"What did you get detention for?" Draco asked as they headed up to breakfast the next morning. Harry shrugged.

"He didn't actually say," he explained. "It was kind of out of nowhere."

When they arrived in the Entrance Hall, Anthony was waiting for them.

"Did your snake sense him too?" he asked immediately, holding up the wrist that Harry knew Douglas preferred.

Harry nodded. "She was very vocal about it." Anthony grinned.

"Mine too, and now the other Ravenclaws have stopped glaring at me when I talk to Douglas in the common room."

"Snape mentioned that you were the one who alerted the teachers," said Harry, nodding. "I, on the other hand, was held at wandpoint and not allowed to tell anyone."

"That's not true at all," Blaise objected. Harry had decided to let the argument rest last night and had told Blaise he was a prat but that he understood why. Blaise had gracefully accepted this wisdom from under three layers of blankets and told Harry to shut up and go to bed. "You could have told the entire castle, if you had wanted. You just would have had to stand in the Slytherin common room and shout really loudly."

"The Slytherins would have heard you, at any rate," Draco agreed. "Probably would have told you to stuff it, but they would have heard you."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I have something to tell you later, Anthony, in the library."

Anthony nodded. "Three o'clock?" Harry agreed and they parted ways at the entrance to the Great Hall.

"So does anyone actually know where Black was, or just that he was in the castle?" Harry asked rhetorically.

Pansy's eyes shone with excitement. "If you want, I can have a few rumours going that he was in Gryffindor again, in the fourth year dorm by lunchtime."

Harry grinned. "Can it be common knowledge by dinner?"

Pansy nodded, enthused. "And no one will know where they first heard it."

When three o'clock finally arrived, Harry made his way to the library, having made a short detour at his dormitory to pick up the Map. At the library, Harry ducked through the doors and gave the room a quick glance. There were few students scattered around at the various tables, most of them upper years. Anthony was at his usual table, Luna Lovegood sitting across from him reading a newspaper with Ravenclawian interest. Harry went over and sat next to her, greeting them each with a smile. He wasn't certain how much he trusted Luna at this point, and he didn't want just anyone knowing about the Map.

"Hello Anthony, hello Luna," he said. Anthony blinked and set his book down, only having just noticed his arrival.

"What was it you wanted to talk about, then?" he asked. Luna murmured a late greeting as well and turned the page. Harry noted that Anthony was glancing surreptitiously at the open book he'd set on the table and wondered what it took, exactly, to get a Ravenclaw's undivided attention. Perhaps if he convinced Hermione to transfigure him into an encyclopaedia.

"I wanted to tell you about what happened last night," Harry said, mentally getting back to the point and lowering his voice. "Black was up in Gryffindor again. He was in the fourth year boys' dormitory this time."

Anthony gave him an interested look. "How do you know? Your snake couldn't possibly have told you all that."

Harry shook his head. "I'll show you later," he said. "But there was someone else there too, named Peter Pettigrew, which is the name of the man that Black is supposed to have killed thirteen years ago."

Anthony's eyebrows shot up. "That's intriguing."

Harry nodded. "Also, Snape mentioned your lessons," he said. "And he gave me detention."

Anthony frowned. "Over the lessons?"

"Actually," Harry said, shrugging, "I'm not really sure. He was awarding points one second and giving me a detention the next. He didn't even say why."

"It was probably nargles," Luna said vaguely. "It is around that time of year."

"What's a nargle?" Harry asked, never having heard of one. Anthony appeared interested in the answer as well, which confused Harry further, as he was usually the only ignorant one when dealing with people that had grown up in the wizarding world.

"Nargles are little creatures that infest mistletoe," Luna informed them, not even glancing up from her paper. "A nargle bite can cause dizziness, irrationality and a lack of inhibition. You want to be careful about standing around underneath mistletoe for too long."

Anthony nodded thoughtfully, and jotted down a note on a piece of parchment next to him.

"Alright," Harry said, blinking. "Well either way, I don't know what the detention is for, but it's tonight."

"You'll find out shortly, then," Anthony said. "Do you think Black's break-in had anything to do with that article of yours?"

Harry bit his lip. The thought had come up. He was just happy he hadn't had Defense today, and so had avoided seeing Professor Lupin's reaction. "Possibly," Harry admitted. "Probably. We wanted a reaction, I suppose, and we got it. I just wish I knew what it meant."

"He seems to have proved your point about the dementors at least," Anthony pointed out. "That's twice he's gotten past them without so much as a fuss."

Harry nodded. "I don't think they'll be around much longer. Pansy said they'll probably be gone by the end of the week."

"The ghosts will be glad," Luna said vaguely. Harry looked over at her again. She had set her paper down on the table and Harry could see that it wasn't the Daily Prophet.

"The ghosts?" he asked, slightly bewildered. "What do they have to do with anything?"

"Well they're not going to have to worry so much, are they?" Luna asked, her protuberant eyes widening. "The Grey Lady told me how she misses her walks on the grounds."

Harry looked at Anthony, who had his eyes cast downward at his book even though his face was pointing at Harry, then back at Luna. "I don't understand," he said finally. "What do the ghosts have to worry about?"

"Well, it's the difference between a wizard eating steak or a live bull, isn't it?" Luna asked rhetorically. "Which would you choose? Someone else has done all the work of preparing the steak. All you have to do is eat it, it's not going to be able to stop you. But if you try to take a bite out of a bull, it's going to be very cross with you. It's unlikely you'll walk away feeling full."

Harry blinked. "I suppose that makes sense."

As Harry worked his mind around Luna's analogy, he noticed Blaise sauntering into the library. He paused, waved at Hermione's regular table, where she was studying with Dudley and Neville, and headed over to where Harry sat.

"Hello Blaise," Anthony said, picking his book back up. Harry rolled his eyes, knowing he had lost Anthony to Blaise's intrusion. Anthony usually figured that Harry didn't need his attention if he had someone else's, especially when he had a book with him. Maybe Draco was right about Ravenclaws, Harry mused as Luna began humming to herself as she flipped through her newspaper.

"Hey Anthony," Blaise responded easily. "Harry, come with me. I've got a idea I think you'll want to be part of."

Harry waved goodbye as they left the table, but aside from a slight tilt of the head that could have been a nod from Anthony, the only reaction to his departure was that Luna began swaying to the song she'd previously only been humming to.

"What's this idea?" Harry asked as they scaled the steps to the third floor. "I wanted to get some work done before dinner, I've got detention after, you know."

"You'll see in a moment," Blaise said as they rounded a corner. He walked right up to a statue of a rather ugly one eyed witch with a hump. "Here we are."

Harry stared at the statue for a moment, before realizing that he was in the third floor and that the entrance Black had used was likely nearby.

"This is it?" Harry asked. Blaise nodded with a smile. "How did you figure that out?"

"I remembered which corridor it was in, naturally," Blaise said. "And this is the only thing in this area that could possibly conceal a passageway." He frowned. "Not sure how, though. But this has got to be it."

Harry eyed the statue again. "Hang on, let me check the Map."

"Oh good, you've got it with you," Blaise said as Harry pulled it out and cast the spell. He located them standing next to the statue, and sure enough, this was the passage. Harry frowned at the statue again for a moment, and looked down at the Map again.

"There's a little speech bubble," Harry said, peering closely at himself on the Map. "That's amazing, actually. Tap it and say 'dissendium'."

Blaise tried it, and sure enough, the hump opened. It looked like you would have to go down a bit of a slide to get to the actual passage.

"Alright, here's our chance to do something," Blaise said, and Harry glanced at him for his word choice. Blaise had his eyebrows raised expectantly, along with his wand. "Lets make sure he can't get back in this way. Maybe then he won't be able to bypass all the protections on the school and another break-in won't happen."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "I wish I knew how the prefects change passwords," he said, closing up the hump. "I think we should put some kind of alarm on it, though."

Blaise nodded. "And a few nasty jinxes, as well. Maybe some binding charms? Just enough to keep him busy long enough for someone to find him here, especially if he doesn't have a wand."

Harry grinned and rolled up his sleeves. Blaise could be incredibly clever sometimes.

At exactly eight o'clock that night, Harry knocked on the door to Professor Snape's office, feeling slightly nervous. He could think of a few things Snape might want to talk about, but to be honest, he really didn't have a clue what this was about.

The door opened, and Harry stepped inside to see Snape at his desk, writing something. He waved a distracted hand at a chair, and Harry sat down, waiting silently. When Snape finished a few minutes later, he set his quill down deliberately and looked straight at Harry.

"Imagine my surprise when I heard what you had to say in the Daily Prophet the other day," he said coolly. "What did you mean to accomplish?"

It was strange that Snape would mirror Lupin's words, when he disliked the other professor so much. Harry lifted his head and attempted an explanation.

"We had hoped that if Black thought I was on his side, that maybe he would consent to a trial, sir," Harry said, feeling slightly uncertain. "Pansy and Draco said that he would probably at least consider the idea, and that if I said he was innocent, then people might even believe it. Even if he isn't, he at least wouldn't be loose anymore."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "You did all this on the words of Miss Parkinson and Mr. Malfoy," he stated. When Harry didn't say anything, he continued. "I suppose proclaiming that the dementors are unnecessary was their idea as well?"

"Well," Harry said, "I mean, he's gotten past them twice now. Three times if you count Azkaban. They just don't seem to matter to Black. All they're doing is demoralizing the rest of us, sir."

"A point," Snape allowed, watching Harry. "Mr. Potter, as your Head of House, I ask that you consult me from now on before making the decision to play on your fame. Words cannot describe how foolish this manoeuvre was. Among other things, inviting Rita Skeeter into your life is something I guarantee you will regret." Harry nodded, abashed, and Snape continued, leaning forward across the desk. "Do not make the mistake of thinking that Black is anything other than a criminal. I assure you, he deserved Azkaban."

Harry nodded again and remained silent, staring at the desk. Snape allowed the silence to stretch to the limit of comfort before continuing.

"Now," he said, standing. "I think you would benefit from private tutoring."

Harry's eyes flew up to meet Snape's level gaze with surprise. "Sir?"

Snape raised an eyebrow. "As I am certain you are aware, Mr. Potter, I am a Potions Master."

"Yes, sir," Harry said, nonplussed. He hadn't realized his Potions grade was so bad.

"I also possess many other skills," Snape said. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, for example, is a specialty of mine." He met Harry's eyes directly. "Know thine enemy," he intoned. "I am also quite adept at the Dark Arts." He began to pace purposefully behind his desk. "Duelling, the mind magics, Occulmency and Legilimency. Nonverbal spells are normally taught in the sixth year curriculum. I can have you mute by the end of term."

He stopped and faced Harry. "The animagus transformation," he said, smirking slightly at Harry's wide eyed expression. "It is best to have a mentor to guide you during the process. Some things cannot be learned from a book."

Harry stared, his mind racing at the possibilities. But first.

Snape obviously had something to gain from offering Harry this.

"Anthony checked," Harry said slowly. "There are no books on Parseltongue."

Snape's eyes gleamed.

"He what?" Draco said again.

"He offered a trade," Harry said, grinning. "I teach him Parseltongue, he teaches me pretty much whatever I want him to. I'm to owl him before Christmas with my decision."

They were walking to Defense. Harry wasn't looking forward to seeing Lupin again, as he felt a bit foolish after Snape's talk, not to mention the fact that as far as Lupin was concerned, he'd been right about Harry waving a flag and encouraging Black to come looking for him in the castle. Pansy's rumours about Gryffindor Tower were still only rumours, after all.

When they arrived, however, it was Professor Snape standing at the head of the class.

"A roll of parchment on the identification and destruction of werewolves?" Harry repeated incredulously, once they were safely out of earshot of the Defense room. "When did we start learning about werewolves? I thought we were on hinkypunks!"

Pansy raised an eyebrow. "Were you going to say something, Harry? Because I thought one detention with Snape this year was enough for you. Did you see the look on his face?"

"He was making a point," Blaise said. "I don't know what his point was, but he was certainly making one."

"Probably that Lupin's a bad teacher and that learning about hinkypunks is useless," Draco said. Harry glared at him, and he raised his hands defensively. "What? That's what he probably thinks, not me!"

Harry glared for another moment before drooping slightly. "You don't think Lupin missed class because of Black's break-in, do you?"

"I doubt it, Harry," Pansy said comfortingly. "I don't think Lupin would miss class unless he was actually sick. He's not the type."

"It is getting nasty out there," Draco said, nodding his head at a window nearby. The snow was thick enough that all Harry could see was white.

"I can't wait until break," Pansy said, wrinkling her nose at the sight. "I'm going to Greece to visit family. It'll be nice there, at least."

"I'm just going to stay in the Manor for most of the holiday, I think," Draco said. "All this weather is just bothersome."

"What're you doing, Harry?" Blaise asked. "Going home with your cousin?"

"Yeah," Harry said, nodding. "I'm going to actually play in the snow," he said, smirking at Draco and Pansy. "You know, snowmen, igloos, all that fun winter stuff you do when it's winter. I'm not going to flee from the weather."

Pansy shuddered delicately. "Suit yourself, Harry. Personally, I'm going to say 'I told you so' when we all end up spending Christmas at your funeral because they found your cold, dead, frostbitten carcass in some snowbank on the side of the road."

"Is that a threat, Pansy?" Harry asked, grinning at her description.

"Possibly," she said. "I did call your death, after all."

"Sirius Black and Mia don't know what they're up against," Blaise agreed, his face a serious mask.

All three of them stared at him blankly for about three seconds, then Harry burst into laughter along with Pansy. Draco grimaced as though he was trying very hard not to smile.

"Go on, Draco," Blaise said, grinning. "You know you think it's funny. My comic genius astounds you."

"Genius is probably not the best choice of words," Draco shot back, but he was grinning now. "Failure, maybe? Although it does astound me, I admit. I thought you said Ian, anyway?"

Harry shook his head. "Ian would only work if he had an extra 'n' somewhere."

Blaise deliberated this for a moment. "Tomn," he said. "The n is silent. T-O-M-N."

"No," Pansy waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Because you'd still have that extra 'm' in there. It would have to be Ton. Or Not. His name could be Not Marvolo Riddle."

"Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit blasphemous?" Draco muttered, sticking his hands in his robe pockets.

"Yes," Pansy said without hesitation. "He's no god, Draco. He's dead."

Draco gave her a skeptical look, though he offered up a suggestion of his own. "Rot Varnolo Middle?"