Fan fiction: Harry Potter

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I own the original characters. Any similarities to persons living or dead are coincidental.

Rated R: For violence, some language, mature content, and eventual slash. Though I haven't decided how much, you have been warned.

Author's Notes: This story is a work in progress. I am in school and work full time so updates may not be as often as anyone might like. As always, please read & review.

TIMELINE NOTE: This story was started long before I knew when the Order of the Phoenix was going to be released. I have read OotP and I will be modifying how the Hogwarts faculty treats the O.W.L.S. to follow that. Plot-wise however, I will be taking a different route.

For those of you who haven't read OotP yet, where HAVE you been?

Addendum Note 5-6-07: Well, sometimes one has to eat one's own words. I'm still upset with for thier past transgressions, but alas, this site is the only one I currently have an account with and I have no desire or time to create new accounts elsewhere. I am updating through chapter 15 but that is all I have written. I do plan on continuing this story when the opportunity arises, but it is very low priority. Many appologies to my few loyal readers and also to those who might have been loyal readers were it not for the lack of updates.

Please view my profile for the URL to my yahoo groups page.

Aaron sat behind Kim as the boy was attempting to cast the Lumos spell without words. Kim had quickly come accustomed to casting the simple spells that didn't require words like the spark spell. He managed to create all sorts of colors and sizes of sparks and was able to create them on command, however the spells that required words were still difficult for him.

Aaron decided that the best thing to do was teach him the most useful spells first so he would have them on hand. They started with Lumos and had been working with it over the past week. Aaron originally thought it would take much longer but Kim seemed to be adapting exceptionally well. Much better than Aaron had when he was younger but then, Aaron mused, he had never been a big believer in magic to begin with.

Kim, on the other hand, seemed like he believed in magic his whole life. Even though he was having difficulty with the simple light spell, the boy was not even the least bit discouraged. Aaron wondered if the sorting hat hadn't made a mistake placing him Gryffindor when the boy so obviously was a Hufflepuff, but he admitted that he had a personal bias. Even though he only went to Hogwarts for one year it left a lasting impression on him, and not just the negative experiences either.

And that's one thing that really troubled him. Bill had hit home with his comment on how well he fit into the Wizarding world. Aaron didn't want to admit it, but he did. Even as a deaf man, he felt more comfortable around wizards then Muggles. When it came down to it, he was treated the same by wizard and Muggle alike, but he could identify with wizards more.

But he could not forget his parents ears, strung up on the mantle like Christmas stockings. This was done by a wizard. He never knew who, only that it was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. His life as wizard ended the moment he had heard what had happened.

But Aaron also could not discount the fun he had at Hogwarts. Even though the other students really couldn't relate to him, some of them were his friends. And the teachers weren't all that bad. The grumpy old Potions Master Professor Bergstead seemed to like him. He was very good in potions.

Aaron's reverie was broken by Kim getting the Lumos spell to work without words.

(Very good, Kim) he signed, (Now turn it off.)

Kim's smile dropped into an annoyed frown as he thought about how to do it. He didn't actually complain about the work Aaron was giving him, but Aaron was being less than forthcoming about how to do things. Aaron's typical answer was 'Feel the magic.'

Aaron could understand the boy's frustration, but that was how he was taught by his private instructor, Mr. Garrett, so many years ago. Aaron realized much later that it was the best way, as a deaf wizard, for him to learn. Kim had the advantage of being younger than Aaron was, and so would be more receptive and able to learn. Kim would be all the better wizard for it.

(Feel the magic,) he said once again, (Feel how it behaves when you use it. Feel what you are doing.)

Determined, Kim nodded and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and then concentrated. His breathing eventually became slowed as if he were in a trance and the light from his wand slowly extinguished itself. Kim opened his eyes and looked very pleased with himself.

(Excellent!) Aaron beamed, (You've already advanced farther than I did at your age, and much faster than I had originally expected. You will still have a lot of hard work ahead of you, but I think it won't be a problem.)

Kim smiled but it was soon replaced with a thoughtful look.

(Mr. Devlin, I understand why spell words won't work for me, but why do they work at all?)

Aaron was taken aback at Kim's unexpected question. He paused to think for a moment, then picked Kim up and sat him on the teacher's desk so they could be at the same eye level.

(Truthfully Kim, I'm not entirely sure. My teacher tried to explain it to me but I don't think I ever fully understood it. Then again I don't think even he understood it completely. It's a very complex theory.)

Aaron wracked his brain to try and explain what he knew.

(Magic manifests itself through a series of foci. That's the multiple of focus. Anyway, sound is one of those. Certain sounds produce certain results. Take the light spell you just did. The word Lumos basically means to illuminate or 'light up'. Now ponder this: Does the spell work because Lumos means to light up, or does Lumos mean to light up because the spell works?)

Kim furrowed his small brow in confusion. Aaron couldn't help but grin.

(Think of it this way. Maybe one of the reasons ancient humans learned how to speak was because they were trying to invoke magic. Lumos is derived from Latin, but if a wizard were to speak the Arabic equivalent, it would work just as well. Only the more ancient languages like Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, Myan or even old Norse seem to produce any magical effect. Plain English is not very effective, at least not without another focus.)

(Well it would stand to reason that as language developed that the sounds would be associated with the results. Lumos or the ancient equivalent created light, therefore Lumos should mean light. It would be silly to have it mean something else, like asparagus.)

Kim giggled at Aaron's joke.

(Does that make it easier to think about?)

Kim thought about it for a moment, then nodded lightly.

(I think so,) he signed, (That would mean that I would have to come up with some other way to invoke the magic. Kind of trick it into thinking the sound has been made?)

Aaron was again surprised at Kim's logic. He hadn't thought of it in that manner, but he couldn't really dispute it completely.

(That's one way to think of it though I wouldn't put it quite like that. I see it more as calling upon the magic using an alternative focus, in this case, ourselves. What we are doing is different than what most wizards do, but if they took the time to practice, they would be able to cast without speaking. Most don't because it's easier just to say the word and get the effect.)

(Would that mean that I could cast magic without a wand, like you?)

Aaron took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.

(If you practiced hard and long enough, yes, but I will tell you now, I am very weak when it comes to casting magic because I don't use a wand. A wizard's wand is probably the most powerful focus there could ever be. Most of the spells that I can cast well I am only able to cast on myself. For anything else, I must have absolute concentration and even then I miss a lot. The wand not only focuses the magic, but directs it as well.)

(I think it would be best if you didn't worry about trying to learn wandless magic until you graduate.)

Kim nodded, hopped off the desk and went back to his practicing. Aaron sat down at the desk, pulled out some parchment and ink and began to write down a list of things to get. He had decided that perhaps it was time to give magic another chance, but he would take it slow. He had no ambitions of being a great wizard, but maybe getting a little more adept would be in order.

The cold realization that he should get himself a new wand hit him hard. He hadn't even started his list before he dismissed the whole idea as absurd, but he couldn't bring himself to put the parchment away. His hand gripped the quill almost as if it were a life line. Once again, Kim broke his concentration.

(Mr. Devlin, are you okay?) he signed with great concern.

Aaron blinked a few times. Apparently almost fifteen minutes had past since he picked up the quill to start his list.

(I'm fine Kim,) Aaron signed back, shaking his head to clear it. (I think I'm just a little tired is all. I used to work the night shift over in the states and my body still thinks I should be on that sleep schedule. Why don't we call it a night. Keep practicing your Lumos spell and when you can cast it almost instantly, try changing the color.)

Kim smiled greatly as he liked playing around with different colors. (I will, sir. Have a good evening and I'll see you at dinner.)

(You too.)

Aaron watched in amusement as the boy practically skipped out of the charms classroom and nearly bowled over the much larger Professor Weasley. After a quick apology, the boy was on his way again.

Bill grinned as he watched Kim skip off. "If enthusiasm was all one needed to become a great wizard, I think he'd put even Dumbledore to shame."

Harry sat in the common room with Ron and Hermione working on his Transfiguration essay. It was hard to concentrate on it though because his mind always wandered back to Simon.

Though Simon did not avoid the trio, he always seemed to have to go somewhere whenever it might appear that he and Harry would end up alone together. Harry was not fooled for a second and knew that it was because of the incident at the lake.

Groaning in frustration, Harry leaned back into the comfy chair, shoving his homework away from him.

"There he goes again." Ron muttered.

Hermione looked around and saw that the common room was mostly empty. Only some first years were in their corner watching Kim show off his wordless casting. They were suitably impressed and occupied by his little show so Hermione felt comfortable in broaching with Harry what she knew was a delicate and private subject.

"Harry, it's Simon isn't it?" she asked quietly, "No, don't even start to deny it. I've seen how you look at him. I know the signs. I AM a girl, you know."

"I don't think this is the right place to discuss this, Hermione," Harry said, noticing the others across the room.

"Oh they're only first years and Kim has got them distracted well enough," she scolded, once again looking remarkably like McGonagall, "Something happened and now it's affecting your work. I want to know what."

"It's nothing, Hermione. I admit I have a crush on him but there's nothing I can do about it so just drop it, okay?"

"No I won't drop it," she replied even more stern, "This is too important. What happened?"

Harry finally succumbed to her scowl with a sigh. "Remeber last Saturday by the lake? Well when you and Ron went off to have your argument, we just kind of chatted for a little bit. We kind of fell into an awkward silence, just smiling at each other for about a minute. Then he took off. That's it.

Hermione raised her eyebrow, knowing there was more to the story.

"Okay, okay," Harry sighed again, "When he took off I noticed he kind of... well... I really shouldn't be telling this to a girl."

"Let me guess, he was aroused?" she asked knowingly.

Harry could only nod. Ron whistled quietly.

"I guess that's proof he like boys," he said.

"But does he like me?"

"Well that should be obvious, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation, "The only days he hadn't visited with us was when his schedule conflicted with ours so he must've enjoyed being around us. Plus the fact that he always sits next to you, never across from you."

"What proof is that?" Harry asked. Ron had to nod in agreement, even though he ultimately was agreeing with Hermione.

"Simple, Harry. He wants to feel as close as possible to you without having to look at you to distract him."

Both Ron and Harry looked at her as if she had finally gone off the deep end.

"Oh you boys are so thick!" she growled, "Look, it's all about logic. Simon is an exceptionally bright person and takes his work even more seriously than I do. Naturally he wouldn't want to get distracted, right? Well take last Saturday as an example. You said you both were quite comfortable just looking at each other. But neither of you were trying to do anything else so it didn't matter then, but when we study, if he starts looking into your eyes, he feels he won't be able to stop, hence you're a distraction.

"But if he sits next to you, he doesn't have to worry about looking at you and he gets the good feeling of just being close to you."

"Hermione, love," Ron piped in carefully, "That has got to be the weirdest idea you've ever come up with."

Harry leaned back as if to avoid the explosion but it never came. Hermione just grinned, gently pulled Ron in by the neck until their lips were barely an inch apart. Her rich brown eyes looked deep into his. She smiled warmly.

Ron tried to speak but all he could manage was a barely audible stammer, and it wasn't out of fear (at least not completely).

"Why do you think I've been sitting right next to you in class all this time? Can't have us both distracted, now can I?"

She gave him a quick peck on the lips then leaned back into her chair letting Ron suffer his loss of contact. Harry tried very hard not to laugh at the sheer frustration that was evident on Ron's now extremely flush face.

"I trust I've made my point. Face it, Harry," she leaned in closer to Harry to whisper, "Simon is mental over you."

Harry sighed with a sad smile. "And me over him, but if I tell him I know I'll just scare him off. He's so... vulnerable. I know he'll just get hurt."

"That's good of you to be concerned about him, but make sure you don't hurt yourself by doing nothing." Hermione began to pack all her things up so they could go to dinner.

Both Ron and Harry followed suit and with a quick side trips to their respective dorm rooms, the three went down to dinner. The first years, seemingly following Kim's lead, also made their way down to dinner shortly after the fifth year trio.

Harry noticed Simon was already at his table sitting among the Ravenclaw first years and in the midst of a lively conversation. Simon caught Harry looking and gave him a brief smile before he was immediately re-immersed into the conversation once again.

Rather than dwell on what he was missing, Harry just plodded along with his friends to the Gryffindor table. Kim apparently decided that his entourage was strong enough to go on without him as he sat next to Harry rather than with them. They either didn't notice or didn't care as they continued to talk about wordless magic as they sat down at the end of the table.

Harry did a minor double take at seeing Kim sit next to him. Kim just smiled in return. Harry looked at Hermione and Ron for an answer to an unasked question, to which they both shrugged and Kim grinned even more. Clearly he was amused at Harry's confusion.

Harry, for his part, was not exactly sure how to deal with the situation. Kim couldn't hear him so how could he communicate with him. It wasn't as though Harry had a problem with the boy or even with him sitting there, but he didn't think it would be polite to just ignore him.

Apparently, Aaron had been on the lookout because he showed up not a minute later.

"Hi guys," he both signed and spoke aloud, "Well Harry, it looks like it's your turn to deal with the munchkin."

Kim gave Aaron a glare at being called a munchkin but it was half-hearted at worst.

"My turn?" Harry asked, "What do you mean, my turn?"

"I mean that it's your turn to deal with him," Aaron replied as if it were obvious what he was talking about. "His majesty, Albus of Dumbledore hath decreed that young Kim here is to dine and converse with a different person each meal. There's two benefits according to our illustrious Headmaster. The first is that Kim get's good practice at socializing with hearing folks like yourself, of which I have to agree is a good thing. The second is to get hearing folks like yourself practice in the art of non-standard inter-personal social communication."

Kim rolled his eyes at Aaron's long winded explanation. Harry, still distracted with his quandary involving Simon, just looked even more confused.

"It means that we have to try and understand what he says," Hermione interjected, "Right?"

"As the Americans say, 'Bingo!'" Aaron said, "Word of advice. Talk normally but be sure to enunciate your words clearly. Kim is good at reading lips but still has some difficulty. With that and patience in mind you should do quite well. Have fun."

Harry could have sworn he heard Aaron chuckle on his way back to the head table. Harry turned back to Kim who was grinning ear to ear.

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?

Harry didn't think it possible, but Kim's grin grew even bigger as he nodded. Harry just rolled his eyes but had to smile a little himself.

"Anything in particular you want to talk about?" he asked.

Kim just shrugged, however Harry didn't need a subject as the table suddenly filled itself with food. Kim dished himself up quickly and dug in as if he hadn't eaten in a week. Harry smirked as Ron had done the exact same thing. He served himself up some roast beef and mashed potatoes, slathered it in gravy and threw some corn on the side to top it off.

When they were well into their meal, Angelina Johnson came up to Harry.

"Harry, McGonagall has just informed me that I'm team captain for this year."

"That's great, Angelina!" Harry replied, "Congratulations."

"Thank you. We'll be holding tryouts for Keeper this Saturday and I want the whole team there, okay?"

"I'll be there." Harry said

Angelina then turned to Kim. "All right there, cutie?" she asked, tousling his hair prompting the boy to grin widely and blush. He nodded the affirmative as she walked away to talk to the other team members.

"Team captain?" he asked softly and almost incomprehensible to Harry when Angelina had left.

"She's the captain of the Quidditch team

"Wiidish?" he asked, trying to pronounce the unusual word.

"No, it's pronounced Quidditch. It's a sport played on broomstick.

Kim tried again, "Wiidish?"

Harry shook his head and said the word again. Kim gave him a mild glare then began to search his robe pockets. He soon pulled out a Muggle pen and a small note pad and set them on the table.

"Spell," he ordered.

Harry sighed and put down his fork so he could pick up the writing instruments. He noticed that there were more than a few other words in this note pad written in many different handwriting styles. Only the most recent two pages had things to do with magic.

Harry spelled out the word and handed the notepad and pen back to him. Kim just signed 'thank you' as he read the note pad. He mouthed the word to himself as though trying to get used to saying it naturally. Hermione was completely fascinated with this and paid rapt attention to him. Soon she noticed that he was pronouncing both the 'Q' and the 'U' separately.

"Kim," she touched the boy's hand lightly to get his attention. When he looked up, she pointed to the note pad. When he handed it to her she took her wand and muttered a spell. When she handed it back, he noticed that the 'Qu' was replaced with a 'Kw'. Kim looked at it for a moment bewildered, then realization hit him. He beamed greatly.

"Kwidditch!" he said happily.

Though the 'tch' was slightly lisped, no one could misunderstand what he had said. He then added the 'Qu' and a pair of parentheses around the 'Kw'. Hermione guessed correctly that Kim was used to having to write down both the spelling and the pronunciation of words.

This gave Hermione a wonderful idea and even though they were mostly preoccupied with eating their dinner, both Ron and Harry couldn't help but notice that look on her face.

"Oh no!" they cried simultaneously. Ron added even more, "Don't we have enough to do with our O.W.L.S. coming up?"

Hermione looked a little perturbed. "I'm just going to do some research, is all. If you two don't want to help, then fine."

By the tone of her voice, the boys knew it was anything but fine but they silently agreed with each other that they weren't going to get involved with another one of Hermione's causes. They each went back to their dinner, praying that they had heard the end of it.

Aaron, still smiling at the lost look on Harry Potter's face, sat down in his usual spot right next to Bill Weasley.

"You're in a good mood," the red-headed professor observed with a slight grin.

"They say that misery shared is misery halved," he replied, "Well I say that misery passed off to someone else is much better. Far more amusing to say the least."

"How Slytherin of you." Bill smirked, "So what's that your working on?"

Aaron tried to hide the parchment that he had made his shopping list on but Bill snatched it from his hands.

"This looks like a shopping list."

"How very astute, Weasley," Aaron said, sounding remarkably like Professor Snape in that moment, "It IS in fact a shopping list."

"A wizard's shopping list. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were in danger of going back on your vow of never doing magic again." Bill paused ever so dramatically as his eyes bore into Aaron's soul. "But then, I do know better, don't I?"

Aaron grabbed the parchment back from the Defense professor rather roughly, his mood quickly souring.

"I have been thinking about it, yes, but you're giving me plenty of reasons to continue my abstination of magic."

"Whoa! Sorry I touched a nerve there," Bill said genuinely.

The two were silent for the next few minutes while waiting for the food. As it appeaered, Aaron mumbled out a quick appology then stuffed his mouth with a rather large chicken leg.

Bill caught it and smiled in response.

Aaron had to carefully force himself to look away for he was in danger of becoming lost in the rugged man's charming eyes yet again.

Dinner proceeded in typical Hogwarts fashion as the students and faculty ate to their content. Shortly, students began to vacate the Great Hall on their way to whatever evening activities they had planned. As Professor Weasley stood, Aaron caught his arm gently.

"I've been doing some serious thinking lately about magic. I feel that in order for me to give Kim the education he can get in the magical arts, I should know more about what there is to learn. Now I have not yet decided that I wish to become a fully trained wizard, but I should at least know the basics," Aaron paused but then quickly added, "For Kim's sake, of course."

"Naturally," Bill said, placating the pride Aaron was putting forth, "Not that you would need it, but is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well, I am learning things along with Kim in his tutoring sessions with Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, but I believe I would benefit more by having an added perspective. I was wondering, as long as it didn't intrude on your time, if you would be willing to work with me as well."

Bill's heart raced but he kept his face calm and collected, and replied in the oddly formal manner in which they were both speaking. "I would be glad to work with you. My schedule this week is quite full but I should be able to arrange a regular time to meet after this week."

"That would be agreeable, Professor."

Bill departed and Aaron soon went his own way to the evenings activites.

Fred watched his older brother and the translator as they ate. Obviously there was some serious tension going on between them and not just the mild hostility that Mr. Devlin was currently conveying. Both he and George had been carefully watching Aaron and Bill, especially their interaction with each other. By themselves, they appeared to be normal everyday wizards, but together it was more a game of cat and mouse. The trouble was, both were playing the part of the mouse.

But the twins knew they had to be very careful. Though they were probably right about Bill and Aaron, the chance that they could be wrong could make things disasterous if they wre to proceed with their planned interference. They decided to watch them both even further, suppressing their natural desire to act. Patience was not a foreign concept to them but it was a difficult one.

But Fred couldn't help but get a devious grin on his face as he thought of their secret weapon. So devious a grin that the few housemates of his that saw it cringed slightly. They knew the look on that face.

After a week of politely avoiding Harry, Simon decided that he was just being silly and had made it a point to sit with him and his two friends the next chance he got. Unforunately, the same day that he made this descision, he got his response from Dumbledore by owl. The spotted Tawny swooped down expertly that Saturday morning through the ordered chaos that was the morning mail delivery. It dropped its letter perfectly into Simon's hands.

Simon read his name on the front and the dramatic looped handwirting in emerald green looked remarkably official. The hogwarts seal on the back confirmed it. This was his review letter. The letter that would forever seal his fate at Hogwarts. He almost didn't open it.

"Oh go on, Simon," said Heather Marple, a Ravenclaw fourth year who had taken a mild liking to Simon, "The worst it can be is they put you into second year. Everyone knows your the smartest person in the school."

"Smartest, maybe, but that doesn't make up for experience."

Simon gulped as he carefully broke the wax seal and opened the envelope. He pulled out the letter and unfolded it. A slow smile creeped across his face and by the time he was done reading it, he had a full faced grin of joy.

"Let's have it then!"

Heather grabbed the letter and Simon was to happy to protest. She began to read it to the other students who were also paying attention.

"Dear Mr. Bergstead, We are pleased to inform you that you have performed remarkably well on your placement exams. After confering with your professors and head of household, it has been decided that you will be graduated up to fourth year beginning this Monday. Enclosed is your new schedule.

"You will note that you have two extra classes after dinner each evening and three morning classes on Saturdays. These classes will be private tutoring sessions with you and your professors to review years one through three of the standard cirriculum. Attendance is mandatory, though special dispensation may be given with adequate notice and legitimate reasoning.

"You must also maintain an adequate grade average or we will be forced to review and repeal this decision. I trust that you will be able to do so with relative ease, but in all fairness, the warning must be given.

"Please meet with me in my office after breakfast where we will discuss arrangements for you to purchase your new textbooks. And lastly, accept my congratulations and I wish you good luck. Signed Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster"

"Way to go, Simon!" said a housemate whom Simon had yet to meet properly.

Several other housemates also gave their congratulations. Simon looked up to the head table and noticed that his little gathering had gained the attention of the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall. He smiled at them to convey his thanks and was responded to in kind by both Professors. Then he turned to see that several Gryffindors were also congratulating him, Harry included.

"Great job, Simon." Harry said warmly.

"Thanks, Harry," Simon felt himself going a little flush, but it didn't worry him. If anyone noticed, they'd assume he was just embarrased with all the attention he was getting, which was mostly the truth.

Heather chose that moment to congratulate Simon in a more personal way.

"This is wonderful!" she squealed, "Now we'll have the same classes and can spend more time together."

She then leaned in close and gave him a quick but impressive kiss on the cheek, VERY close to Simon's lips. The Ravenclaws and the few Gryffindors who noticed gave a few cat calls. Simon almost stopped breathing and his face turned as red as the Weasley hair. Harry's smile faltered but then reappeared as if nothing happened. Aside from Simon, only Ron and Hermione noticed anything.

Simon felt his chest tighten and excused himself quickly to get some air.

The next thing Simon knew he was down by the lake breathing heavily and trying not to hyperventilate. Hagrid, who had skipped breakfast to tend to his garden, soon wandered up to the boy.

"All right there, Simon?" he asked with concern.

Simon took a few slow breaths to try and calm himself down. "I should... be fine... in a minute... Thanks."

"Well as long as yeh don' keel over on us now. Wouldna do at all now would it?" Hagrid said jovially as he watched Simon's breathing slowly return to normal.

"No it wouldn't." Simon smiled at the half-giant's concern.

"So wha's the cause of all this commotion?"

Rather than try to answer, Simon just handed him the letter from Dumbledore.

Hagrid read it and when he was finished he was beaming.

"Well no wonder yer excited. Ain't everyday yeh graduate three years in one day now. 'Ave yeh though' abou' what electives yeh want to take?"

Simon nodded, his breathing now at a more natural rate. "Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

"Not my class?" Hagrid asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Sorry Hagrid, but I have enough trouble dealing with the human race let alone other creatures of the world."

"Well you'll be missing out, I promise yeh. You'd best be off to Dumbledore's office now. Don' wanna be keepin him waiting."

"Thanks, Hagrid."

"Oh well I didna do a thing. Don' know what you're thank'n me for."

"Just for being you, Hagrid." Simon smiled and gave Hagrid a hug.

The half-giant blushed as his newest favorite student hugged him. He watched the boy jog off with a light heart. "That boy'll break hearts, he will."

Harry nearly fainted when he saw Heather Marple kiss Simon. He quickly recovered but his smile was no longer genuine. He was happy for Simon's achievement, but after seeing the boy who had stolen his heart get kissed by someone else, a girl no less, Harry just couldn't bring himself to feel anything positive.

He wasn't angry with Simon. He wasn't even angry with Heather. The girl had a reputation of being rather flirtatious. But despite not being angry with either one of them, Harry couldn't bring himself to follow Simon outside even though he knew that Simon was suffering from a mild panic attack.

Instead, he just sat back down at the Gryffindor table and picked at the remains of his breakfast. Hermione and Ron also sat back down, neither one really knowing what to say especially in the midst of the semi-crowded Great Hall. After eating only a few more bites Harry just pushed his plate away.

"I need some air," he said walking away from his two friends. Ron made to go after him but Hermione just held him back.

"I think he wants to be alone," she said softly."

"He can't actually believe that Simon likes Heather?" Ron asked very quietly.

"I'm sure he doesn't really, but Harry tends to react before thinking when it comes to matters of the heart. Give him some time to think on it and I'm sure he'll realize that.

Harry sat on the edge of the lake watching the giant squid frolick in the morning sun thinking about Simon. He didn't know why he felt like crying, for Simon had made no promises to him. He also knew that Simon was just as surprised as he that Heather had kissed him, and probably more so. Yet Harry still felt a dull ache in his chest, similar to the one he felt when he thought about Cedric.

Harry became so lost in his thoughts that he did not notice that an hour had gone by. Nor did he notice that Simon was standing a few feet away, trying to build up the nerve to talk to him.

After a good five minutes of hand wringing, Simon finally managed to clear his throat, getting Harry's attention. Harry tensed immidiately at the shock but mastered his instinct to snap his head around. Instead, he slowly looked over to Simon.

"Simon," Harry managed a smile, "How'd your meeting with Dumbledore go?"

Simon blushed slightly. The meeting consisted mostly of being fawned over by his mother. The headmaster had apparently owled them the results the morning before and had arranged for them to visit. They had also brought all his supplies needed for his new subjects.

"Dumbledore invited my parents up to congratulate me," Simon said with a sheepish smile, "My mother instantly went into parental overdrive. I swear my going away for school is harder on her than it is me."

Harry frowned, "Why aren't you still with them?"

Simon sat down next to his friend. "They've been planning to visit my uncle for some time and their plane leaves this afternoon. It was only thanks to floo powder that they were able to visit at all."

Harry nodded, not really knowing what else to say.

Simon wrung his hands for another minute or so before he could speak again.

"I didn't realize Heather was going to kiss me," he said quickly and quietly.

Harry had to think of something to say that wouldn't sound hostile. "She's quite friendly. Hugs practically everyone." He hoped his words didn't sound mean. Heather was very a friendly person.

"I'm sure she was just very happy for me." Simon reasoned weakly. What Harry didn't know was that Heather had made her intentions very clear not two weeks into the term. Simon had done his best to disuade her from her mission, but she would have none of that, and had only let him alone because of his impending placement exam. Once the test was over, she was all over him every time their schedules would allow.

Now that he was going to be in the same year as her, Simon knew that she would essentially attatch herself to him for every class they had. He secretly thanked God that Dumbledore and the other professor's required remedial classes. As it was, it would probably be the only time he would be able to spend away from her.

"So you're a fourth year now," Harry said, "I thought you would have made fifth easily. You're certainly smart enough."

Simon shook his head. "I'm smart but there's only so much one can learn in a year. I have to literally make up the first three years I missed. As it is, I'm wondering if I didn't take on more than I can handle. I know I'm going to be very busy. Busier than even University.

"This will be my last fully free weekend. I am going to try and enjoy it as much as possible."

"What do you have planned?"

"Absolutely nothing," Simon said as he threw Harry a very uncharacteristic plotting grin, "And I'm savoring the emptiness as if it were the nectar of the gods. Pure Ambrosia!"

Harry blinked twice as Simon's startling attitude slowly sank in.

"You're scaring me, Simon."

"Oh! Well... I was just... I didn't mean to." Simon's face lost all its devilishness instantly.

"Simon, I was joking," Harry quickly realized his error, "It's just I never saw you let yourself cut loose like that. You're usually so serious."

Simon blushed with embarassment and he looked away as if to hide it.

"God, I'm such a moron," he whispered to himself.

"You are not a moron, Simon." Harry admonished. He wanted to add that maybe he was a little clueless, but decided against it.

"Harry, I appreciate your defense of my mental capabilites but let's face facts: I'm not very socially adept."

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean you should beat yourself up about it. Nor does it mean you should feel sorry for yourself."

"Well then what should I do?" Simon asked in frustration.

"I don't know, exactly," Harry shrugged, "Just don't worry about it, I guess."

"Easier said than done, Harry," Simon replied dryly.

"Maybe, but it's got to be better than the alternaitve."

"And that is?"

"Oh I can think of a number of things. A heart attack, an ulcer, psoriasis."

Simon let loose an undignified snort of laughter but cut it short.

"Harry, that's horrible!" he said trying to suppress a grin.

"But it's true!" Harry protested mockingly, "Just ask my Aunt Petunia."

Simon's grin disappeared immediately at the mention of Harry's aunt. Harry also stopped smiling. There was a very akward silence beteen them and unlike the previous time they were alone at the lake, it was not a comfortable one.

Harry finally gave a weak smile.

"Sorry. I guess I still need to get used to the idea of them being dead."

Simon studied Harry for a momnet.

"Harry," he asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Harry nodded a little too quickly but Simon let it go, sensing that pushing now would just upset him more. Instead he just smiled.

"Good, cause if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to do absolutely nothing with you, Ron and Hermione."

The look of astonishment on Harry's face forced Simon to break out in a healthy laugh. After a minute, Harry recalled the first part of their conversation.

"Why you cheeky git!" he grabbed Simon and ground his nuckles into the top of his head.

"Mercy! Mercy!" Simon yelled out amidst laughs.

"Merci? Well since you're thanking me..." Harry gave Simon another "noogie"

"I give!" Simon finally called out.

Harry released Simon's neck but left his arm around the other boy's shoulders. The silence that followed was far from uncomfortable for either of them, especially as they were both looking out onto the lake rather than into each other's eyes. The silence didn't last however.

"I knew it!" Malfoy yelled excitedly to Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, "Potter's a flaming poof!

Harry and Simon separated from each other quickly. Simon tried to hide his face in shame but Harry thought nothing of hiding. Instead he was going for his wand but Malfoy already had a solid aim on his nemesis.

"LACERITUS!" he shouted.

The spell was well aimed, and would have hit Harry square in the chest had his seeker reflexes failed him. But Harry could not dodge completely and was struck on his wand arm as he dived away from Simon while pushing him out of the line of fire. As if he were struck by a sword, the arm of his jumper split and ripped. Blood flowed freely out of the deep cut now in his arm.

Harry gasped in pain and could no longer hold onto his wand in his right hand, but his previous experiences with Voldemort had somewhat prepared him for dueling and by the time his right hand had let go of the wand, he had snatched it up with his left hand. Unfortunately it cost him time and he was only able to cast a shielding spell to block another Laceration spell.

"PROTEGO!" he cried out.

Just as Malfoy's spell was about to hit him, Harry's shield spell sparked into existence. The clash of spell against spell created a flash of light, temporarily blinding the duelers and the three spectators. Harry expected this and let fly another spell as soon as the first two clashed. Unfortunately his spell never connected.

"EXPELIARMUS!" Professor Snape's voice rang out unpleasantly. Harry's wand flew out of his hand as if it had been coated in grease. When everyone's eyes adjusted, they all stared at the very angry potions professor. There were several wands in his hands including Harry's.

Harry couldn't believe how angry Snape looked. He shuddered in mild fear of what the man might do. The Slytherin's were also rather nervous looking as Snape had glared at each of them in turn.

"Mr. Bergstead," his voice was low but full of quelled rage, "Please escort Mr. Potter up to the hospital wing. Mr. Malfoy, you and Misters Crabbe and Goyle will report to my office immediately. No you may not have your wands back until I've discussed this with the Headmaster." Snape cut Crabbe's question off before he could even ask it.

No one dared argue with the enraged professor. The three Slytherins walked as swiftly as they could and still retain their dignity. Simon had Harry apply pressure to his wound and walked him up to the hospital wing. By the time they got there, Harry had lost enough blood to become rather woozy.

Madame Pomfrey swooped in like a vulture and immedately set to repair his latest injury, shooing Simon away briskly. Not knowing what use he could be hanging around the hospital wing, the young Ravenclaw decided that telling Hermione and Ron what happened would be the best thing to do, so he left to find them.

The door slammed open and all three Slytherin students jumped. Snape held out Crabbe and Goyle's wands.

"Detention tonight and tomorrow with Filch. Leave now."

The two goons quickly grabbed their wands and escaped while they could, wisely not giving a second thought to their master Draco Malfoy's fate. Snape closed the door gently behind them.

In the blink of an eye, Snape circled and closed the distance between him and Draco. His right hand flew and hit Draco hard enough across his face to send him spiraling.

"YOU FOOLISH BOY!" the professor hissed, "Do you have any concept of what you have done?"

Draco picked himself up off the floor. Already the left side of his face was turning an ugly purple. The red that showed was all over in his own barely contained rage and embarrasment.

"I did what Voldemort is too incompetent to do," the boy spat back, "And what you're afraid to do."

Draco found himself on the floor again as the livid potions professor slapped him again, this time on the other cheek.

He got up more slowly and much more wary. The professor rarely ever used physical force on Draco, and the few times that he did even Draco had to agree were well deserved. But never had his mentor struck him more than once, and certainly never that hard. The pain was so much that he couldn't keep the tears from his eyes, but he didn't sob or blubber.

Professor Snape had already realized that he had gone just past "too far" and took a step back away from Draco, but his anger would not just let this go. After a minute of staring at each other, Snape finally motioned for his pupil to take the guest's chair while he sat in his own.

"When you sought me out last summer," he said, his voice still very angry but full of sadness as well, "You told me you wanted to escape the corruption of Voldemort. Have you changed your mind then?"

"He has nothing to do with this," Draco repied, his voice trembling slightly, out of anger or fear Snape could not discern, especially as the boy was exhibiting both. "This was personal."

"Personal!" Snape hissed back, "You tried to commit murder, Draco, murder. What was so personal that you would make yourself no better than Voldemort?"

"That's rich coming from a Death Eater." Draco threw back.

Snape didn't even blink, "When did I ever claim to be a better man than him? Besides, this isn't about me, Draco, this is about you and how you nearly brought yourself down to our level. Now answer my question."

Draco fought with himself. He didn't want to answer the professor because he knew his answer would seem childish, yet Professor Snape was probably the only person who ever understood Draco, even better than Draco understood himself sometimes. That was one of the reasons why he never tried to hide any tears from him. Why he didn't hid the tears from him now.

"He said he was tired of playing this game," he said softly. The hard look in his eyes told Snape the boy was far from feeling sorry for his actions. "So I told him no more games. 'No more games' I said. I warned him! But he didn't listen."

The blood drained from Snape's face as he saw the wild look in Draco's eyes. The boy had always kept his cool even under the most tremendous situations, but he was clearly showing derangement now. Something had happened to him. Something horrid and unthinkable. The boy had been broken.

"My God, Draco, what did they do to you?"