Harry woke up instantly the next morning. Springing from the bed, shook Ron. "Come on, Ron. Up. Time for defense lessons. "

Ron wore a dazed expression on his face. "Harry, it's eight a.m. Let me sleep."

"Do you think Voldemort's sleeping right now? Besides, Moody said he'd be here around eight. Get up!" Harry said and with a grin, raised his wand and silently thought the word 'Levicorpus'.

Ron gave a yelp as he was pulled midair by an invisible hook. With a loud crack, he apparated and was standing by Harry. "That's twice you've gotten me now, mate. Your turn is coming." he threatened with a grin as he dressed.

Harry smiled as he went to knock on the girls door. But much to his surprise, they were already up and ready. Hermione went in to talk to Ron and Ginny pulled Harry into her room. Harry pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss.

"Harry, I love you so much!" Ginny said fiercely as she pulled him down on the bed.

"I love you too, Ginny, and I wish we could be here like this forever but for now we have lessons." Harry said rather weakly as he helped her up.

"I know." Ginny conceded. "I know it's for the best. The temptation to….well, we shouldn't be alone for too long." she said with a blush what Harry was thinking.

Harry and Ginny headed downstairs to find that Hermione had conjured breakfast up and started to fill their plates. "Thanks, Hermione, this is really good." Ginny complimented as she ate.

The four friends talked about Hogwarts memories while they ate and awaited Moody. They had just finished eating when they heard the familiar crack of someone apparating. Sure enough, it was Moody. Excitedly, they stood up to meet him in the foyer. Ginny strayed momentarily, raising her wand to the dishes and uttering 'Scourgify' Within seconds, the kitchen was in order again.

Moody was muttering something to Harry and nodded. "Alright, let's get started." he said gruffly. "The best way to learn is by dueling so let's have Harry and Ginny against Ron and Hermione. I want all of you to cast your spells nonverbally. Once we've mastered the nonverbal attack, I have more defenses to teach you. Ready? I'll count you down. Wands up! 3, 2, 1...and go!"

Harry didn't waste any time. Pointing his wand at Hermione, he yelled. "Stupefy!' but it narrowly missed her and skimmed her shoulder.

With a grin, Ron pointed his wand at Harry and thought, 'Levicorpus!'

The spell hit Harry square in the chest and jerked him up in the air.

"Expelliarmus!" he countered while still in midair. With Ron's wand in his hand, he apparated to stand beside Ginny.

"Impedimenta" Hermione thought as she pointed her wand at Ginny. "Expelliarmus' came right after and Ginny's wand sailed through the air to Hermione.

"Not bad, not bad." Moody muttered as Harry and Hermione returned the wands they held. "It looks like you all have nonverbal attacks down so now I want to show you how you can prevent a spell from hitting you. It's called Finite Incantatum and it's very effective if you are quick to use it. So pair up again and practice this spell. Master it verbally first, then non-verbally."

This time it was the guys against the girls. The foursome dueled for hours before they all mastered the new defense but finally Moody held up his hand for them to stop.

"That's all for today. You all did great. " he said simply.

"Thanks, Mad Eye, for the lesson." Harry said panting for air.

The next month was a month of tireless training. Hours of defense training with Moody, Occlumency and Legilimens lessons with Lupin, and advanced transfiguration with McGonagall. By the end of the month, not one of the four needed to verbally utter spells. Most of the time, they could block any attack on them, even killing curses. Also, they were successfully seeing into other peoples minds and closing their own. They were ready.