Chapter Twenty Five
Harry woke up the next morning and sighed, the weather was horrible, pouring with rain so hard he could hear it even in the dorm room.
"I feel sorry for the Gryffindors." Draco smiked, getting dressed, "They've got Quidditch practice today."
Harry let out a laugh and pulled on his own clothes, then he remembered he wouldn't be flying any more and wished he could be out, even in this weather.
Angelina, the Gryffindor Captain, kept looking up at the sky and talking angrily to Fred and George.
"Wonder what they're up too?" Harry mused, "I'm not sure Angelina is suited to being a captain, she's so stressed all the time."
"She'll get grey hairs if she's not careful," Daphne agreed, "Although wouldn't you, having to deal with a team full of Weasleys?"
"I bet you anything Fred and George are trying to get out of practice." Draco said, "I can't exactly blame them in this weather."
The wind blew loudly over the ceiling, making several people jump. Harry wasn't sure what the plan was for the day; they had planned to spend at least a fair bit of the day out by the lake, it would give them a chance to catch up with Hermione and Neville but the weather had well and truly ruled that out.
"Fancy heading to the library after breakfast?" Harry asked.
Pansy, Draco and Daphne nodded. They finished up quickly, Umbridge seemed to never stop looking over them at meal times, it rather put Harry off his food. Hedwig wasn't going out any more, she was too easy to spot so Harry didn't even have letters from home to look forward to.
The library was quiet, Madam Pince seemed preoccupied dusting the restricted section so they were able to quietly move two of the tables together so they could spread out.
Harry could see the Gryffindor team trying to practice, several people getting blown badly off course in the weather.
"Harry… Harry!" Hermione hissed, "Stop watching, it's not worth it."
Harry forced a smile, "You're right. Sorry, I just miss it."
Hermione nodded, "Well, lets think logically about it. You can still fly, you still have your broom. And not having to worry about Quidditch will help you keep up with your class work, goodness knows we could all do with some more time."
Harry sighed and forced himself not to glare at her, "Seem like there's not much to be happy about if I'm swapping Quidditch for homework and-" Harry let out a scream of pain.
He clutched at his head, slamming it down on the desk.
"What on earth is going on there?" Madam Pince shouted across the shelves.
Draco reached over, supporting Harry's head as he slowly sat up, "Nothing Madam, sorry, I just… stubbed my toe."
"If you make such a racket again and I will have to ask you to leave." she snapped, but left them alone.
"Harry what happened?" Pansy asked.
Harry took several deep breaths, his head was spinning, "My scar hurt, really really hurt. I thought it was going to split my head open."
"Is… he… close?" Daphne whispered.
Harry shook his head, "No I think… I think he's angry." Harry didn't know how he knew, but the moment the words left his mouth he knew they were true, "He needs something, and it's not being done quickly enough."
Harry looked around his friends, who were looking at him in shock.
Neville shuffled in his seat, "Harry, it's not that I don't believe you, but how do you know that?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't know. But I do. It's like the pain put it in my head." it sounded crazy, even to himself.
"Ok." Hermione said, nodding, "Do you know anything else, something we could use?"
Harry shook his head, "No. He's just angry."
"You need to tell Professor Snape." Draco said quickly.
"No!" Harry hissed, "I wont drag him into this, we don't even know what 'this' is."
"I agree, Harry." Daphne said, "You have to tell your father, I know you don't want to cause trouble but this… from the sound of things you were inside Voldemort's mind. That's very strong magic, most Legilimens need to be looking at their target, not hundreds of miles away."
Harry rubbed his head, his scar was still hurting although now it was a dull ache rather than shooting pain.
"I don't think I was using Legilimency, I don't know how to apart from anything else." Harry pointed out, "But it's more like I was lurking I guess? But not on purpose, I was just there and then I wasn't."
"Do you think he knew you were there?" Neville asked, "I mean was he in your head as well?"
Harry shook his head, "No, I don't think so. I don't think he even knew he'd pulled me in."
"Tell Professor Snape." Hermione said firmly.
Harry still wasn't sure that he should be doing this, as he carefully peeled the name label off his bottle and tucked a note behind it before re-sticking it securely, with a star in the corner, if you looked carefully enough.
"Time is up, please hand me your completed potions. It is drawing closer and closer to your O.W.L, I expect that these will be of far better quality that your last lot." Professor Snape said, looking up from the book he was reading.
Harry took several deep breaths, "I shouldn't tell him." He whispered to Draco, Daphne and Pansy, "My scar isn't even hurting any more."
"He needs to know, your Mother needs to know." Draco hissed back.
Harry knew that was the case but it felt like he was making a mistake, he should be dealing with this alone. It was bad enough he was dragging his friends in, and now he was dragging in his family.
"I'm putting people in danger again." Harry said quietly.
Pansy grabbed the potion bottle off him before he could remove the note, "You're being stupid. Do you think if You-know-who takes power we'll be in less danger?"
She marched up to Professor Snape's desk and placed the potions in the neat rows with everyone else's.
"I'd take a close look at Potter's." Pansy said quietly, "I think it looks a bit 'off' around the edges."
Severus nodded, "Thank you Miss Parkinson."
Harry smiled, they made their way to the common room to drop their bags off before wondering to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry didn't have much of an appetite and picked listlessly at his stew.
"Harry you need to eat something." Daphne said, buttering another slice of bread for him and putting his spoon back in his hand.
"I'm not hungry." Harry mumbled.
"You did the right thing." Draco said, "It's important that they have all of the information."
Harry slammed his hand down, "It only ever works that way though doesn't it?"
Draco, Daphne and Pansy jumped at his sudden movement.
" 'They' never keep us informed do they? No. They treat us like children, not to be trusted." Harry snapped, "You know 'they' are keeping secrets from us."
Daphne glared at him, "Number one, Harry, we are children and there is a lot going on right now. We have to trust that Dumbledore knows what is best and is doing everything he can to keep us all safe."
Harry suddenly felt exhausted, "But what if he's not?"
"What do you mean?" Pansy asked.
"Your parents never liked Dumbledore during the first war, very few pure blood families did, there was just this big shift as I was growing up and Mum was becoming a big part of their lives, becoming friends with Draco's parents. It was ten years! It changed everything for so many people. But we don't know that Dumbledore is as good as we think he is. He's barely talked to me all year, he defended me at the trail without saying anything to me, he barely even looked at me!" Harry pointed out, he knew he needed to tell everyone something, but it was like the thought was covered in treacle in his mind.
"It's not… there is a lot going on, as I said. Dumbledore is having to worry about a lot of people, not just you." Daphne said carefully.
Harry smirked, "So what you're trying to say is it's not all about me?"
Daphne smiled, "Your words, not mine and I choose to remain silent over my implications."
"I know you're going to miss Quidditch but you can come out and fly with us still, there's no rule against that." Draco pointed out, "You could help coach."
Harry nodded, "You're right. I'd be good at bossing you all around."
"And you have to focus on our… extra curricular groups." Pansy whispered, "Maybe come up with a few lesson plans or something."
Harry shrugged, "I've got a few ideas but I need to know what sort of level everyone is at first, it's all well and good me throwing you in at the deep end, but I'm not sure some of the other students would do so well."
"Well, finding out what level everyone is at is lesson plan number one then." Pansy said with a nod.
Harry smiled and managed to finish his dinner, it didn't fix everything but not being hungry helped him think a little clearer.
He watched Severus say something to Professor Umbridge who once again turned her beady little eyes towards Harry, smiling broadly before nodding.
Severus made his way over, "A quick word Mr Potter."
Harry nodded and went to stand up.
"No need to move, Mr Potter, here is just fine." Severus said, his eyes darting to Umbridge just for a split second.
"What is it Professor?" Harry said, clearly.
"There were some concerns raised about your latest potion. It wasn't bad, and there is no need to worry as of now. Your Mother was always very good at potions so I feel that with a little help from her you will be able to pass your O.W.L without issue. I suggest talking it over with her during the holidays." Severus said.
"Thank you for taking an extra look at it. I was just a little worried, it had an unusual reaction." Harry said carefully.
"Always happy to look over your work, as I look over all my students work." Professor Snape said formally, "Someone needs to make sure at least half of you pass your exams."
Harry smiled, "So you're not worried… about my chances of passing my O.W.L?"
Professor Snape shook his head, "No, not especially. It is worth keeping an eye on though, and trying not to worry about it. Over thinking is only likely to make the situation worse."
"Can I help here?" Umbridge said sweetly, walking quickly over to them.
Harry glared at her and fought the urge to cover his hand up, it was healed now but Harry still felt it prickle when she was close.
"No need Dolores," Professor Snape said pleasantly, "I was just discussing Mr Potter's latest potion."
"Well I would be happy to help with detention duties if you're busy." Umbridge offered.
"No." Harry snapped quickly, "I mean, it's not needed. Da… Professor Snape was just saying that he was fairly pleased with my work."
Professor Umbridge looked at Severus in shock, "Is this true, Severus?"
"Yes." Professor Snape said, smiling, "I am rather pleased with the overall standard of Mr Potter's work."
"Really? Well I must say I am surprised." Professor Umbridge smiled, "Mr Potter's work has been exceedingly poor in my class."
Professor Snape waved his hand dismissively, "There is very little connection between Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions after all. I am sure when my daughter comes to Hogwarts she will prove superior across all subjects."
Harry fought the urge to laugh, he could see Danica excelling, or blowing up the school just to see what happened…
"You are correct Professor Snape, there is little connection between the difficult subject of Defence Against the Dark Arts and playing around with cauldrons." Professor Umbridge said, still in her grating sing-song voice and smiling broadly.
"You may go and study Mr Potter." Severus said quickly, as Harry's mouth opened to snap at her.
"Thank you. Professor." Harry said through grated teeth.
He left his father and Umbridge in the middle of the hall, not looking behind him until he reached the Slytherin common room.
Harry rested his head against the cool wall, forcing himself to take several deep breaths.
"I'm surprised you didn't smack her there and then." Daphne said softly, "She was bang out of order saying those things, and interfering in the first place."
Harry turned around, "This is why we have to fight." he said quietly, "She's not going to stop, and her coming over like that showed me how… untouchable she thinks she is."
"Well we can learn what we need to from you." Draco said, "And we'll learn with you what you don't yet know. We taught ourselves loads while helping you last year."
Harry grinned, "Yeah."
"And if you end up in Voldemort's head again," Pansy smiled, "Sing a few lines of Mary had a little lamb, it'll go round his head for days."
Harry laughed, "Thanks guys."
He pulled them in for a hug, giving himself a minute to force his body to relax.
"Aww isn't it sweet?" Rodolphus said, pushing into Daphne's back to get passed.
Gemini rolled her eyes, "Pass me a bucket. It's disgusting, that sort of display in a public place."
Draco glared at her, "Ah yes, I forgot the Lestranges prefer this sort of thing without clothes on."
Gemini took a step forward, "You are a disgrace to the pure-blood name." she hissed, "You're all pathetic."
"Lay off Gemini, I can't be bothered with you today." Harry said, pushing passed her.
"You know what is wrong with you, Potter? You're weak, too busy trying not to get anyone hurt that you end up never acting. Your sort of thinking only ever ends one way, with blood." Gemini said calmly, "And I for one can't wait to see who bleeds first."
Harry watched her walk passed, taking deep breaths to stop himself from doing something stupid. She walked passed him calmly and disappeared up into the girls dorms.
"Don't let her get to you." Draco said.
Harry nodded, but it was too late. He fell asleep that night with Gemini's words, rolling round his mind.