Authors Note: Sorry for such a short chapter. I hadn't written anything in awhile and I decided it was high time to end my writer's block. Well here it is. Only a couple chapters left in this story. I suspect about three more chapters. I have a pretty decently big twist planned and I hope you will like it and not hate me for it. Without further ado, Chapter Ten! R&R!

Secret Rose

Chapter Ten

Progress and Setbacks

Progress in Practical Defense classes had come. However, that progress happened very slowly and painfully. It had been five weeks since its creation and almost no one was even close to the level they should have been in that time.

"Saya," Ron complained after another class, "Why do you make class so hard? It's not like we're ever going to need this."

"You never know Ron, you just might one of these days. You might lose your wand and have no way to defend yourself. If that happens, you'll be thankful that you have at least some experience on how to handle yourself." Saya said while Harry carefully took Ron's wand out of his pocket without him noticing.

"Like this." Harry said, dangling the wand in front of his face.

"Hey! Give that back!" Ron yelled, making a grab for the wand but failing as Harry backed up just barely out of his reach.

"See? If you would have been paying attention at today's lesson, you would already have that wand in your hand." Hermione scolded.

"Fine!" Ron huffed in exasperation and defeat, which caused everyone around him to laugh.

"Saya, are you alright?" Haji asked, worry obvious in his voice, "Do you need to rest?"

"No. I'm fine. Don't worry about me Haji."

Saya had decided to take a moonlight walk by the lake which Haji, of course, had joined in. After about ten minutes of walking in silence, Saya had collapsed on the ground and had needed to drink some of Haji's blood.

"Thanks by the way." Saya said, wiping her mouth with the back of her right hand. Haji just nodded in response. "We should probably get back to the castle. It's getting a little late."

Haji held his hand out for Saya to help her get up. As soon as she stood up, she fell right back down again. Instead of trying to help her back up again, Haji bent down and scooped Saya up in his arms.

"Haji, what're you- I mean, I can-" Saya began, blushing brightly.

"No. You're still weak. Let me carry you to the castle." Haji said with finality in his voice.

The rest of the walk to the castle was quiet, except for Saya's loudly beating heart. When they got up to the Gryffindor common room Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting around the fire.

"Saya, why is Haji carrying you?" Hermione asked.

Saya's face turned bright red and she hopped out of Haji's arms and walked swiftly to her shared room.

"What was that about? Haji?" Ron asked while Haji just walked up to his room as well.

"Professor!" Saya yelled in the middle of the hallway, trying to get McGonagall to wait for them. Them being Saya, Haji, Riku, Kai, David, Lewis, and Julia.

"What is the problem Ms. Otonashi?" the Headmistress asked after the group had caught up with her.

"According to intelligence, Diva and Voldemort are going to be mounting an attack on the school sometime soon. We need to prepare. It could be the next minute or it could be in three days. Either way, we can't waste any time," David said quickly.

"Then we must hurry. Tell the other teachers to dismiss class and bring the students to the Great Hall. Tell them to hurry as there is no time to waste. Just leave the explaining to me," McGonagall said, alarm apparent in her voice.

They nodded and quickly ran off into different directions. Soon enough, all the students and faculty were assembled in the large space. All were curious and worried about what their headmistress had to say.

"Quiet!" yelled a stern McGonagall with a grim expression on her face. "Everyone listen, I'll only say this once. It seems the castle is in danger of an attack from both death eaters and chiropterans. Not to mention the masters of both. We must prepare for an attack on the school." People began to worriedly talk at this point.

"Enough! Fifth years and above will be allowed to stay and fight if you choose. If you don't, we understand completely. No one younger than that is to participate in this battle. Slytherins! It is time to choose who you alliance yourselves with. Those who would like to stay and fight, please come forward."

All fifth year and above Gryffindors stepped forward along with twenty or so Hufflepuffs, about twelve Ravenclaws, and three Slytherins.

"Teachers. Please verify that everyone choosing to fight is fifteen or older." Once that had been done, she continued. "Thank you. Students, get your things prepared to leave and in an hour, come back down here. The teachers will escort you to the Hogwarts Express which will take you to a safe location. Now go!"