This chapter should answer a few questions...kinda...I tried not to give TOO much away, but I feel like I've failed...whatever...enjoy this chapter, and much thanks and adoration to those who reviewed!

Intent, the Third

"Wonder if this one's up to anything?" Ron asked, curiously, as they made their way to the Defense classroom.

Luckily he was only referring to Residius Morton, and not Harry. Harry would definitely be forced to kill something if Ron became suspicious of him as well.

"Who knows?" Harry replied, with an air of exasperation, but Harry knew that there was absolutely nothing dangerous about the man, at least his personal effects and resume implied there was nothing more to the man than a slight obsession with certain historical figures.

They reached the classroom, and then Dean declared, "Look! I told you! Practically twins!"

"Vaguely similar," Parvati agreed grudgingly after looking at Harry.

Harry's eyebrows rose and he put on what he hoped was a confused, yet amused look, "What's going on?"

"Look at this portrait, Harry!" Dean exclaimed, pointing to one of the walls, "it looks just like you."

"Not exactly," Lavender interrupted, "but similar."

Harry made his way over to the wall his classmates were gathered around, and looked at the wall curiously.

Four portraits looked back at him…though not directly; it appeared that they weren't looking at anything, exactly. They also didn't move, and the dress of the four people in the pictures implied that the portraits were very old.

Harry studied the four paintings, and then asked, "Which one is it that I look like?"

Parvati and Lavender giggled along a few others; apparently they made up one side of the debate.

"That one right there," Seamus replied, pointing sharply to a green eyed, black haired man in green and sliver and black, he appeared to be in his mid-twenties. Harry bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing at the way the man's very slight twitch in response to Seamus' prod.

"I suppose I can see a very slight resemblance," Harry conceded as he leaned closer to the portrait, as though to study the features of the man. As Harry moved away from the portrait he glanced sharply at a portrait which housed a woman with brown hair and brown eyes that was about the same age as the black haired man. Her lips twitched fractionally, but otherwise there was no further moment.

"Who are these things of?" Harry asked, turning his attention to the other two portraits: a woman in her mid-forties with dark-ish blonde hair and blue eyes, she was very severely dressed as compared to the younger woman; and a man with red-ish brown hair and blue eyes.

"No idea," Seamus and Dean replied at the same time.

"Surely they have some sort of impact on Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione declared as she moved forward to study the paintings. "But I've never seen any of them in any book, perhaps they're only mentioned in certain studies…"

"Hello! I see you've all found my portraits!" A bright cheery voice exclaimed, "Exquisite aren't they?"

"Who are they?" Harry asked, without turning to look at the man. However, the rest of the class slowly moved away from the wall and began settling into desks.

"They," the man replied, "would have been some of the most recognized magical people in all of Britain during their time, I believe. It's not surprising that none of you have ever seen these four people before; I was quite surprised to find these portraits myself. I had believed myself there were no more surviving paintings left."

"So who are they?" Hermione asked.

"I believe these are the only surviving paintings of the four founders, unfortunately, they appear to some of the few that aren't enchanted to move."

"Thank god!" Someone whispered very nearby to Harry. Harry again bit the inside of his cheek to keep from reacting. Harry turned around and noticed most everyone was now sitting, and he quietly slipped into the nearest chair and glanced up one final time at the portraits.

Residius Morton went into an in-depth lecture about his studies, his interest (not mentioning his obsession, of course) in the four founders, and how he came to teach at Hogwarts.

This was highly boring for Harry who already knew these things from going through Morton's things, and getting a bit of information from some…alternative sources of information.

One of which was winking at him in amusement, right now.

Hermione poked Harry and chided, "Pay attention Harry, this is quite fascinating."

Harry didn't see how it could be considered remotely close to interesting, and slowly adjusted his pose until it was just so. Then he reached for a plain, practically wire ring he wore and activated his illusion.

Then Harry took off his robe, balled it up on the desk before him, and went to sleep.

"What's in the bag, Harry?" Hermione finally demanded on the way to dinner. Harry had been expecting it sooner, but apparently the possible portraits of the four founders were more interesting than Harry-Interrogating.

That sounded oddly like Harry-Hunting…boy, did that bring back pleasant memories.

"Wormwood, dead rodents, belladonna, black magic manuals, Moste Potente Potions," Harry replied, "You know, the usual."

"That's not funny, Harry" Hermione told Harry, frowning at him.

"I agree," Harry replied somberly, "dark arts are very grave and serious by nature."

Hermione made an angry noise and left Harry behind in a huff.

"What's up with her?" Harry asked Ron curiously.

"No clue, mate," Ron replied, "but that's girls for you."

Harry shrugged in agreement and shifted the strap of his messenger bag; carefully checking to make sure it remained untouched.

Harry was carrying precious cargo today, that wouldn't fancy loosing…and no, not dead rodents or poisons.

Though Harry should pop a couple of poisons and a suicide note in the bag later, just in case Hermione's curiosity got the better of her…

Talk about a morbid sense of humor.

Harry and Ron finished the trek to the Great Hall for dinner and Harry couldn't help but spare a glance up at Dumbledore, he was back to his twinkling self. But there was just something different enough that let Harry know that the loss of the deed still weighed heavily on his mind.

Then Harry looked at the Gryffindor table and fought down the urge to act out the scene of Hamlet's death…it wouldn't be exactly in context, but it was dramatic enough to get the point across.

But back to the point!

The worst possible thing had happened! Yes! Tonight, the only empty seat was next to Ginny.

It looked like Harry would either have to skip dinner and go down to the kitchens later, sit at another table, or wait here until Ginny left…

"Harry! Harry!" A bright voice called, and Harry turned to see his little hero: the first year girl he was tutoring. And what do you know; there was an empty seat next to her.

Harry headed over and she smiled brightly and began reaching for her book bag, apparently she was having more problems with something. Harry returned the girl's smile and hastened over.

"Should I be jealous?"

Harry grinned at his lapful of Lisa Turpin and replied, "Of a first year? Of course not! Not until she's graduated, naturally."

"Naturally," Lisa replied teasingly, adjusting herself so she was straddling Harry's legs and facing him.

"Sorry I haven't been able to see you recently," Harry told her, "I've been busy."

"Tutoring first years?" Lisa asked, grinning.

"Among other things," Harry replied, "like breaking into teachers' offices and sacrificing small animals."

Lisa giggled and tossed her hair, "Seriously?"

"No, I've mainly been evading Hermione. She's been a bit bitchy recently, I think I've done something…or something," Harry replied. "Maybe Dumbledore said something to her, I've no idea."

Lisa shrugged and then asked, "So what's the plan for tonight?"

"Plan?" Harry asked blankly, "What makes you think there's a plan?"

"You always have a plan," Lisa replied. "Don't play dumb with me."

"Well, there's no plan for tonight," Harry declared, "We will be completely winging it this evening…in a clearing I've found in the forbidden forest. Should be fun," Harry wagged his eyebrows, and Lisa snorted and pushed herself off Harry's lap.

"I don't know…is it safe?" Lisa asked skeptically.

Harry laughed, and jumped up off his chair replying, "Hell no! But that just adds to the fun."

"If we get expelled I'm kicking your ass," Lisa replied.

"If we get expelled, I'll kick my own ass twice," Harry assured her. "Shall we?"

"Shall I leave the skirt on this time?" Lisa asked airily.

"And the knee-highs, I expect," Harry agreed, holding his arm out for her, "Think we should get a move on?"

"Might as well," Lisa replied, "It's been a long summer."

"Longer and harder than you know," Harry agreed.

Lisa snorted and pranced out of the classroom, her skirt flipping, calling behind her, "oh, I know just how long and hard this summer has been, Mr. Potter."

Harry gave chase, after securing his messenger bag.