Again JKR owns this world but she is kind enough to allow us to play with it.
This continues the story it's a little wooden at the start but I've tried several approaches and this is the best of a miserable crop.
Professor Dumbledore stood in front of the assembled students giving his normal start of term announcements when he departed from the standard speech most of the students were expecting; "As some of you may remember last year we had some students take educational matters into their own hands to insure their classmates received a proper education at Hogwarts. A number of the professors thought this was a marvelous development and have requested it be formalized. So as I call your name will the following students stand for a moment so the first years and in some cases second years can recognize their Instructors. Draco Malfoy," Dumbledore called out waiting until Draco was standing before continuing, "Mr. Malfoy will be teaching potions under the guidance of Professor Snape."
After Draco sat down to great applause from the Slytherin table and polite applause from the other houses. Dumbledore called out, "Neville Longbottom," to a great burst of applause from Gryffindor and one person from Ravenclaw with grumbling heard from the Slytherin table as Neville rose from his seat. "Mr. Longbottom will be teaching Herbology under Professor Sprout's guidance." Dumbledore said as a beat red Neville sat back down. "Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown will be assisting Sybill Trelawney with Divination instruction." Dumbledore said to cheers from both the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables.
While Hermione leaned over to Ginny saying, "there's a class I will be glad to miss."
"Ginny Weasley." Dumbledore called out. This time the catcalls from the Slytherin table were loud enough to be heard over the cheers from Gryffindor. "Let me take a moment here. When these students are teaching they will all be referred to with respect. They may be Draco, Neville or Padma in their other classes and common rooms but in the class they will either be instructing or assisting in they will be addressed as Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Padma Patil. At significant cost to their free time they have chosen to take on adult responsibilities it is only right we treat them as adults when in those positions." After the students quieted Dumbledore continued, "Miss Weasley will be teaching charms with Professor Flitwick's guidance. Luna Lovegood, Miss Lovegood will be assisting our care of magical creatures teacher, Rubeus Hagrid." Dumbledore let the hall relax as he took a drink from his goblet before continuing, "One final person to mention. Harry Potter." Dumbledore watched suppressing a smile as he watched the lanky teen rise. "Mr. Potter will be instructing Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin. Now I suspect that all of you are as hungry as I am so tuck in." Dumbledore said as the tables magically filled with food.
"Neville you will do great teaching Herbology." Hermione said across the table.
"Hermione I'm surprised I didn't hear your name mentioned." Seamus said.
"Ron and I are Perfects. I don't think they wanted us to loose more of our free time." Hermione replied giving him the answer that they had agreed on. Only select members of the Order of the Phoenix knew Hermione and Ron had taken positions within the order that would occupy their free time. The feast ended and the prefects took charge of the first years leading them to their respective house common rooms while the new instructors followed their professors to their classrooms to finalize preparations for the next day's classes.
It was the weekend before the four of them were able to get together again. Naturally the morning started over a chessboard as Harry and Ron went at it for the first time this school year. Hermione and Ginny sat watching them talking between themselves except when Ginny felt the need to kibitz on Harry's choice of moves. "Harry if you are not going to listen to my recommendations I don't know how I can help you." She said after one particularly bad move on his part.
"Ginny I know you've never beaten Ron either so just let me lose in peace and quiet." Harry said a touch too loudly.
"Fine if that's the way you want it. But I've given Ron better games than you have." Ginny said before turning her back on the game and concentrating on her conversation with Hermione.
Harry now totally distracted managed to hang on for ten more moves before Ron put him out of his misery giving him a chance to apologize to Ginny. Ron took advantage of opportunity to lead Hermione out of the portrait hole and to the nearest empty broom closet for, what he insisted was just a private conversation.
Lunch was the next time the foursome had a chance to talk. "What do you think about starting up the dueling club again?" Harry asked.
"Like we had last year during the DA meetings?" Hermione asked.
"Yea only more open. Remus is willing to let us use his class room and he's even agreed to make sure we are performing the spells correctly as well as the whole dueling ritual."
"Sounds like fun. Do you suppose Malfoy will show up?" Ron asked.
"Don't know, but I'm sure if he does he will find a way to avoid dueling Harry." Ginny said.
"Me? You are the one who hit him with the Bat-Bogey Hex last year." Harry countered.
"That was a sight." Ron added a big smile on his face.
"Ready for practice Ron?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I was wondering who the new Quidditch captain will be this year?"
Hermione looked at her friends around the table saying, "Let me think, it has to be someone who is totally Quidditch mad. Someone who eats and sleeps Quidditch. Someone who can name the last ten world cup championship teams and who was on each team. It is obviously not me. But any of my friends fits the description."
"I don't want the job. Teaching Charms is hard enough without any more distractions." Ginny said.
"I didn't play most of last year so I should be out of the running." Harry added.
"Harry mate it has got to be you. There is no other person it could be." Ron stated firmly.
What Ginny and Hermione both knew was McGonagall had already talked to the other members of the Gryffindor team and the captaincy had been decided.
"Enough talking, practice time." Ginny said rising from her seat and heading out with Hermione forcing Harry and Ron to run to catch up.
"Finally." McGonagall said as Harry, Ron and Ginny entered the team locker room while Hermione went into the stands to watch and study.
"Now that everyone is here I can make the announcement. The Quidditch captains for Gryffindor are Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. You two may split the duties however you wish but knowing both of you as I do I suggest you have Miss Granger set up any schedules you may need. How you convince her to do that I will leave up to you. Remember one thing. Burdens shared are burdens lightened."
Ron was looking at Harry in total shock. After a few moments Ginny spoke up, "Say something you two."
"I'm Quidditch captain?" Ron asked incredulous that his dream had come true.
"Works for me. Ron's Quidditch captain." Harry announced smiling at his best friend.
"Not so fast Mr. Potter. One of the reasons there are two of you is this team needs substitutes. I do not want to be in the situation we were last year. It was sheer luck that Miss Weasley turned out to be the gifted seeker she is. There needs to be a second team ready to fill in and they will need time with the first team to be ready. Have I made my desire clear?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes Professor." Ron and Harry both said.
"Good now go practice." McGonagall said before turning and leaving.
Harry and Ron lead the returning team members through a series of flying exercises getting everyone used to being in the air again and for the chasers and beaters both flying as individual teams within the bigger team. Towards the end of their practice time Harry was off flying by himself. After nearly a year without his beloved Firebolt beneath him he was just enjoying its uncanny response to his every wish. Ginny had taken a break from her new position with the chasers and was currently flying under Harry untying one of his trainers. The first thing Harry knew of her presence was a cool breeze on his left foot. Looking down he saw Ginny flying away with his trainer held high. "Ginny Weasley you are going to pay!" Harry bellowed drawing the rest of the team's attention to their game. It rapidly became a team game of keep a way with Harry chasing his trainer as the team flew complex patterns tossing the trainer to each other when Harry got too close. The game ended when Madam Hooch blew her whistle signaling the end of Gryffindor's time on the pitch. Creevey tossing Harry's trainer back to Ginny as they flew down.
"Harry are you missing something?" Ginny asked innocently as she let Harry catch up with her before handing him his trainer.
Harry flew beside her smiling as he was saying, "I will have my revenge." He then continued on down landing just outside the Gryffindor locker room. He was in the boy's showers before Ginny was able to catch up.
Harry waited until he was sure Ginny was in the shower before he slipped out raising his wand at the open door of the girls locker room He called out "Accio Ginny's left trainer." Within seconds he held Ginny's trainer firmly in his hand. A second spell shrunk the trainer down to doll size and Harry placed it in his pants pocket.
"Harry Potter!"
Ron heard his sister's voice roar through the boy's locker room door. Glancing at Harry he said, "I know that tone mate, I'm out of here you are on your own."
Harry just smiled calmly finishing dressing before heading out the door to an obviously upset Ginny.
"Harry where is my missing trainer?" Ginny asked in a very quiet and calm voice when he appeared.
Harry being his normal clueless self didn't notice Ginny had her wand out and was holding it against her arm when with a smirk on his face he replied. "Ginny are you sure you didn't misplace it?"
Ginny smiled sweetly as she walked up to Harry bouncing her wand carefully. If Harry had been a little more observant he would have notice her tapping him with the wand twice before she touched it to his head muttering a spell.
"Miss Weasley have you seen Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked as Ginny returned to the castle.
Ginny smiled bringing her left foot forward and looking down at the trainer on it before looking back at McGonagall.
McGonagall had followed her actions then she realized Ginny's trainers didn't match. Suddenly suspicious she looked at Ginny asking, "Miss Weasley you didn't!"
Ginny blushed but kept her gaze steady on her Head of House as she nodded.
"Miss Weasley that is very advanced magic for you to even try. Would you care to explain why you felt the need to transfigure Mr. Potter into a trainer of all things."
"He stole my Trainer and I figured it was only right he replace it."
Professor McGonagall sighed saying, "Be that as it may Miss Weasley nothing gave you the right to attempt such an advanced transfiguration of Mr. Potter. Thirty points will be taken from Gryffindor for your poor judgment." Before raising her wand and ending Ginny's spell.
Ginny quickly stepped aside as Harry started to return to human form laying on his back in the entry hall with Ginny's trainer tearing a hole in his pants as it also returned to it's original size.
"Thank you for finding my missing trainer Professor." Ginny said pointedly as she retrieved her trainer from Harry's torn pants before putting it back on.
"Harry get checked over by Madam Pomfrey. Then see me in my office. Miss Weasley follow me." Professor McGonagall said before heading to her office.
Harry opened the door to McGonagall's office to find Ginny sitting quietly in a chair off to one side while McGonagall was sitting at a desk facing the wall grading homework. Harry flashed her a thumbs up as he approached the desk before saying, "Professor Madam Pomfrey said that I am fine."
McGonagall looked up at Harry then after a few moments pause she asked, "Do you have any idea why Miss Weasley decided to hex you?"
"Not really Professor, I treat her just like Ron does." Harry replied with his eyes on Professor McGonagall not noticing Ginny's reaction to his words.
"Is she your sister?"
"Uh no, Professor." Harry replied curious at this line of questioning.
"Then I suggest you don't treat her like one. Just how do you think you should be treating her."
"Like a friend?" Harry ventured carefully.
"Is that what she is to you?"
Harry blushed slightly hoping only McGonagall noticed when he shook his head slightly.
"Ah, I thought so Mr. Potter. May I suggest that you start treating her more in that vein then." McGonagall said before turning to Ginny, "Miss Weasley take 40 points for mastery of a difficult Transfiguration but do try to avoid transfiguring your boyfriend. In the future I will not be so lenient. Now back to the Gryffindor common room with both of you."
Harry held the door allowing Ginny to exit McGonagall's office before him. His attention was all on Ginny and he never noticed the smile on McGonagall's face as she watched the two of them leave.
That night Harry laid in bed unable to sleep as McGonagall's words tumbled in his mind. For the first time he'd admitted to someone other than Hermione or Ginny that Ginny was more than just a friend. McGonagall made him realize he had no idea how he should be treating Ginny. He knew he didn't want a relationship with Ginny like Ron had with Hermione.
Going through the couples he knew he tried to find someone to model his behavior on. He rejected his relatives instantly and of the other couples he knew he felt he didn't know the majority of them well enough to consider using them. The one couple that he kept coming back to was one he constantly pushed away, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were a couple that he knew rather well from spending the last part of four summers with them but they were Ginny's parents and he just wasn't sure. If there was a couple that he could say truly loved each other it was the Weasley's. They didn't have much beyond each other and the more Harry thought about it the more he realized they were the happiest couple he knew. Decision made Harry tried to figure out what it was about Mr. Weasley that he should start with. Harry didn't want to be a copy of him but obviously there was something he was doing right. He started with how Mr. Weasley treated his wife. Once he got beyond all the little hugs and kisses the two of them constantly shared. Harry began to see a pattern. Mr. Weasley respected his wife. He didn't belittle her at all, unlike how his Uncle Vernon treated his Aunt Petunia. Oh, Mr. Weasley joked constantly with his wife but always in a kind way. That is what I will do, Treat her with respect. Harry thought as he drifted off to sleep.
Sunday morning Ginny descended the stairs to the Gryffindor common room to find Harry waiting in the common room. "Where's Ron and Hermione?" she asked.
"They went to breakfast."
"So you got up late and decided to wait for me so you wouldn't show up in the great hall alone."
"No, I told them I was going to wait for my girlfriend."
"Oh and just who is the lucky girl today?" Ginny said sassing him as she walked over and put her arms around his neck.
"The same one it was yesterday and it will be tomorrow. You Miss Weasley are my girlfriend." Harry said surprising himself by wrapping his arms around Ginny and kissing her. This was their first kiss at Hogwarts and without conscious thought they both worked to make it memorable. When they finally ended it Harry looked in Ginny's eyes to find her looking into his.
"Wow."
"We should have done that earlier." Harry said still transfixed by her eyes.
"Harry that was something special." Ginny said.
"For me too. I think we'd better go to breakfast." Harry managed to say the last part when what he really wanted to say was something entirely different.
"Yea, Breakfast." Ginny muttered unenthusiastically as she turned for the portrait hole. Her spirits picked up when Harry walked up beside her and took her hand in his as they made their way to the great hall.
"It is about time." Hermione said looking up to see who was approaching and noticing Harry and Ginny then her eyes noticed them holding hands. "Official?" Hermione asked looking at Ginny.
Ginny looked at Harry then nodded to Hermione.
"Girl talk later." Hermione said as they sat down beside Ron.
"Hey Harry I see you finally made it down." Ron said looking up from his breakfast.
"I told you I would. I just had to wait for my girlfriend." Harry said watching Ron carefully.
Ron looked up saying, "She does dawdle occasionally, gets it from Mum I think." before digging back in to his plate of food.
"Very good Hermione You are actually managing to civilize him. Two sentences at breakfast without a mouth of food for the rest of us to look at. Mother will be so glad someone finally managed it." Ginny said to her friend.
Hermione blushed and smiled at Ron before returning her attention back to breakfast. Finishing before the two late arrivals Ron and Hermione disappeared from the table with a catch you later comment tossed towards their friends. Harry and Ginny spent part of their leisurely breakfast just looking at each other causing them to finish an hour later.
Once out side of the great hall Hermione asked Ron, "What was that all about?"
"I'll tell you but you can't tell anyone else. One of the last days before school started Fred and George took me with them to 'help out at their shop'. I ended up tied to a chair while they took turns talking some sense into me." Ron said looking at the stone floor.
"What did they say?" Hermione asked surprised at Fred and George's tactics.
"A lot of things. But the basic thing was that every girl needs to find her guy and not matter what we do as her brothers in five to ten years she will be Mrs. Somebody. If we like the bloke she's seeing we'd better let up and give him a chance otherwise she might end up being Mrs. Draco Malfoy just to spite us."
"I can't see her doing that." Hermione said impressed at their ability to turn Ron around.
"Neither can I but then I can't see why Angelica is still dating Fred." Ron replied starting to walk.
'Oh I can' Hermione thought joining Ron while remembering how Fred's joking seemed to intensify when ever Angelica was in a down mood. He would keep at it until she was smiling at him.
Harry and Ginny were approaching the Portrait of the Fat Lady that guarded the entrance to the Gryffindor common room when, with a gleam in his eye, Harry turned leading Ginny towards a near by door.
When she saw where they were headed the fat lady called out, "Don't use that first broom closet it's occupied."
"What do you want to bet that's where Ron and Hermione ended up." Harry asked leading Ginny down the hall by the hand.
"I'm not going to check. It might be Parvati and who knows how many clothes she has still on." Ginny said smiling at Harry as she walked with him.
"Here's an empty one." He said pulling Ginny and shutting the door.
"Now what did you want Mr. Potter."
"Just this Miss Weasley." Harry said taking her in his arms and doing his best to snog her senseless.
Lunch time saw four slightly mussed up teenagers sitting in a group at the long Gryffindor table talking. "Sorry we didn't catch up with you two after breakfast but Hermione and I had some... studying to do."
Ron said looking at Harry and Ginny.
Ginny looked over at Hermione smiling an 'I know what you've been doing smile' saying, "That's okay, Harry and I managed to do some studying of our own."
Harry only turned slightly pink at her comment. After a few bites of food he looked back up asking, "So anything special on the agenda for this afternoon?"
"We've got that essay in transfiguration to do." Hermione said drawing a look from Ron, "Oh, come on Ron I know you haven't worked on it one bit and I'm willing to bet Harry hasn't either." She added.
"I do have some work to do for Herbology." Ginny offered.
"Well mate, sounds like it's the library for us this afternoon." Ron said looking at Harry.
"That it does." Harry said pushing the food around on his plate.
"Come on Harry, if we get our work wrapped up after dinner we can "study" some more." Ginny said smiling at him.
"Just don't study for your NEWTs just yet." Ron tossed in. Drawing shocked looks from Harry and Ginny before they broke up laughing.
"Good one Ron. No NEWT studying for you and Hermione either." Harry countered as he was leading Ginny towards the library.
That evening Professor McGonagall paid a visit to the Head Master, "I had a discussion with your student today." She told him.
"And which one of my students would that be?"
"Come off it Albus every teacher here would know who I was referring to."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement before asking, "What did Harry do now?"
"It seems he managed to aggravate Miss Weasley sufficiently that she transfigured him in to a trainer and was wearing him!" McGonagall replied.
"Oh my!" Dumbledore said while trying to stop chuckling as the mental picture formed.
"Oh my, is right. If she'd pulled that off during her transfiguration NEWT they'd given her an outstanding, and she is only a fifth year! Early fifth at that. She had me so worried I took 30 points from Gryffindor for attempting such a stunt."
"Minerva McGonagall, you took 30 points away from your own house?" He exclaimed astonished.
McGonagall turned slightly pink when she replied, "Once Madam Pomfrey pronounced Harry okay I gave her 40 points."
"Ten points to the good. Now that is the Minerva I know."
"Do you remember me stating it was a bad idea to leave him with those Muggles?"
"Yes Minerva I remember you telling me that on more than one occasion, But I have discussed my reasons with you endlessly." Dumbledore replied with a weariness in his voice.
"True but an adult male needs to talk with Harry about how to treat a serious girlfriend and soon."
"Harry and Ginny?"
"I believe so." McGonagall said.
"Now that you mention it I did see some indication that might happen earlier this past summer when I visited the Burrow." After a moments pause he continued, "I will contact Professor Lupin. He is probably the best one to discuss this with Harry."
"Are you sure?" McGonagall asked.
"My first three choices were Remus, Arthur Weasley and myself. Who would you have picked."
"Remus."
"I will get right on it." Dumbledore assured her as she rose to leave.
At the same time in the Gryffindor girls dorm room Hermione was questioning Ginny, "So what's the story about you and Harry?"
"You know it all. You were there during the summer, in fact you are the one who finally got us talking." Ginny replied.
"Yes I was and when I left Harry and finally admitted he really liked you. Now this morning after a week at school during which you two acted more like brother and sister Harry blows off Ron and I to wait for his Girlfriend. Followed by you two walking into the great hall hand in hand. Come on what caused the change?" Hermione said.
"Harry and I had a little dispute and Professor McGonagall found out. She gave us both a real good talking to. Other than that I'm not sure." Ginny said.
It was a few days later as he was gathering his books at the end of a long day of classes when McGonagall called him up to her desk, "Mr. Potter the Headmaster asked me to give you this I believe it concerns a request of yours." She said passing him a rolled up piece of parchment.
"Thank you Professor." Harry said placing the parchment in his bag before rushing off to re-join his friends. Back in the Gryffindor common room Harry pulled out the parchment and started to read it.
"What's that?" Ginny asked as she sat down beside him.
"A note from Dumbledore giving his permission to start up the dueling club we talked about. That is if we agree to a few rules." Harry said.
"Okay what's wrong?" Ginny asked noticing Harry's lack of enthusiasm.
"There is to be no inter-house dueling. We can only duel against our own houses." Harry said.
"So if a house has only two or three students join they will be constantly dueling each other." Hermione said.
"Right and if they are not progressing at the same rate they will all be frustrated. It is just not a good idea if we are really training to fight. I see Professor Snape's hand in this. He doesn't want anyone dueling the Slytherins and winning. Among other things." Harry fumed.
"So what are we going to do?" Ron asked looking at Harry.
"Ron we've got to run the club. Any training is better than none." Hermione said.
"Harry?" Ron asked.
"She is right Ron, but with us being Quidditch captains it will be almost as hard to run this years club as last year when had to hide it."
"I'll help you Harry." Ginny said looking up at her boyfriend.
"Ginny, you've got OWLs this year!" Hermione exclaimed loudly.
"Hermione if we don't defeat Tom good OWL results won't mean anything." Ginny countered staring down her friend.
"Hermione has a point Ginny." Harry said earning him a glare from Ginny that dared him to continue. "Not the OWLs themselves but knowledge. Right now we don't know how to defeat Voldemort. We all need knowledge and experience. School really teaches us how to learn, look at Hermione she is ahead of the teachers in most subjects. Quidditch and the dueling club will give use experience and the reflexes we will need when it comes time to duel with the death eaters again." Harry quickly explained.
"Since you put it that way, I forgive you for agreeing with Hermione instead of me." Ginny said quickly moving to sit on Harry's lap. Harry was getting far to serious and she wanted to lighten his mood.
As Ginny put her arms around Harry's neck Ron said, "I so don't need to see this."
"Hermione can you distract Ron for a few moments?" Ginny asked her friend who was standing beside Ron. Hermione didn't say anything she just grabbed Ron's shoulders spinning him to face her before she locked the fingers of her right hand in his hair pulling his lips down to hers all in less than two seconds.
Ron started to struggle then he realized Hermione was kissing him in the common room. His mind went on auto-pilot as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight. All his conscious thought was centered on his lips and the feelings she was causing.
"Hermione breath!" Ginny called out a minute or two later when she broke her kiss with Harry and looked up to see the two of them still kissing.
"What?" Hermione responded when she and Ron finally broke apart over half a minute later.
"Finally she found a way to avoid fighting with him." Parvati said looking up from the Tarot Card book she was studying with Lavender.
"That is Ron you are talking about. He'll set her off before bedtime." Lavender countered.
The next day Ron and Hermione were walking alone heading back to the common room after dinner when Ron felt something move in his pocket looking quickly at Hermione he raised his eyebrows.
She nodded saying, "I got one too."
They quickly made their way to 'The' broom closet. Hermione slipped her wand out of the clip on her arm muttering "Alohomora" unsealing the door as Ron reached to open it. Hermione quickly stepped inside with Ron following. Once he'd shut the door she sealed it with a special spell then raised her wand calling out "Lumos" giving Ron enough light to see as he tapped the stone wall that formed the back of the closet in a complex pattern while muttering a quiet spell. Ron let his wand drop just as the stone wall started to rearrange itself into a stone archway.
"Ah you were nearby I trust." Dumbledore said as they passed through the archway into the hidden rooms beyond. Once they were inside the archway reformed itself into a wall.
"Yes Professor. What do you need?" Hermione asked. This was the first time they had been called to the Order rooms unexpectedly.
"Mr. Weasley would you be so kind as to review those reports on the desk and tell me what you think." Dumbledore said motioning to a bed sized desk covered with haphazardly arranged parchments.
"Of course. Anything special I should be looking for?" Ron asked.
"I leave that to your determination. Miss Granger I thought this might be a good time for you to become familiar with our little library." Dumbledore said before sitting in an old overstuffed arm chair with a mismatched ottoman It's location in a corner of the room next to the fireplace allowed Dumbledore to survey the entire room from it's comfortable seat.
Hermione walked over to one of the two walls covered with bookshelves. After a bit of browsing she selected one volume and joined Dumbledore sitting in an adjacent chair the book she'd selected, "A History of Grindelwald" open in her lap.
Noticing the book she'd chosen Dumbledore said, "Miss Granger that is the true account. It differs in some respects from the official one. Please don't confuse the two in your history of magic classes."
"Of course Professor I suspect the true history of Harry Potter is in here somewhere." Hermione ventured.
"Actually no. I think that is one of several histories you will have to write someday." Dumbledore answered before turning his attention away from her.
Me write Harry's history? Hermione thought suddenly realizing just how different a path her life had taken. Growing up she never envisioned herself as anyone special. Before she knew about Hogwarts and what she was she played at being a dentist like her folks. Her second or third year at Hogwarts she decided she'd like to be a teacher like Professor McGonagall. Now as her life became more intertwined with Ron's she knew the only part of her future becoming clearer was she would become Ron's wife and the mother of her own Quidditch team. But rather the other half of her was a teacher, Auror, order of the phoenix historian or something else was still unknown.
"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked drawing her attention outward.
"Yes Professor?" Hermione replied embarrassed she'd withdrawn into herself in his presence.
"I believe Mr. Weasley is ready to tell us what his conclusions are." Dumbledore said.
Hermione looked quickly at the clock surprised at the amount of time she'd been thinking. Seeing him standing before her she thought Thank goodness he doesn't realize just how cute he is. Before forcing herself to put on a neutral face and say, "Yes Ron?"
Ron smiled at Hermione then looked at Dumbledore saying calmly, "Death Eaters are attacking witches or wizards who married Muggles. Especially the families with witches."
"Very good we hadn't caught that last bit of information. Is there any detectable pattern to the attacks?"
"Yes all are Hogwarts Graduates and the attacks seem to be occurring randomly but by graduation year and surprisingly by house."
"Let me guess, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, then Hufflepuff." Hermione said.
"Actually no. Slytherin first then Gryffindor followed by Hufflepuff then Ravenclaw. I'm not sure why unless they consider Slytherin their house and are purging it first." Ron responded.
"Very good work Mr. Weasley, however it is getting late. I suggest you use the time turner in the silver box by the archway. The box is charmed so only you two or I can open it. One turn should be sufficient Miss Granger, I trust you remember how to use it and can instruct Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said.
"Yes Professor." Hermione replied.
"Off with you two then." Dumbledore said as he relaxed in the chair placing his feet on the ottoman.
Ron found the box and opened it removing the hourglass shaped charm and it's silver chain.
"Now put the chain around both our necks." Hermione said watching Ron as he carefully draped the chain first over her shoulders then over his.
"Good now we give the hourglass one inward turn." Hermione said turning the hourglass as she spoke. With that completed she began removing the chain from around their necks.
"What if we had turned it outward?" Ron asked watching as she placed it back in the box.
"We would have gone ahead in time one hour." Hermione replied as if the answer was obvious.
"Oh," Ron said after tapping the wall with his wand to open the archway. Once they were back in the broom closet and the wall reformed Ron said, "You know we should have given that hour glass two turns."
Her eyes bright Hermione asked, "Why would we want to do that?"
"We would have another whole hour for this." Ron said as he took Hermione in his arms and gave her a long and tender kiss.
"We need to remember that for next time." Hermione said when they broke the kiss for a moment before she returned her lips to his.
The following Friday just before dinner Hermione looked over at an exhausted Harry as he relaxed on the large couch facing the fireplace asking "What's the latest on the Dueling Club?"
"We will be announcing it during the Defense against the Dark Arts classes next week."
"Why the delay?" Ron asked.
"With you two always running off somewhere without any warning and Ginny busy helping Flitwick I've been trying to pull the club together on my own." Harry said calmly.
"Harry you know Ron and I ..." Hermione started to say stopping when Harry held up his hand.
"Hermione I know you and Ron are doing things." Harry said quietly nodding towards their housemates indicating he was aware others present weren't privy to all he knew.
"Oh, Okay." Hermione replied equally quiet.
"When I met with Remus last Monday he asked what I had planned for the club. I told him how we winged it last year. He said now that we are legal we needed lesson plans and agendas. I've had to draft those for the first five meetings before he'd let me announce it. I've got the paperwork for meeting five almost finished. Once Remus reviews it the Dueling Club is up and running." Harry explained.
"So when are we having our first meeting?" Ginny asked as she walked up to join them.
"Next Friday night right after dinner in the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom. It is going to be an informational and sign up meeting. Once we have a feel for the number of students that want to join Remus and I will go talk with Dumbledore about a regular meeting place." Harry said.
Ginny had been looking at Harry carefully while he spoke. When he finished she said, "Harry Potter you look dreadful. I expect you to be well rested and ready for a night of dancing at the end of this month."
"What?" Harry asked totally confused by Ginny's comment.
"I have it on very good authority there will be a Christmas Ball announced today at dinner. As my boyfriend you are escorting me." Ginny said sounding like her mother.
Harry looked quickly at Hermione who replied, "Harry that's the way it works. Not only are we there when you need our support, You are there when we need yours and a ball definitely counts as needing your support. Ron you know what I expect." Hermione said directing her last comment at Ron.
Ron looked from Hermione to Ginny to Harry before he said, "Harry could you stop setting Hermione off. I get her going well enough on my own. Yes Hermione, I know what you expect and I will be honored to be your escort to the ball."
"With all that settled can we go to dinner now?" Harry asked.
"Good idea, I need to make sure you keep up your strength." Ginny said leading the way out of the common room.
When Dumbledore announced the Ball Harry watched as Neville leaned across the aisle separating the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables and tapped Luna on the shoulder. When she turned they exchanged a few words before returning to their respective tables. "I don't believe I just saw that." Harry said more to himself than anyone.
His girlfriend however had heard him and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Neville just asked Luna to the Ball." Harry whispered.
"When did he have a chance? She's in Ravenclaw." Ginny replied confusion on her face.
Harry nodded in agreement and thought for a moment. "Neville always sits in the same place doesn't he." Harry said more as a statement.
"Yes."
"That's it then, He and Luna are always sitting almost back to back I bet she sits at the same place on the Ravenclaw table every time too. That sneak, I bet no one's caught on to it until now." Harry said pleased. Ever since the prophecy had been fully revealed he'd felt a kinship for Neville and he was happy to see that he also had a girlfriend.
"Hey Harry, Hermione and I are going to the library after dinner. She wants to look something up. I figured I'd go along to help carry the books she's going to end up checking out." Ron said across the table that was looking rather devoid of food near Ron.
"Sounds good unless Ginny has other plans I was planning on going back to the common room and doing a little studying there." Harry replied.
"No other plans here." Ginny added watching as Hermione and her brother rose from the table holding hands as they left the great hall. "Studying in the common room? Why didn't you tell him we had plans for a certain broom closet after supper? Are you afraid of his reaction?" she added teasing Harry.
"Ginny!" Harry said looking around to see if anyone overheard her.
"Relax Harry."
"They don't need to know that besides we will be back in the common room by the time Hermione finishes up in the library." Harry said.
Ron and Hermione returned from the library to find Harry facing the fireplace with no Ginny in sight. "Where is she?" Hermione asked.
"Up in her dorm room I guess. We were sitting here having a good time, then Lavender and Parvati came over and dragged her up to the girl's dorms." Harry said sounding dejected.
"Why would Lavender and Parvati... Oh! Ron, I'm going up to the dorm to see Ginny. You and Harry play chess, exploding snap or something." Hermione said rushing off leaving her books on the table with Ron.
"Mental that one." Ron said shaking his head.
"And you wouldn't have it any other way." Harry replied.
"True something's up though she even left her books behind. She's probable gone for a while so how about a game of Chess?" Ron said watching Harry nod.
Up in the dorm room Hermione tried to enter the 6th years girls dorm to find it charmed shut.
Moments later without turning around Lavender called out, "Hi Hermione." As she entered her dorm room.
"How did you know it was me."
"There are two witches that could get past that charm so quick, one is McGonagall who would have wondered what we were doing the other is you." She replied smugly keeping her attention on Ginny.
"I assume you two are doing the same thing to her you did with me about Ron."
"Yes, we were just getting to the four questions." Parvati said glancing at Hermione.
"I'm in on this." Hermione said watching Ginny look up at her in shock.
"Okay, did you re-charm the door?"
"Yes, we shouldn't have any surprises." Hermione said settling down on a corner of a bed to watch.
"Ginny first question, When Harry first kissed you. You were thinking:
A: When was the last time he brushed his teeth.
B: Interesting
C: Oh, My!" Lavender asked watching Ginny closely.
"I'm not answering." Ginny said glaring at the three girls in the room with her.
"Come on Ginny They will keep at this all night if they have to." Hermione said to her friend.
"Oh all right, C: Oh My!" Ginny replied looking straight at Hermione.
"Second question, When Harry kisses you now you think:
A: Did I do my potions homework.
B: What's going on in the common room.
C: Who can think!" Lavender continued
"C: Who can think."
"Third question, When Harry kisses you does he wrap his arms around you to:
A: Prevent you from running away.
B: Support you when you knees give out." Parvati asked taking over the questioning.
"How did you know my knees give out?"
"Same thing happens with me and Ron." Hermione interjected.
"I so didn't need to know that." Ginny said.
"Forth question, Given a choice between dating Harry and getting 12 OWLs you would chose?" Parvati asked a smug look on her face.
"Dating Harry." Ginny replied her face now a fine shade of red.
"She's gone. Just like Hermione." Lavender announced to the group.
"I already knew that." Hermione said.
"Wait a minute you gave this test to Hermione?" Ginny asked looking at her two house mates.
"Yes, same answers as you, though we did modify the last question to perfect NEWTs and it took her forever to answer it." Parvati said.
"Hermione you took Ron over perfect NEWTs?" Ginny exclaimed as she looked at her friend in shock.
"I had to think about it." Hermione replied.
"Yea for about 10 minutes." Parvati said smiling at the memory of Hermione trying to decide between perfect NEWTs and dating Ron.
"So what happens now? What was the point of all this." Ginny asked.
"Now we put out the word that Harry is officially off limits to any other girl." Lavender said as if it was obvious.
"Like any girl was going to make a move on Ron or Harry with Hermione and I there." Ginny said under her breath but loud enough to be heard.
"You have a point but now if any girl at Hogwarts makes a move on Ron or Harry it will be all the other girls that ostracize her." Lavender replied.
"How come I never knew about this." Ginny said.
"We knew you were fixated on Harry and to be honest we figured this year we would have to get Hermione involved, but she showed up with Ron on her arm. That eliminated any worry. We just ran you two through the tests so none of the other girls could claim foul." Parvati said smiling.
"What about the other houses?" Hermione asked.
"There are a few girls in each house that run the list for their house. Tomorrow Lavender and I will inform them of the change in Harry's status. They won't be pleased He is considered a major catch." Parvati said matter-of-factly.
"Please never tell him that. I don't need a boyfriend with a big head," Ginny countered.
Harry looked at the student's that were in today's dueling club meeting. During an earlier meeting some unfortunate words had been exchanged between Goyle and Luna, and Neville found it necessary to intervene. His bat hex while different than Ginny's famous one was enough to make a trip to Madam Pomfrey's necessary for Mr. Goyle. That incident had been enough for Snape to force the houses to be split up with separate meetings for each Snape took over the Slytherin meetings. Remus and Harry rotated among the other three houses so it was only every other week that Harry had to spend two nights running the Dueling club meetings. To his surprise Ginny was quick to adjust her class preparation schedule with Flitwick to match Harry's dueling club schedule giving them more time together. A surprising amount of which was spent helping each other with school work. Although Ginny was a year behind Harry her natural talent in Charms and Transfiguration had her ahead of Harry in those subjects. While he was able to help her in Defense against the Dark Arts and, surprisingly, potions. Harry shook his head to get it back on things at hand. The Hufflepuffs in tonight's meeting were earnest in their desire to learn but as he was finding out they lacked the initiative that a Gryffindor has in their nature but once a Hufflepuff mastered a spell or charm they could use it when needed. Harry had never thought about how different the houses were. Sure every Slytherin was a potential death eater but he'd figured it was just superficial things that separated the other three houses. He was finding out it was more than that, Gryffindors saw fun in using new spells to pull pranks on each other in class, With the Ravenclaws he had to give a little more background about the whey's and how's of the spells and while they would occasionally prank each other it was not met with the howls of laughter from their house mates that same stunt would have elicited in Gryffindor.
It was just before Christmas as they waited in the common room for the girls to get ready that Ron asked Harry, "Fancy a game?"
"Not now Ron the girls should be down anytime."
"You said that fifteen minutes ago when I asked you." Ron replied.
"So they are fifteen minutes closer to being ready."
"You nervous mate?"
"A little, I've never taken Ginny to one of these things." Harry said trying to relax but this conversation wasn't helping.
"What's so special? I admit when I was younger I was really nervous about this but I've realized it's just like going down to dinner any other school day. We just have to wear these fancy robes. I'll probable get mine dirty." Ron said as he started to fuss with the robe his brothers had gotten him.
"That is what's different." Harry replied in a quiet voice as Ginny and Hermione appeared at the top of the dormitory stairs.
"What?" Ron started to ask as he looked up from where he was fussing with the cuff of his robe to see Harry staring at the stairs following Harry's eyes. "Hermione?" Ron asked incredulously as he beheld the brown hair girl descending the stairs. Not entirely sure the beautiful and well curved woman descending the stairs was his girlfriend.
Hermione looked at Ron. The entire summer day spent inside Madam Malkin's having her robes made not to mention the last three hours of torture that occurred under the guise of getting ready. All of that was worth it to see this look on Ron's face. "Hi Ron." Hermione said quietly as she walked over to him.
"Hi, I don't know if we should go tonight." Ron said quickly adding as he saw Hermione's face start to fall, "You are so beautiful every boy at Hogwarts is going to be ignoring his date to look at you."
Hermione was surprised at Ron's complement but quickly covered her surprise, "Ron I don't think that's true. I can see one boy not looking at me." She replied looking at Harry who had not removed his eyes from Ginny.
Neither he nor Ginny had said a word but as she stepped off the stairs Harry opened his arms sweeping her up in them as she stepped close. "Merlin you are beautiful," Harry said softly as he bent down to kiss her. Ginny didn't bother to reply she just tilted her head to accommodate his.
Hermione watched them for a moment before returning her attention to Ron. Who promptly duplicated Harry's actions.
The doors to the Great Hall were open allowing the two couples to see the Ball had already started. The long house tables had been replaced with round ones that sat eight. They were arranged around the sides of the hall with more towards the back of the hall leaving a space for dancing in front of where the staff table normally was. "Looks like we are a little late." Ron muttered looking for an open table.
"We did spend a little extra time in the common room. Not that I'm complaining." Hermione remarked watching Ron blush.
"Oh, there are four seats." Harry said letting Ginny step in front of him as he guided her to where Neville and Luna were sitting alone at a table.
Arriving at the table Ginny asked, "Hi Neville, Luna anyone sitting here?"
Neville tore his eyes away from Luna to see who asked as she replied, "No, Ginny would you like to join us?"
"Yes if you don't mind."
"Not at all, Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron, We'd be honored if you would join us." Neville said standing up until both Ginny and Hermione were seated.
Ron had started for a chair only to quickly catch himself and hold one out for Hermione while Harry did the same for Ginny.
"You two look very nice." Luna said looking at the other two girls.
"Thank you, you are looking nice also," Hermione replied noticing that while Luna had not toned down the oddness in her dress this year it was working for her. She just looked unique.
"So what have we missed?" Ginny asked Luna while noticing her brother picking the evening's menu off his plate and studying it.
"Dumbledore's welcome, a few remarks from the head's of house. Nothing special." Luna replied.
"Ron." Hermione said nudging her boyfriend as he was whispering his dinner order to the menu. She quietly took the menu of his hands and quietly spoke, "Deliver that when you deliver the rest of the table's orders," into his menu before setting it down on the side away from Ron.
"I haven't had a chance to hear about your father's wedding. All you've told us so far is he got married." Ginny said to Luna.
"Not much to say, I have a stepmother now but she's neat. We went robe shopping before the wedding and she helped me pick out this robe as well as the one I wore at the wedding." Luna said.
"Was it a big wedding?" Hermione asked.
"No really small. She'd lost her husband around the time my mum died. So it was Her and her kids and My dad and I. Oh and Neville." Luna said adding the last part as she smiled at Neville.
"I wished I had known I would have gone. Your father did me a big favor last year." Harry said
"We all would have been there." Ginny quickly added as the rest of the foursome nodded in agreement.
Looking over at Ginny Luna said, "The word around Ravenclaw is that you and Harry are serious." causing Ginny to blush while Harry just beamed.
"That word is right on the money." Harry said before Ginny could reply.
For her part Ginny could not resist a return shot. "I take it from Neville attending the wedding and seeing you two here that Neville is not unattached." She said with a gleam in her eye that reminded Harry of Dumbledore.
"We haven't discussed it but." Luna said looking over at Neville who had turned a shade of red.
"Can we eat now?" Ron said to the group completely missing the by play between Luna and Neville.
Hermione smiled sweetly then said to the group, "The poor boy only had three helpings at lunch I suppose we should order so he doesn't fade away to nothing."
Harry had has arm around the back of Ginny's chair and he could feel Ginny shaking with concealed laughter. Taking pity on Ron he kept quiet instead thinking Ron some day she's going to have you completely civilized and you won't know it even happened.
Dumbledore rose as the remains of desert vanished from their plates and with sparks flying from his wand called for quiet. "I received a very unusual request from one of your classmates. She approached me a few days ago asking if she could address you sometime soon. The closest time that everyone would be assembled was tonight. She agreed and I must tell you I know only in very general terms what she wants to say. Miss Chang this is your time."
Cho slowly rose from her seat at a table she was sharing with fellow Ravenclaws and stood beside it. She slowly surveyed all the tables letting the talk die down after Dumbledore's introduction. Glancing first at a table of Slytherins then her own she started "I do not wish to dampen the festive mood so I will leave after my remarks. Now I know some of my enemies and even some of my friend have used terms like "Hussy and Scarlet Woman" to describe me as of late. Rather than reply to each of you in turn I requested this time from Professor Dumbledore." Cho stopped and took a calming breath to steady her nerves before she continued, "I lost what some would call a boy two years ago, but to me he was the man I loved, I lost him in an ongoing war neither of us wanted to be a part of. A war that is growing worse daily. To my lasting regret I never got the chance to tell him what he meant to me let alone show him." She had to pause and wipe away the tears that had started to flow. "But I have been very lucky. I have found a second love. I have told this man I love him and I am going to make sure he knows it to the bottom of his soul. I promised myself that if this chance came I would hold his hand, snog him senseless, and do anything I can to show him I love him when ever and where ever He and I decide. I will not play any little girl games or worry about what other people think is proper. If the world means for us to die like adults, We should live and act like adults. This includes making sure the people we love know it! Harry Potter told me he is here because of his mother's love. If my loving someone means my love has protected them from Voldemort than any pain I feel as a result of loving is worth it." Cho finished sitting down emotionally spent. The young man sitting next to her put his arm around her and helped her stand. Together they left the Ball silently for the first few steps and to increasingly loud applause from almost everyone present that threatened to blow the roof of by the time they reached the doors.
"Do you know what this means?" Professor McGonagall asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, our side has finally found its strength."
"And Madam Pomfrey should refresh her knowledge of maternity care." McGonagall added.
"That may be an additional outcome. However there are worse things than having babies around."
"Not when you are teaching a class."
"Yes that is an eventuality we will have to make accommodations for." Dumbledore said acknowledging her point.
At their table everyone was exchanging glances each wishing someone else would break the silence that was becoming dangerously long.
Finally Harry said, "I'm glad she found someone."
"Yes she deserves some happiness." Hermione chipped in awkwardly.
"I found it interesting that no teacher cautioned her about appropriate behavior." Luna said drawing appraising looks from Hermione who hadn't noticed this slip-up.
"That is right. I wonder if that means the rules might be changing regarding PDAs?" Ginny asked.
"What?" Ron asked looking first at his sister then his girlfriend.
Hermione shook her head at how clueless her boyfriend was then asked, "Ron have you noticed that the most any couple does in the halls is hold hands?"
"Yes." Ron replied testily. He didn't like it when Hermione went in to teacher mode with him.
"Keep your eyes open tomorrow. I am willing to bet you will finally see some hugging, Arms around each other holding them close, maybe even some kissing." Luna chipped in.
"Why wait until then." Harry said bending over and kissing Ginny on the lips as Ron's mouth opened in shock only to be covered by Hermione's as she kissed him.
When they came up for air they noticed a few of the more adventurous couples headed for the dance floor. Suddenly Ginny asked, "Harry can I see your wand for a moment?"
He looked at her and shrugged passing her his wand as he did he caught sight of Ron passing his wand to Hermione. Harry didn't have time to think about what was going on before he heard Draco Malfoy's aggravating voice say, "Well if it isn't a table of Mud-bloods and their lovers."
Ron looked at Hermione saying, "Give me my wand back."
Unfortunately Draco overheard him and fixed him with a glare of contempt saying, "Real smart Weasley giving your wand to a mud-blood, she'll have your other wand next."
"Draco, How's your father enjoying his new accommodations?" Harry asked looking up to see Pansy Parkinson on Draco's arm contempt on her face as she looked at Harry.
The look the blond boy gave Ron was loving compared to the venomous glare he fixed on Harry. "Someday soon You will realize just how bad a mistake that was Potter. Oh, by the was Bellatrix was wondering how her cousin Sirius is?"
It took a hand on one shoulder from Hermione and one on the other shoulder from Ginny to keep Harry seated. Draco having successfully aggravated both Ron and Harry let his gaze pass over Neville and Luna as if they weren't there. Pulling out his wand he found he had four wands quickly pointed at him from Neville and the three girls. Looking straight at Ginny he said, "Don't worry I wouldn't soil my wand with the likes of you," before pointing his wand downward and saying, "Finite Incantatem" Returning his eyes to Ginny he re-holstered his wand saying, "You really didn't expect me to fall for that old one foot stuck to the floor trick Weasley. Even your brothers did better than that." He then turned and started to leave only to fall flat on his face dragging Pansy down on top of him. Causing those seated nearby who had been listening to his performance to roar with laughter, drawing the attention of the rest of the Hall to his predicament. Crabbe and Goyle reached down and started to pull Draco to his feet until he hissed through clenched teeth, "Get Pansy off of me first you idiots." Once he was able to see Draco noticed his shoe laces were tied together. Pulling out his wand he cast Finite Incantatem three times without success. Finally Crabbe used a severing charm on the laces allowing Draco to stand and walk away with his now untie-able shoes flopping on his feet.
"Oh Merlin, That was good." Ron said wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes while Draco crossed the hall to his table.
"Ron that best part is you and I didn't have a wand so he can't blame us and he wouldn't want to admit anyone else got the drop on him." Harry said as he carefully looked around the table trying to figure out just which one of his table mates had managed to perform that little stunt.
"Don't look at me Harry. If I'd done anything it would have been the bat hex from last year. I really didn't get a chance to enjoy the way he looked then." Ginny said smiling as she passed him his wand back.
"Harry my attack would have been about three feet higher and so would his voice when I finished." Hermione said before looking over at Neville and Luna.
"Neville do you know anything about what happened?" Harry asked.
"Just because Professor Sprout taught me how to tie knots with my wand doesn't mean I did it," Neville said blushing.
Harry was unsure rather the blush was from the trick or the kiss Luna planted on his cheek as he finished. "Well whoever did it thank you for the best laugh I've had this year." Harry said to the group at the table.
"I'm sure I speak for whoever when I say your welcome." Luna replied.
A little past midnight as they got ready for bed Harry asked, "Ron do you still think it was like every other school dinner?"
"No the food was fancier." Ron admitted with a smile as Harry shook his head before climbing into bed.
Over in the girls dorm Hermione was hanging up her dress robes when she head Lavender muttering, "This is no way to end a night like that."
"What do you mean we had a fantastic time." Parvati countered as she crawled under the covers on her bed.
"Yes we did but as good as it was it would be even better if Dean was getting in this bed right now." Lavender replied.
"Girl you are hopeless." Parvati said as she rolled over to go to sleep.
"No just taking Cho's words to heart." Lavender countered as she pulled her curtains shut.
Hermione smiled at the exchange between her dorm mates but later as she tried to fall asleep she realized Lavender had a point. It would be very nice to have Ron laying beside her. Her sleep finally came while she was wondering how Ron would feel about being in bed with her.
Morning came early for every student headed home for the holidays. Those that were staying like Harry and the Weasley's could have managed a few more hours but they were up early to help Hermione to the train. Due to the restrictions in place Harry could only see her to Hogwarts gate but he stood and watched as Ron carried her trunk out of sight talking and joking with his girlfriend as they made they way to the train station.