Disclamer: I do not own any of these characters, they are property of J. K. Rowling

A/N: Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I finished school today so I can post more often, and finish the story soon, I hope. I hope you enjoy this chapter. J

Chapter Eight

Back to Classes

Herbology went slowly as usual; Harry really didn't understand how someone like Neville could really enjoy this class. It was almost as slow as History of Magic. Harry grimaced knowing that he would be seeing Professor Binns tomorrow. Harry, Hermione, and Ron shared a table with Neville who was clearly enjoying himself. They were repotting a new crop of Mandrakes.

"I usually save this task for my second years but we have such a large number of the plants this year that I needed my other classes to replant them also. We will be reviewing some of the plants that we have covered the past several years before we move on to more advanced plants, including Gillyweed. We are also going to learn about poisonous plants which will coincide with your study in Potions which will be antidotes for the poison's of these plants." Professor Sprout explained. They obligingly took their pairs of earmuffs avoiding the fuzzy pink ones and placed them on their heads. Grabbing the young Mandrakes and placing them into the new pots. Then covering them with potting soil. The class finally ended and Harry along with his fellow Gryffindor's and Hufflepuffs were covered in dirt. One had even bitten Neville but it didn't break the skin so he was then reminded that he was expected to wear his gloves.

The next class was Transfiguration, as the class filled with Gryffindor students Harry, Ron and Hermione made for seats near the back of the room.

"Good morning class. It's nice to see all of you back. I hope you all had a good summer. This year we will be concentrating on plant transfigurations. We will review everything we have learned towards the end of the year, in time for your O.W.L.s." Harry had to laugh at how much Professor McGonnagall and Hermione sounded alike, talking about nothing but the O.W.L.s. "As all of you will note we each have a large rock in front of them. I want each of you to turn it into a rose. You can choose any colour you want to begin with but I expect you to be able to change it into whatever color I tell you by the end of the week. Let me demonstrate." She raised her wand and said, "Lapis Mutare Rosa." The rock quickly changed into a beautiful maroon and gold rose. It matched the Gryffindor house color's perfectly. "Now if everyone would please try to do this."

Harry lifted his wand and imitated Professor McGonnagall's actions. After a few tries he had a rose made out of stone. It was still a rock but now it looked like a rose. Hermione on the other hand had three perfect yellow roses sitting on her desk. Harry looked at Ron and noticed that he now had one perfect Silver rose. It glittered in the sunlight the streamed in from the large window to their right. Wow, I didn't know he could do it, Harry thought looking at the rose again as Ron attempted another. Harry wasn't the last to get it but it did take a few more tries to produce a nice auburn rose.

"That's really beautiful Harry." Hermione observed as she layed down her twelfth rose on the table. "Ron, you got those really quickly too." The rest of the class period passed quickly as the three of them continued to turn rocks into roses. Before the bell rang Professor collected the roses. Even Neville was able to produce three blue roses.

"Okay, we have a nice fifty-seven roses here, with much thanks to Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley. Let's make it an even Sixty points to Gryffindor for everyone's hard work. You have obviously read your summer reading. Please answer the questions at the end of your introductory chapter in the book about floral transfigurations. I will see you on Wednesday." At the end of her statement the bell rang and the group hurried to get out of the class and down to the great hall to eat lunch. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, Mr. Finnergin and Mr. Thomas may I see you for a moment." Professor McGonnagall said. Before the trio had time to get out of the classroom.

"Yes Professor." Seamus said coming to her desk.

"Everyone here with the exception of Harry, is being invited to try out for the Quidditch team. As you know we are in need of a keeper, and our captain this year feels it right to prepare a reserve team to aid in the transition for next years captain. Here you go." She said handing out letters to everyone. "Harry, I understand that you feel Miss Virgina Weasley capable of being a reserve chaser. I trust you will deliver this letter to her at lunch. We are meeting with the group of invitees this evening after dinner to explain the invitations to them and to tell them what to expect. I hope everyone has an enjoyable afternoon." She added, handing Harry a letter addressed to Ginny.

"Thank You Professor." Everyone muttered leaving the class.

"What did she want, don't tell me you are in trouble already."

"No, she just wanted to tell us about a meeting we are having after dinner this evening, about Quidditch." Ron answered, grinning at his praise. "How dare you think we are already in trouble." He added in a mock hurt tone. The group laughed as they moved into the great hall sitting by Seamus and Dean. Ginny soon joined them with a grin.

"How was Charms?"

"Oh, it was good. Then I had History of Magic. Wow, that class is SO boring!"

"Here, Ginny, I'm supposed to give this to you." Harry said handing her the letter from Professor McGonagall. She read it quickly and then blushed deeply.

"What's it say Ginny?" Hermione asked not knowing what else to say.

"Well, I've been asked to try out for the quidditch team, for a reserve chaser spot. We have a meeting this evening."

"This will be great! All of the Weasley's at Hogwarts on the team!!" Fred said coming to sit next to his little sister.

"I haven't gotten the position yet guys." Ginny squealed clearly excited about the chance of the position.

The Fifth Year Gryffindor's didn't have a long break before they had to go to class. They made their way down to Hagrid's hut wondering what animals they would be taking care of today.

"Hiya Harry, Ron, Hermione, How yeh doin'?"

"We're good, what's your big news?" Harry asked remembering the mention of it yesterday.

"Later," Hagrid said with a grin, "Is ever'one here? Good. Let's go, ever'one follo' me." The classes followed him.

"Well, if it isn't Potty and Weasel. Oh, and the Mudblood. I'm surprised to see you back at school with all the dark attacks. They will be going after Mudbloods first. Weasel I would watch out because you aren't much more than a muggle." Draco drawled over their shoulder.

"Watch it Draco I wouldn't want any accident happening, perhaps like the mix of hexes you received at the end of term last year." Ron warned trying not to move towards Draco. These words worked as a flash of surprise moved across Draco's face. It was so sudden that Harry almost didn't see it, but he was sure it was there. Just then they rounded the corner and found themselves looking at the padlock that had once housed Buckbeak. It was empty.

What was Hagrid planing? "Okay everyone stay right here." Hargrid disappeared. When he came back he was leading a beautiful chesnut horse, but it wasn't a normal horse, this one had wings.

"Wow, it's an Aethonan." Hermione whispered as a gasp went up from all of the girls in the class; even Pansy Parkinson was clearly awed by the creature.

"Everyone, this is an Aethonan Winged Horse. They are very special animals. They unlike Unicorns do not prefer girls to boys. It takes a long time for 'em to completely trust yeh, hopefully by the end of the month I will 'ave sum of yeh flyin'." Harry was impressed with Hagrid's knowledge of the animal. By Hagrids standards it was a strikingly dull creature. Harry, like the rest of the students enjoyed the animal. It was beautiful. Everyone had a turn petting the animal as Hagrid explained where it was found and what was special about it. The class ended and everyone admitted what a wonderful class it was.

"Would you like to come'n an' have tea?" Hagrid offered.

"Sure." Hermione said. Hagrid lead the way into his cabin and prepared tea for his guests. They sat down and began to drink the tea.

"So, what's the news?"

"Well, Me and Madam Maxim are gettin' married."

"What?" Harry sputtered trying not to spit out his tea. "Did I hear you correctly?"

"Yeah yeh did. We are get'n' married."

"Oh, congratulations Hagrid!!!" Hermione squealed. Just then there was a nock at the door. Hagrid got up and answered it. It was Ginny.

"I was wonderin' when I'd be sein' yeh. Come in."

"I heard you were down here, do you mind me joining you?"

"Ginny, come sit by me." Hermione said still excited about Hagrid's news and obviously not carrying what Ron or Harry said about the addition of a fifth party. "Hagrid just told us some of the greatest news, he is getting married."

"Really?!?! Congratulations Hagrid!" Ginny said as Hagrid poured a cup of tea for her.

She took it and began to drink.

"Well, when is the wedding?" Hermione asked.

"Christmas Day. It is goin' to be here on the grounds. Dumbledore said it was okay. Great Man Dumbledore, Great Man. You four are invited of course."

"Thank you Hagrid! This is going to be SO much fun!" Ginny squealed looking at Hermione. The two of them seemed gigglier since they became such close friends over the summer than they had last year. Harry only had a moment to ponder this thought before it was interrupted by a request by Hagrid.

"Will, yeh be in it?"

"Us in the wedding?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, We haven't decided what yet but I want yeh to do sum'in'."

"Wow, it would be our honour." Hermione said verbalizing what everyone was thinking. They finished tea and soon returned to the castle. The rest of tea was filled with conversation about Wizarding weddings. Harry was surprised to find that they are very similar to Muggle weddings, not that he had ever attended one, but judging by Hermione's explanation they were very similar.

"I sent Mum an owl about the song. She should get back to me soon. I told her I had it stuck in my head but I couldn't remember from where." Ginny said privately to Harry as they walked several steps behind Hermione and Ron, who were talking, well Hermione was talking and Ron was just nodding trying to avoid another argument. Hermione was talking about the Muggle wedding she went to at the beginning of the summer for her cousin.

"Thank you Ginny. I had almost forgotten about it."

"How was your class with Hagrid."

"It was great. We actually didn't have a dangerous animal."

"Really?!?!" Ginny said expressing the shock of the class when they meat the Winged Horse. Harry then explained the class to her. By the time he was finished they had arrived in front of the Portrait Hole.

"Blue Farries." The group said in unison. The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open revealing the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. The rest of the afternoon passed with difficulty as Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at their usual table, accompanied by Ginny, doing their homework for Transfiguration. Harry and Ron would rather be playing chess or anything else but Hermione insisted on doing homework so they decided to join her.

"If you two want to get ANY O.W.L.s then you need to do your homework and study during your free time." Hermione had said when they entered the room. So everyone was doing homework. The dinner bell couldn't have come at a more welcomed time. As the group walked down to the great hall Hermione explained Muggle weddings to Ginny and anyone else who would listen.

"Harry come sit with us!" Dean called pointing to the open seats across from him and Seamus. Harry, Ron, and Hermione soon sat across from their friends.

"I'm so excited about this meeting." Dean said.

"I really want to be a beater." Seamus said while Ginny sat next to Harry in the open seat.

Dinner passed much faster than the afternoon had as the group talked about their day and the classes ahead. Soon they were saying good bye to Hermione and going to Professor McGonagall's office accompanied by the twins, Angelina, Alicia and Katie.

"Right on time, It's nice to see all of you. Especially invited guests. You have all received letters from me about the up coming quidditch season. As all of you know we won the quidditch cup two years ago, I expect you to try to do it again. I just couldn't show my face in the staff room if we lose to Slytherin." Professor McGonagall explained with a reserved look on her face.

"I am the captain this year. We will be holding try outs on Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. All of you have been recommended by a player or in some of your cases more than one player, or Madame Hooch has said you are one of the best flyers in you grade. It is up to you to decide if you want to try out." Angelina said taking over as captain. "We are not only finding a new keeper but we are going to fill a reserve team. Except the positions of keeper and seeker seeing as how they will be on the team for a while longer." Angelina explained the needs for each position and the grade requirements to stay on the team. She then took the few questions poised by Dean and Gregory. "Thank you for coming to the meeting. I'll see you Saturday," she concluded. With that everyone dispersed and went up to the common room.

"Well, what was the meeting about?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, just telling everyone what the plan was. Hey, Harry do you want to play a game of chess?"

"Sure." The two best friends sat down to play chess. They played several games for the next few hours while Hermione studied.

"Hermione, why are you studying already? We don't have any test's."

"Well, I have a test tomorrow in Arithmancy. We always have one on the first day back to make sure we did our summer reading."

"Oh… When you are done do you want to play, I'm tired of beating Harry."

"Thanks Ron." Harry said sarcastically.

"Well, it's the truth. You are much better but it's nice to have some one else to play against."

"You mean some one new to beat." Harry said, Ron shrugged careful not to let Hermione see his reaction.

"Well, I guess I can take a break." Hermione said with a slight grin.

"Cool, come play with Harry's pieces."

Harry opened his mouth to reply but then he saw the look in Ron's eyes. How much Ron wanted to play with Hermione, it wasn't the game, it was the time with Hermione that Ron wanted, Harry slowly realized. Turning to go up to his Dormitory Harry caught Ginny's eye and noticed the all-knowing look she was giving him.

"Do you want to play a game of exploding snaps?" She suggested. "I think it's going to be a long time before Ron goes up to bed." She said grinning mischievously, reminding Harry of the twins.

"Sure, only one game, I'm a little tired." Harry replied. As they played their game Harry and Ginny couldn't help but laugh at Ron and how obvious his feelings for Hermione where. Harry wondered if Hermione felt the same way. The game soon ended and Harry said good night to everyone moving to go to bed.

"Are you sure you don't want to play another game?" Ginny asked. Secretly Harry wanted to, just so he could look into Ginnys comforting eyes longer, but he can't fell this way, it's Ginny, Ron's little sister. He longed to brush up against her again, to feel the electricity flow through his hand into hers.

"No, I need to get to sleep, you know get some rest."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I think I'll go on up to bed also." They made their way up the stairs.

"Well, goodnight Ginny."

"Goodnight Harry" Ginny said giving him an awkward hug.

She doesn't like me, Harry said to himself as he entered his room. She can't, which is good now we can just be friends. As much as he told himself this it didn't really feel right.

After changing into his pajama's Harry crawled into bed and pulled the curtains closed on his four poster bed. He soon drifted off into a fitful sleep.

"It's good to see everyone here. I'm pleased to know that my plan is being carried out. Now to move onto the next phase of my plan." A high cold voice said with a cackle. "Avery, are you prepared to carry out your duty?"

"Yes" a masked figure stepped up shaking his head in agreement.

"Good, you will begin tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord."

"Our plan should stay on time, all of my followers should be with us by December. Malfoy, is the Ministry taken care of?"

"Yes, my lord." Another dark figure came forward addressing the dark figure with the high pitched voice.

"Good, and now for Crabbe's punishment." The figure swished his wand and one of the other dark figures crumpled onto the ground in pain.

"Crucio!"

Many miles away Harry Potter woke up with a yelp of pain resulting from the pain in his forehead.