Harry was standing outside of Privet Drive Number Four with his trunk and his owl cage, ready to be fetched. The Dursleys had shoved him outside after they say that he had packed already. They wanted him outside the house as fast as possible, and Harry could vividly imagine his aunt and uncle stopping him from coming inside again if the Weasleys wouldn't come.

Harry sat down on the sidestep, sighing. He sat there for a while as he heard a bang which made him jump. What the hell was that? It banged again and Harry saw what made the noise: A pretty battered VW kaefer was driving down the street, towards Harry. Harry could see Mr Weasley through the windshield who grinned broadly. Well, as far as Harry could remember Mr Weasley always looked like he had the time of his life when he was with muggle things. He was driving very slow, like he was too afraid to accelerate a bit. But Harry punched himself, Mr Weasley knew how to drive a car. Maybe he wanted to look at everything and driving too fast would mean missing interesting muggle things.

He stopped right at Harrys side and just as the engine stopped a loud bang erupted and the car looked like it had a complete breakdown. Mr Weasley wasn't even looking at the car but grasping Harrys hand very tight, the other hand patting the car gently.

"Hello, Harry! Ready, are you? Isn't she a beauty? And she's complete nonmagic! Ahem, where are your relatives? Your Aunt and Uncle?" He was positively bursting.

"Err, they're inside, I already said goodbye to them." That was not a complete lie, they were inside but he hadn't said goodbye. The silent treatment, the way he liked his uncle and aunt. Mr Weasley looked somewhat disappointed, meeting two muggles would have made his day a complete success.

"Well, then in you get!" Mr Weasley opened the door of the front passenger seat and baded Harry inside. Harry put his luggage at the back seat and closed the door. Mr Weasley sat himself at the driver's seat and tried to start the engine with his wand.

He tapped the board several times till he remembered that he had to start it with the key, like muggles would do it. This encouraged him some more and he turned the key, starting the engine.

The car was indeed pretty slow, but it was in fact Mr Weasleys fault. He stared at everything with great interest. Harry was pretty sure Mr Weasley tried to memorize Privet Drive.

Mr Weasley drove them out of Surrey till they reached some landside streets, and Mr Weasley showed Harry a map. Harry had to look for the Burrow, everything strictly muggle. Harry searched the map, finally having the right path: Ottery St. Catchpole, 2 miles nord-west.

Sighing at the boring landscape (only woods and meadows) Mr Weasley accelerated some more, but still a slug would outstrip them. But the engine (which was in the back of the car) was making racket like it was pulling on ends, Mr Weasley still ignored this. Harry saw Mr Weasley twitch, the banging had stopped for a second. Was he enjoying all this? Must be.

After a few minutes of banging and small explosions the car broke down, emitting dark fumes. Mr Weasley still grinned like a maniac and Harry began to worry a bit. Harry shook Mr Weasley to steer his attention to the fumes. Mr Weasley nodded and both of them got out of the car.

They opened the bonnet and and looked at the old and battered engine. No way to repair this, Harry thought. Mr Weasley tapped and prodded the engine with his wand but nothing happened. This should disappoint him a bit, but Mr Weasley was still looking like a raving lunatic.

"Well, that means we have to push the car till the Burrow. I saw muggles do it with their cars. The Burrow is only 2 miles away." Harry groaned but agreed. He hadn't trained today, maybe this was kind of a training.

Pushing the car wasn't that bad, Harry had an easy time pushing the pretty light car, and he saw that his stamina was bigger, too. After half an hour Mr Weasley was wincing and panting, but Harry was feeling excellent, ready to go on. They still had a mile to push, and after some time even Harry was panting and his muscles were aching.

Somehow they got to the Burrow, Mr Weasley looked ready to faint and Harry had to lean on the car to stand. But he was happy, he saw behind a large sign reading 'ThE BuRRoW' his favourite house where a family lived which was more a family to him than the Dursleys were ever.

Because of their silent arrival no one had yet spotted that they were finally there. Mr Weasley and Harry walked down the small path to the front door, and after Mr Weasley tapped it open 7 redheads bursted outside, hugging and thumbing them on the back. After the confusion was over the first person Harry saw was Ginny Weasley, blushing a dark red. She ran back into the house, apparently emberassed. Mr Weasley got his trunk and Hedwig's cage and they made their way into the kitchen. They asked him about nearly everything Harry could think of, or they would tell him the latest gossip out of the wizarding world. Harry listened and answered politely, but the thing he really wanted was a nice chat with his best friend. He had missed him, and stil he had to find out if he still had a crush on Hermione. And they had to plan their training sessions.

After a long and exhausting chat with all the Weasleys Harry took the opportunity.

"Well, it's nice to be here and all, but I'm tired and I want to bring my things up into Ron's room." And he looked at Ron pointedly. Ron understood after a long second, jumping up and stammering something about Harry not knowing where his room is and that he should help his friend. Ron grabbed Hedwig's cage and Harry his trunk, making their way up to Ronald's room.


***


After putting down Harry's luggage Ron turned to him.

"Well, what's so important to tell me?" Ron asked him mischievously.

"Well, it's the first day since almost two months that I see you and you want to know why? Okay, I wanted to thank you for your fabulous present." Ron snorted with laughter and Harry laughed with him.

"I had to buy it, see. It was perfect." Ron could say through snorts of laughter.

"Who wrote it, anyway? I already can see the small banners and flags of the 'official Harry Potter fanclub'" he made a gesture with his hand, showing an invisible banner. He shook his head and laughed again.

"Lockhart! Needed some money after we ruined his famous face. Collected every bit of information about you." Ron laughed again and Harry made a disgruntled face, this git Lockhart was using his good name for his dirty book! Harry wasn't sure if there was a law for copyright or something like that. He punched Ron's arm playfully to shut him up and to his great surprise Ron let out a small "Ow!".

"Oh, don't cry. Anyway, Hermione's present was bet-" He had stopped immediately, he almost had said what had happened on his birthday. Ron seemed to realize the fhe fishiness.

"What was the present?" Ron frowned slightly.

"Nevermind. Listen, remember last year? You asked Hermione out and she was kinda upset and all that… well, what I mean…" Harry was babbling, he was looking for the right sentence to tell him.

"What do you mean? I know I was a great prat and she deserved someone better."

"No! I mean, not this, I mean the whole thing. Not just last year, but nearly every year. You seemed to like her, uh, more than a friend…" Harry wasn't sure if this was gentle enough, but he would punch himself afterwards, but now he was looking at Ron anxiously.

Ron slightly turned away and blushed furiously. Damn, Harry thought.

"Well, to be honest I wanted to keep this for later, Harry, but" But what? Did he want to tell him that he was together with Hermione and she was just comforting Harry or something that day? Or maybe playing a joke on Harry? "Well, I wanted to tell You and Hermione that, um," Hermione did not know about this? Well, maybe he just fancied her and he wanted to tell her, not so pleasant either. "Um, Yes, here goes. You remember Fleur Delacour? I've-I've met her, in Diagon Alley. Remember she told you that she wanted to improve her english? Well, she got accepted at the Hogsmeade public school and asked me if-if- if I wanted to go out with her at my Hogsmeade visits." He said the last part very fast, as if he didn't want to say it, and he blushed again. Well, that would explain why Ron had started running and all that, he wanted to be fit for Fleur. And then it struck him: If Ron was with Fleur, he could be with Hermione, and no one will be upset!

Harry now noticed that he had his jaw hanging open all the time and now shut it rather quick.

"Well done, Ron!" Then he laughed out and Ron beamed at him.

"I've lifted my big secret and now you lift yours." Ron said and Harry frowned at him. "That thing with Hermione, don't play dumb with me."

"Um, well, she told you that she split up with Krum?" Ron nodded. "Er, yes, she was at Privet Drive, my birthday y'know, and" Harry thought, should he tell him everything? Had Ron told him every single detail? He would tell him the truth, just letting holes Ron could fill with his fantasy. "Well, her present was, a, a" - Damn, what to say. Harry thought fiercely.

"Her present was what?" Ron was anxious.

"A-A- kiss." Good one. Ron seemed utterly flabbergasted.

"And since then we are together. She has changed a lot! Wait till you see her, you won't recognize her!"

Ron's face now wore a frown, too. But he cleared it off and spoke.

"Harry, I know you knew that I had a crush on Hermione. But believe me, that was just some short thing, nothing longer lasting. I'm totally happy with Fleur and I'm happy that you're with Hermione. She's lucky though, got the one with more brains." He grinned and Harry laughed.

"As we're talking about changes, you have changed a lot, too!" Harry wanted to change the topic, he was not entirely sure if Ron was telling the truth. And thinking about Hermione made his hormones jump up, some emotion he mustn't show his best mate.

"Yeah, trained hard, as you already know. Fleur was delighted. This year that git Malfoy will pay for everything he has done to us and our friends!"

Malfoy. Last time Harry had met Malfoy that git had told him that everyone now has to decide which side they will join, the right or the wrong one. Harry knew that the wrong side was with Voldemort. Aurors were out hunting dark wizards and Voldemort. Lucius Malfoy was such a dark wizards, a deatheater to be precise. The last time Harry saw Lucius was at Voldemort's resurrection, the day Voldemort got a new body. His thoughts were interrupted, Ron had spoken to him.

"Harry? I just asked you if you want to start training with me. I mean, Hermione would appreciate it." He grinned and Harry grinned back.

"Well, to be honest I already started training on my own. Even got my own training clothes."

"Well, I cannot see that much of change, wasn't that hard then, I suppose. You got a tan, maybe you just sunbathed all day. C'mon tell me the truth." Ron grinned broadly now.

Harry suspected that the baggy clothes he still wore (cast-offs from Dudley) made him look like this. But it was the truth, Harry had now a tanned, muscular body and he was proud of what he had achieved.

"Okay, if you don't believe me. Let's push arms!" He positioned his elbow on the table after sitting down and waited.

"Push arms? What muggle nonsen-" But Harry cut him short and explained it to him. Two people had to put elbow on the table, grasping each other's hand and pushing it down till the opponent's hand touches the table. It was a simple strength comparism.

After Ron understood he was looking serious, desperate to beat Harry, who always had beaten him in nearly everything, except wizarding chess. Harry saw the muscular but still thin arms and sighed. It will be pretty easy, he thought. What would Ron say if he could see Dudley's muscles?

They grasped hands and Harry counted slowly till three. Ron was faster and pushed Harry's hand at the first moment to get a slight advantage. But Harry's arm was unmoved. Harry himself pushed a little to test Ron's strength and was surprised as he saw how easy he could push Ron's arm down. He looked up and Ron's face was contorted in concentration. Harry worried, should he loose on purpose? While he thought Ron pushed some more and Harry was caught off guard, he had lessened the force behind his push and was now pushed by Ron. He could stop him from knocking his hand on the table and pushed Ron's hand up to a more neutral position. Then Harry gathered all his strength and he pinned Ron's knuckles to the table. Ron looked beaten, wincing because his hand hurted. He looked down, muttering 'muggle games, no wonder he's better at them'.

Harry silently shook his head, Ron soon would have to understand that Dudley's training had been more effective than his.


***


Harry stayed at the Burrow for the rest of the holidays, spending his time with his new training companion (Ron's training had been very lazy compared to his, Ron had problems taking up with Harry) or he played Quidditch with Ron and the twins (although the twins were heavily working on their joke shop, they wanted to start it right after their NEWT's), and sometimes even with Charlie and Bill. Charlie was Gryffindor Quidditch Captain in his days at Hogwarts and was a legendary Seeker (Sentences like 'He's flying like Charlie Weasley were common'), but Harry succeeded in catching the Snitch every time, although Charlie always gave him a head-to-head race. Bill was playing Chaser and Ron was playing Keeper, both of them were doing quite well.

His holidays were fun, but they were depressing, too. Everyone around Harry seemed to bodyguard him, Harry was never alone. He strongly suspected that Mrs Weasley had Bill and Charlie come so they could have an eye on Harry, too. Harry was annoyed. Who am I, I have fought Voldemort before. He received owls twice a day from Hermione, who was as concerned as the Weasleys were. He told her twice a day that everything was fine, but she won't listen to him. Bad Luck she isn't here.

The only Weasley except for Percy not looking after him was Mr Weasley. Harry reasoned that he probably had to do overtime at the ministry. With Voldemort back Mr Weasley would have to prevent many muggle baiting attacks. It seemed like everyone was on edge, Charlie and Bill seemed to be more serious than Harry had ever seen them (They were usually quite funny, overgrown kids), and the twins were even funnier than normal, probably trying to hide their nervousness. Percy had changed to the extreme opposite, he was no sycophant nor simple assistant, he no was promoted to the Head of Magical Cooperation after Crouch had died, and he did his job with passion. Percy had told Harry about a mind-enhancing spell, and that he could speak about 20 languages fluently. Harry saw the day that Percy would be a great sorcerer like Crouch, but strong-minded, not a moron trying to fool the Dark Lord.

In the evening hours Harry made his homework he had neglected since then, and Ron did his, too, after his mother made him.

"You're facing your OWL's and being lazy won't help getting them, and if you're not improving you would drop-" Harry saw Ron roll his eyes and Harry knew that Ron wasn't listening anymore, he probably heard this pretty often.

A week before term started the whole Weasley crowd went to Diagon Alley (using Floo powder, of course) to buy school things. Harry reopened his letter and looked at the list added to the formal letter.

Fifth-Year students will require:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Five by Miranda Goshawk

Palmistry and other Seeing Technics by Gedral Hiphook

From Dragons to Werewolves - Most beautiful and dangerous Beasts known by Richard Kettleburn

Advanced Transfiguration by Minerva McGonagall

Preparing for the OWLs by David Ysilow

Furthermore students are allowed to bring a pair of dress robes, as the Yule Ball will be held this year again.

After some money withdrawal at Gringotts they went to Flourish and Blotts, buying their books. Ginny and Ron got second or third-hand books, and Ron went rather pink around his eyes. The twins had to share Percy's old schoolbooks.

After that Ron and Harry walked down to Madame Malkins, and Ron told him that he had saved some money so he could buy himself some training robes. Harry nodded, he already had appropinquate clothing for training, but some new robes could be nice, he had grown a few inches. And maybe some other robes for other occasions, like the Yule Ball. He liked his old emerald green robes, but he felt like he needed something more Gryffindor. And, he thought to himself, I got a girlfriend, and looking nice wouldn't hurt, would it?

Ron was heading to the left part of the shop where the sport dressing was, and Harry headed to the northern part of the shop, looking for dress robes and that stuff. He never shopped before, his clothes he wore were usually normal Hogwarts robes or muggle castoffs of Dudley.

After they left Madame Malkins Ron clutched some robes in jolly orange and Harry had bought some nice dress robes in Gryffindor colours. They were very expensive and looked like it, but Ron didn't say a thing. He, however, told Harry that his new robes could absorb a small amount of sweat and if he was sweating too much to be absorbed the robe would do a small perfume charm to keep him nice and well-smelling.

Before they would return to the Burrow, Mrs Weasley invited them to icecream, and while Ron nearly inhaled his Harry had a nice conversation about the OWL's with Fred(he couldn't believe it, speaking to Fred in what seemed to be a normal conversation seemed pretty weird).

"Well, the OWL's arent't that bad, and they're parted. You can get 2 OWL's in each subject, in some even 3. But that is very advanced Magic, you should be at the level of Sisth-Year's to scrape 3 OWL's in one subject. Percy got 3 OWL's in History of Magic, dunno how he could stand Binns."

Shortly after they traveled back, using the Floo in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Ron spent the rest of the day playing wizarding chess and gobstones, both of them not to keen to do homework. But Harry's attitude towards school and learning had changed, and the last days of his holidays were spent with reading and memorizing, he wanted to be prepared. Even in Potions.

"Are you crazy? You will end up like Hermione, Harry!" Ron did not share Harry's enthusiasm, reading idly in his favourite Chudley Cannons book.

Harry thought about this. He had changed, somehow. School wasn't that difficult. Being perfectly prepared showed him one thing: That all these things were pretty easy, you just had to deal with them (well, expcept for Divination, which seemed to be complete nonsense). Harry now knew Hermione's secret to good marks: working hard! He probably wasn't working as hard as Hermione would, but he knew that he would improve a lot this year. Ron just shook his head in disbelief, his best friend, a bookworm.


***


It was the usual mayhem at the Burrow - The Weasleys prepared to drive to King's Cross, and everyone ran around the house, tired, puff-eyed and, trying to get breakfast or do their late packing. Mr Weasley again got ministry cars for them, hauling their trunks into the magically enhanced car. Harry sat on the backseat bench, which was enlarged and now six people could sit there.

They arrived at King's Cross in time and emerged onto platform 10, going through the barrier between platform nine and ten. Harry and Ron went through it first, followed closely by Ginny, Fred and George. Mrs Weasley entered last, Mr Weasley had stayed home.

They say the gleaming purple Hogwarts train, ready to depart. There was a large crowd in front of it, noisy students, fellow Gryffindors, clever Ravenclaws, cool Hufflepuffs, cunning Slytherins. And, between small First Years and menacing Slytherin Sixth Years, he saw her. She was as beautiful as she was on Privet Drive, and as she ran to him he spreaded his arms. But she didn't hug him, she jumped at him. Harry caught her and she wrapped her legs and arms around him. Harry twirled her around, and they kissed wildly. Two weeks without her were pretty hard, and now he had her back, and it was the best feeling ever.

After almost a minute he let her down, smiling at her. She smiled back, and her eyes shone with love. Harry was sure his eyes were shining the same way.

Now Harry looked back at the Weasleys, and only Ron who knew what had happened between Hermione and Harry looked utterly calm. Fred and George were lookin a bit like open-mouthed fish and Ginny had averted her eyes, trying not to ogle at them. Mrs Weasley had pink cheeks as if she was remembered of her own youth.

Now he looked closer at her, she was indeed beautiful, but he didn't like her because she was beautiful, he liked her, the person Hermione, and not her body. He loved the whole being, every inch of her. She wore a plain Hogwarts robe, and pinned to it was a shiny prefect badge. She was a prefect, too! Of course she is a prefect, he thought. But then he grinned and pointed at her badge.

"Gratulations, but to be honest I thought they would pick Parvati. Or maybe Lavender. But you?" She hit him playfully on the chest and hugged him again. She then hugged Ron, who seemed to be more like a friend than ever. Harry knew there had been a time when Ron had some feelings for her, but those days were gone. He now was in love with Fleur Delacour, and she seemed to be an alright person.

The twins greeted her next, and they had finally closed their mouths. Fred spoke first (he wore a Weasley sweater with a big F on it).

"What have you done with Hermione? Speak to us, beautifullest woman on the world!" His voice was serious, but George behind him sniggered uncontrollably. She looked at him, equally serious.

"Hello, Fred, George! Hermione is now grownup and looks like this. And thanks for the complement." They hugged them both, and Harry was very proud.

Just the moment Hermione wanted to greet Ginny, someone shouted at them from the train.

"Hey! If you want to get to Hogwarts today then I would get on, the train's leaving soon!" Ginny was standing in the doorway of the train, frowning.

Harry waved at Mrs Weasley and quickly grabbed his trunk and Hedwig's cage. He entered the train, in front of him Hermione, right behind him Ron and his twin brothers.

The twins left them and Ron, Hermione and Harry went to Ginny's compartment.

The train went through the country and Harry and his fellows had a fun time together. They chatted idly, but Ginny insisted to know how Hermione and Harry got together. Harry just repeated what he had said to Ron. Ron, however seemed somewhat uneasy and told Hermione that he was with Fleur Delacour now, and she snorted with laughter. Ginny chimed in and Harry couldn't help but grin. Ron shot daggers at them, but Hermione eventually stopped laughing, and gratulated him. Ron was still upset with er.

But his mood dropped a good deal as the compartment door slid open and Malfoy was standing there.

"Ah, Potty, the Weasels and their mudblood friend. I came to tell you that the prefects have compartments for themselves, so get your bloody arses out of here and leave the wea-" Malfoy stopped, he had looked at Hermione. He had looked at Harry all the time but at the end of his speech his gaze had drifted, now lieing on Hermione. He goggled and nearly drooled. Harry grinned broadly.

"Well, Malfoy, we're quite comfortable here, and sitting together with Hermione in one room seems to be the wrong choice. I mean, you couldn't string two words together. And you usually have problems with that, haven't you?"

They all roared with laughter and Malfoy backed away, closing the compartment. After the laughter died away he added mishievously.

"I should watch out, I have the best-looking woman of the whole school as my girlfriend."

"I have the best-looking man of the whole school as my boyfriend, I should watch out."

They both grinned broadly at each other. But Harry's mind was racing. Did she meant it? Sure, he had improved a lot, but best-looking? I need a haircut, he thought.

Ginny and Ron were exchanging asking looks, but Harry and Hermione were in another world. Harry bought loads of sweets from the nice witch who sold every kind of sweet imaginable. They ate them and chatted, happily anticipiating Hogwarts.


***


As the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station they could already hear Hagrid's booming voice.

"Firs' Years, Firs' Years over here! C'mon, all firs years follow me! How are ye, Harry, Hermione, Ron?"

They waved at him and Harry made his way through the crowd, his hand clenched with Hermione's, closely followed by Ron and Ginny. They climbed in a horseless carriage and soon every student found was seated and the carriages started to move. They ascended Hogwarts castle, and for once Harry felt home. His last few weeks were quite okay, and Hermione's presence right beside him improved his confidence a great deal.

After the arrival they all departed from the carriages and walked slowly into the castle. They quickly found their way into the Great Hall. Harry had changed his muggle clothes on the train, now wearing his red and golden robe and pinned to it the shiny prefect badge.

Harry was very fond of his red and golden robe, it had an anti-mud repelling charm on it and it always looked fresh and clean. He was easily visible through the plain black robes around him. And clearly visible were his and Hermione's hand, linked. A loud murmur grew, and soon the most important topic of Hogwarts was Harry and Hermione's relationship. But Harry didn't blush, nor did Hermione. Harry was proud to have such an intelligent and attractive woman as girlfriend.

He looked at the door of the antechamber through which the new students would come, led by Professor McGonagall. An sure enough a small line of black-robed students emerged from the chamber, looking excited. Flitwick carried a wooden chair with a very shabby hat on it, and placed it right in the middle. Harry could remember his sorting, and he thought about how dull a hat's life could be. Thinking about a new song every year, that's it.

A rip near the top opened and the hat began to sing.

Do you ask yourself were you belong?

At Hoggy Warty Hogwarts !

That is why I am singing my song.


My wisdom will seach your head

And look what house you fit in best

Just put me on after you sat

And I'll do the rest!


Will you be a new Gryffindor?

Bravest witches and wizards are from there

Or is Hufflepuff where you belong?

This hard-working crowd has always a seat to share


What about Ravenclaw?

Where the clever mind dwells great

But why not Slytherin?

If you have ambition Slytherin is your fate


So put me on don't hesitate

I know where you belong, where you'll be great


The students applauded politely and the hat bowed to each of the four house tables. McGonagall continued with the sorting, reading a list of the new students.

"McDouglas, Ryan!"

Ryan was announced a Hufflepuff and the table right in the middle exploded with applause.

"Avery, Justin!"

The hat had screamed "Slytherin" shortly after the small boy had put on the hat, and shortly after Justin had gone to the Slytherin table Draco Malfoy leaned over to talk to him.

Harry searched through his memories. Avery was the name of a Death Eater, and Justin seemed to be his son. No surprise there, another Slytherin. Harry applauded for a small girl who was just announced Gryffindor, and Hermione told him that she probably was a younger sister of Mandy Brocklehurst (the girl was called Rebecca Brocklehurst).

After the Sorting Gryffindor had seven new students (after Rebecca Brocklehurst came Liam Joovey, Jennifer Adams, Rico Spinnet, Debora Williams, Kevin Creevey and Helena McGonagall). Harry was pretty sure that Helena was related to Minerva McGonagall, she had the same stern gaze (strange enough for a eleven-year old girl) but seemed nice enough.

Dumbledore stood and everyone grew silent. They all looked expectantly at Dumbledore.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I just want to announce some things before we can fill our tummies! First of all, the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden. Next, some graduated students were on the quidditch team last year, and the quidditch captains of the houses are allowed to have trials about these positions. Anyone above First-Year may talk to their house captain if they are interested. Next the Hogsmeade visits, I hope the new Third-Years have their permission form with them? Good! And some other news are that this year we will hold the Yule Ball again. It was quite nice and I grew fond of it. And the last thing: may the food appear!"

The dishes and plates in front of them filled with food and everyone dug in. The sweets were long forgotten.

After the feast the tired Gryffindor crowd led by Harry and Hermione made their way through Hogwarts, and in front of the portrait of the fat lady they stopped and waited for Alicia to give the password. After they were let in (the password was "paper tissue") Harry had to show their First-Years their rooms, and soon Harry was deeply annoyed. First of all, they behaved very childish (they are children, after all) and especially Liam asked him many questions ( Is the forbidden Forest dangerous? I heard you had to go in there once, is it true? Is it true that werewolves are living in there? Have you ever seen one?"). Harry was polite and answered every question they had. But he was surprised of Kevin Creevey, he had been sure that Kevin would be like his older brothers, totally worshipping Harry. But he was - well, there was no other word describing it - cool. He behaved mature and rolled his eyes at his comgrades. Kevin slowly captured the right bed, while Rico took the middle one. Rico was pretty average. He asked some questions, behaved like a eleven-years old kid should behave. He was a little bit bossy, though. After answering two more questions of Liam ("Is Snape really evil? I heard he had a bad childhood. Do you know something about it, Harry?") Harry closed the door quickly after wishing them a good night.

Back in the Common Room he looked around and saw that Hermione and several Sixth and Seventh-Years were the only left.

"Ron already went to bed, what took you?" She smiled warmly at him, and his stomach lurched. It felt like airplanes flying around in his stomach.

"Well, remember that Liam? He is somewhat like Colin or Dennis, I had to explain nearly everything to him, from Animagi to Quidditch. Speaking of the Creeveys, Kevin is the quite opposite of Colin. Colin and Dennis probably babbled about me all summer hols and he got sick with it." Hermione laughed and Harry chimed in. Harry drew her into his arms and they kissed. She embraced him and they kissed silently for a minute or so.

Harry could see Fred at his shoulder, tapping him. He turned around and saw every face turned at them, starting to applaude and Fred and George let out some wolf howls. Harry's ears went pink but Hermione ignored them all, turning Harry's head around once more and kissing him passionately. The howling and applauding stopped eventually and they parted, Harry going into his dorm, Hermione going into her dorm. Inside he left his glasses on the table, undressed and put on his pyjamas. He then layed down and was soon fast asleep.


***


While breakfast next day Harry's eyes met something unusual. There was no new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher! The new teacher hadn't been at the Welcoming feast either. Last year Barty Crouch Jr. had teached them, disguised as Alastor Moody. Maybe they failed to find someone appropinquate?

But as Ron gave Harry his new schedule he saw that they had Defence against the Dark Arts today, and they had to have a new teacher. He thought back to his Third year, Snape had been filling in. Maybe Snape finally got what he wanted? Everyone in Hogwarts knew that Severus Snape wanted the Defence against the Dark Arts job, but every year Dumbledore assigned someone else. Snape was the most-hated teacher (at least in Gryffindor) and the pure thought that Snape would torture them in DADA was bad enough.

But Snape would like that, and at the moment Snape wasn't looking that pleased. He was shooting gazes as usual, sometimes looking at Harry and sending a look full of hatred to him. Either he won't be the DADA teacher or his mood won't rise because he is. Maybe he wanted to be more evil than ever.

He told Ron about these thoughts. Ron told him that he thought similar things. Hermione's head was in a book Harry didn't recognize while she ate a jam roll. Harry smiled to himself, she looked exactly like the old Hermione in her Hogwarts robes which were perfect to hide certain body roundings. But Harry knew how attractive she was and he was in love with her. He was happy to have a girlfriend, and he was happy that she loved him too. Lucky the Hogwarts robe is hiding her so well, I couldn't stand it otherwise, he thought.

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked down to the DADA classroom and seated themselves into the first row of seats. Ron still still wondered who will teach them but Harry was pretty sure - Snape wanted this job badly, and now no one else got it. It's Snape's turn now, Harry thought bitterly.

Harry grimaced, he would be tortured in DADA and Potions! He tried to banish the smirking face of Severus Snape out of his mind. Just the moment Harry reopened his eyes a person entered the room. The person had a kind face, a crooked nose, half-moon spectacles and a long silvery beard. Everyone's eyes wided as they saw Dumbledore standing there. Dumbledore himself chuckled and seated himself in the teacher's chair.

Dumbledore spoke first.

"Many of you have noticed that there is no new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher this year. That is because we already have teachers who are capable of teaching Defence against the Dark Arts and secondly no one wanted to do this job because people think it jinxed. The Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons will be divided between Professor Snape and me. Professor Snape will do the theoretical part with you, and I will do the practical. Today is a practical lesson, and you will need your wand only."

A loud murmur went through the Gryffindors, and Harry was torn between grinning and cursing. Practising with Dumbledore could be great, but being tortured by Snape half the time wasn't a pleasant thought. Well, better than having Snape all the time.

Harry smiled and drew his wand. Ron beside him did the same, but his look told Harry clearly that he had thought the same. Snape's lessons will be pure Gryffindor-baiting. Hermione looked excited at Dumbledore, no sign of anger or anything. She was unaffected by the fact that Snape would teach them next lesson.

They all stood and Dumbledore pushed the tables to the wall with a flick of his wand.

"I won't teach you new spells or tactics. I will group you and let you fight against each other. If you use your wands or your fists doesn't matter. Because that's what I want to teach you - The Laws of war. Everything is allowed in war. Well, except the Unforgivable Curses. You have lost if you say loud enough "I surrender!" or if you are uncouncious, but please don't knock your enemy uncouncious with raw force. Madam Pomfrey would kill me if her hospital wing is overcrowded. Okay, the groups are: Mr Weasley - Mrs Granger - Mrs Brown - Mr Thomas and the second group will be Mrs Patil - Mr Longbottom - Mr Potter - Mr Finnigan. I will mark a small area and you will fight each other. The best from each group will fight against each other, too."

Dumbledore marked two areas and started the fight with a whistle.

Harry was unsure. His enemys weren't that expierienced but if they teamed up against him he would have problems.

Seamus pointed his wand at Harry and cried "Expelliarmus!" but Harry dogded it. But he got hit by Parvati's tarantellegra curse, and his feet moved uncontrollably. He tried to calm his feet but he failed. Seamus was about to cry his next spell but Harry was to fast for him. He pointed his wand at Seamus and shouted "Stupefy!"

Seamus hit the floor and Harry once again tried to calm his wiggly feet. He calmed them, but he still couldn't move them as he wanted. He heard another stupefy and saw that Parvati had beaten Neville. She now looked to him and he looked back. He had to do it nicely, she was after all a girl and would be upset if he was too harsh. While he thought she smirked and pointed her wand at him. She cried "Inverso!" and Harry knew at once what would happen to him. He had found this spell in one of his new school books. It was a confundus class spell, and he would find his world upside down, just like the enchantment in the maze last year.

There it was, he was hanging upside down. She was again smirking at him. He knew how to beat it, he had to destroy the illusion by taking a step forward.

Harry smirked back at Parvati and made the step. The world turned normal again and he pointed his wand at her. He wanted to surprise her. And he certainly would.

"aliena mimicri!"

Parvati was utterly perplexed. She turned once, shrugging she turned back. But again she turned, this time she looked furious. This was repeated over and over till Harry stupefied her.

Dumbledore announced that he had won and revived her.

Harry helped her up and she looked at him, blushing. He smiled and turned to the other group. He saw a fierce battle between Ron and Hermione. Ron was too bad tempered to beat Hermione, and finally she stupefied him. Harry had to fight Hermione. For a wild second he thought about throwing the fight, but then he thought about it - She would hate him, she would think that he thinks that she is no formidable enemy. He had to fight her, and he had to fight for real.

They faced each other and bowed.

Harry took the opportunity and threw his first spell at her.

"Impendienta!" Hermione blocked his spell and threw the disarming spell at him, which Harry simply dogded. Harry smiled, he had some nice spells to test.

"Axxeleratus movitur!" Harry's spell was working, he felt his newly gained speed. He was now twice as fast. He sprinted up at her and around her while she was completely surprised. He quickly used the laughing spell, the inverso spell and after that the locomotor mortis.

Hermione could only scream "I give!" between her laughing fits. Her eyes were wide open, she was probably frightened by Harry's inverso spell.

Harry broke the spells on her and Dumbledore announced him the winner. Hermione looked disappointed, but she gratulated him.

"That's unfair! I should be the one mastering all the new spells." She said with a mock voice. But Harry heard the pride behind it. She was proud to have such a boyfriend. His chest swelled and he took her hand into his.

Dumbledore was delighted and gave Harry and Hermione ten points for Gryffindor. After that he showed the class the new spells Harry, Hermione and the others had used and dismissed the class. Harry was in good mood, it had been a fun lesson. Even Ron enjoyed it despite the fact that he lost against Hermione. He was probably proud of himself that he had stood against her for some time, Hermione was pretty good.


***


His life turned to the usual, he always enjoyed his time in Hogwarts. But something had changed, better said someone. Harry now spent more time on his homework and reading books then playing wizarding chess or exploding snap. His marks were getting better, and he was feeling better than ever (maybe because Ron wasn't beating him in chess anymore).

Sometimes he and Hermione were spending some time in a quiet corner, even going further then kissing (but not much further). Harry was sure he knew almost every spot of her (except some very very intimate). They took their time, they had silently agreed not to have sex yet. They were young, just teenagers, collecting expierience. And Harry wondered - What is special about sex? I mean, I got the a very good feeling with her in my arms, and the best is when I kiss her. It's nearly impossible to have better feelings than those. And what about preventing pregnancy? Harry knew that muggles had their ways to prevent it, but what about it in the wizarding world? Hermione probably knows it.

Harry had started making his and Ron's training plan. Ron had groaned but was still willing to go along. Harry made him run several times from the castle down to Hagrid's hut and back, before and after that stretching and sit-ups.

After every workout Harry had used the prefects bathroom and Ron had gone back to Gryffindor Tower, showering there.

Harry spoke the password to Boris the bewildered and stepped into the room. The portrait behind him closed and he felt himself pressed against the wall. Before he could fight back he saw his invisibility cloak come off a grinning Hermione. He wanted to say something but she already pressed her lips on his.

He kissed back and relaxed, it was just a crazy idea of Hermione. He put his hands around her waist, letting them wander around. After a few seconds his eyes grew wide. She was entirely naked! He pushed her away and looked at her face. She was smiling, and like he had felt completely nude. He resisted the urge to look down and rested his gaze at her face. She still smiled, and he spoke.

"Hermione, what are you doing in here? Not that I'm not pleased to see you."

She grinned mischieviously at him:" Well, I'm here to surprise my darling. Do you want to take a bath with me?" she pointed at the pool in the middle of the room, already full with foaming water.

Harry looked at her, she still smiled expectantly. It was risky, another prefect could come in here every second. And still Harry thought about this pregnancy problem. But Hermione grew impatient and pointed her wand (where had she hidden it?) at the portrait hole and whispered some words Harry recognized as the locking charm (unbreakable by the unlocking charm).

She smiled and pulled him with her towards the pool. She was beautiful and very tempting. He felt his erection growing steadily. He tried to calm himself, but her appearance made it pretty hard. She walked down the stairs into the pool and Harry begun to undress, but she again pointed her wand at him and whispered some words. Harry didn't recognize them this time but he knew what she had done. He was completely undressed standing in front of her.

She chuckled at his erection and Harry's ears went pink. He climbed into the pool, too after she had asked him how long he wanted to stand there.

It was enjoying, they kissing and touched each other for about half an hour. Harry now was sure that he had touched every spot of her body (and every second spot kissed). Hermione wanted to touch his erection but he always backed away. After another attempt to touch it he looked at face and spoke.

"Hermione, I-I'm not sure if we should do this. I-I mean I have no clue how we gonna-"

"prevent pregnancy? Harry, please calm down. I've read about it and Madame Pomfrey makes a potion which is given out to girls. It prevents Pregnancy for about 6 months. I have had one at the beginning of the year which means we have plenty of time. I didnÄt came here to sleep with you, Harry. I wanted to be with you, getting comfortable."

Harry was flabbergasted. She was so open-minded! Harry had guessed that she had read about it, but not that she already had prepared everything and that she was waiting for HIM! Wasn't it usually the boy waiting for the girl? Harry just nodded and they started kissing again.

After another comfortable half an hour the water was cold, Harry and Hermione just wanted to get out. They dressed and Hermione threw the Invisibility Cloak over herself and disappeared behind the portrait. Harry followed her 5 minutes later.

First of the day was Care of magical creatures (together with the Slytherins), so Harry got his rucksack and made his way down to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was already waiting for them.

After everyone arrived Hagrid showed them what they would study next. Griffins! Harry wasn't sure if this was a good idea, because Draco Malfoy (a Fifth-Year Slytherin) was attacked by a griffin while they were in Hagrid's class. Sure, it was Draco's own fault but the Griffin was accused and nearly killed. But Hagrid seemed confident.

They did exactly the same as they did in their Third year. Everyone had to bow to one of the griffins, hoping they would bow to them, too.

Harry bowed to his griffin, a yellow-redish one. The griffin bowed to Harry, and Harry patted it lightly on the back. He looked around. Everyone else had done it, too (Neville needed two attempts).

"Yes, now after ye got yer griffins to bow to ye sit on its back and fly with it over this distance (he waved his enormous hand at a small line on the ground). Griffins are proud animals and they will only obey you if you treat them good. Like equals. Understand? Sit right behind their wings and don't pull out any feathers, they don't like it."

Harry had flown with a griffin in his Third Year, it was pretty easy (but not as enjoying as his Firebolt). You had to ask the griffin nicely.

Harry sat himself on his griffin, right behind the wings. He asked the griffin politely if it could fly with him over the small distance marked with the line, and the griffin seemed to nod.

It made some steps to gather speed and then took off, moving its wings ever so slightly, flying over the small distance and landing lightly on the ground.

Harry was happy that he had done it, jumped down and patted his griffin. He looked around, no one else had done it. He looked back and saw his schoolmates with perplexed looks directed at Harry and Hagrid. Some were in the air, like Ron, but his griffin seemed not to hear his loud pleading to get down on the other side. Hermione was sitting on her griffin, asking him if he would fly to where Harry was, but her voice said too clear that she was afraid to fly (the griffin seemd to hear it, too). Hagrid again explained everything, egging the class to do it. Several tried it and it worked, even Ron succeeded in landing next to Harry. About the half of the class had done it, the rest was frustrated. Hagrid came over to them and beamed.

"Ah, everyone here? Good!" But he stuttered as he saw Harry.

"Harry? Weren't you with Hermione on the other side? When did you get over here?"

"I started right out, like you told us to do. I waited for the rest, took them long enough." He smirked at Draco Malfoy, who had to convince his griffin first with his nicest voice.

"Well, your griffin looks that dumb, even Longbottom could have flown it."

"Being brave again, are we? I saw you approaching that griffin, like you were wetting yourself all the time. Looks like bad memories are coming up."

"Quiet! Okay, 10 points to Gryffindor for Harry, he was first to fly over here."

The rest of the lesson they had to write down things about griffins. Malfoy was giving him looks full of loathe and Harry gave them back. He slapped himself, he shouldn't get upset because of a jerk like Malfoy. He remembered back to the morning and the bath with Hermione, lost in thoughts. Malfoy began to laugh, maybe because I have a dreamy grin on the face. Doesn't matter.

Sorry that it took me so long to translate, but it was a very long chapter. I hope Glyph will betaread this, because I haven't checked for type/spelling mistakes yet (my processing machine should have done it though). Review if you like !