CHAPTER 9
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
As the Great Hall slowly started to fill up with anxious students, who were whispering amongst themselves, wondering why the headmaster had requested that they all come to the Great Hall as he had an announcement to make. Their presence in the Hall was not demanded, but all students turned up anyway, some plainly out of curiosity, rather than respect to their headmaster's wishes.
Lupin sat at the teachers table, he knew why Dumbledore had called the meeting, and knew that, had he been asked to come to the Great Hall for an announcement he would have been as anxious and curious as all of the students walking through the large oak doors were now. In light of the recent attacks, Lupin thought that most of the students seemed a bit too relaxed; the news could have been about another attack, an attack closer to Hogwarts, an attack on a Wizarding family. Thankfully the announcement wasn't anywhere near as sinister. Lupin sighed to himself as he reached for his goblet of pumpkin juice and took a large swig. Everyone was going to be here soon, ready and waiting for the important announcement and all he could think about was how much he didn't want to be here right now. It wasn't that he didn't want to be back at Hogwarts, he loved the castle like it was his own home, but thing were about to become a lot more complicated. Professor Hounding walked into the Great Hall and winked at Lupin, he gave a weak grin back. He was about to say something to him, when an almighty crash echoed through the Great Hall. It sounded as though it had come from the room adjacent to the Great Hall. Lupin rolled his eyes; things certainly were set to get a lot more complicated.
"What was that?'' Hermione gasped, as the crashed resounded off the hard walls.
"I don't know.'' Ginny said, watching the first years crawl back into their seats after diving for cover under the table. A fourth year Gryffindor seemed to have developed her own theory on the making of the loud crash, and was loudly telling her friends.
"Dumbledore has hired two Manticore's to patrol around Hogwarts in the day. You know how he was saying that we need to be careful. It's the obvious thing, extra precaution.'' Hermione just tutted loudly, earning herself a glare from the fourth year, who stopped talking and scowled at Hermione.
"I think we are all over reacting, it's probably just Peeves or something.'' She said calmly, just as Dumbledore stood up to start making his announcement.
"Students, I am glad that you all decided to show up and hear my announcement. Now as we all have heard, terrible events have been happening all over Britain, Death Eater activity is increasing and wizards and witches everywhere are being asked to take extreme caution.'' The girl that had been talking at the Manticore's turned to Hermione and smirked, she obviously though that what Dumbledore was about to say next would confirm her suspicions. "But however much caution we take, we can never be fully safe, as these attacks have proved, even the most cautious person can be attacked, that is why the Ministry has requested that all students at Hogwarts be trained in combat, and battle situations, sort of like the duelling club a few years ago.'' An excited murmur ran through the Great Hall, but it was punctuated by worried glances between pupils, would they need the battle classes, was there a risk of them being targeted. Dumbledore sensing these worries didn't allow the whispering to continue for long, he started to talk again.
"Now personally I don't think you'll need them, but they should be fun anyway, and I expect you all to take them seriously, for while you are quite safe here at Hogwarts, there I no guarantee once you leave. Now I am going to introduce you to your instructors.'' And as Dumbledore spoke the two hooded figures, that had interrupted the feast at the start of the school year, walked out from the adjacent room and stood next to Dumbledore, they both removed their hoods and looked out at the mass of students before them. Harry didn't need the nudge in his ribs from Ginny to know that Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt had just revealed themselves to the school as the two new battle instructors. Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron tried to look curious as to who the two people standing next to their headmaster were, no one could find out that they knew who they were, it would give away the order, however when Tonks caught Harry's eye, she gave him a small smile.
"This is Professor Tonks.'' Dumbledore said indicating the pink haired witch with his hand, she grinned and waved at all of the students, a few of the boys waved back and whistled appreciatively. "And Professor Shacklebolt. They will be your battle class teachers for the whole year. They are both fully qualified aurors, so I can assure you that you are being taught by the best. Now the only draw back is that lessons will have to be held in the evenings after dinner in the Great Hall. But for now, enjoy.'' Dumbledore said as plates of food appeared on all five tables and the students tucked in, talking through their food, about the two new arrivals.
"Good, that was scary.'' Tonks said as she flopped into the empty seat next to Remus, and grabbed a goblet of pumpkin juice, taking a large gulp. He smiled fondly at her.
"You're supposed to be a fully trained auror, able to cope with the most terrifying situations and you can't even stand up in front of a bunch of kids.''
"Well, I was just nervous ok.'' She said smiling. "I don't mind life threatening situations, but being introduced as Professor Tonks, now that's scary.'' She grinned.
"I see what you mean, I'd be scared having you as my Professor.'' Lupin retorted, earning a slap on the arm from Tonks who had started piling pasta on to her plate. "I presume it was you that made that racket earlier.'' Lupin asked, looking at Tonks out of the corner of his eye. She blushed crimson.
"Yeah, I knocked over a suit of armour, while I was putting the cloak on.'' Tonks admitted.
"Thought so.'' Lupin stated. "I dread to think what you'll be like teaching a group of kids how to fight.'' He said, laughing at the indignant look on her face.
"Hey I'm not that bad.'' She said as hitting him lightly again. Their eyes locked and Lupin could feel himself getting hot under the collar, he couldn't take it, if he stared into her beautiful eyes a second longer he was going to go mad. She poked her tongue out at him quickly and grinned flirtatiously and turned away from him and back to her pasta that had up until now lain forgotten on her plate.
Lupin looked over at Sirius in disguise as Professor Hounding and saw him winking at him, and making suggestive glances towards Tonks, Lupin cringed as Tonks also looked up and saw Professor Hounding making strange faces, down the table. He looked away quickly, blushing when he realised that he had been caught.
"What is that idiot doing?'' Tonks asked Lupin as she looked back at Sirius who had busied himself with his food.
"I don't know, I think he was having a seizure or something.'' Lupin answered, looking away from Tonks.
"Oh.'' Tonks said, seeming satisfied with the answer she received. She had seen Sirius making weird faces all the time and him having seizures didn't seem like such an impossible reason for them. She turned her attention back on her food, and Lupin following her lead did the same. Although he kept glancing out of the corner of his eye and seeing Professor Hounding winking at him, 'At least he can't talk to Destiny anymore.' Lupin thought as he ate his food, 'serves him right.' He had been told all about Harry's discovery by a teary eyed Destiny, that very morning when he asked why she hadn't been talking to Sirius much. And taking one last sneaky glance at Tonks, Lupin resolutely resumed eating his food.
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Dumbledore spun around rushing through the green flames, grate after grate rushing past him, until finally he stopped, he was standing looking out into the dark, dank kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. The order of the Phoenix Headquarters, where a very important meeting was taking place, a meeting that the remaining members of the order who hadn't already been posted at Hogwarts, had all attended. There had been an attack the previous night, an attack on a wizarding family, a wizarding family that currently had a daughter attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Dumbledore had spent the morning comforting the young girl, after almost all of her family had been killed by the five Death Eaters, who attacked their family home in the middle of last night. Her father was the only one who survived the attack, as he was away on a business trip. Her mother and two brothers had all been murdered.
The place where their home once stood had been reduced to a pile of ash and rubble, her families bodies, sprawled out on the front lawn, they had obviously tried to run away, but had been shot down in a haze of red and green flashes. The Dark Mark was still prominent in the sky when the aurors had arrived a stark reminder that Voldemort was back and nobody was safe.
"Is she alright?'' Moody growled, his magical eye sweeping over Dumbledore confirming his identity.
"She's with her father now.'' Dumbledore replied, "I left them and came straight here.'' He looked around at the room full of order members and sighed, they didn't have nearly enough people to face the threat of Voldemort. "The time has come to initiate the plan. I can delay no longer. Hogwarts is under increasing risk everyday.''
"I agree.'' Molly Weasley said from her chair. "We are better off starting now, it'll give us time to layer the Defences, build them up properly instead of rushing them all at the last minute, and running the risk of them failing.''
"But the children, they'll be bound to notice if a bunch of people are walking around the school placing extra wards around the perimeter. They'll worry and get scared.'' An old wizard in a purple baseball cap argued.
"They should be scared.'' Moody growled. "Lord Voldemort is back to power and planning on taking over Hogwarts, the sooner people face up to this the better. It won't do them any good wrapping them up in cotton wool, it'll only hurt them more when he does attack the school.'' Both of Moody's eyes were fixed on the old wizard, who had crouched down in his chair, trying to protect himself from Moody's verbal tirade.
"Moody's right.'' A young pink-cheeked witch spoke up. Her name was Hestia Jones, and she had graduated top of her class when she was at Hogwarts, she was like an older version of Hermione. "However much we want to protect them it'll only end up hurting them more, especially if we don't do a good enough job on the ward protecting Hogwarts.''
"We will need as many people as possible, preferably people who achieved high marks in Defence Against the Dark Art and Charm, possibly even Transfiguration.'' Dumbledore said taking charge of the situation. "Moody and Hestia, you will come back to Hogwarts with me now, and I will show you around, so that you can make an assessment of what spells will need to be cast and how many layers of Defence we need.'' Dumbledore stood up from his seat, and nodded farewell to the remaining members of the order, as Hestia Jones and Mad-Eye Moody followed him into the large fireplace and back to Hogwarts, in a flash of green flames.
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It was Care of Magical Creatures and Harry, Ron and Hermione were all standing around the front of Hagrids hut waiting for him to come out and start the first lesson of the year. The classes wait was finally rewarded when Rubeus Hagrid stepped out of the front door of his hut and walked over to them smiling, accompanied by a man. No, not a man, that couldn't be a man, for a fleeting moment Harry thought that Hagrid had actually managed to get one of the centaurs to agree to let the class study them. That was until Harry saw the bottom half of the man. He had a horses tail and, when Harry looked up to the man's mischievous face he saw that he also had the ears of a horse. The man wore no shirt and was staring at some of the girls in the class very appreciatively, licking his lips, he even blew a kiss to Hermione who blushed, Ron seeing this quickly wrapped his arm around her and stared daringly at the handsome young man.
"Hello everyone, welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. This term we aren't going to be studying actual creatures, more like half creatures. They have been defined creatures by the Ministry of Magic, but are capable of human thought and are able to talk. For the next few weeks we are going to by studying satyrs, and Fan here.'' Hagrid said gesturing to the man standing next to him, winking at Hannah Abbot, who Harry now realised, was a satyr. "Fan is a satyr and has kindly agreed to come and help out in my next few classes.'' Hagrid looked up at the faces of his students, they were all extremely relieved that they wouldn't be encountering anything very dangerous this year, and Harry thought that this year Care of Magical Creatures could actually be interesting and fun instead of just plain deadly. "Now can anyone tell me anything about satyrs?''
As usual Hermione's hand shot straight up into the air faster than Harry's firebolt, and she almost hit Ron in the face as she waited eagerly for Hagrid to chose her.
"Hermione.'' Hagrid said, realising that no one else knew the answer, his face fell slightly but he cheered up as Hermione reeled of her word-perfect answer.
"Satyrs are handsome young men with the tail and ears of a horse. They are mischievous troublemakers and extremely amorous.'' Hermione said eyeing Fan who was nodding along with each of her comments smiling proudly.
"Sounds like Fred and George.'' Ron whispered to Harry as Hagrid praised Hermiones perfect (as usual) answer.
"What even the tail and ears?'' Harry asked looking strangely at Ron.''
"You don't want to know.'' Ron said as he rolled his eyes.
A shy Hufflepuff who was standing at the back of the crowd of students spoke up, Harry looked around and saw a short boy, who was about a foot shorter than Harry, who was now nearing six foot. "Sorry Professor, but what does amorous mean?''
But before Hagrid could speak up Fan had stepped forward and looked around eagerly at the class. "Amorous means that we are loving, passionate, romantic, it basically means that we love young ladies, especially beautiful ones.'' He said turning to Hermione and kissing her hand. Ron increased his death glares at Fan after this and refused to let go of Hermiones hand, as though afraid that Fan would snatch her away at the next opportunity. But he needn't of worried for the very next minute Fan had already turned his attentions on to Susan Bones, who seemed a bit embarrassed by all of the attention. Hagrid coughed loudly and Fan returned to stand next to Hagrid, although his eyes wandered over every single girl in the class.
Half way through the story that Fan was telling them all about his ancestors, Harry looked back up to the castle wondering what Ginny was doing in her Charms class, when he saw Professor Dumbledore walk out of the doors leading down to Hagrids hut. This wouldn't have been so unusual, Harry often saw Dumbledore taking a walk around the grounds, but he didn't usually take a walk around the grounds accompanied by Mad-Eye Moody, and a witch that Harry vaguely remembered as being Hestia Jones, one of his guard that had rescued him from Privet Drive in his fifth year.
They started to walk around pointing up into the air occasionally, at seemingly nothing, and sending jets of white light out of their wands, that sometimes turned back towards them after reaching a certain point, and sometimes went shooting off in straight lines. Harry nudged Ron and Hermione and they too, looked over at Dumbledore and his companions, who had started writing something in notebooks that they had pulled from their cloaks. The three friends gave each other questioning glances and turned back and started to listen to Fan's stories again, their eyes subconsciously flickering back to Dumbledore, Moody and Hestia.
At the end of Care of Magical Creatures, Ron and Hermione walked back up to the castle slowly hand in hand. It had been the last lesson of the day and they were in no rush to get back to the Great Hall, well maybe Ron was, but he didn't show it. Harry had rushed off to meet Ginny outside her Charms classroom, when he told Ron and Hermione that he had to meet her, Hermione gushed about how romantic he was and Ron just rolled his eyes saying, 'why can't you wait until you see her in the Great Hall.' But Harry couldn't he had to see her as soon as he possibly could.
"What do you think Dumbledore, Moody and Hestia were doing?'' Ron asked Hermione as they strolled back to the castle.
"I don't know, it looked like they were testing something.'' Hermione answered thoughtfully.
"But what?'' Ron asked.
"It must be the wards, after all of the recent attacks, I'll bet Dumbledore is reinforcing the wards, to make the school safer, he knows that Voldemort is going to attack, so he's giving himself plenty of time to prepare.'' Hermione replied.
"Your brilliant.'' Ron stated as he pulled Hermione into a hug. "The smartest witch of our time.''
"Shut up, your embarrassing me.'' Hermione said as she slapped him playfully, blushing. They walked into the great Hall and looked around for Harry and Ginny, they weren't there yet, but all the other members of Ginny's Charms class were, including Colin Creevy who rolled his eyes as he saw Hermione and Ron look for their friends, in a way that clearly said, 'you really thought they'd come straight here.'
Colin, Hermione and Ron had all come to learn that anytime Harry and Ginny walked anywhere on their own they would always arrive at the place they were headed a few minutes late. They always had to stop on the way, then make up excuses, that got worse and worse every time, as to why they were late. Harry even went as far as to say they got lost, even though he had now been at Hogwarts for almost seven years. They just savoured every second they spent together, and weren't able to keep their hands or their lips off each other.
Lupin walked along the corridor to the Magical Maintenance classroom, he had just come from Dumbledores office where he had spoken with Moody and Hestia, sharing his knowledge of spells that would help to protect Hogwarts. Moody and Hestia were going to start placing the wards around the school in the next few days, Sirius, himself; Kingsley and Tonks would also be helping out, along with Snape, Mcgonagall and Dumbledore himself.
Lupin was going to see Sirius to tell him when he would be needed to help place some spells around the castle, although his mind was elsewhere, reeling off all of the spells that could come in useful in the inevitable battle against Voldemort. He was so caught up in these thoughts he didn't realise that he was about to walk into someone until it was too late; he just had time to reach out and catch the person before they fell to the ground. He looked down into her beautiful brown eyes, and at her heart shaped face with porcelain skin, and blushed deeply.
"That makes a nice change.'' Tonks said smiling as she steadied herself.
"What does?'' Lupin asked curiously.
"Having someone walk into me for a change, it's usually the other way round.'' She said, pushing her electric blue fringe out of her eyes.
"But you didn't move, so you would've walked into me anyway.'' Lupin said, laughing as realisation dawned on her pretty face.
"Oh yeah.'' She said comprehendingly, looking down at the floor and blushing when she saw that Lupin still had his hands around her waist. Lupin followed her gaze and realised that the warm, tingly feeling that was shooting up and down his arms was because he was still holding her waist, feeling her slender frame, smelling the coconut smell on her perfect skin. He backed away quickly apologising profusely.
"It's alright, it felt nice actually.'' Tonks said cheekily before walking away from him, with his mouth hanging open half way through another apology. He finally regained the use of his limbs and started towards Sirius's classroom. 'She couldn't have meant it like that' Lupin told himself firmly. 'She can't like me like that, I'm way too old for her, she probably thinks of me as an uncle or something.' He managed to convince himself as he knocked and waited for Sirius to unlock the door to his classroom. He waved to Harry and Ron as he walked into the classroom.
"What took you so long?'' Lupin asked as he took as seat behind one of the desks.
"Had to wait for the polyjuice to work.'' Sirius explained. "I wasn't Professor Hounding right then.''
"Why do you let it wear off?'' Lupin asked curiously. "It'd be much easier to just take the potion every hour, you wouldn't run as much risk of getting caught.''
"The risks half the fun of it Moony, anyway what brings you here. And what's more what brings you here smelling like….'' Sirius leaned in and sniffed Lupin. " Like coconut.'' Lupin cringed; he had just held Tonks in his arms, 'Damn Sirius and his stupid Dog sense of smell.' Lupin thought angrily, trying to think up an excuse. "Ummmmm I just went to the kitchens and had some coconut cake.'' Lupin said triumphantly.
"But we only just had food in the Great Hall, why are you still hungry?'' Sirius asked inquisitively.
"I didn't eat that much?'' Lupin lied. He didn't know why he wasn't telling his best friend the truth but he just couldn't admit to anyone that he had feelings for Tonks; he couldn't stand Sirius winking and nudging him every time Tonks walked past them. Besides she was Sirius's cousin, who also happened to be years younger than him.
"Yes you did, I saw you, I remember thinking, Lupin's eating a lot more than he usually does and………..''
"Sirius just drop it alright.'' Lupins snapped feeling himself go red, remembering from his school years how long Sirius could carry on talking for if nobody stopped him.
"Fine, so what did you want?'' Sirius asked a little coolly, but he wouldn't stay mad at Lupin for long.
"I just wanted to tell you that Dumbledore and everyone will be starting to put up the wards around Hogwarts soon, and you will be asked to help, so start thinking of some spells that could be useful.'' Lupin explained, much more calmly than he had been before.
"Already ahead of you, I have thought of lots of spells, with the help of the beautiful Destiny and we have written them down and given them all to Dumbledore.'' Lupin marvelled at how efficient and organised Sirius had become, then mentally scolded himself for even thinking that Destiny was the one who was organised she probably sat Sirius down and made him do it, otherwise he would have just left it until the last minute.
"Well Good, I better be going now, I have to start preparing for my classes tomorrow.'' Lupin said as he walked out of the classroom and opened the door, before turning back. "Oh and Professor Hounding, I'm very sorry I snapped at you earlier.'' Lupin said, smiling at a couple of fifth year Ravenclaws who had just walked past.
"Quite alright Professor Lupin, I understand perfectly.'' Sirius said as Lupin turned and closed the door, and strolled off to his classroom.
Meanwhile Harry and Ron were standing out in the corridor after having a particularly horrible potions lesson, where Snape made them test their potions on themselves because they had been talking. They both witnessed Lupin going into Professor Hounding's class and saw him greet him warmly.
"If only he knew what that git is doing to Sirius he wouldn't be so friendly them would he?'' Harry spat vehemently, looking at the closed door of Professor Houndings classroom with disgust.
"Yeah, first he tries stealing Sirius's girl, now he's after his best friend.'' Ron said.
"Well I'm watching him, if he tries anything funny again I swear I won't be held accountable for my actions.'' Harry said threateningly.
"Look Harry I know you hate the guy, but I really don't think you should loose your temper with him, not now in your final year, just don't let him get to you. Sirius is a big boy he can take care of himself.'' Ron said maturely.
"He doesn't even know about it, how can he do anything if he doesn't know.'' Harry shouted angrily, scaring a first year that ran away when she heard him shout.
"Then just tell him if you catch them again, don't get involved yourself. It's not worth it you could get expelled.'' Ron said, taking no notice of Harry's shouts.
"Your right, God Hermione is rubbing off on you, when did you get so mature? What happened to the Ron who tried to curse Malfoy for calling Hermione a mudblood?'' Harry said smiling at Ron.
"Ah that's different, nobody insults my girl.'' Ron grinned happily, he had wanted to call Hermione 'his girl' for so long and now it was true.
"But she wasn't even with you then.'' Harry said, his eyebrows rose, looking at Ron sceptically. "You liked her when we were in second year?'' Harry asked incredulously.
"I liked her from the moment I met her, when she told me I had dirt on my nose I knew it was love.'' Ron said sarcastically. "But seriously I have always liked Mione, and now I know that I love her.'' Ron said blushing.
"Same with Ginny, except I didn't always know that she was the one for me, it took me years to find out.'' Harry said desolately.
"Never mind, you have the rest of your lives together now, that's all that matters.'' Ron stated.
"Yeah you're right, it's weird your getting more and more like Hermione everyday.'' Harry said as he spotted Ginny walking through the crowd, and ducked a jab in the ribs from Ron. "Finally.'' Harry said exaggeratedly as Ginny ran over to him. "God I thought you'd forgotten about me.''
"As if" Ginny replied, "I could never forget about you. Where's Hermione?''
"She had to go back to her Arithmancy class to borrow a few books from Professor Vector.'' Ron explained as they all walked up to Gryffindor common room and sat down by the fire, where Hermione and a stack of six heavy books joined them a few minutes later. Ron sighed sadly as he realised that he would have to offer to carry them back to their room for her.
Professor Hounding left his classroom to go to the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor, where he could hopefully catch a glimpse of Destiny, even though she was refusing to speak to him until he told Harry whom he really was, she didn't want to upset him again. He turned a corner and saw Tonks repairing a broken vase. That girl he thought, she really is accident-prone. "Hey Tonks.'' He called out startling her causing her to drop the vase once again back to the floor. He laughed as she cursed loudly, and repaired it again, depositing it back to its original place on a shelf in the corridor.
"Hey Professor Hounding'' she called as she winked. Sirius grinned as he walked passed her, laughing as she tripping over the edge of the rug, he reached out and stopped her falling. She looked up at him and grinned before turning and walking way. Sirius grinned he couldn't wait to see what she was going to be like teaching a bunch of kids how to fight. He watched as she turned the corner that he had just turned and his canine reflexes caught her scent, she smelt like, like coconut. His eyes widened in comprehension as his mind formed all sorts of reasons why Lupin really smelt like coconut. 'Well, well, well Remus you sly old dog, I'd never have thought it.''
(A.N Another chapter done, please let me know what you all think!!!! Sirius has got the wrong end of the stick hasn't he? What will come of this? There's only one-way to find out Review, Review, Review and I will update, but until then you'll have to wait and see.
I have to apologise for not updating very often but I am finding it easier to manage my work now I'm used to the extreme load so I hope to have more chances to write!! Thanx guys, love you all ice princess12 x x x x x x x x x x x x
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
As the Great Hall slowly started to fill up with anxious students, who were whispering amongst themselves, wondering why the headmaster had requested that they all come to the Great Hall as he had an announcement to make. Their presence in the Hall was not demanded, but all students turned up anyway, some plainly out of curiosity, rather than respect to their headmaster's wishes.
Lupin sat at the teachers table, he knew why Dumbledore had called the meeting, and knew that, had he been asked to come to the Great Hall for an announcement he would have been as anxious and curious as all of the students walking through the large oak doors were now. In light of the recent attacks, Lupin thought that most of the students seemed a bit too relaxed; the news could have been about another attack, an attack closer to Hogwarts, an attack on a Wizarding family. Thankfully the announcement wasn't anywhere near as sinister. Lupin sighed to himself as he reached for his goblet of pumpkin juice and took a large swig. Everyone was going to be here soon, ready and waiting for the important announcement and all he could think about was how much he didn't want to be here right now. It wasn't that he didn't want to be back at Hogwarts, he loved the castle like it was his own home, but thing were about to become a lot more complicated. Professor Hounding walked into the Great Hall and winked at Lupin, he gave a weak grin back. He was about to say something to him, when an almighty crash echoed through the Great Hall. It sounded as though it had come from the room adjacent to the Great Hall. Lupin rolled his eyes; things certainly were set to get a lot more complicated.
"What was that?'' Hermione gasped, as the crashed resounded off the hard walls.
"I don't know.'' Ginny said, watching the first years crawl back into their seats after diving for cover under the table. A fourth year Gryffindor seemed to have developed her own theory on the making of the loud crash, and was loudly telling her friends.
"Dumbledore has hired two Manticore's to patrol around Hogwarts in the day. You know how he was saying that we need to be careful. It's the obvious thing, extra precaution.'' Hermione just tutted loudly, earning herself a glare from the fourth year, who stopped talking and scowled at Hermione.
"I think we are all over reacting, it's probably just Peeves or something.'' She said calmly, just as Dumbledore stood up to start making his announcement.
"Students, I am glad that you all decided to show up and hear my announcement. Now as we all have heard, terrible events have been happening all over Britain, Death Eater activity is increasing and wizards and witches everywhere are being asked to take extreme caution.'' The girl that had been talking at the Manticore's turned to Hermione and smirked, she obviously though that what Dumbledore was about to say next would confirm her suspicions. "But however much caution we take, we can never be fully safe, as these attacks have proved, even the most cautious person can be attacked, that is why the Ministry has requested that all students at Hogwarts be trained in combat, and battle situations, sort of like the duelling club a few years ago.'' An excited murmur ran through the Great Hall, but it was punctuated by worried glances between pupils, would they need the battle classes, was there a risk of them being targeted. Dumbledore sensing these worries didn't allow the whispering to continue for long, he started to talk again.
"Now personally I don't think you'll need them, but they should be fun anyway, and I expect you all to take them seriously, for while you are quite safe here at Hogwarts, there I no guarantee once you leave. Now I am going to introduce you to your instructors.'' And as Dumbledore spoke the two hooded figures, that had interrupted the feast at the start of the school year, walked out from the adjacent room and stood next to Dumbledore, they both removed their hoods and looked out at the mass of students before them. Harry didn't need the nudge in his ribs from Ginny to know that Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt had just revealed themselves to the school as the two new battle instructors. Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron tried to look curious as to who the two people standing next to their headmaster were, no one could find out that they knew who they were, it would give away the order, however when Tonks caught Harry's eye, she gave him a small smile.
"This is Professor Tonks.'' Dumbledore said indicating the pink haired witch with his hand, she grinned and waved at all of the students, a few of the boys waved back and whistled appreciatively. "And Professor Shacklebolt. They will be your battle class teachers for the whole year. They are both fully qualified aurors, so I can assure you that you are being taught by the best. Now the only draw back is that lessons will have to be held in the evenings after dinner in the Great Hall. But for now, enjoy.'' Dumbledore said as plates of food appeared on all five tables and the students tucked in, talking through their food, about the two new arrivals.
"Good, that was scary.'' Tonks said as she flopped into the empty seat next to Remus, and grabbed a goblet of pumpkin juice, taking a large gulp. He smiled fondly at her.
"You're supposed to be a fully trained auror, able to cope with the most terrifying situations and you can't even stand up in front of a bunch of kids.''
"Well, I was just nervous ok.'' She said smiling. "I don't mind life threatening situations, but being introduced as Professor Tonks, now that's scary.'' She grinned.
"I see what you mean, I'd be scared having you as my Professor.'' Lupin retorted, earning a slap on the arm from Tonks who had started piling pasta on to her plate. "I presume it was you that made that racket earlier.'' Lupin asked, looking at Tonks out of the corner of his eye. She blushed crimson.
"Yeah, I knocked over a suit of armour, while I was putting the cloak on.'' Tonks admitted.
"Thought so.'' Lupin stated. "I dread to think what you'll be like teaching a group of kids how to fight.'' He said, laughing at the indignant look on her face.
"Hey I'm not that bad.'' She said as hitting him lightly again. Their eyes locked and Lupin could feel himself getting hot under the collar, he couldn't take it, if he stared into her beautiful eyes a second longer he was going to go mad. She poked her tongue out at him quickly and grinned flirtatiously and turned away from him and back to her pasta that had up until now lain forgotten on her plate.
Lupin looked over at Sirius in disguise as Professor Hounding and saw him winking at him, and making suggestive glances towards Tonks, Lupin cringed as Tonks also looked up and saw Professor Hounding making strange faces, down the table. He looked away quickly, blushing when he realised that he had been caught.
"What is that idiot doing?'' Tonks asked Lupin as she looked back at Sirius who had busied himself with his food.
"I don't know, I think he was having a seizure or something.'' Lupin answered, looking away from Tonks.
"Oh.'' Tonks said, seeming satisfied with the answer she received. She had seen Sirius making weird faces all the time and him having seizures didn't seem like such an impossible reason for them. She turned her attention back on her food, and Lupin following her lead did the same. Although he kept glancing out of the corner of his eye and seeing Professor Hounding winking at him, 'At least he can't talk to Destiny anymore.' Lupin thought as he ate his food, 'serves him right.' He had been told all about Harry's discovery by a teary eyed Destiny, that very morning when he asked why she hadn't been talking to Sirius much. And taking one last sneaky glance at Tonks, Lupin resolutely resumed eating his food.
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Dumbledore spun around rushing through the green flames, grate after grate rushing past him, until finally he stopped, he was standing looking out into the dark, dank kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. The order of the Phoenix Headquarters, where a very important meeting was taking place, a meeting that the remaining members of the order who hadn't already been posted at Hogwarts, had all attended. There had been an attack the previous night, an attack on a wizarding family, a wizarding family that currently had a daughter attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Dumbledore had spent the morning comforting the young girl, after almost all of her family had been killed by the five Death Eaters, who attacked their family home in the middle of last night. Her father was the only one who survived the attack, as he was away on a business trip. Her mother and two brothers had all been murdered.
The place where their home once stood had been reduced to a pile of ash and rubble, her families bodies, sprawled out on the front lawn, they had obviously tried to run away, but had been shot down in a haze of red and green flashes. The Dark Mark was still prominent in the sky when the aurors had arrived a stark reminder that Voldemort was back and nobody was safe.
"Is she alright?'' Moody growled, his magical eye sweeping over Dumbledore confirming his identity.
"She's with her father now.'' Dumbledore replied, "I left them and came straight here.'' He looked around at the room full of order members and sighed, they didn't have nearly enough people to face the threat of Voldemort. "The time has come to initiate the plan. I can delay no longer. Hogwarts is under increasing risk everyday.''
"I agree.'' Molly Weasley said from her chair. "We are better off starting now, it'll give us time to layer the Defences, build them up properly instead of rushing them all at the last minute, and running the risk of them failing.''
"But the children, they'll be bound to notice if a bunch of people are walking around the school placing extra wards around the perimeter. They'll worry and get scared.'' An old wizard in a purple baseball cap argued.
"They should be scared.'' Moody growled. "Lord Voldemort is back to power and planning on taking over Hogwarts, the sooner people face up to this the better. It won't do them any good wrapping them up in cotton wool, it'll only hurt them more when he does attack the school.'' Both of Moody's eyes were fixed on the old wizard, who had crouched down in his chair, trying to protect himself from Moody's verbal tirade.
"Moody's right.'' A young pink-cheeked witch spoke up. Her name was Hestia Jones, and she had graduated top of her class when she was at Hogwarts, she was like an older version of Hermione. "However much we want to protect them it'll only end up hurting them more, especially if we don't do a good enough job on the ward protecting Hogwarts.''
"We will need as many people as possible, preferably people who achieved high marks in Defence Against the Dark Art and Charm, possibly even Transfiguration.'' Dumbledore said taking charge of the situation. "Moody and Hestia, you will come back to Hogwarts with me now, and I will show you around, so that you can make an assessment of what spells will need to be cast and how many layers of Defence we need.'' Dumbledore stood up from his seat, and nodded farewell to the remaining members of the order, as Hestia Jones and Mad-Eye Moody followed him into the large fireplace and back to Hogwarts, in a flash of green flames.
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It was Care of Magical Creatures and Harry, Ron and Hermione were all standing around the front of Hagrids hut waiting for him to come out and start the first lesson of the year. The classes wait was finally rewarded when Rubeus Hagrid stepped out of the front door of his hut and walked over to them smiling, accompanied by a man. No, not a man, that couldn't be a man, for a fleeting moment Harry thought that Hagrid had actually managed to get one of the centaurs to agree to let the class study them. That was until Harry saw the bottom half of the man. He had a horses tail and, when Harry looked up to the man's mischievous face he saw that he also had the ears of a horse. The man wore no shirt and was staring at some of the girls in the class very appreciatively, licking his lips, he even blew a kiss to Hermione who blushed, Ron seeing this quickly wrapped his arm around her and stared daringly at the handsome young man.
"Hello everyone, welcome to Care of Magical Creatures. This term we aren't going to be studying actual creatures, more like half creatures. They have been defined creatures by the Ministry of Magic, but are capable of human thought and are able to talk. For the next few weeks we are going to by studying satyrs, and Fan here.'' Hagrid said gesturing to the man standing next to him, winking at Hannah Abbot, who Harry now realised, was a satyr. "Fan is a satyr and has kindly agreed to come and help out in my next few classes.'' Hagrid looked up at the faces of his students, they were all extremely relieved that they wouldn't be encountering anything very dangerous this year, and Harry thought that this year Care of Magical Creatures could actually be interesting and fun instead of just plain deadly. "Now can anyone tell me anything about satyrs?''
As usual Hermione's hand shot straight up into the air faster than Harry's firebolt, and she almost hit Ron in the face as she waited eagerly for Hagrid to chose her.
"Hermione.'' Hagrid said, realising that no one else knew the answer, his face fell slightly but he cheered up as Hermione reeled of her word-perfect answer.
"Satyrs are handsome young men with the tail and ears of a horse. They are mischievous troublemakers and extremely amorous.'' Hermione said eyeing Fan who was nodding along with each of her comments smiling proudly.
"Sounds like Fred and George.'' Ron whispered to Harry as Hagrid praised Hermiones perfect (as usual) answer.
"What even the tail and ears?'' Harry asked looking strangely at Ron.''
"You don't want to know.'' Ron said as he rolled his eyes.
A shy Hufflepuff who was standing at the back of the crowd of students spoke up, Harry looked around and saw a short boy, who was about a foot shorter than Harry, who was now nearing six foot. "Sorry Professor, but what does amorous mean?''
But before Hagrid could speak up Fan had stepped forward and looked around eagerly at the class. "Amorous means that we are loving, passionate, romantic, it basically means that we love young ladies, especially beautiful ones.'' He said turning to Hermione and kissing her hand. Ron increased his death glares at Fan after this and refused to let go of Hermiones hand, as though afraid that Fan would snatch her away at the next opportunity. But he needn't of worried for the very next minute Fan had already turned his attentions on to Susan Bones, who seemed a bit embarrassed by all of the attention. Hagrid coughed loudly and Fan returned to stand next to Hagrid, although his eyes wandered over every single girl in the class.
Half way through the story that Fan was telling them all about his ancestors, Harry looked back up to the castle wondering what Ginny was doing in her Charms class, when he saw Professor Dumbledore walk out of the doors leading down to Hagrids hut. This wouldn't have been so unusual, Harry often saw Dumbledore taking a walk around the grounds, but he didn't usually take a walk around the grounds accompanied by Mad-Eye Moody, and a witch that Harry vaguely remembered as being Hestia Jones, one of his guard that had rescued him from Privet Drive in his fifth year.
They started to walk around pointing up into the air occasionally, at seemingly nothing, and sending jets of white light out of their wands, that sometimes turned back towards them after reaching a certain point, and sometimes went shooting off in straight lines. Harry nudged Ron and Hermione and they too, looked over at Dumbledore and his companions, who had started writing something in notebooks that they had pulled from their cloaks. The three friends gave each other questioning glances and turned back and started to listen to Fan's stories again, their eyes subconsciously flickering back to Dumbledore, Moody and Hestia.
At the end of Care of Magical Creatures, Ron and Hermione walked back up to the castle slowly hand in hand. It had been the last lesson of the day and they were in no rush to get back to the Great Hall, well maybe Ron was, but he didn't show it. Harry had rushed off to meet Ginny outside her Charms classroom, when he told Ron and Hermione that he had to meet her, Hermione gushed about how romantic he was and Ron just rolled his eyes saying, 'why can't you wait until you see her in the Great Hall.' But Harry couldn't he had to see her as soon as he possibly could.
"What do you think Dumbledore, Moody and Hestia were doing?'' Ron asked Hermione as they strolled back to the castle.
"I don't know, it looked like they were testing something.'' Hermione answered thoughtfully.
"But what?'' Ron asked.
"It must be the wards, after all of the recent attacks, I'll bet Dumbledore is reinforcing the wards, to make the school safer, he knows that Voldemort is going to attack, so he's giving himself plenty of time to prepare.'' Hermione replied.
"Your brilliant.'' Ron stated as he pulled Hermione into a hug. "The smartest witch of our time.''
"Shut up, your embarrassing me.'' Hermione said as she slapped him playfully, blushing. They walked into the great Hall and looked around for Harry and Ginny, they weren't there yet, but all the other members of Ginny's Charms class were, including Colin Creevy who rolled his eyes as he saw Hermione and Ron look for their friends, in a way that clearly said, 'you really thought they'd come straight here.'
Colin, Hermione and Ron had all come to learn that anytime Harry and Ginny walked anywhere on their own they would always arrive at the place they were headed a few minutes late. They always had to stop on the way, then make up excuses, that got worse and worse every time, as to why they were late. Harry even went as far as to say they got lost, even though he had now been at Hogwarts for almost seven years. They just savoured every second they spent together, and weren't able to keep their hands or their lips off each other.
Lupin walked along the corridor to the Magical Maintenance classroom, he had just come from Dumbledores office where he had spoken with Moody and Hestia, sharing his knowledge of spells that would help to protect Hogwarts. Moody and Hestia were going to start placing the wards around the school in the next few days, Sirius, himself; Kingsley and Tonks would also be helping out, along with Snape, Mcgonagall and Dumbledore himself.
Lupin was going to see Sirius to tell him when he would be needed to help place some spells around the castle, although his mind was elsewhere, reeling off all of the spells that could come in useful in the inevitable battle against Voldemort. He was so caught up in these thoughts he didn't realise that he was about to walk into someone until it was too late; he just had time to reach out and catch the person before they fell to the ground. He looked down into her beautiful brown eyes, and at her heart shaped face with porcelain skin, and blushed deeply.
"That makes a nice change.'' Tonks said smiling as she steadied herself.
"What does?'' Lupin asked curiously.
"Having someone walk into me for a change, it's usually the other way round.'' She said, pushing her electric blue fringe out of her eyes.
"But you didn't move, so you would've walked into me anyway.'' Lupin said, laughing as realisation dawned on her pretty face.
"Oh yeah.'' She said comprehendingly, looking down at the floor and blushing when she saw that Lupin still had his hands around her waist. Lupin followed her gaze and realised that the warm, tingly feeling that was shooting up and down his arms was because he was still holding her waist, feeling her slender frame, smelling the coconut smell on her perfect skin. He backed away quickly apologising profusely.
"It's alright, it felt nice actually.'' Tonks said cheekily before walking away from him, with his mouth hanging open half way through another apology. He finally regained the use of his limbs and started towards Sirius's classroom. 'She couldn't have meant it like that' Lupin told himself firmly. 'She can't like me like that, I'm way too old for her, she probably thinks of me as an uncle or something.' He managed to convince himself as he knocked and waited for Sirius to unlock the door to his classroom. He waved to Harry and Ron as he walked into the classroom.
"What took you so long?'' Lupin asked as he took as seat behind one of the desks.
"Had to wait for the polyjuice to work.'' Sirius explained. "I wasn't Professor Hounding right then.''
"Why do you let it wear off?'' Lupin asked curiously. "It'd be much easier to just take the potion every hour, you wouldn't run as much risk of getting caught.''
"The risks half the fun of it Moony, anyway what brings you here. And what's more what brings you here smelling like….'' Sirius leaned in and sniffed Lupin. " Like coconut.'' Lupin cringed; he had just held Tonks in his arms, 'Damn Sirius and his stupid Dog sense of smell.' Lupin thought angrily, trying to think up an excuse. "Ummmmm I just went to the kitchens and had some coconut cake.'' Lupin said triumphantly.
"But we only just had food in the Great Hall, why are you still hungry?'' Sirius asked inquisitively.
"I didn't eat that much?'' Lupin lied. He didn't know why he wasn't telling his best friend the truth but he just couldn't admit to anyone that he had feelings for Tonks; he couldn't stand Sirius winking and nudging him every time Tonks walked past them. Besides she was Sirius's cousin, who also happened to be years younger than him.
"Yes you did, I saw you, I remember thinking, Lupin's eating a lot more than he usually does and………..''
"Sirius just drop it alright.'' Lupins snapped feeling himself go red, remembering from his school years how long Sirius could carry on talking for if nobody stopped him.
"Fine, so what did you want?'' Sirius asked a little coolly, but he wouldn't stay mad at Lupin for long.
"I just wanted to tell you that Dumbledore and everyone will be starting to put up the wards around Hogwarts soon, and you will be asked to help, so start thinking of some spells that could be useful.'' Lupin explained, much more calmly than he had been before.
"Already ahead of you, I have thought of lots of spells, with the help of the beautiful Destiny and we have written them down and given them all to Dumbledore.'' Lupin marvelled at how efficient and organised Sirius had become, then mentally scolded himself for even thinking that Destiny was the one who was organised she probably sat Sirius down and made him do it, otherwise he would have just left it until the last minute.
"Well Good, I better be going now, I have to start preparing for my classes tomorrow.'' Lupin said as he walked out of the classroom and opened the door, before turning back. "Oh and Professor Hounding, I'm very sorry I snapped at you earlier.'' Lupin said, smiling at a couple of fifth year Ravenclaws who had just walked past.
"Quite alright Professor Lupin, I understand perfectly.'' Sirius said as Lupin turned and closed the door, and strolled off to his classroom.
Meanwhile Harry and Ron were standing out in the corridor after having a particularly horrible potions lesson, where Snape made them test their potions on themselves because they had been talking. They both witnessed Lupin going into Professor Hounding's class and saw him greet him warmly.
"If only he knew what that git is doing to Sirius he wouldn't be so friendly them would he?'' Harry spat vehemently, looking at the closed door of Professor Houndings classroom with disgust.
"Yeah, first he tries stealing Sirius's girl, now he's after his best friend.'' Ron said.
"Well I'm watching him, if he tries anything funny again I swear I won't be held accountable for my actions.'' Harry said threateningly.
"Look Harry I know you hate the guy, but I really don't think you should loose your temper with him, not now in your final year, just don't let him get to you. Sirius is a big boy he can take care of himself.'' Ron said maturely.
"He doesn't even know about it, how can he do anything if he doesn't know.'' Harry shouted angrily, scaring a first year that ran away when she heard him shout.
"Then just tell him if you catch them again, don't get involved yourself. It's not worth it you could get expelled.'' Ron said, taking no notice of Harry's shouts.
"Your right, God Hermione is rubbing off on you, when did you get so mature? What happened to the Ron who tried to curse Malfoy for calling Hermione a mudblood?'' Harry said smiling at Ron.
"Ah that's different, nobody insults my girl.'' Ron grinned happily, he had wanted to call Hermione 'his girl' for so long and now it was true.
"But she wasn't even with you then.'' Harry said, his eyebrows rose, looking at Ron sceptically. "You liked her when we were in second year?'' Harry asked incredulously.
"I liked her from the moment I met her, when she told me I had dirt on my nose I knew it was love.'' Ron said sarcastically. "But seriously I have always liked Mione, and now I know that I love her.'' Ron said blushing.
"Same with Ginny, except I didn't always know that she was the one for me, it took me years to find out.'' Harry said desolately.
"Never mind, you have the rest of your lives together now, that's all that matters.'' Ron stated.
"Yeah you're right, it's weird your getting more and more like Hermione everyday.'' Harry said as he spotted Ginny walking through the crowd, and ducked a jab in the ribs from Ron. "Finally.'' Harry said exaggeratedly as Ginny ran over to him. "God I thought you'd forgotten about me.''
"As if" Ginny replied, "I could never forget about you. Where's Hermione?''
"She had to go back to her Arithmancy class to borrow a few books from Professor Vector.'' Ron explained as they all walked up to Gryffindor common room and sat down by the fire, where Hermione and a stack of six heavy books joined them a few minutes later. Ron sighed sadly as he realised that he would have to offer to carry them back to their room for her.
Professor Hounding left his classroom to go to the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor, where he could hopefully catch a glimpse of Destiny, even though she was refusing to speak to him until he told Harry whom he really was, she didn't want to upset him again. He turned a corner and saw Tonks repairing a broken vase. That girl he thought, she really is accident-prone. "Hey Tonks.'' He called out startling her causing her to drop the vase once again back to the floor. He laughed as she cursed loudly, and repaired it again, depositing it back to its original place on a shelf in the corridor.
"Hey Professor Hounding'' she called as she winked. Sirius grinned as he walked passed her, laughing as she tripping over the edge of the rug, he reached out and stopped her falling. She looked up at him and grinned before turning and walking way. Sirius grinned he couldn't wait to see what she was going to be like teaching a bunch of kids how to fight. He watched as she turned the corner that he had just turned and his canine reflexes caught her scent, she smelt like, like coconut. His eyes widened in comprehension as his mind formed all sorts of reasons why Lupin really smelt like coconut. 'Well, well, well Remus you sly old dog, I'd never have thought it.''
(A.N Another chapter done, please let me know what you all think!!!! Sirius has got the wrong end of the stick hasn't he? What will come of this? There's only one-way to find out Review, Review, Review and I will update, but until then you'll have to wait and see.
I have to apologise for not updating very often but I am finding it easier to manage my work now I'm used to the extreme load so I hope to have more chances to write!! Thanx guys, love you all ice princess12 x x x x x x x x x x x x