Chapter Thirty-five: Up for the Challenge

Hermione had taken it on herself to make sure Harry and Ron were starting to study for their O.W.Ls. They were very confused by this, seeing as how they were at or past sixth year in Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, and Charms. Nonetheless, they decided to humor her, and studied with her. After all, one did not want to get on the wrathful side of Hermione Granger once she had her mind made up. Not if the said person valued their life and limbs.

Late friday night, they made their way to their dorms. Hermione had made them stay up late and work on homework. It was nearly midnight, so they weren't expecting the rest of the boys in the dorm to still be up and sitting on one of their beds.

"What's going on here?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Neville started sputtering. "Well...we were just...um..."

"We were wondering if you could tutor us," Semus said in one big breath.

"Tutor you in what?!" Harry asked.

"Potions, DADA, Transfiguration, and Charms." Dean said.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"We've seen you. Heck, even Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have noticed. You're way ahead of us. You don't even use your wand sometimes!" Semus said.

"And you want me to tutor you...why?"

"Hello! We've got O.W.Ls this year. I kinda want to pass them," Neville pleaded.

"Then why not ask Hermione?" Ron asked the boys.

The three boys suddenly refused to meet Ron and Harry's eyes. "Because Harry's ahead of Hermione. Even the other houses have noticed," Dean said softly. He glanced at Harry briefly before looking away again.

"Is it just you three that want me to tutor you?"

The boys began to figit. "Well no," Semus said.

Harry's eyebrows when up. "Ooohh?"

"Fifth year Gryffindor girls want help to," Semus said.

"So do fifth year Ravenclaws," Neville piped up.

"And fifth year Hufflepuffs," said Dean.

Harry's mouth was hanging open. "Are you crazy?! Why not just throw the Slytherins in there for good measure? I'm not a teacher!" He plunked himself down on his bed, and put his head in his hands.

"You're a great teacher, Harry. You're helping me so much in Potions already. I've gotten all my potions nearly right, and I haven't blown up a cualdron yet!" Neville said.

Harry brought his head up, and managed to keep a straight face for a couple of seconds before bursting out into laughter. "No, I guess you haven't, have you?" Harry said while laughing.

The other boys also started laughing. It took a few minutes, but Harry regained his composure. "Give me the weekend to think about it, all right?" The other boys nodded unhappily but they agreed.
"I'm tired, and I'd like to get to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Harry said, and crawled into bed.

Harry could barely sleep the whole night. Early that morning, he drowsliy made his way to Sev's quarters, and found him reading a book. Surprise, surprise.

When Sev finally looked up, his eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?"

Harry plopped on the couch. "The boys in my year want me to tutor the entire fifth year, minus Slytherin, in DADA, Potions, Transfiguration, and Charms."

"What's wrong with that? I think that's a great idea!" Harry just sank deeper into the couch. "Isn't it?" Sev asked eyeing Harry a bit worriedly.

"Well, yeah, I guess. But I don't know how to teach! And where would I hold the sessions? I need a room with a potions lab and an empty space for everything else."

Sev thought for a couple of seconds before saying, "The Room of Requirement."

"The Room of WHAT?!" Harry asked incredously.

"The Room of Requirement. It's on the fourth floor, but it only works for a person in desperate need of something."

"Do you know, I remember Dumbledore, Fred, and George mentioning something like that during the Yule Ball." Harry said more to himself than to Sev.

"Really? Well, come on, I'll show you!" Sev said, jumping up while Harry begrudingly followed.

Several minutes later, they arrived in front of a blank space of wall.

"This is it? A wall?" Harry asked, completely confused.

Sev chuckled. "No. Pace back and forth. Think of how desperately you need the room, and what you want it to look like."

Harry nodded, and, closing his eyes, he started to pace.

First, he pictured a blank room, and then an imaginary line down the middle. On one side, he pictured a potions lab similar to the one in the dungeons but with a little more light along with fifteen stations, and the walls on that side covered with potions ingredients. He also pictured a blackboard so he could write instructions.

The other side he pictured as being empty, with a soft floor so people could land and not hurt themselves. He pictured those walls as being lined with bookshelves that contained books he might and would probably need.

He suddenly ran smack into something. Looking up, he realized it was Sev. "What?" Harry asked.

Sev turned toward the wall. "Look," he said.

Harry turned. There, right in front of him was a door where there hadn't been before. Knowing Hogwarts though, Harry wasn't in the least bit surprised. He opened the door. The room was exactly how he'd pictured it. He smiled widely. "Thanks, Sev."

"Of course. So, are you up for the challenge?"

"Will you help me?"

"Only a little. I think this is something you are perfectly capable of handling this on your own, for the most part."

"You're probably right. After all, I have had a good teacher."

Sev chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I guess you have."

Just then, Harry realized the time. "Quidditch try outs are starting. I have to go. Bye!" he said before running out of the room.

A/N: I would like to thank my bff, my 'sis,' my 'sam,' and my beta for everything she's done to help me with this fic.

A/N2: I would like to dedicate this chapter to shelly101(), my 400 reviewer, as well as to everyother reviewer who made my 402 reviews possible. I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. I NEVER, EVER thought I would have that many reviews. I love you guys. So, please, don't forget to make my day and review!!

A/N3: Well, I've arrived at that point in my life, college time. I've moved in to my dorm, and I start classes on Monday. I'm PETRIFIED!!! I know I shouldn't be, but, :sigh: oh well. I don't know if being here has made me more nervous, or less. I don't know how much time I'll have to write while I'm up here, but I've written up to chapter fourty, I just want to space out my updates. I do, however, have time for replies, but I don't know how long that will last.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed: jennifer(), starangel2106, WolfDragonDemon(), CarolineXOXO(), SammyBlack80, braveheart(),

Replies to reviewers:

Heart Of The Wizard:: I'm glad this story has gotten you to like Draco.

AuroraAbbie Snape: I'm so glad you like her. I never thought I would have a OC, so I'm glad she's well liked.

shelly101(): My 400th reviewer! I love you! lol

moonlight-katz: I'm glad you found it again!