Sometimes I just run into writer's block with things, even if I shouldn't.

Warnings: It's shounen-ai, yaoi, slash, gay, whatever you want to call it.

Notes: (X) is pov change and or time jump

Chapter 16: The First Day

'Why?' It was all Harry could think to ask. He was sure McGonagall was going to be entering the dorm soon, her fierce glare falling on all of them and Harry would end up with another detention, Ron too no doubt, for something like disturbing the peace. And he couldn't get too mad about any of it because he'd been the one to ask the shadow to go after Ron the night before and hadn't told it to stop. How could he expect anything less? The shadow should know he didn't want to spend his entire year in detention though. He'd heard the threat McGonagall had made too. So why? Why had he felt the need to wake Ron up at, he glanced at the clock, frowning, five in the morning? There wasn't even a point in trying to fall back asleep. In an hour they'd all have to struggle out of bed and try to carry on like they'd gotten a full night's rest. And Harry, Harry got the joy of enduring a full day of Ron accusing him of everything from his mother's murder to his attempted murder, because his stupid shadow couldn't stay inside of its stupid pendant!

'So, I'm stupid now,' the shadow asked, both amusement and a hint of rage tinting its words. He was daring Harry to agree with his statement.

'Heartless might be a better word,' Harry said, glaring at the shadow. He couldn't see it, but he could feel the shadow's hand on his own and had a good idea of where he was.

'That's probably true,' the shadow said, the rage gone, only amusement left. 'Plenty of people have said as much.'

He sighed. Everything before now pointed in that direction. For some reason, he'd allowed himself to remain in denial, not just that the pendant truly cared for him, but that it might listen.

'You—' There was surprise and for the first time, the tiniest flash of hurt.

'Just…' He stopped himself, frowning. He could no longer feel the emotions from the shadow, but he'd definitely felt his reaction. He hadn't even thought the shadow could get its feelings hurt. Annoyed, angry, mad, arrogant? Those were things he'd felt from it all the time, but sadness? He hadn't expected that. 'Sorry,'

'Don't be,' it said, pulling his hand away from Harry.

'Wait!' His words hit the mental wall block, and he winced when the energy behind the words came back at him. His hand shot out, and he started feeling around his bed, but the shadow was nowhere. Shite.

"What are you doing," Neville asked. He was giving Harry an uneasy look.

"I lost something," he muttered. Whether it was just the shadow or his sanity for the year, he wasn't sure yet. No, that wasn't right. He knew that the shadow wouldn't abandon him. They didn't always agree, but the shadow didn't seem capable of ignoring him any more than Harry could him for long periods of time. That was good if he thought about it. They might yell, but after they had time to cool off, they were…? Was friends the right word?

"Keep that thing away from me," Ron snarled.

Harry blinked, looking up, Ron's face inches from his own. "I told you last night, I can't control it," he whispered, his face calm. He wasn't going to panic about this. Ron wasn't physically harmed or dead and he seemed to be as mentally capable as he had the night before. If anything, he should give the shadow a gift for managing such an impressive amount of control. After he came back, of course.

The other three Gryffindors were watching them with worried expressions, no doubt thinking they were going to fight again. Seamus kept looking at the door and Harry hoped if he did try to run off and rat them out again, he'd trip so he could stop him.

"Then give it to someone who can!"

"I can't," Harry growled. And wouldn't even if he could.

"Yeah, sure," Ron snorted. He stormed back over to his bed and climbed into it, his back facing Harry now. He was willing to explain, but if Ron didn't want to listen, why bother talking?

The other three teens relaxed with Ron back in his bed. They gave each other one more round of nervous looks before returning to their own.

Sighing, Harry lay back down, but he already knew he wouldn't be falling back asleep. The only reason he'd drifted off last night was thanks to the shadow. Without him sleeping beside him, his bed felt empty and even a little cold.

He moved his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. Their minor row would probably result in the shadow ignoring him for half the day tops if Harry didn't do anything stupid. He already had detention, so he planned on behaving, so that shouldn't be an issue. The problem was Ron. The shadow and Ron didn't get along. Even if Ron just needed something to blame for his mother's death, Harry needed to get them to agree to some kind of truce.

Harry's alarm went off and he turned on his side, frowning when he saw the time. It seemed he'd fallen asleep. Surprising, but a relief. He climbed out of bed and dug through his truck for clean robes as everyone else's alarms started to go off. He heard Dean groan and Neville mutter something about it being too early. Seamus cursed and Harry was out the door before anyone could say a word. Chances were high if one of his dorm mates even hinted that Ron was right about anything, he wouldn't simply be spending his year in detention, he'd be spending it in Azkaban.

The thought surprised him. When had he gotten so violent? He walked through the common room in a daze, taking note of his surroundings just enough not to run into anyone. Had he always been this willing to harm others or was he just fed up with everything going on around him?

"Harry!"

Hermione ran over to him, looking far too bright-eyed than anyone should on the morning of the first day of school.

"Morning," he yawned.

"Never mind that," she said, grabbing his arm and leading him out of the tower. "What happened last night?"

"Before or after Dumbledore," he asked.

She gave him a displeased look. "Before."

"So... remember what Dumbledore told us to keep quiet about?"

"Yes," she said.

"It was trying to get to the staff table. He doesn't like Umbridge."

"Well no," she said, her anger evident. "Anyone with half a mind wouldn't. The Ministry is forcing its way into Hogwarts." She stopped at the top of the stairs. "She's no more than a spy for Fudge."

That wasn't something Harry had considered. He knew the shadow was mad about Umbridge being there, but he hadn't quite understood why. He didn't remember the entire conversation though. Once the shadow had started speaking out loud and Dumbledore had started sharing his actual thoughts, his mind had gone blank.

"I didn't think of it that way."

She sighed and shook her head. "Let's just hope the curse on the Defense class continues, and she's gone by the end of the year," she said, bitterly. "Hopefully, she doesn't do too much damage. I'll never forgive her or the Ministry if I fail a single O.W.L.," she seethed.

"You don't think the Ministry would purposely make students fail, do you?" If every student failed their O.W.L.S. or a certain subject, parents would talk. When they found out a Witch from the Ministry with no teaching credentials was the cause, there would be a backlash.

"I wouldn't put it past them," she growled. "So," she said, letting out a lengthy breath. "Are you going to sit with us today?"

"Probably not."

"Honestly, would the two of you make up already? Wasn't last year bad enough?"

"He's the one accusing me of killing his mother and... and we got into a fight last night-" he whispered. He might as well tell Hermione his side of the story before Ron poisoned her with his version.

"What!?"

"And this morning…."

"Harry," she said, looking horrified.

"I, okay, I provoked him last night, but I was innocent this morning," he said. "I can't control it."

"What is it," she asked, his eyes darting to his shirt and then away. "Professor Dumbledore didn't go into too much detail."

"It's basically a Magic Eight Ball," he said. "Only it doesn't give you random answers. It's really smart and it can talk, and it throws people like Ron into walls." He added the last part for his own amusement, but Hermione was frowning.

"...How is that anything like a Magic Eight Ball?"

"When I first got it, all it did was answer questions. It was the only reason I didn't go mad over the summer," Harry explained for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Oh," she said, frowning. "Right. We… I'm so sorry."

"I'm over it, kind of." Even if Dumbledore had forced them into silence, he felt betrayed. And once you knew your friends were willing to betray you once, that doubt would always be there.

"No. Nothing that happened this summer was all right," she said. "We should have found a way."

"I meant to talk to you this summer about everything, it just didn't happen," Harry said. Between his random mood swings and all the fighting with the necklace, Mrs. Weasley's death, the court trial. Explaining the pendant to her had only crossed his mind when he'd thought he'd broken it.

"It was a crazy summer," Hermione agreed, smiling at him. "What are the chances the winter holiday will be any better?"

"None," Harry said. He started down the stairs, Hermione following. He didn't think it'd be horrible. With Sirius and Lupin being a part of his holiday, it had to go well. He'd make sure it did because he wanted his first Christmas with Sirius to be great. But while Harry would be having fun and with a loving relative for the first time, Ron would be having his first Christmas without his mother.

"Probably not," Hermione said. They walked into the Great Hall. Immediately, their eyes fell onto a small gathering or something at the Slytherin table. About fifteen students huddled around the front end of the table. "What in the world?"

"Dunno," Harry muttered. A small crowd at the Slytherin table was beyond unusual. Even stranger, a lot of them were girls, and a few weren't even Slytherin.

"Someone fighting," Ron asked, standing on Harry's other side.

"Not sure," Harry said. "You're taller than both of us, see anything?" At least Ron could be civil in some circumstances. Like when he was trying to be nosey.

Ron craned his neck, even stood on his tiptoes. "No," he said, frowning. "They're too close to each other to make anything out. Should we go check it out or let Malfoy and Pansy deal with this," he asked Hermione.

"I don't think they're fighting," she said. "Most of them look like they're laughing."

"Yeah, but it's Slytherin. If they're happy, someone else is miserable," Ron said. When no one agreed, he looked at Harry questioningly for backup before he seemed to remember they were fighting and walked off quickly, his face red.

"You could have agreed," she sighed.

"But I don't." Had Draco not helped him out in the last few days, he would have, but his prejudice against the Slytherin was fading. He noticed Draco at the table then and looked away before he could see Harry staring at him. "It's none of our business." He started for the Gryffindor table.

"... I suppose not," she said after a moment. "As long as no one is getting hurt." She followed him towards the table. "Did you want me to sit with you?"

"It's okay. I can talk to him."

"Right," she said, her shoulders relaxing. "I'm sure if you joined us, no one would stop you."

"Probably not. Maybe I'll try during lunch. I need a quiet breakfast."

"Well, if you're sure."

"I am."

"All right. I'll see you in class then." With one last look, she joined Ron and the other Gryffindors sitting at the front of the table. Harry hoped this would not be his regular morning routine. He didn't need Hermione's looks of pity, especially when she obviously wanted to sit with Ron and the others.

"Come on." Harry turned, raising an eyebrow at Draco. The Slytherin looked annoyed, his arms crossed in front of his chest, his gaze refusing to meet Harry's. "I said come on."

"Where," Harry asked. He didn't understand why Draco was inviting him when it seemed like he wanted nothing to do with him right now. A common theme around Hogwarts right now.

Draco didn't answer. He turned, muttering what Harry thought was a curse, and started back for the Slytherin table. When Harry hesitated, Draco turned. "Now," he growled.

Well, if Draco wanted him that badly. He stood up and joined Draco, the two of them walking slow. "What's going on?"

Draco let out a long sigh. "I heard you had a crappy night."

"You have no idea," Harry whispered.

"Pretty sure I do, or I wouldn't be stuck dragging you over here," he said, angrily.

"Oh." Was that how their new friendship worked? Whenever he and the shadow fought, Draco would step in and what? Calm Harry down? Make sure no one killed him? Make sure he didn't kill anyone considering his newfound lack of concern for others. He could feel his face burning. "You don't have to come to my rescue every time I'm alone," he said. Draco kept looking around nervously, probably because he didn't want anyone to realize he was talking with Harry. "I'm used to it," he added when he saw the strained look on the Slytherin's face. "Really."

"Just sit down," Draco said.

Draco sat down at the end of the table, Harry watching. He knew he shouldn't push his company on one of the few people who were tolerating him right now. "I'll tell him I said no," Harry offered.

"I said to sit down Potter," Draco snapped, his eyes narrowing.

Harry did as he was told, surprised. Whatever the shadow had on Draco; it must be important. Maybe he could find a way to help him out with that. "What's going on down there," he asked to change the subject.

"You'll find out soon enough," Draco muttered.

Harry's stomach dropped. "Are they deciding how to ruin my life this week?"

Draco shook his head, placing a bunch of fruit onto his plate and two eggs. "Nothing like that."

He wasn't sure if he believed Draco. Another girl, this one a Hufflepuff, joined the group. None of them were glancing his way, and the smiles and giggles didn't seem taunting in any way. The small gathering seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves.

Maybe whatever they were doing would keep them distracted, and they'd all forget about Harry. It always happened eventually; he just hadn't expected it to be so soon. He couldn't deny that he was curious about the gathering though. But, as long as it made the other students forget about him, it didn't matter. It was about time something went right. Now he just needed to get Ron to come around and he might stand a chance at having a good year.

"Draco?"

"What?"

"What does he have on you," he asked. If he planned on helping Draco, he'd need to know what he was negotiating about. "He already told me he made you—"

"No one made me," Draco said cutting Harry off. "If I didn't want to talk to you, I wouldn't," he said sounding offended. "I listen to him because I believe in what he wants. And I…" he shook his head and popped an apple slice into his mouth.

He wanted to know what Draco had been about to say, but the Slytherin was no longer looking at him, but transfixed on his plate of food. Harry knew he wouldn't be getting anything more from him.

Well, it seemed he'd be getting that quiet breakfast.

A rush of wind was the only warning Harry got before the room filled with owls. They screeched and swooped, some dancing beautifully in the air, others shooting towards their owners. Harry noticed Hedwig was among them. She glided gently down to Harry and held out a small parcel. Harry removed it from her leg. "Thanks, Hedwig." Harry grabbed a handful of granola and put it in his plate where Hedwig began to peck away happily at it.

Draco's enormous owl landed on the Slytherin's left. He glanced at the bird, removing the letter, and went back to his fruit. The owl flew away without a single glance back.

Harry stroked Hedwig's cheek while looking at the small box. He couldn't help feeling a little uneasy about opening it. The last time he'd received a package this size, there'd been a demented shadow lying in wait inside a harmless-looking pendant. He saw Lupin's name written on it though and decided it would probably be safe enough. He got the box open in short order and grinned. Inside was a note and a pile of single-serving chocolate bars. Leave it to Lupin to send chocolate. He removed the note and read it.

I hope everything is going well. I sent you some chocolate to fight the first day of school blues.

"What's in the box," Draco asked. He'd finished his letter already and shoved it into his bag.

If this had been a normal school year, he'd be sharing the chocolate with Ron and Hermione. "Here." He took out a small bar of chocolate and handed it to Draco.

A look of suspicion crossed Draco's face. "What's this for?"

"For only being a partial git," Harry said, removing one of the other pieces of chocolate. He opened the package and popped the piece into his mouth. It didn't fix everything, but it helped. "Lupin sent it to me to help with the first day of school."

Draco watched until Harry had swallowed his chocolate. When Harry didn't fall over or start foaming at the mouth, he opened his and ate it.

Hedwig gave Harry a quick affectionate nip on the hand now that she'd finished up the granola and flew off.

"What are you doing over here, Potter," Professor McGonagall asked. She looked put off at having to walk all the way over to the Slytherin table. "Are you and Mr. Weasley still fighting?" Her face dared him to say yes, but why should he bother lying about it? There was no way to hide it.

"Yes," he said. "We're not quite on the same page yet." He didn't add that they might have gotten closer to calling a truce until the shadow got in the way and started a whole new fight. That would merely make things worse, and his life needed no help with that.

McGonagall sighed and handed Harry his schedule before walking away, muttering about how immature and foolish people could be.

Harry scanned the piece of paper and choked on the spoon of cereal he'd just placed into his mouth when he realized what he was up against today. He winced, forcing the food down, his eyes watering.

"What," Draco asked.

"This schedule," Harry coughed. "My Mondays are horrid," he said, looking it over again, hoping he'd somehow made a mistake. A fourth read over told him he had not. This just wasn't fair, which sadly was becoming the number one sentence to describe his life.

Scowling, Draco snatched the schedule from Harry's hand and looked it over. He saw the Slytherin wince a few times before handing it back. "Maybe you shouldn't have stopped yourself from choking."

"No kidding…." What deranged person had decided History of Magic should be the first class of the school year? And it would be his first class every Monday now for his entire fifth year.

"Well, at least you get a lot of the bad out of the way after Monday," Draco said.

"If I survive it."

"You've survived worse."

Yes, he had survived worse. That didn't mean he wanted to try again. His luck was pretty much dead at this point. He might not survive his next paper cut if things continued their current path.

Snape began making his way down one side of the table, handing out schedules. He paled considerably when he stopped at the gathered crowd, his calm demeanor replaced by slow, awkward movements. Snape couldn't seem to get away fast enough and power walked towards Draco once he finished. He froze when he saw Harry sitting at the Slytherin table, shook his head, and approached after he'd gotten some of his composure back.

"Draco," Snape said, handing him his schedule. "I see you've decided to keep questionable company."

"Less questionable than most of the Slytherin house," Draco snorted. "I'll take my chances."

"So, I see." He looked at Harry then back to Draco. "Don't get hurt."

"Think I was the only one who didn't get hurt," he muttered. Snape nodded and headed for the staff table.

"What was that about," Harry asked.

"He's just worried." It was obvious he wouldn't be explaining that either. Instead, he looked over his schedule.

"Any good?"

"Better than yours," Draco smirked. "If nothing else, I don't have History of Magic first period. I have Transfiguration. After that we have Potions together," he said.

"Lucky," Harry said, looking back at his schedule. It was going to be a long day, an even longer year spending his first period in History of Magic with Ron ignoring him. Especially if the shadow refused to speak with him. All his classes were going to be bad. Hermione wouldn't have a choice, but to help Ron. He'd fail everything if she didn't. That meant if the shadow and him fought, he'd have absolutely no one to speak with because he doubted Draco was going to unless the shadow stepped in. He really needed to find a way to mend things with Ron.

The warning bell rang, and Harry let out a sigh. He heard the group of students further down groan. At least he wasn't the only one dreading the start of classes. "Well, I guess the sooner we get this year started, the sooner it'll be over with." He grabbed his bag and stood up.

"Can only hope it goes better than last year," Draco muttered. He looked at Harry for a moment before nodding. "Listen, Potter. Can we try to make sure we all make it out alive this year?"

Harry frowned at that. "What do you mean?"

"I just…" He shook his head. "If you have any plans to try anything stupid, and I mean anything. Weird magic, for example, maybe come talk to me before doing it?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I don't plan on using any weird magic."

"Yeah, I don't think you were last year either, but that didn't stop you. So—"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Harry said.

"I know," Draco said, which only confused Harry more. "But if anything comes up that you find questionable, anything at all. Talk to me, talk to Hermione. Don't do anything stupid." He grabbed his bag and started off, Harry watching him go.

What was that about? Draco and he weren't even talking last year. And what weird magic had he been a part of? Was he talking about the graveyard? It wasn't like he'd had a choice. Whatever. His questions would have to wait until Potion's class. He stepped out of the Great Hall and suddenly staggered forward as someone rammed into his shoulder. He regained his balance before he hit the floor. A bunch of girls giggling.

"Sorry," someone said from within the herd of females.

"Don't be, that's Harry Potter," one of the girls said.

They kept walking, in the direction Harry was headed in no less. All he could do was stare and wait so they could get far enough away so he wouldn't have to risk a second run in. Had that really been an accident? Crap, I'm going to be late. He could worry about the group of females suddenly out to get him once he was safely inside his History of Magic class. Maybe the girls were all fans of Cedric? They might be plotting revenge against him since half the school thought he'd killed him. Just what he needed. More people accusing him of murder. Don't't people realize I'd be in Azkaban already if I'd killed Cedric or Mrs. Weasley? Common sense like that seemed to be lacking at Hogwarts, though.

"Harry?" He turned Ron and Hermione, standing in the doorway. "Is everything all right?"

"I have no idea," he said. "Someone ran into me, but they apologized so…" It wasn't like he even knew which one in the group had run into him. There had been quite a few people, so maybe it had been an accident.

"We should hurry to History of Magic," she said. "Come on."

"Yeah, because I wouldn't want to be late for that class," Harry muttered.

Ron laughed, Hermione's face growing red. "Now both of you listen to me. We are taking O.W.L. level courses this year. It's going to be hard, and if either of you want to pass, I suggest you pay attention starting today. I have plenty of things to worry about myself and I won't be holding your hands this year."

"But… you'll still share your notes, right," Ron asked making a strange choking sound. Hermione let out a frustrated growl and stomped off down the hall. "Was that a yes," he asked Harry.

"… Think it was a maybe," he said.

"She has to know we can't possibly pass any of these classes without her help," he went on. The two of them started walking down the hall at a safe distance from Hermione.

Harry shrugged. If the shadow stopped being an arse, he could use him for studying instead of Hermione. Not that it would be smart to rely on that plan. The chances of the shadow not getting offended were slim. He'd probably need those notes. "Lupin sent me some chocolate this morning. Think if we bribe her, she'll share?"

"You got chocolate?" He was staring at Harry expectantly now. He knew Ron didn't deserve a thing, especially not chocolate sent to him by Lupin. On the other hand, he needed his friends back. He started going through his bag, trying to find the small box. Eventually, he located it under a pack of parchment.

"Here." He handed Ron a piece. The redhead took it grinning and removed the wrapper.

"Will you two hurry up," Hermione screamed at them from down the hall. They'd just entered the Transfiguration corridor.

"We're coming," Ron yelled back to her. "Sheesh. She's been like this all morning." Hermione shook her head and turned the corner. "We've got like five minutes until class starts."

"I think the exams already have her worried."

"Well, she needs to go get a calming draught then. If this is how she acts the first day, I can't imagine what she'll be like next week."

Harry smiled at that, nodding. Hermione had been perfectly calm when he'd spoken to her earlier. Either her nerves had kicked in, which he didn't believe they had so soon, or she had purposely driven Ron mad during breakfast, so he'd seek Harry out as an ally. Thanks, Hermione.

"So… what's with you sitting with Malfoy," Ron asked quietly. He was keeping his eyes forward.

"No one else wanted to sit with me," Harry said. He wanted to add "thanks to you", but Hermione would kill him if screwed this up and the two of them began fighting again.

"So why did he?"

"Shadow," he whispered.

"… That thing is friends with Malfoy," Ron asked his eyes widening.

"Actually, I think it's threatening him."

"Really? Maybe it's not so bad?"

"He threatened you this morning," Harry reminded him.

"Yeah, well—"

"Will the two of you get in here?! You have half a minute before you're officially late!" Hermione was standing in front of the door, her arms folded across her chest. The look of her face told them she was not to be crossed, and they hurried into the room. Everyone inside looked like they were about to cry at any moment, no doubt having the same thoughts Harry had had at the table.

"Can you believe the schedule they gave us," Ron asked. "I mean, who did we piss off?"

"Ron," Hermione scolded. She flashed Harry a quick smile before running off to claim three seats in the first row. Of course.

"Was wondering that myself," Harry said. They sat down next to Hermione just as the bell went off. Professor Binns entered the room through the chalkboard and without a single acknowledgment to anyone in the class, grabbed a piece of chalk and started writing on the board.

"The Giant wars," Professor Binns said. "Started in the…"

Harry could feel his eyes already glassing over. His very mind seemed to be rejecting the lesson because he couldn't hear anything the ghost was saying either.

Why is this so boring, he groaned. He dropped his chin into his hand and started doodling on the piece of parchment in front of him. He should be a world-renown artist with all the random things he'd drawn over the years inside this very classroom alone. Today's subject seemed to be Fluffy.

'Binns isn't talking about a Cerberus,' the shadow said, clearly annoyed.

Harry jumped at the sudden mind intrusion. 'Don't do that.'

'If you don't pay attention, you're going to fail the class and your O.W.L.S.'

'How can anyone pay attention in History of Magic,' he asked. 'Look at my classmates. The only one even trying to stay awake is Hermione.'

The shadow sighed, and Harry could suddenly feel him sitting in the empty chair to his left. 'If you don't learn about it now, I'll be forced to teach it to you later.' He leaned closer to Harry to look at the parchment, his chin touching Harry's shoulder. Harry dropped his head, his cheeks burning. 'Though it seems like I'll be doing just that anyway…'

'L, look. I do study for this class, just not in class. I copy Hermione's notes, read the assigned pages, and somehow make it to the next year.'

'You shouldn't use people like that,' the shadow growled.

'… I guess you're right.' It hadn't occurred to him that he was using Hermione. He'd simply thought she'd been letting him see her notes because she was a nice friend who also happened to take great notes. 'There's no way I can pay attention though. It's Monday morning, it's the first class of the school year and it's with Binns.'

The shadow sighed again. Harry's History of Magic book suddenly appeared in front of him, the pages turning until it landed on the right one. 'If you're that good at ignoring him, at least read from the book.'

Harry looked to make sure no one had seen what had just happened. Everyone, Ron included, was practically drooling and dead-eyed, and Hermione was too focused on taking her notes. He looked down at the first page in front of him. 'Okay, so…' he dipped his quill into his bottle of ink. 'Gog and Magog are giants.' He wrote the sentence down, then looked back at the book. 'And…'

The shadow groaned now and grabbed the book. Harry dived for it, so it looked like he was holding it rather than floating in the air. Hermione shot him an angry look.

"S, sorry," he said. Ron was looking at him curiously.

'All that time wasted on proper note-taking and teaching techniques,' the shadow lamented.

'… I'm sorry…?' Harry had no idea what he was talking about. Another common theme. He was getting sick of this.

'I will seek revenge later,' he sighed. 'For now, I will take pity on you.' He snaked an arm around Harry, the Gryffindor's body leaning against the shadow's own, and held the book right in front of him. Harry's eyes snapped wide open. 'Now that I've got your attention,' he snickered.

Yeah, he had all of Harry's attention. Any thought about a giant or war vanished, every single thought now focused on the shadow's embrace.

The shadow pointed to the first image in the book. 'This is Gog and this one is Magog. The two of them were powerful, even for giants. Being so strong and even more stupid, they thought they could become London's rulers. Needless to say, they failed.'

'R, right.' Harry was trying so hard to listen to the shadow. It did sound interesting with him explaining it, but his head was right against the shadow's chest making real focus impossible.

'This was before the 1400s. The idiots were both slaughtered by London's founder.' He grabbed Harry's quill and wrote a few sentences down on his parchment and a blank timeline. 'I'm going to read you some dates and a sentence to go with them, you're going to write it down on the timeline. Okay?'

'O, okay…'

'Is something wrong?' He sounded genuinely concerned.

For something that could read his mind, it was very clueless.

'Yes,' he blurted out. 'Perfect.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.'

'Okay…'

(TBC)

Sorry for the delay, everyone. I got dragged into painting a shed….it looks great now, but it took more time than it should have.