Disclaimer: After extensive research on intellectual property laws both locally and internationally I am sad to say that I still do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They remain the exclusive property of JK Rowling and Warner Bros.

A/N: I hope everyone had a good Easter and I would like to let you all know that at the moment I am completely snowed under with work and hence you should not expect another update for a bit, probably three weeks to a month, sorry can't be helped.

DA meetings and a Presentation

Monday morning's training session went very well after they finally managed to pull themselves out of bed. They were sitting down at breakfast when McGonagall approached the group and stood in front of Hermione "Here you are Miss Granger these are the sign up parchments for the DA as well as your Ancient Runes work." And before they could even reply McGonagall was gone. Hermione started shuffling through all of the pieces of parchment when her mouth dropped open and she started to stutter "The whole school is joining." Harry and Ron couldn't believe it and were soon leaning over Hermione staring in disbelief at the parchments. "Even all of the Slytherins are coming?" Harry said sounding surprised but Tonks butted in stopping all further speculation "I believe you should discuss this some other time, Severus would love us to be late." At the use of Snape's first name Tonks suddenly had 30 pairs of eyes on her. "Oh for crying out loud, he isn't half as scary as you think he is, Merlin you would think that he was Voldemort the way that you all turned then." The whole table shuddered at her use of Voldemort's name and then proceeded to shoot daggers at her as they walked out of the Great Hall.

The Trio didn't get another chance to talk about the DA class until Lunch which they decided to have in their rooms well as they now affectionately called it The Retreat. "Okay so all we're doing today is giving them an outline of what they're going to be learning and then giving them a basic skills test in order to split them up." Harry and Ron rolled their eyes as they listened to Hermione's speech for what seemed like the one hundredth time. "Yes Hermione, I've got it, can we please talk about something else now?" Hermione huffed and puffed for a good 5 minutes after that while the boys speculated on what they would be doing in Percy's lesson which was next.

Percy was dreading teaching the 6th year NEWT class that day. All day he had been putting up with the whispers among his pupils about how today was the day of the first DA meeting. Percy was having a hard time trying to envision why they were all so excited about going to an extra 3 hour class with kids but he was in no way going to tolerate bad behaviour in his next class. As the class walked into the classroom Percy looked around the room looking for his brother and his friends and watched them once again take up the seats that occupied the back row and stared at him expectantly. When everyone entered the room Percy clapped his hands trying to gain everyone's attention but it wasn't working. He looked once again at his brother trying to ascertain whether he was causing a problem but once again he found Ron and the others sitting their patiently waiting for the lesson to start. By this time Percy was becoming increasingly frustrated. "Class I demand your attention and your respect please settle down." The class stopped for a second and then continued on with whatever they were doing before Percy's little outburst. Ron tried admirably to conceal his snicker but he couldn't do it. Percy rounded on him. "Do you think this is funny Mr Weasley?" This seemed to have gotten the classes attention. "Do you believe that just because you are friends with THE Harry Potter that you can laugh at me. I am still a superior and it would be best if you didn't forget that." Ron nodded passively thinking that he desperately wanted to tell Anna what he thought of Percy now but instead he looked at Percy and quietly spoke "I do respect you Professor, I respect that you value rules and order and are loyal to the cause, oops I mean your cause. However you may wish to think about how you're going to earn the rest of the classes respect." Percy suddenly did a complete turn face and addressed the class "Now I have your attention I believe that we can start. Please get into pairs." Harry and Ron paired off and Tonks and Hermione however no one seemed to want to pair up with Neville and he was looking decidedly uncomfortable and Percy was just about to point out to the class that Neville didn't have a partner when Harry shouted at him to join their group.

The lesson seemed to go really slow for the group, Harry and Ron taught the spell to Neville and soon they were meant to be doing their own mock duels. As they could only use the spells from 1st to 6th year the duels ended up being rather boring but the three of them took the opportunity to watch the classes performance. It was with much trepidation that they resigned themselves to the idea that Malfoy was going to have to join the top group of the DA. Eventually the class ended and Harry, Hermione, Ron and Tonks gratefully made their way down to their office.

The minute they entered the office Hermione was busy giving out orders. "Okay we have exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes to do all of our homework. Now Snape gave us an essay on the properties of the Wolfsbane potion, Flitwick wants a paragraph on each of the different uses of a banishment charm, Percy wants us to do an essay on the rules of duelling, luckily for us Professor McGonagall only gave out homework for those that couldn't transfigure their quill into a chair. Ron, Harry you should probably start with your potions homework as you find that class the hardest. Don't give me that look Ronald Weasley I am only doing what is in your best interests." Hermione took a large breath and then another trying to calm herself but when she saw that no one was moving she suddenly lost her cool. "Well what are you waiting for, don't you realise that last week was easy compared to how the rest of the year is going to be. We had no DA meetings, you boys had no quidditch training and the teachers didn't give us much homework as it was basically revision week so start doing your homework." Tonks smiled to herself she could see who wears the pants in there relationship but she also felt sorry for the group. Hermione was right last week was easy compared to how things would normally work. "Hey guys how about I go and get us a snack, it's a long time before tea and I can tell that you guys are probably hungry." Hermione nodded distractedly while the boys looked at her like she was a goddess who was about to kiss them.

When Tonks returned with the Trios snack she was surprised to see that they all were working studiously at their desks, she had expected the boys to at least be a little distracted. She placed the food quietly on their desks and made her way to her own desk intent on finishing her homework. Tonks had decided early on that she wasn't going to try and get good marks, she would do the least amount of work as possible as there were more important things to worry about so it wasn't long until she had finished all of her homework. She was sitting quietly at her desk reading through some of the student files that she had asked Dumbledore for when Hermione looked up at her. "Tonks why aren't you doing your homework?" Tonks wanted to laugh but after seeing quite a few of Hermione's outbursts she thought better of it. "I've finished Mione" Ron and Harry snickered at hearing Hermione's nickname again but Hermione completely ignored them. "You can't have." This time Tonks did laugh. "I have Mione. Now why don't you get back to your own and leave your poor little guard alone." Tonks turned back to her documents when all of a sudden Hermione snatched Tonk's work from her desk. "Tonk's you can't hand this up, it's only acceptable. I know you can do much better. If you hand this up to Snape he'll humiliate you." Tonks was speechless for a second at the audacity of the person she was meant to be guarding. "Miss Granger, I am an undercover auror there are quite a few reasons why my homework is done like that now if you could please sit down and we can both get back to doing our work." Hermione stood there staring at Tonks for a while before breaking out into a giggle. "I forgot, sorry Tonks" Tonks just smiled back before scribbling on some loose pieces of parchments

REASONS FOR NOT DOING MY HOMEWORK WELL

I don't want to

Severus will give me an Acceptable no matter what I do

To see Hermione give one of her homework is important lectures.

Tonks floated the parchments over to Harry and Ron and then she watched them try their best not to wet themselves trying not to laugh. Before she knew she had 2 new pieces of parchment on her desk

REASONS FOR DOING MY HOMEWORK BY RON WEASLEY

Hermione wants me to

Snape will have to read it

I have already had many of Hermione's homework is important lectures and it's an experience I don't want to repeat

MUM

REASONS FOR NOT DOING MY HOMEWORK

I have a deranged dark lord who wants to kill me

Hermione will eventually give in and let me copy hers

Because I have a cool auror guide who may tell me the answers anyway

Tonks did a much more successful job at not laughing but Hermione picked up on the boys lack of concentration. She walked over to Ron's desk seductively bent over like she was going to kiss Ron and grabbed Tonks note. "Nymphadora I have spent 5 years training these boys I will not have you encouraging bad habits." Ginny walked in and suddenly she had 4 wands pointed at her "Settle, she's right though Tonks it has taken her 5 years to get these boys up to scratch and what a long 5 years its been at that." They all put their wands down "you really should knock Gin, what if we were talking about something important." Tonks chastised. Ginny shrugged her shoulders "Then I would know a few things that I probably shouldn't. No biggy. If I was captured by death eaters I could spill quite a bit about the order, an extra snippet of information isn't going to make a huge difference. Plus I knock when I'm bringing someone with me like Neville or Luna wouldn't want it getting out who you are would we Tonks." She did have a point they all thought to themselves. "So what's going to be happening with the DA today? Are you still testing us?" Harry nodded wondering exactly why Ginny was going to the DA "Ginny what are you planning on doing in the DA, you already have mastered everything we are thinking of doing. Won't it be a bit boring for you?" Ginny looked a bit embarrassed but then Tonks piped up "It would be if we were planning on doing what you are doing, Ginny and I are going to partner up and take a corner and move on from where we left off." Hermione looked a little hesitant "Won't people notice that you are doing completely different work to everyone else and how could it be explained that Ginny a 5th year is doing auror spells?"

"I'll place a notice me not spell on us and if Harry needs one of us for demonstrations or whatever then we'll go and help, as for the spells Ginny isn't going to go and challenge Malfoy to a duel so no one needs to know just how much she knows. We'll let ourselves be tested today and then move to our corner. Stress less Hermione."

Hermione seemed to accept Tonk's explanation and settled down to her homework as did the boys whilst Ginny and Tonks talked companionably until they could all hear noise from the corridor. They packed up their work and made their way out into the corridor to find all of the senior Gryffindors as well as a handful of Ravenclaws. The group made their way down to the training room only to find the door was already there. They each got out their wands and carefully made their way into the room but immediately relaxed when they spotted Viktor in the weights room. Upon seeing the students Viktors relaxed face became his customary surly scowl and quickly left the room.

By 5 o'clock the room was full with bustling excited students. The trio stood up and made their way over to a platform and immediately nearly all of the talking stopped. Harry looked around the room, not quite believing that he was actually going to do it. "Hello and welcome to the DA" spontaneous applause broke out at this and Harry wondered if he would die of embarrassment before Voldemort had his chance. "The DA stands for defence association and its aim is to better prepare you for an encounter that you may have with Voldemort or any of his death eaters." Most of the group shuddered at Voldemort's name but Malfoy being the smart arse that he is shouted out "I don't feel at all threatened by He Who Must Not Be Named or his death eaters." Harry and Ron did their best to control their anger and surprisingly it worked. "Mr Malfoy, this is a club, not a compulsory course in the Hogwarts curriculum if you do not wish to learn what I am teaching then I suggest you leave. Now as I was saying before this group is to help you if you are ever involved in a death eater attack, this group is not going to give you the skills to go and capture, kill or maim death eaters, that is the jobs of the aurors and the ministry."

Harry stopped for a second and surveyed the audience briefly and then started again. "I guess I should introduce myself, I'm Harry and this is Ron and Hermione and we started up the DA last year. Now are there any questions before we begin?" A few people raised their hands and Harry pointed to one of them "You said that we weren't going to learn how to capture Death Eaters and to not go after them, but that's exactly what you did last year isn't it? Why can't we do that as well?" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione for support. Ron looked like a fish with his mouth opening and closing but Hermione stepped forward "Last year we were lured into an ambush that resulted in the capture of a few death eaters. However, we were very lucky, if you could call it that. Ron and I sustained serious injuries and one man died in the ambush and that is the last we are going to say on the matter.

All of a sudden the rest of the hands went down. And Harry once again stepped forward "Now for today we are going to be testing you so that we can put you in groups for the future so if you can get into three groups." Surprisingly three groups were immediately formed. Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron who smiled encouragingly back at him. "Now this classroom is set up so that you won't get hurt if you fall in the middle of a duel. If you can all watch while I disarm Ron." Ron moved forward and stood in the traditional duelling stance gripping his wand lightly. "Expelliarmus" Harry shouted whilst pointing his wand at Ron. Ron's wand flew from his hand as Ron flew backwards and hit the floor. Every eye within the room except Tonks and Hermione was on Ron who hit the ground without flinching. As Ron stood up they all started clapping once again. Well nearly everyone started clapping; there was a small Slytherin contingent that didn't seem impressed instead they were whispering conspiratorially with small gestures towards Hermione and Harry. Though neither Harry nor Hermione noticed however Tonks certainly did. She slowly made her way over to their group pulling Ginny along with her.

Ron, Hermione and Harry made their way over to their respective groups but as that was happening Tonks was disappointed and a little apprehensive when the Slytherin group separated. About 4 of them made their way to Hermione's line whilst another 2 went to Ron's line and the remaining 4 stayed with Harry's line. Tonks desperately wanted to do something but as she had no proof that the group had been planning something she had to just sit back and wait to see what had happened. She leant down whispering to Ginny to move back to Hermione's line. Ginny scowled at her as every time they moved they lost their spot in the line but didn't say anything as she moved her way back to Hermione's line.

Harry looked down his long line of students. He was surprised to find Cho in his line, he was also happy to see that Tonks there and giving him an encouraging smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Harry took a deep breath and beckoned the first person forward and quickly began the lengthy process of sorting the seniors into groups. Harry, Ron and Hermione had broad criteria to sort the groups. The lowest skill level were people who were not able to effectively use the expelliarmus spell or any of the other 4th year spells effectively, the 2nd group were able to use expelliarmus and a variety of hexes but couldn't effectively block and the last group was made up of the students that could block and do more complex magic. The first three people whom Harry tested were luckily DA students and helped set the pace for the rest of the lesson. It would start with Harry sending a relatively simple spell at them, giving them a chance to block it. If they could block then they would try and disarm him and then Harry would give them a number that they had to remember and then he would move on to the next student. All was going well for the first hour and a half until Draco Malfoy stood before him. Harry threw a hex at him which he knew that Draco could block and then Draco decided against trying to disarm him, instead he threw the same hex back at him trying to instigate him in a real duel but Harry would have none of it. "Thank you Mr Malfoy, the number which you have to remember is number 3." Draco glared at him but moved aside letting the next person in line have their turn.

As the lines of students grew shorter Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn't help but smile at each other, things were going well but it wasn't to last. When each of them only had about 5 people left in their line the Slytherin group struck. Suddenly 3 cries of "Crucio" could be heard and then you couldn't hear anything except for Ron's, Hermione's and Harry's pained screams. Tonks looked around but couldn't find anyone who could have cast the curse. After a very agonising minute the curse was lifted and the three of them lay gasping for air on the floor but Tonks kept scanning the crowd. She moved over to Ginny "Go and get Professor Dumbledore, Minerva and Severus but make sure you lock the door on the way out." Ginny nodded and quickly made her way over to the door, several people tried to get out but Ginny just pushed them away and screamed at them "If any of you try to sneak out of here when I leave I swear you will never see again." Without even waiting for a reply she pushed the door open and locked with one of the spells Tonks had taught her and made her way to the Headmasters office.

Tonks called Neville and Luna over to her "Luna I want you to go to Hermione and to talk to her calmly tell her everything is going to be okay but call me if you think anything is wrong. Neville you do the same with Ron I'll be with Harry." Neville and Luna ran over to Ron and Hermione while Tonks made her way to Harry. She was quite happy to see that he seemed to be doing okay for someone who had just been put under the cruciatus curse. "Hey Sport, how ya doing?" Harry tried to smile back but couldn't quite muster it. "Hermione? Ron?" he asked hoarsely and with a touch of fear in his voice. Tonks sighed "They're okay. Neville's with Ron and they seem to be doing good. I don't know how Hermione's going to be when she sees that I sent Luna over to look after her. You want to sit up." It was the last thing that Harry wanted to do but from past experience he knew it was for the best. He nodded not wanting to use his aggravated vocal cords and Tonks helped him sit up. The moment he sat up he immediately wished he hadn't but not because of the pain but because he could see the fear in everybody's eyes and written on their faces. He couldn't take it. "Tonks help me stand up." Tonks cringed at the use of her name and looked around to see if anybody had noticed and luckily they hadn't seemed to notice. She gently grabbed his arm and hoisted him up. Harry looked at Tonks, he didn't know if he had the energy to do this but it was his destiny to do great things. "Why are you all looking so scared, that's what Voldemort wants. He wants you all to be scared. You know why he did this, he did this because he can't kill me. Can you believe this all powerful Dark Lord can't kill me or my friends so he sends school boys to hurt us, hoping that you will all be too scared to stand up against him." Harry surveyed the room making sure that everybody got the message, he was near collapse when he heard a familiar voice "Harry's right you know he wants us scared. But what he did to us tonight is nothing to be scared about, you hear so many stories about the cruciatus curse but it's much over rated, doesn't cause as much pain as you think, isn't that right Hermione?" It was Hermione's turn to say her bit "I wouldn't say that Ron, if you did your homework you would have known that it is that bad but what you can't learn in books is that sometimes that pain is worth it. Sometimes to fight for what you believe is right and just certainly is more important than anything that happens to you individually."

The three of them made eye contact for the first time since the curse had been lifted and wanted to cry at the relief of seeing that the other two were safe but the opening of the door interrupted their reunion. The door opened to reveal Dumbledore and flanking him on either side were McGonagall and Snape. Dumbledore closed the door behind him, glanced a look to make sure Ron, Harry and Hermione were okay and then he turned and surveyed the crowd. "Will the people that put the cruciatus curse on Mr Weasley, Mr Potter and Miss Granger please step forward and reveal themselves?" he asked with a calm clear voice that didn't betray how angry he felt but nobody moved towards the powerful headmaster. "I will ask again for the people who placed the spell on Mr Weasley, Mr Potter and Miss Granger to step forward please." Once again no one stepped forward. "I will ask only one more time for the culprits to step forward, the aurors have been summoned and will arrive momentarily and it would be best for all involved if you give yourselves up rather than have them come and find you." The crowd immediately became restless but no one stepped forward. "Accio invisibility cloaks" Dumbledore called out powerfully. Out of nowhere three cloaks started flying through the air but Dumbledore was not interested in the cloaks. Instead he was looking at the 2 boys and 1 girl that stood where once there was nothing to be seen. "Miss Miles, Mr Grey and Mr Hipwell is there a reason why you were hiding under an invisibility cloak?" The three Slytherin's seemed to be too shocked to speak. "Your silence is deafening, Miss Miles. Did you place a fellow student under the cruciatus curse?" A small nod originated from her head and Tonks took a deep breath, it hadn't been the Slytherin's she had been worrying about but she didn't know whether it was good news or not. "Mr Grey, did you place a fellow student under the cruciatus curse?" A single nod confirmed Dumbledore's suspicions. He turn to the last person who had been uncovered by the invisibility cloak, "Mr Hipwell, did you place a fellow student under the cruciatus curse?" Hipwell didn't look up but "No" could be heard originating from his area.

A collective gasp could be heard throughout the large classroom. Dumbledore's eyes took on a new degree of harshness. "Mr Hipwell look at me when you answer my questions." Hipwell raised his eyes briefly before dropping his gaze once again. Before the interrogation could proceed further Kingsley Shacklebolt and a person who neither Harry nor Ron and Hermione recognised entered. Without even seeming to notice the students Kingsley walked towards Dumbledore. "Good afternoon Professor Dumbledore, I was alerted by one of your Professors that one of the unforgivable curses was cast by some of your students." Dumbledore surveyed the room once again then turned back to Kingsley. "That would be correct Mr Shacklebolt. Mr's Potter and Weasley along with Miss Granger were conducting the first meeting of the new DA club for the year when 3 cruciatus curses were shot at them, the curse lasted approximately 90 seconds according to Miss James. Miss Weasley, who happens to be Mr Weasley's younger sister then made her way to my office and alerted me of what had happened. I summoned Professor's Snape and McGonagall and sent Miss Weasley to find someone to contact the aurors division. Professor's Snape and McGonagall accompanied me here to the classroom where I asked for the culprits to step forward. When nothing happened I asked once again for the culprits to step forward and still nothing happened. I asked for the last time for the culprit to step forward this time alerting them to the fact that the aurors were going to be coming. Still no one stepped forward. I suspected from the minute that I walked into the room that all was not as it seemed so when no one stepped forward to accept responsibility for the attack I called for the invisibility cloaks within the room and they revealed three students. Miss Miles along with Mr's Grey and Hipwell were the occupants beneath the cloaks and since then Mr Grey and Miss Miles have admitted to using the cruciatus curse on a fellow student. Whilst Mr Hipwell denies his involvement."

Everyone had listened very intently to Dumbledore's speech but now that it had finished their attention was divided between watching Dumbledore, watching Kingsley and watching Hipwell. Kingsley nodded to his partner and his partner walked calmly over to Miss Miles and Mr Grey and magically bound them as well as removed their wands but Kingsley's eyes did not move from Mr Hipwell. When his partner had finished with the other prisoners Kingsley began his interrogation, if you could call it that. "Mr Hipwell did you place a fellow student under the Cruciatus curse?" Once again Hipwell said No. Kingsley let out a slow long breath. "Can you please tell me what the last spell you cast was?" Hipwell seemed to think he was off the hook because he happily replied "Expelliamus" Kingsley smiled to himself. "If that is the case Mr Hipwell you won't mind if I test this?" Kingsley didn't even bother waiting for a reply instead Kingsley walked over to Hipwell removed his wand and loudly said a very long incantation. The moment Kingsley finished talking Hipwell was on the floor screaming under the effects of the Cruciatus curse but Kingsley seemed to have known this was going to happen and immediately lifted the curse thus Hipwell was under the effects for no more than 2 seconds. Kingsley then bound Hipwell. "Mr Shacklebolt I believe we can finish the proceedings in my office. It is tea time for the students and I wish for Miss Granger and Mr's Potter and Weasley to be attended to in the hospital wing." Kingsley nodded but Dumbledore wasn't really asking for his permission anyway. "If you could all please make your way to the Great Hall for your tea now." Dumbledore addressed the group, slowly everyone eventually made their way out of the classroom with only Tonks, Neville and Luna remaining. For the first time since she arrived McGonagall spoke "Miss Lovegood, Mr Longbottom I believe your tea is waiting for you. Miss James can you please help Mr Potter to the hospital wing." Neville looked like he was about to argue but one look at McGonagall's face told him that it probably wasn't a good idea. He regretfully said goodbye to the Trio and slowly made his way out of the classroom with Luna following him.

The only people that were left in the room all looked at each other warily before McGonagall once again turned to Tonk's "Miss James I believe I asked you to accompany Harry, Ron and Hermione to the hospital wing." Tonks nodded and headed off but stopped abruptly when she realised that the Trio were not following her. "You heard the Professor we're going to the hospital wing." She called back to them but they still didn't move. "Professor, we don't need to go to the hospital wing, we'll be fine after we have a good nights rest and if we go there she'll make us stay the night." Harry said. But before McGonagall could answer Dumbledore butted in. "Be that as it may, I believe a trip is still in order. Plus I do not wish to be the one to tell Molly Weasley about your refusal to go to the hospital wing. I believe your howler in 2nd year Ronald would seem quite sedate." All who knew Mrs Weasley shuddered at the thought of breaking the news to her. And then the Trio slowly started making their way towards Tonks.

When they finally reached they were confronted with a near hysterical Ginny Weasley. "I didn't know what to do, are you all right" she kept shouting but the four of them ignored her until each of the Trio was on a bed and Madam Pomfrey came hustling out of her office. She took one look at Ginny, "Miss Weasley if you do not calm down you'll have to wait outside. On second thoughts maybe you should wait outside." Ginny's adamant refusal and arguing with Pomfrey lasted for a good 10 minutes and the Trio was silently thanking Ginny for the distraction she had posed but unfortunately Pomfrey gave up the fight and moved towards Harry. "Well how are you feeling Mr Potter?" Harry wanted to scream that he was fine but decided that that probably wasn't the best course of action. Instead he decided that sarcasm was probably appropriate for such an occasion. "Just peachy." Pomfrey did her best to disguise her surprise at Harry's answer, it was a very different one that she would have received in years past. "Mr Potter I am trying to help you here and your attitude isn't helping at all. Now as you know there isn't much I can do for the after effects of the cruciatus curse a good nights sleep and a bit of stretching for your muscles that were in spasm is the best I can offer."

Pomfrey then moved on to Ron looking at him appraisingly, "Are you going to play the hero today Mr Weasley, tell me where it hurts the most?" Ron wanted to laugh how could she tell him where it hurt most where it hurt most when it hurt so much all over.  "It hurts all over but nowhere in particular. Now can you please go and check Hermione." Pomfrey tutted but made her way over to Hermione's bed. One look at the poor girl and she could tell something was wrong. "Miss Granger tell me where it hurts?" Hermione wanted to cry her chest was hurting much the same way it did after she was cursed at the Department of Mysteries. Hermione pointed at her chest once but didn't risk talking again. Pomfrey removed her wand waved it over her chest and let out a sigh of relief. "It's going to be Okay Miss Granger, I'm just going to get you some potions." When she turned away from Hermione's bed she was met with 4 pairs of questioning eyes which she pointedly ignored and made her way into her Potions storage cabinet. Less than a minute later she emerged with 6 vials and made her way back to Hermione. "Here you are Miss Granger, drink up." She handed Hermione one of the vials but Hermione didn't drink it instead she stared steadily at the mediwitch "What are all of these potions? Professor Moody taught me a lot in 4th year including not drinking anything that was given to you. I'm not going to that extreme however I would like to know what you are giving me." Pomfrey was astounded but answered anyway considering it was there right to know what they were taking. "Most of them are for stabilising your heart and one of them is a pain relieving potion and the last one is a sleeping draught." Hermione conjured up all of her strength and admirably went to sit up but couldn't manage it. "I will not be taking the sleeping draught, Tina come here and find it so she can't trick me into taking it."

Just as Hermione was finishing her little speech Dumbledore appeared along with Kingsley, McGonagall, Snape and much to their disgust Cornelius Fudge along with a photographer. "I don't think that is necessary do you Miss Granger. I am sure that we can trust Poppy not to drug you." Pomfrey tutted but didn't say anything in reply but turned to Hermione once again. "Miss Granger, please." Hermione swallowed all of the potions she was given and Madam Pomfrey made her way back into her office with 5 empty vials and one full one. Hermione immediately started to feel a little better as there was no relief for the after effects of the cruciatus curse and managed to sit up. She looked at the boys to reassure them and then turned to Fudge. "Minister Fudge, a pleasure to see you." Ginny's, Ron's and Harry's mouths dropped open. They knew that Hermione detested the man that stood before them. But Fudge knew nothing of it. He flashed Hermione a politicians smile. "As soon as I heard I just had to come over right away to make sure you were alright." Hermione smiled back at him. "Well that was very nice of you Minister we certainly wouldn't want you to miss out on a photo opportunity now would we." Fudge looked a little taken aback "Well Miss Granger the public would like to be reassured that you are all okay and I'm just the person to do that." At this statement Ron unsuccessfully held back a snort of laughter and suddenly all of the eyes were on him. "You're quite right Minister, the public does have a right to know that we are indeed fine but maybe we should call Percy in here as well, you know assure the public that the Ministry has everything under control." Fudge seemed to think about it deciding that it was a good idea. "You're right there young Ronald, you know that there is a future waiting for you at the Ministry." Ron smiled evilly "Is that right, I'll make sure to consider it when I finish school but until then can me maybe please wrap this up I think I speak for Harry and Hermione when I say that we are all pretty tired why don't you get a few photos and then be off."

Harry shot Ron a dirty look at the mention of the photos but chose not to say anything. Fudge's photographer was just about to start taking photos when Dumbledore spoke up "I don't believe the public wants to see these people in bed why don't we get Mr Weasley and Mr Potter to look like they're playing chess and you Cornelius can look like you're watching, Miss Granger if you'll do the same. Beautiful, smile. Now Cornelius I believe if you hurry you may make the first edition of the prophet." Fudge smiled for the camera and then quickly ran off with his photographer following him. The group waited in silence for a couple of minutes to make sure that Fudge wouldn't return when suddenly Harry started shouting "God Hermione what was that you hate Fudge, I hate Fudge and Ron what the hell were you doing. Considering a job in the ministry I don't think so. And you Professor I thought you were trying to protect us what was that photo" Hermione didn't miss a beat. "Language Harry, yes I don't like Fudge but surely we don't want him knowing how much we despise him, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. As for the photo I think that it was probably a good idea, there would have been one anyway and it most probably would have been the one from last year when you were sitting with us when we were unconscious and we certainly don't want to start spreading rumours."

Harry knew that Hermione was right "You're right Hermione, sorry, sorry Ron, Professor." Dumbledore smiled at him making him feel a lot better about the outburst. "Maybe I need a dragon in my head telling me what to say, that's what happened isn't it Ron, Ares told you what to say?" Ron looked sheepish "Guilty as charged, if it wasn't for Ares I probably would have hexed him or hit or something like that." Kingsley cleared his throat, he didn't really have much time for pleasantries. "It's good to see that the three of you are alright. Now before I get down to business I'd just like to say Hermione, sometimes you amaze me, you are a woman of many layers, what with last years magical contracts for the DA group, keeping Harry and Ron in line and the way you handle situations like these. Now I have to get statements from the three of you, it shouldn't take long and then I would like to speak to Miss James alone." Kingsley looked around the room looking for somewhere where he could talk to Tonks. "If you could just give me a minute to talk to Poppy I am sure that she will release the children and then you can do all that you need in their rooms, I hear it is now called The Retreat." Dumbledore moved towards Poppy's door but she emerged before he could make his way over to her door. "Absolutely not Albus, I refuse to release them, they need rest and peace and quiet tonight. I want them all to take a sleeping draught so their bodies can recover quickly." By the time Pomfrey had finished her little speech Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling once again. "Poppy I will do you a deal, I will make sure that the group takes their sleeping draught tonight if you will release them." Pomfrey didn't even wait to consider his argument "No, Albus they're just children and they have been put under the Cruciatus curse and they'll take their potion tonight if they know what's good for them." Ron and Harry looked at each other, there was no way they were going to stay the night in the Hospital Wing "We will not" they shouted in unison. "Mr Potter, Mr Weasley I am warning you I have other means to get a potion down rather than down your throat. But very well I seem to be outnumbered; however I expect them in bed by no later than 9.30 Minerva." McGonagall nodded and Pomfrey went once again to get her potion vials.

"I want to see you all tomorrow morning after breakfast, is that clear?" They all nodded as they made their way out of the hospital wing with McGonagall carrying the potion vials. They walked in companionable silence for awhile before Dumbledore stopped and turned to look at the group "I have some things to attend to, Miss James if you could please ensure that Mr Weasley, Mr Potter and Miss Granger are back in their common room by twenty past nine. Miss Weasley I believe that you have missed tea would you care to join me and Minerva for tea in my office?" Ginny nodded and Dumbledore continued "Severus I believe that you may have some people to talk to in your house" Snape immediately left the group and made his way back to his rooms. "Now Mr Potter, Weasley and Miss Granger I am glad that you are all okay, I will see you tomorrow evening." And with that Dumbledore motioned for Ginny to leave and they all made their exit.

Tonk's guided Kingsley and the Trio down to their rooms and opened their portrait only to find Viktor anxiously awaiting them. "What happened?" he asked rather testily. "Some kids did some of Voldie's dirty work and put Harry, Ron and Hermione under the cruciatus curse. Do you think maybe you can go and get us some tea, from the look on Ron's face I can tell that he is starving? In the meantime do you guys want some tea?" She looked towards the Trio that were sitting companionably together in the squishy armchairs. Harry and Hermione nodded but Ron called out "I'd prefer some firewhisky." Tonks chuckled even after all they had been through that night they could still crack a few small jokes. While Tonks fixed the group some tea Kingsley made his way over to the Trio to explain how he was going to take their statements. Hermione immediately felt a bit apprehensive when he explained that he would be using a quick quotes quill but her fears were soon put to rest when Tonks explained that the Auror division were provided with specially charmed quills so that whatever the witness says is written down exactly.

The actual taking of the statements didn't take long but as he was interviewing 3 witnesses time did manage to get away from them. Before they knew it the time was already 9.15 and they had to make their way up to the common rooms. If the Trio told the truth they were a little upset that Dumbledore was making them sleep in the common room as they all wanted to be near each other but if they had all learnt one thing over the 5 years that they had spent at Hogwarts was Dumbledores actions and requests were always calculated. Before they left Tonks informed them that they would all be having a sleep in the next morning and that she would wake them at 6.45 instead of the customary 4.50. The three of them were grateful of course but they all secretly harboured thoughts that maybe there were easier ways to have a sleep in than being tortured. Tonks was just about to open the portrait when Ron shouted at her to stop. They all turned to look at Ron to see what the problem was when all of a sudden he looked shy "I want to kiss my girlfriend goodnight. Now turn around." When everyone but Hermione had turned around he pulled her close to her whispering in her ear "This is where you belong, here in my arms. I love you Hermione." Hermione's mouth dropped for a second and then she looked like she was going to say something but all of a sudden found that she couldn't talk even if she wanted to. Ron had smothered her lips with his, it was one of the gentlest kisses they had shared but it made it all the sweeter. "Sorry to break you guys apart but we really have to go." Both Ron and Hermione tried their best not to be angry with Tonks, she was just doing her job but she had just interrupted a very touching moment for the two of them.

Kingsley didn't accompany the group to the Gryffindor common room which caused the Trio to become curious as Tonks hadn't talked to him yet. Harry was the one that eventually got brave enough to question Tonks on it. Tonks looked around to make sure no one was listening and then explained. "Well there is a bit more to it than taking a nice little statement like with you guys. There is going to have to be a review of my behaviour but of course only Kingsley can do it as its an undercover ops so I'm going to go back after you guys take your potions." All three of them were in the middle of protesting when suddenly they heard the noise of a group of students approaching and they had to stop their discussion.

When they finally reached the common room they were met with immediate silence, quickly followed by enthusiastic shouts concerning their health. Harry had finally learnt how to deal with these sorts of enquires so he shouted for them all to settle down and then slowly explained their situation to them. He was just finishing his little impromptu speech when McGonagall walked through the portrait. "Okay that is enough, if you could all leave Mr Potter in peace, he is under order from Madam Pomfrey to go to bed early and I trust that you won't disturb him. That goes for Mr Weasley and Miss Granger as well." Harry and Ron rolled their eyes at each other if McGonagall made them take the sleeping potion the rest of Gryffindor house could have a party in the common room and they wouldn't even notice. The two boys tromped up the stairs with McGonagall following them, she waited patiently for them to hop into bed and approached them with two vials. She passed the vials to the boys and waited for them to drink up but they just sat there looking at her "Professor can you say goodnight to Hermione for us and tell her how brave she was today." McGonagall's eyes got a bit misty "I will now take your potion. I want you at your best for tomorrow's transfiguration lesson. I have prepared it specially for you. A nice long theory lesson. Goodnight Harry, Ron" Both boys groaned but were quite appreciative of her presence. They promptly tipped the vials up, said a good night to each other and instantly were in a deep sleep.

McGonagall descended the steps from the boys common room and quickly made her way up to the girls common room, Hermione pounced on her grabbing her arm "Are they asleep?" she asked worryingly. McGonagall smiled warmly at one of her favourite students. "They are Hermione, though they had a message for you. They wished for me to tell you that they said goodnight and also to tell you how brave you were. I think they could see how much the curse took out of you and they were both worried that you might have a relapse from last year and maybe this time the outcome wouldn't be quite as good. Now hop into bed I wouldn't like to face Poppy's wrath if she heard you weren't in bed at the designated time especially when she didn't really want you to leave the hospital wing. Now here take this." Hermione took the vial and wished McGonagall night and promptly fell asleep.

When McGonagall was sure that Hermione was asleep she once again made her way to the common room. "Miss James I would like a word please." Tonks nodded and followed her out of the room and quickly asked how they were. "Settle down Tonks, they're sleeping. And no they don't blame you for what happened or asked to have another guard, they know that you couldn't have prevented this. Now I believe Kingsley is waiting for you." Tonks nodded and walked away from McGonagall without even saying goodbye. Tonks reached the Retreats portrait, opened it and took a deep breath. Kingsley was there and sitting on the table next to him a vial. Tonks knew what the vial had in it, veritasserum. It was customary for aurors to be questioned under the effects of the truth potion. "Tonks, take a seat." Kingsley looked very uncomfortable. "I'm sorry this has to happen but it does. Before we begin is there anything that is going to compromise the order in your statement?" Tonks shook her head and quickly grabbed the vial and downed the contents. The questioning lasted exactly 3 hours, the same length that the potion was in effect. When they finished Tonks felt incredibly drained but her day wasn't over yet.

Tonks and Kingsley talked briefly once the questioning was over and then made their way to Dumbledores office. They knocked and waited briefly to be called into his office. They both entered and Tonks gave her customary report on the Trio. Both Dumbledore and Kingsley were duly impressed by the way they acted after the curse was placed on them as Tonks repeated word for word the little speech they had made. She then went on to explain how Harry had handled himself when he made his way into the common room. This seemed to please Dumbledore the most "He is learning, when his time comes he'll be ready to step up." Kingsley nodded in agreement but Tonks could only speculate about what they were referring.