Chapter 5
To an outsider, their relationship would almost certainly appear strange, and would most likely be described incorrectly, either in unfounded crude terms, or as Potter and his groupies. Neither assessment would be accurate or even close to the truth.
There was no hero worship in the group. If anything, it was Harry who woke up each morning thinking that he had somehow been placed in the company of angels. While the four had come up with the spoken/unspoken agreement that none of them were ready to have sex, that didn't preclude them from becoming very familiar with each other. Over time they learned how to give each other love, pleasure and comfort. They were in every sense of the word intimate, and in love – caring, kindness, affection, placing other's needs first, and they were highly committed. They were committed both to each other and to their common cause. As Dumbledore had noticed, together they were much more than the sum of their individual selves.
Harry woke early on Sunday, and carefully tried to untangle himself from their gentle, yet hungry grasp. They were going to help the Grangers move back into their own home today. They had found a wonderful housewarming gift for Dan and Emma. It was a painting of Hogwarts that had been charmed so a designated person (Hermione) would be a part of the painting – inconspicuously painted into the background so it was appropriate in non-magical homes. If the person was on the castle grounds, they would be in the picture. Better yet, the painting could be magically sized and shaded to fit into almost any room or decor. Susan and Ginny had also taken a number of photos of Hermione alone and with the others, both in magical and nonmagical settings so her parents would have things to display on their new walls. Susan also had taken some of them together at Harry's home.
They arrived at Harry's home at eight. Winky had prepared breakfast for them. Molly, Arthur, Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Tonks, Dan and Emma were already there waiting for them.
Hermione immediately noticed the odd looks that they received when they walked into the back door. Charlie said, "Harry, we're undecided whether to bow down at your feet, or slap you on the side of the head. What the ef were you doing battling a hundred dementors and twenty Death Eaters?"
Before Harry could say a word Molly piped in, "Why can't you children leave these things to the Aurors or the Order? You have no business getting involved in…"
Ginny wasn't going to stand another word of this. "Mum, we love you dearly, but you don't have a clue what you're talking about." Charlie was about to say something, but one glance from her, and those thoughts withered away. "The dementors were using the Aurors to wipe their feet with. Hermione and I hit most of those Death Eaters, while Susan and Harry killed, yes I said killed sixteen of those hellish creatures. The only person there from the Order was unconscious ten seconds after the fighting started."
The lithe redhead was just getting started, "I suppose you wanted Harry, Susan and Hermione to walk away from the Three Broomsticks while it was burning up like our home did was except that the pub had 250 people in it! The building had collapsed from the fire by the time Professor Dumbledore had arrived." Molly shuddered at the thought. There were tears in her eyes.
Bill, who had more sense than most, could feel the magical energy that this very pissed off young witch was building up. He calmly walked up to her, and gave her a hug and kiss. "Come on, Sis, let' go outside for a minute. I need to ask you something. Miraculously she went with her brother, and the others had the good sense to stand down.
Hermione took a look at the Daily Prophet that was on the table. With the exception of the omission of the killing of the dementors, it was quite accurate. Seamus, Madam Rosmerta, another shopkeeper, Director Bones and Dumbledore were quoted. Rita had written a very good article. Hermione said, "The newspaper is basically correct. About 350 students were there for a Hogsmeade visit. The four of us, along with Remus, Kingsley and another Auror were asked to keep an eye on the students. Harry saw the dementors and shouted that everyone should get inside. Everyone who could cast a Patronus charm helped in some way. Somehow by using their staffs together, Harry and Susan were able to create strong enough forms to kill a few of the dementors. We weren't looking for trouble. It found us, and we reacted to it as well as we could. Can we please start this visit over? Mum, Dad, I'm really happy to see you both today. We all missed you guys so much."
Between Ginny's rage and Hermione's cool logic, everyone had found an answer that they were OK with and the subject was dropped. Arthur had arranged to have two of the old fashioned ministry touring cars available to take everyone to Crawley where the Grangers lived. They arrived just before the delivery lorry.
Dan and Emma's new home was beautiful. It had a brick and fieldstone outside, a tiled roof, and a lot of large glass windows. Harry noticed that there were quite a few yard lights, and motion sensors around the grounds. The inside of the home was understated elegance. The floors were slate or hardwood with a light oak finish. The walls were either plaster and lathe or brick. Harry noticed that the windows were quite thick and appeared to be reinforced Plexiglas.
Officially, the home had six bedrooms and three bathrooms. Emma told them that they would fit up four of the bedrooms and leave the other two as studies.
Once the delivery lorry had arrived, there was plenty for everyone to do. Like Harry, Dan and Emma had ordered a truckload of the basics that they would need to start their life over in their new home. There were boxes and packages for the kitchen, a DVD and CD player, TV, entertainment center, sofas, beds, bookshelves, chairs, lamps, linens, a dining room table and chairs, beds, dressers, nightstands, desks, bathroom towels, window treatments, rugs and such. As before, it was obvious that Emma had exceptional taste in decorating.
Harry and Dan worked on installing the window blinds while Bill and Charlie moved the bedroom furniture and set up the beds. Molly helped Emma unpack the kitchen, while Hermione and Ginny worked on the bathrooms and linens. Tonks and Susan disposed of the many empty packing boxes that quickly accumulated. Harry thought of Dobby and Winky at eleven and asked them for their help.
By noon, they were done moving the bigger pieces. Arthur (as expected) had volunteered to work in the family room, and had miraculously only tripped the circuit breakers once. At noon, Dobby and Winky returned with a roast turkey dinner, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and several pies for dessert. They also brought a case of butterbeer, a case of wine, and sodas for everyone.
When they were ready to eat, Emma said the table grace, thankful for receiving a second chance in life. They certainly had losses to carry, but things could have been much worse. Tears welled in Molly's eyes at Emma's words, but she was truly happy for her new friends. The Weasleys and Tonks departed after the dinner and dessert had been cleared away.
Before the teens left, Dan and Emma found Harry and pleaded with him to keep their daughter safe. "I'll keep her happy and safe. I promise," said Harry. Dan shook his hand again, while Emma hugged him for several minutes. They both thanked him again for taking them in for the summer. "It was the least I could do to help. We'll see you again in a few weeks. Thanks for letting us help you today."
Ginny reminded Harry of the housewarming gifts as they were about to leave. The castle painting was beautiful, and the two dentists loved it. Hermione transfigured the different photo frames to match the walls. They both thanked the teens again for their thoughtfulness and generosity. "Photos are important sir. Best wishes on your new home. We need to leave now."
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The D.A. meeting was interrupted when Professor Dumbledore, and the heads of houses came into Harry's classroom. Dumbledore awarded each of the students who could produce a Patronus 25 house points saying, "Well done indeed. Each of you demonstrated courage and your abilities in helping defend the other students on Saturday." Like the other Heads of Houses, Minerva was very proud of the group. True there were more Gryffindors than students from any of the other houses, but there were some Slytherins there too, as well as Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Harry and the others had truly turned this into a diverse, yet cohesive group. It was an excellent demonstration of his leadership skills.
After the meeting, Harry met with Katie and Dennis to talk about Quidditch strategy. Harry talked about the idea of floating above the game focusing on finding the snitch rather than watching the game play out. He advised Dennis against the common strategy adopted by newer seekers of following the other team's seeker for several reasons. In Harry's experience, it had never proven effective, and it was unlikely to work unless you had a lot faster broom than your opponent. There was also the likelihood of being on the short end of a feint.
Reminded of brooms, Katie pulled a small package out of her robes, and handed it to Dennis after expanding it. Dennis opened the case. It was a Firebolt just like Harry's! She told him that it was this year's presentation to the team from the Ron Weasley Memorial Quidditch fund. Dennis handed the broom to Harry to inspect. Harry looked it over, while remembering kind thoughts of his deceased his friend, and said, "Dennis, I know that Ron would be pleased to see you catching the snitch on this broom. I know you'll do well."
"Thanks Professor."
Harry smiled. "You'd better go put your broom away, Dennis. Take good care of it."
After Dennis left, Katie asked if she could come back and visit with the others. Harry got her a butterbeer and told the other witches that they had a guest. She asked them if she could possibly train with them next summer. Ginny and Hermione went into some detail as to what they had been and currently were working on. Susan told her that they were doing physical conditioning Monday – Friday from 5:30 - 6:30 and that she was welcome to try it out.
Katie agreed and left shortly afterwards. Hermione noticed that Harry hadn't really said anything to her while she was there and quietly asked him about it. Harry replied, "A year ago last summer, Sirius and I were talking about one of the Death Eater raids, and Ron happened to have been there. He was like a kid listening to a couple of Army buddies. Everything that he heard sounded glamorous to him. He sounded excited and said that he wanted to go into Auror training too. After the battle at the Department of Mysteries he was a changed person. He never mentioned wanting to be an Auror again, instead he talked about playing for the Cannons.'
Harry said, "that's my concern with Katie. Pulling someone out of a burning building might sound pretty exciting if you were in Gladrags the whole time."
Hermione nodded at her tired friend. "I understand Harry. Katie didn't sign up to go on any commando raids yet, just work out with us in the morning. I know what you meant about Ron, and I respect what you're saying. Let's give her a chance and see what happens. Maybe she's willing to risk dangerous adventures simply because she likes dancing with you." She smiled at Harry, and he laughed back at her. They could gently tease each other and never get offended.
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"Please Professor?"
He smiled at their enthusiasm "OK, if you can spark all one hundred balloons within a minute without any of you getting hit by any of the five tennis balls that I'm going to toss, then I'll show you."
As before, Harry conjured the balloons. This time they were smaller, about the size of bludgers rather than quaffles and he charmed the air, so there was a light breeze to move the balloons.
Harry looked at his watch and said, "OK, go."
Pop, pop, pop. The students as a whole were making improvements in their quickness and aim. Harry prepared to toss the first ball. He noticed that several of the students were carefully watching him rather than the balloons. Harry tossed the ball at one of the little wizards who was taking aim at a balloon.
"Duck Randy," cried one of the watcher students. In an instant, Randy was face down flat on the mat. Harry had previously shown the students how to fall and land without getting hurt. The ball sailed past him.
Pop, pop, pop. More balloons were hit. Harry picked up three balls this time to throw at the same time. He threw them. "Duck." The entire class flattened onto the mats, as the tennis balls sailed harmlessly past.
With about thirty seconds left, there were about a fourth of the balloons remaining. Harry recharmed the air to make the balloons move faster. Harry picked up his last tennis ball and threw it at the wall. It bounced and headed straight towards one of the little witches. "Hanna." She saw the ball and immediately took a side step to her right and the tennis ball narrowly missed her.
Pop, pop, pop. With ten seconds to spare, the class had sparked all of the balloons and no one had been hit. "Well done," said Harry "Good calls defense team. Good aiming offense team. Everyone dropped and landed like you should. Good sidestep Hanna."
"Quit stalling Professor," said a few of the little wizards.
So much for awing them with my fame, thought Harry. He dimmed the lights and took out his wand. Thinking of Ginny he said, "Expecto Patronum." A brilliant white stag flew from his wand and walked around the classroom for a minute until it vanished.
"Wow!!!" was the collective response from the class.
After the form had disappeared, the students began to fill their book bags. Harry said, "Thanks for helping me teach you this morning. For next week, please read chapter 10 from your book.
"Thank you Professor Potter," they each said as they filed out the door.
After the last student left, Moody came in the door and said, "Good job Potter. Show them the basics - Wand handling, casting accuracy and physical agility. None of the other Professors cover those things. Was it your idea to have them split into offensive and defensive units?"
"No. They came up with that idea on their own about a week ago. How are you?"
"I'm OK. I wish I had a fifth of the mobility of that young lass. I'd like to kick a few more Death Eaters in the arse if I still could."
"Your work here is very valuable. The DA group is doing a lot better this year than last. I'm sure that you have a lot to do with what they're learning."
"I was going to say the same, except attribute most of their success to your work, Professor Potter."
"Huh?"
Dumbledore, Flitwick and the other Heads of House walked into Harry's classroom. Moody said, "Harry, the examiners returned your NEWT scores yesterday. You certified in all three topics." Harry nodded, very pleased at the news.
Dumbledore said, "Harry, at the same time, the School Board of Governors has conferred for you the designation of Full Professorship. Congratulations." He shook Harry's hand.
Minerva said, "The first and second years talk of almost nothing but your class."
Daily said, "I hear them talk about it constantly in my classes too."
Harry said, "I'm sorry. Potions and Charms and Transfiguration are just as important."
Flitwick said, "Harry that's not the point. You've raised the teaching bar, and captured their interest. It's our challenge to have the students be as engaged in our classes as well. Congratulations."
Minerva said, "Congratulations truly are in order. We're all very proud of you." Each of the women gave him hugs.
Harry said, "Thanks, but I mostly show them how to use things that I've already learned in your classes."
Daily said, "Thank you Harry. For the most part we didn't invent the knowledge that's covered in our classes either. It is the application of what you have learned, and your ability to transfer those skills to others that makes you an excellent Instructor. We're all just trying to say keep up the good work."
"Oh. I will. You can count on me."
Dumbledore said, "We know that we can Harry. We all wish you continued success. Your friends are waiting to see you at lunch. Enjoy your day, Professor."
"Thank you all, for everything."
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