Okay guys, sorry it's taking me so long to update, but school is hectic and I'm a sorta slow typer. But yes, thank you for being so patient with me. You have been rewarded with an extra long chappie! Your reviews have really helped! Like seriously. Okay, now on with the next chapter!
Chapter 9- Practice and Pain
***********
"Oompf!" Harry bounced off of Snape and fell with a 'thud' on the floor in front of the Fat Lady. He probably could've cleared a bit more ink off of his glasses before coming out.
"Oh dear! Are you alright?" The Fat Lady asked Harry with motherly concern. Harry tried to catch his breath, as he felt someone picking him up none-too-gently off the floor.
"Watch where you're going, Potter!" Snape's cold voice rung in Harry's ear. Harry waited for a deduction of house points that frighteningly never came. "What is this you're covered in, Potter?!"
"G-gobstone ink, sir." Why wasn't Snape deducting points?
"There iss hope with you, Harry...Sssseverus Ssssnape knowsss you have information that can lead to the destruction of Voldemort. So there isss hope."
Harry cocked his head at his potions teacher in a confused way. Snape had hope in him? He must be in a parallel universe or something. Things didn't add up. //Maybe I am dead, or I'm in St. Mungo's, in a coma and all this is my imagination...// What was going on here?
Snape pointed his wand at Harry. //Oh Gods he's going to kill me!// "Scourgify!" Harry was clean and free of all the sticky ink, and he could see again. "You need lessons in hygiene, Potter." Okay, that was definitely a Snape thing to say. Maybe he wan't in St. Mungo's. "Follow me, Potter, and hurry up!" Snape was quickly striding away from the Gryffindor portrait hole with the Fat Lady scowling after him and making 'tsk-tsk' noises.
Harry had to jog to keep up with Snape's striding pace. He wasn't sure he wanted to be wherever Snape was taking him, especially in such a hurry, but he was more afraid of what Snape would do to him if he fell behind.
It took about two minutes for Harry to realize that they were on the way to Dumbledore's office. He breathed easier and didn't worry too much about the dark man he was following after so quickly. Snape wouldn't do anything in front of Dumbledore, or in front of anyone Dumbledore may have up there. He sufficiently calmed down enough to regain his composure by the time they were in front of Dumbledore's door. Harry noticed how quiet it seemed, and wondered where all the people he had seen the previous days were.
"Go in, Potter."
Harry was feeling brazen, if not a bit curious, in front of Dumbledore's office, and he gave Snape a quizzical look. Snape merely glared coldly back at him, practically forcing Harry into the office with his stare. Harry didn't need persuasion to enter the room.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir?"
"Ah, Harry! Thank you so much for coming. Please come in. Have a seat," Dumbledore told him. He was fixing a pot of tea and motioned Harry to a comfy chair. "You too, Severus. No use skulking outside."
Harry looked behind him unpleasantly as Snape entered the room in all his bat-like glory. He hadn't thought Snape would be present for whatever was going down. What was happening? Where were all the people that had been causing such commotion up here? Harry took a seat down in a chair as far away from another as possible. He wasn't willingly going to sit by his most loathed teacher.
He was fortunate that Snape took a stand by one of Albus' many bookcases, frowning as usual.
"Care for some tea, Harry?" Dumbledore handed Harry a cup of steaming, aromatic liquid, and he took an appreciative sip. "Severus?" Snape merely lessened his frown in reply. Dumbledore smiled, and poured himself a cup. He noticed that Harry appeared to be interested in a piece of dust floating somewhere behind him, and figured he was watching a Dractnox. "Do you know why I've summoned you here, Harry?"
"For more information?" Harry saw the headmaster's eyes twinkle and wondered if he had guessed correctly. If so, where was everybody?
"Actually, Harry, I wanted to speak to you about something more personal, concerning one of your schoolmates." Harry got a sinking feeling in his stomach, and took in some more tea to calm himself, which was doing a nice fine job. He gave Dumbledore an apprehensive look, and thoughts of endangering his friends entered his mind.
Some of his fear must have shown on his face, as he realized Dumbledore was studying him very carefully. "Sir?"
"Harry, it has come to my attention that certain students are..." Dumbledore glanced over at Snape, "...in danger." Harry folded his hands around his cup in an effort to steady his shaking hands. Ron. Hermione. Ginny. Neville...was this all his doing? Were they in danger?
Dumbledore continued. "There has been news that Voldemort is accepting younger recruits -boys and girls your age- into his circle. Students here, as a matter of fact. Some of which we know all too well." His eyes flicked to Snape again, who seemed to be concentrating hard on Harry. "Many of these students will be forced to face Voldemort when their initiation time comes, and any with conflicting ideas will be killed on the spot. I have summoned you forth, Harry, because this majorly affects how our plans with your information will be carried out. The lives of your peers must be taken into account."
//Okay, as long as Ron and Hermione are alright//
"But what do you need me for, Professor Dumbledore?" Harry didn't quite understand what Dumbledore was asking of him, but was pretty sure his friends were safe as long as he complied.
"Harry, you possess an amazing gift-"
//Don't let Snape know! It's a secret!//
"-and I want you to be prepared for what may be coming. There are certain skills I believe would be beneficial for you to learn, and I believe Professor Snape here to be the best person for the job."
Harry looked at Snape, Snape glared at him, and inwardly Harry laughed at himself. The irony was cruel and icy, and he wondered what fate had in store for him.
"There are a few things, Harry, that you can learn which will help you better understand and control your skills," Dumbledore told him. "But as always, I must implore upon you the consequences should Voldemort be notified of your new training."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
Dumbledore sipped his tea with a wide grin. Harry was always surprising him. He only hoped that Harry and Snape would be able to work together without killing each other.
"You have one week. Then the initiation starts."
***********
Later that night, Harry left Snape's office having been informed of all the new skills he would be learning. He was more than tired, and felt that his brain would explode if he was told any more information.
He was to learn Occlumency, so he could hide his true thoughts, and Dractnox answers, from Voldemort; Legilimency, in such a form in which he could speak with the Dractnoxes mentally, instead of out loud; and Egrilimency, so that he could protect himself from mental attacks, such as the Imperious Curse. It was the sort of skill Harry didn't feel he especially needed, but not wanting to argue with Snape, he just nodded and tried his best. He was very glad when the first session was over, and even more grateful that tomorrow was Sunday.
So it was with a great sense of contentment that Harry walked the cool corridors back to the Gryffindor common room. Snape had even given him a note to be out of bed so late, and the sheer peculiarity of Snape's actions towards him had given Harry more than enough reason to respectfully partake in his new training.
Bed was what Harry wanted. A good twelve hours of sleep and his four-poster in his dorm. He only hoped that Ron and Hermione didn't wait up for him. He was in no mood for questions.
"What are you doing out of bed?" Draco Malfoy's voice came from somewhere behind Harry. Fate definitely had it in for him.
"I'd like to ask you the same question." Harry really didn't feel like dealing with Malfoy now. He was tired, mentally and physically, and didn't want to play games with him.
Malfoy stepped out of the shadows he had been lurking in, and looked Harry right in the eye. They stared at each other for a little while, before Harry spoke.
"Where are you going, Malfoy?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I have an appointment with my father."
"For what? At this time of night?"
Harry saw something in Malfoy's eyes momentarily change, and then revert to his normal, Malfoy glare.
"Nothing."
Harry studied him for a while more. It didn't take questioning the Dractnox for Harry to realize what Malfoy's "appointment" was about. Malfoy would most likely be among the first recruits to enter Voldemort's new circle. The real question at hand was: did he want it?
"Do you realize what you're doing, Draco?"
Malfoy bristled at Harry for using his given name. He was also unnerved that Harry may know what he was doing.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Harry was tired, and he didn't like these word games. "Just think for a moment about what you're doing. And what will happen, and do you even want it?" Harry turned to go, but hesitated and addressed Malfoy again. "You don't always have to live up to what everyone else expects." And he turned and left Malfoy there in the corridor. Whether he actually went to see his father, or if he stayed, Harry didn't know, and he didn't wish to find out.
***********
"Har-ry!"
"Mmnnnnhmm..."
"Get up! You're already half an hour late for Quidditch practice!"
"Mm hmm?"
"Wood is out in the pitch, having kittens!"
"What?" Harry snapped up in bed to be face to face with flaming red hair. "What is it, Ron? What time is it?"
"It's 5:30-"
"In the morning?!"
"-and Wood's been nothing but pure nutter! He's been hounding me to come up and get you!"
"Practice? Now?" Harry was waking more and more as this sank in, and that's not saying much being as how he got less than five hours of sleep.
"Yeah. I thought you knew. What time did you get in last night? Me and Hermione waited up for you, but you didn't show."
"What are you guys jabbering about at this hour?"
"Go back to sleep, Neville."
"Mhmm..."
"I got in past midnight..."
"Doing what?"
"Is there really practice? Now?"
"Yeah, come on."
***********
Practice ended around eight a.m., at which time Harry was fully exhausted and starving. Wood let them leave "early" as he had called it, on account of the fact that Ron had saved every goal, and that Harry had made every snitch catch in less than ten minutes. As soon as they left, Harry headed straight for the common room, and Ron straight for the kitchens. Ron would bring up some food to Harry later, and Harry found himself very grateful to be friends with the brother of Fred and George Wesley. All he wanted in the whole wide world was food and sleep. Sleep and rest and food and even more sleep after that.
Harry walked like a zombie through the portrait hole and into the common room. He was barely aware of the greetings he received from his fellow Gryffindors. It was only when Hermione grabbed him that he realized she was there.
"Harry," she said putting her hand to his forehead, "are you feeling alright?"
"I'm just a little tired. Wood had us up at 5:30 this morning, and practice just ended."
"You should get some sleep, Harry."
"I'll definitely do that."
"When did you get back last night?"
"Pretty late..."
"Ron thought Snape ate you or something. He was really worried. What did he say?" Hermione mused to herself. "Oh yes. He said that 'Snape would drink your blood and leave behind a pale Potter husk'. He kept going on about how we had to rescue you while there was still some blood left." Harry smiled wanly at Ron's enthusiasm. It would have been very funny if he wasn't so tired.
Hermione once again put her hand to his forehead and furrowed her brow. "Are you sure Snape didn't 'drink your blood'? You look pretty awful."
"I'm very, very exhausted, Hermione."
"What did you do last night? Where did you go?"
Harry didn't want to lie to one of his best friends, but looking at a Dractnox over Hermione's shoulder, he also didn't want to put her life in danger. He would just keep it as general as possible.
"I was working with Snape..."
"Doing what exactly?"
Harry cursed himself for believing that Hermione would just except his statement. "It's actually a pretty long story, and I'm really rather exhausted..."
"Well get up to bed, Harry. Right now! I won't have you falling asleep during classes tomorrow! Don't even think I'll let you boys copy my notes so close to testing time!"
Harry smiled at Hermione gratefully. He knew she saw right through him and that he didn't want to talk to her about where he had been. He also knew that she was aware that he could always ask the Dractnoxes questions, and that her threat wouldn't have been of much use. Afterall, she wanted them to get good marks. It was very decent of her not to press him for details about where he'd been, too. She hadn't needed to order him to bed either, but it was her concern for him that she had let him go. Overall, Harry appreciated just how smart Hermione really was.
As he climbed to his dorm and into his bed, he considered himself very fortunate to have such great friends.
***********
"Hermione! Just tell me what plants are needed for the Laetus potion and I'll leave you alone!"
"Ron!"
Harry's thought's had scattered from his head as he heard Ron and Hermione bickering again. Studying in the afternoon shade by the lake didn't seem to make Hermione any less tense when it came to Ron and free answers.
"Just one! Get me started!"
"Catnip is one of them, Ron! Now get working!" Ron quickly wrote down the plant and then stared at his book for no less than five minutes before he started to bug Hermione again. He had given up on asking Harry for questions when he had explained that he couldn't do that anymore lest someone should find out. Hermione had to suffer Ron's questions all by herself once more. "No, Ron! If you would just read the page, you would find it underneath 'Jasmine Seed'."
Harry simply looked out over the blue water of the lake. He tuned them out, hearing only ever so often a "Ron!" or "Hermione!" He averted his attention to the rippling water and could see the Hogwarts squid doing laps beneath the surface. It made his eyes droop and utter calm washed over his body. He lazily watched as Dractnoxes floated about minding their own business, the way they always did until harry questioned them. Then it was as if he were dealing with a collective whole; a chilly, gelatinous whole, but nonetheless, an interesting creature.
He pondered over his trainings with Snape. The man was ruthless when it came to teaching him his new skills, but Harry knew that if -he- didn't push himself hard, he might seriously endanger the ones he thought of as friends and family. It was only Tuesday, and, although exhausted, Harry was able to relay short questions to the Dractnoxes through his mind, and he had been successful in protecting himself from Snape's legilimens. He knew these were no mere games he was playing. Snape had attempted to make Harry reveal whatever he wanted by mentally attacking him with a spell called 'Mendacio'. It made Harry believe he was in a safe and happy place, with his friends and family, sort of like a dream. Harry was just about to tell his mum and dad something rather personal when he had 'woke up' from the lie that Snape had painted. Harry had thought at the time that it was very cruel, and had yelled at Snape for bringing his mum and dad into his training. Snape had let Harry yell, and then said right back that nothing would stop Voldemort from using such a remedial spell.
//And he's right. He's a mean old git, but he's right. They use that spell on prisoners all the time.//
Harry smiled to himself. Hermione would be proud that he remembered something from Binns' history class. He felt truly serene and calm out in the sunlight, by the glistening blue water, with his two best friends, and the world at his fingertips.
He got a funny tingling sensation from everything so calm around him. The sensation manifested itself as a sudden tingle on his forehead. He rubbed at it, and it burst into a blinding, searing, white-hot agony. He grasped his forehead and screamed in excruciating pain.
//Oh my God...I'm dying...//
*********************************
Ha ha ha! The Cliffhanger Queen strikes again! Was that a litle too over-dramatic? Did you get my little joke in the part where Harry was going to get Snape as his trainer? I am Fate. Ha ha ha ha! Okay, lame, I know.
Thank you to all my reviewers so far! I love and treasure you all! *hands out free cookies and punch* Hey, I'm not made of money, ya know? Cookies and Punch is all I could afford! Okay, well, just tell me what u thought, like if it was crappy, or anything, and hopefully my treats will get better!
Chapter 9- Practice and Pain
***********
"Oompf!" Harry bounced off of Snape and fell with a 'thud' on the floor in front of the Fat Lady. He probably could've cleared a bit more ink off of his glasses before coming out.
"Oh dear! Are you alright?" The Fat Lady asked Harry with motherly concern. Harry tried to catch his breath, as he felt someone picking him up none-too-gently off the floor.
"Watch where you're going, Potter!" Snape's cold voice rung in Harry's ear. Harry waited for a deduction of house points that frighteningly never came. "What is this you're covered in, Potter?!"
"G-gobstone ink, sir." Why wasn't Snape deducting points?
"There iss hope with you, Harry...Sssseverus Ssssnape knowsss you have information that can lead to the destruction of Voldemort. So there isss hope."
Harry cocked his head at his potions teacher in a confused way. Snape had hope in him? He must be in a parallel universe or something. Things didn't add up. //Maybe I am dead, or I'm in St. Mungo's, in a coma and all this is my imagination...// What was going on here?
Snape pointed his wand at Harry. //Oh Gods he's going to kill me!// "Scourgify!" Harry was clean and free of all the sticky ink, and he could see again. "You need lessons in hygiene, Potter." Okay, that was definitely a Snape thing to say. Maybe he wan't in St. Mungo's. "Follow me, Potter, and hurry up!" Snape was quickly striding away from the Gryffindor portrait hole with the Fat Lady scowling after him and making 'tsk-tsk' noises.
Harry had to jog to keep up with Snape's striding pace. He wasn't sure he wanted to be wherever Snape was taking him, especially in such a hurry, but he was more afraid of what Snape would do to him if he fell behind.
It took about two minutes for Harry to realize that they were on the way to Dumbledore's office. He breathed easier and didn't worry too much about the dark man he was following after so quickly. Snape wouldn't do anything in front of Dumbledore, or in front of anyone Dumbledore may have up there. He sufficiently calmed down enough to regain his composure by the time they were in front of Dumbledore's door. Harry noticed how quiet it seemed, and wondered where all the people he had seen the previous days were.
"Go in, Potter."
Harry was feeling brazen, if not a bit curious, in front of Dumbledore's office, and he gave Snape a quizzical look. Snape merely glared coldly back at him, practically forcing Harry into the office with his stare. Harry didn't need persuasion to enter the room.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir?"
"Ah, Harry! Thank you so much for coming. Please come in. Have a seat," Dumbledore told him. He was fixing a pot of tea and motioned Harry to a comfy chair. "You too, Severus. No use skulking outside."
Harry looked behind him unpleasantly as Snape entered the room in all his bat-like glory. He hadn't thought Snape would be present for whatever was going down. What was happening? Where were all the people that had been causing such commotion up here? Harry took a seat down in a chair as far away from another as possible. He wasn't willingly going to sit by his most loathed teacher.
He was fortunate that Snape took a stand by one of Albus' many bookcases, frowning as usual.
"Care for some tea, Harry?" Dumbledore handed Harry a cup of steaming, aromatic liquid, and he took an appreciative sip. "Severus?" Snape merely lessened his frown in reply. Dumbledore smiled, and poured himself a cup. He noticed that Harry appeared to be interested in a piece of dust floating somewhere behind him, and figured he was watching a Dractnox. "Do you know why I've summoned you here, Harry?"
"For more information?" Harry saw the headmaster's eyes twinkle and wondered if he had guessed correctly. If so, where was everybody?
"Actually, Harry, I wanted to speak to you about something more personal, concerning one of your schoolmates." Harry got a sinking feeling in his stomach, and took in some more tea to calm himself, which was doing a nice fine job. He gave Dumbledore an apprehensive look, and thoughts of endangering his friends entered his mind.
Some of his fear must have shown on his face, as he realized Dumbledore was studying him very carefully. "Sir?"
"Harry, it has come to my attention that certain students are..." Dumbledore glanced over at Snape, "...in danger." Harry folded his hands around his cup in an effort to steady his shaking hands. Ron. Hermione. Ginny. Neville...was this all his doing? Were they in danger?
Dumbledore continued. "There has been news that Voldemort is accepting younger recruits -boys and girls your age- into his circle. Students here, as a matter of fact. Some of which we know all too well." His eyes flicked to Snape again, who seemed to be concentrating hard on Harry. "Many of these students will be forced to face Voldemort when their initiation time comes, and any with conflicting ideas will be killed on the spot. I have summoned you forth, Harry, because this majorly affects how our plans with your information will be carried out. The lives of your peers must be taken into account."
//Okay, as long as Ron and Hermione are alright//
"But what do you need me for, Professor Dumbledore?" Harry didn't quite understand what Dumbledore was asking of him, but was pretty sure his friends were safe as long as he complied.
"Harry, you possess an amazing gift-"
//Don't let Snape know! It's a secret!//
"-and I want you to be prepared for what may be coming. There are certain skills I believe would be beneficial for you to learn, and I believe Professor Snape here to be the best person for the job."
Harry looked at Snape, Snape glared at him, and inwardly Harry laughed at himself. The irony was cruel and icy, and he wondered what fate had in store for him.
"There are a few things, Harry, that you can learn which will help you better understand and control your skills," Dumbledore told him. "But as always, I must implore upon you the consequences should Voldemort be notified of your new training."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
Dumbledore sipped his tea with a wide grin. Harry was always surprising him. He only hoped that Harry and Snape would be able to work together without killing each other.
"You have one week. Then the initiation starts."
***********
Later that night, Harry left Snape's office having been informed of all the new skills he would be learning. He was more than tired, and felt that his brain would explode if he was told any more information.
He was to learn Occlumency, so he could hide his true thoughts, and Dractnox answers, from Voldemort; Legilimency, in such a form in which he could speak with the Dractnoxes mentally, instead of out loud; and Egrilimency, so that he could protect himself from mental attacks, such as the Imperious Curse. It was the sort of skill Harry didn't feel he especially needed, but not wanting to argue with Snape, he just nodded and tried his best. He was very glad when the first session was over, and even more grateful that tomorrow was Sunday.
So it was with a great sense of contentment that Harry walked the cool corridors back to the Gryffindor common room. Snape had even given him a note to be out of bed so late, and the sheer peculiarity of Snape's actions towards him had given Harry more than enough reason to respectfully partake in his new training.
Bed was what Harry wanted. A good twelve hours of sleep and his four-poster in his dorm. He only hoped that Ron and Hermione didn't wait up for him. He was in no mood for questions.
"What are you doing out of bed?" Draco Malfoy's voice came from somewhere behind Harry. Fate definitely had it in for him.
"I'd like to ask you the same question." Harry really didn't feel like dealing with Malfoy now. He was tired, mentally and physically, and didn't want to play games with him.
Malfoy stepped out of the shadows he had been lurking in, and looked Harry right in the eye. They stared at each other for a little while, before Harry spoke.
"Where are you going, Malfoy?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I have an appointment with my father."
"For what? At this time of night?"
Harry saw something in Malfoy's eyes momentarily change, and then revert to his normal, Malfoy glare.
"Nothing."
Harry studied him for a while more. It didn't take questioning the Dractnox for Harry to realize what Malfoy's "appointment" was about. Malfoy would most likely be among the first recruits to enter Voldemort's new circle. The real question at hand was: did he want it?
"Do you realize what you're doing, Draco?"
Malfoy bristled at Harry for using his given name. He was also unnerved that Harry may know what he was doing.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Harry was tired, and he didn't like these word games. "Just think for a moment about what you're doing. And what will happen, and do you even want it?" Harry turned to go, but hesitated and addressed Malfoy again. "You don't always have to live up to what everyone else expects." And he turned and left Malfoy there in the corridor. Whether he actually went to see his father, or if he stayed, Harry didn't know, and he didn't wish to find out.
***********
"Har-ry!"
"Mmnnnnhmm..."
"Get up! You're already half an hour late for Quidditch practice!"
"Mm hmm?"
"Wood is out in the pitch, having kittens!"
"What?" Harry snapped up in bed to be face to face with flaming red hair. "What is it, Ron? What time is it?"
"It's 5:30-"
"In the morning?!"
"-and Wood's been nothing but pure nutter! He's been hounding me to come up and get you!"
"Practice? Now?" Harry was waking more and more as this sank in, and that's not saying much being as how he got less than five hours of sleep.
"Yeah. I thought you knew. What time did you get in last night? Me and Hermione waited up for you, but you didn't show."
"What are you guys jabbering about at this hour?"
"Go back to sleep, Neville."
"Mhmm..."
"I got in past midnight..."
"Doing what?"
"Is there really practice? Now?"
"Yeah, come on."
***********
Practice ended around eight a.m., at which time Harry was fully exhausted and starving. Wood let them leave "early" as he had called it, on account of the fact that Ron had saved every goal, and that Harry had made every snitch catch in less than ten minutes. As soon as they left, Harry headed straight for the common room, and Ron straight for the kitchens. Ron would bring up some food to Harry later, and Harry found himself very grateful to be friends with the brother of Fred and George Wesley. All he wanted in the whole wide world was food and sleep. Sleep and rest and food and even more sleep after that.
Harry walked like a zombie through the portrait hole and into the common room. He was barely aware of the greetings he received from his fellow Gryffindors. It was only when Hermione grabbed him that he realized she was there.
"Harry," she said putting her hand to his forehead, "are you feeling alright?"
"I'm just a little tired. Wood had us up at 5:30 this morning, and practice just ended."
"You should get some sleep, Harry."
"I'll definitely do that."
"When did you get back last night?"
"Pretty late..."
"Ron thought Snape ate you or something. He was really worried. What did he say?" Hermione mused to herself. "Oh yes. He said that 'Snape would drink your blood and leave behind a pale Potter husk'. He kept going on about how we had to rescue you while there was still some blood left." Harry smiled wanly at Ron's enthusiasm. It would have been very funny if he wasn't so tired.
Hermione once again put her hand to his forehead and furrowed her brow. "Are you sure Snape didn't 'drink your blood'? You look pretty awful."
"I'm very, very exhausted, Hermione."
"What did you do last night? Where did you go?"
Harry didn't want to lie to one of his best friends, but looking at a Dractnox over Hermione's shoulder, he also didn't want to put her life in danger. He would just keep it as general as possible.
"I was working with Snape..."
"Doing what exactly?"
Harry cursed himself for believing that Hermione would just except his statement. "It's actually a pretty long story, and I'm really rather exhausted..."
"Well get up to bed, Harry. Right now! I won't have you falling asleep during classes tomorrow! Don't even think I'll let you boys copy my notes so close to testing time!"
Harry smiled at Hermione gratefully. He knew she saw right through him and that he didn't want to talk to her about where he had been. He also knew that she was aware that he could always ask the Dractnoxes questions, and that her threat wouldn't have been of much use. Afterall, she wanted them to get good marks. It was very decent of her not to press him for details about where he'd been, too. She hadn't needed to order him to bed either, but it was her concern for him that she had let him go. Overall, Harry appreciated just how smart Hermione really was.
As he climbed to his dorm and into his bed, he considered himself very fortunate to have such great friends.
***********
"Hermione! Just tell me what plants are needed for the Laetus potion and I'll leave you alone!"
"Ron!"
Harry's thought's had scattered from his head as he heard Ron and Hermione bickering again. Studying in the afternoon shade by the lake didn't seem to make Hermione any less tense when it came to Ron and free answers.
"Just one! Get me started!"
"Catnip is one of them, Ron! Now get working!" Ron quickly wrote down the plant and then stared at his book for no less than five minutes before he started to bug Hermione again. He had given up on asking Harry for questions when he had explained that he couldn't do that anymore lest someone should find out. Hermione had to suffer Ron's questions all by herself once more. "No, Ron! If you would just read the page, you would find it underneath 'Jasmine Seed'."
Harry simply looked out over the blue water of the lake. He tuned them out, hearing only ever so often a "Ron!" or "Hermione!" He averted his attention to the rippling water and could see the Hogwarts squid doing laps beneath the surface. It made his eyes droop and utter calm washed over his body. He lazily watched as Dractnoxes floated about minding their own business, the way they always did until harry questioned them. Then it was as if he were dealing with a collective whole; a chilly, gelatinous whole, but nonetheless, an interesting creature.
He pondered over his trainings with Snape. The man was ruthless when it came to teaching him his new skills, but Harry knew that if -he- didn't push himself hard, he might seriously endanger the ones he thought of as friends and family. It was only Tuesday, and, although exhausted, Harry was able to relay short questions to the Dractnoxes through his mind, and he had been successful in protecting himself from Snape's legilimens. He knew these were no mere games he was playing. Snape had attempted to make Harry reveal whatever he wanted by mentally attacking him with a spell called 'Mendacio'. It made Harry believe he was in a safe and happy place, with his friends and family, sort of like a dream. Harry was just about to tell his mum and dad something rather personal when he had 'woke up' from the lie that Snape had painted. Harry had thought at the time that it was very cruel, and had yelled at Snape for bringing his mum and dad into his training. Snape had let Harry yell, and then said right back that nothing would stop Voldemort from using such a remedial spell.
//And he's right. He's a mean old git, but he's right. They use that spell on prisoners all the time.//
Harry smiled to himself. Hermione would be proud that he remembered something from Binns' history class. He felt truly serene and calm out in the sunlight, by the glistening blue water, with his two best friends, and the world at his fingertips.
He got a funny tingling sensation from everything so calm around him. The sensation manifested itself as a sudden tingle on his forehead. He rubbed at it, and it burst into a blinding, searing, white-hot agony. He grasped his forehead and screamed in excruciating pain.
//Oh my God...I'm dying...//
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Ha ha ha! The Cliffhanger Queen strikes again! Was that a litle too over-dramatic? Did you get my little joke in the part where Harry was going to get Snape as his trainer? I am Fate. Ha ha ha ha! Okay, lame, I know.
Thank you to all my reviewers so far! I love and treasure you all! *hands out free cookies and punch* Hey, I'm not made of money, ya know? Cookies and Punch is all I could afford! Okay, well, just tell me what u thought, like if it was crappy, or anything, and hopefully my treats will get better!