Chapter 5

Duties, Deeds and Doubts

I got up the next morning to find Harry waiting for me down in the common room. He greeted me with a kiss then we left together hand in hand. The changing staircase was already filled with students coming down from the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Towers to the Great Hall for breakfast. We found Hermione, Ginny and Neville already at the table when Harry and I got there. They'd saved us a couple of seats so we went and joined them. As expected there was the usual array of cereals, drinks and cooked food for breakfast which I'd become used to during my six years here. I tucked into a bowl of cereal, content to listen to the conversation that Hermione had started about our final year.

'I can't believe how much we missed last year,' Hermione said, a slight edge of panic in her voice. Some things never change, do they? 'We're going to be so behind compared to everyone else. D'you realise how much work we're going to have to do to catch up with everyone?'

I assumed this question had been directed at me and Harry considering Ginny had only just started her seventh year and she was looking directly at us.

'I'm sure it's not going to be any different to what it has been in the past,' shrugged Harry.

'But our entire year that have come back have already gone through what they need for the exams,' said Hermione, exasperated by Harry's casual attitude. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes about it. 'They've already practiced the spells and everything!'

'Hermione, I really don't think you need to worry,' Neville then said. She sent a stern look at him. Surprisingly, Neville didn't flinch at it. 'Sure, we've all been through the stuff but because of the Carrows we didn't exactly do much work out of class considering the majority of the year were trying to undermine them.'

That was true. Virtually all our year had been part of Dumbledore's Army (the DA for short) when Harry first started it back in our fifth year. When I managed to get into Hogwarts back in May, everyone who had previously been in the DA had all been gathered in the Room of Requirement. By the end of the year (before the fight) almost all of us had been hiding out in that room and it was more than happy to accommodate us. I'd certainly inspired them to fight back again after my somewhat foolish stunt of releasing some younger students from a detention cell down in the dungeons. Well, I was the daughter of two Marauders so … what can I say?

'As for Defence Against the Dark Arts, we're all going to be at the same level for that,' continued Neville. 'Amycus didn't teach us anything last year about the defence part, only the dark part. According to Professor McGonagall, all the stuff we learnt last year wasn't anywhere near what was on the original syllabus.'

'Well least we've got Remus teaching us again this year,' I added, smiling broadly. I looked up at the staff table to see him talking to Professor Sprout. 'He's going to be amazing, just like in third year. I know it.'

'Not that you're biased or anything, Jenna,' laughed Ginny. I smirked and nodded.

'Point is,' said Neville, going back to the original conversation, 'I'm sure you'll be fine, Hermione. You're the brightest witch in our year. You'll have no problem catching up.'

Hermione didn't seem very convinced but luckily Ginny had the sense to steer the conversation away from our studies so the rest of us could continue our breakfast in peace.

In no time at all Professor McGonagall and the other Heads of Houses started to make their way down the House tables to hand out our timetables. We were a little confused at first. I thought Hagrid was taking over being Housemaster of Gryffindor. When she got to us and handed out our timetables Harry asked her about it. Apparently they were still sorting out the logistics of Hagrid being the Housemaster and so Professor McGonagall was continuing for this year. I guess that made sense. Hagrid was a pretty big man so him getting into the Tower would be a feat and a half. He was most likely to start that post the following year.

A little disappointed by this news Harry, Hermione, Neville, Ginny and I got up and headed out of the Great Hall for first period.

It was obvious from the minute we walked into our Charms lesson that this final year of Hogwarts was going to be the hardest we'd ever done. All six previous years of magic were to be tested in our NEWTs at the end of the year, as well as having to learn the final things that a wizard must know such as conjuring and proper duelling techniques. Each teacher we had that morning reiterated this point and as expected when we got to our double Transfiguration lesson after break Professor McGonagall made this very clear to us.

'Your NEWT exams are the most important tests you will ever take,' she said briskly once we were seated. 'They will test you on every spell, charm, potion or fact you have been taught since you first joined this school seven years ago and will be the most stringent exams you will have taken to date. These exams can determine your future careers and can show whether you have the skill to become a respected Auror or if you are better suited to serving drinks in the Leaky Cauldron. Do not take these last few months lightly as they will disappear faster than many of you can Vanish a hedgehog and revision is vital if you wish to pass them.'

After that encouraging speech Professor McGonagall set us about refreshing our memories on how to change the colour of our hair and eyebrows, something Hermione and I found quite easy having used it many times while on the run last year. After that the rest of the lesson was spent trying to change them back to their original colours. Not as easy as it sounds and so half the class left the lesson with hair colour either three shades lighter or darker than their normal tone or, in the case of Seamus, distinctly greener than before.

It seemed so far to me as Harry, Hermione and I headed back to the Gryffindor Tower during our free period that each subject was going to be teaching us one last thing in our final year. Professor Flitwick had informed us that we were mainly concentrating on the art of conjuring in Charms; we were focusing on venomous and dangerous plants in greenhouse five with Professor Sprout; and Professor McGonagall had informed us that the majority of our classes we'd be working on spells which would be used in various jobs where Transfiguration is necessary (Aurors for example who use it for disguises). It made me wonder what sort of things we'd be learning in our other lessons, especially Defence Against the Dark Arts as none of us knew what was to be coming and we wouldn't find out until the following day.

Back in the common room it was nice to once again be able to sit in our favourite chairs in the corner. There were so many things I found that I'd taken for granted in the past and comfort was certainly one of them. There weren't many students gathered in the common room at the time and many of them, like us, were taking the advantage of some free time where work wasn't necessary unlike later in the year when free periods were taken up doing overdue homework or studying in the library.

When we entered I saw that already some notices had been pinned on the Gryffindor notice board. There were the usual notices like Filch's constant moans about forbidden items and Weasley products, a couple about the Gobstones club looking for new members, and some advertisements from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. I also saw that Ginny had already put up a notice detailing the Quidditch team was in need of a new Keeper and Seeker and tryouts were to be this Friday. Part of me was quite tempted to tryout again, considering I never actually got to play a game when Oliver Wood (the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain back when I started until third year) put me in as a reserve. Then I remembered the numerous other duties I had acquired through being made Head Girl.

'I'm tempted to tryout,' I said to the others, 'but I haven't been on a broom since fifth year. Plus there's bound to be loads of people who tried before and want to try again. There's not really much point.'

'If you want to tryout, Jenna, then you should,' said Harry. 'There's nothing stopping you.'

I looked towards Hermione for some advice but as this was about Quidditch, she didn't really have much to say. In the end Harry managed to convince me to at least go along to the tryout at the end of the week but I didn't have much hope for getting on the team.

After lunch Harry, Hermione and I made our way down to the dungeons for our first Potions lesson of the year. The rest of the class had already gathered there. When we arrived I noticed though that two of them were missing: Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson were not there. I guess they didn't want to come back this year, not that I was surprised. Malfoy and Blaise Zabini were the only two Slytherins there along with Ernie and the four Ravenclaw boys who took the subject. Soon the door opened and Professor Slughorn called us into the classroom. Harry, Hermione and I took our usual seats on the back table. Professor Slughorn waited for us to get out our textbooks then called our attention.

'Welcome back to your final year at Hogwarts,' he said jovially, a wide smile hidden beneath that large moustache of his. 'I see not all of our number decided to come back this year,' Hermione sniffed slightly beside me, 'but I also see our best and brightest decided to return.

'Now some of you are already familiar with the potions we are to brew this year while others are not,' Slughorn continued. 'Still, a little recap on them will do you no harm and can only boost your overall success in your end of year NEWT exam. To those who missed out,' Slughorn looked directly at Harry, Hermione and me, 'I hope you will do your best to catch up though I am sure you will have no problem at all.'

That was probably all well and good for Hermione and me but for Harry, maybe not so. During sixth year he'd had the advantage of the Half-Blood Prince's (also known as Severus Snape) old Advanced Potion-Making book with its notes to help him. Whether Harry's skill in Potions would remain the same we would find out.

'Similar to some of your other subjects, your final year's worth of Potion classes will also focus on the separate potions which are necessary for the career you wish to pursue,' said Slughorn, clapping his hands. 'For example, for those of you who wish to take a career in caring for magical creatures like our own Rubeus Hagrid, knowing how to brew a Flea-Removing Solution is essential while those who will go on to study to be a Healer, you will need to know the various potions used to heal wounds and cure poisons. For this reason, you will be divided into partners you will be with throughout the year and study the separate potions together.'

Professor Slughorn then proceeded to ask us to raise our hands to which career we were most likely to take. Terry and Kevin Entwhistle of Ravenclaw got put together as both of them were going on to study magical creatures; Ernie, Harry, Hermione and Michael got partnered up as they all wanted to be Aurors (Hermione only chose that because she preferred the challenge); Antony and Zabini got paired up as neither of them were taking a particular career which specialised in potions but were still necessary; and I was the only one to put my hand up to learn the potions a Healer needed. However there was one person leftover.

'Mr Malfoy, you haven't put your hand up,' said Professor Slughorn. I looked over to where Malfoy was sitting at the front, his shoulders slumped as he rested on the desk. 'I assume as you have not raised your hand, your chosen job does not involve the art of potion making. May I ask what career you wish to pursue?'

Malfoy sat up and shrugged.

'I don't know yet, Professor,' he said. 'I haven't really seen anything that I want to do.'

'Well then,' muttered Slughorn, surprised. 'Have you any preference in which potions you would like to learn this year?' Malfoy shook his head. Again Professor Slughorn let out a heavy breath in surprise, his moustache twitching. 'Then I'll just have to pair you up with someone else.'

Instantly I felt Harry stiffen beside me. I glanced at him out the corner of my eye to see his eyes had narrowed.

'Well, seeing as Miss Black is the only person without a partner, Mr Malfoy, the two of you will have to work together for the year,' said Slughorn.

Malfoy looked back at me. Harry's hand clenched into a fist on top of the desk.

With us divided into pairs Professor Slughorn set each of us a different potion to prepare in the remainder of the double period. The class got up and moved to sit with their partners and collect their ingredients from the store cupboard at the far end of the dungeon. I gathered my stuff and made to go sit with Malfoy as Ernie was to take my seat to work with Harry. I was just about to go when a hand grabbed mine. I looked up to see Harry had also got up; his hand was gripping mine tightly hidden by our robes.

'Be careful,' he whispered.

I gave Harry a curious look. Harry stared straight back then walked off to gather his ingredients. With Harry's strange warning in mind, I walked over to Malfoy's table and placed my stuff under the desk. Malfoy got to his feet when I came over.

'I guess we're working together this year,' he said. 'That'll be … interesting.'

'Yeah, I guess so,' I replied. I placed my textbook on the table and turned it to the section on healing potions. 'So we've got to make a Burn Antidote,' I then said. 'D'you want to get the ingredients or shall I?'

'No, I'll get them,' said Malfoy. He instantly walked past me over to the cupboard.

Working with Malfoy wasn't as bad as I initially thought it would be. Conversation was a bit scare which meant that we got on with our potion quicker than other people did. I sat silently beside Malfoy preparing the ingredients while he stirred and kept an eye on the potion, telling me when it was ready to add the next ingredient. Every so often I glanced back to see Harry was watching us, his eyes fixed on the back of Malfoy's head. Whenever he saw that I'd noticed, he went back to his potion or muttered something to Ernie about adding the next ingredient.

With five minutes to go Professor Slughorn informed us that we should be near to finishing our potions. I looked at ours to see the orange liquid was a perfect texture meaning it was almost finished.

'Just a few more stirs,' I said, reading my textbook. 'You need to fold the mixture five times to make sure the ingredients are blended by moving the spoon round the edge of the cauldron in a full circle then down the middle of the potion.'

'Right,' said Malfoy.

He picked up the spoon and began to stir it. The potion turned a richer orange. It was finished. Up at the front Professor Slughorn called that time was up. I extinguished the flame beneath our cauldron and took out a couple of potion vials so that it could be tested. I poured an equal amount of the potion into each of them and took them up to Slughorn's desk. When I got back to the desk I was surprised to see that Malfoy had already emptied our cauldron and cleaned away our equipment. He was certainly a speedy worker. When the last pair had taken up their sample, Professor Slughorn dismissed us.

I put my scales and potion kit back in my bag and picked up my textbook. I was about to walk off when I heard Malfoy call me back.

'You forgot your wand,' he said. Confused, I automatically checked the inner pocket of my robes then my bag though I never put it in there. It wasn't there. But I swore I picked it up before giving in the potion. Sure enough, Malfoy held it out to me. 'I don't think you'd want to lose it,' Malfoy muttered.

'Thanks,' I said. 'I wouldn't want to lose it.' I took my wand and stowed in my robes. I then turned to leave and catch up with Harry. The rest of the class had already left and Hermione was gone because she had an Arithmancy lesson straight after Potions.

'So, it was fun working with you,' said Malfoy. He followed after me and we walked out of the classroom together. 'You're not a bad potion maker.'

Strange as it was to receive a compliment from Malfoy, I stopped so I could reply.

'Thanks, you're not bad yourself. Probably couldn't have done that potion on my own. It was quite complex, all those precise measurements of the ingredients.'

'I'm sure you could have,' said Malfoy. There was a strange tone in his voice. It wasn't as formal as I was used to. It seemed almost … human. 'You're really talented.'

I smiled and was just about to say the same to him when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked round to see Harry standing beside me.

'We've got to do those patrol timetables for the prefects this week,' said Harry. He didn't even look at Malfoy. 'If we do them now, we've got the rest of the afternoon free to do McGonagall's essay.'

'Um, yeah,' I replied. I was caught off guard, not that I didn't know we had to do them. 'We better go. I'll see you later,' I said to Malfoy next. 'Next Potions lesson, yeah?'

Malfoy nodded, and said, 'Later.'

His pale eyebrows had pulled together in a glare before he turned and stalked off down the corridor towards the Slytherin common room. Then, without warning, I felt Harry steer me in the opposite direction back up to the Entrance Hall.

Harry didn't say anything until we were back at the Heads Tower. He said the password and Ambrosia admitted us. Once inside Harry walked over to the desk and dumped his bag by the leg, sitting in one of the chairs. I watched him with a curious look before sitting opposite him. I pulled some parchment and a quill out of my bag for us to write up the timetables. I sat there for a minute or two, waiting for Harry as it was his idea. Still Harry didn't say anything. He just glared into space in front of him.

'Is everything OK, Harry?' I asked. 'You seem a bit tense.' Harry came out of his reverie, looking up from the table. 'You said we should do the timetables for the prefects. Are we going to do them?'

Harry remained silent a little longer then got up. He came and sat down beside me and wrapped his arm round my waist.

'Yeah, the sooner we get them done, the sooner we can relax.'

It took longer than I anticipated for Harry and I to sort out the prefects timetables. There was so much we had to keep in mind while we divided up who patrolled which floor at what time. There were things like curfews, ease to get to certain corridors from the common rooms, who would patrol which floor and Merlin knows what else. We took McGonagall's advice at keeping the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins patrolling the lower floors and Ravenclaws and Gryffindors the upper ones and let the fifth years do the earlier hours while Harry and I did the later ones. It was so confusing and several times Harry and I came across problems with the schedule. Eventually we managed to write up a timetable, along with half a dozen pieces of parchment which contained notes about who could do what hour etc., and I made some duplicates to post in each common room. We'd been at it for so long we hadn't realised that it was only ten minutes until dinner.

At dinner we managed to find a prefect from each House and I gave them a copy of the week's patrols to post in their common rooms. We then joined Hermione and the others at the Gryffindor table. The Hall was buzzing with talk. Dean and Seamus were evidently glad to be back in each others company and were showing each other the latest pranks they'd bought over the summer. Across from them Parvati and Lavender appeared to be discussing their lesson with Professor Trelawney earlier today, muttering something about the position of Mercury in relation to whatever they were on about. I was so glad I'd given up Divination after OWLs.

It didn't take long for the familiar routine to come back. Straight after dinner the three of us were back in the common room doing our homework in our favourite corner. We had three essays to do all for the next day. It was the same for the majority of the older students while the first and second years still appeared to be a little bit too excited for them to sit down and work. Time ticked by in the same fashion it had done many years before. It was kind of strange doing this again after a year out (then again, the year on the run wasn't exactly what I'd call fun). But I still maintained it was nice to be back at Hogwarts.

Beside me Hermione kept stopping and looking at the seat opposite us. I looked up curious to what she was looking at only to realise what it was that was there, or rather not.

'Hermione, looking up every five minutes isn't going to make Ron Apparate into that seat,' I said quietly to her. 'You know you can't Apparate within the castle boundaries. It says so in Hogwarts –'

'– A History,' finished Hermione. There was a smirk starting on the edges of her mouth. I knew that running gag would make her laugh. 'I know, it's just,' she let out a sigh, 'it's strange not having Ron here. Not having to hear him making jokes about how Harry's Head Boy or complaining about the amount of homework we have on the first day. It's not the same.'

'Ron'll come around, Herm,' I told her. 'You've just got to be patient. You should be proud of him for being so responsible and helping out Fred and George in the shop.'

'But why can't he be responsible by finishing his NEWTs?' asked Hermione. 'He can't work forever in a joke shop.'

'Herm, I don't mean this is the wrong way but you're starting to sound like Molly.' Hermione shot me one of her glares. I shrugged. 'Why can't you just let Ron make his own decisions?'

'Because I'm worried. I'm worried he's throwing away any chance he has of becoming an Auror like he wants to. Sure we all know what it's like taking part in a war and everything. I just don't think that's enough. Being an Auror is completely different.'

'I think it's a little more than that.' I raised my eyebrow at her. Hermione flushed. 'You miss him, don't you? But not for the reasons you said.'

'I don't have to be around him twenty-four-seven, Jenna,' said Hermione briskly. She sat up and began writing another sentence on her already foot-and-a-half long essay. 'You're implying that I can't bare to be away from him. What a stupid concept.'

I smirked and said, 'Whatever you say.' then got back to my essay. It was just like Hermione to put defences up as soon as the idea of her missing Ron or anything like that came up. It was the same back in sixth year when she was too stubborn to tell Ron how she felt. That went for the both of them. I'm sure inside Hermione was doubting if Ron would come back or not, however, I was sure if she felt lonely without him then Ron would be feeling the same way.

I went to continue my essay when my eyes flicked on to Harry. He obviously knew I was looking at him as a few seconds later he looked up. He smiled warmly at me. I smiled back then looked away and returned to my work, Harry doing the same.

Time seemed to pass all too quickly and before I knew it, it was eleven o'clock. The loud ring of the Clock Tower echoed over the grounds causing me to jump. I'd forgotten how loud it was.

'Harry, we've got to go,' I said. 'We've got to go patrol the corridors.'

Harry looked up from his essay and looked at his watch. His face took on a surprised look, mimicking mine. We swiftly gathered our stuff to leave. We said goodnight to Hermione and to pass it on to Ginny when she came back from her patrol. I shouldered my bag and the two of us left the common room. Because our patrols were the last one of the timetable, it was just easier for Harry and I to put our things back in the Heads Tower as we passed the sixth floor and to carry it until then.

Patrolling was certainly a new thing for me. Because I had never been a prefect I wasn't sure what to expect over the next hour or so. All I knew was for the next hour it was going to be just me and Harry alone in the corridors, Filch stalking in the shadows somewhere else in the castle. It actually turned out to be rather dull to be honest and the time seemed to drag by. I was kind of disappointed.

Hogwarts was very different at night. With the lack of people filling the corridors our footsteps echoed in the silent hallways as Harry and I checked each corridor for signs of students out of bed, something we'd been guilty of many a time. Everything was still; the portraits slept slumped against their frames; the ghosts wandered around passing through anything and anyone enjoying their favourite time; through the windows the occasional owl could be seen flying past as they went to hunt, moonlight glinting off their wings. In the distance I could just hear the sounds of Peeves the poltergeist making a menace of himself somewhere a couple floors below us. His cackling sounded even louder than usual.

For the first fifteen minutes or so Harry and I merely walked side by side in silence. My eyes scanned the corridors for any sign of movements but I never detected any. Harry would do the same, his hands shoved into his pockets as he walked beside me. By the time we'd got to the fourth floor both of us were bored out our minds. No one was out of bed and there was nothing of interest to report unless you count the Headless Hunt charging their way out of the library after the head.

'You know, being Head Boy or a prefect isn't as great as people say it is,' said Harry, checking round a corner. He walked back over where I was waiting and we returned to the changing staircase to go down a floor. 'Patrolling the corridors has to be one of the dullest things I've ever done, and I lived with Vernon Dursley.'

I laughed. Harry was complaining already and we were only on our first patrol. What was he going to be like later in the year?

'I'm serious!' said Harry. 'Makes me wonder how my Dad could have done this. How someone as impatient as Ron could have done this.'

I bit back my amusement. I grabbed Harry's arm to stop him then turned him to face me. I let that small smile Harry said I had turn up my lips and I put my arms round his neck.

'I think the company might have had something to do with it,' I mused, leaning up so my face was close to his. 'James had Lily though granted she may still not have liked him at the start of the year and Ron had Hermione. I s'pose even they could hold off arguing long enough to do rounds. Then, of course,' I looked directly into Harry's eyes, 'you've got me. It can't be that bad, can it?'

Harry smiled. He raised his hand and brushed back my hair, his fingers running smoothly through the strands.

'I can think of something that could make it better,' he whispered.

Harry leaned closer towards me. I ducked beneath his arm and walked away from him. My hair fell through his fingers. Harry turned round, disappointed.

'Jen,' he whined.

I looked back at him teasingly over my shoulder. I smiled and said innocently, 'We've still got a couple more floors to check.' Harry pouted. 'Duties before pleasure. Don't want to be setting a bad example this early in the term.'

Needless to say Harry did get what he wanted when we got back to the Tower and he'd finally stopped sulking.

The first week of school passed in a bit of a blur as I got used to being back here again. One moment I'd be sitting in the greenhouses tackling a plant with venomous thorns on its roots in Herbology, the next I was making my way to the third floor for the final lesson of the day with Professor Lupin. Defence Against the Dark Arts had been the class I'd been anticipating most to come back to and I can safely say I wasn't disappointed. When we entered the familiar classroom we found all the desks had been cleared to one side of the room and Professor Lupin standing in the centre of the room. He twirled his wand idly in his fingers as he waited for us, looking up when we walked in.

'Just put your bags in the corner over there then gather in a group by the desks,' he called.

The class did so and then gathered opposite where Professor Lupin was standing. He called for quiet then folded his hands before him.

'Now,' said Lupin briskly. 'Who can tell me what Sensing is?' A small laugh seemed to go round the class but nobody answered him. I had to admit even I was a bit baffled by Lupin's question. 'No one?' asked Lupin lightly. He smiled then looked directly at me. 'Jenna, perhaps you can give me a hand.'

I started slightly in surprise. Lupin nodded me forwards and so I stepped away from the rest of the class.

'As most of you I'm sure you are all aware of, Jenna is my niece so, theoretically, she knows me best out of the majority of you, or at least I hope she does,' Lupin added after his introduction. He glanced at me and smiled. 'Now I want you to watch me during this demonstration closely as I'll be asking you questions afterwards.'

Lupin walked over to me and, in a similar way to Neville in the third year, he whispered to me, 'What I want you to do is stand anywhere you like in the room and try to jinx me non-verbally.' I gave Lupin a started look. 'Just think of it as Harry trying to prank James, Sirius and me on his birthday, hmm?'

I sort of understood what he meant and turned away, quickly whispering, 'That wasn't my idea.' as Lupin turned back to the class. He stood with his back to me and said, 'When you're ready.'

I didn't attempt to jinx Lupin straightaway. I knew better than that, plus he already knew where I roughly stood in the classroom. I took a few steps to my left trying as hard as I could not to make a sound. I then quickly changed direction and walked back round to near where the rest of the class was stood, continuing until I'd reached the door. I hesitated when one of the floorboards creaked under my foot and looked at Professor Lupin. He hadn't moved once; he just stood there, wand clasped lightly in his fingers with his arms by his sides and eyes closed.

I raised my wand and thought of the first spell I learnt to do non-verbally, Levicorpus!

Before my it looked like my spell had even got within range of Lupin, I screamed as something grabbed me around my ankle and I was hoisted by it into the air. My hands automatically went to my skirt to stop it falling down over my waist revealing my knickers. I had to choose that one, didn't I? The class laughed. Lupin opened his eyes and smiled at me, then thinking the counter charm and releasing me. He hadn't moved an inch from where he started. I landed with a small thump on the floor.

'Who can tell me how I was able to block that charm?' he asked us.

'Used a Shield Charm?' asked Seamus.

'The effect of that charm casts a shield around the conjurer, Mr Finnigan,' said Lupin. He started to pace as he answered. 'It is also visible to the eye when my reaction was not visible. Miss Abbot?'

'A Reflection Charm?' said Hannah.

'Ah, a better guess but still incorrect. A Reflection Charm has a invisible effect, however, it is obvious on contact of spells where the charm has been cast. Any other guesses?'

No one knew what it was Lupin had done to deflect my spell. Neither did I. I'd seen Lupin do this in the past but never once did I know how he'd managed it. You could never sneak anything past him.

'The answer: I Sensed it,' Lupin told us. 'I believe you have been taught about the idea of magical signatures. Slightly unfair as it was to chose Jenna when I'm very aware of her magical signature, it was a perfect way to demonstrate how to Sense a person's attack. Each magical signature is unique and by Sensing them, you are able to block an attack sent at you when you are unable to locate the source.

'Sensing is one of the hardest skills to master in magic,' continued Lupin. 'You need to have complete concentration so it is not something you want to use when your opponent is firing curses at you as fast as a Snitch flies. If any of you follow the Duelling Tournaments that are held, you will know one of the competitions involves duelling your opponent blindly and using Sensing alone. With this in mind, what better way to show you Sensing and fulfil what I'm sure is quite a few students dreams and let you all try and hex me.'

Professor Lupin conjured a blindfold he put on himself and instructed us to move into a circle around him. He then shouted out a person's name, not knowing where they stood, and they sent a hex or jinx at him which he blocked or sent back at them. He got us to do this for fifteen minutes so that everyone had had a go before blindfolding one of us and seeing if we were able to Sense anything coming at us. If we didn't manage to do so, Lupin made sure we didn't get hurt.

Being blindfolded reminded me greatly of what it was like during the battle when Antonin Dolohov used a curse which blinded me. I'd felt so vulnerable and I didn't have any way of protecting myself. All I could see were vague black shapes and I was almost killed because of it, if it hadn't been for Lupin pushing me out of the way and taking it for me. I still felt I owed him for that.

Anyway, Sensing was a lot harder than Lupin made out. Not many of us managed to block a spell until at least are fifth or sixth try. Hermione had a bit more luck than the rest of us but she sent the Stunner someone sent at her into the blackboard. Watching was as dangerous as taking part. When it was my go, I stood there for ages gripping my wand waiting for any sort of feeling which told me a spell was coming towards me. The first few goes I was too tense and couldn't concentrate at all.

'Calm down, Jenna,' Professor Lupin told me. 'You're trying too hard. Clear your mind and focus yourself. The harder you try, the more likely you'll get hit.'

I took a deep breath and did as Lupin said. I stopped thinking of trying to block the curse and focus on my surroundings. I could feel something, a tingling of sorts similar to the one I got when I first bought my wand. It was hard to describe what it felt like; sort of warm, almost fiery. Was this what a magical signature feels like? I assumed Lupin pointed at someone to attack me as a second tingling started somewhere near me. This one was different, more hesitant and it didn't flow in a smooth pattern. I was so startled by actually feeling something I pointed my wand where I thought the hex was coming from and automatically thought of the Disarming Charm. I heard the clatter of the wand but I hadn't stopped the curse and I was hit with a Stunner Neville had sent at me. My arm ached for the rest of the lesson.

The rest of the lesson soon passed and everyone managed to get a last turn in before Professor Lupin dismissed us. The class left all still talking about their goes trying to Sense, Hermione talking animatedly to Harry and me as we returned to the Gryffindor Tower. She quizzed me if Lupin had ever used that to discipline me when I was younger. It hadn't been a form of discipline as such but Lupin had certainly used Sensing as a way of stopping me nicking chocolate bars from his secret stash in Moonlake Cottage.

Soon Friday arrived which meant the Quidditch tryouts were a matter of hours away that afternoon. At breakfast it seemed to be the only thing the House was interested in, much to Ginny's pleasure. I looked around the Gryffindor table to see everyone from the first year to the sixth talking about it and how they were going to tryout. It didn't help my confidence at all and I deeply wished I hadn't let Harry talk me into going along. My broom was ancient, a Meteor Two-Thirty, that compared to something like a Firebolt looked like it crawled instead of flew. I wasn't looking forward to that afternoon at all and it didn't help when Ginny found out I was planning to go to watch.

'Jenna, you've got to tryout!' she said enthusiastically. I'd been staring into my soggy cereal for a while and Hermione had explained I was having doubts about the tryout. 'At the moment it's just me and Demelza on the team with a bunch of guys. Oh please, please, please tryout! I'll owe you forever if you do this for me!'

Ginny wouldn't stop begging me until I groaned and said, 'Yes! All right, I'll tryout if it'll shut you up for five minutes.' I then had a pair of arms flung round my neck as Ginny hugged me. I rolled my eyes. She could be so girly sometimes.

To say I was distracted for the rest of the day would have pretty much summed up how I was. I'd been worried all week but now it was even worse. Images of me making a complete fool of myself at the tryouts kept playing themselves through my head all day which meant I wasn't completely concentrating in my lessons. I just knew I was going to mess up. The first time I was placed on the team it had been a complete accident. I hadn't had a tryout or anything. This time I was going to be tested and I was dreading it. And thanks to my daydreaming about the trials, Professor Flitwick gave me extra homework to practice Weather Charms.

I left Charms in a bit of a huff that I'd managed to receive extra work already and it was still only the first week. Even Harry hadn't achieved that but then again, Ron wasn't here so he wasn't messing about as much as he used to.

'Laugh all you want, Harry,' I said. We were walking towards the library to find a book we needed to complete a Herbology essay we'd been set earlier this week while Hermione had dashed off to another class. 'I'll bet you'll be getting extra work too soon enough. Either that or detentions.'

'It isn't that bad, Jenna,' said Harry casually. 'So you've got a little more practice to do. If you do it through our next free period then you've got the rest of the day to focus on your tryout.'

'It's because of the tryout I was daydreaming!' I said. 'D'you realise how nervous I am about it? I haven't flown on a broom in ages!'

'You'll be fine, Jenna,' Harry said confidently. 'You're a great flyer, you have natural skill on your side and when you put your mind to it, you can do pretty much anything. Besides,' Harry leaned closer to whisper in my ear, 'I'll be cheering you on from the stands.'

I was momentarily distracted as I felt Harry's cool breath on my ear, his lips just brushing the skin in a light kiss, however, it didn't stop me being annoyed at him and I pushed Harry away, saying, 'It's your fault I'm doing this in the first place.'

Once in the library Harry and I split up to find a copy of Venomous Vines and Tricky Tentacles Professor Sprout had recommended to help us with our Herbology essay on the Venomous Tentacula. Harry took one half of the Herbology section while I looked in the other. I ran my finger along the spines of the books reading the titles of each one then moved on to the next shelf. There had to be at least one copy of the book that hadn't been borrowed by one of the students. I bit my lip as I searched.

Something prodded my lower back. I looked behind me to see Malfoy standing there holding a book out to me. It was the one I was looking for.

'I believe this is what you're looking for,' he said quietly. Madam Pince hated it when people talked in the library. 'I've done the essay so you can have it.'

I took the book.

'Thanks,' I said, equally as quiet. 'I didn't know you did Herbology.'

'Been doing it since sixth year,' shrugged Malfoy.

'Really? I thought you were just in my Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. What else do you study?'

Malfoy shook his head. 'I do the same subjects as you but I have Herbology and Transfiguration with another set. Been in your Charms set for ages.'

I was really surprised by this.

'Yet you don't know what you want to do?' I asked. 'You've got all the subjects covered to become an Auror. Why not choose that career?'

'Because I don't want to be an Auror,' said Malfoy, a slight sneer in his voice. 'Why would they want an ex-Death Eater like me?'

I was taken aback when he said that. My eyes automatically glanced down at his left arm where I knew lay a shadow marking out where the Dark Mark had once been burned into his skin. I rubbed my own distractedly, the shadow from my Dark Mark still there.

'It still hurts, doesn't it?' I looked up. Malfoy was looking at my arm then looked at me. 'Now and then you feel it twinge.'

'Sort of,' I mumbled. 'The pain of being marked by him never really went away.'

There was a sincere look in Malfoy's grey eyes as he brought this up. He took a step towards me and lifted his hand. His finger gently ran down my left arm.

'He could never understand,' he whispered. 'He doesn't know what it's like.' Malfoy moved even closer. I stepped back to find the desk beneath the bookcase stopping me. His face was right next to mine so he could whisper in my ear. 'He won't ever know what it's like … to feel the darkness …'

'Jenna? Have you found the book.'

I took in a sharp breath and span round just as Harry came round the bookcase from his search. Malfoy automatically stepped away from me so there was a clear distance between us. His face returned to neutral, his usual cold look darkening his features. It was as if that last moment hadn't even occurred. Harry's eyes roved over the scene, taking in what he saw. They narrowed ever so slightly.

'Something you want, Malfoy?' Harry said curtly.

'Just returning a book, Potter,' Malfoy replied. He pointed at the one I clasped to my chest. 'Turns out it's the one Black needs. What a coincidence.'

Without another word Malfoy turned on his heel and left the library. Harry instantly turned to me.

'What did he want?'

It took me a second to find my voice and I replied, 'Nothing. He was just giving me the book. That's all.'

Harry stared at me for a moment, then said, 'Come on. You've got practice to do.' and he walked off leaving me with no option but to follow.

That had to be at least the eighth time so far this week something like that had happened. Coincidence or not, Malfoy kept appearing out of nowhere and doing something helpful for me and Harry was always nearby to see it. It was never anything major. Stuff like giving me things I'd left behind in Potions (I blamed my forgetfulness on not quite being back into the swing of things at Hogwarts yet) or when I didn't have a quill he'd lend me one, things like that. Another time when I was going to Charms my bag strap broke in the corridor, my books and parchment spilling on to the floor. I'd bent to pick them up and there was Malfoy, knelt down in front of me handing me my diary. Whatever it was he did Harry was always there to witness it and he was always in a foul mood afterwards. This time was no exception. Throughout the rest of our free period Harry didn't say anything to me. It did mean he did his Herbology essay in record time so that was a bonus. I guess.

The remaining hours before the Quidditch tryouts vanished and before I knew it I had my very old broom in hand and was waiting for Harry down in the common room. He finally came down with his own broom in hand and a grin on his face. He seemed to have cheered up from earlier. I smiled back and couldn't help but notice how good he looked out of our school robes. A pair of jeans and white t-shirt with another shirt undone over the top. I bit my lip automatically as he approached me which he took to be nerves about the tryout.

'I hope you're not planning to tryout too,' I said, eyeing his new Firebolt. 'That'll be the last thing I need. You showing off on the fastest racing broom possible.'

'No, I'm not,' said Harry. 'Just thought I'd take this out for a spin afterwards. And Ginny wants a go on it too.' I held in a groan. 'You'll do fine, Jen,' he consoled me. He gently kissed my cheek then took my free hand in his. We headed out of the Tower to meet Ginny and Hermione at the Quidditch pitch. 'The more you worry, the more you'll mess up.'

'Thank you, Mr Helpful.'

Ginny and Hermione were already waiting for us when Harry and I got down to the Quidditch pitch. When they saw us I instantly released Harry's hand, my own falling to my side. Contrary to what I had expected, there weren't actually that many people there to tryout unlike in our sixth year; apparently half the House had turned out according to Hermione (I hadn't been there) because of Harry being Quidditch Captain. There was still a big crowd which didn't help my nerves but only a handful of them had brooms with them and all of which were in the lower years, apart from Dean. I guess he was hoping to get back on the team this year. Least I wasn't the oldest trying out. It didn't stop me feeling very queasy.

Ginny called everyone who was trying out on to the pitch. I followed near to the back, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Harry and Hermione went to sit in the stands with the rest of Gryffindor who'd come to watch. For some reason the Quidditch pitch looked much more threatening than it ever had before. I glanced up at the stands to see Harry and Hermione waving. The queasy feeling increased. I took a deep breath and turned back round to listen to Ginny.

'We've got three openings on the team this year,' Ginny said. I hadn't ever noticed before how loud and bossy she sounded sometimes. Merlin, help me. 'As Demelza wants to try Keeper this year, we have an opening for two Chasers and a Seeker. All those wanting to tryout for Chaser stand over there with Demz and those going in for Seeker can you go stand with Jimmy and Ritchie. Those who then want to tryout for Seeker or Chaser afterwards can stay behind and switch groups.'

The group divided. I went in the group for Chaser trials. I'd already done Seeker before and everyone knew it was better to have a someone from the second or third year for a Seeker as they were lighter and could move faster. Plus my broom was so old I doubt it could keep up with the Snitch. There were five of us in the group including Dean (no surprises there) and Romilda Vane, Harry's stalker. Demelza took us over to the goals while Ginny instructed the other group before coming and joining us.

'We've got quite a crowd,' she said to me. 'And our old Seeker watching, of course. Didn't think Harry could keep away.'

Several people had indeed noticed Harry sitting in the crowd with his broom. Romilda was almost jumping up and down in excitement with her friend, waving at the crowd and shouting his name. Ginny and I shared a look then Ginny called everyone's attention.

'If the girl waving like a madman can hold in her enthusiasm for a few minutes, that would be great.' Romilda stopped jumping up and down. She glared darkly at Ginny who pretended not to notice. 'Right, you're each going to have five tries to score with the Quaffle against Demelza. I will be watching your technique and your flying skill. The person who flies the best while also scoring the most goals will be picked for the team.'

Ginny was certainly a no-nonsense Captain (a bit like Percy in some ways). I held in a snicker at that thought. Once Romilda and her friend had calmed down again (they saw Harry give me and Ginny a thumbs up) Ginny got us all into the air and sent us one at a time to play our five shots against Demelza. Having only been playing for a couple of years Demelza was a very good player; her red hair scraped back into a ponytail so she could see, she flew with ease to block each goal that was shot at her. Very few of the younger students managed more than three shots as they concentrated too much on the flying and missed or vice versa. Only one, a fourth year named Leo, managed the five goals but his flying was a bit unconventional. Dean managed much better, getting all five shots in but he flew a little off course at one point and had to circle round the back of the goals, incurring a foul.

'OK, Jenna, you're up!' Ginny called from by the goals.

I took the Quaffle from Dean and flew up level with the goals. I was dreading this. Demelza was looking directly back at me, floating slowly between the three goals. My stomach gave an uncomfortable rumble.

'Go on, Jenna! You can do it!'

The whistle blew the exact same time Harry yelled causing me to jump. I dropped the Quaffle but quickly flew into a dive to catch it again. You can do this, Jenna, I told myself. I caught the Quaffle and levelled up again. I stared straight ahead and phased out everything else around me. Another deep breathe and I went for it.

My turn seemed to go by in a flash. One minute I was aiming for my first go, next I was watching the Quaffle go through the goal on my last and Ginny was blowing her whistle saying I was done. I wasn't even sure how many goals I'd scored. I flew back to the ground and joined the group as we waited for the last person to go. When they were done, Ginny flew back to the ground and gathered us together to tell us the results.

'The three people who did the best were Leo, Dean and Jenna,' she told us. 'However, if any of you wish to take a Seeker tryout then you will join Jimmy and Ritchie in a few minutes. Otherwise you can go.'

The majority of the group, including a disgruntled Romilda, walked off and out of the pitch. Only a few were left who wanted to try for Seeker. I made to go as well when Ginny called me back. On the other side of the pitch the first set of Seeker trials had finished and Jimmy and Ritchie were coming over for the next with a couple of girls who they had picked out. Some of the crowd also began to disperse.

'Aren't you going to tryout for Seeker?' she asked me. 'That was the position you played, wasn't it?'

'I didn't really play it, I was only a reserve,' I said. I then shrugged. 'I wasn't planning to. Seekers are meant to be light and quick and I'm not really either anymore. The two girls Jimmy and Ritchie have chosen look much better than me.'

'Come on, Jenna, you might as well try,' said Ginny. 'What have you got to lose? It's your last year. You might as well make the most of it.'

'Oh no, don't start that again, Gin,' I whined as she bat her eyelashes at me pleadingly. 'Ginny,' I warned. She was impossible. I wondered if she was like this with her brothers. 'Ginny, no!'

Begrudgingly I did end up doing the Seeker trials with Leo and another girl who'd tried out for Chaser with us. Jimmy released the Snitch from the middle of the pitch and we started on the opposite set of goals while Ritchie hit the Bludgers towards to us to see how good we could dodge them. We were timed from the moment the Snitch was released to see how fast we could fly after it the moment we saw it and then until we caught it. I actually did feel a lot more comfortable doing this than I had in the Chaser tryouts. The rush of flying so fast after the tiny golden ball, diving and weaving after it, then reaching out to grab it beat any feeling a Chaser might get, the feeling of exhilaration. My broom didn't disappoint me and I was able to catch the Snitch as quickly as I could when I first had a go at it.

When the three of us had each had a go, Jimmy gave our times to Ginny.

'I'll let you guys know who I put on the team this weekend,' she told the remainder of us there. She then dismissed us.

With the tryouts over, the rest of the Gryffindors left. Harry and Hermione came down from the stands and came over to where Ginny and I were on the pitch. Harry looked like he was itching to have a go on his new broom. He congratulated me on my tryout and Ginny on her control as Captain. However when he tried to put his arm around me, I slid carefully away giving him a warning look to remind him what I'd said earlier that week.

'So aren't you going to get on that broom of yours?' I asked. 'That was the reason you brought it down here, wasn't it?'

Harry stared at me for a moment or two, a strange look in his eye.

'Yeah.' Harry turned away and got on his broom. He kicked off the ground and hovered a few feet above it for a few seconds. He looked back at us and grinned. 'Which of you girls would like a race?'

'A race?' I repeated.

'Yeah, five times round the pitch then back down to here. Person who gets here first wins.'

'That broom would blow the twigs off mine.'

'Well I'm up for it,' said Ginny. I shot her a look. She too got on to her broom and kicked off. 'It's like they say, Jenna. If you can't catch the Quaffle, get off the pitch. Wait up, Harry!'

I watched as she shot off after Harry's broom tail. The two sped across the Quidditch pitch, Harry unsurprisingly in front. They weaved in and out of the goalposts at the far end then went into a dive so they came charging just above the grass. They mimicked each other with exact timing. Hermione shook her head. I let out a disgruntled huff, unimpressed by Ginny's antics. I would have raced too if isn't wasn't for my old broom.

'Show off,' I muttered.

After repeating the circuit five times Harry and Ginny came zooming back to where Hermione and I stood. It looked close but Harry reached us a full half a minute before Ginny.

'Close race, Ginny,' he breathed heavily. Harry pushed his fringe of his face and ran his hand through his hair. 'Your broom's still got a lot of power in it.' He then turned to me. 'You sure you're not up for a race, Jenna?'

'Not against you,' I said, arms folded.

'Don't mind her, Harry,' laughed Ginny. 'It's not her fault that she's not daring enough to challenge either you or me.'

'Excuse me?' I looked at Ginny. 'Not daring?'

'Well you do tend to go for the safer option,' said Ginny. Her eyebrows arched at me, a grin turning up her lips. 'Each to their own. If you know you can't beat us, that's fair enough.'

'Can't beat you, can I? We'll just see about that.' I got on my broom and kicked off the ground. I glanced at Ginny. 'Same circuit, five laps, and you use Harry's broom.'

The grin formed fully on Ginny's face. I really shouldn't have taken the bait but I was not going to let Ginny think I wasn't daring. She handed Harry her broom and took his. Ginny then flew up to where the start line was to be.

'Jenna, you don't have to do this if you don't want to,' said Harry.

'No, it's all right, I'll do it,' I told him. 'I'll show her who's daring.'

I turned my broom and shot off after Ginny. The wind whipped past me as I went flat out, my hair trailing behind me. I joined Ginny at the starting line. With a simple look at each other the race started. Ginny got ahead of me with no problem on the first lap. The power of the Firebolt was unbelievable. But when it got to the weaves of the goalposts its power was simply no good and it struggled to negotiate the tight turns, giving me a chance to catch up. I was just behind her in the dive, pulling up a second faster before we hit the ground, the grass a blur beneath us.

'You don't have to prove anything to me, Jenna!' Ginny shouted behind me. 'I was only kidding! I know perfectly well you're daring!'

'Who says I'm doing this to prove something?' I countered. I leaned forwards and sped up, pushing my broom to its limits. I was just on her tail. 'I don't need to prove anything to anyone!'

'Maybe so!' shouted Ginny. She looked back over her shoulder at me. 'But why then did you accept my challenge and not Harry's if you aren't trying to prove something to someone?'

What? My speed slowed as I stared at Ginny. She raised her eyebrows at me a second time then shot off up the pitch. I quickly followed.

We returned to mid-pitch height for the second set of weaves around the opposite goalposts. The next three laps went with the same pattern; Ginny remained faster on the straights but I kept closing the gap when we reached the weave and dives. As we circled the pitch on the start of the fourth lap my eyes went over the grass. Harry and Hermione was still watching us, the only other people in the grounds. Or so I thought.

As we headed to the first set of goalposts I saw someone standing in the rows of benches. A flash of white hair. It was Malfoy. What was he doing here? Slytherin weren't having a tryout or practice, were they? My eyes remained on Malfoy as I approached the scoring area. He stared straight back, his gray eyes focused back on me. The air around me seemed to be charged with energy followed by a strange feeling starting in my body. I felt my eyes start to close, my speed slowing, the grip on my broom handle loosening as he stared at me.

In the distance I heard someone shout but it meant nothing to me as the pitch vanished before my eyes …

-o-

Quidditch tryouts, just like she said, he thought. I knew she'd still be here afterwards. Just wait until they finished and I can get her on her own. Sure enough, she didn't disappoint. What's Weasley still doing here? No matter, she won't be able to stop me.

Malfoy watched as she and the Weasley girl came speeding up the pitch towards where he was stood. In his hand he loosely gripped his wand, lifting it just enough to aim at the area above him where they would soon pass. She had noticed him, her eyes looking away from her competition to where he stood. The very edges of his lips turned up into a smile. Perfect.

All well and good telling me to stay away her. Doesn't mean she'll stay away from me. Sometimes things happen out of our control.

Malfoy knew he couldn't make her come to him of her free will. It didn't mean he couldn't make situations in which it would look like she had.

Keeping his eyes focused on her, Malfoy thought clearly, Excutere.

The speed of her broom slowed to a halt; her body fell to the side and swung off the broom. Her hand managed to keep hold of her broom. Everything was going to plan. He just had to jump down from the stands and catch her. Unfortunately he hadn't realised who was at the other end of the pitch.

'Those two aren't going to quit, are they?' asked Hermione.

She and Harry watched as Jenna and Ginny chased each other ran the pitch, turning on the spot to watch the race. The two were now starting their fourth lap. They tore down the pitch to the goalposts ready to weave neatly in and out of them leading into a dive to the ground. Ginny was marginally ahead, Jenna close on her tail.

'Jenna's like Sirius,' muttered Harry. 'She doesn't back down from a challenge like that.'

Ginny was already in between the tall poles. Jenna was just entering the goal area. Harry watched silently. Whenever Jenna was accused of being something, she just had to prove herself though she'd say she wasn't. Harry sighed. He hoped she wasn't trying to prove herself to him by going up against Ginny. He recalled when they first got together Jenna was concerned about his relationship with her but she had nothing to worry about. Harry had picked her, not Ginny, so she shouldn't feel the need to compete with her. That was obviously not the case.

Jenna's speed began to slow as she reached the goals. Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. Why was Jenna slowing? Her broom came to a stop.

'What's she doing?' asked Hermione. 'Is she giving up?'

'I don't know, Jenna wouldn't give up just like that,' said Harry. 'She's just –' All of a sudden Jenna's body swung off her broom, her right hand the only thing holding on to it. 'Jenna!'

Harry jumped on to Ginny's broom and shot into the air, Hermione following on foot. Ginny heard the shout. She swung her broom round to see what was going on, seeing Jenna hanging on barely to her broom. Harry flew as fast as he could over the length of the pitch. Something was wrong with Jenna, Harry knew it. She was just ahead.

'Jenna, hold on!' shouted Harry. She didn't hear him. She just hung there, her fingers slowly slipping off her broom. Her eyes were closed, her head lying limply to one side. Jenna was unconscious. But how? Was she ill? 'Jenna, I'm coming!'

She was feet away. Harry reached out to grab her before she fell.

Malfoy saw Potter come flying down from the other end of the pitch. He gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed, in frustration. He wasn't meant to be here! He looked back up. Her fingers were slipping. He had to keep going; Malfoy wouldn't let her get hurt. Malfoy ran out of the stands to the front and leapt over the edge. Using the Levitation Charm, he floated himself to the ground, landing in a crouch. He sprinted forwards beneath the goals.

Jenna's grip was almost gone on the broom. Harry sped up, reaching out as far as he could. Her fingers slipped – Harry caught Jenna's wrist just in time, one hand keeping a firm hold on Ginny's broom.

'Jenna, wake up!' Harry shouted at her. 'Jenna!' Harry's grip was slipping. He couldn't keep a hold of Jenna with only one hand but would lose his own balance if he let go of the broom. 'Jenna, wake up!'

He gripped her fingers as tight as he could as they slipped through his own. Throwing caution to his own safety, Harry let go of the broom to get a better hold on Jenna. He just wasn't quick enough.

'NO!'

-o-

Wake up. You're safe, it's all right. Wake up.

I let out a small moan. My head felt like it was spinning. My eyes were heavy but I forced them open. They were blurred at first but soon focused. I was on the ground, a pair of arms going around my body holding me up. A hand touched my face. It was soft, brushing my cheek. I turned my face to look up. I knew who I expected to see. I blinked in surprise.

'Draco?' My voice was dry when I tried to speak. Malfoy was kneeling beside me, his arms round my shoulders and waist. He smiled gently at me. 'What –?'

'Ssh, it's all right,' said Malfoy. 'You fell off your broom. I caught you.'

I stared at him confused. How could I have fallen off my broom? I don't remember that. I was racing with Ginny and then I remember stopping when I saw him in the stands and –

'Jenna!'

'Jenna!'

I sat up when I heard Harry and Hermione's voices shouting my name. Harry, on Ginny's broom, flew and landed on the ground and ran over to me, Hermione just behind him. Ginny too landed and was running over to us. I tried to stand but found it hard because of Malfoy's grip on me. He released me and I got to my feet. I walked forwards as Harry reached us. He wrapped his arms around me holding me tightly.

'Thank Merlin,' he breathed. Harry let go but his arms kept a possessive grip around my waist. 'Are you all right? What happened? You fainted.'

'I don't know,' I said. 'I just remember flying after Ginny then seeing Draco –'

'Malfoy?'

Harry looked round me to see Malfoy also standing in the sand beneath the goals. He had his arms folded and was glaring at us.

'What are you doing here?' snarled Harry in a low voice.

'Just saving her life,' shrugged Malfoy indifferently. 'But if this is the thanks I get, perhaps next time I'll just let her fall.'

'You saved her?' repeated Harry. He gave Malfoy a suspicious look. 'Why would you save Jenna?'

'Probably same reason why she fell,' said Malfoy. 'Sometimes things happen out of our control, Potter.'

Malfoy turned and walked off. With Malfoy gone, Harry turned back to me. Hermione and Ginny came up to us to see if I was OK.

'What happened? One minute you were right behind me, the next you were gone.'

'That was quite a fall,' said Hermione. 'You sure you're all right?'

'I think I just need to lie down,' I said. 'Harry, can you take me back to the Tower?'

'Sure,' said Harry. He wrapped his arm round my waist, the same possessive grip as before. 'We'll see you guys at dinner.'

Harry and I walked back to the Heads Tower in silence. I still felt very dizzy but not enough so as not to notice how tightly Harry was holding on to me. When we got to Ambrosia's portrait I managed to shrug out his grip at last. It was good that he was concerned about me but he didn't have to go to the extreme. I told him this and Harry instantly got defensive. I wasn't in the mood for it so I told him I was going to lie down and I'd see him later. I went up to my dorm leaving him alone in the common room to hopefully relax.

-o-

Harry and Jenna walked back to the Tower in silence, Harry supporting Jenna round the waist in case she fainted again. All the way back all Harry could think about was that Malfoy had been there yet again. Like with Jenna's wand in their first Potions lesson and with Jenna's bag at Wednesday lunchtime. It had to be more than coincidence. And now Jenna had fallen off her broom. She'd never done that before. And who should be there when it happens and there to catch her – Draco Malfoy. That smirk he had on his face when he said "Sometimes things happen out of our control". Harry would bet a hundred Galleons he knew the reason why Jenna fell. He just had no way of proving it.

Harry's arm tightened around Jenna. Her rule of not letting people know that they were together was already starting to get to him and it had only been a week. How could he be the kind of boyfriend Harry knew she deserved if she wouldn't even let him make it known.

'Harry, you can let go of me, you know.'

They reached Ambrosia's portrait when Jenna finally spoke. She pulled away out of the curve of Harry's arm and stepped back from him. She said the password and Ambrosia admitted them. They went through the portrait hole into the common room.

'I was only making sure you didn't fall over again,' said Harry. 'It's not like you to just faint like that.'

'It was a freak accident, Harry,' said Jenna. 'I told you, I haven't been on a broom in ages and I'm fine now. You don't have to treat me like I'm breakable.'

'I wasn't treating you like that at all,' said Harry.

'Well it felt like that.'

'I'm worried. Aren't I allowed to be? You're my girlfriend.'

'Yes, of course you are and I know I'm your girlfriend but I'm also my own person. I don't need to be with you every minute of the day and I don't need you getting so possessive all the time or kissing me every five minutes.'

'I wasn't being possessive!' said Harry, nettled. 'I was looking out for you, like a boyfriend should!'

Jenna held in a groan.

'I've got a headache. I'm going to lie down for a bit. I'll see you later.'

Jenna turned on her heel and walked up the staircase to her dormitory. Harry stared after her. What had she meant by that? She was her own person. Of course Harry knew that. And why did she have such a problem with him being protective of her? He was her boyfriend. It was Harry's duty to look out for her and to be affectionate towards her. What sort of guy would he be if he just ignored her and never showed her how much he cared?

That was something that had been bugging Harry all week. Jenna used to love it when they spent time together in each others arms, him holding her close to his body making her feel safe as she put it. She loved his kisses, telling him how they made butterflies go crazy in her stomach and how he always made a little blush start in her cheeks. Now anytime Harry tried to show her the smallest bit of affection, Jenna would brush him off unless they were in the common room where no one could see them. Like earlier today, he'd kissed her neck in the corridor and she pushed him off and when they walked to the Quidditch pitch hand-in-hand, as soon as Hermione and Ginny saw them she let go.

'What happened?' muttered Harry.

He slumped down in a chair and ran his hand through his hair. He needed some advice. Someone who had experience with these kind of things. But who to write to? Harry couldn't write to Sirius, that would just be awkward, asking Sirius how to woo his daughter. He could write to Ron but then he didn't know it was Jenna Harry was dating. That left either Remus or his father except Remus was busy teaching and again it probably wouldn't be a wise idea to bother him with this.

In the end Harry got out two pieces of parchment and wrote two corresponding notes, one to James and one to Ron.

Dad
Need some advice. I'm having a bit of trouble with Jenna. She doesn't want anyone to
know we're a couple yet and I promised I would keep it secret until she was ready but I'm
finding it hard to do. I want to show her I care but the moment I'm affectionate to her
outside the Tower, she pushes me away. It's not like her. It's like she's scared or
something. I want to do this for her but it's hard when certain other people keep …
popping up. Any advice?
Harry.

Ron's was a bit less detailed.

Ron
Need some advice. That girl I'm with, she's acting a bit strange. She doesn't want anyone
to know we're together and pushes me away when I'm the slightest bit affectionate or
protective. I want to tell people but she seems scared of the idea. Got any ideas?
Harry.

Harry re-read both letters, cringing slightly at his inability to express what he wanted to say and do properly. He'd never had this trouble with Ginny. It had been simple. Then again, when ever had his relationship with Jenna been simple? But despite the complications, Jenna was who he wanted and Harry wasn't about to give up on her, even with a certain Slytherin hanging around.

Letters in hand, Harry left the Tower to mail them.

AN: finally the chapter is up. admitedly i'm not too happy with the ending but it got across my point. and those who are waiting for it to earn the M rating, it starts hopefully next chapter, whenever i get round to posting that. got a long way to go. please review. thanks to all those who reviewed the last one. BlAcKdAuGhTeR

AN2: just to let you know the next chapter is going to be quite a long one as there's a lot to put in about "His Father's Son"