Chapter 25
Besides, I tried

Remus' POV

Last night was terrible. The Calming Draught Severus gave my son apparently made it easy for him to fall asleep, but did nothing about his nightmares and thus he woke up half-asleep 4 times last night, shocked and frightened eyes opening before they closed again and he fell back asleep, always muttering the same: "Erica."

I know this, because I had let Moony be at the forefront of my mind and the wolf had guarded over my cub all night, while I took to the background, if only to make sure we could still rest and stay awake the next day as both of us have felt more in sync with each other since our bonding with Sirius and adoption of Harry than ever before.
And apparently my son had been easily put back asleep after his eyes going open in shock, as Moony had growled a soft relaxing tune each time this happened. The wolf is obviously very protective and caring for our cub and this makes me realize that when it really comes down to it I can trust on the werewolf to protect my pack and its members.
This definitely makes me partially hate society for having made me believe that I am but a monster, the same way the Dursleys have treated our cub all these years, but also myself for stupidly believing those lies for all these years. Still, last night was terrible especially for my cub, who will only go through more as the reading continues.

Hermione's POV

Ron, Neville, Luna and I had taken our sleeping bags to the side of the stage upon which the Head Table once stood and had laid down there to sleep, close enough to be of support for our friend when needed, but far enough away to give him, his family, Viktor and Mss. Crenson the privacy they obviously wanted.
We had seen how he had talked with them about something important, had seen how he got scared and hurt a couple of times and had felt the need to go and join him, if only to comfort him, but Viktor, Sirius and Remus had performed exactly those actions that made us know Harry would make it through his story.
And when they went to sleep, Remus stayed with Harry for the night to comfort him and help him sleep, which made Ron and me smile at each other as it was further proof that the man really loved our best friend. And the protective amber gleam we saw in his eyes as he lay Harry on his chest to sleep made us know Moony felt the same.

Neville's POV

My friends and I had taken to sleep near my best friend and the one boy that confided in me his biggest, darkest secret and we had waited for him to fall asleep, before slumbering in ourselves. But while Luna, Ron and Hermione are apparently thick sleepers, do I sleep quite lightly, mostly when I worry for those I care about.
And that was only better as I had woken from a shocked gasp three times that night and when I registered where it came from, I wanted to struggle out of my sleeping bag and aid my best friend, but Professor Lupin's soft growls were apparently enough to calm Harry back down and help him fall back asleep.
This made me smile all three times, but I fear for what could have scared my best friend so badly he would wake from 3 different nightmares on the same night. Now it's morning and I'm rolling up my sleeping bag, lying it on the ever growing pile of red sleeping bags, before sitting with the group of 3 men, 1 woman and my best friend.

Harry's POV

A warmth that is strange, yet comforting; familiar, yet dangerously suppressing and loving yet amazingly strong is all around me and as I feel myself waking I hear a soft growl near my ear that scares me and makes me remember how Uncle Vernon growled at me if I slept in while being told to do chores.
I struggle and try to let whatever holds onto me let go, my eyes closed tight, but then a soft hand lies itself on my shoulder and a familiar voice whispers: "Harry, it's alright, wake up." I open my eyes slightly and see a vague blur of sandy brown hair just above me, while a loose brown shirt is right in front of me.
I blink and feel my glasses being put on my face, making me see that it's dad who is holding me and growling; a growl I now define as soft and caring, instead of furious and threateningly. I sigh relieved, but when I push up, it apparently wakes dad as he scrunches up his face before blinking and looking down at me, smiling as he sees me.

I smile back at the man and then he asks: "How do you feel, cub? Well rested? Are you feeling better after last night?" I think about this and then nod and whisper: "I really felt bad never talking of Erica and what she did for me. It really does feel better now I shared her story with you guys, thanks." The man smiles, kisses me on the forehead and whispers:

"Anytime for you, cub, anytime. We're always there for you, never forget that." I smile at the man and once we've all woken, dad helping me into my wheelchair and rolling my sleepingbag up for me, do we all put our sleeping bags on their respective piles before they disappear and do the walls fill with small, single door rooms.
I roll into one and see it holds a shower with behind it another door that probably leads to a small changing room. I pull off my sleeping cloths with some effort and put them away, before rolling under my shower and washing my body, all the while thinking of Erica and all she did for me in the short year we knew each other.

I sigh and try not to let the thought of her death affect me as I put shampoo in my hair and think: "I know you don't want me to, Erica, but I really miss you. You were the first mother person I ever felt I had." Then a small smile appears on my face and I whisper: "But now – as weird and harsh as it sounds – I guess I got an even better mum."
And the face of Erica that appeared in my mind's eye once I closed my eyes and started washing the shampoo out of my hair starts to change and takes the shape of my loving mum, Sirius. I smile and think: "Love you, mum." Before quickly throwing some conditioner in and washing it out of my hair, before turning off the shower.
I dry myself, put on the cloths that the House Elves must have taken out of my trunk and put in the changing room and as I roll back I see that the shower stall has been cleaned and wiped dry. I smile and put on my socks and shoes with the same effort before leaving the stall, really feeling better after my story talk, sleep and shower.

Soon everyone is done, the shower stalls are gone and the many different seats are back. Unfortunately so is that Umbridge woman that has been annoyingly ruining the story reading so far with her high and mighty attitude and her belief she knows what has to be done and that we should all listen to her and only her.
I shake my head and get sat down on Viktor's lap, while Percy walks over to the stand and says: "I would like to read next." His brothers and sister are the first to nod, followed by many other Lions and other students and he opens the book, smiling at me as he pages through. I smile back at my old friend and then get cuddled by my boyfriend.

Percy's POV

I heard from Ron what happened the night before as he had been talking with Neville about it and fear for whatever happened to this mysterious Erica as she was apparently Harry's nightmare topic. But when I look at the boy, I can tell he seems relieved of some kind of pressure and smile in relief at my semi-brother as I start to read.

Nicolas Flamel
Dumbledore had … his trunk.

This causes Sirius to softly pat Harry on the head and he says: "I really have to teach how to and how not to use that Cloak of yours." Harry smiles and says: "More likely how to keep it on me no matter what. Remember?" The man groans and says: "Do I." Intriguing me, but he doesn't continue and I simply read on.

Harry wished … with laughter.

I feel my heart tear in pain at what my little brother had to go through and his parents and Viktor quickly grab the boy, but then Umbridge hits the end of my patience as her voice sounds nothing short of gleeful as she says says: "Well, that will serve you well for sneaking out after curfew and breaking the rules, Mr. Potter."
To this, mostly because I just cannot believe that she hasn't been affected by last night's reading, do I turn to her angrily and shout: "No one deserves to remember their parents' death. So shut your trap and keep it shut unless you want my brothers to shut it for you." And I smile at my twin brothers, who smile at me proudly.
But then the woman stands up and says: "Mr. Weasley, you are a Ministerial Employee. I can get you fired for this?" And I ask: "For what? Standing up for a hurt friend? Proving you don't know how to earn someone's trust? That you have a terrible attitude and horrible timing?" The woman fumes, but I glare right back at her, before going back to the book.

"You see … these dreams.

Now under the shocked gazes of many older students, does my little brother hit himself on the head and says: "Not the best thing to say." I shake my head, together with many others and then Pansy Parkinson says: "No, but then again you do have the tact of a snail." And Harry mutters: "And you the beauty of a pig."
Everyone laughs and Collin shouts: "A female Dudley." Making the students laugh even harder, while the girl screeches and shouts: "Drakey, help me!" But Draco seems too deep in conversation with his dad to hear her. I shake my head at the boy and while the pug-faced girl sits down with a huff, I see him smirking and read on.

Hermione, who … name somewhere. He had, during the Christmas holiday, made a small deal with Madame Pince and now – whenever Professor Binns would lull everyone to sleep – would someone working at Hogwarts quickly give him a book to read on his lap, returning it once the lesson was over. This way Harry had a little more chance of finding Flamel and if he didn't, he would at least learn more off the world he felt at home at.

Everyone looks shocked and Fred asks: "Reading other books." And George goes on: "Why didn't we ever think of that?" Even Hermione hits herself on the head, together with many Ravenclaws, while Remus smiles at his son and I smile at the brilliant young boy, who is and was so eager to learn all about his home world, before I read on.

Once term … started again. This made his deal with Madame Pince come even more in handy.
Wood was … Wood's side.

"EXCUSE ME?" The team shouts and Angelina shouts: "He worked you the hardest. Harder than he even did when he tried to see if we would fit the team! How could you be on his side?" And Harry answers: "Just read on, Percy." I nod, having already done so and understanding the boy's point of view before I read out loud.

If they … after training.

"Oh." The five players mutter together and then I notice Mss. Crenson look at Harry worriedly. The boy seems to have noticed the same and he lies a hand on hers, as she sits on a single chair next to his sofa and says: "These nightmares did not have any influence on me. I didn't let them." The woman nods, while I feel confused and read on.

Then, during … off Gryffindor!"

This makes a few Third year Gryffindors that were taking some drinks – that had appeared together with breakfast on a large buffet table behind the Owl stand – spit them out shocked and while some younger Gryffs start muttering together, the topic of the last Quidditch match on their minds, does Sirius says: "That doesn't make sense."
Everyone looks at him and he says: "I remember Snape telling some Slytherins in our Seventh year that he loved playing Quidditch, but that he wanted to be an active member of the team, not a commentator or referee." He then turns to the Potions Master and asks: "So what on earth made you do this?" But Snape holds quiet and I read on.

George Weasley … Quidditch referee.

"Sinister, Mr. Potter?" Professor Snape asks cynically, but I can tell he's amused and Harry shrugs and says: "It was just really hard to believe you didn't want to ruin the one thing I was good at and liked doing. You had – no offence – already ruined Potions for me and I feared you wanted to do the same with Quidditch."

The man nods and then asks: "Would you very much mind if I test your knowledge on what ingredients are what, seeing your amazing, growing inventory?" Harry shrugs and Snape says: "There is another bottle of Calming Draught standing close to your sofa. Please examine it and tell me what ingredients you recognize."
Some students gasp at this, mostly those that had to work on this potion in the past such as the Fourth and Fifth years, but Harry calmly picks up the potion bottle and sniffs the end of the tube, before swirling the potion around the vial gently and finally does he let a single drop fall on his finger before tasting the drop.
His secure way of working astounds me and he seems to think for a few minutes after gulping down the drop and says: "Hellebore fangs, a single unicorn tail hair, some butter mellow and daisy petals and –." He lets his tongue slide over his teeth and palate before he says: "Half a cup of pumpkin juice and three milliliter of Butterbeer."

The Potions Master smirks and says: "All of them –." He stalls, making many students lean forward, while Harry just raises an eyebrow in challenge and the man says: "Correct." Everyone's shocked, but then the man applauds and soon the whole hall is cheering, while Madam Umbridge seems disgusted with this behavior.
But this time her hem hem's have no affect as the Gryffindors, Viktor, Sirius and Remus are too proud of their fellow House Mate, son and boyfriend to listen to her and it takes another ten minutes before the cheering stops and I read on, having pat Harry on the shoulder when he was applauded, while the boy is red like a fresh tomato.

"Don't play," … laughing except Harry, who stopped Ron from laughing by hitting him over the back of the head and Hermione, who … and Ron, who was looking at Harry oddly and rubbing the back of his head.
"Malfoy," said … that on."

This makes the young blonde hit himself over the head while his dad and Head of House glare at him and I see Snape mutter something the sound spell won't let us here. But thanks to my slight ability to read lips, do I see him mutter the word James and I wonder what Harry's dad could have to do with all this as I read on.

"Go to … might cry. Harry knew only too well how Neville must be feeling, Dudley making him feel like that day in, day out, and he vowed to hang around Neville more if only to make sure Malfoy would back off.
"You're worth … the frog. Harry really didn't want to use the Houses to make Neville feel better, but he had to make up for Ron's bad wording. He knew the red-head didn't mean it like he did – after Hermione and Halloween Ron really tried to watch it with what he was saying – but his friend was still growing and could make mistakes like this. And Harry didn't mind setting them right if it made others feel better.

"Always the peacemaker." Ron snickers and then the twins and all of the other Fourth years, both those in Gryffindor and not chorus: "You have no idea." The boy looks shocked and Neville asks: "Tell me, how many fights between you and Hermione did you salivate, how many did Hermione and how many did Harry?"
Ron seems to think on this and then Hermione, who must have already started thinking, gasps and says: "Harry salivates most of our fights. He does about 2/3rd more than we ever did." The two look at each other, while Harry laughs and I read on.

"Thanks, Harry … found him!"

"YOU WHAT?" Almost all of the hall shouts, making me wonder if I should read this paragraph a second time, just when Remus says: "Of course! Your first wizard card. It was even in the book!" Everyone looks shocked and then suddenly I burst out laughing, falling on the Owl stand and shocking all those around me.
Everyone looks at me and the twins chorus: "Okay, it's official. Percy's lost it." But I shake my head and say: "I'm sorry. I'm just laughing my head off, because they checked just about every ancient and special or rare tome they could find and the information was on one of the most common chocolate frog cards there is. The irony is just what made me laugh."

This makes students look at each other and I laugh again, this time followed by just about everyone else, even the teachers snickering or holding back their laughter. Only Umbridge doesn't laugh and says: "Mr. Weasley, such atrocious behavior is not the reason we hired you. You were hired for your responsible attitude and should –."
But Harry spats: "Listen to family, friends and those close to you. And you, Madam Umbridge fall under neither of those categories. So, as we are not at the Ministry, you really have no say over my friend." The woman glares at my semi-brother, but I smile at the boy, who smiles back and shrugs before I read on.

he whispered … of homework.

Now I snicker, something I know I really shouldn't as I can easily recognize myself in that description, and so do some other students, but I smother it with a cough and a glass of water and then Sirius says: "Don't worry, Hermione. Lily was quite the same." The girl and his son look very interested and he says:
"Yeah, Lily was really someone who wanted to perform, achieve and make whoever she could proud. So when she got her first good grade for an assignment, I believe it was in the first month of our First year, she instantly asked Professor Flitwick for two copies, which she kept to herself and send the original of it off to her parents.
James and I pestered her about that, but when they got together he was all in for the idea to use the paper as inspiration for their kids." He shakes his head and Harry asks: "What happened to it?" And Remus answers: "It was kept in a safe in your parents' room. No one knows if it survived Voldemort's attack all those years ago."
Harry nods, but I can tell he's desperate to know. Not wanting that to be the reason for his first visit to his ancestral home, I decide to go and check for myself right first time when we get to leave the Great Hall, after the reading. And so I read on.

"Stay there!" … light reading."

"That too sounds like Lily. Never really understood how she could call that light reading." Sirius says and Remus answers: "She called it light reading, because – as the reading itself couldn't be done in one go – she was able to read it whenever she wanted and as much as she wanted, so it was easier for her to remember what she read."
Hermione nods and so do I as I often find myself doing so and then the Lovegood girl says: "To read things lightly makes what we read fly and nestle itself into our minds forever." I nod at the girl, while many Ravens look at her as if she's lost it – a look I notice she gets a little too often – and I happily continue the chapter.

"Light?" said … and fifty-eight).

This shocks me and I shake my head, before rereading the age and think: "Older than Dumbledore? Merlin, that man can give Dumbledore a run for his money." Then Hermione says: "It really is amazing how old he is, if you count along how many Muggle and Wizarding wars have gone on in the last 600 years."
Everyone looks intrigued and she goes on: "I mean, the Muggles alone had over 30 wars since the Middle Ages and we had two devastating wars in the last century, so imagine how many wars, losses and deaths those two must have gone through." Everyone looks shocked and then down in regret for how the Flamels must have suffered.
I shake my head and think: "Why on earth would one want to live this long? What with all the losses they would have to suffer? Who would even want eternal life if it meant losing those you care for the most?" But I can easily think of someone and shudder as I think of the idea of an immortal Voldemort, before I read on.

"See?" said … of Gringotts!"

"If only that were true, Mss. Granger. Alas, I doubt Flamel even knew of the transfer until a year later." Professor Flitwick tells the girl and Harry says: "I agree with you there, Professor, seeing how Dumbledore told me he talked to Flamel, only after the Stone was endangered." The man nods, while Harry's parents look worried and I read on.

"A stone … werewolf bites,

"I really wish they were treatable." Remus sighs and Luna says: "Not treatable, no, but they sure are acceptable." Everyone looks at her and Cedric says: "You're right, Luna. A werewolf, when bitten, can't be healed, but it is common knowledge that a person taking his werewolf side into his heart is much better able to control the creature."
Remus looks shocked and the boy goes on: "I mean, look at Fenrir Greyback. He's a monster, but that's only because his own terrible personality has fused with the hunter's side of the werewolf. He's not even fully fused with his werewolf side." I see Remus whiten and then his eyes widen as he hears this and then Luna goes on:

"Daddy told me that, in Ancient times, there were people who were so closely attached to their werewolf sides they could transform into a creature quite like their werewolf form but without the deadly hunter's instincts without the need of a full moon.
That they were the first to form true werewolf tribes, by finding each other through their wolf forms and then creating villages far away from other humans. He even tells me that if I study Nargles enough I will one day find such a tribe or the remains of them."

Everyone looks at the girl shocked, while some Ravens still look as if the girl's lost her mind and then Cedric says: "My dad did always tell me there were tribes all over the world where werewolves living in the city could learn to grow with their inner wolf, so they are less of a danger to society." Everyone looks at each other shocked and then Umbridge says:
"If those tribes are really even in existence, Mr. Diggory, then why do we have so much trouble with half-breeds and scum attacking perfectly normal citizens?" But before anyone, especially those sitting around a devastated looking Lupin can even shout at her for her terrible insults does Mr. Diggory stand up and say:

"Dolorus Jane Umbridge, the answer to that is so simple, it's insulting. It's because biased bitches like you and blind idiots like me put up laws against werewolves left, right and centre and thus force werewolves to live like outsiders and animals, which in turn makes the tribes decide they want nothing to do with us or our society."

Everyone looks at each other, while Umbridge glares at the man and then he turns to Remus and says: "I can tell that your bonding with Sirius and your bonding to Harry as your son and cub is already helping you accept your inner werewolf, Remus, but if you want will I try and find these tribes, so they can further help you."
The man nods, his eyes showing an amazed sense of gratitude and then Umbridge says: "Surely you won't waste your time on a mongrel like him." But while this makes Harry and Viktor have to hold onto Sirius – if only to keep him from killing her – does Mr. Diggory spat: "The only beast I see here, Dolores, is you."
The woman looks shocked and the man goes on: "After all, Remus has spent seven proud years as a student and a single year as a teacher here, not to mention the last four days and he is highly respected by every student and teacher here. You've been here half a day and I can almost feel the anger and disgust everyone here feels for you. So in my eyes is he a true wizard and you a biased bitch."

He then turns to Remus and says: "I will let the Wizengamot look into all and every werewolf law we have, Remus. It's about high time we get some even society in our culture or we'll have another You – Voldemort on our neck before we can even grab our wands." Remus smiles, while holding Sirius and muttering sweet nothings in his ear and I read on.

Harry and … and Hermione.

"As if you could fool us, mate." Ron smiles at the boy and Hermione says: "You were – and still are – an open book when you're nervous." The boy shrugs and says: "Just didn't want them to think what Percy just read." The two nod, while I shake my head and some students look down in shame, before I again read on.

The rest … read minds.

Snape mock-glares at the boy and hisses: "Over-observant brat." Harry shrugs and Sirius asks: "You were?" Snape shrugs and says: "I was just checking his plans for if something happened this match. I cared nothing for whatever else he was thinking about. Something, I now see, was a mistake." Sirius nods and Harry asks:
"Why?" And Snape answers: "Because, Potter, then I would know of your knowledge on Flamel, of how you suspected yet not suspected me and of your actual expertise in Potions. It would have made me slowly lessen my horrible behavior until you would trust me and I would then help you keep away of that over-sized mutt."
Harry nods, while Sirius, Remus, Viktor and the teachers smile at the man in gratitude and then Harry says: "Thanks professor, but personally I'm glad you didn't interfere in any way possible. And that's not because I wanted what happened." The man nods, while I feel confused as to what could be the boy's reason and read on.

Harry knew … Two Thousand.

"I wasn't really giving a pep talk either, to be honest. I was trying to make you all remember your best qualities and to use them as fully as possible." Oliver admits and then Fred winces and says: "No wonder I saw you glare at me after that Bludger." The man nods at his Beater, while I shake my head and read on.

Ron and … hurt Harry.

"And I thought what Malfoy did last year was a bad idea." Harry mutters with his head turned down and a hand over his eyes before he turns to his friends, asking: "You do realize you would have been arrested for murder if you had done that, right?" The two look shocked and Harry mutters: "Clearly, they didn't know."
Before he tells them: "Think about it, guys. If that spell had hit, it would have forced Snape off his broom to close his legs and that would have made him fall off. Either that, or his legs would have pulled his broom so tightly up his lower regions they'd be – well, you get my point." The two nod, both very white before I just read on.

"Now, don't … silver beard.

"He really could have told you he was coming." Harry tells Professor Snape, who nods and grumbles, making me realize Snape only wanted to ref for one reason. To keep whoever attacked Harry from doing it again. But he didn't need to, because no one would be mad enough to do so with Dumbledore in the stands. I shake my head and read on.

Harry could … was watching. And while he knew Snape was not out to kill him, definitely not during a Quidditch match, were the constant rants and angry glares during Potions enough to keep Harry from fully believing Snape was a good-guy.
Perhaps that … was Malfoy.

Again Draco hits himself over the head and Lucius asks: "Another case where your Malfoy arrogance gets the better of you, Draco?" Draco nods and says: "I really hated Weasley, more than we did before, because he was the friend of someone I only saw as the over-arrogant Boy-Who-Lived and I wanted to make him miserable for it."
Lucius nods and Harry whispers: "Please tell me you don't see that in me anymore?" Draco shakes his head and says: "It took me a long time, but these books and all I heard you had to go through with those monsters for Muggles made me realize who you really are. Who my cousin really is." The two boys smile at each other and I read on.

"Oh, sorry … at him.

"Actually professor, I wanted to help Harry there. You see, I was keeping an eye on my fellow team mates, the Bludgers and out for the Snitch and then I noticed it and wanted to get Harry's attention to it, so I shot a Bludger to it, but – well, I guess I just didn't see you until I had hit that thing. Sorry about that."
The professor nods, while everyone looks at my brother shocked, except for the other Gryffindor Team players who smile at him in pride and Viktor says: "I've heard of team players wanting to help the Seeker wherever they can, but that one's new to me." And members of the other teams nod in agreement before I read on.

Hermione, who … no brains."

"I'm really glad I didn't hear that." Harry hisses, this time actually angry and then he goes on: "I'm even more glad you didn't make that comment at the end of this year, Malfoy. Or I swear – Quidditch match or not – I would have flown my broom straight into you and pushed you off whatever stand you were standing on."
The blonde boy is shocked, whitening when he hears Harry call him by his last name and Harry, who's voice is almost softer than the hissing of a candle flame, hisses: "I take a lot, Malfoy, but insults to those that I owe my life to and that I – and my close friends – lost is something you should never try with me. No. Matter. Who. You. Are."
He ends with strength on every word and everyone looks at the boy shocked as he had yet to turn angry over anything all book, but I can fully understand how he feels and agree with him, something Neville shares with me as we both smile at him in pride and understanding – Neville mostly pride – before I read on.

Neville went … suddenly, "Harry –!"

"Oh god!" The three in the sofa chorus, while some of the younger years turn frightened as well and the three of them all grab onto the boy, but then Angelina says: "I can assure you, nothing bad. In fact, you'd be the proudest you have been yet." The three lessen the strength of their hold, but don't let go as I read on.

"What? Where?" … the ground.

"You fought Malfoy?" The twins chorus and one of them asks: "Why didn't you tell us?" And Ron answers: "One, I was too hyped over the fact we had won. Two, I wanted to, but when I tried you had left for the kitchens." The two lower their heads in shame, while many laugh and I shake my head in exasperation before reading on.

Neville hesitated … to help.

"You fought CRABBE AND GOYLE?"The twins shout in a chorus, together with almost half the school, the elder voices proving they just can't believe what they just heard regarding what the timid boy had done and then Luna says: "The best students for a House are those that show where they belong when it truly matters."
Students shake their heads as they look at the girl and Harry says: "You're absolutely right. I mean, Neville never shows where he belongs 24/7, but when it comes to cases like this, defending his honor and helping a friend – he's a Lion through and through." The students nod, while Neville turns red and I read on.

"Come on … in front.

This causes laughter to run through the cheers and screams that almost deafen out my readings and the girl blushes, but then Umbridge shouts: "SILE –." But I have already had it with her and when I see her shooting up to shout, I grab my wand and use I Silencio halfway through her shout, which causes even more laughter to ring through the Hall.
"Mr. Weasley!" Fudge shouts and I say: "I had some payback for her earlier comments on werewolves and Professor Lupin, Minister. And if I was annoyed by the cheers and shouts I would have said something; I didn't need her interference. No offence to the Ministry." The man nods and I feel glad at the man's understanding before I read on.

Harry jumped … five minutes.

"I timed it, Harry." Dean says and he goes on: "I heard Snape had been ref and knew you'd want the match to end quick, so I used my watch to time you. It was 4 minutes and 27 seconds. I also decided to take the liberty to check the previous record, which came from Charlus Potter and that was 8 minutes and 45 seconds."
Harry looks shocked and asks: "My grandfather was a Seeker?" Dean nods and then Harry smiles and says: "Thanks Dean." But Dean shrugs and Sirius says: "Charlus really would have been proud of you, Harry. You actually bested his record in half the time." The boy looks shocked and another cheer rings through the hall before I read on.

As Gryffindors … the ground.

"Sore loser." I hear a student mutter, but Harry shakes his head and says: "It's already been concluded Professor Snape was angry, because professor Dumbledore was there. To see the man talk to me must have angered him even more." The student nod, while some look shocked Harry stood up for his Potions teacher and I read on.

Harry left … any more.

"Wait, you thought winning a Quidditch match would be more sensational than defeating the darkest wizard to have ever lived?" Alicia asks and Harry says: "Not really, just that now people had really seen me perform something amazing. No one was there when I defeated Voldemort, so no one knew what had really happened.
This was something that had many spectators and witnesses and I kind of saw it as the start of my chance to make the name Harry Potter be attached to amazing Seeker instead of The Boy Who Lived title. That other one just reminded me too much of what I had to lose to gain it." The Great Hall nods and while Viktor hugs his boyfriend close, do I read on.

The evening … of Snape...

This makes Snape hit himself on the head and he says: "Bloody observant brat." But Harry shrugs and says: "What can I say? When my emotions are running high, then so are my senses, especially when I'm happy as I don't want people around me then that could ruin my happy mood." The man nods, still looking slightly grumpy and I read on.

A hooded … going on?

"Not really your brightest move, Severus." Professor Flitwick says, his voice sounding happily playful and Snape grumpily retorts: "I was under the presumption everyone was indeed at dinner. Should have checked to see if I was right." But strangely enough does this make Harry look down in hurt and fear and he whispers:
"A fatal mistake anyone could make, Professor. Trust me on that one." The man looks as the boy shudders and Viktor hugs him close, softly patting his hair and kissing his forehead. Harry smiles at him, but then moves his head away and his closed eyes make it seem as if he's trying to push away a terrible memory or something.
This makes Mss. Crenson, Sirius and Remus hug the boy as close as Viktor's doing and suddenly I wonder if his words have any connection to the tale he must have told them last night before bed. I decide to wait and see and after sharing a look with my siblings to convey them my thoughts, do I read on again.

Harry jumped … beech tree.

"A beech tree? Are you sure?" Neville asks and when Harry nods, do his eyes widen as he says: "Wow, that's a real show of talent, mate. The beech tree is known for its many leaves, small, thin branches and the nuts used for the Draught of Peace." Everyone looks at the two boys shocked and Dean tells Seamus:
"How it's possible that he can work with plants and recognize them and their uses so well, but still suck at Potions so badly, I'll never know." And his best friend nods in agreement, while I look at Professor Snape as I remember the rumors of the man being Neville's Boggart last year quite well, before reading on.

He climbed … there, too.

"What was scared pants doing in the Forbidden Forest?" Seamus asks Dean, but neither boys has an answer and I think: "He sure is mentioned a lot. And he mysteriously disappeared right after Harry landed in the Hospital Wing. What is his role in all this?" But I can't give myself any answers and instead read on.

Harry couldn't … Hagrid's yet?"

"Hagrid's not going to like it, but I agree with Snape there. Some creatures, when in the vicinity of kids or teens, are beasts as their instincts are then too dangerous to keep around youngsters." Sirius says and the teachers nod, but then he asks: "So why keep that monster?" Now the teachers look down and I read on.
But then Ron asks: "Hey, where is Hagrid?" And we all look around, before I suddenly notice that the doors are open. I look through it a little and hit myself on the head. Everyone looks and I say: "He went out. He forgot about the time spell. Look at the doors." Everyone looks and sees Hagrid with a leg raised as if wanting to step away.
Everyone sighs and the students closest to the doors close them, before I shake my head again and McGonagall says: "We better lock the doors when the next book starts. That way no one can make that mistake and the spell can keep deciding who should go and who should stay." Everyone nods at this and I read on.

"B-b-but Severus … I'm waiting."

This makes Snape hit himself on the head and he whispers: "And of course you missed the most crucial part of my conversation, thus making me even more a suspect." Harry shrugs and says: "That depends on the rest of the chapter, doesn't it Professor?" The man looks slightly curious and I feel the same as I read on.

"B-but I … loyalties lie."

"Too bad his decision on that was made almost a year before." Harry grunts and when the students look at him, he says: "Voldemort told you all in the Fourth book. The Defense Teacher he found and controlled." The students look shocked and I feel fear rising as I remember what Voldemort said about that particular event.
How he was thwarted by Harry Potter. This together with everything else we have read so far makes me wish we had never discovered the chapter title and even more that Harry's simple desire to find out what was going on had been able to stay just yet, something which is impossible seeing the power-houses involved. I shudder heavily and read on.

He threw … was petrified. He jumped back on his broom and rose out of the breech tree, but as he did, he kept a close eye on Quirrell and saw him make a strange nod movement with his head, as if he agreed on something – with no one in sight.
Harry flew a little higher and saw Snape walk back out of the Forest and scurry back to the castle. He himself moved to the front line of the forest and started flying around a few trees as he thought over everything he knew.
Snape was a suspect to Harry's disastrous first game, but he would never do that as he would instantly be a suspect to Harry's murder with his behavior as Harry's teacher. He had also refereed that afternoon, but Harry suspected it was to keep the real attacker from trying anything.
And now he had that weird, slightly ominous conversation with Quirrell, which clearly didn't do too much good for the other man's mental stability.
Or was there something about Quirrell that Snape suspected. Was this perhaps because the man knew what a terrible teacher Quirrell was? Was he trying to get rid of Quirrell through the protections of the Stone? Or did he want to use the Stone to get rid of Quirrell?
Eternal life and endless gold would definitely make him capable of owning Hogwarts and whatever teaching position he wanted for all eternity. There was just one thing nagging Harry and he couldn't put his finger to it as he flew back to the broomshed, trying to make it look as if he just left the place.

Everyone looks at me shocked, even while some people like Mr. Diggory and Remus also have pride showing on their faces and I shake my head as I reread the written words and think: "Even with Snape being as horrible as he is, Harry still tries to see the finest in the man. Why on earth?" But then Remus chuckles and says: "You are so like Lily."
We all look at the man and he says: "When Lily and I became Prefect in our Fifth, it was our duty to know our fellow Prefects. So I told her my secret and feared she would switch me, just to be rid of me or that she would tell the school just to get me expelled. But instead she took all Prefect rounds with me on her and constantly praised me if I did good.
She really saw the best in me and even, for a short time every month, made me believe my heightened senses were perfect for my task as Prefect. She just never really liked it that I kept pulling pranks with your dad and Sirius." Many laugh at the end of the story, while others smile at the wonderful person that was Lily Potter and I read on.

"Harry, where … and heard.

"There really isn't a single thing you don't tell them, is there?" Fred asks, but Harry shakes his head and says: "My traumas and what really happens at the Dursley Household. That was something I only told Neville, but that was because of the Easter incident." My younger brother nods, looking strangely ashamed of himself and I read on.

"So we … in alarm before Harry could tell them what he thought off while flying away.
"It'll be … said Ron. And then Harry remembered. Snape didn't want Harry dead and he seemed to really hate him. So would he really want Quirrell dead, if only to make the man lose his job?

Everyone looks shocked and Ron asks: "Why didn't you share that idea with us?" And Harry says: "Because I had barely ended that thought before you continued your words and dragged me to the party. And you, Fred and George are hard to get rid off if you want others to party." The three turn red and others laugh hard. Then Harry shrugs and says: "Besides, I tried."