Chapter five!
Prefect's meeting, Professors Delacour, Weasley and Figg, Animagus class (who is the assigned professor, and what about Ron?).. Quidditch-tryouts (how will Hermione do? And what about Harry's Captain skills?) Things WILL speed up a little after this! (Sorry I lied in the last Author's Note. I kind of forgot when the Duelling Club's meeting was to take place. but no sweat, I PROMISE it will ensue in chapter six!).
Thank you SO much to all my reviewers: Lothlorienmindscape4, Ian, Sake, Lizzy (who's actually put ME on her favourites list! YAY!), Thelvyn and
Alright, one more thing about this chapter: Someone mentioned that Harry isn't fit for the position as Quidditch Captain, seeing how he suffers from complete lack of strategic abilities. To be quite honest, I hadn't thought of that, and when I do I realise it's quite true. Although, I do now after some serious consideration of the matter have a perfectly good solution to the problem, which will be presented in this very chapter.
One more thing I came to think of that might require some explanation: Why Ron for the moment has a much smaller role and why he preliminarily doesn't take Animagus-classes. I'm not all that sure I really like Ron, that's why. The most probable reason is him in the real HP-world kind of maybe being in the way of the One True Ship (H/H, what did you think of me?!). And maybe it's just because I think of him as quite a lot less talented than his friends. But I think I've kind of decided to make him more intelligent. You'll just have to see what happens after this chapter.
~oOo~
Chap. 5
Defences and Dragons
When Harry let Ron and Orion into his room they both gagged in surprise. Orion slumped down onto the bed, propping his head up into his hands, with his feet at the top end and his head at the bottom. Ron sat down on the chair next to Harry's desk, which was filled with books and school stuff.
"Blimey, Harry!", Ron said, amazed. "What kind of room is this?".
"A Prefect's room".
"You've got one just like this, Hermione?", Orion asked.
"Yes, it's right net door", she briefly got up from the armchair to give Harry the opportunity of seating himself again, and then climbed back into his lap.
Harry wrapped his arms around her to help her keep balance.
"I was wondering, Orion", Harry said. "How come you speak English so well when you've been at Beauxbatons for your first four years of school?".
"Well, first of all, I'm fluent in both English and French, both since we spoke French all the time at school, and because my mother's from there. Father was nearly disowned when he married her, she's even a muggleborn, but there was one filthily rich grand-aunt who liked him. She gave him her whole fortune, and used her influence over the rest of the Malfoy family to let him off the hook. Of course, all my paternal relatives think we're scum, but they can't do anything to us. Well, the explanation as to why I speak English flawless is my father, who's always spoken to me in that language. He's been the British ambassador for the Ministry of Magic over in France for about fifteen years, but when he heard about what happened here last year, with You-Know-Who and all, he decided it was best if I went to Hogwarts with Dumbledore here, and we moved back this summer".
"That explains a lot", Ron said. "Especially why you and The Amazing Bouncing Ferret can't stand each other".
"Look at the time, guys!", Hermione burst out. "Supper's been ready for half an hour. Harry, we have to eat or we'll be late for the Prefect's meeting!".
~oOo~
In the Prefects' lounge everyone was assembled by eight o'clock. The large oval conference-table was surrounded by chairs, with chairs for the Head Boy and Girl at the top end. When Harry sat down next to Hermione he noticed Alicia smiling at them, while going over the to-do list with her counterpart, Head Boy Roger Davies.
If there was one person who fitted Fred and George's description 'Big Head Boy' (other than Percy, a couple of years earlier) it certainly was Roger Davies. The seventh year Ravenclaw straightened his gleaming Head Boy-badge and looked out over the twenty two Prefects assembled with the air of a king studying his underlings.
"May I have your attention, please?", he said in a not so arguable tone. "The meeting is now open! The first thing we have to do is the appointment of some positions!".
Alicia took over from there, thank Merlin.
"I would just like to begin with saying a few other things, though", she said and smiled at the group. "My name is, for those of you who don't know it, Alicia Spinnet, I'm from Gryffindor, and this is Roger Davies, who's from Ravenclaw. If anyone has any questions about Prefect-hood or rules - or anything else, for that matter - just come see either of us. Welcome, all new fifth year Prefects, if you would please stand up and present yourselves, so that everyone knows exactly who you are".
Everyone stood up, some (Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson) reluctantly. They quickly said a few words of presentation and sat down again, leaving the word back to Alicia.
"Thank you", she said and got back to the appointment of positions. "We're going to need someone to take protocol of our meetings, a secretary, if you will. Though the task isn't by far as demanding as to writing down every single word we say here. You just use this spell on a quill and some parchment, and you're all set", she waved her wand in the air and pointed to a scroll of parchment and a quill. "Linguita Parimenta!".
The parchment flattened itself out onto the table and the quill sailed over it, dipping down into a bottle of ink and preparing itself to commence writing.
"Anyone feeling up to it?", she asked.
Hermione raised her hand.
"Great! Now that that's settled, we're also in need of what we refer to as an "owler". It basically means someone who will be responsible for gathering suggestions from the students, and we need one person from each hose to be the House Cup-group. You will have to keep track of everything with the points and put in any new ones from Quidditch matches et cetera".
Padma Patil volunteered for the "owler" spot, and the House Cup-group consisted of Hannah Abbot of Hufflepuff, Terry Boot of Ravenclaw, a sixth year from Gryffindor named Jenny Yeats and seventh year Frederick Downing from Slytherin.
Harry quickly realised that Prefect's meetings were bearable, but nothing more. Well, at least this one. Everything they talked about was administrative things and such, nothing even remotely interesting, until.
"And now, on to something very interesting", Roger Davies announced enthusiastically.
'Great', Harry thought. 'What now - do we need someone to count every single flight of stairs in Hogwarts?'.
But he found out that he was sorely mistaken.
"This year, we have decided to extend the Quidditch Cup a little. In early April this year, a whole two months earlier than usual, we've finished our own Cup and a winning House has conquered. The winning House's Team will be going over to Beauxbatons Academy, where we will also be joined by a Durmstrang team, and we will have a small tournament between the schools. We've placed this tournament this early so that the possible fifth- and seventh years in the House Team in question will get back to school in time for their O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s".
Harry gagged. The tournament sounded amazing. He just knew that the Gryffindor team was good enough to win. But then he thought of something that made his very bones chill. He was the Captain of Gryffindor House Team now, and they didn't have a Keeper yet.
Suddenly he was scared instead of thrilled. He didn't have any experience with leading a team, much less with selecting an actual team-member. What if his lack of skill made the whole Quidditch Team flop? What if they were dirt in the mud without Wood? What if he couldn't cope?
~oOo~
When he made his way up towards Gryffindor Tower with an ecstatic Hermione by his side Harry was more worried than ever. He didn't even think about the inter-school tournament anymore, just about the fact that he might have nothing to do on a Quidditch-field in the Captain's role.
Hermione obviously saw his anxiousness and immediately took measures against it. She found an empty classroom, dragged him into there and pushed him down onto a desk. She stood in front of him and fixed her eyes upon his absent-looking ones.
"Alright, Potter, speak up!", she said. "What's the matter?", she added more softly and stroke his cheek.
"Um.", Harry began. He didn't really know how to begin. "I'm worried about Quidditch", he finally said.
"What about Quidditch? The inter-school tournament?".
"That, among other things. But it's not the most important matter".
"Well, I think we'll do just fine. The Gryffindor Team is by far the best of this school, and you know it as well as I do".
"I'm not so sure about that anymore, One", Harry said depressively. "I'm not used to leading a team, and I don't think I'll cope. Maybe the team will fall flat on it's back with me for a Captain".
"That's just bull, Harry, and you know it. You'll be fine, I know you will. And the others will help you if you need it. Why, if I make the team, I'll help you, even though I haven't played yet!", she took his face into her hands. "Now stop this nonsense, please?".
Harry sighed and gave her a little smile. Hermione always made him feel better, even if she remained silent. He turned his head a little and gave her hand a kiss.
"Thanks, One", he said. "I feel a lot better now".
Hermione bent forward and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Harry wrapped his arms around her and held her close, kissing her back.
They didn't kiss for long, though, since yet another time the clearing of a throat made them release each other.
'Merlin! Can't we ever do this without interruption?', Harry thought, looking around to see who was demanding attention.
In the doorway stood Charlie Weasley. He was wearing a black and green Weasley-sweater and some worn muggle jeans, which went down into high dragon-hide boots, much like the ones Harry had seen Bill wear the year before. Charlie's red hair was very short and spiky, and on his face there was a broad smile playing.
"Harry! Hermione! Nice to see you", he said, looking like he was going to laugh. What're you two doing in here at this hour?".
"Um.", Harry began, blushing.
Hermione broke him off, though, and before Harry could knew it she had spilled the beans to Charlie about Harry's uncertainties about Quidditch Captain-hood.
"Well, your girlfriend's right, Harry", he said a little teasingly. "You'll be fine. And you know, if you feel like some advice, I guess I could help you. I've had some experience in the field, I've been in the exact same position as you are. And if you ask my brother, I think he'll help you, too. Of course, the vicious pranksters are on the team themselves, but in fact I was referring to Ron. He's a good tactician, you know, you should talk to him".
Harry looked gratefully at Charlie, meanwhile smacking himself mentally for not thinking about it right away.
"That's a very good idea, thank you Charlie. um, Professor Weasley", Harry added when he remembered Charlie's new position of work.
"That's all right, Harry. It's still Charlie out of class. Now I strongly suggest that you two head back to Gryffindor Tower, before you risk someone like Snape finding you here", he said and snickered. "By the way, I'm not at all surprised about this, shall we say new, development. But congratulations all the same!".
The new Care of Magical Creatures Professor stood smiling in the doorway and watched the couple walk out with their arms casually slung around each other's back.
~oOo~
Harry spoke with Ron first thing the next morning, and the outcome of their talk was more than satisfactory. Harry's red-headed friend was thrilled to the outlook of actually being able to participate directly in the Gryffindor Quidditch Team's training and strategies, and Harry immediately decided to make Ron somewhat of a co-Captain. He didn't at all know if he himself would have the necessary abilities to lead the team, but if he turned out to have them, well Ron's help would still be of great use to him.
That day they had three classes, all of them with new Professors. Harry still had to attend his first Arithmancy class the next day, but this day it was only one class he had never had before, even though all three Professors were new to him.
First thing in the morning was Defence Against the Dark Arts, together with the Slytherins. The new Professor, formerly known to Harry as Mrs. Arabella Figg, turned out to be one of the better ones yet.
"I used to be an Auror, and I will take up right where you left off last year", she said to the class. "We will begin these first few months with learning basic blocking spells and counter-curses, and then proceed to more advanced ones. The curriculum this year will be tightly liked to Wizard Duelling, and I expect to see all of you in the Duelling Club on Monday."
Professor Figg went through some of her papers and looked up at the class again.
"This first class won't contain all that much practical nor theoretical studies, since we have a lot of planning to do. First of all, I would like to have you all do some extra-credit which will entail running three laps about the lake four times a week", she smiled compassionately at the groaning class. "Furthermore, since we will work so much with counter- curses and suchlike this year, I want you all to team up in groups of four that will train together from the remainder of the year. Since I know that you're most compatible with people of your own choosing, I've decided to let you form the groups yourselves rather than having me force you into a constellation that doesn't fit you. You will have the groups ready and written on paper by the beginning of our next class."
She dove down into one of the drawers of her desk and fetched out all the corrected essays the students had written over the holidays.
"Before I hand these out to you I would just like to talk a bit about them", Professor Figg said smiling. "I'm very impressed with the work you all obviously have put up, and your hard work had given good results. There are, however, some essays I would like to mention in particular, by reading passages of them aloud to you. I think that these passages have truly taken out the core of what you were assigned to do. The first one, on the chosen subject of The Unforgivable Curses, written by Mr. Neville Longbottom. I quote:
"The Unforgivable Curses are called what they are for a reason, but perhaps not the specific reason people might think. They have all torn families apart, killed friends, driven lovers to insanity, but the most cruel thing about them is what they do to those who are left behind. Those who have to live without parents, children, siblings, friends, lovers. Those who have to remember every single day."
Professor Figg sat silent for a while, her eyes almost glistening with surpressed tears. She collected herself and continued.
"This is excellent work, Mr. Longbottom. Fifteen points will be awarded to Gryffindor for this splendid piece of work", she smiled when she noticed Neville staring at her with a surprised face. Many of the Slytherins glared at either Neville or the Professor. She sighed and continued. "Oh, would you look at the time! I guess I won't have time to quote these to you, but there are a few I'd like to mention anyway. Ms. Hermione Granger, there's some splendid research behind this, I'm truly impressed. Ten points to Gryffindor. Mr. Draco Malfoy, this description of the Death Eaters' history is very good, unusually detailed. Where on earth did you come by the information? Ten points to Slytherin. Mr. Harry Potter, I'm at the loss of words. This Dementor-essay is the best I've ever seen, exquisite discussions. Fifteen points to Gryffindor. Mr. Ronald Weasley, I loved your unorthodox topic. We overlook the risk of Muggle victims to Dark Magic much too often. Fifteen points to Gryffindor. Mr. Orion Malfoy, great piece of work, ten points to Gryffindor."
She continued her speech as she walked about the classroom, handing back the essays to the students.
"Of course, everyone did good, and none of you failed. Actually, most of you got good grades on this one. Well, like I said, would you look at the time! Time to be off for lunch everybody! Dismissed!"
As all the students noisily made their way towards the door, barely hearing Professor Figg shouting over the alarm for them not to forget to hand in the group-formations.
When they came out into the corridor and walked towards the Great Hall Ron went into frenzies. Harry was walking next to him and Hermione, his arm around her and their heads closely together in order to examine each other's essays (which they both aced) when Ron began hopping about laughing and shouting like a madman. All the other three members of the company averted their eyes up to Ron, their brows furrowed.
"Um. Ron?", Hermione began. "What on earth is going on with you?"
Ron grinned at her, but actually answered.
"I aced it! I aced the bloody paper!"
"That's great Ron now would you please come back down to us here on planet Earth?", Orion said mockingly.
"No way! I aced the bloody Defence Against the Dark Arts paper!"
The whole lunch went by in that manner, since Ron simply couldn't stop talking about it. They didn't get him to shut up until they had dragged him all the way down to the lake, where Charlie was waiting for them to hold his first Care of Magical Creatures class.
That class was good, no great, Harry decided. Charlie had a lot of patience and remained nice and polite, even to the worst Slytherins like Malfoy. The Slytherins didn't exactly repay his favour, however, but were almost as mean to Charlie as they were to Hagrid. Harry reckoned they'd have to suffer the consequences later on.
But even the Slytherins couldn't complain about the exciting curriculum. (Even though they COULD complain about the dangers it entailed). After all, Charlie was somewhat of an expert on the subject of dragons.
"We will be working with dragons most of this year", Charlie stated and was supported with cheers and awes from the Gryffindor students. "Even though we will begin with strictly theoretical studies, we WILL move on to working with the real thing later on. Exactly how the classes will be outlined I haven't yet figured out, but will do so as we go along."
"He's going to let us handle such dangerous creatures and he doesn't even have the classes planned yet?", Malfoy snarled in a low voice. "Just wait until my father finds out!"
Harry was about to counter Malfoy's comment, but decided to sit back and watch how Charlie handled the situation instead.
"If you have something to say, Mr. Malfoy, please be so kind and share it with the whole class", Ron's older brother said calmly. "Otherwise, none of us are interested in being disturbed, and you'll only end up making your own situation worse. But I do understand your concern, even though I can assure you that I'll never ever do anything that might damage anyone of you. Understood?"
There wasn't even a hint of anger or hostility in Charlie's voice, and Malfoy immediately backed down. He didn't even question the professor's authority.
"All right, Professor. I'll keep that in mind", Malfoy replied, and Harry even managed to detect a strand of respect in his voice.
~oOo~
Fleur Delacour's class was probably Harry's favourite of all classes in school - Defence Against the Dark Arts excepted, naturally. The young part- veela managed to handle the class extraordinary well, since many of the boys - with Ron first in line and Harry and Orion not at all in line - spent the whole class admiring her beauty, and most of the girls were fascinated with the contents of the class, and thus the whole class of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fifth years kept silent and more or less concentrated during the entire time.
Even Hermione liked Fleur now that she noticed that the French woman was far from a threat to her. Quite the opposite. When Fleur had dismissed the class and only Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion remained in the classroom, the professor found out what was going on between Harry and Hermione, and it would have been an understatement to say that she was thrilled.
Fleur swooped down and kissed their cheeks, wishing them all the luck in the world and winked at Hermione before saying:
"'Arry's can consider 'imself a very lucky young man, 'Ermione. And I also think you two are perfect for each other. I saw it coming a mile off last year."
Hermione straightened her back and smiled broadly.
"Thank you, Professor. But I really do consider myself to be the luckier one."
Harry gave her a quick peck on the cheek and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Please don't call me Professor. It makes me feel old. Now off to dinner with the lot of you!", Fleur said and shooed them out of the classroom.
~oOo~
Thursday before noon Harry and Hermione spent in Arithmancy class. Harry found that he liked Professor Vector very much, even though she was very strict and spent the first fifteen minutes of class testing if he had the necessary abilities to keep up with the rest of the class. Thanks to all Hermione's help during the summer, Harry was more than good enough for Professor Vector. She was genuinely impressed with him.
~oOo~
But lunch couldn't come and go fast enough for neither Harry, Hermione or Orion. They had explained all about 'Advanced Transfiguration' to Ron, who'd taken it rather well, but they had still to confer with the yet unknown professor about weather or not they were going to do anything about the whole Ron-situation.
But when the three friends arrived up into Dumbledore's office, no one except for the headmaster himself was there. Harry was mightily surprised - he'd thought the assigned professor would be there, waiting for them.
"Oh, hello, Harry. Hermione, Orion", Dumbledore greeted them with a smile. " I said I'd have your teacher ready today - and I do, but the professor is waiting for you in your classroom."
"And where is that, Professor?", Orion asked hastily. Out of the three, he'd be the most eager to get started.
"I'm not sure, actually. But your professor left me this", he got out a very familiar-looking piece of parchment from the pocket of his robe. "He said you'd find your way with aid from that, Harry."
Harry grabbed the parchment with a face of utter amaze. He'd never in the world dreamed of even seeing the Marauder's Map again. But here it was, all in one piece. How it had been retrieved from Crouch's belongings at the end of term last year went far beyond Harry's own comprehension, but he decided not to comment - as he had his suspicions of the new professor's identity - but bid Dubledore good-bye and went back out into the corridor, followed by Hermione and Orion - the latter of the two looked very confused.
"What're we going to do with an old piece of parchment?", he asked sceptically.
Harry didn't answer, but nudged Hermione to do so. While she gave Orion a quick explanation Harry furrowed his brow for a moment, and proceeded to reveal the Map's secrets.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good", he stated, and all the different lines and spots of the Marauder's Map appeared in their places.
Hermione came up to him and bent over the map along with him. They lifted their eyes and met each other's for a short moment, and Harry could tell Hermione was thinking the same thing he was.
"It can't possibly be him, One! It just can't. What if he's caught?", Harry said, his eyes full of concern.
Hermione gave him an asserting peck on the cheek.
"I'm afraid it has to be him, Harry. No-one else could... But he's careful, you know that. He won't get caught. And if he's really here, he's under Dumbledore's protection, even the ministry won't catch him here."
"I so hope you're right, One. I so hope you're right."
"But on to more pressing matters. Where are we supposed to go? I don't understand", Hermione said slowly.
"Neither do I", Orion added. "Who're you talking about, for starters?"
"My godfather", Harry said decisively. "Sirius Black", he added in a more whispering tone.
"SIRIUS BLACK?!", Orion answered a lot more loudly.
"Scchhh!", Hermione waved her hands. "Not so loud. He isn't who you think he is, Orion. He's innocent. And when you talk about him - call him Snuffles. Harry and I reckon he's going to be our Animagus-professor. He's the only one who could have given Harry such a hint. But I don't really understand how to interpret it."
"I do", Harry said, grinning widely. "It's easy. Did you hear Dumbledore mention a strange room at dinner during the Yule Ball last year?"
"No", Hermione said hesitantly. "I guess I was talking to Viktor."
"Well, he said he'd by chance found a strange room filled with pots of different kinds when he'd got lost one morning. To Dumbledore, it must have looked odd, but to someone who's in on the secret of the room, it isn't. I told Snuffles about it during summer, and he told me what it really was - in between hysteric attacks of laughter."
Harry began walking in a swift pace trough the castle. Hermione held onto his hand, but had to almost run in order to keep up with him, and Orion came shortly after her. They walked through many secret passages and hidden doors, meanwhile Harry explained where they were heading.
"That room is also known as The Marauder Head-Quarters, by those who can call themselves Marauders, at least. The pot-collection room's really just the entrance to the real one, but anyway, that doesn't matter. Here we are."
The three came to a stop outside a door which looked like it lead to a bathroom of some sort. Harry hesitantly opened the door.
"From here you have to know a password in order to continue. This one hasn't been changed since the Marauders themselves left school, and Snuffles told me what it was during summer. We'll find him in here."
The entrance was a painting, naturally.
"Listen good now", Harry said, and his face displayed the widest smile ever. "Because this is going to be very amusing. 'By Merlin! Snape's the most annoying little greasy-haired slimeball on the planet!'"
Orion let out a cry of chock, but Hermione collapsed onto Harry's shoulder, laughing her head off. The painting swung aside and revealed an opening into a small room, which in furnishing resembled the Gryffindor Common Room a lot.
In the middle of the room was a group of armchairs, and in one of them sat a man in his mid-thirties. His hair was cut short and he looked well-fed. He grinned madly at Harry when he came through the portrait-hole. Harry grinned back and walked up to embrace his godfather.
"Hello to all of you", Sirius beamed. "And before you mention it Harry - I am perfectly safe here. Let's get started!", he rubbed his hands together and smiled eagerly.
Then Harry's godfather widened his eyes and got the biggest smile Harry had ever seen on his face. Sirius had apparently noticed Harry's hand intertwined with Hermione's.
"You have got to be kidding me!", he exclaimed. "No way you realised it this fast!"
"What?", Harry asked a little annoyed.
"You and Hermione - that you're the perfect couple! I mean, I always thought it'd take you at least the same amount of time it took James and Lily - and they didn't get together for real until about two weeks before graduation!"
"Can we please leave this subject!", Orion sighed in a bored manner. "I've been forced to listen to that kind of things all week. 'Oh they're such a perfect couple!', 'You finally realised that you're perfect for each other!', yadda, yadda, yadda. As if we didn't all know it!"
Both Harry and Hermione blushed red at his comments.
"Um - Sirius", Harry began. "We need to talk to you a little before we get started with the class. We were wondering something."
"Spill it!"
"Well, you know that book you sent me on my fifteenth?"
"Did you bring it with you? We'll need it in class, I think."
"Yes. But that's not the point. One, Ron and I discussed the book on the Hogwarts Express when we cam here. We decided to start Animagus-training on our own, aided by the book and hopefully you. But then McGonagall went to Dumbledore and asked if One, Orion and I could train under school supervision, and we were allowed to do so. Ron doesn't know about this class - well, not what it's really about, anyway - and we don't know what to do about his training. Do you have any advice?"
"Well, Harry", Sirius began. "That's not a very easy situation you have been put in. You can't just tell Ron that you're not going through with your original idea, because then he'll want to know why. But on the other hand, you promised Dumbledore to keep quiet about what you're up to. I think you should tell Ron the truth, and then I'll talk to Dumbledore and see what he has to say."
"Thanks, Sirius. I guess that's for the best."
Animagus class was fun, more fun than Harry had ever believed any vast area of Transfiguration could possibly be. They didn't get to start training for real right away, though, but spent most of the class reading books and doing some minor transfigurations on themselves, like changing their hair- colour. One thing they did have to begin working on, though, was the type of animal they were going to transform into later.
"We need to find out exactly how powerful you are before we start going through your future animal", Sirius explained. "If we know that, we'll be able to structure a good study-plan and also something about your possible animals. You see, there's this simple charm we'll perform, and then you'll begin creating images of yourself. Images that will morph into possible animals you can become. Repeat after me, 'Revealo Animagi'."
Sirius pointed his wand at himself and Harry, Hermione and Orion watched as three images of Harry's godfather showed up next to him. One of them changed into the Grim-like dog Harry was familiar with, the second was another dog, some hunting sort, and the last a proud grey wolf. Sirius was very powerful, but had his forms differed more from each other, or had they been magical, he'd be much more so.
Hermione performed her charm next. She spoke in a clear and proud voice, and when she started changing shapes Harry awed at what he saw. Hermione had four possible Animaguses. First, an owl. A reddish brown barn owl with a majestically proud air about it. Harry had to admit he wasn't all that surprised at that one. The second, an eagle which looked just like the one on the Ravenclaw crest. The third form was a young lioness, golden in fur and eye. The fourth - Harry gasped when he realised what it was - was yet another cat-animal. It was a golden-bronze with sapphire blue eyes, but a little large to be just an ordinary cat.
Hermione's last form was a kneazle. When she looked to her left and saw what the others saw, she squealed and threw herself into Harry's arms. He was beyond proud of her.
Orion's forms were majestic, but none too surprising. A wolf, just like Sirius, and a silver falcon. Then it was just Harry left.
"Revealo Animagi!", he stated and turned his want to himself.
Five shapes, all identical mirrors of himself, slowly became visible next to Harry. Then they began to morph, one after the other. A lion, just as majestic as the Gryffindor one. An owl, just like Hermione's, but male. A Pegasus horse, as black as the night sky, it's fur glowing like silk. A red and gold Phoenix. Harry blinked and awed at the four shapes that had showed themselves. The last shape turned to look at him and displayed a secretive smile on his face. Then he morphed.
Harry heard Hermione gasp and slump down into an armchair next to the fireplace. Orion was already sitting. Sirius yelped a little and took a step backwards. Harry finally got the chance to look at his fifth form.
It was a stag.
It's horns were majestic, as well as the rest of him. Dark bronze fur, deep brown eyes. A small shape above his left eye, Harry's scar. A stag that looked exactly like the one his father had used to be. Harry stared.
As did Sirius. Harry's godfather looked like he'd seen the most convincing of ghosts (and that meant quite a lot, seeing how the wizarding world was used to that kind of things), and he ran his hand over and over through his hair.
"That stag is a mirror image of James's", he stated slowly. "Even I fail to tell the difference, that scar withdrawn."
Harry didn't answer nor react. He vaguely remembered Hermione leading him by the arm back to Gryffindor tower and placing him on his bed before leaving the room. He didn't sleep at all that night, however. His head was spinning.
~oOo~
A/N: FINALLY! TAD 5! I know it ended a little awkward, but I felt the need to cut it there, since the next plot-twists in line need to be in a separate chapter.
How did you like my solution to Harry's lack of strategic abilities? I know, it's been done before, but frankly, I hadn't read anything about it until AFTER I put it in here.
Sixth chapter: I think it'll be called "Keeping safe" (or something similar). It will contain a talk with Ron, Keeper tryouts (which have been moved forward to the weekend instead of the next week), and then the duelling club session. I think that was just about it.
Did you expect Sirius to be the Animagus-teacher, though? Probably, yes.
Next I'll be posting chapter six of "Camp Moonlake" (in a few days - a week tops!), which will be called "Hermione's girls".
And never, ever, in a lifetime forget to make my day and REVIEW!
Prefect's meeting, Professors Delacour, Weasley and Figg, Animagus class (who is the assigned professor, and what about Ron?).. Quidditch-tryouts (how will Hermione do? And what about Harry's Captain skills?) Things WILL speed up a little after this! (Sorry I lied in the last Author's Note. I kind of forgot when the Duelling Club's meeting was to take place. but no sweat, I PROMISE it will ensue in chapter six!).
Thank you SO much to all my reviewers: Lothlorienmindscape4, Ian, Sake, Lizzy (who's actually put ME on her favourites list! YAY!), Thelvyn and
Alright, one more thing about this chapter: Someone mentioned that Harry isn't fit for the position as Quidditch Captain, seeing how he suffers from complete lack of strategic abilities. To be quite honest, I hadn't thought of that, and when I do I realise it's quite true. Although, I do now after some serious consideration of the matter have a perfectly good solution to the problem, which will be presented in this very chapter.
One more thing I came to think of that might require some explanation: Why Ron for the moment has a much smaller role and why he preliminarily doesn't take Animagus-classes. I'm not all that sure I really like Ron, that's why. The most probable reason is him in the real HP-world kind of maybe being in the way of the One True Ship (H/H, what did you think of me?!). And maybe it's just because I think of him as quite a lot less talented than his friends. But I think I've kind of decided to make him more intelligent. You'll just have to see what happens after this chapter.
~oOo~
Chap. 5
Defences and Dragons
When Harry let Ron and Orion into his room they both gagged in surprise. Orion slumped down onto the bed, propping his head up into his hands, with his feet at the top end and his head at the bottom. Ron sat down on the chair next to Harry's desk, which was filled with books and school stuff.
"Blimey, Harry!", Ron said, amazed. "What kind of room is this?".
"A Prefect's room".
"You've got one just like this, Hermione?", Orion asked.
"Yes, it's right net door", she briefly got up from the armchair to give Harry the opportunity of seating himself again, and then climbed back into his lap.
Harry wrapped his arms around her to help her keep balance.
"I was wondering, Orion", Harry said. "How come you speak English so well when you've been at Beauxbatons for your first four years of school?".
"Well, first of all, I'm fluent in both English and French, both since we spoke French all the time at school, and because my mother's from there. Father was nearly disowned when he married her, she's even a muggleborn, but there was one filthily rich grand-aunt who liked him. She gave him her whole fortune, and used her influence over the rest of the Malfoy family to let him off the hook. Of course, all my paternal relatives think we're scum, but they can't do anything to us. Well, the explanation as to why I speak English flawless is my father, who's always spoken to me in that language. He's been the British ambassador for the Ministry of Magic over in France for about fifteen years, but when he heard about what happened here last year, with You-Know-Who and all, he decided it was best if I went to Hogwarts with Dumbledore here, and we moved back this summer".
"That explains a lot", Ron said. "Especially why you and The Amazing Bouncing Ferret can't stand each other".
"Look at the time, guys!", Hermione burst out. "Supper's been ready for half an hour. Harry, we have to eat or we'll be late for the Prefect's meeting!".
~oOo~
In the Prefects' lounge everyone was assembled by eight o'clock. The large oval conference-table was surrounded by chairs, with chairs for the Head Boy and Girl at the top end. When Harry sat down next to Hermione he noticed Alicia smiling at them, while going over the to-do list with her counterpart, Head Boy Roger Davies.
If there was one person who fitted Fred and George's description 'Big Head Boy' (other than Percy, a couple of years earlier) it certainly was Roger Davies. The seventh year Ravenclaw straightened his gleaming Head Boy-badge and looked out over the twenty two Prefects assembled with the air of a king studying his underlings.
"May I have your attention, please?", he said in a not so arguable tone. "The meeting is now open! The first thing we have to do is the appointment of some positions!".
Alicia took over from there, thank Merlin.
"I would just like to begin with saying a few other things, though", she said and smiled at the group. "My name is, for those of you who don't know it, Alicia Spinnet, I'm from Gryffindor, and this is Roger Davies, who's from Ravenclaw. If anyone has any questions about Prefect-hood or rules - or anything else, for that matter - just come see either of us. Welcome, all new fifth year Prefects, if you would please stand up and present yourselves, so that everyone knows exactly who you are".
Everyone stood up, some (Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson) reluctantly. They quickly said a few words of presentation and sat down again, leaving the word back to Alicia.
"Thank you", she said and got back to the appointment of positions. "We're going to need someone to take protocol of our meetings, a secretary, if you will. Though the task isn't by far as demanding as to writing down every single word we say here. You just use this spell on a quill and some parchment, and you're all set", she waved her wand in the air and pointed to a scroll of parchment and a quill. "Linguita Parimenta!".
The parchment flattened itself out onto the table and the quill sailed over it, dipping down into a bottle of ink and preparing itself to commence writing.
"Anyone feeling up to it?", she asked.
Hermione raised her hand.
"Great! Now that that's settled, we're also in need of what we refer to as an "owler". It basically means someone who will be responsible for gathering suggestions from the students, and we need one person from each hose to be the House Cup-group. You will have to keep track of everything with the points and put in any new ones from Quidditch matches et cetera".
Padma Patil volunteered for the "owler" spot, and the House Cup-group consisted of Hannah Abbot of Hufflepuff, Terry Boot of Ravenclaw, a sixth year from Gryffindor named Jenny Yeats and seventh year Frederick Downing from Slytherin.
Harry quickly realised that Prefect's meetings were bearable, but nothing more. Well, at least this one. Everything they talked about was administrative things and such, nothing even remotely interesting, until.
"And now, on to something very interesting", Roger Davies announced enthusiastically.
'Great', Harry thought. 'What now - do we need someone to count every single flight of stairs in Hogwarts?'.
But he found out that he was sorely mistaken.
"This year, we have decided to extend the Quidditch Cup a little. In early April this year, a whole two months earlier than usual, we've finished our own Cup and a winning House has conquered. The winning House's Team will be going over to Beauxbatons Academy, where we will also be joined by a Durmstrang team, and we will have a small tournament between the schools. We've placed this tournament this early so that the possible fifth- and seventh years in the House Team in question will get back to school in time for their O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s".
Harry gagged. The tournament sounded amazing. He just knew that the Gryffindor team was good enough to win. But then he thought of something that made his very bones chill. He was the Captain of Gryffindor House Team now, and they didn't have a Keeper yet.
Suddenly he was scared instead of thrilled. He didn't have any experience with leading a team, much less with selecting an actual team-member. What if his lack of skill made the whole Quidditch Team flop? What if they were dirt in the mud without Wood? What if he couldn't cope?
~oOo~
When he made his way up towards Gryffindor Tower with an ecstatic Hermione by his side Harry was more worried than ever. He didn't even think about the inter-school tournament anymore, just about the fact that he might have nothing to do on a Quidditch-field in the Captain's role.
Hermione obviously saw his anxiousness and immediately took measures against it. She found an empty classroom, dragged him into there and pushed him down onto a desk. She stood in front of him and fixed her eyes upon his absent-looking ones.
"Alright, Potter, speak up!", she said. "What's the matter?", she added more softly and stroke his cheek.
"Um.", Harry began. He didn't really know how to begin. "I'm worried about Quidditch", he finally said.
"What about Quidditch? The inter-school tournament?".
"That, among other things. But it's not the most important matter".
"Well, I think we'll do just fine. The Gryffindor Team is by far the best of this school, and you know it as well as I do".
"I'm not so sure about that anymore, One", Harry said depressively. "I'm not used to leading a team, and I don't think I'll cope. Maybe the team will fall flat on it's back with me for a Captain".
"That's just bull, Harry, and you know it. You'll be fine, I know you will. And the others will help you if you need it. Why, if I make the team, I'll help you, even though I haven't played yet!", she took his face into her hands. "Now stop this nonsense, please?".
Harry sighed and gave her a little smile. Hermione always made him feel better, even if she remained silent. He turned his head a little and gave her hand a kiss.
"Thanks, One", he said. "I feel a lot better now".
Hermione bent forward and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Harry wrapped his arms around her and held her close, kissing her back.
They didn't kiss for long, though, since yet another time the clearing of a throat made them release each other.
'Merlin! Can't we ever do this without interruption?', Harry thought, looking around to see who was demanding attention.
In the doorway stood Charlie Weasley. He was wearing a black and green Weasley-sweater and some worn muggle jeans, which went down into high dragon-hide boots, much like the ones Harry had seen Bill wear the year before. Charlie's red hair was very short and spiky, and on his face there was a broad smile playing.
"Harry! Hermione! Nice to see you", he said, looking like he was going to laugh. What're you two doing in here at this hour?".
"Um.", Harry began, blushing.
Hermione broke him off, though, and before Harry could knew it she had spilled the beans to Charlie about Harry's uncertainties about Quidditch Captain-hood.
"Well, your girlfriend's right, Harry", he said a little teasingly. "You'll be fine. And you know, if you feel like some advice, I guess I could help you. I've had some experience in the field, I've been in the exact same position as you are. And if you ask my brother, I think he'll help you, too. Of course, the vicious pranksters are on the team themselves, but in fact I was referring to Ron. He's a good tactician, you know, you should talk to him".
Harry looked gratefully at Charlie, meanwhile smacking himself mentally for not thinking about it right away.
"That's a very good idea, thank you Charlie. um, Professor Weasley", Harry added when he remembered Charlie's new position of work.
"That's all right, Harry. It's still Charlie out of class. Now I strongly suggest that you two head back to Gryffindor Tower, before you risk someone like Snape finding you here", he said and snickered. "By the way, I'm not at all surprised about this, shall we say new, development. But congratulations all the same!".
The new Care of Magical Creatures Professor stood smiling in the doorway and watched the couple walk out with their arms casually slung around each other's back.
~oOo~
Harry spoke with Ron first thing the next morning, and the outcome of their talk was more than satisfactory. Harry's red-headed friend was thrilled to the outlook of actually being able to participate directly in the Gryffindor Quidditch Team's training and strategies, and Harry immediately decided to make Ron somewhat of a co-Captain. He didn't at all know if he himself would have the necessary abilities to lead the team, but if he turned out to have them, well Ron's help would still be of great use to him.
That day they had three classes, all of them with new Professors. Harry still had to attend his first Arithmancy class the next day, but this day it was only one class he had never had before, even though all three Professors were new to him.
First thing in the morning was Defence Against the Dark Arts, together with the Slytherins. The new Professor, formerly known to Harry as Mrs. Arabella Figg, turned out to be one of the better ones yet.
"I used to be an Auror, and I will take up right where you left off last year", she said to the class. "We will begin these first few months with learning basic blocking spells and counter-curses, and then proceed to more advanced ones. The curriculum this year will be tightly liked to Wizard Duelling, and I expect to see all of you in the Duelling Club on Monday."
Professor Figg went through some of her papers and looked up at the class again.
"This first class won't contain all that much practical nor theoretical studies, since we have a lot of planning to do. First of all, I would like to have you all do some extra-credit which will entail running three laps about the lake four times a week", she smiled compassionately at the groaning class. "Furthermore, since we will work so much with counter- curses and suchlike this year, I want you all to team up in groups of four that will train together from the remainder of the year. Since I know that you're most compatible with people of your own choosing, I've decided to let you form the groups yourselves rather than having me force you into a constellation that doesn't fit you. You will have the groups ready and written on paper by the beginning of our next class."
She dove down into one of the drawers of her desk and fetched out all the corrected essays the students had written over the holidays.
"Before I hand these out to you I would just like to talk a bit about them", Professor Figg said smiling. "I'm very impressed with the work you all obviously have put up, and your hard work had given good results. There are, however, some essays I would like to mention in particular, by reading passages of them aloud to you. I think that these passages have truly taken out the core of what you were assigned to do. The first one, on the chosen subject of The Unforgivable Curses, written by Mr. Neville Longbottom. I quote:
"The Unforgivable Curses are called what they are for a reason, but perhaps not the specific reason people might think. They have all torn families apart, killed friends, driven lovers to insanity, but the most cruel thing about them is what they do to those who are left behind. Those who have to live without parents, children, siblings, friends, lovers. Those who have to remember every single day."
Professor Figg sat silent for a while, her eyes almost glistening with surpressed tears. She collected herself and continued.
"This is excellent work, Mr. Longbottom. Fifteen points will be awarded to Gryffindor for this splendid piece of work", she smiled when she noticed Neville staring at her with a surprised face. Many of the Slytherins glared at either Neville or the Professor. She sighed and continued. "Oh, would you look at the time! I guess I won't have time to quote these to you, but there are a few I'd like to mention anyway. Ms. Hermione Granger, there's some splendid research behind this, I'm truly impressed. Ten points to Gryffindor. Mr. Draco Malfoy, this description of the Death Eaters' history is very good, unusually detailed. Where on earth did you come by the information? Ten points to Slytherin. Mr. Harry Potter, I'm at the loss of words. This Dementor-essay is the best I've ever seen, exquisite discussions. Fifteen points to Gryffindor. Mr. Ronald Weasley, I loved your unorthodox topic. We overlook the risk of Muggle victims to Dark Magic much too often. Fifteen points to Gryffindor. Mr. Orion Malfoy, great piece of work, ten points to Gryffindor."
She continued her speech as she walked about the classroom, handing back the essays to the students.
"Of course, everyone did good, and none of you failed. Actually, most of you got good grades on this one. Well, like I said, would you look at the time! Time to be off for lunch everybody! Dismissed!"
As all the students noisily made their way towards the door, barely hearing Professor Figg shouting over the alarm for them not to forget to hand in the group-formations.
When they came out into the corridor and walked towards the Great Hall Ron went into frenzies. Harry was walking next to him and Hermione, his arm around her and their heads closely together in order to examine each other's essays (which they both aced) when Ron began hopping about laughing and shouting like a madman. All the other three members of the company averted their eyes up to Ron, their brows furrowed.
"Um. Ron?", Hermione began. "What on earth is going on with you?"
Ron grinned at her, but actually answered.
"I aced it! I aced the bloody paper!"
"That's great Ron now would you please come back down to us here on planet Earth?", Orion said mockingly.
"No way! I aced the bloody Defence Against the Dark Arts paper!"
The whole lunch went by in that manner, since Ron simply couldn't stop talking about it. They didn't get him to shut up until they had dragged him all the way down to the lake, where Charlie was waiting for them to hold his first Care of Magical Creatures class.
That class was good, no great, Harry decided. Charlie had a lot of patience and remained nice and polite, even to the worst Slytherins like Malfoy. The Slytherins didn't exactly repay his favour, however, but were almost as mean to Charlie as they were to Hagrid. Harry reckoned they'd have to suffer the consequences later on.
But even the Slytherins couldn't complain about the exciting curriculum. (Even though they COULD complain about the dangers it entailed). After all, Charlie was somewhat of an expert on the subject of dragons.
"We will be working with dragons most of this year", Charlie stated and was supported with cheers and awes from the Gryffindor students. "Even though we will begin with strictly theoretical studies, we WILL move on to working with the real thing later on. Exactly how the classes will be outlined I haven't yet figured out, but will do so as we go along."
"He's going to let us handle such dangerous creatures and he doesn't even have the classes planned yet?", Malfoy snarled in a low voice. "Just wait until my father finds out!"
Harry was about to counter Malfoy's comment, but decided to sit back and watch how Charlie handled the situation instead.
"If you have something to say, Mr. Malfoy, please be so kind and share it with the whole class", Ron's older brother said calmly. "Otherwise, none of us are interested in being disturbed, and you'll only end up making your own situation worse. But I do understand your concern, even though I can assure you that I'll never ever do anything that might damage anyone of you. Understood?"
There wasn't even a hint of anger or hostility in Charlie's voice, and Malfoy immediately backed down. He didn't even question the professor's authority.
"All right, Professor. I'll keep that in mind", Malfoy replied, and Harry even managed to detect a strand of respect in his voice.
~oOo~
Fleur Delacour's class was probably Harry's favourite of all classes in school - Defence Against the Dark Arts excepted, naturally. The young part- veela managed to handle the class extraordinary well, since many of the boys - with Ron first in line and Harry and Orion not at all in line - spent the whole class admiring her beauty, and most of the girls were fascinated with the contents of the class, and thus the whole class of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fifth years kept silent and more or less concentrated during the entire time.
Even Hermione liked Fleur now that she noticed that the French woman was far from a threat to her. Quite the opposite. When Fleur had dismissed the class and only Harry, Hermione, Ron and Orion remained in the classroom, the professor found out what was going on between Harry and Hermione, and it would have been an understatement to say that she was thrilled.
Fleur swooped down and kissed their cheeks, wishing them all the luck in the world and winked at Hermione before saying:
"'Arry's can consider 'imself a very lucky young man, 'Ermione. And I also think you two are perfect for each other. I saw it coming a mile off last year."
Hermione straightened her back and smiled broadly.
"Thank you, Professor. But I really do consider myself to be the luckier one."
Harry gave her a quick peck on the cheek and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Please don't call me Professor. It makes me feel old. Now off to dinner with the lot of you!", Fleur said and shooed them out of the classroom.
~oOo~
Thursday before noon Harry and Hermione spent in Arithmancy class. Harry found that he liked Professor Vector very much, even though she was very strict and spent the first fifteen minutes of class testing if he had the necessary abilities to keep up with the rest of the class. Thanks to all Hermione's help during the summer, Harry was more than good enough for Professor Vector. She was genuinely impressed with him.
~oOo~
But lunch couldn't come and go fast enough for neither Harry, Hermione or Orion. They had explained all about 'Advanced Transfiguration' to Ron, who'd taken it rather well, but they had still to confer with the yet unknown professor about weather or not they were going to do anything about the whole Ron-situation.
But when the three friends arrived up into Dumbledore's office, no one except for the headmaster himself was there. Harry was mightily surprised - he'd thought the assigned professor would be there, waiting for them.
"Oh, hello, Harry. Hermione, Orion", Dumbledore greeted them with a smile. " I said I'd have your teacher ready today - and I do, but the professor is waiting for you in your classroom."
"And where is that, Professor?", Orion asked hastily. Out of the three, he'd be the most eager to get started.
"I'm not sure, actually. But your professor left me this", he got out a very familiar-looking piece of parchment from the pocket of his robe. "He said you'd find your way with aid from that, Harry."
Harry grabbed the parchment with a face of utter amaze. He'd never in the world dreamed of even seeing the Marauder's Map again. But here it was, all in one piece. How it had been retrieved from Crouch's belongings at the end of term last year went far beyond Harry's own comprehension, but he decided not to comment - as he had his suspicions of the new professor's identity - but bid Dubledore good-bye and went back out into the corridor, followed by Hermione and Orion - the latter of the two looked very confused.
"What're we going to do with an old piece of parchment?", he asked sceptically.
Harry didn't answer, but nudged Hermione to do so. While she gave Orion a quick explanation Harry furrowed his brow for a moment, and proceeded to reveal the Map's secrets.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good", he stated, and all the different lines and spots of the Marauder's Map appeared in their places.
Hermione came up to him and bent over the map along with him. They lifted their eyes and met each other's for a short moment, and Harry could tell Hermione was thinking the same thing he was.
"It can't possibly be him, One! It just can't. What if he's caught?", Harry said, his eyes full of concern.
Hermione gave him an asserting peck on the cheek.
"I'm afraid it has to be him, Harry. No-one else could... But he's careful, you know that. He won't get caught. And if he's really here, he's under Dumbledore's protection, even the ministry won't catch him here."
"I so hope you're right, One. I so hope you're right."
"But on to more pressing matters. Where are we supposed to go? I don't understand", Hermione said slowly.
"Neither do I", Orion added. "Who're you talking about, for starters?"
"My godfather", Harry said decisively. "Sirius Black", he added in a more whispering tone.
"SIRIUS BLACK?!", Orion answered a lot more loudly.
"Scchhh!", Hermione waved her hands. "Not so loud. He isn't who you think he is, Orion. He's innocent. And when you talk about him - call him Snuffles. Harry and I reckon he's going to be our Animagus-professor. He's the only one who could have given Harry such a hint. But I don't really understand how to interpret it."
"I do", Harry said, grinning widely. "It's easy. Did you hear Dumbledore mention a strange room at dinner during the Yule Ball last year?"
"No", Hermione said hesitantly. "I guess I was talking to Viktor."
"Well, he said he'd by chance found a strange room filled with pots of different kinds when he'd got lost one morning. To Dumbledore, it must have looked odd, but to someone who's in on the secret of the room, it isn't. I told Snuffles about it during summer, and he told me what it really was - in between hysteric attacks of laughter."
Harry began walking in a swift pace trough the castle. Hermione held onto his hand, but had to almost run in order to keep up with him, and Orion came shortly after her. They walked through many secret passages and hidden doors, meanwhile Harry explained where they were heading.
"That room is also known as The Marauder Head-Quarters, by those who can call themselves Marauders, at least. The pot-collection room's really just the entrance to the real one, but anyway, that doesn't matter. Here we are."
The three came to a stop outside a door which looked like it lead to a bathroom of some sort. Harry hesitantly opened the door.
"From here you have to know a password in order to continue. This one hasn't been changed since the Marauders themselves left school, and Snuffles told me what it was during summer. We'll find him in here."
The entrance was a painting, naturally.
"Listen good now", Harry said, and his face displayed the widest smile ever. "Because this is going to be very amusing. 'By Merlin! Snape's the most annoying little greasy-haired slimeball on the planet!'"
Orion let out a cry of chock, but Hermione collapsed onto Harry's shoulder, laughing her head off. The painting swung aside and revealed an opening into a small room, which in furnishing resembled the Gryffindor Common Room a lot.
In the middle of the room was a group of armchairs, and in one of them sat a man in his mid-thirties. His hair was cut short and he looked well-fed. He grinned madly at Harry when he came through the portrait-hole. Harry grinned back and walked up to embrace his godfather.
"Hello to all of you", Sirius beamed. "And before you mention it Harry - I am perfectly safe here. Let's get started!", he rubbed his hands together and smiled eagerly.
Then Harry's godfather widened his eyes and got the biggest smile Harry had ever seen on his face. Sirius had apparently noticed Harry's hand intertwined with Hermione's.
"You have got to be kidding me!", he exclaimed. "No way you realised it this fast!"
"What?", Harry asked a little annoyed.
"You and Hermione - that you're the perfect couple! I mean, I always thought it'd take you at least the same amount of time it took James and Lily - and they didn't get together for real until about two weeks before graduation!"
"Can we please leave this subject!", Orion sighed in a bored manner. "I've been forced to listen to that kind of things all week. 'Oh they're such a perfect couple!', 'You finally realised that you're perfect for each other!', yadda, yadda, yadda. As if we didn't all know it!"
Both Harry and Hermione blushed red at his comments.
"Um - Sirius", Harry began. "We need to talk to you a little before we get started with the class. We were wondering something."
"Spill it!"
"Well, you know that book you sent me on my fifteenth?"
"Did you bring it with you? We'll need it in class, I think."
"Yes. But that's not the point. One, Ron and I discussed the book on the Hogwarts Express when we cam here. We decided to start Animagus-training on our own, aided by the book and hopefully you. But then McGonagall went to Dumbledore and asked if One, Orion and I could train under school supervision, and we were allowed to do so. Ron doesn't know about this class - well, not what it's really about, anyway - and we don't know what to do about his training. Do you have any advice?"
"Well, Harry", Sirius began. "That's not a very easy situation you have been put in. You can't just tell Ron that you're not going through with your original idea, because then he'll want to know why. But on the other hand, you promised Dumbledore to keep quiet about what you're up to. I think you should tell Ron the truth, and then I'll talk to Dumbledore and see what he has to say."
"Thanks, Sirius. I guess that's for the best."
Animagus class was fun, more fun than Harry had ever believed any vast area of Transfiguration could possibly be. They didn't get to start training for real right away, though, but spent most of the class reading books and doing some minor transfigurations on themselves, like changing their hair- colour. One thing they did have to begin working on, though, was the type of animal they were going to transform into later.
"We need to find out exactly how powerful you are before we start going through your future animal", Sirius explained. "If we know that, we'll be able to structure a good study-plan and also something about your possible animals. You see, there's this simple charm we'll perform, and then you'll begin creating images of yourself. Images that will morph into possible animals you can become. Repeat after me, 'Revealo Animagi'."
Sirius pointed his wand at himself and Harry, Hermione and Orion watched as three images of Harry's godfather showed up next to him. One of them changed into the Grim-like dog Harry was familiar with, the second was another dog, some hunting sort, and the last a proud grey wolf. Sirius was very powerful, but had his forms differed more from each other, or had they been magical, he'd be much more so.
Hermione performed her charm next. She spoke in a clear and proud voice, and when she started changing shapes Harry awed at what he saw. Hermione had four possible Animaguses. First, an owl. A reddish brown barn owl with a majestically proud air about it. Harry had to admit he wasn't all that surprised at that one. The second, an eagle which looked just like the one on the Ravenclaw crest. The third form was a young lioness, golden in fur and eye. The fourth - Harry gasped when he realised what it was - was yet another cat-animal. It was a golden-bronze with sapphire blue eyes, but a little large to be just an ordinary cat.
Hermione's last form was a kneazle. When she looked to her left and saw what the others saw, she squealed and threw herself into Harry's arms. He was beyond proud of her.
Orion's forms were majestic, but none too surprising. A wolf, just like Sirius, and a silver falcon. Then it was just Harry left.
"Revealo Animagi!", he stated and turned his want to himself.
Five shapes, all identical mirrors of himself, slowly became visible next to Harry. Then they began to morph, one after the other. A lion, just as majestic as the Gryffindor one. An owl, just like Hermione's, but male. A Pegasus horse, as black as the night sky, it's fur glowing like silk. A red and gold Phoenix. Harry blinked and awed at the four shapes that had showed themselves. The last shape turned to look at him and displayed a secretive smile on his face. Then he morphed.
Harry heard Hermione gasp and slump down into an armchair next to the fireplace. Orion was already sitting. Sirius yelped a little and took a step backwards. Harry finally got the chance to look at his fifth form.
It was a stag.
It's horns were majestic, as well as the rest of him. Dark bronze fur, deep brown eyes. A small shape above his left eye, Harry's scar. A stag that looked exactly like the one his father had used to be. Harry stared.
As did Sirius. Harry's godfather looked like he'd seen the most convincing of ghosts (and that meant quite a lot, seeing how the wizarding world was used to that kind of things), and he ran his hand over and over through his hair.
"That stag is a mirror image of James's", he stated slowly. "Even I fail to tell the difference, that scar withdrawn."
Harry didn't answer nor react. He vaguely remembered Hermione leading him by the arm back to Gryffindor tower and placing him on his bed before leaving the room. He didn't sleep at all that night, however. His head was spinning.
~oOo~
A/N: FINALLY! TAD 5! I know it ended a little awkward, but I felt the need to cut it there, since the next plot-twists in line need to be in a separate chapter.
How did you like my solution to Harry's lack of strategic abilities? I know, it's been done before, but frankly, I hadn't read anything about it until AFTER I put it in here.
Sixth chapter: I think it'll be called "Keeping safe" (or something similar). It will contain a talk with Ron, Keeper tryouts (which have been moved forward to the weekend instead of the next week), and then the duelling club session. I think that was just about it.
Did you expect Sirius to be the Animagus-teacher, though? Probably, yes.
Next I'll be posting chapter six of "Camp Moonlake" (in a few days - a week tops!), which will be called "Hermione's girls".
And never, ever, in a lifetime forget to make my day and REVIEW!
