Disclaimer: This humble story is the end result of my use of JKR's characters, settings, and universe in general. I don't own them, but I wouldn't mind the money that would bring. Read and enjoy!
Upon their return to the castle the students of Hogwarts could for the first time feel what the absence of Dumbledore meant for them. Upon entering the castle they were searched by several ministry aurors searching for any contraband items that indicated that they were in league with any of the rogue militias that existed within Britain. The minister had been swift in his attempts to crush the militias, mainly out of fear that the upwelling of public support following the thwarted attack on Diagon alley would lead to his ouster as minister.
Harry and Hermione had prepared for such a search and accordingly as they had transfigured several books and notes and anything else that could be construed as order related, into chocolate frog packages. Several of the aurors had increasingly adventurous hands when they reached the prettier witches to frisk them. As Hermione watched the scene with trepidation Harry merely gave her a smile and wink as they approached their turn in the line.
Hermione was next in the line when the auror in her line eyed her up rather hungrily and she prayed that Harry knew what he was doing. Hermione raised her arms when directed to do so and when the auror was grinning preparing to feel her up she suddenly watched as the man's face contorted into pain before he began to itch wildly at his crotch. Hermione chanced a look at Harry who was also in the process of being frisked and he merely gave her a crooked smile even though his eyes belied how fiercely protective of her he was. Hermione walked past the checkpoint and met back up with Harry once they were inside the castle.
Hermione pulled into a little alcove near the stairway and gave Harry a proper snog for being the great boyfriend he was before she breathlessly asked, "What did you do to that auror?"
Harry smirked and replied, "Well I figured if he was so hot for you then he should have to deal with a slight burning sensation for a few weeks."
Hermione giggled as they made their way out to the staircase. They stepped onto the staircase and as it began to move she sighed and looked around before she said, "From the looks of things Umbridge is going to make things miserable for us." Harry nodded as they reached the seventh floor and the safety of the Gryffindor common room.
Monday morning the great hall was filled as Umbridge had left notes in each common room making it mandatory to attend.
Harry and Hermione sat down across from Ron and Lavender who shot the pair a nervous glance before she tightened her grip on Ron's hand. Lavender was a pureblood witch and she knew of the HPA's effect on her friends like Hermione.
Umbridge stood and looked about the great hall before she began her speech like she did every other time, "Hem, hem. I have a few announcements to make for the remainder of the term. Professor Horace Slughorn has filled the void left by the now fugitive ex-head of Slytherin house Severus Snape. He will be having a group that will be by invitation only. I expect everyone that is invited to take advantage of the opportunity he has given." Harry noticed as the old balding wizard eyed Harry up rather hungrily as though he was a tasty steak. Harry shuddered until Hermione wrapped an arm around him and gave his a kiss on the cheek.
Umbridge continued obviously unaware of the byplay and added, "The Heritage Protection Act will be staunchly enforced inside the walls of this school. It will be enforced by the six aurors we have here for the remainder of the year on loan from the ministry as well as the school's inquisitorial squad led by Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. If you have any questions as to the HPA and its application please speak to either of them and they will aid you. I hope the rest of the term shall be a pleasant one. You are all dismissed."
Harry shared a look with Hermione as his stomach protested as he was forced to skip the most important meal of the day. One thing was certain however, it would be a term to remember for all of the wrong reasons.
As they sat in History of Magic Hermione was surprised that Harry was not dozing off like he typically did and then she realized he was dreading potions for the first time that year due to the look Slughorn had been shooting him earlier. Hermione could feel the normal level of anxiety Harry had felt since earlier in the morning but now she also felt the same feeling of cunning that Harry had when he was planning something. She had felt it before but most recently she felt it on Christmas at the order meeting when Harry had come up with Snape's solution.
By the time they reached the dungeon for potions Harry had a smirk playing on his lips and Hermione was anxious to see exactly what Harry had planned for Slughorn. They entered the classroom and immediately noted that it was much lighter then when Snape had been the professor and a pleasant odor lingered in the air for everyone to inhale.
Harry and Hermione took their usual seats in the front of the class and as soon as the last students filed into the room, Professor Slughorn sauntered out of his office and over to his desk that was decorated by several pictures wizarding and muggle alike.
Slughorn gave the class a smile which reminded Hermione of a used car salesman for some reason, before he began to speak, "Welcome to the remainder of your OWL year potions class. Your previous professor left very detailed notes and grades of everyone in the class so I have a fair idea of what your respective strengths are. The remainder of the year we will be reviewing several common potions that will undoubtedly be on your OWL for this class. Today we will be working on the calming draught. The instructions are in your book and on the board. I will be making my way around the room to offer tips if they are necessary."
As Harry and Hermione measured their ingredients and worked their way through the rather simple potion Slughorn purposely made his way around the opposite side of the room as though to avoid Harry until he could talk to him at the end of the class.
As Harry and Hermione both bottled their completed and correct potions, Slughorn finally sauntered over to the two Gryffindors and with a slightly warmer smiled said, "Ah Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger my two prized pupils according to Severus' notes. I see you both have completed the potion flawlessly." Slughorn's smile faltered somewhat and he nervously fidgeted before he added, "I was wondering if the both of you would be interested in an invitation to my Slug club. It is a rather informal group and we meet twice a month on Friday evenings. I hope to see both of you there next Friday."
Harry smiled at Slughorn before he softly replied, "Professor, as you are aware we were taking a class called remedial potions with Professor Snape the same days as we have this class. We worked on many difficult potions over the course of that time and we thought we might try brewing Wolfsbane potion during that time this semester. If we agree to come to your club would you allow us to brew that potion during that period?"
Slughorn nodded eagerly and replied, "That would be most excellent. I look forward to seeing the both of you tonight."
The remainder of the day went quickly as Harry and Hermione were able to continue to avoid any contact with the inquisitorial squad and Umbridge. The following days led to revelations about several attacks under the auspices of the HPA until Thursday morning came about with the evening to hold the first DA meeting in a castle without the presence of Dumbledore as protection.
As Harry and Hermione sat eating breakfast they were joined by Neville and Susan as they discussed the latest assignments for classes and spoke in code about the night's DA meeting. Nearing the end of breakfast Draco Malfoy and his two oldest goons Crabbe and Goyle approached the table with matching smirks to their honored leader. Malfoy sneered at the group, "Well, well if it isn't Potty and his group of squibs and mudbloods. Actually, that's why I came over to visit Potter. I demand your mudblood kiss my boots and then maybe do some other things while on her knees."
Harry shook his head balefully at Draco before Hermione coolly replied, "Ferret boy I am immune from the ridiculous HPA because of my adopted status as a member of an old family. You may check ministry records if you don't believe me but I refuse to get on my knees for you now or ever. Any woman that finds herself in that position has my never ending sympathy."
Malfoy looked livid but before he could retort Harry calmly stood and offered his hand to Hermione and they left the three Slytherins gaping at how terribly their plan to put Potter's mudblood in her place.
The DA meeting had been held at the standard time before Astronomy in an attempt to shield the various students of the group from suspicion by the Umbridge sympathizers in the school. The entire group made their way in aside from Dean Thomas. Harry frowned upon seeing this well aware that Dean had been attacked earlier in the week. Harry then grew somewhat anxious when he realized the potential implications of what Dean's absence could mean.
Harry stood and glanced around the room before he started, "It appears as though one of our members has been detained or worse he has revealed our group's existence. I have placed detection wards up around the room the entire year in case we need them and thanks to my relationship with a few house elves we no longer need to worry about walking back to our common rooms after meetings. In fact, all we need to be able to do is get to the room undetected and we will succeed in keeping our secret until a time comes when we no longer need for it to be a secret."
Neville raised his hand and asked, "Christmas eve at Diagon Alley; that was the order wasn't it?"
Harry felt calm reassurance from Hermione in the back of his mind before he smiled and replied, "Yes it was Neville. By all accounts Voldemort was trying for a massacre but the order and some of its members stopped it. Due to Minister Fudge's actions he has become as dangerous as Voldemort has to our way of life."
A silence spread throughout the group until Luna broke it and said, "This doesn't surprise me, Minister Fudge has been infected by the snargles for years now and they are just becoming apparent now." Across the group incredulous looks were shared by everyone until they noticed that Luna was giggling. Of all the times Luna picked to be actually telling a joke, no one expected it then and that was what caused the longest laugh most of them had shared since the previous year.
Finally the laughs subsided and Harry spoke in a strained voice, "Thank you Luna, I think we all needed that. Tonight we are going to see if any of you are prepared to cast a corporeal patronus. If any of you are I will take you aside and give you the necessary additional training to be able to cast it all of the time. If none of you have made any progress then you will have to teach yourselves the charm because we can't afford any more time on it for the group."
The chest appeared and much to Harry's consternation no one new had made any real progress on their patronus and therefore when they finished Harry announced that no more patronus practices would be held for the group.
After patronus practice was finished Harry stood back and the room shifted into a vast warehouse with various boxes and objects throughout it. Everyone had perplexed looks on their faces before Harry smiled and said, "The remainder of the year I am going to be teaching all of you how to make use of an environment you are fighting in and to turn it to your advantage. Tonight I am going to observe each of you as you work your way alone through this obstacle. There will be virtual deatheaters and virtual dementors that will stalk you all in the maze. You can use anything short of unforgivables and I will monitor your progress and give each of you a critique and suggestions on how to improve in the future. Hermione you will be joining the rest of the group tonight and you will all begin when the timer sounds."
The timer sounded and for the next hour Harry watched everyone in the group battle their way through the challenge. Hermione was easily the best in the group but he was surprised to see Ron did much better when he had to stay a step ahead in order to succeed as he did when he played chess. While the power of his spells was woefully lacking and even Harry had to admit that Ron was easily the weakest wizard of the group but he did have an innate sense of tactics and resourcefulness that Harry intended on utilizing.
After he talked to everyone about what they needed to work on for the group he dismissed them and as he watched them stream from the room Hermione came up from behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her cheek against his back.
Harry turned around and with a sigh he said, "I've been working on the deatheater wards every chance I've gotten in public and I think we have to start everything over on it."
Hermione frowned and asked, "Why do we have to start over Harry? The calculations we made were perfect."
Harry nodded his agreement but then said, "That's true our calculations were perfect. But, we failed to take one important thing into consideration."
Hermione furrowed her brow and asked, "What did we forget Harry?"
Harry gave her a patient smile and replied, "We forgot to take into account all of the DA members who would have a similar sympathetic magic signature from the coins embedded on their bodies. I'm afraid it won't do us any good to install the current version of our ward because we will be ejected along with any deatheaters. As you can see in the end it wouldn't benefit the school much to lose both its antagonists and protectors because we installed a faulty ward. Unfortunately, starting over here at school will take awhile because it has been hard enough finishing our work here let alone starting from scratch. I imagine it will be until April before we can install the ward safely. I just wanted to tell you beforehand so you could prepare yourself for another couple of months dealing with Umbridge and her toadies." Hermione smiled and nodded before she took his hand and they left the room to work on the essay that had been assigned for History of Magic.
The remainder of the next week went by quietly as classes were rather fruitful and there hadn't been another attack on a DA member much to Harry's relief. The one problem with the secrecy oaths about the DA was that if they lost a member it was as if the time Harry spent training them had been wasted.
The time for the first Slug Club meeting had come and thanks to their deal with Slughorn they managed to get an enchanted pass from him that allowed them basically the same freedom of movement in the castle as when they were prefects. Harry's work on the ward increased in its intensity and he pushed his timetable forward a couple of weeks on his toad ejection project much to Hermione's relief.
Harry dressed in the same dress robes he wore to for their anniversary as he patiently waited for Hermione down in the common room which was filled with other couples enjoying the quiet of the room as the fire flickered passively.
Hermione slowly came down the stairs in a lovely black dress that left her shoulders bare although she did have a wrap on her shoulders to help in the drafty castle. Harry beamed a smile at her, which she almost shyly returned, before she took his offered hand and gazed into his green eyes for a long moment as he did the same into her bright brown eyes. Finally, Harry snapped out of the trance and said, "I don't think I want to do anything other than dance with the most gorgeous witch in the world tonight. That is, if she doesn't mind being twirled around all night."
Hermione smiled and gave Harry a peck on the cheek before he led her down to Slughorn's quarters for the first Slug Club meeting of the year. Harry had contacted Sirius about what he knew about Slughorn and he indicated that the Slug Club was nothing more than Slughorn's masked attempts at gathering powerful young witches and wizards and making himself powerful allies and networks through which he could trade in favors occasionally.
Harry and Hermione reached the door to his quarters and knocked only to be greeted by Slughorn with a devilish smile before he said, "Ah excellent Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. I see you have come together as your own dates. Very good, drinks are over in the left corner of the room and the feel free to talk to anyone while you are here."
Harry and Hermione entered the room and several eyes of the single people eagerly shifter towards them only to glance downwards and see their hands linked. While Harry and Hermione had been seriously dating for over a year there were still those in the castle that held out hope that it wasn't true. Harry snorted and rolled his eyes at the display and offered to grab some drinks while Hermione did some schmoozing around the room.
Hermione made her way over to talk to Cho Chang who had warmed up to Hermione since she had returned from the holidays. As Hermione and Cho discussed things that Harry really had no interest in he was pouring drinks in the corner but only after he checked the punch for any alcohol or potions. He was satisfied when he had finished searching and as he went to turn around he was cornered by Pansy Parkinson who for some reason wasn't on the arm of Draco Malfoy who appeared to be chatting up a different Slytherin girl that night.
Harry arched his eyebrow at the hungry look Pansy was shooting him. Little did Harry know that her parents were well aware of the wealth and influence Harry could exert if he was pushed in the proper direction. They had ordered her to break up with Draco which she gladly did and then ordered her to get in the good graces of Harry one way or the other to further their family's prestige by linking it with the Potter line.
Harry finally spoke as he was too startled to do anything but hold the punch glasses beforehand and said, "Um, Pansy what can I help you with?"
Pansy smiled sweetly before she rubbed up against Harry and said, "I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me tonight. I know I've been pretty awful to you in the past but I thought we could start over. I'd do anything to have us start back over at and become friends and maybe more."
Harry kept his expression guarded and could feel the mixture of anger and apprehension coming through his connection with Hermione. He finally decided that now was not the time to deal with Pansy so he gently said, "I am afraid that is not going to happen Pansy. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go dance with my date."
Harry made his way past Pansy and took a deep breath before he walked over to Hermione who was in an animated conversation with Cho about something. As he approached he heard, "I'm telling you Cho Puddlemere is going to win the cup this year. They have the best seeker in the league and if Wood makes it to their starting squad as keeper they'll be unstoppable."
Cho shook her head, not in anger but amusement, as she retorted, "I don't think so Hermione. I mean look at the chasers on the tornados and then you can't honestly tell me that you believe that. The tornados are easily the best team in the league." Harry realized then and there, that Hermione undoubtedly was the most perfect woman in the world. Even though she had repeatedly told Harry Quidditch was not the most interesting thing in the world to her, yet she had done the research and had even joined him in his love for Puddlemere United. He carefully kept his emotions in check so that Hermione wouldn't be able to surmise that he had heard their conversation before he finally continued forward from his obstructed position.
He slowly walked up to the girls who finally noticed his return from getting punch and they each shared glances before shifting the conversation to something appropriately girlish as Hermione concluded, "So you see Cho that's why Sleakeasy's is the best solution if you want to style your hair."
Harry smothered a grin and politely said, "Oh, hello Cho did you come alone tonight?"
Cho smiled and replied, "No Harry I did not. I came with Roger Davies, but he is currently using the loo. I should really get going, but it was a pleasure talking to you again Hermione. Harry, it is always a pleasure." Harry nodded slightly and Cho walked away from the pair before Harry handed Hermione her glass and she took a sip.
Harry sighed and said. "Pansy was hitting on me by the punch bowl. I definitely don't like how quickly she has dropped Malfoy and moved on to me. I imagine she must have some ulterior motive for her actions, and most likely they are fueled by power and money."
Hermione nodded taking a sip of her punch before she said, "I imagine that is exactly what she is after. But, as long as we keep on these rings the headmaster gave us then we will be immune to any outside controlling factors."
Harry nodded before he grinned slightly and teased, "Hermione love, I know we never talk about this much but can I ask you a personal question?"
Hermione was slightly startled by Harry's question but nodded because they had a very honest relationship. Harry smiled warmly at her and playfully asked, "What is your favorite Quidditch team?"
Hermione gaped for a moment before realizing that Harry had overheard her conversation with Cho, so she decided to rise up and take the bait. She replied, "Oh I think the Chudley Canons are the best team by far. In fact, I doubt I can date someone who cheers for someone other than the Canons. Actually, Ron and I were talking about that very topic yesterday."
Harry frowned and Hermione realized she might have taken her teasing a bit too far so she added,"Of course as you well know my favorite team is Puddlemere love. I was just having you on."
Harry's frown dissipated some but he still wasn't smiling when he said, "I'm sorry if you think teasing me about dating other boys isn't exactly my idea of funny love."
Hermione shook her head and gave Harry a deep kiss which was well beyond the bounds for acceptable behavior in public but she needed Harry to know what her true feelings were so she could nip the sullen Harry in the bud.
She broke the kiss and looked into Harry's eyes. They were the best barometer for how Harry was feeling because their link was flooded with too many emotions at the moment to have any accurate idea what he was feeling. His eyes were slightly glazed but still held a little hurt in them. They also held a deep love for her and she decided not to tease Harry about dating other boys any time soon. She rationalized it probably had to do with Harry growing up without love and feeling panicked whenever he felt as though it might be taken away.
She grasped Harry's hand and led him to the dance floor where they swayed to the music. Tonight wasn't the time to worry about getting their steps right. In fact, it was a time for Hermione to hold Harry close because she suddenly became aware that while it hadn't been intentional on either of their parts they really hadn't had much time to be alone together since they returned from the break.
Hermione gripped Harry tightly as they danced and she was secretly glad they had a Hogsmeade weekend ahead so that they could share some alone time together. The previous week had been good at least for the year's standards anyways, but Hermione realized she needed to remind Harry that better times were ahead.
A/N: Please Review and tell me what you think of the story so far. This chapter was an important bridge to the next couple of chapters in which we'll go along for a ride in a staff meeting to catch some of Umbridge's secret motives and also the Hogsmeade trip with Harry and Hermione. Don't think we've heard the last from Pansy and this is all before the dance when the crap will hit the fan and someone will be expelled from the school for good. Keep reading and keep up the great reviews.