Giving and Taking

8th of April, 1996.

The grapevine didn't calm down until almost a full week later when the Heads of Houses started giving career advice to their fifth-year students to help determine what classes they needed to focus extra on.

Like always Hermione wanted to take as many classes as she could. It didn't matter what career she was after; for now, she just wanted to learn. She came back from her session happy so Harry assumed everything had gone well.

When it was his turn he headed through the long winding corridors of the school to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked on her door.

"Come in Mr Potter," McGonagall said as she opened the door.

Harry looked around as he entered the office. He liked it. It didn't quite look like a teacher's office yet it was clear that a rather serious person inhabited the space. It wasn't cosy but it still had an inviting feel.

"Well, Mr Potter," McGonagall said. "We have this meeting to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide what subjects you wish to proceed with come next term. Do you have any idea what you might prefer to do after you leave Hogwarts?"

Harry considered what he could and could not tell his professor. He already had an in with the goblins and he knew they were hoping he would look into curse-breaking. He was already a certified Healer and Rune Warder. He had made plenty of money the past year on the increased security at Gringotts, but he didn't feel like he could tell her that. He knew that Potions was required for healing, but he wasn't sure he wanted to do that to either himself or Professor Snape. He was also looking into Dragons since he did have a clear advantage there.

"I'm leaning between curse-breaker and dragon handler right now I think," he said. "Priority for me is that I don't really feel like working for our ministry and I don't want a desk job."

McGonagall nodded slowly. "With your clearly improved grades, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do either. Though they do recommend both Runes and Arithmancy for Curse-breaking."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Harry said. "I have been studying both and will take my OWLs in those subjects as well."

"If you gain the appropriate grade on your OWL I don't see why either Professor Vector or Blabbing would deny you entry into their classes come next year," McGonagall said. "I assume that is what you have done instead of Divination." She offered him a rare smirk as he confirmed her suspicion.

"Well, you seem to have a rather good idea of where you want to go after this so I will leave you to it, Mr Potter," McGonagall said. "Just remember that my door is open if you feel like you need someone to talk to."

"Will do Professor and thank you," Harry said before standing up. He bid her goodbye and headed on to his next class.

10th of April, 1996.

Neville sat down next to Harry with a sigh.

"How did it go?" Harry asked.

"Well enough," Neville said. He leaned back. He had been to speak to McGonagall. He had been nervous before the meeting but he seemed pretty happy about the outcome. "I just didn't care what Grandmother wants me to do," he said.

"Sounds good," Harry said.

"You are the one who has to live your life, not her," Hermione said. "You need to do what you want to do."

Neville nodded. "That is easier now that I've got you," he said.

"Getting sappy on us Nev," Harry said as he play-punched him on the shoulder.

"Yeah, 'cause that is a bad thing," Neville said before sticking his tongue out at Harry.

Harry just laughed.

17th of April, 1996.

It was a beautiful spring day and the sun was shining. Breakfast was a fairly quiet affair. Until Lee Jordan walked in with Fred and George. Music started playing from somewhere. Then Lee began to sing.

"Excuse me?

Thank you

Slytherins skulking and plotting

Ravenclaws taking some notes

Hufflepuffs keeping their heads down

And Gryffindors playing it co-ooo-ol

It's the Hogwarts crest, better than all rest

The Hogwarts crest, the four founders request

Get sorted in a house with new amazing friends

The Hogwarts crest, could it be wrong?

Get rid of your misconceptions

The houses are just here for show

Make friends with all those around you

The world isn't split up in fou-ouou-our."

Lee kept going and Fred and George were dancing backup. It was both pretty cool and hilarious.

People laughed and clapped their hands as the show ended. Harry clapped Fred on the back as he sat down next to him. "Nice," he said.

"Thought it might liven things up," Fred said.

"Certainly did," Harry said.

"Oh, we are not done," George said more for the people around them than Harry. Everyone assumed that Harry knew what was going on.

Harry laughed. "Of course not," he said. He got up with Fred once everyone in their party had finished eating. They had spread these little performances throughout the day. For now, it was time for him to head out and aid Frank and Alice. Then he had Herbology.

In some ways, it felt like the weeks were blending together the closer to the exams they got.

Alice was doing alright and she handed Kato yet another drawing that would be added to Neville's scrapbook. Kato hummed as he dropped the glamour and became Harry once more. He figured that he could go ahead and unlock another hurdle of memories for Alice soon since she was stable.

"You look happy," Hermione said as they met outside the greenhouses.

Harry smiled. "Things went well," he said. "I think I can proceed next time."

"That's fantastic," Hermione said and Neville looked at Harry gratefully. He was glad that his mother would get a little older. That was another step towards having her back.

As they left the Great Hall after lunch, Harry moved in front of their group with Neville, Dean and Seamus. From somewhere music started playing and they were dancing.

"Here and now it's time to break this limbo

Let's us help you out (yeah yeah)

All our fears will fly out the window

With the postal owls (yeah, yeah)

We'll clear the NEWTs and blow the OWLs away

With some awesome moves

Don't work so hard

Take a rest to recharge

You'll make it we know

'Cause we're all in this together

Boiling pots

Flick your wand

Cast a shield

And be silent

We're all in this together

Swishing quills

Writing down

What we know

Make your magic flow."

Harry was dancing up front as they continued. His magic was leading the dance but the others could still change the choreography if they wanted to. Other students had stopped in the great hall and on the staircases to watch them.

The lights went out for a split second as they finished, and Harry made all of them disappear back into the crowd.

"That was cool," Dean said.

"Yeah, can we do that again?" Seamus asked.

"Later," Harry said. He watched as the sea of students dispersed to head to their classes. When Fred and George had asked him to help he had agreed rather enthusiastically. Just like them, he had noticed how tense things were getting. There were only a few months left until the examinations were held and people were nervous. A bit of frivolity that didn't mess with classes or studies too much was good for everyone.

That and he got to flex his bard knowledge which was always fun.

The grand finale that evening was hopefully going to be what everyone hoped for.

"Hey, seeker, seeker, hey seeker, seeker catch," Fred sang as he threw a colourful ball to Cedric who caught it.

"I've already found my match," Cedric responded. He stood up from the Hufflepuff table reluctantly.

"Hey, chaser, chaser, hey chaser, chaser catch," George sang as he threw another colourful orb to one of the Slytherin chasers. The guy in question just looked confused.

"I'll show you that we're one and the same:

Gryffs or Puffs, a snake or claw

The same thing

Just look around, it's Hogwarts," Fred sang as both he and George danced forward along the tables.

"I wanna take it calm now, and that's all.

Testing comes soon

This ain't something new that you show me. Yeah," Cedric sang.

"Are you sure?" George asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Cedric responded.

"Open your eyes."

"What's the point when nothing's gonna change, yeah."

"Come on."

Harry chuckled as more and more people joined in. It was a kind of ridiculous way to try to bridge the gap between houses. He had to admit that this song was not his best work. Oh well, he couldn't manage every time. The dancing and the interactions were more important either way.

People clapped as the show ended and the performers returned to their seats. This hadn't so much been a prank as just some fun for everyone.

Harry left the table before most. He headed up to the owlery to spend a bit of time with Hedwig before walking his way through the school slowly. He didn't really pay attention to where he was going and somehow he ended up in front of the defence classroom. Maybe it was because he'd gotten used to going there the year before. Maybe it was because he knew someone had to convince their Professor to take things a little more seriously (at least for the Owl and Newt classes).

He pushed the door open and walked inside. Douglas wasn't in the classroom but that wasn't unusual. Harry made it up to his office and knocked on the door.

Douglas opened it looking less than pleased to be disturbed but his expression quickly changed when he saw Harry.

"Good evening Mr Potter," he said in an attempt to at least keep his cover-up.

"Good evening, Professor," Harry said. "May I come in?"

Douglas moved to the side and let Harry enter his office before closing the door behind him. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked. "I have been behaving towards those pesky snakes."

Harry snorted. "Well, at least you are more of a Gryffindor, Professor Snape at this point," he said.

"Don't compare me to Snivelus," Sirius said.

"I will as long as you are acting like him. At least he has a reason," Harry said.

"Yeah, right," Sirius responded.

"The man is a Death Eater turned spy," Harry said. "He has to keep up pretence or Tommy boy will have issues when he returns. It is bad enough that Severus isn't trying to actively get his master back to power."

"And you are okay with this?" Sirius asked.

"I know where his loyalty lies," Harry said. "And that is all I'm going to say about it." He sighed. "I didn't come here to discuss Professor Snape," he said. "I came because you need to actually help your students learn. You are amazing when it comes to practical spellcasting. We are more than prepared for that part of the OWLs but please. There is a written part too. With no guidance, it's hard to know what to read up on."

"I don't want to give you guys homework," Sirius said. "I know how swamped you get."

"Then would you rather see us fail?" Harry asked. "Please just think about handing out some smaller things. It doesn't have to be a three-foot essay. You could just ask us to read up on certain things and then quickly quiz us on it the next lesson. Just give at least my year and seventh-year students a little guidance so we don't have to memorise the book."

Sirius sighed. "Sometimes I think you would make a better teacher than me, Harry," he said.

Harry shrugged. "Neither of us are really cut out for the job, Padfoot. The paperwork would drive me mad," he said. "I don't belong behind a desk."

Sirius looked a little happier at that. "I keep forgetting that Lily was your mother. You sound so much like her when you speak sometimes though. She would have lectured me too." He sighed. "I'll try to work something out," he said.

"Thank you," Harry said.

"So how about your animagus? Have you figured the animal out yet?" Sirius asked just to talk about something a bit more fun.

"No, unfortunately not. I have been flying a lot in those dreams but I just can't seem to get a hang of what it is. At least the twins are doing alright. They are almost ready to start turning. Maybe you should have a chat with them so you can oversee it?"

Sirius grimaced. "I really shouldn't," he said.

"They already know it's you, you know," Harry said. He grinned as Sirius let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, I'll have a talk with them. People aren't supposed to know through. Albus wouldn't be happy with me. He would think I told you."

"Yeah, 'cause we aren't smart enough to figure things like that out anyway," Harry said and rolled his eyes. He got up from his seat and hugged Sirius. "Just do your best, that is all we can ask," he said. "I'll see you on Friday."

Sirius smiled as Harry left. He wondered briefly when Harry had gotten so grown up.