Disclaimer: The characters and settings, including any sentences taken directly or partly from the books or movies, of Harry Potter are the property of J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, AOL Time Link and Warner Brothers. I do not make money from publishing my story.
"You were right, Ron", Harry said as he, Ron and Hermione left the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom, "I think this Professor might actually be competent."
It had been Harry's second Defence class since he had returned and Professor Olivier Rubens had proven himself to be an impressive teacher. Even though the man used only about half of the classes for practical work and the rest for theory. The practical work that they performed was intense and interesting. Harry found it most useful that they were allowed to use the classroom for spell practice when it was empty between classes. In addition, if they asked the Professor would even supervise or help their practice sessions.
"See, told you so! Though after the Toad, no doubt any teacher would seem an improvement", Ron said excitedly. The redhead was in a surprisingly good mood after he had successfully performed the counter-curse the class was taught today.
"You want to go and play some chess?", Ron offered while the Trio was making their way from the Defence classroom.
"I'm promised Hermione I'd join her in the library", Harry said apologetically, "She said she'd help with some of my Ancient Runes homework Snape has assigned me."
"You're turning into a real bookworm, Harry", Ron said jokingly, but a subtle undertone in his voice reeked of disappointment, "You sure that Snape didn't brainwash you?!"
"Yes, Ron! I'm very sure I wasn't brainwashed, but I've got years of Runes study to catch up on if I want to take my OWL this year. If I do, with enough dedication I might be able to take my Runes NEWT next year!"
"You're turning into another Hermione", Ron said accusingly, "but fine! I'll find Seamus or someone else to play with! See you at dinner!"
"See you at dinner!", Hermione and Harry said both, ignoring the first comment and turning right towards the library.
Hermione had been very supportive of his ambitions to take the Ancient Runes OWL at the end of the year, though she was surprised that he was putting so much effort in it. To which Harry had responded by telling her about his newly found interesting in warding. Hermione had begged him ever since to allow her to join one of his sessions with Severus and have a look at the books in the Potion Master's private collection.
They had smoothly settled into one of the non-quiet areas of the library, before they started on the regular homework. Soon after the start of his return to Hogwarts he had discovered that studying with Hermione was both efficient and highly educative, as Hermione didn't stop at the regular course material. While he sometimes thought that she was going overboard with all the background information, he had begun to appreciate her thoroughness.
Harry had first wanted to set up a ritual for All Hallow's Eve, but this first plan had been too ambitious, even with all the help from Severus and Hermione. Therefore, he had delayed his plans to the Winter solstice. He had even managed to convince Severus to join him in his ritual.
Hermione had yet to be convinced to participate. While she was quite interested in the ritual itself, the simple fact that the Ministry still declared most rituals as Dark magic, was enough to keep her from participating.
"Where do you plan to perform the ritual?", Hermione asked looking up from her book, "It is described here that Hogwarts is built upon a crossing of many different magical lay lines. Performing rituals at certain places in the castle may enhance the ritual."
"I haven't thought too much about it yet", Harry answered in turn looking up from his book as well, "I wanted to go outside for it though, as the earth is a better conductor that the stone inside. And the Great Hall is most likely the only space inside that will accommodate the wards I wanted to place around the runic circle. Besides, it is very unlikely that they'll allow me to perform a ritual in the middle of the Great Hall."
"What about the Room of Requirement?", Hermione asked, "You can get a large enough space there."
"Yes, I've thought about that too. Even though the position may be favourable due to the lay lines, the distance between the earth and the circle is too big, will likely interfere with the conduction of magic into the earth."
"Ah, I hadn't thought that through yet", Hermione admitted, "Shall I find a map of Hogwarts position on the lay lines? Or did you want to discuss the design of your circle?"
"No, I think the map is a good idea", Harry said, while closing his current book and laying on the used book pile. "The location may limit the design, so perhaps it is best we decide on a location first." They continued their research for about an hour longer before they dropped of their books at the tower and quickly made their way to dinner.
Despite having only gotten an Exceeds Expectations on his O. , Harry had also been able to take Potions as one of his classes. The new Professor Slughorn, who had taken over once Snape had gone missing, was delighted to have Harry in his class, especially after hearing that the youngest Potions Master in a century Severus Snape had been personally teaching him.
Even though, Severus had been teaching Harry for the better part of the summer, the young man was hardly the Potions genius that his teacher was. Harry had therefore been unable to blow away Professor Slughorn with his Potions talent, but the man seemed nonetheless very enamoured by the young hero.
Harry had been invited to several of the Slug Club parties the Professor had been hosting over the last few weeks, but had politely declined, saying that his good study results requited copious amounts of studying and didn't want to let his grades suffer from the meetings.
In truth, that had of course been a lie, as Harry would rather not become too close to a Professor that was trying to make useful alliances for in the future and was just recruiting him because of his fame.
Harrry would much rather spend his Friday evenings with Severus, enjoying the comfort of the other's private rooms and discuss their daily life.
"I got another invitation to one of Slughorn's parties", Harry said loudly while walking into Severus' quarters and putting down his bag in one of the corners.
"That's Professor Slughorn to you still, Harry", Severus corrected him from the study while stepping into the living room. "However, I hope you declined."
"Of course, I would rather not spend a whole evening being asked how it felt growing up as the Chosen One. Besides, he is hardly as good company as you."
"I'm charmed, Potter." The man said while waving his wand to have tea and biscuits appear on the dining table. Harry's bag was also spelled onto one of the dining chairs.
"No need to be so snarky", Harry said, seating himself on the chair next to his bag, before raising his hands and concentrating really hard. The teapot was slowly rising from the table and began to pour out a cup of tea, while shaking softly.
Suddenly Severus placed a hand upon his student's shoulder and the teapot came crashing down upon the table, shattering into a million pieces. The Professor was quick to react and a wave of his wand remade the teapot and filled it with new steaming liquid.
"You have to control it, Harry, without it needing your undivided attention. If you want to be able to fight them with that, you need to be able to use while being distracted by everything else happening on the field of battle", Severus said strictly, but judging from his expression he wasn't just scolding Harry.
Severus had Harry practicing this ever since they had returned to Hogwarts. It became a sort of everyday thing, they would do before settling down comfortably into either homework or just talks. Severus had found that Harry's home life had been less than ideal and was very skittish in surprising circumstances.
"I didn't mean to scare you though", Severus said, making eye contact with the sheepish looking young man across from him.
"I know, I am really glad you're helping me! But I just wish I would get it all under control." Frustrated with himself, Harry began pouring himself and Severus a cup of tea again, though now in the muggle way. After which he immersed himself in his homework, only occasionally looking up from his book, or asking Severus for help.
"You know, you said that the old wizarding rituals used to be done by families", Harry said, not daring to look Severus in the eye. "Well, lately I feel as if you've been a better family than my aunt, uncle and cousin have ever been. Not that, they are a good measure or anything or that I want you to be my family legally or… it's just that I feel safe, seeing as you saved me from Voldemort, ehh the Dark Lord, you know him and all that."
Severus would not deny that he was somewhat amused by the babbling of the young man. At the same time he was also taken aback, by the statement. Even though, they had been growing closer over the last few months, Severus had doubted that they would be able to leave all their grudges in the past.
"I just wanted to ask you to join in my ritual, if you like of course", Harry ended, before moving all his attention to his homework, not daring to await the answer. Though if the young man had looked up, he would have seen a small smile grace his mentor's face.