Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. As Proof of this, notice the sixth book does not have Luna searching for Crumple Horned Snorsnaks... in Harrys pants!
Chapter 10 – Pain and suffering… So it begins.
"Harry James Potter, I hereby sentence you to Azkaban!"
Harry stared at the man who announced his fate. His face, the epitome of shock and outrage as he listened to the obese little man.
"On what charges?" Harry cried. The icy chains binding him to the interrogation chair coiled ominously at his pleading voice.
"For the murder of Ginny Weasley." Fudge who was regaled in splendid red robes boomed across the packed courtroom. He theatrically raised his hands as if he were looking unto the heavens demanding God smite Harry down himself.
"That's right… You killed me you bastard!" Ginny yelled shrilly from Harry's right. She stalked around Harry with a horridly smug smile.
"Wait don't you see… she's alive… how could I have killed her." Harry tried to reason. Pointing feebly with his still bound hands at the women who was accusing him of her own murder.
A murmur went across the wizengamont and bulbs flashed from newspaper reporters.
" Harry James Potter, for your wilful denial of your crimes I have no choice but to further sentence you, to death!" Dumbledore immediately replied. Taking the place of Minister Fudge. A vindictive cold smile not unsimilar to that of Voldemort himself graced his face.
Harry dumbstruck by the mans obvious betrayal looked on in shock.
"What but sir… why… why are you doing this to me… you just saw her, she's alive!" Harry begged desperately trying to understand the mans actions.
"Alas Harry, Where have I gone wrong…. You have clearly been performing Dark Magic… It is clear that I have failed you…" The man said resignedly.
"How the hell do you get that." Harry demanded.
Immediately his cheek burned as he turned his head away from the man. If he could he would have held his face in shock at the hit.
"Don't you dare talk to the Headmaster like that you traitor" Another shrill voice demanded in clear rage.
Turning his face to gaze on at one of his best friends. The one huffing in anger as she retracted her hand from slapping him.
"Hermione what's going on… there sending me to Azkaban… they're going to kill me!" Harry begged his friend to understand.
"As you should be you disrespectful idiot!" Hermione spat. She immediately spotted the minister and Dumbledore seated together, and swooned at the site of their authoritative presence.
For some reason it appeared as if lighting was being used to shine down at his two convictors… They looked angelic under its gaze as they posed a regal pose.
Harry swore he heard Hermione sigh.
"What the Hell is going on?!" Harry yelled.
Immediately the room blinded him as flash bulbs went off. A feathery green quill shot in front of his face.
"Mr. Potter… Harry, why did you do it… its okay, you can tell me. The public loves a rebel" Rita skeeter winked at him seductively, scarring Harry deeply.
"I didn't do anything…" Harry tried to defend himself.
"Now Harry there is no need to lie… we have all the evidence we need to know it was you..." Rita gently scolded as if she were scolding a puppy.
" What evidence?" Harry demanded.
" Why… you're a parselmouth, and that delightful Malfoy boy told us all about how your evil and tried to crucio him." She said blankly humouring him.
"What are you talking about… this is some trick by Voldemort… Malfoy's practically a death eater himself. How can you believe him?" Harry tried to defend himself but all that came out were a series of hisses.
The crowd gasped. Hermione looked at him scandalized. As if he had personally called her a mudblood or something.
"Why I never." Rita declared. Turning away and scribbling on a sheet of paper… his hand burned immediately as he felt lines write on his own hand.
The word, 'Evil!' was cut over his left hand and seemed to be jaggedly emphasizing his new label.
"See what I mean everything I said was true." A haughty voice declared from behind Harry. Immediately, Harry's chair swivelled to face the smug pale face of his school enemy.
" Tell the truth Malfoy." Harry demanded angrily.
" Don't talk to Malfoy like that, he's worth ten of you." Ron bristled. Popping up from no where and immediately defending his own archenemy.
"Ron what's gotten into you… you're my best friend." Harry pleaded. Utterly fed up with this insane world.
"And it makes me sick… I should have known you were no good. How could you Murder my own sister. You filthy Slytherin!" Ron boomed at his friend. His hands clenched into fists.
"Its true… I've known all along." The sorting hat called seated on top of the still living Ginny. She could only nod in sad confirmation as she strolled up to her brother and stroked his hand soothingly. Comforting him in his own grief for her.
"There are so many things wrong with this picture…" Harry cried out in frustration.
Immediately there was a bang and the front doors to the courtroom, which looked suspiciously like the large wooden doors to the great hall, banged open letting in a magnificent white Owl that soared gracefully towards Harry.
"Hedwig…" Harry cried in relief to see his long time friend.
The bird soared towards him… taking her sweet time as the room seemed to expand slightly to giver her a long enough flight to allow for suspense.
Hedwig flew down toward him, wings extended slowing her decent, her entire posture that of a perched eagle.
Taking a few steadying flaps of her wing to keep her decent majestic, she flew over Harry's head.
Splat!
Harry felt a cold liquid drizzle down the side of his face.
" Et tu Hedwig!" Harry demanded in anger as the bird immediately flew away. A black feather descending in her wake to land in a pool of blood that lay at his feet.
Looking down upon the liquid Harry saw the ends of the feather soaked in the liquid… its tips drenched red. The black glossy feather lay their serenely as if point to the centre of the pool of blood. Some how Harry was completely unchained and free to look in the pool.
Hesitantly leaning forward and leaning in, Harry saw his reflection, his eyes closed his scar prominent. The rest of his face completely faded out in the bloods surface.
Pausing to take a breath, Harry slowly leaned in further until he was mere inches away from the strange reflection.
He felt his throat start to contract, and his eyes water, he felt such heart breaking sorrow that he nearly screamed but it would have done no good as his mouth took a life on its own and whispered a word.
Harry unable to comprehend the word but feeling the fear he associated with it could only close his eyes as his mind pulsed.
Suddenly all was quite and Harry knew it was coming…
Their was a heart breaking scream… a rush of some rapid movement… familiar but terrifying…. And then the reflections eyes opened, and the scar burned bright red.
Harry felt his back explode in pain as he looked into the jade snake eyes of himself.
:-..-..-..-..-:
Harry immediately shot up from under his covers gasping for breath as he struggled to free himself from his blankets.
Panting in some very welcome air… Harry let himself calm down as he took in his surroundings.
He was currently in his own room. The Bed curtains swaying slightly to the side letting him see his fellow dorm mates sleep peacefully. Ron And Neville snored in near sync as they lay sprawled on the their own beds. Even Neville's toad was present as it lay on top of its owner… possibly still awake.
Looking outside the dorm windows Harry saw it was still night…. The only light from the stars and half moon presently displayed across the heavens.
Feeling himself drenched in sweat and wide awake Harry grabbed a towel and a change of clothes. Hopping a hot shower would help him. The humid air that was unusually persistent at the time making his skin feel filthy.
Harry, deciding that he didn't want to risk waking his dorm mates grabbed his map and invisibility cloak as well as he slipped out of the room. But not before taking a glance at the clock.
'4:14… Damn it!' Harry mentally cursed as he stalked down stair. Careful not to make a noise. He knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, and this meant either making his way back to the common room and waiting it out for another two hours before he could freely explore the castle… or take the chance and watch his back for the rest of the night/morning.
Deciding to live dangerously… Harry firmly swung the invisibility cloak over his head. Pushing past a snoring Fat lady who muttered incoherently in her sleep as her portrait was moved by an invisible force.
Harry murmured his declaration to the map and stalked the halls as he searched for any one to watch out for.
Letting a sigh escape his body as he ascended a stair case… he realized that no one was patrolling.
" I guess even filch has to sleep" Harry unwittingly said aloud. Pausing to listen to his own voice echo around him, he took a gander at the castle corridors.
No one was awake… only him.
The halls were bare and even the paintings slept.
He was cloaked in darkness and in a literal cloak of invisibility.
Harry let the thrill envelope him as he was rejuvenated by the concept. The night was his and for another two hours… it would stay that way. He could do as he please and no one would be the wiser.
He tore off his invisibility cloak and revelled at his exposure… goading the world to catch him.
Excitedly running down the halls he made his way to the prefects bath room… hoping that the password was the same as he whispered. "Pine..." Pausing to consider the fact that he was whispering, he looked around the corridor and seeing most of the paintings empty, their inhabitants away snoozing probably in one of the painted beds that decorated the paintings of many other works of magical art within the building.
Harry confidently and even slightly louder than normal announced, "Pine Fresh!"
The door handle clicked and Harry turned the knob allowing him entrance into the elaborate room.
Quickly bolting the door from the inside Harry took his time to search the room. He had intended to take a bath to soak up his time but now that he felt the need to wander he wanted a quicker solution.
Wandering the room Harry circled the large pool, slash, swimming pool taking in the room. Seeing a slightly hidden corridor Harry decided he could start his exploration within the room.
Walking down the marble steps letting his hands glide across the again marble walls, Harry peeked into the room the corridor led.
He stopped to gape at it all.
There on a slightly raised dais was a tall table with a simple set of controls in the same style as the bath outside but with fewer options. The room was grand for the single occupant shower… Harry could tell it was a shower by the large nozzled disk that dropped down from the ceiling. It dripped a steady drip on the large dais. Its shape pointing out like a convex lens… the walls glittered with dew and intricately drawn patterns that encircled the circular room seeing a shelf carved into the wall Harry quickly placed his clothes within and proceeded to strip.
Almost longingly he took steps up towards the dais. Again, marble, steps led him onto its surface which was grated to allow water to flow down. The 2 meter diameter dais clanged slightly under his weight. Walking toward the raised table with the controls in the centre of the dais Harry walked forward. Turning a red crystal handle while also turning a blue crystal handle, Harry heard a rumbling noise rushing in from all directions.
Listening carefully he followed the noise as it seemed to emanate from the exterior walls and travel closer. Looking up, Harry saw the metal concave dotted spout vibrate ominously. Understanding that water was flowing in from around the room Harry waited with bated breath for the shower.
The metal disk gave one final drip and then water gushed out. Like an onion, the exterior layers of dots that rimmed the perimeter of the disk, spurt of streams of water, then moving inward several different layers spouted water until finally streams pummelled Harry from above the head.
Gasping and sputtering slightly under the unexpected force Harry shielded his face as he looked down into the grate he stood upon that drank the excess water.
Luckily he had managed to set the temperature to an ideal setting as to not freeze or scald him but it took a moment to get used to the force.
Soon though the force stopped being excessive and started being soothing. Enjoying the water massage releasing tension in his shoulders he leaned against the rounded table protruding from the floor.
Letting his neck swing down Harry felt the water pound his soar back.
Harry had noticed once he had awoken that it felt as if it had been pummelled repeatedly by bludgers.
He had been worried since it mirrored the site his dream back had felt the excruciating pain explode from. To top it all off, it itched something fierce.
Frustrated by the showers inability to scratch his own back for him Harry swung his arm behind him and tried to scratch it himself… it was slightly to the right and left of the spot he couldn't reach but he managed to lay a finger on his left most itch.
Immediately flashes of images sped across his vision. Those same snake eyes he had in the vision, black fluttery clouds of nothingness whooshed by, and then finally the Dursley's terrified faces.
Retracting his hand suddenly from the onslaught of images Harry stopped to take in a breath.
Those images had been so sudden they had taken him by surprise, the first two were unfamiliar, well the first he remembered seeing hazily in his dreams, but the second was a mystery. The last though, that was the most familiar as he had consciously viewed the scene not two months earlier.
It was the last time he had seen his relatives faces before he had taken his leave of their home forever. The sheer terror on their faces surprised him, and the fact that he took a little greedy pleasure in the terror he knew he had inspired disturbed him greatly.
It wasn't just a memory of that moment, he was feeling the thrill even now. He felt the dark lust for their obedience to his will cloud his mind momentarily, his power to have ended their existence making him sick and giddy all at once.
Dumbledore had explained to him that it was actually Voldemorts mind clouding his judgement as the ritual started to take place, not unsimilar to the rage he felt for his headmaster when he looked into his eyes momentarily the year before.
But he some how knew that it wasn't Voldemort clouding his judgement now as he sank bonellessly against the stone table... seating himself on the grate as the water continued to pound down upon him.
'I wouldn't actually hurt them, I'm not like that. Ya, there slimy bastards and I wish them a hard life, I wouldn't mind seeing Dudley get his comeuppance for all the times he's hunted me and made my life miserable. But I wouldn't…'
"You think the freaks from the train station were the only ones you would have to answer to. Wrong!"
…
"One day I will be able to do magic, and I will always remember what you two have done to me."
The flashback of his own words startled him… even now as he considered his own words… 'Did I actually say that, or was it Voldemorts influence.'
He was free of the Dursley's now, he never had to return… and he had the ability to do magic now…. Would he one day decide to make good of his promise.
"No… I … I wouldn't" Harry stuttered out quietly to himself. Letting his own voice, so unsimilar to the hiss he remembered speaking to his relatives in, comfort hi troubled mind.
Saying it more firmly to himself he started to rise… turning off the shower carelessly he walked away from the dais and toward his towel.
Cursing his inability to sleep properly, Harry forcefully dried his head. 'I mean they're not even semi realistic, me being sentenced to Azkaban.' Harry snorted at the thought. Laughing silently at the ludicrous betrayals and the cameo appearance of the hat.
In a better mood Harry walked away from the bathroom fully dressed in his Hogwarts robes with slightly damp hair and his backpack. Glad he had bought one with more than one compartment, he impervioused one and put his wet clothing inside, leaving the other for his books and things for the day.
Cursing himself for letting a dream ruin his slight adventure before the rest of the building awakened Harry checked his watch to see how much time he had on his hands.
Shocked that he had spent close to an hour in the shower itself he re evaluated his plans,
" Can't really explore much now, an hour doesn't seem worth it." Getting used to talking aloud, Harry wandered the halls of the school. Deciding to take a gander outside. With the brisk but still warm air that had plagued the area, Harry strolled outside and took in his surroundings.
The sky was at twilight, with no sign of the sun quite yet but with a pinkish orange tint near the east by the ends of the lake, Harry made his way over to perch himself by the tree by the lake, he had so often studied under, Harry made himself comfortable as he awaited his first sunrise.
Stopping to set his watch for 6 so he knew when he could enter the great hall he let his exterior robe comfort his back as he leaned against the hard stone.
The sunrise was taking its sweet time and Harry was hoping it would reveal itself to him soon as he let his eyes droop.
Listening to the water slosh gently against the beach of the lake and hit the slight cliff of the Hogwarts ground Harry's eyes started to droop lower and lower.
The next thing he knew he was awakened by a furry something waggling its self in front of his face.
Swatting at it Harry blearily opened his eyes to stare into the amber eyes of a ginger beast.
"Bah!" Harry screamed in surprise.
" MeeeOW!" The Ginger Cat moaned at him as it sat on his lap and looked at him curiously.
" Crookshanks…." Harry breathed a sigh, fearing the intruder on his space to be one of Hagrids creations, Harry let his hand wander down the side of the cat as he scratched it behind the ear.
A deep purr was his reward. Leaning forward and arching his back into Harry asking for more. Harry paused his ministration to glare at the cat. "If you want me to continue doing this… don't wake me like that again." Harry continued on after a dismissive meow begged him to continue.
Sighing Harry let his other hand start to scratch the cat as he looked up into the sky…. He had slept through the sunrise… he was slightly disappointed but he planned to wake up early once more and do the thing properly then.
Looking back down Harry saw the sun glint off his watch. Squinting his eyes and bending his watch away from the light Harry saw the time.
" Oh crap…. Sorry Crookshanks Harry called as he basically dropped the cat and grabbed his things; making a mad dash towards the castle. It was almost 8: 15, and at 8:45 the first bell would ring throughout the halls. Letting the mystery of where the bell actually resided pass in favour of racing through the halls, Harry ran corners and passerbys as he made a dash to get something to eat.
Passing a familiar series of paintings and ornamental displays he knew he was but two turns from the corridor that would take him to the great hall. Slowing his speed but still at a fast trot he swivelled a corner and….
"Oww" He and a female voice cried together as their bodies slammed into each other.
Swaying slightly Harry managed to keep his footing but the unfortunate victim did not as she toppled backwards from Harry's momentum.
Quickly reaching out a hand to grasp her dainty one, she tugged surprisingly harder than he had imagined and he was pulled back down towards the earth landing on top of her.
An "Ouf" was heard in the same sync he they had managed earlier…
Rubbing his soar elbows and prying himself up he looked down into the dreamy eyes of a familiar Ravenclaw.
" Oh… I'm sorry Luna." Harry said in surprise at his victim.
" Well good morning to you too Harry." Luna said with a smile as she looked up into the emerald eyes of her friend.
"Morning Luna… sorry about that" Harry said sheepishly as he continued to kneel on his right leg and look down upon the girl. They're things strewn across the floor in a chaotic pile.
Smiling at him in the same dreamy smile she raised her hand indicating she wanted help up. Harry quickly obliged and pulled the girl to a standing position as he too stood.
"A bit late for Breakfast Harry, What could you have been doing." She asked in the same dreamy voice she always had as she reached up towards his head. Letting his eyes wander up her slender arm, passing a silver bracelet and up to her palm, he watched as she retracted it to reveal a slightly damp leaf.
Blushing at being caught, Harry ran his hands through his hair letting a twig clatter out of his hair.
" Yea… that… well long story short, I fell asleep trying to catch the sunset outside by the lake." Harry admitted. It was a little funny in a 'that's something new' kinda way.
Luna's head tilted and her eyes took on a slightly different look as she gazed at him with a much more charming smile.
" That sounds like fun…. Maybe one day I could join you." She said with smile.
Harry smiled at her sincere request." It's a date."
Stopping to realize what he said he fought to contain his blush. Quickly turning away… he grabbed his robe and back pack from the floor while laughing nervously. Stopping to pick up her things as well he never noticed Luna's reaction to his remark. By the time he had managed to sort out their things she had been turned away checking the floor for any remainders.
"I think that's everything… Shall we?" Harry asked as he carried both their bags over his shoulder and headed over to the door. Checking his watch he saw that they still had about 20 minutes to eat.
At her dreamy smile he pushed open the door and walked in laughing at a comment she made about how she hoped he hadn't swallowed some creature while he slept by the lake. She commented on how that was a sure way to get spattergroit.
Remembering Ron being diagnosed with the terminal disease Harry chuckled at the remark.
" You going to sit with us today." Harry asked as he paused on his path to the Gryffindor table as he noticed she wasn't following.
" That's alright, I need to make an appearance at my table… you know house loyalty and all." Luna whispered. Harry only smiled at her and took her bag from over his shoulder and held it out for her.
"See you later then." Harry asked as she grabbed it from him. She smiled as she turned away from him.
" Most likely" she sing songed as she walked with a bounce over to her table.
Harry for a reason unknown to him just grinned and walked over to the gryffindors ignoring the whispers that followed him.
" Hey where were you mate?" Ron asked as Harry sat opposite him with his back to the wall.
"Long story, I'm famished." Harry declared as he stole some sausages from a platter and fixed himself a large breakfast.
" Harry…" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"Hmm…" Harry asked as he chewed his hastily buttered bread.
" Is there a reason why…" She paused to reach over and pull a twig from his robe. It was bent slightly with a leaf dangling on its end.
She left the question unfinished waiting for Harry to fill in the blanks.
Harry surprised pulled off his robe and looked at it… it was covered in bits and pieces of foliage and dirt.
Cursing himself… Harry forgot his breakfast in favour of whipping out his wand and whispering a couple various cleaning charms on his robes, making them more presentable. Not wanting to show up to class looking like he had spent the night frolicking in the forbidden forest.
"Part of the long story…" Harry answered Hermione belatedly as he started to put on his robe. He had not realized that more than one person had been listening in and observing him… and he also had not noticed those looks being split as they took in a Ravenclaw who was idly twirling a leaf as she bit into a muffin. Her focus entirely on the book in front of her. A more dreamy smile than usual on her face. Her robes a little ruffled from their run in and a little smudged with dirt as well.
Ron who had been following the student bodies example and splitting his looks between the pair let a surprised look momentarily flash across his face, but then a more Cheshire grin spread as he reached over and pat his friend on the shoulder in congratulation.
Not entirely sure why he was getting the support Harry cautiously thanked Ron as he checked his watch moments before the bell was to ring.
Quickly grabbing his book bag, making a sandwich out of the left over bacon and egg on his plate, and pulling Hermione up by her arm… he sped away from the great hall.
"Come on we got Defence now." Harry demanded. Barely leaving his friends enough time to grab their things and chase after their highly energetic friend.
Harry didn't know why but he was feeling very energized. He had barely gotten any sleep and had just woken up again after falling asleep outside, he had barely eaten, he was constantly running all morning since he awoke, yet he never felt so… alive.
It wasn't just that, he was also happy. After his slight angst fest in the showers he had feared he would be in a bad mood all day but for some reason he was as chipper as he had ever been.
Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Harry didn't question it as he all but ran to the defence class room. His friends panting to keep up.
"What's the hurry mate…? "Ron breathed heavily as he caught up to Harry as he was about to enter the door.
Hermione at a more dignified trot only huffed slightly before regaining her composure and looking at her friend curiously.
"Your different today Harry?" She half stated, half questioned.
" Different, in what way?" Harry asked brightly as he chose a seat up front close to the windows… the sun, bathing the table in light.
"Well your acting weird for one…" Hermione huffed in exasperation. Harry was fairly sure she was also using the huff to regain her breath but didn't comment.
"I suppose. What else… "Harry asked knowing she had more. Not really caring as she suspiciously took in his appearance.
"I'm not sure… Something about you is different?" Hermione puzzled as she stared at her friend. She was forced out of her reverie by an unwelcome intruder on their conversation.
" Maybe he's just getting uglier… the scar doesn't help." A jeer emanated from across the room.
Swinging around to stare at the blonde ponce Harry only smiled.
" Good morning Malfoy… " Harry took in a exaggerated breath through his nose, and then exhaling loudly while staring at the blonde. A smirk playing across Harry features.
Malfoy's face hardened indicating that he got Harry's message. He was about to say something but Harry spotted Neville cross between his vision of him and Harry decided to greet him instead of wasting his breath on Malfoy.
" Morning Neville, How you…. Neville?" Harry frowned slightly at the irritated glances Neville was throwing behind him. The ragged look about Neville did not boad well for his friend either.
"Everything okay Neville?" Ron asked taking notice of his room mate as well.
"It's nothing." Neville grit out as he refused to look at his friends.
Hermione looked like she was about to comment before a bang erupted from the front of the room. Seated at the desk cloaked in old dusty robes was a grim fellow. His fist firmly planted on the wooden table. The class observed the man, stunned as no one was sure how he had managed to get in the room. Harry was stunned for an entirely different reason and he gulped slightly at what he knew was to come…Pain.
"My names Tiberius Connely. I Train Special Aurors to become Certified Order Of the Phoenix Soldiers. I have fifty four years of experience fighting as an Auror my self, and another 24 as a lieutenant for the Order. You all may refer to me as Sir." The man finished with a fierce smile, promising something unpleasant to the person who would make him unhappy.
'They're goes my vacation away from the man.' Harry groaned as he prepared him self mentally for his usual torture.
"I will only be here until November… After which you will have a different teacher. I am used to well trained personal under my tutelage. People who have earned my respect with their skills and talents. Instead of compensating and allowing for your inexperience… you will compensate and provide me with What I have and will continue to expect from my students; Skill, talent, and a drive to better yourself. Any foolish, childish behaviour and you will be out of my class and studying on your own until you get your new teacher. "Is that clear." He glared at the class some how making each and every person in the room feel like he was glaring at them specifically.
No one said anything but a clear, acquiescence was palpable in the air. Harry swore the man grinned slightly before pivoting and heading back to his desk. Waving his right hand quickly in a gesture of violent dismissal sheets of papers flew all around him and placed themselves in front of each student.
" These are your spell outlines. You will notice a corresponding date beside each spell listed. By the date indicated I expect you all to have that spell mastered and ready to perform for me. You are responsible for learning how to use the spell. You may come to me for assistance if you are having trouble but If I find any one who has not learned to master a spell by the given time period… lets just say I haven't decided yet on an appropriate punishment." The man said all this while keeping his back from the class. If he had he would have noticed the paling and slightly outraged faces of some of the students. The list was long and seemed to ratio out to 3 spells per date.
Harry was pleased to note that the first 6 classes and the 14th, the D.A. Students had already mastered or were close to mastering before they were forced to end the year before. Harry was caught up well into the 84th spell listed having been drilled by the man all summer.
"For now… Lets Have some Fun" The man grinned a familiar grin as he brought out some of his toys.
:-..-..-..-..-:
"The mans insane!" Ron declared loudly as he finally exited his own personal hell.
"I don't know… he seemed to be holding back" Harry said in slight disappointment. Each of his friends looked at him in appalled wonder.
Realizing he hadn't told them, "Oh…. He's the guy who I've been training with… good old sir" Harry smiled in remembrance.
"That's the man you've been training under." Ron said in horrified horror.
Even Hermione didn't try and defend him as she was too busy rubbing her shoulder from where she had been zapped a couple times.
The class had partaken in what Harry like to call, a light work out. The man had magicked their tables into different towers and obstacles and had the class fight it out between each other. The catch was that he was also going to be involved. He didn't hold back as he indiscriminately launched spells at anyone standing still long enough.
In the end Harry had obviously won out of his entire class and stayed conscious long enough to battle his teacher to a standstill for a good 7 minutes before Sir called the exercise off.
He was holding back in a sense, as he wasn't tossing any of the more painful curses he had been using on Harry during the summer, but he did toss more than a few that would leave his class beyond tender.
Sir had left a letter on Harry's notebook before proceeding to reawaken his students. Giving Harry time enough to read and hide his letter.
" Tonight and every night; 9:30 sharp, Great Hall, don't be late. No one is to know under Professor Dumbledore's Orders." Was all that was written.
Unsure whether Dumbledore had meant his own friends as well Harry decided that he wouldn't mention it to them either.
Harry quickly said goodbye to his friends as they left for separate classes. Not planning to see them until later when they were going to start Hagrids class, Harry grabbed his potions book, some supplies, and headed to the room of requirement.
Concentrating on the what he needed as he walked past the stone wall Harry watched as a door materialized.
Walking inside Harry gaped at what he saw.
He got his request, a potions lab…. Slightly bigger and brighter than Snapes with counters instead of wooden desks to prepare his potions on. A nice comfy swivel chair like the ones muggles made, and a lot of fake windows making the room much brighter. What had him gaping though was the hundreds if not thousands of feathers flowing in a circle around the ceiling.
They created a giant ring of black as they continued to circle.
Thinking that he wanted to see one of the feathers up close, a single feather exited the continually circling ring, and floated down onto Harry's waiting hand.
More than disturbed Harry looked at the rooms creation.
It was the same feather in his dreams… sans the bloody tip. It felt slightly waxy to the touch and it gleamed unnaturally but other than that… it was just a simple feather. No different than any other birds.
Pocketing the feather Harry considered leaving now and coming back to do his potions work later… but decided to stay and study, bringing up the incident with his instructor and maybe Dumbledore tonight.
Thinking firmly Harry focused on the feathers above him.
Almost hesitantly Harry watched as the feathers one by one started to vanish. Soon the ceiling was bare of any moving object. With a relieved sigh Harry checked his pocket for the feather he pocketed and headed to the table with a cauldron waiting.
Unpacking his notebook, a quill and the outline professor McGonagall had delivered, Harry cracked open the notes to see what professor Snape planned on teaching his students.
With a quirked eye Harry looked over the step by step notes and comments for the potion listed with warnings and varying different reactions based on deviating from the recipe.
This was far more detailed than what they were given in class. Harry looked over at the list of varying reactions based on mistakes made and could see himself making more than a few of these, when he tried to imagine Neville, he could almost see him exploding a cauldron when stirring with a silver spoon instead of a wooden one.
Harry was sure that if he were in the class he would be given a abbreviated recipe on the board and told to get to work. Never once knowing all the possible ways he could go wrong, only the truly thorough students like Hermione, who practically memorized their text books could truly succeed in the class.
Deciding not to stoop to Snapes level, Harry decided he would save his judgement until he got to question Hermione on the class, she being the only one amongst his close group of friends who was taking the class.
Reading further Harry was surprised to find detailed drawings of wand movements. Harry had to admit that if Snape had done them, he had some artistic talent.
The spell, the wand movement described appeared to be a form of magical charging charm. Looking through the notes Harry saw similar drawings describing different wand movements. Apparently sixth year potions did require some foolish wand waving after all.
Checking the date, at the bottom of the page, and most of the others, Harry found that they were just ten years old. Some more recent than others but all starting around 1986.
Harry deciding to practice the wand movement before starting the potion first cracked open his text book hoping to find a description of the spell. After some searching, he found a description. The spell itself was used in varying fields to imbue objects and other subjects with a limited supply of magic. Like charging a battery. In the case of potions, it was used to elevate the natural magical levels to a desired level giving potions different strengths and characteristics.
Finding a description of the correct casting, which thankfully had a very distinctive orange hue to it. Harry practiced the charm on a piece of slightly dry mandrake root.
Half an hour into his self teaching he had finally managed to get the spell correct and watched as the root glowed a fruity orange color for a few minutes before fading.
The spell left the caster heavily drained for a few moments before they started to regain their strength. It was purely a mental affliction, and in no way took magic away from the person casting it, but it did hinder the caster in that they had trouble concentrating momentarily.
This seemed troubling in the fact that after casting the spell in potions one had to usually tweak their potions in varying ways or else ruin their potion….or worse.
Harry had to admit he was a little intimidated by the prospect, memories of Snape plaguing his mind, condemning his potion talent, diminishing his already starved confidence.
Firmly telling his mind to shut up, Harry decided to at least attempt it first before giving up.
Looking at the potion, a mild sleep aid. No where near as potent as dreamless sleep but still capable of knocking Harry unconscious for a good 3 hours, Harry gathered his ingredients.
'I can do this… its not so difficult… drop oleander powder, stir, increase heat, stir, drop boomslang and salt water, use spell… and so forth… not hard at all.' Harry thought to himself.
With a deep breath, Harry dropped the indicated amount of oleander powder.
After waiting a good 30 seconds Harry was slightly worried when the water inside hadn't turned a yellowish green. Reading over the outline and finding no reason why it shouldn't have already turned. Harry checked the bottle he held the powder in.
It looked and seemed fine.
"Maybe it's the room?" Harry said aloud. Looking at the cauldron full of cold water and unreactive powder, Harry studied his situation.
'Hold on…' Harry paused as something hit him. "Cold?"
Looking at the nonexistent fire… Harry could only laugh as he had forgotten to set the pot to boil before he started.
More relaxed after the stupid mistake than embarrassed by it Harry evanescoed the contents and started a new. A Calm smile playing across his face as he worked on his potion.
:-..-..-..-..-:
Walking down the halls, Harry made his way toward the great hall with a spring in his step. He had managed the potion just fine on his own and his confidence skyrocketed at the fact. His ego boosted greatly by proving Snape wrong.
Harry had idled away the rest of his time redoing the potion three more times and then studying for runes… finally memorizing atleast a third of the runes he had already used; which was impressive in and of itself as he had used many in his experimentations with the exercises. Harry could only smile widely as he turned a corner.
"Ouf" In a remarkable display of déjà vu, Harry let out a grunt of surprise as he bumped into a shorter figure.
Not having as much force as he had this morning, neither toppled over but the other person firmly held on to Harry's arms, and like wise, Harry held on to her waist to keep themselves steady.
"Hello Harry" a familiar voice declared within Harry's arms.
"Hi Luna… we got to stop meeting like this." Harry greeted as he looked down into the large pale eyes of his crash buddy.
A multitude of soft tinkling laughter the two turned to their heads to face the noise makers.
Harry and Luna turned to see a group of first year girls giggle at them as they quickly passed by heading into the great hall.
Automatically, the two students stepped away from each other and dropped their hands from holding the other as they noticed the over observant eyes of the children. Neighter looking directly into the others eyes.
"Well, that would be to bad… it's a little fun." Luna said with a smile as she took a step back from Harry. Her cheeks slightly red, 'probably from trying to regain her breath after getting the wind knocked out of her' Harry thought resolutely shutting his mind down, preventing it from thinking of any other reason.
"Well I suppose it is…" Harry said with a smile as he walked over to the already open door and waited for Luna to walk in first.
Tilting her head acknowledging the gesture, Luna walked in, ahead of Harry.
Taking a look down Gryffindor table Harry saw that his friends had not arrived yet.
Frowning slightly as he spotted Pauline and her siblings waving excitedly at him, Harry contemplated what todo next.
"Join me?" Luna asked. Harry turned to face the girl who was saving him from the family. With an ample amount of gratitude, Harry smiled happily at her.
"You have no idea how glad I am that you asked." Harry said with relief as he followed the girl with the slightly redder cheeks.
Shrugging unapologetically at the trio of gryffindors Harry followed Luna to her table.
He hadn't received any of the jeers he had the last time he had sat down as most of the Slytherin upperclassmen were not present yet, but he did get more than his share of stares and whispers.
Ignoring them the best he could Harry focused on the girl beside him.
"So tell me what's been going on lately. I haven't been able to talk to you in a while." Harry asked as he passed Luna a plate of sandwiches a more than willing second year Ravenclaw had handed him.
Grabbing what appeared to be a turkey sandwich, she took on a thoughtful expression as she replied.
"Actually, everyone's been acting strangely." She remarked with the ever persistent frown deepening slightly as she served herself some crisps and offered Harry some.
"How so…?" Harry asked as he wondered what could seem strange to the girl who believed creatures inhabited mistletoe.
"Well, a lot of the girls have been giving me strange looks and asking me to study with them, or have a chat." At Harry's unremarkable reaction Luna further explained.
"That doesn't usually happen you see. And they've been acting strange, helping me carry my things, telling me that I dropped something, holding a door open for me." The girl explained as she bit into her sandwich.
"Is that all, it just sounds like there being nice?" Harry commented as he too bit into a sandwich.
Stopping to place a hand in front of her mouth as she continued to eat, she swallowed abruptly. " But its strange for me… usually by now, I have to write a letter to daddy asking for a replacement textbook as one of mine would have gone missing, or someone would accidentally knock my things over and not have time to help me pick them up… as I said, people are acting weird." Luna commented blankly with her familiar dreamy voice. Harry could tell by her voice at the beginning of her speech, that these incidents were standard for her, and they were having an effect on her, even if she did hide it well.
Wondering what that dreamy exterior actually protected, Harry could only smile soothingly at the girl.
" well, I'm not sure why their acting differently, but its about time. Maybee they just want to get to know you… be your friends." Harry said resolutely. Offering up a optimistic theory to the girl.
"Maybe…" She conceded, humouring Harry. He could hear the doubt in her voice but there was a hint of hope that shone in those pale grey eyes of hers that left Harry feeling warm inside.
"What about you Mister Potter, save any damsels in distress or fight off a dragon?" she asked changing the subject with a teasing smile.
"Just looking for the right damsel… did the dragon thing in 4th year." Harry deadpanned playing along.
"Well don't look to hard, the damsels sound like bad eggs, if I were you, I'd stay home and find yourself a nice wench." She said with a serious face as she took a lard bite out of a crisp.
Harry could only snort as they argued the fine points of damsels vs. wenches for the rest of their lunch period before he was pulled away from the conversation by a frowning Hermione. It was an inopportune moment as Harry was about to ask what she was, a wench or a damsel.
Harry waved goodbye to the girl as Hermione who appeared to be annoyed by something dragged him and a equally curious Ron to Care of Magical Creatures.
:-..-..-..-..-:
"What's with Hermione?" Harry finally got to ask his friend as they left care of magical creatures.
Hagrid had introduced to the class, a bat like creature with a sinewy tale and birds beak that let out a noise that nullified any sound within the area. Making the class mute until they either shut the bird up or evacuated the area.
They had spent the entire class writing notes to each other trying to communicate.
"I'm not sure?" Ron admitted, perplexed by the girl. The girl in question had quickly walked away from class to head to her arithmancy class. The thing was that she had not looked at Harry or Ron at all during the entire class.
"She was fine before class, and then she suddenly went all…" Waving his hand in frustration Ron finally waved at the castle where they had last seen their female friend last. "...That!"
"Were you guys arguing or something?" Harry asked cautiously, as Ron seemed a little wound up himself.
Ron opened his mouth to say something heated but decided to take a breath and more calmly responded. "No, we were getting on fine. She was explaining something about what sprout had mentioned the day before, Susan passed by, said hi to us then we got in to the great hall and we spotted you… and Hermione's like 'that'!" Ron said with a more refined version of his previous hand gestures.
Not entirely sure what to make of it Harry could only frown and shrug as the two friends made their way to the Gryffindor common room.
Hearing a fluttering of wings Harry turned to see a pigeon perched along the open window of the corridor they were walking. Watching as the bird raised a wing and preened its feathers Harry remembered his incident today.
"Hey, strange thing happened with the room of requirement." Harry said immediately as he searched his pockets for the feather.
At the curious look Harry explained the flying ring of feathers that had appeared in the room as he continued to search himself for the feather.
"I took one… I know I had it in my pocket somewhere?" Harry commented as they stopped in front of the fat lady.
Taking off his backpack and unzipping it he searched for the feather inside.
"Maybe you lost it?" Ron suggested as he leaned over Harry's shoulder to take a look.
With a surprised look he immediately questioned…" Why do you have a towel in there…"
Harry answered automatically…" from this morning… I think I did loose it… damn." Harry cursed, missing the looks Ron was giving him. Nor the intrigued looks the fat lady gave him as she eyed the boy and his backpack with a gleam in her painted eye.
It was another few hours where Harry spent relaxing with his friends in the common room. Hermione entering to find her friends in a game of exploding snap. Her mood much more improved as she talked with them. Neither wanting to ruin her brief moment of calm, decided not to ask her about her previous behaviour. She still frowned every now and then but she was much friendlier.
"Harry, you should probably study for potions, I've got the notes from Snapes class here; I'll help you make the potion…" Hermione said as Harry was deciding on what to do with his bishop.
Distractedly Harry replied "Its okay Hermione… I don't need to…"
"Harry, you can't fall behind, potions is much more complex this year as well. We have to apply spells to our potions for one." Hermione scolded as she pulled out a notebook and her wand.
Harry irritated as she was distracting him, cut in as she was about to add more.
"Hermione, I don't need to study…"
"Harry…" She tried to interrupt with a disapproving frown.
Raising his hand abruptly in a sign for her to stop as he continued to stare at the board Harry continued in a more firm voice.
"As I was saying, I don't need to study because I already did." Harry explained with finality.
He turned to observer her less than impressed face.
"What?" Harry asked in confusion.
"It's not just reading the book you have to actually be able to make the potion." Hermione reprimanded, incorrectly assuming Harry had only stared at his course notes for an hour.
"Obviously…" Harry said as he rolled his eyes. Digging into his backpack he pulled out a vile of clear purple liquid. His best attempt with the potion.
"I'm not an idiot Hermione… That's the potion Snape was supposed to teach you to make today." Harry tossed her the firmly capped vile and let her see for herself, as he stared at her in annoyance.
Fumbling and almost dropping the vile Hermione stared hard at the liquid and uncorked it to take a hesitant sniff.
"You cast the spell?" she questioned as she stared at the liquid.
"I did"
"Which spell?"
"The Charging spell… the boomslang skin and salt water glowed orange." Harry said, correctly anticipating her next question.
Closing her mouth as she was about to ask the question he already answered she frowned at the vile before declaring.
"You need to practice… it's too dark. You made a mistake some where." Hermione announced tossing the vile back at her friend.
"It is not… the notes clearly stated that it was supposed to be a clear violet. This shade" Harry defended, annoyed that the girl was criticizing his work. The hard work he had done that had boosted his self confidence and had given him a sense of pride.
"It is. You need to practice" She declared resolutely, a frown upon her face as she crossed her hands across her chest and stared at her friend.
"You can't be lazy Harry, if you don't get a good grade in potions you can't become an auror."
"Magical Researcher" Harry corrected.
"Yes that…" Hermione dismissively waved aside. This angered Harry for some reason, as if she was dismissing Harry himself.
"I'm not being lazy, I just don't see the need to go over it again as I already covered it." Harry said with frustration. Harry remembered the argument that took place during the summer. Not wanting to drag Ron into this as Harry looked over and noticed the apprehensive looks he was sending each of them, Harry tried to calm his tone down. Also not wanting to add another rumour into the gossip mill that was Hogwarts as the common room still held more than a few gossip starved classmates who would no doubt spread word about their inevitable blow up.
"Look can we not do this… I've studied, and I'm caught up with all my subjects." Technically Harry was ahead, as he had studied well into the second week of runes via Remus's notes and he was much farther ahead in defence than anyone else.
"Harry, I know you. You need to study more. Knowing you and Ron, you probably only glanced at the notes for your other subjects. You don't pay attention to things when you don't have to. Why if it wasn't for me…" Hermione paused her speech thinking better of what she was about to say.
'To hell with it!' Harry thought, angered by what she was insinuation.
"If it wasn't for you what?" Harry asked dangerously. Ron too, seemed interested by her answer as he frowned at the girl imperceptibly.
"Look, you two know that with out me you would have probably done far worse on your O.W.L.'s than you did. I know how you two study… you need me." Hermione said confidently.
"Is that what you think?" Harry asked emotionlessly.
"Look I'm not calling you dumb or anything, you have a lot of good qualities, but you need someone like me to help you focus on your studies." She explained kindly taking Harry's emotionless question for hurt.
She was wrong. It was anger. 'Is this what she really thinks of me.' Knowing Ron, he too was probably thinking somewhere along the same lines as himself. Harry looked up into Hermione's eyes, startling her with his glare.
Grabbing his bag and pocketing his vile of potion Harry stood.
"Sorry Ron, I don't really feel like chess right now." Harry said calmly to his friend as he took his leave of the common room in anger.
"Harry…" Hermione said cautiously. Realizing she had not used enough tact in her explanation.
She didn't get a reply in return as Harry closed the portrait door shut as he walked away from Gryffindor tower.
:-..-..-..-..-:
It was a determined Harry who had hidden in one of the dungeon classrooms that were abandoned.
He was surrounded by his textbooks, wanting to prove Hermione wrong, he spent the next 6 hours studying as much as he could. He was frustrated though as he was having trouble retaining the knowledge.
Looking down into his charms book he read a sentence blankly as he replayed the conversation over and over in his mind.
"You can't be lazy Harry…"
"…with out me you would have probably done far worse…"
Images of her frown and disapproval flashed across his mind. Then other images flooded in. His cousin calling him a freak, His aunt telling him he was worthless, His uncle wishing he had never suffered his presence.
Looking down at the page Harry realized he had been reading the same page over and over for the last half hour, Harry slammed the book shut and threw it at the stone wall.
"You made a mistake ..."
"You don't pay attention…"
"…I know you."
Huffing in frustrated anger Harry proceeded to throw the rest of his things against the walls.
"…I know you."
From outside the room no one would have heard the deafening crashes of objects smashing against stone or other objects as Harry proceeded to vent his frustration at anything within reach. Harry had placed a silencing spell on the doors as to not notify anyone of his presence… now it was protecting him from anyone finding him in a rage.
Panting in unsatisfied weariness. Harry leaned against a wall and took in his handiwork.
The room was a disaster… books with bent pages and some half torn out lay strewn around the room… the tables which had obviously been charmed to withstand more force than would appear possible lay at odd angles around the room as Harry had toppled more than a few. Unfortunately one or more chairs had not survived his encounter.
All Harry could hear and see though was the faces of Snape, Vernon, Petunia, Umbridge, Fudge, and many others who criticized him throughout the years.
Harry was sad to note that now Hermione's face had joined their ranks of his mental tormenters, declaring him an idiot, declaring him unworthy, declaring him unwanted.
Harry felt a wetness on his cheeks and with fierceness, quickly scrubbed at his face trying to rid himself of the sign of his weakness.
'No… I wont… I'm better than that… I'll show her…' Harry declared. Challenging himself to prove to Hermione and himself, that he was much more than what anyone knew him to be.
"I'll show her…" Harry verbally whispered to himself as he removed all evidence of his emotional outburst from the room.
:-..-..-..-..-:
"Your early Potter….good." Sir congratulated as Harry walked into the great hall.
"Sir" Harry said stiffly as he stood in front of the man. Unconsciously taking on a stance similar to Bobs and many other Order members in the presence of the man.
He only smiled a little smugly before quickly turning away.
The room was the same as usual. The sky played out across the ceiling and the four empty house tables stood firm. The only difference was the desolate appearance of the room. All decoration and banners had been removed and the room seemed hauntingly barren. A Ghost of its more cheerful warm standard.
"I don't have all my equipment with me so we can't run all the drills I put you through before… and obviously I can't have you work out as long as you were at the Citadel… but from now until 11:00 you will train for the rest of the year… don't make any plans." He warned as he let his hand glide over the surface of the hufflepuff table.
Turning quickly he pulled his wand, and shot a silent blue beam at Harry as he had already leaped over said table and made his way to the front of the room.
Harry having expected the move emotionlessly avoided the spell as he ran along the Ravenclaw table shooting as fast as he could at the man.
They had reached a stage in their training where they had stopped using words in their incantations, forcing their opponent to dodge spells cast, never knowing whether the spell being shot at them was a stunner, or cutter.
The inconvenience of loosing some of the control with silent casting was made up in spades by the indecision and caution the technique provoked in the enemy.
"Good potter. Now I'm going to teach you a new trick today." The man called while shooting out a couple of invisible ripples at the teen.
Harry also used to this style of teaching, continued to fire back spells while listening to the man explain to him some new technique or spell.
"I like to call it, mining." The man called.
Harry suddenly stopped his forward momentum feeling an odd shudder in his gut as he took another step ahead.
Harry saw a surprised look cross his teachers face as he paused his casting to look at his pupil.
Harry who had not stopped casting spells at the man stopped as the man raised his wand and shot out purple sparks that illuminated the room in a violet glow.
The signal, their own way of knowing to stop their attack.
"Impressive Potter", the man called as he lept back over the hufflepuff table and strided over to Harry from near the front of the room.
"Sir?"
A frown marred the mans face. His sharp nose and greying hair accentuating the small facial gesture.
"You did study the technique ahead, didn't you?" The man asked.
"I don't think so sir. I'm still not sure what the technique is sir." Harry remarked.
"Then how did you know to stop. Or was that luck?" The man questioned as he inspected the youth.
"I'm not sure, I just felt a strange feeling in my stomach as I got closer." Harry said with confusion. Quickly adding in "sir" as it was expected of him. A sign of discipline and respect he had been drilled earlier on.
" Well that isn't right… " the man claimed with a frown.
" Are you proficient with leglimency?" The man asked suspiciously.
"No Sir. I don't even know Occlumency, Sir." Harry admitted.
"Your sure… and it was because of this 'feeling' you stopped, you sure you didn't get indigestion… this was in response to my spell mining?" The man asked with an odd gleam in his eye.
"No, It wasn't indigestion, it was different, like a portkey but vibrating Sir." Harry stated.
"Odd… well I suppose we will just have to test this out… first let me teach you what spell mining is." The man commanded.
"Spell mining is the mental projection of a spell in an empty space. By spell mining you take away the velocity factor in a spell like a stunner for example, and instead force the spell to appear floating in any position around you." The man explained authoritatively.
Harry was intrigued by the technique; already seeing the many possible ways of exploiting the spell.
" I will teach you later how to hide the spell… but for now lets get you casting a spell."
Recognizing the command Harry raised his wand to a ready position and awaited his instructions.
"Now I want you to look around the room once more… memorize what it looks like… where everything is and recreate the image within your mind. Tell me when you have it." The man demanded.
Harry looked around the room observing the position of the tables and benches, the teachers table, the beams above him and his position somewhere in the middle of the room between Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables.
"I'm ready" Harry declared as he visualized the room.
"Good, now what I want you to do is concentrate on a Lumos spell. See its effect in your mind… feel how the light feels as it hits your skin, anything that you associate with that spell I want you to concentrate your mind on it until you can basically see it with in your mind." The man instructed.
Harry closed his eyes, recalling every aspect of the spell.
"Now within your mind place your imagined Lumos anywhere within the room and make it a part of your picture of the room." The man said in a low calm tone that soothed Harry.
Harry did as the man asked and placed the spell within his mental room of the great hall.
At Harry's nod that he had done so the man just said, "Then Cast it."
Harry did so, silently casting the spell with the image in his mind. A pulse seemed to vibrate up the shaft of his wand.
Immediately his closed eyes felt the burn of a bright light shining through his eyelids.
Opening them warily, Harry saw that the ball of light floated directly above the teachers table straight ahead, completely separate from his wand.
A trickle of smug pride flashed across his mind as he imagined Hermione's face if she could see him now.
"Very good potter. I hadn't expected for you to get it on your first try." The man praised.
"Thank you sir." Harry said graciously not being able to hide the pride in his voice.
"Now… you are going to mask the spell." The man said resolutely as he took a step back.
"How sir?" Harry asked.
"You figure it out… you know the basics… learn quickly!" the man called as he re-jumped over the hufflepuff table firing curses at Harry.
Before Harry could fire back the man called.
"I'm forbidding you from casting another spell tonight that isn't mined somewhere in the room. Get cracking potter." He goaded as he continued to fire spells at the dodging Harry.
It would be another hour and three separate enervates till Harry finally figured out how to mask the spell properly… he still had to practice casting his spells faster as he rapidly imagined the spell effects often inches away from his instructor only to find the man already moving away from the spot.
Harry had made major progress that night, but he had a long way to go…
"I'll show her…" he whispered to himself as he stalked down the lonely corridors of Hogwarts; tired and hurt in more ways than even he could understand.
AN: Well here you go… Managed to write another chapter in between classes. The beginning was a spoof on all those Azkaban Harry's where he's convicted under the most ludicrous pretences, not to mention all the outrageous betrayals. I do admit I do have quite a few Azkaban favourites so I'm not badmouthing the genre.
Some of you will probably be able to figure out what I have planned to happen next with my Harry/Luna angle. And some of you, if you work at it, and have read enough fanfiction, can finally understand why I named the story Blood Tipped feather. It takes some assumptions But I layed down a lot of clues in this chapter.
You may have complaints about Harry's constant mood swings this chapter. Well… I can understand that. He did do a lot of flip flopping, but I do have a reason for some of it… the rest just kind of happened as I wrote it. All in all it was a bad day when compared to the good bits for my Harry.
Neville gots himself a side plot… you guys can probably guess why he was agitated.
I'm thinking of dropping my Ginny subplot as it is just too much work to try and fit her into a chapter. If I do I'll probably tell you what I had planned. Not really original but it had its effects.
Before any of you complain about Harry's tears; I don't plan to make him cry every other chapter, but he's kind of… broken inside, and having a friend doubt him on top of his many doubts( I see him as having many doubts, like any teenager) really hit a nerve. Plus I needed a reason to set some other things in motion.
Notice Harry's doing a lot of impressive magic on his first few tries if not the first one entirely. He seems to be learning things much quicker than seems normal… What could the author be thinking? Hmmm?
Anyway… I don't promise another quick update as I hadn't even planned to update this chapter for another week. I found my laptop power adapter smoking a few days ago so I'm sure you can see that I'm having technical issues at the moment.
Literally smoke was coming out of it. It was freaken hot.
Anyway till next time
Quazi