CHAPTER 13

Hermione and Ron walked up the stairs to the top room where Lupin was teaching Harry. Hermione knocked on the door softly, but Lupin still heard.

"Come in," he shouted from the other side of the door.

When they walked in, Lupin was cleaning the room up and putting away some books.

"Ah, Hermione, Ron," Lupin said. "Please, come in."

"Hello, Professor Lupin," Hermione said, walking in slowly. The room was a bit colder and darker than the other rooms in the house. It had a very eerie feeling.

"We're not at Hogwarts anymore," Lupin said chuckling. "You can drop the Professor."

Lupin waved his wand and two chairs appeared. "Please, have a seat." Hermione and Ron both sat in them. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Ron looked at Hermione to speak. She rolled her eyes and figured she might as well say this and get it out of the way.

"Professor, er, I mean, well, we were thinking that maybe we should get lessons too," Hermione said cautiously. "The same one you're giving Harry."

"Ah, yes, I knew this would happen," Lupin said with a smile. "I knew if I starting teaching Harry, you two would want to join in. Unfortunately, I can't help you there. I'm afraid, I can't teach you."

"Why not," Hermione asked. "You're the only competent Dark Art teach we had, and we're willing to learn from you."

"Well, that's flattering, but I still can't teach you," Lupin said. "You see, I went to Dumbledore before this. I had to convince him it was a good idea. Then, Dumbledore had to go to the Ministry to allow Harry to do underage magic over the summer. It was hard enough for Dumbledore to authorize Harry to do magic, but it's going to be harder to authorize another two."

"If the ministry allows two more, then, eventually, everyone would want to be able to do underage magic. The ministry is already under enormous pressure. They don't need underage witches and wizards asking to do magic."

"But we want to help Harry," Hermione said. "He can't do this alone."

"No, he can't. And he has great friends in the two of you. Which is why, I think he's going to be okay."

"Well, how are we suppose to help him if we can't fight off the dark forces," Ron asked, finally speaking up.

"I don't think you'll be needing to learn any of that magic over the summer," Lupin said with a smile.

"Then, when," Ron asked hotly. "When will we need to learn?"

"Look, you can't practice magic over the summer. But you can practice magic when you go back to Hogwarts."

Lupin gave a meaningful look to Hermione, and she understood immediately. Dumbledore was unable to allow all three of them to do magic underage, so he got the one person that could have some access. Harry is the only one the Ministry will allow to do magic because of what happened last year, with the Dementors attacking him. The ban on Harry has lifted, but stays with everyone else.

While Harry is able to do magic, Lupin will teach Harry everything that they wouldn't teach atschool. Then, when they do reach school, they can reform the D.A., and Harry can teach them all. Hermione read in the Daily Prophet that Voldermort would be wise and stay out of sight for a while. He lost a lot of his followers to Azkaban.He would have to regroup, so everyone is safe, for now. However, when they are back in school, Voldermort will be working and planning for the next attack on Harry. But hopefully, they will be able to learn more defensive and attacking magic by then.

Hermione smiled back at Lupin, but Ron still seem lost.

"Well, if you two don't mind, I have to finish cleaning the room," Lupin said opening the door for Ron and Hermione.

"But-" Ron said. But Hermione grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the room.

"Have a nice day, Professor," Hermione said cheerfully over her shoulders.

Hermione dragged Ron downstairs to the study room and locked the door behind them. When Hermione turned around, Ron was standing in the middle of the room, smiling.

"What," Hermione asked confused.

"Why did you lock the door," Ron said, his smiling getting wider.

"So no one can come in," Hermione said, walking away from the door. "What is with you? Why are you so happy about? Ten seconds ago, you were lost and confused. Don't you want to know what Lupin said?"

The smile was wiped off of Ron's face. "I know what he said. He said we can't take lessons with Harry." Ron looked disappointed.

"No, that's not what he said," Hermione said. She explained how they were able to take lessons when they go back to Hogwarts. Harry would be teaching them.

"Brilliant," Ron said, starting to look happy again.

"The only thing is, we have to make sure Harry wants to start to the D.A. again," Hermione said with a frown.

"Of course he will," Ron said. "Why wouldn't he?"

"Have you talked to Harry, lately," Hermione asked Ron. "He has been avoiding us since we got here. He won't talk to us. He won't tell us anything. He's pushing us away again. We have been seeing less and less of Harry since we came to the Order."

"What are we going to do," Ron asked. "If we push back, he'll push harder. We won't be able to get through to him."

"We have to," Hermione said. "And we will."