Sixth Book- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I am Madelina and I am going to write a sixth book. I will have my version of the half-blood prince. I will also have at least one new character. After all, there has to be a new DADA teacher. Yes, she will be a friend of Harry's mother, but she is NOT going to his godmother. That idea is worn out and trite. Yes, Harry will ask her if she is, but she will tell him no, that Alice Longbottom, another friend of Lily's, and Neville's mother, is his godmother.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They are all a product of J.K. Rowling, except for any new ones I come with myself. This is written solely for entertainment.


Chapter One

Once Harry got home, Uncle Vernon shouted at him. "You ungrateful boy! how dare those freaks come to us and threaten us like that! Accusing us of mistreating you! We didn't throw you out of the house last year or leave you at an orphanage when Petunia found you on our doorstep."

Harry tied to explain that he didn't know the Order members would approach Uncle Vernon, but he wasn't listening. "SHUT UP! DON'T YOU INTERRUPT OR TRY TO TALK BACK!"

Harry closed his mouth and let Uncle Vernon keep talking. Finally Aunt Petunia said. "That's enough, Vernon. As for you, boy, you will stay in your room! You will not be allowed to go out except to use the bathroom or if Mrs. Figgs asks you to do an errand for her. Your meals will be brought up to you and you will write to those freaks every three days. And you will write that you are being properly treated or we will punish you. Is that clear?"

Harry nodded and went upstairs with his things. At least the Dursleys wouldn't bother him this summer and being locked in his room was better than having to do chores or something. He sat dwon on his bed and his thoughts turned to Sirius. He recounted what had happened in the Department of Mysteries, the prophecy Dumbledore had told him, and how he had reacted. he did fell bad about trashing Dumbledore's office, but he still felt angry over how Dumbledore hadn't told him sooner.

Aunt Petunia came in at six o'clock and left a plate, an apple and a glass on the table. Harry got up and found some salad, a peice of chicken, and a slice of bread on the plate. The glass contained milk. Harry quickly ate the food, even though he wasn't very hungry. Then Aunt Petunia came back later and took the plate and cup away.

At seven, a phoenix appeared, dropped a letter, then disappeared. Harry realised that it was Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, and that Dumbledore must have sent him a letter. Harry ripped it open and read:

"Dear Harry,

I am sorry about not telling you about the prohecy sooner. I made a mistake. I really shouldn't have, but an old man like me still isn't perfect. When I ws your age, I felt as insecure as you and made some mistakes, too. In fact, there was that time... but I digress. Anyway, I am here to apoligise.

I also realise that your friends spoke to your relatives. It may have only made them mad. So in three days, someone will visit you and stay with you until you leave. She will give you Occulemency lessons, and do try to learn it properly this time. She will also train you and work on your Defense. Please treat her with respect. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore."

Harry tossed the letter aside. He was still angry with Dumbledore, but after reading the letter, he supposed he forgave him. He did understand why he hadn' been briefed, though he hated it. Harry also wondered who would come to visit him. From the letter, it sounded as if it was a new member of the Order or someone Harry hadn't met, and not someone like Tonks.

Uncle Vernon came an hour later to let Harry use the bathroom. When he returned, harry said, "Oh, Uncle Vernon. My headmaster wrote. He said someone would come visit me. She's to stay here and make sure I'm being treated well and help me with my work."

Uncle Vernon turned purple and looked as if he was about to explode. Just then, and owl flew in, dropped a letter, and flew out. The letter was addressed to Harry and the Dursleys. Harry opened it and handed a peice of paper marked "Durlseys" to his uncle. Uncle Vernon glared and read outloud, "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Durlsey, I am Sylvia Marks. Petunia, you may remember me. I was a dear friend of Lily's and would come to visit during the summer. I am writing to let you know that I will be visiting in three days. Harry my have told you about it, since his headmaster has probably written about it. I intend to stay until Harry is to leave your residence.

"You do not need to worry about housing me. I will stay in Harry's room and make my own arrangements. I will be arriving by car at three o'clock in the afternoon. I will be wearing a blouse, blue skirt, blue dress jacket, and anything else businesswomen usually wear. That is all.

Yours,

Sylvia Marks."

Uncle Vernon frowned, but muttered, "At least she's arriving by car and will be dressed decently. And she's not going to require use of the guest room."

Harry was a bit relieved that Uncle Vernon was taking it well and closed the door to his room. He then read his letter. It said the same thing as in the letter, except in more detail. She said she was a Muggleborn like Lily, had married a brother of Frank Longbottom, who was now dead, having commited suicide after discovering Frank had been tortured into insanity. She had a son named Brian Sirius and a daughter named Elizabeth Ann. She had been a member of the old Order, (she called it old crowd), and had rejoined a few months ago. Finally, she had included a picture of her and her children.

Harry looked at it. In the middle was Sylvia Longbottom, with long blonde hair and blue eyes and wearing blue dress robes. On her left was Elizabeth, who looked liked her mother and was wearing pink dress robes. On her right was Brian, who looked like Neville, only thinner and more confident looking. he was wearing green dress robes. The figures waved at Harry and mouthed, "Hello!"

Harry added the picture to his album and wondered if Sylvia would bring Brian and Elizabeth with her so he oculd meet them. he also realised that Sylvia was Neville's aunt and wondered if she was his godmother.

Chapter Two

It was the day Sylvia Longbottom was to come. Harry tidied up his room a bit. He had written to her and asked if she would bring Brian and Elizabeth with her. Sylvia had written back, saying that she would.

At three o'clock, Dudley found some excuse to leave the house and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon nervously paced by the front door. Then the door bell rang. Uncle Vernon answered it and gaped. "Is that a Rolls Royce in my driveway?" he asked, shocked.

Sylvia smiled and replied, "Yes, it is, Mr. Dursley. Now, may my children and I come in?" Uncle Vernon nodded and moved aside.

Sylvia was dressed in a blouse, blue skirt, and jacket, with blonde hair done up. Elizabeth was wearing a glittery blue t-shirt and a jean skirt while Brian was in a green and white polo shirt and pants. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vrnon were relieved that the Longbottoms were in normal Muggle clothing. Sylvia told them that they would stay in Harry's room and then went upstairs with Brian and Elizabeth, levitating three trunks.

Harry was pleased to meet the three. Elizabeth told Harry to call her Beth for short. She was sixteen, like Harry, and Brian was fifteen. The two set down their trunks. Sylvia hugged Harry and then showed him her trunk.

"My trunk is like Alastor's Moody's, only with five compartments," she said. "Compartment one contains my clothes and things. Compartment two is a training room. Compartment three has a kitchen, dining room, living room, study, and bathroom, only with a shower instead of a bathtub. Compartment four has four bedrooms and a bathroom. And compartment five has a laundry room, a room for miscellaneous things, and a room for my house-elf, Milly."

The four went inside compartment three in the trunk. Sylvia led the teens into the living room. A female house elf was there. She had on a frilly white cap, a pillowcase altered to look like something the ancient Greek or Roman women wore, and an apron. Milly curtsied, greeted Harry, and offered to get refreshments. Sylvia looked at the teens and Brian and Beth nodded. So Milly's offer was accepted.

"All right, Harry," said Sylvia. "Do you have any questions?"

"Yes," replied Harry. "Are you my godmother?'

Sylvia answered, "No, I'm Neville's godmother. Your godmother is Alice Longbottom, Neville's mother. And your mother, Lily, was my children's godmother. Oh, and Remus was made your god-wolf."

Harry looked puzzled and Beth said, "It was a joke. Uncle James had already made Uncle Sirius your godfather. He didn't want to leave out Uncle Remus, so he and Aunt Lily made him god-wolf."

Milly came in then with a tray of food and drink. Sylvia thanked her and gestured to the teens to help themselves. After a few minutes, Harry continued, "Where did you live? Because I would have seen Beth and Brian at Hogwarts. And what's going on with the Order and everything?"

Brian replied, "To the first question, Mum and Beth and I lived in France. We went to Beauxbatons, of course. And that means we're bilingual."

Sylvia said, "As for the Order, not much is going on. The Longbottoms, Lovegoods, and Amelia Bones have joined the Order. Well, Neville and Luna haven't, because they are to young, but their father and guardians have. Dumbledore has realised his mistake and is going to see that you get briefed. And Remus and I have told him that if he didn't, then we would. We're not going to leave you in the dark again. Look what happened. Remus's remaining friend and your godfather gets killed! So that's that. Oh, Fred and George have joined the Order, also, and are supplying some of their products that are useful for this war. And you, Harry, may not join the Order."

Harry was about to protest, but Beth cut in. "Harry, be sensible. If you were part of the Order, you'd be called for missions. And that would disrupt school. And what if you got yourself killed? You're the one that has to kill Voldemort."

Harry looked at her. "So you and Brian know about the prophecy?"

Brian replied, "Yes, we do. Mum told us. And we haven't told Ron, Ginny, Luna, or Neville. Or Hermione, either, but right now she's with her parents. We think that you should be the ones to tell them when you're ready."

Harry nodded and Sylvia said, "Back to the discussion, that is one reason why you may not join the Order. And another thing, say Voldemort and the Death Eaters showed up someplace. You and some other Order members are there and Voldemort Apparates somewhere else or flees. Would you go after Voldemort or stay and help the others? According to the prophecy, you would have to kill Voldemort and therefore follow him, but as an Order member you would have to help the others. Therefore, by your not joining, you can focus on Voldemort and not worry over helping others in a fight."

Harry nodded again. "I understand now. I dont like it, but I understand."

Sylvia smiled and had Milly come in to take the tray away.

Chapter Two continued

Beth and Brian took Harry to compartment four and show him around. "Ca est ma chambre et l'autre est le chambre de Brian," said Beth.

Harry was puzzled and said, "Excuse me, but I think you're speaking French."

Beth turned red. "Oh! Pardon! I'm so used to speaking francais that I lasped. What I said was 'That is my room and the other is Brian's room.'"

Harry nodded and followed Beth into her room. Inside was a lovely walnut bed with a pink canopy and curtains, a nightstand with lamp and clock, a tall mahogany wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a table with four chairs, a bookcase, and a computer. Harry looked questioningly at the computer and Beth explained, "L'ordinateur-sorry, computer, is very useful. It's powered by magic and I like to use it. Mum does find Muggle stuff useful, considering she was Muggleborn herself. Brian has one in his room."

Harry then went into Brian's room. It was similar to Beth's except the bed had dark blue curtains and blue striped wallpaper. Also, Brian had a collection of computer games next to the computer and a television. Also, a cot had been set up at one end and Brian explained, "Cet-I mean that cot was for Ron. He had to sleep here to free up a room for Mrs. Longbottom."

Then they peeped into Sylvia's room. It was similar to Beth's and Brian's rooms, only the bed was a little wider and had gold curtains, there was no television, and the computer looked as if it was brand new. Then Harry was shown the guest room. It had two beds, with red curtains, a dresser, a wardrobe, a table with four chairs, and a television. There was no computer or television. Beth said, "Ginerva and Luna had to sleep here for a few days. Mr. Lovegood needed a room. He left yesterday to go on his trip to Sweden, so Ginny has her room back."

"So Ginny's full name is Ginerva?" asked Harry.

"Oui," replied Beth. "C'est-I mean, yes, it's Italian for Guineviere."

"Ma mere, I mean my mother," said Brian, "says that Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville can come visit in a few days. They can't right now. Ron and Ginny are needed by their parents, Hermione has to spend time with hers, Luna is in Sweden with her dad, and Neville's grandma isn't letting him leave for awhile. She praised him over facing Bellatrix Lestrange and surviving. She didn't mind at all that his wand was broken and insists on having her 'little hero' with her for a few days. Oh, and he has to get a new wand, first."

"I see," said Harry. "So only you two could come right now."

"Oui," replied Beth. "Mum was coming, so we joined her. And you did say, or write, that you wanted to meet us. So here we are."

Harry asked, "'Oui' means yes, in French, right?" Brian nodded.

"I think we should give you a short French lesson. We're going to laspe occasionally and you should know a few words."

Beth wrote down a list of French words, plus their meanings, and then gave them to Harry. "Okay, bonjour is hello, or literally good day. Salut is hi, au revoir is good-bye. Ma mère is my mother and mon père is my father. Frère is brother and soeur is sister. Add grand and a hyphen to mère and père and you get grandmother and grandfather. Ma tante is my aunt and mon oncle is my uncle. Cousin is a male cousin and cousine is a female cousin. Oui is yes and non is no. Bonne nuit is good night and bon soir is good evening. Pardon is sorry, s'il vous plait is please."

Harry nodded and repeated the French words. Then Brian continued with the rest and by the time the lesson was over, he had memorised at least thirty words.

Feedback at: www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=35052.

Chapter Two continued

After the lesson, Harry, Beth, and Brian went to back to compartment three. Sylvia smiled at Harry and said, "So my kids gave you a French lesson?" Harry nodded and she continued, "Knowing another language is useful. Beth has read this book where the wizards in it have to say spells in a language other than their native one. For example, an English wizard would have to say spells in French or Greek or something. If they said it in English, bad things could happen."

Harry looked puzzled. "What does that have to do with me?'

"Nothing really," replied Sylvia. "But have you noticed that all the spells, or most of them, are either Latin or Latin-based? Petrificus Totalus, for instance, is taken from Latin. You get 'petrify' and 'total' from it."

Harry paused. "You're right! I never thought about it."

"As for your knowing French, you've noticed that students from other countries normally learn English. For example, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, weren't Fleur and Viktor Krum speaking English? They did have accents, of course, but then they didn't grow up speaking it the way you or my kids have. So why shouldn't you know another language?"

Harry understood her point. Beth said, "But we won't teach you everything. You'll learn basics, such as greetings and names of objects, but that's it. Brian and I may have arguments and converstaions in French and we want to keep them private. If you understand a word here and there, fine, but we don't want you understanding everything we say."

Harry nodded and said, "I understand. I'll just learn the basics."

Brian then looked at the clock and said, "Oh, it's five o'clock! Is Milly making dinner, now, Mum?"

"Yes, she is, Brian," replied Sylvia.

Harry looked up and asked, "Why does Milly dress the way she does?"

Sylvia replied, "Being Muggleborn, I don't particularly care to see elves in tea towels. However, I can't give Milly clothes without freeing her. And Milly is an elf that has no wish to be free. As a compromise, I took a few pillowcases and altered them into the kind of dress ancient Greek women wore."

"What about the cap?" added Harry.

Brian replied, "Mum decided to have her wear a cap the way maids in books do. Since that was Mum's wish, Milly agreed. And she wears an apron to keep her pillowcase/tunic clean."

"I'll be going to the kitchen now and help Milly with dinner," said Sylvia. "If you three want to join me, you can. Or you can stay in the living room or use the training room. In fact, Brian and Beth, you can show Harry the training room now. Just don't do any dueling. My trunk may have wards to keep the Ministry from noticing underage magic, but I don't want you to duel unless someone is supervising. All right?"

The three nodded and promised that they wouldn't duel. Sylvia went to the kitchen and Harry, Brian, and Beth went to compartment two.

Chapter two continued

Harry looked around the training room. There was a section walled off that had training equipment, the sort off stuff Dudley had used to get in shape for boxing. The rest was a combination Quidditch pitch and dueling arena. At the ends of the room, there were the tall Quidditch goalposts, with a few lockers nearby for broomsticksb and other Qudditch equipment.

Harry gazed in wonderment and Brian said, "Want to play Quidditch, Harry? Professor Dumbledore told Mum that you are an excellent seeker."

Harry's face fell. "I can't. I don't have my broom. It was taken away when I got banned and hasn't been returned."

Beth said, "Professor Dumbledore said that he'd return your broom the next time he sees you. And that your ban was removed. That Umbridge woman is gone, after all. Ron told us about her and I'm glad we weren't at Hogwarts."

Brian added, "Yeah. She sounded horrible. Anyway, you can borrow a broom. We've got a few lying around in the lockers." Brian crossed over to a locker and unlocked it. "We've got a Firebolt, a Cleansweep Ten, a Comet Two Sixty, two Nimbus Two Thousand Ones and a Two Thousand two, and Mum's old Silver Arrow. Take your pick, Harry."

Harry gazed in wonderment at the brooms. Beth smiled and said, "Brian and I have the Nimbus Two Thousand Ones, but we don't mind if you borrow one. Mum got the Firebolt for me later, when I was made a seeker. Though I normally just use my old one and share the Firebolt with Brian. The Comet and Cleansweep was when Mum first taught us flying."

Harry looked at Beth. "You're a seeker? That's great, Beth!"

Beth blushed. "Well, I was made a chaser and a reserve seeker. When the seeker graduated, I was promoted to seeker. I'm better as a chaser, but I'm a pretty decent seeker and have won several games for my house."

Brian shook his head. "Beth is so modest. Ever since she's been made seeker, our house has won all our games and the Quidditch Cup. Though I will admit that she's better as chaser. Kind of like Uncle James. Mum said that he was made chaser and reserve seeker his second year. At the Quidditch final, the seeker got sick and Uncle James had to take over. Mum was the reserve chaser and took over for Uncle james. Mum said that he was brilliant and won the cup for them. After that, he went about with a snitch."

Harry recalled the scene he had seen in the pensieve. His father had been playing with a snitch. Beth shook her head and said, "Hello, Harry? Are we going to play Quidiitch?"

Harry nodded and replied, "Of course we are! Beth, I'll use a Nimbus, just to see what's like, and then I'll trade off with you for the Firebolt." The three selected brooms, then Brian took out the balls.

Harry would look for the snitch, Beth would work on scoring goals, and Brian would keep. Harry asked, "Brian, were you keeper?"

Brian shook his head. "Non. I was a beater. A pretty good one, too. But it would be pointless for me to go after bludgers right now. Instead I'll just work on my keeping skills. I'm a decent keeper, but I'd never make it on a team, except maybe as a reserve."

The three went off into the air. Beth flew about and tossed the Quaffle at the goalposts. Brian worked on blocking the goals. Harry saw that Brian was good, but not great. He managed to block about half of Beth's goals, but not all. Harry was impressed with Beth's chaser skills. If she got sorted into Gryffindor, she could join Ginny as chaser, since Alicia, Angelina, and Katie had graduated. And he hoped Brian would get into Gryffindor. The team needed decent beaters. The ones that had replaced Fred and George, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, had been terrible. And Angelina had said that they were better than the 'other idiots that had shown up!"

While those thoughts were going on, Harry flew around looking for the snitch. he caught it in ten minutes, then let it go. The second time, he was able to catch it in three minutes, beating his record of five. After catching the snitch several times, he flew down and traded brooms with Beth. The Firebolt was not his, but it was well polished and in good care. Obviously Beth and Brian kept good care of their brroms. He flew around on it and caught the snitch five more times. Then he had Brian show off some of his beater skills. Brian was excellent and as good as Fred and George.

Then Sylvia came in and called the three to compartment three for dinner. Having worked up an appetite from all that flying, the three happily ran to the kitchen. Milly smiled and gestured them to the table. Harry, Brian, and Beth sat down. Sylvia said grace, then gestured at them to begin.

Chapter Three

Toward the end of dessert, Sylvia suddenly clutched at her arm. An alarmed look came on her face and she got up. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have an important meeting. I'll try to be back in two hours." She hugged Harry, Beth, and Brian and kissed them on the cheek.

Beth and Brian looked worried and Beth said, "Be careful, Mum. And tell Uncle Servus to be careful, too."

Sylvia nodded. "I will. You know I always do. And Servus and I do know Occulemncy. And Beth and Brian, explain everything to Harry."

She then apparated and Harry looked questionly at Beth and Brian. Brian said quietly, "Mum is a Death Eater. Or rather, she pretends to be one, like Uncle Servus. They accepted the Dark Mark, but they spy on Voldemort for Professor Dumbledore."

Harry was shocked. "How-why would she do such a thing? it's dangerous. And she's Muggleborn! Voldemort would never accept her."

Beth shook her head. "Actually, she's not really one. Her dad, our grandpa, was a squib. He married our grandma, a Muggle. Anyway, Marks happens to be wizarding name. When she first joined, everyone assumed that she was pureblood. And being related to the Prewetts help."

Harry looked puzzled and asked, "Who are the Prewetts?"

"They're a wizarding family," explained Beth. "Our grandpa's sister married a Prewett. They had Mum's cousin, Molly Prewett, who married into the Weasley family. So Aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur are our first cousin once removed and Ron and Ginny and the rest are our second cousins."

"You're related to the Weasleys, Brian and Beth?" asked Harry, surprised.

Brian nodded. "Anyway, the Death Eaters and Voldemort think she's a pureblood. And since she can do Occulmency, Voldemort doesn't know she's lying. When she first turned spy, only Professor Dumbledore, Uncle Servus, Professor McGonagall, Dad, and Uncle James, Aunt Lily, Uncle Sirius, and Uncle Remus knew her secret. They were going to tell Peter Pettigrew, but Mum told them not to. She suspected that he was a traitor."

Harry looked worried now. "That's putting Sylvia in danger! Why would she do it? What if she's found out? And the same goes for Snape. I mean, he's not my favorite person on Earth, but he's still on our side."

Beth shook her head. 'We're worried too, every time Mum has to go to a Death Eater meeting. But she's never been found out. She uses her Occulemency so Voldemort sees only what she wants him to see. Uncle Servus does the same. By the way, he's not really our uncle. He's a distant cousin, but we just call him that. Anyway, she wants to do it. she and Uncle Servus are dedicated to fighting Voldemort and their way is spying on him so Professor Dumbledroe know what he's planning and all."

A sob startled them and they turned to see Milly crying into her apron. Brian shook his head. "Milly always cries when Mum has to go to a meeting. She's afraid that her 'mistress' will be found out and tortured and killed. When Mum returns safely, then Milly cries from joy and fusses over her."

Beth said, "Let's leave Milly alone for a few minutes. How about we go to the living room and wait for Mum? She said that she'd try to be back in two hours, so it shoulf almost nine o'clock when she returns."

Harry and Brian agreed and the three went to the living room. Beth tried to read and Harry and Brian began a game of chess, but their hearts weren't into it. They kept glancing at the clock and Harry and Brian weren't paying attention to the moves they made. They were so distracted that they told their pieces to do impossible moves. (Like having the rook move diagonally) Harry ended up checkmating Brian, but neither of them cared. Then Brian tried to read while Beth played chess with Harry. It didn't go well either. Then Harry picked up the book Brian was trying to read and Beth and Brian played chess.

Finally at nine o'clock, Sylvia returned. Harry, Beth, and Brian were glad to see her. Milly cried for gladness and fussed over her mistress. After an hour, Sylvia put a stop to it and told everyone to get ready for bed.

Chapter Three continued

The next day, Professor Snape showed up. Harry was not pleased to see him, but considering that it was Sylvia's trunk, he didn't say anything. He glared at Snape and Sylvia said, "Harry, could you please be nicer to Servus?"

Snape sighed. "I don't blame him, considering that I've never been nice to him. Anyway, Harry, I'm sorry about Sirius. I never liked him, because he wasn't nice to me, but I know you were close to him. And I'm sorry about the way I've treated you. You looked so much like your father, that I-well, I know you aren't like him, but it's hard for me to forget the past. Anyway, I'm apoligising. I will still have to be curt with in school, however, but in private I will try to be a little nicer."

Harry gaped and stammered, "P-professor, are you feeling well?"

Snape snapped in his usual manner, "Of course, Potter!" Then in the gentler voice, "Look, I have been informed about how your Muggle relatives treated you and I am shocked by it. Even my father never-well, we don't need to go into that. And I have another reason to be civil to you."

Snape then turned to Sylvia and she said, "Harry, Servus and I are getting married." Harry was even more shocked and pinched himself to make sure it wasn't a dream. Sylvia chuckled. "Harry, you aren't dreaming. I've been in love with him since Francis Longbottom died. It was because of me that Servus joined our side. That and the fact that his mother was killed by Regulus Black."

Harry looked questionly at Slyvia and she shook her head. "If you want to know more, ask Servus."

Harry sighed and looked at Snape. He didn't look like in the mood to answer questions, so Harry didn't ask any.

Chapter Three continued

Beth and Brian came in. Beth gave a cry on delight and exclaimed, "Uncle Servus! Je suis-I mean, I'm so glad to see you!" Snape smiled and allowed himself to be hugged. Brain wasn't so exuberant, being a boy.

He smiled and said, "When are you Mum going to be married and you can be our stepdad? You've been engaged for a year, now, Uncle Servus."

Harry looked at Brian and Brian answered his unspoken question. "Yes, we know about Mum's engagement. She told us three months ago and that they've been engaged ever since last summer. We didn't tell you since Mum said that she and Uncle Servus wanted to tell you themselves."

Snape shrugged. "We don't know, Brian. When the Dark Lord is defeated, Sylvia and I will marry."

Beth protested, "But that could take a long time! And what if, God forbid, you or Mum should die? Or both of you die? Then you two will never marry!"

Sylvia shook her head. "Beth is right. I've been telling you to stop procrastinating and get married as soon as possible, Servus."

Snape shook his head. "Get married now? In the middle of a war?"

Sylvia pointed out, "James and Lily did, Servus. Tom Riddle was in power and the Order was formed to fight him the year they married. And Francis and I and Alice and Frank also married that year."

Snape threw up his hands in defeat. "All right, all right. We'll get married soon. Is July 31st soon enough for you, Sylvia?"

"Yes," replied Sylvia. "But that is the date of Harry's and Neville's birthdays. I don't think they would want a wedding during their birthday celebrations. How about if we have the day before or after July 31st?"

Snape sighed. "All right, August first will be fine, Sylvia."

Sylvia smiled. "Beth and Brian, would you be so kind as to inform the Order members about the wedding? Harry, go help them. And tell Dumbledore to officiate. Beth, you may be bridesmaid. Brian, you may be best man. In fact, tell Ginny and Luna they can also be bridesmaid. And enlist that Hermione Granger, too. Harry, tell Ron and Neville that you three are going to be best men, too. I know you only have one, but I don't want to leave anyone out. Oh, and make Remus Lupin the head of the best men and have Tonks as-no, she'd be too clumsy. Have Emmeline Vance be maid of honor and head of the bridesmaids. And have Molly be matron of honour. And of course Arthur will be her partner. Servus, do you have anyone you want for the wedding party?"

Snape shook his head. "I don't have anyone close that can be in the wedding. Your choices are fine."

Harry, Beth, and Brian nodded and ran off to write the notices and ask their friends to be bridesmaids, best men, and maid and matron of honour.

Chapter Four

A week later, Sylvia brought Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Neville over. Luna did not come since she was still on holiday in Sweden. She did promise to be back by Harry's and Neville's birthday, though. Luna had sent a nice letter to Harry and his friends, telling about the lovely time she was having there. There were no signs of crumple-horned snorkacks, but they had seen regulr snorkacks, which Muggles called reindeer.

Harry asked, "Is that true? Are reindeer really called snorkacks in the wizarding world?"

Sylvia nodded. "Yes, they are. Well, at least the magical kind. The ones that Muggles raise and the ones in zoos are just plan reindeer. Snorkacks have some magical properties and can fly, like how some kids think Father Christmas has flying reindeer to pull his sleigh. Crumple-horned snorkacks are like reindeer, except their antlers are twisted and they are much more magical. I've never seen one, but that's what rumor says. And their antlers are good for something. I can't quite remember. Something about a potion."

Hermione looked skpetical. "All right, I know about snorkacks. I've read about them. But I simply can't believe that crumple-horned snorkacks exisit. There's no proof, just some people saying they've seen one. It's like saying the Loch Ness monster or Bigfoot exists."

Beth pointed out, "But there's no proof that says they don't exist, Hermione. And the Loch Ness monster really does exist. Wizards and witches have proven it. It's only Bigfoot that's not proven."

Hermione paused. "Well, you're right about the Loch Ness monster. But-"

"Oh, that's enough, 'Mione," interrupted Ron. "Does it really matter? And if Beth and Loon-I mean Luna want to believe in such things, let them."

Hermione turned angrily to Ron and they started to argue. Sylvia smiled and said, "They look like an old married couple, arguing over some petty thing."

That stopped the argument. Hermione and Ron turned red, looked at each other in horror, then turned around to look at Sylvia. 'We do not!" exclaimed Ron. Harry, Neville, Ginny, Beth, and Brian were laughing very hard at them.

Sylvia chuckled and said, "All right, if you say so."

Then Harry remembered something. "Ron, when Malfoy called Hermione a 'Mudblood', you tried to hex him. You ended up burping slugs. And you went with me to see Aragog, even though spiders are your worst fear. And when Snape called Hermione a know-it-all, you yelled at him and got that detention cleaning bedpans in the hospital wing. And you were so worked up when you found out that Viktor Krum took Hermione to the Yule Ball."

"So?" asked Ron. "Why are you ponting out those things, Harry?"

Brian started laughing. "Don't you get it, Ron? You are in love with Hermione! Or at least you have a crush on her. Why else would you see a giant spider? Because Hermione was petrified and you wanted to help her! And if you didn't like her, why would you care who Hermione went to the ball with?"

Ron turned red. He fled the room and everyone laughed, except Hermione, who also turned red and ran after Ron.

Chapter Four continued

The next day, the O.W.L. results arrived. Harry was very nervous about his results and hoped he had an O in Potions, even though that wasn't likely. He opened his letter and skimmed through the paper with Madam Marchbanks congratulating him on his results and telling him to send in the classes he planned to take next school year. Then he turned to his results.

" Grading Rubric:
Outstanding: 90-100
Exceeds Expectations: 80-89
Average: 70-79
Poor: 60-69
Dreadful: 50-59
Troll: Below 50

You will need at least an Average to get an O.W.L.

Here are your results:
Astronomy- Theoretical: E(85) Practical: A(75)* Overall: E(80) Two O.W.L.s
Care of Magical Creatures- Practical: O(94) Overall: O(94) One O.W.L.
Charms- Theoretical: O(92) Practical: E(86) Overall: E(89) Two O.W.L.s
Defense Against Dark Arts- Theoretical: O(99) Practical: O(110) Overall: O(105) Two O.W.L.s
Divination- Practical: D(58) Overall: P(60)** No O.W.L.s
Herbology- Theoretical: E(85) Practical: E(81) Overall: E(83) Two O.W.L.s
History of Magic- Theoretical: P(65) Overall: P(65) No O.W.L.s
Potions- Theoretical: O(91) Practical: E(87) Overall: E(89) Two O.W.L.s
Transfiguration- Theoretical: E(88) Practical: E(80) Overall: E(84) Two O.W.L.s

You have acheived thirteen O.W.L.s.

*Due to the disturbance during the Astronomy practical, all scores have been increased by five points.
**Grace points have been added"

Harry was pleased with his results and surprised that he had managed to acheive thirteen O.W.L.s. He was disappointed that his overall potions grade had been an E. And he was only one point away from an Outstanding! Sylvia noticed his crestfallen face and told him that she would ask Snape to take him. After all, she was his fiancee. Harry felt a little better about it.

Then he asked Ron, Hermione, and Neville about their scores. Ron had the same results as Harry, except that he had passed History of Magic, had a lower Potions grade, only one O.W.L. for Astronomy, and an E for Care of Magical Creatures. Neville had similar grades, excpet that he had achieved an E in History of Magic, an E for Defense, an O for Herbolgy, and a lower E for Potions. He had fourteen O.W.L.s. Hermione had the best grades out of all of them. She had Outstandings in everything, and they were all perfect scores, except for her Runes exam, which was a 99, her Defense practical, which was a 98, and her Astronomy practical, which was a 92. Hermione had 17 O.W.L.s and was quite pleased with her results.

She borrowed Beth's owl to tell her parents about her results. Sylvia left the trunk to see Snape. She cam back half an hour later and told Harry that he could not be in N.E.W.T.-level Potions. Harry was disappointed, but Sylvia smiled. "I've got the good news. Servus is going to be teaching a special class for those who wish to be Aurors or Healers. So all those who didn't get an Outstanding overall can still be in Potions!"

Harry cheered up then. Brain said, "I bet Uncle Servus just set up this class because he doesn't have enough people for a N.E.WT. class. I bet only four or five people got an O, which isn't big enough for a class."

Sylvia shruuged. "You might be right."

Chapter Five

The next day, Remus Lupin came to visit. The first thing he did was hug Harry and tell him to call him Remus, not Professor Lupin. Harry suddenly turned sad, remembering that Sirius had died. With Sylvia and his friends around, he hadn't had much time to mourn for Sirius. But now with Remus there, Harry started feeling sad and realised that all of Remus's Maurader friends, except the traitor Wormtail, were dead.

Then Sylvia interrupted Harry's and Remus's greeting. She looked sad and grave as she said, "Harry, we need to discuss Sirius's will. All the Order members drew one up. And Harry, I know you probably don't want any of Sirius' things, but if you don't accept, then your share will end up going to the Malfoys and Lestranges."

Harry certainly didn't want that happening, so said, "I'll take my share."

Sylvia nodded and then Remus handed her the will to be read. "'I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind and body, do write this will. Now, if this will is being read, it means I'm dead. I'm sure all of you are very sad, especially you Harry, but don't be. I'm off to a better place where I'm with Lily and James, aka Prongs. And all of you will end up joining us at some later time. And if any of you feel responsible, don't be. It's my fault, and Voldemort's fault.

"Now to business. First, I leave my friend Remus, aka Moony, vault 327. That should keep him in Wolfsbane potion for the rest of his life, which I hope will be very long, and cover all his expenmses. I also leave him the deed for the little house we shared after our graduation. And Harry, if Remus asks to stay with you at your residence, let him.

"Next are the Weasleys. I am grateful to you for looking after Harry. ANd since you are my distant cousins, I leave you vault number 235 which contains about fifty thousand galleons. As for Fred and George, I leave you vault 236, which had ten thousand galleons for your shop and a thick book of joke ideas. We Mauraders had once considered setting up a joke shop. If Prongs hadn't married and Voldemort hadn't come into power, we really would have done so.

"Next are Andromeda, Theodore, and Nymphadora Tonks. I know you were disowned, Andy, but you still get a share of the Black inheiritance. Each of you gets a third of vault 324, which contains about ninety thousand galleons.

"As for Hermione Granger, she gets the Black Library, and vault 323, which should give her a sufficent book fund for the rest of her life. For Ginerva and Ronald Weasley, they each get half of vault 328, which should pay for thier school costs and allow them to live comfortably enough for the rest of their life or start aQuidditch team.

"For Sylvia Marks-Longbottom and Elizabeth and Brian, I leave them vault 329. I know they don't need the money, but take it, anyway. And Bethand Brian, I expect you to be excellent Quidditch players and wonderful froiends to Harry. And Brian, if you don't end up playing for England, you will find a very angry and disappointed 'Uncle' wating for you when you die.

"Lastly, I leave Grimmauld place, vault 330, which contains the bulk of the Black money, and any other assets to Harry. I charge that Sylvia and Remus take the place of Harry's godparents, since Alice Longbottom and I can't do it. I ask that the Weasleys still keep an eye on Harry and ask Harry to at least listen to Dumbledore and McGonagall, though you don't have to do what they say. And since I must leave something to Narcissa and Bellatrix, I ask that five galleons be removed from vault 330 and a galleons each given to Bella, Cissy, their spouses, and child. And if Harry thinks the money is too much, then donate some to St. Mungos and set up a Quidditch fund. That is all."

Harry sighed and Remus continued, "And the will ends there, with the signatures of Sirius, Dumbledore, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and McGonagall."

Harry looked at Sylvia and Remus. "I don't want Grimmauld Place! Let the Order keep using it. And how much money does Sirius have?"

Slyvia sighed. "Well, vault 330 contains the money his Uncle Alphard left him, plus the bulk of the Black money. Anyway, the money he took out to get your Firebolt would be like a handful of knuts to you. And the money in the other vaults, well, the money in each would be like a handful of galleons compared to vault 330. Sirius was very rich, since he was the last Black."

Chapter Five continued

Harry thought for a minute, then said, "The Blacks would be the equivalent of a millionaire or billionaire in the Muggle world, wouldn't they?"

Sylvia nodded. "The Blacks were very, very rich. Most of the old pureblood families are. At least the ones focused on pure blood. There were exceptions, of course. Like the Potters and Longbottoms. They weren't into the oureblood mania, but had a great deal of money."

Remus nodded. "Harry, I don't think you know how much money you actually have. All you know about was the money in your vault. But that is just the money your parents had when they died, plus interest. But the entire Potter line had almost as much money and assets as the Blacks. And you are the only Potter in your line. Well, there are a few others, but they're not really part of it."

Sylvia continued, "Arthur Weasly and his kids are part of it, since Arthur's mother was a Potter. And Molly's great-uncle was a Potter. Let's see, Several generation ago, I had a several times great-grandmother that was a Potter. The same goes for Remus, except it was grandfather. You know, you are even related to the Malfoys, Blacks, and Lestranges, though very distantly. Futhermore, they wouldn't acknowledge you as tenth cousin or whatever, since those who married the Potters would have been disowned for being traitors to their families."

Harry was shocked to find out that he could be related to Draco Malfoy or Bellatrix Lestrange. However, he was relieved that they would never acknowledge him. Besides, it shouldn't really have come as a shock, since Sirius had said all pureblood families were related and the Potters had obviously been a pureblood family.

Sylvia then left the room and came back with a thick and somewhat old book. "Here is the family tree of the Potters, Harry. He flipped toward the end and found the page with him. He saw that his father, James Harold Potter had married Lily Violet Evans. A line from them listed his name. Tiny writing next to James' name showed that he had been in Gryffindor. Another name next to James showed that he had a sister in Ravenclaw, but the sister had died at the age of twenty, if Harry had done his math correctly.

"What happened to my Aunt Judith?" aked Harry. Remus said, "She was killed by Death Eaters. She had joined the Order after her graduation. When Regulus Black joined the Death Eaters, Voldemort probably told him to kill someone to affirm his entry. And apparently he chose Judith Potter. Sylvia and Servus were so angry and they found Regulus and killed him. Voldemort never knew about it. He assumed that before Judith died, she managed to kill Regulus."

Harry shook his head. It was terrible. He then flipped back some pages and noticed that a Christopher Potter had married a Melissa Prewett, a Susanna Potter had married a John Marks, a Priscilla Potter had married a Andrew Weasley, and a Rachel Potter had married a Jason Lupin. As he looked through some more pages, he noticed that a Gloriana Gryffindor had married a Brendon Potter.

"I'm not related to Godric Gryffindor, am I?" Harry asked.

Remus laughed and replied, "Yes, you're descended from him. That would make you heir to Gryffindor. Or rather a heir, since Ron and Ginny Weasley are also heirs. If you follow through the line, you notice that it leads to Priscilla Potter, as well as James Potter."

Sylvia said, "And I can tell you who is the heir to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff too. I know you probably know that Tom Riddle is the heir to Slytherin. Anyway, your friend Luna Lovegood is heir to Ravenclaw. I think Padma Patil is one also, if the Patil Ruth Ravenclaw married was Padma's line. Or maybe not married, because I don't think many English people would have married Indians back in the 18th and 19th centuries. As for Hufflepuff, I know that Bones family are descended from it. I think the Abbotts are too, and maybe the McMillians. I know Cedric Diggory was one, but not since Riddle killed him."

Harry digested this. "So you're saying Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, and Ernie McMillian are or could be heirs to Hufflepuff. And that Cedric was one."

Sylvia nodded. Harry was quite surprised at this information. Remus added, 'You could just look it up in a genalogy book to verify it. I think the library has books of all the pureblood families."

Sylvia said, "Well, I have the Marks family book, as well as a copy of the Longbottoms, Weasleys, and Prewetts family books. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the Neville, Beth, and Brian are also heirs of Gryffindor. A child from Gloriana Gryffindor's line married into the Longbottoms. I unfortunately am not, because Susanna Potter was not a direct descendant of Gloriana."

Harry sighed and asked if he could go through all the family books. Sylvia gave her premission and Remus said he could look through his copy of the Lupin family tree book. Sylvia later called Snape, who brought the Snape family book and the Black family book. When Snape handed the books to Harry, he told him to take good care of the books and not to go broadcasting who the Snapes had married. Harry promised and then he and his friends spent the next few hours poring over the family tree books.

Sorry, but this is not an update. I have fallen prey to writer's block. In addition, I have two tests to study for, as well as an English project. So I will not be updating anytime soon. If you do have any suggestions for future uodates, please post them on my feedback thread. It will be greatly appreciated, since it will mean I won't have writer's block any longer. In the meantime, go read some other fics. My friend Joyce13 has two lovely fics. And so does McBeth and a number of other people.

Well, I have gotten over writers block, thanks to some wonderful suggestions by two of my readers. So here is Chapter Six

The next day Snape came for another visit. Sylvia gathered everyone up. "We are going to have an Occulemency lesson. Harry, it is important for you to learn, and Servus and I feel that it wouldn't hurt for the rest of you to learn." Harry groaned and Sylvia smiled, "Don't worry, Harry. I'll be teaching you. Servus will be teaching Beth, Brian, and Hermione."

Harry felt better. Even though Snape was nicer to him now, he didn't really want to be learning Occulemncy from him, after his revious experience. Snape gave him a dry smile. "The feeling is mutual, Potter, I mean Harry."

The lesson then began. Sylvia had Harry, Ron, Neville, and Ginny clear their minds and explained things. One by one, Sylvia entered into their minds and they had to block her. Harry didn't have much success and Sylvia saw many dreadful memories form his time with the Dursleys.

"Harry, you are not trying," said Sylvia patiently. "And why am I getting horrible memories? Have the Dursleys really been treating you badly? And were you locked in a closet?"

Harry sighed, "It wasn't a closet. It was the cupboard under the stairs. I had to live there for almost eleven years. It wasn't until I got my Hogwarts letter that they moved me here, to the smallest bedroom."

Sylvia frowned. "How could Dumbledore let you live with such people? I was perfectly ready to take you in! If Alice and Frank hadn't been tortured, they'd have taken you in too. Remus would have also, if the Ministry weren't so prejudiced against werewolves. Even Servus would have been better than the Dursleys! And I don't care if you were protected under the Dursley's roof."

Harry sighed. "It's all in the past. Forget about it."

Snape had stopped working with Beth, Brian, and Hermione and turned to Harry. "I realise that your relatives were mean to you. However, I did not realise they had you sleep in a cupboard. I did not know the extent of their treatment. Why, even my father wasn't that cruel to me!"

Ron gave Harry a shocked look. "I knew your aunt aned uncle hated you that they locked you up in your room that summer we rescued you! But you never told us that you had to sleep in a cupbaord or that they really mistreated you! No wonder you thought my bedroom at the Burrow was wonderful!"

Hermione added. "And that's why you were so eager to live with Sirius when he offered you a home. And why you wanted to live at Grimmauld Place if you ended up being expelled form Hogwarts."

Ginny and Neville also had shocked looks and Brian said something in French. Sylvia turned to Brian and exclaimed, "Brian! Watch your language!" and Harry suspected that he had either swore or said something really nasty about the Dursleys. Harry looked at Beth, who also looked shocked.

Beth saw Harry looking at her and in answer to his unspoken question, said, "No, I won't translate what Brian said. He just said a few words I can't repeat and a nasty insult about your aunt and uncle."

Sylvia said, "And Brian, if I ever hear you using such language again, whether in English or French, I will wash out your mouth with soap and water."

Brian apoligised, but he didn't look sorry at all. He appeared to be very angry at the Durlseys and muttered something about wishing he could hex the Dursleys. Beth said something to Brian in French and Hermione, who understood French, said, "Beth is calming Brian down and telling him not to be so worked up. There's more, but I don't think Beth and Brian want me to translate that."

After a few minutes, things calmed down and the Occulemency lesson resumed.

Author's note: Thanks to Hpfan_08 who suggested that Harry resume his Occulemency lessons.

Chapter Six continued

After that day, there was Occulemency as well as Defense lessons every day. Snape would come to work on Occulemncy and Remus came to help with Defense. Harry got to know Snape better and found that he actually liked him. Harry had never expected it to happen, but then, he had never expected to find someone who was worse than Snape.

Professor Dumbledore dropped by one day to see how things were going along. Harry had recovered from his anger at him and felt sorry for trashing his office. Harry approached Professor Dumbledore. 'Professor Dumbledore, I'm really sorry about my temper and taking it out by throwing things and making a mess of you office."

Professor Dumbledore smiled and replied, 'Well, it did give me an excuse to clean it up and replace some things. After being shut for a couple of months, it needed to be cleaned, but I wasn't eager to. And I knew that I had to replace some things, but was reluctant to. Well, your apology is accepted."

Harry was relieved that Dumbledore wasn't angry at him and could joke about it. "Well, at least let me pay for the replacements."

Dumbledore shook his head. 'It isn't necessary, Harry. But if you insist, I suppose you can withdraw some galleons from your new account. Which reminds me, I came to escort you to Gringotts."

Harry looked puzzled and Sylvia explained, "The vaults that Sirius left have to be activated. And the keys given. So Albus, Servus, and Remus will take us. Well, Tonks, Andromeda, and Arthur and Molly will becoming to, but they're not escorting us. They have inheritances, too."

Harry asked, "How will we go to Gringotts?"

Sylvia said, "We will Apparate everyone there. Albus will hold your and Hermione's hand and Apparate. You will be taken too."

Harry nodded and took Dumbledore's hand. Hermione took his ther hand. Beth and Brian took thier mother's hands, while Ron and Ginny took Snape's. Neville took Remus' hand, since even though he didn't inheirit anything, he still had to come.

There was a crack and everyone apparated. Harry found the experience much more soothing than Floo powder or Portkey. The first time by Floo he had broken his glasses and ended up in Knockturn Alley instead of Diagon Alley. The second time he had been covered in ash from the Weasley fireplace. The three times he had used Portkey, he had a sick feeling in his stomach. And the second time had ended up with Voldemort killing Cedric.

The group appeared in front of Gringotts. They went inside and Sylvia showed a copy of Sirius' will to a goblin. Keys were handed out to them. Then some more people came inside. Harry saw a tall woman with graying brown hair with Tonks, in bright green hair, next to her. Tonks waved to Harry and called him over. "This is my mum, Andromeda Tonks."

Mrs. Tonks smiled at Harry. "A pleasure to meet you, Harry. I am very sorry about your loss. Sirius was my favorite relative in the family, except maybe for Uncle Alphard. He was definitely my favorite cousin, even if he was a bit of a prankster." Harry nodded and saw that Mrs. Tonks now looked sad.

Tonks patted her mum. "It's all right. Harry, Sirius was my favorite relative, too. I was a girl of seven when he was arrested. I simply couldn't believe that my favorite 'Uncle Sirius' was evil. Mum couldn't believe it either. I rememer when he would have me assume a cute little girl with braids and a scraped knee. Some pretty witch would see me and come over. Sirius of course would pretend to be my older brother or cousin or bachelor uncle. He would go about how his neice or whatever had hurt herself and he didn't know how to heal it. The woman would hela me and envitably it would lead to a time for a date or giving out of Floo connection."

Harry chuckled. It was somethng Sirius would do to get a date with a pretty girl. Of course, Sirius was handsome himself, so probably didn't really need it, but it would ensure that the pretty girls would notice him. Sylvia then called Harry over to her. "Harry, here is another key. It leads to the Potter family vault. Not the one your parents left you, but the one belongong to the entire family line."

Harry was very surprised. Remus came over and said, "It's time to get into the carts. We need to transfer the money into each person's account."

Harry was in the cart with the Weasleys and Sylvia, Beth, and Brian. They first stopped at vault 325. The door opened to reveal as much money as Harry had in his vault. Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "Sirius is too generous. Even though I am told Sirius had plenty more and this is like a few handfuls of galleons to him."

Ron was awed by all this money. Griphook, the goblin with them, snapped his fingers and the money disappeared into the Weasley's vault. Then they went to the next vault. It opened to find reveal a huge pile of galleons and a thick book titled, "Our Pranks and Jokes, by Messrs. Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail." The money was transfered to the account Fred and George opened up. Fred picked up the book and stared at reverently. George also started at it and murmered, "Bless you, Padfoot, wherever you are."

Then they went to vault 328, Ginny and Ron's vault. They opened it to look at huge pile of money there. Ron looked even more awestruck, while Ginny seemed more matter of fact about it. A new account was opened for Ron and half of the money was placed in it. The other half remained in *** vault, which was put in Ginny's name.

After was vault 329. A third of the money was placed in Sylvia's vault. a third was placed in the joint account Beth and Brian had, which now became Beth's vault only. The remaining third stayed in the vault, which was now in Brian's name.

Lastly was vault 330. The door opend to show a huge pile of gold. There was enough to swim in and it made the money in Harry's vault look like pocket money. There were also many articles of gold and silver, boxes of jelwelry, and fine paintings and furniture. Harry stared, awed by all this. He finally recovered to withdraw 100 galleons to pay for replacing Dumbledore's possesions.

Sylvia chuckled at his expression and said, "Harry, there's more to it. Let's go to the Potter's vault." They went down another level to the Potter's vault. Inside was almost as much money as inside the Black vault, but he couldn't really tell the difference. There were also expensive furniture, valuable paintings, gold and silver ornaments and articles, and ornate jeweled boxes of jewelry. Harry was speechless again.

Sylvia said, "You can take money out of the Potter vault, but only up to a thousand galleons. You can take out some of the jewlery and ornaments, but only up to a boxful. The rest has to stay in here until you turn of age."

Harry shook himself. "I never knew my family was so rich. I mean, I knew my parents had left me lots of money, enough to put me through Hogwarts and get a place to live after I graduated a few times over. Compared to the Weasleys I was rich, whereas compared to say the Malfoys, I was merely middle-class. But I never expected all this."

Sylvia smiled. "It can be a bit of a shock. Well, we'll leave this vault alone until you turn seventeen. You can continue to use you vault and you can use Sirius' if you want. Let's go now."

Outside, Harry found a very happy Hermione. "I can't believe how much money Sirius left me in vault 323. There was enough to buy me all the books I want for the rest of my life. In fact it is enough to buy all the books in the world! Or at least a huge library of my very own. And there'd be enough left over to pay for my living expenses for the next few decades."

Harry shook his head. "He was generous. But the monsy in your vault but just be a few handfuls of galleons compared to the vault Sirisus left me. The same goes for the Potter vault. The money in my vault...well, it be like comparing an anthill to a mountain. Or rather a molehill to a mountain."

Hermione laughed. "Well, we've seen everything." she then turned sad. "I'm glad for all this money, but I would trade it all for Sirius to be still here."

Harry nodded in agreement. The adults came over and Apparated the tennagers back to Sylvia's trunk.

Chapter Seven

The next day, Harry received a letter from the Minister of Magic. It expressed his codolences over Sirius's death, told of Sirius' pardon, and offered Harry an Order of Merlin, First Class for his actions at the Ministry. Harry was absolutely disgusted with the letter and tossed it aside. His friends, (except Beth and Brian), received similar letters, theirs offering them Orders of Merlin, Second Class.

The others were disgusted by this. They saw right away that Cornelius Fudge was trying to make amends for not believing Harry and it was just to improve appearances. Harry wrote a scathing reply, saying that he didn't want the Order of Merlin and neither did his friends. He also ranted about how the idiots at the Ministry never believed Sirius the first time, never gave him a trial, and pardon was too late.

Sylvia took this further by making a Howler and sending it with Harry's letter. When she finished, she said, "That will bring Cornelius Fuedge down a notch or two. The bumbling idiot. He's only doing this because he wants to stay in power. There's talk among the Wizenmagot about removing him and replacing him with Amelia Bones, Arthur Weasley, or Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Two days later, Cornelius Fudge was removed as Minister of Magic. The news was in the Daily Prophet, as well as in a special issue of The Quibbler. Currently Amelia Bones was acting as Minister, but there would be election soon. Harry was very pleased by this turn of events.

The election came a few days later. Amelia Bones was running, and Mr. Weasley had also been persuaded to run. People tried to convince Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dumbledore to run, but they refused. When the results came in, Mr. Weasley won by a small margin. Ron was very surprised that his father won. Mr. Weasley was shocked, having only run for office because he thought he wouldn't win. He couldn't back out however, and accepted.

Fred and George were pleased by this, mainly because Percy, who hadn't apoligised, would be working for their father. When the Ministry had acknowledged Voldemort's return, Percy had gone to Mr. Weasley and forgave him for siding with Dumbledore. This had not gone well with Mr. Weasley, since Percy should have the one apoligising. Mrs. Weasly was all for welcoming Percy back, but the other family members weren't and were very cool with him. Thankfully Percy avoided the twins, or he would have fallen for many pranks.

Harry felt the same as Ron and was very glad that he didn't have to be arounf Percy.

Chapter Seven continued

Several days later, Luna Lovegood turned up from her trip to Sweden. She was very happy and announced, 'Daddy and I finally got a glimpse of a crumple-horned snorkck! We even got a picture for The Quibbler!"

Luna showed them a picture and Harry saw a slighty blurry reindeer-like creature with twisted antlers munching on grass. Hermione looked a bit skeptical, but said, "I guess they really do exist." Harry was thinking the same thing.

Later that day, Harry tok Luna aside. He had remembered the talk he had had with her at the end of the school term. It had made him feel better. And he did want to discuss the Veil and the possibility of voices.

Luna gave a dreamy smile. 'I thought I heard my mother's voice. She studied it, you know, before she died. She was working on a spell that might enable her soul or spirt or whatever to leave her body temporarily and enter the Veil. It didn't work the way she expected and she-" Luna's voice broke and Harry akwardly put his arm around Luna.

"I understand how you feel," he muttered.

Luna sighed and wiped her eyes. "Well, it has been almost six years. I have borne it. I'll manage. I have put up when those housemates of mine teased me and took my things."

Harry paused, then said, 'Do you have any friends in Ravenclaw?"

Luna shook her head. "Not really. Padma Patil never bothered me. Cho Chang left me alone when she got made prefect. Before that she and her friend Marietta did bother me. When Penelope Clearwater was still there, she tried to get the other girls to leave me alone. And my dormmate Teresa Miils was nice to me. She never bothered me, though she didn't really stand up for me when the other girls bothered me."

Harry felt another surge of pity and was angry at how the other Ravenclaw girls had treated her. Luna saw his look and said, "It's all right, Harry. You don't need to pity me. And you don't have to be angry on my behalf. People will think that you are in love with me or something."

Harry turned red. He knew that he did like Luna and found her to be much nicer than Cho. But he wasn't sure if he wanted Luna to be his girlfriend or anyhting, after his experience with Cho. "Luna Lovegood! Can't I be your friend? I don't like being teased. My cousin and his friends used to bully me."

Luna nodded. "So you don't pity me. You sympathise with me because you have suffered, too, Harry. Well, that's different."

Harry smiled and decided that when he was ready to go out with a girl again, it would be Luna.

Chapter Seven continued

The next day, Harry went over his thoughts and feelings. He still missed Sirius, but with Luna around, his pain lessened. It had only come close when Beth or Sylvia talked with him. Harry's feelings were all mixed up and he didn't know what to do. He wanted to talk to someone, but not Luna, since he didn't ant to discuss his feeling for her with her.

He went to see Sylvia, but found her talking with Ron and giving him advice. Since he didn't want to interrupt, he decided to talk with Beth. "Beth, I want to dicuss something with you."

Beth gave a knowing smile, T'aime Luna? I mean, you like her?'

Harry nodded. "And I don't know what to do about it. I'm not that ready to go out with a girl again, expecially after that fiasco with Cho."

Beth replied, "Well, from what you told me, Cho cried a great deal. And I don't think Luna is going to do that. She is very sensible girl and I like her. And I've noticed that you felt better after you talked with her yesterday. Luna seems to be compatible with you and you should try to have a relationship with her."

Harry sighed. "But what if someone else wants to date her? And I don't know if she should date me. With Voldemort after me, I'm a danger to her."

Beth shook her head. "Harry, Luna is alreeady in danger. She has been when she announced that she was on your side and when she went with you to the Ministry. Being your girlfriend won't put her in any more danger. And no other boy is interested in her. Luna told me that when she was younger, she did have a crush on Ron. But she has gotten over it. And Ron never really knew about it and besides, all signs are pointing for his dating Hermione."

Harry recalled everything he had pointed out that showed Ron liked Hermione. He laughed and said, "Well, you're right Beth. And I suppose all or most of the boys in her house think her weird."

Beth's mouth tightened into a thin line. "I had a talk with Luna and was very displeased to hear about how the others in her house were treating her. That Teresa Mills girl is her only friend there. And Padma Patil is nice to her. And she said that Cho Chang was nasty to her until she got made a prefect. Then she left Luna alone, but didn't try to stop the teasing and stuff. I am tempted to ask the Sorting Hat to put me in Ravenclaw so Luna will have a friend there besides Teresa."

Harry sighed. "I hate it too. But Beth, if you get into Ravenclaw, you won't be in her dorm. You'll be with the other sixth year girls in their dorm."

Beth replied, "I know. Which is why I said tempted. Anyway, Harry, if you like Luna, ask her out to Hogsmeade or something, okay? If she says yes, that means she's interested in you. After awhile, you'll figure out if you like like her and want to pursue a serious relationship. And being with her will help you deal with Uncle Sirius' death better than if you talked with me or Ginny or Hermione or Mum. And definitely better than Ron and Brian. Ron isn't that sensitive of a person and Brian gets uncomfortable when talking about feelings with other guys."

Harry nodded and said, "Okay. Thanks for your advice, Beth. I mean, Merci beaucoup."

Beth smiled. "Derrein, Harry. You're welcome."

Harry left the room and went to talk with Luna.

Chapter Eight

Harry had a talk with Luna and found out that she was alos interested in him. Harry was very pleased and asked Lun if she would go with him to their first Hogsmead visit. Luna smiled and said she would. Harry was very pleased and then unburdened himslef to her. He told her about the prophecy.

Luna nodded and when he was done said, "Well, that means you can defeat V-Voldemort. And don't be so wroked up. I have faith in you. And besides, how do you know that Professor Trewlanely was accurate? She makes lovely tea, but she isn't exactly a wonderful seer."

Harry paused for a bit. Luna did have a point. She continued, "And furthermore, prohecies have been made for just about every person born. One was made about my mother dying when I was five through her work on werewolves. Instead, she died when I was nine from studying the veil in the Deaprtment of Mysteries. Another was made that I would have an accident when I was six and would die from it. I did have an accident, but I only suffered a broken ankle, which I did not die from."

Harry gaped and got out, "You're saying prophecies have been made about every person born?"

Luna paused and replied, "Well, every witch or wizard born. Of course, some have been accurate. There was one made about a Peter Pettigrew. It said that he was fated to betray his friends. That came true, didn't it?"

Harry nodded dumbly and Luna coninued, "Don't be so worked up over a prophecy. You may be fated to be the only one that can defeat V-Voldemort, but that doesn't mean that you'll die. Besides, good always win over evil in the end. So don't worry."

Harry felt better after his talk with Luna. He suspected that if he had told Ron and Hermione about the prophecy, he wouldn't feel this way. Ron would have tons of questions about the prophecy that he wanted cleared up. Hermione would be worried and would want to find ways to avoid this. He could also tell Ginny and Neville, but Neville would probably realise that the prophecy could apply to him, too. Then he would say that he was relieved that it wasn't him and offer his sympathies. Ginny might help, but she might also get worked up.

Soon everyone else found out about Harry's relationship with Luna. Everyone congratulated him and Ron said, "Well, she's much better than Cho, even if she does believe in some-different things. Good luck with her, Harry mate." Harry was glad that his friends approved and started thinking about ROn and Hermione. It was obvious that the two had feelings for each other, though they didn't admit it.

So Harry, Beth, and Brian set about getting Ron and Hermione together. It didn't work at firrst, but the day before Harry's birthday, Ron and Hermione admitted their feelings for each other. The two were officailly dating. In the meantime, Neville started going out with Beth. Harry had suspected that Neville liked Beth, judging from how he turned shy whenever he was around Beth. Beth had obviously noticed and took Neville in hand. Neville wasn't so shy anymore after this. Harry was happy for Neville, since Beth was perfect for him.

Chapter Eight continued

It was the day of Harry's and Neville's birthday. Milly had made two birthday cakes. Harry's cake had candied snitches, a Gryffindor lion done in frosting, and broomsticks doen in frosting. Nevilles cake and candied plants, a lion, and wands done in frosting. There was a lovely party and as many Order members that could show up came to the party. The ones that couldn't make it sent their regrets and a card or present.

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and then the two boys made their wishes and blew out the candles. Harry's wish was to be able to defeat Voldemort and have everyone live happily ever after. Then the two boys cut their cakes and handed everyone slices. Milly was an excellent baker and Harry enjoyed the cake. After that, it was time for presents.

Harry had given Neville a book on Herbology and Neville had given him a book on Defense. Ron had given Neville a chess set and Harry a minature model of a Quidditch field, complete with tiny players and balls. Hermione gave Harry some additions for his broomstick servicing kit and to Neville a kit to help with Herbology. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave Neville a sweater and Harry a tin of fudge. Bill and Charlie gave the boys each a minature model of a dragon and a rune on a chain. Kingsley Shacklebolt gave each boy a book on how to become an auror. Remus gave Harry Sirius's motorcycle, on the condition that he couldn't ride it until he was of age and had lessons. For Neville, he gave him a sneakascope.

Tonks gave Harry a self-playing Weird Sister C.D. and to Neville a new Remebrall, to replace the one he had lost last year. Mrs. Longbottom gave Neville a new plant and Harry a book about plants. Hagrid gave Harryand Neville each a new wallet that didn't bite or do anything. The wallets were merely charmed so that only the boys and anyone else they wanted could withdraw money. Moody gave each boy a book on hexes and Sylvia gave each of them a foe-seeker. Beth and Brian gave Harry an orb that would tell him the weather for the next day and when the full moon was. They gave Neville an orb that would show whatever plant he said plus information about it.

Fred and George gave Harry and Neville each a large box of their products, from Canary Creams to Extendable Ears to Skivving Snackboxes. Ginny gave Harry a silver ring charmed to protect him from all spells except the Unforgiveables and Neville a bracelet that did the smae thing. The rest of the Order collectively gave them each a cauldron, ten birthday cards, a book about Defense, and a certificate from Flourish and Blotts for free schoolbooks for the next year. Dobby sent Harry a red scarf with gold snitches and Neville a blue scarf with green plants. Milly gave Harry a scarlet wool hat and Neville a pair of crimson mittens.

The two boys had a ownderful birthday and they couldn't wait for Slyvia's and Snape's wedding the next day.

Chapter Nine

The next day was the wedding of Sylvia and Snape. Harry was very excited. In the morning there was a lovely wedding breakfast made by Milly. Then members of the Order cleared out the traning room and decorated it with flowers, drapes, and other pretty things.

After lunch, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Brian went into Brian's room and got dressed for the wedding. The four of them wore forest green dress robes. Harry unsuccessfuly tried to flatten down his hair. Finally brian handed him a bottle of hair potion and a magical comb, which succeeded in smoothing his hair a little. It wasn't quite smessy, but it still stuck up a little.

A few minutes before the wedding, they stepped out and ran into the girls, who were leaving Beth's room. The four of them were wearing azure dress robes trimmed with a touch of rose. They had on make-up, some jewelry, nd Harry caught of whiff of rose and apple-blossom perfume. They were also carrying small boquets of blue irises and pink roses and had pink roses tucked in their hair. Ginny's rose was almost red, though, since pink didn't really go well with her red hair.

Remus and Emmeline then came out. Remus was wearing green dress robes and carry caught the scent of cologne. Emmeline was wearing blue dress robes like the girls, only hers was slightly darker. She also had on perfume, make-up, lewelry, and carried a boquet of flowers. Right after them were Mr. amd Mrs. Weasley, walking hand in hand. Mr. Weasley had one green dress robes like the males and Mrs. Weasley had one blue dress robes like the females. She carried a boquet of flowers and the rose in her hair was pink, since her hair was auburn, not red.

The group then went to where the wedding was being held. Sylvia walked down the aisle, wearing pale pink dress robes with blue flowers embroidered on the hem. She carried a boquet of pink and white roses and looked radintly happy behind the veil. Snape was standing next to Dumbledore at the ehad of the room. For once his hair wasn't greasy, and he actully looked handsome in dress robes of black and dark blue.

Then the wedding party came after them. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley went first, then came Emmeline and Remus. After them ws Harry and Luna. Following was Ron and Hermione, Ginny and Brian, and finally Beth and Neville. They gathered around the bride and groom, who were standing in front of Dumbledore. Dumbledore opened a book and began the wedding ceremony.

At first, everything was fine. Then something odd began happening and harry realised someone had played around with the wedding vows. Dumbleodre was reading, "For however much galleons you have," 'for the few measly years until you croak,' 'whether or not you're sick and have to go to St. Mungo's' and other nonsense.

Harry figured out that they were parodies on the 'for richer or poorer,' 'in sickness and health', and 'til death do you part'. He began laughing over the print and the others in the wedding party joined in. Dumbledore looked amused, Sylvia giggled, and Servus looked torn between a smirk and a frown. Hermione looked scandalised, but couldn't help giggling, and Luna went into her usual burst of laughter, gasping, "the few m-measly years until you c-croak!"

Mrs. Weasley frowned, but she did appear to be fighting a smile. Finally the laughter stopped and Dumbledore asked Fred and George to change the print back. Harry then realsied that it was something the twins woul do. They walked up, with grins on their faces, and changed the words back. Mrs. Weasley began scolding them, then realised that she holding up the wedding, and became silent.

The ceremony began again, but there were a few titters from the guests over the prank Fred and George had played. Finally Sylvia and Snape said their "I do's", Ron and Brian handed them the rings, which they exchanged, and then they kissed. Sylvia and Snape were married and right after the kiss, a shower of rose petals and fireworks began. The fireworks spelled, "Slyvia and Servus, Just married!" and there were pictures of hearts and cakes and cupids. One firework read, "Courtesy of Messrs. F & G Weasley".

When everything had settled down, there was the wedding reception. Milly, who had cried through the much of the ceremony, began crying through part if the reception. She hugged her mistress and wished her all happiness. Slyvia calmed her down and then began hugging and kissing all the members of the wedding party, plus all the guests. She also kept looking adoringly at Snpe, who returned the looks. Harry was surprised to see that Snape could be so loving and mushy.

Finally it was time for the cutting of the wedding cake. It had been mde by Milly and it was splendid four tier cake. it had white frosting and pink and blue roses and hearts. At the top of the last tier was a minture bride and groom. Snape removed the bride and groom and Slyvia cut the fourth tier into two peices, for her and Snape to share. Then they cut the rest of the cake and handed out slices to everyone present. Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, even got a peice, and Hedwig and the other owls shared a slice in the hall.

After the cake was cosumed, it was time for the throwing of the boquet. A platform was conjured and Sylvia stepped on top of it. All the umarried witches gathered around it. Sylvia turned around and tossed the boquet over her shoulder. It flew in a arc in the air and then dropped in the arms of Luna Lovegood. Or rather, part of the boquet did. The ribbon around it had come loose and a few roses flew into Hermione's, Beth's, and Ginny's arms.

Everyone was surprised by this turn of events. Sylvia said, "Well, I think that means all of you will be married at the same time. Let's see, Luna, you're dating Harry. Ron, you're with Hermione. Beth is with Neville and Brian is with Ginny. It looks like there will be a quadruple wedding for you four couples."

Harry was very surprised and looked at Luna. He liked her very much of course, and was dating her. He suspected that he might even love her. But the thought of marriage had never entered his mind. He then looked at his friends. He knew that they had gotten togther, but from the looks on their faces, knew that the idea of marriage had never crossed their minds.

However, he was sixteen, which was one year aay from becoming of age. He knew that Ron, Neville, and Beth were also sixteen and that Hermione would be sixteen in September. And harry knew that his parents had mrried a year after they had graduated. So he guessed tht prehaps it was time to start thinking about marriage. But Brian, Luna, and Ginny were fifteen, and that was probably not the age to think about marriage. harry sighed, deciding that the wedding had made him all mushy.

The wedding reception then ended and Harry went to Brian's room to change. The wedding guest went home or to Order headquarters. Harry had a talk with his male friends about the wedding nd the subject of marriage. Ron was horrified by the idea, since he had never thought about mrrying Hermione. Brian and Neville were the same. Harry suspected that the girls were hving a similar talk. Finlly Ron decided to stop talking about it and they all went to bed.

Chapter Nine continued

The next day, Sylvia and Snape went on their honeymoon in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Sylvia had always said that it was one of the most beautiful places on the earth and she had always wanted to visit there ever since reading the Anne of Green Gables Series by Canadian author L.M. Montgomery. Harry was a bit disappointed to see her go, and wished she could join them. However, he couldn't intrude on the honeymoon.

Harry stayed at the Dursleys in Slyvia's magical trunk. He hung out with his friends, played Quidditch and chess, and for Hermione's sake, looked over some books about the N.E.W.T.-level classes. Mrs. Weasley or other adult members of the Order would drop by every day to check on them and Milly saw to the meals and cleaning.

During this time, the Hogwarts letters arrived, with the supplies list. As Harry looked them over, he saw that dress robes were on the list. Apparently there would be another Yule Ball. Luckily, he didn't need to get new ones, since the ones from the wedding would do very well. He then reread the letter and was informed that the ban was lifted, he could continue playing Quiddiotch, and that as the oldest member he could be Quidditch captain. Harry was pleased with the offer, but he felt that he wouldn't do a great job. He didn't know much about strategy and a seeker wouldn't make a great captain anyway. Ron would be a better choice.

When Professor Mcgonagall dropped by the next day, Harry talked with her over the Quidditch captaincy. She agreed with Harry's sentiment and decided that Ron could be co-captain. Ron would plan the strategy and Harry could train the team. Harry devoutly hoped that Brian would be in Gryffindor, so that the team could have at least one decent beater. And he wouldn't mind if Beth was in Gryffindor, too. That way they could have two chasers already, since Ginny had said she wanted to do chaser once Harry was back as seeker. But he wasn't counting on it, since Beth was also good for Ravenclaw and had said she wanted to be where she could be close to Luna.

He tried to remember all the Ravenclaw girls that would be Beth's year. He came up with Padma Patil, Mandy Brocklehurst, and a Fawcett girl. He knew Padma was Paravati's twin and remembered Mandy from the Sorting his first year. The Fawcett girl he remembered had been in the dueling club run by Snape and Lockhart and had seen Snape take off points from her during the Yule Ball. He just couldn't remember her first name, though. It wasn't really important, anyway.

Then he remembered that Fawcetts lived near the Weasleys and Lovegoods. When he had taken the Portkey to the Quidditch World cup, someone had asked if any more families in the area had to come. Someone else had replied, "No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week and the Fawcetts couldn't get tickets." Harry made a note to ask Luna and Ginny about it, since they would know who the Fawcett girl was. He then went to find Ron and tell him that he was co-captain.

Ron was very excited with the news and began a long monologue on what a good job he would do and how to plan the training and strategy. Hermione gave him an annoyed yet amused look and left Ron to his speech. Harry smiled and patiently listened for awhile before coming with an excuse to leave.

He found Professor McGonagall again and asked when they could get the school supplies. She informed him that the members of the Order would see to it. For sercuity reasons, he nor his friends could go to Diagon Alley. But Dumbledore would transport his friends to the twins' shop so they could tour it. However, they would not be allowed to leave the shop except when Dumbledore came to transport them back. Harry was disappointed, but glad that at least he could see the twin's new shop.

Chapter Ten

A few days later, Dumbledore showed up to transport everyone to the twins' shop. Harry was very excited and wondered it was like. When everyone was ready, Dumbledore gave them a Portkey made from a rope. Harry felt the tug on his navel and several seconds later, collapsed on the floor of the shop. Harry decided he like Apparating better and wished he were seventeen already.

Fred and George came over and offered everyone some tea and snacks, which they refused. Fred laughed and said, "Well, well, it looks like you've all wisened up!" George added, "Quite right, Fred. So this is Beth and Brian."

Beth and Brian smiled, mischievous looks on their faces. Fred and George returned the grins and then introduced the two to Lee Jordan, who had come to help the twins with the shop. Customers arrived a minute later and Fred and George saw to them, leaving Lee to show Harry and his friends around.

The store was small, compared to places like Madam Malkin's or Flourish and Blotts. There was the countertop with a wizarding cash register, shelves of products around the walls and a few aisles of things, and a small back room where the safe was kept and where the accounts and experiments were done. Over the store were four small rooms, plus a bathroom. One was the kitchen, another was a living room, and two left were bedrooms for the twins and Lee Jordan.

After the tour, Harry and his friends began browsing through the products, As Harry was the finicial backer, he was entitled ot free products, plus ten percent of the profits. He was handed a check for two hundred galleons, that being about ten percent of the profits up to that time. Ron and Ginny, being family, were also entitled to free products and their friends were entitled to a fifty percent discount. The eight picked out some Skivving Snackboxes and some other trick sweets.

An hour later, Dumbledore returned and handed them the rope Portkey to take them back. Everyone returned to Sylvia's trunk. Harry put his purchases in his trunk, plus the school supplies the Order members had gotten for them. He had a wonderful morning and couldn't wait to return to Hogwarts.

Sorry this post is a trifle short, but I ran out of things to say. More later.

Chapter Ten continued

A week later, Sylvia and Snape returned from their honeymoon. They had taken numerous pictures and had gotten gifts for everyone. Harry examined the mug and shirt he had gotten and looked at the pictures. He had to agree that Prince Edawrd Island was one of the lovliest places on Earth. Ron, Neville, and Brian had also gotten mugs and shirts.

Sylvia and Snape had toured L.M. Montogmery's house in Cavendish, and had bought a complete collection of her works. Ginny recieved the entire Anne of Green Gables collection. Hermione received the three Emily of New Moon books, as well as Chronicles of Avonlea, Further Chronicles of Avonlea, Across the Miles and Jane of Lantern Hill. Luna had gotten Pat of Silver Bush and its sequal, Mistress Pat, as well as The Story Girl and its sequal, The Golden Road, The Road to Yesterday and A Christmas with Anne and Other Stories. Beth had gotten The Blue Castle, Akin to Anne, Kilmeny of the Orchard, Among the Shadows, By the Shore, At the Altar and Magic for Marigold.

The girls began reading their books right away and promised to exchange books as they finished reading them so they could read all the books. Harry talked with Sylvia over his worries for next year. She soothed him and offered him advice. She also told him the best way to deal with a girl, so he wouldn't end up having another Cho on his hands. Not that it would happen, as Luna was very different from Cho and Harry genuinely liked and appreciated her.

The last two weeks of August passed quickly, and soon it was time to leave for Hogwarts. Harry and his friends packed their things, then loaded their trunks in the trunk of Sylvia's car. Sylvia drove them and Snape to Kings Cross Station. Members of the Order where there and Sylvia arranged with Mr. Weasley to have him drive her car to Grimmauld Place.

Snape went to a compartment where Malfoy and his cronies were sitting, so he could keep an eye on them. Hermione and Ron went to the prefects compartment. Harry, Beth, Brian, Luna, Ginny, and Neville found a compartment together and Sylvia joined them. After an hour, the witch with the food trolley arrived and SLyvia bought snacks for everybody, plus some extra for Hermione and Ron.

A few minutes later, Hermione and Ron returned form the meeting. They reported who the new prefects were and enjoyed the snacks saved for them. Then Hermione and Ron left to patrol the corridors.

Chapter Eleven

When the train arrived, Harry and his friends got off and headed for the carriages. They passed Colin Creevy, who was sporting a shiny prefects badge. Harry paused long enough to say, "Congratulations, Colin. It's a honor to be prefect."

Colin cheeks turned red and he mumbled, "Oh, it's nothing, Harry." Then he asked, "Is the D.A. going to continue this year? I mean, it's not really illegal anymore and Dennis and I had a great time there and our defense work improved."

Harry replied, "I'm not sure. We have a good Defense teacher this year. But I guess we could still have meeting once a week just to practise what we'll be learning in class."

Colin grinned and hurried off, saying, "Thanks, Harry! I'll go tell Dennis!"

Harry climbed into a carriage and turned to his friends. "I suppose if we do have the D.A. again, we'll get new members. The Ministry has acknowledged Voldemort's return and more students will want to be able to defend themselves. But I'll have to ask Sylvia and Dumbledore if it's all right with them."

The carriages then began moving and soon they arrived at Hogwarts. Everyone got off and entered. A very sour looking Malfoy and his two goons came up to Harry. "The only reason I didn't speak to you on the train was because Professor Snape showed up at our compartment. He said that Dumbledore had him on the train for protection. I couldn't very well leave and go insult you and the Weasel and the mudblood."

A sharp voice said, "Excuse me, what was the word I just heard?"

Everyone turned and there was Sylvia, frowning. "I take it you are Draco Malfoy? The son of Lucius Malfoy, who so foolishly got himself into Azkaban? At least I had the sense not to be caught. Anyway, I am Sylvia Marks Longbottom, the new Defense teacher. Your father may have mentioned me to you before. I may approve of your sentiments, but kindly do not show them in front of me. I have a reputation to uphold."

Malfoy gasped. "You're Sylvia? The one Father said is almost as valuable as Bella-"

"Enough!" snapped Sylvia. "You are not going to broadcast around what I am, or you will be very sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Now please go on your way or I will give you detention."

Malfoy nodded and walked away, Crabbe and Goyle following after him. Sylvia turned to Harry and his friends. "Do not reveal to anyone you do not trust that I am not what I seem. I have pretences to keep. I do not want a Slytherin reporting to his or her parents that I not what they believe me to be."

Harry and his friends nodded and then went inside the Great Hall. Beth and Brian left them and joined the other first years. A few minutes later, Professor McGonagall brought in a stool and the Sorting Hat. It burst into song, describing how Hogwarts had been founded and how the founders had meant for everyone to work together in peace and harmony. Then it asked everyone to do as the founders had wanted to be strong together and fight against the evil times that had befallen on them.

When it was over, the sorting began. First was a pale timid girl named Sarah Abbey, who was sorted into Ravenclaw. Then came Jonathan Andrews, who went to Gryffindor. Next was Emily Banter, who was sorted into Hufflepuff. Then was Mildred Bulstrode, who was sorted into Slytherin. She looked a lot like Millicent Bulstrode, only much smaller, and Harry assumed that the two were sisters.

After awhile, it was Brian Longbottom's turn. Professor McGonagall explained that he and his sister were the children of the new Defense teacher and that they were transferring from Beauxbatons. The Sorting Hat didn't take very long with Brian. A few second after he placed on the Hat, it called out, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table burst into claps and cheers as Brian went to join them.

After Brian was Elizabeth Longbottom's turn. The Sorting Hat took longer with her. It was on her head for half a minute before it finally called out, "Ravenclaw!" There were claps from the Ravenclaw table as Beth took off the hat and found a seat next to Luna. Harry was disappointed that Beth wasn't in Gryffindor like them, but was a bit glad that Luna would have a friend in her house, even if the two weren't in the same year.

Finally the Sorting ended with Bianca Zabini, who was sorted into Slytherin. The feast then began. Brian looked at the array of foods and remarked, "English food is very different from French food. I suppose some people could describe the food here as heavy." Harry then remembered that Fleur Delacour had done so.

He told Brian this and Brian replied, "Well, it doesn't really matter. I'm sure it's good. And there is plenty of it." Everyone dug in.

Finally the feast ended and Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Good evening everyone. I hope you have all enjoyed the food. Now, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against of Dark Arts teacher. This is Sylvia Longbottom. And for those who are acquainted with sixth year student Neville Longbottom, she is his aunt. Professor Longbottom will do a much better job of teaching. She is not another Dolores Umbridge, though she will stern with you if you do misbehave. And I would like to add that the Forbidden Forest is still out of bounds and that the list of contraband items now include the wonderful products of Messrs Fred and George Weasley. That is all."

The students began getting up and Hermione said, "Come on, Ron. We have to make sure Colin and that other prefect, Janet, do a proper job of leading the first years."

Harry looked questionly at Ginny. She said, "Janet Ashcroft is really nice. She's a bit like Hermione in that she is a stickler for rules and does really well at school. Her father is a Muggleborn, so she's no supporter of Voldemort. I did invite her to the D.A., but she said she her mother told her not to antagonize Umbridge, so she didn't join. But she did promise not to mention the first meeting to anyone."

Harry nodded. "Janet does seem nice. Well, as the D.A. is no longer illegal, prehaps she will join this year, if Dumbledore says we can."

Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Brian went to the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Hermione met them there and told them that the password was 'Golden Prince.' The Fat Lady opened and they climbed in through the portrait hole. A pretty girl with long blonde hair with a touch of red and blue green eyes came over to Hermione. "Did I do everything right, Hermione?" she asked anxiously.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, you did, Janet. I'm glad to see that you're taking your prefect duties seriously."

Janet smiled back. "Good. I have a lot to live up to. Ginny told me all about you and how well you do at school. I suppose you could say that you're my role model. Now I've got to talk with Colin. He's nice, but I don't know why he got made prefect. He's a little excitable and I'm not sure if he do as great a job."

Brian went up to the dorm room for the fifth year boys. Harry, Ron, and Neville went to their dorm room. Seamus and Dean were there and asked them if they knew anything about the new Defense teacher. Neville confirmed that Sylvia was his aunt and harry told them that she would be an excellent teacher. Ron then told them that in class she could act like that she favored the Sltherins, but it was a pretense to make the them think she was on their side. Then Harry made Dean and Seamus promise not to tell anyone else about this.

After an hour of talk, the boys changed into their pajamas and went to bed.

As promised, here is my update. I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Chapter 11 continued

Harry woke up the next morning and groaned. While he was glad to be back at Hogwarts, he was not happy about classes. Hermione had said that the N.E.W.T-level year was harder than the O.W.L. year. He had no idea if he could do all his homework for his classes and still do Quidditch and possibly the D.A. Harry sighed and decided that the planner Hermione gave him last Christmas would be useful.

Then Harry woke up Ron and Neville and got dressed. Then he did his usual morning routine and then went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Dumbledore was entering the same time he did and Harry took the oppurtunity to ask about the D.A. "Professor, Could the D.A. continue this year? It seems some students still want it."

Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, yes, Dumbledore's Army. Very useful club, that was. Yes, you have permission to continue it, Harry. And I daresay that you'll get some new members, now that it's a legal school club."

Harry replied, "Thanks, Professor! I'll post up a notice about it later today." Dumbledore then went to the staff table and Harry found a seat at the Gryffindor table.

Ron and Neville joined him and Brian showed up a minute later. Hermione and Ginny were already there and handed the boys their schedules. Harry looked his over and saw that he had Charms, then Defense Against Dark Arts, followed by Transfiguration after lunch. The next day he had Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, and Herbology.

Ron and Neville had the same schedule as him and Hermione had Arthimacy and Ancient Runes after the other classes. Ginny and Brian were in their O.W.L. year and did not look pleased about it. They had the same classes Harry did, as well as History of Magic, Astronomy, and Divination. Brian was also taking Arithmacy.

Halfway through breakfast, Beth and Luna came over. Beth did not very pleased as she sat down. "The girls in my dorm, except for Padma Patil and Mandy Brocklehurst, are not pleased that I am friends with 'Loony', as they put it. I told them that Luna was a very nice girl and that she wasn't weird. Luna's dormmates, except for this girl named Cerissa White, asked me if I was as crazy as her, since I am friends with her. I told them off and finally to shut them up, said that Harry and Luna were dating."

Luna then said in her usual manner, "The other girls were very shocked and then asked why the Boy-Who-Lived would date 'Loony'. Cerissa lost her temper and said that if anyone called me Loony again, she would give them detention. Eliza Kitterage looked sour, so Cerissa pulled out her prefect badge, saying that she now had the authority. And she also said that the same goes if any of Luna's things disappear again."

Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Brian looked shocked. "You're saying that the other Ravenclaws don't appreciate Luna?" asked Hermione. "Luna, I may have in the past thought your theories were strange, but I would never go so far as teasing you or taking your belongings!"

Beth said, "I think it'll be better this year. Cerissa is a prefect, so she has the authority to back up her friend. And Padma Patil seconded her. Oh, and the boy prefects, Anthony Goldstein and Stuart Andrews, said the same."

Luna added, "I think Cerissa and Stuart really like each other. All of first year they spent as much time as they could in the library working on homework. And in third year they started going together to the Hogsmeade visits."

Beth gave Luna a look. "That's not important, Luna. Anyway, let's sit down and have some breakfast." The two girls did so.

After a few minutes, Beth took out her schedule. All those in sixth year had N.E.W.T.-level classes together. So her schedule was the same as Harry's, only like Hermione, she also had Arithmacy. Luna's schedule was much different of couse, but she did have Divination and Herbology with Ginny, as they were double classes.

When breakfast was over, Harry went to the dorm room to get his bag and then he and his sixth year friends headed for Charms.

Author's note: If I have gotten the name wrong of the sixth year Ravenclaw prefect, I apoligize and could someone please correct me.

Chapter 11 continued

When Charms class began, Professor Flitwick gave a little speech. "This is N.E.W.T.-level Charms. We will be working on more difficult charms this year and there will be more homework. You must study and work hard if you wish to pass your N.E.W.Ts in your seventh year. The past five years will be easy compared to your last two years. Now, today will we will be learning about the Fidelius Charm."

Professor Flitwick proceeded to ask a number of questions about the Fidelius Charm, which Harry, Ron, and Hermione were able to answer. He wrote the answers on the board and all the students copied them down. Then he discribed the spell and demonstrated it it by hiding the inkwell on his desk. Professor Flitwick then selected Neville Longbottom as volunteer secret-keeper. Neville then told certain students where the inkwell was. Those students then tried to reveal where it was, but the other students thought they were speaking gibberish. Then Professor Flitwick removed the charm.

Charms class was very interesting and the students left class discussing everything that happened. Harry and his friends then headed for Defense class. All the sixth-year members of the D.A. were there, including Seamus Finnigan, who had only been to the last meeting. Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Theodore Nott, Blaise, Zabini, and Millicent Bulstrode from the Slytherins were also in the class. Harry was pleased to see that Crabbe and Goyle hadn't managed to get into it.

Sylvia wrote her name, Professor Sylvia Longbottom, on the board. She did not include Snape, as she had wanted to keep her marriage to Snape secret. Then she turned and said, "Good morning class. As you can see, my name is Professor Longbottom. Yes, I am the aunt of Neville Longbottom, and my daughter Elizabeth is in the class with him. However, that does not mean I will favor them. I will treat them the same way as I treat others, and I will call them Mister and Miss, like I would with everyone else. Now, all of you should have a copy of Advanced Defense by Alastor Moody."

Everyone nodded or murmered yes and Sylvia continued, "Very good. As you all know, the Ministry has finally acknowledged the return of the Dark Lord. Therefore, I have been instructed by Professor Dumbledore to prepare you-yes, Mr. Croner?"

Michael asked, "Why do you say Dark Lord? I thought only Death Eaters did."

Sylvia gave him a sharp look. "Would you rather have me say his name?" Michael shook his head and she said, "Then don't ask me that question again, Mr. Croner." She then continued, "I have been instructed to prepare you to fight against the Dark Lord. Your last teacher, Dolores Umbrdge, did no such thing. She made you study from a textbook and most of you turned to another teacher. Mr. Harry Potter."

The Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs nodded and Sylvia focused on Harry. "Yes, Mr. The-boy-who-lived. Professor's Dumbledore's pet and-" Malfoy and Pansy snickered and she rounded on them. "Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson! Do not interrupt me when I am talking. Five points from Slytherin, though it pains me to do it."

Sylvia then said, "I assume Mr. Potter did an excellent job teaching you, otherwise you would not be here in my class. Today I would like to see how much you know. You have had a number of teachers, and only three were any good, including Mr. Potter."

She then asked a number of questions, ranging from how one would deal with a broggart, to what the Unforgiveable Curses were, to what the Patronus Charm was. She awarded one point for each question that was answered correctly and soon each house had earned a handful of points. After the interrogation was over, Sylvia said, "Please take out your textbooks. We will be working from it."

The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students grumbled about this and Sylvia snapped, "Quiet! I am the teacher and what I say goes. Five points each from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff."

The Slytherins looked delighted by this news and Harry wondered what Sylvia was doing. He understood that he ahd pretenses to keep up, but she was acting almost as strict as Snape. A minute later, Sylvia said, "On page two, Moody is going over constant viligence and being quick. Therefore, all of you will partner up and duel each other. You will be allowed ot use any spell, short of Unforgiveables and dark magic."

The students stood up and Sylvia said, "I will pair you up. Mr. Longbottom, please go with Mr. Boot. Miss Granger, you will be with Miss Parkinson. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Nott. Miss Abbott, with Miss Padma Patil. Mr. Goldstein, with Mr. McMillian. Miss Longbottom, with Mr. Croner. Miss Brown, with Mr. Zabini. Miss Parvati Patil, Miss Brocklehurst. Mr. Finch-Fletchy, with Miss Fawcett. Miss Perks, with Mr. Thomas. Mr. Finnigan, with Miss Bulstrode. And that leaves Mr. Malfoy with Mr. Potter."

Harry would rather have been paired with Ron or Hermione, but did understand why Sylvia had paired him with his archenemy. Malfoy snickered and Harry said, "Don't be too confident. I got a total of 105 on my Defense O.W.L."

Harry and Malfoy began shooting spells at each other. Thanks to the D.A., Harry was able to dodge or block Malfoy's spells. Malfoy, however, was also quite good and dodged or blocked most of the spells. He did get hit with a Cheering Charm, which made him laugh for a few minutes, though he did keep up with yelling spells.

Finally Harry was able to hit Malfoy with Impedimenta, then Expellarimus. Sylvia came over and said, "It looks like Mr. Potter wins. Mr. Malfoy, I am surprised at you. Surely you could have managed to defeat Mr. Potter. Didn't your father teach you anything?"

Draco looked embarressed. Sylvia shook her head, removed the Impedimenta, and had Harry return Malfoy's wand. Ron and Hermione had also managed to defeat their opponents, while the others were in a draw, excpet those paired with Slytherin students. (They won.) Sylvia ended class then and for homework had them read chapter one of the textbook and write a six-inch essay on it.

The students left the class and Harry heard that they had decided that Slyvia wasn't a bad teacher after all.

Chapter Twelve

After lunch was Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall gave a long speech over how important sixth year was and how N.E.W.T-level Transfiguration was more difficult than previous years. Finally the class had to take down long and complicated notes over human Transfiguration. Toward the end of class, Professor McGonagall made an announcement.

"This year we will be studying how to turn into Animagi. There will be special classes held once a week to learn this. It will not conflict with any of the Quidditch practises, I assure you. Professor Dumbledore, Professor Longbottom, and myself, who are Animagi, will be teaching this class. If you are interested, please show up for the first meeting on Thursday at seven o'clock. It will last for at least an hour."

The class was abuzz and began whispering about it until Professor McGonagall said, "Enough! For homework, please read the first chapter in your book, Human Transfiguration and summarise it for me. Class is dismissed."

The students gathered thier things and left class, discussing over the announcement the teacher had just made. Harry said, "I'm definitely going. It would be nice to become an Animagus like my dad did."

"I wonder if I could manage to be one," said Hermione. "I read that if someone in your family, that is, a blood relative, not one by marriage, is one, than you have a good chance of becoming one too. But my family is all muggle, so none of them were ever animagi. But maybe I could turn out to be one after all."

When Harry heard this, he knew that there was a good chance that he could turn out to be an animagus. Ron was frowning and said, "I'm not sure if anyone in my family is one. I have an aunt that was one, but she's my aunt by marriage, so it doesn't count. And maybe my Uncle Fabian was one. I'll have to ask Mum. He was her brother, after all. Though I don't know how Mum will react. I heard he was killed in the first war."

Harry then remembered the picture of the original Order that Moody had showed him and that Moody had said that Fabian Prewett had been killed along with his brother. "So your mum's maiden name is Prewett?"

Ron nodded, very surprised. "How do you know? I never told you, Harry." Harry quickly explained about the photo Moody had shown him. Hermione was very interested and said that she wished she could see it.

Beth, who was with them, remarked, "I think my mum has a copy. I can ask her to show it to you, Hermione. By the way, Arithmacy is in ten minutes. We had better hurry."

Hermione gasped and exclaimed, "Oh, you're right, Beth! We better hurry if we don't want to be late and have Professor Vector annoyed with us. See you guys later." She and Beth hurried down the corridor. Harry and Ron exchanged looks, then with Neville went to the library to work on their Defense homework.

Chapter Twelve continued

The next morning, Harry went down to Hagrid's Hut. He introduced Beth to Hagrid. Beth smiled warmly at the half-giant and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hagrid. My mother told me about you. So did Harry and his friends."

Hagrid grinned broadly and replied, "Nice *** meet you, Beth. I had your brother yesterday for class. Ginny introduced 'im *** me."

A few minutes later, class began. None of the Slytherins had elected to take Care of Magical Creatures, to Harry's relief. The only students were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Parvati, Lavender, Beth, and a few other Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Hagrid announced that today they would be studying sphinxes.

He had managed to procure one for study. Harry remembered the sphinx he had encountered during the third task of the Triwizard Tournament. Hagrid described sphinxes, then Harry told about the one he had encountered. After that, the sphinx asked a riddle and the class spent the rest of the class to figure it out. Hermione and Beth were the ones who figured out the answer, which was time. Hagrid rewarded them each with a Chocoball and a Fizzing Whizbee. Class ended then and they went to Potions.

Harry wasn't dreading Potions class very much, since Snape had married Sylvia and was being a little nicer to him. But he still had some dread, since he knew the Slytherins would be suspicious of Snape started being to nice to him.

Class began with Snape saying, "This is N.E.W.T-level Potions. Since only three people managed to acheive an Oustanding on the Potions O.W.L., I have been forced to take those who cheived an E. I have no idea how some of you achieved this." He looked at Harry, Ron, and Neville when he said this, but his face showed no emotion. "Thia class will be very difficult and if you do not keep up, you will be removed from my class immediately. Is that clear?"

There were nods and Snape barked, "Today you will work on brewing Color-Changing Potions. The ingredients and directions are on the board. Get working!"

Harry read the board, then began working. Snape sat at his desk, doing paperwork and glancing up every so often to make sure the students were working. Without him breathing down everyone's necks, Harry noticed that Neville seemed more comfortable and was doing an excellent job on his potions. Harry himself was doing better, too, and he wasglad that Snape was ignoring the class. Then he looked around and saw that only Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott were the only Slytherins who had gotten into the class. Obviously Crabbe, Goyle, and Millicent Bulstrode hadn't managed to acheive an E on the O.W.L.

Toward the end of class, Snape got up to inspect the work. He praised Malfoy's potion, but told him the color was just a little pale. He passed Hermione's perfect potion without sayong anything. When he got to Neville's, he said, "Let's see your poor excuse of a potion, Longbottom." Then he gasped and said, surprised, "You actually managed to produce a decent potion! Miss Granger, did you help him?"

Hrmione shook her head and Snape snapped, "Longbottom, I expect you to keep up the good work that you have begun. Take a point for Gryffindor." He glanced at Harry's and Ron's potions, then swept off to check the Ravenclaws' potions.

After that, the students had to bottle up a sample and bring it to the desk. Harry put a charm on his bottle to keep it from breaking. When he placed it on the desk, Malfoy got up to put his bottle. He managed to brush Harry's bottle and knock it over. Thanks to the charm, it didn't break. Harry smiled and said, "I put a charm on it, Malfoy, just in case you were a bit clumsy and accidently knocked my bottle over."

Malfoy gave Harry a malvolent look as he bent down to retrieve his bottle. Then Malfoy returned to his table and Harry set his bottle back on the desk. Everyone cleaned up, then left the classroom. On the way out, Snape whispered to Harry, "Good work, Potter. Try to keep it up, so I won't have any excuse to be nasty to you."

Harry gave a tiny nod to show that he had heard. At lunch, he told his friends what Snape had said. Ron was surprised, then said, "It looks like his-" he paused and looked around to make sure nobody was listening, then continued in a lowered voice, "marriage with Sylvia made him nicer. Though he still has to pretend he hates us to the Slytherins."

Hermione seconded it. Harry began thinking over the Potions class. When lunch wa over, he gathered his things, then headed to the greenhouses for Herbology.

Chapter 12 continued

After a very interesting Herbology class, Hermione went off to Ancient Runes. Harry, Ron, and Neville went to the library to work on their homework. Beth stopped to visit her mother and a few minutes later, joined the boys.

"Mum says that we all have Occulemency lessons on Friday evening. She'll schedule more after that, but she'll make sure it doesn't interfere with the Quidditch practises. She and Un-I mean, Stepdad Severus, will be teaching us. And Neville, you'll still be with Mum. She knows you haven't quite gotten over your fear of my stepfather."

At the mention of Quidditch practises, Harry put down his quill and said, 'Ron, we have to come up with a date for Quidditch tryouts. And we need to get some reserves, so we won't have to hold second tryouts like Angelina had to last year. Let's see, we'll need three chasers. Or rather, two, since Ginny said she wanted to be chaser when I got back on the team. And we need to replace the beaters. Than Andrew and Jack weren't any good. Brian is good for a beater, so we'll need to get another one."

Ron nodded. "You're right, Harry. I hope we can get some good players for the team."

Beth tsked. "I thought you would be more concerned over the Occulmency lessons. Though I am interested in trying out for the Ravenclaw team. They need two new chasers. And I heard the captain talk about making this Cho Chang reserve seeker, since she hadn't been flying well all last year."

Neville hesitated, then said, "Maybe I'll try out for beater. I was practising with you giys over the summer, remember? And Sylvia and Brian gave me some tips."

Harry then remembered that Neville had been practsing flying and Quidditch with them. He had gained a great deal of confidence and flew much better than he had at the first flying lesson Madam Hooch had given. While he wasn't as good as Brian, he still flew pretty well and had a grreat deal of strength when he wasn't too nervous.

Ron said, "Try out, Neville. You'll probably make the team, if the others who try out for beater were the like the ones that showed up last year. Colin and Dennis tried out last year and they were horrible. They weren't that bad flyers, but their beating skills were worse than Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper. They would have been better off as chasers."

Harry looked at Ron. "Then maybe Colin and Dennis can be chasers. Just how well were they?"

Ron replied, "They flew almost as well as Ginny, I think. But Dennis was scared of the bludgers and threw up his arms every time they came near him. And he was a bit small. Colin was a little better, but he either missed the bludger or didn't hit it very well."

Beth shook her head. "Could be please stop talking about Quidditch and focus on our homework? And I am in Ravenclaw. You shouldn't be discussing your house team like that in front of me. I could easily turn around and tell the Ravenclaw captain what you said. Not that I would, but if I truly had house loyalty, I would."

Ron and Harry shook their heads, muttered, "Girls," then turned to their Herbolgy homework. When they were done with that, they began discussing the new Animagus class. They wondered what Sylvia's and Dumbledore's animagi were.

Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Brian joined them then. Harry was very pleased to see Luna, who was reading a copy of the September issue of The Quibbler. She put it down, though, when she sat down and said, "Professor Longbottom's animagus form is very unusual."

Ron asked, "How do you know, Luna?" Luna turned her serene gaze to Ron.

"I know many things you don't, Ronald," she replied. Then in a mystical tone of voice she said, "If you ask, then you will receive an answer."

Harry deduced that Luna must have asked Sylvia what her animagus form was. "So can you tell us what it is?" he asked.

Luna smiled a mysterious smile. "Of course I can, Harry."

Hermione said, "Well, why aren't you telling us?"

Luna replied, "Because you only asked if I can tell you."

Neville then asked, "Will you tell us what my aunt's animagus form is?"

"Yes, I will." Ron groaned and snapped, 'Then tell us! Stop all this nonsense!"

There were several shhs from some other students. Ron glared at them, then turned to Luna. Luna said, "Professor Longbottom's form is a golden eagle."

"What's so unusual about that?" asked Beth. "Brian and I already know about it."

Luna shook her head and said impatiently, "The eagle is the Ravenclaw's animal. But she was in Gryffindor. Wouldn't a lion, or rather lioness, be better for her?"

Brian said, "So? It doesn't really matter. Your animagus form has to mostly do with your nature and personality. Mum was probably more eagle-like than lioness-like."

Hermione and Beth had to agree with him. Luna gave a little sigh and then pulled out a roll of parchment. "You do not understand things the way I do. I can accept that." Then she removed a quill from behind her left ear and began writing her essay for Charms. The others shrugged, then turned back tot heir homework. Harry was pondering what Luna had said and did not focus too much on his Potions essay.

Chapter Thirteen

On Thursday evening, Harry and his friends went to the first Animagus class. it was open to fourth years and above. Professor McGonagall demonstrated her cat form, Professor Dumbledore his bumblebee from, and Slyvia her eagle form. Harry was puzzled by Dumbledore's animagus form, until he remembered that Dumbledore liked to hum. Hermione also told him that 'Dumble' was Old English for bumblebee.

Slyvia then announced, 'We will now do a spell that will show what your animagus form might be. Line up in threes and we will proceed."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione lined up together. Neville, Ginny, and Luna were togetehr, and Beth, Brian, and Colin Creevy were another. Sylvia was the one who did the spell on Harry. There was a burst of light and an image of a phoenix appeared. She raised her brow and said, "A phoenix? Very curious. But I think it will suit you." She smiled at him and then went to Colin Creevy.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. Hermione's form was an large brown owl, since owls were said to be wise, Ron's form was a fox, with fur as red as his hair. Harry agreed the forms suited them, then he turned to his other friends. Luna reported that her form was a luna moth. Ginny's form was a unicorn, and Neville's form was a robin. Beth's form was a lioness, and Brian's was a lion. Colin, who was very excited, said, "Harry! Guess what? My form is a squirrel! Professor Longbottom says that squirrels can get excited, and that being able to climb trees will help."

Just then a very angry vopice of Malfoy sounded. "You mean my form is a ferret? And that stupid Potter gets a phoenix! That's not fair! I quit!"

Slyvia and Professor Dumbledore tried to soothe him, but to no avail. Malfoy stormed out of the room in a huff, with Crabbe and Goyle following him. Harry and his friends laughed, remembering when the fake Moody had turned Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him up and down until McGongall had intervened. As Malfoy's animagus form was a ferret, Harry thought it served him right.

When everyone had found out their form, Professor McGonagall had everyone read the first chapter in the book, How to Become an Animagus and practise focusing on changing a part of their body, like making their hair longer or growing a whisker or feathers. Since Harry was to be a phoneix, he concentrated on growing a phoenix feather. Nothing happened for him

By the end of class, Hermione had managed to sprout a few feathers, Beth a set of whiskers, and Brian had made his hiar longer and thicker. Luna had sprouted antennae and a few other students had maged to change their appearance a little. Then those students changed thier appearance back to normal. Slyvia assinged as homework for everyone to read chapter two and work on changing thier appearance alittle.

Harry and his Gryffidnor friends returned to the Gryffindor common room, discussing the enjoyable class they just had. Harry was very pleased that his form was a phoenix, and Ron and Neville were halfway jealous of him. Seamus also expressed his jealousy, as as his form was an Irish setter. Dean wasn't as jealous, since his form was a cheetah. Harry shrugged and said, "Well, I had no idea I would turn out to be a phoenuix, Seamus."

Seamus replied, "That's true, mate. I just wish my form was cooler, even though it is an Irish animal." The boys then turned in for bed. Harry was very excited about the Animagus lessons and hoped that he, like his father, would succeed.

Chapter Thirteen continued

On Friday afternoon, Harry had his last class of the day, Herbology. Professor Sprout was teaching them about wolfsbane. "Can anyone tell me what wolfsbane is used for?"

Hermione, Beth, and a few other students, including Harry, raised their hands. Professor Sprout called on Beth. "It is used to make the Wolfsbane Potion. When a werewolf drinks it, he or she will become a normal wolf and not a monster."

"Very good, Miss Longbottom. Ten points to Ravenclaw. Now, can anyone tell about wolfsbane in the natural form? And another name for it?"

This time, Hermione answered. "Another name for wolfsbane is monkshod. Also, in its natural form, it can be very dangerous to a werewolf. It produces an allergic reaction and the werewolf may become violently ill."

"Excellent, Miss Granger. Take ten points to Gryffindor." The class was then instructed on how to grow wolfsbane and each student had to plant them. At the end of class, the class was intructed to read more about wolfsbane and write an essay on it for homework.

Harry went to the library after class and began writing his essay. Because he was acquainted with Remus, he didn't have to do too much research and could write hos essay very quickly. By the time he finished, Hermione came in from her Ancient Runes class and Ginny, Brian, and Luna from their Defense class. That reminded Harry he needed to post up notices about the D.A. So he quickly write up a notice, Beth used her wand and created copies, and Harry and Ron posted them around the school.

After a quick dinner, Harry and his friends went to Sylvia's office for their Occulemncy lesson. The reason why it was in her office was because Snape did not want to use his office again, afraid that Harry or someone else would peek into his Penseive.

Sylvia's office had numerous Dark Detectors, books on Defense, a box that rattled, and a grindylow tank. There was also a tall cabinet that contained a Penseive and a picture of Harry and Neville at their first birthday, surrounded with their parents, Remus, Sirius, Wormtail, and Sylvia, and another picture of Beth at her first birthday, with the same people as in Harry's and Neville's birthday picture. Harry stopped to examine the pictures, then turned to Sylvia and Snape.

Hermione was pointing to the box. "Is that a broggart in there, Professor Longbottom?"

Sylvia nodded. "Yes, Hermione. My second and third year students are studying them."

Snape interrupted, "It's all very fine, but we should begin the lesson."

Sylvia nodded. "Quite right. Beth, Brian, Hermione, and Ginny, you will be with Severus. Harry and Neville, you'll obviously be with me again, and Luna and Ron, you'll join them."

Harry began clearing his mind and waited for his turn. Sylvia worked with Ron first, then Neville. Then she turned to Harry and said, "Legimens!" She entered into his mind and Harry begaa fighting her. Thanks to his practise over the summer, he was able to quickly throw her out of his mind with a Furnuculus Curse. Sylvia fell back, boils appearing on his face. Harry apoligised and performed the counter curse.

Sylvia smiled and said, "Very good work, Harry. You have improved and threw me out of your mind quickly. Though next time I suggest you try something like Expellarimus or a Cheering Charm. They won't make me break out into boils or something." She then turned to Luna and tried to enter her mind. Luna threw her out her mind very quickly with a spell Harry had never seen before.

Snape did the counter spell for Sylvia and raised his eyebrow. "Miss Lovegood, what was that spell you used? I did not expect a fifth year to be able to do that spell."

Luna replied, "Oh, my mum came up with it. She was quite a talented witch, you know. She taught it to me. Very few people can do that spell or its counterspell."

Sylvia's brow furrowed. "Amazing. Luna, you have talent and special abilities. Not surprising, considering who you mother was. She was in my year, only in Ravenclaw. She was very smart and one of the top students. You have obviously inherited some of her abilities. And you will be a great asset in helping Harry defeat Voldemort."

Suddenly Sylvia fell forward and Snape caught her. A harsh voice, a bit like Trelawney's when she made a prophecy, came from her mouth. "A girl born of moonlight will appear with special ablilties. She will help the boy destined to defeat the Dark Lord do so. Six others, two with flame-red hair, two with brown hair, and two with golden blonde will join them and help them in their quest. After the dark times, the eight will defeat the Drak Lord and peace will come. The girl born of moonlight and the boy destined to defeat the Dark Lord will marry. So will the boy with red hair and the girl with brown hair, the girl with red and hair and the boy with blonde hair, and the girl with blonde hair and the boy with brown hair."

The harsh voice ended and Sylvia stood up, blinking. "What in the world happened?"

Snape replied, "Sylvia dear, you just made a prophecy."

She gaped at him. "Severus, I never took you for the type to make jokes."

"It's not a joke!" burst out Ron. "We all heard you. Isn't that right, guys?" The others nodded in agreement.

Sylvia looked at them. "You are mistaken. I have never made a prophecy in my life. Do you think I'm Sibyll Trelawney? She may have some shred of talent and have made two prophecies, but I do not have the 'Inner Eye' or whatever she calls it."

"It's true, Sylvia!" exclaimed Harry. He went to the cabinet with the pensieve and took it out. "You can check my memory if you don't believe me!"

Snape helped Harry remove the memory and deposit it in the pebsieve. Then Sylvia pointed her wand at it and the image of herself appeared, saying the prophecy. She gasped and looked shocked. When it was over, her face regained some color.

"So I actually have some gift for predicting the future. Well, then, we must decipher what the prophecy means. It obviously concerns you, Harry, as you are destined to defdeat Voldemort. But who is the child of moonlight?" Her gaze rested on Luna and she gasped. "Of course! Luna Lovegood. Luna means 'moon' and she is sort of like the child born of moonlight."

Ron said, "And it's obvious Ginny and I are part of it. We both have 'flame-red hair'."

Hermione continued, "And Neville and I are part of it, too. We both have brown hair."

Beth and Brian said at the same time, "And so are the two of us. We have blonde hair."

Snape nodded. "It's obvious. But Sylvia, why did you have to also add the part of marriage?"

Harry's eyes grew wide and he realised that the prophecy said that he would eventually marry Luna. Then he remembered what had happened at Sylvia and Snape's wedding. When Sylvia had thrown the bouquet, it had scattered and Luna, Hermione, Ginny, and Beth had all caught parts of it. It had meant the the four girls would be the next ones to marry. And there were only four boys that they knew really well then. The prophecy that Sylvia had just made had also predicted whom the the girls would marry.

Ginny turned scarlet and looked at Brian. "I know we are going out, but marriage?"

Brian shrugged. "Well, you did catch part of the bouquet. But marriage will be at least three years from now. We have to help Harry defeat Voldemort first, and also graduate."

Hermione looked at Ron. Ron was very uncomfortable. "Okay, I've sort of had a crush on you ever since we first met, though I didn't realise it then. And we are dating and we like yeach other very much. But love, and eventually marriage?"

Hermione kissed Ron and snapped, "Calm down! Harry has to defeat Vodemort first! That's probably going to take awhile. We have time to get used to the idea."

Neville and Beth didn't say anything, though Neville was almost as red as Ginny and Beth had suddenoly turned shy. Harry turned to Luna. "So you will be by my side, Luna, and will help me defeat Voldemort with our other friends. That's wonderful. And according to the prophecy, we will all survive and eventually marry. I don't particularly mind spending the rest of my life with you, Luna. And I have at least three years to get used to the idea. After all, you have to graduate first, even if I defeat Voldemort at the end of this year or next."

Snape finally said, "I think this lesson is over. Come back next Friday for another one."

Sylvia nodded. "Yes. And Severus and I have to tell Dumbledore about this new prophecy. See you guys later."

Harry and his friends left the office and a minute later, Sylvia and Snape left to find Dumbledore. Harry and his friends began discussing the prophecy in muted tones, as they didn't want anyone to overhear them. They were wondering how they would defeat Voldemort and not end up being killed or insane like Neville's parents. They weren't focused at all on the part of marriage, as it wasn't important and a few years down the road. Finally they decided to work hard on defense and start the D.A. as soon as possible.

Chapter Fourteen

On Tuesday, the first D.A. meeting of the year was held in the Room of Requirement. Angelina, Katie, Alicia, the Weasley twins, and Lee Jordan had all graduated. However, fifty other students took their place. Blaise Zabini and his sister Bianca showed up. Harry went over to the quiet Slytherin. "Um, why are you here Blaise?"

Blaise replied, "Because I want to. My family has never really been a supporter of You-Know-Who. But they have decided to remain neutral. However, Bianca and I can't. We've never been the type to look down on Muggles and Muggleborn. Our parents are a little different. They do look down on them, but prefer to just let them be. And they don't think You-Know-who will win and they say he's crazy. That's why they never joined them. Bianca and I hate him, so we're joining the D.A."

Harry then recalled that Blaise had never really been part of the Inquistorial Squad. 'Well, you're welcome to join the D.A. So there are decent Slytherins after all."

Bianca said, "Blaise and I didn't want to be in Slytherin. We only had the Hat put us here since it would make our parents happy and because they threatened to disown us if we were put in any house but Slytherin and maybe Ravenclaw.They don't mind Ravenclaw that much, since it's for clever people. Oh, and the other Slytherins, like that Malfoy boy, think that we're here to spy on the D.A. Actually, we're not."

Harry looked at Beth, who said, "Well, if the other Slytherins knew that they were here to fight Voldemort, they'd be ostracized by them. So Blaise and Bianca have to pretend they're here to spy on us."

Harry nodded. "You're right, Beth. Bliase, Bianca, welcome to the D.A."

Blaise and Bianca grinned. Hermione drifted over and said, "Well, it looks like we have representives form all the houses in the D.A. Anyway, do you think we should dvide the new students up and have us old members work with them?"

Harry nodded. "Okay. Um, the new students can divide up in groups of five. You, Ron, Dean, Parvati, Lavender, Padma, Luna, Ernie, Susan, and Justin can teach them. Beth and Brian, you can work on your own. I'll work with the rest of the old members. And I have to talk with Cho and Marietta and decide if I'll let them back."

Cho smiled prettily at Harry, but he felt no real emotion. She said, "Harry, I'm really sorry about last year. Maybe we could start over?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry, Cho, but I'm going out with Luna. No offense, but I think she might be better for me."

Cho frowned. "You mean Loony? The girl that everyone makes fun of and is considered weird?"

"She's not weird," said Harry flatly. "She is a very nice girl and has good ideas. And she and her father found a Crumple-horned Snorkack over the summer."

Marietta snapped, "So one of those weird creatures she talks about is real. But that doesn't mean the others are. Anyway, I am sorry about turning the D.A. in last year. I was under pressure form my mother and I finally cracked. Please forgive me. But I don't expect you to welcome me back, though. What I di was sort of unforgiveable."

Harry looked at Marietta. Hermione had told her how to get SNEAK off her face and she was now normal. Finally he said, "Well, it's true that everyone was under pressure. I suppose one of us was bound to snap. You can come back, Marietta. We need all the fighters we can get. And Cho, don't bother Luna, okay? I really like her and will probably mar-" He broke off, as he didn't want to discuss the prophecy with her.

Cho guessed what Harry was going to say. "You'll probably marry her, I suppose? But you're only sixteen and you've only been dating her for the summer. And You-Know-Who is after you and could kill you."

Harry sighed. "I didn't say I was going to marry Luna. Only that it might happen, if I fell in love with her. Right now I only really like her, Cho. Now could we please stop discussing my love life? Cho, Marietta, join the otehrs."

Harry gave a speech to all the new members. Then they broke up into groups of five and those Harry choose to teach them went to them. Harry saw that Luna took the gorup where her friend and prefect, Cerissa, was. The old members that weren't assigned to a group divided into partners. Harry took Neville and worked with him on producing a partonus. Neville could produce vapor, but it wasn't taking any form. Harry encouraged him and told him that he was improving.

By the end of the lesson, Neville's attempts at a Patronus was getting better. His vapor ws starting to take shape, but it was too vague to figure out it might be. Neville was pleased that he was getting better. Harry quickly ended the lesson and told everyone to meet next week at the same time. By the second meeting, the Quidditch schedule for the houses would be decided and they would schedule future meetings around that. Blaise suggested holding the meeting when the Slytherins would have practise, since none of the Slytherins would be at the meetings except him and Biance, and they weren't on the team. Harry agreed that it was a good idea and everyone returned to their common rooms.

Chapter Fourteen

On Wednesday, Harry and Ron held tryouts. They were the only real members of the team, since Ginny had given the seeker spot back to Harry, and Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper said that they wanted to be reserve beaters this year. Ginny, two third years named Emma Dobbs and Natalie McDonald, a fourth year named Dorothy Welsh, and Colin Creevy tried out for chaser. Brian, Neville, and a boy named Jared Brown tried out for beater. A tall girl named Roberta Irving tried out for reserve keeper.

Ginny was an excellent flyer and did a great job at scoring goals. Dorothy and Natalie also did an excellent job. Emma and Colin weren't that great, and Colin was a little too enthusiastic. Harry and conferred and decided that Emma and Colin would do better as reserve chasers. Brian and Neville did a fairly good job as beaters. Jared either missed the bludger, or hit it too hard. But he was still better than Andrew and Jack. Roberta was a very good keeper, about as good as Ron.

Finally Harry and Ron announced the results. Ginny, Natalie, and Dorothy were the chasers and Brian and Dean were the beaters. Ginny would also be reserve seeker and Emma and Colin were reserve chasers. Jared would be reserve beater. He was much better than Jack and Andrew, and it wasn't likely that both beaters would be out for a game. And of course, Roberta was reserve keeper.

Everyone was pleased by the results and Emma, Colin, Jared, and Roberta were excited about being reserves. Emma, Colin, and Jared knew that they weren't that great, but being made reserves would give them time to practise and improve. After the tryouts, everyone headed back inside. On the way, Harry and Ron ran into Beth, Cerissa, and Luna. Harry told them about tryouts.

"Great!" exclaimed Beth. "Ginny would make an excellent chaser. The Ravenclaws are holding tryouts tomotrrow. There's two open chaser spots, so I'm trying out for chaser. There's also a reserve seeker spot, but I don't feel like being a reserve seeker again. Because when Cho graduates next year, I'd have to take over for her."

Ron groaned. "Beth, why did you have to be sorted into Ravenclaw? You're our friend and it would be hard to be play against you in Quidditch. Part of me would probably feel like I should let you score goals on me. Or couldn't you just not try out?"

Beth laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, Ron, you'll get over it. And I love Quidditch. I've been playing it ever since I learned how to ride a broom. I'm not about to stop now."

Cerissa pointed out, "Besides, Gryffindor would win against Ravenclaw, anyway. With Harry as seeker, Gryffindor has always won. Well, there was that time with Hufflepuff, but that was because those horrid dementors showed up. "

Luna nodded. "Cerissa is right. But if Beth was seeker, well, you'd have some competition, Harry. But then again, she usually uses a Nimbus, which is slower that your Friebolt."

Beth replied, "Actually, I'm using the Firebolt now. Brian gave my Nimbus to Neville, since Neville doesn't really have a decent broom."

Harry shook his head. "Then it's a good thing you aren't trying ut for reserve seeker. You definitely would give me competition, especially with a Firebolt."

After that, the five of them went on their separate ways.

Chapter 14 continued

The next day, Harry and Ron planned out a schedule for Quidditch practises for the next two months. On Friday was when the Slytherins were holding tryouts, so the second meeting of the D.A. was held then. Blaise brought Theodore Nott with him, a somewhat weedy looking boy. Blaise quickly explained that Theo was sort of a loner and never hung out with Malfoy's crowd.

Harry nodded and went to Theodore. "So why do you want to join the D.A.?"

Theodore looked at Harry. "I'm not my father, even if he is a Death Eater. And my mum had me promise before she died not to join. Father ignored Mother most of the time and was cold to her. She talked with me and advised me not to turn out like Father. And I'm not that focused on the pureblood thing. Besides, I don't think the Dark Lord will have much chance of winning. He's afraid of Dumbledore, and you almost killed him when you were a baby. I'm not the type to usually join things, but Blaise talked with me and convinced me to join. So here I am. And you can call me Theo."

Harry considered this, then said, "Well, you're welcome to join, Theo. You can join Blaise's group and work on disarming."

Theodore nodded, gave him a small small, and joined Blaise. Hermione, who was in charge of the group, raised her eyebrow at Harry and mouthed, "Why is he here?"

Harry mouthed back, "Tell you later." Hermione nodded and turned back to her group. Harry worked with Neville on his patronus. It was still vapor, but Harry could see that Neville's partonus would likely be some four-legged beast. Unfortunately, that could be anything, from an aardvark to a zebra.

In the meantime, Hannah Abbot produced a patronus. Hers was a badger, the symbol of Hufflepuff house. None of the others, besides Hermione and Cho, who had already produced them last year, was able to produce one. At eight thirty, Harry ended the meeting. Harry, Ron, Beth and Cho, and Zacharias Smith got together to set up meeting times for the next few meeting. Blaise drifted over. "I can tell you that the Slytherins have scheduled practise for Monday and Thursday of next week. So you can have meetings on those days."

"Thanks, Blaise," replied Harry. "So we'll have a meeting next Thursday. The week after that, all of us don't have practise on Wednesday, so there'll be another meeting then. And we can schedule further meetings then."

Everyone nodded and then went to their respective common rooms. Harry felt a bit tired, but as he had a Potions essay to do and a Defense essay to finish, he couldn't go to bed. He quickly write out a conclusion for his Defense essay and then started his potions essay. Hermione, who had finished her essays already, including her Ancient Runes essay, looked over his essay.

Halfway through his Potions essay, Hermione said, "It's quite good. But then, it should be, with Sylvia for a teacher. Just one thing, in your conclusion, you said the same thing twice, only in different words. You should change that."

Harry thanked Hermione, crossed out a sentence, and rewrote it. Hermione went to check Ron's essay. Harry then turned back to the Potions essay. While Snape was being a little fairer, and wasn't always grading him with D's and P's on his essays, he wasn't getting O's either. He had gotten A's on two essays and a P on one essay. While it was better than last year, Harry wished he could acheive at least an E on his essays.

By ten o'clock, Harry finally finished his essay and had Hermione look it over. His essay was actually quite well done and only needed two or three minor corrections. Harry hoped that this time he owuld acheive an E, though knowing Snape, he'd probably be given an A at most. Finally Harry put his homework away and headed up to bed.

Chapter Fourteen continued

On Tuesday, Harry and Ron had their first Quidditch practise. All the new members of the team, plus the reserves, showed up. Neville wasn't totally comfortable with using a Nimbus just yet, so he spent most of the practise using Brian's old Cleansweep. He did fairly well, though, and did an excellent job hitting the bludgers with Brian. Jared was a little too enthusiastic, but he did manage to hit the bludger every time it came near him, though half the time he either hit it too hard or not hard enough.

Natalie, Ginny, and Dorothy spent the practise working on Quidditch manuveurs, passing the quaffle, and scoring. Ron blocked three-quarters of them, but did let one quarter of the goals in so the chasers could get the feel of things. Emma and Colin worked on scoring and passing on the other end of the field. Harry played keeper there, as there wasn't much use for him to practise seeking.

At eight thirty, Harry and Ron ended the practise and everyone went inside. Hermione was waiting for them. "How was practise?" she asked.

"It was fine," replied Harry. "Ron did an excellent job keeping. Ginny, Natalie, and Dorothy were pretty good chasers. They work well together. Neville and Brian weren't that bad of beaters. Though hopefully Neville will be able to spend more time using his Nimbus next practise. Jared wasn't that spectacular, but he did hit the bludger every time it came near him, and he is a only reserve. Emma and Colin weren't all that great either, but they're fairly good, and they're reserves, too. I didn't do much chasing after the snitch. I spent my time playing keeper to Emma and Colin."

"Well, you have a good team," said Hermione. "We'll likely win the Quidditch Cup again this year. And now you guys have to do that Herbology essay. If you need help, you can ask me. But don't expect to copy my work, though, Harry and Ron."

She smiled as she said the last setence, so Harry knew she was halfway joking. He then dug out quill and parchment and beagn writing his essay. When he was done, Hermione checked it for him. There were fortunately no mistakes. When he was done, Harry went to bed.

On Thursday, Professor Snape handed back the essays. Harry was shocked, yet pleased, to see a "E" scrawled on the top of his essay. Under it was "Good work, Potter. Keep it up, and you may just get through Potions and acheive an O on you N.E.W.T." It was his first E ever in Potions and Harry was determined to earn more of them.

At lunch, Harry told Ron and Hermione about his grade. Ron then admitted that he ahd also managed to get an E also. Hermione smiled and said, "Great! And maybe someday you'll get O's, like I did." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Snape may be nicer, but I doubt he'll ever give us an Outstanding. Even if I did manage to write an Outstanding essay."

Harry frowned. 'Well, I thought the essay I just wrote was worth an E. But I expected Snape to give me only an A at the most. Then when he hands back the essays, I discover that he gave me an E and tells me to keep it up. So if I ever write an O essay, he might give us one."

"I guess," replied Ron. The trio finished lunch, then gathered their things and with Neville went to Herbology.

Chapter Fifteen

On Thursday was another meeting of the D.A. Harry worked with Neville again on his Patronus. Halfway through, it formed into what appeared to be a tiger. Both Harry and Neville were puzzled by the Patronus. They had n idea why Neville's would be a tiger.

The next day at Occulemncy lessons, they told Sylvia about Neville's patronus. She smiled. "Excellent patronus! A tiger suits you very well. They are fairly peaceful creatures, but when provoked, can be very ferocious. And you, Neville, are like that. You don't normally fight, but when really provoked, you become a fierce tiger and attack."

Harry instantly recalled how Neville had bravely stood up against Bellatrix Lestrange and when he had tried to attack Malfoy for making fun of those in St. Mungo's. He decided that Neville's patronus did fit him after all. Ron looked a little grumpy and said, "I wish I could produce a Patronus, too."

Harry replied, "You will, Ron. Now that Neville has a corpeal patronus, he's going to take over your group. You can join the others in producing patronuses."

Ron cheered up over this. Snape then looked at the clock. "This is all very well, but the lesson must begin. Hermione, Beth, Ron, and Brian, please join me."

The lesson began and Sylvia began with Harry first. He quickly threw Sylvia out of his mind with a stunner. Then he wuickly said "Enervate" and she was unstunned. "Very good, Harry. One more time." The second time, Harry quickly made up a false memory as a shield. Sylvia got as far as the false memory beofre she was forced back out.

"Excellent! I think you won't be needing more lessons very soon." She then turned to Ginny and worked with her. By the end of the lesson, Harry, Hermione, Luna, and Beth were pronouced proficient and could stop taking lessons soon. Ginny, Neville, ROn, and Brian were getting better, but still needed lessons to become very proficent.

Harry was very pleased that he was almost perfect. He returned to the common room and dug out the animagus book so he could practise, as there was to be another lesson on it tomorrow evening.

Chapter Fifteen continued

At the Animgus lesson the next evening, Pansy threw a fit. "Great! Just great! I have to take lesons how to become a stupid dog! And a really ugly one, too! It's as bad as when darling Draco found out his form was a ferret." With that, she stormed angrily out of the hall, declaring that she quit. A few other Slytherins followed her, saying that they quit, too. The only Slytherins who stayed were the decent ones like Blaise and Theodore, who hadn't any problem with their animagus forms.

Harry stifled a laugh, remembering that he had thought Pansy as somewhat pug-faced. Her form suited her looks. He then wondered if Dudley would have the form of a pig, if he were wizard. Harry quickly had to think of his phoenix form to keep from bursting into laughter. Sylvia quickly walked to the front of the Great Hall.

"Is there anyone else who is not pleased with their form and wishes to leave?" she asked coldly. No one said a word. Then she nodded briskly and said, "I trust all of you have been reading your book and practising making parts of your animagus form appear. For this lesson, you will concentrate on your form and try to become it. You will clear your mind of all thoughts, except for your animagus form. Breathe slowly and in pattern as you think. If you are lucky, you will start becoming your form. And if you are extremely lucky, and powerful, you may actually totally become your form. But I doubt that will be likely at this second lesson.

Harry quickly concentrated on the form of a phoenix. Fawkes came into mind and he just concentrated on the figure. He slowly breathed in counts of seven and just concentrated. After ten minutes, he opened his eyes and was started to find that his arms had turned into phoenix wings. They started disappearing, though, so he quickly brought the image of Fawkes back into his mind and began concentrating again. After another ten minutes, he felt his legs turn into the legs and feet of a phoenix. Harry was very excited, but he focused on the image of Fawkes and kept concentrating. Nothing happened after that, though.

At the end of lesson, Harry turned his thoughts back to his human self, and the wongs and legs changed back into arms and his human legs. Sylvia came over and whispered, "Excellent job, Harry. You are halfway there." Harry was surprised, since it had taken his father two or three years to become an animagus. Then he remebered that his father hadn't been taking lessons. Harry was, which was the reason why he was progressing faster.

Harry then picked up his book and with his Gfreinds headed back to their common rooms. He walked Luna to the Ravenclaw common room, and Neville walked with Beth. At the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, Harry kissed Luna on the cheek and whispered, "Good night and I'll see you tomorrow, Luna."

Luna returned the kiss and replied, "Good night, Harry. That was a wonderful lesson." That was when Harry noticed that Luna still sported the antennae of the luna moth.

"Um, Luna, you still have antennae," he pointed out. Luna laughed softly.

"I know, Harry. I thought they would be neat. I've always wanted antennae. If would make me look more like a Blibbering Humdinger. They have antennae."

Harry said, "Well, you look nice with them. And Luna, I think you might be the first one of us to become an animagus. You manage to keep antennae, even when you're not really concentrating on your form."

Luna smiled back. "Prehaps. I seem to have inherited my mother's talent with all sorts of magic. Well, I shall be seeing you tomorrow, Harry." The two kissed, then Luna followed Beth into the common room. Harry turned around and with Neville, headed for the Gryffindor common room.

Chapter 15 continued

The next afternoon, Harry had Quidditch practise again. Emma and Colin had improved and were almost as good as Ginny, Natalie, and Dorothy at scoring. Brian and Neville also did well, and Neville was now comfortable enough with a Nimbus to use it for most of the practise. Jared still wasn't up to level of them, but he did manage to hit the bludger every time it came near him. However, half the time it didn't go the way he wanted it to, or he hit it too hard or not hard enough. Roberta was a decent keeper, and she did manage to block half of Emma's and Natalie's attempts at the goal.

By the end of practise, Jared had improved, so three-quarters of the time, the bludger went the direction he wanted. But he still would hit it too hard or not hard enough. Ron and Harry sighed, but they didn't say anything about it. Harry did say, "You did quite well, Jared. You just need a little more practise."

Jared grinned. "Thanks, Harry. I'm practising every afternoon. And Brian or Neville sometimes gives me some pointers and helps me trian."

Harry and Ron exchanged looks at this. Ron remarked, "Well, Jared certainly is better than Jack and Andrew. And he enthusiastic and willing to work hard."

A few days later, Harry was told that the first Quidditch match would be on October the 28th and it would be Gryffindor versus Slytherin. He and Ron began planning the future practices where all the members worked on strategies to defeat Slytherin. Jared, meanwhile, had improved. He still hit the bludgers too hard sometimes, but he stopped hitting them not hard enough. If he ever had to replace Brian or Neville in a game, he would do well enough and as long as he hit the bludgers too hard against the opposing team, everything would be fine.

D.A. lessons also continued. Ron was working on producing a patronus. He did have trouble at first, but he finally produced a dragon patronus. Since it was all silvery, he didn't know what kind of dragon it was, but Harry noticed that the shape was somehwat like a Norwegian Ridgeback. When he mentioned it to Ron, Ron replied, "Cool. Remember Nobert? Which reminds me, why is that dangerous creatures like the dragon and the three-headed dog he gives cute names like Fluffy, but his dog, who perfectly harmless, gets named Fang?"

Harry laughed. "I noticed that too. I did wonder why. When I first heard about Fluffy, I though that he and Fang should have switched names."

On Saturday was another animagus lesson. Luna sprouted antennae and large wings, making her look somewhat like a human dressed as a butterfly or moth. Several students complimented her on it. Harry was able to get the body of a phoenix, but he still retained his human head. At the end of a fourth lesson, Luna had fully become a luna moth and flew around the Great Hall before she settled and resumed human form. Harry still hadn't achieved the full phoenix form, though he did have the body and wings of a phoenix.

Ron had managed to sprout a bushy tail, and he had gotten the fox's pointed ears and nose, as well as paws of a fox. Hermione had an owl's talons, the large eyes, and she had sprouted feathery wings. Neville had acheived a robins wings, and his mouth as starting to be a lit beaklike. Ginny had a unicorn's tail and horn, and her feet were turning into hooves. Brian had a shaggy lion's mane, and both he and Beth had a lion's tail and paws.

At the end of a fifth lesson, Luna was still the only one had managed to become an animagus. As for Occulmency lessons, Harry, Hermione, Luna, and Beth were told that they could stop the lessons, but that they still had to practise clearing their mind every time. Ginny, Ron, Neville, and Brian were told that they still needed lessons, but would likely have be proficient very soon and stop taking the lessons in a couple of weeks. Harry took advantage of his free time by getting his homework done and taking walks around the grounds with Luna.

Chapter Sixteen

At the end of the seventh animagus lesson, Harry was able to turn into a complete phoenix. He, as well as Hermione, were the second and third people to manage this. At the end of the third lesson, Beth and Brian were able to become thier lion and lioness forms. The rest of the students were not able to achieve this yet, though all the Ravenclaws were close to it, especially Cho Chang and Padma Patil, and Ron and Ginny were also fairly close. Cho's animagus form was a swan, exactly like her Patronus, and Harry had to admit that his form did suit her. However, he did not have any feelings for her except as a friend, and she would never be as close as his other friends.

As Harry could now turn into a phoenix, he could stop taking lessons, but he was told that he did have to practise becoming the phoenix and get accustomed to his form. After a few private practise sessions, he discovered that he had healing tears like a real phoenix, and his singing was a great deal like Fawkes'. He realised that if his friends were injured during the war, he could transform into a phoenix and heal them.

Finally the first Quidditch match of the year began. Dean Thomas had taken over the role of commentator, since Lee Jordan had graduated. He announced the memebers of the Slytherin team. There were some boos from the spectators when he mentioned that Crabbe and Goyle were the beaters and that Malfoy was seeker. Then Dean announced the Gryffindor team. "This year, the chasers are Ginny Weasley, former seeker when Harry was banned, Natalie MacDonald, and Dorothy Welsh. Quite splendid and pretty young ladies, I must say, have-"

Professor McGonagall cut him off. "Thomas, please stay to the facts and not opinions."

Dean grinned and said, "Sorry, Professor. Anyway, the keeper is Ron Weasley, brother to Ginny, and the the two beaters are Neville and Brian Longbottom. They're cousins, and they're supposedly much better than the ones that replaced the Weasley twins last year. And finally, the Gryffindor seeker is the great and famous Harry Potter!"

There was a great deal of applause at that. As Harry flew up, he noticed Luna sitting with the other Ravenclaws, wearing a hat with a roaring Gryffindor lion head, that was chewing on a snake. Next to her, Cerissa was also wearing a hat with a lion head, but hers wasn't chewing on a snake, and instead of roaring, it yelled, "Go Gryffindor! Beat Slytherin!" at intervals. Harry appreciated their support, even if some people were laughing at the ridiculous hats.

As the game began, the Gryffindors started singing their version of "Weasley is Our King." Two stanzas had been added to include Ginny, and when they finished, they sang another song titled "Potter is Our King." It went on about how Harry would always catch the snitch and beat the opposing seeker to it. Some of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs picked up on the song, and Harry was a little surprised to see Blaise Zabini and his sister join in. Apparently they hated Malfoy enough to forget house loyalty.

Harry flew around, looking for the snitch and seeing how the teams were doing. Ron was on top form and blocked all the attempts at the goal, except for two very difficult ones. He managed to pull a manuveur he had done at a practise last year, which was hanging by one arm on his broomstick and kicking the Quaffle so hard that it went for the opposite goal posts. The Slytherin keeper was so shocked by this that he did block it and it went through. There were many cheers form the crowd when it happened.

The chasers were excellent and managed to score several goals. After fifteen minutes, the score was ninety to twenty, Gryffindor. Harry then noticed that Neville was extremely nervous and wasn't doing as well as he did at practises. Harry groaned and hoped that Neville would regain his confidence quickly. Unfortunately, Neville didn't, and he accidently sent a bludger at Dorothy. Dorothy was knocked out and Harry called a time out.

"Okay, Dorothy's out. Emma Dobbs, you come in and sub for her. Neville, forget about the stands. Pretend nobody is watching you and get in focus. You've done so well at practice." Neville flushed miserably.

"I don't know what's matter with me!" he exclaimed. "I know I've done well at the practices. But all the spectators are making me nervous, and I'm losing confidence. Maybe you should just take me off and have Jared sub for me."

Ron replied, "No, Neville. We won't just yet. You have it in you. And I froze up at my first match. But eventually I got things together. You can to. You're a Gryffindor."

Neville nodded and said bravely, "Okay. I'll get back in the game and try harder."

The game resumed and Dean called out, "Welsh has been knocked out, but luckily the Gryffindors have reserves. Emma Dobbs has taken her place!"

Neville tried to get his act together, but he ended up accidentally knocking Natalie off her broom and causing her to sprain her ankle. Colin had to take her place, and while he was sorry for her, he was excited about playing. Harry and Ron exchanged looks and wondered if they should have Jared sub for Neville. Luckily, Neville finally pulled himself together and he played well the rest of the game. The score was 190 to 40, Gryffindor, when Harry spotted the snitch right by the Slytherin goalposts. Harry sped for it, but Malfoy was closer and had a head start. Harry's broom was faster, though, so he reached the goalposts the same time Malofy did. They both stretched out their arms, and Harry managed to knock Malfoy's arm aside and grab the snitch. The stands erupted in cheers.

Dean shouted, "And Potter gets the snitch! Gryffindor wins! The score is 340 to 40!" Malfoy looked sour as he flew to the ground. Harry held tightly to the fluttering snitch and he flew down also, grinning broadly. The win would certainly put Gryffindor ahead in the house points, and Gryffindor would surely be playing for the Cup.

After the match, there was a party in the Gryffinodr common room. Harry congratulated Neville on finally pulling through at the last half of the game. Neviile replied, "I remembered facing Bellatrix, and I thought that if I could face her and be brave about it, then I could be a good beate. So I did."

Ron said, "Well, remember that before every game, and you'll be fine, Neville." The party ended at eleven in the evening, and everyone went to bed.

Chapter Sixteen continued

After three more sessions, Ron and Ginny managed to fully become fox and unicorn. Neville had managed to turn his arms into wings, and he was sprouting feathers. But he was not quite all the way there. Padma Patil, Cho Chang, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot, and another Ravenclaw named Lisa Turpin had also managed to fully become their animagus forms. They were assigned to give the other students some private lessons.

During D.A. meetings, Harry noticed that the new students were becoming quite good at doing hexes and defensive spells. So he assigned them to working on patronuses. Ron's patronus did turn out to be Norwegian Ridgeback. Brian and Beth both had the same patronuses as their animagus form, a lion. Dean's patronus was also the same as his animagus form, a cheetah. However, Seamus wasn't as pleased. He had discovered his patronus was a scottie. And while he hadn't anything against Scotland or the Scots, he would rather that it least be an Irish dog.

Seamus did eventually calm down and Harry announced, "After two sessions, you will practise your patronuses. As all the dementors seem to have joined Voldemort, and we cna't bring one into Hogwarts anyway, a broggart will be here instead. I'll stand by and it will turn into a dementor. Then all those who can produce a corpeal patronus will come up one by one and try it on the broggart turned dementor."

There was excited and nervous chatter from the students. One of the students asked, "Why do we have to do this, Harry?"

Harry replied, "If you're going to fight in the war, you'll likely come up against dementors. And you won't know if your patronus will be effective against it. When Professor Lupin taught me the patronus charm, he brought in a broggart for me to practise against. Dementors are my worst fear, after all. That's why."

The student nodded and began whispering to his friend. "Well, this meeting is over. You may all go. Be back-when is the Slytherin practise next week, Blaise?"

Blaise replied, "It's on Wednesday evening, Harry." Harry nodded.

"Be here next Wednesday evening at seven o'clock, please," finished Harry. "Good night."

The students filed out, chattering about what Harry had told them.

Sorry that this update is a bit short, but I'm writing this during my lunch hour at the school library.

The next wekkend was a Hogsmeade weekend. Harry invited Luna to go with them. The two had a lovely time wandering the village and visiting the shops. The two of them first stopped at Honeydukes, where they bought some chocolate frogs, chocoballs, and sugar quills. Luna also got some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and Fizzing Whizzbees.

The two then left the shop, munching on their sweets. After a few minutes, they stopped at Gladrags Wizardwear. Harry bought Luna a soft, silky, pale blue scarf and Luna got Harry a pair of gloves. Harry also got four paoirs of socks as a gift for Dobby. When they finished, Luna stopped at the post office to deliver a letter to her father. Then they went into Zonko's Joke Shop. Zonko's had been very impressed with Fred and George's fine products, and had signed a contract allowing the store to carry their items.

"Amazing," said Harry. "It's a good thing Zonko's signed that contract. Otherwise they might be put out of business."

Luna smiled. "Fred and George do make wonderful joke products. And I loved it when they flew away like that last year. A part of me wished I could do the same. But I didn't have a broom, and I wasn't about to take a school broom."

The two of then bought some Skivving Snackbox, as well as some canary creams and a sweet that made your robes turn red and gold. They planned to see if they couldn't get Malfoy to eat some. It would horrify him when he found out that his robes were in Gryffindor colors. The two had a good laugh over the idea.

When they were done with their shopping, Luna and Harry went into the Three Broomsticks, where they were meeting Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Neville. Luna got a gillywater with onion, and Harry as usual, got a butterbeer. When Ron, Hermione, and Ginny showed up, they also got butterbeers, while Neville got a cherry soda. The six of them discussed what they did and also bought some sandwiches for lunch.

When they had finished, Luna said serenely, "Would you mind giving me your caps? Im making another necklace. It's for Cerissa. I haven't made any since Mum died, but I thought I might as well start again. And it would show that we're friends."

Hermione started. "Did you make butterbeer cap necklaces with your mother?"

Luna nodded. "I started collecting the caps when I was about three or four. Mum and Daddy helped me, and when I was five, I began making necklaces out of them. By the time I was nine, I had made five necklaces. One for Mum, one for Daddy, one for our dog Skipper, and two for my grandparents."

She glanced down at the necklace she was wearing. "Mum made this one. She gave it to me for my sixth birthday, along with a purse and scarf. I've been wearing this ever since then."

Harry nodded. "So that's why you wear that necklace so often, Luna. In memory of your mother."

There was a silence, then Ron said, "Prehaps we should return now." The others nodded and gathered their purchases. the six of them returned to the castle.

Next Thursday, Sylvia had procured a broggart for Harry's D.A. meeting. It probably wasn't necessary, since Harry could have gotten the Room of Requirement to supply ones. But he decided that it was safer to have a real briggart and not one supplied by a magic room. The students who could produce corpeal patronuses were a little nervous.

Harry stodd next to the case and said, "All those coming up agianst the broggart should stay at least five feet back. Otherwise the broggart will be confused and try to turn into your worst fear, while still trying to be a dementor."

Harry then opened the case and a dementor appeared. Hermione stepped forward and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" Her otter patronus shot out of her wand and went against the dementor. It esaliy drove back the demtnor. Cho was next and her swan also drove back the dementor. Neville then took his turn, but his tiger didn't work very well. Harry had to produce his stag to keep the 'dementor' from overwhelming him. Ron took his turn and he did better than Neville, though he wasn't quite as good as Hermione. Beth and Brian also succeeded, but Dean and Seamus did as well as Neville. Luna's patronus was a duck-billed platypus, and it successfully drove back the dementor.

Harry admitted that the patronus suited Luna, since she was unique, and the platypus was also unique. It was like a mammal in that it had fur and produced milk, but it had a duck's bill and laid eggs like a bird or reptile. He had only seen the platypus in pictures, and once at the zoo. Padma, Parvati, Lavendar, Anthony Goldstein, Hannah Abbot, Terry Boot, and Ernie McMallion took their turns. Padma and Ernie managed to drive back the broggart turned demntor, but Parvati, Hannah, Terry, Lavendar, and Anthony failed.

Harry the had everyone take second and third turns. Neville and Parvati managed to drive back the dementor after their fourth try. Those who had succeeded were sent to help train the new members. Seamus, Dean, Lavendar, Terry, and Hannah continued work on the dementor. Seamus did get too close once, and the broggart tried to turn into a banshee, except it still retained the hodded cloak of a dementor. Dean also got too close twice, and each time the broggart tried to turn into a giant hand.

Finally Harry ended the meeting and he cried "Riddikulus!", turning the broggart into a mouse. He then forced the broggart back in the case. "Excellent meeting guys, we'll work with the broggart next meeting, too."

"Harry," called Blaise, "The next Slytherin practise is on Tuesday."

Harry nodded. "Fine. Be here next week on Tuesday evening. See you then and good-night."

Everyone filed out and those who had come up against the broggart turned dementor discussed what had happened.

Chapter Seventeen

At the next D. A. meeting, Terry, Hannah, and Dean were able to drive off the broggart-turned dementor. Blaise and Theodore, who had managed to produce corpeal patronuses, practised against the false dementor. Blaise was able to drive it off by the end of the meeting, but Theodore couldn't.

At the end. Harry said, "Very good. You've all done well. And don't worry, Theodore. It took me a few lessons before I could sucessfully drive off a dementor." He didn't add that he'd been facing a broggart-turned dementor while learning to produce a patronus at the same time.

There was another Quidditch match, this one Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff. Harry attended the match and sat with Luna and Cerissa, who were wearing hats with an eagle on top. Cerissa's eagle would every so often call out, "Go Ravenclaw!" Harry wore a blue rosette, as well as a yellow one. Luna was his girlfriend, so he would support her house team, but he also had friends in Hufflepuff, like Ernie, to consider.

Beth was an excelent cahser and got several goals past the Hufflepuff seeker. After twenty minutes, though, Cho was knocked out with a bluder. A time out was called and when it was over, Beth was assigned to take over for Cho, while a reserve chaser took over for Beth. She flew much better than Cho, maybe because of her broom.

Dean was shouting, "And there goes pretty Miss Longbottom. She is a very fine flyer and is doing an excellent job at seeking as she is as scoring goals." He would have gone on about his praise for Beth, if McGonagall hadn't cut him off and threatened him with detention if he continued in the same way.

After ten minutes, Harry saw a glint of gold by the Hufflepuff goalposts. Beth went speeding for it. Since she had a faster broom than the Hufflepuff seeker, Summerby, she quickly overtook him. And like Ginny had done last year, she snatched the snitch from right in front of his nose. There were cheers from the stands as Dean yelled, "And Miss Longbottom takes the snitch! Ravenclaw wins, 280 points to 70!"

Harry hugged Luna and exclaimed, "I hope she's never seeker when Gryffindor and Ravenclaw have to play against each other! She'd give me some competition and I might actually lose without there having to be dementors on the field."

He then followed his friends down to the pitch. Brian gave Beth a hug, and then Neville did the same. Beth smiled. "It was a great game, even if I had to be seeker for the last ten minutes." She then kissed Neville on the cheek. "I'm off to shower and change. And Neville, I'll see if you can come to the Ravenclaw victory party."

Hlaf an hour later, Beth showed up and said, "Neville, you can come to the party. Just one thing, though. You need to stand away from me by at least five feet. That way you won't hear me whisper the password. Oh, and Harry, you can come, too. Luna got permission for you to be there, too. And you can come also, Brian, since you're my twin. Um, Ron and Hermione, I asked if you could come, but they said that friendship isn't covered. Only close family ties and a love relationship can get you in. Sorry."

Ron and Hermione didn't mind, since it would mean that they would have time alone to themsleves. Harry, Brian, and Neville followed Beth to the Ravenclaw common room. She whispered the password and the portrait of a lady in blue swung open to let them in. Harry saw that the Ravenclaw common room was exactly like the Gryffindor one, except the curtains and coverings were blue, not red, and there were shelves of books on the walls. He grinned, knowing Hermione would have liked the books.

Luna found Harry and the two of them sat down to talk and enjoy the food. The victory party wasn't as loud as the Gryffindor ones. There were plenty of food and drinks like butterbeer, but it wasn't noisy. People congratulated the players and discussed the game. Of course, it might have been because there was no Fred and George equvialent in the Ravenclaws, or because they were more serious.

After two hours, Harry had enough and he and Luna had a walk around the grounds before going back inside for dinner.

I was away on spring break last week. But now I'm back and I'm updating again.

Chapter 17 continued

Harry was practising Occulemency every night, so he was very surprised and worried when he managed to get a dream where he was in Voldemort. He was sleeping when suddenly he saw two Death Eaters crouching in front of him. The hissing voice of Voldemort said, "Sylvia and Severus, have you been making any progress at all with your spying on Hogwarts?"

Sylvia replied, "The Potter boy has managed to become a phoenix. He was sucessful in his animagus transformation. His annoying friends also suceeded. That crazy Lovegood girl, as well as that mudblood, the two blood traitor Weasleys, and my idiot nephew. And my two children also suceeded. But they will be an asset to your side. Potter has no idea that my children are pretending to be friends with him to get close to him."

Snape added, "And the fool Dumbledore let slip that he has a weapon somewhere in Hogwarts, my lord. He did not reveal the exact location, but implied it could be in the catsle itself, or on the grounds, such as in the Forbidden Forest."

"What about Potter's Occulmency lessons?" inquired Voldemort.

"My lord, he is doing poorly," replied Sylvia. "His attempts are pitiful."

"Just as you hoped, my lord," added Snape. "He and his idiotic friends are making very little progress, thanks to the fact that we are teaching him. Only Elizabeth and Brian are making any progress, and that is only because they are Sylvia's children."

"Excellent," replied Voldemort. "The two of you are very faithful and loyal to me. I had my doubts about you, Severus, since it was rumored that you had run away from me. But you have proved that you really are on my side, and that you had failed to show up at my return simply because you were at Hogwarts and the fool Dumbledore was keeping watch too closely for you to slip away to Hogsmeade and Apparate to my side."

"Thank you, my lord," murmered Sylvia and Snape. "We do our best to please you."

Voldemort than dismissed Sylvia and Snape and that was when Harry woke up. He pondered the dream to himself. He did wonder why they had told Voldemort that he was an animagus. But prehaps Dumbledore had ordered the two to tell Voldemort that so he wouldn't get suspicious if they were found lying. After all, Malfoy could find out that Harry was a phoenis and then report it to his father, who would in return tell Voldemort. But Harry did wonder why Sylvia and Snape lied about his Occulmency lessons. It was probable that they wanted to keep that tidbit of news away from Voldmeort to trick him into thinking Harry was weaker. Also, someone like Malfoy couldn't find out the truth.

Harry rubbed his scar, which had now stopped hurting, and then cleared his mind again and went back to the sleep, planning to tell Sylvia about his dream tomorrow. And he would also have to talk with Beth and Brain, to make sure that they really were pretending to Voldemort that they were trying to get close to him to find out secrets.

The next morning, Harry found Brian. "Are you rpetending to Voldemort that you're spying on me? And Beth too?"

Brian was startled. "Yes, how did you know? We didn't tell you, so you wouldn't get nervous. Mum said it was best, so Voldemort wouldn't think we're blood traitors and prehaps go after us. But please don't spread it around."

Neville came over and said, "Sorry to interrupt, but I just want to say that Beth and I have broken up. We realised that we don't really love each other at all. We just like each other. Also, we're first cousins and can't marry. If we were third cousins or something, it wouldn't be a big deal, but first cousinship is a little too close."

Harry nodded thoughfully. "You are right about that, Neville. But how do you feel?"

Neville shrugged. "I'm perfectly fine. Beth and I both agreed to it. It's not like we're not madly in love with each other. We discovered that a couple of days after the Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff match. Padma Patil has expressed an interest in me, and Anthony Goldstein and Beth like each other and are considering dating."

Harry and Brian were extremely surprised by this turn of events. Neville had left the room though, so they couldn't question him further. Harry sighed and told Brian about his dream to explain why he had discovered about Brian and beth. Then Harry went in search about Sylvia, who was quite startled when she heard about the dream.

"I thought you wouldn't get dreams like this now that you've mastered Occulmency. But I suppose you weren't feeling well enough last night to fully block stuff like this. At least the Dark Lord didn't realise you were in his mind. Well, your dream was accurate. Severus and I did report to the Dark Lord last night. And we did lie about your Occulmency abilities. The less he knows about you, the better. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep your animagus abilities a secret. That Draco Malfoy could easily find out and inform his father. So Dumbledore ordered us to tell the Dark Lord about it. As for a weapon, Dumbledore does have one, but it's not in the castle. He fixed things so that it would look as if he really did that let information slip in case our minds were searched."

Harry thanked Sylvia for explaining things to him and then he headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Chapter Eighteen

When Hermione and Ron found out about Harry's dream, they were very interested on what weapon Dumbledore had. So after classes, Harry and his friends went to see Sylvia.

"Sylvia, what weapon is Dumbledore hiding?" asked Hermione.

Sylvia frowned. "I cannot tell you, as I do not know exactly. And futhermore, you are not Order members. You remember that, don't you? Only Order members are allowed to know anything about the weapon beyond the fact that it exists. You eight are allowed to be briefed, but you can't just have access to everything. Even though you are very proficient with Occulemncy, there is still the chance that you will slip and the Dark Lord could read your mind and find out."

Harry looked annoyed. "But I'm the one that has to defeat Voldemort! And that prophecy you made says that my friends will help me with it! So we have a right to know, if it will help us defeat Voldemort!"

"You eight are the weapon!" she exclaimed angrily. Then she turned red. "I mean, your power is the weapon. Do you have any idea what the prophecy means? There is something in the Forbidden Forest. And when the time comes for you defeat Voldemort, you will all gather around it. That is all I will say. I'm sure you can figure out the rest for yourselves. Now please go before I reveal anything more I'm not supposed to."

Hermione interrupted, "But that prophecy also mentioned marriage. Unless it is referring to a different girl with blonde hair, Neville and Beth have to marry, despite the fact that they're first cousins. And they just broke up precisely for that reason."

Neville looked horrified, while Beth exclaimed, "But the real reason we broke up was because we realised we don't like each other in that way!"

Harry asked, "But what other blondes do we know of? Neville can't end up with Parvati, because she has dark hair. And he can't be with Luna, since the prophecy says she'll marry me. Unless Beth is the child born of moonlight."

Brian interrupted, "Sorry, but it's Luna. Beth and I were born at around seven in the morning. And Elizabeth doesn't mean 'moon' or anything related."

Luna nodded. "It has to be me. I was born at around elevn at night, and the moon was out. And my name does mean 'moon'. And Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon."

Ron thought for a minute, then asked, "What about Hannah Abbott? Isn't she a blonde?"

The others looked at him. Ginny snapped, "Don't be silly, Ron. Hannah hasn't expressed any interest in Neville and he hasn't expressed any interest in her. Furthermore, I think Hannah likes Ernie McMillian and they're more likely to end up together."

Sylvia sighed. "Look, it doesn't matter. It would be nice if my nephew became my son-in-law. And being first cousins doesn't mean their children will be deformed or anything. It's only like to happen if they were siblings. And pureblood families have married their first cousins before, so it's not uncommon. But that's not important. The main thing is that you have to defeat Voldemort. We can discuss marriage later. The prophecy probably means that Beth will help defeat Voldemort, but Neville will marry someone else."

The others didn't look very convinced, since the prophecy said that "the girl with blonde hair and the boy with brown hair" would marry. However, they accepted what Sylvia said and left the room. Hermione quickly changed the subject to the weapon.

"I think it's a stone or something. We link hands and put our power in it. Then Harry will use it somehow to defeat Voldemort."

The others agreed that it was the most plausible explaination. Beth and Luna went to the Ravenclaw common room then an the others to the Gryffindor common room. Harry pondered what Sylvia had told them about this weapon.

Chapter Eighteen

Brian suggested going to the Forbidden Forest the next day to look for whatever was being hidden there. Harry gave him a look that suggested he was crazy. Hermione snapped, "Don't be ridiculous. We'd likely run into Grawp. And then there's acromantulas and the centaurs. And the centaurs are not pleased at all to have humans in their forest. The only wizard they'd likely leave alone would be Dumbledore."

Beth nodded in agreement. "What has gotten into you, Brian? You know perfectly well that you can't go around snooping. And Mum said clearly that we'd only go the Forbidden Forest when it was time for us to defeat Voldemort. Or least gather around the weapon there."

Neville interrupted, "Couldn't we ask Hagrid about whatever is in the Forest?"

Ginny shook her head. "Hagrid isn't very good at keeping secrets. He could let something slip. So I don't think Dumbledore told him anything, except that there is a weapon. Dumbledore probably figured out that we might question Hagird, so decided to leave Hagird int eh dark about a weapon."

Ron insisted that they should at least ask, just in case Hagrid did know something. But when they went to Hagrid's Hut, their visit was disappointing.

"Didn't Sylvia tell you guys anythin'?" asked Hagrid. "Anyway, all you need *** know 'bout a weapon is that it involves yer power. All eight of yeh."

Luna replied, "We know that, Hagrid. Professor Longbottom told us. But she also said that there was something in the-"

"Forbidden Forest, I know," said Hagird. "The centaurs are guardin'-I shouldn't have told yeh that."

Harry was very surprised. "The centaurs? Why would they be guarding something? Are they are on our side?"

Beth answered that question. "Didn't you know that, Harry? The centaurs are most definitely not on Voldemort's side. They're not on the Ministry's side either, especially after meeting that horrid Umbridge woman. But they are on Dumbledore's side. He is a very fair wizard and treats centaurs as equals. Or rather, as superiors. Their knowledge does surpass humans in certain areas. Mum told me that Dumbledore spoke with the centaurs and got them to ally with the Order. I forgot to tell you about it earlier."

The others were very pleased with that piece of news. "We can use all the allies we can get," remarked Hermione.

Brian then said, "We're trying to get the goblins over to our side, They're not with Voldemort, since he did do some things against the goblins into he last war. But all those goblin rebellions and rumors that Fudge was baking goblins in pies are making the goblins think twice about being a part of the war. And apparently Fudge did bake one goblin in a pie once, so the stuff The Quibbler printed on it had some truth. But the goblins know Dumbledore is fair, so Bill did persuade a few over to our side."

Harry remembered that Bill had gotten a desk job at Gringotts and was trying to get the goblins to join Dumbledore. Apparently he had succeeded in getting a few over. Hagird offered them some tea, which they accepted, but they all refused his rock cakes. When they had finished their tea, they bid Hagird good-bye and left his house.

Chapter 18 continued

The next day, Harry stopped to visit Sylvia. She had a theory that prehaps he had been doing a form of Legimency on Voldemort's mind, which had allowed him to have the dream. Harry wanted to test it to see if her theory was true. When he entered the office, he saw Sylvia and Snape there, looking very agitated.

"What's the matter, Professor Longbottom?" he asked. While his relationship with Snape had improved, Harry still didn't feel very comfortable asking Snape things.

Sylvia turned. "Just a bit trouble with the goblins. Nothing very serious."

Snape snapped, "Stop trying to downplay things so Potter wouldn't get nervous! Black may have asked you to take over as Harry's godmother, but that doesn't mean you should protect him from everything that is going on!"

Harry was very annoyed when he heard this and was glad that Snape had spoken up. Sylvia sighed. "If you must now, the majority of goblins have decided not to get involved in the war. If the Death Eaters attack them, they will obviously fight back and defend themselves. But they won't help the Order, except for the dozen or so Bill managed to persuade over to our side. The rest will remain neutral unless attacked."

"What!" exclaimed Harry. He hadn't expected this to happen. He had assumed that Bill would convince all the goblins to side with the Order, like the centaurs had done.

Snape replied, "It is very terrible. It would have been nice to have them on our side. Well, at least we have the centaurs, and half the werewolves on our side. Lupin managed to persuade a number of people with his condition to join the Order. Considering that the Dark Lord isn't very tolerant of halfbreeds, they obviously will join. But of course, the werewolves refuse to have anything to do with the Ministry."

Harry knew why that was the case. The Ministry weren't very tolerant of halfbreeds, and Umbridge has forced through a law making it practically impossible for werewolves to get jobs. Of course, the law had been repealed when Umbridge had been found out, but that didn't make everything right.

Sylvia put in, "Well, our next project are the vampires. Since we've failed with the goblins, we'll have to get other allies. I hope the vampires join the Order, though they aren't particularly fond of the Ministry, either. But the Order isn't the Ministry, and the members are much more tolerant."

"Who is going to talk with them, Professor?" asked Harry.

Snape replied, "An Order member who just so happens to be a vampire, of course. And I may go along with him occasionally. Of course, I'm not a vampire myself, though there have rumors to the contrary. But I do happen to be related to the member."

Harry was extremely curious, but Sylvia said, "No more questions. And we're not going to tell you about our vampire member or anything. He prefers to introduce himself to you someday. Now, why are you-oh, right, to test out my little theory. Could we please do it some other night? Severus and I are too preoccupied to do it. And we'll have to see the Dark Lord tonight and report to him about the goblins not joining us."

"But why tell him? Shouldn't you want Voldemort to think you have the goblins on our side? It would make him think-"

"Albus told us to tell him," interrupted Snape, somewhat annoyed. "The Dark Lord think we are spying for him, and he has to be given some accurate information so he won't become suspicious of us. And we have no intention of him questioning our loyalty. If the Dark Lord even suspected that we were double agents, he'd torture us likely kill us."

Harry gasped. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking, Professor Snape."

Sylvia gave him a wry smile. 'We know. But next time think first. Now please go. Good-night, Harry."

Harry nodded, bid Snape and Sylvia good-night, and left the office. In the common room, he told his friends about most of the goblins refusing to join the Order. he also told him that the Order were trying next to get the vampires on their side and that half the werewolves had sided with the Order.

Hermione was very upset when she heard about the goblins. "I can't vbelieve it! Why would they refuse to ally themsleves with the Order? It's not the Ministry. And ever since Fudge has been ousted from office, Minister Weasley has been offering the hand of friendship to goblins and making up for past wrongs. "

Ron shook his head. "Dad's wonderful, but what he's doing can't just make up for hundreds of years. Fudge did bake one goblin in a pie. And even though I've nevr paid much attention to Binns, I know there have a few goblin rebellions. Goblins aren't just going to suddenly embrace wizardkind and fight by their side."

Harry nodded, half surprised. Ron had slowly become a little more tactful and knowledgeable about things. Apparently dating Hermione was responsible for his change. Ginny said brightly, "Well, at least some of the goblins are on our side. And we've got a number of werwolves. And a few vampires are going to join us. This vampire member of the Order would have to be able to persuade at least a few to join us, just like Bill was able to convince a few goblins to side with us."

The others nodded at that and Hermione looked a little more cheerful. Even though he wasn't religious or anything, Harry sent up a prayer that the Order member would suceed in getting most of the vampires on thier side. It helped that Voldemort wasn't that tolerant of half-breeds, even if he decided to set that aside just to gain more soldiers for the dark side.

Author's Note: The half-blood prince will be revealed in this chapter. See if you can figure out who he his and what his name is before you read. You will have heard his name before. And maybe you wil have heard of the person in an earlier post.

Chapter Nineteen

Harry went to see Sylvia again the next evening. He was about to knock and enter when he heard voices. Something made him stop and pull out an Extendable Ear. A minute later, he heard Snape and Sylvia talking. "Well, the Dark Lord was pleased that the Order failed to win all the goblins over, Severus. But we haven't told him about the project with the vampires. He doesn't need to know that yet. Now, did you just tell me that Prince Felix Felicis left today for his mission?"

Snape replied, "Yes, Sylvia. Felix is going to Cambridge. He knows some people there. he won't mention the Order by name, but he will tell them that there is a group fighting against the Dark Lord and isn't the Ministry. We hope he will win them over quickly and he can head onto Oxford. There's a few living near that Muggle college."

Harry guessed that they were talking about the mission to recruit vampires, even though neither Snape and Sylvia had mentioned vampires at all. He also guessed that this "Prince Felix" had to be the Order member that was a vampire.

Sylvia asked, "How did your second cousin twice removed even get the title of prince, Severus? You never told me. And neither Dumbledore or he told me."

Snape replied, "Some member of his family long ago was a prince. He fell in love with a witch and took her as his mistress. When he found out she was a witch, he left her and was about to have her burned. The witch Obliviated him, so that's why he didn't have her burned. Then she had a son. Of course, he would never be acknowledged, but he still was a prince, because of his father. Rumor was the prince considered acknowledging his son, simply because his wife couldn't have one of her own. But in the end, it never happened. And it went on until Felix has the title. He would be considered a halfblood, because of that Muggle several times-great-grandfather of his and the fact he is a vampire. He got bitten by one when he was thirty or so."

That's when Harry realised this Prince Felix was a half-blood prince. This information made him wonder if Felix had any importance at all, besides trying to win the vampires over. Suddenly, Sylvia asked, "What is that brown thing?" Harry quicly gave a tug on the string. With a crack, the Ear returned to him. He quickly ran down the hall, stuffing the Extenable Ear into his pocket at the same time, praying he wouldn't be caught. He turned the corner and stopped. A second later, he heard the faint voice of Snape say, "There's nobody here. I thought for a minute Potter or one of his friends was using those cursed Ears the Weasley twins invented to spy on us."

There was the sound of a dorr being shut and Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room. "Meet me in the Room of Requirement," he hissed to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Brian. Then he ran out toward the Ravenclaw common room. The first Ravenclaw he ran into was Cho Chang. "Cho!" he gasoped. "Could you go in and get Luna Lovegood for me? I have to talk with her."

Cho gave him a cold look. "And why do you need to see Luna? Or should I say Loony? I know you are dating her. It's not much of a secret. But have you taken to dragging her off to a broom closet or the Astronomy Tower for a good snog."

Harry simply gave Cho a disgusted look. "First of all, it's none of your business, Cho. Second, I have not. Third, her name is Luna. Stop calling her Loony. And fourth, I'm not talking with just her. My other friends will be there. So get Luna. And Beth, too."

Cho sighed. "Fine, Harry. I'll get them." She went inside the protrait hole. A few minutes later, Luna came out, looking puzzled. Her radish earring were swinging and she was fiddling with her butterbeer caps necklace. Beth followed her, also looking a puzzled.

Harry reached out his hand. "Good, your here. Come with me. I need to talk with you and our other friends, Luna."

They soon arrived at the Room of Requirement. The others were already there. Harry paced back and fourth three times, thinking, I need a private place to talk with my friends. A door appeared and he seized the handle and opened it. As soon as the six of them were inside, he shut the door. There was snap and the door locked.

They all sat down on squashy armchairs around a table. Harry proceeded to tell the others about the conversation he had overheard. Hermione looked annoyed that he had been eavesdropping, but didn't scold him or anything. The others were very interested.

"So this Felix Felis-Feli, whatever, is the vampire Order member!" exclaimed Ron.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, Snape did say that Prince Felix was bitten at around the age of thirty and that he's halfblood because of the vampire thing."

Neville said, "And so he's some sort of half-blood prince? Wonder what signifigance he has."

Beth and Brian exchanged looks and began chattering away in French. Luna put a hand on Beth. "English, please. Not all of us here understand French."

"Pardon, "apoligised Beth. "Brian et moi, I mean, Brain and me were just talking about this Prince Felix." Harry suddenly remembered that this Prince Felix was related to Snape. He quickly got up and went looking for the copy on Snape's family tree. He returned ten minutes later with the book and began flipping through it.

"Yes, a Matilda Snape married a Francis Felicis. This Francis Felicis is listed as having been born in 1872. Below it is an inked-out spot. Hermione?" Hermione tapped her wand at the spot and managed to remove some of the ink. Harry could faintly make out the letters f, e, and x. "It seems this Felix person was disowned for some reason. Probably because he became a vampire. But it's not his fault. I don't think he actually wanted to be bitten by a vampire, anymore than Remus wanted to be bitten by a werewolf."

Ginny was peering at the page. "But they didn't quite wipe out the date of birth. It says he was born in 1903. And didn't you say that Prince Felix was Snape's second cousin twice removed?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, see, Matilda Snape was first cousin to Snape's great-grandfather. And that makes Prince Felix second cousin to Snape's grandfather. Snape's father would be once removed, and Snape would be twice. Well, this Prince Felix is certainly old. Though he's still fifty years younger than Dumbledore. Isn't he like a hundred forty or something?"

Hermione nodded. "That's true. Let's see, Snape was born in 1966. His father was born in 1938. And Snape's grandfather was born in 1909. It makes logical sense."

Harry then remembered Sylvia telling him that the vampire member wanted to introduce himself to Harry. "it looks like we'll be meeting this Prince Felix soon. Sylvia did say that he wanted to introduce himself, not have others tell me his name."

The others were interested by this. It was getting late then. So they all had to leave, but they did wonder about Prince Felix Felicis, the half-blood prince.

Chapter 19 continued

The next evening, Harry went to see Sylvia again. She was alone in her office, so they were able to test out her theory that Harry was prehaps doing Legimency. As it turned out, Harry was able to get into Sylvia's mind, though it was only for a few seconds. The second time he did it, she reflexively used Occulmency and tossed Harry out of her mind. The third time, he got what he knew to be a fake memory, since it showed Sylvia and Snape talking, but about how the goblins were eager to side with the Order.

After the session, Sylvia said, "Well, it looks like you do have some skills of Legimency, even though it isn't very developed. I'll have a talk with Dumbledore and see if you need to be taught in this area. It wouldn't hurt for you learn this properly. Do you have any questions?"

"Yes, could you tell me about Pr-uh, the vampire Order member?" asked Harry.

Sylvia eyes narrowed. "What were you going to say, Harry? Prince Felix?"

Harry quickly said, "Hah! I tricked you into revealing the name of the Order member!"

Sylvia looked chargrined. "So you really didn't know? You just tricked me into revealing his name? I can't believe you, Harry James Potter!" Then she lloked suspiciously at Harry and began gently probing his mind. Harry didn't realise it at first, but when he did, he quickly threw her out of his mind.

Sylvia got up from the floor and picked up her wand, since Harry had just disarmed her. "Enough, Harry. I know for a fact that you were eavesdropping last night. I saw you holding an Extenable Ear. I didn't see the rest fo the memory, since you blocked me out. Really, I can't believe you. Felix wanted to introduce himself!"

Harry looked a trifle ashamed. "Sorry, I was curious. But this way, I know who he is, but you haven't broken your promise to him."

Sylvia began laughing. "True. And I was once young and would have done something similar. I suppose I can't blame you. I won't tell Severus as he would be exceedingly annoyed with you. Now, please don't make any slips again. Next month, Felix will visit Hogsmeade, to talk with the vampires who live in or visit the area. He'll drop by Hogwarts and see you and your friends."

Harry looked delighted with the news. As Halloween was in two days, that meant Felix would show up in November. Of course, recalling that Felix was in Cambridge and had to go to Oxford after, it would likely be toward the end of November when he showed up at Hogwarts. Still, it wouldn't be too far away.

Snape came in and said, "Sylvia, I've got to go and see how Fe-" He then saw Harry and said, "Dumbledore would like me to see how my cousin is doing and help him if necessary tonight. I'll be going to Hogsmeade and Apparating over to where he is. And don't worry, I'll be careful. I have no intention of becoming a vampire, even though I can't be disowned, since I'm the last Snape, unless you have a child."

Sylvia looked a trifle amused. "And that is not happening until the Dark Lord is defeated. I'm not about to be pregnant and be a Death Eater at the same time. Severus, do be careful. Though I know your cousins will try to prevent you from being bitten by a vampire."

Snape smiled tenderly at her, gave Harry a somewhat curt nod, and with a swish of his robes, left the room. Sylvia turned to Harry. "Well, there is nothing more tonight. Harry, it seems to me that you'll defeat the Dark Lord in your seventh year. I hope it does happen. Snape needs a son or daughter of his own. Step-children aren't quite the same. I'll be thirty-eight then, so will be quite capable in giving Brian and Beth a half-sibling. But if the war drags on too long, then I won't be able to. And I just love babies."

Harry didn't know quite what to say to this. Finally he said, "I'll try, Sylvia. Voldemort is evil and I have to stop him. Good-night." Sylvia nodded and he left the room.

Chapter twenty

Two days later, it was Halloween. There was a feast, and Dumbledore encouraged students to dress up in costumes. The younger students, mostly first and second years, did so. Very few of the older students did, except Ron, who thought it would be fun, Luna and her friend Cerissa, and Harry, who did it because Ron and Luna asked him to.

Cerissa was wearing a very gorgeous looking pale blue gown and had done up her hair. She looked a great deal like the Disney version of Cinderella, which was what she dressed up as. Luna was wearing some strange outfit that she said was the Crumple-horned snorkack. Harry stifled his laughter when he sw the costume, since he didn't want to hurt Luna's feelings. He himself was wearing a black suit, a black and red cape, and had used powder to make his face pale. He attached false fangs, though he took them off when speaking and eating. Luna told him he did look like the Muggle idea oif a vampire.

Ron had talked Hermione into also wearing a costume and two of them were dressed as Aladdin and Jasmine. Hermione had explained the Muggle story to him, the Disney version anyway. Jasmine was her favorite princess, since she wasn't the typical damsel-in-distress and had taken charge and did things on her own. Hermione didn't care much for the fairy-tale princesses like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, for they just went into deep sleeps and waited for a prince to come and rescue them.

The feast that evening was excellent. Toward the end, Dumbledore got up. He was dressed as Gandalf, from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by the Squib writer, J.R.R. Tolkien. "I trust you had a enjoyable evening. Now, prizes shall be awarded for those who wore costumes today. Most unusual costume goes to Miss Luna Lovegood, for dressing up as a crumple-horned snorkack. Best girl costume goes to Miss Cerissa White, for costume of Cinderella. Best boy costume goes to Dennis Creevy, for his costume as an alien."

Dumbledore continued until he ended with, "And the best couples costume goes to Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Ronald Weasley for their costumes fo Aladdin and Jasmine." All winners were given a choclate trophy and a certificate for five galleons worth of products from either Flourish and Blotts, Honeydukes, or Weasley Wizard's Wheezes.

The feast ended then and Harry saw Luna to the Ravenclaw common room. "Congrats on wining a prize," said Harry, "Luna, your costume certainly was unusual."

Luna smiled serenely. "Of course. the crumple-horned snorkakc is an unusual creature." She kissed Harry on the cheek and went inside the portrait hole. Harry smiled at her, then turned to see Neville wishing Beth good night. He quickly went on his way to give the two some privacy, thinking about the wonderful and fun evening. For once, Halloween had been very pleasant for him. The only other time that nothing really bad had happened was in his fourth year, with the Triwizard Tournament starting.

Chapter 20 continued

The next day was disaster for Harry. He couldn't concentrate in Potions class and ended up ruining his Potion. After being told off by Snape and given a zero for the day, he lost his temper. "Why must you act like this, Professor? I'm simply having a terrible day! Everyone gets them. So just leave me-"

"Enough, Potter!" snapped Snape. "Sit down immediately and control yourself." He then turned and went back to his desk. A number of students were surprised that he hadn't aken any points from Gryffindor or given Harry a detention for his outburst. When class ended, Snape called Harry back.

"What is the matter with you, Potter? When have you begun losing your temper and not concentrated in class? Or is the Dark Lord controlling your feelings again?" Snape looked very concerned and led Harry into his office. He called Sylvia in via the Floo network and explained what had happened.

Sylvia was as concerned as Snape. "Harry, are you all right? Did that Halloween feast last night affect you somehow?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I was thinking about both the prophecies in class. The one Trelawnely made and the one you made. I wasn't sure if I could defeat Voldemort, even if your prophecy said I would with the help of my friends. Then I began thinking of the weapon you mentioned, plus about meeting this vampire Order member. Since I wasn't paying attention, I added the wrong ingredient to my potion. After Sn-Professor Snape had to tell me off, I suddenly got angry."

Just then, they were interrupted by Ron. "Is Harry all right?" Snape looked very annoyed.

"Yes, Potter is! Now could you please leave? This is a private meeting, Weasley. Honestly, can you go without butting in on every meeting involving Harry?"

Sylvia put her arm on Snape. "Enough. Ron, please leave. This meeting is none of your concern. And tell Hermione that Harry is all right." Ron nodded and left.

She then turned her attention back to Harry. "Prehaps through your connection with the Dark Lord, you were able to experience some of his anger. I-" She suddenly broke off and clutched her arm. Snape was clutching his arm, too.

"Do you have another Death Eater meeting?" asked Harry, guessing what was going on.

Snape nodded curtly. "You may go, Potter. Tell Dumbledore that we are goijg to Hogsmeade so we can Apparate to the Dark Lord's side."

Harry left the office, and found Ron and Hermione waiting in the hall. Neville and Brian had already gone on to lunch. Harry felt a bit exasperated at seeing his friends, but said shortly, "I'm fine. Sylvia thinks that maybe I just felt some of Voldemort's anger through my link with him. Now she and Snape are going to Hogsmeade. They just got called in for Death Eater meeting. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to see to Dumbledore."

Hermione and Ron exchanged startled looks as Harry stride quickly down the hall. He had never been this short to them since the school term had started. Harry arrived at the gargoyle and said shortly, "Skivving Snackboxes." The statue moved to one side and Harry entered to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was busy reading a scroll. He looked up when Harry entered.

"What is it, Harry?" he asked. Harry told him that Snape and Sylvia had summons to a meeting. "Oh, thank you for telling me, Harry. You may go to lunch. Which reminds me, I should go down and have some lunch, too. I must confess that I've been reading and lost track of time." he followed Harry downstairs and into the Great Hall.

During lunch, Ron and Hermione tried to talk with him, but Harry asn't intersted. After awhile, he got annoyed with their questions and went to the Ravenclaw table. The Ravenclaws were very suprised, but nodded at him and let him join them. He took a seat between Beth and Luna. Luna broke off from the conversation she was having with her friends Cressida and Teresa Mills over Crumple-horned Snorkacks.

"Is anything the matter, Harry?" Beth also looked concerned and echoed Luna's question.

"Nothing much," replied Harry shortly. "Beth, could you leave us alone for bit. I only feel like talking with Luna at the moment."

Beth raised her brow, but nodded. "Sure, Harry. I'll go join Ginny." She got up and went to the Gryffindor table.

Harry then told Luna about his losing his temper during Potions. Luna patted him on the shoulder. "Now, everyone loses their temper occasionally. Ginny told me that you lost your temper constanly last year, Harry. It's no big deal."

"But I haven't lost my temper at since the school term started!" he exclaimed. "And now it happens the day after Halloween."

"Now, now, Harry. As I said, it's not a big deal. Eventually you would have to lose your temper. I've lost my temper before."

Harry raised his brow at that, since Luna always was serene, except when her beliefs were challenged. And even then, she looked affronted, but didn't blow up at anyone. Luna laughed. "I know it seems a surprise. But even I can't be serene all the time. One of my dormmates got on my nerves. She insulted Daddy and The Quibbler and kept teasing me. Finally I go very angry and yelled at her for a few minutes. Then Cressida and Teresa told the girl to leave me alone or they'd hex me. That was the only time I lost my temper, though. Well, except for the time I was four or five and threw a tantrum because I couldn't get something I wanted."

Harry felt a little better after his talk with Luna. He finished his lunch, gave her a kiss on the cheek, then walked her to her Herbology class.

Chapter 21

The next day, Harry found out what had happened at the Death Eater meeting. Voldemort had finally caught up with Igor Karkoff and was very mad that he had been cowardly enough to run away and try to leave the ranks forever. While he was happy to have caught Karkoff, Voldemort was angry enough at his running way to account for Harry's anger during Potions class. Harry began pressing Sylvia for details.

"Are you sure that you wish to know, Harry? It wasn't very pleasant. Suffice it so say that the Dark Lord was most displeased. And when's he's not happy, he is quite liberal in his use of the Unforgiveables for punishment. Karkoff pleaded for his punishment to stop and claimed he had information. So the Dark Lord stopped the Cruciatus Curse long enough for Karkoff to speak."

Snape continued bitterly, "Then he went on to say that I was a traitor and spy. That I was double agent and working for Dumbledore. Fortunately the Dark Lord did not believe him, as he preformed Legimency on my mind and all he saw was my faithfulness to him. If he had, suffice it so say I would have ended up like Karkoff."

Sylvia sighed. "And that would mean death. The Dark Lord resumed the curse, and plans to kill him tomorrow at another meeting. Karkoff will be made an example of."

Harry shuddered. "I don't like Karkoff, but I wouldn't wish him tortured and dead."

Snape said slowly, "Dumbledore intends to free him, so the Dark Lord won't be able to kill him. But we have no idea if it can be done. Sylvia and I are the only ones in the Order that have access to Karkoff. And it would be difficult for us to free him."

"Severus is right. Currently he's being guarded by Wormtail, Crabbe, Goyle, and Rookwood. Now, Crabbe and Goyle are something of idiots and coud easily be taken out. But Wormtail and Rookwood could cause difficulties."

Harry had to pause a minute before realizing that Sylvia was referring to the Crabbe and Goyle seniors, not their sons who were at Hogwarts. Snape continued, "And if those four guards realized that we were the ones freeing Karkoff, they'd report it to the Dark Lord right away. Our status as spies would be discovered and we'd be dead."

"Not unless we didn't show up for the meeting and stayed ith Dumbledore," pointed out Sylvia. "But you are perfectly right, Severus. We'd be in trouble. But I suppose we could lead some of the Order members to where Karkoff is and let them rescue him."

Harry interrupted, "And would that get Karkoff on your side? I know he turned in Death Eaters to escape being sent to Azkaban himself. But that was just to save his own skin. Would he be grateful for being rescued and willingly help the Order?"

Sylvia snorted. "Not bloodly likely. He almost turned me in. Luckily, he didn't know my last name, so the only name he could give the Ministry was Sylvia. And when he was arrested, I was in France with Beth and Brian. And he couldn't really describe me, either, since I was always wearing the Death Eater cloaks and masks when I was around him. All he tell the Ministry was that he thought I had dark blonde or light brown hair."

Harry then rememberd the memory he had seen in Dumbledore's Pensieve. "Didn't he try to turn in Professor Snape?"

Snape nodded. "Fortunately for me, Dumbledore attested to the fact that I was now on his side and no longer a Death Eater. I was able to explain to the Dark Lord that I had tricked Dumbledore into thinking I was on his side so I could remain free and be ready whenever the Dark Lord returned. Otherwise I might have been killed as a traitor."

Harry winced. Snape wasn't one of his favorite people on Earth, but he did respect him somewhat and understood why he was so dour and rumored to be a vampire. Harry had no wish for Snape to die or anything. The only people he wanted dead were Voldemort, Wormtail, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Umbridge. And possibly Lucius Malfoy, though Harry was satisfied with him being in Azkaban for the moment.

Fawkes suddenly appeared and dropped a letter. Harry saw the name Felix on the return address before Snape picked it up. After a few minutes, Snape said, "Fe-uh, the vampire member, would like me to visit tonight. He had convinced two vampires to join the Order, but there is still one or two that are reluctant to do so. He would like me to help him talk with them before he leaves for Oxford the day after tomorrow."

Snape left the room in a swirl of robes. Harry ended his talk with Sylvia and returned to the common room. He did report what had happened with his friends, and Ron and Hermione were relieved that he was back to normal and not being so brusque with them.

Chapter 21 continued

The next day, Harry went to see Professor Dumbledore, but he was not in his office. He checked again after dinner and saw that he was finally back, with Madam Pomfrey bending over an unconcious Karkoff. "How did you rescue him?" asked a shocked Harry.

"Sylvia told me where he was being guarded. Shacklebolt and Emmeline Vance disable the guards. Then Tonks and Dedalus freed Karkoff. I and Hestia Jones stood by as guard. The others left and I then transported him to Hogwarts. The meeting is going on now and daresay Riddle is most displeased to find him gone."

That was an understatement, for Harry suddenly felt a surge of anger. He quickly preformed Occulmency and was able to block the anger out. Madam Pomfrey looked at Harry for a moment, then turned back to Karkoff. "He has certianly suffered. That horrid curse was cast on him at least a dozen time. I'll see him to the Hospital Wing and tend to him there, Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbeldore nodded and Madam Pomfrey carefuly levitated Karkoff out of the room. "Harry, could you please leave now? I have some duties to tend to. Why don't you go down to Sylvia's office and wait for her and Severus' return? Or go spend some time with your friends." Harry nodded and went to the Ravenclaw common room.

Padma Patil happened to be at the protrait hole and just before she went inside, he told her to get Luna. A few minutes later, Luna and her friend Teresa Mills came out. Teresa said, "Harry, could you return Luna in an hour? We were busy working. It is our O.W.L. year after all. And we certainly don't want to get Poors and Dreadfuls on our O.W.L.s."

Harry said he would and then took Luna to the Room of Requirement. They room provided them with a soft couch, two squashy armchairs, and a round table with a tray of tea, scones, and buscuits. The two of them had some tea and scones and discussed eveything, from "shoes and ships and sealing wax to cabbages and kings." When the hour was almost up, Harry took Luna to the couch, where they shared a kiss. After a few delightful kisses, they got up and Harry saw Luna to her common room.

After that, he went to Sylvia's office with his Potions book. He had been reading for half an hour when Sylvia and Snape returned, looking pale and wan. "The Dark Lord was furioua," gasped Sylvia. "He raged over Karkoff's disappearance. Then he tortured Rookwood and Wormtail as punishment for letting him escape. Crabbe and Goyle were merely put on the curse once, since it seems that Rookwood accidentally knocked them out when fighting back."

Snape said quickly, "Don't speak, darling. Anyway, the Dark Lord was so furious that he worked it out by torturing a few others who had nothing to do with it. Sylvia was one of them. I almost lost control of myself and attacked the Dark Lord for it. If Sylvia hadn't shook her head at me just before she was tortured, I probably would have."

Harry gave a gasp. "That's terrible! I can't believe that could happen. I did feel Voldemort's anger before I closed my mind from him, but I didn't expect this."

Snape ignored him as he went to a cupboard and took out a bottle of potion. Sylvia shook her head weaky and gave Harry was wan smile. "It's all right," she whispered. Snape hurried over to her side and said, "Drink this. It'll bring some of your strength back, Sylvia, dear."

The potion began working and a few minutes later, Sylvia's color and strength returned. "It was agonizing having to see you like that." muttered Snape. "I don't care much about most people, but I definitely care for you. I was afraid that the Dark Lord might be mad enough to kill you, Sylvia. It took all of my willpower to stay where I was and not show my concern for you."

Sylvia smiled at him. "It is nice to have a man who loves you and shows concern." She got up from her chair and pulled Snape into her arms. The two didnt seem to remember Harry was in the room, for they began kissing. Harry turned red and quickly excused himself from the room. Once in the Gryffindor common room, he told his friends that Karkoff had been rescued. He also told them Voldemort had been furious about it and had tortured the guards. He didn't mention Sylvia, though. The others were sure to be concerned and he didn't want to worry Brian.

Chapter 21 continued

Harry slipped out to the grounds next Saturday. When he reached the Forbidden Forest, he concentrated and soon turned into a phoenix. A few minutes later, a luna moth joined him. The two flew around on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. They didn't go deep inside the forest so they wouldn't run into Grawp or attract the attemtion of the centaurs. After half an hour, they flew out the forest and landed on the grass. A minute later, there was a tiny pop and the phoenix and moth transformed back into Harry and Luna.

"That was fun," said Luna. "I've always wanted to fly. That's how I broke my ankle. I climbed up the old maple tree in our yard and jumped off, hoping to fly. Unfortunately, my magic did not manifest then, so tumbled to the ground and broke my ankle."

Harry smiled. "I've thought about flying, too. I once had a dream about a flying motorcycle. Later I discovered that my godfather had a flying motorcycle and that Hagrid brought me to the Dursleys on it. So my dream was really based on a memory."

Luna pulled out her wand and conjured up a blanket for them to sit on. They admired the star-lit sky until Harry noticed that it was a ful moon. "Poor Pro-I mean, Remus."

Luna gave him a questioning look, then saw the moon. "Oh! I see what you mean, Harry. So he'll be turning into a werewolf tonight. But it won't be too bad for him. There's the Wolfsbane Potion. I'm sure Professor Snape made him a cauldron of it."

Harry nodded. "True. So he won't be screaming and hurting himself like he did when he was a student at Hogwarts. But I still feel sorry for him. I wish there were a cure."

Luna sighed. "Prehaps someday there will be a cure of lythcantropy and Professor Lupin will stop suffering. Mum was thinking about making a cure for it. She never got the chance to. Maybe I'll take over that dream of hers someday. When I graduate, we can work on a cure for lythcantropy, Harry."

Harry smiled back at her, "You always manage to make me hopeful or happy, Luna." he bent over and kissed her. This sent a burst of passion through him until Luna broke away.

"Calm down, Harry," whispered Luna. "I love you, but we can't go any further than kissing. This moonlight night is affecting me, too, but we have to be sensible."

Harry was brought back to earth by this. "You're right, Luna. We're not married and I don't want my passion to make me do something I could end up regreting. We'll save the wedding night for when we are married." He kissed her again, but this time broke it off after a minute.

Luna got up. "This blanket will disappear soon. Let's head back to the castle. It's getting late, and I don't want Filch saying we're out after hours and spoiling our wonderful evening."

Harry nodded and walked Luna back to the castle. Outside the Ravenclaw common room, Harry kissed Luna good-night. When Luna had gone inside, Harry slowly walked back to the Gryffindor common room, He had really enjoyed the evening.

Chapter 22

In the common room, Ron and Hermione walked in. Harry saw that hermione's bushy hair was mussed and he supected that the two had just had a good snog session somewhere. Harry didnt comment though. He just smiled and after a few minutes headed to bed. The next day, a Quidditch practice was held. Everyone felw very well nd did a great job, even the reserves. Jared had improved so much that he was almost as good as Neville and Brain.

On Monday, a very quiet girl approached Harry. She had a Slytherin badge on her robes and Harry vaguely recalled that she was in his year. Hermione whispered, "She's Daphne Greengrass," and slipped away.

Daphne looked at Harry. "I'm Daphne Greengrass. You probably don't know me, since I'm quiet and don't mix very much with the other Slytherins. Especially not with Pansy and Millicent. I stick to myself and read a lot. However, I do spend some time with Blaise and he told me about this defense group of yours. I've finally decided that I want to join. My parents will probably be furious, but I don't think like them, even if I am in Slytherin."

Harry smiled and welcomed Daphne into the D.A. "The next meeting is on Thursday. I'll see you then." As he walked away, he realized that Daphne was sort of like the male version of Theodore. Theodore was a loner, though he had sometimes hung around Malfoy and his two thugs. Daphne was a loner, too, though she had said that she did sometimes spend time with Blaise. Recalling that Blaise also liked to read and was quiet, the two were perfect for each other. Then Harry recalled that Daphne had blushed when she had mentioned spending time with Blaise. harry suspected that she liked Blaise and might even be going out with him.

Ron interrupted his thoughts to ask why Daphne had talked with him. Harry replied, "Oh Daphne just wanted to tell me that Blaise had told her about the D.A. and that she'd finally made up her mind to join."

Hermione nodded. "She's very quiet. She's in my Arithmacy class. Daphne does volunteer answers sometimes, and I know she's smart. But she sticks to herself. Excpet where Blaise is concerned. I've heard that she does enjoy being with him."

Harry replied, "I supsect so. She did blush when she mentioned Blaise." Hermione nodded, then gasped.

"Come on! We'll be late for Defense if we don't hurry up!" The trio, plus Neville, looked at hermione, then hurried after her to the Defense classroom.

Chapter 22 continued

Halfway through November, a man showed up at dinnertime. He had glistening golden hair, pale blue eyes, pale skin, and very red lips. He was dressed in swishing balck robes and had on a black cloak over the robes. For some reason, Harry kept thinking of the cloak as a cape, until he realized that the man was probably Prince Felix Felicis.

Harry kept glancing at the staff tbale. Prince Felix was sitting between Dumbledore and Snape. He didn't eat anything except for a red lollipop Harry suspected was a a blood-flavored one. Prince Felix would also drink out of a goblet of pumpkin juice. Harry's friends also noticed the man. Hermione raised a brow. "He's not eating anything except for that lollipop. You dont suppose he's the half-blood prince? Prince Felix Felicis?"

Ginny replied, "I would guess he is Prince Felix. Sylvia did say he was going to visit sometime this month."

Ron looked up. "Why do I get the feeling that he's eating a blood-flavored lollipop?" Then he answered his own question. "Silly of me. Of course he would, if he is Prince Felix."

After dinner, Prince Felix came over to the octet. "Good evening. I am Felix Felicis. I have been told about you all be the other Order members. First, I am vampire. I am also a half-blood prince, because of some ancestor of mine vas the illegimate child of a Muggle prince."

Brian said, "Oh, we know about you already, Prince Felix."

Prince Felix's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know? Did your mother tell you about me?"

Harry said hastily, "Actually, I overheard Sylvia and Snape talking about you. Then I told the others. I know you wanted to introduce yourself to us."

Prince Felix gave a sigh. "It is all right. At least Sylvia did not break her promise to me. Do not be alarmed. I vill not drink your blood for it." He gave a small chuckle at his joke.

Luna looked at him interestedly. "How did you become a vampire, Prince Felix?"

Beth nudged her. "Luna! That wasn't a very tactful question!"

Prince Felix laughed. "Oh, it's all right, Miss Longbottom. I do not mind Miss Lovegood's question. I was bitten by a vampire when I was around thirty or so. More than once, in fact. Then he punctured himself accidentally, so that our blood mingled. And after that, I became a vampire. If he had just bitten me, then I would not have become a vampire. The way to become one is not the same as the way to become a werewolf. You would need a drop of the vampire's blood to mingle with some your own blood."

Hermione looked very interested. "Is there anything else you can tell us about vampires? I mean, Professor Lupin did assign an essay about them, but I would like to know things from a real vampire."

He smiled at her. "Of course, Miss Granger. Let's see, vampires can be put out of action by wooden stakes. And if we touch wood with bare skin, we will suffer. And direct sunlight also harms us. A few minutes will only give us severe sunburns, but a longer time could effectively put us out of action. Crosses do not harm us, unless it is made of iron. And the nonsense about warding us off with garlic? That is not true. If we were to ingest some, we would be violently sick, but that is it. Some of us can also turn into bats, but not all. The ones who can are basically animagi."

Neville had his own question. "Does Dracula exist? Or is he just a Muggle story?"

Prince Felix turned to him. "Well, a vampire whom the story is based upon does exist. He isn't called Dracula though. The author who write the book was either a Squib, or knew about our world. He knew about vampires and decided a book about one. He made up the name Dracula, since he couldn't use the name of a real vampire in case a Muggle actually believed his tale. He also made up the stuff about warding us off with crosses and garlic. He was accurate about the wooden stakes and silver bullets, though."

Harry listened to all that Prince Felix told them. After a few minutes, Prince Felix sighed. "i must go now. I have to meet with the vampires that are around Hogsmeade. It would be helpful to have them on our side. They could take out a number of Death Eaters. And they can't be killed, since we're already in effect dead. However, if a Death Eater conjured up some wooden stakes or stuffed garlic down our throats, we'd be in trouble. But if we do manage to make a few of them vampires, there won't be anymore trouble from them. Voldemort hates vampires, and once some becomes one, they stop what they're doing and help out their brother and sister vampires."

Harry and his friends bid Prince Felix good-bye. Prince Felix told him that he would be back again tomorrow evening to speak with them some more. He added that he couldn't visit durong the day, as he needed to sleep. Then he added laughingly that he did not sleep in a coffin. Some vampires did, but most didn't. The author of Dracula had gotten that bit about vampires wrong, too. Prince Felix then turned into a bat and flew out a window. Harry and his friends watched him go, then went to their respective common rooms.

Chapter 23

As November drew to a close, Harry felt, well, bored. Nothing interesting had really happened, except for Prince Felix's visit. Harry wished something would happen, but not something like Death Eaters attacking Hogwarts or Hogsmeade. But on December 1st, something happened to make him almost change his mind.

During Transfigurtion, Professor McGonagall made an announcement. "I believe you all remember the Yule Ball from two years ago. Professor Dumbledore decided it would be nice to have another ball this year. So on December 20th, there will be a Yule Ball. It won't be on Christmas like the one two years ago, so students will be able to go home for the holidays if they wish. All third years and above may attend, though you may ask someone from a year below that. Dress robes will be required."

Instantly the girls in the class looked excited and a few were giggling. Harry stifled a groan. He did not have a very pleasant time at the last ball. He had gone to it with Paravit Patil, simply because the girl he had wanted, Cho Chang, had already said yes to Cedric. He had danced only one dance with Parvati and then ignored her for the rest of the evening, spending most of his time looking and wishing he was with Cho and listen to Ron complain about Hermione being Krum's date.

Then Harry remembered that he was dating Luna, so there was no question of which girl to go to the ball with. He could just ask her nicely and have a nice time there. Luna had also said that she didn't like dancing much, at least the kind done at balls. So Harry wouldn't have to go out on the dance floor with her and feel like he was making a fool of himself if he didn't want to.

Harry had just written the homework assignment when he saw Ron's face. Ron looked pale, making his freckles very noticeable. In short, he looked frightened. Harry rolled his eyes and hissed, "It's all right, Ron! You and Hermione are dating, for Merlin's sake! She'll say yes. Just make sure you don't ask her as a last resort like you did last time." Ron nodded slowly.

After class, Ron walked up to Hermione. Harry heard Ron stutter, "Uh, H-Hermione, will-will," before he hurried away so the two could have some privacy. Harry was able to catch Luna right before she was abput to go inside the Great Hall for lunch.

"Luna, you know there's another Yule Ball this year," he began.

Luna smiled and inclined her head. "Yes, I know, Harry. And?"

Harry continued, "And, well, I'd be honored if you would attend the ball with me, Luna."

Luna regarded Harry in what was for her, a serious manner. Then she smiled dreamily and replied, "All right, Harry. I'll say yes. It would be an honor to go to the ball with you as well."

Harry grinned and walked Luna to the Ravenclaw table. When Harry had sat down at the Gryffindor table, he found out that Ron had asked Hermione and she had said yes. Brian had also asked Ginny, who had also said yes, and Neville was working up the courage to ask Beth. Even though Neville was behaving more like a true Gryffindor, he was still a little nervous about asking girls out to balls. Though not quite as nervous as when he had asked Hermione to the ball of two years ago.

Harry soon finished his lunch and hurried away. Over the next couple of weeks, Harry noticed the hordes of giggling girls like he had two years ago. However, since he had already asked Luna, he ignored this, though he did find all the giggling annoying. A few girls even looked at him, but once it became known he was going with Luna, the girls stopped eyeing him or asking him to the ball.

Chapter 23 continued

The Saturday before the ball was a Hogsmeade visit. Harry went with Luna and spent the entire with her, except for a few minutes when they separated to get each other gifts. After some thought, Harry picked out a gold locket on a gold chain, a pale blue scarf, and a pair of earrings in the shape of apples. He figured that if Luna didn't mind wearing vegetables as earrings, then she wouldn't object to fruit.

Harry had his purchases wrapped up. He intended to give the jewelery to Luna on the day of the ball and the scarf to her Christmas. When he was done, he met her outside the shop and they went to buy presents for their friends. Harry found a small shop that sold Quidditch souvenirs and he and Luna got Ron a copy of a Chudley Cannon keeper's robe and a model of Cleansweep Eleven. Next, they stopped at the bookstore and got Hermione the books she had wanted on Arithmacy and Ancient Runes.

After that came two books on Defense and Herbology for Neville and a pale green scarf and a magical hair tie for Ginny. For Beth was also a book on Arithmacy, as well as a small make-up kit. For Brian was a copy of Chudley Cannon Beater's robe (he supported the same team Ron did), and a pair of gloves. When their shopping was done, Luna and Harry had lunch at the Three Brromsticks. Ron kept asking Harry what his gift was.

Finally in exasperation, Harry snapped, "It has to do with Quidditch and your favorite team! Will stop bugging me now?"

Ron considered, then said, "Yeah, that'll do. Since I got that out of you, in return I'll tell you that your gift is also connected with Quidditch."

Hermione gave Ron an exasperated look. "When did you start bugging Harry to tell you what his Christmas present to you is?"

Ron shrugged and didn't have a good reply. The others laughed at this and Ron perked up and began asking Hermione to tell him what his gift was from her. Hermione snapped, "Ronald Weasley! I will not! You can't get me to tell you any information on the gift like you did with Harry."

Ron began laughing. "It was just a joke. Lighten up, 'Mione."

"And don't call me 'Mione! My name is Hermione. You're not to go around shortening my name unless you happen to be Grawp."

Beth had a questionly look and Harry whispered, "He knows her as Hermy, since Hermione is too difficult for him to say." In the meantime, Ron and Hermione got into an argument over names, but it was all good-natured. Harry suddenly recalled that Hermione and Ron seemed happiest arguing. And they had looked surprised when he had said that he was tired of their bickering last year.

After lunch, the eight gathered their purchases and returned to the palace. Harry walked luna tot he Ravenclaw common room. For some reson, he felt he couldn't wait until the Yule Ball. So he dove into the bag and handed Luna the wrapped box with the earrings. "Um, Luna, I was going to give this to you the day of the Yule Ball. But I can't wait. I'm giving it to you now."

"Why thank you, Harry," replied Luna. She unwrapped the box and opened it. She gasped when she saw the apple earrings. "How lovely! And apples are my second favorite fruit! They were my Mum's favorite though. I love these earrings and I'll wear them to the Yule Ball. Thank you again, Harry."

She put on the earrings, then suddenly dropped the box as she threw her arms around Harry. The two shared a hug and kiss that didn't break until they heard a cough. They jumped apart and saw Neville and Beth there. Beth was smiling, but Neville looked a little embarassed.

Harry couldn't help blushing a little himself. He picked up the box and handed it to Luna. Then he gave a chaste kiss on the cheek and saw her into the protrait hole. Sensing that Beth and Neville would like some time alone, he merely nodded to them, then walked down the hall. Harry's thoughts drifted to the upcoming ball and what a nice time he would have. For once, Voldemort and the two prophecies were the furtherest thing from his mind.

Chapter 24

The day of the Yule ball arrived. Harry put on the green dress robes he had worn for the wedding. He also used the hair potion and magic comb that Brina had given him then. Like at the wedding, Harry managed to flatten his hair somewhat, but it still was a little messy and stuck up. Ron and Neville were also wearing the green dress robes that had been gotten for them at the wedding.

After Harry decided that he was neat and presentable, he left the dorm room to see Hermione and Ginny coming down the stairs. Ron and Brain met them at the foot of the stairs. Hermione and Ginny were wearing the blue dress robes from the wedding. Hermione's hair was fixed the way it had been for the last Yule Ball. A blue flower was tucked in her hair next to the elegant knot. Harry caught a whiff of rose perfume.

Ginny's glorious red hair fell down in soft waves and curls. A blue iris was also tucked in her hair. She smelled of apple-blossom perfume and like Hermione, had on make-up and jewelery. Brian handed her a silver bracelet set with sapphires, while Ron handed Hermione a pair of sparkling silver earrings set with some blue gems. Harry smiled at them, then with Neville went to meet Luna and Beth in front of the Ravenclaw common room.

Luna stood with Beth in front of the Ravenclaw common room. They both were wearing blue dress robes. Luna's long blonde hair had been pulled back into an elegant knot, except for some tendrils of hair that framed her face. She looked 'elegantly disheveled'. She had on apple-blossom perfume, lipstick, some pale blue eyeliner, a touch of blush, and wore the apple earrings. She also wore a charm bracelet on her wrist, with a magazine, moon, and flower charm dangling from it.

Harry handed Luna the locket she had bought. "How lovely!" she cried. She threw her arms around Harry and kissed him on the cheek, then on the lips. When she was done, she produced a handkerchief. "Sorry. I got some lipstick on your cheek." She wiped it off and Harry helped her put on the necklace.

Harry then took Luna's arm and turned to see Neville pinning a butterfly pin on Beth's robes. He smiled and then escorted Luna to the Great Hall, where the Ball was being held. As they walked in, Harry saw the mistletoe over the doorway. "Do you think the nargles will bother us if we took advantage of the mistletoe?"

Luna giggled. "I don't think so. I'm sure Hagrid checks before he helps the house elves put up the decorations." Harry kissed Luna and then led her inside. The Great Hall had been decorated with holly, wreaths, and gorgeous Christmas trees with fairy lights. The suits of armor were covered in greenery, so it was hard to see the metal. The tbales had been moved to the sides, so the floor was clear for dancing.

Supper was served not long after, Like at the previous Yule Ball, you had to read the menu, then give your order to the plate. The house elves then would send up what you ordered. After supper, the music began. The Weird Sisters had been engaged for the evening. "Luna, would you be so kind s to take the first dance with me?"

Luna smiled. "Of course, Harry." They got up and went out on the dance floor. Luna was good dancer, even though she had said that didn't like ballroom dancing much. She gently led Harry along the steps, and unlike Parvati, didn't steer him around. Harry liked the experience. After two dances, Harry traded off with his friends, dancing with Ginny, Hermione, and Beth in turn.

After his sixth dance, (and third one with Luna), Harry decided to sit out. He led Luna to a table, where they drank some butterbeer and nibbled on some Christmas biscuits. Then Luna asked, "Could we go out for awhile?"

Harry nodded. They paused in the doorway to share another kiss, then went to get their coats and scarves. The two wandered around the grounds, enjoying the moonlight night. Some faint music drifted outside and the two shared another dance. This one wasn't a ballroom dance. It was something the two of them made up on the spur of the moment and didn't have much style or grace to it.

On the way back inside, the two froze. They looked out and saw lights in the distance. They reminded Harry of when someone used the Lumos spell. "What is that?" asked Luna. "Could they be Heliopaths?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. They're more like torches or someone using Lumos. I think there might be an attack. We'd better go warn Dumbledore."

The two dashed inside and found Dumbledore dancing with Professor McGonagall. Harry interrupted them to blurt out what they had scene. Dumbledore frowned. "Oh dear. We'll have to end the Ball. Harry, could you get all the D. A. members together? they'll hve to help deal with this attack."

Everyone was very surprised when Dumbledore announced that the Yule Ball had to be cut short. Then Harry told all D.A. members to get their wands and gather to him. That's when he spotted several Slytherins exchange looks and try to quietly slip away. He frowned and whispered, "Professor, do you think some of the Slytherins told their Death Eater parents about the Ball tonight? Voldemort could have figured that we would all be busy having fun and therefore surprise us with an attack."

Professor Snape came over, having heard what Harry said. "Come to think of it, I did see Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson slip away, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. I assumed that Malfoy and Miss Parkinson just wanted to spend some time alone. As for Crabbe and Goyle, I thought they had to use the bathroom, or wanted to try to see what Malfoy was going to do."

Dumbledore frowned. "We'll have to deal with that later, when the attack is over."

Blaise tapped Harry on the shoulder. "Um, I forgot to mention it, but I do recall Draco and his gang were plotting something. Is it possible that they had something to do with the events tonight? I couldn't find out what they were up to, since it was at the library and they talking in whispers."

Harry shrugged. "I guess so. They did slip away halfway through the ball." then in a louder voice, he said, "Okay, everyone! We;'re going out to the grounds. Be ready to defend yourselves! And remeber all that you've learned at meetings. And stay in formation unless you have to save someone else from an attack!"

The D.A., plus some other students, followed the staff out on the grounds. The rest had been shepherded by Filch and Mrs. Norris back to their common rooms. When the line of Death Eaters appeared, Harry saw the look of shock on their faces. it was obvious that they hadn't expected that their surprise attack would be found out.

Harry snapped, "It's a good thing Luna Lovegood and I went out to walk around the grounds. Otherwise we wouldn't know about your tricks."

A voice growled, "Potter!" Another snapped, "The Dark Lord isn't going to be pleased."

Snape hissed, "Why didn't the Dark Lord inform me or Sylvia as what was going on? Unless he suspected that we were spies and didn't want us telling Dumbledore."

The Death Eaters had recovered from their surprise to fight, but the D.A. was ready for them. They had taken advantage of the surprise to disarm or stun the Death Eaters. The ones who had been disarmed turned tail and fled. A few shot spells, but the D.A. was ready. They dodged them and sent back their own spells.

After ten minutes, it was all over. At least a dozen Death Eaters had fled. Twenty more were either stunned and covered with hexes and jinxes. One of them, who was the least hurt, spat, "Curse you, Potter! And curse you Dumbledore and Snape and Longbottom."

Sylvia strode over. "What do you mean, Avery?"

Avery sneered. "Like you don't know? Our master has finally figured out that you and Snape aren't on his side. And the two of you are married. Or at least in love. He noticed Snape's expression when Sylvia was being tortured."

There was a moment of shock, then Snape put a silencing charm on Avery. The Death Eaters were gathered up and Dumbledore muttered, "I wonder how they got through the wards."

The Yule Ball was over now and all the students were sent back to their common rooms. McGonagall was heard to mutter about contacting the Ministry and getting the Death Eaters to Azkban. Harry was surprised that Snape and Sylvia's double agent status had been found out. It looked like they wouldn't be passing on any more information to Dumbledore.

Harry managed to salvage the evening by telling Luna that he had a nice time while the ball lasted. Then they shared a long good-night kiss and went to their respective common rooms.

Chapter 25

The Christmas holidays arrived and Snape and Sylvia announced that they were taking Harry and his friends to their house. Techincally it was Sylvia's house, but now that she was married, Snape shared ownership of it. The house was unplottable and could be used as headquarters for the Order if something were to happen to Grimmauld Place.

When the group arrived, they went inside to find that Milly had dinner waiting for them. The house had also been decorated, except for the large tree in the living room. That was reserved for Sylvia, since it was tradition for her and her family to see to the tree. So after dinner, Harry, his friends, the rest of the Weasleys, (who had also been invited over), Snape, and Sylvia began decorating the tree.

There were really beautiful ornaments that were Longbottom and Marks heirlooms, and new ones that had been bought after Sylvia's two marriages. There were other ornaments that looked a little crooked or shabby, which had been made by Brian and Beth when they were little kids. Fred and George contributed a few really funny ornaments that they had designed for their store.

Finally the tree was decorated beautifully with lights and ornaments. All that was left was the star. Sylvia gathered the young ones in a circle. Then closing her eyes, she slowly turned around a few times and pointed. Her finger pointed at Luna and she was given the honor or putting the star on the very top.

When that was done, Christmas biscuits and eggnog were served. Snape had relaxed somewhat and didn't act like his normal dour self. Milly came down from the attic with some dusty books that turned out to contain Christmas carol. That started everyone off to singing carols, more-or-less in tune. A few, like the Weasley twins, were rather off-key, while others, like Luna and Beth, had wonderful singing voices.

It was when everyone started singing "God Rest Ye Merry, Hippogriffs" that Harry suddenly felt a bit sad. He remembered Christmas at Grimmauld Place last year, with Sirius singing that exact same song. He choked up halfway through the song and suddenly Hermione, Ron, and Ginny joined him. The others stopped singing.

"What's wrong, Harry?" asked Mrs. Weasley, much concerned. "Are you feeling all right?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I started thinking about Sirius."

Hermione explained, "Sirius was singing that song last year at Christmas. He was so happy that we'd come over to spend the holidays with him. Grimmauld Place was nicely decorated and he happily sang carols."

Luna put a comforting hand on his arm. "I felt that way after Mum died, Harry. The first Christmas I spent alone, with only Daddy, I remembered all the things Mum did. She would decorate the house and make a gngerbread house with me. And I couldn't sing carols without suddenly remembering her singing them."

Neville added, "I felt bad, too, when Granddad died. 'Course, he died of old age, but I hadn't expected him to go yet."

Harry felt a bit better after that, and so did Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. The carolling resumed, but they didn't finish the song. Instead, they sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", followed with everyone trying to keep up the twin's off-key rendition of "Good King Wencelas."

The singing finally ended at eleven and Snape sent everyone off to bed. Sylvia's house was large enough for everyone to have their own room, except for Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, who obviously shared a room.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Neville's grandmother, Mr. Lovegood, and Hermione's parents all turned up in the morning, since they had been invited over. Mr. Weasley was utterly delighted to see the Grangers and took Mr. Granger away to ask about dentistry and other muggle things. The girls were with Milly, Sylvia, Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Longbottom, and Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen, busy making Christmas biscuits and lunch. The girls also took an hour from the baking to make a gingerbread castle that looked liked Hogwarts, only all covered with candy.

A few minutes before lunch, the boys and men popped in to admire the gingerbread castle. Then everyone helped Milly set the large table in the dining room. Everyone gathered around the table and Sylvia said grace. Then they all proceeded to enjoy the nice lunch. Dinner was just as nice.

In the evening, everyone gather around the large fire in the living room. Sylvia read the story about Jesus Christ being born on that ling ago day almost two thousand years ago. Then she read the traditional "'Twas the night before Christmas..." story. Then Mrs. Granger began reading from the Muggle book, A Christmas Carol. Harry was absolutely fascinated ot hear about Ebenezer Scrooge and how the Spirits of Christmas past, Present, and Future visited him and turned him from an old, cranky miser to a kind and generous man. He wished that something like that would happen to Voldmeort so he could become Tom Riddle again and Harry wouldn't have ot kill him.

By the time the book was done, it was alomst midnight. Everyone was sent up to bed. Harry had a wonderful Christmas Eve and couldn't wait for Christmas Day the next morning.

Chapter 25 continued

The Weasley twins woke everyone up at seven in the morning, shouting, 'It's Christmas day!" and letting off some of their fireworks. Mrs. Weasley and Snape looked annoyed at being woken up, but they didn't say anything, for it was Christmas. Everyone hurriedly dressed or threw robes on over their nightclothes and ran down to the living room. All the presents had been placed under the tree the evening before.

Sylvia took charge and began handing out presents to everyone. Harry quickly began unwrapping his presents. His worst present was a slightly motheaten wool hat from the Dursleys. The rest of his presents were much more satisfactory, however. Ron had given Harry a box of sweets. Hermione gave him a book on Quidditch teams in America. Luna had given Harry a book on dragons and Mr. Lovegood a free six-month subscription to The Quibbler. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry the usual sweater, this one red with a gold lion, and a tin of fudge. Beth and Brian gave him the Chudley Cannon's seeker robe and gloves. Neville gave him a book on plants that Harry could find useful in the war againmst Voldemort and Ginny a painting of Harry on his broom.

Sylvia and Snape gave Harry an set of gold gobstones. The Weasley twins gave him another box of their products, this one inculding a pack of Wildfire Whizbangs. Tonks sent a model of a Nimbus Two Thousand and Remus sent another book on Defense. Charlie gave Harry a model of a Norwegian Rudgeback that looked a lot like Norbert and Bill gave a book on Egyptain curses and how to break them. The rest of the Order collectively sent a brass scale, a book on Aurors, and a bottle of wand polish. From Dobby was a pair of socks, one patterned with brooms, the other with wands. Milly gave Harry a pair of mittens.

After all the presents had been opened, everyone went upstairs to properly get dressed and brush their teeth. When they were done, Milly served a large and delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the young folks played with their presents, or in the case of Hermione and Beth, read the books they had gotten.

At noon, a light lunch was eaten, for a feast was prepared for dinner. The women and Milly were busy making the dinner, for the Order members had been invited over. Remus turned up at around two in the afternoon. He looked tired, but very happy to see Harry and his friends. Mungundus Fletcher turned up soon after, carrying a bag. Sylvia raised her eyebrows at the bag, but didn't comment.

Tonks announced her entrance by knocking over the hat stand. Hermione rushed out to pick up the stand, while Harry helped Tonks up. "Well, Im as clumsy as ever," said Tonks cheerfully. "Wotcher, everyone. Sylvia, do you want me to help in the kitchen?"

Sylvia replied hastily, "Oh no, it's not necessary. Hestia and Emmeline have already volunteered. There's five women and a house elf. We don't need any more. And you know the Muggle saying, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.'"

So Tonks was sent into the living room, with a plate of biscuits and cup of eggnog. She plopped herself on the couch and soon joined in a game of Exploding Snape. By five o'clock, all the Order members Harry knew of had shown up, even Prince Felix. Prince Felix was givenm a goblet of some red liquid and he sat to watch the game of gobstones.

At six o'clock, dinner was erved. The dining room had been enlarged somewhat and two long tables were placed next to each other. Dumbledore sat at the head. He said grace, wishing for peace and an end to Vodemort. Right after that, food was erved. Snape, Arthur, and Dumbledore carved the three turkeys. There was also cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potoates and gravy, steamed vegetables, mince pie and hot bread with butter. Harry stuffed himself and enjoyed the food.

After came a dessert of flaming plum pudding, apple pie, a chocolate cake in the shape of a large Christmas tree, treacle tart, and roasted chestnuts. Harry found some room for a little pudding, a slice of cake, a tart, and a few chestunts. He could only fit in two bites of the pie, though.

After dinner was a sleigh ride. It turned out that Sylvia's estate included a barn, with three sleighs and six horses. Everyone piled in and they went out through the countryside, singing carols as they went. Harry had a wonderful time. When they returned to Sylvia's house, all rosy-cheeked from the cold, Milly met them with trays of hot cocoa and biscuits.

Everyone was gathered in the living room when suddenly there was pop. A wizard Harry had never met beofre stood there. "Dumbledore!" he gasped. "I just got news that the Death Eaters are going to attack in Spinner's End!"

Mrs. Granger gasped, "But that's where we live!"

Dumbledore looked at her. "I take it that Voldemort wants to get you and Mr. Granger, because of hermione. It's very luck that you're here, instead of at home. Emmeline, Kingsley, Tonks, Felix, and Hestia, go with Albert to Spinner's End. You'll take care of the Death Eaters. Remus and Bill, you're backup. If anything goes wrong, you're to follow them and help out."

This put a damper on the evening's festivities. The teens went upstairs to bed while the adults went on thier own business. An hour later, the ones that had been sent on the mission returned. The Death Eaters had gone after the Granger's home, but had been angry to find that they were gone. Felix, Kinsley, and Hestia had gotten the three that were about to trash the house. Tonks, Emmeline, and the wizard named Albert had managed to take four more that were going after the neighbours. The remaining Death Eater had disapparated. The Muggle neighbours had their memory modifed by Bill.

Harry was really relieved that the attack had been stopped beofre any innocent people were killed.