(a/n): Thanks for the reviews all. Back on track. LIke I said before, needed to do a little rethinking of what was happening. Going to spend some time with this summer.

A theme from comments of chap 17 was the British legal system not charging for murder of an unborn fetus. I believe it's pretty grey in the US system as well. So, amateur knowledge of US system gets translated into what happens here.

Mrs. Granger, well in part she talked herself into a rage. Just add those early pregnancy hormones. And boom. Hermione's fault was never telling her parents ALL details of her adventures at Hogwarts. Now all she sees is 'what Harry did'

Dumbledore, as many writers do, I view as the 'meddlesome old man' JKR calls him the 'wise wizard' But I can't. He's negligent and constantly expecting others to live up to standards that are unrealistic. I think he'd have Voldemort apologize to Harry and them sitting together in Puddifoot's sharing a butterbeer.

I hope, dark shadowed rose I can buy a pass on absolute medical accuracy from you. I did envision a few days passing between the 2 chapters as I wrote. Might that cover it?

And old-crow, a pleasure as always. Yes Harry certainly is entitled to hold a grudge or two as a result of Azkaban. Some, maybe, even unfair to the particular person. About Harry's knee, no nothing particularly magical about it except in its creation by Harry. Done just the same way Voldemort gave Pettigrew his hand. And more details will be forthcoming as they deal with the King's Cross incident. Mr. Granger's back injury was from Harry "... hammer punching his back..."

I like using actor names for minor characters, anyone catch that? Just curious. And off for the next chapter. CHeers folks.

18 – Summer ii

Once he got used to the skeletal motif, Harry liked his girlfriend's home. Her presence probably going a long way to helping it. His tour, which included her bedroom, had been slightly disturbing. Susan's bedposts consisted of people's spines, and she could name them. By dinner time he was enough used to it that a serving dish made from someone's pelvis only led to a raised eyebrow.

"Right. I suppose you can handle some traveling." Amelia said, that next morning. Any Auror knew enough about medicine to handle an emergency should Harry have trouble with his still healing wound.

He nodded, and somewhat reluctantly, stepped into the fireplace "Floo …eww… anyway KILN KEEP!" Dobby had told him the name, and opened the floo connection between the two estates. And, much to Harry's appreciation, put a very large cushion in front of the Potter fireplace.

"Magnificent!" exclaimed Susan, as she stepped out. No landing on her back, for this practiced flooer.

Harry chivalrously bowed over her hand and said "Made so only by your presence my dear."

"I don't think I'll ask what made my niece blush like that." Amelia said as she appeared "Permission to enter? Earl Potter?"

Harry bowed formally and replied "Madam Bones is always welcome. The Regent of House Potter need never ask."

"Impressive, and I think someone needs a thanking." Said Amelia, giving Harry a significant look.

At his call, a pop announced Dobby's appearance "Master Potter, sir, welcome home" he said, bowing so deeply his ears dragged on the floor. Though not so much as a speck of dust moved as a result. There weren't any. "And the Ladies Boneses. Will yous wishes refreshments?"

"Perhaps later, Dobby." Replied Harry after a glance at his guests "Right now, would you give us a tour please?"

Again, the Elf bowed, this time so rapidly that he smacked his nose and forehead on the floor "Still Master Harry treats Dobby like an equal!" he bawled.

"Please stop doing that, Dobby!" Harry complained "You can't show us around if you have a concussion."

Susan hid a giggle with her hand and said "Come on, let's look around. This place is huge. More like a palace than a keep."

"It started as a keep, Missy Boneses." Dobby explained "Harry Potter's magnificent ancestors decided not to change names as the house grew. To the left, is the original house. This foyer and the right wing were added later. Both wings are guest quarters. Family residences are upstairs. Behind the stairway is the kitchen."

Harry looked at Susan and commented "Look, no ribs."

"Needs redecorating." She retorted, elbowing him lightly in the side.

Amelia didn't bother hiding a smile. "Dobby, in your reports to me, you mentioned a vault in the basement. I think we should see that."

"Not my first choice." Harry commented. "But I'll go along."

Dobby looked somewhat distressed as they approached the massive iron door. "Bad Master Diggory beats Dobby worsest heres. Harry Potter, sir, won't bes angry with Dobby."

"If you did something Amos didn't like, Dobby, then definitely I won't be mad." Replied Harry, giving him a pat on the shoulder "Now, why don't you tell me what you did."

The diminutive elf nodded, nervously and complied "Dobby uses elf magic on the vault. Dobby makes it so only Harry Potter sir could open it. Harry Potter sir needs to puts blood on the door. Master Diggory so angry. He calls curse breakers to forces it. But, theys not know elf magic. After theys leaves Master Diggory beats Dobby telling Dobby to lift spell. But even Dobby couldsnt do it, only Harry Potter."

"What's inside?" asked Harry. He ran his hand over the door. Especially touching the Potter Crest. It showed signs of being attacked, but wasn't damaged. He found a sharp edge and nicked his thumb. The massive double doors opened. Inside, there were stacks of gold, jewels and the like. It wasn't all that great, a fraction of his worth. What was important to him was paintings. They greeted him and clamored for his attention. All looked vaguely like him, telling him they were various ancestors.

From outside came Susan's concerned voice "Are you alright, Harry? I can't seem to get closer."

"Potter magics." Said Dobby "Theys only recognized Harry Potter sir. Lady Amelia wearing Potter ring can pass. Only if Miss Susan marry-"

A little embarrassed, Susan interrupted "We get the picture. Harry! What's in there?"

"Just a sec!" he called back. Then he came out accompanied by Dobby, who was carrying a framed portrait. Harry himself was carrying one that was rolled up. The edges were torn and frayed. His expression was an odd mix of joy and fury. From his small companion he demanded "What happened here, Dobby! Why were those paintings all over the floor?"

He wailed in misery "Dobby is so sorry Harry Potter! He tried to save thems. Bad Master Diggory wants to burns all Potters. Ingret sends paintings here. Somes she couldsnt get in. Dobby gets out of frames, sends through slots. Master Diggory beheads Ingret. But Dobby seals vault."

"You did the best you could, under the circumstances." Said Amelia "Dobby, I honor you and your actions. Who was Ingret?"

The elf bowed his head sadly and replied "Ingret, she was Dobby's third aunt on Dobby's father's side. Mistress Janice Malfoy says had too many elves. Sells off Dobby's family. Only Dobby left in Malfoy House. Michael Potter boughts Ingret."

"Michael Potter?" Harry was shocked out of his anger, into curiosity "Dobby? How old are you?"

The elf blinked at the question, but quickly replied "Dobby is 273. Does Harry Potter want to get rid of Dobby? Dobby understands."

"NO! NEVER!" exclaimed Harry "Dobby I am sorry about Ingret. We'll do whatever ceremony is normal for a House Elf. I don't know, so can you handle it?"

Dobby's eyes leaked and he bowed "Ohhh Harry Potter, sir. You does too much honor!"

"Unroll that painting Harry." Amelia ordered "Without a frame, its magic will leak away. I'll create a temporary one, but we should get it to a craftsman as soon as possible." She produced nothing more than a bare, plain, wood outline on the canvas. "Law enforcement doesn't usually produce artists."

The painting spoke "Who are you? And why do you have my ring?"

"Hi Dad." said Harry. He was happy, but also distressed and embarrassed by his missing eye.

The other painting questioned "James? Is that you? I can't see."

"Lils?"

Susan righted that one and concluded "You must be Lily Potter."

"Still never get tired of hearing that." James said, proudly. "Only one that beats it is Harry Potter."

The paintings were face to face. Lily asked with concern "James your color looks all faded. What happened?"

"That, we are trying to figure out." Replied Amelia. "But some proper introductions are in order, I believe. James and Lily Potter, I am Amelia Bones. My niece, Susan. And I think you can guess from his looks, Harry, who is your son."

They both turned and Lily spoke "Hard to tell, you're far away and hiding half your face. If you are even half as handsome as your father, well, as I remember you were quite a bit more attractive."

"Come on Harry." Susan urged, she set Lily against the wall and pulled on his arm "What happened is not your fault."

Lily gasped "How old are you! And Harry! What is that on your forehead and what happened … why are you wearing? Young man! Uncover your eye, right now!"

"Ok Mum." Harry said meekly.

James turned his anger on Amelia "I remember you from The Order! Is this how Dumbledore keeps my son safe!"

"What Order?" Susan and Harry asked almost simultaneously.

James was still focused on Amelia "And what business have you with my Ring?" he demanded "If you're not seventeen, Harry, it belongs to Sirius until you are!"

"Sirius Black was convicted of betraying you to Voldemort in 1981." Answered Amelia "He escaped Azkaban in 1994 and attempted to kill Harry."

Lily gasped "Sirius! That's awful!"

"I'll kill him!" hissed James, quite forgetting he was a portrait.

Harry jumped in "No DAD! STOP! Sirius is innocent!"

"And how could you possibly know that?" asked a skeptical Amelia.

Harry looked around at his audience "Well, why don't we go upstairs. At least we can sit on chairs, not steps. It's a long story."

"I trust that will include an explanation for your eye." Lily demanded.

Harry gave a careless shrug and said "Sure, Mum, but it'll take a while to get to that. This only happened a few days ago. By the way, Dobby, I think I have a project for you. I assume Diggory took down all the Potter portraits."

"Yes sir Harry Potter sir." The elf answered.

Harry added "And replaced them with his own?"

"Diggory?" asked Lily "As in Amos? He was Head Boy in our Second Year. Remember James? Why would his family pictures be here?"

Harry sighed "Part of the story, Mum. Never mind the portraits, for now, Dobby, we'll all just sit in the main living room with my parents. Not a word til I'm done." The pair of paintings were set on the floor in front of the two-story high front windows. And, Harry told his entire tale to date. From mid-morning he talked through lunch, with a rapt audience.

"You're more generous than I would've been Harry." James commented, when he was finished "Nothing excuses what Diggory did."

Lily's red hair seemed alight in her portrait. She declared "You'll get no argument from me. And if paintings could kill I'd have a spell or two for those Grangers."

"If I were you I'd be ashamed of your sister!" Susan snarled "I plan to have words with that miserable bitch!"

Lily had something of an angry look "Never mind that now!" she snapped at Susan, then addressed Amelia "I would like to know why it is that my son is still missing an eye. St. Mungo's can heal that inside of a day."

"It was necessary." Replied Amelia coolly "I am not especially thrilled with that either. However, everything occurred under watchful Muggle eyes. How exactly would you explain to a top surgeon that an eye just grew back?"

James nodded "Secrecy Laws are pretty clear on that. It was the best they could do under the circumstances. You'll be handling that quick enough, right Amelia? Moving on, I think you were pretty lucky Harry. Beauty like Susan there fighting for your innocence. Could've been a lot worse. Think that tub Parkinson had a girl."

"Thanks Mr. Potter" Susan replied with a blush.

James gave a lecherous grin and retorted "I'm only six years older than you. None of that mister stuff. In fact, if I wasn't married."

"And if you were still alive you'd be about twice her age!" Lily scolded.

James flinched but rallied "And you were always teacher's pet in Potions. How old is Sluggie anyway?"

"Oh, I forgot." Harry cut in "He replaced Snivellus for a while."

Lily shook her head "Harry what you remember isn't really fair. Severus was my best friend for years. He taught me about the Wizarding World long before I would have known from school. I'm sure if given a chance he'd turn around."

"I don't owe the bastard anything!" Harry growled "All he's ever done is insult me. And Dad. And you. Don't go all Dumbledore on me!"

Lily gave a frustrated sigh "Then, I think a word or two from me-"

"Not a chance!" James interrupted "Snape is NOT getting a look at you again. The greasy git is an old man now!"

Lily glared at her husband "Ohhhh…and just a minute ago you made a pass at your own son's girlfriend. You realize you're 37, now too, don't you?"

"E N O U G H!" shouted Amelia, completely drowning out whatever James might have retorted with. "James, from what I have read, you were no angel when it came to Severus Snape. That said, he had no right to use his position to take his revenge on your son. However Lily, it is a matter for the realm of the living to address. I cannot, apparently, go back anymore. But I promise you if he goes too far I will rip him a new hiding spot for his wand."

James found that greatly amusing, though it did not last "Harry, I will be wanting a word with Remus."

"Don't think that's happening Dad." Harry replied "He doesn't deserve it and I'm not letting that bastard set one foot in my home."

Amelia interrupted "I am working nightshift today. If you will excuse us. Susan, a word."

"Yes, Auntie, I am not a little girl." Susan complained.

Amelia didn't even blink "You are under the impression I don't trust you? Or Harry for that matter? Frankly, I know perfectly well that teenagers will find ways around any rules that we adults set. No. First, that discussion about Mr. Lupin is none of our business. Second, did you notice the way Harry talked about Sirius Black?"

"He knows him, doesn't he?" answered Susan.

Amelia nodded "And not just as in met him once. That story from your Third Year has holes big enough to fly through. Not that there is really a lie in it."

"Like just how did a half-starved Azkaban escapee fight off a werewolf?" Susan pointed out "Hannah figured that out by accident. Black is an Animagus. A dog to be exact. Harry wouldn't throw himself in front of a hundred Dementors for someone who killed his parents. Harry knows Black, and knows he's innocent. Why wouldn't they come forward?"

Amelia answered "An Animagus? Interesting, unregistered. Pettigrew a rat. Lupin a werewolf. His father a stag. All unregistered. Harry probably at least has the potential. I wouldn't be surprised if you met Black in one of his forms this summer."

"What should I do?" asked Susan, a bit nervously "And more, what are you going to do?"

Amelia smiled comfortingly "I am certain that, if you do, it is because Harry trusts him not to harm you. So you will not be in any danger. Other than that go with your instincts. As for me, I have responsibility to keep Potter secrets. By the same token I cannot violate my oath as an Auror, especially as I am Head of the Department. What I can do is spread it about that an unidentified wizard, who was seen turning into a rat, needs to be questioned. After all, there are none on the books."

x x x x x

"You are becoming a liability, Wormtail!" Lord Voldemort sneered.

Peter's teeth clicked fearfully as he looked around the long table for an ally. Not finding any, he scraped his way before his master and said "My Lord, it is not my doing. It is that bitch Bones. She must have spotted me. It was an accident!"

"Stop making excuses for your incompetence, rat!" Draco Malfoy, recently minted Death Eater growled.

Voldemort smirked at the father and said "Your son has potential, Lucius. Perhaps he should begin showing us his abilities. Dumbledore, I think, yes Dumbledore should be his target. Sometime dur-"

"Reducto!" Peter interrupted his Lord's speech, firing at the younger Malfoy.

Draco dodged and his chair splintered into hundreds of pieces. He fired the same spell back under the table through his Aunt Bella's legs.

"No boy orders me around!" Peter snarled "Imperio! Slam your head into the wall!"

Draco obeyed, twice. Blood dripped from his left temple. Then he was free and yelled "CRUCIO!"

"You have to really mean it." Bella offered, as the spell had negligible effect.

Voldemort was applauding and chuckling "That is enough amusement for the evening. Wormtail, I leave the matter of your sudden wanted status to you to resolve. Do so. Quickly. Young Draco, you have the summer to prepare. Dumbledore may be an old fool, but he still will not be easy."

"Surely Severus would be better suited." The senior Malfoy suggested.

The Dark Lord glared "Do not question me, Lucius! For you, I need intelligence about Azkaban. I intend to liberate more of my most loyal followers. Your wife should be quite up to the task of training young Draco for his assignment."

x x x x x

About a week later, Tonks entered Hogwarts, sought the Headmaster's office, and entered "No definite proof, sir." She said "But, from everything I've heard around the office, Potter's in one of two places. Madam Bones' home, or the Potter estate."

"At last!" Albus Dumbledore exclaimed "How blind of me! I should have guessed. Well done, Nymphadora!"

She glared "Thank you, but - Tonks."

"Yes Yes Yes!" he said distractedly. Four different oddly shaped instruments spun briefly and glowed different colors. Dumbledore picked up parchment and quill and scribbled away. "AH HA! Just east of the Welsh border!"

x x x x x

The week had not gone well for Harry. He'd run into one of those Catch-22 situations that would make you laugh if it wasn't so serious. And once again it was Dumbledore related. The explanation didn't name him, but Harry knew where it came from.

"I am sorry, Mr. Potter." Healer MacTavish apologized "But, St. Mungo's has received a ruling from the Minister's office. Due to the Statute of Secrecy, we cannot regrow your eye. Details of your treatment are too well known in the Muggle world."

Amelia was livid "You listen to me you small-minded petty little bureaucrat! If you don't help this boy not only will I have your job! I'll have your license!"

"I am carrying out the instructions of the Hospital Board, Madam." He replied, stiffly "You have no such authority. Nor will I tolerate your personal insults."

Harry was treated to the rare sight of Amelia Bones getting physical. The fact that she was several inches shorter than the healer was completely irrelevant. She seized his wrist and twisted, forcing him to his knees "We will see about that! As for authority, you might remember this… IfIkeepthisoathfaithfully,mayIenjoymylifeandpracticemyart,respectedbyallmenandinalltimes;butifIswervefromitorviolateit,maythereversebemylot! Now get out of my sight!"

"What was that about?" asked Harry.

She replied fiercely "Part of the Hippocratic Oath. And I will be making it a personal crusade to ruin that man."

Susan wanted a day with Hannah, so Harry had buried himself in studying today. And chose to spend it at his Keep. Potions was the subject. He approached it cringingly, but found in his mother a near equal in knowledge to Snape and a superior teacher. She made it interesting and, dare he say, fun. He felt a pinch of his magic and looked around.

"What is it, Harry?" asked Lily.

James, who had been silent and uninterested answered "Dad used to get that look whenever an unauthorized visitor tried to floo in. The wards land them at the main gate."

"A Knut on it being-"

Dobby popping into the room interrupted Harry and the elf announced "Headmaster Dumbledore at the front gate, Harry Potter sir. Sayings he is wanting yous at once."

"I could leave the old coot standing out there forever." Commented Harry.

Lily's portrait took on a scolding expression "Regardless of how you feel about him, he is still your Headmaster. It could be school related."

"Wanna bet a Knut on that, Dad?" asked Harry.

James shook his head and chuckled sourly "Well, school will probably come up. But, his main topic? Not a chance. Of course, as your parents, we must attend any student-teacher conference."

"Wicked!" Harry celebrated "Uncle Vernon was always an ass!"

James giggled right along "Right large one at that!"

"Barely fit in Principal Melling's office!" Harry burst out.

Lily clapped her hands sharply and snapped "Enough! It's rude to keep someone waiting!"

"Good idea Mum!" exclaimed Harry, kissing her portrait on the forehead "Hey Dad! Been a long time since you seen the grounds? Right?" Dobby, of course, could have instantly popped both him and the paintings there. From the room Harry had chosen to use, through the Keep, to the front gate, in a straight line was maybe a five minute walk. Harry finished the last sentence of his History of Magic essay, detoured to the kitchen, made a turkey sandwich, strolled out the back of the house, past the Olympic-sized pool, around the right wing of the Keep, then down the main road to the gate.

A clear battle of wills was instantly on. The Headmaster of Hogwats, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards; the only wizard EVER to refuse, several times no less, the position of Minister for Magic. And holder of the Order of Merlin First Class, was not about to be outdone. He was sitting casually in a replica of the almost throne he occupies in the Great Hall. He was studying a crystal ball and had two separate quills scratching on two different parchments when the young wizard arrived.

"Well." Harry demanded coolly "What do you want, old man?"

Dumbledore smiled over his glasses. The impatience of youth was a weakness. "Ah, Harry, how good of you to come." He replied, ignoring the insult "I am pleased you are unharmed. Though quite disturbed that you have been away from your relatives' home for so long."

"I'm where I want to be. Am happy to be. Where my Regent approves of me being." Harry retorted "Why is it any of your business?"

The Headmaster answered "Because I am concerned for your safety. After your parents were murdered, I constructed powerful wards based on your Mother's sacrifice to protect them and you from Lord Voldemort's followers."

"Sounds like you're more worried about the Dursleys than Harry." James put in.

Dumbledore offered the portrait the same grandfatherly smile he'd offered Harry and said "James! And Lily! A great pleasure! I was unaware you had these commissioned."

"Didn't feel you needed to know." Said James, resentfully "Only Sirius did. You had your secrets, we had ours. Even at that, if it wasn't for Dobby, we still would not have our son. Nice job of justice there, Judge."

Lily interrupted logically "Now Luv, what Albus did was reasonable and necessary, at that particular moment."

"MUM!" snapped Harry, angrily.

She cut in "Quiet, Harry! I was not finished! That said, there is NO EXCUSE for your subsequent negligence! AND DON'T BOTHER DENYING IT! If you had paid the slightest attention you would have known of that lardass's treatment of my child! And Harry SHOULD HAVE known about our world!"

"I did what I thought best, as the time." Dumbledore defended himself with that single sentence.

James jumped on it accusingly "And I guess that's your excuse for putting a fourteen year old in Azkaban! And keeping Remus away! I bet the whole thing wouldn't have happened if you had kept your overgrown beard where it belonged."

"Clearly we are not going to accomplish a great deal." Said Dumbledore, "That being the case, Harry, I have a portkey for you to take to Privet Drive. Dobby, gather some of Harry's things so that he can depart."

The elf shook his head "Dobby is Potter elf Head Dumbly canst order Dobby!"

"Very well. Fawkes!" the Headmaster called out "Harry is being obstinate. If you please, penetrate the wards and flame him to the smallest bedroom, #4 Privet Drive. I shall follow to make sure he stays."

The phoenix penetrated the property line, though with considerable effort. So much so that he staggered forward shakily.

"You want a Burning Day Fawkes!" Harry exclaimed as he jumped away. He pulled his wand and trained it, not taking his eyes off him, Harry shouted at the Headmaster "How many Avadas will it take?"

Dumbledore was out of his chair. He slammed against the magical wall he couldn't penetrate and yelled "YOU WOULDN'T!

"Then get that bloody pigeon off Potter property!" Harry snapped. He cringed inwardly as he was reminded of a similar remark by his Uncle Vernon. Fawkes squawked indignantly. Harry immediately seized on the thought and added "Insulted, are you? Well ten of you wouldn't equal Hedwig!"

The phoenix voiced his displeasure, then demonstrated it by wiggling and leaving a dropping. He then hopped to Dumbledore's side.

"I think this belongs to you." Harry said coldly. He cast a banishing charm on the dropping and quite accurately bounced it off Fawkes' beak. To yet another squawk, Harry replied "Stop whining!"

The Headmaster scolded him "It is most unwise, Harry, making an enemy of a phoenix. People will question your motives and actions."

"Exactly WHAT is going on here!" demanded Amelia Bones as she apparated in.

Harry summed it up in a sneering sentence "The Judge, here, wanted to kidnap me and ship me off to Durzkaban. When he couldn't get through the wards himself, he sent his stupid pigeon after me."

"I came here with a much further agenda, Amelia." Dumbledore said, mildly, and shifted the subject "Here is the testing schedule for Harry's remaining OWLs. Potions will be July 8, at 9AM. Astronomy will be July 8, at 1PM. Muggle Studies will be July 12, at 11AM. Charms will be July 15, at 3PM. In light of Harry's injury, I have taken the liberty of rescheduling his Flying exam to July 31, at 7AM. That is as late as possible."

Harry glared hatefully and shouted "I WOULDN'T NEED THAT IF YOU LET MUNGO'S HEAL MY EYE!"

"Sadly, Harry, that is no responsibility of mine." Dumbledore argued.

Harry was all but ready to fling himself at the Headmaster, but Amelia restrained him, he screamed "LIAR!"

"I see no reason to continue our discussion at this time." Said Dumbledore "We will talk again, Harry, when cooler heads can prevail. Amelia, good day." And with that, he disapparated. Fawkes flamed away as well.

Harry crossed his arms and glared at his Regent "Why didn't you let me pop him one?" he demanded.

"After you have had time to cool down and think, you will figure it out." She said sternly "James, you and Lily understand?" The paintings both nodded. "Don't help him with this."

After the flash of light that announced her departure, Harry grumped "Now what was that about?"

"Why don't you take a flight around the property, Harry." Suggested Lily "After that take a shower. By then, if you haven't figured it out, we'll give a clue."

x x x x x

Back at the office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Fawkes was throwing a temper tantrum. There is considerable debate as to whether a human can understand what a phoenix says, but roughly "Howdarethatstupidboy! … flickshitatme! … savedhislife!"

"Calm yourself, my friend." Said Dumbledore "Harry is, after all, just a child. And he does not understand his vital role. Likely, from his point of view, his actions were entirely reasonable."

More squawking , flapping of wings and beak-snapping from Fawkes.

"Albus? What is going on?" McGonagall wanted to know as she entered.

Dumbledore finally got hold of his enraged friend, pulled into his lap and was stroking his feathers "Harry was less than cordial when I saw him today."

"With all due respect, Albus" said McGonagall "Has Mr. Potter not made it sufficiently clear that he does not want to associate with you?"

Snape came in as she said that and snarled "Potter is under the impression he knows what is best for everyone. He needs to be kept under control. As I read it, even Azkaban authorities report him completely rebellious."

"I have seen that memory, Severus." McGonagall said coldly "And, frankly, you should have spent some time in Azkaban yourself. I wonder how you did not, first time around. But regardless, I have reconsidered a number of policies for the coming term. Honestly! Deducting points for breathing too loud?"

Snape gave an icy glare and countered "Potter is more full of himself than ever. I frankly would have thought prison could teach him humility. Obviously not. I shall not pander to the brat's arrogance."

"It seems to me that you are displaying considerable arrogance, yourself, Severus." McGonagall argued "You would do well to be reminded that, while Harry is certainly James' son he is equally Lily's. I do remember you being exceptionally close those first few years."

Snape gave a look that would have slain innocent First Years and swept out of the office.

"Minerva, you are aware of the importance of Severus in the coming conflict." Dumbledore scolded her "I must insist you treat him-"

She cut him off "With kit gloves? No, Headmaster, no longer. I have been blind entirely too long. From the day that man arrived, every year prior to Mr. Potter's coming, Slytherin won the House Cup. In a millennium nine straight years by one House is unprecedented. And, while I admit liking the Cup in my office, fourteen years of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw being shut out is causing resentment. I do not lay claim to an Inner Eye, however I would wager a sizable sum that were another Dark Lord to arise we would find him among those students."

"Surely you exaggerate, Minerva." Argued Dumbledore "After all, Hufflepuff won-"

Again, she interrupted "Last year? And for the first time in seventeen years. That is ridiculous! Not one of them was even alive the last time! I have lesson plans. Good day, Headmaster."

Fawkes squawked again in protest, but Minerva was already half out the door and didn't stop.

Myrtle was hiding in the second floor girls' lavatory to elude Olive Hornby, a classmate of hers who perpetually tormented her about her glasses,

fluxweed, knotgrass, lacewingflies, leeches, powdered Bicorn horn, and shredded Boomslang skin. The final component is a bit of the individual to be impersonated; strands of hair are most often used for this purpose.