Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 9

Transitions

The quartet dropped into their favorite chairs in Harry's room. They had just finished with Ginny's sixteenth birthday party. Though smaller than Harry's, there had been equal vigor among the few people in attendance. Most of her family had been forced to be absent due to the pressures of the coming war and only her parents and the twins had managed to stop by. Charlie and Bill had each sent a present though. Charlie's was a book he has picked up in Romania about some of the more peculiar regional spells that had been created with a special focus on the hexes of the area. The wicked grin she got at reading the cover even managed to spook the twins. Bill, currently on a trip with his new bride, had sent each member of the family a souvenir, Ginny's being a model of the real Eiffel Tower.

The twins had gifted her a grab bag of things from their feminine line and teased her endlessly about the love potions, stopped only when they had caught the glare in Harry's eye which no one else noticed. Arthur and Molly had also found their present in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, or rather, had it made there. They had presented her with a beautiful pendant that bore her birthstone and the family crest picked out in silver. They had also had their sons enchant it with a shield charm similar to, but stronger than their defensive line of products. It wouldn't block an Unforgivable, but simple hexes would be stopped cold.

Ron had been at a loss for what to get her and defaulted to one of Hermione's previous ideas for Harry with a broom care kit. Hermione had broken from her usual pattern of books and selected a pair of gold and silver earrings that matched the pendant. Only on very close examination had Ginny noticed they were miniature Snitches.

By far the funniest gift came from Harry. Is response to her present to him, she received, brand new, a heavy duty, ready to use…frying pan. He had had to dodge at least one solid swing of his gift while much of the rest of the room laughed maniacally. Molly oddly had just a small grin and seemed to have a little tear forming at the corner of her eye.

The party soon broke up and the groups headed for home or other rooms. The four had found their way to Harry's room nearly by instinct. Coming here to talk over the day and wind down had become something of a ritual for them. In the aftermath of the pensieve visit they had spent much of the night here only slipping off to their own rooms as the sun had risen. They had talked of what they had seen from every possible angle, discussed every option. In the end they had no choice but to accept it as true and proceeded to decide what to do. They first day of school, they decided, they would use a random owl to send Snape a reply. Harry alone had made the call not to tell anyone else until it became necessary. The more people who knew the better chance it could get back to Voldemort.

Now they sat again, each waiting for the others to speak. Ginny was curled up in her chair, glowing just a little, and paging through the book Charlie had sent her. Harry was content just to lean back and watch her, a matching grin forming on his face. Ron and Hermione seemed to be in some sort of silent discussion that Harry didn't even try to make out. He threw a glance over to his desk. Five sealed envelopes, each enchanted to disintegrate if anyone other than the addressee opened them, sat in a neat pile there.

The first was to Professor McGonagall and contained a list of people he had managed to convince to send their children to Hogwarts. She had organized a dozen meetings over the course of three days earlier in the week and he had attended each, always with a guard, to make a personal plea to the parents. Finding the points they needed to be reassured about had been a challenge, but in the end nearly all had been swayed. Ron and Hermione had gone with him and either Ron's strategic explanation or Hermione's intellectual discourse had won more than a few days. Thirty extra students would now be coming to Hogwarts, many of them in earlier classes that the Headmistress had especially focused on.

The second was for Remus and Moody, again reiterating his orders and adding a few new ones they had seen were needed. He paid special attention to make sure they would continue trying to find Snape but make doubly sure they didn't do anything to him. The third was for Tonks to help her guide the other two. Both letters included contact information so he could relay orders to them during the school year and they could send information back. They would have access to the War Room and Tonks had volunteered to take over the data collection duties.

The fourth was to Hagrid to thank him for the reports he was receiving every couple days on the state of the forest outside Hogwarts and on how his house rebuild was coming. It also questioned whether Grawp would be willing to help should the battle come to Hogwarts.

The fifth and final letter was something the others didn't know of and would be addressed only shortly before being sent. It was going to Gringott's to set a few things in order and inquire as to a couple possible arrangements he might wish to make in the future, such as selling his old house.

He turned back to see the conversation seemed to have stopped between Ron and Hermione. A second later she rose and yawned.

"Well, the express leaves early and I for one don't want to miss it. Good night." She strode from the room and was followed a minute later by Ron who also bade them good night. It took Ginny another minute to see the grin tugging at the edges of Harry's mouth.

"What? You're not still laughing about that pan are you? Cause if you are…" It seemed to appear from nowhere into her hand and shake menacingly at him.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Then what?"

"I was just wondering if you'd like your present now." She cocked an eyebrow at him at that.

"You mean the frying pan wasn't my gift?"

"Oh no, that is most definitely yours. However…I also got you something more…fun." The look on her face gave him not only a slight chuckle but also other, less pure, ideas. She rose and moved closer to him, sitting on the edge of the next chair and leaning close.

"Did you now. And what might that be Mr. Potter." The way she said his name very nearly broke his train of thought. Before she could push him further he pulled a small package out of his pocket and handed it over. She looked at what appeared to be a palm sized stick quizzically. Carefully unwrapping it, as if it might break, she revealed its contents. "Uh…a model Firebolt? Thanks?" He was grinning now and carefully lifted it from her hand to set in on the table.

"This is no model. Restorus." With a flick of his wand the broom returned to its original size. Realizing it was the genuine article she looked at it, then him, then back, her eyes growing a little wider each time. "So…do you like it? Or should I take it back?"

"Harry…" She was unable to continue. A moment later she tried again. "Harry…I…" Again she froze and he waited patiently for her to finish. "I…I can't accept this. It's too much. It must have cost a fortune." Harry nodded as if he had expected a response like this.

"Sure you can. I consider it an investment. After all, we're going to need our top Chaser to have the best possible broom."

"But…what if there's no Quiddich this year?"

"Then the four of us may need to go somewhere and you'll be able to keep up."

"But…" Harry leaned in at this point and grasped her hand.

"And most importantly…if anything should happen…you can get away."

"What did I say about protecting me?"

"I love to fly and a Firebolt is a wonderful present for my birthday, thank you very much?" He didn't know whether to trust the look in her eye or the grin tugging at her lips so he did the only thing he trusted completely and kissed her. When they pulled apart several moments later they were both grinning. "You're welcome."

"I never said 'thank you'."

"Oh…I could tell you were thinking it."

"Really…and what else was I thinking Mr. Potter?" She said his name that same way…only this time her eyes had also changed. He quickly stood and stepped toward the door before he could become lost in them and lose his mind. He desperately tried to work some moisture back into his mouth as he turned to face her.

"That we should both get some sleep because tomorrow is a long day?" Something had changed in the way she stood and turned toward him. There was a side of her he had never seen at length hovering very near the surface and it was stealing his thoughts, taking over his self control. He fought to take a couple steps back and out of arm's reach.

"Hm…well…it did involve a bed…" She threw a glance over to the king sized four poster sitting in the middle of the room before retuning her mesmerizing eyes to Harry. He only managed one more step back before being frozen in place. "Though I don't think rest was part of it…not for a while anyway…" She closed the distance between them. Her finger gently stroked down his cheek. "It is my birthday after all…"

"You...uh…you don't like the broom?" Now the finger trailed down his neck and started down his chest.

"Oh…the broom is fine…more than fine in fact. I was just hoping for something a little more…personal." At the last word she caught a handful of his shirt and pulled him down into a deeply passionate kiss. Harry felt like his blood was on fire. Every part of him was wanted to do exactly what she was implying and only the smallest shred of thought was holding it back. As she finally pulled back he couldn't move for fear of losing control. When he did manage to speak it was in a strangled whisper he just managed to force out through lips still only a split inch from hers.

"Ginny…I…it's not that I don't…want…" He couldn't finish that sentence and hold onto the rest of his body so he trailed off. He could sense rather than see her smile. It was a smile that carried up to her half closed eyes. Her grip on his shirt released and her open hand now rested there. Standing up straight she leaned close to whisper in his ear.

"Good to know. Age of consent in the magic world is sixteen Potter. Kind of hard to do anything to a witch…my age that she doesn't want you to." His left arm was starting to twitch and he could feel his control slipping. "I'll just leave you with that thought…Harry." The caress to his name doubled the fire in his veins instantly as she took a step back and summoned the broom to her hand. Striding slowly past him with a sway in her hips he had never seen before he silently counted the steps until she reached the door. It swung open behind him. "Sleep well…" She left and the door closed tightly behind her. Harry waited a full minute to make sure she was really gone before trying to turn around and instead collapsed to the floor in a heap.

Great…like he was going to be able to sleep now.

Ginny rapidly closed her door and fell back against it, Firebolt clutched tightly in her hands, breathing quickly.

Okay…that had been too much. It had started as a joke, just to play with him…but she had pushed way too far. If she had stayed one more minute… She took several deep breaths trying to fight down the furious blush that rose as she pondered that possibility. Leaning the broom against the wall she dropped to her bed and considered the situation. She had basically thrown her self at Harry…and if he had had one sliver less self control…

Crushing that down as firmly as she could, she changed and slid into bed. She needed sleep…or at least unconsciousness. She would have taken a bit of comfort that Harry's dreams almost perfectly matched hers that night…though from a different point of view of course.

It had taken seven years but the transition onto the Hogwarts' Express finally went off with out a hitch. Arriving at King's Cross Station Harry had been aware of a number of people that seemed just slightly out of place. After a minute's searching he had spotted the telltale wand hidden beneath a jacket and known that all of them were Aurors. They didn't let up once he was through the barrier either. A half dozen of the hunters, this time with wands drawn, stood guard near the train. He had also seen them lurking around on board after settling in.

With Ron and Hermione off on Head Boy and Girl duties and Ginny named Prefect, he had much of the ride to himself. He tried his best to enjoy the solitude, knowing it was likely the last chance he'd have for a good long while. He'd been alone with his thoughts for much of the ride when Neville and Luna appeared and took the offered seats. Luna still had a copy of the Quibbler folded under her arm and the misty look in her eyes. Neville also looked much the same though…there was something about him… While he mostly seemed the hesitant boy Harry had known for six years, every now and again, at the mention of Voldemort or battle, his eyes caught a certain sharpness and focus.

"So Luna…anything interesting in the Quibbler recently?" She looked up from the page she had been perusing, her eyes to taking on a rare bit of focus.

"No…not really. Father's been writing less of the good stuff people need to hear about and focusing more on Voldemort and stories about him."

"But…that's good right? People need to know about him."

"Well…he says circulation is up…but you can read about him in the Prophet. Not much incentive to buy both anymore."

"No…I suppose not…" Harry trailed off, not sure how to continue. Neville took that as his cue.

"So Harry…Gran says you did a fair bit of work with some of the parents this year. A couple friends of hers had grandchildren they didn't think were going to be able to come."

"Well...you know…Hogwarts is still the safest place."

"She's almost as proud of you as she was of my father."

"I'm sure she's plenty proud of you Neville, just doesn't want to give you a big head."

"Maybe…" The pair departed soon after leaving Harry once again to his solitude. It didn't last long though as the others returned. According to Ron and Hermione the list of duties for their positions was unbelievably long and even the Prefects' orders had been lengthened considerably.

"We're hardly going to have any time to work on our mission, much less research it."

"Well, I'll have time. At least until the Quiddich season starts. What about you Ginny? Got any ideas about how to get started with the DA?" The other two whipped their eyes to him, surprised.

Ron was the first to stutter out, "The DA? What are you talking about?"

"Harry…you didn't tell them?"

"It…slipped my mind?"

"Harry…what are you talking about?" Hermione was purely concern, wondering what he had gotten them into. Ron just looked confused. After stopping Dumbledore's Army following the death of his godfather, Harry hadn't spoken to them about it since except to say it wouldn't form for sixth year. He, for the first time, realized just how much of a shock it might be to the others.

"Well…you see…I figured that we should do everything we can to help secure Hogwarts…so I'm restarting Dumbledore's Army…and putting Ginny in charge." Now Ron looked shell shocked and Hermione merely stunned. After a minute she turned to look appraisingly at Ginny who was grinning a little. Harry glanced back and forth between his friends, waiting for one of them to say something. Hermione's head was cocked to the side, considering. Ron finally came out of the trance and roared to life.

"YOU'RE WHAT?!" He still looked just a shocked only now he had the ability to speak as well.

"You heard him Ron. He's restarting the DA…and putting me in charge." Speech was again struck from him and it took Hermione to pull him back down into his seat and calm him down a bit. After several deep breathes and a few moment he continued.

"Yeah…I got the first bit just fine. But you're putting Ginny in charge?" The indignant look on his sister's face was matched by the tone of Hermione's voice.

"You think she can't handle it Ron?"

"No…I…I'm sure she can. But why her? Why not…me…or Hermione? Or you for that matter?"

"Because you two have other duties this year, as do I. Ginny, on the other hand, has the time, ability and she's one of the very few I trust to keep an eye on things at the castle while we're off hunting certain…objects. She's a year older than I was when I started it and besides…I have another Order to manage." Ron took each bit one at a time and slowly arrived at the conclusion that Hermione had reached already.

"Oh. Well…good luck then Gin…" The self satisfaction on her face was plain. Now that Ron had been pacified, Harry turned back to her.

"So? Any ideas?"

"Yeah. Since being a Prefect gives me quite a bit of freedom, I'll be getting in touch with all the former members still at school, courtesy of Hermione's excellent list, and see who's still interested."

"Sounds good. What next?"

"Our first meeting. The Room of Requirements should serve us again. I was hoping the three of you would drop by just to get things off on the right foot."

"Of course. I had planned to anyway. So…when's the first meeting?"

"Monday night. I figured we should get started as soon as possible." Harry nodded appreciatively, Hermione was smiling and even Ron looked approving of the plan his sister had devised. Before they could say more the train slowed to a halt and signaled their arrival at Hogsmeade. Even the threstral drawn carriages had guards this year.

As the students approached he could tell many more of them could see the ethereal creatures this year and several of the Prefects had to explain what they were. Hagrid led the first years down to the boats and Harry made a quick count as they gathered. Only 21. Those parents had been the hardest to convince, but he had managed with nearly all of them.

For the coach ride they were once again joined by Neville and Luna though none of them seemed particularly keen to make even light conversation. Rolling through the castle gates Harry glanced out the window to see none other than Alastor Moody pacing around the courtyard, his eye still spinning madly. The torches were lit and the sky darkening as the students made there way in through the massive main door.

The six marched in as a block and Harry suspected nearly every eye was turned their way for at least a second. It had nothing to do with the fact they were now the senior class, or that they were walking in a rough formation. He knew, as they all did, it was because they were who they were. For once not having any trouble ignoring the looks, he headed the group as they stepped straight toward the Great Hall. He realized on crossing the threshold that they were the first students to enter. Splitting off into houses most of them walked up either side of the Gryffindor table and sat right near the front, leaving space for any new first years.

As if that had been an unspoken signal, the rest of the students wandered in and took their seats. The instructors also began to arrive, each looking a little more haggard than Harry had remembered from last year. Many of them were the same and Hagrid smiled at them from his perch near the end. Apparently the first years had arrived safely then. They would be entering soon with professor…Headmistress McGonagall. Harry glanced up to the center chair and felt the pang he knew from experience would be there for some time.

His eyes continued to sweep the head table, mentally confirming every position he knew of. Everyone seemed to be accounted for, including potions with Professor Slughorn, except for the one he had purposefully left for last. Moving to the end he looked for the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Reaching it he found the chair empty. He had hoped to collect a little information before the feast…but it seemed he would be missing out for now. Ginny had followed his gaze from his side and set a hand against his back.

"Do you think there's anyone left crazy enough to take the job? It has one hell of a track record."

"Yeah…ever since…"

"Ever since what Harry?" Hermione had caught his tone and now she and Ron were focused on him as well. He wasn't exactly sure how to explain, so he repeated what he knew.

"Last year…Dumbledore showed me something… It was Tom. He came and applied for the Defense teacher job. Dumbledore suspected it was because he wanted to be close to the school. He was, of course refused."

"Yeah…so?" Ron gestured for him to continue.

"Well…then he told me…that ever since he refused Tom the job…he was never able to keep a Defense teacher for more than one year." Hermione's eyes dropped and she seemed to be searching her memory.

"Yeah…now that I think about it… In Hogwarts: A History," the others rolled their eyes at this, "it lists all the teachers, and there haven't been any that last more than one year recently."

"Well then you would have to be a bloody nutter to take the job." Ron counted the last few off on his fingers. "Turned to dust, mind lost, werewolf, locked in a trunk for nine months, evil prat, killed the headmaster…" Heat entered his words near the end. "Who could they get at his point?"

"Maybe him?" They all followed Ginny's nod back up to the table to find someone sitting down at the designated chair. Harry stared at his appearance. He had short brown hair, a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black slacks and an all together mugglish appearance. Harry couldn't quite pin down what it was, but the man didn't look like he belonged in the magical world. That thought was broken though as he noticed a wand handle protruding from a sheath sewn into a leather strap crossing his chest from the right shoulder to his left hip. Over his shoulder something stuck up, wrapped in red fabric picked with little bits of gold.

The others were also staring at him and as he turned to speak to professor Sprout in the next chair they just caught a glimpse of his back. Hermione looked at the red, stunned. "Is…is that a…sword?" Ron looked more closely as well.

"It certainly looks like it. It is a Defense class."

"Yeah…but magical defense…not swordplay."

"Just have to wait and see…" Harry left the man for a moment and continued looking around.

The sorting hat sat on its stool near the front table waiting as it always did. For a change thought it too was looking around and seemed to be muttering to itself. Harry suspected he knew what it was thinking…if a hat could be said to think. The tables were not even close to full. The Gryffindor table was the closest, only missing a handful of members. The Hufflepuffs were missing a few more and Ravenclaw a few more than that. The Slytherin though…the Slytherin had been crushed. Nearly all of the later year students were missing and the younger year ranks had thinned considerably. Only a third of their usual number now sat, closely grouped near the front.

The hat went motionless again as the main doors opened. Harry had long suspected it enjoyed that little gasp when it first moved. Headmistress McGonagall walked with her usual purpose up the center of the room, wide eyed eleven year olds trailing in her wake. Many of them stared at the enchanted ceiling as they walked, a few nearly tripping. As she approached she gave Harry a short nod and a constrained smile before moving on. Standing to the side of the stool she went through her usual speech and began the sorting.

Not really hearing the names Harry took the opportunity to look over each student as they sat for a second or a minute as the hat decided their fate. It seemed to taking a little longer this year than previous, as if the hat was double checking its decisions. Harry greeted each of the new arrivals at the table as did all those near the front. Gryffindor tower would have seven new tenants tonight. Hufflepuff had collected six new members and Ravenclaw five. Slytherin had only been the named destination for three students. It did little to bolster their already weak numbers.

As the stool and hat were removed to the side and they waited for the coming speech Harry's attention turned back to the new instructor. He was unable to discern anything more before Ginny's poke in his ribs brought him back to the new students. After a second he realized what it was. They were taking turns staring at him, specifically his scar, and murmuring amongst themselves. Having now been caught by the object of their attention they seemed to decide one of them had to speak. The nominee turned out to be a blond haired girl that oddly reminded him of Luna. He tried to be as inviting as possible in prodding them.

"Yes?"

"Uh…you…you're Harry Potter?"

"Yes. I am. And this is Hermione Granger and Ron and Ginny Weasley. What can we help you with?"

"Um…we were wondering…is it true you've faced…you-know-who?"

"Yeah. I've face Voldemort himself…three…no four times and his agents even more. My friends and I have faced them many times." He noticed they each flinched at Voldemort's name and remembered when Ron and Hermione had done the same.

"Mum said…she said she wasn't going to let me come until after she had met with you. I just wanted to say 'thank you' for convincing her. I've wanted to come here since I was five." Harry smiled at his as did the others. A 'me too' came from three of her fellow class mates.

"You're welcome. Now," he pointed to the front, "I believe the Headmistress has a few words to say."

"Bet you none of them is tweak." Those in earshot chuckled at Ron's comment while the first years just looked confused. Before Harry could explain though, Professor McGonagall rose and received instant silence. Harry could tell she wasn't comfortable with what she was doing, but she pressed on.

"To our new students, welcome. To our returning students, welcome back. As many…if not all of you are aware, Headmaster Dumbledore, who lead this institution with wisdom and courage, was taken from us by the most despicable act of betrayal Hogwarts has seen in its many years. I have taken over and will do my best in his stead.

"Now…for a few notices. As always, the Dark Forest is strictly off limits to all students. You would do well to steer well clear of it, especially at night. Dark and dangerous things live there. Also Quiddich has unfortunately…been canceled for this year due to the increased danger since the return of Lord Voldemort and his followers. Similarly, weekend trips to Hogsmeade have been severely restricted and may be canceled altogether should the risk be seen as too great." Harry was a little surprised at how few groans and mutters greeted these announcements, but then, the danger was plenty real in most people's minds.

"A number of Aurors have been assigned to Hogwarts as a security force, but they do not have the man power to protect beyond the castle walls. Give them a wide berth and let them do their jobs. They are here to protect you and I have assurances from the Minister that they will not interfere with activities inside the walls.

"Now…our returning students will recognize Professor Horace Slughorn who has agreed to continue as Potions Master. Thank you sir." The man rose and gave a bow that looked more like he had just rolled forward. "And secondly we had a new Defense Against Dark Arts instructor this year." She motioned to the side and the man they had all been staring at rose and took a small bow as well. "Professor Alexander Keystone is a former student of Hogwarts and has accepted the teaching position for this year." The man sat again and she turned back to the students, this time even more grave than before.

"Darkness is growing all over the land right now. Voldemort is gathering his followers and it is only a matter of time before the Ministry declares open war. Study hard. Learn all you can. And most importantly, keep your friends close. Together we will see the school through this war as we did the last." After letting that sink in for a moment she spoke again, this time in a lighter tone. "Now…the house elves have been hard at work all day, I'd say the least we can do is enjoy their efforts." With a wave of her wand the welcome back feast popped into existence on the tables.

They all ate there fill, hungry after the long day. Soon after finishing they were of course sent off to dormitories. Harry only had Ginny for company as Ron and Hermione had their own rooms elsewhere. At the common room, where it had been Ginny's task to lead the first years, he parted again and ascended to the room he would sleep in, for the first time without his best mate.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.