The night wasn't as peaceful as Harry had hoped. As he was brushing his teeth and staring at the reflection in the mirror, he came to the conclusion that it wasn't so much nightmares, as it was that he just couldn't get comfortable. He'd tossed and turned all night, but to no avail. Everywhere he moved he hit a sore spot, or a cut, or a bruise. He also had the problem that he just couldn't fall asleep. There were too many thoughts running through his head. It's odd how all the things you try to avoid in the day come back and haunt you at night.

Harry glanced over at Ron who was spitting, very loudly, into the sink next to him. Harry rinsed his mouth and followed Ron back into the dorm. They picked up their bags and went to wait for Hermione. Just as they were about to leave Harry remembered he needed to post the sheet for Quidditch tryouts.

"Hold up," he said. Harry went to the bulletin board, cast a quick sticking spell to the back and stuck it on.

"Brilliant," said Ron. "I was meaning to ask you 'bout that. When are we having it?"

"Thursday evening."

During breakfast McGonnagal handed out their schedules.

Monday: Double Care of Magical Creatures, Lunch, Transfiguration, and Charms

Tuesday: Double Potions, Lunch, DADA, Occlumency

Wednesday: Double Transfiguration, Lunch, History of Magic, Study Hall, and Quidditch Practice

Thursday: Double DADA, Lunch, Double Charms

Friday: Double History of Magic, Lunch, and Potions, Care of Magical Creatures

Saturday: Quidditch Practice

Professor McGonnagal stopped next to him, a little longer than she should have. Harry felt a something fall into his pocket robe. He waited until she had passed to see what she had left with him.

Dear Mr. Potter,

You are to report to you first Occlumency lesson on Tuesday evening at four o' clock, with Professor Weasley. He requests you meet him in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Sincerely,

Professor Dumbledore

The first day of Care of Magical Creatures was surprisingly uneventful. Hagrid started out the lesson very calmly, if with a bit less enthusiasm than usual. They were going to "start learnin' bout dragons," he'd said. This had most of the class ready to run for the castle. Fortunately he said this was a theory lesson only. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, including himself, Ron, and Hermione, who had dealt with Dragons and Hagrid before, and did not wish to relive the experience.

That was until Hagrid uttered the words, "Fer now."

Transfiguration was basically McGonnagal talking, overviewing the new things she would come to expect from them as NEWT students. She told them they would be starting with the large objects turning into large objects, from that they would move on to Human Transfiguration. This was a very complex discipline and would take many months to master, or even learn the basics. At the very end of term they would study anamagi, but only in theory.

"Your minds have not matured to the level to capacitate them in your own body, let alone another animal." She proved her point by shooting a beady stare Dean's way, who had "accidentally" sent off a magnified sort of whoopee cushion in Seamus' seat.

Harry was rather anxious about starting classes on Tuesday because he knew at the end of it all he would be attending his first Occlumency lesson of the term, even with Bill as his new teacher he wasn't exactly thrilled for the new start.

Being in Double Potions with his former Occlumency teacher didn't help matters. Harry, Hermione and Ron were put on the edge of their seats when told that they would start studying the Polyjuice Potion. Snape sent a particularly penetrating look their way. They only studied in theory today. Harry dreaded the lesson when they would actually begin the brewing. What would Snape think if he saw how well "studied" they already were in it?

Hermione and Harry were particularly anxious to start Defense with Bill. Ron on the other hand appeared to be dreading it.

"I don't understand what you're so upset about," said Hermione as the walked down the corridor that led to the classroom.

"What do you think I'm worried about, Hermione? This job is jinxed, Dumbledore has put my brother in danger," she cast him an unbelieving look. "Well there's my reputation to worry about as well. How nice would it be to forever be remembered as the Defense teacher's little brother." Harry laughed, and Hermione rolled her eyes dramatically.

They took their seats at the front of the room despite Ron's complaints. Bill hadn't arrived yet. Most of the girls were fixing their hair and makeup, giggling about that fetching new teacher. Ron started banging his head on the table again.

Hermione looked down at him disapprovingly, "You do know every time you hit your head you lose a thousand brain cells."

"Do you honestly think he had any to begin with," Harry chuckled.

"Shut up, Harry." Harry laughed, as he noticed Bill enter the classroom, Ron was oblivious still banging his head on the table. Bill came round the corner, pointed his wand at Ron, and cast a freezing spell. His head was stuck half way between hitting the table and coming back up. Bill looked at him only mildly interested.

"If you're quite finished worrying about whether or not I'm going to humiliate you, I think you're doing quite a good job of that yourself." He released Ron's head, which promptly fell to the desk. Ron came back up rubbing his forehead and glaring at his older brother.

The class sensing that the show was over directed their attention to Bill, who was leaning against his desk nonchalantly. He examined them for a moment, then clapped his hands together and stood straight up.

"Well the truth is that I have absolutely no lesson plan for today." The class was in various states of shock; they'd had plenty of unusual teachers come through, but never one with out a lesson plan. "Professor Dumbledore hired me only a few days ago, and I'm afraid I'm a bit unprepared. I also believe I also have a bit of catching up to do. We all know the toad that preceded me taught you nothing," there were a few cheers at this statement. "But I am also aware that someone did." Harry felt all eyes turn to him including those of Bill. "I know that many of you were a member of Harry's makeshift Defense club, but I know that some of you weren't, do not fear you are not behind in anyway.

"Those of you that were a member of the DA, I'd like to ask you a few questions." Some of the students sat up a bit straighter. "When Harry was teaching you, did you learn at a pace and material that was comfortable for you?" All of the DA nodded their heads. "Good, well then it looks like, I have another teacher to catch up with." Bill glanced at his watch. "Well it seems as though I have nothing more to say, so you're all dismissed."

The class happily packed up their things, and left for a little cool down before the next class. Harry looked at his schedule next, Occlumency.

Harry walked along the dark corridor that led to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, his steps hesitant. The last time he had tried this he had failed so miserably, and look at what it had cost him. Stop it, just stop. He stood in front of the door for how long he never knew. Harry made a solemn vow to himself at that moment. He would master this, no matter what he would learn how to be an Occlumens and a leggelimens, what ever it took. He wouldn't put his friends in harm again, not if he could prevent it.

Soon realizing he would be late if he stayed out here any longer, Harry opened the door. Bill was rummaging in an open wardrobe apparently looking for something. He turned when Harry entered the room.

"Sorry Harry I was a bit distracted. Was trying to find this for you," he held a clear ball that was filled with smoke. It instantly reminded him of the prophecy and for that he immediately pulled away. Bill didn't seem to understand his hesitance, but continued anyway. "It's called a centre, it will help us figure out, and create the barrier that will keep Voldermort from entering you mind."

Harry took another step forward, he was acting so foolish. "How does it work?"

"Quite simple actually," Bill held the small sphere in front of him with both hands and closed his eyes. Harry watched as the fog misted, and formed into what Harry assumed was ancient texts. Bill opened his eyes. "Then we use that image to keep in your minds eye, while your occluding. Any questions?"

"Will that image be the same for me?"

"No, it's different for everyone. The centre is supposed show you an image that calms you, helps you clear your head. I take it Professor Snape never used one of these with you?"

Harry shook his head. "Where did you learn to become an Occlumens?"

"When training in Egypt, you have to use mind games when fooling with the mummies. Well, today we're just going to determine your centre and then we'll work from there on Sunday." Harry nodded. Bill handed him the centre. "Now just take it in you hands, yes that's good. Hold it in front of you and close your eyes."

Harry did, he felt an enormous calm wash over him, so peaceful, he could just fall asleep right here…

"Okay Harry, open your eyes." He found it bothersome and difficult but he did as he was told. Harry looked down at the ball. It hadn't changed much from the misty fog it originally contained. Now it was dark, turning clouds with little flashes of lightning, so much like the storms that had besieged Privet Drive this summer.

"Well their you go," said Bill, "You're centre is a thunderstorm. You'll now picture that image in your head when we start working."

"So that's it then?"

"For today," Bill smiled, "Oh, one more thing I wanted to talk to you about the DA."

"Right, what do you want to know?"

"Just what you covered really."

"Well we were just starting on Patronus's. We'd also covered all your basic hexes and counter curses."

"That's brilliant. I may need you help on the Patronus though, mine's still a bit shaky."

Harry smiled, "Not a problem."

Harry left the dungeon feeling like he'd accomplished more in this one evening, than he had the entire term with Snape.

Wednesday started out boring enough. Transfiguration was a bore. He was intending on looking forward to it. It all changed when he got to the classroom and saw endless and endless amounts of notes written over all the chalkboards in the room. Hermione was in her element, he still didn't understand how at the end of the period the rest of the class had twenty pages of notes, and Hermione came out with a total of forty-five!

Harry assumed it couldn't get any worse oh, how wrong he was.

After lunch Ginny and Ron were determined to go see Bill and let him know what was what. Hermione was moving her hand to knock on the office door, but Ginny pushed past her and walked right into the office.

"William Robert Weasley, you have some nerve!" Bill looked up from some papers he might have been grading if it wasn't for their intrusion. He didn't look particularly surprised to see them.

"And what nerve is that exactly, my darling sister? Could be that I never told you was taking this position, or that I never told you I was an Occlumens. I realize that in some bizarre sense you think I betrayed you for not telling you about this, but the truth is little Ginivera and Ronald, I was not even aware I would be coming here until a few days ago. So I in fact didn't tell you anything because I in fact didn't know anything about this. I also understand that your worried because this job is supposedly jinxed in some way, and the teachers in this position usually end up in a horrible fate, but if you notice they usually end up in a terrible fate because of you little darlings." All of them were standing staring at him in shock. "But think of it this way, if I wasn't here I'd be out there," he pointed out the door, "in the heat of battle."

It was difficult to tell who looked more ashamed Ginny or Ron.

"Do you understand now?"

"Yes," Ron and Ginny said in unison.

"Now you better get to class."

After leaving Bill's, Hermione almost had to bodily drag him and Ron to History of Magic. Ron was moaning about how he didn't understand why this was still a required class. Harry privately agreed, but he figured Ron was taking enough of Hermione's wrath for the both of them.

She insisted, "It is an important part of the wizarding culture to understand and learn from other triumphs and mistakes of our past."

Harry walked past Ron and Hermione and headed straight to the back corner desk, Ron was right behind him, Hermione hesitated, slightly obviously wanting to sit in the front, but she finally succumbed to Ron and Harry's glares. Harry managed to stay awake long enough to here Professor Binns tell them that they'd finally finish the Goblin Rebellions and start on something new.

Harry tried to sleep but could only manage a kind of stupor in staring out the window, looking out over the grounds. He watched as the willow trees swayed in the light breeze, so peaceful and calm…

"Harry, come on time to go," Ron poked him in the shoulder. Harry pulled his shoulder away, and grabbed his bag. They walked up the stairs, to head to the Great Hall for study hall. Hermione was blabbering about the new topic they'd be studying in History of Magic.

"I wonder what we'll be starting, not that the goblin rebellions weren't fascinating," Ron and Harry, snorted in unison, she glared at them, "but I really am anxious to start on a new unit."

In Study Hall Harry was staring dumbfounded at his Transfiguration essay. His little dose in History of Magic seemed to have done nothing but make him more exhausted. It did not help his mood when he saw Ginny and Seamus walk in together and get quite snuggly in a back quarter.

Another fifteen minutes and Harry decided he could no longer take staring at a blank peace of parchment, when he was really listening Ginny and Seamus giggling.

"Ron, let's go set up for Quidditch Practice."

Ron shot up, "Fine by me."

Hermione sputtered, "But you really should work on your essay." Ron and Harry waved her goodbye on the way out.

Harry and Ron were standing in the center of the Quidditch pitch, still working out the last minute details of the tryouts. As it was a September evening, it was rather chilly, clear skies and a light breeze, great conditions for flying. He and Ron were leaning over the ball crate, and releasing the Snitch.

Ron first pointed out Katie walking up from the locker rooms. This was her final year at Hogwarts

"Hello, boys, ready to win?" said Katie as she walked up to them. Harry smiled at her but Ron got right to business.

"What do you reckon for the Chasers?" he asked.

Harry had an automatic response to that, "Well, Ginny's a shoe in, obviously."

Ron raised his eyebrows, "She is, is she?"

"Well it's only fair, I'm kind of taking her position and she mentioned last term she preferred chaser." Ron gave him an appraising look.

"Let's just wait till we see the other competition." Harry knew Ron was talking tough, but there wasn't a doubt in his mind about who would be a new chaser. Plus Ron would have a hell of a fight on his hands if he didn't.

"What about the beaters?" Harry asked.

"We'll just have to wait and see who shows up I suppose," she said.

"Wait no longer your future beaters have arrived!" The three of them turned to see Dean and Seamus walk up to the pitch arm in arm.

"Do you think so Thomas? I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, Ron's turned into a right Napoleonic Powermaunger."

"We have no need to fret, for there can simply be no two better people for the job than ourselves," said Seamus.

"We practiced all summer," continued Dean

"Alright then," Harry pointed them over by a far orange cone, "Go get in line." Dean did a dramatic salute and frog marched Seamus over their position. Harry watched as more and more Gryffindors arrived, clad in their various Quidditch apparel. Ron directed each of the hopeful to their various lines. When everyone was settled everyone turned his or her attention to Harry.

He blinked for a moment and then remembered that he was now the captain, "Right, we've put you all in lines for a reason. The first group of chasers is going to go up and try and score on Ron, and Katie will be your opposing team. After a while you'll be rotated and the next group will go up. After we've finished with the chasers, we'll move on to the beaters. Katie and myself will be your targets, we've charmed the Bludgers to be pillow soft so don't worry about going easy on us." Harry looked at them all, "that's it then let's get the first group."

Ron promptly hopped on his broom and took off to the goal post. He observed the group going up in the air; there was a considerably smaller amount of beaters than there were chasers. Ginny was in the second group. He turned his attention heavenwards toward the make shift match above him.

Ron was playing considerably better than he had last year; Harry figured it had something to do with single handedly winning the Quidditch Cup. He would have gone to help Katie to play defense but he needed someone to stay on the ground and observe.

The first group consisted of, Pavarti, Lavender, Colin, Dennis, and a few others that he wasn't quite sure of their names. Pavarti and Lavender must have been kidding them selves about the tryout. They could hardly stay on their brooms let alone catch a ball while on one. Harry assumed they must have done it to impress a guy. His theory was soon confirmed when they batted their eyelashes dramatically in Harry's direction.

Dennis was a great flyer, but had problems catching the large quaffle. He figured Dennis would be a better suit for a seeker when Harry left Hogwarts. The other kids were all mediocre and unprofessional. The best by far was Colin. He was a good flyer, and a great catch, his passing was beautiful. The one fault, and some might say large one, was the second he approached the goal posts, he froze. That was it he simply froze and passed the ball to someone else.

After about a half hour, the first group was out of breath, so he called them down and sent up the second group. There was absolutely zero competition; no one was worth watching but Ginny. She was seamless, perfect, amazing, Harry couldn't think of enough words to describe her. He let them go on for another fifteen minutes, but the rest of the group seemed to realize that they stood no chance, and Harry called them down.

As Harry got ready to mount his broom, he was still buzzing from the thrill of watching Ginny fly. The way her red hair flew behind her and seemed to catch the light of the sun, even when there was no sun out. He kicked off from the ground, and all thought of Ginny, of anything erased from his mind. He was in the air again, and it was incredible. It had been so long since he'd felt the rush of the wind on his face, his hair flying back into the wind, feeling free.

He performed a couple of loops for good measure, and looked down at the crowd bellow him. Katie was already on the other side of the field. Harry watched as Ron directed the beaters into the sky, and Harry and Katie flew into action. From what he could tell by the lack of bludgers he was dodging, they weren't performing very well. He felt a speeding bludger fly past him. So they had strength just not accuracy.

Harry didn't know how long he was in the air, but when Ron blew the whistle Harry was panting lightly. He dismissed the beaters and chasers and he, Ron, and Katie went in the office to talk about whom would be joining the team.

Harry and Katie took their seats but Ron was already in his presentation, "I think Dean and Seamus are the obvious choice," he said while pacing. "Their accuracy is shots, but we can work on that, and they have great hits." Katie nodded.

"I agree," said Harry, "for chasers I'm thinking Ginny and Colin."

"Well, there's no doubt about Ginny," said Ron, "but Colin?"

"He's the best flyer and his passing is seamless. He couldn't shoot a goal if it hit him in the eye, but like you said with Seamus and Dean we can work on that."

Ron still looked hesitant, "Okay, you're the captain."

"So it's decided." They nodded their heads in agreement.