The following day saw an end to the delightful weather. A storm appeared to be raging outside. It made Angelina's news of permission from Umbridge bittersweet. On the one hand, it was wonderful to know that they could play quidditch again, but having to practice in the downpour almost made Harry wish he was doing homework by the warm fire instead. Almost.

As Harry flew up into the sky, he couldn't help but think about Malfoy. He couldn't separate quidditch from the blond at the moment, and as much as he didn't want to, he wondered what Malfoy had wanted to tell him the previous morning. He forced himself to push it down and focus on the practice. Harry couldn't tell you how practice went because he couldn't quite see his own teammates, much less the snitch. In the end, they all trudged, rather disgruntled, back to the locker rooms in a moody silence. As he was toweling his hair, the scar on his forehead seared with a blinding pain.

"OUCH!" Harry exclaimed as he pressed the towel to his face.

"What's up?" asked several voices.

When Harry looked up, everyone was staring at him. "Nothing," he muttered, making eye contact with Ron. "Just poked myself in the eye."

Ron hung back as the others left. "Was it your scar?" Harry nodded. Ron looked around hastily. "But, he can't be nearby can he?"

"No," Harry said shaking his head. "It hurt because…he's…angry." The words came out on their own, but the minute they did he knew they were true.

"How do you know?" Ron asked. "Did you see him? Have a vision?"

"No," Harry answered. "Not exactly. It was a blur of shapes and sounds, but…he wants something done, and it's not happening fast enough."

"How do you know?"

Harry sighed. "I don't know. It must be the connection." Harry groaned as a realization hit him. "I'll have to go to Snape with this." He grimaced. "Great. I was hoping we could put off the next lesson."

"Was he angry last time?" Ron asked. "With Umbridge?"

Harry thought back to that night, and realized his own feelings of anger and resentment had kept him from recognizing what he was feeling. "No, last time…last time he was pleased."

"Are you sure you're not good at divination?"

Harry through his towel at him. "Haha, very funny."

"You should tell Dumbledore about this."

Harry shot him a glare as he got up. "Really Ron?"

"Look mate, I know he messed up over the summer, but he's still Dumbledore."

"Yeah, which means I can't trust him anymore right now than I could then," Harry said angrily. As they slipped and stumbled their way to the castle, Harry thought about what he had discovered. What did Voldemort want that he wasn't getting? He remembered what Sirius had told him over the summer, about Voldemort seeking some kind of weapon. But what was it? He made a mental note to ask Sirius about it. Perhaps with his new knowledge he could make Sirius tell him.

When they returned to the common room, Harry bid Ron goodnight and set to finishing his potions essay. If he was going to speak to Snape, he may as well put him in a decent mood by completing his work. Midnight came and went, and Harry found himself drifting off to sleep while attempting to re-read the same paragraph for the umpteenth time.

Suddenly, he was in the all too familiar corridor. His footsteps echoed in the silence, but when he looked down at them, he knew they were not his feet. He looked back at the door and was filled with excitement. If only he could enter it.

Just as he was about to touch the door, he was woken with the words "Harry Potter, sir!" Harry started, and quickly looked around for the voice.

"Dobby has your owl, sir!" said a squeaky voice.

"Dobby?" he asked, still trying to fully wake up. He looked down towards the voice and saw Dobby standing there with Hedwig balancing on his head.

"Dobby volunteered to return Harry Potter's owl!" said the elf, looking at Harry adoringly. Hedwig gave a hoot and fluttered to the arm of Harry's chair.

"Thanks Dobby! How are you?"

"Dobby is good Harry Potter," Dobby said cheerfully. "But Harry Potter does not seem happy. He was muttering in his sleep. Was Harry Potter having bad dreams?"

"I've had worse."

"Dobby wishes he could help Harry Potter," he said seriously.

"You can't help Dobby," Harry said with a smile. "But I appreciate the offer."

"Anything Harry Potter needs, he just has to tell Dobby and Dobby will be there to help."

"Wait a minute, there is something I could use some help with.

"Name it, Harry Potter, sir!"

"I need a place where around 30 people can practice defense against the dark arts without being discovered by any of the teachers. Especially, Professor Umbridge." Dobby gave a little skip, his ears waggling happily, and clapped his hands together.

"Dobby knows the perfect place sir!" he said happily. It is known as the Come and Go Room, or else as the Room of Requirement!"

"Why?" asked Harry

"Because it is a room that a person can only enter when they have real need of it. Sometimes it is there, sometimes it is not, but when it is there, it is always equipped for the seeker's needs. Dobby has used it for Winky sir. Very few people know about it. Most stumble across it and never find it again!"

"That sounds perfect Dobby!" Harry. Dobby told Harry where to find the room and how to get in, and Harry could not wait to tell the others. The following day, he, Ron, Neville, and Hermione spread the word that their first meeting would be that night and how to find the place.

They arrived early, to get a good look at the place before anyone else. What they found was perfect. There were useful books, cushions, and instruments such as Sneakoscopes and secrecy sensors. Hermione quickly grabbed a book and sat down to read while the boys examined the instruments. Then, as the others started to arrive, Harry gave orders on how he wanted the room set up. Once everyone was there, Harry explained what the room was and to be careful when they came and went. No one wanted a teacher to find them.

"Right," Harry said after explanations were through and everyone was settled in. "I was thinking, that seeing as we're all in different years and at different levels, we would start at the beginning. I think the first thing we should practice is Expelliarmus, the disarming charm. I know it's basic, but I've found it especially useful…"

"Oh please," said Zacharias Smith, rolling his eyes. "I don't think Expelliarmus is going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?"

"I've used it against him," Harry said quietly, but firmly. "It saved my life last year in the cemetery."

Smith blushed in embarrassment and the rest of the room was deadly quiet.

"Like I said, I know it's basic,' Harry continued. "But it is extremely useful. Your opponent can't fire a killing curse at you if they don't have a wand. If you do ever find yourself in a situation facing Death Eaters, they will likely know deadlier spells than you, but that won't help them if they are wandless." Harry stopped and looked at Smith. "But if you think it is beneath you, you can leave." Smith didn't move, and neither did anyone else. "Okay then, I reckon we should all divide into pairs and practice."

It was odd giving instructions, and odder still to see them following so easily. As the group divided themselves, Harry noticed Neville was without a partner.

"You can partner with me Neville," Harry said. "Just wait after this first round. I want to see what happens."

"Sure thing Harry," Neville said quietly.

"Ready everyone! On the count of three. One, two, three!" The room filled with shouts. Wands flew in all directions, for those who managed the spell anyway. Many had not, merely causing their partners to jump backwards a bit. "See Neville," Harry whispered, "these guys aren't any better than you." Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "Hey guys, let Neville join you so I can walk around." He raised his voice. "Alright everyone, if you lost your wand go get it. We're going to keep trying."

Harry moved around the room, offering corrections and advice. Slowly everyone improved. Cho did well until Harry walked past her. Harry assured her he had seen her perform the spell just fine a few minutes earlier. As he walked away, he reflected on the idea that he obviously made her nervous. Hermione was right, he needed to figure out what he wanted to do. As he continued to survey the room, he noticed that Neville had still not managed the spell.

"Neville, what's up?" Harry asked approaching him. "You did it just fine the other night."

"He did?" Hermione asked in surprise. Harry shot her a look.

"I know," Neville said quietly. "But it's so much harder when everyone's here. I know they all expect me to fail."

"Oh Neville," piped in Luna. "Don't you remember what Harry said?" Neville looked up at her. "It doesn't matter what they believe, only what you believe."

Harry smiled at her. "Thanks Luna." He turned to Neville. "That's exactly right Neville. It only matters if you believe you can do this. Do you?" Instead of answering Neville squared his shoulders and looked back towards Hermione, who got into position. Harry counted them off and on the count of three, Neville should "Expelliarmus!" and Hermione's wand flew out of her hand. The entire room was stunned into silence. Harry patted Neville on the back. "Told you so."

Neville was beaming. "Thanks Harry!"

"Hey Harry," said Hermione. "Have you checked the time?"

Harry looked at his watch. "Bloody hell, it's nearly curfew." He looked around. "Uhh, let's say same time next week yeah?" Everyone nodded. Harry checked the map to make sure no one was around and told the group to start leaving in twos and threes. As he was walking around picking up cushions, he was startled by a voice.

"Need some help?" asked Cho.

"Oh, uh…yeah sure," Harry said uncertainly. "So, uh, what did you think?"

"I think you sure put Smith in his place," she said with a smile.

Harry laughed. "Yeah, he's getting on my nerves."

"So, uhh…I guess we won't see each other until next week?" Cho asked. She was looking down and fiddling with her wand.

At first, Harry wasn't sure how he was meant to respond. He saw Hermione in the background giving him a pointed look, and suddenly he realized that Cho was waiting for him to ask her out again. It was in that moment, as he tried to hide his panic, that he realized he really didn't want to.

"Uh, yeah," Harry said. "Fifth year sucks." Harry laughed nervously as Cho looked up at him. "I'm so swamped with school work, and Angelina is insistent we practice every spare minute. I'll be surprised if I can even make the next meeting!"

"Well it would be a shoddy meeting without you," Cho said with a laugh, but Harry could tell she was disappointed. "See you around then?"

"Yeah, definitely," Harry said.

Hermione walked up as Cho left. "What was that?" she asked.

"I don't know Hermione," Harry answered, running a hand through his hair. "As soon as I realized what she wanted, I just realized I didn't." He sighed. "I just don't know."

"Well if you don't figure it out, someone's going to get hurt," she said reproachfully.

That Saturday night, Harry made his way down to Snape's office. They did not have another lesson scheduled, but Harry knew he really ought to tell Snape about his latest dream and his new ability to discern Voldemort's feelings. He hadn't spoken to Sirius since the night Umbridge almost caught them, but he knew his godfather would tell him he needed to talk to the potions professor. And then Sirius would likely get word to Snape, who would then schedule a lesson. Harry figured this way he saved everyone a bit of time.

So despite how much he would rather be anywhere else, even doing homework, he made his way to the dungeons and knocked on Snape's door. He heard the ever familiar "enter," and made his way in. Snape was sitting back in his chair, with a cup of tea in his hands.

"We seem to be making a habit of this Potter," he said as he placed his cup down on his desk.

Harry sighed and sat down. "I had another dream," he admitted. "And I've been feeling his emotions too."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"The dream was the same as always," Harry said. "I was in the same corridor. Just walking down it and heading for the door at the end. I had almost reached it when I woke up."

"What woke you up?"

"Dobby."

"Dobby?"

"He's a house elf sir," Harry explained. "He works here at Hogwarts. He was bringing me back my owl."

"And that is the only one you've had since our last meeting?"

"Yes."

"Alright," Snape said. "Now tell what you mean when you say you have been feeling the Dark Lord's emotions."

"Well, remember when I said that my scar hurt after Umbridge touched me?"

"Yes. I believe we all agreed it was a coincidence."

"It was," Harry said. "But it happened again the other day in the quidditch locker room. Afterwards, when Ron questioned me, I realized that my scar hurt because Voldemort was angry. And then I thought back, and realized that when it happened with Umbridge, it was because he was really pleased. I just didn't realize it because I was so miserable at the time."

Snape quietly contemplated this new information. He got up and walked around the desk, to sit on its edge in front of Harry.

"That is a bit disconcerting," Snape admitted. "But at least it appears the Dark Lord is still not aware of the connection."

"Is it better or worse than the dreams?"

"I would say worse," Snape said. "While it is certainly possible, hence the lessons on occlumency, controlling your dreams is harder than occluding when you are awake. You are more relaxed and susceptible. However, feeling his emotions this vividly when you are awake is a problem. It certainly proves exactly what we've been worried about. If the Dark Lord knows about your connection he could make you see or feel things while you are awake."

Harry gulped. "Yes I can see how that would be bad."

Snape stood up and started to move to the other end of the room. "This just proves how important these lessons are. I assume that you coming here means you have the time to practice tonight?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"Then get ready," Snape ordered.

Harry stood up and moved to the other end of the room. He got his wand out and quickly tried to clear his head before Snape attacked his mind. He felt a tiny bit more confident today, as he had actually been practicing clearing his mind before bed. It also helped that certain memories were safely locked away.

This time, Harry felt Snape enter his head. He could see a barrage of memories floating by, but it seemed he was in fact making process. He could sense that Snape was trying to settle on one, but Harry was fighting him off. It didn't last too long; eventually his professor prevailed and caught a memory from Harry's childhood. He watched Harry be tormented by Dudley while Harry futilely tried to kick him out. When Snape finally left his mind, it was of his own accord.

Harry was left breathing heavily. He tried to catch his breath and prepare himself. Usually Snape gave him little time to prepare for the next attack. But this time was different.

"That was better than usual," Snape offered.

"Thanks," Harry muttered.

Snape rolled his eyes. "I know complements are rare between us, but that was the truth," he said. "You managed to fight me for quite a bit. A less experienced Occlumens would have given up."

"You didn't."

"Neither will the Dark Lord," Snape retorted. He paused for a moment, gazing quietly at Harry. "I noticed, that you had a locked box."

Harry did his best to control his facial expressions. "Well I didn't come ask you about it out of sheer curiosity."

"So it has been working?" Snape asked. "The memories you've hidden have stayed that way?"

"They didn't the first time," Harry answered. "But I made a stronger box and they've been fine since."

"Well let's see shall we?" Snape said with a smirk.

"What!?" Harry exclaimed. "You can't!"

"I can."

"You said having a box was enough!"

Snape rolled his eyes. "I meant in the sense that you don't have to prevent people from seeing it the way I must prevent the same from the Dark Lord. But you can rest assured if he finds a box in your mind he will certainly try to open it. Prepare yourself."

Before Harry could protest, Snape had begun his attack. Harry was exhausted, but he fought even harder to resist Snape this time than he had the first. It was useless. He was already tired from the first attack. It wasn't long before he had been pushed aside and the box pried open. Every Malfoy memory came flooding back. He was overwhelmed with emotions for a split second, and then the embarrassment took over. How was he going to explain why he had chosen to lock these particular memories away?

Rather than pick one of the many memories, Snape scanned through them all. It was as if Harry wasn't even trying, and yet he felt he was trying very hard indeed. Once Snape was satisfied he had seen all there was, he pulled out.

"Well it certainly wasn't strong enough," Snape said quietly. Harry refused to look at his professor. He could hear Snape start to walk towards him, but he only looked up when he heard the scrape of chairs being pulled across the floor. Snape pushed one towards him and sat down in the other. "Sit."

Harry did as told. Snape stared at him and he stared at the floor. He was afraid. How could he lie to someone who could read his mind?

"It appears," Snape finally began, "that you did not take my advice and speak to someone about this issue."

"There's nothing to speak about," Harry said. Even he wasn't convinced by the words.

"If there was nothing to speak about, you wouldn't have locked those memories away," Snape insisted. "You've locked them away because you don't want to think about them, which likely means you also don't want to think about what they mean."

"They mean nothing," Harry insisted.

It was Snape's turn to sigh. "Look Potter, I really don't want to have this conversation with you, but seeing as you refuse to talk to someone else—I think you really need to admit that there is a possibility you like Malfoy, not only as a friend, but as more than that."

"No," Harry said, shaking his head angrily. "I don't. I like Cho."

"No one said you couldn't like more than one person."

"I like girls," Harry clarified.

"No one said you couldn't like both boys and girls, Potter."

"Well I don't."

Snape sighed again. "Perhaps we could do a little experiment?" Harry looked up in confusion. "I propose, that you allow me into your mind. If you are insistent that you have feelings for Miss Chang, then we can compare your memories with her to your ones with Malfoy." Harry looked on uncertainly. "Look Potter, you have to face this. It will only get worse if you do. And if you truly don't like boys, this will only make you feel better."

"Okay," Harry finally said. The word came out as barely more than a whisper.

"I'm going to enter your mind now," Snape said. "Don't fight me. It will also be helpful if you bring your memories of Miss Chang and Malfoy to the forefront of your mind. Focus on the memories as we go through them. Remember what you felt."

Harry took a deep breath and did what was asked. Snape entered his mind. It was very different when Harry wasn't fighting him.

They started with memories of Cho. Harry saw her on the quidditch pitch for the first time. She was good, but he was wrapped up in the game. She was nothing but competition. Harry saw her numerous times around the castle all fourth year. It was when he really noticed her.

Suddenly they were on the steps of the owlry. Harry was asking her to the ball. He was nervous. But was he nervous because he liked her, or because he had never asked anyone out before?

They were on their date at the quidditch pitch. While they practiced, all he noticed was the thrill of flying. When they chatted, Harry felt nervous, but it was his first date after all. Then, they were waiting to enter the Yule Ball. Cho was with Cedric. Harry felt the sharp stab of jealousy. But he wasn't looking at Cho when he felt it. He was looking at Cedric.

He was in Madam Malkin's. Malfoy was the first young wizard he met. He was arrogant, but part of Harry wanted to impress him. Various moments through the years flitted by: Malfoy tormenting him and his friends; Malfoy being cruel; Malfoy being arrogant. They were all the same. Until this year.

They were on the astronomy tower. Malfoy had sat across from him. They had talked liked normal people. Like friends. Harry felt the warmth fill his stomach. It felt good to speak to Malfoy.

Harry keeps seeing the blond throughout the castle. Every time he does he feels the familiar flutter in his stomach. It's not because he's nervous about asking someone to the ball or taking them on a date. It is because he simply sees him, and that makes him nervous.

He made Cho nervous just by simply being next to her. Was this the same thing?

They are in the tower again. Malfoy takes his hand. Malfoy's hand is smooth, and Harry quite likes the feel of it holding his own.

They are by the quidditch stands. Malfoy's face is mere inches from his own and if he just leans forward they would touch. He wants to.

He is back in the first D.A. meeting. He knows Cho wants him to ask her out, but he doesn't. He doesn't want to.

Suddenly, Harry is back in Snape's office.

"I believe that is enough," Snape said. "Don't you?"

Harry doesn't respond. His mind is reeling from the memories. From reliving all those moments, and from what he now has to admit.

"Potter," Snape prodded. "Please tell me you saw what I saw."

I must not tell lies.

"I saw," Harry said quietly.

Snape sighed again. "Potter, I will be honest with you, because someone has to say it. I do not believe you ever had feelings for Miss Chang. I believe you had feelings for Cedric, and because you are young and still figuring yourself out, you simply transferred those feelings to a girl, because as a young boy that is what you feel you are supposed to like. This is probably why Cedric's death affected you so." Harry finally looked up at his professor. "Not that what you experienced wouldn't have affected you otherwise, but loosing someone you have feelings for is harder than just loosing anyone."

Harry looked down at his hands. "That makes sense," he admitted.

"I can't tell you what to do about Malfoy," Snape said. "I suggest that, now that we have sorted through your feelings, you continue this by talking to someone. Someone else." Snape gave Harry a pointed look and Harry snorted.

"I don't know who to talk to," Harry said. I must not tell lies. "I'm afraid."

"Your godfather would be a good place to start," Snape suggested. "If you are afraid of talking to your friends."

"But…but, what if…" Harry trailed off, unwilling to say the words out loud.

"Your godfather will not love you any less for knowing you are gay Harry," Snape said. Harry started at the word. Snape raised an eyebrow. "It is what you are Potter. Might as well say it out loud. Black won't care. And that comes from someone who does not think highly of him."

"How can you be sure?" Harry asked.

"It would be rather hypocritical of him," Snape answered.

It was Harry's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Do you mean…"

"I believe that is a question for him." Snape stood up and walked away. "I believe that is enough for tonight. Keep practicing. You are getting better."

Harry got up and made his way to the door. He stopped and looked at his professor. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Snape gave him a slight nod, and Harry left the room. As he walked back to his common room, his head was spinning. What now? As he was contemplating if he really wanted to talk to Sirius, he got so tangled inside his own head, he lost all sense of where he was. Suddenly, he felt himself collide with a hard object, and next thing he knew, he was on the floor. He looked up and saw Luna laying on the floor opposite of him.

"Bloody hell," Harry exclaimed. "I'm so sorry Luna. I wasn't paying attention at all." Harry quickly got to his feet and helped her up.

"That's alright Harry," Luna said kindly. "It looked like you were really concentrating. Lots on your mind?" Suddenly she looked very worried. "Or was it a wrackspurt attack?"

Harry laughed. "No wrackspurts here. Just a lot on my mind."

"Need some help?" Luna asked.

"No th…" Harry began. He was ready to tell her he was fine, but suddenly, he realized he wanted to speak with her. He wasn't sure why, but he felt that out of all of his friends, Luna would likely judge him the least. "Actually, could we talk?"

"Of course," Luna answered. The two walked to a nearby empty classroom and sat down. "What's bothering you Harry?"

"Well," Harry said, unsure what to say, or even if he could say what he had to. "The thing is, I've been thinking a lot lately…and…and well, trying to work things out." Luna looked at him patiently. He could tell she was listening intently. It comforted him to know he was being listened to. "I've recently come to the conclusion…well, I don't know if you've noticed I've grown a bit closer to Cho lately."

"Oh, yes," Luna said. "She quite likes you I think."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, well, I thought I quite liked her too," he said.

Luna smiled softly. "I take it you have decided you don't?"

"Yes," Harry said. "And as if that is bad enough, because obviously I'm going to have to find a way to tell her, but I've sort of realized I like someone else." Harry paused here, unsure of how he should continue.

"Would you like to tell me who?" Luna asked. "Or would we prefer we just talked generally speaking?"

"I want to tell you," Harry said. "I'm just afraid."

"You don't have to be," she said. "But it is your choice."

Harry took a deep breath. "Malfoy."

"I'm sorry?"

"Malfoy is the person I like."

Luna looked confused for a second, and then her face lit up. "Oh I see, you're either afraid of admitting you like a boy, or you are afraid of admitting you like a Slytherin!"

Harry laughed. He couldn't help it. He had just devolved what was possibly his biggest secret, and Luna was acting as if he had just told her it was a lovely day outside.

"I suppose it is a bit of both Luna," Harry said. "But I admit I was a bit more concerned with the boy part."

"Well you shouldn't be," Luna said. "Mum always told me love is love. I don't really think gender should matter."

Harry smiled. "You have a wonderful way of comforting people Luna," he said. "I suppose you have a point. It really is the whole Slytherin thing I should be worried about isn't it?"

Luna gave a silvery laugh. "He is quite awful at times isn't he?"

"That's what I've always thought," Harry responded. "But lately I've been noticing a different side to him."

"So what will you do?" Luna asked.

"I don't know," Harry admitted. "Probably muck it up." Both he and Luna laughed, and despite how much this revelation had shocked Harry, he felt a bit better for having admitted talked to someone. Perhaps Snape was right—not that Harry would ever tell him that of course. "I suppose I will have to talk to him. I can't be friends with someone who insists on being an arrogant prick, much less date them."

"Well, if he feels the same," Luna offered, "he should be willing to work with you. Mum always said people do crazy things for love." She smiled dreamily at Harry.

"Woah there Luna," Harry said. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Note: this one is so much longer than normal! And I still didn't make it to the Malfoy confrontation. Guess you'll just have to wait until next week!