I thank everyone who reviewed, and the newer folks who put this on their favorites and/or alert lists. Just a thought to those who are concerned: no, Danny is not done grieving. This will be an issue that will crop up from time to time, but last chapter was his first real release.

For the request to fast-forward to September, we'll get there. But first, Danny has to hang out with Myrtle. Maybe we'll move forward faster after the weekend.

I have yet to come up with a suitable entrance for Vlad to greet his first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I'm not sure of the theatrics involved, but I will work on it.

Disclaimer: I do not own either Danny Phantom or Harry Potter.

Chapter 10

Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared a glance at Danny's abrupt departure. "I wonder what that was about," said Ron.

The three of them walked silently to lunch, lost in their own thoughts of their meeting with the new student. The Great Hall was arranged in the same fashion as it was during the holidays without the decorations. The professors they knew – Professor Dumbledore, the Heads of House, Hagrid, and Firenze – were with a man who had his white hair held back in a ponytail, and wearing a Muggle business suit. They guessed that this was Professor Masters.

When they approached the table, Professor Masters demanded, "Where is Daniel?"

Taken aback by the force of his question, the three of them stopped still. "When we broke to come to lunch, Danny told us to go on ahead, saying he had to go," Harry answered.

Professor Masters shut his eyes tightly, putting a hand on his forehead. "Fudge buckets!" He exclaimed. "I knew it had to happen sooner or later. He's overcome by his loss." He steepled his hands before his face in thought, frowning. He looked up and noticed Nearly Headless Nick floating nearby, concern crossing Nick's face. "Sir Nicholas, please find him and say… something comforting." He shook his head in his own concentration as the addressed ghost nodded and left.

Snape started to ask, "But why would you –"

"That is between Daniel and me. Thank you." Vlad said icily, with finality.

Professor Dumbledore sat impassively as Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow. The other professors looked on in confusion, but only Snape registered shock. The three students didn't know what to make of this. Danny feeling a sense of loss made sense: the deaths only happened last Saturday. But why would his uncle send an emissary to comfort his nephew? And why choose a ghost, of all people?

Recognizing the tone from when Snape used it on Lockhart several years ago, the students realized that pursuing this further would not only be fruitless, it could possibly be dangerous.

Professor Masters stood up. "If anyone asks, I'll be in my room." With that, he turned on his heel and stalked out.

The room remained silent for a few moments. Snape broke the silence. "I imagine that if Daniel found the need for a moment to grieve, Professor Masters might need one of his own."

The tension at the table lifted. Lunch was quieter than it might ordinarily be because no one wanted to discuss the mysterious professor and his private but odd way of dealing with his nephew.

Once people started leaving the table, Harry and his friends approached Professor Dumbledore. "Um, professor? Do you have a moment?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Certainly. Let's meet in my office." He led the three of them to his office. "Pumpkin Pasties," he told the gargoyle, who sprang out of their way.

Once in the office, Professor Dumbledore offered the three students seats and lemon drops. "What's on your mind, Harry?"

"Well," he began, "it's Danny. We went over a few simple spells, but Danny wasn't able to perform any of them. He did produce an impressive shield wordlessly, but I've never seen a visible Shielding Charm."

Dumbledore's eyes widened at the mention of the shield. 'Fascinating,' he thought. 'Using a ghost-powered shield as a Shielding Spell. Well done!' "Danny will have difficulty producing many spells. I know Professor Snape wants you to work with him in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Concentrate more on showing him the spells, and make sure he knows the proper incantations that go with them."

"But…"

"Don't worry about results for this class," he said seriously, but in a far lighter tone, he continued, "Even so, you can do wonders while tutoring him in Potions."

Confusion spread across the faces of the three teens. "But I thought that Defense is best done practically," Harry protested.

"Yes, that is usually correct. You are just going to have to trust me on this. And even Professor Snape will understand. In Potions, however, I make no promises." The professor smiled enigmatically. "What do you think of our new student?"

Harry cycled through his thoughts. Some of them embarrassed him. "He seems to be okay, I guess. He must be brave if he rode Buckbeak and spoke to the Bloody Baron."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "From what I've heard, he's actually very brave indeed."

Hermione asked, "Professor, why are he and Professor Masters here so early?"

The professor took a moment before he answered the question. "The Death Eater attack was particularly vicious in his town. Practically the whole of his town was massacred. No Aurors were able to come in time. Unlike many of the attacks you hear reported, there were very few survivors from his entire town. We felt it would be easier to help them heal if we brought them to an entirely different location." While this was not the only reason he brought them here, it certainly was a valid one.

This answer brought the students to silence. After a minute, Hermione asked, "Why is Danny so far behind in his studies?"

"That is a very good question. Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to say. However, I might suggest that you ask him about his classes. I believe he will prove to be motivated."

Harry looked pointedly at Professor Dumbledore. "You told me at the end of last term that you would tell me everything."

Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Yes, Harry, I did. I will tell you everything pertaining to you, to the war with Voldemort, to the Wizarding World at large. However, Danny's situation was explained to me in confidence. It isn't my secret to tell. What I can tell you is that – for whatever reason – he is behind in his studies. Be patient with him in Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and don't worry about his failure in performance. But do catch him up in the other classes he's taking. He may surprise you."

After a delightful, informal lunch in the kitchens, where Dobby and a few other elves greeted him warmly, Danny went back outside with Sir Nicholas. Along the way, they were joined by the other House ghosts. (None of them wanted to lose an opportunity to just spend time with the lad.) Greatly cheered, Danny listened as the Bloody Baron regaled him with the tale of Sir Nicholas's 500th Deathday Party. Danny was torn between the desire to laugh in amusement or not, to spare Sir Nicholas's feelings.

"It was Halloween, 1992. Hundreds of ghosts showed up from all over the country," began the Baron.

With reluctant pride, Sir Nicholas said, "Yes. The Wailing Widow came all the way from Kent. I invited Harry and his friends. It was most exciting and satisfactory to me that they came. It almost made it worth it after Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore and the other members of the Headless Hunt came and made a mess of things." Shaking his head bitterly, he said, "They flaunt the fact that THEY'VE been properly decapitated. Nothing but a half inch of skin and sinew holding my head to my body, and they say that isn't – "

"Um," Danny interrupted, uncertain. "Skulker has been talking about wanting my head, or my 'pelt' on his wall," he shuddered. "The concept of a headless ghost must mean something very different to you than it does to me."

"It must mean something different per force, Danny. In the Wizarding World, if a spirit becomes a ghost, it bears traces of how it died." The Bloody Baron blushed, if you could call the rush of silver opacity that graced his face that. The Grey Lady looked away. The Fat Friar shook his head in resignation. Sir Nicholas continued, "We are mere shades, shadows of who we once were in life. There are reasons we've chosen not to go on, but we bear the scars of how we died.

"You, and most ghosts who reside in the Ghost Zone, are of a different sort. You actually interact physically with the living world. It is a wonder to us, but you handle yourself so well."

Danny blushed. "Um, thanks. But tell me about the party."

"Yes. There were black tapers glowing blue, an orchestra playing saws, decaying food graced the tables…" Sir Nicholas described.

Danny winced. "Eww…" The House ghosts stopped in shock. Suddenly aware that he mistakenly hurt their feelings, Danny tried to backtrack. "Sorry. It's just… last year, I visited the annual Christmas party in the Ghost Zone – LONG story – but the room was brightly lit. I'm sure Technus wouldn't have it any other way. Ember offered me Christmas goose, fresh out of an oven, completely fit for human consumption. Cheerful music played. And it was explained to me that ALL ghosts keep the Christmas truce. 'Even half-ghosts like me.' Skulker said so, and he's been after me since…well, a month or two after I first became a half-ghost."

Almost absently, he added, "If I don't have other plans by then, I hope to go this year. This time, it wouldn't be incidental to… whatever, but on purpose."

"Perhaps at another time, we'll show you a magically enhanced natural portal we sometimes use to shorten travel time to various places in Britain." Sir Nicholas confided. The other ghosts nodded, but the Bloody Baron wasn't done with his part in telling the story.

"Right. But you forgot the best part of the story of the party, Sir Nicholas. You started to – or rather, you TRIED to start giving your speech, when Sir Patrick started playing Head Hockey with the others from the Headless Hunt. I'd say Sir Patrick scored a goal, with his head soaring right past Sir Nicholas at the opening salutations." Sir Nicholas covered his eyes. "The rest of the party cheered. We thought the party started properly with that." He grinned. "Sorry, Sir Nick. But honestly…"

"Students coming at nine o'clock," Danny announced. The House ghosts looked up to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Sir Nicholas traded his expression of exasperated mortification at the Baron's telling of his least favorite moment of his Deathday Party for joy. "Ah, we were just talking about you. I am still grateful that all of you came to my 500th Deathday Party."

Harry smiled awkwardly. "It was nothing, Nick." Ron and Hermione blushed, thinking not so much of the party, but the unfortunate incident afterwards. Ron's memory of the decayed food turned him a little nauseous, before he thought of the writing on the wall, announcing the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry continued, "Danny, how are you doing?"

Danny smiled. "Better, thanks."

Hermione asked, "What happened?"

Danny sighed. "I noticed that you three are best friends, two guys and a girl. My best friends were also a guy and a girl. Sam and Tucker." At a look of confusion, Danny made an annoyed noise with his throat. "Samantha." Oh. "They were the best friends a guy could ever hope to have. If you are anywhere near that close, I suggest that you don't take that friendship for granted."

Eyebrows went up at such sage advice from a fellow teen, but it was completely understandable. Ron asked, "What was your family like?"

Danny smiled. "It was the four of us: my parents, my older sister Jazz, and me. My parents were very much in love, sometimes embarrassingly so. But that love was awesome, and spilled over to Jazz and me." To the continual annoyance of Vlad, Danny thought. His smile brightened. "Jazz was very protective of me. Sometimes a little over protective, but she always meant well. All three of them were brilliant. Jazz was at the top of her class, always." Hermione smiled. "I was more of a 'C' student. But I miss all of them so much."

The trio nodded. Harry asked, "What did your parents do?"

Danny tensed. "I'd prefer not to talk about it." The ghosts nodded.

Ron saw that the House ghosts knew what was going on. He wanted to know, too. "Why?"

Danny looked down. "It's complicated, and I don't want to get into it."

Time to change topics, Ron decided. "What is up with your uncle?" Hermione jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow – it was obvious that Professor Masters wasn't interested in this being discussed. One look at Danny told them that he wasn't interested, either.

"We are SO not going there!" The three students looked wide-eyed at him. "This much I'll tell you. He was happy to take me in when my parents died, but I miss my parents very much. And we'll leave it at that."

"You're very lucky that way," Harry sighed. Danny looked curious. "Voldemort killed my parents when I was a baby. I live with my mother's sister, my Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin, Dudley." He frowned bitterly. "They hate me for being a wizard. They always have. And Dudley hates me just because."

It was Danny's turn to be sympathetic. "I'm very sorry to hear it, Harry." With a respectful pause and a crooked smile, he said, "I'm pretty sure Uncle Vlad took an interest in me because of what I am." Only after the words left his lips did he realize what he had said. He paled, hoping he didn't say too much. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared, absorbing this interesting bit of information. Danny looked at all the students and ghosts, and whispered in a panic, "Please don't tell him I told you."

Confused, Harry, Hermione, and Ron shared a quick glance and nodded. "Okay. Your…" Harry wanted to say, 'Your secret is safe with us,' but he realized that Danny hadn't told them any useful information. He shrugged. "We won't tell."

The ghosts just looked on in complete understanding. "You know your secrets are safe with us." Harry noticed the multiple secrets mentioned by the ghosts.

Danny relaxed, the tension visibly dropping. "Thanks. You don't know how much that means to me. All of it."

Sir Nicholas noticed the sun's position in the sky. "You might want to head back to the castle and get ready for dinner."

When they got to the Great Hall, Professor Masters had come back, this time wearing red wizard robes. Danny was reminded of the underside of Plasmius's cape. Professor Masters spoke to Professor Flitwick, but paused when he caught sight of Danny. He smiled at Danny's return and resumed his conversation.

Hermione decided to follow Professor Dumbledore's advice, and asked, "Danny, what courses will you be taking?"

Danny looked thoughtful as he recalled. Gesturing to Vlad, he said, "Defense Against the Dark Arts, of course. And then Potions, Herbology, Charms," he winced a little, "Astronomy, History of Magic, and Care of Magical Creatures." He rolled his eyes. "And because Uncle Vlad decided that 'a well-rounded education wouldn't be complete without them,' he's giving me private lessons in English lit and Business math, in addition to extra Defense tutoring."

Ron whistled in appreciation. Hermione said, "That is quite a selection. I'm also taking seven classes, but all of us will be in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Potions. We are also taking Transfiguration. I am continuing Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

Danny winced again. "Good luck with that."

Vlad turned his attention back to Danny. "Daniel, I spoke to Professor Dumbledore earlier. You will take the NEWT for Muggle Studies next week."

Danny punched a fist in the air. "Yes!"

The Gryffindors looked at Danny strangely. Harry asked, "Why are you taking a NEWT exam in Muggle Studies?"

Danny grinned madly. "Because I'm testing out of the class."

Vlad was amused by Danny's antics. "Yes. On a practice exam, he scored 320 percent." He was still proud.

Hermione looked deflated. "I got that in Muggle Studies in Third Year, but on NEWT level? And before Sixth Year? Wow." Danny continued to smile, but was confused at Hermione's darkened expression.

Ron eyed Danny suspiciously. "Why does a Slytherin care enough about Muggles and Muggle Studies to test out of it?"

"We're back to that again, huh?" Danny crossed his arms.

Professor Snape swooped down to their end of the table. "Daniel, we need to have a little chat. It can wait until tomorrow, but no later."

Danny was surprised at Professor Snape's urgency. "Uh, okay."

Professor Snape decided, "Meet me in my office after breakfast."

Danny said, "I'll be there." The professor nodded and went back to his seat farther down the table. Danny was confused by the alternatively curious glances he received and the vicious glare his fellow students aimed at Professor Snape. "You don't like him very much, do you?"

Harry, remembering Hermione's rebuke, scaled down his response from his originally intended delivery. "In a word, no. For one thing, he blatantly favors Slytherins. Secondly, he's had it in for me since he first laid eyes on me in First Year." He had no interest in sharing the Occlumency debacle with this new student, but he figured this much he would share. "He didn't get along with my father, and they were in the same year in Hogwarts."

"That's rough." Danny was unaware of the politics involved here. Then he experienced déjà vu: Vlad and his father didn't get along since college. Well… at least, Vlad was the one who hated his father. Part of Vlad's hate stemmed from the accident that caused the Ecto-Acne as well as his ghost powers. And the main part was over his mother, and later, him.

In any event, Danny didn't have the full picture of Harry's father and the professor, but he didn't think it was appropriate to ask further. Lost in his thoughts, he finished eating quietly until Vlad collected him for Powers Training.

8