him. "The process is simple. When you have one ready you can just give it to me and I will attach it."

"Great. I wrote one out and it's here in the desk somewhere. Let me go get it a minute." Harry hunted through the parchment in a desk drawer. Finally he pulled out the parchment he had written what he wanted on. "It's pretty simple, like Sirius' was. I just used percents for some stuff for my friends and gave the rest to Remus. I wanted to make sure my aunt and uncle don't get anything of mine."

"Your aunt and uncle?"

"They don't know about any of this and if they don't learn of it, they would be more than happy with my just not coming back to them." Harry shrugged and handed the parchment to Griphook. "There was more to it than just that. Being forced to hide from the Ministry gave me time to think of what would happen if Umbridge had been successful in her goal. I decided I should make it clear where I would recommend the house elves to go if they agree. I'm sure Remus would take care of them."

"House elves have no choice of where to go," Griphook pointed out.

"Mine do. I have a friend, Hermione Granger, a very smart witch, who changed the spell so my house elves can leave if they wish to."

"What is the point of having a house elf then?" Harry could hear a bit of a sneer in Griphook's voice. There definitely was a lack of respect between goblins and house elves. Harry knew is was reciprocal from Winky's comments at the World Cup about Dobby being brought in like a common goblin if he didn't settle down.

"They take care of me and I'll take care of them. But I didn't like the idea of all their children being enslaved to mine forever. I've seen how some house elves are forced to live and in case my descendents turn out to be gits, I want the house elves to be able to get out of that situation. I also have a friend who enjoys his freedom. If any of them want to give it a try someday, I want them to be able to. So far none do, but they have the option if they ever want it."

Harry was walking them down to the door when he was suddenly tackled from the side. "Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is so glad to see you!"

"Hey, Dobby. Good to see you. What brings you here?"

"Dobby is bringing four more house elves. They is being with Tubow now. Dobby was waiting for Harry Potter to be done with his meeting."

"Well, we're done. So give me a minute and you can tell me what you've been doing lately."

Dobby grinned up at him. Harry walked with Ragnok and Griphook to the front entrance. The said a final goodbye and Harry was able to spend some time catching up with Dobby. Dobby mentioned that after the Christmas holiday was over, many masters would release house elves that were getting older. Three of the four house elves were losing their magic and one, Grenni's, was almost gone. Dobby felt he could speak freely of this to Harry, even though most house elves would feel it was shameful because he knew Harry didn't mind if the house elf lost his magic. He had wanted Winky even if her magic hadn't been able to come back. If the house elves still wanted to clean, well, Harry had done it the muggle way for years. Eventually Tubow led the four elves to Harry and they went through the ritual. Grenni had tears in his eyes through the whole thing.

The next morning, Ron and Ginny ushered in the New Year by flying with Harry. They played a sort of hide and seek along the cliff. Ginny had very sharp eyesight and could pick out hiding places among the craggy rocks. It was hard to hide from her and hard to find her.

He spent the afternoon with Remus, practicing spells in the gym and playing chess. They also talked over the diaries that Remus had found the day before. Remus had always wondered why James had dared to try the transformation. He felt touched that James had such faith in their friendship to trust that Moony wouldn't hurt them in his werewolf form. Both were trying not to think of what the Ministry might do to Remus' future when the Ministry re-opened after the holiday.

Thursday morning was snowy. A chill wind came from off shore and blew up a storm. Harry, Ron and Ginny spent the early part of the morning in the trunk. Harry was showing them some of the things Remus had been teaching him and they were doing a sort of three-way duel.

In the late morning, Fossa appeared in the trunk. "Harry Potter, sir, you is wanted by Professor Dumbledore."

Harry put his wand back in the holster and met the hopeful eyes of the Weasley's. "If Remus…." He didn't know quite how to finish his sentence.

Ron shooed him away. "Go on. No point thinking about it right now I reckon. You can find out for sure what's going on if you just go." Harry gave him a smile and left.

Harry met up with Professor Dumbledore and Remus in the waiting room. Remus had a big smile on his face and was holding his wand so Harry felt the knot in his stomach loosen a little.

"Harry! Professor Dumbledore just came with my things from the Ministry. He said that the decree for the aurors has been removed and Cornelius Fudge has even worked up a proposal with Percy's help over the holiday to repeal some of the other laws. They haven't been approved yet, of course, and may not be, but it's quite a start." Harry relaxed and smiled at Remus. "Professor Dumbledore has asked me to go to Germany and try to find that colony to let them know what's happened. They'll be able to get their wands back as well." Remus paused and looked at his wand fondly. "You know, I'm grateful that you let me use one of the wands you'd found here, but there is nothing like the feel of your own wand."

"I'm happy for you. Of course, you must go."

Professor Dumbledore turned to him. "You, too, may leave and go to the Weasley's if you wish for the remainder of the holiday."

Harry gave a whoop and a jump. "When do we go?"

Harry and the house elves packed for his stay at the Burrow and his later return to school. He was happy. He always loved to stay with the Weasley family. He was also glad that Remus could be on the move again. He could tell that Remus had been beginning to feel the caged feeling that Sirius had felt the year before. Harry was quite familiar with that feeling himself so he recognized it in others.

Harry and Remus stared at each other when it was time to say goodbye. Remus came over and gave Harry a hug. "It's been great to spend so much with you, but I know you'll do well by your friends. Remember, I've got the mirror back so keep in touch."

Harry grinned at him. "I'll do that. See you later, Remus."

Grissom brought Harry to the Burrow. Ron and Ginny were waiting for him. Harry immediately was brought upstairs to Ron's room. He felt like he could just sit here and soak in the atmosphere of the Burrow. It was such a homey place and very down to earth. He imagined it felt to him like Godric's Hollow felt like to his grandparents. He liked his house, too, but there really wasn't that much for him to do. He wasn't allowed to pitch in to help whereas here at the Burrow, it was almost expected that he should.

Ron, Ginny and Harry took their brooms and went flying over their make-shift Quidditch pitch, practicing some chaser/keeper moves. Harry tried to fill in as chaser, but realized he was quite out-classed by Ginny. She was nice about it, though, and didn't rub it in too much. Harry liked that, too. She wasn't afraid to tease him or yell at him if he took a dunderheaded shot that never had a chance at success. They all had fun until the steadily heavier falling snow forced them inside.

After some lunch and hot chocolate, Mrs. Weasley set them to work on some light chores around the house. When they were finished, Harry and Ron went up to his room. Ron said he would figure out how to write a letter to Hermione to let her know what's going on without really saying anything outright. It would take some thinking, but he figured he could do it somehow. He told Harry he'd let him read it when it was finished. Harry took a Quidditch magazine and left him to concentrate on it. Harry settled in the living room in a corner. He started flipping through the pages when he heard Mrs. Weasley's and Ginny's voices floating out from the kitchen.

"So tell me, Ginny, who is this Alan who just wrote to you? Is he a boyfriend?" Harry's ears perked up. He hadn't known Ginny had another boyfriend.

"No, but I think he wouldn't mind becoming one. He's a Hufflepuff in my year. We're in Herbology together. We were assigned a project together and it's just kind of grown from there. I'm not sure, though. I don't think I feel for him like I should feel for a boyfriend. He seems more of a friend."

Harry started to breathe again. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath while he listened. If Ginny did start dating this Hufflepuff, she'd probably distance herself from them again like she had when she hung around with Dean. Harry had missed her then. He imagined that a boyfriend would not be thrilled with her exercising with him or flirting with him.

"Well, dear, you know your own heart best. But remember, dating isn't a lifelong commitment. Dating is just getting to know one another better to see if a commitment could be a future possibility. Are you going to reply to that letter?"

"No. We'll be returning to Hogwarts in just two days. I'll see him then."

Harry decided he'd heard enough and thought he'd head back upstairs to Ron. When he entered the room, Ron was still busy at the desk.

"Hey, Harry, how's this? 'We have a Flame here in the fireplace to keep us warm.' D'you think she'd get that? She is pretty smart, ya know."

"Anybody else, I'd have to say no, but this is Hermione. She probably would understand." Harry started to fidget. "Say, Ron, you know Hannah and Ernie? They're dating now, right?"

Ron looked up at Harry a bit puzzled. "Yeah, so?"

"Well, they were friends for a long time first. Do you think many people date that started out as just friends?"

"At least some. My Aunt Bertha and Uncle Bilius had been friends since they were children. They ended up getting married. Why'd ya ask?"

"Say I know this bloke…he likes this girl, but he's been friends with her for quite a while…." Harry paused trying to think of how to say this without Ron catching on to it being himself he was talking about. "Do you think he should do something about it, even if he's not sure if she feels anything more back? Or should he just stay with how things are, even if she might start dating someone else?"

Ron looked at him suspiciously. "What do you know? We finally got rid of Vicky. Is Hermione going to start dating some other bloke? Who?" Ron was starting to get agitated. He looked at his letter with an expression somewhere between panic and a demand to tell him who she thought of dating.

"Hermione! I don't want to date Hermione." It took Harry a minute to figure out where that leap had come from.

"You? I thought you were talking about me." Ron flushed a bright red color. Harry raised his eyebrows. "If you weren't talking about Hermione, who were you talking about then?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Ginny."

Ron's face broke out into a huge grin. "All right!" Now it was Harry's turn to blush. He gave a sheepish grin at Ron. Ron suddenly frowned. "You think she's going to start dating someone else?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably again. "I heard her and your mum talking in the kitchen. Apparently she just got a letter from a bloke named Alan from Hufflepuff and your mum was asking if he was a boyfriend. Ginny said no, but that he wanted to be. Your mum said something about giving it a chance or something."

"She what!! Why would she say something like that? I'll have to have a talk with that woman, I will. Telling Ginny to date some other bloke…." Ron started muttering about his mum losing it and giving out rubbish advice.

Harry had to smile at Ron's reaction. "Well, she didn't know I was there or that I sort of liked Ginny. I mean, I've liked her for a while now, but I just wasn't sure, you know?"

Ron shot a look at Harry. Now he was more defensive of his sister. "Not sure of what?"

"There is the whole Voldemort thing." Harry thought he'd get the obvious one out of the way.

"Ginny would understand about that. You dated Cho last year. What's different?"

Harry gave Ron an 'it should be obvious' look. "I didn't know about the prophecy then, now did I?"

"That's true. But Ginny would understand. You know she would. So what weren't you sure about?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "It wasn't only that. You like Hermione, right? Why haven't you done anything about it?"

Ron shifted uncomfortably and wouldn't look at Harry. He hadn't expected to be asked anything back. "Well, it's different for me. She's one of my closest friends. Closer than what Ginny has been to you. If something went wrong…." Ron started breathing faster. Finally he continued in a quieter voice, "I just don't know what I'd do if I lost her friendship." He looked up at Harry. "Or I could even lose yours. If you had to choose between us…one of us could be totally alone. I wouldn't want that for either me or Hermione."

"My friendship with Ginny hasn't been as deep as ours, but if something went wrong, I could lose your family. I don't know if you could understand what that would mean to me."

Ron's eyes turned to Harry. His eyes narrowed and unfocused as he tried to think through how that would affect Harry. He slowly nodded. "I can't know exactly, but I have an idea. I guess you have it as hard as I do. But you think you might be willing to risk it?"

Harry half shrugged. "Percy said something a while back. I think he guessed I felt something more for Ginny. He said that if you take it slow, even relationships that don't work out usually end up okay. He said he could still easily go to Penelope's parents' house and they'd be fine with that. And your mum said something about dating was really just to get to know each other better to see if it could go into a longer relationship or something. That kind of made me think that maybe it would be all right even if things didn't work out. What do you think?"

Ron was thinking hard. "I dunno. I'd have to think on it a bit. Maybe."

Ron returned to staring at the letter he was writing and Harry sat on his bed, thinking. Even if he did somehow come up with the courage to ask Ginny to go out with him, how did one go about it? He shook his head. Cho had done all the pursuing before. He gave a light snort. That was a bit of an understatement. It wasn't like he could ask her to a Hogsmeade weekend right away. The next wouldn't be for over a month. Most 'couples' he knew of mostly just hung out together. They already did that somewhat. So what was different? He wasn't sure, but he knew something was.

Harry was a little uncomfortable over the next day. He kind of regretted his conversation with Ron. At times when the three of them were together Ron would look at Ginny and Harry and zone out with a silly sort of grin on his face. Harry felt like whacking the back of his head when he did this, but didn't feel he could in front of Ginny. He did when they were alone, however.

Finally, Harry decided to just bite the bullet and take a chance. Saturday morning Ron was busy doing his last minute packing and Harry and Ginny were passing the time in the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was helping Ron track down his scattered belongings.

Harry was afraid it would sound stupid but decided to ask anyway. "Ginny, would you sit with me on the train back to Hogwarts?"

He was right. It sounded totally stupid. But how did you ask a girl to go out when there was nowhere to go? Ginny looked at him as if he were a little strange. Then she tilted her head and seemed to hear the words replay in her mind. Her gaze narrowed on Harry and noticed his nervousness. She started to get a strange look in her eye that Harry couldn't interpret.

"Are you asking that I sit by you as opposed to sitting with you and the rest of the group?"

Harry supposed her question was just as confusing as his had been, but he thought she understood what she had meant.

"Er…yeah." Harry could feel his face heating up.

"Like a date?" Her face started to flush and her eyes were very intense on his face.

Harry did a sort of helpless shrug. "Yeah."

Ginny suddenly smiled. "Yes, Harry. I'd love to sit with you on the train."

Harry couldn't help but smile, too, but he suddenly didn't know what to do with himself. "Okay then. I guess I'll go see if I can help Ron track down his stuff." One last smile at Ginny and Harry headed upstairs. Ron noticed him enter the room.

"Oi, Harry, I can't find my Quidditch playbook!" Ron was hunting through a pile of papers in a corner of his room.

Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to have much sympathy. "Well, if you wouldn't leave your room in such a mess, maybe you'd be able to find your things! We need to be leaving in ten minutes. If you don't have it by then, you'll just have to do without."

Harry spotted a corner of it sticking out from under Ron's bed. "There it is." He pointed it out and Ron whirled and heaved a sigh of relief.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "Ten minutes. Be downstairs and ready to go." She left the room.

Ron picked up his book and threw it in his opened trunk. "I think that's it." He looked over at Harry who still had a smile on his face. "What's up?"

"I talked with Ginny." Ron's eyes got bigger.

"…and…?"

"Well, it wasn't a talk so much as I asked her to sit with me on the Hogwarts Express and she agreed."

Ron frowned in confusion. "But she often sits by us on the train."

Harry shook his head. "No. I asked her to sit by me, not us. I think she understood because she asked, 'like a date?'"

Ron looked thoughtful. Harry knew he was probably thinking about Hermione. Mrs. Weasley's voice floated up the stairs. "Boys? You need to get your trunks downstairs now. It's time to go!"

Ron closed up his trunk. Harry already had his shrunk. The two boys headed down the stairs.

Mrs. Weasley's face was beaming. She had one arm tucked around Ginny and she smiled fondly at Harry as he passed. Harry figured Ginny must have told her. They found a Ministry car parked outside and Harry helped Ron heave his trunk into the boot of the car. The teens sat in the back of the car while Mrs. Weasley sat in the front next to the driver. Harry and Ron had outside seats with Ginny sitting in the middle. Harry and Ginny exchanged smiles again and Ginny reached her hand over and took Harry's. All too soon they reached Kings Cross Station and a trolley was found for Ron's trunk.

Once they crossed the barrier, Ron started looking around for Hermione. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a hug and ruffled his hair. She looked extremely happy and ready to cry at the same time. They ran into Neville and Luna and they went to show Ron which compartment they had found so Ron could stow his trunk. Harry and Ginny would keep watch for Hermione.

Several people curious to find all what happened to Harry over the break greeted them. Harry was still holding hands with Ginny. Hermione came up to them and Ginny dragged her away to the compartment. Hannah and Ernie came by as Harry was watching her go. Hannah smiled at Harry. She pointedly looked at Ginny's retreating form and then at Ernie. "It's been a good year, hasn't it?"

Harry agreed wholeheartedly. "One of the best." Several people close enough to hear their conversation looked at them like they were crazy.

Harry was feeling good. The people coming up to him wanting to talk about what happened during the holiday break were annoying, but overall he felt the day couldn't get much better. He was losing his nervousness around Ginny and her holding his hand or touching his arm was beginning to feel natural. When Hermione had realized, she couldn't be held down. "I knew it. I just knew it. Did you show him the picture, Ginny?"

Harry looked inquisitively at Ginny. She had flushed a deep red again. "No, Hermione, and I hadn't been planning to."

"Oh, but it's so cute! If you two are together now you can show him."

Ginny just gave the other girl a half-hearted glare.

Harry's interest was caught. "Are you talking about the picture of Skye?"

Hermione looked confused for a moment, as did Neville and Luna. Ron jumped in and explained. "That's what I named her." He jabbed a thumb in Ginny's direction. "She's a falcon. Not only is she a bit on the blue side color-wise, but she belongs in the sky. You should see her fly! C'mon, Ginny. Show us the picture. Who cares if your feathers are mussed?"

Luna added her persuasion. "Ginny, you've developed a special gift. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're all friends here. I'd love to see what you look like."

Ginny shifted uncomfortably. "Couldn't I just transform here? You could see in person instead of in some silly photo."

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "I don't think it would be wise to transform here on the train. Anybody can see in. And the photos aren't silly." Hermione grinned. "They're cute."

Ginny groaned. "This is embarrassing." She set her trunk on the floor and enlarged it. She opened the top and withdrew a small bundle wrapped in cloth. She held it close to her chest for a moment and took a deep breath before pulling one picture out. She looked at it briefly with a face full of mixed emotions before she laid it flat on the top of the trunk. Everyone leaned forward to look at it. In the picture there was only one animal…Flame. Flame was just sitting there looking a little defensive towards the camera. Every so often he would look down towards his wing.

Neville turned to Ron. "I thought you said she was blue? That's a phoenix, not a falcon."

Harry looked at Ginny in confusion. "That's me. Where are you?" Ginny put her hands up to cover her face in mortification.

Hermione broke in with a smile in her voice. "You have to remember that these were taken soon after Ginny transformed for the first time. She wasn't feeling the best." Hermione took her wand and started poking at Flame. "Come on, Flame. Move aside. Let her out."

The phoenix in the picture jumped at Hermione's prodding and threw a nasty look out of the picture. Harry hadn't realized that his phoenix form could throw a glare like that. His feathers ruffled and his wings started to flutter at the prodding. Suddenly Harry's attention was caught by a slight figure in the shadow of his wing. A bird's head started to poke out. Hermione kept prodding the phoenix away until the little falcon (little compared to the size of the phoenix) was totally out from under the wing. The phoenix was not happy with being held away by Hermione's wand.

Harry didn't see why Ginny was embarrassed. He was embarrassed. He knew he had felt very protective of Ginny at that time, but never realized it would be so obvious in the picture Hermione took.

"Look at her wings." Hermione moved her wand over to give a quick jab at Skye and she opened her wings up to flap at her. Hermione was right. The falcon seemed to be all wings. She had a slight body and not much tail to speak of, but very long wings. The way her shoulders went straight across then the wings swept back, gave her an anchor shape as she flew. As Hermione had left the phoenix alone for a minute to prod at Skye, Flame suddenly hopped back behind the agitated falcon and spread his own wings. His wingspan was probably a foot and a half longer, but being such a large bird, they looked short by comparison. Skye folded her wings close to her body then seemed to snuggle up to the phoenix, rubbing her head against his breast. That was the last you saw of her as Flame folded his wings back over her and seemed to dare anyone to try to move him again.

Luna and Hermione seemed to love gazing at the picture. Neville and Ron looked over to Harry and he knew he was going to be in for a razzing later that evening. He brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Luna looked to Hermione. "You said pictures. Is there more than this one?"

Harry couldn't remember another picture being taken, but Ron seemed to. "That's right. You took another picture of Harry and Ginny sleeping together."

Harry started coughing. Ginny blushed an even deeper shade of red and she whacked Ron on the back of the head. "You could use some help with the way you word things, you know?" She turned to Neville and Luna. "Harry was still Flame. I had just changed back and was in a lot of pain. Harry let me hold him and we fell asleep after a while."

Hermione smiled in anticipation. "Come show that picture." She turned to the others. "It's very sweet."

Ginny laid the second photo she was still holding to her chest down on top of the first. Ginny was sleeping on her side with her arm cradling a scarlet and gold body. In the crook of her shoulder lay the head of the bird in her arms that also appeared to be sleeping. His long golden tail feathers spread over her lower body like a blanket. Every so often the sleeping girl would give the bird a light squeeze in her sleep. The picture brought to mind the innocence of a young child lovingly holding their teddy bear as they slept.

Luna and Hermione were oohing over this picture as well. Harry decided he probably wouldn't have minded not ever seeing them himself. Well, as long as no one else saw them either. Finally Ginny was allowed to gather them back up and put them back in her trunk.

Ron and Hermione made their excuses to the others. They had to take a shift to patrol the train as prefects.

After they left, Luna gazed at Harry with an unblinking stare. Finally she spoke, "So now that you've sprouted your feathers, have you talked with your adopted mother?"

Harry wasn't sure what she was talking about. "What?"

"You know. Your owl." Luna still was staring at Harry.

"Oh," Harry suddenly remembered from so long ago when Luna said that Hedwig was adopting him and he would be sprouting feathers and be able to understand her. He blinked a couple of times thinking how accurate that prediction turned out to be. It was a little scary. "No, I haven't. Hedwig hasn't been around whenever I've changed. I can understand Ginny when we're both changed, though. I'll have to give it a try."

Luna smiled at him. "Yes. I think she'd like that." Luna then opened a Quibbler and turned it upside down to start reading. Neville looked at Harry and shrugged. He pulled out a Herbology Today to read.

Harry sat back with Ginny. He put one arm around her shoulders as he talked to her quietly. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in those photographs."

She looked up at him in surprise. "You didn't embarrass me. I embarrassed myself."

"What did you do? I was the one going all protective and defensive. I don't blame you for not liking the photos."

Ginny looked up at him. "See the problem is…I love the photos. But I'm mad at myself for liking them so much." Harry obviously didn't understand. "I don't like being a victim. I swore after my first year that I would never be so needy again. I had wanted so much for someone to talk to or someone to understand…well, you know what happened. After that first transformation I hurt so bad and then you were there and you held me. I see the photos and I see me being weak. But I loved the feeling and I don't like that."

"You're not weak. You're one of the strongest girls I know. You knew it was going to hurt and yet you willingly took on the pain. And no matter what you guys say, I know it's mostly for me. You were hurting. There is nothing wrong with taking comfort when you're hurt. I know I was glad I was there for you, even though I couldn't really do anything for you."

"I think you did more than you know. I felt cared for. That helped a lot."

Harry looked at her seriously. "I do care for you."

Ginny lay a gentle hand on his cheek and pulled his face down to give him a small kiss. As she pulled away she gazed into his eyes for a moment then seemed to give herself a little shake. "Now if only we could get Ron to do something about his feelings. He's so clueless, he probably still doesn't even realize what his feelings are yet."

"He knows exactly what he feels. You need to cut him a little slack. It's not as easy a decision as you may think." Harry then recapped his conversation with Ron, including the advice to take things slowly.

Ginny looked amazed. "You talked to Percy about me?"

"Well, it was rather strange. I couldn't even tell you for sure if he approved or not. I don't know if he even knew how he felt about it."

"Well, you'd have to do something pretty drastic to ever change my Mum's feelings about you and I just don't see that happening. She's over the moon, you know. I told her."

"Yeah, I guessed you did. I'm glad she seemed okay with it."

Ginny lightly punched at him and smiled. "You know, sometimes you are a master of the understatement."

The rest of the train ride went smoothly. Not much was different than the rides in the past on the outside; Harry lost at chess to Ron, they all told of things that happened during their Christmas break, conversations ebbed and flowed as they did every train ride. Everything was the same, but Harry knew it was different. Different in a good way. He was able to put his arm around Ginny as conversation flowed. When she moved over to talk to Hermione and he was playing chess with Ron, he could catch her eye and just feel a connection.

The feeling followed through with the return to classes. For the most part, things seemed very much the way they had been with the four friends sometimes studying or eating together. But, once again, there was a different feel to it for Harry. Just a knowledge that something had changed.

Of course, then there were the times when they were not with their other friends. Harry had never been so grateful for the trunks as he was when he wanted some place to take Ginny where they could have privacy. Most of the time they just talked about different things, but not always. Harry found that he really liked kissing Ginny. He had to force himself to remember about taking things slow.

It wasn't all that easy to find time for the two of them to be alone, either. The teachers were starting to push the fifth year students harder to prepare them for the OWLs and Harry had his potions tutoring, Occlumency lessons and DA classes on top of his regular homework.

His first time meeting Audra and Blaise for his potions lesson, they, like most of the school, seemed a little unsure of how to treat him. Slowly they started to relax around him again as he continued to act mostly the same as he always had.

After about a half hour into brewing a mild pain relieving potion, Audra commented, "You seem happy."

Harry tilted his head as he thought about it after he finished stirring counter-clockwise while counting out fifty strokes. "I am happy. I've had a good Christmas break."

Blaise let out a snort and looked up from another useless essay he was required to write for their defense class on the benefits of using dragon dung for warding off vampires instead of garlic. "From what I've heard, you were attacked, forcibly held at St. Mungo's, somehow escaped and was on the run for most of the holiday until you managed to overthrow the whole bloody wizarding government! If that's good I'd hate to see what you'd consider a bad time!"

Harry gave a shrug. "It does sound pretty bad when you put it that way. I didn't mean it was all good. There were some tense moments when I wondered if I'd be coming back to school, but overall it was good. I got to see a family reconcile that had been apart for a year, I got to spend some of the time hiding from the Ministry with a good friend of my father's when he turned fugitive, and best of all, Ginny Weasley said she'd date me. It definitely could have been a lot worse. And I wouldn't call it 'overthrowing the government', more of 'reinstating the government'." Harry grinned.

"Don't suppose you'll tell how you did any of that stuff?"

"Rather not. I've been trying to avoid questions like those. Gotta keep some secrets." Harry smiled to let him know it wasn't personal.

Blaise just shrugged and said, "I can respect that."

Audra tsked and drew Harry's attention back to the potion at hand.

Later in the week as Harry made his way to the Headmaster's office for an Occlumency lesson, he hoped he'd be able to keep his secrets. His home was no longer a secret, but he wondered if the Headmaster would push to learn more of his escape from St. Mungo's and what Harry suspected the Headmaster guessed at Harry's animagus form. So far, the Headmaster didn't try to search for things he thought Harry wouldn't want him to know. But that was before this Christmas break.

As soon as Harry reached the door, he pulled up the phoenix song to the front of his mind, then entered the room. Immediately he was hit with the Legilimens spell. The Headmaster held it for a short while, until he let it go and smiled. Harry finally made his way to his seat.

"Excellent, Harry. You have done an excellent job on defending your mind. I'm going to try again with much more power. Try to hold it up as long as you can."

The old Headmaster raised his wand and said, "Legilimens."

Harry could feel the spell slam into his mind. He kept his focus on the phoenix song and was able to keep himself calm and the memories at bay. A bit more strength was put into the spell and Harry could feel some memories floating around the edge of his consciousness, but he focused all the harder on the phoenix song. Harry started breathing hard. It seemed an eternity passed. His head was beginning to ache, but Harry didn't let it distract him. Finally the spell stopped.

Harry took a deep breath and started to relax when the spell hit him again. He saw an image of Remus and the other werewolves at the shrieking shack approaching and he quickly pulled the music to the forefront of his mind. A moment later the spell let up again.

Harry cautiously looked at his Headmaster. He was surprised that he was breathing almost as heavily as Harry was, but he had a pleased smile on his face. "I almost caught you there. I didn't think you'd expect an attack so soon after the other. I am very proud of you, Harry. I was not able to get in and believe me," he winked at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "I tried."

Harry rubbed his aching head. Even now he didn't dare try to lower his guard. The Headmaster was sneaky enough to try to attack again. "I have to admit you almost did. I could see a memory coming, but I was able to stop it."

The Headmaster clapped his hands together. "That is what counts. You recognized the intrusion. You have mastered this step of Occlumency. You have made great strides over the past few weeks."

Harry frowned. "This step. There's more?"

"I'm afraid there is a great deal more. As I have said, you are doing an excellent job defending your mind against expected attacks. The next step will be to recognize and defend against an unexpected intrusion. To practice this step, I propose to try to catch you off your guard wherever and whenever I can during this next two weeks. We can meet again then to discuss how it is coming along."

Harry realized that he had prepared himself before he came into the room and even when he used it against Blythefield he had time to prepare. Except when he woke up unprepared and got caught.

Harry heard a trill of light laughter coming from behind him. /If you would just stay in your better looking form you wouldn't have to mess with all these spells. Life is much easier as a phoenix. The only troubles are looking out for my chick and some of his flock and burning days. If you want to mess with spells, figure out some way to get rid of burning days/

Harry glanced over at Fawkes and couldn't stop a small smile. The Headmaster also looked over at Fawkes. "Quite chatty all of a sudden, isn't he? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could understand what he says?"

There was something odd in the way Professor Dumbledore said that. Harry started to get nervous and wonder if the Headmaster could understand Fawkes or if it was just his imagination. Dumbledore did seem to give the impression of being able to do and know so many things. Maybe he just suspected Harry could. He wondered if he would get the opportunity sometime to get Fawkes alone and ask him. Harry just gave a sickly smile and nodded.

"You will need to practice constantly maintaining your occlumency in the background of your mind. If we can master this, we can move on to sending misleading memories."

"Misleading memories?"

"One thing at a time. Have a good evening, Harry."

Harry paused for a moment. "Professor, I've been getting flashes of a feeling of anticipation again. Do you have any idea what Voldemort might be planning?"

The old Headmaster drew his brows together. "I do not know. As far as I know, there are no immediate large-scale likely targets. I will keep an eye open for anything, however."

Harry nodded and left. Harry was glad to be excused. He had saved his pain relief potion he brewed earlier in the week with Audra. It was a very mild one that was non-addicting. Even so, he didn't plan on using it often, but he thought his headache tonight warranted it.

Harry quickly learned that he wasn't as good at Occlumency when he wasn't prepared. As he was listening to Ginny tell of her morning during lunch in the Great Hall the next day he idly glanced around the Hall. He hadn't even realized he'd met eyes with the Headmaster until he noticed he was no longer hearing Ginny but seeing himself and Remus dueling each other at his house over the Christmas break, arriving at the Burrow, Remus yelling at him, Ginny's face as she realized what Harry was trying to ask her about the train…. Finally he was able to pull up the phoenix song and push the Headmaster out.

"…Harry? Harry! Aren't you listening to me?" Ginny's voice was irritated and she took her half eaten roll and threw it at him.

Harry refocused on Ginny. "I can't believe he did that in the middle of the Great Hall! This is the Great Hall! Everybody is here!" Harry was extremely irritated. As much with himself as with the Headmaster. He'd let him slip through.

Ginny's irritation turned to confusion for a moment, then her face cleared. "Professor Dumbledore just did the you know what to you?" she asked in a low voice.

"Yeah. Can you believe it? He got through, too. I never thought he'd try it in here."

"That's probably why he did. At least you didn't have as bad a reaction as you feared." Harry had told his friends what the Headmaster had planned. He also shared his nervousness of him collapsing from it as he often had when he couldn't stop it.

Harry focused hard on Ginny. "What did I do?"

"You just got this unfocused look in your eye for a while. Good thing you had told me about this or I'd be quite mad at you for not listening to me." She gave him a little grin.

Harry's voice was droll as he replied, "No, really? I never would have been able to tell from the way you threw your food at me earlier."

Ginny blushed then tossed her head. "I don't like being ignored."

Harry raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I would never mean to do that to you."

They parted ways after lunch and Harry started for his Transfiguration class. On his way he heard his name called from a nearby empty classroom. Harry turned and his Headmaster beckoned him in for a moment. Harry gave him an irritated glare and entered the room. When the door was closed, Harry started to vent his irritation.

"The Great Hall? Nothing like trying it in front of the entire school! You almost got me in trouble with Ginny, too."

The Headmaster was smiling at him with amusement. He had a knowing twinkle in his eye. "I had confidence that you would be able to stop the attack before anything became too noticeable. And maybe Miss Weasley will give you that extra incentive to stay alert in her presence. She did seem a bit annoyed with your lack of attention."

Harry knew then that the Headmaster witnessed her throwing the roll at him. Harry flushed a little. The Headmaster's twinkle increased a notch. He continued, "Though you did acquit yourself admirably in regaining her favor." His flush turned into a full blush at the knowledge that his kissing her hand had been witnessed as well.

The Headmaster turned a little more serious. "I do have one question, however. I usually do not question you on what I see, but this memory puzzles me. I knew I would most likely get in so I searched for happy memories. One I saw was of Remus being angry with you."

Harry supposed that did seem a bit out of place with the other memories. "It was after I returned from the Ministry. While he was yelling, I realized that was what family would do." Harry shrugged. "I've been yelled at lot in my life, but never for that type of reason."

The Headmaster gave a nod of understanding. "Thank you for clarifying that for me, Harry. I have detained you long enough. You may continue on to your class. Remember, keep up your guard."

It was surprising how many ways Harry could be ambushed in the halls of Hogwarts. He supposed his Headmaster knew his schedule, but even so…. He wasn't even safe in the Common Room. Harry learned that Professor Dumbledore was very good at being unnoticed when he wanted to be and had managed to get Harry twice while he studied in the Common Room without others even realizing he was there. Harry wasn't able to totally block the attacks but he was getting better at pushing him out after only one memory or so. The attacks were getting stronger, too.

Early the next week, Ron had managed to hold his animating spell for five minutes. Hermione was a bit frustrated. She was close, but not there yet.

Harry tried to calm her. "Hermione, you were the last one to get started on this. We had all been able to practice before you came, remember? And you are over four and a half minutes. It will be soon."

Hermione sighed. "I know. I guess I'm just not used to being last." She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Ron moved over to her. "Hermione, I can wait. I'll wait until we can change together."

Hermione was shaking her head. "You don't have to do that, Ron. I'm a big girl. I can do it by myself later. You must want to see what your form is."

Ron hesitated for a moment. "Truthfully, I'd rather that you went first for that. Then we could change at the same time."

Hermione's lip began to tremble. "You would do that for me?" She really did hate the idea of being last.

"Of course, I would." Ron and Hermione were staring into each others eyes. Finally they broke eye contact. Hermione had a bemused smile on her face.

"Well, if we do transform together, what are the logistics of that?"

Harry thought for a minute. "I don't think it'd be a problem. I'd be taking care of Ron after and Ginny would you anyway. We'd just be doing it on the same weekend is all."

Ginny looked over at Harry and gave a smile. "It did help to have someone who cared right there."

It was decided. Ron and Hermione would keep practicing until they both were ready. Later, when they were alone, Ginny looked to Harry. "If that turns out to be their first date, it's just really strange."

The next morning at breakfast, Hermione was reading her Daily Prophet. "Listen to this. Umbridge and Blythefield are being moved to Azkaban this afternoon." Harry had a quick regret that the Dementors had left already. He quickly squashed that feeling. It would be enough that she was locked up.

The week earlier, Harry had been called to the Headmasters office to give a statement. He'd been extremely nervous of what they would ask, but all they had asked for was his memories of Umbridge's rambling confession when she thought he was insane. She implicated herself clearly at that time and implied help from St. Mungo's. It was strong circumstantial evidence to link Healer Blythefield as he was the healer that showed up, but to strengthen their case against him, Harry could testify to his saying he needed to get the poison from Umbridge. Pensieve memories were not considered conclusive as testimony, but it was allowed for minors. The memories along with Fudge's testimony and the evidence from Justina Bosworth and other witnesses who had tested the poison were enough to get them convicted the previous day.

There had been banner headlines on the conviction. The article went into the details of how she had used Cornelius' wand to attack him with the cruciatus curse, then poisoned him to give the illusion of him losing his mind and used his wand to send up the Dark Mark to blame the Death Eaters. It had been pretty commonly suspected, but now with the conviction it was put into black and white. Harry was only mentioned once in the article but it was enough to garner him stares throughout the day again. Harry tried his best to ignore it.

He was sitting in the DADA class in the afternoon, letting his mind wander as Professor Vigori flitted from one silly subject to the next when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his scar. He couldn't stop himself from slapping his hand up to his forehead. He closed his eyes and calmed his breathing. He concentrated on what he was feeling. Happiness? Not quite. Satisfaction? That was it. A very strong feeling of satisfaction. It was mixed with something else, though. Justice? That was an odd thought.

He opened his eyes to find the class was dead silent and every eye was on him. The Professor was looking at him curiously. "Mr. Potter, are you feeling well?"

Most of the class was looking with slight curiosity. Ron and Hermione had looks of caution mixed with dread. Blaise was looking more at his friends reactions than him. Malfoy looked suspicious and was checking the time on his watch.

"I have a bit of a headache. Do you mind if I go to Madam Pomfrey?"

"I think you could probably wait until the end of class, don't you, Mr. Potter? There is only another half hour."

Harry was frustrated. He wanted to find Professor Dumbledore but he didn't want to come out and tell the whole class.

Ron leaned over. "You need Dumbledore?"

Harry nodded. Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. He slid it over to Harry. Harry took it and smirked a little. Fainting Fancy. Covertly he brought one end of the candy to his mouth and took a bite.

The next thing Harry knew was Ron shoving something into his mouth in the hallway. Harry recovered quickly and led Ron to Dumbledore's office. Harry gave the password, Fudge Flies, and they made their way up the spiraling stairs. At the top, before Harry could knock, he was bid to enter.

"What can I do for you, Harry, Ron?" The old Headmaster looked as though he had been working on some correspondence.

"I just got a pain in my scar while in class. With it came the oddest feeling of satisfaction and justice."

"Justice?" That seemed to surprise the Headmaster.

"That's the best I can describe it. I think whatever he had been planning, it just happened."

The Headmaster put his fingertips together and thought for a moment. "Thank you for letting me know. I will get in touch with my contacts and see if anything has happened."

Harry and Ron left the office and just made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry filled Ron in on the phantom feelings he'd been getting off and on. When Hermione and Ginny came he filled them in, too. The whole group went to bed feeling just a bit apprehensive.

Entering the Great Hall the next morning, Harry glanced up at the Headmaster. He gave a slight nod to Harry and Harry figured that something had, indeed, happened. Now he'd just wait for the owls to deliver the paper to find out what.

When Hermione's Prophet was delivered, she didn't even bother trying to look at it herself. She just cleared a section of the table in the middle and laid the paper out so all four could see.

Delores Umbridge and Horatio Blythefield Attacked

By He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Himself!

Yesterday afternoon at 4:30 pm, aurors escorting Delores Umbridge and Horatio Blythefield to Azkaban prison were ambushed by no other than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and several Death Eaters. You-Know-Who made it clear that this attack was retribution for usurping his own Dark Mark.

Auror Geoffrey Bernsteiner was left alive to act as witness of the attack. Sadly the other three of the auror guard were killed. "You-Know-Who had them cornered. He had killed the other guards already. He asked how they dared to try to use him and his power. He said they needed to be punished. He decided it would only be just to have themUmbridge and Blythefield suffer the fate they bogusly condemned Minister Fudge and Harry Potter to. He then went on a rant of how he, alone, would be the one to kill Harry Potter. Then he lifted his wand and cursed them with the Cruciatus Curse. Madam Umbridge was first. I'll never forget her screams. When he finally stopped he started on Mr. Blythefield. I just kept praying that it would end. There is no way possible that they have any mind left. Finally he turned his wand on me and I knew no more."

It has been confirmed that Delores Umbridge and Horatio Blythefield have been admitted into the St. Mungo's Long Term Care ward. There has been no report of any hope for their recovery.

"Well, that explains the strange emotions." Harry said with an attempt at a smile. It fell flat. Harry had lost his taste for his porridge and decided to just stick with the toast. He hadn't liked either Umbridge or Blythefield, but he never would have wished that on them.

After breakfast, Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to their Care of Magical Creatures class. Crossing the yard Harry heard Malfoy calling out.

"Hey, Scarhead!" Harry stopped and turned to face the pointy faced teen. Draco and his two goons approached. "Counting out your last minutes of life, Potter? Too bad you have to spend it with rubbish like this."

Harry could sense Ron straightening up at the insult and Hermione grabbing his arm, whispering, "Ignore him."

Harry just shook his head and turned away. "Scared, Potter? You should be. The Dark Lord himself said he was going to kill you. It's as good as done."

Harry turned back to Malfoy. "Him saying it doesn't make it happen. If anything it makes me feel safer. He said that only he would kill me. He's tried…how many times, Ron?...and I'm still here. Now, if anyone else tries, he'll turn on them. He doesn't like getting disobeyed. I figure I'm safer now than I was yesterday. He's proven pretty incompetent on that particular job."

Malfoy sneered at him. "I bet if someone to 'roughed you up' a bit first he wouldn't mind, though."

Harry smirked at him. "I wouldn't count on that, Malfoy. He was pretty cheesed off when he thought Umbridge had fried my mind."

Malfoy's face suddenly stilled and became intense. "And how do you know that, Potter? How did you know what happened yesterday?"

Harry suddenly became rigid. He shouldn't have let that slip. "Yesterday?"

"The time reported in the Prophet was the same time you had your 'headache'. We're not all idiots."

Even with his sudden uneasiness, Harry couldn't resist a pointed glance at Crabbe and Goyle who were looking with uncomprehending looks to Malfoy.

Malfoy obviously got Harry's point. He turned angrily to his two bodyguards. "What are you just standing here for? Go get a seat for class!" The two hulking goons slumped off towards Hagrid's hut. Malfoy turned back to Harry. "Somehow you knew what happened. Finally decide to stop playing the hero and let someone get what they deserve?"

Harry's face lost all expression. Draco pressed his advantage. "Of course, you never did like her and you must have had a grudge against him. You probably wouldn't want to stop anything happening to them, would you? You probably wished Azkaban still had Dementors when you learned they were being sent there."

That one hit home. Harry took a half step back. Ron barged forward. "You don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy! Why don't you just get on to class. We don't need your little guesses and innuendos about things you know nothing about here."

Malfoy flushed and started to turn. He probably regretted sending his bodyguards away. "You may not know what I'm talking about Weasel, but Potter does!" With that final shot he left.

Ron and Hermione turned to Harry. Harry shrugged. "I have to admit, the thought did cross my mind about the Dementors. It didn't seem fair that they could do so much and not have to suffer like Sirius did when he had done nothing wrong."

Hermione took his arm. "It crossed your mind. It didn't stay?"

"No. I figured I was happy enough they were just being locked up."

The trio started to move across the lawn again. Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I admit it crossed my mind, too. I think that's just natural. You think of Azkaban, you think of Dementors." A shout from across the lawn caused the three to pick up their pace before they were late for class.

Blaise cornered Harry in his potions tutoring. "Everyone was blowing it off what happened to you in DADA. Everyone except your friends. They were concerned. What's up with that?"

Harry gave a short laugh. "Everyone except my friends, you and Malfoy."

Blaise narrowed his eyes. "A couple of years back there were all those articles about you having scar pains. They were true? Somehow your scar actually hurts?"

Harry wondered how much he actually trusted Blaise. He decided some information wouldn't hurt. "There is a connection still. It's not some secret that Voldemort doesn't know. I've been feeling pain off and on since I was eleven. I can't always block it."

Blaise just stared for a moment, then said, "Sucks to be you."

For some reason that struck Harry as very funny. "What? You don't think it fun to live with some connection to a psychopath?" Harry calmed down a little and gave a shrug. "What's the alternative?" That ended the conversation.

In a little over a week Hermione was able to hold her spell and they got ready to do the trances. Ginny did the leading for Hermione's trance. When Hermione got in deep enough to see her animal, she became visibly nervous.

"It's pacing around me. Growling at times. She is beautiful though. The spots on her coat….She's stopped and is sniffing at me." Hermione paused, then she smiled. "She's curled up by my feet now and I can pet her."

When Hermione came out she was smiling. "So what kind of animal was it, Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"A leopard. I'll be able to become a leopard!" Hermione was beaming.

Now it was Ron's turn. Harry could hear him muttering, "A cat, a cat," to himself. Harry guessed that if it was at all possible he wanted to be something similar to Hermione.

A giddy Hermione tried to calm enough to lead Ron into his trance. As he fell in deep enough, he got a look of awe on his face. "Blimey!"

"What are you seeing, Ron?"

"A lion. He's just lying there, flicking his tail every so often."

Harry heard Ginny mutter from behind him, "That's Ron alright," before Hermione shushed her.

"Oh, wow. He's yawning. Look at those teeth. They're huge." Ron didn't look scared at all, just fascinated. He stayed a while longer in the trance looking over his form. When he awoke he had the biggest grin on his face Harry had seen since he'd won the Quidditch Cup the year before.

Hermione was anxious to transform, but Ron, Harry and Ginny had a Quidditch game this weekend. Hermione contented herself with getting out book after book on leopards from the library.