CHAPTER SIXTY

The Dance Continues

Harry bought his own copy of the Daily Prophet the next morning at breakfast. He was anxious to see what sort of spin they would put on Harry's speech. Would the press consider it as nothing more than an attention-seeking boy calling wolf or a warning that was actually newsworthy?

The headline on the front page read, "POTTER WARNS ABOUT NEW WAR, WANTS TO INCLUDE MUGGLES IN BATTLE." There was a picture of Harry, standing at the podium with Professor Avis's arm around his shoulders. The story took up half the page and continued in the next section. The first part was all about Harry's warning, word-for-word for once. He wasn't used to the Daily Prophet being so truthful. The second part was about his position involving Muggles and various reactions, including one from Fudge. "The idea is absolutely preposterous. We have these laws for a reason. Telling a Muggle about our world would shatter them!"

So Fudge was playing oblivious to Eva's project. Judging from a poll included with the article, he was right to play dumb. Only eight percent of those polled thought that Muggles could be told about the wizarding world. Harry shook his head. If only they understood how strong some Muggles were.

On the back of the front page there was a small article about a mishap in London that the Ministry was called to. The Ministry refused to comment on the situation, but investigators had concluded that the fire was caused by Muggle materials and nothing magical. The deaths of the Muggles were still being investigated.

Sadly, their deaths, which should have meant so much more, were hardly noticeable. Damn Fudge and his cover-ups, Harry thought. How was a wizard supposed to know if he was reading the truth or not?

Ginny plopped down beside him and dropped a large, heavy book onto the table. She helped herself to some oatmeal and an apple, but didn't seem very hungry. She merely continued reading her book. Every once in a while she would turn a page and sigh, as if she were disappointed to see that she was not at the end of the book yet.

"Maybe you should take a break," Harry said after the seventh or eight sigh. "Ron and I didn't study half as much as you did. You'll do fine on your O.W.L.'s. Don't worry."

"I don't just want to do fine," she replied. "I want to blow Bill's scores out of the water." She grinned. "But I suppose I do need a break. What are you reading?"

Harry flashed her the front page of the Daily Prophet. She snatched the paper from him and laughed. "Making headlines, I see. Harry, don't you know how narcissistic it is to read articles about yourself in public?"

"It's not that particular article I'm concerned with right now." He pointed to the article about the fire. "Malfoy's going to get away with it."

Ginny skimmed the article and frowned. "I see." She paused. "I wish there was something we could do, Harry, but if we admit to being there…"

"I know, I know. We'd all be expelled. It's a catch-22."

"A what?"

Harry forgot that Ginny didn't have Muggle Studies with him. It was another Muggle book that Professor Avis had them read. "It's a no-win situation," he explained. "We turn Lucius in, we turn ourselves in. We let him go, those innocent people died for nothing."

"Not for nothing," Ginny said. "If anything, they died to convince the others that we need serious help. In fact, if they hadn't died, do you think you would have made your speech yesterday? Do you think that you would have changed your mind about how you felt about Muggles?"

"I suppose not."

"You wouldn't be on the front page of this paper, warning millions of wizards who read this every day. This article makes a difference, just as their lives did, Harry. They didn't die in vain."

Harry nodded solemnly. If only it hadn't taken so much death to convince him.

"Speaking of Muggles," she said quietly. "How much do you know about that David guy?"

More than he wanted to, that's for sure. "I know a little about him. He's Eva's best friend. Why?"

"Do you know what happened to him?"

"What do you mean?"

She looked a little red in the face at having to elaborate. "His sister said that something tragic had happened to make him believe in magic, but he never said what it was. Do you know?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I don't. But you should ask Eva. I'm sure she does." Harry folded his arms across his chest and stared into his bowl of oatmeal. He still wasn't entirely comfortable with David and Eva's relationship.

Ginny laughed. "Jealous much?"

Harry couldn't believe how fast the second term had flown by. Already, it was the last full moon before Hogwarts let out for summer holiday. It was his last night with Eva, and they decided to make it memorable. After meeting in the kitchen, as usual, they sneaked back up to the Room of Requirement where they were once again greeted with a cozy fire, as well as some butterbeer and a large spa tub like Harry had used in the prefect's bathroom.

Eva was looking quite rough again, but after a full body massage from Harry and a round of the bubbling drink, she undressed and got into the spa, then gestured with a crooked finger for Harry to join her. She managed to give one of her best performances in the spa, and after Harry returned the favor they consummated their relationship once more in a fury of flesh and moans. Then they decided to take a shower, only to repeat the escapade.

He had to carry Eva to bed, but didn't mind, especially when she smelled like the lavender soap he had used to cleanse each and every inch of her. When he plopped her down on the soft bed she smiled through sleepy eyes as he pulled the soft blankets up from the foot of the bed and covered their naked flesh. He pulled her into his arms and cupped her breast, nibbling on the back of her shoulder. His nose pressed into her curly hair and he was once again overwhelmed by the sweet flowery smell. However, her scent wasn't just feminine. There was also something fierce about it; something familiar.

With a start, Harry remembered the dancing dream he had early in the year. That smell—he could recognize it now. Had it been Eva all along? Was this what Remus was trying to tell him in the recurring dreams that had plagued him?

Eva rolled over, facing him, but Harry kept his hands where they were. She reached up to his face and ran her fingers through his hair, then traced his scar with her thumb, making him shiver.

"I can't believe this is our last night together."

"I'll be back to see the last Quidditch match in week or so. I can't wait to see you in action. On the pitch, that is."

He returned her grin, but there was sadness in his voice. "It's not the same. I don't suppose you'll be walking the Polkiss' dog this summer."

She smiled sadly. "No, probably not. I already made plans to see if I can get more Muggles with us. I'll be traveling quite a bit." Harry still didn't feel entirely comfortable with her mission. "Do you really have to go to your aunt and uncle's? I would much rather have you with me on my recruiting."

"I have to," he replied. In order to be protected. But at least this would be the last time. "Are you taking Nora with you?"

She nodded. "Most of the time. But we'll never be gone for more than a month, of course. I still have to join Remus for my transformations."

He could see that she was growing more and more tired by the second. If only she wasn't so physically week on their special nights together. Then they could stay up late, talking, like they had the night he came to her and broke down. Or, now that they were so close, there were a few other late-night activities that he could think of doing with her.

Eva's hand drifted from Harry's head, down his shoulder, past his elbow, and came to rest over his hand on her body. He lifted his other hand to her forehead. She felt feverish, but she ducked away from his touch. "Don't even start," she warned, opening one eye to glare at him.

He couldn't help but chuckle. He replaced his hand with his lips and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead, then moved down to her lips. "I swear I'm going to find one, Eva."

"Find one what?" she asked sleepily.

"I'm going to find a cure. No matter what it takes." He pulled her close to him, so close that he could feel her heart beating against him.

"You are not going to be a werewolf forever."

Harry was back on stage in the amphitheater. Once again, dancing seamlessly with the woman in his arms. Her scent seemed to penetrate every inch of him, and when he looked at who she was, it was Eva. She was smiling and laughing, her dark hair bouncing with every step. The violin and cello's duet slowed and the two of them grew closer and closer, until her head was resting against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her hips.

The duet sounded beautiful, especially without the interruption commanding him to dance and dance and dance. Harry was lost with the girl in his arms, wishing to remain with her for eternity, wanting things to never change. Let the music go on forever; it did not matter. His feet would never tire of dancing with this woman.

Then he heard it. It began as a whisper. He tried to ignore it.

"…three…"

He didn't want to know! Whatever the voice was saying, it was bad. It was something that would change the dance. Something that would stop it. Harry never wanted it to end.

"Three…"

Louder this time, Harry played ignorance. No, he would not listen. The only thing that mattered was this dance.

"Three!"

It was a chant, now. Over and over. Three. Three. Three.

"THREE!"

The voice shook the amphitheater, the stage seemed to be crumbling. He tried to move Eva to safety, but she would not budge. Instead, she looked him straight in the eye and opened her mouth to speak. However, the voice that came out was not her own. It was the same voice that had interrupted the beautiful dance in the first place.

"Three deaths."

Harry awoke with a start and sat up, panting. He was still in the Room of Requirement, with Eva sleeping soundly next to him. His heart was pounding in his chest as the words echoed inside of him.

Three deaths. Three deaths.

What the hell did that mean? Three deaths? Three deaths of innocent Muggles? Or three deaths yet to come?

His panting turned into shivering. Was Sirius trying to warn him? He could still see Eva's face, but hear his godfather's voice. Three deaths.

Once he caught his breath, he pulled the covers back up over himself and moved closer to Eva. She rolled over and snuggled against him.

What were his dreams trying to tell him now?

"And please remember that your final essay of the year is due in a week. I will not be accepting late essays. I also expect at least 36 inches of parchment. This is a summary of everything you've learned this semester. And don't try to cut it short." Professor Leurre glanced at Ron, whose last essay met the length requirement but the lines were spaced so far apart that she had no problem writing some choice comments between them.

Harry was amazed at how Tonks had transformed from a clumsy McGonagall into a professor with her own style and personality. She even had an occasional laugh with the class over her awkwardness.

He, Ron, and Hermione lingered after their classmates left, still grumbling about the essay. Tonks could see that they wanted to discuss something serious. "If it isn't three of my favorite students. Why don't you join me in my office?" She gestured to the door in the classroom. Harry led the way inside and didn't speak until the door was safely closed behind him.

"Professor, we wanted to ask you about something we discovered in the Restricted Section of the library," Harry began.

"Ah, found some interesting books there, no doubt. I did, too, in my years at Hogwarts." Harry exchanged glances with Ron and Hermione.

"What we wanted to ask you about is," Hermione hesitated, "Impossible Potions."

Suddenly, Tonks's eyes grew dark. She still smiled at them. "Now why would the three of you want to know about something like that?"

"It has to do with Malfoy."

"Draco Malfoy?"

Harry nodded.

"Draco is not doing anything with impossible potions. It is all under control and something that you three should not concern yourselves with. Professor Snape has assured the Order…"

"Don't tell me that you trust that oily git, too!" Ron exclaimed with unusual fervor. "Tonks, I don't even think that he knows whose side he's on!"

"Not to mention that if anyone knew how to make an impossible potion, it would be him," Hermione said, matter-of-factly. At least this was one thing that she and Ron could agree on.

Tonks was growing angrier by the second. "The three of you don't even know what you're talking about. Just because you read Plethera of Potions in the restricted section does not make you an expert on dark and impossible potions." There was that title again. Harry was going to have to take another hard look at that book. "Impossible potions only lead to one thing: misery."

"Funny, that's exactly what my brother Charlie said when we asked him about them," Ron said sarcastically.

She frowned. "Well… he's exactly right. You should take both of our advice and stop asking about things that you don't know anything about." She looked away from them and shuffled some papers on her desk. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to grade some papers for my fourth years."

"Yes, professor," Harry replied, opening the door.

"Sorry," Hermione added. She clearly felt bad for putting Tonks in a foul mood.

Ron, however, did not seem apologetic. Once the three of them were on their way back up to Gryffindor Tower, he pulled them aside. "Do you think that something with impossible potions may have happened when Charlie and Tonks went to Hogwarts?"

Hermione nodded. "Looks that way, doesn't it?"

"Last practice tonight," Ron announced as he sat down at the Gryffindor table between Harry and Vicky Frobisher, who had been discussing Quidditch. "I've booked the pitch for six o'clock. Be early. It's going to be a rough time."

"Can't wait," Harry replied with a laugh as he continued eating his breakfast. He would be looking forward to a good workout, anyway. The more Quidditch he played before going back to the Dursleys, the better.

"I hear Cho has been riding them extra-hard, too," Vicky said. "Bradley told me that she made them run all way from the castle to the pitch. Can you imagine? What good would it do? There's no running in Quidditch!"

"But it would be a good way to get the blood flowing," Ron said thoughtfully.

"Don't go giving him any crazy ideas," Harry said. "I'm in no mood to run."

"May I have your attention, please?" McGonagall stood in front of the Great Hall with both of her hands raised. "Ms. Patil, quiet please," she said under her breath. She looked quite frazzled, which was odd. McGonagall was never frazzled. "Due to certain circumstances, the Quidditch final has been moved up. It will take place this afternoon, promptly at one o'clock. Afternoon classes will be cancelled."

The Great Hall erupted into cheers, but Harry could see that this was anything but a joyous occasion for the staff. As he looked up at the staff table, he saw that each of them looked solemn and serious. In fact, Dumbledore was missing from his seat at the table. What was going on?

"Parents have already been notified of the change, so we do not expect our spectator numbers to drop. Need I remind all of you to be on your best behavior at the match and that everyone—everyone—is required to attend. Even if your house is not participating, you are expected to represent Hogwarts at the match." She glanced at the Slytherin table. "We thank you for your understanding in this matter." Then she walked swiftly out of the Great Hall, as though she seemed to be on a mission.

"Now why do you suppose they did that?" Vicky questioned.

Ron scowled. "If this is just another one of McGonagall's stupid tests of Gryffindor spirit, we'll show her. We didn't even need that extra practice tonight to blow Ravenclaw out of the water!"

"How about moving that practice to now?" Ginny asked. She, along with the rest of the Quidditch team, had come to see Ron after McGonngall's announcement. Natalie, Jack, and Andrew were right behind her.

"But we've got class," Ron said.

"I'd be willing to skip Potions any day for Quidditch," Jack said, grinning.

"Me too," Andrew replied.

"I've got Charms, but it would definitely be worth it," Ginny agreed.

Ron glanced at Harry. "Think Professor Leurre would mind if we took this opportunity to skive off?"

"I think she would understand," Harry said knowingly. "Besides, Hermione will take good notes."

"Then it's settled. Go get your brooms and meet at the pitch in twenty minutes," Ron declared.

As the rest of the team scurried off to get ready, Ron grabbed a piece of bread and ate it, hungrily. "What do you think this is all about?" he asked with a mouthful.

Harry shrugged. "McGonagall seems a little… stressed."

"Yeah, well, she deserves it for pulling this off," he said. "I guess I can't wear you guys out this morning if we play this afternoon. Time to think fast and come up with a new game plan."

"Well, while you do that, I'll go find Hermione and tell her we'll be missing Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Good idea." Ron nodded. "I'm going to work on not throwing up everything I just ate."