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- Harry Potter and the Library of Templar -

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Chapter Six :

Professor Erwin's Class

"You can't tell Harry!" The harsh whisper made Harry pause before entering the kitchen.

"Diggle, he's going to be happy!" Ron, Harry noted, wasn't concerned with keeping his voice down.

"Ron, Harry doesn't need any extra emotional trauma right now," Mrs. Weasley's voice said sternly. Harry frowned, and if anyone other than Mrs. Weasley had said that, he would have hexed them into oblivion.

"Mum, Harry isn't a china doll!" Ron's voice rang angrily in the air. "He's not going to go off his rocker, alright? You all need to stop treating him like he'll break at any moment! It's not doing him any damn good! He's starting to loose his temper and sulk around all the time like last year! And we're not helping!" Silence followed Ron's words. Harry found himself wondering what he could get Ron in thanks for his unusual insight. Had Harry been a bit more focused on Ron instead of on wondering what they were talking about, he would have noted that Ron seemed a bit too angry for the given situation.

"I'm surprised Harry hasn't asked before this," Hermione said, breaking the deafening silence.

"He's not acting like himself," Mr. Weasley agreed. Harry glowered. What were they doing, talking about him like that? He was sick of people going around and having discussions about his welfare without even asking him what he needed. In a split second, Harry made his decision. He drew back from the door and snapped it open, glaring at the room's occupants. Even with his stewing anger, Harry was surprised by how many people were in the kitchen. His shock somewhat deflated his anger. Tonks, Lupin, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Moody, Dedalus Diggle, and Kingsley Shacklebolt sat around at various spots in the room.

"Harry." Hermione's voice was a bit frightened. Had Harry seen the situation from her point, he would have been frightened too, by the look on his own face.

"What's going on?" Harry's voice came out cool, laced with anger.

"Harry, darling, why don't you sit down?" Mrs. Weasley smiled motherly at him, moving to guide him into a chair. But Harry stayed firmly where he was, eyes scanning the room's occupants.

"It's Kr-"

"Ronald!" Harry jumped at Mrs. Weasley's sharp tone. Harry wasn't sure whether or not he felt guilty for the resentment towards the Weasley matriarch.

"No, I want to know what it is," Harry said, not caring if he sounded like a petulant child. At first no one said anything.

"Kreacher is dead," Remus said calmly, a few moments later. Harry blinked. Kreacher. He hadn't even thought about what must have happened to the elf after last year. He hadn't really cared. And it was that moment that Harry realized he felt rather happy with the news. It only took a second for him to balk at the notion. He was a monster, no better than Voldemort, of that Harry was sure. He was pleased someone was dead? But though Harry knew he shouldn't, the feeling was unshakable.

"Oh." Harry couldn't think of anything else to say. He sat down next to Hermione, where he thought maybe Ron had been sitting before the boy had risen from his seat in anger (rather, Harry assumed this, what with not seeing it). He felt the others watching him as he took some toast and slathered it with jam. He bit into it, meeting their gazes in a form of a challenge.

"Oh?" Hermione was staring at him incredulously. "That's all you have to say?" Harry shrugged.

"Kreacher lied to me," Harry said, softly. "About Sirius." There was silence. Still sickened with himself by his pleasure, Harry felt compelled to ask. "How'd he die? And for that matter, where was he all summer?"

"Banished him to the boiler room straight after the Department of Mysteries," Moody said gruffly. Harry swallowed, stubbornly keeping himself from flinching. "He's been there ever since. We'd check on him every once in a while, to be sure he was there. Always muttering to himself about his mistress. Anyhow, Dumbledore says he's compromising our safety now. So he ordered us to off him. We copped his head off."

Harry stood there, really quite numb. Dumbledore had ordered Kreacher's execution. He blamed it on grief and stress, but he couldn't muster any ill feeling towards Dumbledore's decision. He was certainly appalled that Dumbledore would do something like that, but really, he didn't like Kreacher. He didn't care he was dead. It served him right.

"I don't know what possessed Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said briskly. "It wasn't Kreacher's fault that he was how he was. He simply didn't know any better and no one ever showed him any com-"

"He's part of the reason Sirius is dead," Harry snapped. "Tell Dumbledore a job well done." Harry walked out of the kitchen and slammed the door behind him. Harry spent the rest of the day in a temper, packing up his things and making sure Ron wasn't putting it off. This meant, unfortunately, they were finished by suppertime.

It was announced by Bill at dinner that Lidya Bones had been found dead in her sitting room by her daughter. Dinner was filled with speculation on what was to be gained from murdering Madame Bones's sister-in-law. Harry thought it all rather pointless as they all knew it was Voldemort. He did, however, wonder how Susan was taking it. To avoid talking to anyone, Harry declared he was tired as soon as he had finished eating Mrs. Weasley's delicious treacle tart. But it was long after Ron had come up and fell asleep that Harry finally dozed off.

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It was the first time Harry could remember the Weasleys arriving so early for the Hogwarts Express. While the twins (who came along to tease them about returning to school) and Ron declared it was because of the Ministry cars they'd taken ("Really, its just because of Harry."), Ginny and Harry shared the opinion that it was due to the fact Harry had helped Ron pack the day before and the twins were no longer attending Hogwarts. Whatever the reason, the group arrived at the platform an hour early. It was unsurprising that it was deserted outside of the train. The four quickly chose a compartment near the center, stowing their luggage away quickly. In a last-minute decision due mainly to aggravated hooting, Ron and Harry sent Hedwig and Pig along to the Owlry and had Mrs. Weasley shrink their cages.

"Kisses and hugs all around!" George announced.

"Yes, we must be getting back to the shop. Lee's likely to blow the place up," Fred stated.

"You know, that could be quite interesting. Might be good for business. I can only imagine what will happen now that he's made his first big murder." Harry couldn't help but agree with George. The murder of Susan's mum would make Voldemort a solid reality to everyone. He had already seen how their groups were closer-knit, their eyes alert throughout the alley.

"You two will have to come see the shop soon," George said, Fred nodding his agreement. Harry and Hermione had not gone to the store on their trip. Ron and Ginny had seen it the first day back and were mightily impressed with it.

"I almost get the feeling Mum's trying to keep you lot away." Harry couldn't help but smile at Fred's scheming whisper. "Good-bye!" he declared loudly, not even having to look to know his mother's eyes were watching him closely.

After the twins departed, Mrs. Weasley said her good-byes as well, leaving them with sandwiches, hugs, and a warning to stay out of trouble.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Ron whined. "The train won't be leaving for an hour!"

"More people will be here soon, Ron," Hermione said. "Some people enjoy not running for the train."

"Excuse me for not wanting to stand around doing nothing for hours on end!"

"That's such an exaggeration!" As the two started in on each other, Harry looked around, noting the driver and the woman in charge of the food cart were watching them from the corner of their eyes. It also didn't slip past him that he could see a mysterious bit of shoe near them, poking out form what Harry suspected was Moody's invisibility cloak, recently returned by the Ministry. He noticed Ginny was wondering back towards the entrance and pulling his bickering friends along, he followed her.

"Where are we going?" Ginny jumped, turning to glare at Harry.

"Warn me next time," she snapped, hand on her heart. He shrugged apologetically. "I wanted some tea and biscuits. And I'm supposed to meet Dean. He wants to introduce me to his family."

"So he asked you out then?" Harry asked curiously. Ginny blushed and nodded.

"It was really quite sweet." Harry was sure it was. He quickly pointed out a good chain café and purchased them all a big box of biscuits and a large mint tea. They sat down at a table, munching and watching passersby. Seeing half of a polished black boot lurking behind Hermione, Harry casually leaned over.

"Might want to cover up a bit, chap," Harry said calmly, settling back into his seat. The boot disappeared immediately and Harry sniggered to himself, quietly telling his friends about their baby-sitter. Just as Ginny downed the last of the tea and Ron inhaled the last biscuit, they spotted a group of familiar faces not far off. From the looks of it, Seamus and his parents and a boy (who they assumed was Seamus's younger brother) were walking with Dean and his family, which included a large assortment of children from twelve to infancy, one head of blond hair standing out from her dark-haired family.

"Dean!" called Ginny, her face lighting up. Dean turned and grinned widely when he saw her. Harry thought, privately, that Dean's smile faltered a little when he saw Ron glowering at him. Nonetheless, Dean led the large group over to them.

"This is my girlfriend Ginny Weasley," he said proudly. "And my friends Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. Guys, this is my mum, dad, my brother Nat, and my sisters Paris, Vanessa, and Lucy." They exchanged greetings politely, also getting introduced to Seamus's brother Desmond and his parents. Harry noticed other Hogwarts students arriving, muggle-borns parting with their parents near the gateway to the platform and wizarding families inconspicuously slipping onto the platform.

"Come on," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione. They quickly made their excuses and Harry promised Ginny, Dean, and Seamus he'd save them seats in a compartment.

"What is it?" asked Hermione minutes later as Harry shut the compartment door. He quickly set up silencing wards.

"I have some things to tell you and I don't want to be overheard. You two had prefect duties when the train starts," Harry explained.

"Are you going to tell us where you were all summer? Why you never wrote? Why you insist on keeping it from the Order?" asked Hermione, he voice tight and accusing.

"You need to understand that I don't understand exactly where I was,"
Harry said, ignoring his friend's accusations. "And you might think I'm crazy."

"Little late for that one, mate," Ron said jestingly. Harry grinned, swatting at the boy.

"That day Shacklebolt was watching me, these elves kidnapped me."

"Elves?" Harry sighed. He knew how this all sounded.

"What type of elves?" asked Hermione, leaning forward. "Shacklebolt told Professor Dumbledore you were attacked by wizards. He said the were wearing robes. House elves are far too short to match his description."

"It wasn't house elves and they were wearing robes. This is going to be hard to understand, but I promise you'll get it in the end. I need you guys to listen to me. This isn't going to make sense. Kilarati and Atonics  they were the ones who kidnapped me  are what the elves call the High Fighter and High Magician."

"What do you mean?" Hermione interrupted. " 'The elves call.' Where were you?" Harry snorted.

"They come on order of the Lord and Lady elf to take me with them to the Elvin Realm. Our realm and theirs reside in the same dimension. Get it so far?" The two nodded, looking slightly confused. "A doorway opened for reasons that aren't really important but are linked back to my magic. Under orders, they traced a magical link to me and brought me back with them. I was informed that I was being sent to Matiku ver Amik, which is the Ageless Building, roughly translated from Elvish."

"You know Elvish?" Hermione broke in with awe. "There's an language called Elvish?"

"Yes. This will be easier if you just listen and ask me all your questions afterwards, okay?"

"In other words, shut it, Hermione," Ron put in with a grin. Hermione sent him a withering glare but remained silent for the rest of Harry's explanation.

"Right, so, Matiku ver Amik is a training center for young elves interested in becoming part of the Royal Guard. The Royal Guard is a military force consisting of fighters and magicians that work for the Empire Elves, who replaced the royals about four thousand years ago. The Elvin Realm is split into three main regions each with their own Emperor and Empress but all under the elected Elvin Council. All the regions have sub-areas, like over in the states. There's also the assortment of islands which still have their royal lines in power although they're under the Elvin Council as well. Otherwise they'd be risking war.

"Those who make it through their stay at Matiku ver Amik become Silver Guards. The Silver Guard is a back-up military of sorts. They assist in times of war, mainly in defending villagers. Wars break out in the regions between the sub-areas. Anyways, the point is that I went through training and became a Silver Guard. Matiku ver Amik is extraordinary because time moves faster within its walls. So I completed about six years of training in three weeks. All we did was train inside there. For elves, because they live about ten thousand years, it's hardly a passing moment.

"After I completed my stay at Matiku ver Amik, I was meant to be sent back. My being brought in for training was a formality because I was connected to the opening of the doorway. But then a war started. I spent the rest of the summer with Kilarati and Atonics. The High Fighter and High Magician belong to the Elvin Council and have power across the entire realm. They out-rank the Emperors and Empresses but not the Lord and Lady Elf, who head the Elvin Council.

"Kilarati and Atonics managed to get their hands on one of the pendants to open a doorway and they sent me back to Privet Drive. I snuck into number four and went up to bed. The next morning I feigned stupidity. That's about it." Harry wasn't sure if he should tell them everything. It wasn't a matter of trust, no, he would tell the two things he'd never tell anyone else (was about to, for that matter).

"Bloody hell," Ron said intelligently. Harry chuckled.

"That's what I said," Harry put in.

"Harry, you realize what you're telling us? You've spent a summer with elves. I can't even… I mean… Harry this is just…. What are the differences between us and elves?" Hermione said, sounding short of breath. Harry knew she was about to burst. Apparently she'd chosen to look at the situation from a scholar's point of view and think later about what exactly Harry's words meant.

"Elves have pointy ears," he replied seriously. Hermione rolled her eyes. "They live quite significantly longer than muggles and wizards. Their culture is extremely different. It's more open and advanced in magical aspects but also more like our past and much more dangerous. Their customs are quite different, but you can draw parallels. Um, they have prettier buildings?"

"You are such a boy," Hermione muttered. Harry saw her prepare to ask another, most probably more specific, question.

"Hermione, you can ask me all about elves later, okay. There's something more I need to tell you. It's about last year, and I just couldn't handle talking about it then. But I've had a lot of time to stew." Harry braced himself and let the explanation of everything that had happened in Dumbledore's office spill forth. He recited the words of the prophecy with his on his shoes. There was silence when he finished. He cast a nervous look at his friends. He could tell Hermione was working in over-drove, no doubt trying to interpret each line in every possible way. Ron simply sat there looking confounded.

"Fuck," Ron said at last. Hermione didn't even scold him about his language.

"Harry, you realize that-" But just what Harry was supposed to realize, he wouldn't find out until later. The compartment door slid open to reveal Seamus.

"Where're the other two?" asked Harry, privately a little glad that the prophecy would remain off the topic list for the next few hours on the train ride.

"Dunno," Seamus said with a shrug. "I left them outside the platform for Dean to say good-bye to his family. Vanessa hates it when he leaves for school. They'll probably find somewhere to snog for a while."

"I'll rip off his bloody lips," Ron seethed. He stood angrily and stormed from the compartment.

"Oh dear," Hermione said, chewing her lip. "Do you think he's gone to find them?"

"Yup," chorused the two boys. Hermione stood and rushed after Ron.

"Like she'll be able to stop him from going spastic," Seamus muttered. "There's a reason I didn't try to date Ginny last year." Harry snorted.

"You're only interested in getting in bed with Padma Patil," Harry said. Seamus didn't deny the statement. The door slid open again and Harry saw Neville standing there, clutching his toad, Trevor, tightly in his hands along with a new plant.

"Can I sit with you two?" Neville asked. Harry was slightly astonished. Neville had lost weight over the summer. He was by no means thin, but he was significantly smaller. Harry also noticed Neville was at least two inches taller than him. Harry had grown a good four inches over the summer, and Neville used to be Harry's height, if not a little shorter. Harry figured he should resign himself to a life of being short. He blamed the cupboard.

But despite the change in physique, Harry noticed Neville was still looking a little wary at Seamus. The five boys from the dorm got on very well, but it was no secret that Neville might feel left out, with Seamus and Dean being best friends and Harry, Hermione, and Ron being best friends. The other two Gryffindors in their year, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, were best friends as well.

"Yeah," Seamus said. Seamus himself sat down across from Harry. Neville took a seat by his side.

"We're not all going to fit," Harry pointed out.

"All who?" asked Seamus.

"The three of us, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Dean, and Luna," Harry stated.

"Loony Lovegood?" Seamus inquired. "I saw her a few compartments back that way."

"One of us should go get her before Malfoy shows up to make fun of her," Neville suggested.

"Thanks for volunteering," Harry said. "And I have an idea so we can all fit."

"Lavender and Parvati will want to stop by and gossip." This idea appeared to be painful for Seamus as he shuddered. Harry couldn't help but agree. Neville stood up and set Trevor in Harry's lap and the plant on the seat, going to find Luna.

Giving the toad to Seamus, Harry stood up and pulled out his wand and a book someone had sent for his birthday. (He was quite sure it was Madame Bones.) Flipping through the pages he stopped when coming to page three hundred and five. Reading it over again, Harry repeated the spell softly to himself, practicing the motions afterwards. He took a deep breath and stood facing the wall behind Seamus, who moved quickly out of the way. Harry combined the jut, swing, flick wand motion with the short, sharp spell. He grinned as the wall behind the seats melted away to show the compartment next to theirs, mercifully empty.

"Bugger," Seamus said. He grabbed the book from Harry and began flipping through it. "Where'd you get this?"

"Birthday gift," Harry said. "Thanks for the sugar quills, by the way. Ginny and Hermione pilfered them the first night."

"Where were you anyhow?" Seamus asked, perching on the top of the seat backs between the compartments where the wall once stood. He looked up fro the book as he asked.

"Can't say for sure," Harry shrugged. "Doesn't really matter. I'm not insane or dead, so we're all good, aren't we?"

"You should be worried about turning puce," came a solemn statement from the door.

"Nice to see you again, Luna," Harry greeted. "Why am I worried about turning puce?"

"You were abducted by merklehogs," Luna informed him, crawling over the seats into the added compartment. Seamus raised an eyebrow but just went back to examining the contents of Harry's book.

"What did you do? This is cool," Neville said. Seamus motioned him over and flipped back to the other spell's page. Harry sat down next to Neville's plant, looking it over. It was ten minutes later that Ginny and Dean came into the compartment and were swept into the small group hovering over the book. Luna didn't bother looking, just sat reading the Quibbler.

The train jerked to life soon after. Harry stared listlessly out the window as they sped through the city and into the country. As they rumbled over a long bridge, Harry felt someone sit down next to him. He looked over to see that Lavender and Parvati had come in without him noticing. "Hello, Harry," Lavender said sweetly. Parvati sat herself across from Harry, a slight tint to her cheeks.

"Hello," he said shortly. Harry wasn't in the mood for the two Gryffindors to be fine-combing him for good gossip.

"How was your summer?" Lavender asked.

"Eventful."

"Dating anyone?" asked Lavender. Harry looked at her incredulously.

"What kind of a question is that?"

"Well, I started dating Terry Boot over the summer. And Dean and Ginny officially hooked up and Marietta Edgecombe slept with Roger Davis. Though, personally, I think Roger could have done better. Marietta has these horrible pimples across her forehead." Harry snorted. Served the sneak right.

"I'm not dating anyone," Harry said calmly. He wondered if that would count as truthful. It wasn't like he was. But he had been.

"Good, glad you're over Cho Chang. Now, I happen to know Hannah Abott is fully ready to date you. Not to mention Susienka Boulevard and a number of other girls. You're the flavor of the month, Harry. Everyone wants to be with you after everything that went down with the Ministry. Oh, and Kennith McClipper is into you, but I doubt you swing that way." Harry just gave her a look.

"I have no interest in dating any of those girls," Harry said firmly. "Or guys." Parvati looked pleased with this, even as Lavender huffed. Harry rolled his eyes as the two climbed over by Luna and made themselves comfortable. They captured Luna's attention by stealing her quill as she marked a quiz and began a rapid discussion with Ginny and Luna about some trendy magazine. Harry wondered if they noticed that Ginny was bored and Luna wasn't listening. Knowing them, he doubted it.

The rest of the train ride went by quickly. People stopped in to say hi, more often than not to stare at Harry with wide eyes. Lavender and Parvati spent hours drifting around and coming back to report gossip. Ron and Hermione appeared halfway there, bickering per usual. It began to rain shortly after, causing the lanterns to fill the compartment with a glow. Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville played exploding snap the rest of the way while Dean and Ginny cuddled and Hermione read beside Luna.

Hermione pulled a grumbling Ron out of the compartment with her as the train began to slow. Harry quickly reversed his spell on the compartments and walked off the train with Neville and Luna. A heavy fog filled the air. The ground was mushy from the rain. The three climbed into a carriage, leaving the door open for Ron and Hermione. Numerous times students poked their heads in to ask to ride with them, and Harry did his best to ignore them.

By the time they reached the castle, nearly everyone else was already inside. It started to drizzle again as they trooped inside. Luna drifted away, still reading, as they entered the Great Hall. "Mr. Potter." Harry spun around, surprised. His friends jumped.

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said indifferently.

"I'd like to speak with you a moment, my boy," he said calmly. Harry bristled at the name, but followed the headmaster out into the hall and through the winding corridors to a great stone gargoyle. "Canary Cream." The gargoyle sprang back to reveal the twisting stairs that led to Dumbledore's office. "You'll be wanting to remember that password." Harry said nothing. He continued to shadow Dumbledore up the stairs and into his office.

Harry noticed right away that Dumbledore had repaired nearly everything that he'd broken in his rage the previous year. The contents of the office were moved around, though the desk still sat in the same spot. The small table fore tea had been moved, Fawkes's perch sat to the left of Dumbledore's desk. The self behind Dumbledore's desk housed not only Gryffindor's sword and an empty place for the Sorting Hat but also a few broken objects Harry knew he was responsible for. He couldn't help the urking guilt.

"Mr. Potter, take a seat," Dumbledore gestured to the small tea table. Dumbledore took the seat across from him. They sat and looked at each other for what Harry figured was a very unproductive five minutes before Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "You are still upset with me." Harry snorted. "I will not pretend I understand why. But you must realize Harry, that this is not a good situation. I hope that you will be able to forgive me for whatever it is I have done, and I'm sure there are countless reasons you could have. Regardless Harry, we will be having private lessons this year."

"Of course, sir," Harry said stiffly. "Is that all?" Dumbledore sighed.

"Harry, it may not appear so, but I do care about you." Harry kept his gaze steady. "You may return to the feast, I'll be along in a moment." Harry paused as he got t the door and glanced back to Dumbledore. The old wizard had his face covered with one hand, his shoulders sagged. It struck Harry how incredibly old the man was. Turning, Harry quietly made his way back to the Great Hall.

Ron and Hermione motioned him over and he slid between them, resolutely ignoring the stares and whispers of his schoolmates. The sorting hat's loud declaration of "HUFFLEPUFF" caused most to fall silent. Unless, of course, it was McGonagall's death glare. Harry was startled to see Dumbledore already seated at the Head Table, apparently absorbed in the sorting of Illura, Cecilia. As the sorting continued, Harry told his friends in rushed whispers about his lessons with Dumbledore.

It seemed all too soon that the feast was ending and Dumbledore was standing up. With a jolt and mental curse, Harry realized he'd forgotten to scout out the new teacher. Scanning the Head Table quickly, Harry located the new addition. The woman had plain waves of auburn hair tied out of her eyes with a strip of ribbon and murky brown eyes with long lashes. Her robes were a deep blue, looking nice but nor overly expensive. She sat straight in her chair and her soft features gave her the look of a tabby cat.

"Ah, yes, such a lovely feast, wasn't it? Now then, I'd like to announce to the first years that you are under no circumstances to enter the Forbidden Forest. A great many items have been banned. To be sure you don't have any of them, please refer to the complete list on and around Mr. Filch's office door. Anyone interested in quidditch should refer to their Head of House or their house's tam captain. And lastly, I would like you all to welcome your new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Erwin." Erwin gave them a kind smile and a wave. "First years follow the prefects to the dorm."

Hermione told them she was going to help with the first years, rushing over to Collin Creevey and Willow White, the new Gryffindor prefects. Ron and Harry stayed seated as people left, deciding to avoid the jam at the doorway. "Ron! Harry!" They groaned but answered Hermione's summons.

"Make them move!" she cried, gesturing wildly at the mass before them.

"Hermione, they aren't going to," Ron said.

"I'm not a prefect, don't look at me."

"Harry Potter, I don't care whether or not you're the queen! I want you to help me before these first years get trompled!" Said first years were looking at Hermione with somewhat of a frightened expression. Harry noted that Desmond Finnegan was a Gryffindor.

"Just tell them Harry says to move and they'll do it," Ron suggested. Harry was rather put out by the fact that this was true. The people around them were looking at him none too subtly. Harry's face flushed as he noticed the amount of girls eyeing him up.

"Follow me," he muttered. People let Harry and Ron pass, leaving a pathway for Hermione. He heard Collin and Willow explaining Hogwarts as they went and was strongly reminded of his first year. Harry ducked under a tapestry of a group of knights and arrived at the portrait moments later. Relaying the password ("divided we fall"), Harry gratefully sank into an armchair by the fire. Five minutes later, Hermione and Ron were seated with him.

"What did the sorting hat say this year?" he asked, pulling on a loose thread on his robes.

"Warned us to unite," Ron mumbled.

"Didn't you hear what it said?" Hermione asked. "It said each house has secrets."

"So?" Ron shrugged.

"The hat never says things just to say them," Hermione informed them. And Harry couldn't help but agree with her.

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Breakfast the next morning was a loud affair. Nearly everyone was running late. Harry had just received his schedule and was comparing it with Ron and Hermione's. Ron spluttered as he looked at her schedule, silently handing it to Harry.

"Five N.E.W.T. courses?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Hermione said calmly, grabbing for the jam.

"Plus two standard classes," Ron added.

"You know they recommend we take no more than six classes, including four N.E.W.T. levels at the most," Harry said.

"You're taking seven classes too," she pointed out. "Not counting your Light Arts course."

"Hermione, I'm taking four N.E.W.T. classes because I have to. Two of my classes are basic," he stressed.

They had been sent letters informing them of the change in their class system. They already knew from friends what would happen. They'd select a region they were interested in, if not a specific job, and they'd pick two to four N.E.W.T. level classes around that. These would work to help them get phenomenal scores on their tests. They could then select a subject or two to continue on in at the standard level. That way they could add more support to their career. Basic classes were offered in extra classes like Arithmancy if they hadn't chosen the class in third year but their field called for some knowledge of the subject.

Harry, having gotten his surprising Potions O, was set on being an Auror. This meant he was taking Defense, Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions all at N.E.W.T. level. He chose Herbology as his standard class thinking it would help with potions. And he'd need all the help he could get. He'd be damned if he knew how he'd scraped an Outstanding. Although it may have had something to do with those questions on Polyjuice.

"We have Charms in ten minutes, you'd better hurry up," Hermione said.

"What are you going to do after school anyhow?" asked Ron curiously, shoveling bacon into his mouth.

"Professor McGonagall told me about Researching."

"Oh, fun," Harry said. Hermione laughed.

"It really isn't as mundane as it sounds. Researchers study the aspects of magic. They create knew spells and examine and test those sent in by others. Most of the good textbooks come from retired Researchers or the entire team. Besides, I'd really like to get into politics, to go further with S.P.E.W. Researchers often work at other things as well. Your mum was a Researcher, Harry." Harry hadn't known that. Then again, no one had told him very much about his parents.

"I wonder what my dad did." Ron looked up.

"You don't know?" he asked, frowning. Harry shook his head. "Your dad was an Unspeakable. That's why people thought Voldemort was after your family."

"Oh." And Harry couldn't think of anything else to say. Luckily, he didn't have to as Hermione dragged them off to class early so they could get front row seats.

As the day progressed, Harry got a feeling of dread. They already had a large essay in Charms to write and they were working on complex illusions and glamours for the first part of the year. Transfiguration had been a nightmare that Harry wasn't willing to think about. His standard Herbology lesson with Ron had been alright, except for the fact he'd been paired with Millicent Bulstrode for the first three weeks, who Harry admitted scared him slightly. After lunch, Harry had basic Ancient Runes which he discovered was a subject he might enjoy. If Malfoy weren't in the class. But then he had double potions.

He caught up with Hermione, who'd just gotten out of History of Magic and bid Ron, on his way to basic muggle studies, a good-bye. The two walked down to the dungeons to wait outside Snape's room. There were students in the hall already. "This is the most students to get into N.E.W.T. Potions since Professor Snape started," Hermione hissed. Harry figured she was right. There was Theodore Nott, Anthony Goldstein, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, Padma Patil, Morag MacDougal, Malfoy, and Ravenclaw Harry thought was Godiva Sage.

The door opened and the last class poured out, looking relieved. Hermione unnecessarily hissed that it was the standard sixth years. To his surprise, Neville and Lavender were two of the students. They were both muttering to each other with dark looks on their faces. Harry didn't have much time to think about it as Hermione tugged him into the room. Snape immediately glared at him, clearly upset Harry had gotten an O on his tests. He snapped the door shut and spun on the class.

"I cannot fathom how a year with so many imbeciles managed to produce any students for my N.E.W.T. level class. While some of you," he looked to Malfoy and then Goldstein, "are here due to your talents, I am more than willing to bet others used far less… honorable means to gain access to my class." He sneered pointedly at Harry, who in turn resisted the bait. The look of loathing didn't count. "Regardless of how you got here, you are now in the most difficult class you will ever take. I expect each and every one of you to perform excellently or I will have no qualms about throwing you out of this classroom by the scruff of your neck." Harry bristled as Snape talked, his eyes never leaving Harry's.

They spent half of the lesson listening to Snape lecture them on his standards. Harry would never admit it, but he was worried. They were then told to prepare the ingredients for their first potion, a truth serum that wouldn't allow you to outright lie. Truth serums, Harry knew, were some of the hardest potions to brew correctly. He was specific in chopping and skinning. The rest they'd have to do in the next lesson. Snape swept around the room making derisive comments on everyone's work, with the exception of Malfoy and Goldstein.

How'd Anthony get on his good side? Harry wondered. The boy had been in the DA and Harry knew he was a Ravenclaw. Not soon enough, the lesson ended and Harry exited the room quickly.

That night, Harry sat down and got to work on his charms essay while Hermione did out some Arithmancy and Ron was across the room talking to Katie Bell, the Gryffindor chaser. Ron approached Harry immediately after finishing his conversation. "Harry, Katie says she's not captain."

"So?" Harry chewed on the end of his quill, flipping through a book of Hermione's, trying to find an illusioned property he could use in his essay.

"So that means it's you!" Harry looked up, trying not to laugh.

"Ron, McGonagall knows I'm rubbish at strategy," Harry said.

"It's not me." Harry noticed that Ron seemed slightly put out by this. "There's no one else."

"Honestly Ron, what about your sister?" snapped Hermione. Ron looked at her like she'd sprouted tentacles from her nose.

"Ginny can't be captain. She doesn't technically have a spot on the team since Harry's back."

"Ask her," Harry said. Ron gave him an odd look before going to find his sister. Half an hour later, the portrait slammed shut as Ginny stormed in, causing Harry to spill ink all across his essay. Cursing, Harry cleaned it. Ron followed his sister moments later.

"Ginny!" he yelled. His sister whirled around.

"I'm not going to speak to you until you stop being a prick!" she hollered. "I'm really excited to be captain! You're my brother! You should be HAPPY for me!" Ginny rushed up to the girls' dorms, her dorm mates following her after a moment.

Ron muttered things to himself as he glared at the surrounding third years. He sat down on the floor in front of the low table and slammed his things down, pulling out his writing supplies and charms tomb.

"Ron, what in the name of Merlin did you say to her?" asked Hermione, looking up after Ginny.

"She's captain!" he snarled.

"You should be happy for your sister," Hermione reprimanded, eyes blazing. "Just because she's captain and you're not, it doesn't give you a right to be mean to her! I've never seen you act so petty in your entire life!" She slammed her books together and stormed off to her room.

"You agree with me, don't you?" Ron turned to Harry expectantly.

"Look, Ron, Ginny's going to be a good captain. She doesn't mind telling the truth and being aggressive. Katie and I aren't like that." Harry paused, examining his essay. "Neither are you." He could feel Ron's glare on him for the rest of the night.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Hermione wasn't speaking to Ron the next day and Ron wasn't speaking to Harry or Hermione. This made the walk to Defense Against the Dark Arts an aggravating affair, with Ron glowering at his best friends. Harry took a seat in the front with Hermione while Neville and Ron sat one desk set over. Professor Erwin wasn't in the room yet. The rest of the class arrived, which turned out to be nearly everyone from their year. Mercifully missing were Crabbe and Goyle. Harry had been pleased to note that every member of the DA was in the class.

The room was different than it had ever been before. There were weapons that looked to have seen better days hung as a border of sorts around the top of the walls. The teacher's desk was in the corner, a series of boxes and a fishbowl across the front. There were shelves on the wall around it, stock full of books. The desks were in a horseshoe, with two rows. The floor was black in the large, open space at the front of the room. There was no blackboard. A large tapestry hung across the back of the room, depicting muggle knights training. Beside it was a large fish tank with colorful fish darting about inside. Five large clouded glass orbs were strung from the ceiling.

Just as Harry was about to ask Hermione what they were, the room went pitch dark. Harry drew his wand immediately. "Lumos." But as soon as the tip of his wand lit, it went out. Harry tried again. The same thing happened. Across the room he heard Morag MacDougal letting out a stream of French curses.

"Claflamara!" Silver light burst from Hermione's wand and struck the ceiling. She repeated it, this time it hit one of the glass balls, lighting it up and casting an eerie glow through part of the room.

"How-" but Ron was cut off by the ground shifting beneath their feet. Shrieks came form around the room as people lost their footing.

"What the hell is going on?" yelled Seamus. Harry narrowed his eyes, looking every direction.

"Hermione," Harry said loudly, through the panicked murmurs. "Try and light up the rest of the bulbs so we can see what we're doing." As Hermione did just that, Harry tried to figure out what was going on. Voldemort wouldn't have been able to do this. Not without inside help, and Malfoy looked as confused as everyone, so that ruled out one possibility. Unless, a silky voice in the recess of his mind called, Snape helped him. Harry shook off that train of thought.

"Will you all calm down!" Ron hollered, having magnified his voice. "It isn't bloody You-Know-Who." As he said the words, the ground lurched again, churning in an unnatural pattern. This quake lasted for a fill two minutes before subsiding. Harry saw his classmates were pale and wide-eyed. Hermione had succeeded in lighting two more bulbs, and was aiming for the forth. Ron was now going about calming down a hysterical Hannah Abbott in a much more traditional form than his annoyed yells.

"Have you ever heard of a spell like this?" Harry asked Hermione. She shook her head.

"Messing with the elements is very hard magic. There's thousands of spells for it, but it's a borderline dark arts. Not many attempt them, you need a special permit from the Ministry and the only way you can learn is from an Elemental. There haven't been any new registrations at the Ministry in fifty years. The last one died six years ago." Harry couldn't help but think about how many unregistered Animagi they had met in the last few years.

"But do you know a way to counter it?" he asked. As Hermione made to answer, the ground came to life again and she fell with a small squeak. Ron quickly left Hannah and helped her up. The ground still rolled and Harry motion for them all to fall to their knees. He crouched, holding himself steady with a hand.

"Is there anything you two notice about this all?" he asked, glancing out across the room. Seeing Blaise Zabini fall to the ground, his wrist snapping at an odd angle, Harry loudly ordered everyone to sit on the ground. They listened. Ron was watching the motions of the floor as Hermione continued to shoot her spell at the glass orbs, succeeding in lighting another.

"Watch they way it moves," Ron said. "It's all rolling one way. We're shifting to one side of the room." Harry snapped his head to the door, a sinking feeling welling up as he realized they'd all been shifted away from it. The closest one was Sally-Anne Perks and she was a good fifteen meters away. He cursed rapidly in Elvish. As soon as the ground stilled, he rose.

"Everyone get to the door as fast as you can!" he yelled. Immediately they scrambled to comply. Sally-Anne got there first, wrenching furiously at the door.

"It's locked!" she cried. Neville pushed her aside and performed the unlocking spell. Harry had a moment of pride at his rather calm exterior before he realized the attempt had failed and the ground was moving again. Something sent everyone but Perks and Neville flying back a few yards. The ground before the door began to rumble, slowly, the floor in front of Harry, Ron, and Hermione started dropping down. He rose and began to walk backwards as the speed of descent rapidly increased. A rumble filled the room as straight across, from wall to wall, a ten-meter trench formed in the ground. And then the floor on which Neville and Perks stood dissolved sharply.

Perks's scream rang in the air shrilly. Harry was about to jump after them when Dean grabbed him by the robes. Ron and Hermione flung themselves on their stomachs and cast levitation spells after the two. Dean started lecturing Harry about stupid ideas as they waited to see if their classmates were okay. Sally-Anne's head came over the top and the rest of her followed. She was limp, having fainted. Neville didn't come up. Cursing, Harry realized both their spells had hit the same target.

"ACCIO, NEVILLE!" A whizzing grew and Neville shot out of the hole. Susan's quick cushion spell saved Neville from being squished on the rocky ceiling. The class gathered in a circle around Harry.

"We need to get to the door," Padma Patil said. "Got a plan, Harry?" He gave her an incredulous look. "Come on; just pretend it's the DA." Harry shut his eyes, rubbing his forehead with the heel of his hand.

"We need to unlock the door," Harry said evenly. "Hermione-" She grinned and turned to the wooden obstacle, and she began casting different spells on it. Terry Boot joined her and the two brains conversed about different unlocking spells, trying to solve the mystery of the door.

"Can anyone think of some way to get us across that mote once we've gotten the door open?" Harry asked. Malfoy was hanging back, glaring coolly at Harry. His faithful lackeys weren't in the class and it appeared the rest of the Slytherins were far more concerned with getting out of the room than with house rivalries.

"I've got a spell." Harry turned to the boy who'd spoken. His skin was a light bronze, his hair a deep, rich, brown hanging to his shoulders. Harry was forcefully reminded of a pirate movie Dudley had gotten for his sixth birthday, which he'd played over and over for two months before he'd accidentally stepped on it. The boy bore a strong resemblance to one of the young deck-washers. Harry tried to recall the Slytherin's name, but all he could come up with was Moon.

"Go on, Moon," said Harry. He'd ask Hermione for his name later.

"My grandfather taught it to me. It freezes water. If someone could shoot water across, I can freeze it until we have a bridge," Moon said, his dark eyes unwavering.

"Moon!" The dark youth turned to Malfoy, whose face was agitated. He made a come-hither gesture and with a sigh only Harry picked up on, Moon walked away with Malfoy. Harry perked his ears, picking up the conversation no one else would hear.

"Moon, what do you think you're doing!" Malfoy hissed. Moon didn't respond. "You're a Slytherin, you're not to be helping Potter and his little mudblood friends." Moon still said nothing. "You'd better watch you step, or you'll loose your favor in Slytherin." With that, Malfoy stalked back to the group, hovering near Zabini. Moon returned as well, his eyes narrowed in a barely perceptible degree and his mouth a little thinner.

"Reducto!" Harry whirled around to see Ron standing beside Hermione and Terry, watching the spell shatter the door into hundreds of flying shards. Ron's mouth had dropped open.

"How did you think of that!" Hermione cooed, delighted.

"I just… er, I got a bit annoyed is all," Ron mumbled, gesturing vaguely. Harry was rather certain that if Ron hadn't been in shock, he would have reveled in Hermione's praise and fully claimed the spell to be his brilliance.

"Moon," Harry gestured him forward and told Hermione the plan. She nodded and quickly shot a stream of water from her wand. A few minutes later and she and Moon had created a bridge, straight out through the door and into the hallway. "Ill walk across first, to be sure it's sturdy." Harry edged across slowly, all the while feeling as though he was getting hotter and hotter. As he got with reach of the door, he heard a cracking noise. As he went to bolt the last yard, the ice cracked and he fell. As soon as he began to fall, he felt himself halt and drift upwards, Hermione's voice echoing down below him.

Ron and Seamus and Dean pulled him over the ledge. "The ice melted," Seamus told him. The rest of them were sweating as well. "We all thought we were just nervous." Harry nodded, whipping his forehead with his sleeve.

"Cooling charm," Harry murmured. Dean complied, Seamus following. A few others did as well and soon it felt as though they were in a chunk of ice, their sweat long forgotten. They rebuilt their bridge. This time, Harry made it across, calling to Parvati to follow. They continued to cast cooling charms, countering the heating spells, as the rest of the class crossed the bridge. They group sank to the ground once they'd all crossed, each flooded with relief.

But Harry turned to the suits of armor a yard or two down the wall, gazing at the woman standing next to them. She held his eyes for a moment before clapping slowly.

"Rather impressive," she said loudly. The class turned in surprised. Comprehension flickered in Hermione's eyes as she stood. Harry saw a bit of resentment cross her face as she stiffened her posture. "Quite a bit more than I was expecting, with you magical came of musical Defense professors. Follow me."

Professor Erwin pushed off the wall, and walked tranquilly back into her classroom, flicking her wand at the shattered door on the way. Harry stared after her, before following through the new oak door.

A/N : As I have always known since beginning this, I am completing it. It is now AU post-fifth book. I happen to have planned this entire story. The sixth book is not changing that. Despite the fact that Snape is, in fact, evil in canon, he is not in this story, mainly because of the plot. But also because its fanfiction and I can make him nice if I want to. Also, as much as I love Remus and Tonks in a relationship, they are, unfortunately, not together in this one because I wanted to try something new. I would, however, very much like boast about the fact that I've always wanted Harry and Ginny together and same with Ron and Hermione. So my ships look to be what JK Rowling wanted, which makes me happy. Out of curiosity, does anyone else think Harry and Ginny's reestablishment make be eluded to in the seventh book? Because I desperately hope it is. I happen to want them to marry and have babies. I'm still debating whether or not to have Harry end up with her in my story, because I've been going for less common ships. Such as who I'm pairing Tonks with. Anyhow, if you're going to hate the story because of Snape, I'm sorry. Just remember he doesn't kill Dumbledore in this one. I really do dislike him in the books at the moment. But it's fanfiction. I'm not going to dislike him in fanfiction unless he's evil in that. This is now my first AU story that I'm writing as it's AU. Wahoo.