Hello, my fellow readers! I hope the day's going fine for you!
Firstly, I want to say sorry (again) for not sticking to my schedule (But I did say I can be a day or two late). The reason is the overburden of work. I work as a writer (yes, a writer! :DD), but the workload was not much, which was why I expected I would be able to write, edit, and then post this chapter on time. However, I was suddenly, completely out of the blue, burdened with too many tasks all at once (for both university and work), so I am sorry!
However, I will always comply with my schedule. I can be a day or two late like I'd said before, but I won't be later than that, promise! ^_^
Secondly, thank you to everyone for giving this story your love and interest. Seriously, it really means a lot!
Don't forget to review and follow so you won't miss the next chapter!
Toodles!
"Ordinary...Wizarding...Levels," said Umbridge, writing the words on the blackboard behind her, "Better known as OWLs." She turned around to emit a tight-lipped smile at her class. "I'm sure all of us know how significant these exams are, yes?"
In reply, the students gave her incredulous looks.
Almost a week had passed since their first private Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. It was a cold Friday, enthroned by January's brutal winter, causing the corridors to become dark and chilly.
The fifth-year Gryffindors were going through their second last class of the day – Defense Against the Dark Arts with Umbridge. Typically, hatred and anger were their most prominent emotions when they watched Umbridge teach them useless lessons with her overly sweet voice and fake composure. However, this time around, things were different. The usual resentment was replaced by another feeling – utter satisfaction. There was something...rewarding about seeing Umbridge teach while knowing you were secretly defying her, especially since she had absolutely no idea about it.
Even though only a few days had gone by, a lot of things had taken place. To begin with, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had managed to hold a second private Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson during a weekday, at the same place and the same time. It was exceptionally exciting as the Inquisitorial Squad, whose powers and control grew daily alongside Umbridge's position in the school, did not suspect anything at all, even if it happened right under their noses.
This private class also had a name now – Dumbledore's Army, courtesy of Harry, who believed there was no better way to honour their headmaster in this war against Umbridge than naming their rebellious endeavours after him.
Harry had also received the first-ever letter from Hagrid after he set off for his mission. Along with Ron and Hermione, he had learned that Hagrid had successfully reached Belgium, but was having a bit of a hard time finding the giants. They seemed to be completely hidden in the mountains, but Hagrid had stated that he would not give up.
Apart from that, Sirius had also filled them in on the latest update of the Order. After some investigation, it was discovered that Clemonte was indeed attacked, in the exact same place Harry had seen in his vision – which was found to be the Department of Mysteries. The discovery led Harry to realize that he had seen that corridor when he had visited the Ministry for his expulsion trial. It just didn't cross his mind. But since he now knew, his dreams had become even more vivid, accompanied by the wonder of what Voldemort could possibly want from there?
Nevertheless, the Order did not take this discovery lightly. Sirius had informed the three that the Ministry was now being inconspicuously guarded by the members of the Order in secretive ways. Now that they knew what Voldemort was aiming for, they had to do everything in their power to prevent him from acting more.
But that didn't stop the dreams and nightmares from befalling Harry. In fact, ever since he heard about the update, the dreams had become even more intense and his emotions even higher. Today, he was especially bothered. The dream he had last night was incredibly coherent, and for some reason, his feelings and thoughts were not balancing, indicating that something was going on with Voldemort that was impacting Harry as well.
His scar was also hurting a lot more than it used to, which was ultimately the reason why now, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry could barely hear anything Umbridge was saying. His scar was throbbing, and he was feeling very, very irked for no reason at all. Probably because of Umbridge?
However, his classmates were acting differently. They were pretending to listen to Umbridge with interest, fighting the urge to roll their eyes whenever she talked about the Ministry. This was the Army's idea – butter up to Umbridge so she wouldn't suspect anything.
"These exams will be held in an environment approved by the Minister," Umbridge was telling the class, her eyes crinkling from smiling too much. "Since the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, is absent without any informed will or motive, it is the Ministry's job to provide the best circumstances in which the OWLs and the NEWTs can take place," she finished, twirling her short wand between her fat fingers. "Now, I'm sure none of you must have questions because it's already clear. Moving on, let's start off with..."
"Um, Professor?"
Neville had raised his hand, his face displaying a nervous expression. "I'm very sorry to interrupt, but I have a question."
Umbridge smiled forcefully at him. "Yes, Mr. Longbottom?"
"Um...w-what will come in the exams?" he asked sheepishly, "I-I mean for the Defense Against the Dark Arts OWLs –"
"I thought it was understood, Mr. Longbottom," Umbridge intervened, her face adopting a frown. "All the chapters that we are studying from this textbook are vital for the exams. I assume you were not paying attention, then?"
Neville's ears turned pink. "No-no, professor. I just wanted to...make sure..." he trailed off.
"Good," said Umbridge, gaining her fake smile back, "Open your books to chapter 10, students!"
Without groaning, the class obeyed her and opened their books, complying with the secret message.
However, Harry did not appear to be thinking along these lines. His head was pounding madly, and his anger was climbing up. He couldn't understand why, but what he could understand was that he absolutely hated Umbridge and wanted to hurt her. Bad.
Thankfully, the bell rang before he could get any ideas.
With Ron and Hermione, he quickly got up from their desk to get away from the classroom. The less he saw of Umbridge, the better.
But her next words froze them in their tracks.
"You three," she said, pointing a fat finger at them, "I want a word."
Ron and Hermione exchanged confused looks with each other while Harry glared at her.
As soon as the class cleared up, Umbridge said, "I am sure you must be aware of the things happening around the school." She smiled at them. "Things I am not aware of."
Instantly, one thought popped up in their heads at the same time; Does she know about the private classes?!
"Professor Dumbledore is not present here," she went on, oblivious to their panic. "Nor is our gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor, Rubeus Hagrid. Now, as the High Inquisitor, it is my duty to know why certain members of our staff are absent. And without any valid reason."
No, she wasn't talking about the private classes. Hermione and Ron shared a private sigh of relief with themselves, but Harry continued to look daggers at Umbridge. Why does she care where Hagrid is? he thought, his fury against Umbridge mounting up. She thinks she's the headmistress, the bloody witch.
"I was informed that you three share a more, what can I say…intimate relationship with our gamekeeper," Umbridge continued, her smile so wide that it looked like it could break her features, "So surely, you would know about his whereabouts?"
Hermione immediately reacted before anyone of them could make a blunder. "No, professor. We are close to Professor Hagrid, yes, but we do not know where he is."
"Really, Miss Granger?" said Umbridge, raising her eyebrow. "And how would I know that you are telling the truth?"
"Because we know she is," Ron put in, sharing a look with Hermione. "He just said goodbye and left."
"He didn't tell you where he was headed?"
"No. He just said that that he had to go somewhere important," Hermione answered, displaying the most innocent yet confused expression she could muster, "He also said that we shouldn't ask questions."
Umbridge narrowed her eyes at them. "I find that very hard to believe."
"We're telling the truth, professor," Hermione implored, "We promise."
"Are you now?' Umbridge replied, her scary smile returning to her face as she fixed her eyes on Harry. "And what about you, Mr. Potter? I've heard that you're the closest to our gamekeeper. You must know where he is then?"
Harry glowered at her but refused to say anything. His infuriation was at a breaking point, and he knew if he lost control of his anger, he would give them away. So he held his tongue and let Hermione and Ron cover for him.
"We were with Harry when Hagrid left," Hermione explained, trying to make her voice sound as truthful as possible. "He only knows what we know."
"Besides, it has nothing to do with us," Ron added, his face hinting a very annoyed look, "because it isn't our business."
Umbridge's smiling mouth turned into a thin line. "Well then, I think it's vital to inform you I have other ways to make you tell the truth, Mr. Weasley. It would be better if we don't do this the hard way, hmm?"
At this, Hermione's eyes widened, but Ron had jumped in before she could impulsively betray them.
"I am sorry, professor. I don't know what will make you believe, but we are telling the truth," he said, almost spitting out the words at her. "I hope you find where Hagrid is, and please, do tell us, too, as we are dying to know. Anyway, we are running late for class so we have to go. Good day."
With that, he turned around and left the classroom. Harry followed him before he could do anything rash, and Hermione did so after uttering a quick and small, "Sorry, professor."
Their next class was Potions, so the three made their way to the dungeons in complete silence. When they had reached the entrance hall, Ron finally broke the ice, "I bet it was Malfoy who told her that we are close to Hagrid."
"Of course, but what if she finds out?" said Hermione, her forehead creasing with worry. "What will she do?"
"Oh, she can't do anything," Ron replied, "Except for sacking Hagrid…"
Hermione's eyes widened again. "She can't do that! That'd be so unfair."
"Tell that to Umbridge."
"It isn't her business, now is it?!" Harry snapped, "She should stay in that wretched office of hers and never come out."
For some reason, Hermione found this funny and laughed, "For her, it would feel like Azkaban."
"Azkaban wouldn't be too bad for her, honestly. Even the dementors would grow tired of her," Ron added, making Hermione laugh harder. Their moods considerably lifted up, but Harry's remained the same. He didn't feel like laughing.
When they reached the Potions classroom, they were relieved to find out that they weren't late. Students were still entering the class, chatting and laughing with each other. The three were about to enter it as well – before somebody stopped them.
Hermione's good mood immediately deflated.
"Had your little talk with Professor Umbridge, did you, Potter?" Malfoy said in his drawling voice, "Did you tell her where that great oaf is?"
Harry closed his eyes and recollected himself by repeating the same thought. You cannot murder him. You cannot murder him.
Ron, meanwhile, was more than ready to fight him. "Bet you love all the attention, don't you, Malfoy? Has Umbridge gifted you her favourite student award yet?"
The people around them laughed. Even Malfoy's friends had emitted a few giggles unknowingly. He glared at them, and they instantly stopped.
"Not yet, Weasley," said Malfoy, turning back to him, "But I bet you anything you would have loved the award, because I'm sure it would be more valuable than your whole house."
His group burst out laughing at this. Ron's pale face flushed red with anger, but before he could snap back, Hermione had grabbed his and Harry's arms.
"Let's go inside," she urged, "Come on."
She wanted them to quickly get away from Malfoy. She was afraid, amidst an argument, he might bring up that crying episode, which she absolutely did not want him to in front of Harry and Ron. It was easily trackable to that day, and if Harry put two and two together...
Hermione didn't even want to think about such a possibility.
She had successfully managed to get them inside the classroom. They took their usual spots on the desk in the middle. Hermione was about to breathe a sigh of relief – until she saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle deliberately pick the desk beside them. Ron seemed to have ticked Malfoy off, but it only made things worse for Hermione. With desperation in her eyes, she looked at Snape – to find out that he was inspecting something, facing away from the students.
Hermione silently begged him to start the class while Malfoy poked fun at Ron. "So Weaselbee, how did you get a position in your little Quidditch team?"
"Sod off, Malfoy," Ron grumbled, not looking at him.
"I bet it was pity, wasn't it?" Malfoy sneered, "Did the captain think she would be doing herself a favour by letting you, poor Ronniekins, into the team?"
Ron almost tore a page of his Potions textbook. He took deep breaths to control himself. Beside him, Harry's fists clenched and unclenched, his anger also boiling up.
Hermione saw these dangerous signs clearly.
"I'm giving you one last warning, Malfoy," Ron threatened him, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, I'm scareeedd," Malfoy taunted while Crabbe and Goyle laughed, "Weaselbee is going to hurt me!"
That was the last straw for Ron. He lunged at Malfoy.
But Hermione was quicker.
"No!" she exclaimed, grabbing the back of Ron's robes, "Please! Calm down!"
"Let go of me!" he snarled at her, "I'll finish him this time. I really will!"
By now, the whole class was looking at this scuffle with interest. Lavender cowered beside Parvati, watching Ron and Malfoy with a distressed look on her face.
"You should listen to Granger, Weasley," Malfoy sneered, "We don't want Gryffindor to lose points, right?"
Ron fumed. If Hermione wasn't holding him, he surely would have strangled Malfoy.
"Get lost before things get serious," Harry spoke up in a menacing tone.
"Oh yeah, Scarhead? And what are you –"
"Will you shut up?!" Hermione yelled, losing her temper. "What is wrong with you?!"
"Nobody asked for your input, you Mudblood." Malfoy gritted his teeth. "Or should I say...you crybaby? What? Why aren't you breaking down in tears? If that's what you know best?"
Hermione took a sharp intake of breath. Now she would have pulled out her wand at Malfoy if Ron hadn't grabbed her.
"Don't. It's not worth it," he said in a low voice, glowering at Malfoy with his face set.
Fortunately, the tussle got prevented from getting worse as Snape had turned around and started the class. Today, they were learning about the antidotes of different venoms. As Snape lectured, Hermione took down notes and soon enough, she had forgotten the scuffle altogether.
But not Ron and Harry. The former boy was having a very hard time concentrating. With Malfoy and his friends cracking jokes on the desk beside him, it was next to impossible. As for Harry, his headache had gotten even worse. He held his disturbed head in his hands, trying to make the words of his Potions textbook comprehensible, but it was no use. His scar was aching fervently, his mind was fighting an imaginary battle, and his emotions were going haywire, with anger being the most prominent among them. Was Voldemort feeling angry at the moment?
"That helps with a serpent's bite, not a spider's bite," Hermione was telling Ron as Harry tried to focus on his surroundings.
Ron muttered something under his breath as he made the correction.
Hermione sighed. "Are you still angry at Malfoy?"
"Oh, is it that obvious?" he replied in a sarcastic tone.
"You have to get him out of your head."
"Hermione, I can hear everything he is saying right now. I don't think I can."
Hermione shook her head and turned to her right to see what Harry was doing. She was surprised to find him in troubled spirits. With his elbows on the desk, he was rubbing his forehead, trying to ebb away whatever was happening inside it.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, concerned.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm all right," he said, opening his eyes, "Don't worry about me."
"You don't look okay to me," she argued, "Is it your scar? Or is Voldemort doing something to your head?"
Harry sighed. With the state he was in right now, he was simply not in the mood to answer questions.
"I'm fine. Really," he answered in a low voice.
Hermione frowned. "I don't think so. You appear uneasy. Maybe you should –"
"What part of 'I'm fine' do you not understand?!" Harry snapped at her, louder than he meant to. Hermione was rendered speechless. Even Ron had stopped working and was looking at Harry in a bewildered way.
But Hermione had regained her composure and frowned at him again, this time with anger. "You don't have to shout. I'm just trying to help you."
"Oh, yes, you can help me – by staying quiet and not asking me questions."
Hermione's mouth dropped open, but her reply was hampered as Snape had reached their desk. They had forgotten that he was going around quizzing the class…
"I'd appreciate if you'd keep your voice down, Potter," he said, glaring at Harry, "Even if you have a knack for disturbing the –"
"I was not disturbing anyone, sir," Harry interrupted with gritted teeth, looking right into Snape's eyes.
"And for interrupting teachers," the latter added, his mouth turning into the smallest of smirks, "Well, since you were not disturbing anyone, I think it would be best to start with quizzing you, don't you think?"
Harry swore under his breath, only loud enough for Hermione, who was standing beside him, to pick up. But Snape must have magical ears or something because he had heard Harry. And he was livid.
"Perhaps some respect should be taught to you, too," he hissed at him, "In my store. Now."
With that, he turned around and left, leaving Harry to follow him into his private stores.
He really wanted to give Snape a piece of his mind, so he stood up from his spot and went for Snape's stores, oblivious to the looks of his classmates, who were watching the whole affair with interest.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked as soon as he left.
Hermione grabbed her quill frustratedly. "I don't know, but he deserves punishment."
Meanwhile, Harry had reached Snape's private stores. It was a small room, cramped and congested. Tall shelves of potion bottles were the only thing present in the place.
"Explain yourself," said Snape as soon as Harry entered the premises.
Harry gaped at him. "Explain myself? I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Don't act so naïve, Potter," Snape scowled at him. "Clearly, being civil does not grace you. You're lucky Professor Dumbledore has considered Occlumency for your protection, but observing how much of a hopeless case you –"
"Don't – you – dare," Harry interrupted. He was so angry, he could barely speak. "Don't you dare call me a hopeless case! I am not a hopeless case!"
"Lower your voice!" Snape shouted, "You are in the presence of a teacher!"
"Do I look like I care?!" Harry shouted back, surprising himself with his audacity. Something was very wrong with him.
Snape must have caught on because he narrowed his eyes. "It seems to me that you, as disdainful as you are, have something problematic going on. You must tell it to me."
Harry's mind immediately answered with, "No." The impulse was so strong that something in him absolutely refused to tell Snape anything, even if one part of him, the sanest part, was advising him that he should.
"I am fine," he replied, looking at Snape directly in the eye, "Nothing is wrong with me."
"Don't lie to me, Potter."
"I am not –"
"If the Dark Lord is taking over your mind, now is the time to inform me."
"You don't listen, do you?" Harry snapped at him, "I am fine!"
But Snape wasn't buying it, not at all. Instead of replying, he turned to one of the shelves to fetch a potion, which he presented to Harry.
"Do you know what this is, Potter?
Harry knew. He had seen Dumbledore use it on Barty Crouch Jr. so he could spill all of his secrets. Something in Harry's mind started to panic, but he still stayed aplomb.
"I know. It's the truth serum," he answered, his voice dropping to a low tone.
"And we shouldn't use it on you, now should we?" said Snape, his lip curling into a smirk. "It's fortunate that we have a full bottle, now with Professor Umbridge using it on students so they would tell her the truth."
This piece of news surprised Harry so much that he almost forgot about the current situation. Did she mean this when she told Ron she had other ways to know the truth?
But he chose to remain indifferent in front of Snape. "Honestly, I don't understand why we would need to use it on me when I am telling you the truth. I'm feeling fine. I just felt angry at Um – I mean, Professor Umbridge, because she decided to badger us by asking about Hagrid when we don't know anything."
He knew Snape wouldn't question anything he had just said, as he belonged to the Order and must hate Umbridge as much as he did. As for the Hagrid part, he wasn't sure if he believed that they really didn't know anything about him.
Whatever passed through his mind, Snape finally gave in. He held Harry with a cold stare as he spoke, "Very well. I am letting you go this time, Potter. But five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your disdainful behaviour."
Fair enough, thought Harry as he left the stores once Snape dismissed him. He was surprised to see that lesson was over. The classroom was empty, apart from Neville, who was wiping the desks as a punishment for a mistake he'd made. He sadly waved at Harry. Harry waved back.
When he exited the classroom, he was amazed to find Ron and Hermione waiting for him.
"Oh, hey," he said meekly, "Er, I am sorry. About earlier."
"It's okay, mate," Ron said, smiling at him, "Not your fault. Anger makes the best of us become the worst, sometimes."
"That's true." Harry nodded. He was grateful to find that his emotions were slowly getting back in control. It was probably because of lashing out at Snape and Hermione.
"Yes. It's fine," Hermione now said, as they made their way towards the Great Hall for lunch, "But if something is wrong with you, tell us."
"No, I am okay. For real this time, Hermione," said Harry, "I guess I got furious because of Umbridge and then Malfoy."
"Are you sure it's not something else?" Hermione asked, her face ejecting concern. But even when he again assured her it wasn't, a strange dread in her heart still remained…
Mayhem was taking place in the Great Hall when they entered it. They took seats at the Gryffindor table beside Lavender, who was sitting alone.
"Hey," Ron greeted her with a kiss.
"Where's Parvati?" Hermione asked her.
Lavender sighed at her question. "With the Ravenclaws."
At her reply, Hermione looked at the other house's table. Sure enough, Parvati was gossiping happily with her twin, Padma, and her friends. Cho was also sitting nearby, right in Harry's field of vision. She smiled at him as soon as she saw him. He returned it with effort. He didn't feel like smiling.
"Screw her," Ron said to Lavender, starting on a steak and kidney pie, "She doesn't care about you, so you shouldn't care about her."
"But she's my best friend," Lavender argued.
As the conversation went on, a strange bliss settled among the four of them. It was relieving that they got afternoons off on Friday. Plus, there was no Quidditch practice scheduled for today.
But they were proven wrong almost immediately.
"You two," said Angelina Johnson, coming up to them, "We have to discuss something for the upcoming match against Hufflepuff. So I want you in the practice grounds in 5 minutes."
With that, she left.
"But I am starving!" Ron complained.
"Can't even get a second of peace here," Harry murmured to himself.
"Oh, quit it. It must be something important," Hermione told Ron, "You can eat afterwards."
"Besides, you have to win that match, now don't you?" Lavender added, giving him a kiss on his cheek.
Ron sighed and looked at Lavender amusedly. "You and your kisses are very convincing, you know that?"
Lavender and Hermione laughed, making Ron grin. However, besides them, Harry was again rubbing his forehead. To his utter dismay, his headache had returned, and his emotions were swirling once more. Maybe some fresh air was what he needed?
After Ron and Harry left the Great Hall, Hermione and Lavender launched off into a conversation. Truth be told, their friendship was becoming stronger, and Hermione was glad of it. The reason behind why she had started to bond with Lavender was simple – Harry and Cho.
Surprisingly, unlike Hermione had expected, they did not interact with each other as much as she'd thought they would. It was probably because of Harry's tight schedule and Cho's disinclination to approach him first. Either way, Hermione did not like it one bit when Cho, on some occasions, did join their group to talk to Harry only. She never greeted Ron or Hermione, not even with a simple "Hi." Ron didn't really care, but Hermione did. In fact, she sometimes became so annoyed that she had to seek refuge in Lavender.
So, as the days went by, this is how their friendship blossomed onto stronger levels. Although their personalities were very different from one another, Hermione found herself to be compatible with Lavender. It was so easy to talk to her as she was a great conversationalist, a quality Hermione lacked.
Ironically, Lavender also sought refuge in Hermione. Now that her so-called best friend, Parvati, had suddenly decided that her twin sister, Padma, and her friends were much more interesting than Lavender, she had started spending a lot of time with them, leaving the other girl alone without any explanation, like right now. Hermione didn't blame her, though. It was a crime to separate twins, literal parts of each other, into different houses. Besides, she didn't mind it as she got Lavender to herself, thus allowing their friendship to grow onto more personal levels.
"I don't understand her," Lavender was grumbling, "I mean, did I do something wrong?"
Hermione shook her head and said in a reasonable tone. "Of course not. Don't blame yourself for this."
Lavender sighed, looking forlornly at Parvati, laughing and talking at the Ravenclaw table. "I know I shouldn't. But Hermione, am I really that boring?"
Hermione smiled as she patted Lavender's hand. "Definitely not! I can spend days talking to you. The thing is... Padma is her twin. You can't separate twins."
"I guess you're right," Lavender replied, before smiling at Hermione, "Either way, thanks for putting up with me.
"Oh, thank you for putting up with me!" Hermione laughed. "I cannot stand Harry's new girlfriend."
"I still can't believe they're together now."
"Which is bad, right?" Hermione prompted, "I mean, she's so rude. She doesn't even acknowledge our presence."
"But Harry likes her, doesn't he?" Lavender said, punching holes in her kipper with her fork. "If she makes him happy, then you have to give her a chance."
"Well, it doesn't feel like that yet, to be very honest with you," Hermione countered. She didn't think she could ever feel comfortable around Cho. There was something about that girl that wasn't sitting right with Hermione. Not because of them liking the same boy, but because of Cho's personality being as incompatible with Hermione's as ketchup was with cereal. Whatever she did, Hermione could not stand Cho, and she had a feeling Cho couldn't stand her, too.
"Her personality may be dreadful," Lavender was saying as she zoned back in, "But you have to give her a chance. They haven't even gone out yet, right?"
"Yes," Hermione sighed, then decided to change the topic. "The second private class was fun, right?"
"Oh, definitely!"
In the second class, they had started learning the Freezing charm – Petrifucus Totalus. Hermione already knew the spell at her fingertips, but most of the class didn't. The spell proved to be so difficult for the lot that Harry had said they would continue with it in the third class.
"I'm so happy Umbridge's stupid Inquisitorial Squad has failed to suspect anything yet," Hermione whispered to Lavender.
"I agree!" Lavender said, then frowned. "I absolutely hated the way Malfoy was badgering Ron in Potions."
"He's an idiot. That's what he is," Hermione added, tasting some chicken soup.
Their conversation shifted to something light, and it quickly elevated. So when Harry and Ron returned to the Great Hall some minutes later, both girls were laughing merrily.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked, reaching for the pie he had left behind.
"Oh, nothing," Lavender chuckled, "How was the meeting?"
"Meh. It wasn't even that important, honestly."
As Ron and Lavender continued their talk, Hermione's eyes shifted to look at Harry – and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
He was clutching his head with one hand, his eyes were shut, and his face was sporting a very pained expression.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked tentatively at first. He didn't answer and instead started rubbing his scar with his fingers.
"Is your scar acting up?" she asked again.
But he still didn't reply. When he began to massage his head roughly, as if he was trying to get rid of something that was residing in his mind, Hermione realized it was something serious.
"Harry?" she said, leaving her spot to sit beside him, "Is something wrong?"
Her question caused Ron and Lavender to stop talking and look at Harry and her.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Ron asked.
"Is he okay?" Lavender put in.
"I don't know. He's not telling me," Hermione answered, the worry creeping up in her voice.
"Hey, mate?" Ron said, addressing Harry, "Are you all right?"
But Harry still didn't respond. In fact, it seemed like he couldn't even hear them. He kept holding his head with his eyes shut. It was enough to make Ron and Hermione realize that something critical was happening to him.
"Harry, please," Hermione implored, "Please tell us what's wrong."
A chaotic war was unfolding inside Harry's head. It was like a force, similar to the one he had experienced during his first Occlumency lesson, and it was trying to take control of his mind. His scar was paining madly. His head felt like it would split into two. He was feeling many things at once. He couldn't understand what was happening. He couldn't differentiate between his thoughts and someone else's.
But he knew it was Voldemort.
He could hardly hear his friends calling to him, but he could distinguish Hermione's voice. She sounded so, so far away. He couldn't understand what she was saying, but he could understand that he had to try his best to explain.
"It's...him..." he managed, rendering the other three speechless, "He's here."
Hermione and Ron exchanged horrified looks with each other while Lavender asked, confused. "Who's here. What is he talking about?"
Both Ron and Hermione ignored her as they focused on Harry again, who had started to take shallow breaths.
And then Harry felt it – pure anger. Intense anger. Anger like he had never experienced before...
Voldemort was furious about something.
Suddenly, Harry could see why.
"He's...angry..." he tried to communicate to his friends, "He's angry because...his plan...didn't work."
"What is happening?! Who's angry?" Lavender asked again, exasperated.
But Ron and Hermione didn't answer her as they were contemplating what Harry had said. Voldemort was angry because the Order was now guarding the Department of Mysteries.
Something had to be done.
"Lavender, go to Madam Pomfrey and ask her for a Cephalalgia potion," Hermione commanded, "And Ron, find someone from the Order and tell them it has gotten worse. Hurry! I'll try bringing him back to his senses."
"Okay," Ron said, "Come on, Lavender."
Once they left, Hermione turned back to Harry and grabbed his shoulder. "Harry, listen to me. Don't let him take over your mind! Remember Snape's instructions."
But Harry didn't seem to hear her. His head was bowed low, and his hands were gripping the table so hard, his knuckles had turned white. The force had become stronger, and it was only seconds away from succeeding.
Nothing was working. The all-too-familiar feeling of panic started to impact Hermione, but she tried her best to ignore it. Instead, she took Harry's face in her hands and forced him to look at her.
She knew almost everyone in the Great Hall was watching them at this point, including Cho, but she didn't care. She only cared about the boy in front of her and bringing him back to his real self.
"Look at me," she pleaded, "You cannot give yourself to him. You're much stronger, Harry."
Finally, he had listened to her because for the first time since all of this started happening, Harry's eyes flew open.
Hermione could swear she saw a flash of red in those emerald greens.
At the same time, it felt like the force had succeeded because all of a sudden, his brain had begun to project different pictures and moments in front of his eyes at its own command, all of which contained only one man – Dumbledore.
Suddenly, Harry felt burning rage building up in his being as his mind thought in a voice that sounded like his own; He's the one. He ruined everything! He has to die for this.
His fury was blinding him. He couldn't form any comprehensible thought as only one kept repeating in his mind – kill Dumbledore.
Harry knew what he had to do.
He stood up suddenly, startling Hermione, and moved to exit the Great Hall.
"Where are you going?" Hermione demanded, grabbing hold of his arm.
Harry glared at her. "Let go of me this instant."
"No. You have to calm down – hey!"
He had pulled his arm away from her, and with such force that she almost fell to the ground.
"Harry!"
But Harry didn't hear her calls, just like he couldn't see almost every pair of eyes that were trained on him. He strode out of the Great Hall, the murder of a particular man etched clearly into his mind...
