Chapter 6. This is who we are

…xXx…

Harry could hardly wait for his first DADA lesson. The tension was killing him. The confrontation no doubt waiting to come was making his bones ache. He needed it. He would put Umbridge in her place, soundly.

Maybe I'll even do it in front of the class…

Harry eventually got up and made his way towards potions – his first class of the day. The blow up earlier with Ron was the talk of Hogwarts for the most part and for that Harry was thankful, it's not everyday someone over takes the famous Harry Potter for the star of the day. He still received many more strange looks but just sneered at the ones he found to be a little to annoying.

Harry found it fulfilling when Hermione burst into tears and Ron still acted like nothing was wrong. He was extremely surprised nobody managed to curse him for the way he was speaking.

Che, if I still cared about Granger as much as I used to I probably would have cursed the moron.

These ideas just reinforced his confidence of what was to come. They were weak. Sheep waiting for the inevitable slaughter. But it doesn't have to be like this. Harry honestly knew it wasn't necessary, most people need not perish. Only the headstrong ones would need to be put down. The rest could step aside and join the Dark Lord.

Harry's body acted seemingly of its own accord sending him to the dungeons where he found a red eyed and puffy faced Hermione holding on tightly to her potions book. Harry had a feeling she was there waiting for him so he tried to get past her without alerting her. It didn't work.

"Harry…" She choked out, her voice was rather horse.

Harry turned his attention towards her slowly not paying her much mind. "Yes?" He spoke in the same bored tone.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Harry raised a curious eyebrow and took a peak into her mind. He truly had no clue to what she was sorry about. Was it what Ron had said? The way she had been acting?

I shouldn't have listened to them… Any of them, including Dumbledore! They all separated me from my best friend. And now he probably hates me for it.

"It's alright, I suppose. I should be the one apologizing as well." Hermione gazed at Harry curiously and fearfully. "I overheard Ron talking to himself at Grimmauld Place," Harry lied smoothly. "The things I heard him say about me… well let's just say that I didn't want to be friends with someone like him anymore. I had no idea he felt that away about you though."

"I'm still sorry. They – all of them – wanted me, told me not to write to you. Security reasons they said. Ron, well he just wanted me all to himself."

"Who exactly told you to keep me out of the loop?" Harry asked curiously. This could be the inside information needed in turning these people.

"Well Ron for one of course. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were all set on listening to Dumbledore. Sirius would have written to you had he been able to get a message to you – he wasn't allowed to use any means of communication. Professor Lupin wasn't too ecstatic but eventually gave in to the demands. Honestly most of the others didn't seem too happy about leaving you all alone and without any information."

Harry nodded listening to every word of Hermione's speech.

So, they're not all happy with the Great Albus Dumbledore. I wonder what they would say if they knew who he used to be. Used to be, Harry mentally scoffed at his own momentary ignorance. Still is!

Harry was going to reply when more students begun pouring through the hallways. "We will certainly talk about this later," Harry stated to a nodding Hermione. Harry tried to give her a reassuring smile before entering the room.

Harry was going to sit down at the desk nearest to the back but Snape interrupted him.

"Not so fast, Potter," Snape said silkily. Harry was glad to hear his voice lacked the normal bark or loathing in it. "Due to recent events," he spoke sneering in the area Harry knew Ron to be in. "the Headmaster saw fit for us to mingle, if you will."

Snape then tapped the attendance chart then the blackboard. At once pairs of names appeared on the board together.

Draco Malfoy – Pansy Parkinson

Gregory Goyle – Neville Longbottom

Vincent Crabbe – Seamus Finnegan

Blaise Zabini – Hermione Granger

Theodore Nott – Parvati Patil

Tracey Davis – Dean Thomas

Millicent Bullstrode – Lavender Brown

Daphne Greengrass – Harry Potter

Ronald Weasley.

Harry would have laughed at Ron's predicament but he figured the thick headed boy probably liked it this way better. He would rather fail potions – which he no doubt would without help – than ask a Slytherin of all people for help.

Harry noticed all the people searching out their partners and found himself stuck between two people. He knew his partner was a girl and had a clear vision of what Bullstrode and Parkinson looked like, but these two, well he couldn't put the names to the faces.

The one on the left had a blank cold look on her face while the one to the right looked a tad more cheerful. Both, Harry noticed, had the typical Slytherin aristocratic look. Harry would also be lying if he said they weren't gorgeous.

The girl on the left was around two inches taller than the girl on the right standing around five four. She had jet black hair currently pulled into a high ponytail and sea green eyes Harry had thought he may have seen somewhere before. The shorter female had brown hair which she let hang and went down to her mid back and her eyes were the same color brown as her hair. The black haired girl was slender and looked agile but still curvy from what Harry could see through the robes she was wearing. The shorter brunette looked much more voluptuous.

Harry also noticed quickly that the brown haired girl was rather busty. Had the old Harry noticed this he would have no doubt blushed like mad. But this new and improved version took it in stride. Harry, from listening to a few conversations the night before knew it could only be one person.

"You're Daphne Greengrass and your Tracey Davis," Harry spoke pointing to his partner first – the raven haired girl.

Listening to Seamus last night had paid of it seemed. As it turned out the talk between the four other boys quickly turned into which female in their year had the nicest breasts…The title was easily won by Hufflepuff's Susan Bones followed closely by Lavender Brown of Gryffindor although Tracey Davis of Slytherin got a recommendation. Harry felt like strangling Ron and Seamus as they went on and on about them. Ron even managed to impress Seamus with his adventurous tales between himself and Hermione.

Not anymore… Harry thought to himself victoriously.

"And how do you know that, Harry?" Dean asked while hiding a smirk.

Harry glared at the dark skinned boy before turning his attention back to his partner. "I've seen her eyes before," he spoke calmly and truthfully. Sure it wasn't the reason he put the puzzle together but meh.

"Really?" She questioned coolly. She most likely thought Harry had figured it out through the means of Tracey's bosom.

"Yes," Harry answered in the same tone. "That is, if your father is Hyperion Greengrass. Am I correct in assuming that?" Harry watched with amusement as Daphne's eyes widened and a slight blush crept up her neck.

"You would be correct," answered Tracey. "Now, Mr. Thomas, I believe we need to find seats," she said taking Dean by the arm towards the middle of the class where there were two free seats.

"Well, Greengrass. Looks like this is us," Harry spoke motioning towards an empty set up towards the back of the classroom. Daphne nodded briskly trying to hide her embarrassment. They made their way towards the desk – Tracey and Dean directly in the seats behind them with Blaise and Hermione directly in front.

Once they were seated Snape launched into speech. Harry had been expecting the O.W.L speech and paid the potions master little attention. Gazing curiously around the room Harry found some sights. Neville looked stuck between horrified and slightly sick while Hermione looked horrified with a touch of impatience, obviously enthusiastic to take them.

Harry turned his attention back to Snape. "–And today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: if you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing." Harry saw Hermione sit up a little straighter, her expression one of utmost attention. "The ingredients and method -" Snape flicked his wand "- are on the blackboard -" (they appeared there) "- you will find everything you need —" he flicked his wand again "- in the store cupboard —" (the door of the said cupboard sprang open) "- you have an hour and a half… start."

"How come everybody else only has one cauldron on their desks?" Harry heard the voice of Ron ask.

"Five points from Gryffindor for speaking out of term, Weasley!" Snape barked right back. Harry didn't even need to look to know that Ron was fuming and Snape was sneering at the fool. "As I was saying… Since we are all working towards one goal of unity, the grades this year, side for your O.W.L's will be shared, with your partner of course." Harry heard several sharp intakes of breath. He also didn't need to look to see Daphne burning a hole in the side of his head. It was common knowledge Harry wasn't the best potioneer. "Like I said, this was the Headmaster's choice. Not mine. From what I understand there will also be several projects in your other classes this year as well. Now get to work!"

Harry turned to speak and noticed Daphne was already scurrying towards the potions cabinet. Harry just propped his head on his right hand and watched as half of the class was busy getting their supplies for them and their partners. Daphne was one of the first back quickly followed by Hermione.

"Ten points to Slytherin, Greengrass," Harry spoke after sitting up straight in his chair. Daphne just glared at Harry menacingly before pouring the required amount of water into their cauldron.

"Don't mess this up, Potter. Everyone knows how dreadful you are at potions. Before it was you and Weasley, but now, well, just don't mess up," she growled fiercely.

Harry rolled his eyes at her. While he had been terrible at potions, the blame didn't completely fall on him. Much of it fell on Ron, who was terrible at potions and Snape who was just plain terrifying when he wanted to be. "Don't worry, Greengrass, Snape and I have come to an agreement." Harry turned towards said professor. "Isn't that right Unky Sev?"

"Potter," Snape snarled quietly.

"Sorry," Harry muttered before turning his attention back to his potions partner. "See, with my new found friendship and you being a Slytherin were bound to get an O!"

"Whatever," Daphne grumbled while dumping in a teaspoon of powdered vanilla stem which gave the potion a bland taste – which was actually quite nice seeing that most potions tasted like liquefied dung-bomb.

Harry, while having new found confidence in himself and abilities still knew he wasn't the best potioneer in the room and didn't try to be one. He was content to chop and measure while Daphne did the calculating stirring and adding of the ingredients at the precise moments. Something Harry had rarely been able to do correctly with the constant threat of Malfoy chucking something into his cauldron or Snape breathing down his neck.

Harry wouldn't admit it to his partner, but she did look awfully cute while working on their potion. Her brow was constantly scrunched in deep thought and concentration while she nibbled on her lower lip in a way that had Harry wondering what it would be like to do that – to her lip… Her hair, much like the rest of the Slytherins didn't frizz or grease up due to the fumes – Harry would need to ask her about that – but a few strands had escaped and were currently falling into her face. The way she would constantly have to blow them out of her face, well, Harry thought it was the cutest thing ever. And this is coming from someone who had murdered six people in the last month.

"what … potter… POTTER!" Daphne snapped. Daphne had been trying to get Harry's attention for the past two minutes – little did she know that she was the only thing on his mind.

"You're adorable," Harry muttered not being able to stop himself.

Daphne flushed in embarrassment. She was a Slytherin. They weren't adorable, it was impossible! Slytherins were cold, calculating, menacing all the time and evil at least four days out of the month. Slytherins struck fear in the hearts of first year Hufflepuffs! They. Were. Not. Adorable!

"Potter, I'm warning you…" Daphne growled, her eye twitching dangerously.

"Hmm?" Harry mumbled with a dazed look on his face. "Oh, sorry," he grunted after coming back to Earth. "Well, it is true," Daphne's glare just intensified but Harry went on, "Just because you're a Slytherin," Harry paused for a moment, "it doesn't mean you have to be shut off from the rest of the world." Harry finished with a smile and while using his left hand tucked a piece of Daphne's raven hair behind her ear.

Daphne looked several things at once. Livid that a Gryffindor would talk to her and touch her… she was too shocked to process that he had actually touched her. Everyone knew that Slytherin's treated themselves like muggle roller coaster ride signs – keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times, or something like that.

Another part was positively beaming on the inside. Sure her family had always commented on her good looks and she knew she was pretty but no one side for Draco Malfoy – that she could remember – had commented on her appearance. Most Slytherins kept their thoughts to themselves. He of course had done it in the most obnoxious way possible. "Hey Greengrass, you're pretty, I'm pretty, let's go to the ball together." She of course denied the ponce and went to the ball with Blaise as a friend leaving Malfoy to go with Pansy the Pug Parkinson.

The comment Potter had made just made her all the happier. No one had ever dared to call her pretty side for someone she had no possible romantic interest in. While she knew it was partly her fault – as it was with most Slytherins – for keeping up the intimidating appearances it didn't dull the hurt that most of the school feared them.

It was just added to another reason the school didn't like the house of snakes. They kept to themselves and rarely if ever talked, let alone hung out with people out of their own house. This of course gave the morons of the schools the idea they were plotting a takeover.

Sighing to herself Daphne did her best to ignore the face she was blushing and went back to working on the potion. After a few minutes of non-stop work to their potion Daphne asked a question that had been nagging her. "How did you know who my father was?"

Looking up she could see Harry tense slightly but it was gone almost immediately as it had come. "I met him during the summer." Daphne raised her eyebrows slightly but didn't speak. There could be several reasons for a meeting with her father but only two at the moment came to her mind.

The first would most likely be Harry having to meet her father because of his position at the Ministry of Magic. While the Greengrass family wasn't as influential as say the Malfoy family at the moment they did have a voice. The other reason was obviously more… worrisome. She – as well as the rest of her family – knew what her father did during his free time.

Daphne hummed to herself for a moment before speaking. "Yes, I suppose you may have met with him after that warning you received over the summer." Daphne spoke this while making sure to keep her firm gazed locked on Harry.

Said boy gave no indication that anything was going on. "Oh no. It was nothing like that. You see, before school began I was invited to Malfoy Manor." Daphne tensed slightly the moment the words had left his mouth. "Your father was there as were several other important people."

"Really?" Daphne whispered – her throat suddenly dry.

"Yes," he replied just as quietly then looked to see Daphne looking pale and could see the gears turning in her head. Obviously the Dark Lord made sure to keep his servants quiet and it had worked. Daphne clearly thought Harry would in some way implicate her father in his kidnapping or something else devious. "Don't worry. He was one of the kinder people at the event."

"Was he?" She asked with a slightly shaky voice.

Harry closed his eyes and nodded before mentally smirking. "He didn't even raise his wand at me." Harry nearly doubled over with laughter when he heard Daphne make an odd gurgling noise.

"When exactly did this party take place?" Daphne questioned when she was sure her voice was under control again.

"I believe it took place after his Leader led them all to another party. The first party I heard was ruined when Ministry officials showed up though…"

The little confidence Daphne had regained quickly slipped away. If he was talking about what she thought he was then he had been captured by Death Eaters the day of the Azkaban Breakout which hadn't been made public yet to the masses. It also happened to have happened less than a week ago. How he had gotten away and was looking the way he did was beyond her. If she didn't know better she would say he was lying.

"Time!" Snape shouted from the front of the class. "One potion per pair. Now!"

Daphne once again volunteered to get up and do the footwork. Harry sat back in his chair and gazed around the room. Malfoy was once again sending him a knowing look. Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at the blonde. Most of Slytherin house probably knew thanks to Snape about the lessons they would be receiving on the seventh floor and of course Malfoy knew who their teacher would be.

Probably spreading rumors he was given personal lessons as well… Harry thought with a snort.

…xXx…

Harry was eating lunch outside in what little remaining warmth there was. Ginny was invited but Hermione had taken it upon herself to join him and Harry couldn't just boot the girl for fear of earning an audience or possibly raising more suspicions. Ron knew better than to try. He was already seen hanging around with Seamus and Dean. Harry could care less.

Hermione had been able to answer several questions Harry actually had nagging him. It was mainly the older members who were more loyal to the Order that listened to Dumbledore without question. They all eventually followed his orders but a few weren't as understanding. Remus was sadly, a firm supporter of Dumbledore's law.

Harry threw down a piece of his sandwich in disgust. He's a bloody werewolf and he thinks listening to Dumbledore's every word will save him! He'd probably down a glass of water with silver shavings if Dumbledore told him it would help their cause.

Another member Harry was interested in was Nymphadora Tonks. She had the rare ability of being a metamorph and that was something he didn't want to waste. She was also related to Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. Whom Harry knew to be completely insane, lacking in the morals department and deadly with a wand. The metamorph, however, was smitten with the wolf and would follow him into a Death Eater attack if he as so much as looked at her bits.

"Speaking of bits," Harry mumbled.

"What was that?" Hermione asked him quickly.

"Hey, Cho," Harry said in a carrying voice. Cho Chang stood not too far away with her perpetual bodyguard Marietta Edgecombe.

"Hello, Harry!" She replied brightly.

Harry got up and – to the shock of Hermione – gave the pretty Asian a hug. This wasn't a 'Hey I don't like being touched' hug that she was used to seeing him initiate. This was an 'Oh my, I sure like the feel of you' hug.

"These robes really don't do you justice, Cho," Harry teased her.

"Disgusting." Harry heard Ginny hiss in Parseltongue, he was the only one.

With a blush, Cho replied, "You don't look so bad yourself, Harry."

Harry gave a lopsided grin that would weaken Irma Prince's knees while twirling a piece of Cho's shiny, dark hair. "I know there isn't a Hogsmeade trip for a while but I was wondering if you would join me?"

Cho blushed even harder but smiled nonetheless. "Of course."

"Harry!"

Harry turned to see Hermione looking at him disapprovingly. "What," he snarled. When she blushed in embarrassment he became angrier. "You're going to stand there and interrupt me, for what? So we can get to class on time. Where was all this bossiness when I was stranded with the muggles?"

"Harry, I… I – "

"No!" He snapped. "The Harry you knew before you abandoned him is gone, Granger," he growled. "I'm getting sick and tired of you acting like you know the secrets to the bloody universe! So do me a favor, keep your mouth shut when the conversation doesn't concern you."

Harry smiled nastily at the person who had been his best friend at one time. "We're going to be for Defense." And with that she turned and left.

Harry was surprised to see Cho, Ginny and Marietta still standing where they were. Marietta looked like she didn't really care. Ginny looked as though she found the entire scene amusing and Cho looked positively horrified.

Calming himself, Harry spoke, "Don't blame yourself, Cho. I'm getting sick and tired of her and others trying to dictate what I do with myself and in my spare time. If I want to talk to you and in turn wind up being late to that joke of a class then so be it! But now, I need to get to Defense!"

…xXx…

"Wands away, class." Harry nearly gaged at the sound of her voice.

Delores Jane Umbridge.

He nearly cursed her where she stood. She was just so… so irritating. Like a piece of fabric hanging off you're sleeve or a drip that you couldn't fix.

She was also an asset.

She was – at the moment – an important figurehead of the Ministry, had connections and was sympathetic to the current Death Eater cause. When Voldemort rose again she might even have a position of power.

If the Dark Lord wants her, I'll let her live. If she annoys me too much I will plead my case to be her executioner.

Harry could only shake his head as she went on and on about their course goals. She was such a tool it wasn't funny. But she was an important tool. She had her own following of bigoted housewives that could and would spare some coin when it became necessary. They were the older brand of Death Eaters. 'Purebloods are brilliant and that's the only way of life.' The new generation would take over but until that time came people like her were needed to shake the hands and wipe the noses.

She's also loyal. That much is obvious. When the Dark Lord finally takes over the Ministry she will be loyal to our cause, that much is certain. Her only problem right now is surviving till then. 'Cause right now she's getting a Troll in Annoying Harry.

"Mr. Potter, it seems you aren't paying attention," she said in an overly girlish voice. Harry shuddered slightly.

"No, Professor, I wasn't. I find your way of teaching insulting. Even if there is or isn't a certain Dark Lord out there you should still be teaching us defensive magic instead of having us read from a horrendous book."

Harry mentally tallied a point in his favor when a disgusting shade of maroon made its way onto her cheeks. "Very well, Mr. Potter. I believe a detention tonight is in order for a comment like that."

"You would be correct in saying that as I have just disrespected your teaching and choice of course action. I do not take back what I said though and I stand by what I say. Minister Fudge is a fool who is drunk on his own power and you are a sheep he sent here to further his goals. I mean what kind of fool really thinks Dumbledore is building an army?" As much as Harry despised Dumbledore one thing he knew to be true was Dumbledore's ambition. He wanted power, yes, but he didn't wanted people to know just how powerful he was. He wanted the Minister in his pocket yet he didn't want to be the Minister himself. He wanted the savior of the Wizarding world as his pupil yet he didn't want to train that pupil. He wanted to be the vanquisher of Voldemort yet he didn't want to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"How dare you!" Umbridge screeched – breaking Harry from his thoughts. Harry turned his amused gaze to her face and smirked.

"It's easy since what I've said was true."

Calming herself, a wide smile stretched across Umbridge's face. "I believe a week's worth of detention is in order. We mustn't have you telling lies."

Harry shrugged. "I quit the Quiditch team and I don't have classes at night so by all means if it makes you feel, important…" Harry mentally smiled. Snape sure is wearing off on me...

Umbridge gave an odd spluttering cough. "Very well, as I was saying…"

Harry droned her out and completely ignored the looks he was getting from the class.

Probably thought – no hoped – I would yell and scream about how Voldemort murdered Cedric in cold blood… Idiots, he scoffed.

…xXx…

Harry waited for the right moment before speaking.

"Listen, no, do not interrupt me," he snapped. "You're either with me or you're not. And frankly I'm getting sick and tired of your bossy nature. I ain't Ron, Hermione. I don't need someone to hold my hand." Hermione blushed before moving to speak but Harry cut across her. "I'm not finished yet. You need to know what I said before earlier I meant every word of it. The Harry you could boss around is gone and frankly I don't need you anymore," he finished with a small smirk.

"What do you mean, you don't need me?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You can cut the act, Hermione. Being bossy all the time, always making us work. You need to feel needed. You think that I – and when Ron was around – wanted you for this," he said waving a piece of parchment. "I don't and frankly never did. Ron however, is a moron."

"It's just that I – "

"I know. You didn't have any friends before you met me and didn't think you would last long if you didn't have something to put in. I was famous, Ron was supposed to be funny and relief while you were the horse." Looking down, she nodded. Harry crossed his arms and sighed. "I'll tell you something. I never had friends either growing up. The difference between me and you is they were torn away from me while you pushed yours away. You need to make your decision before this friend gets tired of the lectures." When she nodded he turned to leave. "I've got a detention to go to. Don't wait up."

…xXx…

"Come in, Mr. Potter."

Harry entered the room and took a seat before being told to do so. He dropped his bag on the floor – making sure to let it clang loudly – before huffing.

"So…"

"So, Mr. Potter, I believe it is time for you to stop telling nasty lies," Umbridge spoke in a false sweet voice. Harry wished she would just start croaking already.

Harry gave her a smile before leaning forward on his forearms and speaking. "We both know I'm not lying. You know as well as I do the Dark Lord has returned. We both also know that Azkaban was attacked barely a week ago." Harry gave her a sneer worthy of Snape. "And if you keep annoying me when he comes back into the fold – which will be soon, mind you – I will make sure he lets me kill you, slowly."

Harry tallied off another victory when he saw a flicker of fear shoot across her face. "Is that so?" She croaked – in a voice Harry thought suited her much better.

"Yes," he whispered, "and if you keep treating me like a child I will make Madam Bones' murder look like child splay. You need to decide, Delores. Where does your loyalty lie? Surely not Dumbledore and Hogwarts so is it the Ministry or the Dark Lord." Harry got back up and grabbed his things. "Because soon one will fall to the other and you won't be given a choice. I'll see to that."

"Wait!" Harry turned around to see Umbridge looking positively terrified. "How do I know you aren't just lying?"

"Good point." Harry scratched his chin in thought before smiling. "Speak with Lucius Malfoy if you must. He will give you all of the information you may need. If you're lucky you may even get a special pass to meet the Dark Lord."

"Now, now… There's no need for that."

"Coward," he spat before laying down his guidelines. "You will leave me be. Are we clear?"

"Yes," she whispered.

A light bulb suddenly went off in Harry's head. "You will make it your new job to give Ronald Weasley detention as much as possible without drawing suspicion."

The nasty smile on her face was back. "Very well."

…xXx…

Nearly a week after his detention Harry found himself at the front of a classroom – his silver mask on along with his Hogwarts' robes – that had been created by the Room of Requirement. He must have looked a sight wearing his Death Eater mask and Gryffindor robes. Ginny stood next to him – her mask on as well as her Gryffindor robes.

"Two Gryffindorks are going to be teaching us?" Drawled Draco Malfoy knowing very well who was going to be teaching them. His question drew sniggers from the crowd of gathered students.

Harry rolled his emerald eyes but didn't speak as he gazed at the crowd silently. Most of the Slytherins were there – as he had suspected. There were no other Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs but there was a single Ravenclaws. Marietta Edgecombe whom Harry knew to be friendly with Cho. Although Harry wouldn't admit it he was disappointed when he didn't find any sea green eyes in the crowd.

"Yes, Malfoy," Harry drawled right back. "Two Gryffindors who have been personally taught by the Dark Lord will be teaching you the ins and outs." The crowd quieted immediately as Harry drew a piece of parchment and long black quill. "You will all sign this or I will make you sign it. It is a take on the Fidelius charm. Instead of hiding a location inside of someone we have hid this entire operation. This parchment is only a branch of the real thing, meaning anyone outside of the school who is supposed to know about it already does."

"What happens if we tell the secret?" An ignorant fourth year asked.

"You obviously know nothing of the Fidelius charm," Harry snapped at the boy before composing himself. "You can't tell the secret as none of you will become the secret keeper. I am the secret keeper and in turn only I can tell people about it without having to invite more people to the secret," Harry explained. "If you're friends get curious about what you're doing you will send them to Professor Snape for evaluation. If they pass the test and are deemed worthy of our cause I will allow them to join us. If not they will be obliviated and you will never speak with them of this again."

"How come you didn't just curse the parchment?" Another face whom Harry couldn't put a name to asked.

"There's really no point. Now the secret will never get out and if I find you trying to get it out I will personally make you pay."

"Are you going to tell us who you are or not?" Asked Draco Malfoy.

"Draco," Pansy Parkinson simpered. "I thought you already know who is teaching us."

Draco looked slightly revolted at the faces Pansy was making but still answered her. "I do," he said with a smirk. "I just wanted to know if he had the courage to show us."

Not wasting any more time Harry dispelled the charm holding his mask in place and let it fall.

"Potter!"

"It's Potter!"

"I knew he was dark!"

"Really, where?" Harry asked sarcastically throwing a look over his shoulder.

"Draco, you knew Potter would be teaching us all along?"

"Yes, he did," Harry answered. "He found out the day we sacked Azkaban." At some of their shocked faces he smirked. "I see not all of you are in the loop. Azkaban was liberated several days ago. The Ministry doesn't deem it important enough to let the public know of this," Harry concluded with a sneer.

"So what's our first lesson going to be?" Theodore Nott questioned.

"Oh, it will be a very special lesson indeed." Harry reached into the pocket of his robe and withdrew a jar.

"Is that what, no wait, who I think it is?" Malfoy asked.

"Yes it is, Mr. Malfoy." Harry smiled nastily at the jar as he shook it a few times. Rita Skeeter was not a happy beetle.

"Someone want to fill me in?" A curious upper year asked.

"Rita Skeeter is an un-registered animagus. Hermione found and captured her before the school year ended. Apparently in the confusion she forgot about poor Rita here. When I found her a month or so later she was nearly starved to death and severely dehydrated."

"So?"

"So… She knows too much."

"Huh?"

"Malfoy you really are a moron." Malfoy flushed in embarrassment while several others sniggered at the boy. "I am going to show you all a few things I've learned."

With a swish of his wand Harry had dispelled the unbreakable charm on the jar and tossed it onto the ground, shattering it. The moment her freedom seemed at its highest possibility Rita transformed and made a run for it. With another flick Rita was stiff as a board and silent.

"This is a charm I have found very useful over the past month." Harry smirked at the crowd before turning his wand on Rita and pointing it right between her eyes, "Obliviate!" The crowd gasped as Harry poured much more magic than was needed into the spell. Harry lowered his wand after he dispelled the previous spells he had placed on Rita. "What's your name?

"My name?" She asked curiously. "Hmm. You know, I'm not sure."

"I'm going to give you some information now. Are you ready?" When she smiled and nodded Harry smirked back. "My name is James, my favorite color is blue and my favorite number is seven. You got all of that?"

"Yup," she replied cheerfully.

"Obliviate," Harry spoke once more. Harry waited for a few moments for her focus to come back. "What's my name?"

"James."

"What's my favorite color?"

"Red."

"What's my favorite number?"

"Hmm," she replied deep in thought. "I'm not sure."

"Stupefy." Harry stunned her before turning her attention back to students who were watching him. "Now that the practical part is over for now I will explain. Can anyone figure out what I did?"

"You obliviated her." That earned Draco a stinging hex to the thigh.

"Yes, I did. First I figured this would go much easier if I had a clean canvas."

"And by clean canvas you meant wiping her of all her memories?" An incredulous Blaise Zabini questioned.

"Exactly. From her position she had been able to listen in on several important conversations. I couldn't just let her walk away with the information she knew so I decided to use her in our lesson. I could of used a first year Hufflepuff but Rita really gets on my nerves. Now the second part of what I did was give her a bit of information, then I quizzed her. Can anybody figure out what I did after that?"

"You left some of her memories the same and erased others?"

"Yes and no. I left the memory of my name, erased the memory of my favorite number and changed the memory of my favorite color." There was an impressed chorus of 'oooh' around the room. "Yes, I know, it was impressive. A memory charm is an important spell to have in your arsenal. You may not think it is but trust me when I say it is. When you can't just get rid of someone it helps to be able to get rid of what they know." Harry paused to survey the crowd. Simply put, they were hanging on his every word. "Now, memory charms can be broken by several means. Pain and torture is one." Quick as a flash Harry turned his wand on Rita. "Enervate, Crucio!"

The crowd gasped as Harry held the reporter under the torture curse. They did not move nor question him on his methods though. They simply endured Rita's screams and pleas of mercy.

Harry cut off the curse and kneeled so he was face to face with the gaunt-faced woman. "Now," he shouted, "What's my favorite number?"

Her eyes widened to an impossible size while her face drained of what little color it had. Harry raised an eyebrow before asking in a deadly whisper, "What is my favorite number?"

"Fiv – "

Harry slashed his wand through the air with speed only a few could match. Rita's head bounced off the floor as if she had been backhanded. "Do not guess," Harry snarled. "Use your worthless brain," he spat.

"Se-seven," she whispered. This earned her a smirk and another stunning spell.

"How did you know she didn't just guess it correctly?" One of the few females in the room asked.

Harry smiled brightly, which scared the wits out of several people. "With another way of breaking a memory charm, Legilimency."

"But you didn't say anything, nor did you use your wand!"

Harry pointed his entire left hand at the boy who had made the comment and wiggled his fingers for show before lifting him with a little wandless magic. "I'm not amazing yet, but I can do a little. And breaking into the mind of someone with no mental shields is as easy as snatching the snitch from under Malfoy's nose. A powerful enough probe can break through the strongest of memory charms."

"So why exactly did you torture her?"

"Motivation. Her mind was working so hard her past thoughts were able to surface slightly. She had no clue that they were there but I could see them with my probe. She did guess the number but it was an educated guess. It was the first number that popped into her head and she simply knew it was right. She didn't know why but she just knew."

"You know," Malfoy spoke, in a carrying voice. "I figured we would be learning curses and advanced dueling skills. Not how to memory charm reporters." There was a murmur agreement at this causing Harry to scowl.

"Well, go on then."

"Huh?"

"Get your wand out and curse me, Malfoy."

Malfoy arrogantly drew his wand and took a spot on the dueling platform that the room had created for them. A large dueling dummy had come to the center and acted as their referee. The duel began.

It wasn't even fair.

"Stupefy!" Malfoy shouted loudly.

Harry stood in place and snapped off a silent shield that devoured the stunner. With another wave Harry dispelled the shield and returned fire with a disarming charm.

"Protego!" Malfoy roared. The scarlet jet of light ate right through Malfoy's poorly performed shield and tore his wand out of his grasp and into Harrys.

"Now," Harry spoke loudly, above the whispers. "That right there was several lessons for you all. One is that no matter how loud you yell or say the words nothing will change." Harry sent Malfoy a meaningful look. "Intent makes the spells stronger, remember that. Next, shields don't always work. It is better to dodge and use shields as a backup plan if truly necessary. Some spells can't even be blocked so that should tell you something. Before you interrupt I didn't dodge to prove another point. Power does matter. It just doesn't depend on how loud you can say the words. My shield wasn't harmed at all while Malfoy's was destroyed by a second year spell. That is another thing, don't waste your time performing magic you aren't capable of. Neither of us performed taxing spells. While my disarming spell was able to decimate Malfoy's shield that won't always happen. Normally it would take a stronger spell to do something like that but in the end the result will be the same. An enemy missing his wand is the same as an enemy missing his wand arm. The difference will be the level of energy used casting a cutting curse instead of a disarming charm. That's all for today," Harry finished his lecture before stepping off the platform he had turned into a podium, ignoring the awed looks he was getting. With a flick of his wand the books he had planned on giving to them began floating towards his students. "You will bring these with you each lesson. They are charmed so only a member can view them and they will update themselves at the end of every lesson so you can practice independently. Every book contains the same thing – a detailed description on every spell we went over today and after the next lesson it will update itself and so on. When the numbers on the cover of the book change that is when you will attend the next meeting. You will change your Quiditch practice to accommodate for these lessons."

"What about Skeeter?" Ginny asked.

"Oho," Harry exclaimed in a very Slughorn like way. The former potions professor had been a valuable asset to the Dark Lord. "Who here knows what a Thestral is?"

Nott answered. "A Thestral is a magical creature that can only be seen by those who have seen death."

"Excellent. Who here can see them?" Not many people raised their hands, only widening Harry's grin. "Watch closely… Avada Kedavra!"

…xXx…

"Mr. Potter, the Headmaster would like to speak with you," Professor McGonagall informed Harry after their transfiguration lesson.

"Yes ma'am," he replied mechanically, before giving her a charming smile and making his way towards Dumbledore's Lair.

During the walk he pondered what the fool could want. Several days and private lessons had passed and there here was no way Dumbledore could have figured out what he was up to so that was out of the question. He had made sure he sealed all of the holes. The Room of Requirement was unplottable and he was sure Dumbledore didn't even know of its existence. Unless he had a cloak that blocked the Marauders Map and followed him into the room there was nothing. Harry was so deep in thought he hadn't even noticed he was in front of the stone gargoyle before he bumped into the beast.

"Move," he practically growled at it. The guardian moved but Harry was sure he caught a glare before it did so. Harry didn't even knock on the door since he knew Dumbledore knew he was there.

"Come in."

Harry nodded to himself and entered. Dumbledore and Fawkes were the only occupants and for that Harry was glad. He didn't want to act for more than the Colonel and his chicken.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Harry questioned as politely as he could.

"Yes indeed. I'm glad to see you've taken to not becoming a prefect so well," Dumbledore said smiling. Just rub it in you old fart!

"Well, sir, when I was informed my father wasn't a prefect either I learned to not let it bother me." Once upon a time that may have been true but now… But now James Potter was a distant memory. Harry had his own dreams and goals, not his fathers or his mothers.

"Good, good. So how is this year treating you so far, any visions perhaps?" He said leaning forwards slightly.

"No, sir, but if I did have any you would be the first person I came to," Harry said politely, forcing a smile.

Dumbledore beamed proudly. That's right, you've got you're puppet back you manipulative old bastard! "I'm glad you have so much trust in me, Harry."

"Of course, sir! You're my hero!"

Dumbledore waved away the praise but inside he was practically giddy with excitement. And I'd thought he had gone astray! "I'm just a man, Harry. A man who can make mistakes." Now there's a thought! I haven't made a wrong decision in ages… "I'm happy to hear that you and Severus have finally made peace."

"Thank you, sir. After hearing he and my mother were good friends it was hard to hate him anymore. Plus he does a very important job for the Order." Harry smiled. "We really bonded during our Occlumency lessons."

Harry caught a flicker of a frown and knew what it was immediately. "Yes, of course," he mumbled. "Severus told me of your prodigious skill in Occlumency."

"I couldn't of had done it without him."

"Something has been worrying me… You seemed to have terminated your friendship with, Mr. Weasley."

"Yes, sir. You see, Ron said some pretty nasty things about me and Hermione. I've forgiven him several times already, sir. I just don't think I can be friends with him anymore. I hope Mrs. Weasley still allows me to spend time at the Burrow," Harry lied with a frown, for good measure. If I never have to set a foot in that hovel again it'd be too soon!

Dumbledore – as predicated – beamed. That's right, keep me under the watchful eye of that dreadful woman. You could care less about that moron Ron! "I may be able to speak with Molly."

"Thank you, sir. If that's all, may I go?"

"Of course, Harry ma boy! Remember, if you need to speak with someone feel free to knock on my door. Or should I say Gargoyle," he chuckled.

Harry felt a genuine smile make its way onto his face. You really are insane…

…xXx…

Harry was sitting in the Gryffindor common room alone, reading an advanced book on Defensive magic he had taken from the Restricted Section. His pass courteously of Delores Umbridge. He was interrupted from his reading when the common room door banged open and in came a fuming and tearful Ron Weasley.

"Mate, what's a matter?" Seamus asked.

Ron gave a sniffle and a shrug before explaining. "It was Umbridge, mate. She made me use a quill that really hurt my hand." His shoulders began to shake slightly.

"I'm sorry, mate," Dean chimed in. "Whatta ya say we go down to the kitchens and grab a snack, yeah?"

Ron gave another sniffle while rubbing the back of his uninjured hand across his face. "Sounds good to me. I barely even got to have seconds before I had to get to my detention."

Harry's shoulders were shaking as the trio of morons left but for an entirely different reason. He had seen the blood quill Umbridge would have forced him to use had he not laid down the law that was now being used on Ron in his place. While the quill wasn't illegal it wasn't used in that type of method either. They were normally used during contract signings or legal matters. Although he could see the glamour it would hold for a twisted woman like Umbridge. Using a legal item she probably had by the boatloads to torture students and with something as simple as lines!

"That was cruel," Ginny hissed from behind him. He was startled at first until he noticed she was under the cover of a disillusion charm. She removed it before sitting down next to him.

Harry shrugged before hissing back. "I don't care. Anyone who decided to get in my way will be moved. That, however, was just me having a little fun."

"By all means move away," she hissed with a smirk and Harry knew was thinking about her family.

"Why do you really hate them, Ginny? I was slightly foolish but your family didn't seem that bad," he admitted.

"They aren't but they were fools as well. Both our families had been pure of blood for generations and what did that get us? A leaning tower of wood accompanied by a pack of farm animals."

"The Slytherin line had even less," he pointed out.

With a scowl that looked extremely out of place on her face she shrugged before getting up and starting to pace in front of the fire. "I'm tired of being a second class blood-traitor. I will bring respect to the Weasley name amongst purebloods. Not the mudbloods who think the twins are funny or the half-bloods who respect us for being so nice," she admitted with a sneer. She looked at the wand that was in her hand for a moment. "I am the most powerful Weasley in several generations and I will prove it!"

Harry smirked. "Talk like that and you'd think you were a brimming Dark Lord."

"Harry?" Harry yelped loudly as the new voice cut through the silence.

"Blimey, Hermione," Harry gasped as he caught his breath. He looked to see Ginny smiling and knew that she knew Hermione had been there. "You heard us?" Hermione inclined her heard, telling Harry yes. "Do us a favor and don't tell anyone about it, yeah?"

"Why?" Hermione questioned, startled. Harry knew she was already plotting a letter to the Headmaster.

"Do you still want to be friends with us?" Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "Well in that case you won't say anything. If you do people might find out what Ginny did and make her life harder than it already is." Hermione chewed on her lower lip before nodding. "Good," Harry said with a smirk. "If you hadn't agreed I would of obliviated you." Hermione smiled but Ginny knew he was dead serious. "So, what did you want?"

"I wanted to tell you that I'm on your side."

"Good," Harry whispered while deep in thought. "I have big plans, Hermione, and I want you to be a part of them."

"Really?"

"Really. We're going to change the wizarding world."

…xXx…

Sorry for the long wait. Had to put the story on the backburner for a while. =(

Someone said something about JKR building up the characters and mine are too different. well they should be. Would you be the same if you had just seen a friend murdered? If you were kidnapped and tortured?

I didn't think so.

People say my characters are too OC. I don't think so. Dumbledore is a manipulator and Ron is an ass. He treated Hermione like shit in HBP because he found out she kissed Krum. She asked him to the Slug Club party and what does he do? He snogs Lavender right in front of the entire common room… If he's not a dick than I don't know what is. It's also clearly stated in GOF that hes jealous of Hermione and has an inferiority complex. He abandons them in DH. He made Hermione cry in PS/SS. That's just to name a few.