[a/n]alix33 You're a poet and didn't know it :) And, as I've said about Snape; it's my belief most [including JKR] confuse liking Rickman as an actor with having to like his character. Do you love Helena Bonham Carter? And Bellatrix Lestrange? Gary Oldman has played some real bad guys, notably in Air Force One.

Harry Does Different DXXa

I just know

Sometimes a Muggle method could match magic. No one on the scene could have got Katie Bell faster than Harry throwing the cursed girl over his shoulder and running her to the Hospital Wing. After all, no one knew the fastest ways to get there from …well, anywhere.

"Your actions, my boy, were nothing short of heroic." The Headmaster complemented the teen.

His Deputy fussed "Regardless of that, Albus, why was it even necessary? Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain. Hogsmeade very nearly as safe."

"Big snakes? Death Eater teachers? Cursed books?" snorted Harry.

Ron caught Hermione in the middle of elbowing their friend's ribs and adding "Werewolves? No offense Moony. Giant spiders?" that last made him shiver.

"Even assuming we are discussing a curse" Professor Snape asked drolly "where do you even begin to look for a suspect?"

Harry didn't even blink "I guess bodies just bounce all around in midair for no reason, huh? Malfoy did it."

"That is some accusation, Potter." Professor McGonagall was shocked.

Anger flowed off Harry's least favorite teacher "You have some basis for that claim, I assume?"

"I just know." The response sounded weak even to the Gryffindors' ears. Although Ron happily nodded in near-sycophantical agreement.

Snape snorted contemptuously "The great chosen one has spoken. Evidence is not required."

"Well since when have you needed any?" Harry retorted angrily "Your pet speaks and it's 10 points for breathing, Potter! Or, Clean Malfoy's cauldron because he can't mix split pea soup!"

Dumbledore intervened as he frequently did "My boy, it is time for you to set aside this grudge. It is not healthy."

"I assume you mean him." The boy waved at the professor. "I've had six years of being blamed for Dad stealing HIS girlfriend! Twenty years of hating a dead man? Good job Snivilus!" And his wand was in the man's chest.

McGonagall lunged and pushed her colleague aside replacing him at the business end of the student's wand "You may put up your wand, Mr. Potter." There was steel in her tone "Or fire, as you wish. Severus get out, or Merlin help me I will move out of the way."

"Minerva." The Headmaster spoke coolly "Severus. It might be the better part of valor. I shall diffuse the situation. Nothing here leaves the Hospital Wing. Of course, we can all depend on Poppy's discretion."

Hermione's look of reproach only antagonized Harry, he threatened the billowing black robes "One more arrogant Potter will get a Snivilus!" He returned the look of hate with one of his own.

"I want it clearly understood that insubordination will be dealt with most severely, Harry." Said Dumbledore coldly.

Harry countered "Then keep him in line." Then waving it off "Now the spy's out of the room, I'll show you how to catch Malfoy in the act. All we have to do is wait, under my Dad's cloak, on the seventh floor near a particular room starting at about 8PM. Sooner or later our junior Death Eater will show up and - - -"

"Be careful of slander, my boy." The Headmaster cautioned sternly.

Harry snorted *Hmpf* "If IM wrong, I'll eat my Lockhart collection, but if I'm right you can buy them at full price."

"Such a meal is more in line with your friend, Ronald's, dietary behavior." Chuckled Dumbledore, ignoring his underling's expression "But, as may be, any plans involving suspicion of a Slytherin student should include Professor Snape."

Harry argued "Why? He's not Head of House." Nor could he refrain from smirking at that. Then, expression hardening "It's my way or the highway on this, Professor. No Snape."

Ron coughed to hide a laugh, while Hermione snapped at him "Harry! That's no way to speak to- -"

"I can handle this, Miss Granger." The Headmaster cut her off "Professor Snape has my complete trust."

Harry shot back even before he finished "James Potter on the subject of Peter Pettigrew." There was shocked silence that he ignored "Well? Are either of you going help with this? Or is it just going to be us kids, as usual?"

"Whas'wit all da noise?" came from the groggy patient.

The boy's expression changed "You went a little crazy outside Hogsmeade. I had to stun you and bring you here, the Hospital Wing. Maybe they know more. I'm just glad you're alright." He leaned in and touched his forehead to his Housemate's. He gave the Headmaster a look that required no words.

"You were great, Harry" Hermoine praised him after they left the Hospital "with Katie I mean. I didn't know you had it in you. But what you said about Professor Snape- -"

Ron cut in "Bloody brilliant, you ask me."

"Thanks I think, Mione" Harry answered, a bit sourly "But I didn't say it just to be a git. Malfoy's doing something in the Room of Requirement and I'm going to find out what. If Dumbledore does what I say, well and good. Any sign of Snape won't go well."

With the witch shifting on her feet and looking down, the redhaired wizard said "No matter what, I don't think you could take either of them alone. Except by surprise. No offense. What about us as backup? Under your cloak?"

"Ambush a professor!" hissed Hermione in shock. But then, to even her surprise "If you're …you both right… then yes, I suppose I could."

Harry shook his head at Ron's look of delight, and only patted her shoulder appreciatively "Thanks. But, now, bear in mind Dumbledore can somehow see through my cloak anyway."

"Then we'll need a spot where they're not likely to look even under normal circumstances." strategic mind kicking in, even sounding more like the studious witch when the boys tended to mock her. "Around the corner maybe from wherever you're waiting for Malfoy to start his shit."

Hermione had to say "Both of you, nothing has been proven against Malfoy."

"Six years and you sound like my lab partner." Ron rolled his eyes "How much proof do you need?"

Harry took that up "Make you a deal, Hermione, if we DON'T see Malfoy go into the Room of Requirement …in addition to eating my Lockhart collection… for you, I'll drop chasing him, permanently."

Abcij

"This is the fourth night, Mr. Potter." The affair had been demoted to being handled by Professor McGonagall, who was not happy with the assignment. She whispered on "And especially not with the need to keep powering this Notice-Me-Not charm. Fortunately, it is Friday nig- -"

He cut her off with a gentle, but sufficient, elbow and hissed "Payday."

"I need the Room of Hidden Things." A certain blond Slytherin began pacing as soon as he turned into the corridor "I need the Room of Hidden Things. I need the Room of Hidden Things." And the door appeared.

Harry urged his Head forward and tapped his foot in a pre-arranged pattern. Answered by what he knew was Hermione's ring clanging twice on the suit of armor, which confirmed they were being followed. A couple minutes of walking led them to a specific goal. The pair following one, and leading another pair. Then observing.

The Slytherin was waving his wand over a phone-booth shaped box. It, or his wand, glowing different colors. Finally opening the door, bending down, closing it. Then another wand wave. A flash from inside the box. A second. Then the door opened again, to a cheer from Draco.

"Bellatrix!" Harry snarled, the instant he could see the new arrival. He ripped through the influence of McGonagall's charm and yelled that 'for enemies' spell from his Potions aid "Sectumsempra!"

The mad sycophant witch did not know the nature of the threat but reacted like lightning, and remorselessly. Wand already out, pointed at her nephew and fired "Accio!"

"Sectumsempra!" barely had the first bolt left his wand, did Harry fire again. He was not going to count on a lucky one-shot to hurt his Godfather's murderer.

Behind that action, the cloaked pair went after the teacher. Hermione firing a "Petrificus!" And Ron bodily taking her down.

"Professor!" yelled Harry, holding his wand on the suffering pair. He hadn't known what the unknown spell would do. Turning both into sieves that blood flowed from in every direction was a bit much for the teen.

Hermione ran up reporting "We stunned her. And - -" seeing the rapidly whitening forms writhing on the floor turned her around "I'll wake her."

"I tackled her." Ron was quite proud of himself then "Merlin's hairy nutsack! Wha'd you do, Harry?"

Recovered, McGonagall rapidly cast what few healing charms she knew. It just was not her field. But she tried even after the painful moaning stopped and the forms stilled "I am remaining on guard. Potter, Granger, you as well. Weasley send any professor you see. Making sure the Headmaster comes as well. Go!"

Reinforcements arrived. There were four more bodies …stunned… by the time Dumbledore arrived and destroyed the Vanishing Cabinet.

"And why, exactly, is Mr. Malfoy …never mind Lestrange… lying there in a pool of his own blood?" asked Snape, as the immediate crisis abated.

Ron started "Well, dear Draco - -"

"It is difficult to say for certain, Severus!" Minerva inserted herself forcefully "There was a flash from the cabinet and those two were both down before I was able to see. A defect, perhaps?"

Harry grabbed both his friends by the elbows and hazed them out of the room.