Early the next morning the 5 Gryffindors reassembled in the common room to finish their homework from the previous night. They spent the hour before breakfast finishing up and Hermione as usual reviewed and critiqued their work and included Neville and Ginny work among her judgmental analysis.
At lunchtime, Professor McGonagall walked up to the Gryffindor table, which took them by surprise.
"After much consideration and deliberation, I have made my choice for new captain of the Quidditch Team. Mr. Weasley? Are up to the task?"
Ron sat there with his mouth open.
"I mustn't have heard you right Professor. Did you just ask me to be the captain of the Quidditch Team?"
"Perhaps you should have your ears checked Mr. Weasley. You seem to have something wrong with them. Yes I did ask if you were interested in the position. Your skills at strategy are well known, your passion for the game is legendary and I believe you are the best person for the job."
"But what about Harry? He's been on the team longer than I have. Shouldn't he be the captain?"
"Harry is good at quite a lot of things Mr. Weasley, but you out perform him in this area. Being on the team longer doesn't necessarily mean knowing Quidditch inside and out. However, if you feel that you are not up to the task…"
"No Professor!" He almost shouted. "I'd be honoured to be the captain."
"Very well Mr. Weasley." She smiled. "I think you should start practices as soon as possible. I look forward to keeping that cup on my mantle. Good day to you!"
Ron sat stunned for a few moments before the cheers of his best friends erupted.
"Well done mate!" Said Harry beaming at him. "Brilliant, you'll be just brilliant!"
"Oh Ron, I'm so happy for you." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek at which he blushed.
"Fantastic Ron. All those years of chess playing have finally paid off." Said Ginny.
The rest of his house all got up to congratulate him. It was one of the best days he had ever had with the exception of last night. He was euphoric and couldn't stop grinning.
The rest of the day passed quickly and at 5 p.m., the 6 ADA members met Professor Snape outside the Room of Requirement. They showed him their positions in the room and then their bond of friendship that formed a magical link to one another.
"Very interesting." Professor Snape said at last. "Do any of you know what that is that the 6 of you have just created? Miss Granger? Any ideas?"
But it was Luna who piped up.
"A weapon sir?"
"Well done Miss Lovegood. 25 points to Ravenclaw."
Everyone turned to Luna shocked.
"A weapon?" Stammered Ron.
"Yes indeed. This hasn't happened in over a century. And it seems that the power of you 6 is just beginning to manifest itself. I believe that you will have to find out where you powers lie and how to use them as a tool. But I will have to consult with Professor Dumbledore and a few other people. You are dismissed."
The seven left the room. Professor Snape headed for Professor Dumbledore's office and the students went down to the Great Hall for dinner.
"How did you know Luna?" Asked Neville.
She shrugged her shoulders. "It was just a feeling I had. Something I've been thinking about since it happened the first time. It was like it was meant to be."
The others silently agreed with her.
"Well I think we should…" Started Hermione.
"Head to the library after supper and research this." Echoed Ron and Harry laughing.
"I wish you wouldn't do that." Hermione said frustrated.
"But we know you too well Hermione." Said Ron reaching for her hand as they reached the Great Hall. "It's just too easy." They strolled hand in hand through the Great Hall oblivious to the sniggering and catcalls going on around them.
"Well Ron, you certainly have given me a lot of ammunition these last few days. You'd better be nice to me or I'll have to owl Fred and George and tell them you've got a girlfriend." Ginny said mischievously.
Ron paled. "You wouldn't dare!"
Ginny just laughed and Ron disengaged his hand from Hermione's and placed both of them on his face and mumbled, 'I must be mental.'
"Don't be silly Ron. Ginny wouldn't do that to you for something small. You'd really have to screw up for her to do that." She gave him a reassuring smile.
The rest of their free time that week was spent either studying or researching in the library. It was Friday evening before they knew it.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was indeed a worthwhile class to attend nowadays. Professor Dumbledore taught an interesting and educational class.
Professor Dumbledore had given Harry two weeks leeway to start u p the D. A. and it gave Harry time to start thinking up lesson plans. Harry had Occlumency lessons Tuesday's and Fridays at 3:30 with Professor Dumbledore. He was told to say that these classes were Advanced Defense if anyone asked.
In his first lesson for Occlumency, Professor Dumbledore asked Harry about his plans for the first D. A. meeting.
"Well, I think I'll do a review for the 1st week. I think that all the newcomers should start right at the beginning. I guess for them, I'll follow last years lessons."
"Excellent idea Harry. Perhaps you should hold 2 classes a week. I'll set aside Sunday's and Wednesday evenings for classes. I'll ask that no Quidditch practices or matches will interfere with that schedule."
"Thanks Professor, that was always a bit of a stumbling block for trying to set up meetings last year and that was with 3 house members instead of 4."
"All of the Order Members are at your disposal Harry. They've all agreed to help out if you wish."
"That's great Professor. I will take them up on their offer when I get through the basics and the refresher."
"Now, down to business. I think we'll start by un-cluttering our mind. Let us store our thoughts in our respective pensive shall we?"
Harry pulled his thoughts from his mind and placed them in his pensive. Professor Dumbledore did the same to his.
"Now, I think we'll pull up some cushions on the floor and make ourselves comfortable. I want you to close yours eyes and take deep slow breaths. That's it. Clear your mind of clutter."
Harry began to relax. He found himself drifting off to emptiness until the Professor's voice pulled him back.
"Now, I want you to think of a large brick wall. Envision yourself building it brick by brick. You are trying to keep something out and something in. You must protect yourself. And you must do it quickly. Think of the wall being built very fast as if magically mad. Nothing can enter and, nothing can leave. Concentrate on that wall. Don't let it fall. Don't let it crumble. Focus on the solidness of it."
Harry sat for what seemed like minutes. When Professor Dumbledore told him he could let down the wall, Harry was surprised to see the time. He had been holding up the wall in his mind for well over and hour.
"Well done Harry. That was most impressive for your first lesson. For homework, I want you to meditate for 30 minutes every other evening. Concentrate on the wall and maintaining its integrity. And that's the lesson for today."
Harry collected his thoughts from his pensive, stored it in his rucksack and was about to head off to dinner. He felt exhausted and hungry as if he'd been doing physical exercise.
"Well that seemed to be a productive lesson." Harry said somewhat shocked.
Professor Dumbledore sighed.
"I feel that I must apologize again Harry. I shouldn't have had Professor Snape try to teach you this. I'm a sufficient Legilliman to understand his animosity for you or rather your father."
"That's ok Professor, I know that you had other things on your mind when you arrange that. After looking in his pensive, I can see why he hated my father so much and seeing how much I resemble him doesn't help"
"That's very understanding of you Harry. Thank-you. I will try to make it easier for you this year."
"Professor, Can I ask you something?"
"Ask away Harry, but be forewarned that there are things that I cannot tell you as yet."
"Why did you choose to teach Defense this year? I mean other than the obvious fact that we've had a miserable track record in that class."
"At the moment Harry, there is no one else that can take the position. Remus and Madeye are invaluable in the order. We couldn't afford another Dolorus Umbridge in that position now could we." He smiled.
"I'm a sufficient teacher for that position wouldn't you agree?" His eyes were twinkling.
"Yes Professor, I'd have to say you were more than qualified." Harry smiled back.
"Is there anything else Harry?"
"Actually there is. Why do you trust Draco?"
"And here we come to one of those things where I cannot tell you all that you want to know. Sufficed to say, there are things about young Mr. Malfoy that you do not know and I'm afraid I cannot tell you yet. He has provided us with some information that will help our cause. And I believe that information to be true, as it has been verified by other sources. That was very cryptic I know, but it is the best I can do for now. I hope you will understand."
"I guess that it will have to do for know. But someday I will want a straight answer."
"So you shall Harry, so you shall. But now I think you should go to dinner. Your stomach is beginning to act like Mr. Weasleys. I can hear it from over hear."
Harry grinned, gathered up his belongings and headed for the Great Hall.