CHAPTER 15: Hippogriffs and Confrontations
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the anything except the plot and original characters. The rest belongs to JK Rowling.
A/N: WOW ONLY FOUR AND A HALF HOURS UNTIL HBP COMES OUT! I wrote like crazy today to get this chapter out before tomorrow…I hope it gets onto ffnet by then. But I'm going to be busy the next few days reading the latest installment like I bet all of you will, but I should be ready to update in hopefully a week and a half to two weeks. Enjoy the HBP, both my version and JKR's! Please keep reading after HBP comes out…I hopefully will then begin writing a Seventh Year fic…ENJOY!
REVIEWS:
Glenlightarrow: Hey thanks for review! Yea…The sorting hat's song was supposed to have many of the same words(hint hint!) and I was just too lazy to think up much else haha. Ostracize means to banish from a group. Sort of like being left out. Well, anyways thanks for the review and enjoy the chapter!
Phoenix3790: Thanks for the review and here it is!
Jamster the great: Hey thanks for the review I'm glad you like it! About the Harry-Ginny ship…I doubt it will happen in the real books but I like writing and reading it. Don't ask me why…Hopefully we will get a much better idea of who Harry likes and such in the real Half-Blood Prince and I can incorporate that into a Post HBP fic. At least I'm hoping I'll get around to it!
Hary9970: Thanks for the review!
CHAPTER 15: Hippogriffs and Confrontations
The next morning dawned bright and clear; there couldn't be a worse day to start classes on. "Oh," groaned Ron that morning as the sixth year schedules were being passed out. "Why did I ever agree to take Potions again? I thought I was done!"
"Well, I thought you wanted to be an auror," Hermione responded.
"Yeah, but now I'm not too sure," said Ron, pointing at his schedule. "Double Potions right away this morning! And we're all in one class now, so that means we're with the Slytherins!"
"Brighten up, Ron," said Harry. "We've got Care of Magical Creatures this afternoon with Hagrid. Then we have off."
"Maybe you do," said Ron, groaning again. "But I didn't drop Divination. Imagine being stuck up there with that old bat for another two years."
"You should've dropped it like I did fifth year," said Hermione, paying the owl that had just arrived with a subscription of the Daily Prophet.
As promised, Dumbledore had removed the four house tables and replaced it with one big table. It had taken awhile to find a shape that would comfortable fit all of Hogwarts students, but the teachers had settled on a square with the center cut out, creating space on the outside of the square and the inside. Then came the problem of getting students into the inside seats. This was solved by creating a small opening near the doors at the entrance of the hall. There people could file in to find seats.
This caused a disruption at the beginning of breakfast the first day. Apparently someone hadn't notified the house elves that it wouldn't be a complete square and that a section would be cut off to allow people access to the inside. As the food appeared at 7:30 sharp, anyone unlucky enough to be standing in the opening at the time got a face full of food as it fell on them. It created quite a disruption, especially when Peeves the Poltergeist decided to join in the fun and begin a food fight.
"So what's the Prophet got to say today?" asked Harry, grabbing a piece of toast and casting a repelling charm around the four of them to prevent food from hitting them.
"Well," started Hermione. "Oh REALLY!" She threw the paper down and stormed up to tell off a bunch of fourth years for throwing food. Finally the teachers and prefects—not including Ron, who was quite enjoying the spectacle—got Peeves out of the hall and the students calmed down. Harry could hear Professor McGonagall deducting house points like crazy. So much for starting off the term on a good note.
Ginny grabbed the paper and Harry peered over her shoulder to read it.
MINISTER OF MAGIC: SOON TO BE GONE?
A flustered looking Minister of Magic showed up today for the press conference on the apparent Death Eater attack that occurred Sunday during the long awaited Chudley Cannons-Puddlemere United Quidditch game. When asked as to who was behind the attacks, Cornelius Fudge barked, "Who do you think it was? Of course! He-who-must-not-be-named! Just like Albus Dumbledore has been saying for the past year and a half!"
As all of you readers must remember, Dumbledore insisted You-Know-Who returned at the beginning of the summer two years ago. Blatantly refusing to believe this, Minister Fudge failed to prepare for war and increase security measures.
As quoted several months ago, right after Fudge reportedly saw You-Know-Who himself in the Ministry of Magic, "Just because we saw him once doesn't mean he's back to full strength and capable of doing more damage right away. I feel everyone should continue on with their lives as normal until more details on his supposed return are available."
How much proof does the minister need? Harry Potter, the boy whom we all know as the Boy-Who-Lived, has reportedly faced You-Know-Who several times in the past years. Sadly, no one heeded his word until it was too late and damage had been done. No one except Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Perhaps we should be rethinking our decision as to who is the Minister of Magic. We need someone who will fight this war for us upfront; not denying that there is a war at all. If not this might turn out worse than the last, and who knows if the Boy-Who-Lived can do it again?
"Wow," said Ginny. "I can't wait until that crackpot is gone."
"Yea," said Ron excitedly. "I wonder who the next Minister will be."
"I don't think Madam Bones would be all that bad," said Harry thoughtfully. "She seemed really good at her current post."
Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff and Madam Bones' niece, was sitting across the table a few chairs down from Harry, Ginny and Ron and overheard their conversation. "Oh, I don't think Aunt Amelia wants the job that much, Harry. But I will be sure to tell her she has your support."
"Why doesn't she want it?" asked Ron.
"I don't think she wants all the responsibility and stuff," said Susan, buttering a piece of toast. "It's a lot of stress, especially with the war going on. She would like to support Dumbledore, but he adamantly says that he doesn't want the post. That he's a much better asset to Hogwarts."
Breakfast finished up quickly once Hermione returned in a huff, and they set off for their first classes of the term. Ginny left them to go to her Defense Against the Dark Arts class with a promise to tell them what Professor Zeller was like. The other three descended to the dungeons to attend Potions.
The class didn't go too bad, considering. The Gryffindors only had 20 points deducted. Harry also managed to produce a mediocre Skele-Gro Potion and Snape passed him without saying anything. Neville had dropped the class in favor of more classes involving Herbology, so they didn't have him cowering under Snape's gaze. Harry was sure Neville would have done better if he had had a different Professor.
The class dragged on and on and on. After finishing the potion, Snape lectured them on the properties of different ingredients and their uses. Finally class neared the end and Snape passed Harry's desk. "What's this?" he asked smoothly, picking up a copy of the Quibbler, a magazine that Luna Lovegood's dad was the editor. Harry had started getting free copies since last year they had published an article on Harry and how Voldemort was back. For some reason Harry couldn't remember why that magazine was out on his desk. He had thought it was in his bag.
"Stay after class, Potter," he said sneeringly. Harry knew it was no use to argue, but Ron was just as surprised at the magazine being out on the desk as he was.
"Where did that come from?" he hissed.
"No idea."
The bell rang and the rest of the class quickly dispersed, Hermione and Ron looking back apologetically at Harry. He motioned them to go on and he would join them at lunch.
Harry sat where he was until Snape motioned him to his desk. Harry rose slowly and walked calculatingly over to his desk. "Yes, Professor?"
"You got my message?"
"Yes, sir," responded Harry.
"Be here at 8:00 sharp then," he said, not looking up from his desk.
Harry stood in front of his desk, waiting for him to rant about the magazine. It didn't come. "Potter, you may leave."
"But sir!" said Harry, not believing he was almost asking for punishment. "What about the magazine?"
Only now did Snape raise his penetrating glare to Harry's face. "Mr. Potter, did you not see me take the magazine out of your bag?"
"N…n…no," Harry sputtered, confused. Then it came to him. He grinned. "I was wondering where it had come from."
Snape didn't return the grin, but Harry thought he looked amused. "Yes, see to it that you aren't reading magazines in class again."
"Yes sir," said Harry as he turned to leave.
"Do not be late Mr. Potter."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lunch was a quiet affair, the only notable thing that happened was Michael Corner and Zacharias Smith walking up to him and asking if they were going to continue with the DA club again this year.
"I really don't know," said Harry, looking at Hermione and Ron. "What do you guys think?"
"It would be nice," said Hermione. "From what Ginny said Professor Zeller knows what she's doing but it wouldn't hurt for more practice."
"Yea," said Harry. "Maybe we should go see Dumbledore about continuing it first. The Room of Requirement isn't that much of a secret now, but I supposed Malfoy and some of the Slytherins could join the club."
"WHAT?" Michael half-shouted. "Let the Slytherins join? Are you out of your mind Harry?"
"Hello Potter," said Draco just then, sitting down across the table from him with a guy Harry recognized as Blaise Zambini and a cute girl named Daphne Greengrass, both Slytherins. It seemed he had ditched Crabbe and Goyle, or else they had ditched him.
Zacharias and Michael just stared. Harry grinned. "Hey Malfoy," then to the other two, "I'll let you know the date by the galleons Hermione made us last year. You still have those, don't you?"
They both nodded, glancing back and forth between Harry and Draco. "Spread the word then to have those where you can notice the date change."
They nodded again before moving off, whispering and glancing over their shoulders as Harry started telling Malfoy all about the DA club.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The afternoon passed quickly with Care of Magical Creatures. It was Hagrid's last class; he had wanted to teach Harry one last time before moving to France with Madam Maxine. The announcement was to be made that night at dinner.
"Well, now," said Hagrid, grinning at Harry, Hermione and Ron as they showed up with the rest of the Gryffindors. "I have a surprise for ya. Gonna be a righ' treat it is."
Wondering what dangerous creature Hagrid had conjured up for them and their last lesson, the class slowly followed Hagrid to the paddock behind his house. To the class's surprise, there were five Hippogriffs in the paddock. Harry spotted a familiar-looking one and recognized Buckbeak. Thinking of Buckbeak brought a lump to his throat as it reminded him of Sirius.
"Since this here is my las' class," said Hagrid, smiling at Harry's surprise through his long thick beard, "I thought I would bring back the hippogriffs, yer firs' lesson ever."
Harry, from his spot on the other side of Ron and Hermione, glanced over to see Draco's reaction. He hadn't listened to Hagrid the first class back in third year and had ended up being bit by Buckbeak. To his surprise, Draco was actually looking happy at having another chance with the hippogriffs.
"Harry, since you were the firs' to ride 'im last time," said Hagrid, "You can be the firs' this time." Harry eagerly climbed the fence and walked over to Buckbeak who recognized him and made the sort of squawk that hippogriffs make in greeting. Harry bowed, waiting for Buckbeak to bow back and allow him to approach.
Buckbeak bent his scaly knees and lowered his head, allowing Harry to come forward and stroke his beak. "Very good Harry," said Hagrid laughing. To the class, "Harry has gotten to know old Buckbeak the pas' few years. Up you go, Harry," he boosted Harry onto Buckbeak's back and slapped him on the rump. Buckbeak took off into the air.
The ride was just as exhilarating as Harry remembered. Not quite the same as riding a broom, but there was a certain thrill about riding a real animal that a broom just didn't convey.
Buckbeak took him up and around the lake before returning to the paddock and the rest of the class. The rest of the students eagerly moved forward to claim a hippogriff; many more than their first third year lesson. Malfoy and his new cronies, Blaise Zambini and Daphne Greengrass, came over to Buckbeak and Harry who was stroking his beak. Buckbeak was lazily resting his head on Harry's shoulder and had his eyes half open.
"Hey, Potter," said Malfoy, stopping a few feet away as Buckbeak opened one eye and gazed at him. "Mind if I have a go?"
"Go ahead," said Harry. "Just not like last time, okay?"
Malfoy grinned. "Deal."
"Okay. Buckbeak," said Harry to the hippogriff, "this is Draco Malfoy. He insulted you a long time ago, but now he's nice and thinks you're great. Will you give him a ride?" Buckbeak looked at Harry for a moment, then turned to Malfoy and bent his knees and lowered his head in a clumsy bow.
Malfoy looked stunned. He bowed quickly, and when Buckbeak stayed bowed, he cautiously walked over to him and stroked his beak. Harry backed off and joined Ron and Hermione in watching.
Buckbeak gave Malfoy the ride of his life. When they returned Malfoy was grinning ear to ear and even Hagrid looked pleased. The rest of the class was in shock at the different attitude.
The rest of the afternoon for Harry was spent in doing the little bit of homework he received and wandering the halls, intent to eventually make it to Professor Dumbledore's office. Hermione was in Arithmancy, Ron in Divination, and Ginny in Transfiguration, leaving Harry by himself.
Harry was deep in thought, lost in his own world when someone called his name from behind him. "Harry!" He walked on, oblivious to his surroundings. Suddenly the seam on his bag split and his books came tumbling out, ink bottles breaking and quills going everywhere. Harry groaned.
"Harry!" Now Harry looked up and saw a pretty girl with long, flowing black hair. He gulped. Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker and the girl he went out with briefly in fifth year.
He straightened up from his books that were sopping with ink. "Hi, Cho," he said casually. "How was your summer?"
"Fine. Here, let me help you with that," she bent down and started cleaning his books with various spells.
"No, that's alright I can get it," Harry protested, squatting down to help.
"No, I insist," she said persistently. "After all, it was me who split the bag," she added wryly.
"You what!" exclaimed Harry. "Oh, yeah…fourth year." To ask Cho to the Yule Ball he had tried to get her away from her friends and the only way he could achieve that was to split her bag.
"Yeah, and you thought I didn't know!" she grinned. "So," she said as they began putting the books back in Harry's now-fixed bag. "How was your summer?"
"Well, the usual, you know," he said, not wanting to elaborate too much. "Death Eater attacks, time with the muggles, the whole works."
There was an awkward silence as the two finished packing up Harry's books and stood up. Harry ended it by, "Well, I guess I'll see you around."
"Yes," said Cho a bit breathlessly.
Harry turned to go, but Cho stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. He turned around the before he knew what was happening she kissed him. Harry stood there in shock. Ginny, think of Ginny. He pulled away and Cho looked at him questioningly.
"Harry?" she asked, coming closer again. Harry just backed up two steps for her every one until he was pinned against the wall. "Harry, I've been thinking of you all summer," she said softly to him. "I was a little—misunderstanding—last year. It will be better…"
Now she was less than half a foot away and Harry slid sideways to stay a little farther away from her. Unperturbed, she followed and slid with him. Harry didn't know what to say.
Finally he got a few words out of his mouth. "Cho, I—I'm sorry."
"Why?" she asked, coming closer. "There's nothing to be sorry about."
"Ginny," he whispered.
She stopped suddenly. "That little fifth year Weasley girl? What's she got to do with us?" She started forward again and Harry was running out of room to maneuver.
"She's my girlfriend," Harry spat out finally. He stood there feeling sick as he watched her reaction. Why did this stuff always have to happen with him? Why not Ron?
"Ohhh…," she said, backing away from Harry a little bit, looking hurt. "Well, I better be going then," she turned deep red and started backing away. Finally she turned and burst into tears, tearing off down the hall in the direction of Ravenclaw's common room.
Harry slumped against the wall stunned for several minutes before clearing his head and slowly walking in the direction of Professor Dumbledore's office.
Momentarily he reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance. Stupidly he realized he didn't know the password to get in, so he sank down underneath the Hogwarts banner and put his head in his arms.
He had thought Cho would never like him that way again. Last year he was too indifferent with other people's feelings, including hers. In a many ways he still was; he did seem to lose his temper with his friends when things were bothering him, and last year he didn't realize Cho was still so upset over Cedric Diggory dying during the Triwizard Challenge.
Life was just too stressful and confusing. He sighed loudly. "Having some trouble Harry?" asked a voice from the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
Harry started and scrambled to his feet at the sight of Professor Dumbledore smiling at him. "I'm alright," he said awkwardly. "Can I talk to you?"
"Any time, Harry," he said, gesturing him up the revolving staircase. They stood in silence for the short period of time it took to get to the top of the staircase and enter Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore offered Harry a seat in front of his desk while he himself took his usual chair behind his desk. Dumbledore sat there and twiddled his thumbs absently, waiting for Harry to speak as not to force him.
"Sir," Harry started out, "Last year Umbridge banned me from Quidditch. Has my ban been lifted yet? Professor McGonagall said she was working on it and practices are going to start up soon—," Dumbledore silenced him with a hand.
"I'm happy to say you have been fully reinstated onto the Gryffindor House Quidditch team," Harry started to cheer but stopped as Dumbledore continued, "but, I must insist you work extremely hard to win the Quidditch Cup this year."
Harry stared at Dumbledore. "Of course!" he said eagerly. "And Professor?'
"Yes, Harry?" he asked idly, stroking Fawkes' feathers.
"Well, um…we were wondering what you would think of us starting up the DA club again this year. I know we actually have a capable DADA teacher this year, but I've had several people come up to me and ask about it."
"That sounds fine to be," said Dumbledore. "It will have to be open to the whole school, however, and I'll ask Professor Zeller to supervise. And I don't think it should be known as 'Dumbledore's Army,'" he said dryly. "I don't think people would be too happy if they thought I was making an army of students."
"We wouldn't want that," said Harry darkly.
"We'll make an announcement at dinner soon," he promised. "Is there anything else you wish to talk about, Harry?"
Harry thought of everything that had happened with him as of late. No way could he talk to Dumbledore, of all people, about Cho. There was the matter of the half-blood prince, but he didn't want Dumbledore to know he knew who it most likely was and the prophecy and runes that were there. That could wait until the proper time. After all, it wasn't like Dumbledore never held secrets from him.
There really wasn't that much else important. Except one thing.
"Well…Professor?"
"Yes, Harry."
"Snape told me he would ask you about this, but—,"
"Professor Snape, Harry."
"Yes, him. Professor Snape said he would tell you about my reoccurring dreams. About Bellatrix Lestrange," he added, in case Dumbledore didn't know what he was talking about.
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said, suddenly very interested in an eagle feather quill on his desk. He didn't smile.
"Well?" asked Harry, anxious for an answer.
The aging Headmaster sighed and looked very grave. "We do not know as of yet why you have been having these. We have many ideas. Most likely it is a psychological problem. When you cast Cruciatus on her, or tried to rather, your brain responded in a way it hasn't been asked to before. You have to hate someone to a point where you enjoy their pain and suffering. As she told you, you have to mean the curse.
"Other than that, we don't know why you act the way you do when you see her or something reminds you of her. Professor Snape believes it has a lot to do with her killing Sirius. More with that than the activities that followed, including her taunting and you casting the curse."
Harry sighed. It sounded like a lot of jumble, signifying they had no clue why he acted the way he did. Harry got up slowly. "Alright, thanks Professor," he said. "I better get down to dinner, Ginny, Ron and Hermione will be waiting."
"Ah yes, time does go by fast doesn't it! Have a good night, Harry," his eyes followed the boy as he left his office. Harry could feel them on his back. Then the door closed and he stepped onto the now descending staircase.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dinner came and went and the time soon came for Harry's Occlumency lesson. He drearily dragged his feet down to Snape's office and stood in front of the closed door.
"Enter," came Snape's voice from within. Harry had no idea how they did that. People always new he was outside their door without him making a sound. Harry sighed and pushed the door open and walked in. Closing the door behind him with a hard push, he went and sat down at a desk near Snape's.
He sat there for a few minutes while Snape continued on with his school work. Finally he pushed his chair back and stood up, rolling up his sleeves. "Alright Potter."
Harry stood up and faced Snape, wand at the ready. "Clear your mind," said Snape. "Empty yourself of all feelings, as those are what the Dark Lord feeds on. He will use your worst memories to hurt you. You should know that by now."
Harry concentrated as much as he could on emptying his mind and concentrating on a blank nothingness. He nodded to Snape to indicate he was ready.
"LEGILIMENS!"
Harry felt the spell hit him and tried to concentrate harder on nothing. For a brief moment it seemed like it was working; then Snape pressed harder and delved deeper. Harry was reliving the Death Eater attack on his Aunt and Uncle's house…then he was at Sirius' Celebration and everyone was crying…he was telling his friends the prophecy…Harry was racing after Celestina Warbeck on a broom…students were filing back after the attack on the Hogwarts Express. Harry fought the memories. Fought them hard but his head was starting to throb in agony from the effort. Now he was with Draco at One Tree Hill and saw Draco stopping him from killing Bellatrix Lestrange right then and there…he felt the rage that came with hating Bellatrix Lestrange many times.
Snape suddenly let up, removing the curse from Harry. Harry opened his eyes and found himself lying on the floor clutching his scar and trembling, tears running from his eyes. He tried to sit up, angry that he had done so poorly, but Snape pushed him back down.
Harry closed his eyes, unable to look into the eyes of his Potions master. He was scared at what he might see. He heard Snape move away and rummage in a cupboard. Several minutes later he came back and lifted Harry up into a sitting position.
"Drink this, Potter," he said, touching a vial to his lips. Harry opened his eyes slightly and allowed the potion to be poured into his mouth. He spluttered at the sour taste but drank it all down.
Almost instantly his head cleared and he started to feel better. Snape helped him to his feet and led him to a chair so he could sit down. Harry stared at his hands in his lap, unable to meet his professor in the eye.
"Potter, at least look at me," he said finally. Harry reluctantly looked up. Snape sighed. "Are you okay?"
Harry nodded then said, "Why did I do so much worse than last year?"
"I assume you haven't been practicing," said Snape a bit irritably. Harry shook his head. "Potter you must not take this so lightly!" Snape said harshly. Harry knew he was right. Look what had happened last year—to Sirius. Snape had been thinking the same thing. "We've had this talk before—do you wish your godfather to have died in vain? Did the manner of his death teach you nothing?" He was half yelling at Harry now, and Harry just sat there and took it. He knew he deserved it.
Snape calmed himself down to say, "At the start I thought you had it. You went a full five seconds without me penetrating at all. All I could see was a black wall of nothing. Tell me, what did you do then that failed after the first few seconds?"
Harry thought hard. What had he been thinking about? He thought he had been concentrating on a blank nothingness…but actually he thought he was concentrating on his friends; on Ginny's beautiful face, Ron's humor and Hermione's wit and cleverness. Even on Draco's wry idle talk and teasing, his changed attitude.
Snape pressed him for an answer. Harry responded, "I…I think it was my friends."
Snape looked a little taken aback, as he probably hadn't ever heard of anyone using such a block, but recovered himself and said, "Let's try again then. Concentrate on—your friends—as much as you can. I will not keep you under the spell for as long again."
Harry braced himself and thought of his friends, starting with Ginny. He nodded when he was ready and extended his wand.
"LEGILIMENS!" cried Snape.
Harry felt the curse hit him again and felt a probe seeking a crack through a wall that Harry had erected himself. It was made up of the love of his friends and his love of them. This time it lasted longer until Snape finally did find a crack and burst in onto Harry's memories. Now he was watching Sirius fall through the veil at the Ministry of Magic…he was watching Cedric be murdered by Wormtail…then, blissfully it ended as Snape removed the spell.
Harry was still on his feet, though a little unsteady. "A little better, Mr. Potter," said Snape levelly. "Almost ten seconds that time. Come back next week at the same time. Dismissed."
Harry walked slowly to the door and exited, feeling happy that at least he had improved slightly. He looked back over his shoulder before closing the door and saw Snape peering thoughtfully off into space.
He walked quickly back to the common room, exhausted from his first day back in classes. It had been a very interesting day. Hopefully the next two days until the weekend wouldn't be quite so hectic and stressing.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review!