Thanks to my beta, and to those who reviewed!

I do not own Harry Potter.

Harry went to bed that night pondering what he had discussed with Ginny and Hermione. He had been thinking as if this was some sort of violent prank war, but in reality the Slytherins had committed magical assault. The penalties for that, according to Hermione, would be a sentence to Azkaban for the Slytherins who were of age. And at least four of them were. For the other two, being expelled was a definite, along with the breaking of their wands and a ban on using magic, like Hagrid.

That was a much better revenge than anything Harry could think up and carry out on his own. It would completely destroy their preconceived lives.

The next morning Harry woke early for the Quidditch try-outs. Hopping out of bed, he saw that Ron had not yet woken.

Padding quietly over to his best friend, Harry shook Ron's shoulder, trying to wake him.

"Wha…" Ron grumbled, opening one eye a crack. Harry started pushing Ron up and down against the bouncy mattress, and Ron completed opening his eye.

"Why can't you just tell me to wake up, you foul…" Ron grumbled, breaking off when he realized that it was Harry shaking him. Harry raised an eyebrow, and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Oh. Sorry mate. What time is it?" Ron asked, blushing slightly from his mistake.

"We've got the Quidditch try-outs this morning." Harry signed, ignoring Ron's question.

"Oh! Alright, I'm getting up." Ron said hastily.

Thirty minutes later, they were on the Quidditch pitch. Harry hovered on his Firebolt, watching the candidates compete to prove their skills.

Harry frowned thoughtfully. The girl he had spoken to the other night, Brianna, was doing well. He thought that she would be one of the Chasers he would choose, along with a sixth year named Kevin Williams. Ginny was the third, of course.

As for Beaters, a fourth year named Brendon Davis seemed good on a broom and had good aim. A fifth year…Micah…seemed like he would be the next best choice.

Harry cast a tempus charm and saw that it was time to bring the session to an end. They still had to stow the brooms in the locker rooms and get back up to the castle before breakfast ended.

Harry took hold of a whistle – his Quidditch whistle, not the one Ginny had given him – and gave a long, piercing blast on it to signal everyone to land. He led the way down and landed next to Ron.

"Anyone stand out?" Ron asked.

"Brianna and Kevin Williams for Chasers, and Brendon Davis and that Micah what's-his-name for Beaters," Harry signed awkwardly, trying to keep his Firebolt from falling where it was pinched between his upper arm and side at the same time.

"Your mind made up, then?" Ron asked.

"I'll have to think a little more about the reserve team, but for now we can announce the players who got onto the primary team. Tell them I'll post a notice in the common room listing the reserve team members."

"Alright, you lot," Ron shouted, getting everyone's attention. "Harry's decided the primary team members, but the reserve team will be posted in the common room later. Um…what were the names again, mate?" Ron asked, turning to Harry.

"Brianna Henning and Kevin Williams are the Chasers. Brendon Davis and Micah...Smith are the Beaters."

"Right. So, the Chasers are Brianna Henning and Kevin Williams. The Beaters are Brendon Davis and Micah Smith," Ron announced. Instantly, a cacophony of voices filled the pitch with people shouting in victory or grumbling in defeat. Harry simply turned and began walking to the locker rooms, and Ron rushed to catch up. The other students followed some yards behind, talking all the way.

"Well that went well," Ron said brightly.

"Still got to decide the reserve team," Harry said. Ron groaned. "And we're going to have to have an increase in the number of practices. I have no idea how it's going to work out, what with me being mute."

"It'll be fine, mate. You'll see," Ron reassured.

They were in the Great Hall ten minutes later, trying to wolf down something for breakfast before classes began. Most students were already finished, and a few were already leaving for classes.

"Guess Hermione's already gone to classes," Ron commented as they finished up.

"Or she skipped breakfast in order to get some time in the library," Harry suggested.

"Yeah. Mental, that. Why would she want to read instead of eat?"

"Beats me," Harry replied, smiling.

"Hey. Have you thought of anything to get revenge on the snakes yet?" Ron asked, lowering his voice.

"No, I think I'm actually going to let McGonagall know."

"What?"

"Hermione said that if we tell McGonagall, the Slytherins will all be expelled. Plus, the ones that are of age will probably get a sentence to Azkaban, and the ones that aren't seventeen yet will have their wands broken. That would ruin their whole lives, not just their last year here."

"But…what if they just go and join You-Know-Who if they get expelled?" Ron asked quietly. His question made Harry frown in thought.

"Well…I don't know. The ones who get sent to Azkaban…"

"But what if they don't get sent to Azkaban? What if their parents pull strings in the Ministry and they are free to roam? Even if they get banned from using magic then they could always get a new wand in Knockturn Alley or out of country. Then they'll go and be You-Know-Who's newest Death Eaters."

Harry rubbed his temples. Ron had just thrown a whole new spin on the situation.

"At least they won't be in Hogwarts where they can cause trouble. Remember what Malfoy did last year."

"Yeah, but in Hogwarts we could keep an eye on them. And they'll cause plenty of trouble wherever they are," Ron pointed out.

"But we can't just let them roam free in a school full of kids!" Harry protested, his hands moving sharply with emotion.

"I don't know, mate. I'm just saying, at least we'll be able to tell if something is up if they're still here."

Harry sighed heavily.

"Well, either way, we've got to go to class. I can't figure this out now…maybe Hermione and Ginny will be able to decide."

"Just talk to McGonagall about it, Harry. When we tell her, we can tell her about all our suspicions and she can deal with it," Hermione advised as they walked to lunch later on.

Harry and Ron had managed to catch both her and Ginny on the way to lunch and explain their fears of the Slytherins joining Voldemort. Neither of them had thought of that possibility.

"But…does it really matter if they join him?" Ginny asked with a thoughtful frown. "And you can't even be certain that they wouldn't be sent to Azkaban."

"Well, we don't know if they've actually joined him yet. They may just be waiting for something to happen so that they are free to follow him," Hermione explained.

"But a few Death Eaters just of age won't make too much difference, would they?" Ginny asked.

"We can't tell, Ginny. They might end up telling all sorts of Hogwarts secrets and such," Ron said.

"As I said, we should let McGonagall deal with it. We're only seventeen – and sixteen –and this is something beyond our capabilities. We need to let someone more experienced handle this," Hermione said reasonably.

"What do you say, Harry?" Ron asked as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. He kept his eyes on Harry's hands to see his reply while somehow managing to serve himself his favorite foods at the same time.

"Honestly, I think Hermione is right. I can't figure out what to do on my own, and I'd be an idiot not to admit that. I can't make heads or tails of politics, and that is what would pretty much decide this whole thing. And McGonagall has a right to know if there are students willing to assault others in her school."

Hermione grinned and Ron just nodded.

"I think that is a very mature decision, Harry," Hermione beamed, proud at his newfound "maturity."

"So no revenge?" Ron asked around a bite of fried chicken, disappointed. Harry shrugged in response as he managed to fill his own plate with food. He, unlike Ron, couldn't talk while eating, something Ron sometimes seemed to forget. But it made him smile, anyhow. Ron would get the message eventually.

All through the rest of the day, the group was aware of the triumphant looks certain Slytherins cast at Harry, and they soon began to make guesses as to who had actually attacked him. Harry grew frustrated with the constant bombardment of names and pointed fingers from his friends. The actual Slytherins still hadn't been guessed, unfortunately. He noticed that the snakes who had attacked him weren't acting any different from how they usually did, not making a point to sneer while also not being conspicuous with lack of condescension. In other words, they were careful not to stand out, instead blending in with the rest of their housemates.

Eventually Harry told his friends to stop guessing, as it wasn't getting them anywhere.

Later that night, Harry remembered the letter from Remus. He still needed to reply. After all, Remus had just found out Harry was a mute. It would be horrible of Harry not to tell Remus about what had been going on since the end of sixth year.

He quickly finished his essay on human transfiguration and its uses and pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment, preparing to reply to Remus. Hermione, however, spotted the letter and had to ask about it.

"It's a letter from Remus; I received it a few days ago. He only just found out I'm mute," Harry explained, and then hurried to ink his quill so he had an excuse not to get drawn into a conversation. His hands were tired after being freshly healed and from so much signing and writing. After this letter, he was going to bed.

Dear Remus,

I can't say I've been fine. But I'm not depressed or anything, so you don't have to worry. The Slytherins have been…bothering me, and the worst part is not being able to shoot back all the retorts stored up in my head. It's frustrating, but Ron and Hermione have stuck by me and they have a few comebacks of their own.

Yes, Hermione basically taught us all a Muggle language invented for the deaf and mute. It's called sign language; you can get books on it from a Muggle bookshop. I'll be happy to help you learn it. It was brilliant of Hermione, honestly, to remember it. I don't know what I would do without it. Nearly all the Weasleys have learned it to some extent, and Hermione knows it all, of course. Even Neville and Luna are learning, and Hermione is determined to start a group for teaching it. I don't know how successful that will be – I mean, why would students with other things to do want to learn a language that is really only useful when talking to a single person in the wizarding world? But it makes me happy anyway, knowing she wants to make sure I'm not alone.

I'll certainly be at headquarters for the holidays, especially if that is where everyone else will be. I'm looking forward to seeing you, and hearing what you've been doing.

-Harry

Satisfied, Harry waved the parchment to dry and then rolled it up, ready to send with Hedwig in the morning.

A week later they were introduced to their new Defense teacher.

Harry was surprised, to say the least, when he walked into Defense class expecting to see McGonagall and instead saw Charlie Weasley. Ron was no less surprised.

"Charlie!" he exclaimed. Charlie chuckled.

"Hello, Ron," he greeted. "Though, it is Professor Weasley now, thank you very much." Ron's jaw dropped.

"You're the new defense professor?" Ron asked. "What happened to your dragons?"

"Yes, I am, and I thought that I should be near my family with this war going on. I'll go back to Romania when all of this is over." Charlie explained. His eyes found Harry, coming up behind his best friend.

"Hello, Harry. How are you doing?"

Harry shrugged, moving a hand back and forth in the air to communicate "so-so." Charlie hadn't learned anything more than finger-spelling in sign language.

"How've you been getting on with classes?" Charlie asked. Harry gave him a thumbs-up.

"Harry's been doing brilliantly," Hermione commented, also joining them. "His magical power has increased tremendously."

"Glad to hear it. You three had better take you seats, class is about to begin."

Defense Against the Dark Arts with Charlie Weasley was interesting. The new professor began by going over the dos and don'ts of dueling, as well as the most-used strategies and how to counter them. He taught them how to use a combination of spells to have a desired effect: for instance, using a tripping jinx to cause an opponent to fall into another spell.

Charlie said they would be getting into the more practical side of things in a few weeks, but first he wanted them to have strategies and theories under their belts so that they weren't simply hurling random curses at opponents.

When he released them, many students were discussing what they had just learned, and coming up with their own strategic ideas. It was proof that he was a good professor. Lousy teachers didn't inspire their students' conversations after class with their lessons.

The next few weeks passed without much incident, apart from Harry's friends finally guessing that Pansy Parkinson had been involved in the attack on him. They still had to figure out who else had been involved, though, and a way for Harry to actually tell them the names.

Harry thought that this year was the best year, professor-wise, that they'd ever had. Slughorn was still astoundingly short-sighted, but he was an able teacher and most students grasped the concepts he had been teaching.

The Transfiguration teacher proved himself to be competent, if a little forgetful, and fair. He managed to teach them the numerous and complex spells involved in simple human transfiguration without making it actually seem tedious, something which earned him the gratefulness of his students.

Charlie was simply brilliant, making his class both interesting and competitive. He encouraged his students to be creative and come up with their own tactics, and then let them try their strategies out in duels.

And it was such a relief not to have to deal with Snape, the slimy traitor.

As Harry gained his confidence in silent magic, he began to experiment. He tried to create his own 'spells' – pieces of magic that actually had no incantation but were formed only by Harry's intent. He also began to dabble more thoroughly in wandless magic, attempting simpler spells while in private without the so far crucial aid of his wand. So far he hadn't had any success.

Dumbledore's Army had also been taking up a good portion of his time. He was still waiting for a proficiency in simple silent magic before trying to move on to more complex spells. He was frustrated with the lack of progress. He understood that silent magic was difficult to master, but over a month into term he had expected that they would have made more headway.

He was pleased with the Quidditch team, though. The new members were fitting in perfectly, and the three chasers had developed a brilliant level of teamwork. Harry fully expected them to beat the Ravenclaws in two months in the first game of the year.

Harry had also managed to go on a few "dates" with Ginny, despite the lack of Hogsmeade weekends. Mostly he relied upon the house-elves for private meals in the Room of Requirement. A few times, though, the two of them settled for just an abandoned classroom and themselves. Sometimes, those were the best moments, Harry thought, smiling.

Hermione, meanwhile, had gotten together the sign language group. Harry hadn't gone, but Hermione had said that nearly the entire DA had begun attending. A few other Ravenclaws had also made an appearance, attracted to the idea of learning something unique.

Harry sat in the library, wearily skimming through books on wandless magic. When September passed into October, Hermione had suggested that instead of trying to perform the magic straight off, he should read up on the theory so that he knew exactly what it was he was trying to accomplish. Harry, without a better idea, had taken her advice and had been coming to the library every day in his spare time. Ron, needless to say, thought he had gone "mental."

Harry called it desperation.

At the moment he was trying to read through a moderately sized text entitled The Mastery of Wandless Magic. It was a fairly recent publication, with moving diagrams and pristine white pages.

So far, however, it hadn't been very helpful. It only gave an introduction to wandless magic and warned that not many witches or wizards could actually do it. Harry was about to give it up and call it a night when the opening to the next chapter caught his eye:

The first step to truly mastering wandless magic is to become aware of both the position and activity of your magical core. This is something few wizards or witches have managed to accomplish, as it requires the use of basic Occlumency to quiet your mind and instead focus on your magical core.

To find your magical core requires you to enter a trance-like state nearly identical to the state in which it is possible for an Occlumens to "discover" old memories. The main difference is that one cannot merely call his magical core into his awareness; instead he must find the place within himself where his magic is stored and "enter" the magical area, thereby creating a direct link between the mind and the magical core.

This is one of the most dangerous tasks a witch or wizard can undertake. If a witch or wizard's mind is not strong enough to handle the direct connection with their magical core, insanity and sometimes death can ensue. Another possible reaction is a ruptured core, causing the witch or wizard in question to become a squib after a violent release of magical power.

If the connection is successful, however, there are many benefits. These include increased magical power, an awareness of magic levels, and better power control in the casting of spells. The most sought after result, though, is the ability to channel and direct one's own magic, enabling wandless magic.

Harry snatched the book up and hurried back to Gryffindor Tower. He now knew what he had to do.