Next three or four chapters are setting us up for the Final Battle.
The first week went quickly. Harry was pleasantly surprised when Professor Mcgonagall told him he could continue on with Potions, as Professor Slughorn accepted students with an A and up in his class. When he mentioned to Professor Slughorn that he hadn't gotten the Potions handbook, he was advised to order one and use an old one in the meantime. He got a battered one out of the cupboard and went to sit next to Neville. In no time they were attempting to make the Draught of Living Death.
Neville had got already got a start on by the time Harry had returned. To his dismay, the book he was forced to use had a lot of scribbling on nearly all the pages. It was only as Harry settled that he realised the author of these scribbles had, in fact, made notations about extra things to do in the preparation of each potion.
As he started to cut up his Sopophoros Bean, Neville was already stirring, as was Hermione and a few others. "I don't understand, it should turning a pale blue by now," said Neville, peering into his cauldron. He went to add some more chopped beans, Harry said to him, "Crush it with a silver dagger, you'll get more juice that way."
"But it says to drop them all in," hissed Hermione, who was working at the same table as them.
Harry shrugged, and scraped his bean juice into the cauldron. "Suit yourself." He was pleased to see his was turning from dark purple to a pale blue.
"My word, well done, Mr Potter. Class, gather round, this here is the perfect colour. I didn't realise you were so good at Potions, Mr Potter. Professor Snape seemed to think you couldn't handle this class," beamed Professor Slughorn.
"Professor Snape and I-uh, have a history, Professor," said Harry.
Professor Slughorn patted his back and moved around the room. "Slightly less next time, Mr Longbottom, same with you, Miss Granger. Now then, bottle up your potions and leave them at the front, clearly labelled. Mr Finnegan, clean up your mess please. Miss Davies, may I..."
Slughorn wandered over to the other side of the class room. Neville and Harry began to pack up. "Say Nev, have you ever heard of a 'prince' in the wizarding world? Look at my book-Property of the Half Blood Prince." Harry showed him the first page.
Neville shrugged. "Nah, don't think so. That was a good call, though. My potion was a bit darker, but I managed to save it towards the end, thanks to your tip. Thanks, mate."
"Don't thank me, thank the Half Blood Prince, whoever he is," quipped Harry, as they placed their potions on the Professor's table and waited for Daphne to join them.
"Since when have you been any good in Potions, Harry?" asked an angry Hermione.
"Dunno, since we got a better professor," shrugged Harry. Neville snickered. "I've never been bad at Potions, but let's face it, Snape usually used any reason to mark me down, didn't he?"
Hermione looked conflicted. "I know, it's just...I made my potion exactly as instructed. The book has to be faulty, that's alll there is to it."
"Whatever you say, Hermione," chuckled Harry, making her storm off.
"I guess Ron didn't get an O or an E for Potions. Wonder what subjects he's taking?"mused Neville, smiling and taking Daphne's hand as they headed down to Herbology.
"Probably Divination. He likes a nice sleep, he does," said Harry.
"I thought that was what Binns class was for," grinned Daphne.
Harry groaned. "How can he still be teaching?"
Neville grinned. "Come on, Herbology next. Can't wait!" He pulled Daphne hurriedly along, bypassing a group of giggling third years.
Daphne and Harry looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Only Neville could get excited about Herbology!
Harry didn't see Ginny at lunch, as the fifth years had double Potions. He did notice that Draco received an owl, but didn't look particularly pleased when he removed the letter. He failed to notice Daphne had also received an owl that made her upset.
Hermione and Harry left for Transfiguration after lunch, while Ron and Neville had a free lesson. Harry bypassed Ginny coming into the Great Hall, and stopped to talk to her for a minute. Hermione threw him scowl and continued on.
"Hey, you all right?" he asked her, his hand on her waist.
"Yeah, just had Potions with Slughorn. Wasn't too bad. You?" she asked, holding him close.
"On my way to Transfiguration. I'll see you tonight for tea," he said, dropping a kiss on her lips.
"Count on it," she affirmed, kissing him back lightly.
Harry heard the sound of girls giggling, and quickly released her. He winked at her, then left.
Harry finished his Transfiguration and, instead of heading to the library to get a start on Mcgonagall's essay, decided to wander outside. The days were fine but the late afternoons were starting to get cool.
He passed Ron heading to Divination. "Just saw your girlfriend," he spat. "Getting hot and heavy with the ferret. Ugh!" he scowled, before storming off.
"What are you talking about," yelled Harry. Ron just pointed out the door of the Great Hall. He raced out to find Astoria standing there, looking down towards Hagrids's cabin.
He spotted Ginny straight away, but it was only when she moved he realised Draco was with her. He tensed, even getting his wand out. He realised it did look like they were in an embrace but he knew Ginny, knew what they had shared was real.
"What happened?" he asked Astoria. Ginny had told him in confidence that Astoria had always had a thing for Draco.
"We were coming back from Care of Magical Creatures. She wanted to stay back and speak to her brother, so I told Ginny I'd meet her in the entrance to the Great Hall. When she didn't come back afer a while, I went to find her. I found her...with him," said Astoria, tearfully.
He had no doubts about Ginny at all. He sent his magic out, reaching for her in a reassuring way. After a minute or so, he felt her happiness that he was close by."There's nothing going on between them," Harry assured her.
"Ron said- he said horrible things, hateful things," shuddered Astoria. "You don't know Draco like I do. He's not bad, not really," she cried, grabbing his hand.
He put his arm around her, feeling her tremble. Together they stayed there, watching as events unfolded below.
Ginny had been on her way to meet Astoria when she heard it. The sound of something hitting something. She glanced around, but there was no-one else around. Charlie had already gone back to the Forbidden Forest, and her classmates had already left.
"Hello," she called tentatively. She kept her hand on her wand in its holster, ready to pull it out if needed. However, no-one replied. She hesitated and was about to walk on when she heard someone draw a breath.
With misgivings, she dropped her bag and wandered close to the large shrubs that surrounded the forest. She wondered about sending her Patronus to Harry, but decided not to. Her compact was in her pocket if she needed. Taking a breath, she pulled the shrubs apart.
"What do you want, Weaslette," snarled Draco. "Come for a laugh." His eyes were red-rimmed.
"What's wrong with you?" she demanded.
"Just leave me the fuck alone," he growled. He scrunched up some parchment and shoved it in his pocket.
"You look like shit, you're obviously missing lessons. I'm guessing you didn't go to the beach to work on your tan this summer," she quipped.
"Funny, Weasley. Look, no offense, but fuck off, all right," he snarled.
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Is this anything to do with your 'houseguests' this summer?" she asked, taking a chance.
"What do you know about them?" he asked hurriedly and worriedly.
Ginny shrugged. "Astoria mentioned them. She's worried about you, you know."
Draco looked at the ground. "She's a sweet kid but she needs to stay away from me."
"Why? Don't you want a girlfriend, to be happy?" she asked.
Draco scoffed. "Happy? You think a girlfriend will make me happy? I just need..." His voice trailed off.
"What?" prompted Ginny, sitting next to him on the ground. "You just need what?"
"To know my Mum's okay," he said, in a half whisper.
"Is she sick?" asked Ginny. Draco nodded.
"She wouldn't let me get a healer, hell, she wouldn't even let me tell him. My father," he spat contemptuously.
"What about Snape? I know he's not a healer, but he could have given you Potions, like Pepper-Up, or something. He's a friend of the family, isn't he?" asked Ginny.
"I haven't seen him this summer, although he may have been at the Manor in a different wing. I've spent most of my time in my mother's wing," he said.
"So, why so upset today?" asked Ginny.
"I sent her an owl when I got here. It came back, unread," said Draco, pulling the parchment out of his pocket.
"Can you owl your Dad?" asked Ginny, "or ask Professor Snape to make a fire-call home?"
"Our family isn't as touchy-feely as yours, Weasley," he snapped. "My father probably wouldn't tell me anything anyway, except to grow a pair," he said, resentfully.
"Your Dad is an ass. You know it's true," she said, as he shot her a look. "There is nothing wrong in being worried if you don't hear from your mother."
Draco looked away. "I'm scared he'll hurt her," he said quietly. He looked down and pulled grass from the ground and tossed it in the air, watching it fall back.
"Your Dad? He'd hurt your Mum?" asked Ginny, increduously. She placed a hand on his arm.
"Not my Dad. HIM!" growled Draco in a low voice.
"Oh. Tom," she said, nodding. Just then she felt Harry's magic wend it's way around her, like an embrace. She felt relieved, knowing he was close. She felt his love and trust, and it empowered her.
"Draco...go to Dumbledore. Tell him your concerns. He'll find a way to help you," she said earnestly.
Draco shook his head stubbornly. "I can't. Don't you see, I can't." He flushed and looked away, but not before Ginny saw his eyes glisten.
"You can, Draco. For your mother's sake, you have to," she implored.
"No, he's testing me. Letting me know he has all the power," said Draco, angrily.
"What does that mean? Draco, tell me, what do you mean by that?" she asked.
Draco shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Forget I said anything."
"Draco. Sometime soon, this will come to an end, one way or the other. You can make a choice, right here and now. Tell Dumbledore. I'm sure he'll find a way to get your Mum the help she needs, and you too," she said gently. "Get out before you don't have a choice."
Draco looked at her, then looked away. "It's too late. It's just too late." He started to cry, and Ginny scooted closer, putting an arm around his shoulders.
"Draco?" Astoria and Harry had come closer, and while Harry stayed back, Astoria came closer. Ginny indicated with her head for her to come closer and take her place. She sat on the other side of Draco.
Ginny stood up and watched Astoria comfort Draco. "Weasley?" Ginny turned back to him. "Thanks. And, er, can we keep this between us?" He looked beyond Ginny to where Harry was waiting.
Ginny shook her head. "I won't tell anyone about your worries for your Mum, but that's it. Anything involving Tom, well, I'm not keeping secrets from Harry. That's all I can promise."
Draco thought about it for a second, then nodded. He turned back to Astoria, and Ginny walked to Harry.
He hugged her close and tight, and she let him. "Okay?" he asked her, his chin resting on her head.
"I'm fine. Draco, not so much," she said, pulling back to kiss him. She flung her arm around his waist and he put his arms around her shoulders. Together, they walked back to the castle.
"Is there anything you need to tell me?" he asked her quietly.
"Nothing happened," she said quickly. He shook his head. "I know," he said gently.
"Tom has been staying at Malfoy Manor, like we thought," said Ginny. "I told Draco to go to Dumbledore."
"Do you think he will?" asked Harry. Ginny shook her head. "No, I don't," she said sadly.
"The day is coming soon when we all have to make decisions about what side we're on," said Harry grimly.
"I told him the same thing. It's up to him now," said Ginny.
The bell sounded, and they looked up. "We missed our last lesson. Shall we go to tea?" asked Harry.
"Am I sitting with you at the Gryffindor table?" asked Ginny, as they walked past a group of giggling second years.
"Actually, I forgot to ask Mcgonagall. Do you see her?" asked Harry, looking towards the professor's table. Only Madame Hooch and Sprout were there at the moment.
"No, I don't? Shall we ask another professor?" asked Ginny.
Harry shrugged. "Let's live dangerously." He conjured up a small table for four in a small corner, and held out a seat for Ginny.
"Thank you, Harry," she said, touched at his manners.
He sat opposite her and took her hand. "I wish we were back at Grimmauld Place," he said softly.
Ginny's eyes sparked. "Me too," she said.
"Hey guys. Everything okay? Ron was huffing about something in the common room," said Neville, coming over to them.
"Just Ron being Ron," said Harry. "Did you want to join us, you and Daphne?" In a way he hoped Neville would say no.
Neville's face lit up. "Thanks. She just came in, I'll go ask her. Be right back." He wandered over to the Slytherin table.
"That was a nice thing you did," said Ginny, squeezing his hand.
They were distracted by a noise from where Neville was. They looked over to see their friend talking to Daphne, and he looked upset. Daphne kept shaking her head and looked close to tears. Neville said something, and she gasped and ran out of the Great Hall.
Neville sighed angrily and turned around, soon realising nearly all eyes were on him. He stormed out of the Great Hall.
Harry and Ginny turned back to each other, worried. "That didn't look good," said Ginny.
POP Dobby appeared next to the table. "Mr Harry Potter, and his Miss Wheezy! Dobby has come to serve the unexpected table. What would you both be wanting for your dinner? Dobby will be happy to serve you."
"Thank you Dobby. I'd like roast beef please, with vegetables. Ice cream for dessert too, please," said Ginny.
"I'll have Shepherd's Pie please, with chips, and treacle tart for pudding," said Harry.
"Very good, Dobby will be back soon, Mr Harry Potter," bowed Dobby, before disappearing to the kitchens.
"Harry Potter, you have Dobby as a personal house-elf?" cried Hermione, aghast.
"No, he was just the one who came to the Great Hall," said Harry.
"It's not right, none of this," said Hermione, gesturing to the table.
"I wanted to be with my girlfriend, and you made it clear she wouldn't be welcome at the Gryffindor table," said Harry, angrily.
"Why don't you go and sit with the Snakes," said Ron, walking past.
"Mr Weasley. Miss Granger, why are you holding up the walkway," said Professor Mcgonagall, coming up behind them.
Ron gestured grandly to Harry and Ginny.
"Sorry Professor, I just conjured up a small table. I wanted to have dinner with Ginny," said Harry.
"Next time, just use the Gryffindor or Slytherin table, Potter," said Mcgonagall, trying to walk past Ron. Everytime she moved left, so did he. When she moved right, so did he.
"Sorry Professor, no. I'd rather we ate at our own table," said Harry. "I already asked some of the Gryffindors. Most were fine, but I didn't think it was worth upsetting anyone." He shot a look at Hermione. "Gin and I are fine here."
POP Dobby returned with their meals. He also had slices of bread and butter, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Here we go, Mr Harry Potter, Miss Wheezy. Tomorrow, the meals will appear as normal."
"That's fine, thank you, Dobby," said Harry, appreciatively.
"It looks delicious, thanks Dobby," said Ginny.
"I'll need to speak to Dumbledore about this, Potter. We'll leave it for tonight, though. Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, please sit down," sighed Mcgonagall, brushing them out of her way. She walked past them, on her way to sit at the professor's table. Harry noted that Dumbledore wasn't there.
"Bon Appetit," said Ginny, raising her glass and trying to draw his attention back to her.
"Cheers," said Harry, clinking his glass against hers.
They tucked into their meals, ignoring the whispers and stares. Ginny told him about her first lesson with Charlie, and the creatures he planned to show them. Harry confided his success at Potions, and his discovery of the Half Blood Prince.
They were just finished their pudding when Hannah approached them. "Excuse me, Harry, Ginny. I'm sorry to interrupt. Have you seen Neville?"
Ginny shook her head. "He had words with Daphne and they both left. Separately," she added.
"Oh. Okay, thanks. Bye," said Hannah, despondently. She walked away.
"Hello, Harry. Ginny."
"Luna, hi," they chorused. Ginny stood up to hug her. "How was your summer?"
"Wonderful. Daddy and I travelled a lot, all through Europe," said Luna, happily. "It's good to be back and see my friends, though."
"Have you had Care of Magical Creatures yet?" asked Ginny, indicating the chair next to her for Luna to sit in.
"Yes, this morning. Charlie and I had quite the discussion about Hippogriphs. He's quite knowledgable," said Luna, sitting beside Ginny.
"I'm happy he's here," admitted Ginny.
"I like this table," said Luna, gazing around. "You can see everyone from here."
"And everyone can see us," reminded Harry. "We don't know if it's permanent, but if it is, you're welcome to join us, Luna."
"Oh, are you starting up your own House? Kind of like the United Nations,"said Luna.
"That's a good idea, Luna. United Nations of Hogwarts," said Harry.
"The whole Sorting thing is silly, anyway. I told the Sorting Hat that, and he got upset. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings," said Luna.
"Is that why you took so long?" asked Ginny. Luna nodded.
Tori hesitantly came over. "Excuse me, Ginny. I'm heading to the library to get a start on our Potions essay. Did you want to come, or meet me later?"
Ginny sighed. "I really should go. I've got a pile of homework. Luna, did you want to come with us?"
"Oh, can I?" asked Luna, looking surprised.
"Of course. We can have a good catch up while we work," said Ginny.
"I'll go see if I can find my bag," said Luna happily. "Bye Harry."
"Bye Luna, Tori," said Harry, waving to them. He turned back to Ginny. "Do you really need to go?"
"I don't want to, but yeah, I do. What about you? Got much homework?" Ginny asked.
"Nope, haven't got much. I can do mine in the common room, I want to go see what happened with Nev. I'll walk you up, though."
They walked out of the Great Hall and Harry waited while Ginny got her bag from the Slytherin common room. He took her hand and they walked up to the library.
He pulled her into a nook before they got to the library. She dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. It soon got heated, and Harry had to pull away. He rested his head against hers. "I love you," he said softly.
"I love you too," she said, breathing hard.
"Will you be here till it closes?" asked Harry.
Ginny nodded. "Probably."
"I'll come back and walk you to your dorms," said Harry.
"I'd like that," said Ginny. "Then you can tell me what happened with Neville."
"All right then. See you in a couple of hours." He kissed her quickly.
Ginny smiled happily and went to join her friends.
Harry went to the Gryffindor common room, looking for Neville. Ron was there, making up predictions for Divination. Seamus and Dean were egging him on, coming up with bizarre ideas. Harry decided to go up to their dorms to see if Nev was there.
The drapes around his bed were closed. "Nev, you there? It's me, Harry. Everything okay?"
"Yeah...well, not really," came Neville's muffled voice.
"Want to explain that, mate?" asked Harry.
There was silence, then Neville opened his drapes. He moved from the centre of the bed to the edge. "I went over to ask Daphne if she wanted to sit with me, with you. When I told her yesterday, she seemed happy about it. So when she flushed and said she couldn't, I didn't understand."
"She couldn't? What does that mean?" asked Harry, confused.
"She said she'd had an owl from her dad. He'd heard that Daphne and I had been seeing each other. He told her she had to stop, that she shouldn't be with me because I'm close to you. He said it was making it look like her family supported you against Voldemort," sighed Neville, unhappily.
"Well, I thought she did," said Harry, surprised.
Neville nodded. "So did I. I said that to her, to write and tell your Dad that you do support Harry, but she said she couldn't. She had to do what her Dad wanted. She asked if we could keep seeing each other in secret."
Harry was hurt. Daphne had seemed so genuine, not a follower but a leader. "What did you say?" he asked Neville. He couldn't bear to think about being betrayed by a close friend again.
Neville scoffed. "What do you think I said? I told her no way, that if she was going to follow Voldemort, like her Dad wanted, then we were through. That's when she ran out of the Great Hall. I-I was really surprised." He sighed.
"I'm sorry, Nev," said Harry, not really knowing what to say.
"Me too. I really feel disappointed - in her. Is that weird?" asked Neville.
Harry shrugged. "I know what you mean. When you told me, I felt it too. I guess a lot of the Slytherin kids may be getting that from home." he told Neville what had happened with Draco and Ginny earlier.
"Yeah, well, Draco's family is in Voldemort's inner circle, isn't he? His situation is a bit different to the rest. I mean, come on, Voldemort is living in his house. His goddamm house!" said Neville, shaking his head at the thought.
"They all have minds of their own. The time is coming when they'll have to use them, parents wishes or not. It could mean the difference between living and dying. I hope Daphne chooses right," said Harry, sad for his friend.
"Well, we're through," said Neville, decisively. "I can't be with someone like that." He sighed wistfully. "It was nice, though. Having someone, just for me."
"Yeah, I know," said Harry, thinking of his witch in the library.
Neville glanced at his watch. "Damn, I have to go. I'm patrolling tonight with Hannah."
"I'm meeting Ginny in the library when it closes and walking her back to the Slytherin common room," said Harry.
"Okay," said Neville, straightening his robes.
"So, will you cut me some slack if I'm out a bit late? Please!" begged Harry.
Neville laughed. "If you take your Invisibility cloak and your map, I'm sure you'll find a way around the Prefects. But I'll make sure I'm the one patrolling around our common room, okay?"
"Thanks mate," said Harry, rifling through his trunk to get his cloak out. "Guess I'll go down and do some homework till it's time."
"Why didn't you go to the library with Ginny?" asked Neville.
"She's there with Tori and Luna. I figure she could do with some girl time. She got close to Tonks and Fleur while we were away over the summer," said Harry, gathering his books and walking downstairs with Neville.
"I heard Professor Lupin's wedding was really nice," said Neville.
"What? Professor Lupin got married? But he's a werewolf," said Hermione. She checked her watch. "You should be out on patrol, Neville."
"I'm going, I'm going," said Neville, shooting Harry a sympathetic look. "See you later."
"You have a problem with Remus getting married," said Harry, in a quiet voice.
"He's a werewolf. He might hurt his wife, and not realise it," stammered Hermione.
"He takes the Wolfbane potion every single day. He stays away from her on the night of the full moon. You know him, Hermione. Hell, you knew he was a werewolf before any of us, and you said nothing. His wife is in no danger," said Harry, trying to control his anger.
"It only takes missing one dose, and he could turn. Remember what happened that night, Harry? It's why people are reluctant to give them jobs, or rent them homes," said Hermione.
"I'll be sure to pass on your comments to Remus' wife," snapped Harry.
"It's not that I agree with them. I know Professor Lupin, and I trust him. He was the best DADA teacher we had. I was angry when they sacked him and -"
"They didn't sack him, he chose to leave," spat Harry.
"But marriage? Why? They couldn't have children, could they?" asked Hermione.
"They'd both make great parents, but that is none of my business, and certainly none of yours," said Harry, sitting on the couch in front of the fire. He pulled out his homework, only needing to jot down a few facts. He tried to control his anger.
"Let me see your Potions book, Harry," ordered Hermione.
"What? Why?" he asked, petulalantly.
She sat down next to him and sighed. "You've changed so much. Why are you fighting me, Harry? We were best friends, the three of us. I hate that we've lost that."
"We didn't lose it, Hermione. You tossed it away. I heard you with Dumbledore one night. You were spying on me, for him. Got you a nice shiny badge, didn't it?" He looked at her Prefect badge.
"I earned this," said Hermione, indignantly. "Are you suggesting I didn't?"
"Oh no, I'm sure you did. 'Harry relies on me to help him with his homework'. Well, I don't anymore, do I, and I'm doing fine. I'm not going to tell you anything about what we've been doing, or where Sirius is, or anything,"said Harry, heatedly.
"But- I thought you were both away this summer with Dumbledore," said Hermione, surprised.
Harry shrugged. "Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. Did he tell you that?" Was Dumbledore still getting Hermione to keep an eye on him?
"I think Ron said his brother Bill said something," said Hermione, looking uncomfortable.
"You're a lousy liar, Hermione. Look, I'll make it easy on you. Stay the hell away from me," he said harshly.
"Harry, please. You can't do this on your own. I only want to help you," implored Hermione.
"I'm not on my own, Hermione. I have help. People I trust," said Harry, shooting her a look.
"Harry, you get too emotional. I heard what made you go to the Department of Mysteries. You thought Sirius was being tortured. You got too emotional with Umbridge, and look what she did to you," said Hermione, pointing to his hand. The scars had faded slightly.
"I will always protect the people I care about. That's who I am. Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore, at least, not with you," said Harry, tiredly.
Hermione looked hurt. "I only wanted to help you. Dumbledore told us it would help you."
"Why don't you just worry about yourself. You're a high profile Muggleborn. If the Death Eaters attack the school, you'll be one of their first targets," warned Harry.
"Attack the school? They're not going to attack Hogwarts," scoffed Hermione. "How would they get in? There's no way Dumbledore will let that happen."
"I hope you're right, Hermione. I really hope you're right."
Harry slammed his book shut and packed it away. He realised that most of the common room had quieted to hear his talk with Hermione.
He walked upstairs to put his bag away, then took his cloak and map and went back downstairs. Ron and Hermione were in a corner, whispering.
Harry left his common room, heading for the library.
Luna's suggestion of starting his own House had never sounded more appealing.