Sorry for the delay...computer broke down...uni started and assignment popped out of nowhere...back into it now and we;re cruisin'!

Hope you like...

Chapter 14: Unexpected Help.

"Dumbledore obviously talked to Ginny! But what could he have said to her? I don't understand."

Harry had been thinking about this for days. He had kissed Ginny, a Gryffindor, despite the enmities. And now, when he met her in the corridors, she wouldn't say or do anything, she'd just look him in the eyes for a couple of seconds and keep walking. Her gaze had changed as well; it was more understanding and compassionate. Obviously Dumbledore told her something. It seemed to Harry like they knew something he didn't. It was quite frustrating actually.

"Is she expecting something from me?" he wondered.

She was wasting her time. He wouldn't commit to her. He kissed her once, ok. No need to make a big deal out of it. As always, Harry reasoned with himself and suppressed his emotions. He was getting better at it by the minute, 14 years of practice makes more than perfect!

Of course, Harry then spent more hours studying and researching for his great assignment. He would spend most of his time in the Room of Requirements; no one would bother him there. With Lucius' help, he managed to draw up a plan of the Ministry of Magic and the Department of Mysteries. He was pretty much set; he only had a couples of things to figure out. How was he going to get in without being seen? The place is guarded day and night! Harry could make some Polyjuice Potion, but he'd have to keep it somewhere where no one would find it for a whole month; or it would raise some questions. The answer came to him at Christmas.

Harry usually doesn't get presents for Christmas; but when he woke up that morning, there was a package at the end of his bed. Harry was quite surprised at first; then he became suspicious. He thought maybe someone was pulling a prank on him; he didn't like it at all. There was a note on the package; he figured that would be safe to open.

"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well."

There was no name. Someone mentioned his father; that wasn't funny. People should know by now he doesn't like his parents to be mentioned to him. What was this all about? He tore of the wrapping and found: a cloak. Strange gift this is… He tried it on and looked at himself in the mirror. All he could see was his head! He jumped and dropped the cloak to the floor. Harry returned to the mirror to make sure his body was still there, and gave a sigh of relief. So it wasn't a dark object after all; just a cloak that makes you invisible. Cool! He knew how to get to the Department of Mysteries now. Talk about good timing!

The only thing left for Harry to do now was find a spell to distract the guard so he wouldn't notice the doors opening and closing. He went through many spell books but found nothing.

At the beginning of February, there was a new Hogsmeade trip. At breakfast, that very morning, Harry got a note in the post.

"That's funny" he thought. "I never get mail."

He unrolled the parchment and read:

Potter,

Please see me in my office today before leaving for Hogsmeade.

Professor Snape

Harry wondered what the professor could want with him on a Saturday morning. He did all of his homework! Maybe it was about Quidditch…

After breakfast, Harry made his way to the dungeons and headed for the Professors' office.

"Come in" said a voice after he had knocked on the door.

"You wanted to see me Professor?" Harry asked.

"Indeed. Please close the door behind you. We don't want anyone to hear." Snape replied.

"Right" said Harry, having no clue what this was about.

Harry sat in front of Professor Snape's desk and asked:

"So what is this about Professor?"

"The Dark Lord informed me you have a task at hand and you might need some help."

Harry was taken aback. I mean, he heard from Malfoy that Snape was a Death-Eater; they just had never talked about it. This came as quite a shock.

"How's the planning coming along?" he added.

"Fine Sir" Harry finally blurted out. "I just need to find a spell now. That proves more difficult than I expected"

"What kind of spell were you looking for?" asked Snape curiously.

"Well, I need to get past the guard without him noticing me and raising the alarm. I know how to pass him without being seen; I'm just not sure how to get through the door without him seeing it opening and shutting. It's not like I could walk right through it! Do you know what would help Professor?"

"Walk right through it?" he asked, more to himself than to Harry. He seemed in deep thought. "Maybe…" he added. "I might have just the thing for you Potter". He made his way towards the book shelves behind his desk and started scanning through his books.

"This should be it" he finally said; pulling out a thick book with a purple cover. It looked like a very dark book to Harry.

"What is it Professor?" Harry attempted.

"I know of a Potion that changes your body's substance." He said while flipping the pages. "Instead of flesh and bones, you become hollow, like a shell. Your skin turns into some kind of air, like a ghost. You could just walk through all those doors in the Department of Mysteries. Here it is!" he said, his finger was scanning down the page he had stopped at. Yes, this is perfect". A smile was spread across his face.

"But Sir" said Harry. "I discarded the Polyjuice Potion idea because I had no where to brew it without raising suspicions. How is this any different?"

"I'll make the potion for you, here in my office. No one will be suspicious; it is my job after all. The Polyjuice Potion was a good idea though Potter; but too much fuss if you ask me. Impersonating someone means you have to learn their habits and so on. This will be much easier; trust me.

"Thanks Professor" said Harry. He suddenly felt relieved, yet was slightly troubled. He was all set for his task; but it was all so easy. It seemed whenever he had an obstacle, something would bring him the solution straight away. He was wondering if someone wasn't going out of their way to make it easy for him.

"The Dark Lord will be glad to hear of your progress Potter" said Snape.

"Thank you sir" Harry replied. He felt a sense of pride run through him; which instantly discarded the uneasy feeling he had. "How long before the potion is ready?"

"Two months" said Snape. "I will inform you when it is ready. You should go now. I don't believe you want to miss the trip to Hogsmeade."

"No sir" Harry replied. He made his way to the entrance hall where Malfoy was waiting for him.

"Where've you been Potter? Were you making out with Pansy again? That girl has you whipped man!"

Harry smiled at the thought.

"No Malfoy. I was just talking with Snape."

"Why?" asked Malfoy.

"He's helping me with an assignment" Harry emphasized that word hoping Malfoy would get the hint. Thank god he did

"Ooooooh! How far along are you?" Malfoy was eager to hear more.

"Almost there. Come on, let's get out of here. I want to have myself some fun."

Malfoy grinned; and to Hogsmeade they went.