Broken Mirror

The trip to hogwarts was surprisingly tame. The truce with Draco was holding so the trip was quiet mostly. Ron informed them that Percy had a new job at hogwarts. Surprisingly Percy had not gone for a job in the ministry and had instead applied and was excepted as a assistant librarian to Madam Pince. Percy had told him that the chance to archive the founders library was to good an opportunity to pass up. The buzz of a rumour that something different would be happening this year was speculated upon and Harry had to try extra hard not to tell what he knew. Luna was a great help as she turned up half way through the ride and managed to engage Hermione in an argument about whether or not umgubular slashkilters were real or not. Needless to say Hermione lost the fight and read the rest of the way ignoring the blond girl who to Harry looked slightly smug at that. The welcome feast was almost the same as Harry's previous 4th year, the new teachers were announced. Mad eye sitting at the slightly longer and fuller teachers table was one of the few differences. Announcements were made detailing the new classes and the new class room dedicated to astronomy. A spell had been found in the founders library that would allow astronomy to be taught in daylight. The opening of the founders library and the chamber of secrets was welcomed with the new history teacher planning to hold classes for each place the excitement was at an all time high. And when news of the tournament was announced it was an excited topic for the rest of the evening, Dumbledore's warning falling on deaf ears. Harry had no intention of being set up to die a second time. His paranoia could have rivalled Moody's as he checked his improved copy of the map to make sure all of the teachers were who they said they were, even Percy. Once everyone was asleep Harry tried to come up with a plan. He was missing Ginny's council more than ever as she had always proved to be a good sounding board for ideas or even just listening to him moan. Harry sighed gave it up as a lost cause for the night, he set some silencing wards and went to sleep. The next morning Harry joined his friends for breakfast. All the houses could talk about was the up coming tournament.
"Just think of all that money." Seamus said dreamily.
"No not for me." Harry replied firmly.
"Don't you want fame and glory?" Dean asked.
"No I've got more fame than I can handle and as for glory we'll it's not like I have a seventh years training." Harry replied. "Besides I heard that in the last tournament only one champion survived. And I have been in more than enough life and death situations thanks. No need to add another to my total."
"That's right mate." Said Ron. "Even though the money would be nice I heard that they used really dangerous creatures as tasks. More dangerous than whatever one's Hagrid had found for us this year."
Every one laughed and most agreed that it was not worth the hassle.

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Minerva Mcgonagall heard Harry's words and was glad the boy could see sense and hoped that Dumbledore keep his hooked nose out of it. Handed out the class schedules she reminded them that astronomy was no longer held at night nor on the tower. Giving Harry a small smile as she passed he had really grown this passed year. Once all the schedules were passed out she went to her first lesson of the day, gods above help her as she had the Weasley twins for her first class. Something that she had not considered when drawing up the timetables, she usually made sure they were not in her class for a day or two after the holidays as they had had a whole six weeks to plan and she didn't want to deal with them straight away.

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The first week went well Harry was so busy with his new classes he hadn't had time to consider his plans as things were going so good. Harry thought later that he should have expected the other shoe to drop. That shoe came in the form of the daily profit with a scary headline that sent a chill through him.
Bartimus Crouch Senior Convited of corruption.
By Richard Simmons
Due to the stunning events of the last year starting with Lord Sirius Black's innocence and wrongful incarnation the D.M.L.E has been investigating just who was behind the illegal imprisonment of Lord Black. Madam Bones and her team tirelessly worked to bring the perpetrators to justice. The blame has fallen on the former head of the D.M.L.E Bartimus Crouch Senior who was arrested at hospital home two days ago. After searching his home for clues Auror's found a man under an invisibility cloak in a hidden room. Though the man escaped he has been identified as Bartimus Crouch Jr. Under veritaserum questioning Crouch Sr told how his wife distressed and dying begged he husband to free their son from Azkaban. Using polyjuice potion Crouch Sr freed his son and left his dying wife in his place knowing she wouldn't last more than a hour. Crouch Sr then used the unforgivable imperious curse to keep control of his son and used his house elf to care for him. Crouch Sr has been held in custody to be tried in the next wizengamot session. The search for Bartimus Crouch Jr is on going. Crouch Jr is considered armed  and dangerous. If spotted citizens are asked to contact the Auror department. DO NOT ATEMPT TO CATCH THIS DANGEROUS CRIMINAL. Many of you may remember that Crouch Jr was convicted for the torture and incapacitation of Lord and Lady Longbottom who now reside in St Mungos. Madam Longbottom was not available for comment. Though for those of us at the profit our thoughts are with the Longbottom family at this difficult time.
Neville who was reading his own copy of the paper looked sick.
"You ok Nev?" Ron asked.
Neville just shook his head and got up from the table. Most of the great hall watched him go. Harry rose quickly and followed him. When Harry caught up to him he didn't speak he just guided him to the 7th floor and open the room of requirement. Leading Neville inside then he spoke.
"If it was me and one of the people who hurt my parents were free I would be ready to blast them to pieces." Harry said not looking at the boy. "So this room can be anything you want, this is a training dummy. Last time I was in here was Halloween last year I destroyed at least four of them. Made me feel a bit better afterwards."
Neville didn't speak he just started sending spell after spell at the dummy. Many of them missed and some did nothing. Neville was yelling in fury but he finally fell to his knees.
"How?" He asked. "How do you stand it? Everyone knowing? How do you stand the stareing?"
"Sorry to say Nev but you get used to it." Harry replied. "But if it ever gets too much let me know and we will do this again. I need too as well some times."
"I go and see them sometimes. Gran takes me." Neville said sadly. "They hardly ever respond but we keep going. I sometimes dream that we go to the hospital and they are aware you know like normal people. That they come home and be my parents again."
"That's not so silly Neville." Said Harry. "When I was younger I used to lie in my cupboard and dream that someone would come and take me away. That I had thos big family that had been looking for me and loved me. Its not that strange. I guess it's because no one has been through what we have."
"What cupboard?!" Neville exclaimed.
"Huh." Harry chuckled softly slightly embarrassed. "My aunt and uncle didn't like me a lot so they keep me in a cupboard under the stairs until I got my hogwarts letter."
"B..b..but that's horrible." Neville stuttered out.
"Yeah the Dursley's weren't the nicest of people but they are no longer part of my life and can't hurt me any more." Harry said. "Don't mention it to the others I will tell them just not yet. I haven't even told Sirius everything."
"Must be nice to have him." Neville said. "Gran doesn't often tell me stories of my mum and dad it's too painful for her."
"Sirius has loads of stories from his days in the Auror's did you want me to ask him?" Harry asked. "And my mum was your mum's best friend I bet my mum's portrait knows some too."
Neville's whole face brightened at Harry's words. Harry called for Dobby and got him to bring his parents portraits and they spent all afternoon listening to their tales. When it was time to go to dinner Dobby took the portrait back and they left the room.