Chapter Twenty-Two

Preparing For Battle

"Everyone, this is the first meeting of the DA. We will from time to time have teachers come in to teach us a few spells. Treat them with respect, or be cursed!" Harry said with a smile.

"Before we begin, are there any questions?" Ginny asked. Almost everyone raised their hands. "One at a time ask."

"Are you guys still going to be pranking on Slytherins?" A small boy asked from the back.

"Of course, do you think we've gone soft?" Serena asked, causing the students to laugh.

"No more questions about us. We are the same as we were at the beginning of the year! Nothing will change. But we have to teach you all well. I don't want to see anyone die, especially not people I am training. In that way, this is a class. I will grade you based on performance. This does nothing to your school record, only affects what you have to do here. Serena and Ginny will talk with you all about that, though. Today we are going to get all of you to register with us, and maybe, you will meet with me. Take no offense if you do. We have to be careful though." Harry said, smiling. "I'll try not to be too tough on you. Go ahead, guys to Serena, girls to Ginny."

Harry sat behind his desk and began reading a book on defensive spells while the students were dealt with by the girls. He knew he had to be prepared. Every so often a person was sent to him. By the time they were finished only three people were sent away. The group was large enough to put Harry on edge.

"Ok, I don't know how we will teach you right now. I really wasn't expecting this large of a group. I think we will have to break you into smaller groups. For the next month I will have you all practicing physical aspects of defense, and hopefully get enough copies of the books I need you to read. Everyone will get a plan based on year of school. First through fourth years, most of your magical training right now can only be in theory. These spells are extremely too advanced for you to learn now. I'm sorry to say that. For now, we will hand out your training plans to you and you can go on your way for today." Harry said.

The next few weeks passed in a blur for Harry, who only slowed down to enjoy his pranks. There were many of those to help him pass the days as he began to grow increasingly bored with classes. The best one to him was the 'attack on Slytherin house' as it had been called. Harry, Serena and Ginny managed to get themselves into Slytherin house, thanks to a rather bored teacher, and began sending charms in every direction. Chairs that would attack those who sat in them, tables that rampaged like bulls, beds that vanished when you lay on them, and paintings that would fly around the room screaming the second the lights went out.

With a note from their favorite teacher quickly made, they used Harry's invisibility cloak to watch the chaos. The best was that they asked the twins to tell them how to make a charm unbreakable except by those who used it, which they willingly showed them with nods of approval and asked them to take pictures. Serena was more than happy to agree, having gotten more film for her camera.

No one knew for sure who caused all the chaos in Slytherin house, but everyone would say it was them. Dumbledore seemed to like this joke as well, only telling them to fix everything when the Slytherins started to get worse grades than usual, which took three weeks. In those three weeks, Slytherins had become increasingly nervous, and looked like none of them had slept at all. Some would fall asleep in classes, causing students to laugh as they were woken up by their teachers only to jump and run from classes screaming. The Marauders were even more pleased when the new potions master and head of Slytherin house, Professor Jonz, seemed to think it was hilarious to watch the Slytherin's act this way.

Animagus training was finally starting to require more physical study, meaning they had to make a potion that would allow them to change. Serena talked at length with Dumbledore about the effects on her with this potion, making sure it did not counteract the potion that stopped her from morphing. When she was convinced that she would not, they began brewing their potions. The potion took almost a month to prepare, and then they had to learn how to deal with the pain of transforming.

While all of this was happening, they still somehow managed to stay three of the top four students, only surpassed by Hermione, while Ron was a close fifth. It seemed that getting Ron and Hermione in training was the best thing for Ron's grades, as doing this he learned more defense, transfiguration and charms in a week, than he would learn in a month of class.

The DA was moving along well too. Not as fast as the five teaching, but they now had the physical part coming well underway. They started everyone running in the morning, doing exercise in the afternoon, and dodging practice at the meetings. After the month was over, Dumbledore announced that the books Harry required to be copied were. That day he also taught the students an amazing spell that made your opponent begin attacking his allies, thinking them enemies. Remus taught them a few spells to stop werewolves from attacking, one working like a stunning spell, and another which worked by surrounding the werewolf in an invincible, invisible box. Harry smiled at this and whispered to him that this was a bad spell to teach his godchildren, whom he had to live with during the summer. Remus responded by smiling and telling him that he was faster than most humans, and would gladly curse them into oblivion for trying with no reason.

After the first month of all of this, however, Harry was starting to show signs of stress. All the work he was doing at the same time was beginning to take its toll on him. At one point he asked Dumbledore for a time turner to give him a chance to keep up with everything. Dumbledore refused, but offered to take over the DA until all three had their first transformation. After that Animagus training wouldn't last as long and they would have the time they needed. Harry happily agreed.

Finally, two weeks after the Marauders took their vacation from the DA, their potion was ready. All of them were happily discussing what animal they hoped they were. They learned from all the books they read that they couldn't just pick an animal and become it, which greatly disappointed Harry. They also learned no one has ever become a magical creature. When they entered McGonagall's classroom and closed the door they began talking excitedly.

"I wonder if I'll follow Dad." Serena said cheerfully.

"You? A dog?" Harry asked an eyebrow raised. "I sort of picture you as a cute little bunny."

"A bunny!" Serena said, glaring at Harry until he started laughing.

"Just kidding, Black!" He said. "I wonder what I'll be."

"Probably a snake, you were after all, almost put in Slytherin, has to be a reason." Serena said, grinning evilly. "Besides you already know the language."

"Ha, ha." Harry said. "With my luck, I will be the cute little bunny, or worse."

"Great, with you as a bunny, I'll end up a rat!" Ginny said, causing them to laugh again.

"Alright, that is enough." McGonagall said, her lips drawing into a line. "This is going to be the hardest thing you will ever do and you will need as much concentration as you give those pranks of yours."

"Yes ma'am." Harry said.

"Sorry, we're just trying not to think about how much this is going to hurt." Serena said.

"Agreed." Harry and Ginny said.

"Well, that is perhaps the best way to do this then, as many people make mistakes when they worry about the pain." McGonagall said. "Remus told me your fathers caused such terrible damage to themselves their first time, only half transformed. They should be grateful he learned how to help them while they were studying this."

All three of them looked at each other and swallowed visibly. All of them thinking the same thing. If they screwed up at first, what chance do we have to get this right away? This was a sobering thought. They stopped joking and became very serious.

"We will not mess this up, Professor." Harry said firmly. "Nothing will stop us now."

"Agreed." Serena and Ginny said, both looking as serious as Harry.

"Very well. I will tell you how to do this." McGonagall said sternly. "You must take the potion and then think of changing into an animal. Do not think of an animal, merely think 'I will become an animal.' and it will happen. Once we know your animals we will be able to take this a step farther."

All three nodded at her. No longer thinking of pain, they drank the potion quickly. All three of them thinking what McGonagall told them. Suddenly, all three began to scream in pain, causing McGonagall to place a silencing charm on the class. Watching the students she felt sorry for them, remembering her first time. They progressed much faster than she did, and she was now worried they were not ready for this yet. They fell on all fours suddenly, and Harry lifted his head, his eyes wide, he let out one last yell, and then the room was quiet.

McGonagall looked at all of them with approval showing as her face lit up into a smile. Where the three students were, now stood three animals. She smiled as she saw what they were. Where Harry was, she saw a sleek black panther in his place. The eyes we a brilliant color of green, almost jade. The panther stretched lazily, walked over to her, and laid at her feet. She laughed at the way he seemed to move in this form so easily.

Serena was a white wolf, with black eyes. She walked to Harry and nudged him with her nose, licked his face, then laid down next to him seeming tired from the work that was done. Ginny, who appeared to look every bit of a Rottweiler, had a reddish tint to her black coat, with brown eyes, fell to the ground and started panting.

"Children there is no time for rest right now. I must change you back to teach you how to change yourselves." McGonagall said, shaking her head. She changed each of them back, and waited for them to catch their breath. "You did very well, children. Few people change completely on their first time. There is still much you need to learn however, and I am trying to teach you as fast as I can."

"Why did it hurt so much, Professor? Sirius never screamed like that when he transformed." Harry asked, looking tired.

"That is because it was your first transformation. Your body has never changed before. That is what the potion does, shows your body how to do it. Also you did not know what you were becoming, nor did your body. Now you know." She said. "It will still hurt at first, but after your tenth time the pain should be minimal. Something like a minor toothache."

"How long will it take us to learn how to keep our animal form for as long as we want?" Serena asked.

"I'm quite sure you could hold it for as long as you wanted today. However with not knowing how to transform back, you would have had some problems." McGonagall said, still smiling. "I am quite proud of you three. You managed this faster than me, though it seems that you had much more pain than I did. I apologize, but you asked for a fast way, and that left little time to teach you to control the pain."

"It's alright, Professor. We knew it would hurt. I think we were all just afraid of making a mess of our transformations, and the pain kind of increased that worry." Ginny said, smiling weakly.

"Alright. Let me teach you how to change back, and then you will try it again. If it works well, your training will only be needed once a week to make sure you know what you need to do." McGonagall said. "Now to transform, you have to think about becoming your animal. This will make the pain less severe. To return to human form, you must think only of being yourself. It sounds simple, but if you let your thoughts wander as an animal, you will no longer see this as an easy task."

After another two hours of transforming from human to animal and back, they were exhausted. At one time they seemed to give up, all choosing to stay in animal form. They wandered around the room and got used to their animal instincts. Hearing McGonagall yell brought them back to the mission at hand and they quickly transformed back to human. This is what made McGonagall send them back to Gryffindor tower.

Hermione and Ron were waiting for them when they returned. Remus was there as well. They offered them seats and waited for them to stop looking like they might drop dead from pain before any of them said anything. They were quite a sight to see. Harry sat in the middle of the two girls, with both of them resting their heads on Harry's shoulders. Harry winced as soon as their heads touched him, but did not move. He had his head merely hanging for a long time. When they finally raised their heads they smiled happily at Remus.

"Moony." Harry said calmly.

"Good to see you mate." Serena said happily.

"How the hell did they do it?" Ginny asked, none of the cheerfulness had yet returned to her.

Remus laughed heartily. "They looked much like you three at first. They got over it in time, as you will. So, how did it go?"

"Transformed." Harry said.

"Doesn't hurt much anymore, but doing that 30 times in a row is rather tiring." Ginny said.

"Especially when we couldn't take the time to get over the pain of the first twenty times first." Serena said.

"McGonagall lied." Harry said.

"Ten times indeed!" Serena said heatedly.

"Still isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world." Ginny said.

"Agreed." Harry and Serena said halfheartedly.

"What are you then?" Remus asked.

"Strong enough to play with you during the full moon." Harry said smiling again.

"Definitely." Serena said.

"Can't wait." Ginny said.

"Yes you can." Remus said seriously. "I wont have you going with me until it doesn't hurt to transform."

"It always hurts, Moony." Harry said.

"Just not so much." Ginny said.

"Now it really doesn't feel like anything. We are just sore from doing it repeatedly before we had a chance to get used to it." Serena said.

"Yup. Watch." Harry said, and transformed into a panther. He walked up to Remus and began purring. Remus laughed, and Harry went back to the couch and laid on his back over the girls while he transformed again. "See no problem." He said, smiling cheerfully.

"Well you're a panther I see. Very beautiful creatures. What about you two?" Remus said, nodding to the girls. They smiled and pushed Harry off them, causing him to transform quickly to avoid more pain. Landing on all fours he looked up to see a wolf and a dog sitting where Ginny and Serena were.

"Well, at least all of you seem to be strong enough to survive a fight with me. A lot better and a dog, stag and rat. Two dogs and a panther might be a good combination. Maybe I will talk to Dumbledore and see if you accompany me at times." Remus said as they changed back.

"I am not a dog, Moony!" Serena said angrily. "I am a wolf! Ginny's a dog."

"Are you insulting me?" Ginny said in mock anger.

"No Gin, stating a fact. Your animal is a dog. Harry, though, is nothing more than an overgrown cat!" Serena said laughing.

"I'm quite proud of my overgrown cat thank you!" Harry said, pretending to be offended.

"Well of course you are. It gets to act as bored as you are most of the time." Ginny said, laughing with Serena.

"Of course, that's why I like it!" Harry said while joining in with the laughter.

Remus shook his head. "Here I was feeling sorry for you three, and you go changing at will then laughing." He said.

"Told ya, Moony. We are only sore cause of our first transformation, and the 19 after it. Didn't really hurt after that." Serena said.

"Yeah and honestly I feel less pain as a panther." Harry said.

"Alright then. Would you like me to cast a pain blocking charm so you can sleep tonight?" Remus asked.

"Sounds good, but remember to take it off in the morning. All we need is to feel more invincible than we already do." Harry said smiling.

Remus laughed again while placing the pain blocking charm on them. They quickly bid goodnight to him, as well as Hermione and Ron, and went to sleep. The next morning they woke feeling refreshed. After quickly dressing they ran to the great hall, to get Remus to remove the charm. They felt absolutely no pain, and said so to him, as well as McGonagall, who beamed with pride.

Their classes passed by quickly, and they spent much of lunch catching up with Ron and Hermione, who they felt they neglected with their animagus training. During dinner they were told to meet the headmaster immediately after. This confused them because they hadn't pulled any pranks recently, as they were concentrating on homework and animagus training. When they entered Dumbledore's office they found him smiling happily at them, the twinkle in his eyes showing through his half-moon spectacles.

"I hear you have turned into quite accomplished animagi already. I can't say that I am surprised however, considering the power you three seem to hold. Remus will be here shortly, as well as Minerva. We three will observe how you transform, just so we know there is no more pain than is normal for an animagus. I have to be strict on this, as you have asked to accompany Remus, even though I agree he would enjoy the company. I cannot let you go if it causes you great pain." Dumbledore said.

"I understand sir." Harry said.

"Me too." Ginny said.

"Yup." Serena said.

Dumbledore offered them seats and waited for them to sit before continuing. "I will inform you of what is happening with the DA in your absence. The students seemed to have adhered to your plan for them quickly. None would deviate from the plan, even when I told them I had your permission to run the group until you could return. Forgive me but I had to tell them you were being punished for causing a rather uncomfortable prank on me. They seemed to think it rather funny.

"Remus managed to get through to them though. They listen to him for obvious reasons, mainly that you three have turned him into a sort of icon around here. He followed your plan to the letter, I will say. None younger than fifth year are learning the spells that you listed. The younger children are learning advanced spells for their age, mainly because of Remus' suggestion of it. He has also offered to help you with them so that you three can devote yourselves to teaching the older students.

"We are worried about your test that is in your plan for the day you return to the DA. I was wondering if you could tell me why you feel it necessary to have them duel against you three?" Dumbledore asked.

"It is so they will learn that with practice they can become accomplished duelers. This is not to humiliate anyone, but none of them know what we can do. If we only teach them, eventually they will get heads bigger than ours!" Serena said, laughing at the thought.

"She's right sir. People respect the teachers because they are adults. We are teaching people who are older than us. What are we going to do if they decide they don't need to be trained because they are older, and therefore they must know more than us?" Ginny said.

"We just want to make sure they know we are teaching them not because we are famous, but because we know what we are talking about. We don't want them thinking that we are teaching this as figureheads, with teachers handing us spells to practice with them." Harry said.

"I see. Might I offer a different solution, then?" Dumbledore asked.

"Of course sir. We are always willing to listen to you." Harry said, and the other two nodded.

"How would you feel about a duel between three of your teachers versus you three?" Dumbledore asked.

"I believe that could work sir." Serena said smiling.

"Definitely be fun." Ginny said.

"What three?" Harry asked.

"Well I would think it should be three that you trust." Dumbledore said. "So how about Remus, Minerva, and myself?"

Their jaws dropped. "Sir, I really think you three might kill us." Harry said, his eyes widening.

"Agreed!" The other two said, sounding horrified.

Dumbledore laughed at them suddenly. "No Harry, I do not believe so. However, I do have another reason for this. If you agree, and duel us in front of the students, not only will they know you are accomplished duelers, but they may agree to listen to other teachers than Remus in the event that you three cannot participate in the actions of the DA."

They began whispering to each other furiously, none knowing what to do about this situation. They each seemed to have their own views on the situation. Dumbledore smiled at this. Three children who train harder than any auror on the planet were afraid of three of their teachers, who also had a fear of this duel as well. As quickly as they started whispering they stopped.

"If you feel it best." Harry said.

"We will agree." Ginny said.

"We cannot have rules set against us however, as we use different methods than you three." Serena said.

"I will not use my power without a wand, nor cast my shields, though. That is so the duel may be fair." Harry said diplomatically.

"Harry, I believe those terms can be accepted. I thank you for not using your powers, as well. I believe this will be a great deal of fun." Dumbledore said smiling again as a knock on the door was heard. "Come in, you two. We have been waiting."

As soon as the door opened, the three children jumped up and glared at the two teachers, who jumped back quickly alarmed. Then they grinned mischievously and transformed in the blink of an eye. Harry began stretching languidly, while Serena and Ginny ran to the teachers and began dragging them into the office. Harry jumped over the chairs and closed the door after turning back into a human, then quickly turned back into a panther and walked slowly to Remus and nodded his head. Then they all transformed back into human form and smiled happily.

"Do we pass?" Ginny asked.

"Are we good?" Serena asked.

"When can we go with Moony?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "Minerva, either you have taught these children well, or they are extremely good at hiding their pain. Remus, what do you think?" He said happily.

"I believed they were fine last night, with the way they showed off. But I couldn't be sure because they still seemed to be in pain. Seeing them now, I believe they would be great company as a werewolf. Though I must ask you to teach them the spells you taught James and Sirius when they would come with me." Remus said.

"Remus, you already taught them though you did not know it. The spells you taught them against werewolves are the same spells I taught them when they started to watch you." Dumbledore said. Then looking at McGonagall. "Minerva, are there any reservations?"

"No, Headmaster. I would like to see them for two days before the full moon to make sure they are well. If they feel tired or are hurt in any way I cannot allow them to go, as it would be a danger to them." She said.

"Children, will you follow that rule? For your own protection, as well as Remus'." Dumbledore said. "If something were to happen to one of you, we would have to cover up that you are animagi, and in doing so we would cause many problems for Remus, which I am sure none of you want."

"I will follow the rule, sir. But can the examination be done before dinner? With our training and the DA needing us anytime after dinner would make us look and seem completely exhausted." Harry said calmly.

"Minerva?" Dumbledore asked.

"I can arrange that. I understand you three have a lot to do." She said to them. "I really am proud of you three. I was beginning to worry about you all at the start of the year, but everything you have done only seems to increase the quality of your work here."

"Thank you, Professor." They said in unison.

"Moony, you have some company again it seems!" Harry said smiling.

"Yup, this time no rats to bother you, as well as another Black and Potter!" Serena said cheerfully.

"Whatever will I do?" Ginny asked. "Do you think I could change my name to Ginny Lupin? Then I could be a Marauder's heir too!" she said, causing them all to laugh.

"Children, I know you are excited about being able to help your friend, but we must tell them the unfortunate news of what will happen with the DA." Dumbledore said smiling at them.

"Right Professor." Harry said.

"Sorry for the outbursts." Serena said.

"Guess we should tell them." Ginny said.

"We have decided." Serena said.

"That the teachers should see our power." Harry said.

"We're going to annihilate you." Ginny said happily.

"Agreed!" The other two said, laughing at their teachers as they walked out of the office. Dumbledore smiled at this.

"Did they just threaten us?" Minerva asked.

"I really think they did. That worries me. Why are you smiling Albus?" Remus asked.

"They did not threaten you. They respect you both, as you well know. They were merely telling you in their own way that they accepted our challenge." Dumbledore said smiling.

"Oh dear." Minerva said.

"We are in trouble." Remus said.

"We may be, Remus. But they promised they would make it fair for us." Dumbledore said, still smiling.