A/N: First off I just want to say that I am sorry my Grammar and Spelling isn't so good. I'm working on that but proof-reading was never one of my fortes. Still searching for a BETA if anyone has the time to spare I would appreciate it hugely!
Moving on, Dudley, he has elemental magic in both Water and Air although he is stronger in wind manipulation then he is with water. Sorry about this chapter, it is turned out shorter then the others. I'll get the next one up as soon as I can though.
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Chapter 22: Party
It was the day before they returned to Hogwarts for another term, the day of Mrs Longbottom's famous annual soiree and Harry had finally managed to tame his hair. Donning his new dress robes Harry made sure his wand was strapped on tight before he said his goodbyes and activated his portkey. Landing in his parlor Harry then proceeded to floo out. It was much easier not to mention much safer to floo from Potter Manor then from Privet Drive.
It wasn't long after Harry stepped out of the fire that he found himself accosted by the three nervous Weasleys. After calming them down Harry turned just in time to see the Malfoys step out of the fire. After a few words Harry took them to greet their hostess.
"Ah! Mr Potter! Glad to see you as always! And Lucius, Narcissa! It is a pleasure, Mr Malfoy, Miss Rosier..." Mrs Longbottom paused as she spotted the three Weasleys. "...And who have we here?"
"These are our friends Fred, George and Ginny Weasley."
"Nice to meet you! Well Neville's waiting for you in his parlor. I'll see you at dinner!"
They left as an old couple moved in. Mr and Mrs Malfoy moved on when they spotted the Notts (who they were trying to recruit as well) and the kids made their way through the growing crowd until they reached Neville's parlor.
"Harry, Draco, Ari, Ginny, Fred, George!" Neville made his way over to greet them from a chess game he had been playing with Theo. The other Ravenclaws were already there but Daphne and Blaise were both late.
As the last two members of the group joined them the party passed pretty quickly and not all that different from last year. Ginny was a natural on the social scene having taken lessons from Arianna over the last few months. The twins also did well as they echoed Harry and Draco's formal mannerisms; they had even managed to land themselves a double date with Blaise's cousins, the Costa twins.
Harry had implemented part one of their plan and spent a great deal of time going around the main hall with Neville and Draco talking to various members of the wizengamont trying to get them on his side. So far he had Mrs Zabini convinced as Blaise had already begun talking to her about it. Her brother also agreed with him but unfortunately Mr Costa didn't have a seat on the wizengamont belonging to the Italian court.
It was a good thing Harry had started learning his languages as it helped him to win more support. There were others that Harry had convinced and he felt sure that they had enough of a majority to overthrow the law. With Neville by his side and the Weasleys there with him those on the light side were falling over themselves to offer their support to the boy-who-lived. The dark side also rushed to offer their support as Draco's father used his influence as Voldermort's old right hand to convince them.
All told the night was a success. The rest of the kids even ventured into the main hall for a while to take part in the dancing. That caused much laughter as it seemed as though the only ones who could actually dance were Draco and Arianna. Nonetheless they continued valiantly anyway and managed to get through their last dance without stepping on each other's toes.
Breaking up early the group went home to prepare for their journey back to Hogwarts. Harry returned to Privet drive to find he had a letter waiting for him. It was from Remus informing him that he'll be at waiting for him at ten the following morning at Potter Manor to take them to Kings Cross. Too tired to reply Harry changed and fell into his bed. The next day Harry was abruptly jerked to full awareness by Hedwig's cries. Noticing a man trying to make off with his owl Harry jumped up, his wand in his hand before he realized it was Remus.
"What is going on?" Harry asked cautiously.
He knew that there was a chance it wasn't the real Remus. Potions being one of his best subjects he was familiar with the Polyjuice Potion even if he had never brewed it before. Remus looked at him and Harry could see that his eyes had glazed over. Great! Harry thought, the imperius curse. Grabbing the closest book Harry could find he brought it down on Remus's head, hard.
Watching his friend crumble to the floor Harry sighed as he got ready, packing up his last few belongings and getting dressed pausing only long enough to tell his aunt he was off. Harry gathered his trunk, Remus and Hedwig before activating his portkey. Landing in his parlor Harry withdrew his wand.
"Enervate!" Harry pointed his wand at Remus watching as he slowly woke.
"What happened?" Remus held a hand to his head still groggy.
"I'm not sure, you came to Privet Drive and tried to get away with Hedwig."
"Oh!" Remus sat up as the memories came back to him. "I remember! Dumbledore came to my place and told me I had to separate you from your friends, he said they were a bad influence and that he wanted me to force you to become friends with the twin's younger brother. I told him no, of course, told him it's your choice and that that boy didn't seem like a good sort. After that...I'm not sure. It's a blur."
"Well I can only assume he had hit you with the imperious curse. Sorry but I knocked you out."
"Well that explains the headache. What time is it?"
"Early, want to join me for breakfast? Oh and here." Harry handed Remus a vial and watched as his guardian and friend downed it in one go without even asking what it is. It still shocked Harry how much his friends and followers trusted him.
"Wow, that's much better. One of Severus'?"
"Draco's actually. It's part of our emergency stock."
"Amazing! Is there anything he can't brew?"
"I don't think he's tried the wolfsbane potion yet and his Veriterserum isn't quite perfect."
"You mean to say that a twelve year old..."
"Thirteen actually." Harry smirked.
"Right, that a thirteen year old student is attempting potions most NEWT students can't even brew!"
"Apparently." Harry said amused. He never really thought about the fact that they were working on things far beyond their level. With so many of them working together it made things easier and faster. It almost seemed natural to be where they are. "So breakfast? You know you can't afford to skip any meals. You have been eating properly right?"
"Yes, Parry's been feeding me." Remus replied with a smile. Harry reminded him very much of his parents at that moment. At Hogwarts James was always after Remus to eat properly even going so far as to sneak into the kitchens specifically to get him food (of course, sneaking into the kitchens weren't a big thing for them). After they graduated and James and Lily were married it was Lily who took over, he was invited to dinner every night and Lily would often threaten him with various curses if she found he wasn't eating.
It was amazing how Harry had inherited both of his parent's personalities. Over the last year or so Harry has continued to surprise him with how mature he was for his age, just like his mother. He was the first twelve year-old Remus knew who had twelve students his age or older that looked to him as their leader and had several adults who have all sworn to follow him. Much like James, Remus thought with a grin. Remus was proud yet unsurprised of Harry's leadership skills; he is a Potter after all.
After breakfast they prepared to leave, they flooed directly to Platform nine and three quarters. The platform was still deserted as they were somewhat early. Stowing his luggage away Harry and Remus chatted for a while as they waited for the others to show. Slowly the other families arrived and it quickly turned into another one of the Longbottom parties. When the train's whistle sounded Harry and his friends bid their parents or guardians farewell and piled into the heirs' compartment.
Settling into another term Harry and Draco were caught by Flint almost immediately after entering the Slytherin Common Room and told that practices were to start immediately. Groaning Harry sighed and unpacked, it was going to be a long term. A week in and Harry held their first meeting of the term. It was so much easier to work around the headmaster as with Luna's help those portraits who had refused to bow down to Harry bowed down to her. There were only a couple up in the North Tower and the Hospital wing that still refused to answer to any but the Hufflepuff heir.
Their two newest members were settling in rather well, both have taken their animagus potions and were given coins that were keyed into their forms. Luna was a hare and Hermione was an otter. Luna who was already friends with the Ravenclaws soon became good friends with the rest of them and was happier then she has ever been since before her mother passed away. Hermione was a little more reluctant in the beginning not quite sure of what to make of the large group of pure-blood traditionalists. It didn't take long for her to relax though and she became really good friends with the girls, Ginny in particular.
Their animagus lessons started almost straight away. Professor Snape, a snake animagus himself, was hesitant to teach the group as a whole particularly Ginny, Luna and Hermione. He figured the only ones with a real shot of transforming completely were Harry, Draco, the twins and maybe even Neville. But nonetheless he decided that he could try and they had weekly lessons.
Time passed and Professor Snape was surprised at how quickly his charges learned to change. After two, three weeks Fred and George were the furthest along with Harry not far behind. Of course Harry was learning to morph into four forms at once. But by the time February came around Harry was able to hold each form for no more than two minutes. The twins were able to hold it a little longer reaching two minutes and a half. The majority of the group barely managed to fully morph and Luna, Ginny and Hermione still hadn't fully transformed by that stage.
Interestingly enough Harry found that with the control of each form his senses enhanced. His eyes were as sharp as his falcon form, also thanks to his other forms Harry found that he moved faster and easier. Add that to his increased stamina Harry improved dramatically during quidditch practice surprising everyone as he once managed to catch the snitch at least twenty times in the one hour practice. Harry also had better hearing but couldn't be sure which form he got that from.
Neville had also acquired the agility and speed of his animagus form which lead to his placement as the reserve chaser. Anthony and Terry's eyes were also as sharp as their forms and Anthony in particular was now much quicker on his broom making it hard for Draco during the Slytherin-Ravenclaw match. So far Fred, George, Arianna, Daphne and Draco haven't experienced any changes to their senses.
