Author's Notes- Thanks to everyone for such nice reviews. I'm glad all that got thrown at me was a carrot from the last chapter. Eek, that was short. This time I tried for a longer chapter. Damn. I read the interview with J.K. Rowling and it turns out that Zabini is supposed to be a boy (and I was told that before). I don't care though. I've already messed up if I was trying to do anything with what it's really going to be like. There's no half blood prince here and Zabini is a girl and Harry already didn't have his shortest stay at the Dursley's. If anyone has any major issues with that they can leave, as I'm not going to correct it. Sorry to be harsh.

Sorry it took so damn long to get the chapter up, but I got addicted to Tetris and I was reading and to be honest, I didn't spend much time writing ever since I got back from the Dominican Republic (my vacation). I apologize, but I don't expect any forgiving here (Not that any of you are mean!). I hope this is exciting enough to start paying you guys back for the lousy chapters and the lack of updates for the past months...

Please review when you're done with the chapter!

Harry Potter and the Second War

by MalusMagus

Chapter Seven: The Dueling Tournament

Part 1

The next morning, Harry got dressed and went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. There, he found Ginny reading a book on offensive spells, and Ron and Hermione, who were both talking in hushed voices and blushing.

"Good morning, Harry," Ginny said, moving over a bit to make room for him.

"Morning, Gin," Harry said, helping himself to a bit of eggs.

"Are you two ready for the Tournament?" Hermione asked both him and Ron. Harry nodded and Ron shrugged. "I wonder if we will be able to finish the in class part of the Tournament all today."

"I think so," said Ron. "I bet Snape's in a sour mood because of this. From what I collected, Dumbledore thought all this up." The four of them all looked up to the staff table and saw that Snape had a neutral expression.

"I don't know," Hermione said. "He might want to get the students ready for the war."

"And," added Harry, "we do have homework because of the Tournament, you know. I bet he's just fine with it. This is going to be like a test to him. And you watch, were going to actually have a real test in class just after the Tournament is over."

Ron nodded his agreement. Hermione, however, still fought for the teacher. "He isn't completely cruel you know. Actually, I like his attitude in class about the whole thing. He won't take anything less then perfect. He's pushing everyone to do his or her best. Think of how much this will help us later on. And especially you, Harry."

Harry shrugged as Ron and Hermione continued to bicker over the topic.

"Almost time for class to start," Ginny said later as she got up to leave. Harry got up as well. Hermione and Ron had stopped bickering just a while before and joined them. Ginny had to part with them early, but then the three remaining quickly made their way to class.

"Well, well, well," came a drawling voice from behind the trio. "Coming to class early? I don't suppose you can risk it, though, Weasley, can you? What with the state of your grades..."

The three spun around to see Malfoy with his arm around Pansy Parkinson and his two bodyguards. Harry grabbed the neck of Ron's robes as he made to tackle Malfoy. The Slytherins snickered.

"I'll have-," Ron was cut off from what would have been a rather loud and drawn out explanation of how much better they were than more than half the class but Harry cut him off.

"Look, Ron and Hermione! It's the class ferret!" Ron and Hermione both laughed as the smirks slid off the Slytherins' faces.

"Laugh while you can," said Malfoy. "Your days are numbered." He looked at Ron and Hermione. "Both you and the mudblood." He stared pointedly at Harry. "And especially you."

"Is there a problem?" came a familiar voice from the door to the classroom. They all looked at Snape.

Ron opened his mouth, but Harry stepped on his foot. "No, Sir," Harry spat, making his way into the classroom before they had points taken away. Ron and Hermione followed him.

"We should have said something," Ron said.

"And get points taken away?" Harry asked crossly. Then Snape stepped in front of the class and started talking.

"As you know, today is the start of the Dueling Tournament. I have already marked everyone's opponents for the first round. Rules are as follows: No Unforgivables- you will go straight to Azkaban as in any other instance. If your opponent has your wand, your opponent wins."

Snape let this sink in before he continued. "First pair is Longbottom and Crabbe."

As Neville and his opponent made their way to the designated area, Ron said softly to Harry, "If I didn't want Neville to win, I'd say that wasn't fair. With all the extra practice, Neville will beat him in a minute." All the Gryffindors smiled encouragingly at Neville, for they all knew that he was so much better than Crabbe any day.

"One... two... three!" Snape said. At three, Neville started shooting curses such as "Stupefy!" and "Expelliarmus!" at an alarming speed that Crabbe said only one spell before he was unconscious on the ground, wandless.

The Gryffindors all cheered as Neville went back along the wall with everyone else. The Slytherins were disgusted as Crabbe was revived and returned to his spot.

"Quiet down, quiet down!" Snape snapped at the class. "Next are Granger and Bulstrode."

Hermione walked to the middle of the room. She'd been more confident earlier, but now, knowing she faced the same girl four years ago was quite flustered. She clearly remembered Harry having to pull her out of a headlock.

"One, two, three!" said Snape. Then they began. She first used the curse Snape taught the class at the beginning to make their opponent think they were turned around. It only took a moment for Millicent to figure it out and right herself. But by the time she was ready to fire another spell, Hermione had already sent a string of hexes and curses at her. She was hit with a repelling charm that made her fly six feet backwards and land on her stomach. Then she was hit with Expelliarmus and her wand flew from her hand into Hermione's in a matter of seconds.

The Gryffindors cheered loudly again as Hermione returned to her spot, after giving Millicent her wand back. She was smiling widely and accepted the congratulations with pride.

A few more groups went before Harry was called up against Nott. Ron gave him an encouraging smile, as did Hermione and the rest of Gryffindor, but he knew that Nott's father was a Death Eater and unlikely to be as easy to defeat as Bulstrode and Crabbe seemed to be. Harry looked at him as they took their positions. He was tall with dark brown hair and dark eyes. He held himself confidently, as if he knew that he would win the duel. His father was sure to have taught him a few good spells over the years.

They took ten steps away and then turned to face each other again. Their wands were held in front of them, ready to be used at a moment's notice. "One...two...three!" Snape said. They started immediately.

"Stupefy!" Harry yelled.

At the same time, Nott yelled, "Expelliarmus!"

Harry didn't watch to see the curses hit each other and veer of towards the wall, but instead started on a string of spells. "Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Mutare spectare!" Nott blocked the first two, but was hit with the third. He righted himself quickly and shouted his own batch of spells.

"Reducto! Stupefy! Impedimenta! Somnus! Expelliarmus!"

Harry successfully blocked the first two with a simple "Protego!" But the third and fourth he had to dodge. He didn't know the fourth, so he didn't want to find out the hard way that it could not be blocked with a simple shield like 'protego'. The fifth he aimed a spell at, which made it veer off towards the wall. He shouted, "Impedimenta! Stupefy! Expelliarmus!" just before he got up. Nott was hit with the first curse; as a result he slowed down and allowed himself to be hit with the next two. He slumped to the floor and letting his wand leave his hand.

The Gryffindors cheered yet again as Harry defeated his opponent and returned to his spot next to Ron and Hermione. He didn't see the scowls he got from any of the Slytherins.

"What's 'somnus'?" Harry asked as soon as he got close enough to Hermione that he wouldn't be overheard by anyone but Ron.

"It's a sleeping spell, Harry," Hermione said in a rushed whisper. "It could've been blocked with a simple 'protego.'" Before Hermione could say any more, Snape called the next pair.

"Weasley and Goyle." Harry couldn't find anything that would justify this pairing. Even Snape knew that Ron was much better than Goyle. They made their way to the middle of the room after Harry and Hermione murmured words of encouragement to Ron.

"One...two...three!" Snape said, as usual.

Instantly, Ron began shooting curses. It seemed as if Goyle had attempted to practice shields before hand. Ron purposely aimed wrong and Goyle tried an "Expelliarmus!" But Ron sidestepped and shouted "Stupefy!" Goyle didn't have enough time to recover and was hit with the curse. Ron then summoned his wand and won the duel. The Gryffindors cheered for him.

"Well done, Ron," Hermione said as he returned.

Harry laughed and said to Ron, "He didn't stand a chance!"

A few more duels took place before the class ended. They all gathered in groups for the break and talked of the duels that already took place and what they were planning for their next opponents. Hermione taught her two friends the 'somnus' spell.

"Alright, alright. Enough talking," Snape said aggregately. "We're going to start the next set of duels now. First up are Granger and Parkinson."

Hermione and Pansy Parkinson walked to the middle of the room and waited for Snape to tell them to start. "One... two... three."

"Stupefy!" shouted Hermione at once.

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Parkinson.

Neither of the girls hit their targets, so they kept shouting spells.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Mutare spectare!"

"Impedimenta!"

"Stupefy!"

Hermione's last spell hit Pansy square in the chest and she slumped to the floor. Hermione summoned her opponent's wand and then revived her. The Gryffindor's cheered for her as she gave the wand back and went to her friends again.

"Moon and Zabini!" The two Slytherin girls went up. With in a minute or two, Zabini had returned to her seat, winner of the duel.

"Malfoy and Weasley!"

Malfoy smirked as the two took their places. "One... two... three!"

"Reducto!"

"Protego! Stupefy!" Ron shouted.

Malfoy sidestepped and fired another curse. "Expelliarmus!"

Ron gripped his wand tight and shouted, "Stupefy!" The two curses collided and Ron kept his wand.

Malfoy was quickest to shout the next curse. "Stupefy!"

"Impedimenta!" They each sidestepped.

"Stupefy! Impedimenta! Expelliarmus!" Malfoy shouted. It was too much at once for Ron. He sidestepped again, narrowly missing the first curse. But the second hit him and he was slowed down, letting his wand slip out of his hand.

The look on Malfoy's face was enough for Ron to want to punch his face in. But as Snape was the professor in charge, he tried to control himself. He snatched his wand out of Malfoy's hand angrily and nearly stomped back to his spot.

"Ron-," Hermione was cut off.

"Don't bother Hermione. I'm fine," Ron said in a rather irritated voice.

"You did well. Malfoy's just a git," Harry said, trying to help out his best mate's mood.

"Yeah, well..." he trailed off as Snape called the next pair.

"Potter and Longbottom."

Harry and Neville both took their places. They nodded to each other in understanding that one of them would have to lose.

"One, two, three!"

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted.

"Protego!" Neville yelled, easily blocking Harry's curse. Neither of them wasted any time. "Stupefy!"

"Expelliarmus!" Harry bellowed. The curses clashed and veered off and hit the wall behind where Parvati and Lavender were standing moments before. Harry and Neville were already on their next curses.

"Reducto!" Harry yelled.

"Mutare Spectare!" shouted Neville as he sidestepped Harry's curse.

"Somnus!" Harry sidestepped the spell.

"Tussis morbus!" Neville bellowed.

Harry had read about this curse. It was in a seventh year text. Clearly, Neville was reading ahead so he'd be more prepared this year. The curse he sent would've subjected Harry to a coughing fit and he'd probably have to go to the nurse before he was out of breath and hurt his throat. Luckily, Harry knew the spell to block it, or Neville would probably have won the duel. Then Harry shouted his own spell he'd learned in the same text. "Ventus tempestas!" It would give the opponent the illusion they were in a windstorm. Neville knew the counter for it though.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled just as Neville administered the counter to his windy illusion. Neville was hit with Harry's spell as soon as the winds died down.

Harry held his caught his opponent's wand and tossed it back just as quickly. All of the Gryffindor's clapped, both for Harry and Neville. They knew from the DA that Neville was getting much better at Defense, but he was improving more and more each time he dueled.

"That is quite enough," said Snape icily through the cheers. They quieted down immediately. "Those are all of the duels for this class. The rest will be held in front of the school with the winners of the other classes. Next class I will have in my hands one essay from each of you, reviewing the counters and uses of six different spells used in these duels. You are dismissed."

The students filed out of the room, talking to each other about their homework and the upcoming duels.

"Why?" asked Ron as they walked down the corridor.

"Why what, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Why do teachers give us homework? It's so stupid!" Ron asked exasperatedly.

"Ronald..." Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "The teachers give us homework to make sure we learned the lesson they taught."

"We didn't learn a lesson today... It was more of a test," Ron reasoned, somewhat childishly.

"Actually, you could interpret it both ways. You could have learned some interesting things. This is just enforcing it," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"But-," Ron began.

"Ron," said Harry, speeding up to get to lunch and find Ginny with out them. "They give us homework 'cause they're mean. Is that what you want to hear?" he said loudly (to make sure they heard him) as he turned the corner

Harry rolled his eyes as he walked down the next corridor at a fast pace. Honestly, does he find pleasure in asking Hermione stupid questions? He thought.

He turned again and found himself in the Great Hall. Quickly, he scanned the Gryffindor table, looking for a certain red head. He found her near the staff table, talking to Neville as she ate a salad. Harry walked down the middle of the Great Hall to where they sat.

"Hey, Gin. Hey, Neville," he said, sitting down next to Ginny.

"I hear that you made it to the school wide Tournament," Ginny said with a knowing smile.

"Sorry," said Neville, smiling bashfully. "You beat me and I couldn't help tell."

"No problem at all, Nev," Harry said, gathering an assortment of finger sandwiches. "You did really good by the way. For a moment, I thought you were going to win."

Neville flushed.

"I still have until Friday, Harry. You're going to have to help me," Ginny said.

Harry laughed. "You're good as it is, Gin. No reason to worry. If I teach you anymore, you'll probably beat me!"

"That wouldn't be bad," Ginny said, nodding approvingly. "So, when do you want to meet up?"

"How about right after we finish our homework? That leaves us until dinner," Harry said.

"Yeah, then I have Astronomy. What if I skipped that? I mean, I'm not going to need it for whatever I do after Hogwarts," Ginny said.

"You really should go to Astronomy," Neville put in.

Harry had almost forgot Neville was there, until now. Then he got an idea. "Say, Neville, do you want to come practice with us?" There was really nothing in it for Neville, but it'd be nice to hang out with him for a while.

Neville was caught off guard by the invitation. "Really? Sure, that'd be great," Neville said pleasantly.

"Great, Neville, you can do homework with us too, then," Ginny said.

"Okay," Neville said.

Just then Hermione and Ron arrived in the Great Hall. Hermione came in stomping at a fast pace, looking very irritated. Ron was trying to catch up saying in a pleading voice, "Aw, come on 'Mione. I know you're right. And I didn't mean to do that," Ron said.

"Don't waste your breath, Ronald," Hermione said as she sat down in between Harry and Ginny. "Sorry, 'bout that, Ginny." She said just after she elbowed Ginny's arm.

"No problem," Ginny said a bit grumpily as she massaged the place where there was sure to be a bruise later on.

"Why are you two in such a good mood this wonderful afternoon?" Neville said conversationally.

"What?" Hermione said moodily looking up at him. She couldn't hear him over her furious mutterings of, "always," and, "staircase," and, "stupid." "Oh, that. Well, the brilliant genius there decided to ask those stupid questions of why we get homework. He makes it all so difficult. Then after Harry left, he pushed me onto a moving staircase-," she fumed, but Ron cut her off.

"It was an accident, Hermione!" Ron said exasperatedly.

"Don't you interrupt me, Ronald!" Hermione said crossly.

"Sorry," he said, looking down at his food sheepishly.

"That's right," she said. "So he pushes me onto the staircase, and then I couldn't get back to the floor because it refused to move. So I had to get off that one and walk around to a different one, which was completely out of the way," she finished, going back to eating.

"Sorry, 'Mione. I really didn't mean to make you go on that staircase," Ron said.

"Well, you should be. And now I don't have much time before Transfiguration," she said. "It's a good thing I brought my book with me to Defense."

"So," said Harry, trying to get in a word before they started another fight. "Neville, Ginny and I are practicing some spells tonight for the Tournament. Want to come?"

"Sure, Harry," Hermione said, changing from furious to chipper in record time.

"Okay," said Ron, still eating.

"We're doing homework first in the common room. Then we'll go to my trunk. I'll arrange for Dobby to bring us dinner if it's alright with everyone," said Harry, looking at the other four.

They all agreed.

"Great. I'll stop by the kitchens after Transfiguration," Harry said. Then he looked at his watch. "Actually, we should get going."

They made their way to Transfiguration quickly. Harry, Hermione and Neville arrived with just enough time to sit down before McGonagall addressed the class.

"Good afternoon. Today, we will be using Transfiguration to perfect objects. So if you'll take out you're wands..." McGonagall continued for another ten minutes before letting them off on their own to practice. They used slightly damaged objects (little cubes provided by McGonagall) and tried to make them perfect again. No one, not even Hermione could do it with in the first five tries. It was a difficult piece of magic, needless to say. By the end of class, only Hermione and three other students could do it correctly.

"You homework is to practice this spell. Thursday at the beginning of class, everyone will take turns perfecting the objects," McGonagall said just before the class ended.

"That was hard!" Hermione said. "Really difficult magic, there. I thought I heard last year that seventh years were doing that spell..."

"Harry, Hermione, Neville!" they heard someone shout from the end of the hall. Harry spun around to see Ginny pushing passed several people to get to them.

"Hi, Gin. How was History?" Harry said.

"Like you care, you sleep through it!" Ginny laughed. "But you'll never believe what we are studying! The Ministry's set it up for O.W.L. testing this year."

Hermione was the one to ask, "What are they making you study?"

"Voldemort's reign of terror," Ginny said.

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

"I should think that they'd make people study that," Hermione said in a know it all tone. "I mean, he's risen again and obviously starting another reign of terror. This is like what we're doing with the D.A: preparing people for what's to come. This is just the knowledge though."

Harry was actually really interested about the subject. "So what did you learn about it?"

"Well, we learned a bit about who his allies were today. It's actually quite interesting. He was allies with the Dementors the first time 'round. So we learned a bit about them. That's good though, because they've joined him again, haven't they? We also learned about the giants. I don't know why he wants other creatures on his side though. He loathes them and he's all about that pureblood stuff. Well, anyway, we also learned about vampires. He didn't really go into all of that stuff when I say 'we learned about them' by the way. I mean we learned why he joined him. So, we also learned about werewolves, trolls, and quite a large group of goblins."

"I need to go to the kitchens to tell Dobby, I'll meet you guys in the common room," Harry said just as Ginny finished her little speech.

"Okay, see you," Ginny said, kissing him on the cheek before he left.

Harry headed down to the kitchens in silence. When he got there, he was instantly greeted by an over enthusiastic house elf.

"Hello, Dobby," Harry said.

"Harry Potter, sir! Harry Potter has finally come to see Dobby! Dobby has been wondering if Harry Potter had forgotten about Dobby. But Harry Potter is a good wizard! Harry Potter didn't forget! What can Dobby do for Harry Potter, sir?" the house elf rambled excitedly.

"I was wondering if you could bring my friends and me dinner tonight in my trunk again at about 6:00," Harry said.

"Of course, Dobby can! Especially for Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby said.

"Great, Dobby. Thanks. I guess I'll see you later then," Harry said, making his way out again.

"Yes, of course, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby will be there at 6:00!" said Dobby.

Harry walked back toward Gryffindor tower. He was almost there when he saw a rat scurry across the floor to the next corridor. He shivered inwardly. Ever since third year he'd hated rodents.

"Really? That's actually quite fascinating. You'll have to go into more detail later. For now, we really should do homework," Harry heard Hermione say as he arrived in the Gryffindor common room. They instantly started their homework after that.

After helping out Ginny with her essay (How Voldemort Got Groups To Join His Cause) as best he could and practicing his Transfiguration spell, he and his friends all headed up to the sixth year boy's dormitories and then into the trunk.

"Wow, Harry. I always thought this was just a normal trunk. I had no idea it was a multi-compartment one," Neville had commented. "This is brilliant."

There, they spent most of their time in the study, researching good spells to use that would not be known by many students and would, therefore, give them an advantage.

"Look at this one, Gin," Harry said and scooted closer to her and put the book he was looking at in front of her. "It's a spell that glues your target to the spot. It's better than partly paralyzing them, because even if they were able to drag themselves around, they couldn't."

Ron overheard him and looked up, eyes glittering with delight. "Just think of how much trouble Malfoy would get in if he couldn't get to class!"

"Ronald Weasley! You- are- a- prefect! You can't go cursing students so they can't get to class!" Hermione said shrilly.

"I never said I would do that, 'Mione, just thinking about it," Ron said in an innocent voice. He lowered his voice and leaned towards Harry. "You do it, and I'll take off points for him not getting to class."

"Ron! I heard that! I could tell McGonagall, you know! I could tell her that you shouldn't be a prefect! I could tell Dumbledore!" Hermione said.

Ron's lower jaw dropped. "You wouldn't!" he said in awe.

"No, I wouldn't, but don't tempt me!" Hermione said, turning back to her book, finished with the argument. Ron had a smug face on as he too, turned back to his book.

Neville, Harry and Ginny watched the whole thing, heads turning in the direction of the one talking and then back to the other. When they finished, Neville turned to Harry. "How do you put up with them?"

"Practice," said Harry, sighing as he took the book back.

"That's actually a really good spell. It'd give me an advantage," Ginny said, nodding as Harry wrote down notes on the spell. "Is it hard?"

"Not really. You just have to aim at their feet or it won't work," Harry said.

Ginny nodded and went back to her book. Minutes, later, Hermione found a spell.

"Infirmo," she said. "It will weaken whatever it hits. If you hit your opponent's wand arm, they're liable to switch arms. That would in turn, flip their aiming skills upside down and if they aren't used to it at all, they may have to give up completely. The counter is 'Conforto.'"

"That's good, 'Mione," said Ron. 'I have one too. It makes, let's say Malfoy, for example, imitate what ever you choose. You say 'Imitor' and then what ever you want him to imitate, like, let's say, for example, a ferret. He won't look like one, but he'll act like it. Then the counter is just 'Finite.'"

Harry, Ginny and Neville laughed. Hermione, though, took a cross between a lot of laughter and a bit of disappointment. "Ron," she giggled. "That's more for pranking."

"I know. But it's a really good spell I thought I'd share," Ron said, smiling at his girlfriend.

Harry was the first to speak after Ron. "We'll try it out sometime."

"I have a spell too," said Neville. "Abeo."

"Great, Neville," Ginny said encouragingly. "What does it do?"

"It's a form of Disillusionment Charms. It makes you appear to vanish. It's really quick though. It's best said if no one hears, so like whispered or something, I guess. Or you can put on a show with a cloud of smoke too. It lasts for up to a minute. So if you need more time, you need to recast the spell. But it's good for sneaking up on your opponent," Neville finished.

"Brilliant!" said Ron.

"What's the incantation again, Neville?" asked Hermione, who was taking notes.

"Abeo," Neville said, proud that his spell was good enough to jot down.

They stayed in the study for only, a little while longer before they went into the third compartment. The one for dueling.

"Okay, so... how are we going to do this?" Harry said, once they were all in the trunk.

"I suppose we should just take turns practicing the spells and their counters. Ginny should go first, since she still has to duel her classmates," Hermione said. "Here, Ginny," she passed her the list of spells and their counters.

"Okay. So, which one first then?" Ginny asked no one in particular.

"The imitating one," Ron said quickly.

Ginny smiled. "That's not on the list, Ron. How about the weakening one?" Ginny said. The rest agreed. Then Ginny smiled wickedly. "And who should be the victim of this curse?"

No one said anything. Ginny laughed. "Ron, you first. You're my brother." Neville, Harry and Hermione laughed him as Ron stepped up.

"It's not a duel, Ron. Why don't you hand me your wand so you aren't compelled to protect yourself?" Hermione asked, holding out her hand expectantly.

"Well, her opponents aren't going to just give up their wands during the duel, so why should I?" Ron asked stubbornly.

"She's only practicing, that's why," Harry said. "Accio wand!" Ron's wand flew out of his hand and into Harry's. Harry promptly handed it to Hermione, whose hand was still waiting for the wand.

"Thank you, Harry," she said pleasantly, pocketing the wand.

"Not at all, Hermione," Harry said. The two then turned to Ginny.

"Infirmo!" Ginny yelled. The spell hit Ron's right hand and his hand didn't waver at all. "What did I do wrong?" she asked after a few seconds.

"I don't know," Hermione said, brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe-." Ron spoke up just then.

"She didn't do anything wrong. It could've been more powerful, though, so it's taking a while. But my arm is slowly getting weaker," he said. They turned to him and saw him cradling his arm.

"Good job, Ginny," said Hermione. "Now the counter. Conforto."

"Conforto!" she yelled. Instantly, Ron was able to move his fingers, then his wrist and soon his whole arm.

"Better. Try infirmo again," Harry said.

Ginny did. She got better as they continued. A while later, Dobby appeared in the trunk, a trail of plates traveling behind him.

"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby did as Harry Potter asks and is here at 6:00," Dobby said as he gently let the plates go to a table he conjured.

"Thanks, Dobby!" Harry said as he watched the plates set themselves.

"Not at all, Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby said bashfully. "Dobby needs to get back to the kitchen now. Good bye!" With a pop, the house elf disappeared.

"Well," Ron said. "I'm hungry." He made his way over to the table. He scanned the plates, mumbling as he inspected each one. "Yorkshire pudding. Mashed potatoes. Carrots with garlic and butter." The list went on.

"Wow, Dobby went all out didn't he?" Neville said as he looked at the table.

Harry nodded.

"I don't know what you're all waiting for," said Ginny as she got a plate and started to fill it.

After dinner, the five got back to practicing spells. The time flew by and when Harry looked at his watch, he found it was nearly 11:00.

"I can't believe we stayed up this late, just practicing," Ron said.

"We should get to bed, you know. We have classes tomorrow," Hermione said.

The rest nodded in agreement. "Can we do this again tomorrow?" Ginny asked. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea.

"Okay, then. We'll do homework in the common room first, then we'll go to the trunk again," Harry said with finality in his voice.

They were all silent as they left the trunk, hoping not to wake Dean and Seamus, who were snoring loudly. Hermione and Ginny waved goodbye as they walked out of the boys' dormitories.

Harry had time only to get into his pajamas before getting tired all of a sudden and falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

At lunch on Friday, Ginny came in the Hall with a broad smile on her face. "I made it!" she said excitedly as she sat down next to Harry.

"Great job, Gin!" Harry said.

"Did you think you weren't going to?" Ron asked. "My foot has been aching all morning from last night's practice! I have half a mind to go to Madam Pomfrey!"

"Oh, Ron, you're over reacting. That spell couldn't have been that bad," Hermione said. "But it was powerful, Ginny," she added.

Ginny smiled. And filled her plate. "How was Charms this morning?" she asked.

"Not bad," said Harry.

"What were we doing again?" Ron asked.

"Ronald!" Hermione shrieked, yet not very loudly. "What were we learning?! We were learning household charms. Remember? Tell me you remember the pair of socks you were trying to fold flying out the window and beating down that poor bird. How did you forget?"

Ron blushed. "Just forgot for a minute, 'Mione. I remember," he said.

Ginny covered her mouth and gasped. "Ron? How did you manage to beat down a bird with a household charm? Folding socks, no less..."

"I don't know. It just went wrong. I think I did the wrong wand movement, actually," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Must've been more than just that," she said under her breath.

The rest of lunch went by quickly. Harry, Ron and Hermione all left a bit early to go to potions. When they got there, almost half the class was there already as well, talking amongst themselves.

"How much longer until class starts, Harry?" Ron asked.

"'Bout five minutes, why?" he asked.

"No reason. I'm bored already, that's all," Ron shrugged.

Harry nodded understandingly. "So, are you guys going to Hogsmeade this weekend, then?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. "On Saturday after Quidditch practice and maybe on Sunday if practice takes too long. Are you and Ginny going?"

Harry shook his head. "I didn't ask if she wanted to. I'll ask after class," Harry said.

"Good afternoon, class," said Carmichael as she stepped in front of the students. They quieted down slowly. "Today we will be concocting a poison called the Black Ring. It is often put in food and is detectable with a simple spell. It is easier to tell if it is used when there is a great amount of it. But because only extremely paranoid people check their food these days, it isn't hard to administer."

"Bet Moody checks his food," Ron whispered to Harry.

"It is called the Black Ring because it causes a black ring to encase your vision, starting on the outside and working its way in until you are semi-permanently blind. If you are subjected to the poison, St. Mungo's can help to clear up most of the blackness, but the edge will most likely be there for the rest of your life."

"That's harsh," Harry heard Dean whisper to Seamus two rows up.

"Indeed," said Carmichael. "The ingredients can be found in the cupboard, as usual. The directions can be found on page 493 of your text. You have the rest of the class time, but I doubt you'll need it all. Homework is a twelve-inch essay on everything you know about the poison. I just told you most of the effects that should cover half of the essay, so I do hope you were paying attention. You may start now."

Harry, Ron and Hermione all worked quietly for the first half hour of the class. By the end, the three of them had the same color potion (black) emitting the same color stem (lilac). Hermione nodded approvingly at them as they put their potions in vials and handed them in.

For the rest of the period and the beginning of the next, they worked on their essays. Hermione finished first, as usual. When Ron and Harry finished, the three engaged in a conversation about the Tournament and whom they thought made it to the finals.

"Finch-Fletchley, definitely," Ron said.

"Yeah, and what about Smith? Do you think he made it?" Hermione asked.

"Maybe," Harry said.

"And what's his name... that other bloke in Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan," Ron said.

"Ron, he's a prefect, you should know his name by now," Hermione frowned.

"Yeah," said Ron off handedly. "Do you think he got in?"

"I don't see why not. He's pretty good in the DA," Harry said. "What do you think about Padma Patil?" Harry asked.

"If she's as good as Parvati, I think she has a chance," Hermione nodded.

"What about Cho?" Ron asked. He seemed to think that Harry asked about Padma as a form of teasing, since he went to the Yule ball with her in fourth year.

"I don't think so," Hermione said. "For a seventh year, I don't think she's quite up to speed in Defense."

"But she was able to do a Patronus," Harry reasoned. It's not like he was sticking up for Cho, merely stating facts.

"I still don't think so," Hermione said.

"Okay, and-," Ron was going to name someone else when the door to the classroom banged open. Snape strode in as if he owned the class and went straight to Carmichael. The look on his face was one of utter loathing, as if he was talking about his least favorite topic. Then Carmichael spoke up.

"Mr. Potter," she said, searching the classroom with her eyes before spotting him and making eye contact. They were talking about his least favorite topic, Harry mused. "If you would follow Professor Snape, the Headmaster wishes to speak with you."

Harry nodded and got his bag and before standing up and following Snape out the door. He waved good-bye to his friends when Snape couldn't see him and mouthed, "See you in the common room," to them. They nodded and waved back.

Harry followed Snape to the Headmaster's office in silence. When they got to the gargoyle Snape muttered the password. Harry couldn't hear very well, but from what he did hear, he was positive the password was "Fainting Fancies."

He and Snape stepped on the stairs and rode as they spiraled upwards. When they got there, Snape knocked on the door. After hearing a, "Come in," from inside, they entered.

As Harry walked in, he noticed it was the same as usual. There were still many portraits on the wall of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses (though Harry noticed that Umbridge was thankfully not on the wall, even though she served as Headmistress for a short while last year.) Some of the portraits started whispering as he entered, but Harry didn't care. Fawkes sat on his perch in the corner, singing a soft tune that sounded more mournful than happy. Little silver trinkets whirred and spun on their tables like before. But Dumbledore, who sat behind his desk, was looking much older than the last time he saw him.

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore softly.

Snape nodded once. "Headmaster," he said and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Please sit down, Harry," said the old Headmaster. "Would you care for something to drink or perhaps a lemon drop?" he asked and smiled slightly, yet the usual twinkle was absent from his eyes.

Harry shook his head. "No, thanks, professor," he said. His voice had adapted to the mood of the room: quiet, kind of sad. "What did you want to talk to me about, sir?" Harry asked quietly, knowing something wasn't right.

Dumbledore sighed. "Remus-," Dumbledore began, but Harry cut him off.

He sat up straight and gripped the arms of the chair he was sitting in. "What happened to him?"

"He might not make it," said Dumbledore. "He was on a mission for the Order. Wormtail found him and poisoned him with silver. There's quite a bit of it in his system. He's in St. Mungo's now. Healer Roberts and Healer Woren are doing their best to save him. No one but they are allowed to see him at the moment, else I'd let you leave to visit." Dumbledore explained softly.

A deep sadness and cold fury woke within the young wizard. This was the last of his parents' real friends... If he died... Harry didn't want to think about it.

"Healer Woren specializes in this subject and Healer Roberts has had the second most experience next to Healer Woren. Remus is in good hands. But he is still hurt very badly. If he does live through this, it is quite possible he will be in pain the rest of his life..." Dumbledore said.

This didn't help Harry at all. He didn't want to be angry with Dumbledore, but somehow he found he was. He was angry with a few other people too. Part of him knew that Dumbledore was the one that sent him and that if he hadn't Remus would not have been hurt. Another part of him knew that it was Wormtail that should be blamed. He was the one that poisoned him, not Dumbledore. Last, a part of him was angry with Remus. If Remus hadn't joined the Order, then he wouldn't have been sent. But the only person he blamed was Voldemort. Voldemort was the center of everything. Voldemort was the reason his life was hell.

"Sir," Harry said in a forced calm voice. "Is there something I can do to help him?" he asked.

"No, Harry, I'm afraid there isn't. Just stay at Hogwarts. Don't go for revenge or do anything rash. If you stay here, then I am aware of where you are, as is Remus-," Harry cut off Dumbledore.

"Remus is about to die! Remus wouldn't know if I wasn't here! He's dying! You just want me to stay here so I don't go straight to Voldemort and try to kill him!" Harry yelled.

Dumbledore kept calm and took a deep breath. "Perhaps that is it, Harry," he said tiredly. "Perhaps I want you to stay here just so I know where you are and you aren't in any serious danger. But you must stay here. If you don't, Voldemort knows how you act and-," Harry cut him off again.

"I figured that out the hard way last year, remember?" he asked loudly, but not quite yelling. "He lured me out because he knows how I act and react to things. That's why Sirius is dead. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere," Harry said bitterly.

Dumbledore nodded his head solemnly. "I am aware that Voldemort has Death Eaters in the Forest. They are watching for anything that Voldemort might find useful. We have Order members searching the Forest as we speak, looking for them. We've found four so far and three are awaiting trial and then, hopefully, a one-way ticket to Azkaban. I am counting on you and your friends not to venture into the forest," Dumbledore informed him. Then he added, "For anything."

"Is that all, sir?" Harry asked, not too friendly.

Dumbledore waited a few seconds, and then nodded his head. "Yes, you may go," he said quietly.

Harry didn't waste anytime leaving the room. He got up and repositioned his bag on his other shoulder as he left.

Harry was still angry as he walked to the Gryffindor tower. Why he was that furious, he didn't know. He knew there was nothing he could do. Perhaps that was it. Remus was dying and he was helpless. When Harry reached the portrait, he bit out the password as if it tasted bad on his tongue, "Chudley Cannon's," and it opened wide. Harry climbed in and shut the portrait softly behind him. Classes hadn't ended yet, so the common room was empty. Harry went straight up the steps to his dormitory, dropped his bag next to the trunk, and climbed into the dueling compartment.

He grabbed a bishop from his box of chess pieces he kept down there. The bishop had higher skill than the pawn, which Harry only used for warming up these days. The rook was what he normally used. It was at the level just above pawn. The next level was the bishop and above that was the knight. The queen was second best and the king was the most skilled.

He waved his hand at the bishop he had just set on the floor and it became life size. Harry took his favorite sword from the wall. Then the bishop and him started to parry. Harry was thinking so much he couldn't focus on offense, so he went on defense. He kept thinking about Remus at St. Mungo's, Healer's trying to take the silver out of his system. He thought of Voldemort and Wormtail and how it was their fault that Remus was in such a condition.

Anger welled up inside of him and his sword was clanking with the bishop's much harder than before. Soon, he found himself on offense, beating the bishop back with his sword. It was much harder to defeat him because he was made of stone, but that didn't stop Harry when he was in such a rage. By the time he was done, he disarmed him, hacked off his left arm at the shoulder and put a few good cracks in his abdomen.

When he was done, breathing heavily, he collapsed onto the cool granite. For a minute, he lay there, trying to get hold of his breath. He closed his eyes and tried to absorb the coolness on the floor beneath him.

"Harry?" said a worried voice from the top of the room. "Harry, are you okay? What happened?" Harry opened his eyes to see Ginny climbing quickly down the ladder. He closed his eyes again. "Harry, you're scaring me, talk to me," she said urgently.

"I'm okay," he said, opening his eyes again. Ginny sighed almost inaudibly and sat down next to him, brushing his hair out of his face. "I was dueling with the bishop," he explained.

She looked over to the bishop lying motionless on the ground as though she hadn't seen him before. "You beat him?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"But you got hurt," she noticed, pushing up a ripped sleeve. There, on his left shoulder, was a gash about three inches long.

Harry looked at his shoulder. He didn't notice he was actually cut. In truth, with all of his anger, he didn't realize it. He shrugged, and then mentally kicked himself as he winced. That hurt.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up? Then I'll duel you for fun, with swords, okay?" Ginny asked.

Harry nodded and sat up. Ginny tried a few well-placed spells she'd been taught by her mother and he was bandaged, temporarily painless and his sleeve was repaired.

"Thanks Gin," Harry said, massaging his shoulder.

Ginny smiled. "Are you up for some dueling now?" she asked, getting her favorite sword off of the wall. It was relatively ornamental and fairly heavy.

"Yeah," Harry said, getting his sword off the floor. "Let me clean this up though," he said. He waved his hand at the bishop and he was repaired and back to its original size. With another wave of his hand, it was banished back towards the box, where he ignored it. "Ready?" he asked.

Ginny nodded and he sent a blow at her right side, which she blocked almost casually. He spun around, turning the momentum into speed and strength, slashing down at her other side where she blocked it again.

She ducked around him and slunk beneath where the two swords locked, and returned to her former position and stabbed at Harry's left. Harry sidestepped the blow and knocked it away with the flat of his blade, forcing her sword down with his. She was quick and slid her weapon away from his, cutting down at his right. He blocked it again.

He lunged at her, careful to keep his weight centered so as not to tip over. Ginny took a step back, blocked it and tried the same. He took a step back and ducked. Ginny almost lost her balance, but recovered in time to block Harry's sword from slicing open her back. She spun around to face him and clashed his sword with hers. He was trying to readjust his grip as she did it, his weapon flying out of his hands and sinking into the wall. They both had wide eyes and neither moved.

Harry was the first to speak. "That was the first time you beat me," he said in awe.

"Yeah..." Ginny said, just as amazed.

"Let's do it again," he said, retrieving his sword.

Ginny smiled with confidence as they took their positions. "You've got actual competition this time, Potter," she said, her eyes were twinkling merrily.

Harry nodded. He almost smiled at her, but remembered Remus. Ginny, unfortunately noticed his behavior.

"What's the matter, Harry?" she asked, her sword dropping to her side. Harry lowed his blade as well.

There was no point in hiding it, Harry decided. She would want to know. Anyway, Hermione and Ron would ask. Then he'd have to tell them.

"I went to Dumbledore's office today in the middle of Potions," Harry said glumly.

"Really?" Ginny asked, not as happy as before, noticing his mood. "What'd he say?" she asked.

Harry took a deep breath. "Remus was hurt on a mission," he said.

Ginny gasped and covered her mouth. "What happened?"

"Wormtail," Harry spat, "poisoned him with silver. Now he's at St. Mungo's and Healers are trying to get in out of his system."

"No..." Ginny whispered.

"Yeah. It's probable that he's going to die," Harry said. Leaning against the wall for support.

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny said, abandoning her sword, she ran up to him and hugged him. "It'll turn out okay," she said into his chest. "It has to."

Harry dropped his sword and returned her hug. "I don't know, Gin," he said.

"Hello?" Ron's voice came from above.

"We're down here," Ginny said, not letting Harry go.

"They're here, Hermione," Ron called. A minute later, a door slammed and Ron and Hermione were on they're way down.

"What'd Dumbledore want?" Ron asked grabbing a sword from the rack.

Ginny answered for Harry. "Remus is in St. Mungo's."

Ron dropped the sword. "Why?" Hermione asked.

"Silver poisoning on a mission of the Order," Ginny said.

"Wormtail," Harry said.

"Is he going to be okay?" Ron asked in a very concerned voice.

"He'll probably die," Harry said. Ginny was still hugging him, thankfully, or he might have collapsed on the floor and started sobbing. Instead, he hugged her tighter. She returned the favor.

"It'll turn out okay, you'll see," Ron said in what he hoped was a comforting voice.

"He'll be fine. Remus is strong enough," Hermione said.

Harry nodded in agreement and closed his eyes, not letting Ginny go.

"Is he going to let you go see him over the weekend?

"I didn't ask about the weekend," Harry said. He finally stopped his choke-hold on Ginny. "But he said that I couldn't go now because no one was aloud to see him except the Healers that are trying to cure him."

Ron nodded. "Well, you could go to Hogsmeade to get your mind off things," he suggested.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Why don't we duel for now? Ginny and I just went. Your turn now," Harry said.

They nodded and got their swords.

Hermione and Ron's match was long and drawn out, as Ron was going easy on his girlfriend. Therefore, he lost. Hermione called a rematch and demanded that he didn't go easy on her again. That time, Hermione lost.

After that Hermione and Ron both sat next to Ginny and Harry on the granite. Ginny had her head on Harry's shoulder and Harry was looking Ron and Hermione. "What are you two doing tomorrow then?" Hermione asked.

"Depends," Harry said. "I'll see if I can go to St. Mungo's in the morning..." he said.

"If he can't then we're spending the day together. What about you two?" Ginny asked.

"Well, I think we're going to Hogsmeade... But we'll stay if you want us too," said Hermione.

"No, it's okay," Harry said.

"If you're sure," Hermione said.

"I am," said Harry.

"Great! I need some more dungbombs," said Ron.

"Ronald Weasley! You- are- a- prefect! And a so incredibly thick! You're so inconsiderate of people's feelings!" Hermione said crossly.

Ron's ears went scarlet. "Sorry, Harry..." he apologized.

"It's fine, Ron," Harry said.

"And what about dungbombs? You're a prefect, Ronald," Hermione scolded.

"Well, the first years stole all mine," Ron started.

"Did you get their names? Give them detention? Give yourself detention for having them in the first place?" Hermione asked off handedly.

"No, no, and I was counting on you to do that last one," Ron said mischievously.

"Ron!" Hermione blushed.

"Yes, 'Mione, dear?" he asked.

"Oh, never mind. We should get to dinner," Hermione said standing up.

"I agree," said Ginny, standing up as well. She grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him up.

"Ron," Harry said, "you're usually the first one to say that, get up and bolt down to the Great Hall. You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Ron said. "Just a bit sore, that's all. You know after that first match. Beat me up, you did, 'Mione."

"You let me," Hermione said as she made her way up the ladder.

"Well..." Ron said. Not thinking of anything, he left it there and climbed up after his girlfriend.

"Ginny, how are you doing with Animagic?" Harry asked as she started climbing.

"I'm ready to do the potion now. I was going to tell you earlier, but what with the bad news and all..." she said.

"Yeah. We'll do that tomorrow," Harry said. "If I don't go to St. Mungo's."

"Okay. Thanks Harry," she said, as Harry appeared in the dormitory.

Harry smiled, took her hand and led her out of Gryffindor tower.

Saturday, Harry woke up very early (the sun wasn't up yet). He didn't get much sleep, what with Remus being so close to death. When he got up, he got dressed and went into the study compartment of his trunk. From there, he went into his father's trunk, the forested compartment.

"Hunter?" Harry called. Hunter had taken to this compartment a couple of days ago. There was food and habitat that remind him of when he was younger.

"Harry?" Hunter hissed as he slithered out of the trees.

"Hello, Hunter. Good sleep?" Harry asked.

"Yes, actually," hissed the snake. "Could I explore the castle again today?"

"Of course," Harry said.

Harry and Hunter exited both of the trunks to find the sky a bit lighter and everyone asleep. They both went to the common room after that. Hunter, though, did not stay. He pushed the portrait open with his head and slipped out, closing the portrait with his tail.

Harry looked around at the common room. It was empty, but infinitely cleaner than last night. Many fifth years had scattered their books and papers all over the floor and a bunch of third years had at least twenty pounds of candy wrappers between them and that was just part of the mess. There should've been twenty house elves to get it cleared up in time.

Harry sat in his favorite chair and waited. The sun still hadn't risen yet and he must've been the first student awake. After a half hour, the sun as started to rise and no one was awake yet. Harry decided to go down to the Great Hall alone.

He got up and started walking towards the portrait. He was a step away when a groggy voice called out, "Harry?" Harry spun around to see Hermione walking towards him. "How long have you been up?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

Harry shrugged. "A couple of hours... perhaps longer," he said. "Couldn't sleep well."

Hermione nodded understandingly. "Hungry?" she asked. "I'll go down to the Great Hall with you," she offered.

"Okay," Harry said, and they walked out of the common room.

"How's things with Ginny and you going?" she asked.

"Fine," Harry said. "I hope," he added.

Hermione looked confused.

"Why are you asking? Did you talk to Ginny or something? Is she angry with me?" he asked in a rush.

"No, no," said Hermione, shaking her head. Harry let go of his breath, he didn't know he was holding until then. "No, just st-starting a conversation," she yawned.

"Good," Harry said. "Things are going great. She's the most perfect girl ever..." Harry trailed off with a dreamy look on his face. "'Cept for you, o' course, 'Mione!" he nudged her side.

"Ha, ha, very funny, Harry," she said.

"How are things with you and Ron then?" Harry asked.

"Just f-fine," Hermione yawned again. "What are you and Ginny doing all day today?" she asked.

"I don't know... I saw this really cozy broom closet yesterday..." Harry said jokingly.

"Aw, come on Harry. I didn't need to know that, you know," she said, smiling.

"What are you and Ron doing?" Harry asked.

"Maybe I'll drag him to Puddifoot's as a joke," Hermione mused. "Do you think he'd like that much?" she asked.

"You never know until you try," Harry said as they entered the Great Hall.

Snape was there already, along with Dumbledore and McGonagall. They were the first students there.

"Harry, could I speak to you for a moment?" Dumbledore asked from the teacher's table. Harry nodded.

"You come too, 'Mione," Harry said quietly.

Hermione nodded and walked with Harry to the front.

"Good morning," said the old Headmaster. The twinkle was back in his eyes and Harry took this as a good sign, but didn't want to get his hopes up.

"Sir, how's Moony?" Harry asked.

"Still hurting, but they'll have him as good as new in a few days. They worked round the clock and have almost got the silver completely out of his body. They have about, another week before they are done. Remus will remain there for two more days, depending on if anything else happens to him. Which, I might add, is quite unlikely. He'll be fine, Harry. You can go visit him today," Dumbledore said.

Harry's eyes instantly brightened. His dad's friend wasn't going to die and he could visit him. "Thanks, sir," Harry said. "Is after breakfast okay?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, it is. And, you may bring your friends, if you wish. We will be going by port key."

Harry nodded. "Okay, thanks, sir," Harry said. He and Hermione left to sit at the Gryffindor table.

"Harry, this is excellent! We knew it'd turn out okay, remember?" she whispered excitedly. Harry smiled and nodded.

"So, do you want to come?" Harry asked.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore arrived at St. Mungo's at about quarter to nine. Dumbledore led them to the third floor- Potion and Plant Poisoning. When Hermione brought up that it wasn't a potion or plant that poisoned Remus, Dumbledore explained. "It was a quick decision they had to make before the silver spread out more into his system. They had half a mind to put him in the ground floor- Artifact Accidents, because they believe Wormtail used his silver hand. But they put him in poisoning in the end."

For the rest of the walk, they were silent. They reached the end of the corridor on the third floor. "Wait here," Dumbledore said. He entered the door to the right. Harry took a deep breath. The last time he was at St. Mungo's it was because Nagini bit Mr. Weasley. Harry shivered.

"You okay?" Ginny whispered to him, taking hold of his hand. Harry nodded.

Dumbledore then exited the room. "You may go in," he said. Harry nodded and went to enter the room.

Lying on a bed in the middle of the room was Remus. His face was pale and he was covered in white blankets. "Hi, Harry," he said weakly.

"Hey, Moony," Harry said, going further into the room. "How're you doing?" he asked.

"As well as can be expected," Remus said.

Harry smiled a bit. "That's good," he said and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"And how've you been doing? I haven't talked to you since Halloween," said Remus.

"Not bad. I made it to the Dueling Tournament," Harry said.

"Great job. You're dad would be proud," Remus said softly.

Harry smiled again, as did Remus. "I'm teaching Ginny, Hermione and Ron to sword fight, which is very fun," he said.

Remus's eyebrows shot up. "Really? That's impressive," he said.

Harry nodded. "They're getting really good," he said. "But yesterday was the first time in a week or so that we practiced. We've been practicing for the Dueling Tournament lately. Hermione and Ginny made it," Harry informed him.

"Great, Harry," he said.

Harry nodded.

"Moony? What were you doing for the Order, when Wormtail poisoned you?" Harry asked. It had just struck him that he wasn't yet told that bit of information.

Remus stayed silent. He was thinking about if he was allowed to tell him. He took a deep breath. "Harry, I'm not sure I can tell you. I'm not sure if Dumbledore wants you to know yet," he said apologetically.

"Were you in the Forest looking for Death Eaters?" he asked.

Remus nodded. "As long as you already know, we can talk about it," he said. "Yes, I was out looking for Death Eaters in the Forest around the school. Needless to say, I found one, or rather, he found me. He transformed from his Animagi form and was talking to me and deflecting all my spells I shot at him with that silver hand of his. Then he cut open my shoulder and pretty much put his thumb in it. Then his hand looked like it was melting dissolving a little, and it got into my blood. He knew that if I stayed there with out help, I'd die, so he just left me. He didn't know I had an emergency port key with me."

Harry nodded.

"So I port keyed to Headquarters. Molly was there and she helped me get here. So, the Healers fixed me and I'll be fine in a couple of days," Remus finished.

"That's great!" Harry said.

Remus nodded. "I should be out of here by next Tuesday," he said. "Which is a good thing. I don't like St. Mungo's very much. A lot of memories."

Harry nodded understandingly. This had to be the place he went after being bit by a werewolf. "I think the other's might want to say hi. So I think I should go now," Harry said as he got up.

"Thanks for coming to see me, Harry," Remus said.

"It's no problem," Harry said, smiling. Remus smiled back and he left the room.

The last three took turns going in. When they were done, Dumbledore went in to say a few things and then came back out. "Ready, then?" he asked. "Excellent! We'll have to go to the area we arrived in." They went back to the ground floor. When they got there, Dumbledore took a plastic fork out of his pocket and let them all touch it before saying, "Three... two... one." They left St. Mungo's in a whirlwind of color and sound.

They arrived Dumbledore's office at eleven forty-five. "Thanks for taking us, professor," Harry said.

"It was no problem, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Now I imagine you have things to do

Harry nodded and they left his office.

"I think we're going to go to Hogsmeade, now," said Ron. Hermione nodded.

"Have fun," Harry said.

"We're going back to Gryffindor tower," Ginny said.

"We'll see you at dinner, okay?" said Hermione.

They nodded and turned into the next corridor to go to Gryffindor tower.

When they arrived in the Gryffindor common room, not much later, they found it to be filled with first and second years along with a couple fifth and seventh years. Ginny and Harry made their way to the boys' dormitories, earning some disapproving looks from the seventh years.

"Want to do your animagic potion now?" Harry asked when they were alone in the dormitory.

"Yeah!" she said excitedly.

"Okay," Harry said. He unlocked the correct compartment and descended into the sixth compartment of the trunk.

They arrived the potion's lab. "They work better when freshly prepared," Harry said. "So I didn't make it earlier."

"Okay," said Ginny. "What does it say we need?" she asked and opened the cabinet.

Together, they gathered all of the ingredients they needed. Then Harry started the potion. Ginny occasionally cut up ingredients or read off the instructions.

A while later, they finished. "Okay, remember what it said when you take the potion?" Harry asked as he handed her a glass filled with the liquid.

Ginny nodded and took the glass. "Cheers," she held up the glass and in two large gulps, drowned it.

Author's Note- Thanks to everyone that's still reading this! Again, I'm so sorry it took so long. I just got back from Seattle for my last vacation of the summer- yeah! And it was fun. I'm writing more about it in my profile later. Anyway. I'm so happy people actually read this! Please let me know what you think of it. And after this chapter, I must request: No flames, please!

Melindaleo- About Quidditch- I just added it because I started agreeing that Harry needed Quidditch. But I did re-do the previous chapters to incorporate it.

Alas, you are right! I need to fix that part of the chapter with Harry getting hit again. I've been just trying to get the chapters up for the readers that I'm rushing... Not lately of course. This one took quite a while.

Chucks a carrot May it do you good! I'd love to read the sequel! Please get it out A.S.A.P!

And thanks for reviewing!

bast4- 16 pages this time! I felt that after so long of a wait, you guys all deserve a bit of a bonus. So, it's much longer this time. And a promise of the end of the Tournament and Ginny's animagus form. Should be fun... Thanks for reviewing!

GhostMagic19- So, so, sorry! No animagus form this time. Next time, I promise! I wanted to get it out soon. And if I put it in this chapter, well, it'd take away from the next one. Thanks for reviewing!

Harry/Ginnyfan4ever- Thanks for being my awesome beta! looks around suspiciously and then whispers I'll tell you 'bout the showdown later. Too many people that can read this... Thanks for the review!

Huggiebear- Thanks for reviewing, first off! About the little amount of fuss... I'm in the process of fixing it, as I told Melindaleo. And, you'll have to wait and see for the Tournament. But I'll answer your other question. This has almost nothing to do with houses. (But I shouldn't say that, really. It's got a bit to do with houses...) Harry and Ginny could be the final competitors and one would win. Or, Draco and Harry could be the final competitors and one would win.

hogwartsfreak- Thanks for the review. This one's a bit longer than the last chapter. Should've been a bit better. I like how Dumbledore didn't know if he was dead or alive too.

Katherine0619- Thanks so much!

Tara6- Spain? Delightful! Hope you had a good time! Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you were happy with it. I must say, though, I like this length a lot better!

hawkeye207- Thanks for reviewing. I'll try not to feel bad.

Yugioh/Potter/Pokemon fan- Thanks for the review. Haha, that's quite funny. But seems to be true. Anyway, don't stop the reviews!

darkangel46- I'm glad you liked it! I took too much time now. But I hope it's okay! Thanks for reviewing!

specialpastry- Hehe, that's the trick of it though, isn't it? I can do horrible things to Harry without actually doing them... That was Bellatrix... Anyway, thanks for reviewing! Glad you like it! Oh, and, yeah, I'm insane. cackles evilly

cassiebabe- Wow! Thanks a bunch. That means a lot! I do want to be an author. It'd be a lot of fun... Thanks for that really flattering review!

Lady of the Dragons2- Thanks a lot!

TheoGreece- Thanks for the review. This isn't going to be like the half blood prince though, as said in the first author's note... About Ginny's form... er... well, I don't know how to put it... you'll have to wait and see. Hermione is going to be... er... you'll have to wait for that too. She isn't a magical creature though... As for the Half Blood Prince... I think it's a new character. Not the one from the excerpt though... or maybe... you never know... I don't think it's Hagrid though. It's just a feeling that he isn't the one.

JeanieBeanie33- Thanks for the review. Yes, she could be an owl... maybe not though.

SEPHIROTH86- Interesting name... I wonder if it has a meaning... Anyway, thanks for the compliments! I do like the sword play myself. I just hope that when the time comes to need it, Harry won't forget it all! That'd be horrible! I could do that, you know... hmm... I always did hate when the hero wins... Nah... Thanks for the review!

Sirusroks!- Yes, that damn Gryffindor bravery is showing more and more often... Thanks for the review. Please keep reading!

Dianne- I'm so glad you like it! Yeah, I do have some really good reviewers. I admire some of them a lot! And I am honored! Thanks for reviewing!

Scorchy-11- Thanks for the review! I updated really, really late... but I have a whole list of excuses!

Vernificus- What does Vernificus mean? I was looking and couldn't find it... Okay, on to the review. Yeah, the conversation is on my list of things to fix. But Voldemort has come to a point where he realized something and his... well, I want to say behavior, but that's kind of the same... I don't know. But he has changed a bit. But I still have to fix that part. Thanks for mentioning it. Thanks for reviewing!

Laughing Cat- Thanks for reviewing. Okay, again, the attack is on my list of things to fix. So I'll try to get that sorted out before I confuse myself with questions about it. I don't mind constructive criticism- but I'm not a fan of it. However, what would make me a better writer if the only feedback I received was "great- write more soon"? I tried to add more everyday things in. The bird thing was everyday... minor and forgettable- apparently for Ron! Well, I'll try harder next time. Please review again! And thanks about my birthday!

Sexy Slytherin Sweetie- Thanks for the review. The next chapter- well, just came out obviously. No time any more... And now with school! It's going to be hell to write a chapter per month... Well, thanks again!

mysticruby- Thanks so much! I'm ever so glad you like it!

Another Author's Note- Thanks to everyone that found the courage to review! Please review, people's! I like to know how I'm doing. If it sucks, just please put it in nice terms...