Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter and everything recognizable belongs to J K Rowling.

TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY,

by blaugrana-al-vent

Chapter 33: OWL Week

Previously on To Know Your Enemy…

'Harry sat up abruptly, looking fixatedly at the window. He took a few tentative steps towards it, and slowly, he began to make out the outline of a bird, not an owl, and certainly not Hedwig, but unmistakably a bird, a dark one.

A crow, he realized. And in its talons it bore a pitch black envelope.

Harry's blood froze in his veins. There was only one man who sent his mail in black letters and by means of a crow.'

Harry was one of the first people to finish his History of Magic OWL examination. A quick and above all, discrete, look around the Great Hall told him that he wasn't the only one. There were a few who had finished early too, but weren't getting ready to hand in their paper and leave. Granger was already on his fifth check of her answers; another student, Harry couldn't figure out who, was sleeping over his paper; and Vincent Crabbe seemed to be mesmerized with the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Nobody ever wanted to be the first to hand in a paper.

It would only take one single student to gather the courage to be the first one to hand in his paper, for others to follow suit. Harry didn't like to be that student. He didn't want to. He hated large crowds and being the center of attention, so he waited until someone else walked up to the far end of the Great Hall to hand in his paper, before he made his move. This way he always double-checked his answers.

The tense silence was disrupted by the sudden noise of a chair pushed backwards, screeching against the floor as it was displaced. Everyone's head turned to Terry Boot. He walked up to the staff table and handed his exam to that insufferable Ministry woman that resembled a toad. She was only here to supervise OWL and NEWT examinations and would leave today, once this last exam was done. Madam Umbridge, or Umbitch, as the students referred to her behind her back, had taken an instant dislike to the Boy-Who-Lived, bringing her to common ground with Harry.

Her mouth twisted into a wry smile as she took the paper from him and looked over a few of the answers. Terry Boot's confident expression faltered. After a beat he went back to his chair and gathered his belongings before heading out. The set of heavy oak double doors creaked gravely as he opened and closed them, not without some effort. The slam was loud and lingering, at least for a few seconds. Then it was all silent again.

From that moment on, it happened just as Harry had predicted. Not two minutes later Theodore Nott left, and then, a second Slytherin followed about a minute later. The noise started to increase as more people turned in their paper and prepared to leave, including the sleepyhead. He now knew it was Seamus Finnigan.

Taking another glance around he locked eyes with Justin, and with a subtle nod, they agreed to hand in their papers and finally get out of the 'OWL Examination' version of the Great Hall. Harry passed by Neville on their way out. He seemed to be struggling up a bit. Neville hadn't been ever congratulated on having a good memory. Harry supposed that Peter Pettigrew being his teacher didn't help either.

"Please tell me the third question referred to the Second Goblin Rebellion of the 13th century!" Justin said desperately as soon as they were out of the Great Hall and beyond the Muffliato charms Snape had set around the perimeter of the room.

Harry looked worriedly at Justin all of a sudden. "No shit! Wasn't it about the First Rebellion?"

"Dunno!" Justin said nervously. "Do you have your notes here? I'd like to check."

"Already on it." Harry said, going through all the books and random pieces of parchments in his bag.

"Oh Merlin! I feel like I've messed up this exam so much." Justin commented gravely. "I think I may rely on this question to get at least an A."

Hannah came out seconds later. She looked far happier than both of them put together.

"It was the Second Rebellion." she said sounding very confident when Justin and Harry asked.

"She's right, damnit!" Harry said, his eyes going over a piece of parchment.

"I'm sorry mate." Justin told Harry. The relieved grin on his face didn't help.

"No worries. I think I'll pass anyway. Or so I hope… So how was yours Hannah? You look really happy with yourself."

"I am. I think that for once in History of Magic I might score higher than an A. And you, Justin?"

"I'm almost sure I passed. I can only hope for something more than an Acceptable, though."

"Oh, here comes Neville and Susan." Harry announced.

Hannah turned around and met Neville halfway. They kissed. They had been like ever since they had gotten together over two weeks ago, when Neville had come back to school. When their lips finally parted, they rejoined the group and started comparing answers. Susan on the other hand, didn't want to hear anything more concerning OWLs until her results were mailed to her later in the summer. She just wanted to put this last week behind her and forget all about it. Perhaps she was right.

Her boyfriend came out ten minutes later, along with the students that hadn't had enough time to finish the test. He was in a foul mood, but was happy and relieved too, as the most stressful week ever was finally over.

"Why don't we head outdoors for a while and get some sun on our faces?" Susan proposed. "I swear I've felt like a Vampire these past few days, stuck indoors all day long."

"Yes, let's do that. We can all do with some relax." Justin agreed.

"Let's head to the lake." Ernie suggested.

And there they went. Harry and him led the other two couples into the school grounds. Susan was right, Harry decided. They did look a bit like Vampires. The summer had arrived many days ago, but their studies had often kept them from being outdoors and get some color on their faces.

They went right through the mown lawn, and headed for the lake. There, fifth and seventh year students from all houses were gathering all along the lakeshore. Some even chanced a swim in the lake, always staying close to the shore, fearful of the urban legends that were told about this lake. The students from first, second, third, fourth and sixth year still had classes for another day and were still stuck indoors.

"Hey Harry hold up!" Neville called after him. "I got to talk to you about something."

Harry lowered his pace until he fell in step with Neville. Hannah trotted forward to talk to Justin, giving the two of them some privacy.

"I too have something to tell you." Harry told him.

"Good." Neville agreed in an affable manner.

"So what is it?" Harry asked.

It took Neville a few seconds to speak. "I've been thinking about your offer."

"I guess it hasn't helped much your studies, huh?" Harry said sheepishly.

Neville chuckled. "It hasn't helped, but nor has it impeded them. I think that my fate regarding these exams was sealed the moment Pettigrew came through my fireplace." he said laughing lightly. Harry snorted. "Anyway after putting much thought into it, I've decided I can't go with you." Neville said in a direct manner. The answer ought to have caught Harry by surprise, but somehow, it didn't. Neville went on.

"For good or bad, this past year has changed us." he said. "From the moment we decided to take studies and other things more seriously after you nearly died on Moody's Office the day of the Triwizard Tournament's Final Task, we have changed, our worries and motivations have changed. We're not those boys who wanted to leave because were bullied and didn't have a single friend other than Fred and George, not anymore. Such nonsense doesn't seem important anymore. You're leaving because you feel you have to, else your relationship with your family and Dumbledore will end up very badly. I however, don't feel the need to go anywhere. I would love going with you, truly, but there are many things to take into consideration, so many things I never took when we fantasized about running away. My parents for starters… I could never leave them like that, locked up in St. Mungo's. I know what the healers say, but I still hope they will recover. And my grandmother! She may not be the most loving grandparent there is, but she's the only one I have, the only proper family I have left. And then there is Hannah… I could never bring myself to leave her now after so many days hoping we would get together. And I don't feel I have the right to ask her to come with us either. I'm sorry Harry, but I simply can't."

"No, don't be. I completely understand, Neville." Harry told him. "And it is I who should apologize. I put you in the situation of choosing between Hannah and your family, and me. It wasn't my intention, I'm sorry."

"No worries, Horus." Neville said, resorting to their Animagus nicknames. "Now, isn't there any way I can convince you to stay?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, there is actually."

"What is it?"

"Become Minister of Magic and banish Dumbledore and my parents from this country."

Neville laughed. "So what was you wanted to tell me?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah, right." Harry said looking around. "Actually if we could do this someplace else…"

"What's the matter?" Neville asked sounding curious.

"Not here..." Harry begged quietly.

"Al right. You want to go to the spot where we usually worked out?"

"No. We need something much more private. Let's head to the Room, please?"

"The Room?" Neville protested. "But that's all the way up the castle!"

"And it's the only place that ensures absolute privacy!" Harry stated. "Please, Neville. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Just trust me, will you."

Neville gave up and sighed. "All right. Just wait here for a moment okay? I'm going to tell Hannah we're leaving for a while."

"Thanks Sox!" Harry called after him as he went to his girlfriend.

Another person showed up at Harry's side just then. He wasn't very pleased when he turned and saw it was Malfoy. Harry regarded him with suspicion, and decided to speak before the blonde did.

"What do you want?" he asked, not overly unkind.

"Word in Slytherin is you've been ignoring certain… gestures of friendship, gestures from someone very powerful."

"Is it really?" Harry asked, feeling very uncomfortable with what Draco had said and what he might really know.

"It is. Now, let me give you a valuable piece of advice." Draco said. "Don't make him wait for much longer." he said slowly and in a clear voice. Then turning to leave he added: "Come to me when you have an answer."

Harry looked at him with even more suspicion, and then he understood. "There was no way that letter would've got past the wards. You wrote it didn't you? I should have known."

"What you should have known is that he's not a very patient man." Draco said. "Look, I know that we've never talked much, you being the brother of that imbecile. Neverhteless I've been keeping an eye on you, and you've always striked me as the smart type, who knows better than to believe all the lies Dumbledore tells. So trust me when I say it is in your best interest to answer that letter."

"Oh spare me, Malfoy. I don't buy all this patronizing crap. I know you've never regarded me with anything other than contempt and condescension. Aside from being the brother of the Boy-Who-Lived, there's nothing too special about me for you to pursue an acquaintance. I'm not the sworn enemy of your Master, nor am I the heir to an immense fortune such as Greengrass. That's the only reason you've never given me as much as a second thought or a second glance. If I was the Boy-Who-Lived, I'm sure you would've made me life impossible as you've been doing for my brother." he said. "And if I was as rich as Greengrass is, perhaps you would've already started courting me." he added with a mock disgusted expression.

Draco looked at him furiously. "You better hope that the Dark Lord kills you before I have the chance, because just as your brother before you, you just got my attention."

Then he stormed off. Neville came back shortly after.

"What was that about?" Neville asked. Harry turned to him abruptly. He hadn't even noticed him come back.

"Huh? Nothing important." Harry said as they began to head back towards the castle. "Just Malfoy…" he said.

Neville sensed there was more to it but decided to drop the matter, for now.

Passing through the Entrance Hall, Harry observed through the heavy oak doorway, how the Great Hall had already been restored to its former and better known layout. The big clock that Umbridge had summoned to keep time of the examinations was long gone. So were the myriad of single desks, and in their place, the four House tables were back. It amazed Harry how exceptionally different a room could look based on the furniture.

Neville interrupted his thoughts. "Hold on a second." he said as he guided him to a cluster of people forming around the notice board. There were at least four rows of people between them and the board, and many of them were taller than they. "I wonder what's all this about." he told Harry as he waited to see for himself the cause of such fuss.

Harry had less patience.

"Excuse me, what does it say?" he asked a pair of students that had just made their way out of the small crowd.

"Hogsmeade weekend!" one of them told him cheerfully before they moved on.

"When?" he asked after a moment, but they didn't hear him and kept walking away.

"Well it can't be any other day than tomorrow." Neville said. "It's our last day here before the train ride on Sunday."

"How very weird." Harry said. "There's never been a Hogsmeade weekend on the last day before the train ride."

"It's more of a Hogsmeade day." Neville commented, feeling equally surprised.

"You'll be taking Hannah?" Harry asked.

"Of course I will."

"I think Justin might ask that Ravenclaw Prefect." Harry mused.

"And obviously Ernie will be bringing Susan. That leaves you, my friend. Just who will you be asking to Hogsmeade."

"No-one, I think." Harry said. Currently, he wasn't particularly interested in any of the 'free' girls of the school. The truth was that the stress from the particular events of this year had kept his mind engaged in other things. Besides, most of the good looking ones were already taken.

"Come on. There must be someone…" Neville said casually. Then his eyes lit up with mischief. "How about Wilkinson?"

"Oh no. No way." Harry declared fiercely.

"Why not? I thought you were into her."

"You've been away a long time." Harry said evasively.

"So she was with Karl for a few weeks, so what? Many more weeks have passed since then."

"She wasn't interested back then and she isn't now. And even if she was, I am not. She chose my brother over me, and I will not have my brother's leftovers."

"All right then." Neville settled.

"I'll go alone most probably, or perhaps not at all." he claimed.

.o0o.

The Room of Requirement readjusted itself to show Harry's and Neville usual flat just before they opened the door and came in. Harry motioned for his friend to take a seat on the couch. He sat on another one directly across the coffee table in between.

Out of an inner pocket of his robes, Harry drew a black envelope. He leaned across the small coffee table standing between them and placed the envelope on it. He slid it across the table before leaning back into his seat. Neville looked at the black envelope with trepidation. Harry could imagine the turmoil going on inside his friend's head.

"I received this in the dormitory the other night." he explained as Neville leaned in.

He took the letter, and then looked at Harry inquisitively. "Is this what I think it is Harry?" he asked looking anxious.

"It is." Harry said solemnly. "Go on. Read it."

A bit reluctantly, Neville took the letter out of the envelope and started reading. His eyes moved over the words rapidly, his expression varying throughout the letter. Coolness, shock, anger, and then, when he looked at Harry, sympathy, and a pang of pity. He folded the letter and placed it on the small coffee table again. He didn't talk for a few minutes. He just sat there, his hands intertwined and holding his chin in them.

"A recruitment letter…" Neville said, his gaze fixed nowhere. "Harry, when exactly did you receive this?" he asked after a pause.

"The night you came back." Harry admitted.

Neville stood up and looked at him in a relatively righteous outrage. "Mate, that's over a week. You've kept this from me for more than a week?"

"Yes." Harry admitted shamefully. "I know I should've told you, but…"

"But what?"

"It's only you seemed so happy with Hannah that I didn't want to spoil the mood. And then came the OWLs and I didn't want to put any more pressure on anyone."

Sitting down again he sighed. "All right. So what did you put in your response?" Neville asked him. Harry opened his mouth and then closed it back again. He looked guiltily at his friend. "You haven't answered yet." Neville said.

"I'm not sure if I should answer at all. And if I did, I wouldn't really know what to say." he said anxiously. Neville looked at him, a bit suspicious.

"What do you mean you wouldn't know what to say?"

Harry understood Neville's suspicious look. "Oh, I would never join him Neville! Come on, you know me better than that. It's only that I don't want to piss him off by rejecting his offer. Voldemort sounds like the kind of man that only deals in absolutes. You either are with him, or against him. There is no middle ground. And right now, the last thing I need is a Dark Lord on to me. My parents and Dumbledore are enough."

"Perhaps you shouldn't answer at all then." Neville agreed.

"No, that's not an option either. I think he would take that as a negative and brand me as an enemy."

"Then stall him." Neville said after some thought.

"How?"

"Make him think you are going to join him."

"Are you insane. I would never!"

"Harry, you don't have to give him a definite 'yes', but give him something to make him think you are open to the idea. Just entertain him, if you will. You've said so yourself, you can't turn him down or things might get complicated for you. And you can't say yes either, that's beyond any argument. But you can play him. You haven't given us an exact timetable as to your 'escape', but I daresay it is going to happen soon. Very soon. You'd only need to stall him until then. By the time he decides to pursue further contacts you'll be out of his reach."

"I guess that makes sense." Harry admitted.

"What did Sirius have to say about this? Does he know? Or did you keep him out of the loop too?"

"He does not know. I haven't been able to get a hold of him for the past few days. He told me he was going abroad to our new place to finish preparing things. But he told me he'd be back before the date of our escape. Of course, he left his mirror behind." he added exasperatedly.

"So what are you going to do?" Neville asked after some moments.

"I don't know."

"Well, I wouldn't want to put any more pressure on you but it's already been more than a week since you received this… He must be expecting an answer by now."

"I know. And he's already getting impatient."

Neville tilted his head sideways. "How is it you seem so certain about that?"

"Draco Malfoy."

"Ah!" Neville said quietly.

"He insinuated that Voldemort isn't a patient man. I think it was him who sent me the letter. Or at least he forwarded it to me. The wards of the castle alert Dumbledore of any mail for me or from me. There's no way a letter like that would get past him. Certainly not in a crow." Harry said.

"But if a student were to send a letter from inside the castle to someone within the castle… the letter wouldn't go through the wards and thus wouldn't get flagged…" Neville concluded. "That does make sense."

"So… Want to help me write an answer?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Of course buddy."

.o0o.

"…This is why, though I most certainly agree and sympathize with some of your views and policies, I cannot at the present time take you up on your offer." he read aloud to the darkness of the room. "Yours faithfully, Harry Potter."

He folded the letter carefully and, pinched between his two fingers, index and middle, he held it in the air. After a moment, faint footsteps echoed around the room as another man stepped out of the shadows behind the chair and walked into the glow of the fireplace. Though his robes were black as night, the man didn't wear the usual Death Eater garb. And in his face, he wore a shiny black mask, as opposed to the silver one normal Death Eaters wore. He took the letter, and went back to stand in the shadows.

"He seems… indecisive." Voldemort said, his gaze lost in the swirling flames. The masked man didn't make any comment. He knew better than that. Then Voldemort took a much more aggressive tone, almost angry. "He says he understands my need to fight against what has become of the Wizarding World. They say, 'poor muggles, we shouldn't harm them, powerless and innocent as they are…'. Innocent? What exactly do they think will happen if they ever found their way into Hogwarts? A massacre would happen, like the ones in Salem in the late 17th century. We are the dominant force on this world. That's the reason they've always feared us. Yet it is us who hide. They are the ones who should be hiding. Now, Harry Potter claims he agrees with this vision, yet when given the chance, he decides to do nothing about it, and does as the rest of them: he continues to hide. That is if he does understand… If he really does, what is so important for him to put off what he knows to be his duty as a proper wizard? What do you think?" he asked the other man.

"I wouldn't know, my lord." he replied. "But… it could be he doesn't really want to come into your service, and he is only trying to appease you in order to prevent any future attacks on his person." he said, not sounding very sure.

"You are smarter than most people give you credit for." Voldemort said in a pleased manner. "I just hope you never forget who you have to thank that for."

"I wouldn't ever do so, My Lord."

Voldemort smiled. "That's just what I was talking about. Heh, if you're right, young Harry has proven to us he is a Potter then. And to think I had hopes in this one. Now I know that he is just as naïve as all of his kin. Perhaps he only needs further persuasion. I say we'll have to properly express to him the seriousness of his situation and of his duties as a true and proper wizard." Voldemort concluded. Then after another pause he said: "Has Dumbledore done his part? Has he scheduled a Hogsmeade weekend for the last day of school?"

"He has." the other man said. "It only took the slightest suggestion on my part for the idea to quickly form in his mind. He actually thinks it was all his idea. He will be assigning an Auror detachment though, for additional protection aside from the teachers."

"Good, good… Very good." the Dark Lord commented. Then, after a few moments' thought he added: "Tell Bellatrix to set up the meeting."

"Right away, My Lord. When for?"

"Before dinner. Tell her I want all the Inner Circle in attendance. No exceptions, or there will be dire consequences for her and whoever is missing."

"Yes, My Lord." the Hand of Death said as he slowly retreated backwards and went to stand in the shadows again.