Harry sighed as the Hogwarts Express carried him away from the station. Although it had been his decision to return to Hogwarts he already missed Grimmauld Place. The summer had gone so quickly and it had been the best summer holidays he could remember.

Sirius had been true to his word and kept Harry informed of everything he could. He took Neville and Harry to Gringott's where they learnt they were, as Sirius had said, heads and heirs of their families. They left the wizarding bank after visiting their vaults. Harry scooped up some money, and they left with a list of their assets and investments.

Sirius took them both shopping for new clothes, leaving them in the capable hands of a tailor in a mens store. Harry finally got to wear new clothes, for his size and not Dudley's hand-me-downs. Ginny whistled at him in admiration when they returned, making him blush, although he liked how she looked at him.

He was now sitting in a compartment with Ginny, Neville and Luna Lovegood. She stared at him several times before returning to reading her magazine, upside down.

He'd seen Ron and Hermione approach the train, and from others on the train he'd learned they'd been chosen as Gryffindor prefects. Harry hadn't given the prefect roles much consideration, but figured this was the reward for them befriending him in his first few years at Hogwarts. He wasn't bothered by not getting the prefect role, he now had more important things to worry about.

When they pulled into the Hogsmeade station, Harry looked around for Hagrid, but it was Professor Gubby-Plank who was calling out for the first years.

"Where's Hagrid?" asked Neville, voicing Harry's concern. He and Ginny looked at each other.

"Are you coming?" asked Luna, walking up to them. "I'm quite hungry, hope there's pudding." She walked past them, heading for the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts.

Harry followed Neville and Ginny, still looking around for Hagrid. He saw Draco bullying a second year, glaring at Harry when he noticed him watching.

"Come on, Harry," called Ginny.

He headed for the carriages, startled to see the stage coaches that were usually horseless now had the strangest creatures standing between the carriage shafts. They seemed like horses, but were unlike any Harry had ever seen.

"They're called Thestrals. You can only see them when you've seen Death," said Luna, standing beside him.

"You've seen Death?" asked Harry.

Luna nodded. "My Mum. She was a talented witch, and she liked to experiment with potions. One day her experiment went terrible wrong. I was only five."

"I'm so sorry, Luna. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" asked Harry, watching Ginny and Neville climb into the carriage. He had never really asked Luna much about herself.

"No, although I did grow up near the Weasleys and spent a lot of time at the Burrow. Ginny is the closest thing to a sister that I have," said Luna, smiling at Ginny, who smiled back.

"So, I guess that means most of the students can't see the Thestrals?" asked Harry. "Crazy, huh!"

Luna shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with a little bit of crazy, is there?" She followed Ginny onto the waiting carriage.

Harry followed her, glancing at the snorting Thestrals. "Sanity is definitely overrated."

XXXX

The first week of lessons, all the teachers made a point of mentioning to the fifth years that it was their OWL year and that expectations were high. Harry was determined to do well, to show he didn't need Hermione's notes and prodding. He and Neville teamed up in potions and did well, much to Snape's displeasure. By the end of the week Neville's confidence was much better, as he learned how to use his new wand in lessons. Even Professor Mcgonagall was surprised at his improvement.

Ron and Hermone approached him to join them to study. Harry agreed, dragging Neville with him and then inviting Seamus and Dean to join them too. He made sure to only talk about school related things, glossing over Hermione's inquiry about his summer holiday.

The last lesson of the first week invoved a double DADA lesson with the new teacher, Dolores Umbridge. It soon became clear that she was supporting the Ministry's stance on Voldemort NOT being back. When Harry argued with her, he received detention for that night and the following Monday night. It put him in a foul mood for the weekend, as he would miss the Quidditch tryouts. Angelina Johnson, the new captain was not impressed.

XXXX

Ginny noticed Harry's dark face as he sat at the Gryffindor table with Neville. Several younger students slid away from them, whispering and looking scared of him. Ginny sighed, having heard so many rumours about Harry and what happened during the final task of the Tri-Wizard tournament.

Draco slid into the seat next to her. "So Weaslette, Quidditch try-outs this weekend. You coming?"

Ginny nodded. "Definitely." She'd been waiting a whole year for this.

Draco glanced over at the Gryffindor table. "You're not going to get all noble when we play against Scarhead, are you?"

Ginny shot him a dirty look. "I haven't made the team yet. When I do, I play to win."

Draco looked at her as if seeing her in new light. "That's what I like to hear." He pinched a chip off her plate.

"Stop. Doing. That," said Ginny, between clenched teeth. "Get your own bloody meals."

Draco nabbed another chip. "See you on the pitch." He got up and walked over to sit with the fifth year Slytherins. Ginny followed him with her eyes, noting the angry look she was getting from Pansy Parkinson. Ginny quirked an eyebrow at her, then looked back to Draco. He winked at her, then resumed talking with his friends.

Ginny put her head down and continued eating. Astoria slipped into the seat beside her. "What did Draco want?"

"To ask me if I'm trying out for the Quidditch team," replied Ginny.

"Oh, is that all?" asked Astoria. "I thought he might have asked you out. Or are you still on with Michael?"

"No, that's done. I owled him over the summer. He doesn't look too heart broken, does he?" asked Ginny sarcastically.

She and Astoria looked over to the Ravenclaw table, where Michael was simpering over Cho Chang.

"So you're single...unless there's something between you and Harry...or Neville? Daphne wants to know," said Astoria, tacking on the last bit.

"Oh-no. We're all just friends," said Ginny, looking over to Daphne. She was certainly interested in somebody at the Gryffindor table. She flushed when she caught them watching her, and even more when Astoria gave her the thumbs up.

XXXX

Ginny had a busy weekend, trying to get all her homework done. She didn't see anything of Harry or Neville until she practically bumped into him as they were heading into the Great Hall.

"Oh hey, how are you? How's your first week been?" she asked him.

Harry shrugged. To be honest, he was starting to wish he'd never come back. More and more people were avoiding him, or gossiping about him. Very few had stood up and showed their support, and Harry was feeling more alone than ever.

"Guess what? I made the Slytherin Quidditch team. I'm so excited," said Ginny, her eyes shining.

"That's great, Gin. Your brother tried out for Keeper for ours, and he got in," said Harry.

Ginny nodded. "I heard from Fred and George. Oh, I had a letter from Bill today. He's going to meet with Sirius to discuss your and Neville's, er, discovery over the holidays."

Harry looked around to see Hermione walking past slowly, trying to overhear. Ron was already at the Gryffindor table, going on and on to Seamus and Dean about his Quidditch tryout.

"Good, that's something," said Harry, running his hand through his hair. Ginny let out a cry, and immediately dragged him back out of the Great Hall.

"What-" began Harry, as Ginny grabbed his hand and pulled back the sleeve.

"What the hell is this?" she demanded.

Harry looked down at the back of his hand. There, clearly visible, were the words, iI must not tell liesi He snatched his hand back. "It's nothing."

"That's not nothing. Who did this to you?" she demanded, her eyes now sparkling with anger.

"Umbridge. I had detention. She told me to write lines, and gave me a special quill," said Harry quietly.

"That bloody cow. Harry, you need to tell someone-Dumbledore or Mcgonagall," said Ginny.

"No, I'm not telling Dumbledore anything," said Harry.

"Harry, this is torture," said Ginny, her eyes blazing.

"I'll be fine," said Harry, snatching his hand back. Ginny looked at him without speaking for several seconds.

"Come with me," she said, taking his hand.

"Where are we going?" he asked. "What about tea? I'm hungry, and there's treacle tart!"

Ginny led him up the stairs. They came to a wall and Harry wondered why they'd stopped there. Suddenly there was a door, and Ginny opened it, bringing Harry with her.

"Harry, this is the Room of Requirement," she said.

Harry stepped in and looked around. Behind him, the door disappeared. He saw a cosy couch sitting in front of a fireplace. Ginny dragged him there and sat him down.

"Murtlap essence, a bowl of water and a cloth," she announced. Suddenly those things appeared on a table in front of them.

Ginny added the Murtlap to the water and picked up the cloth. "This may sting," she warned, as she dabbed the wet cloth on the back of Harry's hand. He hissed in pain, and she looked apologetically at him.

She continued to dab his wound, sometimes blowing on it, which made Harry feel strange. He could see the wound was getting better, even though the words were still visible.

"I think that's the best I can do for now. I'll check on some healing spells in the library tomorrow," she said, sitting back, still holding his hand. She saw the strange look on his face. "What?"

"Er, nothing," said Harry, looking away and flushing. He had just noticed how pretty she looked, her hair relecting the light from the fire. "Thanks."

"Hungry?" she asked. Harry nodded.

POP. "Dobby is hearing that two students are hungry. May Dobby be of...Harry Potter, it is so good to see you again!" cried a house elf.

"Dobby? What are you doing here at Hogwarts?" asked Harry. He turned to Ginny. "He used to belong to the Malfoy family, but I tricked Draco's dad into freeing Dobby. He treated him dreadfully," explained Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore is offering Dobby to come and work for him at Hogwarts. Dobby said yes, and hoped to see Harry Potter again. Dobby even offers to clean Gryffindor Tower, where those dreadful hats are, and removes them, just to hope to see Harry Potter again," said Dobby, beaming at them.

"Oh. Hermione and her SPEW campaign. I'm sorry I haven't seen you before, Dobby. Er, this is my friend, Ginny Weasley," introduced Harry.

"I have heard of Harry Potter's Wheezy. Harry Potter had to save her from the lake. Dobby didn't know Harry Potter's Wheezy was so pretty," said Dobby. He looked down to see their hands joined.

"Thank you, Dobby, that's a lovely thing to say," smiled Ginny.

"Was Harry Potter and his Miss Wheezy wanting their tea? Dobby would be happy to get it for you," said Dobby.

"Thank you Dobby," said Harry, as Ginny nodded.

Dobby beamed and quickly left. He reappeared minutes later, with two plates of roast beef and vegetables, fresh bread and pumpkin juice. There was even two pieces of treacle tart.

"Dobby will return for your empty plates later," he said.

"This looks great, thanks Dobby," said Ginny.

"Dobby is happy to help Harry Potter and his Miss Wheezy," said Dobby, bowing. " But now Dobby is needed in the kitchens." He quickly disappeared.

"You should owl Sirius, let him know what's happening," said Ginny, taking a sip of juice. "He might be able to find out where Dolores Umbridge has some from. I bet she has some sort of position at the Ministry, probably works closely with Fudge. I don't know abut your lessons, but we're not learning anything in DADA. We're just reading from some stupid book."

"I can't owl Sirius about every little problem I have, Gin," argued Harry.

"Harry, she's torturing you. If you won't tell him, I will," said Ginny. "Apart from that bitch, how has your week been?"

"Shit. I want to know where Hagrid is. I'm sick of everyone whispering behind my back. I-I'm just sick of being me, to tell you the truth," said Harry honestly.

"Have you spoken to Dumbledore?" asked Ginny.

"He barely even looks at me," said Harry angrily.

Ginny sighed. "Do you think we should ask him about the Horcuxes? He's fought Voldemort. He might know where more are."

"I know. I've been trying to think about what he could have used. If Dumbledore knows about them, why hasn't he told anyone?" asked Harry.

"Maybe he'll tell the Order, now he's re-formed it. We can get Sirius to ask him," said Ginny. "How have your other lessons been? Neville seems to be a lot more confident."

"All the professors are piling on the homework. OWL year," shrugged Harry. "I'm doing okay. Neville's getting a bit more attention, what with his new look and all. What about you? Malfoy giving you any problems?"

"No, I can handle him," said Ginny. "He asked me if I'd get all noble when Slytherin play Gryffindor in Quidditch, though."

"What did you tell him?" asked Harry.

"What do you think?" chuckled Ginny. "I told him I play to win. The fact that three of my brothers and my best friend is on the other team means nothing."

"Me? I'm your best friend?" asked Harry, surprised.

"Of course you are. Who did you think I'd say? Malfoy?" laughed Ginny. She stopped laughing. "Look, it's okay. I know Ron is, or was, your best friend, and Hermione..."

"No! It was all a lie. I'll never forgive them for that. No, you're my best friend too, Ginny," said Harry firmly.

Ginny launched herself into Harry's arms. "Oof," he cried, his arms going around her. He chuckled, patting her on the back.

"I'm not going to let anyone piss me around anymore. I need people in my life who I can trust, who believe me. I don't go looking for all these shitty things to happen to me. They're either with me or against me, simple as that," he said.

Ginny pulled away from him, and sat back. "So where do I sign up for Team Potter?"

Harry grinned at her. "Team Potter. I like the sound of that."

"Thought you might. Prat."

"Hag."

"Troll."

"Troll's wife."

Harry and Ginny stopped taunting each other, looked at each other and started to laugh. Or, in Ginny's case, howl with laughter. It almost felt like they were normal teenagers.

"Good one, Harry," said Ginny, laying her head on his shoulder.

It was a nice feeling, one which Harry was getting used to.

XXXX

Umbridge was certainly making her position known around the school. Harry read in the Daily Prophet that she had been made High Inquisitor at Hogwarts, with the ability to check on the other professors. Harry couldn't wait to see her try it with Mcgonagall. But he was worried that she seemed to be getting more power at the school, and Dumbledore sometimes wasn't seen for days.

That night, Harry dreamt of a long corridor with a locked door. When he awoke the next morning his scar was hurting.