Over the course of week Harry and Hermione were put through major lecturing from McGonagall and Dumbledore.  Most of the spells and charms were counter or defense magic, but some others really packed a punch, according to the two professors.  They were told that some of the times they will have to be excused from their classes to get some more training in and that would be prove to be difficult at times.  They seemed to be a little confused, because they thought they would be training and learning all the charms and counter curses, but all they had so far was all the lectures about how they have to be careful with this type of magic.

At one point Dumbledore asked the two if they wanted to be excused from the finals at the end of year, but they refused, and wanted to go through their whole year as normally as they could.

"What were you thinking, Harry!  You could have gotten out of all your finals!"

"I know, Ron," Harry was sitting in the common room, next to Hermione trying to study for the upcoming Potions test.  "But the end of the year is still a long way off, and I have plenty of time to get everything down."  Hermione smiled, "I think the only reason he didn't accept Dumbledore's offer was because he knew that I would have beat him over the head if he did.  Isn't that right, Harry?"

"That too."  Hermione smiled in victory and put her nose back into the charms book that she was studying.  Ron shook his head at the two and went over to the corner to try and convince Lavender to play a game of chess with him again, since Harry was so busy.  "Hermione?"

"Yeah sweetie?" her nose was still in the book as she was trying to look up the words to some of the charms.  "When do you think they will actually teach us some of the counter curses?"

"It takes time, Harry," she finally got her head out from the huge book and looked at him, "We just have to wait until they are ready to teach us the spells."

"But we don't have that much time, Herm."

"What are you talking about?"  He pointed to his scar.  "Is it getting worse?"

"Last night I almost fainted because it hurt so much."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know.  I guess I just remembered it now."

"Harry-" just as she was going to give him a lecture of her own, McGonagall entered the room, "Granger, Potter.  It's time."  Everyone looked at them as if they were going to be executed.  The professor looked over the room, "Go back to your business, everyone."  They did so, and Harry and Hermione exited the room behind the witch.

They were led to a different classroom then what they were usually lectured in.  "Professor, just where are we are going?"

"To a different classroom, Potter; for a different type of lesson.  I hope you two brought your wands."  She walked up to another classroom, with two heavy doors.  She opened the doors and inside the room was something that neither Harry nor Hermione ever thought was possible.  The room wasn't even a room; it was like a whole other world.  It was huge.  One part was a forest, and then a place with ropes and pits, and the other part was like a normal classroom.  "What is this room?" Hermione was looking over it with wide eyes as McGonagall closed the door behind them.  "It is a training room.  In the beginning years of Hogwarts, the champions used it for the challenges in the Tri-wizard tournament."  Harry kind of squinted at the memory of the last Tri-wizard tournament, when a fellow student died.  Harry and Hermione finally looked closely at the classroom portion of the room to see Dumbledore calmly eating on some lemon drops.

"Hello, you two," he walked over to them, "Are you ready for your training to get intense?"  The two nodded their heads still trying to get over the initial shock of the room.  "Right, might want to take off your cloaks."  They both did and waited for their first lesson.  "Alright.  First, Hermione you go with McGonagall, while Harry, you're with me."

"What?"

"You said you are ready right, Miss Granger?"

"Well, yes.  But I thought you asked if we were ready to fight this together, and now you are splitting us up."

"Very perceptive.  We have to teach you separately to see what each of your weaknesses and strengths are, and then bring you back together.  It will help us to determine which spells, counter curses, and charms to teach each of you."

"Oh."  Hermione looked at Harry, "Good luck, Herm."  He bent down and kissed her on the cheek, "You too, Harry."  They went their separate ways, Hermione in the forest section of the room, while Harry in among the ropes and pits.  Before starting their lessons they were taught some minor spells that would suffice for that day.

In the ropes and pits, you had to dodge fire and other spells shooting out at you, and at the same time try to get through a tangle of ropes and holes.  While in the forest, it tested your reflexes, and helps the person identify which is foe and which is just a creature, in just split second time.  The ones, which were foes would shoot out a minor charms or curse that would stun or knock them over.  During their lessons, McGonagall and Dumbledore also shot out their own attacks on the sixteen year olds to sharpen their skills.

At one point the professors told them to switch the two settings.  Hermione and McGonagall went to the rope and pit section, while Harry and Dumbledore headed to the forest setting.  While passing each other they noticed they were both beat up already, with their clothes torn.  They gave each other a smile, which renewed their spirits for the next challenge.

It seemed day after day the situations seemed harder, and along with the harder situations there were harder curses and spells to master.  Along with their skill level growing, their need for each other also grew.  It seemed so empty fighting alone.  There was no one beside you, to cheer for you; there was no one to fight for.  It showed in the way they were training, "Pay attention in the moment, Granger!  Do not think of anything else; just concentrate on what's in front of you!" McGonagall yelled from the side.  "Come on Harry, you got to be faster, if you want to outrun a curse with this ferocity!" Harry ducked as one of the spells flew over his head, and another one just barely misses his arm.  After each lesson both are worn out, and could barely take much more, "Good lesson you two; you're skill levels are coming along very nicely.  See you tomorrow," Dumbledore calmly put on his cloak and left the room.

After a few weeks of fighting the equipment in the room separately, Harry and Hermione were allowed to fight side by side.  "Albus do you think it that wise to have them train together?"

"Of course how else are they going to learn Minerva?"

"But remember how Peter and I were."

"But they are not you and Peter, now are they?"  McGonagall didn't reply at first, but then finally broke the silence, "I hope not."

"Alright, you ready you two?"  They both nodded their heads and got their wands ready.  The two professors watched intently from the sidelines.  "I've missed you," Hermione said with her back to Harry's.  "We were just on the couch in the common room two minutes ago."

"No, I meant in training."

"Yeah, me too.  It always seemed like something was missing."

"Concentrate you two!" McGonagall yelled from the side.  The lesson soon started and it didn't even seem like they were defending themselves in a battle.  It was like a different kind of ballet.  They were almost thinking in harmony, knowing what the other needed, and when they needed it.  McGonagall was surprised, "I haven't seen fighting like this since . . . since . . ."

"They are reading off each other, just like they need to."

"You have to admit that this is different from what is supposed to happen, Albus.  They are suppose to be reading off each other, I agree, but . . . they are doing something more."  Dumbledore only watched as Hermione was hit to the ground with a small spell and Harry came to her side.  He stood over her and took out the 'foe' that hit her.  From behind him there was another one about to attack, but Hermione was too fast for it.

After ten minutes Dumbledore waved his hand and the 'lesson' was over.  He walked up to the two students.  "Harry, Miss Granger . . . can you two tell me what you felt like out there?"  Hermione was the first to answer, "It felt different then what it was training alone.  It felt like I knew what to do, before the situation ever came up.  I felt something when ever something was aiming at Harry."

"Yeah," Harry agreed, "I felt it when ever something was going to attack Herm, I felt something and brought my wand up to attack."  Dumbledore nodded and smiled, "You two have come very far," Dumbledore looked at both of them, "We taught you all that we can."

"Professor?"

"Yes Harry?"

"My scar has been burning more violently during the nights.  I think he may be getting closer."

"Then we finished up just in time, don't you think?"  Harry nodded his head.  Both Harry and Hermione thanked the professors and headed toward the common room.

As soon as they got there they found a very uptight Ron sitting in the corner staring at his chess board.  He looked up at them, "Where have you two bloody been?"

"Out," Harry gave him simply.  Hermione looked at Ron closely.  "Ron, what's wrong?"

"It's Lavender," Ron looked down at the ground, "Earlier today she was found petrified just outside the front doors . . . holding a mirror.  There won't be any mandrakes available for a couple of days."  He began to break down and Hermione hugged him for comfort, "It's alright Ron . . . it's going to be ok."  Harry then caught something by the window and walked over.  "Ow!"  He lifted his hand to his head, "Herm."

She left Ron and walked over to Harry, "He's ready and he's coming."  Hermione stared out the window, but this time not only did Harry feel it, but Hermione also felt the presence of pure evil.

"What are we going to do, Harry?"

"We have to be ready, and be careful.  The basilisk is already in Hogwarts."