Disclaimer: I don't own anything, it all belongs to Ms. Rowling. (well, most of it anyway)

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Chapter Six

Time Really Does Fly and More Surprises

By Patilaputra Jeanne

"Now remember, you mustn't tell anyone," Remus said. Harry stood there panting, about dripping in sweat and his guardian to be was calmly telling him not to tell anyone as if he were teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts once again.

It was almost 8:00 when the two of them got back from the training session that Remus kept saying was just a 'warm-up.' Harry thought that it was another way to torture someone without using a wand. They had stretched out and then ran through the surrounding neighborhood for a while until Remus thought that they should also work on some basic moves that Harry would be using when the school year rolled around. This consisted of simple kicks, punches, and (possibly Harry's *favorite* part so far) learning how to fall properly. Needless to say, Harry was sore, bruised and exhausted but his tutor was acting as if it was no big deal.

"Best go shower up Harry." Lupin said. "You don't want anyone to become suspicious." He smiled cheerfully and patted Harry on the back before watching his student trudge up the stairs.

* * *

The next few weeks passed with the same routine. Harry would get up every morning and work as hard as he could on this 'tradition' as it came to be known. He studied the handbook when he wasn't working with Remus and was utterly surprised how fast he adapted to the invigorating training. He actually looked forward to getting up every morning.

Remus became Harry's legal guardian on August 11th and the two became closer than Harry and Sirius had been. They did not want this to become an insult to his memory, however, and talked about Sirius constantly. They talked about how he was often joking at small, unimportant things, laughing about stuff and above all, what he would do if he was there with them at that particular moment. Harry also learned more about when the Marauders were still in school and more about his parents, and unfortunately about the little treacherous rat as well.

Harry also got his O.W.L. results back. Professor Dumbledore delivered them personally with an explanation that *was* entirely believable. The minister still held a grudge against Harry and had tried to alter the grades he had gotten on his exams. When the headmaster found out about this, he had to go around to all of the examiners and ask for Harry's results again. The results themselves amazed Harry as he had gotten an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Potions. Harry couldn't believe his luck; he was going to be able to become an Auror after all. Remus mentioned that his tradition training would greatly help his career choice. A simple comment like this was all it took to send Harry into fits of laughter. He hadn't even though of this and now wondered how he could put it on a resume.

The Hogwarts letter came two weeks to the start of term. Harry's was unusually thick. When he opened it he say why. There was a list of the books he would need for his N.E.W.T. classes along with the normal reminder that term started on September 1st. There was only one thing that took him by surprise; the pin in the bottom of the envelope. It was scarlet and gold with a roaring lion on it. Harry almost took it for a Prefect Badge but noticed in time that there was a large 'C' on it instead of a large 'P.' He had gotten captaincy of the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Harry looked back at the main letter and saw that it re-instated him to the position of Seeker on the Gryffindor team.

There was only one thing that dampened Harry's mood during that wonderful August month. He still couldn't talk to Ron about the prophecy no mater how hard he tried. He was also distant with all the Weasleys for that reason. They still talked and hung out together, but there was always that guilt and tension between them all that wouldn't give out.

For this reason, Harry was too glad when September rolled around. It was the night before term started and, as always, everyone was running around the rotting mansion trying to find all of their belongings. Harry was particularly worried as his handbook had gone missing for the very first time since Remus had laid it on his bed that day a long time ago.

He could have sworn that he had left it on his bedside table, only it wasn't there. By suppertime, he still hadn't found it, even asking everyone else in the house as they had all seen him reading it at one point or another. Harry decided to worry about it later though as this was the last night he would be able to spend with Remus until Christmas.

The meal went fine, everything was delicious as Mrs. Weasley's cooking always was. Harry thought she out did herself though with the three different choices of almost every dish. They all talked merrily together as if nothing was holding them down, as if they were just starting the celebration. This continued until desert, when something completely unexpected happened.

"You were supposed to be at the school several hours ago." Professor Dumbledore had apparated just behind him and Remus, causing them both to jump out of their seats from surprise. Dumbledore gave them a friendly smile and had that annoying little twinkle in his eye as well.

"Who was supposed to be at the school several hours ago?" Harry asked, not sure whether he meant him or Remus and having no idea why either one of them would have to be at the school now, forget a couple hours ago.

"Why, Remus, what a shock it would be for them all not to tell," Dumbledore said. Harry could tell that Remus did not like this response as the werewolf was trying very hard to keep from glaring at the smiling headmaster. However, he seemed to realize that he couldn't win this, or cover it up, so he sighed and turned to the rest of the table.

"I'm going to take on the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor again this year." This statement sent congratulations up and down the table. Harry was probably the happiest of them all. He didn't have to wait until Christmas after all! His guardian would still be with him at Hogwarts!!

"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked grinning so much that it hurt.

"Well, I had wanted it to be a surprise," he said more to Dumbledore than anyone else, who just chuckled and continued to smile at the werewolf. "But, I guess that someone else had other plans." The rest of the table laughed at this and continued to smile at them all.

"Shall we be going then?" Dumbledore asked. Remus opened his mouth to reply, only another person interrupted. Bill Weasley had appeared out of the fireplace, along with (one of the last people Harry thought would be there) Fluer Delecour.

"Don't go just yet," the redhead said quickly. He led Fluer toward them all and wrapped his hand in hers. Harry didn't miss the sparkly ring that she happened to be wearing, and knew exactly what was coming. 'Unless someone forgot to mention it,' a nasty little voice inside his head said. Harry was sure, however, that even if Ron wouldn't have told him, he would have heard it from anyone else in the family, or the Order.

"Mum, Dad," he paused to let the reality set in. He was going to make sure everyone heard this. "We have an announcement to make." Harry looked up and down the table. Mrs. Weasley was in tears, while everyone else was in shock or grinning madly at this.

'Yep, I haven't missed anything,' Harry thought happily. He looked back at Bill as the tension was building. He thought that Fred and George would jump out of their seats any moment and strangle their older brother if he wouldn't say it.

"Fluer and I are getting married!"

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Well, how about that? You know, I actually realized that I have been rather foreshadowing a lot of things in this story. You may not know that yet since it is still hiding in my notebook. The odd thing is though, it has more than doubled in size since the last time I updated. Please review, I would really like to know if I'm doing anything wrong or if I'm missing something which I have had a huge fear of lately.