I own nothing but the clothes on my back, and a very beat up ten-year-old car. J.K. Rowling owns these characters. I'm just going to play with them for a bit.

Thank you all for your kind reviews. For those of you who are wondering if this is going to be a good-guy Snape fic, all I can promise is that I'll try to keep him realistic, snarky and snide. I would have never envisioned Snape as good at all, but damned if I didn't discover fanfic about two months ago. And I guess I caught a bit of Severititus. Then I discovered my favorite two authors, Jocelyn of Battle of Wills and Green Gecko who wrote Resonance. I was hooked on the Snape has a heart and maybe and even a sense of humor thing. And, I enjoyed both of their fics more than HBP. Sorry Ms. Rowling, you're a damn fine writer as well.

Morning is Bright: Thanks so much for being irritated with Albus.
It was awesome reading your long well thought out review. I'm not done discussing the Angelths and how they work. I hope I don't disappoint.

Regarding the boys not being allowed in the girl's dorms, in this chapter, I'm not sure whether this is from J.K.'s book or a fanfic. At any rate, its not mine, and it belongs to...whomever I borrowed it from.

I do appreciate that there haven't yet been any complaints regarding formatting thus far. Man! I am finding that difficult. I can't seem to figure out a way to fix small errors without replacing the whole darn chapter. Then I find another error. I will try to update as quickly as I can and thanks again for your reviews! Anyhow, enough jibber jabber for the love of Merlin. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

Hogwarts: A History Part I

On the last night of the year at Hogwarts, the lion's share of the student body found themselves flouting the rules. Both grief and the uncertain future of the institution made them feel immune to punishment. Students who never dreamed of doing so previously found themselves wandering the castle after curfew. The vast majority suddenly becoming aware that they could easily out run Filch, and finally believing the rumor that he must be a squib, or he certainly would have hexed them for their abominable behavior.

Students were congregating in the kitchens with house elves, nicking food, and drinking vast amounts of butterbeer. The entire populace was suddenly prone to random acts of snogging. And there was a fifth year Ravenclaw boy selling fire whiskey in the third floor boy's bathroom. Several bottles ofthe stuff foundits way into the Gryffindor Common Room.

It was in this spirit of blatant misbehavior that Harry and Ron found themselves spending the night in the girl's dormitory. It started out with Ron joking during pudding that if the school did not reopen in the fall his biggest regret would be that he had never seen the inside of the girls dorms.

"Its not like I'd have to snog anybody while I'm up there or anything"
Ron asserted taking a large forkful of cake. "I'd just like to see what the rooms are like."

"Well thank heavens for that, Ronald," Hermione chided with grin that managed to look both impish and scandalized.

"The night's not over yet Hermione," Ron smirked, shoving more chocolate cake in his mouth and attempting to wag his eyebrows lasciviously. Hermione slapped his arm and Harry laughed out a spray of pumpkin juice, causing Ginny and Neville to howl in raucous laughter. The mood was still quite somber in patches around the great hall and the Gryffindors collected several stony looks from around the room.

"It's not fair though is it?" Ron argued, gobbling more cake. "Girls are allowed in the boys dorm," he pointed a frosting covered fork at Hermione. "But any time we try to go up to your rooms, the ruddy stairway chucks us out on our backsides."

"Well, as I explained before, Ron," Hermione giggled. "The practice comes from the fact that girls were traditionally considered more trustworthy than boys."

"Well, that's a load of rubbish that is," Ron pointed out as he ran practiced fingers across the surface of his dessert plate to lap up the last dollops of frosting.

"Well, it's far too late," Ginny joined in the entertainment. "Because while the night is not over, a silly git like you isn't clever to figure out the enchantment in a single evening."

"Did you hear that Harry?" Ron finally pushed his plate away and it magically disappeared.

"I did mate," Harry agreed amiably, standing up. "Sounds like a challenge."

"Sounds like they don't think very much of us," Ron complained, in a mock wounded tone. "And from my own sister too."

"Sounds like they don't think much of you mate." Harry countered with a wide grin. "Sounds like they don't think much of you."

"And this is my best friend!" Ron rolled his eyes in unconvincing disgust, and the other Gryffindors laughed, getting to their feet as well.

"We'll put our heads together mate," Harry said in a playfully placating tone. "We'll put our heads together," he assured, as the group headed out of the door.

"Right," Ron agreed. "Maybe we'll go up to the library read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Harry, Ron, Ginny exploded in fit of giggles as they approached the second floor stairs. And Hermione, after frowning for a moment, soon joined in.

"To the library then," Harry stated dramatically as he pulled Ron off in that direction. "No, no," He told the girls as they made a move to follow. "Off you go. We'll see you later in your rooms."

Harry's mood had lightened considerably since discovering Dumbledore's Angelth and it seemed to have rubbed off on his friends a bit. It was taking tremendous discipline not tell them the news, but for some reason the Headmaster didn't want him to yet. Harry would ask him again later. Dumbledore had let him tell Ron and Hermione about the Horcruxes, why not this? He clutched the metal in his pocket, reassured by its cool presence.

"The library is it?" questioned Hermione, her eyes narrowing. "Don't forget that were not allowed to leave the castle," she scolded suspiciously.

"Hermione!" Harry groaned.

"And that Professor McGonagal said curfew is at 7:30 tonight," she continued.

"Fat chance enforcing that tonight," speculated two Hufflepuff seventh years as they passed the group of Gryffindors.

"Yeah," Ron chuckled agreement as the Hufflepuffs continued along to their dormitory.

"Well, there is a real threat," cautioned Neville as he joined them on the landing, still moving slowly after his run in with the Death Eaters the night Dumbledore died.

"Harry?" Hermione began.

"Hermione," Harry held up his hand. "You have my word, we are going to the library."

"Are we really going to the library then?" Ron wanted to know as soon as the group was out of earshot.

"Yeah," Harry had actually decided going to the library might not be a bad idea. "We are going to check out Hogwarts: A History and try to get up the girls dorms." Then he continued a bit more seriously. "And I reckon maybe I could find a few books on the stuff I need to know to battle with Voldemort."

"Right then," Ron's expression was unreadable.

Now Harry thought about this, the library really was a good idea. If he got loads of books and really committed himself to training, maybe by the time he came of age Dumbledore wouldn't insist that he train with Snape. Snape. He still couldn't bloody believe the Headmaster's orders. Once again Harry wished the Headmaster would explain things fully instead being so infuriatingly cryptic all the bloody time. It was obvious for some unfathomable reason the Headmaster still trusted Snape. But Harry had never had a reason to trust him. The greasy git had always been a bastard. And until the Headmaster decided to give him more information Harry's opinion was unlikely to change.

Of course Occlumency would prove even more difficult. Harry had no idea how he might manage it with no one to practice against. But maybe if he studied enough it would make a difference. He could definitely work on wandless magic and non-verbal spells. Magical trace factors also seemed like something he could learn about if he studied the right books. Hermione taught herself loads of stuff just by studying didn't she?

And Harry knew his friends would help all they could. The idea began to take root in his mind. He'd attempt to train himself with the help of his friends. Just like the D.A. Harry could use the time between now and when he came of age to really prepare himself. At which point, he would hopefully be able to convince the Professor Dumbledore he didn't need Snape because Harry had worked hard and was fully prepared. That's what Harry had planned on doing before he got the Angelth. There were tons of things Harry could learn without any help from Snape, thank you very much. What had Snape really ever taught him in the first place? All he ever did during the gruesome Occlumency sessions was sneer.

"Clear your mind, Mr. Potter," and complain about how unless Harry was.

But he never explained how to bloody do it. Even Dumbledore said it was a fiasco. Snape was a poor excuse for a teacher and always had been. Harry had spent his first five years in Potions being badgered and belittled and not learning a damn thing. No. Harry thought with confidence. There wasn't a thing he could learn from Snape and there never had been.
This last sentiment made Harry stop short.

"Harry," Ron inquired as they approached the library door. "What's wrong mate?"

"Nothing," Harry said with a determined look. "Go in without me; I'll be back in a minute."

"But where are you going?" Ron asked bewildered.

"Gotta go get something."

"But 'wha?"

"Start with Hogwarts: A History. I'll be back in a flash." Harry yelled over his shoulder, sprinting off.

Minutes later Harry found himself outside the Room of Requirement and was pacing back and forth thinking of a place to hide something. He rushed through the door as it appeared on his third lap past the wall. Harry made his way toward the hidden cupboard, and pushing aside the cage with the five-legged bird, he retrieved the Prince's Potions text. While Harry didn't believe he had ever learned anything from Snape, he grudgingly admitted that he had learned a great deal from the Prince in a very short time.

Perhaps it would be helpful to think of them as different people, Harry mused? It did not really matter though. All he knew for sure was that he wanted that book, and since he didn't feel like explaining why, he took out his wand.

"Reducio" he said, tapping the book once.

The book shrunk to a minute version of itself. As he placed the tiny volume in his pocket, Harry's hand brushed against the Angelth and he felt a tiny pang of guilt. He wasn't exactly going against what the Headmaster wanted, Harry rationalized. He was simply preparing himself to the best of his ability, and hoping to convince the Headmaster he didn't need Snape because Harry had worked so hard. The Headmaster shouldn't be angry with him. Bloody hell. It might even make the old man proud.

Harry made his way back towards the library with renewed confidence. Confidence that had been dormant since his fight with Snape, now swelled with his new sense of purpose. He mused that maybe he should get some books on apparition too and test his theory about Voldemort seeming to be everywhere at once during the fight at the Ministry. As Harry thought about this he realized apparition was like wandless magic and non-verbal spells both because you used neither an incantation or your wand.

Maybe the principals of apparition could be applied to some of the other things Harry needed to learn. Perhaps he could use the three D's. Determination... and two other D's Harry couldn't think of just now. Anyhow it was worth exploring. He'd also like to find some information on Horcruxes and Angelths too. Of course that meant a trip to the restricted section...

Ron was sitting at the table nearest the door when Harry entered the room, which smelled strongly and pleasantly of parchment and leather.

"She won't let us take any books out," Ron informed Harry morosely.

"Wha-?" Harry questioned

"Pince," Ron hissed. "Says since she doesn't know who's coming back next year and she doesn't want any books to go missing."

Harry was able to stifle the rude name he was about to call her, just as Madam Pince approached.

"I'm afraid students may not borrow any books over the summer this year Mr. Potter," Madam Pince informed him tartly.

"Yes, thank you Madam Pince," Harry responded sweetly. "Ron told me," he put on a bit of a sad face. "We can still look around though can't we?"

Madam Pince nodded curtly and walked away.

"Cow," Ron said in and undertone to her retreating back. "I found it though,"he told Harry looking down at the book in front of him.

"Found what?" Harry wanted to know.

"The counter charm for the stairs up to the girls dorm," Ron grinned.

"Did you really?" Harry whistled appreciatively.

"Yep," Ron told him happily. "You just jab your wand into the bottom of the stairway and use this incantation," Ron explained pointing to the page.

"Decendium Mobulus," Harry read. "Well done Ron," he laughed.

"Hogwarts: A History eh?" Harry flipped the book shut taking out his wand. "I always wanted to read that," he informed Ron shrinking the book and placing it in his pocket with a wink.

Ron gave his friend a wide grin.

"I need you to find any books you can on Occulmency, non-verbal spells and wandless magic." Harry told his friend.

"Right then," Ron grinned mischievously, as Harry went to seek out the other categories.

Part II of this chapter tonight or tomorrow. I hope. I hope. Keep reviewing, and I'll keep writing.