Chapter 09: Training Days

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The next morning the Marauders continued with their workout routine, having awoken around 6am. Although the rest of the group was still lagging behind Harry, who at been at the routine for several months, they were slowly catching up to his level. After their workout they returned to the Gryffindor tower to shower and change into their robes. They then made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Just as they were about to enter the Great Hall, a familiar drawl sang out.

"Well, if it isn't Potty, Mudblood, and Weasley. Oh, and I see you've added a few more worthless riff-raff to your little group." Draco Malfoy said, sneering. Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy's two sidekicks, stood on either side of him sniggering. Harry turned towards them.

"Shove it Malfoy." He said contemptuously.

"What's wrong Potter? Finally starting to realize you picked the losing side by standing by the muggle loving fool Dumbledore? I tried to warn you about the scum you hang out with." At this statement, Ron, Neville, and the twins all started yelling at Malfoy and tried to rush him. Hermione, Ginny, and Harry held them back.

"Guys, he's not worth it!" Ginny warned. "He's nothing but a worthless piece of filth. Don't waste your time." Malfoy's face hardened at this statement.

"I'd watch it Ginny." He said. "Its bad enough that you're a Weasley but now you're hanging around with this crowd, even dating Potter. That can be hazardous to your health you know." Upon hearing Malfoy's words, rage boiled up inside of Harry. Before anyone could reply, Harry had whirled around towards Malfoy and punched him hard in the face, busting his nose.. Malfoy let out a yelp and threw a hand up to his nose. Harry grabbed his arm and wrenched it behind his back and slammed him into the wall. Crabbe and Goyle took a moment to get over the shock of Harry actually physically attack Draco and moved to help their leader. The rest of the Marauders, who had placed themselves between the pair and Harry, stopped them.

"Move and Hagrid will have two pink ferrets to awe his Care of Magical Creatures classes with." Hermione warned.

"I'd watch my mouth Malfoy. If you ever threaten Ginny or any of my friends like that again, you'll end up in worse shape then your father did this summer." Harry said, coldly. "Its decision time, Draco. Your lord," Harry spat, "is going to get what's coming to him. And anyone who sides with him will too." The sound of footsteps rapidly approaching brought Harry's attention from Malfoy. He turned slightly, maintaing his grip on Malfoy, to see Professor Lupin walking towards them. Harry pulled Malfoy away from the wall and shoved him into Crabbe and Goyle.

"Is there a problem here?" Professor Lupin said, surveying the scene. Harry and the rest did not answer. Finally Harry took a deep breathe, released it and spoke.

"No problem Professor." Harry said. "I was just explaining to Mr. Malfoy the danger of making threats towards my friends." With that Harry turned and walked into the Great Hall. The rest of the Marauders quickly explained to Professor Lupin what happened.

"Twenty points from Slytherin for threatening another student, Malfoy. An additional ten points from Slytherin and Gryffindor for fighting." Lupin said, before walking off. Malfoy remained silent, glaring as the rest of the Marauders followed.

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Word quickly spread throughout the school about the confrontation between Harry and Malfoy that morning. By afternoon most of the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff students were pointing and laughing whenever Malfoy came into a room. The Slyterins on the other hand were livid.

That afternoon Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville had their first Potions lesson of the year. Snape was in an especially bad mood between the practical joke at the opening feast and the news of what Harry had done to Draco. His anger and attitude towards Harry seemed to worsen as he spent most of the class trying to embarrass Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville. He did not fully succeed however, as each had made a special effort over the summer to improve their potions knowledge. This seemed to incense Snape even more.

That evening was the first of their advanced classes, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was being taught by Mad-Eye Moody. Unlike normal DADA class being taught by Professor Lupin, Moody's primary objective was to improve their magical combat skills. For over an hour he forced them to square off against himself and one another, until all were exhausted.

"You all did exceptionally well." Moody said, "But you have a long way to go. You got lucky in Diagon Alley. The Deatheaters underestimated you. But that won't happen again. Now get back to your dorms. We will continue this another day."

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And so it went. For the next four weeks the group attended their normal classes in the mornings and then spent the afternoons and evenings being trained by the Order. Of the seven Harry had made the most rapid progress, though the rest were only slightly behind. He was still the only one of the seven who could perform any wandless magic, though only minor spells. Physically they were in the best shape of anyone in the school. Fred, George, and Neville, the three unattached Marauders, were soon becoming the center of attention for many of the girls in the school, all hoping they would be asked to attend the Halloween dance with one of them.

The most exciting part of their training was with Professor McGonnagall. For two weeks they had been studying the theory of animagus transformations. Finally they were ready to attempt a practical transformation. To their surprise, as well as the surprise of Professor McGonnagall, each was able to achieve a partial transformation, all except Harry. On his first try Harry was able to complete the transformation.

"Excellent Mr. Potter." Professor McGonnagal said as Harry transformed from a Grand Phoenix back into his normal body.

"Wicked Harry!" Fred exclaimed.

"Awesome, mate!" Ron said.

"Show-off." Ginny teased.

After several more weeks of practice all of the Marauders had mastered the transformations. Professor McGonnagall was astonished. Clearly these seven were more magically powerful then anyone realized.

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The Marauders continued to play pranks around school, mostly on the Slytherins but sometimes on the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, and even their fellow Gryffindors. Betting was rampant as the students wagered on the identities of the Marauders. A few students noted that there were seven names and that Harry's circle of close friends was now seven, but nobody took the connection seriously. In the five years that Harry, Ron, Hermonie, and Neville had been at Hogwarts, none had ever had a reputation as a prankster. The same was true of Ginny, who had been at Hogwarts for four years. Indeed, of the group, only Fred and George had reputations as pranksters, but they were quickly dismissed because the usually acted alone and usually were very vocal in taking credit.

"If only they knew!" George exclaimed one evening in the common room after everyone but the Marauders had gone to bed. They had spent most of the evening discussing their recent pranks, as well as the astonishing pace their training was taking.

"Listen, guys. I've been thinking." Harry said.

"Uh, Oh." Ron said. "When Flame starts thinking, I get nervous."

"Oh shut up Sly." Ginny said. "Go ahead my darling Flame."

"Anyways." Harry said, "I think we can improve our odds against Voldemort and his Deatheaters through some creative tactics. I mean, all the stuff we're learning is great, but its also stuff that they know as well."

"What did you have in mind?" Hermonie asked.

"Well, what about incorporating some of Paws and Mane's bag of tricks into our arsenal?" Harry asked. Ron broke into a grin. He was the best at strategy among the group.

"Flame, that's bloody brilliant!" He exclaimed. "True nothing they have will do any real damage, but it might be enough to knock them off guard." The group spent the next three hours talking about ways to use their gags in battle. They decided to test their ideas during their next ADADA class.

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Mad-Eye Moody was laughing. He had told Dumbledore and the others that these seven had excellent potential and he was right. Not only were the exceptionally gifted when it came to ADADA, but they had just proved themselves to be excellent tacticians. It had been a long time since anyone had gotten the best of him in a one on one duel, but Mr. Potter had done so tonight, with the help of several of Fred and George's Wizard Wheezes. Moody's hair and skin had only turned back from an awfully shade of purple a few minutes ago.

"Excellent Mr. Potter." He said, admiringly, turning to the rest of the group. "I see I was right when I told Dumbledore that you seven had potential. I would never have thought to use gag items to distract my opponents." The group beamed at Moody's words. He was considered the best Auror the Ministry of Magic ever had, so his praise made them feel especially proud.