Chapter 21
One Night Stand?
After the organised chaos which was the 'the Prides' Quidditch practice, Harry finally got to sit and talk to his friends. Initially, he simply answered the polite questions from Hermione and Ron about his team mates and Harry gave detailed description of each, and their personal habits. When he spoke about Mandy and Trisha's behaviour in the changing rooms, Ginny made a strange coughing noise that sounded strangely like "sluts". When Ron pressed his little sister about what she said, she quickly denied saying anything, while scowling at her brother the whole time. Ron had obviously heard exactly what she said and sat with an innocent grin playing on his mouth, despite his sister's death stares. Harry continued telling them about the training; when Ron interrupted a couple of times asking about the specifics of moves and formations he'd seen from the stands, Ginny, who had never ceased glaring at her brother and was far to interested in Harry to listen to her brother, quickly told him to "shut up". Harry continued for another ten minutes then ended telling them of 'The Three Broomsticks' and what Simon had said, before asking them about their days.
While Harry didn't love Quidditch any less than when he started playing in his first year, the bespectacled, raven haired teen had come to recognise it as nothing more than a game and something he could do to unwind. The fact that he was a born competitor, who was constantly trying to prove himself helped too. This final point, no doubt, was fuelled by the years of psychological abuse he was subjected to at the Dursleys'. Not that Harry would even think about it, that's just 'how it was'. When you have a powerful madman hell bent on your murder, things like bigoted relatives, even those who are prone to small amounts of abuse and general unfairness are not really worthy of much attention. Despite this, Harry still hated talking about things specifically related to himself, he felt awkward and conceited; talking about being a member of 'the Prides' even if it was just the reserve side, still felt like he was singled out. This was the reason that, despite his desire to talk about things that worried him from Simon's warnings, Harry was trying to divert the conversation off on a tangent.
The change of topic, however, lasted only a couple of minutes before Harry was bombarded with another salvo of questions, which he tried his best to answer. When he told his closest friends about the groupie who wanted the beater to sign 'these', Hermione and Ginny started giggling. Neither of the boys had any idea what was so funny and both looked confused, which only caused more laughing from the girls, and resulted in Ron getting into a bit of a huff. After another half hour the subject was thoroughly worn out, much to Harry's relief. The discussion had taken up the remainder of the afternoon, however, so the group all went to dinner together and managed to divert the attention of some of Harry's new unwanted fans and his even more unwanted adversaries. The rest of the weekend was a mixture of hanging around the common room playing chess and exploding snap and sitting quietly in the library finishing off assignments.
Harry's main goal for the following week was trying to spend more time with his friends, he felt with everything that had happened he was being pushed away from them and he had come to realise he wasn't the same person without them. He had pretty much completed the Animagus transformation and Professor McGonagall had started taking notes of his appearance and markings to send to the Ministry so he could be registered; the resulting lack of Animagus lessons left him with a little more spare time to spend with his friends, or so Harry had thought. The instant Tonks had heard about the gaps in his schedule, she had arranged to meet him in the Room of Requirement and proceeded to give him dance lessons, which as it turned out, he quite enjoyed. The fencing training had left Harry lighter on his feet and considerably less awkward than he had been in years gone by; he was certainly nothing like the bow-legged Bulgarian Seeker Victor Krum, who, while being a master on a broom, looked decidedly like 'a duck out of water' on land. Harry kept these lessons very quiet though, as he didn't feel like exposing himself to the ragging he would get if any of the boys from his year found out.
During a study evening in the library he was surprised to see Ginny enter and sit at a table on her own; she was normally accompanied by a few people from her year. Harry and Ginny hadn't really been alone since the day she had split up from Neville. They hadn't been avoiding each other, in fact they spent time together each day but always in the company of others. Harry walked over to the table and asked the pretty redhead who already had her head buried in a book "What're you up to?"
She looked up from behind the pages, "Oh, hi Harry, it's Potions. I'm not doing very well this year; there's so much reading to do that I can't seem to keep up and all the Quidditch practices are eating up all my spare time. How did you do it ?"
Harry smiled. "I didn't, I was terrible at potions, couldn't get anything right. I got lucky on the OWL, the advanced question was about Polyjuice."
"But you're like top of the year now?" she said with a slightly confused look.
"It's amazing what a Summer with a very patient teacher, well and Hermione not in the class to beat me, can do for your grades. Making potions is pretty easy really; the hard part is knowing what the ingredients do. You want some help? I'm at a bit of a loose end."
"If you really have nothing you'd rather be doing." Ginny started, giving Harry a smile that left him feeling that there was definitely nothing he'd rather be doing.
"Nope, anyway it's always good to go over previous stuff, remind yourself what the foundations are."
The pair spent a couple of hours working on Ginny's Potions homework. Harry spent a good deal of that time discreetly watching Ginny work, she had a cute way of sucking the end of her quill when she was thinking about what to write, and every so often she would flick her head to throw back the tendrils of red curls which had slipped from the bunch at the back out of her face. She had a pale complexion but it wasn't pasty; the monochromatic robes she wore suited her perfectly. Harry was just remembering what Ginny had looked like in robe shop in Diagon Alley wearing the gown he had hidden in the bottom of his trunk when Ginny interrupted his mental ramblings saying,
"Knut for your thoughts."
"I was just wondering if there will be a ball this year. I mean we haven't been allowed to Hogsmead and after the attack, I can't see one happening for a while and it might lift everyone's spirits," Harry said, quickly covering his inatentive behaviour.
"Maybe you should suggest it, not that I think I'd want to go. I have nothing to wear."
"I get that. I doubt my dress robes fit very well anymore. I haven't got a new set since the fourth year and I've grown a bit since then." He was determined to not let on to Ginny that he had the perfect dress for her, she just didn't know.
Ginny laughed quietly. "Just a little?" she asked, poking him in the chest, which despite not being bulky was still quite well developed and definitely wiry. The unfortunate effect of the physical contact was to cause both teenagers to blush and search quickly for a continuation to the conversation. It was Ginny who succeeded stating, "With the money you earn from 'the Prides', you could have a tailor come to Hogwarts."
Harry was thankful for the escape from this topic and jumped at the opportunity to go off on a tangent. "That's another thing; I really don't feel like I've done anything for that money, I have been trying to think of something to do with it."
"Harry I watched you practice. By the end of the session, I couldn't believe it; I knew you were good, but you looked like you had been playing professionally for years. From what you said I realize that you weren't aware of it, but the others sometimes struggled to keep up."
Harry really didn't know what to say; he had felt at ease by the end of the practice but he didn't think he was any better than any of the others. His teammates all seemed so good in their positions, he had thought he was just getting used to playing with them and they had been much better than he was. His train of thought was interrupted when Ginny said "Right, all done...", then she asked, with a smile on her face, "How have you been getting on with your studies?"
"I think I'm pretty much done with some of them. I'll be registered soon, if that's what you meant."
From the grin he got in response he guessed it was. "So you're going to show me then?"
"If you like. It won't take long," replied Harry, surprised by the disappointed look she gave him.
"I kind of liked sitting with a cat for a while. I never had a pet, and it was quite therapeutic."
"So I'm your pet now am I? Oh well, I can think of a lot worse things to be" said Harry rather flirtatiously. "Come on then," and he picked up her bag for her and they walked to the Room of Requirement together. When they arrived Harry had a little trouble concentrating on what he wanted from the room, since he would be spending time alone with Ginny. This conflict was apparent when he and Ginny entered the room. The lighting was low and indirect, while the multiple sofas had been replaced by just one, positioned in front of a crackling fire which had large soft rug in front of it.
"This is rather comfortable... it's really nice," said Ginny kicking off the sandals she was wearing and curling her legs under herself as she sat on the sofa. Harry put her bag down and, after focusing for a few seconds, transformed into his lion form. He then padded over and sat on the rug in front of her.
"That's so cool Harry," Ginny said with a grin. As she started running her fingers through his mane, Ginny talked to him about a letter she had received from her mum and the twins, telling him about things at the Ministry and Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes which apparently was doing very well. Harry wondered if Ginny knew what she was doing to him with all the petting; he was feeling rather light headed. The youngest Weasley seemed to be quite comfortable with Harry the lion, a fact which Harry was very happy about. Far be it from him to deny her time with his lion form, especially when he felt like he did now. Ginny seemed to be chatting away happily as she absently scratched behind Harry's ears. After about twenty minutes she went quiet and got up from the sofa; she slid down onto the soft rug and leaned against Harry; Harry, in turn, put his head on outstretched paws, and, dozy from the heat of the fire and the girl stroking his head, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
When Harry woke the next morning he was confused; he wasn't in the dorms, and he was hungry, no, scratch that, he was starving! He opened his eyes and realised he could see perfectly, he was still in his lion form and there was something warm next to him. He moved his head down carefully to see what it was. To his shock and no amount of horror, its was Ginny; she was curled up next to him, her head lying on one of his forelegs. Harry's other front leg was placed gently over her waist, meaning her back was pressed up against his chest and he could feel the movements of her breathing. Harry's stirring caused Ginny yawn, then as she also started to come to her senses, she noticed the reality of the situation.
"Oh Merlin, we're still here together," she stated rolling away from him as he transformed back to his human form feeling his muscles ache; he had never spent the night as a lion before.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I guess I was just comfortable and dozed off." Then, as the humour of the situation began to sink he, he grined and stated the obvious, "We spent the night together."
"And you better not tell anyone!" said Ginny pointing a finger at him trying, unsuccessfuly, to hide the amusement on her face. "What would Ron say, it's not like he'd believe me if I said you were a lion at the time. Merlin, he'd flip and that's not even saying what would happen if any of my other brothers found out."
"I wouldn't have said anything anyway, even without the threat of your brothers after my blood."
"I know Harry I was just teasing; apart from the fact I smell of cat, I had a good night sleep" and she smiled at him. "What time is it?"
Harry looked at his watch. "Just gone six, we've got a couple of hours before breakfast. I guess we should get back to the dorms, as I don't think we have to worry about being seen, since no one will be up."
Ginny agreed and they headed out the room, only to be stopped short a few seconds later.
"What are you two doing?" came a low growling voice from behind them in the corridor. For a brief instant Harry thought his heart had stopped from shock and he felt Ginny's apprehension as she froze beside him. Harry slowly turned round, all the time offering promises to good behaviour in exchange for this not being a teacher to whichever higher being was listening. When he finally finished turning and could see his assailant, he was so relieved he let out a long audible breath. In front of him stood the familiar form of Remus Lupin with Nymthadora Tonks standing next to him.
Remus stood with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face; he was, Harry thought irreverently, doing a pretty credable impression of Professor McGonagall. Tonks, in contrast, stood with hands in the pockets of a leather jacket, and the young Metamorphic Auror was sporting a decidedly amused look. The two Gryffindor students stood stunned for several long seconds before regaining a modicum of control.
"Nothing, we were just going back to the dorms." said Harry, looking nervous.
"Yeah, to pick up our books before breakfast" added Ginny.
"What I mean is, 'Why are you two leaving that room this early in the morning, together'?" questioned Remus in his most fatherly tone.
"We fell asleep yesterday evening, we didn't mean too, but we'd been studying and must have been more tired than we thought" said Harry not wanting to lie to his old teacher, while Ginny nodded in agreement. The truth, while embarrassing, was completely innocent and since Remus and Tonks were not teachers, they knew if Remus believed them they would not get in any trouble.
"Well okay, I guess it's 'innocent till proven guilty'. You want to do a bit of training Harry?" said Harry's mentor and Harry was thankful Moony was prepared to trust him. Remus instantly got a beaming response from Harry, Tonks and Ginny, who quickly asked,
"Can I watch?"
"If you don't distract them too much" said Tonks "They are playing with big knives."
Harry and Remus laughed as the four entered the Room of Requirement which had changed to their typical spar-ing format. The girls took a seat on the bleachers as Harry and Moony stretched and then picked up their swords.
Both Harry and Moony were showing off a bit and they both knew it, hence the extra large smiles on their faces, but they were no less careful as they whirled through a half hour practice. Steel flashed and their bodies moved so quickly they were just a blur but every thrust and cut was no less measured and controlled. As the two swordsmen came to the end of the half hour, they saluted each other and replaced their weapons in the racks. By unspoken agreement, they toweled off their sweat-sodden heads before returning to the girls, who radiated identical looks of glee.
"You both almost killed each other about a hundred times." said Ginny, a comment which drew laughter from Harry and Moony.
"That's what I thought when I first watched," said Tonks "but they insist they aren't even trying; it's like dancing for little boys," she finished with a mischievous grin.
It was Ginny's turn to laugh, and the four chatted happily as the two adults escorted the students back to the dorms. As they got within sight of Gryfindor tower, Moony suggested that, if asked, they could say they simply got up very early so Harry could train with Moony and Ginny wanted to watch. Harry and Ginny agreed, and waved good morning to their friends as they arrived at the portrait of the fat lady. Harry managed to get a shower, change his clothes, and collect his books for the day before any of his roommates woke. He was sitting in the common room with Ginny when Ron appeared, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Where did you two get to last night?"
"We were just working in the library until late" stated Ginny.
"And why are you up so early?"
"I did a bit of training, and Ginny decided to come and watch" said Harry, thankful for Moony's advise as it satisfied Ron's curiosity without further questioning. They all waited for Hermione and, when questioned about their absence, they gave her Moony's explanation again. Hermione, who was always more inquisitive than Ron, looked suspiciously at them, but accepted the explanation and the friends all went to breakfast together.
The remaining days before the weekend passed without incident, apart from increased sneering from groups of Slytherins ahead of 'The Prides' first reserve match against Puddlemere United reserves; a game which, after another training session during the week, Harry was looking forward to.
*****
Sorry to everyone for the lengthy delay on this chapter, I promise its business as usual now, thank you all for your patience. I was hoping I'd hit 500 reviews in the delay but can't have it all. At least I have Dice (my Beta reader) back so I can start posting againing. Before you start complaining at least we are here again. There are at least 8 chapters already written but a little delay between posts lets me carry on writing.
Thanx for still reading and the very nice e-mails from ppl wondering if I accidentental splinched myself and was in St Mungos.
Till next time hope you enjoy this chapter
~~ Jonny
One Night Stand?
After the organised chaos which was the 'the Prides' Quidditch practice, Harry finally got to sit and talk to his friends. Initially, he simply answered the polite questions from Hermione and Ron about his team mates and Harry gave detailed description of each, and their personal habits. When he spoke about Mandy and Trisha's behaviour in the changing rooms, Ginny made a strange coughing noise that sounded strangely like "sluts". When Ron pressed his little sister about what she said, she quickly denied saying anything, while scowling at her brother the whole time. Ron had obviously heard exactly what she said and sat with an innocent grin playing on his mouth, despite his sister's death stares. Harry continued telling them about the training; when Ron interrupted a couple of times asking about the specifics of moves and formations he'd seen from the stands, Ginny, who had never ceased glaring at her brother and was far to interested in Harry to listen to her brother, quickly told him to "shut up". Harry continued for another ten minutes then ended telling them of 'The Three Broomsticks' and what Simon had said, before asking them about their days.
While Harry didn't love Quidditch any less than when he started playing in his first year, the bespectacled, raven haired teen had come to recognise it as nothing more than a game and something he could do to unwind. The fact that he was a born competitor, who was constantly trying to prove himself helped too. This final point, no doubt, was fuelled by the years of psychological abuse he was subjected to at the Dursleys'. Not that Harry would even think about it, that's just 'how it was'. When you have a powerful madman hell bent on your murder, things like bigoted relatives, even those who are prone to small amounts of abuse and general unfairness are not really worthy of much attention. Despite this, Harry still hated talking about things specifically related to himself, he felt awkward and conceited; talking about being a member of 'the Prides' even if it was just the reserve side, still felt like he was singled out. This was the reason that, despite his desire to talk about things that worried him from Simon's warnings, Harry was trying to divert the conversation off on a tangent.
The change of topic, however, lasted only a couple of minutes before Harry was bombarded with another salvo of questions, which he tried his best to answer. When he told his closest friends about the groupie who wanted the beater to sign 'these', Hermione and Ginny started giggling. Neither of the boys had any idea what was so funny and both looked confused, which only caused more laughing from the girls, and resulted in Ron getting into a bit of a huff. After another half hour the subject was thoroughly worn out, much to Harry's relief. The discussion had taken up the remainder of the afternoon, however, so the group all went to dinner together and managed to divert the attention of some of Harry's new unwanted fans and his even more unwanted adversaries. The rest of the weekend was a mixture of hanging around the common room playing chess and exploding snap and sitting quietly in the library finishing off assignments.
Harry's main goal for the following week was trying to spend more time with his friends, he felt with everything that had happened he was being pushed away from them and he had come to realise he wasn't the same person without them. He had pretty much completed the Animagus transformation and Professor McGonagall had started taking notes of his appearance and markings to send to the Ministry so he could be registered; the resulting lack of Animagus lessons left him with a little more spare time to spend with his friends, or so Harry had thought. The instant Tonks had heard about the gaps in his schedule, she had arranged to meet him in the Room of Requirement and proceeded to give him dance lessons, which as it turned out, he quite enjoyed. The fencing training had left Harry lighter on his feet and considerably less awkward than he had been in years gone by; he was certainly nothing like the bow-legged Bulgarian Seeker Victor Krum, who, while being a master on a broom, looked decidedly like 'a duck out of water' on land. Harry kept these lessons very quiet though, as he didn't feel like exposing himself to the ragging he would get if any of the boys from his year found out.
During a study evening in the library he was surprised to see Ginny enter and sit at a table on her own; she was normally accompanied by a few people from her year. Harry and Ginny hadn't really been alone since the day she had split up from Neville. They hadn't been avoiding each other, in fact they spent time together each day but always in the company of others. Harry walked over to the table and asked the pretty redhead who already had her head buried in a book "What're you up to?"
She looked up from behind the pages, "Oh, hi Harry, it's Potions. I'm not doing very well this year; there's so much reading to do that I can't seem to keep up and all the Quidditch practices are eating up all my spare time. How did you do it ?"
Harry smiled. "I didn't, I was terrible at potions, couldn't get anything right. I got lucky on the OWL, the advanced question was about Polyjuice."
"But you're like top of the year now?" she said with a slightly confused look.
"It's amazing what a Summer with a very patient teacher, well and Hermione not in the class to beat me, can do for your grades. Making potions is pretty easy really; the hard part is knowing what the ingredients do. You want some help? I'm at a bit of a loose end."
"If you really have nothing you'd rather be doing." Ginny started, giving Harry a smile that left him feeling that there was definitely nothing he'd rather be doing.
"Nope, anyway it's always good to go over previous stuff, remind yourself what the foundations are."
The pair spent a couple of hours working on Ginny's Potions homework. Harry spent a good deal of that time discreetly watching Ginny work, she had a cute way of sucking the end of her quill when she was thinking about what to write, and every so often she would flick her head to throw back the tendrils of red curls which had slipped from the bunch at the back out of her face. She had a pale complexion but it wasn't pasty; the monochromatic robes she wore suited her perfectly. Harry was just remembering what Ginny had looked like in robe shop in Diagon Alley wearing the gown he had hidden in the bottom of his trunk when Ginny interrupted his mental ramblings saying,
"Knut for your thoughts."
"I was just wondering if there will be a ball this year. I mean we haven't been allowed to Hogsmead and after the attack, I can't see one happening for a while and it might lift everyone's spirits," Harry said, quickly covering his inatentive behaviour.
"Maybe you should suggest it, not that I think I'd want to go. I have nothing to wear."
"I get that. I doubt my dress robes fit very well anymore. I haven't got a new set since the fourth year and I've grown a bit since then." He was determined to not let on to Ginny that he had the perfect dress for her, she just didn't know.
Ginny laughed quietly. "Just a little?" she asked, poking him in the chest, which despite not being bulky was still quite well developed and definitely wiry. The unfortunate effect of the physical contact was to cause both teenagers to blush and search quickly for a continuation to the conversation. It was Ginny who succeeded stating, "With the money you earn from 'the Prides', you could have a tailor come to Hogwarts."
Harry was thankful for the escape from this topic and jumped at the opportunity to go off on a tangent. "That's another thing; I really don't feel like I've done anything for that money, I have been trying to think of something to do with it."
"Harry I watched you practice. By the end of the session, I couldn't believe it; I knew you were good, but you looked like you had been playing professionally for years. From what you said I realize that you weren't aware of it, but the others sometimes struggled to keep up."
Harry really didn't know what to say; he had felt at ease by the end of the practice but he didn't think he was any better than any of the others. His teammates all seemed so good in their positions, he had thought he was just getting used to playing with them and they had been much better than he was. His train of thought was interrupted when Ginny said "Right, all done...", then she asked, with a smile on her face, "How have you been getting on with your studies?"
"I think I'm pretty much done with some of them. I'll be registered soon, if that's what you meant."
From the grin he got in response he guessed it was. "So you're going to show me then?"
"If you like. It won't take long," replied Harry, surprised by the disappointed look she gave him.
"I kind of liked sitting with a cat for a while. I never had a pet, and it was quite therapeutic."
"So I'm your pet now am I? Oh well, I can think of a lot worse things to be" said Harry rather flirtatiously. "Come on then," and he picked up her bag for her and they walked to the Room of Requirement together. When they arrived Harry had a little trouble concentrating on what he wanted from the room, since he would be spending time alone with Ginny. This conflict was apparent when he and Ginny entered the room. The lighting was low and indirect, while the multiple sofas had been replaced by just one, positioned in front of a crackling fire which had large soft rug in front of it.
"This is rather comfortable... it's really nice," said Ginny kicking off the sandals she was wearing and curling her legs under herself as she sat on the sofa. Harry put her bag down and, after focusing for a few seconds, transformed into his lion form. He then padded over and sat on the rug in front of her.
"That's so cool Harry," Ginny said with a grin. As she started running her fingers through his mane, Ginny talked to him about a letter she had received from her mum and the twins, telling him about things at the Ministry and Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes which apparently was doing very well. Harry wondered if Ginny knew what she was doing to him with all the petting; he was feeling rather light headed. The youngest Weasley seemed to be quite comfortable with Harry the lion, a fact which Harry was very happy about. Far be it from him to deny her time with his lion form, especially when he felt like he did now. Ginny seemed to be chatting away happily as she absently scratched behind Harry's ears. After about twenty minutes she went quiet and got up from the sofa; she slid down onto the soft rug and leaned against Harry; Harry, in turn, put his head on outstretched paws, and, dozy from the heat of the fire and the girl stroking his head, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
When Harry woke the next morning he was confused; he wasn't in the dorms, and he was hungry, no, scratch that, he was starving! He opened his eyes and realised he could see perfectly, he was still in his lion form and there was something warm next to him. He moved his head down carefully to see what it was. To his shock and no amount of horror, its was Ginny; she was curled up next to him, her head lying on one of his forelegs. Harry's other front leg was placed gently over her waist, meaning her back was pressed up against his chest and he could feel the movements of her breathing. Harry's stirring caused Ginny yawn, then as she also started to come to her senses, she noticed the reality of the situation.
"Oh Merlin, we're still here together," she stated rolling away from him as he transformed back to his human form feeling his muscles ache; he had never spent the night as a lion before.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I guess I was just comfortable and dozed off." Then, as the humour of the situation began to sink he, he grined and stated the obvious, "We spent the night together."
"And you better not tell anyone!" said Ginny pointing a finger at him trying, unsuccessfuly, to hide the amusement on her face. "What would Ron say, it's not like he'd believe me if I said you were a lion at the time. Merlin, he'd flip and that's not even saying what would happen if any of my other brothers found out."
"I wouldn't have said anything anyway, even without the threat of your brothers after my blood."
"I know Harry I was just teasing; apart from the fact I smell of cat, I had a good night sleep" and she smiled at him. "What time is it?"
Harry looked at his watch. "Just gone six, we've got a couple of hours before breakfast. I guess we should get back to the dorms, as I don't think we have to worry about being seen, since no one will be up."
Ginny agreed and they headed out the room, only to be stopped short a few seconds later.
"What are you two doing?" came a low growling voice from behind them in the corridor. For a brief instant Harry thought his heart had stopped from shock and he felt Ginny's apprehension as she froze beside him. Harry slowly turned round, all the time offering promises to good behaviour in exchange for this not being a teacher to whichever higher being was listening. When he finally finished turning and could see his assailant, he was so relieved he let out a long audible breath. In front of him stood the familiar form of Remus Lupin with Nymthadora Tonks standing next to him.
Remus stood with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face; he was, Harry thought irreverently, doing a pretty credable impression of Professor McGonagall. Tonks, in contrast, stood with hands in the pockets of a leather jacket, and the young Metamorphic Auror was sporting a decidedly amused look. The two Gryffindor students stood stunned for several long seconds before regaining a modicum of control.
"Nothing, we were just going back to the dorms." said Harry, looking nervous.
"Yeah, to pick up our books before breakfast" added Ginny.
"What I mean is, 'Why are you two leaving that room this early in the morning, together'?" questioned Remus in his most fatherly tone.
"We fell asleep yesterday evening, we didn't mean too, but we'd been studying and must have been more tired than we thought" said Harry not wanting to lie to his old teacher, while Ginny nodded in agreement. The truth, while embarrassing, was completely innocent and since Remus and Tonks were not teachers, they knew if Remus believed them they would not get in any trouble.
"Well okay, I guess it's 'innocent till proven guilty'. You want to do a bit of training Harry?" said Harry's mentor and Harry was thankful Moony was prepared to trust him. Remus instantly got a beaming response from Harry, Tonks and Ginny, who quickly asked,
"Can I watch?"
"If you don't distract them too much" said Tonks "They are playing with big knives."
Harry and Remus laughed as the four entered the Room of Requirement which had changed to their typical spar-ing format. The girls took a seat on the bleachers as Harry and Moony stretched and then picked up their swords.
Both Harry and Moony were showing off a bit and they both knew it, hence the extra large smiles on their faces, but they were no less careful as they whirled through a half hour practice. Steel flashed and their bodies moved so quickly they were just a blur but every thrust and cut was no less measured and controlled. As the two swordsmen came to the end of the half hour, they saluted each other and replaced their weapons in the racks. By unspoken agreement, they toweled off their sweat-sodden heads before returning to the girls, who radiated identical looks of glee.
"You both almost killed each other about a hundred times." said Ginny, a comment which drew laughter from Harry and Moony.
"That's what I thought when I first watched," said Tonks "but they insist they aren't even trying; it's like dancing for little boys," she finished with a mischievous grin.
It was Ginny's turn to laugh, and the four chatted happily as the two adults escorted the students back to the dorms. As they got within sight of Gryfindor tower, Moony suggested that, if asked, they could say they simply got up very early so Harry could train with Moony and Ginny wanted to watch. Harry and Ginny agreed, and waved good morning to their friends as they arrived at the portrait of the fat lady. Harry managed to get a shower, change his clothes, and collect his books for the day before any of his roommates woke. He was sitting in the common room with Ginny when Ron appeared, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Where did you two get to last night?"
"We were just working in the library until late" stated Ginny.
"And why are you up so early?"
"I did a bit of training, and Ginny decided to come and watch" said Harry, thankful for Moony's advise as it satisfied Ron's curiosity without further questioning. They all waited for Hermione and, when questioned about their absence, they gave her Moony's explanation again. Hermione, who was always more inquisitive than Ron, looked suspiciously at them, but accepted the explanation and the friends all went to breakfast together.
The remaining days before the weekend passed without incident, apart from increased sneering from groups of Slytherins ahead of 'The Prides' first reserve match against Puddlemere United reserves; a game which, after another training session during the week, Harry was looking forward to.
*****
Sorry to everyone for the lengthy delay on this chapter, I promise its business as usual now, thank you all for your patience. I was hoping I'd hit 500 reviews in the delay but can't have it all. At least I have Dice (my Beta reader) back so I can start posting againing. Before you start complaining at least we are here again. There are at least 8 chapters already written but a little delay between posts lets me carry on writing.
Thanx for still reading and the very nice e-mails from ppl wondering if I accidentental splinched myself and was in St Mungos.
Till next time hope you enjoy this chapter
~~ Jonny