Harry Potter and the War Against Voldemort-Completed

[Alicia13]

This is my first post on book six. Feel free to send suggestions and comments. Oh, my best friend, Stella 16, will be co-authoring with me. We will write book six together, and alternate chapters or posts. This book is not written for profit, either, but for Harry Potter fans to enjoy. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except for new ones that Stella16 and I come up with.

Chapter One: At Privet Drive.

Harry was lying in his bed in the smallest bedroom at 4 Privet Drive. He could not stop thinking about his godfather, Sirius Black. He had fallen through the veiled archway at the Department of Mysteries after his Death Eater cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, cursed him. He was now dead, or in a place where he could not return. Harry blamed himself as the cause of Sirius's death, though he knew it wasn't just his fault. Other people, as well as Sirius, were responsible too.

Harry's aunt and uncle didn't bother him much. As for his cousin Dudley, he spent much of the time in the basment practising boxing or hanging out with his gang of friends. Dudley avoided Harry like the plague. Harry knew perfectly well why he was treated like this. At the station after the end of term, members of the Order had a little talk with Uncle Vernon. They informed him that if they heard Harry wasn't being treated well, they would show up. Now the Dursleys mainly avoided Harry, afraid that a member of the Order would show up and hex them.
Suddenly, a strange owl flew into the room, carrying a letter bearing the Hogwarts crest. Harry knew it had to be his O.W.L. results. He grabbed the letter and the owl flew out after getting a quick drink from Hedwig's water bowl.

Harry tore open the letter and quickly read it. Then he sat down at his desk to write a letter to Hermione.

"Dear Hermione, I just got my O.W.L. results. I got an O in Defense Against Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, and Potions. In Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology, I got an E. In History of Magic and Astronomy I got an A. And I got a P in Divination. But then, it isn't really that important of a course. That means I got 8 O.W.L.s. I hope you did well too. Harry."

He then called Hedwig over and had her deliver the letter to Hermione. Then he wrote a letter to Ron.

"Dear Ron, I just got my O.W.L. results. I recieved an O in Care of Magical Creatures, Defense against Dark Arts, and Potions. I got an E in Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology. My lowest grades were P for Divination and A for History of Magic and Astronomy. I hope you did well."

Just then, Ron's owl, Pig, showed up with a letter from Ron. Harry opened the letter and read it. It said, "Dear Harry, I received my O.W.L. results. In Defense Against Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, and Charms I got an O. In Potions, Transfiguration, and Herbology I got an E. I got an A in Astronomy and History of Magic. Divination was a P. But then, we were always going to fail Divination anyway. That's eight O.W.L.s. Mum has been telling everyone, 'My Darling Ron got eight O.W.L.s! Isn't that wonderful? I'm so proud of him!' Really! At least I didn't get 12 O.W.L.s like that prat Percy did. Speaking of Percy, he came back and apoligised to Mum and Dad for not believing them. Mum and Dad forgave him, but no one else has. George and Fred have been using some of their stuff on Percy for siding with Fudge.

Mum says you and Hermione can come and visit. The adults will arrange everything and let you know. We hope to have you here by your birthday. I've got to write to Hermione now. The twins and Ginny say hi. Ron."

Harry folded the letter and went to finish the letter he was writing. He crossed off the last sentence he wrote and added, "I just recieved your letter, Ron. I'm glad you did well. I look forward to visiting you. It might help me take my mind off from Sirius. Tell Ginny and the twins hello. Harry"

He tied the letter to Pig and sent the owl back to Ron. Two hours later, Hedwig returned with Hermione's reply. Harry opened the letter and read it.

"Dear Harry, I received my O.W.L. results and your letter. I am glad to hear you did well. As for my results, I got an O in every subject except for History of Magic. That one was an E. I'm disappointed that I didn't get an O, but I heard very few students get past an A in it, so I suppose I didn't do too bad. That means I received twelve O.W.Ls. If you took Runes and Arithmacy like me, you might have also gotten twelve . But you did very well, nevertheless, and Arithmacy and Runes aren't all that necessary to becoming an auror. Have a wonderful remainder of the summer. Don't mull over Sirius too much. You know it isn't your fault he died. I've got to write to Ron now. Love, Hermione"

Harry put down Hermione's letter. He wasn't one bit surprised to find that Hermione had down so well. She was the smartest girl in the year and had once gotten 112 percent on a Charms exam and 320 percent on a Muggle Studies exam.The only thing Harry was better at than her was Quidditch and possibly Defense Against Dark Arts. Well, he had beaten Hermione in the Defense Against Dark Arts exam during the third year.

Edit: Stella16 reread Order of the Phoenix and pointed out Harry and Ron could not have passed Divination as they did not do well at all during the exam. So I changed the Divination results to the correct ones. Also, Harry was interrupted during the Astronomy exam with Umbridge trying to sack Hagrid, so he could not have gotten an E. That was changed.

[Alicia13]

I am really Stella16, but as I can't post under my real name, Alicia13 has given me permission to use hers. I will always write my real name before each post, so you know which is which. Now on with the story.

Chapter One continued...
Harry put away all his letters and lay down on his bed. He wasn't very anxious to see his friends or to go back to Grimmauld Place. There was too many memories of Sirius at Grimmauld Place and his friends couldn't fill the void Sirius had left. If only Sirius had stayed at home. Suddenly there was a knock on his door and Aunt Petunia's voice was saying, "Dinner, Harry."

"I'm not hungry, Aunt Petunia," replied Harry in a listless voice.

"Fine, then," answered Aunt Petunia. "But I don't want one of your fre-I mean wizard friends, coming over, saying I starved you. Is that clear?"

Harry replied, "Yes, Aunt Petunia." and she left to eat supper.

After a few hours, Harry went to bed, dreaming of Sirius. It was all jumbled up and made no sense. For instance, Sirius was his Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, Professor Snape was his godfather, and Lupin and Professor Dumbledorewere talking of telling Harry the truth about his godfather. Harry woke up telling Dumbledore, "No, you're wrong! Snape isn't my godfather! I hate him! He hates me! Sirius is my godfather! Sirius, tell him the truth!"

He lay on his bed, puzzled by the dream. He knew Snape couldn't be his godfather. And why would Sirius be a teacher? Lupin had been the teacher and would not discuss telling the truth with Dumbledore. Sirius had been James's best friend and was Harry's godfather. Lupin had been friends with Sirius and James, but did not seem like he would really discuss telling Harry the truth.
More later... I have writer's block

[Alicia13]

As it was six o'clock, Harry decided to get up. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed up. Then he went back to his room and read one of his schoolbooks. At eight, Aunt Petunia called Harry downstairs for breakfast, which he reluctantly did.

Right after breakfast, the phone rang. Aunt Petunia answered it.

"Hello," said a voice. "I am Hermione Granger, a friend of Harry's from school. May I speak to him, please?"
Aunt Petunia, with a frown on her face, handed the phone to Harry and said, "It's one of your fre-I mean, school friends."

Harry took the phone and said a tentative, "Hello."

"Hello, Harry," replied Hermione. "It's me, Hermione. I called to let you know that you'll be leaving tomorrow at two o'clock, by car. I'm leaving today, after lunch. Sirius's will has to be read, so you must be present. Of course, you'll be staying for the summer. Oh, there is a new member of the-group. She was a member when your parents were alive and after their death moved to America with her daughter. I can't tell you who she is as it's supposed to be a surprise. But I can say that she might help you get over Sirius, as she's very affected by his death too. Oh, and she knew your mother very well and Ron says he heard she's to be the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. That's all I can say about her without giving away who she is. And Harry, Ron, me, Mr.Weasley, Tonks, Moody, and the woman and daughter will come to pick you up. The woman has a van, so we can all fit. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Bye, Harry!"

"Bye, Hermione," replied Harry. He hung up the phone and informed Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia that he was leaving tomorrow at two o'clock. They were relieved to hear he was leaving by car. Meanwhile, Dudley give a gasp to hear wizards were coming and ran down to the basement to practise boxing.
Harry went upstairs to his room and began packing. Pig flew in with a letter from Ron. It notified Harry of his departure from the Dursley's in case Hermione forgot to call or the Dursleys wouldn't let him use the "fellytone". Harry wrote a quick message, reassuring Ron that Hermione had called and he did get the message. Then he sent Pig back to Ron with the note.
That evening, Harry went to bed, wondering who the reinstated member of the Order was and what connection she had to his mother.

End of chapter one. Stella16 will start chapter two later. If you are curious about this new member, you will just have to contain it until chapter two is written. Feel free to guess the identity of the woman.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Two: Harry's Godmother by Stella16

Harry woke up the next morning realising it was the day he was leaving Privet Drive. He was feeling more excited than yesterday, as he would meet a person who knew his mother. In addition, he wouldn't be celebrating his birthday, which was two days away, at Privet Drive. Harry quickly got dressed in the best old clothes of Dudley's that he had. When Aunt Petunia announced breakfast, he ran down and ate his breakfast quickly.

After breakfast, there was another phone call, this time from Mr. Weasley. He told Harry that there was a change of plans and that he was now being picked up at ten in the morning. He explained that the owner of the car had errands to run in the afternoon. Harry understood and after he hung up, he told his aunt and uncle about the time change.

At ten o'clock, the doorbell rang. Uncle Vernon answered it. Harry peeked out behind him. There was Hermione, Ron, Mr. Weasley, and Mad-eye Moody. Behind them was a tall witch with blonde hair and blue eyes, with a pale blue dress on. Next to her was a blonde haired girl in a white blouse and blue skirt. He noticed that the girl looked his age, and had a nose and smile that looked very much like Sirius's. They were invited in and Mr. Weasley and Moody went up to get Harry's trunk. Ron whisphered to Harry that Tonks had woken up late and so couldn't make it on time.

The new witch smiled at Harry and introduced herself."Hello, Harry. I'm your godmother and this my daughter, Crystal Black."

Before he could react to the last name, Aunt Petunia gasped and exclaimed, "You're not Fiona McGill?"

The witch smiled and answered, "I am, Petunia."

Uncle Vernon turned to Aunt Petunia and asked, "You know this woman?'

Aunt Petunia, a bit pale, nodded and whisphered, "She was Lily's best friend at that-that school. She'd visit us during vacations and Lily would visit her."

Harry was now trying to deal with the surprise that this woman was his godmother and his mother's best friend. Ron and Hermione were smiling at his shock. Crystal was smiling too. Mr. Weasley and Moody came down and saw the group just standing there. Mr. Weasley chuckled.

"So, Harry, I take it you met your godmother?" he asked. Harry could only nod.

"Well, as we have Harry's things," said Fiona, "lets go now. Goodbye, Vernon and Petunia. It was nice seeing you again, Petunia."

The group walked out the door. Fiona unlocked the back and Harry's trunk was put in. Mr. Weasley got in the front to drive and Moody joined him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione got in the back seet and Fiona and Crystal sat in the middle. The van started and they drove off.

Fiona began to explain things. "Well, Harry, you just found out who I am. But you do not know the whole story. First, I'm not a McGill anymore, I'm a Black. I married your godfather, Sirius, some months after your parents did. Being Lily's best friend, I met James and Sirius through her and later fell in love with Sirius. I was your mother's bridesmaid at her wedding and caught the boquet. Right after that, Sirius proposed to me and I said yes. As your mother's best friend, I was made godmother. I asked Lily and James to be godparents when Crystal came along later. They said yes. I had Crystal in November, four months after you were born. When Sirius got put in Azkaban for a crime he did not commit, I left with Crystal for the United States. Sirius did not mention me as he did not know whether or not I still loved him. I came back with Crystal in April and spent time with him before he...died. After his death, I requested that no one tell you about me until I was ready. Now I'm doing better and decided to get to know you. That's everything, Harry dear, except that you may call me Aunt Fiona, at least until school starts. Then you must call me Professor McGill as I'm the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. I'm not using Sirius's last name as it's too painful and I don't want people linking me to him. Crystal has also decided to use my maiden name."

Harry took this all in. He then leaned forward and hugged Fiona. Then he turned to Crystal and shook her hand. He now knew why she had Sirius's nose and smile. For some odd reason, he felt attracted to her. She was very pretty, as she had inherited her mother's hair and eyes and her father's hansome nose and mouth. Hermione nudged Ron and guestured at Harry's look on his face. The two giggled.

"Harry," began Crystal, "it's so nice to finally meet you. I'll be in your year at Hogwarts. I do hope I get sorted into Gryffindor. Then, Mum and Dad were, as well as all of Mum's family, so I probably will too. If they put me in Slytherin though, I'll leave and beg Mum to send me back to school in the States."

Hermione replied, "Oh, Crystal, you'll likely get put in Gryffindor. Don't worry." Ron backed Hermione up and made Harry wonder if Ron liked Hermione in a more-than-just-a-friend way. In the front seat Moddy growled, "Don't worry about your house. As long as you work hard, you'll do well at Hogwarts. Constant viligence, my girl!" Everyone laughed at the last sentence.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Moody was a bit grumpy from the laughter, but Fiona took his mind of it by saying, "Please stop the car, Arthur." Mr. Weasley nodded and pulled in a parking lot. Fiona turned to the back seat.

"Now, we are stopping at this Muggle clothing store to get some clothes." she said. "Crystal needs some new clothes and you Harry, need better Muggle clothes than your cousin's castoffs. And Ron, I am getting you a couple of outfits, as you are Harry's best friend. No arguments, Arthur, think of it as a belated birthday present for your son. And Hermione, I'm getting you a new dress. See it as an early birthday gift."

Without further ado, she produced a purse and opened the door. Everyone climbed out and Fiona locked the door. The group went in the store and Fiona headed straight for the boys section. She pulled off a number of pants and shirts from the racks and handed them to the boys. "Here, go in the changing room and try these on. Arthur, please go with them and see if the clothes are suitable. If they're not, come back and get some clothes in their size. Alastor, you can go with them if you want. I've got to take care of the girls now. Is Ginny the same size as Crystal, Arthur?"

Arthur looked at Crystal for a moment and replied, "Yes, I believe so, Fiona. Why do you ask? You're not going to-"

"Thanks, Arthur," interrupted Fiona. She grabbed Hermione and Crystal and dragged them off to the girls section.

An hour later, the group met next to the dreszing rooms. Harry had a pile of clothing and Ron had a few outfits. Crystal also had a pile of clothes and Hermione had a blue dress, two blouses, a pair of jeans, dress pants, and a skirt. Fiona was holding a pale green dress, two blouses, two skirts, and a dress pants. Mr. Weasley looked at the clothes she was holding and opened his mouth.

"Now everyone," said Fiona before Mr. Weasley could speak, "Let's go to the register and pay for these clothes. Arthur close your mouth before a bug flies in. And don't make a scene in front of the muggles."

At the register, the saleslady marked the clothes and put them in six bags. "That will be seventy pounds, fifteen shillings, and ten pence."

Fiona handed over a fifty pound note, a twenty pound note, and a one pound note. The saleslady put the money in the register and handed over the change. Everyone took the bags and headed back for the car. Once inside, Arthur began demanding why Fiona had to buy clothes for Ginny.

Fiona interrupted to say, "Arthur, start the car so we can go have lunch. And stop being so proud. It is not charity. Honestly, can't I give gifts to friends of my godson?" With that, she pulled out her wand and set up a shield between Mr. Weasley and everyone else so that no one could hear him. Mr. Weasley sighed and started the car.

Fiona shook her head and remarked, "That Arthur is so proud. He thinks any gift I give to him or his kids is charity. I gave Ginny a Nimbus 2001 so she'd have decent broom to fly on when practising as Chaser. Arthur and Molly went on about the cost and said they could get a broom for Ginny. I said it was a gift, not charity, and that Ginny could pay me back by cleaning my room for me and being friends with Crystal. They didn't even care that it was one I got three years ago and that I have a Firebolt now. At least Ginny wasn't too proud to accept the gift and agreed to help clean out my room as 'payment'."

Fifteen minutes later, they stopped at a cafe, where Fiona bought lunch for everyone. Then the group drove to Grimmauld Place.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Three: At Grimmauld Place by Alicia13

Mrs. Weasley opened the door when Fiona knocked. She smiled and gave Harry a big hug. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal went upstairs to put their clothes and Harry's trunk away. Fiona said a quick hello and followed the kids upstairs. Ginny, Hermione, and Crystal were sharing a room and that is where Fiona went.

Ginny was reading a book when Fiona showed up. "Hello, Ginny darling," Fiona said. "While shopping for clothes for Harry and Crystal, I got you a few things." She handed Ginny the bag of clothes. Ginny gave a squeal of delight and opened it. She pulled out the clothes and then looked at Fiona.
"Thank you, Aunt Fiona." she said. "The clothes are lovely. How did you get Dad to let you buy them for me?"

"Well, Ginny," replied Fiona. "Your Dad did not know right away. He suspected when I asked if you were the same size as Crystal, but I left before he could finish the question. He couldn't make a scene in a Muggle store, so he waited until we were in the car. Then I interrupted him to say it was a present and I should be able to buy gifts for my godson's friend. After that, I made a magic shield that would block any sound from him. That stopped him as well as my order to start driving so we could have lunch."

Crystal and Hermione, who were also in the room, giggled at the memory of the shield and Mr. Weasley's surprise.

"Now, I leave you girls to fuss over clothes and for Ginny to try on her new clothes." said Fiona. "You can wear one of your new things to dinner tonight. Now I've got to talk to Molly as Arthur is sure to have told her about Ginny's new clothes. Have fun. Crystal, if you want make-up, it's in my room."

In the boys' room, Harry and Ron were putting their clothes away.

"That godmother of yours is a fun person," remarked Ron "even though she feels sad about Sirius. She asked us younger ones, even George and Fred, to call her Aunt Fiona. Mum disapproved, but Aunt Fiona just laughed and said, 'I don't care. They can call me anything, except late for dinner." Mum frowned and asked about when she started teaching. Aunt Fiona laughed again and said, 'Oh, they'll be calling me Professor McGill then. Of course, they might forget, but I won't hold it against them. But if a Slytherin calls me "aunt", I'll take off fifty points and give them a detention where they have to write "I will not call my Defense Against Dark Arts teacher aunt. Her name is Professor McGill." three hundred times. It shows what she thinks of Slytherin, even if she was joking."

Harry laughed at what Ron said. His godmother, or rather Aunt Fiona, did seem like a rather nice and fun person. She probably would have been like his mother. Somehow, she seemed to have dealt amazingly well over Sirius's death, and he was her husband! Harry did not feel like he could get over Sirius's death anytime soon. And blonde-haired Crystal also seemed to be dealing well with Sirius's death. True, she did not know her father very long, but she had known him long enough to see what kind of person he was. For some odd reason, Harry thought only about Crystal. She was beautiful like her mother and had Sirius's nose and non-grim smile. She was very nice and was not at all like Cho Chang, who'd cried constantly because of Cedric's death and her conflicting thoughts of whether it was okay to go out with Harry. She had looked a little dreamy, like Luna Lovegood, but had not acted like her.

Harry remembered feeling sorry for Luna at the end of the year, when he heard people took her stuff, and he had wondered whether he had a crush on her whenever he wasn't thinking about Sirius's death. Now it looked as if he might be having a crush on Crystal, his godmother's daughter.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Suddenly, there was a quiet knock on the door. "Come in," called Ron. The door opened and in walked Fiona. She was wearing a black dress now.

"Excuse me, Harry, but I wanted to talk to you." she said quietly. "Could you excuse us for a few minutes, Ron? We'll let you know when we're done talking."

Ron nodded and left the room. Fiona sat down on the bed and gestured Harry to sit next to her.

"Harry, I know you are feeling very bad about Sirius's death, " she began. "I know you are probably blaming yourself for his death. Now, you have to stop that. You have to deal with it. I am heartbroken myself, but I am not going to stew over it. I believed that I may have been responsible for Lily and James's death, but I did not let it get to me. After a period of mourning, I took Crystal and went to the States so I could get on with my life and leave everything that was making me sad. I feel that I could have stopped Sirius from ever going to the Ministry. But I am not going about and blaming myself as being the only one responsible. Sirius was a wonderful man, but he is also reckless and no body could have stopped him from going to rescue his grandson, except maybe Crystal. And Crystal did not try to stop him because I did not ask her to and she also wanted to meet you and she believed Sirius had to save you if she was ever going to see you alive. Maybe if I had asked Crystal to... But the past is the past and we cannot undo it, except with a time turner, and there are complications and risks. Anyway, Harry, what I am trying to say is for you to get over Sirius's death. Move on in life. Always remember and honor him, but don't think you are responsible for his death. All right, Harry?"

"Yes, Aunt Fiona, " replied Harry in a wispher. "But it's hard for me to. He was really the closest person I had for a father or close relative. Ron and Hermione are wonderful, but they're just friends. Mrs. Weasley is nice and motherly, but she's not... a real mother like what I think my own mother was. Mr. Weasley is nice, but asked too much about muggle things like plugs and telephones. Dumbledore could be a fatherly figure, but he has made mistakes in what to tell me or when. Lupin is wonderful, knew my father and Sirius, but he has to get over Sirius's death and is not as close as Sirius was."

"I know how you feel, Harry," said Fiona softly. "But you have me to be your mother figure and Crystal could be your sister... or girlfriend, judging from the look on your face in the car. Anyway, I will try to help you get over Sirius. And tonight his will is going to be read. Why don't you wear some of your new clothes to dinner and the reading? Oh, Kreacher is being locked in his room until we can decide what to do with him and Dumbledore asked Dobby and Winky to help with the cleaning. Mrs. Weasley can't do everything you know. Winky is doing much better know, I gave Dobby a raise of one galleon,(I wanted to give him a four galleon raise, but he said no.) Winky still refuses to be paid, and Dobby wants to see you sometime before supper. You can go down to the kitchen to see him. Kreacher wants to get out and was yelling, but Lupin put a silencing spell on him. As for Mrs. Black's protrait, we still can't get her off the wall, but I suggested putting a silencing charm on her. Everyone gaped when I said it and Dumbledore asked why we didn't think of it earlier. So now there's no yelling."

Harry chuckled at the simple solution that Fiona had come up with. He hugged his godmother and thanked her for the little talk. Fiona opened the door and chuckled to see Ron sitting there, holding one of the twins' Extendable ears. Ron stood up with a guilty start and a very scarlet face. Fiona's chuckles grew to a laugh. A minute later, she calmed down enough to say, "Oh, now Ron, don't you when a conversation is supposed to be private? Well, I must admit, I would probably have done the same thing. Don't worry, I'm not mad and we won't tell anyone about this, will we Ron?"

Ron had recovered from his embarassment to nod. Fiona turned back to Harry and he said he wouldn't tell anyone about it either. With a chuckle, Fiona went downstairs and Ron went inside the room to talk to Harry.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Sorry about the short posts Stella16 and I have been writing. It takes us awhile to write each one. Anyway, here's chapter four: Sirius's Will


After a talk with Ron, Harry went down to the kitchen to see Dobby. He pushed open the door and saw two elves washing dishes. One was wearing a clean little dress and Harry realised that was Winky, in a much better condition. The other was wearing a sweater, elf-sized pants, mismatching socks, and a hat. That was Dobby, only without fifteen hats on.

"Hello, Dobby and Winky," said Harry quietly as not to startle them.
Dobby and Winky turned around.
"Why, it's you, Mr. Harry Potter, sir!" exclaimed Dobby. "I is so happy to see you." Dobby ran up and gave Harry a big hug.

Winky followed more slowly and curtised, saying shyly, "Winky is doing much better now, Mr. Harry Potter sir. Dobby is helping me."

"Winky cannot do without Dobby, sir," explained Dobby to Harry.

Harry looked at the two and asked, "Dobby, can you do without Winky?"

Dobby blushed, or blushed the way a house-elf would and did not answer. Harry suspected the answer was no. Harry and Dobby talked for a few minutes. It turned out Fiona had asked Dobby to take off his many hats and only wear one. The rest were put in a box for Dobby to wear at later times. Dobby also told Harry about his raise.

"Miss Fiona said I could get a raise and offered Dobby five galleons a week. I said no, I is not wanting too much. I say two galleons is enough. Of course, Winky is not wanting pay. She is ashamed. But Winky is happy here. Miss Fiona is nice. She says all house-elves in America are free because of a law. So the elves there get wages, but many only want little. Winky is lucky not to be America. Dobby maybe should have been in America. But then, Dobby would not have met the great Harry Potter or his friends."

Harry remembered learning in his muggle school something about a president freeing the slaves in America. He supposed the law had been applied to house-elves. He made a note to ask Fiona about it. Dobby then told Harry that he was sad to hear about "Mr. Sirius's" death and offered his sympathies. Harry felt a little better and left the kitchen, telling Dobby and Winky that he would see them at supper.

Upstairs, he passed Sirius's room. The door was partly open and he saw that Fiona was in there, lying face down on the bed. Her shoulders were shaking and he suspected that she was crying. Harry rapped on the door and inquired, "Aunt Fiona, may I come in?" A muffled, "Yes, and shut the door," was his reply.

Harry went in, closing the door after him. Fiona sat up in bed and he saw that she was crying. "Oh Harry, I am trying to get on with my life, and I can manage it, but I do have to grieve over Sirius sometimes. This is worse than when he was sentenced to Azkaban. I knew he was innocent and I went to see Dumbledore about it. He told me to wait until his trial. Well, Sirius never even got a trial! I tried to see Barty Crouch Sr. about it, but was told if I didn't shut up, I'd be arrested for alleged ties with Lily's and James's deaths. Well, I was so angry that I packed up my things and took Crystal with me to the States, where I could have a new life. I reverted to my maiden name so no one would suspect me. I finally came back to help Dumbledore with the Order, but I only got to spend less than two months with Sirius. Crystal grieves too, but it isn't like me, as she's only known him through pictures and stories and those two months. Harry, stay with me a few minutes until I compose myself."

Harry nodded and sat down next to his godmother. After a few minutes, Fiona wipped her eyes and managed a small smile. "So, did you talk to Dobby?" Harry nodded. "I suppose you must think me a hypocrite after that talk I had with you," continued Fiona. "I really am getiing on with my life, but I do need cry once in while over Sirius. Of course, this will not affect my teaching. I am a very good Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, as I did it in the States. And I promise to make life miserable for the Slytherins. I'll be taking off so many house points and giving out detentions to them, to make up for Snape doing it to Gryffindor.

And Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff will be earning a lot of house points. Oh, and Harry, I found out from Minerva that you're the captain for Gryffindor's quidditch team. You'll have to find some replacements for the chasers and see if you can't get any new beaters. Ginny said the ones that replaced the twins were horrible."

Harry nodded, remembering. He remembered Angelina saying that they weren't brilliant, but better compared to "the other idiots that showed up."

"Well, Harry, I suggest you go change," said Fiona. "Dinner will be in an hour and a half and after that is the reading of Sirius's will."

At five thirty dinner was served. Harry was wearing a new shirt and pants, as was Ron. Crystal was wearing a pale blue dress with sequins at the hem. Hermione had on her new blue-flowered dress and Ginny was wearing the new pale green dress. Their hair was done up in elegant knots, similar to the way Hermione had done her hair at the Yule ball. They had earings and necklaces on and apparently had been experminting with make-up, judging from the eye-liner, mascara and blush on theie eyelids, lashes, and cheeks. The three girls looked very pretty and Harry felt half ashamed of his hair, which as usual, he had not gotten to lie flat.

Dobby and Winky came in with the dinner. Hermione smiled at them and asked how they were doing. She was quite pleased to hear they were doing well. Ginny and Crystal had explained everything to her, so she was not surprised to see them or mentioned SPEW.

After a good meal, everyone went into the living room to hear Sirius's will. Dumbledore, whom had shown up for dinner, put the will on the table. A ghost- like figure of Sirius appeared. "If I'm here, this means I'm dead. Here is my will. First, this house will still be headquarters for the Order. After Voldemort's defeat, it will be given to my lovely wife, Fiona, and our daughter, Crystal. Next, I give Mungundus Fletcher any bowls, linens, and other Black heirlooms not thrown away. I know Fiona and Crystal wil not want them. Next, to my cousin Tonks, I give her 200 galleons. As for my motorcycle, Hagrid will keep it until Harry is old enough and knows how to ride it. Then, of course, Harry will get it. I give the Weasleys five hundred galleons. To the twins, I give them three hundred galleons as an investment in their store. Keep up the tricks and jokes! To my friend Remus Lupin or Moony, I leave a thousand galleons. To my godson, Harry, I leave half of what money is left in my vault. The other half goes to Crystal. I instruct Fiona to take care of Harry like a good godmother should and ask that Moony, Dumbledore, and Molly help with it. I ask that Hermione and Ron continue to be wonderful friends to Harry and hope Crystal will become one. I forgive Servus for any ills and apologise for the tricks I played on him. I love all my relatives and closest friends, and give my regards to the not-so-close friends and former enemies. I, Sirius Black, now take my leave."

The figure faded and everyone sat there. There were quiet sobs from a few people in the room. Finally, some people started recovering. Mrs. Weasley went to the kitchen to get some tea, while Harry pulled Crystal to him, who was crying profusely for her father. Hermione started crying too, and Ron akwardly put his arms around her. When Crystal and Hermione stopped crying, they pulled back, somewhat startled. Harry wondered again if he liked Crystal in a more-than-just-a-friend way and thought the same for Ron and Hermione.

Tonks wiped her eyes and her hair went back to the bubble-pink shade. She quickly downed a cup of tea and left the room, tripping at the doorway. Remus helped her up and the two of them left to talk. Bill, who had shown up for the reading with Fleur Delacour, also left the room. Fleur smiled at Harry, very sadly, though, and then followed Bill out. Ron whisphered that Fleur and Bill were dating and that Fleur's English had improved.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Fiona leaned over to Dumbledore and whisphered to him. Dumbledore then stood up and said, "I would like everyone to leave the room, except for those who were mentioned in Sirius's will." People started getting up and left. Finally there was only Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fiona, Crystal, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, Snape, Mungundus Fletcher, Tonks, and Lupin still left in the room.

Fiona stepped forward, holding the will. "I shall get the business settled," she began. "First off, Mungundus, come by tomorrow and we will get those old heirlooms boxed up for you. Servus, I reinforce the apology Sirius made to you. He did not like you when the two of you were in school, but before his death he decided you were an acceptable person and put that to his will. He did not have time to add this, but he wants you to have this ring as a token of forgiveness. Here you are, Servus, and you and Mungundus may leave now."

Snape and Mungundus nodded and left. Fiona turned her attention back to the others. "Now, Molly, Remus, and Albus, take good care of Harry when I'm not able to be around to do so. Ron, Hermione, remember to be good friends with Harry like Sirius said. The same goes for you Ginny. And Crystal, do try to be a good friend to Harry. Now, Tonks, Remus, Molly, and the twins, tomorrow afternoon I'll take you to Gringotts so we can transfer the money to your vaults. Harry and Crystal, I'll hold your money in the vault until it's time to get your school things. Then, Harry, your money will go to your vault and I'll put Sirius's vault under your name, Crystal. It's time that you had your own vault. Now, Hagrid could not make the reading, but I'll send a message to him to let him know about Sirius's motorcycle. That is all. You may all leave now."

Those left in the room got up and walked out. Harry was talking with his friends as well as to Crystal and Ginny. Fiona smiled at them, then turned to Dumbledore. "Well, Albus," she said. "how about if we go to the kitchen and ask Dobby for some tea or hot chocolate? The kids will probably be talking for half the night and I could use some company. And I also want to discuss my teaching position with you and clear up a few things." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he agreed.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Five: Harry's Birthday Party by Stella16

It was July 31st, the day of Harry's birthday. He was now sixteen. Harry woke up in bed, not realising that it was his birthday. Ron also woke up. He knew that it was Harry's birthday, but did not say anything about it as there was supposed to be a surprise party for Harry. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal had been instructed to keep Harry busy and make sure he stayed away from the livind room until it was time.

Ron and Harry both got out of bed and dressed. Then they went to brush their teeth. At eight the boys headed down to eat breakfast. Dobby was smiling because it was Harry's birthday, but he did not mention it, either. Everyone in the house sat at the table and had a good breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast with butter and jam, and doughnuts.

After breakfast. Harry was asked to help Dobby and Winky with the dishes. Harry was surprised by this request, but did it. The two elves talked to him about strange or useless subjects while washing. Therefore, it took almost two hours to wash and dry the dishes.

After Harry was done, Crystal grabbed Harry and practically dragged him upstairs so they could talk. Crystal told him that Ron and Hermione seemed to be getting together, though they still argued sometimes. She made Harry promise not to let on he knew and that he had to help her and Ginny get the two to admit they loved each other. Then she remarked with no stuttering or blushing that she liked Harry as a friend and added that she wouldn't be surprised if it turned to love. Harry then told Crystal that he had been wondering the same thing about himself. The two laughed over that and then Crystal sent Harry over to talk to Ron and Hermione.

By lunchtime, Harry realised that it was his birthday and wondered why nobody had mentioned it. He decided everyone must have forgot and was bit hurt that Ron and Hermione, his two best friends had forgotten. Crystal then came into the room and told him he was wanted in the living room. Harry went down, wondering what was going on. He pushed open the door to the living room.

"Surprise, Harry!" shouted everyone. Harry stood there, shocked. He looked ariund the room and saw it was decorated with balloons, streamers, and a banner that said, "HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, HARRY!".

Ron dragged him into the room and showed him the cake. There was a superb two decker chocolate cake with red and gold frosting on it. There was the Gryffindor lion, a broomstick, and a snitch done in frosting and "Happy Birthday, Harry!" written in fine script. On top were sixteen candles, all lit.
Everyone sang the birthday song and Harry made a wish and blew out the candles. The cake was then cut and Harry was given the slice with the snitch on it. After eating, Harry opened his presents.

From Ron was a bag with some of Harry's favorite candy. From Hermione was a card and a book to help with scheduling the DA meetings. Ginny gave Harry a book about Qudditch players. Crystal gave him Qudditch Through the Ages. Fiona gave him a copy of Hogwarts, A History, a Rememball and the notice that he could continue the DA lessons and that she would be around to help with it if necessary. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him a quill and a sweater. Tonks gave him a Wierd Sisters tape. The twins gave Harry some of their products, among them a candy that would turn a person's face and hair to another colour and the person wouldn't be able to see it. Lupin and
Moody each gave Harry a book on complicated hexes and curses for the Dark Arts. Hagrid had sent Harry a card and a book on magical creatures. (This book didn't bite or do anything.) Dobby and Winky gave Harry a pair of socks, one with wands, the other with lion heads. Dumbledore and McGonagall gave Harry a case for his wand and some tips on how to be a good Qudditch Captain. Snape, who had been prevailed to attend the party, gave Harry a painfully polite card wishing him happy birthday and his regrets over Sirius's death. Mungundus gave Harry a small pewter cauldron and assured him that it was not stolen.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Five continued by Stella16

Harry was quite pleased with his gifts and thanked everyone for them. The only gift he did not care that much for was the copy of Hogwarts, A History. He supposed Hermione had suggested it to Fiona. At least he wouldn't have to ask Hermione about something concerning the history of Hogwarts ever again. Harry was also surprised that Snape would give him a card and that Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were allowed to give him gifts. Normally teachers didn't as it might be seen as favoritism. Yes, Dumbledore had given Harry an invisiblity cloak, but that had belonged to Harry's father and wasn't really a gift.

Dobby came up to Harry and inquired, "Does Harry Potter like Dobby and Winky's present? It is not much, compared to some other presents, but Dobby likes socks and Harry Potter freed Dobby with a sock."

Harry smiled and assured Dobby that he liked the socks. To prove it, he put on the socks. Dobby and Winky both smiled and then popped back into the kitchen. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal offered to help put his many presents in his room. They each grabbed a few gifts, leaving Harry to carry the twins' gift and the birthday cards.

Hermione, Rin, and Ginny set down the gifts and left the room. Harry would have done the same, except Crystal grabbed him.

"Listen Harry," she whisphered. "Did you tell Ron and Hermione about the prophecy?" Harry shook his head. "Professor Dumbledore told my mum about it and Mum told me. I haven't told Ron and Hermione about it as I believe they should hear about it from you. You really should tell them, or at least give a few details, Harry. And Ginny may want a few details, too."

Harry looked down and replied, "I don't want to worry them about the prphecy."

Crystal looked at Harry like he was crazy. "Harry James Potter, those are your best friends! They should know some details. Furthermore, I believe you're going to win and kill You- Know- I mean V-Voldemort. Good always wins against evil. It says so in the Bible, if you're the religious type. It also happened in history and in all books that have a struggle with evil, the good side wins. Mum got me a muggle series called Redwall two years ago. All the characters in it are animals and the good animals, hares and mice and such, win against the evil animals, the ferrets and weasels and foxes and the like. If you doubt in yourself, come to me and I'll let you read the books. All right, Harry?"

Harry nodded in understanding and Crystal gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. She left the room and came back a minute later with a book. "This is the first book in the Series, titled Redwall. The Redwall Abbey in it is like Hogwarts. The main character, Matthais the mouse, is like you. And the rat, Cluny the Scourage, and his crew, are like Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The Abbot of the Abbey is like Dumbledore and the mother badger is like McGonagall. I don't know about Cornflower the mouse, except that I might be her. But I don't know if I'll fall in love with you like Cornflower and Matthais did. Anyway, read this. It will help you and make you feel more optomistic."
Harry took the book and thanked Crystal for it. She smiled and kissed Harry again on the cheek. She told Harry that he could start reading it now and that she would make his excuses with everyone else. Harry smiled back and sat down to read. Crystal left the room and went downstairs.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny asked Crystal what Harry was doing. Crystal explained that she had given Harry a book to read that would make him feel better. When she mentioned the title, Hermione exclaimed, "I've read that book! My parents got it for me for my tenth birthday. It was very interesting, with animals as all the characters." She then perceded to describe the book to Ron and Ginny, with help from Crystal.

"You do realise that book is a little like our situation now, Hermione?" asked Crystal. "The Redwall Abbey is like Hogwarts. The mouse Matthais is like Harry. The rat Cluny and his crew are like Voldemort and his followers. The Father Abbot, Mortimer, is like Dumbledore. Constance, the mother badger, is like McGonagall. Methuselah, the old gatekeeper, is like Srius. He even died in that book like Sirius...did. Basil Stag Hare would probably be like Lupin or you, Ron. The sparrow, Warbeak, would have to be like those who didn't believe Harry at first, but got converted. Cornflower would have to be like... well, I don't know exactly. I mean, I did encourage Harry and told him I believed in him like Cornflower did to Matthais, but I don't think we'll fall in love and marry like those two. Hermione, you could be like Cornflower, but I don't think if the two of you would fall in love and marry. Ginny, you could be Cornflower, but I believe you said you got over Harry and are currently going out with this Dean Thomas."

Ginny blushed a little and said she would like to read the book when Harry was done. Crystal told Ginny and Ron about the other books in the series and said they could read them while Harry was occupied with Redwall. Crystal suggested that Ginny read Martin the Warrior, which about the great warrior mouse that helped found the Abbey. Crystal said Ron could read Mossflower, which was about the struggle to rid the land of a evil wildcat ruler and the founding of Redwall. Hermione had read the Redwall books except for the newest ones and Crystal said she'd lend her The Outcast of Redwall.

Fiona came over to see what the kids were discussing. She was quite pleased to hear that Harry was reading a book that would make him feel better. She kissed each one on the cheek and then left to talk with the adults. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal went upstairs so Crystal could get them their books. While the others began reading, Crystal fished out the new Redwall series book, The Pearls of Lutra and started reading chapter ten, where she had left off. The boys' and girls' bedroom became silent, excpt for sighs and the rustles of pages turning.

End of Chapter Five Alicia13 will write chapter six soon.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Six: Owls and School Supplies by Alicia13

It was two days after Harry's birthday. Harry had finished reading Redwall and gave it to Ginny for her to read. Ginny and Hermione had finished Martin the Warrior and The Outcast of Redwall. Ron, who wasn't that much of a reader and a little slow, even though he did enjoy reading Mossflower, was only three-fourths of the way through. Crystal had finished reading The Pearls of Lutra and gave it to Hermione to read.

Mrs. Weasley was pleased to see the children reading as it gave her quiet time. Fiona muttered something about how the muggle books she bought were useful after all in the wizard world. As she was muggle-born, she had grown up reading muggle books. That was why she encouraged her daughter to read some muggle books.

On August 3rd, the letters from Hogwarts arrived. Harry opened his. It said the same thing it always did, except at the end it mentioned his N.E.W.T. level classes and his Quidditch captaincy. The next page had the list of the books necessary for all his classes. A note at the bottom said that as Professor Snape had only five students who had gotten an Outstanding, he had been persuaded to allow those who got Exceeding Expectations to enter his classes too. Harry was excited as that meant Ron could be with him in Potions. Crystal came in to announce as she had gotten ten of the American form of O.W.Ls, she would be able to be in all the required N.E.W.T classes. Ginny followed with a wierd look on a her face and a prefect badge in her hand.

"I've been made prefect," she said in a funny voice. "I don't want it, George and Fred will kill me. Or they'll tease me and then I'll have to bat-boogey hex them."

Hermione followed to say, "Oh now, Ginny, that's an honour. We could patrol the halls together. I'd show you everything and how to be a good prefect."

Mrs. Weasley came in to see what was going on. Crystal said with a fake smile, "Mrs. Weasley, Ginny's been made a prefect."

Mrs. Weasley gave a shriek and exclaimed, "That's everyone in the family, except for those twins!"

Fiona walked in behind her and asked, "Who's been made prefect?" Then she saw Mrs. Weasley hug Ginny and she had her answer. Fiona congradulated Ginny and told her that she herself had almost been made a prefect when she had been in Hogwarts. It turned out Lily and Fiona had been the likely girl candidates in Gryffindor and finally Dumbledore had picked Lily for prefect.
Mrs. Weasley then said Ginny could have a gift for being made prefect and Ginny decided on an owl. Fiona also said she would give Ginny something and Ginny decided on pale blue dress robes. Fortunately Mrs. Weasley was too excited to talk Fiona out of buying the robes. Fiona said that the next day she was taking everyone out to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies.

Then she added, "Oh, I want everyone to start calling me Professor McGill now. You'll have to once school begins and it's best you're used to it by then. I don't want you caliing me 'Aunt Fiona' by mistake because you're not used to it. If that happened, I'd have to explain, and I do not want the Slytherins to find out I'm Harry's godmother. Is that clear?"

The children nodded in understanding. Fiona smiled and said, "Of course, you don't have to call me 'Professor', Crystal dear. You may still call me 'Mum'."
Fiona and Mrs. Weasley leave the room. Harry and his friends sit down and discuss the new school year.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Six continued

That afternoon, Fiona came to the boys' and girls' bedrooms. "Everyone, how about going ouside and playing Quidditch? You really shouldn't be inside all day reading." Everyone jumped up and said they were willing, except for Hermione who didn't like heights while on a broomstick. Fiona said she could watch and everyone else got their brooms. Crystal had a Nimbus 2001.

In the back yard, Fiona set up a team. Harry was seeker, Ron keeper, and Ginny, Crystal, and Fiona were chasers. They decided not to have beaters as George and Fred were too busy at their shop. Harry discovered that Crystal was an excellent chaser and Ginny was also quite good. Ron had improved and he did not let any goals in until Harry told him that it wasn't a real match, just a game for fun. An hour before supper, the group headed inside
to change and shower.

Over dinner, Harry told Crystal that she was a good chaser. Crystal blushed and said modestly that she had played Quidditch at her school in America. She added that she was planning to join the Gryffindor team. Harry smiled and told her she would be on the team.


More later... it's lunchtime.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Six continued.

The next day, after breakfast, it was time for shopping for school supplies. Crystal, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Fiona went to the fireplace in the living room. A fire was started and everyone flooed in to Diagon Alley. This time Harry did not end up in Knockturn Alley and got to his proper destination.

First everyone went to Gringotts. Hermione went to change her muggle pound notes for wizard money. Then everyone headed down to the vaults. First they stopped at Sirius's vault. Fiona made arrangements for half of the money in the vault, 500 galleons and 195 sickles, to be placed in Harry's vault. The vault was then put down under Crystal's name. Then they went to Fiona's vault, where she withdrew a few hundred galleons and sickles, and some knuts.

At Harry's vault, Harry withdrew some money, but he did take a great deal out, as Fiona had said she was paying for his supplies as well as Crystal's. Last of all they went to the Weasley's vault and Ron and Ginny each withdrew some money. Then everyone left to buy their things.

Fiona gave Harry and Crystal each sixty galleons and thirty sickles. She also gave Hermione, Ron, and Ginny each thirty galleons and fifteen sickles. The three protested, but Fiona said they were Harry's friends and deserved something so they wouldn't feel left out. Fiona then left the kids to get new robes and buy the supplies she would need for her teaching job.

Harry and Ron wandered off together to get their supplies while Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal went their way. They arranged to meet in the Leaky Cauldron two hours later.

In front of Flourish and Blotts, Harry and Ron ran into Neville Longbottom and his grandmother. Neville was quite happy to see them and they talked. Mrs. Longbottom thanked Harry for getting Neville through Defense of Dark Arts with an Outstanding. Neville had also pulled off an E in Potions and Harry was asked to give Hermione Neville's thanks.

Harry and Ron then went to Madame Malkin's Robes as they were getting too short for their old ones, especially Ron. Fiona was in there getting her robes. A young boy with brown hair was in there also and Harry recognised him as Mark Evans, the boy that Dudley had beaten up last summer. He was quite surprised to see him. Fiona rushed over to Harry.

"I see you recognise Mark Evans," she whisphered. "He happens to be your second cousin. His father is your mother's first cousin and his grandfather was your grandfather's younger brother. Mark's father is a muggle-born wizard. His wife isn't. His family are your closest relatives outside your aunt and uncle, unless you have some on the Potter side that are still alive and we know nothing about. Why don't you say hello to him? He is your cousin, after all."

Harry walked up to Mark and said hello. Mark was surprised to see Harry and they talked a little while. It turned out Mark knew about his relationship with Harry but had been instructed not to let Harry know until Mark was ready for Hogwarts. Harry then introduced Ron to Mark and the three got to know each other. Mark then had to leave to get his wand and Harry and Ron got fitted for their robes. When they were done, Ron and Harry left to restock their potions supplies.


More later...

[Alicia13]

At twelve o'clock the group met together at The Leaky Cauldron. George, Fred, and their new partner and best friend, Lee Jordan, joined them. Fiona bought everyone lunch and finished it with ice cream from Florean Frescoe's. Then everyone gathered their things and flooed back to the Order headquarters. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal went upstairs to read their new books, examine the products George and Fred had given them, and put everything else away in their trunks. Fiona had a cup of tea with Molly and then she went upstairs to put her things away and write up a lesson plan.

The afternoon was pretty quiet, except for when Tonks tripped over the umbrella stand again and caused everyone to rush to the hall way. Dobby and Winky came and took away the umbrella stand so no one could trip over it in the future. Then the Silencing Charm on Mrs. Black's portrait somehow wore off and there was a lot of screaming of "Mud-bloods, half-bloods, and blood traitors sullying her house" until Fiona put the charm back on. Then Kreacher, who heard the noise in his little broiler room, started screaming and yelling to be let out so he could serve "Mistress." Fiona unlocked the door and Kreacher attempted to get out, despite the fact that his feet were tied with rope. She stunned him, then silenced him. After, she placed him back in the room, unstunned him, and quickly shut and locked the door. Through a tiny window, Fiona pushed in some food and a bottle of water.

Then she turned around. "Did anyone remember to feed Kreacher today?" she demanded. "I see that no one did, from those guilty faces. You all know that if Kreacher is fed, he doesn't bother us or make too much noise. Are you trying to starve him? I know he isn't a good elf and that he tried to betray the Order, but he has to be treated somewhat humanely. Really, Molly, I thought you would at least remember to feed him." Fiona then walked angrily out the room.

Hermione and Crystal looked at the adults still in the room reproachfully and then left after Fiona. Ron looked at Harry and whisphered, "Spew, again." Harry nodded and the two, as well as Ginny, also left. The adults looked at each other and left the room, too.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Seven: Back to Hogwarts by Stella16

The last two weeks of August passed very quickly. All too soon, September first came and it was time to go back to school. All the teenagers in the house woke up early to make sure they had packed everything. Dobby and Winky also got up early so they could make a good breakfast for the students.

At ten o'clock Fiona brought out her van. The back had been enlarged so all six trunks would fit. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in the front with Mr. Weasley driving. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the middle while Ginny, Crystal, and Fiona took the back seat. At ten forty, they arrived at King's Cross Station. The group went through the barrier and the scarlet train was there, with numerous students, parents, and younger or older siblings who could not attend or had already left Hogwarts.

Mrs. Weasley kissed all the children and then they and Fiona boarded the train. They found a compartment that was empty except for Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, who was wearing a prefect badge. Fiona introduced herself to them as Professor Fiona McGill, the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, and also Crystal. Then Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Luna headed for the prefects' compartment while Crystal, Harry and Professor McGill found seats.

When the witch with the food trolley came by, Professer McGill brought food for everyone, as well as extra for the prefects. The four prefects came back a few minutes later, Luna holding a copy of The Quibbler. Professor McGill smiled at the four and handed them some cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties. Then she asked Luna how her summer had been.

Luna replied, "Oh, Dad and I had a wonderful time in Sweden. We might have seen a Crumple-horned Snorack, but it disappeared before we could get close. It turns out that they're usually around in the winter and to see one in the summer is rare. We did see some regular Snoracks. Muggles call them reindeer, I believe. Dad wrote an article about the way of life in Sweden and the habits of a Snorack. It's in this issue, if you want to read it."

Professor McGill nodded and took the magazine. After she read the article, she told Luna it was very well written and she was going to get a subscription to The Quibbler. Hermione, Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Neville looked shocked, but didn't say anything as Luna had been a great help last year and they considered her sort of a friend. Crystal looked questioningly at them and Hermione leaned forward and whisphered to her that some of the things in The Quibbler were very questionable and considered myths and stories by some.

Just then, the compartment door opened and Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle walked in with their wand in their hands. "Well, well, if it isn't Potty, Granger, the Weasel, Longbottom,and Loony." sneered Malfoy. "Did you have fun this summer? What about sending my father to Azkaban? Was that fun?"

Ron, Harry, Neville, and Ginny stood up, also holding their wands. Their faces were furious. Before they could speak, however, Professer McGill stood up and spoke. "Excuse me, what is going on here?" Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looked at her surprised.

"I am Professor Fiona McGill," she continued, "your new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Are we having some disagreement here? What are your names and your house, gentlemen?" The three were silent.

Finally Ron said, "Their names are Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle," pointing to each. "They're in Slytherin."

Fiona was furious. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Crabbe, and Mr. Goyle! How dare you show up and insult people! Especially you, Mr. Malfoy! I'm giving you all detentions and I shall speak to your head of House. It's Servus Snape, isn't it? Now, leave before you cause more trouble and force me to take off points before term starts. In fact, I think I'll take off twenty points right now and add another detention for not answering me when I asked your names and house. That will teach you to answer when a teacher asks a question. You should be ashamed of causing trouble before term starts. Now, go!"

The three left the compartment looking angry. Once they were gone, everyone laughed to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle getting what they deserved.

When they got near Hogwarts, everyone changed out of their muggle clothes into their school robes. Professor McGill pointed her wand at her clothing and her red dress suit was changed into pale golden robes.

When they arrived and got off the Hogwarts Express, Hagrid greeted Harry and his friends. The he shouted, "Firs' years, over here!" so he could take them on the customary boat ride to Hogwarts. The older students headed for the carriages, drawn by thestrals, who were invisible except to those who had seen death. The students were on their way inside.

Chapter eight is next!

[Alicia13]

Chapter Eight: The Sorting by Alicia13

The group entered the Great Hall. Professor McGill left them and headed for the staff table. Professor McGonagall came up to Crystal. "You will wait with the first years and be sorted with them, Crystal. When it is your turn, Professor Dumbledore will explain about you and then you will be sorted. That will be all."

Crystal looked at her new friends and said, "I hope to be joining you soon. Pray that I'll end up in Gryffindor. I refuse to be in Slytherin, I don't really want to be in Hufflepuff, and the only person I know in Ravenclaw is Luna and she's not in my year." Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville smiled and told her not to worry, she would no doubt be sorted into Gryffindor.
The group sat down at the Gryffindor table while Luna headed for the Ravenclaw one. After a short while, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick came out with a stool and the old Sorting Hat. The Hat was placed on the stool and then it began to sing.

"Oh, you may just see
An old and ragged hat,
And say, "Oh, my dear,
What good is that?"

Don't be fooled by looks,
Put me on your head
And I'll see which house
Is best for your bed.

In Gryffindor are the ones
That are brave and true
They do daring deeds,
Maybe that's the house for you.

In Ravenclaw you might be,
You'll have brains, I can see
You'll love books and say,
'That's the house for me!'

In loyal Hufflepuff are many
Who work hard and do well
They never give up at all,
And everyone can tell.

Or you will be in Slytherin
The house that takes only pure
They want the powerful ones,
You can be very sure.

These four houses are good,
Together they are very strong
So please, work together,
And now I end my song."

Everyone clapped at the end of the song. Harry noticed while the song had not been like last year, the last verse had the same message. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and explained the sorting. Then she looked at the list and called the students forward, alphabetically.

"Acklar, Stephanie" A short girl with dark brown hair stepped forward. She put on the Sorting Hat and it called out, "RAVENCLAW!" She took off the hat and walked to the Ravenclaw table, where everyone there was clapping,

"Andrews, Peter." "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table erupted in clapping.

"Babbitt, David." "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers and clapping.

"Benson, Georgina." "SLYTHERIN!" The Gryffindor table booed while the Slytherins clapped and cheered.

When it was Mark Evan's turn, Harry and his friends paid more attention. Mark was sorted into Gryffindor and the Gryffindor's cheered while Harry told Neville that he had just found out that Mark was his second cousin.
Finally they heard, "McGill, Crystal." Crystal slowly walked forward. She looked quite calm except for her eyes, which showed her nervousness. Her mother was looking right at her.

Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Excuse me, everyone. I would like announce that Crystal McGill is a new student from America. Her mother is the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Crystal will be joining the six year students and is being sorted with the first years. I would like the house that she will be in to welcome her."

Professor Dumbledore sat down and Crystal placed the Hat on her head. Harry and his friends looked nervously at her. They could see that her lips were moving and realised that she was probably asking the Sorting Hat to place her in Gryffindor. After a minute or two, it finally called out, "GRYFFINOR!" The Gryffindors cheered and clapped, Harry and his friends the loudest of all. Crystal took off the Hat and rushed to the Gryffindor table. Professer McGill was smiling and nodded approvingly at Crystal.

Crystal sat down next to Hermione and Ginny and said, "I'm so glad to be in Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat considered putting me in Ravenclaw for a moment there, because I'm clever, though not as clever as you, Hermione, but I told it I wanted to be in Gryffindor. It said I was very brave, so I could be in Gryffindor. It also said I was hard-working and loyal and would be good in Hufflepuff, too. it didn't say anything about Slytherin, though, thank goodness. I was repeating, Please, put me in Gryffindor, and it finally did put me here.

Finally the Sorting was over with "Young, Beatrice." (Gryffindor.) Dumbledore stood up, whished everyone a happy beginning of term and said, "Eat up!" Food appeared on the plates and everyone started eating.
Crystal looked appreciatively at the food. "It's different than the food at my old school and also, a little more. I mean, it did have plenty of food at meals, but they were mostly American. They even served pizza and hotdogs and such. Mum cooked some English food over the holidays and told me about Hogwarts food, so I'm not very surprised to see something like shepherd's pie." With that, she filled up her plate and started eating, though she did not shovel it down like Ron and was more ladylike about eating.

When the meal was done, Professor Dumbledore stood up. "I see that every one is well fed and watered. I would like to make some announcements. First, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, Professor Fiona Eleanor McGill. Some of you may have met her on the train." Here Professor McGill stood up and nodded at the applause, while Professor Dumbledore looked at the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables and at Luna in Ravenclaw.

Dumbledore than continued, "I would like to remind everyone the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds. Some of our older students would do well to remember this. Also, there will be no magic in the halls and certain objects will be banned from the Halls. The list has been included to the merchandise from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, though they were very, ah, amusing last year. Also, the ministry has announced that Lord Voldemort has indeed returned. Be very careful. If you wish to learn how to fight against him, there is a club called the D.A., which will teach you that. It is run by Harry Potter and Professer McGill has offered to help with it, if necessary. I believe meetings will be once or twice a week and Harry and his friends will inform you of the meeting time. As for Divination, Professor Sibyll Trewlaney will be teaching the third and fourth year students while Professor Frienze, the centaur, will teach the sixth and seventh year students. They will share the fifth year divination classes. That is all. You may go to your dormatories now."

Everyone got up to leave. The prefects called the first years to them and led them to the commom rooms. This year, the first password for Gryffindor was, "Mally Bats." The Fat Lady's portrait swung open and the Gryffindors climbed through the hole into the common room. Crystal looked around and found it very nice and comfortable. Soon most people went up to bed.
Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan went to their room. Their trunks had been brought up and all posters had been hung up. The boys changed into their pajamas and soon feel asleep.

End of Chapter eight. Stella16 will write chapter nine soon.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Nine: First Day of Classes by Stella16

Harry woke up in his comfortable four-poster. He got out of bed and dressed in his school robes. Seeing that Ron was still sleeping, Harry woke him up so he wouldn't be late. Ron woke up sleepily and saw that Seamus and Dean had already left. Neville had woken up the same time Harry did and after seeing that Ron had woken up, had left for breakfast.

Once Ron was ready, he and Harry went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The bewitched ceiling showed that it was a nice day outside. Hermione, Crystal and Ginny were already at the Gryffindor table. The boys sat down next to them and they said good morning.
Crystal handed Harry and Ron their schedules and said, "Hermione and I have Arithmacy while the two of you have some other N.E.W.T. class. Then we have N.E.W.T. Potions. Right after that is Defense Against Dark Arts with the Slytherins. There were too many who passed to put them in one class. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs will have their class tomorrow. That's what Luna said, anyway. Defense against Dark Arts is going to be so fun. Oh, Mum said that she's going to tell the Slytherin gits their dentention just before she starts class. Well, she didn't call them gits, but she did call them irresponsible boys who need to learn how to behave as their parents didn't seem to have succeeded in teaching them how to. Be on time and we can hear what nasty thing she cooked up for them."

Ron and Harry laughed and promised that they would. Crystal then went to tell Neville the news as he had also been in the compartment. Neville also laughed when he heard and said he would be on time, also.

Hermione leaned toward Harry and said, "Could you tell Hagrid that I'm really sorry that I can't take Care of Magical Creatures anymore? With Runes and Arithmacy and all, I don't have the time in my schedule. And Crystal wants to meet Hagrid, but as she's also taking Arithmacy and Runes, she can't meet him in a class. We have some time on Friday afternoon, so she wants to know if we could take her to see Hagrid then."

"I'll tell Hagrid," replied Harry. "And of course we can take Crystal to meet him Friday. Let me tell Ron." Harry turned to Ron and told him. Ron agreed.

After breakfast the group gathered their things and headed for class. Harry, Ron, and Neville headed for Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid was outside his hut, smiling. Now that the horrid Umbridge was gone, he was not so nervous and was ready to begin. Harry told Hagrid that Hermione was very sorry, but she had no time to in her schedule to take Care of Magical Creatures. He also thanked Hagrid for his birthday gift.

Class began. Hagrid had brought a sphinx to class and explained how it gave riddles. He told the story of how a sphinx had asked a riddle, but no one in the Greek town could answer it. Finally a young travler it. The riddle was, "What has four legs in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" The answer was a man. As a baby, it crawls on all fours, as a grown person it walks on two legs, and as an old man, it has a cane.
Hagrid then asked Harry to tell about the sphinx it encountered in the maze during the Tiwizard tournament. Harry did so and repeated whatever parts of the riddle he could remember and the answer. The class was very enjoyable.

After Care of Magical Creatures was Potions. Right after Snape walked in, he called Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle to the front and said, "I am very disappointed in you. You three have to get yourself detention before term starts, have a teacher take off points, and have that same teacher then talk to me about your behaviour! Professor McGill was seriously considering writing to your parents about your behaviour and asking them to work harder on teaching you to behave properly! It is very shameful and makes Slytherin look bad! If you must be nasty, then do do it where there are no teachers around. Now sit down!"

The other students in the room happened to hear as Snape was so angry that he didn't realise his voice was raised. The Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs in the room smiled and choked back giggles. The two other Slytherins in the room looked angry and ashamed. Once Malfoy sat down, Pansy Parkinson hissed, "What did you do that lost us points and got you detention before term started? You were bothering Potter and his friends, weren't you? And the new teacher happened to be in the compartment and saw and then punished you. Can't you be more careful and pay attention, Draco Malfoy?"

Snape strode forward and said, "Silence! Class will begin. We are in N.E.W.T. Potions. How some of you got in this class is beyond me." Here he looked at Harry and his friends. "Now this class will be hard. As I said before, this is not a class where we do wand waving and say spells. So today we shall begin a complicated healing potion. If made properly and taken in the right amount, it can heal almost all injuries and diseases. The directions are on the board. Read carefully and begin. Whoever makes the correct potion will get an O for the day. Now, I shall do my own work and leave you to work on the potion."

Snape sat down to do his own work and everyone began working. Harry was very surprised that Snape was leaving everyone alone. Neville, who had pulled off an E because he was good in Herbology and Snape was not the tester, was happy with this and began working hard on his potion.

Toward the end of class, Snape got up to check the potions. When he passed by Malfoy's desk, he said, "Good work, but the color is a little too light." Then he walked toward's the Gryffindor table. Snape did not comment on Harry's work at all. When he got to Neville and Hermione, he said, "Longbottom, Miss Granger, you two seem to have made the perfect potions. Both of you get the O's for the day. I shall inform Professor McGonagall of this. I suppose I shall have to award fivepointstoGryffindor." The last bit was said very fast, as if he had something he wanted to get out of his mouth. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were very surprised as Snape never gave Gryffindor points before.

The Potions class was very nice, for a change, and Harry and his friends went happily to lunch.

More later. Sorry you won't see a Defense Against Dark Arts lesson this post. Alicia13 and I need to plan it. But you'll see it next post.

[Alicia13]

Chapter nine continued by Alicia13

After lunch, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Crystal, and Neville headed for the Defense of Dark Arts Classroom. They entered and saw Professor McGill at her desk. A stack of paper and two boxes of quills were on her desk. She looked up when they entered.

"Why, good afternoon everyone," she said. "You are early. Please take a seat. Now, for the first half-hour, there's going to be quiz to review what you have learned in the past. Each correct answer will win your house one point. Each incorrect answer may lose your house one point, especially if you're in the house Mr. Malfoy is in. After the quiz, I'll demonstrate some spells and the Shielding Charm and have groups to practise. You may want to practise them during a D.A. session, Harry. Ah, more students. Good afternoon."

Other students walked in and sat down. Once everyone had arrived, Professor McGill stood up and siad, "Good afternoon, everyone. Now, before I forget, I have to arrange a few detentions. Could Mr. Draco Malfoy, Mr. Vincent Crabbe, and Mr. Gregory Goyle come to my desk?"

The three walked up and waited. "Now, let's see," began Professer McGill. "Mr. Crabbe, you will polish the trophies in the trophy room with Mr. Filch tonight and the next night you will scrub the hallways or whatever that Mr. Filch requires of you. There will be no magic. Mr. Goyle, you will clean whatever Mr. Filch requires of you tonight, but not the trophy room. Tomorrow night you will help Madam Pomfreyin the infirmary. There will be no magic either. As for you, Mr. Malfoy, you will report to my office. Tonight you will help me clean out my office and remove anything that may be left from the last teacher. You will then help move in my things. No magic will be used! The next night you will write 'I will not try to pick a fight with or insult Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood in front of a teacher again' five hundred times. If you try to shorten it or use one of the terms I heard you call them, you will see me again and rewrite the lines in another detention. This will happen until you get the lines correct. Now sit down."

The Gryffindors giggled at the detentions Professor McGill had come up with. She turned to the room and said, "Settle down please. I will take attendance now." After she had called everyone's name, she announced the quiz. She handed each person a quiz paper and a quill to prevent cheating. After half an hour, Professer McGill collected the tests and quills. She then picked up a quill that was bewitched to grade the tests very quickly. In six minutes the tests were graded and she announced the results.

"Now, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, Miss McGill, Mr. Longbottom, and Miss Patil had full points so win fifty points each for Gryffindor. Mr. Thomas wins Gryffindor forty-eight points. And Miss Brown and Mr. Finnigan each win Gryffindor forty-five points. I will take off ten points for the incorrect answers. Now for the Slytherins. Your grades were not so spectacular. All of you missed many questions. For example, Mr. Goyle, when you described a broggart, you wrote 'shape', then crossed it out and wrote instead, 'a water creature'. Were you trying to describe a grindylow or mermaid? Mr. Malfoy, you described a Red Cap as a creature with spindly limbs and carries a lantern. I believe you are actually describing a Hinky-punk. Mr. Crabbe, you put down the Impedimenta Curse as one of the Unforgiveable Curses. And Miss Parkinson, you wrote that your favorite color is pink when I was asking about Jelly legs. Your tests were disgraceful and I am surprised how you even passed your O.W.L's. All together you got fifty points, but I will have to take off a hundred points for the incorrect answers. Be glad I am not taking off the full one hundred and fifty points that really should be removed. Here are your tests back."

Harry and his friends saw that they had scored perfect on their tests while Malfoy and his friends saw that they had done horribly.

After that, Professor McGill began demonstrating the hexes for the day. She called Malfoy up to help her.

"Now, you must say 'Protego' for the shielding charm and try to block them. if you are successful, I will then suffer the effects of my hex. If you are not successful, then you will suffer. And no, I will not tell you what hex I plan to use. If someone were attacking you, he or she would not tell you."

Professor McGill pointed her wand and said, "Panthera Leo." Malfoy tried to say "Protego," but he was shaky and the hex hit before he was done speaking. A long lions tail and whiskers sprouted. The Gryffindors laughed and Malfoy was asked to sit down. Harry was called up next. Professor McGill pointed her wand and said, "Panthera Pardus". Harry succeeded in successfully blocking her and so she ended up with a leopard's tail, whiskers, and black leopard's spots appearing on her yellow robes. She preformed the countercurse and then called up Hermione. Professor McGill said "Panthera tigrus". Hermione also blocked it and Professor McGill sprouted whiskers and a tail and her robes became orange and white stripes.

Then class was almost over, so Professor McGill unhexed herself and announced homework. "Please read about these looking like a wild cat hexes and write a summary about them. Try to write at least six inches. That will be all. You may all leave."

Malfoy raised his hand, which now looked very much like a lion's paw. In a growly, roaring voice he said,"Please unhex me, Professor."

Professor McGill looked up and said, "Oh, I almost forgot!" She changed back to his normal form and to apoligise gave Slytherin five points. The class walked out, with the Gryffindors talking about the looking like a wild cat hex and how funny Malfoy looked with the lion tail and whiskers. On the whole, it was a very enjoyable lesson for everyone, except for the Slytherins.

[Alicia13]

Chapter ten: More Classes and a Talk

That evening Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and the other prefect, Colin Creevy, came back to the common room after patrolling the halls. The four were laughing. Harry, Crystal, and Neville looked up and asked what was so funny. Ron wasted no time in telling them that he and his fellow Gryffindor prefects had seen Goyle doing his detention. Harry and Crystal looked at each other and started giggling.

"Oh, it was so funny to see that git," laughed Ginny

"He was holding a mop and trying to mop the floor," added Hermione. Neville started laughing, too.

"Goyle was angry at our laughing," said Colin, "but Professor McGill happened to show up and told him to get back to work or he'd get another detention. But she did take off fifty points from Slytherin for trying to attack us."

"She then told us to go about her proper duties," said Ron. "But she did whispher to us that we were awarded ten points to Gryffindor for being good prefects. I think she made it up just so she could give us points."

"Then Professor McGill had to back to her office and see how that git Malfoy was doing," said Ginny. "She didn't want him messing up her office."

"And I think the Slytherins, particularly Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle," remarked Hermione, "broke the record for the most points lost on the first day. I mean, Professor McGill took off one hundred fifty points from them and the record was I think one hundred and thirty, set by your father and his friends, Harry."

Harry shook his head and the seven people laughed. "You know," remarked Crystal, "I think Gryffindor broke the record for the most points won on the first day. Mum gave us three hundred points, plus forty-eight and ninety more. Then she took off ten points but gave it back this evening. And she probably gave out more points during her other classes."

"She did," piped up Ginny. "During class with Ravenclaw, she gave out a quiz and gave Gryffindor and Ravenclaw loads of points for the right answers. She only took off five points from each house for the wrong answers. Then she added more points for all the students she called up to help her demonstrate."

Colin nodded in agreement. "Your mum is a really good teacher, Crystal."

"Thanks, Colin," replied Crystal. "But why don't you tell her yourself?"
Colin turned red, mumbled something incomprehensible, and left the common room. The others went back to their discussion.

"I heard that McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout were really pleased with all the points that their houses won today," said Harry. "Snape isn't going to be so happy over all the points those gits lost for Slytherin. He might retaliate by taking off loads of points from Gryffindor for no reason the next Potions lesson."

"But we have Defense Against Dark Arts after Potions, Harry,' said Neville. "Your godmother will just make up for it by adding more points to Gryffindor."

"It looks like the Slytherins won't be winning the house cup this year with my mum here as teacher," remarked Crystal.

"And if I do well as captain and get a great team together," said Harry, "the Slytherins won't be winning the Qudditch Cup this year, either. We will, again."

The others agreed and then they headed to their rooms for bed.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Ten continued by Alicia13

The next morning Harry and Ron went down to the great hall for breakfast. They sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione and Ginny.

"Where's Crystal?" asked Harry. "Did she come down?"

"Oh, her mum stopped Crystal on her way in to talk," replied Hermione.

"Look!" exclaimed Ginny."There's her coming now with Professor McGill."
Ginny was correct. Crystal was walking toward the Gryffindor table. She was in her black school robes and her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Her mother was behind her, in red robes and her blonde hair braided and arranged in a crown around her head. Crystal sat down and Professor McGill smiled and bid the Gryffindors good morning. Then she headed to the staff table to eat breakfast. Harry looked toward there and saw that Snape was looking angrily at her. He apparently wasn't happy over the points taken off from Slytherin.

Crystal interrrupted his thoughts. "Mum told me that when she went back to check on Malfoy, she saw him trying to wreck some of her things to get back at her for those detentions. Mum was really mad and took off another thirty points from Slytherin and gave him another detention. He has to write 'I will not try to destroy my Defense Against Dark Arts teacher's possessions again.' Professor Snape isn't going to be so pleased. Then I heard that Filch kept Crabbe polishing until ten o'clock because he was slow and not doing a good job. Well Mum found him out in the halls after hours. Crabbe tried to explain that Filch kept him late, but Mum took off twenty points and gave him another detention. He has to write 'I will not be out in the hallways after nine o'clock again unless it is an emergency.' But when she saw some Ravenclaws ten minutes after nine heading back to their dormotories, she just smiled and gave them twenty points."

"Why did she do that?" asked Hermione. "Isn't that favoritism?"

"Well," replied Crystal, "the Ravenclaws told her they'd gone to the library and had forgotten the time. Then they said they enjoyed her lesson and that she was a good teacher, much better than the one last year. She was really pleased with the compliment and so rewarded them with points."

Ron glanced at the staff table. "Snape looks really mad. He doesn't like Slytherin losing two hundred points on the first day. I wonder if they're in the minus points now. But McGonagall and Flitwick look happy. They're talking to Aunt Fi-I mean Professor McGill, and they're smiling. Sprout isn't there, but I bet she's happy too. I mean, she gave loads of points to all the houses except Slytherin."

"Actually, Ron," said Ginny, "The Slytherins lost more than three hundred points points yesterday and only won eighty points for their correct answers. They're in the minus of one hundred and twenty. It would be two hundred, but they did win eighty. I checked the points today. Oh, and we have around six hundred points and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff each have around five hundred."

The Gryffindors smiled at the good news and quickly ate breakfast. Ginny went off to her O.W.L. Potions, while the sixth years headed for N.E.W.T. Tranfiguration.

More later...

[Alicia13]

In Transfiguration, they began learning human transfiguration. They had already done changing inanimate objects to other inanimate objects, transforming inanimate objects into living things, and animal transfiguration. Professor McGonagall gave a demonstration and then everyone took notes on the theory. For homework they had to write an essay about human transfiguration and Animungis.

After Transfiguration was Charms. Professor Flitwick demonstrated some diffucult charms and for homework everyone had to practice the charms and summarise what happened when they did.

At lunch time the group was very happy to have some rest time from classes, except maybe for Hermione and Crystal, who were talking animatedly about the Transfiguration and Charms classes. Ginny showed up with an angry face.

"Snape took off about a hundred points from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw each in Potions today!" she snapped. "It was the worst class ever! He took off points for those students who had imperfect potions. He even took off points from those few who had perfect potions by finding the most ridiculous excuses! He claimed that a potion produced too much vapor when it's supposed to have vapor. Or that the color of it was not dark or light enough. Honesty!"

Dennis Creevy, Colin's younger brother, overheard and said, "Well, in Defense Against Dark Arts today, Professor McGill gave Gryffindor like two hundred points for all the right questions in her quiz. Hufflepuff also got loads of points too. So it doesn't really matter if Prodessor Snape takes off points from us."

Ginny felt a bit better after hearing that peace of news and ate her lunch. Crystal and Hermione ate their lunch very quickly and then left, saying they had to stop at the library and get their things for N.E.W.T. Ancient Runes. Harry and Ron glanced at each other. Crystal seemed to be as concerned about books and schoolwork as Hermione was, or maybe it was because of her hanging around Hermione so much. The first seemed more likely as she had said the Sorting Hat had considered putting her in Ravenclaw.

Ron and Harry ended up leaving soon, too. On their way out, Professor McGill stoped them. "I would like to see the two of you tomorrow evening at seven, if Mr. Malfoy behaves tonight at his detention. If he does not, he will be serving the detention that I gave him yesterday and you will have to see me the night after. You know, maybe I will have him serve the detention after all. I'll have it changed to having Filch making him mop floors or something. And I'll tell everyone who's not in Slytherin to go down tomorrow evening and watch him doing detention. That will certainly get him and embarrass Slytherin house. I never liked Lucius. While he was still at around at school, he called Lily a, well, the nasty m word for muggleborns and looked down at me because I was a half-muggle. It will certainly make Lucius mad that the 'half-blood' he hated at school is teacher here and giving his son unpleasant detentions. Now, don't tell Hermione because she might not approve, though I know she hates Draco as much as the two of you."

"We won't," promised Harry and Ron. Then they left while Professor McGill in her red robes swept into the Great Hall to eat lunch.

Sorry this post is short, but my mum just called me to dinner. Feedback is at www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=19519. Please post feedback!

[Alicia13]

After lunch, Crystal and Hermione went to their Ancient Runes class while Harry and Ron went to the common room. As there was no one else there, the two decided they might as well do their Transfiguration homework. They got out ink, parchment, quills, and the book Advanced Guide to N.E.W.T. Transfiguration.

Halfway through their essay, Crystal came up to say, "Hurry up, Harry and Ron, we have Herbology in ten minutes. Where's Neville?"

Harry and Ron had no idea where Neville was, so the two gathered their Herbology supplies and left for class with Crystal. On the way, Crystal told them that her mother had changed the meeting to tonight and that she wanted to talk about Quidditch.

In the greenhouse, the three discovered that Neville was already there with Hermione. They settled down and three minutes later, Professor Sprout began class. It was a very enjoyable lesson, with Professor Sprout giving Gryffindor points for all the questions Neville, Hermione, and Crystal answered. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs also got points and everyone was in a good mood, especially Professor Sprout. Apparently all the points Professor McGill gave Hufflepuff had a good effect on her.

After class Harry, Ron, Hermione, Crystal, and Neville went back to the Gryffindor dorm to put away their things. At six they headed to the Great Hall for dinner. Right after dinner, Professor McGill had the five as well as Ginny and Luna come with her to her office. When Malfoy showed up for his detention, he was sent to the classroom to write his lines, which had been reduced to one hundred and fifty.

"Now, I called you here to discuss some things with you as Professor McGonagall felt I would do better talking to you," began Professor McGill. "First, Harry you are the Gryffindor Quidditch captain and Ron, you are to help him as you are very good at strategy. I heard you win many chess games and won the one McGonagall transfigured during your search for the Philospher's Stone, which helps. You will need to find three chasers and see if you can't find any better beaters than the ones you have now. Or rather you will need to find one new chaser as I believe Ginny and Crystal can fill in two of the chaser positions. practices and tryouts should begin sometome next week. And Minerva wants me to tell you that the first match for you guys will be on October seventh. Hermione, I know about your Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare and really think you should stop it. You may think you are helping house elves, but in reality you are not. While I do advocate that house elves should be treated fairly and that the few like Dobby should be free, I do not advocate freedom for all elves or wages. Furthermore, all the caps and other clothing you are leaving about the Gryffindor Tower is being picked up by Dobby for himself and Winky. The house-elves refuse to clean it anymore and Dobby has been cleaning it. As Dobby is now working in Sirius's house, I had to talk with the Hogwarts elves and promised that if they came back, I would see to it that no more clothes were left about except for students' clothing that might have left out by accident or for cleaning. and setting clothes out are not going to free the elves. You are not their owner. Only Professor Dumbledore and a few teachers can free them. Setting clothes out is different from giving them clothing. I think you had better stop this and tone down the Society so that it advocates that all house-elves are treated fairly. I am afraid that the house-elves in Britain do not want to be like the house-elves in America."

"Professor, Dobby mentioned something about how the elves in America are free," said Harry. "What was that about?"

"Well Harry," answered Professor McGill, "the sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, freed all the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation. He meant the muggles that were black that were slaving to the white muggles. There was a wizard who was in the U.S. Congress as well as a secret department of the President's cabinet devoted to the wizard world. They took the law to mean house-elves too, as the wizards and witches were citizens of the United States. So all the house-elves were free, though not all the house-elves were happy about it. And the masters made a point of listening to their elves and paying them very low wages, not giving them vacation, and forcing them to work as hard as before. An extra sickle of few knuts a week would not be much of a strain for a wizard family."

"I see," nodded Harry.

"Now, Neville, you are a very good student," siad Professor McGill. "After gaining some confidience and getting a new wand, you are doing well. Or it could just be Harry's and Hermione's help. Anyway, stay close with my daughter, godson, Ron, and Hermione. If you nedd help, you can also come to me.

"Now, Luna, I see that you are also a fine person. You are quite intelligent and also quite brave, from what I heard about last year. Anyway, I really think you could have been sorted into Gryffindor too. Be a good friend to Harry, Crystal, and their friends. And no, I do not think you are 'Loony', and if anyone bothers you, like taking your things, come to me and I will seek out the culprult and punish him or her. That is all with my talk and I really must have you go so I can check up on Malfoy. Oh, and at eight o'clock tomorrow, come to the corrider outside my classroom. I asked Mr. Filch to have clean the floor there for his detention. And Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Crystal, please stick with Harry and be good friends and help him with the battle against Voldemort. Of course, it is your decision to fight with him, but if refuses your help, make him change his mind. And Harry, I order you to not turn away your friends. Do not think you will be responsible if anything happened to them. Voldemort is the only one responsible and your friends made the decision to stick with you and help. Now, good evening."

The seven students left the office while Professor McGill swept out to check on Malfoy.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Eleven: Meeting Hagrid by Stella16

On Wednesday evening, much of the school, mostly those past second year, came by Professor McGill's classroom. Outside was Draco Malfoy mopping the floor for his detention. Just about everyone laughed, particularly Harry and his friends. Goyle had come by to see what it was all about and laughed too, until it entered through his thick head that it was Malfoy.

When Pansy Parkinson, one of the Slytherin prefects, came by, she was very angry and attempted to stop the crowd. Professor McGill came out of her classroom then and asked everyone to leave, except for Malfoy. Pansy did not leave and tried to protest, saying that she wanted to punish the students. Professor McGill got very angry and her violet robes heightened the effect.

She snapped, "Miss Parkinson, please do not interfere with my methods! I shall take off twenty points each from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff for disrupting my work and Mr. Malfoy's work. As for you, Miss Parkinson, you tried to argue with me and did not leave when I asked everyone else to. You are a prefect, young lady, and you are not setting a good example! I think forty points from Slytherin and a detention will teach you to listen to a teacher. You can join Mr. Malfoy in the hall cleaning for your detention. I shall have Mr. Filch give you some cleaning things. And I shall be speaking to Servus about this."

Then Professor McGill noticed Crystal and Harry at the end of the hall, listening and watching. "Crystal and Harry!" she exclaimed. "What are you two doing here? I thought I asked everyone to leave. Ten points from Gryffindor for not listening to me and both of you are to come in the classroom immediately so I can have a word with you. I shall also speak to Minerva about this later."

Harry and Crystal followed Professor McGill inside the room. She shut the door and turned to the two. "What do you two have to say for yourselves?"

"We're really sorry mum, but we wanted to see what you were going to do to Pansy," answered Crystal.

"It's true, and we are sorry," added Harry.

"Good," said Professor McGill. "Becuse you are sorry and said so, I shall give back the ten points I just took. Next time try to listen and watch without my noticing you. And Harry and Crystal, I won't speak to Professor McGonagall about this. I only said I would so Miss Parkinson would not accuse me of favouritism. the two of you may go."

Harry and Crystal left the room, passing an angry Pansy and Malfoy. The two Gryffindors headed back to the commom room and told those in there what Professor McGill did to punish Pansy. Everyone had a good laugh, except for a few first years who didn't know about the animosity toward Slytherin house because they were muggle-born or only knew that Malfoy's father was a Death Eater.

More later, I have writer's block

[Alicia13]

On Thursday morning, there was a great deal of talk of seeing Malfoy mopping floors for detention. There were a few students who had also seen Pansy doing detention. During breakfast everyione, except the Slytherins, talked only of that. Finally Professor McGill put a stop to this.

During the middle of breakfast, she stood up, looking very impressive in her pale green robes and tight bun. "Excuse me," she said in a loud and stern voice. "It has come to my attention that most of you are gossiping about seeing Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson doing detention. I do not approve of such things. They have already been punished enough and I do not see the point of laughing over it. If I hear any more gossip about it, I shall take off fifty points from the house the student gossiping about it and add two days of detention. Is that clear?"

The students nodded and quickly changed the subject of their conversations. Harry and his friends were surprised at the threat, but Crystal explained, "Mum doesn't like gossip very much and hates people laughing at another student. But she's really not going to take off fifty points and give detention unless it comes from a Slytherin. For the other houses she'll probably take off ten or twenty points and make the person write "I will not gossip" fifty times. She only said she'd take off fifty points to put a stop to the riducle and gossip.

The next day was Friday. After Defense Against Dark Arts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were to take Crystal to meet Hagrid. Harry and Ron were anxious for class to be over, whereas Hermione and Crystal weren't so impatient.
On the Friday class, Professor McGill was standing at the front of the room in turquoise robes. Her long blonde hair had been let down and pulled back with two hairpins. She was making everyone say the name "Voldemort", and threatening to take off twenty points from anyone who said "You-know-who", "He-who-must-not-be-named", or "The Dark Lord" in the future.
Harry, Hermione, and Crystal had no problem saying the name. Neville also managed to stutter out "V-Voldemort." Ron had learned to to say "Voldemort" over the summer as Harry and Hermione had railed him for it and Ginny had threatened to do her Bat-Boogey hex on him. The other Gryffindors managed to say the name after a few tries. The Ravenclaws also took a few tries and managed to say the name. The Hufflepuffs took more tries, but in the end they also managed to stutter out "V-V-Voldemort." The Slytherins refused to do so. Professor McGill dismissed the other students when the last Hufflepuff said "Voldemort." Then she turned her attention to the Slytherins and tried to get them to say "Voldemort." Millicent Bulstrode was the only one who did after Professor McGill threatened them with a weeks detention and two hundred points off. The other students just kept their mouths closed, until Pansy Parkinson stuttered "Voldemort" after Professor McGill said she would keep them in her classroom until they said the name.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were glad to have been dismissed from class half an hour early. They and Hermione and Crystal headed toward Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was there making tea. Hermione introduced Crystal to him and he smiled at her.

"I remember when yer mother was here at Hogwarts," Hagrid said. "She was a nice girl and liked teh visist me. Hows she doing as teacher?'

"Mum's doing fine," replied Crystal. "All the students like her, except the Slytherins, of course.'

More later... writers block.

[Alicia13]

As Stella16 has writer's block, I shall continue Chapter Eleven for her.

Hagrid smiled and offered everyone tea and some cakes. Everyone took the tea, but they refused the cakes, except for Crystal, who didn't know about Hagrid's cooking. However, after one bite she shook her head and whisphered to Harry for him to distract Hagrid. While Harry did so by asking how Grawp was doing, Crystal quickly banished the plate of cakes and replaced them with cakes that looked the same as the old ones, but tasted much better.

The others then took a cake while Hagrid told about his giant half-brother, Grawp. "Well now, Grawp's doin' fine. He's actin' better and can speak some more English. Oh, Grawp seems teh be takin' a likin' to Olympe. That's Madame Maxime, the headmistress o' Beauxbaxtons, Crystal. She came teh visit fer the summer and talked wi' Grawp. He's on 'is way teh bein' civilised."

Harry and Hermione pretended to be interested and Crystal asked if she could meet Grawp. At that Harry and Hermione looked slightly horrified and Ron looked mildly interested. (He'd never met Grawp before.) Hagrid thought for a moment, stratching his dog, Fang. Finally he said it was all right, as long as the centaurs didn't bother them.

So Hagrid, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Crystal set out for the Forbidden forest to see Grawp. After walking for some distance, they found Grawp, a sixteen foot-tall giant that was considered small by giant standards. He was sitting in a clearing and saying something about "Olime", which the others realised meant Olympe. When Grawp finally noticed them. he yelled, "HI, HAGGER!" Then he noticed Hermione and Harry and shouted, "HERMY! HARRY!" The two waved and said hello. Crystal stepped forward and smiled.

"Hello, Grawp," she said. "This boy with me is Ron." She pushed Ron forward and he gave a tentitive wave. "I'm Crystal. You can call me Chrissy for short."
Grawp waved and said, "Hi, Ron and Chrissy." Ron had been staring at Grawp with a look of awe and a little fright. Crystal appeared very self-composed.
Just then two centaurs showed up. They were Ronan and Bane and did not look happy to see them. Crystal stepped forward and smiled. "Excuse me, but I am very happy to see you two. I think centaurs are the best and I really think the Ministry is unfair to you. Your intelligence exceeds humans and you are very wise. I repect that. I am really sorry if we are intruding in your forest, but I wanted to meet Hagrid's half-brother. Please forgive us."

The others stared at Crystal. The centaurs, however, smiled and said, "Your apology is accepted. We see that you are different from other humans and that you are like the girl Luna Lovegood. Because of this we will not harm you or your companions. We ask that you kindly leave as soon as you finish your business."

Ronan and Bane galloped away and Hagrid and the students bid good-bye to Grawp. Then they headed back to Hagrid's.


More later...
P.S. Luna has gone into the Forbidden Forest before and met the centaurs. They realised that she was different from other humans, so left her alone. Crystal, by truly respecting and liking centaurs and telling them so, proved that she was also like Luna and so Ronan and Bane left Crystal and her friends alone.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Twelve: Quidditch Tryouts

On Monday, Harry posted up a sign in the Gryffindor commom room announcing that Quidditch tryouts were on Friday at seven. There were three chaser spots open and possibly two beater spots as the old beaters, Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke had told Harry they didn't fell up to it this year, except as reserves. Harry had also decided to have reserve spots available just in case a team member couldn't make it to a match.

Through the week, Harry was impatient for Friday evening. It didn't help any when Snape took off twenty points Tuesday when Harry's distraction caused him to botch the potion he was making. Ron was also impatient and that caused him to yell at Snape for taking off points over a potion. Snape had glared at Ron and had taken off fifty points and given him a week's detention. Professor McGill came in that moment to see Snape about something and heard. She frowned and told Snape that a week's detention was a little harsh and to shorten it to one night. Snape had gotten angry and Professor McGill had to point out that even she did not give the Slytherins a week's detention for talking back. She then added in a wispher, so only Snape could hear, that Ron was her godson's best friend. Snape sighed and finally said that as a compromise, he would give Ron two nights detention, one of which would be with Professor McGill.

That night, Ron had to go to the dungeons and scrub out cauldrons and potion utensils. The next night, he went down to Professor McGill's office. Her detention was a lecture about trying to be more polite to teachers, even ones you didn't like very much. She had served pumpkin juice, tea, and biscuits at the same time, so Ron wasn't too upset or bored. She also awarded Gryffindor fifty points after Ron had apologised and said he would in the future try to keep his temper and be more respectful to Snape. Ron liked the detention and after half an hour, headed back to the common room in good spirits.

Hermione, Harry, and Ginny were surprised by the detention Professor McGill gave him, but Crystal just laughed. "Mum is really nice when she gives out detentions to people she likes. It's only with people she dislikes that she gives out harsher punishments. When I got the two detentions at my old school, Mum just gave me one of her lectures and some tea and cookies. Oh, with people that she finds okay, but doesn't exactly hate or like them, she gives out mild punishments like writing lines in addition to a lecture."
On Friday evening, Harry, Ron, Crystal, and Ginny headed to the Quidditch field for tryouts. Professor McGill and Hermione came along to watch. Kirke and Jack were there also. The Creevy brothers, Colin and Dennis, were trying for beaters, Ginny and Crystal as chasers, Seamus Finnigan as chaser, Mark Evans for reserve seeker, Beatrice Young and Elizabeth Cadwell, first years, as chasers, and Peter Andrews, a first year, for reserve keeper.

Harry divided everybody into two teams and they began flying. Harry saw that the Creevy brothers had grown some and they were surprisingly good beaters, While they were not Fred and George, they were much better than Kirke and Sloper. Mark was a decent seeker and was as good as Ginny when she replaced Harry as seeker. Seamus was a decent chaser, and Elizabeth and Beatrice were almost as good as Ginny and Crystal. Peter Andrews was a good flyer, but not brilliant as a keeper. Actually, he had the potential and he did some spetacular saves. He only needed a little polishing up and practise, like Ron when he first started.

Halfway through tryouts, the Slytherin team showed up. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Crystal stepped forward, ready to fight.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Harry. "I booked the field for tryouts and Professor McGonagall, Professor McGill, and Madam Hooch all agreed to it!"

"Ahh, but we have a captain to train and tryouts of our own," said Montague. He gestured to Draco Malfoy. "As you can see, Draco Malfoy is our captain and Professor Snape gave us permission to use the field at this time."

Hermione and Professor McGill saw and heard this exchange from the stands. Professsor McGill grabbed her Firebolt, which she had taken in case she needed to referee, and flew up.

"Excuse me, but what is going on here?" she asked. "I was watching in the stands and saw that the Gryffindors were being interrupted. Mr. Malfoy, I know you were made captain, but could you find another time for your practise? Right now it is the Gryffindor's time for practise. Furthermore, if you do not leave, you will be going against the permission I gave the Gryffindor team for their tryouts. I may have to take off points and give your entire team detentions."

"But Professor Snape--" protested Malfoy.

"Mr. Malfoy!" interrupted Professor McGill. "I do not care even if Professor Snape gave you permission to hex the members of the Gryffindor team! I want you off the field immediately! Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch also gave permission for the Gryffindor team to have their tryouts tonight. You and Professor Snape would be going against two teachers and the school Quidditch referee! Now go before I take off fifty points from Slytherin, give you all a week's detention, and speak to Professor Snape about this!"

The Slytherin team sighed and left the field. When they were gone from all view, Professor McGill went back to the stands and the Gryffindors resumed the tryouts. At eight thirty, Harry ended the tryouts and said the results would be posted as soon as he and Ron figured everything out.

In the common room, Harry and Ron discussed the students who tried out. They agreed right away that Colin and Dennis were the beaters and Ginny and Crystal were chasers. They decided that Mark and Peter would be the reserve seeker and keeper. However, they could not decide between Elizabeth and Beatrice for the third chaser. Ginny heard the fuss and suggested as a solution for Seamus to be chaser and the other two as reserves. Ron said delicately, "Seamus is good, but the two girls are a little better. They're almost as good Alicia, Katie, and Angelina were."

"We already have four boys on the team," added Harry. "It would be nice if all three chasers were female, as before."

Crystal heard and she suggested writing Elizabeth's and Beatrice's names down and then have Harry close his eyes and point to a name.

Harry did so and pointed at Elizabeth's name. So Elizabeth became the third chaser and Seamus and Beatrice became the reserves. Harry and Ron wrote up the list and then posted it on the bulletin board. There was a rush to the board by those who tried out. They left with happy faces, though Beatrice looked slightly disappointed. Seamus was not disappointed as he knew he wasn't quite as good as the girls were. Soon everyone went to bed.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Thirteen: Quidditch Practise and the D.A. by Stella16

On Monday morning, Harry decided to announce the first meeting of the D.A. He heard that the Slytherins were having their Quidditch practise on Wednesday, so he decided to make that the date of the first meeting. Ron suggested that Harry use the galleons just to see who still had them and for new members, post the date in Professor McGill's classroom. So Harry did so and soon people started pulling out flashing galleons. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville pulled out their galleons. Crystal had been given one by Hermione when they had found out the D.A had been allowed to continue and she fished it out from a pocket in her schoolbag.

Marietta left the Ravenclaw table and came to the Gryffinor table. "Harry, do you still want me, even though I betrayed you?"

Harry looked at her and replied, "Well, yes. I think you should have a second chance, especially since the D.A. isn't illegal anymore."

"Thanks, Harry," smiled Marietta. "I'm really sorry about last year. I was under so much pressure and with Umbridge and my mum in the Ministry and supporting Fudge..."

"I understand, Marietta," said Harry. "See you Wednesday evening." Marietta smiled and went back to the Ravenclaw table. Ron stared at Harry.

"Harry!" exclaimed Ron. "How can you give that sneak a second chance?"

"Well," explained Harry. "She was under pressure. So was everyone else. Sooner or later someone would have cracked. Besides, the D.A. isn't illegal anymore, so there's no chance of anyone telling on us. Unless Marietta happens to be a Death Eater, which she's not, she's welcome to come back."

Hermione, Crystal, and Ginny agreed with him, so Ron closed his mouth and reluctantly agreed to what Harry said. Hermione wrote up a sign saying that the first D.A. meeting was on Wednesday at seven. She added that they would be meeting outside the Defense classroom and Professor McGill would decide whether they would work in there or in the Room of Requirement, depending on how many people there were. She got up and went to the staff table, where she asked Professor McGill to hang up the sign in her classroom. Professor McGill nodded and tucked the piece of parchment in a book.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 13 continued by Stella16

On Wednesday evening all the members of the D.A., as well as two hundred new members showed up outside the Defense classroom. Professor McGill took one look at the crowd and announced that they would be in the Room of Requirement. Harry led the group down to the hallway the Room was in. Once there, he paced past the wall three times, thinking We need a room to practice Defense Against Dark Arts that can hold about two hundred people.

When the door appeared, Harry opened it and everyone walked in. The room was twice the size of a common room and was approaching the size of the Great Hall. Inside were shelves with many books on Dark Arts and hexes, a table with Dark Detectors, and a good two hundred long pillows on the floor.

"Excuse me, everyone," called Professor McGill. "Please be careful with the Dark Detectors and books beacuse the Detectors and some of the books are mine that brought here earlier. And could everyone sign their name, house, and year on this parchment so Harry can have an idea who everyone is?"

Professor McGill handed Harry a roll of parchment. He wrote down his name, that he was in Gryffindor, and was a six year. He also added that he was the one in charge. Then Ron took the parchment wrote the required information and passed it to Hermione. The parchment went down through the old members, then Crystal took it and it went on through the new members.

In the meantime, Harry had the new members break up in pairs and practise disarming. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lavender, Parvati, Neville and Luna were in charge of the new members. Harry had the rest of the old members practise the cat hexes and shielding. Professor McGill walked about making sure nothing got out of hand and unhexing those students that got hit with a cat hex.

At five minutes to nine, Harry ended the session. Professor McGill unhexed the last three people and everyone gathered their things and filed out. Professor McGill stopped Harry before he left.

"Harry, Professor Dumbledore would like you to continue your Occlumency lessons." said Pofessor McGill. "As he is unable to conduct them-"

"It won't be Snape again, will it, Aunt Fiona?" interrupted Harry.

"It's Professor Snape, Harry," corrected Profesor McGill. "And as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, I will be conducting the lessons. I am a Legimans and therefore fully qualified to teach you. There was some concern expressed that you would not make much headway with Servus, so I'm doing it. I would like you at my office tomorrow or Friday evening at seven, Harry."

"All right, Professor McGill," replied Harry. "I'll see you tomorrow at seven."

Harry and Professor McGill left the room. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Crystal, and Neville had waited outside for Harry. Harry quickly told them that Professor Dumbledore was having him continue his Occlumancy lessons, this time with his godmother. Ron pointed out it would be better than doing them with Snape and the six students headed for the Gryffindor common room.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Fourteen: Occlumency Lessons and a Memory by Alicia13

On Thursday at seven, Harry entered Professor McGill's office. She was not in there and he saw a note on her table. It read, "Harry, I'm going to be a few minutes late as I have to see Professor Dumbledore about somethng very important for our group. Make yourself at home and feel free to have some biscuits and juice. Fiona McGill"

Harry looked around the room. It was the first time he had gotten a good look. There was a bookcase of books on the Dark Arts, a shelf with some of the dark Detectors she had brought to the D.A. meeting, a trunk, a small desk with parchment, ink, and quills, and a cupboard. The cupboard was open partway and Harry's curiousity compelled him to look inside. Inside were a few pictures of Sirius, Crystal, Harry's parents and Harry himself as a baby, Lupin, a picture of the old Order, and a pensieve. Harry remembered what had happened the last time he had looked in a pensieve, but he knew his godmother was not Snape. So, propelled by curiousity, he checked out a memory.

Harry found himself in a hallway of Hogwarts. He saw Professor McGill, at age thirteen or fourteen, and his mother, also at the same age. They were discussing the Charms class they just had with Flitwick.

"You know, Lily," said Fiona. "Charms is really fascinating. Professor Flitwick is a wonderful teacher. And you are so good at Charms."

"Well, Fiona," replied Lily. "You're good at it, too. Then, Mr. Ollivander did say that our wands were good for charm work."

"Oh, look, there's James and Sirius, followed by Remus and Peter," said Fiona. "James and Sirius are awfully handsome. It's a pity they're so annoying. Remus however, isn't so bad, and Peter just likes to hang around them."

"Yeah, Remus isn't so bad," agreed Lily. "But James and Sirius are holy terrors. Look at the way they treat Slytherins."

"I agree, Lily," replied Fiona. "But look at Remus. He appears ill. I don't think he fully recovered from the illness he had last month. Then the month before that, his mum was ill. I feel sorry for him. You know, I think the moon gets to him because if I remember correctly, he was ill during the full moon."

"Yes, he was, Fiona," said Lily. "But it's probably just a coincidence."

"I suppose so," siad Fiona. "Oh no, here comes that annoying Servus Snape and his seventh year friend Lucius Malfoy."

Harry looked up the hall and indeed saw a younger Snape and Mr. Malfoy walking toward them. The Mauraders straightened up when they saw them and looked ready to hex the two. (Well, except for Peter.) Lily and Fiona groaned when they saw them. The Mauraders would surely get Gryffindor in trouble.

Fiona stepped next to Sirius and hissed, "Why don't you four leave now. You'll get Gryffindor in trouble and I want to avoid conflict with those two boys."
Sirius glanced at her. Apparently he like Fiona because he nodded and asked the others to leave. James was reluctant to do so, but Sirius glared at him and the four left, with James teasing Sirius about his liking Fiona and Sirius trying to say that he didn't.

Fiona joined Lily and the two continued walking. Unfortunately, Snape and Malfoy blocked the way. "Where are you two going?" asked Malfoy.

"Move out the way," snapped Fiona angrily.

"Well, well," sneered Snape. "Temper, temper. That could get you trouble."

"Well, you're mean and annoying," returned Lily. "You're worse than James."

"We're trying to get to class, Lucius and Servus," said Fiona. "Please move out of our way."

"Oh really," sneered Malfoy. "We're pure-bloods and two little Mudbloods are ordering us about and asking us to do things."

"Don't you dare call us that!" shouted Fiona. "You should be the Mudbloods."

"Oh, two little girls dared call us Mudbloods," said Snape. "What should we do with them, Lucius?"

"Well, I'm a prefect so I guess they'll get detention for it." replied Malfoy.

"What is going on here?" a cold voice asked. Harry turned and saw a teacher with black hair done in a bun and robes that were the color of Slytherin
house. Harry guessed she must be the head of Slytherin.

"Professor," began Lily, "Lucius and Servus-"

"Silence," snapped the professor. "I was not talking to you. Mr. Malfoy, explain what happened."

"Well, Evans and McGill here weren't letting us by, Professor," answered Malfoy. "We asked them to please move aside, but they wouldn't. They threatened to hex us if we tried to get past them. They even called us 'Mudbloods'. I think they took a leaf from Potter and his friends' book."

"That's not what happen-" exclaimed Fiona.

"Silence!" snapped the Professor again. "I am shocked that you could behave in such a manner. Miss Evans, Miss McGill, I am taking off fifty points from Gryffindor and giving you each a week's detention. Now get to class!"

Lily and Fiona ran off to class, muttering about how unfair the teacher was to the other houses but favored her house, Slytherin.

Harry was standing transfixed when he felt a hand touch him. He turned to see Professor McGill there, looking displeased. The two left the memory.

"Harry," said Professor McGill. "Did you not learn that you shouldn't go poking in other people's things? I suppose it was partly my fault for leaving the cupboard door open, but you really should learn to control your curiousity. And if you did have to check my memories, couldn't you have picked one that wasn't so unpleasant? Goodness, I don't know what I shall do with you."

"I'm sorry, Aunt Fiona," said Harry. "It was just too much temptation."

"I forgive you, Harry," smiled Professor McGill. "You may call me Aunt Fiona here, but please don't get in the habit of calling me that elsewhere. Now to what you may have saw in the memory. The teacher was the Defense Against Dark Arts one and she was the head of Slytherin. She favored Slytherins like Servus does today. Sirius did like me then, like James did Lily, but since they were annoying prats, Lily and I didn't like them. It wasn't until our sixth year that they stopped being gits and Lily and I started liking them. As for Lupin, I suspected that he might have been a werewolf as he or his mother were supposedly ill during the full moon. But I kept that to myself as Remus was really nice and not as annoying as James and Sirius. I suspected James, Sirius, and Peter knew about Lupin, as they were close. I don't think Lily knew or suspected until later, though she did wonder why the Whomping Willow was planted the year we started Hogwarts. And yes, Lucius and Servus were idiots and mean, but that was then. I've forgiven Servus because he was influenced by Lucius and he is now a spy for the Order. I will never forgive Lucius because he's a Death Eater."

Harry took all this in. Then Professor McGill clapped her hands and started the lesson.

More later...

[Alicia13]

"Now, Harry," whisphered Professor McGill. "please clear your mind from any thoughts or memories. Make it nothing more than a blank slate."

Harry attempted to do so and a minute later, Professor McGill said, "Legilimens!" She entered his mind and caught a few memories of past years with the Dursleys. She did not say anything, except for a muttered, "How in the world can muggle realtives be so cruel?"

Professor McGill left Harry's mind and waited another minute before returning. This time she got a memory of what happened at the Department of Mysteries. She left Harry's mind and started crying for Sirius. Harry akwardly put his arms around his godmother and the two of them sat for a few minutes, grieving. Then Professor McGill wiped her eyes and composed herself.

"Now, Harry," she said. "Let's begin again. This time do clear your mind." Harry focused and tried to get rid his mind from thought and memory. A few minutes later, Professor McGill once again entered his mind. This time she got no memories or thoughts at all and she was quite pleased.

After an hour, Harry had managed to keep his mind blank for five minutes. Professor McGill was very pleased and complimented Harry on his work, Then she served him some juice and biscuits. Before Harry left, Professor McGill gave him something.

"Harry, here is a diary." she said. "It is a little like the diary you got in your second year. You are to write your dreams in it, except for unimportant ones, like winning the Quidditch Cup or anything else connected with school activites and subjects. The more important ones, about Voldemort, for instance, or about Death Eaters, should be recorded as soon as you wake up. What you write will appear on the other diary, which I have. I will read it and discuss it with you, or if it is something very serious, with Albus. If you get too many bad dreams, then I may have to give you my memory quilt. I made it long ago after Sirius was sent to Azkaban. I missed him and so put my memories of him and your parents in a quilt so I could dream about them. If you ever feel you want to use it, let me know. Then you won't feel the need to go poking about my pensieve. Now, you can go back to your dorm. And do promise that you'll write in the diary and practise Occlemency outside of my office, Harry."

"I will, Aunt-I mean Professor McGill," replied Harry. "Thank you."

Harry took the diary and went back to the common room. Ron and Hermione were working on their Potions essay, Neville was reading a herbology book, Crystal was doing her Defense Against Dark Arts homework, and Ginny was writing a Transfiguration essay. They looked up when Harry entered and asked how his "Defense" lesson went. Harry told them that it went well and in a whispher told them that he had managed to clear his mind for five minutes.

They were happy to hear this and Harry showed and explained the diary. Ron frowned at that, but Hermione and Crystal said it was a good idea. Harry also told them about the dream quilt and Crystal said that she had used it a few times before, after having night mares. Crystal exlained when she was little, she was afraid to go back to sleep after a nightmare for fear it would return, so her mum had her use the dream quilt to get her to sleep.

Then Harry told them about the memory he saw in Profesor McGill's pensieve. It wasn't embaressing and Professor McGill had not forbidden him to tell anyone else, so Harry felt it was safe to do so. Ron was angry at the way Snape and Malfoy sr. acted and was shocked that Professor McGill could forgive Snape. The excuse that Snape had been influenced by Malfoy and that he was now on the good side did not lessen his shock. Hermione and Crystal thought Professor McGill was right to forgive Snape and Ginny agreed, but said she wouldn't have done so, to pacify Ron. Harry was more on Ron's side and Neville didn't voice his opinion.

At ten, everyone went to bed, except for Hermione, who wanted to finish her essay, and Ron, who decided to stay with her and keep her company.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Fifteen: Attacks by You-Know-Who (or Voldemort) by Stella16

The next morning at breakfast, Professor McGill stopped at the Gryffindor table. She handed Crystal a copy of the Daily Prophet and then went to the staff table. Crystal quickly skimmed through the front page and gasped. She handed the newspaper to Hermione and after Hermione saw the headline, she also gasped. Ron and Harry peered at the paper and saw You-Know-Who Kills Family of Muggles and a Muggle-born Witch. the article read:

"Yesterday a family of Muggles and their daughter, a witch, was killed. The daughter had graduated from Hogwarts three years ago and had gone to work for the Ministry. She was Miranda Woodstock and it was reported that her parents had been very proud to find that their only daughter was a witch. Miss Woodstock had decided to live at home in hopes that she could protect her family from You-Know-Who. Unfortunately she was not able to.
Neighbours reported hearing a crash, two screams, then silence. When they went out to investigate, they reported seeing in the sky a skull and snake, or the Dark Mark. Members of the Ministry modified their memories, except for the pure-blood wizard family that lived further down the street. The demise of the unfortunate family was explained to the neighbours as from a gas leak.
People are cautioned to be careful and be on the lookout for You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. The family will be buried in the local muggle cementary and their muggle friends will attend. Any witch or wizard friends of the deceased witch are requested to not attend the funeral but instead wait until after it and visit the grave."

Ginny saw the others reading the paper and asked to read it. When she saw the article, she also gasped. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "V-voldemort has to go and kill an innocent muggle family, probably because their daughter was a witch."

"I wonder how the Ministry will be able to explain the deaths that will happen," commented Crystal. "With Grindelwald, he did his attacks during World War Two, so all the Muggle deaths could be explained away by that."

"That's true," agreed Hermione. "The Ministry can't say all the attacks were due to gas leaks or other house problems. Then the neighbours might get suspicious, or they'll go paranoid and check their houses to make sure they don't have any problems. And the ministry can't say they were terrorist attacks because then the Muggles will either be on the lookout for a terrorist group, or wonder why terrorists would target a home instead of some major government building."

Ron and Ginny looked a little confused, so Crystal and Hermione explained what a gas leak was and that the Death Eaters would be considered a terrorist group. Luna came up to the Gryffindor table and said dreamily, "Did you read the Daily Prophet?" Crystal looked up and said that they did and found what had happened awful. Luna looked surprised and said, "How could the possible removal of Minister Fudge be awful?"

"What do you mean, Luna?" asked Hermione, puzzled.

"Didn't you read the second page?" inquired Luna. Hermione shook her head and turned to the second page. There was a headline titled "Wizenmagot Considering Removing Minister Cornelius Fudge and Electing New Minister." Below was an article of how many of the witches and wizards, as well as the Wizenmagot, were tired of Fudge's mistakes. They were planning to remove him and elect a new minister as soon as they had candidates. They had already asked Dumbledore, but he had refused the position, perferring to stay as the headmaster of Hogwarts.

Harry and his friends were delighted by this news. Luna explained, "They were already planning to remove Minister Fudge, but after what happened yesterday, they decided to really go ahead and do it. That and his mistakes of alienating the giants and Dementors, and his wanting to pass laws against goblins settled it. Dad's going to print all that in the next issue of the Quibbler."

"Passing laws against goblins?" asked Harry.

"Yes, Dad said Minister Fudge wanted Ministry control of goblins. You know about the goblin pies. Also, he tried to get a law through of ministry control of Gringotts and a few other laws. The Wizenmagot wouldn't go for it because it would make the goblins mad and they would probably forget what Voldemort did to them in the last war and join him like the Dementors and giants have."

"I see," said Hermione. "We wouldn't want to have the goblins joining Voldmort."

"I wonder who'll be elected as the new Minister of Magic," mused Crystal. "Mum would be perfect, but she doesn't like politics very much and perfers teaching. Hey, Ron and Ginny, you dad could be the new minister!"

Ron and Ginny turned a little red. "I don't think Dad would really want to be minister," said Ginny. "He like being where he is."

"But your dad loves Muggles," said Hermione. "And he would be fair to goblins and such."

"Well, yes," said Ron. "It would be nice. But I doubt he would go for it. we could ask him, anyway."

Ron and Ginny decided they would pass along the idea to their dad and Luna went back to the Ravenclaw table.

More later after break. My family is going to visit relatives & I don't think I get a chance to use a computer. Alicia13 is also going away to visit her grandparents and probably won't get a chance to use a computer, either. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Count your blessings and give thanks!

[Alicia13]

We're back from break and Stella16 and I will continue posting. Of course, our fanfic is not quite as exciting as some others, for instance, Harry Potter and the Goblin's Tomb Bug. That was excellent and Stella16 and I hope he writes a book seven. Anyway, we promise to make our fan fic more exciting and I shall continue chapter 15.

In Defense Against Dark Arts class, Professor McGill, had a review of what they had learned in past classes. Malfoy was hit again with the lion hex when his shield came up too late to block it. The class, or rather the Gryffindors, laughed to see Malfoy sprouting whiskers, a lion's tail, and a mane. This time Professor McGill had Malfoy unhexed immediately and threatened to take off twenty points from anyone she caught laughing over it. Of course, when Ron was spotted laughing, he said it was because of a joke Harry told and so Professor McGill let him off.

Professor McGill did a demenstration with Harry of a hex that turned you into whatever the person doing it was thinking of. Harry happened to be distracted by Crystal looking at him and so Professor McGill's turquoise robes changed into black robes, she shrunk a few inches, and her nose and mouth changed. She unhexed herself and did the hex on Harry. Harry suddenly had red hair, freckles and grew a few inches. Malfoy smirked to see that Harry had been transformed to Ron Weasley. Professor McGill giggled herself and unhexed Harry, explaining that she had purposedly thought of Ron so that Harry wouldn't be hexed to look like a girl or a nasty creature.

Class was enjoyable, as usual, and everyone left talking about it.

Sorry for this short post, but I have other things to do.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Fifteen continued by Stella16

On Saturday, Professor McGill stopped by the Gryffindor common room. She was wearing violet color robes and a hat was on her blonde hair, twisted in some sort of knot.

"I have to go to Hogsmede to pick up some things," she said. "Crystal, you may come with me, as Professor Dumbledore has given you permission. Ron and Hermione, you may come to. As for you, Harry, Professor Dumbledore has said you may come as long as you stay in my sight. We don't want you getting attacked, even though no one will know that you're at Hogsmede today. Oh, Neville and Ginny, you two may come if you want. Now get your things and meet me down in the Entrance Hall. I have to go find Luna now."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Crystal, and Nevill eran up to get their money and cloaks. They ran down to the Entrance hall and waited. It was a full fifteen minutes before Luna and Professor McGill came down. The latter looked quite put out and her expression was a bit like Professor McGonagall.

"Honestly, I can't believe those Ravenclaws," grumbled Professor McGill. "Usually they're tolerant of eccentricity. Luna, come to me straight way if those girls ever tease you or take your things again. Why can't they be all like Padma Patil or your dormmates? If the rest of you would like to know what was going on, I found Luna looking for her butterbeer cap necklace. She explained that she had given to her mum for a present when she was seven and after she died, had treasured it. Padma Patil heard and headed straight to a group of fourth year Ravenclaws. She asked if they had anything to do with its disappearance, reminding them that she and Luna were prefects. Finally one of them brought out the necklace. Padma returned it to her. Then Luna's dormmates said that they thought some of her other things were taken too and that they hadn't found out who exactly, though they suspected the fourth years. I got in a right state. I turned to them and ordered them to return Luna's things. I informed that if such a thing ever happened again, I would speak with Professor Flitwick, give them a months detention and take off fifty points from Ravenclaw. I then had Padma and Luna's dormmates to come to me if they found out about another such occurance. I really can't believe those girls would do such a thing to a prefect. I'm definitely going to speak to Filius about this."

Hermione, Crystal, Ginny, Neville, and even Ron looked sympatheticaly at Luna. Harry had heard about it at the end of term last year and felt another surge of pity.

Crystal looked at her mother and asked, "Filius is Professor Flitwick, right?"

Professor McGill nodded and lead everyone outside for their trip to Hogsmede.

more later...

For feedback, go to www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=19519

[Alicia13]

Chapter Sixteen: Shopping at Hogwarts by Alicia13

The group headed into Hogsmede. As Harry was required to stay near his godmother, the others ended up with them. Professor McGill first stopped to get two quills, some parchment, and ink. Hermione also got a new quill and the others didn't buy anything.

Next they stopped at Gladrags Wizardwear so Professor McGill could get new dress robes made out of some floaty, cerulean material. She also got Ginny some dress robes out of a pale green material, Hermione some robes of a periwinkle blue, and Crystal some robes of a pale pink trimmed with blue. Then she led them to Honeydukes.

Everyone was excited about that and looked for candy. Ron bought a small box of chocolate flowers and presented it to Hermione. Neville got Ginny a box of chocolate frogs. Harry got Crystal and Luna each a small box of chocolates, not made in the shape of flowers or anything. Professor McGill smiled and then proceeded to buy some chocolates, Toothflossing Stringmints, Chocoballs, Fizzing Whizbees, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

When they were done getting candy, Professor McGill took everyone to The Three Broomsticks, and got everyone butterbeers, except for Luna, and got her a gillywater with an onion, instead. Professor McGill got herself a cherry soda.

When everyone was done with their drinks, they took their packages and headed back to Hogwarts. It was a good morning and everyone had fun.

Sorry about this short post, but I had only fifteen minutes to write this as I have to visit my garandparents this afternoon.

[Alicia13]

Chapter sixteen continued

Professor McGill took Luna back to the Ravenclaw common room. Padma and Luna's dormmates reported that all of Luna's things that had been taken had been returned. Professor McGill nodded and then swept of to talk to Professor Flitwick about it.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Crystal, and Neville went up to the Gryffindor common room with their things. They put them away and at twelve went down to the Great Hall to eat lunch. As they sat down, they saw Professor McGill talking with Professor Flitwick. Professor Flitwick was listening intently and occasionally glanced angrily at a group of girls at the Ravenclaw table.

Harry knew that Professor McGill was telling him about the way some of the Rravenclaws were treating Luna. At least Padma and Luna's dormmates were nice to her, or at least tolerant of her eccentricity. Then again, Padma was a prefect and Luna's dormmates probably knew her well enough to be nice to her. But he couldn't understand how the younger students would be mean to her this year, when Luna was a prefect.

Harry shok his head and put his attention back to his lunch. When he finished, he headed back to the common room with Hermione, Ron, and Crystal. Neville wasn't done and Ginny was talking to a girl in her year.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Stella16 and I would like to apoligise for the short posts and for the fact that it's been a few days since either of us last posted.

Here's Chapter Seventeen: More Attacks by You-Know-Who

At breakfast on Monday, Professor McGill gave Hermione a copy of the Daily Prophet. She read it the first article and paled. Harry, Ron, Crystal, and Ginny saw and crowded around to read it.

More Attacks by You-Know-Who

Yesterday another family was killed. This one was the muggle family named Patterson. They had a son who had attended Hogwarts. He had graduated five years ago and had joined a Qudditch team. The family had a daughter who had also attended Hogwarts, but she died of a disease called cancer before she could graduate.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, their dog, and their sixteen-year old twins, who have not shown any signs of magic, were killed. Neighbours reported hearing screams, some barking, a flash of green light and later the Dark Mark. The neighbours believed the Mark to be some new fireworks that happened to last very long.

Members of the Ministry came and removed the marks and after questioning the neighbours, modified their memories. Currently the Ministry is able to deal with these small incidents. However, if He-who-must-not-be-named goes out on a massacre, there will be too many muggles questioning than it can deal with. And unlike the case of Grindelwald, the Ministry cannot explain it away as part of World War Two. People are cautioned to be careful and not go out after dark.

Harry gasped as he read. Voldemort had done another attack on a Muggle family who had magic children. Crystal interrupted his thoughts with, "Read the article under it." Hary, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny did.

"New Minister of Magic Elected

Yesterday morning, the Wizenmagot met for an important meeting. The members voted to have Cornelius Fudge removed from office. Then they voted and elected Amelia Bones to be the new Minister. There were a few people who wanted Fudge to stay, but they are quite obviously those who are blind to his faults.

Fudge had not believed Dumbledore nor the Boy-Who-lived when they said You-Know-Who had returned. An important aide to Fudge, Dolores Jane Umbridge, had even sent Dementors after the Boy-Who-Lived. Fudge had appointed Umbridge as High Inquistor of Hogwarts, and after Dumbledore disappeared, made her Headmistress of Hogwarts. He has also meddled in Hogwarts, which he should not have done, and tried to take over Gringotts and pass laws controlling goblins. Such a thing would have angered them and they might have joined You-Know-Who, if they forgot what he did to them in the last war.

If goblins had joined You-Know-Who, it would have been disastrous. The Dementors have apparently already joined his forces and it is rumored that the giants, or at least some of them, have also joined him. Things are a bit bleak, but the new Minster Amelia Bones promises to deal with it and see if she can't get some of the giants on our side. We hope that things will get better."

Harry smiled at that news, recalling how at his trial, she had been the fairest person there and had been excited over the fact that he could produce a Patronus. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Crystal were also gald about the news and they finished their breakfast in a somewhat happy mood.

More Later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Seventeen continued by Stella16

In Defense of Dark Arts that day, Professor McGill seemed to not have any interest in conducting a class in practical uses. It appeared that she had other things to do as she asked evryone to read chapter ten in their books and take notes. The stuidents were a bit disappointed, but Professor McGill explained that she had something important to do and that these kind of classes would not happen too often. The students felt better over this and went to work.

Professor McGill sat at her desk, writing and looking through books. Harry was puzzled and glanced at her from time to time. Professor McGill saw Harry looking at her once and mouthed, "Meet me after class." Harry nodded and turned his attention back to his book.

When class was over, Harry waited until the students had left before turning to Professor McGill. Ron and Hermione noticed and turned back. Crystal did not as she knew what her mother was going to discuss. Professor McGill smiled and allowed Hermione and Ron to join Harry.

"I have some very important work to do for the Order as Voldemort is attacking Muggles who have children who are witches and wizards. He will soon step it up to Muggles with no magical connection. I cannot disclose what exactly i'm doing, except that it involves research. When you three and Crystal join the Order, I can tell you more. Do not be concerned and I will tell you later. Now, you may leave. Oh, and if you come across Mr. Malfoy, inform him tht he has detention for disrupting my and the students work during class and that I would like to see him tonight at seven. You may go."

The three walked out and saw Malfoy, who had noticed their turning back and was curious to what they were doing. Hermione smiled and said, "Professor McGill said that you have detention for disrupting class and that you are to see her tonight at seven for the detention."

Malfoy turned red and snapped," You're making it up, Granger!"

"I am not," replied Hermione very camly.

""I don't believe you, you Filthy Mudblood!"

"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy," said a voice. The group turned to see Proferssor McGill standing behind them. "That will be twenty points from Slytherin for calling Miss Granger the m-word. And most assuredly you have detention tonight. And I think you had better have a second detention with me tomorrow for you behaviour and accusing Miss Granger of being a liar. Now I suggest that all four of you run along to class."

Malfoy turned pale and snapped, "My father won't like thius."

"But I belive you father is in Azkaban, isn't he, Mr. Malfoy?" inquired Professor McGill. "There's nothing he can do. Now, I repeat, go to your next class or your common room or I shall give you another detention."
Maslfoy marched angrily away and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and strode off to their common room.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Stella16 and I have been on vacation. I was at Disney World and Stella was visiting relatives. She did get back before I did, but she couldn't post without first conferring with me. We like to talk things over before we decide to post. Since I'm back, we have discussed and now I'm posting.

Chapter Seventeen continued

On Tuesday, there was more bad news in the Daily Prophet. Voldemort and his Death Eaters had attacked again. This time it was on a Muggle family who had a son who played Qudditch for the Tornadoes and their relatives next door, also Muggles. The Ministry had been called in and the memories of the neighbours had been modified. Minister Bones was working very hard and the Aurors and all departments were working overtime, even ones like Misuse of Muggle Artifacts and Sports and games.

Harry shook his head and wondered what more could happen. Why did Voldemort and his Death Eaters have to killinnocent people? Harry then realised that Hermione's parents were in danger as they were Muggles. He turned to asik Hermione about it.

"It's all right, Harry," said Hermione. "Dumbledore has members of the Order stand guard around the house and see them to work. And the Ministry has ordered guards for the families of the other muggle-born students. That would include people like the Creevys, Dean Thomas, and...oh, Justin Finch-Fletchy."

"Oh, then your parents are relatively safe," replied Harry. He was quite relieved to hear that all the families of the Muggle-born students were being protected. Harry then turned his attention back to his breakfast.

Ron was worried by the attacks, but Hermione was comforting him. Neville was also worried, but Crystal distracted him and changed the subject to Herbology. Neville perked up and animatedly discussed magical plants, including the one he had.

When breakfast was over, they headed for class. Ginny went to Potions and the rest had Transfiguration. In the classroom, they saw Professor McGonagall, reading the Prophet and looking visibly ahaken over the article of the attack. It carried over into the lesson and was not conducted in the normal manner. Professor McGonagall's voice was shaky and she ended up awarding points to all four houses in an effort to calm herself.

When the lesson was over, they headed to Charms. Professor Flitwick was not his usual cherry self and actually messed up when demonstrating the charm. After that, he handed everyone some chocolate and ended class early. The students were all a bit puzzled by this and headed to lunch or the common rooms.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Eighteen Gryffindor vs. Slytherin by Stella16

On Saturday was the first Quidditch match, which was Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Harry gave a pep talk to his team before they went out.

"Ron, keep defending the goals like you have at practices. You're very good and can do it. Elizabeth, Ginny, and Crystal, get hold of the Quaffle as often as you can and score. Colin and Dennis make sure to hit the Bludgers at the Slytherins as often as you can without having penalties called. As for me, I'll just look out for the snitch and try to get it. Though I really don't think Malfoy would beat me to it. Anyway, play a great game, do your best, and when we win, we'll celebrate after!"

The other members cherred, grabbed their brooms, and filed out. Madam Hooch was refereeing and Dean Thomas was announcing, since Lee Jordan, the old announcer, had graduated. Madam Hooch waited until the teams were in the air and the captains had shaken hands. Then she let out the balls. Harry had a brief glimse of the snitch. Then he saw that Ginny had gotten hold of the Quaffle and was flying toward the Slytherin end. She passed to Crystal, who then passed to Elizabeth. Elizabeth scored and Dean yelled, "And Cadwell scores the first goal, making the score ten-zero to Gryffindor! My, this first year is very good at scoring! And she-"

"That's enough, Thomas!" snapped Professer McGonagall. "Stick with the game."

Crystal and Ginny scored minutes later, making the score thirty-zero. One of the Slytherin chasers tried to score, but Ron saved it. After the score was fifty-zero, Harry caught sight of the snitch and went after it. It took Malfoy a minute befor he realised Harry had spotted the snitch. He went after him, but Harry had a lead and his broom was faster than Malfoy's. Harry caught hold of the snitch and Dean screamed, "And Harry catches the snitch, making the score two hundred to zero! Gryffindor wins!"

The games was over. The spectators, except Slytherin, cheered while the two teams left to change. After that, the Gryffindor left to enjoy the celebration party.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Alicia13 and I are dreadfully sorry about the short posts. We have been busy in scholl. We both had a science project to comlpete and unit history tests to study for. We planned to post Monday, but we got into a disagreement over what should happen next. But we have sorted it oput and now we are posting. Enjoy the Gryffindor celebration of their win!

Chapter Eighteen continued

In the common room, all the Gryffindors were gathered for the party. Professor McGill had talked to the house elves and had asked them to send up some food for the party. The house elves had gladly oblioged. Crystal had also talked her mother into buying a few fireworks and a few trick things from George and Fred. So the party was a smashing sucess.

Everyone talked about how the Slytherins had never managed to score a single goal during the entire fifteen minute game. That was very odd as usually both sides managed to score at least one goal. The only other time they knew such a thing had happened was when Harry had caught the snitch in five minutes.

Dean was congradulated on his great first time announcing. Harry complimented everyone on the team for their great work. "Ron, you did a great job saving those six or seven attempts for the goalposts. Ginny, Crystal, and Elizabeth, you worked well together scoring those five goals. If I hadn't spotted the snitch, the three of you would have scored more. Colin and Dennis, you two were excellent beaters. Certainly much better than Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper were klast year. Keep up the great work and we'll end up winning the Cup for the third year in the row!"

The girls blushed, Ron turned red, and Colin and Dennis were awed and pleased to be complimented by the "great Harry Potter".

"You weren't bad, yourself, Harry," said Ron. "I mean, catching the snitch..."

"Yeah, Ron's right," said Ginny. "You can't forget about yourself."

Crystal added, "Harry, you say we're great, but you forget about yourself. You're a wonderful seeker. Mum said that you're probably better than Charlie Weasley was. And you're better than your dad was as seeking. Mum said that he was a good seeker, but when he tried out, he was made chaser instead."

Elizabeth, Colin, and Dennis also made similar comments. Harry turned red at the compliments and quickly changed the subject. "Thanks, you guys. Aren't these cakes wonderful?"

The party lasted until evening, after the fireworks were set off. Once it was over, everyone headed off to bed. It was a satisifying day. Oh, there was also a huge mess in the commom room after the party, whuich Hermione almost remarked on. But Crystal stopped her by saying, "Well, the house elves should be happy. There's a gigantic mess for them to clean up, which they'll love."

Hermione then remembered the converstaion with Professor McGill and closed her mouth. She, Crystal, Ginny, and the other girls headed up to their dormitory.

More later...

Feedback: www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=19519

[Alicia13]

Chapter Nineteen: Halloween

Halloween soon arrived. The Great Hall was decorated for it with huge jack-o-lanterns, bats, and other Halloween things. The room even had decorations Muggles used when they celebrated Halloween.

Peeves caused some panic when he let loose some of the bats and popped one of the fake skeletons in front of some Muggleborn first years. The students had screamed for a full minute before they realised that it was one of Peeves jokes. Some of the students nearby laughed at the scene. Professor McGill, who happened to be walking past, had smiled, but quickly removed it so she could tell off Peeves. Peeves paid no attention until she froze him in midair. Then he turned surly and waited until Professor McGill was done talking.

When she was done, she released Peeves, but made sure he was in front of the Bloody Baron. Of course, Peeves was frightened and the Bloody Baron had a few word with him.

During Defense Against Dark Arts lessons, Professor McGill did not teach at all. Instead she spent the entire period handing out sweets, telling the students about trick-o-treating and other Muggle traditions of Halloween. She also explained that in midevil days, Halloween was known as All Hallows Eve, when sprits and ghosts walk the Earth. The day after was All Saints Day, and the day after that, November 2nd, was All Souls Day. On All Souls Day, the children in the villages would stop by houses and ask for soul cakes. That was the precursor of trick-or-treating.

When she finished with the history of Halloween, she allowed the students to make Halloween decorations and costumes from a pile of materials on the front desk. Harry found a Frankenstein mask in the pile and put it on. Ron asked about it and Professor McGill explained that it was a monster made up by a writer called Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. In her book, this man took parts of dead people and used them to create a person. Unfortunately his assistant made the mistake of using the brain of a dead person. The experiment turned out wrong. (Professor McGill paused to explain what an experiment was, then returned to her story.) The creature was called Frankenstein after the creator, Dr. Frankenstein and it went out causing great damage befor it was stopped.

Then Neville found a Dracula costume and Professor McGill had to explain about Dracula, too. She told them that Dracula was a vampire and that when Muggles were asked about vampires, they instantly would think of Dracula. She then went into detail over the story of Dracula.

When she was done, Professor McGill was asked to explain about werewolves, mummies, zombies, and other monsters from the Muggle point of view. Hermione, Harry, and Dean, being Muggleborn or raised as Muggles, already knew about such monsters, so paid little attention. Crystal had already heard the "lecture", and didn't pay much attention either. She was busy constructing a princess costume. The Slytherins weren't interested, either, since they didn't like Muggles and just sat at their desks eating sweets and talking.

When the class was over, the students walked out discussing what Professor McGill had told them and carrying the costumes they had found or made. Professor McGill had asked them to wear their costumes at the feast, adding that Dumbledore had requested it as he planned to be in costume also. Hermione had pointed out that it would be more suitable for a Muggle Studies lesson, but Professor McGill explained that not everyone was taking Muggle Studies. As all students had to take Defense Against Dark Arts, she volunteered to talk about the Muggle traditions for halloween.

The evening of the feast, all the students except the Slytherins were in costume. Dumbledore was in costume as a Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings triology and Professor McGill had dressed up as a Muggle rock star. Her blonde hair had been dyed blue and she was wearing a midriff baring shirt, a leather skirt, and high leather boots. She also carried an electric guitar. The students were shocked to see her, except Crystal. She knew her mother very well.

Some of the other staff members had dressed up in costume, also. Professor Flitwick was dressed as dwarf, Professor McGonagall as a Muggle teacher, Professor Sprout as a rose, and Professor Trewllanley as a muggle fortune-teller. (Professor Trewlanley had seen herself in costume in her crystal ball.) Professor Snape did not dress up, but Professor McGill waved her wand over him and transformed his robes into a mad scientist costume. Professor Snape tried to remove the costume, but found out he couldn't until the feast was over. he was angry and sat through the feast angrily.

Crystal was a princess, Harry as Dracula, Ron as the Muggle version of a wizard, Hermione as the Muggle version of a witch, Neville as a werewolf, and Ginny as a queen. Other students were ghosts and skeletons and various other monsters and there was even a pair of students who had dressed up as Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein.

The feast was great fun and there was also a costume contest. The two students who were Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein won the best couple's costume. Ron and Hermione were second. Dumbledore received best costume from the staff, with Professor Snape as second and Professor McGill as third. She tried to refuse, since the contest was her idea, but Dumbledore insisted.

Among the students, Luna won first place for her costume as a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. A Hufflepuff sixth year was second place for his costume as the lead singer for the Wierd Sisters. And Neville was third for his werewolf costume. The first place winners received a box of sweets, twenty galleons, a certificate for thirty galleons worth of free merchandise from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and a red and gold ribbon. Second palce got the same things, expcept the certificate was for twenty galleons, the ribbon was blue, and the money was fifteen galleons.Third place was a yellow ribbon, ten galeeons, and a certificate for ten galleons. The staff members that won were given a ribbon, fifty, forty, or thirty galleons, and a certificate for new robes or books.

The feast and contest was great fun. The students went to their common rooms after it, talking animatedly over it.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Sorry, but last week it was February break and Alicia13 and I were both on vacation. Alicia13 was in Flordia, and I was visiting my grandparents. They don't have a computer, so I couldn't post. Here's Chapter Twenty.

Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff

The next Qudditch match was Ravenclaw verus Hufflepuff. The Ravenclaws turned out in blue, the Hufflepuffs in yellow. Most of the Gryffindors were also in blue, but there were a few in yellow, mainly the ones with relatives or friends in Hufflepuff. Because Luna was in Ravenclaw, Harry and his friends had blue rosettes. The Slytherins didn't bother with rosettes since Gryffindor wasn't playing.

Dean was the announcer again and he wore both blue and yellow rosettes since he was supposed to be neutral. The game lasted for an hour and finally Cho Chang caught the snitch, winning the hame for Ravenclaw. The score though, was very close, three hundred eighty for Ravenclaw and three hundred sixty for Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff chasers had played better than the Ravenclaw ones and scored more goals.

After the game, Harry and his friends went down to congradualte ravenclaw on their victory. Cho Chang pulled Harry aside.

"Harry, I would really like to get back together. Marietta has apoligised and i really am sorry about last year. So do you want to?"

Harry looked at her for a moment. He had liked her last year. But now he was quite certain that he had enough of her and he was not going to get together with her. If he was going to get together with anyone, it was be with someone like Luna, Crystal, or Ginny. Those three were very nice girls who liked him not because he was famous. Well, Ginny had liked him because he was famous, but after she had gotten to know him, it was for who he was as a person. In addition, Luna and Ginny had gone with him to the Ministry to save Sirius.

Harry would have added Hermione to the list, but he wasn't interested with her in that way, and she was with Ron, besides. But he wouldn't mind a girl that was like Hermione.

Harry finally said,"I'm sorry Cho, but I can't. You're really not my type. I did like you last year, and thought you were perfect, but...Well, anyway, I can't get together with you. And to be honest, I think someone like Luna, Ginny or Crystal is more my type."

"You mean Loony Lovegood, the girl whose mother dressed up as a Muggle rock star for Halloween, and the sister of your best friend with the horrid red hair and Tornado-hater?" asked Cho incredously.

"It's Luna Lovegood," corrected Harry. "And she is not Loony. She may be a bit eccentric, but she's really a nice person. And she went with me to the Ministry to try to rescue my godfather, though she didn't have to. As for Crystal, she is also a nice person. And her mother happens to be my godmother. And she is the Defense teacher, so I wouldn't criticise her. Just because her costume was different...Anyway, Professor McGill is a wonderful woman and very understanding. And I think Ron's and Ginny's hair are nice. I don't mind red hair. Ron doesn't actually hate the Tornadoes, either. He just is a little catious. So please do not insult my friends, Cho."

"Sorry," said Cho a bit sarcastically." I didn't know that you liked Luna or that Professor McGill was your godmother." She turned to leave and Harry added,"Oh, Cho, if you get the idea of tormenting Luna because she might become my girlfriend, don't carry it through. Luna has orders to inform Professor Flitwick and Professor McGill if any of that goes on. And Professor McGill will see to it that the person who does it will get a week's detention."

Cho turned back her head and glared at Harry. "Where did you get the idea I would? Luna is a prefect and could give me a detention if she wanted." Before Harry could reply, Cho strode away angrily.

Harry returned to his friends. Crystal had seen what was going on and asked, "Did Cho ask you to get together or something?"

Harry stared at Crystal and replied,"Yeah, how did you know?"

"Oh, I guessed from the look of apology on your face and Cho's angry look after," said Crystal. "I assume that you said no, told her that she wasn't your type, probably mentioned who was your type, and that just made her mad and/or surprised."

"Yes, that's about it," confirmed Harry. "That and the fact I warned her to leave Luna alone if she got the idea to bother her since she is aort of my type. I didn't say anything about leaving you and Ginny alone since you're not in her house and can protect yourselves."

'You considered us as girls who are more your type?" asked Ginny.

Harry turned red and nodded. "But I'm not going to make any decesions. Besides, if one of you is too close to me now, Voldemort will have more of a reason to go after you."

Ginny and Crystal nodded and Luna thanked Harry in dreamy voice for sticking up for her. Harry turned red again and Ron quickly suggested that they head back for the castle. The six teens did so.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Twenty

On Monday, Harry had another Occulemency lesson with Professor McGill. he had been practicising, so he did fairly well and was able to do do a few spells at her. Professor McGill was very pleased and rewarded him with a bar of Honeydukes chocolate, a few buscuits, and some chocolate frogs. he ate one of the frogs and to his surprise, got a card with Ptolemy on it. Those cards were rare and he knew Ron would be jealous. But since he wasn't quite as interested in collecting the cards as Ron was, he decided he might give it to Ron.

Professor McGill was surprised to find out that Harry had gotten a card of Plotemy and advised him to keep it, saying that Ron might end up being lucky, too. He shrugged, took the rest of the chocolate frogs and headed back to his dormitory. Ron was doing his Potions homework when Harry came in. He looked like he needed some cheering, so Harry handed him two chocolate frogs.

Ron opened one and was about to put the frog in his mouth when he saw the card. He dropped the frog and exclaimed, "Harry, I got Agrippa!" Harry was very surprised. One rare card in a bunch was unexpected, but two? That was one chance in a million. It was like a Muggle winning the lottery.

Ron was very excited, to say the least. Then Harry told him that he just got a card with Ptolemy. Ron then became surprised. "How in the world? By Merlin, such a thing practically never happens. How did your godmum happen to have a bunch of chocolate frogs with the Agrippa and Ptolemy cards? She must have been lucky."

Harry then remembered what his godmother had hinted and told Ron. Hermione, who had been listening nearby, wondered if Professor McGill had known about the cards. Crystal looked up from her work and said that it might be possible, since her mum could supposedly see through things. Hermione shook her head and Harry and Ron went up to their bedroom to add their new cards to their collections.

More Later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter Twenty continued.

The next day was Defense Against Dark Arts class. The class was divided up in pairs and had to throw hexes and other spells at each other. Harry was paired with Malfoy and Harry had great pleasure hexing him. Malfoy didn't have much of a chance to fight back and he soon ended up looking like a disfigured person on its way to being a slug.

Professor McGill had laughed and at the end of class had undone the hexes on Malfoy. Then she assigned homework, giving Malfoy an extra essay to write as punishment for not being able to have protected himself.

That evening, there was another D.A. meeting. The students worked on basic hexes, like Jelly-legs and the Furnuculus curse. Harry instructed everyone, with some help from Professor McGill. It went very well and when it was over, Professor McGill and Harry unhexed everyone.

The rest of the week went on as usual. There was classes, Quidditch practise on Thursday, and another Occulemency lesson on Friday. There were no reports of any attacks in the Daily Prophet. The only major point of news was that Minister Bones had gotten the goblins on their side and was trying to get the giants that hadn't joined Voldemort on the good side.

This peice of news cheered everyone up, except prehaps the Slytherins. The atmosphere in Hogwarts was much better. The Slytherins, however, muttered to themselves. Malfoy looked as if he wanted to trade some insults with Harry and refrained from doing so because Professor McGill was nearby. He obviously did not want to risk losing Slytherin any points and landing himself in detention.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 21

There was another Quidditch match, Slytherin versus Hufflepuff. Everyone turned out in yellow rosettes, except the Slytherins, who were wearing green rosettes. It was a very exciting game and Slytherin tried to use some unfair tactics, but Hufflepuff ended up narrowly winning with a score of 230 to 210.

After that match, December suddenly arrived. There was another Hogsmeade weekend for students to go out and buy Christmas gifts. Also, another Yule Ball had been planned, but this one was the week before Christmas break. First and second years could attend as long as they left at nine o'clock, unless they were someone's date. During this time, Harry suddenly realised that he liked Luna and Crystal very much. Unfortunately, he had a hard time deciding between him. Luna had gone with him to the Ministry to try to rescue Sirius, and the talk he had with her at the end of term had been comforting. On the other hand, Crystal was very pretty, fun to be with, and had made him feel better, especially after having him read those Redwall books.

Harry wanted to talk with Professor McGill, but since Crystal was her daughter, he couldn't. Harry did talk with Hermione over his problem. Hermione did have somne advice.

"Just go with the girl you like the best and feel the most comfortable wiith. Spend time with each of themuntil you know. I'd go with Crystal, since she doesn't talk about Snorkacks and Heliopaths, but Luna did go with us to the Ministry. And you said the talk you had with her made you feel better. I honestly will not tell you whom you should pick. Oh, and you could talk to each of them and see if they like you back in the same way."

"Well, if you were one of the girls, who-" Harry tried to ask.

"Don't ask me that!" exclaimed Hermione. "You know perfectly well that Ron and I are together. Go talk with Luna or Charlotte."

Harry did talk with Luna and Charlotte. Luna told Harry that she liked him, but Neville had an interest in her and the two of them really considered going out. She'd already agreed to go to the Yule Ball with NevilleShe assured Harry that she'd always stand with him, but she didn't have a crush on him or love him. She'd only go out with Harry as a friend, not a girlfriend.

Charlotte laughed when Harry asked her if he liked him. "Of course I like you, Harry! I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't. Oh! You mean as in like like you? I'm not sure. Maybe I do. You are a very nice person. But let's not decide yet. I know Mum wants to get us together. And I'm sure Dad would have liked to see his daughter and godson together."

Harry nodded. "Will you at least go to the Yule Ball with me? I don't have a date yet and thought to ask you or Luna."

"Of course I'll go," replied Crystal. "I don't have a date and there's no other boy around that I'd agree to go with, except maybe Ron or Neville, and Ron's going with Hermione and Neville's going with Luna."

Harry smiled and realised that prehaps Crystal would be the best person to go out with. Then Crystal said, "Harry, Mum wants me to tell you that we can go back to Grimmauld Place for Christmas. We don't have to if it it's uncomfortable for you. Mum knows you were there last Christmas and this year, with Daddy gone, well..." Crystal started crying.

"I don't feel very comfortable going there for Christmas," replied Harry., akwardly patting Crystal and letting her cry on his shoulder.

Crystal wiped her eyes and said, "I only knew him for a month. He was so nice, but I wish I had known him longer. You and Ron and Hermione have known Daddy for two years, even if he had to be hiding for one year and stuck in stupid old Granny's house the next. Well, Mum says if you don't want to go to London, we can go to her house in the country."

"I'd like that," replied Harry. So it was decided they'd go to Professor's McGill's house.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 22: The Yule Ball

It was December 20th and it was the day of the Yule Ball. After lunch, there was a flurry of activity as everyone got ready for the ball. Of course, the girls took more time, fussing over their robes, hair, jewelery and make up. Harry had another set of dress robes, courtesy of Professor McGill. They were green like his old one, only in a much darker shade. Ron had navy blue robes and Harry saw Neville had dark red ones.

At five o'clock, Neville went to the Ravenclaw dorm to get Luna while Harry and Ron went to meet Crystal and Hermione. Harry gasped when he saw Crystal. She was wearing floaty robes of a sky-blue material that matched her eyes. The robes were trimmed at the hem with pale pink and the sleeves had pink and blue flowers emboirdered. Her long golden hair was done in an elegant knot on the top of her head. She wore a pair of sapphire earrings, a sapphire necklace, a silver butterfly pin set with sapphires, and a gold bracelet set with sapphires. (At least Harry thought they were sapphires. They could have been fake.) She had on pink lipstick, blush, pale blue eyeliner, had used an eyebrow pencil, and her nails had sparkly pink nail polish.

Crystal looked absolutely gorgeous. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Harry recovered enough to smile and say, "You look lovely, Crystal. I knew you were beautiful before, but now you look stunning." He handed her a corsage of tiny pink roses and blue violets. Crystal smiled and thanked Harry. She stuck a large pink rose in her hair above her ear and with Harry's help, pinned the corsage to her dress.

Finally Harry took his eyes long enough off Crystal to see what Hermione and Ginny were wearing. Hermione was wearing a dress with colors the opposite of Crystal, pink trimmed with blue. Her jewelry was composed of gold and pink pearls. She had on make-up and had apparently borrowed Crystal's nail polish, (or vice versa) since her nails were also sparkly pink. Her hair was also done in a knot, exactly the way it had been done at the last Yule Ball.

Ron was stunned at the way Hermnione looked also, and could barely stammer, "Y-y-you look l-lovely, 'Mione," and hand her a corsage.

Ginny was wearing pale blue dress robes, the gift from Professor McGill for being made prefect. Her jewelry also was composed of sapphires, but Harry decided they must be fake, since he doubted the Weasleys could afford real gems. Though some of it might be real, if she borrowed a peice or two from Crystal or Hermione. Her red hair fell loose in lovely ringlets and curls. She had on make-up, but her nails were a sparkly light red, since pink didn't really suit redheads. Dean also seemed awestruck by her.

Harry turned his attention back to Crystal and escorted her to the Great Hall. There he saw Luna with Neville. Luna was wearing silvery robes, had no make up other than some light pink lipstick and blue eyeshadow, and had on her radish earrings, but her necklace was a gold chain with a locket. Harry remembered Luna mentioning a locket that had belonged to her mother, with her mother's picture and a lock of her hair in it. He saw a bit of hair stick out and decided it must be that locket.

The Great Hall was splendidly decorated. There were at least a dozen Christmas trees with tiny fairies among the ornaments. Holly, tinsel, and mistletoe, hung from the walls. The knights had been removed and in their place were the Christmas Trees and a few pictures of Christmas scenes.

Harry and Crystal went out to the dance floor, were they danced a few dances. After three dances, the two switched with Harry and Hermione. Hermione was a decent dancer, but he decided Crystal was better. He also switched with Neville and Luna. Luna was an excellent dancer and she told him that she used to dance with her mum and dad for fun.

After the dance with Luna and Neville, Harry and Crystal sat at the table to eat. Crystal told Harry that Ron was a pretty good dancer, but Neville wasn't. Neville ahd stepped on her feet at least a dozen times. Harry chuckled and they ordered dinner, since the process was the same as the last Yule Ball.

After dinner, the two sat and talked with each other and their friends. After awhile, they went back to dancing. After two dances, Harry and Crystal traded with Dean and Ginny. Ginny was also a good dancer and she told Harry she was glad she wasn't with Neviile like last time.

That dance had been a fast one, which left Harry sort of breathless. After a minute to catch his breath, he found Crystal and they danced the next one, which was slow. He glanced over and saw Professor McGill sitting down, looking very sad. That song must have reminded her of Sirius. He started feeling sad, too, but focused his attention to the dance. When it was over, he felt that he was really bonding with Crystal and prehaps he really did love her.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 22 continued

After the slow dance, Crystal dragged Harry outside to talk. "I am having such a wonderful time with you. I never had with any boy. There was a boy at my school in America and I was his date at a ball there, but it wasn't the same. He was nice, and I liked him, but I didn't want to be his girlfriend and would not let him kiss me, except on the hand like the men did in the old days. You, however, are different. And it's not because you're famous. I don't care about that."

"You are very nice, too," said Harry. "Certainly better than Cho. I don't know what I saw in her. Anyway, you've never been kissed by a boy?"

"Right," replied Crystal. "At least not where it counted. A kiss on the hand isn't much. I wouldn't let just anyone kiss me on the cheek or lips.""

"Good," said Harry. He took Crystal's hand and led her a few feet away and gently kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and then looked up.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, "You took us under the mistletoe."

"Yes," he replied. "That's the place to kiss at Christmastime."

Crystal smiled and leaned forward. She kissed Harry gently on the lips.

"Well, it looks like me might be officially a couple. Mum will be pleased. But let me warn you, I only want to go as far as a few kisses and holding hands. If we want to go further, we're going to have to get married first. I have certain beliefs and values that Mum imparted in me."

"I don't mind. I really don't feel like going beyond kisses and holding hands. The idea makes me a bit uncomfortable. A few years later, if we're still together, we can discuss things further."

"I'm glad you agree. Now, I've had my first kiss from a boy and first kissed a boy. Let's have one more kiss and go back in or Mum will wonder what we're up to." Harry and Crystal did so, and then went back to the ball.

Professor McGill was at the door. "Harry James Potter and Crystal Alice McGill Black! Where were you two?"

"Oh, we went out to talk," replied Crystal. "And Mum, I think Harry and I are a couple. Actually, we are one, even if it wasn't exactly expressed in words."

Professor McGill smiled. "That's very nice. If only Sirius and Lily and James were here to see this. The children of best friends getting together. I hope you weren't doing anything inappropiate, though."

"We weren't. Professor," replied Harry. "We talked and I gave Crystal her- I mean, we uh- "

"Kissed?" supplied Professor McGill. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I did that with Sirius before we were married. I hope you did only that. But seeing as you were gone only for maybe ten minutes, I don't think you could have gone beyond kisses. I do hope you won't go beyond that."

"Oh, Mum," said Crystal. "You brought me up better than that. I made it quite clear what my values were. Harry has the same values and besides isn't comfortable with the idea. If we did decide to go beyond kisses, it will be after we marry, if that happened."

"Good. You two may go now." Harry and Crystal walked away and danced the next dance, which was also a slow one. They passed Ron and Hermione and Harry mouthed to them, "We're a couple." Hermione smiled and Ron mouthed back, "That's great!"

When the ball was over, Harry walked Crystal back to the common room. They sat and talked for awhile. kissed, and then went to their dorms. Ron was there and handed Harry a mirror. Harry looked and saw that he hads two lipstick stains on his cheek and some on his lips. He quickly wiped it off, very embaressed. Ron told him it was all right, he'd gotten some lipstick too from kissing Hermione.

Harry changed and went to bed, having enjoyed the Yule Ball.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 23

The next day, though, Harry started having some doubts over having Crystal as a girlfriend. If Voldemort wasn't around, he wouldn't have had doubts, but since he was, he did. Harry found Crystal and took her to a private place to talk.

"I really like you Crystal, but I'm not sure I should let you go out with me. You'll be a target for Voldemort. Anyone close to me-"

"Don't be silly!" snapped Crystal. "I'm in no more danger than I was before. You know very well that anyone who is against Voldemort is going to be a target. For instance, you're not very close to Kingsley Shacklebolt, but since he's fighting against Voldemort, he's a target. Now, being your girlfriend is not going to put me in any more noticeable danger. Forget about it and focus on defeating Voldemort with your friends to back you."

"You're right," agreed Harry. "I just don't like anyone close to me to be hurt. It's horrible. I- hey, you're like Cornflower in that Redwall book. She gave Matthais advice and strength. And the two fell in love."

"Why, you're right!" exclaimed Crystal. "I never thought of that. And my name begins with 'C' like Cornflower." Then she said teasingly, "But I don't think we're going to end up married like them. That's the last thing on our minds."

"But if we are Matthais and Cornflower," pointed out Harry, "then that means I'll defeat Voldemort and once the war is over, we'll be making plans for it."

Crystal laughed. "Let's wait a few years before we discuss this. If we do it now, Ron and Hermione will think we're crazy and Mum will get nervous and lay down the law. Now, how did we get off subject? We were discussing how you were nervous about the two of us as a couple."

"Sorry, it was my fault," apoligised Harry. "I pointed out that you were like Cornflower. Anyway, since you're really not in any more danger by being my girlfriend, I guess we can be a couple."

"Good," replied Crystal. "Just watch where you're taking things. Remember our agreement last night. Just one thing, never take me up to the Astronomy Tower except if we're going to do star-gazing. I know the other purposes the tower is used for and I don't like it. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to make appointments to use it."

"All right,' agreed Harry. "Would an empty classroom or closet suffice? For, um, kissing, I mean. I know we're not going any further."

"That will do," replied Crystal. "Now let's go before Ron and Hermione get suspicious. Though I wouldn't put it past them that they're spending some private time together."

Harry laughed and the two left the empty classroom that they were talking in.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 23 continued

It soon spread through the school that Harry and Crystal were a couple. Hermione and Ron smiled and whisphered to each other, "Finally!" Ginny, Neville, Dean and Luna congradualted them. Lavender and Parvati also congradulated them, but Harry felt that they were wishing they were in Crystal's face. Cho gave Harry and Crystal a nasty look whenever they passed and spoke loudly to Michael Croner, probably trying to make Harry jealous. Of course, harry ignored her.

The D. A. members soon found out. There was some teasing, but mostly they thought it was wonderful. Malfoy had some remarks to make, but not very nice ones.

"So Potter, you got a new girlfriend, She's prettier than Cho, but you still haven't got much taste. I mean, her mother dressed up like some Muggle singer on halloween. And McGill is exactly like her, siding with Muggles and Mudbloods and halfbloods. Really,I-"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" yelled Harry, pulling out his wand. Crystal pulled Harry's arm down, saying, "He's not worth it."

Then she walked to Malfoy and slapped him. "Don't you ever insult me or my mother. I could hex you into next Monday. So could Harry. So shut your big mouth before I take a leaf from Ginny's book and bat-bogey hex you!"

Malfoy turned red, remembering when Ginny had done that last year. He muttered something incomprehensible and ran off. Crystal turned to Harry. "I'm glad you're willing to defend me, but I can take care of myself, Harry. I don't really like to depend on people except when it's absolutely necessary. But you can come to my aid when I'm not there to defend myself or if I am temporarily unable to."

Harry smiled and said, "All right, Crystal. I'll keep that in mind the next time Malfoy insults you. It's too bad your mum wasn't here. She'd give Malfoy detention and take some points off."

Crystal laughed and the two of them continued on their way to Potions. When they walked in, they saw Malfoy talking to Professor Snape. Snape frowned and turned to Crystal. "Miss McGill, Mr. Malfoy here says that you slapped him and threatened to hex him. Is that true?"

"Yes, Professor Snape. However, I was provoked. He made some remarks against my mother and me. I got angry and slapped him."

"I am sorry, but I must take off ten points from Gryffindor for that," said Professor Snape. "However, Mr. Malfoy, since you insulted Miss McGill and Professor McGill, I must give you detention and take ten points. I do not wish to take points, but unfortunately I have no choice. Please report to Professor McGill this evening for it."

Harry was very surprised. Crsytal quietly explained, "Since Mum is a teacher, he has to be fair with me and the other Gryffindors. She made Snape promise not to favor the Slytherins and be fair and only deal out punishments when it's necessary." Harry nodded and sat down in relief. So that was why Snape was not as horrid as usual. Class then began and Harry worked on his potion.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 24

The Christmas holidays came and almost everyone left Hogwarts. Professor McGill took Crystal and Harry to her house to spend Christmas. Ron was going to spend Christmas day with his family at Grimmauld Place and Hermione with her parents, but they would visit the day after. When Professor McGill, Crystal, and Harry got of the Hogwart's express, they portkeyed to the house. This also had protections like Grimmauld place and Harry had to first read the address on a perice of paper since Professor McGill was the secret-keeper.

"This house can be used as back-up headquarters if necessary," explained Professor McGill, taking Harry and Crystal inside. "Also, I took precautions so that you can be safe while spending vacation with me."

A female house-elf greeted them. She was dressed in a blouse, navy blue skirt, and apron. Professor McGill didn't really like seeing elves in teatowels or pillowcases and the law in America gave her the excuse to dress the elf. The elf was introduced as Carmen.

"Merry Christmas, mistress," greeted Carmen. "I see you is bringing Miss Crystal with you. Oh, and is that the great Harry Potter?"

"Yes, he is Harry Potter," replied Professor McGill. "And for the millionth time, Carmen, please stop calling me Mistress! Call me Miss Fiona or Miss McGill, if you must, but not Mistress. And Merry Christmas."

"Thank you, mistr-I ,mean Miss Fiona. Dinner is cooking and the Christmas decorations are up. The Christmas tree is in the living room, but I did not decorate it, like you said. I is knowing you is wanting to decorate yourself."

"Thank you, Carmen," replied Professor McGill. "Go back to the dinner before it burns. I'll take Crystal and Harry to their rooms."

They went up to the second floor. Professor McGill pointed to a room at the end of the hall. "That is my room. That is the bathroom. Next to it is Crystal's room. Your room, Harry, is right across the hall from it. There's another bathroom next to your room, Harry, but it only has a shower. If you want to use a bathtub, you'll have to use the other bathroom. Now, I'm going to put my things down, then go check on dinner. If you need anything, Crystal and Harry, call me or Carmen. When dinner's ready, I'll have Carmen get you two."


Harry entered the room. It was a nice comfortable one with a four poster bed (a little smaller than the one at Hogwarts), a table and four chairs, a dresser, a bureau for clothes, a closet, a bookcase, and posters and pictures on the walls. The posters were Qudditch ones, some showing people playing, the others showing the teams, the Chuddley Cannons, the Winbourne Wasps, and Puddlemere United. The pictures showed a wedding, which Harry figured out were from his parents' wedding. Most were duplicates of the ones in his album. A few also showed Sirius and Professor McGill together, at their wedding. (Which had been smaller and more secret.)

Harry unpacked, putting his Muggle clothing in the bureau and hanging up his robes in the closet. He stowed his gifts for Crystal and godmother in the bottom of his trunk and sent Hedwig out with his gift to Hermine. When she came back, Hedwig would then deliver Ron's gift. Hermione was first because Harry could trust her not to open his gift until Christmas. Ron's gift, however, would be sent the next day, on Christmas Eve. When it arrived, Ron would probably be asleep.

Crystal knocked on his door and came in. "So did you unpack, Harry?"

"Yes, I just finished," answered Harry, smiling at Crystal.

"Can you tell me what you're giving me for Christmas?" asked Crystal.

"Nope," he replied, shaking his head. "I can tell you that Ron's getting a book on the Chudley Cannons and that Hermione's getting an Ancient Runes book."

"Darn. Well, will you tell me if I tell you what I'm getting you?"

Harry hestitated, then shook his head. "I'll give you a hint, though, if you'll do the same. It's going to be something special that all girls like."

"Not much of a hint," laughed Crystal. "Well, here's your hint. My present is actually more like two presents. They are wrapped in one box, but there's too things in it. Oh, and I know what Mum's getting you. But all I'll say is that one thing is from her and the other is something that was your parents."

"Your's wasn't much of a hint, either," replied Harry, kissing her on the cheek.

"You deserved it. I gave what you gave in return." Crystal kissed Harry on his cheek this time. Then Crystal showed Harry around the hose, starting with her room. It was similar to Harry's, only she also had a dressing table with make-up and other girl stuff on it. The bedspread was more femenine, she had a number of books in the bookcase, and while she did have a few Quidditch posters, she also had posters of girl stuuf, the Weird Sisters, and pictures of herself when she was younger with her mother or relatives.

Then Crystal showed Harry the two guest rooms and her mother's room. The they went downstairs where she showed him the living room, the den, the study (with numerous books), and the dining room. Last was the kitchen, were they found Carmen cooking and Professor McGill in apron, trying to persuade Carmen to let her do some of the cooking. Harry and Crystal laughed. Carmen smiled and finally allowed Profesor McGill to make the dessert.

Crystal and Harry soon found themselves swathed in aprons, helping Professor McGill make a cake and treacle tarts. A receipe for the cake was conjured up for Harry and Crystal. The two found themselves cracking eggs (and accidently dropping one on the floor), pouring in milk (and spilling some on the table), mixing flour (and getting flour on their aprons and faces), adding sugar (and feeding each other spoonfuls of it after), and adding chocolate, baking powder, butter, and a pinch of salt. Crystal and Harry took turns mixing the batter. Professor McGill laughed at the mess they made and Carmen shook her head, muttering about how there would be none if she had made the cake.

When the cake batter was done, it was put in a baking pan and Carmen put it in the oven. Harry and Crystal licked the mixing spoon, then cleaned up, but Carmen kept trying to help, only stopping to check on fish and soup cooking for finner. Professor McGill finished making the treacle tarts and sent Harry and Crystal to wash up.

Half an hour later, dinner was ready and Harry, Crystal, and Professor McGill set the dining room table and sat down to eat. When they done, Carmen came in, bearing the cake. Professor McGill got the tarts. They ate dessert, then Carmen insisted on doing the dishes. So the three went to the living room to decorate the tree.

Professor McGil, had a myriad of ornaments. There were lovely glass, crystal, and wood figurines, colored balls, yards of tinsel, and lights. They wrapped the tinsel and lights around the trees, then started on teh ornaments. First the colored balls and candy canes were placed, in random places. Then came the wooden ornaments, like little people, toy trains, wrapped gifts, and other cute things. After were the glass and crystal ornaments. There castles, bells, swans, stars, and miniature people. Last were some very special ornaments, many handmade. Harry hung a broomstick ornament, that his father had given Professor McGill. Then he hung up a glass ornament of a lily, that his mother had sent. There were handmade ones that Professor McGill and Crystal had made, as well as two from Sirius. And there were bought ones from Remus and Sirius. (The ones from Pettigrew had been thrown away.)

Finally, Professor McGill produced a stepladder and gave Harry the honor of placing the star on the top. The tree was gorgeous and breathtaking. Carmen came in to admire it. Harry stepped back to admire the tree, not realising he went under mistletoe as he did so. Carmen noticed and giggled. Harry was puzzled and then he got his answer when first Crystal, then his godmother, kissed him. He turned red, looked up, and said, "So that's why."

Then the three went up stairs to get their presents to put under the tree. It looked like a scene from a greeting card. Suddenly, Professor McGill had them pose by the tree. They smiled and Carmen took a picture of the three. Using magic, Professor McGill developed the picture, put it in a frame, and hung it next to another picture in the living room. This one showed a Christmas scene, only it was taken about sixteen years ago at Harry's and Crystal's first Christmas. Harry felt a little sad seeing the picture, but the feeling passed when Crystal kissed him again, this time on the lips.


More later...

comments- www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=19519

[Alicia13]

Chapter 24 continued

The next day was Christmas Eve. Harry, Crystal, and Professor McGill spent the day wrapping presents to send to Order members and friends. Professor McGill intercepted all presents from the Order and put them under the tree. refusing to let Crystal and Harry open them. Carmen was in the kitchen cooking for the next day's feast or running about the house cleaning. In the afternoon, they popped in to help make Christmas biscuits and cake. Professor McGill also mixed her famous non-alcoholic punch.

Soon the house smelled like Christmas from the cakes and biscuits baking. Once a batch of biscuits were done, Professor McGill put them in a tin and handed it to Harry, telling him that he and Crystal could share them. The two disappeared into the living room to eat the biscuits and talk.

At five o'clock, the Weasleys showed up for a visit. Crystal showed everyone around and Harry put the presents they brought under the tree. At six, everyone went into the dining room. The table was beautifully set with a centerpeice of Christmas roses and poinsettias. Holly, tinsel, and evergreen hung over the walls and mistletoe over the door. Mr. Weasley took advantage of the mistletoe to stop and kiss Mrs. Weasley. She blushed, looked up, and blushed even more.

There was a goose, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, bread, stuffing, and for dessert, pudding, cake, apple pie, and biscuits. Juice and milk were served to drink, plus punch and butterbeer to drink toasts in during dessert.

After dinner, Crystal and Ron got into a chess game while Harry and Ginny got involved in an Exploding Snap game with the twins. (Using cards George and Fred had invented.) After an hour, Crystal, who was an excellent chess player, managed to checkmate Ron. Ron admitted defeat, amiliong, and said it was the first time in years that he lost. Crystal got Ron into another game and this time Crystal was checkmated.

At nine o'clock, Professor McGill interrupted, saying that she had a custom that on Christmas Eve, everyone could open one present. She handed each person a present and then took one for herself. Harry saw that his was from Professor McGill. He opened it and saw two boxes. One contained a defense book, written by Professor McGill and Alastor Moody. The other contained a gold watch and on the back was inscribed, "To James Potter, from Lily Evans, with love. Merry Christmas!" A note tucked under the watch read, "This was a Christmas gift to your father, given by your mother the Christmas before they were married."

Crystal's gift was from Harry. It contained a bottle of rose perfume and a gold locket on a gold chain. The front had "Crystal Alice Black" inscribed and the back had "Harry James Potter" inscribed. Crystal opened it and found a picture of herself and Harry together, taken at Harry's birthday party. She smiled and hugged and kissed harry as a thank-you.

Ron's present was from Professor McGill and it was a minuture Quidditch feild, with miniture balls and figures. He loved the game and bgan playin with it at once. The twins' presents were from Crystal and were ideas for more joke stuff plus a box of candy that changed you hair color, only you wouldn't be able to see it. Ginny's gift was from Harry and was sparkly gold nail polish.

At ten o'clock, the Weasleys gathered their presents and Portkeyed back to the Order. (Except for the twins and Bill, who apparated) It had been a wondeful Christmas Eve and after a last cup of cocoa, Harry, Crystal, and Professor McGill went to bed.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 25

The next morning, Crystal woke everyone up at five in the morning. She had always been excited on Christmas and had to get up early to open her presents. Harry would have liked to sleep longer, but he did sort of understand Crystal's excitement, especially after spending several Christmases at Hogwarts.

Harry followed Crystal downstairs. Professor McGill did, too, but she did look a bit grumpy. Carmen handed her a cup of coffee, and after drinking it, she looked more awake. They opened their presents.

From Crystal, Harry got a bottle of cologne and a thick silver bracelet with "Harry James Potter" inscribed and some odd looking runes. Crystal explained that she had charms and hexes put on the bracelet to protect Harry. If, for instance, Malfoy tried to attack or tease Harry, the charms on the bracelet would force Malfoy back and he could find himself turned into a ferret or have "ENEMY" written on his face.

Harry laughed and opened his present from Ron. Ron had sent the book European Quidditch Teams. Next was Hermione's present. It turned out to be a diary. It was a little like Riddle's old one. Harry could write things down and it would all disappear. However, he could make what he wrote reappear if he tapped the diary, named an entry, and said his password. Harry thought for a few minutes, then set up the diary, using the password, "Sirius Black."

The twins' present was a large box of their products and a certificate for ten galleons worth of things from their store. Ginny had sent a box of sweets, Tonks had sent a miniture model of a Nimbus Two Thousand, and Hagrid sent a book on owls and how to care for them. Remus and Moody had sent a Foe Glass and Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore had sent Harry a mendallion that would protect him from most spells. Dobby had also sent a present and it turned out to be a pair of socks, one with a pattern of wands, the other with a pattern of lion heads, and a scarlet wool cap. Carmen popped in then, and handed Harry a wrapped gift, which turned out to be a painting of him on a broom. It was much better than the one Dobby had given him last year and Carmen said he had copied it off a picture.

Finally Professor McGill gathered up all the wrapping papaer and threw them out. The ribbons and bows she rolled up to use for another occasion. Then Crystal and Harry put their gifts away and went to eat breakfast. Carmen, however, was not done making it, so Professor McGill went to help her and had Harry and Crystal get dressed and drink some eggnog in the dining room.

Half an hour later, breakfast was served. There was pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, toast with jam or butter, sausages, muffins, and apple turnovers. After breakfast, Harry and Crystal washed the dishes, because Carmen had just been given the day off.

When they were done, they, Professor McGill, and Carmen gathered in the living room and sang Christmas carols and read Christmas stories. Halfway through a carol, Harry recalled Sirius last year, singing "God Rest Ye, Merry Hippogriffs", and started to cry. Professor McGill and Crystal were concerned and asked him what was wrong. Harry expalined and his godmother and Crystal tried to comfort him. Then Professor McGill got out a copy of the Bible and began to read the about the first Christmas, from the books of Matthew and Luke.

Her gentle voice soothed Harry as she read how Mary had been visited by an angel, telling her that she would be with child through the holy Sprirt. (Matthew and Luke) Then Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was also with child. Joseph and Mary were married and they had to go to Bethlehem for the census. During that time, it came time for Mary to give birth. However, all the inns were full. Finally one innkeeper let the couple stay in his manger, or stable. Mary gave birth there. Later, an angel visisted a group of shepherds watching over their flocks and told them about the birth of their king, Jesus. They quickly hastened to the manger to see Jesus. When they did they fell down and worshipped him. (Luke) Three Wise Men, also known as kings, followed a star to see the baby Jesus. The king Herod, heard about it and asked the wise men to come to him after seeing Jesus. They were to tell Herod where Jesus was so he could supposedly go and worship him. (In reality, he wanted to kill Jesus, since Jesus was said to be a king.) The wise men went to Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then they went back to their country, but did not not stop to see Herod, since God had warned them in a dream. Later that night, an angel visited Joseph in a dream, telling him to take Mary and the baby away, since Herod wanted to kill Jesus. They fled to Egypt. Herod was very angry that the wise men had tricked him and in rsponse ordered all the boys two years old or younger to be killed.

Harry listened to the story of the first Christmas in rapt attention. He had never really heard the entire story before. The Dursleys had only gone to church for the Christmas and Easter services and they had never brought him along, except for one Easter service when Mrs. Figg had been unable to look after him. Crystal ran up to her room and brought down two books. One had all the carols pertaining with Jesus' birth, the other was the Christmas story beginning with, " 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

Harry flipped through the book of carols and stopped at one titled "The Friendly Beasts." The four of them sang that carol, about how the animals helped Jesus in some way, like, "I, said the dove from the rafters high/I sang you to sleep so you would not cry/we sang you to sleep, my mate and I/I, said the dove from the rafters high." or the donkey carrying his mother through Bethlehem town. Harry liked the song and it cheered him up. Crystal selected another song, this one titled "The Little Drummer Boy,". It was about how the wise men were bringing Jesus gifts, but the little drummer boy was poor like Jesus, so had no gift that "was fit to give a king." In the end, he played his drum for Jesus as his gift, where "the ox and lamb kept time" and Jesus "smiled at me, me and my drum."

Harry found another song titled the "Animal's Christmas Carol". It was like "The Friendly Beasts," but longer. In "The Friendly Beasts", the sonmg talked about a dove, cow, donkey, camels, and sheep. The animals in "Animals Christmas Carol" included other animals, like the dog who watched over the sheep so the shepherds could visit Jesus, or the bees that made the wax for a candle, ot the wormwood who could only spare the wood in the stall as his gift.

Then Crystal read the traditional Christmas Story. By the time she was done, it was time to think about lunch. Professor McGill made a small lunch since they were going to have a big Christmas dinner that evening. A turkey for dinner was roasting in the oven, and two cakes, a mince pie, and a pumpkin pie were sitting on a shelf.

After lunch, Harry and Crystal helped make stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, applesauce, and biscuits. Professor McGill made more punch and eggnog. At six o;clock, the three of them, plus Carmen, sat down in the dining room to eat. Carmen was wearing a new green and red dress that Crystal had given her for a gift. They ate until stuffed from the main meal, then the friucake and pumpkin pie were brought in. After dessert, Professor McGill decreed that all dishes would be left until tomorrow. They all went into the living room to drink eggnog and roast nuts in the fireplace.


More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 25 continued
(By the way, the number chapter sort of fits. Christmas is on the 25th of December and the chapter about it is number 25.)

The next day, Boxing day, the Weasleys and Grangers came to visit. It was the first time Harry really met Hermione's parents. Seeing them at King's Cross and Diagon Alley didn't really count. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, or prehaps they should be called Doctors, were two very pleasent people. They knew about the war situation, and were very concerned for Hermione, but also understood that she had a means of protecting herself and that they could not stop her from fighting.

Mr. Weasley was very excited to see the Grangers and instantly took Mr. Granger aside to ask questions about Muggles. Mrs. Weasley shook her head and talked to Mrs. Granger, finding things that they both had in common. After awhile, Professor McGill took pity on Mr. Granger and rescued him from Mr. Weasley. Professor McGill asked Mr. Granger about his detenistry business. It turned out her father was a Muggle and a dentist.

Harry had been surprised as he had not been told much about Professor McGill. She explained that she was actually Muggleborn. McGill was not a wizard name, but merely an ordinary Scottish name. Harry knew that it was Scottish, since it began with "Mc", but he had never suspected that it was a Muggle one. Then Harry thought, If Sirius had not been disowned for running away, he would certainly have for marrying a muggleborn.

Harry then wondered if that was why his mother had become friends with Professor McGill. They were both Muggleborn, after all, so had that in common. At least he now knew why Crystal had Muggle books.

Carmen had cooked up a nice dinner for the guests and they gathered into the dining room to eat. Mrs. Weasley had contributed a mince pie and Mrs. Granger contributed a friutcake made with no sugar other than than the natural sugar in the fruit. The dinner was very good and then the guests left, except for Ron and Hermione, who were to stay the night. They took the two guest rooms.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Well, Stella16 and I our back. Our families had just come back from vacation in New Jersey. Here is Chapter 26.

Harry decided he could handle being in Grimmauld Place for a day or two during Christmas break, so Professor McGill took him and Crystal over on the 28th. Mrs. Weasley was quite glad to see him and disappeared into the kitchen to cook a nice and big dinner.

Harry, Crystal, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny sat in the living room and talked and played chess or exploding snap. The twins popped in every so often to offer them a sweet or snack, but they declined, knowing the twins were trying to trick them into eating one of their products. Crystal did take one sweet, but she didn't eat it. Instead, she pulled another sweet from her pocket and waited for the twins to come back. When they did, she said, "Here, have a sweet in return. Then I'll have the one you gave me."

Crystal then handed Fred the sweet he had given her. Fred popped in his mouth and Crystal ate the sweet she had taken from her pocket. George, Crystal, and the others began laughing as Fred started blowing steam from his ears, fanning his mouth, and turning a scarlet red. Ginny handed him a glass of water, which spilled partway from her laughter. Crystal managed between laughs to tell Fred that she had switched sweets. After Fred had turned to normal, he joined in the laughter and swore to get Crystal back.

She smiled and said, "Good luck, Fred. You'll need it since I am a hard person to get back. After all, you are a skilled trickster and have never been outtricked before. But now that I've managed to outsmart you, it proves that you're not as smart as you think you are. Of course, you are wiser now to my tricks, but I don't know if that would enable you to get back at me."

Fred replied, "I'll still try, Crystal. Don't get cocky and underestimate me. I did with you and look what happened! I got hit with my own trick."

"Let me warn you, if you get me with one of your tricks, when I recover from it, I will personally get you back. And Harry will also, unless I stop him, which I might not do. And he knows several good hexes, like me."

Fred good-naturedly took the warning and he and George left, whisphering to each other. They obviously were planning how to get Crystal back.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 26 continued

For the rest of the day, the twins kept trying to get Crystal back, but they never succeeded. Harry kept laughing over their attempts and it took his mind off Sirius. Crystal winked at Harry every time the twins tried to trick her.

The next morning, Harry knocked on Crystal's bedroom door. Crystal called, "Come in." He opened the door and was instantly splashed with colored water, turning his clothes and face scarlet and gold striped. Crystal burst into laughter and Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins came to look. Crystal called to Fred and George cheerfully, "Looks like the trick you planned for me hit Harry instead! Next time make sure that someone else isn't going to accidently set off a trick you have planned."

Fred and George took it good-naturedly and turned Harry back to normal. The twins then started whispering again. At breakfast time, George handed Crystal a plate of scrambled eggs. She was about to take some, when she paused, stared at George suspiciously, and then set down the platter. Unfortunately, Ron was on her right and served himself some of the eggs. Before Crystal could stop him, Ron had taken a mouthful. He instantly spat it out and quickly drank some milk. Then he exclaimed, "Who put pepper in the eggs?!" Crystal looked at George.

George sighed and said, "I did. I was trying to get Crystal. But she got suspicious and didn't touch the eggs. You had to go serve yourself some eggs, Ron. Crystal was trying to stop you, but you go and jam a spoonful before she could." Ron looked put out.

"First Harry falls prey to a trick intended for Crystal, then me. Who's next, Hermione? George and Fred, stop trying to get back at Crystal. If Hermione falls prey to a trick, I swear I'll hex you two."

Goerge and Fred promised they wouldn't do such a thing again. Harry, however, caught them winking at each other and suspected that the twins meant they wouldn't put pepper in the food again.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 26 continued

As Harry suspected, the twins did do another trick. This time Ginny and Hermione fell prey to it. Ron was extremely angry. "Fred! George! Didin't I warn you? And you promised not to do any more tricks!'

George sighed and said, "Ron, we didn't say that. What we said was, 'We'll never do that again.'"

Ron looked a bit puzzled until Crystal explained, "What the twins meant was that they'd never put pepper in the food or at least in the eggs again."

Ron pulled out his wand and aimed it at the twins. "Ric-" he began, before Hermione and Crystal grabbed his arm and clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione. "We're not supposed to do magic outside of school!" Ron turned red and lowered his wand. He muttered angrily at Fred and George and turned back to the game of Exploding Snap he was playing with Harry and Ginny.

Crystal smiled from behind her book and said, "I think you really should stop those tricks, Fred and George. You're not going to suceed in getting me back. All you did was annoy your mother at breakfast and caused Ron to almost break the rule on underage magic and hex you."

Fred and George looked at each other and said, "All right, we'll stop the tricks for now. But we won't promise about not doing any more pranks later."

The two left the living room and peace reigned for the rest of the day. The next day, after breakfast, Professor McGill took Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Crystal back to her house for the rest of Christmas break. They celebrated the New Years and once break was over, they all went back to Hogwarts.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 27

After break, the sixth and seventh year students were hit with a great deal of work. The fifth years were also given much work. Harry and Ron weren't at all pleased. Even though their N.E.W.T.s were a year off, the teachers insisted on getting them ready. Hermione was there to help Ron and Crystal for Harry. Harry was glad Crystal was around because he felt that he couldn't have gotten through school, Quidditch practise, D.A. meetings, and Occulemency lessons. In fact, he doubted he would have gotten through Potions and Transfiguration homework if Crystal wasn't there.

Harry did wonder how Crystal did it. She had the same schedule as him, minus the Occulemency lessons. So how did she manage to juggle everything, do her homework, and still have time to help him? He did also wonder about Hermione. In place of Quidditch practise, she had prefect duties. And yet she was able to do everything, and come out at the top of the class, and help Ron. He was very impressed.

Then he noticed that Ginny was also working for her O.W.L.s. And somehow, Hermione and Crystal found the time to also help her. Harry shook his head at how girls always seemed to be pulled together and had everything under control. When he asked Crystal about it, she replied, "Good time management. You really should use that homework planner Hermione gave you last year. I use one and look at how it's helped me."

Harry nodded and later got out the homework planner to use. He realised that if Hermione had suggested it, he would have nodded and forgot about it later. But when Crystal suggested it... Harry wondered if maybe his relationship with her was the cause.

The next day, Harry noticed Ron using his homework planner. When he asked Ron, Ron turned red and muttered, "Well, Hermione said I should." Harry then told Ron that he was using his on Crystal's suggestion. Ron felt better and said, "It looks like the loves of our lives have us twined around their thumbs."

Harry laughed and said, "It's finger, Ron!" Ron turned red and exclaimed, "I'm no good with expressions, Harry!" Then he burst into laughter, too.

More later...

[Alicia13]

Chapter 27 continued...

One night, as Harry was sleeping, he had a dream. He was inside Voldemort's head again. Voldemort was telling his Death Eaters about planninmg an attack on Hogwarts. "Wormtail, you can turn into a rat. You can slip through protections and get into Hogwarts. Find out everything in can. As for you, Bellatrix, we will set a date. As Wormtail sends back information, we will plan the attack. And you Servus, my loyal potion brewer."

Harry saw Snape come forward, kneel down, and whispher, "Yes, my lord. What do you require?"

"I require you to brew up some potions. For that Potter boy and his friends. Brew some weakening potions and when the time comes, slip some in their drinks. They will therefore not be able to fight back when the attack happens. And get all the information you can out of Dumbledore. And see if you cannot poision him or weaken him when the attack comes."

"Yes, my lord," replied Snape.

"Good," hissed Voldemort. "Do not fail me. You know what happens to those who do. Remember, I welcomed you back, even though you did not show up when I first came back. I accepted your reason that the fool Dumbledore was preventing you from showing up. I let you off with only a minor punishment. But your punishment will not be minor if you fail me in this."

Snape nodded again and whisphered, "I know, my Lord. I will not fail you." Then he disapparated out of the building.

Harry woke up then, his scar hurting. He sat up straight in bed and tried to recall the dream. Then he grabbed his invisibility cloak and headed for Professor McGill's bedroom. He burst in the room and woke up Professor McGill. She sat up and turned on the light.

Harry took off his cloak and practically shouted, "I had a dream! A real one! Voldemort was planning an attack on Hogwarts! He told Wormtail to turn rat and spy this place out! Then he told Bellatrix that they would set a date! Then he told Snape to brew-"

"Stop!" exclaimed Professor McGill. "Harry James Potter, please calm down and stop talking in exclaimation points. And it is Professor Snape."

Harry stopped and told about his dream in a much calmer and slower toine of voice. Professor McGill nodded. "Hmmm, I suppose it's a good thing your Occulemency didn't work tonight. You found out about some useful information. Though Servus could have told us that."

Harry frowned and snapped, "Snape? He's working for Voldemort."

"It's Professor Snape, Harry," corrected Professor McGill. "And he is not working for Voldemort. He is working for the Order and is a spy. Let me explain things for you. Servus was ill treated and school and only the older Slytherins showed any kindness, unless you count your mother. Servus, having been brought up the way he was, considered Lily a mudblood, but in his heart knew that Lily actually wasn't bad and liked her. He did not want to acknowledge the feelings and since people like Lucius and Bellatrix were nice to him, he decided to join the Death Eaters. Later he realised what he was doing and repented, especially since he did not want to go around killing innocent people. He went to Albus and told him everything. Albus understood and accepted him as a spy for the Order. When Servus was arrested, Dumbledore provided evidence to clear him. Then, as there was an opening for the Potions position, Servus was offered the job, and he accepted, though he would have perferred Defense Against Dark Arts. There is more to the story, but I am not at liberty to reveal them to you. It is a matter between Servus and Albus."

Harry nodded and Professor McGill continued, "Now, please come with me. We are going to see Dumbledore and inform him about your dream."

They headed down to Dumbledore's office and stopped at the gargoyle. "Nosebleed Nougat," said Professor McGill. The gargoyle moved aside and they went in. Harry noticed a door was wide open and saw what must be Dumbledore's bedroom. They went in and saw Snape talking with Dumbledore.

"The Dark Lord was telling me to brew up weakening potions and slip them to you and Potter and his friends when the attack came. Then he-" Snape stopped and turned around. "Potter, what are you-" He saw Professor McGill and shut his mouth.

"Excuse me, Servus and Albus," she said, "Harry came to me and told me about his dream. It seems that he saw the meeting you just had, Servus, or least most of it. He heard Voldemort talk about the attack and that you were ordered to brew up potions. I'm glad Harry was able to catch you reporting, since he has expressed some doubts that you are not on Voldemort's side. I did explain to him that you had turned away from Voldemort, not the whole story of course, since it is not for me to reveal. However, I am not sure if he totally believed me. Well, that is all I have to say."

Dumbledore nodded and said, "thank you for informing me. Harry, it is a good thing you had the dream, but I still would like you to work harder on your Occulemency. Your dreams aren't really necessary since Servus does report to me what happens at meetings. Now, I think you had better get back to bed. You have classes in the morning, after all."

Professor McGill offered to walk Harry back so he wouldn't get in trouble with Filch. Dumbledore nodded and the two left the room. Harry looked up at her and said, "I believe now that Snape-er Professor Snape, is on our side. It's just that the scene in my dream was so convincing.'

"Harry, if he wasn't so convincing, he would not have come back to report. Voldemort would have tortured him and eventually killed him. So he must appear as a loyal servant to Voldemort and use his Occulmency so Voldemort will not see anything in his mind that shows he is a spy for Dumbledore. Voldemort, in fact, thinks that Servus is a spy for him. In actual fact, Servus feeds the information that Dumbledore tells him too, which is mostly wrong."

Harry nodded in understanding and went inside the common room. Professor McGill gave him a hug and goodnight kiss and then headed back for Dumbledore's room to discuss how they would deal with the attack that would soon happen.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 28

Valentine's Day that year was a Sunday. The Saturday before that was a trip to Hogsmeade. Harry invited Crystal to go with him. They would browse through the shops, pick gifts for each other, and have lunch or a snack at The Three Broomsticks. He had no intention of going to Madam Puddifoot's again, unless Crystal really wanted to stop by there.

The trip to Hogsmeade was quite fun. Harry and Crystal stopped at a jewelry shop. Harry got Crystal a little chain-like bracelet set with what the jeweler said was sapphires. Crystal got Harry a gold ring set with a small emerald. At Honeydukes, they each got other a box of chocolates and some sweets for themselves. After that, they went to Zonko's, where they got each other a box of trick sweets.

Finally they went to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and some sandwiches. Ron and Hermione were there and the two of them had exchanged boxes of chocolate and jewelery. Ron had gotten a ring form Hermione and he had given Hermione a locket on a chain whose price was within his budget.

Neville and Luna had shown up right after Harry and Crystal did, followed by Ginny and Dean. The eight of them found a table together so they cousl talk and eat together. When they were done, each couple paid their respective bills. Crystal insisted on paying for half the bill and Harry finally had let her. Hermione had to pay half of her and Ron's bill, since Ron didn't have enough money.

The day after that, Harry and Crystal went for a walk around the grounds and had a quick picnic lunch by the lake. It was short because it was cold out and there was still some snow. The two were wearing the jewelry they had gotten. After the lunch, they feed each other some chocolates and went inside to see Professor McGill.

The two found Professor McGill in her office, crying. Harry, much concerned, asked, "What's the matter, Professor?"

"It's Sirius," she replied. "He's dead and I can't spend this day with him. I remember the Valentine's Days I spent with him here, plus after we were married. He was so sweet to me and rarely played tricks on me after we started going out. I just loved him. The other Valentine's Days while he was in prison weren't so bad, since I knew he was still alive and would visit him in Azkaban that day if I could. But now...."

Harry and Crystal put their arms about her. "We're sorry, Mother," soothed Crystal. "We miss Daddy, too. But I'm sure he wouldn't want to see you like this. Please stop crying. And you have his picture."

"What good is a painting!" snapped Professor McGill. "It's not a real person. And the picture isn't of him after he left Azkaban. Tt knows that who he represents is dead, because I told him, but it's not Sirius."

"i know, Mother," said Crystal. "But please do stop crying."

"I will when I've run out of tears,' replied Professor McGill shortly. "now I want you and Harry to go away and leave me alone to cry in peace."

Harry and Crystal exchanged looks and left the office. They then headed for an empty broom closet where they decided to have some private time together to make each other feel better. After one kiss, Harry felt a rush of happiness and time slowed as more continued....

[Alicia13]

Chapter 28 continued

At dinner, Harry glanced over at the staff table and saw that Professor McGill was much better, though her eyes were still red. He sympathised with her, but it wasn't the same, since Sirius had been his godfather, not a spouse. He shook his head and picked at his food. He had enjoyed the session in the broom closet with Crystal, but seeing Professor McGill like that had ruined his appetite.

When Ron asked why he and Crystal weren't eating, Crystal replied, "It's Mum. We stopped to see her and found her crying. She was remembering all the Valentine's Days she had with Dad and was so sad that she couldn't celebrate with him. Even when Dad was in prison, she would Apparate to Azkaban on Valentine's Day and visit him. She'd give him a card and some chocolates. But now he's dead and Mum doesn't have him anymore.'

Ron nodded in sympathy, but it didn't deter him from his dinner. Harry gave him a look and then he and Crystal left the Great Hall. They went into the common room to talk and spend time together. Harry told her about the dream he had and Voldemort's plan to attack the school toward the end of the year. Crystal said jokingly that they wouldn't have to take exams then.

Harry gave her a shocked look, but Crystal had become serious and told him that the D.A. would have to work harder. As for Wormtail, the Maurader's Map would tell if he was in the school and Dumbledore had just put up a new ward that prevents Animagi from entering in their animal form. Harry felt better after his talk and two then relaxed enough to have another private session in an empty closet.

[Alicia13]

Stella16 and I need ideas. We know that there will be an attack on Hogwarts and we have planned that already. But should we write about before that? The attack insn't going to be until May or June and currently we are in February/March. Please post suggestions since we have writer's block. Thanks!

[Alicia13]

Chapter 29

Two days later, at dinner, Dumbledore got up from the staff table. Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor McGill got up too, and followed him outside. The students were puzzled by this. After half an hour, Professor McGonagall came back and told everyone to go their common rooms and stay there until further notice. Then she beckoned to Harry and his friends.

The trio, plus Crystal, followed Professor McGonagall to the Headmaster's Office. There they found Wormatail, tied and stunned. Professor Snape looked disgusted and swept out of the room, after whispering to Dumbledore. Harry relaised that in case Wormtail escaped, Snape didn't want Voldemort to know that he was on Dumbledore's side.

Professor McGill explained. "There is a spell put on Hogwarts that will have any wizard in animungus form that enters forced to turn back to their human form and stunned. So when Peter tried to to enter, the spell was tripped and we went to investigate. Now, we have him. Servus went to get Veritserum so we can question Peter. Then we will send him to Azkaban and get Sirius's name cleared."

Snape came back in with a bottle. Dumbledore checked it and said, "This isn't it. I told you to get Vertiserum!" Snape looked embrassed. Profesor McGill winked and announced she would get it. Then she left and came back minutes later with Veritserum.

Professor McGonagall unstunned Wormtail and Dumbledore forced a few drops of potion down his throat. Then he began questioning Wormtail and got all sorts of information. For example, the attack would be at the beginning of June, after all the exams were taken. Numerous names were mentioned, including Snape's 'part' in it. No one paid any attention when Snape's names was mentioned. Finally the questioning was over.

Minister Amelia Bones was then called to Hogwarts, She was very surprised to see Wormtail, but had the Aurors with her arrest him. She promised to see that Sirius Black was cleared of his charges. Wormtail would probably get a life sentence in Azkaban, which was now being guarded by dragons and trolls.

Harry and his friends were pleased with this turn of events and went to their common rooms. All the students were allowed to leave their rooms and Dumbledore explained what had just happned. Most of the students were surprised to find out that Sirius Black was innocent and that Peter Pettigrew was a Death Eater and responsible for the Potter's deaths. Most of the Slytherins weren't pleased at all, though Harry spotted a few younger ones who actually seemed pleased. Harry wondered of there were some Slytherins who were just ambitious and didn't care about the pureblood thing at all.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 29 continued

The next night, Harry woke up, with his scar hurting. Voldemort was obivously displeased that Wormtail was captured. Harry slipped on a robe and went to see Professor McGill. She was in her room, reading.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" she asked. "Did you have trouble sleeping, like me? If you did, reading a book could help."

Harry shook his head. "My scar was hurting and it woke me up. I think Voldemort is mad that Wormtail was caught."

"Well, Servus was supposed to see Voldemort tonight. Albus told him to. So Servus had to inform him that Peter was caught and tell him about the new wards. That is all Servus will tell him."

Harry nodded. "And when did Sn-Professor Snape leave?"

"Servus left at nine tonight. It's eleven thirty right now. He should be back. I'll go see him. You may come too, Harry."

Harry followed Professor McGill to Snape's room. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She went in and gasped. "Professor Snape isn't here!" Then she paused and said, "Prehaps he's with Albus." She went to Dumbledore's room. However, Snape wasn't there. Dumbledore was in bed.

Professor McGill was alarmed and Harry asked, 'Maybe the meeting took longer than usual? Or Snape was sent on a mission?"

She shook her head. "I don't think that's likely. Servus said nothing was being planned, except the attack on Hogwarts. And the meeting was to only last two hours at the most. I think something happened to him."

Harry turned pale. While Snape wasn't his favorite person on earth, he was still a member of the Order and against Voldemort. He hoped Snape hadn't been found out. Professor McGill paced about Professor Snape's room. Fianlly she had enough. "I am going to find him. He told me where the meeting was supposed to be. I'll Apparate there and turn into a mouse. That is my Animagus form. I'll find out what's wrong. Harry, go back to bed. Wait, first find Albus and Minerva and tell them what I'm doing. Then go back to bed. Oh, and here's a ring. If I'm in trouble, I'll tap this other ring and the one I'm giving you will glow. Then get Albus and have him send backup."

Harry nodded and Professor McGill hurried outside toward Hogsmeade, so she could Apparate. Harry went to see Dumbledore. Dumbledore was alarmed and took the ring from Harry. "I'll wait here. I hope nothing bad has happened. Harry, you get back to bed. I'll let you know what happens later."

Harry did so. Once in the dorm, he woke up Ron and Neville and told them what was going on. Ron and Neville hoped Snape was all right and that if he was trouble, Professor McGill could rescue him. The three then tried to back to sleep , but didn't have much success.

An hour later, Professor McGill and Professor Snape came back. Dumbledore called the three boys to his office. "Voldemort was very angry that Peter was captured. He was also angry that Servus did not try to rescue Peter or inform him earlier about the wards. Servus tried to explain it away, but Voldemort would not listen.And apparently he began to wonder if Snape was a spy on him. Voldemort was not pleased and put Servus under the Cruciatus Curse. He did it repeatedly, hoping to get Servus to talk. Servus did not and was able to do Occulemency. When that did not work, non-magical forms of torture were used, such as whipping. Then Servus was tied outside and left there. Fiona had to wait until the Death Eaters left before she could rescue Servus. She quickly tended to the wounds and brought him back. Right now Poppy is seeing to Servus. Fiona will take over his classes while he is recovering. And be careful around Fiona. Right now she is very emotional and is angry at what Voldemort has done to Servus."

The boys nodded and left the office shocked. How could Snape be treated like that. If Professor McGill hadn't gotten worried and went after Snape, he could have been left tied outside for hours. The boys went back to bed and the next morning told the girls what happened. Crystal, Hermione, and Ginny were shocked to hear what happened to Snape. They were too distraught to eat breakfast or concentrate on classes.

For Potions class, Professor McGill was there. In a shaky voice she said, "Professor Snape is indisposed at the moment. He is not feeling well. I am taking over. Please take out your books and take notes on the Polyjuice Potion."

Malfoy made some snide comments about it and Professor McGill shouted, "THAT WILL BE ENOUGH! I WILL NOT TAKE IT! DRACO MALFOY, YOU HAVE A WEEKS DETENTION, A HUNDRED POINTS TAKEN FROM SLYTHERIN AND YOU WILL LEAVE CLASS UNTIL YOU CAN LEARN TO BEHAVE!"

Everyone was shocked at her reaction. Pansy Parkinson tried to protest, but Professor McGill yelled,"SILENCE, MISS PARKINSON! A WEEK'S DETENTION FOR YOU. AND YOU WILL ALSO LEAVE UNTIL YOU STOP TALKING BACK!"

After that, no one said anything and quietly went to work while Malfoy and Pansy gathered their things and left the room.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 29 continued

After class, Crystal and Harry stayed to see if Professor McGill was all right. She had fled to Snape's office and was crying. Crystal timidly approached her Mum. "Mum, are you all right?"

"I am not all right!' cried Professor McGill. "Do you realise that Servus could have been killed!?! First Sirius dies, then another person I care about gets tortured. Next thing I know something could happen to Remus or to you or Harry. I simply can't take it anymore. Right now I wish I could kill all the Death Eaters, put Bellatrix and Rudolphus Lestrange and Tom Riddle through what they did to others and then burn them."

Hermione, Ron, and Neville came in. "We're really sorry about Professor Snape," said Hermione. "How are you doing, Professor?"

Professor McGill gave Hermione a look. "I feel like doing all sorts of horrible things to the Death Eaters and Riddle!" she snapped. "Give them a taste of their own medicine and then kill them. And if Heaven and Hell exisits, then I hope they spend all eternity burning in fire and brimstone."

Ron looked a bit shocked. "Isn't that a bit extreme, Professor?"

Professor McGill shook her head. "Because of them Sirius and James and Lily died. Because of them Servus was tortured and Alice and Frank are insane and in St. Mungo's. Because of them Harry has to kill Riddle or be killed by him. And because of them all the rest of the people I care about, which includes you five, plus Ginny, Luna, and Remus, could die or suffer! Don't you think that calls for extreme measures?"

The five exchanged worried glances. Neville opened his mouth to speak, but Professor McGill cut them off. "Go to your next class or whatever. I want you to leave me alone and let me suffer in peace. ANd I also have to visit Servus."

The others exchanged looks again and silently filed out of the office.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 30

Professor Snape was better in two days and continued teaching. Professor McGill went back to teaching only Defense. She was in a much better mood, though she did seem to get angry easily at the Sytherins. During D.A. meetings, Professor McGill let Harry do all the teaching. She just sat and watched and occasionally helped unhex someone or decide if someone needed to go the hospital wing.

The D.A. was doing very well and Harry told them about Voldemorts planned attack. All of them were worried, but also confident that they would fight back and try to defeat Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

At one such meeting, Colin and Dennis Creevy brought their camera. The old members who had graduated had also come. Everyone lined up in rows and Professor McGill took pictures of them all, one of the original D.A. and one of the new one. Harry then remembered there had been a picture of the original Order of the Phoenix. He wondered if sixteen years from now someone would look at the D.A. pictures and reminice over the people in them.

At the next meeting, Colin and Dennis brought the developed pictures. On the backs, all the D.A. members signed their names. Then Professor McGill conjured two frames to hold them and hung them up on the wall of the Room of Requirement. The old list that the original members had signed was also framed and put up. Everyone spent a few minutes looking at the list and pictures. Some, mostly the girls, started crying.

Harry looked solemnly at the pictures and hoped that all the members would survive. He knew that it would not happen in real life, but he still hoped. He sincerely hoped that those who were related would not die. It would be too heartwrenching, for example, if Fred Weasly died and George didn't. Or if one of the Patil twins died.

After awhile, Harry called the meeting to order and had everyone work on dueling.

[Alicia13]

This is not an update. Stella16 and I need suggestions. We have no idea how to set things up for the planned attack on Hogwarts. Please go to our feedback link and send in your suggestions. Thank you.

Here are some things that will definitely happen in the future:
1. Voldemort and his followers will attack at end of May/beginning of June, right after exams.
2. Harry's relationship with Crystal will deepen and he may decide that he is so in love with her that they have to marry eventually.
3. Ron and Hermione's relationship will also deepen and they may also decide to eventually marry each otehr.
4. Fiona McGill will eventually get over Sirius's death and may decide to marry again.

However, all this will happen a long time from now. So Stella16 and I really need suggestions on how to set things up for them. Please post suggestions.

[Alicia13]

Chapter Thirty continued

There was another Hogsmeade weekend and Harry and Crystal went to it. They held hands the entire time, except when they picked up things to look at. After awhile, they realised they were being all lovey-dovey, what with the holding hands and looking adoringly at each other. Whenever they were in a private place, they would snatch a kiss or two. However, they did not French kiss or anything, since they weren't comfortable enough to do it.

Later on, they noticed that Ron and Hermione were also very close. They were holding hands also and gazing lovingly at each other. And Harry suspected that they were kissing also. Crystal giggled and said, "They're acting like a married couple. Hey, we're acting like it, too. I guess we can't say anything."

Harry replied, "Yeah. But do you think any of the couples from those Redwall books acted like that. I don't Cornflower and Matthias went around holding paws or whatever. Or um, those two wildcats in Mossflower."

"Well, they're different. And can't you think of any books besides the Redwall series?"

Harry shrugged. "I never had the chance to read many books. Do you really think the Dursleys would get me any? The only books I've read when I was a kid was what was assigned in school. Or a few that Dudley got for his birthdays but threw away. And they were things like Little Red Riding Hood and James and the Giant Peach. And I don't think a boy who travels in a giant peach with giant bugs or a girl that gets almost eaten by a wolf are good examples of love in books."

Crystal sighed. "I guess you're right. It's a pity you never read more books when you were younger. It's terrible that your relatives were mean to you."

Harry waved his hand and said, "It's all in the past. They're a little better now. Besides, I've got you and your mum and Hermione and the Weasleys and Hogwarts. Well, we've been dating for five months now. In fact, our five month anniversary is tomorrow. What do you want to do?"

Crystal instantly replied, "A picnic by the lake and exchanging of presents."

Harry smiled and said, "All right." Crystal pulled out a little book and wrote down the plans. Harry peeked over her shoulder and asked, "Why do you have 'Mrs. Harry Potter' and 'Mrs. Crystal Potter' and a bunch of hearts written down?"

Crystal turned scarlet and shut the book. "Oh, um, I was just trying it out."

Harry burst into laughter. "I think you're considering marriage!"

Crystal snapped, "So what if I am? I really like you and I think I love you. And I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with you, as long as you don't go into fits of anger too often."

Harry stopped laughing and replied, "I think that's sweet of you. I really like you too. I think I love you, too. And I really wouldn't mind being married to you, either." Harry paused then to think and realised that he'd be of age this summer. He bit his lip, then asked to be excused.

Harry headed for a jewelery shop and bought a gorgeous gold ring set with sapphires. He would have gotten diamonds, but Crystal had told him that she perferred sapphires and liked colored gems. Then he bought a sapphire pendant on gold chain, a gold bracelet set with sapphires, a sapphire brooch, and pair of sapphire earrings. Since he didn't have enough money, he signed an I.O.U. having the jeweler withdraw the required amount from his account.

Harry then came out. Crystal asked him what he had bought, but Harry put her off and refused to tell her. They two then went to the Three Broomsticks for a drink, and then they went back to Hogwarts.

That evening, Harry found Professor McGill. "May I have permission to marry Crystal?" Professor McGill looked shocked by this request. Harry paused and clarifed, "I mean, may I ask her to marry me?"

She quickly recovered and replied, "You have my permission, Harry. You would be perfect for her. But, Harry, you and Crystal are still a little young. You really should wait a few years before you consider-"

"I'll be seventeen in August, Professor McGill," interrupted Harry. "I'll be of age. And Crystal will be of age tomorrow, on our five-month anniversary. And I'm not going to marry her until we graduate from Hogwarts, of course."

Professor McGill sighed. "All right. You have my permission to ask Crystal to marry you. I just hope you don't do something rash and ask the question tomrrow or something."

Harry gave her a look, said, "Thanks, Professor! And don't worry," and left the room. Professor McGill shook her head and hoped that Harry truly wouldn't ask Crystal to marry him the next day.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 31

Harry had no intention of asking Crystal to marry him on Sunday. All he planned was to have a picnic with her and give her the jewlery, with the exception of the ring, as a five-month anniversary and birthday gift. Harry knew that he loved Crystal, but intended to wait until he was at least of age before asking her.

It was May 18th and Harry and Crystal were enjoying a lovely picnic by the lake. Dobby was very pleased to hear that it was their five-anniversary and had gladly packed them a picnic. Harry and Crystal nibbled on the sandwiches, cake, cokkies and other sweets. They toasted each other with butterbeer and enjoyed the scenery. They also stole some long kisses.

After they finished the food, Crystal handed Harry a box. "Here's your gift. Happy five-month anniversary." Harry smiled, gave her a kiss in thanks, and then opened his present. Inside was a Defense book, another book on Quidditch as well as the American game of Quodpot, and a silver ring with his and Crystal's initials inscribed.

Harry then pulled out his gift. "This is for your birthday." He handed Crystal the sapphire pendant on gold chain and sapphire earrings. Crystal exclaimed over them, then kissed Harry. Harry blushed and said, "And this is for our anniversary." He handed her the bracelet and brooch.

Crystal melted in his arms. "Oh, Harry, they're gorgeous! Thank you so much. The only thing that could make me happier, or at least have my cup of happiness overflow is if you asked me to marry you." She started crying.

Harry felt a bit akward, but knew that Crystal was crying from happiness. Suddenly something inside of him snapped. Prehaps what Crystal said of a proposal of marriage affected him. Whatever the reason, Harry pulled out the little box containing the ring.

"Crystal, this is also part of the jewelery set." He opened the box and pulled out the sapphire ring. "Crystal McGill Black, would you marry me? I love you very much. You are the only girl whom've I've felt this way for. I never felt that way with Cho Chang. Anyway, you are the love of my life and perfect for me. Sure, Hermione, Luna, and Ginny are nice and I like them, but I certainly don't love them, much less want to marry them. So there's no reason for you to say no and tell me I should marry one of them. And I know this is a bit hasty, but you're of age today and I will be in July. I didn't intend to ask you now, but, well, will you marry me. It would-"

"Harry, stop rambling!" exclaimed Crystal. Then she threw her arms about him and kissed him. After a few minutes, the two reluctantly broke it off and Crystal murmered, "Yes, Harry, I'll marry you. My cup of happiness has just overflowed."

Harry smiled and slipped the ring on Crystal's finger. Then they kissed again. AFter awhile, they broke it off and reluctantly packed up the remains of their picnic. They decided to not mention their engagement just yet. Professor McGill would just be all concerned that they were too young, Hermione would think the same, and Ron would get ideas and ask Hermione to marry him. Ginny would be jealous, and Neville might also get ideas and want to ask Luna to marry him.

[Alicia13]

Sorry that it's been awhile since Stella16 and I posted. We've been busy with school and all.

Chapter 31st continued

Snape reported that the attack on Hogwarts was set for June 2nd, after all the exams were over. The D.A. spent extra time working on defensive spells and hexes. Everyone also spent time working on Patronuses, since Snape reported that Dementors might also show up during the attack.

Harry and Crystal went down to the Forbidden forest to talk with the centaurs and see if they were on their side. Bane was the spokescentaur for the others. "Well, we do support Dumbledore. He has always been kind to us, unlike other wizards. And this Voldemort person will surely not be kind to us if he comes into power. Suffice it to say that we are not on his side. If his Death Eaters attack us, we will fight back. But do not expect us to help you.'

Harry sighed in frustration and Crystal said sweetly, "We understand. We would like it if you did fight with us, but we do understand that humans have not always been tolerant or kind to centaurs. I am not like that, Harry is not like that, and our friends aren't like that either. But there are witches and wizards, such as those in the Ministry, who are just tolerant of centaurs and believe that we let you live here. Well, if our side wins, we'll try to get others to be more tloerant and not so prejudiced."

Bane looked at Crystal in surprise. "You are different! Just like that foal Luna Lovegood. Prehaps we will come to your aide, at least for you and Harry and Dumbledore. And your friends. But you must introduce your friends to us so we will know who they are and be ready to aide them.'

The next day, Harry brought the D.A. to meet the centaurs. Many of them were curious, but managed not to say anything that would be insulting to the centaurs. All were very polite and thanked them for coming to their aide. Then Harry got a little nervous and had everyone go back to the castle. He didn't want any members running into Grawp and freaking out.

When the meeting was over, Harry and Crystal went someplace private to talk. "Crystal, I might die. You know the prophecy. When Voldemort shows up-"

Crystal interrupted, "I know Harry. But couldn't all this be avoided? The exams end May 29th. We could all pack up and leave on the 31st. That's two days before the attack. So when Voldemort shows up, there won't be anyone to fight. Hogwarts will be empty."

Harry brightened. "Yeah! And since Snape isn't a spy anymore, what with Voldemort finding out or suspecting, Voldemnort won't know about it! But wait! The junior Death Eaters. You know, Malfoy and Crabbe and the other Slytherins? They could report to their parents about this."

"Not if they announce the departure on the 31st. They won't have time to owl anyone. Well, they could send an owl, but we'd all be in London by the time the owls arrived and the Death Eaters formed an attack."

Harry nodded and he and Crystal went to suggest this idea to Professor Dumbledore.


Please post feedback! Stella16 and I would appreciate it. The link is in our signatures.

[Alicia13]

Chapter 32

Professor Dumbledore liked this idea very much and wondered why he hadn't thought of it earlier. Once exams were over, there was the end-of-year feast on the 30th. However, no one except Harry and his friends knew that it was the end-of-year feast. Everyone else thought that it was just an usually big dinner.

The next morning, right after brekfast, Professor Dumbedore announced that all students would leave that day. They had an hour to pack and get on the Hogwarts Express. All parents would be notified to show up at Kings Cross Station that day. All the students, except those in the D.A., gasped in surprise. Then they all went to their dorm rooms to pack their trunks. Harry and his friends didn't really pack, since they had already done most of it the day before.

In one hour all the students were on the Hogwarts Express and heading to London. Harry and his friends occupied a compartment and were looking out the windows and corriders to make sure that Death Eaters wouldn't show up and attack the train. D.A. members occupied the compartments around them, ready to fight if Death Eaters should attack.

Fortunately there was no attack and the Hogwarts Express arrived safely in Kings Cross Station. Everyone got off and went to wait on the platform for their parents. Those who lived in London or near it were already there and gathered their children. Those who lived further away came later. A very grumpy looking Uncle Vernon showed up to take Harry home.

Professor McGill came over to him. "Mr. Dursley, in the wiarding world, you are of age at seventeen. Harry will be of age on July 31st. I will come and take Harry away then for good. Since you will only have to put up with him until then, I suggest that you be nice to him. If you don't, and I hear about it, I will come and have some words with you."

Uncle Vernon nodded. "So that blasted boy can leave at the end of July. I suppose my wife and I can do that. But listen, I don't want any more to do with him or his world after that, all right?"

Professor McGill gave him a very cold look. 'If that is what you wish, Mr. Dursley." Then she turned to look at Harry, who was talking with Crystal. Her face softened and then she turned back to Uncle Vernon. "Oh, and Harry is in love with my daighter Crystal. I suggest you be patient with him and ignore him if he gets down in the dumps about being away from her. Oh, and I believe he plans to marry her, if he hasn't asked her already."

Uncle Vernon's face turned red. "He's in love with one of your kind? Well, I 'm not surprised. But, Pot-Harry, I don't want to hear any of your lovesick stuff around me or Petunia or Dudley, all right? You can write to her, but I don't want to hear of anything else!"

Harry reluctantly turned away from Crystal and said, "If you say so, Uncle Vernon."

Professor McGill nodded. "Oh, Mr. Vernon, Crystal may choose to drop by occasionally and see Harry. Please let her enter and see him. And make sure that they don't go beyond kissing. If they are engaged, well, they may take it as a sign that they can go beyond kissing. And I don't want that happening until after they're married."

Harry and Crystal turned red. Uncle Vernon curtly nodded and promised that eh would. Then Harry and Crystal quickly kissed and Harry went over to his Uncle. Ron, Hermine, Luna, Ginny, and Neville also bid Harry good-bye. Harry sighed and walked after his uncle to the car. He felt a little better, knowing that eh could leave the Dursleys forever after July and that Cyrstal would drop by and visit him.

The End. Our fic is done. Stella16 and I may choose to write a fic about Harry's second year. However, that will be some time away. We are busy with school and need to rest a bit after writing this fic.

[Alicia13]

Stella16 and I are writing this so that our fic can be moved to the front page. That way those who want to read a completed fic can do so. Oh, and we will write a seventh book, but for awhile yet. It took us forever to finsih this and we need to rest a bit and concentrate on school.