The sunlight warmed him, though it hurt his eyes. He knew he was in his bed, and that it must be afternoon, because the sun didn't shine into his room until late in the day. He took several deep breaths, feeling for any pain. All he felt was a bit of stiffness, but nothing worse than that. In fact, he was a bit puzzled to feel a bit stronger than he could ever remember.

There was something else as well. Something weighing him down. Very slowly, Harry opened his eyes, blinking in the brilliant sunlight. He tried to sit up fully, but whatever was on him, prevented him from moving to much. Harry was able to move his right arm, which he took advantage of to retrieve his glasses from the bedside table. Once he could see clearly, Harry found that what was keeping him down was nothing less than Daphne, sleeping on top of his blankets, her arm draped over his middle, her dark shining hair, covering her beautiful face. .

"Daphne?" He said hoarsely. His throat was terribly dry. He desperately wanted a drink, but first he had to get out of bed. He gently reached out and began shaking his girlfriend to wake her.

"Come on beautiful, it's time to wake up."

Daphne gave a soft groan. "Nuhwanna." She tightened her hold on him a bit, as she snuggled into his chest further.

Harry couldn't help but smile at her protestations. "Come on, I really need to get up."

"Wha?" Daphne muttered, slowly lifting her head. Her dark hair hung in her face, which she brushed aside in annoyance, her eyes widening in realization when her brain seem to start functioning properly. Harry noticed that her eyes looked a bit bloodshot, almost as if she'd been crying at some point.

"Harry?"

"Uh, yeah." Harry gave a soft smile. "Whose bed did you think you were in?"

"Oh my gods, you're finally awake." She sat up and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I've been so scared and worried. We all have. Dumbledore was so frightened that he'd messed everything up."

"How long have I been out?" Harry asked curiously.

"Three days. Dumbledore said if you didn't wake up today, he was going to risk bringing a healer to take a look at you." Daphne smiled, her dark eyes brimming with happy tears. Harry reached up to wipe them away which caused his girlfriend to smile brightly. She clutched his hand, which he pressed against her cheek, sighing in contentment at the feel of his hand on her skin.

"She hasn't left your side. We've had a terrible time just getting her to eat."

Sirius was leaning in the doorway, smiling happily at his godson. Harry was struck at how calm his godfather looked in that pose, even though Harry could see the relief in Sirius' eyes plainly.

"You gave us all a bit of a fright, kiddo. How are you feeling?"

"Ok, I think. I can't really remember what happened." Harry frowned.

"Get dressed, we'll fill you in over dinner." Sirius nodded. "Come on Daphne, give the boy a bit of privacy."

"But…" Daphne began to protest, but Harry cut her off.

"I'm fine. I'll only be a minute." Harry whispered, his voice still hoarse. Daphne looked at him for a long moment, before nodding and slowly sliding off his bed. Harry watched her back out of his bedroom, looking as if she was worried he might simply vanish from existence. Sirius grinned as he shut the door, allowing Harry to get out of bed and get dressed in private.

Harry felt stiff. His muscles felt tired and weak, almost as if he'd been immobile for years. As he dressed himself, and moved about, the stiffness lessened. He wanted to take a shower, but the noise coming from his stomach made it clear that food was his top priority.

A few moments later, Harry was opening his door, only to be engulfed by his girlfriend once again.

"You're acting like I died and came back." Harry joked. His smile faded away when he saw the look on Daphne's face. He was filled with a wave of anxiety as Daphne's face darkened.

"You very nearly did."

Dumbledore had arrived that night as he had promised Harry he would. With a swish of his wand, he removed all the furniture from the sitting room except for one of the sofas, which he beckoned Harry to lay upon. Harry was glad that Dumbledore had not excused the others, but instead asked them all to stay.

Dumbledore reached into his robes and retrieved what appeared to be an ordinary goblet. Harry thought it was similar to one of those he'd used so often at Hogwarts. And yet, there was something off about this rather benign object. Something, foreboding. Harry looked to the Headmaster, preparing to ask about it, but the Headmaster didn't give him the opportunity.

"I am sorry, Harry, but I think this will be quite painful. I would ask that you try to think of something pleasant and focus on it with all your might." Dumbledore said quite sadly. He took his wand, and aimed it at Harry's heart. Harry felt his pulse quicken, and he saw a look of utter revulsion on the headmaster's face.

"What are you doing?" Daphne asked, worry evident on her face. Harry looked over to her, and tried to give her and encouraging look, but his heart was now racing, and he was feeling entirely too nervous. Dumbledore had not explained how they would be getting the soul fragment out of him, and had also warned him not to speak about it to his friends.

"Please, Miss Greengrass, remain where you are. It is very important that you all remain on that side of the room." Dumbledore looked at Harry's friends pointedly before turning back to Harry. Dumbledore took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The Headmaster began mumbling, and Harry tried to make out what Dumbledore was saying, but it was far to soft, and the crackling of the fire drowned out most of it.

The room became deathly quiet, and Harry lay back to try and relax as he'd been told to. He looked over at Daphne again, who was watching him carefully, worry reflected in her dark eyes. Harry felt himself relaxing as he looked at all his friends. He began to think how lucky he was being here with them all in this wonderful house on the beach, when suddenly everything changed.

The pain was indescribable. The torture curse had nothing on what Harry felt. His joints all locked, and his back arched up so much, that Harry thought he would crush his on spine to dust. Fire was coursing through his veins, and his jaw was clenched so tightly, Harry was sure he heard teeth cracking under the pressure.

The worst was the pain in his skull. It felt as if his head were only a moment from exploding. All he while, there was a constant terrible, gut wrenching scream, that Harry was sure not his own.

Daphne lunged towards Harry, but was held back by Sirius, who looked just as frightened as she felt. He wrapped his arms around the girl, as she fought to get free, and kept repeating to wait.

"Let me go!" She screamed.

"Stay back!" Dumbledore warned again.

Daphne fought against Sirius's grip as she watched Harry writhe in agony. Blood began to spill out of his nose and scar, and a horrible scream began in his throat and erupted out of his mouth, causing Hermione to hold her hands over her ears. She turned away from the scene, and hid her face in Neville's chest.

Neville wrapped his arms protectively around his girlfriend, but could not tear his eyes away from Harry's writhing form. Strange wounds began to on up all over Harry's body, blood staining his clothing. Neville began to step forward unconsciously, when Remus threw out an arm to stop him.

Dumbledore looked horrible as he continued to mumble. It appeared to the onlookers as if he were now fighting something. His wand began to shake, and the old man grasped hold of it with both hands.

"What is he doing?" Tracey whispered, tears falling from her eyes as she could only look between Harry and Daphne, who was fighting hard against Sirius to get to Harry. Remus had now stepped forward to help his friend restrain the young witch.

Suddenly there was a scream that was unlike anything any of them had ever heard, and something that looked like black smoke came out of Harry's chest. Around them, windows began to crack, and things fell from the walls. The very house was shaking, and they all felt a deep fear as they watch Dumbledore manipulate this apparition that had risen out of Harry's chest.

Daphne stopped struggling, frozen in fearful wonder as Dumbledore looked to be fighting against this specter, guiding it with his wand into the goblet. The old man was grimacing, and sweating as he waved his wand in several intricate patterns. The goblet began to glow with a sinister looking red light, and the scream ended, and the everything fell silent once again.

Dumbledore collapsed to his knees, and Remus ran past the group to see to the Headmaster.

"Give me a moment." Dumbledore sighed. "See to Harry, please."

"He's unconscious." Sirius said. He had leapt to Harry's side, Daphne close beside him. Sirius began doing his best to mend all of the open cuts on Harry's body, while Remus rushed to fetch some potions for the boy.

"What did you do to him?" Daphne asked scathingly, glaring at the Headmaster, who was now climbing to his feet once again, looking very worn down.

"I have freed him." Dumbledore sighed. "Please step back from him, so that I may see if he is indeed alright."

Sirius pulled a very distraught and angry Daphne away again, as Dumbledore bent over the now limp form of his godson. Daphne now had tears streaming from her eyes, as she reached out to try and get to Harry.

Dumbledore moved his wand over Harry's body several times, watching with great interest as his wand glowed with a faint yellow light. He cast several advanced healing spells, and suggested several restorative drafts to be used later. Finally, Dumbledore rose to his feet again, and levitated Harry's body up the stairs and into his bedroom.

"You still haven't told us what you did to him?" Daphne asked, her voice low and dangerous. She was waiting at the foot of the steps as the Headmaster returned. Her fists were balled up at her sides, and Dumbledore actually felt a twinge of fear as he stared into her cold dark eyes. He had to smile at the girl, as he could now clearly see the depth of her feelings for the young man on whom so much rested.

"I assure you, he is going to be quite alright. If you calm yourself, I will explain everything to you all."

"Let's hear what he has to say." Tracey said, pulling Daphne back into the sitting room. Daphne kept her gaze locked on the old man as he followed the two girls into the sitting room that had been restored to its normal look. Dumbledore went to the hearth, and took the gold goblet and set it on the small table in the middle of the two sofas, before sitting in the soft armchair at the end.

The goblet seemed to be shaking ever so slightly. If they all hadn't been watching it so intently, they would've missed it entirely. They could all feel revulsion just looking at it, but none of them understood the reason why.

"Professor, what was all that? What did you put in there?" Hermione asked, wiping her teary eyes. "What was that that came out of Harry?"

"That, Miss Granger, was a piece of Lord Voldemort's soul."

There was a collective gasp, and Dumbledore noted that they all looked horrorstricken by his statement. Before they could ask any questions, the ancient Headmaster launched into a very long explanation on how Harry had come to possess a piece of the Dark Lord's soul within himself, and how he'd been totally unaware of it for all these years.

"So that's how Harry is able to see what Voldemort is doing." Sirius remarked, looking at the goblet. "That was their connection."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Why would anyone split their soul apart?" Neville wondered aloud.

"How is it even possible in the first place? I mean, where is your soul even located?" Tracey asked, feeling terribly confused and overwhelmed.

"It is quite easy to split one's soul." Dumbledore said softly. "Too easy in fact. It takes an act of greatest evil. Can any of you guess what might be the most evil act a person can partake in?"

"Killing someone." Neville said almost inaudibly. In his mind he saw Bellatrix LeStrange and how he'd shoved her own dagger deep into her shriveled black heart, taking her life from her once and for all. .

"Yes, and no. Killing someone will most definitely affect you, but it won't necessarily split your soul. Murder on the other hand, will do irrevocable damage to your soul. You see, there is a fine distinction between killing someone in defense of yourself, or as an accident, and taking one's life for other purposes. Killing out of jealousy, or greed, or rage.

"So, Mister Longbottom, you should not worry too much about your own soul. I believe that while you initially sought vengeance for what happened to your mother and father, I do not believe you would have killed Bellatrix LeStrange in cold blood." Dumbledore said. Neville looked up, his eyes distant and sad. He had been privately struggling with his own guilt over the incident. He knew that it was nothing less than the psychotic woman deserved, but had he truly been in the right to end her life? Who was he to play judge, jury, and executioner?

Hermione pulled him closer to her, wrapping her arms comfortingly around his shoulders, placing a soft kiss at his temple.

"I told you, you could talk to me about that." She sighed.

"I know. It's just …difficult."

"And this is why I do not fear for you." Dumbledore smiled softly. "The guilt over taking the life of another person, even one as sick and depraved as Bellatrix was, is proof that your soul is intact. It is the deepest hope in my heart that you will never find yourself in a situation where you have no other choice, I am sure that you will all have to do what is needed to survive this war." Dumbledore said sadly, his usually twinkling eyes, darkening a bit.

"But why would Voldemort want to split his soul?" Tracey asked, trying to steer the conversation back to the original topic. She was sure she wasn't going to like this line of conversation any more, but it was better than having to imagine killing people…except maybe Malfoy.

"To make this." Dumbledore motioned to the goblet. "A Horcrux."

"No." Sirius said in shock, staring with wide eyes at the goblet. "He actually made one of those disgusting things? I thought they were just something made up in a book. A sick joke."

"I am afraid they are quite real, and Lord Voldemort has made at least six. I have made his seventh here tonight. One which I intend to destroy this very evening, with your help."

"How do you know what it is?" Hermione asked Sirius, who was unable to look away from the goblet.

"I've told you on several occasions that the Black family is less than reputable, Hermione. Our library was filled to bursting with all manner of dark arts books. I read about horcruxes when I was younger than you all."

"I don't understand." Daphne said, looking at the goblet, which she swore had begun shaking a bit more. Indeed she noticed it was not where Dumbledore had originally placed it.

Dumbledore then explained what exactly the purpose of a horcrux was, and how he had learned of the existence of Voldemort's horcruxes. The four teens and the two men listened intently, all looking thoroughly sickened by what they heard.

"You said some of them had been destroyed?" Sirius asked, and Dumbledore nodded.

"It was Harry who discovered and destroyed the first one, though at the time he was unaware of what it was he'd truly accomplished. Even I was not certain of it, though I suspected."

"The diary!" Hermione shouted.

"Very well done, Miss Granger. Were we in school, I would have awarded ten points to you." Dumbledore smiled. "You are correct. The diary that possessed Miss Weasley in her first year, was indeed a horcrux. When it was brought to me, I suspected what it might have been, and during that summer, I began my research into the subject. I have spent the last two years diligently trying to find any clue as to where the rest of them are."

"Exactly how many of them are there?" Neville asked, a look of determination on his face.

""I am not completely sure, though I believe that there are no more than seven in all. Two of them have been destroyed, and after tonight, that number will be three. It is my intent to seek out and destroy the remaining horcruxes before Harry has to face Lord Voldemort. It is also my intention to give Harry the tools he needs to put up a good fight. I can not guarantee the outcome, but I feel, with the four of you at his side, Harry will win this war for all of us."

"Wait a minute." Remus piped up. "If Harry was already a Horcrux, why did you make a new one?"

"Harry was not a horcrux, he was simply a vessel for a very weak portion of Lord Voldemort's soul." Dumbledore said reassuringly. "Had he in fact been a Horcrux, he would not have been Harry, but Lord Voldemort, himself. As we have just established, Miss Weasley was in possession of a horcrux in her first year. The soul that resided inside possessed her, gaining in strength as it absorbed her essence. In effect, it was trying to take her over. Had Harry actually been a Horcrux, that piece of Voldemort's soul would've taken over Harry log ago."

He looked at them all to make sure they were following his explanation.

"That fragment of soul that resided in Harry had many years in which to take him over. The soul fragment was far to weak to actually do that. All it could do was to anchor itself to him. As Harry grew up, that soul fragment gained strength, though it was still far to small, and weak to do much more than to hinder Harry's magic. Nor did it have any of the enchantments a horcrux would have provided it to help assert itself over Harry. You see, an item that is to become a horcrux must first be made ready through a ritual, one that needs to be done before you are able to place a piece of your soul inside. As Harry was never put through that ritual, he merely played host to that ." Dumbledore indicated the goblet again.

"Living beings are not typically used as horcruxes, as they are quite volatile. You would not want to place your soul inside another living being, as their soul would be constantly at war with your fragmented soul though in the end, it is likely you would go quite mad, and the horcrux might take over. This of course, just conjecture. Also, if that being were killed, your horcrux would die with it."

"You said it hindered Harry's magic," Sirius remarked. "Are you saying Harry's a lot stronger than we think?" Sirius asked curiously.

"I think it is a distinct possibility. He has mastered charms and spells far beyond his years, and I believe that given time and proper training he quite a cunning and powerful opponent to Lord Voldemort. With this connection now broken fully, the Dark Lord will be unable to see into Harry's mind, and will be at a great disadvantage in the future. He will be quite clueless as to Harry's full potential."

"But he always has trouble learning new spells." Hermione pointed out. "Sometimes it takes him forever to get the hang of new spells."

"But when he does get them, they're always better than most others." Neville pointed out. "There's no denying that you're usually the first to get a new spell, but when Harry does, he does kind of …er…beat you, in a way."

Hermione looked like she was going to be upset, but her anger melted away as she realized what Neville was saying. More often than not, Harry's spell work was a bit better than hers, though he struggled to work new spells.

"Magic works in mysterious way, Miss Granger, but we do know that our power is focused through our wands by out intent. An organized mind such as yours, will undoubtedly be able to focus their intent much easier, thereby accomplishing new spells quicker, though it will still take time to get that spell up to its full potential, as it takes time to focus one's power along with the intent. With others, they might have a much easier time focusing their magic. They will be unable to accomplish the spell, because they can't concentrate on the intent, and their magic will of course, have some rather interesting results. I suspect that Harry will have a much easier time, as I believe he has always been able to focus his intent. I believe that the soul fragment continually block his magic, so Harry would have to try much harder, thus getting great results, when he was finally able to tap into his magic."

Silence fell for a moment, as they all tried to process everything they had seen and heard.

"How do we destroy them?" Daphne asked, her tone stoic and determined.

"I am glad you asked that, as it is getting to be very late, and tonight's events have exhausted me. Let us take this outside, as it will be…most eventful."

As one, they all rose, and Dumbledore took the goblet in his hands, and led them all outside into the warm night. Dumbledore noticed how violently the cup was shaking, and knew that it must be aware of its imminent destruction. They walked until the were on the beach, and a good way away from the house.

"I shall ask you all to light your wands." Dumbledore said, using his own wand to drag a large stone over to him, and placing the goblet upon it. Once again he reached into his robs and pulled a long shimmering sword from underneath.

"That's Gryffindor's sword." Neville said, pointing in awe at the shining blade.

"You are correct. I have found it most effective for this task. Now if you would all take a step or two back, but please keep your wands lit."

Daphne saw that the goblet had fallen on its side and was shaking quite noticeably now. Dumbledore raised the sword, and drove it down into the goblet quite forcefully. The was a blast that knocked them all off their feet, and that unearthly scream they all heard early echoed and faded away.

Slowly, they all began to get to their feet again.

"Is that it?" Tracey asked, looking around fearfully, as if she expected something else to happen. Perhaps the fragmented soul would try to find a new home within her.

"It is." Dumbledore said, pointing to the now mangled, and smoking goblet. There was a thick, black liquid oozing from the hole made by the glimmering sword in Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore replaced the sword within his robes, and gingerly picked up the now destroyed horcrux.

"I think that is more than enough for this evening. I shall return tomorrow evening to look in on Young Harry."

With a soft bow, Dumbledore disappeared, leaving Daphne and the others staring at the now blackened stone in awe.

"He's been in to see you everyday since." Remus concluded the story, and Harry gave a great sigh. He felt such relief that the all now knew of the horcruxes, and that he had unwittingly been a vessel for so long. He looked up at his friends and smiled at their concern.

"I feel fine. In fact, I don't know that I've ever felt this good." He said, and Daphne gave his hand a squeeze. Harry leaned towards her, and she rested her head on his shoulders.

"Dumbledore said that your magic was helping the potions and stuff help you to heal faster. He was really impressed." Neville remarked with a grin.

"That doesn't give you license to go getting yourself hurt all year with quid ditch and whatever else you get up to." Sirius said with faux sternness.

"We've all be so worried about you." Hermione smiled softly. "When you weren't awake the next day Dumbledore thought he might have done something wrong. He kept checking you, trying to find something out of place."

"But it seems all you needed was rest." Dumbledore said happily as he entered the dining room where they had all just finished dinner. "It is very good to see you again, Harry."

"It's good to see you sir, and thank you for everything."

"It was nothing. They all needed to know what we're up against. I didn't want you to tell them, as it was quite complex, and I wished for them to understand fully. Not that I am concerned about your ability to convey the facts."

Harry waved it away. "I understand what you're trying to say, sir."

"Well, as I only came to look in on you, and I am pleased to find you up and about, I should be on my way. I still have much to do in preparation for the coming year. Harry, I would ask that if you feel any effects from our, for lack of a better word, exorcism, please notify me immediately."

"I will." Harry nodded.

"Are you sure you won't stay, Albus?" Sirius asked. "Maybe have a brandy, or something."

"A very tempting offer, but as I said, I still have much to do. Harry, I will be back in two weeks for our first lesson."

"I'll be ready." Harry promised, and with a polite bow, Dumbledore swept from the room.

"I don't know how good you're going to feel tomorrow." Remus said, looking pointedly at Sirius, whose face suddenly darkened.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Snape is coming tomorrow for his first lesson with you all."

Harry was not going to rest up. The very next morning he was up and running with his friends, as they dodged and wove their way through the ever growing complexity of Mad-Eye Moody's obstacle course. They were still not allowed to retaliate during the course, but Moody continued to promise that once they made the two mile course in under fifteen minutes, he would then allow them their wands during the course.

Tonks arrived that afternoon to work them through their spell work. They had progressed far enough that Tonks was taking it in turns to duel them one on one. So far, none of them had beaten her, but this afternoon, she was in for a surprise.

"Alright, Harry, I think it's time you and I tangled horns again. Remember, non lethal spells, and only silent casting. I hear a peep from you, and I'll make what I did to Neville look like a love hex."

Neville paled, and unconsciously rubbed is left buttock. Hermione giggled and nudged him playfully, causing the boy to blush crimson.

Sirius and Remus had both come out to watch, and stood in silent observation as Harry and Tonks began to circle. Tonks struck first, her wand flashing forward, sending a brilliant flash of red at Harry, who rolled to the right to avoid it, He was on his feet, and casting in an instant. Tonks barely got her shield up as three stunners soared at her head. The force of the spells caught Tonks off guard. She couldn't remember the last time she felt stunners this powerful.

The third stunner shattered her shield altogether, and she had to sidestep what she thought was a levitating charm. Tonks retaliated with a serious of tripping jinxes, but Harry easily dodged them. Harry moved quite quickly, and Tonks had to admit that Moody's physical training was starting to really shine through in all of them. All of the teens were moving far more, than simply relying on shield charms.

Harry cast a blasting hex at Tonks feet, making the metamorph jump in surprise. Her attention distracted with trying to avoid being blown apart, she nearly fell to another stunner. Tonks cursed herself, and decided that Harry was getting a bit cocky. The Auror felt it was time to take "the Chosen One" down a peg, but just as she was about to put her plan into action, she felt as if she'd been hit by a truck.

Harry had no idea why he thought of it, but he had followed his instincts, and it had gained him a victory. He aimed his wand at Tonks, and blinded her with a lumos spell, though he tried to make it very powerful. As Tonks stumbled, he sent a bludgeoning hex at her, and knocked her off her feet, before securing her with magical ropes, and picking up her wand off the ground.

"Dora!" Remus called out, and the others all rushed over to see if she were all right.

It'll be alright, so long as someone gets me out of these ropes right away." Tonks said, stinging from her loss. She had not been prepared for any of these youngsters to be able to take her just yet, though she had been going fairly easy on them.

Remus removed the ropes with a finite, and helped h to her feet. Harry handed her back her wand with a rather sheepish smile. Tonks couldn't remain angry at him. The point of all this was to make them strong, and to be able to defeat their enemies. Harry had done that. The fact that he looked almost apologetic rather than smug helped to ebb her anger.

"Alright, you lot. It's clear you've got the simple stuff done. I think it's time we moved on to some more difficult stuff."

The rest of the afternoon, Tonks began to show them some new spells to conceal themselves. The group ended making a game of hide and seek using disillusionment charms.

At seven that night, Snape arrived, looking just as dour, and sinister as ever. The moment he laid eyes on them all, his sneer appeared on his sallow face, and when he spoke, his tone was nothing less then annoyed.

"I have been asked to instruct you in some more common dark spells. This is to supposedly give you an advantage in a fight with Death Eaters. Most of which I will show you is very advanced magic, and I am doubtful that you will ever accomplish it."

He stared coldly at Neville, who for the first time, did not cower under the old bat's gaze. Instead, Neville looked like he was ready to take on the challenge.

"Maybe if you were a decent teacher, and truly took time to instruct us, we might surprise you."

The other four teens turned as one, all staring open mouthed at Neville who was satring coldly at Snape, who looked as if he'd just been hit over the head."

"What did you say?" Snape asked, his tone cold, and threatening."

"I think you heard me quite clearly, sir." Neville said, his eyes narrowing. "Perhaps if you took time to truly instruct us, we might actually be able to learn what you have to teach. Or is that you truly don't know how to teach. Maybe that's why you've never been given the defense job."

"I will not be spoken to in such a manner, especially not by a squib!"

"We're not in class, sir." Neville said, taking a step forward, drawing his wand in the process. "And I am no squib. I've done things I never thought I was capable of, and I will no longer allow people like you to try and tear away my self confidence."

Snape's anger melted away a little too quickly for Harry's liking, and He wanted to warn Neville to calm down, but Snape spoke up oo quickly.

"So, you think you've gained a bit of power? You think yourself ready to face a truly powerful Death Eater? Well then, perhaps we should see what it is Neville Longbottom can truly do…"

Snape's wand was out in a flash, and Neville was very nearly hit with a sickening yellow curse. Neville only just ducked, flicking his own wand at the teacher who had beaten him down for so long.

The others all retrieved their wands, but Snape warned them against helping Neville out. Harry looked to Hermione, who was watching the duel anxiously. Harry knew, as did the others that Snape was simply toying with Neville. The curses he was throwing were child's play to the former Death Eater, and Harry knew it, as did the others, but Neville was blinded by his own anger to see it.

To his friends collective surprise, Neville actually held up pretty well against Snape. He dodged almost everything thrown at him, and was able to conjure up shields when he couldn't. Unfortunately, he was never given a chance to fight back, and was kept on the defensive. Yet, through it all, Neville was actually smiling.

Snape was just as surprised as Neville's friends, though he masked it well. He realized as he kept Neville moving and dodging, that by the end of the summer, if he kept working as hard as he'd been hearing the teens were, Neville might actually manage to fire off a few offensive spells, and given how deep Neville's hat of him quite logically ran, Snape shivered to think what the boy might actually hit him with, especially given the nature of what he was supposed to teach them.

Snape finally managed to trip Neville, and throw a full body bind on him. Yet, Neville didn't whine, as Snape expected. He was actually smiling when he had been freed. He seemed more than pleased with himself, and Snape inwardly groaned. As if this group wasn't already so full of themselves.

Snape managed to show them two new spells after his "duel" with Neville a cutting curse that some of his former Death Eater compatriots favored in the first war, and rather nasty bone crushing hex. Snape shivered at the thought of Neville using it on him, as the boy had a very wicked glint in his eye the rest of the evening.

"You are to practice these spells every night. I shall return in a week." Snape said at the end of their lesson. "And the next time you think you can match me, Longbottom, you'd better be able to do more than dance prettily." He sneered, knowing in his heart that it was very likely the boy would do just that.