A/N: Hey folks, another chapter and I still don't own them, not for lack of trying though. Thanks to all those who have reviewed, it's greatly appreciated and helps me out heaps. I've been getting alot of questions about who Brodsky is and I'm afraid you'll have to wait, terribly sorry about that. Now, I have no idea what the Room of Requirements limitations are, so for my story there are none, the room can do anything. Anyways, read on and I certainly hope you enjoy. Roman.
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CHAPTER SEVEN: FRIDAYS, FRIGHTFUL FRIDAYS
~~~~~September 6th, 1996. Hogwarts.~~~~~
When Brodsky had said that their lesson on Friday wouldn't be relaxing, it had been a grave understatement. But Harry didn't complain much as everything Harry did, Professor Brodsky did with him. He had walked into the Room of Requirement on time and saw that it wasn't a room anymore, it was a big open space, a large flat with a few trees and some treacherous looking hill a little away.
Harry walked in and looked around for his teacher. Spotting him sitting under a tree Harry made his way over. It was slightly unusual to see his professor out of his black robes and billowing cloak and in a white singlet and grey training pants. Harry saw that Brodsky was rather muscular and he could also see on the skin that wasn't covered that he had scars on his arms, shoulders and chest and knew that they probably didn't end there.
"Sit down, Harry, we need to warm up."
Brodsky went over various stretching routines with Harry for about fifteen minutes and then stood and instructed Harry to follow him. The hill that Harry had seen before became their track. They jogged up the steep and rocky path and then back down again, twice.
Once finished with that Harry had to lean against the tree they had warmed up under. He had thought he was fitter than this, but by the end of the jog he was puffed. Brodsky had broken a sweat, but didn't seem out of breath.
"We'll wait till you get your breath back."
Harry turned to him, still leaning on the tree. "Sir, if I might ask, where'd you get the scars?"
"They're battle scars, Harry. I've fought death eaters for some time now and on occassion they've gotten the better of me. Ready for a little more?"
When Harry nodded, Brodsky grinned, "Alright, drop and give me twenty." Harry just groaned.
By the time they had finished Harry was tired and a little sore. As he made his way back to the common room he was thankful he had a spare next so he could at least shower. Walking into Gryffindor tower Hermione looked up from her books as he entered. Slowly he made his way over to her.
"How was training?" She asked giving a sympathetic smile.
"I think it'll take some getting used to. I thought I was in better shape than I am."
Hermione just smiled, "Well Harry, it's not like you're that active. Quidditch helps to a point, but you need to do more."
"Look who's talking."
"For your information I am in wonderful shape."
Harry pushed away the non-platonic thoughts that strayed into his head at that comment. "What do you do?"
"Every summer when I'm with my parents I like to go for a jog twice a day, see if I can shake off those aurors that are constantly behind me. And while I'm here and I need time to think or just want to get out, I jog around the quidditch pitch a few times."
"Well, whenever you want company I'll be happy to jog with you."
"Thanks. But right now you need a shower." She gave a cheeky grin.
"Alright, but can I have a hug first." Harry teased back.
Hermione just slapped him on the arm and went back to her homework. Harry went upstairs to a nice cold shower and changed out of the training clothes he was wearing and back into his uniform. When he came back down Hermione was gone, but Ron was sitting in one of the couches.
Harry made his way over, "Hey mate."
"Hey, wanna' game?" He said, indicating towards the chessboard between them.
"Sure." Harry sat down and Ron arranged the board. "Where did Hermione go?"
"She had Ancient Runes. I don't know how she does so many subjects, she gets twice the amount of homework than we do. What's been up with her lately anyway? She seems a bit on edge."
Harry was surprised that Ron had even noticed this as he was usually too busy being focused on himself to see details like that. "She's just been pretty stressed out. She'll be fine once we get used to being back. We haven't really talked that much, have we?"
"No, but we'll talk now. So I've been thinking about quidditch and I reckon we should have a practice every Saturday afternoon, that way we should be ready for the games. You think we've got a chance at winning the cup?"
"Of course we do. As long as we beat Slytherin, I'm happy."
"What about beating Cho?" Ron asked with a smile.
Harry shook his head, "I don't really care. It'd be nice to win the cup but I don't care who we're against except Slytherin."
"What so you don't want at least a little payback for that tragic excuse for a relationship?"
"That part of me died with Sirius, Ron. I'm not looking for the popular, nice-looking, and in Cho's case, messed up girl. I'm looking for something a little more serious, something that will last."
"What do you mean?"
Harry rubbed his eyes and moved his knight out of the line of fire. "I'm looking for love, Ron. One girl for the rest of my life."
Ron looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "Are you serious?"
"Yep."
"You're insane. How can you want just one girl?"
"Don't you ever dream of getting married Ron?"
"Well, I don't dream of it, but I had supposed it'd happen one day."
"Well, that's one girl Ron, you marry her and your hers forever."
"Yeah, but wouldn't you rather play the field a little, you know, enjoy a few girls just for the fun of it first, go around the block a few times and then go looking for this love?"
Harry personally didn't like that idea in the slightest especially the 'enjoy a few girls just for the fun of it.' He was a normal sixteen year old guy, but he'd never actually known love before in his life and he believed that once you found it it should be treasured and never let go.
"No Ron, I wouldn't. If I find a girl right now and I know she's the one, then that's it for me."
"I still think you're insane." Said Ron as he led his queen in a massacre. "Anyway, got anyone in mind for this love of your life?"
"I do, actually."
"Who?"
Harry hesitated, "I'm not ready to say, mate."
"I'm your best friend, Harry! I have a right to know who I've gotta' put up with everytime I come see you."
Harry smiled, but he still didn't want to tell Ron. "I don't want to jinx it. When I'm ready to tell her and if she's interested, you'll be the first to know mate."
"So what do you think of Lavender? She's been giving me the eye all week."
Harry laughed. "Has she? Well you do what you want Ron. If you want to go out with Lavender then go out with her, but just remember that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
"I'll keep that in mind. She's coming to watch Parvati at the Quidditch tryouts, I think I'll ask her then."
"There's plenty of time to ask her before then. Who will be trying out do you know?"
"I know that Ginny is going for chaser since you're back as seeker. I think Neville and Seamus want to try out as beaters, other than that I'm not sure."
"We'll need alot of practice then. Hey, what do you think of the DA starting up again?"
"I think it's a good idea. We could all use a little more work on our defensive magic. And there has been a few people ask me around school whether or not you'd be starting the DA up again, and I know Herms had a few people ask her."
"I think I will start it up again. I'll open it for everyone."
"Everyone?"
"Okay maybe there are a few people that I shouldn't let in, but that's because we're learning to defend ourselves against them." Harry paused for a moment, thinking. "You know I'll need help, if you're interested in being a co-teacher."
"I'm not very good at that stuff mate, you should ask Hermione." Ron admitted.
"It can be the three of us mate. She's good with the smart stuff, I'm good with the practical, and you're good with the strategic stuff." As if proving a point, Rons queen took down Harrys king. "I'd like to work them with strategy a bit. If we'd been better prepared we wouldn't of screwed up so bad at the Ministry."
"We didn't do that bad, mate. We achieved in our goal to keep the prophecy from You-Know-Who and the death eaters."
"Yeah, but we had to be rescued."
"They didn't come because they knew we were in trouble, Harry, they came because we shouldn't have been there in the first place."
"And it cost us Sirius."
"Harry mate, try to look at things like this as I do, like a game of chess. The ultimate goal is to take down your opponents king, You-Know-Who getting the prophecy was their king, the prophecy was ours. We had to protect it, like the death eaters protected him. I hate to say this mate, but in every game of chess, just like in every war, sacrifices are made for the greater good."
"I know." Harry said softly. "Look mate, I've got alot of thinking to do, I'm going to go lay down."
Harry had dozed off and Ron woke him just before transfiguration. The two grabbed their bags, meeting Hermione just outside the portrait hole. They hurried to the classroom, Merlin forbid their Head of House get angry at them. They got there just as the rest of the class was walking in. They took a seat in the middle of the room and as per usual the boys flanked Hermione.
McGonagall walked around the class handing out marked essays. She would lean down and explain where they had gone wrong. When she got to the Trio she handed Harrys to him and said, "Good to see you've actually been listening to Miss Granger."
She moved to Hermione with pride in her eyes and a rare smile told her, "Perfect. Absolutely perfect once again."
Her face dropped a little when she got to Ron. She transfigured a spare desk into a chair and pulled it up beside him. To Harry, Hermione and Rons shock, she didn't reprimand him. Instead she very slowly and kindly began explaining his mistakes in a way that he could understand. When she got up and started adressing the class Ron turned to his friends.
"Is it just me or does she seem a bit off lately?"
"If you mean she's been really happy since school came back, then it's not your imagination. When I came here the other day for some advice on this essay she gave me a huge smile, invited me in, made me a cup of tea and we had a good long chat about quidditch." Harry whispered.
"I think it's great." Hermione told them. "Even I think she needed to loosen up."
Although it was weird to see McGonagall in such a cheery mood they made it through transfiguration and finished classes for the day. Back at the common room, Ron slumped in a couch, Harry across from him and Hermione perched on the arm.
"So what time do you start tonight?" Hermione asked Harry.
"After I eat I'm supposed to meet him in his classroom. I have to say I'm not looking forward to it."
"Look on the bright side mate, Dumbledore could've made you go back to Snape."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, Professor Brodsky is alright." He saw Hermione get uncomfortable at the mention of the professors name. "Why don't we go for a walk?"
"Nah, mate, I'm gonna' work on some quidditch strategies." Ron refused.
"Hermione?"
She thought for a moment and then smiled a little, "I think a walk would be nice."
As they walked out Harry looked back at Ron and once again saw the look in his eyes. It made Harry uneasy seeing his best friend look at he and Hermione like that, but Ron seemed to be shaking it off everytime he got it. They made their way to the lake, walking on it's banks until they reached the trees. Harry took her hand and led her into the foilage.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"I don't know." Harry smiled.
They entered a very small clearing after walking for about five minutes. The water of the lake lapped up at the rocky bank. They sat down on the edge of the water. Neither had said much since leaving the common room but both were comfortable just being in each others company.
"The dreams have been occuring more often. And they're much more intense." Hermione broke the silence.
Harry turned from the lake to look at her, "Have you seen anything else?"
"Not much more, except a lot of blood."
"Blood?"
"Yes. They're getting more violent and my roommates aren't too happy about it. I keep waking up screaming and Lavander keeps throwing pillows at me."
Harry fidgeted a little while he spoke, "You know, Mione, if you want....I mean if you need to you can...you can come up to my room. We can put a silencing charm around us so we'll only wake eachother up, and we can put a sticking charm on the hangings so no one can find us together."
Hermione regarded him through tear-brimmed eyes. "Thankyou Harry." She told him. "It means alot to me knowing that you are there."
"I've told you time and time again, Mione, I'm always here, I'll never leave."
He put his arm around her and she leaned in to rest on him. Harry felt the tears soak through his robes and tightened his hold on her. She was too highly strung at the moment and needed to vent it.
"Oh, I'm sorry Harry, I just - -"
"It's okay Mione, let it out, I don't mind."
After she'd calmed down she moved out of his embrace and wiped her eyes. She whispered another "Thankyou." He took her hand and held it tightly.
"I'm going to restart the DA. Do you want to help?"
"You know I will, Harry. And I'm glad you decided to do it again, it's good for the students."
"We'll start by letting people know, spreading the word and that. I'm going to open it to everyone."
Hermione was startled by that. "Everyone? That's very mature of you Harry. I don't think many of the Slytherins will actually come, but it's good of you to give them the chance. I bet a couple even turn up."
"Well, not all of them can be bad, can they?"
"No, not all of them, but alot of them are death eaters in training. It'll be a sign of trust to some too, Harry. Those who don't want to be on the dark side will be able to see that you'll accept them no matter what house they're in. When is the first meeting?"
"I'll wait a week or two I think so everyone knows."
The two talked on end about the DA and what they'd like to accomplish with it. They moved onto other things like classes and homework and talked until the sun began to set. Harry helped Hermione to stand and didn't let go of her hand until they were just about at the Great Hall.
After dinner Harry slowly made his way to the DADA classroom. He wasn't that happy about having to do occlumency again, but after the events at the Ministry he knew that it was important, he didn't want to lose anyone else he loved like that.
Entering the room he saw it was fairly well lit, a nice contrast to the dungeons he'd had to do this in last year. Professor Brodsky was at his desking writing on some parchment. He looked up and smiled at Harry when the young man entered and motioned him in.
Brodsky stood and walked around to stand in front of Harry, then waved his wand to remove all of the desks.
"Ready, Harry?"
"Not really, Sir, but I know I have to do this."
"Good. Alright, what did Professor Snape cover in your fifth year?"
"He said that occlumency was the magic that closed off the mind to intrusion and influence. He said to empty my mind and rid myself of all emotions and then he just kept trying over and over again."
"The vile creature." Brodsky muttered.
"You don't like him, Sir?"
"I don't trust him, Harry. You know he was once a death eater? Well, I'm not sure if a man like him can be reformed. I'm not the judge however, Dumbledore and the deities are. I also think he is horrible and unfair to the students, especially Gryffindors. I was a Gryffindor when I went to school here, so I of course think it's the best house. Anyway Harry, let's keep going. Occlumency can't be forced on you the way Snape attempted to do, it is much like the exercises we did today, your mind powers must gradually get stronger. Alright?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Now the clearing your mind thing is good. But instead of completely clearing it I want you to think of a specific memory, much like you would with your patronus, a strong memory where you felt content and at ease. Focus on those feelings, the contentment mainly, being at peace within yourself. Close your eyes and do that now."
Harry closed his eyes and searched for a memory where he felt like he didn't have a care in the world. His mind came to the time just a few weeks ago on the morning after he and Hermione had first shared a bed. He remembered how peaceful and perfect that had been when he woke up and allowed those feelings to fill him up.
"Now open your eyes Harry, but keep that content feeling inside of you." Harry did as he was told and looked into his professors eyes. "Alright, how do you feel?"
"Peaceful."
"Good. Now when I try to force my mind into yours I want you to attempt to ignore the images that flash through your mind and keep your focus on the feelings and images of that one memory." Harry nodded in understanding. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Sir."
"I'm sorry, Harry. Legilemens."
Memories flashed through Harrys mind; He was six years old and Dudley had just broken his nose for getting a smudge on his new television....He was ten and his uncle was forcefully throwing him into his closet....A giant snake was trying to kill him....He screamed for his godfather after watching him fall through the veil....
'Focus, Harry. Focus on your peaceful memory.' Professor Brodskys voice whispered in his mind.
Harry tried to push the memory of Hermione asleep on his chest into his head, but it was so hard. More and more memories flashed through his mind; He watched Cedric Diggorys body fall....Ginny lay motionless on the floor in a dark, dank chamber.....An image of Professor Trelawny floating in a pensieve and speaking in an otherworldly voice......Hermione falling to a purple flame....
Harry opened his eyes and found himself on his knees in the classroom. He looked up to see Professor Brodsky breathing deeply, all of the blood drained from his face. The older wizard lowered his wand and his head and turned to his desk. Harry stood, also breathing deeply.
"Sir?" He asked, his voice raspy.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Are you okay?"
Brodsky paused for a minute before answering, "I'm fine Harry, just fine. Umm, I think we should stop for the night, I'm not feeling too well."
"Alright, Sir, I'll go then."
"Have a nice night, Harry."
Harry took one last look at Brodsky, he was still leaning on his desk with his back to him, breathing deeply. Harry turned and left the room. Once he was gone, Brodsky got a hold of himself and followed Harry out. He called to the young man.
Harry turned back, "Yes, Sir?"
"I'm terribly sorry about tonight, Harry but I want you to practice focusing on that memory when you go to bed each night."
"Yes, Sir."
"Thankyou. Now go on. I'll see you tomorrow night in the Room of Requirement." Harry began walking again and Brodsky turned from him and made his way to the stone gargoyle that wasn't far. Saying the password he rode the stairs to the top and knocked on the door. He entered once recieving permission. Inside Dumbledore and McGonagall were sipping tea and talking about lesson plans.
Dumbledore was shocked to see Brodsky enter, "Byron, shouldn't you be with Harry?"
"I don't know if I can continue teaching him occlumency, Headmaster, perhaps you should do it."
"And why is that?"
"Some of the things I saw in his mind, I....I don't ever want to see again."
"What did you see?" McGonagall spoke.
Brodsky hesitated, "Why didn't either of you tell me about what really happened at the Ministry? You told me she was injured but you never told me just how serious it could of been. That curse she was hit with....it could have easily killed her."
Dumbledore motioned for Brodsky to sit, which he did. "We told you it was serious. Yet you have seen for yourself that she is alive and well."
"But judging on where she was hit, if she hadn't of silenced Dolohov she would be dead! That curse...she...she could have died." Brodsky mumbled, his face getting paler and paler as he spoke.
McGonagall rested her hand on his. "She could have, Byron. They shouldn't have been there, but the occlumency will make sure they're never put in a position like that again."
Tears were welling in Brodskys eyes. "I could have lost her."
"Byron, you must continue to help Harry with the occlumency." Dumbledore said sternly and gently at the same time. "Minerva, perhaps you should help him to his quarters."
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