Chapter 14 – Apparition

'Come on Ron, wake up. We have etiquette lessons in a few hours and you still havent finished that essay Professor Snape wanted.'

Ron moaned and turned over blinking sleeping. Dean Thomas was shaking him and refusing to let him curl back up and go back to sleep.

'Tired..'

'And. Get up Ron. Snape will take points from all of us if you dont finish it.' Moaning again Ron pulls himself up and swings his legs out of the bed. Dean grabs his arms and pulls him up and drags him towards the bathroom. 'Have a quick shower. Harry and Hermione are already up and they're already in bad moods. You dont want to piss them off any more by making them late for breakfast.'

'Why they in bad moods?'

'They've been up half the night studying Arithmancy. Hermiones tired and Harry is ready to curse Snape till he's six foot under.' Ron nods and shuts the door in Deans face. After a quick shower, which had to be cold as the others had used up all the hot water Ron was awake and ready to face the day. Or so he thought. The shouting voices of Harry and Hermione as he made his was down the staircase from the boys dormtories, made him want to go back and curl up in bed.

'Why on earth do you need to put a stupid 1 in there.'

'It's a constant reaction.'

'How the hell do you know that?'

'The Belladonna shoots have a balancing effect on the Flobberworm Spit.' As Ron reaches the bottom of the stairs he can see Harry's blank face and Hermione red one.

'How in Merlins name am i supposed to know that!'

'It's called studying Harry!' Not being the usual one that has to split up arguments Ron has no idea what to do to stop them.

Hell, it's usually Harry that is calming down me and Mione, Ron thought.

Harry, tired of being insulted and tired of Arithmancy stands up and turns away from Hermione, spotting Ron.

'You know mate, some of us were trying to sleep.' Ron jokes, hoping to break some of the tension.

'Sorry, Ron. Some of us haven't had any sleep.' Harry snaps before walking out of the common room the portrait slamming shut after him. Silence descends. Ron sighs.

Yup, Harry's in a bad mood, Ron thought before making his way over to a very sleepy Hermione who is trying to put all of her books into her bag quickly.

At the breakfast table in the Great Hall Ron was keeping to himself. Although Harry had apologised Ron didn't think he would attempt anymore conversation with him until Harry had finished the third cup of coffee he was on.

'I hate Snape! He knew I had never done Arithmancy before. If I had known it was involved I wouldn't of tried to get into Advanced Potions.' Harry whines repeating his mantra for the millionth time. Ron wisely refuses to answer, but Hermione pipes up.

'Harry, Professor Vector is leaving. You should go catch up with him, be quick.' Harry gets out of his seat and quickly exits the Great Hall. He spots to tail of a coat go around the left hand corridor coming off the Grand Staircase and follows. Halfway along the corridor Harry catches up.

'Professor Vector.' Professor Vector turns around at Harry's shout. He is a few inches taller then Harry, is slim built, and is wearing deep blue robes with a pointed hat to match.

'What can I help you with Mr Potter?'

'Well, I am doing Advanced Potions and we have just started Arithmancy…' Professor Vector smiles and finishes Harry's sentence

'And you were wondering I if I could provide help.'

'Yes sir. Maybe I could come along to some OWL lessons or get some private tuition for a short while till I have caught up?' Professor Vector tilts his head to one side and appears to be thinking.

'The fourth year OWL class last thing on a Tuesday and 3rd period on a Thursday. Are you able to make that class?'

'Yes, sir.' Harry nods, confirming it.

'Well you'll need 'Numerology and Gramatica' and 'Numerology Intermediate'. It would also be wise to bring along the book you had in Advanced Potions and you'll also need a basic abacus.'

'What about private tuition to help me at the moment whilst I am catching up?' Harry asks desperately.

'Let's see….I am free on a Wednesday, shall we say 6 and I could also do a Saturday morning. What time do you finish Advanced Defence?'

'11'

'Okay, come to my office then. I'll see what I can help you with. It should only take you a few weeks to catch up and then you wont need the extra tuition anymore.'

'Thanks Professor.' Harry smiles. Professor Vector nods and walks off. Harry, feeling a like a load has been taken off his shoulders heads back to the Great Hall where Hermione and Ron are still eating breakfast.

'How did it go Harry?' Hermione asks the moment he sits down taking a break from the strong coffe Ron had poured her.

'Great. I am going to fourth year Arithmancy lessons twice a week and two private lessons as well.'

'You're mad mate. That's now 9 subjects you're doing. You have mountains of work now!'

'I don't have a choice. If I want to keep up with Advanced Potions I need to do this. And I'm not letting Snape get the better of me!'

'Don't you think you are taking this a bit to far mate. I hate Snape too but you don't see me working on a Saturday night doing his homework.'

'I know. I just can't let him think he has won.' Ron shakes his head in wonder.

'Just don't do a Hermione in third year on us. Get some sleep and at least put your books down and have some fun occasionally.' Ron says worried about a repeat of that morning opccuring in the future. He really hadn't enjoying playing Harry's roll of peace maker. It had been too much hard work.

'I play Quidditch with you every day Ron.' Harry finishes off his cup of coffee and stands up.

'I have to go to the library and find some books for Defence. That damn block is still going over my head.'

'Your essay was good Harry you'll get the block. And i think studying is going over your head at the minute. You were forgetting basic Potion reactions earlier.' Hermione states. Harry shakes his head.

'I know, but I just don't get this block. I've tried practising it but it doesn't work and I have no idea why. I'm hoping reading some more will help.' Harry leaves.

'You said the other day if I thought something was wrong with Harry. I think you are right. That could have been you, Mione.' Ron states watching Harry weaving his way past students entering the Great Hall.

'It's a dome block. It protects groups of people at a time. I think he is worried that in battle he won't be able to protect us.' Ron stands up.

'I'm gonna go talk to him. We'll see you for Apparition in an hour.' Ron walks off with a determined look on his face. Hermione smiles and gets Hogwarts: A History out of her bag and opens it at her bookmark.

When Harry and Ron enter the Great Hall an hour later all of the sixth years are already there and waiting. The house tables have been pushed to the sides of the room, benches had been stacked on top of each other and only the staff table remained unmoved.. Looking around Harry watched the students milling around, chatting with each other whilst glancing around nervously. Harry and Ron walk over to the left hand side of the hall and join Hermione who is talking to Lavender and Parvati. Looking up as thier shadows fall on her she smiles gratefully and leaves Lavender and Parvati joining the boys.

'Thank goodness you two have arrived. I am sick and tired of talking about hair straighteners!' Hermione huffs. 'What you two been up to in the library?'

'Blocking.' Ron says. Ron shakes his head at Hermione piercing look. Harry who is watching a short, thin man, with black hair and a long beard walk across the front of the hall towards the Heads of Houses, fails to see this exchange. A whispered conversation, nods and an agreement follow before the thin man turns to the students calling for thier attention.

'Good Morning.' The students all stop talking and turn towards the front. 'My name is Sebastian Twycross. I am your Apparition Professor for the next 12 weeks. Now apparition is a Basic Wizarding Transportation Method. All of you should be able to master this. Today we are going to cover the basics. Please, all of you stand in lines in your houses.' The students line up where their house tables usually are in a single line facing Twycross. 'Now make sure there is 10 feet between yourself and the person in front.' The students slowly move towards the back of the hall. The Head of Houses go along their house row and drop a small circle 6 foot in front of each student. Harry turns around and raises an eyebrow at Ron behind him, then turns back to looking at Hermiones back. Malfoy is sneering at the Ravenclaws next to him. 'The circles your teachers are providing are your destinations. A spell is needed to move you. The incantation is 'Transpacie'. The pronunciation is key, trans-space-i-. You say this whilst imagining where you want to be. Today you will imagine being in the hoop in front of you.'

The man stops as Dumbledore walks in and up to the front. Tywcross and Dumbledore talk for a moment before Dumbledore claps his hands twice and raises them up to the ceiling. His lips are seen moving quickly in some sort of spell. Harry gasps as his heart contracts painfully. Hermione glances behind her but Harry quickly rights himself. Checking around him he makes sure nobody else saw him, thankfully everybody is intrigued with what Dumbledore is doing and hadn't turned around at his gasp. Dumbledore lowers his hands smiling and nods at Twycross before sitting in the chair behind the teacher's table. Harry cannot shake off the feeling of unease. As though at any moment Death Eaters are going to start appearing. He figured it had something to do with the removal of part of the wards.

'As you can see the Headmaster has now removed the wards around the Great Hall for the next hour to allow you to apparate.'

How did i know the wards had been removed, thought Harry. Shrugging himself and scolding that it had been obvious that Dumbledore had had to remove the wards so they could apparate inside of Hogwarts, Harry turns his attnetion back to Twycross. 'Be warned you will not be able to apparate anywhere in the castle after this lesson and the consequences of trying are dangerous. Now all of you say the incantation.'

The room chants 'Transpacie'.

'Good. For the moment you can say the spell out loud. But for your exam you will have to be able to do this non-verbally. Excuse me Miss. Put your wand away you do not need it.' A Ravenclaw near the front of the room blushes and tucks her wand back up her sleeve muttering 'Sorry'. 'As you all should of just realised this is done without a wand. Now concentrate on the inside of your hoop and say the words. Go on try it'

Harry looks at his hoop and tries to occlude his mind. It's very difficult when a small voice is saying how silly this all is. He closes his eyes and imagines the inside of the hoop and says 'Transpacie'. Nothing happens. He opens his eyes and looks around at everybody else happy to see nobody else has moved either.

'Try again everybody. The first time is always very difficult.' Twycorss adds encouragingly.

A while later everybody is still trying. A few are getting very frustrated. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle have stopped bothering to apparate and are apparently absorbed in conversation their heads almost touching. Harry turns to look at Ron who shrugs at him and then goes back to his conversation with Neville who was behind him. A scream makes Harry turn around quickly. Hermione is lying on the floor a few feet in front of one leg still in the position where she was standing. The teachers are soon around her. Harry and Ron rush over and Hermione grips onto Ron deathly white and shaking.

'Ms Granger. Sit down for a while.' McGonagall says pointing at a few chairs in the corner. 'Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, continue practising.' Hermione walks off. Many of the Slytherins are laughing at her and pointing. Harry grabs the back of Ron's robes as he tries to walk over to the Slytherin side of the room to sort them out.

'Forget it Ron.' Ron pulls himself out of Harry's grip and goes back to his original place. Harry gives up practising and contents himself to looking around the room again. Dumbledore is quietly humming to himself and looking at the ceiling his fingers crossed, Snape is talking to Nott, Sprout and McGonagall are talking together and Flitwick is taking a cup of tea over to Hermione. Twycross stands up from his chair with his cup of tea.

'That's enough for today. Remember Visualisation and Incantation.' Twycross picks up his cloak and fastens it. Dumbledore stands up and claps his hand pointing them at the ceiling again muttering the spell. Harry suddenly feels warm and safe again. His heart slows down and he breathes a sigh of relief. He and Ron go over to Hermione.

'You okay Mione?' Ron asks.

'It's hardly surprising she splinched herself. Mudbloods simply to not understand.'

'She did a lot better then you Malfoy. At least she managed to move. I never noticed you landing in your hoop.' Harry says grabbing Rons cloak.

'I'm flattered by the attention Potter, but I did not see you move either.' Draco turns to leave. At that moment Ron pulls out his wand as he cannot physically attack Malfoy and shouts,

'Rictusempra.' The spell hits Malfoy's back and Malfoy starts laughing uncontrollably. He manages to turn around pulling out his own wand and fires back. Harry and Ron who were both in the path duck causing it to hit a Hufflepuff behind them who starts growing hair all over their face at a fast pace.

'Ron stop it.' Hermione shouts. Harry goes to stop Ron but Ron pushes him hard. He doesn't notice as Harry's head makes a sickening crunch against the wall knocking him unconscious or Hermione's shout as she kneels down to him, but instead shouts,

'Stupefy,' which Malfoy ducks. Snape seeing the disturbacne and ready to take hundreds of points off Gryffindor stalkd over and stands between the two duellers shouting.

'Behave.' As if in slow motion a green light shoots ouit of Malfoys wand as a pink light shoots out as Ron hurtling towards Snape. Ron's face contorts in horror as he realises what is going to happen. As the two spells, Jelly Legs Jinx and Langlock Curse, hit Snape at the same time Snape suddenly shrinks as his legs disappear. Snape knocks himself unconcious as he hits the floor. The room goes silent. Ron and Malfoy look at each other in horror as the other teachers reach them.

'Move out of the way.' McGonagall says to the crowd around them. She spots Snape and waving her wand levitating his body.

'Professor, Harry.' They all turn to see Hermione holding Harry who has a trail of blood coming down from his head and is clearly unconscious.

'Harry!' Ron says. Professor McGonagall levitates Harry too and rushes with her two charges from the Hall.

'Mr Weasley. Mr Malfoy. Report to my office now.' Dumbledore says quietly. His voice carries over the hall. Ron nods and slowly leaves. Hermione rushes up to the infirmary ignoring him. 'I believe everybody else has homework to be doing.' Dumbledore says as he reaches Malfoy and steers him from the room with one hand on his shoulder. The students follow them out whispering.

Slowly Harry comes back to consciousness. The first thing he notices is that his head throbs. Raising a hand and touching where it hurts, he discovers a bandage going around his head. He groans and reaches out to find his glasses.

'How kind of you to wake up Potter.' Harry hears and putting on his glasses turns to see Snape in the bed beside his clearly not amused by his predicament.

'What happened sir? I remember Ron and Malfoy arguing.'

'I am not sure myself. I tried to stop their stupid duel and got hit by two spells.' He says testily. Harry can hear he is clearly not happy with being taken out so easily. 'Apparently my head met the floor.' Snapes voice darkens.

'Well my head met a wall. I think we both should hide from the shame.' Harry says trying to make a joke of how damaged his pride is. A prat of a best friend pushing him into a wall takes out he, Harry, who can stop spells from Voldemort himself.

'You are still not a qualified wizard, but I am.' Harry smiles.

'What punishment did they get?'

'Dumbledore is sorting that out. I hope it is something demeaning.' Snape smiles maliciously as he thinks of what demeaning punishments could possibly be used.

'Even for Malfoy, sir.'

'Even for Malfoy. Rule number one, Do not get caught. I do not call shooting spells at Mr Weasley in front of all the Heads of Houses and the Headmaster a wise decision from which you can escape.' Harry laughs.

'He's your favourite sir.' Snape makes a sound, clearly not impressed.

'If the Headmaster has not given out sufficient punishment they could both find themselves cleaning out the old store cabinet without magic and putting all ingredients in the new store in alphabetical order.'

They sit in silence for a while, Snape is clearly thinking up new inventive punishments. Harry sighs.

'This is my third visit here already this term.'

'Dear lord Potter. What have you been doing?' Snape seems surprised.

'Well there was those cursed chocolate frogs which made my scar hurt and with some heart problems, then after Quidditch and finally today.'

'I didn't know your family has a history of heart difficulties?' Snape says looking closely at Harry.

'It doesn't. Madam Pomfrey cannot find a reason for it.' Snape looks even closer at Harry who leans back against his pillows and closes his eyes. 'She'll probably give it another check before she lets me leave today.'

'What happens?'

'I get stabbing pains through it occasionally. Do you think Voldemort could be up to something?'

'He hasn't mentioned it. He would tell all the inner circle if he had come up with a new way to kill you.'

'That's nice to know. I like to think Voldemort is spending his nights dreaming up new ways of dispatching me.' Harry says sarcastically and smiles thinly turning to look at Snape. Snape does not have time to answer as madam Pomfrey comes over.

'Mr Potter you're awake. Here drink this. It'll help with your headache you undoubtedly have.' Harry drinks the foul potion. 'Now. You two can leave but you need a check up tomorrow night top make sure there are no problems after hitting your heads.' She nods at them enforcing the order and leaves. Harry and Snape both jump out of bed and get dressed quickly.

'See you in Potions tomorrow Potter.'

'Sir.' They go their separate ways. Harry rushes up to Dumbledore's office and arrives just on time. Dumbledore seems surprised to see him.

'I assumed that Madam Pomfrey would keep you bound to the infirmary for tonight.'

'No, sir. But I have to go for a check up tomorrow evening.' Harry pulls a face which Dumbledore chuckles at.

'You and Professor Snape are her most frequent patients I am afraid. She actually gets worried if she doesn't see you at least once every two weeks.' Harry smiles and shakes his head. Dumbledore conjures some tea and hands Harry a cup. They sip in companiable silence drinking their tea. Fawkes sings a small song that they both close their eyes and listen too. After a short while during which Harry relaxes and his headache disappears, Dumbledore sits up straight and puts down his cup.

'Well then Mr Potter, we are going to conjure your Patronus today again. Do you remember how we did it last time?' Harry nods and puts down his own cup 'Good. Let's try that shall we.' Harry leans back in his chair and closes his eyes. Thinking about his happiest memory he slowly pulls out his wand and says 'Expecto Patronum' from which Prongs appears.

'Okay Harry, keep your eyes closed. We are going to see if we can strengthen this spell. Keep thinking about your happy memory. Can you describe it too me?' Harry nods. His voice is quiet when he starts to talk.

'It is what I see when I look in the mirror of Erised. My mother and father are standing behind me. My mother has her hand on my shoulder. Some of my ancestors are standing behind them. They all have green eyes, knobbly knees or glasses like mine.'

'Harry are you parents smiling?'

'Yes'

'What does your father look like?'

'He looks like me. He has messy black hair, round glasses, brown eyes though and he has some lines around his eyes even though he isn't very old. He looks like he has been through a lot.' Prongs becomes slightly fainter. Harry's breathing slowly speeds up.

'Describe your mother for me Harry.'

'She is very pretty. She has straight red hair and green eyes like mine. They can look straight to your soul. Her hand is clasping my shoulder and she is smiling porudly at me.' Prongs dims some more. A bead of sweat is coming down Harry's forhead and under his glasses. His breathing is becoming more laboured.

'Which of your family do you think is behind you?' This time Harry's answer is interspersed with gasping for deeper breathes.

'My grandparents from both my mother and father. I think a few great grandparents could be there to. There are about 15 of them. So maybe a few more generations back other then great grandparents.'

Prongs is very faint now and Harry is trying hard to keep him there.

'Harry. How do you feel looking at this memory?'

'Happy. Content.' Harry takes a few deeps breathes. 'Sorry Professor I can't hold this anymore.' Harry drops his wand and Prongs disappears. He opens his eyes and looks wearily at Dumbledore sweating and breathing hard.

'I didn't expect you to hold it very long. Not after your accident today.'

'What was the point of it sir? If you don't mind me asking.'

'I am trying to get your spells to last for longer. I can make my spells generally last as long as I wish them to. Voldemort is the same. It takes a lot of practise. It will take you many months to get this to work.'

'Why are we using Prongs?'

'Love is the hardest emotion to sustain. You have to work keeping love flowing into the spell. Anger is easy; it is much easier to think of negative thoughts then positive ones. Especially for you Harry who's life has not been easy. Having Prongs formed gives me an indication of when your spell is weakening and you are very good at performing that spell. I must admit i like seeing Prongs every now and then it reminds me that sometimes even i do not see everything.'

Harry nods. Dumbledore hands him a bar of chocolate but Harry refuses it.

'Sorry sir. After the first weekend I'm being very careful what chocolate i eat. I know the rest of the school has got over it but i still like to only eat what the twins personally send me. However mad that sounds.' Harry adds. Dumbledore chuckles.

'Very wise Harry. Do not get caught the same way twice. However, do not let past experiences stop you from experiencing life to the full.' Dumbledore pushes the chocolate closer to Harry. Harry frowns and then smiles.

'Yes sir.' Harry picks it up and puts it in his pocket.

'Good boy Harry, I think that sums up our lesson today. I will see you again on Wednesday evening. Have a look in your photo album and see if there are any other pictures that might be classed as happy. Maybe bring them along with you.' Harry nods and leaves.

sorry this chapter isnt very long and nothing much seems to happen. it was mainly to start the apparition lessons, show that Harry can worry about something, to let his heart problems get worse and dont worry they will all be explained later. also this chapter was just to point out that snape and harrys relationship is not all sneers and arguments they do actually sort of care what happens to the other one. they are very much alike and are starting to realise it.