Chapter 12 – NEWTS

"Where is she?" Hermione asked Ron for what was probably the fourteenth time since they left the train in Hogsmeade. He shrugged and she smacked him hard in the arm in aggravation. "You said she was probably on the platform, then PROBABLY at the carriages, then PROBABLY getting changed. Well she's not here and you're not worried?" She asked indignantly. Ginny started asking people around them at the table if anyone had seen Lizzie but nobody had.

"Well would you look at that, you lunatic? Not dead or maimed," Ron said sarcastically, as Lizzie entered the Great Hall just following the sorting ceremony. "Except for that black bruise on her face. Why do they always go for her face?" Ron added.

Lizzie rolled her eyes immediately when all eyes latched onto her as she walked in to sit down.

"Where were you?" Hermione asked harshly.

"Later," Lizzie whispered shaking her head, she was pulling her hair back behind her head into a braid, fixing her tie, and trying to avoid eye contact with people. She looked up and immediately caught eyes with Draco who narrowed his eyes at her. She mouthed a 'fuck you,' with pure contempt and he glared back disdainfully.

Dumbledore launched into a lecture about safety and being mindful of danger. The tides had changed dramatically. Many people craned necks to look at Lizzie, and she failed to understand the excessive degree of preoccupation. She also hadn't read through all the new prophet articles yet, and that was always enough to stay in the limelight.

"Now, I have some staff changes to announce. We are honored to have back Professor Horace Slughorn, who will take up his old post as Potions master this year," Dumbledore announced, and whispers broke out immediately. Lizzie choked on her drink in response.

"The Defense Against the Dark Arts post will be filled by Professor Snape," He clarified. More murmurs broke out along with loud applause from the Slytherin table resounding across the hall.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Lizzie muttered. Hermione frowned at her but looked rather annoyed by it as well. Ron scratched the back of his head uncomfortably.

Lizzie caught eyes with Snape who smirked weakly, but his eyes grew meaner as she stared reproachfully back at him. "Well two of the professors in that post died, one is institutionalized, and another is on her way to prison... he's got great odds," Lizzie said, just loud enough for a few people around them to hear.

"Mind you one of them treats you like a daughter," Hermione said.

"Yeah well...Kill me quickly if Snape tries to take that on," Lizzie sneered.

"Well, and I hate to admit, but Snape has saved your life how many times now?..." Ron asked.

"Not the point," Lizzie grumbled.

The feast came to a close and Ron and Hermione left to escort the first years up to tour the common room. Lizzie headed out with Ginny, and Seamus caught up to her in the entry hall.

"Heya Lizzie," he said somewhat awkwardly.

"Hey you, what's up?" She asked sweetly.

"I just wanted to make sure we were on good terms... I know we didn't speak much nearly all of last year," he said. Lizzie mouthed something but she wasn't sure anything came out. "Also wanted to make sure you were alright. I don't really trust the prophet anymore if you can believe it," he added with a smirk.

"Oh, um yeah. Seamus don't worry, we're fine. You already apologized... water under the bridge. I'm... well I'm not particularly good but I'm glad to have made it back here... you know..." she said.

"Right. I just want you to know that I didn't realize how much danger the slander and libel put you in until the DA got caught. I hope that woman gets a lengthy sentence. I contributed to all of that and I've felt extremely ashamed by it. All in all, I want to be your friend again, so..." he explained.

"You are my friend, Seamus, like I said... water under the bridge," she smiled nervously. One thing about legilimency, she thought, was how nice it was to know when someone was being genuinely honest. He touched her arm as a friendly gesture and then headed up to the common room.

"He is sorry, Lizzie, truly..." Dean added, he had met up with Ginny and wrapped an arm around her waist. Lizzie looked at Ginny who smiled girlishly to confirm they were dating. Lizzie then started to realize how much she missed over the summer.

"I know he is, Dean. Thanks," Lizzie assured, and hovered back to give them space together, feeling astonishingly melancholy about the days she would have been with walking up these stairs with Cedric.

"Potter," she heard a familiar voice say behind her that jolted her back into the bleak present. Lizzie turned around to see McGonagall walking toward her with some urgency.

"Hi, Lizzie," she smiled sweetly, looking relieved to see her.

"Hi, professor.." Lizzie said, smiling back weakly.

"I have some good news for you, follow me to see Professor Dumbledore," she said reassuringly, and Lizzie followed her up to the stone gargoyle.

Lizzie entered the familiar office and reached out a friendly hand to pet Fauxes. She looked up at Dumbledore's desk and noticed him standing with Snape and Slughorn deep in a muffled conversation she was hoping to discretely catch wind of.

"Ah, Lizzie, good," Dumbledore said when he caught her eyes. "We've got a lengthy agenda, you should sit," he insisted. She looked suspiciously at Snape who subtly rolled his eyes, and then sat down nearest McGonagall who summoned a small stack of parchment.

"First, you don't have your books because you did not receive your scores. So if it's alright by you, Professor McGonagall has placed an order at Flourish and Blotts on your behalf. They should be here in about two weeks tops. Normally sooner, but we have tightened security," Dumbledore explained.

"Sure, that's fine, just take it out of my vault, thank you," she said appreciatively.

"Now, next is your OWL scores. I think you'll be pleased. Your scores were weighted slightly, five percent, to account for the time lost. Transfigurations an additional five percent that everyone received due to Professor McGonagall's absence. I can assure you, however, that the only exams this actually changed the scores of were History of Magic and Astronomy. You did remarkably well considering..." he said, handing her the scores.

McGonagall watched Lizzie read through the scores, her eyes gleaming with pride.

Defensive Magic - Outstanding
Transfigurations - Outstanding
Charms - Outstanding
Potions - Exceeds Expectations
Herbology - Outstanding
Divinations - Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic - Outstanding
Astronomy - Outstanding
Arithmacy - Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding

"These are the highest scores, aside from Miss..." McGonagall said.

"Granger..." Lizzie finished with a smile.

"But... without the Outstanding in Potions, I'm still going to forfeit the auror track," Lizzie said, her heart sinking a little realizing it all was still a veiled failure. Snape smirked slightly but his face fell a little when Slughorn spoke.

"My dear, I reviewed the exams, and you were close to an outstanding. I would not imagine depriving you of that career track considering the ordeal you went through just prior to taking these... But, to be abundantly fair to the other students, I have decided to accept NEWT students with Exceeds Expectations," Slughorn said reassuringly.

Lizzie smiled a little, but more so at Snape's disappointment. "Thank you, sir. I greatly appreciate that," she said. He smiled wide back at her.

"Second order of business is your schedule," Dumbledore said, handing her another piece of parchment.

NEWT COURSES
Transfigurations
Potions
Defensive Magic
Herbology
Charms
Alchemy

"I thought we were allowed seven, can I add Care of Magical Creatures?" She asked, having been more excited about it since the time spent near the Alps.

"Your seventh course is with me, Lizzie, I don't recommend adding an eighth with the intensity of NEWT subjects and other activities. I will send you a note when to come for those though as I don't know what my schedule looks like quite yet," Dumbledore said. Now remembering their conversation at the end of last term, Lizzie nodded in understanding.

"Now, occlumency… I think we may have some better luck with. I'm interested to know if you are a legilimens though or capable of learning to be, channeling that through to him may serve us well..." Dumbledore said.

"I am, Professor. I noticed it this summer, now that my head is slightly clearer," she admitted. Snape suddenly looked uncomfortable, but Dumbledore looked pleased.

"Professor Slughorn is working on developing something you can take on a regular basis for controlling the other affliction. I know they appear dormant, but I worry that if he retains access to your mind, that may be enough to awaken them," Dumbledore explained. Lizzie paused apprehensively but nodded and smiled weakly at Slughorn. He looked extremely sympathetic but refrained from saying anything.

"Professor Snape will be advising dueling club this year," Dumbledore said next.

"What?" Lizzie asked sharply. Dumbledore looked back at her reprovingly.

"You have retained head chair since its hiatus, I have recommended he keeps it that way, you are free to choose someone to help you... preferably someone younger and equipped to help younger students as well as pupils their age, sort of like the team with you and Mr. Diggory... surely there is someone from the organization you put together last year..." Dumbledore explained.

Lizzie sucked in a sharp breath of air. "Yeah, I will um... I will find someone," she said.

"Be swift about it or I will choose for you," Snape said curtly, and Lizzie glared at him for a moment.

"We also have some ground rules to go over this year. Stricter rules for you in particular," Dumbledore said.

Lizzie choked on a laugh and McGonagall swatted her on the head with a rolled up parchment.

"You are not permitted to leave the castle and out to the grounds without an escort. Tonks will be on campus and available if you want someone you get along well with..."

"Hogsmeade trips are permitted but you will notice extra eyes on you and your whereabouts. Sneaking off won't be tolerated..."

"No writing... unfortunately... we don't want owls to be intercepted. I will relay important messages to you..."

"No wandering at night, as has always been the rule... I do ask that you carry your cloak with you in your school bag or on your person at most all times just in case," Dumbledore explained. Lizzie nodded reluctantly.

"Remus give you these rules?" She asked a little sarcastically.

"Remus will no doubt be more furious than any of us if you break them, lenient as a professor, extremely overprotective as a guardian," Dumbledore chuckled.

"Well I think deep down he knew Sirius wasn't a threat... but sure that's fair. Noted. I am glad Tonks is here," Lizzie admitted.

"Now! Last order of business I'll lend to Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said gesturing to Minerva with a grin. She pulled out a badge and handed it to Lizzie who smiled wide uncontrollably and hugged McGonagall around the neck tightly.

Lizzie looked back down and ran her thumb over the gold engraved lion and embellished "captain" emblem on the front of the badge, and the thought of her dad made her eyes glassy.

"Congratulations, honey. The ban will be lifted. I do insist with how many have left and the botched replacements from last year that you host a new slew of tryouts. Everyone should try out again, with the exception of Katie Bell perhaps. Recruiters will be at the first and last games," McGonagall explained. Lizzie nodded excitedly.

"Thank you so much, Professor," she smiled.

"We may need to bring Delores back here to lift the ban," Dumbledore interjected. Lizzie looked up sharply and frowned, but then raised her eyebrows and nodded when she realized he was joking.

"Shame, that would have actually been pretty satisfying honestly," Lizzie muttered.

"Well, that's all we have for you today, my dear. Please keep an eye out for my owl. I will see a lot more of you this year, I promise," he said reassuringly.

"Oh, Lizzie..." he stopped. "Are you still taking sedatives?" He asked apprehensively.

"No... I haven't since they were... swiped last year," she said with a bit of bitterness. "I've recovered from the withdrawals," she added, casting him shade with her eyes.

"How long did you take them?" Dumbledore asked.

"Almost eleven years," she said hoarsely.

"Do you sleep?" He asked.

"I took to taking that potion most nights over the summer to keep him out of my mind. So I don't really know if I'll sleep. Haven't on my own in... well I don't know when..." she admitted.

"Talk to Poppy if you have trouble and we'll see what we can do to help," Dumbledore said. Lizzie nodded.

"Goodnight, Professors," she said politely, and left the office. McGonagall escorted her up to Gryffindor Tower.

"Please be careful this year, Lizzie," McGonagall said as they approached the fat lady. She touched the bruise on her face with a frown and Lizzie shook her head not to pry. McGonagall sighed and shook her head reprovingly.

"Goodnight," Lizzie said with a weak smile. "Thank you again..."

McGonagall nodded and retreated back down the hall.

"Stop disappearing!" Hermione said harshly. There were a handful of students up and scattered about the common room.

"Sorry, Dumbledore..." Lizzie said, and pulled the owl results and captains badge our of her pocket.

"How did you manage these scores? I was so worried what happened would interfere!" Hermione gaped.

"All capacities intact," Lizzie smiled and flashed the captains badge.

"YE-EES" Ron roared, and scooped her up in a bear hug. Lizzie belly laughed and they sat down on the couch around the fire. Dean and Ginny joined and sat across from them. Seamus sat down next to Lizzie who was still smiling down at badge.

"What's going on?" He asked excitedly.

"We got our seeker back," Ron said beaming and loud enough for the room to hear. Dean's eyes lit up, Ginny sighed with relief, and Seamus put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. "Captain too," Ron added pointing to the badge.

Lizzie smiled wider and wiped the tears creeping up around the base of her eyes as she stared down at the badge.

"You alright?" Seamus asked.

"Yeah, I'm bloody great at the moment actually," she said quietly, happily crying a little.