A little under 3000 words this time, about half of what I originally planned, but I wanted to get this out there. I'm not dead, and my stories aren't done. And this will gain a definite direction. Be prepared as well, Harry is not the all around typical nice guy and he will be showing that soon. Thanks to all who are reading this and thanks to Robert350 for his help and inspiration, and that much needed kick in the ass to keep writing this. Also, check out his story, SmartArse, which I have no problem saying, is probably a million times better than this. Thanks and enjoy!

Chapter 5

Harry smiled at Snape's reaction. To actually get him angry enough to fire the killing curse in front of two of his superiors. From what he remembered in his previous timeline, despite being an angry, snarky, pain in the ass, he was supposedly a master of his emotions. Being a master occlumens, you had to have some kind of control over your emotions.

That's not to be confused with being emotionless. Which is nearly impossible for any sentient being. Even with his countless experiences, Harry was not immune to the rollercoaster of emotions within the human heart. Seeing his very first friend after lifetimes of being separated had brought tears to his eyes. You could bury emotions or learn to not show emotions, but it was almost impossible to not have emotions.

The fond thought of Hedwig had softened his smile before it turned into incredulous horror. A streak of white had swooped in and intercepted the killing curse a foot away from Harry. Twin waves of anger and agony sprouted in his chest. Harry fell to his knees and silently shed tears of his first and most faithful friend.

The corners of Snape's mouth curled into a vicious smile. This was almost better than actually killing the little brat. His smile turned into a scowl when he caught the disapproving stare of the headmaster. He wasn't concerned however. There was no way that Albus was going to kick him out of the school. He scoffed at the other teachers who were demanding Dumbledore take action against him.

He closed his eyes and replayed the look of terror on the Potter brat's face over and over. It just might fuel his patronus if he could cast one. His thoughts were interrupted when his head was yanked down by his hair and a wand was shoved into the cheek just beneath his left eye. Even his hand going for his wand froze as he saw the barely restrained fury of Pomona Sprout.

Her whispered voice rang throughout the room. "If I didn't have a house full of children to protect from the machinations of idiots in power, I'd end your life right here. If I ever even hear of you firing a curse at a child in this school again, I'll incite a blood feud that would have Voldemort cringing in fear!" She removed her wand and squatted by Harry rubbing his back soothingly.

It was then Snape got his voice back. "The Sprouts aren't even a minor house. I'm not worried," he said far too arrogantly. Even Dumbledore shook his head at that.

"Shut up." Harry's voice barely a whisper. The power behind those words could not be denied however. "You shut up and stay right there." Unbelievably, Snape did exactly that. The others weren't sure if it was a Patrificus cast wandlessly, or that he just realized the enormity of his action.

McGonagall spoke quietly to the Headmaster, not wanting to interrupt the grieving child. "Should we be contacting the MLE now Albus?"

Albus replied with a twinkle in his eye, "Whatever for my dear? I believe we have this well in hand."

"Surely not! Severus fired the killing curse, at a child no less! The law is clear Albus!"

"Ahh, but he hit an owl, and whose to say he wasn't aiming for the owl in the first place? And according to the letter of the law, the killing curse may be used on any beings classified as creatures. It's unfortunate, but he has done no wrong." Everyone present, minus Snape looked at him dumbfounded.

"Rest assured, he shall be severely reprimanded."

Harry shook his head in disbelief. Another friend gone, another wrong not righted. History was doomed to repeat itself it seemed. "Fawkes?" He called out softly. The phoenix flashed in, his soothing song calming everyone in the room. "Would you do the honors?" He gestured at the body of Hedwig. He elaborated at Fawkes' questioning trill. "She wanted to be cremated when she died." He remembered the two of them watching a bunch of horror movies one night eating popcorn out of a large bowl. "She was scared of being turned into a zombie after she died." A chuckling phoenix opened her beak and a stream of white fire engulfed Hedwig. After a moment the stream stopped and a pile of ash sat where the owl's body once was. "Thank you my friend," Harry said with his head bowed. No one was sure which bird he was talking to. Harry walked to the door but stopped before leaving. "Casting a curse at a "child" isn't too far off from hitting a child, is it now Snape? Maybe you are more like your father than you care to admit." And with that said, he left.

Severus Snape was seething with anger. Both at being shown up by the Potter spawn and being compared to his father (however close that may be). His anger didn't dissipate when his colleagues glared at him when they took their leave as well.

Scene Break

Harry was in his room sitting in a large, oversized, very comfortable chair. The fireplace played its favorite piece while Harry sipped on a steaming mug filled with an exotic type of tea. Dobby sat on the couch a little ways away. He insisted that "Master Harry Potter Sirs" needed time with friends now that "Queeny HeddieWigs" passed on. Harry simple laughed and hugged his small strange friend, much to Dobby's delight.

A knock on his door had him permitting Filius entry. "Mr. Potter, I wanted to come and give my condolences to you on behalf of most of the staff. I can't in good conscious do that for all however, I'm sure you can take your guesses on whom I speak of." He said in a half bow.

"Thank you Professor, and it's just Harry."

"Then Filius." He sat down on the chair Harry had wandlessly conjured without remark.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Whatever you're having would be fine, thank you." With that, Dobby popped away to pop in with another mug for the half goblin. "Thank you," he nodded his head to Dobby.

"So was this a formal visit, or was there something else on your mind Filius." Harry wasn't trying to be too blunt, but he couldn't quite care at the moment how it came across.

"You mentioned something earlier about zombies. I found amusing, at least as amusing as the situation we were in would allow. I was wondering if you had other stories about her you might like to share."

Harry heard nothing but sincerity in his voice and smiled a little. "Hedwig was the first present I ever got. As soon as I saw her I knew we would be life long friends. It took a while, but I began to understand what she was saying. She would always refer to me as "my human". I think she saw me as the pet in the relationship. And you know what? I honestly couldn't say that wasn't the absolute truth."

Harry and Filius talked deep into the evening, both sharing stories of loved ones. Harry marveled at how someone so young could be so perceptive. He had no idea that Filius was having the exact same thought.

Scene Break

Harry walked through the Forbidden Forest with the tiny Ent on his shoulder. It was part of the deal he made when helping Neville get his wand. Truthfully he didn't mind getting away from the castle. After years of not having to talk to people, dealing with all the drama taking place took its toll.

The chattering from his shoulder drew his attention. "I know that's an oak tree. I'm actually very familiar with different types of trees." "Okay, not that familiar, and aren't you a little young to be finding willow trees attractive?" "No I don't know what kind of music gets a deciduous in the mood!" "Okay! Maybe saying very familiar was misleading."

Their banter was broken up by a loud horn. "Why does a human trespass on our territory?" A large surly centaur carrying a bow and a spear demanded.
Harry still caught up in the banter answered, "Wait I've heard this one before." He adopted a thinking pose, "to get to the other side? No, that doesn't sound right. Hmm,"

"Enough! You are trespassing in our forest. Leave now or perish!"

"Your forest? What right do you claim this forest? This little Ent has more of a claim here than you do." He turned his head to his shoulder hearing the chattering. "RootLayer? That's what you're going with?" Harry was shocked at the Ent's reply. "When we get back to Hogwarts we're having a talk with Sprout and figuring out who's teaching you these things."

Their conversation was brought up short once more by the sound of a "twang" and an arrow floating lazily a few inches from his face. Another arrow was fired and joined the first. "I really don't have a problem with violence. It is human nature after all." He said knowing the dig would anger the centaur even more. "However, I'm not going to leave until I'm ready and you're starting to annoy me, keep it up and I'll be forced to...educate you."

The prideful centaur shouted in defiance and charged with his spear leveled at Harry. He soon joined the arrows, floating lazily in the air. Harry waved his hand towards the centaur and watched with mirth as the change took place. He then lowered the centaur until he was now standing on his two human legs.
A loud angry neigh came from the centaur. "No, I didn't make you human. You're still a centaur. You just have the upper body of a horse and the lower of a human now." This was followed by some more neighs and the stomping of feet which wasn't as intimidating as the centaur believed.

"Now if you're done, you can lead me to your dwellings and if you don't cause any more trouble, I'll change you back. If not, I guarantee that you won't fare too well against the acromantulas." The centaur hesitated only a moment before heading deeper into the trees.

A while later the centaur shot forward towards a group of huts as Harry and RootLayer were having another debate. "The whole point of roasting marshmallows is the marshmallows. Why are you focusing so much on the stick being used?" "I didn't come up with the idea!" "No, I wouldn't roast a marshmallow on a human finger." "They're completely different..." he trailed off at seeing all the bows pointed at him.

"You are trespassing in our forest wizard and attacked one of our herd. Your life is now ours," the obvious leader intoned.

Harry looked back at RootLayer. "You just needed adventure didn't you? And we have to do this once a month?" He listened to some chattering as a few arrows were loosed and stopped in front of him. "I've never heard of making smores from sunlight and water."

"Human!" Harry sighed. He guessed he was going to have to deal with these idiots. He waved his hand at the reverse centaur he had made and they watched as he was turned back to normal. He grabbed the baby Ent and gently set him down. "Don't go wandering off."

Harry rolled his shoulders and let them relax a bit. He released some of his iron control over his magic and let it rage to the surface. A deep rolling thunder sounded in the sky and lightning flashed in the distance. "I am Harry James Potter!" he intoned. It was as if magic carried his words from his mouth. "Last Lord of the Dragon Spaces, Apprentice of Macros and friend of the most recent earth mage! Who are you to attack me? Who are you to claim rights to an entire forest?"

"This forest has always been ours! Leave while you have the chance small wizard." Many of the centaurs now looked wary and obviously didn't want to risk a fight. There were still a few who wanted nothing more than to see blood.

"It's a shame that once noble beings as the centaurs were brought this low. No wonder this forest is so dark and depressing. No dryads, earth sprites, even the fairies stay away."

"Stupid human, except for fairies, those things don't exist." Harry looked on in disbelief. How was this possible? Centaurs were supposed to be very connected to nature. To get this far from where they should be...

Harry turned towards the baby Ent. "Even though it's not my responsibility, I apologize about the state of the forest. Those who were supposed to be keepers of the forest have failed their job. I will find some worthy and repair the damage done here." He turned to the centaurs who still had their bows pointed at him. A billowing wind surrounded the group. A peal of thunder was heard in the distance and the trees around the wizard, once old and decayed, seemed to regain something of a healthy color. "Centaurs! For millennia your kind have been the keepers of the wood. You have failed in your duties. I ask Magic to judge your actions and take the appropriate measures." He stomped his foot and a wave of energy rippled outwards from him in all directions. More arrows were loosed and a couple of centaurs charged only to find themselves floating next to their arrows. Harry picked up the tiny Ent and disappeared without a sound.

Magorian breathed a sigh of relief. That wizard was incredibly powerful for one so young. He was happy his herd escaped unscathed. He would have liked to resolve things differently with the human, but Bane had been stirring up trouble about being too soft with the wand wavers. He turned to go back to his hut when he was face to face with the elders.

"Magorian, what was the human talking about having magic judge us?"

"A wizard child just boasting. It will all be fine. He won't show up again."

"We need to know what he said!"

Magorian was tired. Apparently sleep was not in his near future. "He said we had failed our duties as keepers, and the forest is dark because of us. That dryads and sprites should be everywhere. It was human foolishness."

"When did he say he will return?" Magorian noticed the elders looked nervous, even if they covered it well.

"He didn't say. What's going on?"

The elders were whispering amongst themselves however. Magorian once again sighed and continued his way towards his hut for some rest. He had a feeling it was going to be a long couple of days.

Scene Break

A knock at the door brought the strict transfiguration professor's attention away from the parchment she was reading. Harry poked his head in and was waved in. "What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"

"Please call me Harry when we're alone."

"Minerva then," she said with a small tight smile.

"First I have my syllabus for the next few months for each year I'm teaching." He continued at her confused look. "I would have given them to the headmaster, but I feel as if they wouldn't have been looked at. This way, if any concerned individual has issues about what I'm teaching, or I'm absent for some reason, you have a schedule for what I'm teaching when."

Minerva scanned through the organized group of papers and looked suitably impressed. "This will definitely make things easier. Thank you Harry." She thought about having all the teachers follow his example.

"I'm also going to be absent on Saturday, I'm going to the bank and a couple other places." Minerva looked at him wearily. Even though he was technically emancipated, he was still a child. She was uneasy about him being on his own, despite the knowledge and magic he possessed. He seemed to read her thoughts and tried to calm her. "I'll be back before dinner, at the latest. If I'm not, you can tell the headmaster and I'm sure he'll use one of the tracking charms he has on me to find me." She seemed confused until she pointed her wand in his direction.

"They are all over you!"

"He doesn't want his little martyr disappearing now, does he?"

She had forgotten. But how? How did she forget about Albus saying that Harry needed to die? To even plan for a child to die? She looked up and found he was gone, and Poppy was there in his place.

"Minny? Back with us?"

"What happened? Where's Mr. Potter?"

"He came to get me about ten minutes ago saying you were unresponsive. I came right away and haven't been able to wake you. What happened?"

Minerva was worried. She was sure it wasn't anything Harry had done, but couldn't possibly put the blame where her instincts were screaming at her. "I think you need to summon Filius and Pomona." She paused not wanting to say what a small part of her was screaming at her. "And don't tell Albus. I think something is seriously wrong."

Poppy looked at her a moment before summoning her personal house elf and gathering the other professors.

She turned to leave for her office when she was stopped by her longtime friend. "And Poppy? We need to sweep your offices before discussing anything."

"What's going on Minnie?" She asked seriously, and maybe a little frightened.

"I don't know. But I'm afraid of what we might find out."

Finally got him to update. I'll keep reminding him. I'm already looking forward to the next chapter. Please review.

Beta out.