Here is chapter 3. Since book six is coming out in a few days, I am going to refrain from putting any more chapters up for a while, or until Harry Potter fans have settled down again, hopefully in a months time. As you very well know by now, I am presenting this story as an "alternative" (since I have over a hundred and twenty pages written already and I am already working out the plotline of year seven in my head, I am not going to quit.) and I will not change it unless it is absolutely necessary, since some of my background information does not coincide with J.K.R.'s. You will probably find that I am not as evil as you think. As for Ron's ability on a Quidditch field, he is not bad. As Harry said in the last book "he just needs to build up his confidence." He did... in the last match. He is just going to build more in this story and I am sure he has found a way to ignore the Slytherins' version of 'Weasley is My King" and focus on the game. Please don't expect too much when it comes to the song. As for later chapters: Things will start to pick up as well as the plot thickening, I have already done some foreshadowing. FORESHADOWING: my favorite word when it comes to writing.

I think I have rambled long enough. But keep in mind what I have said.

Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat myself!

Chapter 3: Dangerous Knowledge

By: tojot

He quickly found Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall after dropping off his book bag in his dormitory. Having wiped the smile off his face as to not look suspicious, Harry sat next to Ron and pulled a dish of potatoes towards him.

"So when is practice?" Ron asked.

"What?"

"Quidditch practice, you're captain right?"

"No."

"Then why did McGonagall want to see you?"

"How do you know about that?"

"Hermione heard it from Katie." Ron said pointing to Hermione who had her nose in a book at the moment, but a pair of brown eyes was looking at him over the top of it.

Harry looked at the both of them, "Fine." He sighed as he gave in, " Professor McGonagall wanted to tell me that I needed to continue my Occumency with Professor Snape."

"That is good." Hermione muttered closing her book.

"How is that good?" Ron argued, "Snape is bad enough to Harry during his Potions classes. Weren't you just telling me that the greasy-haired git gave him detention today?"

"Look, am I the only one who cares that Harry's mind is a little too open to Voldemort?" She hissed angrily at Ron.

"Will you two stop it, why are you always having a go at each other?" Harry silenced them, "Listen, the only problem that I have with Occlumency is that I have to learn it from Snape." He went to finish his dinner but found that he was no longer hungry.

"Miss Granger, could I have a word with you in my office?" It was McGonagall.

"Yes, Professor McGonagall." Hermione said as she stood up, "I'll see you back at the common room." She told them before she followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall.

"Hey Ron, do you want to do a bit of flying before nightfall?" Harry asked. He had gotten back his Firebolt at the end of last year but hadn't been able to fly it.

"You bet." Ron grinned as they dashed up to their dormitory, grabbed their brooms, and dashed back down to the Quidditch pitch. Harry felt like he was back to where he belonged, where everything seemed so simple and free, in the air. It was where he could forget his worries and troubles and unwind. He did a couple of dives and loop-the-loops and decided to try, the Wronski Feint with Ron.

"Hey Ron, Professor McGonagall wants to see you now!" Somebody yelled from the stands. It was Hermione.

"Why?" Ron yelled back.

"I don't know why. Just go and get it over with!" she told him. Ron decided to fly to the castle rather than walk.

"See you later, Harry." He said as he went. Harry, who was still flying, saw it wasn't quite sundown yet and got an idea when he saw Hermione, a wicked idea but an idea nonetheless. He flew down near Hermione, who was standing on the lowest benches of the stands.

"Hey, Hermione, I want to show you something." He said with a grin.

"What would that be?" Hermione asked.

"Come over here and I'll show you." Harry felt his grin getting bigger. He knew Hermione wasn't going to approve with what he had planned but what he wanted to show her would probably make up for it. With a curiosity of a kitten, Hermione came over. She had just barely enough time register what that wicked little grin on Harry's face meant before he pulled her onto his broom and took off.

"Harry! You Lunatic!" she screamed and he laughed maniacally as they soared through the air. He knew she was afraid of heights. He kept an arm tightly around her to assure her that he wasn't going to let her fall. She had her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and her eyes closed.

"Hermione open your eyes and look." Harry whispered in her ear. She did and gasped. Before them was a sunset painted with bright vivid colors.

"This is beautiful…" she said wistfully, but she then looked down. "Can we go down now." She had her arms wrapped tightly around his waist again

"What happened with all that courage that the sorting hat put you in Gryffindor for?" Harry asked teasingly.

Hermione looked down again, "I think I left it on the ground when you pulled me onto your broom. Can we please go down now?" She pleaded. Harry smiled and flew down to the field so they could both go up to the castle before they were considered out of bounds and locked out.

"I have heard good trick for the fear of heights." Harry said to her.

"And that would be?" she asked.

"The trick is to never look down."

"So I have heard, do you think it'll work? Because it looks like you have fun to just fly without fear."

"We don't know until you try it. Until you just let go of the fear. It is also best to build up your confidence." Harry advised. Hermione giggled. "What's funny?" He asked her bemused.

"I never thought that I would be getting pointers on flying a broom from Harry Potter. I thought I could learn them from a book. But what you have just told me was never in the books. It seems that the most important advice is never published in books and the best knowledge comes from the heart." Hermione told him thoughtfully.

"Did you read that in a book as well?" Harry teased.

"No… Actually," Hermione blushed slightly, "It came totally from the heart." Their eyes met for a moment. It was something in Hermione's brown eyes that Harry sensed was different. An uncomfortable silence soon fell between them as they entered the school.

"So…was that Victor's signature move you attempted before I yelled at Ron?" Hermione asked continuing the conversation.

"It was an attempt, yes." Harry answered.

"Victor should be jealous, I think you did it better than him." Hermione chuckled

"I'll never be as good a flyer than he is." Harry said.

"Harry, that is not true and you know it!" Hermione said seriously, "You are the best flyer I know, even better than Victor. You got on the Quidditch team and could fly a broom like a pro in our first year. That is saying something, Harry! He told me he could never get the hang of a broom till his third year! He had to practice day and night to get where he is today."

"Are you kidding!" Harry said intrigued. He had never heard very much about Victor Krum from Hermione since Ron would get sulky at the mention of his name and make it difficult for her. But Ron wasn't around so she was free to talk.

"I am not kidding, Harry, you are the better flyer." Hermione finished.

"So what did McGonagall need you for?" Harry asked changing the subject.

"I had to ask her a couple questions about Transfiguration and she needed to tell me about a few prefect duties that have been added in recent events." She said, her eyes avoiding his. After a few seconds of silence she spoke again. "So what did you dream about last night?"

Her question had completely caught Harry off guard, but he told Hermione anyway. He told her about the effects of it after he woke up too.

"That's very odd, and you say it was almost like the visions Voldemort put you through last year?" She commented.

"Yes, but I know for a fact that it couldn't be Voldemort at it again because my scar hurt whenever it was him." Harry told her as they climbed the steps to Gryffindor Tower.

"Interesting…" she said vaguely and went into a thoughtful silence her eyes misted over in concentration.

"Wifflefiffle." Harry said to the Fat Lady. She swung open and a loud chorus of "Weasley is our King" greeted their ears. Harry had a hunch of what it could be about. They climbed through the portrait hole and somebody spotted them. It was Neville.

"What is this about Neville?" Harry asked lightheartedly.

"Ron was chosen as Gryffindor Quidditch Captain! A lot of us thought it was going to be you." Neville told them.

"Well, at least he's happy." Harry smiled as they watched a disheveled but grinning and slightly nervous-looking Ron walk out of the large group of singing Gryffindors.

"Harry, did you hear the news!" an excited Ron shouted over the noise.

"Congratulations, Ron." Harry told him, Hermione nodded in agreement.

"So you're not mad that you weren't chosen?" Ron said stunned.

"No, how could I be, I think you would do great and you deserve it as well." Harry said smiling.

"I still can't believe I got It." he told them, his eyes were wide with disbelief. "By the way, it turns out that tryouts are on Friday for the Gryffindors, but don't worry Harry, I already know how Snape can be. Just don't try to incur his wrath on you any further, I still need my best Seeker to be alive." Ron laughed. The party went on for several hours. McGonagall came in and did roll call at 9:00. It was around 10:30 PM, when Ginny whispered in his ear, "Could I have a word with you?" Harry nodded and followed her to a quiet corner of the common room, by the fire; Hermione was there in her regular chair peacefully asleep. Harry smiled slightly at the sight of this.

"Harry." Ginny began, "I am sure Hermione told you that I gave up my crush on you, correct?"

"Yes, she did tell me." Harry said wondering where this was going.

"Well, I'll get to the point, ever since I gave up the silly crush, I have always thought of you as another brother." Ginny confessed, and Harry smiled. "And I feel that it is just right ask if it is okay with you that I start dating Neville?"

"Neville?" Harry chuckled lightly, "But I thought you said you

fancied Dean." at that moment he thought he heard a tiny snort come from Hermione's direction. She looked as if she were trying to fight off a smile in her sleep. Harry had a bit of an inkling that Hermione wasn't really sleeping anymore and was listening in on the conversation.

"I said that in front of Ron to get him off my case because he is highly protective of me, and poor Neville is timid enough as it is…"

"So you fancy Neville?"

"Well, yes and have done so since…" She trailed off, "…since the incident at the Department of Mysteries." Harry was sure Ginny didn't want to hurt him by bringing back painful memories, so he tried his hardest not to focus on the memories.

"Well at least you're not asking permission to date Malfoy." Harry said teasingly. Ginny cringed.

"Urgh, what a nasty thought. Will you not mention the Ferret in the middle of my brother's party, again?" Ginny said with another cringe and a sour look on her face.

"Sorry." Harry apologized quickly. "Anyway, both you and I know Neville wouldn't do anything deliberately to hurt you, so I really don't see any problem with you dating him." Harry smiled at her and she grinned.

"Thankyou Harry." She said enthusiastically as she hugged him quickly, gave him a kiss on the cheek and disappeared back into the crowd.

"Okay, Hermione, I know full well that you are awake." Harry said, "So you can open your eyes." Hermione opened one eye then the other and grinned sheepishly. There was an obvious glint of mischief in her brown eyes.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"The snort gave you away." Harry replied as he sat down in his chair next to her, "So how much of the conversation did you hear?"

"From the part of you being like a brother to her." Hermione answered with a yawn and a stretch, "basically, I woke up when you came over. And not like I didn't know that already."

"Who would've known, Ginny and Neville." Harry muttered as he was watching the flames flicker in the grate.

"Neville is a sensitive guy, it surprises me no one wanted to snatch him up sooner." Hermione said looking in Neville's direction. Neville was laughing at a joke Ron just told.

"Most people go for looks and coordination before they actually see what is truly inside." Harry said sadly, Hermione seemed to go into another thoughtful silence. Harry knew what he said was the reason that he had had a crush on Cho Chang the beautiful Ravenclaw seeker. It wasn't until he started dating her, that Harry found her true colors, that Cho made things highly complicated and seemed to want to start arguments over petty little things. Harry didn't like rows and tried to avoid them as much as necessary.

Harry heard Hermione yawn again, snapping him out of his current thought, "I think you should head up to bed." He told her.

"I think I will, if you wouldn't mind, that is." She said with yet another yawn.

"Well, I think I'll head up to bed myself. So I wouldn't mind." He smiled sleepily. They quickly said goodnight to everyone and they both went to bed.

Tuesday seemed to come and go, with Double Transfiguration and Double Charms. When Hermione went to Arithmancy, Harry went to the library to use the free class period that had been left in his schedule to do the assignments that Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had set, the period was normally for Divination, of which Harry wasn't taking anymore. Dumbledore had a discussion with Harry during the summer. They both thought it necessary for him to take only necessary classes. The places for Divination and History of Magic on Harry's Schedule remained free study periods for him. Hermione insisted that Harry use them get homework done. For once, Harry listened to her and did as she said. After dinner, Harry, Ron and Hermione were gathered around the fire. Ron had yet another essay from Muggle Studies and the Charms and Transfiguration assignments. Hermione and Harry had finished their homework already.

"I don't see how you have finished all your homework when I still am left with a load." Ron complained. "I swear that you have turned into Hermione."

"I got it done and out of the way immediately." Harry said as Hermione shot Ron a dark look. Harry was reading a book, which had a chapter on Occlumency that Hermione had found for him. She figured that it might be best that Harry find out all he could about the subject so he could know what he had to do, since Snape certainly wasn't helping him much the last time he had Occlumency with the teacher.

"I don't see anything wrong with Harry having a free evening, Ron." Hermione said. She was knitting what looked like a small jumper. Harry knew that Hermione still hadn't given up on S.P.E.W. and probably would never give up on it. Harry chuckled inwardly at seeing Hermione's knitting had advanced, especially if she was doing jumpers now. He wondered if Mrs. Weasley had given her a few tips over the summer.

Ron took one look at her knitting and with a scowl said, "Don't tell me you still haven't given up on 'spew.'"

"For the last time, it isn't 'spew'…" Hermione started heatedly.

"Yeah, yeah, S.P.E.W. Tell someone who cares." Ron said irritated. For once, Harry didn't seem so keen on breaking up the current argument, he was too distracted with a pecking at the window. He stood up and opened the window and his owl, Hedwig hopped in. She had two letters from McGonagall, one for him the other for Hermione. Hedwig flew away as soon she was relieved of her post. The argument stopped as soon as Harry handed Hermione her letter. In which she looked at for a second, bid Harry a goodnight, glared at Ron and then disappeared up the steps of the Girls Dormitory.

Harry looked at his own letter closely. It told him not open it around anyone. Curious as to what it was about, he quickly said goodnight to Ron and went up to the sixth year dorms. Luckily, it was empty since nearly everyone was still down in the common room working on their homework like Ron. He sat in the window alcove by his bed and opened the letter.

Mr. Potter,

Do forgive me for using your owl. But this letter is a bit more personal than school matters. If you just turn this letter upside down, you will receive a portkey that will immediately transport you to my office at midnight on Wednesdays and Saturdays and back again. Try not to lose it. I must also stress the importance that you do not tell anyone that you are learning this subject. It is necessary that we keep the utmost secrecy on the matter.

Sincerely,

M. McGonagall

He turned the letter upside down and a tiny round object fell from it into his palm. It was a marble. It was clear with a green swirl inside, quite ordinary. Harry heard footsteps coming up the stairs and quickly stowed the marble and the letter in the drawer in his bedside table and locked it. He then made to put on his pajamas as Seamus and Dean came in. Ron and Neville came up around half past ten and both unceremoniously past out on their beds without changing out of their robes. As Harry lay awake in his four poster, curtains drawn for a bit of privacy, he wondered what animal his animagus would be until he drifted off to sleep strangely enough remembering Hermione's humming.

Harry was in a dark room sitting in an armchair. A short man entered the room and sank to his knees. He had his face masked and was clothed in dark robes.

"You called for me, My Lord." He said squeakily.

"Yes, Wormtail." Harry said in a cold unemotional voice that wasn't his, "I am sending you on a covert operation. I need you to gather information on the fool Dumbledore's plans, it seems to me that you know the school best and your animagus form will help you."

"Yes, My Lord." Wormtail muttered.

"And keep an eye on the Potter boy." Harry felt himself grin a evil smile that made Wormtail shudder. "I look forward to having my sweet revenge on him for delaying my plans for the past fifteen years. The charm his mudblood mother placed on him is fading and in two months time it will be gone and he will be powerless against me. He has irked me too often and it's time for him to go."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Take Dantes with you till you reach Hogsmeade, then go alone. Make sure you go slowly so that you don't attract the Order of the Phoenix, if you blow your cover you would greatly displease me."

"Yes, my Lord." Wormtail bowed and left the room

"Is it a good idea to put the little rat on the job, My Lord?" a feminine voice questioned timidly from the shadows. Harry knew that voice could only belong to the woman who had murdered his godfather, Bellatrix Lestrange.

"I must Bellatrix," Harry said in fatigue as he turned to woman, "The absurd old fool has found a way to prevent me from entering Potter's mind since mid-June, I need to know what is going on so I have the big picture." His thin pale hand curled into a fist and slammed into the arm of the chair he was sitting in.

"My Lord, you look fatigued, it may be best if you retired for the night. It tends to do wonders on a cloudy mind, sir." Bellatrix suggested.

"I think I may do that," Harry said as he stood up, "Inform me if anything happens."

"Yes, My Lord."

Everything soon faded to black as Harry woke up staring at the canopy of his bed listening to Ron and Neville snoring. His scar prickled a bit. He knew he had just been inside Voldemort's head again. It seemed as though Voldemort couldn't sense him or break into his mind. He looked at the pocket watch on his bedside table, that Hermione had given him on his birthday, it was three in the morning. Harry wondered if he would still be considered out of bounds if he was walking about the castle at 3:00 AM. He knew he needed to talk with the headmaster immediately. He got out of bed, put on his bathrobe, and made his way down to the common room. As Harry padded down the steps he wrung his brain thinking of how he was going to be able to talk with Dumbledore. The fire had already been extinguished but Harry could hear something small moving about.

"Who's there?" Harry whispered in the darkness as he pulled his wand out of his pocket, lit it and pointed it around the dark common room.

"Harry Potter." A jovial squeak came from a tiny figure hurtling towards him and knocked him over. Harry recognized who it was immediately. With all the socks and hats that Hermione had knitted last year, it could be none other than Dobby, the house elf that Harry had helped free from the servitude of the Malfoy family.

"Dobby?"

"Dobby is glad to see Harry Potter again, Dobby has been worried about Harry Potter, Dobby has heard from the Headmaster that Harry Potter has not been well over the holidays." Dobby said as he looked down at Harry, he was standing on Harry's chest.

"It's good to see you too. But do you mind, I am having trouble breathing." Harry gasped. Dobby quickly got off him.

"Dobby apologizes, Dobby wasn't thinking." The house elf squeaked.

"It's okay Dobby." Harry reassured him.

"What does Harry Potter need for him to be out of bed at this time?" Dobby asked. A quick thought occurred to Harry.

"Dobby, can you apparate inside the castle?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then, could you do me a favor?" Harry asked again.

"Anything for Harry Potter."

"Could you go to the Headmaster and tell him that I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with him, and that it can't wait?"

"Yes, sir." Dobby nodded and disappeared. A few minutes later the Gryffindor fire roared to life with green flames.

"Come on, Harry." Dumbledore's voice came quietly through the flames. Harry quickly stepped into the grate and was immediately transported to the Headmaster's office. Last time he had been in this room it had been in shambles after Harry had thrown several of the intricate instruments out of anger and frustration. Now, everything was intact and in one piece. The Sword of Gryffindor glittered from its glass case. The large rubies that had been inset into the hilt almost seemed to glow for some weird reason.

"You said it was urgent?" Dumbledore said as he sat down in front of his desk and motioned for Harry to sit down as well.

"Yes." Harry started as he sat in the chair in front of the desk. He told Dumbledore everything about what he had witnessed inside Voldemort's head.

"I am glad you came to me immediately after you saw this, Harry, and what you have told me, explains why Voldemort has done nothing for the past two months except gather more followers. As for the charm you mother placed on you, I am as clueless as you are what she did exactly. We will be looking into the matter so don't worry. We have an expert on those types of charms coming as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I am certain she will know what to do. But please do not tell anyone about the fading protection charm, not even your friends. We can't have news that you were weakened considerably in your forth year going around." Dumbledore told him groggily. "Thank you, Harry, this is news I don't mind being woken up for, it will help us considerably."

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry inquired, "Since Voldemort can't seem to get into my head can I not go though Occlumency with Professor Snape?"

"I inform you that you still may need Occlumency… And Legilimency for that matter, unless you encounter Voldemort at any time. They can come in very useful at times." Dumbledore informed him "But it will not be Severus who will be teaching you. It will be me. It was my mistake last year for assuming things will be fine between you and Professor Snape."

"He utterly despises me now." Harry said. "And it's not like I am proud of what I saw. My mum was right in calling my dad that. How did she ever grow to love him."

"It was always there," Dumbledore chuckled "But your father did enough stupid and insulting things to keep her uninterested. Now Harry, might I ask if you are continuing hold Defense Association meetings this year as you did last year?" Dumbledore asked.

"I am." Harry answered. "Because of the prophecy, Hogwarts is very likely to get attacked by Deatheaters or Voldemort himself. Someone has to help get people to know what to do in case that happens."

"I see.' Dumbledore said as he stood up and walked over to one of the bookcases, picking out a red leather bound book and handed it to Harry. Its title was Advanced Defense and Dark Arts Avoidance by Godric Gryffindor. "I want you to go over that with Miss Granger, since she is after all your secretary."

"This was written by Godric Gryffindor?" Harry said

"It was said that Godric was very good at Defense Against the Dark Arts, one of the things that came between him and Salazar Slytherin who was fond of the Dark Arts." Dumbledore said melancholically as he looked at Godric's shining sword in its case.

"Now it is back to bed for you," He said as he directed Harry towards the fireplace throwing floo powder into the grate. "You need your rest for your training later on, goodnight." And Harry went back to Gryffindor Tower and back to bed and a dreamless sleep.

Author's Note

As for suspending my writing for a while, I will cut you a deal. If you all (or a pretty good deal of you) review, biting my head off in the process if you like, saying that you want me to continue, I will. Regularly putting up chapters whenever I can get to a terminal that provides the Internet. So please review, they give me the tenacity to write more.