I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: I promise that I am updating as fast possible but I started a new job this week, so you'll have to look for updates from me on Thursdays or Fridays, which are my days off. This story is now halfway done, and it is my goal to have this story done by the end of November.

This chapter is dedicated to Ham who is a brilliant friend and author!

Many thanks goes to Wolf's Scream for being my beta!

Chapter 13: Jumping The Sheriff

"Wake up!"

Harry groaned and rolled over into his blanket, burying his face in its gritty smell.

"No, honestly! You four need to be up and training for the final battle so that Ginny won't be forced to marry Draco!" He could now recognize Hermione's amused voice and he nodded to himself before sitting up.

"Blimey, Hermione! It's not even light out yet," Ron grumbled as Harry looked over to see that he was struggling to sit up. He had a right to be slow, though. Ron had several bruised ribs and a black eye. It was a wonder that he didn't lose any teeth, Harry thought bemusedly. Neville didn't look any better. He had a fat lip and both eyes were blackened.

Harry looked up at Hermione who was tutting. "Honestly, you didn't have to fight him! It isn't my fault that you felt the need to punch him and cause a riot." Her words were reproving but her voice gave away her amusement and he grinned up at her and she gave him a faint smile in return.

"I told you, Hermione! He was heading straight for Harry and I couldn't let him arrest him or… or something worse," Neville's face flushed bright pink under the myriad of scrapes that covered his face.

"Thanks mate," Harry said again. He'd been grateful that Neville had been watching his back during the tournament.

"Well Neville, if you are fully rested I would like to hear the whole story of why you attacked Snape," Hermione said primly.

Harry looked over at Neville expectantly. Last night he had claimed to only want to sleep but would retell the whole story today. Harry wasn't disappointed.

Neville sighed heavily and ran a hand over his jaw, wincing as he went over a vicious looking bruise. "See, it went like this. After I was disqualified, I left the arena to go to the stands but they were full and the crowd was not too happy to move over and make room, so I went behind the benches to wait for the end of the tournament. I had just sat down when I saw Snape stride by me so I got up to follow him. He stopped near the edge of the arena to watch Harry so I looked around for any of the guards but none were there and by the time I had turned back to Snape, he was drawing a sword from his belt. I didn't even think after that, I just ran at him screaming and I jumped onto his back. We brought down the stands and soon everyone else was fighting." Then Neville gave a dismissive shrug and winced, as if pained by that small action.

Luna began to laugh. It wasn't a laugh of someone who was slightly amused or even that of someone that had heard a very good joke. Tears were streaming down her face as she held her sides. Her giggle, which sounded high-pitched and slightly wheezy, was infectious. Pretty soon all of them had joined in with her laughter. It was pretty funny seeing Ron ready to dive into the fight, Harry mused to himself.

Luna slapped her knee and swiped the tears from her eyes. She then mumbled something that sounded like, "really short."

This brought Harry out of his mirth. "What are you laughing about Luna?"

She smiled dreamily at him. "I was just remembering Prince John's shot in the tournament and how he didn't even get it halfway to the target. It isn't exactly hard to hit the bulls eye."

Harry felt himself chuckling softly, "no, I suppose not. Still, I'm glad you're on our side. It will make the final battle that much easier." Secretly he was groaning. It may have been easy for her to learn to fire the bow but he and Ron had had to practice until their arms were too sore to continue on. Neville had worked even harder than they had and he still hadn't improved much.

"Harry?"

Harry jumped slightly and turned to look at Ron. "Yeah?"

"You spaced out for a bit," Ron told him with a grin plastered on his face.

Neville let out a snort. "It must be that lip lock we saw him in with Ginny. I'm sure that's got him distracted."

Harry felt his face flame up with heat. They don't even have a clue about how distracted I am. I still can't believe that she loves me! What am I going to say to her when I see her again? He sighed, not really having an answer for that. The only thing he did know is that he was not going to let Malfoy marry her.

"He's ignoring us again," Luna said and he was once again pulled from his reverie. He gazed around questioningly and Luna went on. "I mean, Harry. It is obvious that she loves you, you don't need to moon over it."

Harry felt his mouth fall open and Ron made a noise of disgust.

Hermione cleared her throat and caught their attention. "That's enough, let's get started on your next level of training."

"What are we doing now?" Neville asked, his voice wary.

Hermione lifted up a bundle, which she appeared to be struggling with, before dropping it down to the ground. It clanged ominously. She then repeated this process until there were four long bundles wrapped in leather on the floor. "The longest one is for Ron, who is the tallest, the next for Harry and the third Neville. There is a short sword that is for Luna." None of them moved; they just stared at the packages on the dirt, settled among the leaves. "Go on then; they won't bite you."

Reluctantly they went to sort through the swords. Harry unwrapped one, a very heavy broad sword with gold inlaid in the hilt. He looked up at Ron and saw that he was holding one that was similar but it had a more intricate pattern along the hilt and was significantly shorter.

"I think that one is mine," Neville told them and Harry watched him hand a small sword to Luna, while walking over to take the sword from Ron. In turn, Harry handed the sword he'd picked up and moved to get the larger sword that she was holding. It was all silver, with no decorative markings. He picked it up and hefted it, finding its weight to be perfect for him. He turned and grinned at Ron who was brandishing his sword at a small tree limb.

"This is what we shall do," Hermione began in a lecturing voice that even McGonagall would have been proud of. "I want you two to pair up and practice the techniques that I will tell you about. After an hour, we will break and switch partners. You have to be careful not to hurt each other but supposedly you can't kill each other with them; you'd just be banged up a bit."

"Oh great," Ron muttered darkly. "Well Harry, let's get started if you want to rescue my sister." His words hung heavily in the air Harry looked over at Ron questioningly. Finally his friend scowled and went on. "All right, I admit that you'll probably want to kiss some times but honestly, do you have to attach yourselves at the lips?"

"Ron, that is none of your business!" Hermione's voice was sharp and reproving. "Leave Harry alone and help him train."

Ron glared up at her. "So which is it? Do I leave him alone or help him train? I can't do both, you know!"

In response a shoe came pelting towards Ron, hitting him smack in the forehead. Expletives flew from Ron's mouth as he dropped his sword and covered his head.

"Luna, would you toss my shoe back up to me please?" Hermione's voice was pleasant and mild and she reached out to catch her shoe as Luna threw it up. "Next time Ron, can you keep the snide remarks to yourself?"

Ron looked like he wanted to argue but Harry stopped him. "She could have hit you with lightning, you know. Be thankful it was only her trainer."

"Right," Ron agreed and nodded his head to indicate that they should move off from the camp. Harry followed mutely, knowing instinctively that his best mate was not done with his tirade. He didn't have to wait long. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ron continued. "See, it's not that I mind you dating my sister and all, it's just that I-"

"I think I love her," Harry blurted out, stopping Ron in his tracks.

"Oh."

"No, not 'oh' Ron! If Voldemort found out that I love your sister, then she'd be dead! I can't have that! I can't risk-" traitorous tears welled up in his eyes but he swallowed hard and held them back. "I can't risk her life."

Ron was silent for a long moment. "Her life's already at risk if you love her. You can't change the way you feel about her."

"I know I can't," he admitted quietly and ran a hand distractedly through his hair. "I just don't like this situation, what with Snape and Malfoy here! As soon as we leave they'll run straight to Voldemort and tell him exactly what happened and Ginny will be dead. There isn't any place safe enough for her; no where she could hide that they couldn't find if someone turned against us. It would be just like my parents all over again and I can't have that happen. I can't lose her."

"You don't get it Harry."

He looked up at his best friend and waited.

"Dumbledore brought us here for a reason and that reason wouldn't be to give Snape and Malfoy material to use against you. You have to have faith in that."

"I can't Ron because I can't be certain that Dumbledore wasn't wrong. Look at Wormtail; they all thought he was on our side but in the end my parents died. Ginny needs to be safe." He started to pace, the nervous energy flowing out of him in waves.

"Harry, she won't want that." Ron's tone caught him and Harry turned to look at him.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I just mean that Ginny isn't going to let you baby her. I am still not sure why she let you break up with her in the first place except that she probably felt like you could do better without her but… I dunno, I just can't see her letting you go now. I saw you two yesterday and I could see her staring at you. It's serious for her."

"It's serious for me too, you know. That's why I can't-"

"But see, the real question isn't whether you can keep her safe." Ron walked straight over to him and met his gaze. "The real question is can you go on, not knowing if she is safe every day."

That stopped him cold and his brain didn't even want to wrap itself around what Ron had said. "Wha- what do you mean?"

"I mean that you want to see her constantly. You're always finding an excuse to run off to the castle and see her and you know that she is perfectly capable of keeping Malfoy in check and she can't be killed here and yet you still go and check on her. Not that I mind, since I worry about her too, but I can't see how you'll be able to concentrate while we're out looking for his ruddy horcruxes when you can't go one day here without kissing her."

Harry's mind went blank. Damn it, he has a point! He looked down at his sword, which glinted in the morning sun and realized that before he could decide what would happen in a few weeks, he'd need to fight for her this weekend. "Right, well let's get started!"

Thanks to everyone for reviewing and I apologize, once again, for the long delay!

realfanficts: Thinking could be overrated… I didn't plan this chapter until I had written most of it LOL. Mutating it has been a bonus.

SaintEmo: Yeah… I know, it was forever.

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Strangely Sirius: Thank you!

M. R. Moore: It's okay to be right! I did that once on a story and I about fell out of my chair. I just didn't believe I knew where the author was going but I'm glad you did.

Schatje: And then I go and not update for twoweeks. Ah well…

Harry and Ginny 4eva: TAKES A BOW. Thank you!

Catgirl the Crazy: I kept expecting that beaver to come and get me, but I guess I updated quickly enough.

Sarah: Thanks!

Mrs.KristinePotter: Luna is great and I've only recently began to appreciate that in her. I can do all sorts of craziness through her.

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Black is the New Pink: I do hope you enjoy soccer just a bit, since it's keeping you so busy although I imagine that the season is getting close to over. Thanks for the reviews, later or not doesn't matter, I promise!

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Sarah: I'm glad you're enjoying it!