Harry Potter is not mine.

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CHAPTER 13

Harry could not help the feeling of happiness as he stepped down from the carriage and saw the front of the castle. With a smile he turned back to the carriage and helped Ginny and Daphne down. The ride from the Hogsmeade station to the entrance to Hogwarts was enjoyable. And they were able to talk freely as they were the only ones in their carriage as well. The first thing he did when he climbed into the carriage after helping Daphne and Ginny into it, was to ask how they seemed so close all of a sudden. Not that he minded, them being friends was much better than the bitter rivalry they had before.

Ginny had told him that after sending Tracey off on her mission to annoy Malfoy, she had considered doing something to Daphne as well. But after thinking about what Harry had said, she decided to take his words into consideration and gathering her Gryffindor courage, awoke Daphne, she had apologized and after making Daphne promise not to tell anyone, had told her of their training, and how they stop time to do so. At first Daphne had thought Ginny was lying to her, so Ginny had stopped time with Daphne to show that she was telling the truth. Ginny had also explained the drawbacks of spending to much time there, and explained that was the main reason Harry had gotten so angry, and ended up snapping her wand. They had spend nearly two full days there talking and getting to know one another, and before they left, Daphne had made Ginny promise that she would teach her how to stop time as well.

Harry was brought out of his musing as a strict voice cut across the students entering the castle.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley. I need to see you, please follow me." Professor McGonagall's voice rang.

Harry looked around for Hermione, and saw that she was telling Ron she would see him in the great hall later before making her way to their professor. Harry and Ginny said their own farewell to Daphne, promising to meet up with her after dinner, and headed over to join Hermione. They followed their professor for a minute before she took them into a small office area not far from the great hall.

"Yes Professor?" Harry asked.

"The Headmaster wishes to see you after the feast Mr. Potter. I was also informed by Mr. Lupin that you and Miss Weasley had a slight run in with a Dementor on the train. He said you had both fallen unconscious?" Professor McGonagall said, looking at Harry critically.

Harry flushed in embarrassment. "I'm fine!"

Ginny quickly added. "It was not that bad Professor, really."

At that moment the door opened and Madam Pomfrey entered. "Ahh Mr. Potter. And what is the problem this time?"

Harry's flush deepened. "Nothing! I'm fine!" he could not believe this!

"He and Miss Weasley had a run in with a Dementor on the train, they both fell unconscious.." McGonagall said.

Madam Pomfrey gave Harry and Ginny a sympathetic look. "Nasty things those Dementors. You two wont be the last to collapse, mark my words." she quickly felt their foreheads. "Yes, they are both quite clammy, and they have a much worse effect on those that are already delicate."

"I'm not delicate!" Harry protested.

Ginny just crossed her arms and glared at the nurse.

"Oh, of course not." Madam Pomfrey said absentmindedly while taking both of their temperatures and pulse.

"Will they be okay? Should they stay the night in the night in the hospital wing?" McGonagall asked.

"What! I said I'm fine!" Harry would NOT be staying in the hospital wing.

"Please, don't make me stay in there tonight. Nothing is wrong with me. please." Ginny pleaded with the Professor and Madam Pomfrey.

Pomfrey gave them both a long stare. "Fine. But you will both have chocolate at the very least!"

Harry gave her a large smile. "Mr. Lupin already gave us some."

The nurse gave a approving nod of her head. "Good, it is about time we had a defense against the dark arts teacher who knows what they are doing."

"Are you both sure you are alright?" Professor McGonagall said sharply to Harry and Ginny.

Both nodded their head furiously. "Yes!" They said together.

"Very well, please wait outside the door while I have a chat with Miss Granger about her course schedule, then we can go down to the feast together."

Harry and Ginny quickly left the room with Madam Pomfrey. They waited about a few minutes before they reemerged, with Hermione looking exceptionally happy about something. As they entered the great hall Professor McGonagall reminded Harry that he needed to see the headmaster after the feast, then strode to the head table.

"We missed the sorting." Hermione complained.

Harry shrugged and moved to the Gryffindor table with Ginny and Hermione followed close behind. They found Ron and sat next to him then started filling their plates with food.

"What did McGonagall want?" Ron asked before taking a entire roll and stuffing it into his mouth.

Hermione gave Ron a disgusted look. "She wanted to talk to me about my schedule, and make sure Harry and Ginny were alright. Apparently they collapsed when the Dementors came aboard the train." She gave Harry and Ginny a hard stare. "Why did you both collapse? Are you sure you don't need to spend the night in the hospital wing?"

Harry gave Hermione a exasperated look. "Hermione, we're fine! I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal out of it." Harry complained. He knew that he was going to get Daphne back for this. He could not believe she told Mr. Lupin that they fell unconscious.

Professor Dumbledore stood and the noise died. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast. . ." here he cleared his throat before continuing. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed all around the school, and I ask that everyone please not leave the school without permission. Dementors are not fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added as his eyes roamed over Harry and his friends. "It is not the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I am trusting prefects, and the Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors."

He then introduced the new Defense against the Dark arts teacher (Professor Lupin.) as well as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher (Hagrid) before giving a slight bow and sitting down as the food appeared. The meal went by fairly quickly, with light chit chat going up and down the table. When the feast was just finishing Harry pushed his plate away from himself and looked up to the head table to see if Professor Dumbledore was finished eating yet, and was happy to see that he was just finishing the last of what looked like apple pie. The elderly wizard cleaned has face and after a few words with Professor McGonagall, who was seated next to him, he stood from his seat and addressed the school.

"Ahh yes, nothing like a full belly to tire our body's. At this time I would ask all prefects to please show the first years to their new dormitory. And all of our other students please make your way to your dorms as well." and with that, Professor Dumbledore left the great hall.

Harry stood from his seat and tapped Ginny on her shoulder. "I am going to go tell Daphne goodnight before I have to meet with Dumbledore, you're coming right?"

Ginny quickly pushed her plate away and stood from the table. "Of course."

Hermione quickly stood as well. "Why are we going to see Daphne?"

Harry glanced at Hermione. "We kinda became friends on the train." Then he started making his way to the Slytherin table.

"I hope you enjoy your least meal here Potter! You'll be gone before the night is out." Malfoy sneered as he approached Daphne.

Harry clenched his fist and ignored him for now as he came up to Daphne. "Hey Daphne. How was your dinner?"

Daphne gave a small grin as she looked over Harry's shoulder to Malfoy. "It was fairly eventful. Tracey is taking her job of annoying Malfoy even further than what was needed. She has not stopped yet. Draco was having quite a bit of trouble eating tonight. Tracey decided to go into a very thorough detail of a woman's menstrual cycle, and-"

"OKAY NO MORE! I don't need to hear about it." Harry shivered greatly just thinking about it. "I need to go talk to Dumbledore. I have a feeling its about what I did to Malfoy on the train. I will see you both later, goodnight." And with that Harry turned and headed out of the great hall.

When Harry got to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office, he had to stand there for nearly five minutes guessing passwords before it slid to the side and he saw Snape on the other side, giving him a loathing glare.

"You'll be packing your bags soon boy. Attacking three students, and threatening to kill another. You think your above everybody, but today you'll find that your not. And if I have my way, I'll have your wand snapped tonight before you leave as well." Snape sneered at Harry before grabbing his robes near his neck and pulling him up the steps. As soon as they reached the Headmaster's office Snape let go and Harry stumbled into one of the seats in front of Professor Dumbledore's large mahogany desk.

Harry glared at Snape with hate filled eyes. "If you had your way I never would have started here Snape! Good for me its not your decision what happens around here."

"You insolent little brat!"

"Enough!" Professor Dumbledore said, banging his hand onto his desk. "Severus, please calm yourself."

Snape continued to glare at Harry, but kept his mouth shut.

"Where is Mr. Malfoy Severus? He was supposed to be here as well." Dumbledore asked in his grandfatherly voice.

"Potter's spell casting is so sub par that Draco was injured during the attack." Snape sneered.

"That's a lie! All I did was a simple petrification spell, and he was able to walk away fine after that!" Here Harry sneered at Snape. "Well, more like ran really."

Snape's glare intensified. "You rotten little pest, think your so good, when you had to cast as their backs were turned. Afraid of a fair fight aren't you?"

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore again slammed his fist onto his desk."Mr. Potter, why did you attack Mr Malfoy as well as Mr Goyle and Crabbe?"

"They were talking about my friends." Harry answered, still glaring at Snape.

Snape was about to say something, but Professor Dumbledore spoke first. "That is not reason to attack a student Mr. Potter. If that is the only reason for your attack then I am sorry to say that I will have to take one hundred points from Gryffindor, as well as three detentions."

"WHAT! You cannot be serious Headmaster. He blatantly attacked students without cause! He should be expelled!" Snape roared.

"Severus! That is enough. His punishment is final. Mr. Potter, you will serve your detentions with Professor Snape. That is all Severus, goodnight." at the Headmaster's dismissal Snape glared at Harry one final time before turning and storming out of the office, his robes billowing behind him.

When Snape was gone Professor Dumbledore addressed Harry again. "I wanted to speak with you about something else as well Mr. Potter. Mrs. Weasley has informed me that you had taken a Magical Oath to Miss Ginny Weasley. I was wondering why you felt you would need to do such a thing? I am not sure if you know this or not. But they are very dangerous if used incorrectly."

"Err, I know they are dangerous sir. I honestly don't know why I did it. But on the train ride back here, we had Ginny relieve me of the oath. So I should be okay."

Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry over his half moon spectacles. "Would you mind if I were to look at the oath that you gave to Miss Weasley, as well as her relieving you of this oath?"

Harry stared at the Headmaster. He knew of only two ways to look at what had happened. Either Legilimency, which would not do the old man any good, as Harry had mastered Occlumency with Ginny during their training. Or a Pensieve, which would involve taking a memory and putting it into a potion that has to be held in a bowl of some sort that has been inscribed with a minimum of ten runes that have been linked together. He could also change his memory's if need to before extracting them. But he also knew he could not let the Headmaster know that he even knew of these things, let alone mastered them. "Look at it sir?"

"Yes, if you would allow me to, I could take the memory from you, and put it into something called a Pensieve. It allows one to view old memories."

"Err, yes sir, that would be okay." Harry replied.

Professor Dumbledore stood from his seat and went to a large cabinet, and removed a large basin from within. That Harry knew to be a Pensieve. And a very nice one at that. He could see at least thirteen runes just looking at it, and who knows how many more are hidden inside where the potion is held. If he had to guess, he would say this particular Pensieve could rewind, stop, fast forward, and even enhance certain points if he wanted to.

"Now, if you could please try and think of the moment when you had taken the oath. Please try to be as specific as possible." Professor Dumbledore instructed.

Harry closed his eyes and thought of the incident. And after making sure nothing that could jeopardize his or Ginny's training he allowed the memory to come to focus to be extracted. "Okay sir, I'm ready."

Professor Dumbledore put his wand to Harry's temple and removed the long silvery strand that was his memory. And after the Professor deposited it into his Pensieve he did it again with the memory of when Ginny had released him from the oath.

"Would you like to accompany me?" Professor Dumbledore asked as he leaned over the Pensieve. "It really is an extraordinary experience."

Harry did not really want to, but he figured it would look bad for a thirteen year old boy to not want to try out something that is new and exiting. "Err, sure Professor."

Harry and the Headmaster dove into the Pensieve and they watched the two memory's that Harry had provided, and a minute later they were back in the office.

"Well, I see no problems with Miss Weasley's release of your oath. But in the future please think about the consequences that such actions can have." Professor Dumbledore said to him.

"Yes sir." Harry replied, making sure he looked adequately reprimanded

"I think that will be all Mr. Potter. Have a good night."

"Yes sir, Goodnight sir." Harry said

Harry quickly left the Headmasters office and headed for his dormitory. When he reached the fat Lady he realized that he was getting angry at little things, like how annoying the stupid staircases were, honestly, why did they have to move? And he concluded that he should stop time soon to get the edge off. It had been nearly Ten hours since he had stopped time, and he could feel the effects already. He opened his mouth to give the password when he realized that he did not know it. And his anger got even worse. So he quickly stopped time, opened the portrait, and climbed in. He quickly headed to a secluded corner that nobody would see him suddenly appear from nowhere, and after letting his anger abate, restarted time.

Harry quickly went to Ginny, who was being bombarded with questions from Hermione.

"I just do not understand how you two can suddenly start being friends with her that fast. You did not even know her at all before the train ride, and now your best friends? It does not work that way Ginny! I know something is going on with you and Harry, and I will find out!" Hermione quickly put two books she had out into a bag that she was carrying around and dashed up the steps to the girls dorm.

"Err, what was that about?" Harry asked

Ginny turned to Harry and let out a sigh. "Hermione just cant leave things alone! She has to be getting into everybody's business. She's been ranting at me ever since we got into the tower about befriending Daphne on the train. Going off about how illogical it is for us to want to be friends with her all of a sudden."

Harry sat next to Ginny on the large sofa she was sitting on. "How does she figure it is illogical? I don't see what the problem is with making new friends."

"I don't know! When I asked her, she just started spouting off about how it's not normal to suddenly find new friends when the ones they have are perfectly fine or some rubbish. Personally I think she is just jealous that your not spending all your time with her. I understand that she has some trouble making friends. . I did as well. But she is being ridiculous!."

Harry thought about that for a minute, and had to agree with Ginny, it sounded like Hermione was jealous. But Harry also did not really care, if she could not be friends with them all, and accept things the way they were, then he did not need her. All his life people have tried to run his life, he did not need Hermione doing it for him as well. And he told Ginny his thoughts as well.

It was nearly two hours later with Ginny yawning every couple minutes that Harry looked around and realized that they were the only ones still in the common room.

"Err, maybe we should go to bed." Harry said letting out his own yawn.

Ginny gave a little giggle and stood to stretch. "Yea, I suppose your right."

"Err, Ginny. I've been wanting to ask you. . . "

"What?"

"Well. Back when we were at Diagon Alley, when I made that magical oath. I noticed your mum got really angry with me. . . I know that doing that oath was dumb. But, well, I don't understand why she got so angry with me."

Ginny looked down and started ringing her hands. "Well, mum really gets angry when people make oaths because. . Well, one of mums brothers died from an oath that he took. She doesn't talk about it much. But when she does she gets real sad. I am not sure exactly what happened, but I heard dad talking with mum one time, and I think it was mum who made him make the oath. And. . . Well, now, as you saw, she gets really angry when people make an oath." she whispered.

"Oh." Harry whispered as dread filled him. He now understood her anger at him somewhat. He would have to write to her and apologize.

"Anyway, I'm sure mum will be happy that we managed to get rid of yours before anything bad happened."

"Yea." Harry pulled Ginny to him and wrapped his arms around her. He buried his head in her hair and inhaled her sweet scent.

After a few minutes of companionable silence they broke apart.

"Goodnight Ginny." Harry whispered to her.

"Goodnight Harry." Ginny whispered back before quickly kissing him on his cheek and dashing away as fast as she could up the girls stairs.

Harry could not help the grin that split his face as he walked up to his dorm. He wrote a quick letter to Ollivander about the wands, and had Dobby bring the letter to Hedwig in the hope that he would get a reply as soon as possible. Then changed into his nightclothes, then fell into a peaceful sleep.