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

(A/N):

Chapter 12

Burden of Command

Hermione's prediction about their homework turned out to be painfully accurate. Between the class schedules being reworked and the fact it was his NEWTs year, Harry had more work than ever. Blessedly, their mid afternoons were relatively empty most of the week. Apparently a conscious effort had been made on the part of the staff to have as many of the late year classes as possible done by just after lunch. The main exceptions were the odd electives, a couple of which Hermione was of course taking, and Defense.

The course material had also subtlety shifted for the late year students. For instance, in Tuesday's transfiguration lesson Professor McGonagall had started immediately with more advanced human transfigurations which she said could be very useful when hiding. Slughorn's potions class the following day focused on liquid counter curses. Harry had been half dreading the class, expecting Horace to still be trying to ingratiate himself to him. Thankfully he seemed somewhat more somber and more focused than Harry could remember. Ignoring the help from the Prince this time he made a merely passable example of a rather strong numbing agent meant to help a Cruciatus victim. Hermione for once outdid him though neither received much praise or censure from the instructor.

Thursday brought herbology and a rare lecture on some of the truly dangerous plants in the world. Even Professor Sprout was amazed at Neville's knowledge on some of them. The week rounded out with Flitwick's lecture on some of the more powerful protection charms and the more inventive uses to which others had been put. Harry made a point not to show undue interest or knowledge during the discussion on Fidelus charms. Through it all, and her additional classes, Hermione took copious notes knowing, without being told, that the others weren't.

They didn't get a break on Saturday either as Harry felt compelled to attend the first official meeting of the resurrected Dumbledore's Army. He had been pleasantly surprised Saturday morning to find his school robe bouncing ever so slightly on the table that sat between his and Ron's now deserted bed. Pulling out the coin, which stopped vibrating at his touch, he could clearly read the meeting time listed on the edge. He suddenly wondered what would happen if a teacher for example had gotten their hands on it, especially now that it was displaying the word 'meeting' across its edge. A few seconds later his question was answered as it returned to the fake serial number and stayed that way.

Having taken care to avoid the numerous sentries around the grounds he eventually reached the meeting place and was surprised to discover Ginny had already been recruiting. Six more people stood around, looking just a little nervous. Smiling to himself at how seriously she was taking this, he stepped in and waited.

All together it was a solid practice session consisting of much review. Hermione had made a list, with Ginny's guidance, of things to cover in the first meeting. Nearly everyone had a couple parts they needed to brush up on, Harry included. It was amazing what you could not use for so many years in a magical school. By the end the newcomers had been thoroughly inducted and each looked just as determined as the others.

Finally, come Sunday, they were able to all but crash down in the Gryffindor common room, which had remained their favorite haunt for their normal studying. Ron and Hermione's private sitting room was more for conducting serious business that had little to do with what subjects they were taking. They had burned much of the day and just gotten most of their work done, thanks as always to Hermione, when Ginny entered the common room bearing a flyer she had evidently pulled off the wall. Harry could see her quizzical expression and was the first to question it.

"What? Fred and George advertising in the halls now?" She shook her head slowly, still staring at the paper.

"No…this is from Professor Keystone… There were a bunch of them in front of his classroom." She handed him the sheet and he looked it over. It was simple and contained only a few lines. Attention was scrawled across the top in large letters. The rest seemed just to be a notification that the Monday and Thursday Defense classes would be meeting in the courtyard just inside the main gates. "Why do you suppose we'll be out there?" Hermione took the page and read it over.

"Well…he did say 'wear comfortable clothes'… That would indicate some sort of physical activity." Harry glanced over to Ron who actually looked somewhat intrigued by this notion.

"Really? You don't suppose we'll be playing a bit of Quiddich do you? Everybody has to catch a snitch or something? That does take concentration." Hermione shook her head at his single mindedness.

"I don't think so Ronald. After all, not all of us are that good at flying. And it doesn't say to bring a broom." Harry knew 'all of us' meant her. Though passable she wasn't going to be trying out for a Quiddich team anytime soon. Which was just as well. It meant more time for her to help them, help they would desperately need to pass this year. While they continued a debate over the validity of Quiddich as practice, Harry turned his attention to the other girl at the table.

Ginny had now seated herself beside him and was glancing over the essay he was writing for charms, the Fidelus section just finished. "Going for extra points with the Secret-Keeper's eye view?"

"Just thought I'd throw it in there…for perspective. Just a couple more paragraphs and I'm good for today."

"Excellent. So…want to go do something when you get done?"

"Something?"

"I was thinking we could find some place quiet…alone." He could see the possibilities running through her head and a small grin crossed his face. "Maybe the Astronomy Tower. There's never anyone up there…" She stuttered to a halt, her eyes going wide as she realized what she'd said. "Oh! Harry…I'm sorry…I didn't think…" He silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"It's okay. We'll find someplace. Just give me a minute to finish this." She nodded ascent and waited patiently as he finished the last bit of writing on his paper. Harry was even slightly surprised that mention of the Tower hadn't affected him more. Perhaps he was becoming too used to it.

Monday morning rolled around and turned out to be the first slightly chilly day of the fall. The students of the Monday Defense class didn't know it yet, but it was something for which they would be thankful for very soon. In accordance with the Professor's recommendation, Harry arrived in the common room dressed in what he hoped was the appropriate attire. The light pants and long sleeved shirt reminded him eerily of his uniform during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, though less vibrant being just maroon with the slightest hint of gold edging.

Waiting a few minutes several of his classmates passed through on their way to breakfast wearing a variety of sporty gear. The girls especially seemed happy to actually be able to wear something other than their robes to class. Ginny came down, just as he was wondering where she was, dressed in similar pants and a t-shirt. She also wore a light gold sweat jacket and had her hair tied tightly back in a ponytail. With a light kiss for greeting she took his offered arm and they headed down to breakfast. Ron and Hermione were already seated, not together but, close enough no one could squeeze between them.

Ron wore a similar outfit to Harry though his was a little more worn and was possibly second hand. Hermione's outfit was oddly similar to Ginny's, right down to the tight ponytail. Harry glanced around and could easily pick out the remainder of the class among the otherwise black robed students. Turning back he found Hermione's eyes locked on the head table. "What?" She pointed to the end of the long staff table, currently occupied by most of the teachers, including Hagrid with a bandaged hand.

"At the end there. Keystone and Professor McGonagall." Swinging his eyes he could clearly see that the Defense teacher had just arrived and was now listening calmly to the Headmistress who was gesticulating wildly. Following her hands Harry was fairly sure she was picking out the students in casual clothing. He wasn't terribly surprised now that he thought about it. Even other students were casting glances at the Defense class. Keystone waited as her rant ran it itself out and then responded in what he could only assume was a calm and logical way. She listened to this passively and then appeared to sigh her consent.

"Wonder what that was about…"

"Don't know. But it looks like it's over…"

"Yeah…" Hermione glanced up at the clock and started. "We'd better hurry if we want a proper meal before we have to go." The others followed her advice and nearly matched Ron's pace through breakfast. Finishing just in time they joined a group of other students heading out through the large front doors and into the early morning sun. Since some slowed down to let their friends catch up it was more or less a solid mass of students that arrived at the main gates to the castle to find Professor Keystone leaning against the wall, waiting. In addition to his usual attire he now also sported a pair of sunglasses with large curved lenses that wrapped around his eyes and made him seem an even more forceful presence.

His gaze was currently focused on the clip board held in his hands. It seemed so strange to see something as mugglish as a clip board in this school that several students were doing double and triple takes upon seeing it. As the clock struck eight in the background he pushed off the wall and turned to address the class. "Good morning. Glad to see everyone received the notice as to our change in venue. And you've come dressed for the occasion. Excellent. From now on we'll be meeting here each week for our morning session. Speaking of dressed…" Harry could tell he was slightly annoyed that he had to mention this. "The headmistress has asked me to tell you that she would like you wear your school outer robes, at least until you reach class. As such I fully expect you to. Now…on with the lesson.

"Many of you are doubtlessly wondering what we're going to be doing that I would suggest your current apparel. The reason is simple. You will recall from last week I told you there are two things I can teach you to make you a better duelist, stamina and concentration. This morning and on the mornings to come, we'll be working on both." As he stepped a few feet away the class glanced amongst itself apprehensively before focusing its attention as he spoke again. "Now…first thing this morning we'll be running defense stamina drills. And I mean that literally. Your first task is to run, as fast as you feel you can sustain, around the interior perimeter of the wall." He turned and his hand swept around, tracing their route. "When you pass this gate, I'll be casting a random disabling spell on each of you. Your second task is to block that spell and continue onto the next lap." Everyone was staring at him in shocked silence as he let the lesson sink in.

"You will continue this until you fail to block the spell and are unable to go on. I ran the perimeter in one minute earlier this morning. I highly suggest you do not try to match that. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Set a pace for yourself you can maintain. Now…any questions." Someone had to ask and it turned out to be Neville who took on the task. He raised his hand tentatively from near the back of the group. "Yes, Mr.…Longbottom?"

"Sir…are you serious?" The others nearly all echoed the question in their faces. The professor actually smiled before answering.

"Completely. I told you I would be teaching you how to win in a fight. This particular drill in part of the standard routine for the Professional Duelist Club of America." They looked around and then even Harry turned to Hermione hoping she could shed some light on the subject. "Never heard of it have you? Well…we are a bit more…you would probably say reckless when it comes to duels in the States. Of course we have quite a bit more empty space to conduct them as well. We have a special center in the Southwest in fact just for the bigger dueling tournaments. Now…Miss Granger?" Hermione snapped to attention as she always did when addressed by a teacher, even one as un-professor-like as this.

"Yes sir?"

"I've been told by a number of other professors you are best student they have. 'Brightest witch of her age' I believe was thrown around a couple times." Harry couldn't help but agree and noticed most of the class nodding in confirmation, some more reluctantly than others. Hermione was turning slightly redder as it continued. "So, naturally, given the history you've had with your defense teachers, I'm sure you took the time to track down my qualifications and by now know nearly as much about me as I do. Also, judging by the surprised looks on your classmates' faces, you haven't told them. From this I gather you found nothing to cause you concern. Am I correct so far?"

"Yes professor."

"Excellent. Well, since you went to the trouble none of the others seem to have seen fit to, would you please inform the class what qualifications you found that make me suitable for my job." Hermione took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering.

"Well…you were…and still are, the reigning Freestyle Dueling champion of North America…four years running. You're noted for your highly unorthodox and unpredictable dueling style which is somewhat unique as it employs the use of a sword and hand-to-hand combat, which has allowed you to dominate much of the field for the last few years. You are also a known friend to the Magical Inventor Brian Semsestra." After hesitating a moment she added, "and you're single." It took the professor several moments to reply.

"Well…I'm impressed. So…anyone still wondering if I'm qualified to teach this class?" He waited several moments for anyone who might to raise an objection. No one did. "Good. Now that we've got that out of the way…" He drew a pocket watch from his pants and looked at the time. "Time to begin." Looking back up he noticed no one had moved. "What are you waiting for? A Dementor? RUN!" With that the class was hustled into action and began to make the circuit of the courtyard.

They began to string out fairly quickly by athletic ability. As each passed the gate a random spell was flung in their direction so that they each had to draw a shield to block. After the first lap everyone managed to succeed though even by the second people were starting to falter. It was a good distance along the wall and very few of them had had to do this much physical exertion. Harry, Ron and Ginny were among the best after years of Quiddich but they were hanging near the middle of the pack so Hermione could keep up.

It was the third go round when people finally started to fall out. The girls, unsurprisingly to most, were among the first though a few of the less fit boys went down as well. By the time the fifth lap came around the runners were falling away in chunks. It was at this point Hermione voluntarily fell back from the others, unable to go on. The stupefying spell knocked her off her feet but a quick bit of help from Ron gave her a soft landing. Soon it was just the remaining Quiddich trio and surprisingly, Neville and Luna, both of whom seemed to be running on pure force of will.

The next lap though saw both of them fail to block the spells cast their way, Neville partly because Luna fell into him. He did break her fall however. Ginny was leading as they came around to the gates once again and Harry could tell she was almost spent. He could also see she wasn't going to be able to bring up her shield in time. Focusing his mind he raised his wand and cast a shield around her. When the professor's spell bounced off it he cocked his head thoughtfully, but said nothing before moving on to Harry and Ron. For a moment it looked like it wouldn't matter as she began to stumble in her run. Just as she was about to fall one of them came up on each side and swung an arm over their shoulders to carry her. Reaching the gates again Harry raised his wand to block all three curses. Surprisingly, none came.

"Ten laps. Excellent work. Now, take a break. You've all earned it." He stepped away with his clipboard while the trio nearly collapsed against the wall near Hermione. It was a good long while before they could recover enough to hold a conversation. Harry hadn't felt this beat up since taking a bludger to the head last year.

"Well…that was different." Ron nodded in agreement.

"Yeah…but for once it actually feels like a real fight you know?" Ginny recalled the previous battles she had been involved in.

"Yeah…I feel just slightly more exhausted than after the ministry. Thanks for the help by the way. I was sure I was done for that last time around."

"No problem. You'd have done the same for us."

"Which reminded me," said Hermione. "He knew you cast the shield spell…why didn't he say anything?"

"Well…he never said we couldn't do it… Come to think of it he didn't really put any limitations on any of it." They stood again as the Professor turned his attention back to the class.

"You're tired. Good. Now's the best time to practice. So…break up into pairs and get going. Expelliarmus first then we'll move on." Tiredly breaking into pairs the class began practicing one on one. "It'll be difficult to focus, just like a real battle, but do your best to utilize purely nonverbal spells."

Two hours later and now thoroughly exhausted he finally called an end to the dueling practice. "Excellent. Now, we have to vacate the field so that Madam Hooch can give the first years their flying lesson." He glanced again at the watch. "On the upside it means you get a long lunch. I've made arrangements so you can all head back to the dormitories, get cleaned up and change clothes. Regular uniforms when we reconvene this afternoon."

Harry had never been so beat up after a lesson and the climb to Gryffindor tower made him suddenly wish he had a common room on a lower floor. His housemates seemed to agree with this view as they dragged themselves up yet another flight of stairs. They were so drained it took him, Dean and Neville combined to maintain a hovering spell to carry the collapsed Seamus into the common room.

Arriving in the great hall a while later Harry wasn't the only one thankful to be nearly crashing down on the benches. More than one person matched Ron for eating speed. After a meal and a change though, the class seemed to have recovered as they made their way to the afternoon session. The tenderness in legs and arms was obvious as people still moved gingerly along the hard flagstones. Of the quartet, Hermione seemed the most sore, actively accepting a little help from Ron while she walked.

"You three did really well. I was starting to wonder how long he expected you to keep going." Ron managed to grab hold of her bag and swung it over his free shoulder, easing her burden considerably.

"Well…he stopped it just in time. Don't think I could have made it around again. How about you Ron?"

"Nope. And with Ginny between us I'm not sure we'd have made it anyway."

"Hey, I didn't ask for your help."

"You didn't have to. That's what big brothers do. Or so I'm told. Never seen much evidence of it myself…"

"Well it helps when you're the only sister."

"I suppose…" Ron trailed off as he noticed the head of bubble gum pink hair that could only belong to one person. "Tonks!" The young Auror was leaning against the wall near the door to the Defense classroom watching over the entering students. At the mention of her name she looked up to see the four coming.

"Wotcher Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny."

"Tonks…what are you doing here?" Harry was suddenly concerned that an Order member was here, apparently waiting so close to the Defense classroom. Half a dozen possibilities crossed his mind before she answered, each worse than the last.

"Ministry sent me to keep an eye on your class. Or more specifically, your professor while he teaches you to resist the Imperius Curse." Hermione nodded slowly in recognition.

"That's right…he said there would be an Auror supervising the lessons. So why you?"

"Well…I'd like to say it's because of my talent and trustworthiness…but actually they just wanted to get rid of me for a while. They apparently don't like the clumsy young Auror hanging around. Well, no matter. On the upside it allows me the chance to report…sir." The last was directed at Harry and he seemed a little surprised at the title, but didn't try to change it. There was an order he had created and it needed to be maintained.

"Excellent. We'll find a free moment…maybe after class…"

"Works for me. Now, speaking of class…" She gestured to the door and they hurried in, again taking the same four seats front and center. They had only to wait a moment before Professor Keystone appeared from the side door.

"Welcome back. Class, you've probably noticed we've been joined by Miss Nymphadora Tonks." He gestured to the back of the desks where Tonks had summoned a similar stool to his and now sat watching the class. She nodded at the introduction though a slight grimace crossed her face at the mention of her name. "Miss Tonks is an Auror and has been assigned to this class to keep an eye on me during our Imperius Lessons. Apparently there was some trouble a few years back they want to make sure isn't repeated.

"Speaking of those lessons, Miss Weasley, if you be so kind as to collect the permission slips I handed out last week?" Ginny rose and made her way around the room as each student frantically dug out the parchment from wherever they had stashed it. Handing the stack over, she returned to her seat. He began to page through them, checking for signatures. Reaching the last page he bound the sheets together and set them on the stool. "Everyone… I'll admit myself surprised. I was sure a parent or two would say no." He glanced over the room and nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. It's good to know you're all this dedicated to your training. So…any volunteers?" Now that they had come to it the class all looked less than enthusiastic to begin. Finally Harry took a deep breath and rose.

"I'll go."

"Excellent. Mr. Potter, please stand over here." He gestured with his hand and drew him wand. "Good. Imperio!" Harry was caught off guard by the sudden assault but quickly focused his mind and will to resist the spell. Focusing with all his might he managed to emerge from the foggy weight the Imperus Curse set on his mind. "Now…dance." Harry could feel his legs twitching to obey but firmly held them in check. No…no I don't think I will. "I said…DANCE!" The weight on his will increased suddenly and he nearly gave in under it. Refocusing he threw all of his might into tossing it off. With a burst of breath he felt the spell repelled and dissipate as the professor took a surprised step back. "Excellent Potter. I'd heard you'd resisted the Imperius before…but to see it in action is something else again. Clearly you've had all the training you need." He gestured back to the desks and Harry resumed his seats to the impressed glances of the rest of the class.

"As Mr. Potter just demonstrated, the most important factor in resisting the Imperius Curse is your ability to focus your mind and just decide you're not going to do what you're told. Once in place the Imperius Curse is nearly impossible to throw off, but if you can stop it from the outset, it becomes harder each time the caster tries again." He waited a few moments to make sure everyone had taken in what he had said and waited for any questions. When none came he pushed on.

"Now, since I can only train one of you at a time, I've also set up," he waved his wand toward the open space in the back of the room, "a few practice stations." They all turned to see a few new pieces of equipment. To the left was what looked like an old carnival shooting gallery complete with spinning wheel targets, pop up birds and a variety of others. To the right was what appeared to be a pair of arms each fixed near a small hopper of tennis balls. "To the left is target practice to help you improve accuracy and speed. It can accommodate up to four people and will automatically keep score. To the right, the arms you see will hurl tennis balls at varying speed and direction that more or less mimic a well cast spell. As you might guess your task will be to avoid these shots. Simply dodging a spell instead of blocking it is more physically demanding, but it saves the mental effort of blocking stronger curses. So, check them out at your leisure. Now…how about Mr. Longbottom next?"

While most of the class rose to inspect the new equipment, Neville made his way slowly to the front of the class. After a few minutes of work he was replaced by Luna and so on through the class. While each person was being subjected to the Imperius Curse, under Tonks' watchful gaze, the remaining students not recovering from the effects had a grand time with target and dodge practice. In the excitement and with the noise of all the spells being cast both verbally and nonverbally, it was easy for Harry to sidle up next to Tonks.

"So…what news from the Order?" She glanced around to confirm they were alone and spotted Ron heading off anyone coming their way. While focusing on the dais in front of her she spoke quietly so just he could hear and he responded in kind.

"Well…no one's seen or felt neither cloak nor fear from the Dementors in a while. Remus thinks they're gathered somewhere dark and damp, multiplying and waiting for the moment to strike. There target though is a mystery. Moody mentioned, and I concur, that the Aurors are spread far too thin. In order to make the ministry look like it's doing something, Scrimgeour has us protecting damn near everything and none of it well. The saving grace is that attacks have fallen off to almost nothing recently."

"But I saw in the paper just last week…Aureleas…something was killed."

"MacNamara. Yeah. That's one of the two exceptions. The other was another unspeakable. Just outright killed. We still don't know why."

"What was he working on?"

"Don't know that either. Even Alastor can't find out. Must have been something deep though."

"And…Snape?"

"It's like the pair has dropped off the face of the planet. We've heard nothing of either of them. We'll keep looking though."

"Good. How about recruitment?"

"Slowly. We have to make sure we can trust them after all. The Order stayed secret this long by being careful. We've managed to get three new members though with a handful of prospects. You'd be amazed how many people are sick of the Ministry's mess-ups and are ready to take things into their own hands."

"No I wouldn't. I've had deal with them…remember?"

"Oh yeah. But if these people work out, we'll need an address to give them."

"Let me know when." He had told all the people necessary so far, that had taken the better part of a day after becoming the Order's Secret-Keeper. If he thought about it he could come up with the name of every current member of the Order, information that not even McGonagall had had. One of the benefits of taking over for Dumbledore. His thoughts were returned to the present though by the tolling of the school's clock telling him that the end of class had come.

"Any orders you'd like me to take back?" Harry considered it for a second.

"Yeah…ask everyone to put together a list of any person, being or force that Voldemort might use against us. And the best way to defeat it. Also…watch the muggle papers for any missing people. He might try using inferi again."

"Will do."

"Thanks. Oh…by the way…how's Remus?" She colored just a touch at the name but quickly recovered.

"Fine. He's steering clear of his fellow wolves now. Too dangerous. And he's looking a little more haggard than usual, but all in all, not bad." Before he could pursue the line of inquiry further, Professor Keystone drew everyone's attention to the front.

"Excellent job today. I was surprised how well most of you resisted the Imperius Curse. I think we'll be through that sooner than I originally planned. Which will allow us to move onto our next topic, inferi. Until next week." He spread his hands to dismiss the class. Most of them immediately headed out. Ron and Harry waited at the door for the girls but only Ginny joined them.

"Hermione said to tell you not to wait and that she's got to talk to Tonks about something." Ron looked just a little surprised and slightly annoyed.

"Did she say what?"

"Nope. Probably a question on the OWLs or something. Come on. We can take a break for a while before dinner. I've got a question about a transfiguration you two might be able to help me with. Ron…come on." The last was directed at her brother who was staring back into the class room. At a slight tug he followed the others back up through the castle to the Gryffindor common room.

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