Harry Potter and the Dark Pheonix

Disclaimer: I don't own anythingso yeah….

A/N: Sorry about the wait, here is the next chapter

Defense Against the Dark Arts

The Gryffindors led the way into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. It usually changed with each new owner. When the imposter Moody had this class, there had been a wide collection of dark detectors scattered around the room; when the sadistic Professor Umbridge had this class, you would find horrible, pink, frilly drapes hanging around the classroom. Then, when Gilderoy Lockhart had taught, the walls were plastered with smiling pictures of himself. Now that Lupin had returned, Harry saw there were a few dark creatures, nothing too dangerous, but he also noticed a box in the corner shaking. Obviously, a third year class was learning to fight a Boggart.

Professor Lupin beamed at Harry as he passed. Hermione led Harry and Ron toward the front, but Ron seemed reluctant and sat with Parvati a few rows back. Harry felt disappointed but got over it; Ron was entitled to spend time with Parvati, and after all Harry had sat with Ron during Divination. Malfoy came in with his usual swagger, but he made no cracks about Harry and Hermione, in fact when he met Harry's gaze, he gave him a curt nod of approval, and sat down with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry sat there, bewildered, when Seamus came and sat next to him.

“Heya, Harry, Hermione. Lav is sitting with Parvati and Ron, d'you mind?” he asked in his thick Irish accent.

“No, not at all,” Hermione said smiling. After the class had settled, Professor Lupin walked to the front of the class.

“Hello 6^th years, and welcome to N.E.W.T. level Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Lupin said smiling. “As you are fully aware, this course requires a thorough understanding of jinxes, curses, counter curses, and of course dark creatures.” Lupin flashed a brief smile, while a slight flush came across him.

All of the class knew of course that Lupin was a werewolf. Malfoy cracked a small smirk as if wanting to say something, but held it back. Lupin nevertheless continued on, “We will be doing a lot of practical work, as well as theory in this class. One week of practical followed by theory. This being the first week, it would be normal to do theory, but I have been led to understand all this class is very advanced in jinxes, curses and counter curses, so I thought we should see just how good you all are.” Professor Lupin had a twinkle in his eye as he said this. Harry felt himself flush as he realized that most of the class had been part of the DA. He had taught them all he knew; this class was indeed very advanced.

“Mr. Malfoy, you always seemed very sure of yourself, would you be the first to demonstrate your skills?”

Malfoy flushed but stood up from his seat. Walking to the front of the class, Malfoy seemed to lose a bit of his swagger; if Harry wasn't mistaken, Malfoy wasn't sure of himself.

Lupin went through a couple of jinxes and curses with Malfoy who managed to get most of them, and Lupin applauded lightly. “Very good Mr. Malfoy, very good. By the end of this course, you should be able to defend yourself against anyone.”

“Even a Death Eater, sir?” Malfoy asked, an obvious fear in his eyes, though his voice would never betray it.

“Of course. I'll personally guarantee it,” Lupin said with a smile and bade Malfoy to sit down. Lupin called upon the class one by one, never asking the same jinxes and curses successively. When it was Harry's turn, he felt nervous. Hermione squeezed his hand before he stood up. Harry was sure he could handle whatever Lupin had asked of him, it's just he didn't want to seem big headed, like he was above the class. Lupin went through the same jinxes and curses that he asked Malfoy. When Harry was finished Lupin caught his eye, he seemed to be telling Harry something. Harry sat down his mind reeling; the look in Lupin's eye, was he saying that Harry and Malfoy were similar…even the same. Harry knew that Malfoy was good at Quidditch, and a lot of his classes, but Harry thought that he was better liked around the school. Though what about when he had been made Tri-wizard champion, everyone, except Hermione hated him.

Professor Lupin then gave them notes to copy down, mostly about course expectations, and how their grades would be worked out, nothing to be surprised about. After all, their marks were compounded for two years into a single grade, all the N.E.W.T. classes worked like that. Still, Harry was worried; he had Quidditch practice during the week and the DA meetings were most likely going to start again soon. His homework would be mounting. Now he even felt that asking Hermione for help would be taking advantage of their relationship. Sighing, Harry continued to write down notes until the bell rang. He rose from his seat, put his quill and parchment into his bag, and smiling at Hermione, they got up to leave.

“Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. May I have a word?” Lupin called to them.

“Er…sure,” Harry replied.

“The DA, I am assuming, will be taking place. I have already told Filch that my classroom will be host to an extra credit Dark Arts defense group one night a week. I would hate to make a fool of myself and tell him otherwise.”

“Sure, it'll be on Professor, it'll help with my exams,” Ron said, his face turning slightly pink.

“I would think, Mr. Weasley, that we shouldn't view this class as a way to help our exams, but rather to train us to fight Voldemort,” Lupin said, a dark look came across his eyes.

Harry thought of Sirius and said, “Yeah, yeah, it's like training to win this war, training to kill Death Eaters,”

“Of course it is, Potter,” a drawling voice came from across the room.

“You weren't invited, Malfoy,” Hermione shot at him, her eyes narrowing.

“No, but I want to help, and in fact, I want to join. I have just as much to lose as Weasel King here. I want to fight this war on the right side.”

“Very smart choice, Mr. Malfoy. I should think the best students,” Lupin indicated the four of them, “Wouldn't let personal feelings intermingle with what is to come. Well, with that, I must take my leave. Hurry along or you'll be late for dinner.” Lupin ushered them out of the room.

They closed the door behind them, and Ron turned to Malfoy, “Look, you've been a prick to us our whole school life, why should we help you?”

“Because Weasel King, me and Potter, we are in the same boat. We both lost our parents to Voldemort.”

“Your father is still alive,” Hermione said, a questioning look across her face.

“No, he's not. He never was, not since he started serving Voldemort. Isn't that right, Malfoy?” Harry said, surprising both of them.

“Yes, Potter, and he recently…killed my mother.” Malfoy's voice broke as he said this, turning from them he said “Outside of this…DA thing, nothing changes, Weasel King, Mudblood, Scar Head,” Malfoy said nodding to each of them, it seemed that's what Malfoy deemed a acceptable goodbye and left. Hermione was standing dumbfounded, Ron was fuming, but Harry just stood there, realizing why Malfoy wanted to fight so badly. His father may have never cared, but his mother, well that was different.

They walked down to the great hall together, Ron fuming about Malfoy, but both Harry and Hermione were deep in thought. Harry had hated Malfoy since they first met; he had made life so hard for Harry and his friends, and now he was expected to teach him to fight. Hermione must be going through the same thing, but she also had to deal with Pansy's slander. Harry reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

He leaned closer and whispered into her ear, “Stay up tonight, I want to talk…alone,” he added as an afterthought, looking towards Ron. Ron might be his best friend, but a Weasley trait was to sometimes (okay, most times) go off half-cocked, and Harry knew that trying to discuss this with Ron would only end up in a plan to humiliate Malfoy. Harry secretly agreed with Ron on this however; six years of ridicule and slander, who wouldn't be bitter?

They entered the Great Hall and sat away from most of the Gryffindors. Harry smiled and told them to sit with their friends, but Ron wouldn't hear any of it. So, during the meal, Ron went off on a tirade about Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins, Harry seeing that this topic made Hermione feel even worse. He tried to cut him off, but realizing it was a lost cause, gestured Parvati over. She realized that Ron was going overboard and came over.

“Hey Ronny, you finished?” She gestured towards Ron's plate. He had hardly eaten anything but smiled goofily and nodded. “Ohh good, come on now. I wanna……talk,” she said with a wink and she and Ron left the Great Hall, hand in hand.

“Hey, Hermione, how are you feeling?” Harry asked.

“Let's go somewhere quieter, I can't think here.”

“Sure,” Harry replied, he grabbed some food and they left.

“Ohh, Potty and his Mudblood don't want to eat in the presence of real pureblood wizards,” Pansy sneered, ushering uproars of laughter from the Slytherin table. Hermione just continued walking, tears filling her eyes. Harry silently followed, not knowing what to do. Hermione lead him to the astronomy tower.

“Hermione…what's wrong? It's okay, you can tell me,” Harry said.

“Look…I know that…the…well I know the DA is great for you…but…I can't…won't help if Malfoy's involved,” Hermione said, looking down at the ground.

“I don't expect you to, and I don't want us to continue it,” Harry replied quietly.

“But Harry, they need to…”

“No Hermione, I need to, no one else. If I do what I'm supposed to, well no one else has to suffer. No one else has to die.” Harry's voice cracked as he said the last part. Tears started to well in his eyes, but he didn't care. Hermione had to realize that this was his burden, his alone. He shouldn't be with anyone, he shouldn't love. They would only get taken away.

“Look, Hermione, it's…better if we…we part ways,” Harry said, his eyes stinging. He felt like he had died; he realized that letting Hermione go would be so hard, but if she died…

“No Harry, NO I WONT LET YOU!” she yelled.

“Hermione, you don't understand…”

“BULLSHIT I DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU JUST FEEL LIKE THIS IS ALL ON YOUR HEAD. WELL TOO BAD HARRY, I LOVE YOU, SO IT'S SHARED WITH ME. TOO BAD RON LOVES YOU, SO IT'S SHARED WITH HIM. TOO BAD SIRIUS LOVED YOU, IT WAS SHARED WITH HIM TOO!” Hermione yelled.

“DON'T YOU DARE BRING UP SIRIUS!” Harry roared back, his whole body feeling as if it hated his very being, like it was rejecting the very thought of losing Hermione.

“YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I LOVE YOU, LIKE IT OR NOT, I'M FIGHTING WITH YOU!”

“…No, Hermione, no I don't want you to die,” Harry pleaded. He looked into her deep brown eyes and saw a stubborn resolve.

“Then let me help you,” Hermione replied coolly.

“What about the DA?”

“If the alternative means losing you…”

“If you think I'm breaking up with you because you won't take part in the DA…”

“I know your not, but I want to help you fight.”

“Argh, why Hermione? Why do you want to risk everything?” Harry cried in exasperation.

“Because it's simple Harry, I love you, more than life itself. I'm sure Ron would be right by my side in saying this. I said in our first year `you're a great wizard'. Ever thought why? It's because you love, love until you have nothing left, but then love some more.”

“Hermione…”

“Look, leave me if you want, I don't care, but don't think for one second that I won't be right by your side when you're fighting Voldemort.” Harry hung his head.

“You're right, you always are…” Harry smiled, and Hermione kissed him, they didn't talk anymore until Harry made to leave.

“Look I'm sorry, I love you, and can you forgive me?” Harry said, his head hung in shame.

“Well, I could hold this against you, but…well, you are Harry Potter, the boy that stole my heart. How could I not?” Hermione said with a smile, she grabbed his hand and led him back to the Gryffindor common room.

“Well well, what do we have here, a Prefect not punishing a student out of bounds?” Filch said from behind them, as Mrs. Norris slunk around his leg, looking up at them.

“We're allowed out until 9 pm, I'll thank you very much,” Hermione said, looking very offended.

“Well good thing it's 9:30 isn't it? Yes, detention for Mr. Potter here, and an investigation into you Miss Granger…might just loose your badge.”

“How dare you?” Harry shot at him, before he knew what he was doing, his wand was in his hand. Hermione grabbed it and walked away from Filch, complaining about the injustice all the way back to the common room. The Gryffindor common room was awash with red and gold banners, crimson armchairs and a warm roaring fire. There were two stairwells leading to the dormitories. The common room was close to being empty, but there were still some third years milling around, and when they caught glance of Harry, they broke into giggling fits. Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry smiled at her and motioned her toward the armchairs close to the fire.

“It's okay Herm, Dumbledore won't let you lose your badge. You set too much by the rules.”

Hermione could only smile at this, and went to kiss him.

“Eww, not in public please. Go to Harry's bed if you want to snog,” came Rons' voice from their left. Hermione hit him on the arm and sat back down.

“So, what did Harry mean about Dumbledore not letting you lose your badge?”

“Just Filch,” Hermione said, but seeing that this didn't satisfy Ron's inquiry, Harry filled him in. Ron finally smiled, reassured Hermione, said goodnight and went off to bed.

“Hermione, I-I never want to fight with you again,” Harry said.

“Neither do I…shame we can't go anywhere private to…make up,” Hermione said with a wink. Harry flushed as he suggested the Room of Requirement.

“You sure? If we get caught…”

“How can they catch what they can't see?” Harry asked and with this, he disappeared up the boy's stairs to fetch his invisibility cloak. When he returned, he found Hermione grinning and blushing redder than she had all year.

“You sure?” Hermione asked, Harry only smiled and they waited until the third year girls went to bed, some of them muttering how lucky Hermione was, some trying to come up with jinxes so Harry would find her ugly. Harry just smiled, trying to jinx Hermione, good luck. Harry smiled again and wrapped the cloak around them both. They pushed open the portrait door and snuck up to the seventh floor, at one stage having to dodge around Snape.

They arrived on the seventh floor opposite the Barnabus the Barney tapestry, they passed the wall three times each thinking `a place where we can properly make up'. On the third pass, a door appeared and they entered. What was in front of them shocked them both. A nice and comfy looking couch was there, as well as a nice table lit with candles, and a few violins were playing themselves in the corner.

“Harry...I…” Hermione was blushing, and Harry thought he knew why. Harry's thought of making up properly was a nice meal with music, Hermione's on the other hand....

“I would have never thought…”Harry said, still in awe.

“Well, I'm a girl and you are very cute. Very cute indeed…” Hermione said to him drawing him into a kiss. Harry looked down into her eyes, he saw that she was unsure of what she was doing, but wanted to do it anyway.

“Hermione….I….” Harry started; he saw tears welling up in her eyes.

“Harry I'm sorry….I….well I thought…oh it doesn't matter, I'm ugly,” she said, breaking out in tears.

“What?” Harry asked stunned. What was going on? All he wanted was a chance to really apologize to Hermione, and then he saw a couch as well as the table. Did Hermione want to snog him senseless?

“You don't want me; all you want is Cho Chang…”

“What do you mean? Hermione, I love you.”

“Well why won't you snog with me? Aren't I pretty enough? Are you leading me on?”

“I want to, Merlin Hermione! I really want to snog you senseless, but will that make up for what I did?”

“No I guess not, so…so you do think I'm pretty?”

“Hermione Jane Granger, you are the prettiest witch here at Hogwarts.”

“Why do you have to be such a sweet talker?” Hermione said with a smirk, she led him over to the table, and started eating, indicating Harry to join her with her foot. Harry went over and sat down. There were some roast potatoes and chicken, Harry helped himself and looked up at Hermione.

“Hey, I'm sorry, about everything, I love you, you know,” Harry said, before starting on his potatoes.

“It's okay Harry, I love you too, I just I don't know…”

“Hermione……you talk too much,” Harry said, smiling. He lent over and pecked her on the lips. They ate with a light conversation about school and got up to leave.

“Hey, maybe we could sneak off to a broom closet later and…” Harry said shyly.

“Who's saying I'll want to, Mr. Potter?” Hermione said with a playful smirk winking at him she bent over, making sure Harry got a full view of her feminine assets.

“That's not fair…” Harry complained with a cheeky grin on his face. Hermione lifted the invisibility cloak; Harry went over and joined her. Hermione tried to lead the way back to the Common Room, but Harry made her take shortcuts, which led them to the other side of the castle.

“Mr. Potter, what do you think your doing?” Hermione said, trying to be serious, but giggling slightly. Harry just rolled his eyes and poked her.

Leaning in closer, he whispered, “Come on Hermione, lets have a bit of fun. Wanna sneak into Honeydukes?” Harry's eyes flashed with a mischievous glint.

“Okay Harry, but only for a little bit. Don't you try and get me into too much trouble,” she said batting her eyes at him slightly. Harry led the way over to the humpbacked one eye witch statue. Hermione tried hard not to laugh as they slunk there way around Hogwarts, and once they were safely inside the passageway, Harry turned to her.

“You really need lessons in espionage, maybe some more lessons by Professor Potter will help?” Harry said with a wink.

“Mmmm, maybe, but I would surpass you pretty fast, and then well, you would be getting taught by me, and you just couldn't have that, could you?” Hermione said, batting her eyelashes. They walked down the hall sharing banter with one another until they came to the exit. Harry raised his eyebrows to Hermione, who ushered him on. They climbed into the clear before Hermione gasped out that they should go back.

They were halfway back to the Gryffindor common room before Hermione told him that she thought she saw a doxy nest, not wanting to wake up the Honeydukes' owners by walking past the doxies. Harry nodded and they entered the Gryffindor common room. Harry had just removed the invisibility cloak when Ron and Parvati walked in.

“Harry, we coulda borrowed your cloak mate. Woulda made getting `round Filch easier.”

“Ron, you're a prefect, you shouldn't be walking around the halls,” Hermione cried, clearly in shock at Ron's actions.

“Speak for yourself, Hermione,” Parvati shot at her, Hermione blushed.

“Okay, no more late night strolls, for anyone,” Harry said. He was tired, and he knew that tomorrow he had McGonagall and she was a strict teacher. He would need all the sleep he could get.

The next morning, Harry went straight to the showers. His sleep wasn't the best one he'd had, and NEWT classes were going to be hard. A cold shower might just help wake him up. As he entered his shower, Ron called from the next stall.

“Oi Harry, you and Hermione, you guys, well did you do anything more than snog for a bit?”

“Wotcha mean?” Harry asked, still groggy from sleep.

“Well you know…..did you two…?”

“What Ron, of course not, we are both not ready, I mean…we're only sixteen…”

“You mean you two agreed to wait?” Ron asked sounding shocked.

“Well…..yeah.” Harry said, going a bit red in the face. At least it was Ron asking this, not Dean or Seamus.

Ron didn't really ask much more during the shower, but Harry had the feeling he and Parvati did something, and ventured to ask as they were getting dressed. Ron's face went bright red, but he said that they didn't shag but just fooled around. Harry slapped Ron on the back and walked with him down to breakfast. Ron made Harry swear not to tell anyone, even Hermione. They both knew how Hermione would take this. She would belittle Ron about it, and his Prefect duties. She would confront Parvati about it, maybe even owl Ron's mother. Harry just smiled to reassure Ron and they entered the Great Hall. Ron saw Parvati and bee-lined for her, calling over his shoulder that Quidditch practice was on that afternoon. Harry sat down next to Hermione who smiled, before leaning over and whispering, “Parvati and Ron had a good time last night, maybe you should lend him your cloak?” She winked and Harry guessed that Parvati had told Hermione about her night. Harry just smiled and started on some pancakes.

Harry had been right, McGonagall was hard on them. Most transfiguration classes were hard, but in N.E.W.T. level, it was damn well near impossible. Hermione was even struggling. After the twenty-minute warm up talk about their N.E.W.T.s in two year's time, they were set a task to transfigure rocks into rabbits and other such little woodland creatures. This was much harder than Harry could have ever imagined. Hermione's had only just started to shape into a ferret or an otter, while Harry's was just molding itself into a shapeless lump.

“Your mind is too clouded Harry, just calm down and focus on what your doing,” Hermione told him with a whisper before going back to hers. Ron just smiled at Harry. He was doing better then Harry; his at least had ears. Sighing, Harry went back to work on his. As much as he tried, Harry couldn't do anything, and when the bell rang, he was given an essay to do.

“Well mate, at least yours was getting a tail…” Ron said, smiling.

“Yeah, thanks mate,” Harry said glumly. Harry didn't want his homework getting away from him, and he had Quidditch training tonight. However, Ron seemed easy going, so maybe it wouldn't be so hard. Crossing the courtyard for their corner, the three of them huddled around a waterproof fire that Hermione had conjured up. Well, that was until Parvati and Lavender came and took Ron…something about needing his manly advise. Hermione just grinned at Harry and they talked about Harry's paper.

“I won't write it for you, but I'll find what you need. While you're at practice, I'll stay up to look over it…”

“Not staying up for any other reason?” Harry asked with a small smile. Hermione blushed and winked at him. Harry let out a bigger grin before Hermione led him towards Charms.

Charms was much the same. Walking in, Harry saw Professor Flitwick standing atop his usual pile of books to see the class. The tables were set out like any other classroom except having more room around them (as stray objects often hit other people during the class). Harry took a seat toward the back of the class, joined by Ron and Neville. Hermione looked like she was going to say something, but walked over and sat with Lavender and Parvati. During the twenty-minute N.E.W.T. talk that Harry figured every teacher was going to put them through, Harry and Ron goofed off.

Neville was caught off guard at first and whispered “Hey guys, shouldn't you….care a bit….about class?” As he finished Ron let a paper ball fly towards Dean. Most of the boys were used to things hitting them in class, so Dean thought nothing of it, but Harry knew Ron was picking Dean out because of Ginny.

Harry turned to Neville, “Don't sweat, we'll focus once the work starts, but why bore ourselves? Hermione will help us out anyway,” Harry grinned and turned to face Hermione, who had just thrown him an `I can't believe your so cocky Harry Potter, this time I might not help' look. Harry grinned, knowing that Hermione was flirting. In the off chance that she wasn't, Parvati would help Ron, so no harm done. Flitwick set them to theory work for this class, so the class grudgingly (except for Hermione) took out there quills, and wrote down notes about N.E.W.T. level charms work, while chatting quietly among themselves. Professor Flitwick was used to this. He knew that if children wanted to talk, they would and let he it go by. This earned him a lot of respect from students and they mostly loved his classes. Harry really wanted to talk to Hermione, and tell her he was sorry for being cocky, but knowing he couldn't just walk around the class to talk to her, he settled with a note.

Dear Hermione,

Hey, if you don't want to help me with Charms, its okay, I'm not going to make you.

Love,

Harry

He folded it up and with a quick swish and flick set it levitating slightly across the floor, it slid up Hermione's knee and onto her lap. A fit of giggles came from the girls' table, but they quieted down, not wanting Professor Flitwick to know they were passing notes. Harry soon saw his note return to him. Opening, it Harry read:

Hey Harry,

Yeah I know, but I'm not going to let you fail. Lav says `Hi' to Neville. Geez, when are those two going to ask each other out? I suppose I can't talk after how long we waited, anyway talk to you at lunch.

Love always,

Hermione

xx

Harry read over it and lent over to Neville. “Lav says Hi,” Harry told him with a wink. Looking over at Ron, he saw that Parvati and him were sharing notes to each other, scribbling onto parchment quickly. Harry supposed that's why Parvati didn't say anything to him. Following Ron's parchment with his eyes he saw that the girls seemed less focused on their theory work and more focused on the notes. Harry laughed at this, making a mental note of this. He needed something to hold over Hermione during study sessions, and this may well be it. After Ron having a very personal (personal as in all the girls knew about it, but Ron never saying hide nor hair of it to Harry) conversation to Parvati, and Harry copying down all that he needed, the bell rang to signal the end of class, and the start of lunch. Harry put all his parchment and quills into his bag and rose to leave, noticing Hermione leading the girls over to his table. He grinned; despite knowing that he was about to get an earful for not paying attention in class, Harry was happy to see Hermione.

Lavender and Neville went to lunch together, but looked very awkward about the whole thing. Harry bit back saying that it was only lunch at Hogwarts, not going out to the most expensive restaurant and then shagging afterward. Anyway, Harry had enough to deal with, without his thoughts over the new couple. Hermione was talking his ear off about her plans for the DA, and Harry smiled despite himself. After their fight the night before, he thought that this would be the last thing she wanted to talk about. But Hermione always surprised Harry with her upfrontness, talking about whatever; even if it was an uncomfortable subject. Outside the Great Hall, Draco Malfoy made his presence known to them when they had entered earshot.

“Yeah, shame Potter had to hook up with the Mudblood. I hear that oaf Hagrid still has a Blast-ended Skrewt. I'm sure it would be the same as kissing a mudblood. And Weasel King, what Patil sees in him is a mystery, but once she finds out he can't even afford the robes on his back, she'll get with someone a little more respectable.” A couple of grunts meant that Crabbe and Goyle were lurking there with him, ready as ever to laugh at whatever Malfoy was saying. Harry rounded the corner fuming, but to his surprise when he got there, Ginny was already giving him an earful, and by the look in Malfoy's eyes, he wasn't happy about it at all.

At lunch, Ginny told them that she was reminding Malfoy who was the Minister of Magic. This was much to Dean's delight, as she continued, saying that she could now have a pet and she had always liked ferrets. Harry and Ron burst in laughter. Knowing what the Imposter Moody did to Malfoy was priceless. Even though Imposter Moody had tried to kill Harry, Malfoy as a ferret certainly made up for some of it. Eating his lunch in a rather good mood, Harry was enjoying a conversation about Quidditch tactics with Ron; that was until Professor Snape, Lupin, McGonagall and Dumbledore came over to him.

“Harry, Hermione and Ron, would we be able to have a word with you?” Dumbledore asked, with a pleasant tone. Harry got up and followed the teachers to Lupin's classroom. When they were all together, Dumbledore turned his gaze onto Harry, the twinkle in his eye reassuring, but gave him the uncomfortable sense that Sirius was about to be discussed. Harry ran a hand through his hair and looked at the floor as Dumbledore started.

“Harry, I have brought you and your friends in here to discuss your future.”

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