Here comes the next chapter. I'd like to thank those reviewers that pointed out the spelling errors in the last chapters, hopefully I managed to take care of it. Also, I hope I managed the romance scene well, since it's not exactly my strong point.
Chapter 13
"I guess I'll be keeping my promise sooner than I expected." Harry turned to Neville as they read about the recent breakout of several Death Eaters from Azkaban.
The news had the trio training harder than ever. They could feel a conflict approaching, and they were determined to get ready for it.
Before they knew it, Valentine's Day had arrived, and with it, Harry was planning a special day for Luna. They had grown very close over the year, and he felt it was time to come clean with her.
"What's the surprise, Harry?" Luna asked curiously as he led her to the RoR.
"It's not exactly a surprise, more of a confession. I want to come clean with you, Luna. I don't want any secrets between us." Harry replied in a serious tone.
Luna was surprised to see the room she knew well changed so drastically. Instead of the large DADA classroom she was used to, it was a large hall now, and one of the walls was missing.
She saw Neville standing by the opening next to a large white thing resembling a bird.
"You sure you can handle it?" Neville asked as he handed him a large basket.
"Don't worry. You taught me well." Harry grinned as he held out a hand for Luna. Moments later, they were soaring through the air on the back of the large clay bird.
"Where are we going, Harry?" Luna asked curiously as he turned to cast a warming charm on her.
"I thought you might enjoy a private picnic. It will also allow us to talk in private." Harry smiled gently as she blushed.
They landed in a small valley, and Luna couldn't help but gasp at the sight.
There was a small meadow surrounded by trees from all sides, and a small stream flowing right through it. In her mind, it was perfect.
"I think its best we talked while we ate." Harry grinned as he pulled out a large blanket and began pulling out the dishes from the basket.
As they ate, he began telling her about his shinobi skills. How he discovered them, how he started training, and even what he and his friends could do.
"So, can I learn those things as well?" Luna asked eagerly, but her smile faded as she saw Harry's solemn face.
"Well, we found out if you want to master these skills, you need to start young. Hermione and Neville were actually on the border when they started training." Harry sighed. "Don't get me wrong. If I could, I'd teach you everything."
"I know you would, Harry. Well, since you came clean to me, I should do the same. You know the way I act most of the time? Well, it's just that, an act." Luna sighed as he gave her a curious look.
"My dad was always unusual, but ever since my mom died, it hit him really hard. It was impossible to grow with him and not pick up some of his habits. When I got here, a lot of people gave me a hard time because of it, so slowly I started acting crazy to keep people away." Luna sighed.
"I'd say it worked a little too well." Harry remembered how big an outcast Luna was before they had met.
"Once I got into the act, I guess I lost myself into it. I actually became what I merely pretended to be. Until you came along. You helped me remember who I am. Don't worry though; I'll still drive Hermione crazy." Luna finished her tale with a small smile.
"Promise?" Harry pulled her closer so that she was resting against his chest. She turned her head so that their eyes met.
"I promise to always be the loony girl you fell in love with." She whispered gently.
"And I promise to always support and protect you." Harry whispered back as their lips met.
This time, they poured all their love into it, and in that moment, time seemed to stop. For that single moment, only the young couple existed in the universe.
"I love you, Luna." Harry whispered when they separated.
"I love you too, Harry." She smiled as they fell back on the blanket, staring up at the sky.
"I could stay like this forever." She giggled.
"I know what you mean." Harry wrapped his hand around her.
Things did not stay calm for too long. The day after the next DA meeting, the school was abuzz with the news that a Ravenclaw sixth year was sent to the Hospital Wing. The biggest news was the fact that Madam Pomfrey could not awaken her.
"She tried to talk. I talked to Cho; Marietta was seen going towards Umbridge's office the night of the meeting." Hermione informed him after lunch.
"What exactly did you use on the contract?" Harry asked.
"It was really difficult to link the spells with intent, instead of action like you asked me to, but I managed it. The first part silences the offender the moment they intend to betray us, followed by a strong sleeping spell. This is where the shinobi tricks kick in. I added a hypnotic genjutsu to the contract that erases all knowledge of the RoR while the offender is asleep. Madam Pomfrey can't wake her up because she can't detect or break the genjutsu." Hermione explained.
"That's pretty devious, even for you. When will she wake up, and what happens then?" Harry complimented her.
"She'll be awake by tomorrow morning. I'm afraid once she's awake, the contract won't affect her again. She'll be able to tell people about the DA, just not where it is we're meeting." Hermione winced when she noticed the flaw in her contract.
"Protecting the RoR is paramount, Hermione. I'll go talk to her when she wakes up." Harry said and walked away.
"That was very foolish of you. Did you think we wouldn't have taken precautions?" Marietta froze as the first thing she saw was Harry's cold face.
"I was scared. My mom works for the Ministry. I don't want her to lose her job, she's all I have." Marietta sobbed.
"I am not here to listen to your reasons. As a traitor, your name is no longer on the contract, and as such, you are capable of telling others about the DA, but I'll highly recommend you keep your mouth shut. Do you know what will happen if we're caught?" Harry asked calmly.
"You'll be expelled?" Marietta was very close to using 'we', but caught herself just in time. She was no longer part of the DA.
"Most of us, yes. I get something extra as the leader and organizer. Six months to a year." Harry's words struck her like a knife.
"What do you mean?" She asked shakily.
"By organizing the DA, I am breaking several of the Ministry's new laws, and I am also leading a vigilante group that operates against the Ministry's best interests, at least that's what the charges will be. The punishment is six months to a year since I'm underage." Harry shrugged.
"I had no idea. I won't tell her anything. I swear." Marietta jumped up in her bed.
"We're going to give you a chance to redeem yourself. Umbridge will arrive soon to question you. If you're reluctant, she will most likely use Veritaserum on you." Marietta panicked at that. She could not lie if she was given that potion.
"Take this. When Umbridge walks in, bite it and swallow. It is an antidote that will last for six hours. It also mimics the trance the potion creates so Umbridge won't suspect foul play. Keep your comrades hidden, and you're back in the DA." Harry gave her a small pill and walked away.
The next day, Marietta was back in the DA, nervously at first, but since no one talked about her actions, the girl relaxed.
As the end of the year neared, fifth years students were informed about career counseling, as well as given schedules for their meeting with their head of house.
"So, Potter, have you had any thoughts on what you wish to do when you leave Hogwarts?" McGonagall looked at him from across the desk while Umbridge was sitting behind him. He could hear the occasional scratch of her quill.
"I think I might enjoy teaching. Other than that, I haven't given it much thought." Harry replied shortly.
McGonagall was surprised at his reply, but collected herself quickly.
"If your work continues to remain on the same level, Potter, I have no doubt you'll be able to apply for a teaching position for a number of subjects. However, Hogwarts very rarely hires people right after graduation. Then again, you never know. I recommend you maintain your current courses which leaves you several other options open should you be unable to secure a teaching position." McGonagall smiled at him.
Umbridge seemed like she wanted to comment, but her personal dislike aside, Harry was an exemplary student and there was nothing she could say.
"Harry, Sirius called me while you were training. He wants to talk to you." Hermione handed him a small handheld mirror.
"What can I do for you, Sirius?" Harry grinned as he saw his godfather's face appear in the mirror.
"It's about Hagrid. You haven't talked to him lately, have you?" Sirius asked.
"Not outside of class. We've been really busy, and we can't talk during class since Umbridge is always hovering around." Harry replied.
"Well, he's been having some trouble with a certain issue, and I thought you might be able to help him. It's like this…" Sirius explained the situation to Harry.
"Hagrid's done it again." Harry ran his hand down his face as he rejoined his friends.
"What sort of monster does he have this time?" Hermione sighed. Hagrid's love for dangerous creatures was well known to the trio.
"His baby brother." Harry replied shortly.
"You mean…" Neville's eyes grew wide. That was a bit much, even for Hagrid.
"What do we do?" Hermione asked.
"We go in and educate him with some genjutsu. He is Hagrid's brother, after all." Harry shrugged.
Their plan worked well and they managed to cast several illusions on the giant without even waking him up.
Pretty soon, the bulk of their time was taken by the upcoming O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams, and the fifth and seventh years focused solely on reviewing the materials.
The exams were spread over two weeks, and due to the large amount of material, the trio were even forced to stop their shinobi training.
"Well, I'm glad that's over." Harry grinned after their last exam was over and they were sitting in the Great Hall eating lunch.
"Yeah. I feel like my brain has turned to mush." Neville added as he dug into his food.
"Harry, are you expecting a letter?" Hermione looked up as a large owl flew in and dropped a letter before Harry.
She frowned when she saw that the letter was sealed with the Dark Mark.
Harry opened the letter, but all Hermione could see were long, curvy writing that she could not recognize.
"What sort of writing is that?" She frowned.
"Parseltongue. Go and get your full gear." Harry burned the letter and left the hall.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked as he joined them in the RoR. They were all wearing black cargo pants with a black shirt that had mesh armor underneath. Their headbands were tied firmly on their foreheads.
In addition, Hermione had her Samehada sword on her back while Neville had two large pouches tied to his belt.
"The Department of Mysteries. It seems Voldemort wants me to get the prophecy for him. He has threatened to kill Sirius if I do not. What he doesn't know is that I have other ways of talking to Sirius. He's still safe at HQ, so this is obviously a trap." Harry explained.
"So, what's the plan?" Neville asked eagerly.
"We go in, retrieve the prophecy and eliminate any Death Eater waiting to ambush us. If you meet Voldemort, run away. We have yet to find anything about any other soul fragments he might have out there. Neville, this will be close quarters combat, so nothing above C-1. If we meet the Lestranges, they're all yours. Now, if you'd please provide some transportation?" Harry explained.
Neville nodded and quickly created two large birds.
"You know, I almost feel sorry about the Death Eaters. Well, almost." Hermione gave him a sharp grin as she deactivated her Henge seal.