11. A Lead and A Familiar Face
Harry slowly opened his eyes. His body was drenched in sweat and his head swam dangerously as he lifted it off the pillow groggily, trying to get his bearings. In the dull night-light, Harry could see the familiar blurry sight of the Hogwarts hospital wing. He did not wonder at what had brought him here.
During his hours of unconsciousness, the opening of the locket had played out over and over in his dreams. He was burning … always burning. Sometimes the burning light that enveloped him had merely scolded him beyond recognition, leaving him scarred and disfigured like Mad-eye Moody. Other times Voldemort himself had appeared, springing forth from the opening locket, a green beam shooting from his wand as he hissed threateningly.
The room lurched sickeningly as Harry tried to sit up, the sheets clinging to his damp body uncomfortably. He fought the nausea that that swelled in him as he reached for his glasses, placing them on his nose.
Socks was sitting at his feet; she was staring at him through her rather large green eyes, her tail flicking lightly at the end. He reached down and stroked her head automatically as he looked around the room. She immediately pressed her head to Harry's palm, purring loudly, and padding up the bed, she placed her front paws in his lap, rubbing her head against his body. He wondered how long he had been there as he scratched behind her ear affectionately and lifted her to him, glad for the company. It felt like days. He was stiff and heavy as if he'd been sleeping too long.
He wiped at his beaded forehead with the back of his arm and tried to moisten his dry, cracked lips with his tongue. A light flickered outside in the hallway and appeared to be getting closer as Socks wriggled free of Harry's grasp and jumped off the bed, slinking away into the shadows.
'You're finally awake, Mr. Potter!' Madame Pomphrey rounded the entrance, candle in hand, looking pale yet relieved. She made her way over to the bed and put her hand to Harry's head. 'Thank goodness!' Harry watched her bustle over to a nearby cabinet and pull out an assortment of elixirs and potions. She poured and measured, as Harry spoke.
'How long have I been here?' he croaked.
'Not long,' she said quietly 'considering the condition you were in.'
Harry examined his raw looking hands, not wanting to think about his face.
'Will the burns heal?'
She stopped mixing vials for a moment and turned to look at him. Harry watched her face and prepared himself.
'From what Bill Weasley said, the room you were standing in was completely burnt out.' Harry looked down at the sheets wishing Socks was still there. 'All I can say is you must have very sharp reflexes and an extraordinary shield charm.' She eyed him with appreciation as she handed him a cup of mustard coloured potion. 'Your burns are already greatly healed. The redness of the skin will fade completely within a week. Drink this, it'll get rid of that dry feeling in your mouth and help you to sleep.'
Harry waved the cup away 'I've slept enough; at least it feels like it. How long have I been here?'
Madame Pomphrey lifted her eyebrows 'A little over a week.'
'A week?' Harry repeated
'You were brought here last Friday.'
'What's today?'
'Early hours of Sunday morning.' She said as she rolled back his blankets.
'Why was I brought here and not St Mungos?'
'You were brought here under Professor McGonagall's instructions.' She stopped fussing and clamped her fingers together. 'Whatever you were doing Mr. Potter, you are very lucky to be alive, and I highly recommend that you do not attempt to cast such a spell again.'
'I didn't cast a spell' he said quietly.
'Rooms don't just blow up of their own accord.' She said sternly as she took the pillows off the bed. 'You've got some explaining to do when you see the Professor.'
Harry didn't want to say anything else about what had happened, so he waited for Madame Pomphrey to finish stripping the bed around him before asking after Ron and Hermione.
'They've been in every moment they can spare I would think, and then some. None of the other students know you are here, at the Head Mistresses orders.' she pulled out a fresh pair of pyjamas and grabbed Harry under the arm, hoisting him off the bed. Harry was surprised at how difficult he found it to move, but Madame Pomphrey appeared prepared as she helped him to the bathroom.
Harry stood under the shower, letting the cool water wash over his raw skin. He had destroyed the locket Horcrux. He had seen it lying open and charred before he had passed out, but what was he going to tell everyone when they asked what had happened?
When he returned to his newly made bed, he drank the mustard potion and slipped between the crisp, clean sheets and before long the effort of having showered caught up with him. He slept free of dreams about the locket and when he did finally awaken, it was to the sounds of Ron and Hermione in the middle of an argument.
'… He's got a right to know Hermione!'
'Yes, but its not a good idea to tell him right now … he's got enough to deal with, Ron. Wait until he's feeling better.' Harry kept his eyes closed and listened.
'He'd want to know now.' Ron said.
'What difference will it make, Hm? He's not going to be able to do anything about it anyway, and it'll just worry him sick.' Harry's heart missed a beat as he opened his eyes.
'What will?' he asked heavily. Ron, who had been pacing up and down at the foot of the bed stopped suddenly and looked at Harry with a guilty expression on his face. Hermione, who was sat in a chair beside the bed, glared at Ron accusingly. Harry eased himself into a sitting position and Hermione stood up and propped his pillows so he could lean back.
'What's going on?' he directed his gaze at Ron who seemed like the most likely source of information.
'It's probably nothing' Ron began uncertainly 'but the Order's lost track of Lupin.'
'What d'ya mean, "lost track"?' Harry's stomach lurched.
Ron looked hesitantly at Hermione before answering 'He didn't turn up last Saturday, and nobody's seen or heard from him in over a week.' Harry's mouth went dry as he frowned down at the bed sheets.
'He's back with the werewolves.'
'How do you know? Nobodies said anything' Hermione asked.
'They don't have to.' Harry said darkly as he looked back at Ron 'What did Bill say?'
'Not much … he just let it slip really … when he and Fleur were in here yesterday looking in on you.'
Harry shook his head 'How could he go back there? If Greyback sees him …' he couldn't finish the sentence, and he didn't need to. Ron sat down on the edge of the bed as Hermione settled into her chair.
'Lupins smart, Harry.' Hermione said, frowning 'He knows what he's doing.' They sat in silence for a moment before Ron spoke.
'So, how did you end up a crispy critter then?'
Harry told them both what happened, and watched as their faces darkened.
'We thought it was the Horcrux' Ron said 'so you managed to open it then?'
'Yeah, only by accident.'
'You destroyed it though mate. Accident or not, you did it.'
Hermione had said nothing; she sat staring at the floor with a grave expression on her face.
'What?' Harry prompted; suddenly worried that maybe he hadn't destroyed the Horcrux by opening the locket.
'It almost killed you,' her eyes swelled with tears as she looked up at him '… and there are three more of them out there you have to destroy.' Harry had thought the very same thing when he'd been showering, but the sight of Hermiones growing horror made him down play it.
'Yeah, well I made it though, didn't I?' he tried to smile, but couldn't quite manage it.
'Only just' Ron said gravely 'I don't think you should be doing this on your own mate.'
'Ron's right. The next time we go with you.' Hermione said as she wiped at her face.
'No,' Harry shook his head slightly 'Definitely not.'
'We stayed behind this time because you asked us to, and it nearly got you kill-'
'There was nothing either of you could've done' Harry cut Ron off gravely 'If you'd of been with me you'd probably be dead, and then I really wouldn't have any help.' There was an uncomfortable silence, which it meant they would argue the point no further, and Harry spent the rest of the morning hearing all about the goings on at Hogwarts.
After complaining about their disastrous attempts at keeping order in their Defence Against the Dark Arts classes with the younger students, Ron and Hermione launched into a detailed, and rather curious description of their own Defence lessons. It seemed the new teacher, who refused to be addressed as "Professor", was extraordinarily grumpy, though Ron pointed out, he did know his "stuff".
Neither of them could tell Harry what his name was as he had never bothered mentioning it, although Hermione commented that she was sure she'd met him somewhere before. When she had asked Professor McGonagall about him, she had raised her eyebrows and said he was from Hogsmeade so it was likely she had seen him on occasion and that calling him "sir" would suffice, seemingly unwilling to elaborate any further.
Madame Pomphrey ploughed Harry with various potions all that day, and he spent his last night in hospital accompanied by Socks, who had snuck in and jumped onto his bed in the small hours of the morning. He felt comforted by the feel of her soft fur on his fingertips, though his thoughts constantly strayed to her mistress. Now that he was back at Hogwarts he knew he was going to have to buckle down and learn everything he could to help him in his endeavour to face Voldemort. He would have little time to be stewing over the things he could not have, which would be a welcome distraction.
The following morning Madame Pomphrey instructed Harry to go straight to the Head Mistresses office before attending any classes. He dreaded the confrontation he knew was inevitable and as he rode the stairs to the double doors outside her office he tried to imagine the look on her face when he told her he had nothing to say. Once at the top he knocked and waited. The doors opened and Harry saw McGonagall returning her wand to the desk top in front of her.
'Come in.' she said, pointing to the chair. Harry walked forward but did not sit; instead he stood firmly and spoke with a stony expression on his face.
'Professor, I know what you want, but I can't tell you what happened at Sirius's house.' She looked at him over her spectacles 'Not unless you want me to lie.'
'There is no need to waste our time with untruths, Harry.' The use of his first name caught Harry off guard and he faltered slightly. 'I did not ask you here to explain yourself' She rose from her chair and walked around her desk, Harry noticed she appeared to be shaking slightly 'I have arranged for you to start training with the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this afternoon, that is of course, if you are staying with us?'
She did not wait for a reply as she continued 'It also seems Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley have been…'she paused and raised an eyebrow, searching for the right word 'struggling … with the younger students. I expect you will have the situation under control when you take the classes tomorrow.' She stopped in front of the portrait of Dumbledore. Harry watched as she lifted a slightly trembling hand to her glasses and adjusted them.
'I am not ignorant of the fact that you are doing as Dumbledore wanted.' she said 'Though I will not pretend that I approve of what is going on,' Her eyes dropped to the floor, her usual stern façade seemed to be crumbling. 'I find myself in a difficult position, Harry. I am expected to give you a free reign to do as you please, yet it seems likely to be your end.' Harry could see the worry etched across her face.
'I'm sorry Professor,' he said, suddenly feeling a great deal of sympathy for McGonagall. 'I don't really have a choice in this either.'
She let out an exasperated breath and when she spoke her voice shook.
'Oh, this is ridiculous! You are not much more than a boy and yet everyone is expecting you to be able to-'
'Professor!'
Harry started as Dumbledores voice cut firmly across McGonagall's. His eyes darted up to the painting and a pain shot through him as he looked at the now wide-awake figure. Dumbledore was sitting straight and tall in his chair, his hands no longer folded in his lap, but gripping the padded arms of the chair determinedly. The surrounding paintings were also startled out of their feigned sleep. McGonagall fidgeted her hands as she half turned her head over her shoulder, though she did not meet Dumbledore's eyes. She turned back to Harry.
'Be in the Defence classroom at three thirty, Potter. That will be all.' she moved back to sit behind her chair as Harry retreated uncertainly towards the door. As he took hold of the handle and turned to close it, he could see Dumbledore's grave face watching him as he pulled it to.
Harry sat through his first Potions class for the year with Ron and Hermione. Although he had Snapes potions book, he had no wish to use it in class and he informed Professor Slughorn that he had misplaced his old potions book and would need to borrow a school copy until he could purchase a replacement. Slughorn handed him the copy that contained a brand new edition inside its tatty cover; the one Harry had swapped for Snapes last year.
'I say Harry, that's some case of sunburn you're sporting!' Ernie spoke pompously. Harry saw Hermione tense. He raised his eyebrows non-commitedly as he sliced into a shrivelled up sea cucumber. 'Been holidaying in the south? Fell asleep in the sun?' he quipped with an amused glint in his eye. Ron rolled his eyes and Hermione visibly relaxed.
'Something like that.' Harry felt a certain satisfaction at his less than perfect potion results. Slughorn had approached his cauldron as if he were about to gleefully delve into a box of particularly delicious crystallized pineapple, only to withdraw hastily at the sight of the congealed kaki coloured gunge quivering dangerously as globulus bubbles oozed to the surface.
Afterwards the trio headed down for lunch in the Great Hall. While Ron piled his plate high with sausages and mashed potato, Harry spooned a small portion onto his plate and picked at it disinterestedly, ignoring the stares his still reddened appearance attracted. Neville sat down opposite him; his eye's flicking back and forth from his plate to Harry. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, obviously burning to ask the same thing on every ones mind.
'Its not what you're thinking Neville,' Harry said. Immediately the surrounding chatter died, though people still tried to appear busy with themselves. 'I wasn't attacked by anyone.' Harry explained truthfully. Neville nodded slightly and flashed an awkward smile. When nothing else was forth coming, the talk slowly started up again and Harry followed Hermione's glance up to the staff table.
'Have you seen Hagrid yet?' he asked, eyeing the empty chair.
'No' Hermione said 'We asked McGonagall and she said they weren't doing Care of Magical Creatures this year.'
'You don't suppose its got something to do with that Giant attack at Trowbridge, do you?' asked Ron.
'Nobody's seen GRAWP have they?' Harry frowned.
'I don't think so' Hermione looked as worried as Harry felt. Just then, Ginny strolled up to the table and sat down a few places from Ron. Harry caught her eye for the briefest of moments before she started ladling food onto her plate whilst talking with great verve to a fellow Gryffindor sixth year.
For all intensive purposes she appeared to be in high spirits, so much so that she was attracting the attention of those around her. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched curiously as a not-so-miniature Mt Everest began to form out of mashed potato on her plate. It grew to an impressive height before the girl she was talking to finally interrupted her, nodding at the mound. Ginny looked innocently down at her plate.
'Oh' she said quietly, her expression dropping slowly. She still grasped the large serving spoon in her hand and her cheeks reddened as she stared at it for the longest time, seemingly unable to look away. Harry was on the verge of getting up to go to her when a hand fell on her shoulder. Ginny looked blankly up at Dean.
'C'mon' he said as he motioned his head to the door. Harry breathed heavily as he watched her rise, sucking in the urge to call her. Dean put an arm around her small shoulders as they walked back out of the Hall together. Harry dropped his gaze to his own plate when they had gone from view, aware of the pained look Hermione would be shooting at him.
Harry arrived outside the DADA classroom as instructed by McGonagall, glad to note the passageway was empty of gawking students. He knocked loudly and then turned the large cast iron ring-handle, pushing his shoulder against the heavy wooden door and stepping into the room.
He was just about to push it closed after him when he felt the hair on his neck prickle. Before he could react, a beam of light sped towards him, knocking him off his feet. He hit the stone wall with a thud, and then winded, he slid down it slowly onto the floor. A course grunt sounded and Harry's heartbeat raced, his wand already in hand.
'You're dead.' the gruff voice said shortly. A hand reached down and grabbed him under the elbow, helping him to his feet. 'It's a wonder you're still alive, walkin' around so blindly.'
When Harry got to his feet, the rather hairy old man, dressed in grey flannel robes and a grumpy scowl on his face, turned and walked to the front of the room. Harry knew immediately where Hermione had seen this man before. It was the barman from the Hog's Head.
'I wasn't ready…'
'Precisely my point!' he growled as he reached the desk and turned, perching himself on the edge of it. 'There's no need for me to be waistin' my time teachin' you, if you're going to walk around with your head up your … well' the man eyed Harry as he began walking forward.
Harry's heart sank, Snapes words echoed through his mind as he swallowed 'I know … you're right.' Harry said slowly 'Luck is the only reason I'm still alive.' Bitterness laced in his voice.
'Luck?' the man had an almost amused look on his face 'Think you're lucky do ya?'
'That's not what I meant,'
'Ah, feelin' sorry for yourself then?'
Harry was getting the distinct impression nothing he said would be right. 'No, I just…' he paused.
'What? Just want to be left alone?'
'No'
'Just wish it would all go away?' the man taunted.
'No!' Harry said, getting increasingly impatient. 'I…' Harry struggled.
'Want people to realize you're not as good as they think you are?'
'NO!' Harry said loudly 'I JUST WANT TO BE READY!' he yelled angrily before he could stop himself.
The man leaned back slightly and folded his arms; a crooked smirk was just visible underneath his wiry beard as he gave Harry an appreciative look. Harry's chest was heaving, he was intensely irritated by this mans demeanour.
'Right! Let's get started, then. First thing …' the man unfolded his arms and stood opposite Harry. 'You need to learn to control yourself.'
Two hours later, Harry left for the Great Hall feeling utterly drained. He had been under a constant barrage of unusual comments and criticisms from the gruff man as they had practiced-duelled, and every time he had let his anger get the better of him, he had found himself on the floor. Most of the students were already sitting down to dinner, but Ron and Hermione were nowhere in sight. He sat down next to Neville, who was gulping down chicken soup, and enquired after them.
'I don't know, Harry. One minute they were sitting in the common room, chatting to Ernie, the next they went rushing out the portrait hole.' He had a worried look on his face. 'Are you alright?'
Harry let the hot soup drip off his spoon. 'Yeah, just tired.' He got a couple of mouthfuls down before almost falling face first in the rapidly cooling broth. He gave up trying to eat and headed back up to the Gryffindor tower, climbing into bed after discovering Ron and Hermione were still nowhere in sight.
He awoke in the dark sometime later, someone shaking him urgently.
'Harry! Wake up!' Ron whispered hoarsely 'Harry!'
'What?' Harry had been so weary when he retired that he was having a lot of trouble rousing himself.
'C'mon' Ron pulled at his arm.
'What?' he said groggily as he yanked his arm out of reached, not at all feeling like getting up.
'Just get your butt into gear and come downstairs,' Ron said seriously and retreated behind Harry's drawn curtains. Harry tossed the covers off and threw his feet on the floor. He sat there for a moment, ruffling his unkempt hair, trying to shake off his stupor.
'C'mon!' Ron urged from the doorway
Harry sighed impatiently and stood, slipping his feet into his sneakers and throwing on his dressing gown. The curtains were drawn around every bed except Ron's, which showed no signs of having been slept in at all. Some heavy breathing and the low rumbling of a snore sounded across the room as Harry scuffed along the floor. Treading heavily down the stairs to the Common Room, he arrived at the bottom to find Ron and Hermione sitting alone by the fire.
'You look terrible...' Hermione said with a frown as Harry dragged himself over to them.
'Thanks'
'Well go on then.' Ron said looking at Hermione and motioning his head at Harry. Hermione continued to eye Harry with a frown, but said nothing. Harry stood there with his hands shoved in his gown pockets looking from one to the other. His gaze finally settling on Hermione.
'What?' his curiosity making him feel more awake the longer it took for them to spit it out.
'I think I might know where to start looking for the cup.' She said with uncertainty. Harry immediately felt a jolt that would normally have made all traces of sleep leave him, but he was utterly worn out.
'Wha … How?'
'We were talking to Ernie earlier this afternoon. He started asking about your burns,' Ron said.
'He was going on and on about sunburn, saying he'd never suffered from it,' Hermione spoke rapidly 'but that Zach had a really bad case of it years ago when he'd been on holiday in Italy. Apparently he did it two days into the trip, and Ernie said it was even worse than yours.' Hermione winced 'Said he spent the rest of the holiday, holed up inside his suite.'
'Prat.' Ron said.
'You remember Zacharias, don't you, from the DA?' she asked Harry.
'Yeah' Harry remembered Zacharias rather well. He had been an obnoxious character, who had managed to put almost everyone in the DA offside in their very first meeting at the Hog's Head.
'Well, apparently his and Ernie's parents are really quite friendly, have been for years … you know, both being from old wizarding families, both being primarily Hufflepuff students, and so on.' She said 'They go to each others dinner parties and birthdays, they even holiday together on occasion, like when they went to Italy.'
'What's this got to do with the cup?' Harry prompted, feeling not all together happy about being woken up to hear about Zacharias' and Ernie's holiday mishaps. Hermione's fingers were fidgeting with the corners of a large, tan coloured book that lay in her lap.
'Do you remember the name of the woman Tom Riddle killed, to get the cup?' she said quietly.
'Yes, Hepzibah. Hepzibah Smith, why?' The memory from the pensive was still vivid in his mind.
'Well, you remember she said she was a descendant of the original Hufflepuffs, which is why she had the cup in the first place?'
'Yes…'
'Zacharias' a Smith too.' Ron injected.
'Exactly.' Hermione said.
'But … there must be hundreds of Smiths in the wizarding world.' Harry said doubtfully.
'There are…' Hermione said slowly.
'Great, so how does this help?' Harry said, getting a little frustrated that he was still none the wiser.
Ron said interestedly 'Hermione remembered reading about the founders of Hogwarts in, Hogwarts, A-'
'Hogwarts, A History, yeah I know, she must know that book off by heart, by now. I still don't see what you're getting at.' He said impatiently. Harry then turned to Hermione. She appeared slightly hurt and wouldn't look at him, instead she watched Ron who had tensed visibly. He frowned at Harry.
'I think it would be a good idea if you just heard her out, mate.' There was silence between them as Harry and Ron stared at each other. Harry knew he had been harsh, and that his friends were trying to help him, so he breathed in his irritation.
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that.' He said quietly. Hermione nodded 'I'm just tired.'
She eyed him with concern as she continued. 'Well, I thought it might be worth tracing the Smith families, there was nothing recent enough in Hogwarts, A History, so Ron and I searched for hours, and when the library closed we brought the books back here so we could keep looking and it seems that Zacharias' family is related to the Smiths that are the descendants of Hufflepuff.' Hermione lifted the book and showed Harry the cover. 'I found a reference to them with some more help from Ernie. And Harry, they are the only Smiths left from that line.'
Harry glanced down at the cover. THE HUFFLEPUFFERS A look at Graduates, Volume XII was inscribed in large grey lettering, above the badger symbol always associated with the name.
'I still don't understand. So what if he is? The cup was taken by Voldemort, the family doesn't have it anymore.'
'Harry, when Voldemort made the Horcruxes, he made them out of "trophies", things that were meaningful in some way.' Hermione explained 'Dumbledore said so himself, didn't he?'
'Yes,' Harry was feeling like they were getting nowhere and his patience was wearing thin, and his head had started to hurt. 'But I don't see how that will help us find it. He could have put it anywhere-'
'Just give her a chance, mate.' Ron cut in seriously, holding a hand out in a silencing gesture. Harry swallowed, he had no idea why, but his anger had been steadily building.
'Think about where Dumbledore found the ring, Harry.' Hermione said abruptly, obviously getting slightly irritated now too. Dumbledore said he had taken the ring from Marvolo's place.
'Riddle hid it at his grandfathers.'
'Yes.' Hermione said pointedly 'He chose to hide it there because he thought it was a fitting place. The ring was a Slytherin heirloom, so he put it in the last Slytherin house.'
Harry narrowed his eyes as he started to make the connection. 'So the cup…' he said slowly.
'Is probably hidden somewhere that has significance to Hufflepuff.' finished Ron.
'Which is where Zach comes in,' Hermione said 'its just possible his family are sitting on the site of one of Voldemorts Horcruxes. Not particularly likely, I'll admit, but possible.' She gripped the sides of the book firmly. 'He could show us the properties his family own, and he'd be able to find out from his parents if there are other places that are important to them.'
'How are we going to do it?' Harry said raising his shoulders 'He's not exactly a good friend of ours is he? And he hasn't returned to school this year either.'
'And he's a right nosy git too.' Ron added 'He'll want to know why we're poking around.' Hermione was staring at the book in her lap.
'I might be able to get him to show me. And without having to answer too many questions.'
'How?' Ron asked.
Harry thought Hermione looked decidedly uncomfortable as she spoke. 'Its just an idea, but I could use a love potion on him.'
'What? What for?' Ron screwed his face up.
'Well, if he thinks he's in love with me, he'll show me pretty much anything I ask him to, wont he?' she said. Ron's mouth started to move, but nothing came out.
'No Hermione, that's not a good idea.' Harry frowned 'You didn't see Ron last year after he ate one of those chocolate cauldrons Romilda spiked.'
'If you can think of another way of getting what we want, then I'd like to hear it.' She said, raising her eyebrows.
'We'll just ask him,'
'That's not an option, Harry' Hermione shook her head 'You know what he's like, there's no way he'll do it without asking a million questions, and even then, he'd probably refuse. No,' she shook her head 'there's no other way.'
'You're not doing it!' Ron finally spoke
'I'll make sure the potions fresh from Fred and Georges so it wont be too strong.' She went on determinedly, not looking at Ron 'and I'll do it bit by bit, so it wont be suspicious.'
Harry was deep in thought, searching for another way they could approach Zach, but try as he might, Hermione's idea seemed like the best answer. 'I'm just not keen on you doing it Hermione, what if something went wrong?'
'I'll be careful Harry, don't worry, I've no intention of getting myself in too deep.'
'What if he gets … frisky?' Ron scowled.
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed impatiently. 'I can handle Zacharias Smith. Anyway,' she stood, still clutching the book 'it'll be dawn in a few hours and we've got Defence classes to teach this afternoon. I'm going to get some sleep, and I suggest you two do as well.' She crossed the room, turning before she headed up the stairs 'Especially you Harry. You really do look terrible.' She paused as she studied him for a minute, and then mounted the stairs stifling a yawn.
'I don't like it' Ron said flatly.
'There's a surprise' Harry said dryly.
'Really, remember what Slughorn said about obsessive love being dangerous!'
'Yeah, but if anyone can do this, its Hermione, she's very thorough.' He replied as they headed back up to their beds. 'I'm not really keen on the idea either, but I don't think we have a choice. We have to find that cup, and this is the best lead we've got … the only lead we've got.'
The next day, when Harry wandered into the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione to take the first lesson of Defence for the younger students, he had to fight the overwhelming urge to turn around and walk out again.
The Hall itself was orderly enough, with desks placed exactly how Hermione had laid out on the piece of parchment she had thrust into his hand before entering. The students however, were in supreme disarray. There were a few frightened looking first years sat at their desks, but the rest of the hall was littered with small house groups of boisterously chattering students, milling around one another, some taking great pleasure at casting noisy jibes and scowling looks at those from houses not their own.
Harry stopped just inside the doorway.
'I don't think they've seen us yet' Ron leaned in to Harry 'Wanna make a run for it?'
'Coward' Hermione said as she shot him a slightly amused glance.
As tempting as it sounded, Harry swallowed and walked determinedly to the teacher's table. As he made his way through the rabble, Ron and Hermione in tow, the student's heads began to turn. It was almost as though Harry was casting a Silencio charm in his wake. The din died out behind him as he passed, and the silence stretched across the room, until he had reached the step up to the table. When he finally turned to the students, there was complete silence.
'There's advantages to being the "Chosen One", isn't there?' Ron said, hardly moving his lips as he and Hermione pulled up along side him. This was far more nerve racking than Harry had imagined it, and as he gathered his wits, he wondered how on Earth he had let McGonagall put him in charge.
He stood tall, lifted his head and took a deep breath. 'Right' he said out of the corner of his mouth to Hermione 'off you go.'
Hermione looked at him dumb struck for a moment, before regaining her composure and flying into Head-Girl mode. Harry could hear Ron suppressing a laugh as she gave instructions in an abnormally high voice, the students continued to stare at Harry, slowly taking their seats.
'There's something to be said for awe, isn't there?' said Ron under his breath, obviously enjoying himself.
Hermione turned on him 'Oh, shut up!' then she looked at Harry 'you cant just stand here looking impressive, this is your class remember?' And she promptly sidestepped so that Harry was left standing before a sea of expectant faces. As he looked out at them, wondering how he had managed to get roped into this, it suddenly occurred to him why he was here.
McGonagall had chosen him not because he knew the subject, or because he was necessarily a good teacher. He was there because she knew the students would listen to him; she knew they would want to learn from him. The responsibility of it finally hit home. He looked down at the piece of parchment he held in his hand, finely detailing the tasks each year was to undertake, and scrunched it closed in his fingers.
'Third, fourth and fifth years will be learning the shield charm.' He announced resignedly. There was an immediate smatter of excited gasps as Harry continued, thinking of Hermiones gaze that would most likely be boring into his back. 'Split into pairs of mixed ages and houses to practice.' A low murmuring swept across the room as students turned to look at one another.
'First an Second years will start learning some of the basic hexes that can be used if you find yourself in difficulty.' This seemed to go down particularly well with the younger students who normally couldn't hope to be learning such things before their fourth year. Harry turned, preparing himself for Hermiones disapproval, but was surprised to see her smiling at him.
'I'll take the first and second years until you can get round to them.' She said and proceeded to instruct them out of their seats and herd them into a clearing at the back of the hall.
'She took that well.' Ron gave Harry a wry smile.
The session went well, though it was not without incident. There was some much expected squabbling over who didn't want to be paired with whom before they started, and also not surprisingly, quite a lot of over zealous hexing going on in both groups.
The kid that had been determined not to be in Harry's compartment on the Hogwarts Express a fortnight ago, called Hunter, seemed extremely resentful at having been forced into Harry's company once more, making no attempt to hide his agitation. Harry ignored the boy's backhanded attempts to convince others they were foolhardy to the extreme to be seemingly happy about the close proximity of Harry.
That is, until he overheard Hunter telling the freckled, curly-haired kid Harry quite liked named Peter Taphet, that if he were a faithful Death Eater, he thought it less likely he would come across the Dark Lord than if he was standing in the same room as Harry Potter. That was all he could take. Harry calmly leaned in to Hunter and told him in a quiet voice that he would make sure he took the time to introduce the "Dark Lord" to him the next time Voldemort dropped by to attack him.
Hunter did the rest of the lesson in silence.
When the trio finally retired back to the Common Room, Harry took out Snapes potion book and flicked through it, looking for any spells he missed last year, while Ron and Hermione collapsed into a chair together, quietly arguing over Hermiones plan to drug Zacharias with Love Potion.
At dinner, Harry shoved his beef casserole around the plate, and then left five minutes after he had sat down, heading for the owlery. He hadn't seen Hedwig since he had arrived at Hogwarts, and started feeling rather guilty for neglecting her. He wanted to send for a new potions book from Flourish and Blotts anyway, and he knew Hedwig would be glad for something to do, and as he climbed the stairs, his thoughts turned to Lupin.
As much as he was clever, it seemed unlike him to disappear from all contact for so long, especially now he was head of the Order and they relied on him for leadership. Harry wished it were as easy as sending him an owl, but he knew he couldn't. There was nothing he could write in a note that wouldn't prove incredibly dangerous to Lupin if it was intercepted, so he made up his mind to go to The Burrow the following night and speak to Mr. Weasley and find out what they were doing to find him.
Hedwig ignored Harry's first attempts at coaxing her down to him, keeping her back to him, with her beak in the air. She finally relented when Harry made to leave, fluttering down to him and perching on his arm. He stroked her smooth feathers fondly, moving over to one of the gaping windows and looking down at the grounds. Hagrids hut was still in darkness, and Harry felt a familiar knot in his stomach. He had no idea where either Lupin or Hagrid were, what they were doing, if they were okay, or even alive, though he told himself they were, convincing himself he would know if they weren't.
He turned as he heard shuffling from the stairwell, a second later Ginny appeared carrying a bag of owl treats. Harry's body reacted with a jolt of pain as his heartbeat quickened. Ginny, who had been watching her feet, looked up slowly, and when her eyes met Harry's she flashed an awkward smile. Hedwig launched herself off Harry and headed straight for her, landing delicately on her arm. Pig also zoomed down from his perch and took up position on her raised hand. She shooed them off gently.
'How are you feeling? I mean…' she waved a hand at her face, indicating she was talking about his burns.
'Its really good' Harry knew as soon as he said it, it sounded ridiculous considering how he looked. 'I mean ... its better.'
She nodded, as her eyes appeared to become excessively watery. 'I've been coming to see her,' she motioned to Hedwig who sat eyeing the owl treats 'I thought she might be lonely.' She frowned.
'Thanks' Harry said 'I don't always have the time.'
'I know,' There was a long silence as Ginny stared at the floor.
'So how's Dean?' it was out of Harry's mouth before he could stop himself. Ginny looked up at him and her eyes closed briefly. She looked back at the floor, shaking her head softly.
'I'm sorry' Harry said stupidly 'I-I shouldn't have asked, it's none of my business.' He actually felt sick as he watched a tear drop down her face.
'I can't believe you'd ask me that.' Her voice was strained.
'Ginny … I'm sorry. It was stupid of me.'
'He told me you'd do this, he warned me … but I didn't believe him, I didn't believe it of you.' Her voice shook and Harry thought he had never seen her this upset. He felt racked with guilt and cursed himself for not having more self-control. He could think of nothing to say in his defence, so he stood there helplessly.
She turned suddenly and was gone.
Harry left the owlery and headed back to the Common Room. The passageways were clear as he stalked through them, the anger and frustration surging uncontrollably within. He climbed through the portrait hole and headed straight to the dormitory. When he arrived, he didn't bother to put a light on; instead he sat in the dark, on his bed, and waited...
Finally, the door creaked open and Harry watched as a figure emerged, the lamp flickered on and Seamus strolled over to his bed, unaware of Harry. He dug about in his trunk, throwing clothes around with his back to him. A minute or two later Dean walked through the door.
'Have you found-' before any more words were out of his mouth, Harry had lunged at him and grabbed the front of his robes, throwing him up against the wall.
'What the hell?' Dean gasped.
'Harry!' Seamus's startled voice rang out.
'What did you say to her?' Harry roared.
'What?' Dean breathed, looking terrified.
'Ginny!' Harry pressed him against the wall with renewed force. 'What have you been telling her?' Harry could feel Seamus trying to pull his arm away.
'Harry! Cut it out!'
Harry turned his head to him 'Butt out Seamus!' Seamus backed off slightly.
'What are you talking about?' Dean asked urgently.
'Don't pretend you don't know. All I did was ask her if things were okay between you two and she fell to pieces. I want to know what the hell is going on!' Harry said furiously.
Dean dropped his head back against the wall in understanding. 'She's upset at you, not me' he said more calmly.
'Why? What have you been telling her?'
'Harry!' Ron had come charging through the door 'Harry, think about what you're doing.' He said urgently. Both Dean and Harry were panting as Harry loosened his grip and took a step back, never taking his eyes off Dean.
'What's going on?' Ron asked, looking from one to the other.
'I knew something like this was going to happen.' Dean said as he avoided looking at Harry. 'Mate, you've got it all wrong. Ginny was upset because I told her something like this would happen and she refused to believe me.'
'What are you saying?' Harry said angrily.
Dean gave an exasperated sigh 'I warned Ginny that you would think her and me were dating again. I told her you wouldn't be able to handle it. But she said you would never think that, you would never believe she could be with …' Dean paused as he looked at Harry 'with someone else...' He trailed off quietly.