Percy spoke to Harry the night before Halloween.

'They make a fuss about Hogsmeade, but I assure you, Harry, it's not all it's cracked up to be,' he said seriously. 'All right, the sweetshop's rather good, but Zonko's Joke Shop's frankly dangerous, and yes, the Shrieking Shack's always worth a visit, but really, Harry, apart from that, you're not missing anything.'

"Well done, Perce, that really did the trick" I said sarcastically, gesturing at Harry who now looked more depressed than ever.

"Well at least I'm trying" he responded "I don't see you doing anything to try and cheer him up"

"Excuse me?" I said hotly "I've already offered my company to Harry for tomorrow, as I'm still only a second year I can't go either, as much as I wish I could. Harry, speaking of that, do you want to spend the day with me tomorrow? You didn't really answer properly last time"

This seemed to cheer Harry up somewhat.

"You know what Ginny, I will, thank you for asking. We don't spend much time together at school normally so why not"

The next morning, I accompanied him down to breakfast, and he did seem happier. Demelza and Amy were to spend their days with Stefan and Andrew respectively. I really hoped D and S would finally make themselves official.

'We'll bring you lots of sweets back from Honeydukes,' said Hermione

"Yeah, loads" added Ron. They didn't seem to have noticed the improvement in his mood.

"Don't worry about me, guys" Harry said. "I'm gonna be spending the day with Ginny, so that will be a nice time I'm sure. Have a good day yourselves out there though, I'll see you later"

Ron gave Harry a strange look but didn't argue.

Hermione smiled knowingly and whispered "Good luck" to me as she passed.

We accompanied them to the Entrance Hall, where Filch, the caretaker, was standing inside the front doors, checking off names against a long list, peering suspiciously into every face, and making sure that no one was sneaking out who shouldn't be going.

'Staying here, Potter?' shouted Malfoy who was standing in line with Crabbe and Goyle. 'Scared of passing the Dementors?'

We ignored him and waited for all the third years to be approved and seen off the castle boundaries by Filch. We then set off for a walk around the grounds and the lake, discussing everything from our respective classes, to friendships to enemies. Eventually the conversation turned to Quidditch.

"So, have you chosen a favourite team?" I asked

"Ron's sorta roped me into supporting the Cannons" he replied

"Oh dear, well that's not going to be a fun time, let me assure you"

"To be fair, they're not looking bad in the second division, they're in the play offs at the moment"

"If they do come back up they'll be one of the worst teams again. At least my club are a stable top flight side"

"How are the Harpies doing?"

"Better now we've got our new Firebolts. We're 5th in the table, hopefully we can stay in the fight for the European Cup places. Wimbourne are just dominating at the moment, which Amy never lets me hear the end of, but behind them it's very close and competitive. Last year was a bit of a disaster for us, but it should be a one off"

"God I'd love a Firebolt" said Harry. "But my Nimbus is good enough anyway, what's the point in spending all that gold when I have the third best broom already?"

"I think we all would. My Cleansweep Eleven is no slouch though, I've really enjoyed using it so far"

At that point, we came across Avery, Mulciber and Yaxley. They were standing by a tree and huddled together, talking quietly.

"Plotting more torture?" I called out

They sprang apart instantly

"Oh look, Weasley's got a boyfriend" said Avery

"How cute that she's gone for Potty" said Yaxley "do you really like him, or do you just feel sorry for him cause he's got no parents?"

"Ginny likes me for who I am" replied Harry "but she's not even my girlfriend anyway"

"Yet" I said under my breath

"The same can't be said about you though" he continued "I don't ever see you three hanging out with boys"

"That's what you think" said Avery

"So tell us, did Sarah pass her initiation, or did we foil that plan?" I asked

"You were a rather unwelcome interruption, but yes, she did pass. She did what we asked of her" Avery answered

"Flint said your initiation was last year. Who did you torture then?"

"That was when we had our fun with little Daniela Pattinson. Marcus wasn't there that day, but it still counted. How's she doing these days? Oh wait..." she said the last 2 words in mock confusion before they started laughing.

"Such a pointless rescue act" said Yaxley

"Yeah, you, Robins and Bagman only delayed the inevitable" added Mulciber

"Come on Ginny, let's go. These 3 are even more sick and twisted than I imagined" said Harry

"God I hate them. They're certainly Death Eaters in the making" I said as we left

"Yeah, and proud of it!" Avery called after us "The Dark Lord will rise again!"

I turned and put 2 fingers up to them. For Americans reading this, in the UK, that gesture means the same as what the middle finger does to you guys.

They simply laughed

As we made our way back into the castle, Harry spoke.

"So what do you want to do now? Go back to the common room?"

"Actually I was thinking the Owlery. I've been meaning to write home for a while"

As we were walking along a corridor on our way there, we heard a voice.

"Harry, Ginny?"

It was Professor Lupin, who was looking out of his office door, and this was significant, because he had never called me by my first name before.

'What are you doing?' he said 'Where are Ron and Hermione?'

'Hogsmeade,' said Harry.

'Ah,' said Lupin. He considered us for a moment. 'Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson.'

'A what?' said Harry. We followed Lupin into his office. In the corner stood a very large tank of water. A sickly green creature with sharp little horns had its face pressed against the glass, pulling faces and flexing its long, spindly fingers.

'Water demon,' said Lupin, surveying the Grindylow thoughtfully. 'We shouldn't have much difficulty with him, not after the Kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle.'

"Professor, is this one of the creatures you said you might show my class in the summer?" I asked

"Yes" said Lupin

The Grindylow bared its green teeth and then buried itself in a tangle of weed in a corner.

'Cup of tea?' Lupin said, looking around for his kettle. 'I was just thinking of making one.'

'All right,' said Harry awkwardly, and I nodded.

Lupin tapped the kettle with his wand and a blast of steam issued suddenly from the spout. 'Sit down,' said Lupin, taking the lid off a dusty tin. 'I've only got teabags, I'm afraid – but I daresay you've had enough of tea leaves?'

'How did you know about that?' Harry asked.

'Professor McGonagall told me,' said Lupin, passing Harry a chipped mug of tea. 'You're not worried, are you?'

'No,' said Harry.

"May I ask what you're talking about?" I said, as Lupin handed me my own mug of tea.

"Divination" replied Harry. "Professor Trelawney seems to predict my death in every lesson now, in various ways. Tea leaves are the worst of the lot though"

Something of Harry's thoughts seemed to have shown on his face, because Lupin said, 'Anything worrying you, Harry?'

'No,' said Harry. He drank a bit of tea and watched the Grindylow brandishing a fist at him. 'Yes,' he said suddenly, putting his tea down on Lupin's desk. 'You know that day we fought the Boggart?'

'Yes,'said Lupin slowly.

'Why didn't you let me fight it?' said Harry abruptly

"Harry, we already discussed this. Obviously Professor Lupin assumed it would take You Know Who's form" I said

"I know, but I'd like to hear it confirmed if possible. Go on Professor"

"Ginny is correct. I did assume that. Obviously I was wrong. But I didn't think it a good idea for Lord Voldemort to materialise in the staff room. I imagined that people would panic.'

'I did think of Voldemort first,' said Harry honestly. 'But then I – I remembered those Dementors.'

'I see,' said Lupin thoughtfully. 'Well, well … I'm impressed.' He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harry's face. 'That suggests that what you fear most of all is – fear. Very wise, Harry"

"That is something I also told Harry when we discussed this before" I said

"Really, Ginny? You know what, you show very impressive logic and aptitude for a second year"

"Thanks Professor" I said, smiling

'So you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the Boggart?' said Lupin shrewdly to Harry.

'Well … yeah,' said Harry. You know the Dementors –'

He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

'Come in,' called Lupin. The door opened, and in came Snape.

He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly, and stopped at the sight of us, his black eyes narrowing.

'Ah, Severus,' said Lupin, smiling. 'Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?'

Snape set the smoking goblet down, his eyes wandering between us and Lupin.

'I was just showing Harry and Ginny my Grindylow,' said Lupin pleasantly, pointing at the tank.

'Fascinating,' said Snape, without looking at it. 'You should drink that directly, Lupin.'

'Yes, yes, I will,' said Lupin.

'I made an entire cauldronful,' Snape continued. 'If you need more.'

'I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus.'

'Not at all,' said Snape, but there was a look in his eye we didn't like. He backed out of the room, unsmiling and watchful. We looked curiously at the goblet.

Lupin smiled. 'Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me,' he said. 'I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex.'

He picked up the goblet and sniffed it.

'Pity sugar makes it useless,' he added, taking a sip and shuddering.

'Why –?' Harry began.

Lupin looked at him and answered the unfinished question. 'I've been feeling a bit off-colour,' he said. 'This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it.'

Professor Lupin took another sip.

'Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts,' he blurted out.

'Really?' said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp of potion.

'Some people reckon –' Harry hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, 'some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defence Against the Dark Arts job.'

Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face.

'Disgusting,' he said. 'Well, Harry, Ginny, I'd better get back to work. I'll see you at the feast later.'

'Right,' said Harry, putting his empty teacup down.

The empty goblet was still smoking.