In Pursuit of the Unknown Power

Breakfast was a pretty quiet affair Tuesday morning, for some reason Snape was avoiding Harry's gaze at all costs, which suited him just fine. However Dumbledore seemed to be disturbed by the casual coldness rather than outright hatred from his pet Professor. At the other end of the table Tonks appeared to be having trouble staying awake prompting Flitwick to keep levitating her face away from her food. However when Harry caught her eyes she smiled and he felt her humor at a good prank. He smiled and waved at her and turned his attention back to his friends.

Luna was once again sitting on one side and Hermione on the other while Ginny was a few seats down the table but within talking distance if need be. Ron sat across from him and in a surprising move; Neville had joined Hannah at the Hufflepuff table.

"So what's on the schedule for today again?" Harry asked sleepily.

Ron started to talk but after a look at Hermione he swallowed the lump of mash quickly before speaking; earning him a smile from the brunette. "Uh lets see here, Double Defense then an hour break til Charms before lunch. And then… free for the rest of the day again!" Ron had a huge smile but Hermione was shaking her head.

"I have Arithmancy again after the morning break, can you promise me you will work on your Charms rather than goof off again?"

Ron looked rather put out. "Goof off? I don't think Quidditch counts as 'Goofing Off'. I mean I am the captain after all, I have a responsibility!"

Hermione looked as if she was about to argue but Harry caught her eye and shook his head almost imperceptibly. She took a deep breath and relaxed as much as she could. "Alright then, as long as your grades stay on the up I will stop reminding you so often alright?"

Ron had a huge grin, "Thanks Mione you don't know how much that means to me, I promise I will keep my priorities straight." Harry noticed but did not mention that Ron hadn't stated that schoolwork was his priority. Hermione seemed to miss or ignore it as she simply smiled at him, glad to be rid of another argument. Luna spoke up from his other side where she had one of his hand trapped between her legs, he didn't think she minded since she was the one that placed it there.

"Ginny has History of Magic and I have Herbology this morning and we both have Transfiguration and Arithmancy this afternoon. Do you mind if I escort you to your first period?"

Harry shook his head and quickly kissed her on the cheek. "Sounds good to me Lu."

*************************SFTP************************

They made their way up one flight of stairs to the first floor with Harry and Luna hand in hand. He could tell how much the other two wanted to hold hands as they lightly touched fingertips. He could not help feeling a little sorry for them having to hide their relationship and wondered if he should have a talk with them about it. If they were truly in it for the long hall did they care who knew? Even if they held hands in the hallway would most of the Wizarding World think it was anything other than friendship? He didn't have much more time to contemplate as they reached the door and both Luna and Ginny quickly kissed him on the cheeks before darting down the hall toward the stairs giggling. A red-faced Harry turned and walked into the room where he found a bat staring him down.

"Mr. Potter, I believe that will be ten house points from Gryffindor for that despicable display of debauchery."

Harry instantly felt his hackles rise and responded without thinking, "Professor, while I accept the deduction of house points which for once are well deserved, if you wish for me to address you with respect, you will begin addressing me as Milord, Lord Potter-Black or Lord Black as you prefer. Nice alliteration by the way."

Snape had apparently been warned away by Dumbledore as Harry could feel the man's stare burning a hole into his left cheek rather than his eyes. He bit his tongue but looked murderous. "Very well… Lord Black…" He spat the title; "Take your seats before you give me cause to use you as a demonstration dummy."

"Anytime Professor." Harry said with a slight bow as he walked from the door to seats in the back of the room where Ron was sitting with Hermione following him. He could sense the impending brow beating he would get from Hermione later but thought it was well worth it to put the overgrown bat in his place. Once everyone had filed in Snape waved his wand and the classroom door slammed and sealed itself with a squelch.

The normally light room had all the shutters drawn and torches lit making it feel like a dungeon, Harry had to use Occlumency to keep from laughing when he wondered if the man was uncomfortable in the light, lending credence to the rumor of him being a vampire. On the walls around the room were disgusting and detailed depictions of painful curses, jinxes and hexes which repeated over and over much to the chagrin of the victims. Snape walked to the head of the classroom and turned suddenly making his robes billow out before he assumed what he must have hoped was a threatening pose. Harry glanced at Neville and noted that perhaps it was working.

Snape interrupted his train of thought as he began speaking.

"I am sure you have all done much speculating as to the circumstances which led to my appointment as your instructor for this subject. I assure you I am much better qualified to teach you how to defend yourselves than any of your previous instructors. A cowardly buffoon, an idiot, a mongrel… I find it rather amusing that your best instructor happened to be a Death Eater." He began stalking back and forth and the light actually seemed to dim where he walked, Harry wondered if that was a trick of the light, or an enchantment. Even the Slytherins were looking a little weary at this point.

"The Dark Arts are unknowable to those such as yourselves. It takes much work and much dedication to learn them, two qualities many of those in this room lack." He looked directly at Ron who gulped but Harry knew in previous years that comment would have been directed straight at him.

"However it is my unfortunate task to teach you to defend yourselves against those who know magic you cannot pretend to comprehend. And so I will attempt to drill the subject into your thick skulls. Due to circumstances in the world at large I have been asked to modify the curriculum somewhat and focus on practical application rather than defense theory for my students." Ron's smile returned until the man rounded on him.

"Do not think however, that this means you will not be required to learn the theory. I will expect three feet of parchment at a minimum, on the theory of the next period's material at the beginning of classes. Those who cannot keep up on their own will not be allowed to continue in this course! That being said you will find on your desks the rubric for this years classes with the subject to be covered during each session." As he said this he waved his wand and indeed a roll of parchment appeared in front of each student, which Harry quickly opened and examined before turning his attention back to Snape. Not wanting to get docked points for failing to pay attention.

"The other stipulation is that you will no be allowed to cast verbally in my class room. Shouting out silly incantations will only let your opponent know your next move, those who have the skill and cunning to learn the Dark Arts will not be defeated easily, you will need all the help you can get!"

Harry had had just about enough, "We didn't seem to do so bad last term." He said quietly to Ron but Snape's bat hearing caught the comment, and apparently everyone else's as they all stared at the person who dared to challenge such an imposing figure. Snape quickly traversed the classroom until he was mere inches from Harry with his hands on the edge of his desk.

"Ah Lord Black wishes to regale us with his tales of bravery and skill. Tell me milord," The Slytherins snickered on cue faithfully, "How did your little battle with Bellatrix Lestrange end up?" Harry sucked in a breath as the man cut right to the quick, nearly exposing his shameful secret. "I see, and what of your Godfather Hmmm? Your little escapade turned out so well didn't it?"

Harry nearly stood up but was able to control his body, however his mouth had other ideas. "Leave Sirius out of this! Six students, two of them fourth years at the time, fought twelve of Voldemort's best to a standstill that night!"

Snape smirked as if he had won and quickly made his way back to the center of the classroom. "Ah yes, a standstill in which all of your friends were captured and remained alive only because you held the object they were after. You only barely escaped because help arrived, and you only went because you were too stubborn to properly sort your thoughts out beforehand. Tell me Lord Black; do you think the mutt is proud of you now? You got him killed because you did not have the skills necessary to succeed. No need to comment, I think your record speaks for itself." He turned away but Harry caught his eye for half a second and caught a memory of two hands bound in red ropes of magic before the connection was broken. Rather than continue to argue Harry was suddenly very interested in that memory.

"I am glad to see you agree milord," Again with the snickering, "As you can all see, despite the sheer will to fight them, the Dark Arts will win out unless you properly train to protect yourselves. I am not entirely without feeling so today we will be going over basic dueling only." The class seemed to cheer up slightly until he finished his thought. "You will be expected to turn in three feet on proper dueling etiquette along with your homework next class." There was a collective groan.

"Would you care to help me demonstrate?" Snape said as he turned back toward the Gryffindors.

Harry was shaken from his thoughts as the man called him out. Hermione made as if to pull him back down as he stood but he caught her eye and shook his head slightly and she released him. He quickly centered himself and walked to the center of the room which he could now see was cleared just enough for a dueling ring. Snape cast an area affect spell which erected a shield around the dueling area which would stop all but unforgivable curses before speaking once more.

"Many of you will recall the travesty in your second year, in which the idiot attempted to teach you a subject he knew nothing about. We will begin today's lesson with a very short dueling tutorial. Lord Black, I believe you know what to do now? First we bow…" Harry suddenly had a flashback to the graveyard and nearly cut the man down right there. He knew Snape had seen that memory last year multiple times and he was using it against him now. Rather than do as his ego was trying to force him to do, he bowed very shallowly to the man who returned it with slightly less respect, meaning both were nearly imperceptible.

"We shall now take our places in the dueling ring and assume a dueling stance." Snape saluted him mockingly with his wand before turning and walking to his place on one side of the ring. Harry repeated the action verbatim and ended up facing him.

"For this demonstration we shall cast a Jelly-legs Jinx or Protego shield only. Is that understood?" Harry nodded. "Very well then, on three. One, Two, Three!" As he said the last number he cast his spell and Harry only barely managed to bring up a shield in time to stop it. "Impressive use of nonverbal magic, I suppose you took complete advantage of the Ministry incompetence this summer… Why aren't you all taking notes?" He shouted at the class who quickly pulled out parchment and quill and began scratching away.

He walked back to the center of the room and Harry matched his every move waiting for the punch line to this joke. "And now we shall repeat the duel, first we bow…" Harry lowered his eyes as he bowed his head only slightly, however he was soon lying on the floor with legs that would not respond properly. He quickly cast the counter-jinx and got up with a murderous look on his face.

"What the hell was that?" He shouted.

Snape smiled but still would not meet his eyes. "That was Lesson Number One; never take your eyes off of your opponent, Most Dark Arts practitioners have no sense of honor." Harry was fuming inside but held his tongue as he simply nodded.

"Next we shall take our places." Snape saluted once more and made as if to turn away as he had before. Harry turned and headed for his spot only to find himself on the floor once more.

"Damnit!" He shouted.

"Language Lord Black, I let it slide the first time however I think the loss of ten house points for disrespect shall do. That was lesson number two; never turn your back on an opponent until you know they are disarmed and no longer a threat. Those who would use Dark Arts against you have no problem shooting you in the back."

Harry was getting rather angry at this point, when he saw jars of unknown disgusting things start to rattle on Snape's desk he quickly calmed himself down before he pulled the castle down on their heads.

"Ah you have learned to control your temper, you may just make it through this lesson without being kicked out after all. Next we will be firing our spells on the count of three. Jelly-Legs or Shields only, on three. One, Two, Three!" Harry attempted to cast the Jinx this time wanting a little payback only to find himself bound in ropes and laying on the floor as Snape simply stepped aside to dodge his spell.

"Two lessons here class, lesson number three is that your opponents should not be expected to fight fair and lesson four is that the best defense is not to be there when the spell arrives." Harry released himself from his bonds and stood up with hatred pouring from him, Snape raised an eyebrow as the class gasped. "Impressive… Shall we try again from the beginning? Perhaps you have learned something today?" Harry nodded as he stalked back toward the center of the circle.

Snape joined him and began his recitation. "First we bow…" Harry bowed without removing his eyes from the man. "Now we take our places." Harry saluted and backed up to his spot without turning his back. "Now we cast our spells on three, One, Two, Three!" As the last number was called Harry took two steps to the left and Snape found himself bound in ropes, upside down, with his tongue tied by a Langlok curse and his wand in Harry's hand thanks to a well timed Expelliarmus .

"Lesson five class, never underestimate your opponent." Harry said calmly. He waved his wand casting a Finite to cancel all the spells and placed Snape's wand on his desk before heading back to his seat, never taking his eyes off the man who fell unceremoniously to the floor. Snape finally met Harry's eyes and they were filled with hatred Harry felt the intrusion attempt and grinned rather evilly as time seemed to stop around him and he sank into his center where he found Snape in a cell in the jailhouse with a naked Dumbledore chasing him around.

"Hello Snivellus." He said calmly.

"Potter, what the hell do you think your doing and how the hell are you doing it!" Snape said still dodging the naked old man who seemed intent on his mission.

"Severus please, you look like you could use a hug so badly! I'm certain that is why you turned to the Dark, your father never showed you enough affection!" Dumbledore called as he held his arms out wide and made kissing faces, all the while chasing the other man.

Snape screamed at the man as he continued doing circles around the cell. "Stay away from me old man! Potter I demand you release me at once!"

"I thought you were an accomplished Occlumens Professor, can't you get yourself out of here?"

Snape tried to focus long enough to get out but found himself bound by an invisible force. "What do you want to let me out of here Potter?"

"First you are supposed to be calling me Lord Black, milord would be fine with me if you cut the sarcasm. Second as you can see I have indeed learned to clear and control my thoughts so stay out of my head. Third, you are going to treat all of your students equally this year or you might end up locked in here for quite some time. All it takes is just one look after all. Now I am going to release you and we are going to continue the lesson as if nothing has occurred. You are going to give up or at least attempt to hide your strange obsession with my Father that makes you hate me so much. In return I will stay out of your way in classes and do my work, you are going to grade my friends and I fairly or I might reveal a few of the secrets I've learned from you since you've been in here." Harry was rather enjoying his bluff; he had not attempted to read the man at all but figured the seeds of doubt needed to be planted.

Snape paled a bit, "You haven't read anything from me since I have arrived, I would have known!"

Harry shook his head and smiled. "Turns out I am a natural, Occlumency and Legilimency if you must know. Apparently you were such a poor teacher that you couldn't even instruct me in something that comes as natural to me as breathing. Very bad show old man." Snape seemed to reevaluate his situation quickly.

"Fine Lord Black, I agree to your terms now release me before this thing has his way with me!"

Harry nodded and they were back in the classroom only a few seconds from the initial connection. Snape looked around quickly trying to gather his thoughts. "Out! All of you, I expect both papers next time we meet now begone!" And with that he stormed up the staircase and into his office.

Ron leaned in, "What crawled up his.."

"Ronald!" Hermione said cutting him off.

"Sorry, so what's gotten into Snape? I mean besides getting his backside handed to him by Harry here."

Hermione looked at Harry for an explanation, "What? You think everything strange that happens is connected to me somehow?" Harry asked incredulously.

She simply raised an eyebrow. "Fine, we had a little heart to heart when he tried to read my mind. We came to an agreement and apparently he needs time to understand exactly what he agreed to."

"Which is?" Hermione prompted.

"Which is that he is going to treat and grade all of his students fairly from now on and try to keep his unnatural hatred of my Dad from transferring to me. Now do we really need to discuss this or would you like to hear about the one memory I pulled from him earlier?"

Ron looked confused, "Wait, you somehow had a mental conversation and read his mind at the same time?" Harry shook his head; it was difficult discussing this stuff with Ron when he hadn't been there to learn about it. All of the other students had filed out of the classroom at this point leaving them alone to discuss.

"I don't just go around reading people's minds. I could have easily read every memory he had while I had him trapped but that is something he would do, I refuse to abuse my power like that. However I caught a flash earlier of two hands clasped surrounded by red ropes of magic." Hermione and Ron both gasped.

"That's an unbreakable vow!" Ron exclaimed. "When I was younger the Twins had me most of the way through the ceremony when mum caught us, I don't remember what I was promising but she was livid. If you break an unbreakable vow you die!"

Hermione chimed in, "The question is was he the witness or a participant? For it to be so close to the edge of his thoughts that it slipped like that it must have been recent, very important, or both."

"I don't know, but does it really matter? I mean, maybe that's why Dumbledore trusts him so much? He made him take an unbreakable vow not to betray the Order to Voldemort?" Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head, "We don't have enough information to go off of right now. Maybe you will catch something else Harry, I don't need to ask you to promise you wont go looking for the answer do I?" he shook his head. "Alright then, I suppose we should go to Harry's room for the next half hour and get started on the homework. Then I am off to my next class. I expect both of you to be done with one of them before Charms at eleven thirty."

"Yes Ma'am!" They chorused earning an eye roll from her as she got up causing both of them to smile. They quickly made their way back up to the sixth floor and into his room, Bernie did not even pause in his 'Er' as he unlocked the portrait for them.

Harry was able to data dump both essay's in almost no time and helped Ron with one of his before the bell rang an hour later letting them know it was time to head for Charms again. Ron complained loudly at lunch afterward about the injustice of being required to cast non-verbally.

"Honestly Ron it is difficult but much more effective, would you rather have been given another written assignment? Besides, you do have an entire week to practice it before the next Charms class." Hermione commented.

That shut him up but he was still upset throughout the whole meal, Harry was able to tell when he only had one helping rather than his usual three. He perked up as soon as he remembered that he was off for the rest of the day and was rapidly trying to stuff his face before the food disappeared. The bell rang letting them know they had fifteen minutes to make it to classes. Before he could stand however Hedwig landed on his shoulder surprising all three of them.

"Heya girl." Harry cooed. "What do you have here?" She offered him the parchment in her left talons and butted her head against his as he took it.

The warm one's familiar sends this to you, he annoys me. Harry promptly started chuckling as he unfolded the note.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked.

Harry looked up after reading through the note. "She is annoyed with 'Fawks' familiar'… looks like my first lesson is Saturday evening."

"What time? I was thinking of doing tryout's Saturday."

"Late, as long as we don't go after dark you'll be fine." Harry commented.

Harry stood and offered his arms to Gin and Luna. "Mione, you and Ron are welcome to crash in my room, I'll be along right after I drop these two off at Transfiguration." Ron waved rather than try to speak with his mouth full and Hermione rolled her eyes at him.

"You know Ron, you should try to slow down and eat like a normal person. No person of the female persuasion excepting possibly Millicent Bulstrode could find that attractive." She commented before turning back to him. "I believe we will both see you there in a few minutes Harry." She said with a smile as she began collecting her things.

Harry escorted the girls up to the second floor once more and was able to dodge the kisses from both girls, though for some reason this elicited "ooo's" from the other fifth years in the class just as it had the day before. Minerva raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged as two disappointed looking girls entered the classroom waving at him. He turned and headed back for his rooms though he was currently out of homework to do.

The portrait clicked open as the Satyr caught sight of him. "Bernie, you're not indisposed, what's the problem?"

The man-goat heaved a big sigh. "Wenny, I can't stop thinking about her." Harry repressed the urge to laugh.

"Is that so? Don't you like your nymphs?"

The portrait shrugged, "Sure they are fun, but I'm afraid I have fallen in love with Wenny from afar. She has been immobile for a century or two and I had no reason to visit her frame, but with you occupying the space now she is awake and I am in trouble."

Harry smiled, "I didn't know portraits could fall in love… are you sure it isn't lust?"

"Possibly, but I don't think I will know until I 'Er' with her a few times if you know what I mean." He said with a grin. "Besides, as much fun as my nymphs are new tail is always exciting, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes Harry, wouldn't you agree?" Hermione asked with a grin from just inside the door.

"Thanks a lot Bernie." Harry growled as he walked in to his room and sat on the sofa. Hermione joined him shortly and he noted the absence of his favorite male redhead.

"Where's Ron?"

Hermione smiled, "He said he needed to use the Library for his other paper since proper dueling is not in the standard Defense text. Now don't change the subject."

Harry looked anywhere but at his non-designated girlfriend trying to find an answer that wouldn't get him hung. In the end he decided to try for deflection instead. "What do you think?"

"I think you are trying to deflect. I think this is a conversation we actually need to have. I love you Harry, Ginny loves you, and Gabrielle would do anything for you despite the fact that she loves you. Now you might have noticed that both Gin and I have discovered a rather kinky side. What does that tell you?"

Harry thought about it for a moment before deciding he would stop thinking and just answer from his heart. "That sex does not have to be about love, and that you love me no matter who I have sex with. And in fact, you get off on me having sex with other women… so yes, new tail is always exciting?"

She leaned in and kissed him, she tried very hard not to deepen the kiss but they were all alone and her willpower was wearing thin as she let him pull her onto his lap and snog her senseless for a few moments. It wasn't until she felt his erection beneath her that she let out a sigh and pulled away. "That was the right answer Harry, if I have to share Ginny with you, and you with her then I don't see the point in placing restrictions on a whole world of pleasure. I know I love you, I know you love me. You are not going to leave me just because you find someone who is better in bed…"

"That could never happen Mione." Harry whispered as he tried to pull her closer. "We learned together, there is no one else I would rather be with than you or Gin. Can we please stop this silly game and date properly?"

She pulled back and slid off onto the couch beside him but allowed him to wrap his arm around her. "We already decided that love is your weapon Harry, if you can find more of it you should have the chance, I don't want to lose you because I was selfish and you didn't have what you needed to defeat him."

Harry hugged her to him tightly and whispered in her ear. "When you put it that way I guess I can stop complaining. I just still can't believe I have you or Ginny, let alone that you want me to shag any other willing female, and that most of them are willing…" He trailed off as he noticed her thighs rubbing together. "Is this conversation making you randy?" He asked with a smile.

She was shivering very slightly in his arms and couldn't stop herself any longer as she nodded and turned to kiss him once again. His hand went to her knee and back up under her skirt where he quickly entered her knickers and began massaging her extremely wet folds, concentrating on her button and quickly bringing her to orgasm. She slid off the couch and between his legs where she quickly released his manhood from its confinement and went to work with her mouth. He placed a hand on the back of her head but did not pull; he just tugged lightly on her hair on each upstroke. It didn't take him long at all before he came in her mouth; she swallowed greedily before straddling his lap and pulling her knickers to one side so she could sheath him inside her. She groaned as he stretched her after so long apart but made no move to continue, she just lay her head on his shoulder and relished the feeling of being one with him once more.

"Mmmm, I missed you." Harry said smoothly in her ear.

"You too… we shouldn't have done this… supposed to behave. Luna…"

"Luna invited you to join us, by the way Luna and I haven't done this yet, I doubt she would mind… in fact I wouldn't doubt she is grinning ear to ear right now because she knows what we are doing."

Hermione smiled. "Kay.." She said in an almost little girl voice. "Love you."

"I love you too Mione."

She took a deep breath and stood slowly until he popped out of her causing both of them to groan quietly at the loss. She straightened her clothing as he put himself away before she sat back down beside him. "I can't do this Harry, if we continue a physical relationship I am going to get addicted to you again… I already am, it's like offering a taste of wine to an alcoholic."

"Are you calling me your own personal brand of wine?" He asked with a smile. She smacked his shoulder playfully. "So every now and then, we can get together for a 'drink' to tide you over until it's your turn to date me. You realize of course I'm going to be ruined after that. Are you last on the list?"

Hermione shook her head, "Gin is last…"

"That reminds me, why aren't you and Gin openly dating? Or at least showing affection to one another? I doubt wizards will make the connection between two females so you shouldn't be afraid to hold hands at the least."

She paused in thought for a moment. "I guess I was afraid, you know how Muggles jump straight to that conclusion simply because a girl doesn't act or look like society thinks she should, let alone if she has a close female best friend…"

"Are you ashamed to be bi-sexual?" Harry asked gently.

"No it isn't that… I guess I didn't want her to feel ostracized like she did her first year because I couldn't keep my hands to myself…"

Harry smiled down at her, "You are over thinking as usual. Ginny declared her love for you in a letter to her mum, I think she is a lot stronger than you are giving her credit for."

Hermione smiled as she turned toward him, "Stop it, didn't I tell you that intelligent green-eyed sex gods are my weakness?" She kissed him quickly before heading for the desk against the wall.

"That didn't answer my question you tease." He growled at her playfully.

She turned as she was getting her Arithmancy and Runes books from her bag. "Yes okay, I will talk to her and see if she wants to go somewhat public and see what the reactions are. We won't be snogging in the common room or anything but you have no idea how hard it is not to hold her hand or kiss her cheek…"

"I think I have an idea." He said quietly but with a smile.

"Fine I suppose you do, in any case I have work to do. So what are you going to do mister I can already cast everything nonverbally and have an encyclopedia of magic in my head ?"

"It's not an encyclopedia, that would mean it covered the entire subject… anyway I thought I would go over the potions text some more. At least so far Slughorn seems to be a better teacher than Snape."

"Well, he was mentioned in Hogwarts: A history as one of the most beloved Potions Professors in memory. However the editor of that edition was a former student and probably a member of the 'Slug Club' so I can't lend the claim much credence. Do you need to borrow my text?" She asked.

"You just happen to be carrying your Potions Text?" He asked.

"Of course." She pulled a shrunken book from her bag, which she quickly enlarged and handed to him.

"Thanks." He said gratefully. She nodded and turned to her work.

He flipped to the index at the back, which was the only part he hadn't memorized and started to read until he hit a resource that he had never seen before. "Mione what table does this book keep referring to?"

She got up and crossed to him and looked down at the book. "That is the Potions Ingredient Interactions Table or PIIT, it is much like the periodic table of elements that Muggles use. Why do you ask?"

He looked at her incredulously. "You mean there is actually a document of some sort which describes why potions ingredients do what they do, and how they react to each other?" Hermione nodded cautiously.

"Why are you acting like you have never heard of it? It was in the first year Potions text after all."

"And Snape never once had us refer to it in any lesson, nor did he ever ascribe any homework on it. Don't you think we should have been copying that out multiple times just like times-tables in math?"

Hermione blushed and Harry couldn't keep from smiling at her reaction. "You did, didn't you?" She nodded. "No wonder you don't have any problems in Potions. That no good excuse for a teacher never taught it to us and wonders why we are all idiots when it comes to his subject, I'll bet the Slytherins knew to memorize that table!"

"Oh Harry, I memorized it so it never occurred to me to question why he didn't have everyone else do so as well! I'm so sorry I never taught you and Ron. Gods this explains so much!"

He shook his head and stood up to give her a hug. "Don't beat yourself up Mione, you probably memorized it before we became good friends, it isn't your fault that he can't teach to save his life."

"I know you were the training dummy this morning, but I actually thought he did a good job teaching Defense." She said quietly. Harry sat down and thought it through and had to come to the same conclusion.

"You know you're right, despite the fact that he tried to use the class as an excuse to hex me I actually learned a lot from him this morning." He shivered. "I feel dirty all of a sudden, I think I might actually have just gained a bit of respect for him."

She smiled down at him before she walked back to the desk and retrieved something from her bag and came back over. She handed him a sheet that was filled with symbols in table form and he grinned up at her. "You actually had a copy of the PIIT with you? Wonders never cease!"

"Yes well, you never know…"

"Thank you Mione, for everything. I will make sure to share this with Ron as well, do you think we should mention this to Slughorn?"

She got an evil look in her eyes as she answered. "I think we should make copies and distribute it to everyone in secret with a note about why we are doing it. At the end of term when everyone suddenly becomes a potions genius it will look very bad for Professor Snape."

"I though I was the one who was supposed to be sorted into Slytherin!" Harry cried. She blushed again and he couldn't believe his eyes. "No way!"

"Well the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin because of my thirst to be the best, or in Ravenclaw because of my intellect, but I begged it to put me in the house that Albus Dumbledore was in. It relented after a few seconds, not taking nearly as long as it did with you." Harry hugged her once again.

"That's my girl, I wonder if Gin was nearly sorted into Slytherin because of the Diary?"

Hermione nodded. "She asked me never to tell anyone that, but I don't think she would mind you knowing now. Quite the trio aren't we? Slytherins in disguise?"

He laughed. "You know that is actually what Wood Parkinson said, that I was a perfect Slytherin, hiding amongst the Gryffindors."

The bell rang letting them know it was time for break and he released her. "I think I will go escort the girls from Transfiguration to Arithmancy. You'll be here when I get back?" She nodded as she turned back to her work and he flew out the portrait hole and down to the second floor catching the girls halfway up the stairs as they swung around the third floor landing.

"Hello ladies, might I have the pleasure of escorting you once again?"

Luna kissed his cheek and wrapped her arm through his. "Thank you kind sir."

He turned to Gin and offered his other elbow; she couldn't control the grin as he spoke. "Milady?"

She gave up and grasped his other arm and they made their way up to the fifth floor where he dropped them at their classroom. "I shall see you again for Dinner ladies, thank you for allowing me the boon of being in your presence." He said with a bow.

Luna smiled as she walked into the classroom but Ginny was looking at him strangely. "You know this isn't going to work Harry, I think I'm stronger than you realize."

He grinned and shot her a tiny bit of joy-juice as he winked at her causing her to suck in a breath. "I don't doubt it Gin, I am just looking for excuses to be near you." And with that he dove quickly down the hall and out of sight, he headed back up to his room where Hermione simply waved, as she was engrossed in her equations. He headed back to the couch and began mentally copying down the PIIT; he was nearly done before he realized he had a picture perfect memory of it but no clue as to how to read it.

"Dobby?" The elf popped in. "Can you pop back home and grab my first year Potions text?"

"Of course Mister Harry Potter Sir!" He called as he popped out once more, the book in question appeared almost instantly on the table beside the sofa with a double pop.

"Nice that you never need to worry about forgetting something at home again, what was that about anyway?" Hermione asked without looking up.

He smiled even though she couldn't see it, "I memorized the tables but have no clue how to read them, so I asked him to bring me my first year text since you said it was covered." She nodded and went back to her work.

He flipped to the section which described in detail how the reaction tables and symbols were deciphered and started reading, before he knew what was happening the bell rang to let them know it was dinner time so they headed out and up one floor where they met their current significant others coming out of the classroom. After dinner they all headed back to his rooms to discuss the new potions project. Ron was rather upset with her for not pointing it out to him five years earlier.

"Would you just listen Ronald? If you had read through the entirety of your potions text you would have known this already!"

He was shaking his head seemingly refusing to see logic. "It's your fault we've been hounded by that overgrown bat for the past five years! I just don't understand how you could overlook something so simple!"

"As I said, if you had simply reviewed your textbook rather than skimming it for instructions you would have found it, half the book is dedicated to it!"

Harry had to interject himself at this point before they tore each other apart. "That's enough both of you! Ron I was upset for all of about three seconds before I figured out that she had memorized it before we were even friends, if you and I hadn't been so thick headed we probably would have found it on our own. It is not her fault we don't know, this it's Snape's so put the blame where it belongs!"

Ron stood up and walked toward the door with a look of extreme betrayal. "Who's been your best mate for five years? Who have you been fucking for the last three months? Of course you would take her side!" Ginny got up and slapped him hard enough to leave a hand shaped welt on his cheek.

"You as well…" He started to say but Luna coughed politely getting his attention, his anger seemed to flee immediately as his words caught up to him. He looked over to see tears running down Hermione's face and the honest betrayal portrayed by Harry's.

"I… I'm sorry…" Ron suddenly did one thing that none of them had seen before. Tears began to leak from his eyes but he quickly turned for the door. "Look alright… I can't do this yet. I thought I could but I can't… I just need to be on my own for a while and clear my head. I'll see you in class and at Quidditch but I just can't hang out with you anymore…" He couldn't say any more so rather than drag out his goodbye he simply walked out of the door.

"Ron!" Hermione cried and tried to run for the door but Harry and Luna caught her and pulled her back toward the couch where she sat on Harry's lap and had a good long cry. "I can't believe he left… he just left." She kept repeating over and over.

Harry shushed her as he held her close still staring at the door where his former best friend had left him once again and tried not to concentrate on the feeling of his heart breaking. He was soon crying silent tears as he continued to comfort Hermione. "You didn't really like him anyway love… it will be okay."

She shook her head. "No Harry it won't be okay… I know how much his friendship means to you."

He wiped his tears and pulled her away from him so he could look her in the eye. "You mean more to me, I think you always have. Would it be nice to keep both of you? Of course, but if I had to choose this is how I would want it. I don't think he really meant it though, didn't you see the tears? Our relationship is really hard on him."

Luna chimed in as Ginny pulled Hermione away from Harry and onto the love seat where the older girl laid down with her head in Ginny's lap. "I'm sorry Harry, I thought I had gotten through to him… I just hope he hasn't done any permanent damage to himself."

Harry smiled at her and pulled her toward him to snuggle. "It's not your fault Luna, I told him I didn't know if I could take another betrayal, for now I am chalking this up to an argument and leaving it be. It was kind of hard to include him anyway with all of you in my life; maybe he just needs to find himself without being Harry Potter's sidekick or Hermione Granger's boyfriend. I'll still see him at Quidditch practice; I think this will be good for all of us in the end. No matter how much it hurts right now." The tears returned and he closed his eyes and turned away, trying to will the pain to stop.

Luna was having none of it however and turned him back to face her. "Harry you have to learn to deal with the pain, if you let it eat away at you the damage will be worse than you can imagine. I see…"

He was suddenly on alert. "What do you see Lu?" Hermione and Ginny had perked up as well although the former was still crying a bit, she was no longer bawling.

"I see pain Harry… please believe me when I tell you it is not your fault, or Ron's fault, or Susan's fault. This was going to happen anyway, I'm afraid fate may be up to her old tricks again."

Harry really did not like the sound of that. "I don't understand…"

"Neither do I Harry, I can't tell you what, where or when. Only that it is going to cause pain and that it isn't anyone's here's fault…" She had tears running down her face now as well and the mood had gone completely out the window. "I am going to return to the tower this evening, I think you two should stay with him tonight."

Ginny sat up a little straighter, "But I…"

"Please Ginny?" Hermione asked from her lap.

"Please Gin? I just want to hold you, we don't have to be more intimate." Harry asked from the other couch, he still had tear tracks on his face, which finally broke down her walls. She nodded and Luna kissed him once more before heading from the room as well leaving the three to console each other over the loss of Ron.

*************************SFTP************************

A night with the two women he knew he could count on through anything had done wonders for all three of them and the pain and fear of the night before was nearly erased by the time Harry and Hermione made their way to Potions Wednesday morning. Ron had sat with Dean and Seamus across from Lavender and Parvati at breakfast and had traveled with that group to the morning's lesson.

The fifth years having a free period that morning escorted them down the stairs to the Potions Dungeon before quickly looking around and giving him twin kisses on the cheek and running away giggling. Ron rolled his eyes as he shouldered past them into the room, Hermione ignoring the sleight, followed him with slight smile on her lips. The dungeon was noticeably brighter, almost sparkling and clean. Gone were the jars of pickled or preserved flotsam and jetsam and in their place were more pleasant looking potions on the shelves. At the front of the room were three bubbling cauldrons and Harry could smell a mixture of strawberry, almond, and grass… it suddenly hit him that the room smelled the way that Gabrielle used to. Overall the room seemed to welcome him rather than be foreboding as it had in years past. However as Harry walked in a voice called out from the front of the room. "Milord, a word at my desk if you please?"

Harry sighed and sat his bag down at the table beside Hermione before walking to the head of the room and an impatient looking Slughorn. "Yes Professor?"

"Lord Black I hope you will forgive me but I am still earning the respect of my house, I will have to pretend to be cross with you from time to time. However you can rest assured that the son of Lilly Evans is more than welcome in my potions class." Harry had no clue what to say to that so he just nodded. "I also noticed that little display of affection outside of my door… I think a point for each of you should suffice don't you think?"

"I'm sorry sir, don't you mean a point from each of us?" He asked in confusion.

Slughorn placed a finger against his nose and winked before raising his voice. "If you must argue with me Milord I am afraid that will be two points each rather than one. Do not press me!" A very confused Harry made his way back to his seat where Hermione's look was begging for answers.

"Later." He whispered and she nodded as the bell rang.

After class Ron would not stop talking to Seamus about the potion Harry had received and kept missing the looks Harry would shoot his way asking him to drop it before Hermione blew her top, all the while he was fingering the little vile of liquid gold in his pocket. Finally it was too much and she let him have it ending up with Ron storming away and a fuming Hermione turning her anger on Harry before promptly guilt tripping herself for venting at him and crying into his shoulder. He wanted to comfort her more, in fact he nearly dragged her into a broom closet but she pulled away before he got the chance, which although it frustrated him immensely seemed to brighten her mood. Harry hoped wherever Ron was he was working on his potions homework to avoid the wrath of Mione when they eventually made up again.

Harry was able to catch a quick kiss from Luna in the Potions corridor as she headed for class before heading upstairs to his suite. For the next hour they worked on their essays together, occasionally consulting on some point or another. It amazed Harry how much easier it all was now that he understood which ingredient did what and how they reacted to each other. It was as if a whole new world of magic had been opened up to him and he wondered idly if Snape had been intentionally making the subject unfathomable to generations of students. Once they were done with that they both settled on the couch where she pulled out her Defense textbook to study up for the next period. Harry on the other hand pulled out his recently acquired Potions text.

"You really shouldn't trust those notes Harry. I am not trying to be a nag but honestly, what if those directions had caused your potion to blow up in your face today?" She commented.

He sighed. "Mione I don't know why but I trust this guy…" She made as if to interrupt but he beat her to it, "Fine, guy or girl… trust this person. The notes just made sense to me. Slughorn said my mum was a prodigy in Potions, what if this is her textbook?"

She looked at him with sad eyes. "Harry your mum isn't a half-blood right?" He sighed and shook his head. "And as far as you know you aren't related to royalty on your mothers side?" He shook his head again.

"I don't really know much about my mum's family except that Petunia hates her for being special, and by extension, hates all of magic. She could have been related to royalty…"

Hermione shook her head. "Putting aside the fact that your mum is Muggleborn, I'm afraid you also do not refer to female heirs as Prince but rather Princess. I'm sorry Harry but that argument just doesn't add up. For all you know that could be a Death Eaters notebook."

"Didn't you just negate your own argument as to the gender of said author?"

Hermione was speechless for a moment, "Fine, Perhaps Prince is not a title, maybe it's a name?"

He sighed and returned to reading the book in question. "So far he… sorry they do not feel like a Death Eater. I promise not to experiment too much all right, but the notes are still interesting. And I will have you know that it actually made sense to add the counter-clockwise stir."

"How did that make sense?" She asked suddenly very interested.

He placed the book on the couch and leaned toward her placing a hand on her knee. "In any other potion, when you add ground Wormwood the directions tell you to stir counter-clockwise, according to the PIIT it has something to do with turning back time, the directions for this potion seemed to ignore that altogether since most of the other ingredients call for clockwise stirring."

Hermione's eyes were a bit glazed and her breathing had quickened. Her lips were a bit puffier than usual and she was biting her bottom lip as she kept glancing at his. Finally she spoke, "That is an amazing bit of logic Harry… The counter-clockwise stir is used when the Wormwood is not fresh cut… which of course it almost never is, especially in school." She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths; he noticed her grip tighten on her textbook before relaxing. He realized she was using Occlumency.

"You know…" He said breathily as he leaned in and whispered in her ear. "You don't have to calm yourself down, Luna invited you to share after all." He placed his book down on the couch and slid toward her placing his hand on her thigh. She didn't open her eyes so he leaned in once again as he slowly trailed his fingers upward toward her hip. "We have a little while left before Defense… how about we have a little drink…"

The bell rung alerting them to the fact they had fifteen minutes and giving Hermione an excuse to jump away. "Come along Mr. Potter, we haven't time to dawdle and besides, you got to see your girlfriend after Potions, I would like to see mine before Defense." With that she gathered her book bag and textbook and fled the room. Harry followed quickly after groaning loudly in protest of being interrupted.