A/N
I began writing this years ago. Maybe a month after reading DH. I just never finished it. I am currently editing what I had and chopping it up into chapters, which is why the updates have been so quick.
If you folks don't like what I write, fine, but if you leave a review, please make it intelligent. Unlike "Goose" who skimmed the story and then called me unoriginal because Harry hates everyone.
Now THANK YOU to all who have reviewed and I hope you enjoy it. This is likely to be the last update for the week. I have to go back to work. So until the weekend, ENJOY!
"You did WHAT?!"
Hunter was enraged and Harry didn't understand why. He had stirred things so much that he was forcing the hands of his enemy. Sirius was sure to get a trial now. Amelia Bones was furious when she left the courtroom and was sure to be digging for the truth now. "What is your problem? I thought you, of all people, would appreciate this!" Harry snapped.
Hunter paced in his frame before he got control again. "Okay, lets go over what has happened, and perhaps you'll see where that Gryffidor boldness was a mistake as opposed to that Slytherin cunning I know you have. The hat did want to put you in Slytherin right?" Harry was insulted but nodded in answer to the question.
"Good. Now you did get cleared or acquitted of the charges. That was effective. However, you now painted an even bigger target on yourself. Umbridge sent the dementors at you to shut you up. Don't try to push on that, she covered her tracks well." Hunter saw the look in Hatrry's eyes and knew it all too well. "Now if she sent dementors into a muggle town just to eliminate you before, what do you think she's willing to do now?" That stopped Harry cold, because he hadn't thought she would be able to come at him due to the corruption he had exposed. "Right. Now you see it don't you. In the chaos you have created, she may actually have a better shot at taking you out. So we'll have to plan a little just to get through the Trip to Hogwarts."
Harry was a little embarrassed. He thought he had it worked out, but Hunter was proving he didn't. His way usually did work but with major flaws. Hermione had pointed that out numerous times. Oh how he hated when she was right.
"Now that we have that established let's move on to your friends." Harry hmpfed at the comment friends, but Hunter was focused. "Come off it Harry Hermione was always going to be a prefect. She is addicted to authority and books. If a book told her the sky was green or a teacher the black lake was purple, she would be to Madam Pompfrey getting her eyes checked. I never could get my head up my arse far enough to see her point of view on that. Snape should have proven her wrong long ago, but she just won't believe it." Harry begrudgingly nodded in agreement.
"As for Ron. You have gotten to this point far sooner than me. It took me to my late thirties before I had written that git off. I gave he so many chances and forgave with almost no effort. He is not a bad guy, but he is jealous and selfish. He was made Prefect because Dumbledore couldn't put it on you. You were the best candidate. I was at least, but The press was out to hang me and the ministry too. So he felt the pressure of that responsibility would be too much. Ron needed to grow up, and by putting the prefect mantle on him, Dumbledore did two things. One, he gave Ron the responsibility to force him to grow up. Two, it made Molly Weasley and even more loyal follower. Let's face it, she'd kiss his arse if were to bare it."
The two laughed for a moment before Hunter went back to his lecture. He complimented Harry on his handling of Ginny, and the comradeery he gave to Sirius and Remus. Harry was going to be blunt a painful with the last two Marauders, but Hunter advised a more subtle approach. Harry acquiesced and they moved on. Harry had the locket and Hunter was discussing how to destroy it. He also pointed out the Diadem of Ravenclaw and the Room of Requirement.
Train-rides and Toadies
Padfoot in his dog form joined them at the train station this year and before they left, He handed Harry a picture. It was of the Order when his parents were part of it. In addition to his parents, there were also Neville's parents standing right next to James and Lily. Sirius explained they were all good friends and that Alice (Neville's Mum) was Harry's godmother. Harry asked why he wasn't allowed to stay with her and Neville as opposed to the Dursleys. Sirius shook his head, but before he could answer, the whistle blew and Harry got on the train waving goodbye to Padfoot, Tonks, and Mooney as well as Mrs. Weasley.
Harry sat almost alone on the way to Hogwarts. Only Neville was with him and talked about his new plant. Harry realized he had kind of abandoned Neville so the boy wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. He decided to correct that and work with Neville more than he had.
Ginny was with some of her classmates and the twins were with Lee Jordan and the "quidditch vixens" Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson. Ron and Hermione joined Harry and Neville after the prefect meeting. Neville was worried as Harry was only being civil to them. It was a very cold and quiet trip as even Malfoy didn't make an appearance.
When they reached Hogsmeade Harry and the group were joined by Luna Lovegood. Harry saw a strange horse-like skeleton pulling the carriage. Hermione and the others didn't see it. Luna explained that he wasn't wrong and that thestrals were not apparent to people who had not seen death. At the welcoming feast, Umbridge the toad-woman from his trial gave a little speech, and Harry knew the troubles would follow. Things didn't get better when he entered the common room. Seamus went off on Harry based of what the Daily Prophet had been writing. According to the paper (and the Ministry) Harry was lying and Dumbledore was senile. Harry took offense and argued with the Irishman. Ron took Harry's side. It was obvious to Harry he was trying to get back in his good graces. When Harry left, Neville joined in Harry's defense but you could clearly see the house was divided.
ACotSoT..ACotSoT..ACotSoT..ACotSoT..ACotSoT..ACotSoT..
Harry went out under the cloak and made his way to the seventh floor. There he found the Room of requirement, just as Hunter described. He carefully collected the Diadem and took both it, and the locket to the Chamber of Secrets where he called for Kreature.
Kreature was in shock that Harry had killed the monstrous snake. Harry paid it little mind and grabbed a fang. He tried to stab the locket but it moved. Harry suggested Kreature take the fang while he held the locket in place with magic. While Harry kept it still, Kreature stabbed the locket with the fang and a scream came out of it. There was a black smoke also but in the end the scream and the smoke disappeared and whatever was in the locket was dead.
Kreature was sobbing while Harry tried to comfort the elf. "Kreature, you have done well and fulfilled Master Regulus' wishes. You are a good elf." Kreature began sobbing again and latched onto Harry's leg similar to Dobby. "Kreature, you will not punish yourself. I want you to rest for the remainder of the day, and tomorrow I want you to begin properly cleaning the house, top to bottom. From now on, you will respect Sirius as you did Regulus. If he upsets you or tells you to go away, you will come to me." Harry left no room for question. Kreature bowed and popped out.
Now Harry went for the Diadem. He was hoping to just scratch it with the fang and thus save the beautiful tiara. It would be brilliant if he could give it to Flitwick and return a piece of history. Unfortunately, when the venom of the basilisk came in contact with the diadem, not only did the shrieking and the smoke come out, but the diadem seemed to crumble before his eyes.
.
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Harry made some changes to his schedule. He had gotten lazy without Hunter as the taskmaster, but after the tournament and now with the trunk, it was time to get back on track. First was to drop Divination. Trelawney was a drunk and he had had enough of her. He also added Ancient Runes. He had to test out to be placed in the class, but with the knowledge he got from Hunter, he succeeded and McGonagall signed him up. Most classes were tougher because this was OWL year, but Harry was actually just reviewing what he picked up from Hunter. Thanks to the memories he knew all the theory he just had to practice. This upset Hermione to no end as she felt Harry was somehow cheating. The only thing that kept her civil was Ancient Runes, since Harry actually studied for that one.
In Potions, Snape tried to bully Neville but with Harry as his partner, Neville didn't have as many problems. Harry kept his eyes open for his friend and before Neville made a mistake Harry stopped him. Snape couldn't rattle Harry either and at the end of class he tried to punish them by destroying their samples. "What a shame Potter. You and Longbottom will have to take a zero for the day." Harry expected something like this and was ready. "Actually that happened enough last year that I now take a second sample before I clear my cauldron. Neville did the same." Harry handed him two samples. "So now we won't be missed." Snape was livid as Harry walked out.
The first DADA with Umbridge was bad. She went on degrading the previous instructors and how this year they would learn without the need for using spells. Hunter had warned him, but Harry hadn't believed. Harry couldn't figure how she expected them to survive on just theory so he asked. Umbridge asked what he thought was out there.
"Well there's the dementors that got me this summer, remember my trial? They got me third year too, here during a quidditch match and then there's werewolves, and vampires. You've passed laws on the regulation of the last two, but what if they go rogue? Are you content to wait for a auror to save you and just hope he gets there in time? I'm not. Considering I had to fight off those dementors and no auror showed up at all, I'm more than a little concerned. And then there's Voldemort..." Umbridge went on the attack.
"You have been told that a dark wizard has returned. This. Is. A. Lie!" Harry was fuming at that. "It is NOT a lie! His little flunky tried to fillet my arm as part of a ritual that brought him back." Umbridge started screaming at him but Harry wasn't backing down. "You were at my trial when I offer to swear an oath on my magic, Nobody asked for it then, but I'll be happy to swear it now!" Umbridge looked like she was about to hex him but Harry was ready. Then she spoke in that sickeningly sweet voice. "Take this to Professor McGonagall, Mr. Potter." She was writing something.
Harry had a detention but before he went he stopped in to speak with Hunter. In some ways he wished he hadn't. Hunter berated him for his hot-headedness. He was right, but Harry didn't want to hear it. It did however come with a warning. She was going to use a blood quill. Harry didn't know what that was. He was furious with the explanation. Hunter saw that look again and tried to nip it in the bud. "What are you going to do Harry, kill her? It is illegal to use that quill for anything other than contracts and the like, but you can't just kill people. You have to find another way."
