CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

A Teacher's Hope

He was surrounded by skeletons dressed in black robes. No, not skeletons. Death Eaters. His blood ran cold. Where was he? The room was dark and each man seemed to be whispering some sort of curse. The sounds were sinister and chaotic. He reached out to a cowering cloaked figure and removed the façade…

A traitor unmasked.

"Harry! Wake up! Harry!"

Harry's eyes sprang open before he could see who was beneath the skeleton mask. Eva was sitting up next to him, shaking his shoulders, her face pale.

"Harry! Are you all right?"

Harry sat up and took a moment to catch his breath. "I'm fine. Just a nightmare, that's all."

"Some nightmare," she replied. She rubbed his shoulders. "You were… hissing…"

He gulped. "Hissing?"

She nodded. "It was quite, er, weird."

Had he been speaking Parseltongue in his sleep?

"Do you want some water or something?" she asked, already hopping off the bed to get it for him. She wrapped the star cloak around her naked flesh. A few constellations appeared on the dark fabric as she walked past the fireplace and into her bathroom. Harry heard the water start to run. He sat at the edge of the bed and took his glasses off the nightstand and glanced at the mantle clock. It would be daybreak soon.

Eva returned with a glass of water. Harry gulped it down and handed it back to her. "Thanks." He set the glass on her nightstand, then reached out and pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead. "I should go back to Hogwarts before someone notices I'm missing. I didn't intend to spend the entire night."

"Too bad," she said playfully, allowing the blanket to fall loosely from beneath her arms. "I'm not very tired anymore."

Harry grinned and pulled on the edge of it so hard that it quickly unraveled from Eva's body. She squealed as Harry grabbed her by her hips and pulled her into him, spreading his legs so she could fit between them. He pulled back her hair behind her ear and kissed the nape of her neck, and left a wet trail as he made his way to her lips. Eva's palms pressed flat against Harry's chest and sent shivers down his spine.

Perhaps he could stay just a bit longer.

Harry hastily recorded the dream he'd had at the Hog's Head a few nights before and snapped the Diary Dupuliquer shut and hid it beneath his pillow. He'd nearly forgotten about it and skipped lunch in the Great Hall to write it down. Before he knew it, it was time for Muggle Studies. He raced to the first floor corridor so quickly that when he rushed by the portrait of the owls that they all flew away in fright.

He took his seat next to Ron. "Where were you?" he asked.

"I forgot something. I had to run up and take care of it." Ron nodded, and Harry was a tad relieved that he didn't ask anymore questions.

Professor Avis waltzed into the classroom from her office, looking as extravagant as ever in a black and pink-striped pantsuit and a shiny purple silk robe. She had it belted around her waist with a string of golden beads. "Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted. "Mr. Weasley will unfortunately not be able to join us this afternoon. However, we have much business to attend to in his absence."

Harry glanced at Ron and whispered, "Where's your dad?"

Ron shrugged. "How should I know?"

Harry frowned. Mr. Weasley wasn't in the best shape the last time he'd seen him. What if something was wrong with him? Harry had half a mind to outright ask Professor Avis or even use his Legilimency skills on her. However, he decided to add it to his mental list of things to ask Dumbledore at their next lesson.

"After carefully reviewing all of your essays," Professor Avis continued, dropping a large stack of parchment on her desk with a loud thud, "I have picked the two leaders of the Muggle Debate. There were some of you who clearly stated your position and some of you who weren't sure which side to support. I have divided all of you into equal teams, depending on what you wrote in your essays."

Harry knew which side he was on. He had clearly stated in his paper that Muggles had no place in the wizarding world. Ron had been one of the students on the fence about the whole matter. On one hand, he understood Harry's point of view; being in the line of fire was no place for Muggles. On the other hand, Ron thought of Muggles much like his father—interesting and full of possibilities.

Professor Avis approached Harry's desk and dropped his essay on his desk. "Congratulations, Mr. Potter. You will be the leader of the team against telling Muggles about the wizarding world. You made a very compelling argument."

Harry flipped through his essay. Professor Avis had made comments in the margins. One particular paragraph was highlighted.

The notion that Muggles would be better off knowing about the magical world is simply an irrational belief. Despite the conflicts that would arise in day-to-day life between wizards and Muggles, there is no reason to put an entire population of innocent people at risk. As a member of the wizarding world I have seen dark magic and the horrors of evil wizards. I would not wish this upon anyone, whether magical or Muggle. Ignorance is not only bliss; it is safety.

Professor Avis had commented: Very compelling argument. Powerful. Use in debate.

He was vaguely aware of her calling the names of the people who were also on his team. He was relieved to hear Ron's name called.

"And finally, the leader of the opposition, of those who feel that Muggles should be told about the magical world, is Mr. Longbottom." She walked over to Neville's desk and handed him his paper. He looked positively petrified. He stared at the piece of parchment as though it were going to bite him back. Professor Avis even had to give him some encouragement. "Well done, Mr. Longbottom."

Neville turned to face Harry and gulped.

Harry tried to smile at him, but could only see the irony in the situation. He and Neville had so much in common—more than the poor fellow knew—and yet found themselves on opposite sides.

"Our next class periods will be dedicated to research and rehearsal for the debate. It is only three weeks away and I expect everyone to be top notch. Each of you is required to participate. This debate will take place in the Great Hall. Not only will it be watched by the entire student body, but we will also be having some very important special guests."

Neville's complexion paled. "Important special guests?"

Professor Avis nodded. "It's a surprise, Mr. Longbottom. Don't let your nerves get the best of you."

Harry sighed. She might as well have asked Neville to stop breathing.

"Please, Professor." Harry stared firmly into Dumbledore's deep blue eyes. "I have a right to know what happened. I know that something went on at a Death Eater meeting. I know that there's something wrong with Mr. Weasley…"

"Harry," he interrupted, "this is the Order's business. It is nothing for you to worry about."

"But don't you understand, sir!" Harry cried. "All I do is worry! I can't stand being left in the dark any longer. I helped the Order gather information. I completed all of my tasks. Don't I deserve to know what happened?"

Harry didn't realize that he had stood up from his seat and had pounded his fist against Dumbledore's desk in the hidden room. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and then sat back down. Dumbledore was as calm as ever. He sat back in his chair and stroked his beard.

"Indeed, Harry, you have proven yourself this term in more ways than one. Yes, I do suppose that you deserve an explanation." He paused. "From the information you gathered from the young Mr. Malfoy, we suspected that he was going to oust Professor Snape at the next Death Eater assembly. Voldemort already had his loyal men—the only way in for Draco is to get someone out of his inner circle."

"So he did become a death eater?"

Dumbledore held up a hand to silence Harry. "The dark lord is not quite so accepting. Arthur, Tonks, and Remus accompanied Professor Snape to the meeting, hoping to help his escape if necessary. However, Malfoy exposed his father instead, for his affair with a Muggle woman some years ago."

"Eleven years ago," Harry said. "Professor, he's talking about Nora Finnigan."

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to light up. He nodded. "Indeed. I, too, managed to put the pieces together. But not by the same means as you used. Lucius declared war upon his son and left in a rage. Draco humiliated him in front of not only Voldemort, but his peers as well. I daresay that young Nora is now in more danger than ever. It is a good thing that Lucius does not know the face of his own daughter, nor her magical powers. Draco is not a death eater yet, but he is not far from gaining that title."

"And what about Arthur? Was he hurt?"

"Unfortunately, Arthur is not as young as he used to be. In fact, that is a problem many of our numbers seem to be running into lately." Dumbledore took a deep breath. Harry knew he was referring to himself. "He had to stay in an uncomfortable position inside of a trunk. He tore his hamstring in several places and has had to receive treatment at St. Mungo's. I assure you, however, that he will make a full recovery."

Harry let out the breath that he had been holding. "I was afraid it was something permanent." He didn't want to see the look on Ron's and Ginny's faces if they had to watch their father hobble around for the rest of his life.

"And Harry, I am afraid that we have come to the end of our journey together."

Harry hadn't been expecting to hear that. "Professor, I'm sorry, I just had to know that everything was all right this time. I will stay out of the Order's business, I promise. I have to continue my training."

"That's just it," Dumbledore replied, his eyes sad. "Your training is complete."

"Excuse me, sir?"

"You are now one of the most accomplished Legilimens in the world. You have proven yourself time and time again. You have surpassed my own abilities. There is nothing left to teach."

"But professor… you can't be serious…"

"I am serious, Harry. All of the information you have gathered—about Malfoy's potion, his deal to become a death eater, his feud with his father, his father's betrayal—it is all true. There is nothing more that I can do for you. In fact, there are probably a few things you could teach me."

"I doubt that, sir," Harry replied. "Are you sure?"

Dumbledore's eyes were solemn. "It is a rewarding, yet bittersweet day when the student becomes the teacher, Harry. Perhaps you will find that out for yourself one day."

"But Professor…"

The headmaster chuckled. "I expected you to be happy about this, Harry! No more lessons. Just in time for Quidditch practices to start up again. You'll have more free time for your friends and your studies, which I am sure you will need before the debate."

"But sir, I'm not ready. How do you know that I will be useful in the future?"

"Harry, it is impossible for me to know. Did you know that when I was in school we were learning the useless study of Adinventitias? I haven't used it once since I took my N.E.W.T.s." Dumbledore got up from his seat and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I cannot teach for the future. I do not know what it holds. But I have done everything in my power to prepare you for it."

Dumbledore removed his hand and walked out from behind his desk. "Do not think of this as an ending, Harry. It is only a beginning. Now that the chaos of the death eater meeting has passed and we have protected our allies in Voldemort's plans, your load has become much lighter. Appreciate it for what it's worth."

Harry got up from his seat. "Yes, sir." He did not even try to hide his feelings. He couldn't help but feel an enormous amount of anxiety. Now he was truly on his own.

On the night before the next full moon, Harry quickly packed his bag for the night. He had already packed his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. He'd also gone to the greenhouse and managed to smuggle out some beautiful flowers from Professor Spout's personal collection. He was careful to choose harmless plants, despite the fact that Eva had proven that she could hold her own against some fearful foliage.

"Where're you going?"

Harry turned around and saw Ron behind him, inspecting the flowers on the bed and watching Harry pack. He breathed a sigh of relief that it was Ron and not one of his dorm-mates. He was tired of making excuses.

"It's the night before the full moon," Harry replied. "I'm meeting Eva."

"Oh, right." Ron grinned knowingly. Harry decided to ignore it. "I've just received a letter from Charlie." He handed Harry a folded-up piece of parchment.

Ron,

I don't even want to know why you would waste your time and paper to write me about something so ridiculous. First of all, impossible potions are just that: impossible. Secondly, the fact that you even know about impossible potions just proves to me that you are meddling in things that you have no part in. Don't forget that I was once a student at Hogwarts as well. I have seen the same pictures and read the same books. Your curiosity will only cause misery. If I get wind of you doing anything more than reading about impossible potions I'll send an owl mom's way before you can even say "Plethera of Potions."

Sincerely,

Your wiser, more handsome brother,

CHARLIE

P.S. If you are trying to weasel your way in like George and Fred this route is not the way to go.

Harry sighed. "He was a big help."

"But he clearly knows more than he's saying," Ron replied. "I mean, he knows the title of one of the books about impossible potions. He must have seen it when he was here."

Harry frowned. Were the three of them dangerously close to something? Your curiosity will only cause pain. "Did Charlie ever get into trouble when he was at Hogwarts?"

Ron grunted. "Loads. The only time he got into any serious trouble though was right before his seventh year. I don't really know anything about it—I just know that both my mom and my dad had to go to Hogwarts. Gin and I were shipped off to the Lovegoods. It was quite scary."

"Could it have something to do with that?"

He shrugged. "We could try and ask somebody who was here when Charlie was."

"Dumbledore would never tell us anything like that about Charlie. I mean, he could never break confidentiality…"

"Not Dumbledore," Ron interrupted, smiling. "Tonks."

Harry nodded. "Good idea." He had almost forgotten that Tonks and Charlie had attended Hogwarts at the same time. And when he and Eva were in Charlie's car on the way to London, he did mention that he'd had some bad times. In fact, he'd outright shut down and didn't speak of Hogwarts at all. "Er, not tonight though." He glanced at his watch. He would be due in the kitchens soon.

"Understood. I'll… let you go." Ron was grinning foolishly again, and it was impossible for Harry not to roll his eyes at him. Although, his best friend's smile simply added to his excitement as he threw the invisibility cloak over his head and quickly left the dormitory.

His heart beat faster with every step he took down to the kitchens. Once he reached the bottom of the stone stairs that led to the very bottom, he removed the invisibility cloak and tucked it away inside of his bag. Tonks was already near the horrid cages for the next night, pacing back and forth.

"Hullo, Harry," she greeted wistfully.

"Evening," he replied.

"They're due any moment." She paused and laced her fingers behind her back. "Need I remind you that Eva needs to be back here by noon? You cut it quite close last time."

Harry nodded. "I know. I'm sorry." He couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again. He and Eva had developed a habit of staying up early and sleeping in late.

There was some commotion in the room where Eva and Remus were left to recuperate after their transformations. Dobby and another house-elf came rushing out, looking slightly stressed.

"That would be them." Tonks turned her attention to the two house-elves. Harry did not pay attention to what instruction she was giving them, but kept his eyes peeled at the door.

Remus was the first to exit the room. He looked a tad scraggly but brushed himself off. He greeted Harry with a hearty handshake. "How're doing, Harry? Staying out of trouble?"

Harry grinned. "Of course."

Remus put both of his hands onto Harry's shoulders. For a moment, Harry thought he was going to kiss him on the cheek. Instead, he leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Go easy on her tonight."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why?" he questioned. Then Eva stepped out of the room as well.

She looked just as pale as ever. The apples of her cheeks were bright red and her eyes were glassy. She had a bag strapped around her shoulders and the weight of it seemed to tie her down. She stepped forward gingerly, as though it hurt, and smiled brightly at Harry. "Hullo, Harry!"

Harry approached her, not quite sure how to react. On one hand, she looked terrible. On the other, she was trying to put on a good face for him and he didn't want to ruin her effort. He reached out pulled her into him. Her cheek was clammy as he kissed it. "Here, let me get that for you." Before she could protest, Harry removed the bag from her shoulders and hoisted it over his own.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"You two have fun," Tonks called as she and Remus disappeared down a hallway. "Don't forget, noon tomorrow. And stay out of trouble."

"Of course," Eva replied. "Trouble? Us? Never."

Harry laughed. At least she still had her sense of humor. That was a good sign.