3. Professor Drake's First Lesson

"Excellent Harry, that was a perfect example of the Blasting Charm." Remus said as the bottle he'd set up just blew apart. "Reparo." He said waving his wand over the shards of glass. "Ron you try next." Ron stepped up and waved his waved his wand and the bottle burst apart again. "I think you've got that one down, Hermione, care to give it a go?" She stood up and Remus repaired the bottle again, she waved her wand and this time it exploded. "Wonderful, you've done the best so far." She smiled at Remus and stepped back. "Alright, Ginny your turn." Ginny walked over in front of the bottle after it had been repaired and waved her wand. It exploded again. "Marvelous. I think you've all got that one down." He said putting his hand on her shoulder.

"I've had to use this charm a few times," Moody said taking a swig from his hip flask. "Works damn good on doors, very effective. Now we've got a treat for you, Remus."

Remus walked back inside and came back out with Dorian Drake. "Hello everyone, I see your training is going well."

"Hello, Professor Drake." Hermione and Ginny said in unison.

"How are you this fine day, beautiful weather we're having today isn't it?" He said as he walked over to shake Harry and Ron's hand. "Alastor told me that Tonks wouldn't be able to join you today so I said I'd come and fill in for her. They agreed to let me teach this lesson today, so consider this your first Defense class. I must warn you, I work my students hard and my tests are something to be rivaled. Not many have passed them with a perfect score." He put down his bag and sat down; stretching is leg out as he sat. "So tell me what you've learned so far."

Harry said, "We've learned the Shield Charm, the Disillusionment Charm, and we just finished with the Blasting Charm. When we were at school last year I taught the D.A. the disarming spell and how to cast a Patronus. Remus taught me that in my third year because of the Dementors guarding the school."

Dorian looked at him with astonishment, "That my boy is advanced magic, even for a seventh year. I'm very impressed, Albus told me that you had excelled in Defense Against the Dark Arts but I hadn't thought you'd gone that far. Would you mind, casting your Patronus for me, Harry?"

"Not at all, Professor." He held his wand out and said, "Expecto Patronum." A light sprang from his wand and stood before them in the form of a stag.

"Prongs," Dorian said. "You are truly James's son, Harry." The Patronus bowed and disappeared. "I've not seen such a sight in many years. Your father was the first to master the Animagus training, then Sirius and finally...well it's best not to dwell on the past. Now shall we start your training?" they nodded and Dorian turned to open his bag. He took out several books and some quills and parchment and said, "Now I'm going to give you each a book, but first you're going to try and pick which book you'll be using. Each on is different, they each contain a different level of spells in them. These books are like none you've ever seen, they choose you more than you choosing them."

"Sounds like Dark magic to me, Dorian." Moody growled. "His eye whirled around and landed on the books as if looking into them. "But they seem fine to me." His eye came up and rested on Dorian and he said, "You've seen the biting book Hagrid ordered for his Care of Magical Creatures class, right?"

Dorian thought for a moment then said, "As yes, the Monster Book of Monsters. Nasty little thing, damn near bit my hand off when they first came out. Thankfully I was wearing gloves otherwise you and I would share more than leg injuries, Alastor." He laughed a bit and Moody just sat and glared at him. "Well, shall we get on with it then? Harry, step up and look at the books. You'll know which one is meant for you." Dorian laid the books out on the table and stepped back.

Harry walked over and looked at them; all of them were black, with an engraved design on the cover of a sword and shield. His eyes passed from one to the next to the next and back to the first. His eyes darted back and forth and finally came to rest on the first one again. He looked up and smiled and said, "It's this one, I can feel it." He reached for the book, but before he could it flew up to his hand.

"Indeed it is. As I said, the book chooses the person, Ron you're next." Ron stood up and walked over to the books and looked at them, his eye went back and forth. "Don't try so hard, let the book feel you." Dorian said calmly. Ron took a breath and stood looking at the books, and then he looked at the one on the end. It flew to his hand and he stepped back. "Good, Hermione you're next, and then Ginny." The last book two books lay on the table and before either of them could stand they flew off the table and landed gently in the girl's laps. "You can open them now; they have a series of complex spells, hexes, jinxes, curses and potions in them."

Hermione looked up from her book and said, "But we'll be taking Potions this year, at least I think we will."

Moody said, "Part of being and Auror is learning how to make potions. Sometimes, a spell just doesn't cut it, you have to use a potion."

"Alastor's right, that's why I'll be teaching you a little bit of Potions too. Most of these are defensive potions, and some are healing, but they are all very complex. Which is why all my classes will be double periods." Dorian said sitting back down. "I trust you already have questions, Hermione."

"Just one, what will Professor Snape have to say about this?"

"He's perfectly fine with it." Albus' quiet voice said from the gate. He opened it and walked in and said, "Good afternoon. Dorian may I talk with you and Harry please?" They exchanged glances and nodded. "Will you excuse us please?" Albus said as he walked past them and into the kitchen, they went to the drawing room and he closed the door.

"Is everything alright, Albus?" Dorian asked.

"I'm afraid it's not. Harry, the Death Eaters have escaped from Azkaban and they are looking for you. Voldemort's wrath has grown more terrible. He grows ever impatient to find out what the Prophecy says, and he wants nothing more than to have you dead. You must not leave the house for any reason, until you leave for the Hogwarts Express. I will have your books sent to you, along with Hermione and Ron's, you are all in danger. I have also alerted the other member of the D.A. that were involved in the Department of Mysteries battle. They will be coming here and after a closed meeting with the Order we shall decide whether or not to allow them to become members too."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing, not only had the Death Eaters escaped but his friends were possibly going to be made member of the Order too. "Have things gotten that severe, Albus?" Dorian asked.

"Yes they have, Dorian. We found several of the Aurors who helped take the Death Eaters in that night dead. Neville and Luna are coming by portkey tonight, I insisted. Much to the protest of Neville's grandmother, she really is a pleasant woman." Albus said with a look of pain on his face. "Luna will stay with girls and Neville with stay with you and Ron. Professor Drake is also staying here tonight, we spoke before he arrived and has agreed to help Remus and the Weasleys. The meeting is in less than three hours, so I'll have to ask you to cut your lesson short, Dorian."

He nodded and said, "Quite alright, Albus. I understand that Order business comes before premature lessons; we'll pick back up tomorrow Harry. Tell Ron and Hermione that I want you to start reading though."

"Yes sir." He said. "Professor Dumbledore, do you want, Hermione, Ron and I at the meeting tonight?"

"Not this time Harry, but I'll have Remus fill you in on what was said. I want you to keep an eye on Luna and Neville. Bellatrix and Lucius are orchestrating all the raids and the search for you and the others. Lucius is most interested in handing you to Voldemort personally. There is a vile plan in the works to deliver the entire D.A. to Voldemort, entire meaning the six of you. He wants to make you all pay for his loss of the Prophecy."

Dorian stood in thought for a moment and then said, "Perhaps we should go back to the others, they'll wonder what's going on." Albus nodded and they left the room. When they walked out to the garden they found Ron, Hermione and Ginny engrossed in their book and talking back and forth. "It would seem as if they've already started reading." He looked at them and said, "I'm afraid I'll have to cut this lesson short for today. We'll continue tomorrow, I'll be staying the night so we can get an early start."

Albus stepped next to him and added, "Neville and Luna will be joining you also, they will be attending your lesson tomorrow too. I trust that you'll not tell them about your news until after the meeting tomorrow, Harry."

"We'll keep quiet until Remus tells us what's going on. What time are they getting here, Professor?" He asked.

Albus looked at his watch and said, "Right about...now." The sound of something falling came from the kitchen and they all walked to the door to find Neville and Luna standing inside, flanked with their belongings. "Harry, would you and the others please help them with their things?" Harry nodded and he and the others walked over to Neville and Luna to greet them. Before leaving the kitchen Neville handed Albus a wooden spoon that had been their portkey.

Harry lead everyone upstairs and to their rooms and said, "Get settled and then we'll all meet in the drawing room so we can catch up." Hermione and Ginny helped Luna with her trunk and Ron and Harry helped Neville with his. A few minutes later, the boys were descending the stairs and walking into the drawing room talking animatedly. Twenty minutes later the girls joined them. While they were waiting, Neville and Harry got into a chess game while Ron watched and coached Neville.

"Move your castle here, and you'll be safe." Ron said. Neville moved his piece and Harry wasn't able to make the move he'd planned.

"Hello, Ronald." Luna said in her dreamy voice.

Ron turned to see her staring at him with her large blue eyes, her blond hair cascaded down over her left shoulder and smiling at him. Ron gave a nervous titer and said, "Hi...how's your summer been going?"

She looked down at the floor and said, "Just fine," Then looking back up at him, a bit pink in the cheeks she continued. "I've been looking forward to starting term again. I've missed our meetings of the D.A., and from what Ginny tells me it'll be an actual club this year."

He looked at Ginny and then at Harry and asked, "Is that true, Dumbledore is actually letting us continue with the D.A.?"

Harry looked up and smiled, "Yup, and he's even asked if he can sit in on a few of our meetings. Professor Drake will also be watching us, I'm really excited to get started again." He stood up and said, "Everyone still have their galleon?" They all nodded. "Good, I'll have to make a point of telling the professors about them. Maybe they can come up with a different way of us getting together."

Hermione looked at him and said as she stood up, "We should keep them though. If one of us is in trouble we can sort of communicate with them. I've altered mine so I can get a hold of Harry and Ron if I need them; I'll have to do everyone else's too."

Harry smiled and crossed the room, "Mione, that's brilliant. How does it work?"

"Well," She said nonchalantly. "It's really quite simple. When one of us is in trouble we touch the galleon and it gets ice cold, and when you touch it Harry, it gets hot. That signals the date change, this way we won't confuse the date of the next meeting with someone being in trouble. I think we should give it a try. Why don't we all go up and our galleons and see if it works?"

Harry smiled at her and said, "Good idea. Shall we then?" They all nodded and went to get their galleons. When they returned to the drawing room Harry said, "Ok, one of you try to hex me. I'll touch my coin and see if it works."

"Harry?"

"Yes, Mione?"

She gave him a sheepish look and said, "I need to cast the charm on them first."

If he could have felt any smaller and any more foolish in his entire life it was now. "Sorry, I guess I'm just anxious to see how it works." He handed her his galleon, as did the others. She preformed the Protean Charm on them and changed them, yet again.

"Ok, now we can try to hex you." She said smiling brightly.

"Very funny, Mione." Harry said sticking his tongue out at her. "Ok, we'll all pair up and try to hex each other to see if the charm works. I doubt that it won't work, it's like Hagrid said 'taint a spell our Hermione can't do'." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and saw her blushing a little.

They all paired up and held their coins in their hands. Wands pointed and ready to hex, one by one the coins became like ice. "That's great, Hermione. They work perfectly." Ginny said. "Now at least we'll know when Harry is in trouble, or anyone for that matter."

"Ok then, I'll have to alter the other galleons when we get back to school. Harry, when is the first meeting?" Hermione asked.

Harry walked back to the arm chair and sat down, "I'm not sure yet, I have to talk with Dumbledore to see how we should go about doing this. Last year it was just to spite Umbridge, but it's going to be an actual club this year so I'll need more help. I'll ask him after the meeting, try and catch him before he leaves."

Ron, Neville, and Harry resumed their game and the girls started chatting again. Before to long Neville shot out of his chair and said happily, "Checkmate, Harry."

"I almost had you. Ron, why weren't you helping me instead?"

"Because, you know how to play and good too. I should know, I taught you how to play. So I decided to give Neville the upper hand." Ron replied smiling wickedly.

Remus stuck his head in and said, "The meeting is about to start, I'll stop in after and fill you in."

Harry nodded and said, "Thanks Remus."

The door closed and they resumed their conversation. The girls were talking about school, mostly the coming year and the threat on the wizarding world. They also talked about their summer holiday. Ginny said, "Dean and I spent a few days together, Mum made Ron come with us." She lowered her voice and said, "I don't think he was happy. He kept glaring at Dean when he thought I wasn't looking." She brought her voice back to normal volume and asked, "What did you do, Hermione?"

"My parents and I went to Scotland. It was miserable; we stayed in this drafty castle. It was nice but it was cold and the rain, oh it rained the whole time and came inside in spots. But I spent most of my time in the library, they had so many books. I got caught up on my reading."

"I didn't think that was possible." Ron said jokingly,

She punched him and said, "Shut it you."

"Ouch, that hurt." Ron said rubbing his arm.

Hermione smiled and said, "Good, you deserved it." Harry had to turn away to keep from laughing at them. He bit down on his hand to stifle the laughter. "Harry, are you ok?" She asked.

He wiped his eyes and turned back and said, "I'm fine, Mione. Just a little dust in my throat that's all." He coughed to make it seem convincing, but she wasn't buying it. She looked at him with a slight smirk on her face and went back to her conversation.

"So Luna, what did you do?" Hermione asked.

Luna was staring at the fire and humming softly something that seemed to resemble 'Weasley is Our King'. She looked up and said, "I've been working on my defensive magic. And trying to come up with a way for a certain someone to notice me." She added turning her head back to the fire and blushing slightly.

Ginny walked over to her and knelt down and asked excitedly, "Who is it? Which house is he in?"

"Gryffindor, but that's all I'm telling you. If you want to know then you'll have to figure it out." She said crossing her arms and putting on a defensive look.

"It wouldn't be the one Gryffindor that every girl throws themselves at would it?" Ginny said raising her eyebrows.

Luna smiled and said, "Of course not, this particular Gryffindor is known but not very well known?"

Ron sauntered over to them and said smiling, "It's me isn't it."

Luna tried to hide her face and the fact that she'd just blushed the shade of his hair and said, "Oh, of course not Ronald." She lowered her voice and said, "I was actually talking about Neville."

Ron's face fell a little bit and he said, "Oh, I'll be sure to tell him later."

"Ronald Weasley don't you dare!" Ginny screamed taking her best Molly Weasley stance. She pointed her finger at him and started wagging it and said, "If you make Luna and Neville's stay here uncomfortable I'll hex you into the wall."

"Ok, sis I was only teasing." He said putting his hands up. He walked back over to Neville and Harry and started talking with them again. Every so often he would glance over at Luna and think 'the fire really makes her look pretty'.

"I know who it really is." Hermione said.

Luna turned back from the fire quickly and said, "Oh you do, so who is it?"

Hermione smiled and said, "It's someone in this room, but it's not who you said it was. And it's not who we would assume it is."

Ginny looked at Hermione and said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and leaned towards Ginny and whispered, "You're brother." Just as the words escaped her lips her hand shot to Ginny's mouth to keep her from repeating it. "Don't say a word."

Albus looked around the room and said, "We are met with a terrible problem, Voldemort is livid over the loss of the Prophecy and he wants Harry and the others. He has ordered the Death Eaters to stop at nothing to find them, I know that they are in grave danger so long as they are outside our watch. I have spoken with Harry and Dorian and have decided that it's time to let him and the others become members of the Order. Does anyone have any objections to this?" He waited and there were a few unhappy mutters, mostly from Severus and some from Molly. "I will take your silence then as your agreement. I know our work is dangerous, but we mustn't leave them out of the loop. I've done that once already and look what happened, I will not make the same mistake again. Now I will open the floor to any questions or discussions you may have." He sat down and folded his hands in his lap.

Remus and Dorian looked around the room and then back at Albus. Remus nodded and stood up. "I think we should be teaching them wandless magic, Albus. Harry said during our first day of training that he wanted to do magic like you. He said it was the single most amazing display of magic he'd ever seen. Dorian and I both agree that it would be in their best interest if they learn how to perform without a wand. And I think that you should teach Harry Occlumency, whereas I know Severus meant well," He said scowling at Snape. "I think you would be a better teacher than he, for this particular subject."

Severus's eyes flashed with anger and he shot out of his chair and hissed, "How dare you! I agreed to teach, Potter and he did not practice. He is a negligent student, just like his father."

Dorian shot up and said, "Enough, Severus! It was years ago, let it go! Sirius only led you down there because he thought it would be funny, James is the one that saved you. Or have you been so absorbed in your potions that that part of your mind has been erased, or perhaps it's the fact that you hated James because of Lily?"

Minerva stood up and said, "Quiet both of you! I've had enough of this bickering, that includes you too, Remus. Now we are all supposed get along here, we need to be strong and work together." She said stressing the word 'together'. "Now, for the remainder of this meeting and every other one we hold I want the three of you to be civil to one another. If not for the strength of the Order then for Harry. He needs all the strength he can get to face, You-Know-Who. And we need to be behind him." She sat back down and looked at Albus.

Dorian and Remus stood there in utter shock, not since their days at Hogwarts had they been reprimanded by a teacher and they felt like they were back in class again. Severus just sneered and said, "My apologies Minerva, I shouldn't have let things of the past upset me. Drake, Lupin, I'm sorry for loosing my temper." He said flatly.

Dorian sat back down and nodded curtly and Remus did the same. "Now that that is settled, I will say this...I am going to teach Harry Occlumency, along with the rest of the D.A.. Just to be safe I think it would benefit them to learn it. I know that Harry can fight the Imperius Curse; he just needs to be able to close himself off from Voldemort's attacks. I will also teach them wandless magic, with the help of Remus, Dorian, Alastor and Tonks. Remus is right it will be of great use to them in their fight against Voldemort. If there is nothing else to report or discuss then I call this meeting..."

"There is one thing, Albus." Severus said standing up.

Albus looked over her glasses and his blue eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Yes, Severus?"

"The Dark Lord's plan for Potter and his friends, I know what he's planning." Snap said not making eye contact with Albus.

Minerva said, "Why then Severus didn't you say anything before? You knew what danger the children were in, are in. If You-Know-Who gets hold of them then all hope is lost."

"Minerva you must understand, Severus is placing his life on the line for the Order as all of you do. However his position is far more dangerous, he is right in the snake's lair and they will strike if they feel he's untrustworthy. Severus, if you would enlighten us with Voldemort's plan." Albus said calmly.

Snap bowed his head and cleared his throat and said, "He plans to trap Potter and the others. He will use the same method as before, only this time he plans to use one of his close friends to set the trap. Six young wizards and witches bested him last year and he is more than seething. After the battle in the Department of Mysteries he used the Cruciatus Curse on every one of the Death Eaters. Whether they were there or not. He means not to fail this time in killing Potter; he's been using the old Riddle house as a base of operations for some time now. He's trusted Pettigrew to this point, so I feel he will use him to set the trap. We must keep an eye on Potter and the others, not let them leave the grounds without a teacher escorting them. Might I suggest having Aurors present on the grounds?"

Albus steepled his fingers and said, "I couldn't have thought of a better idea. Alastor, would you speak with the other Aurors and ask them to come to Hogwarts at the start of term?" Mad Eye growled in acknowledgment. "Good, now as for the teacher escort, I will assign one to each student. Dorian I think it would be best if you watched over Harry, Ron and Hermione. Remus I would like you to be present on the grounds to assist Dorian is his guarding of the trio. Minerva, I would like you to watch over Mr. Longbottom, and Tonks, you'll be guarding Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood. None of these six is to be anywhere without one of you present unless of course for obvious reasons. Thank you, Severus for that bit of crucial information. Now meeting adjourned."

The dinning room doors opened the Order members walked out; Harry heard the commotion and walked to the door. Just as he got there it opened and Remus and Dorian were standing in front of him with Albus behind them. "Harry, might we have a word with you and the others?" Remus asked.

"Sure, do you want us to stay here or come to the dinning room?"

Albus leaned his head in and said, "I think here will be more comfortable." Remus and Dorian walked in and over to the arm chairs flanking the fireplace. "Will you all gather round, please?" Albus said quietly.

The girls walked over to the fireplace and sat down on the couch and the boys walked over and stood behind them. "Thank you for your cooperation. Professor Dumbledore has a very important announcement to make, after which time you'll be to ask all the questions you like." Dorian said looking at Hermione knowingly.

"Thank you, Dorian. The Order has decided that it's time to permit you all to join. You are now members of not only the D.A., but also the Order of the Phoenix. Now you won't be active members and won't attend every meeting, yet. It's still far to dangerous, I am also here to inform you that I will be teaching you Occlumency and your current Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors will be teaching you wandless magic. I was told, Harry, that you were so impressed by my display that you wanted to learn how to perform spells like me. I am of course honored and very pleased, but at the same time concerned that all of you might be progressing too quickly. But, it's just the worry of an old man nothing more. So, Professor Drake, Remus, Tonks, Mad Eye, and I will be teaching you how to perform spells without the use of your wand." Albus turned to Dorian and Remus and asked, "Is there anything I've missed that you'd like to go over?"

Remus said, "There is something I would like to add. I think it's time that Harry learned his family history, don't you, Albus?"

Albus looked over his half moon glasses and his eyes twinkled in the firelight. He smiled warmly and said, "Yes I do believe it's time that we show Harry is family tree. Another reason I've decided to permit all of you into the Order is because of Harry's lineage. A little known fact about the founders of Hogwarts is that when Salazar Slytherin left the school there was a terrible argument between him and Godric Gryffindor. Salazar said the Godric was soft for allowing anything but purebloods into Hogwarts and he attacked him. He turned his wand into a sword and a great battle erupted, Godric's sword was thrown from his hand and Salazar was on the verge of killing him just as Helga and Rowena came in and stopped him."

"Godric and the others banished Salazar from the school forever. And that night, Helga had a vision of a young boy facing Slytherin's heir. The same sword that Salazar Slytherin himself had used to fight Godric Gryffindor was in his hand and the young boy held Godric's sword. They fought and the boy won, the spell that Slytherin's heir used to make himself who he was, was broken and he returned to his, for lack of better term, human self. Harry there is a reason I've told you all this. Do you recall, you're second year when you pulled the sword from the Sorting Hat?"

"Yes, sir." Harry answered.

"And do you remember what I said to you?" Albus asked, he eyes twinkling more than usual.

Harry thought for a moment and then said, "You said that only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the hat." Harry's eyes widened and he asked. "Are you saying that I'm the Heir of Godric Gryffindor?"

Albus smiled and said, "Yes, that is precisely what I'm saying. You're unmatched courage, you're will to not give up, and you're defiance in Voldemort's wake ring of Godric's blood. The reason that Voldemort used your blood to come back is because it was the blood of his heir's enemy. He needed the blood of an enemy to return, and what could be better to use than an actual blood enemy."

Harry looked at his friends and then back at Albus, Remus and Dorian and said, "Have you known all this time?"

Remus saw the distress on Albus's face and said, "Professor Dumbledore wanted to be sure before he told you, that's one reason he sent for Dorian. He's not only been researching defensive magic but he's also been doing a little genealogy. He's the one who found actual proof that you're the heir of Gryffindor. That's why you were put in Gryffindor."

"But why did the Sorting Hat think of putting me in Slytherin? If I am the heir of Godric Gryffindor why wouldn't he put me in Gryffindor without question?" Harry asked.

Albus said, "Possibly because of your connection with Voldemort, the hat may have been able to see you're ability to speak Parseltounge. The only other person known to Hogwarts besides Slytherin himself to speak Parseltounge was Tom Riddle. Speaking said language is almost an instant admittance to the house of the serpent."

Hermione said, "So since Harry is the heir of Gryffindor, he's the only one who can defeat Voldemort?"

"Yes, Miss. Granger. Harry I can understand if you need so time to sort all this out, it is a great deal of news for one night." Albus said.

Harry looked at him and said, "I understand it all, but it's hard to take in. Me, the heir of Godric Gryffindor, one of the greatest wizards to ever lived. Well too the fact that we're all members of the Order of the Phoenix, that was slightly unexpected. And you'll be teaching us wandless magic?" Albus nodded and Harry said, "I think I'll have to take all this in, I'll be able to fully understand it after a good nights sleep."

Dorian said, "There is one more thing we should mention, right, Albus?" Dumbledore nodded. "Voldemort wants all six of you, and he'll stop at nothing to get hold of you. Albus has assigned certain members of the Order with guarding you. Remus and I will have you, Ron, and Hermione. Professor McGonagall will be guarding Neville, and Tonks will be guarding Ginny and Luna. I'm sure the other members of the Order will help too, and seeing as how we'll have Aurors stationed outside the castle I think you'll be safe."

"I should think so. With this much protection I'd like to see those Death Eaters come near us." Ron said.

"Don't be too over confident that they won't be able to get you. There are still many ways to get past us, Polyjuice Potion, one of us letting our guard down. It would be very easy to get past our defenses, and you have to be ready just in case that happens." Remus said.

"We'll get an early start tomorrow with our training; I want all of you in the back garden by nine o'clock, sharp. We'll work straight through to lunch and then break for an hour and then get right back to it. I shall be here a little earlier to help Dorian, Mad Eye, Remus, and Tonks set up. So I suggest you all try to get a good nights sleep because tomorrow is going to a long day." Albus said. He bade them good night and left.

They all sat in the drawing room talking and Harry said, "Professor Drake, how well did you know my mum and dad?"

Dorian sat looking to the fire and then turned to Harry and said, "I knew them very well. I knew your father and Sirius before we started at Hogwarts, but only a little while before. Remus was right, you do look so much like James, and you have Lily's eyes and from what I've heard a certain disregard for the rules."

Harry laughed and said, "You sound like Dumbledore. He said the exact same thing to me after I fought the Basilisk my second year. No matter how often I hear it, I never get tired of people telling me I look my dad, and I have mum's eyes. What were they like?"

Dorian sat back and looked at the ceiling and said, "They were wonderful people, Harry. They saved me countless times during our time at school, not from any harm mind you, but from my father. He was and still is a very strict man, I never went home for Christmas or Easter, he wouldn't have it. He said that the best place for a student was a school where he could learn uninterrupted. Father always was about as warm as a snow drift. My mother always wanted me home for the holidays, when she died father and I just drifted more apart. The same night I got my injury..." He patted his knee. "The Death Eaters found us on vacation and they tortured my mother and forced my father to watch. They'd been married for fifteen years, that was my last year at Hogwarts, my fifth year. I helped your father, Sirius, and Peter become Animagi and then I moved. My father was hell-bent on finding a way to kill Voldemort and defeat his followers, seek revenge for what they'd done to my mother and me. You know after a while it didn't hurt anymore, having my knee broken and then being tortured when I would beg them to stop. But enough of my past, you wanted to know about your parents. As I said they'd helped me many times, James was always trying to make me laugh and make me feel better. Your mother would try to console me and Sirius, well you know how he was." Dorian laughed at the thought.

"So you're mother died because of Voldemort too?" Harry asked.

Dorian looked at him and said, "Yes, but more because of my father. You see, Voldemort know about my father's research into the old Codex's and things and wanted to know how he could produce his own version of the Sorcerer's stone. Father refused and we vanished, for a year we hid, I would take a portkey to school and then come home when I was done. Albus said it would be safer that way, but they still found us. After we left England I tried to keep in touch with your parents, Remus and Sirius but we moved around so much that I finally lost touch with them. Then when news of your birth came to me I knew that things were going well for them. But when I heard that Voldemort had been destroyed by you, and you'd done nothing special at all. I was saddened when I heard that James and Lily had died at his hand, that's when I decided to study under my father and learn about defensive magic. They were good friends, Harry, and they cared a great deal about those around them. That's why they risked their lives for the Order, to stop Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

Harry sat and took in more stories of his parents until Molly came and said, "Dorian, you'll keep him up all night at this rate. He needs his sleep."

"Of course Molly, where is Remus, I need to talk with him." Dorian said.

"He's out in the garden with Tonks, planning for tomorrow. Harry, why don't you and the others go up stairs and go to bed, you've got a long day ahead of you tomorrow and you'll need to get a good nights sleep." Molly said.

Harry nodded and then looked around. Luna and Ginny were dozing in the chairs by the fire and Ron and Neville were nearing the end of a chess game. Then he looked down and noticed the Hermione had fallen asleep leaning against his shoulder. He smiled and said, "Yes I think you're right. I'll wake them, Mrs. Weasley then we'll go up to bed."

She smiled at him and then left the room. Dorian stood up with some difficulty, he stretched his leg out and yawned. "I have to talk to Remus and then I'm going to turn in. I'll see you in the morning Harry, say good night to the others for me." He said as he walked to the door and left the room.

Harry watched Ron and Neville and then looked back at the girls asleep in front of the fireplace, he smiled, and then he looked at the girl leaning against his shoulder. Her hair cascaded around her face and she looked like an angel sleeping there, it seemed almost a sham the he had wake such a vision of beauty. He leaned down slowly and kissed the top of her head, she stirred slightly and muttered, "Harry, kiss me like that again and I might wake up."

His eyes shot open and he said softly, "Mione, wake up. It's time for bed."

He stroked her hair gently and she finally sat up. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and said, "What time is it?"

"Late, Mrs. Weasley's already been in to send us up to bed. Professor Drake just left, he said to say good night." He looked at her as she stretched and then resumed her place next to him and said, "What were you dreaming about?"

She looked at him with a puzzled look and said, "I can't really remember. I know that someone kissed me though, and I didn't want them to stop."

Harry cleared his throat and stood up quickly and said, "Ron, Neville we have to go to bed. Hermione and I will wake Ginny and Luna, you guys head up stairs."

"Ok mate." Ron said and looked back at Neville who'd fallen asleep in his chair. "Oi, Neville." He jumped and almost knocked the chess board over. "It's time for bed, we'll finish this tomorrow." Ron stood up and stretched and then he and Neville made their way up stairs.

Harry and Hermione woke up Ginny and Luna and sent them up and then they sat and talked for a little bit. "I was talking to Professor Drake; he's got a score to settle with Voldemort too. Death Eaters killed his mother, and he was really good friends with my parents and Sirius and Remus. We've been talking about it most of the night."

"I know, I heard some of it before I dropped off." Hermione said. "He really is an interesting man you know. Never really loved by his father, slightly neglected by him only to pursue the same field as him." She looked at Harry and said, "I feel sorry for him, and yet I understand him like I understand you. You're not to different you know, you both want the same things. Voldemort gone and the Death Eaters disbanded, peace and decent memory of your family. Harry, you know I'll always be there for you, right?"

He smiled at her and said, "Of course I know, Mione. You've always been there for me. And I'll always be there for you, I need you in order to defeat Voldemort. Not just your books and cleverness, but your friendship and your heart." He took her chin between is thumb and forefinger and said, "Hermione Granger, you are smart, beautiful and utterly amazing, how could I have possibly been so lucky as to have become friends with someone like you?"

She looked into his emerald eyes and said, "I guess you're just really lucky, or it's because you've been in the dark for far too long. Perhaps I decided to bring you out of the dark, you're still there you know, in the dark. You just need a light to guide you out; I want to be that guide, Harry."

Harry smiled and rested his forehead against hers and said, "Hermione, I want you to be that guide to. You mean more to me than you know."

"Are you sure I mean more to you than you know?" She said and leaned into him. He looked at her chocolate brown eyes and knew there was something more to her words than just friendship. He leaned towards her and pressed his lips against hers, they stayed like that for a little more than a minute and then broke apart.

Harry smiled and said, "Yes I'm sure you mean more than you've just said." He pulled her into another kiss only this time more intense. He ran his tongue along her lower lip, asking for permission and she opened her mouth. His tongue slid past hers and explored her mouth, their tongues danced and fought each other. It was the single most breath taking moment of their lives. The only thing that broke them apart was the lack of air, the gasped and looked at each other and Harry said, "Now I'm definitely sure." He stood up and pulled her to him, they hugged and then set out for their rooms.

As they walked hand in hand up the stairs Hermione said, "Do you remember earlier when I covered Ginny's mouth?"

"Yeah I remember that. I was wondering why you'd done it."

"Well she asked Luna who she liked and she said it was Neville, but it's obvious that they don't like each other."

'Who then?" Harry asked bringing her hand up to kiss it.

She smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss and then said, "It's Ron."

"Really? Well I saw that when Luna and Neville got here, do you think she'll say anything to Ron, or do you think Ginny is going to try and set them up?"

"I'm not really sure, but I think they'd be cute together." She said sweetly.

Harry looked at her and said, "I'm thinking he might like her too but I'm sure about cute together. He thinks she's crazy."

"And what was your first impression of me?" Hermione said dropping his hand and crossing her arms.

Harry looked at her and said, "I thought you were cute, a little bit of a know-it-all but cute. What was your first impression of me?"

"I thought you'd be a bit more filled in and arrogant. But I was pleasantly surprised." She said smiling and pulled him in for one last kiss. The earth moved, the heavens sang and Harry Potter thought he'd died and gone to heaven. When they broke apart he looked at he delicate features and knew that he'd finally found love.

"Good night my angel." Harry said kissing her hand.

She smiled and said, "Good night, my brave hero." They parted ways and went to bed both walking air as they did so.