Disclaimer: Unfortunately my polyjuice potion did not work; so alas I still don't even look like JK Rowling... let alone I'm not her! And so Harry and his world still does not belong to me!

Chapter Six. About Practice, Essays and Apologies

Harry had stayed up most the night writing Snape's blasted essay on conduct. Banebridge's introduction into Aurism was positively boring and long winded. It reminded him of the flowery speeches of a rambling old man. He was not pleased to find in the text he was expected to apologise in full to those he was rude to. If at all possible Harry wanted to escape Snape's attention.

It was midnight when Harry decided to call it a night as he was the only Gryffindor left in the common room. He packed up his books and paper and trudge wearily up the stairs.

The dormitory room which he shared with the other boys was completely dark. He sighed and tiptoes to his four poster bed and pulled the covers shut. "Lumos…" Harry held up his wand as he changed frantically into his pyjamas and dived under the sheets of his bed.

It had been a tiring day and Harry realised but he could not cause himself to drift off. Something nagged him at the back of his mind.

Godric Gryffindor had said that he could extend his new found skills if he practiced carefully. He had not given this a second thought since he appeared dazed at 4 Privet Drive.

Sitting up Harry, now wide awake wandered exactly what Gryffindor had meant. He had after all seemed to have mastered the 'wandless' arts. Hadn't he? Doubt gnawed at him… what else could he do?

Harry willed a soft wind to ripple through the common room so that the tapestry around his bed ripples gently like waves in a harbour. He smiled, he still had the ability. He knew he could use a force but he dare not try in the dorms because of what happened last time…

The strike out on the 'battlefield' had been like a pebble dropped in a lake. The force had rippled out from the epicentre – that being himself.

Harry remembered the first time he had experienced force… it had been Salazar striking him. Salazar had somehow focused the force as a slap, controlled and completely directed not only at him but the soft flesh of his cheeks…

Harry was pleased with himself. He had established that force could indeed have a target and a minute one at that. All he had to do was find somewhere suitable to practice safe from prying eyes.

Harry had also seen forced used with water and Salazar had insinuated force could conjure things in nature such as heat (or the lack of) and yet his mentor had not taught him these things. He deduced that he could somehow develop these things on his own.

And what about the 'mind magic' Salazar had taught him? How would that influence the connection between himself and Voldemort? Would it make him more vulnerable to the dark lord? Harry shivered; he did not want to know the answers to his questions.
Even though Dumbledore had spoken to him, Harry was unsure if the Headmaster would want to discuss these new and exciting powers with him.

"I am sure, that Professor Snape's extensive knowledge; will be helpful among the student population…"

Typical, Dumbledore would suggest Snape as a helper. Considering that Snape hated his very guts before they had even meet Harry doubted working with Snape would be an option.

Professor Snape was a master with Occulmency, but would he be willing to even look at him if he had the courage to ask for help? Especially when he considered the unsavoury event that happened during one of his 'remedial potions' lessons last year.

Harry sighed and leant back into his pillow. It was quiet chilly in the room. Surely it wouldn't hurt to see if he could control heat!

Harry closed his eyes and delved within himself to access his own power. He found it easily and within seconds. He drew it out with control and concentrated on the ideology of warmth.

Unfortunately it was a yelp from one of his dorm mates that broke Harry's concentration.

"Is it just me or is it toasty in here…" Neville yawned.
"Toasty… steaming more like," Dean Thomas replied.

Behind the curtains in his four poster bed, Harry winced. Instead of just warming himself he had warmed the whole dorm. Dean Thomas was right the temperature in the room was unbearably hot.

Harry released the power he had been holding onto only to do so too fast. Instead of dropping to a mediocre temperature the dorm became very cold very quickly. Harry winced again and struggled to get the right warmth in the dorm. After a minute or two of silent deliberation Harry found the equilibrium.

"Something strange is happening in here," Seamus muttered.
"Yes," Ron said slowly and carefully staring fixedly at Harry's hangings, "Something very odd indeed."
"I wonder why it didn't wake Harry," Neville mused as he tumbled back into bed.
"Probably downstairs still working on that essay Snape gave him," Dean replied and he too slipped back under his covers.
"Doubt it it's half one already…"

Harry listened to the discussion with a held breath. Wondering if anyone would blame him for the sudden temperature change… Would it have been better to pretended to have woken up by the disturbance like the others?

Harry sighed, rolled over and closed his weary eyes. He had much to think about.

Harry was nearly late for the second day of classes. Ron had forgotten to wake him. He dressed quickly and raced down to the Great Hall to grab some breakfast.

Harry grabbed a piece of toast and shoved it halfway down his throat before he found Hermione and Ron in the middle of an animated discussion. Juggling breakfast, his bag and his essay for Professor Snape Harry approached them with a smirk. Hermione saw him coming as she looked over Ron's shoulder however, her eyes slid back to Ron's face and the discussion stopped abruptly.

'Like that wasn't obvious,' Harry thought as he sat down beside Ron.

"You're up," Hermione said smiling up at Harry sweetly, but Harry saw the lines of concern on her face.
"Yeah." Harry glared at Ron. "Someone forgot to wake me."
Ron looked completely innocent and shrugged his shoulders. "I thought I would leave you to catch up on your beauty sleep."
Harry shoved the rest of the toast into his mouth and brandished his essay. "Done," he announced proudly, "I'm going to hand this in this morning since we don't have class today with Snape."

Hermione's mouth formed a surprised 'o' and Ron merely looked amused. "Thought you were going to avoid Snape this year."
"Yeah, well some things cannot be avoided." Harry stood and walked the length of the Great Hall and when he reached the door he looked back at Hermione and Ron, who were back again with their discussion.

Rolling his eyes, Harry raced down to the dungeons where he knew Snape would be preparing for lessons. Skidding to a halt by the classroom, Harry poked his head through the open door. Snape was at his desk scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment.

Harry cleared his throat to announce his presence and Snape never flinched. Harry cleared his throat a second time, still no response.
"Professor…" Harry ventured.
"What do you want Potter?" Snape snarled his eyes still glued to his parchment, but Harry had seen the movement in his eyes stopped. Snape was waiting for an answer.
"I brought you the essay you set, Sir." Harry took a tentative step into the classroom and Snape looked up surprised.
"Essay…?"

Harry nodded hardly able to conceal his blush. "The beans from class yesterday, you wanted me to write an essay from Banebridge on conduct."
Snape leaned forward on his desk and put the quill purposefully down. "And what did you learn from Banebridge, Potter?"

Harry sighed he had not expected this interrogation. "I believe I owe you an apology, Sir…"
Snape's lips thinned at the possibility. "Well…"
"I'm sorry that I disrupted the class yesterday and for the unacceptable actions which I am responsible for."
"Responsibility…" Harry could tell Snape was enjoying this, "Do you know the meaning of the word, Potter?"
"I believe I do, Sir…. I'll be late for my class, Sir."

Snape looked up at the clock with a start and then dismissed Harry with a wave of his hand. Harry darted forwards and dropped the essay on Snape's desk and walked (raced) to the door.

"I expect you to apologise to the class, next time we meet Potter," Snape called.
Harry turned, grimaced in reply and then nodded. "And to Malfoy…"

"… and he wants me to apologise to Malfoy…" Harry cried in indignation. He was sitting with Hermione and Ron in charms explaining what had happened between himself and Snape.

"Consider yourself lucky, Harry, " Lavender Brown said behind them. Harry turned to look at her. "At least you didn't have one hundred points taken off Gryffindor."
Lavender and Parvati went into near hysterical giggles. "None of the other Slytherins are talking to him," Parvati added with glee.
Harry smiled thinly. It was a small consolation.
"And his father can't come to the school to complain," Lavender crowed.
"There are all sorts of rumours about where his old man is," Parvati added in an undertone, "he certainly isn't in Azakaban."

Harry looked glumly to his hands guiltily. He had never like Mr. Malfoy, but still he felt somewhat sorry for Draco. Salazar had proudly told Harry himself when he had been bedridden that Malfoy had been destroyed by his very own wand. Harry felt disquieted by this news and Salazar had not understood why Harry felt so guilty. The founder had practically expected Harry to be jumping about all over the place in joy, not frowning and moping!

"Excuse me in the Gryffindor corner," Flitwick squeaked, "Are we listening?"

Instead of leaving charms and going to breakfast, Ron and Hermione pulled Harry into an abandoned classroom. "Okay what's going on?" Ron demanded.
Harry looked from Ron and Hermione blankly. "What?"
"Oh, don't play that I'm completely and utterly innocent game with us Harry Potter!" Hermione said tartly.
"What did old snake tongue teach you anyway?" Ron continued hotly.

Understanding dawned on Harry's face. So this is what the whispered discussion was about!

"And the temperature change last night in the dorms, you can't honestly say that it wasn't you."
Harry looked into Ron's confused and annoyed face and couldn't help but let a bark of laughter loose.

"I didn't mean to," Harry said away in apology and added as if it explained the whole situation, "Godric Gryffindor suggested that I practice and extend what I know."
"Godric Gryffindor," Hermione repeated slowly as if she still could not believe what she was hearing.
"Suggested boiling then freezing the boy's dormitories?" Ron continued blankly.
"Well no." Despite himself Harry was enjoying this conversation. "I was only meant to control heat to warm myself… I lost control then reverted the magic too quickly so you guys froze."

"You were controlling temperature?" Hermione burst.
"Well heat to be more specific," Harry explained patiently.
"Heat?"
"Yes…"
"With a wand."
Harry grinned. "No."

"NO!" both Hermione and Ron's eyes looked like they were going to fall out of their sockets.
"Salazar Slytherin taught me ancient magics… I don't need wands to manipulate some objects around me."
"Such as."
"Wind…" Harry quickly accessed his power and conjured a soft breeze, that blew through Hermione's hair. "And…" Harry concentrated and pulled two chairs across the floor.
Hermione and Ron watched in amazement.
"There's force too… but I'm a little worried in practicing this."
Hermione and Ron waited for an explanation; none was forthcoming…

"What else did you learn?" Hermione asked eagerly. Harry grinned. This could be fun!
"Here relax and close your eyes."
Hermione looked at him dubiously.
"It's okay…"
Hermione did as she was told.

'Hello Hermoine…'

Hermione nearly jumped ten feet in the air in shock and squealed. "Oh my god you were in my mind!"
Ron rolled his eyes lazily, clearly unimpressed. "I've seen that one before."
Hermione held her hand to her chest breathing hard. "Not like this… it was like the whole of Harry…" she looked sideways at Harry. "More than I ever realised about him and yet I know it was him…"