Rose was surprised when, less than a week after her letters to both Dumbledore brothers were sent, asking about a potential new dueling club, Professor Dumbledore made an announcement during dinner, telling everyone that there would be one, held three times a week to fit the schedule of everyone interested, and that his brother would teach it, along with professor Flitwick and, surprising everyone, himself. He added that only students above the 4th year would be able to join, but that a junior dueling club would be held once a week by professor Flitwick for the younger students that would be interested. Sign-up sheets had been placed in every common rooms and it seemed like almost every students wanted to join. Soon, it was announced that more hours had been opened and that it would all start after Christmas.
"I bet they agreed because students will be more ready to face Voldemort and his Death Eaters in case of an attack." Ron commented when they saw in which group they were.
"Voldemort is obsessed by Hogwarts, there are a lot of chances that he'll come here." Harry nodded.
"True. Too bad they chose the groups though, I would have loved to be in the same groupe as Fred..." Rose frowned.
"I'm not sad about it, I would have hated to be forced to fight against you, my love." Fred whispered in her ear.
"But we're in the same group." Harry smiled.
"I know, I can't wait to fight you and see who's the best." She smiled.
"Draco is in the same group as we are, along with a few Slytherins. I'd love to have a go at Pansy, put her back in her place and show her hwo strong a muggle born can be." Hermione commented, looking at their group's list with more attention.
"Who do you want to fight against?" Rose asked Ron.
Rose wanted to try and cheer Ron up a bit. Earlier, he had mentioned in front of Draco that Hermione was writing and receiving letters from Victor Krum, her old boyfriend. He had obviously hoped to start an argument between them, but instead, Draco had simply asked Hermione if she could get him an autographed picture. Ron had been shocked and disapointed. It only pushed Rose to believe harder that her brother's best friend had feelings for Hermione, if he didn't, would he have tried so hard to break her and Draco up?
"Malfoy or McLaggen, but since McLaggen isn't on our list, I guess Malfoy will have to do." Ron replied with a frown.
"I don't think you're the only one who'd like a shot at fighting McLaggen." George commented while Fred pretended he hadn't heard.
"He's in your group though." Harry showed them.
"I notice that Crabbe and Goyle aren't on any lists, I guess they didn't want extra work. Anyway, I have to say that I'd like to challenge you, Rose, see which one of us would be best." Hermione said.
"I'll happily duel with anyone who wants to challenge me." Rose smirked with confidence, knowing that she had a knowledge well above her school lessons because of her extra studying and her love of ancient magic.
"And I'm very glad I won't have to fight you, Rose. I'm sure you'll be fierce." George added.
"Of course she is." Fred assured with a bright smile.
"Anyway, we'll have to wait until after Christmas anyway." Harry commented.
"Hey Neville, you're in our group, isn't that cool?" Rose asked as their friend walked by.
"It is, but I'm a bit nervous, I'm not the best at this..." He whispered.
"Which is why it's great that you signed up! I'm sure you'll make great progress, you're already doing much better!" Hermione encouraged him.
"I'm sure your grandmother will be proud that you signed up even though you didn't have to." Rose said.
"I didn't tell her..." He shook his head.
"You should. Or casually mention it during Christmas break. Don't worry Neville, we'll help you. I'll make sure you not only can keep up, but that you can be better and improve." Harry insisted and Neville nodded.
"We'll all help you." Rose added with a kind smile.
"Sirius said that almost the entire school signed up, only a few first years and about half of Slytherin house didn't want to join, everyone else did." Fred commented.
"Well, everyone wants to be ready in case of an attack, and it's a good thing. Better be prepared. Voldemort's attacks are only going to increase as time go." Rose nodded.
"Sirius also mentioned that a few Aurors might join from time to time to help out, orders of the Minister of Magic himself." George added.
"Well, I can't wait for it to start but until then, time for practice, Team! To the field!" Harry declared, speaking the second part louder so his team could follow him outside.
Rose was about to say something to Neville when Hermione arrived with the book Ron was supposed to read during the week to come in order to gain a favor from Rose.
"One week, we'll ask you specific questions to make sure you really read it." Hermione told Ron, making everyone chuckle and Ron frown as he grabbed the book on his way out of the common room with Harry and the rest of the team.
He had hoped Rose and Hermione had forgotten this stupid challenge.
Then, Rose felt the mirror in her pocket get warm and vibrate so she took it out to see Sirius' face in it.
"Sirius? Is there a problem?" She asked.
"I need to speak with you, I'll be in front of the common room in 2 minutes. Bring Hermione with you." He said before he hung up.
"I wonder what's going on... I always get worried when he's serious." Rose frowned.
"Let's go and see him, we'll know what's wrong." Hermione replied.
When Sirius arrived, he asked them to follow him and he didn't speak until they were inside his private quarters, though he looked very serious and it worried them. What did they do?
"Is something wrong, Sirius?" Rose asked, worried that she had done something wrong.
"No, don't worry. I just wanted to speak with you two without being overheard by anyone. Even the paintings can't hear what's said here." Sirius shook his head with a smile, inviting them to sit down while he served them some tea.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I spoke with Draco a couple weeks ago. I wanted to warn him about his relationship with Hermione, warn him to stay away from her, not to hurt her and he told me about your plan. He thought that I already knew." Sirius explained, making Hermione smile, happy to know that her best friend's godfather cared about her too.
"I'm so sorry Sirius, I completely forgot to talk to you about it. At first I figured I'd tell you during Christmas break, but things happened faster and I forgot to tell you sooner too." Rose immediately said.
"It's alright, I just want to make sure the two of you know where you're going with this. Hermione especially, this could go pretty far. Did you think it through?" Sirius asked the young brunette.
"I have. At first, I figured I'd just make Ron jealous, see if he'd get his head out of his... Anyway, but then Rose told me of her plan, of Draco's idea to step away from the Death Eaters without being attacked by the members of his house. I immediately agreed. Ron's clueless anyway, he's never going to see me the way I want him to see me, so might as well help out. Draco's not bad company. Most of the time, while people think we're making out somewhere, we're just working on doing our homework." Hermione replied.
"Very well, I'll inform Dumbledore during tonight's order meeting. He might have more questions for you later, I don't know. I think it's best if only the most trusted members of the Order know of this though." Sirius nodded.
"Anything to help out. I mean it, I'm willing to pretend for longer if necessary. Even after his mother is safe if she wants to be safe. If you need someone to give out fake information... We talked about it with Draco and we're both ready to do it." Hermione assured him.
"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you Sirius, I forgot..." Rose apologized.
"I get it, don't worry. You have a lot on your every day schedule with all your clubs and options, making the Wolfsbane potion for Remus and all. I'm proud of the two of you, just worried. I could pretend I caught the two of you making out after hours, instead of doing your prefect duty if it helps." Sirius offered.
"That would be great! Could you, maybe, mention it in front of Ron?" Hermione asked, making Rose and Sirius chuckle.
"Of course, I could even say it in class. I'll contact you and Drago later to coordinate." Sirius smiled before he walked the two girls back to their common room.
So, Do you think Draco's mom will follow him or not?
Will Ron finally react? Is there something you'd like to see happen?
Don't forget to review, it always motivates me to make this story longer and it helps me know that the story is being read.
Lorelei Candice Black