A/N: I am very sorry that months have passed and I have not posted any new chapters, I truly apologize to all of you who have been following this story from the beginning, my only excuse is that my muse seems to have lost total interest on this story. I have been battling with writer's block when it comes to this story for months now, and nothing seems to snap me out of it. In fact, it has been more than a month (before HBP came out to be exact) since I've written anything new to this story and it has only been a small post (half a page in word, actually) that I added to the thread in I suppose it was bound to happen, this story is three years old and I've been struggling to write Harry's part of the story since OotP came out. That means that it has taken me 2 years to write 15 chapters and considering that I wrote all of Lily and James' story in a year, it concerns me that I was not able to finish the sixth year before HBP came out. :sigh: It took me close to a month to finish editing this chapter for you, I hope that you can forgive me for taking so long. I have only one more chapter that I'm still working on and after that, we'll see. Thank you again to all my faithful readers and welcome to all of you who are new to the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the HP world, anything you may recognize belongs to JK Rowling, secondary characters and plot are the only things that belong to me.
Chapter 15 Notes and The Forbidden Forest
Harry was distracted and thoughtful throughout the morning after Halloween, and his friends soon noticed.
"Harry?" Ron asked him as they left the Great Hall after luncheon.
"Hmm?" Asked Harry walking beside him.
Hermione had hurried to the library soon after she was done with her meal and was then to go toward Ancient Runes as Ron and Harry had a free period.
"Anything wrong?" Ron asked warily.
"Wrong? Why do you ask?" Harry seemed genuinely surprised by his friend's question that only served to confuse Ron.
"You've been preoccupied this morning." Ron said.
"Oh, just things in my mind, that's all." Said Harry with a shrug.
"Did you have bad dreams last night?" Asked Ron with some concern.
"No." Said Harry. "Now that I think on it, I don't think I've had any dreams lately."
"That's good, isn't it?" Asked Ron.
"I suppose." Harry replied.
"So what's on your mind then?" Asked Ron.
"Not much." Replied Harry.
Ron glanced warily at his friend but decided not to push him further.
"I suppose we should start working on our Transfiguration report." Ron sighed heavily. Harry knew his friend was not looking forward to spending his whole free period working on a paper that was sure to take the whole week to complete.
"It would be best. We have a lot to do." Harry said.
The two friends walked slowly through the corridors toward the library.
The library was silent and the light was dimmed. Only a few tables were occupied as other sixth years sat around working on their various papers.
Ron and Harry found an empty desk where to work from and sat to commence their research.
Harry started looking through his stack of notes to get an idea of where to begin. He noticed that Ron was doing the same.
"I don't know where to begin." Moaned Ron. "Wished Hermione didn't have Ancient Runes this period." He sighed.
"Not much good that would do us." Said Harry. "She'll not help us to write this paper, you know that."
"I know, but she's bound to have some ideas of what books we should read." Said Ron.
Harry nodded, Hermione always knew what books they should read to complete their research, even if she didn't tell them what they should write.
The boys continued reading their notes and writing ideas in a parchment until the time came to retire to their next class.
-/-/-/-/-/-/
Dinnertime was as boisterous as it usually was. Harry sat in silence eating his dinner while Ron and Hermione sat across from him whispering to each other.
"What is wrong now?" Asked Harry after noticing several glances thrown his way from his friends.
"Nothing." Said Ron quickly.
Hermione glared at him but turned an innocent look at Harry. "He just wanted to know what I was writing my Transfiguration paper on." She said unflappably.
Harry was not sure he believed them but remained silent.
"Well, what are you writing your paper on?" Asked Ron.
"I told you, I haven't decided yet, and even if I did, I'm not going to tell you." Hermione snapped as she continued with her meal.
"Oh, come on Hermione, at least give me a hint." Ron cajoled.
"No. You have to come up with the subject on your own." Hermione said. "McGonagall will know if I gave you any ideas."
Harry left them to their bickering and turned back to his meal. His mind had been preoccupied all day with what he had seen the night before, and he chided himself for letting his preoccupation show. He knew his friends were worried and wondered what had happened, and he was sure they worried it had to do with Voldemort. Yet, how was he to tell them that Voldemort had nothing to do with his preoccupation but an unknown ritual that seemed to have been of great importance.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
The rest of the week passed by for Harry. He busied himself with lessons, school work, Quidditch practice and meetings with Lupin to plan the next session for the D.A.
The training he was doing with Neville also helped to keep his mind off things; and he enjoyed them immensely, even if Neville was not the partner he would've chosen to hone his dueling with. But the training seemed to have a good effect on Neville. Harry was pleased to see Neville do better at Defense lessons, and he was quickly becoming one of the best skilled members of the D.A. His success seemed to also give Neville a higher sense of self-esteem that affected the rest of his lessons, especially Potions.
Everybody had been surprised to see Neville in Potions lessons at the beginning of the school year, and Snape made sure everybody knew of his dissatisfaction. But as the lessons with Harry continued, Neville showed great progress in Potions and Snape's malingering seemed to affect him less and less as his attention remained in his work. Harry was proud of his friend, and he was glad that he had helped somewhat.
But at the end of the night, when everything was silent and Harry lay on his bed hearing his roommates' soft breathing and snores, he could not help but return to the memory of the ritual he had witnessed. He was more curious about it as the days passed and wished there was some way to quench that curiosity.
He could not ask anybody about it, he knew. If he asked any of the professors, or Brenna herself, they were sure to know that he had seen what had happened. He could ask Hermione if she had read something like it, but she was sure to ask questions he was not keen to answer. He could look for it himself, he thought, but he didn't know where to begin to look and he was not much of a reader as his friend was.
He sighed with exasperation. The longer he thought on the subject, the more determined he became to find the answers to his questions, but how to go about it. At the end, he didn't have to wait and it was Hermione who unwittingly gave him the answer.
The weekend had arrived once more and the students were eager to rest from lessons. Breakfast had commenced and everybody seemed to be making plans for the day.
"Hermione, you should be thinking of things other than school work." Ron complained as he glanced at her notes spread before her among the plates.
"This is important." Hermione glared at Ron. "Just because you don't want to complete your work doesn't mean you should inconvenience me as well." She snapped.
Ron rolled his eyes at Harry. Harry smiled.
"What are you studying anyway?" Asked Harry curiously.
"Ancient Runes." Replied Hermione, her eyes were riveted on her notes. "I have a test coming up and I don't want to make any mistakes reading this section."
"You should've chucked that class." Ron said. "You did better than you expected in your OWLs and I don't see what this is supposed to prepare you for."
Hermione sighed in exasperation and started to pile her parchment. "It is important to understand the ancient history and legends of the magical world." She said. "And I'm sure it also helps if you want to go into research."
"What is it that you're doing there now?" Asked Harry before Ron could say anything that would antagonize their friend.
"Oh, we've been discussing this ancient legend and reading some of the early writings of it. The most interesting thing about it is that it's the only piece of its size and age ever known that has been completely written in rune." Hermione exclaimed with excitement.
"But there are a lot of rune passages." Ron said looking confused.
"Oh, they're just that, passages, they're not really long and not so old. But this piece is the oldest document ever known and that it tells this legend is astonishing." Said Hermione.
"But what's so important about this legend then?" Asked Ron.
"Well, it talks about the Lady of the Isle and a ritual performed in ancient times." Hermione said as she put her papers in her bag.
"The Lady?" Asked Harry, he remembered Hermione and Ron had mentioned that particular legend before but he couldn't remember much now.
"Yes, we spoke about it before, remember?" Said Hermione looking at her friend with exasperation. "You don't, do you?"
"Well, I remember some." Confessed Harry.
"The legend of the Lady is very ancient." Began Hermione. "According to the legend, she was the first human to have been born with magical talent. She was worshiped as the personification of the goddess by the early Druids. Her children were, of course, born with magical blood and eventually the first wizarding community was created in the island where they lived. But the island was too small and people began to disperse, thus, witches and wizards were born outside of the island. In the Dark Ages, there was a lot of anti-witchcraft sentiment, the Wizarding world went into hiding and the island is said to have disappeared. Other legends say that it's merely hidden but that it becomes visible when things are hard for the Wizarding world. It is said that it's the place where the most magical items are stored, and the Lady is its guardian."
"Yeah, I remember that." Said Harry. "But is that what this paper is about?"
"Well, yes and no." Hermione said.
"How could it be yes and no?" Asked Ron.
"Well, the document is about the Lady, but it talks about a ritual that usually took place once in many decades." Hermione explained.
"And what's so important about it." Ron asked even though his attention seemed to be more on his food than in Hermione's explanation.
"Well, the ritual was supposed to be very rare and it signified a sort of transition. Nobody really knows what the purpose of the ritual meant, we can only theorize from the little that is mentioned. But we do know that the ritual in itself had great significance." Hermione was saying. "It could only take place on especial nights, you see. The stars had to be aligned in a specific way during a new moon, and that is very rare, it can only happen every twenty years or so. The Lady is supposed to go to this sacred pool, the location is not specified, and a sort of dancing or chanting is done. Well, I haven't really finished translating the piece but from what I can gather, only the Lady and her priestesses are to be present and some sort of power transfer takes place."
Harry was surprised by the similarities between Hermione's explanation and the ritual he had witnessed the other night. Was this purely coincidence or had he witnessed something that was thought of as only a legend?
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
That thought followed Harry through most of the day. It wasn't until he was in bed that night that he allowed himself to think about what Hermione had told them that morning.
He had remembered a little of the legend of The Lady. And now this. What was it supposed to mean?
Harry was curious, but also worried that something was going to happen and he had no control over it.
He felt things were coming to a head, and he didn't know what he was supposed to do about it. He had this nagging feeling since the beginning of the summer that soon things would not be as they had been.
Sirius' death and the revelations of the prophecy and of his family's inheritance had kept him distracted, but now he was noticing things.
The teachers seemed to be warily keeping an eye on the students. Filch was seen to keep constant vigilance in the halls, more so than in the past. And people were more concerned about safety than ever before.
The D.A. meetings had continued for the past two months and in each meeting they had seen new faces joining. At the beginning, it was mostly fifth, sixth and seventh years. He had thought that the reason fifth and seventh years had joined in large numbers was because of the O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S that they had to pass at the end of the year. Most of the sixth years had been those who had joined the previous years. But in the last meetings many younger students had also joined and much to his surprise, quite a few were from Slytherin. Because of the number of students that now belonged to the club, Professor Lupin and Harry had decided to divide the club into groups according to their Defense level.
Harry and Professor Lupin were in charge of the Advance Level, and they met in the Room of Requirement. Professor Holmes had volunteered to help, and along with Hermione and Ron, was in charge of the Intermediate level, which met in the Defense classroom. Much to everyone's surprise, Harry had paired Neville with Ginny to lead the Beginning Level.
Neville had been nervous but pleased that Harry had given him that responsibility. Everybody had something to say on the matter, but Harry had been adamant that he wanted Neville to be part of the leading group that everybody had just remained silent on the matter. But Neville seemed to want to show everybody, especially Harry, that he could do it, and worked hard with his group to catch up with the rest of the club. And much to his joy, as well as Harry's, it seemed to be working, as many of the young students were turning to be quite adept in Defense Class.
Harry was only too happy to allow Neville the chance to show his newfound talent to the world. Their secret training continued to take place but with less regularity, as Harry seemed to think that Neville's skills were up to par with the rest of his friends'.
Harry closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened up his eyes once more, he was surprised to note the bright rays of the sun flow through the almost empty dormitory.
He rubbed his eyes and reached for his glasses.
"I was about to wake you." Ron said as he sat on his own bed tying his shoes on.
"What time is it?" Asked Harry as he looked around the room. Only Ron and himself were left. Neville, Seamus and Dean weren't anywhere in sight.
"Ten." Said Ron. "If we hurry, we can still get some breakfast."
Harry yawned but left his bed in a hurry as he ran to the bathroom. He had a long day ahead and he would need his breakfast to get through the day.
It didn't take long for him to get ready and the two young men were just in time to get their breakfast before it disappeared from the Great Hall tables.
Harry had just started his meal when the owls flew into the hall. The volley of owls swooped toward their masters as they delivered packages, letters, and newspapers.
Harry wasn't surprised to see Hedwig fly toward them. Ever since the beginning of term, Hedwig had been a constant messenger, Mrs. Nichols sent packages full of Otty's pastries and forwarded notes from his solicitor and estate manager relaying the latest news in estate management. Thus, he was not surprised to see a message from Mrs. Nichols being delivered by his faithful owl.
He was however, surprised by the message.
His friends had noticed his abstraction and were quick to question him.
"Anything wrong, Harry?" Asked Hermione putting away the book she had been reading during breakfast.
"Bad News?" Ron glanced at the note in his friend's hand warily.
"No. Just a note from Mrs. Nichols." Harry said with a sigh. "She says that Dumbledore thinks it would be better if we spend the holidays in the town house instead of the Manor."
"And you don't want to go?" Asked Hermione curiously.
"It's not that. I've never seen the town house, so I don't know if I prefer it instead of the Manor." Harry explained. "It seems rather redundant that she asks me for orders when Dumbledore already said what should be done."
"Well, I suppose she just wants to know what you wish to do. After all, you are her employer, not Dumbledore." Said Hermione.
"Perhaps, but if he thinks that it would be safer in town than at the Manor, why ask if we want to do otherwise? If it's safer, it's safer. We should go to the London House." Said Harry, putting the note aside.
"And I suppose at one time or another you would've seen it anyways, so why not go now?" Said Hermione with a shrug as she turned back to her book.
"Where is the house?" Asked Ron with curiosity.
"Rowe Square, I think." Harry frowned. He could not remember the exact location of all the properties belonging to his estate. They were not many, but as he had only been in the Manor, he tended to disregard the rest. But there was one that easily took hold of his imagination. The cottage in Godric's Hollow was still part of the Potter estate that he had inherited from his father. He had known about the cottage since Hagrid had given him his letter on his eleventh birthday. But he had never been curious about it until he found out about his inheritance. The solicitor had said that the cottage had been rebuilt after the attack that resulted in his parents' death and his survival, which resulted in his original popularity.
"Mum always said that Rowe Square was the wealthiest neighborhood in the Wizarding World." Said Ron, snapping Harry from his thoughts. "The best and most expensive hotel is there, as well as the Diplomatic Entrance to the Ministry."
"I don't remember what Mr. Nicholei said about it. I must confess that I didn't pay much attention to the specifics when we spoke about it." Said Harry.
"If you spend the holidays at the London house, does that mean that everybody will move to it?" Asked Ron.
"I suppose. Your mum and dad are my guardians after all. You don't want to go the London House?" Asked Harry looking at his friend.
"It's fine with me. I could do with a change." Said Ron with a smile. "And dad doesn't have to go far for work."
"What about you, Hermione? Do you want to spend the holidays with us?" Harry asked turning to her.
"I'll have to ask my parents." She said. "I spent the summer with you, after all, they might want me to spend the holidays with them."
"Why don't you all come?" Harry asked.
"Are you sure?" Asked Hermione, putting her book aside once more. "Won't it be any trouble?"
"I don't think so." Said Harry, happy to know that he could invite his friends and their families to spend Christmas with him, without worrying that the Dursleys would have anything to say about it. "I'm sure there's enough room in the house, and Mrs. Nichols would take care of it. Would your parents mind Ron? If we ask the Grangers to stay with us?"
"I don't think so. I know dad would enjoy having Muggles with us." He said with a cheery smile. "He is, after all, the Head of the new Muggle Relations Department."
"I'll owl them and ask." Said Hermione. "But I can't guarantee that they'll agree."
"Just ask." Said Harry. "We'll see what happens after."
Hermione nodded and turned back to her book.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Asked Ron looking morosely into his plate. "The holidays coming near, I mean."
"What?" Asked Harry having found a new interest in his food at the thought of having friends with him over the holidays.
"Exams are coming up. Loads of work and things to do." Ron sighed.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
The day was as busy as Harry had expected it to be.
After breakfast, Harry, Ron and Ginny were joined be the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in the Quidditch Pitch for their weekend practice. They had a game the next week to prepare for and they needed to win in order to remain in the first place with a guaranteed place in the finals.
After a strenuous training session, Harry led his team back to the castle for a quick clean up to be followed by a light luncheon.
Hermione waited for Harry and Ron in the common room after their trek back from the Pitch
"Okay, I'm ready for lunch." Said Ron as he and Harry returned to the common room from their dormitory.
"Ginny said to wait for her." Hermione said when they joined her.
"That's fine. I can do with a little rest." Harry said with a sigh and flopping into one of the chairs nearby.
"I gather it was a good session." Said Hermione as she watched Ron fall heavily into the seat next to Harry.
"Yeah." Sighed Ron. "If we don't win the cup, it is because we were cheated out of it."
Ginny came tumbling down the stairs.
"Oh, good. I thought you might leave without me." She said as she spied them.
"Why would we do that? You wanted us to wait for you." Said Ron.
"Yes, but when have you ever done something I wanted you to do." Complained Ginny.
"Always." Replied Ron. "If you wanted to play tea party with our toys, we had to give them to you. If you wanted mashed potatoes for dinner, we had mashed potatoes. Mum always made us do whatever you wanted to do. You are the baby." He smiled wryly. "I think you were spoiled."
"That's not true." Exclaimed Ginny.
"Yes it is."
"No, it's not."
"Let's just go to lunch, and then you can decide who is right, and who isn't." Interrupted Harry, knowing full well that this argument could be a long one if he let it continue.
The siblings nodded but glared at each other as they followed Harry and Hermione out of the common room.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Luncheon was the usual boisterous time of day, especially with Ginny and Ron bickering with each other across the table.
A D.A. session was to take place after luncheon, one that Harry was really looking forward to.
"I have to meet Professor Lupin." Announced Harry as he hurried through his meal. "There are some things to prepare for today's D.A. session."
"You still haven't told us why you wanted all the teams to meet here in the Great Hall." Ron said.
"You'll see." Harry said after gulping down his pumpkin juice. After he finished, he hurried out of the Hall.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
He knew his friends and the rest of the D.A. members were curious about that day's training session. He and Professor Lupin had planned a special session and he was eager to see if everything was in readiness.
Professor Lupin was waiting for him in his office.
"Ah! Is it time then?" Lupin asked the moment Harry opened his door.
"Lunch is almost over." Harry replied.
Lupin nodded. "Professor Dumbledore had allowed us to use part of the Forbidden Forest for this session." He said. "But the rest is still out of limits. Wards have been erected around the perimeter to alert us if anybody steps out of the area. Hagrid and Madam Hooch will keep a look out. Professors McGonagall, Holmes, Sprout and Flitwick will help us inside.
"Everything is ready then?" Harry asked with banked excitement.
"As ready as we can be." Smiled Lupin.
"This is going to be great." Exclaimed Harry.
Lupin laughed at his excitement.
Soon, both were walking down the corridors toward the Great Hall. As they got near, they could hear the sound of excited voices beyond the door.
Harry was happy to note that everybody in the D.A. was present. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville had divided the students into their respective groups and they all waited patiently for Harry and Lupin to join them.
Professors McGonagall, Holmes, Sprout and – to Harry's surprise – Dumbledore, stood waiting by the staff table. Hagrid and Madam Hooch were standing by the doors. Madam Hooch had her broom in her hand.
"Okay, listen up!" Said Harry as he and Lupin stood before the large group. "We have an especial session this afternoon, so you better pay attention to what is going to happen." He then turned to Lupin. "You better explain."
"If you wish." Said Lupin quietly before turning to look at the curious sea of students waiting before them. "We are going to train in the Forbidden Forest."
This statement surprised everyone and a roaring of exclamations were heard across the hall.
"Silence!" Yelled Harry. "You need to pay attention if we don't want anybody getting hurt in this."
This warning made many of the younger students to look apprehensively to their leaders, while the rest remained curious.
"I think we should go down to the Forest, it would be easier to explain from there." Said Lupin. "Everybody take out your wand. Any books, or bookbags leave them behind, the elves will take them back to your dorms later."
There were a few moments of confusion while everybody took their wand from their pockets or placed their bags against one of the walls.
"Everybody line up within your groups. Leaders, please make sure that you have all your people." Ordered Harry as everybody scrambled to find their groups.
Lupin and Harry led the club through the entrance hall and out to the school grounds. Madam Hooch and Hagrid walked quickly before them toward the Forbidden Forest.
Harry was aware of the curious glances and the chattering among the members of the club. And he knew that Ron and Hermione were among those curious to see what their training session would entail.
Professor Holmes and Dumbledore walked beside the group talking, while Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall brought up the rear.
Lupin led them all into the Forest. It was silent and dark, and Harry could see that some of the younger students huddled with others as they looked around them with trepidation. He was sure that this was the first time for some of these young students to walk into the Forest. Some of the older ones just seemed curious, and he knew that most of them had been here at least once during their stay at Hogwarts. They walked into the clearing, where Professor Flitwick was waiting for them.
"Please for a circle around this clearing." Lupin ordered. "I want everybody to listen carefully. Stay within your groups, don't get separated."
Harry could see the group leaders, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville take this warning seriously as they looked among their groups to make sure they had everybody. The Advanced group, which was usually led by Harry and Lupin, was today under Ernie and Hanna's charge, who were only too happy to lead this group when Harry asked them to.
"We are having a practical session today. It is all right to practice defensive techniques under observed situations, but it isn't until you have to put them in practice that we each know how well we can protect ourselves." Lupin said as the group turned silent and they were all looking expectantly to begin. "For this purpose, we have set up this session. The professors here have agreed to help and Professor Dumbledore himself has given us especial permission to use the Forest for this training."
The students turned to look at the professors with mounting excitement. What kind of training session was this that required especial permission from the Headmaster and the presence of some of the professors to help?
"We're going to divide you into teams." Lupin was explaining. "Each team will have three members of each level. Three member from the Advanced group, three from the Intermediate group, and three from the Beginning group. There will be a total of six different teams. Each team will need to wear one of these." Lupin held up six strips of ribbon of different color. "Beyond these trees." He pointed to the trees around them. It's a maze of sorts." The students turned to look at the trees with interest. "There are three different mazes, each with two entrances. Two groups will enter each maze from different entrances. Along the way, you will meet. You are adversaries, you must use all the spells and jinxes you have come to learn in training to gain the upper hand against each other. The group that comes out first from each maze will win this round."
Some of the older students looked at each other with gleeful smiles. Many, especially those in the Advanced group, had been asking for some sort of exercise that would allow them to use many of the skills they had learned through the training.
"The professors, Harry and I will walk among the mazes and keep an eye out for you. If anybody is hurt or cannot continue on, just point your wand up to the sky and shoot red sparks. Everybody take out your wand and try it once." The students pointed their wands above their heads and red sparks shot out of them. "Good. Madam Pomfrey is standing by in the Hospital wing in case we need her. You can use any of the incantations you have learned and practiced in our sessions, any spell that may cause serious damage and has not been used in our lessons may result in you being expelled from the club and lose you house points with a week long detention."
Professor McGonagall looked warningly to the Gryffindors and they were sure that their Head of House was more than ready to make sure to punish anyone who would step out of bounds.
"There are parts of the Forest that are still out of bounds. Wards have been placed around the mazes that will let us know if anybody has stepped out of them. Hagrid and Madam Hooch will keep guard in case that happens." Hagrid and Madam Hooch nodded their heads as the students turned a wary look their way. "Just stay with your team. You must not leave anybody behind, unless he or she has been taken out of the maze by on of the professors."
Harry watched as Hagrid and Madam Hooch walked into the trees. He knew they were gone to take their posts. Professors Holmes, McGonagall, Sprout and Flitwick also walked into the Forest, only Professor Dumbledore remained behind.
"We're going to divide you into teams now." Lupin said.
He conjured a small table in the middle of the clearing, where several strips of ribbon appeared, grouped by different colors.
Lupin and Harry walked among the students dividing them into teams. Once each team was formed, they were directed to the middle table to choose a color for their team. Each ribbon was tied around one arm, distinguishing the members of each team.
"Choose a leader in your team." Ordered Lupin as each student looked around to see who was in the other groups. "The person chosen will be in charge of each member of the team. You have to make sure that the group stays together and they survive each battle against he rival team. I also have to warn you. There are some creatures in there that you have to get past by. Hagrid lend us some of his pets for this session."
This warning caused many to look more apprehensive about the exercise, while others looked eager to start.
"Look around the trees." Harry ordered. "You will find a set of trees with ribbons tied around them. Find the ones that match the color of the ribbon you wear."
Each group scrambled to find the trees with the ribbons matching their own. Once they found them, they lined up next to them.
"Okay. That's your entrance to the maze. We'll see you at the end." Harry said and each team hurried through the trees and lost themselves into the thick forest.
"I see you have everything in hand." Said Dumbledore as the last group walked out of the clearing and into the forest.
"It will help us to see how much they've learned." Lupin replied.
Dumbledore nodded. "It is a good idea. As you said earlier, sometimes, only in battle we know how much we know to defend ourselves."
With a smile to Harry and a nod to Lupin, Dumbledore walked out of the clearing and toward the castle.
"Shall we go in then?" Asked Lupin looking at his young apprentice.
"Oh, yes." Exclaimed Harry, and together, they walked into the maze.
-/-/-/--/-/-/-/
The exercise took most of the afternoon. By the time all six teams were out of the mazes, dinner had started and all the members of the club had to hurry to the Great Hall to make sure they could at least eat something before going to bed.
Harry stayed behind with Professor Lupin to gather anything that may have been left behind.
"It went well, I think." Said Lupin as they walked back to the castle.
"I think so." Harry said. "They seemed to like it."
"I'm just glad there were no major injuries." Lupin sighed with relief. "I don't think Madam Pomfrey would have liked it."
"Yeah, a bloody nose is not too bad." Said Harry.
The Great Hall was almost empty by the time they arrived to the castle. Only a few students stayed behind, but it was clear that the food platters had been already taken away.
"I'm sorry you missed your dinner." Said Lupin looking down at Harry.
"That's alright. I'm sure I can get something from the kitchens." Harry said with a shrug. "I should go to the Tower, I think I'll take a quick shower."
"Yes. See you in class then." Said Lupin.
Harry hurried through the corridors toward the Gryffindor Tower. He knew he didn't need to worry about his dinner, Lotty would have something set aside and waiting for him in the dorm. The elf was really good about taking care of his needs. He waved aside the calls from others as he hurried. Most were D.A. members who were also on their way to their dormitories to wash away the dirt they may have collected during their exercise.
He arrived to the portrait of the Fat Lady only to find a group of Gryffindors lined up waiting to go in.
"Hey, Harry." Neville called from the front of the queue. "Come up here."
Nobody complained as Neville made room for Harry in the line. "We made it just in time for a quick meal. Did you get a chance to get something to eat?"
"No, but Lotty will have something ready for me." Harry said.
"Yeah, grandma always said that personal elves were dead useful." Neville said.
"Yeah, well, I've never had a personal elf until this past summer." Said Harry as he climbed into the portrait hole and into the common room.
The common room was not as full as it usually was on the weekends, he climbed up the stairs to his dormitory, closely followed by Neville who was excitedly talking about the D.A. session and the success of his team to finish the maze before their rivals.
Ron and Seamus were already in the dormitory when they entered.
"Dean is in the bathroom." Said Seamus when asked about their remaining roommate.
"Lotty left a plate by your bed for you, Harry." Ron said as he changed into his pajamas. "I told him he didn't have to wait for you."
"That's fine. I still haven't gotten used to him waiting here for me." Harry said, walking to his bed and finding a plate by his bedside table.
He ate while the others finished washing and dressing. Once he had eaten his fill he made his way to the bathroom.
His friends were still talking about the D.A. session after he stepped out of the bathroom.
"She's not too happy, let me tell you." Laughed Ron.
"Well, they did lose a lot of ground after that second battle." Said Neville.
"Hey, Harry. When are we having the next round of tonight's session?" Asked Dean as Harry closed the bathroom door behind him.
"After the holidays." Said Harry fighting a yawn from escaping.
"But we still have a couple of weeks before we have exams." Said Seamus. "Couldn't we have it before?"
"It takes some time to prepare it all." Said Harry. "It would still be a little time after our return before we can set up the next round of tonight's session."
"Well, I suppose." Seamus groaned. "But it was great. You should've seen us, Harry. The other team didn't have a chance against us."
Harry smiled. It seemed that their training session had been a great success, he could only hope that they would be ready for the next round.
He fell asleep before the others did. He could still hear their excited whispers as his eyelids fell heavily in sleep.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Harry spent the rest of the week evading questions from the members of the D.A. They all wanted to know when the next training session would be and if they would continue with the session they had started that last week. He had to tell them that even though they would continue with the D.A. sessions before they left for the Christmas break they would not have another one like they did the last week until after their return. Most were disappointed but followed his lead.
It wasn't until some days after the training session in the forest that he noticed Hermione's cold reaction to Ron and others.
"What's wrong?" Asked Harry one night at dinner after he noticed Hermione ignore Ron's request for the salt.
"Nothing." She said, nibbling on a piece of bread.
Ron snorted from Harry's other side.
Hermione frowned but didn't turn to look his way.
"She's still miffed because my team beat hers in the last session." Replied Ron.
Hermione sniffed angrily at Harry's side.
Harry smiled and turned to look at Hermione.
"I don't see why that should anger you. I thought you were a good sport." Harry told her as he turned his attention back to his food.
Hermione nodded her head grudgingly but didn't respond.
"It's galling, that's all." She finally said. "I don't like the thought of the likes of Seamus and Luna to be able to beat my team. Now we won't be able to take part of the next part of the session."
"We'll have other training session like it." Harry said with a shrug.
"Oh, will we?" Hermione asked with interest.
"We might. I haven't spoken to Lupin about it yet, but I don't think it would be a problem if we want to." Harry replied.
"At any rate, we should start turning our minds to the tests coming up." Said Hermione choosing a couple of small cake pieces from one of the dessert platters.
"Hermione, we still have four more weeks until the tests." Said Ron, who had been listening to his friends' conversation in silence.
"For your information, we only have three weeks and a half." Replied Hermione. "I don't know why I haven't started with my reviewing yet. I've just had so many things in my mind lately."
"We only have three weeks?" Asked Harry with surprise. "I thought we still had more time left." He sighed resignedly. "Snape is just going to make our lives miserable for the next couple of weeks."
"Not to mention McGonagall, Flitwick and all the others." Groaned Ron.
"Oh, honestly. You should be used to all this by now." Hermione said. "It's our sixth year here, not our first."
"Our first what?" Asked Ginny as she sat across the table from her brother.
"Never you mind. Where have you been?" Asked Ron as he noticed his sister flushed countenance and rapid breathing.
"With Hagrid. I told him during lessons that I would help him round up the nifflers we've been working with and I forgot the time. I came running all the way from his cottage. I didn't want to miss dinner." She said as she started to pile food into her plate. "He offered to make dinner for me, but I decided I rather run here."
Ron snorted with laughter. "Anybody would rather run than have any of Hagrid's food."
"Oh, he's not that bad." Said Hermione.
"Hermione, you've tasted his food, it is bad." Harry said.
"Well, maybe. But some of his food must be good. He would starve otherwise." Hermione replied.
"He has no taste buds left." Said Ron. "He's so used to his own food, he doesn't know how it's supposed to taste. And even if he did, he has most of his meals at the Staff Table along with the rest of the professors."
The students had started to disperse. Harry, Ron and Hermione stayed to keep Ginny company as their fellow Gryffindors started to leave the table.
It wasn't long until the foursome left the Great Hall and started to make their way to the Gryffindor Tower.
The Gryffindor Common Room was full as many students struggled to finish their work for the next day's lessons. Ron, Harry and Hermione took over one of the remaining tables to finish their own work, while Ginny joined her friends sitting at another table.
"Hermione, let me borrow your Potions notes." Ron pleaded after taking a look at his own notes.
"What happen to yours?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"I can't read them." Growled Ron.
"What do you mean you can't read them?" Snapped Hermione and snatched Ron's parchment from his hand.
Ron protested but didn't snatch them back.
Hermione took a quick look at Ron's notes and with a lift of her brow turned to look at him.
"What did you do to them?" She asked.
"I don't know, maybe my bag got damp or something." Ron said with a shrug of his shoulders.
Harry looked over at his friends and noticed that the ink on Ron's parchment had smeared, making his notes unreadable.
"Alright, you can borrow mine. But you should be more careful with your things." Hermione said, passing her notes to Ron.
"Thanks." Said Ron and with a cocky smile at Harry – one that Hermione missed as she was pulling her books from her own bag – he turned his attention to his work.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
N/A: Here you go, my latest completed chapter. As I said before, I only have one more new chapter that I have yet to complete and then edit. As those of you who may be following it on know, I have not able to add anything new yet in quite a while. I'll post it, as I don't want to leave this story as it is. But after that, I'm thinking on putting this story on hold and take a look back, maybe then I can get back on track and finally finish this story. As it's plain to see, this story has been AU, specially since HBP came out. Maybe as I read back I'll make some editions and I can incorporate some HBP facts to make it more close to the books as it once was. Again, I want to thank you all for staying with this story, and for being so patient with me.
Alexa aka Lady of the Lake