Student and Teacher

Dear Alavel,

I'm sitting in my room at the Dursleys', waiting for Sirius to get me. I'm sure you won't be surprised to know he's late. He always is.

These past few weeks haven't been so bad. I did what I said and kept myself invisible. Not literally, but I've kept myself hidden. I'm not sure they remember I'm here. My old room's been turned into a guest room.

I'm worried about Ginny. I think after I've moved to Sirius's house, I'll write to her. This all can't be easy on her. I won't tell her I'm worried. She'd hate that. I'd ask Ron, but he's not as observant as I am. That, and he didn't see what happened.

As Harry wrote, he was careful not to specify what he'd seen Ginny do. If someone found his letters, they could be used against her. As far as he knew, only he, Ginny, and Hermione knew what Ginny had done, and he had every intention of keeping it that way.

I hope Hermione's okay too. She looked shaken up on the train. She's changed so much that I can't tell what's normal for her anymore. I don't think she was alright, though. We all nearly died. Again.

I hate thinking about what happened. I wish I knew who that woman was. You-Know-Who called her Lux. I asked Sirius that night if he knew anything, but he didn't say. I think losing you bothered him too. It shook everyone.

Professor Dumbledore announced it after he returned. He even held a moment of silence for you. If he'd gotten there sooner, he wouldn't have had to. Or if Perks hadn't sold us out, none of that would've happened.

Harry stopped writing. If Alavel were to actually read his letter, he'd be upset at Harry. Harry was right. If Dumbledore had gotten there sooner, or if Perks hadn't sold them out, Alavel would've still been alive. Yet, Harry knew Alavel wouldn't want him thinking like that.

As he contemplated the letter, he heard a sound downstairs. He ran down, careful not to make a sound or be seen. Sure enough, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and Moody stepped out of the fireplace.

Harry folded his arms, looking for any details on them that seemed out of place. After everything, including posture and habits, seemed correct, he turned to Sirius.

"What class is Taltria?" he asked.

Sirius froze, and Harry instinctively drew his wand. He couldn't use it, but a slap on the wrist from the Ministry was nothing. Not anymore, at least.

"Erm…"

"Swordsage," Moody growled, his eye darting to Sirius. "Same as her brother. Keeps them vigilant. Ready?"

Harry found it a little surprising that it was Moody that knew the answer, but he patted his pack nonetheless.

"Ready. Who else is at headquarters?"

"We're not going to headquarters," Sirius said. "There's been a change in plans."

At the word "been", Harry had taken a step back and trained his wand on Sirius.

"I wasn't informed of a change in plan," he said.

"Dumbledore doesn't want us bringing you there," Sirius said. "You'll be better off at the Burrow. We're going to take you there from here on broomstick."

"Why not just apparate?" Harry asked.

"Wards," Moody growled. "Same reason we didn't apparate you last year."

"Most wizarding residences have wards like the one at Hogwarts to prevent unwelcome apparition," Remus explained. "We can't see any danger coming if we apparated there directly."

Something still didn't feel right. Why hadn't he been informed of the change? Where was Alavel when he needed him?

"Even if we take you to headquarters," Moody growled, "we're still going on broomstick. You knew that. So either hop on, or stay here longer. Dumbledore would rather you stay here anyway."

Harry gave the idea some consideration. He was a ghost among the Dursleys. They lived their lives, he tended the house, and everyone ignored one another. He'd hated it because they were horrible to him, but their current arrangement suited him. He longed for the company of his friends, but he'd see them soon enough.

What if something happens before then?

If something happened, Lord Skyeyes, they'd need to get you out first.

The Dursleys would surely be angry if he were still there, but if they couldn't find him, then they wouldn't be able to take it out on him. He'd taken to carrying his pack with him as he moved. If he needed somewhere to be that was out of the way, he hid in the cupboard under the stairs, which he found rather ironic. He only needed two hours of sleep, and it wasn't terrible sleeping there.

He looked at Sirius. If he stayed, he'd be missing out on spending time with Sirius, and on learning more about his parents.

"Why is it so important for me to stay protected?" Harry asked. "Voldemort's trying to kill a lot of people. I've caught glimpses of what's going on in the news. That's not terrorists or accidents, that's Death Eaters. I don't stand a chance against him, and however I stopped him before, I can't do it again. If I knew how, I would've done it already. So why does he care?"

The four Order members exchanged glances.

"None of you know," Harry said. "Dumbledore hasn't told one of you."

"He may not know," Remus said.

"It's Dumbledore, of course he knows."

"What's the problem?" Sirius asked. "If you believe us, why not come with us rather than stay here?"

Harry wasn't sure what he believed. If they weren't the Order, then they were convincing Death Eaters. He knew Voldemort personally wanted to kill him, so sending Death Eaters disguised as Order members would make sense for a plan. They'd lead him to Voldemort, who'd kill him.

He didn't like the idea of the plan changing. It felt wrong, but there was one way to find out for sure.

<Ron, is your family expecting me?>

<Sure. Sirius should've been there by now. Hasn't anyone told you?>

<No. Can you find out who was supposed to retrieve me?>

<Hold on.>

Harry passed the time by subtly looking over the Order members. Moody must've spotted him doing it, assuming it was the real Moody. His eye darted around the room, possibly keeping an eye out for threats.

<Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and Moody. They're supposed to arrive by floo powder, then take you here by broomstick. Mum's warded our house so you can't floo powder in, only out.>

<Since when does your mum know protective magic?>

<She says 'I'm unemployed! What do you think I do all day?'>

Harry laughed inwardly at the scratchy voice Ron used to impersonate his mum, then drew his broom from his pack.

"Alright, I believe you. How are we doing this?"

Night had fallen not long before Dobby popped into Draco's room. After a long day of being ordered around, Draco wanted nothing to do with the house-elf.

"Dobby, leave me alone!"

Forced to comply with his orders, Dobby vanished from Draco's room. But not before dropping something on the floor.

Draco's eyes swept over it. It was a letter. At first, he decided he'd leave it there and make Dobby pick it up later, but chose to move it himself in case it was something incriminating. Not to him; Dobby wouldn't do that to him, but if it was something personal of Dobby's, Draco would rather it be kept safe.

He picked it up and saw that the letter wasn't addressed to Dobby, but to him.

"What?"

More confusing was the return address.

It was from Sally-Anne.

Draco frowned at the letter as he tore it open. Under normal circumstances, he would've ordered Dobby to retrieve a letter opener (he didn't open letters himself, that was for the help), but doing so would've drawn more suspicion to him. So he opened it himself and sat on his bed to read it.

Dear Draco,

How's your summer going? I know we're not far into it yet, but I hope you're well. I certainly hope it's going better than mine.

I hope you don't mind me writing to you. It occurred to me the other day that I haven't really got friends anymore. After what I did for Umbridge, no one's in a mood to talk to me. This is to say that I was rather surprised when your house-elf paid me a visit last night.

Mum's working a lot these days, and Dad doesn't want me home alone, so I've been spending weekdays in the theatre with him. That's where I'll be tomorrow. I don't mind it so much. It helps keep my mind off everything happening in the wizarding world, and everyone there is nice.

I thought we could write letters to each other and have Dobby send them. That is, if you want to, of course. I'd like to. You're about the only one in Hogwarts not angry at me. And Umbridge lied to you too. You'll understand how I feel better than anyone.

You always seem so displeased with the idea of returning home. I can't imagine what your home life is like, but if you ever want to talk about it, please feel free. You've got my word that I won't tell anyone anything you tell me.

Hoping you're well.

Sally-Anne Perks

P.S. Rose gave me a pendant in second year. That's how I can read minds.

Draco frowned at the letter again after reading it. Sally-Anne was writing to him? Dobby paid her a visit? When was that? Draco didn't think he was allowed, or even capable, to sneak out of the house. And going to see a Muggle-born of all people. At least it was Sally-Anne this time, but no one knew who it'd be the next time it happened.

He started to crumple up the letter, but stopped himself. After smoothing it out, he hid the envelope and letter under his bed. He had no intention to write back to her, but she still seemed so… nice. For some reason, he felt bad about getting rid of the letter.

Someone knocked on Ron's door. He looked up from his Charms book and glared at Fred and George.

"What?"

George waved a letter.

"You've got post."

"It's a looooooove letter," Fred said.

"Give it here," Ron said, holding out his hand.

"Why should we?"

Ron smirked.

"I wasn't talking to you."

An inconspicuous trinket unfolded on the shelf next to his door. The small animated construct leapt off the shelf and grabbed the letter from his brother's hand. It ran over to Ron and handed him the letter.

"What was that thing?" Fred asked.

"Animated construct," Ron replied. "Hermione and I enchanted it the day we left Hogwarts. It's an experiment. If it works all summer, we're thinking of making bigger ones."

George drew his wand.

"Well, we'll have to—"

"Mum! Fred and George are up to no good!"

The Twins ran before their mum had a chance to reply.

Ron laughed to himself as he opened the letter. He was surprised to find it addressed from Lavender Brown.

Dear Ron,

How's your summer so far? Mine's so dull. Mum and Dad are all on about the Death Eaters and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but there's no worry. Did you hear about Madame Bones? Some people are saying she was attacked, but no one knows what happened! I think she fought them off. Susan talks about her likes she's some big hero, so I bet that's what happened.

Ron continued down Lavender's letter. It was much like the way she talked. Just going on and on, never really having a point to anything. He was glad she was thinking of him, though.

If Sally-Anne had been there with him, she would've made sure he'd said as much to Lavender. With that, Ron found a piece of parchment and started writing a letter back to her. He wouldn't say much; there wasn't much to tell, after all.

He'd been held up at the Burrow, never allowed to leave unless escorted by someone. Even just to play outside they had to be monitored at all times. At least they'd brought Harry over earlier that week.

Fred and George were worse than ever, having nothing to do. They were talking about opening up a joke shop, but they didn't have the money to make that happen. Their mum had caught them whispering about asking Harry for a loan. He wasn't sure if he'd ever heard her scream so loudly.

After he'd written a reply, Ron went downstairs to see what his mum was doing. He'd already read his Charms book four times, and it always felt like a better use of his time to talk with his mum about animation. Practical knowledge and all that.

While her brothers harassed one another, Ginny shifted in her chair in the living room of the Burrow. She'd tried to get comfortable for 10 minutes, but there was something wrong with the chair. There was something wrong with every chair, and possibly her bed. Nothing felt comfortable anymore.

She got up and started hunting the twins. There was no doubt that they had done something to her bed and the chairs. Looking around, she decided they must've done something to the walls too. They were too small, too close. Everything was too small. What had they done?

She passed Ron in the kitchen sucking up to their mother. He'd been pretending to be interested in animation for months. It wasn't enough that he was their dad��s favorite, but he had to be their mum's favorite too.

She stormed upstairs, listening for the unmistakable sound of her brothers conspiring. It was all they did those days. Ginny didn't know why her mum was so angry about them asking Harry for a loan. It would get them out of the house. Their mum had yelled at them nearly every day that summer. If they were gone, they wouldn't be a problem anymore. It was such an obvious solution, but their mum just didn't see it.

"Is everything alright?" someone asked while she was searching upstairs for her brothers.

She spun around and flicked her wand into place. Her brothers insisted on using magic all the time, so it was only fair that she responded in kind.

"I got you that wand as a late birthday present," Harry said, "I'd appreciate not being its first target."

Ginny ran her eyes over Harry, searching for anything out of place. Rose had never given her anything like what she'd given Harry, but Ginny's eyes were good enough to spot something out of place. She didn't lower her wand until she'd determined that it was indeed Harry standing in front of her and not one of her brothers.

Harry nodded his head into his room and walked inside. He sat down on the bed, then patted it to invite her to join him.

"I haven't got time," Ginny said. "Fred and George are messing with the house, and I want them to stop."

They both activated doublespeak. It was a habit of all of theirs to mask their conversations.

"I heard Ron yelling earlier," Harry replied. "That's when I came here. What are they doing?"

Ginny glanced around, then stepped into Harry's room. It shocked her to see the room as immaculate as it was, considering Harry and Ron were sharing a room.

"Does Ron sleep here?" Ginny asked.

"Pettigrew's on the loose again," Harry said. "We've got to keep it clean to spot him."

Ginny growled at the thought of the little weasel of a man. A rat fit him perfectly. If he knew they were waiting for him, that she was waiting for him, he'd never show his face in their house again.

"He'd better hope I don't spot him," she muttered.

She took a seat beside Harry on his bed.

"What are Fred and George doing?" Harry asked.

"Everything's smaller, and the chairs don't feel right. I think they messed with them." She adjusted her ponytail. "When I find them, I'll—"

"I haven't noticed anything wrong," Harry said.

"You've only been here a week. You don't know what it's supposed to be like."

Harry stared at her over his glasses and raised his eyebrows.

Ginny narrowed her eyes at him.

"What?"

"I don't miss anything."

Ginny shifted away from him and glared.

"Are you saying I'm lying?"

Harry stared at her, but didn't say anything. The way he looked at her, it reminded her of something. She didn't know what it was, but she wanted him to stop.

"Stop it!"

"I'm not saying you're lying. I believe you. I don't know why, but you might be imagining it."

"What?!"

Ginny leapt to her feet.

"I'm not imagining it! I know what I felt, and it's the Twins' fault! They're up to something, and I'm going to find out what and make them stop!"

She turned to the door.

"Would you like to go outside?" Harry asked.

"We can't, remember? We need someone to go outside with us, and mum's the only person home that could."

No matter what happened, no matter how tough she was, everyone still treated her like a child. She'd fended for herself in the Forbidden Forest. She'd even protected Hermione when she'd needed it, but because she was underage, she wasn't allowed outside without a chaperon. All because she was underage. It wasn't fair! The Twins got to use magic, and there were tons of pureblood students who got to use magic. Why couldn't she?

A sly smile spread over Harry's face.

"We don't need someone outside with us."

Ginny grinned back at him. Finally, someone was speaking her language.

Harry crept down the stairs, avoiding the two that creaked. He'd had plenty of time to learn how to move around the Burrow undetected, just as he had at Privet Drive.

He kept his focus on his blindsight. Ron and Mrs. Weasley were still in the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley explained the ins and outs of some animation charm. He knew Ron would help them if he asked, but there was a chance Ron would be upset that he and Ginny were sneaking out without him.

Ginny was restless. Harry was familiar with the feeling, and knew the best way to deal with it was to go outside for some fresh air. They both had brooms in their packs, so they could even fly if they wanted to.

He didn't know where the Twins were, but Ginny was behind him, under instruction to inform him if that changed. That being the case, they both heard one of the clocks go off. Harry held up his hand to stop Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley left the kitchen, and Harry sat down where he was.

<Sit down next to me.>

<Why?>

Despite her question, Ginny obeyed, which meant all her mum saw when she walked by the stairs were two friends sitting and talking. Harry even had a topic prepared.

"But Ron's got everything Quidditch packed in his head these days, so I asked him, and he… hello, Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley glanced at them on her way past the stairs.

"What are you two doing there?" she asked.

"I insisted," Harry replied. "Alavel never let me go upstairs alone with a girl. I thought you'd appreciate it if I continued that."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at him.

"You're such a gentleman, Harry." Muttering, she added, "Now if only your so-called guardian could learn from that."

Ginny shifted around next to him, putting some space between them. She fidgeted with her ponytail again, making Harry think she wasn't specifically putting distance between the two of them.

He frowned at Mrs. Weasley.

"With all due respect, I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about Sirius like that. I respect that you don't want him in your house, but he's done his best to raise me."

Harry had spent a week studying the body language of everyone at the Burrow. He saw Mrs. Weasley's expressions shift through surprise (she hadn't intended that to be heard), to cross (she hated people telling her off, even if he hadn't intended it that way), to adoration (Harry wasn't sure about that one, but probably from him being polite again). Mrs. Weasley's eyes darted to her daughter for a moment before she responded to Harry.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

A knock at the door ended their conversation, and Mrs. Weasley excused herself.

"Be there in just a minute!" she called.

Harry and Ginny exchanged glances, then got up to follow Mrs. Weasley. Ron joined them on their way.

"What's going on?" Harry asked him.

"Not sure. Mum said she's expecting company."

Harry hoped it was Sirius, but given the conversation he'd just had with Mrs. Weasley, he knew it wouldn't be. "Company" implied not one of the other Weasleys. Harry glanced at a clock on his way. It was well into the afternoon, which meant Mr. Weasley would be returning home soon. He lingered on the word "company", hoping it wouldn't be Dumbledore. While Harry had plenty of questions for the headmaster, he didn't want to talk to the man.

While Sirius was the person he wanted to see most, his number two stood at the door when Mrs. Weasley opened it.

"Remus?" he asked.

"Now Harry, you don't know that," Remus replied. "I could be in disguise."

Harry scanned Remus for anything out of place. Apart from being distinctly well-kept, especially for Remus, nothing seemed out of place. His pendant was tucked safely out of sight, but Harry could still see the chain around his neck.

"There are more ways than just information to tell if someone's who they say they are," Harry said. "Polyjuice potion can only do so much."

"There are proper ways of doing things," Mrs. Weasley said. "You've got a password for me?"

While Remus confirmed his identity with Mrs. Weasley, Harry conferred with his friends.

<Do either of you get the feeling your mum only hears half of what anyone says?> he asked.

<Sometimes, yeah,> Ron replied.

<Sometimes?> Ginny said. <Try all the time. And she hears way less than half of what I say.>

Once Mrs. Weasley was satisfied that Remus really was Remus, she invited him in. He declined, motioning outside.

"I thought everyone would enjoy some fresh air. You must've been cooped up all day."

Ginny was out the door before he'd finished talking.

"I'd love some fresh air," Harry said. "Ron?"

Ron nodded, and the two of them followed Remus outside.

"Would you rather be talking with your mum?" Harry asked. "It looked like you were interested in what she was saying."

"I am, but I'd rather spend some time outside." He glanced back inside as he drew his broom from his pack. "Besides, Mum's got to cook dinner soon."

The three of them flew through the air for a while, then Harry landed while the other two started a small game of Quidditch.

"Taking a break?" Remus asked.

Harry shrugged.

"Two on one isn't fair, and I wanted to spend time with you."

"With me?" Remus scoffed in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"Quite sure. Actually, I wanted to ask you about teaching."

"He told you?" Remus asked. "That was fast."

Harry kept his face neutral and looked over Remus. He had no idea to what Remus was referring. Part of him wanted to pretend he did to find out, but he didn't like the idea of lying to Remus.

"No, I want to be a teacher."

Remus blushed a little.

"What did you think I meant?" Harry asked.

Remus hesitated, which Harry hoped meant he was considering talking to him. Hesitation often meant someone was considering their answer, at least that's what Harry thought.

"Dumbledore wants me to come back to teaching."

Harry frowned, then nodded to show he was still listening. Remus was the best of the best when it came to Defence Against the Dark Arts. When Harry had been teaching the Crimson Insurrection, he'd always looked at Remus as an example of what a good teacher was like. After Alavel's encouragement, Harry had decided he was going to be a teacher, and for that, he'd planned to talk to Remus.

"I think you should do it," Harry said.

"It's not that simple."

"Sirius said teaching at Hogwarts was your dream job. You're easily the best Defence Against the Dark Arts professor we've ever had, including Moody. You won't have to keep missing class every month, so long as you keep that pendant on."

"That's just it," Remus said. "Say someone gets their hands on this, or…"

"If you don't want it to be removed, it won't be removed. Trust me, Perks has got a pendant from Rose too, and I tried removing it last year. Nothing I did broke the chain."

Remus fingered the chain that held his pendant.

"Sirius is right," Harry said. "You're not a werewolf anymore, and… and if Alavel were still alive, he'd tell you the same thing. He'd probably say something like 'you can't keep letting your fears hold you back'."

"I'm a danger to the students."

"Hermione nearly killed Neville and Luna last year, never mind what Perks and Umbridge did. You cared about us, believed that Sirius was innocent, and you don't actually change anymore. Mr. Weasley said Umbridge is still working at the Ministry. If she hadn't forced us into the Forbidden Forest… but you wouldn't do anything like that."

They sat in silence and watched Ginny and Ron try and get the Quaffle past one another. Ginny had better reflexes, but Ron could predict what play she was about to make, so it was an even match.

"What subject do you want to teach?" Remus asked.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Harry replied. "Alavel always said I was good at it."

Remus nodded, then glanced over at Mr. Weasley arriving home. He held his wand until Mr. Weasley was invited inside by Mrs. Weasley.

"I'll make you a deal," Remus said. "I'll go back to teaching, if you'll be my TA."

Harry paused for a moment, partly from shock, partly in thought. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to TA for two professors, although flight class didn't take much time. He'd also be Quidditch captain for Gryffindor, on top of five N.E.W.T. level classes. But it was Remus— no, Professor Lupin. Harry would find the time.

"Deal."

Harry held out his hand. Remus took it, and they shook on it, as student and teacher.