haha! silly snape, sendin her mind messages! wish i could do that!!!
PAMS PAMS PAMS!
luv,
JEN X

Sorry for so long without an update! I should be getting one up on Friday evening or Saturday evening =)

Here is the update!

I continued down the hallway as quickly I could until Snape's thoughts were no longer in my head. I knew that Ron, Harry, and Hermione were following me, exchanging nervous glances with one another.

"Is everything alright Abby?" Ron asked as we headed up the stairs towards our Transfiguration class.

"Yeah, everything is fine," I said with the biggest smile I could muster.

I remembered the day clearly when I got my first real vision of the future. Up until that point in time I had had small visions, like seeing that it was going to rain, or what test score I was going to get on an exam. I had been helping my mother wash dishes when I got my first vision of Dumbledore falling down from a high tower. I had been in such a state of shock from what I had seen that I dropped the dish I was drying. My mother and father kept asking me for weeks after the incident what had happened.

My mom told me that my eyes had glazed over for a while and that my whole body was rigid. I often wondered after that if that's what always happened to me when I got my visions. From then on whenever I felt them coming I made sure to go to the bathroom or look away from the people around me.

"What did Snape want?" asked Harry, evening his steps to mine so that he was right next to me.

"He was just wondering if I had ever made that potion before. No big deal," I said, taking my seat in between Harry and Hermione.

"Guess I'm not surprised. Snape is never willing to give someone credit for just being good at something," said Ron with an eye roll.

Professor Flitwick walked into the classroom and took a seat behind his desk. He flicked his wand and a large piece of parchment paper floated neatly onto the desk. Snape had almost made us late to class, and try as I might, I wasn't sure I was able to keep the frustration off of my face. It was not easy looking into the eyes of the man you knew was going to kill one of your beloved mentors. If it would have changed the future in anyway, I would have told Dumbledore, or even Snape what was going to happen. But no matter how many times I ran through different courses of action to take in my head, nothing I did made the outcome any different. Dumbledore was going to die by Snape's wand and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Welcome to Charms class," said Professor Flitwick. "For today I would like to just do a quick review of some basic charms spells that I feel will be useful to you throughout your lessons this year."

Harry leaned over so that he could easily whisper to me without Flitwick knowing.

"Would you mind meeting me later tonight?" whispered Harry.

I felt my heart rate start to pick up, but then slow down when I realized all he wanted was to get me alone so he could pester me about my meeting with Dumbledore. My first instinct was to say no, but Dumbledore wanted me inside his head, and what better way to do that than the be one on one with Harry.

"Yeah, sure," I said with a small smile.

"Meet me down in the common room after everyone has gone to bed. I'll bring my invisibility cloak so we can go and talk somewhere private."

"Alright," I said, taking out my wand as I saw Professor Flitwick taking out his own.

"I'm not very good at this one," I heard in that familiar scottish accent.

I turned to see that Cho Chang had positioned herself in the set of seat directly across from us. I could feel Harry's spirits lifting and his mind trailing from our conversation. I tried to not let the disappointment and repulsion show as he turned himself to talk to her.

"It will pass," Hermione whispered in my ear. She had pulled the cup on the desk in front of us closer to her and began moving her wand in a bunch of complicated motions. I started to do the same, my mind letting itself slip into the motion of the charms I was supposed to be saying.

I listened to Harry's deep laugh and wondered why it was that she could have that affect on him, but I couldn't?

WOW FIRST TO POST!!!! poor abby! he'll get over Cho and come to you! YAY!
but I love it as always!
PAMS
PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS PAMS
PAMS PAMS
PAMS
(did I tell you to PAMS???)

I would like to apologize for the ungodly long time it has been since I have updated this. I plan to post an update at some point today! Sorry for the wait..

I tried to spend the rest of the class focusing on what Professor Flitwick was saying rather than the fake laughs that I kept hearing from Cho on my left. Every now and then I could see Hermione staring at me out of the corner of my eye. It was during these moments in my life that I wished I was not able to see into the minds of the people around me. I knew that Hermione was feeling horrible for Harry's inconsiderate behavior; that Ron was somewhat happy that Harry was enjoying himself with Cho, although he thought he should have been enjoying himself with me; Harry was glad that Cho was willing to talk to him considering that he had witnessed her boyfriend's death; and Cho was happy to be so close to someone who could possibly feel the pain she was feeling about the situation.

"Very good Abby, very good!" said Professor Flitwick, slipping a small note into my hand as he tapped it lightly in praise. I looked but no one around me had noticed the transaction. I flipped it open and read it before shoving it hastily away, no one noticing that either.

When Professor Flitwick dismissed us I hurried to pick up my bag and speed walked out of the room. I could tell that Ron, Hermione, and Harry were confused and had come sprinting out of the room after me. This was becoming a common trend today.

"Slow down Abby. What's the rush?" said Harry, looking behind him to wave goodbye to Cho.

Feeling the rage build up inside me I stopped and turned on my heels. Hermione nearly ran into me, her eyes widening when she saw the look on my face. Ron who had stopped Hermione from falling backwards after running into me also sported a look of apprehension. They both turned to look at Harry who was still looking over his shoulder cheerfully at Cho.

Harry, finally starting to pick up on the tension around him turned and looked at me.

"What's wrong Abby? Did Snape say something to you?" Harry asked, still completely ignorant.

I shook my head, my lips moving into a small smirk. "No Harry, he didn't say anything to upset me, but even if he had I doubt that I would tell you anyway because the only thing that seems to be crossing your mind lately is Cho."

Hermione and Ron began to shuffle uneasily, looking back and forth between Harry and I once or twice before shifting their gaze back to the security of the stone floor.

"What? I'm not allowed to talk to Cho? She just lost her boyfriend Abby...is it really so wrong of me to want to comfort her through this?"

"I'm not your guardian Harry. You are perfectly capable of talking to whomever you wish, but don't expect me to gush my feelings to you when you are only going to partially listen!"

I watched as Harry's cheeks flushed red, the image of Cho's face quickly popping out of it. His embarrassment soon turned to anger.

"What gives you the right to be looking inside my head?" Harry said, his voice threatening.

"Oh believe me Harry, I don't want to be in your head at all. But you feel so strongly about Cho that your thoughts and images of her practically scream out at me! What am I supposed to do?"

"Get away from me," responded Harry, his face going completely blank.

"Harry, you don't mean that," said Hermione, anger starting to overcome her emotions.

"Yeah, come on mate. You know Abby never intentionally pries into our heads. In fact she does a really good job given the circumstances to stay out of them," said Ron.

"No, it's alright," I said, my body temperature dropping as it often did when I got angry. "Harry's right. If I don't like it, then I should just remove myself from the situation all together. Who am I to blame Harry for how he feels."

"Abby, come on. We're just getting a little emotional is all. There's no reason why we can't talk about this like civilized people."

I could hear Hermione's begging thoughts streaming from her mind. Ron was confused, not wanting to choose between his two friends but mad that Harry was putting them in a situation where he had to.

"Hermione's right, I didn't mean it," said Harry, genuine apologetic emotions starting to overpower his ones of anger. I tried to not let the sting show as I heard Harry think to himself that Cho was definitely more understanding than I was being, and that at least she thought to ask him about he was doing.

"Sorry Harry, but it's no good lying to someone who knows how you're feeling. I think Cho is still waiting for you by the door. Afterall she's a better shoulder to lean on than me, right?"

I turned and walked away, Harry's shock that I had heard him think that setting in; Ron and Hermione simply standing there with their mouths open. I didn't cry, because crying was something I never did, but I couldn't help but feel more attune to the girl sobbing on the bench that I walked past, her boyfriend having just told her that he simply did not care about her anymore. Who knew that loving another person could cause so much pain?

As I turned the corner I pulled the letter from Dumbledore out of my pocket and reread his slanted handwriting:

I am sorry to ask this of you Abby, but I think perhaps the best way to stop Harry from connecting with Voldemort in his dreams is to distract his brain with something else. Perhaps there is something you could fight with him about? You know I wouldn't ask it if it wasn't necessary. Please come to my office at 10:00 this evening so we can discuss.
Albus Dumbledore

WOW!
Cool....

wow... cool!
PAMS!
I love this story! posteeees soon!
luv,
JEN X

The night went incredibly slow, people coming in and out of the library as I sat there, waiting for 10:00 to arrive. Dinner had been fairly uncomfortable, Ron, Hermione, and Harry looking over various times throughout the course of the meal, as if expecting me to lash out right then and there for no reason.

I had wanted to tell Hermione why I had done what I had, but I wasn't sure that Hermione would be able to keep the secret. She hadn't when the four of us were divided and she would do whatever was necessary to get us back to the way things were before. I didn't know if this plan of Dumbledore's was going to work or if it was simply going to leave me friendless, desperately trying to apologize and give a decent sounding lie for why I acted the way that I did.

At fifteen minutes to ten I removed myself from my perch near one of the big windows and headed towards the door. The librarian nodded at me politely as I exited and I headed down the hallway towards Professor Dumbledore's office. As I walked I couldn't help but notice a pain forming nearing my right temple. I rubbed it furiously, hoping that it would go away, but the more I walked the worse it seemed to get.

I stopped, leaning against the cold wall for support as I felt an image was trying to pop into my head. I kneeled down, closing my eyes and letting the image come to me. I could see a black door at the end of the hallway; the floor was black marble and the door appeared to be heavily guarded by some kind of spell or enchantment. I was surprisingly low to the ground, almost as if I had been crawling rather than walking, and despite no one being around me I felt myself starting to head back the opposite direction.

I slithered along, the mental picture of where I was fading in and out, becoming a blur, before becoming as clear as day. I felt myself gasp as I stared into the slitted eyes that Harry had described to us so perfectly. He was smiling, obviously pleased by whatever it was that he had just been told.

I felt the throbbing leave and felt it was safe to open my eyes. I stood up shakily, still leaning on the wall for support as I continued my way down the hall. Professor Dumbledore, whom I had expected to be in his office, was standing outside the statue waiting for me.

"Abby, I am so glad that you could make it," he said with a warm smile.

His face remained calm until I was completely disclosed in the light of the flame near us. I saw some of the color drain from his skin and concern eliminated whatever cool emotion he had. Most prided Dumbledore on remaining calm no matter what the circumstance was, but I for one knew that Dumbledore was merely good at hiding emotion, but really he felt more troubled than most would expect him to.

"Come inside and we shall discuss," he said, whispering lemon drop to the statue before it moved sideways and exposed that familiar staircase. I followed Dumbledore up it, my head still throbbing slightly, and fell into the cushioned chair in front of his desk.

"You had an image?" asked Dumbledore, choosing to stand and pace, rather than sit and force himself to be still.

"As I was walking her. I kept seeing this black door at the end of the hallway. It almost looked like it belonged in the Ministry of Magic headquarters. I was low to the ground, almost as if I was crawling. The last thing I saw was Voldemort smiling at something someone had told him."

Dumbledore stopped and looked at me for a couple of moments. "Is there anyway you could have been inside of Harry's head?"

"It's possible. His reaction to our little fight has been on my mind." I started to play with the edge of my robe, finding peace in something to put my energy and nerves into.

"Yes...thank you for having the fight by the way. I know that must have been rather difficult for you. I do believe that it is working though."

"But Professor, I thought you said the fight would help to take Harry's mind off of the dreams."

"Yes. I do believe that it will consciously give him something else to think about. What I am concerned about is Harry's curiosity. I am aware that this visions he is having are of much importance to him and that he is eager to figure out what exactly is behind that door."

"Do you know what's behind that door Professor?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Yes, but I feel that it might be better if I keep that information from you, that way if the time comes you will be able to truthfully say you do not know."

I sat there for a couple of minutes, wondering who would possibly be curious about Harry's dreams other than Professor Dumbledore and me, and found Dolores Umbridge's face popping into my mind.

"Is Professor Umbridge still trying to figure out the reasons behind our meetings?"

Dumbledore had stopped pacing and sat down in the chair behind his desk. He smiled at me gently.

"Yes, she has been rather diligent...questioning other Professors at the school as well as trying sneakier methods such as spy charms and the like. I do believe that we can speak freely in here though. I have methods of my own to keep the peeping toms out."

I smiled. We sat there in silence for a couple of moments. "Professor Dumbledore, I know you want me to keep you inside of Harry's head and all, but to be quite honest not much has been happening other than the image I just got before here. Most of the time Harry is just thinking about ordinary things."

"Yes...we should take that to be a good thing. I would prefer for you to come to our meetings without much to report, and for the time being let us hope that the door and hallway are the only things that Harry sees."

"But Professor, wouldn't it be useful to have inside access to Voldemort's thoughts?"

"It would be, but my fear is what may happen if Voldemort were to become aware of the connection between him and Harry. Ultimately that is why I am asking you to do this for me."

"Professor...I am not sure that I will be able to sense if Voldemort is aware of the connection or not until it's too late."

"Abby, you doubt your abilities. You were able to sense Harry's distress, even though it was a bad dream, without even meaning to. Phoenix animagi are known for their ability to have a six sense when it comes to people that they love and care about."

I nodded my head. My mother had often found it weird when I was younger that I could sense when she was about to get sick, or when things at work were not going her way. I had always chalked it up to me just being more observant than most.

"Abby, I am sorry to make you fight with your closest friends."

"It's alright Professor. I understand how important this is."

He stared at me for a couple of moments. "I know that my opinion on such matters might be seen as foolish words from an old man, but I do believe that Harry will come to see just how much you truly mean to him. It might not seem like it now, but I believe in the future, he will see."

I felt my cheeks start to redden slightly. "Thank you Professor."

"I merely speak the truth. I know that you have your first class with Professor Umbridge tomorrow, and I do ask that you be on your guard. It would not surprise me if she tries to interrogate you as well."

"Thanks for the warning."

"I believe that is all for this evening, but do keep doing what you are doing."

"Have a good night Professor." I got up from my chair and headed towards the door, stopping with my hand on the door knob.

"Professor?"

"Yes Abby?"

"Do you think I could be capable of getting into Voldemort's head through Harry's?"

Dumbledore was quiet for several moments. "Yes Abby I do believe that you could if you wanted to. I will admit that it is tempting to try and see inside the mind of a man so powerful and twisted as Tom's."

I stood there for a moment, the image of the boy holding the tin box coming into my head, before opening the door and leaving. Perhaps Voldemort could find out about Harry being inside his head, but could he find out about me?

I hope to get the first part of Chapter Five up by Saturday at some point. Sorry for so long without an update!

I woke up to the sound of an annoyed foot tapping on the ground. It had been a slow walk back to the Gryffindor common room last night, me in absolutely no hurry to get back to the awkward situation between me and my three closest friends. Harry was still fuming that I was the one being ridiculous and had resolved to waiting for me to come and try to get back into his good graces rather than him making any effort to get back into mine. I found my mood sank even deeper when I realized that Harry did not have a dream about that dark hallway that night, and instead had focused on a rather intimate scene with Cho. Needless to say I had popped out of that dream as soon as I heard her laugh.

"Abby, we need to talk." It was Hermione.

I opened my eyes to see her standing there, not annoyed as I had originally expected but nervous, almost as if she was afraid that I was going to lash out at her for standing there.

"Sure," I said, sitting up and pushing the covers back. I looked outside and realized that instead of the morning sun coming in through the windows there was a shadow of the windowpane on the wood floor.

"Perhaps we could go downstairs so we don't wake the others?"

I nodded my head, slipping my robe on over my night shirt and shorts, and we quietly headed downstairs. I sat down at the table in front of the fire place but Hermione stayed standing up, beginning to pace back and forth in front of me.

"Hermione what is it?"

"Forgive me for waking you up so early like this but I feel like this is the only chance that we will get to talk alone without Ron or Harry around, you know?" I looked at her, wondering if she wanted to talk to me about the fight earlier that day or about something else entirely.

"Well go on, I'm listening."

Hermione finally sat down at the table and leaned forward. "Why did you get into that fight with Harry today? It's not like you to let something so small bother you."

I sat there for a couple of moments, wondering if it was really right of me to tell Hermione about my meetings with Dumbledore and what he had asked of me. I saw the results going one of two ways: the first being that Hermione would make things worse by constantly pestering Harry with questions about his dreams and such or the second where things would say exactly the same. Dumbledore hadn't told me I couldn't tell anyone, I had made the decision not to on my own, but perhaps having someone to talk to would make things more manageable.

"Because Dumbledore asked me too."

Hermione sat there shell-shocked for a moment. "What do you mean he asked you?"

I took a deep breath. "You know those dreams that Harry has been having?"

Hermione nodded, sliding forward onto the edge of her chair to make sure my voice wouldn't carry throughout the room.

"Well Dumbledore is worried that Harry might be connecting to Voldemort's mind without knowing it." Hermione shivered at the sound of his name, but continued to listen intently. "He has asked me to kind of keep a mind on Harry's thoughts and tell him when Harry seems to be connecting to Voldemort."

"But why would Dumbledore want you to fight with Harry? Won't that push you away and make it more difficult for you to be inside his head?"

"I am more connected to you guys than you think. It's actually quite easy for me to read the minds of people that I am close with. The longer I know you the better I can get inside your head, but I choose not to since I like to give you some privacy."

"So does Dumbledore think that by distracting Harry with other things he will be less likely to pry into his visions so to speak?"

I nodded my head. Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Well that explains it! Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wasn't sure, and I'm still not sure, that Dumbledore wanted me to tell people about this. Hermione you can't act any different towards Harry. If he knows that Dumbledore asked me to spy on him for lack of a better term it will just make him angry and more difficult for me to do what Dumbledore wants me to."

"Your secret is safe with me, I promise," said Hermione, raising her hand in honor. We sat there in silence for a couple of minutes, Hermione gazing at me intently.

"There is something else bothering you isn't there? Other than the whole Cho and Harry thing I mean."

"This might be silly but I wonder sometimes if I could connect to Voldemort through Harry, you know?"

"No, I'm not sure I do," Hermione said, a perplexed expression on her face.

"It's just that since I have been letting myself see more into Harry's thoughts and emotions I have started to see visions of my own I guess. Like the other day I saw the small ball holding this tin box filled with small objects and this girl was standing in front of him crying. I have no idea where it came from."

"You've never seen the boy?" asked Hermione.

"No. He didn't look familiar at all."

"Do you think the boy could have been You-Know-Who?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. I mean it's one thing for me to see into what Voldemort is thinking at this moment, but to be able to see into his memories...how could I be capable of doing that?"

Hermione shook her head. "Phoenix animagi possess such a powerful magic that wizards have little understanding of. In the whole scheme of things we're young witches and wizards and who knows, maybe as time goes on your abilities are increasing. It's hard to say what you'll be capable of."

We sat there for a couple more moments, the first signs of light starting to peek through the windows at us. We had Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing and I had remembered Dumbledore's warning about Professor Umbridge's nosiness.

"I better go get dressed for class," I said, standing up.

Hermione stood up as well, reaching a hand out to put on my shoulder. "Thank you for telling me Abby. I'm sure it must be difficult to trust anyone when you know what they're truly thinking and feeling. Just know that you can trust me until the end."

I smiled. "Thanks Hermione. It's nice having someone to share this with you know? Someone who can understand how hard this is, especially now given the situation."

"Boys," said Hermione with a chuckle. "I'm not sure we will ever fully understand their ways."

"And they say we're complicated," I said with a laugh.

I started to head up the stairs but stopped when Hermione called out to me. "Eat breakfast with us, okay? Just because you know who wants you doing you know what, it doesn't mean you have to be a complete loner."

I smiled. "I'm never alone when I have friends like you Hermione."

I saw her eyes start to well up as I turned and continued up the stairs. It's funny how at the strangest of times one sees just how important a true friend can be.

As I began to walk back up the stairs it occurred to me just how awful this day was probably going to be. For an entire class period I would be stuck listening to Professor Umbridge’s sickeningly sweet voice invading my mind; her thoughts most likely to consist of confident statements that she was going to crack me one way or another. Unfortunately by letting my guard down for Harry I was also letting my guard down for everyone else.

I pulled my clothes on hastily, sliding on the gray pleated skirt, the white button up with the maroon and gold striped tie, and slid into my shoes as I pulled on my black robe. I flung my school bag over my shoulder and headed down the stairs quickly. As soon as I got to the bottom I saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione standing near the fireplace talking to Neville. I could tell that he was uneasy and as soon as I saw that familiar glass ball filled with a hazy red smoke I knew why.

“How could you have forgotten something already?” asked Ron, a look of amazement on his face.

“I don’t know but clearly I have forgotten something!”

“Why don’t we go and get something to eat and maybe after you have some food in your stomach you will remember,” said Hermione sympathetically.

Neville nodded, glaring at the gift that I am sure his grandmother had given him in hopes that it would cause him less stress rather than more. Sadly over the past four years that had not been the case, and the fifth was not starting out any differently.

Harry had turned his head at the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and was now staring at me uncertainly. I could tell that he wanted to talk to me but he was unsure as to whether or not I wanted to talk to him. As I got closer Harry made up his mind and began to walk towards me.

“Abby I am sorry about the other day.”

Ron, Hermione, and Neville were staring at the two of us. I knew Harry was genuine in his apologies and that he was missing my company, but the fight had worked hadn’t it? Harry was no longer having those dreams was he? I looked at Hermione whose thoughts were telling me to accept his apology. She believed that the fight was not going to be a solution to the problem for very long.

“I’m sorry too Harry. I shouldn’t have been so cruel to you. If you want to be friends with Cho then that is your decision and I respect it.”

Harry smiled and before I knew what was happening he had pulled me into a hug. I could hear Hermione and Ron laughing in relief beside us, happy that the fight was over, but all I could hear was the sound of Harry’s heart beating in his chest, the feel of his arms around my waist, and his face pressed so gently against mine.

“Now that that’s settled let’s go and get something to eat!” said Ron enthusiastically.

“Honestly Ronald do you ever think about anything other than food?” asked Hermione.

“No not really,” replied Ron after some thought.

Hermione, Ron, and Neville were having their own conversation as we headed down to the great hall, Harry and I walking in silence. Harry had already begun thinking about how awful this class with Umbridge was going to be and how he was wondering if he should try and talk to Cho today. At the end of that thought my mood collapsed, the realization that to him it was nothing hitting me like a ton of bricks. I had to stop doing this to myself.

We sat down at the Gryffindor table, chatting for a while over our eggs, toast, and sausage links. Neville, in mid bite, remembered the letter he needed to send to his grandmother requesting for more quills after someone stole his (probably Peeves), and dashed off to do it before class. The breakfast had been going well until I heard that familiar throat clear that annoyed me to no end and I looked up to see Umbridge standing there, a fat grin on her toad like face.

“I look forward to seeing you in class today Miss Carson. I hear you are quite the spellcaster.”

Everyone was silent as she looked at each one of us curiously before moving on towards the professors’ long table at the front of the hall. I glared at her as she went.

“What was that all about?” asked Ron, his mouth still partially full of toast.

“No clue,” I said, looking at Hermione. Her face was expressing as much anger as mine but deep inside she knew just as I did that Umbridge was going to be a problem.

As we finished up with our breakfast I kept my mind closely on Umbridge to try and figure out what exactly it was that she was planning to do to me in class today. I was surprised to find that she was more engaged with the conversation she was having with Professor Snape than she was with me. I nearly choked on my toast when I caught the word veritaserum cross her mind.

"You alright?" asked Neville, smacking my back gently as I felt my cheeks start to turn red from my excessive coughing.

Once I was done choking and everyone was sure that I was going to be alright, we left the Great Hall and headed towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts class on the third floor. Most of our class had already arrived by the time we had gotten there, and had taken seats scattered throughout the room. I led the way in, choosing a seat towards the back with the hopes that the farther I placed myself from her the less chance she would have to try and talk to me. After all teachers usually stand in the front when they teach, right?

Parvati had cast a spell on a folded piece of paper in the form of a bird, and it was now gliding gracefully through the air. Everyone was watching it as they carried on their own side conversations, and everyone fell silent when the bird suddenly caught fire, the ashes crumbling to the floor.

Professor Umbridge had entered the room and was smiling at us sickeningly, as if we were bacteria inside of a petri dish. She walked to the front of the classroom, her eyes surveying each us closely, her pink high-heeled shoes making a click, click noise on the wooden floor. Once she was done giving us all a once-over she flicked her wand and words began to form on the chalk board behind her.

"O.W.L.s," she stated simply, that sickening smile remaining on her lips. "As you all know these tests will determine the kind of wizard you are going to be, and what you are going to do with your magical talents the rest of your lives. For those of you who do well, your futures will be bright and open, for those of you who don't...well there are always mundane positions to be filled."

She chuckled quietly to herself and with the exception of a few Slytherins the class remained quiet. She turned on her heel and flicked her wand at two neat stacks of books lying on her desk. They floated up into the air and glided towards us, stopping at each aisle so that the top few books could scoot out and land in front of the students. As the books landed on our desks Hermione picked up her own book and stared at the cover skeptically.

I had to agree with her skepticism. The artwork on the cover of the text book looked like it was designed with five year olds in mind, and as I opened the book I saw the words "positive thinking" appear at least ten times on the first page alone. Hermione had scanned through the book already and turned to look at Ron, Harry, and me with concern.

"It doesn't say anything in here about using spells does it?" asked Hermione.

"Why don't you ask her?" said Ron, pushing it away like it was a moldy piece of bread. Taking his advice Hermione raised her hand, and Umbridge, surprised that there was a question already, nodded at her to go.

"Professor Umbridge, forgive me, but there's nothing in these books about actually using spells."

She chuckled. "Well my dear girl that's because you don't need to practice spells in order to master them. With enough studying and learning of the spells and their uses, that will be enough for you to understand them and perform them at your examinations."

"But Professor," chimed in Harry, "how will we defend ourselves?"

"Those who wish to speak in my class with raise their hands and wait to be called on," said Umbridge through her teeth.

Harry flung his arm into the air forcefully, and Umbridge, although reluctantly, indicated that he was allowed to speak.

"As I said before, how will we defend ourselves?"

"Defend yourselves? Dear boy what exactly do you need to be defending yourself from?"

"Oh, I don't know, Voldemort maybe?" The entire class went silent as the words left Harry's lips. Umbridge looked at Harry as though he was the most repulsing looking bug she had ever seen in her entire life.

"Mr. Potter I must ask you not to tell such lies in my classroom."

"It's not a lie! I told you I have seen him and I fought him last year!"

"So you say Mr. Potter," Umbridge responded sharply.

"So I say?! What about Cedric Diggory?! He was murdered and I watched Voldemort do it!"

"That is ENOUGH Mr. Potter! Mr. Diggory's death was a horrible accident. Stop with this nonsense at once!"

"Why do you refuse to see what's so obviously right in front of you?!" screamed Harry, rising from his seat.

I jumped up and grabbed Harry's shoulders as the vision of him taking out his wand and casting a spell at Umbridge crossed his mind.

"Get out of my classroom Potter! I will send along a letter to Professor McGonagall explaining how poorly one of his house students has behaved in my classroom."

"Fine!" roared Harry, ripping his bag off of his chair and flinging it over his shoulder.

"I'll take him to her," I said to Umbridge, collecting my own things and leading Harry out of the classroom.

"Miss Carson I want you to say. I have some questions to ask you."

I turned as Harry continued out the door and looked at her. "I have nothing to say to you." I turned on my heel and left Umbridge there with a stunned look on her face, the door slamming shut behind me.

How very interesting! I love it. Kepp up the awesome work.

Thanks for the compliment! I am glad you are enjoying it Here is the rest of chapter five. Enjoy!

I hurried down the staircase after Harry who was walking so fast I practically had to sprint to stay alongside him. His eyes were full of furry and I could hear the swarm of angry thoughts bouncing around through his head. It infuriated him that people were so quick to throw aside his story and believe that Cedric's death was an accident. He was angry that even most of his friends didn't really believe him and that they couldn't really understand what all of this meant.

"Harry, slow down a minute. Professor McGonagall's office isn't going anywhere."

At the sound of my voice he shortened his step a couple of paces and turned to look at me. I could tell he was having mixed feelings about me even being with him let alone talking to me. He wanted to be alone and I had to admit that stung just a bit.

"Doesn't it make you angry?" Harry yelled, coming to a complete stop.

I thought for a couple of seconds before I spoke to him. "Sure it does. It's hard when you know the truth and people are so quick to ignore it or brush it off as the words of some crazy person. Harry I can't even begin to tell you the looks my parents gave me when I told them about the dreams I had of my grandmother dying. They told me I was silly and had to stop worrying about things. It made me want to pull my hair out that none of them were willing to take me seriously because I was only five years old, and was barely even beginning to understand what magic was."

Harry seemed to be calming down a bit as he listened to me talk. "What happened to her?"

"She died," I said gravely. "I woke up the morning I had seen it would happen to find my mom crying in the kitchen and my dad rubbing her back. He looked at me strangely and told me that my grandmother had been found dead in her living room, killed by the killing curse."

Harry's anger was instantly relieved and he put his hand gently on my shoulder. "I am so sorry Abby."

"It's okay. Maybe it was fate's way of saying it was her time to go. They ended up catching the witch who had done it. She and my grandmother had had a long hatred of one another and she always told me her death would probably be caused by her. She's in Azkaban still so far as I know."

"What did your parents do?"

"Oh, they apologized to me countless of times. Told me they were going to listen to me when I told them about my dreams and such. My mom still to do this day feels awful about not believing me. I think I could tell her a fact she knew to be false and she would still believe me."

Harry nodded. He had removed his hand from my shoulder and was now starring at the ground longingly, wishing he could just sink into it and disappear forever. In my own way I wished I could go with him.

"Harry, if there's anything I have learned from my ability it's that people usually don't want to look beyond the surface."

"What do you mean?" he asked, returning his gaze to me.

"I mean you might be surprised at how many people here believe you. It's not a matter of believing you and not believing you Harry, it's a matter of them being willing or not willing to admit the truth to themselves. People like familiar and normal, and a world with Voldemort is far from that. They are scared Harry. I can feel it in every single person I walk past...even the teachers."

"The teachers?" Harry asked me in surprise.

"Even them. I can't tell you to not stand up for yourself when people challenge what you tell them Harry, but I can give my opinion if you want it."

Harry nodded for me to continue. "Voldemort is going to make his presence known Harry, you can be sure of it. It's going to be a question of when and where. For most people, they aren't going to believe it until they see it, which is the case for most things that are out of the ordinary. My advice is lean on the people who do believe you, take strength from them, and know that one day those people will see that you are telling the truth."

Harry was silent for a couple of moments as he stared at me. I knew I had touched him and I could tell he knew my advice was worth following. I tried not to smile in pride of myself since the last thing I wanted was for Harry to be paranoid I was in his head all the time...even if I was.

"Thank you Abby," he finally said after a couple of minutes.

I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a gentle smile. "You better get going to Professor McGonagall's," I said with a chuckle. "I am sure Umbridge has sent at least three owls by now."

"Yeah," Harry said, returning my laugh. "I guess I should work on keeping my temper under control."

"As should I," I said, wincing at the thought of what Umbridge was going to do in response to me walking out on her.

"Hey Abby, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How do you do it? I mean how to handle knowing what everyone's thinking and feeling all the time?"

"It's hard, but I remember that they're just people like me, even if their thoughts tell me things about them that I don't want to know. Sometimes I think it's a curse, but if I can use what I know to help people, then it makes it worth the struggle, you know?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "I don't need to know if you read my thoughts or not, but it's nice to know that I have one person who can truly understand what I'm going through."

I smiled gently and headed down the corridor, wanting to be alone in the Gryffindor common room to think and process everything that had happened.

It's okay if you listen I heard swim through my head clear as day. I knew it was Harry, and I knew he was testing to see if I was in his head as much as he suspected I was. I just kept walking though, and I never looked back. Once I knew I was out of sight I let out a deep sigh. Harry was back to thinking there was something going on between Dumbledore and me, and he was determined to figure out what.

eep! i've missed so much!
luv it! keep up with it coz I can't wait for more!
luv,
JEN X

I wasn't quite sure why I was surprised when I received two owls that evening. The first one came from Professor McGonagal who was telling me that Professor Umbridge wished to see me in her office the following evening. Professor McGonagal hadn't specifically said the word detention, but anytime you deliberately ignore the demands of a teacher, detention is sure to follow. The second came from Professor Dumbledore who wished to see me later that evening. He wasn't going to be back to the castle until midnight, but he said the meeting was very urgent, and it simply had to be done tonight.

I had gone up to bed with everyone else but slowly slipped out around eleven, hoping that being in the brightness of the common room would help me to stay awake. The day had been long, and as to be expected, the whole school was humming with the news of what went down in Defense Against the Darks Arts class. It upset me to see, and hear in my own way, how crazy Seamus thought Harry was. He had always been such a good friend to Harry and I couldn't believe how quickly he was to jump on the "Harry is a Loony Bin" bandwagon. I hoped that in time he would change his mind, but at the moment the chances of that happening were looking rather slim.

As I sat starring into the fire my mind wandered as to what was so urgent that Dumbledore had to see my that evening. While the scene in class had caused even more people to think that Harry was crazy, it had also returned his mind to the strange dreams he had been having. I had reached out to him while I was still in the girl's dormitory and found he was dreaming about that same black hallway and that same door. The dream had come and gone quickly, shifting eventually into a dream dealing with Harry and Sirius hanging out at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters. I couldn't help but smile as I shared in the touching moment between Harry and his godfather. I felt bad that Harry had lost his parents before he even had the chance to know them, but at least he had Ron, Hermione, and me along with all the Weasleys. Maybe we weren't his biological family, but at least we could offer the same support a family can.

I continued to stare into the flames, my eyes drooping until they were completely shut. I felt my breathing slow and my body relax. I was strolling along the side of a huge cliff, a little girl trailing behind me. She looked to be only three or four, her long brown hair blowing behind her, her little dress dirty on the ends. She looked frightened and not sure that she should be following me. I could feel that I had malicious intents in mind, but I smiled reassuring at the girl. I even reached out and took her hand to make sure she didn't change her mind. In my own mind I could feel that there was something strangely familiar about the girl.

She clung to her teddy bear tighter as I helped her down the side of the cliff. The waves were crashing dangerously against the rocks but I didn't seem to care. I could feel the girl's body relax a little once we made it inside the little cave. I took her hand again and led her into the cave, into the back so that we didn't have to listen to the loud colliding of wave and rock.

"What are we doing here Tom?"

I turned around and smiled at her. "We are going to play a game."

"What kind of game?"

I knelt down so that I was at eye level with you. "You are different aren't you? I can tell, because I am different as well. I know people think you are weird, but I don't think you are weird at all."

The little girl took a step back. "I want to go back to the orphanage Tom," said the girl, her voice completely even.

"But we just got here! We can't leave yet! One game, I promise, and then we can go back to the orphanage."

The little girl stared at him and shook your head. "I know what you want to do Tom, and I don't want to play that game."

I thought to myself how mature sounding the little girl was, but of course I would be too if I could read people's minds. I was sure I would learn the magic to be able to do so.

"But I haven't told you what game we are playing."

The little girl glared at me. "Oh, I know what game you are thinking of, and the answer is no. I am going back."

I laughed at the girl. "And how will you climb the rocks by yourself?"

"I don't need to climb them," said the little girl with a smile.

"Wait!" I reached out to grab the girl but she was gone, having vanished into thin air. I screamed in frustration and punched the wall next to me.

When my fist made contact with the wall I jerked my eyes open, looking around to make sure I was in the common room and not in that dark and damp cave. I couldn't help but shake slightly as I thought back to the face of that little girl. I had seen it once before in a picture sitting on top of the fireplace at my house. I covered my face in fear. The little girl had been my mother and Voldemort knew exactly what she was.

Hello Allison. I hope I'm not intruding. I just want to say how I'm loving your story! It was very disheartening wasn't it. Harry had so few people believe in him. No wonder he was so angry! It made me angry when, even his friends that believed him didn't stand up with him though. With the exception of your, Abby, of course. I loved the whole post, very intense! But, this is what kept me from keeping my silence anymore. How did her mother stay safe from then on? I need to know more!!!!!!!!!!!! But, I'll be patient for your next post.

Connie you are not intruding at all! I love comments and feed back on my story, and I am glad you are enjoying it I will be sure to explain as I go along the whole story between Voldemort and Abby's mother, so hang in there haha.

wicked post! i love this story!
please add more soon and I agree with Connie, Abby is the only one who sticks up for Harry, wats up with that?
luv,
JEN XXXXX

If I hadn't been startled enough by the unsettling realization I just had, my watch chiming to let me know I needed to leave for Dumbledore's certainly didn't help. I nearly knocked over the chair next to me on my way to leave the common room, the fat lady yelling after me that I should be more considerate of the fact that people were sleeping. I waved my hand at her in a "yeah, yeah" kind of wave and broke into a sprint. The idea of getting to Dumbledore's office faster was a comforting thought as well as the waking portraits were less likely to recognize who it was who had just gone past them at this hour.

When I got to the familiar statue in front of Dumbledore's office I mumbled the password and snuck inside. When I got to the wood door I knocked with a little more enthusiasm than I had originally intended. I heard Dumbledore's voice say come in, and I took one deep breath before opening the door and entering.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, the dark circles underneath his eyes the first thing I noticed once I had a clear view of him. He signaled for me to sit down at the chair in front of his desk, and I did so, my uneasiness returning once I realized how weary Dumbledore looked.

"Are you alright Professor?" I asked, my voice coming out pretty calm and even.

"I have been better," Dumbledore responded after a moment of silence. "I appreciate you coming here given the hour and such brief notice."

"It's no problem at all Professor. What would you like to talk about?" I figured it was better for him to say what he needed to say then we could discuss my dream.

"I think you should join the Order of the Phoenix."

I was silent for a couple of moments. Dumbledore's mind was so clouded with fatigue that it was difficult for me to get a grasp on why he thought this was a good idea.

"Oh," I said, uncertain what to say.

"I know you are young, and that neither Ron, Hermione, nor Harry have joined the Order, but I think your skills will be useful."

"I would be more than happy to join if it means I can help stop Voldemort."

Dumbledore smiled. "I was hoping that you would say that. Now, I will be sending you an owl letter giving the time and date we will be having our meeting. Naturally I will have you travel with me for safety purposes."

I nodded.

"Now, is there anything new on the Harry front you wish to tell me?"

"Well, I can say that Harry has started to dream about the hallway again, and he has renewed his attempts to figure out what is going on between us."

Dumbledore was silent, eyeing me with curiosity. "I knew Harry would be suspicious. He is after all very observant with these kinds of things. I am also finding that his patience is a bit on the short side lately."

"Can you blame him Professor? I mean people that he thought were his friends are calling him crazy, and some are even thinking that he had something to do with Cedric's death. You know he just wants people to see the truth."

Dumbledore was silent for a couple of moments, nodding in agreement. "Yes he is. I know Harry feels as if I have abandoned him, but I am doing it for his protection. You must trust me on this Abby."

"I do Professor. But, may I ask you something?"

"Of course," Dumbledore said, gesturing with his hand for me to ask.

"Is it possible for me to connect with Voldemort through Harry?"

Dumbledore was silent for at least five minutes. "Is there something you wish to tell me Abby?"

"Professor, I apologize for not mentioning this sooner, but I think I might be connecting to Voldemort through Harry."

"And what makes you think that?"

I swallowed. I explained to him the vision I first had in the dungeon of the little boy stealing that poor girl's doll, who I now realized was my mother, and about the vision I had just had in the common room. Dumbledore was so quiet when I finished for such a long period of time that I wondered if he had fallen asleep with his eyes open. I figured I would just wait until he was ready to talk. His brain had gone on overdrive since I first asked him whether or not I could get to Voldemort through Harry.

"Abby, I must ask you to do your best in preventing these dreams from happening."

"So I can connect to Voldemort?"

"Yes, it appears so, but I am afraid your connecting might alert Voldemort of Harry's connection to him."

"But sir, I thought phoenixes were immune to people realizing they were in their heads. How would he know?"

Dumbledore sighed. "It is not my place to tell you what happened between Voldemort and your mother, but my guess is that he's well aware that your mother had a daughter, and that she is a phoenix animagi just like you. I don't believe that Voldemort would be aware who or what is impeding his mind, but since you seem to be hitting into personal experiences I think it might set off some alarm."

"I'll do my best Professor."

"Your mother will be at the next Order meeting. I am sure you too will have much to discuss. It is time that you know some things."

"What kind of things?"

Dumbledore held up a hand. "We will discuss in safer quarters. For now I ask that you help Harry come down and teach him patience. Your one talk with him seems to have made some improvements already from what Professor McGonagal has told me."

I felt myself blushing slightly at the idea that my opinion meant so much to Harry. I wiped the feeling away quickly. Clearly this was not the time to be thinking of that.

"Should I be scared Professor?"

Dumbledore stared at me with such intensity I thought he was going to burn a hole through me. "Not scared Abby, but prepared. It is time you start learning just how powerful you truly are."

wow! cool chapter
pams!
keep up the good work!

Hey everyone! Sorry for so long without an update. I just got back from vacation and am still trying to get situated, but I should have an update up sometime tomorrow

Hello Allison. Your story is getting so intense. I keep checking to see if you've posted more, and just realized I hadn't commented on this one yet. I'm so sorry! I read all the new posts on each of the ff's I'm reading when they come out, I just don't have time to post comments on all of them at once. And then, I forget to comment on some along the way. But, I do read each one as they come out. That's really smart of her. I wonder if the portraits ever tell on any of the students for being out of bed.
It's so sad when he says that. It reminds me of when he drank the potion, and Harry asked if he was ok. He said the same thing then. Just so sad. And yet, his silence says a lot. Yes? I loved this! So cute!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great post Allison. I'll be watching for your next post.

Thanks for the comments! I am glad that you are liking it Connie

I got up from the familiar chair and left Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore's mind still running around in such a scurry that I wasn't able to pick very much out of it. I had tried to keep my cool while I was in the office with him, but as I was practically sprinting back to the Gryffindor common room I couldn't help but wonder why my mother hadn't told me about this earlier. I mean she knew that I was friends with Harry since my first year at Hogwarts, and right after the whole incident with the Triwizard Tournament seemed like a pretty good time to mention her connection with Voldemort. Whatever the connection was anyway.

I was dying to wake Hermione up and vent to her about everything that was going on, but to wake her up at one in the morning would be unfair to her. After all everyone needs their sleep.

I fell into the chair in the common room and laid my head down on the table. The fat lady had muttered something at me as I went through but I didn't pay attention to what she had said. The room had practically been a fuzz to me, and I had been lucky to even fall into an actual chair as opposed to the floor or some other non-sittable piece of furniture.

"Abby?"

I jumped so hard at the sound of the voice that I toppled over, my body flipping over the chair and landing with a loud thud on the carpet.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry!"

It wasn't until I opened my eyes and looked that I realized it was Harry. He grabbed my hand in his and pulled me up, holding me to make sure I didn't fall over again.

"Harry...what are you doing up at this hour?"

Realizing I could stand on my own, Harry bent down and picked up the chair and placed it back in its original spot. He sat down in the chair across from it and looked up at me. I resumed my seat once I had realized that it was firmly on the floor.

"I could ask you the same thing," Harry said, his face completely blank.

I sighed. "Why are you doing this Harry?"

"Because I don't understand why Dumbledore is keeping me in the dark! I mean come on Abby! It was me who saw and fought Voldemort, wasn't it?!"

I could feel the rage steaming off of Harry's body and I couldn't help but flinch. I had never felt him so angry before in my entire life.

"Harry..."

"Abby...I am begging you...please."

I sat there, my emotions being torn in so many directions I had no idea how to look or act. I wanted to tell Harry and share the shocker I had just found out myself, but Dumbledore had asked me not to, and I had felt his desperate need for me to trust him on this. There had to be a compromise. Some way to assure Harry that it wasn't keeping him from information but a way of protecting him.

"Harry I understand that you're upset and I don't blame you. If I was in your shoes I would be too. All I can tell you, all Dumbledore will let me tell you, is that we are doing it to protect you."

Harry stared at me. "To protect me? How is this protecting me by keeping me guessing as to what's going on with Voldemort?"

"We don't talk about that Harry. I know as much about where Voldemort is as you!"

Harry looked surprised by that statement. "You don't?"

I shook my head. "I don't know anything. All I want to do is help you through this Harry."

Harry let out a sigh that he seemed to be holding since the beginning of the summer.

"I know Abby, and I am sorry. I shouldn't be stalking you like this, constantly interrogating you like you're a murder suspect or something."

"It's okay Harry."

"Please don't think that it's you I am angry at. Ultimately I am just angry at Dumbledore for not trusting me."

Harry slid his chair back and stood up to go back to bed. I stood up and as well, stopping him when we got to the steps.

"It's not you that he doesn't trust Harry. It's the unknown that he doesn't trust."

Harry nodded. When he looked up at me it was the first time I could really notice the darkness that was hanging behind his eyes. I would have been concerned but I could tell, in my own little way, that Harry was pushing the darkness back. He was fighting, even if he didn't know what he was fighting against.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning I woke up to the sounds of feet moving across the floor in the girl's sleeping room. Hermione waited for me as I got dressed and listened intently as I told her everything that happened last night, including the encounter with Harry.

"This is all just happening so fast," Hermione said, her eyebrows furrowed. "It seems like every second something unknown that has massive consequences is coming forward."

"I just can't believe my mom didn't tell me about the whole thing. I had to hear it from Dumbledore! And I am so nervous my friendship with Harry is withering away to nothing with this whole arrangement."

Hermione wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "Don't think like that Abby! You know Harry will always find you a great friend and deep down he knows you have no choice. I mean, it's Dumbledore we're talking about here."

We were both quiet for a moment. All the girls had left except for Hermione and I.

"I think he's wrong," I said, more to myself than Hermione.

"Why?"

"Because I can feel it in Harry, and I can see it. He's struggling, on the inside, and instead of finding a way to let it out he's having to handle it by himself. How is that fair to Harry? If anything it is making him more vulnerable not understanding what's going on with him."

"Do you know what's going on with him Abby?"

I shook my head. "Sometimes I can see it in his eyes, and I can feel it, but I can't fully get into him you know what I mean? I'm afraid to try and go that deep into someone without hurting them."

"I don't think you should try, especially with how fragile Harry is right now." Hermione stomped her foot in frustration. "We have to do something Abby, even if Dumbledore won't. He has to know he's not alone in all this."

I nodded sincerely. "I can't keep lying to him Hermione. It's only going to make things worse."

"Well, just because Dumbledore doesn't want you saying anything about your meetings to Harry, that doesn't mean I can't."

I sighed. "Dumbledore will know."

"Don't worry. I'll think of a way we can convince Dumbledore that Harry needs to know. Besides how does Dumbledore expect you to hide being in the order from Harry?"

"He has so much to think about right now, I don't think his mind can think that far into the future."

Hermione smiled grimly. "Poor Dumbledore."