Chapter 16 – Holidays

The first Quidditch match of the year between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw was waited for expectantly. All the students needed something to take their minds off the attacks that were now happening frequently outside Hogwarts. A few students had already received black letters informing them of deaths in the family and had left to go home and were probably not coming back anytime soon.

Ron was making the Gryffindor team practice every free hour that the team had. Many thought that Oliver Wood had taken Polyjuice Potion and come back to school. This was why on Friday night before the match that was taking place the following day, on the first Saturday of their half term, Ron was yelling instructions at the team who were soaked to the bone from the storm that had been raging for hours. After what seemed like an eternity to Harry, Ron finally called a halt once Harry had caught the snitch, since the chances of Harry re-catching it before tomorrow's game was zero due to the rain.

Muttering and cursing Ron under their breaths the team made their way back upstairs to hot showers and warm fires. Not surprisingly Filch was waiting to pounce and yell at them all for traipsing mud into the school.

'Nasty, putrid students. Hang 'em by their thumbs. That'll stop you walking mud into the school.' He told them. They managed to escape whilst he was fetching a mop and bucket and ran back to their Common Room not wanting to hang around and get detention during the holidays.

Half an hour later, after their showers, Ron and Harry joined Hermione in their seats by the fire. At some point over the past five years they had sat there so often that everybody just assumed it was their place in the Common Room. Hermione was reading a muggle novel with her finished schoolwork sitting on the floor in front of her, too engrossed in her book to notice them sitting down nearby. Harry groans and pulls some charms homework towards him and starts on the essay. Ron leant back and closed his eyes just listening to the sounds of the common room.

'Leave it Harry. You have a week to do your homework. Have a night off.'

'Can't. I doubt I'll get all my work done as it is.'

'You're turning into Hermione. You actually spend more time in the library then she does at the moment.'

'Research. Arithmancy. DA.' Ron sighs and opens his eyes looking at Harry scribble out the first part of his essay. 'I'm just lucky I don't have any extra lessons tonight with either Snape or Dumbledore.'

'You still got them this week?' Ron asks. Harry nods not taking his eyes from his parchment and notes.

A few hours later Ron calls a halt to the team's conversations and sends them all up to bed. Unfortunately for Ron it was Harry that had to wake him up in time for breakfast the following morning. Hermione found this highly amusing as he was the one who had ordered the others up for an early practice before the match. Harry was omitted from this practice as he still had to go to both his Advanced lessons before he was allowed out to the Quidditch Pitch.

Potions was spent doing individual research in books Snape had given them, with Harry spending his time working on the Arithmancy part of the project, hoping that he had actually got it right. The tuition with Professor Vector was helpful but Harry knew it was going to be a while before he felt comfortable doing these sort of calculations.

As Harry sat there doing his calculations, with occasional help from Hermione, he was shocked to discover that he was actually enjoying Potions more than Defence. Snape didn't tend to pick on Harry any more during the week when everybody was there and didn't mind sitting down with him and working through any problems he had on a Saturday. In fact, Snape doted on his sixth year advanced class like he did his seventh, and generally let them off with a warning. Gryffindors chance of losing house points was now seriously reduced as Harry didn't lose tens of points every lesson.

In Defence Professor Pentagon had taken to looking disappointed every time Harry took more then two tries to get any spells correct. He'd even had a detention the week before to spend more time going over a particularly easy block which Harry had been unable to do non-verbally, and it wasn't as though anybody else had gotten it either. Pentagon had just picked on him!

After his morning lessons Harry had Hermione take his school bag back to the Common Room and he raced down to the Quidditch Changing Rooms, Ron had taken his equipment down for him earlier. He arrived in time to hear Ron going over the plays again. Harry barely had time to throw on his Quidditch uniform before the sounds of the rest of the students filing down from the school became louder and the Quidditch stands filled up.

'Okay team. We have trained longer, worked harder and we fly faster then any member of the Ravenclaw team. We will win this. Ravenclaw doesn't stand a chance.' Ron turns to the beaters. 'You two keep the bludgers away from the chasers, Harry can sort himself out.'

Typical, thought Harry rolling his eyes. Leave the seeker to have a serious accident. I'm sure Madam Pomfrey is missing me.

'Chasers avoid Honey Moonshine she has a killer left hook and she's deadly accurate when hitting those bludgers. Harry stay above the game as usual.'

'Ron.' Ron turns to look at Harry 'Watch out for McMillan he may seem like a pompous twit but he loves feinting.' Ron nods. They hear a voice above the crowd calling out the teams.

'Good luck everybody. Now go out there and kick some Ravenclaw butt.' Ron yells.

The whole team cheers and heads for the exit.

'Good morning Hogwarts. Today we have Gryffindor verses Ravenclaw. For Gryffindor we have Weasley, Robins, Bell, Weasley, Creevey, Coote… and Potter.' The Gryffindor stands erupt into cheers as they all come zooming out of the entrance on their brooms circling the pitch once before going to the middle just as the Ravenclaw team appear.

'For Ravenclaw we have Dukeston, Hayesworth, Prince, McMillan, Moonshine, Hayworth… and Goldstein.' Ravenclaw, dressed in blue robes, come out too and join the Gryffindors. Madam Hooch approaches carrying a box under her arm. She places it down and kicks it open. The bludgers and snitch fly up into the air and disappear.

'Okay. I want a nice clean game. No fouls please. Let's try and have one match where nobody ends up in the Hospital Wing.' Every student on a broom turns and looks at Harry who just smiles in return.

'I'll try to stay on my broom Madam Hooch.' Harry calls down causing Madam Hooch to smile in return. A second later the Quaffle is thrown into the air and she blows her whistle.

'And they're off. Gryffindor chaser Ginny Weasley takes possession of the Quaffle first – she passes to Katie Bell, wonderful girl been on the Gryffindor team for ages – sorry Professor…' Harry catches a glimpse of McGonagall shaking her finger at Dean Thomas who is smiling and clearly not paying her any attention 'Okay Professor, Katie goes to score – oh well better luck next time Katie – Quaffle taken by Prince from Ravenclaw. Come on beaters knock him off his broom – sorry Professor – Prince passes to – Ginny intercepts it and races towards the other goals – Look, Goldstein might have seen the snitch he's diving.' The Ravenclaw students stand up and start banging their feet against the stands urging their seeker on. Harry just ignores Goldstein and continues looking. He knows a feint when he sees one. 'No, we were wrong, Harry's not falling for it. Goldstein must be embarrassed now. There's no fooling the Chosen One folks, Harry's our man…'

Harry catches a glimpse of Professor McGonagall take the microphone away from Dean Thomas and scold him before letting him have it back.

'Oh look Ginny's scored!' Gryffindor students hadn't noticed as they had been watching Goldstein get up, and cheer loudly drowning out the heckling from Ravenclaw and Slytherin. '10 – 0 to Gryffindor. It seems Ron is a great Captain. Look Katie's on her way to score another goal and she does!' Harry smiles as he hears McGonagall cheering over the speaker. 'Ravenclaw seemed to have finally remembered that they should be trying to score as Hayworth and Prince race towards Weasley – Hayworth shoots and scores. Sorry Gryffindor.' A loud oooh is heard from the Gryffindors but the Ravenclaws cheer loudly.

Harry circles a few times as he watches the play beneath him keeping an eye out for the snitch. He had seen it briefly by the teachers stand but it had disappeared as he rolled over to avoid a Bludger. The beaters were taking Ron seriously and letting Harry deal with any bludgers that came his way and were protecting the chasers. After his third pass around the pitch he noticed Goldstein pacing him. Harry smiled and pushed the front of his broom down heading quickly for the ground.

'It looks like Potter has seen the snitch. Goldstein dives after him. Look at Harry go, his Firebolt is the best broom out there folks and it seems to be beating Goldstein. I think Potter is going to crash…' Harry didn't crash but Goldstein did. Whilst he was shaking his head and mounting his broom again Harry had a clear path for a few minutes and was intent on using it well.

'Harry pulls the most fantastic Wronskei Feint I have ever seen. Reminds me of the Quidditch World cup last year… yes Professor… the score is now 90-70 to Gryffindor. Gryffindor sure are doing well…' Harry watches Ginny grab the Quaffle as Hayworth passes it to McMillan and races off towards Dukeston guarding the posts.

'Ginny scores making the score 100-70….'

Harry vaguely listens as Ravenclaw start up another song which makes the Gryffindors start singing Weasley is our King in competition. Goldstein, having recovered, is now watching Harry intently, clearly failing to see the snitch as it passes beneath him. Harry stays still and waits for the right moment. He cannot have Goldstein being closer then himself, no point in letting the snitch get away.

'Score is now 110-90 for Gryffindor. Come on Potter get the snitch, we would all like some dinner… sorry Professor… Potter's seen the snitch!' The crowds go silent and the chasers turn to watch as Harry shoots forward heading towards the Slytherin stands.

'What's Goldstein doing? Shouldn't he be going after Harry?' Dean asks confused. This seems to shake Goldstein out of his trance and he shoots after Harry, but is too far behind to catch up now.

As Harry gets closer to the Slytherin stands he sees Malfoy and his gang at the front. He doesn't bother trying to slow down. The snitch is just hovering in front of Malfoy's face. Malfoy looks up and sees Harry shooting towards him and seems to notice his problem. Harry skids to a halt right in front of them all.

'I'll take that. Thanks for watching it for me Malfoy.' Harry jokes before snatching the snitch out of the air.

'Harry Potter caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins! 260-90! We win!' Harry can hear Dean cheering over the speakers. The rest of the team bump into Harry on their brooms and as a huge mass they land on the ground still hugging and cheering. The Ravenclaw Team dismount looking upset and scowling. Harry can see Prince yelling at Goldstein from underneath Ron's arm, clearly not happy about Goldstein just sitting there when Harry was already chasing after the snitch.

Gryffindors pile down from the stands and the whole team is buried under the rest of the house. After a short while and several verses of Weasley is Our King, McGonagall sends them back up to the Tower and the party continues.

'That's one of the longest games Harry. You need to change your glasses!' Dean says across the room. Some others agree but Harry just smiles.

'It's not my glasses I'm just getting too big to play seeker.'

'Nah. Krum was as big as you. Get Hermione to fix your glasses for you.'

'Excuse me?' Hermione pretends to be offended. 'Mr Thomas, I am not a medi-witch. If Harry wants new glasses or corrected eyesight he can go to Madam Pomfrey.' Dean just laughs.

Ron puts his arm around Harry's shoulders pulling him close.

'I think it's the comment about Vicky that upset Hermione.'

'His name is Victor not Vicky.' Hermione scolds glaring at Ron who just laughs.

'Come on mate lets go get our showers. I hate sitting in these things after a match.' On the way to the boys rooms giggling girls congratulate them. By the time Harry and Ron emerge from their room freshly showered Hermione is sick and tired of girls asking her if Harry is dating anybody and if she would consider dumping Ron.

'For the last time no. Harry is not dating anybody and I do not know if he is looking! Ronald Weasley is my boyfriend so push off!' Hermione yells at another fourth year that had come over and asked. Harry and Ron appear in time to hear this. Harry raises an eyebrow causing the fourth year to blush when she notices the two of them standing behind Hermione. As the younger girl rushes off Hermione turns around and frowns at them.

'Can you believe what all the girls are saying?!' Ron shrugs and sits down on a spare chair.

'Sorry babe. How about Harry puts a notice up on the board saying that he's single and not looking and I'll put one up saying I'm already taken?' Harry shakes his head and goes over to the fire and picks up his book bag. Seamus spots him.

'Harry. You're not studying now are you?!' This catches everybody's attention as conversation dies down and waits for a response.

'Sorry. We started Arithmancy in Advanced Potions, tonight was the only time Snape said he would help me. I got to go. Can't keep him waiting.'

'Tough luck mate. You should be celebrating.' Ron says.

'You'll just have to celebrate for me.' Harry says leaving the Tower. He can hear the chatter start up again as the portrait closes behind him.

Down near the dungeons Harry sped up until he is outside the Potions classroom. After hearing Snape yell for him to come in after he knocks, he enters and drops his bag next to a desk after shutting the door behind him.

'What are you doing with your bag?' Snape scowls. 'I never said anything about helping you with you project!'

'Gryffindor are celebrating our win. It was the only way I could get out without arousing suspicion.'

'Lying to your house? How very Slytherin of you.' Snape sneers expecting Harry to be insulted. Harry just shrugs and puts his wand down on Snape's desk.

'Ready sir?' Harry jests. Snape stands up pulling himself to his full height which is only just taller then Harry, which causes him to eye Harry critically.

'When did you suddenly grow?'

'Those potions you gave me worked. I've grown about half a foot and I'm still growing. Madam Pomfrey says my growth was stunted because of the Dursleys maltreatment but after that Growth Serum and Nutrient Potions you practically force fed me every day over the summer I have started to grow again.'

'Good. I would have hated for it to be a waste of precious ingredients.'

'At the beginning of the summer you would have said any ingredients used on me were a waste.' Harry replies. Snape doesn't reply but picks up his wand which was resting next to a stack of unmarked essays. Harry looks at the size of the stack and smiles.

'If you didn't assign such long essays sir you might not have so much marking to do.'

'I have held back all term so far. The Headmasters new edict of handing your work back to you the next day has forced me to revise how long the essays are that I give you.' Snape looks disappointed which causes Harry to grin.

'Legilimens.' Snape yells seeing Harry off guard.

Memories race through Harry's brain. Dudley playing his favourite game of Hunt Harry…. sitting in a tree till midnight as Aunt Marge's bulldog sits beneath the tree growling at him…. talking to a snake at the zoo just before his first year at Hogwarts.

Snape takes a few steps back after Harry pushes him out.

'Good Potter. But try harder. It still took too long to get me out. The Dark Lord will go in harder.'

'How hard?' Harry asks curiously. 'What would it feel like?'

'Would you like me to demonstrate?' Harry tilts his head to one side. 'Potter? Would you like a demonstration?' Snape asks again losing patience.

'No. Not tonight. I am tired after the match. Perhaps next Saturday evening?' Snape nods.

'Legilimens.' Snape shouts. The image of red light shooting at Sirius and his long fall back through the veil plays across his vision.

'No!' Harry drops to his knees as Snape steps back.

'You need to put that memory aside Potter. It still has a hold over you.'

'I cannot help it.' Harry stands up and takes a few deep breathes whilst Snape stands there waiting for him to recover. 'Let's try again.' Manages Harry after a few minutes.

'Legilimens.' Snape enters the memory of Harry being hugged by his mother as a baby. James comes in and takes Harry off Lily and swings him around. The baby Harry raises his arms into the air as he is spun around laughing. Snape pulls out.

'I do not want to see sickening pictures of you being doted on Potter. I see enough at school.'

'I've never seen that before. I just wanted something so you couldn't get to the one of Sirius again.'

'I wouldn't recommend covering distressing memories with happy ones but it was a good idea. I'm sure the Dark Lord would just be as revolted by it as I am.' Harry smiles causing Snape to sneer. 'Shall we try again?' Harry glances at the clock and notices that an hour has already passed. He nods. 'Legilimens.'

Snape finds himself standing in complete darkness. He looks around confused his eyes not being able to see anything through the inky blackness.

This shouldn't have happened, thought Snape.

'Hello Professor.' Snape turns around quickly and glimpses Harry standing there bathed in a white light and watching him before he is pushed out of Harry's mind. Snape, startled, steps back sitting down on a stool behind him.

'What was that Potter?'

'You told me to clear my mind. So I cleared it.'

'Why complete darkness?'

'It just is.' Harry shrugs. 'Are we done tonight Professor? I think I should get back and join in the party that is probably still raging. I am the teams' seeker after all.'

Snape nods and Harry grabs his bag on his way out leaving Snape to stare after him.

Next morning in Etiquette lessons they continued dancing lessons. Harry was finding this similar to dodging in Quidditch and was starting to enjoy it, even if he did have to partner Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin who purposefully kept stepping on his toes. Ron and Hermione of course were paired off together. Harry was a little jealous, but he reasoned that with Voldemort after him then it would be unlikely he would find anybody. After having his toes squashed by Millicent for an hour the houses got into rows and started to practice apparition again.

Dumbledore was sitting in his usual place at the teacher's table watching everybody. In front of Harry, Hermione was now practicing non-verbal apparition after mastering verbal apparition last weekend. Ron, behind Harry, was still cursing the teacher and declaring it impossible despite evidence that it wasn't.

Harry concentrated on his hoop and stared at the floor inside it. He stared and stared until the floor was all he could see and said 'Transpacie' To Harry's surprise with a loud 'crack' he appeared inside his circle. Hermione looked around and smiled.

'Well done Mr Potter.' Professor McGonagall says coming over. 'Try again I need to make sure you have this correct.' Harry nods and walks back to his spot. This time it felt easier and Harry appeared standing in his hoop. 'Congratulations. Now you need to continue trying the spell non-verbally. This may take a while so do not panic if it doesn't work first time.' Professor McGonagall leaves after these encouraging words and Harry, dazed, returns to his original spot. Ron comes over.

'Cool mate. That was bloody brilliant. Shame I can't do it though.'

'You'll get it soon Ron.' Ron nods miserably and goes back to his spot. Harry turns back to Hermione who shrugs at him. Harry looks at Dumbledore who is smiling proudly at him and nods his head. Harry scratches his chest over his heart, which is again tingling. Harry sighs.

I really should go back to Madam Pomfrey about this, thought Harry. It was happening every Sunday morning now.

At the end of the lesson Harry told Ron and Hermione he was going to the infirmary.

'Are you sure you should mate. You could be kicked off the team if it continues happening.' Ron says. 'We'd never find a good enough seeker to replace you.'

'Ronald Weasley! Do you not care that Harry could be seriously ill!' Hermione screeches. A few heads from Slytherin look their way. Harry, catching Draco's eye, pulls Hermione and Ron away from the crowds.

'Look. She said to go back and it's happening every Sunday now. If she finds out I have been hiding this from her…' Harry lets his voice trail off. 'She'll be worse then Snape.' Ron starts to laugh. 'What!' Harry demands angrily.

'I am just finding it amusing that you are more scared of Madam Pomfrey then of Snape.' Harry rolls his eyes. They head up to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey making a first year drink a Pepper Up Potion for a cold when she turns and spots Harry lingering in the doorway

'What's wrong Mr Potter?' Madam Pomfrey asks exasperated.

'Um…my heart has been hurting again…you said to come back.' Madam Pomfrey nods and points to a bed. Harry, sighing, goes and sits down on it. She disappears back to her first year patient. When she finally comes back she is carrying a vial and the silver monitor. Harry drinks the potion and lets Madam Pomfrey attach the monitor.

'I am going to leave it on you for a few weeks. It will not come off so do not worry about showering or sleeping with it on. I want you to note down every time your heart hurts and then I can compare this against the results I get.'

'Can he still play Quidditch.' Ron asks hopefully.

'For the moment yes, I have no proof that Quidditch is responsible for these attacks. But if I do discover anything that is related to Quidditch I will ban Mr Potter from playing.' They all nod. Harry sighs in relief. 'If the pain becomes too much come back here immediately Mr Potter.'

Harry stands up and closes his shirt and robe hiding the monitor. Madam Pomfrey goes back over to her other patient. Hermione and Ron accompany Harry quietly back to the common room.

The first few days of the holiday went by quickly. Ron dragged Harry outside for at least 3 hours of Quidditch practise everyday, whilst Hermione dragged him to the library to do their homework. Ron refused to go this early on in the holiday stating 'Only bookworms and Ravenclaws do their homework before the last weekend of the half term. This was a time for relaxing.' Even Hermione reminding him how much work he actually had to finish did not convince Ron to leave the welcoming fire of the common room.

Therefore Harry and Hermione between them planned the next DA meeting. They had decided to test everyone's knowledge so far and do some duelling, one on one. The first few years could come along and cheer as they really did not know enough hexes and curses to participate. They decided to make it a small tournament with a large bar of Honeydukes best chocolate as the prize. Most of the school had now recovered from the attempted poisoning and were stocking up again on sweets.

On Thursday evening once all of the students had arrived for DA Harry called for attention and stood on a stool.

'Okay as it's the holiday and I really didn't want to interrupt your fun with teaching, I have decided that today we shall have a mini tournament with the prize being a very large bar of Honeydukes chocolate that isn't poisoned.' This causes everybody to laugh. 'Now the rules, 1) We shall start you off competing against your year mates, then those winners will fight against the others winners. 2) Only years 4 to 7 can participate.'

'That's not fair.' A voice shouts from somewhere in the crowd.

'I'm sorry, but you do not know enough to do this safely enough and Dumbledore reminded me that as it was also Madam Pomfrey's holiday too she might skin me alive if I sent most of the group up to see her.' This causes more laughter 'Here are your sheets. They will automatically update the winners and show you who is competing next.' Harry waves his wand at some papers in his hand. They expand and stick themselves to the wall showing all of their names and who is competing against whom.

'The lowers years are allowed to watch on those benches.' Harry points at a set of raised benches on one side of the hall. 'The marks on the floor are to be the duelling courts as this hall is too small for the amount of duelling platforms that we would need.' Harry indicates the sets of lines stretching down the entire length of the hall. 'If everybody wants to get into position.' The lower years head off to the benches that are raised at the side of the hall. Professor Pentagon is sitting reading a book on the lowest bench.

'Who's the duelling master?' A large seventh year Hufflepuff asks.

'I am.' Harry replies.

'That's not fair Harry. I wanted to fight against you.'

'Sorry. Somebody needs to oversee and as I am in charge, I'm the logical choice.' Harry says grinning.

'I'm sure if you're dying to duel Harry, he can kick your butt some other time Seamus.' Ron says causing people to laugh while pushing Seamus onto a spot on the lines opposite Dean.

'Everybody line up opposite your partner and get ready to begin. Oops, forgot a rule. No Unforgivables or anything that can cause serious harm, otherwise let loose.' Harry admits sheepishly. 'Sonorus.' Harry says pointing his wand at his throat. 'Okay. Get ready. Bow.' The students bow, laughing at each other 'Begin.'

Every Professor was in a meeting in the staff room. Dumbledore is sitting at the head of a long table with the other teachers sitting in front of him. Lying on the table are pieces of parchment and Professor McGonagall has a quill in front of her that is taking notes of everything that is said.

'Madam Pomfrey, you wanted to say something.' Dumbledore says at the end of the meeting.

'Yes. Mr Potter has a heart monitor on. His heart apparently has been hurting him lately and I cannot see what could possibly be causing it.'

'He hasn't been at school a term yet and already he is being pampered.' Snape sneers from his corner. Madam Pomfrey and McGonagall glare at him.

'Harry cannot help it if he is ill Severus.' McGonagall spits out.

'Well I'm sure that every teacher will keep an eye on Mr Potter.' Dumbledore says trying to stop an argument between Minerva and Severus again. Dumbledore sighs inwardly.

Those two are always fighting, I wish they would just kiss and make up, thought Dumbledore. Who chuckles to himself over the image.

'If that is everything?' Dumbledore asks. McGonagall stops the quill from writing and rolls up the parchment it had written on.

'I have a problem with Mr Potter.' Flitwick squeaks from his raised seat at the far end of the table. Snape, who had already started to rise, growls.

'This isn't a meeting solely about Mr Potter.' Snape glares.

'What is your problem Filius?' Dumbledore asks.

'Mr Potter hasn't been performing any of the spells I have been teaching.'

'Is Harry unable to perform them?'

'I assume he can but I have not seen it. He spends all of the lessons helping his friends. I have asked him to perform spells and he does, but only when asked.'

'Mr Potter is also handing in essays not up to his usual standard.' McGonagall says pulling out a scroll. 'I was going to have a word with you later. If his grades are going to be affected by the extra lessons you are giving him then the lessons need to be toned down.' Dumbledore takes the scroll off McGonagall and unrolls it to look at the grade.

'Ah, I notice the problem. I will make sure Harry is informed. Now if that is everything then the meeting is concluded.' The teachers just sit there and reach for some tea and coffee apart from Snape who darts for the door. 'If you'll excuse me I am going to go and sit in on the DA club this evening.'

'What could possibly be amusing with that Headmaster.' Snape sneers as Dumbledore joins him at the doorway.

'They are duelling tonight.' The Professors behind them all sit up.

'Harry is duelling!' An enraged Madam Pomfrey says.'

'Harry is not duelling, he is the master.' Dumbledore adds before leaving with his hand on Snapes shoulder. McGonagall stands up.

'I'm going to go join the headmaster. It saves doing any marking.' McGonagall leaves, with the rest of the Professors shrugging and following her out.

In the Great Hall a few more students are now sitting and cheering in the stands and fewer students are still duelling. A few Slytherins who have heard the cheering have come in and are standing against the wall near the door when the Professors arrive via the small door at the side of the staff table. The Professors quickly make their way to their usual seats at the Professors table, making sure not to disturb the duelling. Unfortunately they were not quiet enough and the students stop duelling and look at them.

'I do apologise, but I couldn't keep myself away. I find duelling fascinating.' Dumbledore says smiling benignly at them all and twinkling. Harry turns back to the students still with his voice magically magnified.

'Wands at the ready.' Students quickly face their partners again 'Begin.' Spells are shot. Soon it is down to the finals of each year group and is two hours past the time for the club to finish, but nobody is bothered about that. The Professors are also cheering on their houses whilst Snape sits there glumly, bored, sipping out of his goblet. The rest of the Slytherin house seemed to have arrived and are now spread down the one wall whispering amongst themselves and insulting the duellers.

'Okay finalists. Line up. Wands at the ready. Begin.' Harry stands and watches amused at some of the spells being used. The fourth years are using basic spells whilst the seventh years are using prank hexes all in the spirit of fun. The sixth years finish first. It had been a close call between Hermione and Ernie, but Ernie won with a well aimed blasting curse at the floor beneath Hermione, which knocked her off her feet and Ernie was then able to call her wand from the floor beside her. The fourth years finish next with a Gryffindor called Thomas Hartwell becoming champion. The seventh and fifth years finish at the same time with Cho Chang and Arnold Stagecoach winning. Harry smiles and claps.

'Congratulations champions. There are small prizes for you four but I think we need a champion. I'm sure the Headmaster will oblige us with a standard platform to duel on.' The Headmaster stands up and waves his hands together. A long blue duelling platform appears in the centre of the room. 'Thank you Headmaster. Now I think Cho Chang and Arnold Stagecoach should duel first.' Cho and Arnold stand in the centre of the platform and Harry walks to the centre line joining them.

'We'll do this duel by correct Duelling Standards. First you retreat.' Cho and Arnold pace out 10 steps till they are near the ends of the platform. 'Now bow.' Cho and Arnold bow. 'Wands at the ready.' Cho and Arnold hold their wands up to a basic duelling stance. 'Begin.'

Cho shouts 'Expeliarmus' and disarms Arnold before he can even start. The Hufflepuffs cheer loudly.

'Cho Chang is champion.' Cho Chang sits down at the foot of the benches and is immediately surrounded by her housemates patting her on the back and congratulating her. Arnold goes over to Harry to collect his small prize before joining his friends halfway up the stands. 'Now it's Ernie and Thomas. Retreat, bow, wands at the ready. Begin.' This time the battle is quite fierce until Ernie sneaks a Full Body Bind curse underneath the other boys' shield.

'Ernie McMillan is the champion.' Harry shouts. Thomas comes over and collects his small prize from Harry as Ernie and Cho stand in the centre of the platform.

'Now everybody. I want complete silence as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff battle it out for the ultimate Duelling Champion.' The room goes silent. 'Retreat, bow, wands at the ready. Begin.' Ernie is quickest off the mark but his hex is deflected easily by Cho's shield. This begins a battle of hex, shield, hex and shield with Harry shouting out the names of the spells as they continue. The teachers are watching eagerly and people have started cheering on their favourites. For some time things look even but Ernie begins to slow down as more time passes. Cho finally defeats him with 'Tepesco' that causes Ernie's wand hand to burn and he drops his wand so Cho can call it to her. The Hufflepuffs erupt in the stands cheering and banging their feet loudly.

'We have a winner. Cho Chang.' Harry points his wand at his throat muttering 'Quietus' and goes over to Cho. He hands her the large bar of chocolate. Cho's friends rush down and over hugging her. Finally the cheering dies down and people turn to leave. As the first of the Slytherins reach the exit Dumbledore stands up catching the students' attention.

'Harry, are you not participating?' Heads turn to look at Harry who is packing up the parchments that were stuck on the wall. He looks up from his bag and stares at Dumbledore.

'Umm.' He doesn't know how to continue. Dumbledore turns to Cho Chang.

'Would you not like to battle Harry, Miss Chang?' Cho shakes her head.

'No sir. He's beaten me too many times last year in DA.' Snape snorts. Dumbledore turns to Snape.

'Severus, if you find this boring how about you pick somebody from your house as a challenge for Mr Potter?' Snape looks at Dumbledore whose eyes are twinkling. The school starts murmuring. Some from Slytherin shout their opinions. Snape glares at Dumbledore but stands up and makes his way over to the Slytherins lining the wall. After a quick glance over at Harry he motions over a large group of Slytherins who gather around and start whispering together.

'Severus?' Dumbledore asks. Severus nods and turns back to Dumbledore.

'Marcus Flint.' Severus says. Marcus Flint, smiles at Harry showing his yellow crooked teeth and walks over to the platform jumping up onto it. Harry slowly makes his way over to the platform and steps up at his end and takes out his wand. Snape walks over to the side of the platform and first goes over to Marcus, whilst the rest of the Slytherins rush to the stands, the rest of the school joining them. Draco's crowd sit at the top pushing others off the seats, whilst Harry's friends sit at the bottom nervously. Professor Pentagon puts her book down and looks nervously at what is happening.

After finishing talking with Marcus, Snape slowly walks down the side of the platform to Harry. Snape mutters to Harry so nobody else can hear him.

'No Wandless magic, keep your spells to half power and try not to blast him through the wall.'

'What were you telling him?'

'Don't use snakes, or any Dark Curses in front of the Headmaster.' Snape walks back to the centre of the platform.

'Now, you both know the rules, no Dark Curses, no Unforgivables and no spells that could cause permanent damage. Now get ready.'

Harry and Marcus incline their heads at each other as they are already at the ends of the platform. Harry raises his wand in front of him and places one leg behind him for balance, whilst Marcus raises his wand above his head. The students fall silent, waiting. Snape says 'Begin.' But they stand their silently, staring at each other.

'Are you going to hex me or not Potter?' Marcus sneers.

'I thought it was polite to let the weaker opponent get a shot in first.' A few of Harry's friends at the bottom of the stands snort and a few other students laugh. Snape scowls. Silence descends. At the same time Marcus and Harry crack sending simple spells at each other, which cancel out when they meet in the centre of the platform.

'Glacie' Marcus yells

'Revertus.' Shouts Harry. The spell shoots back at Marcus who cancels his spell.

'Come on Harry!' Ron yells from the crowd.

'Be quiet Weasel. You might distract Marcus from flattening Potter.' Draco shouts from behind causing heads to turn. Harry rolls his eyes and cancels a spell Marcus had shot at him. Harry stands there just waiting for Marcus.

'Come on Potter, scared?'

'No. I'm just waiting for you to shoot a decent spell.' Harry blocks as a spell fires quickly at him. Harry shouts 'Inflamaria' which catches Marcus' robes setting them alight but he puts them out quickly and turns his attention back to Harry sneering.

'You've asked for it now Potter.' Marcus says before throwing a nearly Dark Curse at Harry, which Harry manages to block with the latest block learnt from his advanced lessons.

After the almost Dark Curse Harry decides he needs to end the duel before he gets seriously harmed, or the spectators do. He quickly turns the fight into a fierce battle as the both hex and block never letting up. The spectators watch in amazement and the first and second years stare in awe as they battle it out.

Damn, I can't keep this up, Harry panics, but continues battling.

The rest of the school is finding it amazing and are cheering for their favourite. Most of them are cheering for Harry but the Slytherins are cheering for Marcus. Draco Malfoy is cheering for neither party, just sitting back and watching.

Where had Potter learnt to duel like that? Malfoy thinks with awe.

Finally Marcus becomes too enraged at Harry being able to block or cancel everything he can throw and he yells out,

'Serpensortia.' Harry stops, lowers his wand and hisses. The snake slithers over to Harry, who picks it up and looks at Marcus.

'I really never thought you were that much of an idiot. Didn't you learn this from mine and Draco's duel four years ago?' Whilst Marcus' is watching angrily Harry flicks his wand and then catches Marcus' as it flies through the air at him. The stands break out in cheers and Harry is soon crowded by his friends. Dumbledore's 'well done' is almost drowned out by the cheers for Harry and jeers at the Slytherins as they leave with their house mate.

The second party in less then a week was raging in the Gryffindor common room. Harry's spectacular duel with Marcus was the biggest topic.

'Well done Harry.' 'Where's the snake?' accompanied by pats on the back were the least of what Harry had to endure. The worst was a blow-by-blow repeat of the duel of all the spells they had fought with. Ron and Hermione got Harry out of there as soon as they could and they sat on Ron's bed eating chocolate and playing poker, a muggle card game Hermione was teaching them. Ron was for once losing at a game, which was making Harry feel much better.

Saturday night found Harry back in the dungeons for another Occlumency lesson. Snape was brewing a potion when Harry arrived so Harry sat silently and waited for him to finish. Snape finally turned to him.

'We're not practising Occlumency this evening. You and I need to have a talk.'

'What about?' Harry asks as he sits down on a stool near where Snape is brewing.

'Your spell work in Charms. Filius mentioned at our last staff meeting that you haven't been performing the spells in class.'

'I am helping my friends, they're all having difficulties.'

'You are also supposed to be learning Harry.'

'I am, I can do the spells.'

'Then before you start helping Longbottom and Weasley make sure that Filius has seen your spell work so he can mark you as passes for the lessons. So far you have failed 9 out of 12 lessons. That is not good enough.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Albus and Minerva might let you off with a sorry, but I am not going to accept it. You will work harder, do you understand?' Snape growls, pinning Harry with his glare. Harry nods quickly. Satisfied Snape nods, and leaving his potion for a minute goes over to his desk and pulls out a scroll handing it to Harry. Harry looks at it confused.

'What's this?'

'That is the latest essay you wrote for Minerva. You only received an Acceptable. Why isn't it higher? Didn't you understand the topic? If so, why didn't you ask somebody for help?'

'I understood it fine. I just didn't have time to write it out properly. I have these extra lessons with you and Dumbledore, Arithmancy lessons, DA planning, Advanced lessons, Etiquette, I have to keep my place on the Quidditch team, plus I am taking more lessons then most people. I have a lot going on. I don't always have time to concentrate properly on all of my essays.'

'From now on, you will concentrate on them. If there is too much of a problem then Quidditch and your advanced lessons will have to go.'

'No.' Harry spits out outraged. 'Why do you care? Nobody else does!'

'I looked after you this summer, I worked hard helping you and training you and I will not have you ruining your grades for a game of Quidditch.'

'You just want Slytherin to win the house cup.' Harry sulks.

Snape grabs Harry's shoulders and forces Harry to look at him.

'Listen to me. I do not care about beating Gryffindor at the house cup if your grades are going to suffer. This is very important. It will help you defeat Voldemort and also join the Auror training program when you leave here if you wish. You will sit down and redo this essay now and I want a marked improvement on all of your grades or we will be talking again and cutting lessons out of your schedule.' Harry nods sadly, unused to somebody actually caring about his grades, and puts the scroll down on the desk in front of him. Snape waves his wand and fresh parchment, quill and ink and a large pile of book come out of a cupboard and land in front of Harry. 'Here. Now I don't want any talking till it is finished.'

Later that evening Snape walks into Dumbledore's office and places two scrolls down on his desk.

'Here are the essays. Ask McGonagall to mark his new one and I would like an update of Harry's grades every week.'

'Of course Severus.'

Snape nods and leaves, leaving a twinkling old headmaster behind.