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Authors Note: Chapter updated 8/6/06. Thanks again to all my reviewers....you are the best! JKR owns it all!

Getting Help and Having Fun

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The meeting ended, and everyone started gathering their materials to leave when Harry took the opportunity to pull the Minister aside. He needed to get started on his training as soon as possible and hoped that Cornelius would be able to help him out.

"Cornelius, when we spoke a few days ago, you mentioned an old law that would allow anyone who has completed their OWL's to bypass the Underage Use Of Magic restrictions, if war was declared. How long will it take to get that law processed and through your office." asked Harry.

"I've already begun the preliminary steps by compiling all evidence of You-Know-Who's return. That should be completed in a day or two and it will only take another day for me to enact the law after that. Being head of your family bypasses that law and any current laws restricting underage magic. Why do you ask?" said Cornelius.

"As I'm not 16 yet, legally I won't be able to take of the mantel of Head of House Potter for a little over a month. With everything that we've learned today, I feel it safe to say that Voldemort isn't going to be my only threat after we begin the proceedings against Dumbledore and Snape. I'm hoping to start preparing for the fight, on all fronts that lay before me, as soon as possible." here Harry paused, not sure how to proceed or how many of his secrets he needed to reveal to the Minister.

After searching Cornelius' eyes for several long moments looking for any hint of his old ways, Harry inwardly nodded to himself at what he saw: Curiosity, concern, admiration, conviction and a definite spark that showed his willingness to fight. "This is going to seem like an odd question, but I need you to be completely frank and honest with me before I go any further. Are you proficient in the arts of Legilimency and Occlemency?"

Taking on a cautious air Fudge asked, "Harry, how do you know of those arts? Unless directly approved to learn, and be licensed by the Ministry, they are strictly forbidden. Legilimency is by far the hardest to be licensed in and those who are, are watched very carefully. I gather you know what they are used for, so therefore you understand how dangerous it is for anyone to have their mind broken into. The penalty for using Legilimency, without a license, on another human is 20 years in Azkaban. Last I checked, only three people are licensed for Legilimency and they are all Unspeakables, however, most Ministry employees, and of course anyone in the DMLE, are all proficient and licensed in Occlemency, including myself. As you well know, it's not the ones who are legal that we worry about. Like in the Longbottom and Potter lines, many of the older families have carried through the centuries the knowledge and tomes of the old laws and ways of our world. The arts of Legilimency and Occlemency stem form the Nobility Era and when the Ministry was formed, instead of outlawing the old ways, we attempted to bring them under some control as a means of protecting those without the knowledge or the means of getting said knowledge. It's because of this that they are classified in a group known as the 'Grey Arts'. The 'Grey Arts' are not commonly known and are almost as guarded and treated just as harshly as the 'Dark Arts'. The main difference between the two classifications is that, with Ministry approval, the 'Grey Arts' are legal. All Aurors and Unspeakables have such approval. I'm telling you all this, Harry, because you need to be careful who you discuss these matters with. Many would view you as 'Dark' for even mentioning it."

During this whole explanation, Harry's expression went from slack-jawed to calculating by the end. "That is some very interesting information! I apologize, Cornelius, I didn't realize how my questioning you on this would be taken. I only wished to know because some of what I have to tell you could lead to my downfall if it ever got out and became public knowledge."

After giving Cornelius a brief summary of his 'training' in the arts of Legilimency and Occlemency and explaining that Snape was chosen to teach him by Dumbledore because the Headmaster thought it to big a risk to teach Harry himself, Cornelius said, " I feel confident that we will be adding to the whole 'broken laws' list very soon. With your permission, I am going to need to get Amelia Bones involved very soon, as she is head of the DMLE."

Nodding, Harry said, "If she is available, have her come to the meeting next week." Getting back to what started all this discussion, Harry said, "During the whole D.O.M. fiasco, it was brought to my attention, then later revealed by Dumbledore, that there is a prophecy concerning Voldemort and myself that basically states that I have to either kill or be killed by him. What gets at me the most, is that Dumbledore has known about this prophecy since before I was born, as it was spoken to him, and he has done nothing in the way of preparing me! My Hogwarts education is not going to bring him down. Voldemort has come after me 5 times in my life so far and I have so far managed to survive, but my luck is bound to run out and I refuse to solely rely on it anymore! We can't expect to win this war unless we all learn to fight fire with fire! Death Eater children are learning more and more Dark Arts everyday and the history of Dumbledore's hiring for the DADA position is ridiculous. If my friends and I had not formed our study group last year, none us would have had any hope in passing our OWL's. This isn't going to be enough to win!"

To say Cornelius was shocked would be and understatement. He knew that You-Know-Who seem fixated on Harry, but now he understood why. After contemplating how he could help, he said, "Harry, first let me get the law enacted to allow you to do magic, then I'll get with Amelia and a few others and see what we can come up with to help you train. I will need to provide them with the information you have given me concerning the prophecy, but can promise that all of the people involved are skilled in Occlemency and if need be, I will get an oath of silence from them. If what I have in mind comes to be, take the next few days to relax a little. You've had a couple of hard weeks and I don't want to see you burn out."

"Cornelius, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear from you. Use your judgment with the oath...if you feel it necessary, then get it. When you have everything set up, let me know. If possible, I would also like to include some of my friends, since by association they are directly in the path of danger. Over the next few days I am going to settle on a home and get it prepared and/or updated, if need be, and then properly warded." Harry said.

Then with a smile, Harry added, "I promise that I'll also take time to relax...as the muggles say, 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'" Harry laughed at the bewildered look on the Ministers' face. With that, the last of the group left and the trio headed down to the pond to relax for the rest of the afternoon.

That evening after dinner, Neville suggested they go out to this new club in Diagon Alley that catered to their generation. Thinking it would be a great way to spend the evening, the all got dressed, Harry borrowing some clothes from Nev considering all he owned were Dudley's castoffs, and took the Knight Bus to the Alley. When they came upon the club, they were all amazed by how popular it seemed to be. People were everywhere! Once inside, they found a booth off to the side of the dance floor and proceeded to order drinks.

Almost immediately, the started picking out people they all recognized. It seemed as if the whole of Gryfindor, both recently graduated and present members were in attendance. The Weasley twins were keeping one corner of the club in a constant fit of laughter, so Harry decided to venture over. Upon reaching the group he spotted his old Quidditch captain Oliver Wood. "Hey Oliver, it's good to see you again! I'm surprised to see you here with your busy schedule playing for Irish National."

"Harry! It's good to see you, too! Yeah, I don't get a lot of time to myself these days, but when I do, I try to get around to see the old crowd. Actually, I came here with Angelina tonight. So, what have you been up to lately? I heard about your ridiculous Quidditch ban this year! Hopefully you can get that lifted for next year and continue to sharpen you seeker skills after two years of not playing. I know some of the professional teams are interested in talking to you once you graduate from Hogwarts." said Oliver, enthusiastically.

"I never really thought about playing professionally before. I'm sure to be a bit rusty after not playing for so long, but I should be fine with a little practice. I can't see the Quidditch ban holding for this year, but one can never be sure. I'm hoping to find a Quidditch pitch at one of my family homes and even if the ban sticks for now, I could always practice....WOW! Who's that!" Harry said suddenly.

During the conversation, Harry had been looking over the crowd when he noticed a group of girls walk in. The one that had garnered his attention had long, slightly wavy strawberry blond hair, legs that went on forever, curves in all the right places and the most beautiful smile he had seen in a long time. He thought she looked familiar, but couldn't quite place her. Lavender Brown, who had also been standing in the group around the twins, noticed him staring and said, "Hey Harry! That's Susan Bones, she's in our year from Hufflepuff house. As far as I know.....she's single too!" She said with a knowing smirk and started formulating a plan to hook them up!

It was apparent to anyone in Gryfindor house that he could use some cheering up as of late, plus Harry was way to sexy be left single any longer. Like many girls in Hogwarts, she too had noticed how Harry was becoming quite the hottie! He stood at about 5'10" and was starting to put on some real muscle; a butt to die for and of course those gorgeous green eyes. What wasn't there to like! He just needed to come out of his shell a little and then.....

"That's Susan Bones? The little chubby girl from the Hufflepuff. Damn! She sure has grown in all the right ways! Merlin, I hate Hogwarts robes....ghastly things they are! You say she is single...." and without a backwards glance, Harry started to make his way over!

He'd given up on being the shy, stupid, unconfident boy that had tried to date Cho. That obviously wasn't working for him, so during one of his meditative sessions, by the lake at Hogwarts, he figured he would try a different approach. Outwardly he appeared sure of himself, but inside he was still scared stiff. He thought, 'Well here goes nothing'.

Touching her lightly on her arm to get her attention, he asked, "Susan, would you like to dance?" Realizing who it was speaking to her, she thought, 'OH MY GOD! Harry Potter is asking ME to dance! Can he even dance....I remember forth year....That was a long time ago.....What am I doing, answer him before he walks away!'

"Thanks Harry, I'd love to!" Susan said, smiling at him. Turning toward the dance floor, she gave her girlfriends a blazingly brilliant smile and they in turn gave her the thumbs up.

Harry was greatly relieved that as they approach the dance floor, the song switched to a slow one. Leading her into the middle of the crowd, he wrapped his arms around her waist lightly, and pulling herself close enough, she put her arms around his neck. About a minute into the song she said, "I didn't think you knew my name. We haven't really talked at school and being in different houses, the only time I see you is in the few joint classes we share."

"To be honest, when you first walked in tonight you looked familiar but I couldn't place your name. What I did notice was your beautiful smile. It wasn't until Lavender told me who you were that it all clicked.....I cursed the Hogwarts uniforms after that." They both laughed at the last comment.
Susan, giving a sly smile said, "You think I have a beautiful smile? What about the rest of me?"

Harry slowed a little at her forwardness but said, "You should ask Oliver what my reaction was. Needless to say, you took my breath away! I actually stopped talking mid sentence."

They danced in silence for a few moments when Susan noticed that Harry wasn't that bad of a dancer after all and told him as much. "I have to admit, after watching you dance with Pavarti at the Yule Ball, I was a little nervous you were going to be a terrible dancer and step all over my feet. Guess you proved me wrong!"

Chuckling, he said "That's one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. We had only been told about a minute prior to our entrance that we were expected to start the dance off. I didn't have a lot of time to practice and waltzing isn't exactly my style of dancing....I much prefer holding my partner close." He gave her a wink and pulled her a little closer.

Looking around, Harry noticed that Neville and Hermione were dancing and very closely at that. Inside he cheered on the couple and turned his attention back to the girl in his arms. As the song was drawing to an end, he asked her for another dance to which she readily agreed.

After several more songs, they headed back to his booth to get some drinks, and there, he decided to see if she would like to go out on a date. "Susan, if your not busy tomorrow night, would you like to have dinner with me? We could even come back here afterwards."

Not believing her luck, she said, "I would love to go to dinner with you. I'll have to meet you somewhere as my Auntie Amelia keeps the location of our home a secret."

"That won't be a problem, we could meet at the Leaky Cauldron at 7pm and head out from there. You about ready to head back out onto the floor?" Harry asked. Smiling and sipping down the last of her drink they headed back out to the dance floor.

It was once again a slow song and feeling a little more brave, Harry held her tightly to him and whispered in her ear, "I can't wait till tomorrow....when we can be alone for a while. Would you mind if I kissed you? I just can't seem to resist your beautiful lips."

Without saying a word, she lifted her head from his shoulder and leaned into his embrace. The kiss was tentative at first, both feeling their stomachs flip, but became more meaningful as Harry slowly deepened the kiss by stroking her lips with his tongue, asking permission. Not even batting an eyelash she opened up to him and both were lost in the sensations. So lost in the kiss, neither one noticed that over half the club had stopped what they were doing to stare at the couple. It took the Weasley twins cheering and cat calling to bring them back to reality. While Susan blushed, Harry just hugged her tighter...no way was he embarrassed by what had happened. Smiling at the twins, he saw Neville and Hermione giving him an approving thumbs up. Silently, he thanked Neville for suggesting they come here tonight. It had certainly turned out to be a good night.

After a couple more dances, they headed back over to their friends. Both were pulled into conversations by their respective groups and with one last glance at each other, went to play 20 questions. Hermione was the first to ask, "Sooooo, Harry, when did this start? By the way, you guys look great together!"

In response Harry said, "It started tonight, thank you very much, and I could ask you the same question, hmmm! Honestly, when she walked in I thought Oliver was going to have to hold me up. I mean look at her....she's gorgeous!"

Not to be out done, the twins went on,
"You know Harry..." this was Fred, he thought.

"your just lucky" 'uh-oh that was George' thought Harry, 'Here comes the tennis match!'

"that we were in the middle" Fred again

"of a joke at the time," George

"or you would not" Fred

"HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY" said both of them in a shout.

Having heard this, Susan sauntered back over to the Gryfindor group and said, "Fred, George....If I had only known! But alas, I have been stolen away my loves! Until we meet again...." she gave them both a sexy wink and at the sad puppy eyes the twins were giving, the group exploded into laughter as she made her way over to give Harry another kiss.

What seemed like hundreds of questions later, Susan and Harry decided to give dancing another go. As they were winding their way through the crowd, Harry spotted Snape and Dedalus Diggle walking into the club. "JUST GREAT! Why can't they leave me alone!"

Upon his declaration, Susan stopped and started looking around to find out what the problem was. "Harry, what's wrong?" As soon as she finished asking she spotted Professor Snape and another man that was with him.

"Dumbledore must have found out that I'm not at my muggle relatives and has decided to hunt me down. Merlin, I'm sick of this! Susan, I am going to have to leave in order to get away from them. I will explain it all tomorrow, but know that I have done nothing wrong." Harry said, and giving her a quick kiss, he turned around to tell Neville and Hermione that he was leaving. "Guys, look at the door! I gotta go! Don't leave on my account, I'll meet you back at the house later." With that said, he started making his way to the back entrance of the club to make his escape.

As he was nearing the exit he heard Snape shout, "POTTER! STOP RIGHT THERE!" With out looking back, he shot through the door and into the alley, sprinting back to the Leaky Cauldron. Grabbing some flow powder from the mantel and throwing into the fire, he called out his destination, narrowly escaping when Snape shot a "STUPIFY" as he was whisked through the floo network to Longbottom Manor.