Harry Potter and the Pandora's Box

By: Ivan D. Wright

Chapter Three: New Nurse, New Professor. Welcome Back to Hogwarts!

Tonks watched as Harry and Sirius walked toward the dueling stage platform in the center of the room. She had bumped into them on her way out and after telling them where she was going, both had replied that the dueling platform was their destination as well.

She offered to serve as a referee and, much to Sirius' persistence and Harry's amusement, a witness to Harry's defeat.

"Are you ready Harry?" Sirius asked as he stared at him from across the platform.

"One second Sirius," Harry unbuttoned his robes to take it off. Tonks' had to hold her breath at the sight before her. Right in front of her Harry wore a tight, black, sleeveless shirt. It was very tightly wrapped around him, almost like a second skin, that she could see the various muscles along his torso and his arms.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, "Been working out have you?" he looked down at himself and rubbed his belly, "I may have to hit the gym. I have a bit of a gut, don't you think so Tonks?" He turned his head toward his niece who had her eyes fixated on Harry. "Tonks?" He received no reply, "Oi, Tonks! Wake up!"

"Huh? What?" Tonks shook her head and looked at Sirius, who gave her a knowing look. "Yeah, whatever," she muttered.

Sirius rolled his eyes before staring back at Harry, who had flung his robe toward a nearby chair. "Are you ready now?"

"Yeah," he said before he bowed to Sirius.

Sirius bowed at Harry before taking his stance; one foot in front of him and his wand held high.

Harry merely stood there, wand in hand.

"Well? Get into your stance Harry."

"I am. Shall I start?"

"As if," Sirius flourished his wand and aimed at Harry, "Conjunctivitis!"

Harry simply sidestepped the jet of black light, "Come at me with everything you've got Sirius. No need to hold back. Use everything except the Killing Curse."

"Didn't they ever tell you not to get cocky in the battlefield? It could get you killed, Expelliarmus!"

Harry raised his wand, "Protego!"

Tonks watched as Sirius' spell bounced back at him. His wand flew upwards and ended up falling a few feet behind him. She was about to call the match in Harry's favor but was interrupted when Harry shouted, "It's over Sirius, Petrificus Totalus,"

Surprisingly, Sirius managed to roll out of the way of the spell before dashing toward his wand. "It's not over yet Harry," he said as he got up, "Locomotor Mortis!"

"Didn't think you'd retrieve your wand, Protego,"

Tonks watched with amusement as Sirius' spell rebounded back at him but was disappointed when he merely sidestepped then walked forward, "I used to learn from your father Harry; I won't go down so easily. Incarcerous!"

Harry flourished his wand before aiming at the ropes that flew out of Sirius' wand, "Incendio," fire burst forth from Harry's wand engulfing the ropes before they wrapped around him. He waved his wand once more before banishing the flaming rope toward Sirius.

"Aquamenti!" A stream of water attacked the ropes causing steam to erupt. "We're pretty even matched, don't you think Harry?"

Harry stared at Sirius with amusement in his eyes, "Far from it Sirius, I haven't even shown you what I can truly do."

"Don't hold back on my account my dear Godson, Stupefy!"

Tonks watched as the jet of red light headed straight for Harry. To her utter surprise, Harry never lifted his wand up but instead, he lifted his empty left hand before catching the jet of light.

"Impossible," Sirius said breathlessly; wide eyed.

"Oh but it is my dear Godfather. I've learned more magic than Albus Dumbledore himself! Take this as proof, I'll make you regret what you've said." Harry lifted his left hand, the once small red jet of light had become larger, about the size of a Quaffle, in Harry's hand; it was glowing a violent shade of red. He jabbed the point of his wand and stabbed the glowing orb. He let his left arm drop to his side; the glowing orb sticking to his wand, and, with a flourish of his wand, he aimed at his Godfather, "Stupefy Maxima!"

Countless streams of red lights shot out of Harry's wand; or more accurately, the red orb that was connected with Harry's wand, with so much force that he was pushed back slightly. There was a yell as Sirius tried dodging them all before casting the shield spell.

Harry's spells continued to hit Sirius' shield spell before it shattered, causing the remaining stunners to hit his body in various places. Harry's volley of spells continued until the orb of red light, began growing smaller and smaller until it diminished, leaving the tip of his wand smoking.

Tonks was flabbergasted at what she had just seen. It was impossible, it should have been impossible. "Harry," she said, "How in bloody hell did you do that!?"

Harry was startled; he had forgotten that she was there. He scratched his head before staring at her, "I'll explain in a moment," he said before pointing his wand at his fallen opponent, "Enervate"

Sirius opened his eyes and sat up, "Ah damn."

Tonks shook her head out of her stupor, "Winner, Harry Potter."

Harry extended his hand toward Sirius who accepted gratefully. "So what happened exactly? All I saw was you grabbing my spell, which by the way is unheard of, before I have several stunners being aimed at me."

Harry couldn't help but laugh, "Interestingly enough, I read it in a book while traveling around Bulgaria. I can't do anything more than the simple disarming and stunning spells. Anything lower is a possibility but I haven't tested it."

"What about the stronger spells?" asked Tonks as she was making her way closer to them.

"Like?"

"Incendio, Aquamenti, the Leg-Locker curse, and the like," she said as she conjured a chair to sit on.

Harry sat on the edge of the dueling platform; Sirius did the same as he watched Harry curiously. "I'm afraid I can't do that with Incendio and Aquamenti because what comes out of the wand isn't a stream of magic but fire and water, respectively. And to answer your earlier question Sirius," he said as he turned his head toward him, "I have to put a bit of magic on my hand, my non-wand arm, so that I can hold the spell I catch. I enlarge it as much as I can by charging it with magic coming from my hand. Once it's as big as I can make it, I jab the tip of the wand inside it and… hmm… expel it by using the incantation of the spell and the Latin word, Maxima.

"As for trying it with the Leg-Locker curse, I haven't tried it yet."

"You say 'stream of magic,'" said Tonks with a hand on her cheek, "does that mean spells like the Avada Kadavra and Crucio work with it?"

Harry seemed thoughtful for a second before he replied, "It's quite possible but I'm not all that keen to try it, especially the Avada Kadavra."

Tonks nodded, she could understand that. She sudden thought struck her, "Hey can you teach me?"

Sirius interrupted Harry's reply, "Hold on now, I was going to ask first. Lend me that book Harry."

Harry lifted his hands, as if to push away their questions. "Whoa now, I can lend you the book Sirius," he noticed Tonks' crestfallen face. "And I'll personally teach Tonks how to do it." He couldn't help but smile along with Tonks', it was infectious. "I'll leave the book in your study Sirius, just make sure to take good care of it, there are only a few copies in the entire world, and I'll start teaching you when we get to Hogwarts, okay Tonks?"

"Of course Harry,"

"That sounds great! Now, how about you and I have a spar?"

"Ah, that's right. You originally came here to keep your skills sharp." Harry said as he stood up, Tonks stood up as well and walked opposite of Harry; toward the end of the dueling platform. "This should be interesting, fighting against an Auror."

"I'm glad you're not underestimating me and its ex-Auror. I'm a professor now, remember?

"Right, sorry. Are you ready?" Tonks nodded and both bowed simultaneously.

"Ah, I guess I'll play referee," Sirius said, "Begin!"

'It was an interesting fight,' Harry thought as he sat on his chair in front of his desk. The battle with Tonks was exhilarating but hardly challenging. He had ultimately ended the fight with the Maxima technique, Petrificus Totalus Maxima.

Unfortunately, Tonks did not take her defeat well. She was a bit miffed and called him a cheat but he knew she did it all in good fun.

Harry sighed as he stared the several pieces of parchment in front of him. They contained his thoughts and notes on Voldemort. He was somewhere out there; every instinct in his body told him so, but no matter how much he racked his brain, Harry could not give think of as to how he was. Not to mention, his plans.

He grimaced, he'll have search Riddle Manor, something he had yet to do, and if he didn't find anything there, well, he'll have to resort going to Azkaban and talk with Pettigrew. 'That rat ought to know something.'

Harry was startled out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. It was nearly midnight, who would be seeing him this late?

Harry hastily gathered together his notes, for the second time today, and placed them inside his desk. "Come in." he said as he turned his chair around toward the door.

Hermione entered wearing only her nightgown, Harry averted his eyes; cheeks flushed. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

Hermione closed the door behind her before making her way over to Harry's bed. "Nothing really, I just wanted to talk with you for a little while before heading to bed."

Harry scratched the back of his head and nodded. "What would you like to talk about?"

"Us," was her only reply as she lied down on Harry's bed.

He raised an eyebrow, "What about us?"

"Well, we'll be going back to Hogwarts in two days. What do you expect will happen?"

Harry sat back on his chair. After a moment thinking, he replied, "Nothing exciting I can tell you that."

"No thoughts as to what your students will be like?"

"I'm sure they won't be as bad as we were when we were attending Hogwarts. Besides, I have Tonks with me." Harry laughed, oblivious to Hermione's scowl, "I'm sure she'll keep them straight."

Hermione pursed her lips, "I'm sure she will," she said before muttering quietly, "among other things."

"Yeah, so how has life been treating you?"

Hermione raised her arms above her head, "It's been going rather well, despite the few problems that have happened."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"Do tell Hermione."

And so, Harry spent the next half hour hearing about Hermione talk about her relationship with Ron. He made sure to look and sound surprised; he didn't want to be seen as a bad friend now did he?

Still, Harry had not heard the full details from Sirius several hours before about Hermione's relationship with Ron. He had to keep himself composed when he heard about the amount of verbal abuse Ron had put her through. It seemed things only had gotten worse for them, their arguments at least, when they started going out.

He was glad she had broken things off with him before it would have developed into something physical. He made a mental note to talk with Ron if he ever saw him again.

"I'm assuming you two avoid each other now?"

"We do. He was not very happy when I broke things off. He promised to change but the things he said were too hurtful for me to change my mind."

Harry grimaced at the way she calmly talked. "You still hurt a little inside." He said as he looked away from her.

Hermione turned her head and stared at his face. "I do, he was one of my best friends, despite us arguing most of the time."

Harry smiled slightly, "Well, at least you still have me, right?"

Hermione swore her heart skipped a beat, "Yeah," Her mouth was dry. She gulped before continuing, "Well Harry, I should get to bed. It's past midnight after all."

"Goodnight Hermione." He said as he watched her make her way to the door.

She stared at him longingly before she replied to him, "Goodnight Harry."

The past two days passed uneventfully for Harry Potter. He spent the entire time in his room looking over his notes and theories. Most of them sounded far-fetched while others sounded reasonable.

Aside from racking his brains for answers and more theories, Harry spent his time searching for books on the Dark Arts in Sirius' study, as well as making sure to leave his book the Maxima technique on Sirius' desk, and Knockturn Alley. He studied several spells, some which would work extremely well with his Maxima technique should he ever become surrounded by enemies.

He also spent his time speaking with both Tonks and Hermione; something he could not help but enjoy.

Harry was currently standing at platform 9 ¾ staring at the familiar red and black Locomotor train. Tonks was beside him, to his left, and Hermione to his right.

"What are you doing Harry?"

He smiled at Tonks, who blushed prettily, "Just reminiscing, let's go."

Harry, who had his shrunken trunk in his pocket and Hedwig on his shoulder, entered the train. They were early and so they had no trouble finding an empty compartment. It was almost eerily similar as to his days back as a student, being inside the train's compartment, despite Ron Weasley's absence.

Harry sat in front of Hermione and Tonks, both of which were glaring at each other from the corner of their eyes. Harry was, however, oblivious to it all and could only think about each of them in turn.

Tonks and he had been gradually getting closer. He had learned more about her for the past two days, mostly about her days as an Auror and sometimes about her life at Hogwarts.

Talking about her days at Hogwarts was something Harry listened to with utmost attention, much to Tonks' delight, he noticed. It made him smile to see talk too animatedly about things. Not to mention, it made him feel inexplicably warm inside. Something he was curious about.

Oddly enough, he felt the same way around Hermione, though it was not as profound as when he was around Tonks.

As he pondered on his feelings, Tonks and Hermione continued glaring at each other. Both had found out about each others feelings, though Tonks was still a bit unsure, and were trying to sabotage their times with Harry.

However, now that they were making their return to Hogwarts, both had silently agreed to put forth their professions before their affections.

Not that they really had any inclination to follow that agreement. All's fair in love and war, right?

Half hour had passed before the train pulled out of the station. He could hear the rustle and bustle of students from the other compartments. They were excited, just as he was, to be going back to Hogwarts.

Hermione had pulled out a book to read and Tonks, like him, opted to stare out the window. Her daydreaming and he locked in deep thought.

One of the first things he'd have to do when he arrived at Hogwarts was search the restricted section. He had a lot more training to do; he had to prepare himself in case he returned. He'll also make use of the Room of Requirements. He had so much to do.

'I'll have to visit Riddle Manor as soon as I can. However…' he stared at Tonks' face, 'I'll be busy teaching Tonks the Maxima technique.' He frowned, 'This is bad, I shouldn't have told her I would. Hell, even showing that technique was a bad idea in the first place. I'll have to warn Sirius not to divulge the secrets of that book. It would be bad if any Death Eaters got a hold of it. It looks like I'll have to visit Riddle Manor after this term ends.'

The ride toward Hogwarts remained quiet, despite Harry's attempt to strike up a conversation with the girls. Whenever one had his attention, the other would interrupt and cause the conversation to end.

It was painfully boring and Harry could only sigh in relief as he caught sight of Hogwarts Castle.

"Harry," Tonks spoke

He turned his head and looked at Tonks curiously, "Yes Tonks?"

"Could you step out for a moment so that I could change into my robes? I can't very well walk into Hogwarts wearing Muggle clothing after all."

"Ah right. I should do the same I suppose."

Harry walked outside, leaving Hedwig; who was asleep, Tonks and Hermione inside to change. While they changed, Harry pulled out his shrunken trunk, placed it on the floor, enlarged it, pulled out a black colored robe, shrunk his trunk again and placed it in his pocket.

Unlike Tonks and Hermione, and perhaps several other Professor's, Harry really did not care for appearances. He was there to teach, not impress.

He slipped into his robe and waited several minutes before being allowed inside the compartment.

"Say Tonks," Harry said as he sat down, "How are the students in our classes like?"

Tonks thought about it before replying, "They're an interesting bunch. The first years are timid but eager to learn, especially the Ravenclaws," Harry nodded, "The second to fourth years are rather mischievous, and some even skip class. The fifth years to the seventh are more serious in their work, much mature."

"I see, have you thought about what we're going to teach them this term?"

She gave him a sheepish look, "I tend to wing it." Harry gave her an incredulous look. "Don't look at me like that! I'm so busy grading the student's homework's and exams." She gave a slight smile, "I guess Dumbledore found out about my problem and had offered you to work alongside me." She grinned at him when she heard Hermione's low growl.

Harry, oblivious to it all, smiled at her. "I'll help grading the homework's and exams and even help you develop some sort of lesson plan."

"That sounds perfect Harry."

Their conversation ended with the train pulling into Hogsmeade Station. He poked Hedwig awake and after hearing her indignant hoot, which he paid no mind, he placed her on his shoulder before pulling up his hood and walking out of the train.

"Why the hood?" Hermione asked him,

"I'm not real keen on being surrounded by the students wanting to shake my hand and wanting autographs."

"You'll meet them eventually though," Tonks pointed out.

"It'll be in the classroom, where I'll make sure they'll stay in their seats."

"You sure don't enjoy the perks of being a celebrity, do ya?"

"I do not Tonks. Come, let's get a carriage."

It took Harry and his friends several minutes to reach Hogwarts Castle. Once they did, Harry took a moment to pet the Thestral, much to Tonks and Hermione's confusion.

They walked inside Hogwarts Castle and the moment they did, Harry felt such a wave of nostalgia that it would have caused him to stand still, as he stared at the grand hallway, had Hermione not locked her arm around his to pull him toward the Great Hall.

"Come on Harry, we have to take our seat at the Professor's table before the other students arrive."

Harry entered the Great Hall and smiled at the sight before him. Though the four rows tables were devoid of students, the house ghosts had made their appearance. In front of him, at the end of the room, lay one long table with a little more than a dozen chairs. In the middle of those chairs, lay a highly decorated, throne-like, chair.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Harry said in greeting as he walked toward him, he noted Snape's scowl.

"Harry, my boy, welcome back to Hogwarts, please have a seat while we wait for our students to arrive."

Harry moved and sat, much to his distaste, next to Severus Snape. It felt odd, sitting there. He never once thought of the difference in sitting here and the tables where the students sat.

He pulled down his hood.

"So, not only has my application for the Defense against the Dark Arts been rejected, I now have to deal with you, Potter." Snape sneered at him.

Harry could not help but smile in reply, "Professor Potter, Severus."

"Arrogant, just like your father." He scowled.

"Careful Snape, lest my arrogance pushes me to thrust my fist down your throat." Harry said coldly. Bloody hell did it feel good to let out his frustrations against him!

"Now, now Harry, Severus. Do try to get along." Dumbledore said,

"Yes Headmaster."

"Of course, Headmaster."

Several minutes passed before the first couple of students entered the Great Hall. Slowly, but surely, the tables began to fill up with first to seventh years. He smiled when he saw the first years. 'They're so small. I wonder if I was ever that height.'

Dumbledore had waited until everyone had arrived before he stood up. This had caused every conversation, mainly the whispers as to who the young man and woman were sitting at the staff table.

"I would like to welcome all of you back to Hogwarts after your Christmas vacations. First, before we eat, I would like to introduce two new staff members. Please welcome Professor Harry Potter, who will be working along side Professor Tonks, and finally, due to Madam Promfrey, our nurse, retiring, I had to seek a new Hogwarts nurse. Please welcome Madam Fleur Delacour."

Harry stood up, surprised, and bowed. He watched, from the corner of his eye, as the blond haired, blue-eyed half-Veela stood up and curtsied.

As he sat he began to hear loud whispers coming from all the tables. 'At least they're not trying to get my Autograph.'

"And now, as I'm sure most of you are famished, tuck in."

Harry stared at the sight of Hedwig flying away into the night sky, carrying a letter for Sirius, asking him not to lend the book to anyone, including Remus, and to return it to him the moment he finished learning the Maxima technique.

He was in his office, 'our office,' he mentally corrected; he worked with Tonks after all.

It was a fairly small office. Dumbledore had added a second desk to the room so it was rather cramped. However, it had enough room for a small library of books to be shelved next to the door that led to the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom.

Across from that door was another door that led into his and Tonks' living quarters. For some reason he could not understand, Hermione was not really happy with that.

His desk was in front of the only window in that room, Tonks' desk was only a few feet in front of him.

Harry went and opened the door that led to his and Tonks' living room. It was nearly the size of the common room in Gryffindor Tower, something that made him happy, complete with a fireplace, located right next to the door he entered.

A loveseat and an arm chair sat on top of a silk rug. The floor itself was carpeted. Behind the loveseat was a spiral staircase that led to his and Tonks' rooms that had their very own washrooms.

While the common room was nicely furnished, Harry's bedroom was simple and plain; a four-post bed, mahogany desk and chair and an empty bookshelf. He was glad for the large window that was in front of his desk. It had a nice view of the lake from there; something to stare at in case he was lost in thought.

Harry pulled out the sheet of parchment that was in his pocket. Tonks had given him a copy of their schedule. It was quite a full day tomorrow, as well as the rest of the week, leaving Friday and the weekends free.

However, Friday and Saturday were going to be busy days. He and Tonks agreed on those days to train. He was going to teach her the Maxima technique.

Harry walked upstairs, opened the door to his left at the top, and walked into his room. He was tired but his mind was entirely chaotic. Thoughts of Tonks, Hermione, his classes, the professors, and Voldemort filled his head. Harry gripped his head in agony, it was beginning to throb, and closed his eyes.

'You seem a little distracted, Harry.'

Harry whipped his head around in fright. He knew that voice, it was impossible…

'Neville, you're alive?'

Neville's brown eyes looked at him in amusement. 'Afraid not Harry, I'm just a figment of your imagination, really.'

Harry looked at him critically, 'So how is it I can see you so clearly?'

'Magic,' Neville laughed at Harry's annoyed look and elaborated, 'Your thoughts are rather scrambled, I can tell. You've kept a lot of things to yourself and your magic, knowing the torment you're going through, decided to help by using an image you're most familiar with.'

'But out of all the people I know, why you?'

'You know, the real Neville would have probably been hurt by that comment.' The image of Neville walked toward the window and stared outside the window. 'As for why I chose this image, I think it would have been better than if I were to choose, say, Tonks or Hermione, or perhaps Sirius?'

'Right, right, I get your point. I would have most likely kept my mouth shut.' Harry took a moment to let Neville's words sink in further, 'You said 'I,' does that mean you're…?'

Neville nodded, 'I am a part of your magic, a part of you, and nothing more and nothing less.'

'I see.' Harry moved stared at Neville's back. 'I guess that would explain why you still look the same as you had in fifth year.'

'Let's not dillydally, shall we? Even I have my limits and I don't mean in temper.'

'What is it you want to talk about?'

'Your feelings,' Neville turned around to look at him.

Harry snorted, 'Sorry, but I'm not the type to have a heart to heart with someone, especially with himself.'

'We're changing, you know.' Harry watched as Neville sat on the chair, 'Even though you may not notice it.'

'Really now? How so?' Harry crossed his arms

'Our magic, I'm changing. I've become darker ever since his defeat, ever since your unease began.'

'I don't feel evil.'

Neville scoffed, 'Idiot, I don't mean evil. Your intentions are still pure, I can tell you that, however the way we're going about our goal; to make sure he never returns, is rather twisted.'

'Do tell.'

'An interest in the Dark Arts and the fact that our goal has become very much an obsession.'

'My obsession is to rid the world of a maniac that wants nothing more than to rule the world? Excuse me for wanting to save the world!'

'There's nothing wrong with that, I was merely pointing it out to you. Don't get your knickers in a knot.'

Harry scowled, this was his magic? 'My interest in the Dark Arts, is there anything wrong with that too?'

Neville smiled at him, 'I really could care less about the Dark Arts. What matters to you however, is your fear.'

Harry scoffed, 'My fear?'

'That you might turn into Voldemort someday,'

He froze, 'Won't it happen?'

'I'll answer that in a moment. I want to point out that your logic is severely twisted. You want to delve into the Dark Arts because you find the defense against them purely… defensive and weak, except the shield charm; which is a handy tool by the way. You want strength and power to make sure he never becomes a threat again.'

'Since you know so much about me, tell me, do I have a problem with using the Dark Arts? Is there a problem with me wanting to make sure he stays dead?'

Neville glared at him, 'Your fear stupid. Drop the tough guy façade in front of me; it's a waste of my time.'

Harry recoiled before scowling, 'I'll get over my fear without any problem.'

Neville nodded, 'You should, it could mean our survival, should he ever return.'

'So, will I turn into Voldemort someday?'

'You already answered it. Get over your fear and accept who you are; the savior, the messiah of the light. The sooner you do, the more eager you will find yourself wanting to get stronger.'

Harry lifted his arm and stared at the wand in his hand, 'You're right of course.'

'I've looked over your memories. I would like to offer a piece of advice, if you would like to listen to me some more?' Harry nodded, 'Your wand is not the only weapon available to kill a person. We're going to need a lot more than that stick of wood if we're going to fight against the strongest wizard in the world.'

Harry's eyes widened, 'Does that mean…?'

Neville tilted his head before walking in front of Harry, 'Yes and no. As a part of your magic that is connected to Voldemort, I can feel it. A part, a remnant, of him is still alive. It's very much unlike the first time he supposedly died. I warn you, this Voldemort is very different than before. What's out there is not him completely.'

'What exactly do you mean?'

Neville turned his head and stared out the window, 'Voldemort's soul is missing while his body is out there. A corporeal body complete with his powers.'

Harry growled, 'Does that mean he's going to make a move? What?'

Neville turned to him and shook his head, 'I swear you must only look smart. I can't believe I'm a part of you.'

'Get to the point!'

'A body without a soul is just a shell, nothing more and nothing less. I can't tell you where exactly this shell is or what it is going to do but perhaps we can find our answer in the library's restricted section.'

Harry watched as Neville's image began to fade, 'Wait, we're not done talking yet!'

'Shut up, I'll be back later. We still have much to talk about. Remember, search the restricted section.'

Harry felt blinding pain in his head once more and closed his eyes. It was a strange sensation, it felt like up was down and down was up. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the floor.

'A dream?' he thought. He looked around the room and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Harry sat on his bed. It was an odd experience and he could not decide as to its sincerity. Maybe he was going mad?

He shook his head, mad or not, his dreams, if they were that, held truth. His fears, he'd have to face it.

Not to mention, Voldemort's shell. If his dreams were in fact reality, then the fight against Voldemort is far from over.

A/N: It's a bit of a short chapter but I had to end it here. You can expect the next few chapters to be slightly longer, almost as long as the first chapter. Anyway,

The next woman vying for Harry's heart has now entered! Lady Fleur Delacour, the French Veela beauty. With three women, not counting the last mysterious one, aiming for Harry's affection, who will he choose? One, two, three, all of them, or none?

There are several unanswered points so far in the fic. Most, if not all, of which will be answered near the middle or the end of the story. I have to admit that Hermione's scene with Harry was a little weak but I'll make that up in later chapters.

The Organization that has been mentioned in the last chapter will make an eventual appearance. More details and secrets will be revealed about them as well as the final woman aiming for Harry's affection. Three guesses as to who it might be?

I almost spilled the beans as to Voldemort's plans and all in this chapter. Luckily I thought it over and came to the conclusion that it was too soon to let everyone know, far too early in the fic, about his plans. I have decided though to confirm Harry's feelings on Voldemort. A bit early than intended but at least I haven't given the entire plot away.

As for having Sinistra involved, I will most likely not have her have any feelings toward Harry. I really don't know much about her but I will definitely consider it for my next fic. Actually, I might look her up in the books and see if I can find any mention of her and her character. I can already feel my spidey-senses tingling. She'll definitely be used, not as a romantic interest for Harry, but… heh, I'll reveal it in the next couple chapters anyway so you'll have to wait to find out Isebas.

Lastly, Ron, Ginny, and the Weasley's will hardly be making much of an appearance. Luna probably will but again, I've yet to make any concrete plans to have them in it much.

Anyway, that's it for this chapter. Review! Review! Review! And thank you for reading my story!

Ivan D. Wright