As soon as Harry had finished putting in the last of his ingredients, he put his cauldron directly over the fire and checked his watch to make sure he didn't let it boil more than ten minutes. He put all of his ingredients neatly back into their case, cleaned off his workspace and went to one of the sinks in the back of the room to rinse off his hand. He scrubbed away all of the dried blood and saw that the cut was deep and swollen. He dried it off gently and decided to go to Madam Pomfrey after dinner. By the time he returned to his cauldron it was time to move it away from the flame. He looked deep into the cauldron and admired its light green color, but just as he did so Snape came up beside him and stared into it as well.
"Hardly the right color Mr. Potter," Snape said evenly as Harry jumped with surprise. After he suppressed a slight smirk, he continued, "Your potion is a light jade, instead of a dark jade. Your potion is weak and will therefore not give you the results you desire from it. However, since the overall color and texture is correct it seems that you followed the directions correctly but your ingredients are obviously stale or rotten. Perhaps you would do well to buy fresh ingredients before the next lesson?" With that said Snape turned on his heel and continued down the row to Malfoy's caldron.
"As always, Mr. Malfoy, impeccable color and texture. Glad to see you are still applying yourself to your work. It could come in handy," he paused momentarily before adding, "later on."
Snape had almost whispered the last part as he looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was listening. His eyes fell on Harry who quickly tore his gaze away from him and focused back on his own potion. Harry's mind reeled at the realization of what Snape had just said to Draco. Was he really giving Draco a hint that his potion skills would be used by Voldemort? Or did he simply mean it would help him out in whatever his chosen future occupation was? Harry doubt it was the latter. Draco shifted uncomfortable in his chair before finally sitting up straight, carefully bottling his potion and then clearing his workspace. As soon as he had tidied up, Draco grabbed his bag and left the dungeon.
Harry scrambled to clean up his area too so he could catch Draco alone in the hallway. He didn't know exactly what he wanted to say or how exactly he was going to say it, he just knew he needed a few minutes alone with Draco. However, no sooner had Harry packed up to go did Snape look up from his papers.
"And where do you think you are going Mr.Potter?' He asked in his usual cruel drawl. Harry slowly turned around and grinned sheepishly.
"Well, I thought I'd try and make it to my next class early. Since I've been in the hospital wing I thought maybe I could use the time before class to talk to..." but Harry trailed off. He suddenly realized that he had Defense Against the Dark Arts next but that he had no idea who was teaching it this year. He looked back at Snape who had raised one eyebrow and was beginning to look impatient.
"I thought I could use the time before class to talk to my new Dark Arts teacher. To get my make-up assignments and such considering I haven't been to that class yet." Harry finished with a shrug, he really couldn't think of anything else to say. Harry stood there while Snape stood up and closed the door on Hermione who had been standing in the doorway. As soon as the door was closed, Snape turned to Harry and gazed at him silently.
"What?" Harry asked stupidly after a moment of awkward silence. Snape merely sneered and looked down at him as he walked back over to his desk.
"In case you've forgotten Mr. Potter, you are still a student at Hogwarts and therefore under my supervision." He explained as he sat in the chair behind his desk. He continued, "And as long as I am the teacher and you the student, no amount of heroics will excuse you from calling me 'Sir'."
"Oh, right," Harry said, and then quickly added, "Sir."
"As the Headmaster may have already informed you, we shall continue your Occlumency lessons but this time, you must practice. I know that we allowed our personal differences to disrupt the lessons during the previous year but I believe you now understand how important it is for you to learn how to block Him out." Snape said all of this with an even tone that made Harry somewhat angry and somewhat appreciative. He was condescending, but he also wasn't going to sugar coat things for him. Harry was beginning to have a new appreciation for the Potions Master.
"Is that all, sir?" Harry asked respectively, and Snape just nodded.
"You'll meet me here at 8 o'clock on Thursdays, Mr. Potter," Snape said, his eyes now concentrated on the pages that littered his desk.
"Yes, sir." Harry turned without a second glance and exited the dungeon. Once outside he realized that Hermione must have already left for class. He ran up the stairs and through the corridor to reach the Defense Against the Dark Arts class and realized he was still a little early. He walked in and saw both Ron and Hermione sitting together towards the back .They waved at him and he joined them, sitting on the other side of Ron.
Hermione was explaining something about the lesson from the previous week and Harry was too distracted to listen. He looked listlessly out the window and wished he could be outside. He had already decided that the first thing he was going to do after his classes that day was to go outside and ride his broom. He was just about to lose himself in a Quidditch day dream when he realized that everyone had gone completely silent.
"Now, class, as we maybe begin today's lesson I must ask everyone to be very careful as the spell we'll be working on today is somewhat hazardous to those around you." Professor Dumbledore stood at the front of the class and Harry was dumbstruck. Why hadn't anyone told him that Dumbledore was teaching the Defense Class?
He looked around at his classmate and none of them seemed surprised so this obviously wasn't a one time thing, but then he thought again, how could no one have told him?
They continued the lesson on not just levitating items, but throwing them. It was a controlled type of levitation that required a spell and not a charm, as Dean Thomas had asked earlier. They paired up and threw pillows at each other, Ron and Hermione, while Harry paired up with Neville. Even though Harry and Neville found the spell easy and had some fun with it, Harry couldn't help but feel somewhat distracted by Dumbledore's presence.
When the lesson was over, Harry headed to the door with everyone else but then hesitated as if waiting to be called back. Dumbledore said nothing, and Harry left the classroom somewhat frustrated and confused by the entire situation.
Hermione and Ron caught up with him down the corridor and they walked quietly to the Great Hall for lunch. They found seats easily and began eating without much conversation. Finally, Ron felt it was necessary to break the silence.
"How about those Chudley Cannons?" He asked innocently, but Harry almost choked on his kidney pie, while Hermione just shot him a look of annoyance. "What? Someone had to say something."
"Hello everyone." Ginney said brightly as she approached the table and sat next to Harry and across from Ron and Hermione.
"Classes going well?" Ron asked, happy to have someone to converse with.
"Pretty well, nothing to write home about." Ginny said with a grin as she helped herself to a little bit of everything.
"Hey Ginny," Harry said, not really looking at her. He found his heart beating in his throat and he suddenly felt nervous.
"Hello Harry," Ginny replied, trying to look busy by putting too much food on her plate. She finally began to eat but her appetite didn't seem to match the food piled on her plate. Harry watched her delicate hands as they pushed the food around and occasionally brought food up to her mouth. She chewed quietly and stared straight ahead, and Harry knew that his staring at her was too obvious but he just couldn't tear himself to look away. He suddenly felt scared that if he did look away she would vanish.
"Stop it." She said under her breath, but Harry didn't reply. He didn't know what to say. "Harry, I mean it."
Ron, who had been slightly distracted by the pumpkin juice he spilled down his shirt, suddenly became aware of the tension between Harry and Ginny.
"What's going on with you two?" Ron asked, perhaps a little more aggressively than he should have because Hermione shushed him. "What're you doing that for? Can't I ask my best mate and my sister what's going on?"
Ginny and Harry met eyes briefly before both saying, in unison, "Nothing."
They both blushed, and looked away from each other. Harry suddenly didn't have an appetite and decided to leave before he had to answer any other questions Ron might feel the need to ask. As he stood up, Ginny got up as well and they both walked quickly out of the Great Hall. As the passed the entrance, Harry made a bold move and took Ginny's hand and pulled her outside. She didn't resist but she made it clear that she wasn't happy by stomping her feet. He pulled her down the stair and then across the yard until they reached the edge of the lake.
He let her go and turned around to face her. She looked at him, her face a complete blank. Harry forced himself to say something.
"I want you." He blurted out. He shook his head, and tried to start again. "I mean, I want you to be my friend again. I want –."
But before he could say anything else, Ginny reached up and put a hand over his mouth.
"That's all you needed to say." She said softly, and smiled at him. Harry felt his heart ease and suddenly he felt lighter. He hadn't realized how much strain he had felt being away from her. He took her hand from his mouth and pulled her closer to him. He practically lifted her up in his embrace and swung her around. She laughed playfully and he couldn't help but laugh along with her. He gently brought her back to the ground and pulled away slightly. Her hands tightened on his arms and he slid them back around her waist.
He suddenly felt hot, and desire to kiss her suddenly became unbearable. He tried to fight it but never had he fought a battle he didn't mind losing. He slid his hand up her body and to her face, and she shivered at his touch. He brought his face down and whispered into her ear.
"You're beautiful Ginny." Until that moment, he wasn't sure what he was going to say but as soon as the words left his lips he knew that they were exactly what he meant to say and that they were very true. Ginny pulled back a little and he could see something in her eyes that he didn't recognize. She looked like she was going to cry, but he didn't know what he'd done wrong. He leaned in to kiss her but she pulled away. He wanted desperately to hold on but he didn't want to scare her so he let go. He felt every part of where her body has touched his grow cold as she took her warmth with her.
"Ginny," he started but the frightened look in her eyes was too much and he couldn't bring himself to speak anymore.
"Harry, why are you doing this?" Ginny asked, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at him. Her hair was loose and cascaded over her shoulders. Her uniform was a little faded but she found a way to look stunning despite it all.
"What did I do? Tell me what I did, and I'll change it," Harry pleaded. He didn't want her to shut him out. He remembered Cho getting upset and then getting frustrated because he didn't understand her. He wanted to understand with Ginny, he wanted to make things better.
"Harry, you can't ask me to be your friend, and then turn around and treat me like," she started but stopped. She was looking over his shoulder, and Harry turned to look. Ron was storming over and Hermione was close behind trying to grab his arm and pull him back. Harry sighed. He didn't really want to deal with Ron right now, not until he had settled things with Ginny but he figured it was better that it better dealt with sooner rather than later. He turned around to tell Ginny so but when he did she was already gone. A quick scan revealed that she was already halfway to Hagrid's hut where other 5th years were getting ready for their Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
Harry turned back around just as Ron and Hermione reached him. Ron looked a little angry and confused, while Hermione seemed somewhat desperate and disturbed.
"What's up guys?" Harry asked as calmly as he could.
"What's going on between you and Ginny?" Ron asked, puffing his chest out a little, while trying to look threatening which only succeeded in causing Hermione to roll her eyes. Harry reached over and poked him right below the rib cage which caused a lung full of air to exhale and Ron to double over. They all kind of chuckled over this, but Ron wasn't about to be deterred.
"Seriously though mate, what's going on?" Ron asked, in a way that said he was only asking because he was a friend and brother to both involved. Harry looked past him to Hermione for advice but received none. He looked back at Ron and decided that the truth was the best.
"Nothing's going on Ron." He answered truthfully.
"I don't believe you." He said automatically, as if he would have said it no matter what Harry had said.
"Honestly Ron, I don't want to hide anything from you." He said simply, and then continued, "I think I like Ginny."
"Bloody hell." Ron muttered. Harry decided to move forward before Ron had a chance to say anything else.
"I like Ginny, and I think she likes me back only," he wondered how much he should tell Ron, and decided to just say it. "Only, things have gotten a little complicated."
"What the bloody hell does that mean?" Ron, suddenly roaring with protectiveness, got right into Harry's face.
"Knock it off Ron," Hermione said, her face somewhat calm. "Let him finish."
"Ginny doesn't want me." Harry said evenly. He felt humiliated saying it out loud but he felt as though it needed to be said. "We kissed, before school began, but she doesn't want to be with me because I'm reckless. I don't- I don't think she even wants to be friends with me anymore."
The last part had been the hardest to admit, but again, it felt like something he needed to say. He looked at Ron who seemed somewhat taken aback. Hermione looked a little shocked, but recovered quickly and put on a face of sympathy. Harry shook his head, suddenly wanting to be alone. He walked around them and made his way back to the castle. He could hear their footsteps behind him but he didn't feel it was necessary to turn around. He reached the castle and headed straight for his charms class.
He sat in the back, and Ron and Hermione sat towards the front. Harry knew they weren't mad at him; they were just giving him his space. He still felt so completely confused by Ginny's reaction to him that he completely blocked out the lesson. He was so lost in the thoughts that when Professor Flitwick asked how much time he was going to need to finish catching up Harry just answered, "yes".
Harry went back to his room and stayed in bed, even when Ron came and asked him to come to dinner. Harry just said something about having eaten enough at lunch, and Ron didn't push. He wondered what Ron thought of it all and resolved to just ask him. He was walking through the portrait when he bumped into Ginny. Her eyes looked a little red, but she seemed pretty well put together otherwise. She stared at him, and then her lips trembled a little and Harry felt his stomach flop at the sight.
'Harry, come to the Forest.' Harry jumped back from Ginny and stared at her, willing the voice to be from her but knowing that it wasn't.
'Harry, we must speak. Come to the forest and find me.' The voice of Beren was immediately recognizable and Harry knew he needed to talk to Beren. Ginny reached out and touched his arm, jerking him out of his trance. He looked at her, and tried to smile.
"Harry, what's wrong?" She asked gently. She reached a hand up to his cheek and touched him. Her touch was like fire and he again felt warm and this sudden urge to touch her. He shook his head, trying to focus, but she was such a distraction that he almost forgot about Beren. "Harry, I think we need to talk."
"We do, Ginny." Harry said, closing his eyes, hoping that it would help him focus but it only succeeded in changing his focus to her delicate touch that he could feel against his cheeks. "Later tonight, maybe? Or tomorrow?"
"Why not now?" She asked, but Harry had already started to walk away. "Harry!"
He heard her call out after him but he couldn't bring himself to turn around. He continued to walk until he reached the front of the castle and walked cautiously out of the doors and headed directly to the Forbidden Forest. He looked back a few times and thought regretfully that he should have gone back and gotten his father's cloak. He shrugged this off and entered the forest, walking deeper and deeper and until he could no longer see the castle. He held his wand in his hand and breathed and moved as silently as he possibly could.
'You're brave, Harry Potter, to come into the forest by yourself.' Harry turned quickly and saw Beren sitting proudly between two trees. The sight of the creature gave him chills but he was not afraid.
"Why am I here?" Harry asked, curious of Beren's intentions.
'This was merely a test of what trust you put in people, Young One.' Beren answered slyly as he jumped over to where Harry was standing and walked around him in a very predatory manner.
"Why are testing me?" Harry asked, wonder what kind of spell he might need in case this situation took a turn for the worst.
'Why did you come?' Beren countered. 'You have no reason to trust me, and in fact, you have every reason to suspect that I am drawing you out here and into a trap and yet, you still came. Why?'
"Because," Harry suddenly felt very stupid, "Because you asked me to."
'Precisely Young One!' Beren said as a little excitement crept into his voice. 'You have a heart that truly believes and looks for the best in people. Yet, while some may consider it strength, you must consider this a weakness.'
Harry could only nod as he fought back a wave of nausea. Thinking about how gullible he had been made him think about what had happened to Sirius, and how it had been his fault for believing Kreacher.
'You have many weaknesses Young One, but these are the things you must control if you are to accept my help.' Beren said as he continued to prowl.
"You're going to help me? With what?" Harry asked, still watching him cautiously.
'I want to help you with your journey by giving you something that we who dwell in the forest, believe you ought to have.' Beren said, and even though Harry thought that Beren could be a friend, he was still alert.
'Before it is given, you must learn to control your feelings, your urges, and," while Beren was talking Harry saw a mental picture of Ginny that he knew Beren had put there before saying, 'your desires.'
"And when I've learned how to control them?" He asked, trying to shove Ginny from his mind.
'When you have, I will know, and I will call you back to me.' Beren said with some finality and Harry knew their encounter was coming to a close. 'Until then Harry Potter, be careful who you trust.'
With those final words, Beren walked one more circle around him and then walked away from him and disappeared into the heart of the forest. Harry suddenly felt a strange pull to follow him but decided against it. He did not feel as safe as he had when Beren had been there and he also realized how dark it had become.
He ran quickly towards to castle and carefully came through the door. Ran quietly across the hall and was halfway up the steps when he saw Mrs. Norris. He paused for a brief moment before running quickly in the opposite direction. He heard her meow but he wasn't going to wait around for Mr. Filch to pop out. He began running towards the entrance to the Common Room and just as he saw it he heard Filch cry out behind him. With out even stopping he ran towards to the portrait, shouted, "KNEEZLE" and skidded through the open portrait hole just in time to look behind him at the outraged face of the Hogwarts Care Taker.
Once safely inside he realized that the common room was empty and that it really must be late for everyone to already be in bed. He walked over to the fire place and intended to sit in one of the chairs when he saw that he wasn't alone. Ginny was fast asleep on the couch. Harry looked at the clock on his wrist and realized that it was almost one in the morning. He looked back at Ginny and felt entranced by her.
She slept without a dream or a care, comfortable and safe, untroubled or at least that's how Harry imagined her sleep to be. She just seemed so peaceful that he longed to be part of that same peaceful slumber. He sat in the chair and watched her sleep, turning occasionally, tangling her hair that encompassed her face. He closed his eyes, and felt them grow heavy every time he did so and while he knew he should go to his room, he couldn't bring himself to leave her.
He finally closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
