Author's Note: Here we go again…Hope you all are still liking this story… Sorry it's been forever, but I have been VERY busy. And well, this story's muse left me for awhile. Then I got an email today saying my story was not OoTP compatible. For those of you who did not see the publish date on this…..WAY before OoTP was released….deal with it!
Disclaimer: Nope Only the plot and Mags belong to me!
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Mags was alone the next day when the Sixth Year Gryffindor and Slytherins came into potions. She was going over some papers and several just stared at her. Her blonde hair was up in a messy bun and her wire-rimmed glasses were slipping down her nose. The events of the night before seemed to have had no effect on her at all. Then Hermione breezed into the room with Draco. Her eyes were dancing as she teased him. His low chuckle as he playfully lunged at her startled some. Hermione looked around the room with twinkling eyes.
"Mags I think they are all disappointed that we do not look more battle-worn after last night." Hermione teased as she took her seat. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders and Draco toyed with it as he hopped onto the desk directly behind her.
Mags looked up with surprise on her face, "After that? That wasn't a battle that was a catfight. Oh, and I am not teaching today everyone. I have a meeting with Dumbledore. As do you Miss Granger. Evidently your Minister of Magic seems to think that we have defeated the evil in the world after last night. We have to go and remind him that Big Ugly Snake Men with world domination plans usually do not send two barely trained rookies to carry out The Plan."
Draco looked at the two of them like they were mad, "So, what does this mean then?"
"It means we are about to get into it with your Minister of Magic…again. You would think he would have some sense by now wouldn't you?" Mags muttered rising and gathering her things and Mione followed suit. Hermione leaned over and brushed her lips over Draco's.
"See you at lunch lover." And with that, they were gone. Snape rolled his eyes and got everyone's attention so he could start to bellow the lesson for the day.
"She wrote her lesson plan on SCENTED paper? Heaven save the magical world we live in." he muttered send his eyes heavenward.
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Hermione and Mags sat in Dumbledore's office with stunned looks on their faces. Fudge wanted them to do what?
"Sir, as great as that would be. Stepping up the training program is not going to help us! We need to be sure the squad we pick is up for this. Make sure they know EXACTLY what they are doing." Hermione stressed, her eyes full of confused anxiousness.
"Minister Fudge, please understand also that while we ARE cooperating with your ministry. We are NOT working for it! We have no alliance to any ministry. When we do form alliances, things get ugly. So please understand that while we take your concerns to heart we are not legally or morally bound to act on them." Mags said stiffly from her spot by the window. Her eyes caught Fudge's and they were ice cold.
"Miss Smythe, Miss Granger. Surely, you see my logic…"Fudge started.
"Logic? There is no logic in what you are saying! There is lunacy! I am not going to rush the training of rookies who have done nothing more that play duel on the weekends. Battle is NOT something you can half-ass and get away with Mr. Fudge." Snarled Mags, right before getting up, "Excuse me. I need some air." In addition, with that she swept out of Dumbledore's office.
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Mags ran down the stairs and out in the light of day. The wind tousled her hair and made her heavier robes sway in the breeze. Her eyes glazed over as she was swept up in memories. The cries of battle and of innocents dying, hexes and curses flying all echoed in her head. Each vying for supremacy, each trying to best the other. Her fist clenched, her nails biting harshly into her palm and she never felt the pain. Her knuckles were white. Then she heard footsteps behind her. Without turning, she spoke softly.
"He'll send them all to an early grave, and I want no more blood on my hands."
Hermione put her hand on her shoulder, "Neither do I. Therefore, we will do it our way. That is what agreed to do anyway right? Hand to hand tonight right?"
Mags turned and looked Mione in the eyes, letting her worry show truly for the first time, "See you there."
And with that, she was gone again.
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Oliver was the first to arrive after dinner. He was full of nervous energy. Mags and Mione had not been seen all day and that made a chill run up and down his spine. The lesson was being held in the Great Hall. All the tables having been moved to another area. A side door opened and there was Mags. Her blonde hair up in a messy bun and clad in old workout clothes – cut off sweat shorts in rich purple and a tank that said, "I can go from witch to bitch in less than a second…" Her eyes met his and he got a tired smile and a kiss blown in his direction. She dropped her bag and the water she was sipping and walked over to him.
"Sorry I vanished for a bit today. Had some things I had to do before tonight." She said softly wrapping her arms around his neck.
"What you think a smile and a few words is gonna get you back in my good graces lady? I am no easy man." He teased.
"A free massage when class is over and we are…alone?" she tempted with little kisses on his jaw line.
"Okay, that'll work. But no more running off. Some of us worry about you baby."
She gave him a wink and went to start setting up as more people came in. Ironically, the ever-punctual Hermione was late to a meeting she had called.
"Sorry I am late everyone. Bins just wouldn't shut up." She said with a grin as she ran up to join Mags at the head of the room.
"Can we have you all get into lines please? About 10 long would be great. Everyone hold your arms out to side and stay that far apart from everyone else please. Thank you." After leading them through warm ups, Mags looked out over the group.
"Everyone, welcome to hand to hand combat. You are probably thinking I will never need this! I have magic this person is crazy. I am not crazy, you will need this because magic never fixes everything."
Hermione shouted, "Everyone find a sparring partner. Mags and I cannot have a partner for two reasons. One, we have to demonstrate, and two we could do you seriously bodily harm if we forgot to hold back. You have five minutes."
There was a dull roar as people searched out partners. Mags watched with speculative eyes. Trying to pick already, to see how they reacted, personality, EVERYTHING. Mione winked at her boyfriend and then grabbed up Muggle athletic tape and began to tape up her hands. Mags grabbed two boxes and then walked around and gave everyone a package out of the boxes as Hermione explained them.
"These bags are magical as are some of the contents, although some are Muggle…"she rambled on for a but, demonstrated how to wrap your hands during sparring, the proper uses of the water bottle ("It is not a water gun everyone…. Remember that!"), and then they actually began teaching them how to fight.
The proper way to jab and then dodge, how to deliver an uppercut to the jaw with maximum damage. The night flew by. By the time they were excused all 45 that were left were dripping with sweat. Their wounds being healed as they left for the night. Mags looked at Mione with a soft smile.
"Maybe we will get lucky this time."
"One can always hope right?" came the dry response.
"Not always Mione, hope is fickle."
"Only to those who are jaded and do not seek it."
"Look who's talking? Anyway, enough deep thinking for tonight. I need a shower and I have a massage to give. Have fun and HAPPY dreams."
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Draco watched as Hermione walked out of the Great Hall and began looking for him. He loved the way she had led everyone tonight. It made her seem larger than life. He was determined to make the squad if only to protect her while she protected everyone else.
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Oliver put his arms around Mags from behind, "Ready pet?"
"You British people can have the oddest nicknames for people. The French sometimes call themselves 'little cabbages'. Is this a European thing?" Mags teased as they left to go to the faculty wing of the school.
"Perhaps, shall we discuss while I get my back rub?"
"Damn you remembered that huh?" and then with a teasing smirk she darted down the hall, "Only if you can catch me!"
With a deep laugh from Oliver, the race was on!
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AN: SO it will not win me a Pulitzer Prize. I can live with that. This was typed up in my Art history class when I was SUPPOSED to be looking up Degas. Anywho, here you go everyone! Enjoy cause no promises when the next one will be out!