Thank you everyone for you continuous support of my story. Over the past few weeks I have received more reviews than my book five received the entire time, and I appreciate every one of them.

As for the remainder of this book, I do plan on continuing it through to the end, so stick around, and see what I have in stored.

Chapter 9 "Unusual attacks"

Over the next few weeks' tension at Hogwarts was at an all time high. Word of the battle of Durmstrang was widely known throughout the wizarding community now, and the fear of attack on Hogwarts was on everyone's mind. The death toll over the past two weeks was now reaching the mid 200's, as for the Order; they had lost 5 of there members, and this was not including those lost in the battle of Durmstrang

Quietly, and comfortably Harry Potter, the boy who lived, lay motionless on a hospital bed. It had been the same since their return from the battle two weeks earlier, although physically everything had been healed, Harry's breathing still came shallow and slow, and stories about Harry were beginning to circulate.

"Come on Cho, you need to eat" Hermione said coming into the hospital wing, and taking a seat next to her. "Hermione, I have tried everything I know, searched for healing spells, and even forced entry into his mind, but he does not wake" Cho said breaking down. This had been the scene every night in the hospital room, Madame Pomfrey had given up on forcing Cho to leave after she transfigured her into a pin cushion, but Hermione had been successful a few times in getting her to at least eat.

"He will Cho, we must have faith" Hermione said standing and holding out a hand. "Now come on, you have to eat something before Advanced Dueling," She said pulling Cho from her seat, and fingering her wand in her other pocket. "Don't make me repeat last night" She said and Cho nodded.

"Goodnight for now Harry" Cho said giving in to Hermione, and standing next to the bed that Harry lay in and kissing him on the lips. Allowing herself to be lead through the halls, and into the great hall, Cho took her seat in between Ron and Hermione.

"Ah, is potty still ill" came the annoying sound of none other than Draco Malfoy only moments after the trio had sat down. "Shove off Malfoy" Ron said standing along with Hermione, and pulling his wand. "Or what weasel, Do you think you scare me" he said pulling his wand as well. "If he doesn't than I should" came the voice of a man directly behind Malfoy, and Draco spun around to come face to face with Hagrid.

"You, what is a half bread like yourself going to do to me" Malfoy laughed, only to stop as he found himself five feet in the air, as Hagrid had lifted him into the air by his robes. "What in Bloody Hell do you think you are doing" Malfoy spat ripping his robes in an attempt to free himself, and falling to the ground as Hagrid eventually let him go.

Placing Malfoy down, and pushing him into his two bodyguard friends, Hagrid pointed his pink umbrella at him. "If I see, or hear you making another comment to any of them" He stated each word very clearly pointing to Ron, Hermione, and Cho. "Ye will regret it." He finished straightening back up.

"50 points from Slytherin for you quick tongue Malfoy, and two weeks detention with Filch" he stated turning to the gamekeeper who smiled sickly at Malfoy. "Crabb, Goyle" Malfoy shouted storming out of the great hall with his goons behind him. Turning to Ron, Cho, and Hermione, Hagrid gave them a small nod before walking the rest of the way up to the teachers table, and taking a seat next to the smiling Professor Lupin, and Black.

"That was interesting" Hermione said putting away her wand, and sitting back down. "Interesting, that blood y git" Ron shouted getting a disappointed glare from Hermione for cursing. "Well he is" Ron answered. Sitting down with a huff, only to jump back up as Cho stood.

"Come on you two" she said, and Hermione's heart went out to her as the tears came flooding down, moving into the back room with all eyes on them, the three transported themselves into there common room where they quickly changed into work out clothing, and made there way into the Dueling arena, to warm up, and await class to begin.

That night Advanced Dueling was one of the toughest two hours of Hermione, and Ron's lives. Dumbledore had insisted they practice more in the art of creating shields, and hand to hand combat, and Cho had used it as a great opportunity to unleash her frustrations. Needless to say by the time the class was over, more than one of the three were bleeding from a cut, or scrap. All three of them badly bruised.

"Lets call it a night" Cho said after healing a cut she had given Hermione with a well aimed breaking curse. Thinking this a good idea, and wincing from the pain a small gash in his leg caused, Ron limped over to Cho, and allowed her to heel his wounds before the trio retired for the night.

As they finally reached the common room, both Hermione, and Ron threw themselves over a chair being to exhausted to do anything else. Over the past two and a half weeks neither of them had gotten much sleep, and the fatigue was wearing on them. "Where are you going Cho?" Ron asked as Cho walked past the couches and straight to the fire. "Harry" was her simply reply, as she disappeared through the flames.

"She really loves him," Ron said as Hermione sat down next to him. "Ya, but according to Cho's explanation of what happened, He loves her just as much, I mean he took on the killing curse for her" Hermione said, she was now crying. "Mione," Ron spoke softly wiping some of the tears from Hermione's face, and taking her hands in his.

"Harry is tough, he will pull through" Being as reassuring as he could, Ron stood up. Reaching out a hand he helped Hermione to her room before speaking again. "Get some sleep now, Transfiguration is first thing tomorrow" he said kissing her good night, and pulling her into a tight embrace. Hermione held on for a little longer than Ron expected, and the next thing he knew she had fallen asleep in his arms.

"Oh Mione" Ron said reaching under her, and sweeping her into his arms. Laying her softly into her four-poster, and kissing her goodnight. Ron went to his own room where he fell asleep almost instantly, only to be awoken by Sirius just a few hours later.

"Come on Ron, you are needed" Sirius said helping the tired teenager out of bed, and handing him his order robes. Once both Hermione, and Ron had entered the common room, Ron spoke. "Where is the battle this time?" he asked sleepily as he pulled on his boots, and tied his cloak. This had been the fourth time he had been woken in the night, and was starting to get used to the idea if never sleeping.

"A small village just outside Godric's Hollow. Twenty five deatheaters, and countless more dementors" Sirius said leading the way to the fire where the other order leaders waited, all but Cho.

"Where is Cho?" Hermione asked being the last one to enter the fire. "With Harry" was the reply from Dumbledore who tossed some floo powder into the small flame in front of the group, and yelled "Harry Potter" The next thing the group knew they were inside the Potter Manor.

"Sir" Hermione began, realizing instantly where they had gone. "Not now Hermione" Dumbledore spoke leading the group through the house, and into the cool night beyond. As the group emerged from the house the image of the dark lord could be seen glowing a sickening green in the distance, and understanding their jobs, the eight meet up with the other twenty order members, and the battle begun

"Okay, just like last night" Dumbledore said walking over to a small group of order members that had apparated near him. "Ron, Hermione. If you are ready you can join Remus's squad up front" Dumbledore said as both Ron, and Hermione ran to where they were level with Sirius, and Remus. "I love you Hermione" Ron said as the group emerged on the battle beyond. The small town of flourish was a blaze in flame, and the group could make out where the concentrations of deatheaters were accumulating.

The battle of Flourish raged on for close to an hour. Ron, and Hermione had taken a group of deatheaters by surprise when they had ambushed them from behind, and since then had been fighting alone, for their group had moved on.

"Expectro Patranous" Ron shouted stopping the third Dementor Kiss he had come across that night. Remembering the story of Durmstrang, and how close his three brothers had come to that exact fate, each time Ron approached a Dementor his Patranous gained strength.

"How much longer do you think" Hermione asked as the two stunned a fleeing trio of deatheaters. "Not much now" Ron answered, and as conformation, the sound of wizards Disapparating could be heard echoing through the burning town. Taking a hold of Hermione's hand, and binding the three deatheaters they had just captured, Both Ron, and Hermione levitated them to where Dumbledore was standing in the middle of the city.

'Sir" Ron said as He and Hermione put down their captured next to the few others. "Yes Ron" Dumbledore answered as Ron had pulled his mask back to better breath. "What in Merlin's name did Voldermort have in attacking this village, I mean nothing was taken, only people slain" He asked, and Dumbledore shook his head as if defeated.

"I sometimes forget how young you to are" He said honestly walking over and placing a hand on Ron's shoulder. "This is what Voldermort considers practical training for his newest members. His sole purpose is to create enough fear in the wizarding community that none will oppose him."

"Sir, the totals are back" Sirius said as he approached the three, and interrupted there conversation. From the looks of it he had been badly cut by a throwing knife, and Hermione immediately went into action. "Sirius, are you going to make this a routine thing?" Hermione asked creating a small vile of a green liquid from her wand, as well as bandages.

"Thank you Hermione" Sirius said ripping off the blood soaked sleeve of his robe exposing the wound, and gasping at the stinging pain the liquid caused.

"Can't help the pain Sirius, but this will stop the bleeding" Hermione continued as Dumbledore debriefed with the remaining order members. By the time Hermione was finished both Dumbledore, and Ron had returned, and the four made there way over to the congregating press members.

"Mr. Knight" Dumbledore said turning to Ron, and handing him the names, "If you would be so kind as to educate the reporters" Dumbledore said pointing to the group of wizards off in the distance.

Ron, who had been placed in the position of public speaking, did as he was told. Walking over to the large group of press, and Minister of Magic officials, Ron pulled his mask back over his face before pulling a small podium from his pocket, and enlarging it to where he would stand.

"Good morning" he started off standing, and gaining composure. "As you all are now fully aware this is the tenth attack this month, and third this week. Voldermort" he said hearing a few gasp, and sighing in frustration continued "sent twenty five of his death eaters her to Flourish, as well as countless Dementors in an effort to kill, and torture the inhabitants of this town. The Order Of The Phoenix upon hearing of the attack arrived close to an hour after the battle had begun, and the result are as followed." Ron finished moving past any questions, and jumping right into the heart of the interview.

"Fifteen killed, thirty-five severely injured. Five Death Eaters killed, six captured, and transported to the Ministry of Magic for questioning, and one Order of the Phoenix member killed. Ron finished opening it up to questions.

"Mr. Knight, as we have come to know. This is the sixth attack in two weeks in which Voldermort has retreated exactly two hours after his forces have attacked, Does the Order of the Phoenix have any leads as to why?" Ron answered almost as bluntly as Dumbledore would have.

"Mr. Turpett, Ron answered looking directly at the man. "Like in his first reign, Voldermort is using attacks such as this as practical training for his new recruits. He attacks without remorse for the need to drive fear, nothing more." He said moving on to the next question.

"How is it that the Order knows where these attacks are happening" One witch asked, and Ron recognized her as Rita Skitter. "Ms. Skitter" Ron answered glaring at the witch. "I was not willing to answer that question for you yesterday, why would I today?" Ron answered turning to another hand. "Two more questions?" he spoke.

"Is it true that Harry Potter is a member of the order of the Phoenix, and was injured in the attack on Durmstrang" an elderly wizard asked, and Ron cringed knowing the truthful answer. "As far as I am aware Harry Potter is at Hogwarts, and is doing fine." Ron answered avoiding the first question all together. "This will be the last question" He spoke turning to Rita Skitter yet again.

"Why is it that you feel we need The Order of The Phoenix, why not leave the fighting to minister Aurors who are trained for such things." When this question was asked there was a blinding flash of red and gold light right next to Ron. Stunned by what was happening, Ron stumbled off the platform, and was surprised at what he saw. Standing where he was just seconds ago was a man who looked to be in his mid to young 20's. Dressed in red robes with a blue and gold Phoenix incrusted on the left sleeve, the man spoke with such a demanding voice that the crowd that had been pushing forward took a step back.

"Mr. Knight has been patient enough in answering your questions. I will answer two. 1st off was yours Miss Skitter. Why has The Order Of The Phoenix stepped forward when it is clearly the Ministry of Magic that should be protecting the wizarding community. This is simple. Although the new Minister has made great improvements in the MOM, there are still many things that need to be done. First, the Wizarding Community must unite, and force out Death Eaters from within the Ministry itself. Men like Lucius Malfoy, McNeir, Knott, Crabb, and Goyle are infections of this higher authority, and are working for the man you know as Lord Voldermort. Until their removal, the MOM cannot be looked upon as the only line of defense. The gasps that followed were not only from the reporters, but Order Members as well.

"As for the second question, which is who we are, for the safety of their families and friends, I have asked those fighting for the Order Of The Phoenix to remain unidentified. As for myself I have nothing to fear, My name Is Harry Potter, son of Lily and James Potter, Founder to The Order Of The Phoenix, and sworn by blood to ride this world from the evil of the heir to Salzar Slytherin, one Tom Marvolo Riddle. I, as well as those to follow, go now to prepare for the next time Riddle decides to attack the innocent." Harry almost shouted, His voice sounding like thunder.

Again gasps could be heard from all around, as Harry stepped off of the podium. Shrinking it with a wave of his wand, and placing it into the folds of his robes. Silently, and without words, Harry placed a sound wall between the order members, and the reporters, who were now very busy taking pictures of the man in front of them, and walked over to Professor Dumbledore.

"Good morning sir." Harry spoke, as the nine remaining order members looked at Harry with a mixture of aw, and fear. "Why don't we discuss this back at school," He spoke, and with a clap of his hands, all nine of the remaining order members found themselves back at Hogwarts, and in the chamber used for The Order Of The Phoenix.