First of all, I want to thank the people who have read, reviewed, and put this fic (or me) on your favorite and/or alert lists. There are many more of you, and I want to welcome you aboard. In thanks, I offer you pumpkin pie and butterbeer.

Anyone who can figure out which line I lifted (and gave a slightly new context) from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban gets an extra doughnut of your favorite flavor.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, or Shakespeare's "King Lear" or "Romeo and Juliet."

Chapter 37

Monday morning, Zacharias Smith left Professor Snape's office rather worse for the wear. His face was bright red, and he trembled. Professor Snape acidly listed all eight students he was distinctly unhelpful towards, gave him detention every night this week, and told him that if there was any hint of a repeat performance, he would not be among the student teachers any longer. And all of that was aside and apart from the verbal filleting he received from the Potions professor. Zacharias did not want to know about a second violation penalty.

With this in mind, he was startled as he heard a voice call out, "Ah, so the high and mighty Hufflepuff from last year's DA has graced us with his presence."

Zacharias saw Pansy Parkinson and Tracey Davis leaning on the wall on either side of the office door. Pansy's arms were crossed, and though he learned a lot in the DA last year, he recognized that he might be in trouble.

He straightened up and stared down the two Slytherin girls. "Professor Snape just finished with me, so yeah."

Tracey glared at him, putting her hand within easy reach of her wand. "And what, pray tell, had little Astoria done to you that she 'deserved what she got' and was beneath your notice as a tutor?"

Zacharias sighed. "Nothing, really. I just…" He threw his hands in the air. "Arg! What's the use? You won't listen anyway," he complained angrily.

Pansy narrowed her eyes. "You're probably right, but answer the question. There's no one in this hall to help you, and I'm sure the good professor won't mind if we distract you a bit."

Zacharias blew out a breath. "Fine. It wasn't personal against her. The fact is I don't like Potter. He's never answered certain things to my satisfaction, and while lots of people learned things… I don't know. I'm descended from Madam Hufflepuff, and it bothers me that Potter's Muggle-born best friend does better than I do."

In all honesty, he knew his excuse was lame. Justin didn't bother him, and he was just as skilled and Muggle-born as Hermione. Still, there was something about the Granger girl that irked him.

Tracey put her hands on her hips. "So the Mudblood is better than you. And this has what to do with Astoria?"

"Don't you see? Potter's trying to unite everyone. So, I figured I'd disturb Potter's program. Considering that the only House that's been left out until now was Slytherin, messing with the Slytherins was the path of least resistance."

Pansy stroked her chin. "Interesting. Tracey, I think we can work with this."

Both Tracey and Zacharias looked at her. Furrowing her brows, Tracey asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, there are a million reasons to mess with Saint Potter, not least of which is that he's thick as thieves with Danny."

Tracey stared at her. "But Professor Snape said…"

"Professor Snape doesn't seem to notice that his current favorite student takes all of my boyfriend's spare time and energy. Draco's hulking idiots Crabbe and Goyle will like whoever Draco tells them to, but at this point, they like Danny well enough on their own. But Draco's mine."

Tracey raised her eyebrows. "Interesting." Then she gave a knowing smile. "Right, then. It's good to know it's not just me, but it bothers me that a Slytherin actually recommended Harry Potter for anything. Just for that, we should give Danny a hard time."

Zacharias just looked at them. "What's Danny ever done to you?"

Tracey raised an eyebrow at him. "And what's Astoria ever done to you?"

Pansy grinned nastily. "Hmm… We'll think of something to fix Harry and Danny. And you will go along, Smith, or…"

"I don't want to know. Breaking Potter's concentration won't make me lose any sleep. Tinkering with Professor Masters' nephew, on the other hand…"

Pansy snapped her fingers. "See, that's why it's best to leave the thinking to a Slytherin, Smith. The general idea you came up with is a good one, but for planning, you're useless."

"Hey!"

Tracey sneered. "We'll let you know when we come up with something. But now we've got Charms." She poked him in the chest with a finger. "Not a word to anyone, or you'll regret it."

"Fine." Zacharias sighed. In for a Knut, in for a Galleon. If toying with Danny was the price of ruining Potter's plans… he would do it. Now he was committed.

Monday at dinner, Harry looked thoughtful. Hermione asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Danny's Shield Charm. I asked Professor Snape about this, but he seemed reluctant to get back to me on it." Ron stifled a negative comment about the professor. "Hermione, are Charms the same everywhere?"

She looked at Harry. "How do you mean?"

Harry furrowed his brows. "Well… Does a spell manifest the same way everywhere? I mean, would it be the same here, on the Continent, in America, and elsewhere?"

"Of course it would, Harry. That was kind of the point of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. You and Cedric were able to pull off the same spells as Fleur and Viktor." Ron scowled, and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Those classes from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were in the same classes as our Seventh Years."

Harry asked quietly, almost to himself, "Then why is Danny's Protego different than ours? I thought it was because he's from America. Now…" Harry's eyes went wide. "We need to talk somewhere private after dinner."

Hermione and Ron looked at him strangely. Ron asked, "What's wrong, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "It's not so much that something's wrong, but we need to talk, and Professor Snape made it very clear that this topic has to be kept private, and I don't want to chance being overheard in the Common Room."

Hermione peaked her eyebrows. "Okay. We'll find an unused classroom after dinner."

When dinner was over, they waved at Danny as he left for his lessons with Professor Masters. Harry, Hermione, and Ron settled on a little-used classroom on the fourth floor. They found seats around a table. Ron asked, "Okay, Harry. What's this about?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot about Danny. And Danny Phantom. They just… seem very similar."

Hermione nodded slowly. "I've thought about that, too. I remember when Phantom…" She blushed, but said, "Well… he defended Myrtle against my disrespect of her. Danny sounded just like that when he defended Luna at the game on Saturday. And Harry, I remember when you said how similar Phantom sounded to Danny when they told you they didn't want to get you in trouble."

Ron thought for a moment. "So both Dannys are decent people who stand up for the rights of others. It's a beautiful thing. So what's the problem?"

Harry answered, "There is no problem, besides our curiosity about Danny's mystery. At dinner, I mentioned Danny's Shield Charm." The other two nodded at him. "His shield doesn't look like anyone else's. But when I saw Danny Phantom working with Professor Snape, Phantom produced a shield – not so much a Shield Charm, but a ghostly powered shield – just like Danny's."

Hermione shook her head. "What are you saying?"

Harry stared back blankly. "I don't know. They have similar gestures, similar voice patterns, similar attitudes. Ron, I don't think Fred and George are as similar as Danny Fenton and Danny Phantom, save their coloring, Phantom's echoing voice, and the fact that Danny Fenton is alive and Phantom is a ghost."

Ron snickered. "From what you're saying, the two Dannys are practically the same person."

"Ron!" Hermione cried. "How can you say that?"

Shrugging, Ron said, "I didn't mean anything by it. But it's an interesting game to think about. I mean, they're never in the same place at the same time."

"That we've seen so far," Hermione reminded. "Anyway, Phantom can duplicate, so that isn't a proof of anything."

Harry said, "They are so similar, they seem like they are the same person. But Danny is alive and Phantom is a ghost."

Hermione said, "The shield thing bothers me. I'm not sure why, yet."

Harry shook his head. "Wait a minute – there's one more thing. The Room of Requirement looked the same when I called it up for Danny and Professor Masters as it did when Professor Snape tested Danny Phantom." He stopped. "Oh. My. Word. NO!"

Hermione put a hand over his. "What is it, Harry?"

"If… Danny Fenton and Danny Phantom are the same person… Danny Fenton can't cast a Charm to save his life. But Danny Phantom has all kinds of insane powers that go beyond any magic I can imagine. Some of the powers Phantom displayed could have been lethal, if they were used against a living person. Both of them are afraid of turning Dark. Danny Fenton's magic doesn't make sense when you heard how frightened he was when he talked about possibly turning Dark. If Phantom was that afraid… it would make a LOT more sense."

Ron said, "That makes sense, except for two small things. Danny looks just like you, Harry. Phantom has white hair, and sometimes doesn't even have legs."

Hermione pieced it together. "If the Dannys were the same person, somehow, that would make him half dead and half alive. A kind of… half-ghost. But that doesn't make sense. How can a person be half-dead and half-alive, and not be in a coma?"

"Hello? They still look different," Ron reminded.

Harry thought for a moment. "Animagi look different when they are in their other forms. If Danny is this 'half-ghost,' maybe he looks different when he's more alive, or looks more like me, than when he looks more… like a ghost."

Ron gasped, "Merlin!" This whole idea of a half-human/half-ghost person was beyond his experience, and it took his breath away. "So… let's say we're right. What do we do with this information?"

"Absolutely nothing, Ron. If Danny has kept this secret so far, he has a reason for it. That would explain why Professor Snape told me not to spread this information." Harry frowned sadly. "The Wizarding World isn't kind to hybrids, Ron."

Hermione mused, "You know… If we're right about this, that would explain… a lot. Danny said that Professor Masters was interested in what he was. And Professor Masters' whole DADA curriculum focuses on understanding partial humans. I wonder if he was getting Hogwarts ready to understand someone like Danny."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, that makes sense, among other things. Terry and Ernie seemed to figure out there's something different about Danny." He took a deep breath. "Danny, Professor Masters, and Professor Snape are not going to want anyone to know. Not Draco, not Ginny, no one. If Danny decides to talk about it, that's one thing. Otherwise… As far as he's concerned, this conversation never happened."

Ron sat up. "Harry, if everything we've talked about is true, Danny's not going to want to come to the DA."

"Of course not. You're right, Ron. He's a Muggle ghost. I figured that out about Phantom when he talked about the Muggle reaction to ghosts in America, and Casper, and Star Wars, and… If he's a Muggle, why is he in Slytherin?"

Hermione whispered, "I don't know. But no one can know this. Danny could be in real danger."

Harry realized that now, something else Danny said made more sense. He said he was different and worried because a ghost who worked in his school called him an 'unlovable freak.' Phantom said that ghosts at home were not fond of him.

Harry got angry on behalf of his half-ghost friend. Sir Nicholas and Myrtle think of him as a hero. And people despised him for being a ghost. Danny was probably as much a hero as he was. That interesting revelation explained why Danny was able to relate to him so well on an interesting, new level. Harry decided to keep that to himself at present. Or, he might share his thoughts with Professor Snape, but NO ONE else.

Harry observed, "Between Horcruxes and Danny's secret, we have a LOT of responsibility to keep these things to ourselves."

It was Tuesday afternoon, and Vlad allowed his mind to wander after he finished marking the current batch of papers. Daniel came to him Sunday evening, which still surprised him, to discuss his thoughts on the House meeting, and his private meeting with Severus. Daniel didn't want to attend the Defense Association as himself, but after Severus connived him, Daniel consented to attend invisibly and probably intangibly to learn all kinds of things about Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Foolish boy! Of course it was a much better policy not to attend publicly. Vlad cringed when Daniel admitted his poor performance in Charms, and agreed with Snape's whispered objection, but it was that very truth that struck a very deep chord within him. He and Daniel were Muggles, and this club could be their undoing, if they weren't careful. But it touched him deeply that Daniel was worried about his reaction when he told Vlad his decision. The boy worked so hard for his approval. Severus's speech on October 1 rang in his ears.

Vlad didn't deserve the treasure that Daniel was, he admitted to himself. But when has deserving something really meant anything when it came to Vlad's acquisition? He smiled to himself. He was probably the luckiest man alive to have the love of a boy he had no right to have, other than at the boy's own choice.

The smile broadened. It was time to spring the first of two major Christmas surprises on the lad.

At dinner, he watched his charge's face. Danny sighed with relief. Vlad decided they needed to talk very soon. Oh, he had plans, but after or around this evening's classes, he intended to find out about a few things.

After they got to the Room of Requirement, Vlad finally was able to open a rudimentary portal. It only lasted a few seconds, but it worked. Daniel was also able to do it. At first, the boy was nervous, but after a few false starts, Daniel closed his eyes, concentrated, and opened a portal. It stayed as long as he pleased. Vlad wasn't sure how he felt about this ability they shared that Daniel was so much more able in performing.

Danny shrugged. "I knew I could do it this time because I'd already done it. Does that make sense?"

Vlad stared. "When did you do it?"

"Well… My evil future self opened a portal and shoved me in. That 'future self' was really a combination of you and me, but mostly me. And if that version of me could do it, I realized that I could do it." Danny looked down. "And I figure that you'll be able to get it soon, because… well, because."

Vlad could restrain himself no longer. "Now that you've opened the portal, we still have half an hour before we work on English. But your mention of your 'evil future self' reminds me of something I've been meaning to ask you for a while. You have met Clockwork, and you have made mention of alternate realities. How often has this type of thing happened to you? Who is responsible for these things?"

Danny called up a couple of chairs, a table, a pen, and paper. Sitting down, he thought about it. Danny kept a running tab on this on the paper as he spoke. "Well, the first time that an alternative reality rocked my world, Desiree was involved. Sam and I got into an argument, and she wished we never met. For a while, I was back to being a normal human (well… as normal as I ever was) for a bit. It was complicated, but Sam managed to wish us back to what passes for normality, with me back in control of my powers, and no one had a memory of my… dealing with Desiree, but Sam, Tucker, and me. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but it doesn't feel important.

"The next time that time got weird on me involved Clockwork and my evil future self. I already told you all about that." Danny shuddered, and Vlad put his hands over Danny's.

"The time after that, Tucker ran for class president. We got caught up with that mummy ghost Hotep-Ra, and that sphinx, and the scepter. That whole mess actually centered on Tucker, and it probably wouldn't have happened if Sam and I paid more attention to him. That time, Tucker made the scepter grant a wish, and he wished that life went back to normal, but only the three of us remembered the whole adventure."

Vlad observed, "You seem to have a lot of opportunities to 'wish' life back to normal."

"Yeah, well, there has to be some level of fairness in the universe. Some of the messed up things that happen to me aren't my fault, and if the ghosts or magic involved worked hard enough to make life difficult, it's only fair they set things to rights again." Danny grew quiet. "However, Clockwork gave me a second chance. For that, I'll forever be grateful." A few tears leaked from his eyes.

Vlad said, "And I'll be forever grateful that you gave me a second chance, Daniel. Truly." They looked at each other warmly for a moment, and Vlad cleared his throat. "So… were there any more incidents where time or reality was rearranged on your behalf?"

Danny thought for a moment. "Only twice more that I remember." There was no way he was telling Vlad that he went to an alternative time line where Vlad was married to his mother! "Um… Clockwork showed me what happened when you first had your accident. That's how I learned what was necessary to cure you, Sam, and Tucker from the ecto-acne."

Vlad blushed deeply. "I cannot apologize enough for that incident, Daniel. I…"

"Don't worry about it right now." Danny realized they might need to talk about this more extensively at a later time, but right now, he needed to finish this.

Danny sighed. "And the last one happened at the start of last summer vacation. Mom and Dad planned to take Jazz and me, and Sam and Tucker on a cross-country road trip. We were going to Cape Canaveral, in Florida, Gotha-palooza in Nevada, and a major comic book convention in California."

Vlad furrowed his brows and tilted his head in thought. "The Foleys love you like a family member. I could see that. But I've seen what the Mansons are. How in the world did you get permission for Samantha to go with you?"

Danny blushed. "I, um… overshadowed her parents. I told Sam 'I got under their skin'." Vlad laughed. "Anyway, all the plans got cancelled because Freakshow showed up. He somehow got out of prison from when he enslaved me and a bunch of other ghosts and the crimes he had us commit…" Danny shuddered violently, and Vlad got up and hugged him.

When Danny seemed to calm down, Vlad took his seat and encouraged, "It's alright, Daniel. Go on."

Taking a deep breath, Danny continued. "Like I said, Freakshow got out of prison, and he used something called 'the Reality Gauntlet.' He…"

"It was real? I read his book, but I thought it was only theoretical."

Danny shook his head. "It was real. And somehow, my secret got exposed on national television. EVERYONE knew about it. The Guys in White were relentless in their pursuit of me all over the country. Surprisingly, the students at Casper High were really supportive of me, and helped me, Sam, and Tucker get away from the Guys in White.

"Freakshow kidnapped Jazz and all of our parents… It was a mess. Only three good things came from this. I apprehended Freakshow and gave him back to the Guys in White, I turned reality back to as normal as it ever gets and I destroyed the Gauntlet…"

"You did WHAT?"

"When I got home, and everyone was safe and sound, and had forgotten my secret, I. Destroyed. The Gauntlet."

"But the power… I must have been out of country…"

"Vlad, focus! Freakshow kidnapped the three of our parents and Jazz, and perverted the whole world. And I didn't want ANYONE to have that kind of power. So yeah, I destroyed it. Good riddance."

Vlad almost pouted, but decided it wasn't dignified. "And the third good thing?"

Danny fell silent for a moment. "My parents told me they were proud of me, whether I was a ghost, or a boy, or something in between. I was so afraid they would hate me if they knew, but they were proud."

"Of course they were, you foolish boy. They loved both you and your sister more than life itself. So, why didn't you let your parents remember?"

Danny raised an eyebrow. "You're joking, right? Ghosts – and Freakshow! – used my friends as targets to distract me or as bait to trap me. YOU used my friends as bait. If my parents knew about me, what might you have done?"

Vlad grimaced as if he bit a whole lemon. "Right." While their relationship was growing, trying to dismiss their tempestuous past was not going to happen.

A topic change was in order. "Daniel, this evening at dinner, you appeared happier than I've seen you since before Sunday. May I ask what happened?"

This was a quick shift, but Danny saw nothing wrong with it. "Sure. During the afternoon break, I found Harry in the library. He deserved to know that I didn't intend to come back to the DA. I was worried that he would be offended, because he said how important it was to him that I went to that first meeting. But Harry was totally cool with it."

"Was he?"

"Yeah. He didn't ask about it, but he sounded like he understood me." Danny thought for a moment. "It was almost like he expected it." Vlad raised his eyebrows. "I guess my argument from Sunday made him sympathetic. He's seen me in Charms. He also tutored me in Defense over the summer. I think he gets it."

Harry apparently 'got it' more than Daniel did. Vlad decided that he needed a conversation with young Mr. Potter. There was no need to worry Daniel over it, though. The boy did nothing wrong.

Danny watched the mercurial mood shift change his guardian's expression. "Um… Uncle Vlad?"

Smoothing his features into a simple, pleasant expression, Vlad said, "I imagine Harry's easy cooperation was an unexpected but useful surprise."

Danny nodded. "It was."

"And now I shall give you one of your two Christmas surprises." Danny blinked. "You and I are going to Hogsmeade this Saturday."

"Really?" That was the last thing he expected Vlad to say. Danny's excitement was tempered with concern. "But you said…"

"I know what I said. And it occurs to me that this will be the first time since July 21 that we will have spent time together that wasn't in or geared for school. Further, the fact that we will be together will reduce the danger you may be in. But mostly… You were right. I've been all over the place, and you haven't left the Hogwarts grounds since we went shopping in London. I thought you might appreciate a change in scenery."

Danny's eyes shone in glassy-eyed delight. "Thanks, Vlad. It means a lot to me."

Vlad smiled broadly. He struck gold. Vlad realized the last time Daniel looked so happy was at Thanksgiving dinner. He would have to attempt to achieve this again. He hoped he would when Christmas actually came. "And now, you have one more choice. Which would you prefer to do first? King Lear, which has more graphic violence than any play we've read so far, or Romeo and Juliet, which resembles a comedy until Act Three?"

On Wednesday after Defense Against the Dark Arts, Vlad asked Harry to come to his office after Harry's class in Transfigurations. Harry had the idea that Professor Masters liked him, but he had no idea about what the professor had in mind. Harry knocked on Vlad's door.

"Come in, Harry, and have a seat." Harry sat and looked up curiously.

Vlad said, "I hear that Daniel isn't coming back to the DA."

"That's what he told me, sir."

Vlad drummed his fingers on his desk. "Daniel told me that it meant a good deal to you that he attended, but when he told you yesterday he couldn't come, it was no big deal."

Harry looked uncomfortable, but answered, "As he said, his Charms aren't very good, and I didn't want to embarrass him."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Don't prevaricate, Mr. Potter. It doesn't become you, and you don't do it well. Daniel is just as successful in Charms this week as he was last week. What really changed your mind?"

Harry gulped. Professor Masters wasn't going to like this. "Professor, I figured a few things out about Danny. When Professor Snape told me not to tell people about Danny Phantom, I realized that Danny has his reasons for keeping his secrets. I… figured out that Danny Fenton is Danny Phantom. And that as many impressive powers as he has, he is a Muggle." Vlad's anger flashed in his eyes, though they stayed blue. Harry spoke quickly. "I spoke to Ron and Hermione when I figured it out, and we realized that this is Danny's secret. I spoke to Professor Snape about it, and he agreed that we should keep this to ourselves."

With narrow eyes, Vlad studied Harry. A shiver shot through Harry, but he sat still. "When did you figure this out?" Vlad asked quietly, dangerously.

"Hermione and I noticed anomalies all year, sir. I mean, Danny's shield. A Shield Charm is the same, whether a wizard is from England, or America, or France. But Danny's shield is different. I've been curious about that since July. But after I saw Phantom's shield, I think he called it 'ectoplasmic glass,' that I finally understood why it was so different."

Vlad sighed. "I suppose I shouldn't give you too hard a time, considering your tolerance for folks who are not-quite human."

"Sir, my friends are people first. I didn't know that Remus was a werewolf until Hermione said so in the Shrieking Shack in Third Year. The actual circumstance is hard to explain. But the point is, Remus was one of my Dad's best mates, he was one of the best DADA instructors I've ever had, and he's a good friend." Harry grinned. "Why should his 'furry little problem' change any of that?" Vlad blinked. 'Furry little problem?' That was one way to put it.

"Hagrid was my first friend. He told me that I was a wizard. Until he did, I had no clue about why unusual things happened when I got angry or scared. Since my eleventh birthday, he's always been there. I was more surprised about the fuss made over the fact that he's a half-giant than the fact that he was one." He rolled his eyes. "And I wear glasses. Who cares?

"If Danny is a… half-ghost, or whatever, he is still the great fellow who's helped me in Potions, who is great to talk to about appreciating Professor Snape, and he's still the fellow who invited me to your family dinner to officially be included in his family. Whatever else he is, well… that's bonus. And," he looked Vlad in the eyes, "Danny understands how weird it feels to be thought of as a hero by fans, an enemy by people he hasn't even met yet, and only wants to be thought of as normal, whatever that is. He's probably the only bloke I know who understands exactly what I'm going through, on any number of levels.

"Being a hybrid in the Wizarding World has got to be hard. Being a Muggle in Slytherin is probably harder. I haven't figured out how that one's happened, considering the general anti-Muggle sentiment in his House, but I never claimed to understand how the Sorting Hat works. I can respect Danny's need to keep his secrets, and my best mates will help me do just that. Not even Danny knows we know. Ron and Hermione don't know that I've discussed this with Professor Snape. Danny's secret is safe with us, sir."

Vlad thought Harry's speech was educational. At once, he realized that Harry truly understood the lesson he ultimately intended for his Defense class. He would respect Daniel's secrets. He was also thrilled that this perceptive child did not make the connection that Vlad was as much a half-ghost as Danny.

Vlad relaxed a little. "Thank you for respecting Daniel's privacy. Besides being personal, this information could risk his security here."

Harry nodded. "I understand that Danny is as much a target for Voldemort as I am."

"Harry, I've noticed that you actually call Voldemort by his name. Most students don't."

"Most people don't, sir. But Professor Dumbledore says that fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing or person named. Voldemort may be an evil man, a truly evil wizard who has 'taken steps' to try to be immortal, but in the end, he's only a man."

Vlad was impressed. Harry actually was as brave as advertised by the Headmaster in their many discussions since they got here. And, from the sound of it, his hero complex was as big as Daniel's. Joy.

"Harry, I want to thank you again for your pledge to keep Daniel's secrets. Now, tell me what you had in mind for this Sunday…"

On Saturday morning, December 14, Harry saw Ron off to the grounds. "Hey, have a good time," Harry said. He wanted to go, but was resigned to the fact that he was constrained to stay here. Professor Snape was just as stuck here as he was. As was…

"Danny!" Vlad let Danny greet his Gryffindor friends before setting out to the wizard village, as Harry bounded over to them. "I thought you couldn't leave Hogwarts."

Danny gave a half-smile. "I thought so, too. But as long as I'm with Uncle Vlad…" He shrugged.

Harry was filled with a few emotions: a pang of jealousy, relief and joy at his friend's boon, and concern. "Um, about that. Be careful. I thought I was safe with Professor Snape, and we got attacked by Death Eaters." He looked up at Professor Masters, who was beginning to get impatient. "Well, anyway, have a good time."

"Thanks, Harry." Danny shook his hand, and then trailed after Vlad.

Once they got to Mr. Filch, Vlad simply looked at the caretaker, throwing a possessive arm around Danny. "He's with me."

"I garnered that, Professor." Mr. Filch lowered his Secrecy Sensor. If a student left in the company of a professor, the professor must know what the student was about. Further, this was Danny, whom Argus considered the most trustworthy student he'd met during his entire run as a caretaker of Hogwarts. "Have a good time, lad."

"Thanks, Mr. Filch."

Vlad beamed. While he considered VIP treatment a privilege he had come to expect, Vlad procured the start of his wealth that earned him such treatment by undetected grand larceny. Daniel managed to come by his privilege honestly. Vlad was prouder than expressible of his precious charge.

The students making the trek to Hogsmeade gave Danny and Vlad a wide berth, because no one wanted to get on Professor Masters' bad side. "So, Daniel, have you given a thought to where you'd like to go?"

Danny shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know. I haven't been to Hogsmeade since Hagrid brought us here so we could go to London."

Vlad stared down at him incredulously. "You never sought to go while I was away?"

Danny said, "Well, no, but I thought about it. There was that first time you left for America. I wasn't happy about being stuck in Hogwarts, and Draco told me that the Shrieking Shack was haunted by a malevolent ghost. If there was a ghost causing trouble, I would have taken care of it, with or without permission."

He walked in silence for a few moments. "There wasn't, though. No ghost was ever there. Harry told me that Professor Lupin used to go there to transform into the wolf every month while he was a student. Since it was before the invention of Wolfsbane Potion, the transformations were very painful. Remus howled and made all kinds of noise in pain. Because the access to the Shack was a secret passage from Hogwarts, no one was ever seen entering or exiting the Shack. People made up a rumor that some unsavory ghosts had taken up residence there, and Professor Dumbledore encouraged the rumor to protect Remus."

"Fascinating." Vlad was floored by Daniel's obedience. And the only real thought of disobedience came to Daniel when his hero instincts kicked in. "Daniel, you never cease to amaze me."

They continued to walk and talk until they got to the village. Ron and Draco spotted them and came at them from different directions. "Danny!" Draco exclaimed.

"Professor," Ron acknowledged.

Draco radiated his delight. "It's great to see you here, Danny. What made you change your mind, Professor?"

Vlad was amused by these students. "Christmas shopping."

Danny's eyes went wide. Vlad handed him a bag of coins with a drawstring. "This is for you to spend as you like."

"Thanks, Uncle Vlad." Wow… Danny was speechless.

Ron asked, "So, what would you like to see first?" He assigned himself the role of official tour guide.

Draco narrowed his eyes at Ron. "There's the Shrieking Shack I told you about. You agreed that it would be interesting to see…"

Vlad cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, if you don't mind…" Danny looked stricken. It was his first time out of Hogwarts, friends wanted to spend time with him, and Vlad acknowledged (at least to himself) that he fully intended to monopolize the boy's time. Vlad sighed.

"I suppose we can see this Shrieking Shack. You could pal around while we do a little shopping, but when we head to the Three Broomsticks, I expect you to leave us alone." The light that filled Daniel's eyes made Vlad realize he did the right thing. And this time, it didn't even hurt.

Ron and Draco were ecstatic, and Vlad found it intriguing to watch both boys operate with an almost proprietary air with his boy. They sent occasional dirty looks at each other, but refrained from anything overtly hostile in front of their mutual friend and – almost more importantly – their most fearsome professor. Draco grabbed one of Danny's arms, leading the group in the direction of the Shack.

Danny asked, "Where are Crabbe and Goyle?"

Draco shook his head. "They have detention with Professor Flitwick. Apparently, they got caught casting some nasty jinxes at Zacharias Smith in the halls while we were elsewhere." He snickered. "No one in Slytherin has completely forgiven him for his implied threat to Astoria."

Ron looked puzzled. "Who?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Astoria Greengrass, a Second Year who seemed to be beneath Smith's notice. Smith corrected her partner's technique, but gloated when Astoria failed to defend herself properly. He told her 'she deserved what she got'."

This was news to Vlad. But no one present expected Ron's reaction. "That… unmitigated prat! The point for opening the DA to everyone is to have unity against a common enemy – You-Know-Who. That… that…" Only looking back at Professor Masters made Ron stop to reconsider his word choice.

Ron took a breath. "When Harry first mentioned opening the Club to all four Houses, my biggest objection was the misuse of spells against other students." Ron blushed, to what Draco decided was an amusing effect. "I kinda suspected that Slytherins would use the spells learned against the rest of us. It never dawned on me that a member of last year's DA would misuse spells on or withhold information from anyone."

Danny raised his eyebrows. Draco was about to comment, but Ron viciously kicked a stone in the road. "However, after Marietta last year, I should have realized that being in the DA last year was no guarantee of loyalty to anyone."

Danny put a hand on Ron's shoulder. Ron was genuinely hurt and betrayed to know that anyone in last year's DA would use what he learned against another student. Draco decided that it wasn't politic to mention the fact on the Hogwarts Express on the way home, he, Crabbe, and Goyle experienced the handiwork of the DA when they attempted to ambush Harry.

Danny asked, "So Ron, where's Hermione?"

Ron smiled at the mention of her name. "She decided to stay behind with Harry to work on a lesson plan for tomorrow. Besides, she finished all her Christmas shopping in October. Mental, that one is. She plans all kinds of things in advance. But…" He grinned. "That makes it easier to get something for her without her knowing."

They stopped at a rickety wooden fence, looking over it to see a boarded up, dilapidated house. Draco announced, "That is the Shrieking Shack, the most haunted house in all of Britain."

Ron smirked. Vlad raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Is it, now? Besides the House Ghosts, there are over twenty ghosts in Hogwarts alone. What makes this house more haunted?"

Draco's mouth dropped open. Logically, he knew Professor Masters was right, but that's what he was always told for as long as he could remember.

Vlad chuckled. Discomforting students could be such fun. No one noticed the rat with a silver paw that saw them and scurried off.

Draco thought for a moment. "Well, noise hasn't been reported from that house for years, so… maybe it's changed."

Draco had enough of this amusement at his expense, and he led the merry band on a tour of Hogsmeade. Ron glared for a moment, but relaxed and enjoyed the trip. He sighed when they passed Zonko's Joke Shop. "Fred and George were thinking of buying out Zonko's and putting a second shop here, but it doesn't help when the proprietors have closed shop due to Death Eater activity."

Vlad raised his eyebrows. "Indeed. How old are the twins, Mr. Weasley?"

"They're 18. They'll be 19 this April."

Vlad murmured, "Quite the entrepreneurs. And they are successful."

Danny looked up sharply. "Uncle Vlad, leave it alone." Ron and Draco stared at Danny and wondered at his audacity.

Vlad considered Danny. "Magical amusements are profitable, but you're right, Daniel. I have other things to worry about." Danny sighed with relief. Ron and Draco looked at each other – they had no clue about what the uncle and nephew were on about.

The boys exclaimed over their explorations and purchases from Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, Dervish and Banges, Honeyduke's Sweet Shop, and the Quidditch shop. Vlad decided that it was an interesting experience to play the chaperone for a handful of teenagers at leisure. He wondered what Maddie would think of the job he was doing. He sighed to himself as he made his own purchases.

At about 1:30, Vlad said, "Alright. I believe now is the time. Come, Daniel. Good afternoon, gentlemen." Vlad led Danny into the Three Broomsticks, where they took seats. Before they ordered lunch, Madam Rosmerta served them drinks. "So, Daniel, how have you enjoyed your day so far?"

"It's been awesome, Vlad. Thank you. I…" Many of the thoughts he had were too emotional to express. "I was able to get presents for all kinds of people. Could you bring something to London to mail to Valerie and Mrs. Manson?"

"Not a problem, Daniel." It was nice to see the boy this peaceful outside of a school setting. This was actually a first – he and Daniel were alone together, and the boy was not angry, depressed, or resigned, which were all emotions Vlad recognized Danny had in his presence before and even since the ordeal in July. Sighing in contentment, Vlad drank in the mood of the moment. "Who did you get gifts for?"

Danny smiled. "Today, I got something for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Terry, Ernie, Valerie, Luna, Mrs. Manson, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, Firenze, and Mr. Filch. I already have your Christmas gift. I really hope you'll like it." Danny smiled enigmatically. "Oh! Before we go, we have to go to Gladrags so I can get something for Dobby. The other elves will be happy if I just visit them."

"Fair enough." Vlad and Danny enjoyed happy chatter about nonessential things.

Neither of them noticed the large blond man two tables away. Thorfinn Rowle watched them with a great deal of interest. He murmured to himself, "So the rat was partially right. He mentioned that he saw someone who looked like the Potter brat. The boy isn't Potter- he's the kid from America. Daniel and his Uncle Vlad, huh? Our Lord will be pleased. I'll inform him of the names of our targets. Daniel… the rat said he was friends with Malfoy's son."

While the blond Death Eater went unnoticed, Vlad's fastidiousness and sense of propriety filled him with disgust when he saw a rat on the floor. Vlad rolled his eyes. "Hmm… The medieval quality of the Wizarding World loses its charm when the sanitation is just as medieval. Vermin crawling everywhere…" Off-handedly, Vlad blasted the rat that squealed in pain before it died.

"Damn!" Rowle exclaimed.

The dead rat, which should have garnered no attention, drew every eye in the pub as it expanded into a man.

Danny stared and whispered, "Isn't Voldemort's 'right-hand rat' an Animagus?"

"It is, indeed. Let's get out of here, Daniel. We'll eat when we get back. I believe we have to speak to the Headmaster about this."

In the hullabaloo over the appearance of a dead man on the floor of the Three Broomsticks, no one noticed the disappearance of the two men and their packages, leaving behind nothing but a puff of pink mist and a small pile of Galleons on the table.