Author's Notes:

So here I am again, I have "A" chapter for you guys. If I'm lucky and the creativity gods smile upon me I might be able to get another done and ready by the 31st, but don't count on it okay? So I want to say thank you to the people who helped me this time round. Philosophize and Bearmauls, you guys are brilliant. Otherwise, I can't really think of anything to add at this time.

Chapter 17: First Forays

Severus Snape, sat alone in the dark quiet of his office, staring blankly at the object standing on his desk, rolling the small tumbler of liquid on the surface before him absently.

He hadn't known that that particular picture still existed. He'd long since lost his own copy of it. He considered his memories, dulled as they were by time and intervening events, of times he had spent under that tree on the banks of the river. He'd spent treasured hours there, alone with Lily, just escaping together. His own home life had been hell on earth, and while Lily's relationship with her parents was pleasant enough, her relations with her sister were not.

It had been them, virtually alone against the world, in those times they spent together. A togetherness which had translated, at least for a time, into their new lives at Hogwarts.

Sadly it had come to an end as it must have. At first they had drifted apart as a result of their separate and rival houses. Then because of his hostility towards her fellow Gryffindors.

But they may have reconnected even after that, had it not been for his own stupidity. He could still picture it in his mind's eye, all these long years later. He could still picture the look of absolute betrayal in her eyes when he'd called her what he had. When he'd done what he had. Looking back she had been entirely justified in feeling that he had turned his back on her and joined the enemy. Looking back she'd been right to call him out. And now years later, he regretted his actions more than ever.

It was his actions which had pushed her so firmly into Potter's open arms, but at the time he had believed he had finally found somewhere he could belong. Not understanding that he had always belonged as far as Lily was concerned.

That had been the first of a long line of great and terrible costs which had accompanied his actions. He'd been sheltered somewhat by his status among the new recruits, his potion making prowess had provided him with a degree of leniency when he'd balked at what was required to become an initiate. But he hadn't done anything to stop or attempt to temper the actions of the others either. Making him in essence just as guilty as they.

When he'd returned home that night, the brand now etched into his skin, he couldn't help but think how disgusted Lily would have been with him. His fellows crimes had haunted him preventing him from sleeping for many nights to come.

And as such things often go, he'd come to believe it was too late, that he was beyond redemption and that he was in too deep to turn back. He'd given up, given in, like a coward hiding behind the isolation his skills offered to balm his scalded conscience. After all his skills were not to be risked lightly on field work. Which wasn't to say he hadn't seen his share of nightmares over those years. Things he'd done when he couldn't worm his way out of it, things he'd seen done or allowed to happen with his inaction.

Then he'd been assigned to spy on a meet between the Headmaster of Hogwarts one night at the Hogshead pub in Hogsmeade, while the dottering old man interviewed a prospective staff member for the divination position at the school.

He'd heard a portion of a prophecy which he had oh so dutifully reported to his master as expected. But as he prepared to leave his masters presence a few months later, he had overheard a second conversation, between his master and his top lieutenants. He had heard his Master, the Dark Lord of Great Britain, planning the murder of the one woman he had ever truly cared about. And he had, his bruised and beaten conscience had flared back to life and rebelled. He had pleaded with the Dark Lord, to spare the woman if nothing else. He'd been forced to leverage every bit of hard earned good will and favour he had with the Master to get him to make his promise. But even as he turned to leave he saw the truth in his Masters face, that the Dark Lord had no intention of keeping that promise.

So he had done the unthinkable, he'd defied possibly the most dangerous man in the world and defected to the other side. He'd approached Dumbledore, and turned traitor, became a double agent.

In the end he'd had to offer everything he could to the old man to negotiate such forgiveness. Then all his work had been undone. A traitor within the Order of the Phoenix had betrayed Lily to the enemy anyways.

Snape recalled arriving at the Potter house, a small cottage in Godric's Hollow. He remembered rushing through the door and finding James' body on the ground at the foot of the stairs. He remembered the chill which had entered his blood at the profound silence within the house. He had never liked James, and in all likelihood he would never have a positive thing to say about the man, but as he sat in his office he felt a small measure of gratitude to the man who had sacrificed himself attempting to protect Lily.

A sacrifice which as soon as he'd seen the shattered doorway he knew to be in vain. He'd found Lily crumpled on the ground at the foot of the baby's crib. He'd wept as he held her.

Now sitting in his office, he slammed back a tumbler of the liquor and grimaced. To this day it angered him greatly to hear people refer to Harry Potter as the slayer of the Dark Lord. That was a recognition which should have gone to Lily. It should have been her name which was remembered forever. He'd examined her plan, the notes she had taken leading up to her death and had realized the depth of her love for her family. And on that day a new voice, twisted and loathsome with jealousy and hate had began to murmur in his mind. Those people hadn't been worth her life. That child, and that pathetic ingrate James hadn't been worthy of her.

He'd understood that this voice was not rational, but over the years it's words had festered in his heart. And when her son came to Hogwarts, his last refuge, he'd transferred that ire onto him.

But now, as he sat at his desk empty glass in his fingers, staring at that small picture frame, he came to a realization. Lily, his wonderful brilliant flower, had known what he'd done on her behalf. Perhaps Dumbledore had told her? The old man always was fond of second chances. In the end he had her back, at least in some small measure after so many years, but had never known it.

And how had he repaid that forgiveness? By spitting on the sole monument to her memory. How ashamed Lily would be to see him now. But it wasn't too late yet, not to try and make amends, was it? He reasoned.

But his doubts welled up again as the brand on his arm burned. Was it too late? Was he already damned? As he stood and refilled the tumbler for one last drink, he toasted to her memory. It might very well be too late for him, but even if it was, he'd make sure her killer was sent to hell where he belonged. That at least, might be within his power to help achieve.

—-

Hermione Jane Granger was distracted. This was not an unusual state to find herself in, her attention was often diverted by interesting tidbits of information, or by a fascinating concept which she had stumbled across in her latest book. Of late, her best friend Harry had also proved to be a source of distraction. And to a certain degree he was to blame this time too.

It had started at lunch when he had, knowing she was anticipating his surprise, made a production of taking his time eating his meal. Then had come the number of females who made it a point to stop and chat with him in the halls. An event which he seemed to find most vexing and which had caused an unusually unpleasant feeling to rise within herself.

Then had come the "surprise" itself, at first she was disappointed when he had handed her a battered and heavily vandalized potions text. That disappointment had turned to amazement when he had explained what was so special about it. He had revealed the previous owners mysterious and intriguing pseudonym, the Half-Blood Prince, then going onto explaining the man's true identity. She she held the personal secrets of their potions master was understandably an exciting proposition. The instructions within were, thanks to his modifications, uncommonly detailed.

But even this was not the greatest source of her current state of consternation. No that distinction lay with their first Defence class of the year.

The three of them had walked together down and away from Gryffindor Tower, she herself jabbering excitedly about the potential knowledge within the book now secreted in the bag slung over her shoulder. Tonks in an unexpected turn of events wasn't tagging along at their shoulder, apparently the Minister and Dumbledore who, big surprise, had been expressing concerns, had come to a compromise, though it was apparently not one much to Dumbledore's liking. For a small period each day, Tonks would augment the Auror force deployed to Hogwarts, by patrolling the school with the rest of them. This period would typically lasted for the length of one class each afternoon. It was somewhat jarring to suddenly be short the young woman's bubbly and exuberant presence. Harry in particular seemed to find himself disappointed whenever she didn't chime in and comment on something they had said.

Then had come the next set of surprises. It was something of an expectation that when the students arrived at the classroom it would be open and the teacher would be present, waiting for them. However upon their arrival at the DADA classroom, they found the door sealed and the rest of the class generally milling about in the corridor.

This year was different in terms of class makeup as well. Typically a house year group would either be assigned to a time slot alone or paired with a single other house. The entirety of Gryffindor was present yes, but also a small cadre from each of the other three houses were in attendance as well. And as Hermione surveyed those standing idly about the hall she noted something peculiar. If someone were to pick a group of students which were not inherently hostile towards Harry Potter, this would be it. The entirety of the Gryffindor Fifth years with the exception of Seamus Finnigan would likely stand by Harry without question. But also present were people like Padma Patil, Sue Li, Mandy Brocklehurst and Lisa Turpin from Ravenclaw. Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Leanne and Ernie Macmillan from Hufflepuff. But also Daphne, Tracy, Blaise Zabini and Milicent Bulstrode. Of the entire group only those last two were any sort of real concern, and even then only as unknowns.

Daphne who was standing to the side talking in a hushed voice with Tracy off to the side looked up at their approach and smiled genuinely at Harry. A few of those who had happened to be looking in the right direction at the time did a double take at seeing the Slytherin Ice princess crack a smile, let alone at the arrival of the Gryffindor Golden Boy. She pointedly ignored the shocked expressions as Harry grinned back. "Hello Daphne, having a good first day back so far?"

She nodded, "Indeed I have, it's been surprisingly quiet in the Slytherin Dorms so far, not that I expect that to last. I was fortunate not to get assigned a slot for the patrols last night. You did remarkably well in Runes this morning how has the rest of your first day back been?" Her response was quiet enough that nobody could easily eavesdrop on them without being obvious and the bystanders largely lost interest soon enough.

Harry nodded to her. "Pretty much the same, got here, wrangled the firsties with hermione, and sorted out the new room upstairs."

Tracy smiled at that, thinking happily about her own private quarters. "Yeah, it's so nice having space to ourselves for a change isn't it?"

Harry barked a short laugh. "You have no idea, I had Ron in my dorm remember?"

He got a sympathetic look from the two Slytherin girls. "Lucky you, on the plus side nobody has to share a dorm with the Weasel at all this year, if what I'm hearing is correct."

"Yeah, sod was slipping me amourtentia so I'd fall for his sister," Harry agreed grimacing. "The trial is this weekend if I remember right."

"Will you be attending?" Daphne asked intrigued.

Harry made a face, "No, not if I can help it."

She nodded. "I can understand that, ministry functions can be so dull to attend. May I ask how the rest of your evening went?"

Harry shrugged. "Not much to tell, got the mail that was in lockup and sorted it a bit, then studied until it was time for bed."

This comment generated some consternation. "Your mail was in lockup?" Tracy asked.

Harry bobbed his head. "Yes, turns out Dumbledore forgot to have all the backlog forwarded to me when I came to Hogwarts. I have something like fourteen and half years of mail I never heard about." He glanced at Daphne and got a sly look, that caught Hermione's attention. "Got and interesting one in the first batch though, the Elf wanted to do some EOD work on it but I talked him out of it. A lovely finger painting from one four year old Daphne Greengrass."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at the image that produced in her head, and then chuckle at the blush Daphne cultivated. "Ah, I had almost forgotten about that." Trying to ignore her friend who was snickering beside her.

"Yup, sorry I didn't reply back back then, if it makes you feel better I've started a wall of fame and yours is the first one I've posted up there." Harry teased.

"Well she can hardly blame you Harry," Hermione pointed out. "Can you imagine how the Dursleys would have reacted to you getting mail?" He made a grimace in response to that lovely thought.

Daphne was a sharp one, and caught the small slip of the tongue on Hermione's part. "The Dursleys?"

Harry grimaced. "My relatives." He explained stoically.

She catalogued that away but made the connection as well. "Isn't the new caretaker's last name Dursley?"

The boy nodded. "My cousin, Dudley. Please don't spread it around, for his sake if nothing else." He requested, rubbing his forehead, at the thought of it.

The blonde cocked her head in consideration. "Didn't you tell me your relatives were magiphobes? What is he doing in a place like Hogwarts?"

Kara piped up for the first time, "Dumbledore's big on second chances it seems."

Daphne opened her mouth to comment but stopped when she spotted something behind them. Hermione and Harry turned to the sound of running feet, and saw Professor James Miller jog down the hall towards them, pulling on a nondescript black robe over his jeans and t-shirt.

James Miller, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, was a tall man, with pale skin, close cropped dirty blonde hair, and a stubbled jaw. While her reaction to the man's looks was nowhere near as obvious as Parvati who actually sighed a bit, or Sue Li who jabbed Lisa with her elbow before pointing to the man quite conspicuously, Hermione had to admit he was a good looking and surprisingly youthful professor.

He grinned at them all as he fished out a key and fiddled with the lock. "Sorry for being late everyone, I had to clear a couple things with the Head Master." He apologized. His accent was strange, one she hadn't heard before personally, though she'd heard similar in movies with her parents. It was North American of some variety, but possessed far less inflection than Kara's did. Neutral really, with just a touch of a drawl or twang. He opened the door and held it open for the students to pass through.

The room itself had undergone something of a startling transformation. Instead of rows of seats below a dramatically vaulted ceiling, with a staircase towards the rear of the classroom leading to the professors office. They now entered into what to all appearances was a small amphitheatre, with clear signs that this room had been expanded and altered to make space. Raised rows of seats reminiscent of a university lecture hall around a slightly raised stage with the instructors desk in the middle of it.

The rooms windows had heavy metal shutters over them, startlingly similar to muggle "Bandit Barriers" commonly seen in stores with valuable goods or in banks in less secure neighbourhoods. Along the walls in neat if prodigious piles were various bits of muggle machinery and miscellany. She spotted an apple laptop ticking over atop a pile of what appeared to be history texts beside the desk and speakers with disconnected cables in the corner. A Satellite dish on a tripod mount was next to one of the sealed windows its cable running up the stairs to the office and disappearing within. She could have sworn she spotted a guitar and amp as well leaning against a pile of uniform green packing crates.

He strode past on his way to the front of the class. "Now before any of you point it out, yes, normally muggle technology doesn't work around Hogwarts, due to the higher than average thaumic radiation index present here, however this room has been upgraded with magical interference damping wards to allow them to function when needed." The man said as he strode to the front of class. The students were slow walking to their seats as they looked over the piles of equipment. "If you'd all be seated we can see about beginning," he decided as he sauntered around his desk before throwing himself into the chair and casually kicking up his heels on the desk's surface. This really was unlike any instructor Hermione had ever previously encountered and her eyebrows crept up towards her hairline in surprise..

He just smiled blandly as they all took their seats. "Excellent, as you may recall, my name is James Miller, I'll be your professor this year. And as you have probably noticed by my accent, I'm not from around here. Something a little different than you're used to?" He chuckled along with them at this, "To get it out of the way, I'm from Western Canada, and I am twenty years old. I know, pretty young for a professor right? But we'll get along just fine despite all that. Now then, I'd like to go around the room and have you lot introduce yourselves, tell me about yourself. If you were forced to, what "Boxes" would you fit in, which is to say which labels would you use to describe yourself, tell me what you hope to get from this course?" He finished this by pointing to tracy who had grabbed a seat in the left hand front row next to Daphne. "We'll start with you miss."

Tracy looked nervous but pushed to her feet and nodded. "Uh—hi I'm Tracy Davis, I'm a Fifth year prefect for Slytherin, a witch obviously, half-blood…I live in London and hope to learn how to protect myself from dark wizards." With that she sat down hastily and he nodded pointing to her friend next.

"My name is Daphne Greengrass, I am a Fifth year prefect for Slytherin, Witch, Pureblood, not that it really matters. I live near the Isle of Wight, as for what I hope to learn. I want to know how to fight, for my life if need be." She recited dutifully before returning to her seat.

Next up was Susan. "My name is Susan Bones, a Fifth year Hufflepuff, which like Daphne said, it doesn't matter but I'm pureblooded. I live in London and hope to learn the skill's I'll need to be an Auror." She noted simply.

James nodded at this and flashed a brief smile. "Looking to follow the family tradition?" He asked curiously. "As I recall your parents were Aurors as was your Aunt, though I hear she's gone up in the world somewhat."

Susan smiled thinly. "She'd argue politics is a step down from policing I think,"

James nodded chuckling and pointed to the next in line. "Hannah, Abbot. Fifth year Hufflepuff, witch, pureblood, from just outside Lancaster. I want to know how to protect my family and friends."

Now he was pointing to their side of the isle, and indicated Kara. She stood "Kara Smith, from the Newark New Jersey Independent Coven. No idea about my blood line, sorry. To my infinite surprise I find myself a witch. I hope to learn some magic and how to defend myself."

He pointed to her next, and she felt a touch of anxiety, though she couldn't really discern why. She pressed on as confidently as possible. "I'm Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor prefect. If we're talking about label's…female magical and therefore a witch, muggleborn from London, I'm sixteen, and hope to learn about…" She paused here a touch sheepishly. "Well everything honestly." The class which was familiar with her legendarily insatiable hunger for knowledge, chuckled appreciatively.

James just nodded reassuringly. "An Admirable goal." Then pointed to Harry.

"I'm Harry Potter the other Gryffindor prefect, Half-Blooded, a wizard though I wasn't raised as one. Fifteen, and I need to know how to fight dark magics of any kind." Harry reported in a stoically respectful tone.

James once again paused here. "Ah, , I bet you do at that, you've caused quite a stir recently. Even I heard about it, and that's saying something. Looking for tricks to help you fight Voldemort?" He asked casually, and a few stifled gasps went around the class room. Hermione had hardly ever heard anyone who could say Voldemort's name without fear. Harry nodded his agreement. "Now, next one, you…" James said firmly, and pointed.

It continued thusly around the room for a time until he had touched on everyone's background. He then clapped his hands and rolled to his feet. "All righty then. I have a question for you guys. Why do we limited ourselves?" He waited expectantly and was met with confused expressions at this apparent non-sequitur. He smiled thinly when he didn't receive an immediate response, "Let me clarify with an example then." He pointed to her, "Hermione Granger, Gryffindor prefect, witch, muggleborn from London, who hopes to learn about everything." He listed off. "Here's some labels she missed. Human, from the United Kingdom, European, from Earth, the Sol Solar System on the Orion Cygnus Arm of the Milkyway Galaxy, Universe 00." He rattled off quickly, smiling slightly at those last few. "She also didn't use any racial, ethnic or religious profiles. Why? Or more precisely which of these labels should she have focused on most heavily if any of them?" He asked the class.

She pondered that quickly and raised her hand, and he pointed to her. "If I had to pick a general label to define myself by…I suppose I'd have to pick human, as it defines me as broadly as possible without losing so much specificity as to become meaningless. At least on the scale you offered."

He smiled. "I was being a bit ridiculous I admit, but still that's an excellent answer. In all the classes I've had today you're the first to say that." He spread his hands as he paced in front of the class. "Alright, now how does this little exercise relate to Defence Against the Dark Arts?"

Hermione had to admit she was uncertain as to the point of all this, and he continued undaunted. "Let me try asking you a question then. How do you fight the Dark Arts or Dark Creatures? In broad terms?" He asked.

Tracy raised her hand uncertainly. "With Magic?"

He nodded a bit but appeared to be waiting for a different answer. Hermione was surprised when Harry raised his hand. "By any means available to you at the time." He said simply. At this the professor stopped his pacing sharply, freezing, before allowing a slow smile to spread across his face.

He pointed to Harry, "Excellent, just the answer I was looking for . Fifteen Points to Gryffindor" He turned back to the rest of the class. "He's right. Why when you are fighting for your life would you limit yourself? Why fight Darkness with only with your wand and the magic in your blood?" Then shrugged. "Sure, you're all gifted with a powerful natural weapon, why not use it? But what I'm asking is this. Why ignore everything else, every other option available to you out of hand?" Hermione herself leaned in intrigued by where the professor seemed to be going. He spread his hands slightly as he paced a bit more. "That is something I will be teaching you about in this class. It is part of the reason why there is muggle "tech" in here." He said biting out the word tech a touch sharply. "I will be teaching you how to fight the Dark Arts with every method I was able to dig up." He said happily clapping his hands together again.

This raised a number of questions for Hermione, however she asked the one which was most pressing in her mind. "Will these other methods be covered in our O. ?"

He chuckled and rocked his head a little bit. "Some, but certainly not all. I understand your concern Miss Granger, but frankly my problem isn't to get you through an exam. Not even one as important as your O. …" He noted her worried expression. "My job, is first and foremost to ensure that you can effectively fight and survive the Dark Arts." He watched their reactions, which seemed to vary from intrigue to skepticism. "Let me give you some examples of what I'll be teaching you. "What do you all know of precast magics, Magecraft and ritual magic?

Predictably Hermione's hand shot in the air, she failed to notice how close her hand had come to Harry's face on it's way up, and James gave a thin smile before he pointed to her. "By precast magic are you talking about a suspended casting? Speaking the incantation giving a spell form, and then not releasing the magic till later?" She asked curious. "Magecraft is a myth sir, at least according to every text I've ever read, and ritual magic is any magic which requires time and preparation to cast, sometimes involving the use of runes and potions as well." She said reciting dutifully.

He nodded thoughtfully. "No, this time I was not referring to a suspended cast, though it is a fascinating technique I assure you. I was actually talking about magic which requires no magic, or indeed magical blood to use in the first place, as it has already consumed the energy from elsewhere prior to casting." He said, and saw startled and confused looks. He marched over to his desk and pulled a scroll of parchment from one of the drawers. "This scroll has been inscribed with the incantation, and runes of a spell. It has not been done in special ink or anything like that, the enchanter merely imbued the page in such a way with his own energy that it carries it with it up until one does this." He unrolled the scroll pointed himself towards the wall and spoke the words on the page. "Lumos Maxima," He cried firmly, and the scroll ignited a beam of light from its centre which struck the wall, the glare was strong enough to make Harry shield his eyes. "Finite" the spell cut out. James was looking about happily. "That spell was enchanted onto this scroll over a hundred years ago, by a wizard who is long since dead, the energy stored in the enchantments on the scroll was initiated by him so long ago, but now regenerates on its own, a self contained unit." He explained. "Oh, by the way, this scroll wont be usable again for say another week, but it took no energy from me in order to do it's work, it didn't even require willpower and intent really. I just unrolled the scroll, aimed it and spoke the words." He reported. "But here, I want to show you I'm not messing with you, how about you come up here and help me demonstrate." He requested and Harry complied. "Here's your scroll it's a stun spell so please don't point it at me," he noted chuckling, "Aim at the wall same place I did, and speak the incantation." He instructed.

Harry stood uncertainly for a moment standing facing the wall as he unrolled the scroll and read the inscriptions. "Stupefy!" He exclaimed, and appeared surprised when the red bolt of light streaked across the room into the wall with a dull thump

"Now Harry, did you feel any drain on your magic?" the professor asked evenly.

"No, not even a little." Harry agreed shooting Hermione a look which suggested he was impressed.

"Excellent take a seat." James instructed taking the scroll he'd handed to Harry. "Now then there is a benefit, or perhaps an advantage to this kind of magic, can you guess, yes miss Patil?" He asked Pavrati.

She looked thoughtful, "Anyone could use it, even a muggle couldn't they?" She asked.

He nodded in agreement. "Take five points, yes even a muggle can use magic when in the possession of such an item." He agreed. "It draws no magic, nor does it require willpower and intent beyond aiming and saying the words. A Witch or wizard need not fear magical exhaustion and a muggle could use it as easily as they. The only limit one need concern ones self in regards to precast magic is legality. While it is perfectly legal to make precast magic, it is however tightly controlled by ministry regulation. Obviously no one wants this kind of thing falling into muggle hands." He noted dryly. The class was scribbling notes furiously at this. "Now then that brings me to the next topic, ritual magic. It is indeed as Miss. granger described any magic which takes time and preparation to cast and has often involved the use of runes and potions. Now then Miss Granger, what is the advantage of ritual magic over standard magics, what are it's disadvantages?" he asked.

She paused before she answered cautiously, to make sure she didn't make mistakes. "Ritual magic has the advantage of power, a ritual spell is almost always many orders of magnitude stronger than one cast normally. However it has several disadvantages, almost all ritual magics require you to remain relatively stationary or at least within a casting circle." She noted. "They also take a significant amount of time to prepare, and are easy to make mistakes with as they are, by design, highly precise…" She trailed off as she ran out of relevant things to say.

"Correct, take another five points, now all of you get that down. Advantages? Strength or power. Disadvantages? Time consuming and highly vulnerable to failure." He remarked. "Now then last of those three I mentioned."

"Magecraft? What is it? Besides being a myth as Miss Granger says, what do our textbooks tell us?" He asked. Only Hermione found herself raising a hand. "The art of Wandless Magic, without the use of even an incantation." She said, and Harry gave a start beside her. James noticed it and nodded to him imperceptibly. "Mages were said to be those so talented in magic they could cast as effortlessly this way, as we do with a wand, to the extent they forsook the use of wands almost entirely." She said.

James nodded. "And what do you think Harry? You reacted oddly when she made her explanation." He said and Hermione looked at Harry interested.

"I—I don't know that's true, at least not entirely, it required an incantation, and it wasn't as focused but I managed intentional wandless magic twice, I'm not exceptionally powerful, but I was able to cast a Patronus with little difficulty at least magic wise, the focus and intent were harder." Harry explained.

Even James looked a little surprised at that answer. "Really? Could you demonstrate do you think?" He asked curious.

"I believe so sir?" He said, he'd done it for the court, after all. He stood and did as before, focus, reaching out his hand drawing on his magic and then saying the incantation. This time when the stag exploded from his outstretched hand it was even better than the last time, it was far more coherent, not entirely corporeal like his normal wand cast, but still more solid than anticipated. A few of the girls in the room actually oohed watching it. The stag cantered about the room then disappeared.

The professor clapped, "Excellent, ten points to Gryffindor," He growled happily. "This is not Magecraft, it is however damned close, and as close as anyone gets these days. What Harry just managed is something even the higher echelons of magical society struggle with. Magecraft is not a question of power, it's a question of willpower, focus and intent. True Magecraft, the kind which hasn't been seen in over five hundred years? Is without even an incantation. A mage's will so strong that merely willing something to happen allowed it to occur. Now first of all why would people believe it to be a myth? What would the advantages be? And what would the disadvantages be?" He asked pacing in front of the class as Harry returned to his chair. Hermione gave his hand a quick squeeze and a proud smile, which had his heart hammering double time, before putting her hand up.

"The only reasons I can think of for it being believed a myth is because it is extremely rare if it does exist." She speculated. "Advantages? Effortless casting with practice, if it is in fact possible, and you think it with enough intent and such…you can do it." She guess sounding intrigued by the possibility. "Disadvantages? Difficult to focus into a coherent spell perhaps? And if it became near effortless, the accidents could be almost constant." She guessed.

The professor smiled. "Correct, or rather correct enough. Here is what I know, Mages did and do perhaps still exist, they are however incredibly rare…Why? Because they are incredibly dangerous, many of their young were claimed by their own lack of focus, losing control of their magic and dying. But for another reason as well, let's see if you can guess it after my clue. The last two mages of any kind in wizarding Britain were Merlin, and Morgan Le Fey and they were considered minor mages." He said.

The class rumbled in disquiet at that, Merlin and Morgan were practically deities by the standards of most in wizarding Britain now. Harry raised his hand because to him the answer was patently obvious. "They were too powerful, they were hunted down, because they could do things other magicals could only dream of." He said.

James nodded solemnly. "The battles between Merlin and Morgan were legendary in Britain, but those two stunted children were nothing compared to their ancestors. The legends of cities being wiped out, islands being sunken beneath the waves, rains of fire, floods that covered the known world? Those are the things a truly powerful mage could theoretically have unleash, and so as Harry said, they were hunted. By the time Merlin and Morgan came around most of the old bloodlines were ended either by infighting within their own ranks or by other magical hunters. Soon enough, only a dozen or so individuals remained, then none. Sometimes those fortunate to be born with a chance of birth that grants them power or greater focus and willpower can achieve what did, but even that is a dim shadow of Magecraft." He said solemnly.

"Now then as much as I wish I could teach you Magecraft, or even what Harry managed. I can't, either you have the gift or you don't, but I will be teaching you some other things, I will be teaching you others ways Humans have learned to fight the Dark Arts. But because class is drawing to an end, I will give you three assignments…don't worry they are easy," He assured them when they groaned at the number. "First is simple, think about ways other than magic to say…kill a Vampire, write them down for me." He suggested. "I will ask what you come up with next class," He said. "And the other task? Go to the front door of the school and run from one end of the bridge to the other and back say four times." He instructed. Everyone exchanged confused looks. "I'll explain why next class, and how I'll know if you did or did not do it." He said smiling thinly. "Finally read one chapter of this." He hauled a box up onto his desk and cracked the lid before holding up one of the books in question. The Art of War by Sun Tzu. He paced back in front of his desk, "Harry could you stay for a moment after class please?" He asked. Harry nodded and came to the front of the class, Hermione followed him as she sought out her copy of the text. The rest of the class save herself and Kara dutifully filed out upon collecting their new book. While she was intrigued that they'd be studying a muggle text, she was more interested in what was being said between Harry and James.

James waited until the door closed behind the others. "First of all Harry, may I say it is a pleasure to meet you, you and your friends make waves, and it will be interesting to see what you manage in my year here." He said and shook Harry's hand. "Second I understand that though you intend to try testing out next week, you will still be attending my classes either way, as I am guessing this has to do with your fight against a certain Dark Lord, I will ask if you require anything additional from me, tutoring, private lessons, anything?" He asked.

Harry thought about that. "I'd certainly like to learn more about alternative fighting techniques, I'll give it some thought, and maybe you could teach me more in-depth about some of the things you talk about in class?" He suggested.

Professor Miller smiled. "Gladly. All you have to do is ask." He agreed. "Now one last thing I was wondering about, just to sate my own curiosity eh?" He asked. "I'd like to test the extent of your abilities in Wandless casting a little, it's a useful talent to have so if you can do it on command?" He trailed off letting Harry fill in the blanks.

"Then it would be worth learning, especially for me. I couldn't be so easily disarmed if I can do wandless magic whenever." Harry finished for him. "I'd be willing to give it a shot, what do you want me to try?"

"Excellent. Here's the plan I want you to hold your arm close to your chest fingers splayed however you like, and I want you to throw your arm out toward that section of wall I had you shoot the scroll at earlier, when you throw out your arm I want you to think, not say, the spell." he suggested "Oh and just do a stunner this time, it's a little easier than a Patronus." he said.

Harry did as instructed, as he paced into position he shot Hermione a look, before turning back to the wall. First drawing his hand to his chest and the throwing it out fingers clawed slightly and thought the word stupefy as hard as he could. It was weak but a small flash of light erupted from his fingers and shot into the wall. Hermione beamed at him shooting him a thumbs up.

"Excellent, you really do have a talent for this, what I want you to do, is simple, practice doing that, just that for next class, we'll see if we can't push you a little further next time." Professor Miller said smiling easily. "Now you'd best head out, wouldn't want you to miss supper."

Harry grabbed a copy of the book for himself before pacing out into the hallway.

—-

Which brings us back to Hermione, distracted and concerned. Harry had just demonstrated an ability few in their world managed at forty let alone at the age of fifteen. It confirmed something she'd always suspected. Despite his assertions to the contrary, Harry was powerful. Perhaps even more so than Dumbledore himself. Along with the intriguing direction the DADA course was taking, it caused her a great deal of consternation.

Harry was different than he had been, and she couldn't put it down to the things she had discovered about him. This was not merely a side effect of last year or his abuse at the hands of the Dursleys, he was different now. He was more physically and magically capable than he should be, and was more mature mentally as well. His emotional scars were easily understood, but these other things were not. It seemed she had more investigating to do if she intended to get to the bottom of the mystery which was Harry Potter.

—-

An hour or so later, Harry put down his fork with a sigh, "Alright Hermione, what is it? I'm trying to eat here you know?" He complained lightly, giving the startled girl a significant look.

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

"You've been staring at me for the last half hour, it's starting to freak me out a little." He noted dryly raising an eyebrow at her.

She blushed a bit and looked at her plate, which was practically untouched. "Sorry, it's nothing, I was just thinking…"

"And how is that any different from normal?" Harry asked.

Kara was chuckling. "Hermione if looks could kill and all that your stare woulda' peeled Harry's clothes off you were staring so hard."

Hermione blushed even harder and hissed at the girl who was despite all appearances rapidly becoming her friend. "I most certainly was not!"

A giggle sounded from over Harry's shoulder "She always looks at Harry that way," They gave a collective start and turned to see Luna standing there expectantly smiling, yup still dreamily at them. She waved a hand airily at the spot beside Harry, "Would you mind If I sat here?" She asked.

Harry just smiled, "Go ahead," He knew they were already catching odd looks for letting her near them, but he could have cared less. She sat happily beside him as a plate appeared on the table in front of her. It seemed the Elves were on the ball tonight.

"As I was saying, Hermione always looks at Harry Like that. However I suspect the staring has more to do with her trying to figure out all the changes in her friend since last term." Luna noted happily as she forked a load of cooked peas onto her plate.

Harry nodded, not at all surprised that Luna had picked up on something, Hermione however was looking flabbergasted. Harry decided to spare her the embarrassment this conversation was causing and struck out for something easier to discuss. "How's your first day back been so far Luna?" He asked steadily.

She shrugged. "Okay I suppose, the fairies took my things again."

Harry nodded grimacing and shooting the Ravenclaws a pointed look. A couple of them actually blanched. "I'll make a note to keep an eye out for anything I think might belong to you." Harry promised. Hermione was nodding along, at first appearing vexed by the mention of fairies then catching on when she remembered somebody had been taking Luna's things. "What'd you like to eat Luna?"

She looked about hopefully. "Pudding?"

Hermione dutifully handed the bowl across to the small willowy Ravenclaw. They ate and chatted for a time, clearing their plates and each having a small helping of desert. Harry had to note in private however that in all likelihood Luna had hollow legs to eat that much pudding.

It was near the end of things as platters were starting to disappear from the tables and back to the kitchens that Professor Mcgonagall approached them. "Ah, , I see you've invited a guest to Gryffindor Table, lovely to see you Miss Lovegood. if you would accompany me to my office we can speak about that matter we were discussing." She requested primly.

Harry nodded easily wiping his mouth with his napkin and clambered off the bench to follow her. With the assurances of the others that they would meet him back in the common room, he departed at a trot to keep up with the professor.

Mcgonagall's Office was as ever one and the same as her classroom. The room itself had been thoroughly cleared away of the detritus from the day. As she passed a set of tartan patterned chairs she waved airily to one of them, " , if you would have a seat? We can begin." He murmured his thanks as he seated himself across from her. She sat a moment later and began considering him over the tops of her glasses, lips pursed in an expression Harry was never certain was positive or negative. Eventually she nodded shortly. " , the necessary documents have gone through to allow you to take your testing next week." She passed as he let out a somewhat relieved breath. "However I would appreciate having the chance to discuss the matter in more detail before we proceed."

Harry could understand that, and so nodded amiably. "Of course Professor, what do you wish to know?"

She grimaced slightly, "Your demeanour has changed significantly since last term, particularly in regards to the headmaster. However more importantly, I am…confused as to why you believe this measure necessary and why suddenly believe yourself capable of completing the exams intended for a year you have yet to complete."

He considered that, given his historically lacklustre study habits and behaviours her confusion was merited, however he obviously couldn't explain the true reason for his change in demeanour as it would possibly result in his soul being immolated on the spot. Fired Harry Kebabs anyone? "I'll start with the first question I think. Why do I feel this is necessary? Professor, it may not have begun in earnest yet, but quite frankly we are at war. The enemy faction desires me dead seemingly above all else." She nodded understanding. "And what am I doing with my time? I'm sitting in a school, studying the basics of magic, in many case in fields such as Divination which have next to no bearing on my survival in such a conflict. My intent is simply to test out of courses not critical to surviving this war." She frowned but nodded, after all her course was one which he would be attempting to test out of. He leaned forward somewhat in his chair, deciding to take a chance. "Professor if I might speak with you in confidence I would ask you a question?"

"That would depend on what you wish to ask would it not ?" She noted shrewdly.

He nodded easily enough, "It has to do with the Order among other things."

She sighed, casually adjusting a bauble on her desk, and increasing the privacy screens around her office. "Very well ."

Harry considered her narrowly for a moment, Minerva Mcgonagall's loyalty to Dumbledore was while steadfast not so absolute that she would not question him when the situation warranted it. "Has Dumbledore seen fit to reveal just what is in the Prophesy you lot are guarding?"

She gave a start and glared at him hawkishly, "And just how do you know about that?" She demanded harshly.

He feigned a bored expression and began ticking things off on his fingers. "The prophesy was written in full to me in the last words attached to my parents will. Between that, an overheard conversations about "Guard Duty" while I was at Grimmauld place, and the funny reaction an Order member had when I mentioned the Department of Mysteries it wasn't rocket science to figure out. You, the Order that is are guarding something in the Department of Mysteries. Now what in the Department could be of interest to Voldemort, so soon after reading that prophesy myself it seemed obvious to me."

She grimaced, cursing the Weasley twins and their extendable ears. She would have bet her last galleon they had something to do with that overheard conversation he had just mentioned. She would need to discuss improving security whenever those two were around with Albus. She sighed, sagging slightly in her seat and rubbed at the bridge of her nose. "No , I do not know the precise details of that prophesy, I merely know it exists, that You-Know-Who is hunting it, and that the incomplete reading of it is the reason he hunted your parents.

Harry nodded, that response was more forthcoming than he had come to expect from any of the staff at Hogwarts, he appreciated it. "I understand, but I think perhaps you should know what it is precisely you lot are protecting" He then quoted the prophesy in question, he'd thought about it enough over the years to be able to quote it from memory alone.

When he finished he noted the stricken expression on the professors face. "I am expected…no required, to fight the most powerfully evil bastard the wizarding world has seen since ancient times, and yet I am here, learning how to levitate things and tend plants." he noted a touch sardonically. "I think given what I know it would be fool hardy of me to continue as if nothing had changed, don't you?"

Minerva while not entirely pleased with the salty way in which Harry had explained himself, never the less found the issue much clearer. "I believe I begin to understand your perspective . However I admit to being curious as to just what you intend to do with all the time which will be freed up?"

He nodded sharply. "I will be practicing Defence Against the Dark art, and I will ask Professor Flitwick for guidance on duelling, I will work with Professor Babbling on runes and ward crafting…by the way why didn't anyone tell me about my families specialty?" He asked, stopping abruptly.

Mcgonagall was beginning to get a bit of a headache from all the oversights in Harry's upbringing. She'd already spent one evening in recent memory upbraiding Albus on the matter, it might have been coming time for her to do so again. "I apologize Harry, It should have occurred to me given recent revelations that you had not been informed."

He nodded his thanks, then continued from where he had left off. "Otherwise I will be managing what resources my family left behind and will begin hunting for clues as to how to beat Voldemort. I may look into teaching others close to me what I know of how to defend oneself. Sound like a worthwhile plan?" He asked.

For a time they sat in silence while the austere woman considered everything she had been told. Finally she nodded. "Very well . I will agree, as you seem to have given this all due consideration. I assume you have been studying what you will need for the O. ?"He nodded readily. "Then your testing will begin on Monday. However I should inform you that the Headmaster is somewhat put out you did not approach him personally about this, nor about the fact that Goblins and Gringotts representatives will be visiting the premises tomorrow." She noted dryly.

Harry sighed. He was getting tired of being questioned on his attitude towards Dumbledore "I respect Professor Dumbledore, both for his history in fighting the Dark Arts, and his abilities and goals. However I believe he has categorically mismanaged my life up to this point. Perhaps in time I will consult with him more closely, if he earns my trust again. However I will, I believe for the time being, be seeing to my own affairs personally."

"Understood ."Very well you have been duly excused from classes tomorrow, as have Miss Granger and Miss Smith, this is in anticipation of the likely event that you will be seeking their guidance. Should this be enough to allow you to handle these matters you wish to discuss?"

She was surprised when Harry chuckled a bit. She didn't know it but he'd received the next days itinerary in regards to the meetings from Director Ragnok that morning. If things went according to plan he would be meeting with Ragnok just prior to breakfast, and would meet with the other representatives the majority of the following morning and afternoon. Sadly he couldn't arrange to meet with the Dark Artifacts expert that same day, that would have to wait until the following week. "Professor, do you think you and the other staff might be willing to come meet with the Director tomorrow before breakfast? It's nothing critical you understand, it's just you might find what is being discussed interesting.

She hadn't known that it was the Director of Gringotts who was coming in person, if that was the case then this meeting might indeed be something worth attending. "Just what are you up to ?" She asked rhetorically not really expecting an answer. "Very well, at the very least I will be in the entrance hall before breakfast." She assured him. "Now, if there is nothing else, you should really go and study and prepare for your evening patrols." She noted and the boy dutifully pushed to his feet.

"Have a good evening Professor, see you in the morning."

—-

Harry closed the door to the Transfiguration class room and just about jumped out of his skin. "Wotcher Harry,"

Harry patted his chest grimacing at his accelerated heartbeat. Wouldn't that be ironic to suffer a heart attack and die because of not paying attention to who was just around the corner?

Tonks was leaning against the wall beside the door. Tonight her hair was a spiky electric blue, and she wore her usual black trench coat over what for all appearances was an outfit more suited to a muggle punk rocker. "Hey Tonks, we didn't see you at dinner." He noted wryly.

She made a face, "Yeah, had to deal with some business before coming back on duty, grabbed a bite while I was at it." Whatever had garnered her attention had been unpleasant, if her expression was any indicator.

"So, oh lovely lady Thou-Shalt-Not-Say-My-Name Tonks? I assume you would not have lurked, waiting in ambush, were it not something important?" He teased, trying to get her back for startling him.

She snickered a bit, for a kid Harry wasn't half bad, even when he was finding roundabout ways to poke fun at her name. "Sure Boy-Who-Died-Of-A-Heart-Attack, I actually came to ask you if you still wanted to keep up with the duelling practices now that you're here at school?"

He nodded as he thought on that, "I was intending to get some lesson from Flitcwick on duelling, but I'd be more than happy to practice with you whenever you feel up to it. Assuming your arthritis isn't acting up…"He teased, bumping her with his shoulder.

"Oy, I'm only six years older than you buster!" She barked, pretending offence. "Plenty young enough to take you on." She challenged.

"Promises, promises." Harry shot back laughing.

She narrowed her eyes. "Tonight then, you feel like a bout or two before you go on patrols?"

He shrugged easily, "Sure, sounds good to me."

She grinned, she wasn't going to go easy on him tonight for that age comment. "Excellent, look forward to it. That brings me to my next little problem though." he gestured for her to go ahead. "Your patrols, you're a prefect, god have mercy on your soul. But it means you've got responsibilities, I can't protect you very well if I'm not there as much as possible outside of the time Dumbles wants me guarding the Castle. Would you mind terribly if I kept you company on your walkabouts?"

"Not at all, sure that you don't mind being up that late? I hear the elderly need more sleep." He asked, then dodged the boot which she aimed playfully at him.

"You're gonna pay for that one Harry," She promised, he just waggled his eyebrows at her insolently. "Great, a regular comedian." She muttered. "Tell me mini-marauder, you know this place's ins and outs right?" He nodded agreement. "You know where we could practice duelling without ticking off Filch?"

Harry grinned broadly, he knew just the place.

Author's Notes:

Please Review, Comment, ask questions, and make predictions. These things help me keep at what I'm doing.