Planning and defending

The three friends arrived at 12 Grimauld Place, the house inherited by Harry. It was the first time they returned there after Harry's godfather death. They quickly entered the house without being seen. Dobby, Winky and Kreacher were already there. After Dumbledore's cold murder, Dobby, along with Winky, decided to become at Harry's service. When the trio got into the house, it looked so different from the last time they came, they couldn't believe it was the same house. It was clean, luminous and grand. You could now see the real color of the walls and floors. Naturally, they were dark colors, dark green, dark grey, dark red, burgundy and the floors were made of dark cherry wood. New furniture had been purchased by Dobby on Harry's demand.

It was late, around 10 pm, so they decided to have a hot cocoa. Comfortably seated in the leaving room, Dobby served their beverages with marshmallows. Her friends asked her what she'd done during her summer since it was her turn to recount what's happen during this time. Hermione made them swear they wouldn't tell anyone, and by that she meant everyone, after they promised, she told them she was an animagus. To prove it, she turned herself into a black panther. The boys were stunned. Ron had a 'Wow' expression sticking up his face. Harry couldn't believe his friend. He was shock, to say the least. Hermione was always the one to obey the rules and being an unregistered animagus was passable of two years in Azkaban. They questioned her motivations.

- Why have you done it Mione? You know it could have been dangerous, not to mention illegal? Asked Ron sounding a lot like Hermione.

Hermione laugh at the irony because it was exactly what she would have said if they had done it.

- Well, at first, I wasn't so sure if it was a good idea, but then I reasoned myself, we're in danger, better be prepared then dead… I wanted to do it first because now I can teach you how to become one.

- You wanna to teach us? Said Ron in a disbelieving tone.

- Yes, why not? If Pettigrew's done it, why can't you?

- You have a point there Hermione, said Harry.

- Do you think I can be a lion? Asked Ron.

- Ron, Hermione said, you can't decide in what animal you'll transform, don't you remember?

- Oh right!

- So Mione, how long do you think it would take for us to become animagus?

- Since I have done all the research and the potion is ready…

- I daresay you were very productive during the summer break, laugh Harry.

- Well, the girl said in a defensive tone looking at the floor, I had to do something…

- No one blaming you Mione, Ron said taking the girl hands into his, its bloody fantastic what you had done!

- Yes Hermione, you had a great idea! When do you think starting your training?

- As soon as possible, you could take the first potion tonight.

- How many potions do we have to take?

- Two, the first one will tell you, in your dream, what animal will be you animagus form; the second potion will help you transform into it.

- As simple as that? Ron said.

- No, far from simple, but be aware that if you take the first potion, there is no turning back.

Both boys nodded in understanding. Ron and Harry were very excited about the idea of becoming animagus. Both boys wanted to become Aurors, get rid of all the dark mages and the likes. Ron and Harry had already agreed to become animagus even before she started to imply it was difficult, for it was Harry's greatest wish to become one.

- Mione, started Harry, I think I'm talking for Ron too, Ron's nodded, this idea of transforming into animals is brilliant, we'll do anything you'll ask us to become animagus!

- Good to hear that Harry, said the girl, as I see you're very determined, I suggest taking the potion now, for tomorrow we'll start, the earlier, the better.

- Aye, added the red head boy.

Hermione, with a flick of a wand, summoned two vials of a purple and lumpy potion. The boys gulped, thinking about the awful taste it would be. She gave them one each, looked at them expectedly. Harry and Ron looked at each other with an air of defiance. With 3-2-1, they swallowed it. It tasted like curdled milk. They almost vomited for it was disgusting.

- So now? What is happening again? Said Ron unsure.

- Nothing, we go to sleep and you guys enjoy your dreams, Hermione replied.

- Dobby will show you to your rooms now, said the house elf popping out of nowhere.

- Thank you Dobby, gratefully said Hermione.

Dobby escorted them to their rooms, but no before showed them around the house. The house was a five storeys one. On the first floor, you could find the kitchen and dinning room, the living room and a ballroom. On the second floor, there was a private library with a bureau and two guest rooms. On the third floor, another living room, more casual, a conservatory and three guest rooms. On the fourth floor, the rooms of Harry, Ron and Hermione plus a common room for the three of them. The fifth and last floor was the attic and for the servants quarter.

Harry had the master room as he was now the owner of the house. Each bedroom of the house had a private bathroom. The only shared one was the one on the first floor, between the kitchen and the living room. Harry's room was very elegant, all midnight blue with a night sky sealing, like the one in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, he felt in love with it.

Ron's room was orange, yellow and gold, his favourite colors. The rug of his room had the same design than his bedspread. Hermione's one was a deep red with Egyptian design, her king size bed was a canopy with black drapes. Her room was decorated like a princess story from Walt Disney, it was gorgeous. When Hermione put her trunk in this majestic room, she knew she was finally at home. She feared it would be hard to go back to Hogwarts, she was certain it would be.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. It was a dream comes true. He had a house, a room of his own and his best friends lived with him, and could live with him as long as they liked. The house was spacious and longed to be full of life again. That was like Sirius would have wanted. And Harry was thankful of the house elves that made it real.

Ron was happy. That was an understatement. Things like this were too good to happen to him. He was living with his two best friends, in a dream house, nothing to worry about… 'No more house chores for me' he thought happily. When Harry offered him a place to stay he just couldn't refuse.

Harry had agreed to the request of the Order of the Phoenix to continue using this house as the Head Quarter. But to one condition, his friends would be a part of the Order. He also had another plan for this house, Harry wanted to create his own Order, his remembrance of Dumbledore, and he wanted to reform the D.A. For that reason, he invited his beautiful and untouchable Ginny, and Neville. They were supposed to be arriving in a week. He hoped he would have completed the animagus transformation before that.

It was late so everyone fell asleep a smile.

Harry was dreaming of a night sky. It was so peaceful and pretty. He could see every star. He was flying so high, in harmony, with no effort. Then he realised he wasn't flying the wizard way, there was no broomstick. He was an eagle. He could see so far…

Ron was snoring very loudly. He was chasing a weasel. He was happy about it, he liked weasel. He wanted to be friend with it. He was having so much fun chasing this little funny weasel. Then, he heard a noise, like a bugle, he was curious so he stopped his chase to see where the sound was coming from. As he approached, a loud noise, like a thunder, stupefied him. His instinct told him he shouldn't go in that direction. So he run as fast as he could on his four legs, 'wait a minute, four legs? Four reddish and furry legs? No… that couldn't be, yes, I am a fox!' thought happily Ron.

The next morning, Ron and Harry were the firsts to get up. They were so excited about what would be their animagus forms. They just couldn't wait for Hermione to get up. When they got together, at the same time in their common room, with an understanding look, they entered Hermione's room without even knocking. They were a little surprised for the sight the girl offered, Merlin, she would be in their fantasy forever. She was sleeping in the nude; that stopped them there. They just couldn't move. Both of them never seen a nude girl, woman, before, except in picture, but that wasn't counting, isn't? She was so sensual, dark long hair, looking so smooth and shiny, curves like they didn't knew she possessed but guess she had, long legs, smooth skin, beautiful round and apple size breast with dark pinkie nipples waiting to be devoured. Ron and Harry were getting tight in their boxers.

Both boys were ashamed of their reaction, but they were boys before anything else and their girl friend was beautiful. Harry and Ron exited her as quietly and quickly as they could. Their friend was pretty when asleep but if she founded them here right now, they didn't give much value of their life. Harry reasoned himself that it was a natural reaction, that didn't help the guilty feeling he was having. Guilty in front of Hermione 'because he saw something he wasn't meant to, and guilty because he loved Ginny and got excited for another girl. A girl that was like the sister he never had. A girl he knew for half of his life and resented nothing like this for her before. He hoped that this feeling would go away for he loved his Ginny very much.

Ron was disturbed. He had done a lot of thinking during the summer, about Hermione. He'd always liked her, loved her even, but knew deep down that it wouldn't work. Don't get him wrong, if she made a move, he wasn't the one who would stop her, he just knew she wouldn't, she wasn't meant for him. That causes him a lot of grieve, but he got over it. 'Merlin, this girl would be the cause of his death. The man who'll win her heart better not break it down because I will personally kill him!' thought Ron angrily. When he saw the girl, in her Eve costume, he couldn't help but to hope she would choose him above everyone else.

- Ron?

- Yeah Harry?

- Are we agreeing that it never happened?

- I think we are Harry… Aren't you hungry dude?

- Yeah, why don't we go in the kitchen and prepare breakfast, she'll wake up soon…

- Very good idea Harry, answered Ron wanting to get the hell away from the crime scene.

Both boys got downstairs and waited for Hermione to arrive. Hermione slowly woke up. She had sleep like a baby. She got into her bathroom and took a quick shower. She was very proud having invented a spell to uncurl her hair, actually, the spell was good one, but having so much hair, it got only wavy. It was a neat amelioration none the less. She dressed very sporty because they were going to train today. Putting on jogging black pants with a white sleeveless shirt, she was ready to go.

When she got downstairs, the boys were already there. They both looked guilty of something, but Hermione couldn't guess of what. They didn't even look at her in the eye. 'Something's up…' she thought.

- Something wrong?

- No! Said both Harry and Ron at the same time.

- Ok, spill it or else… Hermione said, giving them her evil eye.

- Don't get angry or anything…

- Now it's sure I'll be angry Ronald.

- It's not that easy Hermione, added Harry.

- Well nothing's easy in life!

- Ok then, we saw you this morning… said a very red Ron.

- What? Not understanding what he meant by that.

- What Ron's trying to say Mione is that we entered your room this morning-

- YOU WHAT!

And now the three of them were so red that the temperature in the room increased a little… Hermione was furious and very embarrass. She always sleeps naked… and they had seen her… Merlin, what an awkward moment it was.

- We are so sorry Mione, pleaded Harry.

- Yes Mione, we never intended for something like this to happen, added Ron.

- I can't believe it's happening, you guys really saw me this morning…I am so embarrassed, I believe you when you say it was an accident, but please, next time, knock before, said the girl, her face was red glowing.

- Well now, don't we feel better Ron?

- Loads, say Hermione, what do want for breakfast?

- Hum, just toasts.

After eating, they told Hermione of their dreams. The three of them were excited like a child the day before Christmas. Hermione explained them the second part of the transformation. The last potion was to help them transform. All they had to do was to meditate, thinking hard about their animal. The meditation could last for days. It took Hermione two days to complete the transformation. By the end of the second day, Harry became an eagle and on the third morning, Ron was a little red fox. After lunch that very same day, the three of them apparrated far away from the city. They wanted to run free in the wild. They had so much fun; it was hard to get the boys go back home.

Ginny, Neville and an uninvited, but very welcome, Luna, arrived at 12 Grimauld Place Sunday evening. As planned, they stayed for two weeks. During those two weeks, they trained harder and harder every day at magic and wandless magic like Hermione showed them. By the end of the second week, every one was so exhausted, they were almost glad those two weeks were ending.

During their stay, Hermione, with the help of her friends, had planned the D.A. for the next school year, made a name list of potential candidates for the Order of the D.A., which was different from the original D.A. which wouldn't be anymore, since Harry as the chief leader, wouldn't return to Hogwarts. All agreed that Hermione would be the Head of the Order while at Hogwarts, but had to inform Harry and Ron of everything before making any decision.

The plan was going well, while Hermione was safe within the walls of Hogwarts, planning every move, because she was the mastermind behind everything, the boys would go looking for the remaining Hocruxes.

The members of the Order of the Phoenix came often to see if every thing was alright. You could always count on a mother hen like Molly Weasley to stay longer than the rest to see if every thing was okay, making sure they weren't starving, making extra food… She was angry that Harry and Ron wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts, but at the same time, she could understand their point of view. She absolutely refused that her little baby girl left school, which what fine with Ginny, seeing that she was so in love with Harry that it hurt being so close to him and not being able to express her love. Harry had been clear on that.

School was starting in less than a week. Hermione received her Head Girl badge and was so happy about it. None of the boys were surprised; the surprise would have been if she wouldn't be. Time seemed to have flied away for their last week together, as they were already saying their goodbyes.