The next morning Harry awoke late and noticed to his great annoyance that Ron had beaten him up for the first time in a long time. Harry threw on his robes over his dragon hide and made his way down to the common room where Hermione was reading something.
"Finally up huh?" she asked slyly.
"Yeah, why am I the last one, its not like I'm that much later," he said.
"Well I got up because I couldn't wait to start reading this," Hermione said showing him her book on transfiguration, "and Ron had to go meet with Professor McGonagall about quiddich."
"Ah, that explains it, I don't feel so bad now," Harry said. Ron would go to any lengths for quiddich.
They headed down to breakfast where a smattering of people were already eating. Harry wasn't too hungry after the feast the previous evening so he settled for some toast and pumpkin juice. They hadn't been there too long before a nervous looking Ron made his appearance.
"So do you have training schedules yet?" Harry asked as Ron sat down next to him.
"Uh, yeah, it's all planned out," Ron gulped, trying to avoid Harry's eyes.
"So then what's the problem," Harry asked with a sigh.
"What? Er, no problem, not really," Ron wilted as he saw Harry's look, "well, I've got some bad news."
"And?" Harry prompted.
"Well, it seems that you're still banned," Ron said hurriedly.
"WHAT?" Harry almost shouted. Several nearby people looked over at him curiously. Hermione let out a little gasp.
"Professor McGonagall says that Umbridge's ban is lodged at the Ministry and it hasn't been rescinded since her position now exists unfilled," Ron said.
"So that old hag is still tormenting me," Harry said with exasperation.
"Don't worry Harry, quiddich is going to be pretty boring with everyone using the old Dust Buster 150 brooms. Those things can barely lift off the ground, its gonna be horrible," Ron said, trying to sound cheerful. Harry couldn't see the plus side though, he loved flying and even if he couldn't use his Firebolt he still liked being in the air.
"McGonagall also told me to tell you that your Firebolt has been transferred to Gringotts," Ron added as an afterthought. Harry decided that this was probably a good idea, at least he would be able to get to it if he absolutely needed to.
"Comon guys, we've got charms and then double potions," Hermione said as she picked up her book bag.
"Great, no quiddich and double potions, it's like last year all over again," Harry said gloomily, then glanced at Ron, "You can look over my potions notes later."
"At least I don't have to put up with Snape," Ron said cheekily.
All the studying over the summer had apparently paid off since Harry's performance in charms was much better than it had been last year. Only Hermione managed to get any of the new spells correct more quickly than Harry and neither of them even needed to open their books having already finished reading them. Ron did much better than normal too, though even he admitted that he should have studied harder.
After charms the trio parted company, Ron went off to practice quiddich while Harry and Hermione made their way to Snape's dungeons. The dank musty stone lined room seemed dimmer than ever, if that was possible. Harry looked around and noticed that there were very few people from Gryffindor left. The Slytherin students were all smirking and murmuring, probably thinking up nasty things to do to the small knot of Gryffindors who were huddled near the door. They didn't have long to wait until Snape came gliding in, his face twisted in its usual sneer.
"I see the Ministry's test is as abysmally easy as ever, though I'm surprised that so many of you morons managed to get the required grade." Snape glowered at them as he waved his wand toward the board making instructions appear.
"I sincerely hope that most of you will drop out of this class before you waste too much of my time, but until then I expect you to show enough competence to not blow my equipment up. Now begin." Snape looked at Harry menacingly as he said this.
The potion in question was an enchanted mist potion that Harry recognized from the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It was designed to impede the movement of anything that tried to go through it by disorienting them and draining their energy. Harry grinned as he remembered the procedures for the manufacture of this potion and how to counteract it without even having to crack a book or look at the board. Harry quickly set to work and a half-hour later was casually stirring the dark golden mixture much to Snape's chagrin. He knew that the potions master had been watching him closely the entire time, probably to make sure he didn't get help from Hermione. Hermione was studying him closely though; her own potion was golden too, but a bit too bright looking.
Harry glanced apprehensively at Hermione as they walked back to the common room after potions. "Are you ok?"
Hermione sighed, "Yes, I'm fine, I know I shouldn't be shocked that you did better in potions than me, but I am, there it is."
Harry gave a little laugh, "It was a fluke I'm sure."
"I don't think so Harry, you've always been a powerful wizard, but you never applied yourself like you are now."
"You're as powerful as I am," Harry assured her, then cut her off before she could protest. "You couldn't master spells as quickly as you do if you weren't very strong."
Hermione apparently didn't want to try to argue with that logic or else couldn't because they reached the Fat Lady's painting before she could respond.
"Let's go to my room while no one is around, I've got some books that I kept out of the library," Harry told her.
They climbed the stairs to Harry's dorm and went inside. Harry went to his bed and pulled his trunk out from under it. Hermione's eyes lit up as she peered at the many volumes that Harry had managed to stash away.
"Wow Harry, lets sort these out," Hermione said as she began making separate piles. Each time Hermione pulled a book out of the bottom of his trunk another popped into view. There were eight books on advanced charms, six on transfiguration, three more that focused entire on conjuring, twelve books on potions or potion ingredients, eleven jinx books, nine hex books, and twenty-two dark curse books.
"I only got the hardest and most well worn books since I figured those would be most useful," Harry explained.
Harry and Hermione spent the next couple of hours going through the index of each book and writing down the most useful spells so that they could practice them first. Harry's list included the invisibility charm, the messenger charm, and item cloning transfiguration. He already knew exactly how he was going to use the last one especially. Hermione's list was made up of the extended space charm, the acceleration charm that Harry had discovered earlier, and the shadow chain curse.
"Comon, lets get to the Room of Requirement and try these out," Harry said as he shoveled books back into his trunk. He wrote a note for Ron so that he would know where to find them when he finally returned.
Harry and Hermione arrived in the room to find it still only contained a table with chairs, but it was bigger than it had been earlier.
"Ok, which one do we want to do first-" Hermione broke off as Harry gave her a quick kiss. She giggled and kissed him back harder before stepping back and frowning at him.
"Bad idea Harry," she said solemnly, "you know we can't get caught and if we go around snogging its going to be even harder to act normal in public than it already is."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, "you're right, as usual."
Hermione grinned, "I appreciate the thought though. Now which spell do we want to try first."
"I want to master the invisibility charm since I don't have my cloak anymore. How else will we ever manage to go visit Hagrid after hours without being invisible?" Harry said.
"Oh! I hadn't even thought of that," Hermione gasped, "Those horrid Ministry edicts."
Harry and Hermione were soon casting invisibility charms on little pillows that the Room of Requirement provided. As soon as they were proficient at making something easy become invisible they'd move on to something more difficult. Harry was surprised at how rapidly they were progressing. By the time Ron arrived they were good enough at casting the invisibility charm that Harry suspected they'd be able to make themselves invisible with a few more days of practice.
"How was practice?" Harry asked.
"Not good, everyone hates the school brooms, especially Ginny. I don't know if she's ever going to catch the snitch on those ratty Dust Busters."
Harry gave Ron a sympathetic clap on the back. "Let's try some silent casting to get your mind off it."
This time instead of the shield charm the trio tried some first year hexes and charms that were much easier to cast. Hermione managed to cast a tiny ball of blue flame, Ron was able to make one of the pillows float, and Harry finally cast a light spell. After seeing the results of silent casting they were able to apply the technique to more complicated spells. Ron was catching on to the principles as quickly as Harry and Hermione, but the power of his spells was noticeably less. Harry didn't let on like he could tell any difference though for fear of hurting Ron's feelings. Ron was a good wizard, but Harry was beginning to get the feeling that purebloods didn't have as much raw potential as mixed blood or muggle born wizards.
Hermione broke his musings with a time check, "We'd better get back to the common room guys, curfew will start before long and its you're turn to patrol tonight Ron."
"Oh yeah," Ron muttered as he gave his wand a final wave.
Ron parted company with them half way back to the commons with a jaunty wave.
"His patrol is with Luna Lovegood," Hermione said casually.
Harry raised an eyebrow but didn't respond; he had never known Hermione to care about such trivialities as matchmaking. Harry held open the Fat Lady's painting as Hermione stepped inside. There were still a good number of people up so they decided to read instead of practice spell casting. Harry went up to his room to retrieve the book on Legilimency, while Hermione found a quite corner for them to study in.
Hermione frowned as soon as he sat down. "Harry, that's not the right book."
"Yeah it is, see the title," Harry pointed.
"There's something wrong, I've read this book twice now and it wasn't that thick before. Its nearly twice as big now," Hermione said.
She was right. Harry flipped the book over to reveal a whole new set of writing on the back that he knew positively had not been there before. Itomency: The Seldom Remembered Art
Harry and Hermione eagerly flipped the book open to the first page. Itomency is a rare skill with great potential for the persons who can master it. Itomency is dangerous and potentially lethal to those who are unqualified to master it. Thus if you are reading this text the enchantments that bind this volume have determined that you posses the knowledge, power, and skill necessary to attempt the mastery of Itomency. What is Itomency you are asking? The full practical and theoretical explanations are detailed in this volume, but in short Itomency is the blending of two minds through advanced combination of Occlumency and Legilimency…
"Wow, look at all of this, shared memories, long distance telepathy, plus a several fold increase in magical mental skills between the two people involved," Hermione said as she scanned the index.
"Most of this is complicated theory, but the practical seems straight forward enough. It says here that high degrees of trust must be had between the wizards involved." Harry said.
"Let's wait till everyone goes to sleep and then give it a try," Hermione said, "the wordless long distance communication alone would make this invaluable in fighting Voldemort."
They both starting reading the practical advice given in the book, but Harry soon fell behind. Hermione's reading skills really were everything she'd ever told him they were and more. Ron made it back and stumbled off to bed without saying more than goodnight to them. Harry was leaning back against the wall in the corner by this point since he couldn't keep up with Hermione's speed-reading. He decided that this made them look less conspiratorial so they were probably better off anyway. Finally, around midnight the last stragglers made it off to the dorms and Hermione was ready to begin.
"I already got started on the theoretical sections, the actual spell itself is simple. Basically this is just a mutual continual legilimency spell between the two of us that grows and hardens over time. Eventually it will create a link between our minds so strong that other links won't be able to form." Hermione explained.
"So I won't have to be actively using Occlumency to keep Voldemort out of my head anymore, this link will supercede the scar link?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Well, in theory, but its not a sure thing," Hermione said conservatively.
"Ok then, what do we have to do?" Harry asked.
"It's really simple, we perform legilimency at the same time," Hermione said as she took out her wand. Harry took out his wand and sat opposite of her.
"3…2…1…legilimens," they said together.
The experience was much different than previous legilimency encounters that Harry was used to. There was no sharp assault on his mind and no extraction from Hermione's mind. Instead there was an odd sensation that made Harry picture flowing water in his mind. It was as if a barrier separating two pools of water was lifted allowing them to intermingle. Then with a gasp it was over.
"That was…different," Hermione gasped. Harry realized that he was drained as well, itomency was apparently a very energy intensive task.
"The book warned that acute fatigue would happen the first few times until our minds adjusted to it," Hermione said.
"Let's try again," Harry said after they caught their breath. The second and third tries went much like the first, but on the fourth try they broke through much better.
"Hermione, can you hear me?" Harry thought.
"I think so," Hermione's voice echoed in his head. Harry immediately felt a huge rush of warm feelings and random thoughts mixing with his own. Hermione must have felt the same thing because when they were too exhausted to continue her eyes were wet.
"Is that how you feel about me," she asked shakily.
Harry just nodded, too overwhelmed to trust his voice. They continued, again and again until the link was built up enough that it never fully disconnected. Now with great concentration Harry could pass thoughts on to Hermione and vice a versa. The little clock on the mantle rattled and their heads jerked up with horror.
"Its morning, we've got class in three hours," Hermione said.
"I didn't even realize," Harry sputtered, "and I don't know about you, but I'm barely able to stay awake."
"We'd best clean up," Hermione said, waving her wand to cast a cleaning spell.
"Nice silent casting," Harry said admiringly as his clothes straightened up.
"Comon, let's go to breakfast now so that we won't meet anyone coming down. No one will notice, or else they'll just think we got up early," Hermione said.
Harry hid the book before following Hermione out of the room and down to the great hall. They were fairly ravenous after practicing itomency for so many hours at once and so when Ron eventually came tromping down he found them still eating.
"You two look awful," Ron said concernedly when he saw them.
"Er, what are you talking about, we're fine," Harry replied.
Ron lowered his voice, "I know you didn't come up to sleep last night and from the looks of things Hermione didn't either. What do you two think you're doing?"
Harry recoiled at the tone of Ron's voice, but before he could reply Hermione broke in. "Honestly Ron, do you think that little of us. We were studying a new branch of legilimency and lost track of the time."
Ron looked skeptical but somewhat mollified, "Any success?"
"Yes, we can telepathically communicate simple thoughts with each other, but don't tell anyone." Hermione told him.
Ron thought this was about the greatest thing ever and immediately demanded demonstrations. He would whisper something in Harry's ear and then Harry would send it to Hermione who would then repeat it to Ron. Ron's protective brother attitude melted away as he started coming up with all kinds of great ways for them to use their new skill, though most of his ideas revolved around cheating on tests.
"Ron, need I remind you that you are a prefect?" Hermione sighed.
"Oh…yeah," he said.
"Besides, it only works between Harry and myself. I don't think one person can form two Itomantic bonds," she said.
Ron's face fell even further at this bit of news and Harry broke in before Ron could feel too left out.
"That's why we're all going to learn the messenger charm."
"Ooh, that's an excellent idea Harry," Hermione said.
"I don't just mean us, I mean the D.A. too. I think its about time we started recalling members," Harry said.
"Is that really necessary now that we have a real teacher?" Ron asked.
"We can teach them things that they won't learn in a defense class," Harry explained, "plus it will serve to build inter-house ties."
"I can see your thoughts now you know," Harry suddenly heard Hermione in his brain, "You want an army that isn't beholden to anyone else for its existence."
"You do too, you don't trust Dumbledore anymore," Harry thought back.
"Hello, person feeling left out here," Ron had been watching their silent exchange.
"Sorry Ron, Hermione was just dissecting my ulterior motives," Harry said sheepishly.
"You two are creeping me out, we'd better go to class," Ron said, not wanting to know what ulterior motives Harry could possibly have at this point.
"Tonks has moved the class to the room Firenze's used last term," Hermione said as she looked at her schedule.
"That's odd," Harry said as they went into the room that was enchanted to look like the Forbidden Forest.
Tonks was standing up front on a pedestal looking slightly uncomfortable as if she had never addressed an audience before. She hid it well though and by the time she started talking Harry thought she seemed well at home with her subject.
"Alright there, crowd in everyone, looks like we've got a good sized class. Welcome to N.E.W.T. level Defense Against the Dark Arts, I'm Professor Tonks. Now I've reviewed this class's past lesson plans and I have to say most were worthless. All in all you lot are fairly far behind, especially in practical spell work, which is why classes are going to be down here this year."
Tonks had them split up into pairs so she could observe them. One person would use the shield charm while the other cast stunners into it. Harry wasn't precisely sure what she was hoping to see from this, but after a few minutes she was apparently satisfied because she conjured chairs and desks so they could sit an take notes for the rest of the period.
Harry tried to pay attention at first, but having already studied and even memorized most of the spells Tonks was talking about it became hard to motivate himself. Harry eventually gave up listening and instead practiced on silent conjuring. By the second half of class he could conjure a quill, but it only lasted a few seconds. By the end of class he could make the quill last for nearly five minutes.
"Tonks made the lesson seem pretty enjoyable," Ron said as they left, "If it's like that every time this will be a tolerable class."
"Any class seems good after Umbridge," Harry replied fervently.
"Comon you two, lets hurry, Hagrid next," Hermione said happily.
Unfortunately they had Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherin group again. Malfoy and his goons were already there making wise cracks about Hagrid when the trio arrived.
"Ignore them," Hermione said primly as they walked past. Harry could hear words like "smelly" and "ogre" followed by peels of laughter. Ron admirably contained himself, but Harry suspected that this was only because he didn't hear much of what they were saying.
"Er, hullo there you lot," Hagrid said as he stepped out from behind his hut, "Come along back ere' I got some real iner'estin stuff for yas today."
The class dutifully followed Hagrid back to a modest sized cage that was setting on a stump.
"Everone stay back now, these are right dangerous they are," Hagrid said, then asked, "Now can any o' ya tell me jus what these are?"
Hermione immediately raised her hand, "Those are Boomslang snakes."
"Right ya are, five point ta Gryffindor," Hagrid said, "Now, who can tell me what they're good fer?"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all raised their hands this time. They knew exactly what Boomslang was used in.
"Boomslang skin is used in Polyjuice potion and their venom is very poisonous," Hermione said when Hagrid pointed at her again.
"I'd want Polyjuice potion too if I looked like that Mudblood," Malfoy said.
Ron bristled but Harry held him back before retorting at Draco. "Shove off Malfoy, we all know magic can't repair your looks."
Of course Draco did nothing of the sort, he continued to taunt each of them in turn during the remaining of the lesson while Hagrid tried to teach them all about the Boomslang snake, its habits, where it lived, and how to care for it without getting killed.
They endured Draco's taunts in a far cooler, more collected manner than Harry could remember them ever having done so before. This seemed to infuriate him even more though and by the time they were all walking back to the castle he was seething. Harry watched Draco whisper something to Golye and the next thing he knew people were tripping and falling into each other. First a Slytherin fell down and in the process tripped a nearby Gryffindor. Hermione in turn was tripped and sat down hard. In the confusion Harry heard Dracro chant "densaugeo" and watched as the spell hit Hermione. However, instead of making her teeth grow like it had the last time he had used it on her during the fourth year nothing happened. Hermione's dragon hide clothes had absorbed the minor curse with ease.
Harry reached down and lifted Hermione up. "Comon, are you alright?"
Draco seethed as he watched the trio walk on unperturbed and uninjured by his assault.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks Harry," Hermione said.
"Comon Ron, no harm done," Harry said as he gave his friend's robes a tug.
"That slimy git," Ron fumed as they quickly made the ascent toward the castle.
"It's a good thing you got us those clothes Harry," Hermione said, "I know I don't fancy another trip to the medical wing with beaver teeth."
"I dunno if I would have minded so much," Ron said, "We've got transfiguration now."
"Comon Ron, it should be easy for us," Harry said.
Ron looked puzzled so Hermione whispered in his ear, "Silly, did you forget that animagus transformations are a branch of transfiguration. You are one big transfiguration now."
Ron brightened up considerably after that, even when Professor McGonagall slapped a huge essay onto them after spending the entire first class lecturing them on the dire seriousness of N.E.W.T. level transfiguration.
"You can seriously deform yourself," Ron mimicked Professor McGonagall's voice rather well as they emptied into the hall.
"Well you can Ron," Hermione said, trying not to giggle at him impression.
"Well, I'm off to arithmancy," Hermione said, giving Harry a little wave as she took a different hall.
"I'd better get to herbology," Ron sighed as he too went a different direction.
Harry turned too and headed toward the library so he could start his transfiguration homework. The sooner he got it done the sooner he could get to do something more useful. Harry settled in one of the tables back near the restricted section and set to work. Surprisingly few people came and went during this time. Harry supposed this was due to school having just gone back into session and everyone trying to squeeze a little bit more leisure before doing large amounts of research. The result was Harry speeding through his essay without the normal interruptions of housemates or gawking first years distracting him.
"Harry, where are you?" Hermione's voice echoed through his mind.
"Library, why?" he replied.
"I'm done with arithmancy, do you want me to join you there or in the Room of Requirement?"
"I'm done with my transfiguration essay so unless you need to use the library…"
"It can wait, see you in the room."
Harry packed up his stuff hurriedly and started walking toward his destination. He met Hermione about half way there.
"How come you're out so early?" he asked.
"Arithmancy is pure theory remember, so it never doubles," Hermione explained. Harry should have remembered that.
"Well, lets practice the spells we're going to teach to the D.A. while we wait for Ron, then we can all work on silent casting together," Harry suggested.
They never made it that far though. As they turned the corner they ran into a little boy who was sprouting the most grotesque appendages from the oddest places they had ever seen.
"What happened?" Hermione asked as she rushed over to the sobbing child.
"It, was, it…was, THEM," the little boy shrieked and then refused to say another word.