Harry Potter and the Power of Time
Chapter 21 – As Time Passes
After that first week in November when Harry worked through his feelings about Amber's death; the weekend when he emptied the captured Death Eaters' bank accounts; time seemed to fly by for him and his friends. School was over two months in session, and the students couldn't use the excuse "I'm still getting used to my schedule" anymore; not that Hermione ever used that one, but Ron often did.
Harry was still upset that Amber had been a casualty of an attack that was mainly a distraction for the break out at Azkaban, but just like he had with Cedric and Sirius, he pushed his emotions to the back of his mind, and instead concentrated on achieving his end goals. The quicker he worked to train and learn, so he could stop Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the less likely innocent people like Amber would have to die or be hurt anymore. With that in mind, Harry renewed his training regimen with a passion.
He cut back on his extra study sessions with Ginny and Luna to help them out with their OWL subjects, but not completely. Actually, he enjoyed the time spent with the two fifth years and Hermione, as it was one of the rare times each week that he didn't have to push at his limits, and could instead rest on his laurels, and reflect on what he already knew.
Harry's many massage sessions were also cut down to only once a week, as it really was impractical for he and Ginny to spend an extra hour after every one of their Quidditch practices, four times a week. They had almost five weeks until their next game against Hufflepuff, and Harry thought he might even talk to Ginny about cutting back to only three practices a week.
Before that game though, Hufflepuff first had to take on Ravenclaw in mid-November, it what was expected to be a very exiting game. In previous years, Hufflepuff had never been much of a match for the other school teams, and Cho Chang as Ravenclaw's team captain and seeker easily led the Bronze Eagles to trounce on the Badgers. This year however, the Hufflepuff seeker Summerby, who it had been rumored practiced almost daily over the summer, was actually caught flying by the opposing team, and the rumors were proved true. He was excellent! Perhaps not as great of a flier as Harry or even Cho was, but certainly nothing to laugh at or dismiss.
After he'd been caught flying around the pitch by Ravenclaw, he saw no reason to keep the secret anymore that he had much improved. Word quickly spread that Summerby had attended the Puddlemore United Jr. training camp over the summer; an honor offered to many, but only affordable to a few. For two solid weeks he'd been subjected to professionally instructed flying and position lessons, and then had the rest of the holiday to perfect what he had worked on. In fact, Marcus Gethrings, Puddlemore's first string seeker, had taken a personal interest in working with Summerby. Since he would complete against Harry Potter, it was a goal of Gethrings to work Summerby as much as possible, so he might be able to secure a victory over the famous Boy-Who-Lived. If that happened, Puddlemore thought it might be able to draw in larger numbers to its training camp the following summer.
When the Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff game finally arrived, it was not a disappointment. Although perhaps not as well played or exciting as the season opener of Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, it still provided to be more of a match then the normal Hufflepuff shut-out.
Shelby Fitzpatrick, the Hufflepuff announcer, also got more spirited with his commentary, which made the game more enjoyable. Perhaps it was because he had first game jitters last time announcing, or he'd gotten some advice sent by a rumored Lee Jordan sent letter. Harry thought it was because it was his own house playing, but whatever the reason, it worked. The running commentary wasn't as dry or factual as before, while still not being as colored as Lee's had been, to make frequent interruptions from Professor McGonagall necessary.
In the end the chasers had been about of equal skill, but Ravenclaw had a varsity advantage in the beaters and seeker positions. They also targeted team captain Zacharias Smith, whose pompous attitude and short fuse had been discovered last year. After making him drop the quaffle for the fourth time in less than an hour (he insisted on leading all the Hufflepuff chaser plays), he lost some focus and confidence, just like he had when dueling against Professor Rofordit that first time in DADA. After that, Ravenclaw quickly crawled ahead in the point department, and after only one hour and seventeen minutes, Cho managed to slightly beat out the Hufflepuff seeker to the snitch, for an end score of 230-60 to Ravenclaw.
The week after the Quidditch match, Harry also spent some normally free time to help out Hagrid with his lessons about phoenixes. It had been weeks since they'd planned the lessons together during one of Harry's detentions for cursing Draco, but somehow the opportunity never had presented itself. Harry was either caught up in his Arithmancy formulas, potions he was brewing, or personal study, to take the time out to devote an entire week to CoMC classes he wasn't even scheduled for. Likewise, Hagrid found it more difficult to work around his previously set lesson plans, because he had already scheduled the entire semester's worth of animals and supplies to be delivered on specific dates. Most of the subjects Hogwarts' students studied in his classes he found himself either on the school grounds, or in the Forbidden Forest. But there were others, especially for the upper years, that had to be borrowed from magical zoos from across Europe, or required special permits from the Ministry of Magic. It wasn't easy to just insert a whole week into such a tight schedule.
Finally though, Harry mentioned all this to Hagrid one day while sharing a cup of tea during a free period they both had (Harry was using the time to recover from his daily Cruciatus training.) Both though it was better to just get it out of the way rather than postponing it further. If that happened, neither thought the lesson would ever be taught. So while it required some sacrifice (Harry had to rearrange his schedule that week, and Hagrid had to return a crate full of Nifters to the Forest), both were willing for the rare opportunity to study not one, but two different kinds of phoenixes.
Hedwig and Fawkes both loved the opportunity to spend virtually the entire week in the open air. Fawkes was much too often kept cooped up in the Headmaster's office, and while Hedwig was allowed more freedom than that, she rarely got so much attention paid to her, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
The third and fourth year classes were more mesmerized than anything by the two phoenixes, and didn't have many questions to ask. The just listen to both Harry and Hagrid tell a little about the creatures, dutifully took notes, and asked to pet the birds at the end of their classes.
The fifth year students were a little more adventurous; especially the Gryffindors. Because Hedwig was a normal fixture in their common room, most were already familiar with her, and took pride when Hedwig automatically flew over to some of their shoulders to say hello. Ginny got the longest greeting, but that only made sense with the amount of time she spent with both Harry and Hedwig.
The seventh year class wasn't as interested as they'd normally be in the phoenixes, due to their upcoming NEWTS. 'They must really be harder than the OWLs,' Harry thought, 'if they're all stressing over the exams this early in the school year. With my OWLs, I didn't start to review until March or so.'
And indeed, that was the case. Just like the younger years, they listened attentively with open ears to both Harry and Hagrid teach what by now each of them could recite from memory. They took notes, asked a few intelligent questions, and then sat down under a tree to do some individual work. A smart Ravenclaw asked if phoenixes were normal NEWT material, and the answer was no, because they weren't often available to study. With the guarantee that phoenix physiology or abilities wouldn't be on their exams, not many students choose to come closer to inspect the birds, or ask more personal questions like the other years had.
The sixth year class however, was unlike the others due to the fact of one single person; Draco Malfoy. Much to Hagrid's distaste, like Harry not many students choose to continue with NEWT level CoMC. In fact, only Ron, Lavendar, Dean, and Neville were there from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff had only about six students, and Ravenclaw only three. Slytherin however, perhaps because they viewed CoMC as an "easy" class, because of their disrespect for Hagrid, or the fact that Harry and Hermione weren't around to constantly show them up, were enrolled in large numbers. Harry didn't know how Hagrid managed to get through a lesson with Draco (flocked by Goyle, Crabbe, Pansy, Millicent, and Nott) constantly mocking him and being disruptive, but his opinion for the half giant's patience went up a few notches. Harry didn't know how Ron managed to make it through class either without earning himself at least a detention a week. No doubt, Hagrid helped him out there.
From the moment the Slytherins showed up, with smirks on their faces all around, Harry knew there would be trouble. Only Blaise separated herself from her housemates, which Harry knew thanks to talking with the shy girl during D.A. lessons, she did normally and instead went to stand with the Ravenclaws. Hagrid was busy filleting some fish for their lesson behind his hut, and Harry was expected to great everyone and begin the lecture. Ron gave him a friendly smile (it was nice to see Ron in a class other than DADA), Lavender gave him a giggle, so Harry took a deep breath and began.
"Gather around now, all of you. Today's lesson on Streelers is being postponed for a week, while Hagrid and I talk some about phoenixes. Just so you know, this isn't NEWT level material, and won't be on your exams next year, so don't feel you have to take world class notes. Instead Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore thought it might be a good idea for you all to be exposed to out resident phoenixes. It isn't often that a wizard or witch will get the chance to meet one, let alone see two from more than a distance. I have no idea why Professor Dumbledore hasn't done this before with Fawkes, seeing as he's always been around, but the day I start figuring him out is the day I commit myself."
Harry's small joke about Dumbledore's strange behavior earned a small laugh from the group of gathered students. Draco sneered and made a crack about "knowing Potter was crazy," but since it was quiet and wasn't much of an unexpected comment from him, Harry let it slide.
"I myself met Fawkes my second year here," Harry took a pause to walk over to Fawkes' perch, and stroke his breast feathers softly. "If it weren't for him, I've no doubt the school would have been closed, the Chamber of Secrets would have remained open, and I would have died from Basilisk poison. I'm sure you've all heard the stories, though what you've heard is no doubt more fiction than fact. However, I've known Hedwig here longer," Harry walked over to his own made perch, "so I'll mainly be concentrating talking about her in this lesson. I'll point out any differences between the two when they apply, but for the most part, they have the same magical abilities."
"What makes you such an expert, Potter? You're not even in this class. In fact, I hear you're not in many classes at all this year. Got kicked out of Potions, and I heard you're taking fifth year classes as well. What's wrong? Had to repeat a year because you're too thick to take classes with the rest of us?
Harry didn't bat an eye at Draco's comment, but inside he was seething. In his interrogation with Avery weeks before, Harry learned it was a letter sent from Draco to Lucius the day of the Hogsmeade visit, that had tipped off Voldemort that Harry knew the prophecy's contents. In retrospect, Harry could have smacked himself for talking with his friends about such matters in public. He should have learned his lesson about that the previous year in the Hog's Head when they were overheard. Since that knowledge was the one thing keeping Voldemort from public attacks, Harry had almost attacked Draco the next day in return. He managed to calm himself in time however, and swore he wouldn't ever forget Draco's part in the Diagon Alley and Azkaban attacks.
With his latest comment, Harry was again about to rip into Draco. To the outside observer it merely looked as if Harry hadn't heard or had brushed off the slur, but it wasn't true. Only his foreknowledge that Draco would try to push his buttons had ensured Harry was calm enough to continue. Harry had earlier pleaded with Hagrid to be present the first part of class, but Hagrid insisted that Harry could take care of them himself, seeing as how the class was his own year mates.
"For your information Draco," Harry replied instead of punching the boy's face, "like so much of the BS you spout off, that's not true. We all here know what really happened in Potions, and that I removed myself from class, instead of being kicked out. If you think differently, why don't you ask Snape how his backside is feeling since I knocked him on his arse. And yes I am taking one fifth year class, but that's only because it's a new subject for me, and I have to pass the OWLs before I'm allowed to continue. Just the fact that I did three years of school work this past summer to get caught up enough to enter, plus the fact that Professor Vector said I'm advanced enough to join the seventh years, should show that it's not because I'm thick that I'm in that class, but just the opposite. If anyone's thick here, it's you Draco! I don't see you anywhere in NEWT level Defense classes. I've also seen you work in Charms and Transfiguration, and it leaves much to be desired. And let's just say that I've seen your actual marks for Care of Magical Creatures this last week, and I'm almost embarrassed for you. So unless you'd like for me to continue, I suggest you keep your smart comments to yourself, so we can proceed with the lesson."
Ron and Neville were outright laughing, and most of the other students, including Blaise, had a smile on their face. Draco's pale complexion had turned splotchy with anger, but faced with the facts, there wasn't much he could say in his defense. When it was apparent he wouldn't talk back, Harry picked back up with Hedwig as if he never left off.
Over the next half hour, Harry went over all the magical properties of phoenixes in general, and described a bit about their preferred climate, diets, and behaviors. Hedwig flew around to a few of the students she was either familiar with or deemed "safe," while Fawkes was perfectly happy just remaining where he was, and let a few students approach him. Hagrid eventually joined them to offer the fish and a few pears and berries to the class, so they could feed the birds. Fish and fruit were the phoenixes main diet Hagrid explained, although if they needed to they could survive on nuts, seeds, and even certain types of leaves.
Over half the class took the offered food, and even Crabbe and Goyle took a few filets and threw them to Fawkes. They didn't want to get close enough to hand feed him, nor did Harry think Fawkes would let them, but the thrown food was suitable for both parties.
After the feeding, Hagrid went over the white phoenix tales much of the class had been brought up to believe as bedtime stories, and offered a few major ideas about how they came to be. Harry didn't know many of the tales except what Dumbledore had told him, so Hagrid had much more experience with this part of the lesson. Harry actually turned his attention away from the class, and listened as well. Until that week, he didn't know just how much the stories about white phoenixes really were popular. Even now, the last class of the week, Harry was learning something new. Hagrid managed to not repeat a single tale in the eight classes they had had that week, and he assured Harry there were plenty more that he didn't know.
The students knew a few tales of their own, and discussed them amongst themselves while they were given time to sketch the phoenixes on some spare parchment. After that, Harry concluded the lesson with the theory that Dumbledore had told him about how white phoenixes came to exist through strong accidental magic. It was the first any of the class had heard about that, and for the most part most of them believed it. Except for one, of course.
"What do you mean? Do you expect us to believe that that white phoenix is the ugly old snowy owl you used to have? Nonsense! Why don't you try another tall tale Potter? And I expect if Longbottom's warty toad were to get a kiss, he'd turn into a prince?" A few Slytherins laughed, but it was more forced than anything. Pitiful, really.
"I can assure you Trevor's already more of a prince than you'll ever be, Draco. And yes, Hedwig here used to be a snowy owl, although she was never ugly. I've had her since my first year. She was a birthday present from Hagrid, actually. So it's only fitting that she's here now." Hedwig, who had taken offence to being called ugly, calmed down some at Harry's soothing voice. "Why else do you think she has the same name?"
It was widely known in Gryffindor that Hedwig used to be Harry's owl, but the subject hadn't come up in any of Hagrid's other classes. Harry had just assumed that word had gotten around, and everybody had known.
"Really Harry?" Ernie McMillian asked. "We asked Professor Flitwick that question after Hedwig first appeared during your press conference. He wasn't sure, but he just figured that your old owl had died, and then when this phoenix showed up, you named her in memory of your old pet. I think that's the main story that's been spread around school."
Harry was momentarily stunned, but guessed that it was possible. After all, Professor Flitwick wasn't in the Order of the Phoenix, and therefore wasn't as close with Professor Dumbledore as some other staff members were. So when Hagrid, Remus, and McGonagall learned the truth about Harry's summer activities, and his new phoenix, the tiny man might have not learned the same.
"I hadn't heard that Ernie. Everybody in Gryffindor's always known, so I guessed word had gotten around. Well, you know the truth now. Hedwig used to be an ordinary post owl, until she got shot with a Reductor curse." Hedwig nipped Harry's ear at being called ordinary, but let him continue.
"It blew a hole straight though her wing, and damaged most of her back as well. I was very upset at the time, and although I didn't learn it until almost two months later, I guess I preformed accidental magic to save her. I had thought she died, but instead of getting cold like dead bodies normally do, she got warmer and warmer. Eventually I had to back away because of the heat, and Hedwig started to smoke. Soon I could hear phoenix song, flames broke out, and not even water could douse them. She nearly burnt the entire room down, but when it was all over, Hedwig was as she appears now, only a little smaller. She's grown some since, and so far has had one burning day. I still don't know if her cycle will be any different that Fawkes'. Professor Dumbledore says Fawkes burns about four to six times a year, unless he's hurt."
"How so?" A Hufflepuff asked. Harry had already gone through a description of burning days, but must have left out the fact that if they took a spell or any type of physical damage, phoenixes entered them much sooner; sometimes immediately. So Harry went over anything he forgot, and the question got answered.
"There's also one more thing special about Hedwig. Originally being a post owl gives her a special ability that other phoenixes don't have. She can still deliver a letter to anyone in the world, thanks to her homing ability. And now that she can fly faster and flash teleport, she can deliver most letters almost immediately, and others within a matter of minutes. Just earlier this week, I had Hedwig deliver a letter to South America, and she returned from her trip in under an hour. For a normal post owl, that would take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on their size."
"What was she doing in South America?" Ron asked. Harry hadn't told any of his friends about that, and Harry could already tell Ron was starting to feel left out again.
"Sorry Ron, it's a surprise. You'll find out eventually though."
"So you're saying Potter, that this ruddy bird can deliver a letter to anyone in the U.K. in mere moments?" That question came from Draco, who instead of looking at Harry, was instead scribbling on a piece of parchment. Harry had a bad feeling about what was coming, and looked over to Hagrid to intervene. Hagrid however didn't interpret Harry's look, and didn't catch on.
"Prove it then, Potter. Here's a letter I just wrote. Let's see you bird deliver it. We'll wait until she's back. If it doesn't take long like you claim, then there's no harm done." Without waiting for permission, Draco pushed his way forward to Hedwig's perch, and roughly shoved the letter in her talons. Harry had too many students between him and them, so couldn't stop Draco in time. Hedwig however was more than capable of taking care of herself. Tossing Draco's note aside, she instead launched from her perch and began to terrorize Draco from the sky. Everyone had a good laugh as Draco kept diving to the ground to avoid her razor sharp talons, and by the time Harry finally got close, it was obvious that Hedwig wouldn't be delivering any of Draco's mail.
"Potter, call your ruddy bird off! It's attacking me!"
"I guess you shouldn't have assumed that you'd be allowed to use her like an ordinary school owl then, should you? You know what they say happens when you assume?" Harry was having a good laugh himself, but was getting nervous that Hedwig might actually clip Draco with her claws. The last thing he needed was a repeat of the Buckbeak incident. Not that Lucius Malfoy had anywhere enough power anymore to try to get Hedwig punished, and it was impossible to execute a phoenix, but Harry figured it best to avoid the possibility.
"Hedwig, come here girl! Leave the snarky git alone." At her master's call, Hedwig alighted on Harry's shoulder, but still cast a few glares at Draco, who was only then standing up from the ground.
"That's it Potter! I'm informing Professor Snape that your bird is a menace. It should have its wings clipped, is what I think! A proper Headmaster would never have allowed you and that oaf to teach a class with your vultures."
Hagrid frowned at the "oaf" crack, and most of the Gryffindors (with Ron in the front) started to push up their sleeves and draw their wands. That was nothing compared to how angry Harry was, however. All lesson long he'd been barely tolerable of Malfoy and his snide remarks. This latest insult, in addition to his existing anger for Draco's part in the Diagon Alley attack, was the last straw.
"Shut up Malfoy! You just don't know when to shut up and cool down, do you?" Turning his attention to Hedwig, he added, "Why don't you help him cool down, girl? I'm sure he'd like to see your strength. After all, he doesn't believe in your abilities, now does he?"
Harry supposed he should have let Hagrid deal with the situation, but Harry wasn't thinking straight. Hagrid never stood up to Draco like he should, and it was Hedwig who was insulted as much as Hagrid, so Harry felt justified.
Hedwig seemed to know just what Harry was thinking too, for not a second after his request, she launched off of Harry's shoulder, and once again started to dive-bomb Draco. This time though, instead of pulling up at the last moment, she dug her talons into his shoulder, and picked the blond up screaming and flailing. The lake wasn't too far away from Hagrid's hut, and not a minute later, Draco was definitely cooler than he'd been before. Hedwig had dropped him in the center of the lake from fifty feet in the air, and so close to the end of autumn, the water's temperature must have been quite chilly.
They all had a good laugh (even Hagrid!) as Draco had to spend the next ten minutes swimming to shore. What made it better though, was that he couldn't manage more than a dog paddle, and even his cronies were laughing at him. The class enjoyed the last few minutes of their lesson without Draco's sour attitude and interruptions, and left with grins on their face. Harry and Hagrid congratulated each other on a week well spent; for the most part; and went to clean up. Just as Draco was returning to collect his things, Harry bent over to pick up the note that had been tossed aside earlier.
"Give that back, Potter! It's personal." Harry didn't notice Draco finally make it to shore, but he almost broke out in laughter again at the sight. The Slytherin's perfect robes and hair were a mess, he was obviously freezing, and to top off the look, he had a tear in the seat of his pants where Harry suspected a Grindylow had taken a bite out of him. 'Must not have been agreeable to the Grindylow,' thought Harry.
"I don't see how, Draco. You felt it a public enough letter to send during a class demonstration. That's assuming it's even the same piece of parchment. It could be someone's notes left behind. And you know how much I hate to assume, don't you? You can have it back once I see what's on it, to make sure it's really yours." Harry didn't know why he was being so childish about the note, but for some reason he wanted to know who it was to, and what was on it. Chalk it up to simple curiosity perhaps, but Harry didn't feel like giving in to Malfoy at the moment. And after his behavior and attitude, Harry felt he had the right.
Malfoy however didn't. When Harry refused to return the letter, Draco's hand dove in his robe pocket. For a moment a feared played out across his face (he though he lost his wand on the swim back to shore), but it quickly vanished as he found it, and pointed it at Harry. Harry had already unholstered his own as well.
"What's going on here now? Harry? I think the lesson's over for today, and you both ought to get cleaned up and dried off before dinner. Put those wands away!"
"Potter's got something of mine, and I want it back!" Draco demanded. He made no motion to put his wand away, and in fact took a few steps closer to Harry.
Harry on the other hand, in the presence of a professor, sheathed his wand, and turned his attention away from Draco. "I told Draco I wasn't sure this is his. I was about to open the paper and check, when Draco pulled his wand. I still think it might be Neville's notes. I thought I saw him drop them on the way back to the castle."
Hagrid must have known that Harry was lying, because he saw the note Draco wrote as well, but he was probably curious as well. So when he asked Harry to hand over the letter, Draco protested loudly.
"Calm down Malfoy, you great wuss! I'll take a quick look, and if it's your letter, then you can have it back. Harry won't see your girly handwriting, so there's no need to get all upset."
Apparently, that wasn't enough of a promise for Draco, and he chose to attack. With his wand still out, he shot a stunner at Harry, who without a wand or warning, wasn't able to dodge it. He didn't have his watch's shield charm up either, but luckily his dragon hide vest took the brunt of the spell. Harry swooned dangerously, but was able to shake the cobwebs from his head before completely falling over. He didn't know what happened in those few seconds, but when he turned his attention back to Malfoy (this time with his wand in hand), Malfoy was sitting on the ground, holding his hand in pain. It seemed that Hagrid had been outraged that Draco had attacked an unarmed student, in his presence no less, and had felt the need to disarm him himself. Not being able to use magic however, Hagrid did it the old fashion way by grabbing Draco around the arm, and prying the wand from his grasp. Matched against his giant strength, Draco had no chance, and Harry was forced to sheath his wand again in disappointment. He was really looking for an excuse to curse Draco now!
Harry also must have missed Hagrid reading the letter, for it was unfolded, and currently being waved menacingly in the air as Hagrid yelled for Draco to return to the dungeons. Whatever was on the parchment must not have been good, because Hagrid took twenty points off of Slytherin (something he rarely did), and was promising to let Dumbledore know all about the incident. Harry was content to watch as Draco made a few more pleas and threats, before finally sulking off to the castle, shivering cold, without his wand.
"What did I miss?" Harry asked Hagrid when it was all over. There was only about an hour left until dinner, and Harry had planned to get in some more reading, but thought finding out what happened was more important.
"Harry, I don't know if you should read this or not, but I expect it's your right. Twas' indeed his letter you picked up there, only the letter wasn't as innocent as he claimed it. Here, take a look."
Harry took the offered letter from Hagrid, not really knowing what to expect, but clearly not expecting what the letter actually contain. If he was angry before, he was furious now!
Dear Father,
Our idiot Headmaster has deemed it interesting enough for our normal lessons to be interrupted, so that Potter and my oaf of a CoMC professor can spend a whole lesson teaching the class about phoenixes. The material's not even on our exams, and most of what was said sounds like fairy tales to me, but I did pick up something interesting. Potter claims this white phoenix used to be his old owl, that got transformed somehow by accidental magic when the beast got shot with a Reuductor curse. Potter claims that in addition to normal phoenix abilities, it also kept the ability to find any person by post, just like regular owls. If this is true, I thought it might be an advantage you could either use, or at the least one Potter shouldn't have. So I'm about to demand that Potter demonstrate, and I'm going to attach this note to the bird's leg, to deliver to you. If it works, and you get this, do what you will. Keep the bird for yourself, or kill it if you wish. Either way, its one more thing I can do to harm Potter, so I'm happy. Give my regards to Mother, and I'll write my normal letter at week's end.
Draco
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was never made officially public what happened to Draco because of the letter, but Hagrid informed Harry personally that Draco was docked fifty house points, and made to serve three detentions with Mr. Flich. Hagrid had pushed for the removal of Draco's prefect status, but the request was laughed at by Professor Snape, who claimed the incident not more than a childish prank, and thought the punishment too severe as it was. And because Snape was Draco's Head of House, Dumbledore deferred judgment to him, and Draco got off lightly.
Harry let all his friends know about the letter of course, and therefore within a week most of the school knew. Even most of the Slytherins were disgusted by Draco's actions, and his popularity and influence lessoned even more within the house. Snape tried accusing Harry of leaking the secret, but Harry truthfully denied having told anyone but his closest friends. Since he'd never been told not to, there was nothing Harry could be punished for, and Snape had to settle for directing his normal sneers at the Gryffindor table during meals.
Hermione was sorry to have missed all the action as she didn't take Hagrid's class, but enjoyed the many retellings of it Ron gave the younger years almost nightly in the common room for an entire week. Another week passed, and suddenly it was closer to December than October. It was less than a month from the next Hogsmeade trip, the next Quidditch match, and the holidays were just around the corner.
Around this time too, Hermione finally decided that she'd volunteer when Professor Rofordit asked to duel a student in class for house points. Only herself, Harry, and two others hadn't made the attempt yet, and Harry knew that Hermione had been thinking about doing so soon. She had planned to use a lot of transfiguration in the duel, and had asked for Harry's advice. He just suggested that she play to her strengths, and keep things as simple as possible. While it might be impressive to animate or conjure many objects in the duel, doing so would require too much concentration, which would give Rofordit a chance to easily defeat Hermione. Instead, Harry suggested that she not transfigure more than one or two objects as once, so she could still stay defensive enough to dodge and block spells, and perhaps even fire some off some of her own.
The duel took place a Thursday morning the third week in November, and to give her credit, Hermione had come the closest to beating their old professor, although in the end she hadn't.
Just like Zacharias Smith and all the others she'd taken on so far, once the duel started, Rofordit didn't make a single offensive move. Instead she just waited calmly for Hermione to act, and then moved to deflect any attacks. And like Harry had taught in the D.A., Hermione chose a few well-placed spells to gauge all of Rofordit's power, speed, and skill. Because of her advanced age, the woman choose to block or deflect most spells instead of dodging them, and that's what Hermione thought she could take advantage of; Rofordit's lack of movement. Her plan was to transfigure and animate a few student desks into Labradors, and have them chase the lady around. Hopefully while Rofordit was busy fending off the large distractions, Hermione would be able to slip a few spells in that would get past the professor's defense.
The Labradors were made successfully, even if they weren't perfect. It was much like the spell Cedric had used against his dragon years ago, and was mainly used to distract. But because Rofordit was much smarter than a dragon was, Hermione had to make sure the dogs were more menacing than normal. So she gave them all overly large mouths and teeth, which she hoped would give the teacher a cause for concern. That way, Rofordit couldn't simply ignore the dogs, for fear of being bitten.
Unfortunately, Hermione had to transfigure and animate each dog individually. So by the time she got all three done, Rofordit had seen what she intended. During the last dog's mouth's modification, Rofordit tried to catch Hermione unaware by launching a bludgeoning spell. It was the first time she made a direct attack at one of her adversaries, so just because of that Harry later congratulated Hermione.
Hermione had no problem noticing the attack, and paused in her work with the dog to summon a chair from against the wall. The chair intercepted Rofordit's spell, and then Hermione went back to her work. Rofordit offered up a rare smile, and made no further attacks until Hermione was done.
Once the dogs were complete, it was Hermione's turn to sit back and do nothing, while gauging her opposition. She set the dogs loose, and conjured a bone that she physically tossed over to Rofordit's position. That got the dogs away from her, and over to the other side of the room.
Rofordit just smiled, and backed away from the bone, which didn't last long. The dogs did come after her a few times, but when that happen, she just gave them a small jolt with her wand tip, and they yipped and lost interest. Hermione had also been trying to launch a variety of spells, including her much favored bean bag hex, but so far hadn't much success. She so far managed a glancing blow to Rofordit's legs, but it didn't do any lasting damage. Her dogs weren't as successful as she would have liked, and she was also busy defending herself. Between prodding the dogs with small jolts of electrical current, Rofordit tossed a few spells Hermione's way. Most were stunners, disarming hexes, and light jinxes, but it was enough to not let Hermione gain the upper hand.
After another five minutes of fruitlessness on Hermione's part, Rofordit decided to end things. With a quick wave of her wand she conjured five cat statues made of marble, and another wand wave later, they were animated. The dogs immediately went after the cats, leaving Rofordit free to concentrate her attention on Hermione. Hermione had to take a complete defensive stance after that, and hadn't got in another offensive spell. She lasted almost two minutes blocking and dodging, before one of Rofordit's hexes passed through her shield. The unidentified spell caused Hermione to go cross eyed, and Rofordit ended things a moment later by taking her wand with a disarming hex.
When the hexes were lifted and the class's desks returned to normal, Rofordit asked the class to critique the duel as she always did. A lot of people had a lot of nice things to say about Hermione's skills with transfiguration, and suggested that if she were able to have animated more dogs, she might have gained an advantage earlier on.
"I disagree," Harry spoke up for the first time. "I think the dog idea was promising, but any more than the three she used would have taken up too much concentration to direct. Each one requires a small amount of direction while being animated, which Hermione couldn't afford to loose more of, or else you would have caught her with a spell early on. Too many more dogs, and she wouldn't have managed nearly as well. It was also apparent that the dogs didn't come as a surprise, as you had nearly as much time to prepare for them, while she animated them one by one. And then once you conjured the cats to distracts the dogs, Hermione should have vanished them altogether, as by then they clearly weren't working as intended. The cats wouldn't have harmed her at all, and in fact they were draining you of some concentration. Hermione might have been more able to attack then, rather than to just defend."
A few students argued and agreed with Harry's observations, and Rofordit let them talk awhile before she spoke.
"I happen to agree with Mr. Potter. He obviously knows something about animating objects, and the toll they take on one's concentration." Hermione pouted a little when she said that, but peaked up a second later when Rofordit further went on to say, "Ms. Granger's plan of attack was a sound one, however. It was well researched, planned out, and resourceful. I only suggest that she should have practiced her animation a bit more before attempting. It is possible to animate three objects at once, although extremely difficult, and that was a major flaw in her plan. Still, not many witches and wizards are highly skilled in Transfiguration, and I think that a majority of opponents would have successfully fallen for the distraction that the dogs provided. Only because my own skill in Transfiguration matches or exceeds Ms. Granger's, did the attempt not work. I daresay your average Death Eater won't be as knowledgeable. Very well done Ms. Granger, and I award Gryffindor ten points for your originality and forethought. I'll be sure to let Professor McGonagall know of your achievement."
Even though she hadn't won, Hermione was more than pleased with the loss and ten points, as it was still ten points more than any other loser had received.
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As another week passed, and Harry continued his extra reading and training, he also made sure to make plenty of time with his friends. It was something he hadn't done the first few weeks of school, and he occasionally slipped back into the bad habit from time to time. Since the first Hogsmeade weekend, all his friends knew he was spending every free moment preparing, so they understood when Harry wasn't around. When he was though, they made sure to enjoy the time thoroughly.
Ron suggested that they take an hour out of every Saturday afternoon to visit Hagrid, after feeling guilty about forgetting about their first meeting. Harry and Hermione quickly agreed, and with the exception of having to consistently refusing his rock cakes, all had a wonderful time. Sometimes Ginny, Luna, and Neville joined them as well, but not always. Harry was still much closer to Ron and Hermione in a special way, and it was silently understood that they'd still do some things on their own; as the original "trio."
Speaking of guilt, Harry made sure to spend time with Remus as well. Although he hadn't thought anything of it at the time, weeks ago when he conned Remus into accompanying him to Gringotts, Harry later realized that he had taken advantage of Remus' trust in him by not mentioning going against Dumbledore's wishes. Harry knew how he would have felt if it had happened to him, so after apologizing profusely, Harry usually tried to spend at least one or two or his free periods a week talking with Remus in his office.
Sometimes they talked about James and Sirius as the Marauders, but mostly they just kept each other company while each read or wrote. Remus got to see some of Harry's collection of books (which he was very impressed with), and although he never managed to get outright permission to visit the Restricted Section itself, sometimes Harry was rewarded by being allowed to read a book from there that Remus had checked out himself for the day.
Remus had heard about Harry's threat to Dumbledore to sell Grimmauld Place over the winter holidays, and although he thought it was a bit drastic just to prove a point, he at least assured Harry that Sirius wouldn't have been happier to get rid of the place, which had been a hell in his childhood, and a prison in his last months alive. Frankly, Harry hadn't thought much more about the threat until Remus mentioned it, and Harry had no idea if it were even possible to sell. It was a muggle home, with wizarding enchantments, in a muggle neighborhood, so it posed some unique problems no matter what Harry decide to do with it. Most wizards likely wouldn't want to purchase a brownstone in a seedy part of London, and the home would have to undergo some major renovations before it would be suitable to be sold to muggles. Not to mention all the security spells and wards in place, not the least of which was the Fidelius held by Dumbledore.
It was actually Remus who suggested a possible solution to Harry. Although he still thought Harry should hold onto the house, and talk his problems with Dumbledore through instead of taking drastic actions, Remus let Harry know about a few catalogues that could be found in the library. Commonly referred to as "Squib Services," the catalogues listed the many business and services offered to the magical community, which breached both the wizard and muggle worlds. Not having any other options, many squibs learned their ways around muggles, and over the years had learned to seize unique opportunities. Getting a squib real estate agent, who worked in the muggle field, but was knowledgeable of the magical world, turned out to be the perfect solution. Harry found a whole list of agents who were capable of subcontracting any work needed to wizards, to make homes muggle-ready for a new market. The process also worked in reverse of course (turning muggle homes into magical ones), but Harry had no need of that.
Since the catalogues were rarely checked out, were updated frequently, and enough copies existed, Madame Pince let Harry have a copy on permanent loan. As long as he returned it before he left for summer break, he could keep a copy to himself. Selling the house wasn't a priority right then, and there was still the issue of Dumbledore's Fidelius charm to work out (he couldn't list the house if people couldn't find it), but Harry vowed that he'd look into the matter later.
Remus also kept Harry informed with what the Order and Ministry were up to, which Harry greatly appreciated. Minister Bones so far had done a wonderful job, as had the three Under-Ministers beneath her. Each was in charge of a different aspect of the Ministry, and were doing all they could to flush out any corrupt or inept politicians, and to reverse nearly ten years of Fudge's damages.
Minister Bones herself was swamped in legal documents and decrees, trying to sort out all of the outdated, immoral, or contradictory laws that needed to be overturned. Many were passed in Fudge's final months in office, but many more went back further. Remus was happy to announce that some of the werewolf regulatory laws were revoked or lessoned, and that perhaps for the first time ever, he'd be able to hold down a steady income outside of Hogwarts.
And as if that wasn't enough, as former head of the Magical Law Enforcement Office, Minister Bones set up a modified auror training program as well. Compared to the old program, the new one was lessoned in duration from three to two years, was less geared towards peace-time situations, and was given greater funding and support. Within her first month in office, over fifty recruits entered the program, which was twice the number of aurors who'd been trained in the last five years together.
Mr. Weasley's responsibility as new Under-Minister was to coordinate any public attacks with muggle officials. Sadly, not a lot of time passed after the Diagon Alley and Azkaban attacks before Death Eater and Dementor activity was spotted all throughout the countryside. The Dementors had more or less free reign, and attacked in packs of about twenty whenever they got hungry; about once a week. A few attacks were against wizarding households, but because they were at least capable of seeing the Dementors, and possibly of repelling them, the Dementors mainly stuck to attacking muggles. Almost fifty muggles a week lost their souls, and when found out, it was part of Mr. Weasley's responsibility to arrange their transfer to St. Mungo's, and explain the situation to the higher level muggle authorities. It frustrated them to no end that they had no defense against the Dementors, and it was a testament to Mr. Weasley that he managed to calm them and assure them that the wizarding law enforcement officers would do all they could in the upcoming months. It would take awhile before they had the numbers trained to retaliate properly, and until then Mr. Weasley was responsible for keeping the muggles in check.
Amos Diggory, formerly of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, inherited the job of contacting as many sentient magical races as possible, to persuade them to either join their efforts against Voldemort, or at the least not join him. Like Hagrid's small trip to visit the giants the summer before, he arranged convoys of Ministry volunteers to travel throughout Europe, seeking out vampire dens, werewolf packs, giant and troll colonies, and the like. For the most part, their efforts were only mildly successful. With the new revoked restrictions against vampires and werewolves, they mostly agreed not to join in on either side of the upcoming turmoil. The giants and trolls largely ignored the convoys sent to them, but let it be known that they avoided all wizards who visited them lately. Diggory wasn't happy to learn that other wizards had been to visit some of the colonies (obviously Death Eaters), so he ordered the convoys to camp on the outskirts of the giants' land, to keep an eye out for Death Eater activity.
The third Under-Minster, Arnold Peacegood, former head Obliviator, was delegated the task of creating and distributing emergency portkeys to every wizard household and place of business in the country. It was a truly daunting task, but one which the Ministry was commended on, and one which he handled without complaint.
The portus spell was first taught to a bunch of junior Ministry workers who recently joined the Department of Magical Transportation. The training didn't last long, as they only had to make portkeys to one place; a newly constructed wing off the Auror Headquarters' building. The new wing was secure so that no one could enter or exit without first having to travel through a series of magically warded checkpoints. And when any person arrived in the new wing, spells would immediately inform aurors on duty of new arrivals. The plan was, once the portkeys were distributed, any families or workplaces that were attacked by Death Eaters or Dementors could portkey out to the new "safe house" at Ministry Headquarters. At the same time aurors would be alerted, who after a quick consultation with the new arrivals, could decide whether to risk apparating to the scene of the crime, or waiting for larger reinforcements in case of a massive scale attack. The only flaw in the plan was that Death Eaters could possibly portkey in to the new wing and attack from within, so that took some time setting up. After a consultation with Albus Dumbledore however, he suggested that a modified dark arts detection spell be incorporated with every portkey. It wouldn't be public knowledge that those bearing the Dark Mark couldn't use the portkeys, and therefore couldn't invade the Ministry.
Remus only told Harry about the modified dark art detection spell because Dumbledore admitted to him in confidence that it was Harry and his watch that gave him the idea. It was the same spell and defense Harry had earlier in the year used on Snape's Dark Mark; only modified. Harry was slightly proud that the Headmaster saw one of his ideas useful enough for such an important task, although he was slightly hurt he wasn't told or asked personally by Dumbledore himself.
In addition to setting up the new wards and portkeys, Peacegood was also able to put his Obliviator skills to use, covertly. No one except top level Ministry personnel, Dumbledore and the Order, and now Harry knew, but Minster Bones had ordered Peacegood to randomly stun, interrogate with Veritaserum, and then obliviate Ministry workers. It was a drastic way to flush out any Voldemort supporters, but one that Bones felt was necessary. Too many new security measures were being taken only to be reported on or sabotaged by Voldemort collaborators. Remus said that by the end of the year, the entire Ministry would be interrogated and obliviated, thanks to Peacegood.
Although Harry was surprised that Dumbledore felt comfortable letting Harry know so much of what was going on, he was thankful. It also made him wonder what else was happening behind closed doors that even Remus didn't know of, and that pleased him even more. Harry hoped the new Minster was wise enough to start constructing a new prison, to house all these collaborators. Not only that, but once a secure location was available, Harry knew he could get rid of his house guests. He only kept the captured Death Eaters because he knew if they were put back in Azkaban, it would be only a matter of time before they'd escape again.
Some of the names Harry got from his interrogations, about Death Eaters and supporters in the Minstry, Harry was now confident that the new tactics would find. Harry passed what names he had onto Remus (although he wouldn't say where he got them), who passed the names onto Peacegood to interrogate. It would only be a mater of time until they were all flushed out and arrested.
The few other names Harry was given, along with the other well known Death Eaters, Harry made a list of. He couldn't use the secret tunnels anymore now that Dumbledore was watching them, but Harry could still portkey out to the forest, and then apparate to wherever he liked.
Four more Death Eaters joined the others in Harry's "prison" compartment the month of November, bringing the grand total up to ten. All his cells were now occupied, and he knew he'd have to create some more before the holidays like he originally planned.
The first new addition to his collection was another low ranking Death Eater, who only joined Voldemort's ranks earlier that summer. Like Sean Hazelton, he hadn't committed many crimes besides his initiation, but that was enough for Harry. And like Hazelton, he was easy to capture. Harry apparated to Diagon Alley, and took the muggle tube to his flat, which Harry had the address of. After an hour of surveillance to make sure he was alone and vulnerable, which Harry made good use of his x-ray lens, Harry simply knocked on the door and stunned the guy. As luck would have it, the Death Eater wasn't as disgusted with muggles as some of the others in his fold, and had been comfortable enough with them to order some curry take-out. Harry saw the man make the call with his lens, and used an Extendable Ear to overhear the conversation. A half hour later when the delivery guy arrived, Harry took the order, obliviated the man after paying him, and delivered the food himself. When the Death Eater opened the door, he found a man of nondescript height with the plastic bags of curry containers in one hand, and a wand in the other. The next thing he knew, he was woken up in a dark and dirty cell, without his wand, and with no explanation.
The second and third Death Eaters were a married couple named Parker; much like the Lestranges, only a bit younger. And just like the Lestranges, they were both cruel and capable duelers, which put up a valiant fight. Luckily Harry caught them in different rooms of their house, and at different times. Not having to fight them together was a huge advantage, which Harry was more than happy to take. Again supplied with their address from an interrogation session, Harry traveled to their home one weekend, spent a good two hours surveiling it with his magical lens and Extendable Ears, and only acted when he was confident he could take them.
The husband came first, and after warding the room he was in against sound being heard from outside it, Harry blew out a window, jumped through, and started to attack. The man was sitting at a desk writing some correspondence when Harry attacked, and only Harry's initial spell which caused double-vision hit before he drew his wand to defend himself. The desk lent some cover at first until Harry blew it apart, and the man either didn't know the counter charm to the double-vision spell or didn't have time to cast it, so that was in Harry's favor too. After that though, the two traded blows for a full two minutes. Even seeing two Harrys, the man was able to put up a strong defense, while shooting out Cruciatus curses and cutting hexes in all directions. Harry had the benefit that he only had to block or dodge half the curses (the others were aimed five feet to his right, and was able to attack at multiple angles as far as the Death Eater was concerned. When the two minutes were over, the room was completely destroyed, Harry suffered from a sore hip where he took a bludgeoning spell and bleeding neck where a conjured noose had hung him before he'd been able to cut himself loose. His adversary however was much worse off. A cut cheek from a cutting spell, a badly burned hand from a fireball, a conjured dart sticking out of his shoulder, and a few bruises that were bound to show up were the signs the man showed at first glance. After stunning him, Harry spent a few minutes to make sure the wife was still in her bath upstairs, while he cast a few low level healing charms on his hip and neck.
Harry attacked the wife next, and although attacking a naked, defenseless woman in the middle of her bath seemed like a good idea at the time, Harry later changed his mind. As soon as he opened the door, the woman raised her wand, which Harry hadn't bothered to check for at the tub's side table ,and begun flinging curses. Harry dove to the ground, but in the small room, didn't have much space to dodge or hide. Within seconds he was hit with the Cruciatus, a jolt of electricity, and a stunner to boot! Luckily this time Harry made sure to reactivate his shield spell between bouts, and the spell absorbed the stunner, which otherwise could have caused some real damage.
The real challenge came when Harry forced himself to break through the Cruciatus, which surprised the woman long enough for Harry to retreat out of the bathroom for cover. What he didn't expect though was a fully starkers Death Eater to not give him a moments rest, and instead come rushing at him with tits bouncing and wand waving. She must have been about thirty, and was more attractive than most her age as well. Her state of nakedness further distracted Harry, who again suffered two hits before he got his defenses up, and began attacking back. They were both now in a large bedroom, with Harry's back to the door, so the woman couldn't escape.
Shaking his mind clear of the provocative distraction before him (the seventh year girls he spied on didn't look that that!), Harry was able to fend off all her subsequent attacks, throw a few of his own, before catching her in a rough tackle. Harry felt odd using some of the more painful curses that came to mind on a naked woman, so in the end he resorted to physically restraining her. She had ducked behind the bed for cover from a binding spell Harry had shot, and when she came back up to peek over the edge, she'd only a split second to react as Harry dove straight for her. The time wasn't enough for her to get a spell off, and both tumbled to the floor in a jumbled heap, both grasping furtively for her wand. Harry had already reholstered his, and only because of his surprise tactics and his superior strength was he able to wrestle the woman's wand away from her, and able to stun her with it. It was more difficult than he thought though, with the woman being slippery from the water and soap of her bath. Harry earned a knee to the groin for his troubles, as well as a bitten ear and scratches all over his face, but when faced with other options, Harry was satisfied. Not many pains were worse to a man that a knee to the groin, but the Cruciatus was definitely one of them. Just one of the spells' layers was that same feeling all over the body, and Harry much preferred the real physical pain, to the magically induced one.
Harry had also had to grab some clothes from a drawer for the woman, seeing as how he couldn't keep her naked (even though a little voice in his head said he could.) But in the end she woke up too naked and cold in a dank cell, with her clothes pilled on her thin mattress. Her husband was only a few feet away separated by a thin stone wall. But for all the good it did them, they might have well been in difference countries.
Jugson was the forth Death Eater that Harry caught in November; a member of Voldemort's inner circle. Ironic really, that he'd just escaped Azkaban the previous year, only to be caught by Harry at the Ministry months later and rejailed. Then, he'd escaped Azkaban again in late October, and had lasted a little more than three weeks before Harry came to visit.
This time when Harry arrived, Jugson wasn't alone, so Harry had to wait patiently while the man entertained his guests. Since Jugson was still a wanted man, Harry knew the people he was meeting with were guilty in some way, but he couldn't prove it. Though even if he could, it didn't matter. Harry wasn't nearly good enough to take on Jugson plus his four unknown guests. He had only come for the one man, and that was enough for him for now. If the guests were indeed other Death Eaters or Voldemort supporters, then their names would come up in Jugson's interrogation.
It also wasn't his house that he was staying at, obviously. That had been sold years ago when he was first arrested. This house was bought under an assumed identity by Lucius Malfoy, and had been sold again to Jugson just the summer before for a small markup in price. No one had used it while Jugson was back in Azkaban, which Harry found out was another advantage. Because he'd only lived in the house a few weeks before being caught at the Ministry, and had only been back a couple weeks before Harry visited, only the very basic wards and protection spells were in place. Harry got all the information from Avery weeks ago, and just bided his time until he could act.
It took over four hours before the guests finally left, but Harry didn't mind. He kept a vigilant watch as he mentally planned the next week's D.A. meetings. They'd been going very well so far, and Harry thought he might be able to promote another two or three members into the advanced group. Harry tabeled the thoughts though, when Jugson and his guests made their way to the entry gates of the small countryside manor. The apparaition wards ended there, and like a good host, Jugson saw his visitors off his property when the time came. Once the group was far enough away from the front door, Harry slipped out of the bushes he'd been hiding in, opened the front door with a quick and quiet "Alohamora," and stepped inside.
Five minutes later when Jugson returned, Harry was ready waiting. Again, he managed to get off two spells before Jugson realized what was happening and found his own wand. A muting spell prevented him from speaking, and the fire set to his boots put a jump to his step that wasn't their previously. After that, it didn't take long for Harry to work the Death Eater over. He was one of the less intelligent Death Eaters that had been at the Ministry, and Harry had seen first hand (reviewed many times in his pensieve) the man's abilities and favorite spells. Add to that the inability to speak any incantations, his burning shoes, and the bottle of wine Harry had witnessed him drink with dinner, within three minutes Harry had the man bound, disarmed, and stunned.
Speaking of the Death Eaters, their missing status wasn't ignored for long. The same week of Hermione's duel with Rofordit, Harry had a vision of Voldemort addressing his Death Eaters in a not-too-happy mood. Apparently he'd finally noticed a significant portion of his followers weren't present, and had asked their whereabouts. Lucius, who was friendliest with Avery, Crabbe, and Goyle, was expected to answer, but could only plead ignorance. No one had seen them since the Diagon Alley attack, and only when Voldemort pointed out their absence did anyone find it odd. After a round of torture for Lucius and his brethren, the vision ended and Harry woke up to his painful scar, but with a smile on his face.
Two weeks later, after Harry had captured the Death Eater couple and Jugson, Harry suffered through another vision gladly to witness an even more distraught Lucius Malfoy. He'd been unable to track down Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Jugson, the Parkers, and some of the new recruits that went missing. When Voldemort asked the reason for his failure, Harry could tell that Lucius was scrambling to answer, and could only guess.
"I'm sorry my Lord, but I do not know. My sources say that they haven't been taken into Ministry custody. My guess is that Dumbledore and his associates have captured them. Perhaps they're being held prisoner at Hogwarts, as Dumbledore knows that Azkaban is no longer secure." Harry had to laugh at just how close Lucius had come to guessing. Dumbledore had nothing to do with any of it, but everything else was almost spot on. It was proof of his sheer arrogance that Voldemort thought differently.
"CRUCIO!" A smile appeared on his snake-like face as the blond man flailed and screamed for some moments, before finally being released from the spell's grasp. "Lucius, you fool! The old fool would never endanger his precious students by holding a group of Death Eaters nearby. Besides, it's not his style. If he made any captures, he'd want the public to know about them, to show support for his light side. No, Dumbledore does not have them. It's also come to my attention that their accounts have all been emptied completely. Their families have been left with only their homes and the possessions within, but no other means of finance. That indicates that my faithful are showing cowardice instead, and perhaps trying to flee the country. I suspect that they've planned this for some time, and I wonder why you didn't know of this, Lucius. Avery, Crabbe and Goyle are your closest confidants, are they not? How could you have not known of their plans?"
Lucius was trembling with fear as he heard the question posed to him. He'd no idea that Avery and the others had made plans to escape! And now, it looked like he was going to suffer for his ignorance.
"No master, I knew of no plans as you've described them! Crabbe and Goyle's sons still attend Hogwarts, and my son's made no mention of their fathers' activities. I wonder if they're even aware? If Avery and the others truly have run away, then I promise to find them. Please my Lord, just give me time to look further."
Lucius of course was tortured some more, along with Nott, Mulciber, Macnair, and a few others who were unlucky enough to be present. In the end though Voldemort gave them some more time to track down the apparent deserters, but only with the threat of more punishment for failure.
When Harry woke up in a cold sweat, again with a slight smile, he couldn't help but count his good luck that Voldemort was so suspicious of people. It had never occurred to Harry to stage his abductions to look like the Death Eaters were leaving Voldemort's service. But with the emptying of the V vaults, and the complete vanishing of them, it certainly did look that way. The mess at the Parkers might have been suspicious, but either no one had checked to look at their home, or they had thought nothing of a little damage to a single room in the house.
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It was the last week in November that Harry once again felt some pressure, where it hadn't existed in the previous month. Teachers were starting to pile on work before the winter break, the Quidditch team stepped back up to four practices a week to prepare for their upcoming game against Hufflepuff, the whole school became excited at prospects of the next Hogsmeade weekend, and Harry had four new prisoners to interrogate, more cells to construct, and the upcoming holidays to worry about.
Harry had moved up two others to the advanced D.A. group, and to keep the numbers even, had to move down two of the advanced members to the beginner level. Harry made sure they understood it wasn't personal; he just had to make everything fair. As it turned out, both were fifth year students (one Ravenclaw and one Gryffindor), who admitted that their OWL revisions were starting to get to them, and didn't blame Harry in the least. It took some adjusting to get them to participate fully in the beginning D.A. sessions again, but it wasn't too bad.
What made it worse however, was the incident that happen the first day in December, at a beginner's D.A. meeting. Harry was helping them perfect two new spells (Impedimenta and Quiesco; a sleeping spell), and was praising the members on their work. He took special pride in the Slytherin first years; the same ones he'd helped show around school the first day back. Rebecca, the inquisitive muggleborn, and Staci, the sarcastic one, were his favorites. Long ago he'd informed Cho that he wanted to work with them during meetings, and he found the small friendship that developed with them and their friends a rewarding part of teaching.
At first, a lot of the older students gave them a hard time. Lorne Zabini had loudly complained about Potter to his older sister and her year mates. And although Blaise couldn't care less that Harry was befriending them (actually, she thought it was encouraging), Draco and his goons made sure to notice. Draco made sure to try and intimidate them, but the first years managed to always stay in groups, which helped some. A little later, the D.A. had started, and the firsties made more friends that they could rely on to watch their backs. Cassiopeia and Orion Flint were the ideal protectors, and with the help of a few other key players, they helped guarantee the safety of any Slytherin below fifth year who choose to not follow Draco Malfoy's perverse ideals. There was safety in numbers
Harry was just silently remarking to himself how far the first year students had come; when Cho decided to make her move. The members had just all left, and only Harry and Cho remained behind; cleaning up the supplies as they often did.
"That was a great lesson today, Harry. I don't remember learning that sleeping spell last year. Is it new?" Cho asked.
"Yeah," Harry replied. "It's an old spell that isn't used often anymore, because potions are stronger these past few centuries. But before Dreamless Sleep potions, this is the spell mediwizards had to use. It only knocks a person out for about an hour, but in a duel, that's more than enough time. I taught it earlier in the year to the advanced group."
They were both arranging cushions on the floor now, in the far corner of the room. "How are they doing, by the way? I've been thinking about asking you if I could stop by just once, to see what you're all up to," Cho asked. She wasn't looking at Harry anymore, and was hugging the cushion she held to her chest.
"That would be fine. I've been hesitant to move onto the mild pain curses I know, but right now we're going over some binding spells and minor healing stuff. I think after the holidays I might start up with some muggle sparing too. You didn't have to stay behind to help in the beginning group, so feel free to stop by anytime
"Harry?" Cho almost whispered. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure Cho, anytime."
Hugging the cushion to her chest harder, the oriental girl blushed as she forced herself to make out the words. Now she knew why it was so hard for Harry to ask, two years earlier. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?"
That got Harry's attention, and his head snapped around to stare her in the face. For the first time that year, Harry suddenly realized that he was alone in a room with his former crush and pseudo ex-girlfriend, on the floor among a pile of cushions.
"Ah, errr," Harry was at a lost for words, and didn't know how to answer. He still found Cho attractive, but any romantic feelings he once held for her were long gone. Not to mention, Harry couldn't afford the distraction that a relationship would provide.
"Cho," Harry tried again, "I flattered and all, but I don't think that's a good idea. We tried this once already, and it didn't work out. I think we should just leave it at that. We've become good friends this year, and I'm happy with our relationship."
Cho had looked up when Harry had first started to mumble, thinking he was excited that she'd asked. But when he rejected her outright, tears welled up in her eyes, and she almost started to cry.
"But I thought we could give it another try," she explained. "I know last year didn't work, but we really didn't know each other then. I was still upset over Cedric being killed, and seeing you reminded me too much of him. I'm over that now though, and I've come to know you better, and like you. I was hoping you'd feel the same." Her voice quivered with the last words, but she somehow managed to not lose complete control.
Harry just looked at her for a moment, thinking about how to best word his response. He was touched that Cho felt that way, but he just didn't. He couldn't force his own emotions, yet he didn't want to hurt her. Somehow though, he knew that wasn't possible; rejection always hurt. Still, the more honest he was, the less she'd suffer.
"Cho, I've always thought you very pretty, and it's true that we know each other better this year. Lat year was a complete disaster, and I know most of that was my fault. But my life has changed so much since then, and things are very different for me now. I just can't be in a relationship until I know that whoever I involve myself with would be safe. To tell you the truth, I haven't even thought about you like that this year at all. I've been too busy with school and my studies,not to mention a few personal projects. I just don't have time. I'm sorry. I hope we can remain friends though, and you'll continue to help me out with the D.A."
Harry's explanation was like a slap to Cho's face. Sure, she knew things had changed, but she also knew Harry was lying as well, and she told him as much.
"That's all I mean to you then? A helping hand for the D.A., and a friendly face? I notice you have enough time for Ginny Weasley! Unless she's your personal project, why do you spend so much time with her? Everyone knows she's had a crush on you forever, and now it looks like she's finally getting her claws into you!"
Whoa! Harry didn't know Cho could be so vindictive, and he didn't like it. He didn't mind that she was upset or jealous, but that she trusted him so very little, and was attacking Ginny just for spite, was something that Harry wouldn't stand for.
"There's nothing going on with Ginny and me!" Harry yelled. "She's just a friend, and I spend a lot of time with her because we're Quidditch co-captains together, she's in one of my classes, and she's Ron's sister! And she got over her crush years ago. Didn't she even date your boyfriend last year? Speaking of which, what are you doing asking me out, when you've going with Michael Corner anyways?"
"We broke up!" Cho spat back. "And thank you so much for bringing that up! He only came to me because that trollop led him on, and then dumped him when she got tired! All he could ever do was talk about her. 'Ginny this,' and 'Ginny that.' Honestly!"
"So he sounds like you did last year, talking about nothing but Cedric then! People talk about their ex's! Jeez, I've only been in screwed up relationships, but even I know that!"
"Don't you dare compare me to Michael!" Cho was openly crying now, and wasn't trying to hold back. "Cedric was murdered, and I had every right to feel bad about it!
Somehow that statement hit home, and Harry calmed down some, and took a deep breath. He really didn't want a repeat of last year's break up with Cho, and when he thought about it, he could see where she was coming from; even if it was a very skewered and twisted place.
"Look Cho," Harry said calmly, "I don't want to yell or argue. I just don't feel that way about you anymore. And even if I did, I'm not ready to be in a relationship. I've too much on my plate; much more than you could ever know. I thought I might be able to make it work this summer, but so far the only girl I've dated after you has already been killed. I can't take that happening again, or worse. I need to be left alone. I'm sorry if you don't accept that, or if you think there's something going on with me and Ginny when there's not, but it's the truth. And I'm sorry for yelling at you."
Cho deflated some at Harry's apology, but she wasn't ready to forgive him yet. The news that there was more going on in his life then she knew was disturbing, as was the girl he mentioned who died. She needed to think, and she couldn't do that with Harry around.
"I...I need to go." Cho didn't know what else to say, and put the cushion she was strangling down. Harry got to his feet to help Cho up, but she cringed away at his offer, so he backed away.
"I need to go," she repeated. "I'll talk to you later, Harry. Goodnight."
After she left, Harry stayed another few minutes, trying to figure out what just happened. It wasn't until he noticed he was already ten minuets late for dinner that he left. When he arrived in the Great Hall, Cho was nowhere to be found.
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Author Notes:
Well, it's finally here. For those of you who aren't part of my Yahoo! Group, it's been such a long wait for this chapter because I virtually had to rewrite 4 chapters. In an effort to speed the story up some, I tried to rearrange some key events. However in doing so, I royally screwed the pooch, and trying to fix it only made it worse. Rewriting the chapters wasn't difficult (although time consuming), but I did take my sweet old time, to make sure I was putting forth stuff just as good as the original was. I'm sure I missing something that I'll have to go back and add, but after countless proofreads, I think I got it all. I know nothing of extreme importance happened in this chapter, but that's why it's entitled "As Time Passes." I added a few things that should entertain you all enough. I enjoyed dropping Draco into the lake, I thought Hermione's duel against Rofordit was very in character for her, and the four new Death Eaters that Harry captured, although I skimped through how he got them and when, was some action and suspense. I abbreviated the Quidditch game (as I will for all future ones except the final), we know what the Ministry's up to, we got to learn a little about how Voldemort's handling the news of the missing Death Eaters, and we have an in-depth conversation with Cho finally. I'm laying the groundwork for future plot twists there, so don't look for any immediate answers to your shipping questions. I also want to address one thing that's been commented on, but something that I've noticed myself as well. This fic is very Harry-centric, and as such doesn't include a lot of peripheral characters. Unfortunately that includes Ron and Hermione. Now I know that JKR includes them in cannon almost as much as Harry, but I couldn't do that with the overall plot I have in mind. So please just enjoy what's here, and don't worry about them. They always make at least one appearance in each chapter, and I promise that my two sequels will be much more like JKR's works, with equal parts of Harry, Herm, and Ron. This fic is about Harry taking a stance though, and he's chosen to do that alone, with little help.
Here's the part where I normally spend 2-3 pages responding to fan reviews. However, because of the sheer amount of reviews for Ch. 20, because of the long update time, I had too many to post comfortably. So I posted them all at my Yahoo! Group, in the "Files" section. Please go there to read all my comments. I responded to almost everyone who had more than a line or two to say, so please don't be scared off by the fact that you have to join the group to be allowed access. It's free and easy to join, and I promise you that I'm in charge of everything, and you won't be receiving spam emails or solicitations. You can also email me, to check to see if I responded to your review. It will be faster though if you check for yourself. The link's on my author page, so please take a look. Thanks!