Chapter 4: Old Friends and New Challenges
Harry awoke the next morning the happiest he could remember. Life was good. He had found the love of his life, Hermione, he had just celebrated the best birthday of his life, and to top it all off, he had just become a very rich man. Yes, life was indeed good.
Waking Ron up proved to be a much more difficult task than he had at first thought.
"Ron," he said, "get up, it's time for breakfast."
Ron snorted and turned over.
"Ron," he said slightly louder, "get up, or we're going to miss breakfast."
He still got no response from Ron.
"RONALD WEASLEY, GET OUT OF THAT BED IMMEDIATELY!" roared Harry.
Ron sat up immediately. "Okay, Mum, I'm up," he said rather tiredly.
Harry burst into laughter. Ron just looked at him, and finally started laughing himself. It was just too funny. They dressed quickly to find Hermione, Ginny, and….Neville and Luna?
What are they doing here? thought Harry. Just then, Luna ran over to Ron and gave him a hug. Ron immediately turned three shades of red. The rest of the group burst into laughter. This caused Luna to blush the shade of Ron's hair, but the soon joined in the laughter.
"Hey Neville, Luna," said Harry. "What are you guys doing here?"
"I have no idea," replied Neville. "I just got this letter from Dumbledore, and he told me to come."
"Same here," said Luna. "I have no idea why I'm here."
The six then settled down to eat breakfast. They talked about their summers, what they had been doing, and life in general. Harry and Hermione revealed their relationship to the group, none of whom seemed surprised.
"I've been waiting for this since the end of third year," said Neville. "Anyone with a pair of eyes can tell that you two were meant for each other."
Harry and Hermione blushed at this, but were pleased nonetheless. The events in the Department of Mysteries were carefully skirted around, for which Harry was very pleased. He just wasn't sure whether he could talk about it yet. Eventually the conversation returned to why Luna and Neville were there. About this time, Dumbledore walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, all," said Dumbledore pleasantly. "I would imagine that you are all wondering why Luna and Neville are here. The answer is simple: training. The six of you are now at the top of Voldemort's "To Kill" list. You're actions at the Department of Mysteries at the end of last year have ensured that. Not to mention that fact that you make a rather formidable team."
They all looked at each other in amazement. They were getting trained to fight against Voldemort. They could hardly wait.
"You're trainings will be thus," said Dumbledore. "You will be getting animagus training from Tonks and Professor McGonagall. You will receive Defense training from Moody, and you will receive hand-to-hand and weapons training from Kingsley. Any questions?"
"When do we start?" they all asked in unison.
"Today, if you're willing," replied Dumbledore. "Oh, and before I forget," added Dumbledore, "I have your O.W.L. results."
The happiness Harry had been feeling left immediately, to be replaced by a feeling of complete and utter dread. Dumbledore handed each of them their results, and left immediately.
Harry took his envelope, and with trembling hands, opened it. It read:
Dear Mr. Potter:
Below are your O.W.L. results. Good luck.
Defense against the Dark Arts
Written: O
Practical: O
Overall: O
Transfiguration:
Written: A
Practical: O
Overall: E
Charms:
Written: A
Practical: E
Overall: A
Divination:
Written: P
Practical: P
Overall: P
History of Magic:
Written: P
Practical: P
Overall: P
Herbology:
Written: E
Practical: E
Overall: E
Care of Magical Creatures:
Written: O
Practical: O
Overall: O
Astronomy:
Written: A
Practical: A
Overall: A
Potions:
Written: E
Practical: E
Overall: E
Grading for O.W.L. results is as follows: O- 3 O.W.L.s, E-2 O.W.L.s A-1 O.W.L. P- 0 O.W.L.s
For your performance, you have received a total of 14 O.W.L.s. Congratulations, and good luck for your future.
Harry's heart dropped when he read his potions score. While it was really good, it wasn't good enough. Snape absolutely refused to let anyone into his N.E.W.T. potion class who had not received an "O" on their O.W.L.s, and Harry needed N.E.W.T. Potions to become an Auror.
Well, my life's dream has just gone down the toilet, he thought. Oh well, there are still plenty of other things for me to do.
"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Ron. "I got 10 O.W.L.s"
"Awesome, Ron" said Harry, less than enthusiastically. "That's great!"
"So, Harry," said Ron, "what did you get."
"Yeah," agreed everyone.
"I got fourteen," said Harry. Everyone looked impressed.
"So Hermione," asked Harry, "how badly did you shame us?"
Hermione blushed. "I got twenty."
Everyone sitting at the table gaped. 20 O.W.L.s? That was unheard of. Of course, this is Hermione, so you kind of expected it. But still, 20 O.W.L.s was unbelievable.
"I've always said you should have been in Ravenclaw," said an awestruck Luna.
Neville finally spoke up. "I only got nine," he said. "Gran is gonna have my head for this. I should have studied more, but I always get nervous during tests."
"Don't sweat it, Neville," replied Ron. "Fred and George only got three O.W.L.s a piece."
That seemed to cheer him up. "Well, gang," said Harry "I guess we'd better get to training."
The six then descended to the basement, to find McGonagall and Tonks waiting for them.
"Hey everyone!" said Tonks cheerfully.
"I assume you all know why you're here?" asked McGonagall.
They nodded their agreement.
"Well then, let's get started," said Tonks. "The first thing that you need to do is figure out what animal it is you'll become, and learn all you can about that animal. Now, close your eyes, and let your mind wander."
The six did as they were told. They closed their eyes, and tried to figure out what animal they would become. What will I be, thought Harry? It'll probably be some kind of snake, but what will it be. Suddenly, a picture flashed into his mind. It almost looked as though it was a flying snake.
"Okay," said Tonks. "Would anyone care to share their animal?"
"Sure," said Harry. "I'm not exactly sure what it is though. It looks like it's a flying snake.
Tonks and McGonagall looked at each other. McGonagall finally spoke. "Well, Harry," she said. "It appears that your animal is a drake. It's an ancient creature, very powerful. It should suit you well. Anyone else?"
Ron answered next. "I think I'm a fire crab," he said. Tonks and McGonagall looked doubly impressed. So far they had heard two very difficult animagus forms.
"I think my animal is a lioness," said Hermione. Tonks and McGonagall were beside themselves. This was a very powerful group indeed.
"I'm a treeling," said Neville.
"I'm an eagle," said Luna.
"I'm a fox," said Ginny.
Tonks and McGonagall looked at each other again. This was without a doubt the most powerful group of young wizards in the world.
"Well, well," said Tonks. "It certainly appears as though we'll have our hands full. Ok Harry, why don't you try it first?"
Harry stood in the center of everyone. "Concentrate on your animal," said McGonagall. "Imagine yourself becoming it." Harry did so. Then it started. He felt himself growing scales, and his body hardening. He felt himself elongating. Then, he suddenly fell to the ground, exhausted.
"Very good, Harry, you got pretty close," said Tonks. "Take a rest. Hermione, you're next.
Hermione stood and walked to the center. She made it about half-way through her transformation. Ron was next, followed by Ginny, then Luna, and finally Neville. They all did well, but not as well as Harry.
"Well," said McGonagall, "you all did extremely well. You all have very difficult animals, and have done very well with them. I'll see you all tomorrow, same time."
Everyone got up to leave. "I'll be right there," said Harry. He walked up to McGonagall. "Professor," he said, "I just wanted to tell you that I didn't qualify for N.E.W.T Potions, and thank you for your help." He hung his head. "I guess I just wasn't meant to be an Auror."
"Now, Potter, you're not going to give up that easily, now are you?" she asked.
Harry looked at her in surprise. "What other choice do I have?" he asked.
"I will give you tutoring in Potions so that you can take the class," she replied. "Meet me tomorrow night at 10."
Harry was ecstatic. "Thanks a lot Professor," he said, and left considerably happier. His happiness was not to last long. He entered the attic to find a scowling Moody.
"Potter, you're late. Why are you late?" he growled.
"Sorry, sir, I had to talk to Professor McGonagall about something," replied Harry.
"That's no excuse. Next time you're late, there will be consequences. Now," he said, turning to the rest of the group, "today we will be learning blocking charms. Do you know any?"
Hermione's hand shot in the air. "Yes, Ms. Granger," said Moody.
"Well, we know Protego, the reflecting shield," she said.
"That's very good. Reckon you learned that in your D.A. classes, eh?" he said.
They nodded their agreement. "Well," he said, "since you already know that one, I think it's time to teach you a new one. As you know, some curses can go through that shield. There is a more powerful one which I will teach you: Protego Media. Protego Media will stop the vast majority of curses and hexes. Split into groups and practice it."
Ron teamed with Luna, Harry with Hermione, and Neville with Luna.
"Expeliarmus!" cried Harry.
"Protego Media!" countered Hermione. The spell bounced off of her, and struck Harry, disarming him.
Harry got up and looked around. Neville and Ron were both on the ground as well. "Expeliarmus!" he roared.
Hermione countered with Protego Media. "Protego Media!" cried Harry. The spell rebounded again, striking and disarming Hermione.
"Very good, Mr. Potter," said Moody. "Look here, everyone. Harry is the first to reflect the reflected attack. A very good surprise move, Potter. Remember, Ms. Granger, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" He looked at his watch. "Well, I think that's all the time we have. Report to the cellar for weapons training with Kingsley. Good day all," he said, and with that, left them.
"Whew!" said Harry, "that was a lesson. Let's get going."
The five followed Harry down to the cellar, to find Kingsley awaiting them. "Ok, Everyone here?" he asked. They nodded. "Good. You are here for weapons and hand-to-hand training. We're not going to focus on any particular weapon, except for Harry." He pulled out Godric Gryffindor's sword. "Harry will be using this. You've seen it before, right Potter?" Harry nodded. "Okay, today we'll be practicing with the sword." He passed the Sword of Gryffindor to Harry. "Pair up."
They paired up in the same way as they had at Defense training. For the next hour, Kingsley taught them the basics of sword fighting. He taught them parries, thrusts, and other basic moves, as well as basic sword strategy. Harry seemed to be a natural with the sword. No one but Kingsley was able to get to him. After an hour of hot, sweaty, work, the group was hungry.
"Let's get to dinner," said Ron. "I'm starving!" Everyone laughed at this. They couldn't argue with him though. They were all starved. And so they all followed him into the dining room, where Mrs. Weasley had prepared yet another wonderful dinner. They all sat down and enjoyed the meal. Harry sat next to Hermione, Ron next to Luna, and Neville next to Ginny. After the delicious meal, they all went to bed, completely exhausted.