The Prince-Who-Lived

Chapter Twenty-three

"Harry, did you hear that? Did you hear? The twins are so happy; they said I'm a shoo-in for a reserve, and that I'm getting on the team once they're all graduated!"

Nanna was bouncing with excitement in the common room, repeating once again the news Harry had now heard four times over since the pick-up game, yesterday. The regular Quidditch team had joined the stands as soon as it had gotten around that a pick-up game was going on, and had been surprised to see it had turned into an all-out match, Harry versus Prince. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie, along with the twins, had been only too happy to give out critiques afterwards, praising Nanna and Ron's skill, and laughing at Neville's lack thereof. Neville, however, was already comfortable with the fact that Nanna was a better flyer, and a better beater than he, so he was laughing with the rest at his dismal play.

However, it was now the day after, and it was breakfast. Strangely enough, Alan's good mood had lasted and Snape also seemed far cheerier than he had been before. Harry sat down with the rest of his friends, still smiling from the high of the game the day before. It was truly amazing what a good game of Quidditch could do to the lion house's general attitude, even if they lost, so long as it was fair.

Shortly thereafter, however, the post came. Harry looked for his parent's letter. One of them wrote him almost every week, and while the news was usually very little, it was a nice thing to know his mother missed him, and his dad was happy for the grades he heard about from Dumbledore, since Harry wasn't much of a writer. The letter arrived with Stag, written in his father's hand, and Harry tucked it away, just before Hermione swore, sounding more startled than upset.

"Hermione, what the Hell?" Neville asked quickly. He looked at the back of the paper she held, and Hermione quickly lowered it with wide eyes. Harry glanced over and found the article that had taken Hermione's attention. It was the Headline of the day, and Harry suddenly understood exactly why Alan was so pleased.

RITA SKEETER: DEAD BY POISON

Hermione stared between them fiercely. "It says she was found in a hotel by the cleaning woman. She'd been out interviewing someone for another article, but they can't find whom she was interviewing, and she'd not taken down a name. The person had apparently wanted to remain anonymous. She'd been poisoned pretty simply, but they don't say with what …"

Harry blinked, and held back his own confusion of what the feel – she was dead, murdered, but she bloody well deserved it – and shook his head. "Maybe my dad included something."

Neville watched Harry flip open the letter, but a quick perusal showed that while his dad had mentioned it, he hadn't gone into detail; apparently it was a serious investigation. However, James did mention that he wasn't too sorry she was dead; he'd heard about the article, and while he wasn't surprised Severus had visited a whore, that wasn't something James really wanted to know about him, and he wasn't low enough to use that against him.

Harry sighed; that line, read: Lily had lit into him and forbidden him to say anything about it.

Around them, the kids receiving the Daily Prophet were sharing out the news, to various reactions from concern, to joy, to dismay and incredulity. There seemed to be few who were worried about what was going on, and more that were amused and indifferent than Harry had really expected. Then again, it was Rita Skeeter.

A look at the head table proved fruitful. Snape was eyeing the paper with appreciation; McGonagall seemed to be doing the same. In fact, most of the teachers looked pleased. Hagrid was downright cheerful. Dumbledore looked mildly solemn, and Harry found him turning between looking at Snape, and looking out at the Slytherin table. Harry looked; Alan was sitting happily amidst his gathered coterie, which now included Theodore Nott, and he was apparently deep in conversation, a conversation that involved seemingly incredulous laughter. Harry couldn't help but smile. He was going to have to ask Alan about this later on.

Harry folded up his letter and slipped it back into his pocket, not noticing Neville's once more curious stare at his abrupt change in mood.

IIII

Conveniently, Harry found free time shortly before dinner that same day, and made his way into the library. He was mildly disappointed that Alan wasn't there, but the secluded corner was very good for studying, and Professor Moody had set a fairly difficult essay about Hexes that Harry did need to work on. The corner had several books he was quite fond of, and he pulled them out in short order, losing himself in his work. He felt more than heard Alan join him after a time, but it wasn't until he heard Alan make a pleased sound that he looked up. Alan was in the middle of a stretch, accentuating the inch of height Alan currently had on Harry, or … that was probably his irritation talking. If his gangly limbs were any indication, Alan was still growing as well.

"You see the paper, Harry?" Alan asked, relaxing into a warm smile.

Harry nodded shortly. "Got a letter from my dad, too, but he didn't have much to add."

"He wouldn't." Alan returned. "They're probably scared and confused." He was still smiling incessantly, hiding none of his current pleasure. Harry finally put down the books and leaned forward on top of them, staring intently at Alan.

"So … what did happen? Did you get the news of this yesterday; is that why you were so happy?" The words were a careful hiss; they would not want this conversation overheard. They were discussing murder.

Alan smiled thinly back, and gathered his books. He answered without looking at Harry. "I think Myrtle's feeling a tad ignored; maybe we should visit her."

Harry blinked at the answer, and then waited until Alan had left before pulling his things together. He hadn't expected that, but this wouldn't really be a conversation they'd want overheard, and Alan's parseltongue wasn't common knowledge, unlike Harry's. Even without someone understanding, it would be suspicious of them and it would be better to not even be seen talking in this case. Thus, the Chamber of Secrets.

Heading to the Chamber of Secrets wasn't unprecedented for them. Since second year, it had been cleaned up, the basilisk removed by two Potions Masters, Snape and Green who had been absolutely over the moon with joy at the bounty of extremely rare ingredients, as well as the previously shed skin. The floor had been scoured of bones and muck when the curse-breakers went through, and then left alone once third year rolled around and everything was dealt with. However, Alan and Harry had returned to the Chamber four times since then, mainly for conversations that neither wanted overheard. Alan had disclosed many of his personal secrets to Harry there, and while Rita's fate wasn't anywhere near as important, murder is still not something to be discussed in public.

Harry slipped into the bathroom, as the coast was clear, and quickly went to the sink, waving at Myrtle and sliding down as she blushed silver and ducked back inside her stall. A few conversations, and greeting her as they went by had secured their alibis of having never entered the bathroom at all, and Harry confidently disappeared down the slide. The pipe was clean; Snape had thrown a royal fit at the mess it left on his robes when he'd gone down to fetch the basilisk, even with the fact that nearly a dozen people had gone down before him, picking up the worst. As it was, Harry hit the bottom still as clean as he had entered, and he found Alan admiring the cut of the walls, which were clean. With both American and British curse-breakers in on the scouring of the place for traps and other fun things, the place had ended up far cleaner than it ever would have been otherwise as each side tried to outdo the other. Add a professional sense of competition to national pride and one gets a very thorough job done. Harry and Alan both greatly appreciated it.

Alan turned as Harry bumped out of the pipe, and then smiled before glancing at the tunnel once more, hissing quietly to close the tunnel at the top. Harry bowed to Alan as he turned once more, and Alan laughed quietly, leading him further along to the next door. Harry fell into step with him, and followed in silence. The tunnel may have been long, but Harry felt no need to speak up and fill the silence, and not a word was exchanged before they passed the second door, which Harry opened and left as they entered the large chamber beyond. Another hissed command, and the torches on the tall pillars lit, revealing the precise walls, and the lifelike snakes carved around each pillar. Halfway down, a long table and several chairs were arranged, a leftover from the summer of second year when the chambers were being combed over in minute detail. Alan pulled out a chair at one end, and Harry sank down across from him, leaning onto his elbow as he waited for Alan to speak up.

"It was Lucille." He said with clear relish. "Aunt Lucille, polyjuiced as Ginger, had the absolute balls to tell Rita she wanted to share some dirt on her 'whore of a sister' and Rita snapped hook, line, and sinker. Lucille told her to keep it anonymous, and that she'd meet her at a muggle hotel where Lucille booked in with a bit of grease to keep her stay discrete, and with Rita not keeping any records of who she was, she brought her in for Belladonna tea, and cheese with yew skewers. Merlin, Mary and Morgan, I couldn't believe the bitch fell for that, but she's good and dead now."

Harry stared for a long moment, and shook his head slowly. "Rita fell for that?"

Alan laughed. "As I said, hook, line, and sinker. I don't know which got past her, but it did and she fell over clean dead once the poison kicked in, and Lucille was out of that hotel with absolute glee after they finished that first interview. Rita had just lapped it all up, didn't suspect a thing or didn't care to guard against a plant poison. Maybe she's only ever looked for magic."

"And now she's dead."

"Yeah." Alan gave Harry a long look, and sighed. "Won't take back that horrid smear, but she was a bitch about everything as it was. You feel sorry for her?"

"Well, she did die." Harry pointed out dryly. "That's not usually a cause for celebration, bitchy person or not. I'm glad she won't be writing anymore articles about you and yours, and she wouldn't have stopped even for blackmail, but …"

"She's dead, and you're half-Gryffindor." Alan finished. "Fair enough."

Harry watched Alan silently for a long moment, and then merely nodded. Alan gave him a small smile in return, and tilted his head to the side with a curious look. Harry felt immediately suspicious, and raised his eyebrow.

"Harry … Do you know anything about Occlumency?"

"Occlumency?" Harry repeated. "Not really, no. What is it?"

"Opposite of Legilimency," Alan began; Harry suppressed a smile. Alan sounded like Hermione when he got that tone of voice. Alan noticed Harry's change of expression, and frowned even as he continued, his tone unchanged, "Occlumency is protecting one's mind from outside invasion, usually through the use of Legilimency, but it's also useful in fooling truth potions and spells into thinking you don't know the answer, or believe in a false one. It's fairly complicated, but chances are you should learn it, especially with all that you know."

"Ah." Harry nodded quickly. He really did know more than he should. "You know it?"

"And Legilimency." Alan nodded. "Care to learn?"

"Definitely. Not only for your secrets, but for mine too. What do I need to do?"

Alan, however, shook his head and checked his watch. "Not now. It's time-consuming, and complex and we've got dinner in less than a half-hour. We'd need a few hours at a time to go over it. I should get you a book … I'll have to ask Geoffrey for one so … maybe about Easter. I should have the Animagus potion done then, too."

Harry nodded and grabbed his bag. "Well then, we'll check that out once things come around." Alan smiled up at him, and Harry shrugged, shouldering his pack and leaving Alan to grab his own bag and follow on the way out of the Chamber.

IIII

Once Harry was crawling into bed that evening, Neville stopped and sat beside him on his bed. Harry looked up from his book with a frown, and found Neville holding a blank piece of new, folded parchment that Harry knew to be the revamped Marauders Map. His expression was completely flat, and Harry felt a thrill of foreboding.

"Harry, the Chamber of Secrets is accessed through Myrtle's bathroom, right?"

Hiding a desire to swallow, Harry nodded slowly. Neville didn't even look at him, staring blankly at the parchment as though it was not currently dormant. Finally, he looked over at Harry, his expression still flat,

"The Chamber doesn't show up on the map, you know."

He stood without talking once more, and crawled into his own bed. Harry felt as though his mouth had dried out in one fell swoop. Neville knew. Without a shadow of a doubt, Neville knew about his friendship with Alan. And chances are, he knew exactly where Harry and Alan always met in the library, because of the map. Harry crawled onto his bed and drew the curtains, laying back onto his pillows and staring at the canopy, calming his pounding heart. He was overreacting. Neville wouldn't do anything; he'd suspected since second year, Harry was sure of it, and while he probably lost that suspicion third year, everything was erupting around them in fourth, driving Alan spare and making Harry act like the Gryffindor he was to support him. Neville would have been a fool to not notice. And Harry was being a fool worrying himself that Neville knew. Neville would do nothing.

Harry rolled over, punching his pillow lightly to make it more comfortable and swallowing back the lump in his throat. Neville would do nothing to ruin it, but he didn't seem to approve. And Harry didn't want his brother to dislike his best friend. Maybe he should see about introducing them better. Maybe …

IIII

The next month was fairly uneventful. Alan handed Harry a book on Occlumency two weeks after they'd discussed it, telling him to practice the meditating described each night, and told him plainly that come Easter, they'd be able to finish the first step of the animagi. When Neville mentioned to Harry that he wanted to see the animagi book again, to move on in his own investigations, Harry broached a quiet question of whether Neville wanted to know a bit more about Alan. Although … he was a lot less coherent in asking than he wanted to be. Neville watched Harry a moment, and then shrugged. He didn't mind either way. Cautiously, Harry shared with Neville the book on Occlumency – Alan had given it to him, to keep, since he already owned a copy himself – and Neville was a lot more interested, even if the reason was mostly unrelated to Alan. Harry didn't see the book for a week, which made it fortunate that the exercises he was currently working on were very simple.

Two days into Easter holidays, Neville came up from the library with a small note in hand, and he passed it to Harry with a querulous look, sitting beside him with a frown. Harry blinked, looking up from his Defence book and taking it with a small frown of his own. Neville hefted the book he was holding quietly, and Harry gave him a look. Neville tapped the cover with his wand, and the textbook on Charms became the Occlumency book for a moment. Harry gave a soft 'o' and the flipped open the note. Inside, in Alan's hand, was a note asking Harry to come see him in the Chamber, and, if he wanted, to bring Neville. Alan would be bringing Blaise and Daphne – the two of his coterie Harry knew Alan had let in on his association with Harry. Harry felt a twinge of nerves – he didn't want to see Daphne, but he wanted to finish the animagi work, and start his Occlumency. It made sense to bring their friends – chances are, Alan's coterie wanted to check out animagi, and all of them learning Occlumency was practical. It also made questions of their whereabouts less likely than if they were gone with their friends; it would be assumed they were hanging out in private. For them to disappear alone meant their friends would ask questions, or seek answers much as Neville had done in employing the map. Sighing, Harry gave in. After all, they weren't breaking rules, per se. Dumbledore had never told Harry to stay out of the Chamber.

Harry folded the note back up with a frown, and nodded shortly to Neville, handing it back and gathering his books. Neville marked his page, closed his and glanced over the note. Frowning, he looked up, and found Harry giving him an impatient look from the common room door. Neville slipped the note into his book, grabbed his own bag and followed him out into the hallway. Jogging shortly, he caught up with Harry, and huffed.

"Explanation, please? Why would Prince give me this to pass on?"

"He saw you were reading the book he'd given me, and apparently presumed that you were as smart as you are." Harry returned.

Neville growled. "How the Hell did he see the book? It's under glamour, and even Flitwick hasn't noticed."

Harry suppressed a wince. Alan may have overstepped himself there. "It's … something he can do."

"How? Why?" Neville demanded.

"That's for him to answer. I suppose he wasn't expecting you to have used as strong a glamour as you had, so …" Harry shrugged, ignoring Neville's hot look. Finally he tossed a frown back at him. "Neville, it's his secret. He was careless, so you can now throw it in his face once we get into the Chamber."

"Fine, I will." Neville added. He then looked carefully back. "Why would Prince be bringing Blaise and Daphne with him?"

"Alibi, probably, and who wouldn't want to know how to be an Animagus? And Occlumency is useful."

"He's sharing our book. You do remember that that particular book is quite illegal?"

"They probably think it's his; he'd be able to get it easy enough. Besides, neither of them would out us."

"You trust them?" Neville asked.

Harry shrugged. "They're Slytherin. I'm a better ally than an enemy. Simple enough. Same for you."

Neville paused and blinked, before he caught back up with Harry on the landing. Harry grinned a moment. He'd just shocked Neville. He hadn't expected that. Neville was silent for several more minutes, taking them all the way onto the second floor, before he managed to find another question.

"Why am I a better ally than enemy?"

Harry gave Neville a long look, and then smiled and shook his head, leading on to Myrtle's bathroom without answering. Neville followed with a set frown, and remained silent even through Harry smiling and nodding at a blushing Myrtle and opening the chamber, waving Neville to go down first. Neville raised his eyebrows, but went, Harry following shortly. At the bottom, Harry shut the sink once more, and Neville waited until they were heading down the hallway before speaking again.

"Is my name really all that important?"

"Yes," Harry answered, smiling. Of course Neville would figure it out. "It's not everything of it, though."

"I'm not that smart." Neville argued. "You're magically stronger than me, and Hermione keeps getting better grades."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione's a better ally than enemy, too, Neville, muggleborn or not. You've got money, skill, intelligence, and you're already friends with me and several other purebloods. Stop being modest; it doesn't fit in the 'game'."

"The game?" Neville asked. He gave Harry a short askance look, and then shook his head. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

Harry laughed, and nodded to the door ahead of them. Neville frowned, and quickly asked,

"Is this going to be like one of those stuffy pureblood parties?"

Harry snorted, and then considered it. "With Blaise and Daphne … probably. Just … treat it however's comfortable for you. It's politics, I suppose."

Neville sighed. "Harry …" He whined. "I hate politics."

Harry just shrugged, allowing himself a small smile as he entered the main room, leading Neville over to the table, where Alan was talking with Blaise and Daphne. Alan shot Harry a small smile, which was more a quirk of his lips than anything, and then turned back to talking quietly with the others. Harry led a mildly frowning Neville over, but when he glanced back he was surprised to find Neville as blank-faced as Blaise, with only a small crease between his brows as a sign of his displeasure. Harry took the seat to Alan's right, Alan having taken the head seat, and Blaise and then Daphne sitting to his left. It was an interesting choice of display that didn't escape the notice of any of those there, as Blaise gave Harry a long look, and Neville shot Harry a curious glance even as he took the seat next to Harry. Harry shook his head, and leaned back, throwing Alan a bright smile, and raising his eyebrows.

"Good evening, Alan."

Alan nodded slowly to Harry, and then threw Neville a polite smile that Neville returned almost perfectly with a faint bow to his head. Alan's smile widened.

"Thanks for coming, Harry. Good evening to you as well, Longbottom. I trust you already know Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini." Neville gave them polite nods in turn, and turned his empty smile back to Alan.

"I'm thankful for the invite, Prince, although I don't understand why you thought to ask."

"I noticed you reading my book. The glamour spell wasn't as good as it could have been, I'm sorry to say."

Harry bit his lip as Neville watched Alan for a moment longer, and he knew it was coming when Neville responded very softly. "You're saying you can see through Favreau's Patent Mantle of Innocuity?"

Alan went very still, and Harry threw Neville an admiring look. He hadn't known Neville had mastered that spell. That was auror level glamour. If you didn't get it right, it didn't take. And Harry doubted Moody would even be able to see through it, or even notice it was there.

"I never said I could see through it," Alan allowed carefully. His pause had been noticed, but he was recovering. Harry wondered what on earth he'd say; this was a damn big slip. "I … Geoffrey taught me several ways of detecting glamour. Seeing you reading a book under glamour, and considering Harry's closeness with you, I presumed it could be the Occlumency book." His expression firmed into faint amusement. "You were also mouthing a stanza I knew fairly well."

Neville gave him a considering look, but nodded slowly. Harry knew that set to his face, and knew where it was coming from. Detecting Favreau's Mantle was more work than casting it, and while Alan's getting into the tournament argued that level of skill; Harry, at least, knew that Alan wasn't quite at that level of theory. In fact, Harry knew that Alan was still working on being able to cast the spells of similar level to Favreau's Mantle. It would explain why he was looking at Neville so closely; he hadn't anticipated Neville's skill. Harry suspected that Neville, for his part, was frowning at the second reason. Harry knew he did mouth what he was reading when he was committing it to memory, so it was very possible that, if Alan could read lips, he'd been caught on that. Mind, Harry knew he couldn't. The rest of the excuse was admittedly weak, although bringing in Geoffrey left some wiggle room since Neville only knew the Alfaerus' formidable reputation. However, he was capitulating the point, and Harry didn't want to let that flare up again. Alan's excuse had been shaky, and Harry didn't think either of them would appreciate the truth being demanded.

"What do you plan on covering first, Alan?" Harry asked carefully.

Alan looked back at Harry and gave him a small smirk. "Occlumency, than we'll do the animagi. There's enough of that oil for the three of us, and I have your potion already finished, with some extra, in case one of us has similar need. I trust Neville would like to look at the next step, himself?" Neville nodded slowly, a faint smile on his face. Alan let his mask open enough to allow curiosity to shine through. "What was your form?"

"Dun Arabian stallion." Neville answered, smiling faintly.

Alan's lips quirked. "An excellent form. I wouldn't have expected it of you."

Neville blinked at him, and then let his face blank once more, leaving only the faint tightness to show his displeasure. Alan's comment had been heavily layered with suggestions, and while Neville could catch it, he did not appreciate it. Harry sighed, and stepped up.

"Are you going to speak about more than the beginning exercises of Occlumency, or no?" It was blunt, forward, and altogether Gryffindor, but it would get things moving. Blaise, across from Harry, frowned, but Alan gave him a smile even as Daphne rolled her eyes. Neville smiled wryly, and sat back, glancing over at Alan.

"What branch are you going to cover with us anyways?"

Alan blinked, and gave Neville a long look. "I was thinking of the Plane, really, which is what I was taught by my godfather. Have you read through the entire book?"

Neville nodded and leaned forward on his arms. "Yes, and I preferred the Crystal concept myself. I understood it a lot better."

Alan shrugged. "Daphne couldn't do it, and it's a very blatant defence. You can do more with the Plane than the Crystal."

Harry glanced between them, feeling a pinch that he'd introduced his two highly theoretical friends. All they needed to do was add Hermione, and things would get really thick. He hadn't read the book all the way through, only as far as Alan had recommended. He hadn't bothered to tell Neville to stop; he wouldn't have listened anyways. However, he did want to know what the difference they were discussing was.

"Boys," Harry began. Alan blinked and looked at Harry; Blaise gave him a similar expression of curiosity while Neville paused and stifled a laugh. Turning back to him, Neville dryly asked,

"Yes?"

Harry gave him a sweet smile. "What is the difference between the Plane and the Crystal? Other than one being very Gryffindor, and the other being Slytherin?"

Neville sighed, and glanced at Alan. Alan tilted his head to indicate for him to go first, and Neville sat up to begin. "Crystal is a form of defence based upon creating and maintaining a firm barrier between you and the outside. It is a kind of shield that won't allow anyone to pass it, pretty much locking your mind completely from interference from the outside. It draws upon one's magical reserves for it's conception and maintenance, and while maintaining it takes very little effort and it would be one of the last things to go upon a magical drain, putting the defence into place takes a lot of effort, and only someone of, say, my or your or Alan's power would be able to make it work. As Alan said, Daphne wouldn't be able to manage it, and neither would Connor, or, say, Remus. Blaise would probably struggle with it, as would Ron, Hermione, Nanna, Melanie, Sirius, or my mother and father although if they applied themselves they might manage. Your mum would be able to do it fine, but your dad would struggle too."

Harry nodded, and turned to Alan. Alan gave Neville an admiring nod, and began. "The Plane is based firmly upon meditation. Both defences require meditation for their conception, but the Plane draws upon it for the defence itself. It's a matter of making it so that you are not drawing connections within your mind outside of what you don't mind someone finding. Defending yourself like this takes a lot of discipline and work; you have to have a very organized mindset, and you need to have complete control over your emotions so as not to give yourself away. For the memories and thoughts you don't want someone to find, you need to make a safe haven for them, usually with the aid of focused mental imagery. You take a concept and allow it to consume everything you don't want found, and hold it in place. No one can glimpse anything that is beyond that image. Essentially, you're creating a hidden cupboard or room behind a common area that doesn't really need defending. If you are strong enough, and feel the need you can actively block someone out – the crystal simply does so passively, without discretion and can block more than one person at a time with ease."

Harry nodded once more, feeling a lot more secure in his concept of what these were, and then he frowned. "But you could lose the Plane if your concentration slips, couldn't you?" Alan nodded. "Neville's sounds more secure." Harry observed. Alan snorted.

"It's definitely secure. To get past a Crystal defence you have to overpower the person you're aiming at, and with someone of your or Neville's power, that would be bloody hard. It also stands out like a sore thumb; the person will know they're being blocked immediately. With the Plane, it's hard to notice the subterfuge at all, unless you make a mistake, or the person is very aware of what they're looking for. If chosen correctly, the image will seem like just another part of the mental landscape, or a particularly vivid memory."

"But if you can't keep a tight rein on yourself," Neville added, "everything can fall apart and the information will be found out anyways."

Harry frowned. "But you can maintain the Plane even without magic. You can't do that for the Crystal. How hard is it to set those up and take them down anyways?"

Neville frowned. "For the Crystal, you'd have to take a minute to put it up, and you'd have to think to take it down. If you got the hang of it, and you're strong, it could be quick, but otherwise …"

"The Plane can be set up or abandoned at any time." Alan threw in. "Although eventually it will become an ingrained habit. Blocking someone out actively, obviously, takes focus, and more than one would be very difficult."

"And to mix them?" Harry asked. Neville and Alan were silent for a moment, and Blaise sighed.

"Why bother? One would work fine, wouldn't it, and learning both would take a lot of extra work."

Alan sneered. "Blaise, learning both with the weaknesses he pointed out would be very wise. You would have a defence that would be practically impenetrable, but if you needed a subtler approach, you could drop it and not be vulnerable. In fact, learning both they would think to look for a second defence even less, especially if they had to get past the first."

"And if I refuse to learn both?" Blaise countered. "I don't need a wall glaring that I'm separate from the world."

"I won't make you." Alan returned. "Personally, I appreciate the Plane and don't intend to learn the Crystal method, but if Harry or – Longbottom so desire, they may."

Neville ruffled his hair and sighed. "If you would not think it too presumptuous, you may call me Neville if I may call you Alan, Prince."

Alan smiled and nodded carefully, and Harry hid a smile. He was pleased to see Alan and Neville getting along. He supposed having a magical theory discussion was enough to make anyone appreciate the other. Neville had impressed Alan, and Alan already fascinated Neville, so he supposed that was enough to draw them together around him. Catching Daphne watching him from her silent position across the table, Harry felt his smile grow a little wider and sat back to listen as Alan began the lecture on the necessary meditation exercises for working on the Occlumency shields.

IIII

By the time the Tournament revealed the third task to the Champions, Harry was feeling a lot better about his Animagus. The potion had induced an even deeper trance than the herbs, and the information about what the dragon was and what it meant for him seemed to simply float into his mind and imbed itself. Similarly, Alan had desired to take the potion himself upon discovering his Animagus was a kneazle, of all things. Blaise had sneered and offered the suggestion that it had to do with longstanding family lines that created magical creatures as Animagi; Harry had woken for the tail end, to find Blaise and Neville in a fierce argument about bloodlines and magical theory, with Alan lying calmly near the table, already having woken and taken the potion in turn. Daphne had been beside him, disinterested in the argument and the search for animagi as it was. She had admitted to being a robin, but had no desire to further study the goal. She'd mostly come along because Alan had invited her, and it had been her or Lucille, another friend. Harry had nodded, and returned to observing the argument for the forty-five minutes it took for Alan to wake and tell them to shut up. Harry had learned a lot listening in, about genealogy and magic. Leaving with Neville had been entertaining. Returning the next weekend for further Occlumency practice had been even more so. Apparently introducing Neville to the Slytherins brought out his competitive nature, and Blaise seemed only too willing to take him on.

Occlumency itself was going well. Harry was practicing both theories, along with Neville, whom he'd talked into learning both as well, and while the Slytherins were only learning the Plane, Alan was checking out the Crystal theory as a possible fallback for himself. He was having difficulty, however, managing the twist of thought to bring up the shield. Neville had been mostly talked into the Plane because he had found the Crystal almost too easy, managing his defences shortly before May 27th, when Alan discovered what the next task would be. After that fact, they didn't meet in the Chamber again, Alan trusting Neville to be able to coach Harry easily through the Occlumency trials. Neville's skill had apparently impressed Alan more than Harry had ever expected, and Neville made a point of brushing off the import of that trust, likely on purpose to avoid thinking about it.

After May, however, Harry rarely saw Alan at all outside of class. He was focused intensely upon brushing up on spells and defences against whatever he might encounter in the maze. Neville noticed Harry's growing worry, and stepped up making him work on his Occlumency. He couldn't test Harry's progress like Alan could, but he could certainly tell if Harry's mind was wandering or not simply by watching his posture. They spent much of their time in the library, and Harry didn't complain. He appreciated Neville's understanding of his friendship with Alan now, and drew on Neville's grudging trust in Alan's abilities to calm himself down.

By the time Alan spared a short moment to come into the library and check on them, Harry had made a large amount of progress in being able to maintain his Occlumency in the Plane format. Alan was suitably surprised with Neville's ability as well, and gave them both short smiles before he asked for a book they'd recommend he look through for useful spells. Neville jokingly mentioned a prank book Sirius had given him, and Alan seriously asked for it. Neville shrugged, and left with only a short curious glance to go find it. Harry took advantage of his absence to look Alan over. He didn't look anywhere near as worried as he had before the other tasks, and Harry said so. Alan shrugged it off.

"I'm confident in being able to pass most of the difficulties they could throw at me. I'm just brushing up, mostly, and keeping focused. I don't have much time to worry about how the people around me are doing, so …"

Harry just nodded, and sighed. "I'm glad you like Neville."

Alan gave him a sharp look, and shrugged awkwardly. "He's alright. Sharp as a dagger and smart as a whip; he learns amazingly quickly and has a healthy dose of sense besides." Alan smiled wickedly. "He doesn't seem to like Slytherin games much, though."

Harry shook his head. "No, he doesn't like those at all, but he can understand them pretty well. He just refuses to play."

"Yeah …" Alan leaned back in his chair, and looked up as Neville came back with the book. Neville noticed their immediate attention and flushed slightly before sitting back down and pushing the book over to Alan, returning to his reading.

Alan watched him for a moment, and frowned irritably. He was looking at the book Neville was reading, and Harry couldn't think why for a moment. Then he remembered Neville's dislike of studying and felt a suspicion form. Chewing his lip, Harry waited before he decided to ask anyways. He was working off of deduction on his part; it wouldn't give anything away, and he could be careful.

"Neville … you hate studying." Harry pointed out. "And you really don't like the History of Magic textbook."

Neville looked up and blinked, before checking the cover of his book. Mildly startled at seeing it, he frowned and tapped the top of the cover with his wand, mouthing several words carefully. The image flickered and changed to a Defence tome, and settled. He looked up at Harry. "Does that make more sense?"

Harry fought not to smile, but could feel himself failing. He nodded solemnly anyways. "Yes, it does."

"Pray tell," Alan asked carefully. "What are you reading and … was that Favreau's again?"

Neville sighed and closed the book, his hand in place. He quickly let the glamour drop, revealing a book on myths and legends before it went back up. "Yes, it's Favreau's Mantle again. I hadn't changed it from when I'd been reading during History of Magic, so … you still curious about me knowing it?"

Alan opened his mouth carefully, closed it, and then frowned and asked. "How many other spells of that level do you know?"

Neville shrugged. "Not a lot; just the ones that caught my eye. A few shields, the Patronus charm, and a few shady spells I really shouldn't know," He paused, and shrugged uncomfortably, "Gremlin's Illusion Wall, and Porrybaxter's Wall of Wings. Nothing else, yet. Those were the ones I made a point of looking up in particular, the rest …" Neville shrugged. "Didn't interest me."

Alan looked a little appeased; none of the spells were really extraordinary, they were just unexpected in someone that age. Technically, Alan knew more than Neville did, which was a balm to his wounded pride, but it didn't erase that Neville had learned higher level spells, and simply for the sake of curiosity as well. "I'd like to see about checking out what all you know; maybe we could practice some together. I've had difficulty with Porrybaxter's Wall."

Harry fought to keep his face clear. Alan was trying to get Neville to help him learn those without hinting that the theory was frustrating him. It was amusing in a strange sort of way. Neville looked like he missed the hidden meanings, which was good for both of them in remaining friends and nodded.

"I haven't managed to get the Greenhorn Wall to work for me yet, some help wouldn't go amiss. Maybe you could show me some absolutely impossible spells I've seen in some seventh year texts." Seventh year was something Alan knew well, a level below the other spells Neville had listed.

Alan smiled warmly. "I'd love to. I'm curious, what sort of shady spells do you know anyways?"

Neville gave Alan a blank look. It was clear he was upset; that line between his brows seemed completely impossible to get rid of, but it was a look that let just how put off he was go unseen. Harry paused, considering, and then answered. "It was Neville who taught me Fiendfyre."

Neville turned a glare on Harry that would have done Snape proud, but Alan's eyes widened. "Fiendfyre? I thought that was really out of control."

"It is." Neville snapped. "I shouldn't have looked it up, but I was curious. I know how to cast it, control it as much as is possible, and put it out, but it's not something I play with on a regular basis." He finished acerbically. Harry wished he'd kept his mouth shut.

Alan nodded slowly. "It wouldn't be. You keep surprising me, Neville. It's unexpected."

"Because I'm a Gryffindor?" Neville asked contemptuously. Harry bit his lip; he really shouldn't have spoken up.

"No," Alan answered calmly, unperturbed by Neville's temper, "because Light families aren't known for explorative intelligence without putting limits on what is, and is not to be learned."

Neville watched him with a frown still, and then settled. "I suppose. Knowledge has never felt evil to me, so I don't see what the whole point of controlling it would be."

"Good to know." Alan smiled, and then glanced worriedly at his watch. Swearing softly, he stood. "May I borrow this?" He brandished the book Neville had fetched for him, and Neville shrugged and nodded. He smiled, and strode quickly from the library, leaving them in peace. Harry watched him go, and then turned back to Neville to find himself fixed with his friend's firm eyes. Harry shifted awkwardly.

"I didn't ever say you could bandy that about, Harry." Neville growled lowly.

Harry shrugged awkwardly. "He already knew I knew it, and had had it taught to me."

"Harry … Please." Neville kept a disappointed look on Harry, and Harry shifted before nodding slowly. Neville wasn't proud of everything he'd ever taught himself. He shouldn't have spoken up.

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it. I know you'll like the next few. grin Thank you ever so much for everyone who reviewed last chapter, and please Review this one too! I welcome all the feedback I can get.

Also, I have a small question for my readers: I'm onto sixth year now (fifth year is with my Beta) and I have a few things that I'm curious as to what you all think. First, do you want to see them make a short trip to Salem during the summer, and second, does anyone want to know more about vampires? Either way, it's workable. I just want to know what you think. Also, next chapter: the rating goes up. Just to warn you.

Thank you for reading! Please review!

Fire & Napalm