Chapter 13: Discoveries

If there's a prize for rotten judgment,
I guess I've already won that
No man is worth the aggravation
That's ancient history,
Been there
Done that

Who'd ya think you're kidding?
He's the earth and heaven to ya
Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya
Girl ya can't conceal it
We know how you're feelin', who you're thinking of

No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no
You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it, uh oh
It's too...cliché
I won't say I'm in love

The events that took place in the courtyard of Hogwarts were among the whispers the next day. Halle had gone out to help the Trio however they had got side tracked as Harry wanted to see Dumbledore. Like Harry, she had a knack for getting herself in trouble; however she wasn't nearly as good at getting herself out of the sticky situation.

She welcomed Snape's class for she knew that no one would be whispering in that class.

"Today we will be brewing or should I say attempting for the most of you," Professor Snape's eyes scanned the class and focus on Harry. "The Polyjuice Potion. Now can anyone tell me exactly what this is?"

Hermione's hand immediately shot up in the air. A loathing Snape unwillingly called on her seeing as hers was the only hand up. "Yes Miss Granger."

"The Polyjuice Potion is used to transform a person into the physical form of another person for one hour. The final ingredient in this potion is a piece of the person that the drinker will transform into." Hermione stated her as per usual textbook definition.

"Correct. One point to Gryffindor." Snape sneered.

"One point!" Harry whispered to her. "Whoever heard of giving out just one point."

"Honestly Harry you know he wants his house to win the cup." Hermione replied.

"This potion will take up a few classes since it is a more difficult one. You will be put in groups of two and they are as following : Since Miss Granger would find a way to help Mr. Potter no matter what I have reluctantly put them together. Miss Potter you will be working with Mr. Malfoy, Lavender and Goyle, Parvati and Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Finnigan and Crabbe." Snape put down his list and stared at the class. "Well what are you waiting for?"

Harry knew that Snape paired Halle with Malfoy in order to anger him. He didn't care what side Malfoy was on, in Harry and Ron's book he was still a git.

Halle and Draco got their ingredients together and began running through the order that was on the board. Grabbing a spare piece of parchment Halle walked to the front of the room and began writing down the directions word for word. Professor Snape walked by and commented on her actions. "Good idea Miss Potter. Having everything with you will help tremendously."

Halle was surprised at the compliment just as Harry and Hermione were who heard it as well. "Thanks Professor." She replied and smiled.

"Good to know that one of you takes after your mother." He replied as he walked over to inspect another group.

Halle shook her head and returned to the table she and Draco were working at. "You got in good with Snape huh?" Draco stated.

"I guess. I don't understand why he treats me differently than Harry. Something about my mum but I'm not exactly sure." She replied. Focusing back on the task she grabbed his hand and stopped him from putting the wrong ingredient in. "No Draco the bark goes in after the flobberworm mucus."

"Oh right." He replied however not letting go of the bark or Halle's hand.

"Malfoy you want to stop touching my sister?" Harry growled from behind.

"Shut it Potter." Draco snapped back. Pulling his hand away from Halle's

"Ten points from Gryffindor for distracting another group. Now get back to work Mr. Potter unless you wish to lose more points." Serverus Snape smirked and showed no attempt to hide the delight he took in taking away points from Harry's house.

Halle rolled her eyes and all three of them and Hermione shot her a look of agreement

By the time class came to an end things had calmed down quite a bit. Harry, Hermione, and Halle met up with Ron and Neville who had just finished Herbology. "Oi Harry you look like Snape took your broom away!" Ron exclaimed when he saw Harry's angry face.

"Honestly Harry it wasn't a big deal." Halle exclaimed as the group entered their Defense class which was also, with the Slytherins.

"Good afternoon class." Professor Gallagher said once the students were all seated. "Today I have a special treat. Professor Lupin has volunteered to help in a little dueling event we will have today. So please everyone follow me to the Great Hall."

Excitement went through everyone as they made their way down the staircase. Halle walked along with Hermione as the boys talked about which spell that would use in which situation. "I don't want to be near him 'Mione."

Hermione gave Halle a meek smile and patted her on the back. "It'll be alright Halle."

They arrived in the Great Hall and Professor Gallagher immediately started. "Alright now we're going to split this between boys and girls. Girls please join Professor Lupin over there, boys with me."

Halle groaned quietly. It was just her luck that something like this would happen.

When it came down to the girls, the last two remaining were not surprisingly Hermione and also Halle. The boys were down to Harry and Draco. Ron had been close however had fallen to Draco when he failed to disarm him correctly.

Everyone watched as Halle and Hermione battled it out. This duel was over a lot faster than many thought it would be. "Expelliarmus!" Halle yelled. The jet of light burst from her wand and knocked Hermione's out before she could get a full spell off. A look of astonishment came over everyone in the room. There was no doubt about it, Halle was quicker than Hermione.

Harry smiled at his sister accomplishment, even though it was his best friend she had faced. He then realized it was his turn. He and Draco bowed to each other and began their pacing back.

"Ready? 3, 2, 1 duel!" Professor Gallagher exclaimed.

"Petrificus Tot. . ." Draco began.

"Stupefy!" Harry yelled quickly. The spell hit Draco square in the chest and threw him 3 feet back.

Professor Gallagher clapped excitedly and Lupin smiled and clapped as well. "Very good Mr. Potter!" Gallagher congratulated him. "Now, now. The next will be quite interesting. Brother against sister."

Harry looked at his sister then back to his Professor. He was hoping he was kidding, however the looked of curiousness was plastered upon his face.

The two bowed and walked back. Halle caught sight of Remus who was giving her a half smile. Looking away she took some deep breaths to try and relax.

"Ready? 3, 2 ,1 duel!" Gallagher repeated.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry exclaimed.

"Impedimenta!" Halle threw at the same time.

Both spells hit their intended targets however nothing happened. Whispers went through the group of kids watching and looks of bewilderment were shot between Professors.

They both immediately tried their spells again and as before, they did not work.

"Try something else." Hermione urged Halle.

"Petrificus Totalous!" Halle watched as the spell hit Harry and again did nothing.

"Curious, very curious." Gallagher stated. "I wonder Mr. Potter, would you be willing to try something stronger."

"I believe I must step in Professor Gallagher. If you're insinuating but I believe you are that is not only against school policy but ministry policy as well." Remus Lupin stated firmly.

"Come now Lupin, surely it won't be powerful after all they are only children." Guthrie replied.

"No." Harry said angrily knowing that if Lupin thought I was bad then it was.

"Mr. Potter I am your teacher and as such you will do as I say." The defense teacher was becoming increasingly annoyed.

"He said no. We're not an experiment, or is that what you think of us, lab rats?" Halle spat.

"Detention Miss Potter." He exclaimed.

"Oh great because class isn't enough time for me to be tortured by your horrid teaching." Halle shot back. What was she doing? Anger was surging through her.

"You now have a full week. Would you like to try for another?" Professor Gallagher sneered.

Lupin shot Halle a look as their eyes made contact for more than a second. "No sir." Halle replied looking at the ground.

"Very well then. You will have an exam next class on chapters 9, 10, and 11. Class dismissed." He stated and immediately rushed out of the hall.

"Detention all week? Halle you're turning into your brother, talking back to Professors like that." Hermione exclaimed.

Halle shrugged. "I don't care."

Whispers went through the kids who were filing out of the hall.

Remus walked over to the group of friends. "Halle you really shouldn't have talked to him like that. I would've taken care of it."

She looked at the man whom her heart told her to be with but her head disagreed. "I'm not a little girl. I can handle myself."

He frowned at her not liking the answer he was given.

"I'm fine Remus." She said quietly incase anyone else was listening.

He nodded and watched as the group left for their dormitories.

"Well of course their spells won't have an effect on each other Remus. Just one of their many advantages as twins." Dumbledore explained.

"He tried to get Harry to perform an unforgivable on my niece! I want some action!" Sirius demanded.

"Now, now Sirius we can not be sure as to what Guthrie had in mind. I will however speak to him again about the rules that must be enforced in that class." The headmaster replied. "Now Sirius if you don't mind I need to speak with Remus alone. I believe your godchildren will be wanting to speak with you about today's events."

Sirius nodded at the older man and left.

"Now Remus, I must ask you. Is there anything you wish to tell me?" Albus Dumbledore had many a time used this phrase. He didn't like to believe that he knew everything however sometimes, it seemed so.

'I'll lose my job if I say anything.' Remus thought to himself. Clearing his throat he answered his colleague. "Nothing that I can think of Albus. If that is everything I will be going. Full moon is coming up and I'm beginning to feel very drained."

Dumbledore smiled at the Professor. "Yes, yes of course Remus."

The werewolf began to exit the room when he was spoken to once more.

"Oh and Remus." Dumbledore said causing Lupin to look back in his direction. "I do believe she will come around."

A confused Lupin exited the office and stood outside the door. 'He knew. Dumbledore knew and he still had a job.' He smiled to himself as he walked back to his quarters. Maybe, just maybe, his life would finally take a turn for the better.

A/N : I believe this chapter has cleared up a lot of questions I have received. Hope you enjoy. Please please please review. I love hearing from you. The song from the last chapter was Evan and Jaron "The Distance"