A/N: Helloooo! Thank you all for your reviews, I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it and I know it was mean of me to leave it that way but I thought it was the perfect way to do so. I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much.

*~*~*~*~*

Disclaimer: I own nothing, nothing I tell you! Well except some of the secondary characters, but that's all, everything else belongs to JKR.

*~*~*~*~*

Chapter 7 ~ Experimental Charms

Harry was very curious about the scene he witnessed between Professor Lupin and Brenna's second companion. How could Lupin know the lady? And what were they doing at Hogwarts?

Harry was rather thoughtful on their ride to the castle, his friends noticed his silence and after looking at each other doubtfully they left him to his own thoughts.

The carriages stopped in front of the castle, students were queuing through the entrance making their way to the Great Hall.

Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry pushed their way through the crowd toward the Gryffindor table. Ginny joined her friends while Ron, Hermione and Harry sat at the front end of the table.

The teachers were sitting around the staff table. Harry noticed that Lupin wasn't in his place yet, and, to his surprise, neither was Dumbledore who had always been at his place ever since Harry's first night at Hogwarts.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Asked Ron somewhat apprehensively.

Harry shook his head. "No," he said, "just noticing that Professor Dumbledore is not at the staff table."

"He isn't?" Asked Hermione looking promptly at the Headmaster's chair at the center of the table.

"Wonder where he is?" Ron asked. "I hope he doesn't take long, I reckon they wouldn't begin the Sorting without him here, and I want the Feast to start sooner tonight. I'm famished."

"Honestly Ron! Is your stomach the only thing you can think of?" Hermione exclaimed.

"At the moment, yes." Ron replied.

Harry laughed while Hermione went off into another tirade about the importance of the Sorting Ceremony and his duties as prefect.

"Alright, alright!" Exclaimed Ron interrupting Hermione's speech. "I can wait."

"Humph!" Scoffed Hermione turning to look back at the staff table. "There's Lupin." She said after a few seconds. "He looks rather pale, the full moon is still a couple of weeks away so it's not that."

Harry had noticed Lupin's pale countenance as well and thought back to the scene he had witness a few minutes ago. "I think he's in shock." He finally said.

"Shock! Why would he be in shock?" Asked Ron.

Harry turned to look at his friends and whispered to them what he had seen at the station.

"You say he was surprised to see her?" Hermione asked full of curiosity.

"More than surprised, I don't think he was expecting to see her at all. He hadn't recognized her before. I asked him if he knew who Brenna and her companions were and he said he didn't know. But then, the witch had her hood up and he hadn't seen her well enough to recognize had he?" Harry said as the room buzzed with conversations as they waited for the Sorting to begin.

"I wonder why he reacted like that." Said Hermione thoughtfully.

"It's obvious isn't it?" Said Ron. "He knows her well enough to call her by her given name, he must have known her well in the past."

"I know she wasn't in the Order." Harry said, "so he didn't know her from there."

"How do you know that?" Asked Hermione.

"Moody showed me a picture of the Order last year, everybody was there, but she wasn't in that picture." Harry replied.

"Maybe they knew each other from school." Ron said.

"That would make sense." Hermione agreed.

Harry nodded. But if that was the case, he thought, she must have known his parents and Sirius as well.

The sound of the doors opening pulled Harry from his thoughts. The Sorting was about to begin. He turned to look at the staff table and saw Dumbledore sitting happily in his customary chair. But Brenna and her companions were nowhere in sight.

"Where do you think she is?" He asked as Professor McGonagall led the first years into the Great Hall.

"Who?" Asked Ron as he looked at the young students going fearfully to the front of the room.

"Brenna and the other women." Harry said looking at the new batch of students looking around the Hall in awe.

"Dunno." Ron said eagerly waiting for the Sorting to begin.

Professor McGonagall was placing the spindly chair before the staff table a frayed, old wizard hat was placed upon it.

Harry looked at the Sorting Hat with a mixed feeling of eagerness and dread. The last song he had heard was full of warning of what may happen. He noticed by the murmurs that filled the Hall that he wasn't the only one to remember what had happened last year.

"Wonder what will it have to say this time." Ron whispered.

"Shh!" Hermione was eager to hear this year's song.

Scores of years ago

Four wizards had a dream

A wish, a yearn, a hope to help

Young wizards to prepare.

Bold Gryffindor, the brave at heart

The daring and chivalrous he set apart,

Yet devious Slytherin, the purest of blood

He wished to teach cunning to be their art

Patient Hufflepuff, the workers she preferred

Toil and a kind heart to be their wares

Wise Ravenclaw for a ready mind she searched

Wit and cleverness to pass life's tests

Divide I must

Though I advice

Together we must be

Lest Dark Forces

Disadvantage seek

In Hogwarts hallowed keep.

Let them not be fed

By our ambition and dread

United the school began

And united will survive

I will divide

That's my job

But hear my song

Heed my word

And listen to my advice

Before you to put me on

And sorted into a home

A scattering of applause was heard throughout the Hall and the small first years looked more scared than they had been before the song began.

"It's stuck on this theme, it seems." Said Ron as he applauded softly.

"It knows that things have become more severe than ever." Hermione said.

McGonagall had unrolled her parchment and began to read the names off the list.

"Monica Bloom!"

A small black girl stepped fearfully toward the chair. She sat and the hat was placed upon her head. It didn't take long to hear the Hat's voice. "Ravenclaw!"

The Ravenclaw table soared into applause as its newest member ran relieved toward it.

"C'mon, hurry!" Murmured Ron looking longingly into his plate.

"This is important Ron!" Exclaimed Hermione glaring at her friend.

"I know, but I can't see why they can't do this while we're eating." Ron grumbled.

Hermione turned abruptly to look at the rest of the sorting while Harry smiled amused at Ron's side.

"Camille Dunn!" Became the first new Gryffindor.

Half an hour later McGonagall was calling the last name on her list.

"Deana Zulu!" She called before the hat's call of "Hufflepuff!" ended the Sorting.

"Finally!" Exclaimed Ron who had become bored by the procedure minutes ago.

But he was doomed to disappointment when Dumbledore stood up and waited for silence for his usual speech.

"Welcome," Dumbledore said, "to a new year at Hogwarts. A reminder to all students, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds. Some new items have been added to the list of forbidden objects inside the school, it now comprises of more than five hundred objects, for a view of the list, please visit Filch's office."

Ron snorted with disdain. "Like anybody would go to his office just to look at some ruddy list."

"Prefects," Dumbledore continued, "and Head students will meet with Professor McGonagall before retiring to obtain instructions and schedules for night duties."

Ron looked confusedly at Hermione. "But we got those in the train." He said.

Hermione was frowning thoughtfully and nodded. "They must have changed it."

"But why?" Ron whispered.

Hermione shook her head, she obviously was worried about what this change could mean.

"To our sixth and seventh year students," Dumbledore was saying, "a new class will be offered. Experimental Magic will be a subdivision of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Charms, and will be offered to only those who obtained an Exceed Expectation or Outstanding on their O.W.L. exams. You must sign up with Professor Lupin who will evaluate your past work and recommend you for this class."

"That sounds like an interesting class." Hermione exclaimed. "I hope Professor Lupin recommends me, I'd love to take Experimental Magic."

"Hermione," Ron said, "the one thing you may be sure of is Professor Lupin's recommendation."

"I think we all could." Harry said thinking that Experimental Magic would certainly be useful.

"I didn't know Lupin knew Experimental Magic." Ron said looking at their Defense teacher who had sat silently among the other teachers since he sat at the staff table.

"He must, if Dumbledore asked him to teach the class." Harry said.

"Why are you sure that he will teach it?" Asked Hermione. "For all we know, Snape would be teaching that class."

"Never mind, then. I'm not taking that class." Ron quickly exclaimed.

"...please see Madam Hooch for tryouts times." Dumbledore continued. "Now, Buen Provecho!"

Food instantly appeared along the tables.

"Finally!" Ron said as he started pile food into his plate.

There was a slight sigh heard as Ron bit with gusto into a juicy piece of roast. Harry turned to look at Nearly-Headless Nick a few seats from him.

"Why do you torture yourself Nick?" Asked Dean who was sitting by the ghost. "Why come to the feast if it makes you sad?"

"The company, dear boy." Nick said with a ghostly smile. "Sometimes, I need human company."

"Don't the elves keep you company?" Asked Neville sitting across from Nick.

"No, they can't serve us, they're only happy when they are serving humans." Nick said with a shrug.

The mention of Hogwarts' elves grabbed the attention of Hermione. "How many elves are left in the castle?" She asked thinking quickly trying to remember the number of hats and socks she had knitted the previous year.

"Left? What do you mean? The elves haven't gone anywhere." Said Nick looking at Hermione as if she was out of her mind. "Not even Dobby, who's the only one with a free day. He usually doesn't take it."

Hermione looked confused. "What do you mean the elves haven't gone anywhere?"

Nick amused. "Why would they leave? They do what they love to do, there's no reason for them to wish for freedom and leave the castle."

Hermione opened her mouth wordlessly and looked at Ron and Harry with consternation. "I don't understand." She finally said. "I made enough hats and socks for the elves. There should be less elves in the castle this year."

Harry took pity of her and decided to tell her what he knew. "They didn't take your offerings Hermione."

"But the hats and socks disappeared every morning." Hermione exclaimed.

"Dobby took them. The elves were offended when the hats started to appear and they stopped coming to the tower to clean, Dobby cleaned the tower by himself and took the hats." Harry said.

"They were offended?" Hermione asked in a small voice. Ron and Harry could see tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Hermione, you can't expect them to believe the same things you do." Ron said gently. "They don't believe that they're slaved. They were made to serve and that's what they do and love it. Only a few are not happy and they're rare. This is the life they want, you will do them wrong if you take that away from them."

Hermione sighed. "I suppose." She said sadly.

Ron and Harry shared a worried glance.

Harry agreed with Ron, but he knew that Hermione would only look for another way to change the elves' status. He was surprised she had not said much about the ones living in the Manor, but then again, they were the only elves he knew who were wealthy than most wizards and were relatively free compared to other elves.

The meal was eventually over and it was time to retire to their common rooms.

Hermione and Ron were preparing to leave with the first years.

"What's the password?" Harry asked.

"Twinkle Lights." Said Hermione before she hurried to collect the young students.

"Twinkle Lights? What kind of a password is that?" Asked Harry.

Ron shrugged with indifference. "Don't ask me, that's what we were told." And he hurried to join Hermione.

Harry looked after them for a moment before leaving the Hall with the rest of his classmates. He could hear whispers as he passed, but after five years at Hogwarts he had learned not to pay much attention to them.

Neville caught up with him a few minutes later. "The other houses are curious." He said. "They've been asking about our week at Gryffindor Manor."

Harry grunted. He really didn't want to hear what the media had to say about his party.

"An article appeared in the Prophet this morning." Neville said. "My Gran gave me a copy when she met me at the station."

They were standing in front of the Fat Lady Portrait now. "Password?"

"Twinkle Lights." Harry replied.

Both climbed into the portrait hole and looked around. Most of the Gryffindors were already in the common room, only the first years were yet to arrive. But there was one thing that Harry noticed instantly.

Most Gryffindors had a newspaper in hand and were whispering and laughing with their companions.

Harry groaned. At least, Neville had prepared him, he thought.

"Harry! Harry!" Called the Creevy brothers, who sat together at one corner of the common room waving to him to join them.

Harry waved back but opted to go to his dormitory instead.

The dormitory was empty, Neville, Dean and Seamus were still in the common room discussing the article and Ron was yet to arrive with the first years.

His things had been arranged around his bed. The bed covers had been turned and his pajamas waited for him on the bed.

"Master Harry." A squeaky voice said behind him.

Harry turned around with surprise. "Lotty? What are you doing here?"

The elf looked confused. "To serve Master Harry." He said simply.

"I...I thought you would stay at the Manor." Harry said noticing for the first time that the elf had not just prepared his bed by that of the rest of his roommates as well.

"Lotty goes with Master Harry wherever he goes." Said Lotty as he folded white towels in a rack next to the bathroom door.

"Er..." Harry didn't know what to say. He opted to refrain from saying anything, he didn't want to send the elf home because he didn't want to hurt its feelings but he was also glad that he was there as he had become rather fond of finding his things in order.

"Where - ?" Harry was interrupted by Neville.

"There you are, Harry. People want to know what you think of the article." Neville said pleasantly.

Harry sighed resigned. He had hoped to escape any mention of the article.

"I haven't seen it yet." He replied.

He saw Lotty bow and dissaparate from the room.

"Oh, you got to." Exclaimed Neville pulling a rolled newspaper from his back pocket. "Here." He offered it to Harry.

Harry took it slowly.

"It's in the society page." Neville urged him.

"The society page? Just great!" Mumbled Harry as he looked through the paper looking for the society section.

SOCIETY NEWS ~ Gryffindor Manor Decked out for Festivities

It read.

Gryffindor Manor has been the center for the teen social event of the summer. Young Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, hosted a week of Quidditch training for his housemates (Harry Potter belongs to Gryffindor House at Hogwarts). The young Gryffindors took part of some intensive flying and Quidditch training led by Harry Potter and the rest of Gryffindor House Quidditch Team. The weeklong Quidditch party culminated with a game of great excitement followed by a Ball, where surrounding neighbors where invited to take part. Reporters from the Daily Prophet were on hand to attend and take pictures of the event.

Harry looked below the paragraph and saw several pictures from the game and the ball. He shook his head disgustedly as he saw himself catching the snitch.

Harry groaned and threw the paper to his bed. "That's all I need." He said.

"What do you think?" Asked Neville, whose enthusiasm had cooled from Harry's reaction to the article.

"I just wished they would leave me alone!" Exclaimed Harry throwing the paper aside. The pages fluttered around the room until they settled messily around the floor.

Neville look anguished and nervous. He knew that Harry didn't like the attention his name prompted in the magical community, but the whole time Neville had spent at the Manor Harry had acted as any other sixteen year old boy that he had forgotten about all that had happened on their last week of school.

Neville sighed with relief as the door opened and Ron entered followed by Seamus and Dean.

"What happened?" Asked Ron as he noticed the thrown pages littering the floor.

"Just leave me alone." Snapped Harry going to his bed and closing the curtains around it without bothering to change for the night.

Ron looked at Neville with consternation. "What happened?" He whispered not wanting Harry to hear if he was in a temper. And Harry in a temper was something he didn't want to deal with.

Neville pointed to the paper. "The article." He said simply.

Ron groaned. "We didn't show it to him because Hermione thought that he wouldn't like it." He said running his fingers through his hair.

"But what's in there to make him angry?" Asked Dean taking the pages from the floor and stopped only when he picked the one with the article and pictures showing the game and ball.

"I don't think he's really angry about the article." Said Ron looking at the enclosed bed with trepidation. "He has been kept busy all summer that he hasn't really thought about what happened last June, but he has just spent hours on his own in the train with nothing to keep him company but his thoughts. It's starting to catch up with him. The article was just an annoyance but something that he could take his temper out on."

"Is he going to sleep at all, do you think?" Asked Seamus as he walked to his own bed not getting anywhere near Harry's.

"Don't know. Wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't sleep at all." Ron whispered.

Harry was too bothered about his own thoughts to pay attention to what his roommates had to say about him.

He knew he had overreacted to the article and had scared Neville as well. But he couldn't help it. Even though he had company during the trip to school there were times when he was relatively alone. Brenna had said nothing and kept to herself and Ron and Hermione only joined him from time to time as Neville and Ginny had done. There were times when all he had for company were his own thoughts and he didn't like where they had taken him. He had kept himself so busy during the summer that he hadn't thought about Sirius and Voldemort much until he was awaked in the middle of the night by a bad dream or by the pain on his scar that flared up now and then.

Harry groaned with frustration. He wished he were back at the Manor where he could lose himself and keep his dark thoughts away by taking up some of the master's duties around the estate.

But he was now at Hogwarts and he could clearly remember what had happened the last time he had been here.

Memories started to run through his mind. He could see the vision Voldemort had tricked him with clearly before him. Sirius tortured and asked to do as he was bid. He could see himself walking through the forest in company of Hermione and Professor Umbridge. And he could see Sirius' expression as he was hit with Bellatrix Lestrange's spell and he fell through the veil.

He groaned once more and turned face down on his bed. He took his pillow and placed it about his head. Darkness engulfed him and for a moment he felt better, but the images started once more.

It's gonna drive me crazy, he thought, how am I supposed to survive all this with my sanity intact? It's not Voldemort who'll kill me, my own mind will.

It was hours later when he fell asleep. The snores and soft breathing of his roommates serenaded around him as he finally let exhaustion to overtake him.

*~*~*~*~*

He was in a small room. It was dark and cold, the only source of light and warmth was a lit fireplace that wasn't big enough to heat and light the whole room, only the space before it. Next to the fireplace was a large chair. Harry could not see who was sitting in it but he could see the long, pale fingers tapping the armrest impatiently.

Before the chair was a prostrated man as if he was worshipping a deity. His face was hidden and his arms outstretched on the floor.

"Are you telling me that you have failed?" A cold voice came from the person sitting in the chair.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. She wasn't where we were told she would be." The other man said.

"Where is she?" The cold voice asked imperiously.

"Hogwarts my Lord. She has gone to Hogwarts." The man said.

There was a roar of anger and frustration.

"Harry! Harry!" Ron's voice was heard from afar.

Harry struggled to open his eyes but the pain on his scar urged him to keep his eyes close.

"Harry! Are you alright?" Ron's worried voice came to him clearly.

"What happened?" Harry heard Neville's question as the pain started to ebb and his breathing became easier.

"My scar." He whispered.

"Harry? What's wrong?" Asked Ron beside him.

"My scar, it hurt." Harry said opening his eyes. Ron was right beside him, behind him were Neville, Seamus and Dean. All looked worried and in Neville's case, scared.

Harry sighed shakily as he struggled to take deep breaths.

"What did you see?" Asked Ron.

"He's angry." Harry whispered.

"About what?" Asked Dean with curiosity.

Harry shook his head trying to remember what he had seen. "Somebody – somebody was supposed to have been brought to him. But they didn't succeed." He finally said.

"Who?" Asked Neville scared.

"I don't know. They didn't say." Harry said. His breathing was back to normal and the pain was gone, leaving only the familiar discomfort behind.

Seamus yawned. "Well, nothing to be done about it I guess." He said. "Although you should tell Dumbledore I suppose."

"It's too late to go looking for him. It will be morning soon, you can go see him before breakfast." Dean advised.

Harry nodded and watched Neville, Seamus and Dean return to their beds.

"That isn't all is it?" Asked Ron after the curtains in the other beds had been drawn around them.

"He was angry, very angry. But there was something else. Fear, he was afraid." Harry said his brow frowning in thought.

"Afraid? Afraid of what?" Ron asked with surprise.

"Not what, who. Whoever this person is, it's important for him to have control over. I could feel that clearly enough. He was afraid that this person had slipped through his fingers and taken the power he needed with him. No that's not right, not a him, it's a her." Harry said trying to remember the details of his dream.

"But what does he want with her?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. But whoever she is, she's here, at Hogwarts. That's what made him angry and afraid. She's out of reach for now." Harry said.

"Who do you think it is?" Asked Ron.

"I don't know." Replied Harry.

Dawn was arriving by the time Harry fell asleep once more.

*~*~*~*~*

Harry opened his eyes. He blinked a couple of times while trying to determine the time. "Ugh!" He moaned. It was barely an hour before that he had fallen asleep.

Harry sighed and left his bed. "Might as well go down, if I can't sleep." He murmured as he started to gather his clothes, which were neatly folded in a chair at his bedside. There was a low humming at the feet of his bed. Harry frowned, he was not surprised to find Lotty folding his clothes and shining his shoes by his trunk.

"Good morning, Master Harry." The small elf piped as he set his brush and closing the trunk.

"Morning, Lotty." Harry yawned. "You might as well go to the kitchens. I don't need anything this morning."

The elf nodded and disappeared a minute later.

Harry shook his head. He hadn't minded having Lotty to help him in the mornings while he was at the Manor, but he didn't know if he liked the idea of having a personal elf at school.

He stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later. His hair was still wet and the collar of his shirt was a little damp but he knew it wouldn't last for long.

It was still early and breakfast wouldn't be served yet. Lupin, he thought. Maybe I should tell him about my dream.

Having decided on what to do next he put on his robes and walked out the room. The common room was still empty, and Harry was glad of this as there was nobody to question him. The portrait opened with ease.

"To early for class isn't it?" He heard the Fat Lady say as he walked away.

He walked through the silent corridors without encountering anybody else. No Filch, no Mrs. Norris, no teachers or students.

He arrived to the familiar corridor where he knew Lupin's office to be. He saw that the door to his classroom was open and a dim light shined through the opening.

Harry looked through it with curiosity. There was nobody in the classroom, but the door leading to his office was open and voices could be heard from it.

"Why didn't Dumbledore tell me you were coming?" He heard Lupin ask.

"He wasn't sure I would come." A woman's voice replied.

"But he had planned for the class. He announced it last night. I know he didn't ask me to teach it and the only person in this school capable to teach it is you." Lupin said.

The sound of a restrained chuckle reached Harry's ears. "I sometimes think that Dumbledore must have some Seer blood in him, he always seems to know everything." The woman responded. Harry couldn't help but agree with her.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" The woman asked slowly.

"I am." Protested Lupin. "But it's been almost eighteen years. So much has happened while you were gone."

The woman spoke so low that Harry couldn't almost hear her. "I know." She said

"We're the only ones left." Said Lupin sadly.

"What? What do you mean?" Asked the woman surprised.

"Lily and James were killed fifteen years ago, Sirius died just this past June," Harry could hear the woman's sudden gasp, "Peter must as well be."

"And Katie, what about Katie?" She exclaimed.

There was no response.

"What about Katie, Remus? Where is Katie?" The woman urged him to respond.

"I don't know. Sirius sent her away fifteen years ago, months before Lily and James were killed." Lupin replied.

Harry could hear the low feminine sobs and imagined Professor Lupin's arms around her as he tried to console her.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here." Was her muffled response. "I shouldn't have left."

"No, don't say that. There was nothing that you could've done. There was nothing we could've done. Dumbledore wanted you safe." Lupin's voice sounded rough and thick to Harry and he could easily imagine him trying to control the tears that gathered round his eyes.

Harry didn't want to hear anymore. As he stepped back from the door, he could still hear their voices.

"Harry?" He heard her ask.

"You'll meet him soon." Lupin replied.

Harry walked away. He walked through the corridors not paying attention to the students who were already roaming the halls.

Who was the woman Professor Lupin was talking to? Was it the woman he saw at the station with Brenna and her companion? Emma, he had called her Emma. Professor Lupin had been very surprised to see her. And she had known his parents. "And Sirius." He whispered.

"Harry!" He heard his name called.

Harry looked behind him to find Ron and Hermione running toward him.

"Didn't you hear us call?" Asked Ron, panting as he came to a stop before Harry.

"No." Said Harry simply.

Harry saw them share a worried glance before turning to look at him once more.

"What happened?" Asked Hermione watching him closely.

"Nothing. I just woke up too early and couldn't go back to sleep." Harry said with a shrug and continued walking. He could hear Ron and Hermione walking behind him.

"Was it the dream?" Hermione asked trying to keep step with both boys.

"Not really." Harry said.

"Have you told Dumbledore yet?" Asked Ron, his strides long enough to catch up with Harry easily.

"No. Haven't seen him yet." Harry replied.

He could feel, rather than see, Ron and Hermione share another glance. He sighed silently. He loved his friends, but they got on his nerves when they worried about him. Especially for little things like a dream that didn't even make sense to him.

Then he remembered what Lupin had told his female visitor when she said that she shouldn't have left when she did. "Dumbledore wanted you safe." Lupin had said. Did that mean that this was the woman Voldemort wanted? Voldemort had been angry and afraid that she was at Hogwarts, why? "Maybe because he knows that Dumbledore will be here to protect her." He mumbled.

"I'm sorry, didn't hear that mate." Ron said beside him.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking that maybe I should eat something before talking to Dumbledore." Said Harry. He didn't want to tell his friends about the conversation he had just heard between their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and the woman he had seen at the station. At least he thought it was she. Brenna was too young too have been talking about his parents and the woman who had served her in the train was too old. The voice had belonged to a young woman, which left Brenna's remaining companion.

He wasn't listening to what Ron and Hermione were saying and it wasn't until they walked into the Great Hall that he noticed they were once again arguing.

"Honestly, Ron. He needs to talk to Dumbledore right away, not wait until the end of classes." Hermione was saying. "I'm sure he would give Harry a note if he's late to class."

"What if we get Potions first? I don't think Snape would care if Harry had a note from the Minister himself, he will still get points off Gryffindor." Ron exclaimed.

Harry led them to the Gryffindor table. Some students were already there as were some of the teachers at the staff table.

Harry quickly turned to look at the assembled teachers. Hagrid was there and waved to him as soon as he saw him. Professor McGonagall was talking quietly to Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout seemed to be in a deep discussion with Professor Snape. But Lupin and Dumbledore were not present yet, nor was Brenna or any of her companions.

"What's wrong?" Asked Ron as he sat beside him.

"Nothing." Said Harry looking back at his friends. Both Hermione and Ron looked a little concerned. "Just looking at the Staff Table to see if Dumbledore was there."

"Oh." Exclaimed Hemione looking toward the teachers. "He's not here yet."

"I noticed that." Said Harry starting to pile some bacon and toast on his plate. "Neither is Lupin."

"It's still early yet." Said Ron taking his attention from the still missing teachers and turned to his food instead.

They didn't talk much while they ate, but sporadic conversations broke now and then. They were just finishing their meal when Professor McGonagall passed around the table with the class schedules.

Ron sighed as he looked at his. "I wished Aurors didn't have to take Potions. I would've loved to chuck my Potion book out the window."

Hermione exclaimed disapprovingly but said nothing as she knew that the boys dislike of the class derived from their dislike of Professor Snape and not from the subject itself.

"Double Transfiguration first." Said Harry noting the lessons for that day. "And Double Charms this afternoon."

"Well, at least we don't have to worry about Snape yet." Said Ron happily.

"Not until tomorrow at any rate." Said Harry.

"And Double Potions to boot." Groaned Ron.

"Honestly." Exclaimed Hermione. "Potions it's important as you well know."

"Not the way Snape teaches it." Murmured Harry.

"At least we have Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms to look forward to in the morning." Said Ron. "I want to talk to Lupin about that Experimental Charms class Dumbledore was talking about. I'm sure it would be something that I'll need to learn anyways for Auror training."

Harry nodded his agreement he was also looking forward to taking that class but his thoughts turned once more to the unknown woman he knew would be teaching that class. Why did Dumbledore want her safe that she had been kept away for close to eighteen years? And why does Voldemort want her?

Hermione's voice snapped him out of thoughts.

"...and I'm sure it will be a great experience." She finished, she looked at him expectantly as if waiting for his opinion.

"Er...yeah, I'm sure." He said cautiously. He sighed with relief when Hermioen smiled at him happily knowing that he had said the right thing.

"What classes are you taking?" Asked Ron curious to see how many classes Hermione was taking this year.

"Well, there's Potions, Charms, Herbology, Transfiguration, History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts, of course. I kept Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, I had thought to drop Care of Magical Creatures but thought that maybe Hagrid would be hurt so I decided to keep it after all, and if I take this new class, that would make ten classes." She said looking down at her schedule.

Harry and Ron shared an exasperated glance, only Hermione would keep taking more classes than she needed.

"Let's get our things." Said Hermione pushing her plate aside and standing from the table. "We're still early but I want to make sure we get to class on time."

"You go ahead." Said Harry, he had turned to look at the Staff table and noticed that Dumbledore and Lupin had joined the other professors.

"But what about your books?" Asked Ron, he had followed the direction of Harry's gaze and knew that his friend wanted to talk to the Headmaster for a minute.

"Bring them with you, I'll meet you in class." Harry said and started to walk toward the Staff table.

He didn't bother to turn back and see whether Ron and Hermione followed him or decided to go on without him.

Most of the teachers were still sitting, having hushed conversations with their neighbors, only a few had left to prepare for the day's lessons. Harry was glad to notice that Snape was no longer present.

"Harry! 'ello there, 'ad a nice night?" Harry said as Harry walked by him.

"Well enough." Smiled Harry.

"Good. Come by me cabin at the end of classes, eh? Didn't get to talk much te yer this summer." Hagrid said.

"Will do." Said Harry and continued down the table toward Dumbledore.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Asked Lupin, who was sitting beside the Headmaster, as soon as he noticed Harry.

"Er – I had a dream last night." Harry said looking at Dumbledore who had not said a thing but was aware of what had been said.

"I see." Dumbledore said. "Go into the room at the end of the Hall, Harry, you know the way."

Harry looked toward the room Dumbledore had pointed to. He did know the room well, it was the same one he had to go into when his name was called for the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry nodded and hurried to the room.

He didn't have to wait for long. Dumbledore came in a minute later with Professor Lupin and Professor McGonagall in tow.

"Sit, Harry, no need to stand." Dumbledore said summoning four chairs toward them. Harry sat unhurriedly. He didn't know how to begin.

"Well, you were saying Harry? You had a dream last night." Dumbledore said looking at Harry closely.

"Yes." Said Harry softly. He cleared his throat abruptly before continuing. "It wasn't long, you see, it was just for a minute. There was a man lying before him and he was sitting in this large chair. Couldn't see the room well, it was too dark, they were near the fire so I could only see them."

"What were they saying, Harry?" Urged Lupin gently.

"Er – the man on the floor was telling him that somebody, a woman I think, wasn't where she was supposed to be." Harry said with a thoughtful frown as he tried to remember the details of the dream. "That she was here at Hogwarts. And then he got very angry. That's when I woke up." Harry said.

"A woman? He's after a woman?" Asked Lupin looking at Dumbledore. "Is it Emma?" He asked in a whisper meant to be low enough for Harry not to hear, but he did.

"Could be. But don't forget that she was one of three women who came to us." Dumbledore.

McGonagall had remained silent but Harry could see that she was worried.

"Was that all you saw, Harry?" Dumbledore said turning his attention back to Harry.

"Yes, Professor." Harry replied.

"What did you feel?" Dumbledore asked peering at Harry above his half-moon glasses.

"Er – well, he was angry." Harry said, "but, there was something else, he was afraid."

"Afraid? What was Voldermort afraid of?" Asked Lupin in surprise.

Harry shrugged.

"He's afraid of what she could teach Harry." Dumbledore said with a certainty that Harry could've sworn Dumbledore had known about the dream before he had said anything. "Very well, why don't you go down to class Harry."

"Do you need a note for your teacher?" Asked Lupin.

"That won't be necessary Remus. I have Mr. Potter in my first class." McGongall said. "Run along, Potter. Class will start in a few minutes."

Harry nodded and hurried out the door, but not before he heard some of the conversation he was leaving behind.

"What do you think, Albus? Should we sent her away?" Harry heard McGonagall say with trepidation.

"No, he's looking for her and will try whatever means necessary to get her. She's safe here." Dumbledore replied.

"Should Emma know?" Asked Lupin worriedly.

"She and her companions knew of the risks when they left the isle and came to Hogwarts." Dumbledore replied.

Harry didn't hear anymore. He hurried down the Great Hall, where some students still sat, and made his way toward Transfiguration class. His mind was churning with questions and conjectures but he didn't know figure out the puzzle of his dream.

Ron and Hermione were waiting for him outside the classroom.

"Well? What did he say?" Asked Ron as soon as Harry had joined them.

"Not much." Harry said.

"He's not going to say much about it, will he? Specially if it's Order business." Hermione said as they walked into the classroom.

"I suppose." Harry said.

They sat in their regular seats and Harry had begun telling them what he had heard after talking to Dumbledore when Professor McGonagall walked into the room.

"All right, settle down." She said as students scrambled into their seats. "As sixth years I expect great things from you. You are here because you have shown through your O.W.L. exams that you can handle the load of Advanced Transfiguration. We'll be working with difficult transfiguration techniques and I expect all of you to do your best in this class, you only have one more year of training and will be expected to know it all by the time for N.E.W.T. exams. Take out your book and turn to chapter one. We'll start with a light review of what he have done in the past five years."

"Does she expect us to remember everything we did in the past? I can't even remember what we did before we left for the summer." Whispered Ron to Harry.

Harry nodded his agreement. He himself didn't remember what they had done last year except for the basics and by the looks of the other students he wasn't the only one. Only Hermione looked confident and Harry was sure that she had been the only one who had reviewed her notes before coming to class this morning.

For the first time since he had come into class he noticed the diversity of the students. In the past, Transfiguration class had been taken with their own housemates. This time, he could see students from other houses. He was not happy to note that Malfoy was there, but was glad to see that his friends, Goyle and Crabbe, were not there. Probably didn't pass the O.W.L.s, he thought.

McGonagall was talking once more and Harry turned to pay attention, it wouldn't do have been asked a question and have McGonagall reprimand him in front of everybody, especially Malfoy, for not paying attention.

The review wasn't as bad as he had imagined. Surprisingly, he did remember most of what had been asked and was glad to know the answers of the questions McGonagall had made to him.

The only one not happy about the class seemed to be Malfoy. It was the first time in five years that Harry saw him not flanked by Crabbe and Goyle and it seemed that in a sense, Malfoy missed them. There were other Slytherins in the class but Harry guessed none of them were very eager to seem too close to Malfoy after the news of his father's imprisonment last June, only one Slytherin sat near Malfoy and Harry recognized him as Nott, the kid who had tried to attack Harry along with Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle after the attack on the Ministry. And as his father was a Death Eater as well, it didn't surprise Harry that he was keeping close to Malfoy.

The class ended and Harry hurried out the door with Ron and Hermione. He was not too keen to spend any more time than necessary with Malfoy.

"Didn't seem too happy, did he?" Murmured Ron as if he had read Harry's mind. "Malfoy I mean."

"I'm not surprised Crabbe and Goyle weren't in class." Said Hermione. "I believe their O.W.L. results were not sufficient to allow them to take the class."

"No surprise there." Said Ron.

"They're still going to be trouble." Harry said. "Them and Nott. All their fathers have been proved to be Death Eaters and they're not too happy about it."

"But after what happened in the train at the end of term they would think twice about attacking you." Ron said.

"I don't think so. Malfoy is smart enough to make plans and I'm not always going to be lucky enough to have members of the D.A. looking after me." Harry replied.

"Then it's up to you, isn't it?" Said Hermione. "You'll have to be with somebody at all times and keep your eyes open."

Harry groaned. He knew that Hermione was right and they were only trying to keep him safe, but he was sure that he could take care of himself and definitely didn't need a bodyguard detail at all times.

Harry saw Ron shake his head at Hermione slowly as if trying to keep Harry from seeing him doing so. Hermione glared at him but didn't say anymore.

"Is he still a Prefect?" Harry asked. He hadn't seen the Prefect badge on Malfoy's robes, but then again he didn't noticed much about him except for the fact that he was alone.

"Technically, he still is." Said Ron.

"What does that mean?" Asked Harry surprised to find out that Dumbledore had kept Malfoy as one of the Slytherin Prefects.

"He is still a perfect for Slytherin but he has no power over any other house. He and Pansy are in probation, they are still in charge of the Slytherin first years and in keeping order in the common room, they'll do patrol duties, but only if they're accompanied by the Head Boy or Girl. He can't take points off any student that is not in Slytherin and if any of them don't follow the restrictions they will lose their badge." Hermione explained.

"And if they lose the badge, Dumbledore will chose somebody else to be Prefects." Ron added.

"But they will have the same restrictions as Malfoy and Pansy." Hermione replied.

"It's like the whole house is on probation." Ron said.

"Snape might not be too happy about this." Harry said worriedly.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't dare make our lives more miserable than he already does." Ron said looking confident but his shaky voice showed clearly how worried he was.

"I'm sure Dumbledore won't let him." Said Hermione trying to soothe their worries.

They made their way down the corridors, blending with the other students, as they made their way to the Great Hall.

The Hall slowly filled with students eager for a break from their studies.

Hermione pulled out her notes as soon as she sat along the Gryffindor Table. Ron and Harry said nothing, they were too used to seeing Hermione with books and notes in her hands.

There was a slight commotion at the staff table. Students turned their heads to get a better view of what was happening, Harry and Ron among them.

"Who is she?" Asked Ron.

A woman was walking beside Dumbledore, greeting the teachers present. Some were very happy to see and hugged her happily as she was reintroduced to them.

"That's the woman I saw at the station. The one I told you about." Said Harry as he saw the woman sit beside Dumbledore with Lupin at her other side.

"The one Lupin was surprised to see?" Hermione asked, pulling herself from her notes long enough to see what had caught the attention of everybody in the Hall.

"Yeah." Replied Harry looking at the woman with curiosity.

She looked young compared to the rest of the teachers around her, but Harry was sure that she was the same age as Lupin and Snape, who sat broodingly at the other end of the table.

"I wonder what she's doing here." Murmured Ron.

"Do you think she's the woman Voldemort wants, Harry?" Asked Hermione, her brow furrowed in thought.

"I don't know, but it fits doesn't it?" Said Harry looking at the woman closely.

She was a thin woman, not as tall as he had first suspected. Next to Professor Lupin she seemed short and he knew that Lupin wasn't too tall, she barely reached his shoulders. But Harry noticed the glances that Professor Lupin kept throwing her way, as if trying to make sure she was there at his side.

*~*~*~*~*

The rest of the day passed without incident. After Charms, Harry, along with Ron and Hermione, returned to Gryffindor Tower to return their books before making their way to Hagrid's cabin. They didn't spend much time with him, as it seemed that he was expecting visitors. But they did stay long enough to ask him a few questions.

"Who was that woman with Dumbledore, Hagrid? You know the one that came in with Dumbledore." Hermione had asked.

"Eh? Yer mean Emma?" Hagrid asked with confusion.

"Is that her name?" Hermione urged Hagrid to say more.

"Yeh, Emma Holmes." Hagrid said. "Dumbledore asked her to come to teach you lot a new class."

"The Experimental Charm class?" Ron asked surprised. "I thought Lupin was going to teach that one."

"No, Emma'll do it. Great at Charms, she was. Used to work for the Ministry at one time." Hagrid replied as he scratched Fang's ears. "Came to 'ogwats she did."

"When? When was she here?" Asked Harry abruptly.

Hagrid looked worriedly at him. "Er...long time ago, she did. C'mon ye lot, ye need to go, lots to do, lots to do." Hagrid hurried them out the door. "Com' anytime." He waved them goodbye and closed the door with a snap.

"Well." Exclaimed Hermione feeling somewhat confused and angry at the same time.

"In a hurry, wasn't he?" Ron said shaking his head as they started off back to the castle.

"He didn't want to tell us when she came to Hogwarts." Harry said.

"He must have thought you shouldn't know that she was here the same time your parents were." Hermione said.

"I suppose." Harry said.

Students were walking around the grounds, eager to leave the castle after a full day of classes. The weather was nice and sunny and many were happy to take advantage of such a day.

Harry, Ron and Hermione choose to go to the Gryffindor tower. "We have work to do." Hermione had said.

Harry and Ron agreed to return to the tower and start with the work left to them that morning. They knew that if they didn't Hermione would only complain no matter what else they chose to do. At least, if they worked with her, they had the guarantee that their work would be correct.

After a couple of hours of reading through their notes and scratching sentences off their parchment, Harry pushed his quill and books aside and sighed tiredly.

Ron saw him and stopped writing while Hermione did the same.

"Anything wrong?" She asked looking at Harry worriedly.

"No." Said Harry. "I just don't feel like writing anymore."

Ron pushed his parchment aside as well. "I know what you mean, mate."

Hermione seemed to struggle with herself. She was happily finishing her paper but she wanted to keep an eye on Harry. Since they returned to Hogwarts the night before, his emotional dam seemed to be cracking. While they had been at the Manor they had kept him so busy with estate matters and then the planning of the Quidditch training that they hadn't given him time to think about what had happened last June. He hadn't even bothered to ask for the Daily Prophet to see what was happening in the Wizarding World, but Hogwarts seemed to have brought it all back to him. Ron had told her that morning what had happened the night before in their dormitory and that ridiculous article in the paper. At least he hasn't lost his temper, she thought. She still shuddered at the memory of Harry's loss of control the summer after Voldemort's return. She hadn't known how to deal with an angry Harry, not then and she certainly didn't know how to now.

"I think I'll go and see Professor Lupin." Harry said as he put his books into his bag. "I want to talk to him about this new class."

"Oh, if you are going to see him - " Hermione was interrupted by Ron.

"We'll wait for you here, Hermione and I need to discuss some Prefect business anyway." Ron said.

Harry nodded and started toward the portrait hole.

"What - ?" Hermione snapped.

"Later." Ron said silencing her instantly.

Harry didn't seem to notice them. He climbed out of the portrait hole and made his way to Lupin's office.

He didn't know why he wanted to talk to Lupin, it certainly wasn't because of the new class, he just knew that he needed to. He was the only connection he had left with his parents. Sirius had been the personification of his father, at least in his eyes. He had been James Potter's closest friend and because of that close relationship he had been Harry's godfather. But now that connection was gone and the only one left was Lupin.

He hadn't noticed that he had arrived at Lupin's office until he stood before the closed door. Harry hesitated for a minute before lifting his arm and knocking sharply on the door.

"Come in." Lupin called from within.

Harry sighed and grasping the knob, twisted it and opened the door.

"Professor?" Harry said coming into the room. Lupin was alone. Several pages of parchment were scattered around his desk and he was sitting scrabbling unhurriedly across the parchments.

"Oh, hello Harry." Lupin smiled. "Come in, I'm just making some notes for my next class." Harry nodded and entered the room, he thought for a minute before closing the door behind him.

"Anything I can do for you, Harry?" Lupin asked looking up from his notes and crossing his arms across his chest.

"Er...just...just wanted to talk to you about the new class." Harry said hurriedly before he changed his mind and decided to leave.

"I see. I was expecting you to come to me about it." Lupin said with a smile. "Why don't you take a seat?" He nodded to the chair across from him before the desk.

Harry sat in the chair Lupin had motioned to him and glanced across the parchments on the desk.

"I see no problem with you taking the class, I'll just need you to get Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick to sign this form and I'll get your name on the list of students." Lupin said pulling a parchment from one of the piles on the desk. "The class will require great knowledge of both transfiguration and charms, that's why the professors' signatures are needed." He explained.

"Why is it a part of Defense Against the Dark Arts then if it's based on transfiguration and charms?" Harry asked curiously, the dark thoughts that had accompanied him on his way from the Gryffindor common room seemed to have dissipated.

"The things you'll learn in this class were first researched twenty years ago when Voldemort first started to make an appearance." Lupin replied.

"I see." Said Harry. "So these charms are relatively new."

"In a way. They were tested and researched but were never used. Dumbledore and some members of the Ministry thought it would be a good idea to bring them out once more and experiment with them. You'll be working mainly with forms of protection and stealth." Lupin continued.

"That would be useful." Said Harry, looking forward to learning new methods that had never been used before.

"We think so." Smiled Lupin.

"Who'll teach it?" Harry finally asked.

Lupin looked hesitant for a minute before answering. "Professor Holmes will."

Harry looked up curiously. "Who's that?"

"A new member of our staff." Lupin replied. "You'll meet her soon enough. She'll be looking forward to meeting you." He added with a sad smile.

"Why?" Asked Harry, hoping that Lupin would tell him more about this mysterious woman.

Lupin looked sharply at him as trying to make up his mind. "She was a Gryffindor at the same time we attended Hogwarts." Harry knew perfectly well who the "we" were.

"She knew mum and dad?" Harry asked softly.

Lupin sighed deeply before he replied. "She was a close friend of Lily's."

Harry looked down at the form in his hands. A wave of emotion swelled within him. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad about the prospect of meeting a new friend of his parents.

"Why haven't I met her before?" Harry finally spoke.

Lupin seemed to have been waiting for his question as he responded promptly. "She has been in hiding for many years, Harry. She didn't know about the events that followed her retirement from our world."

"How could she not know?" Asked Harry surprised. "I thought everybody knew, I have been haunted by those events since I first stepped into Hogwarts."

"She was in a place that had elected to be shielded from the outside world, muggle and magical alike. No news of our worlds is transmitted to its inhabitants under any circumstances. Only its leaders and guardians know of what happens around the world and are aware of the dangers that have plagued our world in the last couple of decades." Lupin explained. "Dumbledore sent her there after Voldemort tried to kidnapped her after the Ministry was attacked." Lupin continued, his eyes were sad and Harry could've sworn that he wasn't seeing what was around him but images of what had happened in the past. "Voldemort didn't succeed but Emma needed to be hidden. This place was the perfect place and she was sent there. Until she arrived last night, nobody knew that she had returned to our world and was to continue with her unfinished work."

"What was her work?" Harry asked curiously.

Lupin looked at Harry as if surprised he was still there. "I don't really know, all we knew was that it was secret and that the work was meant to be a weapon against Voldemort. After the attack on the Ministry, most of the people working on the project died or disappeared, Emma is the only survivor." He said.

"And she's going to teach it to us now?" Harry was excited about the prospect of learning from a woman who had made it her career to find a way to defeat Voldemort. Wasn't it his destiny to defeat him? It was Voldemort or Harry, wasn't it? He needed all the help he could get.

"Not everything." Laughed Lupin in the face of Harry's eagerness. "She and Dumbledore will probably set the proper curriculum."

"Well, it'll be good I suppose." Harry replied.

Lupin smiled at his young friend. "There was something Dumbledore wanted me to speak to you about." He suddenly said.

Harry looked abruptly up to his professor. Was he about to start Occlumency lessons once more?

"Dumbledore is interested in this Army of yours." Lupin said.

Harry blushed. "It's not my army, it's just a name." He mumbled.

Lupin smiled. "We know. But Dumbledore thinks it's a good idea to continue it." Harry looked at him with surprise.

"He does?"

"Yes. There must be some changes of course, to make it into an official club." Lupin continued.

"Like what?" Asked Harry eagerly. He had enjoyed teaching the DA last year, he felt that because of it, they survived the events in the Department of Mysteries last June.

"Well, for one, you need a member of the faculty to be your sponsor. You'll still be in charge, the sponsor is just there to chaperone, to make sure that there's no problems and to help if needed." Lupin explained the moment he noticed the bewildered expression on Harry's face.

"Can it be anybody?" Harry asked.

"Of course, whoever you want." Lupin replied.

"Would you be ours?" Harry asked promptly.

Lupin smiled. "Are you sure? I might not be able to attend during the full moon."

"That doesn't matter, we can schedule the meetings around it." Harry responded.

"Well, in that case, I'll be glad to be the sponsor to the DA." Lupin smiled.

Harry grinned happily. "What else do we need to make it an official club?"

"One thing Dumbledore was concerned about was the lack of attendance from a certain house." Lupin said.

Harry groaned. He knew that Slytherin had not taken part of the DA the previous year, and they had all been happy about it. He didn't know how the others would take this piece of news.

"In order for the DA to be official, it needs to be open to all students, and I mean All, Harry, no matter in what house they might reside." Lupin said staring kindly at Harry as if commiserating with him, knowing how deep rivalries ran between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Harry sighed resignedly. "I'll call a meeting and tell the others about this. I don't know how they'll take it."

"Very well. You can use my classroom if you wish." Offered Lupin.

"That's all right, we have a room already." Harry said.

"As you wish. It's getting late, you should get to bed." Said Lupin noticing the darkness through his open window.

"Alright." Sighed Harry. "I'll tell you what the group decided." He said as he turned toward the door.

Lupin nodded.

Harry walked back to the Gryffindor tower in better spirits than he had been before. The idea of calling back a meeting for the DA had raised his plunging morale. He knew the others would be happy to meet once more, but he didn't know about opening it to Slytherins.

"Malfoy would make trouble." He murmured.

He was standing before the Fat Lady portrait.

"Password?" She asked.

"Twinkle Lights." Replied Harry and hurried through the portrait hole.

Ron and Hermione were still sitting at the table he had left them at.

"How did it go?" Asked Ron the moment he saw Harry.

"Fine. He gave me a form for McGonagall and Flitwick to sign." Harry replied sitting in the couch nearby.

The common room was mostly empty only a few students remained working in silence.

"Why?" Asked Ron putting away his parchment and quills.

"Lupin said that we must have good notes on Transfiguration and Charms to attend this new class." Harry responded.

"Why?" Asked Ron again.

Hermione glared at him to be silent, Harry only smiled.

"We'll be learning some experimental charms and the new professor and Dumbledore want to be sure we can handle it, I guess." Harry replied.

"New professor? I thought Lupin was going to teach it." Exclaimed Ron.

"Obviously he doesn't have the experience necessary to teach that class." Said Hermione. "I wonder who'll it be."

"Professor Holmes." Said Harry. "Emma Holmes."

"That woman we saw today?" Ron seemed curious about this new person joining the staff. Harry nodded. "Lupin said she was a good friend of my mother when they attended Hogwarts."

"Well, we had guessed that. Hagrid didn't want to talk much about her, remember." Hermione said thoughtfully. "What else did he say?"

"She used to work for the Ministry. She and others were trying to find a way to defeat Voldemort. That's were most of the experimental charms we'll be working on came from, but they were never used. I gathered there was an attack on the Ministry and Voldemort tried to kidnap her. Dumbledore sent her away to hide and hasn't been back since then. Almost eighteen years ago." Harry explained, his brow furrowed in thought as he tried to remember everything Lupin had told him about their new professor.

"She has been gone for eighteen years?" Exclaimed Hermione.

Harry nodded slowly, his eyes vague and his expression thoughtful.

"Why is she back now? I would think that if she was in danger then, when You-Know-Who was still in power then it stands to reason that she will be in more danger now that he's back." Said Ron.

"Lupin said that she still has a job to finish." Harry said quietly.

"And what better time to use those experimental charms they had created to fight him." Said Hermione. "The Order will need all the help it can get."

Harry nodded in agreement. "And I wager she'll be of great help. She'll be teaching us new forms of protection and stealth."

"That sounds like something we should be learning in Auror training." Ron sounded surprised, and Harry couldn't blame him.

"Dumbledore obviously wants us to learn it. He wouldn't have brought her out of hiding if he didn't think it was important." Hermione said.

"You're right." Said Harry. "With my luck, I'll probably be needing it."

Harry didn't notice the worried glance that Ron and Hermione shared.

Harry took a deep sigh. "There was something else." He said suddenly.

"What?" Asked both Ron and Hermione looking worried.

"He said Dumbledore is interested in making the DA an official club." Harry said smiling.

Hermione looked relieved.

"That's great." Exclaimed Ron happily.

"But there are some regulations we should follow if we do so." Harry warned.

"I don't see any problems with our current group, of course there will be no need for concealment so we won't have need of the original signed list." Hermione said thoughtfully.

Ron snorted with mirth. "I don't know, I liked that list. Marietta Edgecombe will think twice before she spills any secrets any time soon."

Harry chuckled. He had noticed their former DA member in the feast and although there were no more spots on her face there were still some markings marring her skin and she had tried to hide them with heavy makeup.

"There's no need for it anymore, now is there? But we can create a new one, where each member makes an oath not to use our knowledge against each other and only for defense purposes." Hermione said as she started to make notes on a new parchment. Harry was sure she had started to make a new manifest for the DA.

"We'll need it." Said Harry. "Considering what Dumbledore wants us to do to make it official."

"What does he want?" Asked Ron cautiously.

"Well, first, we need a sponsor. A professor to be there to chaperon us and help if we need it." Harry said. "I asked Lupin and he agreed to be our sponsor."

"That wasn't too bad and Lupin will be of great help there." Hermione said still making notes in her parchment.

"And second," said Harry slowly, "he wants the DA to be available to all students, including Slytherins."

"What?" Exclaimed Ron. "We can't do that, they'll only make trouble."

Even Hermione looked a little worried. "I suppose I understand that, an official club should be open to all." She sighed resignedly. "I don't see how we can keep it only between our current members."

"I was thinking of calling a meeting of the current members and talk about this. They all should have a say in this." Harry said.

Hermione nodded. "You're right. They do. And if we choose to open it to Slytherin we'll need to discuss how we can keep peace within the group."

"Well, that new parchment is an idea." Ron said nodded to parchment Hermione had been writing on. "I don't mind seeing the Slytherin's faces breaking out in spots."

Harry chuckled but he couldn't help but agreeing with Ron. He yawned and suddenly he felt very tired. "I think I'll go to bed now." He said. "I'll call a meeting for the end of this week. Are the coins still working?" He asked looking at Hermione.

"They should." Hermione said with a frown. "I see no reason for them to stop working, even if it has been some time since we've used them."

Harry nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He said and started up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"Good night!" Hermione called behind him.

Harry walked silently up to the fifth year boy dormitories. All the other rooms were silent and dark.

He found Seamus, Dean and Neville already in bed. Lotty was standing beside Harry's bed turning down the sheets. His pajamas were set neatly at the foot of his bed and on the chair next to his bed were his spare set of school robes and uniform ready for the next day.

"Thank you Lotty." Harry said. "Why don't you go and turn in for the night."

"If Master Harry is sure." Whispered Lotty looking a little disappointed by Harry's dismissal.

"I'm sure." Smiled Harry. He knew that Lotty expected to help him with every little thing, but for fifteen years Harry had done on his own and he wasn't used to having a personal elf to help him with all his every need.

Lotty's shoulders dropped slightly before disappearing with a pop.

Minutes later Harry tucked himself safely into his bed. Neville's soft snoring lulling him to sleep. His last thought before falling asleep was about the DA and the new professor he hoped to meet face to face soon.

*~*~*~*~*

A/N: There you go. Harry has learned a little about Emma and about the new class that Dumbledore has in mind for the 6th and 7th years. Next Chapter: the return to the D.A. Don't forget to review!!!!