Alec Morland was already waiting on the Quidditch pitch when Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived. The other three Slytherins that Harry had seen with him that morning were there, too, the four of them standing on the edge of the field near the changing rooms. Gryffindors and Slytherins eyed one another uncertainly for a few seconds before Alec said, sounding rather surprised, "You really came."

"Gryffindors keep their word," Ron answered. His voice sounded a little edgy and the Slytherins glared at him.

Harry put a hand on his arm, but spoke easily to Alec. "Sure I came. I just had to stop by my room for a minute." He gestured towards his friends. "You probably already know them, but these are my friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."

Alec motioned at his own friends, "This is Emma Davidson, Madalyn Grey, and Zach Phillips."

The Davidson girl was small with dark brown, almost black, hair and bright blue eyes. Madalyn Grey was an elegant blonde, while Zach Phillips was tall and dark-skinned with close-cropped hair.

The two groups continued to regard each other suspiciously until Harry said dryly, "Well, good. Now we can all be best mates."

Ron snorted. The Slytherins looked at Harry, startled, but then Emma Davidson gave a small, reluctant laugh and they all seemed to relax a tiny bit.

Alec was clutching a broomstick in his right hand and Harry nodded at it. "Cool broom."

The younger boy beamed. "Thanks. It's a Nimbus 4000. I got it for Christmas. My dad used to play for Ravenclaw and he's really hoping I'll make my House team, too."

"Well, you ready to get started then?" Harry asked.

Alec nodded eagerly and they took off. Harry led the way through some aerial manoeuvres, keeping an eye on the younger boy to judge his skills. Alec had some natural talent...he had an excellent sense of balance and timing, but he seemed inexperienced and unpolished. Harry tried to offer some helpful tips, as well as encouragement, and he was pleased to see that the young Slytherin listened intently and was a quick learner.

"Just be careful on your turns. You don't need to use as much force to change direction when you're traveling at high speed. Just a slight lean and the broom should respond. If you lean too much when you're going fast, the broom could spin out of control. At best you'll throw the broom off its track and lose time while you get back on path," Harry advised him.

Alec nodded. "Can we practice that again?"

Harry nodded. "Okay, take off and at the halfway mark, bank to the right."

Alec did much better that time, remembering to shift weight subtly in the direction he wished to go, and Harry called after him, "That was great, much better than before."

When Alec glided back to him, Harry asked. "So do you think you'll try out for Seeker?"

"Seeker or Chaser, probably. I'm not sure which yet." The other boy replied.

Harry glanced down to the stands, where Ron, Hermione, and the Slytherins were seated a short distance apart from one another. "Come on, let's see if we can talk them into playing a scrimmage game."

Hermione and Madalyn Grey were initially reluctant, but the others managed to convince them. Ron and Harry went into the Gryffindor changing room and found the set of practice equipment and some school brooms. A few minutes later they were all in the air, hovering on broomsticks and assigning positions.

They played for over an hour, with everyone taking turns at the different spots, and by the time they decided to quit, they were all laughing and much more at ease.

They landed and Harry and Ron put all the balls back into the wooden practice box while Hermione collected the school brooms.

"Well, thanks a lot for helping me. I really appreciate it," Alec said to Harry when they were ready to leave.

Harry nodded. "You're welcome. Good luck with tryouts."

The younger Slytherins said good-bye and started off towards the castle. Harry and his friends went to return the brooms and Quidditch equipment to the Gryffindor changing room. Ron and Hermione were a few steps ahead of Harry when he heard a hissed incantation and a second later he tripped and fell sprawling to the ground.

He swore under his breath, even as he reacted instantly, rolling to the side to avoid any further spells, snatching his wand and pointing in the direction he thought the jinx had come from. "Stupify!"

At the same moment Ron and Hermione realized that something was wrong. They dropped the broom and box and spun around with their own wands drawn.

There was a heavy thump as Harry's stunning spell hit its target, but there was obviously more than one attacker, as a muttered voice and a flash of light from another spell came from around the corner of the building.

Harry scrambled back to his feet as Ron dodged the light and the three of them threw up shield charms and ran to face their opponents.

Gregory Goyle lay unconscious on the ground, but Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe were standing with their wands aimed at the trio.

Harry shouted "Expelliarmus!" at the same time that Hermione called "Incarcerous!" A jet of red light and thick ropes shot from their wands, but Malfoy was able to cast his own shield charm in time.

Ron aimed another disarming spell at Crabbe, but somehow, as large as he was, the other boy managed to twist out of the way.

Unfortunately for him, he twisted directly into the path of the stupefying spell that Alec Morland cast and slumped to the ground. The four younger Slytherins had heard the commotion and had come running back to see what was going on. The other three hesitated for a moment when they saw their older Housemates but Alec had his wand out in a flash and amazingly, was supporting the Gryffindors. His three companions looked back and forth between Draco Malfoy and Alec, and then aimed their wands at Malfoy as well.

Whatever else he was, Draco Malfoy was not stupid. Outnumbered seven to one, he stopped the fight and glared at the younger students.

"What's wrong with you?" He hissed, his face contorted with rage. "You're Slytherin! How could you..."

"How could you ambush somebody from behind like that?" Alec retorted. "That's cowardly and low and..."

"How did you ever make it into Slytherin?" Malfoy demanded, a look of disgust vying with his fury. "Ambushing an enemy is a strategic move. In a war, you take every advantage you can get."

Alec shook his head. "But this isn't a war and they're not our enemies."

"Like hell!" Malfoy responded, but he was drowned out by a new voice.

"Well said, Mr. Morland."

They all turned to see Severus striding towards them. His black eyes swept over the group, lingering on his son. Harry read the question in his father's gaze and he nodded that he was all right. Severus' stern expression seemed to lighten almost imperceptibly, just for an instant. He turned his attention back to the other students.

"Ten points apiece for Mr. Morland and his friends for their honourable conduct. You may return to the castle now." Severus waited until the four younger Slytherins had rather reluctantly left. Then he turned to Malfoy. "It will help to offset the fifty points I'm deducting for your behavior today, Mr. Malfoy."

"Fifty!" Malfoy began.

"You did not attend any of your classes today though you were obviously well enough to do so, and you were caught fighting with other students. In addition to the loss of points, you will serve detention with me this Saturday instead of going into Hogsmeade," Severus said coolly.

Malfoy stared at him in silence. Harry could see outraged disbelief on his face, but there seemed to be a hint of something else, something more vulnerable, in the boy's grey eyes. But then Malfoy looked over at him, his eyes filled only with hatred, and Harry thought he must have only imagined the other.

"What about them?" Malfoy demanded, gesturing at Harry, Ron, and Hemione. "They were fighting, too."

Severus considered. "So they were." His eyes flickered over the Gryffidors. "You three report to my quarters directly after dinner."

"But, sir," They all began at once but Severus cut them off.

"That's enough."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione gaped at him indignantly while Severus waved his wand over Crabbe and Goyle to bring them back to consciousness and assigned them detention with Filch. Then he ordered the three Slytherins away as well.

"But Severus, they..." Harry tried again.

His father frowned slightly. "I am aware of what happened, Harry. And I am aware that I warned you all about fighting in front of a professor. I am also aware that it is now dinnertime. I suggest we head up to the school."

He motioned to them and Harry, Ron, and Hermione led the way back up to the castle. At dinner time, they told their friends about the afternoon events. Ginny and Neville commiserated with them, but Dean and Seamus both frowned.

"Why were you helping that Slytherin kid, Harry?" Dean asked.

"You're supposed to be our Seeker," Seamus said at the same time.

"I am Gryffindor's Seeker," Harry retorted. "I just gave him a few pointers, that's all. And he's not a bad kid. He helped us against Malfoy."

"Yeah, but what if he makes the Slytherin team and then they beat us because of something you taught him?" Seamus demanded.

Ron spoke up. "Nah, that's not gonna happen. Professor Snape bought Harry this great book, by Wronski, all about Seeking and different tricks and techniques. We've been practicing and Harry's better than ever. No way we're going to lose to anyone this year."

Dean and Seamus still didn't look happy, but they were interested in hearing more about the Seeking book and the new skills that Harry had learned. The boys talked about Quidditch for the rest of dinner.

As they were finishing dessert...a very tasty selection of cakes and pastries...Severus stood at the staff table and motioned for them to join him.

"I can't believe he gave us detention," Ron grumbled.

Hermione just shrugged. "Well, we were fighting."

"What choice did we have?" Ron demanded. "That slimy little git of a snake attacked Harry. Again. Of course we had to fight."

Harry just sighed. He couldn't help feeling disappointed and a bit angry that his father had punished him and his friends as well as Malfoy and his goons, and he planned to argue the matter once they were alone in their rooms. But as it turned out, it wasn't necessary.

They walked down through the dungeons in silence, but when they entered Severus' and Harry's rooms and the professor closed the door behind them, he turned to regard the three teenagers.

"As deplorable as Mr. Malfoy's conduct was today, he does have a point that in a true battle, you should use every advantage you might have. I have always found that a good chess match improves my strategic thinking."

He nodded towards the chess board set up on a corner table. "Harry, why don't you and Mr. Weasley study tactical ploys and manoevres?"

Harry stared at him blankly. "You want us to play chess?"

"I think my wording sounded more professional, but yes, I want you to play chess." Severus turned to Hermione. "Miss Granger, I would suggest that you study, but I'm quite sure you're already ahead in all your subjects. But you might find a book that holds your interest over there." He indicated the bookshelves.

"I can pick out something to read?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Have you all been confounded or am I not speaking English tonight? Yes, you may choose a book to read."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other and then back at Severus.

"Are we being punished?" Harry asked him.

"Do you think you're being punished?" Severus raised an eyebrow and swept away, calling over his shoulder, "I will be in my office if you should need me for anything."

They stared after him. When the office door had closed, Ron slowly grinned and then grabbed Harry's arm. "Well, you heard the man. We've got studying to do."

The next hour passed peacefully. Hermione found a book and curled up on the sofa to read while Harry and Ron hunched low over the chess board, muttering directions to the pieces. They were all surprised when Severus came back into the parlour bearing a tray with cups of cocoa and a platter of biscuits.

"I'm not sure why I bothered when you all had an indecent number of cakes at dinner," the professor grumbled.

Ron eagerly helped himself to several biscuits. "We'll have to have detention with you more often, sir."

"I would suggest that you not take advantage, Mr. Weasley," Severus returned sharply.

Harry grinned at him. "Sit down with us, Severus."

Severus rolled his eyes again, but he did take a cup of cocoa and sit beside Harry on the sofa. Hermione was on Harry's other side and Ron perched on a nearby armchair. Harry leaned against his father and began telling him about the day, with Ron and Hermione chiming in now and again.

"I'm pleased that your first day back was enjoyable," Severus commented when they had finished.

"Tell us about your day," Harry requested.

Severus seemed startled. "There isn't very much to tell. I taught first through fourth years today. You should all be familiar with the lectures and potions."

"What will we be doing tomorrow, sir?" Hermione leaned forward to peer around Harry.

"We will be studying Golpalott's Laws this term, how to diagnose and treat various poisons," Severus replied.

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Oh, this summer I was reading about that outbreak of moonseed poisoning in Indonesia and how researchers there were using Golpalott's Fourth Law to include the moonseed as an ingredient in the anti-dote."

"They would have gotten better results if they had used salamander blood," Severus answered. "Salamanders eat moonseeds and with the moonseed in the bloodstream plus the high acidic quality of the salamander platelets, the antidote could have been greatly strengthened..."

Harry and Ron looked at one another, shook their heads in bemusement, and sipped their cocoa.

After his friends had Flooed back up to Gryffindor Tower, Harry went to his father and hugged him. "Thank you."

Severus hugged him back. "You're welcome. Hogwarts' rules do say that any student caught fighting should be punished, but considering the circumstances and all the unfair detentions I have given you in the past, I could not bring myself to be harsh."

They were quiet, then Severus lightly stroked through his son's hair and said, "Thank you, Harry."

Harry looked at him in confusion. "For what?"

"For giving me another chance," Severus said. "I did not deserve it. I do not deserve you."

But Harry shook his head. "That isn't true, Severus. I mean, yeah, things used to be bad between us, but you've helped me so much. You know how depressed I was this summer. It's only because of you that I'm all right now."

"And are you all right? Truly?" Severus asked quietly. He studied Harry with a solemn, intense gaze.

Harry started to nod; then he shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so. I wish I were free, but I'm trying not to dwell on it. I'm trying to think about all the good things I have and just get on with stuff."

Severus nodded. "That sounds like a very mature way to handle things. But Harry, anytime you do feel upset or sad, I want you to come to me."

"All right," Harry agreed in a subdued tone.

Severus squeezed his shoulder. "Albus should receive some of those documents I told you about within the week, and then he and I will begin studying them in the evenings. We may yet discover a way to free you so don't give up hope."

"I won't," Harry promised softly.

Severus dropped a kiss on the top of his head. "Well, I think I'm going to read through my new potions journal before bed. Do you have any homework?"

Harry shook his head. "Nothing that's due right away, and we worked on some of it today during our free period."

Speaking of the free period reminded him of the independent study course he was supposed to do with his father and Dumbledore. "Severus, you know I have Transfiguration and Potions tomorrow, but what about my independent study class? What should I do for it?"

Severus considered. "After potions tomorrow, I want you to spend an hour or two practicing nonverbal magic. Try spells you already know, but work on casting in silence. I know you're already doing that in Defense, and you will be in other classes as well, but it is a very valuable skill, especially when confronting an enemy. I want you to become proficient at it as quickly as you can."

Harry nodded.

"It can be exhausting though, when you're first learning, so take a rest when you grow tired," Severus continued. "Do the same on Thursday. I believe you and I both have a free period scheduled immediately after lunch on Friday so I'll work with you then and see how you're progressing. All right?"

"Sounds good," Harry smiled at him.

They returned to the sofa, sitting side by side. While Severus flipped through his latest potions journal, Harry wrote a letter to Norie and Zan. He felt a little guilty...he'd scarcely thought about the house elves since leaving Prince Hall. He hadn't meant to neglect them, but he'd just been busy getting settled back at Hogwarts and starting the new school year. He tried to make up for it with a nice long letter, telling them everything he'd been doing the past few days and all about his classes and friends.

As he wrote, Harry could almost see them, and Prince Hall, too. He felt such a sudden sharp longing to be at home that it surprised him. He'd never been homesick while he was at school before. Of course the house at Privet Drive had never been a home to him though, and he'd always been glad to escape the Dursleys.

"Severus?" He asked, looking up from the parchment.

"Hmm?"

"Well, I know we couldn't when there are things going on here, but do you think maybe some weekend we could go back to Prince Hall and visit Norie and Zan?"

Severus frowned. "I don't think so, Harry. Albus doesn't really like for the students or staff to leave the school during term time, and besides that, it would be difficult for me to leave for an entire weekend. I am the Head of Slytherin."

"Oh, okay." Harry turned back to his letter.

Severus turned to study him for a minute. Then he said softly, "But perhaps we could work something out. Albus does tend to bend the rules for you, and it's time he did something to make up a little for the debt he owes you."

Harry shook his head. "He doesn't owe me anything."

"I disagree," Severus remarked dryly. "But we couldn't go for a few weeks anyhow. This Saturday is the first Hogsmeade weekend. The following weekend is Quidditch tryouts and then the practices and matches begin."

"Yeah, I guess we will be pretty busy," Harry agreed.

"Oh, indeed," Severus said in a weary tone.

Harry grinned and turned back to his letter.