Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, characters or places
A/N: To Rory, please stop with those long reviews. I am currently writing (Though I haven't published) a Harry/Ron story. Just be patient
A Birthday and a Revelation
Time passed quickly at Dumbledore's house for the trio. Mornings were by far the most fun, they often found themselves along with Ginny playing jokes on each other, Hermione and Ginny gossipped, Ron and Harry had man talk which was according to the boys very different to gossipping. Hermione made Ron and Harry read up on how to become an animagus. She also made them start planning their D.A. lessons. The afternoon sessions soon became incredibly hard. Ginny ended up only coming to every 2nd lesson as she needed that long to master the complex spells that they were doing. All three of the trio loved the lessons though and thrived on them. Hermione had always been good at magic and she studied up every night on what they were meant to being doing the next day. Harry had always had a talent for defence magic and Ron now had the help of Ares in his endeavours. Fred and George had told them one night that they had heard Tonks, Moody and Kingsley telling Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin and Mr and Mrs Weasley about how well they were going.
One day not long before Harry's birthday Hermione, Ron and Ginny were practising throwing off the Imperius curse with Moody whilst Harry spent the afternoon with Lupin a very surprising revelation occurred. Moody had just cast the imperius curse at Ron when he asked him to reveal his deepest and darkest secret. Ron struggled against the urge to tell the secret for a minute before he finally blurted out "I love Hermione." Moody's real eye and Ginny turned to Hermione. She had gone a bright pink "He fought it, he's only joking" she said aloud though it was more for herself. What she heard couldn't be true. Ron had never done anything for her to believe that he liked her. Moody removed the curse off him and Ron immediately asked what he had done when no one answered he started to get angry "What did I do?" He asked again, this time more forcefully. Ginny could tell that things wouldn't be pretty if he knew that he had just said that he loved Hermione quickly told him that he had been a chicken again. Ron breathed a sigh of relief, he had had a very bad feeling when the curse was removed. Moody next cast the curse at Hermione asking her the exact same question, "I love Ron" was her reply. Ron turned a scarlet colour and quickly left the room. Moody and Ginny shared a look "Nothing new there" Ginny told him. It was a good thing that Ron had left the room before Moody asked Ginny the same question "I'm not a virgin anymore" came the reply that shocked Hermione. She decided not to tell anybody about Ginny's rather private secret.
The day after Ron and Hermione had blurted their undying love to each other Ron asked Hermione to join him out the back with Ares. He had already told Harry that he needed some private time with Hermione. Harry quickly agreed having heard from Ginny exactly what had happened the previous afternoon. Harry was by no means surprised, not only did he know that both of them liked each other. He was also the one that suggested to Moody what question to ask the duo as he knew that they wouldn't remember giving the answers that they gave or even the question. Hermione joined Ron outside. She was a tiny bit nervous after Ron's revelation yesterday that he loved her, but she was also excited. What if today was the day that Ron made his move. Ron himself was extremely nervous, the day before Hermione had said she loved him but what if she just meant as a brother, he couldn't face her again if he made a fool of himself.
Ron had just about decided to go and hide in the bushes when Hermione emerged from the house. In Ron's eyes she looked stunning. She had become very toned after all of the exercising that they had done over the summer. Her hair looked amazing, it had natural streaks from the sun in it and her hair had become perfect little ringlets. Hermione had also gone to the trouble of dressing nicely; she had on a nice sundress that she had borrowed from Ginny and white slip ons. She made her way towards Ron and waited for him to speak. "The ladies waiting. Talk" Ares words were the catalyst Ron needed to start the conversation. "You look very nice today Hermione." Hermione nodded, she wasn't going to speak, she thought she held the power position as she knew that Ron liked her but he didn't know that she liked him. "Hermione, do you like anyone?" he asked her. Being her normal self Hermione answered smartly "I like a lot of people, what about you Ron, do you like anybody?" Ron was taken aback by that answer, she was meant to say 'I do Ron, I like you' but she didn't. Ron had to improvise "I like lots of people. Do you like one special person more than others?" Hermione nodded and then said "I do, what about you Ron?" tell her, you loser, she wants you to make the first move, you are the boy in the relationship. Ron nodded "I like you Hermione" he blurted out.
Hermione smirked inwardly, at last she had non-coerced confirmation that he liked her but Hermione wasn't going to let him off that easily Oh Ron, I like you too, you and Harry and Viktor and everyone else in the order." Ron looked devastated but then decided if he was in for a dime he was in for a dozen "I like you Hermione, I would like to go out with you." Hermione couldn't contain her smile any longer "I like you too Ronald Weasley, why didn't you ask me out earlier?" Ron looked taken aback but then decided that he didn't really want to answer that question, so he pulled her forward and planted a quick kiss on her lips but she didn't say anything just grabbed his hand and they sat there in silence until lunch was called.
Hermione and Ron walked hand in hand into the kitchen and received many relieved looks, apparently everybody had known what they were discussing and they were all happy to hear that things had gone well. Harry and Ginny shared a smile, they had spent the morning together laughing at the way that Ron and Hermione had been hiding their feelings towards each other. Lessons continued as normal that afternoon but Ron and Hermione paired up instead of Ron and Harry. After tea Hermione and Ron went off together again. This time however they discussed Harry's birthday. "What should we get him Hermione?" Ron asked, they had been sitting there for 5 minutes with Ron asking the same question every 30 seconds. Finally after another 20 minutes of fruitless thought and Ron rejecting all of Hermione's book ideas they decided to get him some pranks from the twins shop as well as some lollies from Honeydukes. They then went and found the twins telling them what they wanted them to do. For a change the twins were most amicable, Ron decided it was because they felt bad that they were trapped in the house and finally they made their way up to bed where Harry lay waiting for them.
The next day proved interesting as Mrs Weasley woke them up as normal and the trio went for their run. However when they returned Mrs Weasley promptly sat the three of them down, apparently this was going to be a serious conversation. Mrs Weasley pulled no punches and opened up the conversation with what was on her mind. "Hermione you can't sleep with the boys if you're having a relationship with Ron." Ron looked aghast and the other two embarrassed, Ron spoke first "What do you think, I'm bloody going to take advantage of her while she is sleeping next to my best bloody friend." Harry laughed aloud. If Ron was going to do anything inappropriate with Hermione he certainly wasn't going to do it with Harry watching. Harry decided that he better back up Ron as Hermione looked incapable of speech. "Ron's right Mrs Weasley, they're not going to do anything in bed with me there with them." Mrs Weasley still didn't look like she was happy "I haven't let any of my children sleep with their girlfriends and I'm certainly not going to start now." Ron was getting angry, each of them needed the comfort that the others supplied. "All of your other children aren't on bloody Voldmort's wish list." Ron knew he had gone too far when his mother started crying. She still hadn't really come to terms with the fact that Ron was on his hit list. Ron moved over to his mother and grabbed her and hugged her. "I'm sorry about what I said. I promise that I won't do anything inappropriate with Hermione in our bed but please don't make us sleep in separate beds. All of us have nightmares and we need each others support when we wake up." She looked up at him and she could see that he was being sincere. She then looked over at Hermione and she too looked in total agreeance with Ron. Finally she looked towards Harry, he had a sort of pleading look on his face. At this face Mrs Weasley realised she had totally jumped to the wrong conclusion. She finally relented "Hermione can stay for the moment but we may need to have a talk later on in the summer if I think things have changed. They all nodded gratefully.
The morning of Harry's birthday the trio was treated to a sleep in. Moody had given them all permission to have the entire day free from any sort of training. When Harry awoke he felt two sets of eyes boring into him. He looked up to see Ron cuddling Hermione around her waist while they both watched Harry sleep. "Happy Birthday" they both spoke softly to him. Ron reached down to his side of the bed and pulled up a neatly wrapped package and handed it to Harry "Here you go mate, its from both of us." Harry happily tore at the paper, not really surprised at what he found. He gave each of them a heartfelt thanks and then made his way out of bed. When all of the trio were dressed they casually made their way down the stairs only to be confronted with the majority of the order. "Happy Birthday Harry" they all shouted whilst Mrs Weasley walked over to plant a large kiss on his forehead whilst Remus pulled him into a manly hug. Soon nearly everyone had made their way over to Harry. Ron and Hermione had moved away from him as soon as they had entered the kitchen. It was nice to see Harry on his birthday but as they spent nearly all of their time with him normally they didn't mind sharing his company today. Soon they were all sitting down for breakfast when Dumbledore appeared. He made his way over to Harry and wished him a happy birthday and then turned towards the gathering crowd. "Have you told him yet?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye, nearly all of the heads shook but Molly stepped forward and turned to Harry "We have organised an outing for your birthday." Harry's face lit up, even though he was happy with the way that the day had started he still couldn't help but feel a little upset that Sirius wasn't there to enjoy it with him. Maybe the outing would help distract him from the loneliness that he was feeling. He was about to ask where he was going when he heard Ron asking that very question and a few others. "Where's he going? Are me and Hermione going with him? How's he getting there? What will we be doing?" Molly looked a little annoyed with Ron's interruption but she couldn't help but smile. "All of you will be going to Bulgaria to visit Viktor Krum's manor. Most of the order will be accompanying you. Have you made the portkey yet Albus?" She said as she turned towards Dumbledore. He smiled and said "All in good time, Molly, I think presents are in order first." Harry felt a touch of excitement, he had never had a birthday like this, where he was surrounded by people who liked him and cared for him enough to bother with such things.
Harry was promptly led into one of the many rooms that he had yet to explore. In front of him sat several different packages varying in sizes. A chair had been placed next to the pile of presents and the rest of the order as well as the Weasley's took seats around them with Hermione and Ron sitting closest to him. Harry decided to open the presents that looked suspiciously like books first. The first package he picked up was from Moody, he unwrapped it and found a book titled '1001 spells that every Auror needs in the line of battle by Alastor Moody' Harry thanked Moody and moved onto the next present which he was surprised to find that it was from Professor McGonagall. It was once again a book, though this one Harry had to laugh at 'So you're the new DADA teacher at Hogwart's. A dummies guide." He thanked her with an embarrassed look upon his face and handed the book to Ron and Hermione for them to have a look at, they both laughed too.
Surprisingly the next present was from the twins and it too was shaped as a book. He debated with himself whether he should open it but then decided if the twins had put it down with the rest of the presents then it wouldn't have been anything too dangerous, otherwise they would be in major trouble with their Mum. He ripped at the paper and found staring back at him his very own face. It was called "So there is an evil dark wizard after you (or a younger brother) and then Ron's face was on the book. Harry continued to read the title "How to trick, tease and manipulate into submission." As he read that a ridiculous looking imagery of Lucius Malfoy came into view wearing devil ears and a dress. The twins voice cut in "A best seller that one is Harry, hope you don't mind that you're picture is on the front." Harry did mind a little but he could tell that the Twins meant nothing by it. "I don't mind this time, but tell me if you're going to use me again okay." The twins nodded obviously happy with the answer but Ron and Hermione shared another look. Harry really didn't like all of the attention that he received and having his name on a few of the twins products would certainly keep him in the spotlight. But Harry just moved onto the next book like present. It was from Tonk's and Kingsley "An Auror's handbook" was the first book he pulled out and the one that followed it caused all who saw it to laugh "So you're paranoid, think again. A complete work on the life of Mad Eye 'paranoid' Moody. By Fred and George Weasley. By this time the whole room was in hysterics as Harry had read the title aloud, the twins chimed up telling him that it was a very limited edition and only available through contacting either of them personally. The last bit of the conversation was said for the order members who looked like they wouldn't mind a laugh or two in this current climate.
As the entire book like presents had been done with Harry started on with the rest of the presents. He received a friendship bracelet from Ginny, socks from Dumbledore, random assortments of sweets from lesser known order members but the two most touching presents came at the end. Harry looked down at the small presents laid before him. One of them was from Remus Lupin and the other the Weasley family. He decided to open Remus' present first. He carefully pulled the paper away and what he saw shocked him. There before him was a pensive which was filled with memories. Harry looked towards Remus hoping for an explanation, he wasn't disappointed "This is the old Black pensive, Sirius had emptied it of memories and was filling it with memories of his own. He was going to give it to you today. It shows your parents, Sirius and I growing up." Harry looked at Remus, tears had started to pour down his face. "Thankyou Remus, it means a lot to me." Moony started to cry as well with the thankyou Harry had given. Then they both remembered that they weren't alone in the room and they wiped their tears away. Molly stepped forward and spoke "Maybe now's not the best time to open this present, we'll do it later tonight." Harry nodded, if their present was half as personal as Moony's then he didn't really want to open it in front of everybody. Dumbledore then asked the order members as well as Fred and George to apparate as he was going to get the portkey ready. Dumbledore then proceeded to make the portkey and he asked them all to grab a hold of it. They all felt the familiar jerk behind their navel and then they were standing in the middle of a very exquisite Quidditch pitch.
Viktor held out a hand to help Ginny and Hermione from the ground. He then proceeded to kiss both girls on the cheek. Ron walked away when he saw Viktor kiss Hermione not bothering to even say hello to Viktor. "Ron still is not very happy with me?" He asked Harry. Harry shook his head and then started to explain "A lot has happened since you left, Hermione and Ron are now going out. Well at least that is what they are calling it, it's a bit hard to actually go out when you can't leave the house without a huge escort. By the way thank you very much for today. It is a godsend to be able to go somewhere new." Viktor smiled at him "It is no problem. Happy Birthday. I am going to go and talk to Ron. I do not like Hermione like that. You're broom is over there, I think you may want to go join the Weasley's they want a game of quidditch. I will see you soon."
Viktor stalked over to where Ron was talking with his Mum. "Ron" Viktor called as he approached them "May I have a word." Ron looked at his Mum, he couldn't very well refuse with her standing there. Ron nodded, but he had a very unpleasant look on his face. Molly promptly excused herself and Ron scowled at Viktor again. "What do you want?" he asked in a whining tone. Viktor tried to ignore both the tone of Ron's voice as well as the look on his face as he started what was going to be a very hard conversation. "I want to talk to you Ron." Ron didn't reply to that statement instead he turned his head away from him. Viktor spoke again "Ron I want to know why you do not like me?" Ron's head whipped back around faster than what either of them could believe. "You want Hermione. You can have any girl in the world and you choose the only one I love." Even though Harry had told him that Ron was jealous of him, he had assumed that it was because he was a quidditch player and because of his money. He had no idea that it was because of Hermione. "I don't want anything more from Hermione than friendship Ron" Ron wasn't satisfied with the answer Viktor had given and continued on his hopeless endeavour of trying to get Viktor to tell him that he wanted Hermione for himself "Well then why was she the one that you would miss the most in the triwizard tournament?" Viktor thought about what Ron had said. He often asked himself the same question and the answer he came up with was vague and unsatisfactory at best. "Ron, how many people are friends with Harry, because he is Harry, not Harry Potter, the boy who lived?" Ron answered even though he couldn't really see where he was going with this line of questioning "Well me and Hermione are his best friends. And he has a few other closer acquaintances that he's pretty friendly with, but other than that I guess he doesn't have too many. Why?" This was the answer Viktor had hoped for as it helped to explain his point "How many friends do you think I have because I'm Viktor, not Viktor Krum famous quidditch star?" Ron looked at him and not knowing the answer decided to stay quiet. "I don't have any. I wasn't as lucky as Harry to find friends that liked him for who he was rather, than what he had done. Hermione was the first girl that looked at me as a person not as some quidditch player, that is why she was the person I would miss the most. She was my friend and not because I could play quidditch. All I want from her is friendship like I said. I am very happy for you and her. You are a very lucky man." Ron stuck his chest out at being called a man but Viktor continued "I was hoping that you would also be my friend." Ron looked hard at him, trying to decide if he was being truthful, finally Ron decided that he was. Ron answered "Viktor, I don't know mate, you have a lot to live up to, my other friends are the boy who lived and the smartest witch Hogwart's has seen of late." He smiled lopsidedly, the one that made Hermione swoon and this time it was he who held out his hand "This doesn't mean we are friends yet, but we'll probably get there." Viktor was happy with that answer. Harry, Hermione and Ron were pretty selective about the people that they let into their lives, it would have been unrealistic for him to instantly join their group. He shook his hand and then offered him one of his Firebolts so that he could join the quidditch match.
Viktor was feeling quite good after his little chat with Ron but he knew that his work for the day was still not finished. The order had asked him to teach Hermione how to fly as they were worried about possible ways which the trio could escape in dangerous situations. Viktor made his way to where Hermione was talking with Tonk's, McGonagall and Mrs Weasley and he made small talk with them for awhile before excusing himself and Hermione. Hermione looked surprised at this but followed along never the less. Viktor made his way to the other much smaller pitch that he had used when he was growing up, on the way he picked up his main Firebolt as well as the Nimbus 2000 that he had before the Firebolts had come out. He took a seat on the pitch and waited for Hermione to do the same. When both of them had gotten comfortable Viktor spoke "How are you Hermownee?" He asked. Hermione smiled back at him and let him know everything that had been happening in her life, including the new developments with Ron. "I told you, give it time I said, are you happy?" Hermione thought about it and nodded then Viktor gave her some unexpected news. "I attended a meeting of the quidditch players association and they have decided that we are to boycott all quidditch matches until the safety of the players and the spectators can be guaranteed." Hermione looked surprised but Viktor assured her that it was all for the best and how he could do more for the order now as he had saved up enough money that he didn't need to get a job right away. Viktor then decided that they had wasted enough time and that he should get on with the job at hand. He grabbed hold of the Nimbus broom and handed it to Hermione whilst he took his Firebolt in hand. "We are going to go flying" Viktor told Hermione, as she slowly turned as white as a sheet and hung her head. "Viktor, I thought I told you that I hate flying. I haven't been flying since the compulsory flying lessons 1st year at Hogwart's." It was Viktor's turn to look horrified, he knew Hermione didn't like flying much but to have not flown for 4 years was too hard for him to understand. Viktor grabbed Hermione's chin and raised it so she was looking at him "I promise that you will be okay. The order wants you to be able to fly well enough so that you could make an escape from Hogwart's like the Weasley twins did, okay?" He said to her softly. She nodded her head a little, still unsure about the whole situation. He then stood up and helped Hermione to her feet.
Hermione and Viktor stood facing each other brooms in hand, Viktor spoke first "Do you remember how to mount it?" Hermione was furious with the accusation that she would forget such a basic manoeuvre. "Of course I remember how to do it, putting that knowledge into action is the main problem" but then she tentatively mounted her broom, Viktor watched pleased that at least she could do that. "Now grip it and take off" he said as he hovered in the air not far from the ground. Hermione gave him a look that would freeze ice. She tried her best to follow what Viktor had just done but he had done it too quickly, she then wracked her brain trying to remember the way Harry and Ron did it, eventually she managed to enter the air hovering precariously next to Viktor. Viktor looked at her appraisingly "Relax your arms a bit" he suggested. Hermione didn't even try before she shouted at him "I would fall off then." Viktor desperately wanted to laugh, he couldn't believe that Hermione feared flying so much, she was best friends with two flying obsessed boys and she had fought death eaters, yet she was practically frozen with fear 5m up in the air. He made his way over to her, close enough that he could forcibly loosen her arms and using an old teaching method tickled her under her arms and she almost immediately was in the position for flying "Now don't move" he told her.
She shot him a dirty look but didn't move instead she informed him that he was lucky that Ron wasn't there watching him otherwise he would have been in trouble. Viktor silently agreed but without saying anything he started to rise further up in the air beckoning for Hermione to follow. Hermione began a cautious, painfully slow ascent into the air while Viktor sat on his broom watching her, he was pleased that she hadn't said anything this time. When Hermione finally reached the desired height, he made her sit there and talk with him for about 5 minutes until she forgot that she was on a broom and 50 metres in the air. Viktor then slowly reversed away from Hermione; he didn't stop talking so Hermione had to fly forwards in order to hear him. Hermione was quite surprised to find herself following Viktor, she had forgotten that she was actually flying until she had momentarily lost her balance but she was pleased that she didn't need Viktor's help to regain it. Viktor was also pleased that Hermione managed to correct her mistake as it gave her enough confidence for her to start doing a bit of real flying. Viktor started off easily with slow wide circles, slowly increasing the pace until Hermione was flying at a rate which would allow her to escape safely. The circle then became a figure of eight and eventually she was following behind Viktor who was making her follow an interesting course of twists and turns. Viktor was the first to realise that they were going to miss lunch if they didn't head in soon. He decided that he would test Hermione's flying skills and immediately went into a steep descent, Hermione turned to follow and saw what he was doing, instead of following him she made a more gradual dive and when she got to the ground she said to him haughtily "I'm not dumb like that Irish seeker who wiped himself out at the last world cup." They both laughed and Hermione thanked him for the lesson and then they made their way to the kitchen for lunch.
Harry sat down at the magically enlarged table and stared contentedly at the food that weighed it down as well as the cheerful people that surrounded the table. He had just finished several most enjoyable games of quidditch where nearly everyone had joined in. Charlie Weasley was a most worthy seeker opponent and he was quite surprised when both Dumbledore and McGonagall turned out to be agile chasers. He was sitting talking to Ron when Hermione and Viktor entered and made their way over. Ron rose and kissed Hermione gently on her lips, obviously still worried that Viktor was going to steal his girlfriend. They all sat down and Harry started telling Hermione all about the matches "It felt so good to fly again Hermione, I haven't really gotten to fly all that much since 3rd year. You should have seen this save Ron made, it was amazing." Hermione turned to Ron with a look of admiration on her face, Hermione wanted to laugh when she saw the look of embarrassment on Ron's face when Viktor interrupted "You are a keeper then Ron?" Ron looked at him and turned even redder obviously still remembering verses of 'Weasley is our King' but he nodded and explained how he had made the team last year. Viktor looked like he was going to ask more about it but Harry interrupted after sensing that Ron didn't really want to talk about his less than stellar performances at quidditch. "So Viktor when's your next game?" Harry asked and then Viktor went on to explain how Quidditch had been cancelled for the duration of the war. Both Harry and Ron looked appalled that they had cancelled quidditch. It was one of the few normalcies that they had in their life and it was only going to get worse. Hermione who had already tired of the quidditch talk told Ron and Harry about her flying lesson, Harry looked at Viktor admiringly, it would have taken a lot of patience to teach Hermione to fly whilst Hermione and Ron shared a semi-passionate kiss after Hermione had told him all about the lesson. It wasn't very often that they allowed themselves to be openly public with any part of their relationship, Harry assumed it was because everyone already knew so much about their lives but the truth was that Ron and Hermione felt bad for Harry. They both knew that he had decided to not date anyone seriously and they felt bad that they sometimes wanted to spend time alone, away from Harry. But Harry didn't mind at all, he was very happy for them in their new found coupledom. Subconsciously he was probably thinking that they would need each other if Voldemort ended up defeating him.
Out of nowhere a large procession of people came with Molly Weasley at the head holding a large birthday cake. The whole group was singing Happy Birthday and Ron, Hermione and Viktor joined in. Harry smiled widely and then proceeded to blow out the candles. He was handed a knife and he promptly pushed it in making a wish as he did it. After the cake had been eaten Dumbledore announced that they would all be heading into the nearest town for an afternoon of shopping. As everyone started clearing the tables Dumbledore gestured the trio over. "I want you to have a fun afternoon but you still have to be accompanied by at least two order members at all times. Is that clear?" he asked them all. Each of them nodded knowing that it was all in their best interests to be with a big group anyway. Dumbledore then informed them to shrink a broom and to fly to Viktor's where they could floo to Hogwart's headmasters office if death eaters attacked. They all nodded once again and they were soon on their way into the town. The language barrier caused a few problems hence they all stayed together in a large group as Viktor acting as tour guide as well as translator. They all had a great afternoon, Ron bought Hermione a rose that didn't die until the relationship was over. Harry bought a few presents for Ron and Hermione as well as Lupin, Moody, Tonks, Kingsley and the Weasley's for providing such a good holiday for him. When it was time to leave Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry were quite sad. It was unlikely that they were going to be able to leave the house again until it was time to return to Hogwart's. They said goodbye to the order members who were returning to their homes rather than Dumbledore's and Viktor magically secured his house as it was unlikely that he would return for some time and then all of those members who could disapparate left. After they all had disapparated Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Dumbledore grabbed hold of the portkey that Dumbledore had made and disapparated home.
Upon their safe arrival back at Dumbledore's a light tea was eaten and Ginny showed Viktor to his new room. When they returned Harry handed Viktor a small Photo Frame which he hastily put a picture of the trio in when he had found when he had arrived home. Molly then quickly bought out Harry's present which he opened. He couldn't believe what he saw. Inside he saw an exquisite pocket watch but it had been charmed to be just like the one at the Weasley's house. Harry looked carefully at it and checked to see which pictures stared back at him. The whole Weasley family was present, Hermione, Lupin, Tonk's, Kingsley, Moody and Dumbledore. He didn't know what to say, it was a very special gift, just as meaningful as the one that Lupin had given him. But the present wasn't finished then. Mr and Mrs Weasley then led the way to their bedroom and asked them all to enter. Sitting their on the wall was the actual Weasley clock. Two more hands had been added to the clock. Hermione and Harry looked at each other. It was something special when someone invited you into their loving and tight knit family. Ron looked at the two of them "It's official you're on the Weasley clock." He thought about telling Hermione that she would soon be carrying the Weasley name but decided that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. It was probably a little early in their relationship for that. Harry made his way towards Mrs Weasley and hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear as he did so "Thankyou it means so much for me." He pulled away and went over to Mr Weasley his hand outstretched but when he got there he pulled him into a hug as well. Hermione followed and thanked Mr and Mrs Weasley and then the two of them went round to each of the family members present and either hugged or shook hands with them depending on how close they were. Hermione ended up hugging them all whilst Harry only ended up hugging Ginny. When Harry reached the twins, they both held out their hands. Harry was surprised to find a small shock went through his hand as he shook hands with them; they had each put a hand buzzer on their hands.
Dumbledore put an end to this touching scene when he announced that he would like to see the trio again in the drawing room. They were quite surprised at this but promptly said goodnight to the others as they were all going to bed. When they entered the room they found Dumbledore sitting waiting for them. Ron being his normal self opened the conversation "What's this about?" Dumbledore chuckled, most of the time everybody forgot that these three were still kids. "Well Ronald, I believe that we had a little arrangement where when I had free evenings I would teach you invisibility." Ron looked sheepish and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled furiously. "However, I have other things to discuss with you as well. Would you like the lesson first?" they all nodded. They had gotten a lot better with their meditating over the last month but they still needed lots of help. "Alright let's begin." Each of them got themselves comfortable. They had become very used to meditating by now and each of them would bring themselves out of the meditative state when they had exceeded their limit for Hermione that tended to be after about 20 minutes and for the others is seemed to be about half an hour. Each of them could now find their inner magic, but could not yet manipulate it. They often found themselves shimmering with power after the sessions though, just like Dumbledore did at times.
When all three of them had finished meditating and trying to find their inner magic Dumbledore opened the discussion. "I guess you could say that I am here on Hogwart's business, rather than order business. I trust that by now you have started to plan and organise your sessions for the club?" They each nodded so Dumbledore continued. "Have you decided what you are going to call it?" They all nodded and Hermione answered "It's going to be the defence association, the D.A. like it was meant to be called before I decided Dumbledore's Army was a better use of the abbreviation." Dumbledore nodded, he didn't really have a problem with the name. "Now Professor McGonagall has drawn up your timetables and booked the quidditch pitch for you." he handed out the parchment which contained their schedules. They looked down at them and they were shocked to see how full they were. The day started at 5 in the morning and didn't finish until 10 at night, with only a very small time to do homework and basically no free time at all. Harry was the first to react "Albus, are you sure that we can handle this. When are we going to find time to do any homework? Or have fun? And what is this animagus training?" Dumbledore looked at them looking again for signs that they weren't ready for this sort of responsibility but decided that they were ready, as hard as it was going to be. "Let me first tell you this. You can choose not to do any of the extra training if you wish. It is up to you what you want to do. Secondly you are still welcome to back out of the DA club if you feel it is too much" he looked at them and seeing that they showed no intentions of backing out of anything continued "To answer your questions Harry it's not going to be easy getting everything done. You have from 6.30 to 8 every day to do any homework you have as well as during the DA club if it's not your turn to teach. Hermione has an advantage over both of you that she doesn't have Quidditch Training however Professor McGonagall would like to talk to her privately about a certain request she has made." Hermione nodded obviously understanding and once again Dumbledore continued "Professor McGonagall has also offered to teach you how to become animagi." The three of them grinned at each other they would proceed much quicker with an actual teacher teaching them "But I understand that you have already made a start on the training." The trio had the good grace to look sheepish at this, they had promised that they would try to be more honest with the old man but old habits did die hard. Dumbledore didn't say anything which they were thankful for.
The next part of the conversation proved much more interesting than the discussing of their incredibly busy schedule. "I am pleased to be able to tell you that I have successfully organised your order guard." The three of them waited patiently for Dumbledore but all he did was sit there with his twinkling eyes watching them. Once again it was Ron who proved least patient "Well, who is it?" Dumbledore sat there looking as if he was considering whether or not to tell them when Harry spoke up "You did tell us you were going to be more honest with us?" Dumbledore laughed loudly and then decided he had kept them in suspense long enough. "Too true, I did, but you also said you would be more honest with me." His eyes were twinkling madly by now and the smile was spread across his face "It's Tonk's." All three of their eyes lit up, Harry and Ron because they thought she would be a bit of a push over when it came to rule breaking, Hermione because she already knew that Tonk's was an excellent guard. Hermione spoke first "She would be excellent." The boys nodded their agreement. And Dumbledore spoke "I have convinced Fudge that Kingsley should be head of the auror division and he has cleared her for undercover duty. Most people assume that she is going undercover as a death eater. The funny thing is that Fudge is communicating with Kingsley via owl post as he believes that he is still at Privet Drive. It has been very useful having him taking advice from me again. However every decision he makes is apparently because I told him to so that if it is wrong I am to blame not him."
He said all of this with the same twinkle that he said most things with. The order will be informed that Tonk's is going undercover and nothing more than that but I am sure that Remus, Moody and the rest of the Weasley's will find out where she is going." The trio didn't know what to say to all of that so they sat silently and Dumbledore decided to let them in on some of the privileges that they would receive when they went back to Hogwart's. "Now I am assuming that each of you would like to know about the privileges that associate professors are allowed" They all nodded, so Dumbledore continued "You will have no curfew which allows you to follow your schedule but of course Tonk's will be accompanying you anywhere you go anyway. I have set up a wing for you in the staff area where you will have access to your very own bathroom, much like the prefects one Also if you wish you may sleep there with Tonks as well. You are able to assign detentions and dock points as any other professor is allowed to do during the course of your club and while you are in the corridors. An office has been setup for the three of you which will allow you to write up lessons, it can also act as a place to do quiet homework as I know that at half past five the common room is not the quietest place." They all looked very excited at the prospect of such luxuries but they had already realised that it came with a high price. Hermione spoke up "Thankyou very much Professor, I don't know what the boys think but I think that leaving the dormitories would be a bit premature, we are already very much removed from our peers. I think it would be best if we stayed in our dorms." Dumbledore watched Harry and Ron nod thoughtfully and once again they managed to affirm just how mature he thought they were. "Very well just remember that they're there. I'm sure the time may come when you may feel you need to use them. Please just remember to tell Minerva when you decide to do so." The informal meeting was wound down then and the three of them made their way into bed.
