Disclaimer: You know the drill!

A/N: Sorry for such a long hiatus but i have been getting ready for graduation and looking for a job, not to mention the essay contest i was in. Hope you like the next installment!

Chapter 16- Back at Headquarters

"What the hell is wrong with you, Potter?" Ron yelled angrily. "You were willing to give up MY family for your own selfish needs?"

"Shut UP Ron!...would you have rathered me do nothing? You of all people, my best friend should know right now what I am capable of doing, with or without a wand. I read over one hundred books in the last week, entailing transfiguration, charms, defensive spells, hexes, curses both legal and not. They both stood a lot better of a chance with me challenging her than not do anything!"

"But-"

"But nothing Ronald Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley yelled." If he hadn't shown up, you would of probably had to see me and Ginny either disappear into nothingness or fall to the ground dead. And if anyone were to complain, it should probably be Ginny or me."

"I know" he said. "I'm sorry Harry…I should have known that you had their best interests at heart. You know…it's my family. I get protective."

"Everything's all right, mate."

Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walked out of the hall with Hermione right behind them. Though when she saw Harry, she immediately broke between them and ran to him.

SMACK!

"How dare you leave me without telling me where you were going!"

"I deserved that…I did. But you were asleep Mione and I saw it and didn't know how much time I had…" he replied she interrupted his explanation with a kiss.

"It's ok Harry…I was kidding. I am just glad that you are safe."

"Albus…" Harry began, "I think that we need to call a meeting for tomorrow night. The thing is…I don't want the minor players there. Only the ones that will be a big part of this war. And then to that list, I want you to add the Weasley twins also. I am going to need them, too."

"Consider it done, Harry. But could I ask what it's for."

"Another time tonight, maybe…"Harry stated, although DD never did ask again

Later that night, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny sat in the living room talking, mostly about Quidditch and the upcoming schoolyear, when Harry interjected:

"Listen you guys, you three are probably going to be the ones most targeted during this war, since you are my best friends and Hermione, you probably have worse being my girlfriend. That's why I want you three to start training in earnest. Look at Charms that'll be useful, along with hexes, curses, incantations. I even dug into a little of the Dark Arts when I was studying."

"Harry!" Hermione snapped

"Mione, it was only some control spells, combined with some time incantations, nothing malicious at all. I needed some of them for some spells I've been looking to create."

"CREATE!" Ron and Ginny both yelled.

"Yes, spells have to come from somewhere…"

"But isn't that hard?"

"Well, yes," Hermione interrupted, "it'll take him the better part of the year to figure out all the theory and what the wand motion will be. Incantations have to match up exactly with the translations. There are numerous variables to consider."

Ron and Ginny looked at her questionably.

"How would you know that?"

"Well there for a while we read the book about it together, so I know the basics."

When they had all realized that it was nearly two in the morning, The quickly got to bed as Harry and Hermione were going to Diagon Alley tomorrow at around 1 o'clock.

Ron and Ginny would be "visiting their great aunt Gertrude." Of course, in all actuality they'd be busy decorating for the party.

The next morning, Harry awoke as he had for most of the summer, Hermione curled up against him and feeling content. He smelled her strawberry shampoo and realized that he needed a shower. Before she could wake up and claim the bathroom for herself he slowly and carefully removed himself from her and went into the adjoined bathroom.

When he came out fifteen minutes later, in his robe, after washing, and shaving, she looked up at him with heavy eyes.

"What's wrong sweetie?"

"I woke up and you were gone. We usually cuddle a bit. I didn't know where you were."

"I am sorry. I just wanted to get the shower before you did. However much I love you, I like having hot water too. Plus, if we want to get out of here by one you might need to step it up. It is already 12:00"

"I am on it." she said throwing the sheets off and running toward the bathroom.

Harry threw on a Black pair of jeans, black shirt and a necklace he had found at the bottom of his mother's drawer. The necklace's charm was a bright green emerald that brought out his eyes.

Before he knew it, the bathroom door had opened and Hermione stood there in only a towel, her hair slicked back and a slight gleam off of her body. Harry's breath caught in his throat.

"Holy Lord of Mercy! You are gorgeous!" he explained. She blushed widely across her chest.

"What are you still doing here? I'm not stripping in front of you…at least not until tonight." she stated matter-of-factly. Harry gulped. Slowly and reluctantly, he stepped out of the room to let her dress.

He then went downstairs and grabbed a large steaming mug of Earl Grey and sat down to talk to Ron and Ginny.

"Is there anything that you two need from Diagon Alley while we are there to day?"

Since they were both still eating they just handed their lists to him and continued steaming away on their food.

"Are you sure that you don't want anything to eat Harry dear?" Molly Weasley asked him

"No thanks Molly. I'm fine."

"Rubbish eat some toast."

"If your going to make me eat, why'd you ask me?"

"I always like to give everyone a sporting chance before I get down and dirty."

When Hermione came down, luckily they didn't have time for Molly to force-feed her and they got away and flooed to Diagon Alley without another word.