The first week of class passed in a blur for the sixth year Hogwarts students. The homework their teachers assigned them was significantly more than they had yet received in their entire school careers, and already some people were falling behind. Nearly every class ended with a collective groan from students as they received their assignments.
Daphne and Tracey were thankfully not among those unfortunate students who had become overwhelmed by homework. They had diligently used every free period given them to use the library and write out every one of their essays, and even to practice the new spells. Having already learned to do everything nonverbally that summer had given them a slight advantage over the rest of the sixth years, with exception to their three Gryffindor friends.
So, at a bit past eight on Friday evening, Tracey and Daphne were sequestered in a quiet corner of the Slytherin Common Room finishing the last bit of homework they had been assigned for the week.
"And that is… Transfiguration finished." Daphne said emphatically placing the final period on her essay. "I think that's it."
"Now what are you going to do the rest of the weekend?" Tracey asked slightly bitter. Her mood had not improved over the week. Daphne was starting to really worry about her best friend. She had heard Tracey crying a couple of times during the week, when she thought everyone was asleep. Daphne simply couldn't think of anything that might help lift her friend out of her misery.
"Trace, I wish there was something I could do to make things better. Why don't we hang out this weekend? Just the two of us. We can look up interesting spells, see if we can get a unicorn to come out of the forest? No. We can use the Room of Requirement and see what it can do. We talked about it most of last year…"
"What about Harry?" Tracey asked, looking a bit hopeful. Her tone was still grim, but her eyes had a bit of their familiar sparkle back.
"He'll understand. He's been worried about you anyway. I haven't told him anything, but he keeps asking if you're alright. Besides, he's got his lesson tonight, and Quidditch tryouts tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be fine." Daphne said, waving off Tracey's concern.
"And what about you? How are you going to manage without one single smooch from lover boy." Tracey's tone was still sullen, but her eyes lit up a bit at her jab. "Why wouldn't you want to use the Room to create the perfect lover's getaway?"
"A truly inspired idea, that I will file away for later use, but you're my best friend. Right now, you need me, and I want to help you."
Tracey smiled lightly and gave a small nod to her best friend.
"Hey." Daphne's younger sister said jovially as she sat herself down next to Daphne. "Is it me, or have you two notice how tense the mood is in the House? I mean, It's like there's this silent war going on. And what's really weird is that Draco Malfoy has been so… non-existent. I mean, he should have given at least two speeches by now, telling us how we should all do what we could to get rid of those 'stupid' Gryffindors'. But, I haven't even seen him since the train. It's really bizarre, and I'm having a hard time not starting a party or something. So, what are the two of you doing tucked away in a corner of the common room on a Friday night when you should both be out snogging the brains out of your men?" Astoria grinned like a Cheshire cat.
"Why are you so interested in my love life?" Daphne asked, her irritation rising. "Don't you have boys of your OWN age you could be flirting with, or something?"
"Conceded much?" Astoria asked in disgust. "I'm just as interested in Tracey's love life. I thought for sure she and Blaise would be an item now, instead of him slobbering all over Tabitha Bole."
"What makes you think I even like him?" Tracey asked. Astoria rolled her eyes.
"You were practically drooling over him during all the DA meetings. You laughed at everyone of his stupid jokes, and you took every opportunity to touch him that you could. I thought it was pretty clear. So did everyone else."
"EVRYONE ELSE?" Tracey hissed loudly. A quick glance showed her no one was listening to them, and she turned back to Astoria. "What do you mean, everyone else?"
"The rest of the DA. Susan Bones, the Patils, that Lavender girl, Hannah Abbott, Luna, even the Creevey brothers noticed and they're boys. They even asked me if you were going out. I told them you weren't but I thought for sure you'd try and get him this year. Had he already asked out Tabitha when you asked him?"
"Are you sure they're dating, and not just snogging, or something else?" Tracey asked, her face flushing, as she began to shake. Daphne reached out and clutched her shoulder comfortingly.
"Not the way she tells it. She was talking to Seraphim Vaisey about how nice it's been and how gentlemanly Blaise is, and what a great kisser, and all that. She said it's been the best week of her life, and how she still couldn't believe he'd asked her out."
"But, he told me…He said…" Tracey began to cry looking between Daphne and Astoria. "Oh gods, what did I do?"
"Tori, get our stuff please." Daphne asked, gathering Tracey and hurrying her to the girls dorm before everyone saw her burst into tears.
Astoria nodded, and began gathering her sister and Tracey's things and then followed them into the sixth year girls dorm. By the time she got there Tracey was sobbing fully as she was rocked by Daphne.
"He said that he didn't want a girlfriend." Tracey groaned. She clutched Daphne's robes to keep from falling over in her despair.
"Did she ask him out?" Astoria asked, starting to look angry.
"It's a bit more complicated, Tori. Don't worry about it, please." Daphne pleaded with her younger sister, who for once, nodded, and remained quiet.
"He…I…What did I do? I'm so stupid! I can't believe I let him…I should have stopped it!" Tracey moaned into Daphne's shoulder.
"No. Now we've been over this. You made a mistake. He used you. He's the one who should feel bad, not you. It's time you stopped feeling guilty over it. You wanted something from him, and he took advantage of that."
"I thought I wanted him to… But I thought we'd be together afterward! Why did he use me like that? What's wrong with me?" Tracey howled.
Astoria gave a soft "oh", and her hand went to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. Daphne glanced up again and saw the expression of compassion on her younger sister's face. Astoria was pretty good at piecing together things from very few facts, and usually came very close to the real truth. Daphne often wondered why her sister hadn't ended up in Ravenclaw, and then Astoria would do something, usually at her expense, that would show why Astoria was truly a Slytherin.
"I'll kill him." Astoria said, her voice low, her eyes narrowed. "I'll find the very worst curse I can and test it on him. I'll put ever lasting boils on his bits."
"Not really helping, Tori. Though I appreciate the thoughts." Daphne smiled, and Astoria simply shook her head. While they weren't close by any stretch of the imagination, Astoria was protective of Tracey, whom she considered family.
"I need to talk to him." Tracey said, sitting up. "I need to know why he…Why we couldn't…"
"NO!" Astoria said, vehemently shaking her head. "You don't own that festering pile of acromantula droppings a gods damned thing! He should be on his knees pleading for the opportunity to lick the dirt off your shoes!"
"She's right." Daphne agreed, trying not to chuckle at the image of the aristocratic looking Blaise on his knees licking Tracey's very muddy shoes.
"No. I appreciate that you both want to support me, but I have to know. If I don't it's going to drive me insane. I have to know."
"Well do me a favor?' Daphne asked. "Wait until tomorrow. You're in no shape to talk to him right now. Sleep on it, and if in the morning you still feel the same, I'll help you find the bastard, alright?"
Tracey thought it over for a moment, and sagged a bit before nodding. Daphne made good sense. If she went to face Blaise now, she'd become more emotional than she was already, and that wouldn't accomplish anything. He would likely not even talk to her if she were a blubbering mess. Boys just couldn't handle that sort of thing.
"I'm going to get ready for bed." She said sniffling, and then heading off to the bathroom.
If he hurts her anymore, I'll make it my personal mission to cause him severe pain and make him lose the use of his wand for good." Astoria scowled as she started to leave. "Maybe make it to where he pees acid or something."
Daphne couldn't help but laugh at her sister's indignation, as she felt just as angry. Unfortunately, Daphne knew it was truly Tracey's problem, and as such it was up to Tracey to handle it. Daphne just hoped that her best friend would stop feeling sorry for herself and get mad at the person who was truly at fault. Maybe after she spoke to him about it the next day.
Another little smile formed on Daphne's lips. An angry Tracey was a fun Tracey, so long as you weren't the target of her anger.
Harry Potter was practically skipping towards the Headmaster's office. Not only had he managed to keep on top of his immense pile of homework, with more than a little help from Hermione and Daphne, but he'd gotten through the week without a detention from Snape, or even a pissing match with Draco Malfoy. So far as Harry was concerned, it had been a truly great week.
Tomorrow held the promise of Quidditch tryouts, which Harry was looking forward to. Katie Bell, Cormac McClaggen and Ginny had all asked him what he'd planned, and each had told them they were ready to tryout for him. Harry had almost waved it off until Katie told him not to assume they were the best possible people for the team simply because they had played the year before. Harry saw the wisdom in her words, and agreed that all former members would try out just the same as anyone else.
But best of all, Tonight was to be his first lesson with Professor Dumbledore. The Headmaster had spent most of the summer educating him and his friends on their enemy, Lord Voldemort, and now he felt had a very good understanding of the Dark Wizard. All he needed was a better spell repertoire in order to meet the Dark Lord in combat, and hopefully end his reign of terror, as well as his life.
"Ah, come in Harry. Right on time." Dumbledore smiled as Harry entered the Headmaster's office. "Please have a seat. How has your first week been?"
"Good, sir."
"I've been told that you've been assisting Hagrid with a few of his classes?"
"Uh, yeah." Harry gave a small smile. "I felt a little bad that I didn't take his class."
"And once again you show what an upstanding individual you have become." Dumbledore smiled, rising from his seat. "And things between you and Miss Greengrass?"
"Uh," Harry felt a bit of a bush creep up his cheeks. "They're good. I only wish we had a bit of time to spend together where we weren't training of anything like that."
"I understand. It's important to have a bit of time to just be young and in love. I will try my best to allow you both that time. However, it will be difficult as we have quite a task ahead of us."
"Sir, have you managed to locate anymore of his Horcruxes?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I am afraid not. I feel I am close, but I have yet to discover any more since I found the ring. I am almost sure there is one here in the school, but as you are no doubt aware, it is a very big castle, and even I don't know all of its secrets."
"Perhaps I could help…"
"You have enough to be getting on with at the moment, I'm afraid." Dumbledore smiled kindly. "Tonight Harry, I would like for you to take a walk with me."
Harry stood and followed the headmaster out of his office. They did not speak again until they were in the hallway and moving towards the grounds.
"So what will I be learning, sir?" Harry asked, barely containing his anticipation.
"Something I feel will be an indispensable skill for you in the future. A skill used mostly by professional curse breakers.'
"Warding?" Harry asked curiously. Dumbledore began to chuckle.
"Very close, Harry. I wish to teach you how to detect residual magic."
"I don't understand. Why would I need that?" Harry asked, a bit disappointed.
"Harry, the ability to feel magic would help you a great deal. You will not only be able to tell if something is cursed, but what spells or enchantments are placed upon that item, or place."
"You mean I'll be able to tell if I'm about to get hurt, or walk into a trap?"
"Precisely." Dumbledore smiled. "However, it would be most difficult to teach you with in the castle, as it is constantly humming with magic. With so many students performing spells all the time, you would go quite mad trying to discern individual magic in all that muck."
"So where are we going?" Harry asked as they stepped out onto the grounds.
"The Shrieking Shack will be our classroom for this evening." Dumbledore smiled. The two companions walked down to the front gates of the school, and down the path to Hogsmeade. When they were a few hundred feet from the Hogwarts gates, Dumbledore offered his arm.
"I think it would be a waste of our precious time to walk the entire way." Dumbledore smiled. Harry took the elder man's arm, wincing at what he knew was coming.
They apparated into what should have been the sitting room of the Shrieking Shack, and Harry wobbled on his feet for a moment.
"Perhaps next time we could just ride brooms here." Harry said. Dumbledore grinned.
"I assure you Harry, you will get used to it in time. It is much better when you apparate yourself. In fact, there will be lessons offered later in the year. I recommend that you sign up. Apparating, while uncomfortable is a very good skill to have under your belt. you never know when you might need to pop away."
Harry couldn't help but smile, and once his head stopped spinning, he stood straight and waited for the Headmaster to begin.
"Earlier today, I placed a ward on one of the doors in this house. I would like you to figure out which one it is."
Harry looked a little confused, and Dumbledore smiled.
"Aw yes." Dumbledore chuckled. "You're asking yourself just how you are supposed to do that, am I correct?"
Harry just nodded, a smile appearing on his face as he watched Dumbledore continued laughing.
"That is truly the point of this exercise. It will not be easy, but as you've become quite adept at Occlumency, it will be a bit easier than if you had no control over your mind. Whenever we use magic, it leaves behind faint traces of energy, and they are all unique, not only to the wizard, but to each spell as well. It is how Cursebreakers determine what they need to do in order to break down wards in ancient tombs. Understand?"
Harry nodded and Dumbledore flashed a pleased smile.
"Good. Now, what I'd like you to do is simply feel for the warded door. When you think you have guessed it, please identify it to me."
Harry still looked unsure, but he took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. He let his breath out and opened his eyes slowly. He wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to do. So he simply began walking about the room. Occasionally he would look at Dumbledore, whose expression remain stoic as he watched Harry.
Harry brought his hands up, like he was feeling for an invisible wall, feeling really very stupid as he slowly walked about the room. He wasn't even really sure what he was supposed to be feeling for in the first place.
And then it occurred to him that magic was basically energy. Energy that witches and wizard manipulated to do their will, but energy none the less. So that's what he was trying to sense. Energy.
But how was he supposed to do that, he wasn't sure.
"Sir?" Harry asked. Dumbledore had been watching him as he stumbled and bumbled his way around the room, a soft smile on his face.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Exactly how am I supposed to find the wards? I mean, I think I'm feeling for energy, but how am I supposed feel it?"
"Quicker than I thought. I had believed you would simply keep searching for a bit longer before you asked."
Harry slapped his forehead as Dumbledore chuckled a bit.
"I apologize Harry, but you seemed so determined to figure things out on your own. I thought it would be a good lesson for you to try to remember that sometimes you have to ask for help."
"I got it, sir." Harry said, fighting against his own smile. He felt truly idiotic at the moment, but he did see the humor in the situation. Dumbledore reigned in his mirth and stepped over to Harry.
"Magic Always leaves traces, Harry. The smaller and more insignificant the spell, the more faint the traces are that it leaves behind. Those traces call out to us Harry. The more in tune you are to your own core, the easier it will become to feel the presence of someone else's magic. You were not far off in your attempts to seek out the warded door earlier, but it is more than simply waving about your hands. You have to feel with your magic. It is difficult, but I'm sure that given enough practice you will be able to do it" Dumbledore nodded, and Harry knew that he needed to try again.
Once again Harry closed his eyes to center himself, and instead of trying to feel anything around himself, he tried to listen to his magic. Again he started to feel a bit silly, and wondered if the Headmaster was having him on.
And then he felt it. At first he thought it was something else. Perhaps he was coming down with a cold or something. He felt a wave of lightheadedness. He held out his arms to steady himself as he swayed a bit. But the sensation persisted, and then it began to change. It started in his chest. A warmth that seem to grow with each and every beat of his heart. It was almost like he could feel this warmth circulating through his veins, and it made him smile as he realized that he had felt this a few times before. That night he had cast his first corporeal patronus to save Sirius. When he'd cast the summoning charm to retrieve his broom to face the dragon. And then, the night in the graveyard when he'd seen the shadows of his parents while locked in battle with Voldemort. That was when it had been its strongest.
Harry marveled at how wonderful it felt to him now. It had been to brief or his mind had been occupied before when he'd felt it. But now, he could really appreciate it. He felt strong, like he could do anything he wanted. He felt like he could simply kick off the ground and take to the sky without his broom.
"A most amazing feeling, is it not?" Dumbledore remarked, and Harry could only nod. "The ward, if you'd be so kind, Harry."
Harry shut his eyes again, focusing on the rhythmic pulsing of his magic. Using what he knew of Occlumency, Harry pushed all other thoughts and feelings aside, concentrating only on the gentle pulse of his magic, committing it to sense memory.
His magic hummed and Harry began to feel something else along with his magic. It was hard to describe, but it felt different than his magic. Foreign, but still welcoming. Almost at once Harry felt another soft warmth, which he immediately associated with the Headmaster.
Opening his eyes, Harry took a few steps forward, then closed his eyes again, centering himself again and seeking out that vibration that he knew didn't belong to him. However, such was his excitement, that he was unable to concentrate enough again to find it.
Harry tried several more times, and with each failure, his confidence fell, and he found it more and more difficult to center himself.
"That will be enough for tonight, Harry." Dumbledore said. "I suggest you find time to practice. The more you find your center, the easier it will be to call it up when you need to look for residual magics."
Harry, feeling a bit dejected, took the Headmaster's arm, and after a second of uncomfortableness, found himself just outside the gates of Hogwarts.
"Can I ask why this is so important, sir?"
"Harry, I want to prepare you for any eventuality. Though I am doing all I can to ease your burden, I fear that I will not be around to help you through it all. Lord Voldemort is not sitting idly by and waiting for us to come to him. As of this moment, you and I are his biggest threats, and since I have many more years, and much more experience than you, I am number one on his proverbial list."
"Sir?" Harry asked, concern in his eyes.
"Oh, try not to worry about me, Harry. I do not fear death, but rather, I embrace it. I am getting on in years, and when my time in this world is over, I will simply move on to the next great adventure. In the mean time, My only concern is to prepare you for what awaits you, as well as ridding the world of Lord Voldemort's horcruxes."
"You don't think you're going to find them all, do you?" Harry asked with a hint of sadness.
"You should not worry yourself on that, Harry. I believe that they will all be destroyed before you face him in the end."
Harry noticed Dumbledore evasion of the question. Of course he didn't want Harry to worry, but then why waste time teaching him how to detect wards? He knew without doubt, that he was learning to seek out Horcruxes, and the first part of that training was to seek out, and take down any curses or wards Voldemort had to keep them safe.
"Sir, would it be possible to go along with you when you discover the next horcrux?"
Dumbledore nodded without pause. He clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder and turned to look him in the eye.
"I have every intention of taking you along with me for every Horcrux I discover from now on, Harry. I feel that you should be a part of it. No one deserves to be a part of his destruction more than the very person who will have to strike the final blow. I shall keep you updated of my search on our next lesson, which will take place two weeks from this evening. May I suggest that you use next Friday for a bit of time with Miss Greengrass. For now, you should return to your common room, and remember you are not to tell anyone about our lessons."
Harry nodded, though Dumbledore did catch the look of disappointment in his young pupils eyes. Dumbledore watched Harry make his way up the stairs, and once Harry reached the fourth floor, he turned to head to his office before going to bed himself.
Daphne awoke later than normal on Saturday morning. She, along with her friends, Hermione, Tracey, Neville, and of course Harry, had resumed part of their training from the summer, and had taken to jogging around the lake every morning. They had been joined by Millicent Bulstrode, who had joined Harry on that first morning.
However, just like during the summer, they had agreed to rest on the weekends.
The night before, Tracey had heard that Blaise Zabini was now dating another girl in their house, and it had led to another breakdown, which Daphne had done her best to ease her friends suffering. They had not gone to bed until very late that night, after Tracey decided she was going to speak to Blaise.
Daphne had tried to warn her friend against that course of action, as she felt it would not end well, and only create more heartache for her best friend. But, Tracey was one of the most stubborn people Daphne knew.
Daphne sat up in her bed, and immediately felt a slight chill in the air. The castle was always a bit on the cold side, but Daphne could tell already that they were in for an early winter. Daphne hated being cold more than anything in the world, and hated piling on layers of clothing to keep warm, even more.
Daphne threw her blankets off, and wincing against what she knew was about to come, placed her bare feet on the cold stone floor.
"Ahh!" She hissed. After a moment, she got used to it enough to actually get out of bed, and headed to her trunk to get her necessities. A quick glance around told her she was the only one still in the dorm.
After a shower, and a bit of time to get her self presentable, Daphne headed out to the common room, expecting to see Tracey waiting for her. But she wasn't there. In fact, Daphne didn't see Tracey for most of the day. Daphne went down to the Quidditch pitch, and sat with Hermione while watching Harry running the tryouts for the Gryffindor team. She couldn't help but smile at her boyfriend, who looked so happy running the candidates through their paces.
Hermione was good company, and the two girls talked about classes, and their boys. Hermione cheered as Neville took to the air to try out as a chaser. According to Hermione, Neville liked Quidditch, and wanted very much to be on the team, though he was certain that he wouldn't make it, as he wasn't very good on a broom. Daphne thought that Neville flew well enough, but could see quite clearly that he was not going to make the team when compared to others who were trying out. Hermione was just happy that her boyfriend was trying.
"It's good for him. He needs to do things like this just to prove that he can. He's very strong, he just needs to believe it." Hermione smiled as Neville finished his run, and Harry gave him a clap on the back.
When the tryouts were finished, Daphne greeted Harry outside of the locker rooms. He was looking very pleased with himself, and Daphne couldn't help smiling back at him.
"I take it you're pleased with your selections?" Daphne grinned. Harry nodded proudly. His smile fell a bit when he saw Hermione and Neville waiting for them.
"Nev, look, I'm sorry but…"
"Forget it Harry." Neville said, holding up a hand. "I knew I wasn't going to make it, but I needed to try out anyway."
"There's always next year." Hermione smiled, and Neville bent a bit and kissed her softly.
"Yeah." He shrugged. "Come on, I'm starving. I didn't even eat breakfast because I was nervous."
The four enjoyed a nice lunch before breaking off to spend time alone. Daphne and Harry took a stroll out to the grounds, where the sun was shining brightly. It wasn't as warm as Daphne would have liked, but it was still very nice. They talked a bit, and Daphne tried to find out what Dumbledore was teaching him. She got distracted however, when Harry began snogging her.
They returned to the Great Hall for dinner, and after a long look around, Daphne decided that it was far past time to seek out Tracey and find out what had been happening. She apologized to Harry, and after a quick kiss, Daphne headed back to the Slytherin Common Room.
Tracey wasn't in the Common room, however, Daphne found her best friend pacing angrily in the sixth year girls dorm.
"Hey, where've you been all day?" Daphne asked. She began to get truly concerned when she saw the look of fury in Tracey's eyes.
"I'm beneath him." Tracey snarled. "I'm good enough to shag on the train, but not good enough to be his girlfriend. My family is just better than the Weasleys, and no one of his status can be seen with someone like me. No, gods forbid."
"I take it you talked to Blaise?"
"Yeah. Oh yeah, I talked to that complete hippogriff's arse!" Tracey shouted. "He said that I was basically just another Pansy. Someone for the boys to get their thrills with, but not to get serious with. He compared me to Parkinson!"
"Oi." Daphne sighed, feeling her legs get weak. She sat down heavily on her bed and watched as Tracey continued to pace back and forth muttering incoherently.
"I'm swear that I'm going to make him beg for my forgiveness." Tracey said, suddenly turning to Daphne. "Oh yeah, I'm going to make the great Blaise Zabini crawl on his hands and knees and kiss my feel, pleading with me to forgive him for his idiocy."
"How exactly are you going to accomplish that?" Daphne asked, suddenly filled with fear as she saw Tracey's eyes blaze with anger.
"I wrote a letter to the Weasley twins." She smiled wickedly. "I didn't tell them everything, but I think that they'll be happy to help me get a little payback."
Daphne's eyes were wide with horror. She had heard enough about the Weasley twins, as well as seeing first hand just how clever those to could be when it came to practical jokes. With those two supply Tracey with whatever she needed, and Tracey's anger, and the fact that she was a great example of Slytherin… Daphne was actually a bit afraid for Blaise, though she had to admit she really wanted to see what was in store for the slimy bastard.