Chapter 12 - A Day of Firsts

"Harry, are you sure you're not taking on too much?" Hermione asked.

Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. It was Monday morning and he was sitting in the Great Hall across from Ron and Hermione. He had waited until their return to the Gryffindor common room the night before to tell them about his meeting with Dumbledore, Professor Pandoran, and Mr. Brooks. Harry had been thankful that Dumbledore had not mentioned anything during the Welcoming Feast. Harry was still trying to get used to the idea and was grateful that he would have some time before the entire school knew what he was going to be doing. After seeing how Ron and Hermione reacted, Harry wasn't sure he could handle anyone else at the moment. While Hermione had been hounding Harry about time for homework and the importance of his grades for auror training, Ron had been awkwardly silent since Harry told him the news. Harry had expected Hermione's reaction, but Ron's behaviour confused him. Harry had hoped Ron would be supportive, but was left disappointed.

"Hermione, how many times do I have to tell you? It's going to be fine!" Harry said annoyed.

Hermione frowned. "I'm just worried about you, Harry. You don't always have to be the one to take on this kind of responsibility."

Harry glared at her. "You were the one who talked me into teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts classes last year. How is this any different?"

Hermione stared at her hands in her lap. She looked up at Harry pleadingly. "Harry, this is a much larger commitment. Three nights a week! I'm worried that you're going to wear yourself down."

Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. "Like I told you already, Dumbledore said if I ever feel overwhelmed that other arrangements can be made."

"But Harry, I know you. You never give up on something once you've started it. Especially something like this."

Harry stared hard at Hermione. They had been through this over and over again. They were getting nowhere. He sighed again.

"Okay, Hermione. Let's make a deal. I promise to go to Dumbledore if things get too hard, and you promise not to question my decision to do this anymore."

Hermione reached her hand across the table and placed it on top of Harry's. "You know it's only because I care about you Harry."

Harry nodded and put his other hand on top of hers. "I know, Hermione. Now, do we have a deal?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Harry returned her smile and then looked at Ron. Ron was staring at Harry and Hermione's hands still on top of one another on the table. He had a strange expression on his face. Ron shot Harry a glance, then returned to his bowl of porridge in front of him.

Harry pulled his hands away from Hermione and opened his mouth to say something to Ron, but was interrupted.

"Morning!" Ginny said brightly, sitting down beside Harry with Dean in tow.

Harry felt the now-becoming-familiar flip in his stomach. He forced himself to smile at Ginny and Dean.

"Morning," Harry managed from his suddenly dry mouth.

"Hi, Harry, Hermione...Ron," Dean said sitting beside Ginny, aware of the glare Ron was sending his way.

Ginny's face reddened as she narrowed her eyes at Ron.

Hermione cleared her throat, sensing a Weasley shouting match in the making. "Oh, look, here comes Professor McGonagall with our timetables."

All five heads turned to see Professor McGonagall making her way down the Gryffindor table. Harry waited anxiously, curious to see his sixth year schedule.

Professor McGonagall reached their group and handed the students their timetables.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley. I believe you have Transfiguration right before your lunch break. Can you please stay for a few minutes after class? I need to speak with both of you," Professor McGonagall said, peering down at them over her glasses.

Ron and Harry eyed each other. Ron raised his eyebrows at Harry, who shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, Professor," they answered simultaneously.

Professor McGonagall nodded and then moved away from them.

"What's that about?" Ginny asked.

"No idea," Ron replied, staring into his porridge.

"Maybe it has something to do with your meeting with Dumbledore, Harry. You never told me what happened," Ginny said reaching for a piece of toast. After the feast last night, Ginny and Dean had disappeared and did not return to the common room until well after Harry had relayed everything to Ron and Hermione.

Harry glanced at her and then to Dean. "I'll tell you later."

Ginny looked at Harry worriedly. "Is everything okay?"

Harry smiled at her. "Of course. It's just a long story and I don't want to get into it right now."

Ginny looked at him confused, but then turned back to her breakfast.

Harry took a swallow of pumpkin juice and noticed Hermione staring at him questioningly. Harry grabbed his class schedule and studied it, wishing for the kind of peaceful breakfast he had come used to at Grimmauld Place.

Harry's schedule was slightly different this year than it had been during his first five years. NEWT level classes were far more intense, and therefore sixth and seventh year students need not take as many classes. Harry had decided on Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Ron and Hermione were taking the same courses, except that Hermione was also taking Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. Harry noted that with fewer courses, he had Study Hall times added to his schedule. Well, that will help with the loss of a few evenings a week. Hermione will be happy, Harry told himself.

Harry was about to point this out to Hermione, when the sound of hundreds of wings beating filled the Great Hall. Everyone looked up to see owls of every size and colour soar into the hall, carrying letters and parcels for the students.

Harry was surprised to see Hedwig among the crowd of owls. She landed in front of Harry and dropped two letters in front of him. She nipped a piece of toast from his plate and then flew away.

Harry picked up the letters and examined them. He did not recognize the writing on either piece of parchment.

He opened the top letter.

Mr. Potter,

Please meet me in my office this evening at 7:00pm. Please come with the list of students as discussed yesterday. We will also discuss class content and scheduling.

Sincerely,

Professor Pandoran

Harry glanced up at the head table where the professors sat. He saw Professor Pandoran in conversation with Professor McGonagall. He turned to the second letter.

Harry,

Please meet me in my office (Fourth Floor, across from the portrait of Nigel the Nitwit) tomorrow evening, 7:30.

Thank you,

Alexander Brooks

Harry folded both pieces of parchment and shoved them in his book bag. He was already feeling overwhelmed, and the day hadn't even started. He looked up to find Ron, Hermione and Ginny all staring at him expectantly.

He ignored them and glanced at his class schedule again. "Looks like we have Herbology first thing. Then Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. That shouldn't be too bad."

Hermione surveyed Harry, contemplating what she was going to say. She glanced from Ron to Ginny, and then returned her gaze to Harry. "Yes, but you obviously haven't looked at the afternoon yet."

Harry looked down at his schedule, thankful not to have to answer questions about his letters. He didn't want Hermione to go after him again, and he would have to explain everything to Ginny...and Dean. He looked at his afternoon schedule. Charms followed by...double Potions. Harry groaned.

"Come on," Hermione said standing. "We should head out to the greenhouses. Dean, are you taking Herbology this year?"

Dean jumped, startled to be included in the conversation. "Uh, yeah."

"Great. Do you want to walk down with us?" Hermione asked.

Dean shrugged. "Sure. See you later, Ginny."

Dean stood up, picked his bag up off the floor, and kissed Ginny on the top of her head. As he straightened, he found Harry and Ron staring at him, frowning.

Hermione looked from Ron to Harry, rolled her eyes and said, "Let's go, Dean. Just ignore those two."

Ron and Harry watched Hermione lead Dean out of the Great Hall. They looked at each other, and then silently picked up their bags.

"See you Ginny," Harry said walking away.

"Wait," Ginny said catching Harry's arm.

Harry stopped and looked at her.

Ginny gave Harry a confused look. "I want to know what happened in Dumbledore's office. Can we meet later and talk?"

Harry stared into her deep brown eyes, thinking that he would do anything for her. He thought about his day and then answered. "I've got to meet with McGonagall at lunch, so how about after school? We can meet in the common room after our last class."

Ginny's face brightened. "I have a better idea. Let's meet on the Quidditch pitch. I can try out my new broom."

Like Ron, Ginny had received a new broom from her parents as a gift for becoming prefect.

Harry grinned. "Perfect. I'll meet you out there."

Harry turned and met up with Ron in the Entrance Hall.

"What did she want?" Ron asked as he and Harry walked outside into the crisp morning air.

"She wants me to tell her about my meeting with Dumbledore."

"Oh," Ron replied, avoiding Harry's eyes.

Harry stopped and looked at Ron. "Are you okay with me doing this, Ron?"

Ron stopped and turned to Harry. He stared down at his shoes and kicked the ground with his toe. "Yeah," he said. He then looked up at Harry. "It's just weird. It's another thing that singles you out. I guess I was surprised that you would want that."

Harry studied Ron. "I guess I never thought about it that way. I just saw it as an opportunity to help us prepare for whatever is coming our way."

Ron nodded. "What about Malfoy?"

Harry knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. "Malfoy?"

Ron nodded again. "Malfoy. You'll be teaching him. At least with the DA, it was people we trusted. Now you'll be teaching a possible future Death Eater how to fight us."

Harry swallowed, feeling stung by Ron's words. "There's nothing I can do about that, Ron."

"You could have said no," Ron said quietly.

Harry stared at Ron. "But I said yes. If it wasn't me, someone else would be training him, Ron. At least we'll know what he's learning."

Ron nodded and stared across the sprawling grounds before them. He cleared his throat and said quietly, "Hermione's pretty worried about you."

Harry chuckled. "When isn't she?"

Ron returned his gaze to Harry. "Yeah. Right."

Harry frowned at Ron. "What else is going on here?"

Ron shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Harry felt his anger rising. "Ron, if I've done something to piss you off, you have to tell me."

Ron shifted on his feet. "No. I'm just being stupid. Never mind."

Harry felt something click in his head. He stared at his best friend. "Is this about Hermione?"

Harry watched Ron's face flush. "What?"

Harry grinned. "Well, mate. Are you finally going to admit it?"

Ron looked at Harry with his eyebrows furrowed. "Admit what?"

Harry rolled his eyes and laughed. "Okay, so you're not quite there yet. I'll just say this: Hermione and I are best friends, but that's it. There will never be anything between us beyond friendship."

Ron's face was now a deep red. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Right."

Harry smiled and patted Ron on the back. "Let's go before Professor Sprout gives us detention for being late."

Ron nodded and stumbled along beside Harry. They ran into the greenhouse just before Professor Sprout began to call the class to order.

"You're cutting it close, boys. Hopefully this isn't an indication of how the year is going to be?" Professor Sprout admonished, raising her eyebrows.

"No, Professor. Sorry, Professor," Harry said, taking a place between Hermione and Neville.

Hermione gave them a scathing look.

"Where have you been?" she hissed as Professor Sprout began reviewing several plants they had studied last year.

"Er...we got sidetracked," Ron mumbled from Hermione's other side.

Hermione opened her mouth to continue her reprimand, but Harry nudged her. She turned to look at him and he shook his head. She closed her mouth and looked at Harry questioningly.

"Just leave it," Harry whispered.

Hermione sighed and turned her attention to Professor Sprout.

The remainder of class went by rather quickly. Professor Sprout took a considerable amount of time impressing upon the students the importance of their sixth year classes. If they thought last year's lectures on OWLs was bad, this was much worse. The students left the greenhouse feeling somewhat downtrodden and depressed.

"I wasn't expecting lectures on NEWTs until next year," Lavender moaned as the Gryffindor group of sixth years walked to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class together.

"I'm not surprised at all. In fact, I thought Professor Sprout took the matter a little too lightly," Hermione said.

Everyone rolled their eyes.

"I wonder what Professor Pandoran will be like," Neville said, changing the topic.

"I think she'll be all right," Harry said.

"How can you tell? We just saw her last night at supper," Lavender said.

"Oh," Harry said awkwardly. "Well, I already met her. I had to go to Dumbledore's office and she was there."

"Not in trouble already, were you Harry?" Lavender teased.

Harry shook his head. "Nope. Not this time."

Lavender grinned and then turned and whispered something into Parvati's ear. Parvati looked at Harry, blushing.

Harry cocked his eyebrows. Those two are so strange.

They walked into the classroom and found Professor Pandoran already seated at her desk. She glanced up at them and nodded at Harry.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter."

"Morning, Professor." Harry said taking a seat.

"Did you receive my letter this morning?"

Harry felt the eyes of everyone in the classroom turn to him. "Yes, Professor."

"Does that time work for you?"

Harry nodded. "Yes."

Professor Pandoran nodded and then glanced around the classroom, observing the students.

The students, sensing her gaze, turned their eyes from Harry and faced their new professor.

Professor Pandoran stood and addressed the students. "Good morning everyone. Welcome to another year of Defense Against the Dark Arts." She paused, and then allowed a small smirk to cross her face. "I hope you will find this course to be an improvement over last year."

"Here, Here!" Seamus cheered.

Professor Pandoran nodded at Seamus. "To begin, I will tell you a bit about myself. I grew up not far from here. I attended Hogwarts many, many years ago. A few years after I completed my schooling, I left Europe and did not return until two weeks ago. I studied the Dark Arts abroad, and worked with several ministries in developing their defenses. While I have been away for some time, I understand the threat that now faces us, and I hope to help you all to overcome it."

The students stared silently at their teacher. So far, she was a huge improvement over Umbridge.

"As far as how this class will be run, we will be studying both the theoretical and practical aspects of magical defense. I believe everyone here is enrolled in Battle Training, is that correct?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good. You will then have a great opportunity to practice your skills. My assistant and I look forward to working with you."

Harry felt his face go red as Professor Pandoran glanced at him. Luckily, only Ron and Hermione noticed.

"Now then, let's begin with a little review."

After Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Transfiguration class came and went much as Harry had expected. They received a fierce scolding from Professor McGonagall about their dedication and responsibilities to their studies. Harry had to endure continual sniffing and pokes from Hermione as Professor McGonagall lectured them. He finally threw Hermione a withering glare, causing her to lay off. They then began review from the previous year, filling several pieces of parchment with notes. With their hands aching, they sighed with relief when Professor McGonagall dismissed them.

Ron and Harry walked apprehensively to the front of the class as the rest of the students filtered out for lunch.

"You wanted to see us Professor?" Harry said as they reached Professor McGonagall's desk.

She peered up at them over her glasses and set down her quill.

"Yes. Thank you for staying." She stood up and walked around her desk and stood beside them, her arms crossed. Harry and Ron both swallowed hard and shifted awkwardly on their feet.

Professor McGonagall continued, "I believe we need to make some decisions regarding the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

Harry and Ron both felt a wave of relief. Quidditch. They should have known.

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry. "Mr. Potter, with your busy schedule this year, I think it would be best to establish set times each week for Quidditch practice. Every team will be struggling to get their practices in, especially with Battle Training taking up three nights a week. The Heads of Houses have agreed to meet and devise the schedule, with the input of the team captains."

Harry nodded.

Ron cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Professor. With Angelina gone this year, who will our Quidditch captain be?"

Professor McGonagall surveyed Ron thoughtfully. "Well, Mr. Weasley. You, of course."

Ron's mouth dropped open and Harry grinned.

"Me?" Ron squeeked.

Professor McGonagall's lips stretched into a thin smile. "Yes, Mr. Weasley. You. Are you up for it?"

Ron opened and closed his mouth several times, his eyes bulging out of his head. "Yes, Professor."

Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "I certainly hope so, Mr. Weasley. I want the Quidditch Cup to stay where it belongs."

Ron grinned.

"Mr. Weasley, I will be contacting you to let you know when we will be meeting to set the practice schedule. Mr. Potter, if you would please inform your Quidditch Captain of the days in which you will be working with Professor Pandoran, then we can work from there."

"Yes, Professor," Harry and Ron replied. Professor McGonagall nodded at them, smiled slightly and left the classroom.

As soon as they were in the hallway, Ron let out a loud whoop. "Can you believe it, Harry?"

"It's brilliant, Ron. Brilliant!"

Ron practically skipped all the way to the Great Hall, with Harry laughing behind him all the way.

"Hermione, guess what?" Ron exclaimed as he bounded up to her at the Gryffindor table.

She raised her eyebrows at Ron and then smiled at his glowing face. "What?"

"McGonagall named me Quidditch Captain!"

Hermione's mouth dropped open. She stood up and threw her arms around Ron. "Oh Ron! I'm so happy for you! You must be thrilled!"

Ron wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist, lifted her off her feet, and swung her around in several circles before placing her back down.

"Ron!" she scolded, blushing furiously. Ron grinned sheepishly and sat down at the table. Harry grinned, realizing he had never seen his friend look happier.

Harry entered the Potions' classroom with a feeling of dread. He had just gone through an uneventful Charms class, and knew that he could not expect the same in Potions. Harry sat in a desk behind Ron and Hermione and glanced around the room. He spotted Draco near the front of the classroom and sighed. Another year of Potions with Slytherins.

"Can I sit with you, Harry?"

Harry turned his head and saw Parvati standing beside him.

Harry removed his book bag from the empty seat. "Sure."

Parvati smiled shyly and sat down.

Harry glanced behind her. "Isn't Lavender taking Potions?"

Parvati nodded. "Yeah."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows together. He didn't remember a time when Lavender and Parvati sat separately in any of their classes.

"Did you two have a fight or something?" Harry asked.

Parvati smiled. "No. Lavender had something she needed to take care of before she came here."

Harry studied Parvati. That still didn't explain why Parvati hadn't sat in an empty desk and waited for Lavender.

Lavender came rushing into the classroom and beamed at Parvati when she spotted her. Lavender whispered something in Parvati's ear, and then sat in the empty seat behind Harry and Parvati. Dean came in shortly after and took the seat beside Lavender.

Harry turned around to find Hermione and Ron looking at him quizzically. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

The classroom door slammed shut and the students fell silent. Professor Snape strode to the front of the classroom and sneered down at the students. His gaze fell on Harry and his eyes narrowed. Harry glared at his professor, hating him with every ounce of his being. Snape's expression reflected the same sentiment.

Snape broke his stare from Harry and glanced around the classroom.

"As you can see, many of your fellow classmates were unable to achieve a high enough standard in Potions to continue in their sixth year of study," Snape said smirking and nodding his head toward the empty desks. Harry noticed the absence of Neville and Seamus from the Gryffindor group.

"Apparently, the standards weren't high enough," Snape sneered, letting his eyes fall on Harry once more. Draco turned in his seat and smirked at Harry.

Harry clenched his fists on his desk, imagining different ways to hex Snape. He jumped slightly when he felt Parvati's hand on his arm. He looked at her and she smiled at him. "Ignore him," she whispered. Harry nodded, feeling slightly awkward by Parvati's behaviour. He returned his attention to Snape.

"Since you are supposedly among the best students in sixth year, I think I shall test your skills today," Snape said, his eyes flashing dangerously. Snape flicked his wand, causing a vial of black liquid to appear in front of each student.

"Drink," Snape ordered.

The students looked at their vials apprehensively. Even Draco seemed to be questioning his favourite professor's motives.

Harry reached for his vial, uncorked it, and swallowed the liquid in one gulp. He felt the liquid burn its way down his throat and into his stomach. He gasped, sure that his stomach was on fire. Harry heard groans and whimpers from all sides of the classroom as the students followed Snape's orders.

Snape smirked at the students in front of him. "Now that you've all been poisoned, I suggest you copy down the antidote," he said, and with a wave of his wand, the potion for the antidote appeared on the blackboard.

The students stared at Snape with a mixture of confusion and fear.

Snape sneered at his students. "If you are successful, your potion will reverse all effects of the poison. If not, Madame Pomfrey will be the only person you'll be seeing for the next week."

The students stared at Snape in shock.

Draco laughed. "Good one, Professor."

Snape's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to face Draco. "I assure you, Mr. Malfoy. I am not joking. Now, get to work!"

Draco's face paled. Professor Snape had never spoke to Draco in that manner before. He had also never poisoned his students before.

Harry grimaced as he felt another burst of fire in his stomach. He took out a piece of parchment and a quill, and very carefully wrote down the potion from the board. He could see Parvati's hand shaking violently as she copied the potion down. He looked at her and saw absolute fear in her face. A flare of anger rose in Harry. Only Snape would do this to his students.

Harry collected the ingredients for the potion and returned to his desk. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, but knew better than to speak to them. Snape would look for any opportunity to reprimand Harry and prevent him from finishing his potion.

Harry set to work, lighting the fire under his cauldron, and triple checking each step as we worked through the difficult potion. As awful as he found Potions class usually, the fire burning in his stomach did not help matters. Harry sat on his stool, and watched his potion bubble. He was waiting for the green smoke to turn blue, which would indicate when he needed to add the eye of newt.

Harry scanned the classroom, seeing several students hovering over their cauldrons. Others gripping their stomach and waiting, as Harry was. Ron caught Harry's eye. Ron raised his eyebrows and nodded at Harry's cauldron, silently asking Harry how his potion was coming. Harry shrugged and nodded towards Ron's cauldron. Ron grinned and nodded his head towards Hermione. Harry smiled, knowing Hermione would have helped Ron get it right.

Harry turned his gaze to Parvati. She was standing over her cauldron with the eye of newt in her hand. Harry jumped off his stool and grabbed her hand. "Not yet!" he whispered frantically, pulling her away from the cauldron.

Parvati stared at Harry, taken aback. She glanced down at her notes and her eyes opened wide. She swallowed hard. "Thanks," she whispered, looking at Harry. They sat on their stools, and Harry noticed Parvati twisting her hands in her lap. He shot Snape another angry glance. How were they supposed to concentrate on their potion, knowing that they had poison inside them?

Snape had been walking around the classroom smirking and clicking his tongue. He rather seemed to be enjoying the sickly look of the students.

A bright light emitted from Harry's cauldron, and the smoke changed from green to blue. Harry threw in the eye of newt, stirred the potion three times counter-clockwise, and distinguished the fire underneath. He ladled the potion into a flask and set it on his desk to cool. Hermione eyed Harry's flask and then smiled at Harry. He breathed a sigh of relief.

All of the Gryffindor students had managed to brew their potions correctly, much to the disappointment of Snape. Pansy Parkinson, on the other hand, had vomited spectacularly all over Draco after drinking her potion. It took Harry all of his willpower not to cheer loudly.

Professor Snape glared down at Pansy. "Miss Parkinson, how dare you disgrace the house of Slytherin. Mr. Malfoy, give her some of your potion before she disgraces us further."

Harry wondered if Pansy had been a Gryffindor student, whether or not Snape would have allowed her to drink another student's antidote. Not likely. However, the look on Draco's face as he looked down at his vomit-covered robes was enough for Harry to let the thought slip his mind.

After Snape had dismissed the students, Harry cleaned out his cauldron and packed his school bag. He paused and waited for Ron and Hermione to join him. He felt a tap on his shoulder.

Harry turned around and saw Parvati smiling at him. "I wanted to thank you again for helping me with my potion."

Harry smiled. "No problem."

Parvati stared at Harry, her eyes shining brightly. She suddenly rushed forward, planted a kiss on his lips, and then turned and ran out of the classroom.

Harry stood frozen, his mouth slightly ajar. He stared at the doorway where Parvati had just disappeared.

"What was that?" Ron asked, his voice filled with laughter.

Harry shook his head. "No idea." he said, his voice barely audible.

Hermione sighed. "Harry, it's obvious that she likes you. Haven't you noticed how she's always whispering to Lavender when you're around?"

Harry turned his gaze to Hermione. "That means she likes me?"

"Well, it means either she or Lavender likes you. Now I think we know which one it is," Hermione said, leading the boys out of the classroom.

Harry shook his head. "Girls are so strange."

Hermione sighed. "Not nearly as strange as boys."

Harry glanced at Ron and grinned. Ron gave Harry a warning look, causing Harry to laugh out loud.

"What's so funny?" Hermione asked, stopping and staring at Harry.

"Nothing. I've just got something caught in my throat," Harry lied, trying to hold his laughter in and coughing.

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued walking up the stairs. "Honestly!" she muttered under her breath.

Harry glanced at Ron, still coughing into his hand. Ron blushed and punched Harry in the arm.

Once inside the common room, Harry raced upstairs, deposited his books on his bed and grabbed his Firebolt. He could not wait to meet Ginny and spend some time flying.

When he arrived at the Quidditch pitch, Ginny was already there, soaring through the air. She landed beside him, her eyes face flushed with excitement.

"Come on, Harry. What are you waiting for?" Ginny exclaimed as she kicked off from the ground again.

Harry grinned and jumped on his Firebolt. He kicked the ground and immediately felt exhilarated. Flying was absolutely the best feeling Harry had ever experienced. The wind whipped through his hair as he and Ginny chased each other around the pitch. After nearly half an hour, they glided to the ground, both grinning madly.

Ginny plopped herself on the ground. "There's nothing better than flying," she said, her eyes sparkling.

Harry sat down beside her, leaning back on his arms. "I've missed that."

Ginny smiled at him. "Gryffindor is lucky to have their Seeker back."

"You still trying out for Chaser?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded. "Definitely."

"Isn't it great about Ron?"

Ginny knitted her eyebrows together. "What about Ron?"

Harry grinned. "Haven't you heard? He's been made Quidditch Captain."

Ginny's mouth dropped open. "Wow. He must be thrilled." She paused and stared out over the pitch. "I hope he's not too hard on me."

Harry shook his head. "Nah, I think he'll be great."

Ginny smiled ruefully. "Well, you're not his little sister."

Harry smiled and shook his head. "That I'm not."

Ginny returned her gaze to Harry. She stared into his eyes searchingly. Harry tore his eyes away from her gaze and began picking at the grass.

"So...are you going to tell me why Dumbledore wanted to see you?" Ginny asked quietly.

Harry looked at Ginny. She was looking at him with a frown on her face.

"Actually, it was Mr. Brooks and Professor Pandoran that wanted to see me. Dumbledore just organized it."

"What did they want?"

Harry explained the requests that both Mr. Brooks and Professor Pandoran had of him.

"And what did you say?" Ginny asked, her eyes wide.

"I said yes to both of them." Harry said, anxious to see her reaction.

Ginny stared at the ground silently. Harry watched her, trying to read the look on her face. Would she lecture him like Hermione, or be disappointed like Ron?

"I think you'll be great Harry," Ginny said quietly, still staring at the ground.

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised.

Ginny looked up at him and smiled. "You're so good at Defense Against the Dark Arts and you've had experience fighting. I imagine you wish you hadn't faced Death Eaters as often as you have, but I can see why Professor Pandoran would want you to help her. You're an excellent student and you take your responsibilities seriously. I'm really happy for you, Harry. You should feel proud that you were asked."

Harry stared at Ginny. He was amazed at her ability to say exactly what he needed to hear. "Thank you, Ginny," he said softly.

She smiled and punched him lightly in the arm. "So, when do we start, Mr. Potter? Or should I call you Professor?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. Can you imagine Malfoy calling me Professor?"

Ginny laughed as she stood up and brushed the grass off her robes. "Come on. Let's get a few more rounds in before supper," she said jumping on her broom once more.

Harry grinned, grabbed his Firebolt, and kicked off the ground. He raced in pursuit of Ginny; he wasn't going to let her get away.