Thank you everyone for the encouragement and helpful reviews! And thanks to my charming and talented betas Spacegal 19 and Romulus Magnus – in this chapter I came down with an awful case of the 'crabbes' ha ha. I crack myself up.

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Chapter 12

Back to School

Harry dragged his trunk onto the Hogwarts Express, charming it for featherweight as soon as he was out of Mr. & Mrs. Weasley's sight. He carried it into an empty compartment and hoisted it up on the shelf, placing Hedwig's cage on the seat, and leaned out the window, waving at Remus.

Sitting down with a sigh of contentment, he waited for his friends to join him. Eventually the compartment was filled with Luna, Neville, Hermione, Ron and Ginny. It was cozy, to say the least, but Hermione and Ron had to leave for prefect duties. The four remaining students traded stories of their summer while playing exploding snap.

"Where's Trevor, Neville?" Harry asked, noticing the boy's toad was missing.

Neville gave a guilty grin. "I convinced my Gran he would be more helpful keeping my garden free of pests. I'm hoping to pick an owl up on Hogsmeade weekend."

After another round of cards, the compartment door flung open to reveal the yearly intimidation visit from Malfoy and his two favorite goons, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, look here – it's the room of losers" Draco sniffed, while his buddies chortled like a couple of mindless puppets. "They will allow anyone to attend Hogwarts, won't they?"

Harry probed his thoughts. He would have looked into Crabbe and Goyle, but was scared of being bored to death. "Stupid Potter and his pals – think they are so great. Dumbledore's little brownnosers – well, I'll show them. I can't wait to bring Potter to the Dark Lord…" Harry could see the memory of when Draco accepted the dark mark from Voldemort.

Harry leaned back in his seat with a bored look on his face and crossed his arms casually. "Look Malfoy, do us all a favor. Just leave. You know what is going to happen next –the same thing that happens every time we are on this train. You insult us, we tell you to sod off. You get nasty; we beat the snot out of you. Why not save us time and beat your heads against that wall over there so we can get back to our game?"

The young Malfoy turned red with rage, as the four friends all laughed. Harry could pick up Ginny's thoughts clearly "wow he's hot when he's all cool like that…" He winced slightly – he had to shake her off and quickly before the year got any older.

Draco, to no ones surprise, whipped out his wand and aimed it at Harry, but before he could open his mouth, Harry casually gestured with his empty hand and slammed the three out of the compartment and shut the door. They staggered to their feet, dumb struck for a moment, then pulled the door back open with fury. Luna, Neville and Ginny looked a bit worried, and reached for their wands, but they didn't need them. Harry once more did some gestures, never changing his relaxed position in his seat, and caused the three Slytherin wands to fly into his hand.

"Now go away" Harry said firmly, with a meaningful glare. "I'll give these back to you when we get off the train if you are good little boys." Once more Harry blew them out of the compartment with a slight movement of his hand and shut the door.

Everyone's voices broke out at once. "How did you do that, Harry? When did you learn wandless magic?" While they were all peppering him with understandable questions, Harry gently probed the three's minds. Luna and Neville were what he was hoping to see – loyal friends and fighters for the light. Ginny was plotting how fast she could get to Dumbledore's office and tell him of Harry's exploits.

Harry laughed. "Muggle magician trick" he grinned and showed him his wand in his left hand, down at his side. He didn't bother to mention that he never used the wand. Luna gave him a strange look, but didn't say anything. Ginny was disappointed she had nothing to crow to Dumbledore about.

The witch with the pastry cart came by, and Harry treated everyone to chocolate frogs and caldron cakes. As they settled down with full bellies, Ginny leaned against Harry and started to doze. As soon as she was truly asleep, Harry cast a silence charm around her, and spoke to Neville and Luna.

He kept it brief, but let them know that he wanted to do some additional training with them, and that they were not to trust Dumbledore, Ginny, or Ron. Luna gazed at him, a tad off-focus, and asked "Harry, when did you learn wandless and soundless magic?"

Neville gaped at Luna and then Harry. "That's right – even if it was a 'muggle trick', you didn't say anything!"

Harry shrugged. "I will tell you soon – just not here. As long as Ginny thinks nothing is up, please accept that for now."

They agreed and he took the silencing charm off of Ginny.

"Harry, what did you do to Malfoy and his goons?" Hermione's voice came through his head. Harry grinned and sent her back the memory, and he could feel her shaking with the giggles. Giggles were cute when Hermione did them, he realized.

They finished the journey without anymore surprises. Harry got to call out a cheery "Hello Hagrid!" to his half-giant friend as he headed toward an empty coach with his friends. Before boarding, Malfoy, hating every moment, forced himself to come forward and ask for their wands back.

Harry eyed him aggressively, and spat at him in a low voice so only the two of them could hear. "Malfoy, if you want to be a git and take the dark mark, it's your funeral. You bother my friends and me at your own expense. You are a weak, spoiled, pampered little brat and no match for us." He tossed him the wands, which Draco snatched with venom.

"You won't be so arrogant soon, Potter. I owe you for this, and I owe you for putting my father in Azkaban". He glared daggers at Harry.

Harry just laughed and turned his back on Malfoy, putting his foot on the carriage step. "Malfoy – your dad put himself there when he accepted the dark mark. I'm sure you will be keeping him company soon" and he entered the coach without a backwards glance.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The Gryffindors sat down together, waving sadly to Luna as she headed off to the Ravenclaw table. Ron seemed more than delighted to sit closer to Dean and Seamus, and Harry felt more than a little relief at it. The first years marched into the Great Room, looking scared and nervous as Professor McGonagall led them to the sorting hat.

"They do make them smaller each year, don't they?" the Gryffindor table chanted in unison. But everyone stopped staring at the tiny, frightened first years when the hat broke into song.

Welcome, all you first years'

I do not bite or sting

I am the Hogwarts sorting hat

I only sort and sing

I was charmed one thousand years ago

By the founders four

They wanted me to find your houses

For forming friendships, nothing more

Godric Gryffindor was a knight

Of courage brave and bold

But he was not reckless as some say

Nor stupid as some told

Fair Rowena Ravenclaw

Loved to ponder and to read

Her brains were tempered with deep love

And reflected in each deed

Salazar Slytherin was cunning

Ambition is not necessarily bad

He shunned the dark and fought for right

He was not an evil lad

Helga Hufflepuff was loyal and true

But it sickens me to hear

Folks say she takes the 'leftovers'

For truth, that's no where near

What I'm saying, my good students

Is a fact for which I'll fight

The four founders were good wizards

Who ALL fought for the light

The dark road is a dangerous path

Beware when for power you might thirst

For leaders of the dark will always

Use you for their needs first

So again I give you my warning

And a plea for all to hear

We must band together

For the battle's drawing near

You will know the war is at hand

And the chance to choose sides has adjourned

When Hogwarts founders have come back to us

Hogwart's founders have returned

The last note had not died away when the hall broke out in excited whisperings and mutterings. Harry looked up at the head table and noticed Dumbledore's face was shocked and even angry looking. He had never looked anything more than amused with the hat's past songs.

Ron was looking hungrily at his empty plate, while Hermione spoke with Harry in a low voice "the founders? Back? How?"

"I don't know, Hermione" Harry whispered back, "and I'm surprised about Slytherin – we've always assumed he was an evil git."

"I'm not, Harry" Hermione sniffed. "If he was evil, he would never have been accepted by the other three."

Dumbledore called the hall to silence and the annual sorting of the first years began. Once the hat finished with the twenty-odd eleven year olds, Dumbledore stood up, who appeared to have recovered from the hat's sorting song, and beckoned the crowd with open arms to dine. And, as usual, the tables filled to groaning with all manner of delicious foods and beverages. The grateful hungry students tucked in.

When the last of the desserts disappeared, the tables were once more magically clean, and the room all drowsy from too much food and exhaustion, Dumbledore once again stood up and the room fell silent.

"Just a couple reminders and it's off to bed. First years, please note that the forest on Hogwarts grounds is forbidden. That's why it's named the Forbidden Forest and not the 'Welcome All Students Forest'."

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker (and the dirty, glowering man standing by the doors nodded when the headmaster gestured to him) has asked me to remind everyone that no magic is to be done in the halls between classes, and the list of forbidden items in Hogwarts is posted on his office door. It includes anything from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes."

"Quidditch tryouts are the second week of the term. Please see your head of house or Madam Hooch if interested."

The headmaster cleared his throat noisily and the room quieted once more. "I'd also like to announce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Alistair Moody – the real one this time." With that, the real Mad-Eye stood up for a quick bow and sat down again, eyeing the crowd with his usual suspicion.

"Can he see into Godric's Suitcase?" Hermione whispered to Harry, who shrugged his shoulders with concern. "This could put a fly in the potion."

Harry looked around the room. Students from 3rd year and older were all looking rather nervously at the new DADA teacher with the swirling magical eye. Everyone knew how Barty Crouch Jr. had spent the year as the defense teacher, polyjuiced to look like Mad Eye so he could kidnap Harry and bring back Voldemort. Dumbledore should have known it was an imposter – Mad Eye was supposedly one of his closest friends and Dumbledore was a master Occlumens. It was pretty tacky to bring back such a vivid reminder of the whole awful year.

With a sad sigh he turned back to Hermione and spoke in a low voice "I'm sure we can find a spell that will give false reading as to the contents of my trunk – just like you can implant false memories in a person."

With that announcement the first years were led to their new dorms by the prefects, and the older students followed behind at a more leisurely pace.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Schedules were handed out the next morning during breakfast. Harry, thoughtfully munching on a warm scone, was almost pleased to see Monday start off with potions with the Slytherins. Ron grumbled loudly, but Harry was actually looking forward to showing off his newly learned skills, and to having a talk with the taciturn professor.

Since classes didn't start for a few days, Harry and Hermione set off for Hagrid's to break the news to him. Dobby popped in and met them half way to the giant's hut. "Harry Potter, sir? I have some news" the elf squeaked with excitement, twisting the edge of his Weasley sweater in a knot.

They stopped and Harry kneeled to elf-height. "What is it, Dobby?" he asked the twitching creature.

"Mr. Malfoy is planning something – something bad for Harry Potter!" the elf whispered. He gazed at Harry with huge, adoring eyes. "Dobby was cleaning the Slytherin common room late one night, and could hear former master plotting with his two ugly friends."

"Crabbe and Goyle?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Yes, Miss Grangey. Former master was boasting he got bad, dark magic book this summer. He has studied it hard. He is going to use new hex on Harry Potter!" Large tears were leaking down the elf's face.

"Great work, Dobby. I'll watch my back. If you can, without being hurt or caught, see if Malfoy has that book in his trunk for me. Let me know if you hear anything else." Harry patted the elf on his back and shook his hand. Dobby looked at his hand and at Harry with embarrassing waves of worship, nodded, and popped away.

Harry and Hermione continued down the slope. The sun was warm and the dew mostly gone from the grass as they set down toward the half-giant's stone hut. Hagrid was sitting on the front step, repairing a large bear trap that the two youths felt certain wasn't for trapping bears.

He looked up and waved "Harry! Hermione! Good to see yer!" and set down his trap, brushing his hands on his heavy canvas trousers. "Come in for a cup 'o tea."

They settled down in Hagrid's hut, a bit nervously, watching him fuss with his kettle as they patted the excited drooling boar hound Fang. He brought a plate of his now-legendary rock cakes, as Harry liked to call them, to the rustic table with three mugs of steaming tea. "Tell me about your classes now" he smiled warmly at them.

Harry and Hermione both looked down. Finally, Harry broke the ice. "Hagrid, we wanted to tell you in person. It's not that we don't like you – you know we're your friends, but "

Hagrid cut him off. "Harry, I got my list of students – I know the two of yer ain't taking my class. I'm touched yer came to see me and tell me like adults. My feelings would have been hurt if yer hadn't." He patted their arms, which thankfully didn't break any bones, and sat back contentedly sipping his tea.

Hermione jumped up and hugged him with grateful relief. "We were so worried about hurting you, Hagrid. But as interesting as magical creatures are, we need to concentrate on our future careers, and didn't have room for it."

"Now where is Ron? I see he didn't sign up either. Its strange ter see yer both without him!" Hagrid looked out the window facing the castle and sat back down.

Harry fidgeted a bit. "I don't know, Hagrid. Ron has changed this summer. He inherited a good bit of money from Sirius' will, and its gone straight to his head. He's not hanging around with us much anymore."

The giant raised a bushy eyebrow, but didn't say anything in response. So they spent a pleasant couple of hours with small chit chat and catching up on what was happening with the centaurs and other creatures of the Forbidden Forest, before saying their good byes and promises to return the next weekend.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o

The potions dungeon was as cold and uninviting as ever. Harry sat down between Hermione and Neville, with Ron shooting them all dirty looks as he found a seat with Dean and Seamus. Professor Snape strode into the room, robes billowing out behind him, shooting dirty looks at the Gryffindors. "Please find an excuse to give me private detention, Sir" Harry sent to Snape's mind when the teacher looked at him. A raised eyebrow was all he received in recognition, but Harry felt certain he got the message.

The dark eyed professor gladly complied, to Harry's amusement. After 15 minutes of lecture, he chose to start pop-quizzing the emerald-eyed Gryffindor, who was able to answer correctly, without hesitation, every question. With a customary sneer of disgust, Snape accused Harry of obviously cheating somehow, and awarded him detention, to the delight of the Slytherins.

Harry ate dinner swiftly, ignoring Ron's looks of dislike. It was almost like having Malfoy at the table eating with them, Harry mused to himself. At least Harry didn't give the table a shower of half chewed food while he ate. Hermione looked at Harry with concern.

"Starting off the year with a bang, Harry? I'm sure Professor Snape knew you had simply been studying."

Harry smiled at her. "No worries" he whispered at her, "I asked him to give me detention. I want to see where he's coming from. I've got a strong feeling his hatred of me isn't natural, and I'm going to find the source." Harry glanced over and saw Ron giving him scathing looks. "I think your boyfriend is jealous" he told Hermione.

Hermione looked down, blushing furiously. "He's not my boyfriend" she whispered back angrily. With a rather strong punch to his arm, she pushed Harry off to his detention.

Harry walked in the dungeon room door to find Snape looking up from a stack of parchments, glaring at him. "Shut the door" he growled at the boy.

With the door shut Harry asked in a low voice "Professor, can we be overheard?" to which the greasy haired man moved his head to signal no, eyeing him with interest.

Harry swiftly cast charms for privacy around the room, and charms for finding enchanted objects. Sure enough, the blackboard and Snape's desk both glowed sickly red. The potion's professor's face barely betrayed his amazement, but he kept himself taciturn. "Has the Golden Boy given up on wands now?" he asked with a less than heartfelt sneer. "And what is with the red aura, Potter?"

Harry quickly contained the cursed objects within the protective blue auras of Goblin magic. "This spell will contain the curse, sir, without the person who cast it knowing it's been blocked. The spell was a constant reinforcement of negative feelings toward me. You might not notice, but you are less patient with me in this room than anywhere else. The Slytherins tend to be their most aggressive in this classroom too."

Snape shook his head a few times, like clearing it. "You are right, Potter. I do feel an immediate difference. But don't think I'm going to start asking for your autograph." He growled darkly.

Harry looked at the potions professor seriously. There was many times over his years at Hogwarts he had found himself within seconds of cursing this man. Hours were spent complaining about his unfair treatment of him. But Harry knew Snape wasn't his enemy – Dumbledore was the one causing the enmity. He took a deep breath, thinking back to the previous year when Snape threw him out of his office and stopped their occlumency lessons when he caught Harry looking into his pensieve. "First of all Professor, please allow me to apologize for last year. I had no right to look into your pensieve. Honestly, I thought you were trying to kill me, and wanted to see if I could find something on you. When I saw it was an old memory about my parents, well, I wanted to see them. But I had no right to invade your privacy. I'm not proud of the way my father treated you – frankly I'm embarrassed and humiliated that my dad was such a bully. You've seen my memories – you know how bullies have treated me. The only people I ever told about your pensieve were Remus and Sirius, and that was just to ask them how my dad could be so awful. You have my word that no one else will ever hear about it."

Harry took another deep breath, watching Snape's face. The potions master gazed at him with an unreadable expression. "Continue" he said, but in a far less hostile voice.

"Are you aware of how Dumbledore has been manipulating my life?" he asked Snape softly.

"I have suspicions, nothing more" Snape answered back, marveling at the skill with which his rival's child was blocking his metal probing.

He sat down on the edge of a table facing his teacher. "I found out this summer that he refused to honor my parent's will. I was absolutely never to go to the Dursleys. You've seen my worst memories – they are not fabricated, as you know. I've suffered a childhood of abuse and neglect, with Dumbledore's full knowledge. He charmed a vase in their parlor with the same curse as your blackboard and desk."

Images of the young boy being beaten, starved, and humiliated came to Snape's mind. He groaned softly and held his head recalling torment the young Potter endured, and how he had blocked it from his mind because of his unnatural hatred of the child. If the charmed blackboard and desk had such a powerful impact on him, a likewise cursed object would effect muggles so much more. Guilt swept over him in waves – not something Severus Snape was accustomed to feeling.

"Sir?" Harry gently said, hesitatingly placing a hand on his arm. "It wasn't your fault – Dumbledore is terribly powerful, and rather abusive with it. He's also been stealing from my family's vault for all this time – rather huge amounts of money. He spies on me constantly, and has refused to train me to fulfill my destiny."

Snape looked up with a hollow, disillusioned and dead look in his eyes. "I know you are telling the truth Potter. But why – why would he do this to you – to us? I know he isn't working for the Dark Lord."

"Honestly, I'm not sure of his motives" Harry spoke at last, gazing blankly out across the room. "It seems he could overthrow Fudge anytime, if he's after the Ministry position. He's not a poor man, and hasn't spent much over the past 16 years – doesn't need my money at all. I just want to protect myself from both Voldemort and him, and I've been getting the training I need without his help. I don't want Dumbledore to know I'm on to him, and that I've got any abilities beyond what Hogwarts has been teaching me."

"He uses the portraits to spy" Snape muttered dourly.

"I know" Harry replied. "But the house elves are only loyal to him as long as it doesn't affect me negatively. I do have allies in this castle."

The potions master abruptly stood up. "I will say nothing, and continue on with the headmaster as always. I will let you know anything of importance, Potter. I, too, regret sharing your intimate memories. I will never like your father, but I never wished him dead. I will have to continue to show impatience with you, as you realize how many of the Slytherin students have death eaters for parents. They will report it if I start being nice to you suddenly." He looked at his student uneasily.

"I understand, and expected that" Harry said, nodding his head solemnly. "Thank you, sir." With that, Harry canceled the privacy charms in the room and left.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o

Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology weren't much different from the previous years – just more intense and more advanced. The most challenging thing about Transfiguration and Charms would be holding back the knowledge he had gained over the summer. Herbology should go better now that they were close to Neville.

Since it was Harry's first year in Runes, he was alone, sitting mostly with second year students and a few other older students whom like himself, decided to start late, but nobody he knew closely. It was a pretty intense subject, so being alone was probably for the best.

Harry and Hermione agreed to leave their custom wands locked in Godric's Suitcase during Defense. They didn't want Moody to know about them and report back to Dumbledore. They entered the class room with trepidation and took a seat together, watching the retired auror at the front of the room.

Mad-Eye was pacing back and forth, both his eyes scrutinizing each student that walked through the door. He gave the slightest of nods to Harry and resumed his pacing. Harry and Hermione took the time waiting for the start of class to look into his thoughts and get to know the real Moody.

After class Hermione and Harry popped into Godric's Suitcase for a private chat.

"Whew!" Hermione said weakly. "He really is that paranoid! I think I want to wash my brain after that."

Harry shook his head a few times. "Ugh – it's just not fun to listen in on crazy people. Right then, what have we learned?"

Hermione laughed, getting her energy back. "Well, he is loyal to Dumbledore and Dumbledore only. That seems to be due to Dumbledore's defeat of Grindlewald and his work against Voldemort during the first war. He doesn't trust Snape because he was a Death Eater, Remus because he's a werewolf, the Weasleys because they are parents, you because you have Voldemort in your head, etc, etc, etc. What a sad, unhappy man!"

Harry smirked. "Yah – that just about sums it up. I'm not going to bother trying to talk to him. So how do we shield this trunk?"

"Hmmm – let me work on it" Hermione said, looking around the room thoughtfully. "So are you going to keep the DA going? He certainly wants you to."

"Probably" Harry replied. "With time slowing and this trunk I have plenty of time for homework, and it can't hurt to have better trained wizards for the upcoming war."

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Professor McGonagall looked at her famous student with shock, fear, and impatience. "What do you mean you don't want to be captain of the Quidditch team?" she sputtered in her brogue. She was holding out the captain badge across her desk toward Harry, as if trying to force him to accept it.

Harry looked at it longingly for a second, and then looked down at his hands in his lap. "I'm sorry, Professor. Things have changed since Sirius died. I'm not going to try out for the team either this year."

The elderly professor's eyes widened in shock.

"Professor" Harry looked at her sadly, "Voldemort is getting stronger. I know that you have heard the entire prophecy." He saw a guilty look flash across her face, which confirmed she had. "I've decided to devote my time to learning how to defeat him. I love Quidditch, and I love Gryffindor, but I have hard choices to make. Quidditch has landed me in the hospital quite a few times – I can't afford to let something happen to me if I'm the one to take down Riddle. I need the hours that go into practice to study in the library and find anything and everything that could help me. Anyway, I'm not sure how well I'd work on the team this year anyway – Ron has been, frankly, quite a jerk lately, and Ginny is giving me the creeps. It is time to replace me."

Minerva felt herself getting choked up. "That is a mature decision, Potter. I can't say I'm happy with it, but I do understand. If you need help with your research, I am here. Do you have any recommendations for captain of the team?"

Harry smiled at her. "I think Ron would be a good choice. He's fanatical about the game, a real strategy wiz, and been on the team almost the longest." "And I hope the jerk appreciates this" Harry said to himself.

"Yes, and he's also hard to get along with" she frowned. "I'll give it consideration. Thanks."

Harry glanced around the room, and noticed the lack of portraits in the elderly professor's office. He took a moment to probe her brain, and read in her strong loyalty to Albus Dumbledore, with hints of questioning with his motives. He rubbed his Potter ring and found her desk charmed for loyalty, just as Snape's had been. While getting up to leave, he did the goblin containment charm on it.

He left with a sigh. He hadn't been looking forward to telling her about Quidditch, and he felt on top of that, there wasn't much he could do with her when it came to Albus. There would always be another day.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o

"What is wrong, Ron?" Harry asked in a bored monotone, lying on his bed, hands laced under his head, staring at his bed curtains. The red head was lying on his own bed, next to Harry's, reading a charms book for homework, and had been shooting him occasional dirty looks. He would occasionally fondle the captain badge that he had propped up against his book.

"Nothing" Ron growled in a voice that clearly said something was. He looked briefly at Harry before looking away, gathered his badge and book and put them away.

Harry shrugged to himself. "Hey Fred, George – you guys busy?" he sent in his thoughts.

"For you, Ickleharrikins, we are always available" came back one of the twins.

"What can we do for you, oh partner?" came the other.

"Just feel like chatting" thought Harry. "Ron wants nothing to do with me and I'm bummed about it."

"Would you like us to 'test' some new products on him?" Fred almost pleaded.

"We know he made captain" George said.

"The whole bloody world knows he made captain" Fred joined in.

"We thought you would be, Harry" George complained.

"I quit the team – too much to do this year." Harry explained.

"Aaahhhhh" they said in unison.

"How's Hermione?" Fred asked.

"We are getting really close" Harry smiled. "We will be going out – I wonder how your brother is going to handle it. He doesn't make any moves toward her, but gives me dirty looks when I talk to her."

"How can you be sure you will be going out with her, if you aren't now?" asked George.

"Um, when you teach a person occlumency, you end up sharing all your most intimate and worst memories and thoughts. We are sort of bonded, you could say.

"ALL YOUR MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS?" screamed Fred in his head.

"EWWWWWWWW" the twins shouted together.

Harry chuckled to himself and cut the connection with the twins as Ron gave him another dirty look and Neville walked toward his bed.

"Hey Harry – feel like taking a walk?" He asked him, while eyeing Ron suspiciously.

Harry swung his legs around and sat up. "Sure, Nev. Want to come, Ron?" He didn't want Ron with them, but felt he had to ask to avoid suspicion.

Ron shook his head without looking up from his book. "Naw – I'm heading out with Dean and Seamus in a bit."

The two boys met came across Hermione in the common room, who decided to take a break from her studying to join them. Wandering the halls, they ran into Luna who tagged along.

"I knew you three were coming" Luna said in her dreamy voice. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know" Neville said. I just felt like I had to go, if you know what I mean."

"Yes," Hermione agreed, "like we were being called or something."

The foursome wandered the halls aimlessly for a while, until Neville suggested using the room of requirements to talk privately. Walking back and forth in the area of the seventh floor where the room was located, they concentrated on needing a place to talk in complete privacy. Soon a door appeared on the wall, and they entered.

Four comfortable chairs sat round a low table full of pictures of pumpkin juice and snacks. There were no windows, doors, or areas of concealment in the room – just a tangible aura of privacy and peace.

Hermione jumped into one chair and wiggled in delight. "This is lovely" she proclaimed, with satisfaction. "Now Harry, could you please go over once again everything that has happened over the summer for you? That way we know that Luna and Neville know the whole story."

Luna maintained her dreamy face, patient and other-worldly. Neville leaned forward in his seat with expectation.

Harry opened his mouth and was about to start talking, when the four ghosts of Hogwarts drifted in through the walls, nodding politely to each of the students in turn. The Bloody Baron spoke first.

"You four are the hope of the school" he spoke solemnly, the other three ghosts nodding in agreement. "Times are dark and your actions are critical." The baron bowed low to Harry, much to Harry's shock. "Chosen One, you are to lead the final battle – the actions of the four of you, led by yourself, will determine the future of the wizarding world."

The Fat Friar spoke up, with a formal bow. "We will answer your call when you need us, and give you training and assistance which has been denied the students of Hogwarts for several generations."

Young and usually silent, the ghost of Ravenclaw spoke, with a surprisingly musical voice. "Young friends, beware the headmaster. He is caught up with politics and pride, and has forgotten his duty to the children of Hogwarts. You must train to protect the wizarding world, and train to protect the children."

Sir Nicolas spoke last, with a bow. "At the moment Professor Binns is keeping the headmaster occupied. Please charm the room, Harry, to give you time to talk. But after today, find a better place to meet and train – the headmaster spends much of his time watching you, and he knows of this place."

The Bloody Baron smirked. "You have a trunk that will work, Chosen One. When you are in it, the headmaster will not be able to sense your presence." Luna and Neville looked confused at the thought of hiding in a trunk. "Hogwarts is bonded to the headmaster – it reports to him when asked, feeds him knowledge and power. That is why Dumbledore never left the school for a career in politics – he craves the power that Hogwarts gives him. But she is not pleased with the headmaster, and helps only when commanded. As she will not betray the founders, also she will not betray you four."

"May we stay and hear of your summer exploits?" Sir Nicolas asked.

"Certainly" Harry said, charmed the room for time slowing, and started in. He told them about suffering from Sirius's death, and the headmaster refusing to let anyone comfort him or keep him company. He spoke of his change in attitude – refusing to get anymore depressed over all the death and danger in his life, and to finally do something about it and take control of his destiny.

He told them about the false prophecy concerning killing Voldemort or being killed, and how Dumbledore had been leaking it out intentionally. Harry told everyone about meeting Griphook and how he gained a father and knowledge of goblin magic. He shared the true prophecy with them.

One who comes is evil incarnate

He seeks to destroy all that is not wizard pure

He marks the child

Who's parents thrice defied him

The child born when summer's moon is waning.

The child will grow alone, unknown

Betrayed by one the wizards love

When he comes into his own

And learns of his betrayal

He will start his true path of learning

The child yet not-a-child will learn

The king of his time is corrupt

The king will work against him

And then will rise against him

But will not win.

The boy will learn the ways of the goblins

The ways of the elves,

And the ways of the wizards.

He will have power the Dark Lord knows not.

The young man will find

Three close friends

They cannot be parted.

They were together at the founding of the school.

The young man will find

Four not-of-the wizards.

They will unite the magical worlds once more

They will defeat evil, betrayer and king

And peace will rule at last.

"And you feel the four of us are the four spoken of in this prophecy?" Luna asked calmly, while Neville turned slightly green with anxiety.

Harry nodded. "The goblins and house-elves are positive I am the child/man of the prophecy. I just 'knew', if that makes sense, that you three are the rest – I think our ghosts here have just confirmed it. And Nev," Harry looked at his friend earnestly, "Dumbledore's false prophecy put you in the hot seat too. His prophecy read so it could have meant my self or you, until Voldemort chose me. This prophecy fits only my self now."

He continued with his summer, how Dumbledore had betrayed his parent's wishes, and how he had essentially murdered Sirius. He told them of how Dumbledore tried to keep him from Sirius' will reading, and how he was now Lord Potter-Black. They learned how Harry spent the rest of the summer learning elf magic, adopted Dobby and Winky, and his shopping trips. Finally, Harry shared with them who he knew to be trustworthy due to his occlumency, and whom to avoid.

As Harry added hands to his magical pocket watch for Luna and Neville, they discussed goals toward freeing the world from Voldemort.

"We all need to learn occlumency, and can start that today. Goblin occlumency is much better than wizard's." Hermione said. "Also, you two need to learn elf popping and talking – very useful stuff."

Luna looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. "You know, I think we need Daddy to write an article about Voldemort. He chose that name to be even more intimidating. I think the world deserves to know he's the half-muggle with the name Tom Riddle. If people could get over being afraid of his name, it will make it easier to fight him."

"Luna – that's brilliant" breathed Neville, looking at the witch with admiration.

"Yes, she is my child" the Ravenclaw ghost spoke up proudly.

"Please work on that and owl it to your father. And if he needs extra protection after writing that article, do not be shy in letting me know. I can easily afford to re-locate him or add to his security." Harry smiled.

Hermione grabbed a quill and parchment. "We need a list of Tom's strengths and weaknesses." And she wrote appropriate headings on the paper.

After brainstorming with the ghosts, the list read as follows:

Strengths

Very strong in dark magic

Lots of hate and anger to fuel dark magic

Followers are intimidated into strong loyalty

Hard to spot followers

Very hard to kill due to dark rituals

Weaknesses

Arrogance

Cruelty makes disloyal followers

Pride

Followers do not love him

Power comes from sources that don't owe him anything or mean him well

"Well, it's not much, but as we learn more, we can add to it." Hermione sat back and surveyed the list, dissatisfied.

Luna looked at the ghosts. "Is there a way to spy on the headmaster without him knowing?" She asked in her sweet, spacey voice.

The four ghosts smiled at each other. The baron spoke after a pause. "Yes, child. Once you meet together in a more secure place, we will set that in motion for you. Most of the headmaster's knowledge of the school and its students comes from Hogwarts herself, and she's not helping like before, so it's easy to get things accomplished now."

"Hermione and I will start on occlumency lessons with you two in a bit, but first, don't make plans for Saturday. We are going on a bit of a shopping trip." Harry smiled – custom wands were in Luan and Neville's near future.

O0o0o0o0o0o

Ginny Weasley was mad. Dumbledore had promised her the Boy Who Lived, and she had put up with Harry's shyness and fumbling for years. It was time to cash in – she wanted a famous boy friend the world would envy her for. Yes, he was a bit of a dork, but it would be ever so wonderful to see her name in Witch Weekly, and rub it in the other girl's faces.

The red head was standing in the entrance hall, waiting for Harry to finish breakfast and leave the Great Hall. She frowned, recalling all the times in the past couple of weeks that Harry seemed to be avoiding her. When they had parted in June, she could have sworn there was a glint of interest in his eyes, and she was a witch who, even at her age, was use to getting what she wanted. Dumbledore swore that stupid deer necklace would do the trick…

"Ah, here comes lover boy now…" Harry walked through the doors into the hall, talking in an animated tone to Hermione. "Grrrrr – I could almost swear he was interested in that ugly witch. Too bad – she's Ron's." "Harry!" she smiled syrupy sweet as she grabbed his arm, "I need to talk to you."

Harry looked decidedly uncomfortable, but nodded to Hermione and let Ginny lead him away from the crowd. She looked around, and grabbing his hand, pulled him into a broom closet.

"Um, Ginny, what do you want?"

Harry had an expression of confusion, annoyance, and discomfort. There was nothing on his face that she wanted to see there.

"Come on, Harry, stop playing stupid. You know you fancy me, and goodness knows I fancy you – when are you going to give in?" With that, Ginny flung herself at the poor bewildered wizard, forcing her lips on his. To her amazement, however, Harry did not return the kiss, but instead pushed her away.

"Ginny, I'm sorry, but I don't like you that way." Harry was polite but firm, and moved around the broom closet to the best of his ability to avoid another attack.

The witch felt fury like she had never known. "What do you mean you don't like me like that?" she shouted. "Of course you do – we were meant for each other!" She eyed his neck, spotting the chain of the necklace she had given him for his birthday. What was wrong – that was suppose to work!

Harry grabbed her upper arms, holding her firmly away from him. "I'm sorry, Ginny. There is nothing between us. I think of you as the sister I never had. You are fun and pretty, but I just don't fancy you the way you want. Please stop and don't try. Let's just be friends like we always were." He looked at her sincerely and intently.

"Fine" she slammed the door open, wrenching out of his grasp, and stormed out of the closet, face as blazing as her hair.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The next morning at breakfast Dumbledore announced a formal Halloween ball. Harry pointedly ignored the puppy dog eyes Ginny was flashing him down the table, and turned to Hermione. "Would you be my date to the ball?" he asked her earnestly.

"I'd love to go with you, Harry" she answered promptly, with a pleased expression.

Ron and Ginny both glared daggers at her and Harry in turn.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Hermione was in the library, working late on an essay for Arithmancy and doing a bit of research on the trunk shielding problem. Harry broke into her thoughts. "Hermione? Could you pop into the trunk for a bit? I think I've got something."

She silently gathered her books and parchments and headed out to an empty hallway to pop from. She apparated in and noticed the lights were off in the trunk, and looked around in confusion. Where was everyone?

Suddenly the lights came on, and people jumped out from everywhere, casting off disillusionment charms, yelling "surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!"

Hermione jumped back in alarm, narwhal wand in hand without thinking. Harry had been expecting her to react like that, and had taken the precaution of putting a shield around her when he jumped out. With a nervous, then delighted laugh, she looked around the room. There were the elves, Remus, Tonks, the twins, Neville and Luna – all wearing goofy party hats and throwing muggle streamers at her. Today was her birthday, and she had forgotten!

In a trunk charmed for time management the group partied hard into the night, quaffing butterbeers and birthday cake. In the midst of merriment, Harry gave her a gift of a lovely gold locket to replace the 'tainted' one that Ron had given her. It was a bit larger, with lovely engraving, and opened to show a moving portrait of Harry. The locket was also charmed to deflect most school-level hexes.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, examining the locket, "if this is charmed like this, why don't all wizards and witches wear one? Why even teach hexes and shields?"

Harry smiled at her. "Because very few wizards or witches can afford one. And it's not returnable, so don't even threaten."

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Please review with any creative expressions you have for 'vomit' – I need them for next chapter. You know – blow chunks, driving the porcelain bus, the Technicolor yawn….