A/N: Special thank you to Bluerain22 for your great and insightful comments. And to all 50+ who are following, Thank you for your interest. It really means the world to me. I hope I can keep your interest with my meager efforts for a while longer. I've got some great ideas where I want to take this, just still working out the details. Thanks again, and let's keep things interesting. Mahalo!
Arrival at Hogwarts
The morning was a hectic affair. Mrs. Weasley was nervously pacing and screaming at everyone to hurry up. As she prepared breakfast, she had more worries than just getting the kids in time to King's Cross.
Mrs. Weasley was no fool. She had noticed how Harry and Ginny had been growing closer together during the last two weeks, and yesterday something had definitely changed between them. There were secret looks and smiles during mealtimes, they walked closer together, and in the evening they had spent an hour alone on the porch after Hermione had suspiciously asked Ron for a game of chess. She had struggled with the urge to go outside and see what they were up to, and just as she had decided to go check on them, the pair had walked into the Burrow beaming with disarming happiness.
Even though Divination was one of the most disreputable branches of Magic, it had been Mrs. Weasley's favorite subject during her Hogwarts years. Back then, there had been a competent teacher, unlike the borderline fraud that was now in charge. The Weasley matriarch had made natal star charts for all her children. Some charts were promising, others slightly disappointing to her hopes, but the natal chart of her only daughter had alarmed her considerably. The Sun was in the House of Leo when she was born, and both Mars and Venus had been on the ascendancy and close to their zeniths. The power of war and the power of love were strong with her, which combined with the power and fire of the Sun, presaged a powerful witch in war, and a passionate witch in love.
Now her little girl, who had barely turned fifteen, was involved with a boy who seemed destined to lead the next Wizarding war. That fact had prompted Mrs. Weasley to revive her rusty knowledge of Astrology and prepare a natal chart of Harry. The confluence of planets was remarkably similar between them. The Sun had been at it's zenith in the House of Leo when The-Boy-Who-Lived was born.
Mars had also been at it's zenith, and Venus was just a few degrees below the level of Ginny's chart. Their love was bound to shine brightly, burn hotly and they would be fiercely protective of each other, even to the point of recklessness.
It was some consolation that Harry's protective trait was so strong, but more alarming was that the trait was just as pronounced in Ginny given Harry's propensity to get in trouble, with Voldemort, no less. Just as worrisome was the fact that a young couple, so strongly under the influence of Venus and the Sun, was going to be together at Hogwarts. The castle teemed with hidden places for hormonal teenagers to be alone and get up to more than they should.
After breakfast, Mrs. Weasley followed Ginny into the her room, closed the door and charmed it for privacy. Ginny knew what was coming. She had dreaded this moment ever since her third year at Hogwarts, when one of her roommates had shared details of the embarrassing experience.
Her mother was going to have "a talk" with her.
"Is there something you would like to tell me about you and Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked seriously, but without recrimination.
Ginny was incredibly nervous, but not enough to deny her new boyfriend. "We are together now," she answered unapologetically.
"Do you love him?" the older witch asked with a soft smile.
"Yes," Ginny answered happily.
Mrs. Weasley came closer and embraced her daughter. They both laughed weepily. "Does he love you?" she asked.
"He hasn't said it, but I know it in my heart," Ginny said with certainty.
Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "In that case, there are some things you should know. I'm an old witch, and young people are now better informed about these things than we ever were, but nevertheless let's start with the mechanics of it..."
Ginny's face grew progressively warmer, and no doubt, redder. Hearing her mum talk about men's and women's bits, and in such a direct manner, was the most embarrassing thing she had ever endured. Even more embarrassing was hearing about the simple mechanics of the act itself. She, like all witches in Hogwarts over the age of thirteen, had a pretty good idea of the physiology of the bits involved, and of the mechanics of the act itself, but her mum stressed the importance of respect, and not succumbing to pressure.
"... understanding the mechanics is simple enough, dealing with the emotional consequences is not. Having sex when you're not ready, with the wrong boy, could leave you with the wrong idea of what sex is for the rest of your life. Sex can be beautiful, enjoyable, even spiritual; but with the wrong person, and for the wrong reasons, it can be ugly, empty and degrading. I love Harry like a son, but I don't know if he is the right boy for you, Ginny. Only you can determine that, and the more you wait, the more certain you will be."
Mrs. Weasley was close to tears at this point. She stopped, and composed herself before she continued.
"You can only give your virginity once, Ginny. Don't give it lightly," she advised her soberly. "As your mother I must insist that you wait until you are at least seventeen and preferably married before you have sex, but having been a young woman once myself, I know how difficult that can be. You and Harry have already lived through many intense situations. Now we're at war again, and during wartime there is a greater need to show our love for those we care about. I know it. Death is everywhere, and one tries instinctively to physically cling to life. I'll be happy if you give yourself at least a year," she finished with a sob.
Ginny was very touched by her mum's speech, and she wanted nothing more than to give her a little peace of mind. "Mum, I pro..."
"Don't make promises, Ginny," Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "Just tell me that you will try to wait at least a year."
"I'll wait at least a year, Mum," Ginny said in good faith.
OoOoO
As usual, they were running late when they arrived at King's Cross station, but at least this time it had been Mrs. Weasley's fault. Ginny had snuggled close to Harry in the Ministry car, but she had ridden silently, seemingly lost in thought. Mrs. Weasley had ridden in the front seat, and she would give the young couple an occasional sad smile that made Harry nervous. She obviously knew about their relationship, and he didn't know if he was expected to say or do anything.
There was a long good-bye at the station, first of Ron, and then of Ginny with lots of whispering. Harry had the sinking feeling that he had been left for last for a reason. Mrs. Weasley embraced him long and hard before talking.
"Respect my little girl, Harry," she said with a serious tone and a hard look. "Remember there are a lot of idle tongues at Hogwarts that will slander a young woman at the first opportunity. Don't give them any more reason than they need. Be a gentleman, and be discreet. You're almost part of the family, and I demand no less."
"I can promise you that without reservations, Mrs. Weasley," Harry answered with relief. Her demands coincided with his intentions. "I'll always be a gentleman, and I'll always respect Ginny."
After another bone crushing embrace, Harry walked towards Ginny, who was waiting several paces away.
"Did she put the fear of the Prewett wrath on you?" Ginny asked with an amused smile.
"Not really. She just wants the same things that I want."
"What's that?" Ginny inquired raising an eyebrow.
"For me to be a good boyfriend."
The redhead smiled brightly and took his hand. There would be no major public displays of affection, but there was going to be no denying of their relationship either. Harry levitated both their trunks, and the couple boarded the Hogwarts Express as the train whistle blew to announce the departure.
They walked through the corridor looking for their friends, and found all four of them in one compartment. They greeted Luna and Neville warmly, and settled down for the trip. About fifteen minutes later, Hermione and Ron took out their school robes and put them on to head to the prefect's meeting. Ron's appointment as a prefect the previous year had been a major surprise to everyone, including him, but he was pleased at the prospect of spending more time with Hermione. The other four occupants settled in for pleasant conversation and light reading.
"Harry, if you don't mind, I'll go look for my roommates and say hi," Ginny said a few hours into the voyage. "I'll be back soon," she added before leaving.
After a half hour of catching up with her roommates, Ginny was heading back to her compartment when she saw Malfoy and his two usual goons, Crabbe and Goyle, surrounding a First Year girl in a threatening manner. Malfoy noticed her approaching and did a double take. Ginny was wearing a pair of jeans that had formerly belonged to her brothers, a white tee-shirt and a green jumper on top of it. Despite the simplicity of her apparel, it looked very flattering on her. The three older boys stepped back from the little girl as the redhead approached.
"Are these gits bothering you?" Ginny asked the little girl stopping in front of her.
The brown haired girl was shaking, and she didn't dare say anything, or to look up.
Ginny turned furiously to face the three boys. "Are you so pathetic that you're now reduced to threatening First Years?" she hissed.
"She's just a Mudblood, Weaselette. I was only educating her about her social status in our world. You, on the other hand are a Pureblood. If you give up your Muggle loving ways, I might even consider shagging you," Malfoy said leering at her from head to toe. "Why don't you come to my compartment so we get better acquainted?"
Ginny didn't want to start a fight with the little girl still there. She glared at the Slytherins with all the contempt she could muster, extended her hand, and the First Year took it immediately. Ginny walked away with the brown haired girl in tow, and after they were some distance away she looked back. She noticed that the three boys were still looking at her. Ginny lowered her head to talk to the girl.
"Go back to your compartment, and don't stop till you get there. I'll see you later, okay?" she said with a smile.
The little girl didn't let go.
"What's your name, sweetie?" Ginny asked her warmly.
"Diana Mansfield," she said barely audibly.
"Listen, Diana. Everything will be alright. I won't let those mean boys do anything to you. Just go to your compartment and we'll see each other in school. Alright?"
The little girl met Ginny's gaze, and nodded before running away. The redhead turned, and saw the three goons walking towards her. She got up from her crouched position, and calmly walked toward her compartment, keeping an eye on the three boys. They were following her at a safe distance. The redhead smiled smugly. Draco apparently still remembered her Bat-Bogey hex.
Ginny reached her compartment and went in. She sat close to Harry, who put an arm around her shoulders.
"Has Malfoy been here already," she asked casually.
"Not yet. It seems he's running a little late this year," Harry said chuckling.
"He'll be here shortly."
"How do you know?" Harry asked narrowing her eyes.
"He and his two cronies were bothering a First Year girl down the corridor. I had to rescue her. The last time I checked they were following me."
Neville sat straight and alert. Luna looked only mildly interested. She turned the wand over her right ear a couple of times and returned to reading The Quibbler upside down.
The compartment door slid open and Draco Malfoy stood on the threshold with Crabbe and Goyle close behind him. He stepped into the cabin with a disdainful sneer that would make Snape proud.
"Well, well, who do we have here? The virtual Squib, the lunatic, the Potty and the Weaselette." Crabbe and Goyle laughed dumbly. "Your time has almost run out, Potter, the Dark Lord will soon finish you," Malfoy said with a curled upper lip.
"I recall running into him a few months ago at the Department of Mysteries," Harry replied. "As you can see, I'm just fine. Your Dark Lord is not very good at finishing me, it seems. How is your daddy enjoying his stay in Azkaban?"
"You'll pay for that," Malfoy spat. "You'll end up like that dog you called godfather, along with all your friends," he added pointing at Neville and Luna.
Harry cringed at hearing Malfoy mentioning Sirius, but he was determined to keep control and remain aloof. He didn't want to open hostilities just yet, but Malfoy seemed determined to provoke him.
Ginny wasn't in the mood to let the threat go unanswered, though. "Dear Lucius and eleven of his Death Eater friends couldn't handle us. What makes you think that a half-wit like you, and these two oafs, have any chance against us? Be a good boy, Draco, and do move along," she said coolly.
Malfoy turned towards Ginny, and noticed Harry's arm around her shoulders. They were sitting very close together. "You turned me down for Potter?" he asked visibly insulted. "I could pay you a lot better, whore."
What happened next took only seconds, but to Harry it flowed very slowly as his blood reached the boiling point an instant after hearing Malfoy's words. He noticed that Draco was reaching for his wand, and in a flash he was up. He delivered a straight karate punch that started from his chest and carried the momentum of his entire body as he stepped towards Malfoy. His fist turned quickly at the last moment, focusing all of the energy on the first two knuckles of his right hand as it exploded squarely against Malfoy's mouth. The blond Slytherin staggered back spitting blood and several teeth, and landed on his arse, still inside the compartment. His eyes were glassy and his pupils were dilated. He seemed to have lost all motor coordination and his arms were flailing trying to grab to something. Harry noticed that to his right Goyle was lunging at him. He was getting ready to block using a hook defense and counter-punch, when out of nowhere a fist flashed and landed on Goyle's chin. He was out like a light and fell like a sack of potatoes to the floor. Harry noticed Neville grimacing in pain and holding his fist, when out of the left corner of his eye he saw that Crabbe's fist was just inches from his jaw, and closing fast. He was resigned to the impact when two bright red flashes, one from the right and one from the left, hit Crabbe in the chest and sent him flying out of the compartment and crashing into the corridor wall with the sickening crack of broken bones. He slid down to the floor completely knocked out.
Both Ginny and Luna lowered their wands as Ginny stepped slowly in front of Malfoy who was finally able to focus his eyes. Ginny went down to one knee and looked at Draco straight in the eyes. Then she spoke slowly, with a cold and dispassionate tone that sent a chill through Harry's body.
"Listen carefully, Malfoy, because I'm going to say this only once. The next time you make a lewd remark to me, or call me a whore, you will regret it. Diffindo." As Ginny said the incantation she slowly waved her wand with a slashing movement across Malfoy's lap without ever breaking eye contact. It made a clean cut on his trousers but left the underpants underneath unscathed. Ginny got up and Malfoy let out a breath he was holding, spitting more blood and teeth on his chest.
As Ginny was getting up, Harry noticed that Luna, whose silver blue eyes seemed more focused than usual, had tightened the grip on her wand. When Ginny turned her back to Malfoy, the blond girl raised her arm slightly, ready to start casting curses if Malfoy as much as twitched. Harry felt a wave of gratitude and appreciation for Luna, and at the same time he felt that his decision to include her had been justified. He was driven out of those thoughts when he noticed that Ginny was standing in front of him with her left hand dangerously resting on her hip. He couldn't help noticing the amber and gold flecks in her eyes, and promised himself to explore those flecks more carefully in the future, but the sound of Ginny clearing her throat brought him back to reality.
"I know you could have handled him, Ginny," he said nervously. "But he pissed me off...honestly."
Ginny regarded him for a moment, and then her body visibly relaxed. Her left hand slid down to her side and he was rewarded with a bright smile and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Harry," she said as she sat down.
Meanwhile pandemonium was reigning in the train corridor. Blaise Zabini, the new Slytherin prefect, was tending to Crabbe, who seemed seriously injured. Hermione was doing crowd control duties and looked horrified at Harry. Ron for his part was looking at the whole scene with a smug smile.
"Zabini!" Harry called out as he pointed to Goyle and Malfoy. "Get this garbage out of here."
Zabini directed several Slytherin students to take the bodies of Goyle and Malfoy out of Harry's compartment. They had almost finished dragging Malfoy out when Harry told them to wait a moment.
"Accio, Malfoy's teeth," he said pointing his wand to the floor. Several teeth flew towards him and he captured them with a handkerchief he had pulled out. He tied it into a knot and threw it on Malfoy's lap. "You may want to give those to Madam Pomfrey."
Draco, who still seemed to be in shock, just stared dumbly at Harry as he was dragged out of the compartment. Once the door closed, Harry turned to Ginny.
"Blimey, Ginny!" he said shaking his head, "I've never seen such surgical control of the Diffindo charm before. It was positively scary."
"Bloody brilliant, it was" Neville chimed in, still holding his hand.
"Thank you," Ginny said with a sly smile. "Is your hand alright, Neville?"
"Oh, it's fine," he said as he opened and closed it several times to demonstrate it wasn't broken. "Just a little sore."
"I'll fix it," Luna said taking Neville's hand into her lap and caressing it.
Neville stared into the intriguing eyes of the blond Ravenclaw girl as she cast a healing charm on his hand.
"That was a brilliant punch, mate," Harry said beaming at his friend.
"It was a little off, otherwise it wouldn't have hurt so much," he replied shrugging his shoulders.
There was an extended silence in the compartment as all of them looked through the glass door window at the frantic activity outside. Ginny seemed deep in thought and gave Harry a sideways glance.
"We are in a lot of trouble, you know," she said to him with a concerned look.
"I'll take care of it. Don't worry about a thing," Harry responded.
"If you think we are going to let you take the whole blame for this, you're dreaming," Neville said resolutely from his seat.
"Don't even try it!" Ginny followed quickly, the warning in her tone unmistakable.
Before Harry could say anything else, Hermione and Ron walked into the compartment. Harry sighed as he knew what was coming. Hermione looked scandalized.
"Do the four of you realize what you've done?" she screamed at them. "Someone is going to be expelled for this. Crabbe has at least five broken ribs and is bleeding internally, Goyle has a broken jaw and Malfoy has no teeth! The school had to be notified already for medical assistance to be available at the platform, and you can bet that Professor Snape is going to be there front and center. Nothing can justify what you…"
"Hermione, stop!" Harry commanded raising his hand and his voice, "Malfoy came here, to our compartment and called Ginny a whore." Hermione gasped, and Ron's face contorted into a murderous look. "I will not stand idly by and let Ginny or my friends are insulted and attacked with impunity. Not anymore. Not ever again. If Dumbledore wants to let Snape and Malfoy run amok, doing as they please in the school without fear of consequences, then he has another thing coming. I will not tolerate it."
"Me neither!" Neville said with a furious look.
"Me too," Luna said with a dreamy smile.
"Let him expel me, although I doubt he would," Harry continued. "You're the Gryffindor prefect, Hermione, and our friend. You should take our side until a final decision is made by the Headmaster. I want you to send a message to the school requesting that Professor McGonagall be at the platform, and that a formal hearing be held. According to the bylaws of the school, every student has the right to have their head of house present before any punishment is given."
Hermione gave him a surprised looked, and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"I read 'Hogwarts: A History', including the appendixes," he explained. "I did a lot of things this summer, even some reading."
Hermione smiled at Harry and the turned to give Ron an accusatory look that left him squirming and staring at his shoes.
"You can count on my support, of course. All of you," Hermione replied, indignant that Harry had implied otherwise. She left the compartment, and returned a couple of minutes later.
Harry pulled his wand and cast a privacy charm. The others looked at Harry expectantly. Luna even lowered her magazine.
"There are going to be a lot of changes this year at Hogwarts. The first change is what just happened. No more tolerance for Death Eater apprentices."
The five teens started talking all at once, but before he could restore order, Harry noticed that the train had started to slow down, and Hogsmeade was visible around the bend.
"It will have to wait until this incident is sorted. We've arrived," Hermione said annoyed at the interruption. "The four of you stay in here until everyone is out of the train. Ron and I will come to collect you afterwards. Let's go, Ron."
Hermione removed the privacy charm, and the two prefects left.
OoOoO
When all six of them came out of the train fifteen minutes later, Snape was pacing the platform with almost gleeful anticipation.
"Your arrogance and conceit has finally driven you over the edge, Potter," he spat with a sneer, "and you dragged three of your friends down with you. I'll see all four of you expelled for this, but for starters I'll take 600 points from Gryffindor, and 200 points from Ravenclaw."
"Aren't you even going to bother hearing their side of the story?" Hermione said outraged.
"Shut your mouth, insufferable know-it-all. It is not your place to interfere in this matter," he said looking at the brunette witch as if he smelled something unpleasant.
"But it's mine!" the voice of Professor McGonagall rang out as she strode in. "Mr. Potter has requested a formal hearing and I, as Head of Gryffindor, shall act as his advocate. Professor Flitwick will be in charge of the sorting, and has given me authorization to act as Ms. Lovegood's advocate as well. No punishment or points will be deducted until the hearing takes place."
"Three of my students have been grievously injured and sent to the hospital wing. Such behavior cannot be tolerated. Surely the Headmaster will see it that way," Snape said confidently.
"The fact that they are in the hospital wing does not make them innocent or my students guilty, Professor Snape. It is totally irrelevant. The Headmaster has been advised by me of Mr. Potter's request, and will be waiting for us in his office after I consult with my students for a few minutes. I suggest you do the same."
McGonagall motioned her students to follow her and all of them got into a carriage.
"I'm afraid only those involved can be present," she said looking at Hermione and Ron, who seemed disappointed. "Now tell me what happened, Mr. Potter," she continued, giving all of them an unfriendly look and pressing her lips into a thin line.
"Basically Malfoy came into our compartment looking for trouble, and he found it," Harry said succinctly.
"You'll need to tell me more than that, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said annoyed.
Harry sighed. "He threatened me and my friends with bodily harm, with death actually; then he proceeded to use a vile insult against Ginny and started to pull his wand. I punched him, Neville punched Goyle and Ginny and Luna hexed Crabbe. It was over in seconds. I appreciate you being our advocate, Professor, and I assure you I'm prepared for whatever punishment you see fit as long as it's fair." Harry paused briefly before continuing. "Professor Dumbledore has allowed the situation with Snape and the Slytherins to escalate to the point where they feel that they can act with impunity and with no regard for consequences. I frankly don't understand why the other Heads of House allow the blatant favoritism to continue without ever protesting."
"It's Professor Snape, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said shifting uncomfortably. "I assure you that I have protested many times. However the Headmaster seems to think it's better to leave things as they are for reasons I believe you are aware of."
"With all due respect, I find the judgment of the Headmaster lacking in many areas," Harry said curtly.
Hermione audibly gasped and Professor McGonagall seemed ready to snap at him, but stopped herself.
"I can understand your reasons for feeling that way," she said softly. "Any of you have anything else to add?" the professor asked the remaining students.
"It happened as Harry said", Ginny replied.
"That's right", Neville added.
"I wonder what kind of pudding we'll have at the Feast," Luna said wistfully as the carriage arrived at the castle entrance.
The group silently made their way up the stairs until they reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office.
"Gummi bears," Professor McGonagall said to the gargoyle.
They all got on the spiral staircase as it moved up, and made their way into the headmaster's office.
"Professor Snape should be here shortly," Dumbledore said looking at the group over his half-moon glasses. "Lemon drop, anyone?" he asked holding up a bowl full of candy. After everyone had declined, he took one for himself.
A couple of minutes later Snape walked into the office with his black robe billowing behind him.
"This is an outrage, Headmaster," he said agitated. "None of my students can come to testify in person. Mr. Crabbe's injuries will require three days in the hospital wing to heal, and Mr. Goyle and Mr. Malfoy are unable to speak because their jaws are immobilized overnight while the Skele-Gro heals their bones and teeth. I was able to get a written statement from each of them," he said handing over three pieces of parchment to the headmaster.
Snape turned to face the four teenagers, and smiled maliciously. "Mr. Malfoy and his friends simply stopped to greet Mr. Potter, when they were brutally attacked without any justification. I think you'll agree this is grounds to expel all of them immediately, Headmaster."
Even Dumbledore had to roll his eyes at that one. "What's your version of events Mr. Potter?" he asked.
Harry proceeded to relate the events in the train compartment in great detail. Ginny added a brief testimony of the events before Malfoy's entrance to the compartment, and both Neville and Luna corroborated Harry's statement.
"I actually think that going to another Wizarding school would be beneficial to my education, Headmaster," Harry said. "With a few notable exceptions," he added nodding at Professor McGonagall, "the quality of teaching at Hogwarts is dismal. You've appointed as teachers a death predicting drunkard, a sleep inducing ghost and someone who couldn't teach his way out of a paper bag," he said pointing his nose, not very discreetly, at Snape. "Let's not even mention some of the former teachers."
Snape was apoplectic. "You arrogant, insufferable brat!" he spat. "Headmaster, I demand that Potter be expelled immediately!"
Dumbledore seemed to be speechless, so Harry spoke first, talking to Snape directly. "I know, Professor, that having me expelled has been a dream of yours for a long time, but everyone in this room knows that's not going to happen. The Headmaster has big plans for me, which hopefully he will share some day, and just in case you get any ideas, let me give notice that the expulsion of any of the five students who went with me to the Department of Mysteries, will result in my immediate transfer to another school."
Snape was on the verge of a stroke, the rest just stared in shock. Even Luna was looking at Harry as if he had gone crazy. Only Ginny was smiling confidently. She rose on her tiptoes and whispered to Harry's ear.
"You have them by the bollocks, but I think you can stop squeezing now."
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, "I will accept any punishment you see fit to give me, only if you review the Pensieve memories of those involved, or if everyone gives their testimony under Veritaserum. If Professor Snape is confident of the truthfulness of his students, he shouldn't object."
"I think Mr. Potter's request is quite reasonable," Professor McGonagall interjected somewhat flustered.
Dumbledore caressed his beard, and considered the situation he was in. Harry had put his back against the wall and he didn't like it. For years he had diligently tried to keep Harry's self-esteem and confidence low so he could be manipulated easily, and to avoid precisely this type of situation, but in a few short months the work of a lifetime had been destroyed. He would have to find another way to influence the young man. Maybe being fair was a good way to start.
"Severus, inform Draco Malfoy and his friends that unless they agree to give testimony under Veritaserum, and submit a Pensive memory, they will serve two weeks detention for gross provocation and defamation of another student. If you allow me a couple of minutes," he said turning to Harry, "the rest of you can go back to the Feast."
Snape was livid, but the headmaster pretended not to notice.
"Harry," the headmaster continued after everyone else left, "you must understand this puts me in a very difficult position with Professor Snape, he's taking a huge personal risk for the war effort..."
"Excuse me for being blunt, Professor," Harry interrupted, "but your problems with Snape are of your own creation, and I find it difficult to care. I have five friends who are taking a huge personal risk for the war effort who don't feel that entitles them to treat me like dirt, or to insult my father at every turn. I'm not bound by any deal you made with Snape."
"It's Professor Snape, Harry, and he provides valuable information to the Order..."
"Since the right to insult me and belittle me is obviously part of the payment you agreed to, I feel I'm entitled to hear the information he provides first hand to determine if that payment is worth it."
Dumbledore sat on his chair looking tired and old, and for reasons he couldn't quite understand, Harry felt sorry for him.
"Professor Dumbledore, I don't enjoy acting like an arrogant prat," the young wizard said honestly. "Believe me when I say it's difficult for me, but you have left me with no other alternative. I advise you to put Snape on notice that I will not suffer his bile lightly." Harry paced a moment, and blurted out what had been eating at his entrails all summer. "I don't understand why you seem so set in giving people who hate me power over me. I don't understand why you have made no effort to teach me anything of use. Sometimes I think you want me to die..."
The old wizard looked up at Harry, pale and alarmed. "I don't want you to die, Harry..." he said with eyes filled with tears, but the headmaster quickly composed himself. "Regarding the requests you made to me by letter, I can inform you that Minister Scrimgeour has agreed to your requests in exchange for some political capital."
"What do you mean?"
"His position as Minister of Magic is still precarious. He wants your tacit endorsement by making a few public appearances together, and by expressing you confidence in him to the press. In exchange, he will remove the restriction on underage magic on your friends, grant all of you Apparition licenses once you pass the test, and he will give me permission to teach you how to make Portkeys in an emergency."
"I'm afraid that I will have to decline the Minister's generous offer," Harry said matter-of-factly. "I didn't stop being your puppet just so I could become Scrimgeour's puppet. Besides, the first two requests aren't really an issue anymore, and the last one is only a minor setback since each of us already has an emergency Portkey."
Dumbledore looked surprised at Harry's words, and the young wizard had to smile at the facial expression of the headmaster.
"Sirius left me a case with Agnitio, which included Apparition instruction. I was able to procure untraceable wands myself, and the Portkeys were obtained for a price from a source at the Ministry."
"Agnitio is very expensive, and very valuable," Dumbledore said genuinely impressed. "That was a most generous and useful gift from Sirius. Would you mind telling me what other knowledge he left you?"
"In due time, Professor, and only quid pro quo. Right now, I'm starving and I would like to have dinner with my friends."
OoOoO
When Harry walked into the Great Hall, he noticed that Ginny was sitting at the Ravenclaw table talking to a small, brown haired girl. To the other side of the girl, Luna was listening to their conversation. Ginny was talking with that bright, open smile Harry was so fond of, and he stopped just a moment to watch her. The redhead noticed him, and called him over.
"This is my boyfriend, Harry," she said to the little girl. "You can also ask him for help at any time, alright?" The girl smiled shyly. "Harry, this is Diana."
Harry shook her hand. "Any friend of Ginny's, is a friend of mine," he said smiling.
"I'll leave you with Luna," Ginny said. "Remember she's my best friend, so don't listen to anyone who makes fun of her."
"I won't. I like her," Diana said cheerfully turning to Luna.
The young couple made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Ron was eating with such appetite, that he barely acknowledged their arrival. Hermione rolled her eyes with a chuckle and greeted them, the same as Neville.
"I'm starving, Harry, what took you so long?" Ginny asked piling food on her plate.
"Sorry, you didn't have to wait for me," Harry said apologetically.
"It's okay. I wanted to wait for you," she answered smiling at him.
Hermione, and to a lesser extent, Ginny and Neville, looked at Harry expectantly.
Harry served himself some roast and potatoes. "I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. I'm starving also." He started eating and looked up at the teachers table. There was only one new face. A large man with a walrus moustache. "Have they announced the name of the new teacher?"
"Professor McGonagall said that the announcements would be made at the end of the Feast," Hermione answered.
After all the food and dirty dishes had been retired, Dumbledore stood up and walked, eyes twinkling, to the brass lectern. He gave the typical welcome speech, with the usual warnings about the Forbidden Forrest, the ever growing list of banned items by Mr. Filch and an appeal for House unity.
"To conclude," the old wizard said. "Let me introduce the new Potions teacher, Professor Horace Slughorn."
The amiable looking man stood up to a stunned round of applause.
"Did he say, Potions?" Harry asked surprised.
"Maybe Professor Dumbledore misspoke," Hermione answered just as puzzled.
After the new teacher sat down, the headmaster continued. "Our very own, Professor Severus Snape will take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position."
There was loud applause on the Slytherin table, and stunned silence on the other three. Ron looked green and on the verge of vomiting. Neville didn't look that much better. Hermione was looking worriedly at Harry.
"We can never catch a break, do we?" Harry said dejectedly.
"Look at the bright side," Ginny said soberly. "If the curse holds true, he'll be dead or gone in a year."
Harry took her small hand in his, and laughed.