Chapter Five

The Best Year Yet

The empty bottle of Butterbeer sat on the kitchen table as Harry pointed his wand at it. "Fresen!"

His wand spit out something white on the bottle, but not much else.

Hermione's eyebrows knitted. "Try picturing the moisture in the air before you use the incantation."

Harry looked up. "What's moisture in the air look like?"

"Um ... rain?" she said, unsure.

Harry crooked an eyebrow at her and looked back at the bottle picturing tiny droplets of rain in the air and using them to power his spell. "Fresen!"

Cool wind exploded out the tip of his wand along with a white jet of frost, enveloping the bottle. When he pulled back and the air cleared around the bottle they noted that it was completely white and covered in ice.

Hermione clapped her hands. "Brilliant, now me!"

She took Harry's place and withdrew her wand while looking up at the gas jet on the opposite wall she started to utter the incantation, but as she did, the kitchen door open with Mrs. Weasley and Ron entering. "Fyr!"

The bottle and the table were awash with searing flames jetting from her wand.

"Blimey!" yelled Ron and his mother fanned the air in front of her, "Goodness."

The fire ceased and Hermione stared at the charred table in front of her and the remains of the bottle, shattered atop. "Oops," she muttered apologetically.

Mrs. Weasley was about to lose her temper. "What is it that you are doing, flouting the Restriction of Underage Sorcery? Do you want to be up on trial too. And you could have burned the house down."

Harry shrugged. "We were practicing , and the house is unplottable."

Hermione nodded. "And the Ministry only has Detect Magic Charms in areas that underage wizards live. They don't pinpoint actual wizards."

Mrs. Weasley face went serious. "And now that Arthur is Minister I don't want you two taking advantage of the law. There will be no unsupervised magic in this house."

Harry was about to tell her it was his house and she could move on if she didn't like it, but held his mouth all the same. Instead he tried to appeal to another side of her.

"Dumbledore wants me to be top student this year and the only way I have a chance at that is to practice with Hermione so we can be ahead when we start term. Can you think of a better way?"

She looked confused and thought on it for a moment. "If you can convince Mr. Weasley to allow you to practice then I'll allow it."

Harry nodded.

"Oh, and Harry, by the way, Professor Snape will be by tonight to continue with your lessons."

Harry's chest lurched. If there was one thing in all the world that he wished to do any less it was the continuation of his Occlumency lessons. Actually any time spent in the presence of the Potions Master was one for that particular list. Hermione sensed his trepidation and offered a suggestion.

"The only way you are going to get out of this is by learning it as quickly as possible. Then he won't have anything to teach. I'll help you."

Harry smiled wearily. "Since when have you become a master at Legilmistmism?"

She giggled. "It's Legilimency, and I studied up on it last year when you told us about the lessons. I can't perform the actual spells; you have to be able to master Occlumency before you can proceed to the next level., but I can help you with the theory. It should make your time of things a bit easier."

He nodded. "Anything to keep Snape out of my house."

They spent a good portion of the day in theory and practice to clear Harry's mind of outside thoughts. Most of the time he had even come close to succeeding in clearing his mind was when there was complete silence and he wasn't bothered by any outside influence. The bad part was he doubted that Snape would give him the chance to stop and concentrate.

He kept hearing his words from last year. "You are not trying, you are making no effort ..."

Harry's concentration broke for what seemed to be the thousandth time that afternoon. He looked more than frazzled and Hermione didn't appear any better for the effort.

"I wish I could just force him out instead of trying to prevent him from getting in," spat Harry.

"That is what I am trying to teach you, Potter."

Harry froze at the sound of the voice, and his chest seemed to burst at knowing who was standing behind him. He slowly took to his feet and turned around, not noticing that he had palmed his wand in the process.

Severus Snape stood in front of them now, his traditional flowing black robes hung off his body as usual and the ever present sneer masked his face. "Now if you are through playing house with Miss. Granger I have a schedule ..."

"Apologize."

Snape stopped in mid turn. "Pardon me, Potter. What was that you said?"

Harry gritted his teeth. "You are in my home. We're not in school. You will apologize for being rude to Hermione."

"Harry." He felt her hand at his arm. "It's not necessary. I ..."

He jerked his wand hand free and held it aloft. "I said apologize or you can take your greasy hair and your pensive out of my home and never return."

Snape smiled evilly. "I told Dumbledore that you wouldn't be able to get past your juvenile demeanor in order to master this art. I suppose you'll have to bow out of the Order then, won't you."

"Harry, no!" pleaded Hermione. "Don't do this over me."

"I would listen to her, Potter. I can guarantee you that I will not return even if Dumbledore orders it."

He felt Hermione's hand tugging on his arm and her warm breath at his ear. "Beat him at his own game, Harry," she barely whispered so that Snape had no chance of hearing. "Take his thoughts away from him."

He slowly relaxed and dropped his arm. "Fine."

Hermione motioned to Snape. "We'll meet you in the kitchen in a moment."

"Sir," Snape snapped.

Hermione gave him a scathing look. "Harry's right about one thing. We aren't in school and you are in his house now. So be nicer ... or at least less unpleasant or I'll go to Dumbledore and tell him how you've been physically abusing and threatening Harry at his lessons."

Snape's eyes narrowed.

"I'll be watching this time, Professor. And if I see you are stepping out of bounds in your teaching methods I will take appropriate action," she threatened.

Snape started to roll his eyes and stopped at the ceiling. "Please Miss. Granger, save your terrifying threats for the likes of Mr. Malfoy, would you. I am somewhat more difficult to intimidate."

Snape disappeared and Hermione tried to calm her boyfriend's nerves. "Harry ... look at me."

He did, though rage seemed to be floating just under his face.

"You have to clear your mind or he going to rip through it like a hot knife through butter."

Harry took a deep breath and tried, but the only thing that he did picture in his mind was Snape's sneer.

Hermione cradled his face in her hands and pulled him down, brushing her lips against his while softly whispering, "Let him go, Harry. He can't get to you because he has no more power over you than a flobberworm."

He smiled at her words and kissed her back. "Thanks."

She dropped down from the balls of her feet. "That's my job. I'm your girlfriend."

His smile broadened. "That sounds weird." He saw the look on her face and corrected his statement. "But in a good way."

Hermione grabbed his hand.

The night wore on. Time and time again Harry was brought to his knees trying to throw Snape out and having him intrude upon his most secret of thoughts and experiences. Hermione sat, for the most part at the kitchen table, only getting up at the worst of times when he seemed to have hurt himself in a fall or banging his leg on a chair as he fell back.

Harry rubbed the lightening-shaped scar on his forehead for it had started to hurt once more.

"Once again, Potter." Snape said dryly. "One would think you hadn't any training in the art at all. Prepare yourself ..."

"Stop!" Hermione called.

Snape pulled his wand up. "What is it this time, Miss. Granger?"

She looked daggers at him. "Can't you see he's hurting. Give him a moment." She crossed the floor and held a glass of pumpkin juice up to Harry's lips. "Harry, I have an idea. "

He looked at her with bleary eyes.

"I want you to think about flying."

Snape over heard her. "The object of this lesson is for him to think of nothing at all. Now if you please ..."

Her head whipped around and she almost yelled. "In case you haven't noticed, your teaching method leaves something to be desired. You don't just pound the lesson into him .You have to try other avenues if the first doesn't work."

Snape closed in. "Trust me in this, you silly little girl. If the Dark Lord were to find him tonight his mind would be an open book, and once he has told all he would die."

She turned back to Harry. "Try this Harry. I want you to remember what it is like to fly, alone in the sky with nothing but the wind in your face and your eyes closed. Can you do that?"

Harry nodded numbly. "Sure."

She helped him to his feet and he closed his eyes.

"Nothing around but clear and empty skies, Harry."

Snape didn't wait for Hermione to clear the area. "Prepare yourself ... Legilimens!"

A split-second before the spell hit, he smelled the clear air above the Quidditch pitch and the rush of wind through his robes then a feint itch on his forehead from what he realized was Snape's attempt to enter his mind. Instead of getting angry he lifted his wand.

"Stupefy!"

A jet of red light issued forth from Harry's wand and hit a surprised potions master in the chest, throwing him across the kitchen and into the opposite wall.

Hermione gave Harry a hand to the table. "Think we ought to wake him up?"

"No, I could use the brake."

He took the glass of pumpkin juice and finished it's contents. A few moments later Ron poked his head into the kitchen. "Where's Snape?"

Hermione smiled and pointed behind the door.

"Cool! What happened to him."

"Stunned," Hermione answered.

Ron came in closed the door and kicked Snape in the ribs.

Hermione yelled, "Ron!"

He just brushed it off. "Oh, I didn't kick him that hard."

Harry just smiled and chided himself that he didn't think of it first.

After a few more minutes he woke up and coughed, clutching his side. His greasy hair was hanging in his eyes and he brushed it aside as he took his feet with a grimace.

Harry offered an explanation for the hurt ribs. "I think you hit the doorknob before you passed out."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "I think were done for the day, Potter."

Harry smiled. "Can't wait for the next lesson."

It has been said many times by many different people that 'time flies', and in the case of the last few weeks at Grimmauld Place this time was no exception.

Harry and Hermione were eventually unable to continue their practical practice of magic outside the confines of school. Mr. Weasley was firm and unwavering in the law as it stood with only "there is a reason the law was created" as an excuse. Ron actually spent more time studying with them than was usual. Hermione voiced her pleasure at Ron's newfound appreciation, or at the very least, acceptance, of the necessity of studying.

Members of the Order of the Phoenix stopped by from time to time to drop messages off for Dumbledore, but there were no formal meetings as such and nothing Harry could attend to find out what was going on behind the scenes.

Mr. Weasley in his new role as Minister of Magic had arranged refresher courses for those wizards that wanted to attend in relation to knowing useful protection and defensive spells. Under his leadership and with the use of key sources he was able to route out two Death Eater spies within the Ministry within the first few days which won him all sorts of acclaim from the Daily Prophet.

For once, they seemed like they were going to make the train to Hogwarts early and without incident. Mr. Weasley had sent Ministry cars around and Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Kingsley Shaklebolt were to be their escorts. Harry said goodbye to the house that was to be his permanent home in the foreseeable future and was ushered out of the front door as their bodyguards scanned the area for foes and overly nosey Muggles.

He slid in the back seat beside Hermione and Ron while Ginny and Mrs. Weasley took the lead car. Ron was polishing his prefect badge for the thousandth time that morning and kept adjusting it on his robes so that it looked just right. Harry never had the heart to tell him the only reason he was prefect was because Harry had too much on his plate at the moment.

The ride was swift and uneventful. To the suspicious eye of Mad-Eye Moody, it was the perfect time for an ambush. "Hurry along there Potter, Shaklebolt has the luggage."

Crookshanks looked happy to be out of the car and in Hermione's arms and Hedwig had her head tucked under wing, fast asleep. Ron held Pig's cage by his side and he was flittering about hooting and trying to escape his temporary prison. The platform was not very busy that morning and they slipped through two at a time to the wondrous sound of the Hogwarts express tooting it's horn.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief once they had arrived safely.

"Now I want you three to behave yourselves this year. You have a lot to keep you busy with your studying and all." said Mrs. Weasley as she fussed with Ron's collar.

"There she is, Ron." said Ginny as she poked him in the ribs.

Mrs. Weasley looked up. "There's who, dear?"

"Luna Loooovegood," she sang.

Everyone was suddenly interested in Ron's love life, and watched as Luna skipped forward to meet them.

"Hello, Ronald." she said as she smiled happily.

"Um ... hi." He looked at her and smiled with a feint red tint to his cheeks.

Mrs. Weasley tried to break the tension her son was feeling and held her hand out . "Hello, Luna. I'm Ron's mother."

Ron spooked out of his stupor and properly introduced his mother to Luna and vice versa.

"So you are the Ravenclaw girl that has captured my Ronald's heart." added Mrs. Weasley to Ron's horror.

"Mum!"

Luna beamed proudly and unblinkingly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Weasley. Hi Ginny, Harry, Hermione."

They waved back and Harry tried to save Ron. "We better get on the train then. Get some good seats this time."

Ron nodded even redder than he was before his mother's public revelation. "Good idea, Harry. Bye, Mum."

She waved to them as Moody called out. "Keep your eyes open this year."

Harry nodded and could have sworn he heard Mad-Eye Moody's motto in the background as the door slid closed. "Constant Vigilance!"

There were only a few other people aboard the Express and Hermione was in the lead so she chose a cabin closest to the front so they could be next to the Head Boy and Head Girl's cabin for their prefect meeting.

They unpacked their robes, donned them and Harry watched for the One-thousandth and first time as Ron readjusted his prefect badge. He just shook his head and unpacked his wand polish that Mad-Eye had sent him for his birthday.

Hermione grinned and pulled her own wand out. "May I?" Harry passed it over and dipped, finger lightly into the cream and spread it thinly onto the wand. Harry watched he after she handed back the cream and continued to stroke the wand up and down.

"Harry?"

He broke out of his ogling and scrambled an answer from nowhere. "Huh?"

Hermione smiled impishly. "I asked if I could borrow your polishing cloth."

He nodded dumbly. "Erm ..." He looked in his lap and handed her the soft polishing cloth then tried to busy himself with his own wand, but he kept dropping it.

Ginny was sitting on the other side of the cabin softly giggling. "Hermione, I think you might want to polish Harry's wand as well."

Harry looked up after picking up his wand for the third time. "Huh? What?"

Hermione held her hand out. "Your wand ..." she said innocently. "Would you like me to polish it for you?"

Harry's face burned with embarrassment. "I can polish my own wand fine ... thank you."

Ginny burst out laughing and Harry didn't have a clue as to what was so funny. It wasn't long lasting, however because of the untimely arrival of Draco Malfoy.

There was something different about him this year; his hair wasn't slicked back as was his usual style.

"Got your message, Potter." he almost snarled.

Harry gripped his wand tightly in his hand. Then he remembered what Hermione had told him about stuffing a note into Kreacher's mouth before shipping his dead body off to Malfoy Manor. He still didn't have a clue as to what he wrote, but he had to say something or loose his nerve in front of Malfoy and his cronies.

"I guess you better take it to heart then."

Malfoy didn't seem to think Harry would back up his words and paled slightly. "Remember what I said last year, Potter."

Harry remembered alright. Death threats have a way of staying with you. His eye, for some reason, slid down to Malfoy's robes and Harry smiled. "I see that you aren't prefect this year, Malfoy."

Ron looked and his eyes almost bugged out then he started to point and laugh. "It's going to be a great year at Hogwarts!"

"Shut up, Weasel." Malfoy spat.

Ron kept laughing. "Better watch that cheek, Malfoy. I can't wait to put you up for detention."

Malfoy backed up and slammed the door so hard that the glass shattered and broke over Luna's lap. Ron was up and through the door before he had gotten one step. "That's detention for you Malfoy with Filch." He turned around quickly and brushed it off Luna's lap, bending down on one knee, concerned. "Are you hurt, Luna?"

She shook her head. "No." she replied.

Hermione repaired the window as Neville Longbottom passed by with a hopeful look on his face. She opened the door for him. "Come on in Neville."

He smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

Harry looked at him and saw that he wasn't carrying any suspicious plants. "Hey, Neville."

Hermione kept her feet and tugged at Ron's robes. "We better meet up with the Head's. See you in a bit, Harry."

He nodded and tried to get the image of Hermione polishing her wand out of his head.

Night had truly fallen by the time they arrived at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their sixth year. Ron was too delighted to report Malfoy's actions on the train to Argus Filch which in turn was happy that he had someone to polish all of the trophy room the next night.

Harry was stunned at how small the first-years were when they came in for their sorting, only showing how much he had grown over the summer. Of course he had noticed that Hermione had stayed pretty much the same height and he was now almost a full head taller and able to look most adults in the eye, but it still showed how different he was from the boy that entered, starry-eyed into the Great Hall, six years ago this night, for his own sorting.

Ron, for the most part, seemed twitchy and constantly looked over his shoulder at the Ravenclaw table occasionally waving, but mostly smiling. at Luna so much so that he missed the Sorting Hat's song.

Hermione chided him. "Ron, you're a prefect. Pay attention."

He screwed up his face and looked a the first of the new students being sorted. "Hope we get a decent batch this year."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

After the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff and the applause died down Dumbledore took to his feet.

"To all our first Year students, I would like to welcome you to Hogwarts, may your time here be more pleasant than your fears of your first night. And to all of our returning students, welcome back for what may be the most exciting year Hogwarts has offered for quite some time.

"I would like you to welcome back Professor Gubbly-Plank who will be taking over Care of Magical Creatures for this year while Professor Hagrid is away on sabbatical."

The trio exchanged looks that said they were worried about Hagrid's whereabouts and general health.

The staff entrance to the side of the dais opened and a tall dark figure wearing a black top hat strode through and shook Dumbledore's hand before Harry recognized him.

"And I would like to welcome this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, an Auror on loan from the Ministry of Magic, Kingsley Shaklebolt."

Harry smiled and Ginny got really excited. "A real Auror again? Cool."

"Before you leave tonight I would like you to stop by the table stationed by the doors and strongly consider joining a new school sponsored group. Considering the events of late it would be a very good idea to make sure your defensive skills are at heir best. So we will be continuing a small club that was formed last year, merely as a study group that was taught by our very own Gryffindor, Harry Potter."

Dumbledore waited for the screams and applause, mostly by the Gryffindor table, to die down.

"He has graciously accepted the role as assistant to Professor Shaklebolt and will lead the Defense Association twice a week in practical drills to refine your technique. This is, of course, voluntary but highly suggested."

Harry looked around at the number of people talking between themselves and couldn't tell if it was a good thing or bad.

"Enough talk. Tuck in!"

Ron scooped up a large amount of roast chicken and filled his plate. "So where do you think Hagrid is this time?"

Harry shrugged. "No clue."

Hermione suggested, "Maybe he's off finding a mate for his brother."

Ron almost took a bite of his chicken. "I'm eating," he stressed.

Harry was about to do the same when he noticed Ron's eyes looking behind him before he felt the hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked up at the figure of his new Defense teacher.

"Hello, Harry," said the low resounding voice of Kingsley Shaklebolt. "I thought you'd like to arrange a time to go over my syllabus for your class."

Harry swallow dryly. "I really don't think there's going to be many people signing up. So anytime is okay, I guess."

Shaklebolt chuckled. "Have you taken a look at the queue?"

Harry twisted his head around and saw the already extremely long line of students at the desk by the door.

"Blimey, Harry!" said Ron.

All Hermione had to say was "Oh!"

"And that's just the early birds, Harry," responded Shaklebolt. "We might have to schedule more classes to keep up with the workload. How about tomorrow morning before your first before breakfast, eh?"

Harry nodded dumbly. "Um ... okay."

Hermione tried to keep the amazement off her face, but failed miserably. "I knew it was gong to be popular, but I thought ... I mean with the reaction to you last year ..."

Harry nodded, "Me too."

Ron pointed over to the Slytherin table. "Look at that!"

Three of the Slytherin first-years headed over and stood in queue until Malfoy sent Crabbe over. Kingsley saw what was about to happen. "I better cut this off before someone gets hurt. See you, Harry."

They watched as the Auror approached the queue and grabbed Crabbe by the back of his robe and started dragging him back over to his seat.

Ron was almost panting in disbelief. "Oh, I'm definitely going to enjoy this year."

Shaklebolt pointed up at the large hourglass shaped containers on the wall and the trio's heads all swiveled over and watched as the few green stones that were in the bottom rose to the top effectively taking away any points Slytherin had accumulated in their short span of time at the school.

Harry nodded. "Definitely."

That night, after the now traditional study session with Hermione in the Gryffindor common room, Harry breathed easy and thought thoughts of flying on his Firebolt in the air above the Quidditch pitch while he laid in bed before falling asleep. This was a much better Occlumency technique that replaced Snape's 'think of nothing and clear your mind' drivel. And before Harry knew it he was asleep and dreaming dreams that had no relevance to the real world at all.

The next morning Harry dressed and was out the door just as Ron was waking up. With a quick explanation that he had to meet with Kingsley Shaklebolt before breakfast he closed the door and made a dash for the Great Hall. He took the stairs two at a time and almost slid into Snape along the way.

"Potter, no running in the halls!" he snapped. "Five points from Gryffindor."

However stepping up from behind Snape was Kingsley Shaklebolt. "Harry, thanks for being here on time. In fact you've beaten me. Five points to Gryffindor."

He smiled at Snape. "Severus, how good to see you."

Snape sneered at him and walked off without any greeting.

"Thanks, Professor. I was just trying to make it here on time."

Kingsley waved him off and opened the doors to the Great Hall. "Just tell me how many points he takes from you, for stupid things like this, and I'll reimburse them when ever we meet up. He was awful to my little sister when she was here and now's my chance to even things up." He chuckled. "But be truthful, Harry. If you deserved the deduction don't include it in your tally."

Harry nodded respectfully. "Yes sir."

"Good lord!"

Harry looked at the pile of parchment sitting on the table beside the door and whistled as he watched Kingsley sift through each page tallying up the total. "There's got to be close to five hundred signatures here ... and from all seven years from the looks off it. I didn't know you were that popular, Harry."

Harry gulped. "Neither did I."

"I was expecting a couple of hundred at the most. You're going to have your work cut out for you. I would say at the least we'll need four sessions a week and if attendance picks up as I'm sure it will once my first test rolls around, it will have to be five."

Harry was excited and stricken at the same time. "How am I going to get all my studying in between that?"

Kingsley set his shoulders. "Really good scheduling. We start Monday, next week, Harry. Get your playtime in while you can."

He looked down at the floor and started studying his shoes.

"Now Dumbledore said you had a group last year. How many of them are still left that are worth their salt?"

Harry did a quick tally in his head. "Um ... about ten or so, I guess. Some of them graduated last year."

Kingsley nodded. "Well, I'd pick a good couple of handfuls and see if you can talk them into assisting you. Tell them I'll give them ten points apiece for every session they help out with. That should help."

"Assisting?"

He nodded . "Yeah, you know, helping with the first and second-years so you can concentrate on the students that can do the most damage."

Harry shrugged. "Oh, okay."

His task seemed to lighten a bit. He was sure he could talk Hermione and Ron into it and possibly Neville and Luna, but most of the remainder of last year's crowd seemed to be from the popular students of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. He didn't know exactly how he was going to recruit them.

Kingsley was still shaking his head in disbelief at the parchment. "I have no idea where were going to find a room big enough to train 100-150 students properly." Then to himself. "I suppose I could have Dumbledore whip something up. Do an Expansion Charm or something on one of the classrooms."

"Room of Requirement."

Kingsley looked down at Harry. "Pardon?"

"The Room of Requirement, it's on the seventh floor opposite that tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy getting clubbed by those trolls."

Kingsley thought back. "I think I remember the portrait, but I don't remember a room. I'll go and see later."

Harry smiled. "Well you wouldn't have seen it unless you were looking for something at the time. The room changes for the wants of the user." He saw the look on the Auror's face and explained. "Just walk past the portrait two or three times and think of what kind of room you need to teach properly and a door will appear."

"And it's big enough?"

Harry nodded. "It has changed from a small broom closet, to a loo, to the D.A. training room that I know of."

Kingsley smiled. "Brilliant! Um ... right then. Get your assistants together and have them meet a half hour before class on Monday, say about six-thirty. Class will be one hour so we won't interfere with everyone's study time too much. Oh, and here's the syllabus for this term. Try to incorporate as much as you can into your classes. I'm stressing defensive and disarming spells "

Harry nodded and then noticed people started straggling in for breakfast.

Kingsley handed the sign up list to him as well. "I suppose I'll leave this with you so you can divide the students up into classes. Remember to leave room for late registrants. It'll be Monday through Thursday classes for now and we'll add Friday if need be, alright?"

Harry nodded and started to look at the list of names. He didn't notice when Shaklebolt left and Ron and Hermione slipped in. In fact he didn't notice when a good number of people slipped in as he poured over the list.

"Harry," Hermione broke through his revelry.

"Hmm?"

"Is that the list of new D.A. members?" she asked.

He nodded in astonishment. "Kingsley says that there's about five hundred here."

She took his arm and led him to Gryffindor table. "You need to eat some breakfast, okay?"

He nodded dumbly. Ron had already started in on a kipper and some eggs when he asked, "Whaffs zat?"

Hermione took the sheets of parchment from his hands and set it on the seat beside her. "Something that can wait until after breakfast. Harry needs his strength."

Ron laughed through his now empty mouth. "You really are starting to sound like my mum. Don't let this girlfriend thing go to your head."

As he said that, three more students that Harry recognized as being in Hufflepuff came up from behind them. A blonde curly-haired girl seemed to be their leader.

"Is it too late?"

"Is what too late?" asked Ron curiously.

She looked over at him and back to Harry. "Is it too late to sign up. We talked to Susan Bones and she said she was in your group last year."

The cute straight-haired brunette next to her nodded. "She said you were bang on as a teacher; learned loads of stuff."

Hermione smiled and almost giggled as she searched through the parchment and found one sheet that wasn't completely filled then she pulled another out of her school bag and handed it to the three girls. "Here, put your names and year level on this one and set them on the table over there by the door."

They giggled and smiled brightly. "Brill', thanks!" the brunette said as they made their way over.

Harry groaned, "I'm gonna lose Friday too."

"What's that?" asked Ron.

"Because there's so many people, Kingsley said we'll have to do four classes a week. If anymore people sign up, I'll lose Friday as well."

Ron almost choked, "But what about Quidditch practice?"

Harry frowned. "I'm banned for life, remember?"

Ron's eyes swiveled to Hermione and back to him. "Harry, Umbridge isn't High and Mighty Inquisitor anymore. Dumbledore would've tossed out all the things she had her fingers in."

It hadn't occurred to him that Ron might be right, and luckily McGonagall was handing out term schedules at that moment; he could ask her. His foot was tapping with nervous energy until she finally handed them their schedules.

She saw how Harry was watching her as she was moving down the line. "Something on your mind, Potter?"

"Yes, Professor. I was wondering ... about Quidditch."

She nodded grimly. "Yes, well tryouts are a week from Friday and I expect a winning team this year, Weasley."

Harry's eyebrows furrowed as well as Ron's. "Pardon?"

"I've made Weasley here, Team Captain ... for now."

Harry's mouth slipped open dully, and Ron dropped his orange juice glass.

McGonagall continued, "Angelina Johnson graduated last year and that leaves you two as senior members. Both your brothers, and Johnson had confidence in your ability to strategize, Weasley so don't let me down."

Harry was almost speechless. "I'm back on the team?"

McGonagall looked at him as if he were stupid. "You didn't actually think that ... woman," she couldn't bring herself to even say Umbridge's name, "could keep you from playing Quidditch this year?"

Ron struck up his hand in the air with a triumphant, "YES!"

Harry was dumbstruck and elated at the same time. "I can play Quidditch?"

McGonagall patted him on the shoulder. "Yes, Potter. Now you better get some breakfast."

Ron dug into his school bag and pulled out a large beat up folder.

"What's that?" asked Hermione.

"It's my play book. I've been writing down the best plays from every Quidditch Word cup for the last eight years and doing my own little twist to them. I've been waiting for this moment all of my life." He looked far away, dreamily. "Quidditch Captain."

"What's your schedule like, Harry?" asked Hermione as she nudged him in the ribs to take his mind off zooming around on a broom at breakneck speed.

"Hmm? Oh ... schedule."

Harry Potter - 6

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Charms

1-2:45

1-1:50

2-2:50

C.O.M.C.

8-8:50

10-11:45

8-8:50

D.A.D.A.

10-10:50

10-10:50

10-11:45

Evocation

9-9:50

9-9:50

9-9:50

9-9:50

9-9:50

Herbology

11-11:50

1-2:45

8-8:50

Potions

10-11:45

2-2:50

1-1:50

Transfiguration.

8-8:50

8-8:50

1-1:45

Hermione read it over and grimaced slightly. "With the D.A. and your Quidditch practice, this will cut into your study time. It's a good thing you are as far ahead as your are Harry or you'd have to drop something.

He nodded. "Well if Hagrid isn't teaching Care of Magical Creatures this year I'd consider dropping that."

She looked up at him. "Well the course isn't really that useful in most occupations. It might be something to think about."

Harry agreed and looked to Ron for his opinion. He was already hard at work on something in his playbook, so he looked instead at a group of five Ravenclaw's over at the table to the side of the doors, signing their names to the new parchment.

He sighed, "Friday's definitely gone."