Author's Rant:
Right. So a request from the author. If you have criticism, please frame it in a respectful and civilized manor. And for the love of all that is holy, if you have complaints. Have the guts to send it to me in a way that allows me to respond and defend myself. Do not send it from behind an untagged "Guest" comment.
On another note. Apparently it's been announced that Magical America in JKRs world is referred to as the Magical Congress of the United States of America. I will be sticking with the American Magical Senate for consistency. Still pretty cool.
Alright. One more things. For those of you who do not know, I posted a short one shot a while ago. I'd like to get more people's read on it. Warning: It is sad, and a bit bitter sweet. But I think it may be some of my better writings.
FINALLY This may be my last post for a while. The next section will likely be the most enjoyable, for you at least, but it is also the most complicated to write. Thus it will take a while to plan out right.
Chapter 27: Movement in the shadows.
Harry made a side trip following lunch, he wasn't particularly eager considering where this little venture would take him, but he saw no alternative if he wished to provide the members of the study group with wrist holsters. He grabbed Tonks before venturing into Knockturn, but it did little to make him feel safe.
The dingy alley was the warren of criminal enterprise, and shady businessmen. It was pretty much a sure bet that as soon as he entered that he would be recognized, and worse that his presence would be spread around. He tried the dealer who he'd bought from before, a squint eyed gentleman, though he used that last term loosely, who's small wand shop was only a few meters down from the entrance.
Unfortunately the man admitted somewhat reluctantly that he was out of them at that time. He then even more reluctantly, admitted that there was a second wand merchant further in. He seemed less than enthusiastic to point them in her direction but he ended up doing it for five galleons.
The merchant in question. A nice but nervous dark haired young woman who stammered a lot, provided them with holsters as promised, and even offered to have them fitted for him. But he decided it was best he declined and they left soon after.
It was back out on the main thoroughfare of Diagon that they met up with Hermione and the others. Hermione for her part was thoroughly engrossed in examining her new backup wand. She, Kara and Luna had gone to the wand maker after lunch. Luna and Kara to pick up a certain brand new Phoenix feather wand for the small blonde. Hermione to pick up the back up in question. "Hey Harry," She said, looking up somewhat reluctantly for the object she was turning over and over in her fingers. It looked suspiciously like a stiletto dagger to his eyes.
"That's your knew wand? It's practically a short sword!" He teased.
She nodded in wry agreement. "The core and shaft are built into the centre of the "blade" though it's actually meant to be an etching tool for runes, 12" steel handle and blade, with Redwood shaft, and a Coatl feather core." She said. "Apparently a collector has been having trouble with commissions lately, he provides the oddest materials, and then orders strange makeups for the wands and then they don't take to him." She explained. "This was one of his. Apparently, Kara's backups is also one of them." She elaborated. "I had to look it up," She said picking up a book out of a bag beside her and waggling it a bit at him, "A Coatl, is one of the creatures the ancient Aztecs worshipped as gods, apparently they're incredibly rare now. But they were supposed to embody wisdom and knowledge back in the day," She said sounding pleased, Harry thought that sounded about perfect for Hermione.
"What are they like?" Harry asked, curious as he helped her to her feet, and led her towards the pub. They were gathering soon to leave back for Hogwarts. He'd never heard of Coatl either.
She shook her head chagrined "No idea, the book refers to them as feathered serpents, but mentions that no one they were about to talk to had ever seen one, just found the occasional feather." She said mildly frustrated by the tiny amounts of information available on the topic.
He nodded understanding "Ah well, I'm sure if anywhere has a text with more details on Coatls it's Hogwarts." Harry comforted.
She nodded hopefully, somewhat cheered by the thought.
—-
After saying their goodbyes to friends and family alike. They flooed back to Hogwarts. None of the students save Fred and George were licensed to apparate so arrangements were made to get them all home as it were. Harry once again shot out of the fireplace and nearly killed himself on nearby furniture. He was just getting to his feet, nodding to Hermione for her assistance, when a politely cleared throat caught his attention.
Dumbledore was standing to the side, for once not positioned behind his large stately desk. Harry inclined his head politely. "Yes Headmaster?"
"I do apologize for encroaching on your time, but I would like to request you stay for a moment to talk Harry, there are…matters which concern you I'd like to discuss." He offered smoothly. He peered about at the others expectantly. "The rest of you are of course free to leave?"
The other's with the exception of Hermione, Kara, Luna and Tonks took the none too subtle hint and got out. Harry indicated those who had remained. "I'd appreciate it if these three were allowed to stay."
Dumbledore hesitated only momentarily then nodded his ascent. "Of course, it is not so much a secret in this case, as business that is semi-personal in nature." he agreed cautiously. "I merely wished to inform you that the trial concerning your sc—former schoolmates will be held next saturday among other things."
Harry cocked his head to listen. "Such as?"
Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid it appears, our enemy is moving out in the open again Harry. He attacked a wizarding hamlet in Yorkshire earlier today."
Harry nodded stiffly in understanding "I just wished to ensure that you were not—taking these defeats at his hands personally. It was only a matter of time before he began boldly attacking our people." Dumbledore offered hopefully.
Harry ignored that for the moment. "How many killed?"
"None this time, though there will be lingering pains and grief for some time, many homes were burned down. And many were injured." The Headmaster noted.
Harry sighed shaking his head ruefully." I understand, it doesn't make it any easier to hear though."
Dumbledore tilted his head in agreement "Of course….there is however one last matter I desired to discuss with you…"
Harry turned slightly towards the elder wizard. "Oh?"
Dumbledore nodded pacing around his desk and tapping his finger on it thoughtfully. "It concerns this…study group of yours?" He admitted. "Do you have everything you need in order to run it?"
Harry shrugged uncertain where the headmaster was going with this. "There's always more you want in cases like this. But I think we're managing pretty well." He defended.
Dumbledore bobbed his head in understanding. "Good. I did however have a thought which might…aid you in your endeavours."
Harry was admittedly fairly surprised at this response. Dumbledore continued oblivious to Harry's surprise. "It occurred to me that such groups often benefit from a sense of unity or camaraderie." He shrugged. "In the case of most clubs and student formed groups, this would mean the creation of banners, badges, pamphlets and friendly competitions." He explained.
"However it occurs to me that a—group which bands together for the explicit purpose of educating and protecting it's members during a time of war might require something…more," He ventured.
He turned to consider Harry seriously. "I discussed it with the heads of houses, and though they were not necessarily eager to support what I am about to suggest. They were willing to support it regardless, if only in the interest of experimentation…." Dumbledore murmured prodding a small device on his desk.
Harry considered him cautiously. "What are you suggesting?"
Dumbledore paused and watched the young man thoughtfully. "You are uncommonly familiar with the layout of the castle are you not?" He asked.
Harry shrugged noncommittal, "I know it fairly well yes." He agreed.
Dumbledore smiled fondly at the boys modesty "As you know this school was designed in a time during which Wizarding bloodlines and families had not been so depleted as they have been in the last century…As such it has a great deal more space than is actually regularly used by staff and students. You are familiar with several of these more…abandoned regions of the school I believe."
Harry nodded and recited a few. "The third floor corridor still hasn't been reopened, the east wing is unused, the north tower is only half occupied, the guest compound on the north side is empty except for events such as the Tri-wizard tournament. There is also the guest tower, the third basement, and the armoury tower which are all unused."
Dumbledore smiled in agreement. "Indeed. In times gone by all would have been positively bustling. But I should explain my point in this…" He considered then continued. "I would like to offer you the Guest Tower to use for your group." he explained.
"I understand you have found a suitable training area somewhere already?" he asked, Harry simply nodded, clearly not wishing to clue in the Headmaster to the fact they were using the room of requirement. "However I thought you might appreciate classrooms, and perhaps even separate quarters?"
This finally elicited a more open response from Harry who gaped at him a bit. "You mean…Like moving the group out of their houses?" He asked.
The headmaster nodded, pleased at the response. "Yes, indeed and not something I believe has been done before." He noted pointedly.
Harry considered this turn of events. He was, especially since his rebirth, no fool. Dumbledore, despite his benign words had a game here he was certain. But he was not blind to the fact that the suggestion was not without merit for it's own reasons.
Harry nodded warming to the idea. "The guest tower will take some time to clear out but…perhaps it would be better for it to be left to us to handle? A bit of a group effort?" he noted.
Dumbledore indicated acceptance. "If that is what you wish."
He turned his attention back to his friends. "What do you guys think?"
"I don't see how it could hurt really…well other than possible backlash from the other houses." Kara noted. "they might feel like you're being favoured…"
"I think it might be a good idea, if only to allow us more time to teach and learn" Hermione added.
Luna had a question though. "Will I still get to share a room with Kara?" She asked shyly.
"If that's what you two want, I don't see why not." Harry agreed.
Tonks sighed theatrically, drawing eyes to her. "Bloody hell I'm going to be busy the next while, making sure a whole bloody tower is secure. Do you have any idea how long it is going to take me to ward that many windows and doors?" She complained goodnatured.
Harry took this to mean the others all generally agreed with the idea. he turned to consider the headmaster. He might not know the old man's game just yet. But he'd figure it out. "We'll take it."
—-
Sarah Blackwood doubled over, as the air whooshed from her lungs painfully, courtesy of a harshly delivered knee to her midsection.
"And why did you not send for us the moment he entered the shop?" Hissed the Death Eater angrily.
She coughed, trying to ward him off with her hands. "I couldn't I—"
Her sentence was cut off by another blow which took her off her feet. "Lies!" he spat.
"Enough Mulciber, let her talk" Yaxley instructed firmly, leaning idly on the edge of her office desk.
She took a couple rough breaths before attempting to speak again. "I couldn't not with them right there in front of me. You can see the case I've got all the wrist holsters right there." She argued, pointing towards the shop front.
"You should have made an excuse!" Mulciber argued unappeased.
Her frustration and fear got the better of her. "Like what? Sorry I just need to step out for a moment to call my Death Eater overlords?"
"Watch your tongue girl or I will cut it out." He snapped stepping towards her again.
"I called okay! I called, as soon as I could do it without drawing attention. I knew you'd be upset if I didn't!"
"You're right, if you hadn't you'd be dead now." The Death Eater said, sounding almost disappointed.
"Ease up Mulciber, she did as instructed." Yaxley suggested sounding bored.
"Not good enough. If we'd been here a few minutes sooner."
Yaxley rolled his eyes. "We would have landed in an alley full of Order members anyways if our spy is telling the truth." He noted irritably.
"We could have handled them!" The other man argued bitterly.
He shrugged, unmoved by the man attitude. "Perhaps, or perhaps you would be dead. Or perhaps he would have escaped anyways. You know how slippery the boy is…"
Mulciber considered this then spat on the floor beside her. "Fine. What do we do with this one?"
"You've successfully conveyed the Dark Lord's displeasure I think…" Yaxley argued.
Mulciber delivered another kick to her midsection as Sarah struggled to rise and the other man sighed wearily. "Yes, quite. As I was saying all is left is to ensure this does not happen again."
"Fine, I'll leave that to you shall I, I've wasted enough time today on this whore." Mulciber snarled before he stalked out.
Yaxley waited until he was sure the other man had departed before he crouched beside Sarah who was weeping on the floor. He paused to consider her for a moment before he grabbed her hair roughly and jerked her head so she's looking at him. "If you fail again, it will not be us delivering warnings." He murmured dangerously. "You shall be lucky if you are merely dead. You understand?" he asked.
She nodded, though the movement was impeded somewhat by his fist being bunched in her hair. "I understand."
"Good." Murmured Yaxley chuckling. "You see, Fenrir has been looking forward to meeting you, I hope to deprive that freak of the privilege hmmm?" His true meaning was clear enough.
"So, let me be perfectly clear… Next time, if there is one, I don't care if he's standing right in front of you and looking you in the eye you find a way to get word to us. Quickly. Understood?"
She nodded weakly as he released her "Yes. Lord Yaxley."
He smiled coldly. "Good"
He got up dusting himself off a bit and left. As for Sarah she lay there for close to half an hour, just aching, before she finally had the strength to struggle to her feet. As she did though only one thought managed to permeate her pain addled mind. Would this nightmare ever end?
—-
Two Days Later:
Hermione was, she had to admit liking the new Harry quite a bit, his confidence was infectious, and their were already whispers travelling through the school about "Potter's Private Army". Not only that he'd taken to kissing her wherever and just about whenever, he pleased. Meaning just about the whole school knew about them.
It totally made up for the occasional death glares she got during her time about the school. And made her lack of success finding details on the Coatl seem a minor concern. She'd searched the library's shelves on North and South American magical creatures. The best she'd been able to get was a vague translation from an Aztec cartouche which suggested that the term serpent in this context might translate more accurately as reptile.
The excitement leading up to monday was almost palpable. Not only was Harry's study group official going to be born that day, but it had been announced James Miller was beginning a two week long set of full day class. Their year, and their section was going to get to go first. So it was that they found themselves on monday waiting outside the doors to the DA DA classroom. As usual It was a couple minutes before the Professor hurried up. The poor man seemed to suffer from an inability to read clocks. "Hello everyone," he greeted apologetically. "We're gonna have a long day today, but I've got a couple things lined up to help us make it more fun." He said smiling crookedly as he unlocked the door and they filed into the room. Hermione noted that he had set up a large projector and screen at the front of the class. She and Harry, who she stood arm in arm with made their way to the front of the class and sat themselves in their usual seats.
James smiled and nodded to Harry in a way that struck Hermione as a bit rueful. The man took to leaning against the edge of his desk which had been moved off to the side. "I had an interesting conversation with Charity the other evening, Professor Burbage that is." He corrected himself. "We were discussing the curriculum for Muggle studies, in case it wasn't obvious I know a little more about Muggles than is typical for a Professor here." He pointed out. "And the topic of Muggle History came up. Now, I'm gonna ask a question of the pure and halfblooded here, with the exception of Harry," He said giving an apologetic look. "It's an experiment of sorts, so bear with me. Now then those of you who took Muggle Studies, what is the last event covered in the section about their history?" He asked and pointed Daphne who had raised her hand.
She cocked her head curiously at him. Clearly wondering where he was going with this. "The signing of the resource compact between Gellert Grindlewald and Adolf Hitler." She said promptly.
He nodded agreeing. "Okay, just curious now, what do they tell you about Adolf Hitler?" He asked. Hermione could practically taste the answers she knew were coming. This might prove a bit amusing.
"He was interested in conquering some other nations?" Offered Seamus.
"He was German?" Said Parvati.
"He was bad man?" Tracy offered hesitantly.
That last one in particular had James looking like he wanted to smack his face on the nearest hard surface, and he was shaking his head ruefully. Hermione felt his pain. Listening to Magicals talk about Muggles was always bad. Even , a well intentioned man who supposedly made his career working with and studying muggles, viewed them as little more than a sort of eccentric bunch of hooligans. But to hear the other students so inadequately describe such pivotal time?
"Okay, first of all, while he did indeed lead the nation of Germany in a war of conquest, he was not himself German born, he was Austrian, and to say he was a bad man is a cataclysmic understatement." He said frowning, Parvati blushed embarrassed.
He pulled the chalk board forward and wrote a series of figures. 65-85 Million, 7 Million, and 7.5 Billion. He pointed to the first one. "In the six years of war instigated by Adolf Hitler, roughly sixty-five to eighty-five million people were killed, a large portion of them civilians." he growled. The students blinked owlishly at him. He then pointed to the second number. "Of this number seven million were specifically targeted by Hitler for systematic annihilation. Just because they were born into a religious minority." He said. He pushed the board back a bit. "Between the years of 1939-1945, possibly as many as eighty-five million, living, breathing, dreaming people died, and the wizarding world all but failed to notice. I looked it up, in two hours of searching the schools archives there are precisely twelve mentions of the conflict known as world war two, eight of them detail property damage claims, two involve Grindlewald's Compact, and two involve wizards and witches killed in a bomb blast when a bomb landed in the street across from the Ministry. Otherwise I couldn't find anything." He said tiredly.
"The Muggles as you call them, waged a war that killed three percent of the world's population of two billion seventy-million people in just six years and what? Nobody noticed?" He asked skeptical. "Am I the only one who thinks that is wrong?" He asked rhetorically, then sighed and hung his head a little shaking it when he received stunned silence in response. "I have a video to show you it's two hours long, it will give you a basic run down on World War II." He said and pushed the board to the side he had the lights extinguished and set up the projector.
"Now I have an assignment for you before I start the video. Ask yourself what the population of the muggle world is now, and ask yourself what they might be capable of now, if they could do what you see in this video nearly eighty years ago." He requested then used the remote to start the video.
Hermione and Harry had both seen such videos often enough in their home lives, or at school back in the muggle world. The others were not prepared for what they saw, in a number of ways. First was the fact they couldn't talk to the moving pictures. That required James pausing and explain rather exasperatedly how these things worked to sort it out. Second was the gruesomeness of some of what was depicted. Particularly the feeds from the Nazi death camps. Then was some of the things they did not know Muggles were capable of or simply never thought about. Two hours later and it was just about time to break for lunch.
"Okay now I ask you to answer those questions I asked before." He began and once again appeared disappointed that so many appeared unable to answer. "Fine I'll answer, the answer to the population question was right here on the board the entire time." He said pointing to the last number on the board. The answer to the other is simply put, much, much more than what you saw in the video. Well touch on that in a later class. Now I don't mean to rip on you guys too much it is after all not entirely your fault you are ignorant of muggles. It is however something which needs rectifying," He said sternly. "So here I'll stop and ask you for questions."
It was Seamus who spoke first. "How fast do those muggle flying machines go?" He asked, the boy was a bit of a sports fanatic. Especially Quidditch.
"The ones you saw fighting each other in the air?" James asked to clarify. Seamus nodded. "Nearly seven hundred Kilometres-per-hour, at the high end." The students muttered that was many times faster than even the best brooms could manage nowadays.
"What about those big ships, how big were they exactly?" Neville asked.
"Nearly three hundred meters in the case of the big ones." James replied.
"And this was fought all over the world?" Tracey asked.
"Yes, on every continent save north and south America or Antarctica." James agreed nodding.
Seamus had his hand up again. "I'm wondering, bloody hell, if they could do that then what can they do now?" He said darkly.
To everyones surprise Zambini raised his hand in back. "I wonder why nobody told us the Muggles could wipe an entire fucking city with a bomb." He said glowering.
James just smiled grimly. "The answer to your so eloquently phrased question Mr Zabini is that quite frankly the magical world considers itself superior and above the mundane one. Muggles are barbarians in the opinions of many and thus are beneath notice." He explained sourly. The majority of the class looked some variety of chagrined or another about this.
"To be fair how much do the Muggles know about us?" Zambini countered.
James nodded. "I thought that question might be asked, and to answer that question i'll ask the muggleborns and Harry, what they know." He said.
Harry thought about it before answering. "The average Muggle, next to nothing, I can't speak to the governments and the militaries though…" he noted.
Hermione agreed leaning forward. "That's about right, the average muggle only knows about magic through old myths and legends or through what's in fantasy books." She said nodding. "And even that's not very accurate…"
James nodded. "May I ask you all something then, what is the statute of secrecy?" He asked. Hermione's arm twinged a little from raising her arm too fast. She blushed a little at her own eagerness to answer. But James pointed to her anyways, smiling.
"The statute of secrecy is the set of laws prohibiting the magical world from revealing itself to the greater muggle society." She said simply.
"Why?" James asked. "If Muggles are barbarians, what does it matter if they know about us?" He asked.
"Because there's a bloody fuck ton of them, and only a few of us," Zambini said.
"True…" James allowed reluctantly. "What if I told you that as far as their governments and militaries are concerned the statute is now irrelevant?" He asked curious. "What if I told you it's too little, too late." He asked.
The class was deadly silent considering that. Hermione's brain was turning over as fast as it could interpreting his meanings. "Then, I think we should start by asking, just how much they know about us?" Hermione asked.
"Assume they, the government and military that is, know virtually everything," James instructed.
Hermione nodded considering that. "Then I would ask what do we do about it, and what do they intend to do with this knowledge?" She noted Harry was nodding agreement.
"They have forces training for the possibility of war with magicals, but they aren't stupid, they know magicals have been here all along, by and large, so why should they move against magicals, especially so long as they desire to remain in the shadows? Not only that, they know war with Magicals would be catastrophically bloody. As to what can magicals do about it? Nothing, they have entire divisions being educated about the magical world. Here, and abroad," He said solemnly.
Luna raised her hand, ignoring the questioning looks she was getting as her new pet clambered up onto her shoulder chuckling. "Then, I say we live in peace, we've done it thus far, if they aren't making the first move beyond preparing why should we?" She said surprisingly lucid sounding.
"What if I told you there is a faction among them that believes that it is better to avoid war. A majority faction in fact? What if I told you they were preparing programs to encourage mutual understanding between Magical governments and Muggle governments, what if I told you I was part of one such program?" he asked and the class sat in stunned silence.
He smiled. "I am a special contractor hired by a muggle military for the purposes of outreach to the next generation of the Magical world. I am here to teach you about them, and then I am to go back their and teach them about you. I'm here to tell you funny stories about the time I had lunch with a muggle general and his dog ran off with his steak, and then go back there and tell him about the time a kid accidentally inflated a frog until it was the size of a car. What if I was to let you know, that they are in some cases hiring magicals with the intent of integrating them into their own military forces?" He asked smiling.
"They have witches and wizards working in military units?" Harry asked intrigued beside her. Hermione could see the strategist in him updating estimates and tactical plans, though she doubted he realized that was just what he was doing.
James nodded glad Harry understood. "Yes, they are integrating witch and wizard squad members into their most elite and covert teams, now where they have snipers and heavy weapons specialists, they also have battle mages, as they refer to them in America, or Arcane Specialists as they call them in Britain and Canada.
Now, this was actually in response to encountering hostile magicals in their invasion of Afghanistan a few years ago. Afghanistan lacks any sort of organized magical government, so, the magicals there rely heavily on the communities they live near. So when a squad of American Soldiers rolls into an Afghan town and people the witch or wizard know as their neighbours fight the Americans? What do they do? They rise up with them. The magical divisions in both the Muggle governments and the ICW are working overtime to keep this from throwing the knowledge of magicals wide open." He said nodding. "It is a struggle of course. The average citizen is becoming far more savy at infiltrating military and government grade encryption, the governments have had to take their records of the magicals world back to pen and paper, to prevent it falling into public hands." He noted dryly. Then threw up his hands. "I'm rambling and you guys look hungry I'm gonna throw on a movie for you all to watch while you eat…But I wan't you all thinking on all this over the next few days."
It turns out that Wizards like popcorn just as much as the next person, it also turns out popcorn and an action flick were just as much fun for them as for muggles. It took a minute to get the rowdy class settled before James could speak. "Okay, the second part of the class is going on, down in one of the storage bunkers in the dungeons." He said. "So if you lot could follow me, we can get started."
Hermione, though she would deny it later if asked, watched Harry's bottom basically the whole way down into the dungeon, and then even further down, into the storage warehouses for the school. They were led into a secondary chamber and found a room full of tables piled high with equipment. James had them all assemble in front of the door as he picked up a device which looked suspiciously gun-like to Hermione. He smiled broadly. "I've been looking for a way to teach you lot what it's like to fight like muggles without, you know, getting you all killed." He said smiling happily.
"Which is why I got permission to set up this arena and get these…" He hoisted one of the devices. "Paint ball guns," He said looking supremely pleased with himself. Hermione was decidedly dubious, this sounded like something the guys were going to enjoy more than most of the girls to her.
"Now then, I should explain this isn't a normal paintball gun, nor are these regular paintballs. The gun's magazine has been modified to replicate the paintballs, a fun proposition to figure out without turning them into a cornucopia engine and filling the castle with the things. They only replicate paintballs. Period. Now as for the paintballs themselves, you remember those paralysis potions Snape had you mass producing a few classes back?" Hermione and the others who had been in that class got surprised looks on there faces. "We put that into the paintballs and modified the balls themselves with charms and runes." He explained. "Now they work a little differently. Instead of just general paralysis they paralyze dependently on where they strike. If they take you in the chest or head, you get total paralysis until the match is over of everything except your vital organs." He explained. "This simulates death,"
"If you get hit in the gut you get a slow acting total paralysis, to simulate a gut wound. Limbs get independently paralyzed if they are struck. Now here's something interesting we included, women actually have a single small advantage added into the spell work. Something which Professor Mcgonagall took a disturbing amount of enjoyment figuring out the spell work for." He said wryly, then proceeded to shoot Dean Thomas in the crotch. The boy went over like a log. Hermione and the other stared at the fallen boy. "Boys get disabled by crotch shots, girls only get partial paralysis of the legs." He explained. He thumbed a rune stone he picked up off the table and Dean awakened. "Now you all maybe be going, "But sir, why'd you goin' shoot Dean in the bollux?" He asked in a terrible impression of a British accent. He got a look which could only be described as "Dark Glee".
"Because, despite numerous warnings from staff, I caught Dean here getting overly handsy with a red-haired girlfriend over the lunch break, in violation of the rules regarding public displays of affection. So he needed a reminder not to think with his crotch, or he'll only end up hurting himself and possibly others…" He glared at the now sullen teen.
"So here's what's going to happen, you lot go put on some armour so you don't get so covered in welts you can't move, and then I'll hand out the guns." He directed.
Hermione was understandably hesitant, she'd never thought she'd have to play paintball for a school assignment. But she lined up dutifully and picked out gear with everyone else. Harry was looking intrigued and excited both. She wasn't sure she found that encouraging or not. Hermione found it interesting to note, most of the guys were shedding there cloaks and strapping there armour on over their pants and shirts, Where the girls were actually preferring to secure their chest plates over top of the robes. She followed this trend in the hope that keeping the robes would help to protect against bruising.
Harry had at least pulled on his robe over top his own chest plate, she wondered if he had noted the same trend as she had…and also hoped, quite despite herself of course, that she looked as good in armour as he did.
She sidled over to him and whispered while the others finished gearing up. "You know, I can't tell if this is going to be fun or not." She said uncertainly.
"Probably fun, at least at first," He noted happily. "But knowing James a little better now, I'd bet he has something else coming," He said smiling in anticipation. Guys were crazy, Hermione decided, even the really cute ones she was in love with.
James got the guns handed out, with a warning to Dean that shooting the teacher was strictly against the rules. "Okay, first match is a free for all, I'll describe the rules for other matches as we come to them." He said, "Now get out there and wander a bit and wait for the bell to ring before you start shooting." He instructed. "Oh yeah, first for those of you who don't know guns, this end points at the target and to fire it you pull this trigger," He said pointing to various parts, then dragging the door open…into a maze. She heard Harry groan a little.
"You know, I kinda hate mazes. I can't imagine why." He grumbled sarcastically, he then paused before he turned and planted a small kiss on her cheek and darted off into the maze.
"Well that's not distracting at all," She mumbled happily before picking a different spoke of the maze and wandering off.
Paintball was to Hermione's unending shock…fun. A lot of irreverent, pulse pounding fun. The first match went, to Hermione's shock, to her. Harry had apparently been avoiding her, because he couldn't bring himself to shoot her, gallant idiot that he was and in the end she had to shoot him to end the match. A turn of events he took surprisingly well, even though he took a ribbing from the other guys about it. For taking the first win of the day, James gave her ten points to Gryffindor.
The second round was a team death match as James called it, a somewhat worrisome title until he explained it. It was easily twice as much fun as the first had been, James placed her and Harry on the same side, stating a desire to see how the "dream team" functioned. They also shared a team with Luna and Kara. The rest were set to various sides randomly. The match went, apparently to no ones surprise, judging by the reactions following the match, to them. Hermione got to stand back to back with Harry as he carved a path through the other team, who apparently had no idea how to work together. Well, with the exception of Daphne and Tracey.
Luna and Kara apparently worked well as a team, though it was highly vexing to hear, Luna's high voice call out about an aura approaching, hear the rattling hiss of Kara's gun, and the cursing of another student. Occasionally she heard just the first two, followed by Luna complaining loudly about wrackspurts.
The third round was a variation of the first, Harry and Hermione were on the same team, but Harry was paired with Luna, and Hermione with Kara, to change the dynamic, James also made a point to point out the way team work was shifting the tide and assigned everyone else to pairs. It went well, but Kara was a little terrifying to fight beside, the girl was sort of like bottled mayhem, she took to jumping barricades and running along the tops of walls, hooting and hollering constantly. Hermione got tagged in the shoulder that match but had fun despite the stinging sensation.
The fourth round, was a new game plan, James set up a pair of flag stands for capture the flag. Harry and Hermione were on opposite teams and were both paired with people they weren't used to working with, Pavrati and Padma respectively. Harry's team won, Hermione's team apparently couldn't cooperate it's way out of a wet paper bag as nobody bothered to try and protect their flag and left it completely undefended.
It was the fifth round where James threw in the monkey wrench, another "team", who being automata manufactured by Macgonagall and Flitwick apparently knew the game backwards and forwards. They got destroyed. The other students forgot everything they had learned as soon as the new team took down the first couple pairs. In the end it was just Harry and Hermione. Hermione got tagged and went down, and then Harry, now alone in enemy territory got swarmed, and turned into metaphorical hamburger.
James was mildly grumpy during the intermission between rounds. "Okay, what happened there?" he asked dryly.
Hermione offered a hand. "Harry and I, were all alone on their half of the field there at the end. I know that for sure…" She said rubbing were she'd gotten tagged.
James nodded, "That's 'cuz the rest of you lot forgot to work together when the scary "robots" showed. I'm betting the reason Harry and Hermione managed was because they've worked before under stress." He noted. "So now that you know what you did wrong, what are you going to do differently?" he asked.
"Stick with our partner?" Pavrati answered sheepishly, Hermione noticed Luna was rubbing at her face mask trying to get all the purple gook off it. The Snorckack chortling at her from the sidelines.
The final match went much better but they still lost, Harry and Hermione, working with Luna and Kara, managed to fight their way to the flag before the rest of the team got overwhelmed this time, Kara and Luna got picked off near the end, and Harry and Hermione were nearly back to their flag, when the automata ran their own flag in for a score.
"Well you all lived up to my expectations, we'll be using this facility occasionally throughout the year as you come to better understand tactics, and we'll introduce various other factors throughout. Now because you guys won me a bet about how fast you would adapt to new conditions, each of you grab a can of soda from the cooler in the corner, and then pull up a chair." He said smiling. He waited until they made it back to their chairs. "So, what did you learn today?"
Harry responded. "Working together is better than working apart."
James nodded. "what else?"
"Stick with your partner." Hermione said panting a little from all the running.
"Paintballs to the bollux hurt," Dean grumbled.
"Yes, I'd file that under, don't get handsy with the girlfriend Dean," James said severely, then sighed. "Ah well your all tired, I say get yourselves sorted for dinner and head out. Well see you next class. Harry, need to talk with you." He said firmly.
Their notably exhausted and beat up DA DA section took their seats about the hall, still covered in potions in places and wearing great big grins on their faces. Predictably they got swarmed by their fellows and spent more of dinner explaining what had happened in the all day class. The staff were kind enough to wait until their group finished dinner before beginning announcements. An obviously amused Dumbledore stood and the hall quieted. "Ah, excellent, it appears our Defence against the Dark Arts project has gone over well." He said and waited for the cheering to die down.
"This is part of an endeavour to improve student fitness as well as their more traditional test scores." He said amiably. "We are hopeful you will all take full advantage of this new action plan. However that is the not the only thing we wish to discuss with you tonight, a new student run initiative has been founded." He said and the rest of the student body quieted in interest. "This initiative is being run by Harry Potter to support a Defence against the Dark Arts tutoring group he has founded. Any student may apply as I understand it, however slots within the club are in high demand…" He noted.
"So haste would be advisable for any who may desire to apply. "The initiative will be housed in the Northern Guest Tower. When I say housed I mean this in the literal sense, members of the initiative will in fact inhabit that tower as their primary domicile for the remainder of the school year. This is in the interest of forming an attitude of esprit de corps among it's members. If you should wish to join the initiative you must apply directly to the head of the Initiative, Harry Potter," He said firmly. "Harry if you'd be willing to come to the front of the hall and explain the purpose of this Initiative?" Albus requested politely. Harry rolled his eyes only a little before pushing to his feet and marching to the front of the hall. He pointed his wand at his throat murmuring Sonorous, before beginning to speak.
"This initiative as it's been called until decided otherwise, serves the purpose of helping teach students to defend themselves, beyond that? It truly is not that complicated. Were teaching people to fight to protect themselves and their families from Death Eaters and the like. We're creating a community of sorts in the interest of allowing everyone to get to know each other as they would in a house. If you have any questions maybe seek me out," He said simply before cutting the spell amplifying his voice and stepping down and nodding to Dumbledore.
—-
It was following that speech in the great hall that their first surprise of the week came. Harry heard an unfortunately familiar voice call his name and turned to look. There standing a bit uncertainly with a suitcase was Draco Malfoy. Finally returning from his suspension.
Harry for his part was uncertain he would have been as forgiving as the teachers in this regard. But it was ultimately up to them. "Yes, Malfoy?"
The boy looked very reluctant. "I—I request a parlay with you?" He suggested.
Harry's eyebrows rose somewhat at that terminology. He looked to Tonks. "Means he's looking to talk without risk of either of you firing spells." She admitted as she shrugged.
He nodded thoughtfully and descended the steps to the entrance hall and stood at a respectful distance from the other youth. "Yes?"
Draco drew himself up as straight as he could, but couldn't hide the worry. "Do to…shifting political conditions." He began, clearly trying not to wince as he noticed the number of students who had stopped to watch. "It has become clear that House Malfoy cannot conscience continuing the feud declared by myself between our two houses. As such…" He swallowed thickly. "As such, I formally offer my Houses unconditional surrender in this matter. The feud is ended. So mote it be."
Harry considered him for a moment then nodded. "Very well then. I have no stipulations for you beyond this. Next time you do such a thing I will not assume it is merely youthful exuberance. Something I admit to being guilty of on occasion. Next time I'll know you know better…And will not be so forgiving. Are we understood?"
"We are Lord Potter." Malfoy admitted reluctantly.
"Very well, I shall leave you to your business then shall I?" Harry turned to leave.
Malfoy for his part was conflicted. He couldn't decide in the end which was more disconcerting the lack of concern Potter showed for the whole affair, the way the Smith girl had leered at him with that damn skull glamour of hers before turning away or the small creature perched on Luna's shoulder chuckling and growling at him as they walked away.
Harry barely made it to the top of the stairs when another voice called his name. He had to fight the urge to roll his eyes or sigh. It seemed everybody wanted a piece of him today.
But when he turned it was to the pleasant surprise that it had been Professor Babbling calling him. "Mister Potter, I just wanted to tell you," She began jogging up. It seemed a few of the staff had adopted Professor Millers frenetic style of locomotion. "I received the contract from Gringotts and it has been signed and delivered. I just wanted to thank you again for the opportunity being provided. I look forward to working with you." She said happily.
He smiled in return. The woman's genuine enthusiasm for her work was infectious. "I look forward to it too. I'll send along one of the tomes so you can look it over. Do you have time after next class to look one over with me?" He asked.
She nodded hurriedly. "Of course. Just come meet me after class and we'll begin."
Harry watched as she strode away. "Well you always did tell me that Ancient Runes would be worth my while…I just didn't expect it to be this true." He noted ruefully to Hermione.
She smiled, and pecked him on the cheek. "I'll refrain from telling you I told you so." She said chuckling.
—-
That week was fairly quiet otherwise. With the exception of two events. First was the next study group meeting that same evening.
They all returned to the room of requirements which was in it's new configuration. They did their warm up routine and met on the mats.
"Voldemort." Harry stated simply as they all gathered, and watched the shivers run around the room. "You'd better all get used to me saying that name, I'll be using it regularly." He warned. "Using something's proper name can lend you a measure of power over your fear of it." He asserted firmly. "How'd you like to be getting the gibblies in the middle of the fight when someone says his name?" He asked rhetorically. "Okay, expelliarmus like last time, and I reckon everyone should be broke into pairs again, I'll take a look at all of you, as you work." He watched as the group divided up. Neville ended up with someone new to practice against this time, Harry had fond memories of this from last time, and already he was picking out the likely lieutenants. Daphne was a clear leader of the pack in addition to those he already had, though he was loathe to think of them as such, Fred and George, when they could be convinced to focus on something other than messing with other members, could be pretty good too.
He knew Neville had it in him to be incredible, he'd proved that last time, so he was pleased that he was making some headway with Luna and his new wand. He also noticed both the Patil siblings seemed to have a good idea what they were doing. When they weren't preoccupied with wrangling the other twins whom they were once again paired with.
It struck him as odd that the most talented students list was heavily skewing toward the females. He double checked his findings after he went around the room handing out advice, but encountered no significant change in those estimates despite the general improvement of spell work all around. He finally got almost everyone to the point they weren't routinely sending random objects around the room, or causing hair to stand on end instead of tearing people wands from their hands.
He grabbed Hermione and Kara who were practicing well together today, and put his head together with them getting opinions as they stood and observed. He had the sneaking suspicion that this lesson was going better than last time, he couldn't be sure what he was doing differently. He put it down to him having more experience teaching than last time.
And also admitted it might have to do with the fact that this time he wasn't focused on Cho Chang who was thankfully not among their number despite her return to the school earlier that day. He had the girls observe while he made another pass through the ranks. "So what do you think?" He asked.
Hermione considered it. "I'd definitely keep and eye on Daphne, she's got the most raw talent I'd say, Tracey's not bad." She said shrugging. "Neville…I think he's got it in him somewhere, and your memories suggest he does," She noted quietly.
Kara shrugged. "Fred and George might surprise us we put them in charge of a dirty tricks squad or something, I don't know, I want to see them all do something other than disarming." She decided and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"We need more data," Hermione agreed.
"Then lets get it," Harry said and stepped down into the class. "All right you lot, listen up!" He bellowed grabbing everyone's attention, a couple wands clattered to the floor. "I'm looking to perform a test of mettle. I need volunteers, to cast a stunning spell at me." He cast a cushioning spell on himself. "Hermione, you know how to run an enervation?" He asked and she nodded, looking slightly offended that he even needed to ask, until he chuckled and she realized he was teasing her. Which earned playful swat for his efforts "Ok, like I said, volunteers," He called. Daphne, Luna, Fred, George, Ginny and surprisingly Neville stepped forward.
Daphne predictably had him on his back immediately, Luna had to give it two tries but managed it, Ginny did as well, Fred did but George didn't instead merely spinning Harry around each time the spell connected, and only slightly surprisingly Neville managed it his first go. He stared at his new wand in confusion. Clearly he hadn't had much chance to work with his new wand and he wasn't used to his magic doing what it was told on command.
Which had Harry congratulating him once he was revived once again, Harry shook some of the feeling back to his limbs, even if you got enervated, you were not supposed to get stunned repeatedly.
"Okay, Daphne, Ginny, Fred and Neville. Next test, you all proved you have half a clue so, answer me this? How does magic work?" He asked.
Daphne was fastest, "You point your wand, make the gesture and say the incantation." She suggested confidently.
Harry tilted his head at her making her suddenly nervous about her answer. "Really? Are you sure?" He asked smiling. She considered that, the others did as well. He gave them a hint. "You've all been told before but I'm not at all surprised you forgot, but I'll give you a clue. Why should magic, a field of energy we direct through our bodies, rely on a set of vibrations in the air or even a gesture from our wand to function?" He asked.
Daphne and Neville actually came to questions at the same time, but Neville being a gentleman let her go first. "You're saying they aren't in fact critical to spell cast?" She asked looking speculative.
"We've all managed magic without wands, or words before, accidentally true, but it's possible and we all know it." He decided to make a little test of it. But spoke first. "I summoned a Patronus in DADA silently didn't I? And without a wand too," He reminded her and she gave a start remembering. He raised a hand in an idle gesture and incanted within his head and thought hard about happy times. The stag exploded from his palm and cantered around the room, before coming to a stop beside him and fading. Their were admiring cheers from the gathered crowd event though some had seen it before.
"I want you to cast a stunner, using your wand, but I want you to do it silently." He instructed. "But first I'll tell you the tenants you've forgotten about magic. Intent, Willpower, and Incantation," He barked causing them all to start, then smile as the realized what he'd said. "You need to have the intent to do magic, you need the willpower to make it reality, and you say the incantation in your head to get you mind linked to the intended effect." He explained. "None of this requires verbalization, or a gesture." He explained. "Verbalization is for the purpose of helping you incant in your head, you say it, you think it, the gesture is also merely a focus. In fact you could stun me by doing the completely wrong gesture if you have all three keys down pat." He explained. "So how about this, you all give it a shot?"
In the end only Neville and Daphne managed it on their first try, Neville's didn't knock Harry cold, but it had his vision tunnelling. Daphne had him down hard, he attributed it to her superior confidence. Harry encouraged Neville to try again reminding him he'd managed it last time. This time Neville had him down too, and was grinning broadly when Harry woke.
"Okay, I wan't you both to try something else." Harry said after he stamped some life back into his feet. "Silent and wandless," He offered smiling challengingly. They looked dubious. "Come on, what have you got to lose? It's hard yes, but it can be managed." He pointed out.
Neville went first, the boy concentrated hard but managed only a glow in his palm. Harry still congratulated him, it was still a major accomplishment to get that far. Daphne screwed up her face and trickle of sweat ran from her hairline before catching on her delicate eyebrow. She threw out her hand and a small burst of light shot across the room and hit Harry in the chest, it didn't knock him out, but it left him breathless and tunnel visioned. "Well done Daphne, that's a hell of an accomplishment, now before I let the rest of you try I need a target other than myself." He said slumping into a chair, Hermione had drawn up. In the end Neville and George volunteered allowing the rest to try themselves at it.
From simply casting, to silent casting, and up to trying it wandlessly in a handful of cases. Somehow Harry wasn't surprised when Hermione and Kara both managed it with great effort, nothing that actually knocked a person out, but nothing to scoff at either. He was supremely pleased in fact. He hugged Kara and kissed Hermione in celebration. Luna managed up to silent casting eventually, and he hugged her encouragingly too, causing her to smile brightly.
"Okay, I think that's all the time we have for tonight, but I'm confident several of you are on the right path." He said firmly. "I want you all to practice until you all can perform a stunner and a disarm on command, otherwise? I'll see you next meeting…" He said, and stepped down. "Oh wait!" He called, as the other started to turn. "Congratulations Daphne, you just got elevated to Lieutenant, you can move your stuff into the command quarters. Well—" He said grinning wryly. "Once we have cleared out the tower and actually have command quarters…"
She was stunned for a moment then smiled brilliantly. "I can't wait to tell Father," She said sincerely. Astoria hurried over and hugged her sister.
Author's Note: Please Rate, Review, Comment, Subscribe and tell your friends. Also, please take a look at that fic I mentioned at the top. Just ignore the rest of my stuff…It's really not that good…Shivers.
