-1Disclaimer: I don't own Harry, Hermione, or Luna. I however am in a mild attempt to bring Tonks back from the dead and claim ownership. I figured since JKR killed her it meant she didn't want her anymore so I'm going to try and claim resurrection rights.

A/N In truth I have no excuse for the length between updates. I hate it when authors do it to me and here I am doing the same thing. Granted some of my stories take a while to update do to emotional issues between the words and past experiences this is not one of those. I became a little disillusioned with HP fics in general and at the same time my own work. I kept looking at some of it and seeing clichés and other fun similarities. I think I have over come that now and will try to get better handle on updates from here on out. I have an outline and I just need to write. Thank you for your patience and I hope this makes up for the time away . To new readers and old that are coming back in to the fold.

Chapter Seven Your what with who: A reunion on the train

The rush and screams of Molly Weasley could be heard through out the entire house. She had only two children to get ready for the first of September it just seemed like she still was getting four ready. In reality she was getting four ready it was just that two of them knew how to get out of bed on time just not how to make it to the front door to leave on time. She was debating vocally whether or not to go knock on the door to the death room as she called it. Mainly do to the conversations that were often over heard about different ways to take down groups of Death Eaters and most were extremely violent means to get them to stop. Not to help matters Nymphadora seemed to be encouraging it. Molly just could wrap her head around why the young auror would encourage the behavior.

Finally building enough courage Molly raised her fist to knock on the door only to have it swing open on her. There stood Harry shirtless. Molly couldn't help, but flinch at the difference that so many of the papers described Harry and the reality in front of her. While most of the witches fantasized about the toned chest and stomach that came with the territory of being a seeker the concepts ended their. Molly stared at his slowly developing six pack not at the muscles, but at the eight distinct faded slash marks running horizontally across it. Molly moved her gaze up to the collection of gashed that merged together to give the appearance of a sphere on his right peck. Molly quit looking at the scars with a horrified glare at the two women in the room. "They didn't do it Molly. So please stop the death glare. As much as I appreciate the parental concern I've had these for more years than your family has known me. I have more so don't get stressed about it. All they are is little mementos that tell stories about a previous life. We all have them. I'm just fortunate enough to never have to worry about misplacing mine." The smile on his face didn't show any of the resentment or hate she expected to see. Molly decided he either hide it well or had snapped. "Excuse us Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and I need a shower before we leave and I'm sure Tonks would like one as well."

Molly watched as he walked down the hall with Hermione and Tonks in tow. She started to mentally belittle herself on missing all the signs over the last four summers. She couldn't understand how no one had seen the any of the abuse he was hinting at. Their conversation drove her out of reflection. "As much as I would love to join you two I don't see much showering happening as it is." Tonks laughed as Harry proceeded to give her the two finger salute and enter the bathroom behind Hermione.

"You're just jealous you can't join us Tonks."

"You wish Potter. You couldn't handle this." She even made her hand caress her curves to make sure he knew she was talking about herself.

"How would you know that, been spying again?"

"Don't need to. You two never could place silencing charms properly." Her comment was missed as the bathroom door shut.

Molly just paled at the conversation. Harry usually was shy and embarrassed by girls at least that was the description she got from her from her children, let alone the fact Hermione and him seemed to be together and had been for a while. Of course there had been always been hints between the two, but she had brushed them off as things that happened from being friend for so long since they never acted on it.

"Come on Molly. I think I hear Ron and Ginny getting ready to go at each other throats." Tonks started down the steps than stopped. "They aren't going to do anything. I just like teasing Harry since he can tease back. Come on your acting like she's going to come out pregnant. She is way more responsible that that. Harry no, Hermione yes."

Tonks entered the kitchen to see the youngest re heads bickering back and forth about Pig. "Don't feed him that Gin. He's hyper enough as it is." Tonks smiled at Ron. As serious as he had become over the summer Ginny still seemed to bring him back to his previously child like personality. It was good to see that the summer had only really changed two people. For all his talk, Ron still puked for three hours after the Diagon Alley incident. She knew he wanted to try and fight as cold blooded as Harry and Hermione, it was just he couldn't. And she couldn't blame him ether. Not everybody was cut out for the soldier lifestyle. She just hoped he realized it before he got himself killed.

Tonks pushed the thoughts out of her mind. She knew he would be there as much as he could be. Her only fear she had about him was would he still be him in the end. Harry and Hermione anchored each other. And as sad as it was to blow off the youngest Weasley, Tonks was more concerned about herself at the moment. She wasn't worried about losing herself, but more like losing everything that she had gained. Remus refused to talk to her anymore. In fact he had become a completely different person in the span of four months. Dumbledore still kept pushing himself in front of them as a obstacle too. It took a lot out of a person keeping Harry from attacking the older man. He seemed to keep intruding on the his life. Dumbledore stripped him of everything and wondered why he wasn't receptive of the continued treatment. Than of course was the fact that she would be back on her own for awhile. She wasn't sure how she was going to take that.

"Tonks snap out of it. The thoughtful look doesn't do you any justice." Harry stood before her with Hermione's hand in hi hand. "Come on I'm not going anywhere without my own personal Auror bodyguard."

Tonks just stared at him for a second. "What did you do Harry?"

"Nothing just complained that I had no protection all year and that you were free. Oh I might have mentioned something about you being one of the few ministry employees that I trust. There might have been something about needing to build a bridge of trust between the ministry and myself after the fiasco that was last year. So they accepted." Tonks looked at his smirk as he basically admitted he blackmailed the Minister. "You didn't think I would leave you here to deal with my mess in the Order did you?"

Tonks shook her head at his question. "I take it this was suppose to be a surprise, but you couldn't figure out how to get past the wards on my room to sneak my stuff with us huh." Harry and Hermione had at least the decently to look embarrassed at the acquisition. "Well come on lets get my stuff together so we can leave."

They walked back up the stairs and Tonks smiled when Harry looked back at her and gave a smirk as they heard Ginny scream at Ron for entering her room while she was getting dressed. She had to admit that it seemed almost a little to normal for the group, but she let it stay on the surface of her mind as she thought that things might never be this way ever again. They entered her room and she quickly looked around, "What am I to wear. Here I am going to make my triumphant return to school and I don't have as single clues as to what to wear. What do you think Harry, what could I wear that would scream look at me as I enter the great hall?"

Harry just gave himself a small smile than looked away saying, "I'm going to leave that one alone. Well lets get going wouldn't want to miss my annual return to proper society now would we." With that he repeated the spells that Tonks had shown him when he first met her. "well looks like your packed and ready to go. Shall we everyone." They walked back down only to see Molly separating Ron and Ginny as they were still arguing over something that happened earlier. Harry stopped for a second as he watched the scene in front of him and tried to force the thoughts that just might be the last summer like this one that anyone of them would ever see again. Hermione grasped his hand a little harder and he looked over and saw that she understood just what he was thinking. She pulled his hand a little to get him moving again and they left the house to the pair of black cars waiting to take them to Kings Station.

The group entered Kings Station to se it was the mad house it usually was. Fortunately they arrived almost a hour before the express was due to depart. So they headed to the barrier in hopes to have a quiet ride. As Harry, Hermione, and Tonks exited on to platform 9 ¾, Harry felt a wand press against his side. "Name please."

Harry looked to his side and saw two Aurors with wands out at them. "You have got to be kidding me."

"We are not, Sir."

"So just saying my name allows me entrance. That is so fucking stupid it could only be a plan crafted by Fudge. Please tell me you work for the ministry, because I can't see Dumbledore doing anything this stupid. I mean I could be Voldemort under a polygenic disguise and all you are asking me is my name."

Harry stopped talking as a hand grasped his shoulder. "Harry leave them be. They are just doing their jobs."

One of Aurors as he got over flinching at Voldemort's name finally spoke up. "Tonks, I thought you were on special assignment."

"I am." She pointed at Harry and Hermione. "I have my job cut out for me. I have to protect Harry Potter."

"Your right. I think I'll stick with my job here." The man couldn't hide the fear in his voice.

"So glad Aurors have spines of steel."

Harry walked off letting the Aurors stand in shock. Tonks and Hermione were a step behind him. They brought their luggage to the first on ramp and dragged them to a compartment about dead center of the train. The group sat in the compartment in silence. Harry held Hermione in his arms as their morning was slowly coming to an end.

The station was filling up fast as expect with school kids and their parents. Harry had fallen asleep and Hermione let his heart beat soothe her fears that the world was coming to an end faster than anyone could ever predicted. "Tonks we can do this right? Harry says I worry to much sometimes, but I've seen him in the hospital a lot over the years. I've even had a few stays myself from all the things we get ourselves into."

Tonks sat on the other bench staring at the compartment door. "I think we can do this, its just that I worry about who is going to make it. I worry about the landscape of the wizarding world afterwards. I worry about all our friends who are going to make it and not be the same afterwards." Tonks somberly let out her opinions.

Hermione just leaned closer into Harry's chest and sighed as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her tighter. "I worry how this will effect him Tonks." The older woman gave Hermione a looking saying to continue. "Tonks I want you to make me a promise. I'm going to need help keeping him stable as you have seen. I won't ever say what we have is perfect. I'm not that naïve or stupid. While I can loosen up and have fun. I can get uptight about things, I take things a little to far sometimes. Harry was the first person to truly want to be my friend for me and not my homework. I just need you to help keep us unwound a little." Hermione stopped for a second. "I know that it's usually Ron's job, I just know right now he is going through his own thing. And well to be honest after fourth year I always worried he was going to just up and drop us again."

"Hermione, I'll keep you guys out of line." Tonks said the line with a unmistakable smile on her face.

Even in the presence of the joke Hermione's scowl never faltered. "Nymphadora I have one other request." Tonks sat up at her name for once she didn't even feel resentment. "If anything happens to me before this thing is over take care of him. He is more fragile than he looks and will need someone he trusts by his side."

Tonks just nodded her head for a second. "Of course Hermione. Just remember if you leave me with him all alone I will hunt you down after I die and beat the shit out of you for leaving me with the moody bastard." After she said her piece Tonks allowed the silence to cover the compartment again. Nether of the two witches minded welcoming the quiet before the storm.

The storm started about twenty minutes before the train left the station. Hermione felt Harry tense beneath her as the sound o the first and second years began the tedious search of compartments to see if they wee empty or occupied by what could be friends. She just let him pull her closer. She knew if anyone would look in it would appear he was using her as a shield or grasping her hard in his sleep. However she knew he was awake now. She could feel his wand slightly pressed in between the crevasse of their legs. She was grateful that nobody had seemed to interrupt her compartment looking for him yet. Since that always put him in a standoffish mood.

After about five minutes the door was finally tested. Hermione felt Harry tense up at the appearance of the blonde hair. Than relax as the hair was obviously well below the figures shoulders. "Hello Harry, Hermione. I'm glad to se the Napils have finally left you." Hermione watched the Ravenclaw sit next to Tonks. Tonks gave her a look at the blondes strange comment. " I must say however I would love to know how you removed them so I could tell a few others I have come across that have them."

Tonks really was looking at the blonde now. "Don't worry about it Tonks. Luna sees things most of us can't. You get use to it." Harry had interrupted her question. He still was laying against the window holding Hermione close to him. His eyes still closed. Tonks wondered if he had been asleep at all during their stay in the compartment. "Hermione help me get better situated . Neville's coming in a second." Harry planted his hands onto the seat lifting himself into a better position. He finally repositioned himself enough that the seat had enough room for another occupant. Than he rewrapped his left arm around Hermione's stomach.

Neville opened the door nervously. This was his seventh try to find his friends and so far his results had been varied. He had encountered first years to what could only be described as two black wads o hair attempting to suck each others face off. SO here he was slightly shaking as the door slid open. And the sight before him didn't help his mood. Four people sat in the compartment. In fact he knew all four of them in some form or another. There was the pink haired Auror who had been there to save them all those months ago. He tried to remember her name, but came up empty. What bothered him was the strange look she was giving the witch sharing her bench. He knew that look. It was the just introduced to Luna Lovegood Look. Surprisingly it was very similar to the welcome to meal time with Ronald Weasley look. It contained shock, awe, and confusion. The only thing it was missing was the always present disgust and gag reflex that Ron usually brought out. However the sight that shocked him was his two friends on the other seat. Harry and Hermione were pressed up tightly together in a very intimate position. This probably would have been worth a bloody hell or a what the fuck from most people except Neville he turned to Luna. " When did they finally come out and admit it to people?" His reaction got the attention of the compartment.

"Don't know. They were like this when I got in the room. I was just as surprised as you are." The Ravenclaw's straight forward reply seemed to silence the all ready quiet room.

"How long have you known Neville." The voice broke the silence and helped echoed Hermione's tone in the room.

"Since November last year." Neville blushed at the comment. Hermione just stared at him to get her question answered. "I kind of walked in on you two in a empty classroom." he lowered his head to block the view of his blushing face.

Both Hermione and Harry blushed at that comment. Than they burst out laughing. "I told you that Neville knew Harry." Seeing the duo laugh relaxed the room. Neville sat down between Tonks and Luna. "Okay I give him about two minutes than I have to leave and head up to the prefects cabin without him." She paused burrowing deeper into Harry since she was going to be leaving in a minute. "While I'm gone you can talk to Luna and Neville. Its about the only way we can make sure that Malfoy and his group aren't snooping around. I don't want you to put to powerful of a locking and silencing charm on the door. It sets off alarms in the school." The rest of the compartment looked at Hermione "What? If you would read Hogwarts a history you would know this. I swear they put all that information in there because no one hardly reads it. The only other people I know that have read the book as much as I have is the twins. And you have seen what they have done with the knowledge."

"So that's how they could never prank you. They knew you had read the book." Neville spoke up.

"Of course why do you think I announce it so much to read it so they would know to leave me alone since I know all the different rooms and spells in the castle that the wards would allow." Hermione slowly pried herself up from Harry. "Well I've got to go. I'll try and grab Ginny and Ron on the way back. And I'll volunteer for first shift on the train. So if it all goes to plan I'll see you guys in about an hour and a half." With that she bent down and gave Harry a quick kiss until Harry pulled her in closer.

After Harry let her go and she left the cabin he waved his wand locking the door and placing a silencing charm on the door. He sat up perfectly and just looked at his two other friends. One he had know since day one. He had watched Neville grow and could honestly say that there was very few people he would like by his side other than Neville. Than came Luna. Some would claim her to be the most spaced out or insane witch of her generation. Harry thought she could be the smartest next to Hermione, maybe even more so in some areas. he had only known her a year or two yet she too had gained a spot by his side. Which is what brought him to the reason for the spells.

"I think you guys deserve to know what you risked your lives for at the end of the last term." He stopped allowing what he was about to say sink in. "Neville you remember how the prophesy was destroyed towards the end of the fight. " Neville didn't even acknowledge him still just taking the words in as he had figured out what was next.

"Don't tell us Harry." Neville spoke quietly. "Just tell us what you plan to do with the information. I only need to know what we are going to do to stop them. I only need to know what you plan to stop her." Harry saw a deep pool of rage fill behind his once meek friend's eyes that seemed larger than normal. he figured being on the receiving end of the curse that caused his parents current condition only added to it.

"I want you to know what you guys are getting yourselves into." Harry's tone was helping relay his worries.

"I know what I'm getting into Harry. I'm going to be fighting against people who take parents away from little kids." Neville spoke with a seriousness no one in the cabin had ever seen before from the young man.

"Is this how you feel as well Luna?" Harry was honestly surprised that the fifth had been as quiet as long as she had.

"While I don't seem to be infested by pinasais like Neville I do not particularly what to many more orphans. I personally think you two are enough for me." She had a sad smile on her face. Harry noticed she seemed to sit closer to Neville with the comment. "What I would like to know is how do you plan to get us ready for this?" Harry smile at the logic.

"Well that is partially why she is here. Tonks has been helping Hermione, Ron, and I most of the summer. I'm gong to start up DA again. I hope that I will have you twos help?" Neville and Luna just gave him a nod in agreement. Harry just leaned back for a second letting his thoughts finish clashing in his head. "So Neville are you going to put your arm around her or are you going to keep stopping it from moving? While its funny to watch it has to be painful after awhile." He smiled as Neville blushed and Luna got a look that was a mix of pleasure and a finally sigh. Tonks burst out laughing at the look.

"Tonks leave them alone. I don't think they are ready yet for your sense of humor yet."

"Oh come on Harry. How are they going to learn to fight back if they don't have training." The smile never leaving her face. Harry just waved a finger at her like he was scolding a child. Than he noticed the door moving. Harry quickly swished his wand and the charms dropped.

"Come on Harry open up." Harry watched with amusement as the door threw open with the handler going with it. "Bloody hell mate that wasn't funny." The voice came from the floor.

"well I was talking to Luna and Neville about the coming year." Harry go up to help his friend off the floor. "If the meeting is over where is Hermione?"

"She wanted an early shift so she's doing rounds with Susan." Harry relaxed at that. "Susan seem happy for it. She would have been stuck with Malfoy if she hadn't. And Hermione was with Pansy so they switched. I got last call duty with some seventh year Ravenclaw." He just groaned and sat down. "So we have to be careful since the Slytherin duo get to do duty together."

After Ron got done explaining everything they all quietly talked and played a few games of exploding snap to pas the time. After a few minutes of the game between Neville and Ron ,Harry got up and left the compartment with Tonks. "Has he been this way all Summer?" Neville said stopping the game.

"Yeah." With that Ron placed a silencing charm on the room. "It's been a rough Summer. We got in a fight with some death eaters about half way through the summer. Harry and Hermione demolished them. I think only one got out alive and that's because Harry stopped Hermione from torturing him." Neville just gapped in shock. "I think I helped with one of them, but between Harry, Hermione, and Tonks they took out the rest."

"So this year is going to be interesting Ronald." Luna had on a dreamy expressions as she spoke.

"You could say that. Hermione alone is going to make it so. Besides her current dislike for most of the Professors she seems to have gone slightly mental. Well more so than normal. I warning you two don't get on her bad side. Hermione and Harry are no longer the same people they were three months ago. In fact I'm not sure I've known who they are for a while." Ron's last comment only seemed to come as a surprise to himself.

"Don't worry mate in the end I'm sure you all will reconnect the way were meant to be." Neville got off the floor and took the position Harry had been in earlier, but on the opposite bench. Luna got up and snuggled into him. They started reading the latest issue of the Quibbler. Neville watched the look Ron gave him. "We were put on black out over the Summer. She was the only one I could talk to. We found out we have a lot in common." With that Neville just looked over Luna's shoulder and read the article she was currently on."

Harry strolled down the hall of the train not stopping until he reached the final car. He opened the door and stepped towards the guard railing. Tonks took her usual place on his left side. "Just to let you know Dumbledore should be informed of your new position in about an hour." He had a smile on his face as he spoke.

"You plan on making his life miserable this year don't you?" She returned his smile. "You know that's very Slytherin of you."

"Shush, it's a secret. What house were you Tonks?" He noticed she lowered her head not answering. "Come on I won't make fun of you."

"I was a puff." She spoke quietly.

"That it. And here I thought you were a snake the way you wee acting. " he actually looked at her with a small amount of shock at the way she was acting.

"Yeah, but I still get razzed about being a puff. So I try not to mention it." Tonks didn't look at him as she spoke.

"Yeah. Cedric was a Hufflepuff. So you won't hear any bad things about the house from me." Harry left the bitterness come out in his voice.

"Yeah the rest of the wizarding world doesn't see it that way. You ever hear the muggle phrase high school never end. Well it's the same here. the only ones that don't care are foreign wizards and witches, but seeing as the British purebloods are afraid of losing any more power with the rising muggleborns not to many of them get to work in the ministry."

"Well your obviously smart enough to be a Ravenclaw, and brave enough to be a Gryffindor. The only difference is that you value loyalty and friends more, nothing wrong about that in my book." Harry commented low enough to make sure she knew the conversation was over.

"So why are we out here fearless leader?" Tonks' voice told him she was smiling at the nickname she had given him. "I doubt its for the fresh air."

"I figured I would give Ron a little bit of vent time. Although I doubt he'll get the response he was looking for. Luna is quirky and well Neville is not actually who people think he is. You guys missed the show Neville and I put up towards the end of the fight. If we would have prepared better Hermione would still have been up in the fight and." He stopped talking, Tonks just stared down at the tracks letting Harry calm his anger. "we were going to lose, but we both put up a hell of a fight. " He draped his arm across Tonks' shoulders. "Have I thanked you for saving our asses?"

Tonks gave him a look of gratitude for bringing her out of her thoughts. "So you really don't mind a puff training you?"

"Not really. I mean so far you have been pretty much beneficial. I suppose if you get a Gryffindor auror to train us I might have to dump you." His next words were emphasized by his fingers. "House loyalty and all that." This brought a smile to her face. "Now enough talk on stupid shit. Your family and that's all that matters. So lets talk about some rules our esteemed headmaster is sure to place on you. First I know he will be pissed at me for undermining his authority in front of the school. Second after he gets over the fact you are not leaving he will most likely state you are not allowed to train or teach students. Which I agree is a good thing." He stopped than after collecting his thoughts Harry continued on. "Most of them won't be able to handle what we went through any way. Neville and Luna yes, maybe a few others I have in mind, but other than that we just get to keep you to ourselves. He said the last part high pitched much how his Aunt Marge greeted Dudley.

"Oh being sweet on me now Potter. Tough I do believe you are taken. And I for one am not in the business of home wrecking."

"well I was thinking more of sharing you with her. I mean what fun is it if I can't share everything with her." With that a smile crossed his face very similar to that of his godfather only to have it wiped away as Tonks punched him in the arm.

"What kind of a girl do you take me for Potter?"

"The beautiful and smart type. Did I forget to mention the type who hits way to hard."

"Are you two at it again?" Both turned to see Hermione.

"You need to get a leash for him Hermione. You would not believe what he just proposed." her smile faltered when Hermione's grew however. Than she had to hold back laughter as Hermione smacked harry upside the head.

"You weren't suppose to ask her that until we got her drunk on her birthday." Her comment stopped any thoughts of laughter ether Harry or Tonks had. "What you think you two are the only ones who can play that game. Now come on I don't want to be in the walkway when Draco starts his patrol and I have to curse him for just being himself in front of the school." With that she turned and left back towards their compartment.

"You do realize that by allowing her to blow up on the professors like she has wanted to since fourth year we have unleashed a beast right Harry?" he just nodded and followed after his girlfriend.

"Yeah can you imagine how the school is going to take it?" They both laughed at that. Heading back to the compartment. He entered just behind Hermione, looking around quickly he saw Neville and Luna. "You know if you want to impress someone its best to come up with something original Neville." He spoke with an obvious smile.

"Sod off Harry. I'm sure you didn't come up with the position." They all laughed at the fake seriousness his voice carried. The door opened to see Ginny walk in. She gave Neville a quick look than waited for everyone to move around so she could sit down. Hermione jumped up in to Harry's lap and Ginny sat down next to Tonks. "So Ginny where have you been?" Neville smirked.

"Nowhere Neville." She smirked right back trying to turn the tables on him. "And what do you think your doing?"

"If you were to ask me I would say that he lost his mind. Getting together with her. Some Purebloods just don't have any sense of self respect. A bloody loony and Potter seems to have stooped to a mud…."

Draco quickly found himself slammed up against the windows in the compartment. "I suggest you watch what you say Malfoy this year. In fact why don't you and Parkinson listen closely for a few minutes." Harry and Hermione both leveled their wands in to a better attack position than they were in previously. Harry brought Draco's face up to look at him clearer. "First thing first. If you continue to harsh my friends and I will place you in the hospital wing. Second if you or your friends attack my friends and I will not bother to retaliate I will simply walk up to you and kill you. This is not a threat. I don't care who is there I will just walk up and do it. No daddy and no Dark wanker to save you. " Harry let his wand press harder into Draco's neck. "You need to come to realize that in this life or at least in this moment in time you are a small, small fish who wouldn't know how to act truly evil if your life depended on it. But make no mistake I'll kill you just the same as I would kill any other little death eater. Do we understand each other Draco?"

Before he could answer Hermione spoke up. "Draco that goes fr me as well." Hermione let her wand wave over his chest. "We will not be messed with this year. And if I hear that disgusting word come out your mouth again, I will just silence you. I've come up with a new variation so not even the professors will be able to remove it." With that Harry and Hermione pulled their wands back. "You may leave now." The whole room held a breath as Pansy and Draco left the compartment quickly with at least Pansy having a newly ingrained fear in her eyes. Hermione called out to them before they left the hallway to quickly. "And Draco yet us try and have a good year." Her smile never left her face.

The room looked at Harry and Hermione with exception of Tonks, who continued to read a book she had gotten out. Ron and Ginny looked shocked at the pair. Ron was going to say something, but Neville beat him to it. "No offense Hermione, but I actually want Draco to call you a mudblood. It would be nice to not hear his voice for a while." The anger slightly flowed out with his words.

"Neville, that would require Hermione to remove all the Natucanders from him and could be vary tiring for her. Besides would you really want to give the ferret such an advantage. His voice announces his presence at least sixty feet before you see him. Why put innocent first years in danger?" With that Hermione actually took the words to heart from the obvious pain in the blondes voice.

"Your right." With that Ron and Ginny relaxed. "I'll silence him in my presence only. Than if he keeps it up I'll just keep it that way and break his wand across his face. That would help the first years wouldn't it Luna?" She had a look on her face showing that she knew that Luna must have been commenting about her first year.

"Yes it will. However I think we need to ask the boys to leave. Well at least Ron, since we need to get dressed and I'm positive that Harry would keep his eyes on just you."

"Okay blokes out the compartment. We can take a hint." Harry lead the make half of the compartment along with Ginny who had her trunk being watched by Dean. Ron gave her a look, but she kept walking away without a fuss.

After about fifteen minutes the girls let the boys back in. Harry and Neville turned as they heard Ron leave toward another cabin. They both heard him talking about beating up backstabbing, sister dating friends who better have known what was good for them and not touched his sister or his trunk. Harry just laughed at the way Ron was acting.

He than turned and walked in and pulled off the T-shirt he had on. He stopped for a second waiting for a gasp from ether Neville or Luna. It had taken Hermione years to get him to take any of his clothes off around her. The only person that had really seen him this unprotected was Promfry, but even she had only seen what he allowed since most magical medicines and treatments didn't require them to strip the patient. He knew that it was all due to Hermione that he was opening up even the little he was, but at the same time he knew she didn't understand the pain opening like this caused him and he wished she never would.

After they all were ready the train came to a stop after fifteen minutes of waiting. The five got out with Tonks taking the rear while Harry himself took point. Once on the platform Harry could hear Hagrid yelling out to the first years. Harry looked over at the half giant and sighed quietly. He knew that the fun and games o the previous years were over. In fact the way Hagrid was ignoring him, Harry was positive this year was going to be off with a great staff. As if feeling the tension in his body Hermione grasped his hand. The move broke him form his pensive mood. He looked and smiled at her mouthing thank you. Than he bent down and grasped her lips with his. Her reaction was something he expected and enjoyed from her. She never gave in every kiss or caress. It was not so much a dominance fight, but an attempt to engulf as much passion from the other as possible.

"Oh my god is that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger?" Did you hear what they did to Draco Malfoy at the end of the last semester?" "Who's the pink haired woman with them?" "do you think that witch weekly article about him having three women at once is true?" "Oh my god Ron isn't with them. You don't think he choose Hermione over him do you?" "Bout bloody time."

Hermione rolled her eyes at all the comments they heard after Harry and her had decided to come up for air. Hermione grasped Harry's hand leading the group to the carriages. "So Harry are you sure your okay with this?"

Harry squinted his eyes for a second than tok his hand from Hermione's. "Which part the one where we take this school by storm or the part where I shag you on the path right here and let everyone watch." He pulled her close and kissed her neck.

"Tonks you have corrupted my boyfriend." She let out a disgruntled sigh. "He use to be so polite and sensitive. Now look at him, sex craved , rude to teachers, threatening to hex authority figures, and willing to do public displays. My god my life is in ruins all my plans for the future."

"Hermione correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you just described yourself." Tonks had gotten in the carriage and started shifting her hair colors and lengths. "So just get in hear already I'm bored. I haven't blown anything up in almost twelve hours."

"OH MY GOD." Hermione over expressed each word. "You corrupted me to." She stopped and play fainted. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Tonks stopped shifting her hair at a medium length that covered her right eye and was bright orange. "How does this look? Do you think its intimidating enough or should I go with the curled up braid like Princess Leia in New Hope?" With that Tonks shifted her hair to match. Hermione burst into a giggle fit at Tonks' hair style. The rest of the students just stared at the new Hermione. She didn't seem so up tight and it was actually scaring most of the people walking past her and her friends.

"Bloody hell Harry. What have you done to our Hermione?" Harry turned to see Ron and and angry Ginny behind him coming up the path.

"Don't worry mate. I'm sure with in a week she will be riding us for not doing our homework." With that he moved back enough to avoid Hermione's fist that was aiming for his shoulder. She fell forward just enough that he had to catch her as she was off balance. Bringing her close enough that he whispered into her ear. "Just remember that girl that fusses over getting my homework done is who I fell for." He smiled as Hermione smirked and let him pick her up.

"Are you two done with the foreplay some of us are hungry?" Neither bothered to reply, they only got in to the carriage. On the trip Harry lost track of the conversations. He was staring forward looking at the backs of the therestrials.

"How many children will be able to see them before this thing is over?" He knew that only four people had heard him. Harry just pretended not to acknowledge them and stated out in to the sun fallen sky. he knew he was worrying about something that in the end was completely out of his control. It really didn't help his disposition as he looked at all the other students and heard them laughing and playing pranks on each other as if the rest of the world didn't matter. It angered him that so many parents would send their children off with out any idea as to what was happening. He felt Hermione grab him and his anger drizzle down causing him to think clearer. He could see back in there faces they were scared and the laughter hid their darting eyes. The parents not knowing what to do sent their children to the one place they felt was safe for them. They put them under the gaze of Bumbledore and the "Chosen One".

"Harry you don't have to carry it all yourself. I'm here and don't plan on leaving anytime soon." Her words in his ears made him wonder if at times she could read his mind or if he was just that easy to read through his body language for a woman who spent a good part of her life in a book. He felt naked to her gaze and it didn't bother him in the least, because he could read her just as well.

The castle seemed to become much larger that it really was as the group walked up to it. They were some of the last groups into the Great Hall. Harry could feel all the eyes on him and his friends. They wandered over to the Ravenclaw table since it had the most room for them. The uproar was quiet, but the hushed questions of why five Gryffindors were at the Ravenclaws table filled the room anyway.

Harry tuned out the voices so well Neville had to tug on his robes to get his attention. Looking up he saw McGonagall walking to them. "What can I do for you Professor?" harry's voice hid the coldness the facalty of the placehe had once called home brought out.

"Mr. Potter I'm going to have to ask and your friends to head to your proper tables. Its not that we disapprove sharing tables its just with the sorting we try to let first years get use to their house mates before the rest of the school." Her voice gave away the wearyness she had approaching the group.

"That's okay Professor we'll head over in a minute." Harry let the false sense of sincerity drip off his tongue. "That is we'll move if you answer a simple question." he watched as his words sent a chill down her spine. "How much of his minipulations were you in on?"

Minevera was taken back by the question. In fact her one participating role still shamed her. "I was only there when you were dropped of that's all I know."

Harry scowled than straightened his face backout. "Well I guess at the time it made sense."

To be truthfull Minevera was now more scared of Harry as he used such logic. "Not really, but I was to naïve to let the strangeness of the situation have me push harder to get you able to live some where else."

"Thank you for the truth and your honesty." Harry stopped and looked at the group. "But I guess we have taken up enough of your time. You do have first years to lead in. We will be in out rightful tables. And Professor later if you could find time Hermione and I would like to have a talk to you about something. "

Minevera walked to the doors to receive the first years confused. Harry's reaction had not been one she expected. In fact walking over she expected to be cursed. However he wanted to talk to her about something. He was going to make this an interesting year.

Harry sat at his own table slowly waiting on the arrival of the first years. Truthfully he was looking forward to seeing who was the future. Henew that was his reson for everything. He just couldn't sit there and believe that after everything they had planned and were going to do it had to be fore some thing better. He didn't want another child to go through what he had gone through.

The first years walked forward as the sorting hat was placed on the stool. They all looked at the room with a sense of wonderment and amazement that one could only have at such a young age. Harry could tell who was muggleborn by the way the enchanted ceiling called out to them. He had remembered that looking at that ceiling after Diagon Alley is was proved to him that magic was real and it could be wonderful. Than the hat was placed on the stool and began a speech instead of a song.

The darkness rises every generation

Those who hide in it do so of their own accord

Those who light the way do so as well

You may grab your friends and trudge forward

making it even more bright steady and slow

You may wait till the moment is right

Illuminationg the most so all cam see that together

Nothing can stop you if you place your mind to it

You may pave a way quick and decisive

Bringing a brightness to the view

Never allowing it to be taken back

Our you may charge forward physically and mentally attacking the darkness

Youwill go with no light only tolight away for the rest

While all this is fun sounding

You can easily lose your external and internal light

Causing your embrace of the darkness

However look to your left and to your right

Now look at everyone in the room

Separate, but together you can not find peace with out unity

You can not find unity with out trust

We are separate based on ourselves

We are united based on kinship

Remember never give in and accept a helping hand

If worse come to worse you may find a friend

Stand together as four friends once did

And the darkness shall never prevail.

Harry was a little shocked at the hats lack of a song, much like most of the rest of the room. He watched as the hat tried to bring everyone together to protect themselves. As it proclaimed that the war was here and at most we could do is stand and protect each other. The whole room was filled with almost no personal conversations. He looked up at the staff table and they look almost as shocked as everyone else. He quickly lost himself on thoughts of different situations that would make the hats attempt to help useful. He missed the sorting starting to take place. The lack of enthusiasm was soon taken back as students came out of their stupor. In fact for once Harry didn't catch a name that was thrown out. He finally came back to reality when Dumbledore summoned dinner for everyone.

A lot of the newly minted Gryffindors stared in shock as Ron began to fill his mouth and plate at the same time. All any one could hear was his mumblings of about time they were going to starve him if the sorting hadn't ended when it did. A sense of normalcy over came the room as the fact they were back in school. It seemed surreal to most at how little the outside world seemed to be reflected in the hall. Harry picked at his food. He wasn't hungry enough to even clear half of it. After thirty minutes he watched as his plate disappeared along with everyone else's.

Dumbledore stood back up and began to speak. "Welcome back everyone. I first would like to introduce Professor Slughorn…" His speech was stopped as he noticed several people getting up. He watched as Harry stood up with the others he recognized as the members of the Ministry team. The whole room watched in shock as the seven people slowly left the room leaving Harry and Hermione as the last members to leave the room. As he followed behind them all Harry stopped at the central message board and left a single piece of paper hanging up.

Defense Arts

First meeting September 6

Seventh Floor

A/N Well here you all go. I hope that you all enjoy it and that is doesn't drag to much. This is the beginning of the Fall Semester arc I have planned. Once again I'm sorry for the long wait. While I make no promises when the next update will be since I have other things I need to type and all, but is shouldn't be another nine month wait. I plan on going through and correcting some spelling errors and clearing up some more confusing parts on earlier chapters in the near future. Well as usual I hope you enjoyed it and review if you feel like it. Although watching my stories get lots of favorites and no mention of what I doing to cause it is a little annoying but what ever.. Even check out some of my other stories at your own risk. Until next time later every one.