Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter or its surrounding
properties; they belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. I own my computer and
my brain.
Kanga; Hello!!!! Here you go, it's a new year, and here's a new chapter.
Twigs; *glaring* why are you doing the introduction? That's my line.
Kanga; sorry, god, you do it then.
Twigs; no, I don't want to now. You've tainted it.
Kanga; Fine, be that way. Anyway, yep, new chapter so..yeah. *to twigs* what are you meant to say anyway in these things?
Twigs; For pete sake. Hey everyone, this is Twigs, got a new chapter for you. Please read and review as usual.*is interrupted*
Kanga; oh yeah!!! Yeah, read and review, we want to get to a 100 remember. And there wasn't many last time. Recommend the story. Shout it from the hilltops!!! Declare it from.*Twigs clamps hand over her mouth*
Twigs; Sorry about her, it was Christmas, she's British, she's just plain nuts, attribute it to whatever you want. But like she said, We want lotsa yummy reviews and we are eternally grateful for the ones we do get, so please keep em coming. Or Mr Whippy will have a Happy New Year. *grins manically*
Kanga;*was singing psychotically, now runs away screaming at mention of Mr
Whippy.* Twigs; *rolls her eyes and walks resignedly off after Kanga, to commit her*
Chapter 12
The next morning I awoke feeling new and refreshed. I was in love and life was good. As I pulled back my bed curtains and got out of bed, I saw that the next bed over Ron was doing the same thing. I walked over to the dresser and grabbed some clothes before running into the bathroom before Ron could. I hopped into the shower and really took my time making sure that I was properly clean. After that I spent extra time brushing my teeth and even put on cologne. I had new incentive to do myself up. I mean after all, nobody wants to kiss dog breath.
Halfway through beginning to tame my hair, fists starting pounding on the door.
"Harry, what in the world are you doing in there? Open up, the rest of us have to shower too!" Ron screamed. Seamus's voice joined him.
"Yeah, Harry! I mean- I know you want to look good for your girlfriend and everything but you've been in there for close to an hour and only half of that was actually in the shower, let someone else have a chance!". I smiled at the impatience of my roommates.
"One minute!" I hollered back at them. Finally, my hair was just the way I wanted it. I sauntered out of the bathroom with my robe on slung over my left arm and a smirk on my face.
"Who's next boys?" I teased them. Before anybody could stop him, Neville dashed into the bathroom and locked the door. Ron, Seamus and Dean banged on the door screaming about how he was a bloody bastard and none of this was fair. Ron finally turned to me.
"Well look who's dressed to impress today" he teased. I just smiled at him.
"Tease all you want Ron- I am in love and life is good" I replied floating around the room. All three of my present roommates started laughing.
"Hey loverboy, might I suggest leaving your sunshine attitude at the door as you exit down the stairs to meet your fair maiden?" Dean added, snickering. I grabbed a pillow and whacked him round the head.
"Fine!" I huffed, acting hurt. They all laughed as I threw on my school robe and flounced down into the common room. Upon entering I looked over at the puffy armchair by the fire. Hermione was seated there, beginning some Transfiguration homework that was due in a couple of days. I walked up to her and she looked up at me, closing her book.
"How did you sleep last night sweetheart?" I asked her, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. She smiled up at me.
"Just fine handsome, how about you?" she replied.
"Best sleep I've ever had" I said, sitting down in the chair next to her. She promptly got up and sat on my lap, I was pleasantly surprised.
Training started the next morning and we talked a bit about how that would go. I didn't really like the idea of her training for war but there was no convincing her out of it. Also, I really wouldn't mind the company. I looked up to see Lavender walking towards us.
"Harry, can I speak to you for a moment?" she asked. I nodded but made no means of moving.
"Alone?" she added, and I looked at Hermione who sighed and climbed off of my lap. I followed Lavender over into an abandoned corner.
"Did Ron say anything to you about me?" she asked. I looked kind of oddly at her.
"Why do you ask?" I responded. I didn't really know why she wanted to know and I didn't know if I should tell her.
"Last night was so wonderful. I'm falling for him, he's a really great guy. I just don't know if he enjoyed it as much as I did" she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
"I really think you should be talking to Ron" I told her. "If you really care about him, you can't sneak behind his back like this. I would hate it if Hermione was asking Ron about me. Just go talk to him, I've been his best mate for 5 years and he doesn't bite. Much.". She smiled at my joke.
"Okay, I will. Thanks for the advice. By the way, Harry, I hope you can forgive me for being a bitch. I've really changed, and I hope that both you and Hermione could make an effort to be friends with me. Parvati thinks that I'm too intellectual now and although we're still friends, we're not as close as we used to be. Can you at least try to like me?" she requested.
"Sure thing, Lavender" I said. She gave me a quick hug. When I went back to join Hermione, she picked up a book and read instead.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, she just wanted to apologize for being mean to me last year. She said she's changed and that she wants to be friends with us now" I replied. Hermione looked at me curiously.
"Well, what did you tell her?" she asked.
"I said that we'd give her a chance" I said. She frowned but then smiled.
"I guess she deserves a second chance- maybe she has changed" Hermione said.
"Yeah, never assume, after all that makes an ass out of you and me" I said. She laughed at my word play and I smiled in satisfaction. I looked up and saw that Ron was walking down into the common room. He walked over to where Lavender was sitting.
"We need to talk" he said. She looked up at him from her lounge chair.
"I agree, I need to know how you're feeling about me" she said. He nodded in agreement.
"We'll take a walk later" he replied. She smiled.
"I'd really like that. I talked to Harry earlier, he accepted my apology. He thinks that he and Hermione could try to befriend me" she said. Smiling, he looked at her.
"That's really great but I wouldn't have expected any less out of Harry or Hermione. They're just really great people, best friends a guy could ever ask for". Lavender looked at Ron one more time before he walked over to join Hermione and I.
"Shall we go down to breakfast now?" Ron asked. Hermione and I both nodded fervently.
"I'm starved" replied Hermione. I looked at her kind of oddly, Hermione was NEVER starved.
"What caused the new surge of appetite?" Ron asked her. She just smiled mischievously in that irresistible way that only she can.
"Well, they say that kissing burns calories" she winked at us and than led us out of the common room.
Ron leaned in and whispered to me "You've got a sassy one" as we walked down the stairs.
"That I have, but I wouldn't trade her for anything" I replied. We just both chuckled a bit before following her out of the portrait hole and down to breakfast. After arriving at the table we all took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table. I reached over Hermione to grab a plate and a bowl of porridge, and started piling the plate up with eggs and hash browns. After completing this extensive process Hermione swapped plates with me- taking my full one and giving me her empty one.
"Why thank-you Mr. Potter" she said, smiling sweetly and digging in to MY breakfast.
"Hey! Ron, is she allowed to do that?" I asked him indigently. Ron just gave me a playful look. "She's your girlfriend man, she can do anything she wants" Ron replied. I grunted and began filling my plate again.
"You're not really mad at me, are you baby?" Hermione asked between bites. I broke into a wide smile.
"Nah, I could never be mad at you babes" I said, bending over and giving her a peck on the lips. Just as we were finishing breakfast I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Professor McGonagall.
"When you three finish breakfast you need to come up to my office, kepish?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure" I said curiously. She just gave us a brief smile and walked back up to the head table. After eating the rest of my breakfast I followed Ron and Hermione up to Professor McGonagall's office. She was sitting at her desk when we arrived and there were three chairs opposite the desk. She motioned for us to take a seat and than she began to speak to us.
"I know you're all curious as to why you were called up to my office. It's about your training which you are to begin tomorrow. After much contemplation, we have decided that you three are the only people who will undergo training. Training is harsh and extensive, and training will be specified to meet each individuals needs. Although many drills will be group, many will be personal as well. Training starts early and often runs late which means you MUST stay on top of your work. Harry especially- who will be doing Occulemsy has to be extra careful, although he may have the upperhand since he takes Dueling for Experts, although that mainly deals with magical dueling. The order is currently undergoing similar training to your own. I wish you all luck, do you have any questions?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, I do actually Professor. Since I'm a girl, will I be less challenged than Harry and Ron?" she asked.
"Not really. Although Remus may go a bit easier on the physical component, I feel that you'll be very satisfied by the degree of your workout. I assure you that things will never get too easy" McGonagall said before smiling slightly. "Now all of you should enjoy your Sunday, tomorrow is the beginning of a very long day".
Sunday was a very enjoyable day. Lavender joined us and we hung out under the apple tree by the lake all afternoon. Hermione fluttered around reading famous Wizarding quotations while Lavender drew and Ron and I played chess. I had never known Lavender to be a very good artist- but she was amazing. She did an excellent sketch of the afternoon and told Ron that after it was completed it could be his. I knew it would turn out well, I had seen it. Being hand drawn, rather than photography Lavender brought out all of our best characteristics. It was a wonderful afternoon.
"Harry, Harry- wake up" I heard, as Remus gently shook me. I rolled over and moaned, before remembering that today was the first day of training.
"Okay Remus- I'm up, I'm up" I grumbled, as I watched Ron crawl out of bed. It was 6 a.m. and in the words of a good friend, too damn early. I through on some clothes and made my way down to the common room. Hermione looked the most awake of any of us (besides Remus) but even she looked tired. Remus handed out some pepper up potion.
"You won't be getting that everyday but since you're rookies, bottoms up" Remus said as we downed the potion. I felt slightly more alert but not by much. "Don't worry guys, you'll be up in no time". Upon arriving outside, I mentally thanked Remus for telling us to dress warm. It was freezing and I felt that even the warm attire he had advised as with still left me feeling cold.
"I want 10 laps around the lake, 9 for Hermione if she wishes" Remus said. I looked at him incrediously. Each lap around the lake was half a mile! "I know that Harry" he said after I brought this to his attention "but you're not getting out of it, so get running". I was tired after 5 laps and when Hermione didn't take a rain check at 9, I envied her. When asking her later why she didn't take the easy way out, she told me that it was more a matter of respect than anything. She wanted to be drilled just as hard as the guys and if that meant running until you puked, than so be it.
"Now that you guys are all worked up, I want 40 push ups and 50 sit ups" Remus added. Both Ron and I groaned. Finally we agreed and crouched to the ground. After the workout was complete Remus spoke again.
"I am sorry that you all felt extreme pain today but it is only natural. We'll keep doing this workout until it gets easy and then we'll kick it up a notch. You can all hit the showers before breakfast, except Harry, whom I'd like to speak with". I walked over to Remus as I watched Ron and Hermione hurry up the stairs to the showers.
"So, what's up Harry?" Remus asked.
"Nothing much, tough training session" I replied. Remus nodded, while smiling faintly.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that you'll be starting Occulemency lessons with Professor Snape tomorrow and I don't want you causing any trouble" he said. I just gave him an angry look.
"He's always the one who provokes me" I said in my defense.
"Be that as it may, it is essential that you at least try to get along with Severus. I have tried in the past couple of months and he's not as bad as he seems" he added sympathetically.
"Fine! I'll try to get along with him- don't mind all that he's ever done to me" I said, before storming off. Remus was right on my tail.
"See, this was what I was afraid of. You need to get rid of the anger. I want you to think about how you can work towards making the relationship a positive one and then if he's still an ass we'll talk, okay?" he asked. I gave him a reluctant look.
"Okay, I guess I can try" I said. He smiled at me.
"That's the spirit raven" he said. I smiled extra large at the nickname.
"Raven?" I asked. He smiled at me.
"Yes, when you were little we used to call you little raven, but quite frankly I think you've grown out of the 'little' thing, so now you're Raven" he replied. "Do you mind it?"
"Not at all, I think I like it" I said.
"You'd better" he joked, as we walked back to the castle with his arm around me.
Twigs: *weeps* That was so beautiful.
Kanga: *hands her a tissue and puts her arm around her* There, there, it'll be okay.
Twigs: * crying* But.but.he's Raven.that's so cute. *Kanga looks at her oddly and she runs off sobbing*
Kanga: I should go after her, probably PMS, but remember to Review.we've passed 90, let's reach 100 (not that you should stop there)! Good job guys, bye! We'll both see you for chapter 13.
Trivia Question: Is Twigs American or British? Kanga?
Kanga; Hello!!!! Here you go, it's a new year, and here's a new chapter.
Twigs; *glaring* why are you doing the introduction? That's my line.
Kanga; sorry, god, you do it then.
Twigs; no, I don't want to now. You've tainted it.
Kanga; Fine, be that way. Anyway, yep, new chapter so..yeah. *to twigs* what are you meant to say anyway in these things?
Twigs; For pete sake. Hey everyone, this is Twigs, got a new chapter for you. Please read and review as usual.*is interrupted*
Kanga; oh yeah!!! Yeah, read and review, we want to get to a 100 remember. And there wasn't many last time. Recommend the story. Shout it from the hilltops!!! Declare it from.*Twigs clamps hand over her mouth*
Twigs; Sorry about her, it was Christmas, she's British, she's just plain nuts, attribute it to whatever you want. But like she said, We want lotsa yummy reviews and we are eternally grateful for the ones we do get, so please keep em coming. Or Mr Whippy will have a Happy New Year. *grins manically*
Kanga;*was singing psychotically, now runs away screaming at mention of Mr
Whippy.* Twigs; *rolls her eyes and walks resignedly off after Kanga, to commit her*
Chapter 12
The next morning I awoke feeling new and refreshed. I was in love and life was good. As I pulled back my bed curtains and got out of bed, I saw that the next bed over Ron was doing the same thing. I walked over to the dresser and grabbed some clothes before running into the bathroom before Ron could. I hopped into the shower and really took my time making sure that I was properly clean. After that I spent extra time brushing my teeth and even put on cologne. I had new incentive to do myself up. I mean after all, nobody wants to kiss dog breath.
Halfway through beginning to tame my hair, fists starting pounding on the door.
"Harry, what in the world are you doing in there? Open up, the rest of us have to shower too!" Ron screamed. Seamus's voice joined him.
"Yeah, Harry! I mean- I know you want to look good for your girlfriend and everything but you've been in there for close to an hour and only half of that was actually in the shower, let someone else have a chance!". I smiled at the impatience of my roommates.
"One minute!" I hollered back at them. Finally, my hair was just the way I wanted it. I sauntered out of the bathroom with my robe on slung over my left arm and a smirk on my face.
"Who's next boys?" I teased them. Before anybody could stop him, Neville dashed into the bathroom and locked the door. Ron, Seamus and Dean banged on the door screaming about how he was a bloody bastard and none of this was fair. Ron finally turned to me.
"Well look who's dressed to impress today" he teased. I just smiled at him.
"Tease all you want Ron- I am in love and life is good" I replied floating around the room. All three of my present roommates started laughing.
"Hey loverboy, might I suggest leaving your sunshine attitude at the door as you exit down the stairs to meet your fair maiden?" Dean added, snickering. I grabbed a pillow and whacked him round the head.
"Fine!" I huffed, acting hurt. They all laughed as I threw on my school robe and flounced down into the common room. Upon entering I looked over at the puffy armchair by the fire. Hermione was seated there, beginning some Transfiguration homework that was due in a couple of days. I walked up to her and she looked up at me, closing her book.
"How did you sleep last night sweetheart?" I asked her, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. She smiled up at me.
"Just fine handsome, how about you?" she replied.
"Best sleep I've ever had" I said, sitting down in the chair next to her. She promptly got up and sat on my lap, I was pleasantly surprised.
Training started the next morning and we talked a bit about how that would go. I didn't really like the idea of her training for war but there was no convincing her out of it. Also, I really wouldn't mind the company. I looked up to see Lavender walking towards us.
"Harry, can I speak to you for a moment?" she asked. I nodded but made no means of moving.
"Alone?" she added, and I looked at Hermione who sighed and climbed off of my lap. I followed Lavender over into an abandoned corner.
"Did Ron say anything to you about me?" she asked. I looked kind of oddly at her.
"Why do you ask?" I responded. I didn't really know why she wanted to know and I didn't know if I should tell her.
"Last night was so wonderful. I'm falling for him, he's a really great guy. I just don't know if he enjoyed it as much as I did" she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
"I really think you should be talking to Ron" I told her. "If you really care about him, you can't sneak behind his back like this. I would hate it if Hermione was asking Ron about me. Just go talk to him, I've been his best mate for 5 years and he doesn't bite. Much.". She smiled at my joke.
"Okay, I will. Thanks for the advice. By the way, Harry, I hope you can forgive me for being a bitch. I've really changed, and I hope that both you and Hermione could make an effort to be friends with me. Parvati thinks that I'm too intellectual now and although we're still friends, we're not as close as we used to be. Can you at least try to like me?" she requested.
"Sure thing, Lavender" I said. She gave me a quick hug. When I went back to join Hermione, she picked up a book and read instead.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, she just wanted to apologize for being mean to me last year. She said she's changed and that she wants to be friends with us now" I replied. Hermione looked at me curiously.
"Well, what did you tell her?" she asked.
"I said that we'd give her a chance" I said. She frowned but then smiled.
"I guess she deserves a second chance- maybe she has changed" Hermione said.
"Yeah, never assume, after all that makes an ass out of you and me" I said. She laughed at my word play and I smiled in satisfaction. I looked up and saw that Ron was walking down into the common room. He walked over to where Lavender was sitting.
"We need to talk" he said. She looked up at him from her lounge chair.
"I agree, I need to know how you're feeling about me" she said. He nodded in agreement.
"We'll take a walk later" he replied. She smiled.
"I'd really like that. I talked to Harry earlier, he accepted my apology. He thinks that he and Hermione could try to befriend me" she said. Smiling, he looked at her.
"That's really great but I wouldn't have expected any less out of Harry or Hermione. They're just really great people, best friends a guy could ever ask for". Lavender looked at Ron one more time before he walked over to join Hermione and I.
"Shall we go down to breakfast now?" Ron asked. Hermione and I both nodded fervently.
"I'm starved" replied Hermione. I looked at her kind of oddly, Hermione was NEVER starved.
"What caused the new surge of appetite?" Ron asked her. She just smiled mischievously in that irresistible way that only she can.
"Well, they say that kissing burns calories" she winked at us and than led us out of the common room.
Ron leaned in and whispered to me "You've got a sassy one" as we walked down the stairs.
"That I have, but I wouldn't trade her for anything" I replied. We just both chuckled a bit before following her out of the portrait hole and down to breakfast. After arriving at the table we all took a seat at the end of the Gryffindor table. I reached over Hermione to grab a plate and a bowl of porridge, and started piling the plate up with eggs and hash browns. After completing this extensive process Hermione swapped plates with me- taking my full one and giving me her empty one.
"Why thank-you Mr. Potter" she said, smiling sweetly and digging in to MY breakfast.
"Hey! Ron, is she allowed to do that?" I asked him indigently. Ron just gave me a playful look. "She's your girlfriend man, she can do anything she wants" Ron replied. I grunted and began filling my plate again.
"You're not really mad at me, are you baby?" Hermione asked between bites. I broke into a wide smile.
"Nah, I could never be mad at you babes" I said, bending over and giving her a peck on the lips. Just as we were finishing breakfast I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Professor McGonagall.
"When you three finish breakfast you need to come up to my office, kepish?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure" I said curiously. She just gave us a brief smile and walked back up to the head table. After eating the rest of my breakfast I followed Ron and Hermione up to Professor McGonagall's office. She was sitting at her desk when we arrived and there were three chairs opposite the desk. She motioned for us to take a seat and than she began to speak to us.
"I know you're all curious as to why you were called up to my office. It's about your training which you are to begin tomorrow. After much contemplation, we have decided that you three are the only people who will undergo training. Training is harsh and extensive, and training will be specified to meet each individuals needs. Although many drills will be group, many will be personal as well. Training starts early and often runs late which means you MUST stay on top of your work. Harry especially- who will be doing Occulemsy has to be extra careful, although he may have the upperhand since he takes Dueling for Experts, although that mainly deals with magical dueling. The order is currently undergoing similar training to your own. I wish you all luck, do you have any questions?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, I do actually Professor. Since I'm a girl, will I be less challenged than Harry and Ron?" she asked.
"Not really. Although Remus may go a bit easier on the physical component, I feel that you'll be very satisfied by the degree of your workout. I assure you that things will never get too easy" McGonagall said before smiling slightly. "Now all of you should enjoy your Sunday, tomorrow is the beginning of a very long day".
Sunday was a very enjoyable day. Lavender joined us and we hung out under the apple tree by the lake all afternoon. Hermione fluttered around reading famous Wizarding quotations while Lavender drew and Ron and I played chess. I had never known Lavender to be a very good artist- but she was amazing. She did an excellent sketch of the afternoon and told Ron that after it was completed it could be his. I knew it would turn out well, I had seen it. Being hand drawn, rather than photography Lavender brought out all of our best characteristics. It was a wonderful afternoon.
"Harry, Harry- wake up" I heard, as Remus gently shook me. I rolled over and moaned, before remembering that today was the first day of training.
"Okay Remus- I'm up, I'm up" I grumbled, as I watched Ron crawl out of bed. It was 6 a.m. and in the words of a good friend, too damn early. I through on some clothes and made my way down to the common room. Hermione looked the most awake of any of us (besides Remus) but even she looked tired. Remus handed out some pepper up potion.
"You won't be getting that everyday but since you're rookies, bottoms up" Remus said as we downed the potion. I felt slightly more alert but not by much. "Don't worry guys, you'll be up in no time". Upon arriving outside, I mentally thanked Remus for telling us to dress warm. It was freezing and I felt that even the warm attire he had advised as with still left me feeling cold.
"I want 10 laps around the lake, 9 for Hermione if she wishes" Remus said. I looked at him incrediously. Each lap around the lake was half a mile! "I know that Harry" he said after I brought this to his attention "but you're not getting out of it, so get running". I was tired after 5 laps and when Hermione didn't take a rain check at 9, I envied her. When asking her later why she didn't take the easy way out, she told me that it was more a matter of respect than anything. She wanted to be drilled just as hard as the guys and if that meant running until you puked, than so be it.
"Now that you guys are all worked up, I want 40 push ups and 50 sit ups" Remus added. Both Ron and I groaned. Finally we agreed and crouched to the ground. After the workout was complete Remus spoke again.
"I am sorry that you all felt extreme pain today but it is only natural. We'll keep doing this workout until it gets easy and then we'll kick it up a notch. You can all hit the showers before breakfast, except Harry, whom I'd like to speak with". I walked over to Remus as I watched Ron and Hermione hurry up the stairs to the showers.
"So, what's up Harry?" Remus asked.
"Nothing much, tough training session" I replied. Remus nodded, while smiling faintly.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that you'll be starting Occulemency lessons with Professor Snape tomorrow and I don't want you causing any trouble" he said. I just gave him an angry look.
"He's always the one who provokes me" I said in my defense.
"Be that as it may, it is essential that you at least try to get along with Severus. I have tried in the past couple of months and he's not as bad as he seems" he added sympathetically.
"Fine! I'll try to get along with him- don't mind all that he's ever done to me" I said, before storming off. Remus was right on my tail.
"See, this was what I was afraid of. You need to get rid of the anger. I want you to think about how you can work towards making the relationship a positive one and then if he's still an ass we'll talk, okay?" he asked. I gave him a reluctant look.
"Okay, I guess I can try" I said. He smiled at me.
"That's the spirit raven" he said. I smiled extra large at the nickname.
"Raven?" I asked. He smiled at me.
"Yes, when you were little we used to call you little raven, but quite frankly I think you've grown out of the 'little' thing, so now you're Raven" he replied. "Do you mind it?"
"Not at all, I think I like it" I said.
"You'd better" he joked, as we walked back to the castle with his arm around me.
Twigs: *weeps* That was so beautiful.
Kanga: *hands her a tissue and puts her arm around her* There, there, it'll be okay.
Twigs: * crying* But.but.he's Raven.that's so cute. *Kanga looks at her oddly and she runs off sobbing*
Kanga: I should go after her, probably PMS, but remember to Review.we've passed 90, let's reach 100 (not that you should stop there)! Good job guys, bye! We'll both see you for chapter 13.
Trivia Question: Is Twigs American or British? Kanga?