September faded into October and with that Hogwarts became cold and wet. This didn't stop the Gryffindor captain Angelina Johnson from scheduling quidditch practices every day she possibly could, and the first of them would be taking place this morning. Ron had been ecstatic to find out that he had been named the starting Gryffindor keeper and had dragged Harry out to the quidditch pitch every day to practice on their own. Harry could see that despite some inconsistencies, Ron was a naturally gifted keeper, and although he was nowhere near the same level that Oliver Wood had been in Harry's third year, Harry knew that given enough time he would be a formidable replacement for the now reserve keeper for Puddlemore United.
This morning had been no different and so Harry and Ron had practiced on their own to get a little warm up in before Ron's first official team practice. When they returned to the pitch after lunch, chasers and beaters in tow, Harry noticed Malfoy and his cronies were sitting in the stands waiting for them. This wasn't an uncommon event as other quidditch teams would try to scout out their opponents, especially before matches. Once they arrived to the pitch the Slytherins started jeering and taunting at each of the Gryffindor players in turn, which again was nothing new (intimidation tactics as Oliver used to call it), but the problem was that Ron seemed to actually be affected by what they were saying. He was playing nothing like he had been with Harry the last week.
The worse he played the more they taunted, and the more they taunted the worse he played leading to an extremely unhappy Angelina. This coupled with the rain, meant a miserable afternoon for everyone involved, and Ron's ears and face were stuck in a shade of red that only the Weasleys could manage for the near entirety of the practice.
About halfway through their scheduled time Ron had finally managed a decent save and in his excitement had accidentally thrown the quaffle too hard, catching Katie Bell in the face with it by mistake. No matter what she did she couldn't get her nose to stop bleeding much to the delight of the Slytherins watching from the stands. This led to a thoroughly frustrated Angelina ending practice early while the twins took Katie to the hospital wing.
On their way down Harry noticed that the Slytherins were waiting by the changing rooms and suggested to Ron they shower in the Gryffindor showers instead, making up an excuse about how they were going to get soaked heading back inside anyway. Ron seemed to realize what he was doing but didn't argue. Landing on the steps of the castle Harry tore off his soaked robes and wrung them out best he could. In just his quidditch jersey and leather quidditch pants he made his way inside the castles entrance and began heading towards the grand staircase where they would start the trek up to their common room.
On his way towards the staircase, he noticed Daphne with who he assumed was her little sister coming down the stairs, likely headed back towards the dungeons. The girl looked like a slightly shorter version of Daphne with brown hair and brown eyes. Harry locked eyes with his part time patrol mate who gave him a nod of recognition. As he passed by her, he gave her a smile, a small wave, and a muttered "hullo" and started up the stairs. If he had chanced a look back, he would have noticed the slightest beginnings of a blush on Daphne's cheeks and a smirk on her sister's lips.
They soon got to the common room and stepped through the portrait hole. Hermione was sitting on a sofa knitting and greeted them lightly "How was practice?" she asked, as Harry and Ron made their way from the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room.
"It was —" Harry began.
"Completely lousy," said Ron in a hollow voice, sinking into a chair beside Hermione.
She looked up at Ron with a look of empathy. "Well, it was only your first one," she said consolingly, "it's bound to take time to —"
"Who said it was me who made it lousy?" snapped Ron.
"No one," said Hermione, looking taken aback, "I thought —"
"You thought I was bound to be rubbish?"
"No, of course I didn't! Look, you said it was lousy so I just —"
"I'm going to go shower," said Ron angrily and stomped off to the staircase to the boys' dormitories and vanished from sight. Hermione turned to Harry.
"Was he lousy?"
"No," said Harry loyally. Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Well, I suppose he could've played better," Harry muttered, "but it was only the first training session, like you said..." * At Hermione's incredulous look he smiled sheepishly and apologized for Ron before making his own way up the stairs to shower as well.
When he made his way back down, he could see that Ron and Hermione were determinedly avoiding looking at one another while Hermione knitted, and Ron played chess with Seamus. He sat next to Hermione pulling out his Astronomy homework from a couple nights ago. Despite the fact that it wasn't due until the Thursday after next, Harry had started to make it habit to finish his work earlier, and tomorrow he was meeting with Dumbledore so he would rather get it done now.
He wrote 2 feet of parchment on Jupiter and its different moons, while Hermione explained idly between glares at Ron, that the four largest moons of Jupiter were named for the Roman God of the sky's mistresses. Harry listened to her while writing and when he finished, he handed his essay to Hermione for a quick review. She read it over approvingly. "Io is the moon with all of the volcanoes, not Ganymede, but other than that great job Harry."
He took the parchment back thanking her and made the necessary changes. He saw Ron glance at them with annoyance and knew that this would likely be one of the arguments that didn't blow over soon. He sighed and asked Hermione if she was ready for their patrol. She quickly put her things away and they went to their respective dormitories to drop off their bags and for Harry to grab his map.
They hurried their way to the 4th floor where Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein were waiting for them. Harry could hear them talking about how frustrated they were with Defense and the lack of practical magic before they arrived. After relieving them Harry looked over to Hermione and could see that she was still annoyed from her earlier argument with Ron. He bumped her with his shoulder and asked, "Do you want to use the map tonight or would you rather walk around and blow some steam?"
She looked at him, her annoyed expression slipping as a kinder one took its place. "Let's use the map, we never did get a chance to go back down to the kitchens and talk with Dobby or the other elves."
Harry pulled the map out and quickly activated it, with Hermione by his side they scanned the worn parchment and saw that nothing was amiss for the time being. They started to make their way down to the kitchens at a leisurely pace.
While they walked Harry asked how Hermione's parents were doing remembering she received a letter from them earlier this week (Good they were planning a skiing trip over the winter holidays), and Hermione asked about his patrols with Daphne and how his occlumency with Professor Dumbledore had been going (surprisingly enjoyable, and excellent). Soon enough they made it to the kitchens.
When Harry and Hermione entered, he was greeted by a sight he had never seen before. The house elves were glaring at them, well actually, they were glaring at Hermione. Harry asked one of the elves passing by if Dobby was around and she huffed before setting off to find him. In the time they were waiting Hermione had been trying to speak with the elves, but they were all furiously avoiding her.
A few minutes passed and Dobby finally appeared. Harry tried unsuccessfully to stifle a snort when he realized that Dobby must have been wearing every piece of clothing Hermione had knitted to date. He was wearing what looked like multiple pairs of socks on each foot, had a scarf wrapped around his head and a beanie on each of his large ears. "Harry Potter sir and Miss Miney has come to visit Dobby" the small elf beamed.
Hermione was gaping at the small elf, so Harry responded for them. "Yes Dobby, I wanted to stop by and see my friend, and Hermione wanted to talk some of the other elves, but it appears they don't really want to talk to her." He said with a small smile at the end.
Dobby frowned and started to wring his hands together in a way that Harry knew meant he wanted to say something that he thought they wouldn't like. He was intrigued at what was upsetting him so he decided to encourage him "Dobby, you can tell us anything you'd like. I promise we won't get upset."
Dobby seemed to relax at the words. "The other elves is not too pleased with Harry Potter's Miney." Dobby started. "Theys become angry at Miss Miney because shes be leaving out clothes for us to picks up. Now the other elves don't wants to clean the lions house. But Dobby doesn't mind. He be cleaning for the lions and he be loving all of the clothes Miss Miney is leaving." He finished. Harry could see the little elf glance up towards Hermione and then immediately began wringing his hands together again at the expression on Hermione's face.
Harry looked at her and whispered, "You're scaring him Hermione, he probably thinks you're going to try to punish him."
Hermione's face immediately softened, and she kneeled to speak with Dobby. "I'm sorry Dobby, thank you for letting me know and I'm glad you've been enjoying the clothes. If you don't mind, could you tell me why it's upsetting the other elves that I leave clothes for them?" She asked him.
"The other elves is not like Dobby," he replied hesitantly "Theys be wanting to be bonded to Hogwarts. When Miss Miney is trying to free them, they thinks it means that she be saying they is doing a bad job." He replied looking calmer albeit a little uncomfortable.
"So, you're saying that the other elves want to be bonded to Hogwarts and in essence they believe I am trying to fire them by leaving the clothes around?" She asked.
Dobby nodded his head vigorously. "Most of the elves that works at Hogwarts is being elves that were freed by mean masters and had no place to go." He replied "Headmaster Dumbley be taking thems in and bonding thems so they have somewhere to stay. Theys don't want to leave."
Hermione looked at him with embarrassment and apology written all over her face. "Oh goodness, I've really mucked this up." She said. "Dobby, could you please let the other elves know that it was never my intent to have them fired and that I'm sorry? And please let them know that I will stop knitting clothes to just leave around." At Dobby's sad expression she added "But I would love to keep knitting for you if you don't mind."
Dobby brightened up yet again and Harry amusedly thought what an emotional rollercoaster this conversation was turning out to be for his smallest friend. "Dobby will be letting them know Miss Miney, and Dobby would be loving more socks and scarves, thank you."
Hermione thanked the elf and made to start heading out of the kitchen, still embarrassed. Harry could read her shame clear as day as he heard her muttering about having to end SPEW. Harry chuckled and looked down at Dobby. "Wow thanks for that Dobby, you got me out of having to knit during my free time." The elf smiled at Harry "Now if only you could help me find a place for us to practice defense on our own where Umbridge couldn't find us, and that would be my other problem solved." He said jokingly.
Dobby brightened even further "Dobby be knowing the perfect place, sir!" he said happily. "Dobby be hearing of it from the other house-elves when he came to Hogwarts, Harry Potter sir. It is known by elves as the Come and Go Room, sir, or else as the Room of Requirement!"
"Why?" said Harry curiously. Trying to control the hope that was rising in him.
"Because it is a room that a person can only enter," said Dobby seriously, "when they have real need of it. Sometimes it be there, and sometimes it not, but when it be, it is always ready for what is needed…"
"Dobby, do you have time right now to show us this room?" He asked and the little elf nodded following Hermione out of the kitchens and leading the way to the 7th floor where they found a peculiar portrait of trolls being taught ballet and a tidy answer to their defense problem.
Daphne Greengrass wasn't one to wear her emotions openly, but as she returned to the Slytherin common room following her rounds she must have been. Tracey her best friend in the world immediately flagged her down and asked her what was wrong. Daphne internally cursed at herself for being careless with her emotions. It was true that Tracey could recognize her emotions better than anyone, but she could usually keep even her from knowing what she was thinking.
"Nothing is wrong" she immediately replied. Tracey gave her a disbelieving look and didn't reply. "Really Trace, nothing is wrong." She said again, this time trying as hard as she could to make it sound sincere.
Tracey considered her for a moment "You're lying, but I won't push it. For now, at least." She said cheerfully. "How were your patrols?" She asked instead.
"They were alright." she answered honestly. Nothing was necessarily wrong with her rounds, yet she still found herself trying her hardest to push back the annoyance she could feel rising up inside of her at the question. "I did rounds with Turner the head boy, we came across Finnegan from Gryffindor and a fourth year Claw in a broom closet, but that was it."
"Who hasn't Finnegan been in a broom closet with, that's the real question." Tracey answered her. "So, no Potter tonight?" Tracey asked nonchalantly, and the annoyance that Daphne was forcing down moments ago fought to climb back up.
"No, no Potter tonight." she answered. "Turner said he has some tutoring or something and that he would be taking over for Potter if my patrols fall on a Sunday." She replied. She hoped she sounded as blasé as she was trying to because Tracey could usually tell when something was up. The worst part of this entire situation was that she didn't want to be annoyed that Potter wasn't there and that just served to annoy her even further.
Tracey made a knowing noise and Daphne shot her a dirty look before grabbing her bag from the common room and sitting down at their usual table, determined to get some work done before bed. However, try as she might her thoughts kept drifting back to Harry.
They had fallen into an easy… companionship? Friendship? Over the last month of patrolling together. Harry was nothing like the stuck up and arrogant brat that her housemates and head of house made him out to be. He instead seemed to be kind, if not a little reserved, humble, and even funny at times. They had initially spent the majority of their patrols talking about school, with Daphne helping him gain a better understanding of runes. He had in turn helped her with defense.
Defense had never been Daphne's strongest subject and that coupled with having a new teacher every year, most of whom were inept, left her grasping at times. She hovered at the borderline between exceeds and acceptable in the class. Harry was able to talk her through a lot of the fundamental theory that they should have learned in their first few years and explained it in ways that made much more sense than what Professors Quirrell or Lockhart ever explained. When she told him as much, she noticed that his face darkened, but it disappeared quickly enough that she may have been imagining it.
After she had told him that he started from the beginning, helping her through basic concepts of defense and building upon them, even venturing into empty classrooms to show her some of the most basic practical principles. Soon enough she had a better understanding of the basics that made up this branch of magic and everything else seemed to fall into place. She had lamented the fact that they couldn't do more advanced practical magic in defense anymore because she knew that she would have been improving by leaps and bounds.
Their discussion soon moved on from school and she began to ask him teasing questions about all the rumors she heard about him. He would laugh and tell her not to believe everything that she heard. Their conversation was easy, and the rounds flew by quickly with him. She had realized grudgingly after their last set of rounds that she had begun to look forward to their patrols.
Then yesterday is when it all came apart. She had been walking Tori back from the hospital wing as she had come down with a fever and they went to get a potion that would help bring it down when she had come across Harry and Weasley returning from quidditch practice. She hadn't been expecting to see him and her stomach turned when she saw how he looked.
He had his broom slung over his shoulder, his robe was off, and he was wearing a red and gold practice jersey and a pair of tight-fitting leather quidditch pants. His hair was a mess plastered to his forehead by the rain they had come out of, and his glasses were askew. She tried, and succeeded (just), in composing herself and sent him a short nod of recognition. Then the damnable Gryffindor smiled a sweet smile and waved at her with a muttered "hullo" just loud enough that she could barely hear it. The composure she worked so hard to achieve had crumbled in a moment and if her stomach had turned before, it did a somersault then. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and turned to follow him with her eyes. She saw the back of his jersey with the name POTTER and a large number 7 in gold print and immediately thought about what it would be like to wear his-
Astoria coughed beside her and finally she was able to regain some semblance of control over her traitorous mind and body. She saw her sister smirking and glared at her. "Not a word Tori," Daphne had said "or I tell mum and dad that you were flying in the rain and got yourself sick." Astoria glared back at her but said nothing and they took up the walk back to their common room in silence.
She had spent her time since yesterday trying to figure out what she was feeling towards the Gryffindor. Obviously, he was attractive, and she had been seeing so much of him lately that her mind was bound to wander, especially since his quidditch uniform was so different from his school robes or the rags he usually wore underneath them, which is what she usually saw him in.
She had then spent the rest of the time before her scheduled patrol trying to convince herself that nothing was wrong. As she spent the morning with Tracey catching up on schoolwork and spending time together, she tried to convince herself that the feelings she had were fine, brought on by their recent proximity and not a crush. As she prepared herself for the patrol, spending a few more minutes in the mirror than usual, she tried to convince herself that she was doing it for her sake and not because she was having rounds with him. And now that he didn't show without so much as a heads up, she was spending the rest of the evening trying desperately to convince herself that the tight feeling in her chest was because of her schoolwork, and definitely not because she was disappointed that he wasn't there.
She looked up from her assignment that she had been staring at blankly, not even pretending to have started writing, and saw Tracey looking at her knowingly. There was one thing Daphne was certain of right now and it was that Tracey knew what was going on and would definitely not be leaving her alone about it. With a long sigh she looked at her friend, awaiting the interrogation she knew was coming.
Harry was making his way back to the Gryffindor common room. He had just spent the evening with Professor Dumbledore. His head was pounding despite the headache potion and hot chocolate that had become customary following their visits together, but he didn't care. His lessons the past month had been going well as he had been steadily improving and Dumbledore decided that tonight he would finally test his defenses. As he walked towards Gryffindor tower, he allowed himself to replay the night over in his head.
Harry didn't know what to expect when Dumbledore looked him in the eyes with his wand held out and said Legillimens. For a long moment, he thought nothing happened, but then he felt it. A presence in his mind that wasn't his own. This was nothing like the few times he had visions of Voldemort when his mind was totally in another place… another body. This time he could still feel all his own thoughts, but he could feel something else as well. The prior months of training and organizing his mind made sense now. He could feel the presence looking for anything on the surface at first, but because Harry's mind was clear there was nothing for the other presence to grasp to. Any thoughts that had started to bubble up, Harry pushed back into place immediately.
After this first cursory glance Harry could then feel his headmaster dive deeper. No longer just browsing on the surface, but going into different corners of his mind, seeking out something in particular. Dumbledore hadn't told him what memory he would be looking for, stating that Voldemort wouldn't tell him either and that he needed to be ready to protect them all. Harry could feel him opening up the part of his mind where he stored away his quidditch memories. He briefly saw glimpses of memories flash by. Neville and a remember ball, coughing out the snitch after catching it for the first time, Lockhart vanishing the bones in his arm, dementors floating towards him, before he slipped off his broom and started falling. Harry quickly snapped that part of his mind shut. He identified the presence that was Dumbledore and seized him fighting against him hotly, before gathering his strength and finally pushing him out.
Dumbledore and Harry seemed to snap out of their trance in unison. Harry was panting hard, his forehead beaded with sweat and the beginnings of a headache well underway, but he was beaming.
Dumbledore had said at the beginning of their lesson, that he wanted Harry to try to hide his memories and that he would look for something. He told him that he wasn't expecting him to be able to throw him out but wanted to see if he could spot him and try to distract him.
When Harry looked back up, he saw Dumbledore looking at him with a strange look on his face. Harry wanted to believe that it was pride. "Well Harry," he said "That was unexpected. I truly did not think you would be able to find my presence as I was being subtle, let alone expel me from your mind." This time Harry was sure the look he was giving him was pride.
"Could you identify the memory I was seeking Harry?" Dumbledore asked him now.
Harry thought about it but ultimately shook his head "Something to do with quidditch I think?" He responded.
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "That is correct in a sense. The memory I was seeking was of the first task from the Triwizard Tournament last year. I wanted to see you face the Hungarian Horntail and decided the best way to find it would be to look for memories of you on a broom. May I ask when you could first sense my presence?"
Harry answered honestly, "I could feel that someone else was there just kind of scanning the surface of my mind looking for stray thoughts" When Dumbledore gestured for him to continue, he did. "I felt certain thoughts and memories trying to make their way out, but I was pushing them back. Then I felt you move over to where I store my quidditch memories. I could see glimpses of them as you were looking through them and finally was able to push those memories away. That's when I 'found' you I guess. I could feel your mind." He said thinking of the violating sensation of having someone else stroll through his head. "I tried to push you out but then you were fighting back, and I thought I wouldn't be able to manage it. I took a second to regain my strength and concentrated as hard as I could, and I was able to give one big push before I could finally get you out." He finished running a hand through his hair.
Dumbledore nodded. "You did well, Harry." Not many wizards could do so well on their first attempt, especially against a Master Legilimens such as myself." Harry blushed at his compliment and looked down causing Dumbledore to chuckle. "Take a few moments to compose yourself, we will try again, and I will show you more aggressive attempts so you can understand the difference."
The next couple of hours passed quickly. Dumbledore continued to attack Harry's mind searching for specific memories that Harry was unaware of, and Harry tried to protect them. He used different levels of aggression, informing Harry that Voldemort preferred brute force to subtlety.
Harry had been able to find Dumbledore every time, He had only managed to expel him once more, but he was able to figure out what he was searching for and keep him from finding it a majority of the time.
When their lesson finally came to a close Dumbledore had given him his hot chocolate and headache potion and praised his hard work before finally outlining their future plans and issuing a warning. "I must admit I did not expect this level of progress from you so quickly Harry. It seems you are rather proficient in the mind arts." he started "I believe you will be ready to hear the prophecy before the Christmas break, maybe even as soon as next month. After that point we will begin to train in earnest. We will discuss the life and history of Tom Riddle, and I will begin to teach you some advanced magic."
Harry couldn't hide the excitement on his face. But before he could reply Dumbledore continued. "I expect that at that time you will continue to ensure that our lessons will not impede your studies." He waited for Harry's agreement before continuing "We may make some excursions a little later on as well, but I will let you know more as we get there.
"I do ask that you be careful tonight, Harry. We have put your mind through a lot, and like a muscle when you exercise it, it tires and weakens first before getting stronger. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please let me know." Harry nodded his agreement and prepared to stand realizing he would likely be dismissed soon. Dumbledore didn't disappoint "I believe that is all at this time. Please take this before you head out," he said brandishing the now familiar slip of parchment with his loopy handwriting on it excusing him for being out after hours, "and I will see you next week." Harry had thanked him, nodded, and left.
As he finished his thoughts, he found himself in front of the Gryffindor entrance, the fat lady yawning at him with an annoyed expression. "Tenacity" he mumbled, and the door swung open. Harry wasn't expecting anyone to be in the common room this late, and when he saw his two best friends sitting on a couch waiting for him, he sighed internally, determined to tell them that he would talk to them tomorrow. Then he noticed that Ron was clutching a letter and that he and Hermione appeared to have made a truce in their current argument. He realized soon after this was because they both took the anger that they had been hurling at each other lately and focused it on someone else. Percy Weasley. As Harry let Ron read him the letter praising Umbridge and making Harry out to be a lunatic, a lingering thought was stuck in his mind, 'I always thought he was a poncey git.'
Harry and Ron made their way to the Great Hall together the next morning with Harry still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Dumbledore had been right, for the first time in months Harry had felt pain in his scar, which had interrupted his sleep.
They made their way towards the right side of the hall where Hermione was sitting at the table flanked by the twins on one side and Ginny on the other. They plopped on the bench the other side from her so they could sit across from everyone, and Neville seated himself on Harrys other with a grumbled "g'mornin" a couple minutes later.
Harry was in the process of spreading some jam on his toast when a flurry of owls stormed in. Hermione took her copy of the prophet depositing a few knuts in the bag that hung around the owls neck before it flew away. It didn't take long to realize that the content in Percy's letter had come true. Covering the entirety of the front page was a large picture of Umbridge looking like a toad that had just swallowed a juicy bug. The title read "MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER 'HIGH INQUISITOR'".
Harry and Ron looked at the picture in disgust and asked Hermione what that meant. She began to read the article that was explaining how Umbridge had become a Professor at Hogwarts through the use of some educational decree passed by Minister Fudge. The paper was trying its best to make her sound good, going so far as to say that she was 'revolutionizing the role of defense against the dark arts' which caused everyone around them to scoff in disbelief and mutter darkly. The article had excerpts from Percy and Lucius Malfoy saying that the standards at Hogwarts were falling and talking about how this new role would allow her to inspect fellow instructors to make sure they were 'up to scratch'.
The twins looked incensed and swore they would prank 'Percy the prat' into oblivion the next time they saw him. The article did end on a somewhat positive note with a paragraph questioning the decision and some interviews from a few prominent Wizengamot members who said that the minister was abusing his power and that Dumbledore was in the right.
Harry glanced up at the head table trying to gauge their instructors' reactions. He noticed immediately that nearly every professor looked upset, Professor McGonagall and Flitwick had disapproving frowns on their face and even Snape's sneer seemed more pronounced than usual. The only two who looked as though nothing was wrong were Umbridge, who was sitting there with a smug smile on her wide face, and the headmaster himself, who was eating pleasantly as though nothing was amiss.
Harry remembered the conversation he had with Dumbledore a few weeks prior, 'For the time being we must play by this game by their rules but know that I am working in the background to do what I can.' He recalled Dumbledore telling him. He looked at his friends and shook his head.
"They're doing what they can to discredit Dumbledore and make her look good." He told his friends. "We have to play by their rules for now, but that doesn't mean we can't cheat a little. We're going to have do what we can to make her look bad, but we have to make sure we don't get caught."
Ron, Neville, and Ginny looked intrigued and readily agreed. Harry could see the twins' eyes light up with bad intentions, but it was Hermione's thoughtful expression that excited Harry the most. Sure enough, after a minute she lowered her voice and spoke to him directly "I have an idea, Harry." She whispered across the table. Harry leaned in closer and asked her what she had in mind.
"That room that Dobby showed us yesterday," she started, and Harry gestured for her to continue, "What if we don't just keep it for the three of us." she said pointing between the two of them and Ron. "What if we were to start our own defense class and teach those who are on your side and sympathetic to Dumbledore? Then when we take exams, they'll realize how inept she is while we pass with flying colors. It would make her look horrible."
Harry considered the idea and decided that he liked it. "Who would lead the class? You think we could get a 7th year?" Harry asked Hermione.
"I was thinking you could do it Harry." She replied. Harry immediately began to shut her down stating he wasn't qualified to teach others, but she stopped him by holding out her hand and continuing "No, listen. You defeated he-who-must-not-be-named when you were 11, killed a basilisk when you were 12. You saved mine and Sirius' life and fought off 100 dementors using a charm most 7th years can't perform at 13. And last year you outperformed 3 of the most qualified students in Europe to be named the Triwizard Champion, just before you dueled the most feared dark lord in recent history and lived." Hermione ended her little rant and looked him in the eyes daring him to contradict her points, as their friends around him nodded their agreement.
"When you say it like that it sounds heroic and like I knew what I was doing," Harry started "but the truth is, I was lucky. I had help every step of the way and I was terrified Hermione. I wish I could tell you that I used skill and power and finesse, but I didn't. I did what I had to do, and it was barely enough for me to stay alive." He finished softly looking down.
He looked up at her then and could see that her eyes were bright and slightly moist. "I hate how self-deprecating you can be." she muttered. "If those things happened to anyone of us besides you, we would be dead ten times over Harry. Not to mention the people you directly saved." He could hear his friends muttering their agreement "Yes, luck and help played a part, but if we can teach others enough maybe they can get lucky too if and when the time comes. Wouldn't that alone make it worth it? You don't have to say yes now Harry but promise me you'll think about it." She ended in a pleading tone.
"Okay, I promise I'll think about it" Harry told her sincerely.
"Oh, and one more thing, Harry" Hermione said after a moment of quiet. "No more selling yourself short. I meant what I told you all that time ago in first year, and it rings even more true now. You are a great wizard Harry, one of the best I've ever known."
*Taken directly from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
A/N: The timeline in my story is a bit different from Canon. For example, Umbridge becomes High Inquisitor at a later date than she did in OOTP and things like quidditch and Hogsmeade weekends may be moved around somewhat. Part of this is due to changes in the story. For example, Harry isn't getting detentions because he is succeeding in his occlumency and able to control his emotions. Meanwhile Fudge had a harder time getting Dolores to become High Inquisitor because of the public smacking down Dumbledore gave him at the trial over the summer. Things like quidditch and Hogsmeade weekends are just getting moved around to help my narrative flow more smoothly. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter, and I'll see you next time 😊
Ps: I love the quidditch jersey trope… sue me.