AN: Hey guys! Since I've had some more free time this week than expected, I decided to publish another chapter already. Hope you enjoy!

OOOOOOOOOO

The next few days Harry and Hermione kept thinking about possibilities for a place where they could practice their magic. Despite that however, they were nowhere closer to finding it.

"Can't we just sneak to the Shrieking Shack or something?" Harry asked almost hopefully. He and Hermione had been in the back of the library, books sprawled on their table both for homework as well as research.

"The risk is too high Harry," Hermione sighed, frustrated that all the books she had read so far about Hogwarts had not given her any clue for a possible room. "Besides, we don't know how much Professor Umbridge knows, she can very well know about the secret passages. It's not worth angering a professor, especially the one involved with the Ministry."

"I know, I know…" Harry grumbled. "How can it be that Hogwarts is so massive in size, yet we seemingly can't find a room for us to practice magic in!"

"Hey guys!"

Harry and Hermione quickly turned around a saw Neville just a few feet away from them. Apparently they had been so lost in though that they didn't even notice him. Then again, with Neville being Neville, this happened more often.

"I err… I could kind of hear what you were talking about," the young Gryffindor stammered. "You might have to be more careful with that, you never know who's listening."

"Yeah, hi Neville," Hermione said quickly. "We didn't realize we weren't alone. How much did you hear exactly?" she added, in a friendly tone. Somehow she trusted Neville and knew Harry did too.

"Well it seems that you guys need a room to be… alone I guess," Neville shrugged. "For what exactly I didn't hear and maybe I don't even want to know," he added with red cheeks.

"Err… yeah Neville," Harry started, sharing a look with the witch beside him in a silent agreement to trust Neville, at least for now. "We are indeed looking for that, you know me and Hermione we want to do some…. Extracurricular magic, outside of the masses."

"You mean away from the people that you don't trust," Neville chipped in, surprising the two other Gryffindors. He smiled. "I know it doesn't always seem like it, but I notice things Harry. I just want you to know that I'm on your side."

Harry nodded slowly. "Thanks Neville, I really do appreciate that," he added with a sincere tone. It wasn't easy nowadays to find people who supported him, so he gladly took this opportunity.

"You don't by any chance happen to know a spot where Harry and I can do our practices, do you Neville," Hermione sighed, her frustration of not knowing a spot clearly showing.

Neville just grinned. "Well actually, there is a spot I can show you maybe," he said and laughed at the two heads turning to him with such speed he was worried they were going to pull a muscle.

Harry and Hermione agreed instantly and quickly shoved all their books and paperwork in their bags. Seeing how full Hermione's bag was, Harry picked it up and flung it over her shoulder, without even realizing it good and well.

"Oh… thank you Harry," Hermione said with a soft smile and a little blush on her cheeks. Unbeknownst to her, Neville saw the interaction and couldn't help but smile. "Were his two friends finally getting closer?" He thought to himself.

OOOOOOOOOO

After following Neville out of the library, Harry and Hermione still had no idea where their fellow housemate was taking them. Walking up several of the moving stairs and through a few secret passages, they finally ended up at an empty wall somewhere on the seventh floor.

"Tadaaa!" Neville said grinning, pointing at the empty wall. "Watch this," he added, before his friends could think he was pulling some kind of joke on them.

With a slightly skeptical look on their faces, Harry and Hermione watched him pace back and forth the wall three times. It didn't take long for a door to appear, seamingly out of nowhere, leaving Harry and Hermione staring at him with open mouths.

"What is this?" Harry asked, regaining his composure first.

"This guys, is the Room of Requirement," Neville said proudly, opening the door that had appeared. Harry and Hermione quickly followed him in, ending up in what seemed like an empty classroom.

"This room will change into anything that you think of," the Gryffindor boy continued, smiling at the expressions on his friends' faces. "You pace the empty wall three times, thinking really hard about what it is that you need and a room like this will appear. Once inside, no one else can come in unless you want them to and the room will adapt when you think about other wishes."

Harry just stared at him. Had he really underestimated his friend all these years?

"What do you mean it adapts?" Hermione asked after a few moments of looking around in silence.

"Well, just try it," Neville said. "Think about something you really want or need and just see." Grinning at the sight of a confused Hermione, since that wasn't something he saw every day.

Hermione closed her eyes and tried to focus. Thinking really hard she decided what she and Harry needed most were books… what a surprise. She almost didn't dare open her eyes when she felt the room shift after she had thought about it for a few seconds. What she saw baffled her.

There where mere seconds ago had been an empty corner, were now multiple bookcases filled with books. Without a second thought, the young witch ran over and checked the titles.

"Oh this is amazing!" she exclaimed, seeing the titles of the books were exactly what they needed, ranging from books about duelling spells, advanced charms and potions, to magical customs and practices. "Harry, this is exactly what we need!"

Harry smiled. Not only did he feel extremely happy at one of his major problems being solved, he also couldn't help but think it was rather cute how excited his best friend was. He clapped Neville on the back and gave him a warm smile.

"You have no idea how much you've helped us mate," he said. "Will you keep what you've heard and seen today between us?"

Neville nodded solemnly. "Of course Harry, I can make a magical vow if you and Hermione want?" he added, under the impression he had to convince Harry.

The dark-haired wizard shook his head and stopped Neville from grabbing his wand. "It's alright Neville, we trust you. Thank you, really thank you," he added with a sincere voice. He probably has no idea how much he has solved for us by doing this, Harry thought to himself.

"Of course," Neville said. "I better get going now, I still have much to write for our Potions assignment and I don't want Professor Snape to have another reason to hate me. I'll see you guys at dinner?"

Harry and Hermione quickly nodded and watched how their friend left the room. Within seconds of the door closing behind Neville, Hermione semi-tackled Harry in one of her famous bone-crushing hugs.

"Oh Harry, this will change so much!" she beamed at him before speeding back to the bookcases to start reading.

OOOOOOOOOO

The rest of the week Harry and Hermione spend almost every free minute in between and after classes in the Room of Requirement. Whereas it was still mostly reading on top of their already existing homework, Harry did enjoy trying out some new spells every now and then.

During meals Harry was still followed by whispers and fingers being pointed at him, on top of the more-than-usual annoying Slytherin remarks and sneers. Harry and Hermione usually kept to themselves, eating at the far end of the table. Sometimes however, Neville would join them and even Fred and George didn't mind to come by and crack some jokes or try their new products.

Soon their first week back at the castle was over and since it was Friday afternoon, both Harry and Hermione decided to hang out in the Gryffindor common room instead of the Room of Requirement for a change.

Harry couldn't help but feel sad when he watched Ron play Exploding Snap with Dean and Seamus on the other side of the room. Ron seemed to feel him looking at him and briefly their eyes met. Just as a few days before it seemed like the redhead was about to say something, yet decided to quickly look away, his cheeks turning almost as red as his hair.

"Don't worry about him," Fred said, approaching Harry and Hermione's table together with his twin brother.

"Yeah, I'm sure he will come around," George added. "Even if we have to make him do it."

Harry gave a small smile. "Errr… Thanks guys, it just feels weird still you know, after being so close with him for so long." He couldn't stop the bitterness in his voice from clearly showing.

Fred and George looked at each other and grabbed a pair of chairs to join their fellow housemates. "Look Harry, I know Ron's being an idiot right now," Fred said softly, using a serious tone that was very unusual for the redhead boy. "But I think he regrets it a lot."

"Well, he should!" Harry said, not able to keep the anger out of his voice. Looking over at Ron again on the other side of the room he felt the sudden urge to punch something… or better even, someone.

"We know, we know Harry," Fred quickly said, seeing this. "All we're saying is that Ron isn't a bad person. He is on your side we believe. He just has a… temper issue."

Harry shrugged. "If he would be on my side then he has a funny way of showing it. I don't know what to think of it, all I know is that without him having a sincere apology towards me, our friendship has no way of continuing."

The twins shared a look with each other and both nodded their heads, knowing that Harry was right. "Of course Harry, that's only fair. Let us talk to him and see what he does, deal?"

Harry just nodded in agreement. There, in his chair with a frown on his face and tiredness clearly visible, he looked much older than an average fifth-year student.

Meanwhile next to him, Hermione had only listened to the conversation between Harry and the Weasley twins. She agreed with Harry that Ron had to come to him with an apology and a good one too. However, she was also still hopeful that Ron would come around, even though their friendship was probably forever changed.

While Harry had his conversation with Fred and George, Hermione had spotted Ginny come through the portrait hole together with Lavender, chatting excitingly about something. However, when they had spotted Hermione looking at them, they instantly gave her the dirtiest look they could muster and somehow Hermione feared that it was the youngest Weasley that was going to cause most problems, not Ron.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Harry do you have a second?" Hermione called to him. It was Saturday morning at she and Harry had returned to the Room of Requirement to continue their research.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" Harry asked, sitting down next to her on a sofa they had made the room conjure. Without thinking he let his arm rest on the back of the sofa behind Hermione, scooting closer to her.

Hermione smiled softly. She more and more enjoyed the close company of Harry recently, she noticed. "Err well it is about your magic really," the young witch started. "I feel something doesn't add up."

Harry instantly sat up straighter and his expression went from soft to the hardened mask he was so used to wear. "What do you mean 'Mione?"

"Well here," Hermione said, forwarding Harry a book she had been reading. "It mentions that the performance of the spells and charms mentioned in this book all depend on magical ability and power."

"Which means," she added, seeing the rather confused look on Harry's face. "Which means there is a difference in magical power between wizards and witches. Yet seemingly for us there isn't."

Harry slowly nodded. It did make sense that magical power would be different depending on the person, yet he still didn't get what Hermione was going for.

Seeing this, Hermione got up from the sofa and dragged Harry with her to the middle of the room. "Cast a stunner," she said simply, pointing at an empty piece of wall in front of them.

Still confused Harry did as he was told and shouted "Stupefy!", shooting the bright red spell directly at the wall. Hermione nodded and quickly did the same.

"See?" Hermione said pointing. "Our spells are exactly the same, have exactly the same power, speed, etc.!"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe, but couldn't it just be that you and I are equally powerful when it comes to magical abilities 'Mione?"

Hermione thought for a second but then shook her head. "That would be a very unlikely coincidence Harry, to be exactly as powerful as the other. Besides, the book mentions that members of the bloodline of the 'Sacred twenty-eight' families are usually much more powerful."

Grabbing the book she had just given Harry minutes before, she flipped it open and gave it to him again, pointing at the section in the book that confirmed everything she had just said.

For a few minutes both friends were silent. For Harry it seemed that this would just be another problem and worry on the long list of the ones that he already had. With a sigh he turned back to Hermione. "Well if that's true then the question that follows that is what can we do about it?"

Hermione smiled, she of course had already thought a few steps ahead, knowing that Harry would ask that question.

"Well it might sound unusual and absurd even," she started, taking Harry's hands in hers. "But I think we should talk to Professor Snape."

Seeing the look of disbelief Harry was giving her she couldn't help but giggle. "I know, I know. But look at it Harry, there aren't many professors we can trust so far. McGonagall we haven't spoken much to this year, Professor Lupin is not teaching this year and Sirius is in London."

Harry nodded. Hermione definitely had a point when it came to trusting the professors, however turning to Snape with all the history that had been there between them still felt odd.

"Snape has clearly showed a change in attitude this year, albeit when no one else is around," Hermione continued, giving Harry's hands a slight squeeze. "Besides that, like him or not… he is a very talented wizards who often thinks outside of the box."

"Fine, fine," Harry surrendered, earning a smile from his best friend. "We can talk to Snape, but do you think it's a good idea to disturb him in the weekend?"

"I think it is. All the students are too busy relaxing and having fun, whereas during the week it would maybe be much more noticeable if we try to contact him outside our classes."

OOOOOOOOOO

After agreeing with Hermione, both Gryffindors made their way out of the Room of Requirement, all the way down to the Dungeons where Professor Snape's office was located.

After avoiding most students and making sure especially no Slytherins saw them in this part of the castle on a Saturday, they finally reached his office. Taking a deep breath, feeling slightly nervous, Harry was the one who knocked on his door.

It took several moments before the two students heard shuffling of feet on the other side of the door. A moment later, it swung open, revealing Professor Snape looking as grumpy as ever.

"Granger…Potter… what a unexpected surprise," the Potions master said in his usual monotone voice.

"Err… yes hello Professor," Hermione started, deciding to do the word. "We're sorry for disturbing you, but we had something we wanted to ask you about. Something… extracurricular."

Hearing the emphasis the young witch put on the las word, Professor Snape glanced down the corridor behind the students and quickly gestured them to come inside.

"Quick, before anyone sees!" Shutting the door behind them, Snape strode to the other side of the room where his large desk stood, waving the two students to follow him. "Now, miss Granger, would you explain what you two need from me?"

Hermione nodded and quickly shot Harry a look. Seeing him nod at her calmly gave her some reassurance that they were doing the right thing. So Hermione started her explanations to their professor, careful to leave details out about the Room of Requirement and how they found the book mentioning power of magical abilities.

"And thus professor, we decided… well we thought that you could maybe help us?" Hermione concluded after a few minutes. "We didn't really know who to trust right now and we hoped that maybe you know how to check if something is wrong with our… well Harry's magic."

Snape's eyes traveled from Hermione over to Harry and back before he slowly nodded. "I can't say I am not surprised that you come to me with this, knowing your Head of House is much closer to you than I am. Yet you are right to be careful with who you trust."

"Does that mean you can help us professor?" Harry said, speaking for the first time they were in his office.

Snape turned to him and nodded again. "There are quite simple spells, originating in the medical fields of magic that will show the status of one's magical core. It shows the maximum capacitiy on a scale of zero to five-hundred and if something is wrong. The average wizard should score around two-hundred, a squib around one-hundred and a muggle zero."

Harry looked at Hermione, asking silently if they should agree to let Professor Snape perform the spell on them. Hermione gave him a short nod, which was all Harry needed.

"Okay professor, if you don't mind of course, we would like you to do what you just explained," the dark-haired wizards said quickly, still a bit awkward around his old enemy.

"Very well mister Potter," Snape answered and grabbed his wand, pointing it at Harry. "Potentia Calculum!" he said loudly, moving his wand in a triangle movement.

A yellow light shone over Harry for a few seconds, reminding him much of a flashlight being pointed at someone. When the light disappeared as quickly as it came, a small piece of parchment flew in Professor Snape's hand.

"Well well well…" he murmured, giving Harry a look that instantly told him and Hermione that indeed something was wrong.

"What is it professor?" Hermione asked worryingly.

"It appears that your assumptions seem correct miss Granger, mister Potter over here indeed has some of his magical abilities… limited."

Harry closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. So someone was indeed meddling with his magic. He very well had an idea on who it might be, but for now all he felt was just pure anger and disgust as if his own body wasn't his.

Sensing this, Hermione quickly took Harry's hand in hers and turned to the professor once more. "What was his maximum capacity sir?"

Snape looked at the piece of parchment again as if to confirm what he had read was real before answering. "It seems that Potter has a maximum magical ability score somewhere around four-hundred and fifty, yet it has been blocked by suppression charms to not exceed roughly two-hundred and twenty-five."

Harry and Hermione felt their mouths fall open. "Four-hundred and fifty sir? Are you sure?" Hermione asked almost in disbelief, knowing this would mean Harry could be one of the most powerful wizards that existed.

Snape nodded once more. "Yes miss Granger, quite sure I am."

"Can you remove the suppression?" was all Harry said. He didn't really care that much about the whole being powerful thing yet. For him the priority was making sure all charms on him were removed.

"The suppression charms can be removed quite easily with a cleansing potion," Snape said, turning around and rummaging through a little cabinet behind his desk. Wordlessly he put a small vial with a green potion on the desk. "Drink this and it should be done."

Without hesitation Harry grabbed the vial, uncorked it and drank the small potion. After a few seconds he could feel his whole body heat up, as if he had a fever all around. Not long after however, it disappeared again.

"That should be it," Snape said, vanishing the empty vial.

"How are you feeling Harry?" Hermione asked her friend and looked him over as if to look for any damage.

Harry grinned and took his wand out of his pocket. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he said loudly, pointing his wand at one of the pieces of parchment on Snape's desk.

To the surprise of all three in the room, the piece of parchment did not simply float up, rather shot against the ceiling as if launched by a rocket.

"If I may suggest. I think it would be rather wise to get used to this new strength mister Potter," Snape said, not able to hide the little smile on his face. "It would be unwise to show this drastic change in classes and raise…suspicion."

Harry and Hermione quickly agreed. "You wouldn't mind doing the same spell on me too, would you professor?" Hermione asked nervously.

Snape simply nodded and within seconds performed the same spell once again, this time on Hermione. For the second time a piece of parchment appeared and it took Snape only a second to read it.

"No supressions on your magic miss Granger," he said and Harry swore he could hear a sound of relief. "And a maximum magical ability of three-hundred and fifty. A powerful witch indeed."

Hermione blushed at the semi-compliment from their potion professor. Looking at Harry they silently agreed that it was time to go. They quickly thanked their professor and made their way to the exit of his office.

"One more advice before you go," Snape called after them, halting them in their exit. "Next time you visit Gringrotts, ask them about jewelry in your family vault Potter. I'm sure there are some items in there protecting you from future attempts to meddle with your magic."

Harry nodded silently. After thanking Professor Snape once more for all his help, both students made their way out of the Dungeons and on to the Hogwarts grounds. After all, they had a lot to digest and after all the stress they had endured today there was nothing more relaxing than sitting by the Black Lake.

"You know Harry," Hermione said, once they sat down at a small rock formation at the far end of the lake. "I think Professor Snape maybe even starts to like you."

Both Harry and Hermione laughed at that. Wordlessly, Harry took Hermione's hand in his and together they stared at the Black Lake in front of them. Maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.