Chapter 21

A/N: This is long overdue and badly edited. I apologise but I have to dash off- may edit later!

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Harry and Ginny knew Teatrina had got her own back when he saw George stamping around the next day with large monkey ears and a curly tail. "New look, George?" he joked.

"Shut up, Harry, I've got to go kill someone." He barked in reply, storming passed him.

"Alright, but the match starts in half an hour."

"Match?" George spun round. "What match?"

"The Quidditch one, George," Ginny sighed exasperatedly, "You remember Quidditch, don't you? Has brooms."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever- I'll see you then."

"Be careful!"

George scowled and marched off.

Before the match began, there was a hasty exchange in the changing rooms, people swapping around sickles, knuts and galleons and scribbling down on bits of paper.

"Well, I bet two sickles and a knut she gets him again before he gets her." Betted Ron confidentially.

"Your on!" laughed Ginny. "Three sickles says he gets her- then she challenges him to a duel."

"I'm liking those odds," Lita handing over a galleon to Hermione who was doing to takings, propped up on an upturned box with an open money case. "A galleon on, in the event of the duel, her winning."

"You sure?" Jimmy Peakes wasn't convinced, "He was in the Battle of Hogwarts."

"Yeah, but Teatrina is an accomplished duelist." His sister said matter-of-factly. "She's got amazing reflexes- and she's got two school trophies too."

"Seriously?" Thomas Reed gapped.

"Make that three galleons, Hermione."

"Sure-sure." She jotted in down.

"Hermione," Ron frowned, "you don't even approve of gambling, why are you helping?"

"It's betting, not gambling." Said Hermione, as though they were to completely different things, "And the whole thing is rather amusing, Ron. Providing they don't actually kill one another." She added a sickle to Teatrina's name.

"You reckon she'll win overall, then eh?" Ron tried not to laugh. "So little faith in George- he's not a lot up his sleeve, you know.

"Well, Teatrina is remarkably clever- most amazing set of grades I ever-"

"Grades aren't everything Hermione."

Hermione took in a deep, shuddering breath. "I know," she hissed almost silently, "but what I'm trying to say is she's remarkably skilled. She'll probably turned him into a real animal soon!"

"Sounds good to me! Four sickles and a knut on that happening."

"That's pretty much a given, Jim."

"Oh."

"Hey, guys?" Harry appeared at the changing room door. "Are you ready? We're about to go on."

There was a hasty scrambling for boots and brooms as the team ran for the door, Hermione packing up her stall quickly and heading for the stalls.

"I'll see you after the match- good luck!" she said to the whole team, beaming at them. "Oh, and Ron?"

"Yes?"

Hermione pulled Ron a little away from the others and reached up to kiss him. She took her time, and Harry had to fight the urge to whistle impatiently. Ron eventually joined then rather red and breathless. Hermione quickly shot away.

"OK," said Harry, feeling he ought to say something to his team before they faced their first match. "Do your best…and preferably win. We've got a great team and short of you all getting hit by bludgers, there's no way we shouldn't win. No pressure, Martha and Jim. OK, that's about it, let's go."

They marched out onto the pitch to a day fantastic for flying. The Gryffindors (and a fair few of the Ravenclaws, to Harry's surprise) let up a huge cheer as they walked out in a blaze of red robes. Ron went rather pink at the sight of Hermione (standing next to a rather excited Minnie) cheering at the top of her lungs.

"Feeling lucky, Ron?" Harry joked.

"Well, I figured," said Ron, explaining for the first time this year his permanent bout of confidence, "after saving the world and defeating the big bad evil, there wasn't much I couldn't do. That and-" his ears now looked more like Luna's radish earrings, "I got the girl and all."

Harry, not even having to suppress a laugh, gave Ron a hearty pack on back and let it rest at that, marching to the centre of the pitch like they'd done times before.

Madam Hooch addressed the crowds. "First match of the year, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Captains- shake hands!"

Harry moved forward and shook the hand of a tall, good-looking boy who reminded him a lot of Cedric Diggory. He had a patient, fair look about him, and didn't try to crush Harry's hand like the Slytherin captain used to do.

"Ready your brooms!"

The teams mounted. Hooch opened the box. There was a whistle, and they were off. Harry quickly darted off, eyes scanning for the snitch, keeping out of the way of Bludgers and high enough to see the rest of his team. Pairing Martha with Jimmy had been an excellent decision, while she wasn't strong enough to deal heavy blows to the opposing team, she was excellent at defending them and so far nothing had come within three metres of their team.

Ten minutes into the match, Ginny scored their first. Harry punched the air happily with his fist, but his excitement was shortly lived as a Bludger came spiralling towards him. Harry swiftly ducked.

"Sorry, Harry!" Martha shot through the air after it, "Missed that one."
"Never mind," Harry said quickly, "it happens." He turned his attention back to Hufflepuff's seeker, still scoring the air in search of the snitch, apparently till no avail.

"And that seems to be two to Gryffindor and –was that none?- sorry, none to Hufflepuff." Luna's voice echoed out of her podium. Harry still couldn't believe the school had brought her back as a commentator, but it was only on the strictest rules that she did actually, this time, give the scores.

"…which is a shame, because I think the team are all rather nice, don't you? Captain Will Twycross prides himself on fair play, and he's certainly got the team in very nice condition, but apparently, so has Gryffindor Captain Potter. Oh- by the way, Hufflepuff has the Quaffle now… young Ryder I think it is… is it?" she asked Professor Flitwick, who nodded fervently. "Yes, it is Ryder- no, sorry, Ginny Weasley has snatched it. She's awfully good, isn't she? I do like her- OH! That's going to hurt in the morning, or maybe now…"

At the sound of Ginny being hurt, Harry spun round, but she was all right, just a little stunned. One of the chasers from the other team had tackled her rather roughly, and was now even apologising as he handed the Quaffle to his teammate. Ginny seemed not to care- she was already hurtling after her.

As the Hufflepuff chaser streamed towards the goalposts, weaving in and out of her opponents, Thomas dived in front of her, causing her to turn at a bad angle, cornered by Gryffindors, and forced to throw it towards the smallest post. Ron did a terrific save.

"Looks like it's still two to Gryffindor then. They are such a lovely team! And the girls all really like gryffins but the boys seem rather afraid…The Hufflepuffs are very nice too, of course. One of them leant me his notes in class once… OH- did it go through that time? Two-three to Gryffindor."

Harry saw Ron curse himself. The Quaffle had been seized instantly by the Hufflepuff chasers and shot through the hoops before anyone could realise who'd got it. Harry had to admit the team were good.

A glint of gold sparked in the corner by Harry's eye. The Snitch! He looked around at the other seeker- but he was facing and entirely different direction. Harry seized his chance, diving at full speed towards the tiny ball. At once, Hufflepuff's seeker saw him move, but Harry was far ahead of him, his eyes fixed on the Snitch. As he raced, fingers outstretched, Harry thought how glorious it was to be back in the game, the wind in his hair, his prize within his grasp…

As Harry's hand closed around the glittering, beating ball, a terrific, deafening roar was let out. It took Harry a while to realise he was right next to the Gryffindor stand.

"Excellent game, Harry!" Hermione beamed from the stand.

"High-five, Harry!" Minnie reached out, near enough to fall, and clapped her tiny hand in his. Hermione, no doubt feeling it her duty, hastily pulled her back.

Harry, in an unusual elated mood, and just to humour his young admirer, did and impressive loop and swooped back down to the ground to his waiting, cheerful team.

Martha, who'd never played before, and Thomas, who'd never won before, had descended upon the rest of the team shaking hands and hugging them. Ron looked simply thrilled as Hermione joined them uncommonly fast and leapt up to kiss him. Ginny too, jumped into Harry as soon as she spotted him, but went off to congratulate everyone else instead of remaining by his side; Hermione and Ron looked like they might be that way all evening.

Harry excused himself to go shake Will's hand. The Hufflepuffs looked slightly miffed, by nevertheless not angry or disappointed. He happily shook Harry's hand.

"Good game that," he said cheerfully.

"Excellent game. Sorry we won and all. You had excellent chasers though- great teamwork."

"Thanks." Said Will, beaming from ear to ear. "Your seeker's damn good too, even he if has got glasses."

Both captains laughed and then went off with their respective teams.

"Harry!" Minnie, who'd joined the team with Hermione, leapt into Harry's arms, nearly knocking him to the floor. Harry, who'd never had a small girl jump into his arms before, reacted rather well and shifted her weight onto one side, patting her back as though this had been happening to him all his life. From the corner of his eye, Ginny smiled, for a reason neither of them really knew at the time.

"Come on, guys, let's go back to the common room."

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The Common Room, decked in Gryffindor banners and packed full of food, was a party the instant the team arrived there.

"Who did all this?" said Harry, looking at Hermione.

"Not me!" she said. "How could I? I was there the whole time."

"Professor George!" Minnie squealed, rushing over to her favourite teacher.

"Hey-Harry-Ginny-Ron-Hermione-Minnie-Gryffindors-and-Gryffindor-Team!" he said breathlessly. "Try the mini apple pies. They're delicious!"

"George- this is excellent!" Ron grabbed a plate and began to stack it gleefully, stuffing his mouth full of toffee. "'Hy id 'ou 'o it?"

"Pardon, foolish bad-eating little brother?"

Ron scowled. "Why did you do it?" he asked darkly, scanning everything he ate just in case in were some kind of new product.

"Out of love and devotion for you, Ronnie!" he clapped his hands dramatically. "Nah. I was too busy to get down to the match so I thought I'd whisked this up for you- knew you'd win, Harry." He slapped his back. "Now, if you excuse me…"

George, waddling slightly, tried to squeeze past them.

"George," Ginny stared at him suspiciously, "why have you got a squirrel's tail poking out of your trousers?"

"Yeah!" Ron tried not to laugh, "and why does your hair smell slightly singed?"

George shuddered as if recalling a painful memory and nervously turned back to face them. "It's not what you think-"

Hermione grinned slyly. "She got you twice, didn't she?"

"No!" he objected. "I merely went to ask her if she would get rid of my ears and monkey tail- and when I turned round she set my hair on fire! Didn't burn, but still… so I hexed her," he paused dramatically, forcing them to wonder what on earth he'd done to her, and then sighed, "but I missed. She was so annoyed she chased me out of her office with some rather powerful lightening charms."

"And the tail?"

"Ah," said George, ashamedly looking around, "well, it wasn't until a bunch of kids started laughing and pointing that I even realised she replaced it."

Without warning and with huge reason, Harry, Ron Ginny and Hermione burst out into tears of laughter.

"She beat you George- get over it!" Hermione wiped her eyes.

"Oh yeah?" said George with a mischievous glint in his eye. "We'll see."

.o0o.

Later that night when the party had died down and most of the younger years had already gone to bed, the four of them crept downstairs to the joint Common Room to meet Neville and Luna, grossly engaged in a game of chess. Strangely, they were the only ones there.

Harry propped himself down on the sofa and sighed.

"Hello, Harry." Luna looked up. "What's happening? You look thoughtful."

Harry sat up, rubbing his temples with a confused expression on his face.

"Harry?" Hermione looked interested.

"What's up, mate?"

"It's part of the fact that nothing's happening that makes me think." Said Harry eventfully, causing everyone's attention to fixed onto him. "I mean, I've been thinking about it for a while now, but it's hard to explain. I mean, there's always been dark wizards and witches and there's always been people to stop them… but not always enough. I mean, how many people were in the Order of the Phoenix? Thirty? How many of them died? Too many. And even when the threat is defeated, it never seems soon enough. There have always been too many loses."

There was a brief sad pause in remembrance, shared by the whole room, before Harry continued. "Which got me thinking about the DA. The DA was to teach students how to defend themselves –really defend themselves- against dark threats. I'm sure those lessons must have helped in the battle, so-"

"You want to bring back the DA?" said Neville excitedly.

Luna beamed. "Oh good, that shall be fun-"

"Not exactly. A few trained students aren't going to be enough for what I want to do."

"Which is?" Clearly, Ginny had been hanging onto his every word.

"I want to create a new order. A larger, tighter, better one. The Order of the Phoenix was too small, many members died in the first battle that weren't replaced, and they weren't ready as soon as they could be. Some of them weren't even trained. So what I want to do-" everyone leant in closer, "-is start it like the DA, but it's more serious than that. I want to train students and anyone who'll join how to fight, what to do, when to move- so that should any other dark wizard rise, there's an army waiting to defeat him."

"Harry- Harry, that's…" Hermione was speechless.

"That's bloody brilliant, that's what it is."

"Oddly enough, you took the words right out of my mouth, Ron." Said Ginny, grinning.

"But Harry," asked Luna dreamily, "apart from the thing with tooth decay, isn't that what Aurors are for?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, but Aurors are only trained to fight- highly trained to fight and catch dark wizards, but only trained nonetheless. And there aren't that many- it's a dangerous job. We need skills that not all Aurors are taught, we need people with knowledge of different fields, different practices- people high up in the ministry, people low down at Hogwarts- even people overseas…" Harry's voice quietened as he began to flesh out, in great detail, his plans. "…we'll start it off at Hogwarts too, there's no better place to learn, to develop skills- it'll be like the DA in that sense. But after we leave, we'll hand it down to somebody else to train, chose and teach."

"So, we start it up as a club?" Hermione questioned, "After school meetings and such?"

"No." said Harry firmly. "We start it off as serious as it is. We need people to know exactly what it's for- and we need people to be serious. It isn't any kind of duelling club, it's an Order."

"Maybe we'll start off with just the older years?"

Again, Harry shook his head. "Being older or younger wouldn't stop them being killed in the event of a Third War."

"Forth," Ron corrected humously, "George and Teatrina are the third."

Everyone chuckled momentarily and turned back to Harry.

"I doubt we'll have many young members anyway, but the wider and more diverse, the better. We need to leave some at Hogwarts all the time, after all."

Hermione smiled. "Then –apart from asking McGonagall- there's only one thing left to do."

"Which is?"

"Think of a name. Historically, all Orders are named after animals."

Harry shrugged. "Hadn't thought of that- but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We don't even know who'd want to join- most of the former DA members have left."

"Well, we've got six, it's a start." Remarked Neville.

"And after losing so much in the last war," Hermione sighed sadly, "I think a lot of people will be willing to join the Order led by the person who ended it all."

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A/N: There we go! I'll try and be quicker with the next upload, don't really like this chapter much but it was needed- and I suck at Quidditch.

Anyone think of a name for the Order?

Ten reviews, please.